Pentagon portrait of Navy captain a prank
April 17th, 2012 | Navy Pentagon | Posted by Jacqueline Klimas
The Pentagon’s halls are adorned with artifacts, paintings and portraits that herald each of the service’s illustrious histories. Walking from one wing to another visitors and staff pass portraits of military greats like Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, Gen. George S. Patton, and Adm. Chester Nimitz.
One portrait, however, was a mystery that turned out to be a prank of epic proportions. Check out this story by the Wall Street Journal on how Capt. Eldridge Hord III, now 53, has had his portrait hanging in the nation’s seat of military power for nearly a year with a plaque claiming it was the likeness of an ensign lost at sea in 1908.
His modern blow-dried hairstyle finally gave him away.
Do you have any stories of epic hoaxes or pranks from your time in the military?
Quarters K closes up shop
November 1st, 2011 | Arlington National Cemetery Navy Pentagon Photos | Posted by Jenn Rafael
If you’ve worked at the Pentagon, you’ve probably bought gas at Quarters K.
The Navy Exchange gas station and Quikmart near the Navy Annex in Arlington, Va., closed for good Friday, as part of a plan to expand neighboring Arlington National Cemetery.
Quarters K served military members, retirees and drivers of government vehicles, as well as members of the public using compressed natural gas and ethanol pumps.
A brochure given out at the station notes that the nearest Navy Exchange gas station is at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., about 30 minutes to the north.
Those looking for other alternative fuel options can search the Energy Department’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator.
Did you buy gas or alternative fuel at Quarters K? What’s your new commuting strategy?
New York, New York
September 13th, 2011 | 2nd Fleet 9/11 Community relations Navy Norfolk Naval Station Pentagon Photos San Antonio class | Posted by Bill McMichael
A Navy amphibious warship returned to its figurative and literal source Sunday, as the crew of the amphibious transport dock ship New York spent Sept. 11 in the Big Apple taking part in events throughout the city honoring victims and responders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Quartermaster 3rd Class James Kern stands watch on the bridge aboard the amphibious transport dock ship New York as the ship transits to its backdrop location on the Hudson River as part of the commemoration ceremony of the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis
The transport dock ship was named for the city that took the heaviest terrorist blow on that day in 2001, as nearly 3,000 people died when two hijacked jet airliners crashed into two World Trade Center skyscrapers — followed by a jetliner crash into a Pennsylvania field that took the lives of all 40 passengers and crew members, and another that struck the west side of the Pentagon, killing 184 aboard and inside the building.
And its bow was fashioned from 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the shattered buildings, a rebirth being mirrored at the reborn site, where the twin-waterfall memorial built where the twin towers stood was unveiled Sunday.
Embarked aboard USS New York for the transit from Norfolk, Va., to New York Harbor were 170 members of the 9/11 Families Association, including families of victims and first responders, 2nd Fleet said.