Veteran Corps of Artillery SNY

Veterans Day 2013

vcasny — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 14:22:05 +0000

Veterans Day 2013 is coming up on 11 November. The VCASNY will hold it’s Annual Memorial Service at Trinity Church in Manhattan to honor those who have served and those who are serving our country. Our VCA memorial service is held specifically to remember those members of the VCA who have served with us and have now passed on.

There are other events that are scheduled throughout the city as well. Please feel free to review these links and take advantage of some of these Veterans “thank you/ events.

AITAF Performance Vet Day Football Vet Week 2013

2013 ING NYC Marathon

vcasny — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 12:30:14 +0000

Hurricane Sandy and the destruction it left behind cancelled the 2012 Marathon, but this year, the Marathon is in full swing and scheduled for 3 Nov. The start of the first and subsequent waves will be signaled by the VCASNY firing battery and their 75mm pack howitzers.

Watch us live on ESPN starting around 0900 3 November.

Veteran Distinction on New York State Drivers Licenses Now Available

vcasny — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 16:58:16 +0000

NYS DMV Photo Document “Veteran” Status Designation

If you are a qualified U.S. military veteran, who was honorably discharged, and you have a NYS driver license, learner permit or non-driver photo ID card, you can have the word “Veteran” printed on the upper left hand of your photo document.

There is no additional fee for the veteran status designation on your document, but all regular transaction fees will apply.

To apply for the veteran status designation:

You must send or provide proof of an honorable discharge. If you apply by mail, send a photocopy of the proof(s). If you apply at a DMV office, you must show the original proof(s), which will be returned to you. Acceptable proofs are:
- a U.S. Department of Defense Form DD-214 that indicates an honorable discharge, or
- a form DD-215 that indicates an honorable discharge, or
- an Honorable Discharge form WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD or NAVCG 553, or
- an “Enlisted Separation Paper.”
You can apply for the veteran status designation when you renew your driver license by mail using your renewal notice (MV-2) and a photocopy of your proof of honorable discharge.
You can apply at a DMV office for a renewal or a replacement document with the veteran status designation. Use the Application for Driver License or Non-Driver ID form MV-44.
You cannot apply by phone or online.
The veteran status will be printed on all of your future NYS DMV photo documents.

Battle of Mogadishu 3 October – 4 October 1993

cbaquerizo — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:59:14 +0000

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu. The battle was memorialized by the book and movie “BlackHawk Down”. On 3 and 4 October 1993, members of the U.S. Army 75th Rangers, 160th SOAR, Delta, 10th Mountain, Navy SEAL’s and USAF PJ’s and CCT’s participated in a mission to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. During the mission 2 BlackHawk helicopters were downed by RPG fire. The ensuing battle lasted 2 days, and caused the life of 18 American servicemen, plus NATO troops. The enemy dead count is believed to be 1500-2000. Civilians were also killed as they were used as shields by the enemy. In some cases it was reported that women and children also fired upon the U.S. Forces.

The following table is from the Wiki article, “Battle of Mogadishu”

Please take a moment in honor of our troops.

Name	Age	Action	Medal
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta
MSGT Gary Gordon	33	Killed defending the crew of Super Six-Four	Medal of Honor, Purple Heart^[29]
SFC Randy Shughart	35	Killed defending the crew of Super Six-Four	Medal of Honor, Purple Heart^[29]
SSGT Daniel Busch	25	Crashed on Super Six-One, mortally wounded defending the downed crew	Silver Star, Purple Heart^[56]
SFC Earl Fillmore	28	Killed moving to the first crash site	Silver Star, Purple Heart^[57]
MSG Timothy “Griz” Martin	38	Mortally wounded on the Lost Convoy	Silver Star, Purple Heart.^[58]^[59]
3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
CPL Jamie Smith	21	Mortally wounded with the pinned-down force around crash site one	Silver Star with Valor Device and Oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart^[60]
SPC James Cavaco	26	Killed on the Lost Convoy	Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart^[61]
SGT Casey Joyce	24	Killed on the Lost Convoy	Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart^[61]
PFC Richard “Alphabet” Kowalewski	20	Mortally wounded on the Lost Convoy, died later that day	Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart^[62]
SGT Dominick Pilla	21	Killed on Struecker’s convoy	Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart^[62]
SGT Lorenzo Ruiz	27	Mortally wounded on the Lost Convoy, died en route to a hospital in Germany	Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart^[62]
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
SSG William Cleveland	34	Crew chief on Super Six-Four, killed	Silver Star, Bronze Star, Air Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart^[63]
SSG Thomas Field	25	Crew chief on Super Six-Four, killed	Silver Star, Bronze Star, Air Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart
CW4 Raymond Frank	45	Copilot of Super Six-Four, killed	Silver Star, Air Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart^[64]
CW3 Clifton “Elvis” Wolcott	36	Pilot of Super Six-One, died in crash	Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart^[63]
CW2 Donovan “Bull” Briley	33	Copilot of Super Six-One, died in crash	Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart^[65]
2nd Battalion 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division
SGT Cornell Houston	31	Killed on the rescue convoy	Bronze Star with Valor Device, de Fleury Medal, Purple Heart^[66]
PFC James Martin Jr.	23	Killed on the rescue convoy	Purple Heart^[67]

9/11

vcasny — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 12:41:04 +0000

It is said that time heals all wounds, and eventually that may be true. But time should not erase the memory of events that changed countless lives, and drew us into a war that is still going on. It doesn’t matter if you support the war or not. What does matter is that we must “Never Forget” what happened to us on 9/11/2001, nor should we let our neighbors, friends, and children forget.

Take a few minutes now to remember the almost 3000 men, women and children that lost their lives that Tuesday morning. Remember those members of the #military that have lost their lives since, and those who continue the fight. Remember the policemen, firemen, and EMT’s, the neighbor, the salesman, the store clerk that rushed to help.

They came from all over the country, because they knew we were all one. Don’t ever forget.

NYC Mayors Declaration – War of 1812 Commemoration 27 April 2013

vcasny — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:35:09 +0000

Mayors Declaration thanking participating historical groups at Central Park War of 1812 Commemoration – Blockhouse " data-image-caption=" Central Park War of 1812 Commemoration – Blockhouse " data-medium-file="https://vcasny.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dec.jpg?w=191" data-large-file="https://vcasny.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dec.jpg?w=630" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-2042 " alt="Mayors Declaration" src="https://vcasny.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dec.jpg?w=95&h=150" width="95" height="150" srcset="https://vcasny.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dec.jpg?w=95 95w, https://vcasny.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dec.jpg?w=190 190w" sizes="(max-width: 95px) 100vw, 95px" />: Mayors Declaration

Gauges worn by troops offer clues on impact from blasts

vcasny — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 04:55:59 +0000

It was always difficult for our service members to receive benefits or even recognition if they suffered debilitating or permanent brain injury caused by head trauma in the field.

While the following is a fairly old article, it is worth reading.

Clues on impact from blasts – USATODAY.com.

Hagel Orders Review of Drone Medal Ranking

vcasny — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:36:48 +0000

If you have been keeping up with some recent events regarding the new “Distinguished Warfare Medal”, you would know that there has been a lot of controversy regarding the ranking of that medal vs. combat related medals.

Specifically, many have complaint about it been ranked above the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. The Bronze Star is usually awarded for heroism or acts of merit in a combat zone. Mostly every American knows that the Purple Heart is awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in combat.

Many have argued that the ranking of the Distinguished Warfare Medal, which can be awarded to those serving hundreds or thousands of miles away from danger, is a slap in the face to those who are in actual combat and in real danger of losing life.

What do you think?

Drone Medal Ranking.

VCA upcoming events

vcasny — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:26:34 +0000

The Veteran Corps of Artillery will once again march in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade this Saturday 16 March. If you are in the area, stop by and say hello. We will form up at 1030 on West 44th Street near 6th Avenue. the NYC parade is a “must see and participate” event in New York.

Fleet week will kick of this year on 22 May. USAG Fort Hamilton has once again asked the VCA for assistance in providing firing crews. The schedule is still to be determined, but stay tuned.

Please come back often for new VCA information.