He That Shall Live This Day

Happy Independence Day!!

2005-07-04T10:59:00.000-04:00

The action in my neighborhood 229 years ago: William Howe lurched back into action on October 12. He hoped to avoid a costly direct assault against the Americans, who were entrenched in hilly northern Manhattan. Instead, Howe executed a flanking movement, sending his soldiers by boat up the East River, through Hell Gate and onto Long Island Sound. Soldiers were landed first at Throg's Neck and

North Dakota Soldiers Repay A Debt To Iraqi Family

2005-07-01T09:02:00.000-04:00

From Minnesota Public RadioNorth Dakota soldiers repay a debt to Iraqi familyDan GundersonApr 29 2005Members of the North Dakota National Guard's 141stEngineer Battalion are raising money to bring an Iraqifamily to Fargo. The soldiers spent months in Iraqclearing roadside bombs. They were helped by anIraqi man they call Mr. M. He was killed and thesoldiers want to bring his family to live in

Female Fighters Display Lethal, Effective Force

2005-06-29T14:13:00.000-04:00

From Air Force Linkvia Military ConnectionsFemale Fighters Display Lethal, Effective ForceSenior Airman Susan PenningSHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C., June 27, 2005 -- The House Armed Services Committee approved a bill recently which puts a Pentagon policy from 1994 into federal law prohibiting females in the military to serve in units below brigade level whose primary mission is direct ground

Well, She Came From Loosiana With Her Rifle On Her Knee

2005-06-22T09:42:00.000-04:00

Head on over to AnySoldier.com, particularly their Where to Send page. You'll need lots of tissues, and you'll be reading through tears, but it's worth it.Thanks to Cut on the Bias, I heard about Lainey's Photo Website, set up by a Louisiana soldier currently deployed in Iraq. She wants people to know that things aren't all bad in Iraq, and according to her she has more than 1500 photos on her

Tennessee Woman First To Be Awarded Silver Star Since World War II

2005-06-20T07:50:00.000-04:00

From CNN. COMTennessee woman awarded Silver StarJun 17 2005WASHINGTON (AP) -- A 23-year-old sergeant with the Kentucky National Guard has become the first female soldier to receive the Silver Star -- the nation's third-highest medal for valor -- since World War II. Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, who is from Nashville, Tennessee, but serves in a Kentucky unit, received the award Thursday for gallantry

D-Day Museum Honors Heroes of WWII

2005-06-06T07:31:00.000-04:00

D-Day Museum Honors Heroes of WWIINational D-Day Memorial Foundation in Bedford VA The National D-Day Museum, America?s National World War II Museum, will host a number of major events to observe the 60th anniversary of the war?s end, including an international conference on World War II, the debut of a traveling exhibit of renowned WWII photography by the Associated Press and commemorations of

Thank You, Mr. Buckles!

2005-05-30T08:07:00.000-04:00

The soldiers' long goodbyeFrom The Washington TimesJoyce H. PriceMay 30 2005Frank W. Buckles was a 16-year-old Missouri farm boy when he joined the Army in July 1917 as one of more than 4.7 million Americans enlisted during what was known then as the Great War.Today, the 104-year-old Mr. Buckles, a retired West Virginia cattle farmer, is among at least 50 American World War I veterans still

2005-05-29T09:44:00.000-04:00

From the Library of Congress' Today in History: May 30 "Soldier's Memorial Day,"words by Mary B.C. Slade and music by W.O. Perkins, 1870.Historic American Sheet Music,1850-1920 Maj. Gen. John A. Logan,Brady National Photographic Art Gallery, between 1860 and 1865.Civil War Photographs, 1860-1865 In 1868, Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic issued General

2005-05-21T22:08:00.000-04:00

Armed Forces Day"America Supports You"Saturday, May 21, 2005 High Resolution Version President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country. On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation

Marines advised to drop charges against 2Lt Panatano

2005-05-14T09:23:00.000-04:00

From The Washington TimesMarines advised to drop chargesRowan Scarborough14 May 2005An investigating officer has recommended that the Marine Corps drop murder charges against 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano, who fatally shot two Iraqi insurgents a year ago during a raid on a hideout in the "Triangle of Death." The 16-page report from Lt. Col. Mark E. Winn labels as "extremely suspect" the prosecution's

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

2005-05-08T00:10:00.000-04:00

From the Conservative VoiceA PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDSOliver NorthPosted by Senior Editor6 May 2005EN ROUTE TO IRAQ -- My bosses at FOX News have sent me on assignment to the "sandbox," as our troops have taken to calling Iraq. There, I will spend time with some of the most impressive young men and women this country has ever produced. These soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and

Jury Returns Death Sentence In GI Killings

2005-04-29T06:57:00.000-04:00

Jury Returns Death Sentence in GI Killings29 Apr 05Estes ThompsonFT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) - Hours after giving a brief, barely audible apology, a soldier was sentenced to death by a military jury for attacking comrades with a rifle and grenades early in the Iraq invasion.Sgt. Hasan Akbar, 34, could have been sentenced Thursday to life in prison with or without parole for the March 2003 attack on

Last flight From Saigon Relived After 30 Years

2005-04-22T09:12:00.000-04:00

Last flight from Saigon relived after 30 yearsTHE WASHINGTON TIMESStephanie Mansfield22 Apr 1975The Washington Times The memories are still vivid: a steaming bus ride through the humid morning, the acrid odor of jet fuel, the clouds of smoke from distant gunfire, getting closer. Then about 450 people boarded the last commercial flight out of Saigon, headed for the United States.That was April 24,

Introducing: The MATRIX

2005-04-21T13:22:00.000-04:00

Not the Red pill or the Blue pill, but the Multistate Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange (MATRIX).The MATRIX program is a pilot project [that] leverages proven technology called FACTS) to assist criminal investigations by implementing factual data analysis from existing data sources and integrating disparate data from many types of Web-enabled storage systems.Four states are currently

UPDATE: Qudrat Has Gone To Heaven

2005-04-16T23:15:00.000-04:00

...children are not questioned about their deeds because they did not reach that stage when they could make informed choices. It is an aspect of God's mercy that He admits them to heaven... The children plead for their parents, saying that they were deprived of the care and love of their parents early in life and they do not want to be deprived of that again. God, in His mercy, tells them to go

Afghan Infant Has A Lot Of Heart ... Surgery, That Is!

2005-04-12T10:51:00.000-04:00

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A frail 16-month-old boy diagnosed with severe cardiac problems at a refugee camp near Kabul began his return trip home Monday - surgically repaired and chubby-cheeked.Qudrat Wardak is now strong enough tostand for his dad, HakimMatt Detrich / The StarThe long journey for Qudrat Wardak began in September, when an Indiana National Guard doctor examined him at the camp near the

My Country 'Tis Of Thee...

2005-04-10T18:38:00.000-04:00

Wham!Michelle Malkin reports that Raven Furbert, a 13-year-old Mont Pleasant (near Schenectady, NY) Middle School student is suing school officials for the right to wear a handmade red, white and blue necklace to class.She wears the necklace in honor of soldiers serving overseas, including an uncle and three other relatives, but the school administrators are saying red, white and blue are "

SFC Smith Inducted Into Hall Of Heroes

2005-04-08T05:57:00.000-04:00

From DOD News DefenseLINK5 Apr 2005Pentagon Ceremony to Add SFC Smith to the Hall of HeroesYesterday the nation watched as the president presented Birgit, Jessica and David with our country's highest award for valor: the Medal of Honor -- which was earned two years ago to the day by their soldier, Sergeant First Class Paul Smith. Today, we assemble in another special place, where we will

"John Q" Is A "Man on Fire"

2005-04-06T12:05:00.000-04:00

Denzel Washington at Brooke Army Medical Center Not all Hollywood stars are in the Michael Moore camp. Denzel Washington took time to visit some wounded troops back in the States for medical care a few months ago.Random Probabilities has lots of pictures!

Some Gave All...

2005-04-05T13:47:00.000-04:00

The Congressional Medal of Honor The citation, a profile of SFC Smith, and an animated replay of the events leading up to SFC Smith's heroic actions, can be found hereHis courageous actions on April 4, 2003, helped defeat the enemy attack and resulted in as many as fifty enemy soldiers killed while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers The White House Presentation ceremony is

U.S. Troops May Start Coming Home

2005-03-31T11:24:00.000-05:00

U.S. Troops May Start Coming HomeAssociated Pressvia Military.com31 Mar 2005You did good, guys! WASHINGTON - U.S. forces in Iraq could begin coming home in significant numbers if insurgent violence is low through the general elections scheduled for the end of the year, a top general said Wednesday.A larger and more capable insurgency, setbacks in the efforts to develop Iraq security forces, or

Iraq: Two Years Later

2005-03-21T08:10:00.000-05:00

Former Saddam official is meeting insurgent threatAssociated PressAntonio CastanedaMar 20 2005MUQDADIYA, IRAQ - The 200 Iraqi soldiers pile into trucks to begin a night patrol in this city on the edge of the Sunni Triangle -- fully aware the world is watching. Targeted for death by insurgents but held out by the United States as the best hope for an honorable exit from Iraq, these soldiers, some

100 GREATEST MILITARY PHOTOS

2005-03-14T12:03:00.000-05:00

My nephew, on active duty in the Navy, sent me the 100 GREATEST MILITARY PHOTOSDownload it here:http://www.vaservices.org/us/photos/If you don't have the PowerPoint program on your computer, you can download the stand - alone PowerPoint Viewer hereThere's lots of other great stuff there, too.See also Faces of ValorWhile you're at it, check out Veterans' Affairs Services

Army Revised Rules For Women

2005-03-14T08:38:00.000-05:00

The Washington TimesRowan Scarborough14 Mar 2005 The Army drafted new language about a regulation barring women in combat-support units 11 days after the Army's top civilian told Congress there would be no changes. A military advocacy group has asked the Pentagon inspector general to investigate the discrepancy and whether the Army's "transformed" brigades violate the combat exclusion as they

Oprah Showers Fort Campbell Moms-to-Be With Baby Gifts

2005-03-10T19:27:00.000-05:00

Oprah Showers Fort Campbell Moms-to-Be With Baby Gifts By Jakki Williams and Kelly PateSpecial to American Forces Press Service FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., Oct. 8, 2004 -- Daytime talk-show host Oprah Winfrey

Search For Bin Laden Faces Complications

2005-03-09T09:39:00.000-05:00

Search For Bin Laden Faces Complicationsfrom Military.comAssociated Press3 Mar 2005WASHINGTON - Osama bin Laden remains Public Enemy No. 1 but recent developments raise questions about the ability of U.S. forces to track down the elusive terrorist and the resources dedicated to the hunt more than three years after the Sept. 11 attacks.Fresh reminders of the unsuccessful search come as

Applause In The Airport -- It Really Happens

2005-03-03T07:46:00.000-05:00

In the FightApplause in the Airport? Beyond the Beer Commercial ... It Happens ... It Really HappensBy Matt Friedeman, PhDFebruary 10, 2005 (AgapePress) - Rick from Winona, Mississippi, called my state-wide talk radio program this week. Sometimes, you get a phone call that ought to be read in the broader market. On the program that day we were discussing the report that some Europeans were

Marine reached out to child, and she saved lives

2005-02-28T14:34:00.000-05:00

The little Iraqi girl would not move from the road where she sat.She kept clutching the white Beanie Baby bear she had received only weeks earlier from a U.S. Marine. Now, a Marine convoy approached.Tim Chavez, of the Tennessean reports on an incident in Iraq that rivals any story Rod Serling ever introduced on the Twilight Zone.Read the moving -- and spine - chilling -- story here{Hat tip to

Men of Montford Point: The First Black Marines

2005-02-13T11:58:00.000-05:00

During wartime training atMontford Point, Cpl. ArvinLou Ghazlo shows a recruit,Pvt. Ernest C. Jones, howto use judo to make theenemy's bayonet useless.(National Archives)The Montford Point Marines Bethanne Kelly PatrickMilitary.com Writer It was May 1943, and the young man in his $54 dress blues just wanted to get away from base and the stress of wartime, take some liberty, and see his family.

Why We Fought

2005-01-30T13:25:00.000-05:00

Iraqis who voted have ink on their fingers. That's an identifying mark - one that almost literally shoves a finger in the eye of terror.

Voices Of War

2005-01-26T01:55:00.000-05:00

From the Library of Congress' Veterans' History Project comes Experiencing War (Voices of War). No man and no force can abolish memory Franklin Delano Roosevelt The book relates war through the eyes of 60 veterans and civilians caught up in the momentous conflicts of the 20th century. Richly illustrated with photographs, drawings, and paintings from the Project's own collections, Voices of

Aiding and Abetting the Enemy: the Media in Iraq

2005-01-15T18:02:00.000-05:00

Lieutenant Colonel Tim Ryan tells it like it is in Iraq over at Blackfive What if domestic news outlets continually fed American readers headlines like: "Bloody Week on U.S. Highways: Some 700 Killed," or "More Than 900 Americans Die Weekly from Obesity-Related Diseases"? Both of these headlines might be true statistically, but do they really represent accurate pictures of the situations?... So,

Army officer dispenses civic lesson to local sheikh

2005-01-14T16:31:00.000-05:00

From the Army Times Gordon Trowbridge Times staff writer 13 Jan 2005 BAGHDAD 'Teacup in hand, Army Capt. Dan Mark prepared to teach another lesson in what he calls "ninth-grade civics".' For nearly an hour, Sheikh Alwan Shalal Talal al Kartani had dominated the discussion of Iraq's upcoming elections with a catalog of complaints against the interim Iraqi government: Lack of security, creeping

Army Works To Save Marriages

2005-01-10T13:16:00.000-05:00

Associated Press December 30, 2004 Hopkinsville, KY - When Sgt. Jose Bermudez returned from Iraq early this year, he came home to a new baby and a troubled marriage. "We were on the brink of divorce," Mandy Bermudez acknowledged as the couple ate lunch recently with their three children, all under age 3. The Bermudezes were among 300 couples with the Fort Campbell-based 101st Airborne Division

Every Care Package Is Important

2005-01-04T16:42:00.000-05:00

From Blackfive, via Michelle Malkin 30 Dec 2004 Wendy is a Marine Mom who's son is Iraq right now. Below is an email to her friends about the care packages they have been sending to Iraq: To top off my son's email he was able to call yesterday!!! I've just been in absolutely the BEST mood. Not only did he call, but we were able to talk for a long time and it was so wonderful. He shared so

Air Force by Service, but Army by Trade

2004-11-26T19:39:00.000-05:00

Air Force News Army Sgt. Frank Magni 18 Nov 2004 FORWARD OPERATING BASE ORGUN-E, Afghanistan - They are a unique breed of servicemembers on the frontline -- Air Force by service, but Army by trade. Joint terminal attack controllers can be found throughout Afghanistan, planning, communicating and facilitating the execution of close-air support for ground forces. For the Soldiers

They Call Them "Charlie's Angels"

2004-11-24T14:38:00.000-05:00

They Call Them "Charlie's Angels" from National Guard Sgt. Angela Magnuson, Sgt. Kristen Pagel, and Sgt. Jessica Fisher Angel 1: Sgt. Jessica Fisher Fisher grew up in Jamestown, N.D. She lives in Fargo, where she is studying to be a dental hygienist... Within days of arriving in Iraq, this 26-year-old had already spent a very dark and scary night in March near Samarra, Iraq, trying

The Price of Freedom

2004-11-20T15:59:00.000-05:00

The Department of Education has created a fabulous online exhibit, called The Price of Freedom. It includes a timeline of America's wars, from the Revolution to Iraq. Read an overview of each conflict; learn about its causes, major events, and consequences. Gain a sense of how wars have shaped our history. Created with the help of the National Museum of American History, supported by the

Pentagon Going P.C.?

2004-11-19T13:47:00.000-05:00

Pentagon To Cut Boy Scouts From Bases Associated Press November 16, 2004 CHICAGO - The Pentagon has agreed to warn military bases worldwide not to directly sponsor Boy Scout troops, partially resolving claims that the government has engaged in religious discrimination by supporting a group that requires members to believe in God. The settlement announced

Native Americans in the US Army

2004-11-16T23:56:00.000-05:00

I came across a wonderful exhibit from the U.S. Army's Center for Military History: Native Americans in the U.S. Army Comanche code-talkers of the 4th Signal Company (U.S. Army Signal Center and Ft. Gordon)

Ellsworth B-1 named after former senator's WWII bomber

2004-11-16T23:44:00.000-05:00

Staff and wire reports. November 12, 2004 ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. The Dakota Queen is flying again.Sixty years after Lt. George McGovern, who would go on to a distinguished Senate career and a run for the presidency, flew bombing missions in World War II, a B-1B Lancer at Ellsworth Air Force Base has taken the name he gave the B-24 Liberator he flew in the Army Air Corps.McGovern and his

Veterans Day Ceremony in Iraq

2004-11-12T13:14:00.000-05:00

Photo taken by Spc. Joe Alger Soldiers from different battalions of the 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, stand in formation during a Veterans Day ceremony at Forward Operating Base Dagger, Tikrit, Iraq on Thursday. Thanks to BlackFive

USAF Drops First 500-Pound JDAM

2004-11-11T16:49:00.000-05:00

USAF Drops First 500-Pound JDAM GORDON TROWBRIDGE BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq The U.S. Air Force hopes within days to begin using a new, lightweight, satellite-guided bomb here, giving F-16 crews a new option to strike Iraqi insurgents and reduce unwanted destruction... The bomb is half the size of what had been the smallest Joint Direct Attack Munition in use, and its corresponding lack of explosive

Army widow copes with grief, enlists

2004-10-01T06:38:00.000-04:00

Army News Service Shawn Ledington 23 Sep 2004 YORK, Pa. -- Many times in her 16-month marriage to Spc. Nicholas Zangara, Mell Zangara would climb into his military uniform and prance around their apartment as though she was on a catwalk. "Don't I look hot, baby?" she'd ask him. "Wouldn't you like to see me come home to you in this?" Nicky would give her that look, the one that told her to give

Not-so-common POW: Grandmother tells of imprisonment

2004-09-17T20:00:00.000-04:00

Air Force Link 17 Sep 2004 Bob Hieronymus 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs From Free Republic.com RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The many stories about American prisoners of war usually detail the experiences of servicemembers captured during combat overseas. The little-known tale of a teenage girl, now a grandmother in San Antonio, is also among the accounts deserving

PFC Christopher Fernandez - Someone You Should Know

2004-09-06T09:02:00.000-04:00

From BLACKFIVEI'm so proud of my husband. I love him so much. But there's part of me that wishes he would run and hide when the shooting startsMaritza Fernandez, 17 Aug 2004

VA hospitals could be terrorism targets, FBI says

2004-08-29T09:57:00.001-04:00

Associated Press Curt Anderson August 27, 2004 Al-Qaida may attempt to attack Veterans Affairs hospitals as an alternative to more heavily guarded U.S. military installations, the FBI and Homeland Security Department warn in a new nationwide terrorism bulletin. VA personnel believe the hospitals may be potential threats because of their close relationship to the U.S. military and because the

Honor The Fallen

2004-08-29T09:33:00.000-04:00

Honoring those who fought and died in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom Check out Faces of Valor and Frontline Voices

10 Steps From Death

2004-08-29T08:51:00.018-04:00

Stars and Stripes Pacific Edition Fred Zimmerman MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa Ten steps. That's how close Lance Cpl. Christopher Teague came to possible death Aug. 13. Teague, the first Marine to respond to a helicopter crash just outside the base fence line, had pulled a pilot out of the burning wreckage of a CH-53D Sea Stallion {R.}; he was about 10 steps from the helicopter when

San Quentin Inmates Join 'Operation Mom' to Support Troops

2004-08-26T14:11:00.000-04:00

San Quentin Inmates Join 'Operation Mom' to Support Troops American Forces Press Service Donna Miles 2 Aug 2004 WASH, DC About 50 military veterans in California's San Quentin State Prison joined forces with volunteers from "Operation Mom" over the weekend to wrap 430 care packages for shipment to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Vietnam Veterans Group of San Quentin worked side by side with

Singer Teams With Army in Campaign to Keep Soldiers Safe

2004-08-26T14:06:00.000-04:00

American Forces Press Service Samantha L. Quigley 25 Aug 2004 WASH, DC Sixty years ago, a mother wrote to her three sons fighting in World War II. Her request of them was simple: "Make it home, make it safe." Award-winning Christian musician Mark Schultz performs in the Pentagon courtyard Aug. 25 at the Army's invitation. Schultz has teamed with the Army Safety Center as part of its "Be

The Gunny Who Never Retired

2004-08-25T15:51:00.000-04:00

American Forces Press Service Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA 16 Aug 2004 Though he's earned fame and fortune portraying rough and tough military figures on television and in feature films, R. Lee Ermey has a soft spot when it comes to caring for troops. Ermey, popular host of the History Channel's "Mail Call," in which he answers questions about military technology, has put together the R. Lee

Marine Commandant Wants 'Big W' in Iraq

2004-08-25T15:30:00.000-04:00

American Forces Press Service 23 Aug 2004 Samantha L. Quigley The sports world is awash with war analogies, and today the Marine Corps' top officer turned the tables by applying a sports term to war. The Marines are looking for a "Big W" in Iraq, Gen. Michael W. Hagee told an audience at the National Press Club here. "We don't want a 'Little W,'" he said. "There is no one in Iraq who does not

Death From Afar

2004-08-24T18:25:00.000-04:00

from BLACKFIVE The following is an email from a Marine Staff Sergeant who has been fighting around Najaf over the last two weeks. Kevin is a Reservist from Nashville and one of the most fearsome combat multipliers on the battlefield - he's a Sniper. Family and Friends, On August 12th my Lt got a phone call from 1st Marine Division, Gen. Mattis! Once again he called upon 3/24 Scout Snipers. I

Wearing The Whole Armour of God

2004-08-22T15:16:00.000-04:00

Why I Serve: Love, Pride and Honor Drive Two SoldiersI love my country. I love my family. Serving makes me feel like I'm doing something good for my family ... It makes me feel like I'm doing something with my life, something I can be proud of ... Tam Cummings Special to American Forces Press Service Ft Hood TX 19 Aug 2004 "I love my country. I love my family. Serving makes me feel like I'm

Why Ben Stein Rocks

2004-08-21T08:14:00.000-04:00

From BLACKFIVE Strength At Home By Ben Stein August 18, 2004; Wall Street Journal, Page A10 (This is a letter I wrote to the newsletter of an Army unit called The Strykers, stationed in Iraq out of Ft. Lewis, Wash. The editor asked me what I would say to make the wives feel appreciated while their husbands are in Iraq. This is what I wrote to one soldier's wife.) Dear Karen, I have a great life

Teenage Ally Helps Soldiers in Iraq

2004-08-21T07:56:00.000-04:00

From Fox News Bringing "Steve-O" to the States 17 Aug 2004 Teenage Ally Helps Soldiers in Iraq Fort Carson, CO Ever since the soldiers of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment returned home to Fort Carson from their first tour in Iraq in May they've been working hard to bring back one of their comrades left behind - an Iraqi boy nicknamed "Steve-O." When Steve-O met the soldiers in December 2003 he

Calendar Models Cheer Up Patients, Families at Walter Reed

2004-08-11T15:28:00.000-04:00

American Forces Press Service Rudi Williams It's amazing what wonderful feelings and bright smiles a dozen calendar models can bring to the faces of hospitalized servicemen recovering from war wounds That's what happened when Dawn Glencer and the "U.S. Angels" 2005 calendar models rode their motorcycles to the Fisher House on the Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus to visit

Iraq Cleric Vows Fight to Death Vs. U.S.

2004-08-09T14:32:00.000-04:00

NAJAF, Iraq - A radical Shiite cleric vowed to fight to the death as his loyalists battled U.S. troops for a fifth straight day Monday, and bombings in Sunni regions outside Baghdad - including a failed attempt to assassinate a deputy governor - killed at least 10 Iraqis. * * * Explosions and gunfire were heard throughout the holy Shiite city of Najaf, south of the capital, the main scene of

Freedom Fund Supports Deployed Troops

2004-08-09T12:41:00.000-04:00

By K.L. Vantran American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, July 19, 2004 On a baseball field in Vermont Aug. 7, a group of National Guardsmen joined forces with families of troops deployed in the war on terror to honor the 11 Vermonters who have paid the ultimate price for freedom. The event, designed to promote the Freedom Fund, also will feature a baseball game, according to

Hollywood magic prepares Marines for combat

2004-08-09T12:25:00.000-04:00

Story by Lance Cpl. Heidi E Loredo Arabic music echoes through the narrow trash-strewn streets of a mock Iraqi village on a sunny afternoon. Saddam loyalist posters and raggedy clothes for sale are posted on shacks built on dirt-paved roads plagued with donkey droppings and broken glass. A mock Iraqi family stands outside their home shouting anti-America slogans while Marines patrol the area. A

2004-08-07T10:21:00.000-04:00

BLACKFIVE brings you news from Camp Abu Ghurayb, posted by LtCol Willy Buhl

Iraqi Freedom Taking Jointness to 'Graduate Level'

2004-07-23T23:26:00.000-04:00

From the American Forces Press Service Kathleen T. Rhem The degree of multiservice cooperation in Operation Iraqi Freedom is taking the concept of jointness to what the Army's new vice chief called "the graduate level." Gen. Richard A. Cody, who became the Army's vice chief of staff June 24, said U.S. forces should be very proud of how the services have been

Army Announces 94 Allegations of Abuse

2004-07-22T23:30:00.000-04:00

Matt Kelley, A P Writer reports that Thirty-nine prisoners have died in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan since the fall of 2001 and there have been 94 cases of proven or suspected abuse, the Army said Thursday in a broad new report giving a more precise and higher estimate of the scale of the abuse FederalTimes.com reports Contracts for private prison interrogators working at Abu

Thundering Third - Marines Fight On Through Tragedy To Victory

2004-07-22T17:30:00.000-04:00

BLACKFIVE has a great letter from Marine LtCol Willy Buhl in Iraq. Unfortunately, the Thundering Third was hit with a staggering loss. Even so, they continue to mount successful mission after successful mission. The Thundering Third Rocks! It's a long letter. So sit down, grab a cup of coffee and read about what our Marines are doing in Iraq.

Small Company Hopes Donation Makes Big Connection With GIs

2004-07-21T15:58:00.000-04:00

A small Indiana telecommunications company is thanking service members for helping keep America free by donating thousands of prepaid calling cards to those injured in the war on terrorism. Terry Ballantini, chief executive officer for Tellis Long Distance, said he started "GI Connections" to show his gratitude to service members. The company recently donated 2,500 prepaid cards, embossed with

Army Cadet earns her Wings the hard way

2004-07-21T15:12:00.000-04:00

Jennifer Reeger Katie Winwood didn't panic when she became entangled in another jumper's parachute lines at 1,250 feet above Fort Benning, Ga. She didn't panic when she couldn't free herself by kicking. She didn't panic when her parachute rolled up like a cigar. She didn't panic when she couldn't pull her way out or drop down to the other jumper below her. But when her reserve parachute

Soldiers Preparing to Compete in 2004 Olympics

2004-07-21T14:56:00.000-04:00

American Forces Press Service Paula J. Randall Pagán When the Olympic torch lights the flame at the 2004 Games in Athens, eight U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit soldiers and four other current and retired service members will be there to see it. Seven shooters and a gunsmith from the Army Marksmanship Unit will march with the U.S. Olympic

U.S. Commander Mulls Bosnia-Herzegovina Troop Cut

2004-07-21T14:42:00.000-04:00

Gerry J. Gilmore American Forces Press Service It's likely time to reduce the number of American troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina, a senior U.S. military officer told members of Congress here today. "I think that the conditions are right, now, to downsize" the U.S. military presence in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Army Maj. Gen. Virgil Packett, commander of the Stabilization Force

I wonder if she can sing "Ride of the Valkyries"?

2004-07-16T14:24:00.000-04:00

US Air Force Airman (AMN) Vanessa Dobos, assigned to the 58th Training Squadron (TRS), Kirkland Air Force Base, NM, looks out the crew door of a USAF HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, equipped with a 7.62mm M134 Minigun machine gun. AMN Dobos is the first female aerial gunner in the USAF. Dobbs said she follows the philosophy an instructor told her, "A gunner`s a gunner, don`t think youre special

Vanderbilt to Lead Army Nanotech Program

2004-07-16T13:36:00.000-04:00

From Nanotech Planet: The Vanderbilt School of Engineering will lead a new $2.4 million multi-institutional nanotechnology program funded by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to develop radically improved electronics, sensors, energy-conversion devices, and other critical defense systems. Called the Advanced Carbon Nanotechnology Research Program, it will explore various

AAFES Works with Charities to Distribute Gifts to GIs

2004-07-15T13:17:00.000-04:00

DALLAS, July 14, 2004 -- Since the Army and Air Force Exchange Service began its "Gifts from the Homefront" program last year, people from all walks of life have rallied around America's troops by contributing $406,745 toward the program designed to lift the morale of deployed troops around the world, said officials at AAFES headquarters here. The certificates, which can be purchased by any

Helos In The Desert

2004-07-15T13:14:00.000-04:00

UH-60 Blackhawks extract members of the Iraq Service Group, testing for possible weapons of mass destruction, outside Mosul. (Photo by Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson)

Female Medical Team Overcomes Cultural Barriers To Help Afghan Women

2004-07-15T12:06:00.000-04:00

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIPLEY, Afghanistan (July 15, 2004) Story by Sgt. Matt C. Preston -- Medical personnel supporting the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) are building trust and overcoming cultural barriers between the Coalition Forces and people in the Oruzgan province -- once a major stronghold of the Taliban. Navy Corpsmen and Army Medics saw over 220 women and

Teen Continues Quest to Support the Troops

2004-07-08T14:15:00.000-04:00

K.L. Vantran American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, 2 Jul 2004 - High school freshman Shauna Fleming is a busy young lady.She recently sent thousands of letters to soldiers of the 1st Armored Division in Iraq. In response to feedback from the troops, she's asking for donations of used CDs and DVDs to include in her next mailing. High school freshman Shauna Fleming (red shirt) hands thank you

New Booklet Helps Guard, Reserve Kids During Deployment

2004-07-08T14:01:00.000-04:00

Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, 7 Jul 2004 Separations can be tough on any child whose parent is deployed overseas -- but particularly for the estimated 500,000 sons and daughters of deployed National Guard and reserve troops, according to an expert on issues involving military families. Many Guard and reserve families lack the tight-knit support network that helps

Sisters Create Web Site to Help Families of Deployed Troops

2004-07-08T13:56:00.000-04:00

K.L. Vantran American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, 7 Jul 2004 -- Twin sisters Jackie and Janice know the challenges military families face. Their father served 31 years in the Navy, and as self- described "military brats," they called several places home. After the tragic events of Sept. 11 and the ensuing war on terror, Jackie Parris said she felt the need to create a Web site that would

Troops Raise More Than $20K For Families of Wounded Veterans

2004-07-08T13:46:00.000-04:00

Master Sgt. Terry Anderson Combined Joint Task Force 76 BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan, 7 Jul 2004 ? Troops serving on the front lines in the Global War on Terrorism spend months away from their families and friends, put themselves in harms way, and live in difficult conditions. On July 4, those troops sacrificed a little sweat and money to help the families of wounded veterans. Soldiers from

Solar to Keep Army on the Go

2004-06-29T10:14:00.000-04:00

From Wired News During a battle, the ability to move troops swiftly and without detection can mean the difference between victory and defeat. The U.S. Army is developing tents and uniforms made from flexible solar panels to make it more difficult to track soldiers. Jean Hampel, project engineer in the Fabric Structures Group at the Army's Natick Soldier Systems Center, said the need to reduce

1941: Germans Advance in USSR

2004-06-29T09:30:00.000-04:00

June 29, 1941 One week after launching a massive invasion of the USSR, German divisions make staggering advances on Leningrad, Moscow, and Kiev. Despite his signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin knew that war with Nazi Germany--the USSR's natural ideological enemy--was inevitable. In 1941, he received reports that German forces were massing along the USSR's eastern

From Military.com

2004-06-28T18:46:00.000-04:00

Naval Medicine Celebrates Corpsmen's 106th Anniversary The Navy Hospital Corps' 23,000 active-duty and Reservist hospital corpsmen celebrated their 106th year of service June 17. In a celebration held at the Department of the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED), Force Master Chief Jacqueline L. DiRosa delivered an enthusiastic "Happy birthday, Hospital Corps," which resulted in shouts

Last Viet Nam Airman POW Returns to Viet Nam After 31 Years

2004-06-22T09:25:00.000-04:00

The last active-duty Airman who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and his trip back to the country of his captivity highlights the June 21 edition of Air Force Television News. Tech. Sgt. Bill Scherer went along as Maj. Gen. Ed Mechenbier flew the famed "Hanoi Taxi" to the Vietnamese capital. The aircraft used to bring more than 100 POWs back to freedom. He landed in Hanoi 31 years after his

Senate Backs Ban on Photos of G.I. Coffins

2004-06-22T09:17:00.000-04:00

From The New York Times Sheryl Gay Stolberg 22 Jun 04 The Bush administration's policy of barring news photographs of the flag-covered coffins of service members killed in Iraq won the backing of the Republican-controlled Senate on Monday, when lawmakers defeated a Democratic measure to instruct the Pentagon to allow pictures. The 54-to-39 vote came after little formal debate, with 7 Democrats

A Japanese Submarine Shells Fort Stevens At The Mouth Of The Columbia River.

2004-06-22T08:55:00.000-04:00

From Today in Military History On the night of June 21, 1942, the Fort was the target of a Japanese submarine which fired 17 shells in the vicinity of the Fort. The shelling caused no damage and Fort Stevens did not return fire. Named for General Isaac Stevens, the first governor of Washington Territory, the fort was one of three at the mouth of the Columbia River. Forts Canby and Columbia were

From The Military Academies

2004-06-21T09:01:00.000-04:00

USAF Academy Celebrates its 50th Anniversary On 1 April 2004, 50 years to the day, the United States Air Force Academy begins a celebration of the anniversary of its establishment. With the creation of an independent Air Force in 1947, Air Force planners abandoned efforts to obtain an air academy within the existing educational framework of the Army. Included within the National Security Act of

Combat Veteran Named Top Weatherman

2004-06-20T08:26:00.000-04:00

Defend America Tam Cummings 18 Jun 04 Growing up in New Hampshire, Senior Airman Kylee Reynolds didn't give a lot of thought to the weather. If the sun was shining, she could ride her horse and dream of being a jockey winning the Triple Crown. If it was snowing, well, she could still dream about being a jockey. But now the 22-year-old rides her horse for fun, and her dreams are about the weather.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Named "Father of the Year"

2004-06-20T07:42:00.001-04:00

American Forces Press Service Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA 18 Jun 04 Warrior, Leader ... Daddy? During a luncheon here June 17, Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers was honored as the 2004 "National Father of the Year" by the National Father's Day Council. His wife, Mary Jo, along with daughters, Nicole and Erin, and son, Richard Jr., were on hand to see Myers receive the

China Arms Sales Would be a Mistake for Britain's Blair, Experts Say

2004-06-20T01:28:00.000-04:00

From the Heritage Foundation comes this report: France wants the European Union to lift its ban on arms sales to China, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair is reportedly close to going along. But, according to two experts at The Heritage Foundation, one a China specialist, the other a former aide to Lady Margaret Thatcher, such a move would weaken Britain's "special relationship" with the

Bush Draws Cheers at MacDill

2004-06-19T23:03:00.000-04:00

From the Air Force Times Bush draws cheers at MacDill Associated Press Vickie Chachere 17 Jun 04 President Bush's Wednesday visit to troops whose daily job is to manage the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan was designed to give the military personnel and their families a morale boost and it didn't hurt the president's reelection campaign, either. The mutual admiration visit was made at MacDill

U.S. Army Museum Websites

2004-06-19T22:52:00.000-04:00

Here you'll find the Links to these Army Museums If you're in the neighborhood, drop in. 1st Armored Division Old Ironsides Museum (Baumholder, Germany) 1st Cavalry Division Museum (Fort Hood, TX) 2d Infantry Division Museum (Korea) 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment Museum (Fort Carson, CO) 4th Infantry Division Museum (Fort Hood, TX) 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum (Fort Bragg, NC)

Congressional Research Service [CRS] Reports: Military and National Security

2004-06-17T08:27:00.000-04:00

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has released a special "Overview" on Military Courts - Martial [.PDF document = requires Adobe Acrobat Reader {from the Summary}The recent reports of abuse of prisoners held by the military in Iraq have raised questions about how the armed forces discipline and punish those who commit crimes or violate the rules and regulations of the military. Congress,

Combined Arms Research Library

2004-06-17T00:13:00.000-04:00

The Combined Arms Research Library (CARL) is a comprehensive military science reference and research center located in the south wing of Eisenhower Hall at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. A general collection, composed of fiction and popular nonfiction works, is incorporated into CARL

New Army BDU Retains Old Shape, Changes Its Colors

2004-06-16T20:18:00.000-04:00

Stars and Stripes, European edition Lisa Burgess 16 Jun 04 The Army rolled out its new battle dress uniform Monday at the Pentagon, revealing an outfit with a familiar silhouette but a significantly different color and pattern. The new uniform ? the Army?s first major changes to its BDU since 1981 ? is based on a computer-generated, three-color digital camouflage pattern printed on a

U.S. Must Confront Terrorism In Africa, General Says

2004-06-16T19:40:00.000-04:00

American Forces Press Service Donna Miles 16 Jun 04 While most Americans focus on the Middle East as the bull's-eye of terrorist activity in the world, Africa continues to fester as a breeding ground for al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations, the deputy commander of U.S. European Command told civilians attending the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference last week. Air Force Gen. Charles F

Country Singer Helps Celebrate Army Birthday

2004-06-16T19:26:00.000-04:00

American Forces Press Service Linda D. Kozaryn 16 Jun 04 Country music star John Michael Montgomery helped celebrate the Army's 229th birthday by singing four of his hits at the Pentagon today. Wearing camouflage fatigues, the Grammy-award winning singer blended in with the crowd when he arrived at the Pentagon courtyard concert site -- except for his tall, black cowboy hat, that is.

The Army Men HomePage

2004-06-14T23:27:00.000-04:00

On a lighter note, here's the Army Men HomePage You know them - those toy soldiers molded in soft plastic that are sold by the bagful. They have been around since the 1950s. Known as Army Men, the two- to three-inch soldiers are a staple of many a boy's toy chest. Most folks eventually THINK they outgrew them. We KNOW we will never, ever outgrow them!!! I think I still have a few around the

Story of 2 Jumps, 60 Years Apart

2004-06-14T12:35:00.000-04:00

Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service 5 June 04 SAINTE-MERE-EGLISE, FR The combat controllers, aircrews and paratroopers made the drop of almost 700 paratroopers into the historic drop zone outside this French town look easy today. But don't use that to measure the accomplishment of 60 years ago this day in 1944. Soldiers jump from an Air Force C-130 near Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, June

Coalition Protects Babylon Archaeological Site

2004-06-14T12:32:00.000-04:00

John D. Banusiewicz American Forces Press Service 11 June 04 WASH,DC The coalition in Iraq has taken steps to protect an ancient Babylon archaeological site. Coalition Provisional Authority administrator Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III and Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, announced the initiative today in a joint statement. "Recently, the coalition

Iraqis Pay Tribute to U.S. Service Members

2004-06-14T12:29:00.000-04:00

Donna Miles American Forces Press Service 27 May 2004 ARLINGTON, VA 27 May 04 As the sound of "Taps" echoed from Army Sgt. Major Henry Sgrecci's bugle today, seven Iraqi citizens pressed their new prosthetic hands against their hearts at the Tomb of the Unknowns here to honor U.S. service members who have given their lives in Iraq. The seven men, all Iraqi merchants, have been in the United

Trials To Offer Rare Public Glimpse Of Military Justice

2004-06-14T08:26:00.000-04:00

From the Army Times via the Raleigh News & Observer Associated Press 11 Jun 04 Fort Bragg will host several high-profile military justice cases in the coming weeks, offering a rare look inside a system overshadowed by the chain of command that regulates military life. Army reservist Pfc. Lynndie England is scheduled later this month for a weeklong pretrial hearing on charges that she abused