Defense.gov News Article: Veterans’ Reflections: A Responsibility Never to Forget
By Ian Graham
Emerging Media, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2010 – In California’s San Francisco Bay area in 1967, “Vietnam” was a dirty word.
But for Nick Gillen, it meant an opportunity to put his money where his mouth was and serve his country. Though he already was planning to enlist, he said, the draft expedited his decision to join the Army and serve in Vietnam.
“I’ve always been a bit of a redneck and firmly believed in what our country was doing there, and I still do today,” he said. “I think we were doing what was required of us as soldiers.”
Gillen said he was unsure of what to expect when he was en route to Vietnam.
“When I got on the plane and we took off, I was looking out the window [and] I thought it was the last time I’d see my country,” Gillen said.
He was lucky in combat, and returned from Vietnam in 1968 relatively unscathed. He said he was fortunate to come back, because a lot of people didn’t. Even more important to remember, though, is that each of the young servicemembers who died in Vietnam left families, friends and loved ones behind, Gillen said, calling them “unrecognized casualties.”
“I’m married to a lovely lady who couldn’t be here with me today,” he said during a recent visit to the nation’s capital. “A young man she was engaged to, his name is on the wall. So I’m going to be getting a rubbing of his name for her. He gave everything. I always say to [my wife], ‘I can’t compete with him, because he died a hero.’”
Gillen said his memories from Vietnam are largely about the people he served with. It was a brotherhood of sorts, he said -- a lot of people working hard to get the job done -- and he added that he’ll never forget the people who shared his service.
“I was fortunate enough in this last year, 42 years later. I got to meet up with a few guys that I served with in Vietnam,” Gillen said. “In fact, while I’m here in Washington, D.C., I’ll be meeting up with my old commanding officer, who retired from the military as a colonel recently.”
Servicemembers today share that same bond, he said, and deserve the same respect as any previous generation of servicemember.
“Those that are in uniform today are putting their lives on the line and risking everything. Their families are risking everything, too,” he said. “They’re stepping up to do things that people shouldn’t have to do, but people are continually asked to do.”
Gillen, a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, said he planned to spend Veterans Day marching in a parade in Carson City, Nev., where he now lives. Memories of serving in Vietnam brought a tear to his eye, though a bit of soldier’s bravado contained his emotion.
“Being a veteran is probably the thing that draws the most pride out of me,” he said. “I’m proud to have served my country. I’m proud to be a veteran today. So many people weren’t as fortunate as me –- they didn’t come back. As veterans, we have a responsibility to those who gave everything –- to serve, and to never forget.”
(“Veterans’ Reflections” is a collection of stories of men and women who served their country in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and the present-day conflicts. They will be posted throughout November in honor of Veterans Day.)
November 15, 2010
November 11, 2010
November 3, 2010
NEW Products for Veterans or Active Military & Civilian Service
We are thinking about carrying a few new products which make great gifts for Veterans or Active Military & Civilian Service personnel. Each has a gold plated medallion representing your choice of:
Army
Air Force
Marine Corps
Navy
Coast Guard
Fire Fighter
Police
EMS
You can view them on our Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=241278&id=566716633&l=7538396b3b
Army
Air Force
Marine Corps
Navy
Coast Guard
Fire Fighter
Police
EMS
You can view them on our Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=241278&id=566716633&l=7538396b3b
November 1, 2010
A Flag That Represents More Than Freedom
By Nicole Winters
Published: October 31, 2010, 10:03 PM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Around 110 World War II veterans were able to go on the ninth Honor Flight last weekend. But, they weren't the only ones being honored. An American flag protected by glass also made the trip, and for the veterans, it represents something much more than American pride.
A single picture can bring memories of a person back to life.
"We bring these photos of deceased veterans along and what we'll do is put it in a frame and put it up on the South Dakota pillar and flag just so they're with us," Honor Flight Organizer Rick Tupper said.
Honor Flight organizers carry along photos for the families who lost their World War II vet before they could experience Honor Flight.
"We want to remember everybody," Tupper said.
Because it's not possible to bring along every fallen hero's snapshot, the symbol of America comes along in their place.
"The flag symbolizes the great freedom of the U.S., of course," Bob Kusser said.
That symbol of freedom, protected in a glass box, goes along on every South Dakota Honor Flight.
"It travels with the committee," Kusser said.
Kusser acts as the custodian for the fallen heroes flag on the ninth flight, which he considers an honor.
"My job was to bring it to the airport and allow the veterans as they went by to touch and remember their fallen heroes, comrades," Kusser said.
For the veterans, the red, white, and blue represents much more than just a symbol of freedom, but the sacrifices those they fought alongside had to make.
"It represents the people who have passed away," Harold Bauer said.
That doesn't just mean World War II vets, but everyone who's given their life for their country and given meaning to the American flag.
"Not only WWII but the other conflict, wars. We've lost military and people that they wanted to remember," Kusser said.
The American flag that's traveled all the way to D.C. represents every fallen hero across the country, but for these vets, it's giving them a chance to remember those they lost close to them.
"I have a cousin that gave his life in Korea, I think of him," WWII Vet said.
"I think about my friends that lost their lives," WWII Vet said.
"When they went by, they would touch it, one gentleman that wrapped the glass four times, he said, 'For four of my buddies I lost in war,'" Kusser said.
While not every veteran lays their hand across the glass, Kusser has no doubt the presence of the flag has significant meaning to them all.
“They all know someone who has fallen whether it's been during the war, at the battle they were involved with or very close friends or even family they've lost over the years," Kusser said.
But the flag isn't only a representation of freedom and loss. In the reflection of the glass box, many veterans can also see their blessings folded in the flag.
"How lucky we are that we go to come home, and they didn't," WWII Vet said.
"We enjoy this, but they won't be able to. It's something we should honor very greatly because they lost their lives, and we're here," WWII Vet said.
While they have made it through years of war, it's a reminder freedom isn't free.
"There is a price to pay, at times by someone who has to sacrifice," Kusser said.
Every time a flag floats in the wind, or is taken down and presented to the family of a fallen hero, that sacrifice will be remembered.
"We will never forget their service," Tupper said.
Or what they shaped the country to be.
"We're Americans," World War II vet said.
There is one more South Dakota Honor Flight scheduled for next month, but organizers have decided to take applications through December to determine if they'll send an encore flight in the spring.
By Nicole Winters
Published: October 31, 2010, 10:03 PM
http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail6373.cfm?Id=106485
Published: October 31, 2010, 10:03 PM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Around 110 World War II veterans were able to go on the ninth Honor Flight last weekend. But, they weren't the only ones being honored. An American flag protected by glass also made the trip, and for the veterans, it represents something much more than American pride.
A single picture can bring memories of a person back to life.
"We bring these photos of deceased veterans along and what we'll do is put it in a frame and put it up on the South Dakota pillar and flag just so they're with us," Honor Flight Organizer Rick Tupper said.
Honor Flight organizers carry along photos for the families who lost their World War II vet before they could experience Honor Flight.
"We want to remember everybody," Tupper said.
Because it's not possible to bring along every fallen hero's snapshot, the symbol of America comes along in their place.
"The flag symbolizes the great freedom of the U.S., of course," Bob Kusser said.
That symbol of freedom, protected in a glass box, goes along on every South Dakota Honor Flight.
"It travels with the committee," Kusser said.
Kusser acts as the custodian for the fallen heroes flag on the ninth flight, which he considers an honor.
"My job was to bring it to the airport and allow the veterans as they went by to touch and remember their fallen heroes, comrades," Kusser said.
For the veterans, the red, white, and blue represents much more than just a symbol of freedom, but the sacrifices those they fought alongside had to make.
"It represents the people who have passed away," Harold Bauer said.
That doesn't just mean World War II vets, but everyone who's given their life for their country and given meaning to the American flag.
"Not only WWII but the other conflict, wars. We've lost military and people that they wanted to remember," Kusser said.
The American flag that's traveled all the way to D.C. represents every fallen hero across the country, but for these vets, it's giving them a chance to remember those they lost close to them.
"I have a cousin that gave his life in Korea, I think of him," WWII Vet said.
"I think about my friends that lost their lives," WWII Vet said.
"When they went by, they would touch it, one gentleman that wrapped the glass four times, he said, 'For four of my buddies I lost in war,'" Kusser said.
While not every veteran lays their hand across the glass, Kusser has no doubt the presence of the flag has significant meaning to them all.
“They all know someone who has fallen whether it's been during the war, at the battle they were involved with or very close friends or even family they've lost over the years," Kusser said.
But the flag isn't only a representation of freedom and loss. In the reflection of the glass box, many veterans can also see their blessings folded in the flag.
"How lucky we are that we go to come home, and they didn't," WWII Vet said.
"We enjoy this, but they won't be able to. It's something we should honor very greatly because they lost their lives, and we're here," WWII Vet said.
While they have made it through years of war, it's a reminder freedom isn't free.
"There is a price to pay, at times by someone who has to sacrifice," Kusser said.
Every time a flag floats in the wind, or is taken down and presented to the family of a fallen hero, that sacrifice will be remembered.
"We will never forget their service," Tupper said.
Or what they shaped the country to be.
"We're Americans," World War II vet said.
There is one more South Dakota Honor Flight scheduled for next month, but organizers have decided to take applications through December to determine if they'll send an encore flight in the spring.
By Nicole Winters
Published: October 31, 2010, 10:03 PM
http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail6373.cfm?Id=106485
October 28, 2010
American Flag Stolen from Oklahoma Veteran
DEL CITY, OK -- An unpatriotic thief is going around stealing American flags from the homes of Oklahoma veterans. Retired Army Sergeant Marcus Hill spent time twice in Iraq before he was injured. He retired from the military in June and moved to Del City. He says, "Luckily they had just remodeled this place and it was right next to my sister. I was stationed in Germany when she had my nephew and now she has her second child. So I'm right here. I get to see them every day."
FOLLOW THE LINK FOR THE FULL STORY!
FOLLOW THE LINK FOR THE FULL STORY!
October 27, 2010
The Oregon State Flag Redesign Effort
In anticipation of Oregon’s 150th birthday in February 2009, the state’s largest newspaper,The Oregonian, sponsored an effort to redesign the state’s flag. Oregon became a state in 1859, but only in 1925 did it adopt a state flag—the last among the then-48 states to do so—based on a flag used by the Oregon Military Department. The state’s legislature authorized an official flag after the Portland postmaster asked for a flag to present for display with thoseof other states in the nation’s capital, and a flag was requested to fly at the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington.3 Governor Walter M. Pierce signed the legislation adopting the flag. He had been elected with the strong support of the resurgent Ku Klux Klan, which powerfully influenced state politics at the time.That flag, which has remained unchanged since 1925, is now unique among U.S. state
flags—it has a different design on the reverse, a beaver (the state animal). Oregon is known as “The Beaver State”, recalling the fur trade which first brought Euro-American exploration to the area. Its obverse displays the escutcheon from the state seal, the year of admission“1859”, and—in case the symbolism were not adequate—the words “STATE OF OREGON”.
FOR MORE DETAILS ON REDESIGN ITSELF, CHECK OUT THAT ARTICLE LINK FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN VEXILOGICAL(STUDY OF FLAGS) ASSOCIATION:
http://www.nava.org/Flag%20Design/Redesigning%20the%20Oregon%20State%20Flag.pdf
flags—it has a different design on the reverse, a beaver (the state animal). Oregon is known as “The Beaver State”, recalling the fur trade which first brought Euro-American exploration to the area. Its obverse displays the escutcheon from the state seal, the year of admission“1859”, and—in case the symbolism were not adequate—the words “STATE OF OREGON”.
FOR MORE DETAILS ON REDESIGN ITSELF, CHECK OUT THAT ARTICLE LINK FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN VEXILOGICAL(STUDY OF FLAGS) ASSOCIATION:
http://www.nava.org/Flag%20Design/Redesigning%20the%20Oregon%20State%20Flag.pdf
August 28, 2009
NIFDA Conference 2010 Las Vegas, Nevada
We recently attended a conference for flag vendors and manufacturers with the National Independent Flag Dealers Association. What does this mean?! All the American, country, state, military (pretty much anything that comes in 3' x 5') that we sell are made here in the United States. We even found out that they can document the fact that the oil they use to make the raw goods is from the United States. Tell us what you feel about this!
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