Eddie Peters It’s been two years since we have been able to hold events, and this year’s program has something for everyone. Support Our Troops–AZ (SOT–AZ) provides for the material, physical, and emotional needs of our military men and women, active-duty and veterans alike. Over the years, we have given approximately $175,000 to support veteran…
Ross Dunfee Flag—The Army Seal was used originally during the American Revolution to authenticate documents. It displayed the designation “War Office,” which was synonymous with Headquarters of the Army, and the Roman year MDCCLXXVIII (1778), the first time it was used. It remained unchanged until 1947, when the War Office banner was replaced with “Department of…
Ross Dunfee The first successful English colony settled in America was at Jamestown, Va., in 1607—and the migration was on—primarily of British, German, and Dutch extraction, but immigrants arrived from throughout Europe. Communities were settled and financed primarily by privately-organized British settlers or families using free enterprise without any significant English royal or Parliamentary government…
Ross Dunfee So, what does the “D” stand for in D-Day? Stop! Do not keep reading until you attempt to answer the question. Okay, now you can read on. Most people who celebrate the holiday do not know the answer. Some people believe it is in reference to June 6, 1944, when, in World War…
Ross Dunfee The killing was over. The four-year long Civil War officially ended at Appomattox, Va. April 9, 1865. There was a large division between the northern states (largely industrial) and the southern states (largely agrarian) over slavery, states’ rights, and westward expansion. The election of Lincoln was the last straw, and one month after…
Ross Dunfee Armed Forces Day is celebrated May 15 this year but with Memorial Day also in May this Armed Forces Day article is printed in April to avoid printing two articles in May. Clip and save. Each of the Branches of Military Service (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard) has a day to…
Ross Dunfee When did the Vietnam War begin? France maintained colonial rule of Vietnam from 1864 until the Geneva Accords of 1954. During that time, multiple wars occurred in the area (including Cambodia and Laos). The Geneva Accord divided Vietnam into north (Communist rule) and south (the Republic of Vietnam) and that enticed the U.S.…
Ross Dunfee While Presidents Day is a federal holiday, celebrated on the third Monday of February, it is not really a national holiday. Splitting hairs? In 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holiday Act for observance of Washington’s birthday, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day to be celebrated on a Monday, but the actual dates for the…
Ross Dunfee The ink was barely dry on the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen British Colonies, in their view, were no longer a part of Great Britain but they also were not conjoined by any body of law. On June 12, 1776, the day after appointing a committee of five to prepare the Declaration of…
Wreaths Across America (WAA) When a volunteer places a wreath on a veteran’s grave on National Wreaths Across America Day, we encourage them to speak that veteran’s name aloud, thank them for their service and sacrifice, and reflect on that person and their life. Along with our wreath-laying ceremonies at cemeteries throughout the country, WAA…