Written by Todd DePastino The history of the Pledge of Allegiance begins with the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), the nation's first veterans organization, and winds through World War II, when the hand-over-heart salute was mandated, and the Cold War, when "under God" was added. The goal, always, was civic unity. But under
Written by Todd DePastino For generations, we thought we knew who wrote the American Pledge of Allegiance. Baptist minister Francis Bellamy claimed and was awarded credit for composing the 22-word classroom oath (made 23 words by adding a second "to" before "the Republic") that first appeared in the popular weekly The Youth’s Companion on
Written by John Duresky After we ran our VBC Magazine piece asking “When is V-J Day?” I heard from historian John Duresky, co-author (with David Britt) of Relentless Hope: A True Story of War and Survival about Bataan Death March survivor Chester Britt. John noticed the radio in our V-J Day photo from 1945
Written by Todd DePastino Retired Navy Captain Bill Dempsey recently recalled to me a horrific fire on September 24, 1965 at a US Navy signals collection site in Kamiseya, Japan, that killed twelve Americans. I'd not heard of the tragedy, but Bill's story and the 60th anniversary of it prompted me to learn more and
On the morning of May 25, 1990, Major Archie E. “Gene” Stuart lifted the nose of his F-16A Fighting Falcon off the runway at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia. It was Memorial Day weekend, a clear-sky Friday, and he was leading a two-ship low-level training mission to Florida’s Lake George weapons range.
On July 20, 2025, the Air Force reported that Airman Brayden Lovan, 21, died at F.E. Warren AFB when an M18 spontaneously discharged while he was on duty with the 90th Security Forces Squadron. Days later, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) paused M18 use command-wide, ordered 100% inspections, and shifted to rifles while
