Independence Day 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq

General David Petraeus re-enlists 1,215 US soldiers at Al Faw Palace, Baghdad. July 4, 2008. What have you done for your country today?

Reflections on the American Flag - July 4, 2008

I just returned from a naturalization ceremony conducted by the Department of Homeland Security at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL. We took a friend there to be with her at her naturalization ceremony. Her husband could not because he is in the Merchant Marine and on a Navy ship in the Pacific.

At this first of two ceremonies scheduled in Tampa for today, July 4th, 709 men and women from 90 different countries took the oath to "support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic". One was from Iraq. It was a moving and patriotic ceremony. I sat behind a woman who became an American today who was born in China. I sat next to another woman who became an American from Brazil. There were hundreds and hundreds of flags at the ceremony.

I pass on this story because we still have those who do not believe in the American flag as a symbol of liberty and freedom. Some, especially in the media as so sadly reflected below, do not believe in displaying our flag, even today.

ABC News Bans Flag Lapel Pins

Yesterday [September 12, 2001], the brass at ABC News issued orders forbidding reporters to wear lapel pin American flags or other patriotic insignia. Their reasoning was that ABC should remain neutral about 'causes'.

"We cannot signal through outward symbols how we feel, even if the cause is justified," said ABC spokesman Jeffrey Schneider. "Overseas, it could be perceived that we're just mouthpieces for the U.S. government, and that can place our journalists in danger."

Watch your favorite local or national news program today, tomorrow or the day after. Look to see if the newsman or woman are wearing a flag pin. If not I ask that you call or e-mail the station and ask simply, "Why not?" See what you get for an answer.

The newest Americans I met today in Tampa certainly would not understand why any American would not wear or display our flag proudly.

We must never forget 9/11 and what our troops are doing today to keep us safe and protect our liberty. Always remember: "Freedom is not Free".

Freedom is not free, thank a veteran! by Brigadier General (Ret.) Jerry Neff, FLARNG

On our nation's birthday, remember . . . freedom isn't free.

It's that time of year again when Americans from coast to coast celebrate the founding of our country. There are barbecues, fireworks and parades almost everywhere as people take one day out of the year to remember the high cost of freedom and the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have served and continue to fight to preserve our freedoms since 1775. But is one day a year enough to demonstrate our appreciation for having the privilege to live in such a great country? Personally, I don't think so and decided to do something about it.

About two years ago, I learned about the U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute program. The U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute program allows anyone to thank discharged Army veterans for their selfless service to our nation. Additionally, the program provides soldiers - active duty, National Guard and Reservists - the opportunity to recognize their supporters with a Freedom Team Salute Commendation.

As a citizen of this great country, I have made it my duty to thank Army veterans who have sacrificed so much, so that I can celebrate our nation's freedom on the fourth of each July as well as every day in between.

If you would like to thank an Army veteran, visit www.freedomteamsalute.com. Army veterans will receive an official U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute Commendation Package, which includes a certificate of appreciation and a letter signed by the secretary and chief of staff of the Army; a customized U.S. Army lapel pin; and U.S. Army decals.

So, this Independence Day, celebrate our freedom and remember the brave men and women that have made it possible. If you want more information on the U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute program, visit www.freedomteamsalute.com or call me directly at (941) 795-3050.

Jerry L. Neff, Volunteer Ambassador,
U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute program
Brigadier General, (Ret.), Florida Army National Guard, U.S. Army
Bradenton, FL

STATE CREATES FLORIDA VETERANS FOUNDATION

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs is pleased to announce the inauguration of the Florida Veterans Foundation, Inc.

Established by Florida Statute on July 1, 2008, and incorporated as a tax-exempt public organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the foundation is dedicated to supporting the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and to providing assistance and services to Florida veterans and their families.

The Florida Legislature authorized the foundation in statute during its 2008 legislative session as the Direct Support Organization of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

“I am grateful to Governor Crist and other members of the Cabinet, the Florida Legislature and Florida’s Veteran Service Organizations for supporting this initiative,” said FDVA Executive Director LeRoy Collins Jr. “This foundation will help us expand our mission of veterans’ advocacy, especially with our state’s returning veterans from the Global War on Terror.”

The work of the foundation will be supported by a combination of entrepreneurial initiatives, agreement with participating businesses, contributions from veterans, philanthropic foundations, corporations and private citizens.

A voluntary Board of Directors, selected by the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, will meet as necessary to set and implement policies and programs. The nine-member board is composed of veterans, business owners and community leaders.
Board members are:

1. Lt. Gen. Robert Milligan, U.S. Marine Corps (ret), Chairperson, Tallahassee
2. Roderick Petrey, Esq., Miami
3. Maj. Gen. Fred Raymond, U.S. Army (ret), Wesley Chapel
4. Robert Creger, D.B.A., Fort Myers
5. Lt. Col. Anthony Armbrister, U.S. Marine Corps (ret), Fort Lauderdale
6. Col. Sharon Richie-Melvan, Ph.D., U.S. Army (ret), Inverness
7. Maj. John Haynes, U.S. Marine Corps (ret), Monticello
8. Frank Ryll, Tallahassee
9. Michael Coker, Ocala

The board will have its first meeting July 9 in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs is a state agency responsible for assisting, without charge to the claimant, Florida’s veterans, their families and survivors in improving their health and economic well-being through quality benefit information, advocacy, education and long-term health services. The department operates five veterans’ nursing homes and one assisted living facility through the State Veterans’ Homes Program. For more information on FDVA and Florida’s veterans’ homes, visit www.FloridaVets.org.

Saturday, June 21st is Destroyer Escort Day by Ed Eastman

Did you know that the third Saturday in June is Destroyer Escort Day in Florida every year? I approached Governor Jeb Bush at the Groundbreaking for the Veterans Administration Douglas T. Jacobson State Nursing Home in Port Charlotte, FL. Gov. Bush promised me that if he won reelection that Fall, he would have a Resolution drawn up and signed by himself and his Cabinet to declare the third Saturday in June every year as Destroyer Escort Day. Gov. Bush was as good as his word. We display the Resolution at the Military Heritage And Aviation Museum at Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda.

The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association will observe DE Day at the Inner Court at Fishermen's Village on 21 June 2008 at 1100 hours. The National President, Thomas L. Kidd, will be officiating. The program will be emphasizing the War for the North Atlantic, honoring American, Canadian, and British sailors who were involved, some making the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

The Color Guard will be provided by the Charlotte High School Naval JROTC. Representatives of the Navy and Coast Guard DE Sailors will provide the Wreath Ceremony, at which, the wreath will be cast upon the waters in memory of those who sacrificed their lives, and those of our DE Veterans who have crossed over the bar.

The Military Heritage And Aviation Museum will have a display of DE Sailors' artifacts.

Destroyer Escort Day will be observed in several States upon the same day. DESA has a Destroyer Escort berthed at Albany, NY. It is better known as the USS Slater DE 766 Museum. It is being restored meticulously to it's WW II condition. The Slater's website is:
www.ussslater.org.

A Japanese film company is in preparation of making a movie in which the USS Slater plays a prominent part.

Article by Ed Eastman.

Veterans Launch National Education Effort on Illegal Immigration

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, April 28, 2008 - Crime, terrorism and dependency on scarce government dollars are some of the major reasons why the nation's largest veterans organization is concerned about illegal immigration. So concerned, in fact, that The American Legion today began a nationwide outreach to alert Americans to the dangers posed by illegal aliens and the government's reluctance to seriously address the issue.

Through a radio spot campaign, news releases from posts across the country, letters to newspaper editors and a concerted outreach to America's leading media pundits, at both the national and local levels, The American Legion will offer a free booklet about illegal immigration that not only discusses the far reaching problems it is causing but also provides a cogent strategy to address the issue.

"American Legion members have served in the U.S. Armed Forces throughout the world so that Americans can feel safe at home," said Marty Conatser, national commander. "We have seen Third World countries. We have seen poverty, political instability, disease and war. Today we see the threat that open borders present to our homeland.

"With more than 14,000 posts and 2.7 million members, I am asking Legionnaires everywhere to start the national dialogue that needs to happen now," Conatser said. "As a nation at war with operatives sworn to kill Americans, our government must shut down our open borders and take decisive action to address a crippling national problem."

The booklet, "A Strategy to Address Illegal Immigration in the United States," is available for download at www.legion.org/bulletins. A free hard copy can be requested by sending an email to acy@legion.org. Conatser has asked Legionnaires to obtain a media kit, visit radio stations and offer the public service spot package of six 60-second radio spots that addresses various problems with illegal immigration and offers the booklet free to listeners.

"The American Legion is very much in support of legal immigration," Conatser added. "Indeed the ancestors of countless Legionnaires immigrated here from around the world. However, we are a nation of laws and since we all swore to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States when we donned our uniforms, we believe strongly that the security and sovereignty of our nation must be our highest priority through stringent enforcement of our immigration laws."

Happy 233rd Birthday - U.S. Army

This video is a fitting tribute to our Army, to our troops, their families and their love for our flag and nation. God Bless our Army!