via email from:

Norma E. Wright
www.thefreedompage.org
"Serving God and Supporting Our Troops"


Anita Coyoli-Cullen and the Santa Ana Ladies' Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 10694, are selling Patriotic Bracelets as a fundraiser.

Check out the following link and read the article below the link about Anita's daughter, Diane Gilliam, who survived a helicopter crash:

http://www.thefreedompage.org/view/?pageID=232642

The following article below was sent to me by:

Anita Coyoli-Cullen
Blue Star Mom
Proud Army Mom of Diane Gilliam
Survivor of Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan 11-23-03
Senior Vice President
Santa Ana Post 10694
Women's Auxiliary of the VFW

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Walk a mile in U.S. combat boots
By: Diane Gilliam
Huntington Beach

I am a Afghan war veteran and a former interrogator who worked at the Bagram Collection Point in Afghanistan. Although I do not condone any kind of abuse, we have to remember why these people are being detained - for terrorism and supporting those responsible for terrorism.

I never saw anyone abuse our detainees. If I had, I would have confronted him or her. Abusing detainees does not improve the information we obtain from prisoners; instead it can cause false information to be given. I believe too many people are more concerned with how the world views the United States, rather than about allowing us to do our jobs.

Media outside of the military should not be allowed in the combat theaters. The International Red Cross needs to be removed as well. Too many military officers were more concerned with how their soldier looked in a pressed uniform and whether or not they were given a salute while walking down the road.
These are war zones and we need to treat them as such. Detainees from other countries do not have the right to American counsel and they should not receive it.

Just to remind all who are not aware of the status of the detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo, they are not prisoners of war, but terrorists. They support terrorists and they continue to supply terrorists with information, weapons and sympathy. Instead of focusing on the prisoner "abuse," let's focus on supporting our troops and encourage better guidelines for what our goals there should be.

Every detainee that I came across was fed three times a day, given bottled water, a Quran, blankets, flushing toilets, heated living quarters. They were able to send and receive letters from loved ones, have showers every other day, celebrate Ramadan and even play a little soccer to keep their spirits up.

Is that abuse? I think not. But, as an interrogator, I was told not to yell, scream, curse or disrespect the religion of Islam because the detainee had rights. Americans as a whole seem to think I should pull up a chair and share coffee with people who are responsible for killing my fellow soldiers and Americans.

People who are really against this war shouldn't stand on safe soil and gripe. Quit your jobs, tell your families goodbye and fly to Iraq or Afghanistan. Talk with locals there who have lived under the rule of murderers and ask what they want from America and her allies. See the faces of the children who support the troops and those who would be willing to strap a bomb to their bodies to kill a few Americans.

Be the target of a vehicle full of nationals and make that split decision whether to shoot or not. Wonder who the enemy is when you look into the eyes of each person. Go into a prison and see how the detainees treat the military police guards and interrogators. Listen to how they planned the last roadside bomb and look at the smile on their face.

So before anyone passes judgment on those who are keeping America safe, do a military job, not for one day, but for the duration of a deployment. Then tell me how the American military should be treating our so-abused detainees.


HOOOAH, Diane!
-- Pam

READINESS EXERCISE — A view of the 1st Fighter Wing flight line during the Phase 1 operational readiness excercise at Langley Air Force Base, Va., Aug. 3, 2005. The Phase I operational readiness exercise is an evaluation of the unit's ability to prepare and deploy personnel, equipment, and support assets to a combat environment. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman DeLicha Germany

U.S. Army Sgt. Amber Aki helps proctor an Iraqi woman as she takes the entrance exam to become an Iraqi police woman. The exam tests reading and writing skills and is the first step in the screening process to select women into the Iraqi Police Forces and provide the unique services needed for crimes against women and children. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, with assistance from female U.S. Army personnel attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, July 12, 2005. U.S. military personnel are stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens


An Iraqi woman takes the entrance exam to become an Iraqi police woman. The exam tests reading and writing skills and is the first step in the screening process to select women into the Iraqi Police Forces and provide the unique services needed for crimes against women and children. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, with assistance from female U.S. Army personnel attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, July 12, 2005. U.S. military personnel are stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens


An Iraqi woman takes the entrance exam to become an Iraqi police woman. The exam tests reading and writing skills and is the first step in the screening process to select women into the Iraqi Police Forces and provide the unique services needed for crimes against women and children. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, with assistance from female U.S. Army personnel attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, July 12, 2005. U.S. military personnel are stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens


An Iraqi woman takes the entrance exam to become an Iraqi police woman. The exam tests reading and writing skills and is the first step in the screening process to select women into the Iraqi Police Forces and provide the unique services needed for crimes against women and children. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, with assistance from female U.S. Army personnel attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, July 12, 2005. U.S. military personnel are stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens


U.S. Army Sgt. Amber Aki grades the entrance exams for several Iraqi women who are applying to the Iraqi Police Force. This exam is used to test reading and writing skills as well as physical readiness. Once selected, they will begin police training and later provide the unique services needed for crimes against women and children. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, with assistance from female U.S. Army personnel attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, July 12, 2005. U.S. military personnel are stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens


An Iraqi woman anxiously awaits the results of her exam as it's graded by one of the proctors. This exam tests reading and writing skills and is the first step in the screening process to help select females for the Iraqi Police Forces and provide the unique services needed for crimes against women and children. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, with assistance from female U.S. Army personnel attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, July 12, 2005. U.S. military personnel are stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens


An Iraqi woman patiently watches as her exam is graded by one of the proctors. This exam tests reading and writing skills and is the first step in the screening process to help select females into the Iraqi Police Forces and provide the unique services needed for crimes against women and children. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, with assistance from female U.S. Army personnel attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, July 12, 2005. U.S. military personnel are stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens


U.S. Army Spc. Shaniece Banniste, along with other members of the proctor staff, help set the mood for a group of Iraqi women to successfully complete the physical readiness portion of the Iraqi Police entrance exam. This portion of the exam is one of the steps required in the screening process to help select females into the Iraqi Police forces and provide the unique services needed for crimes against women and children. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, with assistance from female U.S. Army personnel attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, July 12, 2005. U.S. military personnel are stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens


Iraqi women participate in the physical readiness portion of the Iraqi Police entrance exam, one of the steps required in the screening process to help select females into the Iraqi Police Forces. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, with assistance from female U.S. Army personnel attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, July 12, 2005. U.S. military personnel are stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens


Iraqi women participate in the physical readiness portion of the Iraqi Police entrance exam, one of the steps required in the screening process to help select females into the Iraqi Police Forces. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, with assistance from female U.S. Army personnel attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, July 12, 2005. U.S. military personnel are stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens


Iraqi women participate in the physical readiness portion of the Iraqi Police entrance exam, one of the steps required in the screening process to help select females into the Iraqi Police Forces and provide the unique services needed for crimes against women and children. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, with assistance from female U.S. Army personnel attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, July 12, 2005. U.S. military personnel are stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens


Iraqi women participate in the physical readiness portion of the Iraqi Police entrance exam, one of the steps required in the screening process to help select females into the Iraqi Police Forces. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, with assistance from female U.S. Army personnel attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, July 12, 2005. U.S. military personnel are stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens


Iraqi women proudly show off their Certificates of Completion for the Iraqi Police Forces entrance exam. The exam consists of reading/writing and physical readiness exams required in the screening process to help select females into the Iraqi Police Forces and provide the unique services needed for crimes against women and children. The police screening was held at the Iraqi Army compound in Iskandariyah, Iraq, July 12, 2005, with assistance from U.S. Army Spc. Lisa Abrams, Spc. Julie West, Spc. Laurel Stough, Sgt. Amber Aki, Sgt. Brandie Rayburn and Sps. Lauren Branham, all part of the 155th Brigade Combat Team and stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandariyah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Edward G. Martens

News of Note
London Bombings
New Measures

Operation Iraqi Freedom
U.S.: Iraq operations reducing insurgency
SAFEHOUSE DESTROYED; 10 SUSPECTS DETAINED

Operation Enduring Freedom
Road side bomb kills U.S. soldier in Afghanistan
COALITION DISCOVERS MUNITIONS CACHES
Valley Improvements Top $1.5M
Afghan Villagers Turn in Weapons to Marines
Insurgents in Afghanistan Target Civilians — Story Transcript

War on Terror (or "GSAVE") / Homeland Security
Al-Qaida's No. 2 threatens London, U.S.
Bush: Threats Won't Deter U.S. in Iraq
Maryland Man Arrested on Terrorism Charges
Jordan arrests 17 in alleged terror plot
Text of excerpts of al-Zahawri video

Milbloggers in the News
Guardsman Demoted Over Blog
(Mudville's Greyhawk is quoted for an opinion in this article!)

Life in the U.N.
Bolton casts first vote as U.N. envoy
Kickbacks alleged in oil-for-food probe

Other News of Note
'A Severe Hazard' - Questions raised over fighter jet safety
Russian Navy Submarine Rescue

Fox News
Bush: Threats Won't Deter U.S. in Iraq
Rehnquist Treated for Fever
Maryland Man Arrested on Terrorism Charges
Belfast Riots Injure Dozens
Kurdish Rebels Kill 5 in Turkey Rocket Attack
Discovery Cleared to Return
Israeli Extremist Kills 3 Arabs
Video: Israel Bus Attack
BBC: U.K. Aided Nuke Program
Deadly Day for U.S. in Iraq

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Israeli police brace for possible riots
Iraq prime minister visits Shiite cleric
Sudanese view body of deceased leader
Pakistan court frowns at Taliban-style law
Saudi king's choices may affect succession
NATO can take over Afghan security in 2006

Reuters: Top News
UK's Blair to detail plans to exclude radicals
Cheney in S.Arabia to meet Abdullah, pay respects
U.S. Chief Justice Rehnquist treated at hospital
Discovery crew readies for space station departure
Euro proposal insists Iran refains from enrichment
U.S. Chief Justice Rehnquist treated at hospital
Cheney in S.Arabia to meet Abdullah, pay respects

Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
Troops in Iraq Bring Resistant Bacteria Home (reg. req'd)
Constitution Panel Proposes Some Limits on Role of Clergy (reg. req'd)

CENTCOM: News Releases
SUNNI LEADER BRIEFLY DETAINED
JOINT COMMISSION FOR CONDITIONS-BASED TRANSITION HOLDS FIRST MEETING

Department of Defense
Resolve, Not Retreat Required in War — Story
President Dismisses al Qaeda Message — Story Remarks
U.S. to Transfer Custody of Afghan Detainees
Recent Attacks in Response to Pressure — Story

ON THE GROUND
Afghan Soldiers Train to Use Mobile Kitchens — Story
Team Trains Iraqi Troops for Security Role — Story
Marine 'Bengals' Begin Homeward Journey — Story
Unit Trains for Routine, Ready for Unexpected — Story
Iraqi Engineer Brothers Rebuild Homeland — Story

IN IRAQ
Camp Fallujah Fuel Farm Gets Facelift
Soldiers, Airmen Care for Iraqi Patients
Staging Facility Takes Over Where Hospital Leaves Off
Camp Victory Opens New USO Tent

IN AFGHANISTAN
Road Linking Afghan Cities Nears Completion Photos

FACE OF DEFENSE
Employee Earns Environmental Award — Story

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Former Marine Helps Veterans — Story
Chaplain, Church Support Troops

TOP NEWS
IN IRAQ
Car Bomb Kills 3 U.S. Troops
Police Officers Complete Courses
U.S. Marine Killed in Ramadi
Ops Along River Prompt Attacks
Commission Works on Transition
Marine Statement Blasts Images
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Iraq Daily Update
Multinational Force Iraq

IN AFGHANISTAN
One U.S. Servicemember Killed
Weapons Found Following Firefight
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps
Afghan Reconstruction Group Recruiting

WAR ON TERRORISM
Bush Topic: Democracy, Terrorism
Rumsfeld Talks Coalition Strategy
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Coast Guard Marks 215 Years
Panel Mulls Performance Pay
Marines to Train Iraqis
National Guard, Reserve Update

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Marine Casualties — Story

Weather
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

Gitmo

Today in History
1264 - Anti-Jewish riots break out in Arnstadt, Germany.
1861 - The U.S. Army abolishes flogging.
1861 - The U.S. levies its first Income Tax (3% on income over $800)
1864 - During the Battle of Mobile Bay, AL, Admiral David Farragut gives the order, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"
1884 - The cornerstone for Statue of Liberty is laid.
1914 - In Cleveland, the first traffic light is installed.
1914 - The U.S. and Nicaragua sign a treaty granting canal rights to U.S.
1923 - Henry Sullivan becomes the first American to swim the English Channel.
1924 - The "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip debuts.
1936 - In Berlin, Jesse Owens wins his third Olympic medal.
1937 - The U.S. Ranger beats England's Endeavour II in the 17th America's Cup.
1945 - The Atom Bomb is dropped on Hiroshima (Aug 6th in Japan).
1953 - In Operation "Big Switch" Korean War prisoners are exchanged at Panmunjom.
1960 - Upper Volta gains independence from France.
1962 - Nelson Mandela is arrested for incitement and illegally leaving South Africa.
1963 - The U.S., Britain, and the U.S.S.R. sign a nuclear test ban treaty.
1964 - The U.S. begins bombing North Vietnam.
1966 - Martin Luther King Jr is pelted with stones during a Chicago march.
1969 - Mariner 7 flies past Mars.
1973 - The U.S.S.R. launches Mars 6.
1981 - President Regan fires 11,500 air traffic controllers, two days into their strike.
1985 - Larry Tudor sets a flexible-wing glider altitude record (214,250').
1988 - Mario Biaggi (Rep-NY) resigns his seat after his conviction for racketeering

Holidays
Iran - Constitution Day

Birthdays
1749 - Thomas Lynch, signer of the Declaration of Independence
1860 - Joseph Carey Merrick, the "Elephant Man"
1908 - Harold Holt, PM of Australia (1966-67), supporter of U.S. efforts in Vietnam
1923 - Richard Kleindienst, attorney general (1972)
1930 - Neil Armstrong, X-15 pilot, first Moonwalker (Gemini 8, Apollo 11)
1941 - Leonid D. Kizim, cosmonaut (Soyuz T-3, T-10, T-15)

Passings
1959 - Edgar Guest, newspaperman
1961 - Sir Sidney Holland, PM of New Zealand (1949-57)
1962 - Marilyn Monroe, movie star, found dead of apparent self-inflicted drug overdose

Reported Missing in Action
1964
Alvarez, Everett, USN (CA); A4C shot down, released by DRV February, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998 - first USN aviator POW in Vietnam

Sather, Richard C., USN (CA); A1H shot down, remains returned August, 1985 - first USN aviator KIA in Vietnam