I know it's late, but I've been on "couch patrol" for a couple weeks and am just now getting back into the swing of things & catching up on all the latest from you lot. Love this thread. It's so interesting to learn about the different branches and the parts they've played in our recent history. I don't know how we did without our QP's for as long as we did! Anyway, I went on to look up more about that day and found this & thought you might like to remember/read it too:
When President Kennedy came to Fort Bragg October 12, 1961, General Yarborough wore his green beret to greet the commander-in-chief. The president remarked, "Those are nice. How do you like the green beret?" General Yarborough replied: "They're fine, sir. We've wanted them a long time."
A message from President Kennedy to General Yarborough later that day stated, "My congratulations to you personally for your part in the presentation today ... The challenge of this old but new form of operations is a real one and I know that you and the members of your command will carry on for us and the free world in a manner which is both worthy and inspiring. I am sure that the green beret will be a mark of distinction in the trying times ahead."
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/wpyarborough.htm
I'd never realized how important that "hat" is until now and the kind of effort it took on behalf of several parties to get it to be the official beret of the A-teams. And, it's especially cool that Kennedy was the one to like make it official, don't you think?
Thanks so much for starting this thread. Hope I haven't overstepped by piping in with this additional info--just thought some of you might enjoy it. I'm always reminded when I come here just how important a job you've all had/have and how awesomely comforting it is to know that you're on our side (not theirs). <g>
JP