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, travelli...

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 Na...