All of us at Emerging Civil War would like to thank our veterans and active duty troops. Memorial Day to many has turned into early vacations, barbeques, and baseball games. None of these activities would be possible without the sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces. Be they in an active war zone, in a peaceful duty station abroad, or serving on base in the United States; they are making sacrifices ranging from time away from loved ones to risking their lives to defend American freedom’s and values.

In our humble way I have placed together a short collection of photographs ranging from the founding of our nation to the liberation of Europe.

Again thank you and have a safe and happy holiday.

Memorial Day Ceremony in Fredericksburg National Cemetery, 1893.

Fort Ticonderoga from Mount Defiance

Fort Ticonderoga fell to Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys on May 10, 1775. The fort was a strategic stronghold on the south end of Lake Champlain. Future Secretary of war Henry Knox came to the fort and through will and determination he and his men hauled the heavy guns across the frozen lake and rugged countryside to Boston, where the guns were employed by George Washington. The guns helped bring and end to the Siege of Boston and  earned Washington his first significant victory as a military leader.

Lake Champlain and Fort Ticonderoga from Mount Defiance.

U.S. National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge.

The U.S. National Arch at Valley Forge was designed by Paul Philippe Cret. The arch is dedicated to George Washington and his army and was dedicated in 1917.

Graves at Glendale National Cemetery, Virginia.

Terraced face of the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

Anchor of the USS Maine.

The pre-dreadnaught battleship Maine was sunk in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898. Today parts of the USS Maine are in Arlington National Cemetery. The sinking of the Maine helped lead the United States into the Spanish American War.

Monument to the 3rd United States Infantry Division at Arlington National Cemetery.

The 3rd Infantry Division was part of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I, where they earned their nickname “The Rock of the Marne.” On July 14, 1918, the division took part in Aisne-Marne Offensive. During a heavy German counter attack the division took up a defensive position along the Marne River in France. With other units retreating the 3rd Division stood their ground helping to stem the German offensive.

Bow of the USS Wisconsin

The imposing bow of the Iowa Class, USS Wisconsin looms over a city street in Norfolk Virginia.

USS North Carolina at sunset.

The North Carolina Class battleship USS North Carolina is moored today in Wilmington, NC.

The Ranger’s Monument over looking the bluffs of La-Pointe-du-Hoc

On D-Day, June 6th 1944, the American 2nd Ranger Battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder, scaled the impressive cliffs of La-Pointe-du-Hoc to silence the massive German 155 Howitzer battery, that could fire on both Utah and Omaha Beaches. Using rocket propelled grappling hooks and scaling ladders the Ranger climbed from tossed and turned landing craft up the cliffs. When the Rangers reached the top they found the guns were not there. They were withdrawn about 1 mile to the rear, where the Rangers located and disabled the guns saving incalculable Allied lives.

In the surf of Omaha Beach.

Elements of the United States 1st Army, in the form of the 1st (The Big Red One) and 29th (Blue and Gray Division) Infantry Division’s hit Omaha Beach in-force at H-Hour 06:30. Omaha proved to be the worst in regards to terrain and casualties, of the five liberation beaches, a fact that was known to 1st Army commander Omar Bradley. The worst casualties were sustained by the Company A of the 116th Regimental Combat Team, 19th Division. The 116th came ashore near where the above picture was taken on Dog Green Sector of Omaha Beach, near the Vierville Draw. The landing craft dropped their ramps at 06:36 and all hell broke loose. By the time Company B of the 116th arrived 40 minutes later, Company A already had lost two-thirds of their men.

The American Cemetery at St-Laurent-sur-Mer.

The American Cemetery at St-Laurent-sur-Mer sits atop the bluffs of Omaha Beach. The cemetery of 172.5 acres and the beach below the bluffs were given to the United States by the Nation of France. Today the cemetery is the final resting place of 9,387 American servicemen. The marble Crosses and Star’s of David face west toward the United States.

Quote near the entrance of the American Cemetery at St-Laurent-sur-Mer.

Monument to the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. The monument is in Arlington National Cemetery.

Arlington National Cemetery.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.