Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Muslim terrorists... find Great Britain a convenient place

No surprise here:

Islamic Terrorists 'Made in Britain'

by Dalit HaLevy and Hillel Fendel

(IsraelNN.com) A Hamas website proudly reports on two young British citizens who have moved to Gaza to join the jihad against Israel.
The website did not provide many details on the two. One of them, known as Ibrahim al-Majersi, is reported to have “left his home in order to the join the jihad in Gaza,” and was scheduled to deliver a lecture in the famous Large Mosque of Gaza. He apparently met with Hamas and Al-Kassam Brigades terrorists.
The other, known only as Mustafa, is reported to have served in the British Army in Iraq.
Muslim terrorists apparently find Great Britain a convenient place to study and grow in their dedication to the cause. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who attempted to blow up a Northwest Airline flight from Nigeria to Detroit via Amsterdam last month, studied at University College London for three years, graduating in 2008 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Though he was always known to be religious, family members claimed that the terrorist had been “recruited” to a more militant form of Islam in London. He spent his elementary school days at the British School in Togo, West Africa....

Read the rest here.

Pay attention!

IDF, Israel CEOs Start Haitian Orphanage, Israelis Want to Adopt

by Malkah Fleisher

(IsraelNN.com) Israeli citizens are hoping to give opportunities for new life to children who have been orphaned by Haiti's January 12 earthquake.
Emergency humanitarian aid group Israel Flying Aid and Orange Israel Telecommunications announced January 25 that they will establish an orphanage to accommodate over 200 children in Haiti. At least 70 children will be taken in immediately. To assist the project, the Israel Defense Forces will create infrastructure for fresh running drinking water, an electric generator, tents, and primary medical supplies.
The orphanage will essentially be a re-creation of one destroyed in the earthquake. CEOs of the two companies visited the ruins of a girls' orphanage in Port-au-Prince to find the children without food and suffering from severe malnutrition. These are the orphans who will benefit first from the new project. They are between the ages of 2 and 14, and will be cared for by Haitian and Israeli volunteers.
"From showers to electricity and computers, from water, food and clothing we will rebuild this orphanage," said Orange Israel CEO David Avner. "As for today we will take a yard and put up tents as it is unsafe for the children to remain in these cracked and unstable buildings."...

Monday, January 25, 2010

Virtual Vietnam Wall

I hadn't seen this before:

Click on a state and a town.
It will list soldiers who died in Viet Nam from that town. It will
provide a bio and a list of medals awarded. In some cases, there will be
a picture of the soldier.

http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm

May we ALWAYS remember and honour them.

H/T Mike

TAPS/Military Widows to receive unique recognition

Military widows and daughters to be honored at Miss America Pageant

TAPS families offered royal treatment via ‘Project Gratitude’

Twenty-two bereaved widows and daughters of fallen military members will attend the Miss America pageant weekend courtesy of a new initiative called Project Gratitude.

The ladies will travel from around the country courtesy of American Airlines to take part in pageant festivities at Planet Hollywood as well as a number of special events planned specifically for the women.

The event was the idea of Sharlene Hawkes, 'Remember My Service' president and a former Miss America. With the assistance of Darci Hansen, Founder/Editor-In-Chief of Elan Woman magazine, the friends created 'Project Gratitude.'

"With major partners lending a hand including American Airlines, The Miss America Organization, Planet Hollywood, and a huge list of generous participants, the event flourished into a four day escape for the mothers and their daughters," said Hansen.

Activities will include attending the Donny and Marie show with backstage passes to meet the celebrities; make-over's and a shopping spree courtesy of Macy's; and attending formal affairs affiliated with the Miss America Organization.

"This is all about remembering the great service and ultimately, the great sacrifice that so many families make to preserve our way of life, and defend our liberties," said Hawkes.

"Giving these women a royal weekend is the very least we can do for America's greatest treasures. I hope that we can make this a tradition."

The weekend will also include a full day at FINO, courtesy of the owner Alejandro Hormechea, and stylists Andeen Rose-Clark and Zhane Richer (Celine Dion's personal hair stylist). Donating their time and space, all 22 moms and daughters will receive manicures, pedicures, make-up, and hair styles in preparation for the televised segment of the Miss America Pageant.

"I have been asked who is the official sponsor for the event and my response is, 'Two blondes with big hearts and generous friends.' said Hansen.

"We simply wanted to do something to honor our military families. Our partners have enabled us to provide an event with loaded with surprises and a lot of bling!"

Taking part in this type of experience is part of a long road of grief and recovery which TAPS facilitates for any person who has lost a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or the circumstances of the death.

"The Project Gratitude organizers reached out to TAPS knowing our military survivors would benefit from a weekend of bonding and sharing a healthy, fun experience," said Elizabeth Kreft, TAPS Director of Communications.

"TAPS is the first place families and friends can turn when they've lost a military loved one. We enable survivors to join together and work through their grief in a healthy way."

The Tragedy Assistance Program for survivors is a network of more than 25,000 mothers, daughters, sons, and fathers who have lost loved ones in military service.

Media wishing to cover this event or interview any of the TAPS families can call Elizabeth Kreft at 202-905-7262.

-30-

WELCOME HOME No 2 Force Protection Wing

Personnel from No 2 Force Protection Wing march through the streets of Bedale in North Yorkshire [Picture: SAC Carruthers, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

My favourite stories! What better way to start ANY week? Read on:

Town shows support to RAF Wing returning from Afghanistan

A History and Honour news article

22 Jan 10

The streets of Bedale in North Yorkshire were lined with well-wishers and proud families as personnel from No 2 Force Protection Wing, RAF Regiment, celebrated their homecoming from Afghanistan yesterday, Thursday 21 January 2010.
The parade through the town was accompanied by the Band of the RAF Regiment and marked the end of a difficult seven-month commitment for the Wing, which lost Corporal Marcin Wojtak to an improvised explosive device blast on 1 October 2009.
Following the parade, personnel from the Wing, who are based at RAF Leeming, were presented with their campaign medals in a ceremony attended by Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Air Commodore Simon Bostock RAF (Retired), RAF Leeming Station Commander, Group Captain William Gibson, and Mayor of Bedale, Councillor Wanda Reynolds. The event concluded with a reception for parade personnel.

Those on parade were deeply touched by the support shown by the people of Bedale. Squadron Leader 'George' Formby, Officer Commanding 34 Squadron RAF Regiment, who are part of No 2 Force Protection Wing, said:

"It was an emotional day and we were very impressed by the turn-out. We certainly didn't expect that many people, it was a very warm welcome.

"The guys have now seen for themselves just how respected they are and how appreciative people are of the job they are doing. It was a very poignant day with the high point of coming back set against the low point of losing Corporal Wojtak. It was a fitting opportunity for the whole squadron to remember him together." [Yes, emphasis mine]

There is more here.

WELCOME HOME, and thank you ALL for your service. This BritBrat is so proud of all of you. Do not EVER doubt how respected and appreciate you are.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Canadian SAR in Haiti

Photo of the Day

January 20, 2010 - Toussaint Louverture International Airport, Haiti

Master Corporal (MCpl) Nicolat Meunier, member of the Search and Rescue team of 424 Squadron, Trenton, Ontario, gives basic medical attention to an elderly women after she and her family arrived in the Canadian camp at Toussaint Louverture International Airport, Haiti on January 20, 2010, 8 days after a natural catastrophy had hit their country.
Operation HESTIA is the Canadian Forces participation in humanitarian operations conducted in response to the catastrophic earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on 12 January 2010. Op HESTIA is part of a whole-of-government effort that also involves Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency.
Canada has consistently demonstrated strong support for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations throughout the world...

Photo: Cpl Julie Bélisle, Canadian Forces, Combat Camera (DND here)

Every Day Hero

Meet Major Shannon Fortner:

When U.S. Army Major Shannon Fortner arrived in Iraq in March of 2003 it was during the initial phase of the invasion.

“It was my first deployment in any arena,” so being in the ramp-up portion was particularly interesting and illuminating, she said.

Fortner’s job title was “Adjutant”, in the Logistics Cell of a Battalion.

“I just helped run [the battalion],” she said. “It was interesting to get all the soldiers ready and account for them and get them on the planes and go through the readiness portion, getting them to Kuwait and then forward into Iraq.”

Stationed in Tikrit, Fortner “quickly sorted through the chaos to focus on those tasks essential to the battalion’s successful deployment,” states the citation of the Bronze Star Medal she earned for the deployment.

Fortner’s efforts ensured that personnel deployment was properly phased, and also worked to facilitate a “rapid building of combat power in theater,” according to the citation.

“It was through her personal efforts that the Battalion was able to precisely track soldiers dispersed in a 3500 square kilometer area of operation,” as well as those that were medically evacuated from that theater of operation, the citation states.

Interacting with the soldiers as they arrived and deployed within Iraq, as well as being part of their career progress and participating in their promotion ceremonies are among the things that Fortner liked best about her duties. She also tracked injured soldiers on their journeys back to the United States and through their recoveries as well, she said.

Fortner demonstrated “brilliant leadership qualities” as Adjutant and “Battalion Captain”, the citation states.

“Her ability to remain focused on the commander's priorities ensured that all staff sections remained synchronized,” the citation states.”...