Tuesday, December 2, 2008
VFW and Post 177 remembers Veterans Day
The Fairfax VFW Post and the American Legion held a joint ceremony at Post 177 to remember our country's veterans on the weekend before the official Veterans Day, Nov. 11th. It was a great patriotic day that was held on Saturday. There was a large turnout of Boys Scouts who had come to be part of the Flag Retirement Program. Citizens from the community also came to join in the ceremony. Officials from Fairfax City, including the Mayor, were on hand to speak and help retire flags with VFW and Legion members. The VFW commander had the idea to hold this event because he thought the country was getting away from knowing the true meaning of Veterans Day. It was fitting that the VFW and Post 177 join forces to start a new tradition in the City that will become an annual event. The police provided an honor guard and the fire department provided equipment and a fire prevention unit. The NRA came with a display of Civil War sharpshooter weapons that grew a lot interest during afternoon. Veterans from local retirement homes were treated to a mid-day lunch. They all seem to enjoy being honored for their service. Thanks to everyone who helped plan and carry out this much needed project.
Did You Know Department? Fairfax City History
German POW camp in Fairfax County
Did you know that in 1945 there were 1,200 German POWs camped near where Wagmen's is today near Fairfax City? The actual number of German prisoners is still classified; however, that was an estimate made at the time. The Germans lived in tents. The American guards also lived in tents since the Genva Convention requried that the captors had to live and eat like the enemy POWs. The U.S. military lived up to the letter of the convention rules in hopes the enemy would do the same; however, records showed after the war that both Japan and Germany disregarded the rules allowing Allied POWs to live in terrible conditions. The files at the Fairfax camp showed that only 15% of the prisoners were actually German. These soldiers had been forced into the army from all over Europe including parts of Asia. A report showed that when Army units started capturing "German" soldiers in Europe, the prisoners were found to be from 40 different countries. These soldiers were forced to fight in the German army or they would have been shot on the spot. The camp remained in Fairfax well after the war because the US Army did not want masses of former soliders coming back to Europe at one time. Finally, the camp was closed in 1946.
Gift to Fairfax WWII Veterans
Did you know that local businessman, Amos Chilcott, wanted to donate the entire city block to the newly formed American Legion Post. Officers of the Post only wanted the plot that is now part of the Legion property--- about half of the land offered by Mr. Chilcott This plot was worth in 1946 dollars over a million dollars. The Little League ballfield called Chilcott Field would be leased to the Fairfax Little League for $1.00 per year. The lease renewed this year for $1.00. Each year on Memorial Day, Legion members pay their respects where Amos is buried in the city cemetery almost within sight of the Post property.
Did you know that in 1945 there were 1,200 German POWs camped near where Wagmen's is today near Fairfax City? The actual number of German prisoners is still classified; however, that was an estimate made at the time. The Germans lived in tents. The American guards also lived in tents since the Genva Convention requried that the captors had to live and eat like the enemy POWs. The U.S. military lived up to the letter of the convention rules in hopes the enemy would do the same; however, records showed after the war that both Japan and Germany disregarded the rules allowing Allied POWs to live in terrible conditions. The files at the Fairfax camp showed that only 15% of the prisoners were actually German. These soldiers had been forced into the army from all over Europe including parts of Asia. A report showed that when Army units started capturing "German" soldiers in Europe, the prisoners were found to be from 40 different countries. These soldiers were forced to fight in the German army or they would have been shot on the spot. The camp remained in Fairfax well after the war because the US Army did not want masses of former soliders coming back to Europe at one time. Finally, the camp was closed in 1946.
Gift to Fairfax WWII Veterans
Did you know that local businessman, Amos Chilcott, wanted to donate the entire city block to the newly formed American Legion Post. Officers of the Post only wanted the plot that is now part of the Legion property--- about half of the land offered by Mr. Chilcott This plot was worth in 1946 dollars over a million dollars. The Little League ballfield called Chilcott Field would be leased to the Fairfax Little League for $1.00 per year. The lease renewed this year for $1.00. Each year on Memorial Day, Legion members pay their respects where Amos is buried in the city cemetery almost within sight of the Post property.
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Swamp Fox fights the Britsih
While on vacation exploring the outer islands near Charleston during the Thanksgiving Holidays, my wife and I learned more about the legendary American commander called the the Swamp Fox. His name is Marion Francis. He wrote the book on hit and run warfare fighting the British in swamps along the Carolina delta region. Badly outnumbered, the Americans came up with unique ways to fight their powerful enemy.
We came upon one of the forts "The Fox" and his men took from a 126- man British force guarding the Santee River that cuts through the state ending up at the Atlantic Ocean. For a number of days, the British would not surrender even though the Americans had surrounded the fort and cut off their supplies. Living on rations inside the fort, the British commander refused to give up the fort. The Americans got tired of the stand off. Taking a page from early military history, they built a high tower out of logs from the surrounding forest. Sharpshooters began firing down on the hapless British garrison from their commanding position. Soon, the white flags could be seen as the British gave up. Now supplies could be cut off to the British army in a camp up river in Camden, S.C. Google- The Swamp Fox, Marion Francis
We came upon one of the forts "The Fox" and his men took from a 126- man British force guarding the Santee River that cuts through the state ending up at the Atlantic Ocean. For a number of days, the British would not surrender even though the Americans had surrounded the fort and cut off their supplies. Living on rations inside the fort, the British commander refused to give up the fort. The Americans got tired of the stand off. Taking a page from early military history, they built a high tower out of logs from the surrounding forest. Sharpshooters began firing down on the hapless British garrison from their commanding position. Soon, the white flags could be seen as the British gave up. Now supplies could be cut off to the British army in a camp up river in Camden, S.C. Google- The Swamp Fox, Marion Francis
Post 177 sends special gifts to Iraq at Christmas
Like last year, Post 177 is sending Christmas stockings to the troops in Iraq. These stockings are unique because they are made out of the field uniforms representing each service. The stockings have a label printed showing the Branch of Service that goes with the uniform designs. Last year, the shipment went in the same transport plane carrying members of the Joint Chief of Staff who were visiting the troops during the Christmas Holidays. The stockings contain goodies that will be a reminder of Christmas back home. The Post hopes to keep up this great tradition that will always remember our men and women who are overseas away from their families serving our country. The Post newsletter will have more details about this project.
Pearl Harbor- An Update
"
Again, America will remember Pearl Harbor, or at least some of us will since fewer and fewer newspapers and TV networks are remembering this very important date in our history. Now, "Remember 9/11" has joined "Remember Pearl Harbor" as a battle cry for a new generation going to war. Many of the young men and women who are fighting for our freedom in the Middle East volunteered after 9/11 to fight terrorism.
Another group of veterans are remembering Pearl Harbor in a very unique way. These veterans are survivors of the USS Arizona. They have requested to be buried with their shipmates who died on December 7, 1945. Park Service divers are taking the ashes of these veterans down into the sunken hulk of the "Arizona". More and more veterans have asked their families to make the arrangements so they can be with their shipmates. Many of the veterans lost friends that day. Now they can be with them forever as one family member recalled as they watched the divers drop below the waters at Pearl Harbor with the ashes a loved one.
Again, America will remember Pearl Harbor, or at least some of us will since fewer and fewer newspapers and TV networks are remembering this very important date in our history. Now, "Remember 9/11" has joined "Remember Pearl Harbor" as a battle cry for a new generation going to war. Many of the young men and women who are fighting for our freedom in the Middle East volunteered after 9/11 to fight terrorism.
Another group of veterans are remembering Pearl Harbor in a very unique way. These veterans are survivors of the USS Arizona. They have requested to be buried with their shipmates who died on December 7, 1945. Park Service divers are taking the ashes of these veterans down into the sunken hulk of the "Arizona". More and more veterans have asked their families to make the arrangements so they can be with their shipmates. Many of the veterans lost friends that day. Now they can be with them forever as one family member recalled as they watched the divers drop below the waters at Pearl Harbor with the ashes a loved one.
Special Credit for Blog
Special Thanks: Thanks to Bob Sussan, Post Commander, for helping me create this Blog and to Dean Strong, 3rd Vice Commander, for his hard work maintaining our Post website and for setting up a link to my Blog.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
SPECIAL MISSION FOR THE SUBMARINE USS OHIO
- The guided missile submarine, USS Ohio, surfaced somewhere in the Pacific near Guam. A young submariner walked out on the deck . He said a prayer and dropped a container into the water. The container was filled with ashes of his grandfather who had served on the USS Indianapolis when the she was sunk in July, 1945. The Indy, as she was lovely called, by her proud crew made history. She had delivered the first atomic bomb to an airbase in the Pacific. The Indy's next port- of- call was at Guam. In a few days, she was on her way to the Philippines. Fate would cross her course when a Japanese submarine was returning to Japan . The sub's captain saw a large warship in the moonlight without escort. After a torpedo attack, the Indy went down below the waves in less than 12 minutes carrying about 800 crewmen to their deaths. Only about 350 seamen were rescued after spending days in the water. In another twist of fate, the war ended two weeks later in the Pacific when two atom bombs were dropped on Japan.
The old Navy veteran had told his family he wanted to be buried with his shipmates. He said he would then be at peace after that day in July, 1945. His grandson happened to be serving on the USS Ohio when the veteran passed away this year. Never thinking his request would get very far, he put in his unique request through Navy channels to have his grandfather's ashes buried at sea. To his surprise, the Navy granted his request. At the very spot where the Indianapolis was sunk the old veteran's wish would come true.
Google- The history of USS Indianapolis
Note: I had a personal interest in this story since my father's ship, the USS Chourre, was only two days behind the Indianapolis on the same course. He recalled that the ship's captain told him and the crew they would be taking part in a search and rescue mission. He went on to tell them a large U.S. warship had been reported missing in the area.
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