Jay County Heroes, Veteran's Day November 11th 2010

We at WPGW would like to recognize our Jay County Heroes.  These Heroes gave their lives to serve and protect our country during times of war and conflict.  These names will be presented in a special ceremony at Freedom Park in Portland on Veteran's Day Novemeber 11th at 10 a.m.

We salute all our soldiers in uniform who have sacrificed so much for so little. Thank you for everything you've done for your families, your hometowns, and your country. Listen to the WPGW Breakfast Club on Veteran's Day November 11th for a very special broadcast as we recognize our veterans here in Jay County with a special show just for them. A big thanks to the folks at Ponderosa Steakhouse for allowing us to invite our Jay County Veterans for breakfast, and helping us give something back to the men and women who have served to keep America free.

 
Graphics from www.wikipedia.com.  Click on the graphics to see official sites of these branches.

Rare Facts and Events of the U.S. Military
Provided by Roy Leverich of Portland, U.S. Navy (Ret)

At one time, every boy scout was required to know Morse Code; a series of dots and dashes for letters and numbers. (Don’t confuse this with Datsun dashes. We’re not running quick errands here in a small car.) And until 1992 all new ham radio operators were required by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) to know Morse Code. Certain Navy & Coast Guard communications technicians must remain proficient for ship-to-ship blinker light transmissions. In 1990, over 10,000 code messages were sent/received by the U.S. Coast Guard station at Chesapeake, Virginia. This fell to only two in the Coast Guard Morse Code message from a Comm. Station in Guam, thus ending this nation’s transmitting or receiving of high seas distress signals in code. At $30,000 per vessel, all U.S. flagged passenger ships and any freighter over 300 tons are now required to have automated distress capabilities linked to a satellite system monitored by the Coast Guard in (of all places) Martinsburg, West Virginia.

The largest U.S. navel ammunition depot in the U.S., covering 110 square miles and containing an incredible 1,600 storage bunkers for live ammo, is located 35 miles southwest of Bloomington, Indiana. It’s also the only national site for extracting deadly white phosphorous from old munitions, which is then converted into phosphoric acid.

As of December 2008, six states have naval militias; Alaska, California, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas. All, except Ohio, maintain small armed vessels. New York has the most members at 6,500 and Ohio, with a rear admiral in charge, the least at 30. Also, the Ohio Naval Militia is the only one that can not be called into federal service. All six states continue to have minor jurisdiction and authority conflicts with the U.S. Coast Guard.

In regards, to the Secretary of the Navy, a fast food chain (Burger King) has been promoting a “cup of Joe” in it’s restaurants. Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy from 1913 to 1921, established General Oder 99 on June 1^st, 1914 banning all alcoholic beverages aboard ship; replacing it with coffee. A near mutiny insued as the sailors, in a negative salute, would have a “cup of joe” (I doubt if the Burger Kind headquarters or the general public are aware of this Navy connection.)

Nor is the public aware the second largest U.S. Naval base during the Civil War (1861-1865) was located at Cairo Illinois. And be informed, Civil War General Ambrose E. Burnsides, born south of Richmond in Liberty, Indiana was known for the bushy hair in front of his ears. We reversed his name and now sideburns are part of the English Language.

For those who are not scholars of military history and prefer total escape that may prove difficult. Indiana is laced with constant reminders. Of our 92 counties, at least 34 have namesakes of past warriors: 14 generals, 6 colonels, 8 captains, 2 commodores, 2 majors, and 2 sergeants.