by larryw | Mar 19, 2022 | Anniversary
On 19 March 2003, an ultimatum given to the regime of Saddam Hussein expired and the United States and an allied coalition began what was known to the United States as Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The military objectives of Operation Iraqi Freedom consisted of first, ending the regime of Saddam Hussein; second, identifying, isolating, and eliminating, Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction; third, searching for, capturing, and driving out terrorists from the country; fourth, collecting intelligence related to terrorist networks; and fifth, collecting such intelligence as was related to the global network of illicit weapons of mass destruction.
Additional objectives were to end sanctions and to immediately deliver humanitarian support, secure Iraq’s oil fields and resources, and finally, to help the Iraqi people create conditions for a transition to a representative self-government.
At the time, Operation Iraqi Freedom consisted of the largest special operations force since the Vietnam War. Most of the special operations forces were American, but the United Kingdom and the Australian militaries also provided forces. Coalition personnel worked with Kurdish fighters against the regime. Special operations forces also attacked a number of specific targets such as airfields, weapons of mass destruction sites, and command and control headquarters.
In September 2010, the US mission in Iraq was renamed from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn to coincide with US forces’ shift to an advisory, assistance, training, and equipping role
by larryw | Mar 15, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
The MBA for Veterans program is currently offered at Texas A&M University-Commerce for both veterans and active-duty personnel. Courses are offered on an 8-week hybrid modality allowing for both online and in-person classes.
With a Master of Business Administration, students may pursue careers in supply chain management, sales, finance, human resources management, business analytics and other business-related disciplines.
For more information:
MBA for Veterans or contact TAMUC.EDU/VETERANSMBA, APPLYTEXAS.ORG, 903–886–5191.
by larryw | Mar 15, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
March 15, the designated birthday of The American Legion, is the day in 1919 when the first American Legion caucus, held by members of the American Expeditionary Force, convened in Paris. Much as the birthday of the United States is celebrated on July 4 – for the day in 1776 when revolting patriots declared the independence of the British colonies and the spirit of America was born – March 15 is the date on which the Legion came to life.
The American Legion is a Veterans Service Organization, also known as a VSO. It is “the nation’s largest” wartime veterans service organization. It is a nationwide VSO that offers a large number of local programs as well as national efforts to support wounded warriors and their families. It is a non-partisan and non-profit organization that participates in fundraising, activism, and advocacy for veterans, and has a grass-roots effort to get the attention of lawmakers in Washington D.C. It is run on volunteer efforts and its success “depends entirely” on its volunteers.
Its purposes are described in its preamble:
- To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America
- To maintain law and order
- To foster and perpetuate 100% Americanism
- To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars
- To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation
- To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses
- To make right the master of might
- To promote peace and goodwill on earth
- To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy
- To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness
by larryw | Mar 13, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
National K9 Veterans Day, March 13, is a day set aside to honor commemorate the service and sacrifices of American military and working dogs throughout history.
It was on March 13, 1942, that the Army began training for its new War Dog Program, also known as the “K-9 Corps,” according to American Humane, marking the first time that dogs were officially a part of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Military Working Dogs are a vital part of today’s fighting force. With built-in radar, they can smell out trouble that no human or man-made device can.
Today’s military dogs are valued as important members of their military units and even have their own retirement ceremonies, awards and medals, and memorial services.
by larryw | Mar 3, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
The U.S. Navy Reserve celebrates its birthday every March 3. Formed in 1915 in response to the outbreak of World War I, the Navy Reserve made up almost 84 percent of the Navy’s fighting force during the war. Among its ranks were five future U.S. Presidents and 15 recipients of the Medal of Honor. The Navy Reserve has since had reservists serve in every major war in which the United States has fought.
On any day, 25 percent of the Navy Reserve is delivering global operational support to the fleet and combat forces. The Reserve has seen over 70,000 mobilizations of Selected Reservists since September 11, 2001, and more than 4,500 deployments by reservists serving on Full-Time Support.
Today, over 100,000 reservists serve as either the Selected Reserve (SELRES) or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) Sailors. Reservists serve to amplify the Navy’s core capabilities, which include forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response.
