From an Air Force article entitled “Guided by faith, driven by a calling to serve,” about retiring SMSgt Doug Widener, Air Force pararescueman:
From the mountains of Afghanistan, to the mountains of Alaska, the meaning of his life was measured in his work – work that he felt was his purpose in life, guided always by his faith in the Lord.
“In my experience, God gave me these abilities,” he said somberly. “I’ve Read more
US Air Force Graphic
As it has in years past, the US military has given its troops guidance on how to act in Muslim countries during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. From the official CENTCOM.mil site [emphasis added]:
U.S. military members serving in countries that observe Ramadan are required to adhere to certain practices while outside U.S. installations…
When outside U.S. controlled areas, eating and drinking in public during daylight hours is against the law. Failure to obey could result in fines up to $685 or a sentence of up to two months in jail.
“The commander’s policy dictates that airmen will adhere to local law, which prohibits eating, drinking or tobacco use off base in public,” said Sickles.
It’s an interesting way to phrase it. The US military isn’t technically requiring troops Read more
A local radio host highlighted the Montana Veterans Administration flying a rainbow-colored gay pride flag on its grounds rather than an American flag. Johnny Ginnity, VA director for Montana, said in reply:
I don’t really consider it a flag, it’s really a banner…
I have a mandate that tells me I have to observe the holiday…
Ginnity ultimately defended the gay pride flag in a statement.
The rainbow flag has flown over many US embassies (including Israel, which is relatively liberal on the issue, though the flag has apparently not been raised in any other Middle Eastern country) and even in Afghanistan, as well as in “modified” US flags on US bases.
Also at the Independent Record and the Stars and Stripes.
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Chaplain (Capt.) Keith Manry shakes hands with President Barack Obama at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
The Air Force recently announced that Chaplain (Capt) Keith Manry was selected as the Air Force Chaplain Corps Company Grade Officer (CGO) Chaplain of the Year for 2014. Manry is a chaplain for the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, and he was also recognized for his work as a hospital chaplain at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan: Read more
Photo by Shanda Moon.
A US Air Force F-16 fighter pilot is making the transition from the fields of combat to the mission field.
US Air Force Major Lance “Nuke” Ferguson has been a fighter pilot for nearly 11 years. He has flown combat missions in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and he wears the patch of the prestigious Air Force Weapons School — an honor and opportunity awarded to only a few fighter pilots each year, as well as a passport to future advancement. In every respect, Nuke is a highly-trained, experienced, and respected Air Force leader and fighter pilot.
Now this highly-skilled fighter pilot is doing what few could in the face of such God-granted success: He’s giving it up: Read more
Michael “Mikey” Weinstein is the sole paid employee of a self-founded “charity” that claims to protect religious freedom in the US military. In fact, though, Weinstein pays himself more than a quarter million dollars per year while doing nothing more than attacking anything remotely approaching an expression of or an association with Christianity.
One of his most recent targets was sentries at Robins AFB who dared to say “have a blessed day” to those entering the base.
Because we can’t have people wishing others well, apparently. (Weinstein laughably asserted this was an attempt by the gate guards to convert people to Christianity.)
Then, Weinstein targeted a Wing Commander who Read more
US troops stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, were recently given the opportunity to celebrate Passover:
Deployed Jewish service members in Afghanistan continue to celebrate their traditions by observing holidays, adhering to dietary laws, and practicing their faith…
The celebration was led by a chaplain from nearby Bagram AB, Army Chaplain (Capt) Karyn Berger, is one of only two female Rabbis in the US Army.
The article notes that Navy LtCmdr Mahmoud Ahmed, who is Muslim, also attended the Jewish Seder.
The US military Read more
Actor Vince Vaughn recently visited Edwards Air Force Base, California, to show an advanced screening of “Unfinished Business.” The visit was coordinated through the USO, with which Vaughn became associated after Pat Tillman’s death in Afghanistan:
The death of the pro-football-player-turned-soldier really affected him, he said, and he immediately called the USO to see if he could bring his then-new comedy, “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” to the troops.
The call led to his first USO tour, in June 2004. The following year, he traveled the world screening “Wedding Crashers” for servicemembers.
In an offhand comment, Vaughn “laughed as he told airmen” that he was surprised to find many deployed troops had already Read more