Band of Brothers

Thank you for taking the time out to read this posting. As you are reading this right now, you can rest assured that there are many soldiers around the world that fall in to the category of liberators and patriots.

Liberators of Iraq

The most recent liberation that we can all identify with is the liberation of Iraq, and as a result of modern communications and technology we could see the actual battle taking place and the defiance of the Hussein regime in stating that they were in full control, as we in the rest of the world saw US Military Tanks roll into the heart of Baghdad. Whether this was the right decision or not, is not for the layman to  say, but certainly, because we live in a democratic society we are allowed to question these decisions, because in questioning can we fully understand the reason we invaded.  Anyway, what was the alternative ! I would welcome your answers and observations.

Who Were The Liberators?

In my humble opinion, the liberators were the men and women of the allied armed services led by the United States were the true liberators, not the policy makers or those in high office who have never set foot on a battlefield. The young men and women of the Marine Corps, the Infantry, the Cavalry and the countless other units and brigades that make up the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.

We need to congratulate all members of our United States Military and the Allied Forces that were also in support of this noble cause. When they return to our shores they should be treated with the utmost respect, and lets not have a repeat of what happened to some when the returned from earlier conflicts like Vietnam.

For those who will not return or who have been fatally injured, bow your head in prayer once in a while and remember them and their families. They paid the ultimate price for our freedom……ask yourself, what have I done today?

Gone but not forgotten…should be a little more than just words.

Honor the Liberators of Iraq

One of the most unique ways to honor these fine people is to purchase for the a piece of jewelry like the military rings, which can be customized with all the deatils of their military career.

Click above for prices, designs and more

We are quite used to hearing about deployment from the United States to places like Iraq and Kuwait especially over the last decade or so. What I want to relate to you in this article is the importance of understanding redeployment and the enormous amount of planning and work that goes into it.

Camp Victory -2004

Back in 2004 this small little Camp about 70km north of the city of Kuwait which would take you about 45 minutes to drive, and incidentally you would be taking your life in your hands to drive the highway to get there. I will now go on record to say the the Kuwaiti drivers at that time were the worst in the world that I came across. It was a normal sighting when heading out to any of the camps I worked in to arrive upon an accident. When we refer to an accident in the US or Europe we think of a fender bender, no not in Kuwait this was usually fatal for someone. I now believe its much better as the authorities have introduced a speed limit and hopefully have saved many lives. 

The Camp itself had a constantly changing population ranging from at least 600 to 15,000 troops along with equipment and vehicles. This one square mile of camp set in the desert North of Kuwait and about one hour South of the Iraqi border became a hive of activity and of joy. This camp was where the troops arrived in from Iraq along with their equipment and they now knew they were on their way home and away from the perils of war. Here they would purchase their military rings, have them designed with their deployment details from Operation Iraqi Freedom dated like this example OIF 2004-2006.

Camp Victory – Military Rings

It’s not the most picturesque place in Kuwait but for many soldiers on the return journey back to the United States and their families it probably seemed like heaven, here they would receive a well earned rest in a safe environment after having served in one of the most hostile regions of the Middle East namely Iraq. The responsibilities of the camp was to provide security, billeting, food services and various other logistical services that you would expect.

Camp Victory – Redeployment.

The redeployment of a unit or brigade does not happen overnight, in actual fact it can take anywhere from 15 – 25 days to go through the process. Equipment has to go through a cleaning and sterilizing process before it can be loaded on the ships for the long journey home. You will see soldiers who haven’t had a moment to realize what they have been through until now, some have lost their comrades and you or I can’t even begin to imagine what these fine young men and women have gone through but you can see it in their eyes.

Tonight think of them and say a prayer and thank them for our gift of freedom. Remember someone died for it!

Since the beginning of the war in Iraq it has been quite difficult to pin point exactly which area was more dangerous than the next.
So here is a link that you should look at to give you some idea of what our brave soldiers go through on practically a daily basis;

Fallujah the Video

I have spent time in Iraq and Kuwait and have witnessed first hand the terror of hearing those words ( incoming – incoming) that was the signal everyone hear on the base when we were under fire. On hearing these few words echoed around the base we had to run for shelter to the concrete bunkers that were strategically located throughout the base and wait there until we heard the words (all clear) echoed throughout the base.

History of Fallujah

In 2003 the US led the coalition forces in Iraq and just after that time Fallujahbecame one of the areas that became not so dangerous. It was home to a resort called Dreamland which was used by the Ba’athist congregation of the area. The area was plagued by looters after the defeat of Saddam Hussein, they went after and targeted government buildings and anything else that represented the former establishment.

Fallujah Abu Ghraib Prison.

Fallujah will always be remembered for the notorious Abu Ghraib prison that was used to intern members of society the were against or spoke out about the dictator Saddam.

Fallujah the Curfew

A curfew imposed by the US in April 2003 was defied by a select group of the local population when they grouped outside a local school. The American 82nd Airborne was guarding the building, when the curfew was defied, the troops in an act of defense opened fire and killed seventeen civilians and wounded another seventy approximately. 

Four contractors were dragged from their vehicle in 2004 beaten to death and then were set alight. They were Scott Helvenston, Jerry Zovko, Wesley Batalona and Michael Teague. This dreadful act was photographed and shown by news broadcasters around the world causing untold pain to the families of these men. Remember them in your prayers today.

Commemorate Your Deployment

Right Here

Never Forget

Sample Images for Rings

 

When we achieve that special goal that we have worked hard for so long for, we like to mark the occasion with something extra special. Now there are various methods by which we can celebrate like taking the family out to for a nice evening or indeed heading off on a vacation if it’s within the budget. As I have spent many years around the world promoting products the help commemorate special military occasions I feel adequately informed to make a few suggestions.

Gold Uses in the Military

• Gold Military Rings
• Gold Navy Rings
• Gold Army Rings
• Gold Marine Rings
• Gold Air Force Rings
• Gold Graduation Rings
• Gold Retirement Rings.

Gold Military Rings

Although not the cheapest metal at the present moment but with the present uncertain economic climate it may actually increase in value but on the otherhand it could decline. It is always considered a pretty safe haven when times are uncertain  and its one of the precious metals that will hold its value when other assets like property and shares are so volatile. As I write this article Gold as actually gone through the $1000.00 mark and this is a major psychological threshold at the same time that the dollars is weakening. I’m not a financial guru, but to a layman it certainly doesn’t look to bright. So I would suggest to you that the time to buy the “Gold Military Ring” is now.

Shop and Save Here

Gold Military Rings for the Army.

It’s quite usual for service members from the Department of the Army to engage a company to custom design a “Gold Army Ring” with the various designs that’s appropriate to the individual fro their graduation, retirement or indeed to commemorate a special occasin or deployment. Gold Military Rings are one of the best ways to mark any occasion and a unique way to display that military pride and will also help to create a great family heirloom.

Gold Military Rings and Gold History.

Back in the year of 1971 it was President Nixon who allowed the price of Gold to float. It was President Roosevelt that set the price of Gold at a standard $35 an ounce and it remained at the same price from 1934 to 1971. And with a large amount of people looking to invest their money in something tat would give them security other than property and shares they invested in Gold which drove the price up to $850 an ounce. Gold has a great appeal to people from all over the world and this can be seen by the amount of the precious metal that’s used in the manufacture of jewelry especially Gold Military Rings.

Testimonial about Military Rings.
Janet Green, from Bolingbrook, Illinois. Ordered a US Army Ring for her sons graduation.
Ring was delivered yesterday! Opened up package when I got home.
It is totally AWESOME!
Very heavy weight, worth every penny. Engraving, panels are detailed to perfection!
The stone is a beautiful blue (his favorite color AND birthstone) and lays perfectly in the ring.
Very masculine ring … A terrific job! I can’t wait to give it to my son!
I know he will wear it proudly!

Kindest regards …
Janet

Design a Military Ring

The United States Coast Guard is probably quite similar to other Coast Guards around the world in so far as that their main purpose is to protect the environment, the public and of course the economy and security on the nation. It has jurisdiction in both domestic and international waters and in wartime will work under the Department of the Navy but in peace time it works under the Department of Homeland Security.

The Coast Guard patrols the sea around our nation but also the inland waterways which may be at risk from narcotics dealers and other undesirables.

Coast Guard Ring

The Coast Guard ring is very similar to all the other military rings in that they can be customized with all the personal and military details of the member.

Quite a few of the Coast Guard personnel have served in overseas campaigns and they like to wear the coast guard ring to reflect this.

Coast Guard Ring and the Motto;

Like all other departments of the Armed Forces that have mottos the Coast Guard is no different. Their motto is “Semper Paratus” which is the Latin for “Always Prepared” and we are sure glad that we have them to protect us from evil. The Coast Guards roots stem back to August the fourth 1790 when Alexander Hamilton established it under the Dept of the Treasury and was actually the only Navy Force that the United States had until the re-establishing on the US. Navy in 1798.

One of their functions in that time was to address the situation with regard to piracy which was wreaking havoc on the high seas and to assist and other vessel that might be in any difficulty.

They are often referred to as the 1^st Fleet but this is only an informal way of referring to them as they were in essence the only protection during the years from 1790 to 1798 for our coastline and other sea going vessels.

Modern Coast Guard Ring

In 1915 or around that time the merging of United States Life Saving Service and that of the Revenue Cutter Service formed the United States Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard are not just a docile department, they have taking part in conflicts and campaigns like the War of 1812, the American Civil War and World War Two where they operated under the US Navy.

Coast Guard Ring Ethos;

• I am America’s maritime guardian.
• I serve the citizens of the United States.
• I will protect them.
• I will defend them.
• I will save them.
• I am their shield.
• For them I am Semper Paratus –“Always Prepared”
• I live the Coast Guard core Values
• I am a Guardian.
• We are the United States Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard Ensign 

Coast Guard Ensign is sixteen vertical stripes alternate white and red and the union of the ensign is the arms of the United States in dark blue on a white field. The sixteen stripes represent the number of states in the United States of America at the time which was 1799. For more information check back with us from time to time. Order a beautiful ring by clicking on our shop.

Coast Guard Ring Designs

From the time you entered the service of your country you have been filled with an element of pride from day one. Those hard days spent training for the years ahead, and lets be honest there were sometimes during that training when the drill instructor with his shouting and roaring probably made you question why the hell you were there.

Quite a lot of us in the military are there because its tradition, our fathers, brothers and relatives were in the service and probably fought in some campaign that we now read about in the history books. We probably look in some shadowbox and find the military service rings that were once worn by these brave soldiers.

Army Rings

A very popular range in military service rings is the Army Ring as this particular ring can be customized for almost all departments of the Army. The present campaigns that the military is involved in can be represented by the images and emblems that are available from the selected range. Going back to earlier conflicts like the 1^st World War and indeed the 2^nd World War there are side emblems and text available for the customization of these military service rings.

Air Force Rings

This very capable department of the armed forces is a group of highly trained men and women that fly some of the fastest and expensive planes in the world today. They have been instrumental in the defeat of tyrants both in this century and indeed the last. They fly planes from bases here in the United States and airbases in host countries around the world. I have been lucky enough to have sailed with the US Navy and observed with awe this skilled pilots land on carriers out in the ocean and also delighted of offer a fine selection of military service rings for this department.

Navy Service Rings

Patrolling the oceans and seas of the world and staying away from family and friends for periods of over six months or more we have a wonderful selection in the military service rings range for all Navy personnel to choose from

Marine Corps Service Rings

A tough and well trained group of men that make up the backbone of any military and are in the midst of battle wherever there is one. Trained in places like Camp Lejune, North Carolina and Camp Pendleton, California these men are capable of surviving for weeks on end relying on the most basic needs of humans and will still get the job done. The range of images and emblems from the military service rings range will allow you to create the perfect Marine Ring.

Coast Guard Service Rings

They patrol our seas and keep those bad guys away from our shores both day and night. Choose your military service rings from our selection.

  

Military Class Rings make a great gift. 

Military class rings are available for all members of the armed force and for affiliate members. All special occasions can be marked and commemorated by the customization of these rings from the text on the sides to the images that represent the various departments of the service. We shall give you some information of what’s available and how you can proceed to create and design your military class ring.

Military Class Rings for the Navy

 Graduating from Great Lakes, Norfolk or California on any give weekend you can observe the pride in any every person’s demeanour from the proud parents who know that they have given their son or daughter the best chance in life. The Naval Training Officers who put these young people through their paces with assertive control and courteous authority and hope the will uphold the honor and integrity of the Navy. Military class rings can be customized with emblems such as the Dept. of Navy Seal, Seabees and Chief Petty Officer and hundreds of other designs that you can view on the military ring site.

Military Class Rings for the Army

The Army is one of the largest departments in the armed forces and whether you have trained in Ft. Knox, Ft. Lee you will also be able design a military class ring to represent your chosen unit or brigade in the Army.

Deployment Rings 

Deployment rings are very popular especially those with images of “Operation Iraqi Freedom” or “Operation Enduring Freedom” as these campaigns will play a huge part in the history of America and indeed th world. It is quite possible that during your deployments you have spent time in Kuwait and visited the post here in the picture. I myself spent many a day on this post in the searing heat of the summer and during those harsh windy winter evenings. 

Military Class Rings for the Marines 

Camp Lejune or Camp Pendleton if you’re a Marine then you have probably spent most of your earlier days on one of these two posts. Most of you will have met some of your life long friends when doing your training under a drill sergeant that you thought was the devil but now realize he was most of the time your best friend. The training that was hard to endure at the time has probably help save your life and that of your colleagues. We have beautiful custom marine rings for you to choose from and with the selection of side images you will find something appropriate. 

Military Class Rings for the Air Force     

Flying high above the clouds in some place around the world you would expect to find a pilot flying an Air Force F-16 or some other make of military jet. What have they in common? Well they have been trained on one of the finest Air Bases located throughout the United States. These are the most disciplined pilots in the world and are constantly monitored for their alertness and fitness. They travel at the speed of sound and one tiny mistake can have disastrous results. The extensive selection of designs will enable you to create the perfect military class ring for these fine and brave young men and women. 

When we think of military rings, we think security and that’s why most members of the armed forces and their extended families when they consider buying a custom military ring they will in the majority of cases place an order for a Balfour Military Ring.

This company has been around for many decades and has manufactured rings for countless members of the armed forces whether at home or serving abroad in places like Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. These are some of the current countries where our armed forces are stationed but prior to this they were in place like Vietnam, Korea and the Philippines. They have travelled to many parts of the globe to assist in the conflicts that has shaped world history over the last centuries and in my humble opinion will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

I have had the good fortune over the last three decades of travelling alongside these very brave warriors and have gotten to know some of them very well. I had the privilege of doing some promotional work in Kuwait and Iraq introducing the first deployment ring in Ballad. It was unbelievable to experience the huge interest in this particular ring, and when I queried some of the soldiers as to why they wanted this ring they told me that they were actually purchasing a great family heirloom and possibly a part of history.

Balfour Military Ring Designs

The excellent selection and range of images available from the Balfour Military Ring catalogue will allow any person considering buying a ring to do so with the full confidence that they will ultimately custom design the perfect ring. It doesn’t matter from which department of the armed forces you’re from or what campaign you were involved in, you will find an image to reflect you service record.

Besides the images and emblems that are available to you to assist in the design of your ring, you will also be able to enter text which will allow you to personalize the military ring further.

On the top of the “Balfour Ring” you can choose the colour of the stone and even the cut that you would like from a facet cut to a smooth finish that will allow you to insert an image in the stone. Following on from this you can choose a single or double rail wording around the stone to indicate what department you served with like for instance the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps and above the images on the sides you have the opportunity to enter your name or that of a loved one along with important dates of a deployment or years of service.

Balfour Military Ring Sizing

A very important aspect of any ring customization is to get the ring size right and to make sure it’s a comfortable fit. There are many ways of sizing your ring and in the online shop if you proceed to the sidebar there is link that can be activated to assist you in making the correct choice. One of the safest ways of getting the correct size is to go to any jeweller and inform him of your decision to purchase a military ring. A little word of caution, make sure you tell him that is going to be a wide band ring as the size of these rings are about a half size above the normal wedding band.

On the East Coast of the United States the beautiful state of North Carolina is situated with miles and miles of welcoming beaches and inviting tourist areas. There are a number of military installations scattered throughout the state but the one that comes to mind immediately is Fort Bragg and it is also one of the most historic ones especially over the last century. It is home to the very effective 82nd Airborne, US Army Special Operations Command, Field Artillery Brigade, Corps Support Command, XVIII Airborne Corps and the Joint Special Operations Command.

82 Airborne Ring 

This is a special ring that can be customized to carry those much recognizable AA on the sides with possible your name over it and on the other side, details of a special deployment or mission can be engraved. The 82 Airborne plays a vital role in the defence and support of national interest, it is one of the airborne divisions that can deploy within twenty four hours notice and perform parachute entry assault initially for the operations that will follow later. In earlier years when they were first formed their key missions were to take control of strategic locations like ports and military airfields and this hasn’t changed much over the years. The division is on such a state of alert and readiness that up to one third is ready to await the call of duty within a very short period, another third is in constant training and the remaining population of the division is a state of combat readiness.It is referred to as “Americas Guard of Honor” and rightly so as it has been involved in every conflict that I can recall and have read about from the Second World War to the most recent conflicts and campaigns in the Middle EastAfghanistan

101st Airborne Ring

Travel over the Smokey Mountains and up through Tennessee and through some of the most breath taking scenery in the United States you will eventually arrive in another welcoming state we call good old Kentucky where blue grass music fills the air. Right over the border with Tennessee you will arrive at the gate of Fort Campbell and of course if you don’t have the proper pass you will not be allowed on to this secure installation. This is home to the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault, 101st Corps Support Group Regiment, 160th Special Operation Aviation Reg. 5th Special Forces Group and of course the Air Assault School where all this training starts.

Airborne in Europe

After the Second World War when the Germans were defeated by the United States ant its Allies the US retained a presence in Europe and of course the Airborne was one of those divisions. If you go to Italy to this day you will see that the 173rd Airborne division is stationed there and in Germany in the Northern Baviria such as Bamberg a quaint and beautiful University City you will have pockets where the other Airborne units and divisions are influential.

USS Enterprise 2007

This beautiful ring looks best when its custom made for the specific person. With the wide range of personalization emblems to choose from you will have no problem designing and creating a ring to reflect the career history of the person you are buying this ring for. A little word of caution however, when you are selecting the ring size make sure that you leave a little comfort room as these rings are wide band and may be a half size bigger than a wedding band would be appropriate.

Whether you are at sea or land we have emblems and crests that will help you create a navy ring that will display the integrity, pride and spirit of your service and achievements. From the Department of the Navy Seal, Eagle, Flag and Book, Field Marine Force, Seabees, Chief Petty Officer, Special Operations, Us Navy Seal and a host of others that can be combined on both sides to help you design the perfect Navy ring.

Navy Rings and side Emblems

Navy Rings and choice of Stones

These Navy rings are completely personalized from the sides where you can put your emblems, dates of deployments and names. Around the top of the ring you can have wording engraved that will show whether you are active or retired, whether you served on the carriers or other Naval vessels. For example if you served on the USS Enterprise or the USS Stennis you can have these engraved around the top of the ring to indicate this.

The colored stones that you see on the top of most Navy rings are chosen by the wearer to indicate what month they were born, like the Emerald would indicate that they were born in May and Ruby would indicate that they were born in July.

Navy Rings and Naval Training

USS Enterprise-Anchored in Cannes, France 2007

There are a number of Navy training bases throughout the United States but the ones that come to mind immediately are Norfolk Naval Station where you have the Atlantic Fleet and the Armed Forces Staff College and the worlds largest Naval Station also comprises of Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic and Fleet Supply Center.

In the lovely state of Illinois you will find the Naval Base referred to as Great Lakes Training Center, this is Headquarters of the US Military Entrance Processing Command and Recruit Training Command.

Navy Rings and Major Naval Bases.

In Illinois you have Great Lakes NTC, in Virginia you have Norfolk Naval Base, and in California you have China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station and Point Loma Naval Base and San Diego Naval Station. Florida is home to the Jacksonville Naval Air Station and Pensacola Naval Air Station. Travel to Washington on the West coast and you will be able to visit Bremerton Naval Station, Everett Naval Station and the Underwater Warfare Center at Keyport Naval. All of these bases and training commands can be engraved on the sides of your new Navy Ring. Take a flight out to Puerto Rico and you can visit the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station named I presume after our President Roosevelt.

For that special occasion in a service members life when they dress up for a ceremony or an evening out with family members or special friends, quite a few like to wear the dress uniform and as a special accessory to go with it, most wear a nice gold military ring. This ring can be made of white or yellow gold with the personal details of the service member engraved on the sides along with unit or division badges. The birthstone of the soldier or marine can be inserted on the top of the gold military rings and around the stone the service department can be cast.

Gold Military Rings in Yellow Gold

Throughout Europe especially when soldiers order their new military ring the majority place orders for yellow gold rings as it appears that this type of metal is most popular there. The designs on the rings are individually cast and the finish of the military ring can be in an antique or plain finish. The stones that are inserted on top of the ring, to reflect the birthstone are not precious stones but rather simulated ones. The male soldiers have quite a range to choose from in terms of side emblems for their military rings and can be complimented by the wearing of a military watch or bracelet. Yellow Gold as a metal is found in mines in various parts of the world and is brought to the surface by sheer hard work and determination. The early arrivals to the United States made a good living out of searching for gold and which is historically referred to as the great gold rush.

Gold Military Rings in White Gold

In the United States of America and in the neighbouring region it is common for the soldiers and retired personnel to don the white gold ring. I have asked many times when talking to service members why this is so, they tell me that it’s just a personal preference. The white gold tends to go well with the darker skin but it’s only a matter of choice really. Both men and women wear military rings, the ladies ring is slightly smaller in appearance and because of this there is a limit to the amount of personalization that can be engraved on the sides of the ring. Many of the female soldiers also wear a military pendant or arm band to compliment the choice of military ring.

Gold Military Rings in Rose Gold

Rose gold has a slight reddish tint to it and most of the old jewelry was manufactured in this metal. Should you have the opportunity to visit antique fairs or shops you will see that about twenty five percent of the jewelry on display is made of Rose gold.

It is not a requirement by any army to wear the gold military ring but it is a great way to display the pride we have in our units and divisions. One of the most popular military rings today is the one where you can have the emblem of the Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Operation Enduring Freedom cast on the side of the ring and above it you mane and date of deployment.

North Carolina home to the Great Smokey Mountains, and one of the beautiful States on the East coast of America, a wonderful place to visit, for a vacation or long week end. The coastal region is full of quaint little towns and inviting beaches where you can wander to your hearts content and dine in some exquisite restaurants. 

Visit the Wright Brothers National Park down at Kill Devil Hills, drive a little further south and you will arrive at Cape Lookout National Seashore where you can make use of 70 miles of well kept beaches.

Marine Corps Rings – Camp Lejune.

Marine Corps Rings – Support

Like all bases within the United States and around the world the extended Marine family is well catered for in terms of counselling and medical services. By phoning Tricare on 1800-931-9501 you will get the information you require, the Chapel is there for everyone to use for quiet meditation or to take full advantage of the services given on Sundays and Weekdays.

Marine Corps Rings – Recreation

Like all great creations in this world, you can’t create and train a marine unless you offer the some sort of recreation. On Camp Lejune you have fantastic golfing facilities where you can play solo or take part in some of the competitions that take place there from time to time. You can stroll around the Marina and why not do a little fishing if this takes your mind off the daily grind of heavy training. In the theatres you can catch up on some old classics or the latest releases, whatever you want to do can be done here. Visit the library and while away the hours while reading some of you favourite novels or inform yourself about current affairs by reading the daily newspapers left there for your use.

Marine Ring

Let’s look at the infantry and see how important this unit, division or brigade is in the overall scheme of things in the US military and elsewhere.

United Sates Army and the Infantry.

The United States along with most armies around the world depend enormously in the Infantry units and divisions. These are soldiers who are trained for the specific role of fighting toe to toe and have the ability to engage the enemy up close hence they suffer a far higher casualty rate the other departments of the military. They are very well trained in areas fitness, power, strength and discipline and have to think on their feet to have the best chance of surviving. The infantry units are the oldest branches of the armies and can certainly not be done without as there are some things machines and technology can’t do.

4th Infantry Division

The Secon World War Infantry
About 35% of the military’s population would be made up of Infantry well that’s since the Second World War but prior to that you would have a much higher percentage of Infantry. In Camp Greene in the state of North Carolina on December 10th 1917 under the leadership and command of George H. Cameron the 4th Infantry Division was organised. This particular division played a huge role in the 1st and 2nd world wars and indeed the current campaign in Iraq and Afghanistan, not a day goes by when that we don’t hear through the media about some of the battles that these fine infantry personnel are engaged in.

Infantry Training
 

One of the big training areas for the Infantry is in the great State of Texas about 200 miles south of Dallas in a place named Killeen. The name of the base here is Fort Hood and here is home to the 4th Infantry division and if you ever have the opportunity to drive in this area you will see the four leaf clover like symbol which is the 4th Infantry Division emblem, painted on the buildings and towers on this post. The early training was in North Carolina on Camp Greene, and historians will relate that in January and February 1918 when the East Coast of the United States was hit with one of the harshest winters on record the 4th Infantry spent 17 days doing outdoor training in preparation for their engagement in the First World War.

Infantry in Germany
 

In September 1944 the 22nd Infantry Reg. crossed over from the Belgian border and they became the first Infantry unit from the United States Military to cross in to the country controlled by the Third Reich and the infamous Adolf Hitler. But the Germans became aware of the incursion and immediately rushed reinforcements to the are which was a front of about 15 miles long. This period in the history of the Infantry was very difficult and a lot of the soldiers suffered with trench foot and other serious infections which would make fighting and movement extremely difficult as the weather also would have been very cold and wet. In the year of 1944 the 12th Infantry moved into a town called Hurtgen and they took over from the 28th Infantry Division.

In our early development years probably one of the first memories we have is that of becoming friends with some fictitious person and actually moving into their world for a time, because we felt so safe and comfortable there. And yes, we would only move out of there sometimes because of a question from one of our parents enquiring as to whether we were away with the fairies or not.

As we progressed and moved on to school we only felt comfortable in that environment when we became friends with some others in the class and moved on to have friends with the opposite sex. Those were the days not a care in the world and sometimes life long friendships was developed.

Military Friendships Are Very Healthy.

Ft. Knocks - Kentucky

I remember one of the most heart touching displays of friendships was when I was working in Iraq, I was promoting military rings there for the troops, well actually the deployment ring which was quite new at the time. I was at our display when to young soldiers stopped by enquiring as to what was going on; we shall refer to them as Jason and Damien. I gave them a presentation on the rings and how they could purchase one. Both of the soldiers decide that they would like to purchase a ring but one of them, Damien was getting married and could not fit it into his budget. His friend was writing up the paperwork for his order when Damien said he would he would wait for him in the Post Exchange. Before Damien strolled away, Jason enquired as to what size his wedding ring was going to be, he said it was size eleven and his girlfriend had already had it back home.

Military Rings Band of Brothers

Band of Brothers

We continued on doing the paper work for Jason and when he had finished I gave him his receipt and thanked him for his order. I was getting ready to say goodbye, when he stopped me and said, I’m not finished, I now want you to get an order form and I want to make another order for this special deployment military ring, for Damien. I’m doing this because he has been my best friend since high school and right through the military. We have fought side by side in Iraq and he saved my life, so this little ring is going to be my surprise wedding gift to him and I’m sure that when we both go our separate ways that this little military ring will make us both realize that we are truly a little band of brothers and friends.

Military Rings used as Wedding Rings

For members of the armed forces it’s not always so easy to go shopping for the big day especially if you are away on deployment or seperated by states or countries from your loved one. It’s not surprising then the amount of people that are turning their attention to military rings for the engagement rings and wedding bands. You can have both family names on both rings and the wedding date plus many other details engraved. The amount of options over and above conventional rings are many and the cost is very much less, so let your wedding gift to each other be, a custom military ring with a complimentary pendant also.

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What and why do we have to endure anything, what does endure mean, do you know?

If you take a look at any dictionary you will see that the meaning of this word is to tolerate, undergo and possibly bear. But really when you think about it if you are free well why would you have to endure or bear anything other than something that would make you happy.

Operation Enduring Freedom Military Rings

As you read this,you and I know that there are brave men and women who are enduring enormous hardship in the Afghanistan, from the terrain the weather and also the enemy. Sometimes an deadly enemy that act ghost-like in secret locations that are not easy to find and eventually when these are located they are booby traped ready for the advancing intruder.

In the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan know to all the troops as ” Death Valley” and has been the scene of some of the heaviest conflicts in this on going campaign to rid the world of some of the eviliest men on the plannet.

A Desert Shepard

Operation Enduring Freedom and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan was once a beautiful prospreous country and how many of its inhabitants long for it to revert to those unique times, but they have resigned themselves to thinking that tis may be a long wait. In the ancient city of Herat is a graveyard where its illustrious citzens are interred and in this are local people gather for picnics every Friday. When they are there they visit a grave where in lies a young woman of twenty five years old and her name is Nadia Anjuman and the reason she is in this grave is that she wrote poetry. Under the Taliban this is not allowed and the mind boggling element of all this is that she was not killed by the Taliban but by her own husband, an evil evil man. You see the simple act of writing, leaving their homes women in Afghanistan could end up mutilated or dead so this part of the world is still rife with the persecution of women.