Military Heroes to Gather in Washington

/PRNewswire/ -- Many of America's most celebrated and distinguished veterans from World War II through the present day will converge on Washington, DC from November 12-14 for the American Veterans Center's 12th Annual Conference.

In the largest gathering of its kind in the nation, these men and women who have served in many of the defining moments in military history over the past 65 years will share their experiences with an audience of several hundred high school and college students, active duty military, and fellow veterans. The events will take place at the United States Navy Memorial's Burke Theater.

Headlining the event will be General David Petraeus, Commander, U.S. CENTCOM and former Commanding General, Multi-National Force - Iraq. General Petraeus will be taking questions from the audience on Friday, November 13.

Also joining the conference on the 40th anniversary of his Apollo 11 moon landing will be retired Air Force colonel Buzz Aldrin. Col. Aldrin will also take questions, and will be honored at the Center's Awards Banquet on Saturday, November 14, along with veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Others participating include:
-- The Band of Brothers -- Veterans portrayed in the acclaimed HBO
miniseries.
-- Bob Feller -- U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII and Hall of Fame Baseball
Pitcher.
-- "Dutch" Van Kirk -- Navigator of Enola Gay, the B-29 that deployed the
first atomic bomb.
-- Lorenzo DuFau -- USS Mason, first Navy ship with a mainly African
American crew in WWII.
-- Edgar Whitcomb -- Former Governor of Indiana and POW of the Japanese
during WWII.
-- Shelby Westbrook -- Tuskegee Airman of WWII and pilot of 60-plus
combat missions.
-- Thomas Hudner Jr., Roger H.C. Donlon, & Alfred Rascon -- Medal of
Honor recipients.
-- Black Hawk Down -- Men portrayed in the award winning film.
-- Army Nursing Panel -- On the history and role in opening doors for
women to serve.
-- Iraq and Afghanistan -- Several of the most highly decorated veterans.

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Shinseki Announces Veterans' Stories Posted on VA's Web Page

/PRNewswire/ -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will join with the Library of Congress to host a "Veterans History Countdown" on the VA Web site - www.va.gov - featuring the oral histories of Veterans from every state and U.S. territory.

"VA has partnered with the Library of Congress to honor our Veterans, preserve their histories and ensure that their service, sacrifice and heroism will never be forgotten," said Secretary Shinseki. "We want to encourage Americans to record the oral histories of Veterans for future generations."

Each day, beginning Nov. 1, VA's Web feature will introduce new personal histories, culminating on Veterans Day when a Veteran's history from each state and U.S. territory will be available simply by clicking on the U.S. map in the display.

As Veterans Day approaches, the VA Web display will urge Americans to "Honor our Veterans. Record their Histories!" The display will link to the library's Veterans History Project Web site -- www.loc.gov/vets -- which provides background about the program, a guide for volunteers to follow in recording and submitting Veterans' oral histories and to access the project's extensive digital archive.

VA has collaborated with the Veterans History Project since its implementing legislation was signed into law on Oct. 27, 2000. VA Voluntary Service has made oral history recording part of its program. VA offers Veterans the opportunity to record their histories at its facilities and special events. These collections of first-hand accounts are archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

"We hope the Veterans History Countdown will serve as a call to action for volunteers to record the first-hand stories of the Veterans they know--relatives, neighbors, friends," said Bob Patrick, director of the Veterans History Project.

The Veterans History Project collects and preserves the remembrances of American war Veterans and civilian workers who supported them.

The recordings make accessible the first-hand remembrances of American wartime Veterans from World War I through the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Approximately 65,000 individual stories comprise the collection of the Veterans History Project.

The project relies on volunteers to record Veterans' remembrances using guidelines accessible at www.loc.gov/vets/. Volunteer interviewers may request information at vohp@loc.gov or the toll-free message line at (888) 371-5848.

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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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