Motivation

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Morgan Trevarthen motivates a fourth class cadet during Recognition events at the academy in Colorado March 12, 2010. Recognition, which consists of several days of activities that are designed to mentally and physically challenge freshmen cadets, culminates with the ascension of the freshmen into the ranks of upper-classmen. (DoD photo by Bill Evans, U.S. Air Force/Released)

Agency Provides Meals, Supplies for Religious Observances

By Larry Levine
Defense Supply Center Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA : The Defense Logistics Agency's supply center here is ensuring servicemembers around the globe have Passover meals available for observance of the upcoming Jewish holiday and palm fronds for the upcoming Christian observance of Palm Sunday.

In addition to supplying all daily meals, the Defense Logistics Agency also ensures troops receive traditional holiday meals and necessary religious supplies. "As with all our holiday or special-event meals, our personnel begin demand planning and contacting customers as well as potential suppliers several months in advance to ensure timely delivery," said Ray Miller, subsistence deputy director. "Our planning for meals for this Passover holiday began back in November." Passover, the Jewish holiday commemorating the deliverance of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, is observed from sundown March 29 to April 9 this year. Traditionally, many Jewish people refrain from eating many leavened baked goods, including bread and cakes, during Passover. Some also refrain from eating rice or legumes, including beans and peas, during Passover. This can be difficult for military members in remote locations. The four different main courses of the special Passover meals are canned salmon, bone-in chicken, gefilte fish and beef stew, all certified Kosher for Passover. The meals also contain with other Passover extras such as matzo and macaroons. Each meal is in a chemically activated, self-heating package. The 12-meal cases will be distributed to U.S. warfighters throughout the world. While most U.S.-based servicemembers will have access to regular dining facilities or other local options for their Seder meals, most of the domestically delivered meals will go to servicemembers on training missions. The retail value of the 10,932 Passover meals provided this year is $141,988.46. This represents an increase by almost 30 percent from 2009, when 8,424 meals were provided. In addition to food items, the agency's clothing and textiles supply chain provides Passover Seder kits containing special prayer books and robes. The supply chain's ecclesiastical branch provides Seder kits to chaplains and Jewish servicemembers in the field. DLA also supplies Christian and Orthodox Christian celebrants of Palm Sunday with palm leaves. Palm Sunday is celebrated the Sunday before Easter, and it commemorates Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when palm fronds were strewn in front of him. Traditional services include a procession of members of the congregation carrying palms. "Whether servicemembers are in the field or on training assignments away from the regular places they would celebrate, Jewish and Christian alike, we offer all the items needed to conduct their respective ceremonies," said Maryann Bonk, an inventory management specialist in the clothing and textiles ecclesiastical branch.  (Issued on Mid night of March 24-25, 2010)

Related Sites: Defense Logistics Agency Defense Supply Center Philadelphia

Indians seems to have forgotten the sacrifice..and it is unfortunate.....

Komal is also one of them who are shocked to know the ignorance of 23rd March. She expressed her pain and protest by sending a message on social site. Message sent to me yesterday but I saw it today and now sharing it with you. Ms. Komal is creating awareness for a long time. 
                               --Rector Kathuria
In her message she says that today 23rd march 2010 would mark 79 years of the sacrifice three young men gave for the nation. Bhagat Singh- Raj Guru- Sukh Dev.
So today no one in news would talk about Bhagat Singh, Sukh Dev and Raj Guru the three young men who were hanged on this day near Ferozpur near the present India-Pakistan border. These men never cared about religion and fought for the freedom of the nation.

Indians seems to have forgotten the sacrifice. It is definitely an unfortunate thing that people who were not in congress and worked for India’s freedom never got the credit they deserve. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru shall remain in my heart till I die. These are the people whom the young generation should have as idols. Their sacrifice, their patriotism & their principles, we should never forget them.
Jai Hind.....!

Gates, Mullen Extend Military Support to Mexico

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden 
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON: Top U.S. defense officials met with their Mexican counterparts in Mexico City today to strengthen the U.S.-Mexico military partnership in the fight against drug cartels there.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen are in Mexico today as part of a U.S. delegation led by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair also are part of the delegation. The high-level talks are part of the Merida initiative, a partnership promised by President Barack Obama last year to help the region combat drug trafficking and related violence by the cartels. The three-year program provides $1.6 billion to fund drug-fighting initiatives. The talks demonstrate the level of commitment the United States has in aiding Mexico in its struggle against the cartels and to impede the drug trade from crossing the border into the United States, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters at a news conference here today. "Sending a delegation of this stature to Mexico is a clear indication of the critical importance both we and the Mexican government ... place on law enforcement cooperation, strengthening Mexican institutions and other cooperative efforts to support the government of Mexico's campaign against organized crimes," Morrell said. Gates and Mullen met with Mexico's Defense Secretary Guillermo Galvan Galvan and Navy Secretary Mariano Francisco Saynez Mendoza to discuss military-to-military coordination and to develop a comprehensive approach to counternarcotics operations and planning. The meetings focused on bilateral information sharing, joint defense cooperation and the need for transparency and accountability on human rights. Currently, the Pentagon provides intelligence and surveillance support, communications equipment and mobility assets, Morrell said. The talks come at a time when the Mexican government has suffered heavy losses in its war on drugs. Since 2006, some 18,000 people, including security personnel, have lost their lives to drug-related violence. "The government of Mexico has taken strong actions to address these security threats," Morrell said. "They are making some progress, but have paid high prices for their brave stand. Those sacrifices have only made our two nations more determined to work together to combat these criminal groups." Funds allocated to Mexico under the Merida initiative are due to expire in 2011. The remaining funds will go to other countries in Central America. Gates and Mullen are set to return to Washington, D.C., tonight. (Issued on March 22, 2010)

Biographies:  Robert M. Gates  Navy Adm. Mike Mullen

George W. Bush in addresses members of Joint Task Force - Haiti

Former President George W. Bush addresses members of Joint Task Force - Haiti, members of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and staff at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 22, 2010. Former President Bill Clinton and Bush are visiting Haiti to show support after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the country Jan. 12, 2010. (DoD photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call, U.S. Navy/Released)