(Sent to us by RE, once the head schoolmaster at Portland State U. 
Subject: Bush and the State of the Union)

 Received 30 Jan 2007  --  "Despite all else upon which we may disagree with him, what blindingly came through Tuesday evening was that this is a noble, heroic man, standing almost alone against America's enemies while
viciously ridiculed and reviled for it. Yet he stands fast with graciousness and courtesy toward all, as a gentleman.   He stood there alone that night and 
spoke eloquently to a Congress and a nation of spoiled brats.

"Watching the President's State of the Union speech last night, listening to him, I thought of Horatio at the bridge.  What if it had happened in Rome's prime, with its citizens so prosperous they were cynical and spoiled? What if they despised Horatio's solitary heroism, and their leaders and 
intellectual elite pined for Rome's defeat instead? What if the Roman people hated Horatio for his attempt to save them, rather than honoring him? 

                  ---- Segments from text by Dr. Jack Wheeler

A Medal for Horatius: The True Story 
(By Colonel W C Hall, printed in the British Army Journal January 1953.) 

Rome, II Calends, April CCCLX 
SUBJECT: Recommendation for Senate Medal of Honor 
TO: Department of War, Republic of Rome 

I. Recommend Caius Horatius, Captain of Foot, CMCMXIV, for the Senate Medal of Honor.  II. Captain Horatius has served XVI years, all honorable. 
III. On the II day of March, during the attack on the city by Lars Porsena of Clausium and his Tuscan Army of CMX men, Captain Horatius, with Sergeant Sporius Laritus and Corporal Julius Herminius, held the entire Tuscan army at the far end of the bridge, until the structure could be destroyed, thereby saving the city. IV. Captain Horatius did valiantly fight and kill one Major Picus of Clausium in individual combat   V. The exemplary courage and the outstanding leadership of Captain Horatius are in the highest tradition of the Roman Army. 

(signed) JULIUS ANTINOUS, 
Commander, II Foot Legion 

Ist, Ind, AG IV Calends, April CCCLX 
TO: G-III 
For comment. 
G.C. 

IInd Ind, G-III IX Calends, May CCC 
TO: G-II 
I. For comment and forwarding.  II. Change end of paragraph III from "saving the city" to "lessened the effectiveness of the enemy attack." The Roman Army was well dispersed tactically; the reserve had not been committed. The phrase as written might be construed to cast aspersions on our fine army. III. Change paragraph V from "outstanding leadership" to read "commendable initiative." Captain Horatius's command was II men, only I/IV of a squad. 
J.D. 

IIId Ind, G-II II Ides, June CCCLX 
TO: G-I 
I. Omit strength of Tuscan forces in paragraph III. This information is classified. II. A report evaluated as B-II states that the officer was a Captain Picus of Tifernum. Recommend change to "an officer of the enemy forces." 
J.H. 

IVth Ind, G-I IX Ides, January CCCLXI 
TO: JAG 
I. Full name is Caius Claudius Horatius. II. Change service from XVI to XV years. One year in Romulus Chapter BPOE, has been given credit for military service in error. 
E.J. 

Vth Ind, JAG II, February CCCLXI 
TO: AG 
I. The Porsena raid was not during wartime; the temple of Janus was 
closed.  II. The action against the Porsena raid, ipso facto, was a police action. III. The Senate Medal of Honor cannot be awarded in peacetime (AB/CVIII-XXV, paragraph XII, C).  IV. Suggest consideration for Soldier's Medal. 
P.B. 

VIth Ind, AF IV Calends, April CCCLXI 
TO: G-I 
Concur in paragraph IV, Vth Ind. 
L.J. 

VIIth Ind, G-I I May CCCLXI 
TO: AG 
Soldier's medal is given for saving lives; suggest star of bronze as appropriate. 
E.J. 

VIIIth Ind, JAG II Calends, June CCCLXI 
TO: JAG 
For opinion. 
G.C. 

IXth Ind, JAG II Calends, September CCCLXI 
I. XVIII months have elapsed since event described in basic letter. Star of bronze cannot be  awarded after XV months have elapsed.  II. Officer is eligible for Papyrus Scroll with Metal Pendant. 
P.B. 

X Ind, AG I Calends, October CCCLXI 
TO: G-I 
For draft of citation for Papyrus Scroll with Metal Pendant. 
P.B. 

XI Ind, G-I III Calends, October CCCLXI 
TO: G-II 
I. Do not concur. II. Our currently fine relations with Tuscany would suffer and current delicate negotiations might be jeopardized if publicity were given to Captain Horatius' actions at this time. 
T.J. 

XII Ind, G-II VI November CCCLXI 
TO: G-I 
A report rated D-IV, partially verified, states that Lars Porsena is very sensitive about the Horatius affair. 
E.T. 

XIIIth Ind, G-I X November CCCLXI 
TO: AG 
I. In view of information contained in preceding XI and XIII the endorsements, you will prepare immediate orders of Captain C. C. Horatius to one of our overseas stations (remote).  II. His attention will be directed to paragraph XII, POM, which prohibits interviews or conversations with newsmen prior to arrival at final destination. 
L.T. 

Rome II Calends, I April CCCLXII 
SUBJECT: Survey, Report of, Department of War 
TO: Captain Caius Caius Horatius, III Legion, V Phalanx, APO XIX, C/O Postmaster, Rome. 
I. Your statements concerning the loss of your shield and sword in the Tiber River on III March CCCLX have been carefully considered. II. It is admitted that you were briefly in action against certain unfriendly elements on that day. However, Sergeant Lartius and Corporal Herminius were in the same action and did not lose any government property.  III. The Finance Officer has been directed to reduce your next pay by II-I/IV talents (I-III/IV talents cost one each sword, officers; III/IV talent cost of one each shield, M-II).  IV. You are enjoined and admonished to pay strict attention to conservation of government funds and property. The budget must be balanced next year. 
H. MARCUS AURELIUS 
Lieutenant of Horse 
Survey Officer