IRAQ WAR TODAY
Keep Your Helmet On!




Be A Part of a Tribute to Fallen Heroes - Help Build the Fallen Soldiers' Bike
Help support the families of our deployed Heroes - Visit Soldiers' Angels' Operation Outreach
Help Our Heroes Help Others - Click Here to visit SOS: KIDS
Nominate your Hero for IWT's "Hero of the Month" - click here for details!
Search Iraq War Today only

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Knew It Was Too Good to be True

CNN just couldn't be positive, could they....?

On the heels of the two positive stories I posted below, comes this info about their recent profile of Kathleen Whitney, in which they said the following:

"Her finely honed commitment to honor, duty and patriotism is being matched against her equally strong instincts of motherhood and family. At the same time, she has deep feelings of disillusionment with the Army, to which she owes so much allegiance and gratitude, for changing the rules." (via Mudville Gazette)

Kathleen sets the record straight, and illustrates a wee bit more of that "creative license" in the media, in this post over at Grunt Doc's blog.

A Big Day for Military Women...

Woman joins Air Force Thunderbirds
Naming of pilot comes amid debate over women in military
06/16/05 07:17 PM, EDTJust weeks after a high-profile debate about the role of women in the military, the Air Force is putting a woman in one of its most prestigious and high-profile jobs. Capt. Nicole Malachowski has been named the first woman pilot in the Air Force's world-famous Thunderbirds demonstration squadron. FULL STORY

Tennessee woman given Silver Star
Sergeant is first female to get award since World War II
06/16/05 06:37 PM, EDTA
23-year-old sergeant with the Kentucky National Guard on Thursday became the first female soldier to receive the Silver Star -- the nation's third-highest medal for valor -- since World War II. FULL STORY
Via Seamus:

All hands:

From Col Wayne Morris and Cpl Bob Rorher comes this letter written by Capt FR Koenig USN (Ret).

It is a letter to Senator Richard Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois and a charter member of the "hate America first" group. This jerk compared our military personnel at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with the Nazis of WW II. How do these people continue to be elected?

When we read this letter, we should keep the 5 Marines and the Navy Corpsman, who were killed in combat yesterday, in our thoughts and prayers. They died for the freedom that this Durbin guy has to condemn them as Nazis.

Thanks and Semper Fi, Gentlemen,

Seamus


June 15, 2005

The Honorable Richard Durbin
United States Senate
332 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20510

Dear Senator Durbin,

As a combat aviator veteran of Vietnam and retired Naval Officer, I must express in the strongest possible terms my disappointed in your condemnation and vilification of our military personnel serving in Guantanamo Bay. Your comments from the Senate floor, supposedly heard off the record, speak further to you and your party’s true disdain and dislike of our military heroes. Comments like yours tear the hearts out of our fighting hero’s just as surely as physical wounds received in combat. In my perspective, this is no different from those who yelled “baby killers” to our troops when we return home in the 60’s and 70’s.

My anger, frustration and disappointment in you as an elected senator is your comparison of treatment received by the terrorist killers in detention in Gitmo to those innocent victims murdered by the Nazis during WWII. How dare you even mention the mass murders in Cambodia?

Would you say these same comments, so vividly expressed recently on audiotape, to the likes of Jessica Lynch? To the Pearle family? To those families of the Jews murdered in Europe? That was bad treatment! I believe there are still a few elected officials in congress that could explain “bad” treatment to you.

By the way, ask our tank commanders about air conditioning in their war fighting vehicles. Or our Marines & Soldiers in their hummers! Have you ever been enclosed in the confines of a war fighting ship? We treat those damn terrorists better than we treat our fighting heroes. What a stupid, uninformed and ridiculous statement.

In the past I have given you the benefit of the doubt as a courtesy to a large and proud family of Illinois voters who has supported you and the democrats in the past.

I will pledge that efforts are underway to cancel any support to you and your party. We don't want any apology. As you know, they are only words.

Sincerely,

F. R. Koenig
Captain, USN Retired
Addison, TX

Amen!

Update:
To send a love note to Senator Durbin, you can go to his website here:

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

Here are his office addresses:

Washington, DC
332 Dirksen Senate Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2152
(202) 228-0400 - fax

Chicago
230 South Dearborn St.
Suite 3892
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 353-4952
(312) 353-0150 - fax

Springfield
525 South 8th St.
Springfield, IL 62703
(217 ) 492-4062
(217) 492-4382 - fax

Marion
701 N. Court St.
Marion, IL 62959
(618) 998-8812
(618) 997-0176 - fax

By the way, Dick would like you to know that:
"Should you choose to send me correspondence via the post office, please be advised that it may be significantly delayed due to mail procedures implemented by the U.S. Capitol Police in the wake of the anthrax and ricin incidents."

So due to the actions of poor terrorists like the ones we're "torturing" in Gitmo, I recommend flooding Dick's email box and phone lines so you don't experience undue delays. Heck, just to be sure, send an email, a snail mail, AND reach out and touch him on the phone lines.

Please keep your comments somewhat civil (if you can), so he gets the point, and doesn't get to pass this off as right-wing-nut-job stuff.

Marathon for the Fisher House Landstuhl

Marathon for the Fisher House Landstuhl
http://sponsormywalk.info/

My name is Norm Raynal; I am a 64-year old diabetic who works for the Defense Commissary Agency. I have been wondering, perhaps like many of you, how to stay healthy and do something beneficial with my off-duty time. I tried several different activities, but nothing seemed "right" for me…too time-consuming, limited exercise, and especially no sense of feeling like I was doing something worthwhile…nothing seemed to "fit.” I told a good friend about my dilemma and she suggested I consider volunteering at the Fisher House. I had no idea what the Fisher House was. When I saw an ad looking for volunteers to help the Fisher House clean up after the holidays, I thought about her suggestion and decided to give it a try.

The manager was kind enough to take some time from her busy day to explain what the Fisher House provides for service members and their families. I learned that in our area, there are two Fisher Houses collocated to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center that provide a “home away from home” for families assisting wounded service members or who are themselves receiving medical care at Landstuhl. During 2004, these two houses assisted over 900 families.

The Fisher Houses depend on donations to maintain their operation. To support this worthwhile cause, I will walk five 42.9 marathons and ask each of you to pledge a dollar amount for each kilometer I walk or a dollar amount for each marathon I walk. No walk …no donation.

Kathy Gregory provided me with more ideas and suggestions and along with another friend, Berndt Schwarz, we put this web site together. Karin Hand did the final edit so Kathy Reed could do the English - German translation what we will post in the near future. Thanks to my friends, we are able to reach out to the community for support.

Your donation after the first, third and fifth marathon will directly go to the service members and their families who stay at the Landstuhl Fisher Houses.

I ask you to help those who fight for our freedom by being generous with your pledge.

As the Manager of the Landstuhl Fisher Houses I welcome the support you will provide us. We do not receive any government funding and our operating costs come from donations and the $10 room fee. The Fisher House Foundation that is listed on the Combined Federal Campaign is a separate Fund that solicits money for building new Fisher Houses, supporting existing Fisher Houses and helping individual families in need. Charitable activities like this 5 X marathon help us meet our donation goal as well as spread the word that the Landstuhl Fisher Houses are here to help our families in need. We estimate $155,000 will be needed this year, so we thank you for your pledge which will help us provide care and support. You will be helping to keep a family unit together and assisting each family through their medical crisis by giving us the ability to provide “compassionate care beyond the call of duty”.


Cherished Claddagh Stolen from Grave By Sean O' Driscoll
Irish Voice Thu, 16 Jun 2005 3:23 AM PDT
New Hampshire police are appealing to Irish Americans across the country to look out for a Celtic necklace stolen from the grave of a soldier killed in Iraq.

Two officers, possibly killed by fellow soldiers, memorialized
Macon Telegraph Wed, 15 Jun 2005 5:57 PM PDT
TIKRIT, Iraq - (KRT) - The ceremonies have become far too common, with the Kevlar helmets resting atop weapons, the 21-gun salute, the lone bugler playing "Taps."

A Dose of Reality...

Michael Yon has a few important things to say in his post "The Battle For Mosul, Part III."

For those who whine about a U.S. coverup of casualties...

"Last night, for instance, a homicide truck bomb detonated nearby, killing three policemen, wounding three others. The blast was massive; steaming flesh, shredded from the attacker, was flung into nearby concertina wire where it dried in the rising sun the next day. There was no cover-up on the casualty count. Military reports confirmed what witnesses to the attack experienced. No attempts were made to stop me from reporting the attack, though I did not bother because the media had picked it up from military press releases. The United States is the only country in the world that allows journalists this level of access to the battlefield, a practice that renders any kind of wide-scale cover-up tantamount to impossible."

More, including photos, can be found on the post at his Online Magazine.

Texas National Guard in Afghanistan


U.S. Army soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, prepare to move out during a quick reaction force exercise at East River Range near Bagram, Afghanistan, June 11, 2005. Soldiers from the Texas National Guard are stationed in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Army Spc. Harold Fields



U.S. Army soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, conduct a quick reaction force exercise at East River Range outside Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, June 11, 2005. Soldiers from the Texas National Guard are stationed in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Kaufmann



A U.S. Army soldier from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, pulls security while waiting to be extracted during a quick reaction force exercise at East River Range near Bagram, Afghanistan, June 11, 2005. Soldiers from the Texas National Guard are stationed in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Army Spc. Harold Fields



U.S. Army soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, fire at simulated targets during quick reaction force exercise at East River Range outside Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, June 11, 2005. Soldiers from the Texas National Guard are stationed in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Kaufmann



U.S. Army soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, fire at simulated targets during quick reaction force exercise at East River Range outside Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, June 11, 2005. Soldiers from the Texas National Guard are stationed in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Kaufmann



U.S. Army soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, prepare to evacuate a simulated casualty during a quick reaction force exercise at East River Range outside Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, June 11, 2005. Soldiers from the Texas National Guard are stationed in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Kaufmann



U.S. Army soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, prepare to evacuate a simulated casualty during a quick reaction force exercise at East River Range outside Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, June 11, 2005. Soldiers from the Texas National Guard are stationed in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Kaufmann

EAST RIVER RANGE — U.S. Army soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, pull security during a quick reaction force exercise at East River Range near Bagram, Afghanistan, June 10, 2005. Soldiers from the Texas National Guard are stationed in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Harold Fields

In Today's News - Thursday, June 16, 2005

Quote of the Day
"If you are ashamed to stand by your colors, you had better seek another flag."
-- Unknown

News of Note
Despite Insurgency, Iraq Shows Progress Transcript
Iraqi Army Rescues Australian Hostage
Australia Praises Iraq, U.S. for Hostage Rescue
Officials Detail Detainee Efforts to Senate Panel
Report: 200 Illegal Immigrants Nabbed in New England
Senate Holds Gitmo Hearing
E-Mail Author Says He Didn't Discuss Contract With Annan
Five U.S. Marines Killed in Iraq
Ariz. Harrier Crash Forces 1,300 to Evacuate

JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
House votes to limit Patriot Act rules
Attacks leave more than 50 dead in Iraq
Congress debates rights of Gitmo suspects
Marine Harrier jet crashes in Arizona

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Attacks leave more than 50 dead in Iraq
Exec says didn't discuss bid with Annan
Summary box: Background on Rafsanjani
Iran's Rafsanjani back for twilight run
Iraqi, U.S. forces rescue Australian man
Hard-line Iranian candidate withdraws
Israel plans to hand over West Bank town
Video of ex-Iraq regime officials released
Israel arrests suspected suicide bombers
Iran wants credit for providing nuke intel
Bombing kills eight Iraqi police officers
Palestinians take over PM's empty house
Suicide bomber kills 23 Iraqi soldiers
Over 200 foreigners taken hostage in Iraq- AP: Clerics blocked bid for better US ties

Fox News
Masked Men Take Hostages at Cambodia School
Senators: White House Missed Intelligence Deadlines
U.N.: Iran Has Used Plutonium for Years
Pushing Privacy - House votes to limit Patriot Act
Australian Hostage Rescued
Iraq attacks kill more than 50

Department of Defense
ON THE GROUND
Bagram Groundbreaking Marks Hospital Start — Story
Infantry Course Provides Realistic Training — Story
'Warhorse' Milestone: 40,000 Safe Flight Hours — Story

IN IRAQ
Spouses Deploy in Support of Iraq Mission
Female Marines Add to Cultural Sensitivities
Airmen Keep Base Safe in Austere Conditions
Commandos Continue to Press Terrorists
Coalition Transfers Base to Iraqi Army
Iraqi Army Soldiers Strike at Terrorists in Taji
Fuel Specialists Let Pride Continue to Fly

IN AFGHANISTAN
Airmen Provide Critical Elements of Support

IN SOUTHWEST ASIA
KC-10 Air Refueling Sorties Vital to Combat Missions

IN TURKEY
New Mission Arrives at Incirlik

FACE OF DEFENSE
Army Nurse’s Quest for Citizenship Takes Iraq Detour — Story

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
CD Benefits Armed Services YMCA — Story
Former Pro Athletes Visit Airmen
Cyclists Raise Money for Troops

TOP NEWS
SPECIAL REPORTS
Base Realignment and Closure 2005
Medal of Honor
Two Years in Iraq

IN IRAQ
Officials Talk About Iraq’s Future
2 Marines Killed; Attack Foiled
Water Project on Schedule
Cheney Discusses Iraq Progress
Iraq Daily Update
Multinational Force Iraq
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Soldiers Wounded; Troops Save Child
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps
Afghan Reconstruction Group Recruiting

WAR ON TERRORISM
Progress in WMD Countermeasure
Rumsfeld Defends Detention Center
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Vet Reflects on Flag Day Meaning
Deployed Can Use Travel Specials
U.S. Army Celebrates Birthday
U.S. Army Birthday Photos
National Guard, Reserve Update

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Army Casualties — Story

Weather
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

Today in History
1567
- Mary, Queen of Scots, is imprisoned in Lochleven Castle.
1671 - In Moscow, Cossack rebel leader Stenka Razin is tortured and executed.
1832 - Battle of Kellogg's Grove, IL.
1858 - Abraham Lincoln says "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
1864 - The siege of Petersburg and Richmond begins.
1909 - The first US airplane sold commercially (by Glenn Curtiss) goes for $5,000.
1917 - The first Congress of Soviets convenes in Russia.
1922 - Henry Berliner shows off his helicopter to the U.S. Bureau of Aeronautics.
1933 - The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is created.
1940 - A Commuinist government takes power in Lithuania.
1941 - The first Federally owned airport opens in Washington, DC.
1961 - Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev defects to the West in Paris.
1975 - Randy Farland finds a 14-leaf clover near Sioux Falls, SD.
1977 - Leonid Brezhnev is named president of the U.S.S.R.
1991 - Boris Yeltsin is elected president of Russia.

Birthdays:
1899 - Nelson Doubleday, publisher (Doubleday)
1902 - Barbara McClintock, cytogeneticist, Nobel Prize winner

Passings:
1686BC - Hammurabi the Great dies in Babylon
1216 - Innocent III pope, dies at 54
1671 - Stenka Razin Cossack rebel leader, tortured, executed in Moscow
1976 - Francis E Meloy Jr US ambassador to Lebanon, kidnapped & killed

Reported Missing in Action:
1965
Schumann, John R., US Army (MN); Ambushed, captured, died in captivity

1968
Bowman, Frank, USN (SC); PCF19 sunk, KIA, body not recovered
Chandler, Anthony Gordon Warner, USN (GA); remains returned 2001
Rupinski, Bernard Francis, USN (PA); F4J shot down, presumed killed.
Wilber, Walter Eugene, USN (PA); Released by DRV February, 1973 (injured), later accused of mutiny while in captivity

1973
Cornelius, Samuel B., USAF(TX); F4E shot down, survival unlikely
Smallwood, John J., USAF (GA); F4E shot down, survival unlikely

nocashfortrash.org