Gazing at the Flag: Blue Star Banner
The Blue Star Flag is the “unofficial symbol of a child in service.” Gazing at the Flag has a write up on the banner and a link to buy one if you qualify.
Archive for May, 2007
American Soldier: Words of Support
American Soldier shares with us a message of support he recently received.
Milblog Conference 2007- Panel #1
FROM THE FRONT, Moderator: Matt of Blackfive.
I had the honor of being asked to participate in the Milblog Conference 2007 Panel #1, From the Front. I of course jumped at the opportunity. Sitting on the panel with me were Bill Ardolino of InDCJournal, Bill Roggio of The Fourth Rail, yours truly of Sgt Hook, and last but certainly not least, Sean of Doc in the Box.
The panel was able to provide insight on milblogging while deployed. This unique perspective raised several questions regarding limitations on content and access and a discussion ensued regarding the new Army regulations concerning OPSEC.
Bill Roggio did a good job of answering questions comparing, actually contrasting, Milblogs and the Main Stream Media as they report from the field. The consensus from the panel seemed to be that Milbloggers on whole do not resent the MSM, nor try to compete with them, but recognize that Milbloggers don’t feel the need to have explosions and casualties to publish a post, and are quite content with that. Most of the panel was hopeful that they are able to fill in the gaps that are missed by the MSM.
As the first panel was wrapping up, an audience member approached the microphone and shared a story of how while on his way to the conference he had met a young soldier (in uniform) in the airport and stopped to thank him for his service. A moment later he noticed a lady hugging the same soldier and saying loudly to him that she was doing everything she could to bring him home. The audience member asked our panel how he should respond to such comments. Feeling my blood temperature rising I quickly answered, “that’s an easy one, I’d tell her that we don’t want to come home until we’ve won.”
Next up, Panel #2, All in the Family.
OIF Troops Need USO
The United Services Organization (USO) has been around since 1941. President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized that civilian organizations could best handle recreation for the troops fighting a worldwide war.
From 1941 to 1947, USO Camp Shows presented an amazing 428,521 performances. In 1945, curtains were rising 700 times a day to audiences as large as 15,000 and as small as 25 on some outposts all over the world. More than 7,000 entertainers traveled overseas. During World War II, Americans had come together as never before. By war’s end, the USO could claim that more than 1.5 million volunteers had worked on its behalf.
In September 1963 the USO opened its first location in a combat zone in Saigon, Vietnam. Throughout the next nine years, 17 more locations would be added to the Vietnam combat zone to provide troops with a place to relax and leave behind the stresses of war.
Today, troops are again called to deploy to locations around the round to fight terrorism and bring stability to the Middle East. Yet, for some reason, the USO has not adjusted to the stress and rigor still placed on our troops. The war against terrorism is one of the most unique battles we’ve ever have to face. Troops are facing multiple deployments and have no way of winding down in Iraq while waiting their ONE R&R given throughout their deployment.
To date, the closest USO’s are located in Kuwait, Qatar, and one in Afghanistan. In Iraq, troops have no way to really relax and unwind. The gyms that are available are overcrowded and underequipped. Only the bigger camps, like Liberty, have places to borrow books or watch movies. Hollywood and the recording industry has largely shunned our troops with few notable exceptions. Absent are the “amazing 428,521 performances” by more than “7,000 entertainers” that would travel overseas. This country is worried about PTSD and everyone thinks they know what is best for dealing with the issue WHEN THEY GET HOME. But what about in the combat zone? Where are all those entertainers who “support the troops?” Toby Keith can only do so much.
There is not a USO in largest city with a concentrated US troop presence - Baghdad. Why not put one there? Why isn’t there one down south at Camp Bucca? Why not Camp Liberty? Why not start putting MWR type amenities for servicemembers in these higher-population camps? Many of these camps are not going anywhere for a LONG time. There’s not much doubt that there will at least be a minimal presence of US troops in Iraq even after complete success is announced. Some people want to fight a permanent US presence in the country, but the reality is that there will probably be one for some time.
One of the problems with the minimal amenities available currently at some of these locations is that they have ‘hours of operation’ attached to them. Detainee operations are 24/7, so why aren’t there 24/7 MWR huts or USOs? This is more important now with the surge populating camps beyond their already overstretched capacities. Troops are increasingly finding it more difficult to “get away” from it all.
According to Patriotwatch.com, “OIF presents serious challenges to even the best and most respected organizations. The USO is no exception. PDN and active duty OIF soldiers will be seeking information on how best to bring more USO presence to underserved military facilities in Iraq. What must we, as the supporters on the homefront, do to help the USO reach those troops?”
So, what can we do? For one, we can write letters to our representatives demanding that today’s fighters get the same benefits and treatment of our previous warriors. By placing USOs in the combat zone our troops will be less likely to return stressed beyond belief and able to better focus on their missions in Iraq. At Camp Bucca, where there are thousands of troops, there are only two pool tables. If every machine in the workout room were full, there would be 100-150 people able to use equipment that supports thousands of troops. Bucca isn’t the only camp with this problem.
The second thing we can do is write the USO itself. You can contact the USO by phone, at 703-908-6400. Or you can send them an email through THIS link. If Congress wants to put their money where their mouth is, they’ll support calls for USOs in Iraq.
Finally, spread this post and its message as far and wide as possible. Add it your blogs and send it to your mailing lists.
Jack Army: Poll
There is a new “surge” poll up on the Jack Army blog. Look for it on the right side column of the blog.
Duty in the Desert: Milblog Conference
Duty in the Desert with links and buzz on the 2007 Milblog Conference.
American Ranger: Soldiers and Their Blogs
There is an AP story and commentary about the Army’s revision to blog regulations on American Ranger. Looks like the regulations aren’t as restrictive as first believed.
Milblog Conference Opening Remarks
Andi stood at the podium speaking into the microphone introducing the guest speaker with a simple statement along the lines that he needed no introduction and that though she had made the request months ago, never really thought he’d accept and she’d introduce the President of the United States, George W. Bush.
There were a few chuckles, undoubtedly from those thinking that she was kidding. She wasn’t. The two large video screens on stage came to life and the Commander in Chief of the United States of America opened the conference with a short videotaped speech. I probably wasn’t the only one, but I was floored. Here is some of what the president had to say…
“America’s military bloggers are also an important voice for the cause of freedom,” Bush said in the taped message to the group, which was gathered in Northern Virginia for the 2007 MilBlog Conference. “You understand that defeating the terrorists requires us to defeat their ideology of hatred and of death with a more powerful vision, a vision of human liberty.”
Following President Bush was a live feed from Iraq with MNFI Commander Admiral Fox and then Matt of Blackfive read a note he had received from General David H. Petraeus via email…
…I wanted to offer my thanks to you for what you’ve done and also to thank, via you, the bloggers who have worked to provide accurate descriptions of the situation on the ground here in Iraq and elsewhere. Milbloggers have become increasingly important, of course, given the enormous growth in individuals who get their news online in the virtual world instead of through newspapers and television. So please extend my appreciation to them for performing this task — and, of course, for doing it in ways that does not violate legitimate operational security guidelines. Best from Baghdad — General Dave Petraeus.
The conference certainly got a lot of attention from some very senior and respected people. Next up… Panel #1, From the Front.
Milblog Conference 2007
Sgt Hook here, just returned from Arlington, VA where I attended the 2007 Milblog Conference. I’ll be posting about the conference and sharing some thoughts here at You Served throughout the week.
The first official event was a social held on Friday evening at the Westin Hotel in Arlington. There were quite a few big names in the blogosphere in attendance. I was honored to meet many of them and impressed by the conversations we had. I came away with a sense of awe for the attendees as each has been a part of something fundamentally good, whether blogging themselves or supporting the troops through various groups like Soldiers Angels. The room was filled with some amazing people and I found myself humbled to be among them.
The evening closed with an award ceremony sponsored by Milblogging.com, recognizing the best of the milblogs, otherwise known as the Milbloggies. Next up… The Conference Begins.
You Served's Claire talks about the life of a military spouse - the hardships, the joys, and everything in between.
Join the discussion in our new Spouse and Family section to speak with Claire and hundreds of other spouses just like you.
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