Author Archives: brianloebig
Walnut Cove to War
Sharing an article written by one of the museums friends. From Walnut Cove to War By Mike Cinnamon Photo of Edwin Murphy Hill as a new Army Recruit taken in 1943. On 25 April and 8 May 2020, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of two historic events from WWII: the famous American-Soviet linkup between elements of the 69th Infantry Division and Soviet troops at the Elbe River in Germany and VE Day. Below is a story about one such soldier who contributed to the lead up to both historical events. During World War II, 361,000 North Carolinians served in the armed forces that included 258,000 in the army. … Continue reading
Angels Above Angels Below. Now with Thunderbirds too!!!
About a week ago, the U.S. Navy Thunderbirds and the U.S. Air Force Blue Angels flew over the Washington DC area in a salute to all Americans on the frontline of our war against the COVID-19 virus. My wife and I traveled to a high point of ground, selected a spot that was more than 6 feet from anybody else and settled in for the flyover. It was a great sunny April day here in DC. We noticed people of all ages trickling onto this patch of ground. Soon three Fairfax County Police Officers were joining everybody too. We could hear the chatter amongst the spectators; all were … Continue reading
Tough Times
American is at War The Americans in Wartime Museum will chronicle all aspects of how our people respond during a time of war. And right now, America is at war. With an unseen, microscopic enemy called COVID-19. Our heroes not only wear OCP camouflage, but sometimes they wear green scrubs. Right now, the doctors, nurses, and clinicians are on the front line of our war on COVID-19. They risk their lives daily, exposing themselves to a virus that we know little about. But they kiss their family goodbye in the morning and commute to work, knowing they are putting themselves in danger. That is bravery and courage. … Continue reading
That Sound You Didn’t Hear
That Sound You Didn’t Hear, 1 April 2019 Last Friday I was down at the Museum restoration facility helping with some work that needed to be done. As I was changing into my coveralls, I heard the mobile recording studio being fired up. Lacing up my boots and stepping outside, the studio departed on its mission for the day. But I will circle back to that in moment. That “Sound I Didn’t Hear” that Friday was the sound of a Veteran dying. I didn’t know about it until I got home and read the email from my friend. It was his Father-in-Law. 104 years old. Wounded twice in the … Continue reading
Toothbrush, USS Hornet
Toothbrush, 13 February 2019 USS Hornet (CV-8) was nearly 30,000 tons of fighting machine on the morning of 26 October, 1942. Steel formed her tough outer skin, while miles of pipes holding fuel, water, and a myriad other things pumped vital fluids throughout her skeleton. Her decks were crammed with thousands of rounds of AA ammunition, and her magazines held dozens of bombs and torpedoes. But by the early hours of 27 October, 1942, she disappeared beneath the waves of Pacific Ocean, near the Solomon Islands. Her service life was incredibly short….barely a year. 140 of her 2,200 sailors never came back from that day. Many of her sailors were … Continue reading
Soggy
Soggy Northern Virginia, 31 December 2018 As a very wet, soggy 2018 changes into 2019, I am focused more on a different set of numbers. 200,000, or 400,000, or perhaps a number somewhere in between. Depending on which government source and which moment of a particular day, there are somewhere between 200,000 and 400,000 members of our Armed Forces not sleeping in their own bed tonight. The numbers change continuously and by the second. These guardians of our freedom—be they men or women. Marines, Air Force, Navy, Army, Coast Guard or other. Whether on permanent change of station or temporary duty—they are manning the ramparts so that the rest … Continue reading
NMAW on Veterans Day
NMAW will be bringing a World War 2 Dodge Weapons Carrier to the Mission BBQ in Chantilly, VA. on Veterans day. We will be set up from 10am until after 2pm. Please drop by to say “Hi” and support this great business that does so much for our veterans. > Chantilly, VA Chantilly, VA 13067 Lee Jackson Mem. Hwy. Fairfax, VA 22033 Directions 571-325-0975 Restaurant 703-495-2746 Catering
100 years ago at Cambrai
100 Years Ago at Cambrai It is not often that a Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) occurs, but approximately 100 years ago one did. On 20 November 1917, over 400 tanks were deployed en masse for the first time by the British at Cambrai, France. This ushered in a new era of warfare…that of armor. Prior to Cambrai, the tank was deployed primarily in scattered pockets and small numbers, negating some of the shock and awe of the new weapon. Particularly since the early tanks were very unreliable. But something needed to be done to stop the massacre of human wave offensives and trench warfare. Thoughts on how to break … Continue reading
July 4th
Thinking about the 4th of July…………..AFTER It is now several weeks since the 4th of July; the grills are once again cool, the fireworks have exploded and America’s celebration of her Birthday has come and gone. I thought about this because my Birthday is coming up in a few days and it caused me to think about what I saw and did on the 4th. My lovely bride and I braved the heat to attend the National Parade down Constitution Avenue. Having never attended previously, I did not know what to expect. But all along the march route were thousands of eager faces, young and old. Many waving American flags. … Continue reading
