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WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2008 – Two videos produced by Army Medical Command and the American Academy of Pediatrics to help children and adolescents cope during a parent’s deployment are gaining in popularity. “Military Youth Coping with Separation: When Family Members Deploy” addresses a variety of deployment-related concerns for teens, and “Mr. Poe and Friends Discuss Reunion After Deployment” was made for elementary-school-age children. “We hope these videos will support the healthy emotional development of military children and adolescents during potentially difficult times in their lives,” Army Maj. (Dr.) Keith Lemmon of the pediatrics department at Madigan Army Medical Center at...

Here's an act of compassion for our soldiers that needs re-doing today! "Hollywood Canteen" Plot Summary: Two soldiers on sick leave spend three nights at the Hollywood Canteen before going back to active duty. With a little friendly help from John Garfield, Slim gets to kiss Joan Leslie, who he has been dreaming about while in the Pacific. He meets her later at the Farmer's Market. On the third night, Slim is the millionth man into the Canteen, earning him a date with Joan. Slim thinks he's been duped when she doesn't show up at his train. Slim's buddy...

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, July 16, 2008 – Modern-rock band Sevendust put on a performance like no other for servicemembers here July 12 at the final stop on their first United Service Organizations tour. Soldiers at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, pose with members of the band Sevendust after a July 12, 2008, performance by the band. The performance completed Sevendust’s first USO tour. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Scott Davis, Combined Joint Task Force 101  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Although the band is not known for playing acoustic sets, they still managed to put out a diverse sound that...

Almost half of UK military personnel are ready to leave the forces, a Ministry of Defence survey suggests. Some 47% of Army and Royal Navy respondents and 44% of those in the RAF said they regularly felt like quitting. Among the concerns raised by the 9,000 servicemen and women surveyed were the frequency of tours, levels of pay and the quality of equipment and housing. The Ministry of Defence said the survey revealed "areas of concern" but that conditions were being improved. Sense of overstretch The first survey to assess attitudes across the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the...

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2008 – Movies and games have always been popular among deployed troops, providing a break from the intense daily realities of their duties and a way to fill downtime while away from their loved ones. With that in mind, Blockbuster stores nationwide, in partnership with United Service Organizations, are making it easy for Americans to donate video games and DVDs to deployed forces. “The DVD and game drive is a way for Blockbuster stores and the American public to make life a little better for U.S. servicemen and women when they’re so far away from home,”...

6/26/2008 - BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- The U.S. Air Forces Central band "Falcon" showcased its musical talents for audiences June 20 to 22 at Bagram Air Base. The band entertained attendees of the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group change-of-command ceremony with a variety of pop music before and after the ceremony. During the formal procedure, the band played "Ruffles and Flourishes," the "General's March," the national anthem and the Air Force song. Later in the afternoon, the band gathered their acoustical gear and set out to reach the Airmen assigned to the aircraft maintenance squadrons remotely located on the...

CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq — Unexpected visitors greeted an infantry battalion of Marines, sailors and other residents here June 6. The service members gathered around the Morale Welfare and Recreation Center aboard Camp Korean Village, Iraq, to see what the fuss was about. Little did they know that five Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders had just come to visit them. “We came out here to say thank you for all the amazing things you have done out here,” said Laura Jenkins, a cheerleader with the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleading squad to the crowd of service members. “It was mentioned that there was going...

Losing Our Voice by: Ben Giles, June 09, 2008 Dr. Victor Hanson thinks enough is enough. Throw political correctness out the door and speak your mind. It is, after all, our basic Constitutional right. “Right now, at this time, there is a collective mood in the West that is self-censoring, is not self-reflective, and it has had a deleterious effect on free expression,” said Hanson. “And while we have a history of state coercion of the individual, the problem right now is not in the stars, so to speak—it is within ourselves. And we have to ask why this is...

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, May 27, 2008 – For a Multinational Division Baghdad soldier who plans on working out for and hour or two at the Camp Liberty gym, spending that time standing around and waiting for a working machine can be frustrating. Army Sgt. Jared Bargas (right), a Houston native who serves as the training noncommissioned officer in charge with the 4th Infantry Division Band, receives the Army Achievement Medal on May 17, 2008, from Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert Nixon, a native of Lebanon, Ohio, bandmaster with the 4th Infantry Division Band. Bargas was recognized for the hard...

SCHWEINFURT, Germany, May 22, 2008 – Army officials in Europe are working to develop a standard model to ensure all redeploying soldiers and their families receive the same programs and services regardless of their location. Planning for this summer's redeployment of 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team from Afghanistan, representatives from Installation Management Command Europe and U.S. Army garrisons Vicenza, Italy; and Schweinfurt and Bamberg, Germany, met early this month. "In addition to fixing and replacing and upgrading our equipment and training for future missions, we also have to revitalize our soldiers and families by providing them the time and opportunity...

BAGHDAD, May 21, 2008 – To cope with the stress of deployments, soldiers try to find different ways to entertain themselves and their comrades. Some play video games, watch movies or use their computers and the Internet. But things like that are usually done while “inside the wire” at a forward operating base or combat outpost. Army Spc. Jackie Moore, a Fox, Ore., native, prepares for a mission at Camp Taji, Iraq, before hitting the road in northern Baghdad. Moore is a vehicle gunner serving with Company B, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,...

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, May 20, 2008 – Historically speaking, Vikings and Afghanistan don’t have much in common, but all that changed yesterday when five cheerleaders from the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings pumped up a standing-room-only crowd of servicemembers here. New Zealand army Cpl. Murray Kinnell holds up the “No. 1” sign as Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders Amanda and Sarah cheer him on. Kinnell competed, and was unanimously voted best, in a “touchdown dance” competition during the cheerleaders’ performance at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, May 19, 2008. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace, Combined Joint Task...

WIESBADEN, Germany, May 20, 2008 – Hundreds of troops deployed from Europe will be able to see their children’s high school graduation ceremonies via live webcasts, Department of Defense Dependents Schools Europe officials announced. DoDDS Europe, U.S. Army Europe and U.S. Army 5th Signal Command have combined assets, talents and technologies to enable the live webcasts. The effort will allow at least 18 graduation ceremonies to be viewed by an estimated 211 deployed parents in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations around the world. The first graduation ceremony will be webcast June 5; 10 graduation ceremonies will take place simultaneously on...

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...

PLANO, Texas, May 1, 2008 – Servicemembers, veterans and military families across the country will have the chance to gain insight into life after combat through a series of seminars and appreciation dinners thanks to a Texas-based troop-support organization. United We Serve is teaming with football legend Herschel Walker and therapist Jerry Mungadze to offer “Managing Life After Combat.” The seminar will take place May 25 in Killeen, Texas, and registration with United We Serve is required. The goal is to offer support to military members and veterans with valuable information about combat stress and its symptoms, along with...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan, April 22, 2008 – Soldiers of Task Force Pacemaker, deployed from Fort Lewis, Wash., celebrated spring earlier this month with an organizational day. Soldiers bear the stains of taking part in a pie-eating contest during the “Spring Break 2008” festival at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Dubbed “Spring Break 2008!,” the event gave soldiers a break from the rigors of their deployment and allowed them a chance to relax, hear live music, eat barbeque and even take part in a pie-eating contest. Soldiers enjoyed live...

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2008 – More than 200 volunteers took the opportunity to support the troops here April 19 during the Jack Daniel’s-United Services Organizations’ “Toast to the Troops” care package stuffing party. Volunteers help pack boxes during the Jack Daniel's-United Service Organizations’ "Toast to the Troops" stuffing party at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., on April 19, 2008. The event resulted in more than 10,000 care packages for the USO Care Package Program. Defense Dept. photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Jack Daniel’s Distillery hosted the event in conjunction with the USO, which...

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2008 – Military Resale and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs are working to support members of the military community regardless of their proximity to installations, a defense official told the House Armed Services Committee today. “Our Resale and MWR programs are more effectively reaching out to our active-duty, Guard and reserve families, our retirees, the digital generation of our members, and our military spouses who work,” said Leslye A. Arsht, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy. Part of that MWR outreach will benefit what Arsht described as “far-flung military members and families.”...

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...

4/9/2008 - TAMPA, Fla. (AFPN) -- The deputy director of the Joint Staff's Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate at the Pentagon went on a mission April 7 to raise the morale of patients at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa and brought along cheerleaders from the 2008 Women's Final Four teams and an Air Force Band. Brig. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson led the band members and cheerleaders through the halls of the hospital to lift the spirits of wounded American servicemembers. General Johnson is the most decorated female athlete in U.S. Air Force Academy history. She was selected...