Have you ever noticed that at some cemeteries, on the headstone, you can find coins left on them. Did you ever wonder where they came from and WHY they were there? If these coins were left on a soldier's grave who lost his live while in the US military then there are different meanings based upon which type of coin someone left. By leaving a coin on a soldier's grave it is meant as a sign of respect for the family. If you just leave a penny it simply means that you have been there. It's not disrespectful, but it doesn't carry special meaning. If there's a nickel it means that the person who left it participated in training with the deceased. If a dime is left then it means that the person who left it served with the deceased. A quarter left indicates that the person was with the deceased at the time of their death. The money left at the graves is eventually collected and used for the general upkeep and for helping people with the costs of burying their loved ones at the cemetery. In the United States it started to be normal for people to do this during the time of the Vietnam War since there was such a separation of viewpoints towards the war at the time. It was an easier way to show your support towards the family than contacting them. You should show your respect without risking a political confrontation with the family. In some circumstances the coins left were a symbol of treating their friends to a beer when they finally met up again in the world beyond. This tradition can be seen as far back as the Romans where they also did the same practice. Have you ever left a coin?

At the 2013 MSPO in Poland a new Polish Armored Support Vehicle was showcased as the most recent addition to the Polish line of tracked vehicles. This vehicle is part of the military program although it is unsure whether it will be mass produced. At this point it is an idea and not yet a tangible vehicle in good working condition. Definitely, looking forward to seeing the actual vehicle soon. Don't you?

Obama made comments today about the effects of the shutdown in the government. Here they are: -If you are already on Social Security then your checks will keep on coming, but if you haven't applied yet then you should wait until the shutdown is over -Citizens who are enrolled in Medicare can continue visiting their doctors without delay -Mail will continue to be sent by the US postal service, and anything related to the safety of the American people will carry on as usual. -The American military will continue to do as they always do, and protect the American people from harm. -People in positions such as guarding prisons or the borders will still work as usual, but their checks won't be given to them until the government opens up shop again. -NASA won't be functioning during this time, but any men currently deployed in space will still be given support by Mission Control. -Most offices will not be open. -Salaries won't be paid until the offices reopen. -Important services for the elderly, women, kids, veterans, and our business system will be delayed -Owners of shops and businesses wouldn't be able to receive loans and permits in a timely manner. -Our men who served in the military and gave it all for our country wouldn't be able to receive the support that they need. -Anyone visiting any of the national parks or monuments would find them unmanned and closed. -Anyone that has a business in those areas where national parks and monuments are would of course see a drastic decrease in their income.

This Light Tank MK VII was invented at the end of the 1930s, however only around 170 of them were actually produced when the assembly line seized to function in 1940s. It was used during the D-Day invasion in 1944 and this MK I Close Support Tetrarch was assigned to 6th Airborne Reconnaissance Regiment, 6th Airborn Division.

The U.S. Government Shutdown has now started despite the Senate disapproval of the latest House petition to suspend Obamacare. The White House budget office has already ordered federal agencies to shut down. The following are the statements and comments of President Obama regarding the effects of government shutdown: - If you collect your Social Security, you will still receive it, but if not you will need to wait to apply for Social Security. - Those that have Medicare, can still see or consult their physician. - Delivery of mails will still be normal, government offices for national security or public safety will still be functioning - Our military men will carry their pledge to protect and serve the country with skill, honor and courage. - The salaries of prison guards and those who work on national securities will be late until the government resumes but they will stay on their duty. - NASA will be closed almost completely. Only the Mission Control will stay open to assist and guide the personnel working in the space station projects. - Office buildings will be closed. - Remunerations will be deferred. - Important services that pensioners and veterans, women and children, businesses and our economy depend on will be constrained. - Entrepreneurs will experience deferments in raising funds, seeking for infrastructure permits or rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy. - Support centers for veterans will not be operational. - Our National parks and monuments, from Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty will be locked and shut. - Lastly, livelihood programs for communities and small business will not be available.

The US Navy has developed a directed-energy weapon known as LaWS (Laser Weapon System). In early 2014 (or late 2013) this directed-energy weapon would be installed in the USS Ponce for the purpose of field testing. The Kratos Defense and Security Solutions developed this system in support of the US Navy's DE&EWS (Directed Energy & Electric Weapon Systems) program after being awarded a contract amounting to $11 million in the year 2010. However, in May 2012, the CIWS control system was used in NSWC test for enabling the beam director for tracking UAV target. LaWs is primarily intended for ship defense, particularly against both suicidal and non-suicidal small boat attacks and drones. At present it isn't capable of engaging missiles, ships, submersibles, or large aircraft that are approaching the ship. The basic design of LaWs features a solid-state infrared beam that can be adjusted to low output for crippling the target's sensor, and a higher output for destroying a target. For every firing, only an energetic pulse needs to be generated, making it more efficient over projectile weapons in terms of operation, storage space, transportation, handling and maintenance.

For the first time a fighter jet (the X-47B) was launched from the surface of an American aircraft carrier. The carrier was a drone which has no human pilot on board. According to defense analyst James Lewis, these unmanned crafts are powerful key in the upcoming fights and wars. According to Vice Admiral Buss aka Navy's Air Boss, the drone is a significant and important impending assimilation of unmanned systems and nuclear powered aircraft carrier that can control and defeat their enemies. The launching of the trial flight of the drone (X-47B) on Tuesday can finally make a way for the US to release the unmanned aircraft anywhere and anytime in the whole world. The U.S. military will no longer require military bases in other countries to launch their planes since the unmanned fighter can be the answer to their air support need. Thoughts?

The federal government shutdown gives an adverse and negative result to some families whose loved ones are killed for the service of the nation. They will not receive the assistance and aid from the government to cover the cost of funeral and other expenses entitled to them by the death of their beloved. The denial of support brings more pain and suffering to the family. Over the weekend, five U.S. service members were slayed in Afghanistan and their families were informed that they will not receive the $100,000.00 for burial expenses and death gratuity. Generally this benefit is received within 36 hours from the time of death. The money is used to help the surviving family needs until they recuperate. The amount is also used to augment the budget of flying to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to view the remains of their loved ones in flag-draped caskets. According to Gayle Tzemach Lemmon of the Council on Foreign Relations, the government in Washington is not in session, however, we are still requiring people to go to war for us. And if something happens, the rest of the families are left hanging. What are your thoughts?

The Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle HAV 304 was created to run at twenty thousand feet for up to 3 weeks and go in a radius of 2000 mines to help give assistance to troops on the ground. The military spent almost $300 million on getting this created, and then got a refund from the producer for just a small amount of what they paid for, just around $300,000.

The BMPT-72, or Terminator 2, is a new type of tank that is being made to support combat in Russia. It first came out in September of 2013 in an expo in Russian Nizhny Tagil. It has a guided shooting system that can take out tanks, infantry, and other objects from far away. I love it, don't you?