Vol. 1, Issue 7 May, 2005 MEMORIAL DAYtake on an entirely transformed meaning in war because the poten-tial costs of both can be our own lives or the lives of our comrades. Just a

VIGILANT TIMESVol. 1, Issue 7 18th Military Police Brigade Newsletter May, 2005

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In MemoriamSPC Jonathan HughesB/1-623 FASPC Eric TothA/1-623 FASGT Leonard Adams105th MP BNPFC Joshua Ramsey95th MP BNCPL Joseph BehnkeC/1-258 FA

MEMORIAL DAYRemembering our fallen comrades...

Brigade Briefs

• June Birthdays

01- CPT Montgomery Granger03- LTC Thomas Blair03- CW3 Walter Bass03- SGT Andrew Paasch07- SFC Chris Warner11- SGT David Jones20- MAJ David Oberlander21- SPC Joshua Collins21- PFC Manuel Gomez23- SFC Christopher Heberling24- COL James Brown

• On June 14 we celebratethe 230th birthday of theUnited States Army and itsservice to our nation.

• Help! We need your sub-missions for the BrigadeNewsletter. Artists, writ-ers, poets, photographers;please help us make thisnewsletter a success!

Vol. 1, Issue 7 Vigilant Times May, 2005

VIGILANT TIMESProduced by the 18th Military Police Brigade

Public Affairs Office, Baghdad, IraqPhone: DSN 302-242-0112

Maj. Rob Simmons.....................................S-1 OICSgt. Lynne Steely............................Photojournalist

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Pfc. Luis Trevino passes out school supplies and toys to Iraqi school children in FrenchVillage during a joint Civil Military Operation with the 18th MP Brigade and 353d CivilAffairs Battalion May 17.

Happy Father’s Day June 19

The inspiration behind Father’s Day was by awoman named Sonora Dodd in 1909 who wanted aspecial day to honor her father. Her father raisedher and her siblings after her mother died duringchildbirth.Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidentialproclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.President Richard Nixon signed the law which finally made itpermanent in 1972.


COMMANDERS CORNERBy Col. James B. BrownD e a rF r i e n d s ,F a m i l i e sand mem-bers of theEver Vigi-lant Bri-gade! Todaymarks thehalf-way point for the 18th MPBrigade’s leadership in its seconddeployment to Iraq. Having justcelebrated Memorial Day and con-tinuing to commemorate thememory of our Fallen and woundedcomrades, it is a good time to focuson the demands of service and duty.Service and duty are two words thattake on an entirely transformedmeaning in war because the poten-tial costs of both can be our ownlives or the lives of our comrades.Just a few days ago, General Bellvisited us and had dinner with about25 comrades from the 18th MP Bri-gade. He took advantage of thistime to remind us that the war weare now fighting in Iraq is all aboutour future. Will our children growup in a world that respects freedomand human rights or will it be domi-nated by fear of terrorist attack? Theanswer belongs to us and our Iraqipartners. We have got to win thiswar and we will win it as a team. Our heroes in the 18th MP Brigadeare doing much to help win this warand to ensure a better future for all.While we were having dinner withthe USAREUR Commander, one ofour squads from the 617th MP Com-pany, 503d MP Bn (ABN) was de-

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fending the Iraqi Highway PatrolHeadquarters in Baghdad against anarmed attack and eliminated AIFfighters while sustaining no casual-ties. This is a great reminder thateven as you read these words, some-where Soldiers from the 18th MPBrigade are on the front lines fight-ing to defend freedom and win theGlobal War on Terror. Whether herein Iraq, home in Germany or de-ployed in Afghanistan, Soldiersfrom this great brigade are protect-ing the rights and future of our citi-zens, our Army comrades and ourallied partners. Toby Keith’s visit was a great re-minder that our service and commit-ment to duty is not forgotten, butremembered and honored. Of sig-nificant note is that he not only vis-ited our headquarters, but he tookthe initiative to leave the protectionof Camp Victory to go on patrolwith us and visit our Soldiers of the306th MP Battalion at Abu Ghraib.Toby Keith then went into the facil-ity and told our guards how muchhe and the American people appre-ciated their service and Ever Vigi-lance to guard and protect our coun-try. A big tip of the hat goes to TobyKeith and his great band as well asthe selfless members of the USOteam and BG Frutiger (our ownUSAREUR G1) who all accompa-nied him. Our detention facilities continue toprovide quality care to our detain-ees and to hold the most dangerousterrorists and security detainees inIraq. The commitment and vigi-lance of our comrades from the 586th

Expeditionary Security Forces

Squadron, the 105th Military PoliceBattalion and the 306th Military Po-lice Battalion 24/7 is having a ma-jor impact in helping to make Iraqsafer. We have been working to con-tinually upgrade the quality of ourfacilities and today we are complet-ing the construction on new facili-ties that will enable us to hold moredetainees and in smaller groups toensure maximum safety for the de-tainees and guard force alike. Of interest is the fact that our com-mander for detainee operations isMG William Brandenburg—hisDad commanded the 18th MP Bri-gade in Vietnam and the 793d MPBattalion in Germany! Now he hasboth the 18th MP Brigade and 793dMP battalion under his command.That is a legacy in leadership! It isalso a reminder that in some specialway, we remember the service of ourprior patriots and heroes. We havebeen very blessed to have lost so fewSoldiers in the mission. I don’t be-lieve in luck. I believe that unit dis-cipline, warrior ethos and faith havefar more to do with the success of amilitary unit than chance. Please continue to pray for our Sol-diers and Families as we continueto fight and win the war in Iraq andfor our partners in Germany andAfghanistan. God bless you all aswe look forward to our Army Birth-day (14 June) and the celebration ofour own independence on the 4th ofJuly! We have much to be thankfulfor. Please be safe and courageousas we continue to Soldier on!EVER VIGILANT!Col. Jim Brown, VIGILANT 6


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May Promotions

Welcome to the Corps to Sgt. Allan Suskey, Sgt. Rebecca Williams andSgt. Andrew Paasch

Spc. Matthew Vanderlugt

Spc. Michael Lokuta Pvt. 2nd Class Courtney Townes

reups


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awards

Sgt. Norma Hill May 12

Staff Sgt. Marcus Nakamura May 20

Sgt. Patrick Henry received a Certificate of AchievementMay 1 for an outstanding job in the mailroom

Pfc. Bradley Swope received a coin May 1 for hardwork during a civil military medical operation.

See your units’career counselortoday and find outhow to get themost out of yourfuture. Contact your units’ Public

Affairs Office.


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Soldiers deliver: Iraqi school receives cases ofschool supplies, toys Spc. Jeremy CrispMulti-National Corps Iraq Public Affairs Office

ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq - A tinyschoolhouse south of Baghdad gota big surprise May 9, when aconvoy of U.S. Soldiers rolled inbearing gifts from the citizens ofAmerica. With the help of anorganization named OperationIraqi Children, Soldiers fromvarious units throughout Iraqdelivered a truckload of schoolsupplies and toys to hundreds ofeager Iraqi school children. OIC - founded by actor GarySinise and author LauraHillenbrand - is an organizationdesigned to give Americans themeans to reach out to the childrenof Iraq and help support the effortsof Soldiers in assisting the peopleof Iraq. On this particular supplymission, Soldiers - with suppliesdonated from OIC - delivered 25cases of Beanie Babies; 245 bookbags and backpacks; and 13 casesof school supplies, along withassorted jump ropes, Frisbees andsoccer balls. This was Maj. Andy T.Johnson’s third mission to a localschool, and he said with thesupplies that the American peoplehave donated for the children ofIraq, Soldiers have been able tobuild a more personal relationshipwith the Iraqi population. “You can’t even believe it,”

said Johnson, who is the civilaffairs officer for the 18th MilitaryPolice Brigade, out of Mannheim,Germany. “You walk into the school andthe children are unsure how torelate to Americans,” Johnson said.“We come with all the guns andHumvees, but as soon as thechildren see we’ve got schoolsupplies, pencils and papers andsometimes candy, the kids reallyopen up.” Through OIC’s School SupplyKit Program, American children,church groups and otherorganizations can donate bygathering school supplies in localdrives and assembling them in kits

according to OIC instructions.Contributors then send the kits tothe Veterans of Foreign WarsAssociation for transport to Iraq. Staff Sgt. Butch Drake fromDecatur, In., is an education andcivil affairs noncommissionedofficer, and has been one of thekey organizers for delivery of thedonations from OIC. Drake playedan integral part in getting thesupplies for their recent operation,and he said he found out aboutOIC one day just “surfing theweb”. “I sent out some e-mails and Igot in contact with OIC’s facilitatorhere in Iraq. That set the wheels inmotion.”

Capt. Whitney Jensen of the 18th Military Police Brigade passes out Beanie Baby giraffesto school children in Iskandariyah, Iraq during a joint Civil Military Operation May 9.(Photo by Army Spc. Jeremy Crisp)


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What was once a dismal supplycloset for Drake and his fellowSoldiers with Task Force 134 out ofCamp Victory, Iraq, has turned intopallets full of supplies donated fromthe American public through OIC. “Before OIC, we had nothing toput out,” Drake said. “The onlythings that we had were smallamounts of supplies we would getfrom Soldiers’ families back home.” “Sitting behind my deskordering it is one thing, butactually going out and seeing theexpression on the children’s faceswhen they receive all this stuff isjust unexplainable,” Drake said.“I’ve never seen responses fromIraqi children like that in my life.It is just amazing.” No stranger to working withthe Iraqi population, 451st CivilAffairs Battalion Alpha TeamSergeant, Sgt. 1st Class CraigCoker; an Army Reserve Soldierfrom Sugarland, Texas, said the

relations built from deliveringsupplies allows the people of Iraqto see that Americans aren’t thebad guys. “The impact of the little thingswe have done here aretremendous,” Coker said. “We were heading down theroad a week ago and two ladiescame running up to us andstopped our convoy” Coker said.“They were yelling ‘Ali Baba, AliBaba, boom, boom,’ which means‘bad guys,’ ‘explosion’. They led usto two improvised explosivedevices. We were able to cordon thearea and dispose of them. “We had done something thathad affected these ladies’ lives -because in that area, we had beenpumping in the supplies,” Cokersaid. “Sure enough, somethingaffected them and they took achance in helping us. That was abig chance they took.” Coker said that because the

American people are taking theirown time and money to donatesupplies, on occasions like theseit really does make a difference. “Everything in Iraq is reallybased on relationships,” Cokersaid. “No matter how many tanksand trucks and planes we have,success on a day-to-day basishere is based on the way werelate to people. Theserelationships are not only forsafety, but for the future of theIraqi children.” Once all the supplies werehanded out at the dusty andlightless Iraqi schoolhouse, Cokerassured the principal of the schoolthat he would be back in one week.Coker and the civil affairs teamhave had the opportunity to obtainshelving equipment and other ‘bigsupply’ items that the classroomsdesperately need. After numerous “thank you’s”and “I love America” in hard-to-come-by English, the Iraqichildren ran home showing offtheir new school supplies tofellow friends, while taking achance to get in a picture withsome of the gratified Soldiers.Coker said that’s why they do it. “We aren’t fighting a waragainst the children. We aren’tfighting a war against Iraq,”Coker said. “We are fighting awar against a very few people thathave real fixed ideas. You havethat all over the world, but thesekids, they need help just as much,if not more, than anybody elsedoes.”for more information visit:www.operationiraqichildren.org

1st Lt. Stephen Lemelin with the 18th MP Brigade Civil Affairs Office helps unloadsupplies from the back of a humvee. (Photo by Spc. Jeremy Crisp)


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IRAQ FACTSEducation - Education in Iraqis free. Six years of primaryeducation is required,although many children do

not attend as they must work to help supporttheir family. Only 41 percent of Iraqis aged 15or older are literate. Iraq has eight universitiesand about 20 technical institutes.

Manufacturing - Manufacturing is not welldeveloped. Besides petroleum and natural gasproducts, manufactures are largely limited togoods such as processed foods and beverages,textiles and clothing, metal products, furniture,footwear, cigarettes, and construction materials.Baghdad is the leading manufacturing center ofIraq.

Museums - Baghdad is home to the IraqMuseum, which contains relics of earlyMesopotamian cultures. After the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, looters made off with afew dozen of the museum’s prized artifacts andcaused significant damage to the structure. Alsoin Baghdad are the Iraq Natural HistoryMuseum and the Iraq Military Museum.

Agriculture - Iraq is predominantly anagricultural country. Approximately 13 percentof the land is under cultivation. Most farmlandis in the region of the Tigris and Euphratesrivers. Before the imposition of UN sanctions,exports of dates from Iraq accounted for amajor share of world trade in dates. Other fruitsproduced include apples, figs, grapes, olives,oranges, pears, and pomegranates.(“Iraq,” Microsoft ®Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2005)

MemorialDay History

M emorial Day wasofficially proclaimed on

May 5, 1868 by General JohnLogan, the national commanderof the Grand Army of theRepublic, in his General OrderNo. 11.

It was first observed on May 30,1868 when flowers were placedon the graves of Union andConfederate soldiers atArlington National Cemetery.

The first state to officiallyrecognize the holiday was NewYork in 1873. By 1890 it wasrecognized by all of thenorthern states.In 1915, Moina Michael was General John Logan

inspired by a poem titled “InFlanders Fields” written byJohn McCrae.

Her inspiration created what weknow today as the “Buddy”Poppy program where artificialred poppies, made by disabledveterans, are sold.

To remind Americans of thetrue meaning of Memorial Day,the National Moment ofRemembrance resolutionpassed in 2000 asks that at threep.m. all Americans voluntarilyobserve a moment ofremembrance by either silenceor listening to Taps.


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Country musicicon pays avisit to the18th MPBrigadeCAMP VICTORY, Iraq -Award-winning country musicartist Toby Keith visited withSoldiers at the 18th MP BrigadeHeadquarters May 17. Keiths’ visit came as part ofa whirlwind tour sponsored bythe United ServiceOrganization in which he hasbeen entertaining troops allover the Operation IraqiFreedom theatre.This is Keiths’ third USO tour.

Top: Keith shows off his new18th MP brassard presented tohim by Brigade Commander,Col. James Brown, with StaffSgt. Marcus Nakamura.

Center: Keith poses with Spc.Jared Dutka.

Bottom: Keith poses withCommand Sgt. Maj. JosephShelley, Brigade CommanderCol. James Brown, Co.Commander Capt. WayneLudwig as well as severalother Soldiers from thebrigade.


Around Camp Victory

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Brigade HQ takes the win at Memorial Daygame, 17-16

The 18th Military PoliceBrigade headquarters and the306th Military Police Battaliontook part in Americas favoritepastime this Memorial Dayduring their first ever fullcombat gear softball game. Despite the heat, players wereenthusiastic about the event andtheir competative spirit shonethrough as they were able tobreak away from the rigors ofdaily military police work. Following the game, an old-fashioned Memorial Daybarbecue was provided with hotdogs and ice cold drinks.Headquarters player Staff Sgt. Marcus Nakamura makes it look easy as he heads in to

home.

HQ’sStaffSgt.JohnBarnhillwaitsfor theball butit lookslike it’snotgoing tomake itin time.

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Battalion NewsFriday Night Fights

LSA Shadow - Soldiers in the 306thMilitary Police Battalion know how torelieve the stress of everyday life in acombat zone. What started just over a month ago toimprove Soldier morale, “Friday NightFights” has grown into the premier eventon base providing top-notch entertainmentto the local troops and civilian employees. Maj. Gen. Brandenburg, theCommanding General of Task Force 134,was the guest of honor at the MemorialDay weekend fights at Abu Ghraib May27. The new Forward Operating BaseCommander, Col. Flynn, was alsowelcomed during the event. Sgt. Leonard of the 1/119th FA remainsundefeated at four wins.

Spc. Oliver from the 306th MP Battalion gives it his bestshot as the pitch comes in.

What would Memorial Day be without a barbecue? No matterwhere we are, we never forget the good things in life!

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Vol. 1, Issue 7 Vigilant Times May 2005

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The B/1-623’s FamilyReadiness Group in Danville,Ky. pose with EddieMontgomery of theMontgomery Gentry band at arecent Armed Forces Daycelebration. Montgomeryrequested two memorialbuttons of Spc. JonathanHughes, who was killed inaction, to wear in his nextmusic video.

While visiting the Brook ArmyMedical Center in San Antonio,Texas last month, actor DenzelWashington took a tour of one ofthe Fisher Houses on base. This isa place where families can stay forlittle or no charge while theirsoldier is in the hospital.Unfortunately they are almostcompletely filled most of the time.

Washington aske how much oneof them would cost to build, tookout his checkbook and wrote acheck on the spot for the fullamount!

To find out how you can help,visit: www.fisherhouse.org

Act of compassion

Soldier honored


CONNECTIONSBy Brigade Chaplain, Lt. Col. Thomas Evans

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As we consider Memorial Day this year, a much greater significance is attached to it.We will memorialize all those who have gone before us, but this year it comes much closer to home.

Four of our own have given their lives this year inthe cause of freedom: one in Afghanistan, and threein Iraq. As we see the people endorsing freedom,and striving to stabilize their nations so they canmaintain it, I reflect on two things, the wonderfulprivilege of freedom, and the painful cost offreedom.

When the United States declared its own freedom,strong powers were employed to deny us thatfreedom, and to continue the oppressive domina-tion that benefited those with power and restricted

those without it. But, with victory came the opportunity for people to taste the wonderful flavor ofliberty of thought and speech, of liberty to move about the country and pursue happiness, and reli-gious liberty to believe and worship the way you want to. Now, in Iraq and Afghanistan, the citizensare responding to their opportunities for freedom. But that freedom, once again, comes at a greatcost. Their future and their individual safety are threatened by those who want to retain dominationover them.

The insurgents believe that fear and force are the proper tools of government. The wonderful privi-lege of freedom demands that someone stand in the face of oppression and say, “No More!” Thereinlies the cost of freedom. Coalition Forces Soldiers along with Soldiers, Political Leaders and every-day citizens of these nations tell the insurgents, “No More,” but too often that declaration costs themtheir lives.

History is not restricted to these last centuries. This Memorial Day, reflect on the fact that God is onthe side of freedom. That He has made His bold declaration, “No More!” Mankind has been beatendown by the forces of evil. Individuals have lost control of their own lives, and once they weredown, the powers against them wanted to keep them down. God sent His warrior Son to say, “NoMore!” And that declaration cost Him His life. He is the Divine Fallen Hero. This Memorial Day,celebrate the blessings of freedom, wave a flag, recall the heroes of today and yesterday, but amongthose heroes remember the One who gave His life for your liberty on earth, but more importantly, foryour eternal liberty. This Memorial Day, wave a flag, and kneel before the Cross.


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UMM QASSR, Iraq–As coalition forces workto secure the country ofIraq, the U.S. Army’smilitary police areworking to make sure theIraqi Highway Patrolhas the tools it needsto help in the securityeffort. Soldiers from the503rd Military PoliceBattalion, Fort Bragg,N.C., and the 18thMilitary PoliceBrigade, Mannheim,Germany, aresupporting the IHP inall facets, includingwhat they need most –vehicles. A May 19 convoyshowed the diligence ofthe MPs, as the IHP tookhome 110 blue and whiteChevrolet pickups. Thefour-door trucks wereoutfitted with blue andred lights, radio systemsand spotlights. Capt. Robert J. Bakerof the 503rd, said theidea of the IraqiHighway Patrol is a newconcept to Iraq, and hisunit is tasked with doing

everything it can toensure its success. “Our main effort islogistically supplyingthese people,” Bakersaid. “We’re taking

primary responsibility ingetting the IHP vehiclesand weapons and otherlogistical supplies theyneed in order tooperate.” Baker, fromRochester, N.Y., saidgetting the IHP newvehicles is a key to bothforces’ success, because,“Without them, the IHPcan’t do their job.” “These vehicles to theIHPs are just like a

(Humvee) to an MP,”Baker said. “We get them thevehicles and we get themout on the road,” saidBaker, who is the civilmilitary operationsofficer for the 503rd.“The more vehicles weget them, the more apt

they are to do their jobeffectively. The moreIraqi highway patrolmenwe can have out on theroads, the bigger impactthey are going to make.” According to Bakerthis is just the beginningof new vehicles for theIHP. The 503rd isresponsible for six IHPstations, with six morecoming under theircommand by September,and Baker said that each

IHP station is to befielded with 35 vehicles. “There is going to bea projected 35 IHPstations throughout Iraq,and we’re only talkingabout six – soon to be 12– falling under us,”Baker said. Through the use of

trucks previouslyfielded to the IHP,they have been able totake some of theburden off of U.S.forces. “They’re out therefinding (improvisedexplosive devices,)they’re finding (anti-Iraqi forces,) andthey are making asignificantcontribution bydoing their job in the

field,” Baker said. Maj. Muhammad, aplatoon leader with theIraqi Police, said withthe help from Baker andMaj. Andrew Johnson ofthe 18th MP Bde, the IHPis able to do their joband work toward reliev-ing coalition forces. “These trucks aregoing to help out a lot,”said Muhammad, a 15-year veteran of the Iraqipolice force. “Before

Military Police supply, train IraqiHighway PatrolSpc. Jeremy CrispMNC-I Public Affairs Office

Photo by Army Spc. Jeremy Crisp


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the war, we had junkvehicles sent to us bythe Saddam regime, andthere was no way couldwe get this number ofvehicles before the warunder Saddam. Thesevehicles are going to doa great job in differentprovinces around Iraq.” Muhammad, who actsas a liaison for Johnsonand Baker, said thatthrough the training andsupport received, “TheAmerican government istrying to make it happenfor us. They support ourforces so we can take theresponsibility from ourfriends the Coalitionforces. That way we canreach our goal – the Iraqi

government goal – ofcontrolling our countrywith our own forces.” Along with supplyingthe force, the 18th and503rd are responsible forensuring the policemenof the IHP have theknowledge and skills attheir disposal to accom-plish their missions. “We have a trainingacademy that puts outroughly between 150 to250 Iraqi Highway Patrolofficers a month,” Bakersaid. “It is a 21-daypoint of instruction forthem, and it’s not amonitoring relationship.It’s more a workinghand-in-hand relation-ship.

“We go out on jointpatrols with them, andwe deal with every facetas far as their operationsto make sure they will beset up for success whenwe start pulling out,” hesaid.

Future operations forthe MPs include a newclass of recruits begin-ning the academy,acquiring more trucks tocomplete the IHP fleetand the completion ofthe six new IHP stations.

Photo by Army Spc. Jeremy Crisp

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

U.S. Army EuropeCommanding Generalvisits Soldiers at CampVictoryGeneral B. B. Bell, the Commanding General of theUnited States Army, Europe and 7th Army visitedwith Soldiers from the 18th Military Police Brigadeand other units under his command at Camp VictoryMay 29.Bell shook hands with each Soldier asking thembriefly about their job, after which a modest buffetstyle dinner was served.‘There are many people that don’t like us because webelieve in freedom’, said Bell, ‘but in todaysglobalized world they will have to learn to accept thedifferences of others in order to survive’.Following the dinner, all attendees personallyreceived a coin from Bell.

Above: Sgt. 1stClass JeffreyJohnson poseswith Gen. Bell.Right: Aninformal dinnerwith Soldiers.

WebsitesA free day of fun!Even though a Soldier isdeployed, their dependants canstill enjoy a free one-day pass to either BuschGardens, Sea World or Sesame Place. visit:www.herosalute.com for more information.

Kid stuffWebsites to help kids deal with a parentsdeployment and become involved.www.deploymentkids.comwww.usda-army-ydp.org/omk

Financial Insider


Legal Tips

Child support-Child support is a parent-soldier responsibility. TheArmy requires Soldiers tobe responsible forfinancially supporting their families. A Soldier whofails to do so may face not only civilian legalproblems, they also violate the punitive provisionsof Army Regulation 608-99 and may facepunishment under Article 92 of the Uniform Code ofMilitary Justice.AR 608-99 establishes guidlines for support offamily members. If a court order or writtenagreement states the amount of support to beprovided, it supercedes Army regulation and theSoldier must provide the amount stated.

Soldiers or family members who have questionsshould contact their local Army Legal AssistanceOffice for free advice.

TIDBITS

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Charitable donations-As members of the militarymost of us feel a need to helpothers less fortunate than us.Unfortunately there are many scamartists ready to take advantage of ourgenerosity.If you doubt the legitimacy of an organization, call yourstate Attorney General’s office or Consumer ProtectionAgency to see if the charity is registered to conductsolicitations in your state or if it has legal actionspending.Never give credit card, social security or bankinformation to phone solicitors. The Federal TradeCommission recommends asking the caller to sendinformation by mail so you can make an informeddecision.Charities should also be willing to provide proof oftheir eligibility to receive tax-deductible contributions.Give, but give wisely!

Family supportwww.MilSpouse.orgwww.militarymoms.netwww.cincchouse.com

For the troopsFor a donation of $6.50 you can “Mug” sometroops. Deployed troops will receive a mug ofappreciation. www.appreciateourtroops.org

Help the children of Iraqwww.operationiraqichildren.org

Documents

Vol. 1, Issue 7 May, 2005 MEMORIAL DAYtake on an entirely transformed meaning in war because the poten-tial costs of both can be our own lives or the lives of our comrades. Just a