Happy Birthday Blackjack !

Some 65 years ago on 19 January 1947  from the US Army’s Quartermaster – Remount Service came a foal that would become one of the most famed and visible horses that ever came from the service’s four decades of operation.

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He Bought the Book

We were sent this message and here in his own words is the reaction to the book about Historic Fort Myer:

Recently I purchased a copy of John Michael’s outstanding book, “Images of America: Fort Myer”, where he is recounting the history of Fort Myer, Virginia, a military outpost, if you will, that is bathed in American Military history.

His work is truly a mini-museum laid out before you on 127 pages, that are filled with photographs, and I mean priceless photographs, and reinforced with factual information relating to the chronological events that not only shaped America, but its Army.

I couldn’t begin to share with you all that I read and saw within the pages of the magnificent book, because I don’t think I could do it it justice. John Michael has truly poured his heart into his prose, and I personally believe that if you are either a history buff, or a Soldier who has once served on this Post of Generals, this book needs to be in your library, with many a “dog eared” page.

Bernie Bernwall (Wilson)
Author of “What Wouldn’t Jesus Do?”
And, And, veteran of The Old Guard of the US Army, 3d Infantry Regiment”

Get a copy of Bernie’s book from Amazon:

Brave Rifles – The First “President’s Own”

Escort to First Unknown Soldier

Display of Skills and Talents

Saddle Blanket Insignia

Sixty Three Years Ago

The date 06 APRIL is a significant milestone in Fort Myer history, for it was on that day in 1948 that one of the most historic and oldest infantry regiments within the US Army would be re-activated after World War II and call this historic US Army Post home.  The regiment, like many after World War II, was inactivated, however there was a major need  for a unit to provide for the defense of the National Capital of Washington DC while also providing  ceremonial support.  Military District of Washington did have a cermonial company to provide for ceremonial company that did ceremonies.  So when the US Army’s  3d Infantry Regiment was reactivated, they were included within the regiment.

The 3d Infanry of the US Army, also known as The Old Guard, a name given to them by General Winfield Scott can trace its beginnings to the United States revolution with the date of its origination of JUNE 1784.  From the start, the regiment has served and fought valiantly to protect and defend the United States.

Since its beginnings, the 3d has fought in

• War of 1812
• Mexican-American War 
• American Civil War 
• Indian Wars
• Spanish-American War
• Philippine-American War
•  World War II  
• Vietnam
•  Iraq War

So it was 06 APR 1948 when the US Army 3d Infantry Regiment was reactivated on the steps of the US Capitol and then took up home at Fort Myer.  Known also as “The Escort to the President” – The Old Guard is the primaryunit within Presidential Inaugurations and state funerals.

Nostalgic Video

The video below, courtesy of the US Army, provides an historic look back in time to about 1955.  Accompanied by the US Army Band – “Pershing’s Own”, it shows the dual mission which the Old Guard continues until today.

Within Arlington National Cemetery, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded day and night all year round by Sentinels who are carefully selected and trained as Tomb Guards from this regiment.  Over the years, the regiment has added several distinguished specialty platoons / companies to address the ceremonial needs of the Military District of Washington and the US Army.  These include:

• The Presidential Salute Battery
• The Caisson Platoon
• The Continental Color Guard
• The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
• The US Army Drill  Team
• The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard

In the book “Images of America – Fort Myer”  many historic photographs of the 3d Infantry Regiment are displayed along with many more about Fort Myer.   

Note:  06 APRIL was officially designated as Army Day by Congress.  The last one that was celebrated nationally was in 1949.

Please feel free to comment and share.

The Custis-Lee Estate

The Custis-Lee Estate consisted of 1,100 acres of land which from the high ground, one has a panoramic view of the nation’s Capital.   That still is the case when one stands in front of Arlington House, also known as the Custis-Lee Mansion or on what is currently  Whipple Field within present day Fort Myer it was the site of Fort Whipple.  According to sources, the high ground originally consisted of orchards.

Those 1,100 acres also contained some great flatland near the Potomac River where the Custis-Lee’s farmed growing crops for use within the estate and to sell in the neighboring City of Alexandria and markets within Washington DC.

The book “Images of America – Fort Myer” contains over 200 historic photographs that provide an insight to this outstanding US Army Post with orgins from the Custis-Lee estate built during the US Civil War and first known as Fort Whipple.

Please sign up below to get announcements of more in-depth views and insights about Historic Fort Myer, Virginia

Fort Myer – Virginia…

MG Albert J. Myer

When most people hear the name Fort Myer, they don’t think Virginia, but a place much further south in the United States.  

The other location is an attractive place for tourism and nearby beaches with palm trees on the Gulf of Mexico.   This other location WAS an US Army Fort built in 1850 as a military fort in response to Seminole Indians that were in conflict with the area’s few settlers.

So the confusion continues… perhaps once people begin reading the book “Images of America – Fort Myer” they’ll get a better understanding that Fort Myer is in Virginia   (first named Fort Whipple during the US Civil War) and is home to the US Army Band – “Pershing’s Own”, the US Army’s 3d Infantry Regiment – “The Old Guard”. The fort  is located right next to Arlington National Cemetery.  It was named after General Albert J. Myer, the US Army’s first Signal Officer, the inventor of the wig-wag signaling method  (the insignia of the US Army Signal Corps are a pair of crossed Wig-Wag Flags), who also started the National Weather Service.

Today, Fort Myer, Virginia with over a century of service to the United States of America is as an outstanding US Army Post, defending the Nation’s Capital – Washington, DC with origins during the US Civil War.   Many more events and people who were stationed there have had major influences on the United States and the world.

Please sign up for more- info, history and announcements …  see the form on this page.  You can also buy the book,  “Images of America – Fort Myer”