I have unsuccessfully tried to convince myself that I had no life, no real existence before my enlistment into the United States Army at the age of 18. I’ve come to terms with that and now readily admit that I had probably one of the more idyllic childhoods imaginable.
People who have not served in the military sometimes wonder about the very apparent bond between veterans. I just returned from a trip to the United Kingdom which included an unusual tour and reminded me of the bond and of “Remembrance” as the British call it. We visited Slapton Sands, a small village outside the port of Darmouth, England. There we found the Sherman Tank you see in this picture. It was lost off the beach of Slapton Sands where U.S.
Aside from political turmoil and unrest I think the 1960s gave us the greatest popular music ever to accompany a generation. I know, I get goose bumps watching a video of the Andrews Sisters singing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B” but they will never match Grace Slick and Jefferson Airplane singing “White Rabbit”. Ever. Or nor will they ever compare to anything, I mean anything, that came out from Motown. Are you kidding me? The Temptations, the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye and on and on. God bless the Andr
From The Event Chair: Thank you again! Another successful beautification of the War Memorial site at Long Wharf on behalf of the National Veterans Council for Legal Redress. I greatly appreciate all of the support and help that make this happen. See you all again in the Fall. Best, Lori (Rasile).
Memorial Day is a solemn day for all veterans and for a lot of us a sad day. I never understood the barbecues and all of the white sales in the department stores and the Memorial Day parades that included antique cars and clowns. All of this has become such an engrained as a part of Americana that it is perhaps sacrilegious to impugn it but I think I’m allowed to question it and maybe in the process enlighten some folks as to exactly what Memorial Day is.
At Yale, each Professional School, the Graduate School, and Yale College makes a commitment for slots and dollars towards the Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) for Veterans. The inauguration of the YRP was enacted by the U.S. Congress following the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. While the Post 9/11 G.I.
If nothing else the military can be defined by its routines. This is quickly learned in basic training by a cadre wearing Smoky the Bear hats screaming in your face telling you that you will learn this and you will learn that. It became abundantly clear that we were to learn the Army way of doing things or there would be consequences.
Colonel Thomas D. McCarthy, Commanding Officer, Air Force ROTC, Yale University and Captain Wayne Grasdock, Commanding Officer, Naval ROTC, Yale University request the pleasure of your company at the Joint Military Commissioning Ceremony honoring the graduates of Air Force and Naval ROTC on the twenty-second of May, 1630 - 1730, Battell Chapel, 400 College Street, New Haven, CT. Reception to follow at The Graduate Club, 155 Elm Street, New Haven, CT.
Many veterans don’t think they did enough while serving to earn the status of “veteran”. It is important that veterans realize that it is their willingness to follow all lawful orders and to risk their well-being while serving their country that makes them a veteran and which is likely the reason so many people say, “Thank you for your service,” when they meet you.
