Monteith. Having been a cadet in M Company and resident of Monteith Hall from 1960 to 1964, I should have featured Jimmie’s heroism in one of my Monday messages on a previous Memorial Day, an oversight corrected today thanks to your reminder; Jimmie’s Medal of Honor citation exemplifies Ut Prosim in service to America, a sacrifice that dwarfs most mortals. Two Minutes with Christianity Message 339, May 25, 2026: Remember those who defended freedom Before celebrating Memorial Day with family and friends, take time to reflect on the patriots who courageously, selflessly perished in service to our nation founded under God, without which our freedom, including our right to enjoy life and worship as we wished, would not be possible. One such sacrifice is that of 1st Lieutenant Jimmie Monteith, a Virginia native and Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) ’37 graduate, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as part of the D-Day invasion on Omaha Beach, 6 June 1944, near Colleville-sur-Mer, France, recorded in this citation. First Lt. Monteith landed with the initial assault waves on the coast of France under heavy enemy fire. Without regard to his own personal safety, he continually moved up and down the beach reorganizing men for further assault. He then led the assault over a narrow protective ledge and across the flat, exposed terrain to the comparative safety of a cliff. Retracing his steps across the field to the beach, he moved over to where two tanks were buttoned up and blind under violent enemy artillery and machine-gun fire. Completely exposed to the intense fire, 1st Lt. Monteith led the tanks on foot through a minefield and into firing positions. Under his direction several enemy positions were destroyed. He then rejoined his company and under his leadership his men captured an advantageous position on the hill. Supervising the defense of his newly won position against repeated vicious counterattacks, he continued to ignore his own personal safety, repeatedly crossing the 200 or 300 yards of open terrain under heavy fire to strengthen links in his defensive chain. When the enemy succeeded in completely surrounding 1st Lt. Monteith and his unit and while leading the fight out of the situation, 1st Lt. Monteith was killed by enemy fire. The courage, gallantry, and intrepid leadership displayed by 1st Lt. Monteith is worthy of emulation. Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Stories of Sacrifice All powerful God, today we honor the brave men and women who have laid down their lives for their country, a sacrifice that humbles us. We beg Your eternal peace for these warriors, while honoring their gallant service and sending our love to them. May the evil of oppression and war end forever, supplanted by Your infinite love. “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Thomas Jefferson