Archive for the ‘Veterans’ Category

In 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial…

Posted: 13 Nov 2012 in Coast Guard, Hero, Military, US Air Force, US Army, US Marines, US Navy, Veterans
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…designed by Maya Lin, was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington.

“If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.

Major Michael Davis O’Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
Listed as KIA February 7, 1978

The Memorial

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a symbol of America’s honor and recognition of the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War. Inscribed on the black granite walls are the names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives or remain missing. Yet the Memorial itself is dedicated to honor the “courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty and country” of all who answered the call to serve during the longest war in U.S. history.

The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Fund, Inc. is the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 1980 to fund and build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Incorporated on April 27, 1979 by a group of veterans led by Jan C. Scruggs, who was wounded and decorated for service in Vietnam, the organization sought a tangible symbol of recognition from the American people for those who served in the war.

By separating the issue of individuals serving in the military during the Vietnam era and U.S. policy carried out there, VVMF hoped to begin a process of national reconciliation. Two members of the U.S. Senate, Charles Mathias (R-Md.) and John Warner (R-Va.), took the lead in Congress to enact legislation providing three acres in the northwest corner of the National Mall as a site for the Memorial.  It was dedicated on Nov. 13, 1982.

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Happy Veterans Day!

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 in Coast Guard, Military, Military History, US Air Force, US Army, US Marines, US Navy, Veterans, Veterans Day
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Thank you to all who have served and are serving today. It is my honor to be among you.

Remember to thank a Veteran today, and every day. They deserve your respect, regardless of what you think about the current wars. They didn’t start them, they were sent there to finish them.

 

 

 

2012 Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies…

Posted: 5 Nov 2012 in Coast Guard, Military, US Air Force, US Army, US Marines, US Navy, Veterans
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…for those of you so inclined to take advantage of such niceties, here’s this year’s list from Military.com:

2012 Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies

Each year businesses honor Veterans and Servicemembers by offering Veterans Day discounts on goods, services, and dining.

Keep in mind that most businesses require some proof of military service, this includes a VA Universal Access Card, Military I.D., DD-214 (Discharge Papers), Veterans Service Organization Card (VSO’s include groups like the VFW, DAV, AmVets, MOAA, FRA, and the American Legion), or in some cases a picture of the veteran in uniform.

Note: Not all franchise locations participate in their national chain’s Veterans Day programs, be sure  to contact your nearest establishment to be sure they are participating.

The following is a short list of 2012 Veteran and military discounts, Buy One Get One (BOGO) offerings, and  this year’s offerings even include some honest-to-goodness free meals:

[Visit the Military.com Veteran’s Day Discount page for a complete up-to-date list of Veteran’s Day discounts and freebies.]

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Navy SEALs and Obama…

Posted: 4 Nov 2012 in Axis of Idiots, Buyers' Remorse, Comarade Obama, Elections have Consequences, Military, Obama, Politics, SCOAMF, US Navy, Veterans, Video
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…no love here.

Worst President EVER.

The Truth About Fort Hood…

Posted: 1 Nov 2012 in Failure, Islam, Military, Muslims, Politics, Terrorism, US Army, Veterans, Video
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…a video released by the victims of the terrorist Nidal Hasan, and why they want what he did classified as a terrorist attack.

I agree. It was a terrorist attack. Just because he was an Army major, doesn’t change that fact. He did it in the name of Islam and should be tried as a terrorist and the incident should be  classified as such.

Fort Hood shooting victims want attack called terror
By Megan McCloskey

WASHINGTON — Victims of the Fort Hood shooting are rallying in a grassroots effort to get the rampage classified as an act of terrorism.

A coalition of 160 victims and family members released a video Thursday detailing what happened at the Texas military base on Nov. 5, 2009, and why they believe it was a terror attack.

In “The Truth About Fort Hood,” victims give testimonials about their experience and express their frustration at the government calling the incident “workplace violence.”

They point out that the accused shooter, Maj. Nidal Hasan, consulted by email with top al-Qaida leader Anwar al-Awlaki about whether an attack against American soldiers was justified to “protect our brothers.” Until his death in an airstrike in 2011, Yemen-based Awlaki was considered one of the United States’ top enemies.

The shooting for Hasan “was his jihad,” Staff Sgt. Alonzo Lunsford, who was shot five times that day, said in the video.

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The Policies of this Administration…

Posted: 30 Oct 2012 in Afghanistan, Buyers' Remorse, Coast Guard, Comarade Obama, Democrats, Failure, Military, Obama, Politics, SCOAMF, Terrorism, US Air Force, US Army, US Marines, US Navy, Veterans, WTF Files
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…are getting our Soldiers killed.
There’s no other way to say it.
And this President doesn’t give a shit about the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines under his command.
As the Commander in Chief it is his responsibility to make sure that his policies aren’t getting our Soldiers killed needlessly.
His absolute lack of concern for the military in general is appalling to me. Thank God I retired before this douche bag was elected.
I thought Clinton was bad, but this guy takes the prize for worst C-i-C ever.

In Their Own Words: Obama’s Effect on Military Families
By Elise Cooper

President Obama seems to have a disregard for those defending America.  Recently, on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show, he commented on the death of three Americans and Ambassador Chris Stevens: “… it’s not optimal.”  The mother of Sean Smith, a Foreign Service officer and one of the three killed, reportedly responded to the president: “My son is not very optimal. He is also very dead. It was a disrespectful thing to say[.]”

That is how many families feel about the president’s attitude toward those who have died serving their country.  Billy and Karen Vaughn spoke with American Thinker about their deceased Navy SEAL Team Six son, Aaron, and their views on this administration’s rules of engagement policies.

Aaron Vaughn was one of thirty U.S. service members, including 22 members of SEAL Team Six, killed when the helicopter they were traveling in was downed on August 5, 2011, in Afghanistan.  This was the largest loss of life in the history of naval special warfare.  At the time of his death, Aaron left behind a two-year-old son, a two-month-old daughter, his wife, and his parents.  He became a SEAL in 2004 and joined SEAL Team Six in 2010.  He was one of the few SEALs to get his name on the “First Time Every Time Wall,” an honor for those SEALs who passed every test on their first try.

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Read on:

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier…

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 in Hero, Military, US Army, Veterans
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…still guarded through hurricane Sandy.
Members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, maintain their vigilance through all weather, even hurricanes.
Pride swells for such devotion.
Hooah!

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Remains Guarded Through Hurricane Sandy
Katie Pavlich

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery will remain guarded through Hurricane Sandy. Photos of a soldier diligently performing his duties were posted on the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Facebook page.

(Spc. Brett Hyde, Tomb Sentinel, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), maintains his vigil during Hurricane Sandy while guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Oct., 29, 2012. In 1948 the Old Guard assumed the post following the unit’s reactivation in the nation’s capital. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.))

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Democrats Keeping it Classy…

Posted: 26 Oct 2012 in Axis of Idiots, Buyers' Remorse, Comarade Obama, Constitution, Democrats, Domestic Terrorist, First Amendment, Military, Obama, Politics, SCOAMF, Terrorism, Veterans, WTF Files
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…by vandalizing a Veteran’s signs and flags because he supported Mitt Romney.
They also painted “Obama 4 life” on his driveway.
This is pathetic.

Way to keep it classy assholes.

Lake County veteran’s Mitt Romney signs, flags torched in yard
Howey-in-the-Hills police search for vandals

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. –

Police are searching for the vandals who apparently torched more than a dozen campaign signs and American flags in a Howey-in-the-Hills veteran’s yard.

William Overbay said someone ignited the flags and signs, which supported Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, that he had lined along his yard. The vandals also painted a sign on his driveway reading “Obama for life,” at his DuPont Circle home, Overbay said.

“This is the first thing I saw was this sign painted on my driveway,” Overbay said.

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RIP CSM Plumley…

Posted: 16 Oct 2012 in History, Military, Military History, US Army, Veterans
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…report to Fiddler’s Green!

America has lost a true icon of leadership and a great Soldier.
This is a little late, but I’m not letting it slip by unnoticed.

Rest in peace Sergeant Major. Your mission is accomplished.

Enjoy the company of your brothers in arms at Fiddler’s Green.

Here’s the obituary:

CSM (ret.) Basil L. Plumley
January 1, 1920-
October 10, 2012

Columbus, Georgia- CSM Basil L. Plumley, 92, died Wednesday October 10, 2012 at the Columbus Hospice House, Columbus, Georgia.

Funeral services with Military Honors will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday October 16, 2012 in the Infantry Center Chapel, Ft. Benning, Georgia with burial to follow in the Main Post Cemetery, Ft. Benning, Georgia according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus, Georgia. The family will receive friends Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

CSM Plumley was born in Blue Jay, West Virginia, the second son and fifth child of an electrician Clay Plumley and his wife Georgia, both of West Virginia stock. Plumley was also preceded in death by his wife, Deurice who died on May 28, 2012, his grandson, Kenneth Kimble, two brothers and three sisters.

He is well known for his actions as Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of Ia Drang (1965). General Hal Moore praised Plumley as an outstanding NCO and leader in the book We Were Soldiers Once…And Young. The sergeant major was known affectionately by his Soldiers as “Old Iron Jaw.”

Plumley enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 31, 1942 as a private, having completed two years of high school. His civilian occupation was listed as semiskilled chauffeur/driver of bus, taxi, truck, or tractor.

Plumley is a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During World War Two, Plumley made four combat jumps with the 82ND Airborne Division: OPERATION HUSKY (Sicily), OPERATION AVALANCHE (Salerno), OPERATION NEPTUNE (Normandy), and OPERATION MARKET GARDEN (Holland). He also made one combat jump in Korea with the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment in the Battle of Yongju.

He retired as a command sergeant major on December 31, 1974. After his retirement he worked 15 years for the Army at Martin Army Community Hospital as a civilian and retired again in 1990.

Plumley’s awards and decorations include the Silver Star (one Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (one Oak Leaf Cluster and Valor Device), Purple Heart (three Oak Leaf Clusters), Air Medal (one silver and three bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Presidential Unit Citation (two Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Word War II Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal (with Arrowhead device and three campaign stars), Vietnam Service Medal (with one silver and three bronze campaign stars), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal for Korea, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Master Combat Parachutist Badge (with gold star, indicating 5 combat jumps), Vietnam Army Basic Parachutist Badge, and the Order of St. Maurice. He is one of only 324 known recipients of the third award of the Combat Infantry Badge .

CSM Plumley received the “Doughboy Award” in 1999. The Doughboy Award is presented annually to recognize an individual for outstanding contributions to the United States Army Infantry. The award is presented on behalf of all Infantrymen past and present.

He was portrayed by Sam Elliott in the film We Were Soldiers.

Survivors include his daughter, Debbie Kimble, his granddaughter, Carrie Brown and her husband Jeff, his great grandchildren, Carson Brown, Jackson Brown, numerous nieces and nephews.
Flowers will be appreciated and donations may be made to National Infantry Foundation, 1775 Legacy Way, Suite 220, Columbus, Georgia 31903 or those wishing to donate online can do so at www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com in honor of CSM (R) Basil Plumley or to the Columbus Hospice Inc. , 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31909 or those wishing to donate online can do so at www.columbushospice.com in honor of CSM (R) Basil Plumley.

Support Heroes…

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 in Military, Veterans
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…by buying Heroes Vodka. It’s new, it’s by a Veteran for Veterans.

If/when it ever gets out this way, I’ll definitely partake. Those of you in Tennessee and in the east may already be able to do so.

Tip one for me.

Vodka by a veteran, for veterans (and other cocktail lovers)
By Bill Briggs

Between sampling and selling his first batch of Heroes Vodka, Marine veteran Travis McVey concocted a catchy marketing slogan.

“Some people drink to

forget. We drink to remember,” McVey said in a phone interview this week, referring partly to two friends, Marine buddies killed in the line of duty.

“I was sitting at the VFW on (a recent) Memorial Day with some other veterans. I was looking at the bar,” McVey said. “I was thinking: No one has ever really marketed a veteran-owned spirit company. And what better name than ‘Heroes?’ Everybody has served, but the guys who didn’t come back are true heroes to me. I wanted to create a product that would be in honor of their service, something that people could raise their glass to and give a toast.”

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