Let there be spaces in your togetherness.
~Kahlil Gibran
AUTHOR TALK – 06 NOV 2023
AUTHOR TALK
– IMAGES OF AMERICA – FORT MYER
06 NOVEMBER 2023 – 7 PM
KINGSTOWNE LIBRARY
ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA
Throwback Thursday 05 OCT 2023 – Red Hats and Riggers
Parachute Riggers of the Airborne
Who in the US Army wears a red baseball cap?
The iconic red baseball cap was adopted by parachute riggers in the 11th Parachute Maintenance Company at Fort Campbell, KY in late 1949. This distinctive red Rigger cap was another innovation by Major Tom Cross, Parachute Officer of the 11th Airborne Division, who had also created the Parachute Rigger Badge in 1948.
The first parachute rigger badge was designed in 1948 by Major Thomas R. Cross and drawn by Sergeant First Class Ewing of the 11th Parachute Maintenance Company, 11th Airborne Division at Camp Schimmelpfenning, Sendai, Japan. Cross was the division parachute maintenance officer and Ewing worked in the parachute maintenance section. The first design effort consisted of a cloth badge, to be worn on the right sleeve of the field jacket, which depicted a full parachute canopy with a half wing extending from the right side. This design looked very similar to the Pathfinder badge so Major Cross suspended design efforts until the 11th Airborne Division moved from Japan to Camp Campbell, KY in 1949.
Major Cross wearing the Rigger Badge during Operation Swarmer, April 1950
At Camp Campbell, they designed another full-color cloth badge (shown above is the original badge from the collection of the Quartermaster Museum). This badge was designed to be worn on the field jacket and on the red baseball cap which was adopted by the 11th Parachute Maintenance Company in late 1949. The badge was first displayed during Exercise Swarmer at Camp Mackall, NC in April 1950.
BUY THE BOOK
Images of America – Fort Myer is a pictorial chronicle of the first one hundred years of history containing over two hundred photographs, maps, and images. Beginning in the 1860s and carrying through the 1960s it provides a view of what was over time. An autographed copy of the book can be purchased at BUY THE BOOK.
OMAHA STEAKS
YUMMY … STEAKS~!
Posted in history, military
Tagged 11th Airborne Division, 11th Parachute Maintenance Company, Camp Mackall, Exercise Swarmer, Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell, Parachute Rigger Basdge, Quartermaster Museum, Thomas R. Cross
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The US Army and Juneteenth
Juneteenth Happened Because of the US Army
Major General Gordon Granger
Commanded the District of Texas
A Union Army General during the United States Civil War, Major General Gordon Granger was given command of the District of Texas on 10 JUN 1865.
The behind-the-scenes result by Major General Gordon Granger issuing General Order No. 3 on 19 JUN 1865, in Galveston, Texas, further informing residents of, and enforcing, Abraham Lincoln‘s Emancipation Proclamation which set all Confederate states’ slaves free on January 1, 1863
Bringing the Announcement to Galveston
Granger arrived in Galveston with a complement of 1,800 troops to establish command. Early then, he issued a series of General Orders that provided instruction and announcements. It was General Order 3 that proclaimed and announced the great words of President Abraham Lincoln freeing the slaves.
The words of the order were …
The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.
The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.
Texas Honors Juneteenth with a Memorial
It was years in the planning and creation but in 2016 the Texas African American History Memorial was unveiled on November 19th.
Located in Austin, Texas, on the grounds of the state’s capital land, the 27-foot high, 32-foot wide monument depicts Juneteenth – June 19, 1865 – when Major General Gordon Granger and 1,800 Union troops arrived in Texas and announced the freedom of slaves in the U.S., along with major social, political, and cultural icons in the state from years later. The structure also portrays the cattle, cotton, and oil industries and black Texans’ role in advancing them.
Texas African American History Memorial
Rear View of Texas African American History Memorial
Juneteenth is a Federal Holiday in the United States
BUY THE BOOK
Images of America – Fort Myer is a pictorial chronicle of the first one hundred years of history containing over two hundred photographs, maps, and images. Beginning in the 1860s and carrying through the 1960s it provides a view of what was over time. An autographed copy of the book can be purchased at BUY THE BOOK.
OMAHA STEAKS
YUMMY … STEAKS~!
Posted in EVENTS, history, military
Tagged Austin, Department of Texas, Gordon Granger, Juneteenth, Texas African American History Memorial
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Sleepwalking …
Right now is the time to wake up from your sleepwalking through this life.
~Mel Ash
Who is Mel Ash?
Mel Ash, a dharma teacher at the Providence Zen Center in Rhode Island, has ten years of experience in both recovery and Zen studies. He is a writer, artist, poet, and Zen teacher with a lifelong interest in transformative experience, cultural change, and consciousness.
The Zen of Recovery Paperback –
January 6, 1993
In this compelling blend of East and West, Mel Ash shows how Zen mind and practice connect to the heart of recovery. Courageously drawing from his own experience as an abused child, alcoholic, Zen student, and dharma teacher, Ash presents a practical synthesis of AA’s Twelve Steps and Zen’s Eightfold Path.
You don’t have to be Buddhist to appreciate the healing power of The Zen of Recovery. The book makes Zen available to all seeking to improve the quality of their spiritual and everyday life. It also includes practical instructions on how to meditate and put this book into action. Its message will help readers live more profoundly “one day at a time.”
BUY THE BOOK
Images of America – Fort Myer is a pictorial chronicle of the first one hundred years of history containing over two hundred photographs, maps, and images. Beginning in the 1860s and carrying through the 1960s it provides a view of what was over time. An autographed copy of the book can be purchased at BUY THE BOOK.
OMAHA STEAKS
YUMMY … STEAKS~!
The Guns Platoon of 3d Infantry Regiment in ANC
Presidential Salute Battery in Arlington National Cemetery
Presidential Salute Battery – The BIG GUNS of “The Old Guard
In the distance, the sound of cannon fire precisely timed echoes through the hallowed grounds of the Cemetery. Those attending the final honors of a loved one, friend, compatriot, or leader hear, but don’t see the action that is executed by this elite unit in such an exacting and precise manner.
The guns are brought into Arlington National Cemetery to fire the “FINAL SALUTES” for many final honors of Flag Officers -Generals of the US Army, Marines & Admirals of the US Navy & Coastguard. The guns are placed out of sight from the mourners, but close enough to hear the loud cannon fire bursts honoring the one who has served the U. S. The guns are also fired when a visiting foreign dignitary places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns within the Cemetery.
Most people never see them —
they are the
“Ones that are always heard and rarely seen.”
THE PLATOON —
This select group of soldiers is chosen for the unit from advanced training schools where they have been trained as “indirect-fire infantrymen”. The staff of the battery consists of five soldiers and a two-man team for each gun. Standing behind the guns, there is an Officer In Charge (OIC) who initiates the firing commands, and a Non-commissioned officer who marches the battery into position and controls the firing of the backup gun.
THE GUNS —
In use since the early 1950s, they are M5s – 3″ anti-tank guns from WW II that are mounted on a Howitzer chassis. Weighing in at nearly three tons, the guns are seen and heard on the Washington DC Mall during the 4th of July festivities and the annual The US Army Band‘s (TUSAB) Summer Concert when Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture is played.
FROM – The John Michael Collection:
Presidential Salute Battery “Final Salute”
US Army 3d Infantry Regiment – The Old Guard
Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, VA near Washington, DC
T16071-Y Copyright 2007
Cards and Prints Division
Photography by John Michael www.John-Michael.net
Proudly Designed and Printed in the USA
“Preserving the memories so others will remember…
Posted in EVENTS, history, military
Tagged Arlington National Cemetery, M5 3" Anti Tank Guns, Presidental Salute Battery, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, the US Army Band
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MAY 01 Memories – Part 2 – TOG Reactivation Ceremony
A Diamond Anniversary – 75 Years and Counting!
The Oldest Infantry Regiment in the United States Army was organized in 1784 and just celebrated its 75th Anniversary of reactivation – the date was April 6, 1948. Yet five years ago on this date on May 01, 2018, there was a celebration of the 70th anniversary coinciding with the dedication of The Old Guard Monument on Fort Myer – An historic US Army post of the Civil War era where the regiment has been garrisoned since 1948.
What follows is a reproduction of the program from May 01, 2018
FREE COPY OF THE …
70TH ANNIVERSARY REACTIVATION CEREMONY PROGRAM
Click on the link to get your own souvenir copy of the program of the TOG 75TH PROGRAM
Posted in EVENTS, history, military
Tagged Fort Myer, Historic Fort Myer, Jason Garkey, The Old Guard, The Old Guard Monument, the US Army Band, Tom Cotton, Warren Daidson
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2023 Twilight Tattoo at Fort Myer Virginia
History Through the Eyes of the American Soldier
The U.S. Army’s Twilight Tattoo is an action-packed live military event featuring Soldiers from the U.S. Army Military District of Washington’s ceremonial units, the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), and The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” The show features performances by The U.S. Army Blues, The U.S. Army Band Downrange, The U.S. Army Voices, The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, and The U.S. Army Drill Team. Twilight Tattoo is appropriate for school-age children and is enjoyed by all ages! Learn more about the participating units and Twilight Tattoo’s history.
When and where do performances take place?
- Check out the 2023 schedule, select the date you would like to attend and register through Eventbrite. Twilight Tattoo is presented May-July on Wednesday evenings on Summerall Field on Fort Myer in Virginia.
Who is invited?
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- This event is free of cost and open to the public.
How do I get to Fort Myer?
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- Please check out our attendance page for more information.
What should I wear?
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- Check the weather on the day of the performance and dress comfortably. Washington, DC area summers tend to be hot so dress accordingly to be comfortable in the heat.
- More details are on our attendance page about the inclement weather policy.
Can I buy food and drinks at the events?
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- There will not be food or drink available for purchase. You may bring food and bottled water, but please be prepared to clean up after yourself.
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What is a Twilight Tattoo Program like?
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- Check out a video of our 2022 Twilight Tattoo.
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Do I need to register my large group?
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- Yes, please register through Eventbrite by selecting the “Group” registration feature. Check out the entire 2023 schedule of Twilight Tattoo on Eventbrite.
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BUY THE BOOK
Images of America – Fort Myer is a pictorial chronicle of the first one hundred years of history containing over two hundred photographs, maps, and images. Beginning in the 1860s and carrying through the 1960s it provides a view of what was over time. An autographed copy of the book can be purchased at BUY THE BOOK.
OMAHA STEAKS
YUMMY … STEAKS~!
Posted in EVENTS, history, military
Tagged 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, Fort Myer, Historic Fort Myer, MDW Twilight Tattoo, Military District of Washington, Summerall Field, The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, The Old Guard, The U.S. Army Band Downrange, The U.S. Army Blues, The U.S. Army Drill Team, The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, The U.S. Army Voices
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