Ways To Connect to Troops

Serving in the military is one thing, but serving the military is another. When the troops go and fight for our freedom they count on our support. Things like morale are one of the highest concerns to keep going along with a distinct connection to friends and family. In the field or even at the home station two things help support the troops and allow them to connect.

Challenge coins give the opportunity to reward for excellence, integrity, and outstanding performance. When a commander gives a coin to a soldier it symbolizes acceptance in today’s unit. Challenge coins have been around since WWII and are coming out of the field constantly to remember where their country sent them to serve. No matter how you feel politically, this is a way to reward a citizen that could live next to you, or perhaps your son or daughter, for sacrificing the life to defend you.

Collecting challenge coins has been a direct result of all the units and commanders creating marks of their existence. So many people around the world enjoy displaying coin in their office and home for others to see the sheer beauty of their collections. If you ever want to track your favorite aircraft, ground unit, or job in the military by collecting certain challenge coins then get into a community for it. There are only a select few groups that discuss and help new collectors learn about this hobby.

Besides helping the military develop coins and collectors find them, the soldiers still need the connection. These days the government has allowed video conferencing from the front lines, email, phone calls, letters, and other methods to talk to their love ones. We all need to realize that MySpace, Face book, and other social methods are a no go out there because it’s not safe. The only social method out there has been developed and allowed on the front lines is Military Commons. This is a troops and relatives only area to allow those soldiers the freedom to connect to friends.

In the end we all try to do our part for the soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines out there defending themselves and other Americans for the whim of political battles and world rights. These are just some ways some people are trying to give back, You will find other ways through care packages, letters, or just a thank you on the street.

The History Of The Green Berets

Special Forces Major Herbert Brucker was behind the beginning of the green beret designation in the year 1953. Brucker began the designation which would later be realized by First Lieutenant Roger Pezelle who adopted it for his highly operative A-Team called the Operational Detachment FA-32. Rapidly, this little green beret would be seen on the members of the special forces units whenever these soldiers went out into the field. However, the US Army was not keen on making the green beret an authorized entity at that time.

Fort Bragg and President Kennedy changed all of that when in 1961; The President of the United States encouraged the General at the time, General Yarborough to inform all of the special forces to wear their green berets to the event. At the event, President Kennedy delivered a speech whereby he made the green beret a “mark of distinction in the trying times ahead.” The Green Berets became a very real distinction of excellence among special forces at that very moment.

Every November 22nd, the date of the assassination of Kennedy, several of the green berets travel to his graveside and pay tribute to the man, the President that enabled this group of very special forces to earn the green beret distinction. The men honor President Kennedy by placing a wreath and a green beret on his tomb. If Kennedy were alive today, they would still honor him for making such a profound difference in the way the special forces are perceived by people all around the world.

Green Berets today are considered to be in a very elite group of special soldiers. They are highly skilled and trained in areas some soldiers would never be interested in pursuing. They are the “cut above” the rest in a group of like young soldiers who can endure the toughest of conditions and succeed. These soldiers are self-reliant in the most difficult of situations and they are highly regarded in the field.

President Kennedy enabled this group of soldiers the ability to stand out in a crowd of soldiers. And while doing so, the irony was ever-present. Kennedy allowed a group of young men to excel in doing what they were born to do which was lead in combat. And of course, President Kennedy was born to lead the United States. The history of the green berets holds a lot of irony in their historic beginning.

Soldiers, Slaves And Freedom Seekers

Every school child has probably heard of George Washington and Paul Revere, but African-American hero Ned Hector hasn't made it into most history books.

Now visitors to the Valley Forge area will hear about Hector and other black heroes of the American Revolution and Civil War, through special events and tours.

African-Americans' proud history of service in our Armed Forces began with the American Revo-lution, when more than 5,000 soldiers of African descent fought in the Continental Army. Many shared the hardships of the winter encampment at Valley Forge, when the Continental army was forged into a fighting force that went on to win the American Revolution.

Some won their own freedom as well; others found themselves and their descendants relegated to slavery.

At special events throughout the year, visitors will meet Ned Hector, who was a hero of the Battle of Brandywine and also fought at the Battle of Germantown.

At Valley Forge, every Saturday through the summer months, they'll meet Hannah Till, George Washington's cook, who was born into slavery and worked hard to buy her freedom.

The compelling stories of soldiers, slaves, and abolitionists from the Revolution through the Civil War are told at special events throughout the Valley Forge area, and on guided tours of the region. Visitors to Valley Forge National Historical Park, Brandywine Bat-tlefield, Johnson House Under-ground Railroad site and other sites will hear stories of ordinary people with extraordinary determination who changed the nation's history.

The Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau has developed tours to cater to visitors' preferences. Self-guided African-Amer-ican Heritage Discovery Tours let visitors travel at their own pace, stopping to shop or visit the region's many gardens, museums and attractions.

African-American Freedom Trail Group Tours are ideal for family reunions, conferences, conventions, and religious and military reunions.