Military Books

Military-Writers.com is pleased to announce the addition of these servicemembers to the website:

Colonel Mark Lowry, II, USA (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Job K. Savage, USA (ret.)
Lt. Colonel James Richardson, USA (ret.)
Lt. Commander Gerald Peter Hansen, USN (ret.)
Thomas A. Phelan, USMC
Albert S. Kurek, USMC
Matthew J. Lyons, USMC
Timothy Carney, USMC
John E. McLaughlin, USMC
John Morrison, USMC
Tom Dempsey, USMC
John H. Briant, USAF
Arnold M. Pine, USN
William A. Krueger, USN
David Rose, USA
Richard Arrington, USA
Joe Sanchez, USA
Jon Whalen, USA
Wayne D. Ford, USA
Robert D. Emerson, USA
Randal Davis, USMC
Frank Zafiro, USA
Gregory Allen Doyle, USA
Kevin Lackey, USA

The Website now lists 771 servicemembers and their 2466 books.

MORE INFORMATION
Military Books

This information was sponsored by Military Leadership information online.

Aviation History

On January 23, 2009, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion on Aviation History with Major R.G. Beavers, USAF (ret.) the author of Legacy: Genesis of Aviation Greatness.

Program Date: January 23, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Aviation History
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/01/24/Aviation-History

About the Guest
Major R. G. Beavers, USAF (ret.) is a “Master Navigator and twenty-year veteran of the United States Air Force with over 5000 hours experience in the B-52D, F, G and H. He served two tours in Southeast Asia, flying out of U-Tapao RTN Air Force Base, and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. He was assigned to the 17th Bombardment Wing/34th Bomb Squadron at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio mentioned in the episodes.

Major R. G. Beavers also initially trained with Captain (now retired Colonel, Wing Commander and Command Pilot) Charles B. Brown. Major R. G. Beavers amassed over 2000 hours as an Instructor Navigator, and was awarded the Masters and Doctorate of Flying Training Certificates by Air Training Command.

In bombing competition, he won the coveted Russell Daugherty Trophy the first time it was presented. Major R. G. Beavers taught over 2,000 young lieutenant navigators their trade, including one author, Dale Brown, who wrote such books as Flight of the Old Dog and Shadow Command. Major R. G. Beavers is the author of Legacy: Genesis of Aviation Greatness.

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, Criminal Justice technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/01/24/Aviation-History

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Servicemembers Rehearse 56th Presidential Inauguration

By Marine Corps Sgt. Michael S. Cifuentes
Special to American Forces Press Service

Jan. 11, 2009 - From providing musical performances to acting as key personnel during the swearing-in process, hundreds of servicemembers were on hand this morning around the nation's Capitol to support the 56th Presidential Inaugural rehearsal. Each branch of service played a key role in working out potential issues before the inauguration, said Howard Gantman, staff director of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

The rehearsal started promptly at 5:30 a.m., with a rough walk-through, followed by the placement of military bands and joint-service cordon personnel.

Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks, who serves with 741st Military Intelligence at Fort George G. Meade, Md., took a position of honor as he stood in for President-elect Barrack Obama. Brooks' speech consisted of nothing more than, "My fellow Americans. God bless America," but event coordinators said his role was critical.

Other servicemembers stood in for Vice President-elect Joe Biden and the Obama and Biden families. Navy Seaman LaSean McCray played the role of Michelle Obama. Army Spc. Nicholas Rupple stood in for Biden, and Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Karen Lowden, as Jill Biden.

Two military children stood in as the Obama girls. Dominique Sewell, the 14-year-old daughter of Army Sgt. 1st Class Natalie Sewell-Johnson, stood in as Malia. Ten-year-old Gianna Justice Samora-Nixon, daughter of Navy Chief Petty Officer Kenneth Nixon, was Sasha.

All were selected based on height, weight, gender and ethnicity similarities, explained Air Force Maj. Andra Higgs, an action officer with the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee.

The military's involvement in the presidential inauguration is a centuries-old tradition, which honors the commander in chief, recognizes civilian control of the military and celebrates democracy, Higgs said.

More than 5,000 servicemembers will participate in the Jan. 20 event and provide ceremonial assistance.

"It's an honor for them to be center stage," Higgs said. "We're very glad to have been provided with such world-class support."

Today's rehearsal gave members of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee a sense of what they can expect next week, when 240,000 ticketed guests and potentially millions of spectators gather in Washington to see Obama becomes the 44th U.S. president.

"It's an honor and a privilege to take part in this [rehearsal]," said Navy Lt. Marcus Jones, who stood in as an Obama family member. "Beside the birth of my children and my marriage, this will be one of the most memorable days of my life."

(Marine Corps Sgt. Michael S. Cifuentes is assigned to Headquarters, Marine)

Navy Commissions USS George H.W. Bush with Namesake on Hand

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Jan. 10, 2009 - With traditional pomp and circumstance and its namesake on hand, the last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, was commissioned in Norfolk, Va., today. "So what do you give a guy who has been blessed and has just about everything he has ever needed?" President George W. Bush, son of former President George H.W. Bush, joked during the ceremony. "Well, an aircraft carrier."

The story of the USS George H.W. Bush, also known as CVN 77, begins well before its keel-laying in September 2003. It began in the early days of World War II, when the former President Bush was just 18 when he enlisted in the Navy as a seaman second class, his son said.

Just days before his 19th birthday, George H.W. Bush became the youngest Navy pilot when he received his wings and commission. The young pilot flew torpedo bombers off USS San Jacinto from August 1942 to September 1945. On Sept. 2, 1944, his plane was hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. He went down in the ocean and was rescued by the Navy submarine USS Finback.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals for courageous service in the Pacific theater.

Thirty-five years later, he was sworn in as the 41st president of the United States and served two terms.

"The ship is a fitting tribute to a generation of men with whom my dad was privileged to serve," the president said. "She's also a tribute to a new generation of American soldiers and sailors and Coast Guardsmen and women, airmen and Marines who have stepped forward to defend the United States of America."

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates also declared USS George H.W. Bush a fitting tribute to the man who served his country for more than 40 years in several capacities.

"There is no one more worthy of having the last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier named in his honor than our 41st president, the last of the World War II generation to serve as commander-in-chief," Gates said. "As commander-in-chief, President [George H.W.] Bush had a courage and toughness that impressed all those who worked for him.

"At the same time, he was, and is, a man of feeling, especially where men and women in uniform are concerned," the secretary added.

Gates remembered the 41st president's tribute to the 47 sailors who died when a 16-inch gun turret exploded aboard USS Iowa on April 19, 1989. The press accused Bush of just "going through the motions," because he appeared to speed through his remarks.

In fact, Bush was so moved by the sailors' sacrifice that he would not have made it through his remarks had he not sped through them, the secretary said.

"He once said that a peaceful, prosperous international order required 'the leadership, the power, and yes, the conscience of the United States of America,'" Gates said. "This ship that bears his name, this ship that we commission today, embodies all three."

For the ship's namesake, the commissioning brought back memories made more than six decades ago when, as a young sailor, he participated in the commissioning of USS San Jacinto.

"Those who are sitting out there where I was 65 years ago, preparing to serve aboard your new ship, I wish I was sitting right out there with you, ready to start the adventures of my naval aviation career all over," the former president said. "As you prepare to man this ship, I do know that you take with you the hopes and dreams of every American who cherishes freedom and peace.

"And you take with you the undying respect and admiration of the entire Bush family," he added before helping set the ship's first watch.

"I know you will find comfort and inspiration, particularly in the night sky," the senior Bush continued. "For it is in the splendor of the stars that you will truly understand the majesty of creation and bear witness to the certain hand of God."

The nuclear-powered USS George H.W. Bush is nearly twice as long as the first ship on which its namesake served. It's nearly as tall as the Empire State Building in New York City, and will be home to about 6,000 sailors and Marines.

And as the elder Bush pointed out, it has "feature that a few of my granddaughters, in particular, would really like ... there are a mind-boggling 1,400 telephones."

USS George H.W. Bush is set to make history and today marked the first day of that illustrious journey, said Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter. "The impact of a new carrier is global," he said. "For no other ship represents to the world the power of the United States the way this does."

Bush Praises Military for Keeping America Safe

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Jan. 10, 2009 - President George W. Bush said this morning he's had no higher honor during his eight years as president than serving as commander in chief to the "brave patriots" of the U.S. military. The president dedicated his next-to-last weekly radio address to praising the "selflessness and courage" of U.S. military men and women he credits with helping ensure no terrorist attacks have threatened the country since Sept. 11, 2001.

Bush, who made his official farewell speech to the military earlier this week during a ceremony at Fort Myer, Va., said he and first Lady Laura Bush "will take with us many inspiring memories of the valor that we have seen these brave Americans display time and again" when they leave the White House.

"We saw their valor on September the 11th, 2001, in servicemembers rushing into smoke-filled corridors to save their colleagues at the Pentagon, and in planes patrolling the skies above New York City and Washington D.C.," he said.

"We saw their valor in the days after that attack, when Americans crowded into recruiting centers across our country, raised their hands to serve, and pledged to defend our people and our freedom.

"We saw their valor in the forces who deployed to Afghanistan within weeks of 9/11, closed down the terrorist training camps, and drove the Taliban from power.

"We saw their valor in the fearless troops who stormed across the Iraqi desert –- and destroyed a regime that threatened America.

"We saw their valor in battle-tested warriors who signed up for a second, or third or fourth tour -- and made the troop surge in Iraq that I announced two years ago today one of the great successes in American military history."

As the U.S. military liberated more than 50 million people around the world, it also the United States safer by taking the fight to terrorists abroad, the president said. This, he said, helped ensure that Americans did not have to face them at home.

As a result, no terrorist attack has taken place on U.S. soil in the seven years since Sept. 11, 2001.

"This is no coincidence," Bush said. He noted the vast effort that has made this possible, through tireless work by the military, law enforcement officials, security analysts and homeland security agents, among others.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to all of these patriots," the president said. "Because of their devotion to service, many Americans live their lives without the fear and uncertainty that they felt in the days just after 9/11."

Bush called this continued safety a blessing, but emphasized that it must never foster complacency. "America still faces sworn enemies intent on striking our nation and our people, and we must remain vigilant for as long as that threat remains," he said.

The president praised the men in women in uniform who have remained vigilant. "These Americans answer the call to defend freedom when it is under attack. They put their lives on the line to defend democracy and keep our country safe," he said.

"And they inspire a nation with their selflessness and their courage. I am proud to have served as their commander-in-chief."