This is really sobering. Click on the link and find the city you went to high school and look at the names. Click on the name and it will give details of the death.
All posts in category Veterans’ News
Armed Forces Retirement Home
The mission of the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) is to fulfill our Nation’s commitment to provide care through a comprehensive range of services for America’s Armed Forces Veterans. They support their residents’ independence, dignity, distinction, heritage and future of continued life-enriching experiences.
Together, the AFRH family of residents and staff create a place of caring and continual learning. They are committed to providing the best housing and support services possible and creating a true community of accomplished, independent residents, who are free to explore their talents, pursue their interests, and follow their dreams.
- Residency fees for AFRH are 35% of income and the fees are capped at each campus. Since the fee is a percentage of income, it is affordable to all, and the one low fee covers not only living quarters, but also three full meals per day, including special dietary needs, wonderful recreation facilities and program, from bowling and ceramics to a 9-hole gold course on the Washington campus & covered swimming pool on the Gulfport campus, bus trips to local and regional attractions such as museums, theaters, sporting events, shipping and sightseeing.
- Dormitories are available for independent living which provides each resident with a private room with a private bath and shower in Washington and private room in Gulfport.
- There are state-or-the-art health care facilities with top rated primary medical care and direct entry to the world class health care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the VA Medical Center located in Washington, DC and Kessler AFB located in Gulfport, MS area.
Residency at the AFRH is open to veterans from the armed services whose active-duty service was at least 50% enlisted, warrant officer or limited-duty officer and who meet at least one of a few required criteria.
For more information go to: http://www.afrh.gov/
And be sure to read some of the fascinating stories that can be found under the heading
“Residents’ Military Heritage”
Posted by cv11texfcm on April 18, 2013
https://cv11texfcm.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/armed-forces-retirement-home-3/
Touched…by a Blue Angel
Each one of us – from the youngest aircrewman to the squadron skipper, from the newly winged ensign or second lieutenant to the Chief of Naval Operations – can recall that time when we pondered a future in Naval Aviation and decide: “That’s for me!”
For many of us, the seed of that idea was planted in our minds by an angel…a Blue Angel to be precise. And it was the precision in every aspect of the performance, from the pilots marching to their waiting aircraft to the carrier”break” prior to landing that caught our imaginations and fueled our desires to be a part of it all.
Still today, there are thousands of youngsters young Americans – past and present – who, after seeing firsthand the awesome teamwork that is the lifeblood of Naval Aviation, decided that they just might find a place for themselves on the Navy-Marine Corps team. And it’s those youngsters who are the real story of the Blue Angels.
Numerous books and articles focus on the aircraft and their crews, but the mission of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron can be summed up in one word: recruiting.
It all started after WWII when Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Chester W. Nimitz observed that the newly emerging U.S. Air Force, with its bases scattered throughout the country, was luring young Americans into the same high-flying careers that were also available in the U.S. Navy.
Hampered by the fact that our “air-fields” were at sea, our bases were on the coastlines and that most Americans knew about the Navy only from newsreel footage, the CNO directed that “a flight exhibition team be organized within the Naval Air Advance Training Command to represent the Navy at air shows and similar events.” Lieutenant Commander Roy M. “Butch” Voris, ace and combat aviator in the Pacific campaign, was selected to organize and lead the U.S. Navy Flight Exhibition Team. Voris knew that the team had to be the best, they ad to be the best while being safe, and he was determined to achieve both.
If a certain senior officer had had his way, the team would have been called the Blue Lancers, but none of the pilots liked that name. Paging through the New Yorker magazine while on the road with the show, number 2 pilot Lieutenant Wick Wickendoll spotted an article about one of the city’s hottest nightclubs, the Blue Angel Cafe, and said: “Boss, this is it!” The team promptly leaked the name to reporters who put it in bold headlines, calling them THE BLUE ANGELS. Thus, 67 years ago, a legend was born.
Today, the Blues are the premier “power tool” in the Navy Recruiting Command’s workshop. All of the team members represent us as recruiters, goodwill ambassadors, dream fulfillers for young children through the Make a Wish Foundation, volunteers for countless worthy causes and, most importantly, living examples of the Navy adventure to the folks in our hometowns throughout America.
On their 50th anniversary in 1996 the Blue Angels were saluted by the media as the Navy-Marine Corps team who represent the best of what each of us strives to be: dedicated, talented team players.
Bravo Zulu and congratulations – again – to the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, as we look forward to many more years of world-class professional excellence!
Article by: RAdm. Dennis V. McGinn, Director, Air Warfare – posted in the Flightline magazine Nov-Dec addition 1996
Posted by cv11texfcm on March 23, 2013
https://cv11texfcm.wordpress.com/2013/03/23/touched-by-a-blue-angel/
Pearl Harbor Eternally
Posted by cv11texfcm on March 16, 2013
https://cv11texfcm.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/pearl-harbor-eternally/
Veterans’ News
VETERANS’ NEWS – March 11, 2013
Members of the military community – veterans, active-duty, reserve, National Guard or their family members – have the opportunity to join or otherwise benefit from several types of associations and organizations. Ranging from fraternal to charity these military specific organizations can provide advocacy, help members network to access job opportunities, tap into benefits, lobby congress, or find support. The internet provides easy access to veteran associations at
Veterans’ organizations complying with federal codes are exempt from federal income tax. They also may conduct a broad range of activities without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.
To be recognized as exempt, a veterans’ organization must meet the following requirements. It must be organized in the United States or any of its possessions. At least 75% of its members must be past or present members of the Armed Forces of the United States and substantially all of the other members must be cadets or spouses, widows, or widowers of past or present members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of cadets. And no part of its net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. The organization’s organizing document must not provide that the assets of the organization may be distributed to members upon dissolution. Note: Membership requirements were modified for years beginning after November 11, 2003.
Veterans’ organizations may also qualify for exemption as charitable organizations, as social welfare organizations, as social clubs, or as fraternal organizations, if they meet the requirements for exemption under those sections.
A war veterans’ organization must also be organized and operated for furthering comradeship among persons who are or have been members of the Armed Forces; Honoring the memory of deceased veterans and members of the Armed Forces and aiding and comforting their survivors; Encouraging patriotism; and Aiding hospitalized, disabled and needy war veterans and their dependents.
Contributions to an endowment fund established by an exempt war veterans’ organization for the care of disabled war veterans, some of whom are members of the organization, may be deducted as charitable contributions.
Contributions to an organization, 90% of the membership of which is comprised of war veterans of the Armed Forces of the U.S., are deductable . The fact that a small percentage of members have not served in a branch of the Armed Forces will not preclude the organization from being classified as a war veterans’ organization
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans’ service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.
Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Heroes to Hometowns program connects local Legionnaires with recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing a variety of support activities. The Legion raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families and to provide college scholarship opportunities.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation’s veterans’ community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) is a congressionally chartered (Title 36 USC Chapter 2301) war veterans’ organization in the United States. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, VFW currently has 1.5 million members belonging to 7,644 posts, and is the largest American organization of combat veterans.
Members must be a U.S. citizen or national with an honorable discharge from the U.S. military, or currently serving in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy Air Force or Coast Guard. Membership also requires military service overseas during an operation or conflict and decoration with an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, a campaign medal (or ribbon). A Leave and Earnings Statement showing receipt of hostile fire or imminent danger pay is also acceptable proof for membership eligibility.
VFW works on behalf of American veterans by lobbying Congress for better veterans’ health care and benefits. The VFW also maintains a nationwide organization of employees and volunteers to assist veterans with their VA disability claims.
VFW also donates much money and lots of hours for work for the city. One of their most popular programs provides free phone calls to overseas active military members.
A war veterans’ organization must also be organized and operated for furthering comradeship among persons who are or have been members of the Armed Forces; Honoring the memory of deceased veterans and members of the Armed Forces and aiding and comforting their survivors; Encouraging patriotism; and Aiding hospitalized, disabled and needy war veterans and their dependents.
Contributions to an endowment fund established by an exempt war veterans’ organization for the care of disabled war veterans, some of whom are members of the organization, may be deducted as charitable contributions.
Contributions to an organization, 90% of the membership of which is comprised of war veterans of the Armed Forces of the U.S., are deductible . The fact that a small percentage of members have not served in a branch of the Armed Forces will not preclude the organization from being classified as a war veterans’ organization.
FOR VETERANS/EX-SERVICE PERSONNEL NEWS go to: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/veterans/
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Veterans Association of America Inc., will be to serve, assist, revitalize and restore the preferential rights of veterans that have been routinely compromised. The organization will service those by providing legal assistance, housing, employment opportunities, business ownership, discharge upgrades, medical assistance, family outreach, and other pressing issues that stand as debilitating factors preventing veterans and their families from receiving the “quality care” deserved throughout mainstream society.
VAA is a 501(c)(19) nonprofit organization which focuses on veteran and family concerns effecting their daily living conditions. The displacement of current and former veterans of all branches seeking the rights and opportunities to dispell the social, economic, educational and employment stigmas that continue to befall upon them.
Veterans Association of America, Inc., was founded in 2001, during many requests from veterans to have an organization that would focus on issues that effected their military and civilian careers. Go to: http://vetsaa.org/
Volunteer Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC)
Purpose/Mission…monitors legislative activity affecting Military Veterans across the country by coordinating legislative activities through lobbying, providing speakers, and organizing campaigns designed to initiate legislative input from the Veteran Association of America, Inc. Members and its numerous Chapter members in New York State as well as throughout the continental United States.
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Go to: http://www.va.gov/
Posted by cv11texfcm on March 12, 2013
https://cv11texfcm.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/veterans-news/
Annin Flag Co.
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Posted by cv11texfcm on October 23, 2012
https://cv11texfcm.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/annin-flag-company/
Taps
All is well, safely rest’
On the occasion of Taps’ 150th anniversary (July 16, 2012), the origin of America’s most recognizable bugle call was sounded by many buglers.
Almost 20 times a day at Arlington National Cemetery, a military ritual occurs that is both familiar and moving. An escort of honor comes to attention and presents arms. A firing party conducts a salute of three volleys. After the briefest of moments, a bugle call sounds. The flag held by members of the honor guard is then folded into a triangle reminiscent of a cocked hat from the American Revolution, and presented to the veteran’s next of kin as an expression of gratitude from a grateful nation.
Taps is that bugle call. It may be the most performed piece of music in America, played every day in virtually every corner of the country.
Composed for the bugle and unique to the U.S. military, Taps is sounded at funerals, wreath-layings and memorial services. Its plain but haunting melody consists of just 24 notes. And is usually recognized within the first three. With four different tones and lasting less than a minute, Taps has the power to evoke emotion from the most battle hardened warrior. The military’s only bugle call played slowly throughout, it has the dual purpose of signaling the day’s end and serving as musical honors to servicemembers who have died.
Like “The Star-Spangled Banner”, Taps was born during a war, but its origin has been clouded by competing accounts. Until the Civil War, the infantry bugle call for “lights out” was To Extinguish Lights, found in most U.S. military manuals. Like most infantry calls, Lights was copied note for note from French military manuals. But Union General Daniel Butterfield changed the evening signal music for his brigade in July 1862.
Learn more about Taps’ history at www.tapsbugler.com .
Posted by cv11texfcm on October 22, 2012
https://cv11texfcm.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/taps/
A Former USS Intrepid (CV-11) Crew Member Blog - Introduction 