Free Republic

I want to start a defense contracting company. I have expertise in education and training, in addition, I am a former US Marine and a former magazine editor. I want to help the armed forces produce high quality curriculums for both officers and enlisted. I have a few questions about going about this. A) Do I need security clearance just to place a bid to do contract work with the military? B) Some companies check out your finances to get a picture of your competence as a potential business manager. I know that they check your finances for the security...

The National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning has officially opened, with retired Gen. Colin Powell speaking at the grand opening. The four-star general and former secretary of state joined other dignitaries Friday at the $107 million, 190,000-square-foot museum honoring the 234-year history of the U.S. Army Infantry. The building contains a 13,000-square-foot hall with six galleries covering battles from the Revolutionary War to Iraq. Outside, Gen. George Patton's original office and sleeping quarters are found on World War II Street, which also displays 1940s barracks, mess hall and other buildings moved from their original locations on Fort Benning.

For the past month, Emma Ramirez has been sleeping with her late husband. Each night, she tucks the urn full of his ashes into the bed they shared and talks to him in her dreams. Saying goodbye is harder than she imagined. But when her grief wanes, the Tucson woman plans to have her mate buried at sea as a tribute to his years of Navy service. "I know he would be honored," Ramirez, 58, said of her husband, Francisco M. Ramirez, a retired chief petty officer who died on May 15 at age 99. The Ramirezes are among a...

Okay, the professional civilian here, again. While reading more about D-Day and its aftermath, I'm finding that it was policy to constantly infuse already-existing Army units with new people, the units having been worn down by "attrition." I had always assumed that it was policy, once a unit was all torn up, battered up, decimated, that it was pulled back, and an entirely new unit was sent in. And while being pulled out of action, two purposes were served; that of giving the survivors a chance to catch their breath, and giving commanders time to build them back up to...

This is not disputed at snoopes...... Subject: Fw: Fwd: From my brother Dave This e-mail is from the father of a young man that left a very lucrative position to join the USMC . He was a Lieutenant who sustained life threatening , and permanently disabling injuries from IED in Iraq . It will fill you with emotion . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Joan and Red, Since Dave Jr. has been injured he has met and been overwhelmed by many, many political and military "celebs". The list includes Bob Gates, Sec. of Defense, who came into his room and told him 3...

I just heard from my daughter, Rebecca (his wife). They are trying to remove fragments from the spinal cord. He still has no feelings in the lower legs or feet. He will be coming into Walter Reid next week. Thank you for all your prayers. Dusty was among the 10th Mountain Division soldiers wounded or killed last week in the IED attack.

at first which are various quotes from a book, concerning tanks; that part not copied-and-pasted to hereOkay, a whole lot of questions, from a professional civilian. (a) What were the significant differences between a Sherman tank and a Soviet T-34; one has the impression they were very much alike? (b) A by-then-antique British Centurion tank has been the only tank I myself have ever seen up close, and operating (although not in combat, of course); how did that tank compare with the Shermans and T-34s? (c) One gets the impression the Allies did in fact have some heavy tanks, comparable...

In all descriptions of landings on Normandy, especially those on the Omaha front, one encounters cases of men being separated from their units. Of course; especially on the Omaha front, they all seemed to have landed--those who succeeded--in scattered fragments, bits-and-pieces strewn here and there. Cohesion with those whom one knows, I suppose, is important for military morale and success. Suppose one is a 19-year-old infantryman, suddenly in the hedgerows of Normandy, all alone. He is in a world he has probably never seen before, and one assumes his first instinct would be to find others like himself, who might...

Recently I found out that a man I knew, a Viet Nam vet, had died. Homeless. Under an overpass in Redwood City, California. He was an Army Ranger, and a highly-trained sniper. He and a team of four or five guys would disappear into the Viet Nam jungle for a month at a time and take out various strongholds, and strategic members of the Viet Cong. Through this work, he saved thousands of American lives, as well as thousands of South Viet Namese lives. He did a job no one wanted to do and not many could do. When he...

Okay, now remember, this is a professional civilian writing this. I've been to Normandy, and saw a lot of things, but as I was young and green, I really had no idea what I was seeing; just the vague notion that I was standing in the presence of something pleasing to God. I have a whole lot of questions about D-Day, and guess I'll ask them one each day, until June 6. The first one is the beaches on Normandy. There were five of them, Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, and Utah. The British and Canadians dealt with the first three,...

I'm reading D-Day (Stephen Ambrose, 1994, Simon & Shuster), a book that's been around a while, but which I hadn't read before. Two questions, possibly stupid ones, pop up. In a description of getting men ashore on Omaha Beach, apparently the toughest nut to crack, there's a story about how some boat pilots (coxswains, skippers, captains, whatever) refused to proceed because they were afraid of the heavy enemy fire. Apparently at Normandy, the Navy transported the Army. The writer fails to explain what happened next; only that the boats withdrew, or headed to the beaches held by the British (in...

Doyle Dykes is perhaps the BEST guitarist you've never heard of. He is truly a national treasure. He is as great & patriotic a human being as he is a musician. Chet Atkins once said Doyle was his favorite guitarist. You'll soon see why. The sound quality is not the greatest, but this performance more than compensates! GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!! Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIHFmaFGxsw&feature=PlayList&p=4B52A1294496B817&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=15

I was reading some badly-photocopied financial records earlier today, those kept by the U.S. Army at Fort McPherson, near North Platte, Nebraska, in 1869. I came across some most curious entries that made me wonder about something. In this instance, back in 1869, in Nebraska, the U.S. Army had washerwomen on the payroll, one for every nineteen "enlisted men" (no mention of how many for officers). Such laundrywomen were paid, fed, and housed, although housed far segregated away from quarters for "enlisted men." One assumes they had to be out of necessity pretty rough women. Which got me to thinking--who...

chgcc043.mid

This is the bio for Jamie Morin, who has been selected to the the new Air Force SAF/FM (Assistant Secretary, Financial Management and Comptroller) Education: Yale University, (2003), Ph. D. in Political Science, Dissertation “Squaring the Pentagon: The Politics of Post-Cold War Defense Retrenchment.”** Advisers: Bruce Russett, Paul Bracken, Stephen Skowronek, David Mayhew, Alton Frye (Council on Foreign Relations). Completed coursework in with honors grades (3.93 GPA). Passed field exams in American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations (with distinction). Received M.A. and M.Phil. degrees in 2001. Recognized in student evaluations and the campus press as a top teacher. Organized...

IN MEMORY OF MY COMRADES IN COS. KILO AND LIMA, 3RD BATT. 5TH MARINES WHO FELL IN COMBAT MOTHERS’ DAY, 11MAY 1969, IN THE ARIZONA, QUANG NAM PROVINCE, I CORPS, RVN Kilo Company, 3/5 SSgt Ervin Emrick, Jr. LCpl Robert Martinez Fuentes LCpl Michael Green Pfc Stephen Ray Lopeman Pfc Robert Nelson Newman Pvt Samuel Bruce Schwartz Pfc Robert B. Starkes, Jr. Lima Company, 3/5 Cpl Terry Lee Adkins LCpl Roy Lee Baldwin Pfc Charles Wayne Ford LCpl Arturo B. Gutierrez Pfc Robert Lloyd Kleinsmith HM/3 Jerome Menter LCpl Richard Thomas Miller Pfc Carl Edward Parker, Jr. Pfc Ernest...

Patriots, Can you help?? Contact Elyse at USMCdaughter1@aol.com That's right folks - Operation Hug In is just about ready to launch! Just what is Operation Hug In? The homecoming of our men and women from Iraq will be broken into two phases - the first of which involves welcoming them as their planes arrive at McGuire/Ft. Dix. The greeting of the planes has been broken out according to dates as they will be coming home by unit at different days and times. Keep in mind, we are running on military times with this ;) We have been accorded the honor...

WASHINGTON - The name of an American serviceman who died as a result of wounds suffered in combat in the Vietnam War will be inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial next week, the founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund announced. Jan C. Scruggs said Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Enrique Valdez's name will be added to Panel 17W, Row 51 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 5 at 9 a.m. Valdez's four children are expected to be on hand to watch their father's name being added to The Wall.

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2009 – The name of an American serviceman who died as a result of wounds suffered in combat in the Vietnam War will be inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial next week, the founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund announced. Jan C. Scruggs said Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Enrique Valdez's name will be added to Panel 17W, Row 51 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial May 5 at 9 a.m. Valdez’s four children are expected to be on hand to watch their father’s name being added to The Wall. “We will add Gunnery Sergeant...

The following is an account of the retunr of SSgt Jimmie Doyle's remians to the United States after 65 years. Feel free to spread it around.

Keeping the Military Free Written by John Horvat II    Thursday, April 23 2009 If anyone should know how to run the military, it is those who have years of experience at leading men at every echelon in both peace and war. It is these proud Americans who have served our country with honor who are now petitioning the President and members of Congress to keep our military free of the politically-motivated agenda of homosexual right activists and their allies. Among the 1,115 signatures can be found a former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, several Service Chiefs,...

http://home.comcast.net/~bzee1b/Travis/Travis.html

5/16/05 | Guard Dog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1404128/posts I just read a post on conservative blog that stated few freepers were veterans (implication was that we were chicken hawks). Having conversed with many of you and met a few, I do not believe that is the case. But it did get me wondering, who among us is active or prior service veterans? Awright you freeper vets SOUND OFF!

The Defense Department is on track with a three-phase plan to remove Social Security numbers from military and dependent identification cards, both in the States and overseas, a defense official said. Beginning at the end of this year, Social Security numbers will no longer be used on military and dependent ID cards that are issued and/or renewed, according to the Defense Department’s Social Security Number Reduction Plan, posted on the Web at www.dmdc.osd.mil/smartcard. Late last year, the office started removing dependents’ Social Security numbers from cards, though their sponsors’ numbers continued to be used. The plan, directed by the Office...

GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — The Department of Defense will continue to issue Global War on Terrorism medals to servicemembers, despite a debate within the Obama administration over whether the phrase "war on terror" should even be uttered by U.S. officials. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last month, in widely reported comments, that: "The administration has stopped using the phrase ["war on terror"], and I think that speaks for itself, obviously." Asked if that was a deliberate decision, she added: "I haven’t heard it used. I haven’t gotten any directive about using it or not using it. It’s just not being...

I am a labeled extremist due to my fringe relationship with the radical Marine Corps and currently Army. Who else?

This post is intended purely as a service to veterans, rather than as a commentary. There will be a $250 stimulus payment made to all VA service-connected veterans beginning in June, 2009. According to the VA representative, ALL veterans receiving disability compensation - regardless of their rating (although I'm not certain if this applies to 0% ratings) will be eligible for this automatic payment. Veterans receiving disability benefits do not need to file a tax return to receive the payment, as they had to in order to qualify for the $300 stimulus payment last year. This years' payment will be...

Platoon 1045 May 1971 MCRD San Diego, or Oscar Co ITR, Camp Pendelton

A presidential executive order signed Wednesday authorizes the Department of Defense to create two new military medals for service in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The GWOT Expeditionary Medal will recognize servicemembers who participate in an expedition to combat terrorism on or after Sept. 11, 2001. This is limited to those who deploy as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The GWOT Service Medal will recognize service in military operations to combat terrorism on or after Sept. 11, 2001. This is limited to Operation Noble Eagle and to those servicemembers who provide support to Operation Enduring Freedom from outside the...

Just having fun now! God Bless!

http://home.comcast.net/~bzee1b/Fleetwk08/Fleetwk08.html

For all...love posting these for everybody to see. May God bless.

CoolPix for Vets!

Leftist Obama’s threat to military retirees, VA disabled, AND active duty. Got to pay for his welfare daddy programs somehow. Why not start by screwing with the military. After reading this, if you have any doubts go to the link Budget, Options, Volume 1: Health Care (http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=9925 Either search for TFL, “Tricare for Life” or go to page 175 and read the next 8 pages. Gotta find some way to provide free health care for all the “victims” of the great society of change. Ken Here is something that all veterans and active duty military should know about. Pass it...

201st Mexican Fighter Squadron Flag of Mexico The "Escuadron Aereo de Pelea 201" (201st Mexican Fighter Squadron) of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Expedicionaria Mexicana) has the honor of being the only military unit that has fought outside of Mexican Republic. This Squadron fought in the liberation of the Philippines while assigned to the 58th Fighter Group, under the command of Major Ed Roddy, a fighter ace with 8 kills to his credit while assigned to the 348th Fighter Group under Col. Neal Kearby, 5th Fighter Command, 5th Air Force; (six of its pilots had trained in dive-bombing...

LOOKING FOR MARINES FROM 3RD MARINE DIV. PETERSON,BAKER,HERTZ.OR ANY ONE THAT WAS STATIONED WITH R.KLINE IN 1973

I received the following via email. "Anyone know anything about this aircraft? I am told it is German, early 30's vintage -- but some of the background suggests the pictures were taken at a later time. Is it real, or was it built for a movie? The designer appears to have not known a whole lot about parasite drag. Could it have been an amphib when the wheels were retracted into the wheel 'pants'? Note the heavy artillery in the last photo. Perhaps the rapid fire rearward pointing cannons also served a dual function: stall recovery! With twelve pullers and...

Check this out: http://home.comcast.net/~bzee1a/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKAo9qgkz3Y In the above video's comment section, I was confronted by "romeomoon2", who claims 29 years of military service, yet when I asked for his MOS (mine is 19E), he did not do so, and in fact posted a FAKE mos "1369". I was unsure who to contact, so I sent this to you. If this is not in your perview, plz forward to the appropriate department. Thanks in advance, James Paul vonHelton aka Irvin Eugene Helton Jr 1/7th CAV, 1CD Ft Hood, Tx (inactive)

ABOUT PROJECT COMPASSION Project Compassion Soldier Fund, Inc. is a privately funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization founded by artist and goat rancher Kaziah Hancock in 2003. The organization provides one gallery-quality, 18”x 24” original oil portrait of every American military service member who has passed away on active duty since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 to their loved ones, at no cost to them. An official humanitarian partner of the United States Department of Defense and armed services, Project Compassion receives no government funding and depends entirely on private donations, grants and in-kind support.

The Silver Star Families of America Backs Gold Star Moms

Ok is there anyone out there paying attention to using yiur VA benefits and getting reskilled?

Heartland Payment Systems, a national card payment processor, announced this week that it had experienced a security breach within its processing system. We are working to identify USAA members who may have been affected and will begin reissuing cards as soon as Saturday for those cards at greatest risk. Heartland has established a website — www.2008breach.com — for more detailed information. How You Can Help USAA members play a crucial role in keeping their credit and debit information safe and secure. Take these steps to keep those precious numbers where they belong. Watch your account like a hawk. Review your...

After reading this, please notify your Senator and Representatives to vote 'NO' on this part, if you are against taking even more from our Military. No other job in this country asks you to risk your life for your job!!!! Prisoners get free medical as does the crack heads of this country.......WHY should we take from our Military to enable those kinds of people to have more??????!!!!! This will take away from Active and Veterans of our country. PLEASE PASS THIS ON QUICKLY!!!!! From: Retired O-6 Subj: Obama Targets Military Health Care-50% cut. Guess we had better be ready to...

Tonight's Vet Sermonette will be delivered, via the referenced video, by The Reverend Drill Sergeant Joe B. Frick. The topic of the Reverend Frick's Vet Sermonette is "The Hellfire Missile Is Just Another Of The Wonderful Ways God Shows Us He Loves American Soldiers And Marines"

The $1 billion guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal, skippered by Capt. John Carroll, was returning to its homeport of Pearl Harbor when it ran aground just before 9 last night about one and one-half mile from the entrance to the Harbor.

An annual tribute to World War II heroism will take place Sunday at Tucson's veterans hospital. The Four Chaplains Memorial Service honors the actions of four men of faith who died in the sinking of a U.S. Army transport ship after giving away their life jackets to fellow troops. The chaplains of different faiths and denominations — Lt. George L. Fox, a Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, a rabbi; Lt. John P. Washington, a Roman Catholic priest; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed — linked arms and went down praying as the ship sank from a German torpedo hit....

Below is an E-mail that I got from my son from somewhere in Afgahnistan Hey Gary, got a Prayer request for this family who is friends with a guy on my team. Apparently the family was out riding snow mobiles and the man had the little boy and the wife had the little girl. Well terrible the wife hit a tree and was killed. The little girl, who is 7, had to stay with the mother for a while until the man and his son realized that they were no longer behind them. My friend found out today. I just...

On Friday, I was offered a Department of the Army position at Camp Stanley near Boerne, TX. I recently completed six years of active duty service, and I am currently on terminal leave. My terminal leave ends on February 27, 2009. I am supposed to provide an answer today, but am interested in learning more about Camp Stanley before doing so. Is it a thriving post? Should I be concerned about big changes when the new administration is sworn in? Before moving my family to that area, I'm hoping to gain a little more information. Any information you can provide...

True Valor is Priceless Written by Norman Fulkerson    Wednesday, November 12 2008 When Michael Monsoor jumped on a grenade to save the lives of three Navy Seals in September of 2006, the nation was left speechless. The Medal of Honor was presented to his grieving parents, during a White House reception, as a mournful audience looked on. There was a man in the room that day that might have seemed like just another soldier, if not for the peculiar spring in his step. His name is William “Spanky� Gibson. He had just flown in from overseas and had a...