Winston Churchill remarked on heroism: “Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.”
Never Give In: The Extraordinary Character of Winston Churchill
God Bless Our Troops…
Fixing the world
There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self. So you have to begin there, not outside, not on other people. That comes afterward when you’ve worked on your own corner.
– Aldous Huxley
Brave New World
The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell
Posted in quotes
Tagged Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Fixing the world, The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell
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Thank You From MDW CSM …
Photographing Final Honors at Arlington National Cemetery
John Michael is known for his untiring work of capturing the final honors of many, many veterans and their spouses and delivering a memorial book of the ceremony to the family/next of kin. For over a decade he has been commissioned to use his talents and creativity to create a lasting memory of the respect and dignity that are afforded to military veterans.
His work usually goes unthanked but in this case, the Command Sergeant Major of the Military District of Washington, CSM Michael W. Williams reached out to express some gratitude for it.
Who is CSM Michael W. Williams?
By Kyra O. Davenport
Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Michael W. Williams embodies the definition of the word leadership. He is dedicated, full of integrity, and displays a sense of humor; he can best be described as a simplifier… one who is able to make complex issues plainly and understandable. As the Command Sergeant Major of the military organization known as the Guardian of the Nation’s Capital, he epitomizes the professionalism of his soldiers at the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (JFHQNCR/MDW). Truly a soldier’s soldier, evidenced by the numerous awards, previous command plaques, and photographs presenting a military career of service that has spanned more than 30 years. One of the first things he mentioned was a quote from his mother about relationships. “Rules without relationships lead to rebellion,” said Williams. “Establish relationships first then learn the organization.”
Williams is originally from Florida and enlisted in the Army in January 1978. He completed Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and began his career as an artilleryman. He has held every leadership position in his career field, serving in positions from section chief to Division Command Sergeant Major. His awards and decorations include two Bronze Stars (1 Oak leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and several other distinguished medals.
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 Arlington National Cemetery, Michael W. Williams, Military District of Washington
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Veterans – Wear your Medals!
Veterans wear your medals!
The Department of Veterans Affairs –
Veterans Pride initiative encourages all veterans to wear their military decorations this
Veterans Day, November 11.
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.
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Tagged Veterans, Veterans Day, Veterans Pride
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Rendering Salute Honors at Arlington National Cemetery
The Presidential Salute Battery
The Presidential Salute Battery in Action
Recently, I spent the day at Arlington National Cemetery and captured the Presidential Salute Battery in action as they rendered honors …
I had another camera with me and decided to turn on its video mode. . . combined with a few photos taken before and during the mission and it appears below.
Most people never see them: they are the “Ones that are often heard and rarely seen.” The 3d Infantry Salute Guns Platoon is responsible for rendering honors to visiting foreign dignitaries and heads of state at the White House, the Pentagon, and in the Washington D.C., area. The platoon also fires the final salutes during many funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. The guns platoon is the only unit of its kind in the Army, and its busy schedule includes more than 300 ceremonies each year.
The platoon is equipped with M5s a 3-inch anti-tank gun of WW II vintage. Each gun weighs 5,775 pounds and fires 75mm blank shells. Most ceremonies require a five-man staff and a two-man team for each gun. The two-man team at each gun consists of the loader and the gunner. These soldiers are “indirect-fire infantrymen”
BUY THE MUG
Presidential Salute Battery Coffee Mug
by john_michael_photos
The Presidential Salute Battery and the 21 GUN Salute
“My grandfather had a 21 gun salute at his burial!” proclaimed the young man …
Much to his error, since his grandfather was neither the President of the United States nor was he head of state of some country, his grandfather didn’t get a 21 GUN SALUTE.
Many people never witness a true “21 GUN SALUTE” … For all the years that John Michael has followed and photographed the Presidential Salute Battery, he has heard/seen very few despite all the missions he has seen/heard/photographed. The command “Fire Three Volleys” is what most people confuse with a “GUN SALUTE” (it’s also been augmented by Trace Adkins’ song “Arlington“)
SO, the next time you attend a military funeral, listen for the command “Fire Three Volleys” for it’s unlikely you will hear the command to fire the “GUN SALUTE”
The Unknowns:
The Untold Story of America’s Unknown Soldier
and WWI’s Most Decorated Heroes Who Brought Him Home
OMAHA STEAKS
YUMMY … STEAKS!!!
Posted in EVENTS, military
Tagged 21 GUN SALUTE, 3d Infantry Regiment, anti tank gun, Arlington National Cemetery, Fire Three Volleys, Guns Platoon, M5, Presidential Salute Battery, The Old Guard, Trace Adkins, US Army
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REAL Riches…
Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot.
In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.
– Oscar Wilde
Operation Dragoon 15 AUG 1944
THE FORGOTTEN – OTHER D-DAY…. Operation Dragoon
At the Rhone American Cemetery north of St. Tropez, in the little city of Draguignan, above all the graves, a stone wall is inscribed:
“We who lie here died that future generations might live in peace.”
In all, 250,000 Allied soldiers stormed France’s Mediterranean shores on Aug. 15, 1944, just 70 days after the D-Day landings at Normandy, catching German troops in a pincer so tight that Hitler muttered to aides, “This is the darkest day of my life.”
You can read more about it at this Wikipedia entry about Operation Dragoon
Recently at Arlington National Cemetery a gathering of WW II veterans, their families and friends occurred to remember that “other” invasion of France. Many call it the “Forgotten Other D-Day.” But here 65 years later, they gathered to remember and be remembered.
The invasion involved significant coordination of US forces represented by the 3d, 36th, and 45th Infantry Divisions, the 509th & 551st Parachute Infantry Regiments, the 550th Airborne Infantry Battalion (gliders), the bi-national troops of the 1st Special Services Forces, and even the OSS. The troops were delivered by the US Army Air Forces and the US Navy, both of which then provided air cover and landing support.
After the ceremonies at the Amphitheater, the assembled moved to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
and a chosen few among them placed a wreath.
“Preserving the memories so others will remember…” ™
Posted in EVENTS
Tagged 36th Infantry Division, 3d Infantry Division, 45th Infantry Division, 509th PIR, 551st PIR, Operation Dragoon, US Army Air Forces, US Navy, WW II
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“Fire Three Volleys…”
Fire Three Volleys
is the command that is issued at a military funeral to honor that veteran’s service to the United States of America. The origins of this tradition date back to the US Civil War when casualties were high in warfare and rules were a bit different. Each side was allowed to remove their casualties from the battlefield. After which they “fired three volleys” to alert the other side that they were ready
to resume the battle.
Rifles are weapons, not GUNS!
The seven Soldiers in the photo to the right are bearing weapons, which in this case are rifles. They are an example of continuing this tradition to honor one of their fallen. It just so happens that there are seven (led by an NCO), but there could be as few as two or as many as eight Soldiers. They are the ones who are ordered to “Fire three volleys” – simultaneously as commanded by the NCO…
The BIG GUNS of the Old Guard
The photo to the right is an example of a “GUN Salute” – The Soldiers of the Presidential Salute Battery (also known as “The Guns Platoon) are firing weapon systems, which in this case are WW II M5 – 3″anti-tank guns. The Soldiers manning the guns are “orchestrated” by a battery staff consisting of an Officer in Charge (OIC), a Boardman, who counts the rounds fired & announces “Last Round”, two watchmen who call the guns to fire and an NCO in Charge (NCOIC) who controls the backup gun and marches the Soldiers on and off. I’ve seen them countless times firing gun salutes – at timed intervals – but only once saw them fire a “21 GUN SALUTE” for the President on 20 JAN 2009 at the inauguration. I heard them fire a “21 GUN SALUTE” on Memorial Day upon the arrival and another on the departure of the President from Arlington National Cemetery. So you can imagine how “rare” a 21 GUN SALUTE is, which makes it so special.
BUY THE MUG
No More Confusion
I hope this clears up some of the confusion you might have and help to inform those who insist that they saw a 21 GUN SALUTE at the last military funeral that they attended.
OMAHA STEAKS
YUMMY … STEAKS!!!
Posted in EVENTS, military
Tagged 21 GUN SALUTE, 3d Infantry Regiment, Arlington National Cemetery, artillery, civil war, Fire Three Volleys, Guns Platoon, military funeral, Old Guard, Presidential Salute Battery
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A Glorious 4th with the Big Guns of the Old Guard…
Here Comes the Presidential Salute Battery
It all began on the Summerall Field of Fort Myer. Four artillery pieces placed – The “Big Guns of the Old Guard” were ready to celebrate America’s birthday in a big way – The sun shone brightly on Saturday, July 4th reflecting off the highly polished WW II vintage 3” anti-tank guns (officially known as an M5) of the Presidential Salute Battery. The battery looking sharp in their dress blue uniforms stood at the ready as the time approached for the ceremony to begin for a 50 Gun Salute to the United States of America.
50 rounds – salute to the nation
It’s not a 21 gun salute…
Confusion abounds when attending a military final honors, people mistake the results of the order to “Fire Three Volleys” for a 21 GUN SALUTE. It’s not since gun salutes are done with artillery not rifles or weapons in military lingo.
Settle Down … Stand by … FIRE !
The OIC issues the order to commence firing
Marched into position by the NCOIC, SFC Calvin Flinta, Platoon Sergeant, the Soldiers of the Battery waited as the seconds ticked off. When it was exactly noon, SGT Chris Johnson the Officer in Charge issued the command “Fire!” The first round echoed as the smoke billowed from the barrel and 5 seconds later, the watchman called the second gun to fire. Then every 5 seconds another gun called to fire until all 50 “Salutes to the Nation” were fired among three of the guns. The fourth gun only fired when a rare occurrence of one of the other guns misfired.
Last Round … Ready … Cut!
The crowd watching applauded vigorously as the last echoes of the salutes and smoke drifted off. The Soldiers of this elite unit then marched off and got ready for “part 2” of the day’s celebration. The guns were then packed up and US Park Police escorted the entire caravan down to the US Capitol. Again the four-gun battery was placed in position, where later that night, the Guns Platoon provided accompaniment for the Washington Symphony Orchestra.
Marched into position by Platoon Leader – CPT Ronald K. Vinyard, the battery once again stood at the ready waiting for the signal to fire. As the colors of the fireworks were filling the sky over the Washington Monument, the orchestra played the 1812 Overture at the Capitol 4th with the Presidential Salute Battery providing the appropriate gun salutes. The final salute was all four guns firing simultaneously.
Photos by John Michael
Happy Birthday, America!
This article also appears
in
the 10 JUL 2009 issue
of
“The Pentagram”
with one of the photographs.
Posted in military
Tagged 21 GUN SALUTE, 3d Infantry Regiment, 4th of July, 50 Gun Salute, Fire Three Volleys, Guns Platoon, M5, Presidential Salute Battery, Salutes to the Nation, Summerall Field, The Old Guard, US Army, US Capitol, Washington DC, Washington Symphony Orchestra
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GOLDEN KNIGHTS US ARMY PARACHUTE TEAM = JUN 27 – 28
Ottawa … Here they come!
THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS GO INTERNATIONAL THIS WEEKEND!
BLACK DEMONSTRATION TEAM =
Canadian Royal Mounted Police Sunset Ceremony Ottawa, ON
GOLD DEMONSTRATION TEAM =
Helena Montana Airshow, MT
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Tagged Canadian Royal Mounted Police, Golden Knights
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