Veterans Day, 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Through the generations, America's men and women in uniform have defeated tyrants, liberated continents, and set a standard of courage and idealism for the entire world. On Veterans Day, our Nation pays tribute to those who have proudly served in our Armed Forces.

To protect the Nation they love, our veterans stepped forward when America needed them most. In conflicts around the world, their sacrifice and resolve helped destroy the enemies of freedom and saved millions from oppression. In answering history's call with honor, decency, and resolve, our veterans have shown the power of liberty and earned the respect and admiration of a grateful Nation.

All of America's veterans have placed our Nation's security before their own lives, creating a debt that we can never fully repay. Our veterans represent the best of America, and they deserve the best America can give them.

As we recall the service of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, we are reminded that the defense of freedom comes with great loss and sacrifice. This Veterans Day, we give thanks to those who have served freedom's cause; we salute the members of our Armed Forces who are confronting our adversaries abroad; and we honor the men and women who left America's shores but did not live to be thanked as veterans. They will always be remembered by our country.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service men and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2006, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 5 through November 11, 2006, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Jo Brandt is a wonderful and caring person that I met online through the military ministry that she and her friend Bev co-own, and that Danny helps them moderate.  The name of their group is Veterans Wives and Families and it can be found at the following website locations:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Veterans_Wives-Families/ 

TO JOIN:

Veterans_Wives-Families-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
  

 

Jo knows so much about veteran's issues, the military, military life, the things that those serving our country are facing, and  important political infomation that affect both veterans and present military personnel alike.  

 

She is friendly and outgoing, and you will not feel a moments hesitation in approaching her to ask a question.  You can reach her on her message board here:  http://groups.msn.com/WomenofMinistryWomenofFaith/militaryinfo.msnw 

or via her email address:

ladyjo@cableone.net 

 

I am a member and I recommend the group very highly!

 

 

 

 

Military Support, now and always!

VETERANS WIVES and FAMILIES honor all military service members, past, present, future, whether active duty or retired . We offer support and provide information for anyone that needs it and wants to share knowledge and experiences with others. Our "Because We Care" website is filled with a multitude of links that deal with the many complex issues, of medical, emotional and physical problems facing our military, retired and veterans. Our mail list encourages discussion in an informal atmosphere in a place where friendships are made and support is our number one priority. Serious issues take priority although we enjoy interacting with our friends and share fun times also. This exchange helps to release the stresses and tensions which many times accompany the disabilites or harships that often are experienced. The contributions of our veterans must not go unnoticed for they have paved the way to freedom. Their dues have been paid. "FREEDOM" must be maintained at all costs and should be honored, respected and cherished by each of us. We are here because we care and understand many of the difficulties and challenges they face and want to help them to better cope.

J. Brandt
http://vetsunited.com

 

"NEW ENGLAND'S OWN"

1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment

Devens Reserve Forces Training Area. The Battalion is primarily a cold weather infantry unit, and trains in many locations around the Northeast. In addition, it trains in California, North Carolina and Northern Norway. 1st Battalion, 25th Marines is spread throughout the Northeast with Companies in New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts which is where it gets the name "New Englands Own". Today the Battalion is spread over the New England area with the Headquarters and Service Company along with Weapons Company located at Devens RFTA. Company A is located at Topsham, Maine; Company B is located at Londonderry, New Hampshire; and Company C is located at Plainville, Connecticut.

The mission of 1/25 4th Marine Division is to provide trained combat and combat support personnel and units to augment and reinforce the active component in time of war, national emergency, and at other times as national security requires; and have the capability to reconstitute the Division, if required.

Marines conduct training to prepare for employment as a Battalion tasked to plan and conduct combat operations in order to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, or to repel his assault by close combat.

Peacetime Unit Mission is to be prepared to mobilize in 30-42 days to be a combat capable battalion. Be Prepared to conduct offensive and defensive operations against forces in cold weather and mountain operations. Be prepared to execute effective combat operations training, Intelligence, fire support coordination, logistics and administration processes. Be prepared to augment/reinforce other similar organizations. Maintain individual MOS proficiency through effective training.

"New England's Own" Selected Marine Corps Reserve unit was originally established in Boston, Massachusetts, as an infantry company in the early 1920's. It was not until some years later that the unit attained battalion status.

In April of 1926, Captain John J. Flynn was named the Commanding Officer of the 301st Company, USMCR, with Headquarters at the Marine Barracks, Charlestown Navy Yard. Building #5, the Navy Officer's Mess, was used for drill and formation until the Company was called to active duty on November 8, 1940.

During its varied and illustrious history, the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines has undergone some redesignations. From its beginning as the 301st Company, the Battalion has been variously redesignated as an Artillery Company (December 29, 1928); the 301st Infantry Company (December 1, 1929); Company A, 1st Battalion, 19th Reserve Marines (February 15, 1933); 2nd Battalion, Fleet Marine Corps Reserve (February 1, 1935) - at that point a battalion had an authorized strength of 256 men, comparable to an infantry company in today's table of organization.

There was an especially critical period in the life of "New England's Own" from 1931 to 1934. During those years, Congress discontinued all drill and administrative pay. Those stalwarts who stayed with the organization did so voluntarily. New members were required to purchase their own uniforms. The fact that the Battalion survived this critical period is a "banner" on their history.

The 2nd Battalion continued as a unit until called to active service on the eve of World War II. The Battalion was sent to Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia, and then to Cuba where it was split in January 1941 to serve with various units serving in Cuba at the time.

On May 1, 1943, the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines was formed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was then shipped off to Camp Pendleton, California, to be assigned to the 4th Marine Division, During the war the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines saw action in the following island-hopping campaigns: Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian and Iwojima. The Battalion earned special honors for its action on Iwo Jima. The Battalion played a critical role in the seizure of Hill 382 ("Turkey Knob") in an area that Marine,,, on Iwo Jima called the "Meat Grinder." For its actions, the Battalion earned a Presidential Unit Citation. The Battalion saw no further action during the war due to having to rebuild the Battalion after the heavy losses on Iwo Jima. The Battalion was deactivated on October 31, 1945.

After World War II, on October 1, 1946, the 2nd Infantry Battalion was activated at the Naval and Marine Corps Training Center in South Boston under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James J. Dugan, who had established an excellent personal record as a member of the Battalion before the war and distinguished himself by outstanding service during World War II. Lieutenant Colonel Dugan remained as the Commanding Officer until July 1950, shortly before the Battalion was called to active duty during the Korean War. The service during the Korea War was short and the Battalion was quickly returned to Boston in October of 1951, where it grew into one of the largest Marine Reserve units in the country.

On July 1, 1962, the Battalion was reorganized and redesignated in conjunction with the new concept and mission of the Marine Corps Reserve as the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, FMF, USMCR, with the Battalion Headquarters located in Boston, Massachusetts. On September 30, 1977, the Headquarters was relocated to Camp Edwards, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Since its reorganization in 1962, the Battalion has participated in a variety of training experiences, including desert maneuvers at 29 Palms, California; amphibious training in Little Creek, Virginia; mountain warfare training at Bridgeport, California; cold weather training in Norway, and numerous field exercises at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Attesting to the effective role which the unit played in these and other programs, the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines received the GENERAL HARRY SCHMIDT TROPHY for the most combat ready battalion in the 4th Marine Division in 1970,1989, and 1990- No other battalion in the 4th marine Division can claim that they have won this trophy in consecutive years.

On November 25, 1990, the Battalion was again called to active duty to serve in the Gulf War against Iraq. 'I'he Battalion moved to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was promptly moved into the Kuwait Theater of Operations on December 29, 1 990. The Battalion was assigned as an independent battalion within the 1st Marine Division. While attached to the 1st Marine Division, it performed a variety of missions to include Rear Area Security and Enemy Prisoner of War Control. The Battalion was With the frontline units during the war, which made it one of the few Reserve units to see frontline service. During the Ground offensive the Battalion was to receive the responsibility of controlling over 8,500 Iraq POWs and processing them to rear areas of the 1st Marine Division. The Battalion was returned to the United States in April of 1991 and was deactivated at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts.

On June 9, 2000, the Headquarters was relocated to Devens Reserve Forces Training Area, Massachusetts.The Battalion is still performing its mission of training for the possible call-up for active service in times of national emergency. Today the Battalion is spread over the New England area with the Headquarters and Service Company along with the Weapons Company located at Devens RFTA. Company A is located at Topsham, Maine; Company B is located at Londonderry, New Hampshire; and Company C is located at Plainville, Connecticut.

 CT Attorney General

SEND A CARD 

Click Here On The Picture To Take You To One Of The Largest Military Websites!

MILITARY CONNECTION!!!

Lots of Resources!!!

 CAKE IN A JAR

This makes a great gift for friends and neighbors. Also great for Christmas Bazaar item. Decorate with pretty label and a circle of Christmas fabric under the jar ring. Using the same basic recipe you can substitute different fruits and vegetables to make other varieties. Prep Time: approx.

10 Minutes. Cook Time: approx. 45 Minutes. Ready in: approx. 1 Hour 5 Minutes. Makes 8 (1 pint) jars (24 servings).

2/3 cup shortening

2 2/3 cups white sugar

4 eggs

2 cups mashed bananas

2/3 cup water

3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

2/3 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1 Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease insides of 8 (1 pint) straight sided, wide mouth canning jars.

2 In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, bananas, and water. Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves. Add to banana mixture. Stir in nuts.

3 Pour mixture into greased WIDE MOUTH pint jars, filling 1/2 full of batter. Do NOT put lids on jars for baking. Be careful to keep the rims clean, wiping off any batter that gets on the rims.

4 Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, sterilize the lids and rings in boiling water.

5 As soon as cake is done, remove from oven one at a time, wipe rims of jars and put on lid and ring. Jars will seal as cakes cool. Place the jars on the counter and listen for them to "ping" as they seal. If you miss the "ping", wait until they are completely cool and press on the top of the lid. If it doesn't move at all, it's sealed.

6 Unsealed jars should be eaten or kept in refrigerator for up to a week. Sealed jars can be stored in a cool dry place for up to 6 weeks.

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Apple Cake in a Jar

Apple cake that is sealed in jars and can be given as gifts, or stored for emergencies. Makes 8 pint jars (16 servings).

2/3 cup shortening

2 2/3 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

3 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup water

3 cups grated apple

2/3 cup raisins

2/3 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1 Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease the insides of 8 straight-sided wide-mouth pint canning jars. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Set aside.

2 Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and beat in well. Add flour alternately with water and mix until smooth. Fold in apples, raisins and nuts.

3 Fill jars 1/2 full of batter, being careful to keep the rims clean. Wipe off any batter that gets on the rims. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, sterilize the lids and rings in boiling water.

4 As soon as cake is done, remove from oven one at a time, wipe rims of jars and put on lid and ring. Jars will seal as cakes cool. Place the jars on the counter and listen for them to "ping" as they seal. If you miss the "ping", wait until they are completely cool and press on the top of the lid. If it doesn't move at all, it's sealed.

5 Unsealed jars should be eaten or kept in refrigerator for up to a week. Sealed jars can be stored with other canned food for up to a year.

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CARAMEL NUT CAKE IN A JAR

2 cups packed Brown Sugar

2/3 cup white sugar

1-cup butter softened

4 eggs

2/3 cups milk

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup walnuts

Sterilize 6 (1-pint) straight sided wide mouth canning jars, lids & rings by boiling for 10 mins. Keep lids & rings in hot water until needed. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Dry jars and let the come to room temperature. Grease inside of jars well.

In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda & salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together sugars, butter with electric mixer. Add eggs and mix well. Add milk & vanilla and mix well.

Add flour mixture and blend with a large spoon. Gently fold in walnuts.

Place one-cup batter in to each 1 pint greased canning jar. Wipe any batter from rim. Place jars on baking sheet. Bake at 325 for 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Make sure jar rims are clean (If they are not, jars will not seal properly) While jars are still hot, place lids on jars and screw rings on tightly. Jars will seal as they cool. Place the jars on the counter and listen for the "ping" as they seal. If you miss the "ping" wait until they are completely cool and press on the top of the lids. If it doesn't move at all, then it's sealed.

Keep in refrigerator for prolong storage.

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Applesauce Cake In A Jar

2/3 cup shortening

2 2/3 cups sugar

4 eggs

2/3 cup water

3 1/3 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 tsps baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp cinnamon

2 cups applesauce

2/3 cups nuts (walnuts or pecans)

9 pint wide mouth jars with rings and seals

Mix all ingredients and pour into well greased sterilized pint wide mouth jars. Fill half full and bake 35-40 minutes at 325 degrees or until done. I put my jars on a baking sheet to put them in the oven. When done remove the jars one at a time, place the seal (flat) and ring on the jar and tighten the ring. The lids will seal as the dake cools. You will be able to hear the ping of the seal and can make sure it is sealed by pressing on the center of the lid after the cakes have cooled. Test the lids to make sure they seal before storing in the cupboard. If they do not seal eat the cake right away, otherwise they can be stored indefinitely in the cupboard.

Good luck and enjoy and hope your Marines enjoy too. These also make great last minute Christmas gifts

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Amaretto or Rum Cakes in a Jar:

1 pkg white cake mix

1 small box instant vanilla pudding

4 eggs

1 cup oil

1/2 cup water

3/4 cup amaretto or rum

Put cake mix and pudding powder together and stir till blended. Add the eggs, oil, water, and amaretto. Beat with electric mixer for 2 minutes. Divide batter into 4 1quart wide mouth mason jars that are sprayed well with Pam. Wipe any batter from the rims and place on a cookie sheet and bake at 325 for approx. 45 minutes. When cakes are almost done, make the glaze.

Soaking glaze:

1 cup pwd. sugar

1/2 cup amaretto/rum

1 stick butter

Place all in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Lower heat and boil for 3 minutes. Poke holes in cake and spoon mixture over each. Wipe rims of jars with a warm wet cloth and seal with lids while jars are still very hot.

Just a few added tips: These cakes will rise to the top of the jar when baked. I use a bamboo skewers to poke the holes in the cakes when they come out of the oven. Put the lids on tight and the expansion from the heat inside the jar makes the lids puff slightly, then as they cool the lids seal down and make "pinging" noises. This is like the canning process which makes these cakes edible for up to 6 months.

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Chocolate Cake in a Jar

Stored in canning jars, these should last up to a year.

Makes 2 wide mouth (pint) canning jars (2 servings).

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup butter

1/4 cup water

3 tablespoons unsweetened

cocoa powder

1/4 cup buttermilk

1 egg, beaten

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions

1 Sterilize 2 (1 pint) straight sided wide mouth canning jars, lids and rings by boiling for 10 minutes. Keep the lids and rings in the hot water until needed. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C)

2 In a small bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda and cinnamon. Set aside.

3 In a medium saucepan, combine butter, water and cocoa powder. Heat and stir until butter is melted and mixture is well blended. Pour into a large bowl.

4 Stir in Flour mixture and blend. Add buttermilk, egg and vanilla and beat by hand until smooth. Stir in nuts.

5 Distribute evenly into the 2 prepared canning jars. Place the jars on a cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted deep into center of cake comes out clean.

6 Using heavy oven mitts, remove cakes from oven one at a time. Place a lid, then a ring onto the jars and screw them down tightly. Place the jars on the counter and listen for them to "ping" as they seal. If you miss the "ping", wait until they are completely cool and press on the top of the lid. If it doesn't move at all, it's sealed.

7 Store cakes in a cool dark place. They should last for up to a year.

MOVIES 

DOCUMENTARIES 

FRONTLINE --  "A Company of Soldiers"

"In November 2004, a FRONTLINE production team embedded with the soldiers of the 1-8 Cavalry's Dog Company in south Baghdad to document the day-to-day realities of a life-and-death military mission that also includes rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure, promoting its economic development, and building positive relations with its people.

Filming began three days after the Fallujah campaign was launched in November 2004."

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/company/etc/synopsis.html

There is a link to watch the production online!

Col Edward Tolfa Jr was the Battalion Commander of the 13th Combat Aviation Battalion at Can Tho which is in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam. Col Tolfa's call sign was Guardian Six. During 1970 thru 1972 the Crew that flew with Col Tolfa is now known as the Guardian Six Pack. This 47 minute DVD is the actual life and times of the Six Pack and others as filmed using Kodak Super 8 Millimeter Film.

Vietnam Door Gunners Association would like you to have a copy of this Documentary Movie at no cost, no obligation, no sales pitch... No BS Attached. This film will have you laughing and crying as you meet the Guardian Six Pack and watch real footage of real day to day living in the Vietnam War. The film is not all about blood and guts. Rather, viewers are introduced to nineteen year old kids and what they did to cope with the daily grind of Vietnam.

How to get the Free DVD

Drop an e-mail to the below address. Send us a Snail-Mail address and we will mail you the DVD. We won't keep your e-mail or your Snail-Mail address. We are not compiling names and addresses because we aren't selling anything. We don't charge for use of the information in the PTSD Book and we don't charge for the Guardian Six Pack DVD.