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  • WATCH: Andy Reid and Travis kelce Danced to MICHEAL JACKSON Song in an Amazing way in the Chiefs Locker room with a Break Dance after Chiefs 25- 22 win against 49ers at the Super Bowl..

    WATCH: Andy Reid and Travis kelce Danced to MICHEAL JACKSON Song in an Amazing way in the Chiefs Locker room with a Break Dance after Chiefs 25- 22 win against 49ers at the Super Bowl..

     

    Before Aпdy Reid addressed the playoff boυпd Chiefs aпd coпgratυlated them oп their 25-22 wiп over the 49ers oп Sυпday, he пeeded to get somethiпg off his chest. He пeeded to express how he trυly felt aboυt his team’s accomplishmeпt. So, iп typical fashioп, Reid tυrпed to his daпce moves.

    Earlier this seasoп, we saw Reid daпce to celebrate a wiп. A coυple years back, we saw him rυп throυgh a brick wall (kiпd of, at least). Oп Sυпday, Reid pυlled the Dab oυt of his back pocket.

    As yoυ caп see iп the video above, Reid’s decisioп paid off. He set the locker room oп fire. Theп, Reid addressed his playoff team —

    As Reid so fittiпgly told his team, “Yoυ’re iп the daпce.”

    “I’m happy for both of them, “I’m happy for both of them, They are fit for each other “ANDY RIED” KCC Head Coach, Speaks oп TRAVIS KELCE aпd TAYLOR SWIFT  Relatioпship, Said they are good for marriage… he speaks fυrther

    “I’m happy for both of them, They are fit for each other” Aпdy Reid, KCC Head Coach, Speaks oп Travis Kelce aпd Taylor Swift Relatioпship, Said they are good for marriage.

    Iп a sυrprisiпg revelatioп, Kaпsas City Chiefs’ head coach, Aпdy Reid, has spokeп oυt aboυt the relatioпship betweeп star tight eпd Travis Kelce aпd global pop icoп Taylor Swift.

    Reid, kпowп for his wisdom aпd leadership both oп aпd off the field, expressed his sυpport aпd approval for the coυple, statiпg that they are well-sυited for each other.

    Dυriпg a receпt press coпfereпce, Reid commeпted oп Kelce aпd Swift’s relatioпship, sayiпg, “I’m happy for both of them. They are fit for each other.

    ” He weпt oп to praise the coυple’s compatibility aпd shared valυes, пotiпg that they have a stroпg foυпdatioп that coυld lead to a sυccessfυl marriage iп the fυtυre.

    Reid’s eпdorsemeпt of Kelce aпd Swift’s relatioпship has sparked a wave of excitemeпt amoпg faпs, who have eagerly followed the coυple’s joυrпey siпce they first weпt pυblic with their romaпce.

    Maпy have applaυded Reid for his sυpportive staпce aпd for recogпiziпg the geпυiпe coппectioп betweeп Kelce aпd Swift. As the coυple coпtiпυes to thrive iп both their persoпal aпd professioпal lives, Reid’s words serve as a testameпt to the streпgth of their boпd aпd the poteпtial for a bright fυtυre together.

  • Watch: Travis Kelce opens up about his relationship with Taylor Swift: What we have is special

    Watch: Travis Kelce opens up about his relationship with Taylor Swift: What we have is special

    Interest in the NFL has spiked since Taylor Swift and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end became an item

    Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce embraces Taylor Swift

    Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce embraces Taylor SwiftJOHN G. MABANGLOEFE

    Travis Kelce is well aware of the public’s fascination with his relationship with Taylor Swift, as the pair have become one of the talking points from the recently concluded NFL season.

    Kelce ended up winning a second successive Super Bowl, although his year was perhaps marked more by the interest in his new girlfriend.

    Video thumbnail

    Travis Kelce had one question for Taylor Swift when he saw her after Super Bowl

    “I’m very aware,” Kelce acknowledged when asked about the “impact” his romance with Taylor Swift was having on the NFL, particularly in terms of the increased female viewership of football games.

    “Obviously, this is mostly because Taylor’s in my life now, and we’ve got her to be part of Chiefs Kingdom,” he explained to reporter Laura Okmin.

    “Sure enough, that brought an entire entourage of human beings who just love to support her and love to support everything that she’s about.”

    In the interview, Okmin commented that “love looks good” on the 34-year-old superstar tight end.

    “I appreciate that, thank you,” Kelce replied.

    What else did Travis Kelce say about his relationship?

    Whilst a lot of fans have taken against Swift, mostly for the increased number of camera shots of her in the crowd supporting her partner, Kelce has made clear his focus on the sport hasn’t waned in the slightest.

    “Well, the biggest thing for me is … I never want the people in the building to ever have the idea that I’m not focused on the game,” he added.

    “With that being said, I do, you know, have a guarded approach to it.

    “But at the same time, I know what me and Taylor have is special, so I get the interest.”

  • Travis & Jason Kelce Break Their Silence After The Tragic Events At Chiefs Super Bowl Parade, Reveal Their Plans To Support Victims In A Big Way (VIDEO)

    Travis & Jason Kelce Break Their Silence After The Tragic Events At Chiefs Super Bowl Parade, Reveal Their Plans To Support Victims In A Big Way (VIDEO)

    Jason and Travis KelceBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 28: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with his brother Jason Kelce after a 17-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
    Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce have finally addressed the fatal shooting at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII victory parade last Wednesday.

    Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce are sharing a special message with the fans and listeners ahead of a new episode of their podcast, New Heights.

     

    The video shared on social media explained that the forthcoming episode was recorded before the tragic shooting that took place on Valentine’s Day immediately following a Super Bowl LVIII victory parade in Kansas City, Missouri.
    “We have a pre-recorded episode for you guys, coming up on Wednesday, but after the tragic events of the Super Bowl parade in Kansas City, it didn’t feel right without you guys hearing from us first,” Travis shared in their video message.

    “We just wanted to say our hearts go out to all of the victims, their families, the Chiefs Kingdom, and really all of Kansas City that was really there on a day to try and celebrate the community,” Jason said. “It’s unfortunate and deeply tragic, the events that occurred.”
    Jason had a message for those who helped in the aftermath, sharing, “We also wanted to thank the local law enforcement that sprang into action, the first responders on scene, and anybody that’s been willing to help those affected by this tragedy.”

     

    The Kelces urged listeners to donate to the United Way of Greater Kansas City’s ‘We Are #KCStrong’ fundraiser, which Travis said “goes to supporting victims and their families, violence prevention and mental health services and the first responders.”

    The shooting Wednesday outside the city’s historic Union Station was a tragic end to the happy occasion that brought nearly 1 million people to the city to celebrate the team winning back-to-back Super Bowls.

    One married mother of two was killed and 22 people were injured — about half of whom were under the age of 16. A children’s hospital treating 11 kids who were wounded in the shooting announced Saturday that all patients have since been discharged.

    The juveniles detained on gun-related and resisting arrest charges were being held at a juvenile detention center. Their names have not been released since they are minors.

  • Patrick Mahomes & The Chiefs Left Kyle Shanahan’s Family In Complete Shock After Super Bowl LVIII

    Patrick Mahomes & The Chiefs Left Kyle Shanahan’s Family In Complete Shock After Super Bowl LVIII

    Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are going to go for history next season as they look to become the first team ever in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls. The team has already faced the San Francisco 49ers twice in the big game and has come out victorious both times.

    Kyle Shanahan blew his shot in 2020 winning facing Mahomes, despite having a 10-point lead. He certainly did not want that to happen again.

    patrick mahomes speaking to reporters. Kyle Shanahan on field

    Unfortunately, he would go on to blow his third Super Bowl appearance after leading by double digits.

    The rest of the league is 4-49 in Super Bowls when trailing by at least 10 points at any time in the game, but teams going against Shanahan are 3-0 in that scenario.

    Two of those wins are Patrick Mahomes. He completed 73.9 percent of his throws against the 49ers, passing for 333 yards and two touchdowns against one interception. Mahomes also showcased his mobility both in the pocket and on the run, as his 66 rushing yards were the highest mark on the team.

    He earned his third Super Bowl MVP Award due to his stellar performance.His comeback performance was best summed up in an excerpt from an article written by the San Francisco Chronicle where Mahomes left the 49ers’ head coach and his family speechless after the game.

     

    “Peggy Shanahan sat on a bench outside the small room where her only son was sequestered and stared down at the locker room carpet, wondering what she possibly could say to ease his anguish. Mothers are built for such moments, but she had nothing. Another heartbreaking Super Bowl loss had hit her like a parade float getting broadsided by a tank. – Michael Silver, SF Chronicle”
    The Chiefs are basically the New England Patriots right now. They are the villains who stab you in the heart right when you expect them to go down.

    The last team to win consecutive Super Bowls was the New England Patriots, who won titles in 2004 and 2005 before falling in the divisional round of the playoffs to the Denver Broncos the following year.

    Even if Kansas City isn’t able to win three consecutive titles, Mahomes has already helped establish the team as a modern dynasty.

    For the 49ers, they only pray that their window hasn’t closed and they can get back there next year to hopefully bring home the trophy.

  • From ZERO to HERO: Travis Kelce jυst pυlled off the biggest υpset of the year, wiппiпg Athlete of the Year at the People’s Choice Awards after SHOCKINGLY calliпg his пomiпatioп “fkiпg пoпseпse”** moпths ago!

    From ZERO to HERO: Travis Kelce jυst pυlled off the biggest υpset of the year, wiппiпg Athlete of the Year at the People’s Choice Awards after SHOCKINGLY calliпg his пomiпatioп “fkiпg пoпseпse”** moпths ago!

    From ZERO to HERO: Travis Kelce just pulled off the biggest upset of the year, winning Athlete of the Year at the People's Choice Awards after SHOCKINGLY calling his nomination "fking nonsense"** months ago!

     

    From ZERO to HERO: Kelce FLIPS THE SCRIPT, Wins Award He Called “NONSENSE”!
    From ZERO to HERO: Travis Kelce just pulled off the biggest upset of the year, winning Athlete of the Year at the People's Choice Awards after SHOCKINGLY calling his nomination "fking nonsense"** months ago!
    Travis Kelce just pulled off the biggest upset of the year, winning Athlete of the Year at the People’s Choice Awards after SHOCKINGLY calling his nomination “fking nonsense”** months ago!

    Remember when Kelce ROASTED the awards show? Yeah, us too. He publicly questioned his inclusion amongst legends like LeBron James and Lionel Messi, even throwing shade at Simone Biles’ husband!

    But guess what? Kelce walked away a WINNER despite the drama! Did his controversial comments and high-profile relationship with pop star Taylor Swift (who also won BIG) influence the vote?

    The internet is EXPLODING! Memes are flying, fans are FUMING, and everyone’s asking: WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

    Was this a calculated move by Kelce to drum up publicity? Did the awards show capitalize on the drama for ratings? The plot THICKENS! ️‍

    One thing’s for sure: Kelce’s journey from denouncing the nomination to claiming the award is a VIRAL sensation that’s leaving everyone speechless!

  • Bad Blood? Taylor Swift’s ex Joe Alwyn breaks social media silence sharing his much quieter lifestyle just as she teases album about their relationship amid Travis Kelce romance

    Bad Blood? Taylor Swift’s ex Joe Alwyn breaks social media silence sharing his much quieter lifestyle just as she teases album about their relationship amid Travis Kelce romance

    Taylor Swift’s ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn has broken his social media silence after nearly five months offline amid her highly-publicized relationship Travis Kelce. 

    Following his return to a much quieter lifestyle since parting ways with the pop star, 34, last spring, the Conversations with Friends star, 32, shared a rare glimpse of his personal life with his 1.1 million Instagram followers on Monday.

    While he is notorious for keeping his relationships private, including details of his six-year relationship with Swift, who reportedly penned her upcoming album The Tortured Poets Department about their breakup, the Harriet actor shared an artistic shot of himself taking a selfie into a mirror with a film camera in the woods.

    Other pictures showed him sharing drinks with some pals, including an adorable pup, at The Venetian Resort, and taking in views of an ocean.

    Taylor Swift's ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn has broken his social media silence after nearly five months offline amid her highly-publicized relationship Travis Kelce

    Taylor Swift’s ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn has broken his social media silence after nearly five months offline amid her highly-publicized relationship Travis Kelce

    Alwyn, 32, pictured with Swift, who he dated for six years before calling it quits last year

    Alwyn, 32, pictured with Swift, who he dated for six years before calling it quits last year

    In addition to spending time staring at the sea, Alwyn, who turns 33 on Wednesday, has also been documenting some of his hiking excursions.

    He concluded the photo dump with a glamorous shot of him inside an event and a silly childhood photo, which showed him smiling with both hands above his head.

    Another slide featured a meme of Ricky Gervais as David Brent from the British TV series, The Office, saying: ‘Different drinks for different needs.’

    Alwyn, who disabled his social media comments years ago, raised eyebrows for the timing of his post.

    ‘I’ve seen more Joe Alwyn since the TTPD [The Tortured Poets Department] announcement than in his six years being with Taylor and that says a lot I think,’ one Swiftie pointed out on X (previously known as Twitter.)

    Another took to the platform to express shock he posted, at all.

    Others wondered if it was a signal to his famous ex as he used her go-to black and white and sepia filters.

    ‘Y’all did Joe Alwyn just send a ‘bring it on I’m not afraid’ message to Taylor??? Look at his most recent post,’ one fan speculated. ‘The filter, the meme, the scenery…it’s so yoyok and the lakes coded, like bro. Wtf???’

    Joe Alwyn looks dapper at the 13th Governors Awards in LA

    Following his return to a much quieter lifestyle since parting ways with the pop star, 34, last spring, the Conversations with Friends star, 32, shared a rare glimpse of his personal life with his 1.1 million Instagram followers on Monday

    Following his return to a much quieter lifestyle since parting ways with the pop star, 34, last spring, the Conversations with Friends star, 32, shared a rare glimpse of his personal life with his 1.1 million Instagram followers on Monday

    While he is notorious for keeping his relationships private, including details of his six-year relationship with Swift, who reportedly penned her upcoming album The Tortured Poets Department about their breakup, the Harriet actor shared an artistic shot of himself taking a selfie into a mirror with a film camera in the woods

    While he is notorious for keeping his relationships private, including details of his six-year relationship with Swift, who reportedly penned her upcoming album The Tortured Poets Department about their breakup, the Harriet actor shared an artistic shot of himself taking a selfie into a mirror with a film camera in the woods

    Other pictures showed him sharing drinks with some pals, including an adorable pup, at The Venetian Resort, and taking in views of an ocean

    Other pictures showed him sharing drinks with some pals, including an adorable pup, at The Venetian Resort, and taking in views of an ocean

    A third wrote: ‘Joe Alwyn coming out of his Instagram hiatus to post a carousel of memes and sepia toned photos. Gotta love an unbothered king.’

    A fourth X user declared Alwyn ‘a brave man’ for ‘breaking his Instagram silence NOW of all times.’

    His post comes just days after Swift candidly revealed that she felt ‘lonely’ during their quarantine while reflecting on writing songs for her Folklore album.

    The Grammy winner, 34 – who recently sang the breakup song You’re Losing Me for the first time ever – was preparing to perform Betty from the 2020 album when she opened up about the process of penning tracks for the LP.

    In a now-viral clip shared to X, formerly known as Twitter, the star could be seen standing on stage in front of a microphone while holding a guitar.

    ‘[I was] imagining that, instead of being a lonely millennial woman covered in cat hair drinking my weight in white wine, I was a ghostly Victorian lady wandering through the woods with a candle in a candlestick holder,’ she addressed the crowd.

    She added, ‘And I wrote only on parchment with a feathered quill. And that was in my mind, what I thought I looked like…while writing Folklore.’

    ‘So that’s all that matters, the delusion,’ Swift concluded while beginning to strum a few notes on the guitar strings.

    Folklore dropped in July 2020 – and later won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2021.

    In addition to spending time staring at the sea, Alwyn, who turns 33 on Wednesday, has also been documenting some of his hiking excursions

    In addition to spending time staring at the sea, Alwyn, who turns 33 on Wednesday, has also been documenting some of his hiking excursions

    Another slide featured a meme of Ricky Gervais as David Brent from the British TV series, The Office, saying: 'Different drinks for different needs'

    Another slide featured a meme of Ricky Gervais as David Brent from the British TV series, The Office, saying: ‘Different drinks for different needs’

    He concluded the photo dump with a glamorous shot of him inside an event and a silly childhood photo, which showed him smiling with both hands above his head

    He concluded the photo dump with a glamorous shot of him inside an event and a silly childhood photo, which showed him smiling with both hands above his head

    Alwyn shared a precious snap of himself as a child in a striped t-shirt

    Alwyn shared a precious snap of himself as a child in a striped t-shirt

    October: Taylor Swift ignores ‘weird rumours’ about Joe Alwyn

    Alwyn was also one of the producers on the LP, and notably helped co-write the tracks Betty and Exile. However, the actor was notably credited under the pseudonym of William Bowery.

    She previously opened up about putting the album together during quarantine while talking to Entertainment Weekly back in 2020.

    ‘I wasn’t expecting to make an album. Early on in quarantine, I started watching lots of films. We would watch a different movie every night.’

    ‘I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t seen Pan’s Labyrinth before. One night I’d watch that, then I’d watch L.A. Confidential, then we’d watch Rear Window, then we’d watch Jane Eyre.’

    ‘I feel like consuming other people’s art and storytelling sort of opened this portal in my imagination and made me feel like, ‘Well, why have I never done this before?”

    ”Why have I never created characters and intersecting storylines? And why haven’t I ever sort of freed myself up to do that from a narrative standpoint?” Taylor added to the outlet.

    'Y'all did Joe Alwyn just send a 'bring it on I'm not afraid' message to Taylor??? Look at his most recent post,' one fan speculated. 'The filter, the meme, the scenery...it's so yoyok and the lakes coded, like bro. Wtf???'

    ‘Y’all did Joe Alwyn just send a ‘bring it on I’m not afraid’ message to Taylor??? Look at his most recent post,’ one fan speculated. ‘The filter, the meme, the scenery…it’s so yoyok and the lakes coded, like bro. Wtf???’

    'I've seen more Joe Alwyn since the TTPD [The Tortured Poets Department] announcement than in his six years being with Taylor and that says a lot I think,' one Swiftie pointed out on X (previously known as Twitter)

    ‘I’ve seen more Joe Alwyn since the TTPD [The Tortured Poets Department] announcement than in his six years being with Taylor and that says a lot I think,’ one Swiftie pointed out on X (previously known as Twitter)

    Others wondered if it was a signal to his famous ex as he used her go-to black and white and sepia filters

    Others wondered if it was a signal to his famous ex as he used her go-to black and white and sepia filters

    Another took to the platform to express shock he posted, at all

    Another took to the platform to express shock he posted, at all

    Another X user declared Alwyn 'a brave man' for 'breaking his Instagram silence NOW of all times'

    Another X user declared Alwyn ‘a brave man’ for ‘breaking his Instagram silence NOW of all times’

    And while appearing on The Zane Lowe Show for Apple Music, Swift further talked about how collaborating with Alwyn came about when they quarantined together in London.

    ‘He’s always just playing instruments and he doesn’t do it in a strategic “I’m writing a song right now” thing,’ the Bad Blood hitmaker explained.

    ‘He’s always done that. But do I think we would have taken the step of, “Hey, let’s see if there’s a song in here. Let’s write a song together.” If we hadn’t been in lockdown, I don’t think that would have happened, but I’m so glad that it did.’

    Taylor later added, ‘Joe and I really love sad songs. We’ve always bonded over music…We write the saddest. We just really love sad songs. What can I say?’

    Alwyn, who disabled his social media comments years ago, raised eyebrows for the timing of his post amid speculation that Swift's upcoming album The Tortured Poets Department was inspired by their split

    Alwyn, who disabled his social media comments years ago, raised eyebrows for the timing of his post amid speculation that Swift’s upcoming album The Tortured Poets Department was inspired by their split

    His post comes just days after Swift candidly revealed that she felt 'lonely' during their quarantine while reflecting on writing songs for her Folklore album; seen on Friday in Melbourne

    His post comes just days after Swift candidly revealed that she felt ‘lonely’ during their quarantine while reflecting on writing songs for her Folklore album; seen on Friday in Melbourne

    Last year in April, it was confirmed that Swift and Alwyn had officially gone their separate ways after dating for six years. The songstress has since moved on with Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce.

    While attending the Grammy Awards earlier this month, she notably won the awards for both Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year for Midnights.

    While accepting her first award of the night for Pop Vocal Album, the star notably announced that she would be dropping her next album titled: The Tortured Poets Department.

    After the surprise revelation, fans were quickly convinced that the title of the album was in reference to Alwyn.

    Following the album announcement, a source told DailyMail.com that Alwyn feels it would be 'shady' if Taylor dissed him in The Tortured Poets Department (seen in 2019)

    Following the album announcement, a source told DailyMail.com that Alwyn feels it would be ‘shady’ if Taylor dissed him in The Tortured Poets Department (seen in 2019)

    Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn arrive hand in hand to SNL party in 2019

    Back in 2022, the actor explained that he was part of a WhatsApp group chat with close pals Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott called The Tortured Man Club.

    Following the album announcement, a source told DailyMail.com that Alwyn feels it would be ‘shady’ if Taylor dissed him in The Tortured Poets Department.

    ‘Joe has not said one word about Taylor or their breakup and has been completely respectful of her,’ an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. ‘It’s undeniable that the name of her upcoming album is in reference to Joe’s WhatsApp group chat.’

    The source continued: ‘Taylor knocked him for the name of this when they were together. She didn’t want people to think that it had anything to do with her, so when he spoke out about it, she was, of course, bothered.’

    The insider continued: ‘Joe has no reason to believe yet that she is going to diss him or their relationship.

    ‘She writes about her past using code and points of reference. It may just be that she is reflecting on their time together and he is hoping it is nothing more.

    ‘If it is a diss album, that is shady. He helped her with song writing on her past album so it will really come as a shock to him if she talks about their breakup, as it is something he has not spoken of at all.’

    The source finished: ‘Regardless of what she does, he will still not respond because he has removed himself from her narrative and is very glad, he did.’

  • See how Smarties candy company carries on its sweet legacy

    See how Smarties candy company carries on its sweet legacy

    See how Smarties candy company carries on its sweet legacy — and takes Halloween off after 9-month prep!

    This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

    UNION, N.J. — Even on the outside, the smell of sugar is in the air. Inside, the third generation of a candy family continues to meet high demand for the nostalgic plastic rolls of Smarties candy.

    The Secrets to Smarties' 70 Years of Success - The Hustle

    “It’s in our blood to be here in New Jersey making candy here,” said the younger Dee.

    But today, all was quiet in the factory. The roughly 100 people employed at their Union facility were all sent home early, with 15 pounds of candy each. The company is celebrating that their ninth-month preparation for Halloween is over. Their factory produces roughly 1 billion rolls of Smarties every year, plus the company has a second factory in Canada.

     Today, sisters Liz and Jessica, along with their cousin Sarah Dee carry on the candy legacy their grandfather built.

    Brownells, Inc. on X: "Smarties was founded in 1949 by Edward Dee, who was  from a candy-making family in London that settled in NJ. He rented a garage  with a repurposed pellet-making

    “It still amazes me when I meet people, that not only do they enjoy smarties but their parents did and their grandparents did as well,” said Liz Dee, whose grandfather immigrated to the United States in 1949, armed with two candy-making machines.

    “These machines were repurposed gunpowder pellet presses from World War II. And he used that technology, obviously altered it quite a bit, to make what we know of as Smarties today.”

    Edward Dee, a third-generation candy-maker himself, still comes to work almost every day at age 91. Dee initially delivered the little multi-colored rolls to local stores himself. Known then as Ce De Candy, the company’s name was eventually swapped for their most popular product name. Over the years the company’s address has changed several times, from Bloomfield, New Jersey to Elizabeth and finally Union, but the family is committed to keeping the business in the Garden State.

  • Six coins in a World War I soldier’s pocket got him discovered and shot. They also saved his life

    Six coins in a World War I soldier’s pocket got him discovered and shot. They also saved his life

    WWI coins save soldier trnd 01

    Optatius Buyssens was a Belgian soldier who fought the Germans during World War I.

    His great grandson, Vincent Buyssens, just found out that he had six coins to thank for saving – and endangering – his great-grandfather’s life during the war.

    Vincent Buyssens, who lives in Antwerp, said the coins stopped a bullet and saved his great-grandfather’s life. He posted a picture of the three Belgian francs and three French francs on Reddit.

    “Ironically, the coins were the reason why he got shot,” Buyssens said. “It was the noise of them clinging together in his breast pocket which gave his position away.”

    Optatius Buyssens was initially barred from the army because of a hip injury but eventually joined as a volunteer. He was shot during a scouting mission in September 1914 near Lebbeke, Belgium.

    The German soldier who shot him kicked his head and Optatius Buyssens pretended to be dead. Once the soldier walked away, Buyssens and another comrade crawled to safety.

    Optatius Buyssens, a WWI soldier.

    Optatius Buyssens, a WWI soldier.
    Courtesy of Vincent Buyssens

    “He was very lucky since the bullet that should have killed him ricocheted off of the coins, thus saving his life,” Vincent Buyssens told CNN.

    He said it wasn’t until recently that he discovered the whole story about the coins in a journal kept by his great-grandfather’s brother, who was an avid archivist. Buyssens said he received photos of the journal from a local museum.

    Optatius Buyssens survived the war and died of heart disease in the 1950s, according to his great grandson.

    “The letters were the missing piece that we didn’t know existed until today,” he said. “And they were kept in a museum just behind the corner.”

  • Chuck Mawhinney: The Legendary USMC Sniper Who Hit 16 Enemy in 30 Seconds on a Pitch-Black Night

    Chuck Mawhinney: The Legendary USMC Sniper Who Hit 16 Enemy in 30 Seconds on a Pitch-Black Night

    Photo Credit: MidJourney

    In the realm of extraordinary military feats, several service members gain recognition, receiving public praise and awards – some even become the subjects of books and/or movies. Chuck Mawhinney, however, chose the path less traveled. A US Marine Corps sniper who served in Vietnam, he forged an exceptional career for himself and deliberately kept it a secret from his family, friends and his wife.

    Mawhinney’s story was revealed by someone else, prompting him to not only validate the account, but inadvertently reshape the public’s perception of snipers.

    Chuck Mawhinney was a skilled shooter

    US Marines disembarking from landing craft on a beach

    US Marines in South Vietnam, 1965. (Photo Credit: Bettmann / Getty Images)
    Charles “Chuck” Mawhinney, born in 1949 in Lakeview, Oregon, spent his youth hunting with his Marine father, inheriting skills that would shape his future. Opting to become a sniper, he graduated from high school in 1967 and joined the US Marine Corps. In an unusual move, he negotiated a unique agreement: delaying his training until after deer hunting season.

    Graduating from the Scout Sniper School at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in April 1968, he soon found himself deployed to Vietnam.

    Sniper with the US Marine Corps

    US Marine aiming a sniper rifle while crouched in tall grass

    US Marine sniper in Vietnam, 1968. (Photo Credit: USMC Archives / Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0)
    Embarking on his sniper journey with the US Marine Corps, Chuck Mawhinney began his tour as a rifleman with Lima Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, transferring to various battalions before landing with Delta Company.

    His pinnacle moment as a sniper unfolded near Da Nang on Valentine’s Day 1969. In response to intelligence about a large North Vietnamese Army force, he volunteered to cover the river crossing with his spotter, unleashing an impressive 16 bullets in just 30 seconds, each a lethal headshot.

    “Every one of them was headshots, dead center,” Mawhinney recounted.

    Chuck Mawhinney holds an impressive record

    M40 rifle on display

    Chuck Mawhinney’s M40 on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia. (Photo Credit: Mark Pellegrin / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)
    While Chuck Mawhinney may not hold the record for the most kills in Vietnam (that distinction belongs to US Army Staff Sgt. Adelbert Waldron), his 103 confirmed kills and 216 probable ones establish him as the deadliest US Marine sniper in history.

    More remarkable than the sheer numbers is his extraordinary accuracy – over 16 months, he missed just once, a haunting memory he later shared, saying, “I can’t help thinking about how many people that he may have killed later, how many of my friends, how many Marines… That still bothers me.”

    Keeping a secret

    North Vietnamese Army soldiers aiming their weapons at the sky

    North Vietnamese soldiers in Quang Binh Province, 1965. (Photo Credit: Sovfoto / Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
    Post-Vietnam War, Chuck Mawhinney briefly served as a marksmanship instructor at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, but struggled with nightmares. In particular, he was haunted by foxhole entrapments under heavy fire.

    Leaving the US Marine Corps in 1970 wound up having a positive impact on his mental health. Returning to Lakeview, he joined the US Forestry Service and married, all while guarding the secret of his service in Vietnam. This silence was broken by a fellow Marine who thrust Mawhinney into the spotlight, making his combat actions public.

    Revealing Chuck Mawhinney’s secret

    Chuck Mawhinney standing in the desert with a rifle

    Chuck Mawhinney. (Photo Credit: PFC Garrett White / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)
    In 1991, Joseph T. Ward’s book, Dear Mom: A Sniper’s Vietnam, featuring his and Chuck Mawhinney’s accounts, catapulted the US Marine Corps veteran into fame with credited with 101 kills, surpassing Carlos Hathcock‘s record by eight.

    Initially resistant to his newfound notoriety, Mawhinney gradually embraced interviews and public appearances. Insights from these and the book, Sniper: The Untold Story of the Marine Corps’ Greatest Marksman of All Time, shed light on his journey.

    Life in the public eye

    US Marines walking through a rice paddy

    US Marines advancing toward enemy positions during Operation Lien Kit-4, near Chu Lai, Vietnam, 1967. (Photo Credit: Hulton Archive / Getty Images)
    Speaking at conventions and sniper training classes, Chuck Mawhinney imparted his veteran advice, saying, “I give them Chuck Mawhinney’s three rules of becoming a good sniper: Practice, practice and more practice.”

    Beyond shaping future snipers, Mawhinney seized the opportunity to challenge stereotypes, asserting that a proficient sniper, far from a bloodthirsty assassin, saves lives by undermining the enemy’s will or ability to fight.

  • Ghosts of World War II and Cold War in the fields of the Russian-Ukrainian war

    Ghosts of World War II and Cold War in the fields of the Russian-Ukrainian war

    Ghosts of World War II and Cold War in the fields of the Russian-Ukrainian war

    The Cold War ended more than 30 years ago, but the “ghosts” of its hot phase, which should have been exhibited in museums for decades, are actively used in the fields of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

    Moreover, the combat vehicles that fought in World War II can be spotted on the battlefield.

    Our war is unusual: modern high-tech combat vehicles, such as the Leopard 2A7, are in the same formation along with “relics” from long ago, such as the M-55S and Leopard 1.

    On the other hand, the situation is mirrored: alongside the T-90M and BMP-3 are the T-55/54 and T-62.

    Of course, some of these vehicles are modernized. They are equipped with modern navigation and communication systems and optical daytime and night channels, which prolong the life of old combat vehicles.

    Modernization of electronics does not compensate for protection that does not meet modern requirements, but opens up new uses, for example, for shooting from indirect positions.

    World War II Echo

    The Russian-Ukrainian war did not start on February 24, 2022, but earlier – in 2014, with the annexation of Crimea and the start of the anti-terrorist operation in Donbas, so it would be appropriate to consider the use of such combat vehicles at that time.

    One of the combat vehicles in the hands of pro-Russian terrorists was the IS-3 tank that was positioned in the village of Oleksandro-Kalynove. Starting in May 2014, militants of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” inspected the combat vehicle, and later managed to start it up and send it to Kostyantynivka for repairs.

    The D-25T 122mm gun was disabled during the tank’s demilitarization, and therefore, its use was not possible. The militants installed an NSV 12.7mm machine gun on the tank.

    The militants claimed that on June 30, IS-3 fired a machine gun at a Ukrainian checkpoint in the village of Ulyanivka, allegedly killing three Ukrainian soldiers and wounding three others, but there is no evidence of this.

    After the liberation of Kostyantynivka, the militants left the tank behind. Ukrainian forces sent it to Kyiv, from where it was transported to the Mykolaiv region to the Museum of Strategic Rocket Forces.

    In February 2014, militants of the Kazachya National Guard group, subordinate to the so-called “LPR,” removed the T-34-85 tank from the pedestal near the Antratsyt town hall. The fighting vehicle was installed in memory of the city’s liberation from German troops.

    The KNG terrorists installed anti-accumulative grilles on the sides of the tank, which additionally covered the rollers, welded additional protection to the fuel tanks, and installed tracks on the frontal projection of the tracks.

    Propaganda resources of the so-called “LPR” presented the T-34-85 tank driving the streets of Antratsyt and stated that the fighting vehicle was ready to engage. However, this was the end of it, there was no information about the use of this tank in combat operations, and it was later returned to its place.

    The Ukrainian defenders also used the legendary Kharkiv T-34-85 tank during the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war. During the battles for Lysychansk, the T-34-85 was removed from the pedestal No. 227. The tank was presumably used by Ukrainian forces to obstruct the road but not as real firepower.

    Another interesting moment in the Russian-Ukrainian war was Pz. Kpfw. IV tank near Kreminna. The tank is equipped with tracks from the BMP-1/BMP-2, so, most likely, it was operational. Judging by the photos, it hit a mine or was hit by a drone.

    It is not known which unit used the tank and what it was used for, but it can be assumed that it was a decoy for Russian drones and artillery or an armored transporter.

    Return of T-62

    The Russian use of T-62 tanks in the Russian-Ukrainian war was first reported in May 2022. It is worth noting that these tanks participated in the war in Georgia and went into storage about a decade ago.

    Earlier, in October 2021, there was evidence of the use of T-62MVs by units of the Southern Military District. It is also reported that in August 2018, during the Vostok-2018 exercises, the Russian military took at least several dozen T-62M and T-62MVs out of storage.

    During the Russian-Ukrainian war, tanks started to be equipped with “grills” on the turret and engine compartment to protect them from munitions and FPV drones. There were “tsar grills” that covered the tank in all projections.

    However, such upgrades give an additional load on the weak V-55 engine, the problems with which were not solved during the USSR time.

    In October 2022, it was reported that the 103rd Armored Plant near Chita received an order to repair and improve about 800 T-62 tanks within three years.

    The Russians plan to equip the T-62 with modern thermal imagers and night sights and strengthen their protection by installing add-on armor, protection against missile systems, and stern protection against grenade launchers.

    According to the OSINT service Oryx, the Russians lost 37 T-62s of various modifications as destroyed, and 45 were captured by Ukrainian troops.

    Some of the captured T-62s are converted into armored recovery vehicles and fire support vehicles.

    The T-62 was adopted by the Soviet army in 1961, and in the 1980s, it was recognized as completely obsolete and began to be put into storage. A number of tanks remained in service with the Russian Federation until the 2000s and were gradually decommissioned, but then, around 2018, they began to be returned to service.

    Return of T-55

    After the introduction of the T-62 on the battlefield of the Russian-Ukrainian war, users online were joking about restoring the T-55/54. Within a short time, the jokes became a reality, but with a “twist.”

    In September 2022, Slovenia announced that it would transfer M-55S tanks, which are an upgraded version of the Soviet T-55, to Ukraine.

    STO RAVNE and Israeli Elbit carried out the Slovenian modernization. The tank was equipped with an improved fire control system with a digital ballistic computer and gun stabilization on both axes. The M-55S also received a L7 105mm gun similar to the Leopard 1.

    The gunner received a new Fotona SGS-55 sight with a laser rangefinder, and the commander received a Fotona COMTOS-55 with an independent stabilization line of sight. In addition, the tank received the LIRD-1A laser warning system and the associated IS-6 smoke grenade launcher, which can operate in automatic mode.

    In addition, the engine was modernized, and its power was increased from 520 horsepower to 600. M-55S was also equipped with new rubber-metal tracks.

    The first evidence of the M-55S in Ukraine appeared in December 2022, and a little later, it was reported that they were in service with the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade.

    In fact, Ukrainian defenders started to use T-54 much earlier, during the defense of Mariupol. It is known that the tank was removed from the pedestal on the territory of Azovstal and, most likely, was towed and used to strengthen defensive positions.

    Later, in March 2023, it was announced that the Russians were transferring an echelon of T-55/54 tanks from the city of Arsenyev, in which the 1295th Central Reserve and Tank Storage Base was located.

    In April, the Russians released a video from the war zone that captured a tank similar to a T-54 or T-55.

    Destruction and damage to the T-55 is quite a rare event. Damage to one T-55 was recorded on August 5, 2023, and the destruction of an unspecified type of combat vehicle, which might have been T-54 or T-55, was recorded on June 18.

    The destruction of the T-55 was confirmed recently, as reported on January 4, 2024.

    The Russians were most likely using T-55/54 and T-62 tanks to fire from the indirect position. However, it is worth noting that combat vehicles of two types were destroyed during offensive operations.

    Leopard 1

    The first information on the supply of Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine was reported in April 2022, when it was announced that Rheinmetall was preparing 50 tanks in the A5 version.

    The company’s CEO, Armin Papperger, announced the intention to transfer those tanks to Ukraine. At the time, about 100 combat vehicles were in the company’s depots.

    It was later reported that the German government received a request from Rheinmetall to supply 88 combat vehicles to Ukraine with a total value of more than 2 billion euros. The itemized list of equipment was not released, but it can be assumed that it included Leopard 1.

    In early February 2023, it was reported that the German government intended to approve the transfer of Leopard 1 tanks from industrial stocks to Ukraine. Germany was then joined by Denmark and the Netherlands, who also stored a large number of tanks after decommissioning.

    In April, it was reported that the Ukrainian military started receiving these combat vehicles, while representatives of the German government claimed that Ukraine would begin to receive tanks in the second half of 2023.

    Finally, the first Leopard 1A5s were transferred to the arsenal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces later in the fall. In total, Ukraine is to receive about 180 vehicles.