New Surgeon General of the United States Army.

Tuesday, 9 February 2016

LTG Nadja West will be honored in an official ceremony formalizing her promotion to three-star general, making her the first African-American woman to achieve that rank in the United States Army. She is also the highest-ranking woman of any race to have graduated from West Point.

The promotion and ceremony follows the 54-year-old’s confirmation by the Senate as the new Army Surgeon General and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) as of December. As such, West will be assisting and advising the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff in relation to all health care matters in the Army, in addition to overseeing development, organization, policy direction, and other matters relative to the Army-wide health care systems.

“I was once an orphan with an uncertain future,” said West of the promotion and the new responsibilities facing her in the future. “And I am incredibly honored and humbled to lead such a distinguished team of dedicated professionals who are entrusted with the care of our nation’s sons and daughters, veterans and family members. While our Army and our nation face tough challenges in the future, I am confident that collectively we have the right skills, commitment, and talent to meet those challenges with mission success,” she added.

The Washington D.C. area-native holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Doctorate of Medicine from George Washington University School of Medicine. She has held previous assignments as Commanding General, Europe Regional Medical Command; Commander of Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, N.C.; and Division Surgeon, 1st Armored Division, Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany.

MEMBER PROFILE

Without exception, members of the 'Triple Nickel' are dedicated to service and being so, they like to avoid publicity directed toward them as individuals. The member profile series is being initiated not to bring unwanted personal attention, but rather to recognize their talents, dedication and service to their country and their fellows.  The first profile (posthumous) will be that of LTC Thomas E. Hickman the first Honorary Commander of the 555 Honors Detachment:

                                                                         17th Infantry

Lt. Col. Thomas E. Hickman

Published: March 3, 2009 4:01 AM (Wayne County Recorder)

WOOSTER -- Retired Lt. Col. Thomas E. Hickman, 94, a long time resident of Wooster, passed away Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009.He was born in 1914, in Staten Island, N.Y. to Master Sgt. Thomas and Elizabeth (Meighan) Hickman.He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice McCoy Hickman of Lawrence, Ind.He is survived by two brothers, John (Evie) of Staten Island, N.Y. and Robert of Sparks, Nev.; and four children, Thomas Jr. of Colorado, David (Debbie) of Pataskala; Jolene (Jodi Cooley) of Columbus and Marlene Morgan of Wooster. He leaves five grandchildren, David Hickman Jr., Holly (Pat) Walters, Brian (Amanda) Hickman, Amy (Kevin) Simpson, and Carrie (Brandon Kuck) Morgan; and three great-grandchildren, Gabrielle and Griffin Walters and Kylie Simpson.He will be missed by family and friends.Lt. Col. Hickman's military career began in 1941 with the 38th Division of the Indiana National Guard. During the Second World War, he had duty stations in Camp Shelby, Miss. and Camp Livingston, La. and commanded the Second Battalion, 102 infantry at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. His service included stays in the occupation forces in Fukuoka, Japan and Munich, Germany. In 1956 he was transferred to the 17th Infantry Regiment in Korea and served as the Regimental Executive Officer and later as the Regimental Commander. During his tour he took the Regiment on an amphibious landing onto Okinawa from Pusan, Korea.He retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service in 1961 from Ft. Hayes, Columbus. Lt. Col. Hickman, a strong advocate of higher education, completed his college education, graduating from The Ohio State University to begin a career in secondary education. After teaching in and around the Cleveland area he moved his family to Wooster in 1969, where he taught Army ROTC at Wooster High School, eventually retiring in 1974."The Colonel" was the successful owner of Classic Marble of Wooster and for many years bought and sold real estate throughout Ohio. As the Commander of the 555th Honors Detachment of Wayne County, he presided at many burials of local veterans. As the Honorary Colonel of the 17th Infantry Regiment, he attended many functions across the country as well as travels to Russia, Australia, Hawaii, Korea and China, until his failing health limited his activities.His devotion to duty and his steadfast resolve were qualities he valued throughout his life. As an old soldier, Colonel Hickman's favorite speech was the one MacArthur delivered to Congress after his retirement, in which he said, "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away."He was a member of Wooster Kiwanis Club and the Downtown Rebounders.Graveside services will be held Saturday, March 7, at 1:30 p.m. at the Wooster Cemetery with Chuck Craig officiating.Friends may call Friday evening from 6-8 at the McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The 555th Honors Detachment of Wayne Co., in care of Elton Boyer, 7264 Old Lincoln Way West, Wooster 44691.

CHRISTMAS SEASON 2015

D-Day

555 Western Reserve National Cemetary for Francis L. Emerick

555 Member Francis L. Elmerick Laid to Rest

Francis H. Elmerick, age 88 of North Canton passed away May 21, 2015.  Francis was a retired employee of Ford Motor. During WW II he served in the Merchant Marines in both the Atlantic & Pacific. Francis was a member of the 555 Honors Detachment, Marlboro Volunteers, Catholic War Veterans Post #1325, K of C #554, Stark County Honor Court, a longtime volunteer at Ohio Western Reserve Nation Cemetery and American Legion Post #221.  We will greatly miss Francis, his dedication, his example, his patriotism, his love for others, his friendship and his humor.  RIP old friend!

A Christmas Miracle

On Christmas Eve in the year 1914, German troops

began  placing candles on their trenches and made Christmas trees, they celebrated by

singing Christmas carols. The British responded by singing carols of their own. The two armies

began shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, the enemies  were gatherings

across No Man's Land, where soldiers exchanged gifts of food, tobacco and alcohol, and souvenirs

such as buttons and hats.   The artillery in the region fell silent.      The truce allowed a

breathing spell and casualties could be brought back behind their own lines for burial . In

some areas joint religious services were held.  Although there was no official truce, roughly 100,000

British and German troops ceased fighting for the day!

555 Duty Schedule 2015

DINNER MEETING                                               DUTY WEEK


12 FEB 2015                                                            16 - 20 FEB


31 MAR (Tuesday)                                                   06 - 10 APR


21 MAY                                                                     25 - 29 MAY


09 JULY                                                                     13 - 17 JULY


27 AUG                                                                       31 AUG - 04 SEP


15 OCT                                                                       19 - 23 OCT


03 DEC                                                                       07 - 11 DEC

Battle of the Bulge DEC 1944

Today marks the 70th anniversary of a weeks-long battle known as the Battle of the Bulge. It would become the largest battle the US Army had ever fought, and it would go on for six weeks. The cost in human lives would be high - there were more than 67,000 American casualties before the battle ended in late January.

Remember

2014 Schedules

                         555th Honors Detachment Meeting Schedule For 2014


DINNER MEETING                                               DUTY WEEK



12 June                                                              16-20 June


31 July                                                               04 - 08 August


18 September                                                   22 - 26 September


06 November                                                   10 - 14 November


16 December (Tuesday)                                   29 DEC - 02 JAN 2015

Soldier Killed in Action to receive full Military burial after 64 years

Donald C. Durfee, Private First Class United States Army, was 19 years old when Killed in ActionDecember 2, 1950 at the Chosin Reservoir Battle in North Korea . PFC Durfee ‘s remains were turned over during Operation Glory in 1954 and later interned as an Unknown in the National Military Cemetery of the Pacific. He was then later Identified onNovember 5, 2013through Military DNA registry. The repatriation and welcoming home of PFC Durfee will beMarch 4, 2014 with Full Military honors after 64 years.

The remains will be flown to Cleveland, OH onTuesday, March 4, 2014 at11:53 amunder escort from the United States Army and will be greeted by Military honor guard, Airport Rescue and Firefighting honor guard and members of the Patriot Guard Riders. This honor ceremony represents the 250th honor salute since the inception of the CLE Fallen Soldier program in 2002.

PFC Durfee has NO SURVIVING FAMILY to attend, but several Military groups will honor this veteran. All Law Enforcement or Uniformed Services direct questions to Charlie McGeever216-323-2000.

PFC Durfee will “Lie in honor” Wednesday 2-4 PM AND Thursday 11 AM -1 PM at the Craciun Berry Funeral Home 7200 Detroit Ave. Cleveland. Committal Services will be heldThursday 2:30 PM at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.

The Ohio Patriot Guard Riders is a 100% Volunteer, Federally registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization which ensures dignity and respect at memorial services honoring Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and Honorably Discharged Veterans

Utah Airman Missing Since 1944 Returns Home

SALT LAKE CITY — Roughly 150 distant relatives crowded into five buses at Salt Lake City International Airport to welcome home a man they had never met.

They lined both sides of the airport runway and watched as a commercial airliner touched down and passed under a water cannon salute.

The remains of U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Vernal J. Bird, who had been missing in action since 1944, returned home Wednesday.

Bird is one of the 189 World War II veterans located by the Department of Defense's Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office nationwide since 2007.

"Actually here. Actually here," great-niece Lorna Snyder said after the plane landed.

Snyder grew up hearing stories about her great-uncle as a child, but it wasn't until she moved into her mother's home more than 10 years ago and read the letters Bird had sent that she began to search in earnest for her missing relative.

Bird piloted a A-20G Havoc bomber as part of the 5th Air Force, 3rd Bombardment Group, 13th Bombardment Squadron. On March 12, 1944, he flew in a bombing mission to strike the Japanese Air Force base in Boram, Papua New Guinea. He and a gunner in the plane went missing that day.

Some family members said they thought his plane went down over the ocean, but Snyder did not agree.

"I just thought, 'He's gotta be somewhere. The plane's gotta be somewhere,'" she said.

Snyder began attending meetings held by the Department of Defense and convinced Bird's sister, Elaine Jack, 92, to provide a DNA sample. The department's Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office gives monthly updates in Washington, D.C., and throughout the country on the more than 83,000 missing U.S. service members.

A breakdown by state is not available for World War II, but more than 73,000 veterans nationwide are still missing.

In 2001, members of the Joint Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command found Lt. Bird's plane during the excavation of another downed plane. His remains were identified through DNA testing on Aug. 28, 2013.

Back in Salt Lake City, people crowded by terminal windows inside to watch as a military escort brought the casket draped in an American flag from the airplane to a waiting hearse.

Snyder wore her great-uncle's dog tags and held a small American flag, snapping pictures throughout the event. Her husband, Ken, held her and wiped tears from his eyes after the coffin was loaded into the hearse.

Bird's casket was driven in a procession down to his native Springville. Flags to commemorate his arrival will fly on Springville's Main Street through Saturday.

Bird will be honored in a memorial service from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Saturday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse at 1295 E. 900 South, just east of Springville High School

 

Wooster Flag Program

The accompanying photos are related to the Flag  Raising Program which is an outreach program of the Wayne County Veterans Service Commission. This program was established for the families of deceased Wayne County Veterans who request their casket Flag be flown above the Wayne County Veterans Memorial located in the Wooster, OH cemetery. The program was started, by the Commission office, sometime in the middle 1990’s.

 

 After the formation of the 555th Honors Detachment in 2000, that group got involved when SFC Lloyd Boyer was asked to take over. A short ceremony was created to honor the memory and service of the deceased Wayne County Veterans. In August 2003, SSG Roger Bucher started helping with the program and in April 2004 took over the responsibility of working with the Veterans Service office and getting other volunteers to conduct this ceremony. To date, the 555th has conducted 275 Flag raising ceremonies for the families of Wayne County. The members who have been involved since 2003 have been SSG Darrell Schrock, Army, CPL William Rastetter, USMC, SSG Jerry Curren, Army, SFC. Richard Silvers, Army, PFC Homer Walters, Army and Michelle Rose, USAF.

 

CLIOCK ON PHOTO TO VIEW VIDEO.

SILENCE

Colonel Duffy Speaks on Veteran's day 2011