Moral Side

Topics for "The Moral Side of the News" - April 15, 2012

TOPIC 1:  George Zimmerman to Be Charged in Trayvon Martin's Death

A Florida special prosecutor has decided to charge neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman in the shooting death of unarmed teen Trayvon Martin, sources told ABC News. The decision by Florida special prosecutor Angela Corey is expected to be announced at a 6 p.m. news conference in Jacksonville, Fla. The prosecutor's ruling is certain to provoke controversy in Sanford, Fla., where shooting took place and across the country.

Zimmerman, 28, an Hispanic neighborhood watch captain, shot and killed Martin, who was 17 and black, on Feb. 26 after following the teenager for several minutes.

The special prosecutor's ruling came one day after Zimmerman's legal team quit because they had lost contact with him, and suggested that the pressure of the case had "pushed him over the edge." His lawyers said that Zimmerman was no longer in Florida and ABC News has learned that prosecutors do not know his exact location.

Earlier this week, Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett said his city has become a "kindling box" due to the high emotions surrounding the case, and that he would "plan for the worst and hope for the best."

The case gained national prominence with rallies across the country demanding that Zimmerman be arrested and charged with murder. Zimmerman and his supporters say that the shooting had nothing to do with race and that he shot Martin in self-defense. The city of Sanford has been getting increasingly tense as the decision neared. Six shots were fired into an empty police cruiser earlier this week in the neighborhood where Martin was killed.

The New Black Panther Party offered a $10,000 bounty for Zimmerman and his lawyers said Zimmerman had received death threats. The New Socialist Movement, a white supremacy group, said they were patrol Sanford to protect whites and racists comments about the shooting have sprung up on social media sites. Debate over the shooting became so widespread that even President Obama commented, saying if he had a son he would have looked like Trayvon Martin.

On his website, Zimmerman released a statement about the shooting this week, calling the incident a "life-altering event." "As a result of the incident and subsequent media coverage, I have been forced to leave my home, my school, my employer, my family and ultimately my entire life," he wrote.

CONTINUE READING: http://abcnews.go.com/US/george-zimmerman-charged-trayvon-martin-killing/story?id=16115469

Law enforcement source: Zimmerman will be charged 

(CNN) -- George Zimmerman, the Florida neighborhood watch volunteer who says he shot Trayvon Martin in self-defense, "will be (criminally) charged, if he hasn't been charged already," a senior law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told CNN Wednesday. State Attorney Angela Corey said she will present new information about the case at 6 p.m. in Jacksonville. Martin, 17, was killed February 26 as he returned to his father's fiancee's house in Sanford after picking up candy and an iced tea at a nearby convenience store.

The news that Zimmerman will be charged came shortly after the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Martin family attorney called Wednesday for the public to remain peaceful, whatever the decision of the special prosecutor turns out to be. "We do not condone or support in any way acts or language of violence," Sharpton told his National Action Network's 14th annual convention in Washington. "Trayvon Martin's name must not be tarnished by those who are either for or against us with any reckless behavior, even verbally." He and Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump said Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, have conducted themselves with dignity and set an example for others. "Nobody can be hurting more than them," Crump said. "Nobody can be more outraged than them."

Corey said Tuesday she planned to release new information about the case within three days. The special prosecutor's announcement came the day that two lawyers who had been giving legal advice to Zimmerman, Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig, told reporters that they had lost contact with their client and no longer represent him.

Phyllis Kotey, a former prosecutor in Florida, told CNN's Brooke Baldwin that Corey may be considering a second-degree murder or manslaughter charge. "You really just want to weigh the evidence even though you all have all these very public things going on," Kotey said. "It really shouldn't be a political decision." A second-degree murder charge would look at whether the shooting was done with any kind of provocation and with possible reckless disregard for the safety of another human being. "When you look at manslaughter ... you are talking about an issue of culpable negligence," Kotey said. "One of the things you would look at would be the issue of how Zimmerman acted," she said, "whether there was anything unlawful about his actions, in terms of continuing to pursue, continuing to go after an individual in a lawful place... perhaps whether a gun was pulled on an individual in a lawful place."

Brad Conway, a defense attorney in Florida, told CNN that Zimmerman needs to hire a new attorney -- quickly. "One thing is of key concern to everybody is Mr. Zimmerman's safety," said Conway.

The case has sparked a nationwide debate about race in America and Florida's "stand your ground" law, which allows the use of deadly force by anyone who feels a reasonable threat of death or serious injury. Readings of the law are crucial to a prosecution, Conway said. Thousands of protesters have descended on Sanford to demand Zimmerman's arrest. But, Sharpton said Wednesday, "this is not anti-anybody," noting that white people, African-Americans, Latinos and Asian-Americans have joined what Martin supporters have described as a call for justice. "We're not talking about a conviction," Crump said. "He'll have his day in court. ... All we're asking for is an arrest."

CONTINUE READING: http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/11/justice/florida-teen-shooting/index.html

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on the Florida Prosecutor’s decision in the George Zimmerman case?

 

TOPIC 2: Board recommends dismissal of anti-Obama Marine

(CNN) -- A Marine Corps board has recommended that a politically active Marine sergeant who questioned President Barack Obama's authority be dismissed from service with an "other than honorable" discharge. Sgt. Gary Stein, 26, who posted anti-Obama comments on his Facebook page, stands accused of violating a catch-all military justice provision against conduct endangering "good order and discipline." He is also accused of violating a Department of Defense policy limiting the political activities of service members. The case has raised First Amendment issues.

The recommendation for dismissal, made late Thursday after a 13-hour hearing, will now go to a separation authority headed by Brig. Gen. Daniel Yoo, commander of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, said Maj. Michael Armistead, the public affairs director for the installation. It could take two to three weeks for the authority to hand down a decision, Armistead said.

If he leaves the Marines with an other than honorable discharge, Stein will be demoted a rank to lance corporal. One of Stein's lawyers, Capt. James Baehr, said Stein would also lose benefits and his uniform. Baehr said his client was extremely disappointed. "I don't think any law was violated by Gary Stein," he said. "The reason we have this reticence in the military to get engaged in politics is that we were afraid a long time ago of military dictatorship," Baehr said. "We are so far from that in suggesting that on a private Facebook page, you can't say something about politics." Stein came under scrutiny from Marine officials after saying he would not obey Obama's orders.

In a January 26 post to the Armed Forces Tea Party Facebook page, Stein called Obama a liar. Two days later, he said the president is "the 'Domestic Enemy' our oath speaks about." In a March 4 posting, he questioned Obama's birth certificate. Another discussion on the site in March said he would refuse to obey orders given by Obama. He later clarified to say he meant illegal orders, which he has explained as orders such as sending the military to Syria without congressional approval. "The allegations drummed up against me are no more than an agenda by the Marine Corps to use me as an example," Stein said in a statement posted to his page. "If I am guilty of anything it would be that I am American, a freedom loving Conservative, hell bent on defending the constitution and preserving Americas greatness." He noted that the opinions he expressed were his own, saying, "I have never spoken on behalf of the Marine Corps or in uniform."

CONTINUE READING: http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/06/justice/marine-obama/index.html?iref=allsearch

Military Board Says Marine Should Be Dismissed

A Marine who criticized President Barack Obama on his Facebook page has committed misconduct and should be dismissed, a military board recommended late Thursday. The Marine Corps administrative board made the decision after a daylong hearing at Camp Pendleton for Sgt. Gary Stein. The board also recommended that Stein be given an other-than-honorable discharge. That would mean Stein would lose his benefits and would not be allowed on any military base. The board's recommendations go to a general who will either accept or deny them. If the general disagrees with the board, the case could go to the secretary of the Navy.

Stein's lawyers argued that the Marine, whose nine-year service was to end in four months, was expressing his personal views and exercising his First Amendment rights. "We're truly surprised and disappointed but it was an honor to fight for a hero like Sgt. Stein and every other Marine's right to speak freely," Stein's defense attorney Marine Capt. James Baehr said. Stein addressed board members during Thursday's hearing, tell them he loved the Marine Corps and wanted to re-enlist, Baehr said. During the hearing, the prosecutor, Capt. John Torresala, said Stein went as far as superimposing images of Obama's face on a poster for the movie "Jackass."

Torresala argued that Stein's behavior repeatedly violated Pentagon policy that limits the free speech rights of service members, and said he should be dismissed after ignoring warnings from his superiors about his postings. The government submitted screen grabs of Stein's postings on one Facebook page he created called Armed Forces Tea Party, which the prosecutor said included the image of Obama on the "Jackass" movie poster. Stein also superimposed Obama's image on a poster for "The Incredibles" movie that he changed to "The Horribles," the prosecutor said. Torresala also said anti-Obama comments by Stein that were posted on a Facebook page used by Marine meteorologists were prejudicial to good order and discipline, and could have influenced junior Marines.

Stein's security clearance was taken away and he has no future in the Marine Corps because he can't do his job without that clearance, Torresala said. "The Marine Corps community views the command's lack of action as some kind of knock on good order and discipline," Torresala said. "Our own people are questioning why this Marine is not being held accountable."

Baehr said during the hearing that prosecutors were trying to dredge up any damaging information they could against Stein. "There is no basis in this case," Baehr said. "Sgt. Stein has broken no law." Baehr expressed after the hearing that he hoped that the recommendation would be rejected by the general, saying the case will go forward. "The issues are too important for this to end today," he said.

The military has had a policy since the Civil War limiting the free speech of service members, including criticism of the commander-in-chief. Pentagon directives say military personnel in uniform cannot sponsor a political club; participate in any TV or radio program or group discussion that advocates for or against a political party, candidate or cause; or speak at any event promoting a political movement. Commissioned officers also may not use contemptuous words against senior officials.

CONTINUE READING: http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/06/justice/marine-obama/index.html?iref=allsearch

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on the Marine Corps administrative board’s decision to dismiss Sgt. Gary Stein for information posted on a Facebook page?

Muslims, Atheists Pressure Military to Remove Christian Speaker

By Todd Starnes

The U.S. Military Academy pressured a retired U.S. lieutenant general to withdraw from speaking at a West Point prayer breakfast after Muslims and atheists complained, Fox News & Commentary has learned.

Retired Lt. Gen. William Boykin was scheduled to deliver a speech at West Point on Feb. 8. But late Monday, the military academy released a statement saying he had decided to withdraw from speaking and would be replaced with another speaker.

However, a source close to the controversy told Fox News & Commentary that Boykin was pressured to withdraw.

“It was very clear they wanted General Boykin to withdraw,” said the source who asked not to be identified. “He asked them to rescind the invitation, but they were reluctant to do that so he said he would take them off the hook.”

Theresa Brinkerhoff, a spokesperson for West Point, told Fox News & Commentary that the U.S. Military Academy “did not decide this for him.”

“After a conversation with our chaplain, Lt. Gen. Boykin decided to withdraw,” Brinkerhoff wrote in an email.

Boykin, a former senior military intelligence officer, had been criticized for speeches he made at evangelical Christian churches where he said that American’s enemy is Satan, that God had put President Bush in the White House and that a Muslim Somali warlord was an idol-worshipper.  He later issued a written statement apologizing and said he didn’t mean to insult Islam.

However, Boykin became a target for atheists and Muslim groups. They launched a campaign to force the military to remove the retired lieutenant general from the West Point prayer event.  “Mr. Boykin’s intolerant views do a disservice to our nation’s longstanding traditions of religious freedom and pluralism and could potentially harm our country’s interests and the security of our troops overseas,” Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations, wrote in a letter to the superintendent of West Point. “By providing a platform associated with West Point, Mr. Boykin’s hate-filled rhetoric would receive a level of credibility and legitimacy it does not deserve.”

Awad called Boykin an Islamophobe.  “It gives Islamophobes a platform at the nation’s most prestigious military academy,” Awad told the Associated Press. “And I doubt that they would invite a KKK speaker and claim that they want to expose the students to a variety of opinions.”

CAIR joined VoteVets.org and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation in protesting Boykin’s speech.  Mikey Weinstein, the president of Military Religious Freedom Foundation heralded the military’s move as a victory and called Boykin a “vile Islamophobe.”

“We are deeply saddened that it took a public outcry of this magnitude to cause Boykin to pull out from this event, likely under pressure from within the Pentagon,” Weinstein said in a press release. “Our outcry must not stop – all individuals within the command structure responsible for inviting this vile Islamophobe must be held accountable via courts martial.”

Boykin told Fox News & Commentary that he was extremely disappointed in what has happened.

“I came under attack because there are liberal groups, Islamic groups and atheist groups that want to shut me down because I have been very open about my concerns about the encroachment of Sharia – or Islamic law,” he said.

Boykin said he planned on delivering a speech about the importance of prayer in a leader’s life.  “It was an ecumenical presentation,” Boykin said. “It had nothing to do with Islam.”

Boykin would not comment on reports that he was pressured to step aside, only to say that he considered the commandant of West Point to be a “good friend of mine – and a very good man.”

Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council, was outraged by the decision.

“This has gone too far,” Perkins told Fox News & Commentary. “This is a troubling trend that we are seeing under this administration.”

Under the Obama Administration both Perkins and Franklin Graham were disinvited from speaking at military prayer services.

“When you talk to military leaders on the base, they don’t like this,” Perkins said. “There seems to be pressure coming from within the administration to sweep Christianity off the face of military bases.”

Boykin said he doesn’t believe the Obama administration has stood with the traditional values of the nation and he said the incident at West Point should serve as a wakeup call to Christians.

“The message is that people of faith and conservative Americans are losing our voice to a very well-organized and very well-funded group of very passionate people – those being the atheists and the Muslims,” Boykin said. “They want to change the nature of our culture – and they are succeeding.”

Perkins pointed to the Obama administration’s policies banning Christian prayers at National Cemetery in Houston and a ban on Bibles at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

“It’s time Americans realized that while these orders may not have been signed by the president, this environment has been created by him and his policies,” Perkins said.

Boykin accused the Obama administration of not standing with people of faith – “certainly not people of the Christian faith or Jewish faith.”

“If there has been support in this administration for faith it has been more skewed towards the Islamic faith than anything else,” Boykin said.

Perkins said the biggest and most troubling concern is how Boykin has been treated.

“The man they have disinvited is a true American hero who has spilled his own blood on foreign soil for this country,” Perkins said. “He has done so much to defend the ideals and the freedom that American stands for. Yet his own freedoms – that he fought to protect for others – have been taken from him.”

Military Chaplains in Difficult Position

A new Pentagon policy issued on September 30, 2011, allows military chaplains to perform same-sex weddings on military bases, as long as such unions are not prohibited by state law. But Chaplain (Colonel, retired) Ron Crews said this latest Defense Department memo "flies in the face" of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). "I am just stunned by the brazenness of this apparent permission for chaplains to violate federal law," said Crews.

Crews said all military bases are federal property and should respect federal laws such as DOMA, which states that the federal government can only recognize marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The Pentagon's new policy does not force a chaplain to perform same-sex ceremonies, but Crews said this changed military landscape might force conservative chaplains into a defensive posture, as some groups are likely to test the limits of the ruling.

 

(From WORLD magazine, Oct. 22, 2011 issue)

The Moral Side of the News on WHAS-TV on March 27, 2011 (2)

The clergy panel discusses the US military involvement in Libya during the second half of the program aired on March 27, 2011.

 

President Obama, Libya, and the Principles of War

I have listened to President Obama, Secretary Clinton, and Secretary Gates (though Mr. Gates has been conspicuously silent since the decision to take action in Libya - you remember, that he advised against it).  I watched the agonizingly uncomfortrable press conference with General Carter Ham (commander, US African Command - "AFRICOM").

It was obvious to me that General Ham was uncomfortable with the vagueness of what he is supposed to do with whom and for whom in Libya.  Are we taking sides or enforcing a no-fly zone?  Who is in charge, or at least direting traffic?  Are we seeking a regime change or just trying to make the fight even or protect civilians - just the rebels or ALL citizens of Libya?  Are we invading, attacking, enforcing, intervening, or ______________ (circle as many as apply)?

I encourage President Obama to read what every Marine Second Lieutenant has read ... FMFM 1 - "Warfighting."  It is a quick read.  It won't even take up the entire flight to Brazil.

I would also suggest that the President take a look at the Principles of War that are taught and followed by the US military.  These principles are:

1. Objective
2. Offensive
3. Mass
4. Economy of Force
5. Maneuver
6. Unity of Command
7. Security
8. Surprise
9. Simplicity

This action in Libya has violated at least six of the nine principles:

• Objective (or Mission) – Direct every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive and attainable objective. Can anyone state the mission?  It seems that the French, British, and Americans have separate missions.
• Offensive – Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Offensive action is the most effective and decisive way to attain a clearly defined common objective. Offensive operations are the means by which a military force seizes and holds the initiative while maintaining freedom of action and achieving decisive results. This is fundamentally true across all levels of war.  We cannot go to war (or whatever this is) by playing for a tie.  We must play to win and defeat the enemy.  In war there are no umpires - the nation that seeks to be an umpire will always be drawn into the conflict - usually on the weaker or losing side.
• Mass – Mass the effects of overwhelming combat power at the decisive place and time. Synchronizing all the elements of combat power where they will have decisive effect on an enemy force in a short period of time is to achieve mass. Massing effects, rather than concentrating forces, can enable numerically inferior forces to achieve decisive results, while limiting exposure to enemy fire.  Measured responses or playing even gets people killed and extends involvement.  Overwhelming and preponderant force lowers casualties and leads to a swift conclusion.  We will need to introduce ground forces to end the conflict between the Libyan rebels and the Libyan regime.  We may have mass in the air in Libya, but not on the ground.  In the meantime, massing forces in Libya drains our forces in Afghanistan.
• Economy of Force – Employ all combat power available in the most effective way possible; allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts. Economy of force is the judicious employment and distribution of forces. No part of the force should ever be left without purpose. The allocation of available combat power to such tasks as limited attacks, defense, delays, deception, or even retrograde operations is measured in order to achieve mass elsewhere at the decisive point and time on the battlefield.  This principle is paired with MASS.  The Libyan involvement does not economize military force for what needs to be the primary effort in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
• Unity of Command – For every objective, seek unity of command and unity of effort. At all levels of war, employment of military forces in a manner that masses combat power toward a common objective requires unity of command and unity of effort. Unity of command means that all the forces are under one responsible commander. It requires a single commander with the requisite authority to direct all forces in pursuit of a unified purpose.  Does anyone know who is in charge.  No-Fly Zones are complex operations.  There are multiple military forces involved.  There needs to be at minimum a traffic controller.  This issue was illustrated recently when rebel ground forces shot down a rebel aircraft.  President Obama says we are not in charge...who is?
• Simplicity – Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and concise orders to ensure thorough understanding. Everything in war is very simple, but the simple thing is difficult. To the uninitiated, military operations are not difficult. Simplicity contributes to successful operations. Simple plans and clear, concise orders minimize misunderstanding and confusion. Other factors being equal, parsimony is to be preferred.  This principle is related to Unity of Command.  There are so many moving parts - including what nations are/will participate.  One commander with a simple mission statement would make things a lot easier.

So, what is the Moral Side?  I want to support the President.  We have all seen the damage that can be done by undercutting the President as Commander-in-Chief.  I do not want us to repeat what was done to President Bush.  I want to be a part of the loyal opposition.

I am concerned that taking military action to "protect the citizens" of another nation from its own government is a dangerous expansion of the use of military force.  Still, I am support the President because he is the President.  That is the best way to insure the security and effectiveness of our military personnel.

President Obama appears to be attempting to wage war while at the same time not tarnishing his Nobel Peace Prize.

I plead with the President to listen to his military advisors, to give heed to the Principles of War, and to be a decisive Commander-in-Chief.

--Respectfully submitted, Lt. Colonel JW Slider, USMC (ret)

Crew Chiefs Draw on Training for Humanitarian Mission

Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Chance Trombetti, a 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit CH-46 Sea Knight pilot conducts post-flight inspections on a CH-46 Sea Knight at Pano Aqil Cantonment, Pakistan. The U.S. Marine Corps’ 15th and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units have been operating CH-46 Sea Knight and CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters in the Sindh province since early September bringing relief supplies to those in need. Since Aug. 5, U.S. military helicopters have transported more than 12 million pounds of supplies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kali Gradishar)

PANO AQIL CANTONMENT, Pakistan (October 27, 2010) — For more than a year, CH-46 Sea Knight crew chiefs are taught and tested on every aspect of their career field – from the mechanics of the Sea Knight to flight operations – before they actually enter into the world of being a crew chief. 

In training, scenarios are given to represent possible real-world situations. But until those real-world situations present themselves, training often involves preparing for the unexpected. Since the U.S. Marine Corps HMM-165-Reinforced, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived at Pano Aqil Cantonment, Pakistan, to support the Pakistan government and military flood relief operations, they have put that training to use.

“We did a lot of heavy preparation for this deployment so we could come out with no issues to fly to the fullest capability,” said Lance Cpl. Nicholas Zeigler, a 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit CH-46 Sea Knight crew chief with more than 600 flight hours. 

“We did a lot of [confined area landing] training when we were in Camp Pendleton, [Calif.]. In training we were required to land in a small area, clearing the pilots left and right as if we were landing 15 feet from power lines or near a wall,” said the lance corporal, who has been in the Marine Corps three years as of Sept. 11. “Operations here have been a true utilization of all that training.”

The first destination for the CH-46s and the 15th MEU to support relief operations was Ghazi Air Base in northern Pakistan. The Marines began making the transition south to Pano Aqil Cantonment in early September. Though the geography between the two areas is vastly different, there were still similarities in the missions the Marines encountered.

“Around Ghazi, the people were out in the hills where roads were cut off, bridges were destroyed, and a lot of houses near the river were taken out,” said Cpl. Dominic Camacho, a 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit CH-46 Sea Knight crew chief. “It’s different here because it’s mostly flat land, but it’s the same because there are a lot of people affected here, too, with fields and homes under water.”

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s CH-46 aircrews and maintainers have been working around the clock alongside 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit CH-53 Super Stallion aircrew and maintainers, which arrived in October, as well as all the support functions required to maintain a steady flow of operations. 

Since early September, Marines at Pano Aqil Cantonment have been bringing relief supplies to people in need to sustain themselves now and hopefully through the winter. Transporting that many supplies means an intense pace for the 15th and 26th MEU's to try to reach as many people as possible.

“We were [initially] doing five runs, delivering over 10,000 pounds of food, or 20,000 pounds between the two [aircraft]. That was standard for the first three weeks we were here, and the tempo has remained very high, very fast-paced,” said Zeigler, a native of Olathe, Kan. “Of the places we’ve landed, some of the towns are intact, but they are completely surrounded by water and all the roads to that town are washed out. It’s like seeing 150 to 200 people on an island. So we were dropping off what we could to those people who were isolated.”

Whether it’s doing confined area landings or basic maintenance, the Marines are applying the vast training they receive to good use as they scour the submerged Sindh province for dry spots to land to deliver relief supplies. 

“We trained for quite some time before we deployed, and being here really changes the tone of what we’re doing – it’s more visceral and validates what we’ve gone through,” said Zeigler, “Plus we’re getting the opportunity to help people. 

“It’s rewarding to be helping Pakistan in the aftermath of this natural disaster – to be out here feeding people and putting out training to use,” he said.

Three Months after Floods, U.S. Remains Committed to Supporting Pakistan

Alberto Rodriquez
U.S. Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Nov. 02, 2010) — It has been three months since devastating monsoon floods hit Pakistan. Last weekend, the new U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Cameron P. Munter, and his wife, Ms. Marilyn Wyatt, marked the three-month milestone by helping Pakistani and U.S. military deliver approximately 3500 kilograms of flood relief. Ambassador Munter himself offloaded several 40 kilogram bags of food aid from a U.S. helicopter at Hassan Khan Jamali, in Pakistan’s Sindh Province.

"It is an honor to have the chance to work with Pakistani and American military personnel and to help the Pakistani people," said Munter. "This is a place that I think all of us will remember as a symbol of what we can do when we work together. And I'm very, very grateful to the Pakistanis and Americans who've done all this work."

The monsoon floods have affected more than 20 million people, destroying two million homes, killing approximately 1900 people and annihilating crops in areas where more than 80 percent of the countryside is farmland.

The U.S. responded immediately to the disaster: aid flights delivered more than 436,000 halal meals for distribution by Pakistani authorities. Six U.S. Army helicopters were dispatched from Afghanistan shortly afterwards to Ghazi Aviation Air Base in the north of Pakistan to begin urgently requested relief flights.

To date, U.S. military aircraft and personnel, working in close coordination with the Pakistan military have delivered more than 9 million kilograms (approximately 20 million pounds) of relief supplies and provided humanitarian airlift for over 28,000 people in the flood-affected regions of Pakistan.

Hundreds of U.S. military and civilian personnel remain committed to provide responsive humanitarian airlift with a dedicated fleet of 22 helicopters, flying missions in support of the Government of Pakistan’s flood relief effort.

Troops Assist with Iraqi-Led Aid Mission

Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger
United States Division-Center

U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathan Wilhite, an infantryman with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, and a Tupelo, Miss., native, jokes with Iraqi children during a medical engagement hosted by the Iraqi Army with the support of his unit at the North Halabsah School northwest of Baghdad, Oct. 10, 2010. (Photo by Sgt. M. Katzenberger).

BAGHDAD (Nov. 2, 2010) —School is out for the day at the North Halabsah School northwest of the Iraqi capital. On a typical day, when let out of school, the students wander off to their homes—scattered throughout endless acres of farmland miles from city centers and marketplaces—but Oct. 10, the students instead joined their parents at the school, along with other adults from the community, to receive basic medical examinations, medicine and school supplies from Iraqi Army Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 37th Brigade, 9th IA Division.

The combined medical engagement, conducted in collaboration with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, was organized by the IA to support its continuing efforts to build trust with the Iraqi people in the North Halabsah area—people who, due to the rural location in which they live and work, have very little regular interaction with the Iraqi Security Forces.

One of four medics and two doctors to provide care to the people was Cpl. Ahmed Ayad, a medic with 2nd Bn., 37th Bde, 9th IA Div.

Ayad said participating in the humanitarian aid mission—which provided medical assistance to more than 70 men, women and children—made him feel good, and that the mission was beneficial to his unit.

“I’m trying to help the population [and] that gives them a good impression about the military, especially for the kids,” he said. “Giving them [school supplies] and medical supplies reflects [well] on the military.”

The medical engagement at the North Halabsah School was different from similar missions that had been previously conducted, in that the IA assumed full responsibility for the operation. The location was secured by the IA and the mission was facilitated solely by IA Soldiers and leaders, with the exception of the U.S. Army providing the services of a female physician assistant, Capt. Anna Chavez, and two female medics, Spc. Rebecca Nadine Slagle and Spc. Jessica Chandler, all with 3rd Brigade Support Battalion, 1st AAB, 3rd Inf. Div.

“It’s nice when we come out and … let the Iraqis take the lead—that’s exactly what they’re doing today,” said Capt. Paul Worley, commander of Company A, 3rd Bn., 69th Armd. Regt. “We’re just providing that advisory role.”

While IA Soldiers secured the site, quickly transformed a wing of classrooms into temporary examination rooms and readied tabletops with medicine ranging from antibiotics and aspirin to hydrocortisone cream and vitamins, Soldiers with Company A found the Iraqis had things under control, so they took advantage of the opportunity to meet with the IA Soldiers and Halabsah children.

“It’s good to see that the kids are happy to have us out here and to see us helping everybody out with the medical supplies,” said Spc. John Eval, an infantryman with Company A, and a Las Vegas native. “And it’s nice to see all the adults happy to see us out here, having a good time [and] laughing … with us.”

Second Lt. Jassim Aymen, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Bn., 37th Bde., 9th IA Div., said he feels the mission was a success on many levels.

“I think [the combined medical engagement] … is very good for us and for the U.S. Army,” Aymen said. “We’re [building] a good relationship [and] friendship together and gaining … experience from one another. I want to help [the] new Iraqi Army, to support it and build it, and make it like the other armies in the world.”

Aymen said he feels a lot of empathy for fellow Iraqis, a natural sentiment he credits to his parents.

“The situation here in Iraq is very difficult, especially for the poor people [because of] what Saddam [Hussein]’s regime [did to] people,” he said. “[The regime made] them suffer for a long time. That’s why I take medicine as my profession.”

After the Iraqis left the school grounds, clutching bags full of school supplies and medicine, Worley reflected on the IA’s success and their performance during the medical engagement.

“It’s nice for us to bring the Iraqi Army out to the people and show them that they’re here to help and … that they’re here to protect them,” Worley said. “From what we can tell here from the humanitarian aid [mission] we did here previously—and [from] this one—the relationship between the people and the Iraqi Security Forces is strong; there’s trust there and the people appreciate everything that the Iraqi Army is doing for them.”

Doctors Save Afghan Child in Ghazni

Artur Weber
ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 4, 2010) –– Polish and American doctors from Task Force White Eagle saved the life of an 8-year-old Afghan girl wounded when insurgents attacked Afghan security guards in the south of Ghazni province Tuesday.

The girl’s brother took her to Forward Operating Base Warrior seeking medical care. According to the brother, she was injured when insurgents attacked a civilian convoy.

Polish medics from FOB Warrior first delivered medical care, but it soon became necessary to transport the child by helicopter to FOB Ghazni's field hospital to perform surgery. 

“As a result of wounds to her abdomen she required surgery on her intestines. Further, one bullet lodged in her sacrum bone,” said Dr. (Maj.) Robert Brzozowski, head of the field surgical team. 

Polish surgeons, assisted by an American anesthesiologist, operated for two-hours.

“The doctors managed to safely remove the bullet from girl’s body,” said Brzozowski. The operation was a success and shortly afterward the girl was transported to a provincial hospital in Ghazni City.

Marines Volunteer at Afghan School

Sgt. Mark Fayloga

 

Wali Muhammad and other Afghan boys call out the letter their teacher points to during class at the Forward Operating Base Geronimo schoolhouse in Afghanistan, July 8. Most of the kids who attend school are younger than the current war. The children are taught by Marine, Navy and Afghan volunteers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mark Fayloga)

OPERATING BASE GERONIMO, Afghanistan —Wali Muhammad doesn’t want to be a farmer.

This is a recent revelation for the eight-year-old Afghan boy. Wali’s father wished this for his son much earlier, which is why months ago he began ordering him to “go to school and learn something.”

At first Wali didn’t like it. The school is more than a mile away from where he lives in Helmand province. It’s not so bad in the morning, but in the afternoon the walk back home can occur in triple-digit heat. It could be worse though, some of the other kids travel from twice as far away.

Now Wali looks forward to school. Studying and learning are his favorite parts. He calls it school, all the kids do, but a more accurate description would be class. It’s only 90 minutes long, three days a week, but the children call it school because the volunteer-led program at Forward Operating Base Geronimo is the closest most of them have ever come to a formal education.

Some days as many as a dozen or more children join Wali on the walk to school. Other days as few as three walk with him. Wali almost never misses.

School doesn’t start until 10:30 in the morning, but the kids always show up early. They find shade where they can and wait for the teachers to arrive.

Excitement begins to creep up on Cpl. Mary Warren the nights before school. The 22-year-old water support technician with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 is stationed at Geronimo as support. She’s responsible for the base’s water and says the job is important, but not difficult. She spends most of her free time volunteering at the school. When she’s not teaching, she’s preparing lesson plans or organizing the many donations the school has received since her sergeant major and chaplain have begun helping support her efforts.

When Warren wakes up on school days her excitement has only grown from the night before. She does what she can to make time pass as quickly as possible until she can begin the walk toward the schoolhouse, which is no more than a few hundred yards outside of the base’s front gate.

As Warren makes her way down the dirt road tiny heads begin poking out of the shade and the kids run to meet her and the other teachers at the school’s entrance. It’s not clear who’s more excited.

“Seeing them makes my week,” said Warren, from Chicago Heights, Ill.

The children line up and welcome the teachers and the security detail, Marines from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, with handshakes and ask at least twice, “How are you?” The greeting is more a proud display of English skills than an inquiry.

After the security detail sweeps the schoolhouse the students and teachers file in. Two classes take place in the school, one for adults and one for children. There is a local national day laborer program at the base and as part of the program the men must attend school.

Chief Petty Officer Tyrek Alanos teaches the adult class. When he first started teaching in the last week of May, the children and adults were taught together. Splitting the students up made more sense. The children learn the basics — ABCs and 123s. Alanos teaches the adults more practical English, things they can use in conversation with coalition forces. Many of the adults say they enjoy the class and learning is helping them, but nobody is there who isn’t required to be.

With the exception of one or two kids whose parents make them go, the children are at school because they want to be.

When Warren teaches, she speaks about half English and half Pashtu. When she first started teaching she didn’t know any Pashtu. Now she feels comfortable enough to lead the class without an interpreter if need be, thanks to Waheed Mohammed.

Waheed, like Warren and Alanos, is a volunteer at the schoolhouse. He works with Information Operations on base as a radio DJ. The 28-year-old claims Philadelphia as his hometown, but he was born in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

When Waheed was four his family sent him to America because he said, “there was war all over.” His mother wanted him to get an education in America. Waheed lived with his uncles and went on to become a citizen and start a family.

When Waheed first heard about the schoolhouse he knew he wanted to be involved. Education played a huge role in changing his life and he thinks it’s important to his home country.

“Afghanistan will only change with education, not with a weapon,” Waheed said. “If it was going to change with a weapon, 30 years would have changed it.”

Every night Waheed teaches Pashtu to Warren and Alanos. They’re all volunteers. None of them need to teach at the school, yet they all feel compelled to. Since they’ve started teaching together they worked to make school happen three days a week as opposed to two. The kids began to retain the information easier after that. They hope to make school five days a week and maybe get actual teachers, but for now they’re doing as much as they can.

Alanos wants his students to be able to speak with and understand the Marines they work with. Waheed and Warren want the kids to realize the power of knowledge.

“I just want them to understand the importance of school, of education period,” Warren said. “I want them to be able to read and count so they don’t get cheated in life.”

Waheed has already seen a shift by some parents.

“They’re realizing there’s supposed to be school in a kid’s life,” Waheed said.

And the children’s attitudes have changed as well. Many would show up at first for the free stuff — pens, notebooks, snacks … But now students like Wali proudly rattle off half the alphabet and count to 13 with vigor before skipping ahead to 19.

Waheed is realistic with his goals. He said he sees a lot of potential in the kids and they’re quickly memorizing the alphabet, but they still don’t know what the letters are used for. He will be happy if the children remember that they enjoyed school and learning, and when they have children of their own they put an emphasis on education.

“It can change, but not overnight,” he said.

He’s having an impact already. When Waheed asks Wali what he wants to be when he grows up the young boy looks at him with wide eyes and without hesitation answers him.

“I want to be a teacher like you.”