Tim Davis, a veteran of the Vietnam War, recently re-visited the site of his tour in Vietnam for a sense of closure. The effects of the Vietnam War left Davis troubled and unsettled for over 45 years. Finally he returned to Vietnam to revisit several sites of combat and other points of interest to him and other friends that had been in the war. “I had a lot of buddies that got lost…got killed, and we were really, really close. It meant a lot for me to go back there and see where they actually got killed…and say goodbye to them.” Davis stated when asked about his experiences on his return to Vietnam. A much brighter and well-deserved surprise awaited Davis as he returned to his home. A crowd of more than one hundred friends, family, and grateful citizens awaited Davis for a well-deserved hero’s welcome. Davis was escorted by the county sheriff, motorcyclists and a military jeep to Columbia City for a true hometown celebration.
Vietnam Veteran Travels Back to Vietnam for Closure and Returns to a Surprise Hero’s Welcome
Two Young Boys Track Down Veteran’s Family to Return Lost Medals
Photo from Times Harald-Record
Two brothers, Michael and Mauro Mazzariello found several military medals in a local collectibles shop, and began a search for the veteran that they had originally been awarded. After some time, their search led them to Charles George, a young soldier who sacrificed himself to save the other men in his platoon. In 1952 during the Korean War, Charles George was killed in action when dived on a live grenade to absorb the damage and save his fellow soldiers. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his sacrifice along with several other medals. Michael and Mauro Mazzariello found George’s Purple Heart Medal, his Bronze Star and GCM in an antique shop. The owner gave the medals to the two boys after they promised to track down the original owner and return them.
The VFW Gives Much Needed Aid to Veteran
Often those who have sacrificed much and more for our freedom and country are forgotten. It is sad and unfair that appreciation for our veterans is not shown enough, but companies like Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) are out fighting for the rights and honors of our veterans. Recently, VFW offered considerable aid to a veteran who had been wounded in combat several times. VFW helped Michael Burns through financial means to secure his and his family’s futures.
Photo credit of VFW
Michael Burns was injured several times over multiple tours of duty in Iraq. He demonstrated incredible bravery and dedication as he returned to action each time, once only a month after injuries. It is this kind of hero that a nation can respect and be grateful for. However Michael Burns returned to the United States after his services to discover that he was not able to work in most jobs due to his injuries. In a time of severe financial struggle, the VFW’s Unmet Needs program offered their aid after Michael’s case had been presented.
NATO Service Medal – Commemorative
NATO Service Medal (Commemorative) honors all US Armed Forces who served in Europe anytime from 1949 to present.
NATO Service Medal (Commemorative) – Overview
NATO Service Medal
Description: Round bronze 1-¼ inches. Front: The Commemorative NATO Service Medal has at its center a compass rose over two crossed swords representing the two main geographical areas of NATO; Europe and North America. Nineteen stars encircle the military medal and represent the original 19 partners of NATO. The circle behind the compass rose and swords represents the unit of NATO. The 1949 founding date of NATO is noted at the bottom of the compass rose.
The NATO Service Medal reverse has a wreath of laurel, the emblem of victory and triumph with a traditional American War eagle at the top. A circular band has the words duty, honor, country separated by a combination of 13 stars. A space in the center is for engraving the recipients name.
History of USMC Decorations, Medals and Ribbons
Marine Corps Decorations, Medals and Ribbons
Napoleon wrote, “A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.” Wellington, Napoleon’s conqueror, introduced campaign medals to the British Army and the first went to troops who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. Both Napoleon and Wellington realized that decorations and medals express national gratitude and stimulate esprit de corps.
The history of military decorations in the United States began early in the American Revolution, when Congress voted to award gold medals to outstanding military leaders. The first medal was struck to honor George Washington for his service in driving the British from Boston in 1776. Similar medals were awarded to General Horatio Gates for his victory at the Battle of Saratoga and Captain John Paul Jones after his famous naval engagement with the Serapis in 1779. Unlike present practice, however, these were large presentation medals not designed to be worn on a uniform.
