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WASHINGTON (AP) – The Army says at least 200 remains in Arlington National Cemetery have been misidentified or misplaced, casting a shadow over what has been called America’s “sacred ground.”

Defense officials said Thursday that the Army has forced out the cemetery’s two civilian leaders and appointed a new chief.

The Army says it plans a more thorough investigation of the questioned grave sites under the new management.

More than 300,000 people are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, including service members from the Civil War as well as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Army Secretary John McHugh told a Pentagon press conference that the investigation found 211 graves where there were problems of misidentification or improper record keeping.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/10/AR2010061002249.html?wpisrc=nl_natlalert

John C. Metzler Jr. has worked for the government for 42 years and says his last day will be July 2.

The 62-year-old’s father was also superintendent at the cemetery outside the nation’s capital.

He said the high point of his career was expanding the cemetery for veterans and their families so it could continue to take new burials until 2060.

http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2010/06/ap_arlington_cemetery_060910w/

By Craig Stewart

A wonderful aspect of my job is meeting so many veterans and hearing about their wartime experiences or meeting family members who proudly speak of a loved one’s service.  Some stories are dramatic, and most involve sacrifice and valor. In every case, duty to country is a common theme. Almost every American family who has been here for more than a generation has a direct connection to the military.

Over the past year, I had the distinct pleasure of interacting with the Silver Company of Fredericksburg, Virginia, a very successful development company founded by Carl D. Silver in the 1960’s. During several meetings with company staff, I picked up on a record of military service in the Silver family. 

I heard about a biography of Carl Silver published in 1995 and gleaned these facts from the book:

• Carl’s grandfather, Max, immigrated to the United States from Poland in 1914 and served in the U.S. Army during World War I.  In World War II, he served as platoon sergeant in Essex County (VA) militia and as an air raid warden. Max died in a Veterans Hospital in Richmond in 1956.
• Carl’s brother, Israel, served in the Army during World War II.
• Carl volunteered and enlisted in the Army in 1943 at age 18. He wanted to follow his older brother and help stop the suffering in Europe.  Carl felt strongly that American Jews should help European Jews in their plight against the Nazis.
• He was part of the Normandy invasion and saw combat in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany.
• After crossing the Rhine River into Germany in 1945, Carl was seriously wounded in the leg by shrapnel from an artillery shell and spent several months in military hospitals and wore a leg brace for some time afterwards.  He was awarded the Purple Heart.
• Like many veterans of World War II, Carl returned home to start his family and professional career.  A sense of duty and patriotism still runs strong in his family.

Please see the below, an excerpt from the May 28^th Congressional record, where Gerald Connolly, Virginia’s 11^th District Congressman, went to the House floor to recognize the Museum, and to honor the brave men and women who have served and are serving.

May 28, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1001

RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICANS IN WARTIME IN PRINCE WILLIAM  COUNTY,  VA

HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

OF  VIRGINIA

IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, May 28, 2010

Mr.  CONNOLLY  of  Virginia.  Madam  Speaker, I rise to recognize the National Museum of Americans  in  Wartime  (the  American  Wartime Museum),  which  will  break  ground  later  this year  in  Prince  William  County,  Va.  This  museum  is  being  built  to  honor  all  Americans who have served or presently serve our country  in  any  branch  of  the  United States military from World War I forward.

It will tell the stories and recognize the contributions and sacrifices of the brave men and women  who  dedicated  themselves  to defending   and   preserving   our   Nation’s   freedoms through their service in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, the Re- serves and the National Guard.

The  museum  will  offer  a  unique  interactive history  of  major  conflicts  from  the  20th  and 21st  centuries  and  focus  on educating  young Americans about wartime experiences and the sacrifices made by those Americans who ‘‘answered the call’’ in service of our nation.

The American  Wartime  Museum  is  the  culmination of a partnership between private and government entities. The Museum will be built on  a  70  acre  site  that  has  been  generously donated by the Hylton family of Prince William County. It will feature a large collection of vintage and modern operational military vehicles, some of which will be used for demonstrations and reenactments.  There will be  large  out- doors   ‘‘Landscapes   of   War’’   with   authentic replicas  of  battle  scenes.  Visitors  will  be  able to  hear,  touch  and  experience  military  vehicles,  aircraft  and  naval  vessels.  The  planned National Veterans Visitor Center will offer special services and activities for veterans including  opportunities  for  military  reunions  and  the ability  to  record  oral  histories  for  future  generations  of  Americans.  Visiting  the  Museum will  be  truly  interactive  and  will  not  only  educate but actually provide a very realistic sense of  the  experiences  of  those  who  have  served in uniform.

 This project enjoys broad, bipartisan support from the Prince  William  Board  of  County  Supervisors,  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia  and the  United  States  Congress.  George  Mason University  is  a  key  partner  in  this  endeavor, which will provide new academic and research opportunities  for  students,  historians  and  the public. The leadership team of the museum includes Craig   Stewart,   President   and   CEO; Allan  Cors,  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees;  former  Virginia  Governor  and  U.S.  Senator  Chuck  Robb;  a  Medal  of  Honor  recipient and  other  distinguished  veterans;  military  historians, authors and journalists; and prominent business leaders.

 Madam Speaker,  I  ask  my  colleagues  join me in recognizing the vision and dedication of those  individuals  and  organizations  that  have worked together to create The American Wartime  Museum.  This museum will educate,  inspire,   and   most   importantly,   honor   all   who have served our great nation in uniform.  And   as   we   celebrate   Memorial   Day   this weekend, I also ask my colleagues to join me in   expressing   our   sincerest   appreciation   to every man and woman who has answered the highest  call  of  duty  by  serving  our  country  in the   United   States   military.   Their   sacrifice, honor,  and  selfless  dedication to the  defense and  protection  of  our  country is deserving of the utmost   respect and gratitude  of every American.

 By Richard Norman

As we approach this weekend, most people are excited about the arrival of summer, students are excited about the end of school, others just appreciate having a long weekend.  While I am all for warm weather and long weekends, it is my hope that people will take a moment to remember what it is we celebrate this weekend.

I come from a long line of veterans.  My great, great, great, grandfather fought to defend his homeland in the South Carolina militia during the War Between the States.  He lost two brothers in The Wilderness Campaign in Virginia.  My grandfather fought in The War to End All Wars in the US Army.  He was wounded and nearly bled to death in the Battle of Argon Forest in France.  My father enlisted in the US Army during World War II but was not able to get to Europe before the war was ended in 1945.  I was too young to go to Vietnam and when I completed college in 1979, our nation was enjoying a time of peace and the services were down-sizing.

I always admired soldiers and wish that I had taken that path in my own life.  Not necessarily to go to war, but at least to have the opportunity to serve.  I appreciate the selflessness of national service.  Today, I am very proud to have a nephew in the Army, and a niece who is getting ready to enlist.

To me, Memorial Day is the one day all year that we should stop and remember all those who gave the last full measure, their very lives, to advance the cause of freedom.

So to those who gave all… my thoughts are with you this weekend.  And to all our veterans, living and dead, I say a sincere and heartfelt, Thank you!

You can read Richard’s blog here.

Honoring True Courage

By Joshua Jenkins

     Ed Freeman wasn’t always a Medal of Honor recipient.  In the 1930s he was a clean cut American boy living in Neely, Mississippi who was fascinated with the servicemen performing military maneuvers near his home. He dreamed of joining the military and becoming a pilot. 

     When he was old enough, Ed enlisted in the United States Navy and served aboard the USS Cacapon during World War II.  When the war ended he returned to the United States and completed high school.  He joined the United States Army and served as an infantry man during the Korean War.  In Korea, he earned a battlefield commission and became a second lieutenant.  With the commission, he applied to flight school.  His first application was rejected because he was 6’4” therefore “too tall” to be a pilot under the U.S. Army height restriction at the time.  It was then he received his nickname “Too Tall”.  A few years later the height restriction was raised and Too Tall’s second application was accepted.  He was off to flight school.  He became a pilot and later served in Vietnam beginning in 1965.  By this time, he was a highly skilled helicopter pilot and placed second-in-command of a unit of sixteen helicopters—captain in Company A, 229^th Assault Helicopter Battalion in the First Cavalry Division (Airmobile). 

     On November 14, 1965, all hell broke loose in Ia Drang Valley.  Soldiers there were under severe, heavy, and intense enemy fire and were taking casualties and running low on supplies.  The fire around the landing zones was so extreme that the medical evacuation helicopters refused to land in the Valley and rescue the wounded.  The Commander, Major Bruce Crandall, called for volunteer pilots to fly into the hot zones.  Freeman was the only pilot to step forward. He set out to assist his overwhelmed brothers.  He made 14 trips carrying water, ammunition and evacuating dozens of wounded men. Without his service, most of the soldiers in Ia Drang valley could have died. During the trips, Freeman’s body was hit four different times by enemy fire. 

     As a result of his heroism, Freeman was a recipient of both the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Medal of Honor.  The Medal of Honor was awarded by the U.S. Army for gallantry and courage serving his county at great risk to himself. The citation reads as follows:

Captain Ed W. Freeman, United States Army, of Boise, Idaho, who distinguished himself by numerous acts of conspicuous       gallantry and extraordinary intrepidity on 14 November 1965 while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). As a flight leader and second in command of a 16-helicopter lift unit, he supported a heavily engaged American infantry battalion at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The unit was almost out of ammunition after taking some of the heaviest casualties of the war, fighting off a relentless attack from a highly motivated, heavily armed enemy force. When the infantry commander closed the helicopter landing zone because of intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his life by flying his unarmed helicopter through a gauntlet of enemy fire time after time, delivering critically needed ammunition, water, and medical supplies to the besieged battalion. His flights, by providing the engaged units with supplies of ammunition critical to their survival, directly affected the battle’s outcome. Without them the units would almost surely have gone down, with much greater loss of life. After medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the area because of intense enemy fire, Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing lifesaving evacuation of an estimated 30 seriously wounded soldiers-some of whom would not have survived had he not acted. All flights were made into a small emergency landing zone within 100 to 200 meters of the defensive perimeter, where heavily committed units were perilously holding off the attacking elements. Captain Freeman’s selfless acts of great valor and extraordinary perseverance were far above and beyond the call of duty or mission and set a superb example of leadership and courage for all of his peers. Captain Freeman’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

     After his service in Vietnam, Ed Freeman returned to the United States in 1966 and retired from the military.  He and wife moved to Idaho and he became a pilot for the Department of Interior.  During his career as a pilot he clocked seventeen thousand flight hours in helicopters and eight thousand in fixed-wing aircraft.

     On August 20, 2008, Major Ed W. “Too Tall” Freeman passed away and now rests in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.  May we all remember his life and honor his legacy.  His actions are a testament of what it takes to have true courage.

Please join American Legion Post 177 and VFW Post 8469 on Monday May 31, 2010 for a traditional Memorial Day Service at the Fairfax War Memorial on the lawn of the Old Fairfax Courthouse (on the corner of Route 123 and Main Street in Fairfax City).

09:00 am start

• Colors to half mast

• Opening prayer (Commander Houston, VFW Post 8469)

• Pledge of Allegiance (Comrade McAnaw)

• Remarks by US Congressman Gerald Connolly

• Remarks by Chairman the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Sharon Bulova

• Remarks by Braddock District Supervisor John Cook

• Remarks by Fairfax City Mayor Robert Lederer

• Remarks by Fairfax City Councilwoman Joan Cross

• Reading of the Fairfax Honor Roll (volunteers line up to read names from the book at the podium. Pause briefly for the bell to toll for each name)

• Laying of the wreaths at the Fairfax War Memorial (Comrade McAnaw)

• Closing prayer (Commander Sussan, American Legion Post 177)

• Playing of Taps (Comrade Hank Roeder)

Following this ceremony, if you wish, you may accompany the VFW into Fairfax Cemetery for a remembrance of their departed comrades while American Legion members go back to Oak Street for their march to the Cemetery.

By Alicia Cosgrove

NW GUILFORD COUNTY – On May 20, 1950, the first official Armed Forces Day was observed with great pomp and circumstance. Expansive parades, open houses, receptions and air shows were held to carry out President Harry S. Truman’s desire to see that the nation honored “the work of the military services at home and across the seas.”

Created to express gratitude towards military personnel and affirm the then-recently unified command of Army, Air Force and Marine forces under the Department of Defense, the holiday was announced at a time when the news was full of political volatility, world tensions and aggression aimed at the United States. Over the past 60 years, American military personnel have served and sacrificed through peacetime and wars – and continue to do so in a world where tensions are higher than ever.

While Memorial Day and Veterans Day celebrations have enjoyed renewed popularity, particularly since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, for many people Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday of May, comes and goes without recognition.

“It hurts me to see that people don’t recognize it, and give the veterans the honor and glory they deserve,” says Sheriff B.J. Barnes. “Anybody that gives of themselves and goes in (to military service), whether voluntary or draft, deserves recognition.”

Barnes, himself a Vietnam War era Marine Corps veteran, is happy to have the opportunity for his department to show its support of veterans. The Guilford County Sheriff’s Department will engage in a “grudge match” softball game against the Summerfield Fire Department as part of the Summerfield Founders’ Day celebration. Proceeds from the fundraiser event will be donated VFW Post 7999’s memorial fund.

Sgt. First Class D.J. Key, who serves as the Unit Readiness NCO for the National Guard Armory in Greensboro, says that he would like to see more attention given to Armed Forces Day – even though he and many other area guardsmen will be busy on drills this weekend. “It would be nice if the major media outlets would pay more attention to it,” says Key.

For some area families, Armed Forces Day observances are quiet but very meaningful. Tina Norman of Oak Ridge comes from a family with a strong military history. Her father and late father-in-law both fought in World War II; her husband served in the Marines. Her eldest son, Capt. Thane Norman, is serving in the Marine Corps in Afghanistan. Her youngest son, Ensign Thad Norman, is currently training in the Navy’s nuclear power school. Although her father has Alzheimer’s disease, he remembers his service days. On Armed Forces Day, she plans to visit him and encourage him to share stories of his time in service. As always, the Marine Corps and Navy flags will be proudly flown in her family’s yard.

To help celebrate

Armed Forces Day

Thank a veteran. A simple “Thank you for your service” goes a long way.

Check out Supportourtroops.org for ideas about organizing collection drives for active duty troops, and Anysoldier.com to find out how you can reach out to a soldier anywhere in the world. Consider challenging your church or social club to a friendly collection competition of items to be sent to active duty personnel.

http://www.nwobserver.com/articles/2010/05/14/news/doc4bec213e54486781611300.txt