Taps. Only 24 notes, yet it honors and mourns countless stories of courage, sacrifice, and loss.
Last week a military bugler came to my daughter’s middle school to explain the history and significance of Taps but found himself overwhelmed by the experience. He apologized for choking up during his presentation and said that it was the first time he’d ever had to explain Taps. The reality of what it symbolizes hit him—so many young heroes lost.
My daughter said, “At first we thought he was stepping back to do something different with his talk, but then I could tell he was going to cry.” We talk a lot about military service and patriotism in my family, and she quickly understood what was happening. “It must be really hard for him and I thanked him after the assembly was over. I didn’t know what else to say.”
Only 24 notes…
The site www.tapsbugler.com can tell you everything you need to know about this bugle call it describes as “eloquent and haunting.”
Bert Brady believes the first thing our troops see when they return home is of utter importance. Watch the video below to see how Mr. Brady is doing his part to put a smile on our troops faces.
Despite Saturday’s inclement weather hundreds came out to show their appreciation for the nation’s service members and families and to pay tribute to Fort Belvoir during an Army Community Covenant Signing Ceremony at Northern Virginia Community College’s Woodbridge campus.
I actually started to make the headline “You go, Girl!” but in no way did I want to diminish the amazing accomplishments of Ann Dunwoody, our country’s first female four -star general. From everything I’ve read, she and her family are true patriots. A member of her family has served in every war since our War of Independence. Her dad is a retired Brigadier General who served in WWI, Korea, and Vietnam. Her husband is a retired Air Force Colonel.
After her Pentagon ceremony, Dunwoody was sworn in as commander of the Army Materiel Command, responsible for equipping, outfitting and arming all U.S. soldiers across the globe. I was living in Fayetteville, NC when she became the 82nd Airborne Division’s first female battalion commander and heard positive comments, not scorn, from my military buddies.
The first American woman was promoted to general rank in 1970 by the Army. Now just shy of 60 military women wear stars as generals or admiral.
When I first heard Carrie Underwood’s latest single, Just a Dream, it certainly got to me, but on my way into the office this morning I heard the introduction that Leslie Ponder gave at the CMA awards last night. If this doesn’t get to you, then I don’t know what will.
On Saturday October 25th NMAW held an Open House at Aden Field, sometimes referred to as the Tank Farm in Nokesville, VA. A smaller version of Saturday’s event was held on Sunday October 26th. Despite miserable weather on Saturday nearly 1,000 people were in attendance.
Throughout the course of the day people were treated to numerous demonstrations of military vehicles and tactics. There were also a number of Living History units with items on display for everyone there to see.
Everyone was enthralled by the assault on a bunker using mortars and a flamethrower by the United States Marine Corps Historical Company, and the assault on a Russian tank by a unit of recent veterans. There were numerous demonstrations going on throughout the day by tanks from different eras and conflicts. Many of the tanks displayed during the event will one day become part of the exhibits in the National Museum of Americans in Wartime.
On both Saturday and Sunday there were numerous VIPs in attendance, from Prince William County Supervisors Corey Stewart and John Jenkins, to Naval Pilot Red McDaniel and Virginia Delegate David Albo. Though unable to perform, due to weather conditions, the Blackwater USA Parachute Team was in attendance on Saturday. Also in attendance were numerous vets ranging from World War II to the current war. On Saturday wounded veterans from Walter Reed Hospital and the Armed Forces Retirement Home were present.
There was a “kid’s activity zone”, face painting and a rock wall. Food was for sale through the Christ our Lord Anglican Church out of Woodbridge, VA, and Chris McNulty’s restaurant, The Hard Times Café, which is located on Sudley Road in Manassas, VA, kindly provided free meals for all of the volunteers who gave their time to help make this event a success. You can visit www.hardtimes.com to get more information on Chris’s restaurant.
There was a drawing for a chance to ride or drive a tank or the opportunity to win a helicopter ride. All those who signed up to become a member were entered in this contest, and as you can see from the photos below the winners had a great time!
The Open House was, to say the least, a success! The Museum ended up bringing in 100 new members and got the word out to so many more.
Thank you to all those who worked tirelessly to make this a wonderful event!
On this Veterans Day I think about family and friends who have inspired me in my life.
My grandfather, MG George C. Stewart, had a distinguished career in the Army in World War II and Korea. During his temporary command of the 2nd Division in Korea in 1951 and facing an overwhelming assault from Chinese forces, my grandfather issued orders to hold the town of Wonju at all costs and to rain down artillery fire on the enemy in what became known as the Wonju Shoot. To some military historians, it was a very significant turning point of the war. To me, my grandfather was a rock of courage, service, and honor, and I have not been surprised that his accomplishments are coming to light at last.
My dad, George C. Stewart, Jr., was an Army captain and company commander in Korea. He was shot in the chest while holding a position under assault by Chinese regulars and barely survived. He seldom spoke of his wartime experiences and refused to watch M*A*S*H, because he thought they mocked the group that saved his life. So many veterans like my dad stored their combat memories away in a secret place and moved on with their lives to the betterment of their families and our country.
My long-time mentor and neighbor, Allen C. Phillips, was severely wounded by friendly fire-misdirected air bombardment at St. Lo, France in World War II-and spent a year in Army hospitals in England and the US before he recovered enough to resume his college career. He taught English at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia for over 40 years. He was a man of the highest integrity; just ask John McCain.
In the past few years, I have met heroes such as Captain Red McDaniel and Jack Streed, who have compelling stories of sacrifice and courage. Red was a Naval pilot who was shot down over North Vietnam and spent nearly six years as a POW in the most brutal of conditions. He never lost his faith, his hope for survival, or his love for family and country. Jack served as an Army tank commander in France and Germany in World War II. In one harrowing experience near the end of the war, he was captured by the enemy, interrogated by SS officers who seemed certain to kill him and his fellow prisoners, and ultimately negotiated the “capture” and surrender of over 100 German soldiers to American forces. Jack received a Silver Star for that show of courage. Of course, he says, “I was no hero; I was just doing my job.”
Just this past weekend, I met a courageous couple, Chuck and Carren Ziegenfuss, who epitomize all that I hold dear about military service on the battlefront and the home front. Chuck, an Army tank commander, received severe hand wounds in Iraq in 2005 from an IED. To continue posting on his blog, he received a voice-activated laptop and never looked back. Chuck and Carren are now devoted supporters of Project Valour-IT, a project started by the non-profit group Soldier’s Angels, that helps provide voice-controlled and adaptive laptop computers to wounded Soldiers at major military medical centers. Don’t tell me home front volunteerism only happened during World War II!
To all present and past who answered the call-citizens serving the cause of freedom-we honor you on this Veterans Day.
Welcome to The National Museum of Americans in Wartime’s blog! I find it fitting that our blog is being launched on Veterans Day. The staff of The National Museum of Americans in Wartime (NMAW) joins the rest of the nation today in remembering the sacrifices of America’s veterans.
For those of you who may not know NMAW is a not-for-profit cultural and educational institution dedicated to honoring those who served in all branches of the United States Military and on the home front from World War I to the present. The Museum is set to open Veterans Day, November 11, 2012 near Manassas Virginia.
Please check our blog regularly for events, museum updates, new videos and much more!
