ABOARD THE KEARSARGE — U.S. Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit perform maintenance on a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter prior to flight operations onboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge in the Mediterranean Sea, April 18, 2005. The unit is currently embarked aboard the Kearsarge, which is on scheduled deployment in support of the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Christopher J. Newsome

Check out AviationHistory.org -

What you'll find:
Milestones from the Wright Brothers through the Space Shuttle. Feast your eyes on galleries galore, aircraft specs., news, quizzes, art, book descriptions, and fascinating fun facts.

They've got a newsletter, too - go have a look-see. While you're there, take a moment to sign their online petition, and help their effort to save the last B-36 "Peacemaker" Bomber for display to the public.

REMEMBERING RWANDA

Ah, Rwanda, I mourn for you
your children
your lost families
your dreams

I heard about your
troubles
the "choppings"
I felt I could hear
the screams

No one did anything,
as I recall

No one did anything
much at all

Some individuals
did their best

but what about the rest?

The UN soldiers could not shoot
and said they were "peacekeepers"
How do you keep a non-existent
peace?

I do not know.
Why didn't they break or bend the rules?

Well, I am among those
who did nothing

I could say
I didn't know what to do.
I am not Tutsi
I am not Hutu

I was among the millions
of the world,
who shook our heads so sadly
when we saw the photos
that caused our senses to
reel and swirl

But, tomorrow was another day
and there was nothing we could do or say -

So, I think of you, Rwanda.
You have my prayers today

For your children,
your women and your men
are still not safe, and many
have disappeared, just gone away ~~

For the survivors, the orphans.
the injuries on the outside
are nothing compared to
the injuries inside

So, today I remember you, Rwanda
and the days when so many
of you died.

Christina 4-05
Inspired by "Hotel Rwanda"

Be sure to visit BlackFive today for the story of a Marine who received the Navy Cross for heroism in Iraq.

I would like to submit the attached picture of my son Michael.


Thank you very much,
Stacy

Michael is currently serving in Iraq; you can find out more about Stacy and Michael in Stacy's blog, Keep My Soldier Safe.

Michael, thank you for all you do. Take care, and stay safe.

"Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God"

On Monday, April 18, 2005, Robin Bateman and Sara Ehrlich, representing the Soldiers' Angels Foundation had the honor of presenting a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. Robin Bateman requested this opportunity and received a letter of permission from the Director of Ceremonies and Special Events-Memorial Affairs Division to present a wreath donated by Soldiers Angels following the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

There were many visitors present as well as a school group and a group of Boy Scouts from MA also presenting wreaths that day.

Each member of Soldiers Angels and each of our deployed heroes was there in spirit as the wreath was presented and Taps were played for those "Known But to God".

The Tomb is guarded 24-hours-per-day and 365-days-per year by specially trained members of the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard).

After receiving detail instructions, Sara and Robin walk down the steps toward the tomb.

Robin and Sara present the wreath on behalf of Soldiers' Angels.

Taps was played

Soldiers' Angels wreath in front of the Tomb of the Unknows.

"Thank You" Sara and Robin from Angels everywhere.

Soldiers' Angels Motto: May No Soldier Go Unloved

SEA KING — U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashley Bland signals the pilots of a Sea King Helicopter, letting them know that they are clear of the flight deck of USS Mustin, April 20, 2005. Bland is assigned to the ship, while the helicopter and its crew are assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two, Detachment Two. The USS Mustin is currently deployed with the USS Carl Vinson StrikeGroup in the Arabian Gulf, providing Maritime Security Operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Oficer 1st Class Robert R. McRill

JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
Iraqi politicians discuss new Cabinet
Pope meets with Christians, Muslims
Bush seeks relief from record oil prices
GOP stressing Constitution in judge battle
Frist hardens effort to stop filibusters


Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Insurgent bombings leave 21 dead in Iraq
Syria ending military presence in Lebanon
Iraq Cabinet to exclude Allawi's party
Mubarak aims for youngish, lively look


The US News: Iraq News
Car bomb attacks kill 21 in Iraq
At least 15 killed in Baghdad explosions
Cameraman killed in Iraq
Abbas mired in struggle
Pakistani Embassy Official Freed by Hostage-Takers in Iraq, Government Says
Lawmakers Say Iraq's Major Shiite Bloc to Form Cabinet Without Members of Allawi's Party
Iraq Suffers Bloodiest Day In Months
Iraqi Qaeda vows to kill Sunnis joining govt - Web
U.S. forces arrest four more suspects in downing of civilian helicopter in Iraq


Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
Insurgent Bombings Leave 21 Dead in Iraq
UK's Blair Faces Election Pressure Over Iraq War


Fox News
Iraq Attacks Kill 29 Civilians
Pope Reaches Out to Faiths
Frist Defends Nuke Option
Lebanon Security Chief Quits
Dodd to Bolton: Step Aside
Six Killed in Afghan Battle
Clinton Stumps for Blair
Russian Space Capsule Lands
Ex-Israeli Prez Weizman Dies
Meteors Cause Panic in North
Bush, Saudi Prince to Meet


Department of Defense
Insurgents Hurt Innocent Afghan Civilians — Story

Pace Speaks on Leadership, Terror War

ON THE GROUND
IN IRAQ
Renovations on Fallujah School Complete
Australians Teach Logistics to Iraqi Army

IN AFGHANISTAN
Unit Assumes Afghan Border Province Duties
Reservists Keep Communications Connected
Soldiers Use Many Tools in Clearing Mines

Grand Ole Opry Shows Support — Story
'SemperComm' Connects Troops
Send Free Mother's Day Cards

TOP NEWS
SPECIAL REPORTS
Medal of Honor
Two Years in Iraq

IN IRAQ
Troops Killed, Suspects Detained
Trained Iraqi Forces Top 155,000
Logisticians Tackle Tough Mission
Attacks Don't Undermine Progress
Australia Deploys More Troops
Iraq Daily Update
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Coalition, Insurgents Clash
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps
Afghan Reconstruction Group Recruiting

WAR ON TERRORISM
Coast Guard Confronts Threats
U.S. to Begin Training Georgians
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
3rd Corps Chief Salutes Troops
Navy Fleet Hospital Earns Award
Coastal Warfare Squadron Deploys
Soldier Found Guilty in Attack
Program Eases Homecoming Stress
Wounded Vets Generate Legislation
National Guard, Reserve Update


Today in History
1590 - The Sultan of Morocco captures Timbuktu.
1644 - The Ming Chongzhen emperor commits suicide by hanging.
1707 - Franco-Spanish forces defeat Anglo-Portugese forces at the Battle of Almansa.
1792 - The guillotine is first used.
1859 - Work begins on the Suez Canal.
1862 - Admiral Farragut occupies New Orleans.
1864 - Union General Nathaniel Bank returns to Alexandria, Louisiana, after his unsuccessful Red River campaign.
- At the battle of Mark's Mills, Arkansas, Confederates capture a Union supply train for the second time in a week. Over half of the runaway slaves travelling with the supply train are massacred.
1867 - Tokyo opens to foreign trade.
1882 - Commander Henri Riviere of France seizes the Hanoi in Indochina.
1898 - The US declares war on Spain.
1915 - Australian and New Zealand troops land at Gallipoli, Turkey.
1925 - In Germany, General Paul von Hindenburg takes office as president.
1926 - Reza Kahn is crowned Shah of Iran, choosing the name "Pehlevi."
1945 - U.S. and Soviet forces meet at Torgau on the Elbe River, completely surrounding Berlin, and effectively cutting Germany in two.
1951 - In Korea, on "Gloucester Hill," Chinese Communist Forces wipe out the Gloucestershire Regiment. The battle had lasted three days.
1959 - The St. Lawrence Seaway opens to shipping.
1960 - A Triton submarine successfully completes the first submerged circumnavigation of the Earth.
1962 - A US Ranger spacecraft crash lands on the Moon.
1964 - President Johnson announces that General William Westmoreland will be the new head of US Military Assistance Command Vietnam, replacing General Paul Harkins.
1971 - Bangladesh is established.
1980 - President Carter tells America about the hostage rescue disaster in Iran.
1982 - In accordance with the Camp David agreements, Israel withdraws from the Sinai peninsula.
1990 - Violeta Barrios de Chamorro begins serving a six-year term as president of Nicaragua.

Birthdays
1214 - King Louis IX of France.
1284 - King Edward II of England.
1599 - Oliver Cromwell, Lord protector of England.
1874 - Guglielmo Marconi, inventor of the radio.
1908 - Edward R. Murrow, war correspondent / newscaster.