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?

In the United States military forces, war dogs are associated with the troops and they take significant part in the war game. The SEAL Team Six and the most popular "Soldier Dog" named Cairo were commissioned to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden way back in 2011. In the operation, Cairo used his dog senses and canine skills to accomplish the mission of killing Bin Laden. This Dog was effective aid in the triumph of the operation. Other military dogs are used as sniffing dogs to discover threats (similar to what you see at the airports), some are guards and companions of the military troops, some are used for search and rescue operations. The war dogs are also used to guide and lead the soldiers in dark and treacherous places. Closeness and faithfulness are developed between the handlers and trainers. They are genuine lovers of dogs and with their beloved friends, they are an indispensable members of the military. According to Maria Goodavage, author of the new book "Soldier Dogs", dogs' extreme sensitivities and alertness make them great in the battlefield. She added that dog's sense of smell is stronger and greater than human thus they can recognize if danger and fear are at hand much more effectively. Dogs are more vigilant than we are and they are always ready to attack. There is inseparable relationship between trained dog and his military master as they often sleep and eat together, moreover play together. Greatness of military dogs is achieved by the patience and compassion of their handlers. Dog is man's best friend and a great companion and protector in times of danger and war. The training of dogs, especially the Belgian Malinois dogs, is usually conducted in Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Texas. Training is tough and tiresome for both the handlers and the canines during the preparation for the battlefield or a special mission. The course also includes lessons and training for the development of extreme physical tolerance and mental readiness. Trainers at Lackland are also required to know basic commands in different languages. Some smaller dogs like the tiny Jack Russell terrier "Lars J274" are also included in the Navy services. These dogs are great in sniffing bombs in submarines. Breeding and training of military or war dogs are customary practice in Germany and Netherlands. After the accomplishment of the mission or when the war is over, the military dogs are brought back to the United States and oftentimes are adopted by their handlers which bring them home to their families. However, during Vietnam era, war dogs were treated harshly and the poor dogs were abandoned and even erased after the service. Unfortunately, today dogs are still treated only as tools and instruments in the war instead of co members of the team. In 2012, bipartisan Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act presently proposes its way through both houses of Congress to have clear and definite plan for the retirement, adoption, care and appreciation of military working dogs.

Every time Bowen runs, he holds a Vietnam POW/MIA flag. That's why he got the nickname "Flagman". His mission composed of over 50 marathons, ~30 crims and over 20 Grand Rapids River Bank Runs and numerous road competitions all over the country. In addition to the mission he also jogged through the Flushing Park. Despite hindrances due to health problems and knee surgery issues he was not discouraged and even cancer did not stop him from finishing the mission. I wonder how many shoes he had to use :).

On October 1965, pilot CJ Stoddard delivered a uniquely shaped bomb onto North Vietnam to commemorate the six millionth pound dropped. This bomb was special because of it's load: it was a toilet bowl :).

When there is a war, not only the politicians & soldiers are affected, but many more are affected by it. For instance, at the time of the Vietnam War, the farmers of South Vietnam were gravely affected by it. The fighter jets were flying over countryside all the time. These military tactical jet planes depend heavily upon the JP-8 fuel which is loaded in external fuel tanks. However, once the fuel has been used, they are abandoned for reducing the total weight of aircraft. Fuel tanks like these were scattered throughout the country. However, they were later recovered and used for a better purpose. What other use could you find for these fuel tanks?

Major Harold Hering asked what he thought was a clever question. However, the irony is that the higher brass did not think so and dismissed him. Major Hering inquired on the missile launch order's two-man rule. (This involves two independent operators verifying and agreeing on the validity of an order to launch). Major Hering was part of the Air Rescue Service during the Vietnam War. He was serving as Minuteman missile crewman, a 21 year career man in the Air Force when he asked the fateful question. He was expecting to be promoted to Lt. Colonel at that time. It was late in the year 1973 during a training activity at Vandenberg Air Force Base when he inquired about how can one know when an order is received to launch missiles the president who gave the order is still sane. Major Hering's question revealed a critical flaw in the two-man rule. Until now the fail safe protocols on nuclear missile launch hinge on the identity of the President and not his sanity. Do you think that this a fair question? Leave a comment