SSCC - The Lone Star Brigade

This is good news.

Well, after we printed and handed out about 500+ SAVE THE DATE cards, we realizing that we didn't book the show after Memorial Day Weekend, we booked it on Memorial Day weekend. After a quick call to our rep at the The Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport, we were able to move it to June 11th thru the 13th - a perfect weekend for a show!

Stay tuned for more details!

Meet Louis Cukela.

Louis Cukela was born in 1888 in what is now Croatia. Just three years after immigrating to the United States, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1914, and then later joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1917, shortly before America entered World War I.

While serving in France during the Battle of Soissons, Gunnery Sergeant Cukela’s unit was pinned down by heavy enemy machine-gun fire in the Forest de Retz. Ignoring warnings from the Marines around him, Cukela crawled forward alone and single-handedly destroyed the enemy position, capturing two machine guns and taking four prisoners—allowing his fellow Marines to continue their advance.

For his actions on July 18, 1918, Louis Cukela received both the Army and Navy Medals of Honor for the same act of valor, becoming one of only 19 double recipients in history. He also received decorations from France, Italy, and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

Cukela continued serving for decades afterward, including during World War II, completing nearly 32 years of active duty in the Army and Marine Corps.

At the National Medal of Honor Museum, stories like his remind us that the values of the Medal have never belonged to just one background, one birthplace, or one path to America.
Read his Medal of Honor citation here➡️ https://bit.ly/4eoiLs1

Major Nicholas Dockery will be awarded the Medal of Honor.

A life defined by leadership, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to fellow soldiers is being formally recognized for actions taken during combat operations in Afghanistan.

As a second lieutenant leading a combined force of American and Afghan soldiers in Kapisa Province on October 2, 2012, Dockery's unit came under attack from a large Taliban force armed with machine guns, rocket-propelled gr***des, and small arms.

Throughout the battle, Dockery repeatedly crossed open ground under enemy fire to rally friendly forces, reinforce isolated positions, and strengthen the defense. As the fighting intensified, he used his body to shield a fellow soldier from a gr***de blast, led counterattacks against enemy fighters, and fought his way to an unconscious teammate who was being dragged away by enemy combatants. After rescuing the soldier and administering lifesaving aid, he continued exposing himself to enemy fire while directing the fight and helping friendly aircraft suppress the attack.

Dockery continued serving after his deployment, earning the Green Beret and leading Special Forces teams in some of the military's most demanding assignments.

As his story joins those preserved at the National Medal of Honor Museum, future generations will be able to connect with the courage, character, and commitment represented by the Medal of Honor.

Colonel John Walter Ripley will posthumously be awarded the Medal of Honor.

A life defined by service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to mission is being formally recognized for actions taken during the Vietnam War.

As a senior advisor to the 3rd Vietnamese Marine Corps Infantry Battalion near D**g Ha, South Vietnam, then-Captain Ripley faced a rapidly advancing North Vietnamese offensive in April 1972. Recognizing that a key bridge over the Cua Viet River had to be destroyed to slow the attack, he repeatedly climbed beneath the bridge while under continuous enemy fire to emplace hundreds of pounds of explosives.

Hanging from the bridge's steel girders for hours, Ripley positioned and prepared the charges before successfully destroying the span. His actions helped blunt the enemy advance and provided critical time for South Vietnamese forces to regroup and defend the region.

Known to generations of Marines as “Ripley at the Bridge,” his actions became an enduring example of courage, initiative, and selfless service.

Through the National Medal of Honor Museum, his story will continue to be preserved and shared for generations to come.

Major James Capers Jr. will be awarded the Medal of Honor.

A life defined by leadership, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to others is being formally recognized for actions taken during a reconnaissance mission in Vietnam.

As a second lieutenant leading a nine-man Force Reconnaissance patrol near Phu Loc in April 1967, Capers and his team repeatedly encountered larger enemy forces while operating deep in contested territory. On the patrol’s final day, an ambush left him severely wounded by gunfire and fragmentation wounds.

Despite significant blood loss and extensive injuries, Capers continued directing supporting fires, coordinating his team’s movements, and overseeing the evacuation. Refusing to leave before his Marines, he remained in command until every member of the patrol was safely aboard the extraction helicopter.

Over a 22-year Marine Corps career, Capers broke barriers and opened doors for future generations of Marines, becoming the first Black Marine to join Force Reconnaissance, receive a battlefield commission in Marine special operations, and command a Reconnaissance company.

As his story joins those preserved at the National Medal of Honor Museum, his legacy will continue to connect future generations with the values the Medal of Honor represents.