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.
Installation Command Sgt. Maj. Mike W. Watkins talks about the need to maintain military traditions, and the reasons for them in the September edition of Ft. Meade’s community paper “Sound Off”. Whether active duty, veteran or civilian it is important to uphold these traditions as a sign of respect for your branch, your unit, and your country. Sgt. Maj. Watkins says “Each of us who wears the uniform as well as our civilian counterparts on the installation have an opportunity to display his/her own pride in our country during Reveille and Retreat. That is what I would expect to see as the command sergeant major of the post.”
This is true regardless of were you may be. What do you think? For the full story, please see the Ft. Meade Sound Off on-line.
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
Here is something from one of our local museums which is rich with American History.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/28/10
Contact:
Anthony Wellman
Communications Director
Fraunces Tavern Museum
54 Pearl Street
New York, NY 10004
212-425-1776, ext. 19
communications@frauncestavernmuseum.org
NEW “DOWNTOWN CULTURE PASS” LURES VISITORS WITH THREE DAYS OF UNLIMITED
ACCESS TO MUSEUMS IN LOWER MANHATTAN
New York, NY – In an effort to highlight the multiple cultural attractions
located within convenient walking distance of each other, several of
Manhattan’s downtown museums have banded together to create the Downtown
Culture Pass — a ticket, good for three days, that provides admission, shop
discounts or other benefits at eight downtown museums plus a tour company,
all located south of Chambers Street.
Elizabeth H. Berger, president of the Downtown Alliance, said the Downtown
Culture Pass makes it easy to explore Lower Manhattan’s impressive array of
cultural institutions.
“Lower Manhattan is rich in history, culture and the arts. We’re delighted
that our world-class museums and other attractions can showcase all that our
district has to offer,” Berger said.
For the single price of $25 for adults (18+), $15 for youths (13-17) and $5
for children (6-12), the Downtown Culture Pass will grant each ticket holder
unlimited admission and/or other discounted benefits for three full days to
any and all participating museums, plus discounted tours conducted by Wall
Street Walks. The pass may be purchased online at
www.downtownculturepass.org <http://www.downtownculturepass.org> , or in
person at the Museum of American Finance or the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
A rack card with information on the cultural attractions, offers, and how
and where to buy tickets, will be available at the participating museums.
The Downtown Culture Pass program will run from November 4, 2010 through
February 28, 2011 and may subsequently be extended or expanded.
Participating organizations and their discounted benefits are:
Fraunces Tavern Museum (admission)
54 Pearl Street, 212-425-1778
www.frauncestavernmuseum.org <http://www.frauncestavernmuseum.org>
Museum of American Finance (admission and 10% shop discount)
48 Wall Street, 212-908-4110
www.moaf.org <http://www.moaf.org>
Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust (admission
and 10% shop discount)
36 Battery Place, 646-437-4202
www.mjhnyc.org <http://www.mjhnyc.org>
National Museum of the American Indian* (10% shop discount, free Collector’s
Circle membership for first 100 pass holders and a free copy of American
Indian magazine)
Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House
One Bowling Green, 212-514-3700
www.nmai.si.edu <http://www.nmai.si.edu/>
The New York City Police Museum (admission and 10% shop discount)
100 Old Slip, 212-480-3100
www.nycpm.org <http://www.nycpm.org>
9/11 Memorial Preview Site* (10% shop discount)
20 Vesey Street, 212.267.2047
www.national911memorial.org <http://www.national911memorial.org>
The Skyscraper Museum (admission and 10% shop discount)
39 Battery Place, 212-968-1961
www.skyscraper.org <http://www.skyscraper.org>
Tribute WTC Visitor Center (admission)
120 Liberty Street, 866-737-1184
www.tributewtc.org <http://www.tributewtc.org>
Wall Street Walks (50% off regular ticket price)
212-666-0175
www.WallStreetWalks.com <http://www.WallStreetWalks.com>
*Admission to these cultural attractions is always free.
###
The Lost Heroes Art Quilt hangs at the Indiana State Capitol building in Indianapolis, Oct. 25, 2010. The contemporary art quilt, which includes one fallen hero’s picture from each of the 50 United States, honors those who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. U.S. Army photo by Spc. John Cosby.
This is a simple but moving tribute. RIP
Being far away from home, and especially if deployed in a combat zone, is hard not only on the service person, but also on the family and especially the little ones at home. An organization has created a military program that allows deployed parents to read to their kids via a DVD. According to its’ website:
“The United Through Reading® Military Program helps ease the stress of separation for military families by having deployed parents read children’s books aloud via DVD for their child to watch at home.“
The program is pretty straight forward. The service member reads a book while he/she is been recorded, and the DVD is sent to the child at home, who reads along or listens. The parent at home records that session as well and sends their DVD to their loved one far away.
Seems like a great way to keep some sense of normalcy, while making a kid smile and boosting morale. If you are interested in participating, please go to the United Through Reading website for more details.
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Visit the VCA blog site daily for VCA updates, calendar of events, photos, reminders and other news of interest.
A DoD task force is assessing the possible damage that may be caused by the expected leak of approximately 400,000 classified significant activity reports from Iraq operations. According to the Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon Press Secretary, the activity reports are “essentially snapshots of events, both tragic and mundane, and do not tell the whole story”; additionally, Marine Corps. Col. Dave Lapan says, “The problem with WikiLeaks is it goes beyond just taking out names of people, there is lots of other information that could be damaging, and they don’t have the expertise to know what they are.”
The full story at defense.gov
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VCA troops interested in joining the Ceremonial Weapons Detail, should contact CSM Hess at your earliest convenience. In the past we have formed details on an as needed basis; but given the membership and the current expertise, it is time to form a standing unit for event participation.
Members interested, should be proficient, (or willing to put the in the training time) in sabre and rifle Manual of Arms.
Please review Appendix B and F of the Army Drill and Ceremony ACM-3.21.5 for rifle and sabre respectively.
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The accuracy of the HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), is credited with forcing enemy personnel to give up positions they’ve held for years in much of Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. Currently the HIMARS is deployed with Army and Marine Artillery units.
Read the story at army-technology.com and the NY Times
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As a recipient of GI Bill benefits , I was fortunate enough to get a paid (mostly anyway) education courtesy of my Uncle Sam. The GI Bill has changed several times since I separated, with the latest changes happening post 9/11. One of the biggest (and best) changes is the ability to transfer your benefits to your dependents. I wish I could do this now! Read the full story at the defense.gov web site and as a veteran, you should visit the Department of Veterans Affairs site often. Know your Veterans benefits. It wasn’t until my sophomore year that my buddy told me he was attending Columbia University at no cost. I kicked myself.