The dedication and devotion of military spouses, is what keeps the men and women serving in our country’s Armed Forces going, as they face deployments, and spend countless days, sometimes months, away from their families, as they prepare for deployments. The military spouse is a special breed of man or woman, who is willing to so whatever is necessary to support their spouse throughout their career in the military. That can and often does include learning to run their entire household single-handedly, being both a mother and a father to their children and ensuring that their Soldier has their support during deployments. Their job is not an easy one.

Military spouses, the men and women who stand behind our servicemembers, are the backbone of our military. Without them to keep things going, while their servicemember is away, our Troops would be much less “mission ready.” They ensure that our Troops are able to conduct their missions, without worry about things going on at home, because they know that things are in good hands while they’re away. It’s only fitting that the military has recognized this asset and set aside the Friday before Mother’s Day to honor our military spouses. I just wanted to take a moment to say to all military spouses, Thank You for your service to our country. Your are a necessary part of our military. A part that doesn’t often get the recognition that is deserved. We appreciate you and salute you!

In the US, we’re used to being able to go attend various events, such as concerts, Broadway plays and comedy shows and we really don’t ever give it a second thought. As long as we have the money to afford the tickets, we’re free to attend any of these events and rarely worry about anything, except having a good time and enjoying ourselves. It’s not been that way in Iraq or Afghanistan for many years, but because of increased security, that’s slowly changing.

In the Iraqi province of Wasit, on May 4th, citizens were treated to the first comedic play since 2003. The actors from the popular Iraqi sitcom “Mud House” performed the play entitled “People to People” which portrayed Iraqi life from a comedic standpoint. The play was meant to not only entertain the audience, but to give the hope and optimim about the future.

Approximately 1,500 people filled the Municipality Hall located in Kut to watch the play. The play was sponsored by the US State Department in conjunction with the US Army’s 214th Fires Brigade and the Iraqi police. Officials estimated that another 3,000 people were waiting outside the theater.

“The large turnout was a positive indicator of Wasit’s desire for a return to normalcy,” said Vanessa Beary, public diplomacy officer for the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team.

According to Col. Peter Baker of the 214th Fires Brigade, the local citizens really enjoyed the show. “It was impossible not to be caught up with the audience’s laughtr,” he said. “It was a very light and joyful mood.”

As is occurring, more and more often in Iraq, Iraqi security forces handled security for the event. This highlighted the big step they’ve taken forward in ensuring the security and safety of the citizens. The large turnout showed the the community trusted the security forces to ensure heir safety. According to Baker, the Iraqi security forces remained alert and conscious of the opportunity for problems to arise, due to the vast number of people gathering for the event. Due to the large turnout on May 4th, the actors chose to perform an encore performance on May 5th.

This is yet another indication of the great strides that are taking place, whether the media wishes to acknowledge it or not. While we realize that a lot of work still needs to be done, to ensure the security and safety of the country of Iraq and it’s citizens, each event such as this, is another step in the right direction.

Defenselink

The month of May, is a month that is dedicated to our Troops. To the men and women who serve our country proudly in the nations Armed Forces and to those who have served our country in the past. It’s only fitting that May should be the month to show our appreciation to our Troops, with so many significant days and historical military events throughout the month.

Did you know that May 1st is Loyalty Day? A day that has been set aside for all of us, to reaffirm our dedication and loyalty to our country, the United States of America and a day for recognizing the heritage behind the freedoms that we enjoy. May 8th is V.E. Day. V.E. Day is a historical day. that marks the formal celebration of the Allies victory in Europe during World War II.

Since 1984, Military Spouses have been honored on the Friday before Mother’s Day with Military Spouse Appreciation Day. It’s only fitting, when honoring our Troops, that we honor the men and women who stand behind them and support them; the Military Spouses. They too serve, by keeping things going at home and playing the role of both parents to their children, when their Soldier is deployed.

The month continues, with May 10th beginning Armed Forces Week, which continues through Sunday May 18th, the day after Armed Forces Day which is May 17th. The first observation of Armed Forces Day was in 1950, celebrate with parades, open houses, receptions and air shows. This day marks the unification of the Armed Forces under one deparment, the Department of Defense.

May ends with a very special day of rememberance; Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a day in which we remember those who have died in service to our country. Memorial Day is now celebrated on the last Monday of May, with it being celebrated on May 26th this year. The very first Memorial Day was held in 1868 on May 30th of that year. In 1971, Congress passed the National Holiday Act of 1971, changing the date to the last Monday of the month of May.

Unfortunately, many Americans don’t realize the significance of Memorial Day. Instead, they look on Memorial Day as the start of the summer, the first 3 day weekend that starts the summer season. Often, instead of paying tribute to the Heroes of the past for their service, Americans head to the lake with a cooler full of beer and consider it another day to party.

The first National Military Appreciation Month was designated by Congress in 1999. The month was designated as such, to encourage Americans to focus on the important, significant and historical impact that our Military has played in our Country, throughout it’s existence. It also provides a time that people can give thanks to those who are serving and those who have served.

So, I challenge each of you to find some way that you can support our Military and show your appreciation for them. Proudly fly your flag in front of your home, take the time out of your day to say “Thanks for your service” to a military member or veteran. Take the time to say “Thanks” as well to that military wife or husband, who’s spouse is deployed. It’s so easy to do and just takes a few minutes of your time. If you’d like more information about National Military Appreciation Month, please visit the National Military Appreciation Month website.

In the warzones of Iraq and Afghanistan, there are thousands of civilian workers, whose job it is to provide services and support for the Troops. Sometimes, those civilians place themselves in grave danger to do their work. Often, we never hear about these people and the important jobs that they do in the midst of danger.

At LSA Anaconda, located in Balad Iraq, a husband and wife team, Brad and Giray Jones and their canine counterparts, who work for K-9 Associates International, face those dangers every day. For Giray, the most dangerous part of her day is when Timer, her dog, squats. That means that he’s discovered explosives. Giray and Brad and their dogs Timer and Gromett, have traveled throughout Iraq with 1st Armored Division and 1st Calvary Divisions, in the past. They are currently at LSA Anaconda with 81st Brigade Combat Team to search for explosives and assist in the capture of terrorists.

“The way we look at it, these dogs have actually saved lives,” Brad said. “They’ve found munitions and stuff that were going to be used against people. They put people in jail who were bad guys, who would have gone out and hurt more people.”

Brad and Giray have been married for 10 years, having met during a case in which they were searching for a missing boy. Both have years of dog-handling experience and both have law enforcement backgrounds as well. Brad’s experience was in planning a K-9 unit for a police department and Giray began her work, in search and rescue. Due to the nature of their jobs, they don’t get the luxury of spending a lot of time together. They were able to spend their 10th wedding anniversary together, the first one they’ve been able to, while they were they were on the plane headed to Iraq. They said it is the best part of their jobs in Iraq; being able to be together and being able to work side by side. Their jobs in Iraq, involve more dangerous cases and utilize the olfactory senses of hte dogs, such as smelling for explosives and drugs.

“The dogs are sensitive enough that they pick up on where there were explosives,” said Brad. “If someone has been carrying explosives, the dogs will sometimes pick up on that. Even if they don’t find any, military intelligence will question the person and get good information out of them.”

Through their work, they’ve been involved in discovery of large amounts of explosives and dangerous items. Using the dogs, represents a show of force and in many cases are intimidating to people, who might be intent on attacking the base. The dogs also provide a deterrent to people entering the gates, who might otherwise attempt to do something to endanger Troops. While they work closely around persons entering the gates of LSA Anaconda, they don’t directly search people. Instead they search bags and cargo in vehicle.

“In the morning, I go over and search personnel, bags and suitcases with Timer,” Giray said. “Once I get through, I help Brad with vehicles.”

When performing their work, Brad and Giray have to be ever sensitive to cultural differences. Often people entering the area, may be transporting food in their vehicles. The owners often are concerned that the dogs are going to eat their food. However, the dogs are trained not to eat any food that isn’t given to them by Brad and Giray. Due to the nature of the dog, Brad and Giray are directly in harms way. It’s a job that they take seriously, and concentrate on watching the clues and hints that they dogs give them.

“Because of the nature of the job, the danger is to be expected. We’re there to locate it first so a larger number of people aren’t involved,” Giray said.

“We depend on Soldiers to watch our backs while we’re out there,” Brad said.

“We appreciate the support from the armed services that we get,” Giray said. “We just can’t thank those guys enough for their support on what the dogs do and also for their support on our safety. It makes our job a lot easier.”

Fort Hood “Why We Serve”

We’ve often heard from protesters that our Troops are not accomplishing much in Iraq and that the Iraqi people are worse off than they were, before our Troops toppled Saddam’s reign of horror. We’ve made sure to show the things that our Troops are accomplishing in Iraq, to show a side that the media, for the most part, has completely ignored. The rebuilding of communities, the increased safety for residences and the provision of medical services for the people, who may not have had those things in the past.

Recently, in the village of Chalabi, residents of this village, which is located about 25 kilometers southeast of Baghdad, are returning to reclaim their homes, after being forced to abandon their homes by al-Qaeda and Iraq extremists, over a year ago. The 120 villagers were excorted by Sons of Iraq leader Jumah al-Kazarji and Soldiers from the 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. A large convoy of cars and trucks ushered the villages back to their abandoned village. Reclaiming their homes signaled what they hope is the beginning of a new era in their village … one of peace and security.

The village used to contain a population of over 2000 people. The village consisted of a Shia tribe in a Sunni-dominated area. Because of this, the Chalabis of the Sayafiyah region were prime targets for al-Qaeda and other Sunni insurgents. They were driven from their homes about 18 months ago. When that occurred, the villagers were forced to leave behind their farms, animals, equipment, seeds and fertilizer that they had stored for the upcoming planting seasons. The village became a virtual ghost town. Empty homes fell into a state of disrepair, irrigation ditches dried up, as they fled from the violence wreaked upon them by the insurgents.

The region has become more peaceful and stable and the Chalabis are finally able to make the first steps towards returning to their village and rebuilding their lives. Those that have already returned are ready to repair homes and farms. In the coming weeks, they’ll begin to bring their families back home, as well.

While returning to their village is a huge first step, much needs to be accomplished before their lives can return to their normal existence. Essential services, such as water and power must be restored, as well as the repairs to the buildings and property. This first step is the first time in many years that the villagers felt that there was hope of rebuilding their lives in a stable environment. Hope that was brought to them, because of the work of US forces and their Iraqi counterparts.

MNF-Iraq

Life in the military can mean frequent moves. For schoolchildren that can prove to be difficult, moving from one school to another, from state to state. Often the children find that their new school, is perhaps ahead or behind their previous school. With children in High School, sometimes credits that they received at one school, may not transfer to the new school. Recently, two states, Kansas and Kentucky signed a compact to ensure that the transition for military schoolchildren would be an easier one.

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius hosted a ceremonial signing on April 19th, of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. This will allow smoother school transfers, between schools in Kentucky and Kansas. Currently the compact is being considered by 24 other states. If at least 10 of those states ratify the bill, it will become a relatity. Legislatures in 14 states already have bills submitted in one or both of their chambers.

“There are many states and many people in those states who have no idea of the stress and strains on military Families,” said General William B. Caldwell, commanding general of the US Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth. “They don’t even understand the challenges they have moving from school to school, because they have not been faced with that.”

When my oldest son was a freshman in High School, we were living in Colorado and moved back to Kansas in the middle of the school year. We discovered, that some of the credits he had earned in Colorado, didn’t transfer to the school in Kansas. That makes it more difficult for the children to remain on par with their classmates, causing them to often attend summer school in order to have enough credits for graduation. Military kids face this challenge more often than most children, due to their military family member being transferred to different bases throughout their career. This compact will make it much easier for these children.

The compact was developed by the Council of State Governments, educational experts and the Department of Defense. It was designed to address the common problems that affect military students, as a result of the frequent moves and deployments, that are part of being a military family member. The states who agree to work collectively with other compact states, create a uniform standard of practice, which will include the transfer of records, course placement, graduation requirements, redundant or missing testing, entrance age variations and other issues that come up involving transition. The compact signed by Kansas Governor Sebelius was signed on April 9th and Kentucky Governor State Beshar followed suit the following day.

During the ceremony on April 19th, General Caldwell explained that for most American students, their education remains fairly consistent, with most students living in the same school district throughout their time in school. In contrast, military Families move 6 to 10 times between when their children enter elementary school, until they graduate from High School.

Caldwell believes that awareness is the key to the issue: “… I believe that if Americans know what military Families are faced with, and how challenging it is for them to pick up and go to another state … that they will want to help and be a part of this, and they’ll want to energize their lawmakers to pass legislation that will, in fact, support the military Families…”

The signing of the compact between Kansas and Kentucky had greater significance, because it coincided with April being the “Month of the Military Child.” This legislation also ties in with the new legislation and the Army Family Covenant, as well as the Army Community Covenant, which is the Army making a commitment to those Americans who have taken the oath to serve our nation in the military. Part of giving back to those who are willing to serve, is ensuring that their quality of life is the best. At most military installations, only a percentage of military families live in on-post housing with the remainder living in the surrounding communities. As installations continue to grow, so does the number of military families living in the community. It only makes sense for the military to partner with the states and local communities to ensure that quality of life for the servicemembers and their families.

“So our partners off post are in this with us to provide quality of life commensurate with their service. This community covenant is precisely what’s needed to ’round the circle’ so to speak, so that all of us who are understanding we are a nation at war with an Army at war — so we’re all here to support those who are serving,” said Major General Robert Durbin, commanding general of 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kansas.

This is a great start and hopefully more states will join Kansas and Kentucky, in ensuring that military school children are able to transition between schools easier, when their parents are transferred to other installations.

Army.mil

Care for our Soldiers and Veterans after deployments to warzones is something that I follow closely here at ASM. It’s something that I deal with daily in my job, and it’s something that the military and Department of Veterans Affairs is working hard on, to ensure that our Troops who return with injuries, visible or invisible, are receiving the best care possible. Due to advances in medical science, more and more Troops are surviving injuries, that even in the Viet Nam era, they might not. Along with the physical wounds, are often mental health concerns that need to be addressed as well.

After many months of news reports and subsequent congressional hearings showing that gaps continue in mental health care for Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Friday that it will be allocating an additional $2 million to the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. One of the big roadblocks in treating our Troops who suffer from PTSD is overcoming the stigma that still remains surrounding a Soldier or Veteran seeking mental health help. Many of our Troops, still feel that if they ask for help, that their leaders will consider them weak, or they believe that if they ask for help, it will affect their careers, or even that they might not be able to obtain their security clearances. Many things are being done to combat those misconceptions, such as military leaders at all levels, stressing to their Troops, the importance of seeking counseling if necessary. The Department of Defense just announced as well, that if a Soldier seeks help with mental health issues, it won’t affect their ability to retain or obtain a security clearance. With the VA allocating more monies to the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, this will hopefully open the door for more Veterans and Soldiers to obtain the help they desperately need.

According to Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, who is the chairman of the Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee, the additional funding came after a series of conversations between senators and the VA Secretary, Dr. James Peake.

“An increasing number of veterans are struggling with PTSD and other mental health issues, which increases th demands placed on the National Center to research new and more effective ways of treating this disorder,” Akaka said.

Over the past 5 years, the VA budget has been flat and currently staffing levels are lower than they were in 1999. Along with the Department of Defense’s announcement earlier in the week, which is designed to combat the stigma on mental health care, this will hopefully encourage more Soldiers and Veterans to seek help if they’re suffering from PTSD.

In his announcement on Thursday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that the government will no longer ask about PTSD during the security clearance process. According to Gates, one question in the process asks if a person has ever sought hel for mental health issues, is a hinderance to care.

“A year ago last February, the Army inspector general concluded that a number of Soldiers were not seeking help, in part because they felt that seeking mental health help would endanger their security clearance and perhaps their career,” Gates said during a briefing at Fort Bliss, Texas. “It is not clear, to people who answer that question, that they can answer no if they have sought help to deal with their combat stress, in general terms.”

While the military and VA health care systems aren’t perfect, our Government is dedicated to fixing the problems that exist and ensuring that our Troops and our Veterans receive the very best medical care available. No, the problems aren’t all fixed yet, but we are seeing tangible evidence that they are making strides in the right direction.

Army Times

Most Americans have no clue what our Troops deal with during their service to our country and what life is like for them after they return home following a combat tour. Oftentimes, their spouses and other family members aren’t sure what to expect, or what life will be like with their Soldier after he or she returns from combat. An organization in Texas, United We Serve, is teaming up with NFL star Herschel Walker and therapist Jerry Mungadze to offer a unique program, which will help prepare Soldiers and their families to better understand what their life will be like after a combat tour.

The goal of the program is to offer support to members of the military, veterans and their families. The program will focus on providing them information about combat stress, it’s signs and symptoms, as well as how that can affect family life. For Walker, this subject is a personal one, as he has been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder, or as most people know it, “multiple personalities.”
He knows firsthand how these types of problems can affect not only the person suffering from them, but their family as well.

“We just want to help them understand that they may go through some rough spots. Their families will be lost as to what they can do to help them,” Walker said. “We want to give them as much information and support as we possible can.”

Walker was unable to serve in the military, due to an injury he received. However, he has a deep love and devotion to our Troops. He feels that by participating in the program, and helping to present the seminars, he can serve our country, by supporting the men and women who serve in the military.

Mungadze, has worked in the field of trauma recovery for over 20 years. He says that psychological trauma, such as the sights of war can affect the way that a persons brain processes information. This may result in uncharacteristic behaviors that can affect the lives of the servicemember, as well as the lives of their family members.

“We want to give this information to those that need it, and follow up with free weekend retreats through United We Serve, that encompasses the whole family,” Mungadze said. “If they need additional information, we can hold a workshop for these families at no charge and help meet their needs. We just want them to know that we are here for them and want to honor their efforts.”

United We Serve is a Texas based organization dedicated to serving the military community and their family members, before, during and after deployments. The first in what is hopefully many seminars, will be held in Killeen, Texas on Sunday, May 25th. Registration for the event can be made by visiting the United We Serve website.

What a great project. It’s awesome to see celebrities such as Herschel Walker participating in such an event. Hopefully more celebrities will follow his lead. Please visit their website to find out more about their organization and how you can help to make a difference in the lives of the men and women serving in our country’s Armed Forces.

United We Serve

Defense Link

Yesterday, workers at Iraq’s National Museum received more than 700 antiquities, which had been stolen from the museum during the chaotic times following the fall of Baghdad, at the beginning of the Iraq war five years ago. Included in the returned artifacts were things such as golden necklaces, daggers, clay statues, pots, among other things. The items were displayed briefly during a ceremony that was attended by Syrian and Iraqi officials. Syrian authorities had seized the items from traffickers over the past 5 years. Arrangements were then made to hand them back to Iraqi officials last week in Damascus. Mohammad Abbas al-Oreibi, the Iraqi acting state minister of tourism and archeology, was instrumental in negotiations with Syria. He plans to visit Jordan soon, in an attempt to persuade authorities there to turn over more than 150 items that they’ve seized from traffickers as well.

“This was a positive initiative taken by Syria, and we wish the same initiative to be taken by all neighboring countries,” he said. “The treasures contain very important and valuable pieces.”

After the ouster of Saddam and his government officials in April 2003, looting broke out in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities. Museums were ransacked and thousands of items were stolen. The collections in the museums told the story of around 7,000 years of civilization in the Mesopotamia, including ancient Babylonia, Sumeria and Assyria. It’s been a struggle over the past 5 years for Iraqi and other world culture officials to recover the stolen items, with little success being seen. There are still approximately 3,000-7,000 pieces that are believed to be missing. In that number, approximately 40-50 are thought to be of great historic importance. According to Dr. Muna Hassan, the leader of the committee that is working to restore the artifacts, while artifacts have been recovered in the past, the ones that Syria returned are the largest quantity. It is hoped that other countries will follow Syria’s lead. According to Syrian authorities, some of the antiquities traffickers have been arrested.

The items recovered in Syria were packed into 17 boxes and shipped back to Baghdad by plane. While an exact figure of their worth was not given, Hassan did say that the items collectively were worth millions of dollars. Currently negotiations are underway with several other countries, including United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Germany and Italy for the return of more of the stolen antiquities.

Like museums here in the United States, the National Museum of Iraq is an important reminder to it’s citizens of their cultural heritage. At this time, the museum remains closed to the public, because of continued violence in the area, lack of security and poor condition of the site. Hopefully, as security continues to increase in Baghdad, the museum will eventually be able to be reopened, so that Iraqi citizens and tourists alike, can enjoy the history within it’s walls.

Boston Globe

Sunday, thousands of people descended upon the Cincinatti, Ohio area to pay their respects and to honor an American Hero …. SSG Matt Maupin, as a memorial service was held at the Great American Ball Park. Military members and supporters from all across the United States attended the services honoring Matt.

As our readers know, on April 9, 2004 the convoy then PFC Maupin was in near Baghdad was attacked and Matt was captured. A short time later, Al-Jazeera aired a tape showing Matt being held captive, surrounded by masked men holding automatic rifles. Matt’s family never gave up hope that he would be found and Matt’s hometown rallied around Matt’s parents, Keith and Carolyn Maupin and turned their community into a sea of yellow ribbons. After his capture, Matt’s parents started the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, in support of deployed US Troops. They’ve vowed that their work will continue, in Matt’s honor.

Sunday, Matt’s flag-draped coffin was on a platform in the area of the pitcher’s mound at the stadium. On the field were members of the 338th Army band and about 100 family members, military representatives and other dignitaries. The crowd of supporters occupied the lower portion of the baseball staduim, behind home plate and stretching from first base to third base.

SSG Maupin is a Hero and one who deserves to be honored and remembered. My heart goes out to his family, who never gave up hope over the past 4 years, that somehow Matt would be found alive. While that hope wasn’t realized, his family can finally have closure in knowing that their son, their Hero is finally home and being honored in the way that he deserves. Rest in Peace Matt, Welcome Home and thank you, brave warrior for your service and sacrifice.

CNN