Veterans Day, Nov. 11th, 2013

Veterans Day, Nov. 11th, 2013

by WebAdmin Military News New York VCA Veterans

Veterans Day 2013 is coming up on 11 November.  The VCASNY will hold it’s Annual Memorial Service at Trinity Church in Manhattan to honor those who have served and those who are serving our country. Our VCA memorial service is held specifically to remember those members of the VCA who have served with us and have now passed on.

There are other events that are scheduled throughout the city as well. Please feel free to review these links and take advantage of some of these Veterans thank you events.

AITAF Performance Vet Day Football Vet Week 2013

2013 ING NYC Marathon

by WebAdmin Events Militia New York VCA

Hurricane Sandy and the destruction it left behind cancelled the 2012 Marathon, but this year, the Marathon is in full swing and scheduled for 3 Nov. The start of the first and subsequent waves will be signaled by the VCASNY firing battery and their 75mm pack howitzers.

Watch us live on ESPN starting around 0900 November 3rd 2013.

Veteran Distinction on NY State Drivers Licenses Available Now

by WebAdmin Military News New York Veterans

NYS DMV Photo Document “Veteran” Status Designation

If you are a qualified U.S. military veteran, who was honorably discharged, and you have a NYS driver license, learner permit or non-driver photo ID card, you can have the word “Veteran” printed on the upper left hand of your photo document.

There is no additional fee for the veteran status designation on your document, but all regular transaction fees will apply.

To apply for the veteran status designation:

  • You must send or provide proof of an honorable discharge. If you apply by mail, send a photocopy of the proof(s). If you apply at a DMV office, you must show the original proof(s), which will be returned to you. Acceptable proofs are:
    • a U.S. Department of Defense Form DD-214 that indicates an honorable discharge, or
    • a form DD-215 that indicates an honorable discharge, or
    • an Honorable Discharge form WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD or NAVCG 553, or
    • an “Enlisted Separation Paper.”
  • You can apply for the veteran status designation when you renew your driver license by mail using your renewal notice (MV-2) and a photocopy of your proof of honorable discharge.
  • You can apply at a DMV office for a renewal or a replacement document with the veteran status designation. Use the Application for Driver License or Non-Driver ID form MV-44.
  • You cannot apply by phone or online.
  • The veteran status will be printed on all of your future NYS DMV photo documents.

20th anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu

by WebAdmin History Military News

Battle of Mogadishu October 3rd – 4th, 1993

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu. The battle was memorialized by the book and movie “BlackHawk Down”. On 3 and 4 October 1993, members of the U.S. Army 75th Rangers, 160th SOAR, Delta, 10th Mountain, Navy SEAL’s and USAF PJ’s and CCT’s participated in a mission to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. During the mission 2 BlackHawk helicopters were downed by RPG fire. The ensuing battle lasted 2 days, and caused the life of 18 American servicemen, plus NATO troops. The enemy dead count is believed to be 1500-2000. Civilians were also killed as they were used as shields by the enemy. In some cases it was reported that women and children also fired upon the U.S. Forces.

The following table is from the Wiki article, “Battle of Mogadishu”

Name Age Action Medal
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta

 
MSGT Gary Gordon 33 Killed defending the crew of Super Six-Four Medal of Honor, Purple Heart[29]
SFC Randy Shughart 35 Killed defending the crew of Super Six-Four Medal of Honor, Purple Heart[29]
SSGT Daniel Busch 25 Crashed on Super Six-One, mortally wounded defending the downed crew Silver Star, Purple Heart[56]
SFC Earl Fillmore 28 Killed moving to the first crash site Silver Star, Purple Heart[57]
MSG Timothy “Griz” Martin 38 Mortally wounded on the Lost Convoy Silver Star, Purple Heart.[58][59]
3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment

 
CPL Jamie Smith 21 Mortally wounded with the pinned-down force around crash site one Silver Star with Valor Device and Oak leaf cluster,
Purple Heart[60]
SPC James Cavaco 26 Killed on the Lost Convoy Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart[61]
SGT Casey Joyce 24 Killed on the Lost Convoy Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart[61]
PFC Richard “Alphabet” Kowalewski 20 Mortally wounded on the Lost Convoy, died later that day Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart[62]
SGT Dominick Pilla 21 Killed on Struecker’s convoy Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart[62]
SGT Lorenzo Ruiz 27 Mortally wounded on the Lost Convoy, died en route to a hospital in Germany Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart[62]
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment

 
SSG William Cleveland 34 Crew chief on Super Six-Four, killed Silver Star,
Bronze Star,
Air Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart[63]
SSG Thomas Field 25 Crew chief on Super Six-Four, killed Silver Star,
Bronze Star,
Air Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart
CW4 Raymond Frank 45 Copilot of Super Six-Four, killed Silver Star,
Air Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart[64]
CW3 Clifton “Elvis” Wolcott 36 Pilot of Super Six-One, died in crash Distinguished Flying Cross,
Bronze Star,
Air Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart[63]
CW2 Donovan “Bull” Briley 33 Copilot of Super Six-One, died in crash Distinguished Flying Cross,
Bronze Star,
Air Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart[65]
2nd Battalion 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division

 
SGT Cornell Houston 31 Killed on the rescue convoy Bronze Star with Valor Device,
de Fleury Medal, Purple Heart[66]
PFC James Martin Jr. 23 Killed on the rescue convoy Purple Heart[67]

Historical perspective on Fort Gadsden, Apalachicola National Forest

by WebAdmin History New York VCA

Historic Fort Gadsden, on the Apalachicola National Forest in Florida, was the site of a horrific battle and explosion during the War of 1812 with England. The fort was built on a strategic portion of the Apalachicola River to control river and trade traffic. In the face of an imminent attack by American forces, escaped and freed slaves and many local American Indians sought refuge and safety at the fort. As the VCA fought in the War of 1812, we thought we would share a little piece of history brought to you by the USDA Forest Service.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJl45IXOOZg&feature=player_profilepage]

Nathan Hale Day

by vcasny American Revolution Artillery History Military News New York Patriots VCA Veteran
Nathan Hale
Nathan Hale Statue

On 22 September, 1776 British troops under the command of General William Howe (British Commander in North America) hung Nathan Hale a day after he was caught spying for the Continental Army. Every year a small ceremony is held to remember the man who reportedly said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”. The ceremony takes place at City Hall Park, the location where he lost his life 235 years ago. Attending the ceremony were city officials, including Mayor Bloomberg.

Mayor and Color Guard
Mayor Bloomberg and VCA Color Guard - Nathan Hale Day 2011