TEXAS LONE STAR CHAPTER
UNIFORMS
To promote our Chapter, and the Korean War Veterans Association, we have developed two different uniforms, designated as "Class A" and "Class B". The Class A Uniform is for formal occasions; the Class B is for use at our monthly meetings and other occasions where informal wear is appropriate.
We encourage all members to obtain the Class B Uniform items, and to wear them to all meetings and other informal events.
CLASS "A" (DRESS) UNIFORM
Early on in the development of our Chapter it became apparent that we needed to have a dress uniform, to be worn primarily by our Color Guard, for participation in Parades, Ceremonies and Community events of all types. It was also expected that many of our members would like to wear the uniform as well, although it has never been mandatory except for the Color Guard members.
It is important to remember that this a Chapter uniform. It is not the official uniform of any of the branches of service, therefore the rules governing those uniforms do not apply. This is important because different branches of service wear such things as patches and service ribbons in different places. The guiding principle for our Chapter is to present a standardized appearance. We do not want to have members wearing the various uniform items in different ways. Therefore, all members will wear the U.S. Flag patch on the left shoulder, their branch of service patch on the right shoulder, and all service ribbons will be worn in one place, directly above the left shirt pocket.
The various elements of the uniform have evolved over time and probably will continue to do so. As long as we all wear the same uniform it really is not an issue. Some items have a symbolic meaning. The Gold Shoulder Cord, for example, was added to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War. The colors of the Shoulder Epaulets also have a special meaning. The black commemorates our Prisoners Of War. The gold honors our gold star mothers, whose sons were killed in action in Korea, and the red represents the blood spilled by those who were wounded. The original uniform included black boots with shoes as an option. Today, the majority of the Color Guard and Board members have voted to go with the shoes instead.
Some personalization is not only permissible but encouraged. It is OK to wear lapel pins signifying branch of service, and some members have drilled a hole in their nickel belt buckle and added a service emblem (available at army/navy stores).
CLASS "B" (INFORMAL) UNIFORM
The Class B Uniform consists of a Chapter golf shirt, members' own trousers, and a Korean War Veterans Ball Cap. The Chapter shirts come in both white and navy blue. The white shirt should be worn with dark trousers; the navy blue shirt should be worn with tan or khaki trousers. Both the shirts and the ball caps are available through our Chapter Quartermaster. The shirts are $20.00, the caps are $11.00. Here are illustrations of both:
The Class "A" Uniform components come from several different sources besides our Quartermaster. The following is a listing of the various Class A uniform components, with photos of same, plus information on sources and estimated costs:
CLASS "A" CHAPTER UNIFORM COMPONENTS
ITEM SOURCE
Tan Uniform Shirt, Short Sleeves Quartermaster Company
Navy Blue Uniform Trousers Uniform Company
White Cotton Dress Gloves Uniform Company
Navy Blue Overseas Hat Keystone Uniform Cap Co.
Ascot, United Nations Blue Chapter Quartermaster
White Web Pistol Belt, Adjustable Glendale Parade Store
Nickel Belt Buckle Glendale Parade Store
Gold Shoulder Cord Glendale Parade Store
Black Patent Leather Dress Shoes Tuxedo Outlet Store
Shoulder Epaulets, T.L.S.C. Design Chapter Quartermaster
Chapter Patch, 3" Chapter Quartermaster
U. S. Flag Patch, 3" Military Surplus Store
Branch of Service Patch, 3" Military Surplus Store/
Military Association
Service Ribbons Military Surplus Store/
Mail Order
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Khaki Uniform Shirt - Short Sleeves |
Khaki Shirt - Back View |
Navy Blue Uniform Trousers
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Epaulets, T.L.S.C. Design |
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Ascot, United Nations Blue |
Dress Belt, White, Adjustable |
Silver Belt Buckle |
Gold Should Cord
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Shoes, Patent Leather, Black |
U.S. Flag Patch, 3" (Left Shoulder) |
Branch of Service Patch (Right Shoulder) |
Chapter Patch, 3" Size
(Below Left Shirt Pocket) |
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Dress Overseas Cap
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Dress Overseas Cap (Other side)
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SOURCE AND PRICE INFORMATION
QUARTERMASTER COMPANY
P. O. Box 4147
Cerritos, California 90703-4147
(800) 444-8643
www.quniforms.comUniform Shirt # S 33-107 Tan, Short Sleeve, 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton Poplin. S,M,L,XL - $13.95; 2XL,3XL- $17.95; 4XL-6XL - $20.95.
Shipping & Handling extra.
GLENDALE PARADE STORE
192 Paris Avenue
Northvale, New Jersey 07647-2016
(800) 653-5515
www.paradestore.comShoulder Cords, one color, Gold #482 (GO) - $9.95
White Canvas Web Pistol Belt, 2", nickel hardware, # 172, adjustable to 44" - $9.50; # 172X, adjustable to 52" - $10.95
Large Waist Buckles for web belt, nickel, 2-½" X 3-½" # 179 - $10.25
Shipping & Handling extra.
KEYSTONE UNIFORM CAP COMPANY
801 North Front Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19123
(215) 922-5493
www.keystoneuniformcap.comNavy Blue Overseas Cap, # Y-3, with white striping and "KWVA" in ½" letters on the right side. - $17.95. Additional lettering: 45 cents per letter.
Suggested left side lettering: T L S C HOUSTON . Cap with KWVA and TLSC HOUSTON lettering - $22.90
Shipping & Handling extra.
TUXEDO OUTLET STORES
Black Dress Shoes, Patent Leather - $30.00-35.00
These shoes can cost $60.00-70.00 in a regular store. Outlet stores typically sell them for half that. Al's Formal Wear has 2 outlet stores in Houston. See TUXEDOS SALES AND RENTALS in the yellow pages.
UNIFORM STORES
Navy Blue Uniform Trousers - $30-35.00
White Cotton Dress Gloves - $5.00
See UNIFORMS in the yellow pages
MILITARY SURPLUS STORES
U. S. Flag Patch, 3" - $5.00
Branch of Service Patch - $5.00*
Service Ribbons - $20.00-25.00, mounted on frame**
Check under ARMY & NAVY GOODS in the yellow pages
*Military organizations often have Branch of Service Patches for sale, too
THE MILITARY SHOP **(An alternate source for service ribbons)
9635 West Peoria Avenue
Peoria, Arizona 85345
(800) 544-9275
(no web site; see ad in the Graybeards)
CHAPTER QUARTERMASTER
Ascot, United Nations Blue - $7.00
Shoulder Epaulets, T.L.S.C. Design - $5.00/pair
Chapter Patch, 3" - $5.00
Hat Pins, Various - $3.00 each
CLASS "A" UNIFORM TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $180.00
Tan Uniform Shirt, Short Sleeves $14.00
Navy Blue Uniform Trousers 30.00
White Cotton Dress Gloves 5.00
Navy Blue Overseas Hat 23.00
Ascot, United Nations Blue 7.00
White Web Pistol Belt, Adjustable 11.00
Nickel Belt Buckle 10.00
Gold Shoulder Cord 10.00
Black Patent Leather Dress Shoes 30.00
Shoulder Epaulets, T.L.S.C. Design 5.00
Chapter Patch, 3" 5.00
U. S. Flag Patch, 3" 5.00
Branch of Service Patch, 3" 5.00
Service Ribbons 20.00
UNIFORM TIPS
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ASCOT
The Ascot comes with a strip alongthe top that has the Velcro to holdit in place. To conceal this strip when wearing the ascot, take the bottom edgeof the ascot and fold it up and over the strip. |
EPAULETS
Do not open the Velcro strip to put the epaulets on. Instead, unbutton the shoulder straps on the uniform shirtand slide the epaulets on as is.
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SHOULDER CORD
Unbutton the left shoulder strap on theuniform shirt and place the cord underthe strap. Button the strap, then put thelarger cord under the sleeve. The smaller cord stays on top of the sleeve. |
BELT BUCKLE
If you are going to wear a regular belt under the web belt, move the belt buckle to one side. This will keep the nickel buckleon the white web belt from bulging out. |
