Visit the VCA blog site daily for VCA updates, calendar of events, photos, and reminders and other news of interest.
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.
The Centennial Legion meeting will be held in Boston, MA. starting Thursday, 18 November 2010, until 20 November 2010. If you plan on attending please contact CSM Gary Hess ASAP hess_g123@yahoo.com
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.
In 1944, 29 year old U.S. Army CAPT. George Vujnovich, attached to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), led a mission to rescue more than 500 downed U.S. airmen. 66 years later, on Sunday 17 October 2010, CAPT. Vujnovich (Later MAJ.), now 95, is presented the Bronze Star by Rep. Joseph Crowley at Manhattan’s St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral.
Please join the VCA in congratulating and thanking MAJ. George Vujnovich for a job well done!
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.
A reminder that the Pawtuxet Rangers will be having their 236th birthday party on October 27 in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. If you plan on attending, please make your reservations. Details of the event are below. Who they are from their web site.
The Pawtuxet Rangers were chartered in 1774 to protect the thriving seaport of Pawtuxet, and at various times throughout the Revolutionary War manned the fort on Pawtuxet Neck, a function vital to the defense of both Pawtuxet and Providence. As the war progressed, the Rangers were called upon to participate in major engagements in other areas including the Battle of Rhode Island and the Battle of Saratoga.
Today, the Pawtuxet Rangers are among the oldest existing chartered commands in the country. Under the overall command of the Governor as Captain General, and the direct command of the Adjutant General of the Rhode Island National Guard, the Rangers still retain the independent status of their charter while also available on a voluntary basis to assist in certain State functions if so requested.
The Pawtuxet Rangers are among the most active of Rhode Island’s militia groups. They are constantly sought for participation in a wide variety of parades and public appearances, including ceremonial State functions, battle reenactments, and speaking engagements.
If you are a veteran or an active duty G.I., then you have undoubtedly been to an USO location. Whether they were far from home, or possibly on leave, the USO has been there for our servicemen and women since 1941.
Three local soldiers are running as Team USO in the New York City Marathon in support of the USO. Please support them by reading their story here. If you wish to make a donation to their efforts, please visit this page. and click on the “support me” button.
As you know, the Mess Dinner will be held on January 8, 2011 at the India House, Hanover Square, NYC. Our Honored Guest this year will be David S. Rohde. Mr. Rohde is a Pulitzer Prize award winning journalist. Here is a link to a Wikipedia article. Recommended reading. http://ping.fm/3dciA
Debra Rogers found a bit of golden respite in her battle against cancer: a week in the warm Florida sun, watching her son and his friends – all soldiers – play softball against other U.S. servicemembers. http://ping.fm/ZJrNN
