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ARLINGTON, Va., July 14, 2009 – Chaplains have myriad reasons for serving their country, but recognition usually isn’t one of them. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Rebekah Montgomery will be recognized as the Military Chaplains Association’s Chaplain of the Year July 17, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. S. Patrick McCollum  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “Chaplains are often in the position where we love to serve so much, it’s always a surprise to be rewarded for it,” said Army Chaplain (Capt.) Rebekah Montgomery, who will receive the Chaplain of the Year award from the Military Chaplains Association on July...

BAGHDAD, Sept. 15, 2008 – The Iraqi Defense Ministry held a ceremony today to say goodbye to Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, who turns over command of Multinational Force Iraq tomorrow to Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and Iraqi Defense Minister Abd al-Qadir al-Mufriji salute while passing the Iraqi flag during a farewell ceremony for Petraeus Sept. 15, 2008, in Baghdad. Petraeus is turning over command of Multinational Force Iraq to Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno. Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Petraeus, who will take command of U.S. Central Command, has...

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2008 – President Bush presented six military spouses the Presidential Volunteer Service Award today for exceptional support to their communities and the nation. Video Bush made the presentation as 1,100 military spouses gathered for a Military Spouse Recognition Day celebration on the White House South Lawn. This year’s awardees were: Colleen Saffron, an Army wife; Ramona Vazquez, a Coast Guard wife; Bob Davidson, an Air Force husband; Ellen Patton, a Navy wife; Dawnle Scheetz, an Army Reserve wife; and Kaprece James, a Marine Corps wife. “The six individuals we honor here today have earned the respect...

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2008 – President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates paid tribute today to about 1,100 military spouses who gathered for a Military Spouse Day celebration at the White House, where Bush promised to continue pushing for more benefits for military families. Alex Loudon, wife of Navy Command Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Dyer, left, and Amanda Villiers, wife of Army Staff Sgt. Stan Villiers, join about 1,100 military spouses at the White House for a Military Spouse Day celebration, May 6, 2008. Defense Department photo by Donna Miles  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Following...

PHILADELPHIA, April 17, 2008 – The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia honored U.S. troops and veterans of service in Iraq and Afghanistan during a dinner here yesterday. U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hands a commemorative coin to a soldier before the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia dinner in Philadelphia, April 16, 2008. The council presented its Atlas Award to U.S. troops and veterans of Iraq and Afghanistanin to recognize their service. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available....

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2008 – A new award administered by troop support groups and sponsored by a major corporation aims to recognize the sacrifices made by military moms. The Operation Homefront Military Motherhood Award will provide the winner with $5,000 and a free trip to the awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The award pays tribute to mothers of servimembers, military wives with dependent children and women serving in the military who have children. It is sponsored by Lockheed Martin with support from the Military Times Media Group, and it is administered in conjunction with CinCHhouse.com. “We're looking for inspirational...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2007 – Ten children of servicemembers killed during the war on terrorism were honored for their sacrifices on behalf of the nation at ceremonies held here and in Iraq yesterday. Since 2006, more than 200 Goal Medals of Remembrance like these have been presented to children of fallen U.S. servicemembers who have died in Afghanistan or Iraq. Photo by Gerry J. Gilmore  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. At the Russell Senate Office Building last evening, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W....

Task Force Guardian honors residents for their volunteer efforts in keeping their neighborhoods safe. By Lance Cpl. Charles E. McKelvey II Marine Expeditionary Force FALLUJAH, Iraq, Sept. 27, 2007 — Iraqi citizens who have volunteered time and effort to keeping their neighborhoods safe were honored during a ceremony at a schoolhouse here. Most of the volunteers had attempted to join the local police force, but were turned away because of the overwhelming number of applicants. “These are just regular people who finally got fed up of being told what to do by insurgent groups.” 1st Lt. Brennan Simi To reinforce...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2007 – “The Volunteer State” is slated to receive the Defense Department’s top award next week for supporting Tennessee state employees who volunteer to serve in the National Guard and reserves. The state of Tennessee will be among 15 employers nationwide to receive the 2007 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award during a Sept. 12 ceremony here. The Freedom Award is the highest recognition the U.S. government gives to employers for outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and reserves. State employee and former Tennessee Army National Guard Sgt. Robert S....

WASHINGTON, July 10, 2007 – She’s only 11 years old, but Bailey Reese has logged more community service than many Americans twice her age, all to ensure servicemembers know their sacrifices are appreciated. Bailey Reese, 11, was recently chosen as one of three American Girl doll company’s 2007 Real Girls of the Year for her efforts to thank servicemembers for their sacrifices. She does this through Hero Hugs, which she founded in 2003. She was joined in Los Angeles by Hero the bear, Hero Hugs’ stuffed mascot (left) and American Girl’s 2007 Doll of the Year, Nicki Fleming. Courtesy...

LITTLETON, Colo. (NNS) -- Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny P. Dietz was honored July 4, by his hometown of Littleton, Colo., with the dedication of a larger-than-life bronze statue in a park near his childhood family home. Dietz was killed by enemy forces during a combat mission in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005, as part of Operation Red Wing. The dedication ceremony speakers included the Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable Donald C. Winter; Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, Rear Admiral Joseph Kernan; United States Congressman Tom Tancredo; Medal of Honor recipient, Petty Officer (SEAL) Mike Thornton; and Mrs....

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2007 – The Defense Department recognized a troop-support group and two of its key players at the Pentagon yesterday for their outstanding support of the nation’s servicemembers. John Gonsalves, left, founder of Homes for Our Troops, receives the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service from Gen. Robert Magnus, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, on June 28, 2007. Held in the Pentagon, the ceremony recognized Gonsalves’ service to servicemembers injured in the global war on terrorism. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. John Gonsalves, founder of...

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2007 – More than 3,100 families and friends of servicemembers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan gathered on the grounds of the Washington Monument today to remember their loved ones during a “Time of Remembrance” tribute. Quincy Jallah, son of a fallen soldier, honors the presentation of colors during the “Time of Remembrance” ceremony today near the Washington Monument. Photo by Melinda L. Larson  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The event, in its second year, was initiated by the White House Commission on Remembrance, which by Congress in 2000. Its purpose is to encourage Americans to...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2007 – The Defense Department recognized a California high school at the Pentagon today for supporting one of its students and a program she undertook for the nation’s servicemembers. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Dorrance J. Smith (right) presents the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award to Gregg Pinick (left), principal of Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, Calif., for its support of Shauna Fleming's "A Million Thanks" program and the Defense Department's America Supports You program. Pinick accepted the award on the school's behalf. Photo by William D. Moss  '(Click...

WASHINGTON - Not to be outdone by their husbands, the first ladies are getting their chance to shine on the nation's coins. Starting next year, Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and all the rest will begin appearing on a new series of gold coins. It will be the first time in history that the U.S. Mint has produced a series featuring women. While a new presidential series will be $1 circulating coins, the wives will be on half-ounce gold coins with each likely to sell for more than $300. Both coins were authorized by Congress in 2005 with lawmakers modeling the...

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 12, 2006 -- The Defense Department today honored the PGA Tour organization and its network of affiliated golf clubs for their exemplary support of U.S. servicemembers. Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison, left, reads the inscription on a plaque before she presents it to PGA (Professional Golfers' Association) Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem during an employee meeting in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Dec. 12. The Defense Department honored the PGA Tour organization and its network of affiliated golf clubs for exemplary support of U.S. servicemembers through DoD's America...

11/12/2006 - LONDON (AFPN) -- The Royal Air Force Habbaniya Association honored Air Force Capt. Jutta Cortes by obtaining "exceptional permission" for her to march in the annual Remembrance Day Parade near the Cenotaph in London. Captain Cortes earned the honor after she responded to a special request from the association's honorary secretary, Dr. Christopher Morris. Last year, Dr. Morris read an article in an American military publication about Captain Cortes' unit training Iraqi police forces at what used to be RAF Habbaniya. After a few weeks of research, Dr. Morris contacted Captain Cortes requesting that she perform a traditional...

MANHATTAN, Kan., Nov. 10, 2006 -- A Kansas State University building in which a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff once studied was named in his honor at a ceremony here yesterday. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld speaks during the dedication ceremony of the Gen. Richard B. Myers Hall at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan., Nov. 9. Photo by James M. Bowman  '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Retired Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, who served as the 15th chairman, graduated from KSU in 1965, where he was a member of the Air Force ROTC. The university...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2006 -- World War II veteran John A. Glaros clearly remembers the day 63 years ago when he heard that his friend, a fellow U.S. Army Air Forces radioman, had perished in an air crash in Australia that would remain a secret for many years afterward. (Left to right) Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England; Harry McAlpine, president of the Returned and Services League?s Washington, D.C., sub-branch; Robert S. Cutler, executive director of the Bakers Creek Memorial Association; and Australian Ambassador to the United States Dennis Richardson pose for a photograph next to the Bakers Creek air...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2006 – The Defense Department is honoring the Fred Fletemeyer Company, a small family-owned construction business in Colorado Springs, Colo., with its most prestigious award for employers who support National Guard and reserve troops. The Fred Fletemeyer Company is among 15 employers across the United States named as winners of the 2006 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award publicly recognizes employers for exceptional support beyond the requirements of federal law. Employees who also serve in the Guard or reserve nominate companies for the honor. Navy Reserve Senior Chief Petty Officer Bill Feigt, a Fletemeyer...