Operation Love Our Troops
Operation Love Our Troops, an initiative launched by the military support group Soldiers' Angels and the Library of Life, is attempting to create the world's largest digital valentine to send to servicemembers deployed overseas.
You can send valentine wishes to a particular deployed loved one, or send a general message to all troops. To send a message, visit
www.operationloveourtroops.org and fill in the box on the webpage to send an e-mail message or a voice message.
All of the messages will be collected to create what is hoped will become a Guinness World Record for being the world's largest digital valentine. Messages are free and can be sent to Marine, Army, Navy, Coast Guard or Air Force members stationed anywhere in the world.
The messages will be sent to the troops via email on February 14.
http://www.military.com/MilitaryReport/0,12914,86440,00.html?ESRC=miltrep.nl
Soldiers' Angels Armor Up Program
Via Soldiers Angels GermanySoldiers' Angels Armor Up Program - Your Help NeededIn 2004 Soldiers' Angels created the
Armor Up program providing Kevlar blankets to be used as extra protection on troop vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since then, Soldiers' Angels has purchased 62 of the blankets, which are DOD approved and cost $935 each.
Soldiers' Angel Robin, who heads the Armor Up program, sent this email last night:
We thought we would no longer need to send Kevlar blankets but recently got requests from 3 units... Although the Army is now aggressively sending Armored Humvees into theater, these blankets are very versatile. For example, while steel floor plating stops most of an IED blast, the blanket can absorb additional shock and shrapnel to prevent leg injuries. Some non-combat vehicles have vulnerabilites that can be mitigated with a kevlar blanket. They can also be used as extra protection around gun turrets, or in buildings such as sleeping quarters.
Here's
more information about the Armor Up program at the Soldiers' Angels site where you can donate via PayPal.
Please help us get blankets to these units as soon as possible!
Update:Robin has just received a request from a fourth unit. At 10 - 12 blankets per unit, we need to raise well over $40,000. Please help us spread the word!
Idiots are everywhere, I think I will go to bed now.......
People are pissing me off left and right today ~ maybe it is just the PMS or is it just that idiots are running around freely in our country without a red "I" being a warning to the rest of us? And can she be serious, really people.....
"the peace activist who just announced that she is weighing a run for Senate" Who deemed her a peace activist anyway and the Senate, can I laugh my way to sleep tonight?? Surely she jests! And Hugo Chavez, I won't even go there, not today anyway.
Chavez Will Jail U.S. SpiesI try to not blog too much about these people, but today I just cannot help myself.
Again I must say, CINDY SHEEHAN, YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR THIS MILITARY FAMILY!
Chavez backs Sheehan plan for Bush protest"Cindy Sheehan, the peace activist who just announced that she is weighing a run for Senate, plans to protest again outside President Bush's Texas ranch, Venezuela's president said Sunday with Sheehan by his side."
Murtha enrages me yet again............
Murtha: Troops Out of Iraq by Year's End"U.S. troops will leave Iraq by the end of the year due to political pressure in a Congressional election year, Rep. John Murtha predicted. "I just have to say it, Mr. Murtha, SHUT YOUR POT HOLE! A certain amount of disrespect IS intended. Although I will never say word one about your veteran status, you do deserve respect for that, but I will say that I truly think at this point you have lost your marbles.
Before long I may just have to have CO write some thoughts on my blog about you, people like you and your opinions.
As I have said before, in my humble opinion, with your words you are stomping on the service my husband has done in Iraq, twice, stomping on my sacrifice as a military spouse, stomping on the graves of our fallen friends and thoroughly disgusting this military spouse.
Let our soldiers finish their mission in total without having to do their mission daily and knowing in the back of their minds that people like you do not support their mission and want them to come home before the mission is complete.
Hell, if we pull out now, we might as well just expect that the next day will bring a rash of terror attacks inside our own borders or to our citizens overseas. Better yet, why don't we just bomb the shit out of the entire mid-east and have a total US take over. That makes as much sense as pulling our troops out by year end!
One more thing before I go, to this "Murtha, who voted in 2002 to give President Bush the authority to go to war, said he believes Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction, had no ties to
al-Qaida and wasn't a threat to the United States" I suggest he go over and read these things:
AirForceGuy debunked the myth
that there were no WMDs ~
Unfinished Story of Iraqi WMD ~
Iraqi General: Syria Gave Al Qaida Saddam's WMDs.
Nuff Said!!!!!!!!
Letter to a Military Spouse
Letter to a Military Spouse
While I have never had the pleasure of meeting you or your husband, I felt the need to write you and express a very deep feeling that I have in my heart.
I, as a person, am not brave. I do not tackle things head on, as I hate confrontation. I will travel 100 miles out of my way just to avoid a conflict. I am an American woman that has no idea what is going on in the military other than what I hear on the news. I have never had to let go of someone so that they could go fight for people that they didn't know, people that sometimes do not appreciate or understand what they are fighting for.
I have never had a sleepless night of worry because of a report that another bomb has exploded and I still haven't heard from my husband.
I have never had to wait for months on end to hold the one that I loved so.
I have never had to tell my children that daddy wasn't coming home tonight because he was so far away fighting for something that they aren't yet old enough to understand.
I have never had to hold my head high and suppress the tears as I hear that it will be at least another six months of separation before my loved one gets to come home.
I have never had to deal with a holiday away from the one that I thought I would share every day of my life with.
And I have never had to feel the panic rising in my heart at the sound of a ringing phone or knock at the door for fear that it is the news that everyone is terrified of getting.
For the reasons listed above, I can not tell you that I understand how you feel. I can not tell you that you must be strong. I can not say that you shouldn't be angry, because you "knew what you were getting into when you married a military man". I can not say these things because I have never had to walk in your shoes.
What I can say for certain is that because of your unselfish acts of bravery and your husbands willingness to stand up for those who see him as "just another soldier" - - I will never have to walk in your shoes.
I do understand that as a military wife you are expected to uphold a certain amount of control, but I never understood how you could do it, until now. I have figured out that you are not like other women. You are of a special breed. You have a strength within you that holds life together in the darkest of hours, a strength of which I will never possess. The faith you have is what makes you stand out in a crowd; it makes you glow with emotion and swell with pride at the mention of The United States of America.
You are a special lady, a wonderful partner and a glorious American. I have more respect for your husband than I could ever tell you, but until recently I never thought much about those that the soldier leaves at home during deployment.
Until this moment I could never put into words exactly what America meant to me.
Until this moment, I had no real reason to.... Until I heard of you.
Your husband and his military family hold this nation close, safe from those who wish to hurt us...but you and those like you are the backbone of the American family. You keep the wheels in motion and the hearts alive while most would just break completely down. Military families make this nation what it is today.
You give us all hope and you emit a warming light at the end of a long dark tunnel.
Because of you and your family...I am able to be me. I am able to have my family. I am able to walk free in this great land.Because of you and your family, I can look ahead to the future with the knowledge that life is going to be okay. Because of you and your family, I can awake to a new day, everyday.
I realize that you are a stronger person than I will ever be because of these things and I just wanted to take the time today to say thank you to you and your family for allowing me that freedom.
I will never be able to repay this debt to you, as it is unmatchable. However, I hope that you know that no matter where you are...what you are doing...what has happened today...or what will happen tomorrow...Your husband will NEVER be "just another soldier" to me.... And you, dear sweet lady, will never be forgotten.
You are all in my prayer's everyday and I pray that God will bring you back together with your loved one safely.
May God Bless You!
Sincerely,
Melissa G. Bouldin-Reeves
Tennessee
http://www.nmfa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=communityhappenings
You Might be a Military Brat...
You Might be a Military Brat...
If you actually like the clothes at the PX and don't mind that 100 other people are wearing the same thing.
If you wish you were back at the last place you were stationed and are only 10.
If the question "where are you from?" is answered with "I'm kinda from all over the place."
If you are amazed at people who have never left their hometown.
If you are commonly asked, "Is it hard always moving around?" and you don't know anything different.
If you go to a grocery store but insist on calling it a commissary.
If you have ever bagged groceries at the commissary on payday.
If you had/still have hospital corners on your bed.
If you don't really know the answer to the question "what is your home town."
If you ever feared turning 21 because they would take your id card away.
If you have spent more time on a military base than in real town even though you've been a civilian all your life.
If you ever got restricted to quarters or put on KP duty as a kid.
If you had a father who was always telling you to "Go police up your room!"
If you have ever been "dropped" for your grades at school.
If you have to explain that being born in Germany does not make you German.
If you know what "the land of the big PX" means.
If you actually miss shopping at AAFES or the PX.
If you have ever had to have an ID card to get back home from "down range."
If you have ever asked "CPT Smith, can Tommy come out and play?"
If you graduated from 12th grade and it was your 13th school.
If you had to tell your math teacher, last school was teaching subtraction, new school was on division and you missed multiplication.
If you live in one state and your father/mother lives in another because they were newly stationed there.
http://www.military.com/humorcontent/1,,humor_012506_brat,,00.html
Valentines Wanted for Troops
Valentines Wanted for TroopsKeystone Soldiers, a non-profit partner in the Defense Department's America Supports You program, is shipping donated Valentine cards to deployed troops again this year. The organization is collecting them now and was scheduled to start shipping Jan. 15.
Keystone will accept hand-made or purchased cards as well as hearts cut from decorative or construction paper. The paper hearts will be attached to poster boards and mailed to the troops so they can hang them in their quarters or community rooms. Contributors should sign their donations and may add their addresses as an option.
Send donations no later than Jan. 30 to Keystone Soldiers, PO Box 152, Fleetwood, PA 19522. Donors also can bring them to the courtesy desk at any Boscov's Department Store until the close of business Feb. 5. For more information, scroll to Valentines From Our Heart at
http://www.keystonesoldiers.com/.
Calling All Angels
Wounded Marine sniper Sgt. Eddie Ryan and his family need our help.
Mom In America 2 has a couple of great posts about SGT Ryan and a comment or two for some @@@head that left an ugly comment.
This Marine needs our help. That is the bottom line.
Go to
Mom In America 2 to read a bit more then cruise on over to
www.helpeddieryan.comThat is an order, now move out!!
Moving on after re-deployment....
CO made it back and we have been enjoying being a family again. What a great week we have had!
Of course rumors are already flying around all over post about a possible next deployment. Some people just don't even let you breathe and take in the happiness of return before they start worrying about what will happen next. Some of our guys will get to relax and stay at home station for awhile, some will move to a new brigade and get wrapped up in a new deployment, sooner rather than later, but that is the way it goes! Hang tight people, savor the moment you have and worry about the other things another day!
CO is back at work now doing his reverse SRP, organizing his office and planning for what his guys will do next week in preparation for block leave. No rest for the weary I suppose, but leave is around the corner and we will travel a bit and savor each moment a 24 hour day gives us together.
I have been back at "work" myself with the FRG. I had about 2 days to breathe myself and then drama began again. It is most often a thankless job but I do love it as well. Like in the past when going down this road, it is best described as a love/hate relationship I have with the FRG. Most days the love outweighs the hate and I get to work with some wonderful women.
This was the first deployment daddy went on that XO and PL really were old enough to understand he was gone and when he was coming home. I saw their little eyes light up when he walked into the welcome home ceremony. Daddy soon disappeared behind other soldiers in the formation and XO started to cry. "Where did daddy go?" Soon the CG released our guys and PL ran right to daddy, hugged him and smiled so big. XO waited for a moment and then reached for daddy's strong arms to pick him up and hold him. He stayed in daddy's arms for the rest of the day, literally. The excitement was in full force the moment we all walked into the house, daddy missed Christmas and his birthday and had to immediately open his presents with the boys. What a great day!
CO and I have sat and laughed together all week. We discuss his SRP and came up with fun things to talk about pertaining to that. He is doing well and it allows us to joke, but we know some families aren't as lucky as we are right now. Anyway, the joke yesterday was "non-specific anger" and anytime that one of us got irritated at someone else outside of our home, the dog, the stove, anything, we laughed and said we must have "non-specific anger."
Life is good and I am so happy to be able to say that.
Back from Iraq Baby!!!!!!!!!!!
He made it home!!! CO is now US soil and I am very excited!!!
Will report back soon!!
He's coming home
CO is on his way home!! Jumping for joy in our house!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will be AWOL for a bit as we become a family under one roof again but I will report back before we take some leave time!!!
Still standing tall
Gunnery Sgt. Michael Burghardt signals his defiance after being struck by an IED on Sept. 19 near Ramadi, Iraq.Jeff Bundy / The Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald
For Marine Gunnery Sgt. Michael Burghardt, the business of hunting down and defusing roadside bombs is something of a deadly chess game. But for one of the most well-respected bomb experts working in Iraq, Sept. 19 nearly marked checkmate.
See story
By Scott Schonauer, Stars and StripesEuropean edition, Monday, January 16, 2006
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — A 65-year-old diabetic veteran has raised more than $15,000 for a nonprofit inn that provides rooms for families of wounded servicemembers in Germany.
But after walking in five marathons last year, Norm Raynal doesn’t plan on putting away his walking shoes.
He wants to raise more money this year for the Landstuhl Fisher House organization.
“Without donations, they don’t do much of anything,” Raynal said.
Last year, Raynal set up a Web site (
http://www.sponsormywalk.info/) and encouraged people to pledge a dollar or euro for each kilometer he finished. His goal was to raise $15,000; he raised $15,309. He walked more than 210 kilometers, or about 130 miles.
He said it wasn’t easy, joking that he had to go back to the gym after the first marathon so he could finish the other four.
Raynal, who lives in Germany, came up with the idea of raising money for the Fisher House in Landstuhl from a friend. Raynall did two combat tours in Vietnam.
Fisher House organizations are located at or near U.S. military hospitals around the world and offer families a place to stay for a small fee or no fee at all. The inns do not receive any funding from the military and rely on charitable donations and fees charged to families, according to the Landstuhl Fisher House Web site.
Far Reaching Effects
Isn't it interesting how something half a world away
Kuwait Emir Dies After 27 Years in Power ends up effecting our tiny little household?!?!
Appreciate Our Troops
Show our troops some love......
http://www.appreciateourtroops.org/index.phpWe currently have nearly 30,000 troops who have requested a Troop Appreciation Mug. Please help us by donating a mug today so that one of our brave men and women may receive their mug at no cost to them. With your donation of $6.50 (which includes shipping), a hero from our our waiting list will receive a Troop Appreciation Mug personalized with their name and rank. Or, if you prefer, you may purchase a mug for yourself for only $12.00. For every standard mug purchased, a free personalized appreciation mug will also be sent to one of our waiting heroes.I want to "Mug" a Troop!Sponsor 30 or more TroopsIf you, your organization or business will sponsor 30 or more troops, our grateful troops will sign and send back to you, a Troop Appreciation Tshirt which is personalized with their unit name and your name. Sponsor 100 or more troops and you will receive an American flag that was flown by our troops at their deployed base. You will also receive a Certificate of Appreciation and authenticity from them underscoring your generousity and support of our troops. These "Signature Shirts" and American Flags will make a great one of a kind momento for you to proudly display. They will show everyone that not only do you Support Our Troops, but more importantly that you Appreciate and Thank them! If you are interested, or would like more information about sponsoring a unit so that you may receive one of these shirts or flags, please email us at UnitSponsors@AppreciateOurTroops.OrgSupport Our Troops byAdopting a Troop
Stupid In America How We Cheat Our Kids from 20/20
This program was very interesting to me in many ways and adds to my long list of 'whys' when it comes to homeschooling my children!!!American Kids Falling BehindU.S. public school kids do worse on tests than children from poorer countries. John Stossel asks why.
Failing Grade?U.S. public school kids do worse on academic tests than children from poorer countries. John Stossel finds out why in a special report.
See
Making the Grade and
Monopoly in Teachershttp://abcnews.go.com/2020/
Almost Done/Almost Dancing!!!
After much delay for various in country reasons.........Tomorrow finally will be COs last official day on the job in Iraq!!!!! YIPPY!!!!!!
I am so excited I can hardly stand myself! Make it through tomorrow, make it through the few days still in country and then I will be so glad to know he is in safer territory! Hoping for a return back to US soil soon!
Been here~done this~so very many times, but the week before deployment and the couple of weeks before return are just HELL on a person!
I will remain hopefully optimistic that I can wrap my arms around him very soon!!
Almost doing the happy dance over here, A L M O S T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your thoughts on this??
Honors at Military Funerals ImperiledBy PATRICK CONDON, Associated Press WriterDULUTH, Minn. - Already stressed by the pace of funerals for aging veterans, the leader of an honor guard is incensed by the Army's refusal to allow him to replenish his ranks with the adult children of vets.
The problem is a little-known federal statute that bars the Army from giving ceremonial M-1 rifles that are fired during a poignant part of most military funerals to honor guards with non-veteran members.
"They want to honor veterans, I don't know why they shouldn't be able to do it," said John Marshall, captain of the Duluth Combined Honor Guard, a group comprised of Legionnaires, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other service organizations.
An estimated 1,800 military veterans die every day across the country, and honor guards such as the one in this northern Minnesota city are struggling to keep up with serving at as many as two or three funerals per day.
Marshall, an Army veteran who served in the first
Gulf War, would like to supplement his honor guard with members of the Sons of the American Legion — a group comprised of the sons of veterans that is affiliated with the American Legion.
"These are our sons and grandsons; these are responsible people. It shouldn't be an issue," said Mike Duggan, the Washington-based deputy director of foreign affairs for the American Legion, a nationwide veterans service organization with more than 3 million members.
Army officials, though, said the rule is a necessary one.
"These veterans, they've been in the military, they know how to handle a military issue weapon," said Ed Wolverton, chief of the Army donations program at the U.S. Army TACOM Lifestyle Management Command in Warren, Mich. "The sons are often younger folks; they're teenagers sometimes. They've maybe not been trained properly on these weapons — we don't know that. But the vets have."
Wolverton said he has little power to investigate whether honor guards around the country are following the statute. But he won't give weapons or ammunition to those he knows aren't, and said if he finds out the rules are being broken, he will repossess the materials.
It would take an act of Congress to change the rifle statute, Wolverton said. A spokesman for U.S. Rep. James Oberstar (
news,
bio,
voting record), whose district includes Duluth, said the congressman is looking into the issue.
Many veterans organizations around the country didn't know about the statute, and said they regularly augment their honor guards with members of the Sons of the American Legion. But when Marshall tried to do just that, the Army told him no.
The Duluth Combined Honor Guard has about 30 members, but Marshall said he can only count on about a dozen to be regularly available to attend veterans' funerals — not only in Duluth but in surrounding communities where local veterans organizations are having even more serious membership problems.
"Some of our guys are 86, 89 years old," Marshall said. "There are some younger guys, but they have families, jobs. They don't have time to be running to 11 or 12 funerals a week."
In 1999, Congress passed a law ensuring that all veterans could receive full military honors at their funerals. But it failed to include much money for the practice, and the military has largely turned to veterans organizations to provide the service. A few states grant small stipends to honor guards, but Minnesota does not.
Marshall said his group's expenses, such as buying uniforms and transportation, are covered by veterans' families who are willing to make donations, and by fundraising. Still, he said, "as long as I'm commander, I won't turn anyone down — anytime, anywhere."
Pat Hogan, commander of the American Legion Post in Keokuk, Iowa, said he regularly augments his honor guard with Sons of the American Legion members — and didn't know it was against the rules.
"It should be up to us to take care of our own," Hogan said. "I don't think these guys going to their final rest would mind at all."
American Legion:
http://www.legion.orghttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060112/ap_on_re_us/funeral_duty
Jan C. Scruggs "This is a call to action for all patriots "
Instructing Future GenerationsMilitary.com Jan C. Scruggs January 10, 2006“When I think of his patience under adversity, of his courage under fire, and of his modesty in victory, I am filled with an emotion of admiration I cannot put into words,” said Gen. Douglas MacArthur in a speech at West Point in 1962. He was talking about the American soldier.
“He belongs to history as furnishing one of the greatest examples of successful patriotism. He belongs to posterity as the instructor of future generations in the principles of liberty and freedom. He belongs to the present, to us, by his virtues and by his achievements.”
I agree with those sentiments. When I came back from serving in the
Vietnam War, I felt that our country needed to thank those who had served, to help us all heal. I felt the soldiers who went to Vietnam -- especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice -- were indeed the greatest examples of successful patriotism. That is why I began the crusade to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
While, at the time, The Wall stirred up quite a bit of controversy, it is now generally regarded as a beautiful and moving monument to the 58,249 soldiers who were killed or missing in action in Vietnam.
MacArthur calls the American soldier “the instructor of future generations.” I agree with that, too. I believe we have much to teach the American people from the lessons learned in Vietnam.
And, there is a whole new generation of visitors that know nothing about this conflict. Many of the visitors to The Wall these days were not even born during the Vietnam War. Unless they have a relative whose name is inscribed there, The Wall has no context for them.
We want to change that. Several years ago, we went to Congress asking for help, and the result was
Legislation passed in 2003 and signed by the president granting permission for a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center to be built underground at or near the Memorial.
What will this Center be? It was Congress' intention that it honor veterans and educate about the war, rather than revisiting the never-ending debate over the decisions leading to that conflict. That is our goal as well.
“[The Center] will be about all about the soldiers…and it will make no statement about the war itself, other than the gallantry and the heroism of those who answered the call of their country,” explained Gen. Colin Powell, USA (Ret.), speaking on “Larry King Live.” Powell is the honorary chairman of the effort.
Indeed, we will use the Memorial Center to celebrate the basic principles of military service: duty, honor, courage, service, loyalty, trust and integrity. While the exhibits will focus on Vietnam, the Center will honor Americans who served in all wars.
At the same time that Congress passed legislation allowing the Center “at or near” The Memorial, it also acknowledged that the National Mall was becoming crowded, and it prohibited further building there -- with the last exception of the Memorial Center.
Unfortunately, some of the bureaucrats in Washington think they know better than Congress, and they feel that nothing else should be allowed to spoil what they consider a “finished work of civic art.” Even though it will be underground, they feel the Memorial Center would spoil the historic vistas of the Mall, and they have opposed it at every opportunity.
This agency I am referring to is the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), which unfortunately has control over where the Center is built.
Ever since we chose a site, the commission has found one reason or another to delay the approval process. We have persevered, trying to meet all of the requirements so we could move forward. As we prepared to testify at the NCPC's Dec. 1 meeting, we learned -- with scarcely 24 hours notice -- that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center had been pulled from the schedule. We were asked instead to submit a detailed environmental analysis of the site before being given permission to build there. This analysis will cost $80,000 and take four months or more of our time. That's a big investment and one that we shouldn't be asked to make before being given approval. In fact, that is how the process normally works.
For the past year, we have tried to comply with the requests of the NCPC, but we feel that the commission is not dealing with us in good faith. And so we are appealing to you, the American people, to protest and help us move this project forward.
We ask that readers write to the following members of Congress to request their help in dealing with federal employees who are thwarting a project of importance to America:
Congressman Charles Taylor, (R-N.C.)
mailto:Debbie.Weatherlie@mail.house.govCongressman C.W. Bill Young, (R-Fla.)
mailto:bill.young@mail.house.govCongressman Norman D. Dicks (D-Wash.)
mailto:george.behan@mail.house.govCongressman Curt Weldon (R-Pa.)
mailto:Michael.schuttloff@mail.house.govSen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.),
mailto:Robert.herbert@mail.house.govSen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.)
mailto:fran_dufrayne@hagel.senate.govSen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)
mailto:david.wade@kerry.senate.govand
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.),
mailto:luzzato@clinton.senate.govThis is a call to action for all patriots to help us correct this outrageous situation. Thank you for your help.
Jan C. Scruggs is the founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. He was a wounded and decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the 199 th Light Infantry Brigade of the U.S. Army.
http://www.military.com/forums/0,15240,84940,00.html
Murtha outrages military spouses, again!
You must get over to
Andi's World and read "
Congressman John Murtha has crossed the line by "partnering" with Code Pink to help "support" our wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This is an outrage."Outrage, yeah, to say the least Mr. Murtha!
HOOAH to Military Families Foundation
Military Families Foundation Celebrates 2005 Holiday Campaign, Announces Record High Public Support for Families of American SoldiersTuesday January 10PRNewswire/ -- The Military Families Foundation is pleased and proud to announce that public donations have more than doubled from last year's campaign. Increasing public support for America's military families has brought the level of donations to the Foundation up from $15,000 last year to $32,000 this year.
"We are delighted that so many people have come forward to show that they care about the families of our soldiers who are serving in the war on terror. We know this support means a great deal to the troops and their loved ones," said the Foundation's Chairman, Mark Swanson.
The Foundation has distributed this year's donations to brigade-level support organizations called Family Readiness Groups, also known as FRGs. "We believe that FRGs are best positioned to know the needs of soldiers and their families," said Swanson. FRGs are the part of military units that take care of soldiers' families. They are officers, soldiers, civilians and family members that are organized to provide financial and emotional support to military family members.
FRG leaders have already expressed their gratitude for the public's support. As one leader said, "I can't tell you what a difference you are making in people's lives. Any relief at all communicates to the soldiers that their best interests are being addressed, and their patriotic efforts recognized." Swanson added, "As long as our soldiers are in harm's way we will continue to provide military families with all the support we can muster."
This year's fund raising efforts will support the Family Readiness Groups of the following units:
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3ID, Baghdad
Joint Area Support Group-Central Iraq
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Baghdad
130th En Brigade, MNC-I, Baghdad
3ID, Support Brigade, Taji
101st Aviation Brigade, Iraq
47th Combat Support Hospital, Mosul
3d Brigade Combat Team, 3ID, Baqouba
160th Aviation Regiment, Iraq & Afghanistan
The mission of the Military Families Foundation is to provide direct support to deployed soldiers and their families suffering hardships as a result of service to the Nation. One hundred percent of donations are sent directly to military units through FRGs. Donation information is available at our website
http://militaryfamiliesfoundation.org /For Further Information Contact:
Lisa Bansavage - 727-344-3067
http://militaryfamiliesfoundation.orgJoin Our Online MarchWe need your help! Join our Online March for Military Families. Donating through the MFF is one of the most direct ways to help military families suffering from hardships as a result of the War on Terror. It's easy, donate now
An approximate return date...........
The countdown continues, thank goodness! Soon there will be less worrying about daily patrols and then I hope to be able to give a huge sigh of relief that CO will have left for friendlier territory. I will jump for joy when I know the patrols are over and he is out of danger.
My list.............
Cleaning, deep cleaning of the house is underway. Hair appointment, check, shaving legs for maybe the 5th time in a year, check, boys sick, but will hopefully be well when daddy gets home, check, Christmas and birthday presents assembled in one location, check, posters and banners made, check, grocery store visit in preparation for a hungry soldier, check, told in laws no phone calls for 2 days after COs return, check, COs truck repainting almost finished, check, other surprises for him, check, outfit to wear for our first date night, check, block leave travel plans made, check check, tired mommy, triple check!
Am I forgetting anything? I have no idea. Cleaning will continue until the day he arrives, not that he cares, but I do.
Can you tell I am beyond excited for my honey to get home???? :)
365 And A Wake Up is also on his way home, go drop him a line!!!
Good things to know........
DoD Restricts Cell Phone Use on Installations: Defense Department installations have begun implementing new cell phone restrictions for drivers on military bases. The new regulation, published in the Federal Register in April 2005, states that anyone driving a motor vehicle on a DoD installation cannot use a cell phone unless the vehicle is safely parked or the driver is using a hands-free device. Many installations already have implemented the new restrictions, and the rest will implement the rules on their own schedule. There is no deadline for installations to implement the restrictions, but DoD officials expects most will do so this year.
The law enforcement policy offices for each military department are putting together policies and procedures for the implementation and enforcement of the restrictions. This regulation is a minimum requirement, and installation commanders still have the authority to put stricter rules in place. Each installation will determine the punishment for violation of the rules. As the installations implement the restrictions, they have a responsibility to notify the public by putting up signs or putting notices in base newspapers. Many installations are allowing a grace period in which motorists in violation of the rule will be warned and not ticketed.
The DoD regulation follows suit with many regulations that states and cities have already imposed. Currently only Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia ban hand-held cell phones for drivers, but many cities have imposed their own rules, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
(Source: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jan2006/20060105_3844.html)DeCA Streamlines Returned Check Process: The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) is implementing new streamlined processing procedures for returned checks that should improve the process and improve customer service at the individual commissary store level. Returned checks normally routed back to commissaries for collection will now be routed to a centralized processing site run by a business that has successfully performed this service for a variety of businesses that process a high volume of transactions. Instead of commissary employees having to contact customers who wrote insufficient-fund checks, the centralized processor electronically deducts the amount of the checks from the customers’ checking accounts and starts procedures to assess the insufficient fund administrative fee. These deductions have a high success rate because pay cycles have normally sufficiently replenished customers’ accounts to cover the checks. This more efficient process, which doesn’t cost customers any more money in insufficient-fund service charges, standardizes redemption processes within commissaries and allows store employees to devote more time to customer service.
A handful of continental U.S. commissaries initiated the process in 2003, and last year European stores came on line. Remaining stateside stores and commissaries in the Far East and Iceland wrapped up worldwide implementation in November 2005. The new process results from a collaborative effort between DeCA, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, the U.S. Department of Treasury, Bank of America and Solutran, the firm that provides the returned check processing services. For more information on how this new process will work and affect possible charges to customers, go to:
http://www.commissaries.com/documents/news/news_2006/DeCA01_06.pdf.VA Provides Free Health Care to Combat Vets: Public Law 105-368 [Title 38 USC 1710(d)(D)] authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide combat veterans cost-free health care and nursing home care for conditions potentially related to their combat service, to veterans, including National Guard and Reserve members, with combat service after November 11, 1998, for a period of two years, beginning on the date of their separation from active military service. These veterans are enrolled into Enrollment Priority Group 6 if they are not otherwise qualified for a higher enrollment priority group assignment. By this enrollment status in VA, veterans are provided full access to VA medical benefits.
Veterans who use the VA under this authority will retain enrollment eligibility even after their two-year post discharge period ends under current enrollment policies. At the end of that two year period, VA will reassess the veteran's information (including all applicable eligibility factors) and make a new enrollment decision. If the veteran was in Priority Group 6 and no other eligibility factors apply, then he/she will continue enrollment in either Priority Group 7 or Priority Group 8 depending on their income level and required to make applicable copayments.
For veterans who do not use the VA during this post two-year discharge period, eligibility for enrollment and subsequent care is based on other factors such as a compensable service connection rating, VA pension status, catastrophic disability determination or the veteran’s financial circumstances. It will probably be more difficult to gain access to VA services if more than two years have elapsed since their active duty service was terminated.
Additional information is available at the nearest VA medical facility. The telephone number can be found in the local telephone directory under the “U.S. Government” listings. Veterans can also call toll-free: 1-800-827-1000 or the Health Benefit Service Center at 1-800-827-1000 or 1-877-222-8387. Veterans may also visit the VA health benefits website:
www.va.gov/healtheligibility. To view the VA Health Care Eligibility for Combat Veteran Fact Sheet, go to:
http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/DOCS/CombatVeteranFactSheet.pdf.DoD Recognizes National Blood Donor Month: Dr. William Winkenwerder, Assistant Secretary of Defense (ASD) for Health Affairs, recently singed a memo recognizing and supporting January as National Volunteer Blood Donor Month. In his memo, he extends his gratitude to all blood donors on behalf of the many thousands who benefit from blood donations and refers to them as “silent lifesavers.” Dr. Winkenwerder also offered special thanks to donors who support the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP). ASBP “Life Force” donors enable military hospitals to transfuse more than 54,000 units of red cells, more than 20,000 units of plasma, and more than 5,000 units of platelets every year. These products benefit active duty personnel, retirees, and military family members. In his memo, Dr. Winkenwerder asked individuals to encourage others to join the ASBP Life Force team by donating blood.
To learn more about donating blood through the Armed Services Blood Program, go to:
http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/Need Help Setting Up a Personal Budget? The topic of the January Military OneSource Life Workshop is on setting up a personal budget. LifeWorkshops are online discussions and training offered by Military OneSource (
http://www.militaryonesource.com/; user name: military; password: onesource) on topics of interest to military families.
The budget LifeWorkshop will help participants analyze their income and expenses and set up a personal budget to help reach their financial goals: taking charge of family finances, understanding their current financial situation, understanding financial goals, sticking to a budget to reach those goals, and how to create am income and expense worksheet.
To participate in this event, you must first register, by clicking the links on the LifeWorkshop page for one of the two sessions: Tuesday, January 24, at 8:00 am ET or Tuesday, January 31, at 8:00 pm ET. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation e-mail message confirming your registration with the information that you need to join the meeting. Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
(source: http://www.militaryonesource.com/community/index.aspx?evt_id=365)Military Spouses Get Help for Training as Financial Counselors: NMFA is pleased to announce the new Military Spouse Fellowship for the Accredited Financial Counselor Program. NMFA, in partnership with the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education® (AFCPE®) and the NASD Investor Education Foundation, will provide 200 military spouses with the education necessary for entry into the financial counseling field. The fellowship covers the educational costs of the certificate program, which includes registration, tuition, and study materials for the two courses and two attempts at each of the two examinations. Upon successful completion of the educational, testing, and experience requirements, the fellowship recipients will be awarded the Accredited Financial Counselor designation from AFCPE, the national accrediting organization for financial counselors.
Applicants to the Military Spouse Fellowship for the Accredited Financial Counselor Program must be current or surviving spouses of active duty or retired Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve servicemembers. Applications are being accepted online only from now until February 14, 2006. Fellowship recipients will be selected from the pool of applicants by a panel of judges and notified by March 15, 2006. Recipients must commit to completing the training program and to obtain financial counseling experience while pursuing their certificate.
NMFA understands the challenges many of our military spouses encounter in their search for employment that offers flexibility, better than average pay and opportunities to advance within a company or organization, even while dealing with frequent relocations. NMFA has worked for a number of years educating policy makers and employers about the employment needs of military spouses and encouraging spouses to take advantage of portable career opportunities. We are pleased to offer this program as a part of that initiative. When we improve employment opportunities for military spouses, we improve the quality of life for military servicemembers as well.
For more information and to apply, go to the NMFA website at:
http://www.nmfa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=afcpe_grant. Applications will only be accepted online. It is recommended that all who wish to apply for the fellowship read the Frequently Asked Questions prior to completing the application. Once the application has been started, it cannot be saved. The FAQ provides important information and should answer most questions applicants may have about the fellowship program. Further questions and inquiries may be directed to Lillie Cannon, Program Manager, by e-mail at
cannon@nmfa.org or by phone at 703-861-3126.
Childcare Help for Military FamiliesAffordable childcare is hard to find. For civilian families, the average cost of childcare tuition exceeds $3,300 per child and is over $5,000 per child in 20 states, according to a 2002 U.S. House Ways and Means committee report.
What's more, a Rand Corp. survey found that childcare in a military child development center (CDC) ranges from $12,133 for infants to $4,595 for school-age children. However, military families do have options.
Operation: Military Child Care (OMCC) and
Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCIYN) are two prominent resources that provide access to affordable childcare.
OMCC provides financial assistance for eligible military families who don't have access to the Department of Defense's on-base childcare options. Additionally, OMCC assists families of all military personnel serving in the Global War on Terror. MCCIYN - OMCC's sister program - also supports active duty servicemembers who don't live on military bases but still need access to childcare.
The focus of MCCIYN is to locate and subsidize childcare comparable to what a servicemember would receive on a military installation. These programs, both launched earlier this year, are the result of the DoD's effort to provide relief for military families who are already coping with the deployment of a parent, in addition to finding the monetary means to provide childcare.
"A childcare provider can play an integral part in any military family - particularly when one or even both parents are deployed, the strong need to find quality childcare can be an emotional and financial burden," says Linda Smith, Executive Director of the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, in a company-issued press release.
Finding affordable childcare doesn't have to be an inconvenience. If active servicemembers utilize either the OMCC or MCCIYN program, they can ease the weight of deployment on their families.
http://www.military.com/spouse/fs/0,,fs_child_deployed,00.html?ESRC=family.nlHelp for Military Spouses Going Back to SchoolA college degree may lead to better job opportunities and better pay. In fact, earning a bachelor's or graduate degree increases one's average hourly wage compared to those with only a high school diploma, according to a Rand Corp. survey.
However, going back to school for military spouses is a sizeable time commitment and an expensive financial obligation. What's more, constant relocation may cause a spouse to lose credits if he or she transfers to another college. But there are financial and credit-transfer programs available to spouses to help spouses get an education.
Here are a few programs that offer financial assistance:
The Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) offers partial tuition assistance (50 percent of course tuition with a maximum of $1,500 per academic year) to spouses of active-duty servicemembers stationed overseas.
The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program provides $1,500 in grants to selected children of active duty service members and Navy spouses stationed overseas. To qualify, the spouse must be a full- or part-time student studying for a vocational certificate, undergraduate degree or graduate degree. The funds granted range from $1,500 a year for an undergraduate degree to $1,750 a year for a graduate degree.
The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance program (CGMA) offers a supplemental education grant of $150 per year. This grant is applicable to any family member's educational expenses. However, CGMA does not cover tuition expenses.
These programs assist with transferring class credits:
The Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOCAD) program is a consortium of more than 1,500 colleges and universities that offer associate and bachelor's degree in the United States. This program transfers credits between the colleges allowing the student to continue with his or her education and not retake any classes. SOCAD is ideal for military spouses who might have to relocate several times.
The Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges for the navy (SOCNAV) is similar to the SOCAD, but offers associate and bachelor's degree programs on or accessible to Navy installations.
Each program varies from service to service but all provide the proper resources to help military family members obtain a high level of education.
http://www.military.com/spouse/fs/0,,fs_edu_goingback,00.html?ESRC=family.nlTurboTax Available on January 16, 2006Beginning January 16, 2006, TurboTax is being made available at no cost to servicemembers by the Department of Defense at the Military OneSource website.
MoreFree Tax Assistance for ServicemembersThe Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is once again available to provide free tax advice, tax preparation, and assistance to military members and their families.
MoreVFW National Home for ChildrenThe VFW National Home for Children has immediate housing and basic needs assistance available to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
MoreFree Theme Park AdmissionAnheuser-Busch announced that the "Here's to the Heroes" program has been extended through 2006.
More
Retiring/ETSing/A Spouse? Wanna Teach??
The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence has announced it will offer a $100 savings off of the program fee for its teacher certification program, Passport to TeachingSM, during the entire month of January. In addition ABCTE has teamed with the Department of Defense - Defense for Non Traditional Education Support (DANTES) to offer testing services worldwide to military personnel. Individuals in the military pursuing a career in teaching with Passport to Teaching can prepare for and take their certification examinations in secure Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide. Passport to Teaching offers an individualized preparation process ideal for transitioning members of the military, members of the National Guard and Reserves, military retirees and military spouses. To earn certification candidates must demonstrate mastery on the computer-based Professional Teaching Knowledge examination and a subject area examination. For more information, call 1-877-NOW-ABCTE or visit
www.abcte.org/military2006 to obtain a free Introduction Kit.
Invisible Unless They Cry
Invisible Unless They CryJacey EckhartWhy is it that the only dry-eyed military wife we ever see is a fictional character? In the third episode of Stephen Bochco's “Over There,” the FX series about soldiers in
Iraq and their families at home, one of the segments actually featured a military wife who was not in tears.
She had plenty to cry about. Her young husband was an amputee addicted to painkillers, a bad patient who was getting worse. Yet this chick in the black eyeliner did not sit around crying about it. Instead she advocated for him, argued with him, and cleaned him up when he was puking from withdrawal pains.
She was exactly the kind of tough military wife I have always known. She was not the kind of military wife we usually see in the media. Why is that? Why are we a nation that only believes in a pitiable military wife?
We don't seem to have the same requirement of men who marry our female military members. From them, we don't know what to expect. Strength, maybe. Certainly not tears.
Yet when it comes to a military wife, we seem only able to see her when she is crying. Crying because her husband deployed. Crying over financial hardships. Crying at homecomings. Sick with tears at a funeral.
The rest of the time the military wife is invisible to us. It is almost as if the moment a woman marries a man in uniform she is drawn in disappearing ink, only to reappear when wet with tears.
It's a strange way to live. I've been a military columnist for eight years, a
Navy wife for 18 years, and the daughter of an
Air Force fighter pilot for almost 40 years. I've spent my life with military people. Yet I don't know all these crying women. If our 600,000 military spouses really cried as much as they do on TV we would all be able to surf to work.
I don't mean to make light of their tears -- especially in a time of war. Unless they are shed over a folded flag, military spouses only cry for about 17 minutes of an entire deployment. Ask them.
The rest of the time they are champions at coping. They are picking up a grocery-roasted chicken after work. Listening to spelling words on the way to football practice. Checking the email. Again. Filling the washer at midnight with only the palmetto bugs for company.
These women are normal. So very normal. So why aren't they allowed to appear in public unless they are crying?
Sometimes I think that it is just because the war at home is hard to photograph. It isn't lit by the rocket's red glare. Instead the Homefront is lit by brake lights, oven lights, and Christmas tree lights. That ain't drama. That ain't pathos. That ain't the stuff of Pulitzer Prizes.
But our inability to see military wives without tears hurts them -- burdens them. It makes them appear, not as stalwarts to admire, but as fools married to men who will leave. We cling to this cultural image of military wives as weak creatures who stand on their front porches and wait for bad news.
That is simply wrong. Grossly inaccurate. Military life is not for the weak and not for the tearful. Instead, the ones who choose to be married to these fine people in uniform find that that military life is for the practical, the problem solvers, the improvisers, the strategists, the lovers of good men.
Despite the flaws of “Over There,” Bochco is at least trying to show more of the life of the military family than we have seen before. And we need to see it. Because military couples are not so different than everyone else in this country. They are getting through their “crowded hour” -- the kind of crowded hour that comes to every family, military or civilian.
I still want to see military spouses in tears sometimes. They earn those tears of sorrow and loneliness, fear and fury, pride and joy. So much joy. But I also want to see the military wife laughing with her kids at the beach, losing herself in her work, celebrating with her girlfriends, talking to her mom every night on the phone. All those things make up the real life of a military wife. That is so much to be proud of. And nothing to cry over.
http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,83371,00.html
Ya makin me crazy!
What do you say to a just turned 5 year old that says, "Mommy, you just make me crazy sometimes?"
Well, all I could do was chuckle under my breath and know that he said that b/c I have said it to him in the past! Boy mommy, you better watch your words!
We are getting into the home stretch of the deployment. CO is still doing daily patrols, so I have not let down my guard just yet, but in a very few weeks, he will he home!
Happy weekend to you!
Interesting Reading
Vietnam Facts vs FictionIt is high time the American people learn that the United States military did not lose the Vietnam War.
Oliver North
Service to Self or Country? "Murtha's comments discourage Americans who consider donning a uniform a noble way of serving their country."
Questions Questions
I still question this
• Military chiefs demoted in Pentagon succession and apparently it bothers a few other people too!
Read on.................
Disconnect cited between troops, civilian leadershipBy Gordon TrowbridgeTimes staff writerFrom Congress to the White House to the Pentagon, the career-oriented heart of the military appears increasingly estranged from its leaders in Washington, according to results of the 2005 Military Times Poll.
The poll of active-duty subscribers to the Military Times newspapers also shows continued disdain for the media and a belief that the military’s prestige may have slipped in the eyes of civilians.
Whether the numbers reflect the impact of controversies of the last year or a longer-term trend of growing separation between political leaders and Americans as a whole, they are likely to feed concerns about tension between the uniformed military and the civilians responsible for its oversight.
The poll asked active-duty members if they believed several leadership institutions had the military’s best interests at heart. The results:
• 58 percent agreed that President Bush had their best interests at heart, down 11 percentage points from a year ago.
• 64 percent agreed that senior uniformed leaders had their best interests at heart, down six points.
• Congress saw the most dramatic drop: Just 31 percent agreed Congress looked out for their best interests, less than half the number a year ago.
It is unclear whether respondents identified Congress more with the current Republican leadership or with minority Democrats who have increasingly called for a quick pullout from Iraq, something most poll respondents oppose.
Based on follow-up interviews with poll respondents, the heated debate itself may be a factor.
“Collectively, they can’t make a decision together,” said Navy Machinist’s Mate 1st Class James McKelvy, an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy.
“It’s really hard to take orders from a body of people that really seems like they don’t have their act together.”Well-publicized problems supplying combat equipment may have hurt the image of leaders across the board.
“It takes a major war for us to decide to put armor on our vehicles and put armor on our troops,” said Marine Staff Sgt. Jeremy Jensen.
“It’s taken so long to even up-armor all of our Humvees.”
The drop also may be tied to pay and benefits issues. A declining percentage rate their pay and allowances as excellent, which may reflect the smaller pay increases in recent budgets. Federal officials also have taken criticism for shortfalls in funding for veterans’ health care.
“It may have to do with that partly, and partly with the increasing hyper-partisanship of Congress,” said Richard Kohn, a University of North Carolina expert on civil-military relations.
But Kohn said tensions, especially with Congress, are nothing new. “For a long time, professional military people have been very skeptical of Congress,” he said.
David Segal, an expert in military sociology at the University of Maryland, said the results mirror a similar estrangement between civilian Americans and their political leaders, Segal said.
“I see military attitudes converging with civilian non-elite attitudes,” which show fewer Americans believing that political leaders are looking out for their interests.
While military views of political leaders are slipping, the poll shows respondents also are concerned that their image may not be as strong in the eyes of other Americans. The share of respondents who said civilians have a very favorable impression of the military dropped 13 percentage points from a year ago, to 24 percent.
There were smaller but significant drops in estimates of the media’s views and those of politicians.
And the poll shows continuation of a long-standing target for military ire: the media.
Just 11 percent of respondents said the media generally get their facts straight. And nearly two-thirds said that news organizations damage the nation’s defenses when they criticize the military.
Still, about two-thirds of respondents said it is better if coverage of the war on terrorism is neutral, compared to 29 percent who said coverage should be pro-American.
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=0-ARMYPAPER-1436174.phpArmy, Navy Hit With Last-Minute Cuts»
U.S. Army Foils Terrorist BombingsIRAQI AND MNDCS SOLDIERS SEIZE CACHE AIR SUPPORT PREEMPTS POSSIBLE IED EMPLACEMENTCapable Iraqi Police Vital to SecurityWASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2006 — The concept of embedding coalition advisers in Iraqi army units has proven so successful that it will soon be implemented in the Iraqi police units as well, President Bush said following a meeting at the Pentagon today.
Story Chiefs Continually Examine Tour LengthsWASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2006 — The Joint Chiefs of Staff continue to examine how long servicemembers should serve in Iraq, but for now they are satisfied the tour lengths are about right, Marine Gen. Peter Pace said Jan. 3.
Story'Combatives' Training Builds Patients' Skills
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2006 — Military amputee patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center will receive training aimed at building their physical skills and confidence.
StoryArmy Veteran Salutes Troops Iraq Wants U.S. Choice Out as Chief Of BrigadeTeaching patriotism in Iraqi classrooms
TAKE THIS SURVEY
Servicemembers and Spouses: TAKE THIS SURVEY
Pay and Compensation Benefits Survey www.nmfa.org/surveysThe National Military Family Association works hard on the hill for us, so go over and give them your input! Now move out and draw fire people, this is important!
Various newslinks
Troops Say They're Still NeededSeveral Servicemembers at U.S. bases had mixed reactions to the recent announcement by the Bush administration that some troops in Iraq and Afghanistan could start going home.
Full Story U.S. military hospital plays key Iraq roleU.S. Troops Miss Home But Say Iraq, Afghanistan Still Need Them 1/2/2006 - Balad, Iraq — Sgt. Isaiah Killough would love to be with his wife, who's due to have a baby any day. Instead, the 20-year-old military ...
Some Soldiers Trying to Get Out of Army A personal BOO HISSSSSSS on this one, no sympathy from me, hate my opinion if you wish but for me this is about taking responsibility for your choices and completing and following through on any responsibility you have signed on for. The generation of if, " I don't like it I can walk away," needs a reality check!Worth Repeating"The past year has continued to be a challenging period for the Army and the Nation, but our Soldiers have met every challenge - from highly successful combat operations in two theaters, to continued transformation of the operational and institutional parts of the Army. With unsurpassed professionalism, courage and commitment, our Soldiers have endured great hardships, lost many friends and comrades along the way, and made lasting contributions to the peace, freedom and security of two formerly oppressed nations. We stand in awe of our Soldiers, and look forward to 2006 to continue the tremendous progress we have made in transforming the Army - all while our Soldiers continue to fight and win the Global War on Terrorism."
Dr. Francis J. Harvey, Secretary of the Armyhttp://www.army.mil/U.S. Air Force's Role Changing in IraqSecuring Gains, Training Police PrioritiesAL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq, Jan. 1, 2006 – Securing gains made and training local police are keys to victory over terrorists here in Anbar province, the commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force Forward said today.
StoryWeapons caches increase in number, sizeU.S. and Iraqi troops operating in Baghdad are finding nearly twice the number of weapons caches they did months ago, a senior commander said.
(more)OPERATION GREEN TRIDENT TURNS UP 72 CACHESIraq Oil Minister ResignsGerman media: U.S. preps Iran strikeIraqi Civil War? Some Experts Say It's ArrivedA Lot of the Muscle Flexing in Baghdad Isn't PoliticalExploring Life Outside the Green ZoneJanuary 2, 2006 · Renee Montagne talks to NPR's Jamie Tarabay about what life is like for Iraqi citizens outside the heavily protected Green Zone in Baghdad.
US to increase 'aid' to Iraqi policeShiites and Kurds forge ahead in IraqThe two groups met without Sunnis to plan a ruling coalition.
Iraqi Police open new station in Tal AfarTAL AFAR, Iraq (Army News Service, Dec. 29, 2005) — In a ribbon cutting ceremony today, Tal Afar Police Chief Gen. Fawaz Mahmoud Issa officially opened the new Al Salam Police Station in Tal Afar.
US General in Iraq Gives Hopeful Security Assessment By VOA News 29 December 2005 - U.S. military commander in Baghdad says, despite post-election violence, Iraq's security situation is improving, as the strength of Iraqi security forces grows, and the ability of insurgents to mount massive attacks diminishes.
Military pay raise, other benefits kick in with arrival of new year High Re-up Rate Among DeployedChristmas Stockings Cheer SoldiersFuture Battlefield Communications2005 -- A Look BackWASHINGTON (Army News Service, December 30, 2005) – As is usual at this time of year, most news organizations take a look back at what made news in the year just ended.
Cycles to Enhance Army Reserve Readiness, PredictabilityBy Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service, Dec. 27, 2005 - The Army Reserve is instituting five-year readiness cycles to ensure a steady supply of deployment-ready forces while bringing more predictability to reservists, their families and their civilian employers, a top Army Reserve general said. Almost all Army Reserve units will be assigned to an Army Reserve Expeditionary Force package, which follows a five-year cycle to prepare for a potential deployment.
DoD News Briefing on Iraq
Amazing
Even if you have seen this already, it is worth another look............Bring tissues to your desk.......
An amazing powerpoint presentation by an American Soldier.Thanks to
An American Soldier for the video and to
Jo's Cafe and
Andi's World for sharing.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
I welcome 2006 and I am looking forward to this being the first year in many that CO will be home for most of it! I will estimate that after he returns from deployment, then we throw in training and TDY, we will hopefully get 7 to 8 months together and that I will take with great enthusiasm!
I tried to take a much needed break from the computer over the Christmas holiday and focus on my boys and our projects for our returning single soldiers. I finally finished up our projects last night and now sit in wait for the barracks to be opened so that we can deliver our goodies and decorate for a proper homecoming. I did not get as much of a break from the computer or the phone as I had hoped though, as people seemed to have urgent issues that needed immediate assistance on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.
Due to many things, the holidays just did not seem like true holidays this year, but all the while I just kept reminding myself that we can and will make up for it next year when CO is home and hopefully all will be quiet on the mid-western front.
The boys are now counting down the days until daddy comes home and we are truly in the home stretch. A few soldiers have already come home in order to prepare for the return of everyone else in the Brigade. In my first years as a military spouse I used to let it bother me when CO was one of the last soldiers to return from anywhere (which was most all of the time) but nowadays I just feel joy in knowing he will be home at some point in the near future and this allows me to be truly happy for the wives that already and soon will have husbands back home. No grudge here, just pure happiness for the soldiers that are now safe and in the arms of their loved ones. I think this is also called maturity and learning not to be selfish.
I have a large group of very young spouses and several new spouses. I see them having a bit of the attitude I had all those years ago, early on and still not yet looking beyond their want and desire for their soldier to be home. I know we all want our husbands home, but as time goes on, as deployments always seem just around the corner and as each soldier goes further up the chain of command, we must realize that they too want to come home, but their job, their duty, must come first. Even when it is homecoming time. They will come home too, just later than everyone else.
It is never easy watching others come home and knowing that you are still lying in wait. And truly, it never gets any easier, you just learn acceptance. I think acceptance is the largest key in being a successful military spouse. If you have that, you can get through just about anything with a smile in your heart.
I still have not fully decided if I will continue to blog or not after CO returns home. Right now I do not know if the desire to blog will still be fueled or if I will even have the time. As full as my plate is now, it will be more full when he returns! I may continue to blog, but the frequency and content I am sure will have to change a bit. Still thinking about it all.
I hope that 2006 will bring great things to each and everyone of you. I will welcome my husband home, but I also know there are many spouses and parents out there that just sent loved ones away on deployment and I will be thinking of you and your soldiers daily throughout this year.
Today I will turn on the football games even if I do not watch them. The sound will make me feel for a brief moment, like CO is really home and it is in fact, New Year's Day!
Veel Glück för 't nee Jahr!
News, etc..........
Baghdad Thrives with New Projects Turkey, Iraq and the KurdsProgram Teaches Job Skills to Young IraqisHABBANIYAH, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2005 — While Anbar province made headlines with its voter turnout this month, a quieter turnout of its young men was making headway graduating from school. Here, the Iraqi Construction Apprentice Program helps rebuild Iraq, one brick and one life at a time.
StoryWeb Special: Holidays at the Frontlines Forgotten force still keeping watch in Bosnia3rd ID soldiers foil attack, recover weapons, IEDs U.S. Forces Focus on Training Iraqis• Program offers reservists jobs after hurricanes • Military chiefs demoted in Pentagon successionCOMBINED RAIDS RESULT IN 23 CAPTURESOther military news..........•
Year-End Pay, Tax Statements to be DistributedTurboTax available at no cost! TurboTax is now available to service members via Military OneSource. Military OneSource is providing access to this great service at no cost to service members. Logon to file your taxes as soon as you receive your W-2.
Congress Extends Earned Income Tax Credit "Fix" for Military FamiliesOn December 16, the U.S. House of Representatives approved by unanimous consent the House-Senate compromise for H.R. 4440, the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005. The bill would provide tax relief for the recovery of the regions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama devastated by Hurricane Katrina. It would also provide charitable giving incentives and tax relief to families and individuals affected by Hurricanes Rita and Wilma.
Hurricane Recovery Booklet Available
December 22, 2005 - A Military.com Publication
The Navy has published a 48-page booklet titled "Guidance for Navy and Marine Corps Personnel Recovering from a Hurricane Disaster."
More information about the Hurricane Recovery Booklet
