Operation New Dawn – Facts Behind the Iraq War Name

Written by Angela
Tuesday, 03 January 2012 04:25
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After almost 9 years of invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein, US Defense Secretary Panetta finally packs up military flag on December 12, 2011. Operation New Dawn wrapped up their troops that include the last 4, 000 American troops completely withdrawn on December 18, 2011, leaving Iraq still tackling a destabilized but stubborn insurgency, sectarian tensions and political instability. Only 150 US soldiers are left in Iraq attached to the US Embassy located near the Tigris River.

Operation New Dawn is the latest Iraq war name designated by the Obama administration. The name given reflects the reduced role U.S. troops plays in securing the country this year as troop levels fall, according to a memo from Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates. Replacing Operation Iraqi Freedom, the new name took effect in September 2011, when U.S. troop levels are supposed to drop about 50, 000 in number.

The name change symbolized U.S. Military’s combat role in Iraq is rapidly drawing to a close. Base on the memo released in Feb 17 by Gates sent to Gen. David H. Petraeus, regional top commander, the name seeks to “recognize our evolving relationship with the Government of Iraq.”

On their official website, the troop defined themselves as “dedicated professional working with Iraqis to establish and enduring strategic partnership.” Their main purpose is to demonstrate through their actions the nation’s commitment to the Iraqi people and set the conditions for an enduring partnership with a sovereign, stable, self-reliant, and unified Iraq.

To exercise their sole purpose, Operation New Dawn helps BUILD Iraq’s civil capacity by abiding four main values which are: Build, Partner, Strengthen and Pressure. They helped build Iraq’s civil capacity by providing a secure environment for political, economic and institutional initiatives to succeed. Partner with the US Embassy Baghdad to enable a successful transition using a whole-of-government approach. Strengthen the Iraqi Security Forces by advising, training, assisting and equipping the force. Lastly, Pressure extremist networks through partnered counterterrorism operations.

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How to Fold a Flag for a Shadow Box

Written by Mitch
Monday, 14 December 2009 23:07
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A Shadow Box is not only intended as a memorabilia of one’s Military career but it also serve as way to honor and recognize the recipient’s service.

Medals, awards, badges, insignias or items that signify the history of a personnel’s career is included in a Shadow Box. The National flag is also often and a good addition in a Shadow Box’s content.

The National Flag placed in a Shadow Box symbolizes that our country benefited from the loyal service of the recipient of the shadow box. United States has a special way of folding a flag that is reserved for the county alone. For Shadow Boxes, it is typical that flags are folded in the appearance of a tri-cornered hat, symbolic of the hats worn by colonial soldiers during the War of Independence.

Here are the steps on how to properly fold a flag for a Shadow Box:

First, hold the flag waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.
Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely.
Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.
Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open or top edge of the flag.
Turn the outer or end point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.
The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner.

Note: When the flag is completely folded, only the triangular blue field of stars should be visible.

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End of decade’s wait—Medal of Honor for Maui Soldier

Written by Mitch
Friday, 30 October 2009 03:07
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After 10 years, Army Pfc. Anthony T. Kahoohanohano will finally receive the Medal of Honor that he deserves. President Barrack Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 which included a provision to award the Medal of Honor to Kahoohanohano for his heroic one-man stand act during the Korean War.

He was first posthumously awarded on 1952 the Distinguished Service Cross (the second highest military decoration). For many years, the family together with other Hawaii lawmakers petitioned to upgrade the award that he received and give him the recognition that he deserves.

On September 1, 1951, He single-handedly killed 13 enemy soldiers, two with a shovel, as he covered the withdrawal of his squad.

As his citation reads, Kaloohanohano although wounded in his shoulder, ordered his squad to a secure position as he gathered grenades and returned alone to the machine gun post. As the enemies tried to overpower him, he fought back using the grenades, bullets and then finally with his hands until he was killed.

His courageous stand inspired his comrades, who then launched a counterattack to ward off the enemy.

The Medal of Honor award is expected to be awarded in the White house in the near future. Let us all be inspired by his story , and may his legacy lives on.

Let us honor our heroes. This upcoming Veterans Day, let’s take the opportunity to salute them, and give out their highly-deserve recognition especially to the still living . Why not give out Veteran-themed plaque to them?

Aside from the Veteran-themed plaques, Military Plaques also offers Retirement Plaques, Shadow Boxes, Deployment Plaques, and Tail Flashes, which could be personalized according to your preference.

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