"Associated Press January 30, 2008
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is sending strong signals that U.S. troop reductions in Iraq will slow or stop altogether this summer, a move that would jeopardize hopes of relieving strain on the Army and Marine Corps and revive debate over an open-ended U.S. commitment in Iraq.
The indications of a likely slowdown reflect concern by U.S. commanders that the improvement in security in Iraq since June - to a degree few had predicted when President Bush ordered five more Army brigades to Iraq a year ago - is tenuous and could be reversed if the extra troops come out too soon.
One of those extra brigades left in December and the other four are due to come out by July, leaving 15 brigades, or roughly 130,000 to 135,000 troops - the same number as before Bush sent the reinforcements.
More news from our man in Iraq ."
More...Iraq Troop Reductions? Not So Fast:
"Associated Press January 30, 2008
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is sending strong signals that U.S. troop reductions in Iraq will slow or stop altogether this summer, a move that would jeopardize hopes of relieving strain on the Army and Marine Corps and revive debate over an open-ended U.S. commitment in Iraq.
The indications of a likely slowdown reflect concern by U.S. commanders that the improvement in security in Iraq since June - to a degree few had predicted when President Bush ordered five more Army brigades to Iraq a year ago - is tenuous and could be reversed if the extra troops come out too soon.
One of those extra brigades left in December and the other four are due to come out by July, leaving 15 brigades, or roughly 130,000 to 135,000 troops - the same number as before Bush sent the reinforcements.
More news from our man in Iraq ."
More...Iraq Troop Reductions? Not So Fast:
By Paul Shockley Grand Junction CO Colorado January 28, 2008 “I hope your Valentines is radical” read one card. Others, like the card crafted by 3-year-old Ximena Navarro, didn’t need any words. The girl went straight for stickers and liberally applied the hole puncher."
“Just a bunch a scribbling,” said mom, Patrisia Navarro of Fruita. “We have a friend in Iraq, so I told her to come make a card.” Most of Saturday’s card makers knew someone deployed. Within one hour after setting up shop Saturday at Mesa Mall, organizers with the Blue Star Mothers had about 50 handmade Valentine’s Day cards signed and ready to be mailed to U.S. troops abroad.
“If we can keep positive morale, there’s a better chance they come home safe,” said Wendy Hoffman, president of Grand Valley Blue Star Mothers. The local chapter of Blue Star Mothers was started last November — they meet [monthly] and are up to 14 members.
Over the weekend, they invited Mesa Mall shoppers to make Valentine’s Day cards or donate items for care packages to troops. Hoffman said they desperately need cash in order to mail the cards — hundreds are expected to be mailed, including cards crafted by youngsters at Lincoln Orchard Mesa, Dos Rios and Mesa View elementary schools.
Hoffman’s son, Army Pfc. Dallas Hanson, has been serving in Baghdad the past year. While Hanson’s received regular correspondence, Hoffman said others haven’t been as lucky. “He told me a friend of his stopped going to the mail room because his name never gets called,” Hoffman said.
While Hoffman’s Valentine card table saw an early rush, fewer and fewer Saturday shoppers stopped to work on a card. Three people walked past her tables and said they couldn’t take the time, which frustrated Hoffman. “It’s out of their consciousness,” she said. “But we have our freedom because of our troops.”
Reach Paul Shockley at pshockley@gjfreepress.com.
Grand Junction Free Press - Community News:
Messages to the Troops: "Valentines to the Troops
On January 26th and 27th Blue Star Mothers hosted a Valentine Factory at Mesa Mall.
Many thanks to Mesa Mall management and staff for their help and support, for providing us with the tables and also for supplies and materials for the valentines.
Almost 200 valentines were created for our troops overseas and we also collected some items for the care packages, blankets for Balad and about $200 towards postage.
Most of the valentines had messages of thank you and support but because there are so many wonderful sentiments and we have to divide them up to send them I would like to post a sample of the sentiments here so they can be enjoyed by many. Some are quite unique, all are as they appear on the cards.
read the Grand Valley Greetings"
"Unknown Civil War-era veteran to be buried here
GRAND JUNCTION - The remains of an unidentified Civil War-era veteran, discovered near Leadville, in Lake County last summer, will be buried at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado today.
the cermony will be held at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, 2830 D Road, at 1:00 PM. The public is invited to attend.
The discovery was investigated by the Lake County Sheriff's Department, with the assistance of the Lake County Coroner, Debbie Bailey. The remains were confirmed to be those of a 35 - 45 year old male by anthropologists at Colorado State University. Among the remains were found fragments of a military uniform, including buttons and insignia that indicate the person was a veteran of the US Army during the Civil War-era. Attempts to identify him more specifically have been unsuccessful.
The Lake County Sheriff's Department contacted the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado which agreed to inter the remains as an unknown, Civil War-era veteran, representing all such unknown Civil War-era veterans who may still be interred in unmarked graves in Colorado.
Participating in the ceremony will be the Grand Valley Combined Honor Guard, Sons of Union Veterans and the Lake County Sheriff's Department.
Posted: Jan 25, 2008 10:39 AM MST
Updated: Jan 25, 2008 10:39 AM MST"
More...KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports Unknown Civil War-era veteran to be buried here:
Photo: 
Soldiers from Fort Carson and Fort Bragg in North Carolina toured the Adhamiya district of Baghdad on Monday. Restoring electricity is a high priority for residents, but the 3rd Brigade Combat Team is avoiding quick fixes.
(DAVID BITTON, THE GAZETTE)
"BAGHDAD - The electrical wires near the street tangle like multicolored spaghetti to power homes in Adhamiya, a north Baghdad neighborhood that Fort Carson soldiers will soon control.
Starting in March, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team’s headquarters will move to a walled compound here as the brigade moves its forces deeper into the city. Eventually, the 3,600-soldier unit will have responsibility for a wide swath of the city from the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City east to the Tigris River.
Monday, commanders toured the streets with a Fort Bragg, N.C., unit that now falls under the brigade’s command. They found signs of hope amid deeper challenges that brigade commander Col. John Hort says will tax his soldiers. "
More...Top Stories: Back to Iraq: Iraqis clamor for power - to watch TV brigade, hort, electrical - Gazette.com:
"New Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box
The current flat-rate box, which gives customers a single, predetermined rate regardless of the weight or delivery zone, was introduced in November 2004. The new, larger box extends the agency’s successful flat-rate offerings, providing more choices for small businesses and consumers.New Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box
The current flat-rate box, which gives customers a single, predetermined rate regardless of the weight or delivery zone, was introduced in November 2004. The new, larger box extends the agency’s successful flat-rate offerings, providing more choices for small businesses and consumers."
“We listened to our customers, and we’re giving them a new box that lets them ship larger items while still enjoying the benefits of a flat rate,” said Postmaster General John Potter. “Flat-rate boxes are very popular and the new, larger version provides even more value.”
The new Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box (12" x 12" x 5½") can be used for both domestic and international shipments. This extends the flat-rate price and ease-of-use benefits to international shippers. There is also a 5 percent online discount.
There will be a special version of the box for the military, with a $2 discount, if shipped to an Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office (APO/FPO) address.
All Postal Service Priority and Express Mail packages and envelopes are environmentally friendly, exceeding the highest standards for recyclability.
Domestic Shipping
$12.95
Military Shipping
• APO/FPO Addresses
$10.95
International Shipping
• Canada and Mexico
$29.95
• Other Countries
$49.95
The Postal Service will continue to offer its original Priority Mail Flat-Rate Boxes, which currently retail domestically for $8.95.
USPS News Release: Postal Service Announces Two New Shipping Initiatives:
"First snow for 100 years falls on Baghdad
8 hours ago
BAGHDAD (AFP) — Light snow fell in Baghdad early on Friday in what weather officials said was the first time in about a 100 years.
Rare snowfalls were also recorded in the west and centre of Iraq, plunging temperatures to zero degrees Centigrade (32 degrees Fahrenheit) and even colder, an official said.
The snow in Baghdad, which melted as it hit the ground, began falling before dawn and continued until after 9 am, residents said.
'Snow has fallen in Baghdad for the first time in about a century as a result of two air flows meeting,' said a statement by the meteorology department.
'The first one was cold and dry and the second one was warm and humid. They met above Iraq.'"
More...: First snow for 100 years falls on Baghdad
Residents are calling it a 'sign of peace'.
"Iraqi Army, Iraqi Security Volunteers strengthen their unity
By 2nd BCT Public Affairs, 82nd Abn. Div.
Jan 6, 2008 - 3:03:16 PM"
more...Iraqi Army, Iraqi Security Volunteers strengthen their unity:
By 2nd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, PAO
Jan 7, 2008 - 1:28:32 PM
Blackanthem Military News
"BAGHDAD,Iraq - Local Iraqi Security Volunteers discovered two large weapons caches Dec. 29 in Baghdad's Adhamiyah neighborhood, adding to a spike in the number of weapons caches found since the ISV began operating in November.
The two new discoveries bring the total number of weapons caches found to 48 since early November when volunteers first began manning checkpoints and other guard positions in Adhamiyah. Within the first month, the ISV contributed to a 300 percent increase in the number of weapons stockpiles uncovered, said Capt. Phillip Dow, a spokesman for the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, the U.S. unit based in Adhamiyah. The latest in a series of discoveries began Dec. 29, when volunteers manning a checkpoint position discovered a buried cache containing more than 85 57mm anti-aircraft projectiles. The volunteers notified U.S. Soldiers from the regiment, who responded to transport the weapons to a safe location. Less than two hours later, another group of volunteers reported finding a cache buried in an open area behind the cemetery of the Abu Hanifa Mosque. The cache consisted of 20 anti-personnel mines, three 152mm projectiles, and one 120mm mortar round.ISV units have helped uncover multiple caches in the vicinity of the Abu Hanifa Mosque over the last two months. The stockpiles are remnants from the time when the mosque was a safe haven for local Sunni insurgents and foreign fighters, according to Maj. Ike Sallee, the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cav's operations officer. "Before we had the ISV, the terrorists had more freedom to operate. Now, with the ISV committed, we are pushing them out of their sanctuaries and keeping them on the run," Sallee said. "The terrorists are realizing that Adhamiyah isn't a safe place for them anymore.""
Adhamiyah Iraqi Security Volunteers find weapons caches:
"By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2007 – Military members will receive a 3 percent pay raise effective tomorrow, as President Bush urges Congress to revise some provisions regarding Iraq contained in the fiscal 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.
The president authorized the 3 percent pay raise in an executive order. The act includes authorization for a 0.5 percent additional pay raise for U.S. troops, but the president has, for now, elected not to sign the defense authorization bill in its present form while Congress is adjourned, a practice known as a 'pocket veto.'"
More...DefenseLink News Article: Department Engages Congress for Full 3.5 Percent Troop Pay Raise:
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