Gunnery Sgt. Alfonso Via, and Cpl. Andrew Pizzalato stop at a house while on patrol and offer a local child some candy. Pic: Lance Cpl. Mark E. Morrow Jr., USMC

COL John Lammie, 550th Area Support Medical Company, speaks with hospital personnel at the Medical City Hospital complex in Sader about the care of a local boy suffering from Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Lammie took the boy to the hospital for treatment of his advanced cancer while conducting a clinical health outreach program in the region. Pic: SPC Charles W. Gill

Soldiers from the Civil Affairs Unit, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division visit a newly constructed compact water treatment facility in Tarbuli. The new facility is part of ongoing infrastructure restoration project initiated by the U.S. Army and local town councils. Pic: SPC Charles W. Gill,

One Iraqi soldier stands watch as another digs for buried weapons during a search of the Jolan Cemetery in Fallujah. Soldiers from the 1st Iraqi Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Battalion broadened the search after finding weapons hidden on the grounds. Pic: Cpl. Bryson K. Jones, U.S. Marine Corps

Soldiers from Charlie Company, 70th Engineer Battalion distribute school supplies to children in Subak Sur. The school supplies were donated by the family of SPC Matthew Koch, a soldier from the unit who was killed in action. Pic: PVT Ronald Gaete.

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld serves U.S. troops assigned to Forward Operating Base Courage in Mosul. Pic: Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld speaks with U.S. troops at Forward Operating Base Courage in Mosul. Pic: Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld presents a Bronze Star to SPC Lucas Crowe, 2-1st Infantry Regiment, Multi-National Force Northwest at Forward Operating Base Courage in Mosul. Crowe received the award after taking action to save a two-year old Iraqi boy's life after the boy was found in his family's flooded basement in Mosul on Election Day, Dec. 15. Rumsfeld is in the country visiting with the troops, thanking them for their service and wishing them a happy holiday season. Pic: Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy

Soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery train on firing points with an M119 Howitzer outside Camp Liberty 23 Dec 2005. Pic: SSG Kevin L. Moses Sr.

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld speaks to U.S. Marines and Sailors of II Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Fallujah 23 Dec 2005. Rumsfeld is in the country visiting with the troops, thanking them for their service and wishing them a Merry Christmas. Pic: Cpl. Adam B. Groenhout, U.S. Marine Corps.

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld shares a meal with Soldiers stationed at Camp Victory 23 Dec 2005. Rumsfeld is in the country visiting with the troops, thanking them for their service and wishing them a Merry Christmas. Pic: Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy

Up Yours - NAVY!

Navy Chaplain May Lose Job for Praying In Name of Jesus
by Bill Wilson


One Navy chaplain refuses to bow to a military policy that bans Jesus from prayers.

Religious intimidation in the Armed Services has caught the attention of both houses of Congress. Due to a 1998 regulation, Navy Chaplains are not allowed to pray in the name of Jesus. Navy Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt is facing termination of a stellar 14 year career after complaints from his commanding officer.

“He told a Navy board that Chaplain Klingenschmitt overemphasizes his own faith system, and he was talking about my sermons and prayers, and he specifically cited the Chaplain school director who told him that I was an immature Chaplain because I pray in Jesus’ name.”

Klingenschmitt says this is really a battle over First Amendment rights and religious freedom.

“You know our soldiers and sailors, they go overseas to promote religious freedom for other people, but here in America, they can’t even hear the diversity religions from their own chaplains.”

Jim Backlin of the Christian Coalition believes the situation presents a chance for President Bush to get involved

“So I think that maybe the President will see that there is great support for these Chaplain Klingenschmitts of the Navy and in the Air Force and do something about it.”

Backlin says that the President can change the situation with the stroke of a pen.

“We do need an executive order protecting the First Amendment rights of military chaplains and other members of the military to pray according to their faith.”

Seventy-four congressmen have signed a letter asking the President to take action.

Wanna Know Why We Be Kick'n Their Behind?

SGT Juan Rivera launches a Raven unmanned aerial vehicle into the air in Baghdad. The Raven system is used to conduct surveillance in outlying areas to smash and defeat Muslim infidels. Rivera is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 3rd Infantry Division. Pic: PFC William Servinski II, U.S. Army.

From left, U.S. ambassador to Iraq Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, and U.S. Army Gen. George Casey Jr., commanding general, Multi-National Force - Iraq, speak to the press and troops at the Al-Faw Palace in Baghdad, 22 Dec 2005. Rumsfeld is in the country visiting with troops, thanking them for their service and wishing them a Merry Christmas (that's Happy Holiday's for you PC-correct assholes!). Pic: Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy (JESUS!!!)

Citizen Soldiers

LTG John R. Vines, Multi National Corps-Iraq commander was present at the ceremony and stood by as the youngest service member out of the ones being naturalized led the pledge of allegance.

LTG John R. Vines, Multi National Corps-Iraq commander was one of the guest speakers and words of praise for the troops seeking American citezenship.

Sixty six troops sit listening and waiting for their time to stand and recieve their certifcates making them U.S. citizens at the naturaization ceremony on Camp Victory.

A 1st Platoon, Battery A M-109A6 Paladin is engulfed in dust, sand and smoke immediately after firing recently on Forward Operating Base Speicher. Pic: MAJ Richard Bartoszuk

SSG Donnie Neal, section chief, 1st Platoon, Battery A, 1-41 FA, sits inside a M-109A6 Paladin before firing from Forward Operating Base Speicher. Pic: MAJ Richard Bartoszuk

Master Sgt. Scott Bonnar, 447th Air Expeditionary Group first sergeant, discusses soccer with a young Iraqi boy prior to giving him the ball. Pic: Master Sgt. Randy L. Mitchell

MSG Faith Elmore, a dental hygienist with the 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, hands out toy cars to young Iraqi boys. Pic: MSG Randy L. Mitchell

MSG Harry Bartel, acting first sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Sustainment Brigade, lights a candle during the 101st Brigade Troops Battalion NCO Induction Ceremony. Note - although we are not authorized to wear the skill badges in a combat zone, the CSM gave permission for the inductees to wear them JUST for the ceremony.
Pic: SGT Rachel A. Brune

BG Rebecca Halstead congratulates SGT Gene Agbayani on receiving American citizenship at Logistical Support Area Anaconda.
Pic: SGT Andrew Orillion

Major Gen. Anwer Hamed Amin, commander, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, hands a soldier with IED Platoon a certificate of completion during a graduation ceremony. Pic: SPC Anna-Marie Risner

A U.S. Army Soldier from the 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion gathers intelligence information from materials found near Hawijah by U.S. Army Soldiers of the 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. Pic: SPC Timothy Kingston, U.S. Army

Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne shakes hands with Airmen from the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing during his first official visit. Pic: Staff Sgt. Rhiannon Willard, U.S. Air Force

Vice President Dick Cheney pins a Bronze Star on U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jaret M. Radimer at Al Asad Air Base 18 Dec 2005. Cheney made a surprise visit to Iraq, where he met with U.S. troops and Iraqi leaders and military commanders. Radimer is an infantryman with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. Pic: Cpl. Andrew D. Pendracki, U.S. Marine Corps

Only to be Free

An Iraqi family walks toward a security checkpoint at a polling center in Haqlaniyah, Dec. 15, 2005. Iraqi citizens are electing their first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead the new democracy for the next four years. Pic: Lance Cpl. Benjamin J. Flores, U.S. Marine Corps.

Iraqi voters gather at a polling center in Haqlaniyah, Dec. 15, 2005. Iraqi citizens are electing their first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead the new democracy for the next four years. Pic: Lance Cpl. Benjamin J. Flores, U.S. Marine Corps.

An Iraqi voter drops his ballot into a ballot box in Hayji. Pic: Sgt. Andy Dunaway, U.S. Air Force

Iraqi police officers escort a group of Iraqi women to a polling site in Taji, Dec. 15, 2005. Iraqi citizens are electing their first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead the new democracy for the next four years. Pic: PVT Ronald R. Gaete.

Iraqi police secure an area around a polling site in Fallujah. Iraqi citizens are electing their first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead the new democracy for the next four years. Pic: Lance Cpl. Mark E. Morrow Jr., U.S. Marine Corps.

Iraqi voters gather at a polling center in Husaybah. Iraqi citizens are electing their first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead the new democracy for the next four years. Pic: Lance Cpl. Sheila M. Brooks, U.S. Marine Corps

An Iraqi Soldier protects a polling site in Mosul on Dec. 15, national election day. Pic: SSG James Harper Jr.

An Iraqi citizen near Baqubah displays his ink-stained finger, indicating that he voted in the Dec. 15 national elections.

SGT Chris Schroeder from 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, prepares to remove a barrier at an election polling site in the village of Albu Tona. Pic: Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway.

Iraqi soldiers from 10th Platoon, 3rd Company, 2nd Battalion, conduct drills in Samarra. The soldiers are training for counterinsurgency operations to take place in the days prior to the election. On Dec. 15, Iraqi citizens will elect their first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead the new democracy for the next four years. Pic: SSG Alfred Johnson, U.S. Army.

MAJ Olaf Shibusawa greets an Iraqi policeman at an Iraqi police checkpoint in Jurf as Sakhr, before meeting to discuss safety and security measures for the upcoming election. On Dec. 15, Iraqi citizens will elect their first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead the new democracy for the next four years. Shibusawa is with Bravo Company, 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team. Pic: Lance Cpl. Michael J O'Brien, U.S. Marine Corps

SSG Carlswell, from 23rd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, greets an Iraqi family at a traffic control point in Mosul, during pre-election security operations. Pic: SSG James Christopher III

Sgt. Chris Dellerba, from 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, discusses voting security on 13 Dec with an Iraqi Soldier in Bayji. National elections are 15 Dec. Pic: Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway, USAF

Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, hands coins to Lance Cpl. Christopher York, engineer, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD), and Lance Cpl. Bradley Campbell, heavy equipment operator, II MHG, II MEF (FWD). Pic: Cpl. Heidi E. Loredo

A a speaker addresses a group of local women at a women's conference in Baghdad Iraq The conference was designed to give local women an insight into the new political system. Pic: SGT Matthew Kuzma

Lance Cpl. Jeremiah K. Barr of King, N.C., a fiscal clerk currently serving his country with Quick Reaction Force, Provisional Rifle Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), sings and plays the guitar during his spare time. Pic: Cpl. John E. Lawson Jr., USMC

SGT Chris Schroeder, from 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, provides security for Iraqi contractors who are setting up a polling station near Bayji for the Dec. 15 national elections. Pic: Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway, USAF.

An Iraqi army soldier shows his inked finger after voting in Hayji, Iraq, Dec. 12, 2005. On Dec. 15, Iraqi citizens will elect their first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead the new democracy for the next four years. Iraqi security forces vote early so that they can provide security during the general election. Pic: Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway, U.S. Air Force.

An Iraqi army soldier places his ballot into the ballot box after voting in Hayji Dec. 12, 2005. On Dec. 15, Iraqi citizens will elect their first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead the new democracy for the next four years. Iraqi security forces vote early so that they can provide security during the general election. Pic: Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway, U.S. Air Force

Iraqi army 1st Lt. Merbad Abid Hassan inspects his platoon prior to leaving for the polling station in Hayji to vote Dec. 12, 2005. On Dec. 15, Iraqi citizens will elect their first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead the new democracy for the next four years. Iraqi security forces vote early so that they can provide security during the general election. Pic: Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway, U.S. Air Force.

U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Albert Maas, the executive officer for 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and Sgt. Roy Archer search a boat for weapons while on patrol in Saqlawiyah. Pic: Lance Cpl. Mark E. Morrow, U.S. Marine Corps

Iraqi soldiers from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Infantry Division, tear down and rebuild a security post on Firebase Castle in Fallujah. Pic: Cpl. Bryson K. Jones, U.S. Marine Corps

Iraqi policemen and U.S. forces discuss security at polling stations in Mosul. The Iraqi security forces are conducting security operations at every polling station in Mosul to ensure a safe environment for the 15 Dec elections. Pic: Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr., U.S. Air Force

A U.S. Army Soldier from Alpha Troop, 1-33 Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division provides security as Iraqi contractors move security barriers at polling locations in Al-Mazra'a. Iraqi citizens will elect its first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead this new democracy for the next four years. Pic: Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway, U.S. Air Force