FReeper Foxhole - Military Related News in Review - May 5, 2003

various

[snippy_about_it]

Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

Author Unknown

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FReepers from the The Foxhole
join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time.

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President Bush Announces (Major) Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended

President George W. Bush on Thursday announced to the Nation that major combat operations in Iraq have ended, and our coalition is now engaged in securing and reconstructing that country. President Bush spoke from the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln. Full Story

Watch it all over again by selecting the video link.
Or see the still photographs again

~

USS Abraham Lincoln comes home

Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif. (May 2, 2003) -- Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) man the rails as the ship pulls into NAS North Island, during their port visit to off-load the ship’s Air Wing.

Lincoln and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are returning from a 10-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein.
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Lewis Hunsaker.

Cool Pic of the week - Clic on it

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Benning soldier finds 'shining gem' in Iraq
(Soldier's act brings sight to girl blinded in attack in Iraq)

BAGHDAD, IRAQ – James Mattwig hoped there would be a happy ending to the story of the injured Iraqi girl he'd tried to help, and Saturday he found the answer.

Two weeks ago, the U.S. Army staff sergeant met Aya, a 3-year-old Iraqi girl with a patch over her left eye. Mattwig was told that an artillery round had landed outside her family's home, shattering windows and sending a shard of glass into her eye.

A local doctor had told her she was permanently blinded. That wasn't good enough for Mattwig, 31, a D-Troop scout with the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. He assembled a medical team the next day, Easter Sunday, and returned to her house.

Aya was taken to a U.S. Army hospital, and that was the last Mattwig heard of Aya.

Until Saturday.

Once again, Mattwig assembled a convoy to Aya's home in downtown Baghdad.

They arrived outside Aya's home almost as celebrities; neighbors gathered around the two Humvees as soon as they stopped.

Mattwig popped his head over the metal gate outside Aya's house. A member of one of the five families living there saw him, grinned and disappeared inside the small flat.

Moments later, Aya Nahi and her smiling mother, Akhlas, emerged from behind the gate. Aya's eye remained nearly closed, but Akhlas delivered some good news.

"They fixed her in American hospital," Akhlas Nahi said. "She's not blind anymore."

She told Mattwig that he had to visit again because she was making him a gift. "Something to remember," she said. link to story

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DoD Sets Up Office to Help Lure Job Applicants
05-01-2003
Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department, which employs more than 700,000 civilians in more than 900 occupations, has set up a new office to help lure job applicants to the federal workforce.

The Defense Application Assistance Office was established this year to help those seeking government positions, such as help with the tedious application process, said John Moseley, deputy director for program support at DoD's Civilian Personnel Management Service.

"What we're trying to overcome is that the application process is long, complex and people don't want to deal with it," said Moseley, a 30-year federal employee. "In the past it's been a very arduous task."

Moseley said the assistance office also works to connect DoD recruiters and applicants. "The way our application process is now, someone fills out a stack of papers, ships them off to some unknown location, and they may or may not ever hear what happened," he explained.

"We're going to change that. We're going to streamline the application process. We're going to stay in touch with the applicant," he added. "We're going to provide personalized service to people who have questions about this mystery." Full story

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May 9th is Military Spouse Appreciation Day

This year Military Spouse Appreciation Day will be celebrated on 9 May.

President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Military Spouse Appreciation Day on 17 April 1984.

The official celebration has been designated as the Friday before Mother's Day.

Appreciation Memo release from Army

Appreciation Memo release from Marines

Appreciation Memo release from Navy (bottom of page)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hi Sam! Thanks for the info.

So, they finally let you out, huh? LOL.

[WSGilcrest]

You thought I was calling the President an infidel. The joke was (supposed to be) that to the Muslim extremists he is an infidel. Sorry if you took offense.

[snippy_about_it]

In my ever so educated grammer. Woo-Hoo!

[SAMWolf]

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and guess that you posted this as a joke. I'm taking it as "that would be a great sticker to put on all our planes that performed bombing missions in Iraq. Just to let them know who was coming for them, according to their beliefs." Actually I would find that very ironic if some of our pilots did do that, very un-PC but a cool idea

If I'm wrong, I would appreciate an explanation for the post.

[SAMWolf]

Evevnig Victoria. Nice shot of the President and Rumfeld.

[snippy_about_it]

I'm sorry. I figured that was the case.

Johnny I was just about to freepmail you about it.

I had seen the picture on a couple other threads and WS was referencing the baby on board signs and yes, that it was in offense to the Muslims who call us infidels, not to W.

We can't help but be protective of Dubya right Johnny? Thanks for looking out!

[SAMWolf]

I posted my reply before I saw your post. I guessed right.

You have a warped sense of humor, just like I do. It;'s gotten me into trouble a few times too.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks Sam.

So, are you enjoying your freedom tonight? Hahaha.

[snippy_about_it]

I missed you today. Hope the computer stays in good working order. If not, you know where I am. Check your freepmail.

I've really got to stop staying up so late. The lack of beauty sleep is starting to show. lol.

Good night Sam.

[SAMWolf]

Yep but I lost time and still ahve to finish up for tomorrow

[Long Cut]

Wonderful photos. ORION does indeed have the watch, even now, somewhere in the world, an ORION or two watch the bad guys.

As they have, largely unsung, for over four decades now.

One day, I MUST write my experiences aboard her down. I bet it'd make for an interesting book.

[snippy_about_it]

Good night Victoria.

[Soaring Feather]

Good nite all!

[snippy_about_it]

What? I'm the morning person. What are you doing leaving so soon. lol. Goodnight. I really am out of here!

[Long Cut]

"I vactioned on Whidbey Island last year and we watched the P3's taking off and landing the whole week we were there."

You should visit Jacksonville. The P-3 Fleet Replacement Squadron (which trains all p-3 personnel) is here, as are three active squadrons and one reserve squadron. Oh, and three helicopter squadrons and three S-3 squadrons, as well.

On clear days, dozens of Navy birds ply the skies here. Impromptu airshows are common to commuters on the Buckman bridge, from whence helicopters practicing hoist rescues and swimmer deployments can be seen in the St. John's river, with P-3s and S-3s flying above. All while you are stuck in traffic.

[WSGilcrest]

Boy, did I open a can of worms. When I made that I assumed everyone would "get" it, and you know what happens when you ASSume.

FReegards, ~Stu

[SAMWolf]

Good Night Snippy. Good thread again today.

[SAMWolf]

Yep. It's good to be Free.

[SAMWolf]

Good Night Feather.

[SAMWolf]

It was quite impressive watching them take off and circle the air field and them land again. Can't help it by I love the sounds of the prop planes.