Postings and Alerts
Gentlemen:
In today’s issue (Sun Jan 15) my hometown newspaper printed the attached story about an Army Captain, a chaplain, being awarded the Army’s fairly new Combat Action Badge. Please read the second sentence, second paragraph. Maybe I am over sensitive but that really galls my butt. The CAB is NOT THE EQUIVALENT OF THE CIB. Anyone who comes under fire – once – qualifies for the CAB. I know the article was written by some well-meaning but uninformed Public Affairs Officer but he needs to get it together. I did not earn my CIB and I’ll bet you didn’t either by defending an outpost one night, for one assault. I have already written a letter to the editor giving my view. I hope you will do the same. Please pass this on to any member you can and ask them to flood the Hickory Daily Record with letters making them aware that the CIB and CAB are not equals.
You can e-mail your letters to news@hickoryrecord.com or go to the paper’s website @ www.hickoryrecord.com and do it on line thru their website.
I really feel we need to make a statement on this.
Regards,
Larry, Blue Badge Editor
It should be noted that the CIB is to worn on the left side of a jacket or shirt and that no medal or badge is to be worn above the CIB. The CIB when worn properly is the single most honorable decoration we Infantrymen can receive and no medal, to include the MOH, DSC, Silver Star, Bronze Star or badges, i.e., jump wings is to be worn above the CIB. When I attend military functions or gatherings and see someone wearing the CIB I always ask where they earned the CIB and what their MOS was. Surprisingly, I’ve encountered some individuals who were unaware of the requirement for properly wearing the CIB. And on two occasions I’ve met three individuals wearing the CIB improperly who were phonies and had not earned it, needless to say, I asked them to remove it.
If each of us would pause for a moment and recall what we endured to earn the CIB, I’m sure each of us would want to properly wear the CIB with due respect and honor in which we earned it. Even now as an Army retiree and old grunt, I still wear my CIB proudly and with full respect for those that remember what it means to be INFANTRY.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully this information can be passed on to my fellow Infantrymen who read The Blue Badge. Wear the CIB with pride, you’ve earned it the hard way.
To Old Friend, Long Gone, But Not Forgotten
Bryan E. Middleton LM 1146
U.S. Army Retired
Vietnam 66-67
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ATTENTION NEW YORK STATE COMBAT INFANTRYMEN AWARDED THE PRESTIGIOUS COMBAT INFANTRY BADGE. YOU ARE AUTHORIZED TO PLACE THE ELITE NEW YORK STATE CIB PLATE ON YOUR AUTOMOBILE
Download the application and fill it out completely. Attach your DD-214 or orders showing award of the CIB. Include your check or money order and mail to: New York State CIA Division Commander,Mr. Perry Marchigiani, 221 Dunwoodie ST. Yonkers, NY 10704 Tele # 914-760-3670
Perry will approve the application if everything is correct and then forward on to the agency. (note-you are not required to be a member of our association in order to receive this plate however the New York Division Commander must approve the application before it is accepted by the agency)
Download Form Here
warriorweekend.com (Their Web Site Home Page is also listed on the Links Page)
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Subject: Kansas Bill HB 2132
My name is John Hien and I simply want to make you aware of Kansas bill HB 2132 making it’s way through the Kansas legislature. Please….take time to read……If you agree with what Kansas is doing, then do nothing. However, if you disagree, please do what you believe is appropriate…….
Who Am I?
I served in Vietnam from Jan. ’67 to Aug. ’68, for a total of 18 months, with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (11 ACR), mostly with H Co. on an M-48 tank. I was wounded early in my tour on Operation Junction City and received a Purple Heart. I, along with (2) other crewmen, extended our tour of duty an add’l 6 months because we became so close. Our tank commander, Ssgt. John Ortiz, was KIA while I was on leave for extending my tour of duty and I didn’t learn of his death until I returned.
What is Kansas bill HB 2132?
See attachments for reference…..
In the original version of HB 2132, dated 1/31/2011, passed by the Kansas House of Representatives, it provided ‘Gold Star Family’ license plates to immediate family members. However, a provision in the bill allowed ‘Next of Kin’ families to also obtain ‘Gold Star Family’ plates. As I’m sure you’re aware, ‘Gold Star’ status is traditionally awarded to a service person whose life is taken in combat. ‘Next of Kin’ status is awarded to any service person who dies while on active duty, regardless of circumstances. Kansas Representative Melanie Meier went so far as to testify “….those killed non-combat are also Gold Star…”, which I think is valid only if the death occurred in a combat zone. Ms. Diana Pitts, the President of the NE Kansas chapter of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. also testified, stating “DoD does not differentiate between KIA and Non-Combat deaths any longer”, which I’m sure you’re aware is false.
My interpretation of ‘Next of Kin’, since circumstances are not considered, would include a service person who died while on routine duty, in a training accident, and even due to irresponsible behavior…..cause of death is not a consideration for ‘Next of Kin’ status. Is this the legacy that should be attached to ‘Gold Star’?
I was quite upset when I learned ‘Gold Star’ and ‘Next of Kin’ would be lumped together. Another way of looking at it would be to add the names of all service persons who died while on active duty during the Vietnam war, regardless of circumstances or where served, to the Vietnam war memorial. This is not the legacy of what ‘Gold Star’ stands for.
Opponents of the original version of HB 2132 included:
….Judith Dietz (her father is Psgt. Glenn Nicholson, KIA May 5, 1968)
……..Judith can reached at: jadietz@cox.net
….Antoinette Ortiz-Colon (her father, Sgt. John Ortiz, was KIA January 17, 1968…..Sgt. Ortiz was my Tank commander)
……..Antoinette can be reached at: ymtoni_C@hotmail.com
Judith and Antoinette traveled a long distance at their own expense to testify because they felt so strongly against HB 2132.
The original version of HB 2132 was revised 3/16/2011 by the Kansas Committee on Transportation. The bill will now provide ‘Families Of The Fallen’ license plates and will have a gold star design printed on the plate. This version of HB 2132 again lumps together ‘Gold Star’ and ‘Next of Kin’, significantly detracting ‘Gold Star’ legacy.
Addional Information
See instructions on ‘DD FORM 3 FEB 2000′ for ‘Gold Star Lapel Button’ qualification.
See ‘Federal Code of Regulations, Title 32, Volume 3, Chapter V, Part 578 – Medals, Ribbons, and Similar Devices’ for add’l info concerning ‘Gold Star’ and ‘Next of Kin’.
See website: http://www.goldstarmoms.com/Join/GoldStarPin/GettingYourGoldStarPin.htm for add’l info concerning ‘Gold Star’ and ‘Next of Kin’ status.
See website: http://h-co.freehomepage.com/index.htm
The home page shows Psgt. Glenn Nicholson speaking to (2) or (3) others near the rear of the tank. His sergeant strips are clearly visible.
I’m bending over on the rear deck of the tank.
‘Photo Album 2′ shows a picture of Sgt John Ortiz.
Photo Album 3′ are pictures I took.
Lastly, you can contact me at the info below under my name.
Thanks in advance,
John Hien
4215 S. Burrell St.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
Home Ph: 414-744-6318
E-Mail: jkhien@att.net
(formerly H/2/11 ACR)
(Vietnam ’67-’68)
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UPDATE
Subject: VA OFFICE OF SECURITY & LAW ENFORCEMENT
The following is an advisory sent out by the National Guard Bureau (NGB) in reference to a group called “Veterans Affairs Services”.
An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information VA and gathering personal information on veterans. This organization is not affiliated with the VA in any way. Websites with the name “VA services” immediately after with the “www” ARE NOT part of the Department of Veterans Affairs; the real VA website in .gov. If approached or called, do not offer them any information concerning yourself or data on other veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not randomly call veterans; no does it ask veterans for information which it does not already have. If you have not dealt with the VA previously and in person, then you receive a call from someone saying they are with the VA or something similar sounding, hang up the phone. Do not respond to emails which suggest that they are from the VA. The VA never conducts official business nor asks for personal information by email.
VAS may be gaining access to military personnel through their close resemblance to the VA name and seal. NGB legal Counsel has requested that the NGB Provost Marshal Office coordinate with DOD to inform military installations, particularly mobilization sites, of the group and their lack of affiliation or endorsement by the VA to provide any services.
Glenn Thurmond
okadmin@vfwokwebcom.org
An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA and gathering personal information on veterans.
This organization is not affiliated with VA in any way.
http://www.vaservices.org/us/index.html
VAS may be gaining access to military personnel through their close resemblance to the VA name and seal. Our Legal Counsel has requested that we coordinate with DoD to inform military installations, particularly mobilization sites, of this group and their lack of affiliation or endorsement by VA to provide any services. In addition, GC requests that if you have any examples of VAS acts that violate chapter 59 of Title 38 United States Code, such as VAS employees assisting veterans in the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits, please pass any additional information to Mr.Daugherty at the address below.
Michael G. Daugherty
Staff Attorney
Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of General Counsel (022G2
To all you soldiers, yeah its Rama. Well I am on Together We Served, and its a good soldier network. Great way to keep in touch. And just so you guys know its me, Stay Frosty, Rama ‘Toulon-Rouge’ ToulonEstablished in 2008 and now home to several hundred thousand Army Members, ATWS was specially created to enable Soldiers, of all eras, the opportunity to reconnect with those they served with, share in the camaraderie of other Soldiers and record their Army Service in the most comprehensive and accurate format available. Possibly the finest presentation of a military service available anywhere, a special “Shadow Box View” of your Army service is available to you as soon as you join.
Recruiting Bonus for first 9 months of 2011
Beginning 1 January 2011 and continuing until 30 September 2011 a record shall be maintained for each Divisions newly recruited members. Only new members recruited by the Division and mailed to the Associate Finance Officer shall be accepted,Free members are included. Not included are transfers and members recruited by National.Bonus for 1st place-1000.00 2nd place-800.00 3rd place-700.00. The presentation of the winners shall take place at the National Convention at Myrtle Beach and the Commander or his designated representative must be present to win.
Electronically Signed
Earl W Kennedy/CO
IMPORTANT:
Cell Phone Numbers Go Public. All cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS (depending on our provider and your plan) To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222.
It is the National DO NOT CALL list It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.
HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON. It takes about 20 seconds https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx
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ONCE AGAIN FRAUD /SCAMS GET EXPOSED BY OUR MAN IN TEXAS
THANKS RICK
You need to know more about the American War Library (AWL), a long time fraud that has been circulating for years with all kinds of aliases used by Phill Coleman, the main man behind the AWL.
Rick
PS: Read more at: http://skamarakas.com/jim/2008/04/01/is-the-american-war-library-a-scam-or-fraud
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Is The American War Library a Scam or Fraud
US Veterans be wary. When you come across The American War Library (AWL) http://www.amervets.com you see a long list of links and web resources. One of the items they provide is information to help you determine your military service authorized awards. How do they do this: By asking you to send them some confidential documents with all of your personal information. From this, they will send you a response.
But why would this private organization want this material? Do they sell it? Do they use it for marketing products or services? Are you at risk for identify theft if you deal with The American War Library?
The American War Library
16907 Brighton Avenue
Gardena CA 90247-5420
Telephone/Telecopier 1-310-532-0634
On their front page, there is a list of links, several of which are broken, not a good impression for their front page. A store front with a broken door off its hinges does not impress new customers or visitors.
Their email and contact information is to a dot com domain, and a local mailing address. No affiliation can be determined from that information. And just what exactly is a Form 201-A that I would want one, and then once I have it, staple it to the back of my DD-214?
What next? Why let’s call them on the phone, and ask the tough questions. What happens? They hang up. Several calls get the same response or an answer and hang up.
Why hang up when someone asks a simple question – “Can you verify my military record and help me get my DD-214?”
Of course the answer to that is no. Military records must be requested directly by the individual and by contacting the US Government. Not a private company selling replica certificates. Perhaps a few fixes to the website, a security statement, and someone who answers the phone who can verify the integrity of this operation would be helpful. Until then, I would be leery of this outfit. Too many questions in a society of people just itching to gather your personal information for an arms length list of reasons. Let alone sending a stranger your name, date of birth, social security number and previous and current home address.
The view expressed in this article are those of a concerned veteran; and are not necessarily that of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association