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Posted on 02/13/2006 8:35:48 PM PST by alfa6
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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THE VALENTINE TANK  Based on the A10 Cruiser tank, the Valentine was privately designed by the Vickers-Armstrong corporation (hence its lack of an "A" designation) and was submitted to the War Office on February 14, 1938. Like many other projects, the Valentine was rushed into production following the loss of nearly all of Britain's equipment during the evacuation at Dunkirk. Several versions exist concerning the source of the name Valentine. The most popular one says that the design was presented to the War Office at St. Valentine's Day (February 14). Some sources, however, claim that the exact date the design was submitted was February 10. According to other version, the tank was called Valentine in honor of Sir John Valentine Carden, the man who led the development of the A10 and many other Vickers vehicles. Yet another version says that Valentine is an acronym for Vickers-Armstrong Ltd Elswick & Newcastle-upon-Tyne.  The War Office was initially deterred by the size of the turret and the crew compartment. However, concerned by the situation in Europe, it finally approved the design in April 1939. The vehicle reached trials in May 1940, which coincided with the loss of nearly all of Britain's equipment during the evacuation at Dunkirk. The trials were successfull and the vehicle was rushed into production as Infantry Tank III Valentine. The Valentine remained in production until April 1944, becoming Britain's most mass produced tank during the war with 6855 units manufactured in the UK (by Vickers, Metropolitan-Cammell Carriage and Wagon and Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon) and further 1420 in Canada. They were the Commonwealth's main export to the Soviet Union under the Lend-lease Act, with 2394 of the British models being sent and 1388 of the Canadian (the remaining 30 were kept for training).  The Valentine was Britain's most mass produced tank during the war, having manufactured 6855 and a further 1420 in Canada. They were the Commonwealth's main export to the Soviet Union under the Lend-lease Act, with 2394 of the British models being sent and 1388 of the Canadian (the remaining 30 were kept for training). In Soviet service, they were quite popular due to their small size, reliability, and generally good armour protection. In Soviet service, the Valentine was used from the Battle of Moscow until the end of the war. It was employed mostly on the southern fronts, both because of the proximity to the Persian supply route and in order to avoid using the tank in very cold climate. Although criticized for its speed and its weak gun, the Valentine was liked due to its small size, reliability and generally good armour protection. The Valentine was something of an oddity, having the weight and size of a cruiser tank, but the armour and speed of an infantry tank. Though its armour was still weaker than the Matilda and, due to its weaker engine, it shared the same top speed, its high reliability and lower cost kept it in the war. ![](http://www.dad.incomingwormhole.com/Valentine/valentine_mk_iii_01.jpg") By 1944, in the European Theater of Operations the Valentine was almost competely replaced in the frontline units by the Churchill and the US-made Sherman. In the Pacific the tank was employed in limited numbers at least until May 1945. There were 12 variants of the Valentine as follows:     |
Oh! And did I mention I picked tonight's photo with you in mind?
xoxoxox
Those horses sure are pretty. Virginia is a pretty state in most places.
24. Richmond was also the capital of the Confederate States during the Civil War
You can say that again.
I'm just curious, did you pick tonight's photo with me in mind?? LOL
:)
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Yeah, I-95 between DC and Fredericksburg could be excluded.
You get the "double dip" award tonight.
Whatever gave you that idea? ;)
I think it was those horses. Possible something about a Queen. ;)
LOL
No, that honor goes to the Roanoke settlement in North Carolina.
Dulles International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world.
Who do they think they can fool with that one?
Not in the top 30 for
Passengers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_busiest_airports_by_passenger_traffic
International passengers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_world%27s_busiest_airports_by_international_passenger_traffic
or Freight http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_busiest_airports_by_cargo_traffic
OK, it does make #16 on the list for traffic. (That's less that half the flights of #1 on the list.)
4. The first Thanksgiving in North America was held in Virginia in 1619.
Some years after the Spanish celebrated along the Rio Grande. April 30, 1598.
I'll defend them on the double dipping charge. One of the claims speaks to the city, the other to the building itself.
The good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise I hope to have a new Foxhole up tonight. I Hope, I Hope
Teaser pic for the Canteen's Friday Flyby :-)
Y'all have a great day
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
| March 9, 2006
The Good That Pain Can Do
Read:
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Affliction, when we accept it with humility, can be instructive, a discipline that leads us to a deeper, fuller life. "Before I was afflicted I went astray," David said, "but now I keep Your Word" (Psalm 119:67). Peter would agree: Affliction leads us not to live for ourselves "but for the will of God" (1 Peter 4:2).
Far from being an obstacle to our spiritual growth, pain can be the instrument of it—if we're trained by it. It can push us closer to God and deeper into His Word. It is a means by which He graciously shapes us to be like His Son, gradually giving us the compassion, contentment, tranquility, and courage we long and pray for. Without pain, we wouldn't be all that God wants us to be. His strength shines brightest through human weakness.
Has God set you apart today to receive instruction through suffering and pain? Endure this training patiently. He can turn the trial into a blessing. He can use it to draw you close to His heart and into His Word, teach you the lessons He intends for you to learn, and use it to bestow His grace on you.
God is making more of you—something much better—than you ever thought possible. —David Roper
Whatever God teaches us through pain is gain.
Their spill chequer missed capitol.
060307-N-5067K-050 Philippine Sea (March 7, 2006) – The amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) underway off the coast of Mt. Suribachi, on the island of Imo Jima. Suribachi is the historical site where Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal took his photo of the famous U.S. flag raising, which later became one of the most famous photos of the 20th Century, and an inspiration to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Marines fighting in the Pacific during WWII. The Essex Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is participating in Balikatan 2006, an annual bilateral combined exercise with the Republic of the Philippines and U.S. military. U.S. Navy photo Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Michael D. Kennedy (RELEASED)
Morning PE, nice ship, but that is so huge it blew my poetry off the page.
I have seen several sources that have claimed that the "Stonewall" nickname was not one of a complimentary nature.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
I don't think so. I'm currently reading Mary Chesnut's Civil War Diary and she is writing it as the news arrives and they sure do treat it as positive. I'll look for the exact comment and post it here.
From Mary Chestnut's Diary;
July 24, 1861
Here Mr. Chesnut opened my door--and walked in. Of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh. I had to ask no questions. He gave me an account of the battle as he saw it (walking up and down my room, occasioonallh seating himself on a window sill, but too restless to remain still many moments). Told what regiments he was sent to bring up. He took orders to Colonel Jackson*--whose regiment stood so stock-still under fire they were called a stone wall. Also, they call Beauregard "Engine" and Johnston "Marlboro" (s'en va--enguerre). Mr. C rode with Lay's cavalry after the retreating enemy, in the pursuit, they following them until midnight. There then came such a rain--rain such as is only known in semitropical lands.
The editors note at the bottom of the page reads;
*For this stand, Thomas Jonathan Jackson, a former West Pointer and instructor at Va. Military Institue, received a promotion to brigadier general as well as an enduring nickname.
Snippy note:
I am into June 1862 now and whenever she does mention Jackson it is with high regard, they are putting a lot of hope in him.
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