Schiff to Deliver Letters to Our Troops

During the next few weeks, Congressman Schiff will be visiting our troops, and he would like to bring messages of thanksgiving from our community.

"I'm so thankful to the men and women of our military, many of whom are overseas, sacrificing time away from their families to serve our nation," said Schiff. "During this holiday season when we gather among friends and family, let's think of those who are away from home. If you would like to send notes or letters to the soldiers, I'd be honored to deliver them to our heroes in uniform. Children may even want to draw pictures. Your messages will brighten the day for so many who are serving our nation far from home."

Please send cards, letters, and drawings to:

Congressman Adam Schiff
35 South Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105

Or via fax at (626) 304-0572


Please send messages by December 9.

If you have any questions, or have additional ideas for how our community can honor our troops, please contact the Congressman's office at 626-304-2727.

ZAIDON, Iraq - A Marine with 1st Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment stands guard over a local Iraqi awaiting questioning Nov. 14.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Samuel D. Corum

Read Story Associated with this photo

This has been an awesome week as far as mail goes...in addition to an awesome letter from my adopted Hero in Afghanistan, I've gotten two letters in the past week from heroes I've written to as part of the Soldiers' Angels Letter Writing Team.

One of them came on U.S. Marine Corps stationery, and I wanted to share it with you. When you read it, you'll see why...

Hey Pam,
Thanks for the words of support. I really appreceiate any words of motivation from my fellow Americans back in the U.S. It means a lot to me to hear from people who care. Thank you for all the time and sacrifice that you put into letting us know that. We all like to be reminded from time to time what we are fighting for, and that is a nation that supports us in what we are doing. It is that motivation that helps us continue the fight, so you can know that you play a large part in the history of Iraq and the freedom that they will have and that feeling of accomplishment can never be taken away from you. So thanks again, and God Bless you.

Your friend,
D.P.
(A USMC Lance Corporal)

I can't even begin to tell you how humbling it is to be thanked by a deployed hero.

D--, Keep your helmet on - take care, stay safe, and Semper Fi.

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Maj. Sandi Houlihan gives pain relief medication to a patient involved in a bus accident. Major Houlihan is with the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group and deployed from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo)

THROUGH THE GATE — U.S. Army Sgt. Victor Wong, 1st Platoon, C Company, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, walks through a gate at an Iraqi grainey during a search in Mosul, Iraq, Nov. 10, 2005. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Bomber Kills 21 in Iraq
Video: Rebuilding Iraq's Military
Gunmen in Iraqi army uniforms kill four in sleep

Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghan Women Increase Role in Army
US soldier, Afghan killed by roadside bomb

Homeland Security / War on Terror
'Dirty Bomb' Suspect Indicted
Padilla Indictment (FindLaw PDF)
Sites Picked to Show Moussaoui Sentencing
Fast Facts: Timeline in Padilla Case
Would-Be Bush Assassin Found Guilty
U.S. citizen joined Al Qaeda
Abu Ali Indictment (FindLaw PDF)

Politics
Ohio Congresswoman Backs Off Murtha 'Coward' Remark
Judge Postpones Decision on Dismissing DeLay Charges- Video: DeLay in Court

Supreme Court
Network refuses to air ad on Alito

Hurricane Season
Katrina Housing Extended

Oddities
Sometimes you just have a really bad day..
Fugitive murder suspect found - on TV

Moonbat Watch
Wis. school cancels Iraq war protest

Fox News
N. Korea Reactor Plan Foiled
U.S. Repeals Six-Year Indonesian Arms Embargo
Stocks to Watch: Hormel
No Jail Time for Florida Teacher Lafave in Sex Case
Skull of Green River Serial Killer Victim Found
Breast Feeding May Lower Mom's Diabetes Risk
Vatican Says Active Gays Unwelcome in Priesthood
Storms Threaten T-Day Travel
Lawyer: Pennsylvania Girl Had No Role in Parents' Murders
Bush Pardons Turkeys; Bird to Marshall Disney Parade

Reuters: Top News
Samsung's Apple deal probed
Iran expects restart of nuke talks with EU
Third Iran oil minister nominee rejected
Germany's Merkel signals continuity with Paris trip
US talking Iraq troop reductions
Ford seeks U.S. help to make fuel-efficient cars
Washington's Mount Saint Helens stirs dust cloud
EU says will study content of UK C02 court ruling
Despite bombs, Baghdad stock exchange thinks big

AP World News
Iraq Insurgents Kill Senior Sunni Leader
Israel Sets March 28 Date for Election
U.S., Partners End N. Korea Nuke Project
Europe Looks to Merkel About the Future
China City Trucking in Water After Threat
Iran Urges Iraq to Seek Pullout Timetable
U.S. Restores Military Ties With Indonesia
Kuwaiti PM Downplays Succession Crisis
B.C. Poultry Ban to Have Small Effect
U.S. Accuses Syria of Delaying Death Probe
Bosnia Agrees to Remake Divided Government
Germany's Merkel Relied on Sharp Intellect
Italy Says Met May Return Disputed Art
French Unions Recommend End to Rail Strike
Economy Big Challenge for Germany's Merkel
Official Checks 31 Suspected CIA Flights
Kenyan Leader Concedes Constitution Defeat
Mongolia Hopes Bush Visit Lifts Trade, Aid

The Seattle Times
Venezuela will offer U.S. needy heating oil
CDC rule could allow traveler quarantine
"Optimistic" scenario trims U.S. forces to 100,000 in '06
Albanians ready to end their life in limbo
Bosnia agrees to remake government
Chinese city shuts off water for 4-day test
Fewer victims of land mines in 2004, U.N. says
A tenuous link for quake survivors
New York pregnant teacher sues Catholic school

Chicago Sun-Times
Produce causes more illness than seafood, poultry, beef
Historian hit with Holocaust denial charges
New quarantine rules sought to fight spread of bird flu
Japanese ruling party proposes expanding military's role
Newspaper claims Bush talked of bombing Al-Jazeera
Online service to show Saddam's trial

Boston Globe: World
Ukraine calls for reunification of leaders a year after revolution
China reports new bird flu outbreaks
Construction of a paper mill dividing two Latin nations
US is said to consider pulling out 3 brigades in Iraq
Sharon's allies push his new party
Maestro's arrest the beginning of clash

Military.com
Security Sweeps Net Illegals
U.S. Committed to Iraq Stability
Marines' Thanksgiving Wish: 'Hot Chow'
Disabled Vet Gets Surprise Gift
U.S. Forces Wrap up Offensive

CENTCOM: News Release
OPERATION STEEL CURTAIN CONCLUDES

Department of Defense
Coalition Continues Hunt for Zarqawi -- Story
Security at Home Linked to Role in Iraq -- Story
Operation Steel Curtain Concludes in Iraq -- Story
Attempt to Disrupt Tikrit Ceremony Fails -- Story
Saddam's Palace to Transfer to Iraqis

ON THE GROUND
New Soldiers in Town Provide Security -- Story
U.S. Army Medics Hold Clinic for Iraqis -- Story
Sky Soldiers Teach Marksmanship Skills -- Story

IN IRAQ
Iraqi Soldiers Use Insurgents' Weapons
Iraqi Security Forces Paint the Town Clean
Border Posts Enhance Iraq's Security

IN AFGHANISTAN
Reconstruction Team Opens in Panjshir
Medical Mission Visits Gardez Orphanage
Kiwis Build Playground For Afghan Children

FACE OF DEFENSE
U.S. Marine Corps Artist Leaves Fingerprint on World -- Story

TOP NEWS
SPECIAL REPORTS
Iraq Transition of Power

IRAQ
Coalition Must Stay Course
Bush Thanks Mongolia for Support
Soldiers Help Kids Hurt in Attack
Iraqi Soldiers Seize Weapons
Citizens Lead Iraqis to Weapons
Operations Disrupt Terrorists
Signs of Steady Progress in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq (pdf)
Multinational Force Iraq
Eye on Iraq Update (pdf)
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (pdf)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Joint Patrol Attacks Insurgents
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Defense Review Addresses Future
Cultures Highlighted at Pentagon
Command Welcomes Advisor
New Enlisted Advisor Visits Troops
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

National Hurricane Center

Today in History
1765 - The people of Frederick County, MD refuse to pay England's Stamp tax.
1832 - The French take Antwerp in liberation of Belgium.
1835 - Henry Burden patents a horseshoe manufacturing machine in Troy, NY.
1852 - Just past midnight, a sharp jolt causes Lake Merced to drop 30'.
1863 - The Battle of Chattanooga begins.
1936 - The first issue of Life magazine is created by Henry R. Luce.
1942 - The Coast Guard Woman's Auxiliary (SPARS) is authorized.
1943 - U.S. forces seize control of Tarawa and Makin from the Japanese.
1948 - F.G. Back patents a Lens to provide zoom effects.
1955 - The British transfer Cocos (Keeling) Island (in the Indian Ocean) to Australia.
1960 - The weather satellite Tiros-2 is launched.
1963 - JFK's body lays in repose in the East Room of the White House.
1971 - The People's Republic of China is seated in the U.N. Security Council.
1977 - The European weather satellite Meteosa-1 is launched from Cape Canaveral.
1980 - 4,800 die in a series of earthquakes that devastated southern Italy.
1985 - 58 die as Egyptian commandos storm a hijacked Egyptair jet in Malta; retired CIA analyst Larry Wu-tai Chin is arrested on charges of spying for China.

Birthdays
0912 - Otto I (the Great), German king, Holy Roman emperor (962-73)
1221 - Alfonso X (the Wise) king of Castile and Leon (1252)
1749 - Edward Rutledge (Gov-SC), signer of the Declaration of Independence
1804 - Franklin Pierce, 14th U.S. President (1853-1857)
1859 - Billy the Kid (William H. Bonney), criminal
1860 - Karl Branting, Swedish statesman/diplomat, Nobel Prize winner (1921)
1930 - William E. Brock, Senator / U.S. Secretary of Labor (1985-87)
1935 - Vladislav N. Volkov, cosmonaut (Soyuz-7, 11)

Passings
1914 - Elbrige Gerry, VP (of Gerrymander fame)
1991 - Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, of AIDS

Reported Missing in Action
1968
Cuthbert, Bradley G., USAF (IA); RF4C shot down (pilot, w/Ruhling), remains returned, ID'd December, 1991
Ruhling, Mark J., USAF (PA); RF4C shot down (backseater to Cuthbert), released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive as of 1998

1969
Jones, Grayland, US Army (IN); disappeared while swimming, Killed, body not recovered

1971
Altus, Robert W., USAF (OR); F4E crashed while on mission (pilot, w/Phelps)

Phelps, William, USAF (NY); F4E crashed while on mission (weapons/systems operator, w/Altus)