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Military Memorabilia
APRIL 17, 2008
Did you know that the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a thoughtful Presidential Memorial Certificate program to memorialize your beloved deceased veteran? The certificate is an elegant presentation, personalized in calligraphy lettering with the name of the veteran. It includes a gold foil embossed seal of the Great Seal of the United States, and is signed by the President. This program was initiated by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, and has been continued by all subsequent Presidents.
The Presidential Memorial Certificate program is open to the families of honorably discharged, deceased veterans from all branches of the United States Military. Eligible recipients include the next of kin and loved ones of honorably discharged deceased veterans. More than one certificate may be requested by the family, and there is no cost.
Family members may apply for the Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) at any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regional office or by U.S. Mail or fax. To request the PMC, please complete the form at this link, or send a letter requesting a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Be sure to enclose a copy of the veteran's discharge and death certificate to verify eligibility (do not send originals, and copies will not be returned.) You should include the veteran’s name, as well as your full name, mailing address, and a telephone number with area code.
Forms may be faxed to: 1 (800) 455-7143
Or sent via mail to this address: Presidential Memorial Certificates (41A1C), National Cemetery Administration, 5109 Russell Road Quantico, VA 22134-3903
If you wish to telephone for further information, call (202) 565-4964.
For more information, visit the VA Affairs site.
You may be interested in framing your Presidential Memorial Certificate in a frame for your loved one’s branch of service, or you may want to create your own custom frame to coordinate with your home or office. The PMC is a vertical document printed on cream paper that measures 11” X 8.5” with an actual printed area of 9” X 6.”
OCTOBER 18, 2007
What is the Medal of Honor?
The Medal of Honor is awarded to a person who, as a member of the United States military, evidently differentiates themselves by courage and fearlessness while going above and beyond the call of duty and at the risk of their life. It is an award granted by the President in the name of Congress. To receive such a highly recognizable award, the act performed is required to have clearly been one of individual valor which sets them above their comrades.
History of the Medal of Honor
- On August 7, 1782, General George Washington began the first official method for awarding the nation’s fighting men who have shown memorable, individual acts of bravery. A purple cloth heart was awarded for “any singularly meritorious action.” Only three persons have received this award: Sergeant Elijah Churchill, Sergeant William Brown, and Sergeant Daniel Bissel Jr.
- This award seemed to have been forgotten until 1932, when General Douglas MacArthur, who at the time was the Army Chief of Staff, pushed for it to be brought back. On February 22, 1932, what we now recognize as the Purple Heart was formally reinstituted. At first, it was only awarded to the Army. However in 1943, this honor was meant to include the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard as well. Ultimately, all services were included.
- After the Revolutionary War, there was not much use of the Badge of Military Merit. However, the thought to honor individual bravery continued through the early 1800’s. Following the start of the Mexican-American War in 1847, a “certificate of merit” was instituted for soldiers who differentiated themselves in combat. There was no medal awarded with this honor though, and after the war, it was withdrawn. This meant that there was no longer an award to honor the men who fought for our country.
- Towards the beginning of the Civil War, there was a suggestion for such an award. However, General-in-Chief of the Army, Winfield Scott declined this proposal.
- President Abraham Lincoln signed into law, terms for a Navy medal of honor on December 21, 1861. The medal was “to be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen, and Marines as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry and other seamanlike qualities during the present war.”
- This idea was soon set up on behalf of the Army as well. It was signed into law on July 12, 1862, and was meant to be awarded “to such noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier like qualities, during the present insurrection.”
- While it was originally generated for the Civil War, Congress made the Medal of Honor an everlasting award in 1863. Approximately 3,400 men and one woman have been honored with this award since that time.
For more information about the Medal of Honor visit these links:
US Department of Defense
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
The Official Site of the Medal of Honor
JUNE 12, 2007
This June 14th, proudly celebrate Flag Day by displaying your American flag for everyone to see. The purpose of Flag Day is to show respect and celebrate the U.S. flag and what it represents- our freedom, independence and unity as a nation.
The flag is flown as a sign of patriotism, loyalty and gratitude for all the freedom and liberty Americans enjoy. When you fly your flag this June 14th and everyday, remember there is a proper way to display the red, white and blue. By following the guidelines below, you will be sure to give your flag the respect it deserves.
• The flag should be flown from sunrise to sunset.
• Raise the flag quickly in the morning, but lower it slowly at sunset.
• Never fly your flag at light without a light on it
• Although many flags are said to be weather-proof, you should never fly your flag in the rain or other inclement weather.
• Following a death or tragedy, the flag should be flown for 30 days at half staff.
• When flying your flag vertically on a pole, the blue field, called the “union” is to be at the top and end of the pole, always facing away from your house.
• Be sure that the American flag is always flown at the top of your pole. The state and other flags should fly below it.
• You should never let your flag touch the ground.
• When your flag becomes old and worn out, retire it by either burying it or burning it. You should never throw a flag in the garbage.
Information on how to properly retire your flag can be found on the National Flag Foundation website, or through your local Boy Scouts chapter. For information on how to properly care for and fold your flag, please read our blog about Proper Flag Care.
(Preparing for a flag retirement ceremony)
Visit these sites for more information about proper flag care and Flag Day:
Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2007
http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/flagday.htm
http://www.americanflags.org/index.flash.html
http://www.dependablecleaners.com/tip_june2005a.html
http://www.scouting.org/media/flag/index.html
NOVEMBER 17, 2006
Keeping your flag clean and in new condition is important and easy to do. The best way to begin caring for your flag is to know when to display it and when not to. Outdoor flags should never be exposed to storms, snow or extremely high winds, as these conditions can shorten its life span. If your flag gets wet, lay it flat and let it dry completely. Folding when wet can create permanent creases and dampness can ruin fabric and cause mildew.
Regularly cleaning your flag will keep it looking its best, and extend its lifetime. If your outdoor flag becomes dirty, it can be hand-washed with mild detergent, then thoroughly rinsed and lay flat to dry. When washing, it is important not to let the flag stand in the wash water for an extended period time because color from the red stripes could run into the white. Indoor and parade flags however, should always be dry cleaned to protect the fabric and richness of the colors. (According to the Federal Citizen Information Center, many dry cleaners offer free flag cleaning in the months of June and July.) You may want to treat your flag with a fabric protection product such as 303 Fabric Guard®. This will waterproof the fabric and protect it from stains, mildew and UV rays.
(http://www.ericklopp.com)
Another consideration in caring for your flag is deciding where to hang it. A flag should be flown in an area where it cannot come into contact with tree limbs, buildings or cable and telephone wires, since they can create tears in the fabric. If tears occur, repair them carefully using patches that match the flag’s original color, and make sure that the repairs do not alter the original dimensions of the flag. For tears at the end of the flag, repair them by trimming the end and re-hemming. The flag pole is also an important part of keeping your flag in good condition. A rusty pole can cause permanent stains, and some metallic oxides can eat holes through the fabric.
When storing your flag be sure to correctly fold it before placing in a safe, cool and dry environment. Outdoor flags should be sealed in moisture- and bug-proof plastic bags before going into storage. See the table below for directions on how to properly fold your flag for storage.
(http://www.scouting.org/media/flag/index.html)
By follow the simple cleaning and storage guidelines listed above, you can help extend the life of your flag, and keep it flying for years to come.
For properly displaying a memorial, burial or interment flag, consider the use of hardwood flag cases and flag boxes, designed to hold a 5’ x 9 ½’ flag. Flag cases are designed to assist you in proudly protecting, preserving and displaying your flag.
For more information about caring for and displaying your flag visit:
http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/misc/ourflag/titlepage.htm
http://www.scouting.org/media/flag/index.html
http://www.capitolflags.com/flag-etiquette.html#Flag%20Care
http://www.anyflag.com/caring.php
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