I’m A Relic

From 1948 to 1973, young men were required to register for the draft when they reached the age of 18 years of age, during both peacetime and times of conflict. The idea was that these men would be drafted into the military, to fill the positions that couldn’t be filled through voluntary enlistment. In 1973, the draft ended and the registration requirement was suspended in April 1975. Men who were drafted into the military during that time period, saw combat in several combat situations that our country was involved in. In 1980, the registration requirement was reinstated by President Carter and it continues today. However, since the draft ended in 1973, no men have been called to duty through the system... (click below to continue reading, it will take you to A Soldier's Mind blog)

We highly recommend this blog to our readers:
http://soldiersmind.com/2009/02/11/im-a-relic/
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

Wounded Veterans to Get Laptop Computers

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Three hundred soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan will soon receive specially-adapted laptop computers, thanks to military support nonprofit Soldiers' Angels and The San Antonio Area Foundation (SAAF). The laptops will be funded through SAAF's Texas Resources for Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment (TRIAD), which has awarded Soldiers' Angels a $210,000 grant to fund Project Valour-IT in the San Antonio area.

The grant is expected to purchase at least 300 laptops, which will be distributed as gifts to wounded veterans undergoing treatment at San Antonio's Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) or living in the surrounding area. The computers will be used for communication, post-military employment preparation and physical and occupational therapy, and will be fitted with adaptive technology from the Department of Defense for severely injured users, including voice-control. As one of the largest treatment facilities for wounded veterans in America, BAMC is a major hub for Project Valour-IT and Soldiers' Angels works closely with caseworkers there to identify recovering service members in need of a laptop.

Wounded veteran and Valour-IT co-creator Chuck Ziegenfuss knows firsthand the power of Valour-IT. He reports that using a voice-controlled laptop while he recovered was "the first time I felt whole since I'd woken up wounded."

This is the third SAAF/TRIAD grant for Soldiers' Angels, forming a growing bond between the two organizations and furthering the reach of Project Valour-IT, which has already distributed 3,000 laptops nationwide. "With the money from this grant we will be able to touch many more heroes who need Valour-IT Laptops," says Soldiers' Angels Veterans Support Team leader, Twyla Choate. "Soldiers' Angels is thrilled to once again be given the opportunity to help those who have done so much for us."

About SAAF: The San Antonio Area Foundation aspires to significantly enhance the quality of life of our community by providing outstanding service to donors, producing significant asset growth, strengthening community collaboration and managing an exemplary grants program. A publicly supported philanthropic institution, the San Antonio Area Foundation is governed by a board of private citizens chosen for their knowledge of and involvement in the community. For over 44 years, it has successfully administered funds from individuals, agencies, corporations and others who contribute or bequeath assets for the betterment of the community. For more information, visit www.saafdn.org.

About Soldiers' Angels: Established in 2003, Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as veterans and military families. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org or call 615-676-0239. Tax ID# 20-0583415

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Hooters and Operation Homefront Launch Valentine Fund for Special Forces Personnel and Families

/PRNewswire/ -- Operation Homefront and Hooters have joined together to establish The Valentine Fund in honor of fallen hero SOCS Thomas J. Valentine. The fund will support the families of Special Forces service members and other military families.

On February 1, 2009, Hooters across the country started raising money for the cause through local charitable events as well as selling heart-shaped card cutouts in their 389 restaurants across the country.

Thomas J. Valentine, a Navy SEAL troop chief, was killed during a training exercise Feb. 13, 2008. He left behind his wife, Christina, a 15-year member of the Hooters family, and two young children. In honor of his sacrifice, Hooters established a fund in Valentine's name through Operation Homefront.

"The Valentine Fund is a tribute to all our service members and their families," said Amy Palmer, chief operating officer, Operation Homefront. "We are proud to be part of an effort that recognizes their sacrifices and provides a means to help them."

Hooters has a long-standing reputation for community initiatives. Last year when Valentine was killed, Hooters raised money to support Christina and presented her with a $100,000 check to go toward her children's education. The Valentine Fund is another opportunity for the company to stand behind those who serve and honor Tom's memory.

"Military families make daily sacrifices, the greatest of which is when a service member is killed," Christina Valentine said. "Through the Valentine Fund and the efforts of Operation Homefront, we can help Special Warfare families in all instances. The Valentine Fund not only honors Tom, an 18-year veteran of the Special Operations Warfare community, but all those who have given their lives and those who remain and continue to serve this great nation. It is an honor to be a part of this effort."

The donation drive will continue until April 2009. In addition to the Valentine Fund, Hooters and Operation Homefront will partner in various local efforts throughout the year in support of military personnel and their families.

For more information: www.operationhomefront.net or contact: Tranette Ledford, director of Public Relations: Tranette@operationhomefront.net; 210-659-7756 or 210-788-8778.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Vets Helping Vets

(NAPSI)-There is hopeful news for veterans who are pursuing an education.

They may well find someone like Dan Standage, a student at the University of Arizona and a Marine Corps veteran. He offers his fellow students a receptive ear and assistance from someone who understands the challenges they face.

As a member of the Blinded Veterans Association-also known as BVA-and a Vice President of its Southern Arizona Regional Group, he's taking to heart the organization's mission of helping other veterans.

Standage helps student veterans through his volunteer work in the Veterans Education and Transition Services Office on the university campus. He attributes his willingness and initiative to serve others to his own successful rehabilitation and the inspiration provided by other members of BVA.

Said Standage, who encourages others to go to residential blind rehab, "The area I focus on is reducing the stress of coming to college. Removing barriers reduces anxiety."

To learn more, visit www.BVA.org or call (800) 669-7079.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

SOLDIER PORTRAITS Exhibition Opens January 30, 2009 at the Georgia Southern University Center for Art & Theatre

Soldier Portraits, an exhibition of photographs by Savannah artist Ellen Susan, will be on view at the Georgia Southern University Center for Art & Theatre in Statesboro, Ga. January 30 - March 12. The public is invited to attend all exhibition and gallery events free of charge.

The University’s Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art will host an opening reception on Friday, Jan. 30th from 5-7 pm at the Center for Art & Theatre. Ellen Susan will speak about the exhibition and her creative process on Wednesday, Feb. 18th from 5-7 pm in the Visual Arts Building Auditorium at Georgia Southern University.

Susan uses the wet collodion process—a photographic technique used in the 19th Century during the American Civil War—to make portraits of contemporary American soldiers, many of whom have deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan for multiple tours of duty. The artist describes how she, “wanted to produce physically enduring, visually arresting images of people sent repeatedly into war zones.” Many of the soldiers depicted are based in southeast Georgia.

One of her aims in photographing contemporary soldiers this way is to provide a counterpoint to anonymous media representations. The wet collodion process is slow and deliberate, requiring a large view camera and a darkroom onsite. The combination of the long exposures and the peculiarities of its appearance often elicit comments like "you can see into the subject\\\'s soul.”

In contrast, much contemporary portrait work made with view cameras exhibits a neutral, deadpan appearance. While the slowness and formality of large-format photography can lend itself to emotional distance, the specific properties of the wet plate process eliminate even the potential for that kind of image. Susan explains, “Personally, I think what the images reveal are simply lusciously

rendered and highly detailed physical attributes of the individuals. I don’t think you can see anybody’s soul in any photograph, but if the appearance is compelling enough, it lets you imagine that you can—and then consider the face and the person it belongs to, and what they might be all about.”

More information about the Soldier Portraits project can be found at www.soldierportraits.com.

For more information on this exhibition and other gallery programming provided by the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art, visit http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/art. Georgia Southern’s Gallery

Programming is supported by Student Activity Fees; all events are free and open to the public. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Georgia Southern University will honor reasonable requests for accommodations. The Center for Art & Theatre is open Monday through Friday from 9 - 5 and by appointment. Docent tours are welcome and available upon request by calling (912) GSU-ARTS (2787).

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Disabled Vets on the Move: Globetrotter Marathon Program Launched

/PRNewswire/ -- The Globetrotter Marathon Program has been established to provide a unique experience for disabled war vets to travel and participate in internationally recognized marathons around the world. Participants are all single or double amputees who smartly navigate the 26.2 mile courses in hand crank wheel chairs.

The Program was recently launched by Marine veteran Charles Klotsche and so far teams of vets and their spouses have participated in marathons in Berlin, Moscow and Krakow Poland. The Program flies under the banner "Disabled Vets on the Move" and these men and women do just that as they burst out from the starting line often in tandem with the elite marathon runners.

"Our Program offers these exceptional men and women a special opportunity as they begin their difficult path of re-integration into their local communities," said Klotsche. He went on to note that these global competitions "help boost their self-esteem and competitive spirit, broaden their global horizons, and allow them to serve as roving good will ambassadors on behalf of the country they so ably served and for which they made life-changing sacrifices in the name of freedom."

For 2009, the Program is planning on sending Vets and their spouses to the Paris and Montreal Marathons. Klotsche also said they are considering a unique experience in the Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset, billed as the world's most beautiful 100 Km Marathon, located around Hovsgol Lake on the northern border of Mongolia.

Program details can be found on the website at www.globetrottermarathon.org and cash contributions to help defray Program travel and related costs can be made on the website. Those interested in donating frequent flier miles that the Program can use to transport the vets and their spouses to and from the marathons should send an email indicating the airline and number of miles to info@globetrottermarathon.org. "Make a difference--Make a donation".

The Globetrotter Marathon Program is an extension of the domestic marathon program known as the Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans, started by the New York Achilles Track Club in 2004.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

On the door of a wounded Navy Seal's hospital door

To enlarge, click on the photo.

I found this on a blog by The Discerning Texan.

http://www.discerningtexan.com/.

If you check out his blog you'll see he definitely has military ties! I'd guess Army.

This hand written poster shows just how great those who've chosen to fight for our country really are!

The spirit of our men and women in uniform is phenomenal. We owe them so much and they ask for so little.

"Pizzas 4 Patriots" Initiative to Support U.S. Troops at Super Bowl Celebrations Overseas

(BUSINESS WIRE)--DHL, the world’s leading express delivery and logistics company, with the support of a local Chicago-area business and community members will deliver thousands of freshly frozen pizzas to U.S. servicemen and women serving throughout Iraq and Afghanistan in time for Super Bowl XLIII celebrations.

In 2008 a suburban Chicago Veteran, MSgt. Mark Evans, was inspired by his son’s idea to send thousands of pizzas to the troops in time for July 4th celebrations in Iraq and Afghanistan. This year he’s continuing his family’s mission by organizing the delivery of more than 2,000 pizzas for Super Bowl celebrations. Evans collected enough donations to purchase all of the pizzas, provided below cost by Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria of Northbrook, Illinois.

DHL, which flies directly to many of the U.S. bases in Iraq, has agreed to donate its shipping services for delivery of the pizzas.

Thousands of pizza’s packaged in temperature-controlled containers will be picked up Friday, January 23, at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, and loaded onto DHL trucks. The shipment will fly from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York directly to the Middle East, with delivery to military bases just in time for Super Bowl celebrations.

“As a retired member of the military, I appreciate the support of the local community and DHL helping bring reminders of home to our U.S. troops stationed thousands of miles away,” said Ret. Sgt. Mark Evans. “The reactions we have received by families, friends of the military and the troops themselves about this initiative have been heartwarming.”

DHL was the first international air express carrier to provide service to Iraq and Afghanistan following the lifting of sanctions and now operates the most extensive logistics service into these countries.

“As the specialists in international shipping, DHL is honored to leverage its global network and transport this shipment to lift the spirits of our servicemen and women based in the Middle East,” said Adrian Watts, Managing Director U.S. Government Sales and Support for DHL Express. “It’s part of our ongoing efforts to support our troops, and honor our U.S. servicemen and women who help keep us all safe.”

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Western Governors University Extends Deadline for Reservists and National Guard Scholarship

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Western Governors University (www.wgu.edu), the leading non-profit online university, will extend the deadline for the WGU Reservists and National Guard Scholarship to June 30, 2009. This scholarship is designed to help members of the Reserves and National Guard attend college online.

The WGU Reservists and National Guard Scholarship is valued up to $1,500 and can be used to earn a degree in any discipline offered by WGU in its colleges of Business, Education, Information Technology or Health Professions. WGU is both regionally and nationally accredited.

Recently named a Top 20 Military Friendly University by Military Advanced Education Magazine, WGU's unique accredited programs have proven a great fit for many active-duty, reserve, and National Guard military members and their spouses.

Up to 30 scholarships will be awarded, with awards made every month on an ongoing basis. However, this is a competitive program and scholarships will be awarded based on a candidate's academic record, readiness for online study at WGU, and current competency, in addition to other considerations. Early application is strongly suggested.

WGU's online degree programs focus on the needs of adult learners by providing flexible, technology-based instruction. WGU's competency-based education approach makes it possible for military students and spouses to complete the requirements for their degrees at a quicker pace and accelerate their programs based on their prior experience, academic background, and time commitment to study.

For more information or eligibility requirements on the WGU Reservists and National Guard Scholarship, please visit www.wgu.edu/ngreserve or call 1-866-225-5948 (866-CALL-WGU)

About Western Governors University (WGU)

"[WGU is] the best relatively cheap university you've never heard of."
- TIME magazine (Nov. 2008)


WGU is the only accredited online university in the U.S. offering competency-based degree programs. The private non-profit university has been a leader in online education for more than 10 years. WGU is the recipient of the USDLA 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning for 2008, awarded in recognition of WGU's success in expanding access to higher education. WGU has been honored as one of the 2008 Top 20 Military Friendly Colleges and Universities by Military Advanced Education magazine.WGU sponsors the Online Student Survival Guide, a blog that addresses many of the questions and daily concerns online students from any online college or university face.

Now serving more than 11,000 students, WGU was founded by 19 U.S. governors, and is supported by more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They include institutions such as AT&T, BearingPoint, Dell, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, HCA, Microsoft, Oracle, Qwest, SunGard Higher Education, Sun Microsystems, and Zions Bank. WGU offers bachelor's and master's degrees in business, information technology, teacher education, and health professions, with students in all 50 states. More information is available at www.wgu.edu.

---
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Our Soldiers are Impressive!

I have been wandering around the "Multi-National Force - Iraq" (MNF) website reading a few of the stories. I continue to be astounded by the goodness of our military.

Gen. Jack Wheeler started sending the MNF newsletter to me a while back. I was so impressed with the content, I tracked down an address and asked for permission to reprint the stories. Turns out the guy who responded to my request in the affirmative was none other than our very own Fred Wellman! He no longer lives in Peachtree City, of course, but many of you will probably remember him. He is a great example of all that makes our military so impressive in so many ways.

The world just gets smaller and smaller.

If you aren't reading about the great things happening in Iraq I'd encourage you to do so. We (Fayette Front Page and Georgia Front Page) try to share some of the good articles and info we receive in our daily update from American Forces Press Service and other sources. If we thought you'd read it, we'd include every bit of positive info that's sent our way. Truthfully, there's so much good news we'd probably have to hire additional staff to post it all.

If you'd like to keep up with Fred Wellman (LTC Frederick P. Wellman, Chief of Public Affairs, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq), here's a link to his blog, "Armed and Curious, Home of the Heavily Armed Tourist" (great title!): http://armedandcurious.blogspot.com/

Here's a link to a page with a list of current articles on MNF: http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=1&id=1&Itemid=224

---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

Hero of Hudson River Crash Landing Got Start in Air Force

The pilot who crash-landed a crippled airliner in New York's Hudson River this afternoon, saving 155 lives on board, is an Air Force Academy graduate who received his pilot training in the Air Force.

Chelsey B. "Sully" Sullenberger steered US Airways Flight 1549 toward the river when both engines failed less than five minutes after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport. All 150 passengers and five crew members survived the incident.

Sullenberger is an Air Force Academy graduate who served in the Air Force from 1973 to 1980, according to his resume posted on the homepage of his company, Safety Reliability Methods, Inc.

He was an U.S. Air Force F-4 Phantom II fighter pilot who served as a flight leader and training officer in Europe and the Pacific. He was also the Blue Force mission commander during Red Flag exercises at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

President George W. Bush and New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg were among the first to publicly laud Sullenberger for quick thinking and heroism that averted a catastrophe.

Bloomberg noted during an early evening news conference that Sullenberger did not leave the aircraft as it floated in the river until he had confirmed that every passenger had been safely evacuated.

"It would appear the pilot did a masterful job of landing in the river and making sure everybody got out," Bloomberg said. "I had a long conversation with the pilot. He walked the plane twice and made sure that everybody was out."

Bush, in a statement released by the White House, said his adminstration is coordinating with state and local officials to respond to the incident as it monitors the situation.

"Laura and I are inspired by the skill and heroism of the flight crew as well as the dedication and selflessness of the emergency responders and volunteers who rescued passengers from the icy waters of the Hudson," he said. "We send our thoughts and prayers to all involved in the accident."
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

Legion Launches VetCam to Link Military Families Worldwide

/PRNewswire/ -- U.S. military troops deployed overseas can now use their Webcams to talk with their families back home, without having to download software packages that may not pass muster with command cybernet security requirements.

Barry Steed, CEO/President of NCB International, provider of VetCam, says, "America has the best business and technology in the world today. It is our responsibility to do our part and say thank you."

The American Legion has launched "VetCam," a free Webcam service that enables service members and veterans to talk face-to-face on their personal computers with friends and family. Once VetCam users register online, they can connect with two Webcams and use the service 24/7 from any Internet connection.

"Webcams have been around for a while, but many required downloading software to make them work," said David K. Rehbein, national commander of The American Legion. "We want our troops, our veterans, and their families to be able to enjoy the pleasure of talking face-to-face with their loved ones -- anywhere in the world -- with just a couple of mouse clicks.

"Next to actually being there, seeing and talking with your spouse and kids, mom and dad, and best friends are morale-boosters prior generations of veterans never had," Rehbein said.

To initiate the service, a user needs a Webcam or computer with built-in Webcam. Then, just register and start communicating. Once registered, simply log in at any time to connect. (You can watch a short demonstration video of how to use VetCam.) For more information, please visit: http://www.networkcb.com/

All members of the U.S. Armed Forces (active duty, reserve and National Guard), members of The American Legion, and their families and friends are welcome to use VetCam.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page