Gates Begins Asia Swing Focusing on Regional Security

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

May 28, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today kicked off a six-day swing through the Western Pacific that includes a keynote address at the 7th annual International Institute of Strategic Studies' Asia Security Summit in Singapore. The visit, which also will take the secretary to Guam, Thailand and South Korea, will underscore the United States' enduring presence in and commitment to the region, a senior defense official traveling with Gates told reporters. It also will amplify the U.S. role in strengthening multilateral security cooperation.

The three-day security conference, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue after the hotel where it's held, will bring together more than 20 major participants for what the official called "the big security fest in East Asia."

Gates' address at the first plenary session May 31 will set the stage for the next presidential administration, officials said. Pointing to the longstanding U.S. commitment, he will assure regional nations of continued commitment, regardless of who wins the U.S. general election.

The speech "transcends the immediate and looks at the enduring," another official said on background.

Gates will recognize changes within the Asia-Pacific theater, including the emergence of China and India as powers.

The issue of China's growing military power, and lack of transparency about it, will almost certainly arise, the official said.

But this year, discussions are expected to be less contentious than at past Shangri-La dialogues. That's because the Defense Department released this year's China Military Power report in early spring, rather than just before the conference as in 2006 and 2007, with unintended consequences, the official said.

"We did not want to step on Shangri-La and to set up this artificial confrontation atmosphere," he said.

Gates is slated to meet with Chinese Lt. Gen. M.A. Xiatian, deputy chief of general staff for the People's Liberation Army, during a "pull-aside," an informal bilateral meeting during the conference.

The United States and China are moving toward more positive exchanges that transcend old Cold War paradigms, a State Department official traveling with Gates told reporters.

"This is not the competitive relationship of the Cold War," he said. "We are really working together to create the conditions that will be beneficial for all of us and all of the residents of the Asian-Pacific zone."

Gates will emphasize the strength of U.S. alliances and partnerships in maintaining regional security during the formal Shangri-La sessions, as well as the many bilateral and pull-aside sessions planned.

His keynote speech "will show very convincingly that the alliance structure that is out there is not some Cold War relic, not something that constricts or confines alliance partners, but is very facilitative, very enabling, and also very flexible," an official said.

The United States is approaching security challenges in the region not only multilaterally, but also as a "whole of government," the State Department official said.

"The face of American power projection in Asia these days isn't just military. It's not just diplomatic. It's not just public diplomacy. It's not just development assistance," he said. "But it is really all of these things and more, woven together.

"And Secretary Gates has been an ardent advocate in our government back in Washington in making sure that we work and coordinate better as a government in projecting our power (and) in pursuing our security partnerships in Asia," he said. "So not only do we have more foreign countries as partners, but we are also more integrated as a government in engaging with them."

Examples of this cooperation – expected to be a focus at the Shangri-La conference – are ongoing humanitarian assistance missions in both Burma and China.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has come up with a new plan to speed up the delivery of aid to Burma and is expected to seek support for it at the conference. "This will be a place where a lot of comment is being exchanged. It is very much the current issue," an official said.

During Gates' first stop of the trip, in Guam, he will witness the massive construction effort under way to prepare for the arrival of Marine forces being relocated from Okinawa.

An official traveling with Gates emphasized the importance of Guam, with its prime strategic location, its pro-military population and its status as a U.S. territory. "This is not just another base," he said. "This is a place where you can project power from the continental United States and Hawaii -- ships, aircraft and land troops as well."

But increasingly, Guam is emerging as a node for multilateral security cooperation in Southeast Asia, and for alliance transformation in Northeast Asia, the official said. "It is integral to the force posture transformation," he said.

MILITARY CONTRACTS May 28, 2008

ARMY

BAE Systems, Ground Systems Division, York, Pa., was awarded on May 23, 2008, a $525,298,032 firm-fixed price contract for remanufacturing of M2A3 and A3 Bradley Fire Support Team Vehicles. Work will be performed in York, Pa., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Sept. 14, 2007. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-05-G-0005).

Foster-Miller, Inc., Waltham, Mass., was awarded on May 25, 2008, a $400,000,000 firm-fixed price contract for the procurement of Foster-Miller robotics system, upgrade kits, spare parts, training and engineering services. Work will be performed in Waltham, Mass., and is expected to be completed by May 25, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on May 23, 2008. Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity (W900KK-08-D-0037).

Harris Corp., Rochester, N.Y., was awarded on May 23, 2008, a $41,956,600 firm-fixed price contract for 150 vehicular installation kits for Mine Resistant Armor Protected (MRAP) vehicles. Work will be performed in Rochester, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 18, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on May 9, 2008. U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0441).

BAE Systems, Ground Systems Division, York, Pa., was awarded on May 23, 2008, a $13,508,509 firm-fixed price contract for authorized stockage list spares and options for additional spares. Work will be performed in York, Pa., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Sept. 14, 2007. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-05-G-0005).

AIR FORCE

L-3 Communications of Alpharetta, Ga., is being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for $6,785,212 (Maximum). This action provides for a five year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the C-130 Remote Display Units. This contract minimum is 51 each and contract maximum is 101 each. The order for 51 each will be issued concurrent with the basic award. At this time $2,547,399 (order 0001) has been obligated. Robins AFB, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8504-08-D-0001 and delivery order 0001).

Raytheon Co., of Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a firm fixed price contract for $412,207,351. This action will provide 98 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile AIM-120D All-Up-round Missiles, 11 AIM-120D Air Vehicles Instrumented (AAVIs), eight AIM-120D Integrated Test Vehicles (ITVs), 78 AIM-120D Captive Air Training Missiles, 213 AIM-120C7 foreign military sales AURs, five AIM-120C foreign military sales AAVIs, Warranty for 68 AIM-120D AURs (USAF), Warranty for 11 AAVIs USAF, Warranty for 78 CATMs 9USAF/USN), 269 Non-Developmental Item-Airborne Instrumentation Units, Spares (US/FMS), Test Equipment, Obsolescence to include Radome source replacement, Quad Target Detection Device parts replacements, Common Air Launched Navigation System second source. At this time all the funds have been obligated. 695ARSS, Eglin AFB, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-08-C-0049).

Champion Energy Services, LLC of Houston, Texas, is being awarded a firm fixed price, indefinite term utilities contract for $400,000,000 (estimated for 20 years -- actual costs are dependent on electricity usage). This action will provide for retail electric provider services –contractor will manage a strategic supply portfolio, to provide renewable and non-renewable electricity for Goodfellow AFB, Laughlin AFB, and Sheppard AFB, Texas in the deregulated market. At this time $70,000 has been obligated. AETC CONS/LGCD, Randolph AFB, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-08-D--0026).

L-3 Communications of Alpharetta, Ga., is being awarded a firm fixed price contract for $16,068,051 (maximum). This requirement is to establish repair contract for the Electronics Flight Indicators and Remote Display Units for the C-130 aircraft. At this time $2,268,555 has been obligated. 448SCMG/PKHE, Robins AFB, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8538-08-D-0009).

NAVY

Alliant Techsystems (ATK) Tactical Systems Co., LLC, Rocket Center, W. Va., is being awarded a $9,982,292 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-quantity/indefinite-delivery contract for asset development, support for process development, facility and equipment design, and procurement and prove-out for the following products: energetic materials, solid propellant rocket motors and projectiles, air breathing propulsion systems, warheads, fuses, igniters, composite and metallic structures. ATK Propulsion and Controls, and the Navy have consistently developed, established and modernized the facilities to improve research, development, and production capabilities for the Navy. This facility is one of the world's most modern energetic system production facilities and a center for state-of-the-art production and test of air-breathing and non-air breathing solid propellant rocket motors and composite structures for weapons systems. Work will be performed in Rocket Center, W. Va., and work is expected to be completed by May 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Md., is the contracting activity (N00174-08-D-0009).

Northrop Grumman Corp., Electronic Systems, Defensive Systems Division, Rolling Meadows, Ill., is being awarded a $5,923,723 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-08-G-0012) for Group-A and Group–B testing support on the Navy CH-53E Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures Ultra Violet Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) aircraft including the development, operational and ECP validation and verification, support for personnel in the Safety of Flight Clearance process, and the installation of a Flight Instrumentation package. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Ill., and is expected to be completed in May 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego, Owego, N.Y., is being awarded a $5,838,710 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-05-C-0076) for non-recurring efforts associated with integration of the Ku-Band Hawklink Common Data Link (CDL) into the MH-60R Block I upgrade. Work will be performed in Owego, N.Y. (80 percent); and Patuxent River, Md.,(20 percent), and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Freedom is Most Powerful Weapon, Bush Says

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

May 28, 2008 - President Bush called upon the newest graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy today to lead the cause of freedom in their generation, calling freedom the most powerful weapon in the U.S. arsenal. Bush addressed the 1,012 cadets who made up the 50th graduating class in the history of the Colorado Springs, Colo., academy during commencement ceremonies.

The president drew comparisons between the wars of the 20th and 21st centuries, citing similar ideological struggles first with fascism and communism, and now with Islamic extremism.

"We are once again facing evil men who despise freedom and despise America and aim to subject millions to their violent rule," Bush said. "And once again, our nation is called to defeat these adversaries and secure the peace for millions across the world."

Defeating those ideologies will require all elements of national power, the president said. It will take new and advanced weaponry that offers speed, precision, agile and lethal fires. And it will take patience, the president said. But the most important factor to securing a peaceful future is the perpetuation of freedom, he said.

"For all the advanced military capabilities at our disposal, the most powerful weapon in our arsenal is the power of freedom," Bush said.

The president remarked that in one generation the technology of aviation moved from its historic first flight, to the age of supersonic flight and space exploration. As aviation progressed, he said, it changed the face of war.

Technology today allows for more precision targeting of enemy regimes. The ability to eliminate a regime, with minimal damage to the civilian population serves as a deterrent, Bush said.

"We've removed two cruel regimes in weeks instead of years," Bush said, comparing World War Two and operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

"In Afghanistan, coalition forces and their Afghan allies drove the Taliban from power in less than two months," Bush said. "In Iraq, with the help of the United States Air Force, our troops raced across 350 miles of enemy territory to liberate Baghdad in less than one month, one of the fastest armored advances in military history."

This creates both opportunities and challenges in current and future wars. The United States can now fight its enemies with greater humanity by sparing innocent casualties of war. But, because many enemy forces know they cannot take on the U.S. military in a head-on fight, they turn to terrorist tactics and asymmetrical warfare.

"We've seen this in Afghanistan and Iraq. In those countries, our adversaries did not lay down their arms after the regime had been removed," the president said. "Instead, they blended into the civilian population and, with the help of stateless terrorist networks, continue to fight through suicide bombings and attacks on innocent people."

One way to meet the challenge is to continue developing new technologies that offer speed, agility and precision lethal targeting.

But, to win at asymmetric warfare requires patience. The enemy works to unnerve its opponent hoping they will retreat, Bush said.

Terrorists take advantage of the information age and 24-hour news cycles, creating images of chaos and suffering for the cameras, hoping it will undermine the resolve and morale of Americans, the president said.

"This means that to win the first war of the 21st century, we need to prevail, not just in the battle of arms but also in the battle of wills," Bush said. "And we need to recognize that the only way America can lose the war on terror is if we defeat ourselves."

Also, key in defeating hate-filled ideologies is strengthening free institutions in countries that are fighting extremists.

Bush said the United States had a "special obligation" to rebuild Afghanistan and Iraq as partners in the fight against terrorism. He compared the two countries to Japan and Germany, both which the United States helped to rebuild after World War Two.

"These efforts took time and patience. And a result, Germany and Japan grew in freedom and prosperity," Bush said. "Germany and Japan, once mortal enemies, are now allies of the United States, and people across the world have reaped the benefits from that alliance.
"Today we must do the same in Afghanistan and Iraq. By helping these young democracies grow in freedom and prosperity, we will lay the foundation of peace for generations to come," Bush said.

One difference between the rebuilding efforts, though, is that in Germany and Japan the rebuilding took place in relative peace, as opposed to today, when the United States and its allies are helping to rebuild democracies still under fire from terrorist networks and suffering significant security challenges as they grow.

"In Iraq we learned from hard experience that newly liberated people cannot make political and economic progress unless they first have some measure of security," Bush said.

This led to last year's strategy change, in which the president sent an additional 30,000 troops there to help stabilize the region while the government established its political roots.

"Violence in Iraq is down to the lowest point since March of 2004. Civilian deaths are down. Sectarian killings are down," Bush said. "And as security has improved, the economy has improved as well. Political reconciliation is taking place at the grass-roots and national level."

Another challenge to warfare today is defining success, Bush said. Wars past have ended with ceremonial surrenders and victory parades.

"Today when the war continues, after the regime has fallen, the definition of success is more complicated," Bush said.

In Iraq and Afghanistan, success will come when al-Qaida is not safe, the people can protect themselves, and the countries are economically viable, the president said.

"Success will come when Iraq and Afghanistan are democracies that govern themselves effectively and respond to the will of their people," Bush said. "Success will come when Iraq and Afghanistan are strong and capable allies on the war on terror."

Well-rooted freedom ultimately prevails in overcoming tyranny and transforming societies, the president said. When offered a choice, he told the cadets, people always choose to live in freedom.

"The enemies of freedom understand this, and that is why they're fighting desperately to deny this choice to men and women across the Middle East," Bush said.

Building a free society removes the recruiting grounds for terrorists. Also, free societies are peaceful, and people who live in liberty and hope do not turn to the ideologies of hatred and fear, the president said.

"And that is why, for the security of America and the peace for the world, the great mission of your generation is to lead the cause of freedom," Bush said.

Women's Memorial Hosts Soldier, Marine Photo Exhibit

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

May 28, 2008 - Duty, courage, camaraderie and sacrifice are on display at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial here. The public can view a collection of 115 black-and-white and color photographs that depict U.S. soldiers and Marines in action spanning from the Civil War to the present day. The photos were culled from more than 4,000 images that were reviewed by exhibit curator Cyma Rubin.

The free exhibit is titled, "The American Soldier: A Photographic Tribute to Soldiers and Marines." The traveling exhibit will be featured inside the women's memorial building through Labor Day.

Passers-by often comment on the raw emotions expressed in the faces of the photo's subjects.

"They are very moving pictures that you don't normally get to see of the troops" in action, Bobby Bookwalter, from Clinton, Md., said after he and his family viewed the exhibit on Memorial Day.

The photo exhibit "is nicely done and in chronological order," said Mark Swallow, a native of Pittsburgh who now lives and works in Washington as an intern with a local construction design firm.

"Being a 20-year-old male, I see a lot of people that look just like I do," Swallow said as he looked over photos of the Korean War. "It's fascinating that young men, like I, shaped this great nation. You can see the expressions on their faces -- the tough turmoil and times that they went through."

Linsey Longstreth, 24, was taken with a black-and-white photo of "California Joe," who was one of the North's deadliest sharpshooters during the Civil War. She gave the exhibit high marks for organization and authenticity.

The exhibit's often-intimate photos depict "exactly what the soldiers have gone through, whether they are triumphs or really hard times," Longstreth said. It was especially appropriate, she said, to be able view the exhibit on Memorial Day.

Navy Reserve Petty Officer 1st Class Gustavo Santa, a Gulf War and Iraq war veteran, wore his uniform and took his children Megan, 10, and Justin, 8, along to view the photo exhibit during a holiday away from their home in southern Florida.

"I'm a veteran of the Iraq war, and I want to pay my respects to my friends," said Santa, who served as a medical corpsman with the Marines in Hit, Iraq, during 2004 and 2005.

"I also wanted to show my kids what myself and other people have gone through," Santa added.

At the Vietnam-era portion of the exhibit, Air Force veteran Edward Leckey Jr. eyed a black-and-white photo depicting a somber serviceman getting ready to depart on patrol and another image showing a snakelike line of "grunts" making their way across a rain-drenched rice paddy.

The Vietnam images brought back memories, Leckey said, noting that after he enlisted in 1959, he was among the first group of U.S. servicemembers to serve in South Vietnam as advisors.

"The exhibit is excellent," said Leckey, an Alexandria, Va., resident who was accompanied by his Russian-born wife, Natalia Kozlova. "Some of it is what some people would perceive is graphic -- which I don't.

"It just shows the real world," Leckey emphasized, as he pointed to the photo of the lone infantryman. "You can tell that this guy right here with the M-14; he is preparing to go into the field."

Joyce Shambley, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, and her niece, Amber Cooper, an Army veteran who performed two duty tours in Iraq, spent some time at the Iraq war photo exhibit. Cooper's husband, Calvin, is an Army noncommissioned officer getting ready to depart on another deployment to Iraq.

"Because I am a veteran, I like to come and pay my respects to those who have given their lives for all of us," said Shambley, who served as a hospital administrator at the time of her Army retirement in 1998. Seeing the sometimes intense photos in the Iraq exhibit "brings back memories," said Cooper, now in the Army Reserve. "It's also making me a little anxious, because my husband is getting ready to deploy for the third time."

This time, Cooper is staying home to care for her 9-month-old son, Calvin, named after her husband. Cooper said she sometimes wishes that she could accompany her husband to Iraq.

"If I didn't have my baby boy, I would do it again," Cooper said.

Burma Still Nixes U.S. Military Help; China Accepts Aid, Admiral Says

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

May 28, 2008 - The Burmese government has yet to grant permission for U.S. military vessels to offload humanitarian supplies for its cyclone-stricken citizens, while the Chinese government has welcomed U.S. military-provided aid for its earthquake-stricken people, a senior U.S. military officer said here today. Cyclone Nargis hit Burma on May 3, causing nearly 80,000 deaths and displacing hundreds of thousands. The United Nations has estimated that up to 2.5 million Burmese are in dire need of assistance, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.

Burma's ruling military committee, called a junta, has steadfastly refused to allow U.S. Navy ships to deliver tons of needed humanitarian supplies to Burmese ports or allow U.S. helicopters to fly in aid to devastated regions, Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, told reporters at a Pentagon news conference.

On May 12, the Burmese government began allowing U.S. military cargo aircraft to fly in humanitarian aid from Thailand to the Burmese airport in Rangoon. Since then, U.S. planes laden with food, water, blankets, mosquito netting and plastic sheeting have averaged about five flights into Rangoon each day, Keating noted. In this way, he said, about 1.4 million pounds of relief supplies have been delivered to Burma to date.

Current U.S. military flights to Rangoon are carrying goods provided by various nongovernmental aid organizations, Keating said, such as the United Nations, the World Food Program and other agencies.

"It doesn't matter to us whose stuff it is we are moving," Keating emphasized, noting the goal is to provide humanitarian aid to Burmese cyclone victims.

Upon reaching Rangoon, Keating explained, the U.S. military-transported relief goods are subsequently being distributed to the Burmese population by nongovernmental organizations and the Burmese government.

Marine Lt. Gen. John F. Goodman, commander of U.S. Marine forces in the Pacific region, remains in Thailand in charge of Task Force Operation Caring Response for Burma, Keating said.

Keating recalled his May 12 flight to Rangoon from Thailand aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130 transport plane, accompanied by U.S. State Department officials.

"I reassured the Burmese delegation of a couple of points," Keating recalled. "One, we were ready to provide relief assistance immediately. Two, we were capable of moving 250,000 pounds or so a day of relief material into Burma."

Keating also informed Burmese officials that U.S. military helicopters could move humanitarian supplies inland from Rangoon to hard-hit places like the Irrawaddy delta region.

"We would come in and be entirely self-sufficient," Keating said he told Burmese officials. The U.S. troops, the admiral added, would also depart Burma "every evening" if its government desired that.

Burmese officials were invited to ride aboard the U.S. helicopters as they delivered aid, Keating recalled. The Burmese officials also were urged to visit the U.S. flotilla that's laden with supplies and waits off the Burmese coast.

The Burmese officials in Rangoon responded that they couldn't grant the necessary permission and the question would have to be taken up with higher authorities, Keating recalled.

"We went to great lengths to try to assure them and reassure them that we had no military intentions" in Burma, Keating said. "We wanted to provide relief, and we were capable of doing that already."

Meanwhile, the USS Essex, USS Harpers Ferry, USS Mustin and USS Juneau still remain in the Bay of Bengal, about 50 nautical miles off Burma's coast, awaiting permission from the Burmese government to deliver humanitarian supplies.

The U.S. servicemembers in the naval flotilla "badly, desperately want to help" the Burmese people, Keating emphasized. But the U.S. Navy ships, he predicted, would not be posted off Burma indefinitely.

In contrast to the Burmese government, the Chinese government has readily accepted U.S. military-provided humanitarian aid for earthquake victims, Keating pointed out.

The People's Republic of China's Sichuan province was hit by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake on May 12 that's estimated to have killed more than 30,000 people.

Last weekend, the U.S. military dispatched two C-17 cargo jets to China laden with tens of thousands of pounds of relief supplies including generators, food, tents, water, and water-purification equipment provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Around that time, Keating recalled receiving permission to use the U.S.-China military hot line to talk with a senior Chinese air force general. The Chinese general, he said, was aware of the arrival of the U.S.-provided aid.

Two more U.S. military airplanes recently arrived in China, Keating noted, one carrying members of a Los Angeles Fire Department urban rescue team and the other delivering tents.

"Principally, there are millions of folks who are without shelter, and so one of the things that the Chinese tell us they need is tents," Keating explained.

The People's Republic of China forwarded more than $5 million in aid to the United States for Hurricane Katrina relief in September 2005.

Troops in Afghanistan Take Citizenship Oath

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
Special to American Forces Press Service

May 27, 2008 - The poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty beckons "Give me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free," but on this Memorial Day, quite the opposite was true, as 44 members of the U.S. military marched forward to become America's newest citizens. In the presence of the Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, U.S. Immigration Service Acting Director Jonathan Scharfen and Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Schloesser, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 101, 44 servicemembers from 21 countries swore oaths of allegiance and became U.S. citizens.

"On behalf of President Bush and a grateful nation, I say, 'Welcome,'" Chertoff said to the new American citizens.

The ceremony brought the number of military men and women who have gained citizenship while deployed to Afghanistan since beginning the war on terror to 312, said Stacy K. Strong, deputy district director of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. According to a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service fact sheet, more than 39,000 servicemembers have become U.S. citizens since the beginning of the war.

"There is no honor greater than presiding over an oath ceremony, and there is no better place to do it than here," Chertoff said. "You have all earned your citizenship through your service. Starting today, America is as much your country as it is mine."

Under an executive order, legal permanent residents actively serving in the U.S. military and honorably discharged legal permanent residents who were on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, are eligible to apply for naturalization.

"This feels really great -- closure to the 'history' chapter in my life and the beginning of my future," said Army Pvt. Mark Paguio, a Philippine native who led the other servicemembers in their recital of the Pledge of Allegiance. "Becoming a U.S. citizen has opened many doors," he said.

For the 44 servicemembers who are serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or the International Security Assistance Force, the oath was an affirmation of what they have worked so hard to secure.

"This day means everything to me," said Marine Lance Cpl. Artem Starovoyt, a Ukraine native who now resides in Philadelphia. "I have been out on the front lines doing what I can for my nation, and now I can officially call America home."

The servicemembers who took the citizenship oath are from Jamaica, Colombia, the Philippines, Peru, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Australia, Poland, Ghana, Iran, Mexico, El Salvador, Haiti, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, Cuba, Nigeria, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Ukraine.

(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace serves with Combined Joint Task Force 101 Public Affairs.)

Face of Defense: Band Member Keeps Division Gym in Tune

By Army Spc. April Campbell
Special to American Forces Press Service

May 27, 2008 - Physical fitness is an integral part of every soldier's duties, and time available to accomplish this vital task is a valuable asset for the soldiers of Multinational Division Baghdad, who have an important mission at hand. For a soldier who plans on working out for and hour or two at the gym, spending that time standing around and waiting for a working machine can be frustrating.

Army Sgt. Jared Bargas, a Houston native who serves as the training noncommissioned officer in charge with the 4th Infantry Division Band, took it upon himself to ensure that fellow soldiers don't waste time waiting at the gym due to broken equipment.

The soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division Band are responsible for maintaining the division gym here, and Bargas has made many improvements to the well-used facility throughout the past month.

"A lot of people come through the division gym every day," said Army 1st Sgt. Jeremy Smelser, the band's senior enlisted leader.

With the constant use and high demand, it can be quite a chore to keep up the gym and ensure Ivy Division soldiers have a reliable place to conduct physical fitness training.

"Equipment gets broken," said Smelser, a native of Killeen, Texas. "It needs repair. Screws need to be tightened. Air conditioners get broken. Lights burn out. It's just a constant upkeep."

Going into the job, Bargas was not necessarily trained on how to repair workout machines. However, he demonstrated ingenuity and initiative in his efforts to fix up the gym. "Instead of allowing equipment to break and using the excuse of 'I'm not a mechanic,' he took it upon himself to fix the equipment," Smelser added.

Much of the work was accomplished through Bargas' willingness to simply find out what worked through trial and error. It was a learning process, and the results of his efforts are readily evident to soldiers who frequent the gym.

"By taking apart some of the bikes, I learned what's actually inside," Bargas said. "One of the electronic machines wouldn't turn on. I had no clue about electronics, but I just unscrewed the cover and blew some dust out. I put it back together, and then it worked."

For those areas where Bargas was unable to personally resolve the issue, he took the time to find the correct channels to facilitate the repairs.

He used his personal time to talk to contractors and set up appointments for them to replace air conditioners and install new lights. Bargas also went to the nearby morale, welfare and recreation gym and canvassed the assistance of technicians, who offered to help him repair the equipment.

His time at the gym is not always exclusively spent working. He said he takes advantage of the opportunity to be one of his own customers and enjoys working out on the equipment he helps to mend. Although he works in the gym once every eight days, he spends time there working out at the facility five to six times a week. Even when he is there as a customer, he said, he tries to ensure the equipment remains functional.

"I try to check all the equipment as much as possible and fix everything," he said. "It's personally satisfying when people come up to me and tell me the gym looks nice. I know they are thankful for the working equipment."

Senior leaders also took notice of Bargas' efforts. He was recently recognized as the 4th Infantry Division Special Troops Battalion's Player of the Week and received an Army Achievement Medal.

In the meantime, Bargas said, much of his efforts will be focused on maintaining the improvements he has already made.

As the Ivy Division soldiers continue their efforts to stay physically fit, they can rest assured knowing soldiers such as Bargas are working hard to give them the best possible conditions in which to do so.

(Army Spc. April Campbell serves in the Multinational Division Baghdad Public Affairs Office.)

Airmen MIA From Vietnam War are Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of four U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.

They are Maj. Barclay B. Young, of Hartford, Conn.; and Senior Master Sgt. James K. Caniford, of Brunswick, Md. The names of the two others are being withheld at the request of their families. All men were U.S. Air Force. Caniford will be buried May 28 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., and Young's burial date is being set by his family.

Remains that could not be individually identified are included in a group which will be buried together in Arlington. Among the group remains is Air Force Lt. Col. Henry P. Brauner of Franklin Park, N.J., whose identification tag was recovered at the crash site.

On March 29, 1972, 14 men were aboard an AC-130A Spectre gunship that took off from Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, on an armed reconnaissance mission over southern Laos. The aircraft was struck by an enemy surface-to-air missile and crashed. Search and rescue efforts were stopped after a few days due to heavy enemy activity in the area.

In 1986, joint U.S.- Lao People's Democratic Republic teams, lead by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), surveyed and excavated the crash site in Savannakhet Province, Laos. The team recovered human remains and other evidence including two identification tags, life support items and aircraft wreckage. From 1986 to 1988, the remains were identified as those of nine men from this crew.

Between 2005 and 2006, joint teams resurveyed the crash site and excavated it twice. The teams found more human remains, personal effects and crew-related equipment. As a result, JPAC identified Young, Caniford and the other crewmen using forensic identification tools, circumstantial evidence, mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons.

For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.

More Relief Flights Reach Burma; U.S. Assets Stand By

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

May 27, 2008 - The Air Force has flown 70 humanitarian missions to Burma in support of the relief effort for Cyclone Nargis victims, Defense officials said here today. Over Memorial Day weekend, five C-130 flights per day arrived at Rangoon International Airport and delivered supplies.

To date, Air Force relief flights have delivered 409 pallets containing water, blankets, hygiene kits, mosquito netting, plastic sheeting for shelter, food, rice, plywood and medical supplies. The total weight is 637.27 metric tons.

Burma's ruling military junta decided last week to allow international aid workers into the nation, and news reports indicate these workers are now reaching the Irrawaddy River delta -- the hardest hit area of the nation. Burmese authorities said the toll from the cyclone, which struck May 3, is 77,738 deaths and 55,917 missing. U.S. Air Force flights began flying into the stricken country May 12, but American officials must receive clearance for each flight that lands in Rangoon.

The United States has about a dozen cargo aircraft and a dozen heavy-lift and medium-lift helicopters in neighboring Thailand. The USS Essex, USS Harpers Ferry, USS Mustin and USS Juneau remain on hold in the Bay of Bengal. The Navy ships have 14 helicopters aboard. The ships could deliver relief supplies to millions of people, but Burmese authorities refuse to let them in, U.S. officials said.

"For now, U.S. personnel and equipment will remain in Thailand as well as on U.S. naval assets located about 50 nautical miles off the coast of Burma," officials said.

THINKING OF YOU

Thinking of you
Each night and day

Whilst I'm gone
From your loving arms

I sit a moment
In this tent

Appreciating the memories
Of all you've done for me.

READ ON
http://www.police-writers.com/poetry/thinking.html

MILITARY CONTRACTS May 27, 2008

NAVY

Tetra Tech NUS, Inc., Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $125,000,000 cost reimbursement plus award fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for comprehensive long-term environmental action services on Navy and Marine Corps installations at various Department of Defense sites. The work to be performed is intended primarily to provide architect/engineer services in support of the Navy's Environmental Program. Work will be performed primarily in the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and Northwest Regions predominantly in Maine, (15 percent), R.I., (15 percent), Mass., (14 percent), Ind., (9 percent), N.J., (8 percent), Fla., (6 percent), Texas, (6 percent), S.C., (6 percent), Penn., (5 percent), N.Y., (4 percent), Ill., (3 percent), Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay (1.2 percent), Conn., (1 percent), Ga., (1 percent), La., (1 percent), Minn., (1 percent), Miss., (1 percent), Wash., (1 percent), Ala., (.1 percent), Alaska, (.1 percent), Del., (.1 percent), Idaho, (.1 percent), Mont., (.1 percent), N.H., (.1 percent), Ore., (.1 percent), Vt., (.1 percent), Ohio, (.5 percent), and also in Tenn., (.5 percent), and work is expected to be completed May 2009 (May 2013 with options exercised). Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively negotiated via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N62470-08-D-1001).

CH2M Hill, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded a $125,000,000, cost reimbursement plus award fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for comprehensive long-term environmental action services on Navy and Marine Corps installations at various Department of Defense sites. The work to be performed is intended primarily to provide architect/engineer services in support of the Navy's Environmental Program. Work will be performed primarily in the Mid-Atlantic Region predominately in Va., (30 percent), N.C., (25 percent), Md., (10 percent), W.V., (5 percent), D.C., (5 percent), and some other overseas locations in Africa, Europe, Southwest, Asia, Bahrain, and Vieques, (25 percent), and work is expected to be completed May 2009 (May 2013 with options exercised). Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively negotiated via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with two proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N62470-08-D-1000).

BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services, Inc., Rockville, Md., is being awarded a $21,716,356 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee term, level of effort contract (N00421-06-C-0085) to exercise an option for maintenance, logistics, and life cycle services in support of communication-electronic equipment/systems and subsystems for various Navy, Army, Air Force, Special Operations Forces and other Federal Agencies. These services are in support of the Special Communications Requirements Division of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Va., (32 percent); Fayetteville, N.C., (28 percent); California, Md., (22 percent); San Diego, Calif., (6 percent); Fort Bliss, Texas, (4 percent); Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., (2 percent); Panzer Kaserne, Germany, (2 percent); Homestead, Fla., (2 percent); Tampa, Fla., (1 percent), and the District of Columbia, (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed in Jun. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $14,299,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-5437) to provide additional incremental funding for engineering and technical services in support of the MK15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System. Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) is a fast reaction terminal defense against low and high flying, high-speed maneuvering anti-ship missile threats that have penetrated all other ships' defenses. The CIWS is an integral element of the Fleet Defense In-Depth concept and the Ship Self-Defense Program. Operating either autonomously or integrated with a combat system, it is an automatic terminal defense weapon system designed to detect, track, engage, and destroy anti-ship missile threats penetrating other defense envelopes. Phalanx CIWS is currently installed on approximately 187 USN ships and is in use in 20 foreign navies. The current exercised value of the contract is $57,580,977. This combines purchases for the U.S. Army (45 percent); U.S. Navy (42 percent) and the Government of Pakistan, (13 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., and work is expected to be completed by Sept. 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Progeny Systems Corp.,* Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $13,119,809 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide for the continued hardware/software development, systems engineering, procurement of Commercial Off-The-Shelf products and hardware/software integration to provide a common solution for automation and reduced manning systems in support of USS Virginia Class Submarines and other submarine/ surface ship systems. This effort is being awarded under a program for Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and is titled Topic No. N03-049, "Automation and Work Flow Advances Using Technology Infusions for Manning Reduction." The concept for this SBIR is for a Navy-wide implementation of portal technology for internal and external information sharing requirements. This procurement will use the prototype products, processes and methodologies developed by Progeny Systems Corp., under the SBIR Phase I and II efforts. The processes and prototype products developed will apply to Submarines, Surface Ships, Surveillance and Air Platforms. Progeny will also design, prototype and demonstrate a common technical architecture for a Non-Tactical Data Processing Sub-System (NTDPS) Information Automation and Reduced Manning System or Engineering Development Models as needed. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $65,573,613. Work will be performed in Manassas, Va., and work is expected to be completed by Apr. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-08-C-6278).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Science Applications International Corp., Fairfield, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $50,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, prime vendor contract for Maintenance, Repair, and Operation services. Other location of performance is Hawaii. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. This proposal was originally Web solicited with six responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is May 30, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM500-04-D-BP06).

Rolling Thunder Storms Into Nation's Capital

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

May 25, 2008 - A chain of about 750,000 motorcycles ridden by Vietnam veterans and military supporters blazed through the nation's capital today as part of the 21st annual Rolling Thunder rally. In addition to offering vets a chance to reconnect with their brothers-in-arms and honor fallen comrades, the ride aims to raise awareness about issues concerning prisoners of war, troops missing in action and veterans' benefits.

President Bush this afternoon arranged for Rolling Thunder founder Artie Muller to be delivered by helicopter to the White House, where the two discussed topics at the heart of Muller's nonprofit group.

"I am just so honored to welcome you back," Bush told Muller at a news conference on the White House's South Lawn after their meeting. "I want to thank you and all your comrades for being so patriotic and loving our country as much as you do.

"Our troops appreciate you, the veterans appreciate you and your president appreciates you," added Bush, calling it a pleasure of his presidency to get to know the leaders of the motorcycle rally.

The parade circuit whizzed riders past national landmarks such as the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall, the U.S. Capitol building and the Lincoln Memorial, where group organizers held a ceremony as riders continued to speed past along nearby Constitution Avenue.

Addressing the crowd gathered at the footsteps of the Lincoln Memorial just beyond the sun-drenched reflecting pool, Muller said he urged the president to help advance legislation that will bolster the Rolling Thunder effort.

"And I just want to say, 'Thank you very much,' because you are America, you are the true patriots of this country, you come here year after year, put up with the rain the heat," he told the crowd. "And you stuck by [the group's mission], and we're getting something done."

Afterward, veterans activist and actor John Amos, star of television series "Men in Trees" and former co-star of the program "Good Times," spoke to the audience.

"I'm here for the same reason you are all here," said Amos, a former member of the New Jersey National Guard and an honorary Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard. "I'm here for my brothers who still wear the uniform. I'm here for my sisters. I'm here for my surrogate moms who lost their sons.

"I'm here to be one of many voices that speak up for all those who will not come home," he continued. "And I'm here to keep the spirit alive that Rolling Thunder has infused in me, and in all of us who believe in what Rolling Thunder is doing."

Meanwhile, servicemembers past and present, plus family members and other spectators cheered riders on as the convoy roared from the Pentagon parking lot to the National Mall here ahead of tomorrow's Memorial Day observance.

Former Army Spc. James Yorke, a veteran of the Vietnam War, said he rode here from Richmond, Va., to participate in his fourth Rolling Thunder ride as a way to connect troops with the civilians they serve.

"Americans should think about the people who gave it all," Yorke said, referring to those fallen military members who he said should be remembered over Memorial Day. "They were asked to do a job just so we could live in this country -- that's all they were asked to do."

Also on hand for the holiday were brothers Gary and Jeffrey Elker, who rode their hogs more than 200 miles here from Middlesex, N.J. Gary is a retired Marine corporal who enlisted after the Vietnam War. Jeffrey didn't wear the uniform, but he said he has buddies whose names are listed on the memorial wall among the more than 58,000 killed in Vietnam.

"It's a weekend away to honor our fallen veterans," said Jeffrey Elker when asked to describe the meaning Rolling Thunder holds for him.

Gary Elder, on his 17th ride today, said he also makes the annual trek to show support for military veterans. He added that there's a common thread between past and present servicemembers.

"They're willing to sacrifice for everybody else," he said. "They believe in honor, integrity, and what's going on in this country, and they're willing to fight for it; I was."

George Leiter, a former Marine sergeant who served from 1972-76, motored from Manchester, Pa., for his fourth ride. Over this Memorial Day weekend, as both of his sons wear the Army uniform, Leiter said he hopes his fellow citizens remember the people who answered the nation's call.

"It's important for Americans to consider all the veterans, whichever war they were in, whether they were in a combat zone or not," he said. "I think they've just got to think of their freedoms, and what they have, and how important it is to have a strong military, and to support your military."

President Bush, Defense Leaders Commemorate Memorial Day

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

May 26, 2008 - Under sunny skies and before a multitude gathered at the Tomb of the Unknowns on Arlington National Cemetery here, President Bush today honored the sacrifices of American men and women in uniform who gave their lives in the service of their country. Hundreds packed into the amphitheater near the tomb nestled among green, rolling hills dotted with white crosses and headstones. Some waved miniature flags, others donned patriotic garb. All came on this Memorial Day to pay tribute to servicemembers who have fought and died.

Just before his remarks, the president laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

"Today, we gather to honor those who gave everything to preserve our way of life. The men and women we honor here served for liberty. They sacrificed for liberty. And in countless acts of courage, they died for liberty," Bush said.

"From faraway lands, they were returned to cemeteries like this one, where broken hearts received their broken bodies -- they found peace beneath the white headstones in the land they fought to defend," he said.

Bush said that the fresh headstones in the cemetery are a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom that is paid by those "who serve a cause greater than themselves."

"Today we mourn and remember all who have given their lives in the line of duty. Today we lift up our hearts especially those who've fallen in the past year," he said.

In his address, the president highlighted the service of Army Spc. Ronald Tucker of Fountain, Colo., and Chief Petty Officers Nathan Hardy of Durham, N.H., and Michael Koch of State College, Penn.

Bush called Tucker "a dutiful son who called his mother every day" from Iraq. Less than a month ago, Tucker and other members of his unit built a soccer field for Iraqi children. As he drove back to his base, he was killed by an enemy bomb.

Hardy and Koch were Navy SEALs and close friends who shared a battlefield tradition of going on missions with American flags underneath the shirts of their uniforms. They died in Iraq Feb. 4 after being ambushed by terrorists. Hardy and Koch are buried next to each other in Arlington National Cemetery.

"The men and women of American armed forces perform extraordinary acts of heroism every single day. Like the nation they serve, they do not glory in the devastation of war. They also do not flinch from combat when liberty and justice are embattled," Bush said.

"We will forever honor their memories. We will forever search for their comrades .... And ... we offer a solemn pledge to persevere and to provide the security for our citizens and secure the peace for which they fought," he said.

Bush received two standing ovations during the speech. He got the he first one when he took the stage, and he got the second when he spoke about his feelings for those who serve in the military.

"On this Memorial Day, I stand before you as the commander-in-chief and try to tell you how proud I am at the sacrifice and service of the men and women who wear our uniform. They're an awesome bunch of people and the United States is blessed to have such citizens," he said.

The president was introduced by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who also made remarks. He said that those who died still remain near.

"We hold them to us, every day, and especially on this day. We gather to remember," Gates said.

Gates said the nation's war dead come from every part of America and from every generation, and that we owed our liberty to those who have fought and died.

"We have our liberty because of what they did. Liberty has come to other peoples because of what they did, and are doing, in Afghanistan, Iraq, and in other places around the world," he said.

"Mourning the war dead calls forth many emotions: remorse that they suffered; awe at how they bore that suffering; pride in the fine people they were; gratitude for their willingness to be the guarantors of our freedom," Gates said. "Their sacrifice is a reminder that we must go on, and be worthy of them, and finish their work."

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also spoke briefly at the service. He called the freedoms earned by those who died precious but fragile.

"The precious gift of freedom they have given us is fragile and has to be safeguarded, worked for, fought for, and ... even died for," he said.

The chairman said every headstone in the cemetery represents a promise, a commitment, and a willingness of every one buried there to give their lives to preserve our way of life.

Military Women Remember Fallen Comrades

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

May 26, 2008 - A group of past and present military women gathered at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery here today to commemorate fallen comrades and celebrate women's contributions to the nation's defense. WIMSA's annual Memorial Day observance highlights the selfless duty and sacrifice provided by all of America's servicemembers, said retired Army Reserve Command Sgt. Maj. Sue Anne Pierce, the event's keynote speaker.

"As I stand here with you today, I think of our soldiers, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard members, who willingly serve this country – women and men – ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for this nation, because they love this country, and they are compelled to keep us free," Pierce said.

"As we continue to celebrate Memorial Day please help me and my foundation keep their memory alive; and let's not forget their families, who serve as well," added Pierce, who serves as the president of the U.S. Army Women's Foundation.

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught, WIMSA foundation president, said that during the women's memorial groundbreaking ceremony in June 1995, "we began a tradition of having a servicewoman or veteran from each of the five services speak at our ceremonies, because Memorial Day pays tribute – individually or collectively – to all the women who have ever served or served today."

"Who better to speak for them, than one of them?" Vaught noted. Two years later, she said, the memorial started an annual Memorial Day tribute to comrades who had died over the past year by dropping rose petals into the memorial's reflecting pool.

The guest service speakers at this year's Memorial Day ceremony were Army Col. Carolyn Jones, Marine Sgt. Danielle Holladay, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Anna Der-Vartanian, Air National Guard Master Sgt. Karen Marshall, and Coast Guard Lt. Aja Kirksey.

Der-Vartanian joined the Navy in 1943. About 16 years later she became the Navy's first master chief petty officer, the highest enlisted grade.

"I'm here to represent and remember all of the women and men of the Navy who have served our wonderful country so proudly and so well," Der-Vartanianian said. "I place these rose petals in tribute and in memory to all of them."

Marshall spoke of her desire to "reflect and remember our past and present servicemembers and their legacy of sacrificial service, for they truly understand this statement: Freedom is not free."

Navy Capt. Elizabeth S. Niemyer, who has been selected for promotion to rear admiral lower half, noted that May 13 marked the 100th anniversary of the Navy Nurse Corps.

"Today, the (Navy) Nurse Corps, totaling 4,100 strong, knows first-hand the injuries and illnesses borne from war," Niemyer said. "We serve around the globe, in Iraq and Afghanistan, on the front lines of the war and on the home front of America.

"Thanks to the generations of Navy nurses who have moved us forward through other wars, we have a solid formation in which to meet the challenges of tomorrow," Niemyer said.

Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Jeanne Holm, the author of the 1982 book, "Women in the Military: An Unfinished Revolution," was on hand to meet with other military women veterans and those serving in the present-day.

"The revolution is over," Holm said at the conclusion of the ceremony. America's military women, she pointed out, "It's over; the women are now totally integrated into the armed forces. There are hardly any restrictions of any kind, anymore."

Today's military women "are able to do their part and serve their country in a way that they can best serve it," Holm said.

Cop Books from Florida

Editor's Note: One of the authors is a former servicemembers.

May 24, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. Continuing its leadership in the area of criminal justice books, Police-Writers.com added one federal law enforcement official and two local police officers to the list of law enforcement personnel that have authored books.

Dr. Randy Gonzales has enjoyed a 32 year career in the criminal justice field. He has been a police officer, deputy sheriff, police instructor and chief of police of the New College of Florida Police Department. Dr. Randy Gonzalez holds a Master’s in Criminology and Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Biblical Philosophy. A certified law enforcement instructor, Randy Gonzalez is the author of Crime Prevention for Children-a Basic Guide for Parents; An Introduction to Ethics and Professionalism in Law Enforcement; Law Enforcement Vehicle Pullovers and Traffic Stop Operations; Introduction to Law Enforcement Leadership and Supervision; Introduction to Law Enforcement the Practical Side of Criminology; Law Enforcement Tactics in Response to Terrorism; Leadership Principles of the Christian Warrior; Social Survival Tactics: A Guide to Basic Self-defense and Personal Safety Strategy; and, The Law Enforcement Leadership Field Notebook.

James Giammarinaro joined the United States Navy in the mid-1980s and served for over five years, including two deployments to the Persian. He began his law enforcement career when he joined the St. Augustine Police Department in 1990. During his career he has received an Officer of the Year Award and was promoted to the investigative unit in 2000. James Giammarinaro is the founder of the Child Safety Team, Inc. and the author of Parents, Predators, and Prevention.

According to the book description of Parents, Predators, and Prevention, “Written by a Law Enforcement Sergeant, this book is your complete guide to learning about abductors, how they operate, and what you as parents can do to prevent your child from becoming the next victim. You will learn; How to empower your children to become more aware and confident; How to identify and deter the enemy; How to prevent the Internet Intruder from entering your home; and, Basic self-defense techniques for you and the family”

After a career as an undercover federal agent, Sal Vizzini became the chief of police of the South Miami Police Department. Sal Vizzini is the co-author of Vizzini: The Secret Lives of America's Most Successful Undercover Agent.

Police-Writers.com now hosts 1016 police officers (representing 428 police departments) and their 2166 criminal justice books in 33 categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.

Bush Urges Americans to Honor Holiday's Meaning

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

May 24, 2008 - President Bush encouraged Americans to remember the sacrifices of servicemembers during this Memorial Day weekend in his radio address this morning. "Kids will be out of school, moms and dads will be firing up the grill, and families across our country will mark the unofficial beginning of summer," Bush said. "But as we do, we should all remember the true purpose of this holiday – to honor the sacrifices that make our freedom possible."

The president will commemorate Memorial Day on May 26 by visiting Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., where he will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The tomb is the final resting place of American servicemembers who lost their lives in combat.

"The names of these veterans of World War I, World War Two, and the Korean War are known only to God," he said. "But their valor is known to us all."

This valor has preserved the way of American life and has secured the nation's sacred freedoms, Bush said. He credited such bravery for winning the country's independence, removing the stain of slavery from the United States, and for defeating totalitarian regimes of the last century.

Bush said military men and women today are facing "a new totalitarian threat to our freedom" in Iraq, Afghanistan and on other fronts around the world.

"They continue the proud legacy of those who came before them," he said of current servicemembers. "They bear their responsibilities with quiet dignity and honor. And some have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country."

The president cited late Army Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Sebban, the senior medic of a unit in the 82nd Airborne Division, as exemplary of such heroism.

As the senior medic in his squadron, Sebban made sacrifice a way of life, Bush said. When younger medics were learning how to insert IVs, he would offer his own arm for practice. And when the time came, he did not hesitate to offer his fellow soldiers far more.

In Iraq's Diyala province on March 17, 2007, Sebban saw a truck filled with explosives racing toward his team of paratroopers. He ran into the open to warn them, exposing himself to the blast.

"Ben received severe wounds, but this good medic never bothered to check his own injuries," the president said.

Instead, Sebban devoted his final moments to treating others, said Bush, who presented a Silver Star to Sebban's mother on the slain sergeant's behalf.

"No words are adequate to console those who have lost a loved one serving our nation. We can only offer our prayers and join in their grief," Bush said. "We grieve for the mother who hears the sound of her child's 21-gun salute. We grieve for the husband or wife who receives a folded flag. We grieve for a young son or daughter who only knows dad from a photograph."

Suggesting ways in which Americans can honor the sacrifices he holiday recognizes, Bush said people can join a moment of remembrance that will be marked across the country at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. At that moment, Major League Baseball games will pause, the National Memorial Day parade will halt, Amtrak trains will blow their whistles, and buglers in military cemeteries will play "Taps."

Bush also encouraged people to participate by placing a flag at a veteran's grave, taking family members to the battlefields where freedom was defended, or saying a
silent prayer for Americans who died in service to their country.

"This Memorial Day, I ask all Americans to honor the sacrifices of those who have served you and our country," he continued. "Their bravery has preserved the country we love so dearly."

Arlington 'Flags In' Tribute Begins Memorial Day Commemoration

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

May 23, 2008 - More than 3,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines officially kicked off the Memorial Day commemoration last evening as they placed 265,000 miniature flags at every grave at Arlington National Cemetery. The tradition, known as "Flags In," dates back to 1948, when soldiers of 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," began the annual Memorial Day tribute.

This year marked the fifth year company-size elements of sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen joined about 3,000 soldiers in placing a U.S. flag at the base of the gravestone and columbarium niche of every single servicemember buried or inurned at Arlington.

Yesterday afternoon, the troops fanned out across the cemetery's hills and valleys, carrying rucksacks bulging with bundles of flags. They approached each headstone, centering a miniature flag exactly one boot length from the base before sinking it into the rain-softened ground.

"It's hard to put all this into words," said Army Sgt. Maj. Russell McCray, The Old Guard's top noncommissioned officer. "We're here every day honoring our fallen heroes, and everyone buried here is a hero. But being here for this is something particularly special.

"It's an honor for everyone who is part of this. If you look at their faces, you can see that," McCray continued. "This experience out here will humble you, beyond a doubt."

Even Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Andres Yanez, who regularly supervises funeral details at the cemetery, called it an honor to participate in the Flags In tribute.

"We come here every day, but today is special for us," he said. "When I look out there and see all those flags, I know that I've been a part of it. I'm rendering honors to our fallen, and I hope that someday someone renders those same honors to me."

Almost five hours after emplacing his first flag of the day -- and admitting he "couldn't count" how many more he'd positioned -- Navy Seaman Shawn Palaszewski still hadn't lost his enthusiasm for the mission.

"We're here rending honors to all our fallen shipmates, and showing them that we care," said Palaszewski, a U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard member just 10 weeks out of boot camp. "These sailors and all our armed forces [members] have fallen for our freedoms, and we're here to pay tribute to that."

"This is such a privilege and an honor for me," said Army Sgt. Mary Jackson, of The Old Guard's Headquarters and Headquarters Regiment. "These people gave the ultimate sacrifice. I can only imagine doing that for my country."

Positioned at the columbarium, Marine Sgt. David Gray from Marine Barracks Washington directed his troops as they moved among the rows of niches. After returning from a deployment to Iraq, Gray called his first time participating in the Flags In tribute particularly meaningful.

"It's a privilege to be alive and able to support those Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country," he said. "We can't bring them back. The only thing we can do is honor them and pay tribute to them."

Like Gray, Army Staff Sgt. John Diggles, platoon sergeant for The Old Guard's H Company, said he considers the mission a special calling.

"Friends of mine are here, quite a few, so this is very personal," Diggles said, looking out over the rows of headstones. "This is a way of showing the remembrance of our fallen soldiers on such a special day."

As she looked out at the sea of flags fluttering in the wind, Army Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Bailey from The Old Guard's Fife and Drum Corps declared the landscape nothing short of "breathtaking."

"The impact is huge. It's very dramatic," said Bailey, who was participating in the Flags In ceremony for the sixth year. "It's uniform, and it's simple. And I think it's the uniformity and the simplicity that makes this so beautiful and so unique."