Thank You Cards from Across America Sent to Troops for Thanksgiving Holiday

(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. Army Soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan over the Thanksgiving Holiday will be reading thousands of thank you cards written by Americans from across the nation. Volunteer Ambassadors with the Army’s Freedom Team Salute program campaigned on ”Make A Difference Day” on October 24 to encourage individuals in their communities to write thank you cards that would be sent to troops deployed in harm’s way.

“We shipped over five thousand cards to the troops overseas,” said Colonel David Griffith, Director of Freedom Team Salute. “Our goal was to send all of the cards to Soldiers for Thanksgiving but our office is still receiving thank you cards. It just demonstrates how people want to do whatever they can for our men and women in uniform who are away from home and making sacrifices for this nation.”

The Freedom Team Salute Ambassadors participating in “Make A Difference Day” set-up outside grocery stores, shopping centers, VFW and American Legion Posts, and Community Centers with one mission in mind – get members of their local communities to take a few minutes to sign or write Thanksgiving thank you cards for Soldiers deployed. Many people were so excited to be able to thank Soldiers that they brought bundles of cards signed by friends and family members.

School teachers participated and used the opportunity to have their students get involved by creating hundreds of handmade thank you cards that were signed by children of all ages. Bass Pro Shops, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, notified all of their store locations to welcome any Freedom Team Salute Volunteer Ambassador requesting permission to reach out to their customers.

The expressions in the thank you cards were heartfelt and filled with patriotism. One individual wrote “Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving. I hope and pray that you have a quiet and uneventful day. We will be thinking of you and your buddies and the peace we are enjoying here at home because of you. We do appreciate all you are doing for us! God Bless You!” Another person simply said -- “Thank you for putting yourself second and your country first.”

“It will be awesome to get a box of cards to distribute to our Soldiers,” said Command Sergeant Major Brian Lambert with the 16th Military Police Brigade at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, when notified that a box of cards was being mailed to his unit. “Our younger Soldiers are just beginning to understand the power of a card or letter in the mail. I know they will enjoy receiving them.”

Each card was accompanied with a U.S. Army decal with Freedom Team Salute information printed on the back encouraging the Soldiers to go to www.freedomteamsalute.com to thank individuals who have supported them and made a difference in their lives.

U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute was established in 2005 by the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff to give the public the opportunity to thank all U.S. Army Veterans for their service by recognizing them with Commendations. The program also gives all Active Duty, Army Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers the opportunity to recognize their Parents, Spouses, Supporters, and Employers. Over 2.2 million individuals have been honored with Freedom Team Salute Commendations.

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America Salutes Its Heroes

(NAPSI)-The year 1944 was pivotal in the Allied prosecution of World War II. Some of the most crucial battles were engaged in the European and Pacific theaters as the Allied nations began to push back in earnest against the Axis powers.

World War II was a defining moment in time for the United States: It touched the lives of every citizen, every community and every family, and propelled a once isolationist country into a position of global leadership. There was no aspect of American life that was not affected by the war. More than 16.2 million men and women served during WW II. The war engulfed the entire globe: Nearly every continent saw significant action and men and women from every inhabited continent died in it.

Nearly 50 percent of those who wore the uniform of the United States served in the Army. World War II veterans from all services -the Army, Navy and Marine Corps-are dying at a rate of 1,135 per day.

"As our nation remembers the courage and sacrifice of those who fought on battlefields from Normandy to Bastogne, from Italy to North Africa and throughout the numerous Pacific Islands, we are presented with a unique opportunity to celebrate this legacy of duty, honor and selfless sacrifice, which now serves as the foundation for today's soldiers," said Colonel David M. Griffith, director, U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute program. "America has a responsibility to acknowledge the sacrifice of WW II veterans, to ensure they are not forgotten."

Freedom Team Salute is an official Army commendation program that recognizes the essential bond among soldiers, family and community; it celebrates the sacrifices made by all those who support our soldiers; and honors the millions of soldier veterans who have served and remain as our living connection to generations of duty, honor and patriotism. Army veterans receive a letter and certificate of appreciation signed by the Secretary of the Army and the Army Chief of Staff.

"It is appropriate that we as a society take the opportunity to pay our respects for the enormous sacrifices that were required of those who served in uniform during World War II as well as supporters on the home front who made their service possible," said Griffith. "Observances are occurring all year in the U.S., in Europe and in other places; but the service and sacrifice of our Army veterans is observed pre-eminently in the hearts of men and women around the world who remember the cost of freedom and are grateful."

Any honorably discharged Army veteran who served during World War II is eligible for Freedom Team Salute, including men and women who served in the Army Air Force, Army Air Corps, Women's Army Corps and the Army Nurse Corps.

For more information about Freedom Team Salute or to honor a U.S. Army veteran, visit www.freedomteamsalute.com.

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Arts Across Georgia

Celebrate the U.S. Army Birthday, Tell Your Army Story

(BUSINESS WIRE)--This June, Soldiers, Veterans, families, and supporters will celebrate the U.S. Army turning 234 years strong. In keeping with the tradition of celebration, the U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute, the Army’s official “Thank You” commendation program, is welcoming submissions of stories including accomplishments, memorable moments, and lessons learned, by those in the Army family.

The U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute Web site, www.freedomteamsalute.com, will feature a selection of compelling submissions, which will also be included in the special e-salute U.S. Army Birthday edition.

“The Army has a long and proud history, one that is celebrated by installations and commands all over the world,” explained Colonel David Griffith, Director, U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute. “We are asking for story submissions so that we can capture the accomplishments and defining moments of our Soldiers, Veterans, families, and supporters.”

Submissions should be 500 words or less and submitted by Friday, June 5.

Topics can be (but are not limited to):

* A defining moment in your Army life
* A lesson learned from the Army
* How the Army changed your life
* The reason you decided to join the Army
* Your most memorable Noncommissioned Officer

To submit a story, please go to:

https://www.freedomteamsalute.com/people/armystory.aspx.

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Army Honors 1st Female Aviator in Recognition of Women’s History Month

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thirty-five years ago, 2nd Lieutenant Sally Murphy walked across a stage at Fort Rucker, Alabama and stepped into U.S. Army history. It was 1974 and Murphy became the first woman to graduate from the Army Aviation School. She was the Army’s first female helicopter and fixed wing pilot. She retired as a Colonel in 1999.

Murphy was honored in a formal ceremony last week at Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia and received the U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute Veteran Commendation to commemorate her 27 years of service and her place in military history.

“I come from an Army family that is dedicated to service,” said Murphy, now 60 years old. “My husband was an Army combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam. My son and daughter-in-law are Army officers and have served overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq. I am humbled and take great pride in receiving the Freedom Team Salute Commendation.”

Murphy joined the Army’s Women Army Corps (WAC) program in 1972 and entered the Aviation School when the Army opened its ranks to women. She had previously attended the Military Intelligence School at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. After graduating from Aviation School, she served with the 330th Army Security Agency Company (Guardrail II) flying RU-21 airplanes as an intelligence officer along the border between Germany and the Soviet Union. Later she flew Huey helicopters and commanded a Company for the 1st infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas and went on to command the 62nd Aviation Company in Germany and the 78th Aviation Battalion (Provisional) in Japan.

“I was the only woman in Army Aviation School in the early 70s and if I told you I did not have problems with a few people, I would not be truthful,” said Murphy. “But things were changing and with the Vietnam War winding down, the Army needed to fill some voids. There were some tough times but it made me stronger. The Army is a family and there was always someone giving me encouragement and ready to assist me anytime I needed help.”

“Colonel (Ret.) Sally Murphy is an Army Aviation legend,” said Colonel David Griffith, Director of the Army’s Freedom Team Salute Program. “It is not often we have the opportunity to honor someone with a commendation who was a trailblazer. Sally Murphy has paved the way for hundreds of women to follow her footsteps and become Army Aviators. She is truly living history.”

Freedom Team Salute Commendations consist of a personalized letter and certificate signed by the Secretary of the Army, Pete Geren and the Army Chief of Staff, General George W. Casey Jr. Honorees also receive official Army Lapel pins and The Salute, a quarterly newsletter that contains information of interest to the Army family.

Freedom Team Salute is a U.S. Army program established in 2005 by the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff which gives the public the opportunity to thank all U.S. Army Veterans for their service by recognizing them with Commendations. The program also honors and recognizes the Parents, Spouses, Employers, and Supporters of Active Duty, Army Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers. Freedom Team Salute has honored more than 1.9 million individuals since its launch. For more information on honoring a Veteran or becoming a Freedom Team Salute Ambassador, go to www.freedomteamsalute.com .

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101 Year Old Veteran Receives Commendation From the Army

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alyce Dixon is 101 years old but you would never know it if you had the opportunity to sit down and talk to her. Last week Dixon, Gladys Schuster Carter, and Mary Crawford Ragland, all members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, were honored by the U.S. Army’s Freedom Team Salute program at a ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Dixon is the oldest surviving member of the Battalion.

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was the only all female African American Army unit to deploy to Europe during World War II. The unit was composed of approximately 850 members of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WACs). They were tasked with sorting and distributing letters and packages to over 7 million Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Red Cross and civilian personnel all over Europe.

“I felt like I was doing something worthwhile for my country when I was in the Army with the 6888th in Europe,” said Dixon. “We had to find the Soldiers, their units and route the mail to them. I enjoyed the Army and I met a lot of nice people when I served overseas. The Army taught me discipline and to stop and think before making a decision.”

Dixon said the Battalion’s trip from the United States to Europe was very stressful because the boat they were on was sometimes followed by German submarines. She said to avoid contact with the submarines, the boat had to make various diversionary turns which caused pots, pans and other objects to fall to the floor.

Major Charity Adams, who later was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and became the highest ranking African American female officer in the military, was the commander of the 6888th, and arrived with the unit in Birmingham, England in February, 1945. After completing their assignment in England, she and her unit were sent to Rouen, France and later to Paris. A few months after World War II ended, the unit was sent back to the United States.

“They sent us to Ft. Dix New Jersey, gave us our discharge papers, and sent us home,” said Mary Crawford Ragland, the clerk of the 6888th, who joined the Army at the age of 17 after finishing high school. “There were no parades, no welcomes, no nothing.”

“Honoring the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion with Commendations is long overdue,” said the Army’s Colonel David Griffith, Director of Freedom Team Salute. “These were strong women who faced prejudice in the United States but still managed to complete their mission, putting their Country ahead of their own trials. They did not have the luxury of working with automation equipment to help them organize, sort and distribute the millions of letters and packages that had accumulated in airplane hangars and other places in Europe. They are a true American story that needs to be told.”

The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WACs) 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was a World War II unit. Composed of approximately 850 African American women, the unit was formed in the days when the U.S. Armed Services was segregated. They were the only black women to serve with the U.S. military overseas during World War II. The group was charged with handling military mail, and was based at a boarding school in Birmingham, England.

“For the morale of Soldiers in war time, only one thing counts more than somewhere to sleep or something to eat,” said Freedom Team Salute’s Colonel Griffith. “That one thing is mail from home – holiday greetings, photographs, regular letters, and packages filled with items from relatives and friends. The Battalion broke all records for redistribution of mail to front line troops in the European theatre.”

Freedom Team Salute was established in 2005 by the Army Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Army, which gives the public the opportunity to thank all U.S. Army Veterans for their service by recognizing them with Commendations. The program also honors and recognizes the Parents, Spouses, Employers, and Supporters of Active Duty, Army Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers. The Commendations consist of a personalized letter and certificate signed by Pete Geren, the Secretary of the Army and General George W. Casey Jr., the Army Chief of Staff. Honorees also receive lapel pins and The Salute, a quarterly newsletter that contains information of interest to the Army family. Freedom Team Salute has honored over 1.9 million Army Veterans, Spouses, Parents, Supporters, and Employers since its launch.

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