Leaders Praise Fortitude of Stryker Brigade Families

By Donna Miles

Dec. 15, 2006 – Army leaders praised military families here during ceremonies this week for standing solidly behind the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team during its 16-month deployment to Iraq. Army Secretary Francis Harvey told families of brigade members during the "Arctic Wolves'" redeployment ceremony here Dec. 12 that the Army recognizes their sacrifices and will continue its efforts to support them.

Harvey thanked the families for the strength they demonstrated during the long separation that became even more difficult for them after the brigade's deployment was extended four months. "Your soldier could not have done (their) mission without the support they received from each and every one of you," he said.

"Look, we are an Army of soldiers and families. That is the centerpiece of what we are, and it is my number-one priority," Harvey told American Forces Press Service following the ceremony. "We asked our soldiers and families to go above and beyond what is required, so I am going to be here with them, to thank them and tell them how much we appreciate them."

Army Col. Michael Shields, who commanded the brigade in Iraq, told family members both at the redeployment ceremony and at yesterday's change of command and "reflagging" ceremony that few people can fully appreciate what the families endured, particularly during the unit's extension.

"No one will ever understand the suffering, the sacrifice, the challenges you and your children -- our children -- faced during the 120-day extension," he said at the Dec. 12 ceremony. "I am humbled by your support, and I am in awe of your sacrifice and selfless service of the military families. You have my utmost respect and admiration."

When the unit was extended, Shields delivered news of the extension personally to family readiness group leaders via teleconference from Baghdad. During the 90-minute session, he told the family members he understood their disappointment and acknowledged the hardship the extension would cause.

At the brigade's redeployment ceremony, he called the way the families accepted the news "a legend."

Maj. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., commander of U.S. Army Alaska, echoed Shields' praises at yesterday's ceremonies, during which the brigade was redesignated the 25th Infantry Division's 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team and Shields passed his command to Col. Burdett "Burt" Thompson

"Thank you for your service," Jacoby told family members. "That service has been just as extraordinary as your soldiers'. Your soldiers could not have achieved their success without you."

Leticia Waldorf, wife of Sgt. 1st Class Eric Waldorf, said she was happy to hear Army leaders acknowledge the role families play in keeping the home fires burning while their loved ones deploy. Waldorf's 9-month-old son, Nathan, was born while his father was in Iraq.

"I appreciate that they took the time to recognize the commitment and the sacrifices the families make," she said. "It's not something you hear all the time, so I'm pleased."

Sgt. 1st Class David Dodson, who served in Iraq with Company B, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, said that as tough as things sometimes were in Iraq, he knows that the families left behind carried an even heavier burden.

"It was rough when we were there, and there were times you didn't think it would end," he said. "But it was harder on the families than it was on us. Being gone makes you look at your family a little differently now."

Ashley McCulloh, wife of Capt. Timothy McCulloh, understands firsthand the challenges families face when their loved ones deploy and said the extension made things even more difficult.

Ashley was seven months pregnant when her husband deployed with his unit's advanced party in July 2005 and became 172nd Headquarters and Headquarters Company Brigade's family readiness group leader a few months later, after her husband took command of the unit.

The challenges families faced ran the gamut, she said, from keeping cars running and pipes from freezing during the harsh Alaska winter to taking care of the kids single-handedly while running the household.

But as difficult as that was, Ashley said it got even more difficult after families who were expecting their loved ones home at any time got word of the extension. Ashley and another unit wife had to deliver the news personally to about 90 spouses. "It was really hard because (the soldiers) were so close to coming home," she said, noting that about 300 brigade members had already arrived back in Alaska. "There you were, driving on post and seeing the 'welcome home' signs. It was heartbreaking."

Most of the families rebounded quickly and well, she said, supported through a strong family readiness group network and other support the Army provided. The Army community pulled out all stops to make sure families were prepared to handle the additional stress of the extension, she said.

New family assistance centers opened at Fort Wainwright and Fort Richardson in Anchorage to help families deal with nonrefundable airline tickets, powers of attorney that were about to expire, moving concerns and mental health issues. The Army augmented the local support staff with child psychologists, adolescent counselors and specially trained chaplains with advanced degrees in family counseling. The post chartered a plane and offered spouses a free shopping trip to Anchorage, while providing child care while they were gone.

"They responded quickly and made sure families knew that they were concerned and they cared," McCulloh said.

In addition, McCulloh called visits by Harvey, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker and other Army and DoD leaders to express support for the families "very helpful."

"It gave the spouses someone to talk to who they felt could make a difference, without having to work through a lot of chain of command," she said. "They felt that they could go right to the people who could correct a problem, and they did. It was really helpful for them and sent a strong message that the leadership cared."

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Montenegro Partners With Maine National Guard

By Sgt. Jim Greenhill, USA

Dec. 14, 2006 – The ripples from the first muster of Dec. 13, 1636, have reached the shores of the Adriatic Sea, where the world's youngest country joined America's oldest military service in the National Guard's State Partnership Program on Dec. 7. "This is an historic first step initiating a strong bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Montenegro," Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said here at the formal announcement of the partnership in the nation's capital.

"I want to express my gratitude to the United States of America for its support," Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic said during a meeting with Blum. "I'm very glad about the cooperation between the state of Maine and the state of Montenegro. It will further strengthen the cooperation as a whole between Montenegro and the USA."

"This is the first, very historic step on establishing mutual partnership relations in terms of defense between the United States and Montenegro," said Lt. Col. Gen. Jovan Lakcevic, Montenegro's chief of defense. "As the states of Montenegro and Maine are very similar when it comes to their landscapes, the same goes for the National Guard of Maine and the Montenegrin military. We look alike. We have many similar army units. We have a lot of potential for military cooperation."

The State Partnership Program pairs 55 countries with the National Guard in U.S. states and territories.

Other Balkan countries also are members of the SPP, and Blum said during his Montenegrin visit that he hopes a Balkan SPP Regional Workshop, tentatively scheduled for May, will bring together these nation and their National Guard state partners.

"The State Partnership Program has acted as a catalyst for stability in regions where stability has been sought for centuries and was never achieved and now is possible," Blum said.

Blum, Army Maj. Gen. John W. Libby, adjutant general of the Maine National Guard, and other National Guard officials visited Montenegro during the first week of December to recognize the country's SPP membership.

"I'm struck by the similarities between Maine and Montenegro -- its culture, its people, certainly the geography and the economy," Libby said.

Montenegro was independent until 1918 when it was united with Serbia. It became a constituent republic of Yugoslavia in 1945. After that nation's collapse in 1992, 12 years after the death of Josip Broz Tito, the dictator whose iron rule kept the nation together, Montenegro partnered with Serbia.

The former Yugoslavia weathered a disastrous civil war through the 1990s. Montenegro managed to avoid the worst of the conflict though the country endured strategic NATO air strikes because of its Serbian union.

On May 21, more than 86 percent of the electorate turned out for a referendum, and more than 55 percent embraced independence from the union with Serbia. The country declared independence June 3.

"The leadership of Montenegro is incredibly of one mind," Blum said. "They truly want to be part of the Euro-Atlantic community. They absolutely are desirous of being members of NATO, and they see the State Partnership Program being what they consider a fast-track for that."

Montenegro's SPP membership and the visit by Blum and Libby dominated evening news broadcasts and newspaper front pages in the country.

Among other initiatives, the SPP offers:

-- Transformation. The Maine National Guard will advise the Montegrin military as it transitions from a conscripted to an all-volunteer force, reduces its numbers and updates 30-year-old equipment.

-- Officer development. Members of the Montenegrin military may attend officer candidate school in Maine.

-- Noncommissioned officer development. Maine's NCOs may get opportunities to teach in Montenegro, which is looking to develop an NCO academy.

-- Language. The SPP will help Montenegrin officers and enlisted soldiers develop English language skills.

-- Emergency management. Montenegro may work with the Maine National Guard and emergency managers to enhance emergency response for civil emergencies and search-and-rescue operations. Montenegro is vulnerable to floods and earthquakes. Maine will model the National Guard's relationship with civilian law enforcement agencies for Montenegro, which is developing similar relationships from scratch.

-- Coastal defense. Maine may assist Montenegro in enhancing its coastal defenses.

-- Civilian-to-civilian partnerships. Student exchanges are among possible civilian programs.

"Our force structure in Maine parallels almost identically the force structure here in Montenegro, and will make the military-to-military piece very easy for us," Libby said.

"We're very similar states in many respects, and both of us have significant coastlines, significant industries and a wide spectrum of possible cooperation and partnership," Libby told Montenegro's Vijesti newspaper.

In one of numerous stories, the newspaper outlined the National Guard's history, calling it a critical part of America's Armed Forces, and compared the National Guard to the national civil defense system once used by Yugoslavia.

Affiliating with the SPP is one of a series of steps the fledgling government has taken to strengthen the partnership between Montenegro and both the United States and the European Union after 16 years of isolation. Other steps include joining the Partnership for Peace, a program designed to help NATO aspirants ramp up for full membership. Montenegro also became the 192nd member of the United Nations on June 28 and is seen as a promising candidate for European Union membership.

"My presence here today is ... a clear manifestation of U.S. support for Montenegrin efforts towards integration with the Euro-Atlantic community," Blum said.

Potential benefits from the State Partnership Program go beyond specific programs to improved cultural understanding. "We understand clearly in the National Guard that we're subordinate to civilian authorities and that we support civilian authorities," Libby said. "That's a notion that will serve these people and this nation particularly well."

During the visit to formalize Montenegro's SPP membership, Blum and Libby met with senior civilian and military Montenegrin officials. They observed special operations forces and special anti-terrorists unit demonstrations. They also toured many cultural sites.

"I was particularly impressed by the warmth of the people (and) by the enthusiasm that these people show for their newfound freedom," he said.

He added that the National Guard represents America. "Ours is a nation of compassion, a nation that sets about to set other men and women free. We see an opportunity in this country to provide them a road ahead in terms of their economy, in terms of their military and civilian relationships," he said. "The men and women of the Maine National Guard look forward to this opportunity."

(Army Sgt. Jim Greenhill is assigned to the National Guard Bureau. The Association of the United States Army contributed to this report.)

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Excitement Heating Up Over New Extended-Cold-Weather Gear

By Donna Miles

Dec. 14, 2006 – Members of the Alaska Army National Guard here are sizzling with excitement about their new cold weather gear that keeps them toasty warm even when temperatures dip to double digits below zero. The new Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System takes the latest insulating and wicking materials that have become hot tickets among skiers, snowmobile riders and other extreme-sports enthusiasts and adapting them for soldiers operating in demanding arctic conditions, explained Army Maj. Joe Miley, operations officer for the Alaska Guard's 49th Missile Defense Battalion. "It's designed to work in extremely cold weather," he said.

Unit members got the new, layered system about two weeks ago, just in time for the coldest part of the season here, when the "Delta winds" bring in sustained 60-mph winds, with higher gusts, and temperatures can hit minus-60.

Those conditions make soldiering pretty demanding, explained Army Sgt. Seth Paul, a military policeman for the unit who patrols the Missile Defense Complex on some of those bone-chilling days. They gel up diesel fuel in vehicles and fray or split belts, freeze up weapons systems, and render radios unusable.

Such conditions can take an even bigger toll on troops, particularly those serving outside over extended periods.

The new ECWCS gear, with 12 components that can be mixed and matched depending on the conditions and how active a soldier is, offers the critical protection soldiers here need to do their jobs, Miley said.

The system begins with silky long underwear that's made of lightweight, moisture-wicking polyester designed to keep the wearer dry. The mid-weight shirt and pants provide light insulation during warmer days or an extra layer in colder conditions.

The hands-down favorite piece of gear among the Guardsmen here, the green fleece jacket, offers a snuggly replacement for the Army's heavy black fleece jacket. "It's lighter and warmer, and it's modeled after animal fur," Paul said.

On colder days, soldiers can top the fleece with a lightweight, waterproof windbreaker or a breathable soft shell set designed for cold, rainy ways. A waterproof layer offers even more protection in prolonged, hard rain. During the coldest days, troops can add a puffy, extreme-cold-weather parka with high-tech insulation quilted into it and matching pants that zip over other layers in the system.

After two weeks wearing the new gear, the Alaska Guardsmen here give it a unanimous thumbs-up. "I love it. It's comfortable as pajamas, but still looks really professional," said Sgt. Katja Paul, an MP who makes up half of one of the husband-wife teams within the 49th Missile Defense Battalion here.

"It's easy to take care of. You wash it and dry it, and you're ready to go," she said. "And the real beauty of it is that the whole system can be easily folded up and put in your rucksack."

Army Spc. Anthony Montoya, a battalion communications operator, touted the new gear's breathability, even during heavy activity. "It works well on the range. It's comfortable and lets you move around, but it's still light and compressible," he said.

Seth Paul admitted to putting the new gear to the test "on Army time and off Army time," including snowboarding in his off-duty hours. "It's great stuff," he said. "You can get it soaking wet on the outside and it still keeps you warm and dry."

The new ECWCS gear is slated for initial fielding to the Army in about a year, but the 49th Missile Defense Battalion and a few other units received it ahead of schedule, based on their mission. The Fort Drum, N.Y.-based 10th Mountain Division received it in 2005, in time for its deployment to Afghanistan.

Lt. Col. Christopher Cavoli, commander of the division's 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, offered the new system his highest praises after seeing its effectiveness in Operation Mountain Lion in the spring.

"During Operation Mountain Lion, I found myself praying for bad weather -- the first time in my military career I was actually begging for a cold front to come through," he said. "I knew my soldiers could handle it and the enemy couldn't.

"The ECWCS allowed my men to outlast the enemy on their own terrain," Cavoli said. "When the enemy was forced out of the mountains due to the bitter cold to take shelter, that's when we got them."

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American Idol Winner Visits Troops

By Sgt. Sarah Scully, USA

Dec. 14, 2006 – Hundreds of servicemembers lined up to receive an autograph and photo from Carrie Underwood, country music star and 2005 American Idol winner, at Camp Arifjan's Combined Operations and Intelligence Center yesterday. Underwood, on a United Service Organizations tour in the Middle East, also gave a concert at Camp Buehring, a few hours away from Camp Arifjan, before heading to Iraq for additional concerts.

Army Master Sgt. Ricky Bakke waited in line for his chance to have Underwood sign a guitar for his 10-year-old daughter right before Christmas.

"(She's) a huge fan of Carrie's and is learning to play," Bakke, a logistics NCO for National Guard affairs supporting 3rd Army and U.S. Army Central, said of his daughter.

"Thanks for giving me such a warm welcome," Underwood said to a fan. "We're happy to be able to come here and spread some holiday cheer."

Clutching pictures and CDs of Underwood, servicemembers of all ranks and ages asked her to sign memorabilia for family members and themselves and to pose for pictures.

"I had Carrie autograph posters for me and my two girls," said Chief Warrant Officer Stoney Hobbs, a pilot with 1st Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment. "They are big fans from American Idol."

(Army Sgt. Sarah Scully is assigned to the 40th Public Affairs Detachment.)

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Students' Penny Drive for Troops Makes Cents

By John J. Kruzel

Dec. 15, 2006 – The pennywise students of Hawthorne Middle School, in Pocatello, Id., can afford to be proud of themselves. In November, the students held a three-week penny drive to raise money for 92 National Guard servicemembers recently deployed from Pocatello. Hawthorne students come from the poorest parts of Pocatello, and the penny drive gave each one a chance to participate in the fundraising effort, school officials said.

"You walk down the sidewalk and see pennies on the ground," Carol Hill, director of Hawthorne's Student Leadership Group and school counselor said. "We didn't ask them (to donate), we just had jars out that they could drop their coins into."

School officials expected the students would raise roughly $150. But the 540 Hawthorne students dropped $1,001.30 in coins into the school's collection jars.

"When you think of a penny drive you don't think it will turn into so much. I was amazed," Hill said.

Many Hawthorne students come from families under financial strain, so raising roughly $1,000 was overwhelming and humbling to witness, Hill said.

Hawthorne will use the money to send greeting cards and telephone calling cards to each of the 92 servicemembers before the holidays.

"I donated to the soldiers because I feel like since they give freedom and safety to us, I should at least give some money to help them have an opportunity to talk with their families," Kourtney, an eighth-grader at Hawthorne, said.

Every six weeks, Hawthorne students brainstorm possible service projects, then one project is selected through a popular vote. Collecting coins for troops won by a landslide. And because Veterans Day was nearing when the idea was floated, patriotism might have been on the children's' minds when selecting the project, Hill said.

"I participated in the fundraiser because I have family in the war," seventh-grader Rachael said. "I know it was the right thing to do."

During a school assembly on Veterans Day, Army Spc. J.D. Oborne returned to Hawthorne Middle School, his alma mater, to speak to students. "He talked about what life was like as a soldier over (in Iraq). I think it had a terrific effect on them," Hill said.

A student survey revealed that many students have dads, brothers, and uncles in Iraq right now, said Hill, whose nephew currently is serving in Baghdad.

"I wanted to honor my family," Scott, and eighth-grader, said. "We've had many members in the military throughout the years."

News of Hawthorne's penny drive rolled as far as Capitol Hill.

"The success of Hawthorne Middle School students in this penny drive reflects a refreshing sense of civic duty and national pride," Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo said. "It's indicative of the influence of strong families and educators at this Idaho school.

"I commend them on their generosity and commitment to our military, and I call our nation's attention to the students, parents and teachers of Hawthorne Middle School as models of committed patriotism and selfless giving," Crapo said.

The kids learned that there's no amount too small when giving to our troops, Hill said. "I'm really proud of these kids," she said. "You hear a lot about what's wrong. Well, this is an example of what's really right with American youth. If we give them the opportunity they will measure up."

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B-52 Flight Uses Synthetic Fuel in All Eight Engines

Dec. 15, 2006 – A B-52 Stratofortress took off from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., today on a flight-test mission using a blend of synthetic fuel and "JP-8" in all eight engines. This is the first time a "Buff" has flown using a "synfuel-blend" as the only fuel on board, Air Force officials said. In September, the Air Force successfully flew a B-52 with two-engines using the synfuel-blend. "The B-52 test flights at Edwards Air Force Base are the initial steps in the Air Force process to test and certify a synthetic blend of fuel for its aviation fleet," Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne said. "We are confident that the success of this flight will bring us one step closer to allowing a domestic source of synthetic fuel to accomplish the Air Force mission in the future."

The first B-52 flight using "Fischer-Tropsch" fuel occurred Sept. 19 at Edwards. Today's flight further demonstrates the Air Force's commitment to using alternate fuels and is the next step in the testing and certification process before the fuel can go into widespread use, officials said.

The Air Force has reinvigorated its energy strategy, which is underpinned by supply-side availability and demand-side conservation, Air Force Assistant Secretary Bill Anderson said. "The Air Force is moving forward in its commitment to certify alternative sources of fuel for both its aircraft and ground vehicles fleet," Anderson said.

Maj. Gen. Curtis Bedke, Air Force Flight Test commander, is flying the aircraft to assess how well the aircraft performs using the synthetic blend of fuel.

The next test phase for the B-52 will be cold weather testing to determine how well the synfuel-blend performs in extreme weather conditions.

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Reunited Stryker Families Planning for Extra-Special Holiday

By Donna Miles


Dec. 15, 2006 – Christmas came early this year for the Skeen family as they celebrated what Joanna Skeen called the best gift she could ever ask for: the safe return of her husband. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Skeen and his fellow 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team soldiers returned to Alaska this month after 16 months in Iraq.

"It's already Christmas," said Joanna, whose husband was among the first "Arctic Wolves" delivered to their families and loved ones during the past weeks -- not in sleighs, but in chartered commercial planes. "It's felt like Christmas morning every day since he's been home," she said. "It's just overwhelming."

Holding his 18-month-old daughter, Lillian, Staff Sgt. Skeen could barely take his eyes off the strawberry-blonde toddler who was just two months old when he left for Iraq. "Now she's walking around and talking," he beamed. "It's great."

Skeen was deployed in Iraq last Christmas with Battery A, 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, which was redesignated yesterday as 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery.

Knowing he'd miss his baby's first Christmas in 2005, Skeen had squeezed in an early celebration during his rest-and-recuperation leave earlier that month. A highlight, he said, was taking Lillian for her first trip to see Santa Claus, near the family's log home in (no kidding) North Pole, Alaska.

"Now I'm ready to make up for lost time," he said. "I'm finally getting to be with my family."

Another Stryker Brigade soldier, Capt. Jacob Haverstick, is excited about spending Christmas with his wife, Amy, and daughter, Ava, who was born five months after he deployed to Iraq.

If there's an "up" side to deployments, Haverstick said, it's that they make people appreciate what they have at home. "Being deployed makes you realize how important family is," he said. "You realize that you take a lot of things for granted, and how much (family members) mean to you."

As the holiday approaches, Haverstick is planning a low-key celebration. "We're staying here and having a quiet Christmas, just us," he said. "I'm really looking forward to it."

Like Haverstick, Ashley McCulloh and her husband, Capt. Timothy McCulloh, are planning a quiet holiday with their 14-month-old son, Brooks.

Ashley went out of her way to fill their house on a snowy, wooded hillside about 10 miles from Fort Wainwright with holiday spirit. She put up a tree and hung red, white and blue bows from the balcony, a big wreath at the door, icicle lights from the roof, and holiday stockings for everyone, including the family dog.
"This is our first Christmas (together) as a family, and we want it to be special," she said.

But big parties and travel arrangements don't figure high in the McCullohs' plans. "I think it's going to be an intimate Christmas," she said. "I think everyone here is going to have a very close family Christmas, with not so many big ones.

"Everyone wanted their spouses here for Christmas, and they got it," she said. "So now we want to just enjoy that we were the lucky ones to get our spouses back, and a lot of people are just staying here."

While many newly returned soldiers here prepare to celebrate the holiday with new babies, Spc. Ian Helmandollar from the newly redesignated 2nd Brigade, 8th Field Artillery, looks forward to spending it with his new bride.

Helmandollar married his wife, Lori, when he was home for rest-and-recuperation leave in October 2005 and shared last Christmas with her only through e-mails and phone calls.

"Last Christmas, we were on a mission in Mosul," he recalled. And while the contractor that ran the dining facility there tried to make the holiday meal special, with seasonal tablecloths and sparkling grape juice, Helmandollar said, this year's celebration will be head and shoulders above it.

"It's going to feel really different this year, being home," he said. "It's going to be great."

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New San Diego Store Illustrates Commissary Transformation

By Gerry J. Gilmore

Dec. 15, 2006 – A new commissary being built in southern California heralds the future for the Defense Commissary Agency, the organization's top official said today. Nixon, 60, who served in Vietnam almost 40 years ago as a Marine Corps supply sergeant, became DeCA's chief in late June. The new San Diego commissary, he said, will be the largest and most modern facility within the agency's 263-store, worldwide system.

"We call it our store of the future, because it is going to have some concepts in it that we are going to unveil for the first time," Nixon said.

Many of the new commissary's features, such as self-service and express checking lanes, a bright interior, and colorful customer-information signs are the result of findings from commissary Agency-commissioned grocery industry trend studies, Nixon said.

Major food retailers also perceive that shoppers want grocery stores to offer both convenience and choice, he said. Therefore, the new San Diego store will have two main entrances, one for customers who want to pick up just a few food items, and another entrance for those who want to stock up on groceries.

"You're going to have to be able to address two entirely different shopping dynamics: the convenience shopper and then the pantry-loading shopper," Nixon said. "Somehow, you're going to have to be able to attract both of them."

The new San Diego commissary also will have a health and wellness center that provides nutritional information for its customers' health needs. And, great effort and care is being taken to ensure that San Diego commissary customers -- and other commissary patrons -- will be able to choose from only the best and freshest meats, produce and seafood available. "We're going to have the best-possible products at the best prices you'll find anyplace in the world," Nixon said.

Features found in the new San Diego store will eventually filter across the commissary system, Nixon said, noting DeCA is focused on providing quality products, service and a unique shopping experience for its customers.

The Defense Commissary Agency was established in 1990 through the merger of previously separate commissary systems managed by each service branch. Nixon, who has worked at the agency since it was created, noted that his organization has changed much in the past 16 years.

Recent government audits have provided DeCA a clean bill of financial health, Nixon said, noting his 18,000-employee global organization is one of the few within the Defense Department to achieve this. "We're a model citizen when it comes to fiscal responsibility in the Defense Department, and we want to continue to demonstrate that," Nixon said.

Operational improvements and new technologies implemented across the commissary system over the past few years have helped it become more efficient and an even better steward of taxpayer dollars, he said.

And, servicemembers and their families continue to receive great value by shopping at military commissaries, Nixon said. Commissary shoppers realize about 32 percent in annual savings, he said, which works out to about $3,000 a year for a family of four.
The commissary benefit "is alive, well and strong," Nixon said, noting it carries a lot of weight among military families during re-enlistment decision time.

"We've got the best customer in the world," Nixon said, "and for what we ask our military to do, there's nothing we can't do for them."

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'Operation Christmas' Cheers Military Families

By Elaine Wilson

Dec. 14, 2006 – Christmas came a few weeks early this year for military families throughout San Antonio. Nearly 300 servicemembers and their families, many dressed in their holiday best, flocked to the Texas National Guard Armory early yesterday for "Operation Christmas," a campaign aimed at brightening the holidays for military families.

The San Antonio event was the fifth in a series of six celebrations that have taken place in military communities throughout the nation, thanks to a joint effort between America Supports You partner Operation Homefront and Wal-Mart. America Supports You is a Defense Department program that highlights and facilitates public support for U.S. servicemembers and their families.

"Operation Christmas is a way to say thank you to military members for their service and thank you to the family members who are sacrificing," said Amy Palmer of Operation Homefront.

The early morning festivities, held in a colorfully decked-out tent, included holiday arts and crafts, a visit with Santa Claus, food, music, and satellite and Web links with deployed loved ones. San Antonio Spurs basketball legend George "Iceman" Gervin was on hand to sign basketballs and autograph pictures for new and old fans alike.

"We realize many military families here are sacrificing, as well as the military overseas," said the Basketball Hall of Famer. "We wanted to show how much we appreciate them and will do whatever we can to support them."

No one walked away empty-handed. Each child received a sizeable toy from Santa, and parents and older siblings were treated to Wal-Mart gift cards so they could buy toys of their own. While Santa will most likely garner the glory, the credit for the early Christmas gifts was due to Wal-Mart, which donated $500,000 to Operation Homefront for the Operation Christmas events.

"This is wonderful," said Wendy Hansen, who traveled about 130 miles from Fort Hood, Texas, with her 8-year-old son, Dawson, to attend the event. Her husband deployed to Iraq in October. "It means a lot to me, makes me realize that people care."

Along with military families, about 45 wounded warriors recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center here took part in the festivities. While too old for Santa's lap, the servicemembers still scored an early Christmas present.

"This is a great thing to do for military families," said wounded warrior Army Staff Sgt. David Barnette, who was waiting in line to greet Santa with his wife, Ruby, and 5-year-old daughter, Jordan.

"Doing something like this is a blessing," Ruby said.

"It's wonderful that people care so much for soldiers," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Colvin. "To be out there giving our lives, and have something like this to come back to, it's heartwarming."

A few of the recovering soldiers appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" program, which sent a crew to broadcast live from the Operation Christmas site. The morning show has covered two of the events, and plans to cover the final one in Savannah, Ga., next week.

"You can never show enough support of troops," said Morgan Zalkin, GMA producer. "We wanted to let them know that we weren't just thinking of the troops in the field, but also their families back home."

"I don't know how you can't support the troops," said GMA correspondent Mike Barz, an Army "brat" whose grandfather fought in three wars. "Regardless of how you feel about the war, you should support the servicemembers."

Brooke Army Medical Center Commander Brig. Gen. James Gilman thanked everyone for their efforts in support of military members and their family and emphasized the importance of America's continued support.

"Organizations like Operation Homefront and Operation Comfort and businesses that help do this type of an event are indicators that Americans understand how hard it is to be a warrior or the family of one," he said. "Our wounded warriors work really hard. I'm not sure people understand how hard it is to get up, endure pain and fatigue, and stay motivated.

"Support like this keeps them going, keeps them carrying on."

Chris Hansen, a wounded warrior injured a year ago by two roadside bombs in Iraq, said the support was much appreciated, particularly as he transitions to civilian life.

"I didn't expect this; it's a surprise," said the father of five children, all under age 8. "I wasn't able to afford much for my kids this year, so this means a lot."

(Elaine Wilson is assigned to the Fort Sam Houston Public Information Office.)

Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have written books.

Military Writers adds first three

Military-Writers.com, a website listing current, former and active United States Military personnel who have authored books, added its first three military writers: Richard Huffman, Chuck Chambers and Raymond Foster.

Richard Neal Huffman was born the son of a sharecropper. At the age of two his parents migrated to southwest Michigan. At 20, Richard was drafted into the United States Army where he served as a medic. He completed a tour of duty in the Panama Canal Zone where he was assigned as an ambulance driver for the 601st Medical Detachment of the United States Southern Command. In the regular Army, Richard was an E-4. After discharge, he joined the Michigan Army National Guard and later the Army Reserves. In the guard he was both a medic and tank crewmen. Richard joined the Bangor Police Department and throughout his career he would serve as a patrol officer, training officer, sergeant, detective and assistant chief of police. Richard’s first book, “Dreams in Blue: The Real Police,” is an autobiographical journey that takes the reader inside the world of the small town cop. He introduces the reader to people, situations, and a culture that is both interesting and unique. Richard’s second book, “Rubal,” is a fictional account of a Union soldier during the Civil War.

A former police officer for the city of Palmetto (Florida), Chuck Chambers is the Chief investigator and owner of Chambers Investigations. In 1965, Chuck Chambers joined the United States Marine Corps and held a position in the Anti Tank Battalion. In his book, The Private Investigator Handbook: The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Protect Yourself, Get Justice, or Get Even, he shares his insider expertise, with true case histories from his files, tricks of the trade, and step-by-step advice to help readers be able to: Catch a cheating spouse; Uncover hidden assets, monetary malfeasance, and fraud; Tail and track a mark; Use the Internet to get information on anything and anyone; Protect one's privacy; Prepare an intelligence file on anyone-on and off line; and, Find and preserve legal evidence.

Raymond E. Foster retired at the rank of lieutenant from the Los Angeles Police Department after 24 years of service. He served in the United States Coast Guard as a radioman from 1976 to 1982. He has a BA in criminal justice, masters in public administration and is currently working on his PhD. Raymond’s first book, Police Technology, has been adopted by over 100 colleges and universities. His second book, Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style, is schedule to be published next year. His current writing projects include an introduction to policing text book and a book on marketing.

In addition to hosting current, former and retired military personnel who have written books, Military-Writers.com is building and extensive web-based directory of military personnel who own businesses.