OUR BEQUEST

As we of this century

Fade into the morning mist of the next,

We bequeath to you who follow

A place of freedom,

For you to protect and cherish,

As we did in the muddy trenches

And foxholes in our time.

We bequeath to you

Tokens of our sacrifices,

In stone and stories,

Of our love of country,

These are for you, since

We will be beyond caring.

Your who in honoring us,

Will thus shape your own lives.

As the final fragments

Of our once invincible band of brothers,

Slip into darkness one by one,

You of this century,

Accept our legacy,

And guard it carefully.

This gift, more precious than life itself,

Is our bequest.

 – ANON –

The Janitor and the Medal of Honor

As recounted by Col. James Moschgat, (Ret):

This post contains a remarkable and astonishing story of the only U.S. Army enlisted man buried at the U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery, Master Sergeant William ‘Bill’ Crawford.

“William ‘Bill’ Crawford certainly was an unimpressive figure, one you could easily overlook during a hectic day at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Mr. Crawford, as most of us referred to him back in the late 1970s, was our squadron janitor. Continue reading →

During our reunions we honor Charlie Company troops.  This year we honored Captain Tom Barron and Captain Howard Schiele, M.D.  Please read their certificates and you will better understand why we recognized their achievements. Continue reading →

June 15, 2013

Tom Fink    Staff Writer  The Claremore Daily Progress       

J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum was the starting point for a group of nearly 30 Vietnam veterans on Friday, as members of Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry gathered in Claremore for a day of sight-seeing.

Escorted into town by members of the Claremore Police Department and the Rogers County Sheriff’s Department, the veterans were greeted by appreciative flag-wavers along Route 66 and in the city limits. “We’re so appreciative for each of you and all you’ve given,” Claremore Mayor Mickey Perry told the veterans at a welcoming ceremony held at the Davis Museum. “Your generation signed up for the draft as you were supposed to. As young men, you received the notice — a notice that started with a greeting and a call which you answered. “The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is engraved with nearly a thousand Oklahomans who gave the ultimate sacrifice — several were from Rogers County, and some were even from Claremore,” he continued. “Your actions were done with honor and courage, and we thank you. It’s necessary to remember and honor the past to ensure our freedoms today and in the future. “Thank you — thank you all for your service for our country,” he said. “Welcome to Claremore, and God bless you all.”

Rep. Marty Quinn, Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton, Lee Keener and Cara Cowan Watts of the Cherokee Nation, and dignitaries also spoke to and in appreciation of the 31 veterans present, and those absent. The outpouring of appreciation and goodwill was hardly lost on the former soldiers, 28 of whom are Purple Heart recipients. “This has been incredible. I can’t tell you how much we’re all touched to see such a turnout of people thanking us for what we’ve given, wanting to shake our hands and tell us how much our service meant to them,” said veteran Terry Sorvik of Portland, Ore. “Just coming into town and getting the escort that we did — seeing people waving flags at us on our way in — I’ve still got knots in my stomach.” Although the group hosted their reunion in Tulsa, they opted to spend Friday in Claremore, touring the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, the OMA Museum, Rogers State University, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, and other local sights. “You all welcomed us to your town to thank us, but I have to say thank you all for helping a bunch of old vets feel remembered and appreciated,” said Jerry Jolly of Norman. “You have no idea how much that means to us.”

You may have served in combat or while preserving peace.

You may have retired out or you may have served for a short time.

You may have been a draftee or a volunteer.

You may have served in the Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard or the Merchant Marines,

BUT YOU SERVED. YOU DID YOUR JOB HONORABLY and for that I am PROUD to call you ‘Brother.’

You may have served during WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Nicaragua, Persian Gulf, Iraq or Afghanistan, But you served, you did not run.

You have earned your DD214 with those words “HONORABLY DISCHARGED” two of the most noble words in the world.

Again I am proud to know each and every one of you.

To the cool men that have touched my life: Here’s to you!

I was never a hero, but I am thankful and proud to have served among them.

A real Brother walks with you when the rest of the world walks on you.

Thanks to Brenda Sorvik for sending this via email.  Hoo-Rah

For God And Country, I Pass Geronimo, Geronimo E.K.I.A.

Two days after the September 11 attacks, U.S. President George W. Bush stated: “The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden.” He added: “It is our No. 1 priority and we will not rest until we find him.” Continue reading →