Darryl Fuhrman’s Post

568 Years Ago: Are any of you familiar with the “Bells at Noon” The bell of noon church bells ring was inaugurated this month the 22nd of July 568 years ago? Monday 22nd of July was the anniversary date of a time that Christians in Hungary managed to push back a massive Turkish army numbering, at least, 100,000. This army came in under Mohammad II, who had just conquered Constantinople three years earlier in 1453. It’s interesting too because of all the parallels we are witnessing in modern times; an elite force trying to overtake those who they thought were beneath them. Everyone was afraid, even the King of Hungary, just on the rumor Mohammed was coming with his hundred thousand jihadists. But the people, and one very courageous man, John Hunyadi, who was the regent of the King before he became of age, decided he needed to rise up against this powerful enemy. While the king was fleeing west towards Vienna, John Hunyadi went east to meet the Turks face to face. To make a long story short he staffed the fortress at Belgrade, which was a strategically important fortress. And if that fortress fell it would open up the entire western continent of Europe. He staffed this strategic fortress of Belgrade with a small amount men, then he appealed to the Nobles and the rich for their support. But they said no. Then, they shut themselves up in their fortresses and castles. Then, he joined with John Capistrano, who was a 70-year-old Franciscan Friar from Italy. Capistrano and the Franciscan Friars started preaching to the local inhabitants, or peasants, that the Muslims were coming to take their lifestyle (or way of life) and their religion from them in order to enslave them. In a blink of an eye, the crusader peasant was born and became victorious. It was a really strange and weird time because the nobles knights were hiding from the Islamic horde that was coming their way. But somehow all these presents with their pitchforks and shoddy weapons manage to defeat the Muslims that day at noon in Belgrade. Thus, not only saving their lives and way of life but saving the European continent from being completely overthrown. Imagine how history would have changed. This begs a few questions: Would Columbus have made his discoveries? Would Galileo have discovered how the planets moved around the sun? Would Sir Isaac Newton have paved the way for modern physics to be studied? Would Luther have nailed his 95 theses on the church doors, thus setting in place the Protestant Reformation? Would Einstein have invented his theory of relativity? Would John Locke have written about the rights of men coming from God, thus helping give birth to the greatest nation in the history of the world? We can never be sure but there is a chance that without the courage few peasants, history would have been changed forever.

55 Years Ago: 24 July 1969 – At 12:51 EDT, Apollo 11, the U.S. spacecraft that had taken the first astronauts to the surface of the moon, safely returns to Earth. The American effort to send astronauts to the moon had its origins in a famous appeal President John F. Kennedy made to a special joint session of Congress on May 25, 1961: “I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth.” Eight years later, on July 16, 1969, the world watched as Apollo 11 took off from Kennedy Space Center with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin Jr., and Michael Collins aboard. After traveling 240,000 miles in 76 hours, Apollo 11 entered into a lunar orbit on July 19. The next day, at 1:46 p.m., the lunar module Eagle, manned by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, separated from the command module, where a third astronaut, Michael Collins, remained. Two hours later, the Eagle began its descent to the lunar surface, and at 4:18 p.m. the craft touched down on the southwestern edge of the Sea of Tranquility. Armstrong immediately radioed to Mission Control in Houston a famous message: “The Eagle has landed.” At 10:39 p.m., five hours ahead of the original schedule, Armstrong opened the hatch of the lunar module. Seventeen minutes later, at 10:56 p.m., Armstrong spoke the following words to millions listening at home: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” A moment later, he stepped off the lunar module’s ladder, becoming the first human to walk on the surface of the moon.

Medal of Honor Monday Lettermen of the USA and friends of the Lettermen of the USA please join LotUSA.org today as we honor and remember United States Army Private First Class Charles H Barker a recipient MOH for distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. CITATION Pfc. Barker, a member of Company K, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. While participating in a combat patrol engaged in screening an approach to "Pork-Chop Outpost," Pfc. Barker and his companions surprised and engaged an enemy group digging emplacements on the slope. Totally unprepared, the hostile troops sought cover. After ordering Pfc. Barker and a comrade to lay down a base of fire, the patrol leader maneuvered the remainder of the platoon to a vantage point on higher ground. Pfc. Barker moved to an open area firing his rifle and hurling grenades on the hostile positions. As enemy action increased in volume and intensity, mortar bursts fell on friendly positions, ammunition was in critical supply, and the platoon was ordered to withdraw into a perimeter defense preparatory to moving back to the outpost. Voluntarily electing to cover the retrograde movement, he gallantly maintained a defense and was last seen in close hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. Pfc. Barker's unflinching courage, consummate devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice enabled the patrol to complete the mission and effect an orderly withdrawal to friendly lines, reflecting lasting glory upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the military service. Please help www.lotUSA.org share this post to honor him so that he is not forgotten. #MedalofHonorMonday #MedalofHonor #lotUSA #lettermenoftheusa

39 years ago this July I was given the chance of a lifetime! I got to live my dream to play at one of the greatest football programs in the United States of America. The University of Alabama Crimson Tide  Football Program. I'll always remember my coaches, teammates, and friends at the University of Alabama. For those of you who do-not know we are losing the 80's former Alabama coaches, and football-players at a brisk speed.  So until we meet again my  Bama  teammates I'll say a special prayer for Coach Walter Ray Perkins 79, Coach Jimmy Fuller 76, Coach Steve Hale 64, Dr. J.D. Askew 79, George Scruggs 20 yrs old, Willie Ryles 19 yrs old, Derrick Thomas 33 years old, Chester Bragg 50 years old, Dan Campagna 56, Donell Horstead 49 years old, Byron Holdbrooks 49 years old, Joe King 48 years old, Ben Holt 48 years old, Keith McCants 53,                                                                                       Seth Moates 50 years old, Robert Stewart 55, Vince Sutton 51 years old, Kevin Turner 46 years old, Steve Turner 40 years old,Hardy Walker III 49 years old and Mike Zuga 51 years old. R.I.P my BAMA brothers. All taken too young... "But we in it shall be remembered; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition;" #alabamafootball #SunBowl #ABCSports #universityofalabama #Aclub

Tuesday's Opening Thread Apollo Edition: Today, 55 years ago at 9:32 a.m. EDT, Apollo 11, the first U.S. lunar landing mission, is launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on a historic journey to the surface of the moon.

Medal of Honor Monday Lettermen of the USA and friends of the Lettermen of the USA please join LotUSA.org today as we honor and remember United States Army Private BARKLEY, DAVID BENNES a recipient MOH for volunteering for a treacherous mission during the last days of WWI in which he lost his life during that mission. CITATION When information was desired as to the enemy's position on the opposite side of the Meuse River, Pvt. Barkeley, with another soldier, volunteered without hesitation and swam the river to reconnoiter the exact location. He succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, despite the evident determination of the enemy to prevent a crossing. Having obtained his information, he again entered the water for his return, but before his goal was reached, he was seized with cramps and drowned. Please help www.lotUSA.org share this post to honor him so that he is not forgotten. #MedalofHonorMonday #MedalofHonor #lotUSA #lettermenoftheusa

Medal of Honor Monday Lettermen of the USA and friends of the Lettermen of the USA please join LotUSA.org today as we honor and remember United States Army Private First Class Charles Denver Barger a recipient MOH for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. CITATION Learning that two daylight patrols had been caught out in No Man's Land and were unable to return, Pfc. Barger and another stretcher bearer upon their own initiative made two trips 500 yards beyond our lines, under constant machine-gun fire, and rescued two wounded officers. Please help www.lotUSA.org share this post to honor him so that he is not forgotten. #MedalofHonorMonday #MedalofHonor #lotUSA #lettermenoftheusa

248 Years Ago: "While I live, let me have a country. A free country." 

Medal of Honor Monday Lettermen of the USA and friends of the Lettermen of the USA please join LotUSA.org today as we honor and remember United States Army Second Lieutenant Van Thomas Barfoot a recipient MOH for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. CITATION For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 23 May 1944, near Carano, Italy. With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against forces well-entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot (then TSgt.) moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity of one machine-gun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing two and wounding three Germans. He continued along the German defense line to another machine-gun emplacement, and with his tommy gun killed two and captured three soldiers. Members of another enemy machine-gun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners, and bringing his total count to 17. Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of three advancing Mark VI tanks. From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other two changed direction toward the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed three of them with his tommy gun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge placed in the breech. While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his herculean efforts, assisted two of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety. Sgt. Barfoot's extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of point-blank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers. Please help www.lotUSA.org share this post to honor him so that he is not forgotten. #MedalofHonorMonday #MedalofHonor #lotUSA #lettermenoftheusa

Medal of Honor Monday Lettermen of the USA and friends please join LotUSA.org today as we honor & remember U.S.M.C. Capt William Earl Barber a recipient MOH for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. CITATION For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 28 November to 2 December 1950. Assigned to defend a three-mile mountain pass along the division's main supply line and commanding the only route of approach in the march from Yudam-ni to Hagaru-ri, Captain Barber took position with his battle-weary troops, and, before nightfall, had dug in and set up a defense along the frozen, snow-covered hillside. When a force of estimated regimental strength savagely attacked during the night, inflicting heavy casualties and finally surrounding his position following a bitterly fought seven-hour conflict, Captain Barber, after repulsing the enemy, gave assurance that he could hold if supplied by airdrops and requested permission to stand fast when orders were received by radio to fight his way back to a relieving force after two reinforcing units had been driven back under fierce resistance in their attempts to reach the isolated troops. Aware that leaving the position would sever contact with the 8,000 marines trapped at Yudam-ni and jeopardize their chances of joining the 3,000 more awaiting their arrival in Hagaru-ri for the continued drive to the sea, he chose to risk loss of his command rather than sacrifice more men if the enemy seized control and forced a renewed battle to regain the position, or abandon his many wounded who were unable to walk. Although severely wounded in the leg in the early morning of the 29th, Captain Barber continued to maintain personal control, often moving up and down the lines on a stretcher to direct the defense and consistently encouraging and inspiring his men to supreme efforts despite the staggering opposition. Waging desperate battle throughout five days and six nights of repeated onslaughts launched by the fanatical aggressors, he and his heroic command accounted for approximately 1,000 enemy dead in this epic stand in bitter subzero weather, and when the company was relieved, only 82 of his original 220 men were able to walk away from the position so valiantly defended against insuperable odds. His profound faith and courage, great personal valor, and unwavering fortitude were decisive factors in the successful withdrawal of the division from the deathtrap in the Chosin Reservoir sector and reflect the highest credit upon Captain Barber, his intrepid officers and men, and the United States Naval Service. Please help www.lotUSA.org share this post to honor him so that he is not forgotten. #MedalofHonorMonday #MedalofHonor #lotUSA #lettermenoftheusa