History

Jul

Unique bill ensures Canadians honour Korean War Veterans on July 27, forever

July 27, 2014 By Helena Kaufman

Senator Yonah Martin

“I owe my life to all those who served and sacrificed in the Korean War,” said Senator Yonah Martin. “The passage of this Bill is one more way of ensuring that future generations remember and honour the sacrifices made by our Canadian Veterans.”

In the spirit of MilSuccessNet’s “HUA” mission, we Hear, Understand and Acknowledge the work behind Canada’s enacting of the Korean War Veteran’s Day, observed annually on July 27.

In 2013, a praiseworthy cooperation across party lines and agendas in the Government of Canada, made it so! Royal Assent of Bill S-213: An Act Respecting a National Day of Remembrance in Honour of Veterans of the Korean War enacted the day.

“It is the first War Veteran Act of its kind in the world outside the USA. The importance of this is that the government of the day will be forever obligated to honour the contribution and existence of Canada’s veterans who served during the Korean War,” said Senator Martin during an interview a year ago with MilSuccessNet.

Speaking with veterans at KVA AGM 2014

2014 marks the 2nd annual celebration of the contribution of Canadian men and women in uniform who came to the aid of South Koreans during the Korean War. It ensures that their service and sacrifices are never forgotten.

So, first.. to the Veterans and their contributions in Korea…. [Read more…]

Dec

Pearl Harbor and the Greatest Generation remembered

December 7, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

Military Success Network marks the 72nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor alongside the living memorials to that day.

The veterans who survived and their stories now inform today’s great generation. Below is the basic story and then just two of the opportunities to consider the future based on the lessons glimpsed in the art and video links offered below.

December 7, 1941 was the day of the surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor and catapulted America into war.

USS Shaw Explodes at Pearl Harbor

In “Operation Hawaii” the Japanese struck a major tactical victory in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Their action was planned to prevent the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with military actions the Empire of Japan intended to carry out in Southeast Asia against the overseas territories of the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. [Read more…]

Nov

Dan Cooper’s Thanksgiving flight of fancy

November 24, 2013 By Marius Tecoanta

On November 24, 1971, Dan Cooper a.k.a. D. B. Cooper purchased a one way ticket from Portland, Oregon to Seattle. This name was actually just a cover as part of this enterprising gentleman’s plan for an unusually memorable Thanksgiving for himself.

1972 F.B.I. composite drawing of D. B. Cooper

No strict security screenings existed at the airports 41 years ago. Passengers and their carry-on baggage screening only began in 1973. Thus, Cooper had no difficulty in bringing on board a bag containing a contraption with wires and cylinders that looked like or could have been an explosive device. [Read more…]

Sep

Emily Carr closes to honor resilience and reconciliation process in Canada

September 20, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

It’s not generally expected that the topic of resilience and the discussion of trauma will shut down an entire organization. Yet, in Vancouver on September 20, 2013 one school – The Emily Carr University of Art & Design will – do exactly that.

This post is about:

An arts community’s support of healing in trauma
Emily Carr University of Art & Design’s participation in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Canada)
Aboriginal* Gathering Place at Emily Carr

* Canadians now refer to the original peoples of the continent, which you and I grew up calling Indians, and then aboriginals, as 1st Nations. On this part of the continent it is most correct both politically and culturally.

The institute is closing down to honour its Aboriginal constituents, [Read more…]

Sep

Star Spangled Banner written this day in 1814

September 13, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

It’s Friday the 13th but our day here at base camp MilSuccessNet ‘unfurls’ magnificently today in full and glorious color and in tune!

Francis Scott Key

It is the day that inspired the man who wrote the lyrics to The Star Spangled Banner. Francis Scott Key, a poet and a lawyer, penned the famous stanzas in 1814.

His words added to the beautiful tune, stir tremendous loyalty. The notes that follow were taken directly from the Writer’s Almanac. In a sense, this small poem became the soundtrack to a transition by a nation moved, musically, to great patriotism… [Read more…]

Jul

Gettysburg a test of faith for friends, foes & families

July 3, 2013 By Greg Johnson

On this last day of commemoration of the Battle of Gettysburg and the eve of Independence Day jubilation, veteran and armchair historian, Greg Johnson shares his reflections in this first guest post.

Greg Johnson

What follows began as a conversation with Greg about this week’s events. Even as a Canadian, I have been riveted to the re-enactments of the first person accounts and the historical narratives, both strictly factual and fictitious, that mark the Battle of Gettysburg. It is said that this battle ended it for the South, even though the war waged on for long after in other regions. [Read more…]

Jul

Gettysburg 150th detailed via The National Guard

July 2, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

To mark the 150th anniversary year of the Battle of Gettysburg, MilSuccessNet has dipped into the excellent historic ‘slide’ offered by the National Guard. The battle and other interestingly presented information is totally worth checking out at their site.

It’s also our nod to our resident historian and writer of almost all of the site’s early history posts. Not long after the launch of MilitarySuccessNetwork.com, he began his own military to civilian transformation after years of service with the National Guard. While still connected to some degree with the Guard, Marius Tecoanta has transitioned to become an engineer in a corporation, been published as a blogger and novelist and woven both his military and civilian training into his current leadership role.

And now…. the introduction to Gettysburg from the National Guard’s online pages dedicated to this defining battle: [Read more…]

Jun

D-Day’s 69 year anniversary marked during momentous month at MilSuccessNet

June 6, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

Military Minds, is the source of our 2013 post on D-Day. It is the largest organization in the world raising awareness of the stigma around Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Their mission of support and constant peer reminder to show warriors that they are not alone in the aftermath of war, of deployment.

Their ‘reprinted’ post today honors those on the front lines on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

MilSuccessNet’s team chose this post because Military Minds which “began in Canada (where our editor is from) and now also serves veterans in U.S.A., Australia, U.K. , New Zealand, Germany and other nations that have participated in multiple conflicts over the past decades.”

It honors the past and supports today’s veterans now battling the stigma of PTSD and its daily realities for them. Check out their You Are Not Alone campaign, amongst other programs on their website.

And, June is also PTSD Awareness Month, Lest we forget… any of it.. and now.. in “Kevin’s” own words from his post, found on the organizations 52,000 member Facebook page…. [Read more…]

May

Doolittle Raiders post sparks memories in advance of Memorial Day on MilSuccessNet

May 22, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

In advance of Memorial Day 2013, the WoW – Words on Wednesdays post touches on only one of the many layers of service and sacrifice that will be remembered by its spotlight of The Doolittle Raiders.

Doolittle Raiders, 1st crew set for take off

A major “Navy and Army show”, much has been written about this group of 80 courageous men. They took on the death defying mission to fly 16 B-25s in 5-man crews to retaliate against Japan for Pearl Harbor from the only possible launch, a US Navy carrier. Their actions sent a strong message to the world and helped restore America’s fighting spirit. The basic details of their story are so well written by author and journalist Bob Greene, that we are reposting his CNN article of April 14, 2013 below.

The Raiders’ stories have been presented in books as wells as movies, the first of which had great impact on America in Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. It is immediately accessible in its entirely on YouTube starting with this 1st 10 min segment.

We are grateful to Isaac Cubillos, for his original photo of 3 of the 4 surviving Raiders to accompany this tribute. Cubillos traveled to what is understood to be the last public reunion of the Doolittle Raiders in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. One Raider was not well enough to travel and a 5th died at the age of 96, in only February of this year.

Cubillos, journalist, military reporter, editor and significant friend of Military Success Network.com has informational pages of both his written and photographic work on Facebook, other social media and on his website.

The MilSuccessNet editorial team also acknowledges past guest contributors, some of whom are veterans of active duty, and others the children of veterans who brought the impact of war into their home.

Now, onto CNN contributor Bob Greene, and more than 500 comments by his readers following his article link.………in his own words [Read more…]

May

Armed Forces Day observed in 2013 on May 18

May 18, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

This content on the basics of Armed Forces Day was taken “off the wire” as it were, from the time and date website .

We like that it is a day to honour ALL armed forces.

And if you noticed the “U” in honour it’s because it is a symbolic extension to H.ear, U.nderstand and A.cknowledge YOU dear reader. Also..it’s our Canadian editor’s long weekend to mark more than 65 years on the job for Queen Victoria, in her day. Canada marks Armed Forces Day in June and that covers Navy, Army, Air Force. And now…. on to the celebration of the dedicated military members of the U.S. of A!

What do people do?

Many events across the United States take place on Armed Forces Day to honor Americans in uniform who served their country in times of war and peace. [Read more…]