Invasion of Panama / Opn Just Cause -

Invasion of Panama / Opn Just Cause - ArmyParatrooper.org: The Dropzone: "18 years ago on 20 Dec, 1989 elements of the 82nd ABN DIV (1-504 PIR, 2-504 PIR, 4-325 AIR) & the 75th Ranger Regiment conducted parachute assaults as part of Opn Just Cause. Please have a drink to these men and say a prayer for the families of the men who gave their lives in that brief conflict."

Red Cross to Deliver Holiday Cards to Wounded

"WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2007 – This holiday season, the American Red Cross will make sure holiday greetings generically addressed to wounded servicemembers at military medical facilities around the country will find a home.
With help from Pitney Bowes Government Solutions, and the support of the Defense Department and Walter Reed Army Medical Center here, the American Red Cross will collect, review and distribute holiday greeting cards to wounded military personnel."

“So many Americans want to show their support and gratitude by reaching out to wounded servicemembers at Walter Reed and other military medical centers during the holiday season,” said Neal Denton, American Red Cross Senior vice president for service to the armed forces. “With the support of the Department of Defense, Walter Reed leadership and Pitney Bowes, we can bring a little cheer to these brave men and women.”

More...DefenseLink News Article: America Supports You: Red Cross to Deliver Holiday Cards to Wounded:

Send cards to: (No Packages)

We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
P.O. Box 419
Savage, MD 20763-0419

Northern Disclosure:

Northern Disclosure:: A personal account of an Infantry Squad leader in training and combat. Takes place with the train up at Fort Lewis and follows them around the U.S., the desert sands of Kuwait and ends in Mosul, Iraq. SFC Toby J. Nunn is a Canadian Citizen earning his citizenship for the United States of America.

"Sometimes, we get a break in the routine to experience something new or different from what we have been doing and it is so refreshing. The last week I have been living in a small combat outpost along the main route that our guys travel and work on to see things from another perspective and to share information and experiences. I was pleased with the group I got married up with first, SSG Strachan and his squad were a professional group of Paratroopers that brought credit upon their unit and country. They performed their duties with high levels of proficency and were respectful to the local nationals."

More...

Artist Gives Music, Time to Troops

DefenseLink News Article: America Supports You: Artist Gives Music, Time to Troops: "America Supports You: Artist Gives Music, Time to Troops By Fred W. Baker III American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2007 – Johnny Ondrasik turns 8 years old this Christmas Eve, but he isn’t asking for any presents on his birthday -- at least not for himself.

...When finished, the musician will give away some 200,000 free CDs for U.S. troops, compliments of Ondrasik and some 13 superstar friends who partnered to make a “thank you” music disc for servicemembers. The contributing artists include Billy Joel, the Goo Goo Dolls, Brooks and Dunn, Melissa Ethridge and even actor Gary Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band.

...CD available for download on AAFES site"

1-504 near al-Mutanabi

"A U.S. Army Soldier with the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment conducts a patrol near the al-Mutanabi Street Book Market in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2007.
The Soldier is providing security for Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of Multi-National Corps - Iraq (MNC-I), and MNC-I Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola during their tour of the area.

DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Curt Cashour, U.S. Army. (Released)
Photo by: STAFF SGT. CURT CASHOUR,

Record ID No. (VIRIN): 071208-A-2224C-204
This item is cleared for public release "

Image Gallery Screen Resolution Image 071208-A-2224C-204:

Iraqi Army receives new equipment through FMS

"By Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq,

Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base

Dec 11, 2007 - 3:22:43 PM

Blackanthem Military News

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi Army Gen. Nassir Abadi, deputy chief of staff, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robin Swan, Coalition Military Assistance Transition Team commanding general, held a press conference at Old Muthanna air base to announce the delivery of more than 200 HMMWVs, 40 5-ton cargo trucks and 5 Rough Terrain Container Handlers and other types of support equipment that were purchased though the Foreign Military Sales program."

More... Iraqi Army receives new equipment through FMS:

Eighty Deuce On The Loose In Iraq

"Im 25 years old and Im a team leader in an Infantry line squad with the 82nd Airborne. This is my first experience in Iraq, and being inspired by another blogger from before I joined, I decided to keep a record of my experience; a perspective of the war from boots on the ground. "

Eighty Deuce On The Loose In Iraq:

Paratroopers on Toy Jump

Paratroopers donate toys for kids
12/07/2007 06:51 PM
By: Ilin Chen

FORT BRAGG -- Christmas can be quite the international affair on Fort Bragg. Hundreds of soldiers on the base are fighting for a good cause for the chance to jump with some of their foreign counterparts.
With dolls in hand, soldiers at Fort Bragg waited in line Friday, not to see Santa Claus but rather to be Santa by donating a brand new toy to a child in need.
"I always like to make the holidays a little bit better for somebody that's less fortunate than I am because I'd like to think that growing up, I had a lot of privileges that kids didn't always have,” said Capt. Tara Kaiser, 16th Military Police Brigade. “I’m honored to be a part of something that helps bring a smile to a kids face."

More (and video)

Mothers Bring Holiday Cheer To Our Troops

Blue Star Mothers in the News: Mothers Bring Holiday Cheer To Our Troops#links#links

He's a winner -- and doesn't like it

"MAY 1 BLAST INJURED SOLDIER FROM DENVER, N.C.
He's a winner -- and doesn't like it
Army sergeant who was wounded in Iraq receives Purple Heart
LISA ZAGAROLI
McClatchy Newspapers"
WASHINGTON --Staff Sgt. Benjamin Dellinger got an award he never wanted Friday.
The Purple Heart was presented to the 25-year-old infantryman from Denver, N.C., and five others recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It is given to any service member injured or killed by enemy forces.
The Army had tried to give him the medal at earlier monthly ceremonies, but he resisted.
"I think it's embarrassing," Dellinger says. "... I always thought I was better than the bad guys. It's kind of humbling in a sense that I don't like.
"Just because you get a Purple Heart doesn't mean you're a hero. It just means you had a bad day."
He says he'd rather be back in Fayetteville, where he was stationed at Fort Bragg with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. But he doesn't think he'll get approval before March, because the Army wants to be sure he can get the same level of treatment he's getting at Walter Reed before releasing him.

More...Charlotte Observer 12/01/2007 He's a winner -- and doesn't like it: