OT- Happy 248th Birthday US Army
June 14, 1775 the Continental Congress established the Continental Army, giving birth the the US Armed Forces.
On June 14th we also celebrate Flag Day, display Old Glory proudly and properly ya'll.
National Bourbon Day, World Blood Donor Day, National Strawberry Shortcake Day, National Cupcake day and International Bath Day.
I read it many years ago and enjoyed it but I don't remember much about it. Thanks for reminding me of it. I will read it again.
That is a great book
When you're done with that I recommend Six Frigates by Ian W. Toll.
Again, I read it many years ago and it is a very interesting read. Little known aspects of US history. Now I'm going to have to read it again too.
Happy Birthday Army! Happy Flag Day!
Oops. Meant to reply to ShadowStorm33. Apparently hit the wrong button.
My mom recently showed me all the correspondence between my grandpa (fought in Africa, Italy, and the Ardennes) and grandma. Most of it is from his training period--he was in the Army before the war then reenlisted after Pearl Harbor, was recommended for OCS, and rose to captain before they went over. His handwriting is good but in cursive. My mom wants to get them scanned. Anyone have a recommendation for how to OCR something like that?
That sounds like a great project.
I've not tried to OCR handwriting, but I found this article:
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/10467-best-handwriting-recognition-apps.html.
FWIW, the Library of Congress has the "Veterans' Stories: The Veterans History Project"
https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/veterans-stories-the-veterans-history-project/
Your grandpa's letters sound like they would be a great addition to the project.
Start with Googling professional scanning services. Depending on the condition of his letters, ye'ole consumer scanner may not be up to the task. Professional services can manage the right exposure and whatever else to get good, OCR scans and verify them. Probably a bit costlier, but considering the source would probably be worth it.
You might also want to look into professional restoration services to preserve the originals. They're probably museum pieces in the right hands.
Most are photo scans of his actual letters. The Army wouldn't let him send the originals--they took pictures of them and mailed tiny versions. My poor mother can't read the handwriting it's so small.
Presumably a professional service could scan, enlarge and enhance them to a mom-readable level?
Happy Birthday to my fellow vets...
Happy Birthday Army and thanks to the millions of Americans who have served in it over those years.
I just went to a funeral in South Lyon last week for a guy I was in Iraq with in 2004. It was weird seeing some other guys I served with after almost 20 years now! I only did 4 years but it feels like a completely different lifetime ago. Happy birthday Army!
My appreciation for all those who have served our country - and, the happies of birthday wishes to the United States Army.
(Truth be told, when it's an "Army-Navy" game, I tend to cheer for Navy.)