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Recent Military and World News
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Contracting: A Sure Bet For Veterans
July 10, 2009
If you are interested in working in contracting once you return to civilian life, the Federal Contractor Program can help you get a jump on your career.
Use Your Military Training to Become an Operations Manager
July 10, 2009
You can translate your supply chain know-how into a successful civilian career as an Operations Manager. All you need is a degree.
Build a Career in Engineering
July 10, 2009
Take your engineering skills to the next level with a bachelor's degree. It can help prepare you for a civilian job as an engineering manager.
A Civilian Career for Military Journalists
July 10, 2009
If you'd like to build a civilian writing career, you may want to look into a degree program in English, communications, or journalism.
Defense Department Contracts for 2,400 More MRAP Vehicles
October 19, 2007
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2007 - The Defense Department has let contracts for an additional 2,400 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, bringing the total number of the vehicles ordered to 8,800.
Pakistan's Bhutto Ends 8-Year Exile with Jubilant Homecoming
October 18, 2007
Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto are cheering her homecoming after eight years in self-imposed exile.
Doonesbury Creator, Military Bloggers Compile New Book
October 18, 2007
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2007 - War can inspire great writing, like a series of superlative dispatches from servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan compiled in a new book that offers an arresting glimpse of life on the front lines.
Gates Aims to Resolve Disconnect Between Military, Security Contractors
October 18, 2007
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2007 - Multinational Force Iraq and private security contractors too often are working at cross purposes, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told Pentagon reporters today.
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New York Marines Remember Epic Battle of Iwo Jima
By Capt. Alison L. Salerno
United States Marine Corps
NEW YORK, March 1, 2004 -- New York Marines remembered and honored living veterans of the epic World War II battle for Iwo Jima at a Feb. 20 luncheon of the Marine Corps League in Rockland County.
The battle for Iwo Jima birthed the immortal image of Marines raising the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi after days of bitter and costly fighting.
The Rockland County Marine Corps League chapter held their annual luncheon to remember this epic battle, and they invited active duty and reserve Marines from Marine Aircraft Group-49 at nearby Stewart Air National Guard Base.
Nine Marine and Navy survivors of Iwo Jima attended and were recognized during the luncheon.
Twenty-seven Marines received the Medal of Honor for actions they took in the battle. The fight for control of the 8-square-mile island spanned over four weeks and the Americans suffered more than 26,000 casualties, including 6,800 deaths.
After the island was secure, it is estimated that more than 2,000 B-29 aircraft were able to make emergency landings on the island during later bombing raids of the Japanese mainland, saving more than 20,000 airmen.
George Rath, the Rockland County Marine Corps League detachment commandant, shared why this event is held every year. "It's important for us as Marines to remember those who have fought before us, but also to send a message to those who are serving now that they will be remembered, and they have our support."
After the group recognized the valor and heroism of those who fought, Maxim Lee, an Iwo Jima veteran of Lima Co., 3rd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division, shared words spoken by Roland B. Gittleson, a Jewish chaplain, during the dedication of a battlefield cemetery on Iwo Jima.
"Somewhere in this plot of ground, there may lie a man who could have discovered a cure for cancer. Under one of these Christian crosses, or beneath a Jewish Star of David, there may rest now a man who was destined to be a great prophet. Now they lie here silently in this sacred soil, and we gather to consecrate this earth in their memory.
"Here lie officers and men, black and white, rich and poor. here are Protestants, Catholics and Jews. Here no man prefers another because of his faith, or despises him because of his color. Here there are no quotas of how many from each group are admitted or allowed. Theirs is the highest and purest form of democracy."
A representative of the USS Saratoga Association also gave a brief history of the actions of the Saratoga, CV-3, a converted aircraft carrier carrying Marine aircraft during the battle for Iwo Jima.
Just days before the landing, the carrier was first tasked with supporting diversionary air strikes on the Japanese mainland, dubbed "Task Force 58."
Many of the active duty Marines there made the connection between that and a more recent Task Force 58, named in honor of the WWII mission, the air and ground invasion of Afghanistan in November 2001 in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
Two days after the Marines began their landing on Iwo Jima, Saratoga was ordered with three destroyers to join the amphibious forces and carry out night patrols over Iwo Jima and night heckler missions over nearby Chi-chi Jima.
However, as the ship approached her operating area in early evening on Feb. 21, an air attack ensued and six Japanese planes scored five hits on the carrier in three minutes. After the attack, Saratoga was heavily damaged and 123 crewmen were dead or missing, many Marines among them.
A photo of the WWII-era Saratoga and a Marine crewmen's hat were given to Rath as a gift to the league.
During the meeting, Rath also announced the recipient of the Elmer Jewel Award, given each year to a member of the league chapter who exemplifies service - first to their country and now to their community.
The Elmer Jewel award was named after a Marine who was killed at Iwo Jima, and whose dog tags were kept by a Marine in the chapter.
The award was given to Jim Hyman, a Navy Chief Petty Officer with 20 years on active duty and 10 years in the reserves, and an active member of the Rockland County Marine Corps League chapter. He spent many of his years serving with the Marine Corps as a "beachmaster," including time as a signalman attached to the 5th Marine Division.
Fellow league member and last year's recipient of the Elmer Jewel award, Bernard Kelly, said Hyman was a natural choice for the award. "Jim's always available, and shows up for every event or volunteer effort. He's a major reason we collect the amount of toys we do every Christmas for the Toys for Tots program."
"Even though he's a sailor, he's really a Marine at heart."
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