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WASHINGTON, May 22, 2008 – Tens of thousands of care packages will be packed and ready for shipping to servicemembers deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and on ships at sea in time for Independence Day. Operation Gratitude’s annual “Patriotic Drive” makes sure servicemembers have a little piece of home around the nation’s birthday. "This will be the fastest-paced care package drive we have ever undertaken," said Charlie Othold, director of operations. "We only have two weekends of prep work and two weekends of assembling, but we will get a package shipped to every servicemember whose name we receive." Seven days...

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2008 – Two of America’s favorite siblings bestowed a very special honor on the founder of a grassroots troop-support group recently. Donnie and Marie Osmond named Patti Patton-Bader as “America’s Favorite Mom” on the May 11 “America’s Favorite Mom” program presented by Teleflora and NBC. "I really am lucky to know so many heroes in my life," said Patton-Bader, who has two sons in the Army, one currently deployed to Iraq. "Whether they are the troops who serve our country or the amazing mothers here on this ‘America's Favorite Mom’ program, I am honored to be...

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2008 – For the 38 grassroots groups who took up a temporary home in the Pentagon’s center courtyard today, the mission was clear: show support for the troops and share information about just how they do that. Tennessee's Helping Hearts table at the America Supports You Salute to Our Military Men and Women concert May 16, 2008, was staffed by the group’s pageant winners. From left, Paige Wilson, 12, 2007 Ms. Tennessee Helping Hearts; Shay Salmon, 16, 2008 Tennessee Helping Hearts Queen runner up; Amanda Britt, 18, 2008 Ms. Tennessee Helping Hearts; and Summer Salmon, 14,...

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2008 – Through three military conflicts, beginning with the Civil War, a group of women contributed to the war effort by making bandages for the troops. While they no longer make bandages, the Virginia-based United Daughters of the Confederacy strives to support the country’s servicemembers through historical, educational, benevolent, memorial and patriotic means. “Since we are a country at war against terrorism, the patriotic objective is the one being focused upon at the present time,” said Sherry Davis, chairman of patriotic activities for the general, or national, organization. The organization meets its goals of patriotic outreach...

SYDNEY (AFP) - The number of Australians who want to replace the monarchy with a republic has fallen to its lowest level in almost 15 years, according to a poll published Thursday. Only 45 percent of Australians favoured scrapping the monarchy for a republic, although the figure rose sharply when respondents considered the prospect of Prince Charles taking the throne, according to the poll from Morgan Research. Pollster Gary Morgan said support for a republic featuring a popularly-elected president was the lowest since former prime minister Paul Keating raised the issue of dumping Queen Elizabeth II in December 1993. Morgan...

(IsraelNN.com) Boris Johnson defeated Ken Livingstone, who was running for a third term of mayor and won wide support from the city's growing Muslim community. Johnson, a member of the Conservative party, was backed by 53.2 percent of the voters. Livingstone frequently has collided with Jewish community in London, previously accused Israel of "ethnic cleansing" and once refused to apologize for comparing a Jewish reporter with a Nazi concentration camp guard. Johnson has been more favorable towards Israel and opposed last year's movement by academics to boycott the Jewish state

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2008 – Gift cards can make a stay away from home while a loved one recovers easier for servicemembers and their families. A Bank of America Visa debit card bearing the Fisher House Foundation logo is displayed during a ceremony to present the first 400 such cards to the Brooke Army Medical Center Fisher Houses on Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Through a new partnership, Bank of America’s Military Segment has agreed to cover processing and other fees associated with purchasing gift cards, thereby stretching the Fisher House Foundation’s donors’ dollars. Photo courtesy of the Fisher House...

FORT BLISS, Texas, May 2, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates paid tribute here last night to what he called “the power behind the power” -- the families and community members who stand behind the troops engaged in the war on terror. Speaking to local and military family group leaders at the Officers Club, Gates praised Fort Bliss soldiers who, along with their comrades throughout the military, have been “giving their all” in the fight against extremism. That’s been possible, he said, because of the support troops receive from their families, as well as the support they and...

Hello Folks: It's May 1st and I'd like to ask you for a little help. The current Freepathon started on April 1st. Here we are a month later and the total given or pledged is sputtering toward the finish line. I appreciate everyone's constributions to date. It's impressive that we come together like this to support the forum. Despite the great job that has been done, I still think we can do better. We are still thousands from the goal. I'd like to put a big dent in the amount remaining to be covered. Will some of you please join...

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Leading pro-life Democrat Nat Hentoff wrote a national editorial on Tuesday saying he had considered supporting Barack Obama for president. That was until he investigated Obama's record on abortion and found that the Illinois lawmaker essentially supported infanticide. "I was once strongly inclined to vote for Barack Obama for president (assuming he won his party's nomination)," Hentoff said in the column. "But then I learned Obama's voting record on abortion." Complete story at: http://www.lifenews.com/nat3903.html

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2008 – Military spouses and United Service Organizations volunteers will have a chance to join the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in offering a “Toast to the Troops” and enjoy a performance by country music star Craig Morgan at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., April 19. The event will be the third year Jack Daniel’s and the USO have conducted the "Toast to the Troops" campaign. The goal this year is to assemble 10,000 USO Care Packages for troops serving overseas. But the day won’t be all work for those participating. They’ll also enjoy a special barbecue and...

SEATTLE (Reuters) - The Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, said on Friday he did not support a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games. Asked on NBC "Nightly News" whether he wanted the world to boycott the Olympics this summer, the Dalai Lama replied, "No." Asked if he wanted the United States and other world leaders to boycott the opening ceremony in support of Tibet, he replied, "That's up to them." "It is very important to make clear, not only just the Tibet case. But in China proper, the report of human right is poor. And their freedom, also very...

WASHINGTON - Iranian support for militias in Iraq has grown, top U.S. defense leaders said Friday, asserting that recent battles in Basra gave the Iraqis an eye-opening view of Iran's increased negative role there. More broadly, the outlook for more progress toward stabilizing Iraq and reducing the U.S. troop presence is clouded by several other potential pitfalls in coming months, including the prospect of increased violence with the approach of provincial Iraqi elections this fall, Gen. David Petraeus said in an interview at the Pentagon with a group of reporters. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, also cited the...

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2008 – Wounded veterans recovering in some California Veterans Affairs facilities hear some of their visitors long before they see them. Blue Star Riders is a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who visit with veterans recovering at the Palo Alto, Livermore, Martinez and San Francisco Veterans Affairs facilities at least once a month, said Richard Hamilton, the group’s founder and president. “(Blue Star Riders) are dedicated to supporting our troops and veterans, as well as honoring all wounded troops and fallen heroes,” said Hamilton, a former Marine and Vietnam veteran. Members of the group visit with as...

BAGHDAD - Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's faltering crackdown on Shiite militants has won the backing of Sunni Arab and Kurdish parties that fear both the powerful sectarian militias and the effects of failure on Iraq's fragile government. The emergence of a common cause could help bridge Iraq's political rifts. The head of the Kurdish self-ruled region, Massoud Barzani, has offered Kurdish troops to help fight anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia. More significantly, Sunni Arab Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi signed off on a statement by President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, and the Shiite vice president, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, expressing support...

WASHINGTON - Former President Carter wouldn't quite say it, but he left little doubt this week about who he'd like to see in the White House next year. Speaking to local reporters Wednesday on a trip to Nigeria, the former Democratic president noted that Barack Obama had won his home state of Georgia and his hometown of Plains. "My children and their spouses are pro-Obama. My grandchildren are also pro-Obama," he said at a news conference, according to the Nigerian newspaper This Day. "As a superdelegate, I would not disclose who I am rooting for, but I leave you to...

As I am somewhat new to doing on-the-ground reporting, and I simply wanted to give these patriots in an out-of-the-way small town their due, their diligence and determination truly struck me today - below 30f, windy and on a busy street corner (Petroleum Street bridge and Front Street). Apparently this particular troop rally has been going on for quite some time (several months), and as I work nights it is quite conceivable that I could miss it (asking for a pass :-) ). Hearing and seeing about these kind of rallies going on in our major metropolitan areas is nothing...

The Vets for Freedom Heroes Tour will be in Columbia SC THIS Thursday, April 3rd at 11:30 am. There will be a rally at the Statehouse Capitol Steps located at 1200 Gervais Street. (Intersection of Gervais and Main St) Please come down and show your support for our troops and their just mission!!

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. WACKY WEDNESDAY Here we go with another rendition of Wacky Wednesday. Come in and enjoy the fun. Now, it's your turn. Share some jokes and funny pictures. Remember the Canteen is a family-friendly place.

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately". - Benjamin Franklin "Whether Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine, we all shared a common goal in Iraq: victory. As Republican candidates for Congress we share a vision for America's future, her security, and that of future generations. We are unified in our commitment to relieve the Democrats of their command of Congress. Voters want to restore leadership and honor back to Washington. Who better to accomplish that mission than our generation of warriors? All veterans whose service to the United States brought them first to Iraq and now...