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| Army.TogetherWeServed Newsletter - November, 2008 | ||
In This Issue
Quotable Quotes "Only one military organization can hold and gain ground in war-a ground army supported by tactical aviation with supply lines guarded by the navy." - General Omar N. Bradley, 1951 New Rules for Saluting out of Uniform WASHINGTON - Veterans and servicemembers not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect last month. "The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's armed forces," said Dr. James B. Peake, secretary of Veterans Affairs. "This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation's flag." The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year's provision also applied to servicemembers while not in uniform.  Traditionally, members of the nation's veterans service organizations have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization's official head-gear. The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed Oct. 14. The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform servicemembers during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008. SecDef Emphasis Warrior Care in Veterans Day Message WASHINGTON - "On Veterans Day we pay tribute to those who have fought for our country from its earliest days to the present. This day reminds us of how important it is that the men and women who wear this country's uniform know how grateful their fellow Americans are for that service. "The holiday's birthplace is my home state of Kansas. Over half a century ago, a shoe store owner in Emporia named Al King promoted the idea of changing what had been Armistice Day – honoring veterans of the First World War – into a celebration of veterans of every conflict, and every era. "What started in Emporia went national in 1954, when Congress passed and President Eisenhower signed a bill making the November 11 holiday the one we know today. "As important as it is to publicly recognize the service of our troops returned from the battlefield, it is more important – indeed a sacred obligation – that we make sure they receive the care, benefits, and compensation they've so courageously earned. This is one of the preeminent challenges facing our nation. Aside from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I have had no higher leadership priority. "Since reports of substandard recovery facilities emerged last year, the Department of Defense has launched major reforms and improvements in outpatient care. Each of the services provides a multi-facetted approach to care. The Army, for example, gives each soldier a case manager, squad leader, and a primary care provider. Coordinators have been assigned to help guide troops and their families through what can be a bewildering system during a difficult period in their lives. "The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are expanding a pilot program to streamline the Disability Evaluation System into a single process producing one disability rating. We must also continue to improve coordination and information-sharing between these two departments so that wounded warriors making the transition out of the military health system are not burdened by excessive delay or duplicate processes. "To draw attention to the service and sacrifice of these extraordinary Americans, to take stock of what has been achieved, and to reflect on how much more needs to be done, I have designated November as 'Warrior Care Month.' The Department of Defense has launched a one-stop website at www.warriorcare.mil, where service members and their families will be able to find out about the full range of resources available to them. "On this Veterans Day, let us redouble efforts to see our men and women get the care and the recognition that are their due. And if there are veterans in your family, in your community -- or even if you see them walking down the hall or down the street -- take a moment to say 'thank you' for all they have done for us. They deserve no less." ROBERT M. GATES Secretary of Defense Army News ARMY News - Army launches new ad campaign on Veterans Day - Armed Forces Inaugural Committee ramping-up - Former WACs remember women's Army - AKO gets DoD nod as information delivery standard - Deal or no deal: Soldiers learn to handle variables on modern battlefield - Army program reinvents wounded care  DOD'S TOP TEACHERS - SECDEF Robert M. Gates thanks a group of top-rated teachers who work for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS) system for their service during their visit to his Pentagon office. Each was selected as "Teacher of the Year" in their respective overseas or stateside DODDS school district. - DoD photo by R.D. Ward Chairman's Veterans Day Message WASHINGTON - Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, issued his Veterans Day message to those who now serve or have served in the armed forces. "When Armistice was declared on November 11, 1918, effectively ending World War I, over sixty-five million individuals had been mobilized for the "Great War" that resulted in almost nine million deaths and over twenty-one million wounded. In just a year and a half of operations, 126,000 Americans lost their lives on the muddy landscapes of Europe and in the icy depths of the North Atlantic. Such loss of life and limb is hard to fathom today. "History has debunked the notion of a 'War to End All Wars.' And history has also proven that peace does not preserve itself. It requires millions of dedicated men and women, like you and your families, all working in unison toward what one memorial hails as 'high idealism, courageous sacrifice and gallant achievement.' "Today, a new generation of veterans carries this torch. Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have forged the most combat-hardened force in our nation's history. Yet, no war is without its casualties. Whether seen or unseen, the wounds of war last a lifetime, and so should our care. "Our wounded veterans and their families deserve only the best medical care our nation can provide, care on par with the service and sacrifice these patriots have rendered. From the battlefield to regional hospitals, and rehabilitation centers to reintegration programs, our wounded, ill and injured servicemembers and their families merit a continuum of care that lasts a lifetime. "To all our veterans, past and present, and your families, the Joint Chiefs and I salute you and thank you for your service and your sacrifice. As we remember those who have gone before us, may we honor their service through ours. MICHAEL G. MULLEN Admiral, US Navy National Wreath Project Project - Please Help  On 5 December 2008 Volunteers will gather at the Gettysburg National Cemetery and place 400 Christmas Wreaths on the graves of our Veterans. This project is an extension of a program started 2 years ago by John and Susan McColley and the Sgt Mac Foundation. The McColleys are parents of Gettysburg native and United States Marine Corps Sergeant Eric McColley who was killed along with 7 other Marines and 2 Airmen in a helicopter accident in the Horn of Africa on 17 February 2006. Last year the Foundation placed 2,100 wreaths on graves at Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia were Eric is interred. This year we will do the same as well as expand the project to Gettysburg National Cemetery. With the financial assistance of local and other Veterans organizations, private and business support we are able to expand this program. We will meet at the GIANT FOOD STORE parking lot on Route 30/York Road in Gettysburg, PA at 0800 Friday December 5th, 2008 to tie the bows on the wreaths, after a lunch break we will travel to the Taneytown Road entrance to the Gettysburg National Cemetery and place 400 wreaths on graves at 1:00 PM. The following day, Saturday December 6, 2008 we will meet at Quantico National Cemetery at 0930 and place approximately 2,100 wreaths there. Your attendance and support is most welcome. We would like to expand the program every year but in order to do so, we need additional support financially and logistically. The cost of the wreaths this year is $ 7.00 each. With sufficient support, we would like to expand this project to be able to place a wreath on every headstone in the Cemetery. If you would like to participate in this project, please contact Stan Clark at 717-337-1728 or e-mail at scmb@earthlink.net Background information and photos at www.sgtmac.org Using a Government E-mail Address on ATWS? Are you using a "army.mil" email address in your ATWS profile? If so, you might want to consider a freebie, non-military address. A couple of reasons not use your official Army email addy here at ATWS: Should you get transferred and forget to log in after your PCS, you may experience some difficulty in logging back on to ATWS. Or, if you get email from a long-lost boot camp buddy or "A" School classmate, you won't get the notification they're trying to contact you. Nor will you receive this monthly ATWS Newsletter. Besides, the 1stSgt just might look sideways on your using the gov pc....and we wouldn't want that. If you don't already have a civilian email account, choose of the many free web-based email providers (Hotmail, Yahoo!, Google Gmail, etc.) and get one. Sign-up is pretty much painless, and you'll have an alternate emaill address to throw around. Just pick one that suits your needs. To change the email address on your profile, click on the EDIT button in your Personal Details section and insert your new email address there. Just remember to click SAVE below the text area when you are finished. One more email-related item: If you have a spam guard program on your email, please configure it to allow messages from admin@togetherweserved.com to come through and not treat it as spam. This allows us to send you messages without any hassle. Vet Topics Enhanced VA Mortgage Options Now Available for Veterans WASHINGTON - Veterans with conventional home loans now have new options for refinancing to a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guaranteed home loan. These new options are available as a result of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, which the President signed into law last month. "These changes will allow VA to assist a substantial number of veterans with subprime mortgages refinance into a safer, more affordable, VA guaranteed loan," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "Veterans in financial distress due to high rate subprime mortgages are potentially the greatest beneficiaries." VA has never guaranteed subprime loans. However, as a result of the new law VA can now help many more veterans who currently have subprime loans. The new law makes changes to VA's home loan refinancing program. Veterans who wish to refinance their subprime or conventional mortgage may now do so for up to 100 percent of the value of the property. These types of loans were previously limited to 90 percent of the value. Additionally, Congress raised VA's maximum loan amount for these types of refinancing loans. Previously, these refinancing loans were capped at $144,000. With the new legislation, such loans may be made up to $729,750 depending on where the property is located. Increasing the loan-to-value ratio and raising the maximum loan amount will allow more qualified veterans to refinance through VA, allowing for savings on interest costs or even potentially avoiding foreclosure. Originally set to expire at the end of this month, VA's authority to guaranty Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) and Hybrid ARMs was also extended under this new law through September 30, 2012. Unlike conventional ARMs and hybrid ARMs, VA limits interest rate increases on these loans from year to year, as well as over the life of the loans. Since 1944, when home loan guaranties were offered with the original GI Bill, VA has guaranteed more than 18 million home loans worth over $911 billion. This year, about 180,000 veterans, active duty servicemembers, and survivors received loans valued at about $36 billion. For more information, or to obtain help from a VA Loan Specialist, veterans may call VA at 1-877-827-3702 or visit www.homeloans.va.gov. TWS Invite Cards - Free for the Asking! TWS Invite Cards are two-sided (sample below) and include a spot for you to print your member number and instructions for your invitees to credit you with the invitation. As a reminder, you get 6 months of free premium access for every 5 members you invite that create a profile page. There's also a new feature in the registration process as now new joining members are asked to include the member number of the person that invited them while they are registering. If you simply write your member number on the invite card, your invitees can enter your member number as they register and you'll automatically be credited for the invite. These cards are a great ice-breaker to start conversations with other Soldiers and they're the perfect tool to help Spread The Word about TWS. We've mailed out over 60,000 of these cards in the last year when considering all the TWS websites. Please drop us a note to share any success stories you've had using these cards to meet other Soldiers. If you'd like to receive a batch of these cards, please send an email to admin@army.togetherweserved.com and tell us how many you'd like to receive and where to send them.  Useful Military Links Defenselink -- The OFFICIAL source of news and information from the Department of Defense, related agencies and all military branches. Multi-National Force - Iraq -- Official website of MNF-I. Multi-National Corps - Iraq -- Official website of MNC-I, "Leading the transformation of Iraq." International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) -- Official website for coalition forces in Afghanistan The Pentagon Channel -- 24-hour broadcasts of official military news and information for members of the US Armed Forces through select stateside cable systems, and overseas via American Forces Network (AFN). My AFN.mil -- American Forces Network (AFN) provides multi-channel, broadcast-quality radio and television services and expanded internal information products to all DoD members and their families stationed overseas, on contingency operations, and onboard Navy ships around the world. We Bring You Home. Military Homefront -- A DoD Web portal for reliable Quality of Life information designed to help troops and their families, leaders and service providers. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you need! Stars & Stripes -- The DoD-authorized UNOFFICIAL daily newspaper for US Forces overseas, printed in European, Pacific and Mideast editions. Department of Defense Educational Activity (DoDEA) -- DoDEA operates more than 218 public schools for grades K-12 in 14 districts located in seven U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Guam and 12 foreign countries to serve the children of military service members and Department of Defense civilian employees. Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) -- The military's largest retailer. A mission-essential, and the premier quality of life provider for all DoD military members, civilians, contractors and their families worldwide. Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) -- The Navy's Family Store providing quality goods and services at a savings and supporting the naval quality of life programs. Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) -- Delivering the premier quality-of-life benefit to military members worldwide. United Service Organizations (USO) -- The USO supports U.S. troops and their families wherever they serve. Across the United States and around the world, the American military knows that the USO is there for them. Until Every One Comes Home. Space Avaliable Travel fact sheet -- Answers to the most common Space A travel questions, courtesy of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB, CA. OFFICIAL SERVICE BRANCH MAGAZINES: NAVY - All Hands MARINE CORPS - Marines ARMY - Soldiers AIR FORCE - Airman COAST GUARD - Coast Guard Navy World Wide Locator -- For locating individuals on active duty, those recently discharged, and current addresses for retired Navy service members. Navy Retired Activities Branch -- Keeps the retired community informed of their benefits and provides customer service to Navy retirees and their families. Shift Colors -- The Magazine for Navy Retirees. UNIFORM REGULATIONS: NAVY - NAVPERS 15665I MARINE CORPS - MCO P1020.34G ARMY - AR 670-1 AIR FORCE - AFI 36-2903 COAST GUARD - COMDTINST M1020.6E Global Terrorism Incident Map If you want to know what is going on in the world of terrorism, threats, explosions, airline incidents, etc., keep this web page. It's not just about terrorism - it's about what is happening every day, every minute some place in the world that could affect all of us in some way. It updates every 30 seconds, constantly. You just click on any map icon for full info at any time. Global Incident Map VA Secretary: America keeps Lincoln Story by Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON - As he prepares to observe his first Veterans Day as Veterans Affairs secretary, Dr. James B. Peake said he believes the United States is living up to Abraham Lincoln’s pledge to care for "him who has borne the battle, and his widow and his orphan." Those words from Lincoln's second inaugural address are inscribed at the entrance to the Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters here. They serve as a mantra for a VA workforce that provides healthcare to more than 7.5 million veterans and benefits to more than 3.5 million veterans. Peake said the VA is taking advantage of technology and medical breakthroughs in ways Lincoln would never have dreamed possible. "I think he would be pretty proud," Peake told American Forces Press Service. "He'd say, 'You're fulfilling the promise." A retired Army lieutenant general, Peake understands the significance of that promise in a way most Americans couldn't. He was wounded twice in battle as an infantry officer during the Vietnam War. His acceptance letter to Cornell University Medical College arrived as he was in the hospital recovering from his wounds.  Dr. James B. Peake, secretary of Veterans Affairs, said he believes the United States is living up to Abraham Lincoln’s pledge to care for “him who has borne the battle, and his widow and his orphan.” Following the footsteps laid by his parents -- his father, a medical services officer and his mother -- an Army nurse, Peake attended medical school on an Army scholarship, returned to the Army for his medical internships and residencies and built his career in Army medicine. Ultimately, Peake became the 40th Army surgeon general. Now Veterans Affairs secretary, Peake said he's gratified by continued support that ensures the VA can continue providing first-class care and benefits for veterans, including those returning from combat. "Since 2001, the president and Congress have provided the Department of Veterans Affairs with a 98 percent increase in funding, and with the guidance and support to enable VA to honor America’s debt to the men and women whose patriotic service and sacrifice have kept our nation free and prosperous," Peake said in his Veterans Day message. Health-care funding alone doubled during the past seven years, he said. This funding has enabled the VA to reach out to more veterans and provide better, more effective services, he said, listing just a few of many new initiatives. VA hired more new mental-health professionals and expanded its community-based outreach. It opened more Vet Centers and laid plans for more to come. It began putting a fleet of motor coaches into service to take counseling services closer to the veterans who need it. "We are trying to appropriately leverage technology and the tools to provide access to veterans, no matter where they are," Peake said. "That way, it is not your address that decides whether or not you get your benefits." Meanwhile, in an unprecedented move authorized by the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 signed into law last month, the VA began offering VA-guaranteed home loans to veterans with more expensive and risky subprime mortgages. Much of the VA's focus has been on care for the 850,000 newest veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The VA hired transition patient advocates to help severely wounded troops and their families work their way through the transition process and federal recovery coordinators to ensure life-long medical and rehabilitative care services and other benefits for families. More claims processors are on boar d to reduce the backlog in processing disability claims. Peake called these examples an indication that the VA is on the right track in providing care for what we called "the best educated, best trained, best selected military we have ever had coming back, reentering society…to become the next greatest generation." He praised the commitment of his staff – 31 percent of them veterans themselves – and called them the spirit that makes every day Veterans Day at the VA. "You see that celebrated when you go to our VA," he said. "There's a special level of dedication and commitment here." As he attends observances at Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Memorial, then sits down to dinner with patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Peake said he'll feel gratified to see the United States observe the commemoration President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed as Armistice Day in 1919. He urged all Americans to recognize Veterans Day, either at the 33 major national observances taking place across the country, or in simpler, more private ways that honor veterans and their service. "Participation in Veterans Day can be as simple as putting out the porch flag or reminding youngsters of the story of a relative who served in the military," he said. Veterans Day is as important today as ever, perhaps even more so, Peake said. With just 1 percent of the U.S. population serving in uniform to protect liberties for the other 99 percent, Veterans Day offers a time to reflect and remember, he said. "It's important for everybody to realize the debt that we owe those who serve this nation," Peake said. "Without the service of our veterans, we wouldn't have the freedoms we enjoy today...Their bravery, their resourcefulness and their patriotism mark them as our nation's finest citizens." - Photo courtesy Department of Veterans Affairs Army.TWS Forums and Chat Boards - Sound Off!  What was your best duty station or assignment and why? What is the recipe for that good chow you know how to make out of an MRE? Where's the coldest beer in Korea? Do you have any tips about keeping healthy, or things to watch out for if you have a disease? These are just a few of the topics that are covered by the many Forums on Army.TWS. These forums provide you, the members, a variety of places to discuss with other members the many topics we have in common. Those members still on active duty would probably like to know about good assignments when they make out their "dream sheets" or talk to their Detailers. Those who have worked as Detailers or served on a board might want to provide a few tips for members in preparing to talk about their next assignment. If you have a disease like diabetes, what tips can you give others about the disease and things to watch out for with diabetes? Encourage a fellow Marine to keep on top of a health problem so he stays with us for a long time. These are but a couple of topics that are available for you to offer advice, warn others about, discuss with other Marines, etc, or just vent your frustrations about. So pull up a foot-locker and start shooting the breeze, the forums are for you. Lost your Password? If you have forgotten your User ID and Password you can be quickly and easily reminded by clicking on the "Reminder" link contained on the Login page or following this Link. Your Username and Password will be immediately sent to you by e-mail. TWS Fallen Soldier Memorial Project  TWS is a place to honor the service history of all Soldiers who served including those who fell in combat. So that they will not be forgotten, we have created a special facility where any TWS Member can post a Remembrance Profile for a Fallen Soldier they knew or would like to honor, and this can be accessed via the "Remember a Soldier" link on the LH Home page. We have also developed an important feature which will enable TWS Members to adopt the Profile of a Fallen Soldier already posted on the site. TWS has already researched and compiled comprehensive information on all Soldiers who fell during the Vietnam War, 1965-1975, and these are now installed as Fallen Profiles accessible via the LH Home Page link. Additionally, another 35,000 Memorial Profiles were added this month and are ready for adoption. As no one is assigned to maintain these Profiles, we invite TWS Members to adopt one or more Fallen Profiles as custodian and researching and adding any additional information when available. To adopt the Profile of a Fallen Soldier from the Vietnam War, please click on the Adopt a Fallen Soldier Profile link on the left hand Home Page after you log in or click here TWS Cafe! Coffee, Mugs and more... Be sure to visit the "TWS Cafe!"  In partnership with our friends at Snipers Brew/Devil Dog Brew, we're proud to present the TWS Cafe where you can purchase custom coffee blends of "Snipers Brew at a discounted price especially for TWS Members. In addition to coffee, initial product offerings include Custom Coffee Mugs and poker chips! Stay Tuned, an Army.TWS Challenge coin will be availabe soon, along with Bumper Stickers and more... From the "Dogface Humor Board" Officer vs. NCO Observations The Company Commander and the First Sergeant were in the field. As they hit the sack for the night, the First Sergeant said, "Sir, look up into the sky and tell me what you see?" The CO said, "I see millions of stars." 1SG: "And what does that tell you, sir?" CO: "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Theologically, it tells me that God is great and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it tells me that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you, Top?" 1SG: "Well sir, it tells me that somebody stole our tent." Submitted by: Watson, Teresa (Resa), SFC The Army.TWS Monthly Newsletter A monthly online publication of Army.TogetherWeServed.com, a commercial entity in no way affiliated, authorized or endorsed by the US Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, or any of its agencies. Opinions and views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Army.TogetherWeServed.com, the U.S. Government, Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense. This ATWS Newsletter is published and distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered official Army or DOD policy, regulation or doctrine. Contact your command's administration section concerning all current Army policy, regulation and doctrine issues. All photos used in this online publication are official US Department of Defense imagery and cleared for public release, unless otherwise indicated. Please send any comments, quality improvement suggestions or story ideas to: admin@army.togetherweserved.com. Maj W.T. Prater (USMC/Ret) Administrator/Editor Reunions & Get Togethers The TWS Reunions & Get Together's Forum Board is a ready-made clearing house of information and we're happy to feature any specific announcements you may have. If have reunion or get together information you'd like to have published in this newsletter let us know. Email your command/club/association reunion announcement as early as possible to: admin@army.togetherweserved.com Comments/Suggestions Please forward any comments or suggestions that you feel would further improve the website to info@army.togetherweserved.com or just reply to this newsletter. POW-MIA - You are Not Forgotten!  |
Growing Strong! Army.TogetherWeServed.com, in just over 3 months, already features over 87,000 Member Profiles featuring thousands of Fallen and Memorial proifles that were added this month and are now available for adoption. More than 22,400 Soldiers joined the site in the last 30 days! Log in today to see if anyone you served with is now on board and looking for you!  Army.TWS continues to grow at a phenomenal rate with an average of more than 250 new members joining each day, with a new daily average of more than 500 Soldiers logged-on at one time. As noted above, including Memorial and Fallen Profiles added this month, there are now more than 87,000 Member Profiles. We welcome your questions/comments and especially your presence and support of ArmyTogetherWeServed.com Earl Owen, LTC US Army Ret  Happy Birthday Marine Corps Happy Birthday Marine Corps!  This month we celebrate 233 years of the United States Marine Corps - and 5 years of the most unique military websites anwhere on the web! Video of the Month - Army Strong! YouTube Video of the Month - Honoring the Marines of Beirut Featured Upgrades this month TWS Vietnam Fallen Project    New Breast Insignia We have uploaded the following foreign award options for your breast insignia this month:    New Official Badges We have added the following options for your official badges selection this month:  Jobs for Soldiers  Recently left the Army? Maybe you're looking for a new career, or planning on going in a different direction from your present job? Every email that our team sends out to potential job candidates and or transition counselors has a reference to the Together We Served website. I think that if someone leaving the military maintains ties to active duty folks as well as join a network of prior military, it will make their transition back to civilian life much smoother. - - - - - - - Additionally, if your company has any positions suited to Soldiers seeking employment, you are very welcome to post these on the Job Board. This is a FREE service to TWS subscribers Post a Job on TWS Currently Posted Positions. If you have had success with either finding employees or with locating employment on the TWS Jobs Board, please let us know! This is a valuable FREE service to all TWS Members and employers and we're always interested in hearing your success stories. Please email TWS Admin with the details: admin@army.togetherweserved.com TWS Army Store - for ALL your merchandise needs Pay a visit to our online TWS Army Store. For all your Army Merchandise needs - Shirts, Jackets, Hats, Jewelry, Footwear, Medals, Patches and much, much more! (The Army Store can also be found under the "Army Store" tab or on the left hand Home Page just as you log into TWS) Over 9000 Quality Items at lowest prices and a 30 day money back guarantee! Here are some brand new items just arrived:    
"I'm, a new customer, and a satisfied one at that. Your service is excellent, and so are your prices - talk about time to receive items! Its service like the old days. Semper Fi" Cpl Rogers Alexandre (Gunner) Thank you for your support of the TWS Army Store. All Store proceeds go towards advertising the TWS website, bringing more Soldiers to the TWS Community. Complimentary Upgrade to those service in OIF/OEF  Just let us know who you are, on the honor system and we'll upgrade your profile. email TWS Admin Military News from around the services  HONOR AND GLORY - Marines march past the Marine Corps War Memorial during a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 233rd Marine Corps birthday in Washington DC. The sculpture of five Marines and a Navy Corpsman raising an American flag atop Mount Siribachi commemorates the 6,800 service members who died capturing the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II. - USN photo by MC2 Kevin S. O'Brien DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - US, Estonian leaders discuss security challenge - Women's Memorial honors Navajo veterans - Women vets saluted for Vietnam service - Bush pays respect to veterans at NYC ceremony - Recruiting successes continue in new fiscal year - Lab offers last-ditch effort to ID servicemember remains - Coalition breaks-up Iraq bomb networks, 11 arrested  NEW CITIZENS - Robert Looney, director of the Bangkok (Thailand) District Office of US Citizenship and Immigration Services, administers the oath of naturalization to 77 servicemembers during a recent ceremony at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. - US Army photo by SPC Scott Davis  TAKING THE SEAL CLHALLENGE - Champion cyclist Lance Armstrong crosses a rope bridge during a visit to the Naval Special Warfare Center at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, CA. Armstrong toured the facility and completed the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) obstacle course. - USN photo by MC2 Kevin S. Beauchamp NAVY - Littoral combat ship USS Freedom commissioned in Milwaukee - MCPON announces intent to retire, new MCPON sought - Sailors celebrate Veterans Day, Intrepid Museum rechristening - CNO podcast focuses on guidance, Navy Ethos - USS Essex arrives in ROK for interoperability exercise - Culinary Specialists bring skills to table  SUCH A PRETTY BABY - Air Force SSgt. Danae Eskridge (upper left) and SrA Alexandra Olsen admire a newborn infant while checking in patients at the Couva District Health Facility in Trinidad and Tobago. The Airmen are embarked aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) as part of a multi-service and multi-national humanitarian/civic assistance mission. - USN photo by MC2 Ginal Wollman  A VETERAN IS HONORED - Coast Guard Seaman 2nd Class Seymour Wittek, a World War II veteran, receives the Coast Guard Commendation Medal from Vice Admiral Robert Papp, Commander, Atlantic Area, at the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum on Veterans Day. Wittek and his fellow Coast Guardsmen volunteered to board the explosives-laden SS El Elstero in New York Harbor while it was ablaze April 24, 1943. His actions, along with his Shipmates, saved other vessels in the harbor. Wittek, along with his Shipmates and crews from other vessels assisted in unmooring and towing the burning ammo ship into the bay where she could be safely scuttled. - USCG photo by PA2 Seth Johnson MARINE CORPS - Reserve Marines "go for the gray" - Select Iraqi soldiers tapped for advanced course - Adopt-A-Marine program opens homes, arms to servicemembers - Marines celebrate 233rd birthday with style in Afghanistan - Junior Marine earns MCMAP green belt - 29 Palms remembers WWII Corpsman who risked all for his Marines  COMPARING NOTES - Army SGT Will Daniels discusses his notes with Romanian Army Lt. Col. Vasile Vreme, commander of the 341st Infantry Battalion, during an observation mission near Nasiriyah, Iraq. Daniels is a forward observer from 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division - "Long Knife" Brigade's combat observation and laser targeting team. - US Army photo by SPC Creighton Holub COAST GUARD - USCG, Cook Islands officials seize shark fins - Four tons of debris removed from Kure Atoll - CG delivers blood to ailing cruise ship passenger - USCG HC-144A Ocean Sentry visits Cleveland - Coast Guard to establish regional dive lockers - Investigation continues into MV Katmai sinking  RAMSTEIN LIGHTS - A C-17 Globemaster III prepares for takeoff from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The European hub for the USAF handles more than 85 aircraft operations daily. - USAF photo by A1C Kenny Holston The Soldiers Creed  Member submitted photos this month Army.TWS now hosts more than 57,000 photos! Here's a small sampling of a few you posted this month.
Photo Caption Contest of the Month Last month we challenged you to submit a humorous caption for this photo on the Photo Caption Contest Forum. Many of you submitted a suggestion and we chose this one: Trade Banner Links with TWS!  If you operate an Army orientated website and are willing to trade links with TWS, click here for information on posting a TWS banner on your site. In return, please contact us at admin@army.togetherweserved.com with your site's URL, up to 100 words describing your website and a 468x60 website banner in jpeg format, if available. We'll be happy to post a reciprocal link in our Preferred Army Links Section in the category of your choice. TWS Army Links Pages are conveniently organized under different categories. 2008 Holiday Mailing Deadlines WASHINGTON - As Americans pay tribute to those who have served their country this month, the US Postal Service is asking friends and families to remember mailing dates and shipping options for sending packages, cards and letters to military members across the nation -- or across the globe -- for the upcoming holidays.  EMMS: Express Mail Military Service is available to selected military post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to your APO/FPO of address. PAL: PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service. SAM: SAM parcels are paid at Parcel Post postage rate of postage with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis. Veterans Day Reflections  Admiral Mullen By Jim Garamone  Enjoyed This Newsletter? Please forward this on to any other Soldiers you know. As TWS grows so does its potential to find old buddies and new friends as well as creating a vibrant and enjoyable Army Community representing all eras from WW2 to present day.
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At nearly 800 cubic inches and measuring 12" x 12" x 5 ½", the box is 50 percent larger than other USPS flat-rate boxes. The price to ship anything that fits in the box is just $10.95 to an APO/FPO destination, up to 70 lbs. The price to other U.S. addresses is just $12.95.
The ship is owned by the oil company Saudi Aramco and flagged in Liberia. Its crew of 25 includes citizens of Croatia, Great Britain, The Philippines, Poland and Saudi Arabia.