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Friday, August 18, 2006

by Petty Officer 2nd Class Eli J. Medellin
August 18, 2006
Col. Debra Lewis, a district commander with the Army Corps of Engineers and Sheik O'rhaman Hama Raheem, an Iraqi councilman, celebrate the opening of a new women's center in Assyria that the Corps helped construct. The center provides women with vocational training.

A Visit to OCC

Hubby took the day off yesterday, and I've been off this week, so we took a drive to the Orange County Choppers store. If you've ever seen the show "American Chopper," you know that OCC has built some pretty astounding motorcycles. They've got a number of them displayed at the store (click for larger images):



Among the first few in this view are the Comanche Bike, the Christmas Bike, and the Police Bike (NYPD)



From Left to Right - the Lance Armstrong Bike, NY Jets Bike, Jorge Posada Foundation (Yankees) Bike




One of my favorites, the Black Widow


Among the most impressive are their military-themed bikes, some of which have gone to support military charities:

The Comanche Bike


The detail on these bikes is just unbelievable - check out these close-ups of the Comanche bike:




The Comanche Bike's tank




The pipes




Rear wheel





The Jet Bike




The Jet Bike tank




Jet bike rear fender



The two that stood out the most to me, however, were the Fire Bike, and the POW Bike:


The Fire Bike, a tribute to 9-11 Heroes




The Fire Bike's tank, featuring a piece of steel
from the World Trade Center




The Fire Bike's rear fender





The POW Bike




The POW Bike's tank




POW Bike rear fender


Others that are sure to impress include the Shuttle Tribute Bike, and Junior's Dream Bike (the green webbed one next to the Black Widow in the picture above). The photos can't possibly do these beautiful bikes justice. If you're ever in the area of Montgomery, NY, I highly recommend stopping in to see them. You can also see views of these and other bikes, with close-ups, at the OCC Website.


Hey, Patti...close your eyes for a minute, and just envision it....the Soldiers' Angels Bike.... : )

LOCAL ELECTION —An Iraqi man casts his ballot during the Diyara Agricultural Union elections, Aug. 12, 2006. Farmers from the southern Baghdad and northern Babil provinces voted for the people they wanted to guide the new union. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Molinaro

In Today's News - Friday, August 18, 2006

Quote of the Day
"We in America do not have government by the majority.
We have government by the majority who participate."

-- Thomas Jefferson

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Baghdad streets emptied for gathering
Troops Express Worries About Iraq
Two More U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq
Attacks on U.S. Forces in Iraq Increase
Four Months More in Iraq
Iraqi and British Troops Clash With Shiite Militias

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Suspicious liquid found at W.Va. airport
Taj Mahal Terror Threat
Bomb Scare Aboard British Jet; Plane Lands in Italy
Sick bag note causes UK airliner bomb scare - Video
US Beefing Up Air Passenger Checks
Faces, too, are Searched at U.S. Airports

Troops on Trial
Inquiry Suggests Marines Excised Files on Killings
Marine Charged With Assaulting Iraqis

Other Military News
Coast Guard Catches Drug Kingpin

Mid-East Ceasefire
Lebanese Troops Begin Patrol at Israeli Border
Hamas demands to head new Palestinian coalition - Video
Hizbollah handouts - Video
Israel: Not all nations welcome in UN force
Bush hopes for more French troops
UN, Bush urge Europe to send troops to Lebanon fast - Video
Arabs seek new Mideast peace initiative
Lebanese army reaches southern border
Lebanese Army Sets Up in Hezbollah's Territory
Beirut Cools to Disarming Hezbollah

Immigration / Border Control
A New Roll for Border Patrol

NSA / CIA
Judge finds NSA program unconstitutional
Bush Defends Wiretaps
Video: Bush Blasts Ruling
C.I.A. Contractor Guilty in Beating of Afghan

Worldwide Wackos
Raul Castro makes 1st public comments
South Korea Watches North For Possible Nuclear Test

Politics / Government
Bush Holds Meeting With Economic Advisers
Bush says cutting US deficit ahead of 2009 goal
Pullout in Congress race may aid Ohio Republicans
Lawmakers ponder the meaning of fish
Bush signs sweeping pension bill reform

In the Courts
Judge gets 4 years for exposing himself

Media in the Media
For War Reporters, They're the News

Mother Nature
Volcanic eruption in Ecuador kills 1
More to Come?
Experts: Ecuador volcano ready to blow
Photo Essay: Rain of Fire

Oddities
Candy Makers See Virgin Mary in Chocolate Drippings
Man trapped waist-deep in chocolate
Know when to wear 'em, know when to bare 'em...
Woman accused of heroin-soaked panties (Geeeeeeeeeeeeeez......)
Texas teacher resigns over nude photos

Other News of Note
JonBenet's Mom Almost Met With Karr
Photo Essay: Karr's Confession
Karr Married Two Teen Brides
JonBenet suspect awaits extradition
Court strips Pinochet immunity in fraud case - Video

Fox News
Ford to Slash Production; Partially Shutter Factories
Andrew Young Quits Wal-Mart Post Over Racial Comments
Kansas Teen Earns Perfect Scores on ACT, SAT Tests
Princeton Gets Top Ranking
Rwanda Promises Not to Execute Genocide Suspects
Riley Takes Lead at PGA- Complete PGA Coverage

Reuters: Top News
Barr refiles morning-after pill bid: FDA
Domestic violence takes toll in workplace
Congo police patrol capital ahead of poll result - Video
German town gambles fortune to keep neo-Nazis out - Video
Uganda-LRA talks resume in south Sudan - Video
Ozone layer on the mend but recovery delayed
PluggedIn: Consumers find a personal shopper in the Web
Palm to unveil new Treo model next month
Black New York frets the changing face of Harlem
When eating is sport, victory as agonizing as defeat
Rapid tests mean more learn HIV status
All forms of tobacco harmful
Singer Pete Doherty pleads guilty to drug charges
Julianne Moore stays close to home in new movie
DexCom patent case on hold, shares soar
FDA seeks more data on Lilly drug
Bebe jumps 20 pct on Q4 result
Auto suppliers slip after Ford cuts
Aeropostale shares surge on sales
The Reuters select wrap-up
The Dell recall and zinc
Contrarians betting on eBay
China rate hike to hurt stocks, bonds
Bristol, Sanofi seek generic Plavix halt
Boeing : May end C-17 production in '09
Ford to cut production
Consumer sentiment falls
Microsoft shifts most of buyback later
TiVo: EchoStar ordered to halt DVR sales

AP World News
Court blocks order to turn off Dish DVRs
TV found to be a painkiller for children
Barry Manilow to have hip surgery
Microsoft to increase buyback program
Dell reveals SEC probe; 2Q earnings down
Duane 'Dog' Chapman faces Calif. suit
Yanks routed by Orioles, head to Boston
Bonds trainer mum on steroids question
Sharpton: 'Gangsterism' harming blacks

Military.com
PTSD Affects Fewer Vietnam Vets
DoD May Raise Army Budget
Roles Cast for Marines
The FBI's Upgrade That Wasn't
Navy Cash Goes 'Live' Aboard Nimitz
B-2 Spirit Exceeds Mission Standard
DoD Finds Cruise Missile Defense 'Gaps'
Shuttle Launch Set for Aug. 27

CENTCOM: News Releases
U.S. MILITARY TASK FORCE TO SUPPORT FLOOD VICTIMS IN ETHIOPIA

MOST SUCCESSFUL IRAQI POLICE RECRUTING DRIVE

IRAQI FORCES CAPTURE TERRORIST FACILITATOR IN ASH SHARQAT

LOCAL LEADERS MEET WITH ISF, MND-B SOLDIERS DURING OPERATION TOGETHER FORWARD, DISCUSS PROGRESS, STABILITY

MND-B SOLDIERS SEIZE WEAPONS, MUNITIONS

IRAQI FORCE CAPTURE INSURGENT WEAPONS DEALER

COALITION SOLDIER KILLED NEAR ASADABAD

ISF, MND-B SOLDIERS CONDUCT CORDON, SEARCH OF AN OFFICE OF THE MARTYR SADR

ISF, MND-B SOLDIERS BRINGS POSITIVE CHANGE TO BAGHDAD BY WAY OF OPERATION TOGETHER FORWARD

IA, MND-B SOLDIERS SWEEP UP LARGE CACHE, SAVE WOMAN FROM KIDNAPPING

Iraqi Forces Capture IED Cell Leader

Iraqi Forces Capture Terrorist Cell Leader, Subordinate Cell Leader

COALITION UNCOVERS WEAPONS CACHE

COALITION FORCES KILLS EIGHT EXTREMISTS

COALITION STATEMENT ON ATTACK IN PAKTIKA

IA SOLDIERS RESCUE 3 KIDNAPPED POLICEMEN AFTER TERRORIST ATTACK

IA SEARCHES THOUSANDS OF HOMES WITH MND-B SUPPORT

MND-B SOLDIERS DETAIN 12 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS, SEIZE WEAPONS, MUNITIONS IN SEPARATE OPERATIONS

BLACK MARKET RING STOPPED BY 4TH BN., 320TH FA REGT.

USJFCOM
Initial trial of Urban Resolve 2015 wraps up - podcast

Department of Defense
NEWS UPDATES
Coalition Defends Attack in Paktika - Story
For Top News Visit DefenseLink

ON THE GROUND
Iraqi, Coalition Squelch Violence in Ameriya - Story
Iraqi Brigade Takes Lead in Mahmudiyah - Story
Winning Hearts, Minds With a Medical Project - Story

IN IRAQ
More Police in Iraqi Town Increases Security
Securing Baghdad No Short-term Operation

IN AFGHANISTAN
Chief Master Sgt. Praises Afghan Progress
Security Forces ‘Fly Away’ to Support Mission

BACKGROUND
IRAQ
Renewal In Iraq
Iraq: Security, Stability
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (PDF)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Weekly Reconstruction Report (PDF)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Update
Maps

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

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
1587 - Virginia Dare becomes the first English child born in the New World.
1686 - Cassini reports seeing a satellite orbiting Venus.
1817 - Gloucester, MA, newspapers report the offshore sighting of a wild sea serpent.
1834 - Mt. Vesuvius erupts.
1846 - General Stephen W. Kearney's U.S. forces captures Santa Fe, NM.
1864 - Day 1 of 3 of the Battle of Weldon Railroad (Petersburg campaign).
1894 - Congress establishes the Bureau of Immigration.
1914 - President Woodrow Wilson issues the Proclamation of Neutrality.
1920 - Tennessee ratifies the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote.
1930 - Eastern Airlines begins passenger service.
1938 - F.D.R. dedicates the Thousand Islands Bridge, connecting the U.S. and Canada.
1943 - The final convoy of Jews from Salonika, Greece arrive at Auschwitz.
1954 - Assistant Secretary of Labor James Wilkins becomes the first African American to attend a Cabinet meeting.
1961 - Construction on Berlin Wall is completed.
1976 - The U.S.S.R.'s Luna 24 soft-lands on the Moon.

Birthdays
472 - Flavius Ricimer, general of the Western Roman Empire, kingmaker
1587 - Virginia Dare, first American born of English parents
1778 Fabian Gottlieb von Bellinghausen, first to circumnavigate Antarctica
1792 John, first Earl Russell, British Whig PM (1846-52, 1865-66)
1904 Sterling W. Cole (Rep-NY)
1917 Casper Weinberger, U.S. Secretary of Defense (1981-87)
1919 Walter J. Hickel (Gov-Alaska) / U.S. Secretary of the Interior (1969-71)
1924 - Mohammad Zia Ul-Haq, president of Pakistan (1978-88)
1927 - Rosalynn Carter, First Lady to President Jimmy Carter

Passing
1227 - Genghis Khan, Mongol conqueror
1961 - Learned Hand, Chief judge of US court of Appeals
1990 - B.F. Skinner, psychologist

Reported Missing in Action
1964
Uom, Chem Barung (Thailand); released - deceased

1966
Rykoskey, Edward J., USMC (PA); disappeared when his patrol was ambushed, KIA, body not recovered

1968
Davis, Daniel R., USAF (GA); O1A shot down over Laos, remains ID'd August, 1995

1971
Kuykendall, Willie C., US Army (MS); drowned during attempt to recover track vehicle in river, body not recovered

Weaks, Melvin L., US Army (NC); drowned trying to reach Kuykendall, body not recovered

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