Pa. soldier's heroic act inspires strangers

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_534626.html

Pfc. Ross McGinnis' death in Iraq last year profoundly affected two strangers -- a young Florida girl and a Los Angeles songwriter.
McGinnis, 19, of Knox in Clarion County dived on a hand grenade tossed by insurgents into his Humvee on Dec. 4, sacrificing himself but sparing the lives of four squad mates, who were injured.

"When I read about it, it was just something that stood out. He was so brave, and he saved his friends. It was just unbelievable," said Destany Hotard, a ninth-grader in Jacksonville.

Hotard, a young singer, says McGinnis' selfless act was a story she wanted to tell with music.

Using her own money, Hotard booked time in a studio and recorded "PFC Ross A. McGinnis." She posted the song -- written by songwriter Seth Jackson -- on her MySpace Web page. She tracked down McGinnis' parents, Tom and Romayne, and sent them a copy along with a handwritten letter.
Tom McGinnis says the song reminded him of the moment when two military officers showed up on his doorstep to tell him his son had died in combat on a Baghdad street.

"It was touching and bittersweet," he said. "It brings back memories of his death and just makes you aware that he's not coming back."


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More at the link


Hear the song here:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=48153746


(Note from Beaverhausen: I heard the writer of the song, Seth Jackson, perform it at a showcase here in Los Angeles last month and it really hit me hard. I'm glad it is getting more attention.)

Also, K & R for American heroism.

:hi: