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THE CAPTURE OF MAJOR ANDRE In the second installment of our eleven part series, we continue with the history of the Purple Heart’s beginnings during the revolutionary war. In the late 1700’s, Major John Andre was a spy operating under the direction of one of American History’s famous traitors, Major General Benedict Arnold.  Arnold was made famous through his betrayal, in turning over the U.S. military Post at West Point for cash and a command in the British Army.  Needless to say the word “traitor” is synonymous with Arnold’s name to this day. Before becoming the famous traitor, Major General Arnold commanded West Point while secretly in collusion with British Intelligence for the purpose of surrendering this American Post to the enemy.  To accomplish this Arnold handed over secret American documents to be delivered by Major Andre into the hands of the British enemy.   Wearing an American uniform, Major Andre set out on his treacherous mission, travelling through American
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A DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY Today marks the 76 th  anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.  " A day that will live in infamy”  as then President Roosevelt proclaimed.   In the early morning hours of December 7 th in 1941, a swarm of 360 Japanese warplanes completely surprised our forces at the U.S. Naval Base in Pearl Harbor.  More than 2,400 Navy, Marines, and Army personnel perished on that ill-fated day. Almost half of the casualties were from the sinking of the naval battleship, the USS Arizona and much of the U.S. Pacific Fleet was decimated. Of the Pacific Fleet, 3 destroyers, 5 of the fleet's 8 battleships and 7 other ships were sunk or severely damaged. Additionally, more than 200 aircraft, both on the ground and aboard ship were demolished. The horrific attack and toll on the United States was remembered today with a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m., and a flyover by the U.S. Air Force and the Hawaiian Air National Guard at the
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WHITE HOUSE ANSWERS THE CALL OF VETERANS As part of President Trump’s commitment to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the White House launched a VA Hotline in June 2017 to assist with the needs of Veterans.  Over the summer, Veterans demonstrated they responded best when their calls are answered by fellow Veterans or others that have first-hand experience on their issues.  Upon learning of their preference, the newly formed VA Hotline began operating around-the-clock by a team of mostly Veterans in October of this year.   The phone is staffed either by Veterans or family members who have direct knowledge of the particular needs of a Veteran.  These Agents can use their experiences to address the concerns of Veterans in the best way possible and can guide them through the many resources the VA offers.  To keep abreast of the array of services that the VA offers to Veterans, VA Hotline Agents undergo regular updates and training on available resources.  Tra
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SERIES CONCLUSION Blog Post 11 of 11 S/Sgt. Hall’s fearlessness, determined fighting spirit, and his prodigious combat skill exemplify the heroic tradition of the American Infantryman.  It is heroes like him that allow us to enjoy the freedoms of life here in the United States. This Purple Heart recipient would also receive the Medal of Honor (MOH) and Rome posthumously awarded him their Medal of Valor.  He was, and still is to this day, Stoneham’s only Medal of Honor recipient S/Sgt. Hall refused burial at the Arlington National Cemetery where most heroes are buried.  Instead, he requested burial in his beloved home town of Stoneham, Massachusetts where he now rests in the St Patrick’s Cemetery located on Elm Street. The VFW named after him that was once located on Hancock Street in Stoneham, has since been torn down and a new commercial building stands in its place.  During the hot summer months, children still frolic in the town's community pool, but are they
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THE SOLDIER'S RETURN Blog 10 Post of 11 The young man, gravely injured during the Battle of Anzio in Italy, returned to the United States where he would receive the military’s highest award for his conspicuous gallantry at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty.  S/Sgt. George John Hall of Stoneham, Massachusetts, an undeniable hero of WWII.  His citation reads: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Attacking across flat, open terrain under direct enemy observation, S/Sgt. Hall’s company was pinned down by grazing fire from 3 enemy machine guns  and harassing sniper fire. S/Sgt. Hall volunteered to eliminate these obstacles in the path of advance. Crawling along a plowed furrow through furious machine gun fire, he made his way to a point within hand grenade range of 1 of the enemy positions. He pounded the enemy with 4 hand grenades, and when the smoke had died away, S/Sgt. Hall and 2 dead Germans
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A  GRIEVOUS  INJURY Blog Post 9 of 11 Although he had bravely succeeded in his first two missions to disarm the enemy, they young soldier did not turn back to the safety of his infantry’s burrow.  No this brave, American heart would not let him rest.  He was fighting against the tyranny that threatened the world’s freedoms.  He would not rest from his grueling quest.  He headed back out on his risky undertaking and once again began crossing the hazardous battlefield towards his next lair.   The enemy bombarded him with their machine guns, frantically trying to stop his advance.  As he neared this final goal of his, the enemy countered him in a last ditch effort to stop his advancement.  In earnest they fired a concentrated bombardment of artillery at him.   In this shell burst, his luck ran out and he was grievously wounded.  His left leg shattered and his right blown open, held together only by two tendons.   As he lay there he pondered his situation, perhaps he was t
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THE HERO’S STANCE AT ANZIO Blog Post 8 of 11 “Rat-a-tat-tat” the German machine guns blasted, their bullets plucking the barren dirt all around him.  Intrepidly, he reached his first quest - the enemy's nest.  He was outnumbered by six against his lone soul, odds clearly not in his favor.  Yet he bravely handled his charge and boldly hurled four grenades into their trench.  With a loud deafening explosion, he heard the sound of success as his ammo hit their mark.  When the smoke cleared, two enemy soldiers lay dead, the other four captured and marched back to his unit’s foxhole.   He was now out of ammunition having used the last four of his Army issued grenades.  Spotting a cache of the enemy’s grenades, a German “potato masher,” he quickly seized this horde and continued on his valiant mission.  Laden with the weight of ammunition and his rifle, he continued across the forsaken field, wiggling his body forward, crawling, crawling driven by the importance of h
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