From Lauren:

To all who so generously gave to these Camp Lejeune Ballerinas:

Yeah! We've reached our goals! You all not only helped us raise the money for the December recital, but you also helped us raise the money to cover the May recital! I want to thank you all so much for your efforts and your generous hearts. These little girls are SO excited. When I told them in class on Thursday that we have enough for both recitals, they all started clapping and squealing "yeah!" Many of the costumes have already started being shipped. So on Thursday, I took a few of them in to make sure that they were going to fit some of the kids. Their eyes were as big as quarters! I wouldn't let them touch the costumes (white) until they washed their hands. You've never seen little girls so eager to wash their hands. They were so careful touching them. And of course, the parents kept coming up to me saying, "Thank you Lauren, this means so much to us." Many of them had tears in their eyes, (including Marines). So you all have touch the hearts of not only my dancers and me, but also the parents. Thank you all again for your generous gifts to my little dancers. This will be something they remember for the rest of their lives. And since several of their dads are deployed and will be gone during this recital, I know that it comforts them to know that their sweet daughters have something so wonderful to look forward to this holiday season! Thank you again!!!

Lauren Kelly-Hill



Thank you to all the bloggers, Angels, readers, and others who helped to make these recitals special for these wonderful little girls and their families. You all ROCK!

by Air Force Staff Sgt. Cindy Haught
November 7, 2006
Spc. Ricky Halterman, from the 20th Infantry Regiment, prepares to fire a 120 mm illumination round to spot insurgents in Mosul, Iraq. US Army photo.

"He's everything I hoped for and more," said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Pattee after returning to Pope Air Force Base, N.C., from a deployment to Southwest Asia. Stephanie Pattee gave birth to Keefe two months before his return. More than 180 Airmen who supported operations in Afghanistan and Iraq were welcomed home by family and friends at Green Ramp Nov. 2. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cassandra Locke)


by Tech. Sgt. Vicki Johnson
43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

11/6/2006 - POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFPN) -- It was the best present a little girl could hope for when Sarah Beam's daddy arrived back home from a deployment on her 6th birthday.

More than 180 Airmen who supported operations in Afghanistan and Iraq were welcomed home by family and friends at Green Ramp Nov. 2.

Despite the late evening arrival and an early fall cold snap, a crowd of hundreds of family members, comrades and community leaders gathered to welcome the heroes back and pay tribute to their accomplishments.

"Green Ramp has been the launching site for many a warrior; however, it is homecomings like these that create the lasting memories," said Col. Timothy Zadalis, 43rd Airlift Wing commander.

A lot happened while they were gone, not just on the warfront, but also back at home.
Sarah Beam, daughter of Lt. Col. Ched Beam, 41st Airlift Squadron, learned to ride a bicycle.

"It was her special surprise for her dad," said Samantha Beam, her mom. "And his special surprise for her was coming home on her birthday. We are going home to have birthday cake tonight."

Technical Sgt. Joshua Pattee, 43rd Aeromedical Dental Squadron, got a special homecoming of his own. While he was deployed,is wife, Stephanie, gave birth to their fifth child, a boy named Keefe. The proud dad was visibly choked up when he saw his new son for the first time.

"He's everything we had hoped for and more," said Sergeant Pattee. "I'm just so glad to be home."

Captain George Crowley, 41st Airlift Squadron, was able to make it home before the arrival of their third child who is due the end of November.

"I'm just so glad he made it back in time," said his wife Jen.

The homecoming heroes flew more than 2,600 combat sorties and transported 155,000 passengers and nine million pounds of cargo. The airlift missions also included the transport of several international dignitaries, including Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, the United Nations Mission Iraq director to Baghdad and Finland's administrator of defense.

"The returning desert warriors are glad to be home and we're happy to have them back. These men and women have spent the last four months ensuring 40-plus year old aircraft have met every challenge and accomplished every mission. We're proud of what they've achieved, and know that the maintainers who replaced them will do every bit as well," said Chief Master Sgt. Rick McMichael, 43rd Maintenance Group superintendent.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Tony Pemberton greets his daughter Kyra, 4, at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., after returning from deployment to Southwest Asia, Nov. 2, 2006. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassandra Locke

News of Note
Election Day!!
Balance of Power Up For Grabs in House, Senate
Create and Build Your Personal Election Tracker (Fox News)
FNC Poll: Dems Top GOP by 13 Points in Congress Race
Bush to Voters: 'Do Your Duty' - VIDEO
Undecided Voters Possible Key as America Heads to Polls on Election Day
Election countdown - Video
Eye on '08 as 36 states elect governors
Initiatives seen key to some races
Full coverage: U.S. midterm election (Reuters)
Eye on White House race as 36 states elect governors - Video
Bush touts big finish; Dems assail GOP
Stocks steady as voters head to polls
Kerry Gaffe Loses Independents for his Party
Americans Favor Democrats on the Issues

Operation Iraqi Freedom
Saddam Back in Court for 2nd Trial
Saddam Hussein calls for reconciliation
Iran calls for execution of Saddam
Many Oppose Death Penalty for Hussein
57 Iraq Interior Staffers Face Torture Charges
Cost of Taking Fuel to Iraq is Questioned
Marines Want Another Infantry Regiment
American Faces Death Sentence in Iraq

Operation Enduring Freedom
NATO soldier killed in Afghan blast

Homeland Security / War on Terror
U.K. Court Sentences Al Qaeda Plotter to Life
More Bone Fragments Found at WTC Site
British and American hostages freed in Nigeria

Troops on Trial
Marine Pleads Guilty in Iraqi Civilian's Death

Supporting the Troops
Site Helps Airmen Deliver Care Packages

Other Military News
Intrepid no match for Hudson River mud
Freedom Team Competes in NYC Marathon

Mid-East Ceasefire / Hamas Rising / Israel at War
Israeli Forces Pull Out of Gaza Town

Religion of Peace??
Group: Palestinian women often abused

Worldwide Wackos
U.S., S. Korea Meet Ahead of N. Korea Nuke Talks
Cuban official recants Castro assertion

Science / Nature
Floods Prompt Evacuations in Washington State
Washington Declares State of Emergency
New California wildfire erupts day after memorial
California Firefighters Corral Wind-Swept Wildfire
Saturn moon gives clues about early life on Earth
Global warming said threat to world heritage
Orangutans flee Indonesia forest fires
U.S. reaffirms emissions cap opposition
Australian Senate OKs cloning embryos
Fire hits Orlando's Gatorland

Oddities
Burger King Sued for Marijuana-Laced Burgers
Heads up, blue sky thinking can alienate staff
Man ordered to wear "sex offender" T-shirt
Prayer letters go to pastor's daughter

Other News of Note
Rwanda seeks four genocide fugitives from Britain
Vietnam to put 3 U.S. citizens on trial

Fox News
MySpace Eyes Spread to Asia With New Deal
Ohio Fire Kills 4 Children; 2 Others Rescued
Brooks & Dunn Win Big at County Music Awards
Two Texas High School Students Accused of Plotting Attack on School
Something Grrring In The Air

Reuters: Top News
Nokia to roll out TV phone in coming weeks
Film, TV downloads newly available via Xbox 360
Meet a tycoon at finance museum
Feeling Kate Mossed? Try new rhyming slang guide
U.S. experiment uses AIDS to fight AIDS
Jet-lagged mice die young, study finds
New James Bond trades womanizing for love
Cruise, Holmes to marry in castle near Rome: report
Toll Brothers falls 1.9 pct
Cisco shares rise 1 percent
Sara Lee rises 2.8 percent
Oil hovers near $60, OPEC offers support
Wild Oats shares rise after results
Reuters Health Summit
Health firms tap new CEOs to solve woes
Amgen: cancer drug prices under scrutiny
China may hit commods speculation
Verizon near content deal with YouTube: WSJ
Toll sees revenue down on weak home buying
Dean Foods posts profit, finds options errors
Revlon posts third straight quarterly loss
GM says loss was smaller than reported
EchoStar profit falls as subscriber expenses rise

AP World News
Howard homer leads MLB over Japan 7-2
Seahawks sack Raiders 9 times, win 16-0
Microsoft to offer shows on Xbox Live
Manufacturing, construction slip
Auction to include Monroe's pantaloons
Father convicted in genital mutilation
Nelson makes triumphant return to Dallas
Dobson to aid in counseling Haggard
Rangers name longtime A's coach manager

Military.com
Ten Step Guide to Joining the Military
Sign the Veterans' Bill of Rights!
Smiley on Missed 'Firsts'
Gear in the News: RQ-2 Pioneer UAV

CENTCOM: News Releases
TWO TERRORISTS KILLED DURING RAID NEAR BAYJI

IA, MND-B SOLDIERS DETAIN 24 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS

IRAQI SECURITY FORCES CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SECURITY TO FALLUJAH

IRAQI POLICE, ARMY DELIVER FOOD TO AL-BOHEMLA

HUGE WEAPONS CACHE, OTHER EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS FOUND DURING RAIDS

AL-QAEDA TERRORIST CAPTURED NEAR KHOWST

USJFCOM
Planning discussions continue for next multinational experiment
More about Multinational Experiment 5
USJFCOM to participate in Orlando military conference - podcast
U.S., international partners gain knowledge from conference - podcast
Cooperation key for partnerships
International conference discusses current operations
USJFCOM, ACT host 6th CD&E Conference in Greece
USJFCOM takes over Individual Augmentee Program - podcast

Department of Defense
NEWS UPDATES
Iraqi, Coalition Forces Deliver Food - Story
For Top News Visit DefenseLink







ON THE GROUND
Afghan Reconstruction Projects Continue - Story
Coalition Sponsors Chamkani Sports Tournament - Story
Iraqi Army Brigade Receives New Pickup Trucks - Story
Turkey to Open Provincial Reconstruction Team - Story
Iraqi Police Complete Second Phase of Training - Story

IN IRAQ
Soldiers Deliver Supplies to Iraqi Children
Army Corps of Engineers Teach Safety Rules
UAVs Deliver Lifesaving Information to Troops
Marines Ensure Iraqi Police Get Supplies
Action Film Stars Kick Up Morale in Iraq

IN AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Men Test for Military Academy Class
Team Visits Remote Afghans Before Winter
Afghan Interpreters Save Lives, Impart Knowledge
Afghan Leader Visits Kabul Military Training Center

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

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify 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
1631 - Pierre Gassendi observes the transit of Mercury predicted by Kepler.
1775 - Lord Dunmore promises freedom to male slaves who join the British army.
1805 - Lewis & Clark first sight the Pacific Ocean.
1811 - At the Battle of Tippecanoe, Benjamin Harrison gets a presidential slogan ("Tippecanoe and Tyler too!")
1837 - Abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy is murdered by a mob in Alton, IL.
1865 - The London Gazette, the oldest surviving journal, is founded.
1872 - The Mary Celeste sails from NY bound for Genoa; it is found abandoned four weeks later.
1874 - The first cartoon depicting the elephant as the Republican Party symbol, by T. Nast, appears.
1875 - Verney Cameron becomes the first European to cross equatorial Africa.
1876 - Edward Bouchet becomes the first Black to receive a Ph.D. in a U.S. college (Yale); President Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden both claim a presidential victory as the electoral college returns are disputed.
1885 - The Canadian Pacific Railway is completed at Craigellachie.
1916 - Jeannette Rankin (Rep-MT) becomes the first woman Representative; Woodrow Wilson is re-elected as President.
1917 - The British capture Gaza Palestine from the Turks; As the October Revolution (Oct. 26th, O.S.) continues in Russia, Lenin seizes power.
1918 - Goddard demonstrates tube-launched solid propellant rockets; The United Press erroneously reports that a WWI armistice had been signed.
1933 - Pennsylvania voters overturn a blue law, thereby permitting Sunday sports.
1934 - Arthur L. Mitchell becomes the first Black Democratic congressman (IL).
1940 - In Washington State, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge ("Galloping Gertie") collapses.
1942 - FDR becomes the first U.S. President to broadcast in a foreign language (French).
1943 - In the last scoreless tie in the NFL, the Detroit Lions and the NY Giants end their game with nothing on the board.
1944 - FDR wins a fourth term in office.
1951 - The Constitution of Jordan is passed.
1955 - The Baltimore Supreme Court bans segregation in public recreational areas.
1962 - Richard Nixon "quits" politics, stating "You won't have Nixon to kick around."
1966 - Lunar Orbiter-2 is launched by the U.S.
1967 - Carl B. Stokes becomes the first Black mayor of a major city (Cleveland, OH); LBJ signs a bill establishing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
1972 - President Nixon (back in politics), is re-elected.
1983 - A bomb explodes in the U.S. Capitol, causing heavy damage but no injuries.
1984 - The planned STS 51-A launch is scrubbed due to high shear winds.
1985 - Colombian troops end their 27-hour siege of Bogota's Palace of Justice.
1989 - Douglas Wilder becomes the first Black U.S. governor (VA); NYC elects it's first Black mayor (Dinkins), and first female comptroller (Holtzman).
1991 - Magic Johnson announces that he has the HIV virus, retiring from the Lakers.

Birthdays
0994 - Muhammad ibn Hazm, historian / jurist / writer of Islamic Spain
1096 - Herbert R. O'Connor, (Sen-MD) / TV narrator (Crime Syndicated)
1867 - Madame Marie Sklodowska Curie, discoverer of Radium, Nobel Prize winner (1903, 1911)
1876 - Culbert Olson, (Gov-CA)
1879 - Leon Trotsky, Russian Communist theorist, Bolshevik
1888 - Sir Chandrasekhara Raman India, physicist, Nobel Prize winner (1930)
1903 - Konrad Lorenz, zoologist / ethologist / writer, Nobel Prize winner (1973)
1930 - Rudy Boschwitz (Sen-MN)

Passings
1573 - Solomon Luria (Maharshal) talmudic author (Yam Shel Shelomo), dies
1837 - Elijah P. Lovejoy, publisher / abolitionist, murdered by proslavery mob
1962 - Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady
1980 - Steve McQueen , actor (The Great Escape, Bullitt, Papillon)

Reported Missing in Action
1967
Diehl, William Calvin, USAF (OK); F105 shot down, DIC, remains returned March, 1974

Ellis, Leon F., USAF (GA); F4C shot down (w/Fisher), released by DRV March, 1973 – retired as a Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Fisher, Kenneth, USAF (NY); F4C shot down (w/Ellis), released by DRV March, 1973 – retired as a Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

1972
Brown, Robert M., USAF (VA); F111A shot down (pilot, w/Morrissey)

Carroll, John L., USAF (GA); O1 shot down, KIA, body not recovered

Morrissey, Robert D., USAF (NM); F111A shot down (weapons systems officer, w/Brown)