The military is abundant with traditions, ceremony and pageantry, but most of all and foremost is traditions. Having had the privilege and honor to work among so many military units over the last decade plus, I’ve been exposed to many traditions that are memorable and stand out in my mind.
Recently I was in Arlington National Cemetery following up on taking headstone photos of final honors I had photographed when off in the distance was an Old Guard Soldier along with a woman who I later found out was his wife.
She was taking photos of him standing next to a headstone and as I approached, I engage them in conversation with a question about did the bus leave without you? “No sir.” was the reply, “This was my last final honors and I’m being transferred, so I’ll walk out of the cemetery. ”
With camera in hand, I offered to take a few photographs of him and his bride. With that done, they began their walk back to Fort Myer passing the many heroes who are nestled in perpetual sleep among the acres of Arlington. Thank you Soldier… Thank you for your service.
GHTime Code(s): nc Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 9:33 am. Add a comment
We lost another hero on 05 APR 2012 – He was a true patriot and one of the elite – The US Army’s Special Forces. I can’t really recall the first time I met Jack, but he was always glad to see me and thanked me for what I was doing for the Special Forces and for the US Army.
The true surprise came a few years ago in the US Mail – it was from the Freedom Team Salute – I was surprised to receive it. When I opened and read the letter it began:
” Dear John Michael.
CSM Jack Bonner has nominated you for the Freedom Team Salute for your support and promotion of the US Army… “
The next time I saw Jack, I asked him why he nominated me… He replied “Why are you doing what you’re doing for the Special Forces and the US Army?” I told him I believed in the value of what the Special Forces and US Army has done and continues to do for the US and the free world. – Jack said, “That’s reason enough to nominate you…”
Enclosed was an Army Star lapel pin along with a decal … I proudly wear the pin as a reminder of the man who thought enough to honor me. It was great to know him.
I wear the pin proudly. Jack, I ‘ll miss you … Thank you for your service! Thank you for your friendship.
GHTime Code(s): nc Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 3:14 am. Add a comment
It WAS October 12, 1961 when a visit by then President John F. Kennedy to Fort Bragg, North Carolina that would turn the tide and raise the awareness of these elite Soldiers of the US Army and award them officially their badge of honor – “The Green Beret”
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GHTime Code(s): nc nc nc nc Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 7:12 am. Add a comment
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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GHTime Code(s): nc nc nc nc Posted 1 year, 6 months ago at 12:13 pm. Add a comment
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.
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GHTime Code(s): nc Posted 1 year, 9 months ago at 10:37 pm. Add a comment
Written 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”
GHTime Code(s): nc Posted 2 years ago at 11:39 pm. Add a comment
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.
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GHTime Code(s): nc nc nc Posted 2 years, 1 month ago at 5:59 am. Add a comment
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…
GHTime Code(s): nc nc nc nc nc Posted 2 years, 1 month ago at 11:49 am. Add a comment
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): nc Posted 2 years, 2 months ago at 8:30 pm. Add a comment
Another 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
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GHTime Code(s): nc nc Posted 2 years, 2 months ago at 11:47 am. 4 comments
