This column initially appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on March 28, 2020. On Wednesday, April 1, many people will mark the day with practical jokes and pranks. But it is well to remember that April Fools’ Day 75 years ago signaled the beginning of one of World War II’s longest, …
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A few years ago I wrote a blog post about my experiences with Desmond Doss, the Hero of Hacksaw Ridge. Recently, I have had a good reason to revisit that blog, most of which follows. I met Desmond, a native of Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1994 when I worked at the …
Continue ReadingA native of Salem, Virginia, Jesse Bradley joined the Navy in February 1942. Bradley served on the U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-10) as a gunner on a 40mm anti-aircraft gun. While serving in the Pacific, Bradley wrote to his wife, Lillian, almost every day. Lillian, too, was a frequent letter-writer. For the duration …
Continue ReadingSeventy-eight years ago, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. In the attack, more than 2,000 Americans were killed and more than 1,000 were wounded. Proclaimed “a date which will live in infamy” by President Roosevelt, the attack was the event that led to the United States’ formal declaration of war against …
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Our country’s Thanksgiving celebrations have been acknowledged by our leaders since the 18th century. In 1789 George Washington proclaimed a nationwide day of thanks and prayer. In 1863 Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation that the last Thursday in November would be a national day of thanksgiving. Today, we recognize the …
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It is with deep sorrow that the Virginia War Memorial family mourns the passing of longtime volunteer and World War II veteran Russell Scott. Mr. Scott passed away on November 19, 2019 at the age of 99. Mr. Scott had most recently attended the 2019 Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony at …
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Virginia is home to ninety-five counties and thirty-eight independent cities. Those cities and counties sent nearly 12,000 Virginians to war who never returned home between World War II and the Persian Gulf War. Sadly, additional service men and women have been killed in action since 2001 in the Global War …
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On September 11, 2019, the Commonwealth of Virginia hosted the Annual Patriot Day Ceremony in the Shrine of Memory here at the Virginia War Memorial. Governor Ralph Northam gave the Keynote speech and was introduced by Kathleen Jabs, Deputy Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs. Patriotic music was provided by the …
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On August 15, 2019, the Virginia War Memorial Foundation lost one of its dearest friends when C. Kenneth “Ken” Wright died at the age of 94 in Richmond. Raised in then rural Chesterfield County, Ken would hitchhike to downtown Richmond and work every day after high school to park and …
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August 7th: Purple Heart Day Every year, on August 7, Purple Heart Day, we pause to acknowledge and remember the sacrifices made by brave men and women in the military. The Purple Heart medal is presented to service members who have been wounded by an instrument of war in the …
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