Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Military

Memorial Day 2026

Judging from the graphic above, it seems as if our Nation has been in conflicts almost constantly since its establishment. I cannot begin to estimate the number of casualties and deaths resulting from those battles.

We thank the LORD for our freedom and security, none of which would be possible without the terrible losses suffered by those brave and gallant souls.

On this Memorial Day, as we commemorate those lost in the many battles over the years, may we contemplate their ultimate sacrifices and pray to the LORD for the safe keeping of their souls.

AI generated graphic by ChatGPT. Click to enlarge.

25 May 2026 by Comrades in Arms Holidays Military Notions Patriotism 0

Armed Forces Day – 05/16/2026

No country on Earth has assembled such a versatile, well equipped and dedicated collection of men and women who serve under the Star Spangled Banner as the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Each year on the third Saturday of May, we celebrate this day to recognize our Armed Forces as simply the best in the world.

Join us as we celebrate, congratulate, thank and bless our uniformed patriots that have answered the call to defend America. Pray for the folks doing their duty around the world to be safe in their work and to return home safely at the conclusion of their various assignments.

Banner above created by AI ChatGPT. Click to view enlarged.

16 May 2026 by Military Patriotism 0

Veterans Day 2025

Thank you, veterans, for your unwavering courage and sacrifice in defending the freedoms we hold dear. From the battlefields of past wars to the modern fronts of global conflict, you have stood as the shield of our nation, putting duty above self and protecting the American way of life for generations. Your service—whether in times of war or peace—has ensured that liberty endures, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

To every veteran who has worn the uniform, faced adversity, and returned home changed but unbroken: your legacy inspires us all. On this Veterans Day and every day, we honor your commitment, resilience, and the profound impact you’ve made on our country’s story. Thank you for your service to America—may we always remember and repay the debt we owe.

P.S. Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps Yesterday. Sorry for the late acknowledgement. OOHRAH!

10 Nov 2025 by Holidays Military Patriotism

Operation Overlord 81st Anniversary

Image credit: deviantart.com.

Operation Overlord: A Turning Point in World History

Operation Overlord was the codename for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France during World War II. It took place on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, and marked a significant turning point in the war. The operation involved a massive airborne assault and amphibious landing on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast.

The invasion was carried out by a coalition of American, British, Canadian, and French forces, with the goal of liberating Western Europe from German occupation. The operation involved over 156,000 troops, 5,000 ships and landing craft, and extensive air support. The Allied forces faced fierce resistance from German troops, but ultimately secured a foothold on the continent. The successful execution of Operation Overlord paved the way for the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe.

After all of the blood treasure lost during the “Crusade in Europe,” it is a damn shame that many of the “liberated” European countries have gone to the hard left and are again flirting with socialist policies that generally have doomed nations in the past. Combine that tendency with the influx of foreign (read Islamist) insurgents to further endanger the citizenry to “intifada.”

We pray daily for the Almighty to temper the growth of the invasion and to restore freedom and for those nations to eject the invaders.

On this anniversary of D-Day, we will be remembering the efforts of the western nations and our USA Armed Forces to liberate Europe from the evils then, and praying for those nations to regain the liberty that they were given by the sacrifice of so many who believed in restoring their freedom in 1944.

06 Jun 2025 by Military Nostalgia

Memorial Day 2025

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” – Ronald Reagan

Honoring the Fallen

As we observe Memorial Day, we remember the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy. Their ultimate act of service is a testament to the enduring spirit of patriotism and courage that defines our nation. From the Revolutionary War to the present day, American heroes have fought and died for our country, leaving behind families, friends, and communities forever changed by their loss.

Let us reverently remember them on this Memorial Day.

26 May 2025 by Holidays Military

Armed Forces Day

Take a few moments today, to think about and pray for our military heroes, past, present and future. Pray for their safety, security and success in their efforts to keep America safe and secure. Pray for their renewal and restoration to be the mightiest force in the world, that they might ensure peace on Earth.

Image courtesy of Mark Alexander and the Patriot Post.

In his first annual message in January of 1790, then-President George Washington declared, “To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” In his 1793 annual message, Washington said likewise, “If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war.”

That is a timeless truth attributed to Roman author Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus’s tract, “Concerning Military Matters” (c400 AD), in which he wrote what is now paraphrased in Latin, “Si vis pacem, para bellum” — “If you want peace, prepare for war.”

Our Founders understood the merits of a strong defense, as all learned men throughout history have understood, but presidents who have neglected to heed the wisdom of that maxim are responsible for the loss of thousands of American military lives when unprepared for war, as was the case with Franklin Roosevelt before World War II.

Clearly, Donald Trump is the strongest advocate of “Si vis pacem, para bellum” since President Ronald Reagan, and our Armed Forces know they have a commander-in-chief they can both respect and trust.

Si vis pacem, para bellum, indeed. If you seek peace, prepare for war.

17 May 2025 by Military Patriotism

V-22 Osprey Flyover

Late this afternoon (04/14/2025), an Boeing V-22 Osprey aircraft flew nearly over our place here at an estimated altitude of about 500 feet above ground level. Damsel snapped this photo after retrieving her camera when hearing the unusual sound from this one-of-kind aircraft type.

It appeared that the Osprey, in tilted up rotor configuration, might have been heading for a landing at our local airport, a couple miles west of us. Ospreys tilt the rotors up for takeoff and landing, otherwise the rotors are tilted forward for cruise configuration.

As I mentioned above, this aircraft makes a most unusual sound signature when flying by, especially in the rotors up configuration. At this low altitude, the sound was clearly something foreign to our quiet little abode here in the desert.

I haven’t been able to distinguish from the aircraft markings visible in the photo whether this is a Marine or an Air Force craft. While we have seen Ospreys flying over the past few years, this may have been the closest pass to our home to date.

Click on the image to view enlarged.

14 Apr 2025 by Arizona Aviation Military Photography

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