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Huntington volunteers treat Marines to a thank-you picnic. ........... War stories were traded at Tuesday's July Fourth barbecue for the Marines of Camp Pendleton's "Thundering Third," attended by about 150 people at the historic Newman House at Beach Boulevard. It was the work of dozens of volunteers who have "adopted" the Marines – 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines – primarily to ease the strain on families left behind as warriors head to battle. Volunteers have thrown Halloween and Christmas parties, sent care packages to Iraq and welcomed troops home. Tuesday's barbecue was just a way to say "thank you." The "adoption"...

WASHINGTON, July 4, 2006 – President Bush today called on the American public to do their part in supporting the nation's men and women in uniform. "Across our country, Americans are coming together to help our deployed forces and their families -- and we can do more," Bush said during an Independence Day speech at Fort Bragg, N.C. "I ask every citizen to consider making a contribution to the men and women who defend us, because every one of us owes our freedom to these courageous Americans." "On this 4th of July, I ask all Americans to take a...

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2006 – President Bush yesterday urged Americans to find ways to support the nation's servicemembers through the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program. In his weekly radio address, the president noted sacrifices made for freedom throughout the nation's history, and suggested that during this Independence Day weekend, Americans turn to America Supports You to find a way to thank the men and women - and their families - who are making those sacrifices now. "Today, a new generation of American patriots is defending our freedom against determined and ruthless enemies," Bush said. "At this hour, the men...

CAMP HABBANIYAH, Iraq (June 28, 2006) -- Marines of Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion are supporting the grunts of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment by maintaining a constant presence with their M1-A1 Main Battle Tanks along the main highways in the battalion’s new area of operations. “We’re operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Gunnery Sgt. Michael J. Kadlub, a tank commander for 2nd Platoon. “There’s always somebody out there.” The tanks followed Darkhorse to Habbaniyah when the battalion moved west from Fallujah at the end of May. The transition to the new battle space was eased...

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq (June 28, 2006) -- A mobile detachment of Marines from the 1st Marine Logistics Group is working hard to improving life for Iraqi soldiers stationed in the Ramadi area. The unit, Combat Logistics Detachment 115, recently delivered three mobile kitchens to Camp Commando, a forward operating base west of the city. Soldiers at the camp had been surviving on primitive cooking methods and prepackaged meals, called meals ready to eat, said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Ryals, the platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, Combat Logistics Regiment 115. The kitchen units, which resemble pop-up campers pulled by pick-up trucks, will...

Saturday June 24th in Courtyard Square in Santa Rosa, CA brought about 300 people to our local Support The Troops Rally.There were a number of great speakers, many from the Military. Soldiers, Marines and family members with loved ones serving in Iraq and around the world.Colonel Louis "Pete" Peterka gave a very moving talk which I will go into later. His Daughter was there and her son (his Grandson) Kevin is serving in Iraq at this time. That's Kevin's Mother in the center of the next picture. He was close to one of the events we have heard a lot...

The following are excerpts. Please click the links provided above and embedded below to read the entire articles. Jun 26, 2006 2:16 pm US/Eastern CSI's Gary Sinise: Support Our Military TroopsFor more information, log on to the website www.americasupportsyou.mil(CBS4 News) WASHINGTON CSI star Gary Sinise was at the White House Monday but he wasn’t solving crimes, he was supporting American troops. The actor was in our nation’s capitol to help President Bush spread the word about ‘America Supports You’, a Defense Department outreach program created to recognize citizens who support the military. Sinise, who co-founded the Iraqi Children Fund; an...

300 attend Support the Troops rally honoring servicemen and women; number disappoints organizersSeveral hundred people gathered beneath a hot afternoon sun Saturday at Santa Rosa's Old Courthouse Square to pay homage to U.S. troops fighting in Iraq. Amid red, white and blue balloons and American flags of all sizes, the friends and families of local servicemen and women said prayers for their loved ones and shared words of support and encouragement. "Where else can a mother come and carry pictures of her son?" Windsor resident Melinda Anderson told the crowd. Anderson said her 24-year-old son, Marine Sgt. Bobby Anderson, has...

The Third Annual Sonoma County Support the Troops Rally will be held at Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, California on Saturday, June 24th, 2006, from 10am - 2pm. Our Third Annual Sonoma County Support the Troops Rally in Santa Rosa, California, will be even bigger and more exciting than last year's rally! We'll have special speakers such as KSFO’s Melanie Morgan and Brigadier General Joseph Schroedel, live musical entertainment from local bands, and the return of the "jumphouse" for the kids! Other speakers will include Col. Louis “Pete” Peterka; Lt. Col. Steve Countouriotis; Deborah K. Johns, spokeswoman for Move...

Coming Soon- Rally in Boise, ID! Tuesday, 31 May 2006 For General Release May 31, 2006 In quick succession to San Antonio, Operation Completion will be hosting a rally on the South Steps of the Capitol in Boise, ID! With the conservative community and nearby military base, the area is naturally welcoming to Operation Completion’s mission of raising public enthusiasm for our military and the job they are doing. Idaho Coordinator Emy Bowers commented on the fast-approaching rally, stating: “This rally, with its inspiring speakers and music, will challenge people to show their support of our troops instead of...

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, June 12, 2006 – The French military started its second phase of air operations in Afghanistan on May 26. During "Operation Serpentaire," a French Navy Super Etendard flies over southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. French air operations are in their second phase, which started May 26 and runs till October. Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Dubbed "Operation Serpentaire," for Serpent-Eater, French aviators have performed close-air support and tactical reconnaissance missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and the International Security Assistance Force. This phase of the operation will support coalition efforts until...

BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 8, 2006 – NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer today pledged the alliance's support to security and stability in Afghanistan. "Afghanistan is a long-term commitment, and allies are resolved to provide our mission with the military tools to do the job as demonstrated by the substantial forces deployed and deploying in theater," Scheffer said in an open session of the NATO defense ministerial meeting here today. "Our objective is to assist the government of Afghanistan in providing security, thereby paving the way for reconstruction and development." NATO's mission in Afghanistan is carried out under the auspices of...

June 1, 2006 -- In the rift between Congress and the Justice Department, Americans side overwhelmingly with law enforcement: Regardless of precedent and the separation of powers, 86 percent say the FBI should be allowed to search a Congress member's office if it has a warrant. That view is broadly bipartisan, this ABC News poll finds, ranging from 78 percent among Democrats to 94 percent of Republicans. --snip-- Indeed this poll finds broad public skepticism about congressional ethics: Sixty-five percent of Americans give a negative rating to the ethics and honesty of members of Congress. More, 54 percent, rate their...

Fellow Freepers, I just had a fellow freeper freepmail me about the low turnout for the soldier ride through Chattanooga TN. Please go out and support these men/women who have sacrificed so much for us. Just to be there along the ride route, to show support, means so much. Below I have pasted the ride schedule. For those interested in organizing groups to go out and greet the vets on the cycle route, freepmail me and I'll provide the routes. Girlangler http://www.soldierride.com/ Soldier Ride 2006 - America Still Remembers Each year Soldier Ride sponsors a cross country cycling event to...

Quick: What do 61% of Republican and 10% of Democrat Senators have in common? They represent America—at least on the issue of immigration. These numbers, drawn from the recorded vote on last week’s disastrous amnesty-granting immigration “reform” bill in the Senate, starkly illustrate two related insights about the ongoing illegal immigration crisis. One is that, despite gleeful media reports that “Congressional Republicans” are at odds with most of their supporters on the immigration issue, the great majority of Republican congressmen are not. Let the pro-amnesty RINOs (El RINOs?) get their support from the illegal aliens they believe they are so...

The actions of a 13 year old boy once again showed up the adults in Cape Cod when it comes to supporting he troops!! A 13 year old Boy Scout that I met last week organized and made happen an event to raise money for items to be sent to the 25th Marines in Iraaq this last weekend, and even got active duty and Reserve personnel from all services to represent their respective fellow men. The story is below:

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 29, 2006 – Darryl Worley did not follow his family tradition of joining the military, but fate led him to another way to support his country -- by supporting those who followed the call to military service. Country music singer Darryl Worley entertains the audience at the Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville, Tenn., May 27, during an All-American Salute Signature Show featuring tributes to America's men and women in uniform. Worley, who wrote his hit single "Have You Forgotten" after visiting U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan, frequently entertains the troops stateside and overseas. Photo by Chris Hollo...

WASHINGTON, May 28, 2006 – More than 100,000 motorcycles carrying Vietnam veterans, current and former servicemembers, family members, and other supporters rattled the streets here today. Three Vietnam veterans listen to the speakers at the Rolling Thunder XIX Ride for Freedom at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., May 28. Photo by Sgt. Sara Wood, USA  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The motorcyclists were participating in the Rolling Thunder XIX Ride for Freedom from the Pentagon parking lot to the National Mall. The ride is held every year by the non-profit group as a demonstration to raise awareness...

..... Honor our fallen heroes ------------------------------- Posted: May 26, 2006 1:00 a.m. Eastern© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com Today, millions of families across America will begin packing their bags and getting ready for the Memorial Day weekend. I wonder how many people will take the time to actually pay tribute to the true intention of the holiday: to honor those who have given their lives for the cause of American freedom. The barbecues, swim parties and discount sales at the shopping malls continue unabated, but the holiday's true significance seems to have faded for some in this nation. It's sad to see some...

Iraqi police officers conduct drill and ceremony during an Iraqi police graduation at the Imam Police Academy in Najaf, Iraq, May 18, 2006. U.S. Army photo Grads Join Iraqi Police Ranks, Support Blood Drive U.S. soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were on hand to witness the graduation ceremony. By U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Alexander Callahan 2nd Brigade Combat Team 4th Infantry Divison FORWARD OPERATING BASE DUKE, Iraq, May 19, 2006 — The Imam Ali Police Academy in Najaf hosted a graduation ceremony May 18, inducting more than 280 new...