'Adopt a Sniper' fund-raiser shot down
Marquette University says 'no' to Republican students' plan
02/03/05 05:10 PM, EST
A Catholic university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has blocked an attempt by Republican students to raise money for a group called "Adopt a Sniper" that raises money for U.S. sharp-shooters in Iraq and Afghanistan.

FULL STORY - from CNN.com

Check out Ken Peddigree's website. Ken works with a Civil Affairs Team, and is doing some amazing things to improve the lives of the people in Iraq. Stop by and check it out; you can also leave Ken your good wishes while you're there.

Ken Peddigree - Mission: IRAQ

The Army National Guard is sending free Hero Bracelets to anyone who wants to display their support for deployed National Guard heroes. You simply go to National Guard's website, and click on this picture on the main page:



In the window that pops up, you'll need to type in your info, and your wristband will be on its way.

The Guard's goal is to distribute one band for every Guardsman deployed.

To order your wristband and help show your support, go to http://www.1800.goguard.com

STATE OF THE UNION — President George W. Bush delivers his fourth State of the Union Address at the U.S. Capitol, Feb. 2, 2005. The president hailed Iraq's successful Jan. 30 election, and said the new political situation calls for a new phase in U.S. military strategy. White House photo by Eric Draper

JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
19 killed in insurgent attacks in Iraq
Insurgents struck back with a vengeance following a post-election lull, waylaying a minibus carrying new Iraqi army recruits, firing on Iraqis heading for work at a U.S. base and gunning down an Iraqi soldier in the capital, officials said Thursday. Two U.S. Marines were killed in action.

Rice trip seeks to mend fences over Iraq
For her symbolic first trip abroad as the new face of U.S. foreign policy, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is paying special attention to European allies who stuck with the United States through war and its aftermath in Iraq.

Apparent gas leak kills Georgian premier
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, who helped lead the revolution that toppled the corruption-tainted regime of Eduard Shevardnadze, was killed Thursday by an apparent natural gas leak, the ex-Soviet republic's interior minister said.

Mubarak invites Mideast leaders to summit
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, whose mantle as the region's main mediator has been tested by four years of Israeli-Palestinian violence, is trying to reassert his role by inviting the leaders of Israel, the Palestinians and Jordan to a summit to push the reinvigorated peace process.

Report will criticize oil-for-food program
Former U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker says his investigation of corruption in the oil-for-food program in Iraq found that program director Benon Sevan engaged in "an irreconcilable conflict of interest" by choosing companies that bought Saddam Hussein's oil.


Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Annan warns Sudan to stop Darfur killing
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday demanded speedy prosecution of Sudanese officials and militiamen guilty of crimes against humanity in Darfur, as members of the Security Council came under renewed pressure to put teeth into threats punish those responsible. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq


The US News: Iraq News
12 Iraqi Security Forces Killed in Ambush; Prime Minister Predicts Insurgents Will Be Defeated Within Months
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraq's interim prime minister declared on Wednesday that the success of the national elections had dealt a major blow to the insurgents. But in a clear sign militants plan to cont... [in Tampa Bay Online] The US News: Iraq News

Bush Sees 'New Phase' for U.S. in Iraq
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush said in remarks prepared for his State of the Union speech on Wednesday night that the United States will open a "new phase" in post-election Iraq increasingly fo... [in Reuters] The US News: Iraq News


Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
AP: 101st Mission in Iraq Still Uncertain
The commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division said his troops face an uncertain mission in Iraq after the country's historic elections, which many Iraqis hope will usher in democracy and hasten the departure of 150,000 American troops. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Arrests Keep French Militants Out of Iraq
Thamer and Cherif, two recently arrested 22-year-old French Muslims, won't be going to Iraq to fight American troops or to die as martyrs. Their fast track to the rebel insurgency dried up days before they were to leave. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Guardsman Takes Counseling Skills to Iraq
Christian Dean's two professions rarely mixed before his National Guard unit was sent to Iraq. But now the field artillery officer's military training has taken a back seat to his counseling skills as he helps fellow soldiers cope with war. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

U.S. Marine Killed in Action West of Baghdad
A U.S. Marine was killed in action onWednesday in the restive Anbar province west of Baghdad, the U.S. military said on Thursday. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Bush challenges Congress...Marine's parents applauded...Democrats blast plan
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror


Weather
Weather information from The Weather Channel

Iraq
Al Azamiyah
Al Basrah
Al Hillah
Al Karkh
Al Kazimiyah
Al Kut
An Nasiriyah
Baghdad
Baqubah
Mosul
Najaf
Nineveh
Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar
Ghurian
Herat
Kabul
Qandahar


From Fox News
'The Force of Human Freedom'
President Bush says America is 'confident and strong' in 54-minute State of the Union address, outlines plan for Social Security reform, hails Iraqi democracy and warns Iran and Syria on harboring terrorists

Terrorists Kill 19 in Iraq
Volcker Report to Blast U.N.
Sharon Urges Cease-Fire- U.S. to Hike Palestinian Aid
Gunmen Kill 12 Iraqi Soldiers in Ambush
Purported Zawahiri Statement Blasts Iraq Vote
Iraq Wants U.N. Sanctions, Agencies Ended
Second Round of Iraqi Vote Tally Begins
Two Abu Ghraib Guards Plead Guilty
Hostage Claim for U.S. Soldier Dubious
Bush Asks Leaders for Iraq Support
U.N. Didn't Ask Volcker to Disclose Finances
Blair: Not Clear What Downed C-130


From the Department of Defense
President Announces New Focus in Iraq
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2005 — U.S. troops in Iraq will step up their efforts in training Iraqis to provide for their own country's security, President Bush announced in his State of the Union message. Story State of the Union Address

Secretary Praises Courage of Iraqi People
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2005 — The Iraqi people showed "breathtaking" individual and collective courage by participating in the country's Jan. 30 election, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said here Feb. 1. Story

Rumsfeld Conveys Appreciation to Troops
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2005 — On January 30th in Iraq, the world witnessed an important moment in the global struggle against tyranny, a moment that historians might one day call a major turning point. America’s men and women in uniform, who were instrumental in the liberation of Iraq, were there to witness this moment as well. Message

Elections Become Celebration of Life, Freedom

Troops, Families to Benefit From New Center
ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 2, 2005 — A new organization is helping to make sure servicemembers with severe injuries have all available resources. Story

ON THE GROUND
Fox Battery Demonstrates Capabilities
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan, Feb. 2, 2005 — To get the big guns, all you have to do is dial 198-PAIN. Well, not literally. That's the motto of Battery F, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, whose M198 155 mm howitzers stand ready at the edge of base here to rain steel down on enemy targets at a moment's notice. Story

National Guard Part of Super Bowl Security
ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 1, 2005 — Much has changed since Jacksonville, Fla., was selected to host Super Bowl XXXIX. Now, homeland security is as much a part of this sporting spectacle as the halftime show. Story

Forces Uncover Weapons in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2005 — Coalition forces in Afghanistan found six more weapons caches Jan. 30, military officials reported from the Afghan capital of Kabul. Afghan police found a cache in Kabul province and turned the weapons over to coalition forces. Story

Materials From Bosnia Bases Being Reused
EAGLE BASE, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Feb. 1, 2005 — U.S. Army troops aren't the only American assets pulling out of the Balkans. The installation facilities are literally being "pulled out" as well and sent to Iraq to be used in the global war on terror. Story

IN IRAQ
Soldiers Make a Difference One Step at a Time
Australian Troops Lend Medical Services
Engineer Detachment Deploys to Iraq

IN AFGHANISTAN
MPs Train, Observe Afghan Police in Action

IN SOUTHWEST ASIA
Joint STARS Duo Reaches Ground Troops

FACE OF DEFENSE
Airman Helps Train Cadets
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va., Feb. 2, 2005 — During the week Jillian Smith is called “airman first class”; on the weekends it is “lieutenant.” Why the change? The 27th Intelligence Support Squadron communications troop splits her time between the Air Force and the Virginia Wing of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol. Story

Special Report - Iraqi Elections
Courageous Accomplishment
"Thirty-five years of a repressive dictatorship can change people. It can affect their ethics and their morale and their confidence. It can impose a feeling of helplessness on them. Under Saddam Hussein if you stuck your head up and disagreed you'd be killed, so people learned not to disagree. And they learned to accept. And yet here they showed a collective and individual act of courage that was just breathtaking." Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Interview with CNN, Feb. 1, 2005

Ambassador Sees Unifying Effect
Iraq Begins Next Phase
Iraqis Turn to Democracy
Votes Prove Stronger Than Bullets
Fact Sheet: Timeline
Fact Sheet: Transitional Admin Law
Fact Sheet: Candidate List Regulations

TOP NEWS
IN IRAQ
Iraq Daily Update
Year in Review 2004 Fact Sheets (pdf)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Suspects Held; Weapons Turned In
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Survivor Benefits Increase Sought
Fallen Marines Honored in Hawaii
National Guard, Reserve Update