Stolen Valor Act Thrown Out

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Roger Young

Supreme Court: Lying about military medals is protected by Constitution – The Washington Post – 28 Jun 2012

Full text of Supreme Court Decision

Vets respond to court overturning Stolen Valor – ArmyTimes – 1 Jul 12

 

Posted in Articles of Interest | 4 Comments

U.S. Army Aviation in Vietnam

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Roger Young

My son Paul and his wife Melodie got me this book, “U.S. Army Aviation in Vietnam” by Wayne Mutza for Father’s Day.

Has great pictures and nose art covering all Army choppers and fixed-wing aircraft used during the war. It came out in 2009 by “Squadron/Signal Publications.”  80-pages with approximately 200 photos.

It is available on Amazon here  – Bear

by Wayne Mutza

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Memorial Dedication Honoring Steve Goelz

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Roger Young

Fellow Spurs, this in today via e-mail, an upcoming Memorial Dedication in honor of fallen Spur, WO1 Steve Goelz who was KIA on 24 Feb 71. – Bear

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A memorial dedication honoring Steve Goelz will be held at the park in Morton, MN on the 4th of July. PGR member and Marshall Sector ARC Dave Mude has put alot of time and effort into making this memorial possible. He spearheaded the effort to place this memorial and your presence would be more than appreciated by Dave and the people of Morton. Dave will be the speaker.

Steve Goelz was born August 15 1949 to John Lawrence and Virginia Goelz. He attended Morton High School and entered the Army on July 26, 1969. He married Judith Kohout on August 15, 1970 and left for Vietnam on August 29 of the same year. On February 24, 1971, Steve lost his life when the helicopter he was flying was shot down.

Stage: 10:00 – 10:30  BP station at the intersection of Hwy 19 and US 71 on the west edge of Morton.                                  

400 Kokesh Dr, Morton, MN 56270

Briefing: Approximately 10:45

Dismiss:  About 11:30.  Refreshments and food will be available in the park after the ceremony.

P.S. There will be a parade in Morton starting at 10:00. If you’re coming from the east on hwy 19 be aware of children and pedestrians.

Chris Dunsmore

Marshall Sector Ride Captain
Minnesota Patriot Guard

marshallrc@mnpatriotguard.org

Posted in Upcoming Events | 5 Comments

CBS News Footage on Silver Spurs

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Roger Young

Thanks to Spur 37, Morgan Miller, news footage of the Silver Spurs while based at Quan Loi and operating inside Cambodia. The Spur portion from CBS News was taken in 1971.

CBS Spur footage begins at the 2:10 mark in the video below – Bear

Posted in Feature Stories, Movies/Documentary | Tagged | 3 Comments

June 4-7 1942: Battle of Midway

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Roger Young

This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway, June 4-7 1942-2012. Thanks to collective efforts from code-breakers, Sailors, Marines, and pilots, Americans successfully out-smarted the Japanese and changed the tide of the war in the Pacific during WWII.

Washington Times video:

Posted in Feature Stories | 1 Comment

Video: Thank You For Your Service

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Roger Young

I’ve received the following video from many of my fellow veterans so thought I should include it here on our Spur blog, but have some mixed emotions myself.

It would have meant far more to me 42 years ago.  What say you?  [I’ve elaborated further in the comment section] – Bear

Posted in Articles of Interest | 4 Comments

WWII Bombers over Arizona Landscape

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Roger Young

Description of video below:

SaberCat1 filming in HD the B17 and the B25 WWII Bombers over and around Arizona’s Superstition Mountains and Saguaro Lake. H5 Productions, in conjunction with The Commemorative Air Force filmed these aircraft during the Veterans Day Celebration on Saturday, November 13th, 2010. The B17 Bomber was flown by pilot Russ Gilmore and the B25 Bomber was flown by pilot Spike McLane. The base for these bombers is Falcon Field located in Mesa, Arizona. SaberCat1 pilot, Mitch Kelldorf. SaberCat1 aerial cinematographer, Mike Murray. Editor, Mike Murray.

 

Posted in Movies/Documentary | 1 Comment

Silver Spur 15Feb71 AAR

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Roger Young

15 Feb 71 was a tough day for the Spurs. Thanks to Spur Ed Kictarek, we now have more detailed information posted regarding that tragic day that claimed the life of Tagipo Tauala, our Kit Carson Scout Dinh, and a few days later Cpt Robert Decelle II from injuries he received on 15Feb71.

 Ed’s report is now posted at:

 http://northwestvets.com/spurs/SilverSpurAAR_15Feb71.pdf

 
Bear
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Vietnam War Photo Collections

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Roger Young

Photos: A Look Back at the Vietnam War on the 35th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon – Denver Post – 30 Apr 2010

Photographer Collection: Horst Faas in Vietnam – Denver Post – 15 May 2012

 

Courtesy of Buzz Dennison

 

 

Posted in Feature Stories | Tagged | 4 Comments

Today is Memorial Day

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Roger Young

Memorial Day Video: 

Never Forgotten…

 2012 Silver Spur Reunion Memorial Service

Produced by John “Waldo” Pepper – Silver Spur Guns

Spur President’s Memorial Day Message

Memorial Day 2012:

As we approach Memorial day again, I am preparing the 100 flags at half mast that will line the driveway of my church to remind the younger generation of the sacrifice of the American soldier.

I’m tired of seeing ads selling crap as a “Memorial Day” sale without any reference to what the day means. As veterans, we know what that day means more than the public. But, we a small majority compared to the population of this nation.

The progressive school system hardly teaches American history anymore not even mentioning Memorial Day history or it’s significance.

What are you going to do brothers to help promote Memorial Day in this country once again? Hardly any business will take the time to place their flag at half mast and in most cases don’t even fly the American flag.

Next time you ride by a financial institution such as a bank look to see if they are flying the flag. Probably not.

I challenge you as you honor your brothers on Monday the 28th at 3:00 pm, take three minutes with your family, friends and co-workers and honor those sacrifices in silence or a prayer thanking God for them.

Pass the word and fly your flag Memorial Day weekend. And if possible, fly your flag at half mast from sunrise to 12 noon.

I love you brothers.

JOHN “WALDO” PEPPER
Silver Spur Guns – Spur President

Articles of Interest 

Opinion: Every day needs to be Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day By Kerry Patton, Disabled Veteran – 24 May 2012

 

President Obama at the Wall, May 28th 2012

Spur ARPs, courtesy of Buzz Dennison

Posted in Feature Stories | Tagged | 3 Comments

2012 Spur Reunion Pics

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Roger Young

Thanks to John Briggs, he took & gathered other photos from fellow Spurs and I’ve put them together in a slide show for all to enjoy – Bear

Posted in Feature Stories | 8 Comments

The Eagle Cried ~ Vietnam Veterans Tribute

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Roger Young

I want to thank fellow Spur, Pat Ramsey, for bringing this powerful video to my attention. Here’s the background on the YouTube video:

“The Eagle Cried” Written and recorded by US Army Major J Billington. This song was written in honor of the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans, who did not receive the hero’s welcome that they deserved when they came home from the fight. This song was written for and performed at the 13th Combat Aviation Battalion Reunion at Fort Rucker, Alabama, held on May 15, 2010. To the Vietnam veterans that may find and watch this video, please accept my humble “Thank you for your service, and welcome home!” J Billington May 19, 2010

 

Posted in Movies/Documentary | 4 Comments

Military Pay Tables

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Roger Young

Want to recall how you earned the “big bucks” when you went into the service back in the 60’s? Thanks to Mike Billow, Spur 38, he found a DoD site that provides that information from 1949 – 2012:

Military Pay Tables – 1949 to 2012 

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Train A Dog, Save A Warrior Program

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Roger Young

Brought to our attention by Bill McCalister, Spur 24:

PDF: Flier

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2012 Spur Reunion Video – Revised

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Roger Young

Revised video from our 2012 Silver Spur reunion in Nashville, TN. which now includes the still photos and text I had originally inserted and were somehow compressed in the first YouTube upload.

Video provided by fellow Spur, John Briggs, still images courtesy of fellow Spur, John “Waldo” Pepper. Run time is approximately 35 minutes. – Bear

Related:

2012 Reunion After-action Report by John Briggs

2012 Reunion Pictures

Spur Reunion Page – News & contact information

 

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