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.

The First Lady Previews the 2011 White House Holiday Decorations

First Lady Michelle Obama welcomes military families for a first peek at the White House holiday decorations.

In Memoriam....Private Jackie L. Diener II

Governor Cuomo Directs Flags to Half-Staff

Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, November 29 in honor of a Fort Drum soldier who died in Kandahar province, Afghanistan on November 21.

Private Jackie L. Diener II died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.

He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum. Private Diener was from Boyne City, Michigan.

"I join with all New Yorkers in mourning the loss of Private Diener and I send my deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers," Governor Cuomo said.

"We will honor the service of this Fort Drum soldier and we will be forever grateful for his dedication to our nation."

From The G-Man would like to take this opportunity to honor Private Jackie L. Diener II, his love of country and his service with the following video tribute. May he rest in peace.

Video uploaded to YouTube by moderatepopulist

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

President Obama Designates Fort Monroe a National Monument

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/.

In Memoriam.... Army Specialist Koran P. Contreras and Private 1st Class Douglas J. Jeffries, Jr.

From the Executive Chamber of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, September 20 in honor of two Fort Drum soldiers who died on September 8.

Army Specialist Koran P. Contreras and Private 1st Class Douglas J. Jeffries, Jr. died of wounds suffered when their unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, stationed at Fort Drum. Specialist Contreras was from Lawndale, California, and Private 1st Class Jeffries, Jr. was from Springville, California.

"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and fellow soldiers of Specialist Contreras and Private First Class Jeffries," Governor Cuomo said.

"We will mourn these Fort Drum soldiers and we will honor their sacrifice.”

From The G-Man would like to honor Army Specialist Koran P. Contreras and Private 1st Class Douglas J. Jeffries, Jr., their love of country, and their service with the following video tribute. May they rest in peace.

Video uploaded to YouTube by moderatepopulist

U.S. Troops Killed in Afghanistan Copter Crash

Taliban forces reportedly shot down a Chinook helicopter (like the one pictured), killing all on board.

Statement by President Obama on Casualties in Afghanistan

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the Americans who were lost earlier today in Afghanistan. Their deaths are a reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the men and women of our military and their families, including all who have served in Afghanistan. We will draw inspiration from their lives, and continue the work of securing our country and standing up for the values that they embodied. We also mourn the Afghans who died alongside our troops in pursuit of a more peaceful and hopeful future for their country. At this difficult hour, all Americans are united in support of our men and women in uniform who serve so that we can live in freedom and security."

The President's remarks were made in the wake of a an attack that was reportedly launched by Taliban forces. The following link provides more details on the tragedy:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44043847/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/

Photo source:

http://www.defenselink.mil/photos/Jul1998/980726-A-0089G-001.html

Author: Department of Defense photo by Spc. Russell J. Good

Permission: Public Domian

President Obama Speaks at Memorial Day Service

The President speaks at a Memorial Day Service at Arlington National Cemetery.