I never knew about the meaning of the seal until today. 4 years of history in high school, and 2 years of history in college, and they never ever talked about it.

I might not always agree politically with every one of your subscribers I do have to say that for the most part this is one of the few channels that you can disagree and have a back and fourth with and rarely feel attacked or angry over it. Very rare this day in age to be able to communicate with such a vast difference of opinion. Most just cater to one party

Why did that feel so good? The demeaner, way of speaking, humanity without a show or vanity seemed so "foreign," and refreshing.

YOU are a treasure, Mr Hoffman. Thank you for sharing your outstanding collection and perspective with the world. I’m astounded how humbling and fascinating your work is.

My mom and dad served in WWII. Mom was a WAVE OFFICER. Highest rank a female could obtain at the time. Dad had to salute mom before they married. Thank you for all you do.

Every video you present has such values and an integrity that has been lessened in our current society. My father was a Vietnam veteran and I'm sure he would have enjoyed your perspective and respect for our military and the lives of ordinary people. Mr Hoffman, you rock sir! Another great video as usual☆☆☆☆☆☆

The prequel to this video is a wonderful teaching instrument....explained clearly and passionately by an American ( You Mr. Hoffman ) who is quite Proud of Our Country's Seal My Dad being a Military Officer and Pilot in The USAF and myself growing up as a Military Brat in this time period really hits home what my Parents would often discuss at the Dinner Table and at Dinner Parties too. A great follow up to the Video you showed yesterday Mr. Hoffman about the Fighter Pilot Taking Off. "TOP GUN" in Real Time with Real Consequences....Cheers From Ohio

Let’s always remember our brave military personnel in our daily prayers... wonderful explanation of our seal. Thanks for sharing this amazing video! 🙏🏻🇺🇸🙏🏻

There are only 2 emotions that will come from this video- The true pride of a true American, where tears or goosebumps will be felt. ...And the rest will be triggered. We live in a weird world these days, and we have to pray that it changes for the better. 🙏❤️✌️ Thank you Mr. Hoffman, in doing your part to help preserve some of the meanings to being a proud American.❤️

The soundtrack is CLASSIC

I’m so glad you posted this! The sheeple have no clue since history isn’t taught anymore.

I’m loving your channel ♥️ I really enjoy the interviews with the older people. Makes me wish I would have asked my great grandma many more questions about how times were for her growing up. Again, I’ve really enjoyed your work.

I never understood why the teachers avoided this and other subjects in school.

I am so proud of the US military. I am so proud of you men and women that work so hard at allowing me to live free🙋

The head of the eagle on the seal of the President of the United States sometimes known as " The Federal Eagle" faced toward the arrows until the Truman administration.

I served in the US Army Security Agency 1971-1974 and was stationed on the Czech border in Bavaria. Motto on our shoulder patch was 'Vigilant Always'.

I come from a time when we pledged allegiance every morning in school, and patriotism was instilled in us at a young age.. Those days are long gone, as is this once great country.. It saddens me to my core where we are at now, and what is yet to come.. I will always be a patriot till the day I die.🇺🇸🇺🇸

That final shot of all the jets flying off into the sunset is phenomenal. Everybody on base seemed like such likeable people you'd want to be around, The kind of folks you undeniably want in your corner. If I had a time machine and clearance to talk with these folks, man, im sure there are many stories. Thank you again, Mr. Hoffman for bringing unlimited content value with your portals into the past!

I am sharing this! You describe perfectly what so many have forgotten! Thank you so much!

My family and I lived in Metterich from 1980 to 1985. I attended third grade through sixth grade at Spangdahlem Air Base, and seventh grade at Bitburg Air Base. As a young boy, there was nothing more awesome, and cool than watching those beautiful f-15 fighters flying over.

Every single one of your videos are of great value :)

Important reminder and a wonderful short film

Interesting,Thank you for sharing.

Heartfelt thank you for this.

I’m so glad I subscribed to this channel. Every video is entertaining, but I’m also learning a lot, too.

David that is one awesome presentation.👍. And that is great to see. Also the moment of Space Invaders I chuckled a little. Because it took me right back to the days of the video arcade. Thanks. Elden.

I was at Bitburg in the eighties when you made this video. I was a teenager at the time. Even though I was just an Air Force brat I feel you captured the esprit de corps that existed on that base at that time. It didn’t matter who any of us were from our family members who served to their spouses and kids we were all there for one purpose. Great video. Thank you.

Interesting film. Thanks for creating it and making it available to watch. I have fond memories of deploying to Bitburg in the mid 80,s with the RAF Regiment to exercise with our USAF and US Army allies. Always made to feel welcome without fail. Thanks. Per Ardua.

Great work!

I enjoyed your video and learned something important too. Thank you for it.

Competence.. Dicipline.. Brotherhood.. Caring one another.. Strength.. Unity.. Humility.. I saw these in this video. Very inspiring indeed. If I watched this at young age, I would most likely dream to be one of them. Again, thank you sir for sharing this. More power to the good. Gin,

I was a child in that area from '69 to '72 but based at spangdahlem. used to go to bitburg for the great swimming pool. our air force still uses spangdahlem but not bitburg. thanks for the great content david!

My Dad was QC and a NAVY co-pilot on the USS Enterprise can confirm this is legit. Smiling. Thumbs up! Great video!

Thanks for the detailed description of our National Seal. Very few really know the significance of all its elements. I wasn’t a flyer in a wing but I was Special Forces on the ground with the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Special Operations Group. My missions were complex, difficult in a jungle environment that tested me every single day. While the Vietnam War was very unpopular in the end and my return to the states was less than optimum the fact remains the Seal was paramount in everything we did. We went and we fought because our country at the time thought that was expedient for the expansion of freedom to an oppressed and disadvantaged people. Our job was to do all we could to advance the ideals of democracy that we enjoyed in our own country and held dear to our hearts and indeed, desired that same freedom for those whose conditions were at very real peril. Even though the results of the Vietnam War did not result in the ultimate realization of our objective I do not regret a single minute I spent attempting to establish a positive outcome. If you look at Vietnam today, especially in the Southern regions you will see the result of our efforts and influence. Southern Vietnam has a vibrant, successful free market economy that is the envy of most the countries of Southeast Asia. They do not have complete freedom being under a communist government in Hanoi but the influences of the American presence in South Vietnam are very evident today.

Great work, very interesting.

Well done, David.

Fantastic content.

Wow love these old-school tapes of our brothers and sisters in the service Thanks David You are a humanitarian at heart You show all sides of the human experience Much love to you☺💝

David - Your camera work and editing are superb. What a beautiful and important story you tell.

This was so interesting! Thank you so much for posting. I have always had a special admiration for pilots. They are so brave! I had the fortune of tailoring the uniforms of the servicemen and women in Charleston, SC ., across from the Air Force base there. Would say a quick prayer over their deserts, and whisper "Good luck, and God's speed" when they came to pick them up and head out. Gonna incorporate the Seal in my 10 y.o. son's schooling. I learn so much from you!

Hi there David. Thank you. I didn't know what the seal meet. Now I know. Loved the film. Excellent info. As a musician I really loved the music.

The masons love ancient symbology, that's why they chose this. Its history is truly fascinating

First off thank you for serving... I have family members that served as well. My daughter retired a couple of years ago after 20 years from the Navy, my son is currently serving 15 years in the Navy and I have two grand sons that joined the Navy as well. I have total respect for the flag and the people that has served and is currently serving. Thank you David for explaining the seal. Much love to you my friend....

During this filming I was a Tower / Radar Controller. My Fellow Air Traffic Controllers are Brad on Ground Control and Shannon on Flight Data requesting departure release. They are correct in the fact that the Bitburg Community was a fantastic group of people and I feel honored they allowed me to serve with them. After my tour I became a US Army Officer and flew Dustoff Missions. CW2 USA Ret.

i feel like ppl who come from a military family are the only ones who grasp the true meaning of unity

I was stationed at Bitburg '78 to '81. This brought back ALOT of Great memories. Thank you.

Thank you Mr David H. Just plain ol' thanx.

Great display of our Warriors dedicated to protecting We the People's Liberty! Thank you and rest assured you met your mission statement on that project!

Thanks again David! I learned something new, I never understood the symbolism of the great seal completely until today. 😀 I'm not a hawkish person, but I am glad these men are watching out for our safety.

Both dated and current at the same time. Awesome video and thank you for sharing it with me.

Superb! Thank You! As a 1st generation American, I treasure this land & all it stands for, my immigrant parents & the public schools (at the time) instilled a ferocious sense of patriotism in me & yes, I still get 'teary' when I hear the Star-Spangled Banner. We celebrated Flag Day, learned the true meaning behind the Fourth of July Celebration, treasured American songs & marches as well as civics. I love & bookmark all your videos, but this is a great reminder of how past generations shaped our country & our Armed Forces will continue to protect us...God Bless America, The Land That I Love!

I also feel the need to remind viewers that the US armed forces are dedicated, disciplined, professional, and imbued with their mission; but the armed forces are not what make us free. The armed forces should be thought of only as a last resort. Ultimately, what makes us free is our own understanding of what freedom is, what responsibilities it entails, and our commitment to those responsibilities. The forces to chip away at freedom are always present, always a threat. Most Americans don't realize that they now hold dear many anti-freedom beliefs. Most Americans have no idea what the Statue of Liberty stands for. In fact, we might even consider dismantling it, to symbolize the fact that we don't believe in libtery now. If we lose our freedoms and liberties, it will be from within. It will be because we gave our freedom away--mainly for promises of utopia--not because of an external threat.

Good reminder! What a great nation we live in. Thank you David. 😎👍🇺🇸

I get the feeling that brotherhood experienced within warrior culture is totally unknown to the rest of us.

Interesting star formation above the eagles Head. If one connects the star with lines it makes a symbol. I wonder if the star formation was original ton the eagle crest?

61 and never knew what it meant. Thank You...

Thank you, Mr. Hoffman. It got me thinking of a military hero, Smedley Butler, there is a story.

there’s a thing we say here in the Smokies, and maybe you heard it from old people when you were a kid: i’m proud for ye. it looked to me that each of these men and women were proud for one another. and Mr Hoffman, i’m proud for ye too.

You already thought me something I didn't know. I recall the school system teaching about the flag, but not the emblem.

Thanks that was really good. God Bless America

Awesome dave

I was stationed at Bitburg Air Base when you filmed this. At 17:15 is my flight chief MSgt. Pettit.

Excellent! I remember. Also our Great Seal is similar to Ancient Rome's hmmm and just as many other important symbols, emblems, statues, National buildings, and many other applications, that stand as representative of us "i.e." our Great Nation "The United States of America." Although sometimes tarnished and bruised, our people tend to always pull together to polish and mend our wounds and fight for a better day. At our heart America is still Great! Let no one kid you! Thanks for this, David.

David, the moment I saw the "BT" on the vertical stabilizers I knew I had to reply to you. My dad "Rocky Jones" was a U.S. fighter pilot in WWII and in the Korean War (FQ-390 "Mid Night Sinner" F-82G). After 14 yrs in U.S.A.F. he became a "test pilot" for Hughes Aircraft Co. in Culver City, CA, and then in 1967 we moved to VA (I was 7 y.o.) where he became an Asst. Manager in Hughes' Riverdale Plaza office, in Hampton, VA. Before an early retirement he was in charge of the F-15 Radar Development Program with Hughes that went to Bitburg Germany in the 80's, (I have a patch) where he earned his "Eagle Flyer" plaque as a passenger. It read they did give him "the stick" for a few minutes! Tragically he was killed in 1990 in a Formula-1 air race in TX from a mid-air collision by an "illegally participating active" NASA shuttle pilot (I forgave him, but no names). Dad was only 69, and I still miss him! Speaking of NASA, there are 2 ironic things. I was a contract Graphic Designer at NASA LaRC (Langley AFB) and it was my dad's friend (former NASA astronaut) Deke Slayton who actually called my mom on 070790, to tell her the tragic news that "Rocky's gone!" Maybe my dad was in Bitburg when this was filmed...loved it! David, maybe you knew him too...he was the epitome of a great fighter-pilot! Every day, for the 30 years (while I was a Graphic Designer at LaRC), I looked up every time I heard the hydraulics of the landing flap being extended or when I saw the "FF" Langley F-15's screaming overhead...after 1990 I saluted!!!

Mr Hoffman I salute you and your family

I learned about the Great Seal in 8th grade. My children learned it was the seal of the USA, so I taught them what it meant. I'm pretty sure I'll have to teach my grandchildren, too. Awesome video, Mr. Hoffman! Thanks for the reminder!

What a great video Mr Hoffman never fails, my Dad was Air Force in the 50s it made me a airplane nut.🤪👍

Thank you! I never knew what that symbol meant, even though I've seen it many times. Now that I understand what it means, it really does send a powerful message that I wish more Americans understood. My grandfather and granduncle also served in the military (WW2 and Vietnam, respectively), and sadly neither of them are with us today, but they would love this video! Again, thank you, Mr. Hoffman!

Yes, you are a master teacher and archivist. So, the natural question(s) would be around what's happening now in the spring & summer of 2020.

Thank you on the education of the seal..👊😎✌

Not from the us but this is definitely very interesting, thanks for sharing!

The value I see here is that it's a clear example of the dangers of venerating symbols. The eagle might be looking at the olive branch, and you can talk all you want about how that signifies peace, but the country's whole history revolves around wars. Symbols are not a representation of an objective reality, they're just the mask that hides the reality--and quite often the mess--underneath. If you want to be proud of the colors of the flag and wear them in your clothes and ornaments, you should remember that many other countries have the same colors, including Russia. To relate this to your clip, the soldiers might proclaim they are the "arrows at the ready", but that's the convenience of the symbol, so easy to make them proud and unquestioning, yet their role could very well be interpreted as cannon fodder, though of course nobody wants to tell them that. Once again, the mask hides the reality that they live every day: young lives sold as heroes to the masses, yet expendable without hesitation by the suits sitting behind a desk playing their power games.

I wonder what would have been desgned if we had gone along with Benjamin Frankln's idea of the turkey as our natinal symbol?! Very good video.

Reminds me of my first USAF assignment out of avionics school in 66 to Keflavik NAS, Iceland NATO 57th Fighter Interceptor squadron ADC where Russian Bomber intercepts and alerts were almost daily. Two birds on ten minute alert, two on one hour as I recall. 19 year old air men given red X maintenance sign off due to staff shortage my last 6 months there. Lots of long days getting the birds ready to fly in all weather conditions. 🗽🇺🇸

David, do you have any recent film releases about the military? I would be interested to know.

I grew up in Sea Cadets but I had a passion for the Air Force...

God Bless America along with the soldiers, airmen, Marines, sailors and Coast Guard men. The guardians of freedom.

Lovely snappshot of history

I am very proud of the members of the United States military, past & present. Your film shows their exceptional professionalism, dedication and sacrifices. They are there to protect the USA. I think deterrence worked well under President Reagan.

@9:52 “the world is just a flat plate below you”

God bless all our military soldiers. God bless America 🇺🇸 🙏 ❤

I knew about the symbols of the seal from my dear dad... he’s with Jesus now ...but he was so patriotic a true man and a Korean War Veteran . Thank you for this wonderful video! God bless you, the USA and our President Trump❤️🇺🇸✝️🙏🏻

The danger of the Cold War and WWIII was so real when I was growing up during the 1950s and 1960s. I remember the Berlin airlift, the Cuban missile crisis, and the Vietnam War and how on a few occasions Russia and the U.S. came so close to annihilating the human race. I also remember learning in school that over 200,000 Japanese people disintegrated within seconds after the U.S. dropped the atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. I understand everyone’s concern about our ever changing climate, but my bigger fear is still a nuclear war. I am in awe of those top guns who trained relentlessly with so little pay and recognition to keep our country safe. I am a proud American and love my country even though I know it’s not perfect, but is still the best country that exists today. I will always honor our flag and American symbols because I believe in “united we stand, divided we fall” and “E Pluribus Unum.” David, thank you so much for this and the many other films you have produced memorializing our country’s history and culture.

Thanks as always for sharing David. Great film. What year was this made please? I like how you equalised everyone by not displaying their rank and position on the base while interviewing all ranks. Nice.

Maybe everyone currently in government should be obligated to watch this before taking office.

God bless America

This film accomplished exactly what the sated goal was - "to capture as accurately as possible. the feelings of the men and women who work there". Good job. David, did you go up in a F-15 with a camera?

What year was this excellent video made?

In the eighties, I was one of a small number of female aircraft mechanics. I had a contracting job for the US Military. It was nice to see some women in the ground crew.

The end credits answered my question: do you do the editing? Yes indeed, David Hoffman is the editor!

“Out of many, we are one” .* Sure doesn’t look that way.

The F5 aggressor aircraft you see the F15s training with were from the 527th Aggressor Squadron out of RAF Alconbury UK. The squadron provided opposing forces training for units in USAFE (US Air Forces Europe), and trained over the North Sea, Germany, Italy, and Spain. I was stationed at RAF Alconbury, and supported the 527th, as well as other units there in the 1980s. I also saw some footage of F4 Phantom aircraft acting as aggressors - probably one of the remaining tactical fighter squadrons not yet upgraded to F15s (completed 1986)? Ref: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggressor_squadron#US_Squadrons and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Forces_in_Europe_%E2%80%93_Air_Forces_Africa#The_1970s_and_1980s

How is this not a show!?

The great American seal. The first one and the new one is kept in the US State Department. It is still used to stamp Treaties and such.

Semper Fi

Out of many, one.

Hey, David. Why don’t you put together a documentary of your film career?

I wonder how much the responses would be the same if they went about the exact interviews now.

E.pluribus unum= out of many one. The saying has nothing to do with demographics people or culture. In fact up until the 1964 Immigration Act you pretty much had to be white to migrate to United States. Its a reference to the States United as one under the federal government.

I don't see any "not normal" ladies tees. I'd buy one.