Ross Dunfee “Soldier, put those bodies in the graves and get them buried.” “Sargent, what names should I put on each of the grave markers?” “I don’t know. For now, just mark it Unknown.” This conversation has occurred throughout many wars around the world. Identifying and repatriating the deceased is a logistical nightmare. It is…
Tag: Support Our Troops
Features, January 2023
U.S. Military History: POW/MIA—Prisoners of War/Missing in Action
Ross Dunfee Throughout antiquity prisoners have not been treated well by belligerent powers. Ill treatment of prisoners sent home helps to instill fear into the hearts of warriors and maybe deters conflict from fellow comrades still in combat. Some prisoners have been prosecuted for war crimes or paraded at home to demonstrate a battle victory.…
Features, December 2022
U.S. Military History: Unrecognized Heroes
Ross Dunfee When you hear your service-song played and you were in that branch of military service, please stand and be recognized. And so, the song goes, Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and now Space Force. In turn, veterans of each branch of military service stand, the audience appropriately applauds the veterans, and…
Features, November 2022
U.S. Military History: Military Birthdays
Ross Dunfee The thought of independence for the 13 English colonies was revolting to the mother country and the colonies knew that they had to band together to obtain their freedom, and they did. The First Continental Congress convened and concluded at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia, Penn., Sept. 5 to Oct. 26, 1774. Their primary…
Features, September 2022
U.S. Military History: U.S. Flag Folding—Part 1 of 2
Ross Dunfee While not officially adopting a flag at the time of the Declaration of Independence, the “Continental Colors” (aka the “Grand Union” flag), has historically been referred to as the first national flag of the United States. That flag has a striking resemblance to the British East India Company (1707-1801), where the canton resembles…
Features, August 2022
U.S. Military History: The Star-Spangled Banner
Ross Dunfee At the outset of the 19th century, Great Britain was locked in a long and bitter conflict with Napoleon Bonaparte’s France. Both France and Great Britain attempted to block the United States from trading with the other, and restrict the USA from westward expansion. Beginning in 1812, Napoleon began to encounter the first…
Features, July 2022
Military History: Women in War
Ross Dunfee Women have been participants in war since time began. In colonial days women used firearms to protect home, property, and loved ones. During the Revolution, Civil War, World Wars, and multiple other skirmishes, women often fought quietly alongside male comrades, but not as part of the uniformed services. During WWII able-bodied men were…
Features, June 2022
U.S. Military History: USS Enterprise
Ross Dunfee Enterprise means “readiness to engage in daring or difficult action,” and such was the lot for the crews of the eight colonial and U.S. ships named Enterprise. All Enterprises were participants in conflict, armed and ready for action. The U.S. ships named Enterprise are as follows: * Enterprise (1775-1777), a 70-ton, 22-gun, 50-crew…
Features, May 2022
U.S. Military History: Memorial Day Poppies
Ross Dunfee World War I concluded with about 10 million military personnel killed, and a like number of civilians. One particularly bloody battle during WWI was at the Second Battle of Ypres (Belgium) where, on April 22, 1915, Germany fired 150 tons of lethal chlorine gas against two French and Algerian Divisions and two days…
Features, April 2022
U.S. Military History: U.S. Coast Guard Flag, Song, and Motto
Ross Dunfee The Coast Guard has a rich history of consolidation with other federal services. The Coast Guard was created in 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service (from 1790) was merged with the Life Saving Service (from 1848). In 1939, the Lighthouse Service (from 1789) was added, and the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation…