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Some have labeled the summer of 2009, the Summer of the Celebrity Death Watch, and one could successfully argue the point. Ed McMahon, Karl Malden, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, David Carradine, Koko Taylor, Fred Travalena and, most notably, Michael Jackson -- to name but a few off the top of my head -- have all passed away over the course of June and July. While the mortality of a generation is always catalyst for priority re-evaluation and reflection, it is the caliber of "the catalyst" -- those we have elevated to iconic status -- that exposes just how superficial our American culture has become. 

This is not to say that I don't appreciate the successes and contributions, the talents and the prowess those who have passed over the last month and a half have shared with the world. As someone who was part of the entertainment industry in my youth, I certainly appreciate the talents of pitchmen, actors and musicians passed. And even though a few of those who are now celebrated had colorful and sometimes disturbing personal lives or political views that differed from mine, I am able to divorce the ugly flaws of man and political ideology (within reason) to appreciate the talents they shared with the world. 

But there is an enormous difference between sharing a talent and making a sacrifice, especially when that sacrifice comes in the service of our country and in the advancement of liberty and freedom around the world. It is because of this that I can empathize with families of fallen soldiers who have expressed their dismay with the over-abundance of adulation heaped upon the privileged of the entertainment world, especially when that adulation mutes or silences the heralding of the passing of someone who really should be elevated to iconic stature. A perfect example of this comes to us in the passing of Marine Corps Colonel Kenneth L. Reusser. 

As I and my friend Mike mulled the issues of the day and the genesis of our nation's independence over the July 4th holiday, he pulled out a folded piece of newspaper -- an obituary -- and handed it to me. "Everyone is talking about Michael Jackson and his contributions to our culture. How about this guy? You haven't heard a word about him and he was a true American hero," Mike said as he handed me the clipping. It read:

 

"Decorated Marine Pilot Shot Down Three Times

"Associated Press, Clackamas, Ore. -- Retired Marine Corps Col. Kenneth L. Reusser, a highly decorated Marine aviator who was shot down in three wars, has died at age 89. 

"Mr. Reusser, who died June 20 and was buried Friday, flew 253 combat missions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and was shot down in all three, five times in all. 

"His 59 medals included two Navy Crosses, four Purple Hearts and two Legions of Merit. 

"In 1945, while based in Okinawa, he stripped down his F4U-4 Corsair fighter and intercepted a Japanese observation plane at a high altitude. When his guns froze, he flew his fighter into the observation plane, hacking off its tail with his propeller. 

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