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dinner with the ROA speakers the Gates Room in the Garrison Restaurant atDrum & BugleDepartment of IndianaPublication by and for the Members of Indiana ROA“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance”October 2018Presidents Message. Fellow Members, I am humbled for the opportunity to serve as your President of the Department of Indiana, ROA. I serve with talented and knowledgeable colleagues who are dedicated to advancing ROA’s mission of supporting members, families, and veterans of the Reserve Components. Please take a moment and read this issue of the Drum & Bugle. It is a testimony of the commitment our fellow Hoosiers have made in helping ROA become the leading advocate for the Reserve and National Guard that encompasses all ranks, all services. Furthermore, Department of Indiana ROA continues to partner with the Indiana Military Coalition in advancing legislative goals that benefit Indiana veterans and their families. Your continued membership sustains this effort.Please note the next Global Affairs Seminar is fast approaching and is scheduled for 17 November in Shoup Hall at the Indiana War Memorial from 0900 – 1330.Congratulations for a job well done to COL John Topper in leading a successful Department of Indiana ROA Convention in Evansville last April. If you have never attended a State ROA convention, please consider attending the next State Convention scheduled next April 2019 at Grissom Air Reserve Base. This is a great opportunity to network with fellow members, and hear dynamic speakers discuss the topics and issues of the day. “Bravo Zulu” to COL Jim Sweeney, Past Department and Past National President. COL Sweeney is the first judge to join the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana since June 2010.During the recent National Convention, ROA voted to open membership to all ranks. More details of this decision is spelled out in this newsletter. Please continue to support ROA through the Kroger Rewards Program. Instructions are included in this issue of the Drum & Bugle. In closing, thank you for your continued support through your membership and always encourage other eligible members to consider joining ROA.Jay P. MorganCWO-3, SC, USNR (Ret)22nd Annual ROA Seminar Saturday, 17 November 2018 INDIANA WAR MEMORIAL 55 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Remembering those who served in WW 1 on this Centennial EventVeterans, Retirees, widows, survivors, & dependents of Active, Guard & Reserve members invited 0830-0900- Registration, Coffee & donutsSEMINAR SPEAKERS 0900-0950- Marie Beason, Executive Director, Indiana War Memorial Foundation.The Indiana War Memorial Foundation supports the museums, monuments and memorials forming the Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historical District. The landmark is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and second only to Washington, D.C. in number of monuments honoring veterans.1000-1050- Andrew Thieme, founder of Footlocker Stories. Footlocker Stories, a partnership with the Museum of the Soldier, brings artifacts and Hoosier veteran stories to Indiana classrooms. Andrew Thieme is a genealogical specialist at the Delaware Co. Historical Society, curatorial assistant at the Museum of the Soldier in Portland, IN and will talk about World War 1 Doughboys.1100-1150- MAJ (Ret) David Hamon, World War One Centennial Commission.David Hamon serves as Director, Veterans Service Organizations and Military, and will talk about the pending World War One Memorial in Washington, D.C. to honor the 4.5 million who served, the 375,000 casualties and the 116,516 who died. Video will be shown entitled, “Pershing’s Paths of Glory.”12:05- Luncheon speaker, Judge Jim R. Osborne, Director, Indiana Military Museum, Inc.Judge Osborne is founder and director of the museum in Vincennes which is home to military artifacts, including military vehicles, aircraft, uniforms, insignia, and equipment from the American Revolution to the present day. Among the many combat vehicles is a restored WW1 Renault FT, the first modern tank.SEMINAR INCLUDES LUNCH....................................................................................................……….. Contact Lt Col (Ret) Jim Schluckbier, IN ROA Secretary, 812-376-0654 or jcbier@. $25 registration which includes lunch. Pay at the door for an extra $2.NOTE: FREE PARKING on Saturday in parking lot a block West of Indiana War Memorial opposite US Postal Service Bldg on Michigan St. Enter from N. side of Michigan Street at Pierson or on the west side at Illinois St.Catering by Fazoli’RMATION from our State Department TreasurerOur President and I ask you to consider giving to the Indiana Department of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States (IN ROA) by way of a sustainment fund donation. Any amount goes a long way in supporting the programs and efforts of the IN ROA. So please send a sustainment fund donation check to the department treasurer COL James Scott at 4020 E. Stonegate Ct. Bloomington Indiana 47401-9802.Our Kroger Community Rewards Program.? Just go to the appropriate website mentioned below and begin enrolling.? This program has already added much needed funds to your Department’s balance sheet. Kroger distributes a portion of their community fund pool to organizations enrolled based on active shoppers using their “Kroger Plus” card. The Department’s organization number is 32927. This is a no-cost program and Kroger, Ruler, Jay-Cee, and Payless grocery stores participate. This is a No-Cost fund raiser. TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:?Simply encourage your family and friends to register online at Be sure to have your Kroger?Plus card handy and register your card with your organization after you sign up.If you do not yet have a Kroger?Plus card, please let them know that they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger.Click on Sign In/RegisterMost participants are new online customers, so they must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditionsYou will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.Click on Edit?Kroger Community Rewards?information and input your Kroger?Plus card number.Update or confirm your information.Enter NPO number or name of organization, select organization from list and click on confirm.To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your group until after your member(s) register their card(s).Do you use your phone number at the register?? Call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger?Plus card number.Members must swipe their registered Kroger?Plus card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger?Plus card when shopping for each purchase to count.FOCUS: IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVERThis Charitable Giving Tool has potentially great consequences to the individuals making a gift to your Reserve Officers Association- Department of Indiana. If you personally can NOT take advantage of this idea, perhaps because of your age, please consider suggesting this to your parents, an aunt or uncle, or a friend who might be willing to help us. Your ROA has developed some new approaches to making our organization more financially viable over time and meeting our many objectives this year and we really could use the additional financial support. BACKGROUND ON THE IRA CHARIABLE ROLLOVER Individuals may begin taking distributions from their individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) as early as age 59 ?, but are required to begin taking them at age 70 ?. Normally, these distributions are subject to income taxes. The IRA Charitable Rollover provision, established under the Pension Protection Act, allows individuals who have reached age 70 ? to donate up to $100,000 to charitable organizations directly from their IRA, without treating the distribution as taxable income. In order to qualify, contributions must go directly to a public charity and be made from traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs. Donors may receive no goods or services in return for their contributions, and must obtain written documentation of their contribution from each recipient charity.THE IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER SHOULD BE EXTENDED PERMANENTLYAfter being allowed to expire in 2008, the IRA Charitable Rollover has been temporarily renewed five times in recent years. It expired again on January 1, 2015. Bipartisan legislation to make the provision permanent was introduced in the Senate as the Public Good IRA Rollover Act (S. 1159) and in the House as the Permanent IRA Charitable Contribution Act (H.R. 637). Subsequently the House language was included as part of the America Gives More Act of 2015 (H.R. 644), which overwhelmingly passed the House on February 12, 2015 and awaits Senate action. The uncertainty caused by the need for an annual extension, as well as the fact that the provision has been allowed to lapse, makes it difficult for people to manage effectively their finances and plan their estates. This uncertainty diminishes the incentive effect of the IRA Charitable Rollover, which reduces charitable giving and increases the tax burden on older Americans.THE IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER IS FAIR AND HELPS OLDER AMERICANSThe tax benefits of the IRA Charitable Rollover are available to taxpayers regardless of whether or not they itemize their returns. In particular, this helps older American who may have paid off their home mortgage and no longer file itemized tax returns. The mandatory distribution from their IRA would otherwise trigger a tax burden, EVEN IF they donate the money to charity. The Charitable IRA Rollover provision removes these negative tax consequences and encourages Americans to give back to their favorite charities and communities during their lifetime.SUMMARY & SUGGESTED ACTIONWell that’s it!!! You now have sufficient information to do three things. (1) Review this with your tax preparer if you deem it necessary (2) Contact your financial institution to obtain the necessary forms to sign/date to take the funds directly to your ROA and possibly other charities of your choice (3) Put a flag on your December calendar about the second week in December to see if the Senate and the President have signed off on this legislation. (Note last year this did not happen until December 19, 2014).Finally, do not forget to review all your estate plans at a minimum of every two years with the appropriate personnel. You will always find employment changes, family changes, health changes and other factors that will necessitate critical changes in your estate documents. Please for your own good do that near term and keep your ROA – Department of Indiana in mind when you are doing so.Rear Admiral Thomas J. Hill, SC, USN, (RET) retired from the Naval Reserve in 2002 and has been a Financial Advisor for over 23 years. He can be reached on his personal email at ret.chop2002@ should you have any questions about this article. He can also direct you on how you can make a contribution to the Reserve Officers Association – Department of Indiana.Neither the developer of this article, nor the Reserve Officers Association- Department of Indiana, is providing legal or tax advice as to the matters discussed herein. The discussion herein is general in nature and is provided for informational purposes only. There is no guarantee as to its accuracy or completeness. It is not intended as legal advice and individuals may not rely upon it (including for purposes of avoiding tax penalties imposed by the IRS or state or local tax authorities). Individuals should consult their own legal and tax counsel as to matters discussed herein and before entering into any estate planning trust, investment, retirement or insurance arrangement.______________________________________________________________________ROA opens membership to all ranks, adopts fitting ‘DBA’ nameROA “mustangs,” five past national presidents who were first enlisted before becoming officers, gather at the association’s national convention in Omaha, Neb., Sept. 29. ?From left, Col. Ralph Carlson, USAF (Ret.), Maj. Gen. Roger Sandler, USA (Ret.), Maj. Gen. Evan “Curly” Hultman, USA (Ret.), Brig. Gen. William Basnett, USAF (Ret.), and Col. Paul Groskreutz, USA (Ret.). ?On Sunday, ROA members voted to expand membership eligibility to all ranks in a historic move to increase the association’s inclusivity.In a historic move to increase inclusivity and better reflect the Reserve force it serves, ROA members on Sunday voted to expand membership eligibility to all ranks in all of the nation’s uniformed Reserve Components. ?The expansion is immediately effective and means that ROA’s membership is now open to any serving or former member of the U.S. military, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, or NOAA who served under honorable conditions."ROA is the only national military group that solely and exclusively focuses on support of America’s Reserve Components,” said the association’s executive director, Jeff Phillips. “We represent all ranks, their families, and veterans of the Reserve force; now we welcome all ranks into membership."Previously, ROA membership was open to noncommissioned officers, warrant officers, and officers in these services. ?The association, all male at its 1922 founding, opened membership to women officers in 1927 and Naval officers after World War II. Currently 20 percent of all new members are NCOs, although recent experiences indicate that percentage could climb.Meeting in Omaha, Neb., ROA members also approved a proposal to establish a new “doing businesses as” name that reflects the expanded membership criteria. ?Retaining its chartered name and the ?abbreviation “ROA," the association can also be known by the DBA, “Reserve Organization of America.” ?Membership dues were also the target of reform, with annual dues halved to $20 and life membership dues simplified from a scale of charges based on age, to a single $450.Veteran Appreciation Day at the State CapitalThis year ROA is a sponsor for this event which is scheduled for February 11, 2019. FREE Continental Breakfast and lunch will be served. There will be FREE parking at Victory Field (home of the Indianapolis Indians) located at 501 W Maryland St, Indianapolis, IN 46225 (, (317) 269-3545). There will be FREE shuttle bus service to and from the State Capital. The event starts at 9:00 AM. Governor Holcomb is scheduled to speak. Please contact Jim Bauerle at bgjimbauerle@ or call 317-844-6432 to attend. You are encouraged to bring friends, and other veterans. You are also encouraged to contact your Senator and Representative and seek a meeting with them that day (or maybe lunch)! What to talk about with these elected officials is up to you— we suggest you talk about the 2019 legislative goals below and ask them to help get the bills heard and passed!The Military - Veterans Coalition of Indiana 2019 Legislative GOALS V6Extend and continue funding the Indiana Veteran Recovery Pilot Program (IVRP) Extend IC 10-17-13-3 set to expire with the expiration of the biannual budget. Provide $1Million to treat veterans during the biannual budget period using IC10-17-13-3. 2.? Indiana Drug Treatment Recovery Pilot Program using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Provide $500,000 to treat Hoosiers who have become addicted to prescription drugs with preference to veterans and first responders during the biannual budget period using IC 10-17-13-3 as the model. 3. Increase State Income tax exempt status for all military income, current or retired. Increase Military Service deduction; retirement income or survivors benefit deduction from adjusted gross income (AGI) of military income. 4. Expand Veterans Treatment Courts. $500,000 additional finding. 5. Directed use of Lottery gaming proceeds to counties to benefit veterans. Require the state to adopt rules and direct lottery tax proceeds be used for funding county veterans service officers salary. Currently every county is required to have an accredited CVSO. This requirement means a CVSO must work at least 1000 hours a year. All counties shall be funded for this. Additionally, require counties with veteran population exceeding 5,000 to add an additional half staff (20 hours a week work) CVSO for each 2,500 additional veterans in that county. Funding for these positions would also come from the existing gaming proceeds given to the county. The funding actions should be via block grants to the counties. 6. Keeping and growing veteran population in Indiana. SECTION 1. Develop a Government and private business recruiting partnership to hire servicemembers leaving active duty within the next six months. Private sector would provide between $500 and $5,000 annually based upon the number of employees in the businesses. (Employees 1-15 = $500, 16-30= $1K,etc….) State would form a regional recruiting strategy and team from existing state and county government resources. Purpose of this partnership is to develop a unique recruiting package to be used by team partners to go to military basis and recruit to fill job vacancies of private business partners. Team with economic development commission and private enterprises to develop marketing packages and financial incentives to lure skills desired for employment in Indiana. Provide loans for home purchase, salary while training for job, relocation expenses, and property tax abatement for the veteran hired for up to 10 years, and Indiana Income Tax credits. Program should be modeled after “Regional Cities” projects where private industry joins with local government and state government to build a “regional” marketing package to be used as a major tool in winning new veterans coming to Indiana. The idea is building a template for communities to use to get and keep veterans and execute on a community level with coordination by STATE level. One possible example would be to assist with use of GI bill education benefits for training in area where families will be moving to Indiana. (i.e. A welder moves to Ft Wayne and needs some specialized training; coordinate to have available in Ft Wayne area. Insure private business have sponsors and mentors to insure assimilation into the community and business.) Our proposal asks business to partner and contribute between $1,000 and $3,000 up front to the partnership. These business would be rewarded by getting new hires for their business and after the former service member works at this business one year, the business can get the $1,000 to $3,000 back in the form of a tax credit identified in section one of this initiative. SECTION 2. INDIANA tax abatement for hiring veterans. Provide the INDIANA Work Abatement Tax Credit (IWATC)?for hiring qualified veterans coming off active duty. Through IWATC, for-profit employers may receive tax credits of up to $5,000 per qualified eligible service member currently serving in the United States Armed Forces or for up to $2,000 for qualified non-profit organizations. The IWATC program enables the targeted employees to gradually move from economic dependency into self-sufficiency as they earn a steady income, while participating employers are able to reduce their federal AND STATE income tax liability. The tax credit can be claimed after the eligible service member currently serving in the United States Armed Forces works for one year at the business. The abatement is only good for one year for each new veteran employee. SECTION 3. Fund each “regional city” that applies for this program with a recruiting/marketing grant of $30,000. Funds are to be used to develop marketing materials and strategy for executing the recruiting program of hiring service members who are still on active duty prior to their departure from the military. Additionally, the funds can be used for expenses in recruiting these service members. “Regional Cities” would have to match this fund as was the case in the original “Regional Cities Program”.SECTION 4. Add or assign one staff person to lead and create a group for existing agencies of state government (Next Level Recruiting Team) within office of the Lt Governor to coordinate the recruiting efforts of the “regional Cities”. 7.? 21st Century Veterans Support. ?SECTION 1. Fund Service Officer training, renewal, and training expenses. Direct annual appropriation from General Fund in amount per biannual budget. SECTION 2. Require County Veteran Service Officers, City Veteran Service Officers, District Veteran Service Officers to be initially accredited by the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO). SECTION 3. Fix the eligibility criteria to the Military Family Relief Fund. All Reserve and National Guard who have served at least 180 days of cumulative service (active, Reserve or Guard or any combination of same). All Active Duty service members who have Indiana as their state of residence when entering the service AND retaining Indiana as a state are eligible; and have served for 180 days of cumulative service. All Hoosier Veterans who are residence of Indiana (residency being determined as living in Indiana for at least 180 days and having served a cumulative of at least 180 days and have discharge documents identifying their character of service at anything other than dishonorable). A person from another state who has served in the armed forces of the United States of America becomes a Hoosier Veteran when they reside of Indiana for at least 180 days and having served in the armed forces of the United States Of America a cumulative of at least 180 days (not only active duty but active, Guard, and Reserve) and have discharge documents identifying their character of service at anything other than dishonorable). Additionally, eliminate the requirement of serving in time of conflict or war.8. Veteran Higher Education Assistance Matters. SECTION 1. Limit duration of tuition remission to undergraduate degree or associates degree programs separately from any other tuition remission programs. SECTION 2. Provide children of all service connected disabled veterans full remission of fees at any State supported post secondary school or university in the State of Indiana. 9. Reserve Higher Education Assistance Matters. Create a Reserve Tuition Supplement Program to include Indiana Reservists like the National Guard has. Tuition Supplement Program should focus on STEM and education degrees.10. Hoosier Veteran HomelessnessSECTION 1. Help End Hoosier Veteran Homelessness. Include Hoosier Veterans as defined in IC and include all individuals who have served in the armed forces regardless of the character of their discharge should they have a discharge except for Dishonorably Discharged Individuals. SECTION 2. Fund $1 MILLION to support the homeless Hoosier Veterans. SECTION 3. Provide property tax credits for Landlord/Property Owners/Managers who house Veterans that are connected to the VA or Veteran Organization. These providers shall be granted this credit only if they are associated with a not-for-profit organization helping homeless veterans in Indiana. Credits will be limited to two (2) years for the same property if the occupant is the same homeless veteran for the duration. 11. Renter Credit for Disabled Veteran. Deduction; rent payments. Provide a renter credit for a disabled veteran who would qualify for the property tax credit for disabled veterans except for the fact that the disabled veteran rents living quarters. 12. Veteran Property Tax Matters SECTION 1. Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Service Member killed in Action, Dies While On Active Duty, or receives Dependency Income Compensation (DIC).SECTION 2. Property Tax Exemption at 100% rate for veterans who are classified as individually unemployable by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs regardless of their service connected disability rating.SECTION 3. Remove the property value limitation for a disabled vet to receive a property tax reduction.13. Guard and Reserve Employer tax abatement credits. Provide Employer tax abatement credits as a means to help offset costs associated with employees' Guard or Reserve activities and reinforce employer support.? His name was Bubba, he was from Mississippi? ... And he needed a loan, So... He? walked into a bank? in New York City and asked for the Loan Officer. He told the? loan officer that he was going to Paris for an International redneck festival for two weeks and needed to borrow? $5,000; and? that he was not a depositor of the bank.The bank officer told him that the bank would need some form of security for the loan, so the Redneck handed over the keys to a new Ferrari. The car was parked on the street in front of the bank.? The Redneck produced the title and everything checked out. The loan officer agreed to hold the car as collateral for the loan and apologized for having to charge 12% interest.Later, the bank's president and its? officers all enjoyed a good laugh at the Redneck from the South for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral for a? $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then drove the Ferrari into the bank's private underground garage and parked it.Two weeks later, the Redneck returned, repaid the? $5,000 and the interest of $23.07. The loan officer said, "Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled.? While you were away, we checked you out on Dunn & Bradstreet and found that you are a Distinguished Alumni from Ole Miss University, a highly sophisticated investor and Multi-Millionaire with real estate and financial interests all over the world. Your investments? include a large number of wind turbines around Sweetwater, Texas.What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow $5,000?"The good 'ole boy replied, "Where else in New York City can I park my car? for two weeks for only $23.07 and expect it to be there when I return?"His name was? BUBBA....Keep an eye on those southern boys!! Quote of the Day from the Los Angeles Times:?"Frankly, I don't know what it is about California, but we seem to have a strange urge to elect really obnoxious women to high office. I'm not bragging, you understand, but no other state, including Maine, even comes close. When it comes to sending left-wing dingbats to Washington, we're Number One. There's no getting around the fact that the last time anyone saw the likes of Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein, Maxine Waters, Kamala Harris, and Nancy Pelosi, they were stirring a cauldron when the curtain went up on ' Macbeth '. The five of them are like jackasses who happen to possess the gift of blab. You don't know if you should condemn them for their stupidity or simply marvel at their ability to form words."?Columnist Burt Prelutsky,?Los Angeles Times?This is some great news as it has been a big problem for the US military in Korea. Landmines in DMZ to Be Cleared search for land mines in a grassy area in the South Korean border city of Paju, Gyeonggi Province. / YonhapThe two Koreas will start clearing mines from the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on October 1 as a first step after they agreed to disarm the border area starting with land mines. For 20 days from Monday, Seoul and Pyongyang plan to remove all mines from the Joint Security Area (JSA) along the DMZ, the Ministry of National Defense said, Sunday. ?"The two Koreas will engage in joint works to remove mines and explosives on the JSA and upland areas in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province," a military official said.The remains of about 300 soldiers from the two Koreas and United Nation forces killed during the 1950-1953 Korean War are believed to be buried in the upland areas. The two Koreas chose the area as a trial venue for the joint repatriation mission.The move is part of a follow-up measure to the Pyongyang Declaration signed in mid-September by President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.The leaders of the two Koreas agreed to continue concerted efforts to disarm the DMZ and withdraw troops from there as a confidence-building measure amid detente on the Korean Peninsula.The two Koreas and the United Nations Command (UNC) will also form a trilateral negotiating body to speed disarmament along the inter-Korean border.Details of when the organization will be set up have not been confirmed, according to the defense ministry.It remains to be seen whether the two Koreas can complete removing the mines as scheduled because of a limited workforce and a shortage of equipment.How Fish and Chips Migrated to Great BritainThe fried fish was introduced by Jews fleeing religious persecution. by Abbey Perreault October 19, 2018Fish and chips by the sea at Hunstanton, Norfolk. ? Andrew Dunn, BY-SA 2.0 The powerful pairing of fish and chips has long been considered a British staple. Dubbed “the undisputed national dish of Great Britain” by the National Federation of Fish Friers, it’s been enjoyed on the island for over a century, with an estimated 35,000 chip shops in business by 1935. During World War II, Winston Churchill exempted the beloved dish from rationing. Today, “Fish & Chip Friday” is a weekly ritual for Brits ringing in the weekend.Fish and chips’s origin story, however, is a bit more complex than this nationalist sentiment might imply.As told by Simon Majumdar in his podcast, Eat My Globe, it all began outside of the U.K., hundreds of years ago. From the 8th to the 12th century, Jews, Muslims, and Christians lived in relative peace in Portugal, known as Al-Andalus under Moorish rule. Sephardic Jews, who likely comprised around 20 percent of the population, were relatively well-respected and held positions in the high court. For this reason, the area became somewhat of a haven for those fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. However, in 1496, after the end of Moorish rule, King Manuel I married Isabel of Spain, who was not so aligned with the idea of religious freedom. Her ultimatum: Their betrothal would mean the expulsion of Jews from Portugal. Manuel I mandated that all Jews be baptized, or otherwise expelled.While many fled, some Jews stayed, and either converted to Christianity or pretended to do so. Marranos, also referred to as “Crypto-Jews,” continued to practice Judaism in secret. But when Portugal fell under Spanish rule, the Inquisition targeted individuals with Jewish lineage, threatening anyone claiming to be a Converso. As religious violence worsened, many fled Portugal and resettled in England, bringing with them culinary treasures founded in Sephardic cuisine—including fish.Peshkado frito (in Andalusian dialect, pescaíto frito) was one of them. The dish of white fish, typically cod or haddock, fried in a thin coat of flour, was a favorite particularly among Portuguese Marranos, who fried it on Friday nights to prepare for the Sabbath, as the Mosaic laws prohibited cooking. Allegedly, the batter preserved the fish so it could be eaten cold, and without sacrificing too much flavor, the following day.It was a hit. Fish prepared “in the Jewish manner” was sold on the streets of London on any given day. And at the end of the week, eating fish on Friday was a part of religious observance for Jews and Catholics alike—as “fish fasting” to avoid consuming warm-blooded animals has been a part of the Catholic tradition for centuries.* Though both groups were religious minorities at the time, fried fish became a popular secular dish, too.But the Friday-night tradition was likely chipless until the late-19th century. The general popularity of the potato bloomed late in Europe, and it wasn’t until the late 1800s that the tuber was accepted, due especially to the promotional efforts of a French scientist. Though there are several theories of how the potato came to England—and how it became the “chip” we know and love today—one historical account credits a tripe vendor by the name of Mrs. “Granny” Duce with selling the first fried cut potatoes to the public.There are also competing theories about who created the pairing of, as Churchill called them, “good companions.” Most trace it back to the early 1860s, when Joseph Malins, a Jewish immigrant, opened up a fish and chips shop in London. Others point to John Lee, a man living outside of Manchester, who ran a “chipped potato” restaurant that sold the beloved pairing.Whether the winning combo was first slapped together by John or Joseph or someone else entirely, it soon became everybody’s dish. British natives and immigrants alike began slathering their cod in batter and frying up husky chips. Industrialization in the 19th and early 20th centuries launched the fish dish to even greater heights, as it became a favorite for factory and mill workers in London and beyond. And while its religious connotations are hidden today, many admirers remain devoted to the beloved international, national dish.*Update 10/23: This post has been updated to note that Catholics were a minority in England during the time period in question.Gastro Obscura covers the world’s most wondrous food and drink. Major breakthrough- Army artillery hits target at 38 miles- doubling rangeBy Kris Osborn | Warrior MavenYou Redlegs, HUA!!! Army has successfully fired a 155mm artillery round 62 kilometers (38.5 miles) - marking a technical breakthrough in the realm of land-based weapons and progressing toward its stated goal of being able to outrange and outgun Russian and Chinese weapons.“We just doubled the range of our artillery at Yuma Proving Ground,” Gen. John Murray, Commanding General of Army Futures Command, told reporters at the recent Association of the United States Army Annual Symposium.Currently, most land-fired artillery shot from an M777 Towed Howitzer or Self-Propelled Howitzer are able to pinpoint targets out to 30km (18.6 miles) - so hitting 62km marks a substantial leap forward in offensive attack capability.Murray was clear that the intent of the effort, described as Extended Range Cannon Artillery, is specifically aimed at regaining tactical overmatch against Russian and Chinese weapons.“The Russian and Chinese have been able to outrange most of our systems,” Murray said.Citing the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a “wake-up call,” Murray explained that Russian weaponry, tactics and warfare integration caused a particular concern among Army leaders.“In Ukraine, we saw the pairing of drones with artillery, using drones as spotters. Their organizational structure and tactics were a wake-up call for us to start looking at a more serious strategy,” Murray explained.The Army’s 2015 Combat Vehicle Modernization Strategy specifically cites concerns about Russia’s use of advanced weapons and armored vehicles in Ukraine.“The Russians are using their most advanced tanks in the Ukraine, including the T-72B3, T-80, and T-90. All of these tanks have 125mm guns capable of firing a wide range of ammunition, including anti-tank/anti-helicopter missiles with a six-kilometer range, and advanced armor protection, including active protection on some models,” the strategy writes.ERCA is one of several current initiatives intended to address this. Accordingly, the Army is now prototyping artillery weapons with a larger caliber tube and new grooves to hang weights for gravity adjustments to the weapon – which is a modified M777A2 mobile howitzer. The new ERCA weapon is designed to hit ranges greater than 70km (43.5 miles), Army developers said.“When you are talking about doubling the range you need a longer tube and a larger caliber. We will blend this munition with a howitzer and extend the range. We are upgrading the breach and metallurgy of the tube, changing the hydraulics to handle increased pressure and using a new ram jet projectile – kind of like a rocket,” a senior Army weapons developer told Warrior Maven in an interview earlier this year.The modification adds 1,000 pounds to the overall weight of the weapon and an additional six feet of cannon tube. The ERCA systems also uses a redesigned cab, new breech design and new “muzzle brake,” the official explained.“The ERCA program develops not only the XM907 cannon but also products, such as the XM1113 rocket-assisted projectile, the XM654 supercharge, an autoloader, and new fire control system,” an Army statement said.As part of an effort to ensure the heavy M777 is sufficiently mobile, the Army recently completed a “mobility” demonstration of ERCA prototypes.The service demonstrated a modified M777A2 Howitzer with an integration kit for the mass mock-up of the modified XM907 ERCA cannon at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona."Their [user] concern is that when the self-propelled program is done they will be left with a towed cannon variant that they can't tow around, which is its number one mode of transportation," David Bound, M777ER Lead, Artillery Concepts and Design Branch, which is part of the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, or ARDEC, said in an Army statement earlier this year.The ERCA is currently being configured to fire from an M109a8 Self-Propelled Howitzer, using a 58-Cal. tube; the existing M109a7, called the Paladin Integrated Management, fires a 39-Cal. weapon.ERCA changes the Army’s land war strategic calculus in a number of key respects, by advancing the Army’s number one modernization priority – long-range precision fires.This concept of operations is intended to enable mechanized attack forces and advancing infantry with an additional stand-0ff range or protective sphere with which to conduct operations. Longer range precision fire can hit enemy troop concentrations, supply lines and equipment essential to a coordinated attack, while allowing forces to stay farther back from incoming enemy fire.A 70-kilometer target range is, by any estimation, a substantial leap forward for artillery; when GPS guided precision 155mm artillery rounds, such as Excalibur, burst into land combat about ten years ago - its strike range was reported at roughly 30 kilometers. A self-propelled Howitzer able to hit 70-kilometers puts the weapon on par with some of the Army’s advanced land-based rockets - such as its precision-enabled Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System which also reaches 70-kilometers.In a modern threat environment, wherein near-peer and smaller-level rivals increasingly possess precision-guided land weapons, longer-range C4ISR technology and drone weapons, increasing range is a ubiquitous emphasis across the Army and other services. Russia’s violations of the INF treaty, new S-500 air defenses, new Armata tanks and fast-growing attack drone fleet - are all areas of concern among US Army weapons developers.In fact, senior Army developers specifically say that the ERCA program is, at least in part, designed to enable the Army to out-range rival Russian weapons.The Russian military is currently producing its latest howitzer cannon, the 2S33 Msta-SM2 variant; it is a new 2A79 152mm cannon able to hit ranges greater than 40km, significantly greater than the 25km range reachable by the original Russian 2S19 Msta - which first entered service in the late 1980s, according to data from .Earlier this year, statements from the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation said that 2S19 Msta-S modernized self-propelled howitzers were fielded near Volgograd, Russia.The 2S19 Msta-S howitzers are equipped with an automated fire control system with an increased rate of fire, digital electronic charts, ballistic computers and satellite navigation systems, the report says.Therefore, doing the simple math, a 70km US Army ERCA weapon would appear to substantially outrange the 40km Msta-S modern Russian howitzer.While senior Army weapons developers welcome the possibility of longer-range accurate artillery fire, they also recognize that its effectiveness hinges upon continued development of sensor, fire control and target technology.“Just because I can shoot farther, that does not mean I solve the issue. I have to acquire the right target. We want to be able to hit moving targets and targets obscured by uneven terrain,” the senior Army developer said.In a concurrent related effort, the Army is also engineering an adaptation to existing 155mm rounds which will extend range an additional 10km out to 40km.Fired from an existing Howitzer artillery cannon, the new XM1113 round uses ram jet rocket technology to deliver more thrust to the round."The XM1113 uses a large high-performance rocket motor that delivers nearly three times the amount of thrust when compared to the legacy M549A1 RAP," Ductri Nguyen, XM1113 Integrated Product Team Lead.” "Its exterior profile shape has also been streamlined for lower drag to achieve the 40-plus kilometers when fired from the existing fielded 39-caliber 155mm weapon systems."Soldiers can also integrate the existing Precision Guidance Kit to the artillery shells as a way to add a GPS-guided precision fuse to the weapon. The new adapted round also uses safer Insensitive Munitions Explosives.Tomb of the Unknowns Guards Begin Use of Custom M17 PistolsYesterday, Tomb Guards from the US Army’s 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) were presented with 4 ceremonial M17 pistols at Arlington National Cemetery. These works of art were created by SIG SAUER specifically for use by the Guards.This ceremony marks the first use of the M17, which will accompany the Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers they stand guard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.The unique distinguishing features for the M17 Tomb of the Unknown Pistols include:? Pistol Names: each of the four pistols bears the name of Silence, Respect, Dignity, or Perseverance and is featured on the dust cover. Dignity and Perseverance represent “The Sentinel’s Creed,” and Silence and Respect represent the request to the public by Arlington National Cemetery when visiting the Tomb of the Unknown, and during the Changing of the Guard;? Custom Wood Grips: in 1921 the chosen Unknown was transported to the United States of America aboard the USS Olympia. The custom wood grips are made with wood from the USS Olympia and include the crest of the 3rd Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier identification badge inset;? Cocking Serrations: XXI cocking serrations are engraved on the slide to signify the twenty-one steps it takes for the Tomb Sentinels to walk by the Tomb of the Unknowns and the military honor of a 21 Gun Salute;? Sight Plate: an engraved impression of the Greek Figures featured on the east panel of the Tomb – Peace, Victory, and Valor – are featured on the sight plate;? Sights: a glass insert made with marble dust from the Tomb of the Unknown fills the sights of the ceremonial pistols;? Engraved Magazines: the 21-round magazines feature an aluminum base plate engraved with the names of the Greek figures featured on the Tomb of the Unknown – Peace, Victory, and Valor – and include a name plate on the bottom of the magazine engraved with the Tomb Sentinel badge number.? Serial Numbers: the pistols are serialized with a unique set of serial numbers that incorporate items of significance to the Old Guard: “LS” represents line six of the Sentinels’ Creed, “My standard will remain perfection; “02JUL37” to signify the first 24-hour guard posted at the Tomb of the Unknown on July 3, 1937; “21” to signify the 21 steps it takes the Tomb Sentinels to walk by the Tomb of the Unknown, and the military honor of a 21 Gun Salute. The full series of M17 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Pistols serial numbers are LS02JUL37A21 (Silence), LS02JUL37B21 (Respect), LS02JUL37C21 (Dignity), LS02JUL37D21 (Perseverance).(U.S. Army photos by SPC Gabriel Silva) Battle of Gettysburg ?Six Lessons Learned July 1-3 is the 155th anniversary of the bloodiest battle ever fought in the Western Hemisphere: Gettysburg. In the first three days of July in 1863, some 52,000 Americans were killed, wounded, or missing. The Union Army of the Potomac (about 90,000 troops) led by General George Meade clashed in a titanic battle with the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia led by General Robert E. Lee. Gettysburg is the battle that almost every Civil War buff loves to study because of so many "what ifs" and twists and turns. It could have gone so many different ways. Many also love studying this battle because of the life lessons we can learn from the fascinating circumstances and the very fine men who fought on both sides. Here are a few life lessons we can learn today:1. The small things count. Gettysburg began by "accident" because some Confederate infantrymen were looking for shoes in that little town. No one planned on a battle there that day. Both armies had been looking for each other. Contact was made in the early morning hours of July 1 when some of Henry Heth's troops looking for shoes (thousands of Lee's troops were barefoot) "bumped into" John Buford's Union cavalrymen. Word went out to both armies and within hours troops came pouring in from every direction. That little search for something as insignificant as shoes turned into the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. On the second day of the battle, Confederate infantry was to assault the far left wing of the Union army. The hill known as Little Round Top was unoccupied. If the Confederates could take that hill then they could flank the entire army of the United States. The men of the 15th Alabama and supporting units at first scrambled up Big Round Top. The temperature was in the low 80s but it probably felt hotter to all those troops clothed in wool uniforms and with a battle raging around them. They had been marching all day to get into position to fight, and they had given all their canteens to a few men to get water. Those men with the canteens were all captured by Union cavalrymen. Now, the Confederates climbing Big Round Top had no water to drink. When they reached the summit, they took a break for about 10 minutes. While the Confederates were climbing the hill the Union general Warren realized they had left Little Round Top unoccupied! He quickly ordered the troops of Colonel Joshua Chamberlain's 20th Maine to occupy that critical position. In the 10 minutes that the Confederate troops were resting, the Union was fortifying the hill the Confederates needed to take. The 15th Alabama, along with the 4th and 5th Texas launched their attacks against Chamberlain's men on Little Round Top, but it was too little too late. If only they had not stopped to rest for 10 minutes, if only they were not parched and sapped of strength for lack of water, if only they had been joined by one more Confederate regiment ... but the 20th Maine fought them off and the Union was able to hold that critical hill. Colonel William Oates of the 15th Alabama, recalled many years later, "great events sometimes turn on comparatively small affairs." During the third day of battle, when Lee ordered "Pickett's Charge" of some 12,000 Confederate infantry, he preceded the assault with an artillery barrage. His cannons missed the Union lines, shooting over them, and consequently did not take out the Union infantry. Were the Confederate artillerymen just really bad shots? No. Besides the fact that it's difficult to see over a mile away when the field is filled with smoke from 150 cannons, we now know that the fuses they were using for their cannon shells were from factories in Charleston and Selma (fuses they did not normally use). These fuses burned for just one extra second, making the cannon balls explode later ... just long enough for them to blow up BEHIND the Union lines on July 3, 1863 and not on the Union infantrymen. Small things indeed matter.2. Communicate properly. One of General Lee's biggest problems throughout the Gettysburg campaign is that he simply did not communicate exactly and completely with his generals. His chief of cavalry, "J.E.B." Stuart, was off riding around the Union army and generally creating havoc against the enemy, but without his cavalry Lee was essentially blind. He did not know where the enemy was or how many troops he faced. His vague orders to Stuart gave the cavalry commander the liberty to go off and "do his own thing." That lack of command on Lee's part cost him dearly. On the first day of battle the Union army was in full retreat. The Confederates were on a roll and all they had to do to seal the deal was continue the attack and drive the Union forces off Seminary Ridge. General Lee saw this moment of opportunity and told his Second Corps commander, Richard Ewell, to "take that hill if practicable." What do you mean "if practicable?" If it's not too hard? If it seems like it's a good idea that day? Again, Lee was too vague. He should have said, "take that hill at all costs!" But he did not, and the opportunity to win was frittered away by his non-aggressive field commander.3. Be merciful. One of the stories from Gettysburg is that of General Gordon giving aid to his enemy, General Barlow. This story has come under fire in the past 30 years and some historians have called it "myth." However, here is a scholarly rebuttal to that charge. On the first day of the battle, Confederate General John Gordon of Georgia saw the Union General Francis Barlow of New York fall in battle. Gordon's forces drove the Union troops back, and Barlow lay wounded on the ground. Gordon saw a Union general on the ground, dismounted, and quickly gave him aid (water and brandy). He summoned his medical staff who rescued the critically wounded Union general. And that was the last Gordon saw of Barlow. It turns out however, that Barlow recovered and fought in several more battles during the war. Many years later, they met at a party. Gordon was now a U.S. Senator from Georgia and Barlow was a successful lawyer. They each thought that the other had been killed in the war! Imagine their surprise when they "found" each other alive and well at that party! Gordon asked, "Are you the Barlow who was wounded at Gettysburg? " Barlow asked, "Are you the Gordon who gave me aid?" That started a friendship that lasted until Barlow's death many years later. There was mercy to a fallen foe, even in the heat of battle.4. Be humble. Many leaders of the Civil War who were modest, humble men (Lee, Grant, "Stonewall" Jackson for starters). Abraham Lincoln, however, tops the list when you think of Gettysburg. He was not present at the battle, of course. But a little over four months after the battle he came to that town to help dedicate the cemetery and deliver the now famous "Gettysburg Address." He was not the main speaker that day! A famous orator, Edward Everett was the main speaker ... and man did he speak! Mr. Everett's speech was two hours long! Then Lincoln got up. He spoke for about two minutes. And in those two minutes he spoke some of the most poetic, stirring, sublime truths ever uttered. Even if you are not a Lincoln "fan" you cannot help but tremble when you read the Gettysburg Address. The whole speech is about the sacrifice of the soldiers and the urgency of the cause of the United States. He even says that the world will little note what he says there. It is doubtful he thought that his short speech would become the greatest American speech ever. His words sink down deep into our souls ... because we know Lincoln had a humble spirit when he wrote it and delivered it.5. Be courageous. The Battle of Gettysburg is the story of one courageous man after another. Both armies were filled with men of valor. Many from their youthful years on thrill to hear the stories of men on both sides who fought with incredible bravery and honor. This article writer’s favorite story is that of Colonel Joshua Chamberlain and his men of the20th Maine who fought on Little Round Top. He had less than 200 troops. He was facing an attack of well over 1,000 in his sector. Chamberlain was given orders that they could not retreat. They could not surrender. They had to fight to the death that day. It would be their last day on earth. When he tells this story to school kids dressed up in one of his Civil War uniforms), and gets to this point in the story where Chamberlain and his men run out of ammo and he asks the kids, "What would you do? It all comes down to just you now. Are you gonna run away and cry to mama? Or are you gonna fight?" He never forget one little girl in the fifth grade, looking at him with all the determination in the world shouting in class: "I'm not running away! I'm gonna FIGHT!" He smiled at her and said, "I know you will. You'll fight just like Colonel Chamberlain!" Then he went on and tell the kids the rest of the story of how Chamberlain launched a bayonet charge and saved the United States that day (at can be viewed his famous charge from the movie Gettysburg). There will be times when we will be outnumbered. We will be "out of ammunition." The temptation will be great just to chuck it all and give up. But Chamberlain inspires everyone to dig deep, "fix bayonets," not give up ... and charge.6. Take responsibility. General Robert Lee, often maligned in these "politically correct" days, was truly a man of integrity. He ordered the largest infantry attack at that time, now known as "Pickett's charge" (named after General George Pickett). The attack was a colossal failure, resulting in over half the force being wiped out by the Union army. Many men would try to pawn off the failure onto others. Maybe the troops were not brave enough or quick enough. Maybe the generals did not obey Lee's orders fast enough ... or misunderstood him. No, Lee would never blame others for mistakes that he knew were entirely his. That is why he rode out to his troops and told them that it was all his fault. He took ALL the blame. He later wrote a letter of resignation to President Jefferson Davis (Davis refused the resignation). Do we have men and women in leadership today who take such responsibility for failure? We hear politicians whine excuses after excuses, but rarely do we hear a real person of integrity say, "Yeah I screwed up. It was all my fault and no one else's." Lee's men loved him even more because they knew that in him, for better or for worse, they were following a real man who was full of integrity; not hot air. There are many other life lessons we could glean from this momentous battle, and from the whole war itself. God help us to learn good lessons, and not repeat the horror of a war that killed 700,000 of us, and left us scarred for generations.[Source: PJ Media | Jeff Sanders | June 30, 2018++]Battle of Bunker Hill ?10 Things You May Not Know The morning of June 17, 1775: Colonial Patriots awaited a battle in the heights above Boston Harbor. Approaching were the English Redcoats, the most feared fighting force in the world. Low on water and ammunition, the ragged band of farmers-turned-militiamen faced a daunting task. Here 10 Things You May Not Know About the Battle of Bunker Hill and what ensued:1. It was not actually fought on Bunker Hill. Tasked on the night of June 16, 1775, with fortifying 110-foot-tall Bunker Hill on the Charlestown peninsula, which jutted into Boston Harbor, Colonel William Prescott instead directed the 1,000 patriots joining him to build an earthen fort atop neighboring Breed’s Hill, a shorter peak with a closer perch to the British under siege in Boston. Whether Prescott ignored orders or was simply ignorant of Charlestown’s geography is unknown, but the subsequent battle that unfolded was named for the original target— Bunker Hill—even though most of it occurred one-third of a mile south on Breed’s Hill.2. The patriots sought to delay a British attack but instead provoked one. Seeking to break the siege of Boston, the British planned to launch a massive attack on June 18, 1775, to seize the two promontories overlooking the city— first Dorchester Heights to the south and then Bunker Hill to the north. When patriot leaders received intelligence that an assault was imminent, they directed Prescott to fortify Bunker Hill as a deterrent. Prescott’s provocative action to instead occupy Breed’s Hill, within cannon shot of the Redcoats, forced the British to change plans, respond to the overt challenge and launch an amphibious assault on Charlestown.3. The British won the Battle of Bunker Hill. Often obscured by the moral victory earned by the patriots is that they ultimately lost the military battle. After the colonial militiamen repelled the first two British assaults, they ran out of ammunition during the third attack and were forced to abandon their redoubt. The fierce defense, however, inflicted heavy casualties on the Redcoats, demonstrated the ability of the patriots to fight toe-to-toe with the British and boosted the colonists’ confidence.4. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution. Victory at Bunker Hill came at a terrible price for the British, with nearly half of the 2,200 Redcoats who entered the battle killed or wounded in just two hours of fighting (226 Redcoats killed and 828 wounded). The patriots sustained over 400 casualties (115 killed and 305 wounded). “The loss we have sustained is greater than we can bear,” wrote British General Thomas Gage. “I wish [we] could sell them another hill at the same price,” quipped patriot leader Nathanael Greene after the battle. The casualty count was the highest suffered by the British in any single encounter during the entire war. There have been some reported discrepancies in these statistics, but the outcome remains; the Redcoats lost more men.5. A future U.S. president watched the Battle of Bunker Hill. In Boston and neighboring communities, curious colonists climbed roofs, steeples and hills to watch the battle unfold. Ten miles south of Bunker Hill, 7-year-old John Quincy Adams stood next to his mother, Abigail, atop a hill near his childhood home and heard the thunder claps of the cannon fire and watched the smoke rise from the battlefield. The sixth president of the United States later wrote that he “witnessed the tears of my mother and mingled with them my own.” (A father of a future U.S. president had an even closer view of the action. Benjamin Pierce, father of 14th president Franklin Pierce, fought in the battle.)6. British soldiers killed at Bunker Hill are buried inside Old North Church. Several of the Redcoats killed during the battle, including Major John Pitcairn, were laid to rest in the crypt of Christ Church in Boston’s North End. That house of worship is now better known as the Old North Church, a patriotic symbol of the American Revolution for its role in signaling the movement of British troops under Pitcairn to Lexington and Concord in April 1775. Pitcairn’s widow requested his body be exhumed from the crypt and returned to London, but the wrong corpse was sent instead. Pitcairn remains among the 1,000 bodies buried in Old North Church.7. The patriot heroes included a former slave. One hundred fifty African Americans took their place among the Patriots who fought at The Battle of Bunker Hill. Upon his arrival in Boston in November of 1775, one of Washington's first orders was to expel all African American soldiers from the ranks, an action that represented the prejudices and fears that many white colonists held about their black counterparts. Six months after the Battle of Bunker Hill, Prescott and a dozen other colonial officers petitioned the General Court of Massachusetts to reward Salem Poor—a former slave who had purchased his freedom in 1769—for the bravery he displayed. The petitioners noted that Poor “behaved like an experienced officer, as well as an excellent soldier.” Unfortunately, the officers did not describe his exploits, instead writing that “particulars of his conduct would be tedious.” Some historians have surmised that Poor killed Pitcairn while the major led a charge of British marines up Bunker Hill. Others, however, have speculated that another African-American, Peter Salem, was the man responsible.8. The identification of Joseph Warren’s body may have involved the first example of forensic dentistry in America. The battle produced the American Revolution’s first martyr, the charismatic Sons of Liberty leader Dr. Joseph Warren. After the battle, the British buried him in a shallow grave along with a farmer also killed in battle. Nearly 10 months later, after the British evacuated Boston, the patriots exhumed Warren’s body. Amateur dentist Paul Revere was able to identify Warren because he recognized a false tooth that he had crafted for the doctor.9. Reconciliation with the British was thought to be quite possible until the Battle of Bunker Hill.Even after the firing of shots at Lexington and Concord in April 1775, many colonists continued to feel loyal to the king and thought it possible to resolve their differences with Parliament without an all-out war. The bloodshed at Bunker Hill, however, eliminated virtually any chance for reconciliation and pointed the colonies on the path to independence. When King George III received the news of the battle in London on August 23, 1775, he issued a proclamation declaring the colonies in a state of “open and avowed rebellion.” In the wake of Bunker Hill, Benjamin Franklin penned an unsent letter to an English friend and member of Parliament that he closed, “You are now my enemy and I am yours.”10. A bake sale raised money to build the Bunker Hill Monument. On the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette laid the cornerstone for a memorial obelisk atop Breed’s Hill. The project languished, however, due to a lack of money and by 1840 was still only half-complete. To raise funds, magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale—credited by some as the author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”—organized an eight-day bake and crafts sale that generated $30,000 used to complete the granite monument in 1843.[Source: | Christopher Klein| June 17, 2015 ++]New Enhanced Night Vision Goggles-BinocularFor most of modern military history, soldiers who needed to track battlefield movement or simply navigate to an objective while on foot would spend much of their time staring down at a paper map or GPS device screen, much like a distracted phone gazer bumping into people at the mall, but with deadlier consequences. A new combination of advanced night vision goggle (NVG) is merging day/night vision, thermal viewing, weapon sight and augmented reality into one view that allows a soldier to see the battlefield while maneuvering. Think Google Glass, with a gun. And the head of the Army’s new cross-functional team focused on soldier lethality sees the device as a way to exponentially improve the dismounted warfighter’s battlefield awareness.“This is a true, fundamental change to the capability we’re giving to our dismounted soldier,” said Brig. Gen. Christopher Donahue during a recent media roundtable phone interview. The Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (ENCG), has been paired with augmented reality software and the Family of Weapons Sights-Individual (FWS-I) by the Army’s Communication-Electronics, Research, Development and Engineering Center and Program Executive Office Soldier to put all of the capabilities into the view of the soldier. The weapons sight capability brings the weapon sight picture into the goggles through a camera on the sight. This allows a soldier to shoot around corners without being exposed. It also can switch views from the sight to a picture-in-picture where the normal view is presented along with the weapon’s sight picture. “The beauty of the two systems is there’s wireless communication between the goggle and weapon sight,” said Dave Smialek, the business development manager for Survivability, Targeting, and Sensing Solutions at BAE Systems, which is producing the goggle. “What’s transmitted is the aim point from the weapons sight, displayed as an overlay on the ENVG-III image.” BAE Systems developed a Rapid Target Acquisition Module to reduce target engagement time as part of building the new goggle. The augmented reality portion creates an almost individualized tracker that lets the soldier mark targets, pick waypoints while on patrol and share those digital icons with other members of the squad. Smialek said past night vision goggles didn’t have the capability to display video. Advancements in wireless technology have enabled the change. The system simultaneously permits the shooter to see a 40-degree view while also seeing an 18-degree view from the weapon sight. This enables shooters to fire from multiple positions, around and above obstacles, without exposing themselves. The “picture-in-picture” mode lets the shooter see two different directions at once. For example, if an infantryman were on foot patrol in a tight wedge formation, the soldier or Marine could patrol while observing their left flank, turn to give hand signals from their squad leader and still watch the flank from the camera on the rifle. All of that is an aim to cut down target acquisition time for shooters. Military Times staff participated in a media demo and shoot of the system twice in the past year. The device allows a shooter to fire from the hip and shoot around corners, using the weapon-mounted camera. The night vision portion of the system also can overcome the high-illumination problems that disabled earlier night vision devices. Side-by-side comparisons at more than 75 yards with current night vision systems showed an immediate contrast with thermal. Multiple man-sized targets were visible with both systems at various distances. A man-sized target behind camouflage netting was invisible with standard night vision goggles, but visually jumped out immediately with thermal sights. The first batch of a total of 64,000-night vision devices, the ENVG-III are arriving at infantry and special operations forces units this year. The 36,000 FWS-I devices are expected to hit units sometime in late 2018 or early 2019. [Source: ArmyTimes| Todd South| March 21 & July 18, 2018 ++]What To Do Before A Veteran DiesOne of the eventualities in life that spouses and families of veterans face is the death of their loved one who served America in uniform. To help ease the burden on loved ones, veterans can make preparations in advance. The first step is to make certain the family has easy access to important documents such as: The veteran’s discharge certificate (DD form 214). VA documents, if any, indicating a VA claim number. A copy of all marriage certificates and divorce decrees (if any previous marriages). Insurance policies, including beneficiary designation. A copy of the family will (not required for VA benefits). Location of safety deposit boxes (not required by VA). Business address, email address, office and cell phone numbers for local American Legion service officer.Veterans who die on active duty, or with discharges that are other than dishonorable, are entitled by law to: A gravesite in any national cemetery with available space, opening and closing of the grave. A government headstone, marker, urn, or medallion in a national and/or private cemetery. A government-issued U.S. flag to drape over the casket, and for presentation to the surviving spouse or next-of -kin. A Presidential Memorial Certificate signed by the president of the United States.[Source: American Legion | A Guide for Pre-Planning | July 23, 2018 ++]What DoD Will Provide Upon Death Burial in a VA national cemetery--Every eligible veteran who is entitled to burial in a national cemetery as long as space is available and the following conditions are met: Veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Veteran was not subsequently convicted for offenses involving prohibited weapons of mass destruction, genocide and international terrorism. With certain exceptions, service beginning after Sept. 7, 1980, as an enlisted person and service after Oct. 16, 1981, as an officer must have served for a mini-mum of 24 months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty. For a description of requirements refer to cem.Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the following: gravesite, headstone, marker or medallion, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care of the grave site. Many national cemeteries have columbaria or gravesites for cremated remains. Grave sites in national cemeteries cannot be reserved. Many national cemeteries are close d to new casket interments. Funeral directors or others making burial arrangements must apply at the time of death.Spouses and minor children of eligible veterans and of servicemembers may also be buried in a national cemetery. If a surviving spouse of an eligible veteran marries a nonveteran, and remarriage was terminated by death or divorce of the non-veteran, the spouse is subsequently eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Visit the National Cemetery Administration website at cem. for a listing of all national cemeteries and state veterans cemeteries. Send questions on benefits eligibility to VA at public.inquiry@mail.. Headstones and markers-- VA provides headstones and markers anywhere in the world for the unmarked graves of veterans who died before Sept. 11, 2001. For the marked graves of veterans who died on or after Sept. 11, 2001, double marking is authorized. Flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, upright granite and upright marble type are available to mark the grave in a style consistent with the cemetery. Niche markers are also available for urns. When burial is in a national cemetery or state veterans cemetery, the headstone is ordered by the cemetery, which will place it on the grave. When burial occurs in a private cemetery, the headstone must be applied for from VA. The headstone is then shipped at government expense. VA does not pay the cost of placing the headstone on the grave. The cost is borne by the veteran’s family or other party. These charges may be included in many prepaid funeral packages. VA Form 40-1330 (application for headstone) can be obtained from most funeral home directors, through veterans service officers, or through VA. This form may also be downloaded and printed out by visiting cem.hmm. VA rules allow for custom inscriptions on headstones. Belief symbols such as Christian Crosses, Stars of David, Islamic Crescents and others are available. However, VA has limited other graphics such as logos, military decorations and fraternal organization marks. The best way to assure that you get the desired stone or plaque is by obtaining and filling out VA Form 40-1330 (Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker for Installation in a Private or State Veterans Cemetery) and filing it with other documents. When a spouse or child is buried in the same grave as a veteran, VA will have a contractor inscribe the reverse side of the headstone. Twenty-year reservists are eligible for a headstone or marker. Specific steps must be taken for authorization from The American Legion to affix an American Legion emblem onto the headstone.Burial flag-- A U.S. flag is provided, at no cost, to drape over the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U. S. Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a veteran’s military service. Eligibility for former members of Selected Reserves were added by Section 517 of Public Law 105-261.The flag will be issued once only for burial purposes and will not be replaced if lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed. National cemeteries with avenues of flags, and many state veterans cemeteries, accept donations of burial flags for mass display on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and other occasions. The standard issue burial flag is made of cotton and will not withstand continuous outdoor display. Burial flags may be obtained at VA regional offices, national cemeteries and most local post offices. Overseas, U.S. flags can be obtained from U.S. embassies or consulates VA will furnish a burial flag for veterans who served during wartime, died on active duty after May 27, 1941, who served after Jan. 31, 1955, peacetime veterans who were discharged or released before June 27, 1950, certain people who served in the organized military forces of the commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces, and who died on or after April 25, 1951, and certain former members of the Selected Reserves.Burial and plot-interment allowance--You may be eligible for a VA burial allowance if all of these conditions are met: You paid for a veteran’s burial or funeral. You have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source, such as the deceased veteran’s employer. The veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met. The veteran: Died because of a service-related disability. Was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death. Was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but decided not to reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay. Died while hospitalized by VA, or while receiving care under VA contract at a non-VA facility. Died while traveling under proper authorization and at VA expense to or from a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care. Had an original or reopened claim pending at the time of death and has been found entitled to compensation or pension from a date prior to the date of death. Died on or after Oct. 9, 1996, while a patient at a VA approved state nursing home.VA will pay the following amounts: For a veteran’s service-related death: If the death was due to his or her service-connected disability, VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses occurring on or after Sept. 11, 2001. For a veteran’s non-service related death since Oct. 1, 2011: If the death occurred while hospitalized by VA, it will pay up to $700 toward burial and funeral expenses. If a veteran’s death was not due to a service-connected disability and the veteran was not hospitalized by VA, the veteran must meet at least one specific condition to receive up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses and a $300 plot-interment allowance. Applications for payments must be filed within two years after the burial. If the application is incomplete at the time it is originally submitted, VA is required to notify the applicant of the evidence necessary to complete the form. If such evidence is not received within a year from the date of notification, no allowance may be paid. Also, payment for some or all the cost of transporting veteran remains to a VA national cemetery may be reimbursed: If the death is related to a veteran service-connected disability, and the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery If the death was not related to a veteran’s service-connected disability and the veteran was hospitalized at a VA facility, or at a non-VA facility at VA expense, or under VA contracted nursing home care.The applicant can apply by filling out VA Form 21-530, Application for Burial Benefits and attach a copy of the veteran’s military discharge document (DD 214 or equivalent), death certificate, funeral and burial bills. The applicant must prove the burial expenses have been paid. Downloaded the form at vaforms. To obtain assistance in filing a claim, find an American Legion Department Service Officer at serviceofficersor call 202-861-2700.Presidential Memorial Certificates-- Presidential Memorial Certificates express the nation’s recognition of a veteran’s service. Certificates bearing the signature of the president are issued honoring deceased veterans with honorable discharges. Eligible recipients include next-of-kin and other loved ones. The award of a certificate to one eligible recipient does not preclude certificates to other eligible recipients. To establish honorable service, a copy of a document such as a discharge (form DD-214) must accompany requests for a certificate. A Presidential Memorial Certificate is issued when a headstone or grave marker is issued. If the certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, a new one may be issued if requested in writing. VA regional offices can assist in applying for original or replacement certificates. Arlington National Cemetery-- Arlington National Cemetery is under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army. Eligibility for burials is more limited than at other national cemeteries. For information on Arlington burials, write to Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA 22211, or call (877) 907-8585. Visit the website at arlingtoncemetery.mil. Military funeral honors-- As of Jan. 1, 2000, all eligible veterans, including military retirees, are entitled to military funeral honors. The funeral honors ceremony will include the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag and the playing of Taps. At least two uniformed military personnel, in addition to a bugler, if available, shall perform the ceremony. If a bugler is not available, a high-quality recording may be used. DoD has contracted for a ceremonial bugle that does not require a trained bugler. For information, visit . One of the uniformed military personnel will be from the deceased veteran’s parent military service and will present the flag to the next of kin. The military services may provide additional elements of honors and may use additional uniformed military personnel or other authorized providers, such as members of a veteran’s organization, to augment the funeral honors detail. The appropriate individual must request the funeral honors. DoD policy calls for funeral directors, rather than next-of-kin, to contact the military. This toll-free number, (877) 645-4667, has been set up for funeral directors. See dmdc.osd.mil/mfhfor details.IT IS WORLD SERIES TIMEThis is one of the best true stories you will ever read. Absolutely amazing! ?When baseball greats Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig went on tour in baseball-crazy Japan in 1934, some fans wondered why a?third-string catcher named Moe Berg was included. Although he played with five major-league teams from 1923 to 1939, he was a very mediocre ball player. But Moe was regarded as the brainiest ballplayer of all time. In fact, Casey Stengel once said: "That is the strangest man ever to play baseball."?When all the baseball stars went to Japan, Moe Berg went with them, and many people wondered why he went with "the team."?Lou ?Gehrig and Babe Ruth?The answer was simple:? Moe Berg was a United States spy, working undercover with the Office of Strategic Services (predecessor of today's CIA).?Moe spoke 15 languages - including Japanese. And he had two loves: baseball and spying.?In Tokyo, garbed in a kimono, Berg took flowers to the daughter of an American diplomat being treated in St. Luke's Hospital - the tallest building in the Japanese capital. He never delivered the flowers. The ball player ascended to the hospital roof and filmed key features: the harbor, military installations, railway yards, etc.Eight years later, General Jimmy Doolittle studied Berg's films in planning his spectacular raid on Tokyo.His father disapproved and never once watched his son play. In Barringer High School, Moe learned Latin, Greek and French.? Moe read at least 10 newspapers every day.?He graduated magna cum laude from Princeton - having added Spanish, Italian, German and Sanskrit to his linguistic quiver. During further studies at the Sorbonne in Paris and Columbia Law School, he picked up Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, Arabic, Portuguese and Hungarian - 15 languages in all, plus some regional dialects.?While playing baseball for Princeton University, Moe Berg would describe plays in Latin or Sanskrit.?During World War II, Moe was parachuted into Yugoslavia to assess the value to the war effort of the two groups of partisans there. He reported back that Marshall Tito's forces were widely supported by the people, and Winston Churchill ordered all-out support?for the Yugoslav underground fighter, rather than Mihajlovic's Serbians.? The parachute jump at age 41 undoubtedly was a challenge. But there was more to come in that same year. Berg penetrated German-held Norway, met with heavy-water plant - part of the Nazis' effort to build an atomic bomb.?His information guided the Royal Air Force in a bombing raid to destroy that plant.There still remained the question of how far had the Nazis progressed in the race to build the first Atomic bomb.? If the Nazis were successful, they would win the war. Berg (under the code name "Remus") was sent to Switzerland to hear leading German physicist Werner Heisenberg, a Nobel Laureate, lecture and to determine if the Nazis were close to building an A-bomb.? Moe managed to slip past the SS guards at the auditorium, posing as a Swiss graduate student. The spy carried in his pocket a pistol and a cyanide pill.?If the German physicist indicated the Nazis were close to building a weapon, Berg was to shoot him - and then swallow the cyanide pill.Moe, sitting in the front row, determined that the Germans were nowhere near their goal, so he complimented Heisenberg on his speech and walked him?back to his hotel.Moe Berg's report was distributed to Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and key figures in the team developing the Atomic Bomb. Roosevelt responded: "Give my regards to the catcher.”Most of Germany's leading physicists had been Jewish and had fled the Nazis mainly to Britain and the United States. After the war, Moe Berg was awarded the Medal of Freedom - America's highest honor for a civilian in wartime. But Berg refused to accept it because he couldn't tell people about his exploits.?After his death, his sister accepted the Medal. It now hangs in the Baseball Hall of Fame, in Cooperstown.Moe Berg's baseball card is the only card on display at the CIA Headquarters in Washington, DC.So, now you know the rest of the story. ................
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