Hero Stories for May 2008

America Supports You: Drive Offers Chance to Show Patriotism By Samantha L. Quigley American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 22, 2008 – Tens of thousands of care packages will be packed and ready for shipping to servicemembers deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and on ships at sea in time for Independence Day. Operation Gratitude’s annual “Patriotic Drive” makes sure servicemembers have a little piece of home around the nation’s birthday. "This will be the fastest-paced care package drive we ...

Commission Urges Americans to Pause, Reflect on Memorial Day By Meghan Vittrup American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 22, 2008 – While Americans enjoy the traditional summer kick-off weekend with vacations, backyard barbecues, pool openings and picnics, the White House Commission on Remembrance is asking them to take a moment on Memorial Day to remember the true meaning of the holiday. The National Moment of Remembrance was created “to provide a time of remembrance for America’s fallen...

New Program Offers ‘Care for Caregivers’ By Elaine Wilson Special to American Forces Press Service FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, May 22, 2008 – The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research here has launched a program aimed at caring for a segment of the military population much more accustomed to administering care than receiving it. Marcie Gemmill, left, and Army Col. Kathryn Gaylord from the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Compassion Fatigue Program talk with Army Chaplain (Maj.) Philip...

Odierno Tells Senate U.S. Military Headed in Right Direction in Iraq By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 22, 2008 – The United States “is not out of the woods yet” in Iraq, but the nation is headed in the right direction, the man nominated to be the next Multinational Force Iraq commander said today. Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he would not take the job “if I didn't think that we could be successful” in Iraq. Odierno...

Comrades, Loved Ones Provide Reminders of Memorial Day’s Meaning By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 23, 2008 – To many Americans, Memorial Day means a day off from work with parades, pool openings and barbecues. But for those who have lost a comrade or loved one in combat, the day takes on a whole new significance. Here are some of their stories. A mass grave marker at Arlington National Cemetery honors the 12 soldiers killed when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter wa...

Commentary: So Which One is Memorial Day? By Army Sgt. Jerome Bishop Special to American Forces Press Service CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, May 23, 2008 – Not long ago while I was sitting at my desk at work, a fellow soldier presented an interesting question, not because of what it was, but because of why he asked it. "So what's Memorial Day, again?" the soldier asked. This kind of disturbed me. As it turns out, the confusion came from the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. While both ar...

HABBANIYAH, Iraq, May 23, 2008 – Habbaniyah Mayor Hussein Ali Hussein, city council members and directors-general celebrated the groundbreaking of the Habbaniyah Government Center in Iraq’s Anbar province May 21. The center, in the Khalidiyah neighborhood west of Camp Habbaniyah, is centrally located to address the demands of people from Husaybah east to Fallujah. "This is a step in the right direction -- a place for people to go if they need help from their government," Hussein said. "We are...

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1st Lt. Jeffrey F. Depr

Lt. Jeffrey A. Am