Today is National Gold Star Spouse Day. Gold Star Spouses Day is a day dedicated to those whose spouses gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military or as a result of service-connected injuries or illness. They are a vital and honored part of our country’s military community and history. During World War I, families displayed small banners with a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces. If their service member died in service, the family replaced the blue star with a gold star. The gold star let the community know that their service member died or was killed while serving their country. Today, the nation recognizes gold star survivors to show their deep gratitude.

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Continue ReadingToday is National Gold Star Spouse Day. Gold Star Spouses Day is a day dedicated to those whose spouses gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military or as a result of service-connected injuries or illness. They are a vital and honored part of our country’s military community and history. During World War I, families displayed small banners with a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces. If their service member died in service, the family replaced the blue star with a gold star. The gold star let the community know that their service member died or was killed while serving their country. Today, the nation recognizes gold star survivors to show their deep gratitude.

Today is National Gold Star Spouse Day. Gold Star Spouses Day is a day dedicated to those whose spouses gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military or as a result of service-connected injuries or illness. They are a vital and honored part of our country’s military community and history. During World War I, families displayed small banners with a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces. If their service member died in service, the family replaced the blue star with a gold star. The gold star let the community know that their service member died or was killed while serving their country. Today, the nation recognizes gold star survivors to show their deep gratitude.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/today-is-national-gold-star-spouse-day.-gold-star-spouses-day-is-a-day-dedicated-to-those-whose-spou-1.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingToday is National Gold Star Spouse Day. Gold Star Spouses Day is a day dedicated to those whose spouses gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military or as a result of service-connected injuries or illness. They are a vital and honored part of our country’s military community and history. During World War I, families displayed small banners with a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces. If their service member died in service, the family replaced the blue star with a gold star. The gold star let the community know that their service member died or was killed while serving their country. Today, the nation recognizes gold star survivors to show their deep gratitude.

The Cherry Blossoms are out in all their splendor at Arlington National Cemetery, blanketing these hallowed grounds with their pinky blossoms.

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Continue ReadingThe Cherry Blossoms are out in all their splendor at Arlington National Cemetery, blanketing these hallowed grounds with their pinky blossoms.

The Cherry Blossoms are out in all their splendor at Arlington National Cemetery, blanketing these hallowed grounds with their pinky blossoms.

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Continue ReadingThe Cherry Blossoms are out in all their splendor at Arlington National Cemetery, blanketing these hallowed grounds with their pinky blossoms.

The Old Guard firing party is comprised of one firing party commander and seven Old Guard Infantryman who hold the sacred duty of rendering final honors to military veterans through the precision of a 21-gun salute. On the command of “ready” each member of the firing party removes his weapon from the safe position. On the command of “aim” the butt of the weapon is brought up to the pocket of the shoulder meticulously so that the handgrip rests in the palm of the left hand, and the right hand grasps the small of the stock with the finger on the trigger. The firers then simultaneously turn their heads, keeping them vertical, to look over the barrel of the weapons. On the command of “fire” all weapons are fired in unison; each firer then return his weapon to the port arms position to await further orders. On the command of “ready” the firing party charges and releases the charging handle, in unison, seating the second round. The seven members of the firing party continue to take commands from the firing party commander and execute as one element until the 21-gun salute to the honored military veteran is complete.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/the-old-guard-firing-party-is-comprised-of-one-firing-party-commander-and-seven-old-guard-infantryma.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingThe Old Guard firing party is comprised of one firing party commander and seven Old Guard Infantryman who hold the sacred duty of rendering final honors to military veterans through the precision of a 21-gun salute. On the command of “ready” each member of the firing party removes his weapon from the safe position. On the command of “aim” the butt of the weapon is brought up to the pocket of the shoulder meticulously so that the handgrip rests in the palm of the left hand, and the right hand grasps the small of the stock with the finger on the trigger. The firers then simultaneously turn their heads, keeping them vertical, to look over the barrel of the weapons. On the command of “fire” all weapons are fired in unison; each firer then return his weapon to the port arms position to await further orders. On the command of “ready” the firing party charges and releases the charging handle, in unison, seating the second round. The seven members of the firing party continue to take commands from the firing party commander and execute as one element until the 21-gun salute to the honored military veteran is complete.

The Old Guard firing party is comprised of one firing party commander and seven Old Guard Infantryman who hold the sacred duty of rendering final honors to military veterans through the precision of a 21-gun salute. On the command of “ready” each member of the firing party removes his weapon from the safe position. On the command of “aim” the butt of the weapon is brought up to the pocket of the shoulder meticulously so that the handgrip rests in the palm of the left hand, and the right hand grasps the small of the stock with the finger on the trigger. The firers then simultaneously turn their heads, keeping them vertical, to look over the barrel of the weapons. On the command of “fire” all weapons are fired in unison; each firer then return his weapon to the port arms position to await further orders. On the command of “ready” the firing party charges and releases the charging handle, in unison, seating the second round. The seven members of the firing party continue to take commands from the firing party commander and execute as one element until the 21-gun salute to the honored military veteran is complete.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/the-old-guard-firing-party-is-comprised-of-one-firing-party-commander-and-seven-old-guard-infantryma-1.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingThe Old Guard firing party is comprised of one firing party commander and seven Old Guard Infantryman who hold the sacred duty of rendering final honors to military veterans through the precision of a 21-gun salute. On the command of “ready” each member of the firing party removes his weapon from the safe position. On the command of “aim” the butt of the weapon is brought up to the pocket of the shoulder meticulously so that the handgrip rests in the palm of the left hand, and the right hand grasps the small of the stock with the finger on the trigger. The firers then simultaneously turn their heads, keeping them vertical, to look over the barrel of the weapons. On the command of “fire” all weapons are fired in unison; each firer then return his weapon to the port arms position to await further orders. On the command of “ready” the firing party charges and releases the charging handle, in unison, seating the second round. The seven members of the firing party continue to take commands from the firing party commander and execute as one element until the 21-gun salute to the honored military veteran is complete.

Between services this morning in section 3 of Arlington Cemetery #cherryblossom #spring #arlingtoncemetery

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Continue ReadingBetween services this morning in section 3 of Arlington Cemetery #cherryblossom #spring #arlingtoncemetery

Between services this morning in section 3 of Arlington Cemetery #cherryblossom #spring #arlingtoncemetery

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Continue ReadingBetween services this morning in section 3 of Arlington Cemetery #cherryblossom #spring #arlingtoncemetery

Today is Medal of Honor day at Arlington National Cemetery. More than 400 Medal of Honor recipients are represented at Arlington National Cemetery, ranging from the Civil War to current conflicts. There are three different types of Medal of Honor today: the original star shape established in 1861, which the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard have retained; a wreath version designed in 1904 for the Army; and an altered wreath version for the Air Force, adopted in 1965. All three types are worn suspended below a neck ribbon. On December 9, 1861, Iowa Senator James W. Grimes introduced a bill designed to “promote the efficiency of the Navy” by authorizing the production and distribution of “medals of honor.” On December 21, 1861, the bill passed, authorizing 200 such medals to be produced “which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and marines as shall distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other seaman-like qualities during the present war” [the Civil War]. President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill, inaugurating the Navy Medal of Honor. Two months later, on February 17, 1862, Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson introduced a similar bill to authorize the president “to distribute medals to privates in the Army of the United States who shall distinguish themselves in battle.” The bill passed both houses of Congress, President Lincoln signed it, and on July 12, 1862, the Army Medal of Honor was established. On August 10, 1956, legislation authorized the United States Air Force (established as a separate service branch in 1947) to create its own Medal of Honor. In 1965, the Air Force introduced its distinctive medal, which is similar to the Army’s wreath design but larger and featuring the head of the Statue of Liberty. Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for many Medal of Honor recipients from the following conflicts: Indian Wars Civil War Spanish American War Philippine Insurrection Boxer Rebellion Mexican Service Campaign (Vera Cruz) Haitian Campaign World War I Second Nicaraguan Campaign World War II Korean War Vietnam War Operation Iraqi Freedom

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/today-is-medal-of-honor-day-at-arlington-national-cemetery.-more-than-400-medal-of-honor-recipients-.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingToday is Medal of Honor day at Arlington National Cemetery. More than 400 Medal of Honor recipients are represented at Arlington National Cemetery, ranging from the Civil War to current conflicts. There are three different types of Medal of Honor today: the original star shape established in 1861, which the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard have retained; a wreath version designed in 1904 for the Army; and an altered wreath version for the Air Force, adopted in 1965. All three types are worn suspended below a neck ribbon. On December 9, 1861, Iowa Senator James W. Grimes introduced a bill designed to “promote the efficiency of the Navy” by authorizing the production and distribution of “medals of honor.” On December 21, 1861, the bill passed, authorizing 200 such medals to be produced “which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and marines as shall distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other seaman-like qualities during the present war” [the Civil War]. President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill, inaugurating the Navy Medal of Honor. Two months later, on February 17, 1862, Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson introduced a similar bill to authorize the president “to distribute medals to privates in the Army of the United States who shall distinguish themselves in battle.” The bill passed both houses of Congress, President Lincoln signed it, and on July 12, 1862, the Army Medal of Honor was established. On August 10, 1956, legislation authorized the United States Air Force (established as a separate service branch in 1947) to create its own Medal of Honor. In 1965, the Air Force introduced its distinctive medal, which is similar to the Army’s wreath design but larger and featuring the head of the Statue of Liberty. Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for many Medal of Honor recipients from the following conflicts: Indian Wars Civil War Spanish American War Philippine Insurrection Boxer Rebellion Mexican Service Campaign (Vera Cruz) Haitian Campaign World War I Second Nicaraguan Campaign World War II Korean War Vietnam War Operation Iraqi Freedom