Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts

03 April 2011

My name history

I am often asked how such a cute puppy, such as myself, got a name like Kolchak. It is common for a Borzoi (as we are known now) to have a Russian name reflecting our heritage from Russia.  Here's how I got Kolchak XV.

Mom and I collected the all photos and the rest is attributed as best we could.

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(Cut and pasted from: http://www.kolchak.org/history/general/history_pg1.htm)
The first mascot, a pure bred Russian Wolfhound [as they were known until 1936], was presented to the regiment in 1929. He was named after Admiral Alksandr Vassilyevich Kolchak, a White Russian Army commander who fought the Bolsheviks alongside the regiment in Siberia.  [It is said that Adm. Kolchak, after witnessing the regiment march over 1,000 miles over difficult ground in frigid Siberian temperatures in pursuit of the retreating Bolsheviks in the Siberia Campaign, alluded to the regiment having the endurance and tenacity of Wolfhounds.]

Admiral Alksandr Vassilyevich Kolchak
[Thankfully we bear no likeness to each other!]
Kolchak, and his successors, are more than a mere mascot. They personify both the name, Wolfhounds, by which the 27th Infantry is known throughout the Army, and the tenacious and ferocious fighting nature of the regiment.

The Regiment has a reputation of utter ferocity in combat and gentle compassion in peace. Our enemies have felt the ruthlessness of the Wolfhound's bite, our friends have found us to be loyal and steadfast, and the innocent have found the Wolfhounds are second to none in compassion. [See PeaceBridge, among other references, for more information on Wolfhound compassion.]

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A Kolchak with two children from Holy Family Home in Osaka, Japan
visiting the regiment at Schofield Barracks, Hawai'i, USA.

Wolfhound compassion:
Hugh O'Reilly with a child at the Holy Family Home in Osaka, Japan.
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Pasted from http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/861975/posts (dated March 2003)

Where does a four footed Wolfhound march in a Parade? You won't find the answer in FM 22-5, Drill and Ceremonies or the old Infantry Drill Regulations, but the famous Wolfhound Regiment has it's present mascot, Kolchak XI lead the procession.

The first mascot, a pure bred Russian Wolfhound, was presented to the regiment in 1929. He was named after Admiral Aleksandr Vassilyevich Kolchak, who fought the Bolsheviks during the regiments stay in Siberia. Sergeant John Martin -- who served with the regiment in both the Philippines and Siberia -- took charge and promised to have "Kolchak" at all gatherings of the regiment.
 
Wolfhounds were used in ancient times as hunting dogs in Russia. The Russian aristocracy later used them for coursing wolves and other game. They were imported into the United States in the late 1880's and given the name "Borzoi" in 1936. Kolchak, and his 10 successors are more than a mere mascot. They personify both the name, Wolfhounds, by which the 27th Infantry is known throughout the Army, and the tenacious and ferocious fighting nature of the regiment.

Kolchak II entered service in 1939. He was often found rooting on Wolfhound athletic teams and marched with the regiment in all ceremonies. The Cossack hat or Shaktoes, belt and boots worn by the color guard may have been designed to please Kolchak II as well as the spectators at ceremonies who approved of the colorful trappings of a colorful regiment.
Kolchak II circa
Downloaded from Facebook page of:
 US 27th Infantry Regimental Historical Society (The Wolfhound Pack)
 
Same photo as above, uncropped version.
Kolchak leading the procession, as it should be.
The current mascot is Kolchak XI. Kolchak X retired to the care of his handler, Staff Sergeant White of the 1st Battalion Scouts.

2 posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 3:34:44 AM by SAMWolf

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I am the 14th Kolchak - there was no 13 as some think that number to be unlucky. Usually a Kolchak is donated by a Borzoi breeder. Some of us serve longer than others. We come in a variety of colors, sizes, and temperaments, but all of us have the same job - representing and supporting the 27th Infantry Regiment.
A photo of a Kolchak photo hanging in D Quad.

Thank you for checking in on me.  I think it's cool that folks from around world, many countries and every continent (well, except Antarctica), check out my blog and, therefore, my soldiers. Remember them in your prayers, especially for the few months that both 1/27 and 2/27 are deployed.  I'll miss every one of them!

Mahalo nui loa for stopping by,
Korporal Kolchak XV

31 March 2011

Rifle from a Wolfhound, for the Wolfhounds

Dad is crazy busy with work, so helping me with my blog is about 999 on his list of 1,000 things to do before he deploys.  I've had this waiting for his help since January, but I'm going to be a realist and admit it will never get finished. Please enjoy the photos without the names of those in the photos.  Sorry.  If you know the names that go in the blanks, please comment on the post and I'll add them.

We Wolfhounds have an endless amount of respect for our veterans. That they still take care of us on active duty is a testament to their character. Here, a Vietnam vet gives us a rifle from that war. 
1SG Crump, on behalf of all Wolfhounds, accepting the rifle.

_____________ speaking


Lt. Col. Wilson (my Uncle Dan) is a very animated speaker.
He radiates his enthusiasm and respect for Vietnam Veterans.

My dad listening while holding the rifle.


Still yapping.... 
(I love you Uncle!)

Uncle Dan presents _________ with a _______ coin. 

_______ speaking about _______
______ , rear left
_______, rear right

Uncle Dan and _____ saluting each other.

_____, "Happy it's over?"
Uncle Dan, "Yes, sir. Just looking to see if Happy Hour is set up."

The Wolfhounds and me.
I'm the most lucky Borzoi ever!


Younger Wolfhounds have much to learn from their kupuna (wise elders/teachers).

Wolfhounds getting the honor to shake hands with a hero.

Uncle Dan and ______________


_______, _______, and Dad.


After the formalities comes my favorite part, meet and greet! (pet me time)

24 March 2011

I'm baaaack!

Aloha friends!  I know it's been a while since I've blogged.  Even mascots go on leave, you know. 

On the homefront, my dad took leave and we worked on the yard. Here I am, working hard.
My job was to enjoy the cool dirt that my staff dug up. Meanwhile, they laid pavers. What a waste of good weed growing earth.  I did move some of the dug up dirt back onto its ground even though the pavers were there. Apparently, the staff thinks dirt on top of pavers is a bad thing. They keep sweeping my dirt off the pavers. Strange.

Once Dad went back to work, I went back as well. I got to meet two more veterans from the Vietnam War. 
Getting groomed for work.

My staff has a lot of fur to go through.
My fur collects burrs and they try to get rid of them.

Wolfhound veterans Gary Huber and Chaplain Carter Tucker
came to give a class on loss to Wolfhounds leaders.

Kolchak III's memorial marker or grave in the sidewalk outside D-quad.
That's his paw print and the inscription Nov 21. 56

Opposite Kolchak III's marker is this:
Nov. 21, 1956
Constructed by
M/Sgt. (Master Sergeant) Breward
                                     Nay
                                       Clark
                                                       Jarvis (or Jaris?)

I have some big paw prints to fill. I think I can do it.

It's like the Wolfhound Walk of Fame.

My mom and I can't get this to be straight. It's to show you
that I had some help to get these photos. I wasn't exactly sure
what I was supposed to do at first. Madeline helped me (made me).

Reward for jobs well done: run free in the baseball field.
I chased birds, hopped, skipped, jumped, and smiled!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

When I stopped running on my own, my brother and sister kicked off
their slippers and ran with me. They chased me or ran along side of me.
I only trot when they run.
For all of their advancements, humans are sure slow creatures.

Even Dad got in on the action. I let him think I couldn't catch him.
Yeah, right...

I look like a bucking bronco in this shot!

My sister and I rest after my long day. I think she missed me. I know I missed her.
(I howled and whined all the way to work.)

This last Sunday was beach day for us.
Isabella and I were so dusty from laying pavers that we went to the beach since
we needed a bath anyway. Here I am relaxing by our stuff.
It's a dog day every day in Hawai'i.

As you can see, I swam.
Now I'm just looking cute while Mom reads.

Madeline thinks I make a great pillow.
A little bony, but very lovable pillow.

She's trying to convince me to dig in the sand.
The theory is to teach me to dig here instead of covering up the pavers.

Seriously? Do I look interested in digging a hole for which I have no use?

She says she loves me despite my refusal to dig.
Something about me being a brat too.

Since I won't dig to the cooler sand, Madeline decided to dig to it for me and
cover me with it. Perhaps she should consider this was my plan all along.
Lazy Borzoi need silly staff.

Ah... this is the life.
(There is a Kolohe Kai song by that name.)

Really? Still trying to get me to dig.

What did I hear? Birdies???


My new ginormous kennel. All four of us children fit!
Thank you Wolfhounds for my new, large, and very ventilated bed.
I don't need kenneling as often, but when I do, I will be cool and I can stretch out.
This kennel is not available in Hawai'i and shipping was cost-prohibitive so
we had to buy this and have it delivered to a mainland address.
A Wolfhound on leave to the mainland took it back to Hawai'i as luggage.
Thank you to everyone who helped bring me this deluxe "jail."  ;-)

My humorous two-legged sister named my bed:
Kolchak's Kozy Korner
(Kome in!)

Perspective on size... but I'm worth it!

This is my "love on me please" pose.
Usually I do this on someone's lap, but today I did it while Matt was cuddling me.

Boys like to make faces when they have their photo taken.
We two brothers are no exception.

This is my postcard shot from Poka'i Bay, my beach home.
As any good postcard says, "Wish you were here!"