Sunday, May 22, 2011

Weekly Winners and Surprise Military Veteran from History


We have winners at SOS Aloha!



Saturday, May 14:  Sounds of Aloha with Frank DeLima
- Sue is the winner!



Sunday, May 15:  Asian American Heritage with Jade Lee/Kathy Lyons
- Amelia is the winner!



Monday, May 16:  Your heart beats red, white, and blue
- Jane is the winner!



Tuesday, May 17:  Elaine Cantrell and A NEW DREAM
- Estella is the winner!



Wednesday, May 18:  Down but not out
Thanks to the commenters who wished me well.   Although I did not post a prize, I am giving one away!
- Terri is the winner from the RT Stash!



Thursday, May 19:  Deb Marlowe and HOW TO MARRY A RAKE
- Molly is the winner!



Friday, May 20:  Kienna Riley and UP ON THE ROOFTOP
- Chey is the winner!

I have everyone's address but Sue - please send it to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.



I often use Wikipedia to see if a specific date has any historical significance and here's what I learned.

On May 22, 1942, Ted Williams enlisted into the Navy.

Yes, Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox.  From Military Museum,

Williams could have received an easy assignment and played baseball for the Navy. Instead, he joined the V-5 program and set his sights on being a Naval Aviator. Navy doctors were amazed when his eyes tested to 20/10 - a key to his hitting prowess.  Williams received his wings and commission in the Marine Corps on May 2, 1944.  (After serving as an instruction pilot, he was released from active duty after the war in January 1946, returning to baseball).


On May 2, 1952, Williams was recalled to active duty due to the Korean War.  After completing jet refresher training in the F9F at Cherry Point, NC, Williams joined VMF-311 in Korea. He flew 37 combat missions and had a narrow escape when he crash-landed a flak damaged aircraft.  Several missions were flown with John Glenn. Among the decorations he received was the Air Medal with two Gold Stars for meritorious achievement. Williams returned to the States and relieved from active duty on July 28, 1953.

I don't follow baseball but I do know of Ted Williams' accolades.  But I am more impressed with his aerial achievements during the Korean War.  In honor of these distinctions, I am giving away a decorative plaque of a Korean Tiger. "regarded as a guardian that drives away evil spirit and a sacred creature that brings good luck – the symbol of courage and absolute power."  No doubt the Tiger Spirit inspired Ted Williams!



To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about a celebrity serving in the military.
2.  This giveaway is open only to US residents but I welcome comments from our international readers - what celebrities have served in your country's military?

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 28, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll announce the winner on Sunday, May 29.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

From Military.Com, here are a few famous US veterans ...
Alan Alda, Tony Bennett, Drew Carey, George Carlin, Bill Cosby, Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, James Earl Jones, Steve McQueen, Chuck Norris, George Steinbrenner, and Montel Williams.



Can you guess this actor who served in the Navy?
He was aboard a Sub Tender in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered on September 2, 1945.

16 comments:

  1. Congrats to all the winners!

    Isn't that tony Curtis in the last photo?

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  2. Big congrats to all winners!

    Here in Germany you have to choose if you want to joing the military or do a certain time of community service as a young men.

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  3. I don't know if any of you are old enough to remember but Audie Murphy was one of the most decorated soldiers of all time.

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  4. Congratulations to all the winners, I hope you enjoy your wins.
    Tony Curtis looks good as he always did.
    I hope everyone has a great long weekend.

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  5. Congratulations to all the winners looking forward to the week ahead best wishes to everyone!

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  6. Congratulations to all the winners. Everyone beat me to Tony Curtis and Elvis was my first thought too lol.

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  7. Congratulations!

    Tony Curtis

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  8. Congrats to all the winners. It sure does look like Tony Curtis.

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  9. Hello Winners! Congratulations to all, and to all a huge thank you for visiting SOS Aloha --and-- to the ladies of SOS Aloha, Mahalo Nui Loa!
    Kienna

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  10. That photo looks like Tony Curtis. Clark Gable joined the U.S.Army Air Corps during WWII. And let's all remember NFL player Pat Tillman, who joined the Army Rangers following 9/11. He was killed in Afghanistan. God bless them all.

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  11. Congrats Winners! Oh Tony Curtis.

    I remember watching AMC & TCM growing up and having a crush on Audie Murphy(I was like 11). He was the most decorated soldier of WWII.

    Just peeked at the link. Montel? Really? Wow! Ice-T, MC Hammer and oh my freaking gosh! Mel Brooks! He does breaking the 4th wall in movies like no one else.

    Oh yes, we can't forget Ronald Reagan: actor, veteran, governor of California and 40th president.

    Thanks Kim! Hope you're back is feeling better. :)

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  12. Another was Tyrone Power, Jr. Congrats to the winners.

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  13. Congrats to all the winners.

    It's funny I was just watching a documentary on TMC yesterday about movies during war times and they listed all of these celebrities that joined the military during WWII. I had no idea that Clark Gable inlisted. Also, I knew that Jimmy Stewart was also in the military.

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  14. Jimmy Stewart always comes to my mind.

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  15. When my father worked with recruits, he had one that was very famous. For a short time, he was Elvis Presley's commanding officer. he has some really interesting stories about him.

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