USMC Ewa Field Memorial - Dec 6, 2009
PhotoShow

Aloha Sean,

Photo-Slide Show starring nearly EVERYONE
Who came to the Save Ewa Field Commemoration
Event, Sunday, December 6, 2009

This was created by Toni Russ- she has higher
Rez photos- some of which will be up on the
www.december7.com website in a few days.

In the meantime- ENJOY this great production!

YouTube Site: JRFFLYERS

USMC Ewa Field Memorial - Dec 6, 2009
PhotoShow: 7min 24sec

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIpwG-jRRjg

MAHALO and ALOHA to Toni for this GREAT PRODUCTION!

John Bond
Save Ewa Field

THE COLD WAR MUSEUM TO LOCATE AT VINT HILL

VINT HILL, VA: December 11, 2009— Francis Gary Powers, Jr., the Founder of The Cold War Museum (www.coldwar.org), announced today that the museum had found a physical home. The Cold War Museum will lease a modest size two story building and secure storage facility at Vint Hill, located in Fauquier County, Virginia, less than 30 miles from Washington Dulles International Airport. The lease was signed on December 1, 2009 with the Vint Hill Economic Development Authority (www.vinthill.com), the owner of the 695-acre former US Army communications base.

Powers is the son of Francis Gary Powers, a CIA pilot whose U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union in May 1960. The senior Powers was held in Soviet custody until 1962, when he was traded for Rudolph Abel, a Soviet KGB agent who had been captured by the United States.

According to Francis Gary Powers, Jr., "We are excited about our new home and look forward to opening the museum to the public in 2010. We have been seeking a location for The museum for several years in which to display our unique collections of international Cold War related artifacts we have collected." The Cold War Museum will fill a substantial void in the interpretation of post-WWII history. The Museum's goal of educating current and future generations about this critical period in international relations seeks to fulfill one of the most important tasks of the study of history. The museum will provide a tangible setting to explore this topic within historical contexts.

According to Powers, "We are currently looking for volunteers and other interested parties to assist with the work that needs to be done. Most importantly, now that we have a physical location, we are looking for individuals that would like to make a year-end tax deductible donation that will help facilitate our ongoing efforts to educate future generations and preserve Cold War history."

Mr. Edwin "Ike" Broaddus, Chairman for Vint Hill EDA said, "We are pleased to offer The Cold War Museum a home. It is highly appropriate for the museum to locate at Vint Hill, the former Vint Hill Farms Station used during the Cold War, by the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the US Army to safeguard the United States against a surprise nuclear attack." Vint Hill is part of The Journal Through Hallowed Ground national heritage area and in close proximity to the Manassas National Battlefield Park, the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the historic towns of Leesburg, Manassas and Warrenton, Virginia, existing major tourist destinations.

In addition to offering the Museum nine months of free storage space for its collection of unique and rare Cold War artifacts, the Vint Hill EDA will contribute $50,000 for building renovations. The Fauquier County Industrial Development Authority (FCIDA) agreed to match the $50,000 provided by the Vint Hill EDA. "This $100,000 contribution will not only enable the Museum to house, care for, and archive its collection, but more importantly will be used to renovate a 2000 sq ft building for museum use," Powers said. Upon completion in 2010, the Cold War Museum will use this modest sized space to exhibit key items from its collection, open a reference research library, operate a gift store, and run day to day museum operations. Ultimately, the Museum plans to construct a larger facility to house its artifacts, reference library, education center and operations.

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Further information: Francis Gary Powers, Jr., (703) 273-2381; e-mail, gpowersjr@coldwar.org.

The Cold War Museum - Contributions

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Presidential Proclamation

December 7, 2009- President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared December 7, 1941, a "date which will live in infamy." With over 3,500 Americans killed or wounded, the surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese on Pearl Harbor was an attempt to break the American will and destroy our Pacific Fleet. They succeeded in doing neither. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and we honor all those who selflessly served our Nation at home and abroad during World War II. On a tranquil Sunday morning, as war raged around the globe, the attack on Pearl Harbor effectively ended American isolation -- thrusting our Nation into action. Japanese airplanes had launched an unprovoked assault on our military with immense firepower, and our service members valiantly answered the call. They defended their positions, fought back against the attackers, and cared for the wounded. In that darkest hour, men and women who had considered themselves ordinary found within themselves the ability to do something extraordinary. And in the months and years that followed, Americans all across the country would respond to Pearl Harbor with firm resolve, many joining our Armed Forces to defend our shores and our freedom. This courage is not uncommon in the story of America -- a story of heroes whose sacrifice and valor speak to their love of comrades and country; and whose goodness guides our quest for lasting peace. Today, and every day, we draw strength from the moment when the best among us defended an island and a Nation from the onslaught of tyranny, and forever altered the course of our history. The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day." NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Monday, December 7, 2009, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. BARACK OBAMA

Support Cold War Veterans Call Your Congressman ask them to Cosponsor H. Res.900

H.Res.900 - Supporting the goals and ideals of a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day to honor the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War and encouraging the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities honoring the sacrifices and contributions of those individuals.

Here are the current Co-Sponsors we need more to get this to the floor for a vote.

• Rep. Neil Abercrombie [D, HI-1]
• Rep. Gary Ackerman [D, NY-5]
• Rep. Robert Aderholt [R, AL-4]
• Rep. Robert Andrews [D, NJ-1]
• Rep. Michael Arcuri [D, NY-24]
• Rep. Roscoe Bartlett [R, MD-6]
• Rep. Timothy Bishop [D, NY-1]
• Rep. John Boozman [R, AR-3]
• Rep. Gerald Connolly [D, VA-11]
• Rep. Joe Courtney [D, CT-2]
• Rep. Joseph Crowley [D, NY-7]
• Rep. Susan Davis [D, CA-53]
• Rep. Jo Ann Emerson [R, MO-8]
• Rep. Anna Eshoo [D, CA-14]
• Rep. Trent Franks [R, AZ-2]
• Rep. John Hall [D, NY-19]
• Rep. Jane Harman [D, CA-36]
• Rep. Martin Heinrich [D, NM-1]
• Rep. Brian Higgins [D, NY-27]
• Rep. Maurice Hinchey [D, NY-22]
• Rep. Timothy Johnson [R, IL-15]
• Rep. Mark Kirk [R, IL-10]
• Rep. James Langevin [D, RI-2]
• Rep. Rick Larsen [D, WA-2]
• Rep. Frank LoBiondo [R, NJ-2]
• Rep. David Loebsack [D, IA-2]
• Rep. Eric Massa [D, NY-29]
• Rep. Michael McMahon [D, NY-13]
• Rep. Gregory Meeks [D, NY-6]
• Rep. Scott Murphy [D, NY-20]
• Rep. Dennis Rehberg [R, MT-0]
• Rep. Michael Rogers [R, MI-8]
• Rep. Mike Ross [D, AR-4]
• Rep. Loretta Sanchez [D, CA-47]
• Rep. Joe Sestak [D, PA-7]
• Rep. Adam Smith [D, WA-9]
• Rep. Victor Snyder [D, AR-2]
• Rep. Gene Taylor [D, MS-4]
• Rep. Glenn Thompson [R, PA-5]
• Rep. Paul Tonko [D, NY-21]
• Rep. Edolphus Towns [D, NY-10]
• Rep. Zach Wamp [R, TN-3]
• Rep. Anthony Weiner [D, NY-9]
• Rep. Rob Wittman [R, VA-1]
• Rep. Frank Wolf [R, VA-10]

HRES 900 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

111th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

H. RES. 900CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Supporting the goals and ideals of a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day to honor the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War and encouraging the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities honoring the sacrifices and contributions of those individuals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

November 6, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. ISRAEL submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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RESOLUTIONCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Supporting the goals and ideals of a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day to honor the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War and encouraging the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities honoring the sacrifices and contributions of those individuals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas the Cold War involved hundreds of military exercises and operations that occurred between September 2, 1945, and December 26, 1991;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas millions of Americans valiantly stood watch as members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas many Americans sacrificed their lives during the Cold War in the cause of defeating communism and promoting world peace and stability; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas May 1 is an appropriate day to observe a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day: Now, therefore, be itCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(1) supports the goals and ideals of a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day to honor the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(2) encourages the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities honoring the sacrifices and contributions of those individuals.

COP Keating Relief Letter

I thought I would share this with everyone. I had the pleasure helping with a relief fund organized by Tankerbabelc's Blog in the aftermath of Oct 3 battle for COP Keating. It was a no brainer to get the Men of B TRP 3-61 CAV the Items they needed. I am so glad they received items quickly and are no longer lacking the essentials. If you have not heard about what took place Oct 3 there I suggest you google it and do a little reading. We have some darn fine soldiers out there today and we owe a great deal of thanks that men of this high caliber are defending our freedoms today.

Sean,

I wanted to write you a quick note to say thank you for all the support that you have sent to us here. It is always nice to know that there are some at home who appreciate what we are doing out here in Afghanistan. Please let everyone know that we send our best and will continue to do a good job out here so that everyone at home in the states is as safe as can be.

Our Troop, B Troop, is now at FOB Bostick. After the big fight on 03 Oct, there was not much left of our Outpost Keating so we changed locations and are running missions out of here. It is of course a little better here and the food is much better!! We are over halfway done with our deployment and will be returning home to Colorado Springs sometime in May. We look forward to it.

Again please pass on our thanks to everyone. And I know that you all have been supporting us but want you to know that we have been receiving items, food, hygiene etc from all over the country. We are pretty straight on that sort of thing so if you have another unit or Soldiers who could use it please pass it along. Thanks again and god bless… B TRP 3-61 CAV

1SG Ron Burton

Shinseki Says VA's Home Loan Program a "Continued Success"

Veterans More Likely to Avoid Foreclosure with VA-Backed Loan



WASHINGTON (Dec. 7, 2009) - Despite problems in the nation's housing
market, mortgage loans backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
had a lower foreclosure rate than any other type of home loan in the
industry, as of the end of the last fiscal year.



"The dedication of VA's loan professionals, the support of our partners
in the mortgage industry and most importantly, the hard work and
sacrifice of our Veterans have made this possible," said Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.  "VA is making good on its promise to
help Veterans buy homes, and Veterans are achieving their dreams."



Currently, about 1.3 million active home loans were obtained using VA's
Home Loan Guaranty Program.  The program makes home ownership more
affordable for Veterans, active-duty members, and some surviving spouses
by protecting lenders from loss if the borrower fails to repay the loan.




More than 90 percent of VA-guaranteed loans are made without a
downpayment.  Despite this, VA has the lowest serious delinquency rate
in the industry, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Furthermore, VA's percentage of loans in foreclosure is the lowest of
all measured loan types-lower even than prime loans, which require high
credit scores and a 20 percent downpayment by the borrower.



Much of the program's strength stems from the efforts of VA employees
and loan servicers nationwide, whose primary mission is to help Veterans
stay in their homes, avoid foreclosure and protect their credit lines
from the consequences of a foreclosure, Shinseki said.

Depending on the situation, VA's loan specialists can intervene on a
Veteran's behalf to help pursue home-retention options such as repayment
plans, loan modifications and forbearance.  Additionally, under certain
circumstances, VA can refund a loan, which involves purchasing the loan
from the mortgage company and modifying the terms so the Veteran can
afford the new mortgage payment.



Since 1944, when home-loan guarantees were offered under the original GI
Bill, through the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, VA has guaranteed
more than 18.7 million home loans worth $1.04 trillion.