By Bob Von Bargen Few veterans today remember the phrase "purple suit." I was reminded of that recently after giving a presentation on the origins of Armed Forces Day. At the end, I asked the audience whether anyone remembered the expression. No one did. That surprised me because, for many of us, "putting on
Photos by Ed Zirkle For the second year in a row, photographer Ed Zirkle kindly traveled from Ohio to capture the action and great spirit of our Veterans Breakfast Club celebration at the Rivers Casino. This year, we had a brief lesson in Bosun's Piping, some discussion of the Korean War and subsequent defenders
Written by Todd DePastino The United States Coast Guard celebrates August 4 as its birthday. On that day in 1790, the very first United States Congress under the new US Constitution approved a sprawling piece of legislation with a wordy title to match: “An Act to provide more effectually for the collection of the
Photos by Gary Yon Rarely do we post photos of our recent VBC storytelling events, but, then again, we don't usually have a photographer of Gary Yon's caliber taking them. Gary joined us once again at Grist House Brewing in Millville, PA, near Pittsburgh, for our annual VBC Burgers & Craft Beer event. Gary's
written by Todd DePastino Happy 95th Birthday to Popeye, one of the few Americans to serve in four branches of service (Merchant Marine, Coast Guard, Navy, and, yes, Army--more on that below). He was also at once the toughest and most tender-hearted of cartoon characters. He overcame a one-eye disability, a serious
Written by Shaun HallBetween Enlisted and regular Officers sits a strange thing called a "Warrant Officer." Warrant Officers get saluted and are called "sir," but they have their own pay grades and do not receive their rank by commission . . . unless they're "Commissioned Warrant Officers." Shaun Hall breaks it all down below.What Military
