Visitors view the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Nov. 9 in Washington, D.C. The memorial consists of three parts: the Wall of names, the Three Servicemen Statue and flagpole, and the Vietnam Women's Memorial. (Photo by Sgt. Sara Wood, USA)
Posted on 11/12/2005 1:00:50 AM PST by Gucho
By Jim Garamone - American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2005 – If Americans demonstrate patience and the will to continue, "there is no way we can lose" the war on terror, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.
Speaking on the network morning shows on Veterans Day, Marine Gen. Peter Pace also thanked America's veterans for their sacrifices. The chairman represented the 2.4 million Americans in uniform as he assured veterans that today's military would continue to pass on their gift of freedom.
Recent terrorist attacks in Jordan and Iraq are aimed directly at derailing the push for democracy in the Middle East, Pace said on CNN.
The insurgents and terrorists understand that the votes already cast in January and October and the upcoming government elections set for December are a threat to them, the chairman said.
"All the terrorists have is murder and hatred and fear. That's what they are trying to spread," he said. "If we maintain our patience and maintain our will and we stay focused along with other freedom-loving peoples around the world, there is every reason to be optimistic about the future."
The general said the United States had no option but to take the war to the terrorists. The United States "wasn't stirring up anything" when the attacks came in New York and Washington, he said. "This war was brought to us," the he said.
"You can fight it in Iraq, you can fight it in Afghanistan or we can fight it here at home," Pace said. "My choice is to fight it overseas."
Pace said he takes great pride in the fact that 50 million people in Iraq and Afghanistan can now make their own decisions.
The enemies in the war of terror have spelled out exactly what their goals are, Pace said. "They want to destroy our way of life," he said. "They are not blinking about that. They are looking us straight in the eye and they are writing it to us.
"We can choose not to believe that," he continued. "But that would be a foolish choice. This fight must be fought, and to fight it with our friends and allies around the world - wherever it needs to be fought - is what we're going to do."
The Iraqi military and police are key to success in the nation, he said, noting that he's optimistic about the progress the Iraqis are making in a short time.
When former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein fell, the coalition disbanded the Iraqi military. This left no trained and equipped Iraqi forces.
Pace acknowledged some initial confusion as the training effort began, but emphasized that it's all in the past. "We had some fits and starts early on, but clearly, for the last couple of years, we are on the right track as far as training the armed forces," he said.
Today the Iraqi security forces include 210,000 Iraqi soldiers and police. Iraq has one division headquarters, four brigades and 24 battalions, "in the field as we speak, controlling various parts of that country," Pace said. "I am very, very positive and optimistic about their capacity to take over responsibility for their own country."
Friday, November 11, 2005
Afghanistan announces poultry ban to prevent bird flu
By Donna Miles - American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2005 – President Bush today used Veterans Day, a day originally designated to commemorate victory in World War I, as an opportunity to reaffirm the United States' commitment to seeing the war on terror through to victory.
"The nation has made a clear choice," the president told a gathering of servicemembers, veterans and family members at Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pa. "We will not tire or rest until the war on terror is won."
Bush condemned terrorists who attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, and have continued to spread violence around the world, using what he called "a litany of excuses" to justify it.
The United States did not invite the attacks it suffered, the president said, dismissing claims that the U.S. presence in Iraq has fueled the terrorists' efforts. "We were not in Iraq on Sept. 11, 2001," the president reminded the group. "The hatred of the radicals existed before Iraq was an issue, and it will exist after Iraq is no longer an excuse.
"No act of ours invited the rage of killers," he continued, "and no concession, bribe or act of appeasement would change or limit their plans for murder."
Rather, he said, terrorists will prey on any indication of weakness or loss of will among Americans and the coalition. He cited an intercepted letter from Osama bin Laden's top lieutenant, intended to reach Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, that referred to the U.S. withdraw from Vietnam in the 1970s as a model for a future retreat from Iraq. Toward that end and terrorists' ultimate political goals, he said, there's little doubt that they will carry out future attacks, as evidenced by deadly bombings this week in Baghdad and Amman, Jordan.
He cited success of the strategy aimed at preventing those attacks by eliminating terrorist networks and their ability to inflict violence. "This progress has reduced the danger to free nations, but it has not removed it," he said.
Meanwhile, Bush said, another kind of attack is under way in the United States -- what he called "baseless attacks" about the rationale that led to U.S. operations in Iraq. The president acknowledged the right of all Americans to voice opinions about what led to the war or how that war is being carried out. But he called it "deeply irresponsible to rewrite the history of how that war began."
"The stakes in the global war on terror are too high and the national interest is too important for politicians to throw out false charges," he said.
Political attacks send the wrong message to U.S. troops fighting the war on terror and mixed messages to enemies judging America's will to stay the course, the president said. U.S. troops deserve a clear understand that their nation is behind them and that this support won't bow to political winds, he said.
"As our troops fight a ruthless enemy determined to destroy your way of life, they deserve to know that their elected leaders who voted to send them to war continue to stand behind them," he said. "Our troops deserve to know that this support will remain firm when the going gets tough. And our troops deserve to know that whatever our differences in Washington, our will is strong, our nation is united, and we will settle for nothing less than victory."
Bush acknowledged that the road ahead won't be easy but said the coalition strategy in Iraq is working. Iraq is showing solid progress on the political and security fronts, paving the way for the United States to ultimately bring its troops home, he said. "As Iraqis stand up, the United States will stand down," he said.
Meanwhile, Bush said, the best way the United States can honor its troops, particularly those who have died in the war, is to stay the course to achieve the goals for which they sacrificed.
"The best way to honor the sacrifice of our fallen troops is to complete the mission and to lay the foundation of peace for generations to come," he said.
BBC World News Service - LIVE - Click RealAudio - Stream
BBC World News Service - LIVE - Windows Media - Stream
Click Radio Taiwan International (English)
Click LBC 1152 AM London News Radio
Israel News Radio, 0430 UTC - English
Israel News Radio, 2000 UTC - English
Radio Pakistan News Bulletins (English)
Voice of Russia, 0300 UTC - English
Voice of Russia, 0800 UTC - English
Radio China International, 1500 UTC - English
Radio Polonia, 1700 UTC - English
Radio Australia, 0700 UTC - English
Radio Australia, 1100 UTC - English
North American Radio Stations List
Click Latest VOA Radio News Headlines (5 Min.)
Radio Japan News (English)
(1, 2 & 3 + Radio)
November 11, 2005
KABUL, Afghanistan:
Service members from various services and nations gathered today at Camp Eggers in recognition of Veteran's Day. A ceremony was held to honor those who have fallen while in service.
November 11, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Former Tuskegee Airmen -- pioneers who broke through racial prejudice to become the first black U. S. military pilots during World War II -- have solid words of advice and encouragement for today's military members.
"Don't let anyone tell you what you can't do," said retired Air Force Master Sgt. Ezra Hill Sr. , of Hampton, Va. "We proved that you can do it. "
Hill said the lessons he learned as one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, who battled segregation and prejudice on the ground and enemy forces in the air, apply equally to today's servicemembers fighting the war on terror.
"President Bush has a plan, and that plan can be accomplished by our military," said Hill, a veteran who served for 20 years.
Hill was among several dozen Tuskegee Airmen who visited the Pentagon today to meet with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other Defense Department leaders. On Nov. 11, Veterans Day, the group will visit the White House.
The veterans, most now in their 80s, made history during World War II when they entered an Army Air Forces program at Alabama's Tuskegee Institute and nearby Tuskegee Army Airfield to train as pilots, navigators, bombardiers and supporting ground crews. By the war's end, almost 1,000 men had graduated from pilot training at Tuskegee, and almost half of them went on to combat assignments overseas. Collectively, they earned more than 744 Air Medals, more than 100 Flying Crosses, 14 Bronze Star Medals, eight Purple Hearts, one Silver Star and a Legion of Merit.
Retired Army Lt. Col. Howard Baugh, 85, who lives just outside Richmond, Va. , said the attributes that enabled the Tuskegee Airmen to succeed, both on the ground and in the air, still apply to today's men and women in uniform.
Tuskegee Airman and former 2nd Lt. William Wheeler (center) points out a detail of an oil painting depicting some of the history of the Tuskegee Airmen to retired Master Sgt. Ezra Hill (right) and former Staff Sgt. Phillip W. Broome (left) in the Pentagon on Nov. 10. Wheeler, Hill, Broome and their fellow airmen visited the Pentagon to receive briefings on the state of the Air Force and an update on global operations and to have lunch with Rumsfeld. (Photo by Master Sgt. James M. Bowman, USAF)
"You have to focus on what you're trained to do, support other people in your organization, rely on each other and work as a team," he said.
That's particularly important during combat, said Baugh, who remembers the terror of watching enemy tracers soar past his single-engine aircraft and having to make radical maneuvers to avoid being hit.
"You have to believe in yourself and your leaders," agreed LeRoy A. Battle, an 83-year-old former bombardier who was a second lieutenant with the Tuskegee Airmen. "What we did, and what (today's troops) have to do, is stay focused, stick to it and get it done. "
Retired Army Master Sgt. Robert Peeples said serving in the military when racism was rampant instilled in him a drive to always outperform those who doubted his abilities. "It gave me the desire to be better than anybody and to strive to be the honor student at every school I attended," he said.
The drive to excel helped Peeples, not just in his military career, but in his life overall, he said, and offers a valuable lesson for today's troops.
Like many military members serving today, Retired Maj. Humphrey Patton lost many friends in combat while serving with the Tuskegee Airmen and during his 36 years of military service.
"You can't dwell on the losses," said Patton, age 79. "You have to concentrate on the mission and forget about yourself. Concentrate on now, and don't worry about the future. "
Former Army Sgt. Cicero Satterfield, who served as an assistant crew chief with the Tuskegee Airmen after the United States entered World War II in 1942, said he's proud of the foundation he and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen laid for today's servicemembers.
"The military has changed (from the days when it was plagued by discrimination and prejudice)," Satterfield said. "Now, depending on your ability to adapt and your training, you can reach for the sky and soar among the stars. "
By Donna Miles - American Forces Press Service
ADDITIONAL PHOTO:
Tuskegee Airman retired Col. Elmer Jones smiles as he looks at an oil painting depicting some of the history of the Tuskegee Airmen on display in the Pentagon on Nov. 10. The former airmen visited the Pentagon to receive briefings on the state of the Air Force and an update on global operations and to have lunch with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. (Photo by Master Sgt. James M. Bowman, USAF)
November 11, 2005
Mosul, Iraq -- Despite 25 years of neglect and a costly insurgency, Tall ‘Afar’s infrastructure is rebounding. Now that the city is secure, its residents will benefit as the economy is growing and Iraqi leadership is ready to rebuild the municipal infrastructure. The rebuilding process is having a positive impact on the lives of its residents, supporting the emergence of democracy, and establishing the foundation for a strong economy.
The Tall ‘Afar City Council and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are working together to rebuild Tall ‘Afar. The process will include repairing water systems, and removing debris and rubble, as well as improving the electrical infrastructure of the city. Repairs also will be made to local health facilities, educational facilities, communication systems, and sewage methods.
"The police are now working well and security in the city is stable. Police stations are open and four more are in the works for neighborhoods known to have been unstable, such as Al Wahda and Sa’ad, to keep the insurgents from coming back," said the Tall ‘Afar police chief.
"Police have check points and patrols throughout the city."
As such, the Iraqi government’s role has shifted from security operations to one of humanitarian efforts by offering food, water, and medical care for the people of the city. The leadership also formed a committee that will provide compensation to families that suffered casualties.
Tal Afar store open for business. (GRD photo by Polli Keller)
A visible sign that the Tall ‘Afar district has stabilized is that vendors are operating and residents are conducting business as usual. Fruits and vegetable carts line the streets. Storefront doorways are open and residents - arms laden with new purchases - bustle from store to store, as they support the local economy.
The local management is diligently working on plans for reconstruction and has many projects scheduled to rehabilitate the water and power plants inside the city.
The mayor of Tall ‘Afar, Muhammed Najim, held a press conference on October 26, to provide an update on the city’s progress.
"The situation in Tall ‘Afar is good. Schools have opened their gates to receive students and the government facilities continue to work regularly.
"The water system inside the city is old and has not kept up with the city expansion and population increase in Tall ‘Afar," said Najim. "This city is one of the largest districts in the country with 300,000 people living in it."
According to Najim, the old water system, constructed in the 1960’s, faces updating by a new, three-stage project. The first stage is now complete.
In the interim, the city is providing people with water via water tanks and Multi National Forces are drilling 11 wells inside the city to help satisfy the demand.
Note: Polli Keller is the Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region North.
By Polli Keller - Gulf Region North - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Thank you Gucho.
bttt.
When McCain and Kerry and the rest of the dems call for more troops, I guess they don't consider the Iraqi troops as 'real' troops.
Or maybe they're just playing politics......but I don't believe that. (/sarc)
Bump - And thanks for the pings/news info Cindy.
You're welcome Gucho.
November 11, 2005
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Their strides might not have been as long as the adults in the crowd, but each step they took meant just as much.
Decked out in patriotic red, white and blue, the children from Oak Hill Elementary beamed with pride as they marched in their annual All Veteran's Memorial Walk Nov. 4.
The second grade class, led by Cindy Nickless, has been doing the Veteran's Day walk as a class for more than 20 years. It was the events of Sept. 11, 2001, changed that for the school. The walk grew from the second grade class only to a school-wide event.
"We knew parents would be deploying," said Ms. Nickless. "I think it's important for a child to know why their mother or father is leaving."
Ms. Nickless, who has been at Oak Hill Elementary for more than 30 years, started the tradition that has grown into an event involving more than 500 people each year.
"We have an important job to show our children, not just teach them," she said. "We do that by remembering our veterans."
Ten children from the school began the program at the All Veteran's Memorial by leading the crowd in the pledge of allegiance.
During the Star Spangled Banner, F-15s flew over doing normal operations around base. To the participants of the celebration, it was like someone ordered a fly-by.
Raeleesha Norris, a fourth grader, stood in front of the crowd and recited the poem "I am your Flag."
"Hearing the voice of the children honoring our veteran's with the sound of freedom flying above us is the perfect setting," said the representative referring to the aircraft flying over. "These children are our future; and the best way to plan for the future is to remember the past."
After a few songs and a dance routine, which were each briefly interrupted by the sound of the fighter jets flying over, Col. Dean Clemmons, 96th Air Base Wing vice commander, made a bet with the children.
"You are the reason why veterans for the past 230 years have put on a uniform and gone to war and fought," he said. "If you ask your grandparents or parents why they put on the uniform, I will bet you a piece of bubble gum they would say to protect you."
And almost as if it were on cue, the sound of fighter jets ceased so the participants of the ceremony could further honor those who serve with a moment of silence.
The sound of taps echoed through the memorial site to bring the ceremony to a close. One day, some of these children may become a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Oak Hill Elementary students will honor their service to the country too.
By Senior Airman Mike Meares - 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Bump - Thank you.
Yep.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
