Nov. 11, 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War I. WWI, or The Great War, was a global war originating in Europe that lasted from July 28, 1914, to November 11th 1918. It was described as the “war to end all wars.” With the mobilization of more than 70 million military personnel, including 60 million Europeans, it was one of the largest wars in history. An estimated nine million combatants and seven million civilians died as a direct result of the war, while it is also considered a contributory factor in a number of genocides and the 1918 influenza epidemic, which caused between 50 and 100 million deaths worldwide.
The 99th Anniversary of Veterans Day is Nov 11
Veterans Day is an official United States public holiday, observed annually on Nov. 11, that honors military veterans: that is, persons who served in the United States Armed Forces. It is the mark of the ending of World War I that formally ended at the 11th hour on the 11th day on the 11th month, 1918, when a Armistice with Germany went into effect. The U.S. previously observed Armistice Day. The U.S. holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.
November is National Family Caregivers Month
National Family Caregivers Month honors the estimated 5.5 million family members and friends who provide much-needed care for chronically ill, injured, or disabled veterans. “Caregivers make tremendous sacrifices to address the daily needs of veterans who served our nation,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said in a statement. “These mothers, wives, fathers, husbands and other loved ones deserve our recognition and support for all they do to care for veterans.” The recent passage of the VFW-championed VA MISSION Act of 2018 will expand eligibility for VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to veterans of all eras of service. The expansion will occur in two phases, starting with eligible veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty on or before May 7, 1975, with further expansion to follow.
Tricare Prime and Select Open Season
Beginning Nov. 12, TRICARE will kick off its first open season where Prime and Select beneficiaries can enroll in or change their health care coverage plan for 2019. The open season period will last until Dec. 10 and any changes made during this period will become effective on Jan. 1, 2019. If you are satisfied with your current plan then your coverage will continue automatically for 2019, as long as you remain eligible for coverage.
Event Set in Titusville
There will be a WWI, 100 year anniversary, and Veterans Day ceremonies held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, in Scheide Park in Titusville, in conjunction with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5958 and American Legion Post 368. There will be a Certificate Of Appreciation to all veterans that provide evidence of being a veteran. Examples of proof include DD214, DAV Card, VA Medical Card, VFW, or American Legion membership card. Tents and chairs will be provided. The event will be held rain or shine. All are welcome.
POW/MIA Update
Army Cpl. Edward M. Jones, 20, of Lake Charles, La., whose remains were previously identified, will be buried Nov. 9 in his hometown. Jones was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.
Army Cpl. Albert E. Mills, 20, of Dallas, whose remains were previously identified, will be buried Nov. 12 in his hometown. Mills was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
Pfc. Mathis O. Ball, 20, of Collin County, Texas, whose remains were previously identified, will be buried Nov. 18 in Bokchito, Okla. Ball was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion.
Army Pvt. Charles G. Kaniatobe, 21, of Idabel, Okla., whose remains were previously identified, will be buried Nov. 17 in his hometown. Kaniatobe was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division.
Army Sgt. Eugene G. McBride, 20, of Lincoln, Neb., whose remains were previously identified, will be buried Nov. 14 in his hometown. McBride was a member of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division.
Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Martin F. O’Callaghan, Jr., 22, of Memphis, Tenn., whose remains were previously identified, was buried Nov. 5 in his hometown. O’Callaghan was a pilot with the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group.
Navy Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Walter E. Mintus, 22, of Portage, Penn., whose remains were previously identified, will be buried Nov. 10 in his hometown.
Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Joe Lukie, 19, of Harvey, W.Va., whose remains were previously identified, was buried Oct. 27, in Oak Hill, W.Va. Lukie was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
Army Pfc. Morris R. Worrell, 20, of Lincoln, Neb., whose remains were previously identified, will be buried Nov. 10 in his hometown. Worrell was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.
Army Staff Sgt. Karl R. Loesche, 22, of Monroeville, N.J., whose remains were previously identified, will be buried Nov. 17 in Elmer, N.J. Loesche was a member of the 3rd Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group.
Navy Carpenter’s Mate 3rd Class William L. Kvidera, 22, of Traer, Iowa, whose remains were previously identified, will be buried Nov. 16 in his hometown. Kvidera was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor.
Navy Seaman 2nd Class Carl Nichols, 20, of Glen Alum, W.Va., whose remains were previously identified, will be buried Nov. 14 in Bland County, Va. Nichols was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Gerald H. Pirtle, 19, of El Dorado, Kan., whose remains were previously identified, will be buried Nov. 17 in Wichita, Kan. Pirtle was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor.
Navy Steward Mate 1st Class Ignacio C. Farfan, 21, of Agana, Guam, whose remains were previously identified, will be buried Nov. 8 in the Guam Veterans Cemetery. Farfan was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor.
Army Cpl. Frederick E. Coons was declared missing in action in the vicinity of Geochang, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, on July 29, 1950, when he couldn’t be accounted for. Interment services are pending.
Army Pvt. Robert J. Sipes, Jr., was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was killed in action on Nov. 30, 1950, near the village of Unsan, North Korea. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. William E. Brandenburg was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Reserve Pvt. Fred E. Freet was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
