Challenge Coin Racks and Supporting Veteran Owned Businesses

Challenge Coin Racks and Supporting Veteran Owned Businesses

Challenge Coin Racks and Supporting Veteran Owned Businesses is at the heart of what Vision-Strike-Wear.Com is all about. It is. It has to be. When American military service people spend time making sacrifices while in the United States Military they do it when they are away from their families, when they are called to the battlefield, when they endure hardship in the form of any number of difficult tasks or demands placed upon them. They take it, they follow orders and they get the job done because there is no second place awards for failure.

As such whenever vetrepreneurial minds get together it often produces some amazing thing. Hobbies become businesses, businesses flourish and become even larger businesses which can in turn support military families across the world. As a small veteran owned and operated business, Vision-Strike-Wear.Com started very much in the same way. They were given many boosts up, helped and shoved in the right direction. Mistakes for sure were made but they learned from it and surpassed these obstacles. They remember the earlier days when this happened. This is why they want to help other business minded veterans when they start a new business, have an outlet from PTSD, or maybe just another source of revenue to help support their families. They take what they know, their skills and their interests and they craft something truly amazing.

That is why at VSW we have always been a huge fan of our military brothers and sisters and when we get a tap on the shoulder asking for help whether in the form of advice or to help with the display or offering of a veteran made product we step in and help.

Recently a US Air Force Veteran whose has made it his mission to produce some amazing challenge coin rack holders got a hold of Vision-Strike-Wear.Com and sent in images of his Cherry and Walnut wood made coin racks. The partners were extremely impressed with their craftsmanship and when discussed it was decided this needed to be made available to the marketplace.

Without hesitating these wonderfully and highly professional looking challenge coin holders seen at Military Challenge Coin Racks display with pride the type of quality only found with a Veteran made 100% Made in America product of this type.

Product Details

American Veteran Made

13.5” wide x 6” deep with a 5” rise

Rows are 5/16” Wide

Hold approximately 30 coins

You have been in the military for a number of years and on more than one occasions have earned or been given a military challenge coins. Especially as you move from unit to unit, command to command or ship to ship you accumulate challenge coins and they travel as you do and also form a memory of their own displaying many of the career paths you took while in the military. These are your memories and each challenge coin serves as a reminder of your experiences so they deserve to be placed on a challenge e coin rack that is equal to the task of preserving those memories.

Walnut

Cherry

 

Happy Birthday Bronze Star

Happy Birthday Bronze Star

Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Bronze Star Medal through executive order on February 4th of 1944. The Bronze Star was created during the Second World War in a response to the Airmen’s Medal that was being awarded to pilots during the war. George C. Marshall argued in a letter to Roosevelt that the awarding of the Airmen’s Medal was creating resentment among the ground troops during the war, and hurting the morale of those troops who were suffering some of the greatest casualties. He urged for the creation of an award that could be given to troops by Company Commanders on the level of the Airmen’s Medal to increase the overall troop morale.

In response to this the medal was designed by Bailey, Banks and Biddle, who also designed the Silver Star, and awarded to the first soldiers in 1944 retroactive through December 7th 1941. Now I have seen my fair share of Bronze Medals handed out throughout my career. I will also say that I have never been lucky enough nor have I ever done anything in my miitary career that I think would be deserving of this illustreous medal. I also have the ultimate respect for anyone who has recieved this medal, which is placed above the Purple Heart in order of precedence. Think about that for a second, you can take a bullet for your country and the medal you would recieve is still below that of the Bronze Star.

We all have stories about someone who received an award that they don’t deserve, or at least we feel that they do not deserve. This rarely happens, especially today with the Bronze Star. This is because as of 2012 you must be in a combat zone to earn a Bronze Star. So the next time you meet someone who has earned this award, please do 2 things. Number one thank them for their service, and number 2 get their contact information and follow the link below to purchase one of our Bronze Star designed gifts to show your absolute appreciation for their service to this great country.

http://www.vision-strike-wear.com/Bronze-Star-With-Valor-Medal-Memorial-License-Plate.html

Trump has gone from You’re Fired to You’re Hired

Trump has gone from You’re Fired to You’re Hired

The military saw a pay raise that matched the rise in private sector wages for the first time in six years and many feel that Trump is the one to thank for that. Prior to the election Obama and congress seemed to be in a deadlock about how much of a raise the military would receive in 2017. Congress wanted to give the troops a raise that matched the projected growth in private sector wages, while President Obama had proposed a budget reducing the raise to 1.6% or a half a percent behind private sector wage growth. This has been his strategy as a way to save on the budget for some time and many veterans and veteran groups have been upset with the Commander and Chief trying to save money on the backs of the US men and women in uniform who are readily sent into harm’s way.

The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act submitted by the Obama administration also called for cutting 20k troops from the active duty Army alone. However after the election this was removed from the act and troop levels are to be maintained at their 2016 levels. One might presume that there actually may be a buildup in troops during the Trump administration.

President Trump has touted his support of the United States Armed Forces and its veterans throughout his entire campaign. He has made the terrible state of Veterans Affairs a focal point while gaining the support of veterans across the country. If you follow the link below he can even be seen giving a job interview to a veteran who questioned him during a press conference. He calls the woman up to the podium and gives her an on the spot interview after the woman asked if Trump Towers would be part of the Veteran hiring initiative. Needless to say I think he got that veterans support when she went to the polls on Election Day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOd1-s9nIxQ

Pair all of this with the fact that President Trump selected one of the most respected Marine Corps generals in history as his Secretary of Defense and it sounds like this administration may be a major shift from the previous administration that saw the reducing of troop levels, buying power eroded, education benefits cut, and a crumbling of the VA system.

Even if President Trump is completely hands off from this day forward the Department of Defense can still look to General Mattis as the Secretary of Defense and feel a sense of security in an organization that can only be described as the largest band of brothers you could ever assemble. The military and its veterans are a family through thick and thin. We may have our fights, we may joke around with each other, we may even knock each other around but that’s ok because we are family. If anyone outside the family were to do it we would end their world. I for one am starting to feel very secure with the direction that that family will be heading in for the next 4 years.

Looking back on Desert Storm

Looking back on Desert Storm

If you’re a veteran of the Gulf War than I am sure that you are familiar with Desert Storm the operation that essentially ended the War in the Persian Gulf in the early 90’s. For those of you that are not familiar this will be a quick history lesson along with a reminder of what the greatest fighting force in the free world can do when they are unleashed and unchained by politics and bureaucracy.

The first thing that you have to realize is that the Iraqi Army was not some small force that any nation could have just pummeled in the blink of an eye. In the 80’s the United States had offered a sizable amount of funding to Iraq during its conflict with Iran. This was due to the theory that the enemy of my enemy is my ally (in loose terms of course). So at the point in time when Saddam Hussein had decided to invade Kuwait and take over their oil fields Iraq had the 4th largest army in the world. A force that could contend with if not dominate most forces in the world at the time. Iraq was also a traditional ally of the former Soviet Union, which could present issues of its own.

Neither of these things mattered in the long run as the US and its allies proved to be too much for the Iraqi Army in a very quick manner. This war made General Norman Schwarzkopf and General Colin Powell the most famous military figures in over 2 decades.

The US gave Saddam until January 15th of 1991 to retreat from occupied Kuwait after President George W. Bush let the world know that the actions of Iraq “would not stand”. Of course we know from history that January 15th came and went and Iraq continued to occupy Kuwait, calling the bluff of the United States and its allies. The problem for Iraq was the United States had no intention of bluffing. I mean seriously if you are holding a royal flush (the US military) would you need to bluff? So the United States began to bomb Iraqi military targets for 5 consecutive weeks.

Iraq attempted to counter these strikes by launching Scud missiles at US targets in Saudi Arabia, and US allies in Israel.  The attacks had limited effect, of the over 80 missiles launched only 1 hit a significant military target in Saudi Arabia. However, it did force the US to deal with the problem by hunting down and destroying these launchers which delayed the US ground attack for 1 week. In the end the American military did what it has always done, went into the country and knocked the opposition backwards in a singe week of ground fighting.

If you or someone you know is a veteran of the war, or just someone who loves the history of our great military, simply click on the image below to see some of the great designs and commemorate this event in US Military History.

http://www.vision-strike-wear.com/Desert-Storm-Veteran-Coin.html

San Diego’s World Beat Cultural Center Reclaims Racism and Ignorance with New Book Release Party

San Diego’s World Beat Cultural Center Reclaims Racism and Ignorance with New Book Release Party

9780976580157Being in San Diego for only 3 years I find myself discovering new places, meeting various people and learning about cultural perspectives was invited to a book release party last Friday night at the San Diego World Beat Cultural Center.  The book was title “Reclaiming Our Stories: Narratives of Identity, Resilience and Empowerment” and is published by San Diego City Works Press and presented by “Pillars of the Community”. The World Beat Cultural Center is across from the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park near the Naval Medical Center San Diego.

Being married to a 1st generation American by legal immigrants from a third world county I am not a stranger to other cultures and appreciate those that are proponents of freedom, peace and goodwill towards one another. Learning about this book I was interested to see what the diverse students of City College had to say about growing up in multicultural San Diego.  We parked and entered the Cultural Center and were immediately greeted with “Pro” Fidel Castro pamphlets.  Oh boy.  They weren’t wasting time starting off with communist propaganda and we haven’t even entered the building.  Seeing these young faces handing these out thinking they were being rebels and standing up for the common man by supporting totalitarian authoritarian tyrants in 3rd world countries.  Do these kids ever read about history?  Not much diversity in Cuba.  One culture or else.

Upon entering the center the vibes and Rasta reds, greens and blacks with many murals about the “World Beat” club atmosphere including home made Kombucha and natural organic non GMO health snacks.  All appeared very cool and hip while many diverse people were mingling about and sitting in front of a large stage.  Immediately to the right before the stage is a large steel sculpture towering to the ceiling showing 3 different types of Jewish male archetypes holding up a steel framed map of the United States of America.  Odd.  Having a degree in art history it was a clearing communicating that only the peoples of the Judaic Religion are the foundation of America.  Strange I never read that in the history books.  Or maybe its they want to support America.  Very confusing messages so far…

As we took a seat in front of the stage it was lit up with stage lights and was projecting a image of the book cover.   Looking around the room I notice the many murals depicting scenes from ancient Egypt, Babylon, Rasta Lions and other images of past empires and kingdoms.  Again I pondered why these images were being used here.  As an expert in logos and symbols it was clear that the room was filled with many that were in complete opposition to any free world that acknowledges diversity.  How can people be so mislead into thinking they were among friends when all symbols were of history’s enemies to all humanity no matter the race or creed.  Symbols of monarchy and terrible empires that enslaved and slaughtered.  Sad to see so many people clueless to the barrage of subliminal iconic programming around them.

img_2967

As scanned around the room the sound from the mics filled the air and the MC’s began the presentation.  Many speakers were here to read stories they contributed to the book.  The first was the most touching about a young girl living in San Diego homeless on the streets because the mom was a drug addict and in and out jail while the dad although a little better was at least not incarcerated had a alcohol problem.  Living in shelters she experience what it was like to be rock bottom.  Later she was sent to live with her cousin back east in a stable home that happened to be Muslim.  Seeing this stability and love she was drawn to the religion they practice.  Everyone clapped.  Looking around again I notice no Christian motifs or symbols.  None.  Hmmm.  How is it a good thing for a women to become Muslim when they treat them like property and 2nd class citizens.  I don’t see the freedom or enrichment in lowering someone’s status to less than a human.

Next came another contributing writer that spoke of being imprisoned for armed robbery and his ordeal in the big house. He read about his court experience and being transported to the big house.  After arriving he talked about how he had an attitude with the guards and one particular ” White” guard to avoid.  Although no explanation was given int eh story this person was the reason for his continued behavior.  Adding more and more time to his sentence for being uncooperative he romanced how this is how a black man must have felt in the 1800’s picking cotton.  I looked at my wife and she at me with amusement.  This kid was in prison because he was a criminal and after being a complete jerk to the authorities was now feeling sorry for himself and framing his experience as though he were a slave in the Confederate South.  This is “Reclaiming” their identities?  Convicted Felon has attitude at Prison and thinks he is equal to a African slave in the 1800’s.  This was an insult to my intelligence and to those slaves that had no fucking choice.  While this entitled criminal punk thinks he is being treated unjustly by a bunch of racists prison guards.  Wow. Is this a joke?

After, another criminal began telling her story of being a degenerate prostitute working the streets for her beloved pimp and was all good until the pimp started giving his attention to another “White Bitch”.   This was too much for her and she went crazy violently attacked destroyed private property and that got them both arrested.  She told her story as though auditioning for American Idol almost proud of her escapades.  Glorifying her lifestyle and the people she was with.  The whole time blaming the “White” man and her pimp for her troubles.  She dressed as though she was still a prostitute to be honest.  None the less there was no remorse or taking any responsibility.  Just more of the same blaming everyone else, especially the “white” folks and not taking responsibility.

Next came the craziest story of a half Mexican half American man with his red hair and blue eyes that at an early age was put on Ritalin and other drugs that changed his entire life.  Psychotropics are never good and another part of the problem with this run away psychiatry being shoved down are children’s throats.  At a young age h as in trouble and juvenile hall.  At 13 he escaped with some older boys and with them went on a robbery spree ended with a shoot out with the police.  After 18 he moved back to smallville Montana and instead of getting his life together began slinging drugs. After getting busted he was back in and soon committing murder shanking many inmates to survive.  Again no remorse for his action and left the stage like a rock star blaming the man and many references to race and discrimination from “White” people.  We were basically listening to the stories of sociopaths that use race to justify their “victim” attitudes.  Although I have Native American and Black mixed with Scotch and Irish like this speaker I look white and in my head began singing the Clash song “White Man in Hammersmith Palaise” from the 70’s where Joe Strummer goes to a London club that is predominantly black anti authority musicians and feeling the racism because he is “White”.  Looking around I could see that the room was filled with very few with people.  Maybe a dozen compared to the 100+ of black and brown folks.

img_2964Finally one of the MC’s began to tell her story.  Until now I really hadn’t been that surprised; These inner city “cultural” groups are just that- a cult- following the fashion trend and latest social justice campaigns.  However the last story truly showed the programmed hatred toward “White” people and the use of keywords to propagate a false narrative.  The final reader told her story of how when she was in high school she had a Math teacher that caused her to hate math.  She described him as a heavy set white male that was teaching math and “boasted” often about his service as a Veteran in he United States military.  Her next statement made me gasp.  She said why she hated him was his stories of “White Privilege” being a Veteran and was the reason she could stopped paying attention in class.  The audience joined her in praising herself for recognizing this.  After continued disrespect he notice she was not paying attention.  He stopped at her desk and asked why.

She said that her teacher had “White Privilege” because he was a Veteran and that she didn’t have to listen and because of this attitude didn’t get along the rest of the year.  This was the point of why she had so much trouble with math!  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

Sounded like her racism towards a white male that was a veteran was the reason she didn’t do well in math.  Of course everyone clapped and cheered her on.  No remorse for her attitude or lack of respect for a person that served our country to defend our civil liberties and is now a teacher.  Apparently his only crime was that he was “white”.  Excuse me this is not a privileged life.  Haven’t you been paying attention?  The poor go to war.  The rich seldom do.  So how does one equate this logic?  This young 24 year old woman speaking these words so completely lost in her own entitlement and hateful racism with the Veterans museum ironically just a few hundred yards away.  Meanwhile hypocritically boasting to all of us her tales of being in the trenches of the educational system while condemning him for the same behavior.  Looking around I noticed all the flags hanging form the ceiling.  No US flag.  Disgraceful.

Feeling exhausted after hearing all the disgusting tales of debauchery and self loathing blaming the “White”man and never taking any responsibility for their own actions scumbags- another speaker grab the mic promoting an upcoming event.  A black woman with dreads addressed the crowd and brought attention to this event on Nov 5th called “Wanna be Free- The Concert of the People”.  However the she only mentioned that the people to unite were the black and brown people against racist monster Donald Trump.  Wait a minute.  Only the Black and Brown people are a part of the “People’s Revolution”?  Oh boy.  And now Donald Trump is the reason for all the racism in the world? Wow.  These people are such hypocrites.  The whole time this woman was staring at me with fierce eyes and flailing arms shouting rhetoric that can only be described as divisive and racist blaming Donald Trump.  These folks have no clue who their real enemy is if they think its the white race. Complete and willful ignorance.

Is this America?  Is this the culture we want to promote?  Racism, Ignorance and Divisiveness?  Needless to say we both were disgusted and wanted to exit this sour culture being cultivated by cultist that seem to blame rather than take personal responsibility and foment hate.  Everyone is faced with decision that can lead to success in life or self destruction.  Its up to each and every one of us to choose the right decisions.  Another interesting detail was that all speakers but the Mexican American male that was on Crystal Meth were all severely obese.  More evidence of self loathing rather than discovering Identity.  Stories of disrespect and misdirected anger from being incarcerated for committing horrible crimes as the manner of their Resilience.  Not taking any responsibility for their actions and ignoring the laws as a form of Empowerment.  Only the reclaiming of age old hate and fomenting racism towards others justifying immoral behavior and beliefs. Shameful these stories will ever influence any young troubled soul searching for truth.  The book certainly was a detour from that path.  Steer clear by reclaiming sanity by avoiding this ignorant and racist literature and cultural center.

download

The Anniversary of 9/11

The Anniversary of 9/11

The word hero is one that is overused in society. Too may times we hear that this person is a hero or that person is a hero, and normally these people are just doing the right thing or doing their job. On the anniversary of 9/11 I think we should sit back, take a moment, and remember what the word hero really means. We should also honor all of the heroes that lost their lives that terrible day so that others could go home to their families. The firefighters, police officers, and volunteers who ran toward danger as everyone else was running away. The brave passengers aboard flight 93 who sacrificed their own lives so that another target would not be destroyed by the terrorists who threatened our nation and our way of life on that day.

Remembering 9/11 and our country immediately following that horrific day makes me think about the state of our country today. As you listen to the news regardless of which news agency you prefer, almost all of the rhetoric is focused on how to divide our country. We hear that Black Lives Matter, Police Lives Matter, the rich are suppressing the poor, trans genders are being discriminated against in some way, Republican vs. Democrats, and no matter what your political or personal beliefs on these things are you have to admit that these are all ways to divide the people of our country into separate groups. On 9/11/2001 and for the period directly following, the only group that people identified as was American. This was an act of war that threatened everything we have come to know and love in this country. No one cared if you were black, white, rich, poor, gay, straight, or anything else under the sun. Americans only cared that you were an American which meant you were on the same side of this new war on terror.

9-11-unity

I will start this by personally thanking all those who have fought for me and this country in one way or another. This includes my brothers and sisters in arms, police officers, fire fighters, EMT’s, and everyone else who has an occupation that puts them in danger so the people of America can enjoy waking up and knowing that they are free and safe. I want to thank all of those heroes who run towards the dangers that others are running away from. Regardless of your occupation or situation I want to thank you for your actions, service, or duties. I invite everyone to take a moment on this day and be thankful for the fact that our country is filled with so many of these people. Remember that the division that the media promotes will never result in anything but anger and chaos. Remember that we are all Americans and that means something.

The coins below were designed to honor our fallen heroes.

never-forget-coin-2 never-forget-coin-1

We Will Never Forget Coin

CUSTOM MILITARY COINS

See All Custom Coins