I have always held an interest in military history. One of the stories I heard as a kid was that of Sgt. Alvin C. York from WW I. In one engagement, on October 8, 1918 Sgt. York and his platoon were sent after a German machine gun nest in the Argonne Forest. Once they were in place a group of German soldiers appeared to surrender. Then they signaled another group of Germans to open fire on the unsuspecting Americans. Most of the Americans were killed.
Sgt. York then took his Enfield rifle and first picked off the German machine gunners. Then he calmly began shooting the remaining German soldiers – from the back of the line so they wouldn’t scatter – a turkey-hunting technique he learned back in Tennessee. As the advancing Germans discovered there were only 2 or 3 of them left when they got close to the Americans, they surrendered. For this action Sgt. Alvin C. York was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Today I, along with a lot of other Military Brats, are engaged in battle with an organization called “The Little C.H.A.M.P.S.” C.H.A.M.P.S. being an acronym for Child Hero Attached to Military Personnel. While they claim ‘they’ are not attempting to “re-brand” us, it’s hard to believe them. This was pulled off their web site before it was removed.
As we, ‘we’ being a ‘small band of adult military brats,’ began digging deeper, we began to find a great deal more. And we began forwarding our discoveries to their sponsors and endorsers. And soon they began withdrawing their endorsements and support from “The Little C.H.A.M.P.S.”
One of the first ones to drop was the MCEC, the Military Child Education Coalition
“YORK”
Then “inquiries” were made to the various service Trademark offices – to see if “The Little C.H.A.M.P.S.” organization had permission to use their respective service seals. The service seals are trademarked. These are their replies (to date:)
1. Sir,
Thank you for your help in this matter. Since the website was using all the Services’ Seals, I have requested the assistance of the OSD Branding and Trademarks Office to have the seals removed, barring an unknown relationship that the Services have entered into with the company — which I don’t expect to be the case.
We appreciate your efforts to protect the Air Force identity. Please continue forwarding potential infringement cases to us as you see them.
Respectfully,
Ms. Rowden
Air Force Public Affairs Agency
Chief, USAF Trademark & Licensing
“YORK”
2. Good afternoon Mr. Holliker,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the U.S. Coast Guard’s official seal.
Neither commercial nor non-profit entities may use the Coast Guard’s official seal for merchandising, promotional and/or advertising purposes. Further, the seal may not be used to create the appearance of an implied endorsement for an organization.
As your query involves each of the services, this matter has been addressed within the DOD Trademark group for disposition.
Please contact me directly should you have additional questions or concerns.
Best regards.
TM
“YORK”
3. Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Thank you Mr. Holliker, I have turned this over to DoD for action.
Best regards,
Paul Jensen
Director, Army Trademark Licensing Program
“YORK”
And it’s kind of fun quite candidly, to watch their endorsement pages as we continue to YORK them:
“YORK, YORK”
Our efforts are continuing, and like those poor unfortunate German soldiers, it won’t be long before the USO, the Red Cross and USAA discover they are out front, all alone. Then I suspect they will surrender…
And now you know as much about “Yorking” as I do…
