A Presidential Proclamation: Vietnam Veterans Day

VIETNAM VETERANS DAY

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On January 12, 1962, United States Army pilots lifted more than 1,000 South Vietnamese service members over jungle and underbrush to capture a National Liberation Front stronghold near Saigon. Operation Chopper marked America's first combat mission against the Viet Cong, and the beginning of one of our longest and most challenging wars. Through more than a decade of conflict that tested the fabric of our Nation, the service of our men and women in uniform stood true. Fifty years after that fateful mission, we honor the more than 3 million Americans who served, we pay tribute to those we have laid to rest, and we reaffirm our dedication to showing a generation of veterans the respect and support of a grateful Nation.

The Vietnam War is a story of service members of different backgrounds, colors, and creeds who came together to complete a daunting mission. It is a story of Americans from every corner of our Nation who left the warmth of family to serve the country they loved. It is a story of patriots who braved the line of fire, who cast themselves into harm's way to save a friend, who fought hour after hour, day after day to preserve the liberties we hold dear. From Ia Drang to Hue, they won every major battle of the war and upheld the highest traditions of our Armed Forces.

Eleven years of combat left their imprint on a generation. Thousands returned home bearing shrapnel and scars; still more were burdened by the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress, of Agent Orange, of memories that would never fade. More than 58,000 laid down their lives in service to our Nation. Now and forever, their names are etched into two faces of black granite, a lasting memorial to those who bore conflict's greatest cost.

Our veterans answered our country's call and served with honor, and on March 29, 1973, the last of our troops left Vietnam. Yet, in one of the war's most profound tragedies, many of these men and women came home to be shunned or neglected -- to face treatment unbefitting their courage and a welcome unworthy of their example. We must never let this happen again. Today, we reaffirm one of our most fundamental obligations: to show all who have worn the uniform of the United States the respect and dignity they deserve, and to honor their sacrifice by serving them as well as they served us. Half a century after those helicopters swept off the ground and into the annals of history, we pay tribute to the fallen, the missing, the wounded, the millions who served, and the millions more who awaited their return. Our Nation stands stronger for their service, and on Vietnam Veterans Day, we honor their proud legacy with our deepest gratitude.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 29, 2012, as Vietnam Veterans Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the Vietnam War.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Image courtesy of http://openclipart.org

The President and First Lady Honor Troops Who Served in Iraq and Afghanistan

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host a dinner in honor of the Armed Forces who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, along with their families.

First Lady, Dr. Biden to Unveil Report on Military Spouse Employment

Report Highlights Best Practices that States Can Adopt to Break Down Barriers 

Washington, D.C. – First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will join Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal Wolin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, on Wednesday, February 15th at 3:00 p.m. at the Pentagon to unveil a new report outlining opportunities and best practices for states to better support military spouses serving in professions with state licensure requirements.

The report, “Supporting our Military Families: Best Practices for Streamlining Occupational Licensing Across State Lines,” explains that military spouses move from state to state far more often than the general population as they accompany their service member on assignment to military bases around the country and overseas in the service to our nation.

As a result of the frequency of moves associated with military life, spouses serving in professions that require state licenses or certification bear disproportionally high financial and administrative burdens because credentials from one state do not always transfer to another state. This burden negatively impacts employability for more than 100,000 military spouses.

Among the nearly 50 professions impacted by state licensure requirements are teachers, nurses, speech pathologists, dental hygienists, physical therapists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, physician assistants, emergency medical technicians and dieticians.

Eleven of 50 states presently have enacted legislation that supports portability for military spouses with occupational licenses.

Nearly half of America’s men and women in uniform are married and the Department of Defense views military spouse employment as an important component of maintaining a high quality, all-volunteer force well into the future.

Military spouses throughout the country have said that their employment plays a key role in the financial and personal well-being of their families and is a definite factor in their family’s decision to remain in the military.

This report is the direct result of President Obama’s Presidential Study Directive released in January of 2011, calling on all Executive Branch Agencies to find new ways to provide military families with the support they deserve.

Image courtesy of http://www.clipartmonsterclub.com.

'Joining Forces Community Challenge' Finalists Announced

Winners Announced This Spring, Tom Brokaw and J.R. Martinez Part of Judging Panel 

WASHINGTON—First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden today announced 20 finalists as part of the Joining Forces Community Challenge, an effort to recognize and celebrate citizens, communities, and organizations who have demonstrated a deep commitment to service by improving the lives of military families and veterans. 

The First Lady and Dr. Biden are inspired by the outstanding work of all the submissions and hope that celebrating them will encourage others to follow their lead and continue to raise awareness about the military family experience.

Since the launch of the Community Challenge last July, hundreds of submissions were received in three months, all of which captured innovative ways Americans have stepped up to show their gratitude and support for our military families.

The 20 finalists are profiled at http://joiningforces.challenge.gov/.  The public is encouraged to participate in this Challenge by voting for their favorite submission to be the People’s Choice Winner, which will be announced onMarch 16, 2012. 

Five additional winners will be chosen with input from a panel of distinguished judges, including: Tom Brokaw, NBC News Special Correspondent and author of five bestsellers including The Greatest Generation; J.R. Martinez, Iraq war veteran, motivational speaker and winner of season 13 of Dancing with the Stars; Sloan D. Gibson, President and CEO, United Service Organizations (USO); Julian Castro – Mayor of San Antonio, one of the nation’s largest military communities; and Deanie Dempsey, military family advocate and wife of General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

This Spring, the First Lady and Dr. Biden will honor the 20 Joining Forces Community Challenge finalists at the White House where the five winners will be announced.

“Jill and I have asked organizations large and small to direct some of their efforts toward our troops and their families, and today we’re thrilled to congratulate 20 groups who are doing just that,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. 

“These organizations are doing what they do best: providing financial assistance for scholarships and child care, working to build self-esteem in military teens, offering free photo sessions for military families, and so much more.  Creative ideas like these can be replicated in communities all across the country, and we can’t wait to see what Americans come up with next.”

“As Second Lady, I have had the tremendous honor of visiting with service members and military families and learning about the many acts of kindness taking place all across the country in their communities to support them,” added Dr. Jill Biden.

“All of the submissions for the Joining Forces Community Challenge demonstrate exactly the spirit of service and dedication we see everywhere we go.  We hope that the great work of these organizations inspire more Americans to take on similar efforts to support military families in their own communities.”

The First Lady and Dr. Biden launched Joining Forces last year as a way to encourage all Americans to support our troops and serve our nation’s military families. For more information and to find opportunities to serve, go towww.joiningforces.gov.

The 20 Joining Forces Community Challenge finalists include:

ARIZONA

Pat Tillman Foundation, Tempe, AZ

The foundation invests in military veterans and spouses nationwide by granting scholarships through the Tillman Military Scholars program. The scholarship funds cover tuition, fees as well as other related costs, including housing and child care. In 2002, Pat Tillman put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold in order to serve his country. Started by Pat Tillman’s friends and family after his death in 2004 while serving in Afghanistan, the foundation has provided more than $2.2 million in financial support.

  

CALIFORNIA

The Sisterhood of the Traveling BDUs, Clovis, CA

The Sisterhood of the Traveling BDUs (a “Battle Dress Uniform” worn by members of the armed forces) was founded by two California teenagers whose fathers had deployed to Afghanistan. Realizing how important that sisterly support was, the young girls created this organization to support military girls, particularly those 13 to 18 years of age, who experience the deployment of a parent. The project aims to create a network of social bonds between military girls to build self-esteem, encourage leadership and increase community support.

Rebuild Hope, Menlo Park, CA

Rebuild Hope provides services to veterans and caregivers to help with their transition back to civilian life. The organization provides financial assistance, counseling and referrals to organizations that offer pro bono care to veterans and caregivers in a variety of areas, including legal, mental health, and debt management.

New Directions, Los Angeles, CA

New Directions provides comprehensive services to homeless and disabled veterans, including substance abuse treatment, counseling and job training in Los Angeles County, home to the nation’s largest homeless military veterans population. The organization serves more than 600 veterans each year.

The Soldiers Project - Sacremento, Sacramento, CA

The Soldiers Project-Sacramento provides free psychological services for active duty military, veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as their family members. The Soldiers Project-Sacramento is an all-volunteer group of about 40 licensed clinicians who have provided more than 500 hours of free, individual treatment since the beginning of 2011.

  

COLORADO

Project Sanctuary, Parker, CO

In an effort to decrease military veteran suicide rates and the effects of deployment on children, Project Sanctuary was created to provide recreational activities in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, to help military families reconnect following deployments. Follow-up support beyond the retreat is also provided and includes support to families with housing, job placement and veterans’ assistance.

  

FLORIDA

Birdies for the Brave, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL  

Birdies for the Brave is a military outreach initiative supported by the PGA TOUR and corporate partners to raise funds for military homefront groups that provide programs and services for wounded warriors and military families. Birdies for the Brave was originally created by TOUR player Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy, to support troops injured during combat.

  

GEORGIA

The Landings Military Family Relief Fund, Savannah, GA

The Landings Military Family Relief Fund was created by a group of Red Cross Volunteers living in The Landings to provide financial support to military families during every day emergencies when a family member is deployed. The financial assistance is administered through the Red Cross.

  

ILLINOIS

Operation Homelink, Chicago, IL

To connect deployed service members to their families, Operation Homelink provides refurbished computers to spouses or parents of deployed troops. The organization has provided more than 2,500 computers nationwide and is expanding to include laptop donations to wounded warriors.

  

MARYLAND

Give an Hour, Bethesda, MD

Give an Hour, founded by a Washington D.C.-based psychologist, aims to develop a national network of volunteer providers to respond to acute and chronic societal conditions. Their current focus is on mental health services for military service members, their families and people in communities affected by Iraq and Afghanistan.

Luke's Wings, Rockville, MD

Luke’s Wings supports the families of wounded warriors through airplane tickets and travel arrangements to the families of the service members. The nationwide organization may also partner with local hotels or other activities nearby for the family to access for the duration of the wounded warriors’ recovery. Co-founder Sarah Wingfield, a then-Washington Redskins football team ambassador, helped start the organization after meeting “Luke,” a wounded warrior who was recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

  

MASSACHUSETTS

Brides Across America, Georgetown, MA

Brides Across America is a national charitable organization that provides wedding gowns to qualified military brides. Founder Heidi Janson wanted to ensure those serving our nation could have the wedding they deserve. Since its founding in 2007, more than 5,000 wedding gowns have been donated to support troops and their families.

  

MINNESOTA

Defending the Blue Line, Hastings, MN

Defending the Blue Line works to ensure that children of military members have access to participate in hockey, through free equipment, hockey camps, special events and financial assistance toward association and other hockey-related costs. Founded by two Minnesota National Guard members in 2009, more than $500,000 has benefited military families across the United States.

GreenCare for Troops, New Prague, MN

GreenCare for Troops was established by a wounded warrior who, after surviving an almost deadly attack, pledged to dedicate his life to improving the lives of veterans.  This project was created to provide free lawn and landscape services for military families nationwide. The nationwide program is coordinated by Project EverGreen that connects local green industry professionals with military families.

Armed Forces Service Center, St. Paul, MN

The Armed Forces Service Center is a 24-7 “all free” lounge staffed by volunteers at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, for active-duty military personnel, their dependents, activated reservists and national guardsmen, and other members of the uniformed services. The Center was founded in 1970 by Maggie Purdum after her son was killed in action in Vietnam as appreciation for all who have served.

  

MISSOURI

Trees for Troops, Chesterfield, MO

Trees for Troops provides thousands of military families in the United States and overseas with Christmas trees. The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, working with its partner FedEx, has delivered more than 100,000 trees through the Trees for Troops program since beginning in 2005.

  

NORTH CAROLINA

Canines for Veterans, Wilmington, NC

Through its program – Canines for Veterans – Canines for Service has provided highly-skilled service dogs for wounded warriors. Launched in 2008, the national program works with military prisoners at the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston who train rescue dogs as service dogs for wounded and injured veterans.

   

Hearts Apart, Wilmington, NC

Hearts Apart provides soon-to-be deployed service members with a professional photo session with their spouses and children to keep families connected while military families are separated. Photographs are waterproof and printed on durable cards that fit in a uniform pocket.

  

UTAH

City of Richfield, Utah

The city of Richfield, Utah, has supported its local Army National Guard Unit through four deployments since Sept. 11, 2001. A resource guide provided to military families as family member’s deployed, a city utility abatement program for the duration of a deployment and a community covenant that details the commitment the city will make toward its service members and their families are some of the programs and services provided.

  

WASHINGTON

Our Family for Families First Foundation, Lake Stevens, WA

Our Family for Families First Foundation supports military families pursuing higher education by supporting children of military service members through scholarships and military spouses through grants and assistance identifying educational opportunities. 

Image courtesy of http://www.ace-clipart.com

In Memoriam.....America's Fallen Heroes

A Look Back at U.S. Soldiers Killed in 2011

Click on the links below to review the listing of soldiers. 


http://fromthegman.blogspot.com/2011/08/31-us-troops-killed-in-afghanistan.html


http://fromthegman.blogspot.com/2011/08/in-memoriamthe-fearless-five-of-fort.html

http://fromthegman.blogspot.com/search?q=In+Memoriam&updated-max=2011-11-23T14:17:00-05:00&max-results=20

May they forever rest in peace. 

'We Salute the Veterans and Survivors of Pearl Harbor Who Inspire Us Still'

The USS Arizona (BB-39) burning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

Statement by President Barack Obama on the 70th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor

Seventy years ago today, a bright Sunday morning was darkened by the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor. Today, Michelle and I join the American people in honoring the memory of the more than 2,400 American patriots—military and civilian, men, women and children—who gave their lives in our first battle of the Second World War. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families for whom this day is deeply personal—the spouses, brothers and sisters, and sons and daughters who have known seven decades without a loved one but who have kept their legacy alive for future generations.

We salute the veterans and survivors of Pearl Harbor who inspire us still. Despite overwhelming odds, they fought back heroically, inspiring our nation and putting us on the path to victory. They are members of that Greatest Generation who overcame the Depression, crossed oceans and stormed the beaches to defeat fascism, and turned adversaries into our closest allies. When the guns fell silent, they came home, went to school on the G.I. Bill, and built the largest middle class in history and the strongest economy in the world. They remind us that no challenge is too great when Americans stand as one. All of us owe these men and women a profound debt of gratitude for the freedoms and standard of living we enjoy today.

On this National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we also reaffirm our commitment to carrying on their work—to keeping the country we love strong, free and prosperous. And as today’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan come to an end and we welcome home our 9/11 Generation, we resolve to always take care of our troops, veterans and military families as well as they’ve taken care of us. On this solemn anniversary, there can be no higher tribute to the Americans who served and sacrificed seventy years ago today.

Photo source: National Archives and Records Administration

Author: Unknown

Permission: Public Domain

Weekly Address: Honoring Our Veterans for Their Service and Sacrifice

President Obama speaks from the USS Carl Vinson in San Diego during Veterans Day, and calls on all Americans to rededicate themselves to serving our brave men and women in uniform as well as they have served us.

Cuomo: 'Today We Honor the Sacrifice and Service of Our Nation's Veterans'

Statement by Governor Andrew Cuomo

"Today we honor the sacrifice and service of our nation's veterans who have defended our country and fought for the values and freedom we enjoy today. Over the last ten years since the September 11th attacks devastated our state and nation, a new generation of Americans has answered the call of duty, and on this Veterans Day we reaffirm our commitment to give our veterans and their families the support they need as soldiers return from the battlefield. New York State is home to more than 900,000 veterans and on behalf of all New Yorkers, I thank each of them for their courage and sacrifice. As we gather this Veterans Day weekend, let us continue to keep our service members, their families, and those who have lost loved ones in our thoughts and prayers, and remember the extraordinary service they have given to New York and America."

Veterans Day Message....from "The G-Man"

To the Veterans of America:

Thank You for Your Sacrifices and Service to the Country.

Image courtesy of http://95.143.192.212/holidays/veteransday/index.html

White House Briefs

Death and Dishonor

An M16-A2 service rifle, a pair of boots and a helmet stand in tribute to a fallen Marine Corps sergeant.

Remains of Fallen Soldiers Were Dumped in Virginia Landfill

According to a November 9 article published in the Washington Post, "The Dover Air Force Base mortuary for years disposed of portions of troops’ remains by cremating them and dumping the ashes in a Virginia landfill, a practice that officials have since abandoned in favor of burial at sea.

The mortuary in Delaware, the main point of entry for the nation’s war dead and the target of federal investigations of alleged mishandling of remains, engaged in the practice from 2003 to 2008, according to Air Force officials. The manner of disposal was not disclosed to relatives of fallen service members."

The full story, which was written by Craig Whitock and Greg Jaffe, can be read via the following link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/national-security/remains-of-war-dead-dumped-in-landfill/2011/11/09/gIQAz7dM6M_print.html

Photo source: United States Marine Corp, I.D. 030427-M-4066S-013
Author: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan P. Sotelo.
Permission: Public Domain

BREAKING NEWS: Obama to Remove All U.S. Troops from Iraq

Expected to be Pulled Out by End of the Year

MSNBC is reporting that President Barack Obama has announced a complete removal of U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of the year. More details provided via the following link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44990594/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/

From The G-Man will continue to monitor this story and provide more information as it becomes available.

Spielberg, Hanks and Winfrey Join Forces to Support U.S. Troops

Stars Film Public Service Announcements for "Joining Forces" Initiative

Three beloved celebrities are lending their voices to Joining Forces, the initiative started by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr.Jill Biden to bring attention to the unique needs and strength of America’s military families.

Tom Hanks, Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg have each created public service announcements (PSAs) that tell real stories about America's military families and call on all Americans to give back to ensure service members and military families have the support they have earned.

"The entertainment community answered the Joining Forces call and has done what they do best -- bring to life stories that move us," said Mrs. Obama.

"Through this PSA campaign, Americans will learn more about the unique challenges and needs of our military families, see their strength, resilience and service, and find out how they can give back to these extraordinary troops and families who have given us so much."

The project was conceived by Academy Award-winning producer Bruce Cohen, who leads the Inter-Guild Joining Forces Task Force, an entertainment industry coalition that provides creative and production support for Joining Forces.

Each of the PSAs tells the story of a military family as they endure the hardship of a deployment overseas. The PSAs will be airing on A + E, CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and WB networks.

Dr Biden, whose son served in Iraq, said, "As a military mom, I know just how much it means when people reach out to show their support for our service members and their families. The first lady and I hope that this campaign will inspire more Americans to take action and reach out to military families in their own communities around the country."

Videos courtesy of http://www.whitehouse.gov.

President Obama: 'Our Citizens Are Safer and Our Nation is More Secure'

Statement by the President on 10 Years of American Service in Afghanistan

Ten years ago today, in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, our nation went to war against al Qaeda and its Taliban protectors in Afghanistan. As we mark a decade of sacrifice, Michelle and I join all Americans in saluting the more than half a million men and women who have served bravely in Afghanistan to keep our country safe, including our resilient wounded warriors who carry the scars of war, seen and unseen.

We honor the memory of the nearly 1,800 American patriots, and many coalition and Afghan partners, who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan for our shared security and freedom. We pay tribute to our inspiring military families who have persevered at home with a loved one at war. And we are grateful to our tireless diplomats and intelligence, homeland security and law enforcement professionals who have worked these ten years to protect our country and save American lives.

Thanks to the extraordinary service of these Americans, our citizens are safer and our nation is more secure. In delivering justice to Osama bin Laden and many other al Qaeda leaders, we are closer than ever to defeating al Qaeda and its murderous network. Despite the enormous challenges that remain in Afghanistan, we’ve pushed the Taliban out of its key strongholds, Afghan security forces are growing stronger, and the Afghan people have a new chance to forge their own future.

We’ve fought alongside Afghans, and close friends and allies from dozens of nations who have joined us in common purpose. In Afghanistan and beyond, we have shown that the United States is not and never will be at war with Islam and that we are a partner with those who seek justice, dignity and opportunity.

After a difficult decade, we are responsibly ending today’s wars from a position of strength. As the rest of our troops come home from Iraq this year, we have begun to draw down our forces in Afghanistan and transition security to the Afghan people, with whom we will forge an enduring partnership.

As our sons and daughters come home to their families, we will uphold our sacred trust with our 9/11 Generation veterans and work to provide the care, benefits and opportunities they deserve. And as we reflect on ten years of war and look ahead to a future of peace, Michelle and I call upon all Americans to show our gratitude and support for our fellow citizens who risk their lives so that we can enjoy the blessings of freedom and security.

Image courtesy of http://www.freeclipartnow.com/military/soldiers/.

President Obama Welcomes New Joint Chief of Staff Chairman

Pays tribute to outgoing Chairman Mike Mullen at "Change of Office" Staff Ceremony.

2011 Wounded Warriors Basketball Game

President Obama welcomes Wounded Warriors to the White House for a game of basketball.

Pissing on the Graves of U.S. Soldiers

Yahoo! and Federal Agencies Must Investigate Internet Scam That Defames U.S. Soldiers

I received an email last week, as well as several of my friends, that I have not been able to dismiss. Why? Quite frankly, it's because it really made me angry. When I read it for the first time, my initial reaction was to just laugh it off and hit the delete button. After reading it a second time, I realized this was something that should be made public because I truly believe it implies that a U.S. soldier is acting in a criminal manner, which tarnishes the reputation of soldiers currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as soldiers that took their last breath in these war-torn regions.

The email reads as follows:

Subject: "Can I Trust You?"

Dear Friend,

My name is Sergent Thomas Allen. I am an American soldier presently on active service with Squadron battalion here in Afghanistan. I served with the Third Infantry Division in Iraq since 2003, before thousand of my lucky colleagues were pulled out in August last year, leaving my superior and myself among the unlucky ones redeployed to Afghanistan where I am serving presently.

During my call to duty in Iraq, my superior and I moved US$25million (Twenty five million US dollars) being part of funds recovered from late Saddam Hussein during a search in one of his palaces in 2003. Through the assistance of a Senior Red Cross Delegate to Iraq, this fund has been safely moved out of Iraq to a secured location.

You can go to this web link to read about events that took place here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

Basically, since my superior and I are still on active service, we can not continue to keep these funds in the secured location due to a classified information we received from our "Contact Person" where the funds are deposited. Hence, my Superior Officer has authorized me to look for a reliable and trustworthy person that could assist us to retrieve the funds immediately for investment placements. This is why I am sending this mail to you, seeking your urgent intervention and assistance.

Once you retrieve the funds, you shall take 30% of it which from our calculation is US$7.5million, 5% of it set aside for expenses while my superior and I shall require your candid assistance to place the remaining 65% in a good investment platform in your country on our behalf.

Due to my call of duty here coupled with the secret nature of this transaction, I prefer you communicate with me through email at the moment. If you know you could keep this transaction very secret, please get back to me.

Respectfully submitted,
Sergent Thomas Allen

Guess what, "Sergeant Allen"? I'm not keeping sh*t secret! Again, I could've very easily dismissed this email for what it is: an Internet scam or a joke. It's similar to those emails from some Nigerian or Chinese businessman that wants to you to help them funnel money through your personal bank account. Claiming to be one of the aforementioned is one thing, but claiming to be an American soldier stationed in Afghanistan takes the con to a whole new level. There will be those who read this and state, "Dude, it's not that serious!". I beg to differ.

I don't consider this a laughing matter because of the level of shrewdness involved in the con -- embedding an actual news report from the BBC in order to substantiate the claims being made by the "soldier" -- and the implication that the Red Cross and U.S. soldiers are inherently corrupt.

I also have concerns because numerous broadcast and print news reports have indicated how many Americans have fallen prey to Internet scams in recent years, with many of them being the elderly. Given that this scam utilizes the U.S. military -- whom many in this country support -- and that people are desperate to earn money any way they can to alleviate economic hardship during the recession, a good number of people could be sucked into this ploy. You'd be surprised at some of the online cons people have fallen for, so don't laugh.

The email was sent from thallen001@yahoo.com and the reply address lists as thallen001@live.com. It should be noted that the email addresses used may have been hijacked and the person holding the actual account may not even be aware of it. Nonetheless, I believe Yahoo! and federal government hackers need to trace these emails to their original source and press charges against the person or people responsible.

In addition, elected officials need to seriously consider drafting legislation to thwart email scamming, especially if it involves U.S. service members or national security. I don't believe the majority of Americans are silly enough to fall for this hoax, but the fact that some sick bastard or group is perpetrating it at the expense of living or slain U.S. soldiers means it needs to be addressed.

The men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces are serving and have died honorably for this country, and to make them part of some two-bit con game is unacceptable, unconscionable and unforgivable. I truly hope that I'm not alone in making this assessment. Step up and speak out, America!

This commentary is from the heart and......From The G-Man.

Image courtesy of http://internet.phillipmartin.info

Armed Services Farewell Tribute for Secretary Gates

President Obama praises Secretary Robert Gates as he steps down as Secretary of Defense in a farewell tribute at the Pentagon.

Open for Questions: The Way Forward in Afghanistan

Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, and Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, take your questions on President Obama’s plan for implementing his strategy to draw down troops in Afghanistan and our plan to focus on investments here at home.

Vice President Joe Biden on Keeping Our Promises

Following President Obama's address to the nation on the way forward in Afghanistan, Vice President Biden takes a few minutes to share his thoughts about the promises this Administration has made -- and kept -- when it comes to the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, and our commitment to defeat al Qaeda.