FW: Last Chance to Send a Military Kid to Camp

	Dear e: "Sometimes I feel like I want to quit and just be normal for a bit." –Operation Purple® camper. What's "normal?" Whatever it is, it's something all kids strive for—including military kids. In addition to the everyday social pressures that all kids face, military kids often feel that they don't belong. Whether it's because they move often or are dealing with their mom or dad deployed to a war zone, they feel that they are not normal. There are now 1.8 million military children coping with these feelings of isolation and loneliness. Help send a military kid to a summer camp where they will fit in—Operation Purple Camp! Operation Purple camps allow military kids to make fast friends. These friends share feelings not experienced by their civilian friends—and find that these feelings and experiences are normal. They are not alone. Military kids get to share their worries, celebrate their family's military service, and learn ways to cope with stress. But best of all, they get to be kids—free from the extra responsibilities they often pick up when their mom or dad is deployed. April is almost over, but it is not too late to do something to celebrate the Month of the Military Child. We're more than half way to our goal to raise $10,000 for military kids this month. Donate today to send a kid to an Operation Purple camp this summer. Military kids don't wear a uniform, but they serve too. Take this opportunity to thank them. Regards,       Joyce Wessel Raezer Executive Director P.S. To celebrate the Month of the Military Child, cards are available on our website to email to a military kid you know. Whether they are living in your house or across the country, this is a great time to say thanks!
	p: 800.260.0218 | f: 703.931.4600

Welcome Home--- Missing WWII Airman Identified

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 334-11 April 22, 2011

Missing WWII Airman Identified               The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.                 U.S. Army Air Forces Pfc. Mervyn E. Sims, 23, of Petaluma, Calif., will be buried Friday in his hometown.  On April 24, 1943, Sims and four crew members aboard a C-87 Liberator Express departed from Yangkai, China, in support of "the Hump" resupply mission between India and China.  Prior to takeoff, a ground crew determined the aircraft had sufficient fuel for the six-hour flight to the air base on other side of the Himalayas in Chabua, India.  Once cleared for takeoff, there was no further communication between the aircrew and airfield operators.  Army officials launched a search effort when the plane did not arrive at the destination.  No evidence of the aircraft was found and the five men were presumed killed in action.                 In 2003, an American citizen in Burma reported to U.S. officials at the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) that he had found aircraft wreckage he believed to be an American C-87 in the mountains 112 miles east of Chabua.  He was detained by Burmese officials when he attempted to leave the country with human remains and artifacts from the site.  The remains and materials were handed over to officials at the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon.  Attempts to excavate the site are being negotiated with the Indian government.               Meanwhile, JPAC scientists continued the forensic process, analyzing the remains and physical evidence already in hand.               Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA, which matched that of Sims' sister, in the identification of his remains.                Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died.  At the end of the war, the U.S. government was unable to recover and identify approximately 79,000 Americans.  Today, more than 72,000 are unaccounted for from the conflict.

WELCOME HOME HERO! Missing WWII Airman Identified; Tech. Sgt. James G. Maynard

 

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Friday, April 15, 2011

DOD Launches New Helpline to Support Victims of Sexual Assault

 

Missing WWII Airman Identified             The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.                 U.S. Army Air Forces Tech. Sgt. James G. Maynard, of Ellenwood, Ga., will be buried on April 22 at Arlington National Cemetery.  On March 12, 1945, Maynard and five crew members aboard a C-47A Skytrain departed Tanauan Airfield on Leyte, Philippines, on a resupply mission to guerilla troops.  Once cleared for takeoff, there was no further communication between the aircrew and airfield operators.  When the aircraft failed to return, a thorough search of an area ten miles on either side of the intended route was initiated.  No evidence of the aircraft was found and the six men were presumed killed in action.  Their remains were determined to be non-recoverable in 1949.               In 1989, a Philippine National Police officer contacted U.S. officials regarding a possible World War II-era aircraft crash near Leyte.  Human remains, aircraft parts and artifacts were turned over to the local police, then to U.S. officials at the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC).                 From 1989 to 2009, JPAC sought permission to send teams to the crash site but unrest in the Burauen region precluded on-scene investigations or recovery operations.  Meanwhile, JPAC scientists continued the forensic process, analyzing the remains and physical evidence already in hand.               Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA-which matched that of Maynard's cousin-in the identification of his remains.               At the end of the war, the U.S. government was unable to recover and identify approximately 79,000 Americans.  Today, more than 72,000 are unaccounted-for from the conflict.             For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, call 703-699-1420 or visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo.

 

 

Volunteers Recognized for Supporting Guard Family - Soldiers' Angels own Shelle Michaels gets the GOLD

 
 

 Volunteers Recognized for Supporting Guard Family
 
(photo is of Shelle and Patti)

 
BISMARCK, N.D. - Members of the North Dakota National Guard's network of
volunteers were honored for their service and openhanded contributions to the
organization's Soldiers and Airmen during National Volunteer Week April
10-16, 2011.
 
The Guard's Service Member and Family Support (SMFS) division annually gives
 out four awards recognizing volunteers and organizations for their
 outstanding contributions to military members and their families. The SMFS
 division, whose mission is to enhance quality of life for service members,
 veterans and their families, began the volunteer award recognition in 2008.
 
"To achieve mission success, our organization relies heavily on the culture
 of caring that our volunteers provide," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk,
 North Dakota adjutant general. "I'm extremely grateful to these award winners
 as well as all of our generous volunteers throughout the state."
 
Raina Askin received the Family Member of the Year award for 2010. Askin, of
 Moorhead, Minn., is a volunteer with the C Battery, 1-188th Air Defense
 Artillery's Family Readiness program. Yearly, she attends the VFW's
 Remembering Our Serving Soldiers (R.O.S.S.) event where she helps raise money
 for the unit's Family Readiness Group which provides morale and recreational
 events for the 1-188th's Soldiers.
 
The Extra Mile award is presented to a North Dakota National Guard retiree
 who distinguishes themselves by continuing to serve the Guard through
 volunteering. Chief Warrant Officer (Ret.) Don Baglien is the recipient of
 this year's award. Baglien, of Bismarck, is the volunteer communications
 director for the North Dakota National Guard Retiree advisory board. He
 manages e-mail communication to more than 550 Guard retirees, giving them the
 opportunity to stay connected to the organization.
 
The Arthur W. Jones Post 7564, West Fargo VFW was named the Family Program
 Community Purple award winner for 2010. The organization coordinates the
 annual R.O.S.S. event which raises funds for area Family Readiness Groups.
 For more than eight years, R.O.S.S. has provided nearly $75,000 for Family
 Readiness Group activities.
 
Shelle Michaels received the Gold award for her steadfast support for
 deployed Guardsmen throughout 2010. The award is presented to a volunteer
 showing long-term, consistent and dedicated support to the Family Program and
 community. Michaels, of Bismarck, is the communications officer for Soldiers'
 Angels, an organization that distributes care to service members and their
 families through packages and letters of encouragement. She also has been
 instrumental in establishing the annual Day of the Deployed and Month of the
 Military Child proclamations.

 
National Volunteer Week was first established by President Richard Nixon in
 1974. It was designed to inspire, recognize and encourage citizens to seek
 out ways to engage in their communities.
 

 --
 Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard
 has mobilized more than 3,500 Soldiers and more than 1,800 Airmen in support
 of the Global War on Terrorism. Currently, about a dozen North Dakota
 Guardsmen are serving overseas while more than 4,000 remain in the state for
 emergency response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North
 Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that's more than
 four times the national average.

 ###
 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

WELCOME HOME HERO! Airman Missing in Action from WWII Identified

DOD Launches New Helpline to Support Victims of Sexual Assault             The Department of Defense today launched its newest initiative to support victims of sexual assault.  Using DoD Safe Helpline, service members can "click, call or text" for victim support services for themselves or others.  The free, anonymous and confidential resource can be accessed worldwide, 24-hours a day, every day, to connect with live sexual assault support professionals.               In addition to improving victim care, secure and confidential access to Safe Helpline was developed to encourage victims to come forward when they might not otherwise.                "The underreporting of sexual assault poses a serious challenge to military readiness," said Clifford L. Stanley, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness.  "We believe the Safe Helpline will provide DoD sexual assault victims with a variety of support outlets, which will lead victims to report sexual assault, seek needed information, and receive care."               Safe Helpline offers three access options designed for service members.  Users can log on to http://www.SafeHelpline.org to receive live, one-on-one confidential help with a trained professional through a secure instant-messaging format.  The website also provides vital information about recovering from and reporting sexual assault.  A second option is to call the telephone hotline at 877-995-5247 to speak with Safe Helpline staff for personalized advice and support.    Safe Helpline staff can also transfer callers to installation-based sexual assault response coordinators (SARC), on-call victim advocates, civilian rape crisis centers, or to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  The third option is for users to text their location to 55247 inside the United States or 202-470-5546 outside of the United States to receive automated contact information for the SARC at their installation or base.                Further information on Safe Helpline can be found on http://www.SafeHelpline.org or at http://www.sapr.mil    .

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 300-11 April 13, 2011

 

Thank you!

 
 
On behalf of the three trauma team doctors here at the 256th Combat Support Hospital, I wanted to send you and the folks at Soldier's Angels a very big thank you and hug for your generosity and thoughtfulness. The package brought a constant smile on everyone's face and truly made our day. We passed on the coffee packages to our medics who also double as Barista's here in the desert :) We've also enclosed a picture of the mugs going into immediate use with this e-ail.
 
Thank you so much again & God bless!
 
Sina
 
MAJ Sina Haeri, MD
256th Combat Support Hospital
 

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Soldier Missing from Korean War Identified WELCOME HOME HERO!!!

Airman Missing in Action from WWII Identified             The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.                Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Martin P. Murray, 21, of Lowell, Mass., will be buried on April 16 in Marshfield, Mass.  Murray, along with 11 other crew members, took off on Oct. 27, 1943, in their B-24D Liberator from an airfield near Port Moresby, New Guinea.  Allied plans were being formulated to mount an attack on the Japanese redoubt at Rabaul, New Britain.  The crew's assigned area of reconnaissance was the nearby shipping lanes in the Bismarck Sea.  But during their mission, they were radioed to land at a friendly air strip nearby due to poor weather conditions.  The last radio transmission from the crew did not indicate their location.  Multiple search missions in the following weeks did not locate the aircraft.               Following World War II, the Army Graves Registration Service conducted searches for 43 missing airmen, including Murray, in the area but concluded in June 1949 that all were unrecoverable.               In August 2003, a team from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) received information on a crash site from a citizen in Papua New Guinea while it was investigating another case.  The citizen also turned over an identification card from one of the crew members and reported that there were possible human remains at the site of the crash.  Twice in 2004 other JPAC teams attempted to visit the site but were unable to do so due to poor weather and hazardous conditions at the helicopter landing site.  Another team was able to successfully excavate the site from January to March 2007 where they found several identification tags from the B-24D crew as well as human remains.                Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used dental comparisons and mitochondrial DNA in the identification of Murray's remains.                 At the end of the war, the U.S. government was unable to recover and identify approximately 79,000 Americans.  Today, more than 74,000 are unaccounted-for from the conflict.

Soldier Missing from Korean War Identified             The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.                Army Cpl. John W. Lutz, 21, of Kearny, N.J., will be buried tomorrow at Arlington National Cemetery.  From May 16-20, 1951, Task Force Zebra, a multinational force made up of Dutch, French, and U.S. forces, was attacked and isolated into smaller units.  Lutz, of the 1st Ranger Infantry Company, part of Task Force Zebra, went missing while his unit was attempting to infiltrate enemy lines near Chaun-ni, South Korea, along the Hongcheon River Valley.              After the 1953 armistice, surviving POWs said Lutz had been captured by enemy forces on May 19, marched north to a POW camp in Suan County, North Korea, and died of malnutrition in July 1951.                  Between 1991-94, North Korea gave the United States 208 boxes of remains believed to contain the remains of 200-400 servicemen.  North Korean documents turned over with one of the boxes indicated the remains inside were exhumed near Suan County.  This location correlates with the corporal's last known location.              Analysts from DPMO developed case leads with information spanning more than 58 years.  Through interviews with surviving POW eyewitnesses, experts validated circumstances surrounding the soldier's captivity and death, confirming wartime documentation of his loss.                 Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used dental comparisons and mitochondrial DNA – which matched that of his niece—in the identification of the remains.                  More than 2,000 servicemen died as prisoners of war during the Korean War.  With this accounting, 8,001 service members still remain missing from the conflict.

John Lutz was captured and held as a Prisoner of War during the Korean War. He was unaccounted for when the war ended and was listed as Missing in Action. His remains were recovered, identified, and returned to the United Sates in 1993.

Prisoner of War Medal Awarded posthumously for actions during the Korean War
Corporal John W. Lutz (ASN: RA-12265234), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War after he was captured during the Korean War on 19 May 1951 was held until his death in captivity.
General Orders: Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office
Action Date: May 19, 1951 - Died in Captivity
Service: Army
Rank: Corporal
Division: Prisoner of War (Korean War)

April 2011 Real Warriors Campaign

 

	Tuesday, April 12, 2011		www.realwarriors.net
Real Warriors Campaign Celebrates Military Children and Families This month, in honor of military children, the Real Warriors team is offering ideas for fun activities and resources for military kids in our article, April Is the Month of the Military Child. The Real Warriors website's Family section has 18 articles and a list of 20 useful websites for military families and children. Visit our Helping Children Cope with Deployments and Reunions section and check out our Resources for Military Families. Family Resilience Conference The DoD/USDA Family Resilience Conference will be held on Wednesday, April 27 at 8:00am – April 29 at 4:30pm in Chicago. The conference will offer a wide range of workshops, program showcases, panels, keynote addresses and research presentations for those aiming to improve delivery systems and partnerships to impact quality of life for military families. Professionals, educators, support staff and health care providers serving military families are invited to attend. For more information on this and other conferences and events, visit our Facebook Events tab. New Articles Four Tips for Successfully Managing Chronic Pain Whether a veteran has been wounded in action, has experienced a non-battle injury or is currently working through a recovery, chronic physical pain has the potential to play a significant role in his or her rehabilitation and reintegration process. Managing the psychological and emotional effects of chronic pain can be challenging, but there is hope when it is addressed properly from both a physical and psychological perspective. Building Resilience as an Individual Augmentee Deploying with a unit or component that is not your own offers exciting opportunities to gain new experiences and work with different teams. While individual augmentees bring unique expertise and knowledge that greatly supports the overall unit, their deployment also presents unique challenges. This article outlines tips for individual augmentees to build resilience before, during and after deployment. New E-Cards E-Cards are a great way for families to stay connected during separations. This month, we are offering new e-cards for the Coast Guard – to welcome Coast Guardsmen home from deployment, and to encourage them to reach out for support. Coming Soon: In honor of the Month of the Military Child, the Real Warriors Campaign will launch two new e-cards in the coming weeks to support the dedication and resilience military families provide for our warriors. Follow us on Twitter, or like us on Facebook, to get notified when the cards become available. Real Warriors Message Boards The Real Warriors Message Boards are a great place for families to connect and share their unique experiences with other military families. We encourage all our readers to connect with each other, whether you are an active duty service member, veteran, or are in the National Guard or Reserves, whether you are a military family member or a health professional who works with service members. Use the message boards to ask questions, share experiences, or post information, links, or hotlines for programs that serve those who serve our country. Partner Spotlight The Association of the U.S. Army's Family Programs Directorate is dedicated to providing Army families with information and resources to help them manage the challenges of military life. The organization also works to address Army family concerns through its legislative efforts and by being active on a number of Department of Defense and Department of the Army councils and working groups. Real Warriors & Families Share Your Story The Real Warriors Campaign is looking for new profilees for our video profiles, which spotlight stories of real service members who have reached out for support or sought treatment and are continuing to maintain successful military or civilian careers. If this sounds like you, share your story with the Real Warriors Campaign. Upcoming Events The Real Warriors Campaign may be in your area soon! Visit our Events tab on Facebook to keep up with campaign events. You don't need a Facebook account to visit the Events tab, but we'd love for you to like us online. Connect With Us Message Boards Facebook Twitter YouTube TroopTube Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Subscribe to realwarriors.net RSS feed.