To All
Good Friday morning June 12 Same weather different day. The clouds are clearing and heating up to 86 by 1
Fun classes last night with lots of Sparring for everyone including Black Belts.
Learn about Flag Day on Sunday below.
Warm regards,
skip
HAGD
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This day in Naval and Marine Corps History (thanks to NHHC)
Go here to see the director’s corner for all 97 H-Grams
Here is a link to the NHHC website: https://www.history.navy.mil/
June 12
1775: HMS Margaretta, commanded by Capt. James Moore, enters Machias Harbor to commandeer a load of lumber for the British Army at Boston. Jeremiah OBrien leads the crew of the American sloop, Unity, and engages the British. After an hour-long bloody struggle, the Americans defeat the British. This action is the first naval engagement of the American Revolution.
1944 - Four U.S. Carrier Groups (15 carriers) begin attack on Japanese positions in the Marianas.
1948 - The Women's Armed Forces Integration Act provides for enlistment and appointment of women in the Naval Reserve.
1970 - After earthquake in Peru, USS Guam begins 11 days of relief flights to transport medical teams and supplies, as well as rescue
1987 Reagan challenges Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall »
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Today in World History June 12
1442 Alfonso V of Aragon is crowned King of Naples.
1812 Napoleon Bonaparte and his army invade Russia.
1849 The gas mask is patented by Lewis P. Haslett.
1862 Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart begins his ride around the Union Army outside of Richmond, Virginia.
1901 Cuba agrees to become an American protectorate by accepting the Platt Amendment.
1918 The first airplane bombing raid by an American unit occurs in France.
1920 Republicans nominate Warren G. Harding for president and Calvin Coolidge for vice president.
1921 President Warren Harding urges every young man to attend military training camp.
1926 Brazil quits the League of Nations in protest over plans to admit Germany.
1931 Gangster Al Capone and 68 of his henchmen are indicted for violating Prohibition laws.
1937 Eight of Stalin's generals are sentenced to death during purges in the Soviet Union.
1942 American bombers strike the oil refineries of Ploesti, Romania for the first time.
1963 Black civil rights leader Medgar Evers is assassinated by a gunman outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi.
1967 The Supreme Court rules that states cannot ban interracial marriages.
1972 At a hearing in front the of a U.S. House of Representatives committee, Air Force General John Lavalle defends his orders on engagement in Vietnam.
1977 David Berkowitz gets 25 years to life for the Son of Sam murders in New York.
1985 The U.S. House of Representatives approves $27 million in aid to the Nicaraguan Contras.
On June 12, 1987, in one of his most famous Cold War speeches, President Ronald Reagan challenges Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down” the Berlin Wall, a symbol of the repressive Communist era in a divided Germany.
In 1945, following Germany’s defeat in World War II, the nation’s capital, Berlin, was divided into four sections, with the Americans, British and French controlling the western region and the Soviets gaining power in the eastern region. In May 1949, the three western sections came together as the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany), with the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) being established in October of that same year. In 1952, the border between the two countries was closed and by the following year East Germans were prosecuted if they left their country without permission. In August 1961, the Berlin Wall was erected by the East German government to prevent its citizens from escaping to the West. Between 1949 and the wall’s inception, it’s estimated that over 2.5 million East Germans fled to the West in search of a less repressive life.
1991 Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines begins erupting for the first time in 600 years.
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June 12
Hello All,
Thanks to Dan Heller and the Bear
Links to all content can now be found right on the homepage http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com. If you scroll down from the banner and featured content you will find "Today in Rolling Thunder Remembered History" which highlights events in the Vietnam war that occurred on the date the page is visited. Below that are links to browse or search all content. You may search by keyword(s), date, or date range.
An item of importance is the recent incorporation of Task Force Omega (TFO) MIA summaries. There is a link on the homepage and you can also visit directly via https://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/task-force-omega/. There are 60 summaries posted thus far, with about 940 to go (not a typo—TFO has over 1,000 individual case files).
If you have any questions or comments about RTR/TFO, or have a question on my book, you may e-mail me directly at acrossthewing@protonmail.com. Thank you Dan
Thanks to Micro
To remind folks that these are from the Vietnam Air Losses site that Micro put together. You click on the url elow and get what happened each day to the crew of the aircraft. ……Skip
June 12: https://www.vietnamairlosses.com/loss.php?id=627
This following work accounts for every fixed wing loss of the Vietnam War and you can use it to read more about the losses in The Bear’s Daily account. Even better it allows you to add your updated information to the work to update for history…skip
Vietnam Air Losses Access Chris Hobson and Dave Lovelady’s work at: https://www.VietnamAirLosses.com.
This is a list of all Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . Listed by last name and has other info https://www.vhpa.org/KIA/KIAINDEX.HTM
MOAA - Wall of Faces Now Includes Photos of All Service members Killed in the Vietnam War
(This site was sent by a friend . The site works, find anyone you knew in “search" feature. https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/ )
Wall of Faces Now Includes Photos of All Service members Killed in the Vietnam War
By: Kipp Hanley
AUGUST 15, 2022
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From the archives
Thanks to YP
..this came in just as I was about to hit send on today's List so I stopped the process and here it is
Sundowner Memories--
A Conversation
Remember, the old friend said, putting down his coffee cup, they wouldn't let us
hit the SAM sites while they were being built. When they started shooting down
our airplanes, we could hit them.
Yessir. I remember. Then it was a hairy ass scramble to try and find them. Lost
lots of airplanes.
They launched four of us, four F-8's under a 600 foot overcast. He was speaking
of his fleet squadron, the Sundowners of VF-111. He named names I didn't
know, which didn't include another ensign with that bunch then that became a
friend later. I looked down, and we were going 600 knots! How the hell are you
going to find a SAM site that low and going 600 knots?
I didn't know. We were doing the same thing in Scoots substantially slower.
Anyway, he continued, the guy I was flying wing on got hit. The call was just
that, and he said the cockpit was lit up like a Christmas tree. In those days, if
both flight hydraulic systems were hit and bled pressure, which was usual, the
slab unit horizontal tails would slam fail to the full dive position. It occurred right
quickly. That's what happened. A 600 knot negative G pushover from 600 feet
didn't take long.
I'da given anything if I knew then to tell him to get on his back. Get on your
back! He would have gone up, probably ejected. He'd a been a POW, but he'd
probably have made it. We learned about this later, but going into combat, why
didn't they tell us before?
Don't know.
Ida given anything to tell him to get on his back.
Crazy Horse knew about it a little later on, I said. He got hit, rolled on his back,
and at the top of the negative g loop, punched out. He tole me that.
Knowing stuff like that certainly would have been better if it got passed around
sooner.
We both talked about the later fix where a lock lever could be pulled back and
latched before all the pressure bled off, trapping the UHT's nose up, and the
utility system could power the rudder. Made things better.
Not waiting for SAM sites to become active would have been better, too.
But we knew about them all the time.
The Best and the Brightest had a plan, we hoped.
How little did we know.
YP
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Babe Ruth's called shot in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series remains one of the most famous home runs in baseball history. What's much less known, however, is that Ruth's blast would likely never have occurred except for a remarkable chain of events that started with three gunshots fired by a jilted lover and a wounded Chicago Cub whose replacement propelled them to the World Series.
On the morning of July 6, 1932, 24-year-old Chicago Cubs shortstop Billy Jurges answered a knock on the door of Room 509 of the Hotel Carlos, a Ruthian blast from Wrigley Field. In walked Violet Popovich, a 21-year-old, chestnut-haired woman who had fallen hard for Jurges. The couple's year-long relationship had soured, however, and ended a few weeks earlier after an argument in New York City.
Babe Ruth won three World Series titles with the Red Sox before he joined the Yankees in 1920.
10 Things You May Not Know About Babe Ruth Baseball's biggest icon once served jail time and spent most of his life believing he was a year older than he really was.
Read more
Babe Ruth met St. Louis Cardinals star Rogers Hornsby during the 1926 World Series.
10 of the Biggest Blunders in World Series History Some of the Fall Classic's most infamous mistakes were committed by MLB stars such as the New York Yankees' Babe Ruth and Mariano Rivera.
Read more
Pitcher Don Larson of the New York Yankees delivers the first pitch to Jim Gilliam of the Brooklyn Dodgers as catcher Yogi Berra and umpire Babe Pinelli look on during Game 5 of the 1956 World Series on October 8, 1956 at Yankee Stadium. Larson would go on to pitch a perfect game against the Dodgers.
7 of the Most Memorable World Series in Baseball History In 1956, the New York Yankees' Don Larsen, an 'imperfect man,' pitched a perfect game-the only one in World Series history.
Read more
With the Cubs just three games out of first place that July morning, Jurges declared his current mistress was baseball, not Popovich. "I'm not going to go out on any more dates," he told his former flame. "We've got a chance to win the pennant. I've got to get my rest."
The breakup was just one more emotional blow for Popovich to endure. Her father had abused her mother and abandoned the family following their divorce. Popovich moved in and out of foster care throughout her childhood and was whipped at age 15 for staying out late after going to a movie with a boy. The aspiring actress married at 18. Divorce followed six months later.
"All she wanted was a stable guy in her life and a solid relationship," says Jack Bales, author of The Chicago Cub Shot for Love, a book about the cabaret singer and ballplayer. "She just wanted a normal life with someone who loved her."
With that prospect dashed, the jilted Popovich pulled a small, .25-caliber pistol from her purse. Three shots rang out as Jurges wrestled Popovich for the gun. One bullet struck the shortstop's right side; another grazed his finger. The third shot hit Popovich's left hand. Luckily, none of the injuries were life-threatening, and the pair were taken together to a hospital.
A police search of Popovich's hotel room uncovered empty liquor bottles and a note she scribbled to her brother: "To me life without Billy isn't worth living, but why should I leave this earth alone? I'm going to take Billy with me." Blaming the note on "too much gin," Popovich insisted she never intended to shoot the Cubs' shortstop but only herself. More comfortable in the sports pages than on the police blotter, Jurges refused to press charges against his former girlfriend, who was set free.
The Shortstop and Shooter Stage Comebacks Seemingly bulletproof, Jurges returned to the Cubs' lineup 16 days after the shooting, although his play proved lackluster. Meanwhile, Popovich also made an unexpected comeback of her own.
"After her court appearance, she told reporters that she was going to lie low and stay with her mother," Bales says. "That didn't last long." As the Cubs returned home on July 24, thousands of yellow handbills littering the sidewalks outside Wrigley Field touted the State-Congress Theater's new burlesque show, "The Bare Cub Follies," headlined by Violet Valli, Popovich's stage name.
That night, a curious crowd shuffled into the theater and watched "The Girl Who Shot for Love" take the stage to sing a love ballad. The audience expected her to shed articles of clothing or spread gossip, but she revealed neither body nor soul and left the stage to a smattering of applause. The public quickly lost interest in Popovich, and the show closed well short of its planned 22-week run.
Billy Jurges Is Replaced in Chicago Cubs' Lineup
Cubs shortstop Billy Jurges, featured on a 1933 baseball card.
TRANSCENDENTAL GRAPHICS/GETTY IMAGES
CUBS SHORTSTOP BILLY JURGES, FEATURED ON A 1933 BASEBALL CARD.
Mired in second place as the calendar turned to August, the underachieving Cubs replaced manager Rogers Hornsby with Charlie Grimm and signed former New York Yankees shortstop Mark Koenig to spell the struggling Jurges.
Chicago flourished under Grimm, whose last name belied his fun-loving attitude, and Koenig provided a badly needed spark. The new Cubs shortstop batted .353 in 33 games, and his three-run, walk-off homer on August 20 launched a 14-game winning streak that propelled the Cubs to the National League pennant. "We wouldn't be in first place if it wasn't for Mark," Grimm said of Jurges's replacement.
Despite Koenig's critical role in sending Chicago to the World Series, his teammates voted to give him only a half-share of any bonuses. "We figured he wasn't entitled to it," remembered Jurges. "He did win the pennant for us, but he didn't play that many ball games."
The Cubs' World Series opponents-the New York Yankees-stood up for their former teammate and needled the Cubs for their miserly ways. Nobody was as boisterous as the 37-year-old Ruth, who proved as prodigious at heckling as homering. "Ruth was not shy about mixing it up," says Ed Sherman, author of Babe Ruth's Called Shot. "He had a big personality and could talk trash with the best of them."
As the World Series opened in New York with Koenig at shortstop and Jurges on the bench, Ruth derided the Cubs as "penny-pinchers," "tightwads" and "nickel nurses." After losing the first two games, the Cubs and their fans no longer found Ruth's ribbing a laughing matter. Five thousand jeering fans welcomed Ruth as his train arrived in the Windy City, and one woman even spat at him and his wife as they entered the hotel. "I heard some words that even I had never heard before," Ruth quipped.
Babe Ruth Responds to Taunts with Legendary Homer
BETTMANN ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES
LOU GEHRIG GREETED BABE RUTH AT HOME AFTER THE BAMBINO'S CALLED SHOT HOME RUN.
Ruth resumed his cutting commentary during batting practice before Game 3 at Wrigley Field. "I'd play for half my salary if I could hit in this dump all my life," he bellowed while launching home run after home run into the bleachers.
With Koenig out with a wrist injury suffered in New York, Jurges returned to shortstop and promptly made an error on the first play of the game. Two batters later, Ruth clobbered a home run to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead.
Jurges repaid the favor in the fourth inning, however, with a sinking liner to left field that Ruth failed to corral with an unartful shoestring catch that drew the hoots and hollers of Cubs fans. Jurges eventually scored to tie the score, finally giving the Cubs momentum in the series.
When Ruth stepped to the plate in the fifth inning, fans reportedly tossed lemons at him while Cubs players flung a fusillade of insults. Ruth heard them all: "Big belly!" "Grandpop!" "Balloon head!" The more colorful taunts questioned Ruth's parentage, intelligence, ability to touch his toes and even his race.
Throughout his at-bat, Ruth jawed with the Cubs' dugout and gesticulated in the direction of pitcher Charlie Root. Whether Ruth physically pointed to predict a forthcoming home run remains one of baseball's great mysteries, but what's certain is that the riled-up slugger golfed Root's 2-2 over Wrigley Field's center-field wall for a home run measuring nearly 500 feet.
"Unbelievable!" exclaimed Democratic presidential candidate Franklin D.
Roosevelt, who had thrown out the game's first pitch. Guffawing as he rounded third base, Ruth continued to spout jokes about Chicago's miserly ways. The final homer of Ruth's World Series career put the Yankees ahead for good in Game 3, and the demoralized Cubs lost the series the following day.
"What always gets diminished in the controversy about whether it was a called shot is that it was an unbelievable moment in which a player was challenged, and Ruth responded emphatically as only he could," Sherman says.
It was an historic moment that may not have happened without a femme fatale, a replacement shortstop and a tight-fisted decision that ignited an epic war of words.
BY: CHRISTOPHER KLEIN
Christopher Klein is the author of four books, including When the Irish Invaded Canada: The Incredible True Story of the Civil War Veterans Who Fought for Ireland's Freedom and Strong Boy: The Life and Times of John L. Sullivan. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and National Geographic Traveler. Follow Chris at @historyauthor.
Some may remember the Natural with Robert Redford…part of that came from this tale….
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June 12, 2026
In Mali, Turkey Sees an Opening
By: Ronan Wordsworth
Mali is becoming a test case for the next phase of Turkish influence in Africa. A coordinated offensive in April by militant Islamist groups exposed the limits of Russian security support and thus opened the door for Turkey to present itself as a more flexible partner. Ankara won’t replace Russia outright; Moscow still has personnel, contracts, propaganda networks and political relationships throughout the Sahel that will be hard to shake. But Turkey is gradually occupying certain spaces that Russia can no longer reliably hold.
Russia’s Loss Is Turkey’s Gain
In Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, military regimes expelled or downgraded Western security partners and turned instead to Russia as their security benefactor. They sought regime protection, weapons, surveillance capacity, international recognition and revenue streams that Moscow was happy to provide. Wagner and Africa Corps were the first to exploit the vacuum left by the collapse of Western counterterrorism partnerships. In exchange, Moscow gained influence, access, diplomatic support and opportunities tied to natural resources and state contracts.
The problem is that Moscow has not delivered on some of its promises, thanks to multiple operational failures and its generally overstretched military.
In Mali, the junta can’t exactly walk back its anti-Western diatribes without damaging the ideological basis of its rule. Following coups in 2020 and 2021, the military authorities in Bamako increasingly presented Western security assistance as a failed and neo-colonial project. French forces, European missions, American support and the U.N. peacekeeping presence were progressively removed or made politically untenable. Mali then joined Burkina Faso and Niger in the Alliance of Sahel States, a bloc of military-led governments built around sovereignty rhetoric, anti-French sentiment and a rejection of Western pressure over democratic transitions.
Ankara solves that problem by offering security assistance without the political baggage of openly returning to France, the United States, the European Union or the United Nations.
The junta claimed that Western-backed security efforts failed to defeat jihadist groups. And indeed, Russian personnel helped the Malian junta project strength and break with France, all while prioritizing regime survival rather than state reform, building capacity or any public accountability. But on April 25, the jihadist Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin group partnered with the Azawad Liberation Front to launch an offensive that exposed the failures of Mali’s Russia-oriented security partnership. While Moscow has helped the regimes to survive, it has done little to halt the territorial spread of jihadist groups. (Rumors of civilian casualties at the hands of Russian forces have not helped the government’s case.)
The transition from Wagner to Africa Corps has made this problem sharper. Wagner was brutal, opportunistic and commercially predatory, but it also had a degree of flexibility. It could operate through informal networks, make rapid tactical decisions and blur the line between state policy, private profit and battlefield violence. Africa Corps, by contrast, is more directly tied to the Russian Defense Ministry. That may give Moscow greater central control, but it also makes the model more bureaucratic and more vulnerable to Russia’s wider strategic constraints.
The war in Ukraine is at least partly responsible. Russia has to prioritize manpower, equipment, logistics and political attention to the Ukraine front. African deployments, while still relevant to Moscow’s finances, are less acutely important. Notably, Russia’s reputation as a regime guarantor has also been damaged by its failure to preserve the governments in Syria and Venezuela.
For Mali’s junta, this creates a problem. Its legitimacy has been built around the claim that it restored sovereignty by breaking with the West. Now there are reports of covert discussions with U.S. intelligence around the provision of surveillance and logistics assistance. True or not, relying solely on Russia has also become less attractive. This is the gap Turkey is looking to exploit.
Turkey’s Model
Turkey offers a different type of partnership. Ankara does not carry the same colonial baggage as France, does not impose the same governance conditions as the EU and does not require the same ideological alignment as Russia. It can present itself as a pragmatic, Muslim-majority, non-Western, NATO member state that understands sovereignty, security, development and regime survival. That combination gives Turkey somewhat unique flexibility.
Since 1998, Ankara’s strategy in Africa has involved expanding its diplomatic, commercial, humanitarian and security presence across the continent. Its actions in Somalia are instructive.
Turkey embedded itself there through military training, infrastructure, education, diplomatic support and maritime security cooperation, linking defense cooperation with offshore oil and gas exploration. In Mogadishu, Turkey helped modernize the presidential palace, cementing close personal ties with the government elite and converting influence into commercial benefits and strategic access.
Mali is a different animal, of course. Where Somalia is coastal, strategically positioned on the Horn of Africa and central to Red Sea and Indian Ocean security, Mali is landlocked, fractured and embedded in a regional insurgency. But the political logic is the same: A vulnerable government needs external security support that isn’t Russian or Western.
Here, drones are especially important. Turkish drones are attractive to African governments because they offer surveillance, strike capacity and a way to compensate for weak ground control over vast territories. Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Somalia and Nigeria are among the African countries that operate Turkish systems. For military governments, drones have an added political benefit: They can be used as evidence that the regime is modernizing the armed forces.
But drones can’t solve every problem, especially in a country like Mali that is suffering from weak state authority, poor intelligence, ethnic and communal tensions, predatory security operations, porous borders, illicit economies and jihadist groups that effectively govern some rural areas. This is why Turkey’s role in Mali could expand beyond drones to include deliveries of other military equipment, intelligence support, maintenance support, training and private security services. Naturally, Turkish firms would also expect easier access to Mali’s market.
A key player to watch is SADAT, Turkey’s best-known private military company. SADAT presents itself as a provider of consulting, training and logistics services, but critics see it as part of Turkey’s wider ecosystem of deniable influence, given its close links to Turkish intelligence. SADAT can offer African regimes a middle way between Russian mercenaries and Western peacekeepers constrained by rules of engagement, parliamentary oversight and restrictions on the provision of lethal arms.
It would be a tricky balance, but Turkey has demonstrated pragmatism in other relationships with African states. For example, in Libya, Turkey intervened decisively on the side of the Tripoli-based government, yet it has increasingly engaged with the rival camp in the east, ensuring that Turkey remains relevant regardless of which faction is dominant. Since Russia is unlikely to disappear from Mali, but rather to linger as a weakened presence, Turkey can expand without forcing Bamako into a dramatic public rupture with Moscow.
The economic incentives are substantial. Turkey’s Africa policy has always been about more than just security policy. Ankara has planted embassies, airlines, development agencies, religious institutions, education networks, construction firms, energy companies and defense exporters across the continent.
Turkish contractors and mining firms are increasingly active in African markets, and Mali is quite literally a gold mine. The Turkish defense industrial base is also moving to become a major arms supplier. A regime protection arrangement could be paired with favorable contracts, infrastructure projects, logistics access or mining opportunities. This would echo parts of the Russian model but with a more diversified Turkish business ecosystem behind it.
A larger Turkish role would not be ideal from a European perspective, but it’s better than the alternatives. Ankara has its own agenda, and its relations with France, Greece, Cyprus and other parts of the EU remain difficult. Turkish operations would not necessarily align with European preferences on governance, human rights or conflict resolution. Yet France and the EU have little political room to re-enter Mali, and a NATO member with commercial incentives and some interest in regional stability is greatly preferable to a Russian security apparatus that thrives on elite capture, disinformation and resource extraction. European support would likely remain quiet, bilateral and selective.
A Golden Opportunity
Ankara has built a flexible model for Africa suited to instability. It can work with governments that distrust the West, compete with Russia without openly confronting it and use defense exports to open doors for commercial influence. And yet, in Mali, this approach is not without serious risks. France had superior military capacity and still failed to convert tactical operations into long-term stability. Russia had fewer constraints and still failed to contain the insurgency due to a lack of resources. Turkey may be more agile than Europe and less overstretched than Russia, but Mali’s structural realities are still an issue. A security partnership that protects the junta while neglecting governance, reconciliation and civilian harm will not stabilize the country.
There is also a reputational risk. SADAT or any Turkish-linked private security activity runs the risk of falling into the same trap as the Russians, while the more Turkey moves into the gray zone of regime protection, the harder it becomes to maintain the language of mutual development and sovereign partnership.
Still, the opportunities for Ankara to advance its wider project of strategic autonomy and global influence are too great to pass up. Russia, China, the West and the Gulf states are facing worsening conflicts and competition, and Africa is an increasingly competitive environment. Russia opened the door by offering the Sahel’s juntas security without Western conditions. Its failures have created room that Ankara can exploit. Mali may be the beginning of a Turkish strategy built around moving into spaces that Russia can’t afford to keep.
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Thanks to History Facts
Why Is the Letter “X” Used for a Kiss?
“XOXO” ON NOTE CARD
The letter "X" has ambiguous linguistic roots, and has carried various meanings in different contexts. "X" marks the spot of buried treasure on a map, represents a variable in mathematics, or can be used to select a choice on a ballot. Nowadays, it’s also commonly used as a symbol of affection and endearment — especially when it’s paired with "O" to form "XO," signifying kisses and hugs. But how exactly did "X" come to represent a kiss, and when did that originate?
The origins of "X" being associated with a kiss can be traced back to the Middle Ages. In an era when literacy rates were low and formal education was a rare privilege, people who couldn’t write would sign documents with an "X" instead of their name. When people signed with an "X," it wasn't merely a mark; it was a symbol that carried the weight of an oath. To validate their intentions and their "signature," people were also known to kiss the "X." How the letter "X" transitioned from a kiss in the name of sincerity to a kiss of romance or affection isn’t clear. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the earliest known use of that meaning to a 1763 letter by British naturalist Gilbert White. In the letter, White signs off, "I am, with many a xxxxxxx and many a Pater noster and Ave Maria, Gil White." This interpretation, however, has been challenged: Stephen Goranson, a researcher at Duke University, instead suggests that the "X" likely represented blessings, not kisses, given its use alongside religious phrases such as "Ave Maria." Indeed, an "X" was historically used as a symbol of the Christian cross. "X" is also the first letter in the Greek word for Christ, Χριστός — hence the well-known abbreviation for Christmas, "Xmas." Some linguists suggest an 1894 letter from Winston Churchill to his mother demonstrated a pioneering use of the letter "X" as a symbol for a kiss. The letter reads, “Please excuse bad writing as I am in an awful hurry. (Many kisses.) xxx WSC.” But in additional research, Goranson uncovered other uses of "X" as a symbol for a kiss as early as 1880. An even earlier example dates back to 1878. In Florence Montgomery's novel Seaforth, she describes letters ending with “the inevitable row of kisses; sometimes expressed by x x x x x, and sometimes by o o o o o.” Marcel Danesi, a professor of linguistic anthropology and author of The History of the Kiss!: The Birth of Popular Culture, suggested the association began earlier. He wrote that as the Renaissance era saw an increase of secularism, and with the 18th-century rise of the concept of romantic love, the symbolic "X" gradually expanded beyond its initial utilitarian function to become a gesture of affection.
An easier explanation could simply be the shape of the letter — that it looks like a pair of puckered lips. A linguistic interpretation, meanwhile, might suggest that the use of "X" for a kiss is rooted in its phonetic resemblance to the sound of the word “kiss,” mainly the soft, percussive "ks" sound made when pronouncing "X." The letter is still often written on its own as a sign-off; sometimes a double “XX” will do, and, of course, "X" frequently gets paired with an "O." (Even less is known about the origin of "O" as a symbol for a hug. It’s been suggested that the letter simply looks like a pair of arms wrapped around someone else; as with "X," however, there are other theories as well.)While the exact reason may never be clear, using an "X" for a personal touch has certainly permeated global communications, and has been perpetuated and reinforced through the rise of digital messaging. Today, the letter "X" is ingrained as a shorthand for affection, and despite its ambiguity, it remains a constant symbol in our ever-evolving language.
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Thanks to Newell
Family and Friends,
Flag Day
This coming Sunday is Flag Day, a patriotic reminder honoring our national ensign. This holiday annually commemorates the June 14, 1777 date when our embryo-nation’s Continental Congress approved the design for its first national flag.
Newell
I Am Your Flag
by James M. Fillmore
I am your Flag. I have been kicked, trampled, burned, and shot full of holes.
I have fought battles, but I prefer the untroubled air of a world at peace.
I am your Flag. I represent the freedom of humanity, and I shall fly high, thundering in silence for the whole world to hear. My gentle rustling in the breeze sounds out the warning to all who would bury me forever that below stands a population dedicated to liberty.
For those who have perished for my right to freedom of flight, for those who will die, and indeed for those who will live, I stand as a symbol of freedom-loving people.
I have been carried into battle in faraway lands, always for the cause of freedom. I am blood-stained, torn, and many times wearied and saddened by the thousands who have paid the supreme sacrifice.
Do not let it all be for nothing. Tell me the brave have died for a worthwhile cause. Be proud of what I represent, and display me for all to see.
Whether you call me "Old Glory," Stars and Stripes," or "Star Spangled Banner," I shall fly forever as a symbol of your freedom, as I did for your ancestors, and I shall for your heirs.
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Your daily drop of Americanness is here!
If Chicagoans Are From Chicago, Where Are Nutmeggers From?
Have you ever wondered what to call someone from a different state or city? While some state or city names naturally lend themselves to demonyms (for example, someone from Chicago is called a Chicagoan), others have taken more creative or unexpected routes. Some demonyms are historic, while others are quirky and worth a second look. So, here are some of the most interesting official (and unofficial) demonyms from across the country!
Connecticut - The Land of the Nutmeggers
While "Connecticuter" might be the official term, most people in Connecticut prefer the more charming nickname: Nutmegger. The name dates back to colonial times, when Connecticut traders were said to sell wooden nutmegs to unsuspecting buyers.
Maybe this is just a myth, but the nickname stuck, and today, Nutmeggers wear it with pride.
Kansas - Jayhawkers and Kansans
Kansas residents have two names to choose from: the straightforward "Kansan" and the more colorful "Jayhawker."
The latter has roots in the Civil War era, when it was the term used to describe anti-slavery guerrilla fighters. Over time, it evolved into a general nickname for Kansans and is now especially associated with the University of Kansas and its sports teams.
Massachusetts - Bay Staters Unite
Many state-based nicknames trace their roots to official state monikers. For example, residents of Massachusetts proudly call themselves Bay Staters, a nod to the state’s nickname, "The Bay State."
Massachusetts has a long colonial history defined by its coastal economy, from fishing to trade. So, while "Massachusettsan" technically works, you’ll rarely hear anyone use it. Bay Staters take pride in their rich Revolutionary War history, world-class universities, and, of course, their love of sports (go Sox!).
New Hampshire - The Granite Staters
If you’re from New Hampshire, you’re a Granite Stater—a name that reflects the state’s rugged and independent spirit. But do you know where the term comes from?
It originates from the state’s vast granite formations and quarries, which were once a major industry. But the nickname represents more than just rock; it’s a metaphor for the residents’ resilience and toughness. No wonder the state’s motto is "Live Free or Die"!
Ohio - The Buckeye State’s Buckeyes
Ohioans have an official demonym, but most people prefer Buckeye. The nickname comes from the state tree, the buckeye, whose nut resembles the eye of a deer.
It gained popularity during the 1840 presidential campaign of Ohioan William Henry Harrison, who was nicknamed the "Log Cabin and Hard Cider Candidate." Today, Buckeye is more than a demonym—it’s the name of a sports team, a state candy, and a symbol of Ohio pride!
Indiana - Hoosier Mysteries
No one knows exactly where the term Hoosier comes from, but that hasn’t stopped Indiana residents from embracing it enthusiastically.
Some theories suggest it originated as an old frontier greeting ("Who’s here?"), while others trace it to hardworking laborers called "hoosiers" in the 1800s. In any case, Hoosiers are fiercely proud of their basketball legacy, farming roots, and the legendary Indy 500.
New Jersey - New Jerseyans or New Jerseyites?
New Jersey residents can choose between New Jerseyan and New Jerseyite, though the former is much more common.
While the rest of the country might associate New Jersey with diners, boardwalks, and The Sopranos, New Jerseyans know their state is about much more. With its mix of beaches, suburbs, cities, and farmland, they've earned the right to choose their own demonym!
Hawaii - Kama‘āina, Malihini, and More
In Hawaii, what you call someone often depends on how long they’ve been there. Does that make sense? It does to them!
A kama‘āina is a longtime resident, regardless of ethnicity, while a malihini is a newcomer. Yes, "Hawaii resident" is perfectly acceptable, but the island terms carry deeper meaning. Kama‘āina reflects a strong connection to the islands, traditions, and way of life, while malihini refers to those still learning and adapting. No matter whether you're kama‘āina or malihini, the aloha spirit welcomes all.
Michigan - Michiganians, Michiganders, or Michiganites?
Michigan residents have a lot of options: Michiganians, Michiganders, or Michiganites. Let’s set the record straight: Michiganian is the official term, but Michigander is by far the most popular, thanks in part to Abraham Lincoln, who supposedly coined it to tease a political opponent from Michigan.
Some people even prefer Michiganite, though it sounds more like a type of rock than a person, right? No matter the term, they’re all part of the same mitten-shaped home.
Colorado - Coloradan or Coloradoan?
The great and final debate: Coloradan or Coloradoan? Actually, both are used, but Coloradan is the more common choice. The extra "o" in Coloradoan might seem unnecessary, but some argue it better reflects the state’s Spanish origins.
Either way, residents of Colorado are known for their love of the outdoors, craft beer, and breathtaking mountain landscapes. So, if you’re wondering what to call them, just don’t call them flatlanders!
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From the archives
Thanks to Kit who wrote Flying Black Ponies about fling OV-10s in the Delta A great read.. skip
My former father-in-law, Tom LaVaut, recently passed away, shy of 101 years old. He was a young boy when his parents died in a car accident. Neighbors in Montana adopted him. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps seeking adventure. He then lied about his age and joined the Navy at 15 in 1939. As a Gunner’s Mate, he was one of the youngest sailors at the Battle of Midway on USS Yorktown when it sank. After convalescing at Pearl Harbor, he joined the heavy cruiser USS Northampton CA-26, which the Japanese sank on 30 November 1942, at the Battle of Tassafaronga. The commanding officer, Captain Kitts (NOT Captain Pug Henry!!!), saved Tom from the nighttime burning water. Four young men from his adopted family died in combat during the war (a naval aviator, a marine, and two soldiers, one at Omaha Beach on D-Day (Sullivan Act DNA),
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Eventually, all aviators get asked, “Who is the best pilot you ever flew with?” That is not an easy question to answer. There are so many ways to define “best.” The mission: ACM, CAS? Flight leadership? Are you in the same aircraft? What kind of aircraft? “Stick and Rudder ability?”
When asked that question, I always think of one pilot. When I first flew with him, after I flew 243 combat missions as a naval aviator, he was in his seventies. And he could do anything with an airplane. He taught me mountain flying and landing on short grass and dirt strips throughout the Sierras. His name was Sol Sweet. He was the best stick and rudder pilot I ever knew. Here is an article I wrote about him for an aviation magazine.
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SOONER OR LATER THEY'LL BE MAKIN' RULES
by Kit Lavell
"There I was, cruising at a few hundred feet in the crisp morning air when a water line burst, spraying hot water all over me," Sol Sweet told me. I had heard the story many times, but never tired of listening to Sol's tales of flying in the early days of aviation. He reminded me of my uncle Joe, who was a World War One aviator, and whose stories inspired me as a kid growing up in the 1950s to become a Naval Aviator during the Vietnam War eventually.
When the water line burst, the twenty-two-year-old pilot pulled the throttle back and spiraled toward Mr. Putnam's cow pasture. The engine sputtered and popped, and the wind whistled through the old biplane's wires as Sol cut the magnetos and floated safely over the fence of the farmer's field near the intersection of highways 198 and 99 in California's San Joaquin Valley.
After landing, he sent a young spectator into town to fetch some copper tubing and more gasoline. By the time the kid returned, and Sol began the repairs, a line of people had queued up for rides. The young pilot obliged the gathering by flying all comers until darkness ended the fun. The crack of dawn brought even larger crowds, and before breakfast, Sol Sweet would mutter to himself a `thank you' to Charles Lindbergh, whose recent Trans-Atlantic flight had renewed the public's interest in this aviation thing.
Over the next couple of days, the wheels of the young aviator's plane wore deep ruts into the wet, rich soil of that old farmer's field. Sol loved the experience and the people so much that he bought the land from Mr. Putnam. The year was 1927. The ruts became Runway 12/30 of Visalia Airport.
A few months later, Sol flew with several buddies from Visalia to Oakland Airport to become stunt pilots in Howard Hughes' epic movie Hell's Angels. They were hired to recreate World War One aviation battle scenes and were promised $20 an hour and three hours of work a day.
"The other pilots and I kept flying, although several paydays rolled by without us seeing any money. We would get room and board, but no pay," Sol recalled philosophically. "I was sure this Howard Hughes fella was headed for the poorhouse. I just knew he'd never make it."
After Sol watched a mid-air collision near his plane - not called for in the script - he decided to make his next landing back home in Visalia. "I wrote to Hughes and told him to come and get his plane," Sol told me. He did. And Sol got his check. "I went to the bank to cash it immediately because I was sure it was bad." It wasn't.
Sol Sweet had learned to fly shortly after the First World War. Although he knew he was too old, he wanted to be part of the next big war, and the day after Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for the Army Air Corps. They would not take him because of his age and the fact that he wore glasses, but the Army needed instructors like Sol. Since Sweet Flying Service had been training fledgling aviators since 1927, Sol had a ton of flight experience, and he quickly moved through the ranks as a flight leader, squadron commander, and finally, as head of both the flight and ground schools at nearby Sequoia Field.
When I left Visalia in 1977, Sol was the oldest licensed flight instructor in the U.S. and had long ago stopped counting his flight time when it reached 20,000 hours. Sweet Flying Service was the oldest continuous fixed-base operation in the world.
My favorite Sol Sweet story is about attending a meeting of "all pilots" that the federal government called, shortly after he learned to fly. Sol and his best friend, Harold Kelsey, flew to Los Angeles to listen to a couple of wet-behind-the-ears bureaucrats paint a golden picture of how aviation was poised to take off in America and the government was there to help it. As the meeting was winding up, the men from Washington announced they had the first one hundred aviation licenses for anyone who wanted one. "`Just come up and give us your name and address,' they said. Well, I sprang up, eager to be one of the first in line when Kelsey grabbed me. `You don't want to do that,' he warned. `Why not?' I asked. `If you give the government your name, they'll want to keep track of you, and sooner or later, they'll be makin' rules and regulatin' flying. And you wouldn't want that to happen, would you?"
-30-
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Also from Kit
Subject: 100 percent
Skip,
I don’t remember who sent this to me.
What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
And
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
But,
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
And,
B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T
2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%
AND,
look how far ass kissing will take you.
A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G
1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%
So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that while Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Bullshit and Ass Kissing that will put you over the top.
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Thanks to Interesting Facts…..
Our 10 Most Delicious Facts About Drinks
Who invented the pumpkin spice latte? What country has its own national standard for brewing the perfect cup of tea? And what fierce bicoastal debate surrounds the martini? We’ve rounded up our favorite facts about beverages from around the website, so brew up a cuppa or pour yourself a cold one and pore over these facts about coffee, tea, wine, beer, cocktails, and more.
1
Coffee Beans Aren’t Actually Beans
It turns out that the name we use for those tiny pods that are ground and brewed into a cup of joe is a misnomer. Coffee “beans” are actually the seeds found within coffee cherries, a reddish fruit harvested from coffee trees. Farmers remove the skin and flesh from the cherry, leaving only the seed inside to be washed and roasted.
Coffee farming is a major time investment: On average, a tree takes three to four years to produce its first crop of cherries. In most of the Coffee Belt — a band along the equator where most coffee is grown that includes the countries of Brazil, Ethiopia, and Indonesia — coffee cherries are harvested just once per year. In many countries, the cherries are picked by hand.
2
Herbal Tea Isn’t Actually Tea
This may be a shocking revelation, but herbal “teas” like chamomile and peppermint aren’t officially teas at all. In order for a drink to be classified as tea, it must come from the Camellia sinensis plant, from which many white, green, oolong, and black teas do. Herbal teas, however, are tisanes, or infusions that incorporate various leaves, fruits, barks, roots, flowers, and other edible non-tea plants. So while the experience of drinking a minty tea may be quite similar to drinking a warm cup of green tea, the two beverages fall into completely different categories from a scientific gastronomic perspective.
3
Seltzer Water Was Named After the German Town of Selters
Germany loves its beer, but seltzer is a close second. The country is so entwined with the fizzy beverage that the word “seltzer” comes from the name of the German town of Selters (located about 40 miles northwest of Frankfurt), which is famous for its naturally carbonated mineral springs. The springs have been well known in the area for more than 1,000 years, and by 1791, fizzy water from Selters was so popular, it was exported throughout the world in jugs stamped with the name “selters-wasser,” or “Selters water.” The word transformed into “seltzer” when the beverage became popular in North America, especially in New York and Philadelphia, around the early 19th century. Today, the Selterswassermuseum (in Selters, of course) chronicles the local spring’s long history.
4
Starbucks Invented the Pumpkin Spice Latte
Love it or hate it, the pumpkin spice latte is a part of the American coffee identity. It’s hard to imagine that the drink didn’t exist as recently as the early 2000s. We have Starbucks to thank for the seasonal treat — they introduced it in 2003. Pumpkin spice lattes were created by the “Liquid Lab” at Starbucks’ Seattle headquarters, and are considered to be the brainchild of Peter Dukes. Dukes had the idea for the latte back in 2001, at a time when Starbucks was trying to conceive of a fall-themed beverage that would become as popular as their seasonal holiday drinks. Short of an actual recipe, the testers brought pumpkin pies into a lab, poured espresso atop, and ate the pie in what proved to be a delicious treat. After matching the taste in drink form, the result blew up into a worldwide sensation.
Pumpkin spice lattes were first tested in 100 Starbucks stores in 2003 before launching worldwide the following year. They went on to sell upwards of 500 million cups in the drink’s first 18 years on the market. The drink has expanded far beyond Starbucks ever since, becoming an autumnal staple of coffee shops everywhere.
5
The Negroni Was Invented by One Count Negroni
Count Camillo Negroni bellied up to the bar at Café Casoni and asked for something stronger than his usual Americano (Campari, club soda, and vermouth). Fosco Scarselli obliged, replacing the club soda with gin, and the Negroni was born. While the ownership and name have changed a few times, you can still visit the original space on Piazza della Libertà, now known as Caffè Lietta.
6
The British Have Their Own Official Standard for the Perfect Cup of Tea
The British are serious about tea. So much so that British Standards — a national body that produces technical specifications for products and services — released an edict in 1980 on the official British guidelines for making the perfect cup of tea. Though some may disagree with the standard, the rules include the following: Use a porcelain pot and a ratio of 2 grams of tea per every 100 ml of water, brew for six minutes, maintain a temperature of 60 to 85 degrees Celsius (140 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit) when serving the tea, and add milk to the mug first if using tea that’s already been steeped.
7
Plant Milks Have Been Around for 5,000 Years
For years, dairy producers have sued alternative milk companies for using the word “milk” on their packaging — but history is not on their side. Evidence suggests that Romans had a complex understanding of the word “milk,” as the root of the word “lettuce” comes from “lact” (as in “lactate”). Many medieval cookbooks make reference to almond milk, and the earliest mention of soy milk can be found on a Chinese stone slab from around the first to third century CE. However, coconut milk has the longest history; archaeologists have recovered coconut graters among relics from Madagascar and Southeast Asia that date back to around 3000 to 1500 BCE.
8
California Wines Beat French Rivals in a Blind Taste Test
In a legendary event dubbed “The Judgment of Paris,” held on May 24, 1976, French wine experts preferred upstart California wines to the finest French ones in a taste test. An English wine shop owner staged the event to drum up business, and everyone assumed a French victory was a foregone conclusion. The nine experts swirled, sniffed, and sipped a variety of reds and whites, then tallied the number of points they awarded to each sample; shockingly, a cabernet sauvignon and a chardonnay from Napa Valley won out, proving that countries besides France could produce the world’s finest wines. A bottle of each winning wine is now in the Smithsonian collection.
9 of 25
Decaf Coffee Is Still a Tiny Bit Caffeinated
Decaf coffee has helped coffee drinkers enjoy the taste of coffee without (much of) the jolting effects of caffeine, but its creation was entirely accidental. According to legend, around 1905 German coffee merchant Ludwig Roselius received a crate of coffee beans that had been drenched with seawater. Trying to salvage the beans, the salesman roasted them anyway, discovering that cups brewed with the beans retained their taste (with a little added salt) but didn’t have any jittery side effects. Today, the process for making decaf blends remains relatively similar: Beans are soaked in water or other solvents to remove the caffeine, then washed and roasted. However, no coffee is entirely free of caffeine. It’s estimated that 97% of caffeine is removed during preparation, but a cup of decaf has as little as 2 milligrams of caffeine — compared to regular coffee’s 95 milligrams.
10
Dr Pepper Was Once Marketed as a Warm Beverage
Dr Pepper was first served around 1885 at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas. The drink was created by Charles Alderton in an effort to capture the fruity and syrupy smells wafting through the store. Though Dr Pepper was initially served cold, the drink was briefly marketed as a warm beverage, a plan that was developed to ensure the brand’s continued popularity throughout the colder holiday months.
Hot Dr Pepper was first conceived of in 1958, when company president Wesby Parker found inspiration while visiting a bottling plant during a blizzard. The result was a new recipe developed by the company that encouraged consumers to heat Dr Pepper over a stovetop to 180 degrees and then pour it over a thin slice of lemon. The drink was marketed in ads using taglines such as “Devilishly Different” and “Winter Warmer,” and an alcoholic version containing rum, called the Schuss-Boomer, was later popularized. Hot Dr Pepper remained a beloved holiday drink into the 1970s, and though it has since faded in popularity, the beverage continues to be made each year by certain pockets of loyal fans.
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This Day in U S Military History…….June 12
1945 – On Okinawa, many of the Japanese naval infantry cut off in the Oruku peninsula, reduced to a pocket of about 1000 square yards, begin to commit mass suicide to avoid surrender. The US 1st Marine Division captures the west end of Kunishi Ridge during a night attack. The US 96th Division attacks Japanese positions around Mount Yuza and Mount Yaeju. (Remember this battle started on 1 April)
1945 – On Luzon, the US 145th Infantry Regiment breaks Japanese resistance at Orioung Pass, occupies the town of Orioung and advances as far as positions overlooking the town of Balite. The Visayan Islands (including Samar, Negros, Panay, Leyte, Cebu, and Bohol), between Luzon and Mindanao, are secured by American forces. American casualties in the campaign have amounted to 835 dead and 2300 wounded. Japanese casualties are estimated to be 10,000 dead.
1961 – President John F. Kennedy signed a Presidential Proclamation calling for the American flag to be flown at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, “at all times during the day and night.” Discussions between the Attorney General’s office and Marine Corps officials earlier in 1961 on improving the visibility and appearance of the monument led to the proposal to fly the Flag continuously, which by law could only be done by Congressional legislation or by Presidential proclamation.
1972 – Gen. John D. Lavelle, former four-star general and U.S. Air Force commander in Southeast Asia, testifies before the House Armed Services Committee. He had been relieved of his post in March and later demoted after it was determined that he had repeatedly ordered unauthorized bombings of military targets in North Vietnam. Court-martial charges were brought against him by his subordinates but were dropped by the Air Force because the “interests of discipline” had already been served. Lavelle became the first four-star general in modern U.S. history to be demoted on retirement, although he continued to receive full general’s retirement pay of $27,000 per year.
1987 – In one of his most famous Cold War speeches, President Ronald Reagan challenges Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. Two years later, deliriously happy East and West Germans did break down the infamous barrier between East and West Berlin. Reagan’s challenge came during a visit to West Berlin. With the Berlin Wall as a backdrop, Reagan declared, “There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.” He then called upon his Soviet counterpart: “Secretary General Gorbachev, if you seek peace–if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe–if you seek liberalization: come here, to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” Addressing the West Berlin crowd, Reagan observed, “Standing before the Brandenburg Gate, every man is a German, separated from his fellow men. Every man is a Berliner, forced to look upon a scar.” Reagan then went on to ask Gorbachev to undertake serious arms reduction talks with the United States. Most listeners at the time viewed Reagan’s speech as a dramatic appeal to Gorbachev to renew negotiations on nuclear arms reductions. It was also a reminder that despite the Soviet leader’s public statements about a new relationship with the West, the United States wanted to see action taken to improve the Cold War tensions. Just eight months before, a summit between Reagan and Gorbachev had ended unsatisfactorily, with both sides charging the other with bad faith in talks aimed at reducing nuclear arsenals. Reagan, who had formed a personal closeness to Gorbachev during their previous meetings, obviously wanted to move those negotiations forward. In December 1987, the two met once again and signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which eliminated an entire class of nuclear missiles from Europe.
1998 – Space shuttle Discovery returned to Earth, bringing home the last American to live aboard Mir and closing out three years of U.S.-Russian cooperation aboard the aging space station.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
FURNESS, FRANK
Rank and organization: Captain, Company F, 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Place and date: At Trevilian Station, Va., 12 June 1864. Entered service at: Philadelphia, Pa. Birth:——. Date of issue: 20 October 1899. Citation: Voluntarily carrier a box of ammunition across an open space swept by the enemy’s fire to the relief of an outpost whose ammunition had become almost exhausted, but which was thus enabled to hold its important position.
WILLISTON, EDWARD B.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, 2d U.S. Artillery. Place and date: At Trevilian Station, Va., 12 June 1864. Entered service at: San Francisco, Calif. Birth: Norwich, Vt. Date of issue: 6 April 1892. Citation: Distinguished gallantry.
*SVEHLA, HENRY
Rank: Private First Class, Organization: U.S. Army, Company: Company F, Division: 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, Born: 1932, New Jersey, Departed: Yes, Entered Service At: New Jersey, G.O. Number:, Date of Issue: 05/02/2011, Accredited To: New Jersey, Place / Date: Pyongony, Korea, 12 June, 1952. Citation: Private First Class Henry Svehla distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman with F Company, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Pyongony, Korea, on 12 June 1952. That afternoon while Private First Class Svehla and his platoon were patrolling a strategic hill to determine enemy strength and positions, they were subjected to intense enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire at the top of the hill. Coming under the heavy fire, the platoon’s attack began to falter. Realizing the success of the mission and the safety of the remaining troops were in peril, Private First Class Svehla leapt to his feet and charged the enemy positions, firing his weapon and throwing grenades as he advanced. In the face of this courage and determination, the platoon rallied to the attack with renewed vigor. Private First Class Svehla, utterly disregarding his own safety, destroyed enemy positions and inflicted heavy casualties, when suddenly fragments from a mortar round exploding nearby seriously wounded him in the face. Despite his wounds, Private First Class Svehla refused medical treatment and continued to lead the attack. When an enemy grenade landed among a group of his comrades, Private First Class Svehla, without hesitation and undoubtedly aware of the extreme danger, threw himself upon the grenade. During this action, Private First Class Svehla was mortally wounded. Private First Class Svehla’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for June 12, FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD “PHIL” MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
12 June
1913: The first Curtiss tractor-type aircraft (Signal Corps No. 21) is accepted by the Army Signal Corps.
1918: The 96th Aero Squadron carried out the first American daylight-bombing mission in World War I from Amanty Airdrome against the occupied Dommary-Baroncourt rail yards in France. (4)
1922: Capt Albert W. Stevens, Air Service, made a record parachute jump from 24,206 ft. from a supercharged Martin bomber over McCook Field. (24)
1934: Federal Aviation Commission (Howell Committee) appointed to study the Army and Air Corps separation issue. It made no recommendations, because the earlier Baker Board opposed that separation.
1942: Twelve B-24s raided oil refineries in Ploesti, Rumania, unsuccessfully. This was the first heavy bomber attack in Europe during World War II. Col Harry A. Halverson led the raid from Fayid, Egypt. (4) (21)
1958: Capt William H. Howell flew a Boeing KC-135 at 670 MPH from Los Angeles to New York and set an FAI record of 3 hours 42 minutes 45 seconds for that route. (9)
1959: The USAF transport VC-137, a military version of the Boeing 707, flew from Washington DC to London on its maiden transoceanic voyage. (24)
1970: A USAF K-30, one of the largest reconnaissance cameras, retired to the Air Force Museum after more than 20 years in service. The camera measured 3' x 4 1/2' x 5', weighed 665 pounds, and used 100-inch focal length optical system.
1971: Chauncy Dunn flew his Raven S-60 to an FAI altitude record of 32,949 feet for three balloon subclasses (AX-8, AX-9, and AX-10) at Boulder. The records covered balloons between 2,200 and over 4,000 cubic meters. (9)
1973: Early Warning Space Satellites joined the aerospace surveillance system. Fourteenth Air Force operated the satellite system that augmented the ground-based, missile-launch detection sensors.
1979: Bryan Allen flew the Gossamer Albatross I under pedal-power across the English Channel. (21) President Carter approved full-scale engineering development for the M-X missile. (1)
1980: The first AGM-86B ALCM (Air Launched Cruise Missile) launched and flown over the Utah Test and Training Range. The nuclear armed AGM-86B uses a terrain contour-matching guidance system (TERCOM) to fly to its assigned target. Twenty of these weapons could be loaded in a B-52.
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