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U.S. ARMY

AN ARMY FOR FREEDOM - On 14 June 1775, The Second Continental Congress formed the Continental Army as a means for the 13 unified American colonies to fight the forces of Britain. George Washington was unanimously elected Commander-In-Chief of the fledgling Army, and he would lead the colonies to victory and independence.

Army HistoryNational Museum of the United States Army

U.S. MARINES

During the American Revolution, many important political discussions took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps. A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore. The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines. As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern's owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first captain and recruiter. They began gathering support and were ready for action by early 1776.

Marine Corps HistoryNational Museum of the United States Marine Corps

U.S. NAVY

1775: The Birth of the Navy - The origins of the Navy actually predate independence by almost a year. On 26 August 1775, the assembly of the colony of Rhode Island sent its delegates to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to request that “a fleet of sufficient force for the protection of these colonies” be established. Although the Congress had already urged individual colonies to mount their own naval defenses, the Rhode Island Assembly understood that securing American ports and waters would be a bigger job than any one colony could handle. Philadelphia agreed on 13 October 1775 and created an advisory committee staffed by John Langdon of New Hampshire, Silas Deane of Connecticut, and John Adams of Massachusetts.

Navy HistoryNational Museum of the United States Navy

U.S. AIR FORCE

The Air Force’s history and heritage is rooted in the creation of the Aeronautical Division of the U.S. Army Signal Corps on Aug. 1, 1907. It consisted of one officer, Capt. Charles DeForest Chandler, and two enlisted men, Cpl. Edward Ward and Pfc. Joseph E. Barrett. The division’s initial aircraft consisted of kite balloons, before acquiring its first official airplane from the Wright Brothers in September 1908 at a cost of $25,000. From this period until World War I, the Aeronautical Division acquired more aircraft and individuals such as Benjamin Foulois, Henry Arnold, and Roy Kirtland who established an early tradition of innovation and experimentation that has become the hallmark of todays Air Force.

Air Force HistoryNational Museum of the United States Air Force

U.S. COAST GUARD

The Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations of the federal government. Established in 1790, the Coast Guard served as the nation's only armed force on the sea until Congress launched the Navy Department eight years later. Since then, the Coast Guard has protected the United States throughout its long history and served proudly in every one of the nation's conflicts.

Coast Guard HistoryFuture National Coast Guard Museum

NATIONAL GUARD

December 13th 1636 the first militia regiments in North America were organized in Massachusetts. Based upon an order of the Massachusetts Bay Colony's General Court, the colony's militia was organized into three permanent regiments to better defend the colony. Today, the descendants of these first regiments - the 181st Infantry, the 182nd Infantry, the 101st Field Artillery, and the 101st Engineer Battalion of the Massachusetts Army National Guard – share the distinction of being the oldest units in the U.S. military. December 13, 1636, thus marks the beginning of the organized militia, and the birth of the National Guard's oldest organized units is symbolic of the founding of all the state, territory, and District of Columbia militias that collectively make up today's National Guard.

National Guard HistoryVirginia National Guard
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WELCOME TO POST 10574 WILLIAM I COOPER MEMORIAL POST

WILLIAM I COOPER MEMORIAL POST
As yesterday's defenders of freedom, we want to welcome today's military service members into our ranks to become part of our elite group.  Our common bond is the battlefield, whether it is service in the Persian Gulf, Korea, Kosovo, the war on terrorism or peace-keeping expeditionary campaigns. Your courage and sacrifice have made a difference in preserving and defending world peace.
 

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As yesterday's defenders of freedom...

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VFW Awards More Than $740,000 in Help A Hero Scholarships

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce 156 student veterans were selected to receive

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COLUMBUS, Ohio - Carol Whitmore of Des Moines, Iowa, was elected today as the new national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wa...

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