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Friday, June 27, 2008

Home-Front Support is Key to Success, Soldier Says

From America Supports You:

By Jamie Findlater
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2008 - Support from their fellow citizens is vital to the success of servicemembers fighting the war on terror, a soldier who earned the Bronze Star Medal in Iraq said today.

“Support means everything,” Army Staff Sgt. John Aughtman saidin an interview on the “ASY Live” program on BlogTalkRadio. “A letter, a care package, a telephone call, a visit, a blanket -- anything means everything.”

“ASY Live” is part of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
As a squad leader, Aughtman earned the Bronze Star Medal for his leadership after an attack in Tikrit. He cared for his soldiers and led them to safety before taking care of his own injuries. He has served three combat deployments, and plans to go back.

“I’ve had some good times and bad times, and I can’t wait to get back in,” he said.

Aughtman talked about his time being deployed before his injury, and emphasized the importance of support organizations that helped to keep him connected to what was going on back home.

“The home-front groups go above and beyond, doing great things for us,” he said. “It may not be a lot, but it is something when they are far away from home.”

In particular, Aughtman said, care packages, letters from people around the country and notes from elementary school children really warmed his heart. “They would send care packages and movies around the holidays – it kind of warms you up when you get something like that and have been deployed for awhile,” he said.

On April 22 2007, the day he was injured, Aughtman was on a routine patrol returning to his forward operating base when his vehicle was struck by a grenade. He was knocked unconscious for about a minute and a half.

“When I woke up,” he said, “I started testing the other soldiers for injuries, and I found that one soldier had shrapnel wounds to about 90 percent of his right leg and one soldier had internal injuries.” Without hesitation, Aughtman treated the soldier with the shrapnel wounds and kept the other soldier conscious before deciding to get back to the forward operating base on a “self-medevac” to get attention for his own injuries.

Although many would agree that Aughtman is a hero, he doesn’t view himself that way. “I am just doing my job and doing what I am supposed to do. … The men to your left and right are going to do anything and everything to help you out as long as you do the same,” he said. “I lost a friend in Iraq. “He paid the ultimate sacrifice and is a true hero.”

While recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here, Aughtman received a wide variety of care and support that he credits with assisting in his speedy recovery.

“I received blankets clothes, money, letters everything you think you would need while you are in the hospital,” he explained. “One group gave us a credit card to buy clothes, because we didn’t have any when we had to self-medevac. Another group gave me a handmade quilt that is very nice and warm.

“The thing that stands out the most,” he continued, “were the people at Walter Reed. They came around every day to check on me and talk to me and see how I was doing. They were just there to talk and make the experience a little better.”

To support groups that work tirelessly to provide for servicemembers, Aughtman had words of encouragement to offer. “Continue your support, and don’t forget about us,” he said.

(Jamie Findlater, host of “ASY Live,” works in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)

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PHILIPPINES WATER RUSH - U.S. Navy personnel, members of the Philippines armed forces and civilians unload bottles of water from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, Aklan, Philippines, June 26, 2008. The supplies will be distributed throughout devastated areas caused by Typhoon Fengshen. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joe Painter

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In Today's News - Friday, June 27, 2008

Quote of the Day
"We are quite confident that the Iranians,
through their covert special operations forces,
are providing weapons, [improvised explosives device] technology,
and training to Shiia extremists groups in Iraq.
They are using surrogates to conduct terrorist operations in Iraq,
both against us and against the Iraqi people.
It is decidedly unhelpful."

--Gen. George W. Casey Jr., June 2006

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Congress passes new Iraq war funds
U.S. handover of Iraqi province delayed - Video

Operation Enduring Freedom
Four U.S. coalition soldiers dead in Afghan attacks

Fallen Heroes
Autopsy Awaited in 'Suspicious' Pregnant Soldier Death
Md. mom uses son's Iraq death to help change law
Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Death of Vacaville Soldier

Other Military News
Elite U.S. Army academy lures kids with mud and duty - Video

Worldwide Wackos
North Korea Implodes Reactor's Cooling Tower - PHOTOS
Beneficial ties - Video
Slideshow: Inside North Korea
Long road from "rogue" status
Factbox: Media mixed on response

Politics / Government
McCain's $300M Could Fund Norway
Obama Courts Clinton Backers, Tries to Expand Battlefield
Obama Cuts Clinton a $4,600 Personal Check
FOX FORUM: Why Not a McCain-Powell Ticket?
Mending fences - Video
McCain takes aim at Obama
Blog: Faith conference on politics
Treasury's Paulson to meet with ECB's Trichet
Slideshow: The people of Chad
Blog: Caught in a rebel offensive
Tsvangirai says Zimbabweans being forced to vote - Video
Ensuring Independent Judiciary Key Challenge for Pakistan

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
Child Rape Victim Allowed Abortion
Mom Killed in Front of Daughter at YMCA, Police Hunt Gunman
Police: Ohio man accused of stalking teen singers
Officers test laser speed guns to bolster cases
Gun ban ruling has Chicago thinking it's next
Attorney who took on big tobacco faces sentencing
Cars Slow to Watch as Teens Beat Homeless Man to Death
Texas Teen Faces Capital Murder Charges in Bathroom Death of Her Newborn
N.Ireland court acquits men over McCartney murder
Oracle damages in SAP case could top $1 bln: filing

U.N. News
U.S. says to consult U.N. over next steps on Zimbabwe
UN Agency Concerned Over Refugee Return to Laos From Thailand

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News / Watching the Web
Bill Gates says does not think Yahoo deal likely: report
Legg manager unsure if will support Icahn vs Yahoo
He said, she said

Science / Medicine and Health / Technology
Phoenix Lander Finds Right Conditions for Life on Mars - PHOTO ESSAY
STDs Run Rampant at Pa. School District, CDC Steps In
Doctor Gave Son Growth Hormone to Avoid Bullying
Baby Who Fell Into River Dies, Comes Back to Life
Japanese students schooled with Nintendo - Video
Quarter of EU homes use mobile phones only: survey
LA gas station gets hydrogen fuel pump
Gates moves on, but Microsoft keeps 'quests' alive

Mother Nature
Report: North Pole May Be Ice-Free This Summer
California Blaze Rages Toward Big Sur - PHOTOS
Strong 6.7 Earthquake Shakes Indian Islands
Missouri levee breaks as flooding continues
North America's 1st carbon tax rolls out under fire
Whales lose, Japan wins as whaling meet ends
Blair urges G8 2050 climate pact - Video
Winners and losers in Australian climate change
Video: Pandas saved from China quake zone
Officials hope sandbags will save eastern Mo. town

News from My Neck of the Woods
Divers Join Desperate Search - VIDEO
Scrape damages Taiwan plane in New York, none hurt

Oddities
Manure thief falls into dung, flees naked
Union anger at "Dickensian" toilet policy
"Brothel bus" makes last stop in Miami Beach
Woman's 'Wing House' takes flight in Malibu
German man torches car to protest high gas prices

Other News of Note
Flames Engulf San Diego Eatery Featured in 'Top Gun'

Fox News
FOXBusiness: Oil Roars to Record Above $141
Will Smith's $150 Million Disaster
FOXSexpert: The Joys of Summer Sex
Report: Madonna Seeking Legal Advice for Divorce From Ritchie

Reuters
Toxic pesticide on Philippine ferry halts search
Pain all around - Video
Oil jumps to record above $142
Factbox: Global oil shocks
July 4 travel seen down
Record oil divides majors, producers
Full Coverage: Oil in Spotlight
Inflation and job losses keep consumers glum
Global M&A drops 35 percent to $1.6 trillion: Thomson
Wall St drops on record oil, bank worry - Video
Deal or no deal?
Goldman top of the table
Merrill falls to No. 8
Global Finance:Trampling growth
Personal Finance:Sending your money abroad
Global Finance:Investment unmasked
Merrill may write down $5.4 billion in Q2: Lehman
Anheuser-Busch lays out plan after rejecting InBev
KB Home posts deeper loss
Consumer spending jumps as stimulus checks land
Fed mulled risks from dealer window, minutes show
U.S. M&A slumps, but strategic deals help fill void
Continental says no concrete talks with suitors
Barclays may need 9 billion pounds more in capital: Citigroup
Lennox, Winehouse to sing at Mandela birthday gig
George Michael keeps the faith at L.A. concert
Emmy organizers unveil top 10 comedies, dramas
Weekend box office will be off the "WALL-E"
Top 10 unusual places to stay
Dutch coffee shop owners relaxed over smoking ban
Thomas lifts Tigers to win over Cardinals
Excellent tournament set for gripping finale
Federer sails into second week
Bulgaria withdraws weightlifters over doping

Associated Press
After-tax incomes and spending show big gains
Poll: Math, yes; standardized tests, maybe
Rose, Beasley, Mayo go 1-2-3 in NBA draft
Paris Hilton donates to LA's Childrens Hospital
Global stocks slip after Wall Street Plunge
Wolves trade Mayo to Memphis for Love

News Blaze
MND-B Soldiers Detain 3 Suspected Criminals in Overnight Operations
Ironhorse Tracker Radio Newscast Available
Soldiers' Angels and Patriot Guard
Iraq News
Operations in Iraq
FOB Warhorse Memorial Photos
Videos

CENTCOM
Attacks in Iraq down 80 percent from last year
Iraqi soldiers seize weapons in Sadr City
Troops offer medical care to Iraqis
American blood saving Iraqi lives
Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone service center opens

USJFCOM
USJFCOM commander stresses the need to improvise
Read Day 1's liveblog - Read Day 2's liveblog - Read Day 3's liveblog
ACC commander addresses dominance, relevance and readiness at Joint Warfighting Conference
Metz says IEDs being used strategically against U.S. forces
U.S. Southern Command commander stresses importance of ideas
USJFCOM deputy commander kicks off 2008 Joint Warfighting Conference

Multi-National Force - Iraq
Michigan Guard Members help Safeguard Reconstruction Efforts
Iraqi Security Forces Continue to Clear Amarah of Munitions
U.S. Soldiers Detain Key Criminal Leader
Iraqi Army, Coalition Troops Provide Medical Care at School
Al-Qaeda in Iraq networks suffer losses
Al-Qaeda “emir” of Mosul identified
Al-Qaeda networks keep decaying
Coalition forces celebrate transfer of 1,000 humvees to Iraqi Security Forces
MND-B Soldiers detain 3 suspected criminals in overnight operations (Baghdad)
Electrical sub-station powers up in Basra

DefenseLink
TOP NEWS
Gates Welcomes Pakistan’s Pledge for Afghan Border
Joint Chiefs Pave Way to Transition

IRAQ NEWS
Largest Public Works Substation Opens
Officials Identify Killed al-Qaida Leader
Iraqi Forces Progress in Driving Out Militias
Coalition Kills Terrorist Leader

AFGHANISTAN NEWS

Civil Affairs Projects Help Rebuild District
NFL Coach Visits Troops in Afghanistan
Coalition Air Strike Kills Insurgents

MILITARY NEWS

Army Speeds Delivery of Future Technologies
Guard Battles Midwest Flooding, California Fires
Supreme Court to Review Sonar Case
Aptitude Test Helps Students Find Strengths, Skills

REFLECTIONS

Berlin Airlift Veterans Return for Anniversary - Special
Sixtieth Anniversary Evokes Memories of Berlin Airlift
Child of Berlin Airlift Shares Story, Memories

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU

Elmo to Help Kids Cope

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 Mainz Mannheim 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

Today in History
1847
- NYC and Boston are first linked by telegraph wires.
1862 - Day 3 of the 7 Days - Battle of Gaines' Mill.
1864 - Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
1929 - NYC sees the first demonstration of a color TV.
1934 - Federal Savings & Loan Association is created.
1942 - The FBI captures eight Nazi saboteurs from a sub off the coast of Long Island.
1944 - The Allies capture Cherbourg, France.
1950 - The UN Security Council calls on members to send troops to aid South Korea; President Truman orders the Air Force and Navy into Korea; the U.S. sends 35 military advisors to South Vietnam.
1954 - Near Moscow, the first atomic power station opens; CIA-sponsored rebels overthrow the government of Guatemala.
1962 - NASA civilian pilot Joseph Walker takes the X-15 to 6,606 kph, 37,700 m.
1963 - USAF Major Robert A. Rushworth reaches 86,900 m in the X-15.
1973 - John W. Dean testifies in front of the Watergate Committee.
1977 - A 5-4 Supreme Court decision allows lawyers to advertise.
1978 - Soyuz 30 carries two cosmonauts to the Salyut 6 space station; the first oceanographic satellite, the U.S. Seasat 1, is launched into polar orbit.
1982 - The fourth Space Shuttle Mission (Columbia 4) launches.
1983 - NASA launches the space vehicle S-205; the Soyuz T-9 carries two cosmonauts to the Salyut 7 space station.
1984 - The Supreme Court ends the NCAA monopoly on college football telecasts.
1986 - The U.S. informs New Zealand it will not defend it against attack; the World Court rules U.S. aid to Nicaraguan contras illegal.
1987 - Supreme Court Justice Powell retires

Birthdays
1462 - King Louis XII (the Just) of France
1550 - King Charles IX of France
1682 - King Charles XII of Sweden
1880 - Helen Keller blind-deaf author/lecturer
1900 - Otto E. Passman (Rep-LA,)
1927 - Bob Keeshan (aka Capt Kangaroo/Clarabelle the Clown)
1937 - Joseph P. Allen IV, Ph. D. /astronaut (STS-5, STS 51A)
1938 - Bruce E. Babbitt (Gov-AL)
1951 - Sidney M. Gutierrez, Major USAF/astronaut (STS 40)

Passings
1829
- James Smithson, whose will established the Smithsonian Institute

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Jackson, Carl E., USAF (LA); C123 shot down; KIA, body not recovered

Roth, Billie L., USAF (IL); C123 shot down; KIA, body not recovered

1966
Smith, Gene A., USN (UT); A4E shot down; remains returned March, 1989

1968
Giammerino, Vincent F., US Army (NY); disappeared while on patrol

1969
Jablonski, Michael J., US Army (IL); drowned in river while on patrol, body not recovered
1972
Baker, David E., USAF (NY); O2A shot down, released by PRG February, 1973, retired as a Brig. General - alive and well as of 1998 - *** Veteran of Desert Storm (F-15E)***

Cerak, John P., USAF (NJ); F4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998

Dingee, David B., USAF (CT); F4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973, retired as a Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Francis, Richard L., USAF (OK); F4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973, retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Hanton, Thomas J., USAF (CA); F4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998 - *** Veteran of Desert Storm (AWACS / EC-130H) ***

McDow, Richard H., USAF (AL); F4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973, retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive and well as of 1998 ***Veteran of Desert Storm (A-10) ***

Sullivan, Farrell J., USAF (TX); F4E shot down, remains returned June, 1983

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