Eternal Flame at President Kennedy's Grave
25 NOV 1963 - The world was focused on Washington DC and Arlington National Cemetery, for the United States of America was paying final honors to it’s fallen President.
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For weeks, the 3d Infantry Regiment of the US Army – The Old Guard – has been on a mission within Arlington National Cemetery … The prestigious ceremonial unit, which calls Fort Myer their home since 1948, has been photographing each of the headstones within the hallowed ground of what was once the Custis-Lee estate.
GHTime Code(s): ncWritten by someone who has been there, the following is a “guest” posting from a dear friend:
During the past decade since the attacks of September 11, 2001, we have been a nation at war. In Afghanistan, our enemy has been the Taliban, Al Qaida and countless foreign fighters whose only goal has been to kill Americans, in great numbers.
It has–and continues to be–a long war. Against an amorphous, enduring enemy.
The centerpiece of that war has been a single, elusive icon of terror who personally directed the mass killings of innocent people around the world.
From the first day, we fought back. And we continue to fight.
We have lost friends, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers. We have heard the sound of Taps echo and linger in the distance. Many courageous men and women have returned with grievous wounds—sometimes invisible to the naked eye.
Despite the many obstacles, dangers and threats, we continue to fight.
In a long war, the sacrifice is often spread across generations.
Many of those operators who raided that compound 30 miles outside Islamabad were likely too young to drive when the 9/11 attacks occurred.
And yet, these volunteers most certainly remembered that fateful day, and were thinking about it as they were being transported into Pakistan via Special Operations helicopters in the dead of night. The images were likely decisive in their decision to take their oath– to defend against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Fueled by adrenalin, a healthy dose of fear, and a supreme confidence in their equipment and training, warriors like these know well that things can and likely will go wrong. That’s why they rehearse. Whether they are on their target or supporting from afar, it’s why they look after one another, and will never leave a fallen comrade behind.
They are the best living definition of a team. Because they operate as a single unit toward a common, understood objective. They never quit. When the conditions change, they adapt. They can communicate intuitively, with silent hand and arm signals through the green glow of night vision goggles, or single syllable transmissions spoken into a whisper mike. They often follow orders delivered a continent away. They are brothers–closer to one another than their own immediate families.
When they are in pursuit of a target, political boundaries are irrelevant. Moving as a synchronized team, they act decisively and selflessly, and inform their hosts later.
Mission first.
Fortunately, these operators are ours.
It is these remarkable men who are deployed forward in a land they do not seek to permanently occupy, and who, in the most desperate circumstances, continue to fight — for all of us.
–John Fenzel, May 2, 2011
John is a dear friend, a patriot who wears the uniform and author of the outstanding book “The Lazarus Covenant”
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Army Day can be traced back to a little-known Defense Test Day, which was observed only twice: once in 1924 and once in 1925. Congress then disallowed any further observances of this day. In response, the Military Order of the World War under Colonel Thatcher Luquer established Army Day. Army Day was first celebrated on May 1, 1928. That date was chosen in hopes of dampening Communists’ celebration of Workers’ Day, which also occurs on May 1. But, starting in 1929, Army Day was changed to April 6, the anniversary date of the United States’ entry into World War I.
Friday, 25 MARCH 2011 came and went with little fanfare, it seems the country was focused on basketball, events around the world or didn’t really know that a day was set aside to raise the awareness of the true heroes, most of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice and never saw the medal they were awarded… Continue Reading…
The last living WWI from the United States passed away in February 2011. Since his passing marks the end of an era, efforts were made to allow him to lie in honor in the US Capitol Rotunda. Instead, the pleas of the people have gone unanswered and he will lie in honor in an obscure chapel, which most people don’t know even exists at Arlington National Cemetery’s Amphitheater. In my opinion, not really fitting for “the last one”
As the grandson of someone who closed his newly established business after he “legally” emigrated from Poland to serve as a machine gunner in France during WW I, I believe in my heart of hearts that we have forgotten the sacrifices of the millions who were involved in the War … and those that have followed.
The supposed current leaders of the United States have forgotten the lesson from the Father of Our Country who said:
“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”
- George Washington
Perhaps if those who are in power served in the military, they would understand the sacrifices made by those who serve and their families.
I personally consider each one of them irresponsible, uncaring and totally unpatriotic – I am proud to say that I’ve voted for none of them and given the opportunity, would not vote for them… ever.
GHTime Code(s): ncAnother historic milestone was set in February when Mr. Frank Buckles, who served in WW I passed away at the age of 110. He was the last WW I veteran and also was
GHTime Code(s): nc ncI often don’t do a blog entry about my products. However there’s a special promotion on MUGS this weekend it begins at 50% off for a few hours and then 20% off the rest of the weekend…
I was asked to develop one of The Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps. The photo is from the 2009 Old Guard Calendar which I published.
Heres the link to the MUGS
If you make it within the time window, enter in the promo code FFHSMUGS4YOU
If you miss the time window, MUGS are still 20% off all weekend
“I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.” – General George S. Patton Jr.
Many of the photographs contained in the gallery have been turned into some outstanding products that make great gifts or something for yourself.
From mugs, to t-shirts to hats, tote bags, mouse pads and even custom stamps, you’re sure to find something that you’d like.
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