War – Donna McAleer | Porcelain On Steel

It is all about the job, not the gender

Published on January 29, 2013

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, upon the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s unanimous recommendation, last week signed the repeal of the combat exclusion policy of 1994, opening…

Honored Role (part 24): Abby Griffin: The Call of Nursing

Published on October 14, 2011

This is the 24nd installment in the Honored Role Series.” Reared around the military, Abby Griffin, a native of Cody, Wyoming, moved to Germany at…

Of Past and Future Strengths: The Colby

Published on April 5, 2011

At the base of the Green Mountains is an institution like no other in the United States. In the quaint town of Northfield, Vermont sits Norwich University, the country’s oldest private military college. Few American institutions of higher learning as old as it still adhere to the principles of its founders. In a very substantial sense, Norwich today is the lengthened shadow of its founder, Captain Alden Partridge whose philosophy continues to guide Norwich in its 175th year. “We are here to serve this great nation and educate students who will become leaders in business, government, and the military in order to advance the causes of the Republic, ensure its continued freedom, and develop the economic, political, and social infrastructure of this new century.”

Remember Freedom is Not Free

Remember Freedom is Not Free

Published on November 11, 2010

Veterans Day began in 1919 when President Woodrow Wilson designated November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day to remember the end of the “War to End All Wars” and honor those who have served our great Nation in uniform.

As we observe this Veterans Day, the tenth as a Nation at war, please support our service members. Support is an action verb. It means much more than putting a yellow sticker on your car. It means doing something—volunteering at the Veterans Administration hospital in your area, donating to the USO, VFW, IAVA, Wounded Warriors or one of the hundreds of organizations that focus on veterans. It means voting for candidates that actually write legislation that protect veterans’ benefits. It also encompasses learning about those who have served and our serving our Nation close to home and on foreign soil.

Women and War: Stories Make a Difference

Published on October 6, 2010

The United States has been engaged in combat in Afghanistan longer than in any previous war. As a Nation at war for more than nine years, women are serving in new roles and in larger numbers than previous battles. More than 220,000 women have been deployed, nearly 12 percent of the force. Similar to their male contemporaries, women are demonstrating selfless service, courage and dedication to the mission.

With increasing numbers of women returning from the war zone, these veterans are of great interest to the mainstream media. Three of the hot topics regarding these service members are women in combat, sexual assault, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). All deserve attention, broad perspective and action.

Why We Remember–Memorial Day

Published on May 29, 2010

There is a cartoon that circulates annually this time of year. With a picture of a young boy at the table and hands in prayer position and a set of dog tags in the opposite corner, the cloud reads, “Thanksgiving is a day we take pause to give thanks for the things that we have. Memorial Day is the day we set aside to give thanks to those who fought for the things we have.”

Memorial Day evokes for many, memories that run a myriad of deep emotions. On this Memorial Day, please remember in your thoughts and prayers, service members past, present and future.

Honored Role (part 17): Maj. Candice O’Brien – One Step at Time

Published on May 7, 2010

This is the 17th installment in the Honored Role Series.

In Kindergarten Candice O’Brien started running the 1/8th of a mile loop around her elementary school in Muscatine, Iowa. Each time she finished ahead of all the other kids—girls and boys. Although she ran for fun, she did not want anyone to beat her.

From a family of mid-western educators, Candice planned on attending Drake University in her home state and studying journalism. When she learned of West Point, the challenge and scholarship it offered, she applied.

Honored Role (part 16): Col. (ret.) Crissy Gayagas – In Balance

Published on April 26, 2010

This is the 16th installment in the Honored Role Series.

More than a word of welcome or parting, “Aloha”, in the Hawaiian language means affection, love, peace, compassion and mercy. Often described as the coordination of mind and heart, it also means the extension of warmth in caring with no obligation in return. This would also be a fair description of the islands soul manifested by those from Hawaii. This exceptional attitude is the working philosophy that Christine “Crissy” Gayagas brought east from her island home to West Point, and around the world.

Tag: War