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*********************************** US Marines out of Iraq by spring 2010
> The US Marines will withdraw from Iraq in the spring of 2010, the commandant of the elite force said Thursday, signaling the end of a mission that once faced a fierce Sunni insurgency.
>
> "We think that in the spring of 2010 we'll close the door and turned out the lights to Marine Corps presence in Iraq," said General James Conway in a speech at the National Press Club.
>
> The date is in line with the schedule set by President Barack Obama, who in February ordered the withdrawal of all US combat troops from the country by the end of August 2010 with the rest of the force coming out by the end of 2011.
>
>
> Conway said there are currently 16,000 marines in Iraq and that the reduction of the force would accelerate after legislative elections scheduled for January 2010.
>
> He played down a resurgence of violence in Iraq in recent weeks, but acknowledged a residual Al-Qaeda presence in some areas.
>
> Al Qaeda, he said, was "trying to get back where they were in some places, get back to the former strength that they had. But I think the country is tired of the fighting."
>
> In January, just after Obama's inauguration, Conway had said the Marines would be ready to leave Iraq in six to eight months in order to shift their efforts toward Afghanistan.
>
> He expressed regret at the time that the marines, who are based mainly in Iraq's once violent Anbar province, has become a garrison force focused on reconstruction. "That's not our role," he said
>
> On the subject of having marines in both Afghanistan and Iraq, Conway said, "2009 will be a tough year because we now have a foot in both camps." ***********************************************************************************Man tells HOA he won’t take down flagpoleBy NANCY BADERTSCHER The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Friday, March 13, 2009 A Cherokee County resident is refusing to quit flying the American flag atop a 14-foot pole, even though his homeowners association is taking him to court and threatening him with $25-a-day fines. Ron Tripodo was served Thursday with a lawsuit from the Bridgemill subdivision’s homeowners association, said his next-door-neighbor and attorney, J. Daran Burns of Canton. Flags can fly in the subdivision, but the homeowners association insists they be on poles attached to the houses, Burns said. Tripodo spent $900 installing the flag pole outside his Canton home, complete with landscaping and lighting. “He believes that’s the appropriate way to display the flag,” Burns said. Tripodo also believes he has that right under the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2005, Burns said. The homeowners association suggested as an alternative that Tripodo put the flagpole in his back yard, the attorney said. “I found that to be completely unreasonable … a joke,” Burns said. He said the homeowners association has not gotten any complaints from neighbors. The lawsuit threatens to assess Tripodo $25 a day, dating back to December, as well as attorney’s fees, Burns said. He said Tripodo is vowing, if necessary, to take his case to the Supreme Court.
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A note from a retired Marine Colonel. GJH
Hi, this is one of many e-mails out of the Camp LeJeune area regarding Obama's recent visit. Most report that the visit was closely orchestrated by Obama's handlers to ensure he got the best photo ops. Here's one typical comment: But my main point would be, why did it tee me off to hear Obama spout out Semper Fi and OooRah! This moron has no right to be trying to sound like he knows what we share!!! I am surprised he did not wear his basketball t-shirt with USMC in bold. The only thing as bad was Kerry "Reporting for duty" with a salute!
Well, the enemy knows our plan now! I would not want to be a civilian contractor in Baghdad in 2010; or an Iraqi anywhere in country who had helped America!
SF, Ron
February 27, 2009
Camp LeJeune, NC -- President Barack Obama did NOT come out on stage for the singing of the National Anthem at his Camp LeJeune speech given at 12:00 Noon today.
The Marine Band played "Ruffles and Flourishes" but Obama did not come out. The Secretary of Defense, Marine Corps Generals and a Navy Admiral came out. The Marine Corps Chaplain came out and said a Prayer.
A lone female sang the National Anthem and after it was sung, the Marine Band again played "Ruffles and Flourishes," a speaker introduced the President and only then did the Band play "Hail to the Chief" and did President Obama come out.
This struck me as very odd. Why did the President not come out for the prayer? Why did the President not come out for the National Anthem?
This was no mistake. This was a slap in the face by the President, to the entire nation and it did not go unnoticed. | |
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CALLING ALL ANGELS Things are a bit rough right now. Afghanistan is getting hit pretty bad,
the last 2 days filled with fighting. Some KIA :), may God Bless the families and some wounded. There is much we need and maybe you could help. Only together can we hope to meet this large challenge.
We know what to do,
and we know how to do it,
we just need to say WE CAN,
TOGETHER WE CAN DO THIS!!
lOVE YOU ALL MUCH
Patti
Here is the Bat Phone Alert we sent.
there are
hundreds of thousands of combat veterans who need us. Angel Kassie,
who works closely with the wounded at Walter Reed and the National
Naval Medical Center explains,
“If you look where I do, you will see
what really matters: more and more wounded coming into our military
treatment facilities, something the media seems to have ‘forgotten’
at a time when it needs to be more in the forefront than ever. “I
have seen Heroes coming in severely wounded, only to show once again what true warriors they are when within days of injury they leave
the hospital long enough to go to their buddy’s service—the buddy
who was right next to them in the same battle they were injured in.
I see so many older combat veterans that still need our assistance;
just because they have physically come home from the war, does not
mean they have mentally or emotionally.”
>
> “We are all in this together, and these men and women are our
> husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, children, friends and most of
> all, our heroes....”
>
> One of the best ways we can support them and let them know we are
> there for them is through our wounded (First Response) backpacks,
> and our Vet Packs.
> We need (items must be new):
> Socks Knit boxers
> T-shirts
>
> Lounge pants
>
> Shower shoes
>
> Beanies and baseball caps
>
> Phone cards
>
> Electric razors
>
> Beard and mustache trimmers
>
> Female-specific items
>
> Giftcards (from pizza to clothing)
>
> Letters of encouragement
>
>
>
> If you can help, please donate with credit or debit card through
> PayPal, or angelsstore.org. You can also purchase discounted bulks
> items here, or send items (with a note inside each box that contains
> your name, address, phone number, and an itemized list of contents
with estimated value) to:
Soldiers’ Angels
1792 E. Washington Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91104
or
Soldiers' Angels
112 Greenhill Road
Ramseur, NC 27316
Please help us show our heroes that we still remember and support them!
***************************************************
We wanted to make sure that you were aware of a special program Discovery started six years ago. We are honored to be able to offer this program again to our Military serving overseas.
Please note the entire cruise with all taxes and all costs are included with this program. Please pass this on to military service members/their spouse and let them know the staff and crew of Discovery Cruise Line thank them for all they do to keep us free and safe.
We are proud of our military serving our country and we would like to wish all of them our best wishes for a safe and speedy return.
We are inviting all Military who have served or are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan on a complimentary cruise from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Grand Bahama Island, valid until December 31, 2009. Discovery will provide the free cruise, including the cost of all meals, all service charges, taxes and Bahamian departure fees. There are no additional
costs involved.
Simply register your family, friend or loved one's name with us and we will email a cruise certificate to you. The certificate will serve as their receipt and must be presented at the pier at time of sailing.
Reservations will be required along with appropriate Military ID and a letter from the Military personnel's unit confirming the places of service.
Discovery Vacations
DiscoveryCruiseLine Disc
1-888-634-7245
*******************************************Walt Disney World Salutes the U.S. Military!
The attached Press Release provides you with highlights
of our
soon-to-be-announced "Disney's Armed Forces Salute". This event
beginning on Sunday, January 4th and running through December
23rd, 2009 is sure
to be a HUGE hit!
Both Air Force Central Ticket Program (San Antonio) and Military
Ticket Program
(San Diego) will be carrying the unique "Disney's Armed Forces
Salute" ticket inventory. Feel free to contact your supplier to
place your
order. While "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" tickets will be
available at our Theme Park front gates to qualified military,
those particular
tickets will be taxed, so we expect that this event will greatly
increase your
ticket office traffic.
**********************************************
New Law Authorizes Veterans' Salutes during National Anthem
WASHINGTON (Oct. 30, 2008) -- Veterans and active-duty military not in
uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing
of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took
effect this month.
"The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who
have served in our nation's armed forces," said Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "This provision allows the application of
that honor in all events involving our nation's flag."
The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law
last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand
salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did
not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year's provision
also applied to members of the armed forces while not in uniform.
Traditionally, members of the nation's veterans service organizations
have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events
involving the national flag while wearing their organization's official
head-gear.
The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national
anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored
by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the
Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct.
14.
The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and
out-of-uniform military personnel during the raising, lowering or
passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization
Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008.
**************************************************** Hello. I have recently launched a website that will help servicemembers and their families find others who are traveling in the same direction they are for 96's/leave/PCS/ etc so they can ride together and save some green.
www.militaryrideshare.com
It is a totally FREE site that can help families travel home more often for less money. As a former Marine and the wife of a former Marine, I was always looking for ways to help our family save money. I thought you might be able to help me get the word out through the use of your message board. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or comments. I appreciate your time and thank you in advance.
Semper Fi
Jen McGillis
www.militaryrideshare.com
Helping Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Soldiers ride home together and save some green.
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