This copy of a speech given at a "Dining In," a traditional formal military officers' dinner - usually an annual stag affair held by units on bases and posts. I've been told by friends who know him, that Guy Lofaro was a legendary professor at West Point and is a tremendous speaker. This speech provides exceptional insight into the values and dedication required by all of our military servicemen and women today. It's an excellent tribute, and has been making the rounds throughout the ranks....

Let me say before beginning, that it has been my pleasure to attend several dinings-in here at West Point and hence, I have some basis for comparison. You people have done a fine job and you ought to congratulate yourselves.

In fact, why don't we take this time to have the persons who were responsible for this event, stand, so we can acknowledge them publicly. I guess I am honored with these invitations because there exists this rumor that I can tell a story. Cadets, who I have had in class, so...

On this day, December 23, 1783 General George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. That act signaled his return to civilian life at Mount Vernon, but ultimately it was much more than that. It set the stage for how the United States would ultimately be led and governed. Today, Luke and I took a walk down to the Maryland State House in Annapolis. Unfortunately, because of the current health crisis, the State House is closed to the public, so we couldn't get in to shoot this as we'd intended—undeterred, we sat down on a park bench outside and did it there. We posted some additional photos from our previous visits to the State House. It was a windy day, and we did this pretty quickly--but hopefully, it will serve as a good reminder of how significant this day is, and especially, how meaningful George Washington's actions were 237 years ago. Today.

Just completed another "D-Day Experience" video program that discusses The Battle of Carentan and what became known by the Soldiers who fought there, as "Purple Heart Lane."

The objective of the attacking American forces was consolidation of the U.S. beachheads--Utah Beach and Omaha Beach--and establishing a continuous defensive line against the German counterattacks that were certain to follow.

This is an interesting battle and event to study--it features the first bayonet charge of World War II, a Medal of Honor to the man who led it, and multiple Distinguished Service Crosses.
It's also a very complex battle--primarily because of the series of bridges along the causeway into Carentan, the movements and maneuver, the logistics, personalities and key locations involved; not to mention the series of attacks and counterattacks that occurred over the course of those several days in June 1944--less than a week after D-Day. But one thing was as clear to those men and women then, as it is ...

Victor Lundy

True artists must find a creative outlet no matter what the circumstance—including times of war. Thanks to the creative passion and steady hand of then 21-year old soldier Victor Lundy, we have a breathtaking visual record of World War II, in the form of documentary sketches. For Lundy, “drawing is sort of synonymous with thinking,” which means we are left with an intimate archive of sketches that unfold one soldier’s experience fighting on the front lines. Lundy was studying architecture in New York when, enthralled with the idea of rebuilding a post-war Europe, he enrolled in the Army Special Training Program. By 1944, with D-Day looming, the Army needed reinforcements, which meant that young Lundy would be thrown into the infantry. This shocking turn of events didn’t stunt his creativity, though.

Lundy, who is now 92, recalls his inability to listen during lectures. “I was busy sketching,” he admits. During his time in the infantry, he continued to sketch in his pocke...

Major General Charles Canham pinning Master Sergeant stripes on Ola Mize.

Major General Charles Canham awarding the Medal of Honor to Ola Mize.