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Tuesday, December 26, 2006


‘Sabers’ Enjoy Holiday Prayer Dinner
Chaplain (Maj.) Douglas Fenton, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, speaks at the 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron’s prayer dinner, Dec. 21. The Soldiers of the “Saber” Battalion gathered at Forward Operating Base Normandy near Muqdadiya, Iraq, to celebrate the holiday season with food, prayer and fellowship. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kenneth Fuller, 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division)

Christmas in the Big Sandbox



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SR# 122506-01
Dec. 25, 2006

Santa Delivers to Baqubah


By Maj. Raul E. Marquez
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

BAQUBAH, Iraq -- Today began like every other day; Soldiers woke up, took care of their personal hygiene, conducted their shift change brief, and went to eat breakfast or began working.

But this was no ordinary day, and the Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, assigned to Task Force Blue at the Governance Center in Baqubah, Iraq, knew that. Today is Christmas, and by the looks of it, Santa did not get shot on his way to the GC!

“We got presents from family, friends, and new friends now,” said Capt. Jason K. Lindegren, supply officer for Task Force Blue, and a native of Alvada, Colo. “I also got a little Soldier figurine that will go with me in every mission from my children; I got gloves that are fire retardant that I can wear on missions; I even got a little Soldier ducky from my in-laws.”

Capt. John Baumann, assistant operations officer for Task Force Blue, a native of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Lindegren’s roommate, said his family sent him sheets for his bed, and his aunt and uncle from Guam sent him gifts and snacks.



Lindegren and Baumann were not the exception this Christmas at the GC. Every Soldier assigned to the GC received a care package sent through an organization called Soldiers Angels, by the Redwood, Calif., Civil Air Patrol, and delivered earlier this morning by Sgt 1st Class David D. McDaniels, Task Force Blue first sergeant, and a native of Spokane, Wash.


McDaniels spread Christmas cheer not only to the Soldiers at the GC, but also to the Iraqi Army Soldiers and Police officers working at the numerous checkpoints guarding the GC.

He said he delivered some thermoses with tea to the IA and IP officers who have been roughing it up to keep the GC safe.

McDaniels, whose family is currently spending Christmas in Disney, Fla., said that under the circumstances, this is the place he would rather spend such an important day -- with his Task Force Blue family.

According to McDaniels, this Christmas is different than his prior deployments because he is assigned to a small compound with such a small amount of personnel rather than a larger base.

He said being here has also allowed him to get closer to every Soldier, since they have to do everything themselves, even during Christmas, unlike on a big Forward Operating Base, where the Morale Welfare and Recreation personnel take care of all the days activities.

“As the Task Force first sergeant, it is my job to try to make this day a special date for the Soldiers,” he said. “To make sure they are not messed with, that they are allowed to do what they want to do. If they want to come and play volley ball, they can do it — they don’t have to though.”

As part of today’s festivities, the dining facility prepared a feast for the Soldiers here; there was turkey, roast beef, glazed ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing — all the food and fixings the Soldiers are accustomed to eating at home, but this time served by the officers and NCOs of Task Force Blue.

Additionally, the movie “A Christmas Story,” was playing throughout the meal.

“It was really good to have the leadership working together to serve and make this a special day for the Soldiers,” said Sgt. Alvin Ponce de Leon, supply sergeant for Task Force Blue, and a native of Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico. “It’s not like the type of Christmas I usually celebrate at home with my wife and kids, but it is still a good Christmas.”

Ponce de Leon’s Christmas presents from his parents and his wife included typical “Puerto Rican” products, candy, and good coffee.

As expressed by most of the Soldiers assigned to the Governance Center – while it wasn’t Christmas at home, this was a good Christmas with their Army family.


*****************************



1st Sgt. Walter Sims, Troop C, 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division first sergeant, poses in a Santa hat he received in the mail, while two other Soldiers open presents in the background. With Christmas closing in, the packages have produced more Christmas lights, trees, and Santa hats than the troop knows what to do with. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Timothy Lawrence, 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SR# 122206-01
Dec. 22, 2006


By 1st Lt. Patrick Stallings
6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

Holiday Cheer Warms ‘Cold Steel’

MUQDADIYAH, Iraq (Dec. 22, 2006) -- On an early Friday morning, Pfc. Jesse Gonzalez prepared his truck at Forward Operating Base Normandy to go out on patrol, and even though he was about to spend the next several hours in harm’s way, he couldn’t help but smile before he left.

“Fridays and Mondays are the best,” said Gonzalez, Troop C, 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.
“We get back from patrol and get to dig through the packages that friends and family send, read the letters they write and share a few laughs about the patrol,” said Gonzalez, a Beaverdam, Wis. native.

“It’s amazing what mail can do for a Soldier,” said 1st Sgt. Walter Sims, who is responsible for the well-being and morale of the Troop C “Cold Steel” Soldiers. “When you come back from a tough mission, it can just turn your day around to find a package with your name on it.”

The Army mail network manages to push an enormous amount of care and concern packages every week. Soldiers receive care packages and letters from friends, family, and even strangers who want to support them.

“The news from home can be tough sometimes,” said 1st Lt. Timothy Lawrence, the Cold Steel executive officer.

“Whenever (my wife) writes me, I feel how worried she really is about every one of us over here, but it’s really important to hold the same piece of paper in my hand that she wrote on,” said Lawrence, a native of Walterville, Md. “It brings a piece of her over here to me.”

Spc. Zachary Kramer, native to Watertown, Wis., said, “I’ve received a few letters and packages from home, but I’ve also been surprised by the generosity of programs such as Operation Interdependence, Operation Support our Troops, and others. They showed me how much the people back home are concerned about us.”

When Troop C received authority over their sector in October, one of the first things they realized was the need for school supplies for the children in the area.
Capt. Kevin Bradley, commander of Cold Steel, posted a message requesting school supplies on the Family Readiness Group Web site.

“The response from our families was immediate; we couldn’t believe how many notebooks, pens, pencils, and other school supplies we received,” said Bradley, a native of Straferd, NJ.

“We couldn’t give the supplies away fast enough to the children in our area of operations,” he said.

The smiles of the children in Diyala showed how significant receiving these supplies really was. Families and friends of Cold Steel showed concerned they were about the troop’s mission.

Recently, the packages have contained more merriment than ever. With Christmas closing in, the packages have produced more Christmas lights, trees, and Santa hats than the troop knows what to do with.


Soldiers from the 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division show off the mail they received at Forward Operating Base Normandy. “It’s amazing what mail can do for a Soldier,” said 1st Sgt. Walter Sims, who is responsible for the well-being and morale of the Troop C “Cold Steel” Soldiers. “When you come back from a tough mission, it can just turn your day around to find a package with your name on it.” (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Timothy Lawrence, 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division)

It’s almost impossible to look anywhere in the “Steel Palace”, the Troop C command post, and not see some hint of the holidays.

1st Lt. Anthony Von Plinsky, from Columbia, SC, said, “It really adds something to being over here. Even though we can’t be with our families, we’ve got each other and we’re making some memories together.”

“We all wish we could be together with our loved ones, but we have a different kind of family while we’re over here, and we make the best of what we’ve got, every day,” he said.

As the Soldiers of Cold Steel get ready to celebrate the holidays, they send their heartfelt thanks to everyone who has played a part in making this holiday season as close to home as possible.


An Iraqi boy holds up a notebook he received from Soldiers of the 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. After realizing the need for school supplies in the local area, the Soldiers’ families sent supplies to be delivered throughout the Diyala province’s schools. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Timothy Lawrence, 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division)

Reufelers keep mission going Christmas Day over Afghanistan
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) -- 'Tis the season for giving and receiving. In the skies over Afghanistan, every day of the year could pass as Christmas Day.Refueling aircraft give up their fuel to the receiving aircraft which carry out the mission of air supremacy and ground support for Operation Enduring Freedom. More

It's 'About' Supporting Our Troops

Kenneth Bradford used to be a guide for About.com. But when they refused to allow him to post a holiday message supporting our troops, he resigned. Here's his story:

Our Military at Christmas:
I am a guide for
About.com and during this holiday season, I thought it would be nice and very appropriate to post the following article on my site. The editors at About.com removed the article, stating that since it was not concerning Business Insurance, they could not allow it. I did my best to explain to the editors that I realized we could not post personal content on the site, but during this one season of the year, I thought it would be nice for the men and women of our armed forces, all over the world to know, publicly, that we appreciate all their sacrifice, whether it be in the topic of "Airplane Repair" or "Zebra Striping".

Here is the article I posted:

Without The Brave, There Would Be No Land Of The Free !
I just wanted to take time out from talking about business insurance and pause for a moment to thank all the brave men and women of our armed forces, who, so unselfishly each day, risk their very lives to see that we might remain free of the attacks from those who would cause us harm. May you all soon safely return home to your friends and family. Thank you for your sacrifice.

As we enjoy this holiday season and the special times we have to spend with our friends and loved ones, we must never forget those who are spending this season in far away lands, not enjoying a baby's first Christmas, a parent's last, or trimming the tree with their first love. On a personal note, my son is spending the holidays in Army basic training and my son-in-law is spending Christmas in Iraq, on his eighth deployment.

To all of you, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season and may the year ahead bring you the enjoyment of life you've only dreamed about.


The above article was censored and deleted from the site by
About.com, what do you think ?

As a result of their actions, I resigned as a guide.
About.com accepted my resignation to be effective January 10, 2007; however, they have already removed my name from the site and have locked me out of the site's administration area, which, except for the "off site" links is all my original work.

A copy of the original article showing exactly how it appeared (except much smaller) is attached.

If you have comments you would like to send to
About.com, here is some contact info:

This article was designed with respect and dignity and all I ask is that you respect the intent by not using any profane language.

Caryn Solly, Senior Editor at
About.com - csolly@about.com

Michael Daecher, Senior Vice President Content & Guide Operations -
miked@about.com

Eric Hanson, Content Development Editor at
About.com - gimail@about.com

About.com is part of the New York Times Company

New York TImes - Executive Editor -
executive-editor@nytimes.com
New York Times - Managing Editor -
managing-editor@nytimes.com

You can also go to any subject at
http://www.about.com and post your comments, if you like.
You can also post comments to the Business Insurance site - just go to
http://businessinsure.about.com and click on the
"Comments" link under any article.

You have my expressed permission to forward this message to everyone in your address book, whether it be - friends, family, church members, local newspaper, or organization members.


Thank you for your time and Happy Holidays.


If you are a present or former member of our armed forces, I extend to you my personal thanks for your service.

Ken Bradford

******************************************

I didn't want to post this without checking a few things out. Indeed, the article has been removed from the About.com site, as has just about anything else concerning Mr. Bradford - not entirely surprising, if he no longer works for them. But what about his claim? I contacted About.com and the New York Times for their comments. Here is the only response I received:

Hi Pam,

Thanks for your question regarding Ken Bradford's article on the U.S. forces serving in Iraq.
Mr. Bradford's article was removed from the Business Insurance GuideSite, pursuant to a longstanding policy which requires content on a GuideSite to directly pertain to that site's focus, which in this particular case is business insurance.


About.com and The New York Times have a strong commitment to our troops in Iraq and the removal of the article was not a reflection on About.com's or The New York Times's position on the War.

In fact, we are publishing information to help our readers support the troops on the About US Military site (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/deploymentsconflicts/a/militarysupport.htm). We are disappointed by Mr. Bradford's resignation over the matter, but wish him the best.

Yours Sincerely,

Michael Daecher
Senior Vice President Content & Guide Operations



******************************************

So what do you think of all this? For my money, in one post a year, it isn't going to compromise About.com's integrity to allow a simple holiday message of support for the troops. Yes, they have a policy, and are entitled to do so. However, allowing a slight modification of that policy, for this type of post, shouldn't be all that difficult. And given their association with the New York Times, doesn't this create an impression of being just one more way the NYT (and everything associated with it) advances its anti-war agenda?

Perhaps I'm just biased where the NYT is involved, but I can't help but wonder...

WEAPONS CACHE — A U.S. Army Soldier with 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, places an explosive forming projectile found in a weapons cache on display for inventory in Al Jabor, Babil province, Iraq, Dec. 19, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Sean A. Foley

In Today's News - Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Quote of the Day
"Among the natural rights of the colonists are these:
first, a right to life; secondly, to liberty; thirdly to property;
together with the right to support and defend them
in the best manner they can."

-- Samuel Adams

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom

British Troops Save 76 Iraqi Prisoners in Raid on Basra Police Station
U.K. Soldiers Watch for Reprisals After Iraq Raid
Brits on alert after blowing up Basra police station
U.S. military deaths in Iraq pass 9/11 toll
Saddam loses appeal: govt official
Camaraderie key for U.S. blacks fighting in Iraq
Parents of slain GIs travel to Iraq

Operation Enduring Freedom
Pakistan Wants Land Mines at Afghan Border

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Israel plans W.Bank homes for Gaza settlers
Israeli spies divided over Syria's peace overtures

Supporting Our Heroes
Bush Makes Christmas Calls to Troops
Bush Touts 'America Supports You'

Other Military News
U.S. Army Hospital Prepares for Baby Boom After Soldiers Return From Iraq

'Tis the Season
Santa’s Helper Delivers Gifts to Foreign Nationals (From MNF Iraq)
An Impromtu Christmas Gift (From CENTCOM)
Grinches Steal $30,000 From Church
Christmas celebrated with call for peace
'Tis season for nearly nude calendars
Retailers slash prices after Christmas

Religion of Peace??
Islamic Forces Retreat in Somalia
Up to 1,000 Islamists dead in Ethiopia offensive: Meles - Video
Israeli spies divided over Syria's peace overtures

Worldwide Wackos
Spanish Doctor Considers Surgery for Castro
U.S. highlights Iran-meddling charge in Iraq

Politics / Government
Schwarzenegger to Have Surgery for Broken Leg
Poor records plague Bush AIDS effort

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News / Watching the Web
Longtime president of CBS dies at 98
MySpace users big targets for ID thieves

Science / Nature
Violent Storms, Heavy Rains Tear Through Florida
Asian Countries Mark Tsunami Anniversary
Silence, tears as Asia remembers 2004 tsunami - Video
Taiwan quake may have triggered tsunami -agency
Japan scientists fail to unfold satellite antenna
Airports, mail carriers busy after storm

Oddities
Prizes for prostitute-free New Year
Repentant thief returns booty in Germany
Personalized bobbleheads getting a nod

Other News of Note
James Brown Was Always Imitated, but Never Surpassed
"Godfather of Soul" James Brown dies at 73 - Video

Fox News
Stocks to Watch: Amylin, Openwave and UTStarcom
Cops: Perv Nabbed Taking Photos Up Teen's Skirt
American Climbers Missing in China for a Month
Oil Pipeline Blast Kills at Least 200 in Nigeria

Reuters: Top News
Indonesia floods recede, at least 100 dead
Turkmen assembly sets February presidential polls
Sri Lanka rebels forced way onto Jordan ship-crew
Innovation, design freshen "Made in Taiwan" tech label
Telik cancer drug fails trials; stock plummets
Circumcision could save money in AIDS-hit Africa
Mary J. Blige the queen of R&B charts in 2006
Gazprom says talks with Belarus fail
China's economy seen growing in '07
Anadarko to sell Louisiana gas fields for $1.6 bln
Innovation, design freshen "Made in Taiwan" tech label
Telik cancer drug fails trials; stock plummets
Russia tax office files suit vs PWC on YUKOS audit
Charles Schwab to buy retirement plan business
Krispy Kreme posts 1st-qtr loss in delayed report
Holders press Caremark to consider Express bid
News Corp has deal with Liberty Media on DirecTV
Indonesia floods recede, at least 100 dead
Turkmen assembly sets February presidential polls

AP World News
Electrical transformer explodes in Colo.
Stocks edge higher in light trading
Jets closer to spot in playoffs with win
24 die in Philippines store fire
Study: Overcoming allergies possible
Eagles take over division, beat Cowboys

Military.com
Blog: Operation Santa Helps Wounded
Defense Tech: Top 20 Posts of '06
Podcast: Truth From Al Anbar
Advisors: Books for Military Kids

CENTCOM: News Releases
MNC-I COMMANDER MEETS WITH TROOPS

AVGANI POLICE FIND CACHE IN TRUCK NEAR SYRIAN BORDER

COALITION FORCES CAPTURES LEADER OF MURDER AND KIDNAPPING CELL NEAR BAGHDAD

COALITION FORCES USE PRECISION MUNITIONS TO STOP IED EMPLACERS

COALITION FORCES KILL THREE INSURGENTS NEAR SAMSIYAH

IP CAPTURES FIVE INSURGENTS SOUTHEAST OF MOSUL

PARATROOPERS FIND MULTIPLE CACHES SOUTH OF BAGHDAD

IRAQI ARMY, COALITION FORCES TARGET INSURGENTS IN TAHRIR

SUICIDE BOMBER ATTACKS IRAQI PEACE OFFICERS

SUSPECTED SENIOR AL-QAIDA WEAPONS DEALER CAPTURED IN BAYJI

PARATROOPERS FIND, DISABLE MULTIPLE-ROUND ROADSIDE BOMB

FIRST TIME IN FOUR DECADES; TWO 2ID BRIGADES CONDUCT OPERATION IN EASTERN BAGHDAD

SECURITY PATROL HIT BY ROADSIDE BOMB

TWO COALITION SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN AL ANBAR

SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS TWO, WOUNDS FIVE AT AL ANBAR UNIVERSITY

IA CAPTURES BOMB CELL MEMBERS NORTH OF MOSUL

16 KIDNAP VICTIMS RESCUED BY IRAQI ARMY

THREE 89TH MILITARY POLICE BRIGADE SOLDIERS KILLED, ONE WOUNDED

IA AND CF REPEL ATTACK DURING RAID ON INSURGENT CELL IN BAQUBAH

IA AND CF ATTACKED DURING PATROL IN BAQUBAH

USJFCOM
USJFCOM gets approval to connect U.S., Australian networks - podcast
USJFCOM’s new super computer to enhance joint experimentation, training - podcast

Department of Defense
NEWS UPDATES
Forces Kill Suspected Insurgents - Story
Stability & Security in Iraq Report (pdf)
For Top News Visit DefenseLink

ON THE GROUND
Chief of Naval Operations Visits USS Boxer - Story
Trainers Tell Gates They're Pleased With Progress - Story
Residents Take Pride in Market Renovations - Story
Soldiers, Mayor Discuss Progress of City Cleanup - Story

IN IRAQ
Iraqi Police, Coalition Forces Deliver Supplies
Najaf Teaching Hospital Nears Completion
Soldiers Work 24/7 to Keep Supplies Flowing
U.S. Army Engineers Help Ramp Up Oil Production

IN AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Officials, U.S. Troops Open Runway
Chief of Chaplains Brings Support to Region
Buccaneers Return from Afghanistan Tour

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
Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Germany
Ansbach Aschaffenburg Berlin Berlin-Tempelhof Berlin/Schonefeld Bremerhaven
Darmstadt Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Freiburg/Breisgau Garmisch
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Geilenkirchen Gelnhausen Giessen Kitzingen
Hanau Am Main Heidelberg MainzMannheim Nurnberg Stuttgart Trier
Wiesbaden Wurzburg

Gitmo

Guam
Agana Agana Heights Agat Andersen AFB Asan Barrigada

Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Japan
Kadena Air Base Okinawa Tokyo Yokohama

Philippines
Baler Radar Site Catanduanes Radar Site Manila

South Korea
Cheju Upper/Radar Chonju Chunchon Inch'on Kunsan Masan Mokp'o Osan
Pusan Seoul Suwon Taegu Taejon Tonghae Radar SiteUlsan Yosu

** If you're deployed, and want to see your location's weather listed here, please email me! **
Today in History
0268 - St Dionysius ends his reign as Catholic Pope
0418 - St Zosimus ends his reign as Catholic Pope
0795 - St Leo III begins his reign as Catholic Pope
1481 - Battle at Westbroek: Dutch army beats Utrecht
1492 - 1st Spanish settlement in New World founded, by Columbus
1568 - Uprising of Morisco's against suppression in Granada
1620 - Pilgrims arrive at Plymouth, MA
1659 - Long Parliament reforms in Westminster
1748 - France & Austria signs treaty about Southern Netherlands
1773 - Expulsion of tea ships from Philadelphia
1776 - Battle of Trenton-major British defeat; George Washington defeats Hessians at Trenton
1799 - George Washington is eulogized by Colonel Henry Lee as "1st in war, 1st in peace & 1st in the hearts of his countrymen"
1805 - France & Austria sign Peace of Pressburg
1809 - English invasionary troop leaves Vlissingen
1813 - Zamose, Modlin, Torgau surrender to allied armies
1825 - Erie Canal opens
1848 - 1st gold seekers arrive in Panamá en route to San Francisco; William & Ellen Craft escape from slavery in Georgia
1854 - Wood-pulp paper 1st exhibited, Buffalo
1860 - Maiden voyage of 1st steamship owned by 1 man (C Vanderbilt); Major Robert Anderson, under cover of darkness, concentrates his small force at Fort Sumter
1862 - 1st US navy hospital ship enters service; 38 Santee Sioux Indians hanged in Mankato MN, due to their uprising; Battle of Dumfries VA
1865 - James H Mason (Massachusetts) patents 1st US coffee percolator
1878 - 1st US store to install electric lights, Philadelphia
1890 - King Mwanga of Uganda signs contract with East Africa Company
1916 - Joseph Joffre becomes marshal of France
1917 - Federal government takes over the operation of American RR for duration of WWI
1926 - Prince-regent Hirohito becomes emperor of Japan
1932 - Earthquake kills 70,000 in Kansu China
1933 - US forswears armed intervention in the Western Hemisphere
1941 - Winston Churchill becomes 1st British PM to address a joint meeting of Congress, warning that the Axis would "stop at nothing"
1943 - British sink German battle cruiser Scharnhorst
1944 - Battle of Bastogne-US General Patton's 4th Pantzers repulse the Germans; Budapest surrounded by soviet army
1946 - Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas opens (start of an era)
1947 - British transfer Heard & McDonald Islands (Indian Ocean) to Australia; Heavy snow blankets Northeast, buries NYC under 25.8" of snow in 16 hours; That same day, Los Angeles set a record high of 84º F
1963 - US furnishes cereal to USSR
1966 - Maulana Karenga establishes the Kwanzaa (1st fruits of harvest) holiday
1968 - Arab terrorists in Athens fire on El Al plane, killing 1
1973 - 2 Skylab 3 astronauts walk in space for a record 7 hours; Soyuz 13 returns to Earth; "The Exorcist", starring Linda Blair & rated X, premieres
1975 - 1st supersonic transport service (USSR-Tupolev-144)
1978 - India's former PM, Indira Gandhi, released from jail
1982 - TIME's Man of the Year is a computer
1986 - Hijackers take over an Iraqi Airways Boeing 737 with 91 people on board during a flight from Baghdad to Amman - it lands in Arar, Saudi Arabia where it explodes, killing 62 people.
1991 - Jack Ruby's gun sells for $220,000 in auction; Militant Sikhs kill 55 & wound 70 in India
1993 - Antonov-26 crashes at Gyumri, Armenia, 36 killed
1994 - French commando's terminate Air France hijacking in Marseille

Birthdays
1194 - Frederick II Iesi Italy, German Emperor (1212-1250)/King of Sicily
1618 - Elisabeth Paltsgravin of Rhine/abbess
1738 - Thomas Nelson, merchant, signer of the Declaration of Independence
1770 - Pierre, earl de Cambronne French general (Waterloo, Elba)
1809 - William Nelson Pendleton, Confederate Brigadier-General
1815 - Israel Bush Richardson, Union Major General
1820 - Gustavus Adolphus Smith, Union Brigadier-General
1824 - Augustus Louis Chetlain, Union Major General
1837 - Admiral George Dewey, American naval hero of Manila
1886 - Gyula Gömbös von Jákfa, general/dictator of Hungary (1932-35)
1893 - Mao Tse-tung of little red book fame, PM of China People's Republic (1949-76)
1921 - Steve Allen, comedian/TV host (Tonight Show, Steve Allen Show)
1939 - Lynn Martin, US Secretary of Labor (1991-93)
1942 - Marco Vinicio Cerezo Arévalo, President of Guatemala (1986-91)
1953 - Valeri Yuriyevich Sharov, Russian cosmonaut

Passings
0267 - Dionysius, bishop of Rome/saint, dies
1476 - Galeazzo Maria Sforza, duke of Milan, murdered
1530 - Zahir al-Din Mohammed Babur Shah, founder Mogols-dynasty, dies at 47
1740 - Mauritius Louis II, earl of Nassau, Lieutenant-General
1776 - Johann Gottlieb Rall, Hessian colonel/mercenary, dies in battle
1797 - John Wilkes, English journalist/Higher/Lower house leader, dies at 72
1861 - Philip St. George Cocke, Confederate Brigadier-General, commits suicide at 52
1862 - 38 Santee Sioux Indians hanged in Mankato
1866 - Samuel Ryan Curtis, Union General-Major, dies at 49
1942 - Bosinier de la Chapelle, French murderer of Admiral Darlan, executed at 24
1972 - Harry Truman, 33rd US President, dies in Kansas City MO at 88
1973 - Harold B. Lee, US head of Mormon Church, dies at 74
1974 - Jack Benny, comedian (Jack Benny Show), dies at 80
1976 - Philip A. Hart (Senator-MI), dies at 64
1992 - John G. Kemeny, US computer pioneer (BASIC), dies
1997 - John Whitley, air-Marshal, dies at 92

Reported Missing in Action
1961
Fryett, George Frederick, US Army (CA); released June, 1962 - alive as of 1998

1969
Trowbridge, Dustin C., USNR (IL); A6A crashed, Killed, body not recovered

1971
Guenther, Lynn, USAF (OR); rOV10A shot down, released by DRV February, 1973 (injured) - retired as a Colonel - alive as of 1998

Koons, Dale F., USAF (OH); F4D shot down (w/Stolz) - remains returned January, 1990

Stolz, Lawrence G., USAF (IN); F4D shot down (w/Koons) - remains returned January, 1990

1972
The following USAF personnel lost when their B52G was shot down:
Cook, James R. (NC); released by DRV February, 1973 - released by DRV (injured) - retired as a Senior Master Sergeant - alive and well as of 1998

Hudson, Robert M. (KS); released by DRV February, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998

LaBeau, Michael M. (MI); released by DRV February, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998

Morris, Robert J., Jr., (MO); pilot, remains returned by SRV September, 1977

Vavroch, Duane P., (IA); released by DRV February, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998

Wimbrow, Nutter J., (MD); remains returned by SRV September, 1977

nocashfortrash.org