Multitude of Military Celebrations in February

“It was 1943 and the U.S.A.T. Dorchester was sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, packed to capacity. Tragedy struck when a German submarine fired a torpedo at the ship, sinking it and killing the hundreds on board”.

This is where the Four Chaplin’s Day history begins. They were of the Methodist, Jewish, Catholic, and Dutch Reformed Church faith. Life jackets were offered to the chaplains who refused as other passengers needed them more. The Chaplains were comforted only by the thought of their actions and the fact that they were going to meet their Maker soon.

The U.S. Government awarded them the Purple Heart and Distinguished Service Cross medals in 1944. Since the Chaplains had not engaged in active combat with the enemy, they did not qualify for the Medal of Honor. Congress created a ‘Special Medal for Heroism’ as an honorable substitute.

In 1998 a senate resolution was passed to recognize the 55th anniversary of the incident making Four Chaplains Day official.

USO celebrates its birthday on February 4th. Founded in 1944, the not-for-profit organization works with the Department of Defense.

The USO (United Service Organization) has a congressional charter and receives funding through donations, philanthropy, and corporate support.

Troops in World War Two were the first o benefit from the existence of the organization.

The USO is remembered by the shows put on for the US troops overseas. Celebrities even traveled to Viet Nam and Korea. Bob Hope was part of many shows and a strong supporter of the USO.

The USO has roots in six separate organizations including the Salvation Army, YMCA and YWCA, Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association, and the National Jewish Welfare Board.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL SALUTE TO VETERAN PATIENTS: This takes place during the week of February 14 every year. For 2023, it takes place from February 12-16.

Though the history of this organization is largely unclear, the United States Department of veterans affairs states there are three main reasons behind the creation of the holiday. They are: to pay tribute to veterans; to encourage people to visit and volunteer their services to veteran medical centers; and finally, to increase community awareness about the role of the V.A. medical centers.

Stats show approximately 100,000 veterans utilize the various centers every single day. Yearly more than a staggering nine million veterans receive medical treatment.

PRESIDENT’S DAY, widely known as Washington’s Birthday is joined by Lincoln on the third Monday in February and some think of all the U.S. presidents on that day.

The origin of this holiday came about in the 1880s, when the birthday of Washington, commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and the first president of the United States, was celebrated as a national holiday. In 1968, Congress decided workers needed a longer holiday and moved several holidays to Mondays. Even though it was opposed by those who believe the holidays should be commemorated on their special day, it failed to revert back. It became President’s Day and was popular for holiday sales.

The final military event in February is THE HISTORY OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD RESERVES BIRTHDAY. Sometime in the 1930s, a group of volunteer U.S. citizens who owned boats and yachts began to promote water safety seamanship, and other water-based missions. It became the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in 1939. In 1941 Congress passed another law modeling the Auxiliary after the Naval Reserve and named it the Coast Guard Reserve. It now falls under the Dept. of Homeland Security. Information provided states the Reserves comprises the Regular Reservists, who were on active duty during World War 11, and the Temporary Reservists, who performed coastal patrols and port security duties. The Coast Guard Reservists are made up of over 90% of the 214,000 members who served in the Coast Guard in World War 11 and are one of the seven reserve components of the U.S. armed forces.

Through the eight Port Security Units, the Coast Guard Reservists help with the national response to terrorism, and disasters, providing important expeditionary support to the Department of Defense. The Reserve personnel have provided help for hurricanes, and flood operations, along with active duty and participation in Operations Desert Shield and Storm, and Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti.

There you have February’s military news in a nutshell.