Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the greatest military strategists in history, once made an interesting remark about soldiers’ motivation to excel on the battlefield and how it relates to military awards. He noted that a higher level of bravery was displayed by his troops whenever he announced a new award, which he described as “a bit of ribbon.”  While it’s true that many military medals and awards are represented by ribbons, the deeper meaning behind Napoleon’s quote is that military members know exactly what’s at stake when they put in the effort to earn service awards. From a strictly practical point of view, military ribbons are essentially colorful pieces of embroidered …

Holding an award ceremony for one or more people who are active or ex-military can be a challenge. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to such a ceremony would be where to hold it. Thinking about all of the different possibilities could have you feeling overwhelmed. However, your choice of location will be made easier if you have a plan in place. Naturally, this plan should not only address the ceremony itself but also the type of activities involved when presenting military plaques. San Diego residents and people all across the country should consider the following venues for awarding active or ex-military. A Field or Pasture Fields have a lot of open …

Military men and women perform vital roles by risking their lives to protect and defend their nation. As they age and develop health complications, they then retire from service. It’s essential to recognize their accomplishments and sacrifices they make and remind them no hard work goes unrewarded by giving them meaningful military awards. Fosters Good Public Relations Winning an award promotes good public relations for the military because the person’s name becomes highly respected. The award may also be published in magazines, newspapers, and other publications, which offers free publicity as the recipient is honored. Increases Happiness and Engagement of Those in Service When ex-military men and women are awarded, current servicemen and …

Throughout America’s history, awards with eagle symbols have been handed out to military veterans. This imagery can be found everywhere from old quarters to government buildings, but what does it mean? The history of the eagle’s use in military plaques and awards dates back to the Roman Legion standards. The eagle became the most common military insignia during the second consulship of Gaius Marius, who placed it in prominence over Rome’s other symbolic animals. The legions were sometimes even referred to as “aquilas,” which is Latin for “eagle.” Their eagle insignias were prized possessions they would conceal on their person during battle or when hiding.  The founding fathers adopted the …

The awards, decorations, and badges bestowed upon members of the United States Armed Forces denote various factors about their service to their country. In some cases, military awards indicate participation in certain campaigns or during historic periods. In other cases, medals may be issued for skills, personal and unit achievements, or milestones reached.  When reservists or active duty members retire or are discharged, the awards they receive are theirs to keep. Many choose to mount their awards and display them as special mementos of their service. When civilian family members and friends learn about the significance of each award, they get a better understanding about what service to the country …