The first thing that popped into my mind was the U.S. Army GREEN Berets. I've always been awed by the stories I've heard about their vigorous training and rigid requirements. During the VietNam War I became acquainted with the GREEN Berets through the song sung by SSgt. Barry Sadler.
I was pleased to find a video of SSgt. Sadler singing The Ballad Of The GREEN Berets on YouTube.
The GREEN Berets also known as the Special Forces (SF) are an elite unit of the U.S. Army. According to Wikipedia they are tasked with six primary missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action, hostage rescue, and counter-terrorism.
Their official motto is De Oppresso Liber which is Latin for Liberate The Oppressed.
Back in 1953 Special Forces Major Herbert Brucker was behind the GREEN Beret designation which was then adopted by First Lieutenant Roger Pezelle for his Operational Detachment FA-32 unit. The GREEN beret caught on rapidly and was worn by members of the Special Forces when they were out in the field, but was not an authorized part of their uniform.
That all changed in 1961 when President Kennedy encouraged General William P. Yarborough the Commander of the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg to inform all of the Special Forces to wear their GREEN Berets to an event where he was speaking. During the President's speech he made the GREEN Beret a "mark of distinction in the trying times ahead." At that moment the GREEN Beret became a distinction of excellence among the Special Forces.
Every November 22nd, GREEN Berets travel to President Kennedy's graveside to pay tribute to the man who enabled this special group to earn the GREEN Beret distinction.
Over the years there have been many books written about the GREEN Berets and in 1968 John Wayne starred in the movie The GREEN Berets.
Head over to Ms. Jenny's blog for a list of this week's participants so you can visit their GREEN posts too!
Betty that was a very interesting and informative post.
ReplyDeleteOh Betty, thanks for posting about these awesome men. I surely do remember them and Barry Saddler's song. I lost two very close friends in that war...
ReplyDeleteDidn't know they go pay tribute to President Kennedy's graveside...how awesome.
Wonderful GREEN post!
This is my far the very best post I have visited today. I am and always have been in awe of these special forces. I thank you kindly for sharing this. I can never listen to tht beautiful song without tearing up. Thanks so much. Anne
ReplyDeleteWell, I enjoyed the song. I don't think I had heard it before. Thanks for the info. My son is army and went through the Ranger school (or what I call 60 days of hell) and passed the first time through, which was quite hard to do. I wonder how the training compares? I saw the other day that the Seals school is 6 months but I don't think they are sleep deprived for that long. I can't imagine it. I think it was harder for me when my son was in that training than when he was in Iraq. I know that sounds strange but I felt the need to pray for him continually. These brave men!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good post, Betty. You are a Blogger Primo!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post on the history of the Green Berets! I remember that song well, my dad used to sing it at the top of his lungs when it would come on the radio.
ReplyDeleteWow! This was a fresh take on this week's class. It brought me back in time to my youth and educated me a bit to boot!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I had no idea that the Green Berets were such a recent special designation! Off to read more on the wiki article!
ReplyDeleteInteresting :) I never knew that there was so much history involved with the military's green beret :)
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting & really informative post! TFS! I always loved John Wayne in that film too.
ReplyDeleteHappy AlphabeThursday Green,
LOLA:)
PS My AlphabeThursday Green is posted if you can join me HERE!
I learned a lot! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat green post. Very informative.
ReplyDeleteI heard that song more times than I could count in my youth, and it brings back some memories, for sure.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the post!
=)
Very interesting green post!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Catherine :)
Betty, this was a wonderful tribute to the Green Berets. While I was only a kid, I remember that song vividly. Thanks for the history ~ that part I didn't know.
ReplyDeleteBetty this was a fantastic green post. I love the Berets in general. It was a nice tribute indeed. Debbie
ReplyDeletehistorical and fun post,
ReplyDeleteGreat informative post and a nice tribute to the Green Berets.
ReplyDeleteYes, very interesting.
ReplyDeleteOh my.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic link to Rainbow Summer School for the color green.
I love this song.
This took me back. It is the song I sang with my sisters over and over and over again as we drove to the various bases my Dad got assigned to.
I'm going to send my sisters and Mom this link!
I learned a lot from this link, too.
You are really an interesting person. I love stopping by here.
A+
What a great green post!
ReplyDelete