Free Republic

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq, July 8, 2008 – Take a platoon of deployed U.S. soldiers and add 100 Iraqi National Police officers. Then mix in a mission to search 400 houses and temper it with just one interpreter. The dynamic challenges speak for themselves. Army Pfc. Joshua Ingraham (center), a 19-year-old rifleman from Bradenton, Fla., prepares to enter a house with Iraqi National Police officers during a clearance mission in eastern Baghdad’s Hay Nassir district, June 20, 2008. Ingraham’s ability to speak Arabic is a great asset when working with Iraqi security forces. He is assigned to Multinational...

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2008 – In Ohio, a new team is taking a community approach to supporting troops and military families. “Our mission is to empower communities to support military members and their families through the deployment cycles,” said PamelaJune Banks-Anderson, founder of the Ohio-based National Restoration to Military Families Team. The team, which operates as “National Restoration Team,” takes a three-pronged approach to helping servicemembers and their loved ones. First, the team works to encourage faith- and community-based leaders and organizations to build servicemember- and veteran-friendly communities. It also helps servicemembers with readjustment and reunion issues while remembering...

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, April 8, 2008 – The United States should take 45 days after the last “surge” brigade leaves Iraq in July to evaluate the situation before deciding future troop levels, the coalition’s top military commander said here today. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus reported his recommendation in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. He testified along with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker about the situation in Iraq and progress made since September, when the two leaders last delivered an update to Congress and the president. Petraeus and Crocker both said that while Iraq has made significant...

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. I see it's time for Wacky Wednesday Welcome back to the FR Canteen’s Wacky Wednesday encore presentation. Where the plan for today is to be silly. WOW! Another Wacky Wednesday. Have fun, gang. Please join in with some clean jokes & pics. I'll see you again on the evening of the 25th. Won't be here on the 26th. Remember the Canteen is a family-friendly place.

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2008 – The company that made inspiration standard has done the same with its support of the nation’s troops since before World War II. Chrysler recently announced it has become a corporate supporter of the Defense Department’s “America Supports You” program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. “The mission of America Supports You merges perfectly with the legacy Chrysler has of supporting the military and their families for decades, said Bob Nardelli, the auto maker’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Beginning with our Jeep products carrying troops...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2008 – Officials project five U.S. Army brigades and two Marine battalions will leave Iraq by the end of July, but it’s too soon to project troop levels beyond that, a senior U.S. military officer said here today. Army Lt. Gen. Carter F. Ham, the Joint Staff's director of operations, answers questions from reporters during a news briefing at the Pentagon on Feb. 25, 2008. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess, USN  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “There is increasing pressure on al Qaeda in Iraq everywhere inside of Iraq,” Army Lt....

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2008 – People in uniform who go out of their way to boost the morale of fellow troops could be rewarded for their positive attitude and hard work, thanks to a group dedicated to keeping members of the armed forces connected and entertained. “The SemperComm Award is designed to recognize and honor those servicemembers who are making personal contributions to boost the morale of their fellow men and women,” organization officials said in a recent news release. Up to three awardees will be chosen from all nominations received by Feb. 29. Any servicemember, including those serving...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2008 – Plans to withdraw four Army brigade combat teams and two Marine battalions by July are “on track” as the military seeks to draw down the number of troops in Iraq as quickly as ground conditions allow, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said today. Appearing today on CNN’s “Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer,” Army Gen. David H. Petraeus said the scheduled withdrawal will reduce the number of troops at the height of the surge by one quarter, or roughly 42,500. Further reductions after July will be based on the state of Iraq’s security, he added....

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2008 – New Year’s resolutions frequently include good intentions, such as joining a gym, calling parents or organizing closets. But through its America Supports You program, the Defense Department is helping Americans resolve to support the nation’s servicemembers throughout 2008. America Supports You is a DoD program that connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. It’s ringing in 2008 with a 12-month calendar suggesting ways to support the nation’s military men and women and their families each month. “Remembering the troops at a time when people are already setting...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2007 – Military members will receive a 3 percent pay raise effective tomorrow, as President Bush urges Congress to revise some provisions regarding Iraq contained in the fiscal 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. The president authorized the 3 percent pay raise in an executive order. The act includes authorization for a 0.5 percent additional pay raise for U.S. troops, but the president has, for now, elected not to sign the defense authorization bill in its present form while Congress is adjourned, a practice known as a "pocket veto." On Dec. 28, President Bush announced his displeasure...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2007 – With thoughts turning from tasty Thanksgiving turkey to holiday shopping lists, one national bookseller has made it easy to find the perfect gift for everyone, including the nation’s servicemembers. Barnes & Noble, a corporate supporter of the Defense Department’s “America Supports You” program, has created an online book store that benefits troop-support organizations with a 5 percent donation from each sale made through the www.bn.com/asy Web site. America Supports You is a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. “After Barnes & Noble...

Democrats to try again on troop withdrawalsBut House bill likely doomed to failure Friday, November 16, 2007 By Bruce Alpert WASHINGTON -- Congressional Democrats are making another stab at imposing a timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, but once again they are likely to be blocked by Senate Republicans. "We got to keep trying," said Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, after the House voted 218-203 late Wednesday to tie $50 billion in new money for Iraq and Afghanistan to a phased pullout of U.S. troops. "That's what the American people back home want us to work on. The war...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2007 – From stocking hats to shower shoes, a West Virginia-based group is actively filling requests from U.S. troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, sending them about 50 boxfuls of care packages each week. The West Virginia National Guard's 150th Aviation Regiment is working with American Supports You supporter Boatsie's Boxes so the group can have a large space to fill, pack and ship holiday care packages as part of Operation Christmas Stocking. Courtesy photo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “‘Boatsie’s Boxes’ began when my son, Patrick, a master sergeant in the United...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2007 – A South Carolina-based troop-support group and a national restaurant chain have teamed up to see that at least 500,000 servicemembers get a note of thanks this holiday season. Brian Bohlman (left), a chaplain with the South Carolina Air National Guard, visits with Army Cpl. Brandon Schadrie in September 2006, during his deployment to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Bohlman, who founded Operation Thank You, a troop-support group, shares notes of support his organization collected from people back home for deployed servicemembers. Photo by Thomas Warner, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Public Affairs  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution...

COMBAT OUTPOST BLACKHAWK, Iraq. (Oct. 11, 2007) -- Continuing the fight against insurgents and improvised explosive devices, soldiers from Charlie troop, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, operate from Combat Outpost Blackhawk, conducting daily patrols to enforce traffic control point operations. Charlie troop soldiers visit various TCPs throughout their area of operations to ensure the Iraqis have everything they need and the checkpoints are running properly. “We conduct these operations to keep an eye on the IPs and (Provincial Security Force) to make sure they’re running the TCPs correctly,” said Sgt. Lucas Wolfe, vehicle commander, Charlie troop. “We go out there...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2007 – President Bush said today he supports the recommendations on reducing troop levels in Iraq made earlier this week by Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq. During his weekly radio address, Bush voiced confidence in Petraeus’ suggestion that U.S. forces reduce their size by 5,700 troops in Iraq by Christmas, and that troop levels could be scaled down from 20 combat brigades to 15 by July. Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker presented their report to Congress Sept. 10-11. “I have accepted General Petraeus’ recommendations. And I have...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2007 – When one of its employees was deployed to Iraq for National Guard duty, the Ultra Machining Company reached out to take care of him and his family while he was gone. Those efforts have earned the Monticello, Minn., company a top Defense Department award. The employee, Sgt. Lou Jacobson of the Minnesota National Guard, was so impressed with the support he received during his deployment that he nominated the company for a Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Ultra Machining Company, or UMC for short, is among 15 businesses and organizations selected this...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2007 – During the eighth annual Newman’s Own Awards Ceremony at the Pentagon today, 10 groups that support troops and their families received a total of $75,000 in grants to continue their work. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, right, congratulates Mike Conklin, who represented Sentinels of Freedom, for receiving a $15,000 grant on behalf of his organization during the Newman's Own Awards at the Pentagon, Aug. 10, 2007, as general's wife, Lynne, looks on. Defense Dept. photo by D. Myles Cullen  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Marine Gen. Peter...

WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans scuttled a Democratic proposal ordering troop withdrawals from Iraq in a showdown Wednesday that capped an all-night debate on the war. The 52-47 vote fell short of the 60 votes needed to cut off debate under Senate rules. It was a sound defeat for Democrats who say the U.S. military campaign, in its fifth year and requiring 158,000 troops, cannot tame the sectarian violence in Iraq. "We have to get us out of a middle of a civil war" said Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee. A political solution must be found...