Mr Barnum motivating the 26th MEU

H.C. "Barney" Barnum Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Reserve Affairs), signs his section of a Medal of Honor book for Cpl. Murray Bartlett of Combat Logistics Battalion-26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), Dec. 25, 2008. Barnum, a Medal of Honor recipient, visited while the USS Iwo Jima was in port in Bahrain. The 26th MEU is currently deployed aboard the Iwo Jima Strike Group in the Arabian Gulf in support of local operations. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Patrick M. Johnson-Campbell) (Released)

Continuum of Service

H.C. "Barney" Barnum Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Reserve Affairs), serves a Marine from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas brunch aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), Dec. 25, 2008. Barnum, a Medal of Honor recipient, visited while the USS Iwo Jima was in port in Bahrain. The 26th MEU is currently deployed aboard the Iwo Jima Strike Group in the Arabian Gulf in support of local operations. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Patrick M. Johnson-Campbell) (Released)

Lowe’s, Home Depot offer July 4 discount

By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jul 1, 2008 10:23:07

For several days during the July Fourth holiday period, two national home-improvement retailers will again offer 10 percent discounts to active-duty personnel, reservists, retirees, honorably discharged veterans and their immediate families.

Be prepared to show your military ID or other proof of service.

Lowe’s Companies Inc. is offering the 10 percent discount from now through Monday, July 7.
The discount is available on in-stock and special-order purchases up to $5,000.

Home Depot will offer the 10 percent discount from Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July 6, for purchases up to $2,000.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/06/military_july4_discounts_062708w/

Cartoon is Navy’s envoy to anxious Japan

By Philip Ewing - Staff writer

Posted : Monday Jun 16, 2008 7:17:30 EDT

Damage Controlman 3rd Class Jack O’Hara is a bumbler. On his first sea tour aboard the carrier George Washington, O’Hara is seasick, gets lost, gets chewed out for showing up late to his work center, kills his shins on the knee-knockers, and, when he runs to the wrong space during a general quarters drill, a supervisor tells him he’s just been "killed." He has to play a corpse for the rest of the evolution.

But O’Hara isn’t just any novice sailor on his first deployment. He’s the Navy’s fictional ambassador to the people of Japan, starring in a Japanese-style comic book, known as "manga," designed to introduce the nuclear-powered George Washington to an uneasy nation that until now has hosted only conventionally powered carriers.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/06/navy_comicbook_061408w/
Read manga at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news_images/manga/CVN73-eng.pdf

You Bet Your Bureaucracy!

A Government Futures Market ...
(from Govexec.com)

In partnership with our friends at Government Futures <http://www.governmentfutures.com/talk/> , we're conducting an online survey <http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=822633> to measure your views of what will be hot in 2008. On top of that, you can place your bets on what's going to happen at the prediction markets <http://governmentfutures.inklingmarkets.com/> section of the Government Futures site. On Jan. 17, we'll host a webinar to discuss the results of the survey and present an analysis of the predictions. Stay tuned to GovernmentExecutive.com for more details on that event.

Rig stage for rocking: Masso jams in Vegas

By Philip Ewing - Staff writer

Posted : Saturday Jan 5, 2008 17:56:01 EST

Las Vegas audiences at the end of December showed a lot of love and affection for the golden-haired twins of rock, Nelson, partly because Matt and Gunnar brought in a guest guitar player for their version of their father Rick Nelson’s 1961 song, "Travelin’ Man."

Sitting in was Rear Adm. Sonny Masso, the Navy’s deputy chief of personnel and the commanding officer of Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn.

"It was kind of cool from my standpoint, because this is one of their dad’s signature songs," Masso said of the hit, in which a very sailorlike girl-in-every-port narrator pines after his "sweet fraulein" in Berlin and his "China doll down in old Hong Kong," among others.

Video: Masso takes the stage

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/01/navy_masso_concerts_080105w/

Great White Fleet celebrates 100 years

The Associated Press

Posted : Tuesday Dec 11, 2007 7:45:19 EST

NORFOLK, Va. — Navy Secretary Donald Winter will be in Norfolk on Saturday to mark the 100th anniversary of the Navy’s Great White Fleet.

Sixteen battleships departed Hampton Roads on Dec. 16, 1907, for a 14-month global naval voyage.

The deployment included about 14,000 sailors, covered 43,000 miles and made 20 port calls on six continents. The ships that took part were later be dubbed the Great White Fleet because each was painted white.

Naval history says the trip was supposed to be a "grand pageant of American sea power."

The ceremony will take place on board the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_greatwhitefleet_071211/

More info at:

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq42-1.htm

http://www.greatwhitefleet.info/index.html

http://www.greatwhitefleet.info/Navy_Series5.html

NavAdmin 265/07: 2007 Army/Navy game spirit spots on CBS

See http://www.navytimes.com/offduty/sports/navy_game_navadmin_071015w/

USNI Proceedings Salutes Naval District Hollywood

More at
http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/story.asp?STORY_ID=906

Constitution Day Proclaimed: September 17, 2007

Proclamation by the President: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Constitution Week, 2007

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2007, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and September 17 through September 23, 2007, as Constitution Week. I encourage Federal, State, and local officials, as well as leaders of civic, social, and educational organizations, to conduct ceremonies and programs that celebrate our Constitution and reaffirm our rights and responsibilities as citizens of our great Nation.

Full text at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/20070822-5.html

It's not too early to prepare to celebrate Constitution Day!
Check out http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/ConstitutionDay/default.htm

‘Lusty’ is a refined carrier, U.S. pilots say

By Vago Muradian - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Aug 7, 2007 11:36:29 EDT

ABOARD THE HMS ILLUSTRIOUS — What’s the definition of heaven if you’re a Marine Harrier pilot? Why, spending two weeks on one of Britain’s aircraft carriers, of course.

“What’s not to like? The flying’s awesome, the food and quarters are great, and you can get a drink at the end of the day,” said Maj. Stephan “Poppy” Bradicich, the executive officer of Marine Attack Squadron 542 who helped plan the unprecedented embarkation of 16 Harriers and 200 Marines aboard HMS Illustrious, known as “Lusty” to its crew.

More at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/08/navy_lustymain_070805/

Navywide Food Service Survey Begins - Participants Eligible to Win Prizes

Story Number: NNS070712-09
Release Date: 7/12/2007 1:01:00 PM
From Fleet and Family Readiness Marketing, CNIC

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Sailors and their family members, Department of Defense employees and military retirees have the opportunity to help shape the future of the Navy’s food and beverage programs by participating in the 2007 Navywide Food Service Customer Satisfaction Survey, which is being conducted online at www.Research-Online.us/s17710 through July 27.

In appreciation for comppleting the 10-minute online survey, customers will have the chance to enter into a drawing to win one of three prizes: a 42-inch HDTV LCD Flat Panel TV, an Apple iPod (with video) and an Apple iPod nano. Winners will be selected at random by CNIC and NEXCOM Sept. 30, 2007.

Due to frequent changes in models and pricing by manufacturers, exact models and retail prices will be determined by NEXCOM at the time of the drawing. No purchase is required. All authorized patrons of on-base Navy food service outlets are eligible to participate in the prize drawing, except for the CNIC and NEXCOM survey organizers and their families. Participation in the survey and the drawing for prizes is completely voluntary. For complete details regarding the prize drawing, visit www.Research-Online.us/s17710.

http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=30532

Sailor reaches goal to be White House chef

By Nicole Service - The Daytona Beach News-Journal via AP
Posted : Monday Jul 9, 2007 18:54:24 EDT

DELTONA, Fla. — There is a “Steven Wall” at Michael Kush’s Deltona home. Pictures reveal Steven Horn, still in his teens, dressed smartly in a white chef uniform. There is Steven slightly older in a black sailor outfit, and Steven, just hanging out with friends, smiling. Steven aboard the USS Enterprise. In just about all the pictures, Steven wears a huge grin.

Now Kush, a proud grandfather, can add one more item to the wall — a piece of paper on White House letterhead informing family members that Culinary Specialist Second Class Steven Horn “has been selected for a position with the Presidential Food Service,” starting later this month.

“He is going to be a White House chef,” Kush brags. “We are just so very proud of him.”

And the best part: Horn has accomplished his biggest life goal — cooking for the president — at the age of 23.

More at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/07/ap_navywhitehousechef_070707/

Home Depot, Lowe’s offer discounts

By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Jul 2, 2007 20:34:16 EDT

The Home Depot and Lowe’s home improvement stores are offering discounts for the military community in honor of Independence Day.

The Home Depot is offering 10 percent coupons in some military publications, to include the July 2 issues of the Military Times newspapers as well as base publications, on purchases of up to $2,000 — for a maximum $200 discount, through July 4. Terms are noted on the coupon. If a customer does not have a coupon, however, stores are instructed to honor the discount, provided the customer shows a military ID card, said Home Depot spokeswoman Sarah Molinari.

The discount applies to active duty, reservists, retirees, veterans, and their family members, she said.

More at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/06/military_july4_discounts_070630w/

Emeril Army-Navy Cookoff and Military Contest - Fri & Sat 29-30 June

America Supports You: Famous Chef to Salute Military
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 28, 2007 – Famous television Chef Emeril Lagasse will salute the military with two programs showcasing recipes created by the men and women who keep the troops fed and happy.

“Emeril’s Army-Navy Contest” will air on the Food Network tomorrow [Friday] at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

“Emeril’s Military Contest” will air the following evening at the same time. The six winners, representing each of the five branches of the military, were selected from entries in “Emeril’s Military Recipe Contest.”

More at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46583

Emeril's Army-Navy Cook Off
Air Times:
Friday, June 29, 2007 8:00 PM ET/PT
Saturday, June 30, 2007 3:00 AM ET/PT

Emeril's Military Contest
Air Times:
Saturday, June 30, 2007 8:00 PM ET/PT
Sunday, July 01, 2007 3:00 AM ET/PT

Food Network schedule at http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/programdaily/0,1904,FOOD_9927__EST,00.html

Air Force presents pro cycling event

by Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle
Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs

6/18/2007 - ARLINGTON, Va. (AFPN) -- The inaugural Crystal City Classic cycling event presented by the Air Force June 16 is an effort to build an Air Force signature sports event in the Washington, D.C., area.

More at: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123057650

Retired Gen. George Washington Criticizes Bush's Handling Of Iraq War

Retired Gen. George Washington Criticizes Bush's Handling Of Iraq War
June 6, 2007 Issue 43•23

WASHINGTON, DC—Breaking a 211-year media silence, retired Army Gen. George Washington appeared on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday to speak out against many aspects of the way the Iraq war has been waged.

Washington likens Vice President Cheney to controversial British Chancellor of the Exchequer and Stamp Act architect George Greenville.

Washington, whose appearance marked the first time the military leader and statesman had spoken publicly since his 1796 farewell address in Philadelphia, is the latest in a string of retired generals stepping forward to criticize the Iraq war.

"This entire military venture has been foolhardy and of ill design," said Washington, dressed in his customary breeches and frilly cravat. "The manifold mistakes committed by this president in Iraq carry grave consequences, and he who holds the position of commander in chief has the responsibility to right those wrongs."

More at http://www.theonion.com/content/news/retired_gen_george_washington