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...

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 comm...

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 de...

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....

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...

A BRAVE SOLDIER’S PURPLE HEART STORY   Blog Post 7 of 11 He was in his early twenties, the prime of his life, when he was shipped off to a foreign country.  A different world for him with a culture and language just as unfamiliar.  But he wasn’t there to sight see, enjoy the culinary delicacies of this foreign land, nor did he have ample time to get to know his surroundings, the people or their customs.  No, at this young age the man found himself pinned down in an embattled trench that he shared with his Army comrades of the 34th Infantry Division in the Battle of Anzio, Italy.   This was a battle that would last four month from January 22 until May 23 rd  of 1944.  More than 7,000 American soldiers would perish and another 36,000 wounded. He and his comrades were dug in, surrounded by three enemy nests.  The enemy had machine guns blasting and snipers relentlessly firing upon them.  It would only be a matter of time befor...

BORN ON THE 4 TH OF JULY Blog Post 6 of 11 If you have seen Tom Cruise in the graphic 1989 movie, Born on the Fourth of July , you may be surprised to find out that it was the true story of Vietnam Veteran, Ron Kovic.   Instilled with patriotic values from his family’s rich military service, Ron joined the Marines in 1964 and was immediately shipped off to Vietnam. He was shot in the spine during combat in 1968 and became paralyzed from the waist down, receiving the Purple Heart for his service and courage. Unlike his fellow compatriots of prior wars, he did not receive a hero’s welcome upon his return, but instead endured the disdain of Americans who were enraged about the Vietnam War.  Following his med-evac (air lift evacuation) to the states, Kovic languished in VA hospitals whose conditions were deplorable at the time.  He would be in out of these failing institutions for years.   During the 1972 at Republic National Conventi...

FAMOUS PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS Blog Post 5 of 11 You may not recognize a hero that sits among you, or realize the deeds of some well-known Americans.   This blog post will highlight but a few Purple Heart recipients who went on to make their mark in our society. Charles Bronson received his Purple Heart for injuries sustained during WWII.   Bronson was known for his acting parts in two famous WWII movies, The Dirty Dozen and the Great Escape, among many other award winning movies. James Garner entered the armed forces at the age of 16 and was awarded two Purple Hearts for injuries sustained during two different battles in WWII.  Garner starred in many movies but is most known for his television series, the Rockford Files. James Arness is well known as Marshall Matt Dillion in the TV series Gunsmoke which aired for more than 50 years.  Arness received not only the Purple Heart, but the Bronze Star as well for injuries sustained in t...

PURPLE HEARTS AFTER GENERAL WASHINGTON Blog Post 4 of 11   The original honor badge created by General Washington would only be awarded three more times during the American Revolution.   The medallion was bestowed to Sergeants Daniel Bissell and William Brown of the Connecticut Regiment of the Continental line, and to Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the Connecticut Regiments’ Dragoons.   General Washington presented the Purple Hearts to them at his Headquarters in Newburgh, New York on May 3 rd , 1783.   The medal would not be awarded again for another 200 years. Washington's original version of the Purple Heart is housed at the New Windsor Cantonment in New York, the site of the last encampment of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.   The award would not be recognized again until 1932. General Charles Summerall proposed a bill to revive the medallion with a redesign composed of a circular medal disc with a concave center on whi...

THE PURPLE HEART'S FIRST RECIPIENTS  Blog Post 3 of 11  For their bravery, Privates Paulding, Williams and Van Wart were awarded the newly created “Military Badge of Merit” for their patriotism by General George Washington. Years after their deaths, another recognition of their patriotism was established.  On June 11 th in 1829, a monument was erected to them at the Presbyterian Cemetery in Greenburgh, New York which reads:  “ Fidelity.  On the 23 rd  of September 1780, Isaac Van Wart, accompanied by John Paulding and David Williams, all farmers of the county of West Chester, intercepted Major Andre, on his return from the American Lines in the character of a spy, and notwithstanding the large bribes offered them for his release, nobly disdained to sacrifice their Country for gold, secured and carried him to the Commanding Officer of the district, whereby the dangerous and traitorous conspiracy of Arnold was brought to light, the i...

THE PURPLE HEART Today we will begin an 11 part series on the origins of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, some of its famous recipients, and finally, the heroic acts of one such recipient. T he “Purple Heart” was initially called the “Fidelity Medallion.”   During its origins in the Revolutionary War, it was better known as the “Andre Capture Medal” for the capture of the traitor, Major John Andre.  Major Andre betrayed America during the Revolutionary War by sneaking secret documents to the British enemy that would have done grave harm to the control of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Purple Heart medallion originated in the colonial times of 1780.  The front of the commemorative decoration was adorned with a heart, flanked by leafed stalks with the word “Fidelity” above this. On its reverse side the Latin phrase, Armor Patriae Vincit,” or love of country conquers, is inscribed. The first issue of this prestigious medal of bravery was aw...

2017 THANKS TO VETERANS For our Blog today, we will take a look at some of the more popular benefits that Veterans can enjoy this holiday.    At the end of this post you will also find those establishments that offer discounts all year long .  Since 2008 many restaurants and retailers have offered free meals, services and discounts.  This blog seeks to inform our Veterans what is available to them on this important day of remembrance.  For greater information on these benefits, follow this link to USA Today's in depth article on Veteran Day specials for 2017: USA Today LINK to List of Veteran's Day specials PLEASE NOTE:  Some offers have specific dates, some are only valid this Friday (the observed U.S. Holiday) with others offered on Saturday (the actual date of Veterans Day).   MEALS FOR VETERANS: Applebees:  Free meal from special menu Bar Louie:  Free flatbread or burger Buf...

THE PATRIOT In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.”             ~Mark Twain The above quote could not say it better in describing what a Veteran is.  They are the unsung hero who, without thought to their own life, take up the call to serve their country. The term GI translates to Government Issue,  which means that a soldier is literally construed as a property of the United States Government.  This is specified in the soldier’s contract upon enlistment.  They agree to be solely governed by the United States Armed Forces, 24/7.  If the government says to work all night, you work all night. If the government requires you to do jumping jacks, you jump.  If the government says you must pick up your rifle and travel to another country to fight and put your life at grea...

THE HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."                                    ~President George Washington Other than May, November is the most honorable month of all.  This special month celebrates both the Marine Corps Birthday (11/20/1775), and November 11 th  - Veterans Day.  On the 11 th  hour of the 11 th  day of the 11 th  month, the entire world observed a moment of silence in observance of the signing of a treaty in Versailles, France.  The treaty ended the hostilities of WWI and was termed an  armistice.   From this worldly action, November 11 th  became known as “Armistice Day.” In Novem...