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Posted on 02/13/2006 8:35:48 PM PST by alfa6
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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THE VALENTINE TANK  Based on the A10 Cruiser tank, the Valentine was privately designed by the Vickers-Armstrong corporation (hence its lack of an "A" designation) and was submitted to the War Office on February 14, 1938. Like many other projects, the Valentine was rushed into production following the loss of nearly all of Britain's equipment during the evacuation at Dunkirk. Several versions exist concerning the source of the name Valentine. The most popular one says that the design was presented to the War Office at St. Valentine's Day (February 14). Some sources, however, claim that the exact date the design was submitted was February 10. According to other version, the tank was called Valentine in honor of Sir John Valentine Carden, the man who led the development of the A10 and many other Vickers vehicles. Yet another version says that Valentine is an acronym for Vickers-Armstrong Ltd Elswick & Newcastle-upon-Tyne.  The War Office was initially deterred by the size of the turret and the crew compartment. However, concerned by the situation in Europe, it finally approved the design in April 1939. The vehicle reached trials in May 1940, which coincided with the loss of nearly all of Britain's equipment during the evacuation at Dunkirk. The trials were successfull and the vehicle was rushed into production as Infantry Tank III Valentine. The Valentine remained in production until April 1944, becoming Britain's most mass produced tank during the war with 6855 units manufactured in the UK (by Vickers, Metropolitan-Cammell Carriage and Wagon and Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon) and further 1420 in Canada. They were the Commonwealth's main export to the Soviet Union under the Lend-lease Act, with 2394 of the British models being sent and 1388 of the Canadian (the remaining 30 were kept for training).  The Valentine was Britain's most mass produced tank during the war, having manufactured 6855 and a further 1420 in Canada. They were the Commonwealth's main export to the Soviet Union under the Lend-lease Act, with 2394 of the British models being sent and 1388 of the Canadian (the remaining 30 were kept for training). In Soviet service, they were quite popular due to their small size, reliability, and generally good armour protection. In Soviet service, the Valentine was used from the Battle of Moscow until the end of the war. It was employed mostly on the southern fronts, both because of the proximity to the Persian supply route and in order to avoid using the tank in very cold climate. Although criticized for its speed and its weak gun, the Valentine was liked due to its small size, reliability and generally good armour protection. The Valentine was something of an oddity, having the weight and size of a cruiser tank, but the armour and speed of an infantry tank. Though its armour was still weaker than the Matilda and, due to its weaker engine, it shared the same top speed, its high reliability and lower cost kept it in the war. ![](http://www.dad.incomingwormhole.com/Valentine/valentine_mk_iii_01.jpg") By 1944, in the European Theater of Operations the Valentine was almost competely replaced in the frontline units by the Churchill and the US-made Sherman. In the Pacific the tank was employed in limited numbers at least until May 1945. There were 12 variants of the Valentine as follows:     |
That link will do provided you are still in Texas?
Yep, I found that link. Did you read it? LOL
It says most newspapers publish the locations. Heh. Ours doesn't have it online - and I didn't buy one this week. ~sigh~ *banging head* [dummy!]
I am just going to go to the place I used to go... I am now giving up looking. LOL... I will go to the old place and either - A) they will tell me where I should be or B) I will end up having to call the county and vote after work instead of before work.
calling the county doesn't work well here either. they tend to not know much. ~sigh~
Heh... the first time I went to a precint convention the election judge was shocked that someone showed up. I think the guy at the old regular location will remember me. I always showed up before I spent 4 years away from the area.
LOL. We miss ya up here, though. You know, there is a list approved/endorsed by the Texas Homschool Coalition? Think I may check it out and just see what's up. I haven't heard squat about what were supposedly voting for or against in the primary. BTW, we have to vote in the "city" next to us, which is the sticks. Ever heard of Lucas or Lovejoy? I am not even sure Loevjoy exists as a community anymore. I think all that may be left of it is the school district. Anyway, that is where we vote. Lovejoy ISD.
I'm really looking forward to that. Do you think you can get tickets yet?
Cedar Hills is built upon an alluvial fan or bench, created thousands of years ago when it was a shoreline
Alluvial fans are NOT ancient beaches.
Here's a good candidate for first Department Store from NYC: "In 1862 Stewart built a true department store at Broadway and 9th near Grace Church, the Cast Iron Palace, with 8 floors on 2.5 acres, up to 2000 employees. The 19 departments included "silks" and "dress goods" and carpets and toys and sports. A great glass dome skylight covered the central rotunda of the grand emporium." http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/soc/shoppingcenter4.html
Most of the big name department stores had an earlier history as specialty shops. Wanamaker in men's wear, Neiman Marcus for ladies wear, etc.
As for Zions, it opened March 1, 1869 (it was at least a contender) but the claim seems to be for the 'First Incorporated Department Store" in 1870.
But it appears that ZMCI may have bitten the dust - it looks like it was bought out by May in 1999 and the name was discarded in favor of Meier & Frank.
Very cool, this is the stuff I'm looking forward to learning along with the kids as they grow up.
I am hoping to get the new solar clothes drying device installed for Mrs alfa6 this morning. Provided the rain holds off :-)
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
I'm stunned. Stunned, I tell ya'.
How could you forget this?
First thing bittygirl uttered upon waking was, "I want daddy."
Just thought you should know you are loved :-)
Oh my. I had forgotten.
heh, she's playing with the stupid turtle... again. Who was it replaced the batteries?
Bittygirl woke early this morning, banging her bottle on the bars of her cell crib, saying, "Daddy, du bai, du bai."
Spiderboy?
Memory is the second thing to go, what was the first?
Yes, I have forgotten what this means in Bittygirl talk. ;)
Bottle??
New bottle, new bottle
I just learned how to get a semicolon and other html symbols to show up on the blackburpy!
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