One Loon's Tales

A SOLDIER'S SILENT NIGHT

2011-12-21T10:59:00.000-08:00

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney, with presents to give and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand. On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,a sobering thought soon came to my mind. For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more, so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene, not how I pictured a U.S. Marine. Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan. I soon understood, this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play, and grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas Day. They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year, because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home. Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye. I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice, "Santa, don't cry. This life is my choice. I fight for freedom. I don't ask for more. My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep. I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still. I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill. So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, and covered this Marine from his toes to his head. Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold, with an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblazoned so bold. And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure, said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure." One look at my watch and I knew he was right..."Merry Christmas my friend. Semper Fi and goodnight."

written by James M. Schmidt (Cpl, U. S. Marine Corps-ret'd)

A video of the poem may be viewed at - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTxFaTEePV4# - Please be sure to read how Cpl. Schmidt came to write this beautiful poem and of the World War Two U. S. Marine Corps Veteran who lends voice to these moving words.

May God bless, strengthen, and comfort all our Troops and Veterans this Christmas......and always.

Don't Forget to Give Thanks for the Troops Standing Watch

2011-11-25T07:45:00.000-08:00

May God bless them, one and all.
(h/t to Castle Argghhh)

NEVER FORGET

2011-01-01T23:00:00.000-08:00

PLEASE NEVER FORGET.........THERE ARE ONLY 2 LIFE FORCES WHO HAVE OFFERED TO DIE FOR YOU.........JESUS CHRIST AND THE AMERICAN MILITARY.

Please scroll below for newer posts.

NOVEMBER 11th --- NEVER FORGET

2010-11-10T20:00:00.000-08:00

In Flanders' fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place, and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders' fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe.

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders' fields.

--- Lt. Col. Dr. John McCrae,

Queen's Own Rifles, Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Never forget that we must never break faith with those who die.

NOVEMBER 10TH, 1775 --- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, USMC!

2010-11-09T20:55:00.000-08:00

On this 235th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, we remember that the men and women who wear the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor are men and women of God, country, honour, duty, and commitment. In short, Marines exemplify, and live, a code of conduct to which all Americans should aspire.

May God continue to bless all Marines and Veterans of the United States Marine Corps.

"No better friend. No worse enemy."

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!

2010-07-04T08:49:00.000-07:00

Today, we celebrate the 234th anniversary of the United States of America from Great Britain. There is no better way to celebrate than listening to a reading of the document that helped to forge the creation of the greatest country on Earth, read by then Senator John F. Kennedy:

May God bless the United States of America, her Troops, and her Veterans!

CANADA DAY, 2010 --- THE MAPLE LEAF FOREVER

2010-06-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

Queen Victoria granted Royal assent to the British North America Act on March 29, 1867. This act created the Dominion of Canada, which meant that Canada was no longer merely a colony of the British Empire, and defined the structure for the Government of Canada...including its Federal structure, the House of Commons, the Senate, the Justice system, and the taxation system. The original Provinces at the time of Confederation were New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario; which united the former areas known as Upper and Lower Canada. Today, there are 10 Provinces and the three Territories of Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut.

The British North America Act came into effect on July 1st, 1867. Although the form of the new Government of Canada was greatly influenced by that of the United States of America, the Fathers of Confederation decided to retain a monarchial form of the Parliamentary system with the reigning Sovereign of the United Kingdom as its' Head of State.

After 142 years, one major rebellion in 1884, a Constitutional Crisis in 1926, the establishment of martial law (under the only peactime usage of the War Measures' Act) during the FLQ crisis in 1970, an ongoing Constitutional Crisis since 1982 due to the Province of Quebec refusing to sign the current Constitution of Canada known as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and our Military fighting first as part of the British Empire until the establishment of the Canadian Armed Forces.........after all this, and much much more, we celebrate July 1st as Canada Day and take pride in our traditions of being a part of the British Commonwealth of Nations and of our continued close ties with our closest friend and Military, political, and economical ally, the United States of America.

God save the Queen and may God bless Canada!

IF IT'S JUNE......IT MUST BE TIME FOR A "MEME"

2010-06-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

What better way to return to this blog than with a "Meme"......and it's all thanks to that world-travellin', US Navy Veteran bloggin', Japan and the Far East lovin', gentleman Skippy-San (home link: http://fareastcynic.com/ ).

1. How many countries have you traveled to? ( Travel to means at least an overnight stay. Does not have to be exact.) Six. United States, Jamaica (the memory of which still produces nightmares), England, France, Iceland, and Bermuda.

2. What is the best place you ever visited? This is difficult to answer because there are many "best places" that one stores in one's memory in a lifetime but would have to say..........the first time seeing the ocean. The Atlantic Ocean, to be exact. Was four yrs old and can still remember the feel and taste of the salt air, the power of the waves compared to the waves of a lake, the birds, a little hermit crab making its way back to the water....it was magical.

3. What was the worst place you have ever been-and would you go back? Jamaica. NO!

4. If you could change one thing, and only one thing, in the world to make it a better place, what would it be? Politicians would have to serve their constituents and not themselves...world-wide.

5. Who would you rather sleep with? Men: Tonya Harding or Nancy Kerrigan? (When they were in their figure skating battle). Women: Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert? Explain. Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert? How about Jerry Lewis? Geesh! Stephen Colbert because even though he didn't hesitate to allow Gen Odierno to cut off all of his hair. Found that quite thrilling, to be honest.

6. What is the worst thing to happen to the country you hold a passport for in the last 50 years? Without question, the 1970 FLQ crisis was the worst thing to happen to Canada in the last 50 years. Thankfully, the then-PM Pierre Trudeau didn't hesitate to implement the War Measures Act to halt the spread of the terrorists' agenda; even though he was an avowed socialist.

7. Do you view someone that you know, or know of as a “hero”? If so, what makes this individual so special? Our Military, both active-duty Troops and Veterans, have always been my heroes. What makes them all so special is that no matter their reason for joining the Military, they put duty/honour/God/country above their own interests.

8. If you could be born again would choose to be a different sex to what you are? No, thank you.

9. What is your favorite alcoholic drink? If you say, ”I don’t drink”-STOP NOW. Just hang your head in shame. Hands down, Irish Mist with one ice cube......but a Guinness would do......or a rum collins with a twist of lime and lots of ice, on a hot day.

10. What is your favorite magazine? National Geographic but was very sad to see the end of Life magazine.

As for tagging six persons, there aren't six persons who would enjoy this nearly as much as I so I'll leave that to anyone who mosey's on over here.

A Soldier Died Today

2010-05-05T23:02:00.000-07:00

A Soldier Died Today

He was getting old and paunchy

And his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion,

Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in

And the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies;

They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbours

His tales became a joke,

All his buddies listened quietly

For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,

For ol' Bob has passed away,

And the world's a little poorer

For a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many,

Just his children and his wife.

For he lived an ordinary,

Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,

Their bodies lie in state,

While thousands note their passing,

And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young
But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.

It's so easy to forget them,
For it is so many times
That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys,
Went to battle, but we know,

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier--
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honour
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

Never forget.......a Veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank cheque made payable to the United States of America, Canada, Great Britain, and all our Allies for an amount "Up to and including my life".

That is what is called Honour and, sadly, there are too many people who don't understand.

CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN, TODAY!

2010-04-03T20:05:00.001-07:00

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead......1 Peter 1:3

A very Happy Easter to you all..............and to all our Troops and Veterans. May the Lord always shine his everlasting light upon you, no matter where you are.

He is risen!

2010-04-03T20:03:00.000-07:00

Five Letters That Best Describe Our Military

2010-03-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

From The Sniper --- "I know I usually do a demotivator on Fridays, but I made this one and I thought it was important enough to stand alone as the sole Friday post."

Thanks and gratitude go to The Sniper - http://www.thesniper.us/ - and to all our Troops and Veterans. May God bless you all.

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2010-03-05T01:25:00.000-08:00

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nomination:

Army Lt. Gen. David M. Rodriguez has been nominated for re-appointment to the rank of Lieutenant General and assignment as Commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan. Gen. Rodriguez is currently serving as the Commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the following assignments:

Rear Adm. (lower half) Jerry K. Burroughs will be assigned as Program Executive Officer for Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif. Adm. Burroughs is currently serving as Chief Engineer Directorate, Code 05, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Anatolio B. Cruz III will be assigned as Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/Deputy Commander, Fourth Fleet, Mayport, Fla. Adm. Cruz is currently serving as Deputy Commander, Navy Region Southwest, San Diego, Calif.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Dennis E. Fitzpatrick will be assigned as Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic, Norfolk, Va. Adm. Fitzpatrick is currently serving as Director, Joint Operations, N3, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.

Rear Adm. Timothy M. Giardina will be assigned as Deputy and Chief of Staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Adm. Giardina is currently serving as Director, Readiness and Training, N4/N7, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Robert J. Kamensky will be assigned as Deputy/Reserve Deputy Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va. Adm. Kamensky is currently serving as Chief of Staff, Submarine Force Reserve Component, Norfolk, Va.

Rear Adm. Charles W. Martoglio will be assigned as Chief of Staff, U.S. European Command, Germany. Adm. Martoglio is currently serving as Director of Operations, J3, U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Scott E. Sanders will be assigned as Deputy Commander, Second Fleet, Norfolk, Va. Adm. Sanders is currently serving as Vice Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, U.S. Central Command, Bahrain.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nomination:

Navy Vice Adm. Paul S. Stanley has been nominated for reappointment to the rank of Vice Admiral and assignment as Principal Deputy Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C. Adm. Stanley is currently serving as Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, J-8, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

Your Friday Funny!

2010-02-19T15:58:00.000-08:00

A major Thank You to Neptunus Lex, for today's smile - http://www.neptunuslex.com/- and, as always, a major Thank You to our Troops and Veterans!

United States Air Force --- Year In, Year Out!

2010-02-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

Please take the time to follow the link to the United States Air Force's 2009 Year in Photos...

http://www.af.mil/photos/slideshow.asp?id={49CA4B06-C6BB-4081-BF9E-7160F3A85AE9}

Merry Christmas to All --- especially to those standing watch on A Soldier's Silent Night

2009-12-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

The poem upon which this recording is based was written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt, United States Marine Corps, in 1987. The audio of this recording was done by Father Ted Berndt......a priest at Bread of Life Charismatic Episcopal Church, in Dousman, WI......Marine Veteran of World War II......and Purple Heart recipient.

May you all enjoy all of God's blessings for a safe, healthy, peaceful, and very Merry Christmas and take the time to remember our Troops and Veterans. It is through their unselfish sacrifices that we enjoy this, and every, Christmas and holiday season.

A CHRISTMAS LOL!

2009-12-17T21:11:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, U. S. NATIONAL GUARD!

2009-12-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

From Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the occasion of the 373rd birthday of the U. S. National Guard:

"On the 13th of December each year, we celebrate the creation of one of America's most enduring institutions: our National Guard. The Guard has a proud history of serving and protecting the American people at home and defending our allies abroad. Now, more than any time in our history, our National Guard keeps our Military, our nation strong. We would not have been able to maintain over eight years of sustained combat operations without this incredible service and the sacrifices of Guard families and employers who also contribute.

During World War II, National Guard units were among the first in the fight. America's citizen-Soldiers and citizen-Airmen performed valiantly during the Cold War in far away places from Korea to Europe. More than 20,000 Guard members served on active duty in the Vietnam War, and more than 75,000 answered the nation's call in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Today more than 70,000 of you are currently supporting expeditionary operations in locations around the world while still maintaining vigilance and crisis response stateside. Your efforts are making a remarkable difference at a critical time in our country's history. We could not do it without you.

On behalf of your fellow Servicemembers of the Armed Forces, the Joint Chiefs and I thank you and your families and employers for 373 years of courageous sacrifice and service to our nation. Because of you, the National Guard is Always Ready, and Always There."

This Thanksgiving Day......

2009-11-24T22:50:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving Day, please make time to remember the men and women of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Reserves, National Guard, and the Veterans. They are serving, or have served, on Bases at home, abroad, on ships at sea, in the skies................and in combat zones in Afghanistan and Iraq. Never forget the sacrifices they are making so that we may enjoy this day in peace.........

May you all enjoy a peaceful, safe, and very Happy Thanksgiving. May God bless America. May God bless our Troops and Veterans. May God bless you all, now and always.

On My Way To Wanna Be

2009-11-13T15:50:00.000-08:00

A President beloved by the Military who had the strength to make the difficult decisions that kept America safe from further terrorist attacks. May God bless and keep you, President G. W. Bush......

Lest We Forget........this Remembrance Day

2009-11-11T03:29:00.000-08:00

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

----- Lt. Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)

At the eleventh hour...on the eleventh day...of the eleventh month.........we stop what we are doing to observe a solemn two minutes of silence to remember the exact moment in 1918 when the guns of World War I finally fell silent. We do this to honour the sacrifices of all those who fought and died and to pay, in this small measure, a part of our eternal debt........Lest We Forget.

U.S. MARINE CORPS --- HAPPY 234th BIRTHDAY!

2009-11-10T05:22:00.000-08:00

The 234th U.S. Marine Corps Birthday message, from Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James T. Conway and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Carlton W. Kent:

From the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps at Tun Tavern to the present, and beyond, the world is a much better place for the men and women who have been accepted into the U.S. Marine Corps......we thank you all and pray that God keeps you, and your families, safe and strong.

CANADA & THE U. S. OF AMERICA --- TOGETHER WE STAND!

2009-11-08T01:15:00.000-08:00

Canadian Troops are in the following video, but we stand together in this fight:

Requiescat In Pace & May God Comfort All

2009-11-05T23:51:00.000-08:00

We offer our prayers for the victims of the shootings at Fort Hood Army Base, Texas, for the wounded, for all the families, and for the greater Army family.

I AM A WARRIOR & THIS IS MY SONG!

2009-10-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

From Blackfive, http://www.blackfive.net/, comes The Warrior Song......

I’ve got the reach and the teeth of a killin’ machine,

with a need to bleed you when the light goes green

best believe, I’m in a zone to be, from my Yin to my Yang to my Yang Tze

put a grin on my chin when you come to me,

‘cuz I’ll win, I’m a one-of-a-kind and I’ll bring death

to the place you’re about to be: another river of blood runnin’ under my feet

forged in a fire lit long ago, stand next to me, you’ll never stand alone

I’m last to leave, but the first to go, Lord, make me dead before you make me old

I feed on the fear of the devil inside of the enemy faces in my sights:

aim with the hand, shoot with the mind, kill with a heart like arctic ice

I am a soldier and I’m marching on

I am a warrior and this is my song

I bask in the glow of the rising war, lay waste to the ground of an enemy shore

wade through the blood spilled on the floor, and if another one stands I’ll kill some more

bullet in the breach and a fire in me, like a cigarette thrown, to gasoline

if death don’t bring you fear, I swear, you’ll fear these marchin’ feet

Come to the nightmare, come to me, deep down in the dark where the devil be

in the maw with the jaws and the razor teeth,

where the brimstone burns and the angel weeps

call to the gods if I cross your path and my silhouette hangs like a body bag

hope is a moment now long past, the shadow of death is the one I cast.

I am a soldier and I’m marching on

I am a warrior and this is my song

my eyes are steel and my gaze is long

I am a warrior and this is my song

now I live lean and I mean to inflict the grief,

and the least of me is still out of your reach

the killing machine’s gonna do the deed,

until the river runs dry and my last breath leaves

chin in the air with a head held high,

I’ll stand in the path of the enemy line

feel no fear, know my pride:

for God and Country I’ll end your life

I am a soldier and I’m marching on

I am a warrior and this is my song

my eyes are steel and my gaze is long

I am a warrior and this is my song.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Never forget the Warriors who give us the peace we enjoy, with their blood, sweat, tears, and pain.....They are Warriors and this is their song.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Active-Duty Military and Veterans may get a free copy of The Warrior Song, here:

http://www.thewarriorsong.com/Contact.html

October 23rd, 1983 - They Came In Peace

2009-10-23T01:11:00.000-07:00

2 Hezbollah suicide bombers.

2 truck bombs.

12,000 pounds of TNT.

Neither of the Marine sentries at the gates to the USMC barracks were allowed to have bullets in their weapons, due to the Rules of Engagement.

Killed in action at the USMC barracks, from the United States of America: 220 Marines, 18 Sailors, 3 Soldiers.
Wounded: 60 Marines.

Killed in action at the Drakkar building, from France: 58 Paratroopers, from the 1er RCP (Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes).
Wounded: 15 Paratroopers, from the 1er RCP.

Civilian deaths: 6, including the elderly Lebanese custodian of the Marines' barracks.

We shall continue to honour and remember the Fallen, honour and remember the survivors, never forget their names, and pray for their families.

HAPPY 234th BIRTHDAY, U. S. NAVY!

2009-10-12T23:04:00.000-07:00

The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.
---Mission statement of the United States Navy

Today, we celebrate the 234th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy...the greatest Navy in the world. We honour to the Sailors, Officers, and Veterans of the U.S. Navy for their faithful service and pay tribute to the Fallen by remembering, and never forgetting, their sacrifice.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, from Canada!

2009-10-09T18:26:00.000-07:00

We return thanks to our mother, the earth, with sustains us.
We return thanks to the rivers and streams,which supply us with water.
We return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases.
We return thanks to the corn, and to her sisters, the beans and squash, which give us life.
We return thanks to the bushes and trees, which provide us with fruit.
We return thanks to the wind, which, moving the air, has banished diseases.
We return thanks to the moon and the stars, which have given us their light when the sun was gone.
We return thanks to our grandfather He-no, .., who has given to us his rain.
We return thanks to the sun, that he has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.
Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit, in whom is embodied all goodness, and who directs all things for the good of his children.
---- an Iriquois Prayer.

May God bless all of our Troops, Veterans, their families, and you all during this time we give thanks.

U.S. AIR FORCE.....GOING STRONG SINCE 1947!

2009-09-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz issued the following message:

"To the Airmen of the United States Air Force and their families:

Sixty-two years ago, on Sept. 18, 1947, your Air Force was established as an independent service. Over the last six decades our legacy has been one of adaption, innovation and technological change on a constant quest to reach beyond our limits. On this day, it is appropriate to not only reflect upon this heritage, but to also look ahead.

While the employment of airpower has changed throughout history, our charge remains to Fly, Fight and Win in air, space and cyberspace. Regardless of the domain, the indomitable spirit of the American Airman remains unchanged. The spark of innovation which drove aviation pioneers to master powered flight and break the sound barrier can be seen in our global air, space and cyber capabilities that provide unprecedented levels of support to combatant commanders around the world.

The heart and soul of our Air Force is not found in the platforms we operate or the technologies we employ; it is in our Airmen and their families. The future of our Air Force rests in their hands, and for us to succeed we must ensure the well-being of our Total Force Airmen, civilians and their families. As we celebrate our birthday this year, let us remember the commitment and sacrifice of the more than 40,000 Airmen deployed around the globe and their families who support them.

We are proud of all the Air Force has accomplished, and prouder still of today's Airmen who have answered their nation's call. You embody integrity, service, and excellence, and we are proud to serve alongside you. You are a living tribute to our Airmen of battles past, and an inspiration for Airmen yet to come.

Happy 62nd Birthday!"

May God bless Sec. Donley, Gen. Schwartz, active-duty Airmen, and Veterans of the United States Air Force!

September 11th, 2009

2009-09-11T06:32:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 219th BIRTHDAY, U.S. COAST GUARD!

2009-08-04T07:02:00.000-07:00

Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton convinced Congress to authorize construction of 10 topsail schooners for the U.S. Revenue-Marine to combat widespread smuggling Aug. 4, 1790. Our nation proudly celebrates that day when the U.S. Coast Guard was born 219 years ago..........

To read more, please visit: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123161701

May God continue to bless all who so proudly wear the uniform of the United States Coast Guard.

Semper Paratus and thank you, from your friends & allies in Canada!

USS JASON DUNHAM

2009-07-30T03:02:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 1st, 2009, will be unlike any other Saturday. That is the day that the US Navy will christen the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in honour of Cpl. Jason L. Dunham.

It will be christened.........USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) and we ask God to bless all who sail on this fine vessel.

Gone Sailing----Back When The Wind Changes

2009-07-23T00:30:00.000-07:00

In the meantime, please don't forget our Troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, serving on ships and bases at home and around the world, and our Veterans.

INDEPENDENCE DAY, 2009 --- AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

2009-07-04T00:48:00.000-07:00

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress and a new Nation was born.

While you are celebrating the freedoms encompassed in the above Declaration, please take the time to honour the men and women in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves of the United States' Armed Forces.

On this July 4th, and every day, may God bless America........truly, the greatest friend and ally the world has ever known.

CANADA DAY, 2009 --- THE MAPLE LEAF FOREVER

2009-06-30T22:36:00.000-07:00

GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.!

2009-06-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

A lone Thunderbird performs maneuvers to close the 2009 air show on Dover Air Force Base, Del., June 21, 2009.
U.S. Air Force photo by: Tom Randle

"DAWG MEDIC"

2009-06-22T06:48:00.000-07:00

Army Sgt. Laurence Cameron of the North Carolina National Guard’s Battery B, 113th Field Artillery, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, has been known as “Dawg Medic” since the beginning of his deployment. While on patrol south of Baghdad on June 20, 2009, the Rock Hill, S.C., native lived up to his name when he gave intravenous fluids to a Military Working Dog on the mission.
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mary Phillips

Army Sgt. Laurence Cameron, left, administers intravenous fluids to a Military Working Dog with Army Sgt. James Harrington south of Baghdad, June 20, 2009.
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mary Phillips

Ryky, a 1st Cavalry Division Working Dog, takes a break at the end of a patrol south of Baghdad, June 20, 2009.
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mary Phillips

To read the full article, please visit: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=54854

To learn more about the accomplishments of these Soldiers, Military Working Dogs, and our Troops in Iraq, please visit:

Multinational Corps Iraq: http://www.mnci.centcom.mil/

TWICE A SPECIAL DAY

2009-06-14T07:06:00.000-07:00

Founded on June 14th, 1775, the mission of the United States Army is:

" to "provide necessary forces and capabilities ... in support of the National Security and Defense Strategies."

We say "God bless the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States Army" and pray that the Troops and Veterans know how grateful the Nation is for their service.

Happy 234th Birthday and HOOAH, to the U.S. Army!

Today the design of the Flag of the United States of America was adopted by the Continental Congress, in 1777.

Americans have died to protect the freedoms it represents. Americans have seen it waving and stood proud. Americans wear it with pride on the uniforms of the branches of the Military.........and for that reason, and more, we pay it the respect and honour it deserves.

You're a grand old Flag and long may you wave!

Poor Liberty----We Barely Knew Ye!

2009-06-13T06:38:00.000-07:00

Pentagon Reports Army Mascot 'Liberty' Killed in Iraq

U.S. FORCES---AFGHANISTAN

2009-06-10T02:53:00.000-07:00

The following video is from a Servicemember deployed with U.S. Forces in Afghanistan and is a compilation of their photographs and their Team Members.

You may follow the progress of our Troops in Afghanistan on their You Tube and Twitter accounts at :

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/USFORA

Twitter: http://twitter.com/usfora

Please don't forget to say a prayer of thanks for our Troops and Veterans.

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2009-06-10T02:10:00.000-07:00

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has nominated:

Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone for appointment to the rank of Lieutenant General and assignment as Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood, Fort Hood, Texas. Gen. Cone is currently serving as Special Assistant to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Va.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nomination:

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has nominated:

Army Reserve Col. Robert L. Walter Jr., for appointment to the grade of Brigadier General and assignment to Deputy Commander (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), U.S. Intelligence and Security Command, Fort Belvoir, Va. Gen. Walter is currently serving as the DeputyCcommander, Military Intelligence Readiness Command, Fort Belvoir, Va.

The Army chief of staff, announces the assignment of the following Officers:

Maj. Gen. David B. Lacquement, Commanding General, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, Fort Belvoir, Va., to Deputy Director, Signals Intelligence Directorate, National Security Agency, Fort Meade, Md.

Maj. Gen. Raymond V. Mason, Commanding General, 8th Theater Sustainment Command/Commanding General, U.S. Army Hawaii, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, to Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Ga.

Brig. Gen. Michael J. Terry, Commanding General, U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, Fort Belvoir, Va., to Commanding General, 8th Theater Sustainment Command/Commanding General, U.S. Army Hawaii, Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Tucker, Program Manager, Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program, Saudi Arabia to Commanding General, U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, Fort Belvoir, Va.

Brig. Gen. Frank D. Turner III, Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Accessions Command, Fort Monroe, Va., to Program Manager, Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program, Saudi Arabia.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has nominated:

Air Force Brig. Gen. Douglas J. Robb for appointment to the rank of Major General while serving as the Command Surgeon, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

The Air Force Chief of Staff announces the assignment of the following General Officers:

Maj. Gen. Richard E. Webber, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to Commander, 24th Air Force, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

Maj. Gen. Johnny A. Weida, Deputy Chief of Staff, U.N. Command and U.S. Forces Korea, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, South Korea, to Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Plans, and Requirements, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Pentagon,Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Lawrence L. Wells, director, who has been selected for the rank of Major General, Warfighter Systems Integration and Deployment, Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to Deputy Chief of Staff, U.N. Command and U.S. Forces Korea, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, South Korea.

Brig. Gen. William J. Bender, Commander, 86th Airlift Wing and Kaiserslautern Military Community Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to Director, Warfighter Systems Integration and Deployment, Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey G. Lofgren, Vice Commander, First Air Force, Air Combat Command, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., to Deputy Director, Operations, J-3, Headquarters U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Trask, Director, Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Assessments, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla., to Deputy Director, Theater Plans and Synchronization Element, Headquarters U.S. Central Command, MacDill AFB, Fla.

Col. Mark C. Dillon who has been selected for the rank of Brigadier General, Commander, 60th Air Mobility Wing, Air Mobility Command, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., to Commander, 86th Airlift Wing and Kaiserslautern Military Community Commander, U.S. States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

May God bless you, Sirs, with fair skies and much success in your new commands.

JUNE 6th, 1944------NEVER FORGET

2009-06-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Sixty-five years ago this evening, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt lead the Nation in prayer and to announce that the liberation of Europe, code-named Operation Overlord but known to history as D-Day, had begun in the early morning hours of that day....

It was formally titled "Operation Overlord", but is known to history as "D-Day" because the decision to go had had to be delayed 3 times due to bad weather over the English Channel.

It involved Troops from England, Canada, the United States, free-France, Poland, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, and Greece.

It officially began late in the night of June 5th, 1944, when some 822 aircraft, carrying Paratroopers and/or towing gliders, left Bases in England for France. This would only be a small part of the more than 13, 000 Allied aircraft, and Flight Crews, that would take part.

It comprised a Naval armada of 500 Naval vessels, including escorts and bombardment ships; 2,500 support ships; and 3, 000 landing craft from: the Royal Navy, which included ships and Sailors from Canada; the U.S. Navy; the Royal Australian Navy; the Royal Navy of Norway; and the Royal New Zealand Navy.

It involved a plan to land these Troops on 5 beaches, code-named: Juno, Gold, Sword, Omaha, and Utah.

It was planned to have all Allied Troops make their landing at their appointed beaches at the appointed times, break German forces, and have all Units meet up at appointed targets by the afternoon......or the early evening of June 6th, at the latest.

It had problems of logistics, egos among Allied Commanders, bad weather, and high numbers of fatalities and wounded.

It began the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe and didn't end until the German surrender on May 8th, 1945.

-----------------------------------------------------------

We owe such a debt to those Allied Troops. A debt that ensures that what they endured will never be forgotten. A debt that is repaid whenever we take a moment to say, "Thank You" to men whose step may be slower...whose eyes may take longer to focus......but who ask for nothing EXCEPT for us to never forget them and their fellow Troops.

To all those who fought, who died, and to their families, I say THANK YOU and ask that God may bless you always.......just as he blessed 7 men who fought, recovered from their wounds, and returned home to their grateful families: 2 who fought in the Royal Canadian Army, 1 who fought in the British Army, 1 who fought in the Royal Air Force, 1 who fought in the Royal Canadian Air Force, 1 who fought in the U.S. Army Air Force and later the U.S. Air Force, and 1 who fought in the U.S. Navy.

THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY....JUNE 4TH TO 6TH, 1942

2009-06-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

The location

Commanders: Chester W. Nimitz

Frank J. Fletcher

Raymond A. Spruance

Strength: 3 CV-class carriers: USS Enterprise
USS Hornet
USS Yorktown

25 support ships: destroyers, cruisers, and refueling ships

233 carrier-based aircraft

127 land-based aircraft

Losses: 1 carrier, sunk

1 destroyer, sunk

98 aircraft, destroyed

307, KIA

Commanders: Yamamoto Isoroku

Nagumo Chuichi

Yamaguchi Tamon

Strength: 4 carriers: Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, Soryu

2 battleships

15 support ships: heavy & light cruisers, destroyers, and refueling ships

248 carrier-based aircraft

16 floatplanes

Losses: 4 carriers, sunk

1 cruiser, sunk

248 aircraft, destroyed

3,057, KIA

Even though, technically, the battle began at dawn on June 4th, 1942, the United States had realized the strategic importance of Midway Atoll from the outset of the war in the Pacific. While Japan knew that America had the industrial strength to defeat them, they firmly believed that the Imperial Japanese Navy had the necessary discipline and will to win combined with what they believed to be their greatest weapon.......surprise attack after surprise attack; which they believed would wear down American resolve. After nearly 6 months of defeat after defeat, the Japanese Imperial Navy had almost succeeded.....................but not quite.

What the Japanese didn't know was that their Naval code had been broken, so that even though they had the greater numbers of carriers and battle groups the U.S. knew where they were headed. Also, after the success of the Doolittle raid on Japan, on April 18th, 1942, the Americans had gained an important psychological advantage by demonstrating that Japan was not impregnable.

Yet, this only outlines the beginning of what was, without question, the most important battle of the Pacific. What we must never forget is the men who fought and died and never gave up or gave in, no matter what they had endured and suffered.

For complete posts on the Battle of Midway, please follow the links on the right side of this blog to the following sites: The Dept. of Defense, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Neptunus Lex, and Steeljaw Scribe.

June 2nd, 1953----LONG MAY SHE REIGN!

2009-06-02T01:11:00.000-07:00

It was on this day in 1953 that HM Queen Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the Commonwealth.

The Queen came to the throne on February 6th, 1952, upon the death of her Father, HM King George VI, and as Queen Regnant she is also the head of the Military of all the countries of which she is Head of State. That makes the Queen the only living Head of State who served in the Military during World War II.

On this day, as always, I wish HM all of God`s blessings and proudly proclaim.....

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

CONGRATULATIONS, MA'AM & SIRS!

2009-06-01T00:09:00.000-07:00

The Chief of Staff, Army announces the assignment of the following Officers:

Maj. Gen. Timothy P. McHale, Director, Security Agreement Secretariat, Multi-National Forces-Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq to Director, Logistics Operations, Defense Logistics Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va.

Brig. Gen. William F. Grimsley, Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Hood, Texas, to Deputy Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood, Fort Hood, Texas.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has nominated:

Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard for reappointment to the grade of Admiral and assignment as Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Honolulu, Hawaii. Adm. Willard is currently serving as Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the following assignment:

Navy Capt. Mark L. Tidd, who has been selected for promotion to Rear Admiral (lower half), will be assigned as Chaplain of the Marine Corps/Deputy Chief of Chaplains/Deputy Director of Religious Ministries, Washington, D.C. Capt. Tidd is currently serving as Command Chaplain, U.S. European Command, Vaihingen, Germany.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has nominated:

Navy Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan for appointment to the rank of Vice Admiral and assignment as Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, DC. Adm. Kernan is currently serving as Commander, Fourth Fleet/commander, U.S. Naval Forces, U.S. Southern Command, Mayport, Fla.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the following assignments:

Rear Adm. (lower half) Frank C. Pandolfe, who has been selected for promotion to Rear Admiral, will be assigned as Director, Surface Warfare Division, N86, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Adm. Pandolfe is currently serving as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Two, Norfolk, Va.

Rear Adm. Victor Guillory will be assigned as Commander, Fourth Fleet/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, U.S. Southern Command, Mayport, Fla. Adm. Guillory is currently serving as Director, Surface Warfare Division, N86, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

The chief of staff, Air Force announces the assignment of the following General Officers:

Maj. Gen. William N. McCasland, director, Space Acquisition, Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to Director, Special Programs, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Susan K. Mashiko, who has been selected for the rank of Major General, Vice Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., to Director, Space Acquisition, Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Samuel A.R. Greaves, Commander, Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles, Air Force Base, Calif., to Vice Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.

Maj. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, Military Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation, Turkey, U.S. European Command, Ankara, Turkey.

Brig. Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, Commander, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Md., to Military Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Michael R. Moeller, who has been selected to the rank of Major General, Commander, 379^th Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Combat Command, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, to Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy, J-5, Headquarters U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

Brig. Gen. James O. Poss, who has been selected to the rank of Major General, director, Intelligence, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va., to Director, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Capabilities, Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Leonard A. Patrick, commander, 37^th Training Wing, Air Education and Training Command, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to Commander, 502^nd Air Base Wing, Air Education and Training Command, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

The Air Force chief of staff announces the assignment of the following General Officers:

Brig. Gen. Harry D. Polumbo Jr., Commander, 380^th Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Combat Command, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, to Director, Plans, and Programs, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Brig. Gen. Bryan J. Benson, Vice Commander, 618^th Tanker Airlift Control Center, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., to Commander, 380^th Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Combat Command, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.

Brig. Gen. Stephen W. Wilson, Deputy Commander, Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to Commander, 379^th Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Combat Command, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

May God bless you all, Ma'am and Sirs, in your new commands with fair skies and calm seas.

WE SHALL NEVER FORGET THEIR SACRIFICE

2009-05-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

The Bivouac of the Dead

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on Life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents to spread,
And glory guards, with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead.

No rumor of the foe's advance
Now swells upon the wind;
Nor troubled thought at midnight haunts
Of loved ones left behind;
No vision of the morrow's strife
The warrior's dreams alarms;
No braying horn or screaming fife
At dawn shall call to arms.

Their shriveled swords are red with rust,
Their plumed heads are bowed,
Their haughty banner, trailed in dust,
Is now their martial shroud.
And plenteous funeral tears have washed
The red stains from each brow,
And the proud forms, by battle gashed
Are free from anguish now.

The neighing troop, the flashing blade,
The bugle's stirring blast,
The charge, the dreadful cannonade,
The din and shout, are past;
Nor war's wild note, nor glory's peal
Shall thrill with fierce delight
Those breasts that nevermore may feel
The rapture of the fight.

Like the fierce Northern hurricane
That sweeps the great plateau,
Flushed with triumph, yet to gain,
Come down the serried foe,
Who heard the thunder of the fray
Break o'er the field beneath,
Knew the watchword of the day
Was "Victory or death!"

Long had the doubtful conflict raged
O'er all that stricken plain,
For never fiercer fight had waged
The vengeful blood of Spain;
And still the storm of battle blew,
Still swelled the glory tide;
Not long, our stout old Chieftain knew,
Such odds his strength could bide.

Twas in that hour his stern command
Called to a martyr's grave
The flower of his beloved land,
The nation's flag to save.
By rivers of their father's gore
His first-born laurels grew,
And well he deemed the sons would pour
Their lives for glory too.

For many a mother's breath has swept
O'er Angostura's plain --
And long the pitying sky has wept
Above its moldered slain.
The raven's scream, or eagle's flight,
Or shepherd's pensive lay,
Alone awakes each sullen height
That frowned o'er that dread fray.

Sons of the Dark and Bloody Ground
Ye must not slumber there,
Where stranger steps and tongues resound
Along the heedless air.
Your own proud land's heroic soil
Shall be your fitter grave;
She claims from war his richest spoil --
The ashes of her brave.

Thus 'neath their parent turf they rest,
Far from the gory field,
Borne to a Spartan mother's breast
On many a bloody shield;
The sunshine of their native sky
Smiles sadly on them here,
And kindred eyes and hearts watch by
The heroes sepulcher.

Rest on embalmed and sainted dead!
Dear as the blood ye gave;
No impious footstep here shall tread
The herbage of your grave;
Nor shall your glory be forgot
While Fame her record keeps,
For honor points the hallowed spot
Where valor proudly sleeps.

Yon marble minstrel's voiceless stone
In deathless song shall tell,
When many a vanquished ago has flown,
The story how ye fell;
Nor wreck, nor change, nor winter's blight,
Nor time's remorseless doom,
Can dim one ray of glory's light
That gilds your deathless tomb.

by Theodore O'Hara

LET NO ONE BE FORGOTTEN

2009-05-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

"THE MARINE"

2009-05-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

The following is a poem written by Cpl. Aaron M. Gilbert, U.S.M.C., on March 23, 2003, when he was stationed aboard the USS Saipan in the very early days of OIF.

Cpl. Gilbert wrote to his Father requesting that he forward what he wrote to as many people as possible so that everyone would better understand just what this Marine, and all our Troops, are fighting for and what's truly important in this world.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE MARINE

We all came together,
Both young and old
To fight for our freedom,
To stand and be bold.

In the midst of all evil,
We stand our ground,
And we protect our country
From all terror around.

Peace and not war,
Is what some people say.
But I'll give my life,
So you can live the American way.

I give you the right
To talk of your peace.
To stand in your groups,
and protest in our streets.

But still I fight on,
I don't bitch, I don't whine.
I'm just one of the people
Who is doing your time.

I'm harder than nails,
Stronger than any machine.
I'm the immortal soldier,
I'm a U.S. MARINE!

So stand in my shoes,
And leave from your home.
Fight for the people who hate you,
With the protests they've shown.
Fight for the stranger,
Fight for the young.
So they all may have,
The greatest freedom you've won.

Fight for the sick,
Fight for the poor,
Fight for the cripple,
Who lives next door.

But when your time comes,
Do what I've done.
For if you stand up for freedom,
You'll stand till the fight's done ....

By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert, U S Marine Corps
USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

Hey Dad,

Do me a favor and label this 'The Marine' and send it to everybody on
your email list. Even leave this letter in it. I want this rolling all over the US ; I
want every home reading it. Every eye seeing it. And every heart to feel it. S o can you please send this for me? I would but my email time isn't that long and I don't have much time anyway.

You know what Dad? I wondered what it would be like to truly understand what JFK said in his inaugural speech. 'When the time comes to lay down my life for my country,I do not cower from this responsibility. I welcome it.' Well, now I know.

And I do. Dad, I welcome the opportunity to do what I do. Even though I have left behind a beautiful wife, and I will miss the birth of our first born child, I would do it 70 times over to fight for the place that God has made for my home. I love you all and I miss you very much.

I wish I could be there when Sandi has our baby, but tell her that I love her, and Lord willing, I will be coming home soon. Give Mom a great big hug from me and give one to yourself too.

Aaron

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The least we at home can do is forward Cpl. Gilbert's heartfelt words along, to ensure that no one...nowhere...forgets that "Freedom Isn't Free".

Thank You to: KyLynnis: http://pebbledrops.blogspot.com/

TIME TO PAUSE AND ENJOY THE DAY

2009-04-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2009-04-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nomination:

Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles B. Green for appointment to the grade of Lieutenant General with assignment as Surgeon General of the Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Gen. Green is currently serving as Deputy Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.

The Chief of Staff, Air Force announces the assignment of the following General Officers:

Brig. Gen. Timothy A. Byers, Director, Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va., to Civil Engineer, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Installations, and Mission Support, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Dave C. Howe, Director, Logistics, Installations, and Mission Support, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to Director, Installations, and Mission Support, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Brig. Gen. Mark A. Atkinson, Commander, 402nd Maintenance Wing, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., to Director, Logistics, Installations, and Mission Support, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Brig. Gen. Terrence A. Feehan, Vice Commander, Electronic Systems Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., to Deputy Program Manager, Ballistic Missile Defense System, Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Ala.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nomination:

Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, who is currently serving as the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., for a second term and for reappointment to the grade of General.

May God bless you, Sirs, in your new commands.

CONGRATULATIONS, MA'AMS & SIRS!

2009-04-16T21:40:00.000-07:00

The Army chief of staff announces the assignment of the following Officers:

Maj. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg N.C., to Deputy Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Brig. Gen. Ralph O. Baker, Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs (Middle East), J-5, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., to Assistant Division Commander, 1st Armored Division, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany.

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 10th Mountain Division (Light)/Multi-National Division-Center, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, to G-3/5/7, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Office of the Chief, Army Reserve, Fort McPherson, Ga.

Brig. Gen. Stephen R. Lanza, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany, to Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Effects, Multi-National Force-Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq.

Brig. Gen. Mark A. Milley, Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)/Combined Joint Task Force-76, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, to Deputy Director, Regional Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Steven L. Salazar, Commanding General, Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, to Commanding General, Joint Multinational Training Command, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany.

Brig. Gen. Jefforey A. Smith, Deputy Commanding General (Support), 10th Mountain Division (light)/Multi-National Division - Center, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, to Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs (Middle East), J-5, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, Senior Commander, Fort Campbell, Fort Campbell, Ky., to Deputy Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Brig. Gen. Keith C. Walker, Commanding General, Iraqi Assistance Group, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, to Director, Future Force Integration Directorate, Army Capabilities Integration Center, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has nominated:

Navy Rear Adm. Mark D. Harnitchek for appointment to the grade of Vice Admiral and assignment as Deputy Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Forcw Base, Ill. Adm. Harnitchek is currently serving as Director for Strategy, Plans, Policy, and Programs, J4/J5, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nominations:

Air Force Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Lieutenant General with assignment as Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command. Gen. Klotz is currently serving as Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director, Air Staff, U.S Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert R. Allardice has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Lieutenant General with assignment as Commander, Eighteenth Air Force, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Gen. Allardice is currently serving as Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy, J-5, Headquarters U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Thomas K. Andersen has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Salvatore A. Angelella has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Vice Commander, Fifth Air Force and Deputy Commander, Thirteenth Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Yokota Air Base, Japan.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory A. Biscone has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Deputy Director, Operations, J-3, Headquarters U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Andrew E. Busch has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Commander, Defense Supply Center Richmond, Defense Logistics Agency, Richmond, Va.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Timothy A. Byers has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Susan Y. Desjardins has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Deputy Director, Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard T. Devereaux has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Intelligence and Air, space and Information Operations, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Judith A. Fedder has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Logistics, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley, Va.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Eric E. Fiel has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Center for Force Structure, Requirements, Resources and Strategic Assessments, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Craig A. Franklin has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Commander, 31st Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Aviano Air Base, Italy.

Air Force Brig. Gen. David L. Goldfein has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Deputy Director, Programs, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Blair E. Hansen has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Capabilities, Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Susan J. Helms has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Plans and Policy, Headquarters U.S. Strategic Command, J-5, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Security Forces, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Brig. Gen. John W. Hesterman III has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Deputy Director, Politico-Military Affairs (Europe), J-5, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Darrell D. Jones has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Force Management Policy, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Noel T. Jones has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Deputy Chief, Central Security Service, National Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, Md.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Operations, Plans, Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert C. Kane has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Commanding General, Coalition Air Force Transition Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, U.S. Central Command, Baghdad, Iraq.

Air Force Brig. Gen. James M. Kowalski has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command (Provisional), Bolling Air Force Base, D.C.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Stanley T. Kresge has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Air, Space and Nuclear Operations, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Susan K. Mashiko has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Vice Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael R. Moeller has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Commander, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Combat Command, Al Udeid, Qatar.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Clyde D. Moore II has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Special Programs, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Douglas H. Owens has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Vice Commander, 13th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

Air Force Brig. Gen. James O. Poss has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Intelligence, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark F. Ramsay has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Strategic Planning, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Robin Rand has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Principal Director to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Joseph Reynes Jr., has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as Director, Air Component Coordination Element, Multi-National Force – Iraq; Commander, Detachment 2, 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force, Air Combat Command, Baghdad, Iraq

Air Force Brig. Gen. Suzanne M. Vautrinot has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Deputy Commander, Joint Functional Component Command – Network Warfare, U.S. Strategic Command, Fort George G. Meade, Md.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Lawrence L. Wells has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Warfighter Systems Integration and Deployment, Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Janet C. Wolfenbarger has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Director, Intelligence and Requirements, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

May God bless you, Ma'ams and Sirs, in your new commands with calm seas and fair winds to all.

A BLESSED EASTER

2009-04-11T23:08:00.000-07:00

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was [1] a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

On this most Holy of days, please remember to pray for our Military, both Active-Duty and Veteran, and their families. It is because of the many sacrifices of such men and women that we are able to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

50 YEARS OF THE ARMY'S GOLDEN KNIGHTS

2009-04-07T13:43:00.000-07:00

In 1959 13 men joined together to form the Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team, to compete in the then communist dominated sport of skydiving. The team performed so well that on June 1, 1961 the Army officially recognized, designated and activated the team as the U.S. Army Parachute Team........

To learn about the U.S. Army Parachute Team's Golden Knights, please take the time to visit their official website:

U.S. Army's Golden Knights: http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/goldenknights/

ONE PHOTOGRAPH SAYS IT ALL------

2009-04-07T07:06:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS, MA'AM & SIRS!

2009-04-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

The Army Chief of Staff announces the assignment of the following Officers:

Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell, Deputy Director for Regional Operations, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., to Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division (air assault) and Fort Campbell, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Brig. Gen. Allison T. Aycock, most recently served as Commanding General, Special Operations Command, Korea, to Deputy Commanding General, Installation Management Command, Arlington, Va.

Brig. Gen. Henry J. Nowak, Defense Attaché, Moscow, Russia, (U.S. European Command), Defense Intelligence Agency, Russia, to Deputy Director for War on Terrorism, J-5, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, Commanding General, U.S. Army Engineer Division, North Atlantic, Brooklyn, N.Y., to Commanding General, U.S. Army Engineer Division, South Atlantic, Atlanta, Ga.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the following assignments:

Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby will be assigned as Commander, Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C. Adm. Buzby is currently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Global Force Management and Joint Operations, N3/N5, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.

Rear Adm. (lower half) William A. Brown will be assigned to Director, Logistics and Security Assistance, J4, U.S. European Command, Vaihingen, Germany. Adm. Brown is currently serving as Commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers, San Diego, Calif.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Mark F. Heinrich, who has been selected for promotion to Rear Admiral, will be assigned as Commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers, San Diego, Calif. Adm. Heinrich is currently serving as Director, Logistics and Readiness, Defense Logistics Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Joseph P. Mulloy will be assigned to Director, Programming Division, N80, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Adm. Mulloy is currently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies, and Requirements, N5/N8, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Sean A. Pybus will be assigned to Commander, Special Operations Command, U.S. Pacific Command, Honolulu, Hawaii. Adm. Pybus is currently serving as Director of Operations, Center for Special Operations, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

The Chief of Staff, Air Force announces the assignments of the following General Officers:

Maj. Gen. James P. Hunt, Director, Air Force Quadrennial Defense Review, Office of the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U. S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to Deputy Commanding General, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq.

Maj. Gen. Duane A. Jones, Director, Global Combat Support, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Installations, and Mission Support, Headquarters United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to Director, Resource Integration, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Installations, and Mission Support, Headquarters U. S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

May God bless you, Ma'am and Sirs, in your new commands.

I CAN HAZ CATURDAY!

2009-04-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

The latest reason to make you all take the time out of your day to smile is not in any way meant to have us forget our Troops or the economy or where President Obama is taking America or the latest deaths of the Police Officers in Pittsburgh or the deaths of anyone in Binghamton, NY.

Rather, dear readers, it is because of these tragic events that we need to remember to take a moment in the day to relax, take a few deep breaths, and allow our minds to relax........................so that we may better deal with current hardships.

May God bless you all.

FRIDAY FUNNIES!

2009-04-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

Time for another installment of "FRIDAY FUNNIES". Why? Well, considering all the threats to our national defense, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the welfare of our Troops and Veterans.......it's time to have a wee smile:

FRIDAY FUNNIES!

2009-03-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

May God bless the U.S. Navy.........and the Irish.

HEROES AMONG US

2009-03-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

Maj. Gen. William B. Garrett III, Commander of U.S. Army Africa, speaks with Spc. Jeffrey Scantlin, 24, of Anchorage, Alaska, after presenting him with the Silver Star during a March 20 ceremony at Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy. Also pictured, from left, are Sgt. 1st Class Erich Phillips and Sgt. John Hayes, who also earned their Silver Star. 1st Lt. Aaron Thurman, right, recieved the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. The Soldiers were among six Paratroopers from 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment awarded the medals for combat actions in Wanat, Afghanistan on July 13, 2008.
Photo by: Barbara Romano.

From Army.Mil: In the early morning hours of July 13, 2008, Soldiers from Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment were not thinking about medals as they fought off roughly 200 insurgents attacking their vehicle patrol base in Afghanistan.

No Soldier in combat does.

The Army, however, takes pause afterward to honor those who distinguish themselves in battle and recognizes them before their peers.

Six Soldiers from 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company received medals of valor for combat actions that morning in Wanat, a village in northeast Afghanistan. Nine of their comrades lost their lives during the fight.

Maj. Gen. William B. Garrett III, Commander of U.S. Army Africa, presented medals to the Soldiers during a March 20 ceremony held at Caserma Ederle.

Receiving the Silver Star was bittersweet, said Spc. Jeffrey Scantlin, 24, of Anchorage, Alaska.
"It's a big deal. But brings back a lot of memories of people who should be here, but aren't," Scantlin said. "For me the medal is more of a group achievement, something I wear to remind me of those who didn't come back."

The Silver Star Medal was also presented to Sgt. 1st Class Erich Phillips and Sgt. John Hayes. Bronze Star Medals with "V" device for valor were awarded to 1st Lt. Aaron Thurman, Sgt. Hector Chavez and Spc. Tyler Hanson.

As the ceremony began, the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team stood silent to remember those who died. Then, Garrett spoke about the bravery Soldiers displayed during the battle.
"Their courage under fire, valor, and loyalty to each other was absolutely astounding," Garrett said.

The Platoon was near the end of a long deployment to Afghanistan, enduring many firefights along the way. Yet, when faced with enemy fire near Wanat, outnumbered and in some cases wounded, these Paratroopers fought desperately for each other, overcoming fear and willingly risking their lives to save others.

"Incredible acts of courage and valor were commonplace on the battlefield that day," Garrett said. "Today, we recognize these six Soldiers for their courage - and we are thankful for the opportunity to serve with such men."

Garrett stepped forward and orders were read detailing each of their actions. The six Paratroopers paused for photos, the bright ribbons and shining stars standing out against their gray digital fatigues.

In that quiet moment, each Soldier felt mixed emotions. Rows of Paratroopers in maroon berets stood before them -many who have their own combat experiences from Afghanistan.

Scantlin, like most of those awarded, knew they had been put in for a medal. Some knew that same day. But it meant little to them at the time, still reeling from the combat they had endured.

"We just lost nine guys - everyone was still in shock, it was surreal. It still is," Scantlin said. "The guys that died there were my friends."

May we never forget the sacrifices these Soldiers, and all our Troops, make every day. May we never forget the Fallen.

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2009-03-24T01:02:00.000-07:00

Secretary Gates recommends extensions for:

The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and names 3 new COCOM Commanders.

Thank God for these decisions and may God bless you all, Sirs.

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS----PART 1

2009-03-24T00:56:00.001-07:00

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nominations:

Army Brig. Gen. James K. Gilman has been nominated for promotion to the rank of Major General. Gen. Gilman is currently serving as Commanding General, Brooke Army Medical Center/Great Plains Regional Medical Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Army Brig. Gen. Philip Volpe has been nominated for promotion to the rank of Major General. Gen. Volpe is currently serving as Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force - National Capital Region Medical, Bethesda, Md.

Army Col. William B. Gamble has been nominated for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General. Gen. Gamble is currently serving as Command Surgeon, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

Army Col. Richard W. Thomas has been nominated for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General. Gen. Thomas is currently serving as Commander, United States Army Medical Department Activities, Fort Campbell, Ky.

May God bless you, Sirs, in your new commands.

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS----PART 2

2009-03-24T00:39:00.000-07:00

The Army Chief of Staff announces the assignment of the following Officers:

Maj. Gen. Charles G. Rodriguez, Army National Guard, Adjutant General, Austin, Texas, to Director, J-7/Commander, Standing Joint Forces Headquarters, U.S. Southern Command, Miami, Fla.

Brig. Gen. Peter M. Aylward, Army National Guard, Deputy Director for Anti-Terrorism/Homeland Defense, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., to Director, Joint Staff, National Guard Bureau, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. James C. Boozer Sr., to Director of Operations, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, Installation Management, U.S. Army, Arlington, Va. Gen. Boozer was previously announced to be the Deputy Commanding General, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, Alexandria, Va.

Brig. Gen. Robert G. Catalanotti, U.S. Army Reserve, Commanding General, 98th, Training Division (Initial Entry Training), Rochester, N.Y., to Program Manager-Facilities Security Forces, U.S. Central Command, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Brig. Gen. Charles D. Luckey, U.S. Army Reserve, Chief, Office of Security Cooperation, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, to the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Reserve Matters, Office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Lloyd Miles, Deputy Commanding General/Assistant Commandant, U.S. Army Infantry Center and School, Fort Benning, Ga., to Commanding General, Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq.

Brig. Gen. Jimmy J. Wells, U.S. Army Reserve, Commander, 1st Brigade (Troop Program Unit), 75th Division (Training Support), Houston, Texas, to Commander,7th Army U.S. Army Reserve Command and Deputy Commander, 21st Theater Sustainment Command.

May God bless you, Sirs, in your new commands.

I CAN HAZ CATURDAY!

2009-03-13T21:33:00.000-07:00

Why? Because we all need a little Caturday in our lives............and some good rock, courtesy of Sammy Hagar and Van Halen.

CONGRATULATIONS, MA'AM & SIRS!

2009-03-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the following assignments:

Rear Adm. (lower half) Joseph F. Campbell, who has been selected for promotion to Rear Admiral, will be assigned as Deputy Commander, Logistics, Maintenance, and Industrial Operations, SEA-04, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C. Adm. Campbell is currently assigned as Fleet Maintenance Officer, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Kathleen M. Dussault, who has been selected for promotion to Rear Admiral, will be assigned as Director, Supply, Ordnance and Logistics Operations, N41, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Adm. Dussault is currently serving as Acquisition Management, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. (lower half) John C. Orzalli, who has been selected for promotion to Rear Admiral, will be assigned as Fleet Maintenance Officer, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Va. Adm. Orzalli is currently assigned as Commander, Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Va.

May God bless you, Ma'am and Sirs, with calm seas in your new commands.

U.S. ARMY----ARMY STRONG MEANS AMERICA STRONG

2009-03-13T03:57:00.000-07:00

After viewing the video, please visit the following web sites to learn more about the contributions all Soldiers are making in Iraq, Afghanistan, at home, and around the world:

Dept. of Defense: http://www.defenselink.mil/

U.S. Army: http://www.army.mil/

U.S. Army A to Z: http://www.army.mil/info/a-z/#top

U.S. Army on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/soldiersmediacenter

U.S. Army on Twitter: http://twitter.com/USArmy

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2009-03-13T03:28:00.000-07:00

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the following assignments:

Rear Adm. (lower half) David H. Buss, who has been selected for promotion to Rear Admiral, will be assigned as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Twelve, Norfolk, Va. Adm. Buss is currently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Assessment, Multi-National Force - Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Philip S. Davidson will be assigned to Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight, Norfolk, Va. Adm. Davidson is currently serving as Deputy Director for Strategy and Policy, J5, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Bruce E. Grooms, who has been selected for promotion to Rear Admiral, will be assigned as Vice Director, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. Adm. Grooms is currently assigned as Commander, Submarine Group Two, Groton, Conn.

Rear Adm. Joseph F. Kilkenny will be assigned as Commander, Naval Education and Training Command, Pensacola, Fla. Adm. Kilkenny is currently serving as Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, Millington, Tenn.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Steven J. Romano will be assigned as Commander, Navy Exchange Service Command, Virginia Beach, Va. Adm. Romano is currently serving as Director, Logistics and Security Assistance, J4, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.

Rear Adm. (lower half) David M. Thomas, Jr., who has been selected for promotion to Rear Admiral, will be assigned as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Two, Norfolk, Va. Adm. Thomas is currently serving as Commander, Joint Task Force - Guantanamo, U.S. Southern Command, Guantanamo, Cuba.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Thomas C. Traaen will be assigned to Vice Director for Logistics, J4, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. Adm. Traaen is currently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Fleet Supply, and Ordnance, N4, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Robert O. Wray Jr. will be assigned as Deputy Commander, Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C. Adm. Wray is currently serving as Deputy Commander, Military Sealift Command Atlantic/Pacific/Europe, Washington, D.C.

May God bless you, Sirs, with calm seas in your new commands.

U.S. AIR FORCE----ENSURING THE SKIES OF THE WORLD REMAIN SAFE

2009-03-08T22:50:00.000-07:00

Please visit the following sites of the U.S. Air Force:

U.S. Air Force: http://www.af.mil/

U.S. Air Forces-Central: http://www.afcent.af.mil/

U.S. Air Forces-Europe: http://usafelive.dodlive.mil/

U.S. Air Forces-Pacific: http://www.pcafpixels.com/

U.S. Air Force-Space Command: http://www.afspc.af.mil/

U.S. Air Force Band: http://www.usafband.af.mil/
- while visiting the official site of the U.S. Air Force Band, please take the time to listen to them play, via the sidebar widget, and then learn how easy it is to load their widget onto your own blog.

U.S. Air Force Live: http://airforcelive.dodlive.mil/

Air Force Live: http://www.airforcelive.blogspot.com/

Air Force Times: http://www.airforcetimes.com/

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/AFBlueTube

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AFPAA

May God bless the men and women of the U.S. Air Force with fair skies.

HOW TO PROPERLY ANSWER THE TELEPHONE----COURTESY OF THE U.S.M.C.

2009-03-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

When you have finished watching the video, please remember to send our Troops a Thank You:

U.S. Army: http://www.army.mil/

U.S. Navy: http://www.navy.mil/

U.S. Air Force: http://www.af.mil/

U.S. Marine Corps: http://www.usmc.mil/

U.S. Coast Guard: http://www.uscg.mil/

IT'S CATURDAY!

2009-03-07T03:24:00.000-08:00

Why? Well............................why not?

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2009-03-06T19:23:00.000-08:00

The Air Force Chief of Staff announces the assignment of the following General Officers:

Brig. Gen. Jonathan D. George, Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Military Application, Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy, Washington, D.C., to Director, Strategic Capabilities Policy, National Security Council, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Garrett Harencak, Commander, 509^th Bomb Wing, Air Combat Command, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., to Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Military Application, Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.

May God bless you, Sirs, with fair skies in your new commands.

MILITARY WORKING DOGS----UNSUING HEROES

2009-03-03T22:43:00.000-08:00

Xaria, a U.S. Air Force Military Working Dog, and Trainers Rodney Sparkowich and Tim Bartlett put on a demonstration at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in Texas, Feb. 23, 2009. The men are members of the 341st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base.
U.S. Air Force photo by: Alan Boedeker

For more information on this and other stories on our Military, please visit:

Dept. of Defense: http://www.defenselink.mil/

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2009-03-03T22:34:00.000-08:00

The Army Chief of Staff announces the assignment of the following General Officers:

Maj. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr., Commanding General, U.S. Army Armor Center and Fort Knox/Commandant, U.S. Army Armor School, Fort Knox, Ky., to Commanding General, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Fort Knox, Ky.

Maj. Gen. James M. Milano, Commanding General, Civilian Police Assistance Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, to Commanding General, U.S. Army Armor Center and Fort Knox/Commandant, U.S. Army Armor School, Fort Knox, Ky.

Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Effects, Multi-National Force-Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, to Commanding General, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Hood, Texas.

Maj. Gen. James L. Terry, Director, Future Force Integration Directorate, Army Capabilities Integration Center, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Bliss, Texas, to Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division (Light) and Fort Drum, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Maj. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, Deputy Chief of Staff, operations, International Security Assistance Force, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, to Commanding General, 2d Infantry Division, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea.

Brig. Gen. Terry A. Wolff, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Iraq, National Security Council, The White House, Washington, D.C., to Commanding General, 1st Armored Division, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army.

May God bless you, Sirs, with much success in your new commands.

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2009-03-02T00:08:00.000-08:00

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President made the following nominations:

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. George J. Allen has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Major General. Gen. Allen is currently serving as the Director, C4/ Chief Information Officer of the Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Raymond C. Fox has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Major General. Gen. Fox is currently serving as the Commanding General, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Major General. Gen. Gurganus is currently serving as the Commanding General, MAGTF Training Command; and the Commanding General, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. David R. Heinz has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Major General. Gen. Heinz is currently serving as the Deputy Executive Director, Joint Strike Fighter Program, Washington, D.C.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Steven A. Hummer has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Major General. Gen. Hummer is currently serving as the Chief of Staff, U.S. Special Operations Command, Tampa, Fla.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. David G. Reist has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Major General. Gen. Reist is currently serving as the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics (Plans), Washington, D.C.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John A. Toolan Jr. has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Major General. Gen. Toolan is currently serving as the Deputy Commander, U. S. Forces Japan, Iwakuni, Japan.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John E. Wissler has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Major General. Gen. Wissler is currently serving as the Deputy Commanding General, II MEF; Commanding General, 2d MEB; and Deputy Commanding General for Governance and Economics, II MEF (Fwd), Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Corps Reserve Col. Paul W. Brier has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Brigadier General. Col. Brier is currently serving as a Marine Liaison Officer to the Government of Guam.

Marine Corps Reserve Col. Frans J. Coetzee has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Brigadier General. Col. Coetzee is currently serving as the Deputy Commander, 4th Marine Logistics Group, New Orleans, La.

The Air Force Chief of Staff announces the assignment of the following General Officer:

Brig. Gen. Craig S. Olson, Vice Commander, Aeronautical Systems Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to Chief, Office of Security Cooperation, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, U.S. Central Command, Baghdad, Iraq.

May God bless you, Sirs, with all of His blessings, including fair skies, in your new commands.

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2009-02-27T00:51:00.000-08:00

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nominations:

Navy Reserve Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael W. Broadway has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Rear Admiral while serving as Commander, Navy Reserve Intelligence Command, Warner Robins, Ga.

Navy Reserve Rear Adm. (lower half) Sean F. Crean has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Rear Admiral while serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (acquisition management), Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C.

Navy Reserve Rear Adm. (lower half) Patrick E. McGrath has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Rear Admiral while serving as Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve/vice commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego, Calif.

Navy Reserve Rear Adm. (lower half) John G. Messerschmidt has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Rear Admiral while serving as Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, New Orleans, La.

Navy Reserve Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael M. Shatynski has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Rear Admiral while serving as Reserve Deputy Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego, Calif.

May God bless you, Sirs, with calm seas in your new commands.

CONGRATULATIONS, MA'AMS & SIRS!

2009-02-26T15:20:00.000-08:00

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nominations:

Air Force Reserve Brig. Gen. Roger A. Binder has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the cCommander, Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Air Force Reserve Brig. Gen. David L. Commons has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

Air Force Reserve Brig. Gen. Anita R. Gallentine has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Installations and Logistics, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Reserve Brig. Gen. Carl M. Skinner has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Reserve Brig. Gen. Howard N. Thompson has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Reserve Brig. Gen. Paul M. Van Sickle has been nominated to the grade of Major General while serving as the Deputy Commander for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters U.S. Southern Command, Miami, Fla.

Air Force Reserve Col. William B. Binger has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Commander, 482nd Fighter Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.

Air Force Reserve Col. Catherine A. Chilton has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Electronic Systems Center, Air Force Material Command, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

Air Force Reserve Col. James A. Firth has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Logistics, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Air Force Reserve Col. Robert M. Haire has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Intelligence, Headquarters U.S. European Command, Germany.

Air Force Reserve Col. Stayce D. Harris has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Air Force Reserve Col. Thomas P. Harwood III has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 19th Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

Air Force Reserve Col. Maryanne Miller has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Commander, 349th Air Mobility Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

Air Force Reserve Col. Pamela K. Milligan has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Director for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Pacific Command, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

Air Force Reserve Col. Robert K. Millmann Jr., has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Air Force Reserve Col. James J. Muscatell Jr., has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Commander, 403rd Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

Air Force Reserve Col. Dennis P. Ployer has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Reserve Director for Security and Intelligence Operations, Headquarters U.S. Southern Command, Miami, Fla.

Air Force Reserve Col. Kevin E. Pottinger has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Commander, 301st Fighter Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Naval Air Station - Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas.

Air Force Reserve Col. Derek P. Rydholm has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as the Deputy Director, Strategic Planning, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington D.C.

Air Force Reserve Col. Debra A. Scullary has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.

Air Force Reserve Col. George F. Williams has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Defense Information Systems Agency, and commander, Joint Task Force - Global Network Operations, Arlington, Va.

May God bless you, Ma'ams and Sirs, with fair skies in your new commands.

CONGRATULATIONS, MA'AMS & SIRS!

2009-02-26T15:07:00.000-08:00

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the following assignments:

Rear Adm. Christine M. Bruzek-Kohler will be assigned as Commander, Navy Medicine West / Commander, Naval Medical Center / Director of the Nurse Corps, San Diego, Calif. Adm. Bruzek-Kohler is currently assigned as Deputy Chief, Medical Operations, M3/5, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery / Director of the Nurse Corps, Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. Christine S. Hunter will be assigned as Deputy Director, Tricare Management Activity, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Washington, D.C. Adm. Hunter is currently serving as Commander, Navy Medicine West / Commander, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, Calif.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Kendall L. Card, who has been selected for promotion to Rear Admiral, will be assigned as Director, Warfare Integration, N6F/N83, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Adm. Card is currently assigned as Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Three, San Diego, Calif.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Patrick Driscoll will be assigned as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Ten, Norfolk, Va. Adm. Driscoll is currently serving as Deputy Director, Navy Quadrennial Defense Review, N09B, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

May God bless you, Ma'ams and Sirs, with fair seas in your new commands.

WE ARE THE BETTER FOR THEM

2009-02-22T11:48:00.000-08:00

THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA----64 YEARS AGO

2009-02-20T09:40:00.000-08:00

The first flagraising atop Mount Suribachi, February 23, 1945. Hank Hansen (without helmet), Boots Thomas (seated), John Bradley (behind Thomas) Phil Ward (hand visible grasping pole), Jim Michaels (with carbine) and Chuck Lindberg (behind Michaels).
Photo by Lou Lowery. 10AM, Feb. 23, 1945

This is the original photograph by Joe Rosenthal. It was later cropped to become the photo we all know and the most reproduced photograph in history.

The facts are remarkable on their own.......

A force of 110, 000, comprising the U.S. Army Air Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S.Marine Corps against the enemy forces of the Japanese Imperial Army's force of 22, 000.

The objective was to secure the island of Iwo Jima. This was a volcanic mass in the Pacific Ocean that was of vital strategic importance for our bombers to be able to strike the Japanese mainland.

On paper, this sounds so simple. The Battle was anything but simple and raged from February 19th, 1945, to March 26th, 1945.

American casualties: 6, 821 dead and 19, 189 wounded.

These are the facts, yet in no way do the simple facts tell the story of a battle that helped to ensure our victory in the war in the Pacific.

To learn more, please visit: http://www.iwojima.com/

CANADA & THE UNITED STATES----THE TRADITION OF OUR MILITARY WORKING TOGETHER CONTINUES

2009-02-18T14:13:00.000-08:00

U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Rosario fires a C3 105mm howitzer during Exercise Southbound Trooper IX as Michael Habb, a Bombardier from the Canadian 1st Field Artillery Regiment, 36 Canadian Brigade Group, observes on Fort Pickett, Va. Feb. 16, 2009. Spc. Rosario is assigned to the 55th Signal Company, Combat Camera.
U.S. Army photo by: Pfc. Bao Huynh

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY----2009

2009-02-14T04:24:00.000-08:00

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight.

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace

I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, --I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

----- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

On this day when so many of us will be sharing with the one we love, please take the time to remember our Military....Active Duty and Veteran....deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan....on ships at sea....and serving on Bases at home and around the globe.

A BIT OF FUN FOR YOUR FRIDAY

2009-02-13T04:25:00.000-08:00

Elvis may have left the room....but not the building....

Please remember our Military..........our Active-Duty Troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and on Bases at home and around the globe...our wounded Warriors...and our Veterans.

CONGRATULATIONS, SIR!

2009-02-12T17:07:00.000-08:00

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has nominated:

Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael C. Gould for appointment to the grade of Lieutenant General with assignment as Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. Gen. Gould is currently serving as Director, Operations and Plans, Headquarters, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

May God bless you, Sir, with fair skies in your new command.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE---HARRY J HILLAKER

2009-02-11T06:47:00.001-08:00

The man known as the father of the F-16 and a founding member of the “fighter mafia” is dead.

Aircraft designer Harry J. Hillaker died Sunday at his home in Fort Worth, Texas. He was 89.

Hillaker spent 44 years with General Dynamics, where he was a pointman for designing the F-16. General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin have delivered more than 4,400 F-16s to air forces around the world.

In a 1991 interview with Code One Magazine, Hillaker recalled how believers in a lightweight fighter became known as the fighter mafia.

“That was the title given to the small group of people responsible for the conceptual design of the lightweight fighter, what became the F-16,” Hillaker said. “The group had three core members: John Boyd, Pierre Sprey and me. We were given the ‘mafia’ title by people in the Air Force back in the mid-’60s. We were viewed as an underground group that was challenging the establishment. We were a threat of sorts.”

At the time, the Air Force was focused on fielding the F-15 Eagle. Development efforts for what became the F-16 were low key.

Hillaker wanted a plane that achieved speed and range by being small and more efficient than the much larger F15.

“If we wanted to fly faster, we made the drag lower by reducing size and adjusting the configuration itself. If we wanted greater range, we made the plane more efficient, more compact,” Hillaker said.

Hillaker was born in Flint, Mich., and attended the University of Michigan. In 1941, he went to work with Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego and a year later was assigned to the firm’s Fort Worth plant.

Consolidated became General Dynamics, where Hillaker had a hand in several major projects, from the B-36 to the F-16. He retired in 1985, but continued to work with the Air Force and aviation groups.

General Characteristics
Primary Function: Multirole fighter
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corp.
Power Plant: F-16C/D: one Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229 or General Electric F110-GE-100/129
Thrust: F-16C/D, 27,000 pounds
Wingspan: 32 feet, 8 inches (9.8 meters)
Length: 49 feet, 5 inches (14.8 meters)
Height: 16 feet (4.8 meters)
Weight: 19,700 pounds without fuel (8,936 kilograms)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 37,500 pounds (16,875 kilograms)
Fuel Capacity: 7,000 pounds internal (3,175 kilograms); typical capacity, 12,000 pounds with two external tanks (5443 kilograms)
Payload: Two 2,000-pound bombs, two AIM-9 and 1,040-gallon external tanks
Speed: 1,500 mph (Mach 2 at altitude)
Range: More than 2,002 miles ferry range (1,740 nautical miles)
Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet (15 kilometers)
Armament: One M-61A1 20mm multibarrel cannon with 500 rounds; external stations can carry up to six air-to-air missiles, conventional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions and electronic countermeasure pods
Crew: F-16C, one; F-16D, one or two
Unit cost: F-16A/B , $14.6 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars); F-16C/D,$18.8 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars)
Initial operating capability: F-16A, January 1979; F-16C/D Block 25-32, 1981;
F-16C/D Block 40-42, 1989; and F-16C/D Block 50-52, 1994
Inventory: Total force, F-16C/D, 1,280

To learn more about this most remarkable aircraft, which has become the backbone of the air defense of both the United States and Canada, please visit:

U.S. Air Force: http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=103

May God bless your soul, Mr. Hillaker, and bring comfort to your family and friends. We all owe you an enormous debt of gratitude.

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2009-02-07T11:19:00.001-08:00

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nominations:

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Kathleen M. Dussault has been nominated for appointment to the rank of Rear Admiral. Adm. Dussault is currently serving as Commander, Joint Contracting Command, Multi-National Force Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq.

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Mark A. Handley has been nominated for appointment to the rank of Rear Admiral. Adm. Handley is currently serving as Director, Ashore Readiness Division, N46, office of the Chief of Naval Operations and deputy commander, Navy Installations Command, Washington, D.C.

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Mark F. Heinrich has been nominated for appointment to the rank of Rear admiral. Heinrich is currently serving as director, Logistics and Readiness, Defense Logistics Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va.

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael H. Mittelman has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear Admiral. Adm. Mittelman is currently serving as Medical Officer, Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Christopher J. Mossey has been nominated for appointment to the rank of Rear Admiral. Adm. Mossey is currently serving as Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Va.

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Matthew L. Nathan has been nominated for appointment to the rank of Rear Admiral. Adm. Nathan is currently serving as Commander, Navy Medicine Capital Area and commander, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.

The Chief of Staff, Air Force announces the assignment of the following General Officers:

Brig. Gen. Lyn D. Sherlock, Director, Air Operations and Training, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to Director, Regional Affairs, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force (International Affairs), Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. John D. Posner, Director, Air Force Smart Operations 21, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to Deputy Commander, Combined Air Operations Center 7, Component Command-Air Izmir, Allied Command Operations (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), Larissa, Greece.

May God bless you, Ma'am and Sirs, in your new commands.

THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE----ABOVE ALL

2009-02-06T05:23:00.000-08:00

The following is the latest You Tube video from the U.S. Air Force's USAFCENT Combined Air and Space Operations Center.

Please follow the links below to follow the U.S. Air Force on their main site, You Tube, Twitter, and their blog. It's the best way to keep in touch with all of our Air Force Personnel.

U.S. Air Force: http://www.af.mil/

U.S. Air Force Blog: http://airforcelive.blogspot.com/

U.S. Air Force on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AFBlueTube

U.S. Air Force on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AFPAA

A SUNDAY SMILE

2009-02-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered about the history of "LOL Cats"? Well...just sit back, put up your tootsies, grab your cocoa, and wonder no more..........

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2009-01-31T02:38:00.001-08:00

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has nominated:

Navy Capt Brian P. Monahan for appointment to the grade of Rear Admiral and assignment as Attending Physician to Congress. Capt. Monahan is currently serving as Deputy Attending Physician to Congress.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the following assignments:

Rear Adm. (lower half) Thomas H. Copeman III is being assigned as Commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, U.S. Southern Command, Guantanamo, Cuba. Adm. Copeman is currently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Training, and Readiness, N3/N7, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Earl L. Gay is being assigned as Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Three, San Diego, Calif. Adm. Gay is currently serving as Deputy Chairman, Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. Ann D. Gilbride has been appointed the first Director of the National Maritime Intelligence Center, Washington, D.C. Adm. Gilbride was most recently assigned as the Associate Director of Naval Intelligence for Reserve Affairs, N2R, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. Jeffrey A. Lemmons has been assigned as Director for International Engagement, N52, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Adm. Lemmons was most recently assigned as the Reserve Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources, N8R, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. Gregory Timberlake has been assigned as Director, Interagency Program Office, Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C. Adm. Timberlake was most recently assigned as Command Surgeon, U.S. Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.

May God bless you, Sirs, with fair winds and calm seas in your new commands.

"BATTLE BUDDIES"

2009-01-29T00:42:00.001-08:00

Army Staff Sgt. Ruby, an Explosive Detection and Attack Dog, latches onto trainer Marine Staff Sgt. Chris Willingham, Military Working Dog Handler, during an attack demonstration at Camp Echo, Iraq, Jan. 7, 2009.
U.S. Army photo by: Sgt. Rodney Foliente

When Servicemembers are deployed and conducting patrols, they rely on their "battle buddies" for safety and companionship.

Military Dogs have served in the U.S. armed forces and deployed to combat theaters since World War I, and continue to protect Servicemembers and civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq today.

The K9 Team of Marines, Soldiers and Dogs attached to the 4th Infantry Division's Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, bring an extra level of vigilance and threat-detecting capabilities brigade, as well as camaraderie to the Servicemembers here.

The Dogs are attached to Units conducting patrol missions and assist with local security, Marine Staff Sgt. Chris Willingham, the security battalion's Military Working Dog Kennel Master, said.

"We've conducted joint dismounted patrols with the [Iraqi security forces], open-area searches and conducted training to show how dogs can be implemented at the Iraqi checkpoints," Willingham said. "They have a newfound respect when they see our Dogs work, the Dogs in training, their obedience, and see what they can do -- what they bring to the fight."

Each Dog is trained to find explosives and weapons caches. They search roadways, vehicles, open areas and buildings for threats. Their presence also brings a level of psychological deterrence to anyone considering an attack, he explained.

Each of the four Dog Teams here comprises a Dog Handler and his Dog. They work, sleep and play together, and are rarely apart.

Willingham and his Dog, Marine Gunnery Sgt. Lucca, a Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd mix, deployed together to Iraq in October. "She's a Marine as well. She actually outranks me. I have to stand at parade rest for her," Willingham joked.

"Lucca is smart, easy to train, extremely loyal and has a lot of personality," he added. Willingham said he is proud of Lucca, knowing that her actions and capabilities can save the lives of Servicemembers and civilians.

Willingham, who hails from Tuscaloosa, Ala., has trained about 50 different Dog Handlers and Dogs, but has worked with only two different Dogs during his career. He and Lucca were paired more than two years ago.

"We've got a lot of loyalty between us," he said. "We've been together for two deployments now, and she saved my life a couple of times, so I've definitely got a tight bond with this Dog," he said affectionately, scratching and petting Lucca.

"The best part of being a Dog handler is kind of two-fold," Willingham said. "When it's time to work, the implications of these Dogs being successful means that soldiers' lives are being saved. On the other hand, in between missions, it's good to just let the Dog be a Dog, run around and bring a piece of home to the Troops that you're supporting. The Dogs act as a big morale boost for the Troops."

Army Sgt. Tyler Barriere, a Military Working Dog Handler for the 163rd Military Police Detachment, said his Dog, Army Staff Sgt. Buddy, is happy-go-lucky guy and friendly. But Buddy can be aggressive when needed, he added, and any terrorist he found "would be pretty scared to see this 91-pound Belgian Malinois chasing after them."

Buddy is an Explosive Detection and Attack Dog, able to run down suspects and hold them for detention.

Buddy plopped down next to Barriere after leaping through windows during a search demonstration. Buddy has served for six years, and Barriere has been an Army Dog Handler for two. They arrived in Iraq in September.

"I love being a Dog Handler," Barriere said. "I have a great relationship with Buddy. We spend all our time together, and we've got a good bond. He's always there if I come back from a stressful day, and he cheers me up. There can't be anything better than that."

Army Sgt. Troy Stiner, another Military Working Dog Handler for the 163rd Military Police Detachment, is paired with Staff Sgt. Ruby, a Belgian Malinois Explosive Detection and Attack Dog.

Ruby has been in the Army for seven years, as has Stiner, who has been a Dog Handler for more than two of those years. This is their first deployment together.

"We've got a pretty good relationship. We've been through a lot together," Stiner said. "We depend on each other a lot. You get a stronger bond working with a Dog than you do with another Soldier. The Dog depends on you for its survival down here, and you also depend on the Dog to make sure you don't get hurt on missions."

Ruby's calm and friendly demeanor was a stark contrast from moments earlier, when she demonstrated her attack capabilities, leaping through the air in a flurry of teeth and claws to chomp down on another trainer's protected arms. She latched on with her strong jaws until ordered by her Handler to release, sometimes held hanging in the air only by her tight grip.

"She always wants to go to work. She's got a high drive for it," Stiner said.

Marine Cpl. William Soutra, a Military Working Dog Handler for the Security Battalion, and his Dog, Marine Sgt. Posha, deployed together in October.

"He might not know it, but his job here is to save my life and the lives of others," Soutra said.

Soutra said he loves being able to live with his German Shepherd and constantly be together, though he does like to share Posha with others to help brighten their days.

"Dogs are celebrities during deployment," Soutra said. "Just taking him out in everyday life, whether it be the [post exchange] or laundry, everyone that walks by can't help but smile. I try to give everyone the benefit to pet him, because it brings new life to people."

The Soldiers they are assigned to for missions love to have Posha along, Soutra said. Not only is there an additional security and force protection element, but it brings enjoyment to the Troops, especially those at the smaller bases.

Though this is their first deployment together, Soutra said, the two of them make a great team.

"Me and Posha, I feel like we're the same," he said. "I've worked with four dogs. Posha's been a rough Dog to other [Dog Handlers] in the past, but I got the opportunity to pick him up after my last deployment, and we click like I think nobody else has.

"We fit well together," he said petting his Dog.

(Army Sgt. Rodney Foliente serves with the 4th Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team.)

Army Staff Sgt. Buddy, an Explosive Detection and Attack Dog, stands tall to sniff a suspicious scent as Army Sgt. Tyler Barriere, Military Working Dog Handler, looks on during a search demonstration at Camp Echo, Iraq, Jan. 7, 2009.
U.S. Army photo by: Sgt. Rodney Foliente

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Lucca, an Explosive Detection Dog, and Marine Staff Sgt. Chris Willingham, Military Working Dog Handler, share a hug at Camp Echo, Iraq, Jan. 10, 2009.
U.S. Army photo by: Sgt. Rodney Foliente

Marine Sgt. Posha, an Explosive Detection Dog, sits with his partner, Marine Cpl. William Soutra, Military Working Dog Handler, after a training demonstration at Camp Echo, Iraq, Jan. 7, 2009.
U.S. Army photo by: Sgt. Rodney Foliente

To learn more of the work our Troops are doing, please visit:

Multinational Corps Iraq: http://www.mnci.centcom.mil/

To read more on our Military Working Dog Teams, please visit the following blog and be sure to follow the provided links:

K9 Pride: http://k9pride.wordpress.com/

CONTINUED COOPERATION BETWEEN NATIONS

2009-01-28T00:33:00.000-08:00

Army Capt. Eric Fritz, left, and Canadian Air Force Capt. Martin LeFrancois sit in the cockpit of a New York Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter prior to a night flight outside of the Army Aviation Support Facility 2 in Rochester, N.Y., Jan. 20, 2009.
Courtesy photo

New York Army National Guard members offered hands-on CH-47 Chinook helicopter training to Canadian Air Force Aircrews readying for deployment at a flight facility here last week.

Aviation Soldiers from the Guard's Company B, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, who returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan in April, used their Chinooks and the upstate New York snow to train the Canadians on Afghan flying conditions.

The snow was a stand-in for the ubiquitous Afghan dust, Army Capt. Eric Fritz, Instructor Pilot for the Battalion, explained. Fritz put together a two-week training program to prepare the Canadians for an upcoming Afghan deployment.

Members of the Canadian Air Force's 408th and 430th Tactical Helicopter Squadrons will be operating Chinooks in theater. The Canadian aircraft already are 6,000 miles away in place in Afghanistan.

"Everybody jumped at the opportunity to provide the training and transmit Company B's experience and information to the Canadians," Army Col. Michael Bobeck, Aviation Officer, said. "It makes everybody operate safer and allows us to accomplish the mission."

The first week of training focused on classroom briefings, battlefield scenarios and daylight-flying operations, and the second week was spent perfecting night-flying skills. The training plan culminated with a simulated air assault. All training flights took place within 100 miles of the flight facility here.

Landing and taking off in the light snowfall provided the Canadians with the same experience they'll get coping with the ever-present dust in Afghanistan, Fritz said.

"The New York National Guard has been very accommodating, because it's all been last-minute for us," Canadian Air Force Capt. Martin LeFrancois, 430th Squadron, said. "Now that we have six Chinooks waiting for us in Afghanistan, the training program that they prepared for us will be really beneficial."

(Army Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone serves in the New York National Guard.)

For more information, please visit:

New York Army National Guard: http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/arng/nyarng.php

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS----PART 1

2009-01-28T00:28:00.000-08:00

The Army Chief of Staff announces the assignment of the following General Officers:

Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone to Special Assistant to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Va. He most recently served as Commanding General, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.

Brig. Gen. Michael A. Ryan, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Intelligence, G-3/G-2, Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, to Director of Strategic Effects, U.S. Forces Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.

May God bless you, Sirs, in your new commands.

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS----PART 2

2009-01-28T00:19:00.001-08:00

The Air Force Chief of Staff announces the assignments of the following General Officers:

Maj. Gen. Douglas L. Raaberg, Deputy Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command; Deputy Commander, Air Force Forces; and Vice Commander, 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force, Air Combat Command, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, to Special Assistant to the Commander, Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Hoog, Commander, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Air Combat Command, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to Deputy Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command; Deputy Commander, Air Force Forces; and Vice Commander, 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force, Air Combat Command, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

Brig. Gen. Stanley T. Kresge, Director, Air, Space and Information Operations, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to Commander, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Air Combat Command, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

Brig. Gen. Tod D. Wolters, Deputy Commander, Political-Military Affairs, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command, Kabul, Afghanistan, to Director, Air, Space and Information Operations, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

Col. Carlton D. Everhart II, (who has been selected for the rank of Brigadier General) Deputy Director, Intelligence and Air, Space, and Information Operations for Flying Training, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, to Deputy Commander, Political-Military Affairs, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command, Kabul, Afghanistan.

May God bless you, Sirs, with fair skies always in your new commands.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE----OUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

2009-01-23T20:24:00.000-08:00

Do you know all that the United States Air Force does to provide you with the most effective security?

Do you know that the United States Air Force provides security for us in the air AND on land?

Do you know that the United States Air Force is the continental United States' first line of defense?

Please watch the following video and be grateful that the men and women of the United States Air Force are out there on the job, day and night, for you and I.......

THIEVES DESECRATE GRAVE OF FALLEN SOLDIER AND STEAL MEMORIAL MONUMENT

2009-01-22T03:30:00.000-08:00

Spc. Philip Cody Ford

21 of Freeport, Texas. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne), 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. Died Dec. 10th, 2006, of injuries sustained when an IED detonated near his Humvee in Baghdad. Also killed was Sgt. Brennan C. Gibson and Pfc. Shawn M. Murphy.

A memorial that topped the grave of a 21-year-old Soldier killed in Iraq two years ago has been stolen.

Thieves last week hauled away a battle cross created for Cody Ford’s grave — his bronzed jump boots, bronzed assault rifle and a bronzed helmet like the one he wore in Iraq. Authorities said even the bronzed base that supported the battle cross in Gulf Prairie Cemetery was stolen.

“I don’t know if they hated the family that much, or if they hated Cody that much — why would you do something like that?” said Ford’s father, Philip Ford.

The bronzed boots are the same jump boots that Spc. Cody Ford, a member of the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne), wore when he graduated from Paratrooper School. The boots were filled with concrete before they were mounted on his grave.

The thieves also kicked around flowers and other items at the grave and stole the Soldier’s dog tags.

Brazoria County Sheriff’s Capt. Chris Kincheloe told the Houston Chronicle that the vandals could face charges of felony theft and misdemeanor desecration of a venerated object.

The battle cross stood 5 feet tall and weighed about 350 pounds. It cost the Ford family about $5,000.

Investigators believe that several people were involved in the crime because of the monument’s size, Kincheloe said.

Cody Ford, a 2004 graduate of Brazosport High School, was killed Dec. 10, 2006, when his Humvee drove over a bomb. Two other Soldiers were also killed in the blast.

Ford was awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and other medals after his death. He left a $400,000 insurance policy to his twin brother, Tanner, so he can go to medical school.

Jones Creek, a town of about 2,000, is located in Brazoria County about 60 miles south of Houston.

From Military Times: http://www.militarytimes.com/

This is one of the most sickening stories about any of our Fallen Troops that I have ever read. To disagree with the reasons a country goes to war is one thing. To desecrate the grave of any of the Fallen and steal that Soldier's monument, combat boots, and his dog tags..........is just evil.

"BATTLE BUDDIES" OF IRAQ

2009-01-21T17:24:00.000-08:00

Army Sgt. Jess Storie, a dog handler, and his “battle buddy” Jose, a Labrador Retriever, take a break following an afternoon training session in explosives search on Camp Slayer, Iraq, Jan. 16, 2009. The dog and handler are one of only seven dog teams that support Baghdad and the outlying province.
U.S. Army photo by: Staff Sgt. Brock Jones

Dogs are known as “man’s best friend,” and in recent years, they also have become a Soldier’s best friend.

With their keen sense of smell, dogs have taken on the dangerous duty of finding weapons and explosives in the combat zones of the Middle East.

Army Sgt. Jess Storie, an off-leash Dog Handler with the 94th Engineer Detachment out of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Jose, his black Labrador Retriever, are front and center in the constant battle to eliminate dangerous weapons before they can be used to hurt or kill.

They’re one of only seven dog teams that support Baghdad and the outlying province, Officials said.

“Me and Jose have been together just a little over a year. This is our first deployment together,” Storie, a Claremore, Okla., native, said. “He was a ‘green’ dog when I got him, so this is his first deployment also.”

Storie, a combat engineer by trade, is on his third deployment to the Middle East. He was involved mostly in raids and route clearance during his first and second deployments. Wanting a change, he said, he jumped at the chance to get involved in the Specialized Search Dog Program.

“When this program popped up, I was at Fort Hood [Texas], and it took me a year and a half just to get to Fort Leonard Wood to see if I could qualify to get into the dog program,” he said.

To qualify for the program, a dog and handler must undergo a rigorous training process.

“You go through a selection process to even be considered to be a dog handler,” Army Sgt. 1st Class John Harmon, a kennel master and native of Great Falls, Mont., said..........cont'd.

To read the remainder of this story, please follow the link: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=52740

A JOB WELL DONE

2009-01-19T23:19:00.000-08:00

Thank You, President and Mrs. Bush, for a job well done these past eight years. May God bless and keep you both, and your family, safe, healthy, and happy. America, and the world, are the better for your Presidency, Sir, and for having such a gracious First Lady.

REUNITED, AT LAST!

2009-01-18T14:15:00.000-08:00

Spc. Gwen Beberg is reunited with Ratchet the border collie on Jan. 17 in Fridley, Minn. Spc. Beberg saved Ratchet from a burning trash pile while serving in Iraq and her efforts to adopt the dog were successful after the Army initially refused.

Army Spc. Gwen Beberg has been reunited with Ratchet, the puppy she bonded with after saving him from a burning trash pile in Iraq.

Beberg returned to her Minneapolis home on Saturday after being stationed in Kentucky since she returned from Iraq. She and another Soldier rescued the then-4-week-old puppy in May and an animal rescue group arranged his trip to Minnesota in October.

The dog stayed with Beberg’s parents until her return. The soldier calls Ratchet her “fuzzy little love” that always lifts her spirits.

The U.S. Military initially blocked the dog from leaving because it said American Troops could not be responsible for its transportation. The dog was put onto a charter flight instead.

Courtesy: Military Times: http://www.militarytimes.com/

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2009-01-15T23:39:00.000-08:00

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President made the following nominations:

Marine Corps Reserve Brig. Gen. John M. Croley has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Major General. Gen. Croley is currently serving as the Commanding General, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, in New Orleans, La.

Marine Corps Reserve Brig. Gen. Tracy L. Garrett has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Major General. Gen. Garrett is currently serving as the Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe; and Commander, U. S. Marine Corps Forces, Africa, in Germany.

May God bless you, Sirs, in your new commands.

A PORTRAIT OF GREATNESS

2009-01-13T17:22:00.000-08:00

Retired Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and artist Peter E. Egeli unveil a portrait of Gen. Pace during a Pentagon ceremony, Jan. 13, 2009.
DoD photo by: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

It's a plain, unadorned painting -- just a General Officer in service-dress alphas looking straight at you. But the portrait of retired Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace now hanging in the Pentagon captures the measure of the man.

The portrait hangs on the E-Ring in the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff corridor. Gen. Pace served as the 16th Chairman, and the painting joins those of all Chairmen going back to General of the Army Omar N. Bradley.

Former Marine Peter E. Egeli painted the portrait.

"I didn't want a lot of distraction in it," Egeli said in a short interview. "The background is red. That signifies the wars we fought. I wanted the attention on the general."

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the current Chairman, hosted the portrait-unveiling ceremony at the Pentagon auditorium today. He praised his predecessor – the first Marine to serve as Chairman – for his leadership, his caring, and his intellect.

"His leadership and caring for the men and women who serve live with him today," Mullen said. He called Gen. Pace a "Marine's Marine" and said the portrait recognizes a very special individual. The chairman also recognized Gen. Pace's wife, Lynne, for her contributions to the military, and her advocacy of Military families.

Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld; Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England; retired Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, Gem. Pace's predecessor as Chairman; retired Navy Adm. Edmund Giambastiani, the former Vice Chairman; Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen; and many serving Officers of the Joint Staff and civilian leaders attended the unveiling.

Gem. Pace thanked all for attending, and he thanked Rumsfeld for appointing him as Vice Chairman and Chairman.

"History will be written at the right time," Pace said to Rumsfeld. "The folks in this room wearing uniforms and the civilian leaders in this room are going to come out looking the way they should – as true patriots and heroes of our country."

Gem. Pace said in the 15 months since he retired he has had time to think about what went right and what didn't.

"I certainly made some wrong estimates. And I certainly made some recommendations that if I could take them back and change them, I would, given the knowledge of today," he said. "But I also know that given the exact same data, at the exact same time in history, I would give the exact same advice."

Gem. Pace said that all involved in the weighty decisions on Iraq and Afghanistan learned, and that the learning led to better advice. "I'm immensely proud of what has not happened because of the dialogue that has gone on among our senior civilian leaders and our senior Military leaders," he said.

Pace spoke of the portrait and thanked Egeli "for treating me gently," but also spoke of the portrait that "is the canvas of my heart." He said it was an incredible privilege to serve.

"I miss it. I miss being able to reach out and touch folks in uniform," he said. "If I could find a way to serve the nation again, I would."

In the audience was Marine 1st Lt. Andrew Kinnard – a young man wounded in Iraq. "Some people mistakenly would say that Andrew lost his legs in combat. Wrong," Pace said. "Andrew gave his legs. He sacrificed his legs so that we might live in this incredible country."

Gem. Pace said one of the best aspects of retired life is being able to work with wounded warriors and the families of the fallen. "Andrew, to you – and to every other Servicemember who has sacrificed for our country – thank you," Pace said.

Adm. Mullen noted the Paces' life of service, and quoted from Australian poet Adam Lindsay Gordon. "Life is mostly froth and bubble, two things stand like stone: Kindness in another's trouble, courage in your own," the chairman said.

"Thank you for your friendship, thanks for your service," Mullen added. "Thanks for being the leader you have been and the Marine you have been my entire life."

POSITIVE NEWS ON THE WAR----IRAQ

2009-01-13T10:23:00.000-08:00

Iraqi Security Forces arrested suspected criminals and, while working with U.S. Soldiers, seized multiple weapons in operations in Iraq over the past three days, Military Officials reported.

Iraqi Security Forces arrested nine suspected criminals on local and government warrants during operations to thwart terrorist activities Jan. 10 and 11 in Balad, Iraq. The suspects are believed to be involved in the facilitation and emplacement of homemade bombs, weapons trafficking, kidnapping of local civilians, and attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces.

In operations yesterday:

-- Led by a tip from a local civilian, Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers found an 82 mm mortar round in the Ghazaliyah community of northwestern Baghdad's Mansour district. An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team removed the round.

-- Iraqi National Police and U.S. Soldiers found four rocket-propelled grenades in a field in the Shurta community of southern Baghdad's Rashid district. They moved the weapons to a nearby police headquarters.

-- In Rashid district's Saydiyah community, Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers seized two AK-47 assault rifles.

To read more on the positive changes our Troops are helping to bring to Iraq, please visit:

Multinational Corps Iraq: http://www.mnci.centcom.mil/

CONGRATULATIONS, SIRS!

2009-01-11T12:05:00.001-08:00

The Army Chief of Staff announces the assignment of the following General Officers:

Maj. Gen. Richard J. Sherlock, Special Assistant to the Director of Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., to Director for Plans and Programs, U.S. Africa Command.

Brig. Gen.James C. Boozer Sr., Assistant Division Commander (maneuver), 1st Armored Division, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, to Deputy Commanding General, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, Alexandria, Va.

Brig. Gen.William N. Phillips, Commanding General, Picatinny Arsenal/ commander, Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command/ Program Executive Officer, Ammunition, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., to Commander, Joint Contracting Command, Multi-National Forces-Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq.

Col. Edward M. Reeder Jr., who has been selected for the rank of Brigadier General, Executive Officer to the Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla, to Commander, Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command - Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.

Col. Jess A. Scarbrough, who has been selected for the rank of Brigadier General, Assistant Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), Washington, D.C., to Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical and Biological Defense, Falls Church, Va.

The Air Force Chief of Staff announces the assignments of the following General Officers:

Brig. Gen. Clyde D. Moore II, Director, Special Programs, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to Deputy Director, Joint Strike Fighter Program, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Arlington, Va.

Brig. Gen. Rowayne A. Schatz Jr., Commander, 19^th Airlift Wing, Air Mobility Command, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., to Deputy Director, Global Operations, J-39, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Masiello, Deputy Director, Operations, National Military Command Center, Operations Team Two, J-3, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to Deputy Director, CJ9 Strategic Effects, Multi National Forces – Iraq, U.S.Central Command, Baghdad, Iraq.

Brig. Gen. Jay G. Santee, Vice Commander, 14^th Air Force, Air Forces Strategic, Air Force Space Command, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., to Principal Director, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Strategic Capabilities); Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities); Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nominations:

Air Force Col. James J. Carroll has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Deputy Assistant Surgeon General, Modernization, Office of the Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Falls Church, Va.

Air Force Col. Bart O. Iddins has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Command Surgeon, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Air Force Col. Michael W. Miller has been nominated to the grade of Brigadier General while serving as Senior Executive and Director of Staff, Office of the Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C

May God bless you, Sirs, in your new commands..