New Guidance on how to Salute the U.S. Flag

  "The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one's military service," Senator Inhofe said. "Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform. "Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag.
My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not. "I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and remain as role models to others citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others."

This Bill was passed July 25,  2007. 
Let your veteran friends know about the Passage of this Bill.

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell...

Arlington Cemetary - Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine . The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

Interesting ARLINGTON CEMETERY facts:
On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was "How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns" ------ All three missed it ---
for answers - http://www.snopes.com/military/unknown.asp

USS NEW YORK

With a year to go before it even touches the water, the Navy's amphibious assault ship USS New York has already made history. It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.
USS New York is about 45 percent complete and should be ready for launch in mid-2007. Katrina disrupted construction when it pounded the Gulf Coast last summer, but the 684-foot vessel escaped serious damage, and workers were back at the yard near New Orleans two weeks after the storm.
It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.
"It would be fitting if the first mission this ship would go on is to make sure that bin Laden is taken out, his terrorist organization is taken out," said Glenn Clement, a paint foreman. "He came in through the back door and knocked our towers down and (the New York is coming right through the front door, and we want them to know that."
Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, La., to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept. 9, 2003, "those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence," recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. "It was a spiritual moment for everybody there." Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the tradecenter steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the "hair on my neck stood up." "It had a big meaning to it for all of us," he said. "They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back."
The ship's motto? - 'Never Forget'

V-J DAY IN TIMES SQUARE 60TH ANNIVERSARY
On the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Times Square Alliance invites couples from all generations and of all types to celebrate again in Time Square, in honor of the US Armed forces and in celebration of the universal ideals of peace, love and hope.

Click here to see a few pictures of the 60th Anniversary

Are you looking to connect and socialize with Veterans in your area?

Local and Nationwide Veteran Alumni Associations are a great way for Veterans to get together to have fun, reminisce, and even volunteer.

Below is a list of Veteran Alumni Associations by state that have registered on VetFriends.com at VetFriends.com/organizations

If you are a member of a Veteran Association, make sure that your group is registered so the 150,000 monthly visitors to VetFriends.com will know about your group. Click here
(www.vetfriends.com/organizations/add.cfm) to register your organization.

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard
Connecting People, Reuniting Thousands...

In search of identity of kamakazi pilot and plane.

Hi Linda,

My parents met you at the LST reunion that was held in Mobile, Alabama some years ago.

My dad, Robert J. Ware, Sr past away in August 2004.

Was the pilot and/or the kamakazi airplane that crashed into LST-534 ever identified?

This crash struct LST-534 just behind the forward gun turret that my father and other crewmembers were manning at that time.

He was thrown from the gun turret to the main deck below and suffered multiple wounds from the crash and the following explosion of both the aircraft and a 500 pound bomb.

He was evacuated to a hospital ship and returned to the states, New Orleans, Louisiana.

I just thought that perhaps someone had done some research and found the above information from some source over the years.

I read where one of the crewmembers had obtained some pieces of the aircraft. I wish I could obtain/buy a small piece myself.

I served in the U.S. Marine Corps during Vietnam and retired as a Resident Agent in Charge with the United States Customs Service and later as a Senior Diplomat with the U.S. State Department after serving in Kazakhstan as the Senior EXBS (Export Control / Border Security Advisor) at the Embassy in Almaty.

I greatly appreciate the fact that you have maintained the LST-534 website. It somehow keeps me connected with my dad.

He is buried at the National Cemetery, Biloxi, Mississippi.

Thanks again,
Bob

Combat Action Ribbon to be awarded retroactively. Fred Maddix, S1c, submitted the following information that was in The Purple Heart Magazine: Navy and Marine Corps veterans who served in combat in or after World War II are now eligible to receive the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR). Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig has recently authorized this award for those who served in combat, but never received their CAR. “At a time when we are focusing on the contributions of these great Americans, this seems especially fitting,” said Danzig.

In order to be eligible for the CAR, veterans must have participated in ground or surface combat after December 6, 1941, but before March 1, 1961 and cannot already have been recognized for the same participation. Under Public Law 106-65, Danzig can award the CAR to veterans retroactively.

The time period required for submission is being waived in all cases. Two blocks of time have been designated by Danzig for eligibility of the CAR: World War II: December 7, 1941 - April 14, 1946, and Korea: June 27, 1950 - July 27, 1954. Navy Veterans who served during these periods may write directly to the Navy Awards Branch for settlement at:
Chief of Naval Operations (N09B33)
200 Navy Pentagon Washington, DC 20350

The following information must be provided:
1. Standard Form 180 or cover letter with the following information: full name, social security number, service number (if applicable), period of eligibility, unit assigned at the time, and mailing address.
2. Copy of Naval Personnel Form 553 or Defense Department (DD) Form 214; DD-215 (if applicable)
3. (Optional) Additional substantiating documentation: copies of combat awards; copies of evaluations; muster sheets or orders showing assignments to the unit for the period requested.