Military Post Offices in Iraq to Close Nov. 17

By Cheryl PellerinAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2011 � Because U.S. forces are coming home from Iraq by the end of the year, the U.S. Postal Service will stop accepting mail addressed to military post offices in Iraq starting Nov. 17, Defense Department officials said today.

Military post offices in Iraq also will stop processing mail Nov. 17, and service members there should begin now to advise those who send them mail about the Nov. 17 deadline.

Mail still in the postal system through Nov. 17 will be processed and delivered to service members in Iraq, officials said.

In November, U.S. military postal service responsibilities in Iraq will transition to State Department embassy or consulate post offices for service members assigned to Office of Security Cooperation or the Chief of Mission in Iraq.

These sites will provide letter and parcel mail services to service members assigned to the Office of Security Cooperation or the Chief of Mission in Iraq.

The transition will be closely coordinated with the U.S. Postal Service Agency, which will delete ZIP codes for Iraq military post offices from the USPS database to prevent undeliverable mail from entering the postal system after Nov. 17, according to defense officials.

If APO mail arrives in Iraq after a service member departs, mail will be redirected to the new mailing address provided or, if no mailing address was provided, returned to sender.

Any mail mistakenly accepted by a USPS post office after Nov. 17 will be returned to sender once it reaches the International Gateway in New Jersey.

Service members in Iraq or returning from Iraq who do not receive a requested absentee ballot from their state can complete a back-up federal write-In absentee ballot at the Federal Voting Assistance Program�s Web portal. The form wizard will provide a PDF document for printing, including the completed ballot and instructions for returning it to their local election official. Contact installation and unit level voting assistance officers for additional assistance.

Service members who are remaining in Iraq after Nov. 17 and who are there on behalf of or are assigned to the Office of Security Cooperation or the Chief of Mission in Iraq should coordinate with their chain of command and the servicing State Department mail location to receive a new mailing address.

According to defense officials, conditions and situations in the Iraq transition change often. Officials recommend that service members check the Military Postal Service Agency website and USPS Postal Bulletins frequently for updates.

“Herman Cain” — A BLR Soundbite

OK  I posted the other candidates BLR videos.  Now it is The Herminator’s turn.    ROFOLMOA

 

“Everybody needs Toucan Stubs”

Most interesting cat in the world

Day of the Deployed

10/18/11

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Soldiers’ Angels is proud to announce… Day of the Deployed, October 26, 2011was passed with 100% yes votes by the US Senate to become a NATIONAL DAY OF HONOR!

 

“Day of the Deployed is a day to honor the many selfless actions demanded of military members and their loved ones across the globe serves as a tangible reminder of the sacrifice being made in homes across America every day. Every deployment reflects the deep commitment of not only the deploying member, but of the many friends and loved ones who are left behind to aid in answering our nations call. Selfless men, women and children who are called upon to set aside their personal comfort and convenience to support the heroes they call mom, dad, father, mother, brother, sister or friend.” –Patti Patton Bader, Soldiers’ Angels Founder

HOEVEN�S NATIONAL DAY OF THE DEPLOYED RESOLUTION PASSES IN THE SENATE

WASHINGTON, October 18, 2011 � Senator John Hoeven announced today that a resolution he introduced to continue honoring the nation�s deployed service men and women with a Day of the Deployed has unanimously passed in the Senate. Hoeven launched the first Day of the Deployed in 2006 while serving as Governor of North Dakota and spearheaded the effort to bring the initiative to the national level this year. The resolution, passed last night, calls on all Americans to reflect on the service of the nation�s deployed service members and to offer support to their loved ones.

�Our U.S. service men and women currently deployed, along with their loved ones, make untold sacrifices as they serve our nation,� said Hoeven. �A national Day of the Deployed pays tribute to their commitment to our country and their work to protect our freedoms. We want to ensure that our military members and their loved ones know of our appreciation and support before, during and after their service.�

On Oct. 26, 2006, then-Governor Hoeven launched the first Day of the Deployed in support of Soldiers� Angels, a nonprofit organization that aids deployed American military personnel and their families. The effort spread, and in 2010, 40 states had proclaimed a Day of the Deployed.

�Working with John Hoeven on Day of the Deployed since 2006 in North Dakota has been an honorable way to extend appreciation to the deployed service members and their families. Day of the Deployed is recognition for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the United States of America. This day is all about them,� said Shelle Michaels, Soldiers� Angels Deputy Director of Development.

�More than 2 million Americans currently serve in the Unites States Armed Forces. These men and women are making great scarifies to ensure the safety and security of our great nation.

Next Wednesday, October 26, is the Day of the Deployed. I encourage people in North Dakota and across our nation to take a moment to recognize and celebrate America�s heroes � our men and women in uniform. They deserve our support and the thanks of a grateful nation,� said Senator Kent Conrad, a cosponsor of the resolution.

Currently, more than 2.27 million people serve as members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those in the active guard and reserve components, with thousands of members deployed each year to 150 countries around the world. The resolution calls on Americans to reflect on the service of the nation�s soldiers and encourages ceremonies and activities on Oct. 26 to mark the Day of the Deployed.

S.RES.295 — Designating October 26, 2011, as `Day of the Deployed’. (Agreed to Senate – ATS)

 

SRES 295 ATS
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 295

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 17, 2011

Mr. HOEVEN (for himself, Mr. CONRAD, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. BLUNT, and Mr. BOOZMAN) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

________________________________________
RESOLUTION

Designating October 26, 2011, as `Day of the Deployed’.

Whereas more than 2,270,000 people serve as members of the United States Armed Forces;

Whereas several hundred thousand members of the Armed Forces rotate each year through deployments to 150 countries in every region of the world;

Whereas more than 2,300,000 members of the Armed Forces have deployed to the area of operations of the United States Central Command since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks;

Whereas the United States is kept strong and free by the loyal military personnel who protect our precious heritage through their positive declaration and actions;

Whereas members of the Armed Forces serving at home and abroad have courageously answered the call to duty to defend the ideals of the United States and to preserve peace and freedom around the world;

Whereas members of the Armed Forces personify the virtues of patriotism, service, duty, courage, and sacrifice;

Whereas the families of members of the Armed Forces make important and significant sacrifices for the United States;

Whereas North Dakota began honoring the members of the Armed Forces and their families by designating October 26 as `Day of the Deployed’ in 2006 ; and

Whereas 40 States designated October 26, 2010, as `Day of the Deployed’: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate–

(1) honors the members of the United States Armed Forces who are deployed;

(2) calls on the people of the United States to reflect on the service of those members of the United States Armed Forces, wherever they serve, past, present, and future;

(3) designates October 26, 2011, as `Day of the Deployed’; and

(4) encourages the people of the United States to observe `Day of the Deployed’ with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Soldiers’ Angels new Social Media Coordinator. Kelli Harmon

10/11/11

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Veteran Kelli Harmon knows what the support of Soldiers� Angels means to troops and their families, so she jumped at the chance to join the team in September. Kelli is the Soldiers� Angels Social Media Coordinator, a position in which she will focus on spreading the message of Soldiers� Angels through mediums like Facebook, Twitter and other online avenues.
Soldiers� Angels and Kelli have been partners for several years already. She initially encountered the organization in 2008 when Toby Nunn stopped in at the Fort Hood BOSS (Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers) office while she was the BOSS President for Ft Hood. As a previous Fort Hood BOSS President himself, Toby was interested in supporting Kelli�s efforts in the position. Toby and Kelli worked together on a number of large-scale events that Soldiers� Angels supported. �During my two years as BOSS President, Soldiers� Angels was the most supportive organization and they truly showed that they do care about Soldiers,� Kelli recalls.
In April 2010, Kelli was deployed to Camp Marmal, in Regional Command-North, Afghanistan with the 4th Infantry Division, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade and soon became the Brigade�s BOSS Representative. The Camp had no morale facilities when she arrived, so she set to work gathering resources to change that, including Soldiers� Angels. Her efforts brought about MWR opportunities that included a gym, USO facility, basketball and volleyball courts, a movie theatre and a number of special events. Kelli�s tremendous work during her deployment garnered her two Army Commendation Medals and a Bronze Star.
Giving back to those around her has always been a part of Kelli�s life. Before spending 6.5 years in the military, she chose a career as a firefighter before discovering that she felt as though she still was not contributing enough to her country. �I loved it and will go back at some point,� she says, �but I wasn�t giving back enough as a firefighter.�
With her background and experience, working with Soldiers� Angels after her military service was a natural fit. �The dedication of Soldiers� Angels to the average Soldier and Veteran led me to choose Soldiers� Angels as my next place of employment,� Kelli says. �I�m really excited to be working with Soldiers� Angels.�
Soldiers� Angels is excited to have Kelli on the team! Thank you to Kelli for her service�past, present and certainly future!

Cards are going to the World Series

This was one hell of a series.   Have to give props ti the Brewers too for a great year.   But someone had to win, and the Cards just had a little more in them to beat them out/

 

The St. Louis Cardinals beat the odds and won Game 6 of the NLCS to advance to the World Series as a wild card team. The Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff could stave off the Cardinals offense won scored 12 runs and belted three home runs.

 

 

FEAR THE SQUIRREL

The Consensus of Brian

ROFLMAO

 

“Russian Unicorn” — a bad lip reading of Michael Bublé

“Trick The Bridesmaid” — a Bad Lip Reading of Barack Obama

“Michele Bachmann”: a BLR Soundbite