Free Republic

        U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aaron Fenton hugs his daughter, McKenzie, for the first time after a four-month deployment to Iraq. Fenton, who is assigned to the 355th Maintenance Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., returned home March 16. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lanie McNeal     U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of V Corps and Combined Joint Task Force-7 (right) and U.S. Army Europe commander Gen. B.B. Bell attach a Meritorious Unit Commendation streamer to the V Corps flag during the corps' official welcome home ceremony March 19...

      A soldier from the Florida Army National Guard's Company A, 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, says a quick prayer after stepping on American soil for the first time in more than a year. The soldiers, stationed in Hollywood, Fla., were reunited with family and friends at Fort Stewart, Ga., after serving more than a year in Iraq. While working in Ar Ramadi, the soldiers seized weapons, arrested suspects and conducted foot patrols. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Southerland       A soldier from the Florida Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment,...

    Army flyover to kickoff Super Bowl WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Jan. 30, 2004) -- U.S. Army aviation assets will help kickoff America's most-watched annual sporting event Feb. 1, when four Apache helicopters fly over Reliant Stadium in Houston prior to Super Bowl XXXVIII. The 2nd Battalion of the 149th Aviation Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, will fly the Apaches over the Stadium just before the Carolina Panthers begin playing the New England Patriots. The retractable-roof stadium will be open and plans call for the helicopters to appear following the National Anthem, Army officials said. "It's one of those...

CRANSTON - - Major General Reginald A. Centracchio, The Adjutant General of Rhode Island and the Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard, announced today that on Sunday, 18 January 2004, 45 members of the Rhode Island National Guard will join other National Guard troops from Connecticut and Massachusetts at the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. These troops will attend the game in recognition of their service to their country. The tickets were donated by the NFL and the New England Patriots through Operation Tribute to Freedom, a continuing campaign to ensure members of the U.S. Armed Forces...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Service members and their families will be "honored guests" at the Washington Capitals NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes as part of the Capitals "Salute to the Military Night," Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7 P.M. at the MCI Center. The Capitals are dedicating the evening to recognizing our nation's military and their families. The Capitals and various sponsors have partnered with Operation Tribute to Freedom (OTF) to provide more than 5,000 free tickets to service members. Service members will be able to register beginning Oct. 8, online at www.ima.army.mil website. Select the OTF icon,...

As military men and women return home from fighting the global war on terrorism, citizens and communities across America are greeting them with public displays of gratitude for their service and sacrifices. Supporting and taking note of local community celebrations and observances, including upcoming Veteran's Day events, or any event or individual act that pays tribute to the military is what Operation Tribute to Freedom is all about. The OTF initiative sprang from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's office in May and is intended to achieve three major goals: thanking servicemen and women, strengthening the bond between American citizens and...

Hometown Support for Operation Tribute to Freedom is "Extraordinary" By Sgt. 1st Class Doug SampleAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, July 2, 2003 — More than 1,000 hometowns across the nation will join the Defense Department this Fourth of July in recognizing hometown heroes and honoring the men and women who have served in the war on terrorism. The recognition is part of Operation Tribute to Freedom, and Army Maj. Gen. Anders B. Aadland, executive director for the campaign, says the outpouring of support by the American public for the military has been "extraordinary." The Tribute to Freedom campaign runs...

"Our men and women in uniform are performing brilliantly and have sacrificed much in the global war against terrorism. They have earned the thanks of all Americans," said Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Operation Tribute to Freedom will be a sustained and widespread program of activities in appreciation for our men and women in uniform and the families that support them. http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/tribute/

WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon launched an effort Thursday to coordinate parades, ceremonies and other efforts to welcome home troops who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Called "Operation Tribute to Freedom," the effort includes supplying American flags which flew over the Pentagon to be flown at 13 major league baseball games on Saturday, which is Flag Day. Eleven military bands will have concerts in 10 states over the weekend.

By Denise Brown American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 9, 2003 - "Uncle Sam Wants You" is a familiar recruiting slogan to generations of Americans. But in this case, it's an invitation for all Americans to sign up for a different kind of military operation. Operation Tribute to Freedom, a Defense Department initiative, is a way for Americans to show their continuing support for the nation's military men and women and share with the Defense Department the different ways in which individuals and communities are expressing this support. "We receive calls and emails all the time asking, 'What can I...

Old Vet Drums Up Parade for New Vet By Casie VinallSpecial to American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 5, 2003 -- Self-proclaimed "neophyte parade planner" Paul C. Rock is on a mission. The Vietnam veteran and president of a Vietnam veterans' support group is working to ensure that his son and his fellow troops returning home from Iraq get the tribute they deserve. Rock is the proud father of a lance corporal in the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Lance Cpl. Zachary Rock, 19, served four months in Iraq. His dad decided he wanted to organize...