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Archive for the ‘History’ Category

Responding To Overwhelming Demand, American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit Extended Through 2027

Sunday, November 23rd, 2025

Hundreds of sites in all 50 states have clamored to host the interactive exhibit from American

Battlefield Trust and Daughters of the American Revolution

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2025 — While millions of Americans are contemplating the people, places and events of our War for Independence, thanks to the acclaimed Ken Burns documentary airing this week on PBS, the American Battlefield Trust and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) are taking that history off the screens and bringing it into communities across the country. Responding to immense public appetite for high-quality educational materials to support programming for the 250th anniversary of the conflict, they have extended the run for their joint traveling exhibit, the American Revolution Experience, by two full years, through 2027. Further, two additional copies of the exhibit are being put into circulation to reach the more than 600 sites clamoring to welcome the project, which focuses on the contributions of ordinary people to the American Revolution, rather than generals or statesmen.

“As Americans eagerly seek out ways to remember the story of our nation’s origins during this 250th anniversary period, this exhibit provides an outstanding and accessible way to honor the myriad individual stories of courage, determination and hope that set us on our path,” said Trust President David Duncan.

“The overwhelming response to the American Revolution Experience perfectly illustrates the passion of DAR members and chapters, as they look to introduce their communities to the remarkable men and women who rose to the challenges demanded of them along our path to liberty,” said DAR President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage.

More than 70,000 visitors from all 50 states have experienced the exhibit so far, which includes 12 panels that spotlight individuals who were deeply touched by the Revolutionary War – stories that transcend time and connect the viewer to America’s patriot history, brought to life with custom illustrations by artist Dale Watson. The panels are complemented by three digital kiosks containing contextual information about the broader conflict.

The American Revolution Experience launched digitally during the summer of 2022, swiftly winning the Bronze Award in the Education, Art, & Culture division at the second annual Anthem Awards, which celebrate purpose and mission-driven work, and becoming a finalist in the “People’s Choice” category of the?Webby Awards, which highlight “the Best of the Internet.” Funding to transform the online product into a physical exhibit suitable for pop-up display at a wide variety of sites came from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and via a matching grant from the federal American Battlefield Protection Program.

Thanks to the extension, additional sites are welcome to host the exhibit in the coming months and years. Application details, hosting information and the full tour schedule are available at www.battlefields.org/ontour.

About the Organizations 

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution?was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With nearly 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. Learn more at www.dar.org.

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 60,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War across 160 sites in 25 states. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.

“27 Minutes at Son Tay” World Premier

Wednesday, November 12th, 2025

On November 21, 1970, U.S. Army Special Forces and U.S. Air Force airmen launched a historic joint operation deep into North Vietnam to rescue American POWs. Completed with zero American casualties, Son Tay became the blueprint for modern special operations and stands as a testament to courage, precision, and the American warrior ethos-“never leave a man behind.”

We are so excited to announce on this Veteran’s day that fifty five years after a daring top-secret rescue mission into North Vietnam, the story of the Son Tay Raid will take center stage with the world premiere of the feature documentary “27 Minutes at Son Tay” on Friday, November 21.

National Infantry Museum — Columbus, GA
November 21 | 7:00 PM

We are honored to premiere this film as a part of the Son Tay Raid Association’s Final Reunion, bringing together raiders, families, and those who carry the legacy forward.

27minutesatsontay.com

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Poised to Share Education, Preservation, Service Stories and Genealogical Expertise as the Nation’s 250th Anniversary Takes Center Stage

Tuesday, November 11th, 2025

Among its America 250 Initiatives, DAR is a Sponsor for the Nov. 16th PBS Premiere of the Ken Burns Documentary, The American Revolution

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2025 — As celebrations begin to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, the 190,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) are uniquely poised to share their personal connections to Revolutionary War Patriots. Members in chapters nationwide are planning a myriad of service projects and other endeavors to commemorate the anniversary and further the organization’s mission of promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism, through service in their communities.

Enhancing the excitement around the country’s 250th anniversary is the premiere of the much-anticipated PBS documentary, The American Revolution. The six-part series directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, follows hundreds of characters through the eight years of the Revolutionary War and will premiere on PBS stations nationwide from Nov. 16 to 21. DAR is sponsoring the documentary in numerous PBS markets nationwide which will include a short video spot that will show at the open and close of each episode in those local markets.

The documentary is especially poignant for DAR members who descend from Revolutionary War Patriots like those highlighted in the series. The DAR organization was founded in 1890 by and for women who could trace their lineage back to individuals who contributed to securing our nation’s independence. Over the past 135 years, more than a million DAR members have been committed to preserving the memory and spirit of the ordinary people who accomplished the extraordinary during the American Revolution. Today, DAR members continue to keep alive those Revolutionary stories of service and sacrifice.

“Our organization’s primary focus on the history of the Revolutionary War offers our DAR members an opportunity to expand on the stories highlighted in The American Revolutiondocumentary,” said DAR President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage. “DAR members have uncovered their own personal connections to Revolutionary War Patriots and we are excited that this documentary is focusing the national spotlight on the origin story of our country. We hope this inspires people to explore their own family history using DAR’s free genealogy resources.”

Other cornerstone national DAR America 250 initiatives include:

  • The announcement of a $25,000 DAR scholarship to be awarded in 2026 to 10 college students studying American history
  • The American Revolution Experience traveling exhibitcrisscrossing the country in more than 150 venues and over 45,000 visitors, its tour just extended through the end of 2027
  • A history symposium highlighting Spain and the Birth of American Democracy
  • The DAR Museum exhibit, “Fighting for Freedom: Black Craftspeople and the Pursuit of Independence,” on view in Washington, D.C., through December 2025 then traveling across the country through the end of 2028
  • A transformative $2 million gift to the nation for the Trust for the National Mall’s Cherry Tree Endowment, to ensure the iconic cherry blossoms in the nation’s capital endure and bloom for generations to come

Across the nation, many hundreds of other local America 250 celebrations will be carried out by DAR’s approximately 3,000 chapters. These events are highlighted on the America 250! Nationwide Event Calendar and will take place throughout the next year and beyond. Events include but are not limited to special Revolutionary War and Independence Day community ceremonies and celebrations, genealogy workshops, Revolutionary War trivia nights, cleaning gravestones and cemetery renewal work, offering local history programs and author talks, and hosting viewing parties for the PBS documentary series The American Revolution.

DAR members, inspired by the spirit of their Patriot ancestors, serve their communities and share the stories of their Patriots to keep their memory alive. Members of the public wanting to explore ways to uncover their own family connection to a Revolutionary War Patriot, or learn more about DAR membership, may reach out to a local DAR chapter or visit www.dar.org/DiscoverYourFamilyStory.

Australian Special Air Service (1973)

Sunday, November 9th, 2025

Martin Walsh at PLATATAC was given this old 16mm film canister several years ago by an old friend Doug Knight of the Australian Commando Assn. It’s now available on YouTube.

Now That’s a Hat!

Wednesday, October 29th, 2025

Sergeant Alwyn John Blades (left), Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME), of Montague Bay, Tasmania and Corporal Frank Crazy Thunder (right) of the 173rd United States Airborne Support Battalion and member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, swap hats at Bien Hoa United States Air Base, Vietnam.

Taken September 1965. Corporal Crazy Thunder wears the iconic slouch hat of the Australian Army and Sergeant Blades wears a larger than normal “Ten Gallon” hat Corporal Crazy Thunder had custom made.

RAEME engineers with the 1st Australian Logistics Company in support of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) were stationed at Bien Hoa from June of 1965 until June of 1966 when they were moved to Vung Tau.

Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial

Accession Number: DNE/65/0371/VN

Photographer: Sergeant Brian Rupert Dunne

Now This Is An Interesting Photo

Sunday, October 26th, 2025

In this taken sometime in October 1968 photo you see USAF General Curtis LeMay meeting with 5th SFG(A) Colonel Harold “Hank “ Aaron at 5th Group HQ in Na Trang, Republic of Vietnam.

Although LeMay is in a simple set of fatigues, he was obviously a civilian when this photo was taken. He had retired in 1965 as Chief of Staff of the Air Force. This is right at the end of his failed bid for Vice Presidency as running mate of George Wallace in their 3rd party candidacy on the American Independent Party ticket. Even Wallace’s staffers thought he was out there for his stance on nuclear weapons.

LeMay served in the US Army’s air component and then in the Air Force from 1929 until 1965 with service in World War Two as well as the Korea and Vietnam wars. Having overseen the use of nuclear weapons at the end of WWII, he was the first commander of Strategic Air Command from 48-57 and transitioned the bomber five from propeller to jet engines aircraft. He also led the first deployment of ICBMs and was a vocal supporter of their use in conflict which often put him at odds with the civilian leadership. He was known as a staunch disciplinarian during his time as Commander of SAC but that actually began during the war in the Pacific when he dealt with high abort rates of bombing missions by declaring that he would fly the lead bomber on all missions and that any crew who did not make it over the target would be court martialled.

We also have LeMay to thank for buying the first M16s for use by Air Police while Chief of Staff, directing the acquisition of 80,000 M16s in 1962.

Operation Urgent Fury

Saturday, October 25th, 2025

On the morning of October 25th, 1983, America awoke to reports that US forced had invaded the small Caribbean nation of Grenada, in order to liberate American medical students from danger posed by political instability. Joined by Regional Security System troops from a variety of Caribbean partner nations, they swiftly overwhelmed the Grenadian and Cuban troops. While Operation Urgent Fury was in name, a joint force operation, and included the use of Special Operations Forces, it highlighted many interoperability challenges, such as use of joint operational overlays and communications issues.

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Several stove pipe problems suffered by the pre-Goldwater-Nichols military were identified during this operation. Additionally, Urgent Fury was conducted with many systems dating from the Vietnam war.

Just six years later, during the invasion of Panama, saw the first employment of several new weapons developed during the Reagan buildup such as the F-117 stealth fighter and the Marine Corps LAV-25. Grenada was a great learning experience for the US military as it highlighted issues with joint service operations, particularly in the communications arena as well as interoperability between Special Operations and General Purpose forces. For example, SOF also took a much more prominent role in operation Blue Spoon during the Panama invasion. We’ve come even further in the past three decades.

Finally, as with any conflict, lives were lost. Let us not forget the 19 Americans killed in action and the 116 who were wounded. Unfortunately, there were also 24 Grenadian civilians killed in the conflict.

E-4 Mafia

Monday, October 20th, 2025

E-4 Is Not A Pay Grade Its A State Of Mind

When I joined the Army Reserve during my Junior year of High School in 1985 we still had Spec-5 and Spec-6s in my unit although they would change later that year to hard stripe NCOs. Until the late 70s there was an also E-7 version. They were abbreviated SP4 through SP7. When they dropped all but the E-4 version the abbreviation became SPC.

The current rank is a leftover from a period during the Cold War Army which had a traditional striped NonCommissioned Officer track for combat arms Soldiers and a Specialist track for technicians. Allegedly, there were two super grades which would take a Soldier all the way to SP9 but I have yet to actually see any evidence of SP8 or SP9 and the ranks were discontinued in 1968 due to concerns a Specialist could be working for an NCO with a lower pay grade. However, the E-4 through E-7 versions were out there in droves throughout the Vietnam-era. Today, the pay grade of E-4 is the largest single pay grade in the Army and is crucial to getting things done. We salute you!

E-Mafia is offering a bundle of OCP embroidered Specialist Rank from Spec-5 through Spec-9 along with a slew of E-4 Mafia morale boosters.