Just a cool photo because I love the M2 and silhouette shots.
Soldiers of the Personal Security Detachment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, mount an M2 .50-caliber machine gun before conducting night fire drills during training at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Miss. The 37th IBCT is deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
If you like the M2 as much as I do, you can also get an awesome new shirt on pre-order from Ranger Up HERE.
Posted in Photo of the Day
Tagged 37th IBCT, Camp Shelby, M2, national guard, night fire, Ohio National Guard, PSD, training
Army Emergency Relief (AER) has increased the amount of its grants to wounded warriors evacuated from theater. In the past, Soldiers medically evacuated from Iraq or Afghanistan were eligible for a $200 grant from AER to help them with incidentals at the new treatment location. However, in August, that amount was increased to $500. The AER grant program began in August 2003 for Soldiers downrange evacuated for medical treatment. To apply for the benefit and other benefits that AER provides, either through no-interest loans or grants, go to: http://www.army.mil/article/68121/ for a list of requirements. For more information about Army Emergency Relief, visit their website at http://www.aerhq.org/index.asp, or call them toll free at: (866) 878-6378.
Awesome!! This is for military members and their families! This is from the Helzberg site:
Helzberg wants to show active duty military and their families they are loved and appreciated for their service to the country. Soldiers, please tell us how your family or the community has made you feel loved while you were serving our country. Or, what have you done to show your family you love them while you are away? Submit your best stories, photos and videos here!
The contest is open to active duty military, reservists, and retired military, as well as their family members. Each week we’ll highlight some of our favorite entries onwww.facebook.com/HelzbergDiamonds.
Contest entry deadline is November 28, 2011. The $10,000 shopping spree winner will be announced in early December.
Posted in Charities/Contests, Spouse and Family
Because U.S. forces are coming home from Iraq by the end of the year, the U.S. Postal Service will stop accepting mail addressed to military post offices in Iraq starting 17 November. Military post offices in Iraq also will stop processing mail Nov. 17, and Servicemembers there should begin now to advise those who send them mail about the Nov. 17 deadline. Mail still in the postal system through 17 November will be processed and delivered to Servicemembers in Iraq. The transition will be closely coordinated with the U.S. Postal Service Agency, which will delete ZIP codes for Iraq military post offices from the USPS database to prevent undeliverable mail from entering the postal system after Nov. 17. If APO mail arrives in Iraq after a Servicemember departs, mail will be redirected to the new mailing address provided or, if no mailing address was provided, returned to sender. To learn more about the post office closings, please go to: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=65829
Posted in Life in the Military, Military News
The future of the country hinges on the trust the Afghan people bestow upon its government, especially its troops. Our military works hard to train the Afghan forces on how to properly deal with their citizens. Afghanistan has a terrible history of abusing its citizens. Hopefully, as this picture from CPL Colby Brown shows, we are training them right.
An Afghan National Army soldier shakes hands with a local child during a security patrol in Garmsir, Afghanistan. The ANA has maintained steady progress during 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment’s deployment, taking control of more than eight patrol bases and consolidating its forces into squad sized elements that can operate independently.
I found the following on Country Magazine’s blog. World War II military spouse, Ila Cox, is highlighted in the magazine for November. The following are a few memories that weren’t included in the article. What a vastly different time we live in today when our Nation is at war and so many citizens live in such luxury they can forget what our military faces daily. Amazing.
On the Home Front (EXCERPT)
Story by Ila Cox,When her husband, Jack, was sent to Asia in World War II, Ila Cox of Monticello, Mississippi, found work in a defense factory. In our special Thanksgiving issue, Ila shared her memories of life on the home front. Here are a few that didn’t make it into the magazine:
You couldn’t buy a new car, and even if you did it was difficult to keep one on the road. There were no tires to buy because the Japanese had cut off the supply of rubber from the Far East, and our entire supply had to be dedicated to the military. Fixing flat tires was a constant struggle. Continue reading
Posted in Spouse and Family
I’m not sure when I’ll get over missing Brian’s ramp ceremony. I get daily emails from COMKAF about lowering and raising flags as fallen troops transit Kandahar Airfield en route to their final resting place. It’s sad and highlights the danger in being over here.
The United States does not allow photographs or media coverage of the dignified transfers – ramp ceremonies – that see our fallen comrades off. In some ways, I understand the reasoning behind this. However, I also see how it would show Americans the dignity and care that we take in handling our fallen brethren.
I’m not sure that the Canadians have the same restrictions, which would explain this series of photos from SRA Katie Justen.
A cadre of Canadian service members carry the transfer case of Master Cpl. Byron Greff, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, to a C-130 on Bagram Air Field during a ramp ceremony. Greff was killed in an Oct. 29 Taliban attack when a vehicle packed with explosives rammed into the armored passenger Rhino Greff was traveling in. Greff served as a NATO Training Mission advisor and instructor, developing trainers to educate Afghan Army service members. Approximately 920 Canadian forces personnel serve in advisory and support roles at training camps and headquarters locations primarily in the Kabul area. Smaller contingents serve at training institutions in Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan and in Herat in western Afghanistan. The mission’s mandate extends to March 2014.
The transfer case carrying the remains of Master Cpl. Byron Greff, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, rests in the cargo hold of a C-130 on Bagram Air Field as a Canadian bagpipe player bows his head in prayer during a ramp ceremony.
Posted in Photo of the Day
Tagged Afghanistan, canadian military, dignified transfer, Kandahar, ramp ceremony
This has taken a lot of time to put in place, but I am so happy to be able to finally announce this initiative in honoring all Veterans.
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 05, 2011) – British singing sensation Matt Goss, in conjunction with Bouhammer’s Afghan and Military Blog (http://www.bouhammer.com), is celebrating Veterans and honoring those who serve with complimentary tickets to his show Friday, Nov. 11 and Saturday, Nov. 12 in the Gossy Room at Caesars Palace.
“It’s important to raise awareness of the heroic acts these Veterans perform on a daily basis,” said Goss. “I’m honored to give this group a much deserved, enjoyable night out.”
Invited Veterans will receive complimentary entrance to the show for themselves and a guest, dinner and a meet and greet opportunity with Goss prior to the show.
Veterans Day (originally Remembrance Day) is a day remembered by countries all over the world, originally in recognition of the end of World War I. For additional information on Bouhammer’s Afghan and Military Blog, please visit Bouhammer.com.
All performances are held inside the Gossy Room at Caesars Palace and begin at 9:30 p.m. General admission tickets are priced at $40 (inclusive of entertainment tax). Tickets can be purchased in person at the Colosseum Box Office at Caesars Palace or by phone 1-800-745-3000 or on www.ticketmaster.com keyword: Matt Goss. A service charge applies to Ticketmaster purchases.
Presented by Robin Antin, creator of The Pussycat Dolls, Goss’s show offers a dynamic blend of musical talent; backed by a nine-piece band and sexy female dancers known as “The Dirty Virgins,” Goss entertains guests with a production featuring a mix of his career hits, songs from his new album and popular covers.
Goss has sold more than 17 million albums worldwide and is recognized for his appreciation of classic hits made famous by the Rat Pack. In his show at Caesars Palace, Goss performs “I’ve Got the World on a String” and “Luck be a Lady,” recorded by the legendary Frank Sinatra, who headlined numerous dates at Caesars Palace from 1968 to 1983.
About Matt Goss
Matt Goss reached international fame as the lead singer of ’80s British pop group Bros, enjoying more than a decade of success with more than 17 million records sold worldwide. Bros was the first band since Elvis to knock themselves off of the #1 spot in Australia and held a #1 spot in 19 countries simultaneously. In addition to his successful music career, Goss released an autobiography in 2005 achieving Best Seller status in the coveted London Sunday Times. Goss has gone on to focus on songwriting including writing the theme song for the #1 FOX program “So You Think You Can Dance” and writing the hit song “Change Me” for Keri Hilson and Akon which is featured on Hilson’s current chart-topping album In A Perfect World. Goss currently lives in Los Angeles where he is recording his next studio album. In September 2010, Goss released his first children’s book, “Bear Crimbo,” which is the first of a three-book deal. For more information about Matt Goss, visit http://www.mattgoss.biz.About Caesars Palace
Reigning at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace features 3,300 hotel guest rooms and suites, including the 180-room Nobu Hotel set to open in 2012; and 25 diverse restaurants and cafes, including the 24-hour café Central by James Beard award-winning Chef Michel Richard. The 85-acre resort offers nearly 129,000 square-feet of casino space including a 14,000 square-foot poker room; a five-acre Garden of the Gods pool complex showcasing eight pools and two gardens; the 50,000 square-foot award-winning Qua Baths & Spa and Color Salon by renowned celebrity colorist Michael Boychuck; five elegant wedding chapels and outdoor gardens; 300,000 square-feet of premium meeting and convention space; and the acclaimed 683,000-square-foot Forum Shops offering more than 180 boutiques and dining establishments. Caesars guests enjoy Cascata, one of the world’s most exclusive golf courses; and the 4,300-seat Colosseum spotlighting world class entertainers such as Celine Dion, Jerry Seinfeld, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Shania Twain (beginning December 2012). For more information, please visit http://www.caesarspalace.com or http://caesars.thedigitalcenter.com to access media materials and request high-resolution images. Find Caesars Palace on Facebook and follow on Twitter.Caesars Palace, along with all Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas resorts, including Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Paris Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah’s, Bally’s, Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Imperial Palace and Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon, proudly prohibit adding mandatory resort fees to hotel guest room rates. For information on No Resort Fees visit www.caesars.com/noresortfees or find details on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/noresortfees.
About Bouhammer’s Afghan and Military Blog
The Bouhammer [boo-ham-er] blog was originally created by a 22-year retired First Sergeant of the U.S. Army. This blog started out as a way to write about military related issues. It turned into a way for Bouhammer to document his 16 month tour as an Embedded Training Team leader in Afghanistan for family and friends. It is now one of the leading and award-winning blogs written exclusively on operations in Afghanistan and other military related topics. Troy Steward from Bouhammer.com also writes for the Official Army Blog at Army Strong Stories (http://armystrongstories.com/) , the You Served Blog (http://www.youserved.com) and co-hosts the weekly You Served Radio show and podcast (http://www.youservedradio.com). The Bouhammer blog can be found on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/bouhammer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bouhammer.###
MEDIA CONTACT:
Melanie Shafer
Public Relations Specialist
Caesars Entertainment – Las Vegas Region
Mshafer1@caesars.com
(702) 794-3137Troy Steward
Owner
Bouhammer Enterprises, LLC
admin@bouhammer.com
Posted in Patriotism, Veteran Benefits
Like I’ve said many times, I think the world – especially the Islamic World – needs to see more of these photos of how our Soldiers interact with the indigenous population, especially the kids. You can tell a lot about a people by how they treat their children. You can more about how they treat other people’s children. This photo by SRA Sean Martin is another of those great photos where a picture speaks a thousands words.
U.S. Army Spc. Jeffrey Brelsford, Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team security force infantryman from Silverside, R.I., plays a game with local children in a village during a dismounted patrol through Route Red Dog. The Kandahar PRT SECFOR provided security for the PRT engineers during a quality assurance, quality control assessment of the road. The Kandahar PRT works closely with battle space owners and DSTs throughout the province to improve governance, security and infrastructure capacity for Afghan citizens.
A child herds his donkey, laden with supplies, through the area. Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, are working with Afghan soldiers in Operation Eastern Storm to force insurgents from the area and return security, allowing residents to return to their homes.
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!
