Indy Motor Speedway Salutes Servicemembers on 'Bump Day'
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – Amid the howl of revved-up racecars, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday showcased its 27th Armed Forces Day program with a group enlistment of recruits from all services and other military-themed events. The track held its Armed Forces Day activities in conjunction with final timed qualifications, called "Bump Day," to fill out the 33-car field for the Indianapolis 500 race May 27.
Near the entrance of the track's green-tinted glass "Pagoda," U.S. Sen. Richard G. Lugar of Indiana gave the oath of enlistment as 61 Indiana young people raised their right hands to join the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard.
"The whole community wants to honor the people who've made the decision you've made to serve your country," Lugar told the recruits before the swearing-in ceremony. "Thank you so much for being here and for your commitment."
Lugar thanked speedway president and chief executive officer Tony George, noting this is the 27th year the track has hosted Armed Forces Day events. Lugar was among several prominent officials who participated in the Armed Forces Day program, which preceded the start of the day's qualification runs.
Lugar presented a $105,000 college scholarship to each of four Indiana recruits who plan to obtain ROTC-sourced commissions upon graduation.
The speedway is among the more than 250 businesses and organizations nationwide that participate in the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which recognizes citizens' support for military men and women and communicates that support to members of the U.S. armed forces here and abroad.
Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public liaison and internal communications, hailed George and his staff for their support.
Barber said she's impressed with the patriotism evidenced by the new military members and their families.
"When you see that kind of determination and tenacity and focus on mission, it gives you a great sense as an American citizen that we have young men and women in the military who say, 'We want to serve our country,'" Barber said.
Tracy Funk's 17-year-old son, Mitchell, joined the Air Force during the enlistment ceremony. Funk said she's proud of her son's decision.
"His dad is retired Air Force, and Mitchell has always wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps. We're very proud of him," the 40-year-old mother and Brownsburg, Ind., resident said. "I believe in the training, and I'm confident that he'll be safe."
Funk believes a lot of young people "are missing out" by not joining the military. "To serve your country is an honor, and it's a privilege," she said.
Mitchell, who wants to become a helicopter gunner, said he's not worried about being deployed overseas.
"We enjoy our freedom because of the men and women serving right now, and I am very proud that I get to do that," he added.
Indiana Army National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Patrick Shannon was on hand to take three laps around the track with three-time Indy winner Johnny Rutherford at the wheel of the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette pace car. Shannon also waved the green flag to start the day's qualification trials. A member of Indiana's 38th Infantry Division, based in Indianapolis, Shannon was wounded in Ramadi, Iraq, in November.
Shannon said he was inspired to see the speedway and America Supports You honor the nation's servicemembers.
"Any time that a company or individuals appreciate the military is outstanding," Shannon said. "It's a great feeling to know America's behind you and that people support you."
Several teams, including Indianapolis-based Playa del Racing, will sport America Supports You decals on the engine covers of their racecars during the Indy 500 race.
The troops "really do a great job of representing our country," David Morgan, Playa del Racing's team manager, said as mechanics prepped the team's two 650-horsepower, Honda-V-8-powered machines. "It's important to support what they're doing."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Sentinels of Freedom Group Offers 'Life Scholarships'
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – Academic scholarships are plentiful for servicemembers wanting to further their education, but for wounded troops, simply re-integrating into civilian life can be emotionally and financially costly. The Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation is helping to ease the burden on wounded troops. The Danville, Calif.-based organization is offering four-year "Life Scholarships" to help smooth severely wounded servicemembers' transition to the rest of their lives.
"When it comes to returning severely injured (servicemembers), we just needed to do more," Mike Conklin, the foundation's founder, said. "I felt it was our responsibility, so I developed a plan and we started with one person."
Three years after the program began, six servicemembers have been awarded scholarships.
Conklin's three sons, all Army Rangers, served as his inspiration to create the program. One of his sons was injured while serving in Iraq in 2003.
"I was very impressed with the military medical system," Conklin said. "That kind of drove me to want to do more."
The program encourages community involvement and offers assistance based on a servicemember's particular needs. Services provided can include rent-free housing adapted for physical needs, new furniture and household supplies, and new adaptive vehicles.
"Sentinels," as the scholarship recipients are called, also receive career-placement assistance, educational opportunities, and financial and personal mentorship.
"The biggest part of this is mentoring," Conklin said. "We surround them with a team of 10 business people in that community who are professionals."
That group, which can include financial planners, doctors, lawyers and a former servicemember to help navigate military benefits, stays with an individual for the entire four-year period to help with specific areas of the transition, including career placement or housing, for example.
Servicemembers who have suffered a service-related injury that has left them a paraplegic, with amputated limbs, blind, deaf or severely burned qualify for the scholarship. While those are the main criteria, successful candidates must have something else, Conklin said.
"We look for (someone) ... that wants to move forward, that wants to move on from just being in the disabled ranks," he said. "We look for that young man or woman that has fire in their eye and wants to move forward."
Those interested in the program can fill out a questionnaire and release on the Sentinels of Freedom Web site. This allows Conklin to open a case file and review individual situations. He cautions that the program is not a handout, however. "This is an earn-while-you-learn scholarship," he said.
That means participants are expected to stay in school, maintain a job and moral standards, and take the community team's mentoring advice to heart.
Sentinels of Freedom is one of the newest members of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
One of America Supports You's newest corporate supporters, RE/MAX, has been one of Sentinels of Freedom's largest supporters, Conklin said. The real estate company has enabled the organization to grow tremendously.
"It's a very unique company in the fact that it has 6,500 offices around the United States, 120,000 agents and brokers around the United States -- professional people who know everything about their community," Conklin said. "That's a tremendous network for us that has helped us move from local to national.
Others corporations working with Sentinels of Freedom include Chevron, AT&T, UPS, DHL, the Boeing Company, and many other defense-industry contractors, he said.
With the help of these corporations and others like them, Conklin hopes to award at least 500 scholarships with five years.
"We hope that this will be built into an enduring, sustaining scholarship program for this war and all future wars," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – Academic scholarships are plentiful for servicemembers wanting to further their education, but for wounded troops, simply re-integrating into civilian life can be emotionally and financially costly. The Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation is helping to ease the burden on wounded troops. The Danville, Calif.-based organization is offering four-year "Life Scholarships" to help smooth severely wounded servicemembers' transition to the rest of their lives.
"When it comes to returning severely injured (servicemembers), we just needed to do more," Mike Conklin, the foundation's founder, said. "I felt it was our responsibility, so I developed a plan and we started with one person."
Three years after the program began, six servicemembers have been awarded scholarships.
Conklin's three sons, all Army Rangers, served as his inspiration to create the program. One of his sons was injured while serving in Iraq in 2003.
"I was very impressed with the military medical system," Conklin said. "That kind of drove me to want to do more."
The program encourages community involvement and offers assistance based on a servicemember's particular needs. Services provided can include rent-free housing adapted for physical needs, new furniture and household supplies, and new adaptive vehicles.
"Sentinels," as the scholarship recipients are called, also receive career-placement assistance, educational opportunities, and financial and personal mentorship.
"The biggest part of this is mentoring," Conklin said. "We surround them with a team of 10 business people in that community who are professionals."
That group, which can include financial planners, doctors, lawyers and a former servicemember to help navigate military benefits, stays with an individual for the entire four-year period to help with specific areas of the transition, including career placement or housing, for example.
Servicemembers who have suffered a service-related injury that has left them a paraplegic, with amputated limbs, blind, deaf or severely burned qualify for the scholarship. While those are the main criteria, successful candidates must have something else, Conklin said.
"We look for (someone) ... that wants to move forward, that wants to move on from just being in the disabled ranks," he said. "We look for that young man or woman that has fire in their eye and wants to move forward."
Those interested in the program can fill out a questionnaire and release on the Sentinels of Freedom Web site. This allows Conklin to open a case file and review individual situations. He cautions that the program is not a handout, however. "This is an earn-while-you-learn scholarship," he said.
That means participants are expected to stay in school, maintain a job and moral standards, and take the community team's mentoring advice to heart.
Sentinels of Freedom is one of the newest members of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
One of America Supports You's newest corporate supporters, RE/MAX, has been one of Sentinels of Freedom's largest supporters, Conklin said. The real estate company has enabled the organization to grow tremendously.
"It's a very unique company in the fact that it has 6,500 offices around the United States, 120,000 agents and brokers around the United States -- professional people who know everything about their community," Conklin said. "That's a tremendous network for us that has helped us move from local to national.
Others corporations working with Sentinels of Freedom include Chevron, AT&T, UPS, DHL, the Boeing Company, and many other defense-industry contractors, he said.
With the help of these corporations and others like them, Conklin hopes to award at least 500 scholarships with five years.
"We hope that this will be built into an enduring, sustaining scholarship program for this war and all future wars," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Gates Urges Students to Push Science, Technology Limits
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates encouraged students participating in the Team America Rocketry Challenge on May 19 to reach for the sky as they help advance science and technology research. Gates attended the nationwide competition in The Plains, Va., and cheered on students from around the country as they put their rocketry skills to the test. He presented the first-place trophy to a team from Newark Memorial High School in California that beat out 99 other squads with a near-perfect score.
The Defense Department, NASA, the Aerospace Industries Association, and the American Association of Physics Teachers sponsored the event, in its fifth year, to encourage students to study math and science in middle and high school.
Gates called the contest an excellent start to a journey that will lead the students as far their aspirations take them.
"Science opens up our world to us, and it is a breathtaking place. There has never been a better time to learn about physics, the mechanics of flight and space exploration," he said. "You've taken your first steps. Now keep going."
Gates reminded the students of the adage about invention being 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration. But the payoff is huge, he said, with advances in math and science having a ripple effect throughout society. He cited examples like the global positioning system and Internet, which were developed for the Defense Department then applied throughout the private sector.
Evolving technology is critical to the country's defense, too, Gates said. "As secretary of defense, I'm in charge of some of the most high-tech hardware anywhere in the world," he said.
He went on to describe one of the most advanced projects, a system to shoot down missiles that might be fired at the United States. "Basically, it's like trying to hit a bullet with another bullet," he said. "It's not easy."
Gates paused, then added with a smile, "If any of you have had a breakthrough in propulsion or ballistics during this competition, I hope you'll let me know."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates encouraged students participating in the Team America Rocketry Challenge on May 19 to reach for the sky as they help advance science and technology research. Gates attended the nationwide competition in The Plains, Va., and cheered on students from around the country as they put their rocketry skills to the test. He presented the first-place trophy to a team from Newark Memorial High School in California that beat out 99 other squads with a near-perfect score.
The Defense Department, NASA, the Aerospace Industries Association, and the American Association of Physics Teachers sponsored the event, in its fifth year, to encourage students to study math and science in middle and high school.
Gates called the contest an excellent start to a journey that will lead the students as far their aspirations take them.
"Science opens up our world to us, and it is a breathtaking place. There has never been a better time to learn about physics, the mechanics of flight and space exploration," he said. "You've taken your first steps. Now keep going."
Gates reminded the students of the adage about invention being 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration. But the payoff is huge, he said, with advances in math and science having a ripple effect throughout society. He cited examples like the global positioning system and Internet, which were developed for the Defense Department then applied throughout the private sector.
Evolving technology is critical to the country's defense, too, Gates said. "As secretary of defense, I'm in charge of some of the most high-tech hardware anywhere in the world," he said.
He went on to describe one of the most advanced projects, a system to shoot down missiles that might be fired at the United States. "Basically, it's like trying to hit a bullet with another bullet," he said. "It's not easy."
Gates paused, then added with a smile, "If any of you have had a breakthrough in propulsion or ballistics during this competition, I hope you'll let me know."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Oldest Living Chief Recalls Life in Air Force
By 1st Lt. Martha Petersante-Gioia, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – In 1906, an earthquake resulted in fires that burned San Francisco for two days. Congress passed the Antiquities Act that same year, authorizing the president to establish national monuments on federal lands to prevent vandalism at prehistoric Indian sites in the Southwest. President Theodore Roosevelt embarked on a trip to Panama and Puerto Rico, becoming the first president to make an official diplomatic tour outside of the continental United States. Rolls-Royce Ltd. was officially registered, with Charles S. Rolls and F. Henry Royce as directors. The company immediately released the Silver Ghost.
In 1906, the world also welcomed Esther MacKay. Today, at 101, she is the Air Force's oldest living chief master sergeant.
MacKay credits her fascination with flight - a new technology when she was a child -- with inspiring her to enlist in the Army Air Corps in 1943. After her enlistment, she shipped off to basic training at Fort Devens, Mass.
During her Army Air Corps career, she served in England, France and Germany during World War II. When she returned home, she served in various administrative roles while stationed at Westover Air Force Base, Mass. At this time, change was on the horizon for this aspiring airplane mechanic -- the Army Air Corps had become the U.S. Air Force.
"It was wonderful to have a front-row seat to watch the service change and grow, and it's (humbling) being part of history," she said.
Looking back at her time in the Army Air Corps, and later, the Air Force, MacKay said she knows it wasn't easy. Her bright smile, however, tells the tale when sharing her fondest memories of military service. One such assignment comes to the chief's mind -- the Pentagon.
During her days in Washington, D.C., MacKay worked for then-Defense Secretary Charles E. Wilson, in his front office staff during the 1950s with four other ladies -- "one from each of the services," she said.
"One time, I was selected to greet Winston Churchill as he entered the Pentagon," she said. "He came up the elevator and looked up at me with the most interesting blue eyes -- mind you, he wasn't a tall man, and I'm only 5 feet 6 inches. It was a thrill."
The excitement of the Pentagon spotlight didn't just extend to MacKay, either. Her niece, Colene Dodsworth, recalls watching a news broadcast with her father and then, to her astonishment, she "saw Esther walking behind Secretary Wilson as he made a statement on the broadcast."
After leaving the Pentagon, the chief headed to Colorado and the early days of the North American Air Defense Command, ready to face whatever challenge lay in wait for her.
Being one of only a handful of women was difficult at times, especially when "opening my mouth would get me bounced out of the service," she said when explaining how she may have been overlooked for a grade or advancement due to her sex.
Yet, she wouldn't trade any of the bad experiences to miss her chance to watch the Air Force grow into what it is today.
This retiree credits her success in the Air Force and in life with pursuit of education and hard work.
"I'm a quiet person," she said. "Whenever I made an accomplishment (such as promotion), that was an achievement for me. I knew how hard I worked for it."
Education was always an underlying goal for the chief, who admits that without the help of the service, she may not have been lucky enough to keep learning.
"During the 1960s I studied at night school," she said. "I was the only girl in a class of senior enlisted members and officers. Part of me said, 'Back out, now,' and I almost did. But part of me said, 'No, I won't.'"
She didn't, completing the course and earning a certificate.
If she had it to do all over again, MacKay said, she would.
"If I was entering the Air Force today, I'd want to try get involved in the space program," she said. "I find that area purely fascinating, probably more than most."
Throughout her years in service to her country, Chief MacKay followed two guiding principals -- "being patient and willing to work hard" - that she likes to pass on to Air Force troops. Her other message to the troops: "Happy 60th birthday U.S. Air Force! Thank you for all that you do!"
(Air Force 1st Lt. Martha Petersante-Gioia is assigned to the 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Special to American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – In 1906, an earthquake resulted in fires that burned San Francisco for two days. Congress passed the Antiquities Act that same year, authorizing the president to establish national monuments on federal lands to prevent vandalism at prehistoric Indian sites in the Southwest. President Theodore Roosevelt embarked on a trip to Panama and Puerto Rico, becoming the first president to make an official diplomatic tour outside of the continental United States. Rolls-Royce Ltd. was officially registered, with Charles S. Rolls and F. Henry Royce as directors. The company immediately released the Silver Ghost.
In 1906, the world also welcomed Esther MacKay. Today, at 101, she is the Air Force's oldest living chief master sergeant.
MacKay credits her fascination with flight - a new technology when she was a child -- with inspiring her to enlist in the Army Air Corps in 1943. After her enlistment, she shipped off to basic training at Fort Devens, Mass.
During her Army Air Corps career, she served in England, France and Germany during World War II. When she returned home, she served in various administrative roles while stationed at Westover Air Force Base, Mass. At this time, change was on the horizon for this aspiring airplane mechanic -- the Army Air Corps had become the U.S. Air Force.
"It was wonderful to have a front-row seat to watch the service change and grow, and it's (humbling) being part of history," she said.
Looking back at her time in the Army Air Corps, and later, the Air Force, MacKay said she knows it wasn't easy. Her bright smile, however, tells the tale when sharing her fondest memories of military service. One such assignment comes to the chief's mind -- the Pentagon.
During her days in Washington, D.C., MacKay worked for then-Defense Secretary Charles E. Wilson, in his front office staff during the 1950s with four other ladies -- "one from each of the services," she said.
"One time, I was selected to greet Winston Churchill as he entered the Pentagon," she said. "He came up the elevator and looked up at me with the most interesting blue eyes -- mind you, he wasn't a tall man, and I'm only 5 feet 6 inches. It was a thrill."
The excitement of the Pentagon spotlight didn't just extend to MacKay, either. Her niece, Colene Dodsworth, recalls watching a news broadcast with her father and then, to her astonishment, she "saw Esther walking behind Secretary Wilson as he made a statement on the broadcast."
After leaving the Pentagon, the chief headed to Colorado and the early days of the North American Air Defense Command, ready to face whatever challenge lay in wait for her.
Being one of only a handful of women was difficult at times, especially when "opening my mouth would get me bounced out of the service," she said when explaining how she may have been overlooked for a grade or advancement due to her sex.
Yet, she wouldn't trade any of the bad experiences to miss her chance to watch the Air Force grow into what it is today.
This retiree credits her success in the Air Force and in life with pursuit of education and hard work.
"I'm a quiet person," she said. "Whenever I made an accomplishment (such as promotion), that was an achievement for me. I knew how hard I worked for it."
Education was always an underlying goal for the chief, who admits that without the help of the service, she may not have been lucky enough to keep learning.
"During the 1960s I studied at night school," she said. "I was the only girl in a class of senior enlisted members and officers. Part of me said, 'Back out, now,' and I almost did. But part of me said, 'No, I won't.'"
She didn't, completing the course and earning a certificate.
If she had it to do all over again, MacKay said, she would.
"If I was entering the Air Force today, I'd want to try get involved in the space program," she said. "I find that area purely fascinating, probably more than most."
Throughout her years in service to her country, Chief MacKay followed two guiding principals -- "being patient and willing to work hard" - that she likes to pass on to Air Force troops. Her other message to the troops: "Happy 60th birthday U.S. Air Force! Thank you for all that you do!"
(Air Force 1st Lt. Martha Petersante-Gioia is assigned to the 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Bush, Scheffer Discuss NATO Issues in Texas Meeting
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – NATO operations in Afghanistan, transformation of the alliance and missile defense in Europe topped the agenda as President Bush met with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Crawford, Texas, today. Bush called Scheffer a strong advocate for fighting terror, spreading freedom, helping the oppressed and modernizing NATO. The two men held a joint news conference at the Bush ranch.
Afghanistan dominated the discussions. NATO forces are helping provide security to a nation of 25 million. Afghanistan was a haven for al Qaeda, and Taliban terrorists want to regain control. Bush thanked the secretary-general for ensuring that NATO commanders have the forces they need to defeat the Taliban extremists.
"I pledged to the secretary-general, we'll work with our NATO allies to convince them that they must share more of the burden and must all share the risks in meeting our goal," the president said.
Scheffer stressed the moral aspect of the operations in Afghanistan.
"Afghanistan is still one of the front lines in our fight against terrorism," he said. "And it is my strong conviction that that front line should not become a fault line."
Some have criticized NATO for excessive civilian casualties resulting from its operations. "I know and you know that at any price NATO forces and coalition forces will try to avoid civilian casualties," Scheffer said. "We'll do that, and we'll look very seriously into that."
"But let me tell you one thing," he continued. "We are not in the same moral category as our opponents, as the Taliban in Afghanistan. We don't behead people, we don't burn schools, we don't kill teachers, we don't plant roadside bombs, we don't send in suicide bombers. And if we talk about innocent Afghan civilians, yes, dramatically the result of our military actions could be that civilians -- innocent civilians -- are killed. But look at the number of Afghan civilians killed by the Taliban and by our opposing forces. In brief, we are not in the same moral category there, and that's, I think, a very important mission."
Bush said Afghanistan requires more than simple military force. He and the secretary-general discussed a long-term comprehensive strategy to help strengthen Afghanistan's democratic institutions and to help create economic opportunities that will help the country survive and thrive.
NATO has grown well beyond its roots as a Cold War institution, Bush said. The alliance needs to continue to change to handle the security threats of the 21st century. "We talked about the need to have more special operations forces and strategic airlift capabilities," he said.
Bush and Scheffer spoke about NATO enlargement and looked ahead to the 2008 NATO Summit in Bucharest.
"I pledged to the secretary-general that I'll work with nations that are interested in becoming a part of NATO over the next year to make sure they meet the requirements necessary for a country to be accepted into NATO," he said.
Bush said that many nations in NATO recognize the ballistic missile threat from rogue states. "I appreciate the fact that the secretary-general agrees that U.S. missile defense plans complement NATO efforts to keep all nations safe from attack," he said. Bush also said he will use the NATO forum to continue to reach out to Russia.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – NATO operations in Afghanistan, transformation of the alliance and missile defense in Europe topped the agenda as President Bush met with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Crawford, Texas, today. Bush called Scheffer a strong advocate for fighting terror, spreading freedom, helping the oppressed and modernizing NATO. The two men held a joint news conference at the Bush ranch.
Afghanistan dominated the discussions. NATO forces are helping provide security to a nation of 25 million. Afghanistan was a haven for al Qaeda, and Taliban terrorists want to regain control. Bush thanked the secretary-general for ensuring that NATO commanders have the forces they need to defeat the Taliban extremists.
"I pledged to the secretary-general, we'll work with our NATO allies to convince them that they must share more of the burden and must all share the risks in meeting our goal," the president said.
Scheffer stressed the moral aspect of the operations in Afghanistan.
"Afghanistan is still one of the front lines in our fight against terrorism," he said. "And it is my strong conviction that that front line should not become a fault line."
Some have criticized NATO for excessive civilian casualties resulting from its operations. "I know and you know that at any price NATO forces and coalition forces will try to avoid civilian casualties," Scheffer said. "We'll do that, and we'll look very seriously into that."
"But let me tell you one thing," he continued. "We are not in the same moral category as our opponents, as the Taliban in Afghanistan. We don't behead people, we don't burn schools, we don't kill teachers, we don't plant roadside bombs, we don't send in suicide bombers. And if we talk about innocent Afghan civilians, yes, dramatically the result of our military actions could be that civilians -- innocent civilians -- are killed. But look at the number of Afghan civilians killed by the Taliban and by our opposing forces. In brief, we are not in the same moral category there, and that's, I think, a very important mission."
Bush said Afghanistan requires more than simple military force. He and the secretary-general discussed a long-term comprehensive strategy to help strengthen Afghanistan's democratic institutions and to help create economic opportunities that will help the country survive and thrive.
NATO has grown well beyond its roots as a Cold War institution, Bush said. The alliance needs to continue to change to handle the security threats of the 21st century. "We talked about the need to have more special operations forces and strategic airlift capabilities," he said.
Bush and Scheffer spoke about NATO enlargement and looked ahead to the 2008 NATO Summit in Bucharest.
"I pledged to the secretary-general that I'll work with nations that are interested in becoming a part of NATO over the next year to make sure they meet the requirements necessary for a country to be accepted into NATO," he said.
Bush said that many nations in NATO recognize the ballistic missile threat from rogue states. "I appreciate the fact that the secretary-general agrees that U.S. missile defense plans complement NATO efforts to keep all nations safe from attack," he said. Bush also said he will use the NATO forum to continue to reach out to Russia.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Army Defends Body Armor Quality
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – U.S. troops operating in Iraq and Afghanistan have the best body armor in the world, and the Army is constantly looking for ways to improve force protection, the general in charge of the program told reporters here today. "Force protection is the No. 1 priority of the U.S. Army. We value our soldiers very highly, and we do everything we can do to ensure that they have the finest in force protection as they go into the battle," Army Brig. Gen. R. Mark Brown, Program Executive Officer Soldier, said at a Pentagon news conference.
In response to a May 17 NBC News report challenging the Army's use of Interceptor body armor vs. the newer "Dragon Skin" armor developed by Pinnacle Armor Inc., Brown today released information about the testing that ruled out Dragon Skin a year ago.
The tests were conducted May 16 to 19, 2006, at H.P. White labs near Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. The Pinnacle armor was subjected to the same tests Interceptor body armor goes through, first being X-rayed and analyzed and then undergoing a series of live-fire tests, Brown said. The live-fire tests included room-temperature tests, harsh environment tests, and durability and drop tests.
Of the eight Pinnacle vests tested, four of them failed the tests, with 13 rounds penetrating completely on the first or second shot, Brown said. After the first complete penetration, the vests technically failed the test, but the Army continued the testing to be fair, he said.
The Pinnacle vests also were subjected to extreme temperature variations, from minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which would be a realistic cycle if the equipment was loaded onto a plane and flown to the Middle East, Brown said. These temperature tests caused the adhesive holding the Dragon Skin's protective discs together to fail, and the discs gathered at the bottom of the vest, leaving gaps in protection, he said.
Brown also noted that the Dragon Skin vests are significantly heavier and thicker than the Interceptor vests. Dragon Skin vests in size extra large are 47.5 pounds and 1.7 to 1.9 inches thick; the Interceptor vests in size large, which offer an equivalent coverage area to the extra large Dragon Skin vests, weigh 28 pounds and are 1.3 inches thick.
"Bottom line is it does not meet Army standards," Brown said of the Pinnacle body armor.
Brown showed reporters videos of the tests, which were supervised by the chief executive officer of Pinnacle. He also displayed the actual vests that were tested, with markers showing the penetration sites.
The Army did not initially release the information about the tests because of possible security concerns, Brown said. "We are facing a very media-savvy enemy," he said. "They're not only media-savvy, they are Internet savvy. ... Everything that we put out into the public domain, we pretty much assume that they get. We don't like to discuss our vulnerabilities and our counters to the vulnerabilities in the open public."
However, after the NBC report, Army leaders felt they needed to counter any doubts in the minds of servicemembers and their families, Brown said. "Our soldiers and, more importantly, the families - the wives, the children, the parents - have to have confidence that our soldiers have the best equipment in the world," he said.
Right now, the Army's safety-of-use message mandates that all soldiers use Interceptor body armor, which has passed the same tests the Pinnacle armor failed, Brown said. The Army is interested in a more flexible armor, like the Pinnacle design, and if the company improves its product, it could be reconsidered, he said.
Brown stressed that the Army has more than one set of body armor for every soldier in the combat theater, and that he has all the money and support he needs to make improvements to force protection. Also, the Army is constantly working to develop new technologies that will deliver better protection.
"This is not just a matter of debate for us; this is personal," he said, noting that many of his staff members have relatives or friends who have served or are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – U.S. troops operating in Iraq and Afghanistan have the best body armor in the world, and the Army is constantly looking for ways to improve force protection, the general in charge of the program told reporters here today. "Force protection is the No. 1 priority of the U.S. Army. We value our soldiers very highly, and we do everything we can do to ensure that they have the finest in force protection as they go into the battle," Army Brig. Gen. R. Mark Brown, Program Executive Officer Soldier, said at a Pentagon news conference.
In response to a May 17 NBC News report challenging the Army's use of Interceptor body armor vs. the newer "Dragon Skin" armor developed by Pinnacle Armor Inc., Brown today released information about the testing that ruled out Dragon Skin a year ago.
The tests were conducted May 16 to 19, 2006, at H.P. White labs near Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. The Pinnacle armor was subjected to the same tests Interceptor body armor goes through, first being X-rayed and analyzed and then undergoing a series of live-fire tests, Brown said. The live-fire tests included room-temperature tests, harsh environment tests, and durability and drop tests.
Of the eight Pinnacle vests tested, four of them failed the tests, with 13 rounds penetrating completely on the first or second shot, Brown said. After the first complete penetration, the vests technically failed the test, but the Army continued the testing to be fair, he said.
The Pinnacle vests also were subjected to extreme temperature variations, from minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which would be a realistic cycle if the equipment was loaded onto a plane and flown to the Middle East, Brown said. These temperature tests caused the adhesive holding the Dragon Skin's protective discs together to fail, and the discs gathered at the bottom of the vest, leaving gaps in protection, he said.
Brown also noted that the Dragon Skin vests are significantly heavier and thicker than the Interceptor vests. Dragon Skin vests in size extra large are 47.5 pounds and 1.7 to 1.9 inches thick; the Interceptor vests in size large, which offer an equivalent coverage area to the extra large Dragon Skin vests, weigh 28 pounds and are 1.3 inches thick.
"Bottom line is it does not meet Army standards," Brown said of the Pinnacle body armor.
Brown showed reporters videos of the tests, which were supervised by the chief executive officer of Pinnacle. He also displayed the actual vests that were tested, with markers showing the penetration sites.
The Army did not initially release the information about the tests because of possible security concerns, Brown said. "We are facing a very media-savvy enemy," he said. "They're not only media-savvy, they are Internet savvy. ... Everything that we put out into the public domain, we pretty much assume that they get. We don't like to discuss our vulnerabilities and our counters to the vulnerabilities in the open public."
However, after the NBC report, Army leaders felt they needed to counter any doubts in the minds of servicemembers and their families, Brown said. "Our soldiers and, more importantly, the families - the wives, the children, the parents - have to have confidence that our soldiers have the best equipment in the world," he said.
Right now, the Army's safety-of-use message mandates that all soldiers use Interceptor body armor, which has passed the same tests the Pinnacle armor failed, Brown said. The Army is interested in a more flexible armor, like the Pinnacle design, and if the company improves its product, it could be reconsidered, he said.
Brown stressed that the Army has more than one set of body armor for every soldier in the combat theater, and that he has all the money and support he needs to make improvements to force protection. Also, the Army is constantly working to develop new technologies that will deliver better protection.
"This is not just a matter of debate for us; this is personal," he said, noting that many of his staff members have relatives or friends who have served or are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
New Book Captures Solemnity, Ceremony at Arlington Cemetery
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – A black and white photograph with Arlington National Cemetery as the somber yet sublime backdrop captures a lone mourner kneeling before a headstone among seemingly endless rows of pale grave markers. This poignant image and others are spread across the pages of "Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery," a new book that debuted May 18 here. The 191-page book embodies the culmination of a two-year effort by Arlington National Cemetery Commemorative Project, Inc., in conjunction with National Geographic, and Rich Clarkson and Associates.
In the cemetery's information center, the commemorative book that salutes members of U.S. armed forces who now rest here was presented to five military families representing each of the service branches.
"I go to see him every month with my kids, because I feel at peace. I feel like he's here," said Laura Youngblood, who lives in Columbus, Ohio -- an eight-hour drive from where her husband, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Travis L. Youngblood, is buried.
"I sit by the headstone and just feel whole again," Youngblood said. "He was my children's father, he was a son, a brother. To other people he may be a number, but my husband was my husband."
The sailor, who is survived by Laura Youngblood and their young son, Hunter, and daughter, Emma, was killed in July 2005 by an improvised explosive device in Iraq. Laura and her wide-eyed children accepted a personalized copy of "Where Valor Rests" on behalf of families who have lost Navy sailors during the war on terrorism.
"Many people passionately labored to develop a befitting gift to fill an astronomical void left by the untimely departure of the irreplaceable men and women known simply by most as mom or dad, or my brother or sister, or my husband or my wife, my son or my daughter," said retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Carl H. McNair, chairman and president of the Arlington National Cemetery Commemorative Project, Inc.
"This gift had to convey our nation's admiration while acknowledging the enormous pain and loss the ultimate sacrifices bring to those left behind," McNair said. "To our distinguished visitors and those similarly situated, this gift had to assist your families in healing, by bringing the spirit and fond memories of your brave loves ones resting here in the serenity of Arlington, a little closer to home."
McNair then announced that Arlington National Cemetery Commemorative Project and its partners will donate 5,500 copies of "Where Valor Rests" "to those serving on land, sea and in the air."
Accepting the book on behalf of Army families was Army Command Sgt. Maj. Debra L. Strickland, wife of Army Sgt. Maj. Larry Strickland, who died when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. Mike and Jacqueline Chavis received the book for families of fallen airmen; their son, Air Force Airman 1st Class Lee Bernard Chavis, died October 2006 when a sniper shot and killed him in Baghdad.
Marine Capt. Brian Letendre died in May 2006 during combat in Iraq, and accepting the book on behalf of Marine families was his widow, Autumn Letendre, and their son, Dillon. Representing the fallen Coast Guardsmen was Patricia Bruckenthal, whose husband, Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal, was killed in April 2004 by a suicide bomb attack off the coast of Iraq.
Each of these servicemembers received a military funeral and is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
"When you think about Washington, D.C., it's a region filled with monuments and memorials that tell the story of our nation's history," said Pete Geren, acting secretary of the Army. "Across the river, you have the Jefferson Memorial, the memorial that tells story of the godfather of the intellectual foundation of this country. Across the mall there is the Washington Monument. The father of our country - first in war, first in peace, a general and president.
"The Lincoln Memorial, the person who helped hold this country together when those among our brethren tried to tear it apart," Geren said. "Across the mall is the memorial to Franklin Roosevelt who led this country through one of its greatest crises in history, and defeated the fascist powers that tried to destroy all that we stood for.
"Then you cross the river and you think, 'Where does Arlington Cemetery fit in this tapestry of American history, this story of the life of this great experiment in democracy?'" he said. "Arlington Cemetery connects all of those memorials; it connects all of those monuments.
"Arlington Cemetery represents the soul of America," Geren said.
"Where Valor Rests" includes text by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson describing the cemetery's nearly 150-year history, and photographs from every corner of the 624-acre grounds shot by some of the nation's leading photographers and best military photojournalists.
At the debut here, enlarged photos portraying the cemetery during each of the four seasons were on display - a wide-angle picture of 4,500 visitors attending the Easter sunrise service; red, white and blue fireworks bursting above the cemetery's tree line, splattering white headstones with luminescent hues; cold, dark marble markers peppered throughout patches of fallen leaves or blanketed by fluffy snow.
On the glossy pages of "Where Valor Rests," servicemembers young and old are captured in rare, tender moments. A World War II veteran wipes away tears with his wrinkled hand during a dedication ceremony to his fallen brothers-in-arms. His tuft of silver-gray hair is covered by a hat stitched with the words, "Battle of the Bulge: Delaware Valley Chapter."
"Visually, (Arlington National Cemetery) is a very striking place -- the rolling hills, the long lines of headstones. It creates something that at every hour of the day will look different," said photographer David Burnett. Burnett's images - taken with a Speed Graphic camera popular with press photographers in the 1940s during last year's Memorial Day events, including the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns -- make up the book chapter titled "Ceremony."
"There's a lot of symbolism in what's here that you're always aware of and trying to incorporate that into some of your pictures," he said. "There's something here that you know is going to outlast all of us. There's a permanence and strength to it."
The image Burnett is most fond of features rocks lying atop a headstone's ivory arch. The headstone marks the grave of a servicemember whose inscribed name is out of focus and illegible in the image.
"I was touched by the way the stones were put up here, which is a little symbol of remembrance," he explained. "I didn't want it to be just about the name. It's one guy, but it could be anybody."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – A black and white photograph with Arlington National Cemetery as the somber yet sublime backdrop captures a lone mourner kneeling before a headstone among seemingly endless rows of pale grave markers. This poignant image and others are spread across the pages of "Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery," a new book that debuted May 18 here. The 191-page book embodies the culmination of a two-year effort by Arlington National Cemetery Commemorative Project, Inc., in conjunction with National Geographic, and Rich Clarkson and Associates.
In the cemetery's information center, the commemorative book that salutes members of U.S. armed forces who now rest here was presented to five military families representing each of the service branches.
"I go to see him every month with my kids, because I feel at peace. I feel like he's here," said Laura Youngblood, who lives in Columbus, Ohio -- an eight-hour drive from where her husband, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Travis L. Youngblood, is buried.
"I sit by the headstone and just feel whole again," Youngblood said. "He was my children's father, he was a son, a brother. To other people he may be a number, but my husband was my husband."
The sailor, who is survived by Laura Youngblood and their young son, Hunter, and daughter, Emma, was killed in July 2005 by an improvised explosive device in Iraq. Laura and her wide-eyed children accepted a personalized copy of "Where Valor Rests" on behalf of families who have lost Navy sailors during the war on terrorism.
"Many people passionately labored to develop a befitting gift to fill an astronomical void left by the untimely departure of the irreplaceable men and women known simply by most as mom or dad, or my brother or sister, or my husband or my wife, my son or my daughter," said retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Carl H. McNair, chairman and president of the Arlington National Cemetery Commemorative Project, Inc.
"This gift had to convey our nation's admiration while acknowledging the enormous pain and loss the ultimate sacrifices bring to those left behind," McNair said. "To our distinguished visitors and those similarly situated, this gift had to assist your families in healing, by bringing the spirit and fond memories of your brave loves ones resting here in the serenity of Arlington, a little closer to home."
McNair then announced that Arlington National Cemetery Commemorative Project and its partners will donate 5,500 copies of "Where Valor Rests" "to those serving on land, sea and in the air."
Accepting the book on behalf of Army families was Army Command Sgt. Maj. Debra L. Strickland, wife of Army Sgt. Maj. Larry Strickland, who died when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. Mike and Jacqueline Chavis received the book for families of fallen airmen; their son, Air Force Airman 1st Class Lee Bernard Chavis, died October 2006 when a sniper shot and killed him in Baghdad.
Marine Capt. Brian Letendre died in May 2006 during combat in Iraq, and accepting the book on behalf of Marine families was his widow, Autumn Letendre, and their son, Dillon. Representing the fallen Coast Guardsmen was Patricia Bruckenthal, whose husband, Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal, was killed in April 2004 by a suicide bomb attack off the coast of Iraq.
Each of these servicemembers received a military funeral and is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
"When you think about Washington, D.C., it's a region filled with monuments and memorials that tell the story of our nation's history," said Pete Geren, acting secretary of the Army. "Across the river, you have the Jefferson Memorial, the memorial that tells story of the godfather of the intellectual foundation of this country. Across the mall there is the Washington Monument. The father of our country - first in war, first in peace, a general and president.
"The Lincoln Memorial, the person who helped hold this country together when those among our brethren tried to tear it apart," Geren said. "Across the mall is the memorial to Franklin Roosevelt who led this country through one of its greatest crises in history, and defeated the fascist powers that tried to destroy all that we stood for.
"Then you cross the river and you think, 'Where does Arlington Cemetery fit in this tapestry of American history, this story of the life of this great experiment in democracy?'" he said. "Arlington Cemetery connects all of those memorials; it connects all of those monuments.
"Arlington Cemetery represents the soul of America," Geren said.
"Where Valor Rests" includes text by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson describing the cemetery's nearly 150-year history, and photographs from every corner of the 624-acre grounds shot by some of the nation's leading photographers and best military photojournalists.
At the debut here, enlarged photos portraying the cemetery during each of the four seasons were on display - a wide-angle picture of 4,500 visitors attending the Easter sunrise service; red, white and blue fireworks bursting above the cemetery's tree line, splattering white headstones with luminescent hues; cold, dark marble markers peppered throughout patches of fallen leaves or blanketed by fluffy snow.
On the glossy pages of "Where Valor Rests," servicemembers young and old are captured in rare, tender moments. A World War II veteran wipes away tears with his wrinkled hand during a dedication ceremony to his fallen brothers-in-arms. His tuft of silver-gray hair is covered by a hat stitched with the words, "Battle of the Bulge: Delaware Valley Chapter."
"Visually, (Arlington National Cemetery) is a very striking place -- the rolling hills, the long lines of headstones. It creates something that at every hour of the day will look different," said photographer David Burnett. Burnett's images - taken with a Speed Graphic camera popular with press photographers in the 1940s during last year's Memorial Day events, including the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns -- make up the book chapter titled "Ceremony."
"There's a lot of symbolism in what's here that you're always aware of and trying to incorporate that into some of your pictures," he said. "There's something here that you know is going to outlast all of us. There's a permanence and strength to it."
The image Burnett is most fond of features rocks lying atop a headstone's ivory arch. The headstone marks the grave of a servicemember whose inscribed name is out of focus and illegible in the image.
"I was touched by the way the stones were put up here, which is a little symbol of remembrance," he explained. "I didn't want it to be just about the name. It's one guy, but it could be anybody."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Charlie Daniels Band Rocks New River
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – The devil may have gone down to Georgia, but Charlie Daniels stopped off at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., to show his appreciation to the servicemembers stationed there May 16. The country music star and his band entertained about 5,500 Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., and New River, as well as their guests. Saying the musician got a warm welcome may be a bit understated, Paul Quinn, director of Marine Corps Community Services at New River, said.
"We've had a lot of shows here, and this one was a high-spirited one," he said. "It started off with the 'Tennessee Waltz,' and ended up with 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia.'"
In the midst of the entertainment, Daniels expressed his appreciation for what the servicemembers have done for the country. Before that, however, he had focused his attention on 70 Marines recovering from injuries suffered in Iraq, and their guests.
The wounded warriors, part of a unit stationed at Camp Lejeune, were special guests at the concert.
"Before the show itself started, we gave them a prime rib dinner at the officers' club," Quinn said. "Then he sat down for an hour and a half, and everyone got a personal talking-to and autographs. It was great."
The Spirit of America Tour, which provides headline entertainment to America's stateside military installations, arranged for Daniels and his band to perform for the Marines. Robert M. Rosenthal, the organization's founder and president, said his only expectation for the concert was what he expects from each of the shows he arranges.
"I hope they bring a moment of relaxation to the Marine, the soldier, the airman and their families," Robert M. Rosenthal, the organization's founder and president, said. "I just hope they bring a little morale boost to them and let them know there are people out there in America who respect them, and who want to do something for them."
The concert at New River surely lived up to expectations. "It was one of the most enthusiastic audiences we've ever had," Rosenthal said.
The Spirit of America Tour is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
It was the organization's 82nd concert since its creation in 2002, and like each of the previous shows, it was free to anyone with a Defense Department identification card.
Country music singer Danielle Peck is the next artist who will work with The Spirit of America Tour to show her appreciation to servicemembers. She will perform May 31 at Naval Submarine Base New London, Conn.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 21, 2007 – The devil may have gone down to Georgia, but Charlie Daniels stopped off at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., to show his appreciation to the servicemembers stationed there May 16. The country music star and his band entertained about 5,500 Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., and New River, as well as their guests. Saying the musician got a warm welcome may be a bit understated, Paul Quinn, director of Marine Corps Community Services at New River, said.
"We've had a lot of shows here, and this one was a high-spirited one," he said. "It started off with the 'Tennessee Waltz,' and ended up with 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia.'"
In the midst of the entertainment, Daniels expressed his appreciation for what the servicemembers have done for the country. Before that, however, he had focused his attention on 70 Marines recovering from injuries suffered in Iraq, and their guests.
The wounded warriors, part of a unit stationed at Camp Lejeune, were special guests at the concert.
"Before the show itself started, we gave them a prime rib dinner at the officers' club," Quinn said. "Then he sat down for an hour and a half, and everyone got a personal talking-to and autographs. It was great."
The Spirit of America Tour, which provides headline entertainment to America's stateside military installations, arranged for Daniels and his band to perform for the Marines. Robert M. Rosenthal, the organization's founder and president, said his only expectation for the concert was what he expects from each of the shows he arranges.
"I hope they bring a moment of relaxation to the Marine, the soldier, the airman and their families," Robert M. Rosenthal, the organization's founder and president, said. "I just hope they bring a little morale boost to them and let them know there are people out there in America who respect them, and who want to do something for them."
The concert at New River surely lived up to expectations. "It was one of the most enthusiastic audiences we've ever had," Rosenthal said.
The Spirit of America Tour is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
It was the organization's 82nd concert since its creation in 2002, and like each of the previous shows, it was free to anyone with a Defense Department identification card.
Country music singer Danielle Peck is the next artist who will work with The Spirit of America Tour to show her appreciation to servicemembers. She will perform May 31 at Naval Submarine Base New London, Conn.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Families of Fallen Honored During 'Time of Remembrance'
By Melinda L. Larson
American Forces Press Service
May 20, 2007 – More than 3,100 families and friends of servicemembers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan gathered on the grounds of the Washington Monument today to remember their loved ones during a "Time of Remembrance" tribute. The event, in its second year, was initiated by the White House Commission on Remembrance, which by Congress in 2000. Its purpose is to encourage Americans to honor those who died for their country's freedoms by giving something back to the country in their memory.
Family members from all 50 states attended and many traveled from as far away as Guam, Germany and India.
"The families here today paid the highest price a family can pay for freedom - the loss of a loved one who gave his or her life in service to our country," R. James Nicholson, secretary of Veterans Affairs, said during his remarks. "Those of you here today and all of the families of fallen soldiers will still bear the mortal weight of the final victory."
For Florence Jallah, whose husband, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Jallah Jr., served during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, words could not describe what the ceremony meant to her and her seven children.
"I can't use words to describe how I feel because the feeling is so profound," she said. "Watching my children here today, remembering their dad in his battle dress uniform or his class As, brings back the memories of him and the kids always asking him, 'Daddy where are you going? When will you be back? Can we come?'"
Jallah's 16-year-old son Quincy was touched that others cared about his father.
"This ceremony means other people care and value what soldiers have done for our country. That means a lot to me," he said.
His father was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), based at Fort Drum, N.Y. He died of cancer on March 28, 2004 after being medically evacuated from Afghanistan to Walter Reed Army Medical Center here in Washington.
While the ceremony's focus centered on troops like Jallah, it also recognized families of fallen servicemembers dating back to 1776, including Kathryn Elise Wolgemuth, a niece of Nathan Hale; and Charles McGovern, whose two brothers, Army officers, died during the Korean War.
Immigrant servicemembers, Foreign Service officers and war correspondents also were recognized during the 90-minute ceremony.
ABC News White House correspondent Martha Raddatz, who has traveled to Iraq 12 times to cover the war, served as emcee.
A video presentation, "Charters of Freedom," focused on the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The Army's highest-ranking officer, who was 21 when he lost his father during the Vietnam conflict, told the families he thinks of their loss every day.
"As the leader of some of the brave men and women we're honoring today, you should know I carry with me the burden of their loss every day," Army Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., Army Chief of Staff and a former commander of Multinational Force Iraq, told the group. "Behind every fallen comrade, there's a family that remains an important part of our community."
Casey and senior leaders from the four other service branches then invited children of the fallen to the stage, where they saluted and consoled the children who had each received the Gold Medal of Remembrance.
Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, read the medal's citation. "For outstanding courage and to remember the ultimate sacrifice of their parents, the United States of American is proud to salute the fallen children of America," he said.
While the leaders met with the children, the U.S. Army Band and Chorus performed "On This Day."
The ceremony came to a close with enlisted members from each branch ringing "The Spirit of the Liberty Bell," an exact replica of the Liberty Bell.
"Taps," played by a solo U.S. Army Band trumpeter, concluded the ceremony.
The White House Commission on Remembrance also is tasked to unite the country in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. each Memorial Day.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 20, 2007 – More than 3,100 families and friends of servicemembers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan gathered on the grounds of the Washington Monument today to remember their loved ones during a "Time of Remembrance" tribute. The event, in its second year, was initiated by the White House Commission on Remembrance, which by Congress in 2000. Its purpose is to encourage Americans to honor those who died for their country's freedoms by giving something back to the country in their memory.
Family members from all 50 states attended and many traveled from as far away as Guam, Germany and India.
"The families here today paid the highest price a family can pay for freedom - the loss of a loved one who gave his or her life in service to our country," R. James Nicholson, secretary of Veterans Affairs, said during his remarks. "Those of you here today and all of the families of fallen soldiers will still bear the mortal weight of the final victory."
For Florence Jallah, whose husband, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Jallah Jr., served during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, words could not describe what the ceremony meant to her and her seven children.
"I can't use words to describe how I feel because the feeling is so profound," she said. "Watching my children here today, remembering their dad in his battle dress uniform or his class As, brings back the memories of him and the kids always asking him, 'Daddy where are you going? When will you be back? Can we come?'"
Jallah's 16-year-old son Quincy was touched that others cared about his father.
"This ceremony means other people care and value what soldiers have done for our country. That means a lot to me," he said.
His father was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), based at Fort Drum, N.Y. He died of cancer on March 28, 2004 after being medically evacuated from Afghanistan to Walter Reed Army Medical Center here in Washington.
While the ceremony's focus centered on troops like Jallah, it also recognized families of fallen servicemembers dating back to 1776, including Kathryn Elise Wolgemuth, a niece of Nathan Hale; and Charles McGovern, whose two brothers, Army officers, died during the Korean War.
Immigrant servicemembers, Foreign Service officers and war correspondents also were recognized during the 90-minute ceremony.
ABC News White House correspondent Martha Raddatz, who has traveled to Iraq 12 times to cover the war, served as emcee.
A video presentation, "Charters of Freedom," focused on the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The Army's highest-ranking officer, who was 21 when he lost his father during the Vietnam conflict, told the families he thinks of their loss every day.
"As the leader of some of the brave men and women we're honoring today, you should know I carry with me the burden of their loss every day," Army Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., Army Chief of Staff and a former commander of Multinational Force Iraq, told the group. "Behind every fallen comrade, there's a family that remains an important part of our community."
Casey and senior leaders from the four other service branches then invited children of the fallen to the stage, where they saluted and consoled the children who had each received the Gold Medal of Remembrance.
Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, read the medal's citation. "For outstanding courage and to remember the ultimate sacrifice of their parents, the United States of American is proud to salute the fallen children of America," he said.
While the leaders met with the children, the U.S. Army Band and Chorus performed "On This Day."
The ceremony came to a close with enlisted members from each branch ringing "The Spirit of the Liberty Bell," an exact replica of the Liberty Bell.
"Taps," played by a solo U.S. Army Band trumpeter, concluded the ceremony.
The White House Commission on Remembrance also is tasked to unite the country in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. each Memorial Day.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Gates Challenges Graduates to Answer Call of Public Service
By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service
May 20, 2007 – In a commencement speech at his alma mater today, Defense Secretary Robert Gates challenged the graduates of the College of William and Mary to serve the greater good of the nation by voting, volunteering and participating in public service.
"When talking about American democracy, we hear a great deal about freedoms and rights, and more recently, about the entitlements of citizenship," Gates said to the more than 1,700 graduates gathered in the university's William and Mary Hall. "We hear a good deal less about the duties and responsibilities of being an American."
The secretary shared that when attending the university more than 40 years ago, he was instilled with a sense of duty and calling to serve the community and the country. It is a calling rooted in the history and traditions of the 300-year-old institution, he said.
Citing his experience as president of Texas A&M University, followed by his tenure as defense secretary, Gates said that young Americans "are as decent, generous and compassionate as we've ever seen in this country."
Despite this impression, Gates said he found it puzzling that so many young people who are public-minded within their schools and communities are uninterested, and possibly distrustful, of the nation's political processes.
"This country will only progress as a democracy if its citizens - young and old alike - take an active role in its political life as well," Gates said. He told the graduates that if they are unhappy with leaders, then they should go out and elect different ones or run for office themselves.
"But you must participate, or else the decisions that affect your life and the future of our country will be made for you -- and without you," he said, filling the hall with applause.
Gates went on to describe how the world has changed since Sept. 11, 2001, and how serving the nation has taken on a whole new meaning and required a whole new level of risk and sacrifice.
"It is precisely during these trying times that America most needs its best and brightest young people, from all walks of life, to step forward and commit to public service," he said. "Because, while the obligations of citizenship in any democracy are considerable, they are even more profound and more demanding, as citizens of a nation with America's global challenges and responsibilities -- and America's values and aspirations."
Gates praised the hundreds of thousands of young Americans in uniform who have stepped forward to put their lives on the line for their country, such as the ones he has met when traveling to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Seeing what they do every day, and the spirit and good humor with which they do it is an inspiration," he said. "The dangers they face, and the dangers our country faces, make it all the more important that this kind of service be honored, supported and encouraged."
In a pre-commencement ceremony at the university's historic Wren building, Gates thanked Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets for choosing to serve their nation. He reaffirmed the oath of the six graduates from both William and Mary and Christopher Newport University.
"You could've chosen a different path -- something easier or safer or better compensated," he said. "But you chose to serve. You have my deepest admiration and respect -- as secretary of defense, but mostly as a fellow American."
Gates later acknowledged the cadets' commitment during the commencement ceremony, describing them are part of the voluntary military service reaching back to George Washington's Continental Army. He listed other William and Mary alumni who have also answered the nation's call to duty.
"If America is to exercise global leadership consistent with our better angels, then the most able and most idealistic of your generation must step forward and accept the burden and the duty of public service," he said. "I promise that you will also find joy and satisfaction and fulfillment."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 20, 2007 – In a commencement speech at his alma mater today, Defense Secretary Robert Gates challenged the graduates of the College of William and Mary to serve the greater good of the nation by voting, volunteering and participating in public service.
"When talking about American democracy, we hear a great deal about freedoms and rights, and more recently, about the entitlements of citizenship," Gates said to the more than 1,700 graduates gathered in the university's William and Mary Hall. "We hear a good deal less about the duties and responsibilities of being an American."
The secretary shared that when attending the university more than 40 years ago, he was instilled with a sense of duty and calling to serve the community and the country. It is a calling rooted in the history and traditions of the 300-year-old institution, he said.
Citing his experience as president of Texas A&M University, followed by his tenure as defense secretary, Gates said that young Americans "are as decent, generous and compassionate as we've ever seen in this country."
Despite this impression, Gates said he found it puzzling that so many young people who are public-minded within their schools and communities are uninterested, and possibly distrustful, of the nation's political processes.
"This country will only progress as a democracy if its citizens - young and old alike - take an active role in its political life as well," Gates said. He told the graduates that if they are unhappy with leaders, then they should go out and elect different ones or run for office themselves.
"But you must participate, or else the decisions that affect your life and the future of our country will be made for you -- and without you," he said, filling the hall with applause.
Gates went on to describe how the world has changed since Sept. 11, 2001, and how serving the nation has taken on a whole new meaning and required a whole new level of risk and sacrifice.
"It is precisely during these trying times that America most needs its best and brightest young people, from all walks of life, to step forward and commit to public service," he said. "Because, while the obligations of citizenship in any democracy are considerable, they are even more profound and more demanding, as citizens of a nation with America's global challenges and responsibilities -- and America's values and aspirations."
Gates praised the hundreds of thousands of young Americans in uniform who have stepped forward to put their lives on the line for their country, such as the ones he has met when traveling to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Seeing what they do every day, and the spirit and good humor with which they do it is an inspiration," he said. "The dangers they face, and the dangers our country faces, make it all the more important that this kind of service be honored, supported and encouraged."
In a pre-commencement ceremony at the university's historic Wren building, Gates thanked Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets for choosing to serve their nation. He reaffirmed the oath of the six graduates from both William and Mary and Christopher Newport University.
"You could've chosen a different path -- something easier or safer or better compensated," he said. "But you chose to serve. You have my deepest admiration and respect -- as secretary of defense, but mostly as a fellow American."
Gates later acknowledged the cadets' commitment during the commencement ceremony, describing them are part of the voluntary military service reaching back to George Washington's Continental Army. He listed other William and Mary alumni who have also answered the nation's call to duty.
"If America is to exercise global leadership consistent with our better angels, then the most able and most idealistic of your generation must step forward and accept the burden and the duty of public service," he said. "I promise that you will also find joy and satisfaction and fulfillment."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Pace Salutes Gold Star Families in Chicago
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
May 20, 2007 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff offered condolences here yesterday to families of fallen servicemembers, personally recognizing their sacrifice to the nation. Marine Gen. Peter Pace made no formal remarks during his visit with about 45 Gold Star family members at Gibson's restaurant. Instead, he and his wife Lynne slowly moved from table to table to personally greet each family member.
Kirk Morris, of Gurnee, Ill., a member of the Gold Star families, organized the event. His son, Marine Pfc. Geoffrey S. Morris, 19, was killed when his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in Ramadi, Iraq, on April 4, 2004.
Morris said there are now 156 Gold Star families in Illinois who all share the loss of a loved one in combat.
After meeting Pace during Memorial Day services last year at Chicago's Eternal Flame, Morris said he was happy to give the Illinois families a chance to meet the nation's highest-ranking military officer. He said he had found the general to be "an exceptionally sensitive and sincere leader, with a whole lot of understanding of what's going on."
"To the general," Morris said, "these men and women that fall are not just names. They're real people. Sometimes you don't get that feeling from a lot of our leaders. With the chairman, you know that he feels each and every one. Every drop of blood shed, the general feels is his."
Jim Frazier, of St. Charles, Ill., who lost his son in combat, said he draws comfort from the Gold Star organization. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier, 24, a Special Forces-trained member of the Illinois National Guard, was killed in a firefight in Afghanistan on March 29, 2003, when his unit was ambushed.
"It's a club that nobody wants to be a member of," Frazier said of the Gold Star families. "People in the general population lose loved ones all the time. Losing a child in war is very difficult. We know when we meet and hug each other, we understand each other."
"Memorial Day is a day for honoring our fallen," Frazier noted. "Unfortunately, for all of our families here, Memorial Day is every day."
Frazier gratefully acknowledged the chairman's visit. "He could have done something else today," he said. "He chose to be here with us."
Wade Kaiser, of Bloomington, Ill, said Pace's visit helped ease some of his family's pain and grief over the loss of their son. Marine Lance Cpl. Adam Kaiser, 19, was killed Dec. 1, 2005, in Fallujah, Iraq.
"For the general to take time out of his busy schedule to meet with us is an honor and a tribute to our son," Kaiser said. "It gives my family a great feeling - a sense of pride. I can't think of many things that would be more of an honor, more of a help to us."
Don and Kate Jansky, of Fox Lake, Ill., lost their son, Army Capt. Benjamin Jansky, 28, southwest of Baghdad on July 27, 2005. The couple said they are new to the Gold Star group, and they're looking forward to getting more involved.
"As we talk to the families," Kate said, "we find that their hearts are open. They give you a sense of belonging. They can relate. I'm sure we'll be able to share our happiness and our sadness as time goes by."
"It's something I think we need, too, because the healing hasn't started," Don said. "The wound is still there."
"I'm very proud that my son served," Don added. "He wanted to serve. He felt God was leading him that way and that's where he was supposed to be. But it's sad because he was a very young man and he left two daughters and a wife."
The Janskys also first met Pace during last year's Memorial Day ceremonies. "I was very surprised at how moved he was," Don noted. "That's a hard thing to have emotions and be able to be tough, too."
Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Maher II, of Gurnee, Ill., lost his brother, Marine Lance Cpl. Sean P. Maher, 19, of Grayslake, Ill., on Feb. 2, 2005, as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar province, Iraq.
"He willingly did what he wanted to do. I supported him for it," said Daniel, who is now stationed near his family.
Maher's mother Janet said she finds it very comforting to associate with other Gold Star family members. "They're the only people who get it," she said. "They're the only ones who understand. You can say anything in front of a Gold Star and it makes sense."
Maher affectionately remembered Lynne Pace from last year's Memorial Day service, when the chairman's wife consoled her.
"I couldn't see straight," she recalled. "She was very gracious. She turned my body away from the crowd and just held me. I didn't know who she was. She came out of nowhere. I was very grateful for her thoughtfulness. And I think she was crying harder than I was."
Turning to her toddler grandson, Braydon, who was born nine months to the day after Sean died, Maher smiled and said, "That's our circle of life, and what a joy he is."
Nancy Ebbers, of Bolingbrook, Ill., has lost two sons, both soldiers; Pvt. James Ebbers, 19, died Oct. 14, 2002, in Djibouti, Africa; and Army Spec. Matt Ebbers died in a car accident about three years after returning from Afghanistan in 2002.
Ebbers said the Gold Star families have been very helpful to her. "We get together a couple times a year at least," she said. "I really love meeting with the Gold Star families and hearing their stories. It puts mine in perspective."
Marine Maj. Lance Jackola, recruiting commander for the Chicago area, and Gunnery Sgt. Tim Kirk, a recruiting instructor for prior enlisted Marines, also attended the luncheon meeting.
"It's great that the chairman shows his support to the families, especially in a small, intimate setting where he can actually spend some time and talk, vice a large gathering where he really doesn't have time to sit down and talk to people," Jackola said.
"There are so many different events that he could be a part of, but he chose to come out here," Kirk said. "It's obvious it's very important to him to be here."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 20, 2007 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff offered condolences here yesterday to families of fallen servicemembers, personally recognizing their sacrifice to the nation. Marine Gen. Peter Pace made no formal remarks during his visit with about 45 Gold Star family members at Gibson's restaurant. Instead, he and his wife Lynne slowly moved from table to table to personally greet each family member.
Kirk Morris, of Gurnee, Ill., a member of the Gold Star families, organized the event. His son, Marine Pfc. Geoffrey S. Morris, 19, was killed when his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in Ramadi, Iraq, on April 4, 2004.
Morris said there are now 156 Gold Star families in Illinois who all share the loss of a loved one in combat.
After meeting Pace during Memorial Day services last year at Chicago's Eternal Flame, Morris said he was happy to give the Illinois families a chance to meet the nation's highest-ranking military officer. He said he had found the general to be "an exceptionally sensitive and sincere leader, with a whole lot of understanding of what's going on."
"To the general," Morris said, "these men and women that fall are not just names. They're real people. Sometimes you don't get that feeling from a lot of our leaders. With the chairman, you know that he feels each and every one. Every drop of blood shed, the general feels is his."
Jim Frazier, of St. Charles, Ill., who lost his son in combat, said he draws comfort from the Gold Star organization. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier, 24, a Special Forces-trained member of the Illinois National Guard, was killed in a firefight in Afghanistan on March 29, 2003, when his unit was ambushed.
"It's a club that nobody wants to be a member of," Frazier said of the Gold Star families. "People in the general population lose loved ones all the time. Losing a child in war is very difficult. We know when we meet and hug each other, we understand each other."
"Memorial Day is a day for honoring our fallen," Frazier noted. "Unfortunately, for all of our families here, Memorial Day is every day."
Frazier gratefully acknowledged the chairman's visit. "He could have done something else today," he said. "He chose to be here with us."
Wade Kaiser, of Bloomington, Ill, said Pace's visit helped ease some of his family's pain and grief over the loss of their son. Marine Lance Cpl. Adam Kaiser, 19, was killed Dec. 1, 2005, in Fallujah, Iraq.
"For the general to take time out of his busy schedule to meet with us is an honor and a tribute to our son," Kaiser said. "It gives my family a great feeling - a sense of pride. I can't think of many things that would be more of an honor, more of a help to us."
Don and Kate Jansky, of Fox Lake, Ill., lost their son, Army Capt. Benjamin Jansky, 28, southwest of Baghdad on July 27, 2005. The couple said they are new to the Gold Star group, and they're looking forward to getting more involved.
"As we talk to the families," Kate said, "we find that their hearts are open. They give you a sense of belonging. They can relate. I'm sure we'll be able to share our happiness and our sadness as time goes by."
"It's something I think we need, too, because the healing hasn't started," Don said. "The wound is still there."
"I'm very proud that my son served," Don added. "He wanted to serve. He felt God was leading him that way and that's where he was supposed to be. But it's sad because he was a very young man and he left two daughters and a wife."
The Janskys also first met Pace during last year's Memorial Day ceremonies. "I was very surprised at how moved he was," Don noted. "That's a hard thing to have emotions and be able to be tough, too."
Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Maher II, of Gurnee, Ill., lost his brother, Marine Lance Cpl. Sean P. Maher, 19, of Grayslake, Ill., on Feb. 2, 2005, as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar province, Iraq.
"He willingly did what he wanted to do. I supported him for it," said Daniel, who is now stationed near his family.
Maher's mother Janet said she finds it very comforting to associate with other Gold Star family members. "They're the only people who get it," she said. "They're the only ones who understand. You can say anything in front of a Gold Star and it makes sense."
Maher affectionately remembered Lynne Pace from last year's Memorial Day service, when the chairman's wife consoled her.
"I couldn't see straight," she recalled. "She was very gracious. She turned my body away from the crowd and just held me. I didn't know who she was. She came out of nowhere. I was very grateful for her thoughtfulness. And I think she was crying harder than I was."
Turning to her toddler grandson, Braydon, who was born nine months to the day after Sean died, Maher smiled and said, "That's our circle of life, and what a joy he is."
Nancy Ebbers, of Bolingbrook, Ill., has lost two sons, both soldiers; Pvt. James Ebbers, 19, died Oct. 14, 2002, in Djibouti, Africa; and Army Spec. Matt Ebbers died in a car accident about three years after returning from Afghanistan in 2002.
Ebbers said the Gold Star families have been very helpful to her. "We get together a couple times a year at least," she said. "I really love meeting with the Gold Star families and hearing their stories. It puts mine in perspective."
Marine Maj. Lance Jackola, recruiting commander for the Chicago area, and Gunnery Sgt. Tim Kirk, a recruiting instructor for prior enlisted Marines, also attended the luncheon meeting.
"It's great that the chairman shows his support to the families, especially in a small, intimate setting where he can actually spend some time and talk, vice a large gathering where he really doesn't have time to sit down and talk to people," Jackola said.
"There are so many different events that he could be a part of, but he chose to come out here," Kirk said. "It's obvious it's very important to him to be here."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Two Cops and a Civilian
Note: Two of the authors are former military.
Police-Writers.com is a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books. The website added two police officers (Martin Turner and Tom Dempsey) and one civilian police employee (Sunny Frazier).
In 1972, Sunny Frazier joined the United States Navy with the idea of becoming a journalist. The Navy had other ideas, assigning her as dental technician. In 1976, At the end of her enlistment, Sunny Frazier was honorably discharged as a Dental Technician, Third Class. After her military service, she went to university and worked as a photo journalist for a newspaper. Ultimately, Sunny Frazier would join the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department (California), where she worked as a civilian employee. Sunny Frazier worked in the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department records department with warrants for six years. She then worked as a secretary in the Narcotics Section for 11 years.
Sunny Frazier is a contributing author to Valley Fever: Where Murder Is Contagious: A Collection of Short Stories Set in the San Joaquin Valley. Sunny Frazier is also the author Fools Rush In. According to the description of Fools Rush In, “On a blazing July day in Central County, California, snitch Johnny Blue is murdered by a lethal heroin injection. Undercover narcotic detective James Wolfe, the operative who handled Blue, goes to the Sheriff's Department substation seeking ex-girlfriend Christy Bristol. In the past he ridiculed her hobby of casting horoscopes. Now he needs her expertise to catch the man he suspects is behind Blue's murder, a drug dealer named Lloyd Parr.”
Martin Turner began his career with the Burbank Police Department (California). In 1988, he began working as a Deputy Sheriff in the Washakie County Sheriff’s Department (Wyoming). Martin Turner is the author of A Common Sense Approach to Raising Your Children; from a Cop's Perspective.
According to the description of Martin Turner’s book, “with over twenty-six years in law enforcement, Marty Turner overcame many obstacles while growing up. Marty applied his life lessons to helping others throughout his career and now he wants to share them with you. Learn through the eyes of those who see it firsthand, day after day. Some of those experiences are humorous, some are tragic.”
Tom Dempsey has been the Director of the Police Training Institute (PTI) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign since June 2002. In that capacity he directs the activities of the only law enforcement training activity in the United States that is a unit of a major research institution. Prior to accepting his current position, Director Dempsey was a faculty member and program director at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia.
Tom Dempsey was a Torrance Police Department police officer for eighteen years. He served in a variety of assignments including as a police officer, supervisor and manager in patrol, investigations, vice and narcotics and administration. He is also a former United States Marine Corps officer. Tom Dempsey holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Arizona State University and Master’s degrees in public administration and in criminal justice administration from California State University.
Tom Dempsey is the co-author of Law Enforcement for the Twenty-First Century. According to the book description, Law Enforcement for the Twenty-First Century, “continues to be a valuable tool for both instructors and students of law enforcement because it identifies and thoroughly examines the entry-level training topics that form the foundation of the successful law enforcement officer’s career.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 544 police officers (representing 224 police departments) and their 1154 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.
Reserve-Component Funding at Historic Highs
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
May 18, 2007 – Funding for reserve forces will hit a historic high if Congress approves the component's full fiscal 2008 $18.1 billion request, a Defense Department official testified this week. The 2008 reserve-component baseline budget increase is 6 percent greater than the overall growth of the department's budget since fiscal 2001, Jack Dave Patterson, principal deputy undersecretary of defense, comptroller, told the independent Commission on the National Guard and Reserves at a public hearing here May 16. Funding requests for the reserve component are 73 percent greater than fiscal 2001 totals, as opposed to 67 percent for overall Defense Department funding.
The fiscal 2008 global war on terror request includes $6.5 billion in funding for reserve equipment, training, and recruiting and retention. The biggest chunk -- $4.9 billion -- is earmarked for equipment, Patterson said in his written statement to the commission.
"So, we are working very hard to ensure that all of America's soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are fully trained and equipped to successfully carry out their missions," Patterson said.
He told commission members that Guard and reserve funding and equipping needs follow the same process as the needs of other department organizations. "I would emphasize that those needs are presented, debated, validated and prioritized in the very same way as the needs of other organizations," Patterson said.
He said all reserve components are integrated into the planning, programming and budgeting process of their respective services.
"The services rigorously prioritize their funding requirements from the highest to the lowest priority, with the two highest priorities being those forces who are either deploying or about to deploy," Patterson said.
After service reviews, the budgets are reviewed, analyzed and balanced across the Defense Department. By the time the budget reaches Congress, it "represents the department's best judgment of what is needed to accomplish the mission."
Patterson's testimony came the same day as Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' call for department policy changes revising how funding and resourcing for the reserves, including civil support requirements, are determined.
Initially, the commission was to report on the proposed "National Guard Empowerment Act," which aimed to increase the authority of National Guard leaders. Instead, the commission broadened its report -- Strengthening America's Defenses in the New Security Environment -- to include U.S. Northern Command, the departments of Homeland Security and Defense, and state governors.
It is now hearing testimony on the impacts of resourcing policy, programming, and budgeting on the readiness of reserve components, and the impacts of frequent and lengthy deployments on employers and families.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 18, 2007 – Funding for reserve forces will hit a historic high if Congress approves the component's full fiscal 2008 $18.1 billion request, a Defense Department official testified this week. The 2008 reserve-component baseline budget increase is 6 percent greater than the overall growth of the department's budget since fiscal 2001, Jack Dave Patterson, principal deputy undersecretary of defense, comptroller, told the independent Commission on the National Guard and Reserves at a public hearing here May 16. Funding requests for the reserve component are 73 percent greater than fiscal 2001 totals, as opposed to 67 percent for overall Defense Department funding.
The fiscal 2008 global war on terror request includes $6.5 billion in funding for reserve equipment, training, and recruiting and retention. The biggest chunk -- $4.9 billion -- is earmarked for equipment, Patterson said in his written statement to the commission.
"So, we are working very hard to ensure that all of America's soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are fully trained and equipped to successfully carry out their missions," Patterson said.
He told commission members that Guard and reserve funding and equipping needs follow the same process as the needs of other department organizations. "I would emphasize that those needs are presented, debated, validated and prioritized in the very same way as the needs of other organizations," Patterson said.
He said all reserve components are integrated into the planning, programming and budgeting process of their respective services.
"The services rigorously prioritize their funding requirements from the highest to the lowest priority, with the two highest priorities being those forces who are either deploying or about to deploy," Patterson said.
After service reviews, the budgets are reviewed, analyzed and balanced across the Defense Department. By the time the budget reaches Congress, it "represents the department's best judgment of what is needed to accomplish the mission."
Patterson's testimony came the same day as Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' call for department policy changes revising how funding and resourcing for the reserves, including civil support requirements, are determined.
Initially, the commission was to report on the proposed "National Guard Empowerment Act," which aimed to increase the authority of National Guard leaders. Instead, the commission broadened its report -- Strengthening America's Defenses in the New Security Environment -- to include U.S. Northern Command, the departments of Homeland Security and Defense, and state governors.
It is now hearing testimony on the impacts of resourcing policy, programming, and budgeting on the readiness of reserve components, and the impacts of frequent and lengthy deployments on employers and families.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Bookseller Announces Large Donation
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
May 18, 2007 – Bookselling giant Barnes and Noble opened a new chapter in its history today by announcing a donation of 300,000 items to America Supports You home-front groups. "It's such an honor for Barnes and Noble to provide books, games, and toys to members of the military community as a way to say thank you for all their services," Marie Toulantis, chief executive officer of BarnesandNoble.com, said at a news conference during the Joint Services Open House here. "We're very thankful to ... all those involved in the America Supports You program for helping us get our gift to military members."
The donation totaled $3.4 million and has benefited nine America Supports You home-front groups and military-affiliated nonprofit organizations.
America Supports You is a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
The journey that actually moved about 22 tractor-trailer loads of goods from Barnes and Noble to the various groups wouldn't have happened without the network America Supports You has established, said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communication and public liaison, the architect of the America Supports You program.
In fact, the company started out with an "angel" on its shoulder.
Former Marine Angel Carrion Jr. was working at Barnes and Noble's Memphis warehouse when the decision was made to close the facility. Typically, the merchandise would be donated to local charities, Toulantis said.
But Carrion had a twist on that idea.
Stops at the Indianapolis airport USO lounge had left him with fond memories, so he contacted Marie Spinoza, director of fund raising for the USO of Indiana.
"I was amazed at what he had," she said in an earlier phone interview. "It was a very generous donation."
Knowing her organization couldn't handle such a large donation, she contacted Frankie Mayo, the founder of Operation AC, another America Supports You group. The Delaware-based home-front member in turn reached out to the America Supports You team for help in sharing the bounty with other home-front groups.
"I'm so proud to be a member of the ASY organization," Mayo said. "I can't tell you enough how important it is to have a hub for all the organizations out there like mine that are spokes out there."
That "hub" reached out to one of its corporate supporters, Y3K Grafix, for help in shipping the donations. The company provides America Supports You graphics to turn donated space on the sides of tractor-trailers into moving billboards.
"When I received the initial call, I said, 'Absolutely. We can get it done,'" Tony Rosenbaum, vice president of Y3K Grafix, and a former Marine, said. "Then it kind of manifested into a monster."
That monster was tamed when Rosenbaum contacted one of his strategic partners, Penske Logistics. The trucking company not only agreed to initially move the donation out of the closing warehouse on short notice, but also collected it from its temporary storage at the Memphis Tennessee Air National Guard base.
The trucking company also has been instrumental in getting shipments of donations to Operation AC, Operation Shoebox in Florida, Adopt-a-Chaplain in California, the USO of Indiana and several other nonprofit organizations across the country.
The whole process was a perfect snapshot of what the America Supports You program is all about, Barber said.
"It's about helping companies and organizations find ways to connect to support our military members and their families," she said. "What's great is all of the people that came together to make this work."
The fluidity and speed with which the America Supports You program worked to make the Barnes and Noble donation a success did not go unnoticed by the world's largest bookseller.
"All of us at Barnes and Noble have been extremely impressed with the ability of ASY to actually move the merchandise so quickly and to get it out to the troops and other nonprofit groups," Toulantis said. "As a result of our very positive experience with America Supports You, we're proud to announce that we're joining the America Supports You team."
As one of its first acts as an official America Supports You corporate supporter, the company has established a special Web site. Five percent of every sale made through the www.BN.com/asy Web site will be donated to America Supports You home-front groups.
"Thank you to Barnes and Noble for the most generous donation we've had to date from a company," Barber said. "We're grateful to join with you and welcome you to the America Supports You team.
"Somebody once said, 'Fame is what you get in life. True greatness is what you give,'" she added. "I'm honored to be on a platform today honored by people who are truly great."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 18, 2007 – Bookselling giant Barnes and Noble opened a new chapter in its history today by announcing a donation of 300,000 items to America Supports You home-front groups. "It's such an honor for Barnes and Noble to provide books, games, and toys to members of the military community as a way to say thank you for all their services," Marie Toulantis, chief executive officer of BarnesandNoble.com, said at a news conference during the Joint Services Open House here. "We're very thankful to ... all those involved in the America Supports You program for helping us get our gift to military members."
The donation totaled $3.4 million and has benefited nine America Supports You home-front groups and military-affiliated nonprofit organizations.
America Supports You is a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
The journey that actually moved about 22 tractor-trailer loads of goods from Barnes and Noble to the various groups wouldn't have happened without the network America Supports You has established, said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communication and public liaison, the architect of the America Supports You program.
In fact, the company started out with an "angel" on its shoulder.
Former Marine Angel Carrion Jr. was working at Barnes and Noble's Memphis warehouse when the decision was made to close the facility. Typically, the merchandise would be donated to local charities, Toulantis said.
But Carrion had a twist on that idea.
Stops at the Indianapolis airport USO lounge had left him with fond memories, so he contacted Marie Spinoza, director of fund raising for the USO of Indiana.
"I was amazed at what he had," she said in an earlier phone interview. "It was a very generous donation."
Knowing her organization couldn't handle such a large donation, she contacted Frankie Mayo, the founder of Operation AC, another America Supports You group. The Delaware-based home-front member in turn reached out to the America Supports You team for help in sharing the bounty with other home-front groups.
"I'm so proud to be a member of the ASY organization," Mayo said. "I can't tell you enough how important it is to have a hub for all the organizations out there like mine that are spokes out there."
That "hub" reached out to one of its corporate supporters, Y3K Grafix, for help in shipping the donations. The company provides America Supports You graphics to turn donated space on the sides of tractor-trailers into moving billboards.
"When I received the initial call, I said, 'Absolutely. We can get it done,'" Tony Rosenbaum, vice president of Y3K Grafix, and a former Marine, said. "Then it kind of manifested into a monster."
That monster was tamed when Rosenbaum contacted one of his strategic partners, Penske Logistics. The trucking company not only agreed to initially move the donation out of the closing warehouse on short notice, but also collected it from its temporary storage at the Memphis Tennessee Air National Guard base.
The trucking company also has been instrumental in getting shipments of donations to Operation AC, Operation Shoebox in Florida, Adopt-a-Chaplain in California, the USO of Indiana and several other nonprofit organizations across the country.
The whole process was a perfect snapshot of what the America Supports You program is all about, Barber said.
"It's about helping companies and organizations find ways to connect to support our military members and their families," she said. "What's great is all of the people that came together to make this work."
The fluidity and speed with which the America Supports You program worked to make the Barnes and Noble donation a success did not go unnoticed by the world's largest bookseller.
"All of us at Barnes and Noble have been extremely impressed with the ability of ASY to actually move the merchandise so quickly and to get it out to the troops and other nonprofit groups," Toulantis said. "As a result of our very positive experience with America Supports You, we're proud to announce that we're joining the America Supports You team."
As one of its first acts as an official America Supports You corporate supporter, the company has established a special Web site. Five percent of every sale made through the www.BN.com/asy Web site will be donated to America Supports You home-front groups.
"Thank you to Barnes and Noble for the most generous donation we've had to date from a company," Barber said. "We're grateful to join with you and welcome you to the America Supports You team.
"Somebody once said, 'Fame is what you get in life. True greatness is what you give,'" she added. "I'm honored to be on a platform today honored by people who are truly great."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Pentagon Emphasizes Motorcycle Safety Across Force
By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service
May 18, 2007 – With motorcycle fatalities on the rise over the past two years in the Defense Department, senior military officials are making sure that servicemembers and civilians are keeping safety in mind while hitting the roads this summer. The Army is taking the lead in hosting the National Capital Region Motorcycle Safety Event at the Pentagon yesterday and today for both riders and military commanders, culminating in a group ride along the scenic George Washington Parkway.
"The Army had 48 motorcycle fatalities last year," said Jim Patton, who works in the Army's Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Office. "That was a huge wake-up call for us to get the word out on increased safety before the riding season picks up."
Other branches of the military are experiencing similar numbers in fatalities as a result of riders being inexperienced and receiving little training in safety and motorcycle handling, he said.
There were 261 traffic-accident fatalities in the Defense Department in 2006; 94 of those involved motorcycle riders.
The Pentagon's two-day event is designed to decrease motorcycle accidents by showcasing safety initiatives with booths, panels of speakers, skills demonstrations, and a "rodeo," in which participants can compete in applying skills needed in heavy traffic scenarios.
"This is an effort for us to lead by example," said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dan Curry, who serves as the assistant to the military training task force chairman. "This is a (Defense Department) effort that's being sent down through all services, that we're serious about safety and we do care."
Organizers hope to draw 300 to 500 people to the event, in which safety representatives from all services will mentor inexperienced motorcyclists and promote awareness to military leaders so they can inform riders within their units.
"This is a great opportunity to protect our forces," he said. "Our finest assets are our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and civilians; they're what makes this military what it is."
The focus of the event is for everyone to recognize there are dangers in motorcycle riding, but risks can be mitigated and lives can be saved, Curry said.
"Doing things safely is no accident," he said. "We're going to bring folks in who share a passion, but who also share something else, and that's safety."
Although the Army is hosting this event, Patton said he hopes other services will host similar events in the future.
"Our goal is to have a top-notch event as a model for others to follow," Patton said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 18, 2007 – With motorcycle fatalities on the rise over the past two years in the Defense Department, senior military officials are making sure that servicemembers and civilians are keeping safety in mind while hitting the roads this summer. The Army is taking the lead in hosting the National Capital Region Motorcycle Safety Event at the Pentagon yesterday and today for both riders and military commanders, culminating in a group ride along the scenic George Washington Parkway.
"The Army had 48 motorcycle fatalities last year," said Jim Patton, who works in the Army's Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Office. "That was a huge wake-up call for us to get the word out on increased safety before the riding season picks up."
Other branches of the military are experiencing similar numbers in fatalities as a result of riders being inexperienced and receiving little training in safety and motorcycle handling, he said.
There were 261 traffic-accident fatalities in the Defense Department in 2006; 94 of those involved motorcycle riders.
The Pentagon's two-day event is designed to decrease motorcycle accidents by showcasing safety initiatives with booths, panels of speakers, skills demonstrations, and a "rodeo," in which participants can compete in applying skills needed in heavy traffic scenarios.
"This is an effort for us to lead by example," said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dan Curry, who serves as the assistant to the military training task force chairman. "This is a (Defense Department) effort that's being sent down through all services, that we're serious about safety and we do care."
Organizers hope to draw 300 to 500 people to the event, in which safety representatives from all services will mentor inexperienced motorcyclists and promote awareness to military leaders so they can inform riders within their units.
"This is a great opportunity to protect our forces," he said. "Our finest assets are our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and civilians; they're what makes this military what it is."
The focus of the event is for everyone to recognize there are dangers in motorcycle riding, but risks can be mitigated and lives can be saved, Curry said.
"Doing things safely is no accident," he said. "We're going to bring folks in who share a passion, but who also share something else, and that's safety."
Although the Army is hosting this event, Patton said he hopes other services will host similar events in the future.
"Our goal is to have a top-notch event as a model for others to follow," Patton said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Defense Department Calls for Service Reports on Reserve Needs
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
May 18, 2007 – A top defense logistics official has asked the services to report on their reserve-component needs by the end of the month. The request was in response to Defense Department concerns about the schedule and funding requirements for the National Guard and reserves, P. Jackson Bell, deputy undersecretary of defense for logistics and material readiness, told the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves on May 16.
Bell said he shared the commission's concerns that the operations tempo of the reserve components has increased at a far greater pace than resourcing. He added that the department is taking "proactive steps to mitigate those concerns."
The reports will include a schedule by year with requirements for individual types of items, actual equipment on hand, and "fill rate." They also will reflect planned changes.
"The new reporting requirements will provide much-needed visibility into the plan for meeting resource requirements and materiel readiness of the National Guard and reserve components, and it will enable increased oversight to ensure the materiel readiness improvements are realized," he said.
Bell said the department owes it to reserve troops and the nation to ensure they are properly equipped and funded.
Bell's testimony came the same day as Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' call for policy changes to how the Defense Department it determines funding and resourcing for the reserves, including civil support requirements.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 18, 2007 – A top defense logistics official has asked the services to report on their reserve-component needs by the end of the month. The request was in response to Defense Department concerns about the schedule and funding requirements for the National Guard and reserves, P. Jackson Bell, deputy undersecretary of defense for logistics and material readiness, told the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves on May 16.
Bell said he shared the commission's concerns that the operations tempo of the reserve components has increased at a far greater pace than resourcing. He added that the department is taking "proactive steps to mitigate those concerns."
The reports will include a schedule by year with requirements for individual types of items, actual equipment on hand, and "fill rate." They also will reflect planned changes.
"The new reporting requirements will provide much-needed visibility into the plan for meeting resource requirements and materiel readiness of the National Guard and reserve components, and it will enable increased oversight to ensure the materiel readiness improvements are realized," he said.
Bell said the department owes it to reserve troops and the nation to ensure they are properly equipped and funded.
Bell's testimony came the same day as Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' call for policy changes to how the Defense Department it determines funding and resourcing for the reserves, including civil support requirements.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Joint Service Open House Showcases Military Technology, Talent
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
May 18, 2007 – The best that the military has to offer -- from the latest aircraft, weaponry and other equipment to the men and women in uniform who operate them -- was on full display here today as the annual Joint Service Open House kicked off. The three-day event opened today with the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard showcasing their capabilities through aerial demonstrations and static displays that dotted the tarmac.
Today's attendees were all servicemembers, their families and other Defense Department security badge holders, but the event will be open to the general public through the weekend. It wraps up May 20.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert Smolen, commander of Air Force District Washington, urged those at today's opening ceremony to take advantage of the opportunity to see "some of the hardware you hear about but don't always get to see."
Among aircraft systems featured were the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the MV-22 Osprey, the AV-8B Harrier II, F-15C Eagle, F-22 Raptor, F-117 Nighthawk and F/A-18F Hornet. The Air Force Thunderbirds and Army Golden Knights were also slated to wow the crowd with their capabilities.
As the crowd set up lawn chairs to watch the aircraft scream overhead, others climbed aboard other aircraft and vehicles on the ground swarmed around static displays featuring equipment ranging from air defense systems to small-arms displays.
"You will see a lot of flying and a lot of hardware," Smolen said during the ceremony. "But an important part of what you will see today are the people beside the hardware."
Smolen called these soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen "the real jewels of our empire" who play important roles in the nation's defense. "It is very much a joint effort," he said. "Nothing we do worldwide can we do alone."
He praised these servicemembers who stand ready around the clock to defend the United States and its interests around the world, and encouraged those at the open house to thank them personally. "Take time to shake their hand," he said.
Troops manning the displays called the open house a great opportunity to teach people about what they do.
Army Sgt. Robert Clark, an artilleryman from Fort Hood, Texas, said he was pleasantly surprised by the interest his Multiple Launch Rocket System generated at the show.
"People always see it on TV or in video games, but it really excites them when they get to see it in person, touch it, climb inside and put the helmet on," he said. "It helps give them a better feel for what we do, what we work with."
Marine Staff Sgt. Kalvin Smith from Quantico got the same reaction as visitors stopped by his small-arms display. "This is really a big thing for kids," he said. "It lets them see what we do and the kind of equipment we have. They love it."
"It's a chance for us to show off what we do," agreed Army Sgt. Leandre Wilson, who was running an exhibit showing some of the robots used for explosive ordnance disposal. "People have a lot of interest."
Plus, added Air Force Capt. William Cooper, meeting troops in person gives the American public better insight into how hard-working and dedicated they are.
"It gives them a chance to see the positive side of the military, something a lot of them just don't get from the media," said Cooper, a chaplain with the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base, Del.
Some at today's event called it a walk down memory lane. Retired Air Force Col. James Warner said he was excited about seeing the B-17 Flying Fortress, an aircraft he flew during World War II, as well as the state-of-the-art F-22A, the Air Force's new, fifth-generation fighter.
As he walked through the displays, Marine Lance Cpl. Corwin Sample couldn't help but think back to the impression the Andrews air show made on him during his boyhood days. Sample, who is assigned to the 4th Supply Battalion at Washington's Anacostia Naval Station, grew up right down the road from the base.
"I remember sitting in the F-16s and watching the pilots and thinking that I wanted to be just like them when I grew up," he said. "Now here I am, back again. It brings back a lot of memories."
Air Force Capt. Scott Kramer, assigned to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at Fort Belvoir, Va., and his wife, Chris, both remember local air shows as highlights while they were growing up.
Today, the Kramers crammed against a makeshift fence line along the tarmac so their two children could get as close as possible to aircraft flying overhead. Three-year-old Thomas sat in a stroller wearing his own tiny Air Force flight suit and cheering as the planes flew by.
"You could say we're carrying on our childhood traditions," Kramer said. "We're creating memories like the ones we have."
As she toted her two daughters around a hangar looking at displays, Contessa Rey hoped they'd take home memories and a better understanding of the work their father, Air Force Staff. Sgt. Ronaldo Rey, does every day. Four-year-old Angel had been so excited about coming that she woke up at 4 a.m., ready to go, her mother explained.
"This is a really big deal for them, and a family day for us," she said.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Gervaise Williams, assigned to Naval Criminal Investigation Service, brought his three sons to the show so they could climb aboard the aircraft, touch the equipment and even meet the aircrews. "This is great because it gives our families and the general public an appreciation for what we do and how we do it," he said.
Staff Sgt. David Butcher, who was manning a booth commemorating the Air Force's 60th anniversary, said he planned to return to the open house tomorrow with his 4-year-old son. "I'm in the Air Force, so I want him to see the planes and jets and get a chance to climb around things," he said.
Air Force Senior Airman Kandice Salinas made the open house a family event. As she pushed 1-year-old Lilliana around in a stroller, Salinas accompanied her father, brother and grandfather around the exhibits. Among the displays that lingered over was the fully restored Vietnam-era Jeep that her grandfather, former Army Pfc. Frank Snell, had brought to the open house.
Salinas said he welcomed the chance to help educate visitors to the open house. "The military isn't all about guns and war," she said. "There's a lot of history that we're all a part of."
Today's events included a ceremony unveiling new postage stamps commemorating Air Force One and Marine One. The stamps, valued at $4.60 and $16.25, respectively, will go on sale June 13.
Another ceremony marked the contributions of Barnes and Noble in donating $3.4 million in books, toys and games to home-front nonprofit groups and military support organizations around the world. The initiative is part of the Defense Department's America Supports You program that showcases ways American individuals, churches, schools, companies and other groups are showing support for the troops.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
May 18, 2007 – The best that the military has to offer -- from the latest aircraft, weaponry and other equipment to the men and women in uniform who operate them -- was on full display here today as the annual Joint Service Open House kicked off. The three-day event opened today with the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard showcasing their capabilities through aerial demonstrations and static displays that dotted the tarmac.
Today's attendees were all servicemembers, their families and other Defense Department security badge holders, but the event will be open to the general public through the weekend. It wraps up May 20.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert Smolen, commander of Air Force District Washington, urged those at today's opening ceremony to take advantage of the opportunity to see "some of the hardware you hear about but don't always get to see."
Among aircraft systems featured were the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the MV-22 Osprey, the AV-8B Harrier II, F-15C Eagle, F-22 Raptor, F-117 Nighthawk and F/A-18F Hornet. The Air Force Thunderbirds and Army Golden Knights were also slated to wow the crowd with their capabilities.
As the crowd set up lawn chairs to watch the aircraft scream overhead, others climbed aboard other aircraft and vehicles on the ground swarmed around static displays featuring equipment ranging from air defense systems to small-arms displays.
"You will see a lot of flying and a lot of hardware," Smolen said during the ceremony. "But an important part of what you will see today are the people beside the hardware."
Smolen called these soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen "the real jewels of our empire" who play important roles in the nation's defense. "It is very much a joint effort," he said. "Nothing we do worldwide can we do alone."
He praised these servicemembers who stand ready around the clock to defend the United States and its interests around the world, and encouraged those at the open house to thank them personally. "Take time to shake their hand," he said.
Troops manning the displays called the open house a great opportunity to teach people about what they do.
Army Sgt. Robert Clark, an artilleryman from Fort Hood, Texas, said he was pleasantly surprised by the interest his Multiple Launch Rocket System generated at the show.
"People always see it on TV or in video games, but it really excites them when they get to see it in person, touch it, climb inside and put the helmet on," he said. "It helps give them a better feel for what we do, what we work with."
Marine Staff Sgt. Kalvin Smith from Quantico got the same reaction as visitors stopped by his small-arms display. "This is really a big thing for kids," he said. "It lets them see what we do and the kind of equipment we have. They love it."
"It's a chance for us to show off what we do," agreed Army Sgt. Leandre Wilson, who was running an exhibit showing some of the robots used for explosive ordnance disposal. "People have a lot of interest."
Plus, added Air Force Capt. William Cooper, meeting troops in person gives the American public better insight into how hard-working and dedicated they are.
"It gives them a chance to see the positive side of the military, something a lot of them just don't get from the media," said Cooper, a chaplain with the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base, Del.
Some at today's event called it a walk down memory lane. Retired Air Force Col. James Warner said he was excited about seeing the B-17 Flying Fortress, an aircraft he flew during World War II, as well as the state-of-the-art F-22A, the Air Force's new, fifth-generation fighter.
As he walked through the displays, Marine Lance Cpl. Corwin Sample couldn't help but think back to the impression the Andrews air show made on him during his boyhood days. Sample, who is assigned to the 4th Supply Battalion at Washington's Anacostia Naval Station, grew up right down the road from the base.
"I remember sitting in the F-16s and watching the pilots and thinking that I wanted to be just like them when I grew up," he said. "Now here I am, back again. It brings back a lot of memories."
Air Force Capt. Scott Kramer, assigned to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at Fort Belvoir, Va., and his wife, Chris, both remember local air shows as highlights while they were growing up.
Today, the Kramers crammed against a makeshift fence line along the tarmac so their two children could get as close as possible to aircraft flying overhead. Three-year-old Thomas sat in a stroller wearing his own tiny Air Force flight suit and cheering as the planes flew by.
"You could say we're carrying on our childhood traditions," Kramer said. "We're creating memories like the ones we have."
As she toted her two daughters around a hangar looking at displays, Contessa Rey hoped they'd take home memories and a better understanding of the work their father, Air Force Staff. Sgt. Ronaldo Rey, does every day. Four-year-old Angel had been so excited about coming that she woke up at 4 a.m., ready to go, her mother explained.
"This is a really big deal for them, and a family day for us," she said.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Gervaise Williams, assigned to Naval Criminal Investigation Service, brought his three sons to the show so they could climb aboard the aircraft, touch the equipment and even meet the aircrews. "This is great because it gives our families and the general public an appreciation for what we do and how we do it," he said.
Staff Sgt. David Butcher, who was manning a booth commemorating the Air Force's 60th anniversary, said he planned to return to the open house tomorrow with his 4-year-old son. "I'm in the Air Force, so I want him to see the planes and jets and get a chance to climb around things," he said.
Air Force Senior Airman Kandice Salinas made the open house a family event. As she pushed 1-year-old Lilliana around in a stroller, Salinas accompanied her father, brother and grandfather around the exhibits. Among the displays that lingered over was the fully restored Vietnam-era Jeep that her grandfather, former Army Pfc. Frank Snell, had brought to the open house.
Salinas said he welcomed the chance to help educate visitors to the open house. "The military isn't all about guns and war," she said. "There's a lot of history that we're all a part of."
Today's events included a ceremony unveiling new postage stamps commemorating Air Force One and Marine One. The stamps, valued at $4.60 and $16.25, respectively, will go on sale June 13.
Another ceremony marked the contributions of Barnes and Noble in donating $3.4 million in books, toys and games to home-front nonprofit groups and military support organizations around the world. The initiative is part of the Defense Department's America Supports You program that showcases ways American individuals, churches, schools, companies and other groups are showing support for the troops.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Resources, Not Content, Drive Web-Use Decisions
By Tim Kilbride
Special to American Forces Press Service
May 18, 2007 – A directive blocking access to 13 popular Web sites from the Defense Department network was designed to guarantee bandwidth availability for mission-critical functions, a defense official said yesterday. Operational security concerns "played absolutely no part in the decision" by U.S. Strategic Command to limit access to several recreational sites, including MySpace and YouTube, Navy Rear Adm. Elizabeth Hight, vice director of the Defense Information Systems Agency, told "bloggers" and online journalists.
STRATCOM does not conduct user monitoring, she said, because "we are protectors and defenders and operators of the network, and we do not get into the content of the information flowing over the network."
Rather, what drove the decision to restrict access to certain sites was a desire to be proactive in mitigating the problem of new technology's ever-increasing demand for bandwidth, Hight said. She pointed to streaming video as a particular drain on bandwidth resources.
Blocked sites include: YouTube; 1.fm; Pandora; MySpace; PhotoBucket; Live365; hi5; Metacafe; MTV; ifilm.com; Blackplanet; stupidvideos; and filecabi.
Hight said officials looked at the highest-volume Web sites that were using a large amount of bandwidth in deciding which sites to block. That process extends the possibility that other sites may be blocked in the future, she said.
Addressing bloggers' concerns that the directive was being used to stifle the open flow of information from deployed troops, Hight pointed out that restrictions on certain Web sites have been in place in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in Southwest Asia for more than two years -- four years in some cases -- because of tangible limitations to the technology infrastructure.
Using Iraq as an example, she explained, "anytime that you have a resource in a resource-constrained environment -- in this case high-speed connectivity in an area like the Anbar province that does not have an infrastructure to support that -- you're relying primarily on commercial satellite services. And, those transmission pipes, so to speak, are in fact limited."
Most deployed forces still have the opportunity to access the blocked sites using commercial Internet cafes and providers. Such Internet facilities are common features on U.S. military installations overseas to provide troops morale, welfare and recreation opportunities.
The tradeoff, Hight said, is a guarantee of official communications availability in support of missions and enhanced security to the overall Defense Department network.
"We are becoming more and more concerned about the potential for network security incidents," she said. "And so if we can find the right balance between bandwidth and security in order to support our ongoing operations while providing alternative sites for recreational use, ... that's precisely what we're trying to do."
If operational requirements demand unfettered Web access, Hight said, waivers can be granted to specific offices. Exceptions have already been made for public affairs and recruiting offices, she said.
But at the same time, Hight noted, her agency is advocating common-sense usage across the military's intranet. "One of the things we're encouraging everyone to do is follow best practices to make sure that we only use the amount of bandwidth absolutely necessary to provide that information necessary for decision makers and others."
Vernon Bettencourt, deputy chief information officer for the Army, pointed out that Army Knowledge Online, the Army's interactive resource portal for soldiers, features file-sharing capabilities that cut down on the need for sending oversize slide shows across the Internet. That functionality should spread across the military when the portal transitions into Defense Knowledge Online.
The Army site also offers instant messaging, chat rooms, and discussion groups, Bettencourt added, and will soon feature blogging capability.
Hight stressed that these sites are not being blocked to prevent servicemembers from talking about their experiences in war zones. Individual soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are encouraged to share their views from the ground, she said.
"We applaud what they're trying to do relative to getting their view out and letting people understand what they see and what they are doing," she said. "So again, they're not restricted. They simply cannot do it from their desk at work."
(Tim Kilbride is assigned to the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
Special to American Forces Press Service
May 18, 2007 – A directive blocking access to 13 popular Web sites from the Defense Department network was designed to guarantee bandwidth availability for mission-critical functions, a defense official said yesterday. Operational security concerns "played absolutely no part in the decision" by U.S. Strategic Command to limit access to several recreational sites, including MySpace and YouTube, Navy Rear Adm. Elizabeth Hight, vice director of the Defense Information Systems Agency, told "bloggers" and online journalists.
STRATCOM does not conduct user monitoring, she said, because "we are protectors and defenders and operators of the network, and we do not get into the content of the information flowing over the network."
Rather, what drove the decision to restrict access to certain sites was a desire to be proactive in mitigating the problem of new technology's ever-increasing demand for bandwidth, Hight said. She pointed to streaming video as a particular drain on bandwidth resources.
Blocked sites include: YouTube; 1.fm; Pandora; MySpace; PhotoBucket; Live365; hi5; Metacafe; MTV; ifilm.com; Blackplanet; stupidvideos; and filecabi.
Hight said officials looked at the highest-volume Web sites that were using a large amount of bandwidth in deciding which sites to block. That process extends the possibility that other sites may be blocked in the future, she said.
Addressing bloggers' concerns that the directive was being used to stifle the open flow of information from deployed troops, Hight pointed out that restrictions on certain Web sites have been in place in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in Southwest Asia for more than two years -- four years in some cases -- because of tangible limitations to the technology infrastructure.
Using Iraq as an example, she explained, "anytime that you have a resource in a resource-constrained environment -- in this case high-speed connectivity in an area like the Anbar province that does not have an infrastructure to support that -- you're relying primarily on commercial satellite services. And, those transmission pipes, so to speak, are in fact limited."
Most deployed forces still have the opportunity to access the blocked sites using commercial Internet cafes and providers. Such Internet facilities are common features on U.S. military installations overseas to provide troops morale, welfare and recreation opportunities.
The tradeoff, Hight said, is a guarantee of official communications availability in support of missions and enhanced security to the overall Defense Department network.
"We are becoming more and more concerned about the potential for network security incidents," she said. "And so if we can find the right balance between bandwidth and security in order to support our ongoing operations while providing alternative sites for recreational use, ... that's precisely what we're trying to do."
If operational requirements demand unfettered Web access, Hight said, waivers can be granted to specific offices. Exceptions have already been made for public affairs and recruiting offices, she said.
But at the same time, Hight noted, her agency is advocating common-sense usage across the military's intranet. "One of the things we're encouraging everyone to do is follow best practices to make sure that we only use the amount of bandwidth absolutely necessary to provide that information necessary for decision makers and others."
Vernon Bettencourt, deputy chief information officer for the Army, pointed out that Army Knowledge Online, the Army's interactive resource portal for soldiers, features file-sharing capabilities that cut down on the need for sending oversize slide shows across the Internet. That functionality should spread across the military when the portal transitions into Defense Knowledge Online.
The Army site also offers instant messaging, chat rooms, and discussion groups, Bettencourt added, and will soon feature blogging capability.
Hight stressed that these sites are not being blocked to prevent servicemembers from talking about their experiences in war zones. Individual soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are encouraged to share their views from the ground, she said.
"We applaud what they're trying to do relative to getting their view out and letting people understand what they see and what they are doing," she said. "So again, they're not restricted. They simply cannot do it from their desk at work."
(Tim Kilbride is assigned to the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, law enforcement personnel who have written books.
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