Coles County Veterans Support Coalition

08/29/2026

Thank you to Stan and Linda Metzger for sponsoring our Hero’s 6 snacks in August. The Oreo Cakesters are always a huuuugggeee favorite with our Veterans! Thank you for supporting our veterans!

08/28/2026

Reboot courses are not just for Veterans. Reboot now offers a course for anyone who has been through trauma. Please scan the QR code for this course which begins September 27.

08/27/2026

Fun Facts #4 - Marines

Fun facts about the U.S Marine Corps

Questions
1. Where was the Marine Corps born?
2. What is the license plate number of the Commandant?
3. Where does the nickname Devil Dog come from?
4. What is the oldest post in the Marine Corps?
5. How many birthdays does the Marine Corps have?

Answers
1. The Marine Corps was born at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia on November 10th, 1775.
2. The license plate number of the Commandant is 1775 the year the Marine Corps was founded.
3. The Nickname Devil Dog comes from the Battle of Belleau Wood during World War One were Marines fought aggressively against the Germans. According to legend the Germans called the Marines teufelhunden or devil dogs.
4. The oldest post is Marine Barracks Washington, D.C established in 1801.
5. The Marine Corps has two birthdays. The first and famous when is November 10th 1775. Then second and less famous is July 11th 1798 when the Marine Corps was reformed again after being disbanded in 1783.

08/14/2026

Time for another Fun Facts from Gunner! Enjoy!

Air Force Fun facts
Questions
1. What branch did the Air Force use to be a part of?
2. Where is Air Force Basic Military Training held?
3. What is the oldest flying unit in the Air Force?
4. Who is considered to be the father of the Air Force?
5. Who is the only officer to hold the five-star rank in both the Army and Air Force?

Answers
1. The Air Force used to be a part of the Army formed at first in 1907 as the Aeronautical Division later turning into the Army Air Force. Then in 1947 the Air Force became a separate branch.
2. Air Force Basic Military Training is held at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
3. The oldest flying unit in the Air Force is the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, which was formed on March 5th 1913 as the 1st Provisional Aero Squadron.
4. The father of the Air Force is Brigadier General William Billy Mitchell who between the World Wars advocated for the use of airpower.
5. Henry Hap Arnold, was in 1944 promoted to General of the Army. Then when the Air Force became a separate branch in 1947. Arnold was given the honor of being the first General of the Air Force.

08/04/2026

Fun Facts #2- US Navy by Gunner Barr

Fun facts about the U.S Navy
Questions
1. Who is considered to be the father of the U.S Navy?
2. When ships named after people, by who are they christened?
3. How many presidents have served in the Navy?
4. How long was the Navy disbanded after the Revolutionary war?
5. What was the Navy’s first aircraft carrier’s flight deck made out of?

Answers

1. John Paul Jones, famous for his 1779 victory over the formidable HMS Serapis. When the British told him to surrender mid-battle he responded, “I have not yet begun to fight!”
2. Ships named after people are christened by the eldest female descendant of that individual.
3. Six, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, James Carter, Gerald Ford, Lyndon B Johnson, George H.W Bush all served in the Navy.
4. Nearly a decade. Struggling with post war debt following the American Revolution, Congress sold the fleet. After 11 American merchant ships were attacked and captured by the Algerian and Barbary pirates. Congress passed the Naval Act of 1794 allowing for the construction of six frigates and the Navy was reborn.
5. The Navy’s first aircraft carrier USS Langley used a wooden flight deck. Because the wood surface gave more traction to landing gear in slick conditions and also absorbed less heat lowering the chances of tire blowouts. The sailors called the ship called the Langley “the covered wagon.”

07/30/2026

As many of you know, this past school year we were fortunate to have an intern from Charleston High School. Gunner Barr joined with us from August to May. He wholeheartedly supported the VSC by setting up the appointments, conducting interviews and drafting the biographies for our Home Town Heroes. In addition, he was a valuable team member to our Hero's 6 program and made bi-monthly visits to our Charleston Nursing Homes. His last project with us was to draft a "Fun Facts" history of the military branches. In honor of America's 250th birthday, we will be sharing his project over the next few days. Thank you Gunner for your support and commitment to the VSC...we will miss you this year!

U.S Army fun facts
Questions
1. What is the oldest active regiment in the U.S Army?
2. How many presidents have served either in the Continental Army, U.S Army or U.S Army Reserves?
3. Which state has the most Army bases?
4. In the Army’s history how many five-star generals has it had?
5. What is the oldest continually occupied post in the Army?

Answers
1. 3rd U.S Infantry Regiment the “Old Guard serving our nation since 1784
2. 16 presidents
3. Virginia with nine bases
4. Five: Gen. George C. Marshall, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. Henry H. Arnold and Gen. Omar N. Bradley
5. West Point, since 1778

07/29/2026

Thank you to the Leitch Family, our Hero’s 6 sponsors for July! We even had a special snack for the USA 250th birthday. Our Vets appreciate all of the support from our community!

07/04/2026

Happy 250, America! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸

07/04/2026

It was a great day for a parade! We love celebrating our Veterans and our beautiful country!!!

07/04/2026