Veterans Reflections

Veterans Reflections is a collections of stories from men and women that served from WWII to the present. They are stories based on experiences of service and their effect on the veteran. The stories will be published on www.defense.gov throughout the month of November in honor of Veterans Day. Here is the latest story on Michael Tripp, who actually became one of the more famous faces from the Vietnam War.

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More Sophisticated Drones

by 1LT Stephen Hefler Military News Military Photos

With the Pentagon aware of the fact that there is a possibility that the next war can begin against an “enemy with a well-equipped Air Force and sophisticated military instead of terrorists armed with guns and roadside bombs,” there is pressure on the Air Force and the rest of the U.S. Military to develop more sophisticated drones and surveillance aircraft.

They worry that with the growing terrorist activities, the aircraft and drones there are in use now will not do good enough job. They’re goal is to make an upgrade so that aircraft are stronger and less visible to radar, and to improve intelligence and surveillance for the U.S. ground troops.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Philip Breedlove says, “By January, the Air Force’s drones will have logged a million hours of combat air patrols over war zones. Starting with only a few drones on 24 hours patrol, the goal is to have 50 on 24-hour air patrols operating by the end of Sept. 2011, and 65 by the same month in 2013.”

For more information, go to Military.com.

Veterans Day 2010

by vcasny American Revolution History Military News Military Photos New York Patriots VCA Veteran

From the Revolutionary War to the “Cold War” to Afghanistan, young men and women have served our country with commitment, honor and courage. If I counted up wiki correctly, we have lost ~650,000 men and women during armed conflicts, and another ~1.5 Million were wounded during the history of our nation. There are another 83,918 that are still unaccounted for.

The VCASNY asks that you remember them all today and everyday, by supporting them, flying the flag, attending a parade, saying “thank you” to that nice elderly man down the block, and by never forgetting what they have given to support our country.

OohRah!

by vcasny American Revolution Artillery History Military News Military Photos Patriots Press Release Veteran

As a former member of the greatest Air Force in the world, and a current member of a 220 year old Historic Military Command with regulations and traditions born of the United States Army, I have to admit that I still feel honored when I am in the company of these men and women. Please join the VCA in wishing a Very Happy 235th Birthday to the United States Marine Corps.

The official birthday of the Marine Corps is 10 November 1775, when the second Continental Congress passed a resolution to raise “two battalions of Marines”.

Happy Birthday to old and new friends alike. OohRah and Semper Fi!

Photos from our January 2010 Mess Dinner

by vcasny Artillery Military News Military Photos New York Press Release VCA

In case you missed it, here is a photo sample of our event at the beginning of this year. Our next Mess Dinner is coming up soon, and we have a very special guest, so I hope we see you there.

Wartorn – A history of PTSD – An HBO film

by vcasny History Military News Military Photos Veteran

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, left, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., center, and Richard Plepler, HBO co-president, listen during the introduction to the HBO documentary “Wartorn 1861-2010” at the Pentagon, Oct. 28, 2010. The film, produced by James Gandolfini, explores the history of post-traumatic stress disorder and its effect on troops, veterans and their families throughout American history. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley. defense.gov

Medal of Honor first living recipient since Vietnam

by vcasny Military News Military Photos Press Release

This story is worth retelling. SSGT. Giunta is the first living soldier to earn the Medal since the Vietnam War. On 25 October 2007, SSGT. Giunta’s squad was ambushed while patrolling in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley. While under fire, he pulled another squad member back to cover; thus saving his life, and then he provided medical aid to another wounded soldier who had been wounded while the enemy was attempting to take him. SSGT. Giunta was serving with 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team’s Company B, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment at the time of the engagement.

President Obama will present the Medal of Honor to SSGT. Salvatore Giunta on 16 November 2010.

Full press release can be found here

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Break Time

by vcasny Military News Military Photos

Competitors from around the world take a break during the “loophole” event at the International Sniper Competition on Selby Hill, Fort Benning, Ga., Oct. 12, 2010. U.S. Army photo by John D. Helms.