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WASHINGTON, May 31, 2007 – Operation Homefront, a military support group dedicated to providing emergency assistance and morale to servicemembers and their families, recently received a $5.9 million grant to expand its services. The grant came from the California Community Foundation’s Iraq Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund. “We were deeply honored to receive this grant, and it will fund some big dreams that we, and our volunteers, have had,” Meredith Leyva, chairman of Operation Homefront, said. “For example … we’ve been able to launch our Wounded Warrior Wives project.” The new Wounded Warrior Wives project is a combined effort of...

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2007 – Professional golfer Corey Pavin hit a hole-in-one with Operation Homefront when he announced his support of the troop-support group May 22. PGA golfer Corey Pavin and Amy Palmer, executive vice president of Operation Homefront, pose for a photo after he announced his support of the America Supports You home-front group. Pavin joins several other professional golfers who lend their support to troop-support groups. Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “Over the last few months, I’ve been talking to the PGA Tour and looking for a charity that helps out the military in...

News report regarding Ms. Sheehan's upcoming appearance at an anti-war demonstration in Greensboro NC on April 21 can be found at the above link.

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2007 – A home-front group that alters clothing for wounded servicemembers received accolades for its efforts on an evening news show last week. “ABC’s World News Tonight” named Ginger Dosedel, founder of Sew Much Comfort, as being the news organization’s “Person of the Week” during its March 23 broadcast. “It was wonderful of ABC to nominate us, and I truly look at that as an ‘us,’” Dosedel said. “I am only one small part of this organization. For them to take time to recognize everything America is doing to support the troops -- I think that...

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2007 – For nearly four years, overseas-deployed servicemembers have been redeeming gift certificates at military exchange stores as part of a successful troop-support program. The Army and Air Force Exchange Service, as well as the Navy and Coast Guard exchange programs, co-sponsor the “Gifts from the Homefront” program, which began in March 2003, AAFES spokesman Judd Anstey said. Certificates are available in denominations from $5 to $50, he said, and can be used to purchase items at AAFES and other military-store facilities worldwide. “The gift certificate effort makes it easy for troops to pick up items...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2007 – A troop-support group has launched an essay contest to award scholarships to military children in gratitude for the sacrifices they have made while their parents serve the nation. Homefront America has joined the W. Daniel Tate family and Sara’s Hope Foundation for a second year to host a scholarship contest awarding $1,000 to 25 military dependent children. The organization is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program designed to connect U.S. citizens’ support directly to troops and their families. “This is the launching of a huge campaign,” said Mamie Maywhort, Homefront...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2006 -- Wal-mart and Operation Homefront are coming together to spread the holiday spirit to military members and their families through “Operation Christmas.” The Operation Christmas Holiday Caravan will travel to six military communities sprinkled throughout the nation Nov. 22 - Dec. 20 to help kick off the Christmas season with appearances by Santa, tree-trimming craft tables, music and gifts of $20 Wal-mart gift cards. “The Department of Defense is pleased to have two of our America Supports You partners come together to provide for military members and their families,” said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary...

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 13, 2006 -- Operation Homefront and the Department of Defense formally agreed to cooperate on their joint mission to support military members and their families during a reception here yesterday evening. Allison Barber (left) and Meredith Leyva, founder of Operation Homefront, sign a memorandum of understanding between the America Supports You member group and the Department of Defense on Oct. 12. Photo by William D. Moss  '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Operation Homefront, a grassroots group headed by military spouses, is a member of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, which highlights efforts to...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2006 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England this morning praised a group that’s working to make life easier for military members and their families. “You all are doing terrific work,” England told representatives of “Operation Homefront.” “I appreciate everything you’ve been doing for our great men and women in uniform.” Operation Homefront and its subsidiary, CinCHouse.com, provide critical assistance to more than 35,000 military families in need, according to the organization’s Web site. That assistance includes providing emergency items and financial assistance as well as the means for families of deployed servicemembers to stay connected. Members...

. . "The defendant portrays himself as a mild-mannered, kind individual," federal prosecutor David Laufman told the judge at the sentencing nine days ago. But in Chandia's home and car, he said, FBI agents had found recordings glorifying terrorism, one even asking God to "grant safety to Osama bin Laden." "That," concluded Laufman, "is who the defendant really is." After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, law enforcement officials pledged an aggressive effort to choke off future plots. . . .

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2006 – As the mother of a Marine on his first deployment in 2003, Donna Clemons didn't know where to turn for support. She didn't know anyone else with family members in the military who would understand what she was going through, she said. When Clemons' son went on a second deployment in 2004, she found an online support group for military family members and through that group learned about a luncheon for Marine mothers in Tennessee, her home state. Clemons went to the luncheon and met other parents of Marines. Together, they decided to form a...

SANTA ANA, Calif., Feb. 10, 2006 - In furthering its mission to assist military families in need, Operation Homefront has made ten mobile homes available to military families in the Gulfport, Mississippi area. Navy Seabee John Rench will be first among those receiving a home. Having lost everything and exhausting all other government and private sector resources, Rench will accept delivery of his mobile home even as the ruins of his former residence still remain. Also first in line is Seabea Amber Osteen who will move in along with her 4-month-old daughter and husband, who suffers from spina bifida. The...

MIDDLETOWN, NY -- John Simar woke up in Kuwait this morning – a 55-year-old soldier – one order away from risking his life on the bloody streets of Baghdad. His journey from civilian to soldier began with a phone call to the Pentagon's personnel office in August. Simar asked if he could do anything to help with the war effort in Iraq. He figured he might not even hear back. Four days later, his phone rang. The voice on the other end said: "We have a job for you." Just like that, Simar retired from the military more than a...

Laredo — More than 100 Mexican shoppers and a handful of American tourists were left standing as they waited for federal officials to reopen the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge Saturday night. Federal authorities shut down Laredo’s four international bridges two times on Saturday after receiving two separate false bomb threats throughout the day. Both threats turned out to be false, but federal officials said the timing had been poor. A Thursday night battle between drug traffickers using heavy machine guns and rocket launchers prompted American federal officials to temporarily close the U.S. Consulate across the Rio Grande in...

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2005 – The aroma of fresh-baked cookies filling the entryway of the small apartment brings a reminiscent feeling of home for many visitors. It does not, however, give an idea of the magnitude of the efforts of the one-woman cookie factory within these walls. Germaine Broussard, also known as "The Cookie Lady," has been baking cookies for troops serving overseas for a year and a half. She has baked thousands of cookies and sent them to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines -- most of whom she has never met. Broussard started her baking ventures around Christmas 2003,...

This return visit to Iraq, however, spurs thoughts of America — to be specific, thoughts about America's will to pursue victory. I don't mean the will of U.S. forces in the field. Wander around with a bunch of Marines for a half-hour, spend 15 minutes with National Guardsmen from Idaho, and you will have no doubts about American military capabilities or the troops' will to win. But our weakness is back home, in front of the TV, on the cable squawk shows, on the editorial page of the New York Times, in the political gotcha games of Washington. It seems...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...

February 27, 2005 On the Home Front, a Source of Support By KATE ZERNIKE MONG the promises to help firm your thighs or give you a more lustrous head of hair that shout out from covers of women's magazines, "7 Things to Expect From A Man Who's Been Living in the Desert" strikes a somewhat discordant note. It was one of the teasers gracing the cover of the first issue of Military Spouse, a new magazine published every other month that was founded in the run-up to the Iraq war by two Navy wives frustrated by what they perceived as...

Q&A by Kathryn Jean Lopez"If we don't wake up to this, we could lose it all," that's Harvey Kushner's message to Americans — and American intelligence officials. Harvey Kushner is a familiar face to many Fox viewers. The terrorism expert is a frequent TV commentator. In his full-time work in terrorism prevention, he has been a consultant to major government agencies including the FBI, INS, and U.S. Customs. Kushner's most recent book is Holy War on the Home Front: The Secret Islamic Terror Network in the United States, written with Bart Davis.Kushner recently answered some of NRO editor Kathryn...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...