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4/6/2008 - SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- College basketball officials recognized the contributions of American servicemembers throughout the world during the men's NCAA Final Four weekend April 4 through 7 in San Antonio. Military members were present during college basketball's biggest weekend while singing the national anthem, presenting the colors, sitting in the stands and watching live from bases directly fighting the war on terrorism. The military was saluted throughout the weekend as officials of the NCAA saluted American warriors at festivities throughout the weekend. NCAA coaches and the public talked to and thanked troops serving on the front lines in...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2008 – A Marine who lost both legs in Iraq, a 61-year-old doctor who joined the Navy after his oldest son was killed in Iraq, a soldier and an airman wounded in Iraq, and a Marine whose unit was part of the troop surge in Iraq’s Anbar province will join first lady Laura Bush tonight during the president’s State of the Union address. The servicemembers were selected as special guests for the annual address to both houses of Congress, President Bush’s eighth, and the last before he leaves office. White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said today...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2008 – Media outlets portray a version of the U.S. military as seen from the outside, but Americans across the country can access the primary source: hearing the military experience described by a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine who lives it. At universities, high schools and rotary clubs in scores of U.S. cities, “Why We Serve,” a Defense Department outreach program, is connecting men and women in uniform to the American public they serve. Started in July 2006, the program provides a platform for servicemembers recently returned from operations in Afghanistan, Iraq or the Horn of...

PRISTINA, Kosovo, Nov. 29, 2007 – Versus, the U.S. cable television home of the National Hockey League, has partnered with some troops deployed to Kosovo to give an early Christmas present to the peacekeepers there and their families at home. At 7 p.m. EST on Dec. 11 , everyone watching the Pittsburgh Penguins battle the Philadelphia Flyers on Versus will get to see some pictures of the American soldiers, airmen and sailors who are serving at Camps Film City and Bondsteel, Kosovo. At the same time their pictures are being shown on television in the United States, the troops will...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2007 – The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard each honored one of their own at a Pentagon ceremony today with an award named for actor-comedian Bob Hope. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. hosted the Spirit of Hope Awards ceremony. The award honors Hope’s values of duty, honor, courage, loyalty, commitment, integrity and selfless dedication, said Michael Kagin, the award’s originator. It recognizes individuals or organizations who have “selflessly contributed an extraordinary amount of time, talent or resources to significantly enhance the quality of life of servicemembers around the world,” he...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2007 – Six U.S. military members recognized by a local patriotic organization for their overseas service in the war on terror also received Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’ personal thanks here yesterday evening. “You are the best, and we all owe you. And, in all sincerity, we’re all humbled by you,” Gates told the Grateful Nation Award recipients at the start of his remarks at the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs’ annual award dinner. “It’s surreal,” Grateful Nation Award honoree Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Jason T. Fetty said of his meeting with Gates. He said the...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2007 – Thousands of U.S. troops took to the streets of the nation’s capital and to makeshift routes laid out on military outposts around the world during the Army Ten-Miler on Oct. 7. Army 1st Lt. Anthony R. Calingo finishes first in the Logistics Support Area Adder Ten-Miler in Iraq. Photo by Spc. Jamie Avila, USA  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “This is the first 10-miler I’ve ever run,” Army Spc. Matthew Davis said after completing a “shadow” event at Logistics Support Area Adder, about 225 miles south of Baghdad. “It’s probably one of the...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2007 – Four airmen, a soldier and a member of the Coast Guard received the “Outstanding American by Choice” award from the chief of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during a ceremony here yesterday. The recipients of the of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Outstanding American by Choice award stand with the office’s director, Dr. Emilio T. Gonzalez, center. From left to right Air Force Capt. Rasul Alsalih, Army Warrant Officer Abida Sultana Shoyeb, Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mitzie A. Robinson, Gonzalez, Air Force Maj. Manuel Dominguez, Air Force Capt. Van T. Thai...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2007 – Six military women of Hispanic descent were honored for their service to the nation at Latina Style Magazine’s 4th annual awards luncheon held here Sept. 6. Army Sgt. Maj. Venus Carpenter is one of six Hispanic military women who were honored at Latina Style Magazine’s annual awards luncheon held here Sept. 6. Photo by Gerry J. Gilmore  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The Defense Department co-hosted the event, titled “Latinas in the Global Fight on Terror.” The luncheon traditionally heralds other Hispanic-American Heritage Month activities, held Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Award recipients...

RENO, Nev., Aug. 31, 2007 – Enlisted representatives from the five armed services were honored this week by the nation’s largest wartime veterans’ organization. The American Legion presented the Spirit of Service award to Army Sgt. Korey W. Chandler, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Gaurav R. Patel, Marine Corps Sgt. Matthew W. Stone, Air Force Airman 1st Class Robb K. Hulet, and Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class David B. Edelson on Aug. 28 during the organization’s 89th National Convention here. The award was presented for each of the recipient’s volunteer service in their local communities, American Legion officials said....

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2007 – Volunteers in San Jose, Calif., are providing some of the niceties of home to troops serving in hostile and remote areas of the world. These boxes represent the first official shipment of packages from Operation: Action Packed! to servicemembers stationed at Camp Hit, Iraq. The group sends care packages to more than 180 servicemembers each month. Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Members of the group, “Operation: Action Packed!” believe they can “all do something to make a difference in the world,” the group’s president, Daniella Magnano, said. “We strive to move...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2007 – Each year, the country pauses to remember the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and all who perished in them. One group, however, works year round to honor the 343 firefighters killed that day and to help servicemembers and their families. The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund was founded in memory of its namesake, a decorated member of Rescue 4 of the New York Fire Department and chief of the Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department, who was firefighters killed in the attacks. The fund offers education and financial assistance to servicemembers and firefighters, said Brian Farrell,...

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan , Aug. 4, 2007 – Every other week, servicemembers from all branches of the military conduct convoys from this base to deliver clothing and supplies to needy Afghans in the surrounding areas. But they're not doing it because they have to. They're doing it because they want to help. Members of the Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan unload a truck full of donations from the U.S. at a refugee camp outside of Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “These are military and coalition members who volunteer,” said Air Force...

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2007 – What began as a shared love of German cars has morphed through friendship into a passion to honor, educate and entertain servicemembers, Operation Wheels of Freedom’s program director said. Military children receive large-scale Hot Wheels toy cars during an Operation Wheels of Freedom event to honor, entertain and educate servicemembers. Mattel, one of the group’s sponsors, has provided thousands of the toys. Operation Wheels of Freedom courtesy photo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “We are a group of committed car guys who want to do our part to say thanks to the...

WASHINGTON, July 5, 2007 – Servicemembers who’ve suffered serious injuries resulting from their wartime service can get financial help thanks to two congressionally legislated programs, a senior U.S. military officer said July 3. Congress established the Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance program in 2005 in response to the experiences of some former and current military members who found themselves financially strapped after they suffered severe injuries during the war against terrorism. Coverage applies to active-duty and reserve-component members. “This program provides up to $100,000 per event, depending on (the type of) injury,” Army Col. John Sackett, a disability compensation...

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2007 – Under the cover of darkness in the nation’s capital last night, servicemembers from all branches deployed into theater -- the movie theater. About 600 military personnel and family members attended a sneak preview of “Transformers,” the summer science fiction action-adventure film set for national release July 3. Audience members cheered as virtuous Autobot transformers fought in concert with their U.S. military allies against the depraved Decepticons, while the clash between good and evil played out in stunning images and bone-rattling sound. “That was without a doubt the best movie I have ever seen,” Army Staff...

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2007 – Military life is all Cindy Gainey has ever really known. And that’s just fine with her. Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey gets on bended knee to ask his wife for another 30 years on their 30th anniversary, June 18, 207. This was the second trip -- both times during their anniversary -- that the two have toured South Korea camps and bases and talking with troops and families. Photo by Spc. Wesley Leyton Pollet, USA  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Born in England into an Air Force family, she moved often...

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2007 – Standing in the Pentagon briefing room here, preparing to record a video message to troops deployed abroad, 70-year-old Charlie Daniels’ jaws, covered in tufts of white whiskers, work away at a wad of gum. As the camera starts rolling, he halts production. Charlie Daniels addresses an audience of military and civilian personnel in the Pentagon after receiving the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service for his support of U.S. troops around the world, as Michael L. Dominguez, principal deputy under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, looks on,...

BETHESDA, Md., May 30, 2007 – Thirty thousand active-duty servicemembers and guests will be able to attend the inaugural AT&T National invitational golf tournament July 3-8, professional golfer Tiger Woods announced here yesterday. Golfer Tiger Woods fields questions during a May 29 news conference at Congressional Country Club, in Bethesda, Md. He held the conference to get the word out about the July 3-8 AT&T National golf tournament, which he's hosting. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Woods, who’s hosting the event at Congressional Country Club here, made the announcement from the storied venue’s...

INDIANAPOLIS, May 21, 2007 – Amid the howl of revved-up racecars, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday showcased its 27th Armed Forces Day program with a group enlistment of recruits from all services and other military-themed events. David Morgan, team manager for Playa del Racing, shows off the America Supports You decal affixed to the nacelle of one of his team’s race cars in “Gasoline Alley” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 20. Photo by Gerry J. Gilmore  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The track held its Armed Forces Day activities in conjunction with final timed qualifications, called “Bump...