Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) from World War II will finally be given the recognition and honor they deserve when they and representatives of deceased WASP receive a Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony to be held in the United States Capitol on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. The WASP were a trailblazing group of 1,102 civilian female pilots, the first to fly military aircraft under the direction of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Nearly 70 years ago, WASP ferried fighter, bomber, transport, and training aircraft and performed other missions in the continental United States to help defend America’s freedom.
Activities honoring the WASP commence with a private remembrance ceremony at the World War II Memorial on Tuesday, March 9 at 4 p.m. A welcome salute reception will immediately follow at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Republican Leader John Boehner, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and Members of Congress will hold the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony on March 10 at 11 a.m. in the Capitol.
A celebration reception for WASP, family, and friends will be held in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center following the ceremony. Legendary television news anchor and author of “The Greatest Generation” Tom Brokaw will attend. Additional special guests include Vice Admiral Vivien Crea (USCG, Ret.), the first woman to serve as a Presidential Military Aide and pioneering Coast Guard aviator; Colonel Eileen Collins (USAF, Ret.), the first woman astronaut to command a Space Shuttle; and Major Nicole Malachowski, who initiated legislation to recognize the WASP and the first female to serve as an Air Force Thunderbird pilot. The celebration will conclude with a Military Aviators Tribute Dinner on Wednesday night at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center at National Harbor.
The Women’s Memorial is currently home to Fly Girls of World War II, an extensive exhibit that tells the story of women aviators who, as WASP, performed the stateside service of male pilots, relieving more men to fly combat missions overseas during the war. To learn how to help ensure all living WASP can attend celebration activities in Washington, D.C., please visit www.flygirls.org.
In a moment of “Awwwwwwwww!” we bring you a request from 4Troops, a group of combat veterans who have served on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan
Ever wish the world could see that special moment when you picked up your little girl and twirled her around like a ballroom dancer? When you lifted your baby boy onto your shoulders as you swayed in delight to the music? When your little one danced while standing on dad’s big shoes? 4TROOPS are looking for home video moments such as these featuring members or veterans of the military and their children for possible use in their upcoming television special and/or U.S. tour. Deployment, “missing you” and homecoming videos are also welcome.
4TROOPS has appeared on Good Morning America with Bob Woodruff and twice on Fox and Friends, in addition to features in USA Today and Military Times. 4TROOPS debut self-titled CD will be available this spring with a portion of the proceeds from sales to benefit veteran-related charities, including the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).
Please visit www.4TROOPSmusic.com for details on how to submit your video for consideration and for official rules and video submission requirements. Deadline for submissions is March 1, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.
The Pat Tillman Foundation has selected Cleveland State University as a new partner in the Tillman Military Scholarship program which provides educational scholarships for veterans, service members, and their families. In 2009, the Pat Tillman Foundation awarded $642,000 to the inaugural class of 52 Tillman Military Scholars pursuing education at every level from freshmen undergraduates to Ph.D. candidates.
“CSU is a leader in providing service to returning military veterans, easing their transition from military to civilian life and into the classroom. Our SERV – Supportive Education for the Returning Veteran – program is a national model for addressing the very special needs of veterans as they re-adjust to civilian life,” said Cleveland State President Ronald M. Berkman.
Nearly 300 veterans are enrolled in CSU’s Project SERV, a program that was selected as one of only 10 colleges nationwide to receive $100,000 for program excellence by the Wal-Mart Foundation in 2008.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Pat Tillman Foundation as a partner institution. The financial needs of the returning veteran are great. Partnering with the Foundation will enable us to help more students begin or re-start their collegiate studies,” added Berkman.
CSU joins Texas A&M University, the University of Arizona, and the University of Oregon as the newest Tillman Military Scholar universities selected as partners for the 2010/2011 academic year. They join current university partners Mississippi State University, the University of Idaho, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Maryland. The Pat Tillman Foundation has chosen to partner with these institutions because they are all leaders in military support services to student veterans, active service members, and their families on campus. Each university partner also helps circulate information and educate eligible students about the Tillman Military Scholar program.
Attendees from DoD, DHS, program managers, international partners, vendors, and academia will unite to discuss joint initiatives, individual programs and share best practices in support of the U.S. military aviation community. View hundreds of never-before-seen products and solutions, attend innovative sessions on the Main Conference and Presentation Theater, and network with your peers during the cocktail reception.
All military and government personnel will benefit from the VIP Club Lounge – stocked with food, beverages and a quiet place to conduct business meetings.
Register to attend today and use code “MOAA” to receive 25% off the Main Conference or a Free Expo Pass. During the month of February, use the code “MOAA Travel” and receive a $100 travel voucher when attending the event.
Military OneSource is hosting webinars on “Special Needs Resources For Military Families”, scheduled for February 23rd and 25th, 2010. They will provide an overview of government and non-government resources that can help military families with special needs.
The U.S. Army’s eCYBERMISSION competition closed student registration with a record 13,219 participants, surpassing the Army’s goal of 13,000 students, but now they need your help! Volunteers still needed for Virtual Judging, assisting students with projects and promoting the competition to schools.
eCYBERMISSION, now in its eighth year, is a free, web-based, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition for students in grades six through nine. Through the eCYBERMISSION competition, students compete for regional and national awards by using the scientific method to solve a problem in their local communities.
The continued success of eCYBERMISSION and its registered students depends on dedicated Volunteers to support the program and its mission. Volunteers serve a dynamic role in the competition, each contributing his or her knowledge, skills and enthusiasm in a unique way. There are several volunteer roles, including:
Virtual Judges – Individuals with an interest or background in science, technology, engineering, math or education who independently evaluate team Mission Folders online. Registration is open through Feb. 26 and scoring takes place from March 1 through March 29.
Ambassadors – Serve as the face of eCYBERMISSION by promoting the competition and recruiting other Volunteers in their community. Ambassadors must have an active Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance or be willing to go through an FBI background check. Registration is open through June 30.
CyberGuides – Provide online assistance to eCYBERMISSION teams by answering questions and providing guidance through the use of Discussion Forums, Chat Rooms and Instant Messaging. CyberGuides must have an active DoD security clearance. Registration is open through Feb. 1 and CyberGuide’s last day online is Feb. 26.
Created by the U.S. Army in 2002 to emphasize the importance of STEM education, eCYBERMISSION has awarded more than $6.7 million in U.S. EE Savings Bonds to regional and national winners. The 96 winning teams will be announced in April and the 16 regional first place teams will be invited to participate in the annual eCYBERMISSION National Judging and Educational Event in June.
Beginning March 2, Webinars will be hosted every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the month of March, each lasting approximately 30 – 45 minutes.
Each session consists of a presentation by one of eight proven experts in their respective fields. Throughout the session, attendees can submit questions which will be answered and posted on the site along with the recording of the session the following day.
Sessions are open to the public, designed for parents, caregivers, Boys & Girls Club professionals, members of the media and others who support families.
Pre-register for the sessions you want to attend by visiting the Family PLUS Web site.
“The Family Strengthening Virtual Symposium will provide a variety of tools and resources that families and caregivers can use to further strengthen the family unit,” said Jenny Lewis, vice-president, Kimberly-Clark Foundation. “Kimberly-Clark’s sponsorship demonstrates our company’s commitment to strengthening families, as well as our ongoing support of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s quest to fulfill their mission of helping provide opportunities that change lives and create productive citizens and leaders of tomorrow.”
The Campaign is conducted annually in cooperation with the official DoD Financial Readiness Campaign nonprofit partner, the Consumer Federation of America, as part of the larger nationwide America Saves Campaign. Reducing debt and saving for the future are two goals all military, Military Saves members, and their families can start working towards immediately. This campaign offers encouragement and guidance to motivate military families to start building financial wealth today.
Military OneSource brings you H&R Block At Home® (formerly TaxCut) online tax filing through the Military OneSource website and telephonic tax consultations. Prepare your 2009 state and federal taxes with this easy-to-use program. Provided by the DoD, H&R Block At Home® is available for free to active duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members and their families.
Tax consultants are available seven days a week from 7AM-11PM ET by calling the Military OneSource Tax Hotline at 1-800-730-3802.
Please Note: You must use the link on the Military OneSource website to access the customized product and create an account. Do not go to the public H&R Block website to create a user account.
From the creative team behind HBO’s Emmy Award winning miniseries Band of Brothers (Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg) comes an epic 10-part miniseries that will track the intertwined odysseys of three U.S. Marines across the vast canvas of the Pacific front in WWII. The miniseries is based on the books, “With The Old Breed” by Eugene Sledge and “Helmet for My Pillow” by Robert Leckie.
The Pacific is scheduled to premiere on March 14, 2010 (ten one hour parts) and will be HBO’s biggest on-air and off-air event in 2010.
The Feb. 17 deadline for students to apply for the 2010 Scholarships for Military Children Program is fast approaching. All students interested and eligible to apply are encouraged to gather their materials and submit their applications as soon as possible.
One of the materials needed includes an essay on the following topic: “You can travel back in time, however, you cannot change events. What point in history would you visit and why?”
Applications are available in commissaries worldwide and directly at http://www.militaryscholar.org. Applications must be turned in to a commissary by close of business Feb. 17. At least one scholarship will be awarded at every commissary location with qualified applicants.
Be sure to check for full eligibility requirements when applying! And hurry, you have a week left!
