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WASHINGTON — Emotions ran the spectrum from laughter to tears at a Medal of Honor ceremony in Washington, D.C., Tuesday for former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha. His son stole the show before the ceremony started, playing peekaboo with the crowd.
Sporting a tiny suit and a big smile, Colin Romesha, a mere 1-1/2 years old, got up on stage and walked behind the podium while his father and President Barak Obama waited to take the stage.
He stuck his head out and laughed. Those in attendance at the normally solemn ceremony returned the laughter.
Eventually, little Colin was gently put back in his mother's arms by a presidential aid, and the West Wing event carried on.
Romesha was honored for his work during one of the most intense battles of the Afghanistan conflict. On Oct. 3 2009, Taliban fighters attacked Combat Outpost Keating in the early hours of the morning. A difficult fight ensued, with the U.S. outnumbered 53 to about 300. Most survived.
Romesha was unable to hold back tears as the president presented the commendation, but he ultimately said that he felt conflicted about receiving the highest military honor.
"I'm feeling conflicted with this medal I now wear," Romesha told media afterward. "The joy comes from recognition for us doing our jobs as soldiers on distant battlefields, but is countered by the constant reminder of the loss of our battle buddies, my battle buddies, my soldiers, my friends."
Most survived the fight, but eight were killed and 22 wounded. Romesha himself felt the sting of grenade shrapnel, but he nevertheless carried at least 10 people out, all while wounded. He also helped recover the bodies of fallen Americans.
It was later found that the post was "tactically indefensible."
"Our troops should not ever be put in a position where they have to defend the indefensible," Obama said. "That's what these soldiers did for each other in sacrifice driven by pure love."
