American Infidels VMC New York

06/11/2026

Our Brother out there living life

Fourteen years after an IED blast in Afghanistan took both of his legs and nearly his life, former 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper Jon Harmon is preparing to jump again — this time from a WWII‑era C‑47 over Normandy.

For Harmon, now 32, the jump is more than symbolic. It’s a return to the identity he thought he lost.

Harmon grew up inspired by WWII paratroopers and enlisted in 2011. On June 7, 2012, during his first deployment with the 82nd Airborne in Kandahar Province, he stepped on a pressure‑plate IED. A second blast killed his teammate, Pfc. Brandon Goodine, and a third detonated during the evacuation. Harmon stayed conscious, applied his own tourniquets, and survived multiple surgeries before arriving at Walter Reed, where both legs were amputated above the knee.

Surrounded by other wounded Soldiers — including quadruple amputee Staff Sgt. Travis Mills — Harmon rebuilt his life. He became the first double above‑knee amputee to return to active duty in the 82nd Airborne Division and later served as a liaison helping wounded Soldiers and families.

He believed his jumping days were over until fellow veterans invited him to join a commemorative Normandy jump. With the Liberty Jump Team, Harmon retrained on prosthetics and relearned static‑line parachuting. He is believed to be the first double above‑knee amputee to complete a static‑line jump, and he has already completed several.

On June 7 — the anniversary of his injury — Harmon will jump into La Fière at Sainte‑Mère‑Église, carrying Goodine’s necklace, some of his grandfather’s ashes, and his original Army ID card.

His message to young paratroopers: “Stay airborne. It’s the greatest place on Earth.”
His message to wounded warriors: “Life isn’t over. You can still do insane things.”

Harmon hopes his jump honors the legacy of the 82nd Airborne and the WWII paratroopers who came before him. “I hope I’m making them proud,” he said.

Source from Leslie Herlick.

05/28/2026

It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Lt. Col. George E. Hardy, one of the final surviving Tuskegee Airman who has taken his final flight at 100 years old. With his death, America has lost one of its greatest living heroes. He didn't just fight the enemy abroad; they fought a heartbreaking war against racism at home. He flew so that those who came after him wouldn't have to fight for the right to earn their wings.🕊️🇺🇸✈️

George Hardy was born in 1925 in Philadelphia during the era of segregation. As a Black American growing up before World War II, he saw very clearly what opportunities were supposed to be off-limits.

Before history honored his name, he was simply a 19-year-old young man with courage in his heart and wings on his back. In a segregated America that doubted men who looked like him, Hardy rose above the hatred and into the clouds, becoming one of the legendary Red Tails of Tuskegee.

He did not just fight enemy aircraft, he fought prejudice, injustice, and a world determined to tell him where he belonged. Yet every time his engine roared to life, he answered with bravery louder than fear.

Through the burning skies of World War II, George E. Hardy flew 21 combat missions where death followed closely behind every formation. Hardy flew the famous North American P-51 Mustang over Europe in 1945. Still, he returned home again and again, carrying not only survival, but dignity, honor, and hope for generations who had never seen doors opened to them before.

And when one war ended, his service did not.

He answered the call across three wars, flying 45 combat missions in Korea and 70 more in Vietnam. A staggering 136 combat missions across a lifetime of sacrifice. Decades spent defending a nation that had not always defended him.

Yet he served anyway.

Not for recognition.
Not for applause.
But because greatness was woven into the very fabric of who he was.

For nearly 30 years, Lt. Col. Hardy wore the uniform with humility and quiet strength, eventually retiring from the United States Air Force after a career few could ever comprehend. He became more than a pilot — he became living proof that courage can rewrite history.

Today, we do not simply mourn the loss of a veteran.

We mourn a trailblazer.
A warrior.
A man who soared above racism, war, and impossible odds — and changed America forever from the cockpit of a fighter plane.

Now, the final echoes of his wings fade gently into eternity, but his legacy will never disappear. It lives on in every young dreamer who dares to rise, every pilot who takes to the skies, and every American who understands that freedom has always been carried on the shoulders of heroes like him.

Rest easy, Lt. Col. George E. Hardy.
Your watch is over.
Your mission is complete.
And your legacy will soar forever beyond the clouds. 🕊️✈️🇺🇸

05/28/2026

It is with profound sorrow that we bid farewell to Clarence “Bud” R. Lane, one of the last surviving heroes of Pearl Harbor, who passed away at the remarkable age of 100. With his passing, another living witness to one of the darkest and most defining mornings in American history fades into eternity, leaving behind only memories, stories, and the sacred duty to never forget. 🇺🇸🕊️

Born in 1925 during the hardships of the Great Depression, Bud Lane grew up in a generation shaped by sacrifice and resilience. Determined to serve his country, he reportedly enlisted in the United States Navy at just 16 years old, altering his birth certificate so he could answer the call to duty.

Only weeks later, he found himself stationed at Pearl Harbor.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Bud witnessed the terrifying surprise attack that plunged the United States into World War II. Serving at Ford Island with Patrol Squadron 21, he watched enemy planes roar overhead as explosions consumed ships, hangars, and the harbor itself. He later described the chaos with unforgettable words:

“We didn’t even have a rock to throw at them.”

Around him, flames rose into the Hawaiian sky as countless sailors made the ultimate sacrifice. But Bud survived — and continued serving his nation throughout World War II.

In the decades that followed, he became more than a veteran. He became a guardian of history, returning to Pearl Harbor memorial ceremonies to honor those who never came home and to ensure their stories would never be forgotten.

Clarence “Bud” R. Lane represented the courage, humility, and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation. He stood witness to history at one of America’s darkest hours and carried the memory of that day for the rest of his life.

Though his voice is now silent, his legacy will live on forever — in the memory of Pearl Harbor, in the spirit of American resilience, and in the hearts of all who honor those who served. 🇺🇸🕊️

Rest in peace, Bud Lane.

05/28/2026

Our hearts break as we bid farewell to Eva Schloss, Holocaust survivor and witness to the horrors of Auschwitz, whose story became a voice for millions who could no longer speak. With her passing, the world loses not only a survivor, but a living testament to human endurance, memory, and the fight against hatred. For decades, Eva Schloss carried within her the unbearable weight of history, memories of a childhood stolen by war, a family shattered by genocide, and a humanity tested in the darkest corners of the twentieth century. Yet through unimaginable suffering, she chose not silence, but testimony. Not bitterness, but education. Not hatred, but remembrance. 🕊️🇺🇸

Born Eva Geiringer on May 11, 1929, in Vienna, Austria, she grew up in a loving Jewish family during a time when life still carried innocence and hope. Alongside her parents and her beloved brother Heinz, Eva enjoyed a peaceful childhood before the rise of N**i persecution changed everything. When N**i Germany annexed Austria in 1938, Jewish families were suddenly stripped of safety, dignity, and freedom. Forced to flee, the Geiringers escaped first to Belgium and later to Amsterdam, hoping to survive the growing darkness spreading across Europe.

In Amsterdam, Eva’s family lived near the Frank family. Eva and Anne Frank were born only weeks apart, unaware that both of their lives would become forever tied to one of history’s darkest chapters. As N**i occupation intensified, Eva’s family eventually went into hiding to avoid deportation. But on Eva’s fifteenth birthday in 1944, their hiding place was betrayed.

The family was arrested and deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau.

At Auschwitz, Eva was stripped of her identity and reduced to a number tattooed onto her arm. She witnessed starvation, disease, brutality, and death surrounding her every day. Families were torn apart, children disappeared, and hope itself seemed to vanish behind the barbed wire of the camp. Eva survived alongside her mother through unimaginable suffering, clinging to one another during freezing winters, forced labor, and constant fear. But her father and brother did not survive the Holocaust.

In January 1945, Auschwitz was finally liberated by Soviet forces. Eva was only fifteen years old. Though she survived physically, the emotional wounds of loss and trauma remained with her forever. Like many survivors, she had to rebuild a life while carrying memories too painful for words.

After the war, Eva eventually became the posthumous stepsister of Anne Frank when her mother married Otto Frank, Anne’s father and the only surviving member of the Frank family. For many years Eva remained silent about her experiences, but later she realized that remembering and speaking out were essential to preventing history from repeating itself.

She dedicated her life to Holocaust education, traveling across the world to speak in schools, museums, and public events. Through books, interviews, and testimony, Eva Schloss became one of the most respected voices of Holocaust remembrance. She warned future generations about the dangers of antisemitism, racism, hatred, and indifference, reminding the world that genocide begins when humanity stops seeing others as human.

Eva Schloss leaves behind more than the story of survival. She leaves a legacy of courage, truth, and remembrance. Her life became proof that even after unimaginable darkness, the human spirit can still choose compassion, dignity, and hope.

May her testimony continue to educate generations to come.
May the victims of the Holocaust never be forgotten.
And may Eva Schloss rest in eternal peace.

05/28/2026

Our Brother down south getting some well deserved recognition.

NORMANDY, France — Fourteen years to the day after an explosion in an Afghan village took both of his legs and nearly his life, former 82nd Airborne Div...

05/17/2026

Rest easy good Sir.

With heavy hearts and profound respect, we mourn the passing of Gilbert “Choc” Charleston, a proud Choctaw warrior, World War II veteran, and cherished member of his community, who passed away at the age of 101. 🕊️🇺🇸

With his passing, another living link to the generation that defended freedom during humanity’s darkest hour has been lost. Yet the legacy of his courage, humility, and quiet strength will endure far beyond his years.

When the world was engulfed by war, Choc answered the call without hesitation. Serving as a tank driver with the U.S. Army’s 739th Tank Battalion, he carried the fight across the battlefields of France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. Through shattered towns, frozen forests, and relentless enemy fire, he pressed forward beside his fellow soldiers in the long struggle to liberate Europe.

Among the harshest trials he endured was the Battle of the Bulge — a brutal campaign fought in bitter winter conditions where courage was measured moment by moment, and survival was never guaranteed. Yet through fear, exhaustion, and unimaginable hardship, he stood firm.

Like so many of the Greatest Generation, Choc rarely spoke of his sacrifices. He carried the weight of war with humility and grace, honoring the memory of those who never returned home. Though recognized for his service, he never sought praise or attention. Instead, he devoted his life to kindness, community, and the quiet values that defined his character.

Gilbert “Choc” Charleston represented more than military service. He embodied resilience, honor, and the enduring spirit of a generation that gave everything so others could live in peace.

Today, we do not simply mourn the loss of a veteran.

We honor a warrior.
We honor a survivor.
And we honor a man whose life reflected courage without arrogance and strength without bitterness.

Rest peacefully, Choc.
Your duty is complete, but your legacy will never fade. 🕊️🇺🇸

05/14/2026

A forensic artist has created a facial reconstruction of a Revolutionary War soldier whose remains were found in early 2019 in Lake George. Officials with the New York State Museum said they believe the soldier was a teenager who died nearly 250 years ago. Photos and more at the link in the comments.

05/13/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 11, 2026
Remains of 44 Fallen Patriots Will be Transported on May 20 from Albany to Lake George

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. – Town of Lake George officials announced today that the skeletal remains of 44 people believed to have been associated with the Continental Army when they died 250 years ago will be transported in historic U.S. military vehicles on Wednesday, May 20 from the New York State Museum in Albany, where scientists have spent seven years identifying and reconstructing the remains, to Lake George, where they’ll be interred in a new memorial being dedicated Friday, May 22.

On the morning of May 20 at the State Museum, there will be a dignified transfer of wooden caskets to the three vehicles that will transport the remains 60 miles north via Route 9 to Lake George Battlefield Park, site of the nearly $700,000 memorial.

The motorcade for the “Repose of the Fallen” project will include New York State Police leading nine Korean War and Vietnam-era military trucks operated by members of the NY-Penn Military Vehicle Collectors Club. The convoy will include an es**rt provided by New York members of the Patriot Guard Riders.

The motorcade will depart from the back of the State Museum at approximately 10 a.m. The route north will take it through downtown Albany, the Albany County town of Colonie, the Saratoga County towns of Halfmoon and Clifton Park, Village of Round Lake, Town of Malta, to the city of Saratoga Springs, where the motorcade will halt for a brief patriotic observance in front of City Hall at 474 Broadway.

The procession then will continue north through the Saratoga County towns of Wilton and Moreau and village of South Glens Falls, into Warren County and the city of Glens Falls, where there will be a brief halt at the intersection of Route 9 and Bacon Street for an observance.

From Glens Falls, the motorcade will travel through the town of Queensbury to the town of Lake George. Upon entering the village of Lake George, the motorcade will turn north onto Elizabeth O'Connor Little Boulevard, then head east on Beach Road for a short distance before turning onto Fort George Road and stopping at the memorial site. The estimated time of arrival is noon to 1 p.m.

Upon arrival, most of the caskets will be immediately interred in the memorial. The remaining four caskets will be taken to a nearby church to be safeguarded until the ceremony on May 22. Volunteers will serve as round-the-clock honor sentinels at the church until the morning of the 22nd, when the four caskets will be placed upon a horse-drawn wagon and transported to the memorial site for the formal reinterment ceremony with Federal, State and local officials.

Lisa Anderson, New York State Museum Curator of Bioarcheology, said “We have spent the past seven years painstakingly working to piece together the story of the individuals whose unmarked graves were destroyed. As we close this chapter, it’s hard to put into words the gratitude my team and I have for being part of this project. It has been a privilege to help uncover the story of these veterans and we look forward to them finally having the dignified burial they deserve.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “We pay our deepest honor and respect as 44 Patriots embark to their final resting place, standing as a permanent tribute to their bravery and sacrifice. May we honor their memory with our actions and always be mindful of the heroes that walk among us. Their names and stories will never be forgotten; they forever inspire us to carry on with integrity and courage.”

“We would like to thank the NY-Penn Military Vehicle Collectors Club and the Patriot Guard Riders for providing the transportation of the remains of these early American Patriots to their final resting place at the Lake George Battlefield State Park in an honorable and respectful manner,” said Larry Arnold, a member of the board of trustees of the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance. “Also, we would like to thank the New York State Police for their cooperation and support during this project.”

The remains were discovered during a construction project on private property on Courtland Street in Lake George in February 2019. Subsequent recovery and scientific analyses led by the New York State Museum and the Department of Environmental Conservation determined that they are American soldiers or associated personnel who likely died in 1776, when a large Continental Army hospital was located near the lake’s southern end. Ultimately, 44 distinct people were determined to be among the remains, though current methodology to ascertain their individual identities has not been available for this effort to date hundreds of Continental Army soldiers who fought in the failed invasion of Canada launched in late 1775 are known to have died from smallpox in 1776 at Lake George. They were buried in unmarked cemeteries in and near what is now the village of Lake George. Although the identities of those uncovered at the Courtland Street site are unknown, several uniform buttons found with the remains indicate that at least one of them served in the 1st Pennsylvania Battalion, known to have fought in the Quebec campaign.

Construction of the reinterment memorial began last October on a knoll along the east side of Fort George Road in Lake George Battlefield State Park. The design includes several secured columbaria for the final resting place of these early patriots, seating, interpretive signage and a new memorial plaza.

The “Repose of the Fallen” project, funded through the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative and private donations, will be formally dedicated on May 22, beginning at 11 a.m.

CONTACT: Dan Barusch, AICP
[email protected]
518-668-5722 (x5)

Media Interested in Covering the Pickup at the New York State Museum Should Contact:
Jaclyn Keegan
[email protected]
518-807-1261

05/07/2026

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05/06/2026

A HERO: A Troy military pilot who died in World War II is being laid to rest after his remains were identified decades after he was lost at sea. Lt. Joseph “Roy” Burke was a graduate of Catholic Central High School and and was held as a prisoner of war in Japan for more than two and a half years. DNA from family members helped identify Burke nearly 80 years later.

STORY on WNYT.com.