This Memorial Day, we at FS take time to reflect on the sacrifice’s on behalf of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The price of freedom isn’t free.
Archive for the ‘Memorial’ Category
FirstSpear Friday Focus: Remembrance
Friday, May 27th, 2022Honoring the Men of Operation Eagle Claw
Monday, April 25th, 2022In the early morning hours of 25 April, 1980 President Carter announced to a stunned world that the United States had undertaken an ambitious raid into Iran to liberate 52 American hostages held illegally at our Embassy compound in Tehran. The assault force of what was known as “Operation Eagle Claw” can be seen here, loading C141s.
Unfortunately, the task force was unsuccessful and we lost eight American servicemen in a horrible aircraft ground collision.
However, their deaths were not in vain. The hostages were eventually repatriated and the accident was the watershed event that created, over the next several decades, the world’s preeminent Special Operations capability; USSOCOM and its components. Forty years later, we wouldn’t be where are without the determination of that fledgling task force. Join me in remembering those that had the guts to try.
In Memoriam – Col Gail S. Halvorsen (USAF, Ret)
Friday, February 18th, 2022Earlier this week Col Gail S. Halvorsen (USAF, Ret) aka The Berlin Candy Bomber and Uncle Wiggly Wings passed away. His family was at his side at the Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, Utah, where he was admitted following a short illness. Colonel Halvorsen was 101 years old and he is survived by his five children and numerous grand- and great grandchildren.
We received this information from the Airlift/Tanker Association:
Col Halvorsen, a Utah native, began his flying career when he earned his private pilot’s license in 1941 through a Civil Air Patrol program. His passion for aviation led him to join the Army Air Force in 1942 flying transport aircraft. In 1948, peace in Europe was threatened as the Soviet Union blockaded all ground access to war-torn West Berlin. Then, Lt Halvorsen, a member of the newly formed United States Air Force, began flying humanitarian airlift missions to starving West Berliners. During one mission, he paused to share two sticks of gum with nearby German children who were watching the aircraft and busy flightline. Two sticks of gum did not go far and he promised the children he would be back the next day to drop candy from his airplane, telling them, you will know it is me when I “wiggle” my wings. That simple act of kindness and compassion led to “Operation Little Vittles” and, in all, over 23 tons of candy were dropped from Allied aircraft. His impact spread beyond the smiles of German children. He brought visibility to the plight of the German people and put a human face on their suffering—Americans now saw the Germans as humans, not enemies. Strategically, the Allied resolve strengthened, and West Berlin’s freedom was secured without a single shot fired and his act of kindness forged the strong bond between America and Germany that endures today.
After hanging up his uniform Col Halvorsen continued his life of service by inspiring youth and adults around the world to a life of service.
May He Rest In Peace
In Memoriam – Dick Kramer
Sunday, January 16th, 2022
Artist Dick Kramer passed away late last week. He was well known for his pencil drawings of military, law enforcement and first responders.
He will be missed. May He Rest In Peace.
In Memoriam – Don Russell Fell
Tuesday, January 11th, 2022Today we honor Don Russell Fell who passed away on January 7th.
At the age of 15 he founded FellFab, which in the subsequent seven decades has grown into a textile manufacturing operation spanning two nations with four locations. A long time supplier of sewn goods to the Canadian military, his efforts helped keep soft goods jobs in Canada.
Friends say he was driven and hardnosed, but also a very compassionate man.
May He Rest In Peace.
Infamy – An Indelible Mark In History
Tuesday, December 7th, 2021In·fa·my (noun)
1 the state of being well known for some bad quality or deed.
Infamy is a word forever tied in my mind with the date of December 7th, 1941. Born in the late 60s, I grew up in a culture that spoke about the attack on Pearl Harbor and with a grandfather who fought in the Pacific theater. His generation remembered what had happened and the cost of that war and they weren’t afraid to acknowledge it.
While time has healed many wounds and forged new alliances, I will not forget what that day, 80 years ago means to my nation. It is a mark in time that will forever be etched in history.
Please join me in honoring the 2402 Americans who were lost on that day, along with the hundreds more, who were wounded during the attack. They suffered the opening salvo of a war that would engulf nations around the globe in conflict.
In Memoriam – Darrel Ralph
Sunday, November 28th, 2021I am saddened to report that Darrel Dean Ralph Jr has passed away. Many of you knew Darrel from his bladesmithing days and that’s where I met him. Always a generous man, with a joke or two, he put a smile on many a face. Although he invented the 18X-Ray automatic knife issued to multiple units, he also created exquisite pieces that are as much art as function. You can see an example following his obituary. Darrel will be missed by family and friends.
Darrel Dean Ralph Jr, age 67, of Newark, passed away on November 20, 2021. Darrel was born on June 1, 1954, to the late Dean and Ethel (Somerlot) Ralph.
He was a premiere custom knife maker. He loved his work and enjoyed everything about it! When he wasn’t working he enjoyed going fishing, spending time with his friends and family, and loved making pizza with his granddaughter.
Darrel is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Ralph; sons. Robert Bailey, Ryan (Karah) Bailey, Ian (Samantha) Ralph; grandchildren, Alayna, and Skyler Ralph; sisters, Joni (Rhonda) Ralph, Pamela Ralph; nieces and nephews, and his canine companion, Sophie.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Eddie Ralph.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 28 at the Brucker and Kishler Funeral Home from 12 PM – 1 PM. Where his service will immediately follow at 1 PM with Pastor Wally McLaughlin officiating.
To sign the online guest book please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com.
John Noveske – Lost Footage 2011
Thursday, October 14th, 2021Mil-Spec Monkey sent us this note and video of John Noveske to share with our readers.
Back when we did a Noveske Rifleworks tour, John also did an interview style video with us. He was always a bit camera shy so never got around to telling us to publish the video, however we feel there never was anything to worry about in the footage. Finally deciding to release, we hope folks will appreciate learning more about John’s personality and philosophy on a range of subjects. The footage is lightly edited to let his character and knowledge points shine.
We were fortunate enough to be able to hang out with John for a solid day where he showed great hospitality and being an all around great dude. It was clear we lost an industry great when he passed in 2013.
May John’s legacy live on!
