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ARLINGTON, Va. – On Sept. 28, USO Europe will extend its reach to troops and their families by opening its 18th location in Germany at U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Grafenwoehr. The new 11,500-square-foot facility will serve a military population that is expected to reach more than 37,000 by the end of 2010 at the Grafenwoehr, Vilseck and Hohenfels Garrisons.

“This marks another great moment for the USO as we open our 144th center worldwide,” said Sloan Gibson, USO president. “I want to thank everyone whose hard work and support helped make this remarkable center possible.”

“Without the support of USAG Grafenwoehr’s leadership, this center would not be opening,” said Walt Murren, vice president, USO Europe operations. “I want to express our sincere gratitude as we look forward to expanding our service to our men and women in uniform and their family members.”

The USO center is centrally located near the community bank, Service Federal Credit Union and Army Post Office on the largest Army installation in Europe. It features a recreation area with billiard tables and a Cyber Café with 10 computers, offering free Internet, email and videoconference access. The four VOIP phones will allow troops and their families to call their loved ones for free. For gaming enthusiasts, USO Grafenwoehr offers five Xbox® video gaming stations and Nintendo® Wii™ and Rock Band® gaming areas. Free food, snacks and beverages offered in the full kitchen with
sports bar café and coffee station. The center also offers a library and children’s play area.

This home away from home will continue the USO tradition of providing morale-boosting programs, including Operation USO Care Package and other support services for deploying troops, USO Operation Phone Home®, Operation Enduring Care for wounded troops, their families and the medical staff who care for the wounded, community appreciation events, celebrity shows and meet and greets, Pro vs. GI Joe video gaming tournaments and the United Through Reading® Military Program.

For more information on USO Europe and its services, visit www.uso.org/europe.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to students who have applied for educational benefits and who have not yet received their government payment. The checks will be distributed to eligible students at VA regional benefits offices across the country starting Oct. 2, 2009.

“Students should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties,” Secretary Shinseki said. “Education creates life-expanding opportunities for our Veterans.”

Starting Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, students can go to one of VA’s 57 regional benefit offices with a photo ID and a course schedule to request advance payment of their education benefits. Because not all these offices are located near students, VA expects to send representatives to schools with large Veteran-student bodies and work with Veteran Service Organizations to help students with transportation needs.

A list of those VA regional offices is available at www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/offices.asp.

Visit the VA Web site for more details, or to read the full article.

With the upcoming “Climate Week” in New York City, there has been a lot of talk about the effects of global climate change on national security and defense. David Broder discusses this subject, and the implications of studies and simulations done by experts at the Pentagon and National Defense University, in an article in the New York Times.

The changing global climate will pose profound strategic challenges to the United States in coming decades, raising the prospect of military intervention to deal with the effects of violent storms, drought, mass migration and pandemics, military and intelligence analysts say…

The Department of Defense’s assessment of the security issue came about after prodding by Congress to include climate issues in its strategic plans — specifically, in 2008 budget authorizations by Hillary Rodham Clinton and John W. Warner, then senators. The department’s climate modeling is based on sophisticated Navy and Air Force weather programs and other government climate research programs at NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Pentagon and the State Department have studied issues arising from dependence on foreign sources of energy for years but are only now considering the effects of global warming in their long-term planning documents. The Pentagon will include a climate section in the Quadrennial Defense Review, due in February; the State Department will address the issue in its new Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review.”

The military is trying to do something about climate change in order to avert potential problems in already unstable areas of the world. And Senator John Kerry has also taken up the mantle of climate change as a security risk as well.

Read Broder’s full article in the New York Times, or see some examples of what the military is already doing to combat these potential problems:

• Uncharted Waters: The U.S. Navy and Navigating Climate Change (publication by Center for a New American Security)
• National Security and the Threat of Climate Change (a publication by CNA Analysis and Solutions)

Fifteen employers from across the nation were honored by Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn, III with the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award on September 17, 2009 at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC. The highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve, the 2009 Freedom Awards were presented at a ceremony attended by members of Congress, senior military officials and business industry leaders.

The Freedom Award ceremony featured an address by Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the Vice President and mother of an Army National Guardsman serving in Iraq.

Watch all the recipient videos from the 2009 Freedom Awards Ceremony, including remarks from Dr. Biden and Secretary Lynn.

This year’s recipients are:

• AeroDyn Wind Tunnel LLC – Mooresville, N.C.
• AstraZeneca International – Wilmington, Del.
• Cambridge, MA Fire Department – Cambridge, Mass.
• Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc. – North Charleston, S.C.
• First Data Corporation – Atlanta, Ga.
• FMC Technologies – Houston, Texas
• Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Department – Jonesboro, La.
• Marks, O’Neill, O’Brien & Courtney, P.C. – Wilmington, Del.
• Microsoft Corporation – Redmond, Wash.
• Mid America Kidney Stone Association, LLC – Kansas City, Mo.
• NetJets – Columbus, Ohio
• Ohio Department of Public Safety – Columbus, Ohio
• Perpetual Technologies, Inc. – Indianapolis, Ind.
• Santa Ana Police Department – Santa Ana, Calif.
• TriWest Healthcare Alliance – Phoenix, Ariz.

Prior to the ceremony, Freedom Award recipients met privately with Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates where they were thanked for superior support of the nation’s citizen soldiers. A record 3,202 nominations for the award were submitted by National Guard and Reserve members or their families from across the nation.

With all the talk about health care coverage lately, the Washington Times’ Bill Card decided to talk to MOAA’s Col. Bob Norton about defending earned entitlements for the military community, especially health care!

Health care had been an issue of concern to MOAA, long before it became a topic of national debate. Col. Norton said that lifetime medical coverage, though not always contractually stipulated, was promised when military members were recruited and enticed to stay in the military.

Col. Norton pointed out the uniqueness of military service: Less than one percent of the population is serving in harsh, dangerous, and often deadly conditions to protect the other more than 300 million Americans.

Health care for retirees through TRICARE and particularly TRICARE-for-Life (which Col. Norton described as “where TRICARE handshakes with Medicare”) remain as the biggest victory for MOAA in defense of earned benefits for retirees of all ranks and all military services.

Find out what else Col. Norton had to say about the importance of protecting military health care. You can read the full article on the Washington Times Web site.

By Donna Miles, Courtesy of the American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2009 – Army, Navy and Air Force nurses participated yesterday in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery’s Nurses Memorial to honor their comrades who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Nurses Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery are, from left, Clayton Jones, senior vice commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart; Air Force Maj. Gen. Kimberly Siniscalchi, assistant Air Force surgeon general; Jim Sims, commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart; Navy Rear Adm. Cynthia Dullea, deputy commander of the Navy Medicine National Capital Area; Army Col. Victoria Ransom, deputy commander for nursing at Fort Meade, Md.; and Gwendolyn Gilliard, president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart laid a wreath at the memorial, which pays homage to the dedication and sacrifice of military nurses from all services and through the ages.

Jim Sims, national commander of the veterans’ service organization, noted in his opening comments that the annual event provides the opportunity to salute not just nurses, but all military medical personnel.

Sims paid tribute to “all of those who made it possible for us to be nurtured back to health and made it possible for us to come back home.”

He also lauded “nurses in field hospitals, on field ships, or manning evacuation aircraft; the hospital corpsmen and medics in the field, taking care of wounds or injuries, or performing life-saving measures to get soldiers, Marines or airmen back to duty or ready for evacuation; the doctors who patched us up; the lab and X-ray technicians and pharmacy personnel who helped ensure diagnoses were complete and accurate.”

Air Force Maj. Gen. Kimberly A. Siniscalchi, assistant Air Force surgeon general, urged those at the ceremony to pause in a moment of silence to remember the “sacrifice, dedication and devotion” of military nurses.

“Nurses have had a lasting impact and presence in all military conflicts, from the beginning of the American Revolution through today, as we continue to serve our warfighters,” she said. “We are valiantly performing in combat operations, natural disasters and responding to humanitarian calls. We are the nation’s health care ambassadors across the globe.”

The Nurses Memorial is nestled on a hill in Arlington National Cemetery’s Section 21, known as the “Nurse’s Section.” A 10-foot-tall, white marble statue of a military nurse looks out over rows of headstones that mark the final resting place of Army, Navy and Air Force nurses.

Among them is Dr. Anita Newcomb McGree, who helped found the Army Nurse Corps and became a leader in the movement to have the monument built, then placed in Arlington. The statue was unveiled at the cemetery in 1938.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA is a congressionally chartered service organization formed in 1932 to represent servicemembers and veterans who have received the Purple Heart medal after being wounded in combat.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden appear in a new Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) public service announcement that praises the contributions of military servicemen and women while asking Americans to assist veterans and military families who need help. The PSA is scheduled to premiere in Major League Baseball stadiums across the country today as part of its Welcome Back Veterans initiative, and will air on major broadcast networks starting this fall.

The PSA featuring the First Lady and Dr. Biden is the first in a series created by EIF as part of its newly launched “I Participate” initiative designed to inspire a new era of volunteerism and community work in America. As a centerpiece of this multi-year campaign, the major broadcast networks – ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC – and others will include the theme of service in programming in more than 60 shows for the full week of October 19 -25.

“I’ve made it a personal priority to ask all Americans to join me in the cause of supporting our military families,” said Mrs. Obama. “We must all remember that when our troops are deployed, their families are left behind with a completely different set of duties. Let us make a pledge to honor their service and their sacrifice by doing more to serve them in our own communities. Whether it’s just being a good neighbor or it’s volunteering at a local organization that supports military families, please join us in taking the time to honor those who sacrifice for all of us.”

“As the mother of a National Guardsman who is serving in Iraq, this is personal,” said Dr. Biden. “I share the concerns, the anxieties, and the pride that come with being a member of a military family, and I have also seen first-hand what a difference it makes when people reach out to show support, whether in school, in the neighborhood, or in the workplace. Each of us has the power to make a difference in the life of a service member or his or her family.”

In April, President Obama signed the bi-partisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance and reauthorizes the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the Federal agency that oversees the Administration’s call to service. The bill also represents the largest expansion of federal support for service in history, bringing critical new resources to national service programs, volunteer management efforts and social innovation.

Each of EIF’s PSAs will highlight one of five key areas where volunteers are needed most: support for military families; wellness; community health; financial security; and environmental conservation; all were directed by Jesse Dylan. The PSAs include information about www.iparticpate.org which is designed to make it easy for people to search for volunteer opportunities in their communities and discover new ways to give back. The website features include calendars of events, maps, digital tool kits and uses the power of social networking vehicles like Facebook, making it easy for people to join the movement and recruit friends. Information about the programs can also be found at welcomebackveterans.org and serve.gov.

“With the collective impact of the parties involved in “I Participate”, we are confident this important initiative will make a significant impact on the country,” said Bob DuPuy, Major League Baseball President and Chief Operating Officer and veteran. “Welcome Back Veterans has been an important program for Major League Baseball over the last two seasons and by becoming a major part of “I Participate”, we expect to be able to significantly increase our ability to address the post traumatic stress needs of veterans and their families.”

The number of Americans who volunteer regularly has not increased in 40 years and has generally remained around 26%, according to an annual survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While volunteerism usually declines during periods of economic distress, volunteerism is currently on the rise in America, particularly among young people, according to the CNCS.

“As an industry of storytellers who shape popular culture through film, television and music, we have a unique opportunity to bring service to the fore of American consciousness,” said Lisa Paulsen, President and CEO of EIF. “We are so honored to have Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden appear in this important PSA about how we can assist our military men and women and their families.”

Courtesy of the American Forces Press Service

Three, three-person Joint Hometown News Service broadcast teams have begun to tape video greetings from servicemembers and their families stationed overseas.

The greetings will be aired on commercial TV and radio stations in the United States and its territories throughout the holiday season.

Servicemembers from all branches of service, their family members and Defense Department civilians are eligible to participate, said Erich Schwab, who is coordinating the program this year.

The News Service is offering a few pointers and guidelines for those wishing to participate:

• Bring address books as family members’ names, city, state and phone number are needed. No street address is needed this year, but station managers need a phone number to let families know when the greeting will air.
• Servicemembers need to be in uniform, though a work uniform is fine. Family members should accompany their sponsor, unless their sponsor is deployed — and don’t forget the props. Santa hats, pets, banners and Christmas attire are encouraged.
• Certain locations may have a wait and lunch time and after work normally are prime times. Try to break away for a few minutes during mid-morning or mid-afternoon and avoid the rush.
• There aren’t a lot of rules while on camera, but there are some tips to make the experience go smoothly. The top three are: relax, relax and relax.
• Try to be cheerful and in the holiday spirit. It doesn’t show well on camera if a servicemember’s teenage daughter looks like she’d rather be at the mall than wishing Grandma happy holidays.
• Try to keep hand gestures to a minimum and when giving a greeting, don’t say “Happy Thanksgiving.” Most greetings will begin to air on Thanksgiving Day and will quickly become obsolete.
• Try writing down main points on a 3-by-5 card. People will have 15 to 20 seconds per greeting, more than enough time to get in holiday wishes, but sometimes nerves can cause a bout of forgetfulness. Jotting down family members’ names and a few key points can be helpful.
• People who have family in more than one area can do several greetings.

When the teams return to San Antonio in late October, production will run 24/7, Schwab said. Video and audio greetings are separated by state, and in some of the more populated states such as California, Texas, Florida and New York, stations will receive the tapes or DVDs based upon region.

Stations usually begin running greetings on Thanksgiving and continue through New Year’s Day. Many greetings air multiple times during the holidays and usually on more than one station, Schwab said.

On Fox 5 News: Attention all active-duty, separating and retired military personnel-MOAA could save you some money or even help you find a new post-military career.

Phil Dyer, a certified financial planner who is also a benefits expert and financial education specialist with the Military Officers Association Of America, joined us with tips.

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2009 – The National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., unveiled the latest revisions to its Global War on Terror exhibit today, commemorating the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The exhibit opening followed a wreath-laying ceremony and moment of silence at 9:37 a.m., marking the exact time American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, killing 189 people.

A photo of New York City’s World Trade Center in destruction at Sept. 11, 2001 displayed under the Marine Corps flag at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., reminds visitors of American sacrifices on and since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

More than 200 visitors attended the ceremony in remembrance of all 2,993 Americans killed in the attacks at the Pentagon, the World Trade Center in Manhattan, and when a hijacked jetliner crashed over Pennsylvania.

“None of us will forget where we were that day,” Gwenn Adams, a spokeswoman for the museum said in a telephone interview today. “We continue to reflect on that and not let the lives that were lost be lost in vain.”

Artifacts from the World Trade Center and the Pentagon crash site — an analog clock from the Pentagon stopped at 9:37 a.m., a Pentagon appointment book opened to Sept. 11, 2001, and personal belongings recovered from unidentified victims in the Ground Zero debris — help visitors remember why troops are still fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, she said.

Other artifacts, such as the Marine Corps flag that remained standing in the Marine Corps commandant’s office during the Pentagon attack and a New York City firefighter’s uniform and recovery tools from 9/11, serve as a reminder of the poise and selfless service Americans showed on that historic day, she added.

“The Marine Corps flag never fell, it never wavered, and it stayed upright during the attack on the Pentagon,” said Adams, a retired Marine combat correspondent. “That says so much for me about Marines and Americans, in general.”

William Dunleavy, a former Marine and New York City firefighter donated the uniform he wore and some of the equipment he used to recover victims at Ground Zero. The patriotism of Dunleavy and other first responders has been followed by eight years of fighting and sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 5,000 military members have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan sparked by 9/11.

“Those events on 9/11 continue to affect us on a daily basis,” Adams said. “Not only did it solidify the patriotism of Americans, but it led to this global war on terrorism, where again, our men and women are in a situation where they’re giving everything to service to our country.”

The exhibit is part of the museum’s Global War on Terror exhibit and will be on display for about six months. After that time, the museum will continue its regular updates of photographs, paintings and artifacts of the Marine Corps’ efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.