Happy 4th of July! - July 4th, 2009

May each and every one of you have a safe and memorable 4th!
Happy 4th of July Everyone!
Saturday, July 4th, 2009
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Comment from Senator John McCain on this 4th of July weekend
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My Friend,
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Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause greater than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone.
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As Americans, we will gather with friends and family this weekend to celebrate our nation's independence. We are very fortunate to live in a nation that grants us freedoms that many of our fellow world citizens are not granted by their home countries.
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I believe Democracy is a cause worth fighting for, as evidenced by the milestone Iraq celebrated this week. Transfer of power is rarely easy, yet building a democratic government and liberating a nation from tyranny, while often difficult, is a sacrifice worth making in the end.
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This Fourth of July, I ask that you take a moment to reflect on what it means to be free and how truly liberating it can be to serve a cause greater than yourself.
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Sincerely,
John McCain
Chairman, Country First PAC

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From an email to me by Senator McCain on July 03, 2009
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Lady Liberty's Crown Opens on 4th of July

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Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will officially reopen the crown of the Statue of Liberty to the public on July 4, 2009. About 20 lucky visitors will be among the first to climb the 354 steps to the crown on Saturday morning, but thanks to the power of technology, everyone can join in the celebration…
Read more HERE
Photo from the White House website
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President Obama’s Weekly Address: On the 4th of July, Overcoming America’s Challenges


The President recounts America’s great history of overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges and pledges to lead America in continuing that tradition. Focusing on creating a clean energy economy, comprehensive health reform, and revitalizing an education system in need of change, the President pledges not to leave these decades-old problems to yet another generation to solve.
Video posted on YouTube by the whitehouse
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Watch the White House LIVE
On The 4th of July
HERE
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> JULY 4, 2009, 6:45 PM ET
The President kicks off the White House Independence Day Celebration
> JULY 4, 2009, 8:10 PM ET
USO Concert with Jimmy Fallon, Foo Fighters and Michelle Branch
> JULY 4, 2009, 9:10 PM ET
Fireworks on the National Mall
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ENJOY!!!
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AubreyJ………

Photo for the Day - July 04, 2009

* Photo for the Day *Tony Romo, left, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback, and Tiger Woods put together a care package during the Earl Woods Pro-am golf tournament at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., that will be sent to troops in Iraq, July 1, 2009.
U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo

North Korea: On Ground Updates - July 04, 2009

North Korea:
On Ground Updates
North Korea Fires Off 7 Ballistic Missiles
Saturday, July 04, 2009
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FoxNews.com had the following report posted up on their website this 4th of July morning and it starts off like this… North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles off its eastern coast Saturday, South Korea said, a violation of U.N. resolutions and an apparent message of defiance to the United States on its Independence Day… The launches, which came two days after North Korea fired four short-range cruise missiles, will likely further escalate tensions in the region as the U.S. tries to muster support for tough enforcement of the latest U.N. Security Council resolution imposed on the communist regime for its May nuclear test…
Read the rest HERE
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‘Act of Provocation’
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About this Fox News Video: North Korea fires 7 missiles on U.S. Independence Day
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ABCNews.com reports it this way …
Biden Dismisses N.K. Launch as "Attention Seeking Behavior'
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I’d have to agree with Vice President Biden on this one!
AubreyJ………

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Stepping Down

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Stepping Down File photo from Alaska.gov website

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Alaska Governor Sarah Palin dropped a political bombshell earlier today by announcing that she is stepping down as Governor of Alaska by month’s end.
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Stepping Down
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> PHOTOS: Sarah Palin's Political Career
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Looks like the beginning of a nightmare that want go away for the DEMS! Sarah Palin… next President of the United States…?
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Good luck Sarah on whatever path you take here forward.
AubreyJ………

Photos for the Day - July 02, 2009

* Photos for the Day *

From left, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ramon Padilla, Tiger Woods, and Maj. Ken Dwyer hit the ceremonial first shot at the opening ceremony of the Earl Woods Pro-Am golf tournament at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., July 1, 2009. Dwyer is an injured Soldier assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group in Fort Bragg, N.C. Padilla is an injured Soldier assigned to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
DoD photo by Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo, U.S. Air Force
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TIGER'S TEAM

Tiger Woods and U.S. Army Maj. Ken Dwyer, a wounded warrior, tee off on the first hole for the ceremonial first shot during the AT&T National Earl D. Woods Memorial Pro-Am at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. July 1, 2009.
DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class William Selby

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Thanks for all you do, Tiger!!!

AubreyJ.........

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 477-09 July 02, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died from wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle June 29th, in Baghdad, Iraq. They were assigned to the 120th Combined Arms Battalion, Wilmington, N.C.

Killed were:
Sgt. 1st Class Edward C. Kramer, 39, of Wilmington, N.C.
Sgt. Roger L. Adams Jr., 36, of Jacksonville, N.C.
Sgt. Juan C. Baldeosingh, 30, of Newport, N.C.
Spc. Robert L. Bittiker, 39, of Jacksonville, N.C.

For more information media may contact the North Carolina Army National Guard public affairs office at (919) 664-6242.

Afghanistan/Pakistan: On Ground Updates - July 01, 2009

Afghanistan/Pakistan: On Ground Updates
Largest Marine Offensive since Vietnam -
Operation Khanjar - “Strike of the Sword” Begins
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
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Marines, Afghan Troops Launch Large Operation In Helmand
. U.S. Marine Corps file photo by Sgt. Freddy G. Cantu
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (July 2, 2008) - U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers and police launched a major operation in central Helmand Province today as forces from Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan (Task Force Leatherneck) and Afghan national security forces moved into towns and villages along the Helmand River valley in an effort to secure the local population from the threat of Taliban and other insurgent intimidation and violence.
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Nearly 4,000 Marines and sailors from Regimental Combat Team 3, Combat Logistics Regiment 2 and the MEB-Afghanistan Command Element constitute the bulk of the U.S. forces conducting Operation Khanjar (Strike of the Sword), along with approximately 650 Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police forces. Marine Aircraft Group 40 and Task Force Pegasus, the Combat Aviation Brigade of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, provided assault support and other aviation support for the mission.
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Similar operations in Helmand and Kandahar provinces have been underway as part of a concerted effort by ISAF to combat the ongoing insurgency, including Operation Panchai Palang (Panther Claw) initiated last week by Task Force Helmand, the U.K.-led force that operates adjacent to MEB-Afghanistan.
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"The operation in Nawa is going to be very effective," said Helmand Gov. Gulab Mangal. "The security forces will build bases to provide security for the local people so that they can carry out every activity with this favorable background, and take their lives forward in peace."
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MEB-Afghanistan is a subordinate unit of NATO's International Security Assistance Force. The combined U.S. and Afghan mission is to provide security for population centers along the Helmand River valley and connect local citizens with their legitimate government while establishing stable and secure conditions for national elections scheduled for August as well as enhanced security for the future.
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"What makes Operation Khanjar different from those that have occurred before is the massive size of the force introduced, the speed at which it will insert, and the fact that where we go we will stay, and where we stay, we will hold, build and work toward transition of all security responsibilities to Afghan forces," said Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commanding general of MEB-Afghanistan.

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Taken from a CENTCOM News Article - Marine Expeditionary Brigade - Afghanistan
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AFP brings us the following report this Wednesday evening and it starts off like this… US Marines launched a massive offensive into the Taliban heartlands of southern Afghanistan early on Thursday as President Barack Obama's new war plan swung into action… Operation Khanjar (Strike of the Sword) involved nearly 4,000 US forces as well as 650 Afghan police and soldiers, the Marine Expeditionary Brigade said, announcing the pre-dawn launch of the drive in southern Helmand province… Deploying about 50 aircraft, the air and land assault was to push troops into insurgent strongholds in what officers said was the biggest offensive airlift by the Marines since Vietnam… "What makes Operation Khanjar different from those that have occurred before is the massive size of the force introduced, the speed at which it will insert," MEB commander Brigadier General Larry Nicholson said in a statement… Troops would hold areas they take until they could transfer security responsibilities to Afghan forces, said Nicholson…
Read the rest of this report at link below…
US Marines storm south in major Afghan offensive
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BBC has this report up on their website this evening and it starts off like this... The United States army says it has launched a major offensive against the Taliban in the southern Afghan province of Helmand… The US military says about 4,000 marines as well as 650 Afghan troops are involved, supported by NATO planes… Brigadier General Larry Nicholson said the operation was different from previous ones because of the "massive size of the force" and its speed… Officers on the ground said it was the largest marine offensive since Vietnam…
Read the rest at link below…
US opens 'major Afghan offensive'

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God’s speed to our troops in having a successful mission.
May our casualties be none too few and our enemies many…
AubreyJ………

Iran in Iraq: On Ground Updates - July 01, 2009

Iran in Iraq:
On Ground Updates
Admiral Mullen, says Iran reduced supply of weapons to insurgents in Iraq, but still having impact on violence
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
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VOANews.com brings us the following report today and it starts off like this… The top U.S. military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, says Iran has reduced its supply of weapons to insurgents in Iraq, but is still having an impact on violence there and in Afghanistan… In the past, U.S. officials accused Iran of supplying a significant amount of weaponry and ammunition to Iraqi insurgents, particularly the material, technology and training to build deadly high-powered roadside bombs. But Admiral Mullen says that has changed, at least somewhat… "They are clearly not shipping as much as they used to, but that does not mean they have stopped," he said. "They still are impacting the fights in both Iraq and Afghanistan, though not as significantly as they used to, or as the worst days in Iraq. But they are still involved."…
Read the rest of this report HERE.
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AubreyJ………