By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service
April 17, 2007 – Jordan's King Abdallah today pledged his country's continued support to Iraq's fledgling democracy, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. In what he called a "really excellent visit," Gates today had wide-ranging discussions with King Abdallah and with Gen. Khaled Jamil al-Sarayrah, the country's defense chairman.
"His Majesty affirmed Jordan's support for (Iraqi) Prime Minister (Nouri al-) Maliki, and we talked about efforts that others could take to contribute to the reconciliation process in Iraq itself," the secretary said following a meeting with the king.
Jordan is a long-time U.S. ally in the Middle East. "This is a relationship that goes back a long way," Gates said, noting that the first time he visited Jordan was 20 years ago at the invitation of Abdallah's father, King Hussein, who died in 1999.
The secretary pointed out that the U.S. and Jordanian armed forces have strong military-to-military ties. "There are frequent exchanges, exercises and visits between the military officers of both sides," Gates said.
Some 370 Jordanian troops are manning a field hospital in Afghanistan, and another 220-plus Jordanian servicemembers are performing a similar mission in Iraq. In addition, Jordan has trained 40,000 to 50,000 Iraqi national police officers at the Joint International Police Training Center in Jordan.
"I thanked both His Majesty and the chairman for all of the things Jordan has done to help us, a great deal of training of Iraqi security forces, both police and army," Gates said.
Other topics discussed included Syria and its involvement in the Mid-East peace process and Iran. Gates said he reaffirmed President Bush's commitment to the Middle East peace process.
He added that he and Abdallah "agreed that diplomatic and economic pressures were the most profitable way to try and get the Iranians to change their behavior."
After leaving Jordan, Gates is scheduled to visit Egypt and Israel. As he travels through the Middle East, Gates is encouraging regional leaders to bring Maliki and his unity government more fully into the political landscape of the region, a senior official said as Gates was en route to the region.
"I think that there is not yet confidence in the region that Iraq's government represents all Iraqis," Gates said today. "My own view is that (the Iraqi government is) working hard in that direction. ... And I think the more encouragement the neighbors can provide, the more support for the Iraqi government and with it encouragement of a broad-based government approach to governance, I think would be a positive contribution."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
12 Detained in Iraq, Coalition Forces Seize Truck Loaded With Explosives
American Forces Press Service
April 17, 2007 – Coalition and Iraqi forces captured 12 suspects and seized a dump truck transporting explosive materials during raids across Iraq the past two days. Also, an investigation into an operation yesterday revealed no Iraq police were killed or injured, as original reports indicated. In Baghdad, two individuals were detained for allegedly providing and transporting car bomb materials for a network operating in the area. In Karmah, a village northeast of Fallujah, coalition forces detained six men with suspected ties to al Qaeda.
"These captures are another step in disrupting the terrorist networks operating in Iraq," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.
A preliminary investigation into a coalition forces raid yesterday in Ramadi revealed that three individuals killed and one wounded were not Iraqi policemen, as originally reported.
Actual Iraqi police operating in the area were notified by coalition forces while they were planning the raid. Iraqi police in the area were again notified immediately before coalition forces entered the target area, military officials said.
In the course of the operation, ground forces began receiving intense small-arms fire from armed men in two separate buildings. Using appropriate self-defense measures, coalition forces returned fire.
The wounded individual identified the group as Iraqi police, and the individuals used a vehicle that resembled local Iraqi police vehicles. But the investigation later revealed the armed individuals were dressed in dishdashas, which is traditional male Arabic garb, and not in Iraqi police uniforms.
Later in the operation, coalition forces cleared another targeted building and detained seven suspected terrorists with alleged ties to al Qaeda in Iraq.
During several early morning raids in the Iraqi capital yesterday, Iraqi special operations forces detained a target suspected of leading a rogue criminal cell operating in northeast Baghdad. Iraqi special operations forces, with coalition advisors, raided several buildings in Sadr City where they captured the terrorist leader, military officials reported.
As they left their second objective area, combined forces received enemy fire. Iraqi forces returned fire, immediately suppressing the enemy. Two other suspects were detained by Iraqiforces during this operation.
Combined forces primarily targeted a suspect with alleged links to a criminal network called "Abu Dura." He is responsible for leading a kidnapping cell, conducting attacks on coalition and Iraqi forces, killing many innocent Iraqi civilians and launching rockets into parts of Baghdad, military officials said.
In Mushada yesterday, a dump truck overturned while attempting to deliver its payload of explosives and nitric acid.
A coalition patrol approached the driver of the overturned dump truck and offered assistance and found the vehicle loaded with nitric acid containers and explosives. The driver was taken into custody and confessed that he was paid to attack the Joint Security Station in Mushada, which also houses the town's Iraqi police station.
An explosive ordnance team was called to analyze and dispose of the truck's contents. The team discovered eight containers of nitric acid, eight directional fragmentation explosives devices and two large ordnance rounds.
The explosives and munitions discovered will be disposed of once they are carefully removed from the site, and the driver is being held for further questioning.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
April 17, 2007 – Coalition and Iraqi forces captured 12 suspects and seized a dump truck transporting explosive materials during raids across Iraq the past two days. Also, an investigation into an operation yesterday revealed no Iraq police were killed or injured, as original reports indicated. In Baghdad, two individuals were detained for allegedly providing and transporting car bomb materials for a network operating in the area. In Karmah, a village northeast of Fallujah, coalition forces detained six men with suspected ties to al Qaeda.
"These captures are another step in disrupting the terrorist networks operating in Iraq," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.
A preliminary investigation into a coalition forces raid yesterday in Ramadi revealed that three individuals killed and one wounded were not Iraqi policemen, as originally reported.
Actual Iraqi police operating in the area were notified by coalition forces while they were planning the raid. Iraqi police in the area were again notified immediately before coalition forces entered the target area, military officials said.
In the course of the operation, ground forces began receiving intense small-arms fire from armed men in two separate buildings. Using appropriate self-defense measures, coalition forces returned fire.
The wounded individual identified the group as Iraqi police, and the individuals used a vehicle that resembled local Iraqi police vehicles. But the investigation later revealed the armed individuals were dressed in dishdashas, which is traditional male Arabic garb, and not in Iraqi police uniforms.
Later in the operation, coalition forces cleared another targeted building and detained seven suspected terrorists with alleged ties to al Qaeda in Iraq.
During several early morning raids in the Iraqi capital yesterday, Iraqi special operations forces detained a target suspected of leading a rogue criminal cell operating in northeast Baghdad. Iraqi special operations forces, with coalition advisors, raided several buildings in Sadr City where they captured the terrorist leader, military officials reported.
As they left their second objective area, combined forces received enemy fire. Iraqi forces returned fire, immediately suppressing the enemy. Two other suspects were detained by Iraqiforces during this operation.
Combined forces primarily targeted a suspect with alleged links to a criminal network called "Abu Dura." He is responsible for leading a kidnapping cell, conducting attacks on coalition and Iraqi forces, killing many innocent Iraqi civilians and launching rockets into parts of Baghdad, military officials said.
In Mushada yesterday, a dump truck overturned while attempting to deliver its payload of explosives and nitric acid.
A coalition patrol approached the driver of the overturned dump truck and offered assistance and found the vehicle loaded with nitric acid containers and explosives. The driver was taken into custody and confessed that he was paid to attack the Joint Security Station in Mushada, which also houses the town's Iraqi police station.
An explosive ordnance team was called to analyze and dispose of the truck's contents. The team discovered eight containers of nitric acid, eight directional fragmentation explosives devices and two large ordnance rounds.
The explosives and munitions discovered will be disposed of once they are carefully removed from the site, and the driver is being held for further questioning.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Education Key in Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
April 17, 2007 – To prevent "Shaken Baby Syndrome," which can seriously harm or kill infants, mothers who deliver their babies at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., receive a series of mandatory briefings, a 15-year Navy nurse who works at the center said. "Every mother who delivers here will get educated on Shaken Baby Syndrome," Lt. Cmdr. Maile Kalinowski, who specializes in mother and infant care at the center, said during an April 10 interview with American Forces Press Service.
Shaken Baby Syndrome can occur when frustrated parents, especially fathers, negatively react to their baby's cries by shaking it. Each year between 10 to 20 infant deaths across the military are attributed to Shaken Baby Syndrome, according to Defense Department documents.
The mandatory briefings are provided to mothers before the birth of their baby, soon afterward, and later on during outpatient checkups, Kalinowski, a mother of three children, said.
"We call it an immunization, because we try to give (the briefings) at three different times," Kalinowski said. Probably one of the most effective briefings, she said, is provided to mothers around two months after their baby is born.
"Most incidents of Shaken Baby Syndrome happen between four-to-six months of age," Kalinowski said. "So, they've already experienced some of the irritating crying that goes on," which usually is what causes people to shake their baby.
"So they, hopefully, will listen up a little bit more on what they can do to prevent them (from) shaking their baby."
About 70 percent of shaken-baby cases are committed by fathers or other males, Kalinowski said, noting the majority of those incidents involve stepfathers, boyfriends or caregivers. Therefore, she said, it's preferable that mothers and their husbands or significant others attend Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention classes together.
"We have them view a 10-minute video together," Kalinowski explained. The video has a powerful impact, she said, noting it is based on three actual shaken-baby cases and includes interviews with the families involved.
"It is devastating to watch and it really gets their attention," Kalinowski said of viewers' reactions.
Also, servicemembers returning home after deployments are to receive Shaken Baby Syndrome information as part of their debriefing process, Kalinowski said.
All babies cry, Kalinowski said, noting that it's the only way they know how to communicate their discomfort, loneliness, hunger or diaper situation.
Babies at high risk for becoming victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome cry a lot, she said. This group includes prematurely-born babies and babies that don't feed well. Multiple-birth babies, she added, also ratchet up the volume when they communicate.
"These parents are under more stress, are getting less sleep and might act in an abnormal manner during those (crying) situations," Kalinowski said. Parents who are getting stressed or irritated by their baby's crying should place the baby in a safe place, like its crib, and take a time out, she said.
Or, "play some music, take your baby for a walk, take the baby for a ride in the car seat," Kalinowski suggested.
Shaking babies is dangerous to them, primarily because their brains are in the early stages of development, Kalinowski explained. Injuries can range from death to serious head trauma - meaning skull fractures, blindness, learning disabilities and stunted growth.
Whether it's done deliberately or accidentally, people who shake babies are committing child abuse and could go to jail, Kalinowski pointed out.
"Thirty-percent of these babies who get shaken will die," Kalinowski said. Another 30 percent, she added, suffer brain damage and develop other long-term disabilities. She said the other 30 percent or so develop no adverse symptoms at all.
Shaken Baby Syndrome is preventable, Kalinowski said.
"It's never ok to shake a baby," she emphasized.
This year, DoD is partnering with the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, headquartered in Ogden, Utah, to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome. National Shaken Baby Prevention Week is being held this week, in conjunction with National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is observed each April.
Military parents cancall a 24-hour, counseling line at 1-800-342-9647 to surface their questions about Shaken Baby Syndrome and other issues.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 17, 2007 – To prevent "Shaken Baby Syndrome," which can seriously harm or kill infants, mothers who deliver their babies at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., receive a series of mandatory briefings, a 15-year Navy nurse who works at the center said. "Every mother who delivers here will get educated on Shaken Baby Syndrome," Lt. Cmdr. Maile Kalinowski, who specializes in mother and infant care at the center, said during an April 10 interview with American Forces Press Service.
Shaken Baby Syndrome can occur when frustrated parents, especially fathers, negatively react to their baby's cries by shaking it. Each year between 10 to 20 infant deaths across the military are attributed to Shaken Baby Syndrome, according to Defense Department documents.
The mandatory briefings are provided to mothers before the birth of their baby, soon afterward, and later on during outpatient checkups, Kalinowski, a mother of three children, said.
"We call it an immunization, because we try to give (the briefings) at three different times," Kalinowski said. Probably one of the most effective briefings, she said, is provided to mothers around two months after their baby is born.
"Most incidents of Shaken Baby Syndrome happen between four-to-six months of age," Kalinowski said. "So, they've already experienced some of the irritating crying that goes on," which usually is what causes people to shake their baby.
"So they, hopefully, will listen up a little bit more on what they can do to prevent them (from) shaking their baby."
About 70 percent of shaken-baby cases are committed by fathers or other males, Kalinowski said, noting the majority of those incidents involve stepfathers, boyfriends or caregivers. Therefore, she said, it's preferable that mothers and their husbands or significant others attend Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention classes together.
"We have them view a 10-minute video together," Kalinowski explained. The video has a powerful impact, she said, noting it is based on three actual shaken-baby cases and includes interviews with the families involved.
"It is devastating to watch and it really gets their attention," Kalinowski said of viewers' reactions.
Also, servicemembers returning home after deployments are to receive Shaken Baby Syndrome information as part of their debriefing process, Kalinowski said.
All babies cry, Kalinowski said, noting that it's the only way they know how to communicate their discomfort, loneliness, hunger or diaper situation.
Babies at high risk for becoming victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome cry a lot, she said. This group includes prematurely-born babies and babies that don't feed well. Multiple-birth babies, she added, also ratchet up the volume when they communicate.
"These parents are under more stress, are getting less sleep and might act in an abnormal manner during those (crying) situations," Kalinowski said. Parents who are getting stressed or irritated by their baby's crying should place the baby in a safe place, like its crib, and take a time out, she said.
Or, "play some music, take your baby for a walk, take the baby for a ride in the car seat," Kalinowski suggested.
Shaking babies is dangerous to them, primarily because their brains are in the early stages of development, Kalinowski explained. Injuries can range from death to serious head trauma - meaning skull fractures, blindness, learning disabilities and stunted growth.
Whether it's done deliberately or accidentally, people who shake babies are committing child abuse and could go to jail, Kalinowski pointed out.
"Thirty-percent of these babies who get shaken will die," Kalinowski said. Another 30 percent, she added, suffer brain damage and develop other long-term disabilities. She said the other 30 percent or so develop no adverse symptoms at all.
Shaken Baby Syndrome is preventable, Kalinowski said.
"It's never ok to shake a baby," she emphasized.
This year, DoD is partnering with the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, headquartered in Ogden, Utah, to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome. National Shaken Baby Prevention Week is being held this week, in conjunction with National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is observed each April.
Military parents cancall a 24-hour, counseling line at 1-800-342-9647 to surface their questions about Shaken Baby Syndrome and other issues.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Military Runners Conquer Boston Marathon Far From Home
By David Mays
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 17, 2007 – While thousands of runners braved the remnants of a late spring storm to run the Boston Marathon, servicemembers deployed overseas, and one in space, joined in to participate in the prestigious race. So-called "satellite" races are nothing new to servicemembers deployed overseas. These running events, which are held on forward operating bases, are designed to coincide with massive stateside races like the Marine Corps Marathon and the Army Ten Miler.
For the third year in a row, servicemembers at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, marked off a 26.2 mile course and lined up to participate as official entrants in the Boston Marathon, which was held April 16, Patriot's Day in Massachusetts. Race officials waived stringent qualifying times for servicemembers racing in Iraq.
Runners in Boston were pummeled with rain, wind and much colder-than-average temperatures, resulting in much slower winning times for elite athletes. Conditions were also strange for runners in Iraq.
"The morning of the race was not what you would consider weather perfect," said Army Capt. Andrew Heymann, who organized this year's Boston Marathon in Iraq. "Although in light of what was going on in Boston, I'll take it."
Runners at Tallil started their voyage at 5 a.m. local time to avoid temperatures that typically soar to 100-plus this time of year. But like their counterparts in Boston, Iraq participants had to endure nature's fury.
"The morning had 20 mph gusts, which kicked a lot of dust into the air," Heymann said. "Add to that a rain which fell sideways and a lightning storm."
Army 1st Lt. Elias Gonzales, who is deployed to Iraq with the Florida National Guard, won the Tallil event in 2:35:50, a time that would have easily qualified him for the actual Boston Marathon. Army Staff Sgt. Jennifer Yurczk, a Minnesota National Guard member, was the first woman in the Tallil event with a swift 3:34:39, also well under the official Boston qualifying mark. Both were crowned with olive wreaths, as is the famous tradition for winners at Boston.
Seventy-eight other servicemembers followed a course that took runners outside the base and past one of Iraq's best preserved historical features, a 50-foot tall Sumerian ziggurat, which is a massive, stepped pyramid, part of an ancient temple complex built in 2100 B.C. Runners took a final long lap around the base perimeter to the finish line. Although Tallil runners were not required to meet Boston's rigorous qualifying times, they were offered official bib numbers, finisher's medals, participant T-shirts and other goodies supplied by the Boston Athletic Association, which has organized the storied New England marathon since its inception in 1897.
Last year's winner of the Iraq race, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Matt Simms, who has since rotated home to Washington, ran the actual Boston course this year in 2:44:23, a time that placed him 186th overall in the 111th edition of America's oldest continuously run marathon.
For the first time, coalition forces in Kosovo ran their first "satellite" Boston Marathon.
"The course was four laps, plus a small add-on loop of hilly terrain around Camp Bondsteel," said Army Staff. Sgt. Richard Fortuna, one of the inaugural event's organizers. "The race went on time and as planned. We had a great day. The day started with the national anthem , and then a flyover by two Apache attack helicopters."
Meanwhile, Navy Cmdr. Sunita "Sunni" Williams ran her own "satellite" Boston Marathon aboard an actual satellite. Williams had qualified to run at Boston with a 3:29:57 finish at January's Houston Marathon. She planned to run it with her sister, Dina Pandya, and colleague, Karen Nyberg. But Williams is a NASA astronaut, and she realized she would be working inside the International Space Station on race day. So she decided to attempt something no other astronaut had done before: complete the 26.2 mile run while orbiting the earth.
Williams was strapped to a specially designed treadmill with bungee cords, an uncomfortable process that puts strain on a runner's hips and shoulders. NASA said Williams' treadmill speed registered as fast as eight miles per hour during her "satellite" Boston race, but in actuality, she was traveling more than five miles per second as the space station completed two laps around Earth during the marathon.
Williams, who is a native of Needham, Mass., wore Boston Red Sox socks for her race in space. She finished the arduous journey in 4:23:10, well off her times on terra firma.
Williams told her NASA colleagues the motivation for running this historic marathon was simple.
"I would like to encourage kids to start making physical fitness part of their daily lives," she said. "I thought a big goal like a marathon would help get this message out there."
Boston Marathon organizers told NASA they have a different take on this historic achievement. "Suni running 26.2 miles in space on Patriots' Day is really a tribute to the thousands of marathoners who are running here on Earth," said Jack Fleming, a Boston Athletic Association spokesman. "She is pioneering new frontiers in the running world."
(David Mays works for the Pentagon Channel.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 17, 2007 – While thousands of runners braved the remnants of a late spring storm to run the Boston Marathon, servicemembers deployed overseas, and one in space, joined in to participate in the prestigious race. So-called "satellite" races are nothing new to servicemembers deployed overseas. These running events, which are held on forward operating bases, are designed to coincide with massive stateside races like the Marine Corps Marathon and the Army Ten Miler.
For the third year in a row, servicemembers at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, marked off a 26.2 mile course and lined up to participate as official entrants in the Boston Marathon, which was held April 16, Patriot's Day in Massachusetts. Race officials waived stringent qualifying times for servicemembers racing in Iraq.
Runners in Boston were pummeled with rain, wind and much colder-than-average temperatures, resulting in much slower winning times for elite athletes. Conditions were also strange for runners in Iraq.
"The morning of the race was not what you would consider weather perfect," said Army Capt. Andrew Heymann, who organized this year's Boston Marathon in Iraq. "Although in light of what was going on in Boston, I'll take it."
Runners at Tallil started their voyage at 5 a.m. local time to avoid temperatures that typically soar to 100-plus this time of year. But like their counterparts in Boston, Iraq participants had to endure nature's fury.
"The morning had 20 mph gusts, which kicked a lot of dust into the air," Heymann said. "Add to that a rain which fell sideways and a lightning storm."
Army 1st Lt. Elias Gonzales, who is deployed to Iraq with the Florida National Guard, won the Tallil event in 2:35:50, a time that would have easily qualified him for the actual Boston Marathon. Army Staff Sgt. Jennifer Yurczk, a Minnesota National Guard member, was the first woman in the Tallil event with a swift 3:34:39, also well under the official Boston qualifying mark. Both were crowned with olive wreaths, as is the famous tradition for winners at Boston.
Seventy-eight other servicemembers followed a course that took runners outside the base and past one of Iraq's best preserved historical features, a 50-foot tall Sumerian ziggurat, which is a massive, stepped pyramid, part of an ancient temple complex built in 2100 B.C. Runners took a final long lap around the base perimeter to the finish line. Although Tallil runners were not required to meet Boston's rigorous qualifying times, they were offered official bib numbers, finisher's medals, participant T-shirts and other goodies supplied by the Boston Athletic Association, which has organized the storied New England marathon since its inception in 1897.
Last year's winner of the Iraq race, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Matt Simms, who has since rotated home to Washington, ran the actual Boston course this year in 2:44:23, a time that placed him 186th overall in the 111th edition of America's oldest continuously run marathon.
For the first time, coalition forces in Kosovo ran their first "satellite" Boston Marathon.
"The course was four laps, plus a small add-on loop of hilly terrain around Camp Bondsteel," said Army Staff. Sgt. Richard Fortuna, one of the inaugural event's organizers. "The race went on time and as planned. We had a great day. The day started with the national anthem , and then a flyover by two Apache attack helicopters."
Meanwhile, Navy Cmdr. Sunita "Sunni" Williams ran her own "satellite" Boston Marathon aboard an actual satellite. Williams had qualified to run at Boston with a 3:29:57 finish at January's Houston Marathon. She planned to run it with her sister, Dina Pandya, and colleague, Karen Nyberg. But Williams is a NASA astronaut, and she realized she would be working inside the International Space Station on race day. So she decided to attempt something no other astronaut had done before: complete the 26.2 mile run while orbiting the earth.
Williams was strapped to a specially designed treadmill with bungee cords, an uncomfortable process that puts strain on a runner's hips and shoulders. NASA said Williams' treadmill speed registered as fast as eight miles per hour during her "satellite" Boston race, but in actuality, she was traveling more than five miles per second as the space station completed two laps around Earth during the marathon.
Williams, who is a native of Needham, Mass., wore Boston Red Sox socks for her race in space. She finished the arduous journey in 4:23:10, well off her times on terra firma.
Williams told her NASA colleagues the motivation for running this historic marathon was simple.
"I would like to encourage kids to start making physical fitness part of their daily lives," she said. "I thought a big goal like a marathon would help get this message out there."
Boston Marathon organizers told NASA they have a different take on this historic achievement. "Suni running 26.2 miles in space on Patriots' Day is really a tribute to the thousands of marathoners who are running here on Earth," said Jack Fleming, a Boston Athletic Association spokesman. "She is pioneering new frontiers in the running world."
(David Mays works for the Pentagon Channel.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Policy Change Boosts G.I. Bill Eligibility for Some Guard, Reserve Members
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
April 17, 2007 – A recent Defense Department policy change widens the eligibility window for some Reserve-component troops who want to use their Montgomery G.I. Bill education benefits, a senior DoD official said here today. The DoD policy now aligns with Department of Veterans Affairs rules, which say National Guard members and reservists are eligible to receive Montgomery G.I. Bill education benefits for the period covering the amount of time they served on active duty, plus four months, said Tom Bush, principal director for manpower and personnel within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.
After studying the matter over the past few months, DoD agreed to align its policy with the VA's, Bush said during a joint Pentagon Channel/American Forces Press Service interview. DoD's previous policy, he said, only recognized the amount of active-duty time as applied to the G.I. Bill coverage period for reserve component members but still required the member to continue to serve in the Selected Reserve.
"The change, from the DoD perspective, is that the benefit now can be used by somebody that leaves the selected reserve for the amount of time that they've served on active duty, plus four months," Bush said. Guard and reserve members who attend regular drill training and meetings are considered part of the selected reserve.
The total amount of G.I. Bill coverage for reservists is still 36 months, Bush said. "So, if you've used part of that (G.I. Bill benefit) it may eat into that 36 months," he noted.
Bush said reservists normally have 14 years to use their Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits. However, that time might also be extended, he noted, by the amount of time Guard or Reserve members serve on active duty, plus four months.
Senior Guard and Reserve officials, as well as demobilization sites, have been alerted to the policy change, Bush said.
About 370,000 Guard and Reserve members on drill or active-duty status have signed up to use Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Bush said.
The Reserve Education Assistance Program, established by the 2005 National Defense Authorization Act, is another DoD education initiative for members of the Guard and Reserve, Bush noted. To be eligible, servicemembers must have served at least 90 consecutive days of active service after Sept. 11, 2001, in response to a Presidential or Congressional call-up of military forces for wartime or other emergency service.
Guard and Reserve members who served for two continuous years on active duty in support of a contingency operation would qualify for both the Montgomery G.I. Bill and REAP and could select which program they want to use, Bush noted.
Servicemembers can determine if they qualify for the Montgomery G.I. Bill and REAP by contacting their local education office.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 17, 2007 – A recent Defense Department policy change widens the eligibility window for some Reserve-component troops who want to use their Montgomery G.I. Bill education benefits, a senior DoD official said here today. The DoD policy now aligns with Department of Veterans Affairs rules, which say National Guard members and reservists are eligible to receive Montgomery G.I. Bill education benefits for the period covering the amount of time they served on active duty, plus four months, said Tom Bush, principal director for manpower and personnel within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.
After studying the matter over the past few months, DoD agreed to align its policy with the VA's, Bush said during a joint Pentagon Channel/American Forces Press Service interview. DoD's previous policy, he said, only recognized the amount of active-duty time as applied to the G.I. Bill coverage period for reserve component members but still required the member to continue to serve in the Selected Reserve.
"The change, from the DoD perspective, is that the benefit now can be used by somebody that leaves the selected reserve for the amount of time that they've served on active duty, plus four months," Bush said. Guard and reserve members who attend regular drill training and meetings are considered part of the selected reserve.
The total amount of G.I. Bill coverage for reservists is still 36 months, Bush said. "So, if you've used part of that (G.I. Bill benefit) it may eat into that 36 months," he noted.
Bush said reservists normally have 14 years to use their Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits. However, that time might also be extended, he noted, by the amount of time Guard or Reserve members serve on active duty, plus four months.
Senior Guard and Reserve officials, as well as demobilization sites, have been alerted to the policy change, Bush said.
About 370,000 Guard and Reserve members on drill or active-duty status have signed up to use Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Bush said.
The Reserve Education Assistance Program, established by the 2005 National Defense Authorization Act, is another DoD education initiative for members of the Guard and Reserve, Bush noted. To be eligible, servicemembers must have served at least 90 consecutive days of active service after Sept. 11, 2001, in response to a Presidential or Congressional call-up of military forces for wartime or other emergency service.
Guard and Reserve members who served for two continuous years on active duty in support of a contingency operation would qualify for both the Montgomery G.I. Bill and REAP and could select which program they want to use, Bush noted.
Servicemembers can determine if they qualify for the Montgomery G.I. Bill and REAP by contacting their local education office.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Group Provides Stars for Stripes
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
April 16, 2007 – Stars for Stripes knows troops deployed to remote locations don't have the luxury of heading out to their favorite venue to take in a concert, so it takes the concerts to them. "Stars for Stripes' mission is to take celebrity - with the emphasis on celebrity - entertainment to remote areas," Judy Seale, the organization's founder, said. "That's why I focus more on Afghanistan, Iraq and Korea, because those seem to have the most remote locations."
Stars for Stripes is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.
Seale started providing entertainment to troops deployed overseas after a 1991 New Year's Eve show in Iceland with United Services Organization, Seal said.
"It takes such a little bit of effort on our part to go say, 'Thank you,'" she said. "So I never stopped."
Since its official beginning in 2003, Stars for Stripes has conducted at least 23 tours to remote and isolated military bases. And Seale said she gets the same response from the troops every time.
"They thank us too much," she said. "It's embarrassing, because we're there to thank them."
The troops say Seale and her tours don't have to be there, but she disagrees.
"They believe in what they're doing (and say) we didn't have to come over there," she said. "My response is, 'Yes we did. As long as you're here we do have to come over here because you need to be told that America supports you and we thank you.'"
As for the entertainers, which have included Chely Wright, Craig Morgan, Trick Pony and many others, Seale said participating in one of Stars for Stripes' tours has a positive impact on their lives. It's something she said can't be explained before the trips.
When it comes to finding personalities to make up a tour, Seale often draws on her America Supports You membership.
"It's connections when I need somebody," she said. "And not a day goes by that I don't refer somebody to (The America Supports You) Web site because I get so many e-mails from people who obviously read my Web site but don't understand what I'm doing."
When they ask her about sending a care package or whether her organization can help get items to a particular overseas military installation, she has a simple response: "Go to (America Supports You)."
But when she can help, she requests the name of the installation and works to take a show there, she said.
"If there's no security concerns ... then we get to go there and I give the person a hug and I take a picture with them and I e-mail it back to them," Seale said. "I've done that probably more than a dozen times."
These trips to out-of-the-way installations have helped nurture a partnership with another America Supports You member, SemperComm, a non-profit group that provides remote military bases with free communications and entertainment equipment, software and services.
"Through my partnership with SemperComm, they look at my ... journals. T hey look at those and go, 'Oh, there's a base we could adopt and get communications equipment in the field,'" Seale said.
Sometimes SemperComm finds a camp that rarely gets any entertainment and lets Seale know so she can try to organize a tour at that installation, she said.
The nation's commitments are many, and that load is shouldered by a proud and selfless few, Seale wrote on her Web site.
"We cannot repay their sacrifices or truly compensate them for their dedication," she wrote. "We can, however, honor them with a glimpse of life back home, with entertainment and with our mere presence, if only for a short while."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 16, 2007 – Stars for Stripes knows troops deployed to remote locations don't have the luxury of heading out to their favorite venue to take in a concert, so it takes the concerts to them. "Stars for Stripes' mission is to take celebrity - with the emphasis on celebrity - entertainment to remote areas," Judy Seale, the organization's founder, said. "That's why I focus more on Afghanistan, Iraq and Korea, because those seem to have the most remote locations."
Stars for Stripes is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.
Seale started providing entertainment to troops deployed overseas after a 1991 New Year's Eve show in Iceland with United Services Organization, Seal said.
"It takes such a little bit of effort on our part to go say, 'Thank you,'" she said. "So I never stopped."
Since its official beginning in 2003, Stars for Stripes has conducted at least 23 tours to remote and isolated military bases. And Seale said she gets the same response from the troops every time.
"They thank us too much," she said. "It's embarrassing, because we're there to thank them."
The troops say Seale and her tours don't have to be there, but she disagrees.
"They believe in what they're doing (and say) we didn't have to come over there," she said. "My response is, 'Yes we did. As long as you're here we do have to come over here because you need to be told that America supports you and we thank you.'"
As for the entertainers, which have included Chely Wright, Craig Morgan, Trick Pony and many others, Seale said participating in one of Stars for Stripes' tours has a positive impact on their lives. It's something she said can't be explained before the trips.
When it comes to finding personalities to make up a tour, Seale often draws on her America Supports You membership.
"It's connections when I need somebody," she said. "And not a day goes by that I don't refer somebody to (The America Supports You) Web site because I get so many e-mails from people who obviously read my Web site but don't understand what I'm doing."
When they ask her about sending a care package or whether her organization can help get items to a particular overseas military installation, she has a simple response: "Go to (America Supports You)."
But when she can help, she requests the name of the installation and works to take a show there, she said.
"If there's no security concerns ... then we get to go there and I give the person a hug and I take a picture with them and I e-mail it back to them," Seale said. "I've done that probably more than a dozen times."
These trips to out-of-the-way installations have helped nurture a partnership with another America Supports You member, SemperComm, a non-profit group that provides remote military bases with free communications and entertainment equipment, software and services.
"Through my partnership with SemperComm, they look at my ... journals. T hey look at those and go, 'Oh, there's a base we could adopt and get communications equipment in the field,'" Seale said.
Sometimes SemperComm finds a camp that rarely gets any entertainment and lets Seale know so she can try to organize a tour at that installation, she said.
The nation's commitments are many, and that load is shouldered by a proud and selfless few, Seale wrote on her Web site.
"We cannot repay their sacrifices or truly compensate them for their dedication," she wrote. "We can, however, honor them with a glimpse of life back home, with entertainment and with our mere presence, if only for a short while."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Department Shares Medical Record-Keeping Expertise With Tampa Hospitals
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
April 16, 2007 – The Defense Department will soon partner with private-sector hospitals in the Tampa, Fla., area to share electronic medical record-keeping expertise and technology. The pilot program is part of President Bush's initiative for the U.S. medical community to adopt computerized records within a decade, Stephen L. Jones, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said during a joint Pentagon Channel-American Forces Press Service interview April 13.
The partnership will also enable DoD to gain expertise using electronic medical records for its inpatient customers, Jones added, noting that the program should be up and running within a year.
The Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application system houses the clinical data for DoD's medical outpatients and can be accessed at 136 military treatment facilities, Jones said.
"The next big step is to develop an (electronic) inpatient record," Jones said. DoD is working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, he said, to establish an inpatient electronic medical record system that can be accessed by both organizations.
DoD's expertise with the AHLTA system will be shared with the Florida hospitals, Jones explained. These hospitals, in turn, will share their experiences using electronic record-keeping for inpatients.
Passwords, encryption and other computer-security tools will be employed to safeguard the personal medical information, Jones said.
The Defense Department already partners with the private-sector medical community, Jones pointed out, as many DoD beneficiaries obtain their medical care from commercial-sourced providers as part of the TRICARE program, the military's health maintenance organization system.
The Tampa area is considered ideal for the pilot program, Jones said, since there are about 700,000 beneficiaries who live full- or part-time in the area and access their care through military-run medical treatment facilities or TRICARE-contracted civilian clinics.
Speed and accuracy are two immediate advantages inherent in using electronic medical records over the old paper-based system, Jones said. Computerization enables medical records to be quickly transmitted anywhere in the world, he noted, and the indecipherable scrawls used by some doctors and pharmacists become moot.
Although servicemembers, their families and other beneficiaries will benefit through expanded use of electronic medical records, Jones pointed out that such a system is just one of many components required to provide quality, up-to-date medical care.
"I think electronic records are the way of the future," Jones said. "But, we still have to have well-qualified, well-trained professionals providing care."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 16, 2007 – The Defense Department will soon partner with private-sector hospitals in the Tampa, Fla., area to share electronic medical record-keeping expertise and technology. The pilot program is part of President Bush's initiative for the U.S. medical community to adopt computerized records within a decade, Stephen L. Jones, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said during a joint Pentagon Channel-American Forces Press Service interview April 13.
The partnership will also enable DoD to gain expertise using electronic medical records for its inpatient customers, Jones added, noting that the program should be up and running within a year.
The Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application system houses the clinical data for DoD's medical outpatients and can be accessed at 136 military treatment facilities, Jones said.
"The next big step is to develop an (electronic) inpatient record," Jones said. DoD is working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, he said, to establish an inpatient electronic medical record system that can be accessed by both organizations.
DoD's expertise with the AHLTA system will be shared with the Florida hospitals, Jones explained. These hospitals, in turn, will share their experiences using electronic record-keeping for inpatients.
Passwords, encryption and other computer-security tools will be employed to safeguard the personal medical information, Jones said.
The Defense Department already partners with the private-sector medical community, Jones pointed out, as many DoD beneficiaries obtain their medical care from commercial-sourced providers as part of the TRICARE program, the military's health maintenance organization system.
The Tampa area is considered ideal for the pilot program, Jones said, since there are about 700,000 beneficiaries who live full- or part-time in the area and access their care through military-run medical treatment facilities or TRICARE-contracted civilian clinics.
Speed and accuracy are two immediate advantages inherent in using electronic medical records over the old paper-based system, Jones said. Computerization enables medical records to be quickly transmitted anywhere in the world, he noted, and the indecipherable scrawls used by some doctors and pharmacists become moot.
Although servicemembers, their families and other beneficiaries will benefit through expanded use of electronic medical records, Jones pointed out that such a system is just one of many components required to provide quality, up-to-date medical care.
"I think electronic records are the way of the future," Jones said. "But, we still have to have well-qualified, well-trained professionals providing care."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Gates Visits Jordan to Thank Ally, Discuss Regional Concerns
By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service
April 16, 2007 – Iran and Iraq are set to be lead topics in discussions Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is slated to have with Jordanian leaders during a visit here. Gates arrived here today to meet with leaders of this strong ally in the war on terror and thank them for the "incredible support that they're giving us both in Iraq and Afghanistan," a senior defense official traveling with Gates said.
Some 370 Jordanian troops are manning a field hospital in Afghanistan, and another 220-plus Jordanian servicemembers are performing a similar mission in Iraq. In addition, Jordan has trained 40,000 to 50,000 Iraqi national police officers at an Iraqi police academy in Jordan.
"Jordanians have for a long time been a very constructive influence (in the Middle East), and I look forward to continuing that," Gates said on the plane en route here from Washington.
During this visit, the secretary will meet with Jordan's King Abdallah and with Gen. Khaled Jamil al-Sarayrah, the country's chief of defense.
"I look forward to discussing with the King how we can contribute to his efforts and how the Jordanians can contribute to ours, not just in Iraq, but Lebanon, and the Israel-Palestinian peace process, and so on," Gates said.
Other topics of discussion for Gates and the Jordanian leaders are likely to include the half a million to 1 million Iraqi refugees Jordan is hosting that are posing a strain on the Jordanian people as well as its economic system, and the Jordanian-U.S. military-to-military relationship, the senior defense official said.
"The important message for the Jordanians is that regardless of what happens in Iraq, the United States is in the Middle East for the long term and has been for decades, and we will continue our strategic relationship with the military, as well as the Jordanian people," the official said.
The official also said Gates is interested in hearing Abdallah's take on recent Iranian activity, such as the detention of 15 British sailors and Marines and the impact of the March 24 U.N. Security Council vote imposing sanctions because Iran has refused to halt its uranium enrichment activities.
After leaving Jordan, Gates is scheduled to visit Egypt and Israel. As he travels through the Middle East, Gates intends to encourage regional leaders to bring Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his unity government more fully into the political landscape of the region, the official said.
Supporting Maliki's government is the best way to mitigate Iranian influence in the region, the official said. "We truly believe that's the most important way right now to mitigate Iranian pressure against not only us, but more importantly the Iraqi government and the coalition that's operating in Iraq," the official said.
The secretary will also be talking to the countries about how the United States can help them modify their defense strategies and "transition from the sort of post-Soviet dependency on conventional weaponry to something more expeditionary, something more related toward counterterrorism and the non-state actors that we are all working together against in the region," the official said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 16, 2007 – Iran and Iraq are set to be lead topics in discussions Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is slated to have with Jordanian leaders during a visit here. Gates arrived here today to meet with leaders of this strong ally in the war on terror and thank them for the "incredible support that they're giving us both in Iraq and Afghanistan," a senior defense official traveling with Gates said.
Some 370 Jordanian troops are manning a field hospital in Afghanistan, and another 220-plus Jordanian servicemembers are performing a similar mission in Iraq. In addition, Jordan has trained 40,000 to 50,000 Iraqi national police officers at an Iraqi police academy in Jordan.
"Jordanians have for a long time been a very constructive influence (in the Middle East), and I look forward to continuing that," Gates said on the plane en route here from Washington.
During this visit, the secretary will meet with Jordan's King Abdallah and with Gen. Khaled Jamil al-Sarayrah, the country's chief of defense.
"I look forward to discussing with the King how we can contribute to his efforts and how the Jordanians can contribute to ours, not just in Iraq, but Lebanon, and the Israel-Palestinian peace process, and so on," Gates said.
Other topics of discussion for Gates and the Jordanian leaders are likely to include the half a million to 1 million Iraqi refugees Jordan is hosting that are posing a strain on the Jordanian people as well as its economic system, and the Jordanian-U.S. military-to-military relationship, the senior defense official said.
"The important message for the Jordanians is that regardless of what happens in Iraq, the United States is in the Middle East for the long term and has been for decades, and we will continue our strategic relationship with the military, as well as the Jordanian people," the official said.
The official also said Gates is interested in hearing Abdallah's take on recent Iranian activity, such as the detention of 15 British sailors and Marines and the impact of the March 24 U.N. Security Council vote imposing sanctions because Iran has refused to halt its uranium enrichment activities.
After leaving Jordan, Gates is scheduled to visit Egypt and Israel. As he travels through the Middle East, Gates intends to encourage regional leaders to bring Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his unity government more fully into the political landscape of the region, the official said.
Supporting Maliki's government is the best way to mitigate Iranian influence in the region, the official said. "We truly believe that's the most important way right now to mitigate Iranian pressure against not only us, but more importantly the Iraqi government and the coalition that's operating in Iraq," the official said.
The secretary will also be talking to the countries about how the United States can help them modify their defense strategies and "transition from the sort of post-Soviet dependency on conventional weaponry to something more expeditionary, something more related toward counterterrorism and the non-state actors that we are all working together against in the region," the official said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
USO Opens Lounge at Dulles Airport
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
April 16, 2007 – The United Services Organization of Metropolitan Washington officially opened its much-anticipated lounge at Dulles International Airport here today. The USO is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad
More than 400 servicemembers and military family members took advantage of the lounge during its first week of business before it officially opened. With the airport seeing heavy military traffic, the USO is a welcome sight, said Donald C. Winter, secretary of the Navy.
"Up until the opening of this USO, Dulles was the airport most heavily used by uniformed personnel in the United States that did not have a (USO)," Winter said. "(Servicemembers) really do appreciate the type of support that they get from the USO.
"So having that capability here and being able to help, in particular many of the young kids that may be traveling for the first time in their lives ... it's important, it makes a difference, and quite frankly, it's the least we can do as a grateful nation," he added.
Winter was a Northrup-Grumman executive when Elaine Rogers, president of USO of Metropolitan Washington, talked to him about the possibility of a new USO at the airport. Nearly four years and more than $600,000 in donations from various corporate sponsors later, servicemembers will finally find a piece of home at Dulles.
"Our first two weeks of operation of the numbers that we have had go through this lounge ... this is huge," Rogerssaid of the lounge's "soft opening." "To these service personnel, this really is their home away from home."
Because one of the airlines that serves Dulles has a direct flight from Kuwait, Rogers said the lounge has seen a lot of "walking wounded." In addition to those returning with minor injuries, the Dulles USO also has been able to help the families of injured servicemembers flying into the area en route to Walter Reed Army Medical Center or the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Md.
After the ribbon cutting officially opening the USO for business, Rogers thanked all the donors that made the lounge possible. Key donors included the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which donated what Rogers described as "prime real estate" for the lounge, Verizon Business and Cisco Systems Inc.
"From a very personal experience I can attest to what the USO means," said Chris Browne, vice president and airport manager for Dulles International Airport, Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority. The former Naval aviator recounted a story of a float in the Mediterranean lasting 93 days with no port calls.
"Somewhere in month two, the USO came out to the Eisenhower with some prominent entertainers of the time," he said. "To see Steven Stills play an acoustical version of 'Southern Cross' on the hangar deck ... was truly remarkable, and it would have not been if not for the USO and the supporters of the USO."
The new 770-square-foot facility at Dulles is located on the arrivals level across from baggage claim 12. Troops can get information and assistance, a snack, watch a movie and make unlimited domestic and international phone calls. Business services, including wireless Internet, photocopying and faxing, also are available.
Servicemembers who attended the ceremony were excited to see the facility open. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Alison Smith said the USO at Dulles will help young servicemembers the way it helped her.
"When I was a private 21 years ago, I needed the USO," said Smith, who serves as the senior enlisted soldier in Headquarters Battalion on Fort Belvoir, Va. "I was on assignment for Korea (and) I'd never been on a plane before in my life.
"They always told us if you have any problems, go to the USO," she said. "After my first flight ... I went straight to the USO. My next flight was the next morning, so at that time they provided us a place to stay right there at the USO."
She said the advice she received 21 years ago is still valid for servicemembers traveling today. With the opening of the new facility that advice is much easier for servicemembers to heed. Troops now have USOs in each of the three Washington metropolitan area airports, Baltimore-Washington International, Ronald Reagan Washington National and Dulles International, if they're in need of assistance or just a place to relax, Rogers said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 16, 2007 – The United Services Organization of Metropolitan Washington officially opened its much-anticipated lounge at Dulles International Airport here today. The USO is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad
More than 400 servicemembers and military family members took advantage of the lounge during its first week of business before it officially opened. With the airport seeing heavy military traffic, the USO is a welcome sight, said Donald C. Winter, secretary of the Navy.
"Up until the opening of this USO, Dulles was the airport most heavily used by uniformed personnel in the United States that did not have a (USO)," Winter said. "(Servicemembers) really do appreciate the type of support that they get from the USO.
"So having that capability here and being able to help, in particular many of the young kids that may be traveling for the first time in their lives ... it's important, it makes a difference, and quite frankly, it's the least we can do as a grateful nation," he added.
Winter was a Northrup-Grumman executive when Elaine Rogers, president of USO of Metropolitan Washington, talked to him about the possibility of a new USO at the airport. Nearly four years and more than $600,000 in donations from various corporate sponsors later, servicemembers will finally find a piece of home at Dulles.
"Our first two weeks of operation of the numbers that we have had go through this lounge ... this is huge," Rogerssaid of the lounge's "soft opening." "To these service personnel, this really is their home away from home."
Because one of the airlines that serves Dulles has a direct flight from Kuwait, Rogers said the lounge has seen a lot of "walking wounded." In addition to those returning with minor injuries, the Dulles USO also has been able to help the families of injured servicemembers flying into the area en route to Walter Reed Army Medical Center or the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Md.
After the ribbon cutting officially opening the USO for business, Rogers thanked all the donors that made the lounge possible. Key donors included the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which donated what Rogers described as "prime real estate" for the lounge, Verizon Business and Cisco Systems Inc.
"From a very personal experience I can attest to what the USO means," said Chris Browne, vice president and airport manager for Dulles International Airport, Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority. The former Naval aviator recounted a story of a float in the Mediterranean lasting 93 days with no port calls.
"Somewhere in month two, the USO came out to the Eisenhower with some prominent entertainers of the time," he said. "To see Steven Stills play an acoustical version of 'Southern Cross' on the hangar deck ... was truly remarkable, and it would have not been if not for the USO and the supporters of the USO."
The new 770-square-foot facility at Dulles is located on the arrivals level across from baggage claim 12. Troops can get information and assistance, a snack, watch a movie and make unlimited domestic and international phone calls. Business services, including wireless Internet, photocopying and faxing, also are available.
Servicemembers who attended the ceremony were excited to see the facility open. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Alison Smith said the USO at Dulles will help young servicemembers the way it helped her.
"When I was a private 21 years ago, I needed the USO," said Smith, who serves as the senior enlisted soldier in Headquarters Battalion on Fort Belvoir, Va. "I was on assignment for Korea (and) I'd never been on a plane before in my life.
"They always told us if you have any problems, go to the USO," she said. "After my first flight ... I went straight to the USO. My next flight was the next morning, so at that time they provided us a place to stay right there at the USO."
She said the advice she received 21 years ago is still valid for servicemembers traveling today. With the opening of the new facility that advice is much easier for servicemembers to heed. Troops now have USOs in each of the three Washington metropolitan area airports, Baltimore-Washington International, Ronald Reagan Washington National and Dulles International, if they're in need of assistance or just a place to relax, Rogers said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Bush Thanks Military Families, Urges Congress to Pass War Spending Bill
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
April 16, 2007 – President Bush thanked families of troops serving overseas for their sacrifices and praised organizations that support veterans and military families today at the White House. He also urged Congress to quickly pass an emergency war spending bill so that the troops can get the funding they need to accomplish their mission. "I appreciate very much to be in the presence of moms and dads, husbands and wives, sons and daughters of some of the finest citizens our nation has ever produced," Bush told military family members in the audience.
The president noted the challenges faced by military families during war.
"A time of war is a time of sacrifice for our nation, but especially for our military families. Being left behind when a loved one goes to war is one of the hardest jobs in our military," Bush said. "The families here today inspire our nation -- inspire them with their sense of duty and with their deep devotion to our country."
Bush also expressed his gratitude to representatives of troop-support organizations in the audience.
"I want to thank the leaders of organizations that support our military families. I appreciate your tireless work to send a clear signal that many in the United States of America support our troops," Bush said. "Each of you knows what is stake -- what is at stake in this war on terror. And I appreciate your efforts to rally our nation to support our troops, and to support the mission for which they have risked and, in some cases, have given their lives."
Bush said the troops must be given "the tools and resources they need to prevail," and he is looking forward to meeting with members of Congress April 18 to iron out differences between the administration and Congress.
The disagreement is over the fiscal 2007 Emergency Supplemental Request. The $93.4 billion request will fund operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other operations in the war on terror. Both the Senate and House versions of the supplemental have a timetable for the exit of U.S. troops from Iraq. President Bush said he will not sign any legislation with a withdrawal date.
"I think it is wrong for Congress to restrict our military commanders," Bush said. "I can understand having a difference of opinion about Iraq, but our commanders need the flexibility necessary to meet the mission. We should not be substituting political judgment for the judgment of those in our military."
Bush said honest differences over the best course in Iraq should be debated. "That's healthy," he said. "That's normal. ... But our troops should not be caught in the middle."
Bush said failure to fund the supplemental quickly will impact military readiness, and that "will mean that the readiness of our forces will suffer. This is unacceptable to me; it's unacceptable to you, and it's unacceptable to the vast majority of the American people."
The U.S. must provide its troops with the support they need to accomplish their mission, Bush said.
"We owe it to every sailor, soldier, airman, Marine in harm's way to give them the tools they need to prevail," Bush said. "That's what we owe them."
The president said he is open to trying to settle political differences in order to provide the military with the funding it needs.
"I am willing to discuss any way forward that does not hamstring our troops, set an artificial timetable for withdrawal and spend billions on projects not related to the war," he said.
Bush said the American people expect the White House and Congress to work together.
"Congress needs to put the partisanship on hold; it needs to get rid of all the politics right now and send me an emergency war spending bill that I can sign that gets our troops the support they need and gives our commanders the flexibility they need to complete this mission," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 16, 2007 – President Bush thanked families of troops serving overseas for their sacrifices and praised organizations that support veterans and military families today at the White House. He also urged Congress to quickly pass an emergency war spending bill so that the troops can get the funding they need to accomplish their mission. "I appreciate very much to be in the presence of moms and dads, husbands and wives, sons and daughters of some of the finest citizens our nation has ever produced," Bush told military family members in the audience.
The president noted the challenges faced by military families during war.
"A time of war is a time of sacrifice for our nation, but especially for our military families. Being left behind when a loved one goes to war is one of the hardest jobs in our military," Bush said. "The families here today inspire our nation -- inspire them with their sense of duty and with their deep devotion to our country."
Bush also expressed his gratitude to representatives of troop-support organizations in the audience.
"I want to thank the leaders of organizations that support our military families. I appreciate your tireless work to send a clear signal that many in the United States of America support our troops," Bush said. "Each of you knows what is stake -- what is at stake in this war on terror. And I appreciate your efforts to rally our nation to support our troops, and to support the mission for which they have risked and, in some cases, have given their lives."
Bush said the troops must be given "the tools and resources they need to prevail," and he is looking forward to meeting with members of Congress April 18 to iron out differences between the administration and Congress.
The disagreement is over the fiscal 2007 Emergency Supplemental Request. The $93.4 billion request will fund operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other operations in the war on terror. Both the Senate and House versions of the supplemental have a timetable for the exit of U.S. troops from Iraq. President Bush said he will not sign any legislation with a withdrawal date.
"I think it is wrong for Congress to restrict our military commanders," Bush said. "I can understand having a difference of opinion about Iraq, but our commanders need the flexibility necessary to meet the mission. We should not be substituting political judgment for the judgment of those in our military."
Bush said honest differences over the best course in Iraq should be debated. "That's healthy," he said. "That's normal. ... But our troops should not be caught in the middle."
Bush said failure to fund the supplemental quickly will impact military readiness, and that "will mean that the readiness of our forces will suffer. This is unacceptable to me; it's unacceptable to you, and it's unacceptable to the vast majority of the American people."
The U.S. must provide its troops with the support they need to accomplish their mission, Bush said.
"We owe it to every sailor, soldier, airman, Marine in harm's way to give them the tools they need to prevail," Bush said. "That's what we owe them."
The president said he is open to trying to settle political differences in order to provide the military with the funding it needs.
"I am willing to discuss any way forward that does not hamstring our troops, set an artificial timetable for withdrawal and spend billions on projects not related to the war," he said.
Bush said the American people expect the White House and Congress to work together.
"Congress needs to put the partisanship on hold; it needs to get rid of all the politics right now and send me an emergency war spending bill that I can sign that gets our troops the support they need and gives our commanders the flexibility they need to complete this mission," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Monday, April 16, 2007
School Shootings and Workplace Violence Response
“Active Shooter” is a phrase coined by law enforcement that describes an armed person who has used deadly physical force on persons and continues to do so while having unrestricted access to additional victims. The school shooting at Columbine and similar incidents have caused a paradigm-shift in law enforcement training and tactics. Instead of being taught to wait for a SWAT team to arrive, officers receive training on how to take immediate action during incidents that clearly involve suspects’ use of deadly force.
READ ON
http://criminal-justice-online.blogspot.com/2007/04/school-shootings-and-workplace-violence.html
READ ON
http://criminal-justice-online.blogspot.com/2007/04/school-shootings-and-workplace-violence.html
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Navajo Code Talker Day
My name is Brenda Moreno and I am the Assistant Coordinator of Navajo Code Talker Day 2007. This event takes place on August 14, 2007 and is designed to honor the World War II Navajo Code Talkers both those alive and those who have already passed. President Ronald Reagan established Navajo Code Talker Day to be August 14th and ever since then there has been a celebration on that day in their honor on the Navajo Reservation. This year the event will be escalated due to the decline of the Code Talker population. This event will be the largest in Navajo history because the President of the Navajo Nation, Mr. Shirley, has declared this day to be a Navajo Nation Holiday and attendance to this event should double if not triple it’s attendance.
The Navajo Code Talkers are amazing veterans as I am sure you realize. These men suffered extraordinary sacrifices and they received very little recognition for their success during the War. They returned to their reservation without the honors or heroes welcomes. They were a secret until only recently. My goal is to make sure that these amazing veterans feel that they are appreciated and respected for their duty to our country.
If you have ever seen these men you will notice that they wear many pins, patches and patriotic clothing almost all the time. I am a member of the Castle Rock Young Marines and we recently took 5 of these amazing men to the grand opening of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in November. Although their finances were extremely limited they purchased even more pins and patches from the museum store. They can never have enough patriotic items or Marine Corps memorabilia. They wear multiple pins, patches, jackets, covers, baseball caps and more. You name it, they want it, however their finances are very low and many of the items that they would like to own they can not afford. That is why I am contacting you at this time.
I was wondering if you have any items that you can donate to make up “goodie bags” to give to the Code Talkers on Navajo Code Talker Day. There are about 40 living Code Talkers and about 20-30 will be there for this event. They are very interested in Large Eagle Globe and Anchor pins to add to their covers. They also love patches, pens (they are always being asked to sign autographs), baseball caps, bumper stickers, books, USMC jackets and other clothes, or any other USMC items that you can spare. If you have anything that you have available to donate I am sure that these men would sincerely appreciate it.
We have another obstacle as well that I am attempting to overcome. I need to raise the funds to pay the traveling expenses for the Marine Corps Band to be able to perform at the event. The Code Talkers really want to have the band there but we would need to pay for the transportation, hotels as well as the food for about 40 band members. Therefore, we are looking for a sponsor for the event that could take care of these expenses and help offset the other costs involved with an event of this proportion.
If you at all willing or able to help sponsor this event or donate items to be given out to the Code Talkers I would greatly appreciate it. Please contact me at NavajoCodeTalkerDay@Hotmail.com. I am available to answer any questions that you may have regarding this event.
The Navajo Code Talkers are amazing veterans as I am sure you realize. These men suffered extraordinary sacrifices and they received very little recognition for their success during the War. They returned to their reservation without the honors or heroes welcomes. They were a secret until only recently. My goal is to make sure that these amazing veterans feel that they are appreciated and respected for their duty to our country.
If you have ever seen these men you will notice that they wear many pins, patches and patriotic clothing almost all the time. I am a member of the Castle Rock Young Marines and we recently took 5 of these amazing men to the grand opening of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in November. Although their finances were extremely limited they purchased even more pins and patches from the museum store. They can never have enough patriotic items or Marine Corps memorabilia. They wear multiple pins, patches, jackets, covers, baseball caps and more. You name it, they want it, however their finances are very low and many of the items that they would like to own they can not afford. That is why I am contacting you at this time.
I was wondering if you have any items that you can donate to make up “goodie bags” to give to the Code Talkers on Navajo Code Talker Day. There are about 40 living Code Talkers and about 20-30 will be there for this event. They are very interested in Large Eagle Globe and Anchor pins to add to their covers. They also love patches, pens (they are always being asked to sign autographs), baseball caps, bumper stickers, books, USMC jackets and other clothes, or any other USMC items that you can spare. If you have anything that you have available to donate I am sure that these men would sincerely appreciate it.
We have another obstacle as well that I am attempting to overcome. I need to raise the funds to pay the traveling expenses for the Marine Corps Band to be able to perform at the event. The Code Talkers really want to have the band there but we would need to pay for the transportation, hotels as well as the food for about 40 band members. Therefore, we are looking for a sponsor for the event that could take care of these expenses and help offset the other costs involved with an event of this proportion.
If you at all willing or able to help sponsor this event or donate items to be given out to the Code Talkers I would greatly appreciate it. Please contact me at NavajoCodeTalkerDay@Hotmail.com. I am available to answer any questions that you may have regarding this event.
Bush: Further Delay in War-Spending Bill Will Impact Troops
By Steven Donald Smith
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – President Bush yesterday once again called for Congress to send him a clean emergency war-spending bill that does not include tacked on funding measures and a timeline for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq. Without the supplemental funds requested by the White House in early February, military officials will be compelled to shift money around to fill expenditure disparities, Bush said during his weekly radio address to the nation.
"In the next few days, our military leaders will notify Congress that they will be forced to transfer $1.6 billion from other military accounts to make up for the gaps caused by Congress' failure to fund our troops in the field," he said. "That means our military will have to take money from personnel accounts so they can continue to fund U.S. Army operations in Iraq and elsewhere."
The $1.6 billion is in addition to the $1.7 billion in transferred funds U.S. military leaders notified Congress about last month, Bush noted.
"In March, Congress was told that the military would need to take money from personnel accounts, weapons and communications systems, so we can continue to fund programs that protect our troops from improvised explosive devices and send hundreds of mine-resistant vehicles to the front lines," he said.
Bush said further delays in the war-spending bill would negatively affect U.S. troops. "The longer Congress delays the worse the impact on the men and women of the armed forces will be," he said.
On April 18, the president plans to meet congressional leaders of both political parties at the White House to discuss the emergency war funding request. Bush said he will veto the bills already passed by the House and Senate because they impose restrictions on U.S. military commanders, set a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq, and include billions of dollars on domestic projects that have nothing to do with the war.
"We owe it to the American people and to our troops and their families to deliver our full support," he said.
Bush said he realizes political differences are inherent in Washington, but stressed U.S. troops should not be trapped in the middle of such differences.
"Supporting our troops is a solemn responsibility of all elected officials in Washington, D.C.," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Top Enlisted Leader Meets With Marines, Wraps Up Okinawa Visit
By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – The senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff wrapped up a visit to Okinawa April 13, meeting with Marines at Camp Hansen and Camp Courtney. During his three-day visit, Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey spoke with soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in town-hall forums and work centers, and gave the keynote speech at an Air Force Academy graduation.
At a Camp Hansen town-hall meeting Friday, Gainey noted that many of the Marines in the audience had served combat tours in Iraq or Afghanistan. As a combat veteran himself, the sergeant major said, he knows servicemembers have to "click on" a state of intense focus when potential danger exists and to "click off" in non-threatening situations. Not surprisingly, he said, people sometimes have trouble clicking off, even after they've returned home after their combat tour.
One of his prime concerns as the military's top enlisted member, Gainey told the Marines, is ensuring that combat veterans have and take advantage of medical care, counseling services and other resources to help them in their readjustment. He urged the Marines to take care of one another, and to assist their friends in getting help if they notice what seem to be stress-related changes in behavior.
While at Camp Hansen, Gainey also toured Army and Marine Corps firing ranges and visited with sailors and Marines of the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, the 7th Communications Battalion and the Senior NCO Academy. A town-hall meeting followed at the Camp Courtney theater.
Throughout his visit to Okinawa, Gainey stressed that the services are working together more than ever before, and he urged those he met with to help in weaving a joint culture.
His top goal as SEAC, the sergeant major said, is "to make the services realize that we are more alike than we are different, and to get the enlisted leadership in the services to break down some of the cultural barriers and realize that we are truly one force fighting one war."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – The senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff wrapped up a visit to Okinawa April 13, meeting with Marines at Camp Hansen and Camp Courtney. During his three-day visit, Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey spoke with soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in town-hall forums and work centers, and gave the keynote speech at an Air Force Academy graduation.
At a Camp Hansen town-hall meeting Friday, Gainey noted that many of the Marines in the audience had served combat tours in Iraq or Afghanistan. As a combat veteran himself, the sergeant major said, he knows servicemembers have to "click on" a state of intense focus when potential danger exists and to "click off" in non-threatening situations. Not surprisingly, he said, people sometimes have trouble clicking off, even after they've returned home after their combat tour.
One of his prime concerns as the military's top enlisted member, Gainey told the Marines, is ensuring that combat veterans have and take advantage of medical care, counseling services and other resources to help them in their readjustment. He urged the Marines to take care of one another, and to assist their friends in getting help if they notice what seem to be stress-related changes in behavior.
While at Camp Hansen, Gainey also toured Army and Marine Corps firing ranges and visited with sailors and Marines of the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, the 7th Communications Battalion and the Senior NCO Academy. A town-hall meeting followed at the Camp Courtney theater.
Throughout his visit to Okinawa, Gainey stressed that the services are working together more than ever before, and he urged those he met with to help in weaving a joint culture.
His top goal as SEAC, the sergeant major said, is "to make the services realize that we are more alike than we are different, and to get the enlisted leadership in the services to break down some of the cultural barriers and realize that we are truly one force fighting one war."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Troops in Iraq Thank Supporters in Arizona
By Capt. Brus E. Vidal, USAF
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – Yesterday, through the magic of technology, more than 50 soldiers, airmen and civilians in Iraq were able to personally thank a group of citizens in Phoenix, Ariz., for supporting the troops and the families they leave behind. Thanks to a little help from the Pentagon, a video hookup connected the deployed troops with the folks back home participating in the third Cyclerides.com Hearts to Heroes ride.
About 4,000 patriotic motorcycle riders and troop supporters, along with civic leaders from throughout Arizona, church members and volunteers with "Packages from Home" and "Operation Homefront" of Arizona came out to show their support. Some servicemembers from Arizona also received a special surprise during the live broadcast when event host, Barry Caraway, introduced their family members.
Carraway, owner of the Phoenix-based motorcycle enthusiast website Cyclerides.com, and David A. Whitten, chairman of the board and director of Marketing and Media Relations for Operation Homefront's Arizona Chapter, organized the first Hearts to Heroes ride in 2005 to show their support to troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, as well as all veterans. The bikers rode for the troops again in 2006.
Prior to this year's ride, Packages from Home sent over 100 gift packages to the troops that were present at the event.
"I was blessed to join up with Packages from Home in November 2004 as their director of marketing and media relations," Whitten said. "When I came on board, they were shipping 30 care packages a month from the founder's garage.
"They are now shipping well over 3,000 packages a month from a donated 3,500 square-foot building they use as a processing center.
"It has been an honor to serve our military the past 26 months with Packages from Home, and now I am honored to be able to serve the families that are left behind by our deployed military from the state of Arizona and wounded warriors that return home to Arizona through the efforts of Operation Homefront of Arizona."
Both groups are members of the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program established in November 2004 to directly connect military members to the support of the America people and to offer a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community
For this year's hearts to hero ride, Caraway and Whitten worked with the Multinational Force Iraq's U.S. National Outreach team to create a two-way, live, talkback with troops in Iraq led by Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.
The event was broadcast live from the Armed Forces Network studio at the Combined Press Information Center in Baghdad on Fox News Channel's Fox and Friends morning show and on the Pentagon Channel. Dual 20-foot screen monitors, part of Christ Church of the Valley's audio-visual system, were used so the Arizonans could see Caldwell and the troops as they conversed with and answered questions from event host Caraway and audience members.
"Both Barry and I were wondering after last year's Hearts to Heroes event what we could do this year to make it bigger and better, and also make it reach out more to the community," Whitten said. "That's when we thought up the idea of taking our troop support event directly to the men and women serving this country proudly."
Whitten contacted his friend, Roxie Merritt, who works in the Pentagon as chief pf integrated internal communications for the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs.
"Roxie came to the grand opening of the Packages from Home processing center in November 2006. So when I pitched the idea of a live broadcast to Roxie, she loved it," Mr. Whitten said. "We are where we are here today at this live broadcast with the greatest group of Americans because of her."
Merritt said she was honored to be a part of this event. "Having just retired from the military, I know how important support from home is for the morale of the troops," she said.
"David Whitten and the wonderful people from Packages from Home are true patriots, volunteering their time and efforts to support our men and women in uniform," Merritt said. "We are very appreciative and grateful for their dedication. Plus, I have a lot of fun working with them."
Following the event, several troops expressed their appreciation for the show of support.
"This was an incredible event - absolutely awesome," Caldwell said. "Nothing means more to the troops than to know they have a supportive American public back home."
"The time and energy put in by that group of great Americans in Phoenix to make this event a reality and the monetary sacrifice they and so many others make to continue to mail hundreds and hundreds of care packages to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, is truly amazing," the general said.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Lila D. Puentes, a paralegal serving with the Central Criminal Court in Iraq, echoed Caldwell's sentiments.
"It is always comforting for the men and women of the military to see that our efforts are supported, regardless of how the American people feel about the war in Iraq," said Puentes, who is from San Antonio, Texas. "I personally want to thank everyone who contributed to the "Hearts of Heroes" program. "Their efforts in giving us a "little piece of home" are greatly appreciated."
Others among this group of care package recipients at the event all hail from the Southwestern United Sates - including Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Texas.
"Receiving care packages while deployed is something very special to me - it means that someone back home is thinking about me and what I am doing, as well as what the rest of out servicemembers are doing, here in Iraq," said Army Spec. Jennifer E. Fulk.
"Events like this remind us how much people back home care and are willing to donate their time, money and energy into showing their patriotism," she said. "I am extremely proud to be a part of our Armed Forces and to be serving my country as a resident of Arizona."
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Antonio Infante, from Las Cruces, N.M., talked about what it means to have the support of the American public and how this event drove that point home for him.
"I can't express enough gratitude to Hearts to Heroes with words alone," said Infante, who serves as a paralegal with Task Force 134, Central Criminal Court of Iraq. "I'm very honored to be able to do what I do for my country.
"I'm even more honored to know that there are people who support those of us who are away from our homes," he said. "These packages mean more than you could ever know, especially knowing that these were gifts from the heart."
"It brings a tear to my eye every time I read a note or a letter from someone who is expressing their support," Infante said. "It makes me proud to be from the Southwest and an American.
Infante told the support groups: "Keep up the good work and keep bringing the smiles to the soldiers serving this great country."
(Capt. Brus E. Vidal is assigned to Multinational Force Iraq's U.S. National Outreach program.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – Yesterday, through the magic of technology, more than 50 soldiers, airmen and civilians in Iraq were able to personally thank a group of citizens in Phoenix, Ariz., for supporting the troops and the families they leave behind. Thanks to a little help from the Pentagon, a video hookup connected the deployed troops with the folks back home participating in the third Cyclerides.com Hearts to Heroes ride.
About 4,000 patriotic motorcycle riders and troop supporters, along with civic leaders from throughout Arizona, church members and volunteers with "Packages from Home" and "Operation Homefront" of Arizona came out to show their support. Some servicemembers from Arizona also received a special surprise during the live broadcast when event host, Barry Caraway, introduced their family members.
Carraway, owner of the Phoenix-based motorcycle enthusiast website Cyclerides.com, and David A. Whitten, chairman of the board and director of Marketing and Media Relations for Operation Homefront's Arizona Chapter, organized the first Hearts to Heroes ride in 2005 to show their support to troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, as well as all veterans. The bikers rode for the troops again in 2006.
Prior to this year's ride, Packages from Home sent over 100 gift packages to the troops that were present at the event.
"I was blessed to join up with Packages from Home in November 2004 as their director of marketing and media relations," Whitten said. "When I came on board, they were shipping 30 care packages a month from the founder's garage.
"They are now shipping well over 3,000 packages a month from a donated 3,500 square-foot building they use as a processing center.
"It has been an honor to serve our military the past 26 months with Packages from Home, and now I am honored to be able to serve the families that are left behind by our deployed military from the state of Arizona and wounded warriors that return home to Arizona through the efforts of Operation Homefront of Arizona."
Both groups are members of the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program established in November 2004 to directly connect military members to the support of the America people and to offer a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community
For this year's hearts to hero ride, Caraway and Whitten worked with the Multinational Force Iraq's U.S. National Outreach team to create a two-way, live, talkback with troops in Iraq led by Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.
The event was broadcast live from the Armed Forces Network studio at the Combined Press Information Center in Baghdad on Fox News Channel's Fox and Friends morning show and on the Pentagon Channel. Dual 20-foot screen monitors, part of Christ Church of the Valley's audio-visual system, were used so the Arizonans could see Caldwell and the troops as they conversed with and answered questions from event host Caraway and audience members.
"Both Barry and I were wondering after last year's Hearts to Heroes event what we could do this year to make it bigger and better, and also make it reach out more to the community," Whitten said. "That's when we thought up the idea of taking our troop support event directly to the men and women serving this country proudly."
Whitten contacted his friend, Roxie Merritt, who works in the Pentagon as chief pf integrated internal communications for the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs.
"Roxie came to the grand opening of the Packages from Home processing center in November 2006. So when I pitched the idea of a live broadcast to Roxie, she loved it," Mr. Whitten said. "We are where we are here today at this live broadcast with the greatest group of Americans because of her."
Merritt said she was honored to be a part of this event. "Having just retired from the military, I know how important support from home is for the morale of the troops," she said.
"David Whitten and the wonderful people from Packages from Home are true patriots, volunteering their time and efforts to support our men and women in uniform," Merritt said. "We are very appreciative and grateful for their dedication. Plus, I have a lot of fun working with them."
Following the event, several troops expressed their appreciation for the show of support.
"This was an incredible event - absolutely awesome," Caldwell said. "Nothing means more to the troops than to know they have a supportive American public back home."
"The time and energy put in by that group of great Americans in Phoenix to make this event a reality and the monetary sacrifice they and so many others make to continue to mail hundreds and hundreds of care packages to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, is truly amazing," the general said.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Lila D. Puentes, a paralegal serving with the Central Criminal Court in Iraq, echoed Caldwell's sentiments.
"It is always comforting for the men and women of the military to see that our efforts are supported, regardless of how the American people feel about the war in Iraq," said Puentes, who is from San Antonio, Texas. "I personally want to thank everyone who contributed to the "Hearts of Heroes" program. "Their efforts in giving us a "little piece of home" are greatly appreciated."
Others among this group of care package recipients at the event all hail from the Southwestern United Sates - including Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Texas.
"Receiving care packages while deployed is something very special to me - it means that someone back home is thinking about me and what I am doing, as well as what the rest of out servicemembers are doing, here in Iraq," said Army Spec. Jennifer E. Fulk.
"Events like this remind us how much people back home care and are willing to donate their time, money and energy into showing their patriotism," she said. "I am extremely proud to be a part of our Armed Forces and to be serving my country as a resident of Arizona."
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Antonio Infante, from Las Cruces, N.M., talked about what it means to have the support of the American public and how this event drove that point home for him.
"I can't express enough gratitude to Hearts to Heroes with words alone," said Infante, who serves as a paralegal with Task Force 134, Central Criminal Court of Iraq. "I'm very honored to be able to do what I do for my country.
"I'm even more honored to know that there are people who support those of us who are away from our homes," he said. "These packages mean more than you could ever know, especially knowing that these were gifts from the heart."
"It brings a tear to my eye every time I read a note or a letter from someone who is expressing their support," Infante said. "It makes me proud to be from the Southwest and an American.
Infante told the support groups: "Keep up the good work and keep bringing the smiles to the soldiers serving this great country."
(Capt. Brus E. Vidal is assigned to Multinational Force Iraq's U.S. National Outreach program.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Bikers Salute, Support Servicemembers
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – Servicemembers stationed in Baghdad got an earful - and an eyeful - yesterday from about 4,000 supporters who gathered here to show their appreciation during the third Cyclerides.com "Hearts to Heroes" motorcycle ride. A two-way video connection, provided with help from the Pentagon Channel and the military, made that possible.
The idea to put the 56 troops, including Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, face-to-face with some of their biggest fans came from Barry Caraway's childhood memories.
"I grew up in the era of the Vietnam vet, and I saw how those guys came back," Caraway, owner of Cyclerides.com, said. "They weren't treated very well. In fact they were treated shabbily.
"I wanted to change the mistakes of my generation and not allow that to happen in my daughter's generation," he added.
Roxie Merritt, chief of integrated internal communications for the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, told the crowd that's exactly why the Defense Department created "America Supports You." America Supports You is a program connecting citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.
"America Supports You ... is to make sure ... what happened to you (Vietnam veterans) never, never happens again," she said during the opening ceremony.
The standing ovation that greeted the troops helped drive home that sentiment. The clapping, "Ooh Rahs," and "Hooahs" went on for more than a minute, causing Caldwell to break into a wide grin.
While the video connection provided the means for the supporters to show their appreciation in person, it also provided the troops an opportunity to thank the ride's three beneficiaries. Packages From Home and Operation Homefront are America Supports You members.
"It allows us to collect donations for the troops that are overseas because part of the admission into this is not only the $15 entry fee, but a sack of goodies or donations for the troops that are over there," Vonn Magnin of Packages From Home said. "This allows us to send things over to our men and women overseas."
Margy Bons, president of Operation Homefront's Arizona chapter, agreed that the donation from the ride to her group would be most helpful.
"For Operation Homefront of Arizona, it will allow us to have some funding to support the families when they give us a call and they have a need," she said. "(It) will also support our troops overseas, because they will know their family is being taken care of."
The third beneficiary, Phoenix International Raceway's "Salute to Military Families" program, provides military families with tickets to events at the track. The three groups will equally split the $15 per bike entry fee.
"On behalf of all the men and women serving in uniform, (and) all those serving in civilian clothes over here, we just want to say thanks to all of you," Caldwell, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said. "Thank you very much."
Army Sgt. John Jones, an Arizona National Guardsman who spent a year in Iraq, understood just where that appreciation was coming from. He received many care packages while serving overseas.
"Packages From Home meant so much to all of us over there," he said. "It touches my heart that people work this hard for the people over there."
Jones also knows how much the live feed meant to the servicemembers in Baghdad. "It's almost like part of you is home when you're doing a live feed," he said.
During the live feed, a few Arizona servicemembers got a chance to briefly catch up with loved ones who blew them kisses and wished them a safe and speedy homecoming.
After musical tributes dedicated to the servicemembers and a prayer for the safety of all those present, the bikers hit the road for a sun-baked 60-mile ride.
An impressive sight, the nearly mile-long line of motorcycles drew cheers and peace signs from those along the route. While that was a boost, most found taking a lap around the Phoenix International Raceway the highlight of the ride.
The ride, which also passed Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, ended with live musical entertainment at a venue near the University of Arizona's Cardinal Stadium.
Caraway, who's already begun planning next year's ride, said the it helps accomplish one of his main goals; keeping support for the troops high in spite of an individual's views of the war.
"These are our guys in our United States military uniforms, and they come before anything," Barry Caraway. "My personal belief, growing up in the Vietnam era, that after seeing how those guys came home, we have to separate the war from the warrior.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – Servicemembers stationed in Baghdad got an earful - and an eyeful - yesterday from about 4,000 supporters who gathered here to show their appreciation during the third Cyclerides.com "Hearts to Heroes" motorcycle ride. A two-way video connection, provided with help from the Pentagon Channel and the military, made that possible.
The idea to put the 56 troops, including Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, face-to-face with some of their biggest fans came from Barry Caraway's childhood memories.
"I grew up in the era of the Vietnam vet, and I saw how those guys came back," Caraway, owner of Cyclerides.com, said. "They weren't treated very well. In fact they were treated shabbily.
"I wanted to change the mistakes of my generation and not allow that to happen in my daughter's generation," he added.
Roxie Merritt, chief of integrated internal communications for the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, told the crowd that's exactly why the Defense Department created "America Supports You." America Supports You is a program connecting citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.
"America Supports You ... is to make sure ... what happened to you (Vietnam veterans) never, never happens again," she said during the opening ceremony.
The standing ovation that greeted the troops helped drive home that sentiment. The clapping, "Ooh Rahs," and "Hooahs" went on for more than a minute, causing Caldwell to break into a wide grin.
While the video connection provided the means for the supporters to show their appreciation in person, it also provided the troops an opportunity to thank the ride's three beneficiaries. Packages From Home and Operation Homefront are America Supports You members.
"It allows us to collect donations for the troops that are overseas because part of the admission into this is not only the $15 entry fee, but a sack of goodies or donations for the troops that are over there," Vonn Magnin of Packages From Home said. "This allows us to send things over to our men and women overseas."
Margy Bons, president of Operation Homefront's Arizona chapter, agreed that the donation from the ride to her group would be most helpful.
"For Operation Homefront of Arizona, it will allow us to have some funding to support the families when they give us a call and they have a need," she said. "(It) will also support our troops overseas, because they will know their family is being taken care of."
The third beneficiary, Phoenix International Raceway's "Salute to Military Families" program, provides military families with tickets to events at the track. The three groups will equally split the $15 per bike entry fee.
"On behalf of all the men and women serving in uniform, (and) all those serving in civilian clothes over here, we just want to say thanks to all of you," Caldwell, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said. "Thank you very much."
Army Sgt. John Jones, an Arizona National Guardsman who spent a year in Iraq, understood just where that appreciation was coming from. He received many care packages while serving overseas.
"Packages From Home meant so much to all of us over there," he said. "It touches my heart that people work this hard for the people over there."
Jones also knows how much the live feed meant to the servicemembers in Baghdad. "It's almost like part of you is home when you're doing a live feed," he said.
During the live feed, a few Arizona servicemembers got a chance to briefly catch up with loved ones who blew them kisses and wished them a safe and speedy homecoming.
After musical tributes dedicated to the servicemembers and a prayer for the safety of all those present, the bikers hit the road for a sun-baked 60-mile ride.
An impressive sight, the nearly mile-long line of motorcycles drew cheers and peace signs from those along the route. While that was a boost, most found taking a lap around the Phoenix International Raceway the highlight of the ride.
The ride, which also passed Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, ended with live musical entertainment at a venue near the University of Arizona's Cardinal Stadium.
Caraway, who's already begun planning next year's ride, said the it helps accomplish one of his main goals; keeping support for the troops high in spite of an individual's views of the war.
"These are our guys in our United States military uniforms, and they come before anything," Barry Caraway. "My personal belief, growing up in the Vietnam era, that after seeing how those guys came home, we have to separate the war from the warrior.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Army Anesthesia Program Ranked Second in Nation
By Elaine Wilson
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 13, 2007 – An Army Medical Department Center and School program was ranked second in the nation by U.S. News and World Report magazine in this year's edition of "America's Best Graduate Schools," which hit the stands in early April. The U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing missed top spot in the nursing-anesthesia category by only a tenth of a point, with a score of 4.0 out of 5.0. Virginia Commonwealth University earned a score of 4.1.
"We're inching our way up to a top ranking," Army Lt. Col. Thomas Ceremuga, anesthesia nursing program director, said in referring to the increase in the program's score. The program was last ranked in 2003, when it earned second place with a score of 3.8.
U.S. News and World Report bases its nurse specialty rankings on ratings by educators and deans at peer schools, according to the magazine. With 106 nursing anesthesia schools in the nation, Ceremuga said, the high regard is a valuable compliment, although he is quick to attribute the program's success to the quality and dedication of the faculty and students. "I'm very appreciative for all the hard work within the school and the esteem our peers have for us in the nursing community," he said.
The Army program at Fort Sam Houston produces more than 90 percent of the Army's certified registered nurse anesthetists, as well as Air Force and Veterans Affairs CRNAs. With the CRNA career field in high demand, Ceremuga said, he works to ensure the competitive program fully equips the nurses for peacetime and war.
"Most of our CRNAs will deploy soon after they graduate, so we need to ensure they receive the training they need for a deployment as we teach them the basic skills they need to be a certified registered nurse anesthetist," Ceremuga said.
The anesthesia nursing program comprises a year of classroom training and another 18 months of clinical training at one of several Phase 2 sites, located in military hospitals and medical centers throughout the nation. Classes average about 40 people and are open to Army, Air Force and VA registered nurses. The students are required to have a bachelor's degree in nursing science and a year or two of nursing experience under their belts to compete for a seat in the class.
"It's competitive," Ceremuga said. "We have some students with five to 10 years of experience here earning their second master's degree. The students are very accomplished overall."
With an average attrition rate of 25 percent, the experience level and maturity of a slightly older student body comes in handy, although "the attrition rate due to academics is not as high as the number reflects," Ceremuga explained. "About half of the students in that percentage leave for personal reasons as opposed to academic."
During a rigorous training schedule, students learn to administer anesthesia in a variety of settings, from an operating room in a stateside hospital to a forward surgical team downrange. Training encompasses a variety of anesthesia agents and the administration of local, regional and general anesthesia.
Additionally, during a short break from classroom sessions, students take on a scientific research project while in Phase 1, then write up and present findings at local and national conferences during Phase 2. A recent research study examined the effectiveness of the blankets the Army uses to prevent hypothermia, and another looked at the effect herbs have on emergence from anesthesia.
The positive exposure from public appearances only helps to improve the school's reputation, Dr. Don Johnson, research program director, said. "Our students are at the forefront. They represent the school very well," he said.
Like the students, instructors also are experienced, with Army, Air Force and VA backgrounds. One of the instructors, Dr. Doug Christi, was recently named the Army Medical Department Center and School's instructor of the year.
Program leaders and instructors strive to keep the training current, particularly when applying lessons learned from the field. A recent data call helped tailor the course to today's needs.
"We queried Army and Air Force nurse anesthetists who have deployed and have shifted our focus so our training reflects current events," Ceremuga said. He added that more of the training emphasis is on trauma rotations, central line placement, pediatric care, emergency airway management, regional anesthesia, and pain management.
At the completion of training, students receive a master's degree from a partnering university, which offers administrative support and issues the degrees. Up until now, students received the degree from the University of Texas at Houston Health and Science Center. However, starting with the next class in June, a new contract has partnered the Army with Northeastern University in Boston.
Upon graduation, students become mostly autonomous, an aspect of the career field that is attractive to many of the nurses, who would otherwise be required to have oversight from a doctor in many other settings.
"A nurse anesthetist is the culmination of critical care and independence," said Army Capt. Thurayya Gillis, head nurse of same-day surgery and pre-op at Fort Jackson, S.C. "You can provide the care rather than just deliver it."
Air Force Capt. Daniel Moore, an intensive care unit nurse from Wilford Hall Medical Center, said he has always been interested in the CRNA career field. "I've wanted to do this since I started as a nurse. I like the idea of the autonomy, absolute control.
"It suits my Type A personality," he joked.
With its highly reputable program, the Army has no problem attracting trainees. In fact, notable graduates include the acting Army Surgeon General Maj. Gen. Gale Pollock and retired Brig. Gen. William Bester, acting dean of nursing at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
But with salaries running into six figures for nurse anesthetists outside the military, the Army does have trouble retaining trained CRNAs.
"It's hard to compete with the salaries in the civilian sector," Ceremuga said. "All we have is our name, our reputation and a promise of a high-quality education.
"The students who apply and come to this program know they can make more elsewhere. They know they will have to deploy," he said. "That tells me something about their character and their patriotism."
The new class in June will have 52 students, a record number for the program and a testament to the program's high-quality education. However, Maj. Jeffrey Conroy, Ceremuga's right hand and the director of the simulation program, said the appeal of the Army program is not based on rankings alone.
"We may not have been ranked No. 1, but we've always had the No. 1 mission -- taking care of soldiers," he said.
(Elaine Wilson is assigned to the Fort Sam Houston Public Information Office.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 13, 2007 – An Army Medical Department Center and School program was ranked second in the nation by U.S. News and World Report magazine in this year's edition of "America's Best Graduate Schools," which hit the stands in early April. The U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing missed top spot in the nursing-anesthesia category by only a tenth of a point, with a score of 4.0 out of 5.0. Virginia Commonwealth University earned a score of 4.1.
"We're inching our way up to a top ranking," Army Lt. Col. Thomas Ceremuga, anesthesia nursing program director, said in referring to the increase in the program's score. The program was last ranked in 2003, when it earned second place with a score of 3.8.
U.S. News and World Report bases its nurse specialty rankings on ratings by educators and deans at peer schools, according to the magazine. With 106 nursing anesthesia schools in the nation, Ceremuga said, the high regard is a valuable compliment, although he is quick to attribute the program's success to the quality and dedication of the faculty and students. "I'm very appreciative for all the hard work within the school and the esteem our peers have for us in the nursing community," he said.
The Army program at Fort Sam Houston produces more than 90 percent of the Army's certified registered nurse anesthetists, as well as Air Force and Veterans Affairs CRNAs. With the CRNA career field in high demand, Ceremuga said, he works to ensure the competitive program fully equips the nurses for peacetime and war.
"Most of our CRNAs will deploy soon after they graduate, so we need to ensure they receive the training they need for a deployment as we teach them the basic skills they need to be a certified registered nurse anesthetist," Ceremuga said.
The anesthesia nursing program comprises a year of classroom training and another 18 months of clinical training at one of several Phase 2 sites, located in military hospitals and medical centers throughout the nation. Classes average about 40 people and are open to Army, Air Force and VA registered nurses. The students are required to have a bachelor's degree in nursing science and a year or two of nursing experience under their belts to compete for a seat in the class.
"It's competitive," Ceremuga said. "We have some students with five to 10 years of experience here earning their second master's degree. The students are very accomplished overall."
With an average attrition rate of 25 percent, the experience level and maturity of a slightly older student body comes in handy, although "the attrition rate due to academics is not as high as the number reflects," Ceremuga explained. "About half of the students in that percentage leave for personal reasons as opposed to academic."
During a rigorous training schedule, students learn to administer anesthesia in a variety of settings, from an operating room in a stateside hospital to a forward surgical team downrange. Training encompasses a variety of anesthesia agents and the administration of local, regional and general anesthesia.
Additionally, during a short break from classroom sessions, students take on a scientific research project while in Phase 1, then write up and present findings at local and national conferences during Phase 2. A recent research study examined the effectiveness of the blankets the Army uses to prevent hypothermia, and another looked at the effect herbs have on emergence from anesthesia.
The positive exposure from public appearances only helps to improve the school's reputation, Dr. Don Johnson, research program director, said. "Our students are at the forefront. They represent the school very well," he said.
Like the students, instructors also are experienced, with Army, Air Force and VA backgrounds. One of the instructors, Dr. Doug Christi, was recently named the Army Medical Department Center and School's instructor of the year.
Program leaders and instructors strive to keep the training current, particularly when applying lessons learned from the field. A recent data call helped tailor the course to today's needs.
"We queried Army and Air Force nurse anesthetists who have deployed and have shifted our focus so our training reflects current events," Ceremuga said. He added that more of the training emphasis is on trauma rotations, central line placement, pediatric care, emergency airway management, regional anesthesia, and pain management.
At the completion of training, students receive a master's degree from a partnering university, which offers administrative support and issues the degrees. Up until now, students received the degree from the University of Texas at Houston Health and Science Center. However, starting with the next class in June, a new contract has partnered the Army with Northeastern University in Boston.
Upon graduation, students become mostly autonomous, an aspect of the career field that is attractive to many of the nurses, who would otherwise be required to have oversight from a doctor in many other settings.
"A nurse anesthetist is the culmination of critical care and independence," said Army Capt. Thurayya Gillis, head nurse of same-day surgery and pre-op at Fort Jackson, S.C. "You can provide the care rather than just deliver it."
Air Force Capt. Daniel Moore, an intensive care unit nurse from Wilford Hall Medical Center, said he has always been interested in the CRNA career field. "I've wanted to do this since I started as a nurse. I like the idea of the autonomy, absolute control.
"It suits my Type A personality," he joked.
With its highly reputable program, the Army has no problem attracting trainees. In fact, notable graduates include the acting Army Surgeon General Maj. Gen. Gale Pollock and retired Brig. Gen. William Bester, acting dean of nursing at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
But with salaries running into six figures for nurse anesthetists outside the military, the Army does have trouble retaining trained CRNAs.
"It's hard to compete with the salaries in the civilian sector," Ceremuga said. "All we have is our name, our reputation and a promise of a high-quality education.
"The students who apply and come to this program know they can make more elsewhere. They know they will have to deploy," he said. "That tells me something about their character and their patriotism."
The new class in June will have 52 students, a record number for the program and a testament to the program's high-quality education. However, Maj. Jeffrey Conroy, Ceremuga's right hand and the director of the simulation program, said the appeal of the Army program is not based on rankings alone.
"We may not have been ranked No. 1, but we've always had the No. 1 mission -- taking care of soldiers," he said.
(Elaine Wilson is assigned to the Fort Sam Houston Public Information Office.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
DoD Honors Arizona City for Troop Support
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
April 13, 2007 – The Defense Department recognized the city of Peoria, Ariz., yesterday for its stalwart support of the military. Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett accepted the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award on behalf of his city in a ceremony here.
"(The servicemembers) are the people that we are honoring here today. These are the people we are asking the supreme sacrifice of," Barrett, a Vietnam veteran, said in accepting the award. "By golly, when they come back and while they're over there, they deserve our support.
"The city of Peoria will give them that support, and I call on all of you to join us," he challenged.
He received a medal and a citation describing the city's accomplishments from Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public liaison and internal communications. She lauded the city's efforts to support the nation's servicemembers.
"I'd like to thank the city of Peoria for understanding ... the importance of communicating America's support for our troops," Barber said, going on to thank all of the leaders gathered. "Thank you for understanding that the morale of the men and women in the military rests on your soldiers.
She also took the opportunity to speak about the America Supports You program and show a message "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek recorded regarding the program. America Supports You is a DoD program connecting citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.
Barber also presented Arizona State Rep. John Nelson with a DoD parka in recognition for his support of the military.
Peoria, located northwest of Phoenix, was recognized for many efforts in support of the troops. One of those includes encouraging its chamber of commerce to become the first chamber in the country to join the America Supports You program in 2005.
Peoria also was the first city in Arizona to broadcast the Pentagon Channel live, ensuring servicemembers living in the area have access to news that affects them. The city is currently leading an effort to make the channel available statewide. This is just one of the initiatives Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano vowed to pursue two years ago when she declared her state would join the America Supports You team, Barber said.
"I'm so proud that Peoria, hopefully, will be the flashpoint for taking (the Pentagon Channel) statewide; for taking this, hopefully, nationwide," Barrett said. "It's absolutely critical for people that are serving."
Army Maj. Matthew Gardner, of Fort Huachuca, Ariz., said support like the city of Peoria has shown the troops is just as critical as receiving the Pentagon Channel.
"Having support from the American people, which is who we serve, is critical," he said. "It keeps our morale up. It keeps us knowing that we are doing the right thing and keeping the American people free to do what they want to do."
Servicemembers' sacrifices, both at home and overseas, are not lost on U.S. Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona. He had a message for the men and women in uniform.
"We are proud of them beyond measure," Franks said, adding that the nobility of no profession out paces that of being a soldier of freedom. "Because soldiers don't fight because they hate what's in front of them.
"They fight because they love what's behind them," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 13, 2007 – The Defense Department recognized the city of Peoria, Ariz., yesterday for its stalwart support of the military. Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett accepted the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award on behalf of his city in a ceremony here.
"(The servicemembers) are the people that we are honoring here today. These are the people we are asking the supreme sacrifice of," Barrett, a Vietnam veteran, said in accepting the award. "By golly, when they come back and while they're over there, they deserve our support.
"The city of Peoria will give them that support, and I call on all of you to join us," he challenged.
He received a medal and a citation describing the city's accomplishments from Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public liaison and internal communications. She lauded the city's efforts to support the nation's servicemembers.
"I'd like to thank the city of Peoria for understanding ... the importance of communicating America's support for our troops," Barber said, going on to thank all of the leaders gathered. "Thank you for understanding that the morale of the men and women in the military rests on your soldiers.
She also took the opportunity to speak about the America Supports You program and show a message "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek recorded regarding the program. America Supports You is a DoD program connecting citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.
Barber also presented Arizona State Rep. John Nelson with a DoD parka in recognition for his support of the military.
Peoria, located northwest of Phoenix, was recognized for many efforts in support of the troops. One of those includes encouraging its chamber of commerce to become the first chamber in the country to join the America Supports You program in 2005.
Peoria also was the first city in Arizona to broadcast the Pentagon Channel live, ensuring servicemembers living in the area have access to news that affects them. The city is currently leading an effort to make the channel available statewide. This is just one of the initiatives Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano vowed to pursue two years ago when she declared her state would join the America Supports You team, Barber said.
"I'm so proud that Peoria, hopefully, will be the flashpoint for taking (the Pentagon Channel) statewide; for taking this, hopefully, nationwide," Barrett said. "It's absolutely critical for people that are serving."
Army Maj. Matthew Gardner, of Fort Huachuca, Ariz., said support like the city of Peoria has shown the troops is just as critical as receiving the Pentagon Channel.
"Having support from the American people, which is who we serve, is critical," he said. "It keeps our morale up. It keeps us knowing that we are doing the right thing and keeping the American people free to do what they want to do."
Servicemembers' sacrifices, both at home and overseas, are not lost on U.S. Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona. He had a message for the men and women in uniform.
"We are proud of them beyond measure," Franks said, adding that the nobility of no profession out paces that of being a soldier of freedom. "Because soldiers don't fight because they hate what's in front of them.
"They fight because they love what's behind them," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Group Takes Entertainment to Troops
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
April 13, 2007 – Armed Forces Entertainment makes it a mission to bring a piece of home to servicemembers stationed far away. With the priority of reaching remote and isolated locations, Armed Forces Entertainment, has been entertaining troops since 1951. The Defense Department agency hosts more than 1,200 shows each year and reaches more than 500,000 servicemembers stationed at more than 300 military installations around the world, according to the group's Web site.
Armed Forces Entertainment is a member of America Supports You, a DoD program connecting troop-support groups, individual citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.
"Armed Forces Entertainment is the single point of contact for the Department of Defense in sending entertainment to our troops overseas," Melissa Welch, a spokesperson for the organization, said. "The two most requested (music genres) are rock and country."
There has been a shift in that trend in regard to the Middle East, she said. There's a younger demographic fighting on those front lines and they're asking for more rap and hip-hop.
Filling those requests can be a bit challenging, Welch said.
"The reason why it's challenging is because those rap artists would have to clean up their act a little bit," she said, adding that there are rules that apply to all of the entertainers Armed Forces Entertainment hosts. "You can't have expletives within your music, or they must be limited and very, very, very soft.
"Beyond that, we can't have any kind of commentary about race, religion or ethnicity," she said.
She noted that artists often are willing to modify language to participate in an Armed Forces Entertainment tour.
That may be because the organization, though it often works with the United Service Organizations to facilitate celebrity tours, works largely with up-and-coming artists for its shows. Often the up-and-comers develop a fan base in the servicemembers they entertain.
"The military personnel are so grateful, and they become fans of this artist for a lifetime," Welch said.
What an Armed Forces Entertainment tour can do for new artists' careers is on par with what their performances does for the morale of the servicemembers in the audience, Air Force Lt. Col. Tamara Moes, chief of Armed Forces Entertainment, said. During a tour in the Middle East, she was on the other side of the equation and, instead of helping get the shows to the troops, got to enjoy several that were jointly sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment and the USO.
"One time I was stationed for just 120 days in Baghdad," she said. "I did receive probably six shows ... during those 120 days."
While the majority of shows may be musical in nature, comedians, actors and sports celebrities all have been part of Armed Forces Entertainment tours. Comics Drew Carey and Kathy Griffith, rapper and singer Kid Rock, and World Wrestling Entertainment personalities are among them.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 13, 2007 – Armed Forces Entertainment makes it a mission to bring a piece of home to servicemembers stationed far away. With the priority of reaching remote and isolated locations, Armed Forces Entertainment, has been entertaining troops since 1951. The Defense Department agency hosts more than 1,200 shows each year and reaches more than 500,000 servicemembers stationed at more than 300 military installations around the world, according to the group's Web site.
Armed Forces Entertainment is a member of America Supports You, a DoD program connecting troop-support groups, individual citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.
"Armed Forces Entertainment is the single point of contact for the Department of Defense in sending entertainment to our troops overseas," Melissa Welch, a spokesperson for the organization, said. "The two most requested (music genres) are rock and country."
There has been a shift in that trend in regard to the Middle East, she said. There's a younger demographic fighting on those front lines and they're asking for more rap and hip-hop.
Filling those requests can be a bit challenging, Welch said.
"The reason why it's challenging is because those rap artists would have to clean up their act a little bit," she said, adding that there are rules that apply to all of the entertainers Armed Forces Entertainment hosts. "You can't have expletives within your music, or they must be limited and very, very, very soft.
"Beyond that, we can't have any kind of commentary about race, religion or ethnicity," she said.
She noted that artists often are willing to modify language to participate in an Armed Forces Entertainment tour.
That may be because the organization, though it often works with the United Service Organizations to facilitate celebrity tours, works largely with up-and-coming artists for its shows. Often the up-and-comers develop a fan base in the servicemembers they entertain.
"The military personnel are so grateful, and they become fans of this artist for a lifetime," Welch said.
What an Armed Forces Entertainment tour can do for new artists' careers is on par with what their performances does for the morale of the servicemembers in the audience, Air Force Lt. Col. Tamara Moes, chief of Armed Forces Entertainment, said. During a tour in the Middle East, she was on the other side of the equation and, instead of helping get the shows to the troops, got to enjoy several that were jointly sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment and the USO.
"One time I was stationed for just 120 days in Baghdad," she said. "I did receive probably six shows ... during those 120 days."
While the majority of shows may be musical in nature, comedians, actors and sports celebrities all have been part of Armed Forces Entertainment tours. Comics Drew Carey and Kathy Griffith, rapper and singer Kid Rock, and World Wrestling Entertainment personalities are among them.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Commander in Iraq Apologizes for Extensions With No Notice to Families
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
April 13, 2007 – Leaks to the media forced Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to speed up releasing his decision to increase tour lengths for soldiers assigned to U.S. Central Command from a year to 15 months. The notification of the decision to soldiers and their families was made simultaneous with the news briefing. Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, the commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, today apologized to the families -- many of whom heard about the decision on television.
"I know the announcement the other day was probably one that surprised them," Odierno told Pentagon reporters via teleconference from Baghdad. "I just want to comment to them that we appreciate everything that they're sacrificing, everything that they're doing. They are the strength behind all these great soldiers that are over here today."
Odierno said 15-month deployments are needed to ensure that the Army retains the capacity to sustain the deployed force. The force will rise to 20 brigades by the end of May.
The program also gives predictability for soldiers and their families, Odierno said. "This policy will ensure 12 months at home station between rotations," he said. "There's no doubt that this decision was a difficult one, and I am very aware that it will be hard on soldiers and their families.
"However, all who serve understand the importance of what we are trying to accomplish here and that the mission will always come first," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 13, 2007 – Leaks to the media forced Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to speed up releasing his decision to increase tour lengths for soldiers assigned to U.S. Central Command from a year to 15 months. The notification of the decision to soldiers and their families was made simultaneous with the news briefing. Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, the commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, today apologized to the families -- many of whom heard about the decision on television.
"I know the announcement the other day was probably one that surprised them," Odierno told Pentagon reporters via teleconference from Baghdad. "I just want to comment to them that we appreciate everything that they're sacrificing, everything that they're doing. They are the strength behind all these great soldiers that are over here today."
Odierno said 15-month deployments are needed to ensure that the Army retains the capacity to sustain the deployed force. The force will rise to 20 brigades by the end of May.
The program also gives predictability for soldiers and their families, Odierno said. "This policy will ensure 12 months at home station between rotations," he said. "There's no doubt that this decision was a difficult one, and I am very aware that it will be hard on soldiers and their families.
"However, all who serve understand the importance of what we are trying to accomplish here and that the mission will always come first," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
