U.S. Army 244th Birthday / Flag Day

 

244 Years Strong

THE U.S. ARMY

AMERICA’S FIRST NATIONAL INSTITUTION

 

Since its official establishment, June 14, 1775 — more than a year before the Declaration of Independence — the U.S. Army has played a vital role in the growth and development of the American nation. Drawing on both long-standing militia traditions and recently introduced professional standards, it won the new republic’s independence in an arduous eight-year struggle against Great Britain. At times, the Army provided the lone symbol of nationhood around which patriots rallied.

 

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO VIEW THESE TWO (2) VERY SHORT VIDEOS.  THANK YOU

 

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Tomorrow is also Flag Day, an annual observance of the Second Continental Congress’ official adoption of the stars and stripes in 1777. At the time, they “resolved that the flag of the 13 United States” be represented by 13 alternating red and white stripes and the union by 13 white stars in a blue field, “representing a new constellation.” Now, more than 200 years later and with an updated design, the flag is an American icon.  Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is the only state to recognize it as a legal holiday.

As national treasures go, it was a bargain: $405.90 was paid to Mary Pickersgill of Baltimore, who fashioned it from red, blue and undyed wool, plus cotton for the 15 stars to fly at the fortress guarding the city’s harbor. An enormous flag, 30 by 42 feet, it was intended as a bold statement to the British warships that were certain to come.  And, when in September 1814, the young United States turned back the invaders in a spectacular battle witnessed by Francis Scott Key, he put his joy into a verse published first as “Defense of Fort M’Henry,” and then, set to the tune of a British drinking song – immortalized as “The Star Spangled Banner.”

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Military Humor –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Farewell Salutes – 

Harold Amstutz – Deerfield, MI; US Army, WWII, ETO, 8/4th Infantry Division

Donald Buckley – Herkimer, NY; US Army, Korea, HQ Co./187th RCT

Thurman Childress – Stamford, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, Co. E/188/11th Airborne Division

Valentine Ellis – Bothell, WA; US Army, WWII, ETO

Clyde Holcomb – Mobile, AL; US Army, WWII, ETO, 566th Anti-Aircraft Division, 3 Bronze Stars

Robert Mackey – North Bennington, VT; US Army Air Corps, WWII, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret.)

Sam Ostrow – Cincinnati, OH; US Army Air Corps, WWII

Milton Persin – Oak Brook, IL; US Army Air Corps, WWII

Harold Sanders – Hayesville, NC; US Army, WWII, ETO, Purple Heart

Walter Shamp – NY; US National Guard / US Army, WWII, 109/28th Division

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U.S. Army Birthday & Flag Day 2018

243RD Army Birthday

Headquarters Department of the Army is celebrating the Army’s 243rd birthday during the week of 10-16 June 2018 with numerous ceremonies and events. Highlighted celebrations are Army Day with the Nationals on 10 June; Twilight Tattoo hosted by the Sergeant Major of the Army on 13 June; a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on 14 June; the Pentagon Army Birthday Celebration also on 14 June; and culminating with the Army Birthday Ball on 16 June 2018.

 

 

Today is also Flag Day, an annual observance of the Second Continental Congress’ official adoption of the stars and stripes in 1777. At the time, they “resolved that the flag of the 13 United States” be represented by 13 alternating red and white stripes and the union by 13 white stars in a blue field, “representing a new constellation.” Now, more than 200 years later and with an updated design, the flag is an American icon.  Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is the only state to recognize it as a legal holiday.

As national treasures go, it was a bargain: $405.90 was paid to Mary Pickersgill of Baltimore, who fashioned it from red, blue and undyed wool, plus cotton for the 15 stars to fly at the fortress guarding the city’s harbor. An enormous flag, 30 by 42 feet, it was intended as a bold statement to the British warships that were certain to come.  And, when in September 1814, the young United States turned back the invaders in a spectacular battle witnessed by Francis Scott Key, he put his joy into a verse published first as “Defense of Fort M’Henry,” and then, set to the tune of a British drinking song – immortalized as “The Star Spangled Banner.”

 

STOP IN AND HEAR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM !!

 

 

If you live outside the U.S., and you also live free – display your flag as proudly as I do mine and enjoy your day!!

 

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Military Humor –

 

‘And this one’s for humor in the line of duty.’

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Farewell Salutes –

Alexander Conrad – Chandler, AZ ; US Army, Somalia, SSgt. 1/3rd Special Ops Forces Group, KIA

James Furcinito – Syracuse, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th Airborne Division

Paul Gilman – Belen, NM; USMC, WWII, M/3/8th Marines, KIA (Tarawa)

Leonard Grossman – NYC, NY; US Army, WWII

Delbert Hawkins – Augusta, KS; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO

Jack Kill – Yorktown, VA; US Army, WWII

Emil Lake – Great Falls, MT; US Army, Vietnam

Herbert ‘Mac’ McDaniel – Malvern, AR; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, Capt., / Korea, Lt. Col.

Gordon Schofield – Montreal, CAN/FL; US Air Force

Edward Thomas – Minneapolis, MN; US Army, “Bird Dog” pilot

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U.S. Army’s 242nd Birthday / Flag Day

THE U.S. ARMY

AMERICA’S FIRST NATIONAL INSTITUTION

U.S. Army uniforms through the years

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FLAG DAY 

Today is Flag Day, an annual observance of the Second Continental Congress’ official adoption of the stars and stripes in 1777. At the time, they “resolved that the flag of the 13 United States” be represented by 13 alternating red and white stripes and the union by 13 white stars in a blue field, “representing a new constellation.” Now, more than 200 years later and with an updated design, the flag is an American icon.  Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is the only state to recognize it as a legal holiday.

U.S. Army Sergeant Joey Odoms’ audition to sing the National Anthem from Afghanistan. On  10 November 2016, he performed in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Farewell Salutes – 

Dillion Baldridge – Youngsville, NC; US Army, Afghanistan, 101st Airborne Division, Cpl., KIA

William Bays- Barstow, CA; US Army, Afghanistan, 101st Airborne Division, Sgt., KIA

Eric Houck – Baltimore, MD; US Army, Afghanistan, 101st Airborne Division, Sgt., KIA

R. Patrick McGinley – Plainville, CT; US Army, 11th Airborne Division

Robert ‘Allen’ O’Berry – Kissimmee, FL; US Army, Sgt. (Ret. 20 yrs.)

Marcella Remery – W.Palm Beach, FL; US Army WAC

Harold Roland Jr. – Atlanta, GA; US Army, Korea, 82nd Airborne Division

Richard Stackhouse – Indianapolis, IN; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, Lt., B-24 bombardier

Robert Wilke Sr. – Owens Cross Roads, AL; US Army, Vietnam, Lt.Colonel, Bronze Star, Purple Heart

Samuel Wilson – Rice, VA; WWII & Vietnam, ‘Merrill’s Marauders, Lt. General (Ret. 37 yrs.), Silver Star (2), Bronze Star (2)

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Camp Polk – additional pictures/ Flag Day

Everett Smith w/ unknown buddy, Camp Polk

The Louisiana area has been used for ‘jungle’ or ‘guerrilla’ warfare training for many years and influenced quite a number of our military troops.  I chose today to include these further photographs to help show what these men of 1944 saw.

Nisei soldiers, Camp Polk 1944

Camp Polk 1944

Camp Polk 1944

 

 

 

 

 

Camp Polk 1944

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Flag Day –

For this years Flag Day, I chose to help celebrate the Star Spangled Banner’s 200 years!  As national treasures go, it was a bargain: $405.90 was paid to Mary Pickersgill of Baltimore, who fashioned it from red, blue and undyed wool, plus cotton for the 15 stars to fly at the fortress guarding the city’s harbor.

A collage of 2 women, 1914, at the Smithsonian working to restore the Star-Spangled Banner in a room with a model of a giant squid; by Terry Winters.

An enormous flag, 30 by 42 feet, it was intended as a bold statement to the British warships that were certain to come.  And, when in September 1814, the young United States turned back the invaders in a spectacular battle witnessed by Francis Scott Key, he put his joy into a verse published first as “Defense of Fort M’Henry,” and then, set to the tune of a British drinking song – immortalized as “The Star Spangled Banner.”

The flag itself, enshrined since 2008 in a special chamber at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, following a $7 million restoration.

This story was adapted from information found at the Smithsonian Magazine and the magnificent rendition of the U.S. National Anthem by GSgt. Alan Benoit, with many thanks.

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Military Humor –

The 5 Most Dangerous Things in the Army

 

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Farewell Salutes – 

Rodney Buentello – San Antonio, TX; USMC, Iraq, Afghanistan, MSgt. (Ret. 21 years), Purple Heart

Franklyn Castner – Elkton, MD; US Merchant Marine, WWII, PTO, USS Monterey

Joan Durman – Waikato, NZ; RAF, WWII # 891692

Ben Hiraga – Los Angeles, CA; US Army, WWII, 442nd RCT

Frank “Bud” Karkoski – Wauwatosa, WI, US Army, WWII, CBI

Michael Marks – Miami, FL; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 457 Artillery/11th Airborne Division

Robert Peterson – Concord, MA; US Army, WWII

Ernest Reinhold – Harrisburg, PA, US Air Force, 1st Lt.

Jacob Statesman – NYC, NY; US Army, WWII, ETO, Spearhead Division

Ivan Victor – New Orleans, LA; US Air Force, Korea

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FLAG DAY

A PROUD DAY IN JUNE – FLY THOSE FLAGS !!!

Pacific Paratrooper

For this years Flag Day, I chose to help celebrate the Star Spangled Banner’s 200 years!  As national treasures go, it was a bargain: $405.90 was paid to Mary Pickersgill of Baltimore, who fashioned it from red, blue and undyed wool, plus cotton for the 15 stars to fly at the fortress guarding the city’s harbor.

A collage of 2 women, 1914, at the Smithsonian working to restore the Star-Spangled Banner in a room with a model of a giant squid; by Terry Winters.

An enormous flag, 30 by 42 feet, it was intended as a bold statement to the British warships that were certain to come.  And, when in September 1814, the young United States turned back the invaders in a spectacular battle witnessed by Francis Scott Key, he put his joy into a verse published first as “Defense of Fort M’Henry,” and then, set to the tune of…

View original post 201 more words

Canada’s 50th Flag Day

 

LET’S ALL HELP CANADA CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR FLAG!!

 Click on to enlarge and read.

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Canadian Humor – Brrrr

 

 

 

 

 

 

I suppose this applies to most everyone these days!!

 

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Farewell Salutes – 

Kenneth Berg – Vancouver, CAN; RC Army, Korea, PPCLI

Don Berndt – Edmonton, CAN; RC Air Force, Master Warrant Officer (Ret. 37 years)

Gordon Loverin – Kelowna, CAN; RC Air Force (Ret. 29 years)

John Carr – Victoria, CAN; British Army, WWII

Alan Dalby – Victoria, CAN; RC Army, WWII

A.D. MacDonald – Montreal, CAN; RC Navy, Lt., WWII

Roy Scott – Calgary, CAN; RC Air Force, WWII, Parachute Corps

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Flag Day

In continuance of the American summer of remembrance, we now have Flag Day. For the readers in other countries, fly your own flag to show your fellow citizens your patriotism.

The Birth of Old Glory

Civil War era

WWII and Korean War

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE. Have a wonderful day and thank you for your support!!

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Fun notes –

One year ago, the USS Mohawk CGC, a former WWII warship, was sunk off of Sanibel Island, Florida to become a new reef – but now – it will be an underwater art gallery! Austrian photographer, Andreas Franke, has installed 12 images inside the ship encased in steel-framed Plexiglas. Tiny marine organisms are expected to invade the frames and give each display a unique aura. To enhance the project, Franke has superimposed images of models in WWII clothing onto the original photographs that will remain on display until 14 September.

In 1943, the school year was cut short at Hillhouse High School in New Haven, Conn. due to the onset of WWII, the graduating class never had a senior prom. Anthony Pegnataro, 87, former class president, said,” They were dire days, but Americans toughed it out. A prom was the last thing on my mind.” But, 70 years was long enough to wait!! Class of 1943 finally had their prom!!

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Farewell Salutes –

John Albert Barlett – U.S. Navy

Alex “Red” Engel – U.S. Navy, WWII

John L. Mertes – U.S. Marine Corps, WWII

Noel De Cordova, Jr. – Ensign, USN, Korean War. Later, Naval Reserves, retired as captain.

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