Tag Archives: Tradition

Group Claims Responsibility for Memorial Cross Bombing

The World, a local Oregon paper, reported that the previously unknown Veterans United for Non-religious Memorials claimed responsibility for the “bombing” of the Coos Bay veteran’s memorial:

“Apparently you are not receiving our message about the Mingus Park Veterans Memorial,” the letter reads. “We gave you warnings with the minor explosive devices at the memorial and at the Bay Area House of Prayer.”

“From now forward, we hold each of you personally responsible for causing deeper grief and insult to the families and friends of non-Christian Veterans.”

The FBI is investigating.

ADVERTISEMENT

Explosion Damages War Memorial Cross

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has been on the prowl for the slightest hint of religion in the public square, targeting as obscure monuments as Jesus at a ski resort and a war memorial in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Apparently, someone didn’t think they were moving fast enough and tried to blow it up:

An unknown individual detonated the IED near the memorial, located at Mingus Park in the City of Coos Bay, sometime late night between last Thursday and last Friday.

For its part, the FFRF naturally denounced the violence.

“We expressly do not Read more

Marines and Challenge Coins

A US Marine article covers the tradition of military “challenge coins.”  The article acknowledges the origin of the tradition has been lost to time, though he repeats one possibility from the World War I fighter pilot story (the same story told here).

As with many traditions, even if they were “fighter pilot traditions,” they tend to cross functional and even Service lines.

ADVERTISEMENT

Air Force Chief Targets Bible in POW Memorial, IG Defends It

A long-running US military tradition is the POW/MIA table.  While often a discrete event at formal functions such as military dinings-in, many dining facilities maintain a continuous POW/MIA table within their facilities.  There are actually many variations on the display, though one of the more common ones follows:

The table is round – to show our everlasting concern for our missing men (and women).

The tablecloth is white – symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of Read more

Air Force Hosts Pilot Training Student Journal

Vance Air Force Base has posted an ongoing pilot training journal written by 2Lt S. Tucker Browne.  Lt Browne started his training in August of last year, first flying T-6A Texan IIs and then T-38C Talons.  His graduation from the year-long course should be soon.

His journal should have some interesting tidbits, including a look into some ongoing pilot traditions, like the solo dunk tank (recounted by another pilot here, and copied here):

On Monday, our class had the privilege of sending one of our own up into the pattern alone. The pilot, 2nd Lt. Latessa Bortner, said it was a really fun experience…

When she landed, we were ready for the age-old tradition of Read more

Missionary Aviation and Pilot Traditions

Getting dunked in the solo tank is a tradition most, if not all, Air Force pilots experience after their first solo in a military aircraft.  It seems Mission Aviation Fellowship has a similar tradition.

You can see the pictorial story of Aaron Hoffman, a recent arrival to Kalimantan, who landed his float plane after his first in-country solo as a mission pilot.

He probably should have worn his life vest.

Kalimantan is in Indonesia, and shares an island with Brunei.

See more at the MAF Blog.

ADVERTISEMENT

USAFA Thunderbirds Replaced with Volunteers

The traditional Thunderbird flyby of the US Air Force Academy graduation was canceled, reportedly due to budget concerns.  A group of private aerial demonstration teams has volunteered to fill in the awkward silence that would otherwise mark the hat-toss.

Academy officials said Thursday that more than a dozen pilots have volunteered to fly historical U.S. military aircraft over graduation week events, including the commencement ceremony May 29.

ADVERTISEMENT

Air Force Welfare Sweep Nets Porn, Nose Art, Religious Books

The Air Force released the results of the “health and welfare” inspection ordered by Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh in December.

The Air Force found 631 instances of pornography…; 3,987 instances of unprofessional material…; and 27,598 instances of inappropriate or offensive items… In total, 32,216 items were reported.

The Air Force even published the entire list, if you’re keen on seeing 61 pages of small font of every item confiscated, removed, or destroyed.

Most media articles have already picked up on the things like Maxim magazine, nose art, and PG-13 movies on the list.  A few — mostly fighter pilots — will pick up on the mermaid-handled mugs that were removed.  Fewer will notice the Air Force actually had to order new parts for aircraft to replace “offensive” painted panels.

Wonder how many people will pick up on these:  Read more

1 … 6 7 8 9 10 … 25