By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
May 15, 2007 – When Chef Robert Irvine discovered his "mission" was to feed 850 Marines after they'd completed 30 days of desert warfare training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., his reaction was what one might expect. "Shock and, gasp, horror," Irvine, host of Food Network's "Dinner Impossible," and a former chief petty officer cook in the British Royal Navy, said.
Part of the shock came from the fact that Irvine, who also spent 10 years cooking for the royal family, didn't really realize where he was or why he was there.
"The reason I don't know is because they don't tell me anything. The premise of this show is so secretive," he said. "I didn't even know what the challenge was until I literally met the master gunnery sergeant and then he actually gave me the mission, which was to cook the warrior dinner for 850 Marines."
Irvine accepted the challenge, which gave him seven hours to prepare a meal for the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, which was preparing to deploy to the Middle East. He was provided a field kitchen with an oven he was told had the power of a jet fighter's engine. He quickly discovered that Marines have a sense of humor.
"Let me tell you this, if any Marine or air service person is flying a jet with that on it, they're not going very far," Irvine said. "It took me 45 minutes to saute an onion!"
The meal he prepared required 104 pounds of onions.
The ill-equipped kitchen was just part of the challenge, however. He was provided no food, and had six Marines trained in combat, but not in cuisine, as assistants.
"I had three things stacked against me: No food, terrible equipment and no trained staff," Irvine said. "I had two of my guys, one of which went shopping to the local commissary, which was on another base."
The only alternative to the commissary was two hours away, and not an option with so many to cook for and so little time.
To work around the less-than-professional kitchen equipment, Irvine had to fire up a grill. As for the help, he put their skills to good use, as well.
"They showed me what they normally had (for) their steaks. (They) were nine-ounce strip steaks that were good enough to put on the bottom of your shoe and walk for three weeks," he said. "I had these two Marines, a young lady and a young man, beating the (steaks) with cans to tenderize them.
"It was funny and ridiculous at the same time," he said with a chuckle.
Finally, the clock ticked off the last seconds of the challenge, and Irvine stepped out of the kitchen to address the Marines, who were still decked out in full "battle rattle." As he offered his greetings to the battalion and asked if they were hungry, he said he got an overwhelming response.
"Of course all I heard was this tremendous, 'Ooh Rah!'" he said. "I said, 'First of all, as a non-American service guy, I want to tell you how proud I am of what you do every day for the country.'"
Then it was time to dig in, and just for comparison, Irvine made two of the Marines' typical "warrior dinners" and gave the Marines a choice between his and theirs. There was no hesitation as they passed up the usual and went for the fresh fare.
"It's very hard to put into words, but I was so proud of being there to give them their meal, and it was so personal to me," he said. "When you're a serviceman -- I don't care what branch you're in, what navy, what army, what Marine Corps, whatever it is -- there's a brotherhood. It just resonates."
The experience resonated so strongly with Irvine that he's promised to cook the battalion a welcome home dinner when it returns from its overseas tour.
The episode, which is the "Dinner Impossible" season finale, will premiere tomorrow at 10:30 p.m. EDT on Food Network.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals, groups and organizations that are helping support the troops, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America Supports You is a Defense Department program that directly connects military members to the support of the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Eagle Cane Project Honors Combat-Wounded Troops
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
May 15, 2007 – Two local woodworking groups followed a Civil War custom today by presenting a ceremonial cane to a soldier who lost his leg in Iraq. The groups seek to extend the ritual to all combat veterans who have suffered traumatic leg, foot or hip injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Northern Virginia Carvers and Capital Area Woodturners, Inc., presented an "eagle cane" to retired Army Lt. Col. Dennis Walburn, now deputy chief of operations for the Army's Rapid Equipping Force.
The REF, based here, partners with industry, academia and military leaders to get developmental as well as off-the-shelf technologies to deployed troops as quickly as possible.
Walburn was a Florida National Guard soldier deployed to Iraq to evaluate soldiers' equipment needs for the REF when he lost his leg to an improvised explosive device. He had volunteered for the 179-day deployment and was on a patrol with the 25th Infantry Division's 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team when the incident occurred near Mosul on May 28, 2005.
Nine people, including a U.S. soldier, died in the attack. Walburn lost his leg but credited quick action by combat lifesavers and the Mosul-based combat support hospital with saving his life.
Today, the Northern Virginia Carvers honored Walburn's sacrifice and his continued service with the REF by presenting him a cane inscribed with his name and topped with an intricately carved bald eagle.
Jack Nitz, a member of the Eastern Oklahoma Woodcarver's Association and former Navy chief petty officer, initiated the Eagle Cane Project to honor wounded heroes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington.
The project has spread to woodcarving and woodturning clubs in 13 states. Woodturning is the process of shaping wood into forms on a lathe.
Henri "Hank" Cloutier, an Air Force retiree who coordinates the Eagle Cane Project here, noted that cane-presentation ceremonies date back to the Civil War as a sign of respect and honor for wounded troops.
The eagle carved into the cane is symbolic, as well, Cloutier explained. Native Americans believed that warriors wounded on the battlefield returned as eagles.
"This cane is not to be seen as any sign of weakness," Cloutier told Walburn. "It is a sign of respect and honor and thanks for your personal sacrifice."
Walburn said during today's ceremony that he was proud to accept his cane, not for himself, but for all wounded warriors.
He offered a word of encouragement for those undergoing the long, difficult rehabilitation process. "Life is going to hold a lot of promise still," he said. "And you will be back on your feet, doing great things for our country. There is a path ahead, and it is going to be good."
Army Sgt. John Keith, another Operation Iraqi Freedom amputee serving with the Rapid Equipping Force who attended today's ceremony, called it an emotional crescendo to the long healing process he and Walburn underwent together.
Keith lost his leg to an IED in southern Baghdad on Nov. 9, 2004, selected his own eagle cane today. The woodcutters will inscribe it with his name and date and place of injury, then present it at a future ceremony.
"He is a true symbol of a warrior," Keith said of Walburn. "We all had bad days (during rehabilitation), but he always had a smile on his face and was never down. He was an inspiration to us all."
Walburn said efforts like the Eagle Cane Project go a long way in demonstrating the American people's support for men and women in uniform. "It's a great morale boost that helps them go forward with their lives," he said.
The Eagle Cane Project is an example of the myriad projects individual Americans, schools, church groups, companies and other organizations are taking on to show support for the troops. The Defense Department's America Supports You program showcases these activities while helping people involved in them network with each other and attract other volunteers seeking ways to show their support.
Despite any public debate about the conflict itself, Walburn said, the country remains unified behind its troops. He cautioned against "compassion fatigue" from giving so much for so long. "We all have to continue," he said.
Cloutier said his and other woodworking groups participating in the Eagle Cane Project hope to expand their effort to honor all combat-wounded troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The problem, he said, is that privacy laws make it difficult to contact those troops. He encouraged wounded troops or their families to contact him at hankusaf@verizon.net or call 703-430-1222 to arrange to receive a cane.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 15, 2007 – Two local woodworking groups followed a Civil War custom today by presenting a ceremonial cane to a soldier who lost his leg in Iraq. The groups seek to extend the ritual to all combat veterans who have suffered traumatic leg, foot or hip injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Northern Virginia Carvers and Capital Area Woodturners, Inc., presented an "eagle cane" to retired Army Lt. Col. Dennis Walburn, now deputy chief of operations for the Army's Rapid Equipping Force.
The REF, based here, partners with industry, academia and military leaders to get developmental as well as off-the-shelf technologies to deployed troops as quickly as possible.
Walburn was a Florida National Guard soldier deployed to Iraq to evaluate soldiers' equipment needs for the REF when he lost his leg to an improvised explosive device. He had volunteered for the 179-day deployment and was on a patrol with the 25th Infantry Division's 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team when the incident occurred near Mosul on May 28, 2005.
Nine people, including a U.S. soldier, died in the attack. Walburn lost his leg but credited quick action by combat lifesavers and the Mosul-based combat support hospital with saving his life.
Today, the Northern Virginia Carvers honored Walburn's sacrifice and his continued service with the REF by presenting him a cane inscribed with his name and topped with an intricately carved bald eagle.
Jack Nitz, a member of the Eastern Oklahoma Woodcarver's Association and former Navy chief petty officer, initiated the Eagle Cane Project to honor wounded heroes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington.
The project has spread to woodcarving and woodturning clubs in 13 states. Woodturning is the process of shaping wood into forms on a lathe.
Henri "Hank" Cloutier, an Air Force retiree who coordinates the Eagle Cane Project here, noted that cane-presentation ceremonies date back to the Civil War as a sign of respect and honor for wounded troops.
The eagle carved into the cane is symbolic, as well, Cloutier explained. Native Americans believed that warriors wounded on the battlefield returned as eagles.
"This cane is not to be seen as any sign of weakness," Cloutier told Walburn. "It is a sign of respect and honor and thanks for your personal sacrifice."
Walburn said during today's ceremony that he was proud to accept his cane, not for himself, but for all wounded warriors.
He offered a word of encouragement for those undergoing the long, difficult rehabilitation process. "Life is going to hold a lot of promise still," he said. "And you will be back on your feet, doing great things for our country. There is a path ahead, and it is going to be good."
Army Sgt. John Keith, another Operation Iraqi Freedom amputee serving with the Rapid Equipping Force who attended today's ceremony, called it an emotional crescendo to the long healing process he and Walburn underwent together.
Keith lost his leg to an IED in southern Baghdad on Nov. 9, 2004, selected his own eagle cane today. The woodcutters will inscribe it with his name and date and place of injury, then present it at a future ceremony.
"He is a true symbol of a warrior," Keith said of Walburn. "We all had bad days (during rehabilitation), but he always had a smile on his face and was never down. He was an inspiration to us all."
Walburn said efforts like the Eagle Cane Project go a long way in demonstrating the American people's support for men and women in uniform. "It's a great morale boost that helps them go forward with their lives," he said.
The Eagle Cane Project is an example of the myriad projects individual Americans, schools, church groups, companies and other organizations are taking on to show support for the troops. The Defense Department's America Supports You program showcases these activities while helping people involved in them network with each other and attract other volunteers seeking ways to show their support.
Despite any public debate about the conflict itself, Walburn said, the country remains unified behind its troops. He cautioned against "compassion fatigue" from giving so much for so long. "We all have to continue," he said.
Cloutier said his and other woodworking groups participating in the Eagle Cane Project hope to expand their effort to honor all combat-wounded troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The problem, he said, is that privacy laws make it difficult to contact those troops. He encouraged wounded troops or their families to contact him at hankusaf@verizon.net or call 703-430-1222 to arrange to receive a cane.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
New Systems Test Military, Civilian Communications During Exercise
By 1st Lt. Erika Yepsen, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
May 15, 2007 – Ardent Sentry/Northern Edge 2007, a two-week national-level exercise involving local, state and federal government agencies, is proving the capabilities of the Incident Command System. The system is designed to provide effective communication and organization between different emergency responders, which could include civilian authorities as well as military.
The Incident Command System is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Incident Management System, which is being implemented nationwide. It's a unified command-and-control system driven by a presidential directive that covers the Department of Defense and civilian federal government agencies, explained Air Force Maj. Darren Deroos, 3rd Wing chief of inspections and exercises.
"The Air Force took the National Incident Management System and customized it, which is how we came up with ... the Air Force Incident Management System, which the Air Force implemented across the service in February," Deroos said.
The 3rd Wing has been using the Air Force Incident Management System and the Incident Command System since January 2006.
The Incident Command System is a combination of facilities, equipment, operators, procedures and communications designed to aid in domestic incident-management activities. It can be used for a broad spectrum of emergencies, according to FEMA's National Incident Management System Web site.
"It really clarifies lines of communication and who has command of what in an emergency," Deroos said. "This exercise is our biggest full-scale test of ICS including civilian counterparts."
The system is finding wide use during this year's Alaska Shield/Northern Edge exercise, which is specifically designed to test communication and streamline response efforts between government agencies at all levels. Throughout the exercise, military and civilian first responders work together as they react to crisis scenarios, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other emergency situations.
On May 8 and 9, military, civilian and federal authorities partnered to respond to two incidents: a simulated train collision involving hazardous materials and mass casualties here, and a simulated terrorist attack on the North Pole Refinery Complex, in nearby North Pole, Alaska.
During both incidents, emergency responders used ICS to coordinate their efforts.
"This exercise is the perfect opportunity to test the capabilities of AFIMS and ICS and the ability of the Air Force to integrate with its civilian counterparts during an emergency," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Fraser, Alaska Command commander. "Alaska is uniquely equipped to put this system through its paces because the state is leading the country in implementing the National Incident Management System."
Civilian organizations are already finding ICS to be exceptional in its use, creating more effective communication and improving response efforts.
"The fire department and emergency medical service have been using the system for a long time, but it's new to law enforcement, and we needed this opportunity to train with it," said Brad Johnson, Fairbanks deputy police chief. "We want to be able to work a small or large scale incident with ICS."
In addition, the Alaska Railroad Corporation has been using the system for years, said Ernest Piper, the Alaska Railroad Corporation assistant vice president of operations.
"At first, people were skeptical about it, but now we have the smoothest ICS process in the state," said Piper, who participated in the May 8 train collision exercise. "We use it for everything. It's perfect because you can use it for almost any kind of short-term emergency management situation."
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. David Hudson, 3rd Wing Inspector General's superintendent of readiness and emergency management, echoed Piper's praise for the system.
"It's been a slow implementation, but I think it was the right thing to do," Hudson said. "It streamlined a process and made a better process for the Air Force that we were able to meld with our civilian counterparts."
While Elmendorf has been operating under the AFIMS and ICS systems since last year, the rest of the Air Force is scheduled to achieve initial capability by December and final capability by December 2009, according to the AFIMS Senior Leader Guide to Implementation and Sustainment.
(Air Force 1st Lt. Erika Yepsen is assigned to Joint Task Force Alaska Public Affairs.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Special to American Forces Press Service
May 15, 2007 – Ardent Sentry/Northern Edge 2007, a two-week national-level exercise involving local, state and federal government agencies, is proving the capabilities of the Incident Command System. The system is designed to provide effective communication and organization between different emergency responders, which could include civilian authorities as well as military.
The Incident Command System is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Incident Management System, which is being implemented nationwide. It's a unified command-and-control system driven by a presidential directive that covers the Department of Defense and civilian federal government agencies, explained Air Force Maj. Darren Deroos, 3rd Wing chief of inspections and exercises.
"The Air Force took the National Incident Management System and customized it, which is how we came up with ... the Air Force Incident Management System, which the Air Force implemented across the service in February," Deroos said.
The 3rd Wing has been using the Air Force Incident Management System and the Incident Command System since January 2006.
The Incident Command System is a combination of facilities, equipment, operators, procedures and communications designed to aid in domestic incident-management activities. It can be used for a broad spectrum of emergencies, according to FEMA's National Incident Management System Web site.
"It really clarifies lines of communication and who has command of what in an emergency," Deroos said. "This exercise is our biggest full-scale test of ICS including civilian counterparts."
The system is finding wide use during this year's Alaska Shield/Northern Edge exercise, which is specifically designed to test communication and streamline response efforts between government agencies at all levels. Throughout the exercise, military and civilian first responders work together as they react to crisis scenarios, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other emergency situations.
On May 8 and 9, military, civilian and federal authorities partnered to respond to two incidents: a simulated train collision involving hazardous materials and mass casualties here, and a simulated terrorist attack on the North Pole Refinery Complex, in nearby North Pole, Alaska.
During both incidents, emergency responders used ICS to coordinate their efforts.
"This exercise is the perfect opportunity to test the capabilities of AFIMS and ICS and the ability of the Air Force to integrate with its civilian counterparts during an emergency," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Fraser, Alaska Command commander. "Alaska is uniquely equipped to put this system through its paces because the state is leading the country in implementing the National Incident Management System."
Civilian organizations are already finding ICS to be exceptional in its use, creating more effective communication and improving response efforts.
"The fire department and emergency medical service have been using the system for a long time, but it's new to law enforcement, and we needed this opportunity to train with it," said Brad Johnson, Fairbanks deputy police chief. "We want to be able to work a small or large scale incident with ICS."
In addition, the Alaska Railroad Corporation has been using the system for years, said Ernest Piper, the Alaska Railroad Corporation assistant vice president of operations.
"At first, people were skeptical about it, but now we have the smoothest ICS process in the state," said Piper, who participated in the May 8 train collision exercise. "We use it for everything. It's perfect because you can use it for almost any kind of short-term emergency management situation."
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. David Hudson, 3rd Wing Inspector General's superintendent of readiness and emergency management, echoed Piper's praise for the system.
"It's been a slow implementation, but I think it was the right thing to do," Hudson said. "It streamlined a process and made a better process for the Air Force that we were able to meld with our civilian counterparts."
While Elmendorf has been operating under the AFIMS and ICS systems since last year, the rest of the Air Force is scheduled to achieve initial capability by December and final capability by December 2009, according to the AFIMS Senior Leader Guide to Implementation and Sustainment.
(Air Force 1st Lt. Erika Yepsen is assigned to Joint Task Force Alaska Public Affairs.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Three Police Officers Added
Editor's Note: Two of the police officer authors are former U.S. Army.
Police-Writers.com is a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books. Police-Writers.com added Alan Caddell, Ralph Landre and Francis Connelly.
Alan Caddell is a Commander with the Santa Ana Police Department. He holds a Master of Arts in Education from Pepperdine University and is a graduate of the POST Master Instructor Development Program. A trainer for over 15 years, Alan has extensive experience and expertise in the area of instruction design and technology. Alan has taught advanced PowerPoint and on-line training for POST and other law enforcement presenters and is currently teaching a variety of programs.
Alan Caddell is the Co-author of Crime Scene Investigation. According to the book description, “Focusing on the basics of crime scene investigation as it should be done by professionals, this book shows how to do a perfect job; its emphasis is on proven evidence, collection, and analysis. It provides a high level of relevant and realistic information needed to process crime scenes in today's environment. Generously illustrated with photographs, the book clearly demonstrates techniques used by field and lab personnel to preserve, process, and analyze a wide variety of evidence. Career profiles of working professionals in the field and actual case histories document how crime scene investigation is successfully used to solve crimes. For professionals in a variety of forensic science fields, including firearms examiners, fingerprint examiners, serologists, toxicologists, photographers, journalists, crime scene investigators, and others in the field of law and law enforcement.”
According to one reader/reviewer, “As a former police reserve officer, I spent years requesting CSI with little understanding of just what they do. This book goes well beyond lifting fingerprints and other routine tasks that police officers are typically limited to. I now have a better awareness of the capabilities of CSI and considerations about how to protect a scene and how CSI can be used to investigate certain crimes. I also have a greater appreciation for CSI personnel and the difficult job they have. I liked the book and believe it would be helpful to anyone in law enforcement.”
Ralph W. Landre, Jr., has published several articles in The California Highway Patrolman magazine, including: “The Day Fresno Burned,” “Motorcycle Theft Rings,” “Training Pays Off.” The U.S. Army has published his police training bulletins at training centers in Santa Cruz, San Jose and during Annual Active Duty training with the Military Police at Camp Roberts and Fort Ord, California. The bulletins focused on preservation of evidence at crime scenes and interrogations and interviews of suspects and witnesses. He served as temporary Chief of Police for the new city of Capitola and at the same time was deputized by the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office due to the police district the newly formed city was geographically located in. He then served as patrolman for the Santa Cruz PD before serving on the California Highway Patrol for over 29 years, retiring as a sergeant.
Ralph Landre is the author of The Broken Center-Line. Ralph Landre’s book is a memoir of the “incidents occurring to a California Highway Patrol officer during approximately 30 years of traffic law enforcement while following The Broken Center-line around and over highways and freeways in different parts of our great state of California. This is somewhat like following the yellow brick road through the Land of OZ.”
In 1955, after serving in Korea with the U.S. Army, Francis J Connelly joined the New York Police Department. He worked a variety of assignment on NYPD and retired in 1975 as a lieutenant. He is the author of two books: By Reason of Childhood; and, the sequel, Beyond By Reason of Childhood.
According to the book description, “Beyond by Reason of Childhood begins with Connelly en route to the U.S. Army induction center on Whitehall Street. From there, it’s merely a series of hops, skips, and jumps to Fort Dix, New Jersey, for basic training; Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, for Morse Code Intercept Operator training; and on to the mountains, valleys, and rice paddies of South Korea. Fourteen months later, after an honorable discharge from the military, Frank meets Anne Marie Fleming. The couple marries, and, as time slips away, they find themselves being compared to a five-and-dime (for their five children and ten grandchildren).
Along the way, Francis Connelly works at various jobs: hauling cable for Western Electric, growing hair for Wybrandt Hair and Scalp Specialists, and spending twenty years on the New York Police Department. Near the end of his career in law enforcement, mental and physical difficulties and the debilitating effects of hypoglycemia take their toll on Connelly. Will his story have a happy ending?”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 539 police officers (representing 220 police departments) and their 1147 books in six 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.
Police-Writers.com is a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books. Police-Writers.com added Alan Caddell, Ralph Landre and Francis Connelly.
Alan Caddell is a Commander with the Santa Ana Police Department. He holds a Master of Arts in Education from Pepperdine University and is a graduate of the POST Master Instructor Development Program. A trainer for over 15 years, Alan has extensive experience and expertise in the area of instruction design and technology. Alan has taught advanced PowerPoint and on-line training for POST and other law enforcement presenters and is currently teaching a variety of programs.
Alan Caddell is the Co-author of Crime Scene Investigation. According to the book description, “Focusing on the basics of crime scene investigation as it should be done by professionals, this book shows how to do a perfect job; its emphasis is on proven evidence, collection, and analysis. It provides a high level of relevant and realistic information needed to process crime scenes in today's environment. Generously illustrated with photographs, the book clearly demonstrates techniques used by field and lab personnel to preserve, process, and analyze a wide variety of evidence. Career profiles of working professionals in the field and actual case histories document how crime scene investigation is successfully used to solve crimes. For professionals in a variety of forensic science fields, including firearms examiners, fingerprint examiners, serologists, toxicologists, photographers, journalists, crime scene investigators, and others in the field of law and law enforcement.”
According to one reader/reviewer, “As a former police reserve officer, I spent years requesting CSI with little understanding of just what they do. This book goes well beyond lifting fingerprints and other routine tasks that police officers are typically limited to. I now have a better awareness of the capabilities of CSI and considerations about how to protect a scene and how CSI can be used to investigate certain crimes. I also have a greater appreciation for CSI personnel and the difficult job they have. I liked the book and believe it would be helpful to anyone in law enforcement.”
Ralph W. Landre, Jr., has published several articles in The California Highway Patrolman magazine, including: “The Day Fresno Burned,” “Motorcycle Theft Rings,” “Training Pays Off.” The U.S. Army has published his police training bulletins at training centers in Santa Cruz, San Jose and during Annual Active Duty training with the Military Police at Camp Roberts and Fort Ord, California. The bulletins focused on preservation of evidence at crime scenes and interrogations and interviews of suspects and witnesses. He served as temporary Chief of Police for the new city of Capitola and at the same time was deputized by the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office due to the police district the newly formed city was geographically located in. He then served as patrolman for the Santa Cruz PD before serving on the California Highway Patrol for over 29 years, retiring as a sergeant.
Ralph Landre is the author of The Broken Center-Line. Ralph Landre’s book is a memoir of the “incidents occurring to a California Highway Patrol officer during approximately 30 years of traffic law enforcement while following The Broken Center-line around and over highways and freeways in different parts of our great state of California. This is somewhat like following the yellow brick road through the Land of OZ.”
In 1955, after serving in Korea with the U.S. Army, Francis J Connelly joined the New York Police Department. He worked a variety of assignment on NYPD and retired in 1975 as a lieutenant. He is the author of two books: By Reason of Childhood; and, the sequel, Beyond By Reason of Childhood.
According to the book description, “Beyond by Reason of Childhood begins with Connelly en route to the U.S. Army induction center on Whitehall Street. From there, it’s merely a series of hops, skips, and jumps to Fort Dix, New Jersey, for basic training; Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, for Morse Code Intercept Operator training; and on to the mountains, valleys, and rice paddies of South Korea. Fourteen months later, after an honorable discharge from the military, Frank meets Anne Marie Fleming. The couple marries, and, as time slips away, they find themselves being compared to a five-and-dime (for their five children and ten grandchildren).
Along the way, Francis Connelly works at various jobs: hauling cable for Western Electric, growing hair for Wybrandt Hair and Scalp Specialists, and spending twenty years on the New York Police Department. Near the end of his career in law enforcement, mental and physical difficulties and the debilitating effects of hypoglycemia take their toll on Connelly. Will his story have a happy ending?”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 539 police officers (representing 220 police departments) and their 1147 books in six 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.
Navy to Christen USNS Richard E. Byrd
The Navy will christen the USNS Richard E. Byrd at 7:30 p.m. PDT on May 15. The launching ceremony for the newest ship in the Lewis and Clark class of underway replenishment ships will be held at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego.
The ship honors Rear Adm. Richard E. Byrd (1888-1957), an explorer famous for his Antarctic expeditions and for leading the first expedition to fly over the North Pole. Like the legendary explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, for whom the first ship of the class was named, Byrd bravely volunteered to explore one of the most remote and harshest places on earth. Due to his unquenchable thirst for exploration, he provided substantial contributions to the world's understanding of the Antarctic.
Following his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1912, Byrd became a naval aviator and pioneered many techniques for navigating airplanes over the open ocean including drift indicators and bubble sextants. His expertise in this area resulted in his appointment to plan the flight path for the U.S. Navy's 1919 transatlantic crossing.
On May 9, 1926, Byrd and naval aviator Floyd Bennett attempted to fly over the North Pole. For this extraordinary heroic achievement, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by a special act of Congress.
Byrd departed the United States on Aug. 28, 1928, on his first Antarctic expedition. After World War II, he continued his exploration and led the largest Antarctic Expedition to date, Operation Highjump. This expedition involved 13 ships and 4,700 men who explored much of the little-known continent. In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Byrd as officer-in-charge of U.S. Antarctic programs to command Operation Deep Freeze.
Rear Adm. Robert D. Reilly Jr., commander of Military Sealift Command, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Bolling Byrd Clark will serve as sponsor of the ship named for her father. The launching ceremony will be highlighted in the time-honored Navy tradition when the sponsor breaks a bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen the ship "Richard E. Byrd."
The USNS Richard E. Byrd is the fourth ship in the Navy's new 11-ship T-AKE 1 class. T-AKE is a combat logistics force vessel that will replace the current capability of the T-AE 26 Kilauea class ammunition ships, T-AFS 1 Mars class and T-AFS 8 Sirius class combat stores ships, and when operating with T-AO 187 Henry J. Kaiser class oiler ships, the T-AKE will replace the AOE 1 Sacramento class fast combat support ships. To conduct vertical replenishment, the ship can carry and support two helicopters.
Designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea while providing replenishment services to U.S., NATO and allied ships, the USNS Richard E. Byrd will directly contribute to the ability of the Navy to maintain a worldwide forward presence. Ships such as the USNS Richard E. Byrd provide logistic lift from sources of supply either in port or at sea from specially equipped merchant ships. The ship will transfer cargo, such as ammunition, food, limited quantities of fuel, repair parts, ship store items, and expendable supplies and material, to ships and other naval warfare forces at sea.
The USNS Richard E. Byrd is 689 feet in length, has an overall beam of 106 feet, a navigational draft of 30 feet and displaces about 42,000 tons with a full load. Powered by a single-shaft diesel-electric propulsion system, the ship can reach a speed of 20 knots. As part of the Military Sealift Command's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, the ship will be designated as a U.S. naval ship and will be crewed by 124 civil service mariners. The ship will also have a military detachment of 11 sailors to provide operational support and supply coordination, and when needed, the ship will carry a helicopter detachment of 39 military personnel.
Additional information about this class of ship is available on line at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4400&tid=500&ct=4.
For additional information about the commissioning ceremony, contact Navy public affairs at (703) 697-5342.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
The ship honors Rear Adm. Richard E. Byrd (1888-1957), an explorer famous for his Antarctic expeditions and for leading the first expedition to fly over the North Pole. Like the legendary explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, for whom the first ship of the class was named, Byrd bravely volunteered to explore one of the most remote and harshest places on earth. Due to his unquenchable thirst for exploration, he provided substantial contributions to the world's understanding of the Antarctic.
Following his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1912, Byrd became a naval aviator and pioneered many techniques for navigating airplanes over the open ocean including drift indicators and bubble sextants. His expertise in this area resulted in his appointment to plan the flight path for the U.S. Navy's 1919 transatlantic crossing.
On May 9, 1926, Byrd and naval aviator Floyd Bennett attempted to fly over the North Pole. For this extraordinary heroic achievement, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by a special act of Congress.
Byrd departed the United States on Aug. 28, 1928, on his first Antarctic expedition. After World War II, he continued his exploration and led the largest Antarctic Expedition to date, Operation Highjump. This expedition involved 13 ships and 4,700 men who explored much of the little-known continent. In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Byrd as officer-in-charge of U.S. Antarctic programs to command Operation Deep Freeze.
Rear Adm. Robert D. Reilly Jr., commander of Military Sealift Command, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Bolling Byrd Clark will serve as sponsor of the ship named for her father. The launching ceremony will be highlighted in the time-honored Navy tradition when the sponsor breaks a bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen the ship "Richard E. Byrd."
The USNS Richard E. Byrd is the fourth ship in the Navy's new 11-ship T-AKE 1 class. T-AKE is a combat logistics force vessel that will replace the current capability of the T-AE 26 Kilauea class ammunition ships, T-AFS 1 Mars class and T-AFS 8 Sirius class combat stores ships, and when operating with T-AO 187 Henry J. Kaiser class oiler ships, the T-AKE will replace the AOE 1 Sacramento class fast combat support ships. To conduct vertical replenishment, the ship can carry and support two helicopters.
Designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea while providing replenishment services to U.S., NATO and allied ships, the USNS Richard E. Byrd will directly contribute to the ability of the Navy to maintain a worldwide forward presence. Ships such as the USNS Richard E. Byrd provide logistic lift from sources of supply either in port or at sea from specially equipped merchant ships. The ship will transfer cargo, such as ammunition, food, limited quantities of fuel, repair parts, ship store items, and expendable supplies and material, to ships and other naval warfare forces at sea.
The USNS Richard E. Byrd is 689 feet in length, has an overall beam of 106 feet, a navigational draft of 30 feet and displaces about 42,000 tons with a full load. Powered by a single-shaft diesel-electric propulsion system, the ship can reach a speed of 20 knots. As part of the Military Sealift Command's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, the ship will be designated as a U.S. naval ship and will be crewed by 124 civil service mariners. The ship will also have a military detachment of 11 sailors to provide operational support and supply coordination, and when needed, the ship will carry a helicopter detachment of 39 military personnel.
Additional information about this class of ship is available on line at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4400&tid=500&ct=4.
For additional information about the commissioning ceremony, contact Navy public affairs at (703) 697-5342.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Group Works To Grant Troops' Wishes
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
May 14, 2007 – Servicemembers receiving care packages from A Soldier's Wish List or one of its thousands of "adopters" know that good things really do come in small packages. "Our goal is to fulfill the wishes of our troops to the best of our abilities," Julieann Najar, the group's founder, said.
A Soldier's Wish List was founded in 2003 when Najar went to see her son off on his tour to the Middle East. When she arrived at Fort Riley, Kan., she met a young soldier who had no family there to say good-bye. She asked if she could "adopt" him, and A Soldier's Wish List was born.
The group's goal is simple: Match up those wanting to "adopt" a servicemember with a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine who'd like a little piece of home. The adopters then do their best to send that piece of home to their new "family member."
"To date, we have over 10,000 troops and over 12,000 adopters from all over the U.S., Germany, Canada, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Jamaica, South Africa and Puerto Rico who have sent items to their 'adopted' troops," Najar said.
The adopted troops are serving in hot spots around the globe including Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Kuwait, Qatar and South Korea. Their wishes are just as varied as their locales. They've requested everything from new desert boots and DVD players to movies, snacks and phone cards, and their adopters do their best to come through.
Many of the group's adopters have found A Soldier's Wish List through America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
A Soldier's Wish List is a member of America Supports You.
"A lot of adopters have gotten the contact information from the (America Supports You) Web site," Najar said about those interested in A Soldier's Wish List.
In many cases, the families of adopted servicemembers keep in touch with the adopters and arrange a meeting with them when the servicemembers arrive home.
For Najar, however, it's the letters her group receives thanking her, the group and the adopters for all they do for the servicemembers that mean so much.
"The letters and e-mails received by (A Soldier's Wish List) are overwhelming," she said. "Being able to be the contact between a lonely 'trooper' and (an adopter who can) send exactly what they miss from home is the best experience."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 14, 2007 – Servicemembers receiving care packages from A Soldier's Wish List or one of its thousands of "adopters" know that good things really do come in small packages. "Our goal is to fulfill the wishes of our troops to the best of our abilities," Julieann Najar, the group's founder, said.
A Soldier's Wish List was founded in 2003 when Najar went to see her son off on his tour to the Middle East. When she arrived at Fort Riley, Kan., she met a young soldier who had no family there to say good-bye. She asked if she could "adopt" him, and A Soldier's Wish List was born.
The group's goal is simple: Match up those wanting to "adopt" a servicemember with a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine who'd like a little piece of home. The adopters then do their best to send that piece of home to their new "family member."
"To date, we have over 10,000 troops and over 12,000 adopters from all over the U.S., Germany, Canada, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Jamaica, South Africa and Puerto Rico who have sent items to their 'adopted' troops," Najar said.
The adopted troops are serving in hot spots around the globe including Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Kuwait, Qatar and South Korea. Their wishes are just as varied as their locales. They've requested everything from new desert boots and DVD players to movies, snacks and phone cards, and their adopters do their best to come through.
Many of the group's adopters have found A Soldier's Wish List through America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
A Soldier's Wish List is a member of America Supports You.
"A lot of adopters have gotten the contact information from the (America Supports You) Web site," Najar said about those interested in A Soldier's Wish List.
In many cases, the families of adopted servicemembers keep in touch with the adopters and arrange a meeting with them when the servicemembers arrive home.
For Najar, however, it's the letters her group receives thanking her, the group and the adopters for all they do for the servicemembers that mean so much.
"The letters and e-mails received by (A Soldier's Wish List) are overwhelming," she said. "Being able to be the contact between a lonely 'trooper' and (an adopter who can) send exactly what they miss from home is the best experience."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Attaches Survey U.S. Disaster-Response Capabilities
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
May 14, 2007 – A handful of attaches got a first-hand look at U.S. military and civilian first responders' ability to respond to a catastrophe at the National Guard's Vigilant Guard exercise in Indiana on May 12. The group was flown to the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center at the invitation of National Guard chief Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum. The Guard exercise scenario played out on this sprawling, 1,000-acre rural training area just outside of Indianapolis. More than 2,000 National Guard troops and hundreds of state and federal emergency response agencies worked through the disaster scenario of a 10-kiloton nuclear explosion in Indianapolis.
Attaches from Serbia, Jordan, Kenya, Tunisia, Bolivia and Hungary, walked through the stages of the exercise receiving briefs and asking questions of those participating.
The group was invited as part of an effort to strengthen the Guard's State Partnership Program, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Bill Etter, director of strategic plans and policy for the National Guard Bureau.
"I think it was fantastic. They were able to see some cases where the military was responding, some cases where the civilians were responding, and some cases where they were working together hand in hand," Etter said. "The only way they would have had access (to this exercise) is through the National Guard."
Etter said the opportunity to view the exercise provides a real-world perspective of the Guard's abilities for the attaches.
"We can stand in front of someone and give them a slide, ... but until they see the capabilities of the National Guard live, it just doesn't make as much sense," Etter said.
The Guard now has 56 state partnerships throughout the world, in all four major Army military commands outside the United States. The bureau matches states with countries wanting to participate in the program, which partners key leaders for training events. There are three categories of exchange: military-to-military, military-to-civilian and civilian-to-civilian.
Etter said that many leaders from both sides of the program progress through the ranks simultaneously, building relationships that last throughout their military careers.
"It is a significant contribution to stability in a region," Etter said.
He also said encouraging other countries to participate in joint training increases interoperability.
The Guard is looking to grow the program, especially in Africa, but also within U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command. "There are regions of the world that are under-represented," Etter said.
Kenyan Army Col. Leonard Owambo said the networking between civil and military organizations at the site impressed him. "By virtue of the fact that we are sharing the same world community, ... sharing the same challenges and threats, ... it is beneficial because we see we know what the U.S. can do to take care of such here. And whenever something like this happens where we come from, we know how to get assistance," Owambo said.
He said his country has similar capabilities, but they are at the "toddler" stage in development. "The concept is there. The intent is there, and I think, with our relationships, we are building towards that," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 14, 2007 – A handful of attaches got a first-hand look at U.S. military and civilian first responders' ability to respond to a catastrophe at the National Guard's Vigilant Guard exercise in Indiana on May 12. The group was flown to the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center at the invitation of National Guard chief Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum. The Guard exercise scenario played out on this sprawling, 1,000-acre rural training area just outside of Indianapolis. More than 2,000 National Guard troops and hundreds of state and federal emergency response agencies worked through the disaster scenario of a 10-kiloton nuclear explosion in Indianapolis.
Attaches from Serbia, Jordan, Kenya, Tunisia, Bolivia and Hungary, walked through the stages of the exercise receiving briefs and asking questions of those participating.
The group was invited as part of an effort to strengthen the Guard's State Partnership Program, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Bill Etter, director of strategic plans and policy for the National Guard Bureau.
"I think it was fantastic. They were able to see some cases where the military was responding, some cases where the civilians were responding, and some cases where they were working together hand in hand," Etter said. "The only way they would have had access (to this exercise) is through the National Guard."
Etter said the opportunity to view the exercise provides a real-world perspective of the Guard's abilities for the attaches.
"We can stand in front of someone and give them a slide, ... but until they see the capabilities of the National Guard live, it just doesn't make as much sense," Etter said.
The Guard now has 56 state partnerships throughout the world, in all four major Army military commands outside the United States. The bureau matches states with countries wanting to participate in the program, which partners key leaders for training events. There are three categories of exchange: military-to-military, military-to-civilian and civilian-to-civilian.
Etter said that many leaders from both sides of the program progress through the ranks simultaneously, building relationships that last throughout their military careers.
"It is a significant contribution to stability in a region," Etter said.
He also said encouraging other countries to participate in joint training increases interoperability.
The Guard is looking to grow the program, especially in Africa, but also within U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command. "There are regions of the world that are under-represented," Etter said.
Kenyan Army Col. Leonard Owambo said the networking between civil and military organizations at the site impressed him. "By virtue of the fact that we are sharing the same world community, ... sharing the same challenges and threats, ... it is beneficial because we see we know what the U.S. can do to take care of such here. And whenever something like this happens where we come from, we know how to get assistance," Owambo said.
He said his country has similar capabilities, but they are at the "toddler" stage in development. "The concept is there. The intent is there, and I think, with our relationships, we are building towards that," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
National Guard Responding to U.S. Wildfires
American Forces Press Service
May 14, 2007 – National Guard troops are responding to wildfires in Florida, Georgia, Minnesota and California, using air assets to deliver water and providing logistics and communication support. In Florida, 84 Army National Guard troops are currently activated in response to fires in Flagler County, according to information from the National Guard Bureau. Since May 5, Florida National Guard assets have flown 67 hours, 445 sorties, and dropped 379,360 gallons of water. A 32-personnel ground force is conducting mop-up training, and three helicopters are assisting with the Dairy Road Fire, in Bradford County.
The Georgia National Guard is providing 42 troops in response to fires in the southeastern part of the state. As of May 11, Georgia National Guard assets, including two CH-47 Chinook helicopters and two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, have flown 302 hours, delivering more than 5 million gallons of water. Twelve Army National Guard personnel with two Humvees, three 2.5-ton trucks, and one water buffalo are assisting with logistics support. In addition, three Air National Guard troops with one pickup truck are providing communication support.
In Minnesota, the National Guard has deployed two UH-60s along with crews, and two fuel trucks with drivers and fuel handlers. The troops are dropping water to prevent continued flare-ups of a previously contained fire.
The California National Guard provided eight troops in response to a fire on Catalina Island. Between May 9 and 13, two CH-47s with eight personnel on annual training status were used fly 103 civilian firefighters to the island, and two CH-47s are on standby to deploy again if needed.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
May 14, 2007 – National Guard troops are responding to wildfires in Florida, Georgia, Minnesota and California, using air assets to deliver water and providing logistics and communication support. In Florida, 84 Army National Guard troops are currently activated in response to fires in Flagler County, according to information from the National Guard Bureau. Since May 5, Florida National Guard assets have flown 67 hours, 445 sorties, and dropped 379,360 gallons of water. A 32-personnel ground force is conducting mop-up training, and three helicopters are assisting with the Dairy Road Fire, in Bradford County.
The Georgia National Guard is providing 42 troops in response to fires in the southeastern part of the state. As of May 11, Georgia National Guard assets, including two CH-47 Chinook helicopters and two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, have flown 302 hours, delivering more than 5 million gallons of water. Twelve Army National Guard personnel with two Humvees, three 2.5-ton trucks, and one water buffalo are assisting with logistics support. In addition, three Air National Guard troops with one pickup truck are providing communication support.
In Minnesota, the National Guard has deployed two UH-60s along with crews, and two fuel trucks with drivers and fuel handlers. The troops are dropping water to prevent continued flare-ups of a previously contained fire.
The California National Guard provided eight troops in response to a fire on Catalina Island. Between May 9 and 13, two CH-47s with eight personnel on annual training status were used fly 103 civilian firefighters to the island, and two CH-47s are on standby to deploy again if needed.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
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