Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Mass Re-enlistment, Citizenship Ceremony Scheduled for July 4 in Iraq

By Meghan Vittrup
American Forces Press Service

July 3, 2007 – More than 600 troops are expected to re-enlist tomorrow, and more than 100 others will become U.S. citizens in an Independence Day ceremony at Camp Victory, Iraq.
Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, made the announcement during an interview today on Bill Bennett's nationally syndicated radio program.

Petraeus and his senior enlisted leader,
Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill, decided to hold this year's ceremony after the success of a previous ceremony in 2003 for the 101st Airborne Division.

"On the Fourth of July back in 2003, we had a re-enlistment ceremony. The idea was we would try to get 101, given the unit designation, to raise their right hand. And I think we had something like 150 that did," Petraeus said. "I think it's going to be somewhere close to 600 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who are going to raise their right hand on the Fourth of July here and sign up for another tour in the armed forces."

Many non-citizen servicemembers in Iraq also will become citizens during the event.

"There is going to be a citizenship ceremony, as well, which will be exciting. A lot of great young men and women in uniform who I can't say are Americans yet, but they are serving and they have the American flag on their right shoulder. They have served our country, and now they will truly become citizens of our country as well," Petraeus said.

Independence Day Honors Servicemembers' Selfless Service

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

July 3, 2007 – America's servicemembers should give themselves a big pat on the back tomorrow as the nation celebrates its Declaration of Independence, the most-senior
U.S. military officer said in a statement to troops and families today. This year marks the 231st observance of the Fourth of July as America's Independence Day, Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted.

"Traditionally, America celebrates the Fourth of July with family picnics, community parades, patriotic concerts, and colorful fireworks," Pace said. "This year, as you commemorate the birthday of our great nation, I would ask that each of you in uniform pause and consider the personal role you -- and the generations before you -- have played in America's freedom."

As citizens across the United States celebrate Independence Day, many overseas-deployed servicemembers "will miss the family gatherings and hometown parades," he said. Those servicemembers deployed to far-flung locales in support of the war against terrorism "stand guard protecting the freedoms we all cherish," he added.

Today's
military members possess "a full understanding of exactly what service to this nation means," said Pace, who also saluted servicemembers' "exceptional courage and selflessness."

Thousands of
military members have served two, three or four tours of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, he said. Yet, these troops "remain committed to making a difference," he said.

"To you, and to your families who sacrifice and serve as well as anyone in uniform, you have my heartfelt thanks and best wishes for a happy and safe Independence Day," Pace said.

He said he and the Joint Chiefs are privileged to serve with America's
military men and women.

"We are forever grateful for your commitment that this holiday honors," Pace said.

Bush Visits Wounded at Walter Reed, Praises Hospital Staff

By John Valceanu
American Forces Press Service

July 3, 2007 – President Bush visited wounded servicemembers at Walter Reed
Army Medical Center here today, and he praised the center's personnel for their work. "It's a true honor to come to Walter Reed to be able to see the docs and nurses, the physical therapists who are working with our wounded soldiers," Bush said. "The care here is remarkable."

The president acknowledged that there have been some problems for wounded troops receiving care at Walter Reed, but those problems are being addressed and the medical center is providing excellent care.

"There (have) been some bureaucratic red-tape issues in the past that the
military is working hard to cure," Bush said. "But when it comes time to healing broken bodies, this is a fabulous place."

Bush said his visit to the troops reinforced his admiration for America's men and women in uniform.

"I am constantly amazed at the character and courage of those who wear our uniform," he said. "And that's no more vividly displayed than here in this place of healing."

The commander-in-chief expressed his gratitude to all those who serve under him in the various branches of the
military.

"I want to thank our soldiers, sailors and Marines, airmen, Coast Guardsmen ... for their service to the country, and I thank their families," he said. "As we head into the 4th of July, we're a fortunate nation to have people who are willing to volunteer in the face of danger to help secure this country in the long run."

It Was Golf or Special Ops for Tiger Woods

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

July 3, 2007 – If Tiger Woods weren't a professional golfer, he'd probably be a member of the
military's special operations community, Woods told reporters today at the Congressional Country Club here today. "I told Dad if I didn't make it (as a golfer) in the first few years, that's probably where I'd go," he said. "I'd probably end up going into the military - and I don't know what branch - but I'd certainly want to be in the special operations community." Indeed, Woods underwent four days of Army special operations training at Fort Bragg, N.C., in conjunction with a golf clinic he hosted there in April 2004. Woods' late father, Earl Woods, wore the Green Beret for 12 years as a Special Forces soldier during his 20-year Army career.

"That just seems to be more of a fit considering what I grew up with, and I certainly understand it and can relate to it," Tiger said. "But somehow I ended up here. I made a couple putts in those years."

Woods is hosting the AT&T National golf tournament here July 3-8. Besides "getting a W" - or winning the tournament - Woods said honoring the men and women serving America was one of his overarching goals as the event's host.

Tomorrow morning, the world's top-rated professional golfer will play a practice round, called the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am, with pairings that include
Army Sgt. Maj. Mia Kelly and Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Amor.

Woods said he is excited about playing alongside the servicemembers.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "I've seen their bios, but I haven't met anyone yet, so I'm really looking forward to that, and hopefully I won't get beat too bad."

The golfer said that when he turned 10 years old, he began to play on military golf courses, using his status as a "
military dependent."

"I had my little card, and I could flash that and get on the golf course," he said. "The only frustrating thing was a lot of military bases had an age limit of 10. I thought I could play before that."

Woods has since hit the links on many of America's
military courses, and he especially likes the Air Force Academy's course in Colorado Springs, Colo., he said.

"I've played a lot of military facilities around the country. For one, they're cheaper," he joked.

As a tribute to golf fans in the military, Woods has arranged for tournament sponsors to distribute 30,000 free tickets to active
U.S. military personnel. Those attending will be able to enjoy the view from a special seating gallery, and snack on discounted concessions after showing military identification.

"I know I can't serve with them, but I just want to say, 'Thank you' in some way, and this is our way of being able to do that," he said.

"Even though my dad was retired, I basically grew up on a
military base, and just understanding the commitment that it takes each and every day, for the service men and women, what they do for us, I just think that it was something that should be honored," Woods said.

Military Authors

Military-Writers.com is a website committed to listing military personnel who have authored books. Two former military members were added to the website: Carter Burke and James Lilley.

Carter Burke has a background in the military and communications. He has served in the Active Army and its National Guard component; he is currently serving in the California Army National Guard as a Specialist (E-4). Carter Burke has traveled the world, but currently resides in Southern California. Carter Burke is the author of Bounded Allegiance. According to the book description, Bounded Allegiance is “a fast-paced, action-packed adventure that tugs at the bonds of friendship, loyalty and trust, Bounded Allegiance is a thrill ride that places you firmly in the battle. Follow the men and women of Earth's military as they face victory and defeat in action against a desperate alien adversary.”

James H. Lilley served in the United States Marine Corps from 1961 through 1965. He was discharged at the rank of corporal. A police sergeant with the Howard County Police Department (Maryland), he has worked in the Uniformed Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Division, Forensic Services (CSI) and Drug Enforcement Division. His Street Drug Unit was featured in the book "Undercover" by Hans Halberstadt and published by Simon and Schuster. Some of his awards include The Medal of Valor, Four Bronze Stars, Four Unit Citations and the Governor's Citation. He is also an 8th Degree Black Belt in Shorin Ryu Karate and the first American to be promoted to the rank of Black Belt by Mr. Takeshi Miyagi. James Lilley is the author of six books: A Question of Honor; The Eyes of the Hunter; The Far Side of the Bridge; Just Retribution; A Miracle for Tony Clements; and, Death Knocks Twice.

According to the book description of Death Knocks Twice, “Halloween night, with a Hunter's Moon in the sky, finds Detective Jefferson Daniel Lewis on the scene of a murder. Another child molester's been killed with the signature double tap to the head. Two .22 caliber bullets, and little else to go on, puts Lewis in the middle of right and wrong when sentiment rests on the side of the killer. To complicate matters, he's assigned a new partner. Maria Santana, a dark-eyed, raven-haired beauty works beside him day and night, but knows she'd like to be a lot more than just his partner.”

Military-Writers.com currently lists 23 current or former
military members and their 49 books.