Liz Rose Short set out to film her husband, Codie Short, as he reacts to pulling a bun out of the oven in what was supposed to be a playful reference to a metaphor for pregnancy.

Instead, things went awry when she had to run out for an unexpected errand, and her unaware husband turned on the oven, leaving the bread burnt.

When she returned home, her husband, a Navy submariner, was left confused as he held the tiny charred loaf between a pair of tongs.

“Elizabeth,” he says endearingly. “I love you so much. Why would you put a single roll in the oven?”

@lizroseshort Replying to @addy❤ Announcing our burnt roll 🤍🤍 #submarinefamily #pregnancyannouncement #milso #miltok #pregnant #pregnancyreveal #husbandwife ♬ original sound - Liz 🌸

She responds that it’s not a roll, but rather a bun. The distinction here is crucial, but her husband doesn’t quite put the pieces together.

“We have a bun ... in the oven,” she notes.

Perplexed, he replies that’s not true because he just pulled it out.

Alas, when Liz finally gives up the game and says they’re having a baby, Codie drops the roll and the tongs and rushes to hug her. The video quickly went viral, amassing three million likes since it was posted on Dec. 20.

Now our hearts are as warm as the family’s burnt roll.

Depicted as a roughly middle-aged curmudgeon with no family or friends, the Grinch’s past is relatively unknown beyond a brief backstory that suggests he was an orphan.

When the Grinch chooses to steal Christmas, however, his actions happen to be rather consistent with the training and attitude of an angry veteran. Here are a handful of unmistakable signs the Grinch is actually prior military.

The attitude

The Grinch’s mood mirrors that of a classic driver seat-ranting veteran — mad at the world yet rather disconnected from it.

PSYOPS

The choice to steal Christmas is not so much about taking physical gifts as it is about crushing the spirits of the Whos. The recognition that he can destroy the morale of an entire town is extremely top brass.

The service dog

Max is trained to go above and beyond the normal duties of man’s — or green monster’s — best friend. From being an emotional companion to driving the Grinch’s getaway sleigh, he always rises to meet his owner’s challenges.

Explosives knowledge

The Grinch’s use of a makeshift flamethrower to burn down Whoville’s Christmas tree illustrates clear explosive ordnance training. Accidentally blowing up a gas line while driving a mini-car, however, is also the kind of reckless thing a member of the E-4 mafia might do.

The schedule

“4:00, wallow in self-pity. 4:30, stare into the abyss. 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one. 5:30, jazzercize; 6:30, dinner with me. I can’t cancel that again. 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing. I’m booked. Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9, I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling and slip slowly into madness,” notes the Grinch as he ponders his day. The regimen mirrors that of many a veteran home longing for the days of deployment.

He lives in the wilderness

Many veterans prefer an off-the-grid existence, post-service. In the Grinch’s case, it’s a solitary cave-like home on Mount Crumpit. It’s outdoorsy, far from society, and even has a few characteristics of a doomsday prepper’s domicile.

Military families also know that sometimes the best way to bring back the holiday spirit is to give to others. One sure-fire way is bringing gifts to children, whether it’s at holiday gatherings, “adopting” a family, or air-dropping packages to islands in the Pacific. Often, local military chaplains are involved in getting toys and food to military families in need during this season. Many in the military community are involved in the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation’s annual toy drive.

From Santa tracker to toxic Yule logs, agencies embrace the holidays

A number of organizations have programs for troops and military families throughout the year. These are just a few examples of what’s been happening.

Troops around the world still enjoy holiday meals

For those deployed to Northern Europe in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Defense Logistics Agency has sent at least 940 whole turkeys, 7,520 pounds of roast turkey, 16,435 pounds of beef, 9,738 pounds of ham, 228 pounds of shrimp, 161 cans of sweet potatoes and 11,539 pies and cakes.

For those deployed to Iraq, Jordan and Kuwait, 947 whole turkeys, 13,632 pounds of roast turkey, 27,602 pounds of beef, 7,401 pounds of ham, 8,467 pounds of shrimp, 1,110 cans of sweet potatoes, 14,253 cakes and pies, and 3,744 containers of eggnog were delivered to the region, officials said.

Planning for the worldwide holiday feeding of troops begins months in advance at the Defense Logistics Agency. At publication time, agency officials were still finalizing their numbers for the Christmas food poundage sent worldwide.

Troops and families all over the world participate in events in their communities

On Dec. 12 in Powidz, Poland, soldiers with the 3rd Division Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division made Christmas tree decorations with students during a holiday party at the Powidz school. They learned about local holiday customs, played games, and enjoyed some traditional holiday treats with the school children.

“Drops” of toys and other gifts have been happening around the world, too

In early December, six C-130 aircraft lifted off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in Operation Christmas Drop 2023, to deliver 210 parachuted bundles of donated items such as nonperishable food, toys, fishing supplies, schoolbooks and clothing to more than 42,000 islanders on 58 remote islands throughout Micronesia, covering about 1.8 million miles in six days. Pacific Air Forces, partner nations, and the University of Guam work together on the yearly event. Operation Christmas Drop’s first flight was in 1952, and it’s the Defense Department’s longest running humanitarian and disaster relief mission. Donations are collected on Guam and through the Operation Christmas Drop private organization.

Other toy missions have been happening with units based at installations such as Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and Fort Moore, Georgia.

Giveaways and charity events help provide enriching holiday experiences for service members and their families

More than 700 families of fallen military — to include 1,800 family members — spent five days the first week in December at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, at a healing retreat. All their expenses are paid by the Gary Sinise Foundation, their partners and donations from the public. The families could participate in many workshops and activities, in addition to enjoying all four Walt Disney World theme parks. The Gary Sinise Foundation officially took over the Snowball Express program in 2017.

A number of efforts are focused on deployed service members too. More than 45,000 holiday stockings stuffed with various goodies were pledged this year in the nonprofit Soldiers’ Angels “Holiday Stockings for Heroes” campaign for deployed service members, hospitalized veterans, and National Guard and Reserve members around the country. In addition, through Soldiers’ Angels’ Adopt-A-Family program, donors adopted more than 2,000 military and veteran families and supported them with presents and grocery gift cards.

Operation Ride Home works with Jack Daniel’s partners with Armed Services YMCA to help active duty junior enlisted and their families travel home for the holidays. This year the program was slated to help more than 2,000 junior enlisted troops and family members make the trip home to see their loved ones. They provide subsidized plane tickets and prepaid gift cards for road travel to help offset expenses. Jack Daniel Distillery has donated $100,000 for this year’s trips, and the general public also donates. This marks the 13th year the distillery has offered the program.

Operation Homefront’s Holiday Toy Drive is designed to relieve financial stress for junior and mid-grade enlisted families, grades E1-E6. Toys and holiday meal kits are distributed at various events. Dollar Tree has helped collect toys in their stores for military children for 17 years; the program distributed about $6 million worth of toys to military families nationwide in 2022.

Armed Services YMCA also works to help financially strapped enlisted families with food and toys during the holidays and all year. Since 2004, through donations to Operation Holiday Joy, more than 320,000 toys and more than 25,000 baskets of food have been provided over Thanksgiving and Christmas for junior enlisted families in need. Many of their 12 branches around the country have participated in this program, and the events vary from branch to branch. Military parents can go in and “shop” for gifts for their children for the holidays.

As Christina Aguilera crooned back in 1999, “When will my reflection show who I am inside?”

Indeed, how might you make the world see you for who you really are — a glossy action figure with washboard abs, calves that have never not known leg day, and, of course, a jaw so sharp it could cut a porterhouse steak?

While the gym could help with the first two, plastic surgery may be the only option for G.I. Joe’s steely mandibles. Luckily, there’s a procedure for that: the “G.I. Jaw.”

A New York City plastic surgeon, Dr. Philip Miller, has dubbed this jawline procedure after the ultimate hero, G.I. Joe.

“G.I. Jaw is a classic look that is considered one of the hallmarks of masculinity,” his practice’s website explains. “It’s called the ‘G.I. Jaw’ because the appearance is associated with tough, brave soldiers.”

Miller suggests this is one of the most common plastic surgeries among men.

“Traditionally and biologically, a strong jawline has always been advantageous in attracting members of the opposite sex for mating purposes,” the description continues. “Men with this type of look typically have higher levels of testosterone.”

While grown men envying dolls may not be considered particularly masculine, going under the knife to style one’s face after one can be considered incredibly macho, obviously. But, if moto masseters bring joy, investment in them is an option. According to Healthline, jawline procedures can range anywhere from around $6,500 to $56,000. Insurance unfortunately will not cover the procedure as an elective surgery.

Cosmetic procedures have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic and appear set to become even more popular among younger demographics.

Members of Generation Z, as in those responsible for taking over the world via TikTok, would reportedly go under the knife to correct perceived physical shortcomings. According to data constultancy Savanta, 37 percent of Gen-Z say they are in favor of plastic surgery related to their social media popularity.

It would — ahem — behoove the Pentagon to consider researching, building, or acquiring some of these incredible pieces of movie technology.

1. Lightsabers — “Star Wars”

Is there a person alive who has seen any of the nine “Star Wars” movies or its countless spin-offs and hasn’t wanted to battle things out with a beam of light? Gunfire, as Obi-Wan Kenobi said, is “so uncivilized.”

2. Sticky gloves — “Mission Impossible”

Caught in a sticky situation? Consider these adhesive gloves that render the wearer capable of scaling walls. We can only imagine the Saturday night barracks shenanigans that would ensue, however, if these were standard issue.

3. Troop transporting time machine — “Tomorrow War”

Are you experiencing a recruiting crisis? This time portal will allow you farm troops from the past to fight the wars of today.

4. Magic healing cream — “The Hunger Games”

Ibuprofen and clean socks are great, but this instant healing cream is next level. Just think, no more painful boot blisters.

5. The Neuralyzer — “Men in Black”

The military uses for a memory-scrubbing beam of light cannot be understated. Forget entire battles, erase weapons tests gone awry. Or, perhaps a more noble use would be to erase traumatic events entirely.

6. Omega 13 — “Galaxy Quest”

A device that gives one the ability to travel back 13 seconds in time could prove surprisingly useful for the military. While it may not seem like extensive time, consider the conflicts that could have been changed in an instant. The murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, for example.

7. Transporter — “Star Trek”

Teleportation could be a real boon for recruiting. Troops wouldn’t need to PCS or deploy. The Pentagon, meanwhile, could stop investing in barracks. Everyone could simply sleep at home or have Scotty beam them up to their duty station or combat theater, as needed.

8. DNA Guns — “Judge Dredd”

It’s possible that using a firearm that only works when the DNA-coded user pulls the trigger would make weapons checks more efficient. However, signing DNA over to the Pentagon would be certain to rattles some cages.

9. Rehydrator — “Back to the Future Part II”

Forget MREs. With the Rehydrator, you can serve real food to troops in real time. Just pop in your dehydrated rations, et voilà! A perfect meal that you don’t have to eat cold out of a plastic packet. Imagine all the combat pizza parties.

10. Securefoam — “Demolition Man”

Vehicle and aircraft mishaps resulting in crew casualties can become a thing of the past with this safety foam. It works like an airbag, but rather than pushing the force of the accident onto a passenger, the foam expands and encases them in a safe, secure, soft pocket, preventing injuries.

11. Invisibility Cloak — “Harry Potter”

Whether it’s a cloak like the one in “Harry Potter” or similar technology deployed by the creatures in “Predator,” it’s hard to deny how useful invisibility would be for troops.

Meant to be a “city under the ice,” Camp Century was designed to be a series of “twenty-one horizontal tunnels spidering through the snow,” according to the University of Vermont. Designers boasted that, once complete, it would be three times the size of Denmark — replete with a movie theater, hot showers, a chapel, a library, chemistry labs, and, most importantly, a portable nuclear reactor.

Destined to house nearly 200 residents, the top-secret missile base in northwestern Greenland, far north of the Arctic Circle, was publicly touted as a “remote research community” under the auspices of the Army Polar Research and Development Center.

In reality, it was “a top-secret plan to convert part of the Arctic into a launchpad for nuclear missiles,” according to the Washington Post.

Dubbed “Project Iceworm,” the city nestled under layer after layer of ice was to be positioned less than 3,000 miles from Moscow. During the Cold War, the frigid location offered the U.S. Army a more covert and convenient cover for its medium-range ballistic missiles, or MRBMs.

The project was to take advantage of the strategic location of Greenland — midway between the two superpowers — so as to avoid using long-range Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs, located stateside, professor Nikolaj Petersen of Denmark’s Aarhus University wrote in a 2007 article for the Scandinavian Journal of History.

In 1958, the U.S. received tacit approval from Denmark — which has maintained control of the world’s largest island since the 1814 Treaty of Kiel — after being approached with the plans for Iceworm by U.S. ambassador Val Petersen.

According to Petersen’s account, Danish Prime Minister H. C. Hansen replied, “You did not submit any concrete plan as to such possible storing, nor did you ask questions as to the attitude of the Danish Government to this item. I do no[t] think that your remarks give rise to any comments from my side.”

The U.S. deemed this a green light, with construction slated to begin in June 1959. Despite temperatures as low as -70°F, winds as high as 125 miles per hour and an annual snowfall of more than four feet, the audacious project was completed the following October, according to the Atomic Heritage Foundation.

“The missile force is hidden and elusive,” a 1960 planning document noted. “It is deployed into an extensive cut‐and‐cover tunnel network in which men and missiles are protected from weather and, to a degree, from enemy attack. The deployment is invulnerable to all but massive attacks and even then most of the force can be launched. Concealment and variability of the deployment pattern are exploited to prevent the enemy from targeting the critical elements of the force.”

The audacious $2.71 billion plan didn’t account for one thing, however: Mother Nature.

It became increasingly clear, in short order, that building an atomic city under shifting ice sheets was tenuous at best. The project was scrapped entirely by 1967, and the massive underground structure collapsed shortly after.

Despite this rather large military gaffe, the project wasn’t entirely a waste. During the building of Camp Century, U.S. glacier scientist Chester Langway drilled “a 4,560-foot-deep vertical core down through the ice,” according to an account in the University of Vermont Today. “Each section of ice that came up was packaged and stored, frozen. When the drill finally hit dirt, the scientists worked it down for twelve more feet through mud and rock. Then they stopped.”

For decades, this layer of ice and rock from Greenland’s core remained untouched, stored in cookie jars at the bottom of a freezer in Denmark.

Then in 2017, it was rediscovered by Jørgen Peder Steffensen, a professor and curator of the ice core repository at the University of Copenhagen, and glaciologist Dorthe Dahl-Jensen, who were going through the university’s extensive collections of ice cores in preparation for a move to a new freezer.

“Some were oddly labeled ‘Camp Century sub-ice,’” Steffensen told UVM Today. “I never thought about what was in those two boxes.

“Well, when you see a lot of cookie jars, you think: who the hell put this in here?” he continued. “No, I didn’t know what to make of it. But once we got it out, we picked it up to see these dirty lumps, and I said: what is this now? And all of a sudden it dawned on us: Oh s--t, this is the sediment underneath it. The ‘sub-ice’ is because it’s below the ice. Whoa.”

In October 2019 the overlooked bits of dirt finally had their time in the sun as more than 30 scientists from around the world gathered in Vermont to study what the silty ice and frozen sediment might tell us.

The convention discovered that the sediment contained “fossilized leaf and twig fragments, proving that plants had once grown under one of the coldest regions on earth,” according to the Washington Post story.

While the U.S. didn’t get to act out its Bond villain lair fantasies, it did, at the very least, further scientific understandings of the world around us — and below us.

“My Christmas Hero” is no different. It stars “Full House” favorite Candace Cameron Bure as orthopedic doctor and Army reservist Maj. Nicole Ramsey, who begins her story by meeting I Corps Maj. Daniel Ross (Gabriel Hogan). Their tale, as so many do in these films, ties back to World War II.

Ramsey, who is, of course, too busy for a relationship, first meets Ross in her medical office, where he visits due to a bad knee. Though her ethics say she is unable to date a patient, he specifies he won’t be treated for long. Hurdle jumped.

Ramsey, however, comes with emotional trauma in the form of reeling from the death of a man she never met. Cpl. John Medlin, Ramsey’s grandfather, died in Italy around Christmas 1944, soon after his daughter was born stateside.

What jumps out immediately is the film’s confusing math, an issue destined to become more glaring as movies of this genre continue to rely on World War II to anchor storylines. It’s one thing to suspend reality in favor of a film, but this chronology is a stretch. The dates in the film would make Ramsey’s mother at least 79, though she’s played by the spritely 61-year-old Teryl Rothery. Meanwhile, it’s suggested that Ramsey is in her 30s. (It may be high time for Korean or Vietnam War veterans to serve as the foundations of these holiday movie timelines.)

Moreover, the last surviving local WWII veteran — a man named Mr. Morton — is one of her patients. He and his wife have been married 76 years, which makes him at least 94 (assuming he was 18 when the war ended) when he requisitions Ramsey for a new hip so he can finally go dancing with his wife.

But I digress. Ramsey’s ultimate mission is to uncover the circumstances of her grandfather’s death and bring some closure to her mom. And who better to help than the charming, blue-eyed Ross?

“She’s a cup of Christmas cocoa,” he muses to a fellow soldier. Ross’ charm quickly melts Ramsey’s resolve like fake snow on a Los Angeles sidewalk.

Six or seven B-plots evolve throughout the course of the film, including the building of a veteran-centric nonprofit, an ugly Christmas sweater party, and some not-so-subtle PTSD messaging.

Alas, Ramsey and Ross continue on their quest for the truth about her grandfather with a road trip to Portland, where a member of her grandfather’s unit, Christian, reveals that Medlin was a hero, as expected.

Their unit was hit by a group of German snipers, he says, and Christian was shot. Ramsey’s grandfather was the one soldier who stayed behind and tended to his injuries, but he died before he could rejoin his unit.

“He was a true American hero,” Christian says.

There is still one-third of the film left at this point. Without totally spoiling things, everyone gets a joyous ending filled with, of course, a tribute to fallen heroes replete with the playing of the Marine Hymn — even though this is a distinctly Army movie.

God bless us, everyone.

The Apple TV+ show from heavyweights Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, which was long-delayed by COVID-19 and other network issues, will premiere on Jan. 26, 2024. It marks the third WWII installment for the pair, who previously produced HBO’s “Band of Brothers” and “The Pacific.”

Though a teaser trailer was dropped in November, the Dec. 6 release offers an in-depth look with introductions of the cast as well as significant aerial action.

Edge-of-your-seat dogfights, incredible displays of courage, and romance are present, as is a dark palette reflective of the material and setting. And even though the jump cuts are quick, each action-packed segment teases a truly epic series more than three years in the making.

“The series features a stellar cast led by Academy Award-nominee Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Academy Award-nominee Barry Keoghan, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook and Ncuti Gatwa,” according to press materials.

“Masters of the Air” is based on a 2007 Donald L. Miller book of the same name, which chronicles the journey of the 100th Bomb Group — known as the “Bloody Hundredth” — as they took the fight to Nazi Germany in unparalleled acts of aerial combat.

The show is slated to launch on Apple TV+ with a two-episode debut on Jan. 26, 2024. New episodes will drop every Friday after that through March 15.

For anyone who spends long hours on their feet, whose work or play means that your footwear doesn’t come off for many miles or many days, making sure you’re wearing great socks will help keep your feet healthy, and it will help you maintain morale. When your feet feel good, it makes you feel good even in challenging conditions. Whether you want to upgrade your standard-issue socks, or you’re shopping at the exchange on active duty or off, these are our top tips for buying socks, and an overview of our favorite socks for service members and civilians who demand the quality and performance of elite, active duty individuals.

Materials and fit

What your socks are made of

The materials your socks are made of determine how your socks perform, whether that’s merino, polypropylene, or something else.

In general, merino socks are our favorite socks. No other material maintains warmth when wet, and no other material has natural antimicrobial properties. Whether your feet are sweating and you need moisture management, or you’re deployed in arctic cold and you need warm socks to maintain a comfortable foot temperature, merino delivers. It’s a long-staple, natural fiber that comes from sheep. But it’s not itchy like shorter-staple wool. Merino is soft on the skin, long-wearing, and because it’s also antimicrobial, even if you wear the same pair for days, your merino socks won’t stink. Merino excels at thermoregulating. So merino socks keep you warm in the cold, and comfortable in the heat.

Most merino socks are a blend of merino, spandex, and a synthetic to help merino fibers wear longer and to help the socks wick moisture away from your feet. Merino fibers are naturally crimped or coiled, which makes those fibers springy and elastic. So merino socks typically return to their original shape instead of stretching or bagging out. Polypropylene, sometimes called Polypro, is another popular material for socks. It too is warm when wet. Polypro often dries faster than merino. It’s also cheaper than merino. In general, polypro socks cost significantly less than merino ones. Some polypro is made from recycled plastic bottles or recycled ocean plastic. Synthetic fibers like polyester don’t have the same antimicrobial properties as merino unless the yarn or the socks have been treated. They also don’t wear as long as merino socks.

The Army’s standard issue socks are cotton, another natural fiber, and one that’s generally hypoallergenic. Cotton socks are best for casual wear, not performance. Cotton wears out more quickly than synthetic polypro or natural merino, and when it gets wet, it stays wet.

Do I need thick socks?

The conventional wisdom is to pair thin socks with your athletic trainers, choose a medium-weight sock for everyday use, and opt for a thicker sock when you need insulation or warmth. Thin socks are best for use with heavily cushioned footwear like trainers/sneakers or with low-impact footwear like cycling shoes. A thinner sock will be cooler, while a thicker sock will be warmer.

Should I buy socks with cushion?

Some of the bulk of a sock comes from terry loop cushioning strategically woven into the sock in key areas. If your shoes or boots feel hard underfoot, a highly cushioned sock will add shock absorption. Socks with cushioning in the shin will also cut down on pressure from boot laces. If you’re wearing shoes with a lot of underfoot cushion, like sneakers, sock cushioning is less crucial. Cushioning adds air space to socks, which also speeds moisture wicking.

Fit

Socks that fit prevent blisters or hot spots. A well-fitting sock will be snug on your foot not baggy and not constrictive.

Sock height

Optimal sock height depends on what footwear you’re wearing, as well as the temperature and what kind of sock you’re wearing. Choose socks that are tall enough that the cuff stays above the mouth of your shoe or boot. That prevents chafing and assists with moisture wicking. Taller socks can provide more support for your calves. They can also add warmth in cold temps.

Caring for your socks

Most manufacturers recommend machine washing your socks after each wearing and line drying them or drying them on a low cycle. If you’re not able to launder socks between uses, hang them to dry inside out, and rub the cushion loops to bring them back to life before putting the socks on again.

Items purchased through our links may earn us a commission.——

Best sock overall

Darn Tough T4021 boot midweight tactical sock with full cushion, $29

One of the most versatile socks you can buy, Darn Tough’s 11-inch tall boot midweight tactical sock with full cushion is tall enough to wear with a military combat boot, a tactical boot, or a dress boot, and versatile enough to keep you comfortable in moderate to cool climates whether you’re on a mission, or out for a hike with the family. Made from 62% merino wool 34% nylon 2% lycra spandex, the sock has dense terry loops that rebound quickly to keep the spring in your step. Terry loops under your foot, in the ankle, and in the lower leg to reduce pressure from boot laces. Darn Tough reinforces the heel and toe for durability without adding hot spot-causing seams. These socks won’t slip or bunch so you’ll be blister free, even if you wear these for days or weeks on end. They’re Berry Amendment compliant -- knit with merino raised, sourced, and produced in the USA. They’re also US Air Force Safe to Fly certified, they meet flame resistant and “No Melt No Drip” requirements for next-to-skin use under approved flame-resistant combat and utility uniforms. Merino helps your feet temperature regulate, it’s breathable, and it reduces the chance of athlete’s foot and other bacterial and fungal foot infections. All Darn Tough socks are guaranteed durable. Wear a hole in one and Darn Tough will replace the pair free of charge, no questions asked. Whether you’re on-duty and need a uniform-compliant sock, or seeking socks for civilian life, these can’t be beat. For off-duty use, consider Darn Tough’s men’s hiker boot full cushion midweight hiking sock. Both tactical and civilian models are also available for women.

• Buy it at: darntough.com

Best boot sock for off-duty adventures

Minus 33 Mountain Heritage full cushion boot sock, $19.50

Made in New Hampshire from Australia-sourced merino, Minus 33′s full cushion boot socks are fully cushioned underfoot for maximum moisture wicking, with three-zone elastic on the arch, ankle, and welt to keep your sock from stretching and bunching as you walk. Venting on the upper part facilitates airflow to cool your feet and keep them fresh. And a seamless, reinforced top and heel enhance durability. In their Mountain Heritage full cushion boot sock, Minus 33 blends nylon with merino for durability and comfort. The socks are mid-calf height for full clearance wearing a standard 10-inch boot. They’re lower bulk than many other boot socks but still have terry insulation throughout.

• Buy it at: minus33.com

Best compression sock

CEP hiking max cushion tall compression socks, $60

The best graduated-compression sock you can buy, CEP’s hiking max cushion trail compression socks have more padding than almost any other compression sock. They deliver full support for your ankle and Achilles to mitigate the toll from long hikes and navigating technical terrain. With 20-30 mmHg compression, these socks boost your circulation to help move lactic acid out of your muscles so you feel fresh longer. Made with merino wool for moisture wicking, durability, and odor control, CEP weaves air channels into the foot and calf of the Hiking Max Cushion Tall Compression Socks to boost breathability and speed moisture transfer. The compression fit stabilizes muscles, reduces foot and leg fatigue, and reduces the chance of shin splints too. They’re 54% polyamide, 38% merino wool, and 8% Spandex to keep your feet and legs feeling as fresh and comfortable as they can be even in extreme environments.

• Buy it at: Cepcompression.com

Best training sock

Swiftwick Aspire One, $17

For strength training, gym workouts, running, cycling, and other physical training, a short sock is the best sock. Swiftwick’s ankle-high Aspire One is our favorite training sock that, worn with sneaker-style shoes, meets military requirements for no visible logo. The Aspire One is a thin and form-fitting sock compression sock that’s cut to just above ankle height. A Y-shaped reinforcement in the heel prevents the sock from bunching while also supporting your Achilles. Swiftwick weaves additional support into the sock’s arch to increase your stamina when you’re wearing these socks, so you can shoot more hoops, clock more miles, and record more reps. Made from hydrophobic polypropylene with minimal cushion, the sock has channels in the upper and cuff and a mesh footbed for breathability and moisture wicking, which keeps blisters out of the equation. A double-cuff adds ankle support for cycling and trail running.

• Buy it at: swiftwick.com

Best boot sock for hot climates

Fox River Mills 6074 military wick dry maximum medium weight mid-calf boot sock, $15

Hot, humid, tropical environments can be especially hard on feet. In those conditions, wearing a sock that keeps your feet dry and as cool as possible is critical for foot health and comfort. Fox River Mill’s military wick dry maximum medium weight mid-calf boot sock fits the bill. The brand’s best-selling combat boot sock is a mid-height polypropylene boot sock loaded with proprietary technology. Fox River treats the socks’ synthetic fibers to enhance their moisture-moving properties and reduce odor, and they weave in a fit system that prevents bunching and wrinkling to keep your feet blister-free. According to Fox River, the current Army-issued sock lasted 2,500 cycles in an abrasion test before holes emerged. Fox River’s 70% polypro, 28% nylon, and 2% spandex military wick dry maximum medium weight mid-calf boot sock lasted 42,000 cycles, or 16 times longer. Those stats confirm that when you wear these socks, you’ll feel good on your feet longer, which will give you peace of mind. And at $15, these socks won’t break the bank.

• Buy it at: foxsox.com

Best Off-Duty Boot Sock

Wigwam Ultra Cool Lite Stripe Ultra-Lightweight crew sock, $17

Knit in the U.S. from materials sources from U.S. yarn spinners, this polyester-nylon-spandex blend sock is our favorite sock for fast and light hikes and everyday wear. The socks, which come in three colors, use Ultimax Tech, Wigwam’s proprietary moisture management construction that channels sweat from underfoot out through the mouth of your boot or shoe. A hydrophobic, moisture-repelling fiber in the foot bottom pulls sweat away from the foot bottom and pushes it to the hydrophilic, moisture-loving fiber on top of the foot and in the leg. As moisture moves up and away from your shoe it evaporates faster, which helps prevent blisters whether you’re playing pickleball or a pickup game of hoops. A more open knit on top of the foot speeds moisture movement. The socks are treated with odor control to keep your feet fresher for longer. For warm weather and varied use, whether you’re wearing shoes or boots, this sock can’t be beat.

• Buy it at: Amazon.com

Born on Feb. 12, 1885, in the Bavarian town of Fleinhausen, Streicher was once considered a rising star on the radical right. The school teacher-turned-soldier fought in the First World War and in 1919 helped launch the Nuremberg wing of the Deutschsozialistische Partei — or, German Socialist Party — which “espoused right-wing ultra-nationalist, anti-Catholic and antisemitic principles,” according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Three years later, Streicher persuaded his followers to merge with the National Socialist German Workers’ Party — the Nazi party under Hitler’s command.

Considered among the “old guard” in the party, it was Streicher’s oratory skills, much like the Nazi leader, that drew the attention of his comrades.

In 1923, Streicher’s passion for propaganda coalesced with his lecherous mind when he launched Der Stürmer, a virulent anti-Semitic newspaper that featured crude, graphic anti-Jewish cartoons, photographs and articles.

Week after week, month after month, for nearly 22 years, Streicher tied together accusations of blood libel with pornography, which has come to be considered the very nadir of Nazi anti-Semitic propaganda.

“These grotesque, often pornographic cartoons of Jewish stereotypes,” which were drawn by Philipp Rupprecht, “accompanied the propaganda Streicher disseminated, saturating the consciousness of Germans during the Third Reich and contribut[ed] to the capacity of many Germans to accept the Nazi program,” according to Michael D. Bulmash, whose family collection of Holocaust-related propaganda is accessible via Kenyon College.

In a July 1946 article titled “Portrait of a Pervert,” author Herbert Eisen detailed the lascivious mind of Streicher.

“Its pages abounded with tales of rape by non-Aryans — often negroes — of fair German virgins, described with all the details of smut and bawdry which a lecherous mind can invent,” Eisen wrote in the Australian magazine The Pertinent.

“The [Nazi] excesses which have now — too late — become notorious, even among the most indifferent, and which have their origination in sexual aberrations skillfully enhanced and implanted over two decades, must be regarded as Streicher’s main contribution to the cause of Nazism,” Eisen continued.

These lurid sexual assault stories Streicher propagated were largely consumed by the young men of Germany, and, with Streicher’s prominent place within the Nazi party, Der Stürmer’s graphic cartoons and pictures became the most accessible pornography of its time.

But Streicher didn’t just produce fanciful, smutty and violent content. He also consumed it. Vast amounts, in fact.

Streicher even went as far during World War II as ordering the local Nuremberg police and troops to seize all the pornography they discovered for “research” purposes, according to the popular podcast Behind the Bastards.

Upon the Allied victory in May 1945, Streicher was arrested as “Jew-Baiter Number One” near his home in Nuremberg by Maj. Henry Plitt of the 101st Airborne Division. As American paratroopers tore through the Nazi’s home, they stumbled upon what might have been the largest stockpile of pornography in the world at the time.

Streicher was later convicted during a trial at the Nuremberg International Military Tribunal on the charge of crimes against humanity, with the court deeming the Nazi culpable for murder and extermination within the pages of Der Stürmer. Yet his putrid newspaper wasn’t the only topic of conversation during the trial.

According to Joseph Maier and Sender Jaari, who worked as researchers for the prosecution during the Nuremberg Trials, “Streicher was without a doubt the dirtiest man in Nuremberg. His collection of pornographic literature was the largest we have ever seen.”

Julius Streicher was executed by hanging in October 1946. What became of his erotic collection, however, remains somewhat of a mystery.

Archivists, do your thing.

“The governor let me know that Virginia would love to have us relocate and open a brewing facility and employ Virginians,” Beal said in a “classified briefing” video for the company’s investors.

Virginia already had more than 340 breweries, but Youngkin wanted at least one more. So the state came a-courting. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership created Project Seawolf, offering for sale Norfolk’s O’Connor Brewing and more than $300,000 in tax incentives, details first reported by Dave Infante in his Fingers newsletter about drinking.

Armed Forces sealed the deal in July, taking control of a trailblazing brewery that had helped transform what was once a depressed, largely industrial neighborhood into a hip, bustling enclave of businesses, restaurants and apartments known as the Railroad District. City Council members, who are typically consulted on big business moves happening in their backyard, learned about the sale when Youngkin’s office issued a press release.

In the investor video, Beal called Norfolk " just a great community for us to locate,” noting there were 100,000 military family members in the area in addition to its 82,000 active-duty personnel.

Bringing a “military tribute” craft brewery to the home of the world’s largest naval base and its thousands of personnel sounded like a perfect marriage — until neighborhood residents found out.

Rather than “Ooh-rah,” their reaction was “Oh no.”

Hundreds posted their opposition on social media. More than 800 filed objections to the brewery’s application for a required conditional use permit. In a surprise vote last month, Planning Commission members recommended denial, contradicting a staff recommendation.

The final say sits with Norfolk’s City Council, which is scheduled to vote on Dec. 12 on whether to approve the company’s application to operate a brewery and a tasting room. Beal has said the company will sue if the application is denied.

Much hangs in the balance. The company has raised $7.5 million from investors but has operated $1.5 million in the red over the past two years while contracting out its brewing, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

But the fight over Armed Forces Brewing Company is more than just a neighborhood spat. It mirrors increasingly divisive national battles about free speech and the ways in which businesses appeal to politicized niches of the public. To its supporters, Armed Forces is simply a brewery that wants to replace another with different branding, as portrayed by Tim Anderson, the firebrand delegate who represented the company at the planning commission. To others, notably some neighborhood residents, it’s a divisive business that glorifies violence, threatens LGBTQ people and says those with different views don’t love America.

Beer as community

Over the past decade, as the number of craft breweries nationwide has grown to more than 9,500, they have become local hubs, many explicitly representing themselves as progressive places welcoming all comers (and their pets).

Armed Forces is different. It’s the anti-craft beer, craft brewery, as conservative as Coors but with a $14 six-pack price tag. The company’s branding and its leaders cater to a specific niche, mocking hipster, “woke” culture and appealing to Fox News viewers. Beal’s social media posts show him wearing a “Trust in Beer, Not in Government” shirt, supporting indicted former President Donald Trump and mocking President Joe Biden. It chose as its brand ambassador Robert O’Neill, the SEAL Team 6 member who claims to have killed Osama bin Laden.

Eli Wilson, an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico and the author of “Beer and Society: How We Make Beer and Beer Makes Us,” said he’s not heard of a similar controversy over a brewery, but he is not surprised by the battle in Norfolk.

“The companies and people drawn to craft beer champion a kind of authenticity,” he said. Often, he noted, they are outspoken about their progressive social values. But that’s not the only way that kind of authenticity — the view “that my company is an expression of who I am, and what I believe” — can be presented.

“It can certainly manifest on the other side of the political spectrum,” he added.

Wilson said the controversy raises the thorny issue of people trying to stop a business only because it doesn’t align with their views.

“To not be hypocritical with how we approach the world, if we’re going to be okay with some folks leading with very strongly progressive values and holding events and supporting certain charities, I think we have to look at a little bit of symmetry and see the ethical value in allowing folks to make equal gestures in the opposite direction, as long as they’re not directly hurting anyone,” he added.

For as much ire as Armed Forces has attracted locally, it’s also garnered passionate supporters nationwide. The company raised $7.5 million from 9,300 investors who ponied up a minimum of $200 in what was essentially a crowdfunding campaign. Contributors got rewards ranging from stickers and hats for smaller amounts to a signed copy of O’Neill’s book, “The Operator,” for a $10,000 investment. Investors have no voting rights, and the company says it is uncertain if it will ever issue dividends. The stock cannot be sold on the open market.

Armed Forces was founded by two Gallaudet College mates. They hooked up with Beal, a college dropout who had been running a consulting business branding bars, and created Seawolf Brewery in Annapolis, a Navy-themed company that debuted with its Special Hops IPA at the Military Bowl in December 2017. Sales were negligible. According to an SEC filing, Seawolf had $30,881 in revenue from Jan. 1, 2018, through Dec. 31, 2019.

The latest stock offering shows the company operated at a loss in both 2021 and 2022, kept afloat by offerings. It paid no income taxes in 2022 because it had no taxable income.

In Norfolk, Armed Forces Brewing does not own the former O’Connor property, according to the October filing. SEC filings show a 72% share of the property is owned by a third party, Ironbound AFBC Properties, LLC, while Armed Forces has a 10-year lease and an option to purchase the property.

The third-party owners appear to include Evan Almeida, the owner of a New Jersey real estate investment firm and the multimillion-dollar Empire ATM Group who is listed as a principal of Ironbound. Almeida and his brother, Michael, appear as $50,000 to $99,000 investors on the Armed Forces site. He did not return a call seeking information about his holdings.

Diverse opposition

A Norfolk flagship would be almost certain to change the company’s financial position. But in the months since the July purchase announcement, the military tribute brewery in a military town has come under fire on social media for its testosterone-fueled, chest-beating and jingoistic marketing.

Many of those critics were especially unhappy with swaggering statements by O’Neill, Armed Forces’ brand ambassador. He drew the bulk of unfriendly fire for his social media posts criticizing the Navy for using a drag queen in a recruitment ad, mocking transgender people and refusing to wear a mask on an airplane during the pandemic.

In a cartoonish video courting investors that was widely shared online by critics, including veterans, O’Neill, assisted by a cleavage-forward blonde in tight military couture (the company’s marketing advisor, Amber Miller), rails against craft breweries while promoting a craft brewery. He pours a can of “p— water” into a toilet and destroys it with a grenade. He uses a Vulcan grip to immobilize a “slackster or coffee house misanthrope” who wants a “hoppier” brew (a role played by Beal clad in plaid and a porkpie hat), and he calls in a drone strike on a “pretentious foreign brewery.”

In August, O’Neill was arrested in a Dallas suburb for public intoxication and misdemeanor assault. A security guard who attempted to help him from a bar to his room told police he called him a racial slur.

In Hampton Roads, hundreds posted their opposition to Armed Forces and its ambassador on Facebook. “I cannot believe they are putting that BS in Norfolk,” one wrote, calling the company “this sexist, gun culture glorifying, hipster hating, racist magnet.”

The discontentment spread beyond social media. Del. Jackie Glass, D-Norfolk, held a town hall in a prominent gay bar noting anti-LGBTQ comments by O’Neill on social media and questioning whether the brewery was a good fit for the neighborhood. The local civic league as well as the neighboring one voted to oppose a use permit for the brewery.

Andrew Coplon, a Norfolk resident and founder of Craft Beer Professionals, an online industry forum with nearly 17,000 members, was a leader of the opposition. He said the O’Neill video promoting Armed Forces caught his attention, but he initially viewed it as borderline offensive and in poor taste.

“Once we dove deeper into the company and what they stood for and what their leadership represented, that’s when it truly became something that I did not believe reflects the values we have in our wonderful community,” he said.

He also said he was worried that Armed Forces’ goal of brewing the equivalent of 500,000 to 700,000 cases per year — a level of production that dwarfs O’Connor’s 200,000 annual output — would cause problems in what has become a more residential neighborhood as trucks move in and out.

At this November’s Planning Commission meeting, opponents like Jeff Ryder, head of Hampton Roads Pride, told the commissioners the brewery’s values as expressed by O’Neill didn’t fit the neighborhood.

“We have been challenged and dismayed to see Armed Forces Brewery coming into Norfolk and don’t feel that they are a business that will support our community or be a safe place for queer folks in Norfolk,” he said, noting that “there is rising hate and unfortunately, again, an increase in violence against queer people.”

Some veterans, too, opposed permit approval. Tom Wilder, a veteran who has operated Young Veterans Brewing Company in Virginia Beach for a decade and is soon opening a Norfolk location five blocks from the planned Armed Forces Brewing site, aired concerns about the company’s military-themed branding.

He noted that when Young Veterans got approval to open in Norfolk, “we were told if the civic leagues didn’t give us their blessing, the case was closed.”

“What you see from us (is) to never appear to be flag waving to sell our product. To never appear to make guns or warfare look too cool so as not to appear to be recruiting for military service or political parties,” he said. “Armed Forces have not taken those strides. Marketing a military-themed brand with American flags, guns and ammo is the low-hanging fruit of creativity. All the while, their CEO is not even a veteran.”

The Planning Commission voted 4-2 to recommend the denial of the permit despite a staff recommendation to approve, stunning Beal, who in another investor video called it a “sh–show.”

Beal has been clear he’s not a veteran and has said the company is committed to hiring veterans as 70% of its workforce. Of the 13 members of the management team listed on the brewery’s site, four are veterans.

Anderson, answering questions after the planning meeting, said Armed Forces is a good fit for the neighborhood. It’s just misunderstood.

“There’s been a lot of misinformation in the very beginning that has caused a part of the community to hate this company,” he said. “The misinformation is that Robert O’Neill is Armed Forces Brewery and that’s not the case.”

O’Neill, he noted, is a 4% owner but has been removed as brand ambassador.

“There’s been no anti-LGBTQ, anti-race or racist or any kind of comments from the Armed Forces Brewing Company,” he said. “Individuals on their own Twitter pages are just what those are — individual comments.”

Coplon isn’t buying that. “People truly equal brand and you cannot separate the personal behaviors of a company leader from their organization,” he said. “The actions that Armed Forces Brewing Company’s leadership has demonstrated is lack of good moral character. And I truly believe that their continued actions are problematic.”

Anderson predicted the City Council would approve the permit because “it’s gonna be hard to say you can’t operate the exact same business that operated there for nine years.” Last month, Beal urged supporters to email council members and city officials. They received nearly 9,600 emails, according to a city spokesman.

The Armed Forces counteroffensive

Armed Forces Brewing has not reached out to mend fences with local civic leagues and other opponents. If anything, it’s become more pugnacious.

Beal declined to answer questions after the Planning Commission meeting but later issued a statement decrying “a vocal minority who believe their personal social agenda places them above the law, and above the rights of the Hampton Roads military and veteran community that have overwhelmingly supported us.”

He also threatened legal action against opponents. “Those who defamed Armed Forces Brewing Company publicly at this hearing and leading up to it will learn that there are legal repercussions to publicly lying and affecting our 9,300 shareholders,” he said.

Pam Catindig, the brewer’s outside public relations consultant, offered to take questions but responded to none of them, including one seeking examples of defamatory statements and another about the number of employees who are veterans.

Wilson, the University of New Mexico professor, notes the booming industry he got into a dozen years ago as the beverage director at a craft brewery has become far more competitive. Building a brand viewed negatively by a portion of the community is a perilous move, he said.

“That is a dangerous, risky business strategy during times in which many craft brewers are really struggling to stay in the black — for them to go increasingly, socially and politically niche at a time when so many craft brewers are just desperate to cling on to enough business to keep them afloat,” he added. “Interesting decision.”

This story by Jim Morrison was originally published on https://virginiamercury.com. The Virginia Mercury is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news source covering Virginia government and policy. Access the original story here.

About eight years ago when he was a door greeter during a Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots distribution event for a group of children in foster care, he handed a little girl a bag of toys.

She reached into the bag and pulled out a stuffed animal and said, “Someone needs to make sure you get a toy, too.”

Caldwell, in one of the many stories told on the Toys for Tots website, says he had to walk away for a few minutes because of his tears, and that experience is one reason for his passion in continuing to volunteer for the 76-year-old program.

Toys for Tots gave a toy bunny to a girl in need. She became a Marine.

But his personal connection began years ago, when he also was one of those children who received toys from Toys for Tots.

He and his little sister were the recipients of those toys because his parents had adopted them, he said.

He was put into his foster family home at six months old, he said. When he was almost five years old, his foster parents were able to finally officially adopt him.

The 2023 Toys for Tots campaign is in full swing, with 864 different chapters across the United States collecting toys, games and books for children in need.

Retired Marine Corps Col. Ted Silvester, vice president for marketing and development for Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, said, “The need is significant. We’re getting a lot of requests to all of our chapters.”

The chapters are in all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The 75th anniversary of Toys for Tots in 2022 was a record year for donations, Silvester said. More than 24 million toys were given to 10 million children.

“We’re looking to repeat that,” he said.

In the past 76 years, 652 million toys, games and books have been given to 291 million children during the holidays.

The chapters conduct campaigns to collect toys at varying times during the holidays. Many organizations have toy drives to support their local Toys for Tots campaigns.

One example is Disney, which has collected more than 16,000 toys so far for 2023 in its toy drive. Toys can be donated online through Disney’s program through Dec. 24 ― or can be dropped off at Disney drop-off locations through Dec. 15.

In addition, Disney has announced grants to Toys for Tots that will provide another 75,000 toys for children in need.

Disney has a long-standing connection with Toys for Tots, which was founded in 1947. That year, Walt Disney and his team of animators designed the Toys for Tots logo, which is still used.

To donate online to Toys for Tots, to find a local chapter, or to request a toy, visit toysfortots.org/support-us.

One rather unexpected red flag, meanwhile, presented itself in a post on the Army Reddit: serving in the military.

A soldier under the username boscar197473 shared that disclosing his service has cost him the affection of two women.

“I’ve found that bringing up I enlisted in the military has usually made the girls lose interest,” he wrote. “Two girls in particular ghosted me after finding out.”

He also added that he got some interesting advice from another member of his unit.

“My platoon sergeant told me that one of his old team leaders would convince girls he was a race car driver instead of exposing his real life,” he added.

Because lies are the foundation of any good relationship. Everyone knows that.

The post elicited amusing insights as well as stories from troops with similar experiences. A useful tip to avoid overt military affiliation without lying was to describe your MOS in laymen’s terms, according to one comment. A 19D (Cavalry Scout), for example, can instead be described as a glorified camp counselor, while a 91F (Small Arms/Towed Artillery Repairer) can simply be classified as a mechanic.

The overwhelming sentiment from commenters was that dating close to your base is a non-starter. For most, the experience has been that singles adjacent to an installation are either chasing military members or have already dated military and decided it’s not for them. Another user noted that dating near an installation is a “double-edged sword.”

”If you tell [them that] you’re in the army [and] they’re suddenly incessantly attracted to you? Run. If they’re turned off by it? Run,” the Redditor joked. “Find a girl who’s neither a) in love with your job, or b) hates your job. I’ve noticed most women that are interested in you because you’re in the military will realistically end up leaving you for somebody else in the military.”

Most of the advice was to seek relationships away from military communities.

“Go find the nearest college town, integrate with the community there,” wrote Reddit user sentientshadeofgreen. “Hell, maybe take a class or two, go to some football games, drink at the college bars, go expand your horizons. ... There are reasonably cool non-military places within a 2-hour radius of even the s**tiest posts.”

That advice, of course, only extends to people in their 20s.

“If you’re in your mid 30s, f*** dude, I don’t know, try FarmersOnly.com or hop on that 90-Day Fiance train, I guess,” he added.

The strategy board game, which even received silver screen treatment replete with an aquaflage-wearing Rihanna, has been around since 1967. However, its origins trace back much further.

According to records kept by the University of Waterloo, the game got its start in Russia around World War I. However, Jeffrey Hinebaugh, author of “A Board Game Education,” indicates the game may have actually first been developed by the French under the moniker “L’Attaque.”

L’Attaque began as a paper-based grid contest, but the idea moved in the 1960s to a board grid with plastic ships made by Milton Bradley. This iteration, called “Broadside,” was themed after the War of 1812.

The game of “Battleship” as we know it more or less today evolved into a two-console system with a plastic interface, but the principles of the game that began in World War I have largely stayed the same.

“In 1967 Milton Bradley issued their version of the game of Battleship,” notes Waterloo research. “Rather than relying on pencil and paper, the box included two plastic trays, pegs, and plastic ships, and printed instructions.”

Hasbro now produces the game, which features aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, patrol boats and battleships, according to the game site.

There are currently many different versions, including an electronic version and a special edition Star Wars board. “Battleship” also went digital in the form of a video game by Activision in 2012.

The list, for the most part, comprises the usual suspects known to attract the episodic interest of impressionable young misfits from neighboring locales, the North Carolina installation included. Strip clubs, an adult boutique bearing the moniker “Peaches,” unlicensed tattoo shops, spurious taverns frequented by drug dealers and gangs, and premises known for parading sex workers were all present — to the surprise of none.

And yet the aforementioned enterprises do not an eyebrow-raiser make. For that, attention can be turned toward the family owned and operated McCormick Farms, where, on numerous occasions, base personnel have reportedly trespassed and gone for a dip in the property’s creek, according to local outlet CBS 17.

Beyond apparent service member affinity for creek-based aquatics, (presumably) junior enlisted free of the daily oppressor known as Police Call have also left trash behind for the owners to pick up themselves.

So prevailing is the trespassing activity that it was the property owners themselves — not base leadership, as was the case with the other establishments included in the memo — who requested that the farm be added to the Army’s expansive catalog of thou-shalt-nots.

According to Fort Liberty’s Morale Welfare and Recreation website, the base currently “operates 5 swimming pools ... and offers a large number of aquatic classes and programs throughout the year.” Yet none apparently offer the swim qual results yielded by the ol’ McCormick tributary.

The memo, which was authored by Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board President Col. John M. Wilcox, goes on to state that military “personnel observed in off-limits establishments are in violation of a lawful order and are subject to apprehension and prosecution for violation of the UCMJ.”

Whether soldiers will remember the “no trespassing” order on those sweet, warm Carolina summers while sipping lemonade underneath a shady tree remains to be seen.

Nevertheless, McCormick Farms remembers.

One soldier at Fort Bliss, Texas, saw the need for donors and took matters into his own hands. Now, Spc. Christian Sutton is known as “Bone Marrow Guy.”

He got the inspiration while attending a concert.

“I saw a table registering people who are going to the National Bone Marrow Registry,” Sutton told Military Times. “I really liked the idea. If it was simple enough to register drunk people in a mosh pit it was probably easy enough to do in the Army.”

Sometimes, a patient will find a bone marrow donor in a family member — it’s paramount that they find someone who is a tissue match. However, in 70% of cases, that’s not possible, and the patient needs to seek out another donor.

Currently, over 9 million potential donors have volunteered with the National Bone Marrow Registry, according to the Health Resources & Services Administration. But those numbers still don’t guarantee a match, especially for patients of various ethnicities or races. HRSA data shows that only 3.9 of the 9 million registered represent American Indians or Alaska Natives, Asians, Black or African Americans, Hispanic or Latinx, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders.

“Some ethnic groups have more complex tissue types than others,” notes Be the Match, a registry of donors operated by the National Marrow Donor Program. “So a person’s best chance of finding a donor may be with someone of the same ethnic background.”

To date, Sutton has registered 3,982 people personally. And Sutton’s Army-based team has registered more than 5,000 soldiers. He cobbled this group of soldiers together after initially reaching out through the Department of Defense Marrow Donor Program — known as Salute to Life. But there is some bureaucracy involved that Sutton is hoping to alleviate. His goal now is to streamline the process for troops who want to donate bone marrow.

He calls it “Operation Ring The Bell.” It’s a soldier-led volunteer initiative that helps organize bone marrow registry drives at Army bases across the country.

“Our goal is to create literally every resource, dataset, and proof of concept to give the Army the tools to seize its potential to instantly become the largest source of donors in the U.S.,” Sutton wrote on Reddit.

Donation is anonymous, and because of the way the process works, the recipients typically don’t get to meet their donors.

“Donors usually don’t meet or find out much about their recipient, unless the recipient consents to that ... unless they want to meet you,” Sutton said.

Even with the anonymity of the process, serving beyond military service is what fuels Sutton.

“It was pretty eye-opening to be able to find a way of serving that both fit within what I found important, as well as finding that much support from the leaders that I’ve met while doing this,” he said. “So I think I think it fits within what the Army does. It’s just a different avenue of service and different idea of service, but it’s all service.”

Each year, military movies’ inclusion among the year’s best cinematic achievements at the Academy Awards attract attention. There is an abundance of critically acclaimed wartime movies that have stood the test of time. But what makes such a movie endure?

The universal language of shared experiences portrayed, for one. Many films over the years have accomplished as much, highlighting the human side of wearing the uniform through stories that span edge-of-your-seat military thrillers and the sort of tedious boredom only military life can elicit.

And while compiling a list of all may be downright impossible, here are a few dozen we feel do it best.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

The film opens with one of the most harrowing scenes in cinema history, as Allied troops storm the beaches at Normandy on June 6, 1944. Capt. John Miller, played by Tom Hanks in one of his best roles, sets off to find Pvt. James Ryan (Matt Damon) in enemy territory. Three Ryan brothers were killed in combat. Miller’s mission is find and send home the fourth.

Das Boot (1981)

Considered by many to be one of the greatest war films ever made, Wolfgang Peterson’s “Das Boot” is a thrilling account of a German U-boat operating in the North Atlantic during World War II. The film captures both the claustrophobic boredom faced by young submariners and the terrors of the dark, expansive unknown in which the inexperienced crew must operate.

Casablanca (1942)

Timely released during World War II yet timeless in its appeal, “Casablanca” remains a definitive classic in the romance-drama genre. Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid star in this authoritative love story about an American expatriate torn between his affections for a woman and his moral obligation to assist her husband in his defiance of the Nazis and escape from Vichy-controlled territory.

Thin Red Line (1998)

Based on the World War II autobiography by James Jones, “Thin Red Line” centers on an AWOL Pvt. Witt (Jim Caviezel), who is dragged back into the line of duty by Sgt. Welsh (Sean Penn). Set amid the Battle of Guadalcanal, the film hones in on the existential crises faced by men in combat.

1917 (2019)

Filmed as a single continuous shot, Sam Mendes’ “1917″ is an absolutely marvelous look at the everyman soldier of World War I. Similar to “Saving Private Ryan” it involves an attempt to save a British soldier’s brother from a battle predicted to be a slaughter. The cast and crew offer up one scene after another that, despite depicting a story a century old, resonate with any era of veteran.

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930 and 2022)

Based on a book of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque, “All Quiet on the Western Front” has undergone multiple well-received big-screen adaptations. Both the 1930 and 2022 versions are critically acclaimed and worth the watch, and both, each harrowing in their own right, do justice to the idea that war is hell for those who see it face to face.

The Deer Hunter (1978)

An emotionally shattering movie, “The Deer Hunter” centers on three friends who ship off to fight in the Vietnam War. Incredible performances from Robert De Niro, John Savage and Christopher Walken enhance the film’s subtle anti-war commentary. Post-war scenes also show the struggles of returning home after being changed by combat.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Perhaps one of the more avant-garde of the war films, “Apocalypse Now” has become something of a cult classic. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the Vietnam War movie is based loosely on Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness.” At its core, the film explores war as an exercise in futility and a catalyst for a descent into madness.

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

Set in the immediate aftermath of WWII, “The Best Years of Our Lives” depicts the struggles of three veterans as they return home and grapple with the rhythms of civilian life. Veterans of any war will see their own experiences — notably, the perpetual disconnect between war veterans and those who send them to fight — play out in this timeless film directed by Oscar-winner William Wyler (“Ben Hur,” “The Memphis Bell”).

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Best known for its boot camp scenes featuring R. Lee Ermey, this Vietnam War film has become a mainstay in military movie culture. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, “Full Metal Jacket” is anchored by the trajectory of James T. “Joker” Davis (Matthew Modine) from boot camp to his deployment during the Tet Offensive.

Platoon (1986)

Oliver Stone’s “Platoon” delivered Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director, cementing its status as an authoritative Vietnam War film. The story, delivered with narrative that provides compassion in the midst of human depravity, gets to our core as human beings as only tribulations of war can.

Land of Mine (2015)

“Land of Mine” tells an emotional story of young German prisoners of war who, while under Danish control in post-WWII Denmark, are tasked with de-mining the countryside with their bare hands. The brutality of the endeavor begins a painful reflection of one’s capacity for forgiveness.

Rescue Dawn (2006)

German-American Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) was a U.S. Navy pilot shot down near the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1966. Tortured for months and emaciated, Dengler eventually escaped his captors, fleeing into dense jungle and evading capture for over three weeks before being rescued by U.S. forces. Bale’s spectacular performance brings relatability to the most dire situation.

Black Hawk Down (2001)

A film about the disastrous October 1993 attempt by U.S. Special Forces to bring down a Somali warlord’s top lieutenants, “Black Hawk Down” remains one of the best portrayals of the chaos of urban warfare. Director Ridley Scott’s depiction of the Battle of Mogadishu, which resulted in 18 American casualties, is further enhanced by stellar performances by Eric Bana and Josh Hartnett.

The Imitation Game (2014)

Benedict Cumberbatch delivers an incredible performance as Alan Turing in this fact-based story about a small team of MI6 recruits who crack the Nazi code Enigma — once thought unbreakable. The film weaves between Turing’s wartime accomplishments and his eventual imprisonment in England, where his homosexuality was deemed a criminal offense at the time. The brilliant mathematician was posthumously pardoned and chosen as the face of Britain’s £50 note.

Schindler’s List (1993)

Steven Spielberg navigates human brutality and compassion in this authoritative adaptation of the life of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman (Liam Neeson) who arrives in Krakow in 1939 and begins staffing his factory with Jewish workers — even as Nazi SS troops seek them out for extermination. The real-life Schindler was credited with saving the lives of approximately 1,200 Jewish people.

Dunkirk (2017)

A stunningly immersive Christopher Nolan film that weaves between three separate timelines spanning the same event, “Dunkirk” delivers a tense character study with one of the most incredible evacuations in war history as its stage. Only once you reach the end can you fully understand the depth of this rich story.

Life is Beautiful (1997)

A young Jewish-Italian family are separated when they are taken to a concentration camp during World War II. Amid the incessant horrors of life in the camp, the father, played by Roberto Benigni, does everything in his power to protect his son’s innocence, sheltering the child from horrors while convincing him their time in one of the ugliest situations in human history is just part of a game.

The Pianist (2002)

In the adaptation of Polish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman’s autobiography, actor Adrien Brody plays a Jewish pianist separated from his family in war-torn Warsaw. Szpilman hides among the city’s ruins at the outset of World War II, eventually joining the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising efforts before remaining hidden with the help of a German soldier. The film earned director Roman Polanski and Brody Academy Awards for best director and best actor, respectively.

Patton (1970)

Gen. George Patton remains of the most polarizing military tacticians in history. The film, written in part by Francis Ford Coppola, chronicles his career throughout World War II — from his many triumphs to his notable foibles — for a fascinating look at one of war history’s more controversial figures.

Gallipoli (1981)

A young Mel Gibson stars as an Australian sprinter who joins the army during World War I. He and his companion, another runner, are eventually sent to the front lines as messengers in one of the war’s most devastating battles. Directed by Peter Weir, who was also at the reins for “Master and Commander,” “Gallipoli” remains a leading anti-war film.

Gone with the Wind (1939)

Based on the 1936 novel of the same name by Margaret Mitchell and considered one of the most epic films ever made — not just in war cinema — “Gone with the Wind” is a fictional Civil War account detailing the scourge felt by southerners in the wake of America’s bloodiest conflict. The war backdrop, meanwhile, serves as the underpinning of one of the greatest love stories in cinema history.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

David Lean directed “The Bridge on the River Kwai” in 1957 and “Doctor Zhivago” in 1965. Sandwiched between those masterpieces is the epic, nearly four-hour tale based on the First World War exploits of British Lieutenant T.E. Lawrence (Peter O’Toole). Quarrels abound between British and Arab forces as Lawrence embarks on a seemingly impossible quest in an unforgiving landscape mired in conflict.

The Great Escape (1963)

Steve McQueen, James Garner and Richard Attenborough star in this thrilling World War II story about an allied escape from a German prisoner-of-war camp. Directed by John Sturges (“The Magnificent Seven”), the story is loosely based on the mass escape by British WWII soldiers from the Stalag Luft III prison camp.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Quentin Tarantino’s World War II treatment is as bombastic as it is an accurate portrayal of Nazi Germany. The film, lathered with rich dialogue, is an action heist meets historical fiction, and features a cast for the ages — including Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger, and Daniel Brühl.

We Were Soldiers (2002)

Based on a book written by then-Lt. Col. Hal Moore (Mel Gibson), the film is carried by intense action sequences that give credence to the total disarray of the Vietnam War’s first major battle — Ia Drang. Moore, who during the battle was the commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, earned a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 94.

The Big Red One (1980)

“The Big Red One” follows five soldiers as they experience the toll of combat in World War II — notably, that survival isn’t always a reward. The film is based on director Samuel Fuller’s account of his days in North Africa serving with the 1st Infantry Division, which was nicknamed the “The Big Red One” after the division’s patch, one that remains an iconic symbol among Army uniforms.

Hamburger Hill (1987)

Based on the 101st Airborne Division’s push to take Hill 937, “Hamburger Hill” depicts the physical and mental exhaustion experienced by the battle’s participants. Despite sustaining massive losses in taking the hill, the U.S. abandoned the high ground only weeks after the battle concluded, prompting severe criticism of military leadership and a reassessment of overall war strategy.

Braveheart (1995)

Mel Gibson was at his finest as legendary Scottish warrior William Wallace. As he leads a rebellion of Highlanders against the English monarchy, themes of brotherhood, honor and sacrifice that have remained a human institution throughout the ages emerge, making this a truly timeless film.

Downfall (2004)

This meticulous account of Hitler’s final days is inspired by the real-life narrative of Traudl Junge, who served as the Nazi leader’s last private secretary from 1942 until his death in April 1945. Junge’s account offers a first-hand perspective of the maniacal dictator from the height of his power to his eventual unraveling in his underground bunker.

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

An inspired film about military service from the perspective of a conscientious objector, “Hacksaw Ridge” tells the story of World War II Army Medic Desmond Doss. Across numerous battles in the Pacific, Doss refused to kill due to his beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist. He later received the Medal of Honor for saving numerous lives during the Battle of Okinawa.

Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)

Filmed by director Clint Eastwood as a companion film alongside “Flags of Our Fathers,” the film begins with a modern day discovery of buried letters recovered from the World War II battle site. The correspondence, which shapes the battle story from the Japanese perspective, pulls the curtain back on both the humanity and radicalization of individual Japanese soldiers.

Master and Commander (2003)

Still not nearly as celebrated as it should be, “Master and Commander” sets the standard for old-fashioned naval warfare on the big screen. Napoleon is at the height of his power in the early 1800s, when, under the command of Capt. Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe), the HMS Surprise is tasked with pursuing a French war vessel near South America. Crowe and Paul Bettany lead a strong cast that bring the rigors of 1805 ship life to early 2000s audiences.

Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

A World War II story, “Bridge on the River Kwai,” which took home a staggering seven Oscars, including Best Picture, explores the ferocious conditions experienced by captured British soldiers in a Japanese prison camp. The prisoners are tasked with building a railway bridge in Japanese-occupied Burma, unaware that a commando raid is imminent. Alex Guinness (“Star Wars”) stars.

Born on the 4th of July (1989)

The true story of Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise), gung-ho Marine turned anti-war activist, won Oliver Stone an Oscar for Best Director. In a firefight in Vietnam, Kovic mistakenly kills one of his own men. He’s then shot and left paralyzed from the chest down. Cruise, who was nominated for an Oscar for his performance, portrays Kovic’s collapse into depression, post-traumatic stress, alcohol abuse and horrifying stints at a veterans’ hospital.

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

Unlike a majority of the movies in this genre, “The Dirty Dozen” illuminates a darker side of military service with a bit of a bombastic plot line. Twelve (mostly criminal) soldiers are tasked with an assassination mission during World War II that is essentially suicidal. Lee Marvin, a Marine sniper and Purple Heart recipient in the Pacific theater in WWII, stars as the misfit group’s commander.

Fury (2014)

Titled after a crew’s Sherman tank, director David Ayer’s film essentially turns the armored vehicle into a character that serves as a metaphor for experience, gains and losses in war. The tank’s crew, helmed by “Wardaddy” (Brad Pitt) must find a way to survive the approaching end of World War II and live with the costly choices they make along the way.

Casualties of War (1989)

A young Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn square off in a moral struggle after Penn’s character takes a young Vietnamese teenager as a prisoner. The blurred lines depicted force the viewer to wrestle with the notion that the casualties referenced in the title extend well beyond troops in combat.

‘71 (2014)

Riots are ravaging Belfast at the height of the Troubles, and in the midst of the chaos a young British soldier (Jack O’Connel) gets separated from his unit. Unarmed, he must remain largely hidden amid the city’s confusion and violent turmoil to make it home in one piece.

Jarhead (2005)

A different entry when it comes to most war movie lists — but if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a Marine, “Jarhead” has you covered. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as the crass Cpl. Anthony Swofford — a real-life Marine who wrote the memoir on which the film was based — in this Gulf War film that depicts both the monotony of service and the battle-fatigue experienced by many veterans.

Paths of Glory (1957)

Long before he directed “Full Metal Jacket,” a young filmmaker named Stanley Kubrick delivered an anti-war analysis, with World War I as its backdrop, of the collision between the ego and ambition of select leaders and the integrity of others — all while average soldiers endure the consequences. Kirk Douglas stars.

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

This fictionalized depiction of the hunt for Osama bin Laden is a riveting character study featuring a spectacular performance by Jessica Chastain. Kathryn Bigelow, who won the Academy Award for Best Director for “The Hurt Locker,” helmed the film, which pulled the curtain back on the vast network of personnel, as well as the stroke of borderline madness, required to bring down the mastermind behind the worst terrorist attack in American history.

Three Kings (1999)

Set at the end of the Gulf War, David O. Russell’s (”The Fighter,” “Silver Linings Playbook”) film is an unexpectedly good war offering with a heist mission for Saddam Hussein’s hidden gold guiding the story. George Clooney, Ice Cube and Mark Wahlberg star in this brothers-in-arms story that seamlessly weaves between action, humor, politics, and drama.

Working at the Pentagon, home to the U.S. Department of Defense, is not exactly an easy job.

This five-sided building is designed to be one the world’s largest, most utilitarian office buildings, and to say that it has all the charm of a prison cell is... generous. The menacing beige building was deemed “ugly as sin” by the Commission for Fine Arts, and frankly, waking up at 7 a.m. every day to sit in one of its thousands of dark cubicles is enough to make a grown man cry.

As a result, one such worker, an Army veteran by the name of Drew Duggins, took to Twitter earlier this year to ask the best place to bawl among the Pentagon’s five halls.

Where’s the best place to cry in the Pentagon?

— Drew Duggins (@ajduggins) February 7, 2023

Over a hundred responses poured in, with the suggestions ranging from funny to profoundly sad. These are Military Times’ preferred sob spots.

1. The parking lot, at dawn, watching the sun rise over D.C. knowing you won’t have access to the outside world for nine hours.

2. Into a burrito bowl from Moe’s at a dirty rice-crusted corner table. Don’t forget the queso.

3. In the bathroom after you get lost trying to find your way to your office on your first day.

4. In the courtyard, with the sun illuminating the tears on your face as cigarette smoke tingles into your nostrils, praying that the second-hand smoke takes you quickly.

5. On the ramp hallway that features black and white photos of Italian troops. It’s a really sensory experience.

6. With a box of Munchkins in your lap at Dunkin’ Donuts. Powdered sugar is known to dry tears.

7. At the gift shop. The knitted Pentagon scarves make good handkerchiefs. Plus, you could pick up a fun $60 snowglobe — that should help improve your mood.

8. At Popeye’s over biscuits and gravy. It’s already salty as sin, what could a few more tears do but enhance the flavor?

9. An empty sensitive compartmented information facility, more commonly known as a SCIF. Is there anything more sensitive than a good cry?

Bonus: At the Defense News and Military Times desks in the press pool. Come for the tears, stay for the stories.

In the back of every veteran’s closet, you’re likely to find some old uniforms, dusty caps, a stack of medical, training, and discharge records... maybe a few ribbons or medals. But these are just a few of the typical things that separated or retired service members keep with them. Other things, they’re stuck with forever.

So we compiled a list of the more non-traditional things that veterans carry for life.

1. An incessant need to roll socks

2. Bad knees

3. The misguided idea that ibuprofen and fresh socks will cure any ailment

4. Tinnitis. ZNNNNNNNNNG.

5. The ability to sleep anywhere

6. The plight of not being able to sleep at all

7. Old combat boots. They’re great for mowing the lawn or a trip to Home Depot.

8. Fear of tape tests

9. Issues with authority figures

10. Back pain

11. T-shirts from strange events and places they don’t remember going

12. A woobie that has seen better days.

13. A swearing problem that is FUBAR

14. A love/hate relationship with acronyms

15. Total disdain for PowerPoint

16. Scars from barracks shenanigans gone awry

17, A few ugly divorces

18. A truck they bought after gaining some sense and selling that Camaro they financed at 27% APR

19. Some weird strip club stories

20. Sleep apnea

21. Bad tattoos that seemed like a really good idea at the time

22. Boxy brown t-shirts that somehow have sweat stains in a different, more gross shade of brown

23. A deeply stained, never-before-washed coffee mug that they tell everyone is “seasoned”

Eloy Otero-Bruno and Crispina Barreto-Torres welcomed a son into the world on April 7, 1937, in the small municipality of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, just west of the island’s capital of San Juan.

When they gave him a name inspired by his father’s admiration for America’s first president, the family certainly had no inkling that little Jorge would one day be something of an American icon in his own right, a status earned after becoming one of the most decorated soldiers of the Vietnam War.

Jorge Otero Barreto joined the Army in 1959 after pursuing biology studies in college. Less than two years later, he embarked on his first deployment, one of five such tours he would make to the embattled nation between 1961 and 1970 as a member of the 101st Airborne, 82nd Airborne and 25th Infantry Division, among others.

Over the course of five deployments, Otero Barreto volunteered for approximately 200 combat missions — a lofty number that eventually earned him the moniker “The Puerto Rican Rambo,” after the fictional death-dealing character made famous by actor Sylvester Stallone.

He would earn 38 total commendations during the five combat tours, including three Silver Stars, five Purple Hearts, five Bronze Stars, five Air Medals and four Army Commendation Medals.

One particular award was the result of actions on May 1, 1968, when the platoon sergeant, along with men from the 101st Air Cavalry Division, nestled into positions designed to pin down a North Vietnamese regiment in a village near the deadly city of Hue.

In the early morning hours, Otero Barreto and his men came under a heavy bombardment and faced waves of charging enemy soldiers desperate to rid themselves of the incoming Americans.

U.S. troops managed to repel the first two enemy assaults, killing 58 in the process and forcing the assailants to limp back to the village.

Instead of awaiting a third assault, Otero Barreto opted to lead a counter-attack. But shortly into their advance, the first platoon came under a barrage of machine gun, small arms, and rocket-propelled grenade fire from enemy spider holes and bunkers strewn across the platoon’s fire sector.

The Puerto Rican Rambo wasted no time getting to work.

Otero Barreto sprinted to the nearest machine gun bunker and quickly killed the three men manning the position.

Gathering the rest of his squad, he then moved through three more fortified enemy bunkers, dashing from one to the next until all that remained was a trail of destruction.

The assault by Otero Barreto, which allowed the rest of Company A’s platoons to maneuver into advantageous positions and overrun the enemy, would earn him one of his three Silver Stars.

Otero Barreto, now 85, would later retire as a sergeant first class. And while the eventual conclusion of Vietnam would mark the end of his extensive combat career, it would not be the last of his many lifetime achievements.

In 2006, Otero Barreto was named the recipient of the National Puerto Rican Coalition’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Since then, he has had veterans homes and museums named in his honor, and in 2011, he was recognized in his hometown when the city named the Puerto Rican Rambo its citizen of the year.

Read more about Otero Barreto via one of his Silver Star citations here.

Chances are, you have a tube of this in that kitchen drawer, you know, the one with all the takeout menus, rubber bands and random keys to who knows what doors (you should probably clean that out by the way), because it’s an undeniable necessity.

But before it occupied space in our junk drawers, and our hearts, it was accidentally developed for the U.S. military.

Too sticky for Army weapons

In 1942, companies across the country were looking to support the war effort, including the Eastman Kodak Company. One if its inventors, Dr. Harry Wesley Coover, accidentally created a new compound while attempting to make clear plastic gun sights for Allied soldiers.

The compound, cyanoacrylate, was incredibly durable but way too sticky to use. (Imagine getting Krazy Glue anywhere near your eye. No thanks!) So Coover and his team abandoned the substance, not wanting to get stuck, literally or figuratively, on it.

Over a decade later, Coover, who would become known as “Mr. Super Glue,” rediscovered the adhesive compound while researching heat-resistant polymers for jet canopies. Cyanoacrylate adhesives required no heat or pressure to stick items together and hold them permanently. Thus, in 1956, the patent for “Alcohol-Catalyzed Cyanoacrylate Adhesive Compositions/Superglue” was born. How’s that for a name?

Coover and the Eastman team took the patent and repackaged it for commercial sale as “Eastman 910″ – which was later changed to “Super Glue.” This name stuck and still is used for a number of similarly adhesive products today.

A savior for soldiers in sticky situations

Even though the glue was discovered during World War II, military doctors during the Vietnam War capitalized on the product’s adhesive properties to save lives.

Many soldiers suffered injuries off-base, often bleeding out before getting proper care. Thanks to Coover’s invention, medics were able to spray super glue directly on skin to stop bleeding until the patient could make it to a hospital for treatment.

“This was very powerful. That’s something I’m very proud of – the number of lives that were saved,” Coover said in an interview with the Kingsport Times-News.

At this time, the chemical was not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration because it had the potential to cause skin irritation. A derivative from the same chemical (2-octyl-cyanoacrylate) was approved in 1998 and functioned as a liquid bandage. Marketed under the names Dermabond and Traumaseal, these products pose less danger of irritation and bacterial infection and are available for civilian use.

So the next time you break your mom’s favorite vase and need to glue it back together, give thanks to Mr. Super Glue for finding something that was too sticky for the Army to use.

Warfare became infinitely more gruesome during World War II thanks to some rather incredible advances in technology. But a very deadly trick deployed by the builders of a bunker in Normandy used nothing more than the art of misdirection — quite literally.

A hole, disguised as an air vent, would seem the perfect place for an advancing enemy to pop a grenade. However, the tosser would come to regret that when the explosive simply dropped through a small pipe and fell out at the assailant’s feet.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Normandy Bunkers (@normandybunkers)

Posted by Instagrammer @NormandyBunkers, a video demonstrates exactly how the anti-grenade trick would have worked.

“Instead of falling inside the bunker, the construction meant the explosives would fall at the feet of the attackers,” the caption reads. “Anyone assaulting this position and dropping a grenade into the vents would be in for a big surprise.”

The contraption brings to mind that episode of Tom & Jerry, in which Tom the cat puts the end of a rifle into a hole in the wall, which bends the butt of the gun right back out toward his face.

The account runners have been sharing posts about the history and architecture of several Normandy landmarks associated with World War II.

“We have a friend who owns a complex of bunkers behind Utah Beach and became fascinated with the history surrounding the site, it’s architecture for a purpose, and the archaeological finds that came with its excavation,” they told Military Times.

“We originally planned to chronicle the work but got hooked on the whole ‘Atlantikwall’ structures. We now have over 40,000 pics, videos, and drone footage from D-Day landing beaches, Normandy bunker sites and beyond, all the way from Le Mont Saint Michel to Dunkirk.”

Joining the military at 18 years old can no doubt shape one’s self-perception. But once it’s time to separate or retire, what’s often left is just a DD-214, a GI Bill, and an inevitable search for personal identity.

Luckily, there is precedent to fall back on. If unable to carve out your own post-service personality, there are few tried-and-true veteran identities available to slide right into. They may fit as poorly as a plate carrier at first, but you’ll grow into it ... eventually.

The T-Shirt Bro

Hundreds of vetrepreneurs have made middling money by slinging moto t-shirts featuring no shortage of obnoxious clichés. You can as well. Just don’t forget to memorize catch phrases like “You’re welcome for my service.” Pair said shirts with a rainbow menagerie of Oakleys for maximum effect.

The Survivalist

Make it through SERE school? Why not make an entire lifestyle of it? Evade, resist, and escape a boring post-retirement life by heading into the woods and living off the land. Stash currency in a mattress, stockpile MREs, assemble a weapons cache, and rock that glorious beard the military wouldn’t allow.

The Finance Guy

After separating, some veterans choose to get an MBA. Seduced by the world of crisp Hugo Boss suits and classmates whose dads golf with senators, cryptocurrency and oil futures are suddenly the only thing that matter. You can’t help but dole out advice to anyone and everyone about where they should put their money.

The Saint

Many looking for a purpose in life turn to religion. Vets can, too. Join a church and go every morning, just like mustering for formation. They’ll tell you where to put your hands, when to stand, what to say. It’s just like the military — except, instead of getting paid, you’ll be paying tithes every weekend.

The Lifer

Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you have to surrender a hard-earned title. Have everyone address you by your rank. Introduce yourself as colonel or top. Don’t give away your first name. Adopt a physical demeanor that says, “If you don’t address me as ‘sir’ at the grocery store, you’ll pay for it.” When neighbors wave at you, salute them so they know who’s in charge.

There is an old wives’ tale that suggests cockroaches would be the only creatures to survive nuclear winter. That will not be the case, however, if the U.S. Army has anything to say about indestructible innovation.

For nearly two decades now, the service has crafted the shelf stable sandwich in flavors such as barbecue chicken, barbecue beef, nacho cheese, bacon cheddar, and Italian pocket. And while that last one sounds like something sewn into a silk robe worn by Robert De Niro, it’s actually more like a pepperoni and sausage hot pocket — and is hopefully a little less crunchy than those pesky insects.

The demand for these seemingly indestructible heroes for heroes, which are currently included in the First Strike Ration, arose out of a need for more on-the-go eats. And though a number of Meals-Ready-to-Eat menu items could be used to construct a sandwich, that would take time ... and some serious ratf***ing.

Instead, the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center in Massachusetts invested in a dehydration process involving humectants, which eliminate the potential for the dreaded scourge of soggy bread. After the sandwiches are made, they’re then stored in foil tri-laminated pouches that absorb oxygen and prevent the food from breeding bacteria.

For those curious non-military folks and doomsday preppers, the good news is that these tasty morsels are available at places like Walmart and Bass Pro Shops, according to the Army.

Whatever your background, these make the perfect snack for nuclear winter — as long as you aren’t planning to live more than three years after the apocalypse. The shelf stable sandwich — unfortunately — does have a shelf life.

Numerous documentaries have ventured to convey the seemingly insurmountable odds confronted by ground, air and naval forces, and the immense sacrifices that resulted.

As such, we compiled a list of five comprehensive World World II documentaries that best tell these harrowing stories.

World War II in HD

Released by the History Channel in 2009, this 10-episode series narrated by Gary Sinise (”Forrest Gump”) uses stunning footage from both the European and Pacific fronts, much of which was shot in color, to illustrate the horrors and triumphs of war.

The producers sourced first-hand stories from journalists, medics and soldiers, and used voice overs by professional actors to bring them to life.

Inside World War II

Released in 2012, this three-part documentary from National Geographic features personal stories of World War II from troops who lived it. According to its synopsis, the series “takes an intimate look at personal wartime experiences from the perspective of a wide array of veterans and citizens who endured ... bloody conflicts day by day, hour by hour, and second by second.”

Episodes feature both black-and-white and color footage that move chronologically though the war’s defining moments.

The World at War

Released in 1973, this 26-part, British-produced series is one of the most comprehensive World War II documentaries ever made.

Narrated by Oscar-winner Laurence Olivier, the series focuses on 15 of the war’s most significant military campaigns as well as the conflict’s profound impact on the individuals enduring its horrors.

Producer Jeremy Isaacs told The Guardian, “I wanted to hear not just the voices of people who dropped the bombs, but also those they targeted.”

World War II: The Last Heroes

This six-part series, which focuses on the ordinary boys who became heroes, begins with D-Day and ends at the war’s conclusion. The crux of this particular documentary is a story of war as told by its foot soldiers — rather than through a lens of historians or high-ranking decision makers.

The series is currently available to view on Amazon Prime.

World War 2: The Complete History

“The Complete History” is a slightly older series designed to appeal to the well-versed history and military buffs interested in oft overlooked details of the conflict.

Produced in 2000 and narrated by Peter Dickson (”Britain’s Got Talent”), the documentary begins with pre-WWII discussions surrounding the Treaty of Versailles and the Japanese invasion of Manchuria and concludes with the Nuremberg trials and the Cold War.

Apocalypse: The Second World War

This six-part French documentary is perhaps one of the best international films on the conflict. U.S. viewers, meanwhile, can enjoy a National Geographic-treated version narrated by Martin Sheen. The series can be easily digested by a WWII novice wanting to understand the high points of the war.

The documentary comprises footage — shot by regular citizens, journalists, and troops on the ground — that has been colorized and digitally remastered.