Soldier Mentors Kids on Drug Dangers

By Rick Scavetta 
U.S. Army Garrison-Kaiserslautern
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany:  As Army Sgt. Mark Arnett wraps up his tenure here teaching kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, he can look back knowing he made an impact on children's lives.

Army Sgt. Mark Arnett and Army Spc. Kathy Ogburn, military police officers assigned to U.S. Army Garrison-Kaiserslautern, Germany, examine a lesson plan for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. National D.A.R.E. Day was April 7, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Rick Scavetta

For the past two years, Arnett has taught the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in the Kaiserslautern Military Community's fours elementary schools.
"It's been great for me to see the difference D.A.R.E. is making in kids' lives," Arnett said. "The light bulb goes on and the wheels are turning," he said of how quickly children understand the message about the risks of drug and alcohol use.
Since 1983, D.A.R.E. has taught millions of students worldwide about the dangers associated with using alcohol and drugs. National D.A.R.E. Day is observed each April in the United States by a presidential proclamation, community events and other activities. This year, President Barrack Obama declared April 7 as National D.A.R.E. Day.
It's been a few weeks since Arnett taught his final D.A.R.E. class here. He departs Kaiserslautern soon for Fort Knox, Ky., where he'll serve with the 1st Infantry Division.
Meanwhile, Arnett said when kids see him in the Kaiserslautern community, they ask him to come back.
"That's rewarding, to know that they learned and that it was a fun experience for them," he said.
During a previous duty tour at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Arnett donned the McGruff the Crime Dog suit and shook hands with kids. He had never been in front of a classroom, but in becoming Kaiserslautern's D.A.R.E. instructor, Arnett learned the subtleties of teaching.
"As a soldier, you instruct your peers," he said. "It's totally different in front of fifth graders, trying to get them to listen to you."
Department of Defense Dependents Schools students here complete 10 lessons over several weeks, working from D.A.R.E. planners, Arnett said. Weekly lessons include students acting out skits on peer pressure and watching videos about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
In Europe, where beer and wine are often part of the local culture, alcohol is easier to obtain at a younger age. Children living overseas know that, Arnett said.
"We stress the impacts alcohol has on young bodies, the adverse effects that it can have," he said. "Kids are pretty smart. They know it's bad for you, just not how bad it can be."
What kids learn in D.A.R.E. can have a ripple effect within their families, Arnett said. One Kaiserslautern fifth-grader recently brought her lessons home and helped her mother quit smoking, he said.
Staffing a D.A.R.E. officer for Kaiserslautern Military Community schools make sense, as police in military communities mirror the work of their civilian counterparts, said Master Sgt. Kenneth Pryor, U.S. Army Garrison-Kaiserslautern's provost sergeant.
"It gives us an opportunity to have an officer go into the classroom, so the kids don't just see a police officer as a cop," Pryor said. "It humanizes the individual."
In February, Lt. Col. Kevin Hutchison, commander of U.S. Army Garrison-Kaiserslautern, spoke at the Kaiserslautern Elementary School graduation. He thanked Arnett for his efforts in making the D.A.R.E. program a success.
"He is the face of D.A.R.E. in our community," Hutchison said.
Arnett will pass the D.A.R.E. teaching reins to Army Spc. Kathy Ogburn. In less than four years as a military police officer, Ogburn has served at Fort Hood, Texas, and helped train local police in Afghanistan. She said she's excited about taking on new challenges here.
"I've worked the road and I've deployed," Ogburn said. "Now, I get a chance to do something completely different."     (Issued on: April 12, 2011)

Women in France Banned From Wearing the Veil in Public

Women in France Banned From Wearing the Veil in Public, says Amnesty International 

Organization Condemns Arrest of Protesters, Calls for Law to be Scrapped

Washington, D.C.:Monday, April 11, 2011:: Amnesty International condemns the detention of several people, including two women wearing the full-face veil, who were protesting against the law banning the wearing of any form of clothing concealing one's face in public. Amnesty International understands that those taken in for questioning by police have subsequently been released. 

The law came into force today. Police said the people were detained for joining an unauthorized protest in central Paris. 

"Women in France have the right to freedom of religion and expression. They must also be free to protest when this right is violated," said John Dalhuisen, Europe and Central Asia Program director at Amnesty International. "This law puts France to shame – a country that prides itself on the human rights it claims to promote and protect, freedom of expression included." 

"The law preventing women in France from expressing their values, beliefs and identity should be scrapped," said Dalhuisen.  # # #

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. # # #

First Lady Cites Military Children's Resilience

By Elaine Sanchez American Forces Press Service ARLINGTON, VA, April 8, 2011 - Melissa Howland, a high school senior, was diagnosed with a blood-clotting disorder the year her Navy father deployed to Iraq. First Lady Michelle Obama thanks military children for their contributions during her remarks at Operation Homefront's 2011 Military Child of the Year award ceremony in Arlington, Va., April 7, 2011.  Unable to pursue the sports she loved, and with her father away, Melissa easily could have become discouraged. Instead, the 17 year old refocused her efforts on community service. Last year, she donated nearly 500 volunteer hours to 12 causes, including the hospital where she was treated. Howland was one of the five military children –- one from each service -- honored last night for their resilience, strength of character and leadership during Operation Homefront's 2011 Military Child of the Year award ceremony here. First Lady Michelle Obama, keynote speaker for the event, called Howland and the other recipients "shining examples" of what youth can accomplish with "a little will, a little passion, and a little determination." Obama said Howland could have chosen to feel sorry for herself, instead, "she decided –- and these are her words -– 'You can't go wrong giving back.'" "Each of you young people already knows that your families are proud of you. You know that your communities are proud of you. Your parents' services are proud of you," the first lady said. "But tonight I want you to know that my husband and I are proud of you -- very proud." Obama said she and her husband know of the honorees' achievements in school -– "they're amazing" -- and the countless hours they've spent volunteering in their communities and caring for their families. "I'm here tonight because I want our country to know about you all, as well," she said. "I want our country to know about the five of you and about all the military kids and families all across this country." Obama said it's time for every American to step up and show gratitude for military families. Next week, the first lady and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, plan to launch a nationwide campaign that will call on all Americans to honor, recognize and support military families. "Our message is very clear: It's that every American has the ability -- and the obligation -- to give something back to our military families," she said. Obama said she and Biden will hit the road in the coming months to highlight the nation's stand-out businesses, nonprofits and community efforts. "We're going to be doing everything that we can to tell the stories of our military families," she said. Most people are aware of the sacrifices military members make, Obama said, but may be less aware that the military force is "largely a force of families." More than half of the active-duty force is married, she noted, and there are nearly 2 million military children. "A lot of folks don't realize that when our troops are called to serve, their families serve, too," she said. "A lot of folks simply don't know the stories of our military families and their kids." Obama shared the story of 17-year-old Nicole Goetz, the Air Force's Military Child of the Year. Goetz tutors her younger brother, cheers him up while their father is deployed, and has performed 500 hours of community service -- all while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, the first lady said. Obama pointed out that the teen's father, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Goetz, traveled here from Afghanistan to see his daughter get her award in person. Military children shoulder additional responsibilities not only when their parents are deployed, but when they return home as well, the first lady said. "And when a parent comes home wounded, the result can be a real role reversal," she said. "It can mean taking care of Mom or Dad who once took care of you; taking on responsibilities that would be overwhelming for most adults, let alone for most kids." That's exactly what 17-year-old Taylor Dahl-Sims, the Marine Corps' Military Child of the Year did, Obama said. Dahl-Sims' baby brother was injured at birth and her house flooded –- all while her stepfather was on his fifth deployment. She helped care for the baby, clean up the house and, when her stepfather returned home with a traumatic brain injury, she continued to pitch in to care for her family. "So when we talk about service to our country, when we talk about all that sacrifice for a cause, when we talk about patriotism and courage and resilience, we're not just talking about our troops and our veterans," Obama said, "we're talking about our military families, as well." And military children, she said, "play their own very unique role in keeping our country safe and preserving the freedoms that we all hold dear. "I think we could learn a thing or two from a couple of our honorees tonight," she added. Following the first lady's remarks, top military leaders presented an award to their service's award recipient. The recipients include: -- For the Army, 16-year-old Kyle Hoeye, of Tucson, Ariz., who worked to help other military children become more resilient during each of his father's three deployments. He's one of only two teens in Arizona certified to teach military kids how to use advanced technology through the 4-H program. He was instrumental in putting together Operation Military Kid's Hero Packs and has handwritten hundreds of letters to local military children, thanking them for their service. -- For the Navy, Howland, of Millis, Mass., volunteers in the local hospital's maternity ward every Sunday. Her father was deployed to Iraq in 2009 and stationed, unaccompanied, in California in 2007 and 2008. Howland keeps her spirits up during her father's absences by doing community service. In 2010, she donated 498 volunteer hours to 12 causes. -- For the Air Force, Goetz, of Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., volunteered at the local youth center, her church, veterans and nursing homes, and joined a variety of high school clubs. She also organized 21 local schools to create and send hundreds of homemade Christmas cards, cookies and care packages to troops overseas. At home, she helps her 10-year-old brother with his school work. And when he's feeling down and missing their dad, who is deployed in Afghanistan, she takes him to the movies. -- For the Marine Corps, Dahl-Sims, of Oceanside, Calif., helped her mother with her baby brother's medical care after an injury. Her stepfather returned home from his fifth deployment with a traumatic brain injury and, again, she stepped in to help during his recovery. She also pitches in with her parents' nonprofit, The North Star Group, helping to host baby showers on base and provide pampering for pregnant spouses whose husbands are deployed. -- For the Coast Guard, 17-year-old Margaret Rochon, of Jacksonville, N.C., organized a seminar about the stresses of wartime deployment on students and the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on families. The seminar was required for all teachers in her county and included a panel of six nationally known experts, including a retired major general. School administrators taped the session and have made it part of the formal annual training for teachers in her county. A committee of active-duty service members, family readiness support assistants, teachers, military mothers and community members chose the award recipients. The winners received $5,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C., for the ceremony.

Related Sites: Operation Homefront  Related Articles: Army Child of Year Develops Deployment Kit  Tyndall Teenager Selected as Air Force Military Child of the Year

Five military children -– one from each service –- are honored for their resilience, strength of character and leadership during Operation Homefront's 2011 Military Child of the Year award ceremony in Arlington, Va., April 7, 2011. The honorees are, bottom row, from left, Taylor Dahl-Sims for the Marine Corps, Margaret Rochon for the Coast Guard, Melissa Howland for the Navy, Nicole Goetz for the Air Force, and, top row, Kyle Hoeye for the Army. DOD photo by Elaine Sanchez

Conducting maintenance

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mathew Harrington, a precision measurement equipment laboratory journeyman with the 57th Maintenance Squadron, conducts maintenance on a 53-plugin unit, used to calibrate an oscilloscope, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 5, 2011. (DoD photo by Senior Airman Michael Charles, U.S. Air Force/Released)

Skeena.....Skeena

According to media Fauzia is a South Asian Canadian writer of fiction and poetry. Her English and Punjabi writings have been published in Canada, Pakistan, and on the Web. Print titles include novel ‘Skeena’ (Punjabi, Lahore 2007) and anthology ‘Aurat Durbar’ (English, Toronto 1995).She maintains sites and blogs on Punjabi literature and art, ‘honour-killings’, blasphemy laws, and the environment. 

A selection of her English and Punjabi poetry ‘Passion-Fruit/Tahnget-Phal’ is due to come out in 2011.Fauzia will read from the Punjabi edition of her novel ‘Skeena’. Randeep Purewall says Skeena is the story of one woman inhabiting four worlds.If, to borrow the words of Kishwar Naheed ‘Skeena is a novel on patriarchy that never uses this word’, it is also the story of an honour killing where not one drop of blood is shed. Instead, it takes the reader and one woman of a village, from the gradual Islamization of law and society in Pakistan to the social politics of post-911 Canada.It treats the familiar themes and experiences of a South Asian woman in Pakistan and Canada without conforming to or selling stereotypes to the public.

It moves flowingly almost screenplay like reproducing vivid scenes, such as the punishment of a villager in Skeena’s village, in the reader’s imagination.

Telling a story of discovery, death and determination, Skeena is inspiring without being overblown, political without being ideological, and heart-rending without being tragic.Skeena is a novel by Fauzia Rafique to be launch on  Saturday, April 9 · 2:00pm - 4:00pm at Surrey Public Library, Newton Branch.   Fauzia started this novel in 1991 and continued the writing till it's completion in 2004. Fauzia devoted the golden period of her life to write this novel. After completing the pen work she started  the next face of struggle for its publication. it was her good luck due to her continued devotion  Amjad Saleem of Sanjh publication took the pains and novel published in 2007 by Sanjh publications Lahore in Punjabi with Shahmukhi script. Novel was published in a beautiful form,  released in 9 cities and hit the stalls. 

Click & enlarge for story intro

Novel Skeena touched the sky at all book counters. Fauzia was happy but not satisfied. its publication is Gurmukhi script was still a challenge. she was not in the mood to compromise for its publication without royalty.  ultimately novel published in Gurmukhi script also by the same publisher Sanjh of Lahore. Now you may read it in English (Roman words) also. If possible must partricipate the event. You wil meet and listen the Guest Speakers like Ajmer Rode, Bhupinder Dhaliwal, Sadhu Binning, Surjeet Kalsey, Dr. Saif Khalid and Shahzad Nazir Khan.
Poetry Manolis Readings will also take place by Yannis Ritsos and 'Vernal Equinox') Event Host at Facebook is Sana'a Janjua.

*Skeena: A story of discovery, death and determination

*‘Skeena’ Book Launch in Vancouver, April 10/2011

Guard Should Remain an Operational Reserve, Leaders Say

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Orrell National Guard Bureau WASHINGTON, April 7, 2011 – As part of the Total Force, the National Guard has successfully transformed into an operational force and must not be put back on the shelf in a strategic reserve status, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said here last week. National Guard Bureau Chief Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley speaks with Army Reserve Chief Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, also commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve Command, and Army Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter, acting director Army National Guard, before they testified to a House Appropriations subcommittee on Defense, March 30, 2011. The senior leaders spoke to the necessity of keeping the reserve components as the fully operational forces they have become instead of the strategic reserves they were after the Cold War. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. John Orrell   “We must continue to be utilized as part of the operational force … and must maintain readiness and continue to be a part of the national security framework,” Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley said during his testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, March 30. McKinley, along with Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, director of the Air National Guard; Army Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter, acting director of the Army National Guard; and Army Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve and commanding general, U.S. Army Reserve; spoke about the important roles the National Guard and reserve have performed during the last decade. McKinley said remaining a fully operational force relies on the service components’ willingness to keep the Air and Army National Guard operational. “I believe very strongly that [Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen.] Norton Schwartz and [Chief of Staff of the Army Gen.] George Casey believe that access and availability to call on the Guard is vital to their future, especially in an era of persistent conflict,” he said. “From a strategic vantage point, we in the National Guard believe that care must be taken not to break this magnificent force that has been there when needed these last 10 years,” McKinley said. “We have proven that this reserve component can be an operational force. We have demonstrated the capabilities,” Stultz said. “We have demonstrated the fact that we are a good return on investment.” That return on investment, he added, can be seen in all reserve component branches. “We have created an Army that has to have an operational reserve,” Stultz said. “Just in raw numbers, 75 percent of your engineering capabilities … 80 percent of your logistics capability … 75 percent of your medical capability … and 85 of your civil affairs capability, which is in high demand, is in the reserve or Guard.” Wyatt said the Air Guard provides a high percentage of Air Force mission capability relative to the total budget the Air Force provides to the Air Guard. “The Air National Guard provides about 34 percent of the total capability of the Air Force on about 7 percent of the budget,” Wyatt said. “That’s probably the most cost-effective arm of the Air Force that we have.” Wyatt said one of the biggest issues the Air National Guard faces in remaining a relevant operational force is the recapitalization of older aircraft. “That’s the same problem that the United States Air Force has,” he said. “Our goal is to continue to be an equal partner through the Air Force’s recapitalization and modernization process. “The proper way to do that when recapitalizing the Air Force, Wyatt continued, “is to embark upon recapitalizing the Air National Guard at the same time that we do our active component proportionately and balanced across all three of the components so that the Air National Guard can remain relevant and remain an operational force.” To prepare for the future, the Air National Guard must build upon the lessons of the past, he said. “Today’s Air National Guard integrates seamlessly into the Air Force global operations because we have the same equipment with similar capabilities and Air Guard airmen maintain the same standards of training and education as our active duty brothers and sisters,” Wyatt said. “With continued support from Congress,” he added, “we will continue to improve and enhance our ability to support civil authorities through prudent investments and dual-use capabilities.” McKinley broke down some of the fiscal year 2012 requirements the Guard is looking for. “Overall, we can say that the budget request for fiscal year 2012 meets the critical needs of the Army and the Air National Guard in the era of persistent conflict overseas and on-going threats to American lives and property here in the homeland,” he said. “As the FY12 budget was developed,” McKinley added, “we worked closely with [the Office of the Secretary of Defense] to ensure adequate funding for the entire [Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosives] enterprise, including standing up the remaining eight new Homeland Response Forces.” Carpenter said soldier resiliency also is vital to the continuation of the operational force and the Army National Guard looks to achieve this through comprehensive soldier mental health initiatives and soldier and family outreach programs. Carpenter emphasized the importance of keeping the Guard and Reserve operational. “General Casey has made the statements, ‘We’ve served together, we’ve bled together and we can’t go back’,” Carpenter said. “We have to be ready, we cannot sit back and wait for something and then respond, so from that standpoint the operational Reserve is critical for this nation.”

Biographies: Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley Army Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz Army Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III Related Sites: National Guard Bureau

Operation Tomodachi Mission Continues Strong

By Donna Miles  American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, April 5, 2011 - The U.S. military will continue to stand squarely with Japan for as long as needed following the devastating earthquake, tsunami and radiological crisis, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander told American Forces Press Service. Senior U.S. military members supporting Operation Tomodachi present Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa with a banner as he and senior Japanese leaders visit the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, April 4, 2010. U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kyle Carlstrom  Navy Adm. Patrick M. Walsh, speaking by phone today from Yokota Air Base, Japan, said Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. military assistance mission to Japan, shows no sign of waning, even as the focus begins to turn from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to consequence management. "This is an enduring commitment. This is an enduring relationship," Walsh said. "So we are posturing ourselves for a long-term support and an enduring commitment." Walsh said the longstanding U.S.-Japan relationship that underpins the mission runs deeper than many people realize. "In this case, we live here. We have homes here," the admiral said. "And so we want to be here, side by side or one step behind, wherever they would like us to be as they go through this very cathartic process. It's one we want to be in a position to support." The U.S. military remains heavily involved in the mission. Since the operation started, U.S. 7th Fleet forces have delivered more than 260 tons of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies to survivors in support of Japan Self-Defense Force efforts. Yesterday, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa and other senior Japanese officials visited the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan to thank U.S. service members personally for their support. "When you consider the burden that all these men have carried for the past three weeks, to give us that amount of time was quite extraordinary," Walsh said. "And I think it's representative of how they feel about the contribution we have made that they wanted to make this kind of personal connection with us." Walsh emphasized that maintenance and re-provisioning on some of these ships, and in some cases, the reassignment of some of their forces, in no way signals a drawdown of Operation Tomodachi. In fact, he said, "we have more people who have come to Japan than have left Japan in support of this operation." Any reposturing taking place now, Walsh said, is only to ensure U.S. forces are prepared to sustain operations for the long haul. "From the fleet perspective, we have every ship we have here under way. ... That has gone on for 30 days," the admiral said. Now, he said, it's time to consider the best way to "present ourselves and posture ourselves so we can sustain this level of support over time -- maybe refocus it, reprioritize it as events and conditions on the ground change." Walsh praised progress taking place as Japan begins to recover from the disaster. "There is an extraordinary level of development that has taken place in a very short period of time," the admiral said. He called the reopening of Sendai Airport -- initially considered unsalvageable but quickly turned operational for support of humanitarian flights "one of those seminal sorts of stories that will go down as truly remarkable." "Because we were able to work with the Japanese government to get the runway up and running, we were able to develop a logistics hub," Walsh continued. "And with a logistics hub now, all kinds of things are possible." Even as Japan begins rebuilding, he said, it's still dealing with the heartbreaking recovery mission. Japan's Self-Defense Forces are methodically going from location to location and house to house, searching for and recovering victims' remains, Walsh said. U.S. support is expected to shift more toward helping Japan deal with nuclear consequence management and radiological issues, Walsh said. However, he added, the U.S. military will continue to "be on call when they need us to do more support for logistics or humanitarian assistance or disaster relief up north." About 400 U.S. service members are currently supporting consequence management missions in Japan, Walsh said, noting that an initial response force recently arrived to provide support. Its members aren't physically going into Japan's nuclear reactors, he noted, but are serving in an advise-and-assist role. "The ability to pivot from the humanitarian assistance [mission] to the consequence management piece, I think, is an important element of an agile organization," Walsh said. "Being able to adapt to a changing condition on the ground is reflective of our ability to work with Self-Defense Forces and the government of Japan, to listen closely to what their needs are and to do what they want us to do in order to support them." The complexity of the mission in Japan underscores the level of the U.S. commitment, Walsh said. "To use the term 'Operation Tomodachi' in an environment where it is radiologically contaminated, that is where you find out who your friends are," he said. "We are here, and we are right in the middle of this thing with Japan when it comes to fighting this problem here with the nuclear power plant. And once again we are in a position to support. We will go where they need us to go and we will support them as they need us to support them." Walsh said Japan has been extremely forthcoming about radiation levels, posting data collected by 80 sensors arrayed around the country on a public website. This information sharing helps guide U.S. support missions, he said, so those involved know where it's safe to operate and where it's not and take necessary precautions. "This is the environment we are in, so we are going to go into it smart and learn how to stay alert to changes in the environment," Walsh said. "And our ability to characterize that environment over time is what helps our men and women." As the United States works with Japan to abate the crisis, Walsh said it's drawing heavily on the benefits of their long, shared history. "There is nothing that can replace relationships," he said. "To have those established relationships, whether working with logistics or communications or armed forces working side by side, to have insight into what each other's capabilities are, as well as what each other's needs are, is very, very important." The complexity of the disaster in Japan -- the earthquake, then tsunami, then radiological crisis -- makes that foundation even more critical, Walsh said. "One of the lessons important to draw from this is how important it is to be armed with information and knowledge," he said, "and to understand the environment or battle space in which we operate, because if you don't, then it can be very intimidating." Ultimately, Walsh said, the lessons being learned during Operation Tomodachi will posture the U.S. military for future crises in the earthquake-prone region known as the "Ring of Fire." "This is the 'Ring of Fire' and it keeps our head on a swivel," he said. "We have to keep working to understand what the environment is telling us and how to be prepared for it. I think it makes us better prepared as operators in the long run."

Biographies: Navy Adm. Patrick M. Walsh  Related Sites: Special Report: Earthquake in Japan – U.S. Military Responds Operation Tomodachi U.S. Pacific Fleet

Corruption is a serious roadblock

Anna Hazare Calling

Dear friends,

Corruption is not an issue to be discussed in the drawing rooms or parks.

It is a serious roadblock for a progressive nation. Be a crusader & join the

leader Anna Hazare in his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar Delhi. Be there for

at least one day to lend support for the legitimate demand of an effective

LOKPAL Bill. Similar struggle should be started earnestly at all city & State levels.

-- 

Dr Amrit Sethi
Past President,IMA Pb.State                            
Sethi Eye Hospital,
155 Veer Colony,
Bathinda-151001
Ph. 164 2251500, 9814032953
SABSE BADA ROG;

KYA KAHENGE LOG.....

A State Level Convention on Sunday, April 10

CONVENTION ON DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS & CONVICTION OF Dr. BINAYAK SEN
A State Level Convention on Democratic Rights & Against Conviction of Dr. Binayak Sen

Time	Sunday, April 10 · 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Location	PUNJABI BHAWAN, BHARAT NAGAR CHOWK  LUDHIANA

Created By	Narinder Kumar Jeet

Speakers: Prof. Nandini Sundar, Anthropologist & Social Activist
Prof. Ujjwal Kumar Singh, Delhi University 
Organised by: DEMOCRATIC FRONT AGAINST OPERATION GREEN HUNT, PUNJAB 
Convenor: 
S.Gursharan Singh 
Co Convenors: Dr.Parminder Singh
Prof.A.K. Maleri 
Yash Pal

Face of Defense: NCO Manages Airfield in Iraq

By Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck U.S. Air Forces Central BAGHDAD, April 5, 2011 - Air Force Staff Sgt. Carla Washington has more than enough room at Sather Air Base here to stretch her legs, with 16-million square feet of flightline to patrol and 760 lights to check daily. Air Force Staff Sgt. Carla Washington, who serves with the 447th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron as the operations noncommissioned officer-in-charge at Sather Air Base in Baghdad, contacts a co-worker, March 31, 2011. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck  "I have to drive around the entire flightline three or four times during my 12-hour shift," said Washington, who serves with the 447th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron as the airfield's operations noncommissioned officer-in-charge. "I come out here more often," she added, "if it's raining, a pilot reports debris on the airfield or if there are birds or other animals near the runway." Part of Washington's job, she said, is to make sure the landing, take-off and taxiways are clear of debris. Foreign objects can cause damage to aircraft and jeopardize the lives of aircrews. One of the most dangerous situations comes from birds, the Dothan, Ala., native said. "I conduct bird aircraft strike hazard checks," said Washington, who deployed to Iraq from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. "These [checks] make sure crews have a safe airfield by scaring birds away, or removing them from the flightline and out of the path of the planes." Washington has removed some large objects from the flightline, she said, including debris like large metal cans and construction hand tools. Such items, she said, could cause an aircraft mishap if they're ingested into an engine. Washington is on her third deployment to Iraq. In 2005 she served at Kirkuk Regional Air Base and at Ali Air Base in 2009. With eight years of military service, she is carrying on a family tradition. "I have two uncles and a cousin who did 20-year military careers," she said. "The one who influenced me the most was my cousin who retired from the U.S. Army. He told me the good and the bad about military life and ultimately is the one who advised me to join the Air Force, if I decided to join." Washington said the initial reason she enlisted was to get money to pay for college. However, over time, her motivation for continuing to serve has changed, she said. "I love what the military stands for," Washington said. "I love the job I do, and the many ways I contribute to helping others while deployed in Iraq and at home at Shaw." Once a month, Washington volunteers to visit with impoverished Iraqi families to distribute shoes, clothes and candy. "They want the same thing as we do for our families," she said. "They want to provide for them and live in a safe environment. It's worth it to see the smiling faces." Meanwhile, Washington continues her daily trips around the flightline, keeping it open and secure for medical evacuation missions, contingency operations and delivery of supplies in support of Operation New Dawn. "Washington brings continuity, consistency and professionalism to our team," said Air Force Master Sgt. Richard Macumber, the deputy airfield manager, who's a member of the New York Air National Guard, deployed from Hancock Field, Syracuse, N.Y. "The mission always flows smoothly, safely and efficiently when she's on duty," Macumber said.

Related Sites: U.S. Air Forces Central

VA Budget Request Signals Commitment to Vets

By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, April 4, 2011 - President Barack Obama's $132 billion 2012 budget request for the Veterans Affairs Department demonstrates that despite a tight fiscal environment, the United States stands by its commitment to men and women who have served in uniform, Deputy VA Secretary W. Scott Gould told American Forces Press Service. Deputy Veterans Affairs Secretary W. Scott Gould speaks at opening ceremonies for the 25th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, Colo., March 27, 2011. Gould said VA's fiscal 2012 budget request aims to improve the delivery of services and benefits to veterans while improving the systems that make VA more efficient and effective. VA photo by Jeff Bowen  "It says that VA and veterans are the president's top priority," Gould said during an interview in Snowmass Village, Colo., last week at the 25th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. Gould said the budget request reflects a renewed commitment to VA's charter as President Abraham Lincoln enunciated it in his second inaugural address: "to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan." "If you look at our fiscal year 2010 budget, it was the largest in 30 years," Gould said. "It was followed by another roughly 7 and a half percent in 2011, and now we have another 3 and a half percent on top of that. So it is a striking level of investment by the administration." Gould cautioned, however, that VA can't take this commitment for granted. "We are working really hard to make sure we use every dollar wisely," he said. The fiscal 2012 budget request supports VA's five-year strategic plan, with priority goals to: -- End veteran homelessness by 2015, with $940 million in the fiscal 2012 request for programs to reduce and prevent homelessness among veterans and their families; -- Implement a paperless claims-processing system by 2012, a major step toward eliminating the disability claims backlog so no veteran has to wait more than 125 days for a decision; -- Build and deploy an automated Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits system to speed tuition and housing payments for all eligible veterans; -- Create the next-generation electronic record system that begins when service members enlist in the military and remains with them through retirement or after they return to civilian life; -- Improve the quality, access and value of mental health care provided, with $6.2 million in the fiscal 2012 request for mental health programs, including $68 million for suicide prevention; and -- Deploy a new management program to improve client access to VA services and benefits by June 2012. "We have a very bold strategy," Gould said. "And we are very focused on making sure that we get the resources to support it in a way that ties the budget to this strategic strategy." Much of VA's focus is on making the organizational changes and systems improvements required for it to function more efficiently and effectively, Gould said. "We want to invest in the people, their training and the systems that make our organization more intelligent, more able to deliver on the promise of these priorities and the overall strategy," he explained. VA is working to transform into Secretary Eric K. Shinseki's vision of a veteran-centric, results-driven, forward-looking organization, Gould said. This, Gould said, involves new management systems that ensure accountability as well as maximum efficiency and effectiveness, while eliminating waste and improving the delivery of high-quality and timely veterans benefits and services. Toward that end, VA is seeking nearly $3.2 billion for fiscal 2012 to maintain and improve its information technology systems. Gould reported progress already made on the IT front. "Two years ago, only 20 percent of projects were on time, on budget and to technical standards," he said. "Today, 80 percent are." Similar improvements are bearing fruit in how VA manages its human resources. "Two years ago when we started hiring people, it took us 108 days," Gould said. "Now we have it down to 76, and will achieve a goal by the year's end of 60 days, the private-sector standard." Another improvement uses strategic sourcing, with VA's separate operating units pooling their buying power to get the best price for their goods and services. Previously, the department's separate operating units did their buying separately. In addition, VA adopted a strategic capital investment plan that improves the way it manages its capital infrastructure –- 6,500 buildings nationwide, with a replacement value of $87 billion. "Two years ago, there was no integrated process for evaluating where you would invest your next dollar in that physical infrastructure," Gould said. Today, VA makes a business case for every proposal, pools these proposals, then evaluates and prioritizes them to identify the best use of its infrastructure funding. "So now we can go to the secretary and say, 'For the limited dollars we have, here is the best investment we can make to improve the security and safety of our veterans and improve quality and access,'" Gould said. Gould noted an adage in the health care realm: health care is 85 percent business systems and 15 percent medicine. The VA's health-care providers, who make up the country's largest direct-care health system, receive consistently high marks in the quality of care they provide, he said. In fact, he added, many are on par with their counterparts at the nation's most prestigious hospitals and medical centers. "So think about how much cost [savings] and how much potential efficiency is created if you can improve the underlying systems" that support them, Gould said, "while giving the doctors the maximum freedom to make the best judgment they can based on health care principles."

Biographies: W. Scott Gould Related Sites: Department of Veterans Affairs Related Articles: VA Works to Break Disability Claims Backlog  VA Makes Progress to End Veteran Homelessness

China Detains Ai Weiwei as Warning:Amnesty

Washington, D.C.: The detention of China’s most famous artist and political critic, Ai Weiwei, is a troubling development in a widening crackdown on dissent that has seen dozens of activists detained over the last few months, Amnesty International  said today.
"Ai Weiwei was not even involved in any call for 'Jasmine' protests.  There seems to be no reason whatsoever for his detention, other than that the authorities are trying to broadcast the message that China’s time for open dissent has come to an end," said Donna Guest,Amnesty International ’s deputy director for the Asia-Pacific.
"We've already seen the chilling effect the 'Jasmine Revolution'-related arrests have had on Chinese activists and netizens over the past month. Holding Ai Weiwei takes this to another level," said Guest. "If the authorities are so bold as to grab this world-renowned artist in broad daylight at Beijing airport, it’s frightening to think how they might treat other, lesser known dissidents." 

Police detained Ai Weiwei at Beijing airport on April 2.  His wife and several members of his studio staff were also detained on the weekend.  

Since online calls for Chinese 'Jasmine Revolution' protests inspired by people’s movements in the Middle East and North Africa began circulating in late February, the Chinese authorities have rounded up dozens of activists, lawyers and bloggers.  

Amnesty International  is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. 

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 is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. 

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 said today.   

"Ai Weiwei was not even involved in any call for 'Jasmine' protests.  There seems to be no reason whatsoever for his detention, other than that the authorities are trying to broadcast the message that China’s time for open dissent has come to an end," said Donna Guest,Amnesty International ’s deputy director for the Asia-Pacific.   

"We've already seen the chilling effect the 'Jasmine Revolution'-related arrests have had on Chinese activists and netizens over the past month. Holding Ai Weiwei takes this to another level," said Guest. "If the authorities are so bold as to grab this world-renowned artist in broad daylight at Beijing airport, it’s frightening to think how they might treat other, lesser known dissidents." 

Police detained Ai Weiwei at Beijing airport on April 2.  His wife and several members of his studio staff were also detained on the weekend.   

Since online calls for Chinese 'Jasmine Revolution' protests inspired by people’s movements in the Middle East and North Africa began circulating in late February, the Chinese authorities have rounded up dozens of activists, lawyers and bloggers.   (Issued on Monday, April 4, 2011)

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. 

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