Operation Uplink

VFW Operation Uplink™ was launched in 1996 to connect active-duty troops and hospitalized veterans with their loved ones. The program uses contributions from supporters to purchase phone time for the men and women who are serving -- or have served -- this great nation, as well as hospitalized veterans.

Initially, VFW Operation Uplink exclusively distributed phone cards. In 2006, in response to growing demand, VFW began hosting "Free Call Days." Now, every month of the year, troops can call home–at no charge—from Internet cafes throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Millions of minutes already have been provided!

Traditional phone cards are still being provided at military hospitals and VA facilities, as well as to troops in regions not served by the "Free Call Days."

Since the program began, the Veterans of Foreign Wars has provided deployed servicemembers and hospitalized veterans with millions of minutes of free phone time. The unique program is part of VFW National Military Services, which includes other initiatives that boost morale, aid struggling military families and encourage troop support.
 
 
 
 

Cards can only be sent to hospitalized veterans or deployed military personnel.

Note: Because of the demand for phone cards, servicemembers are limited to one card during a 60-day period.

Duplicate requests will not be fulfilled.

Phone cards will only be sent to the following types of addresses:

military address

hospital or nursing home

Note

Cards cannot be sent to a home address.

Overseas addresses with "CMR" or "PSC" box numbers also must also include unit designation.


If requesting more than 5 cards for individuals in the same unit, please e-mail uplink@vfw.org to request a bulk order.

Because of the tremendous demand for the VFW Operation Uplink phone cards, please allow 2 to 4 weeks for us to process your request. We apologize, but want you to know that we will fulfill your request.

 
http://www.operationuplink.org/request.cfm


 

Have a flag to dispose of? Call your local VFW...

Flag Disposal Ceremony

Proper flag disposal is one of the patriotic duties VFW Posts conduct nationwide. For those never witnessing an official flag retirement ceremony, here is an example of one held July 4, 2004, in Winslow, Ariz. Winslow VFW Conducts Flag Retirement Ceremony By S.J. Wilson,Winslow Mail "Comrade commander, we wish to present a number of unserviceable flags of our country for inspection and disposal." Thus began a very special ceremony conducted by VFW Post 3076, Winslow, Ariz., on the afternoon of July 4, 2004. Approximately 40 people attended as Ron Gibbs, post commander, directed the ceremony. "A flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and died for--a free nation of free men, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practice of justice, freedom and democracy," reads a formal program from Washington D.C. "Let these faded flags of our country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites, and their places be taken by bright new flags of the same size and kind, and let no grave of our soldier or sailor dead be unhonored and unmarked. Sergeant-at-arms, assemble the color guard, escort the detail bearing the flags and destroy these flags by burning." VFW Chaplain Milton Baca blessed the flags to be retired thusly: "Almighty God, captain of all hosts and commander over all, bless and consecrate this present hour. We thank Thee for our country and its flag, and for the liberty for which it stands. To clean and purging flame we commit these flags, worn out in worthy service. As they yield their substance to the fire, may Thy holy light spread over us and bring to our hearts renewed devotion of God and country. Amen." Winslow Mayor Jim Boles said he appreciated how they [the VFW] were holding this ceremony, and that this is the only kind of flag burning that he approves of. "There are people who burn the flag to show their disapproval of this country and out of disrespect," Boles said, but pointed out that in this ceremony the flag is being retired because it is no longer in good condition and appearance to represent the country. Post Commander Ron Gibbs said that 78 flags were retired and that each individual who attended the ceremony were given the honor of retiring a flag. Robyn Gibbs, president of the Ladies Auxiliary, said that the flags were obtained from businesses and other individuals of Winslow. "The police department, fire department, Wal-Mart, the VFW Post and other businesses brought in flags. Others came from people here in Winslow who flew them at their private homes," Ms.Gibbs said. "We don't like to use the term 'burning,' " she continued. "It's actually against the law to burn a flag. You can actually go to prison for burning a flag." "I was glad to see some young people there," Boles added. "By witnessing and participating in this ceremony, there is an indication that the flag is due respect and is to be cared for properly--and when it is no longer able to be used, then it needs to be retired with honors." Boles was given the privilege of retiring the first flag. Here is his description of the ceremony: "We first were escorted to pick up the flag. Then each individual was escorted to the burning site where there was a container of kerosene. The flag was partially dipped in the kerosene and then dropped in a barrel prepared for that purpose," Boles said. Boles offered his appreciation to the fire department for providing a unit and man on hand to ensure that the fire did not get out of control. Reprinted with permission of the Winslow Mail, Winslow, Arizona.   To receive a free copy of the VFW's "Our Flag" brochure send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Flag Brochure VFW Citizenship Education Dept. VFW National Headquarters 406 W. 34th St. Kansas City, MO 64111

ESGR Freedom Award

Each year, ESGR honors 15 employers across the nation with the Freedom Award for their outstanding support of their National Guard and Reserve employees and their families.
 
The National Guard and Reserve employees or a family member may nominate their employers for this prestigious award – it is the US Government's highest recognition given to employers for their outstanding
 
support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. 
 
The nomination season is open through January 19, 2009.  
 
To nominate an employer or to learn more about the Freedom Award, visit www.FreedomAward.mil.
 
 
HISTORY:
 
The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). ESGR is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 whose mission is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve Service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law and resolving conflicts through mediation.

Secretary of Defense William Perry authorized the first award in 1996 and presented it to Schneider National, McDonnell Douglas, United Parcel Service Central Florida District, Tektronix, Inc. and National Life of Vermont. In the years since, over 100 employers have received this prestigious award. Today, 15 awards are presented each year to employers in three categories, big business, small business and the public sector.

The nomination process is open to all Guard and Reserve personnel and their families and applications are submitted online to ESGR. A national selection board comprised of senior Defense officials and business leaders selects the award recipients.

 

Seekins to be Promoted to Brigadier General (UNCLASSIFIED)

 
For Immediate Release Jan.
8, 2008
 

Seekins to be Promoted to Brigadier General

BISMARCK, N.D. - William L. Seekins of Jamestown, North Dakota will be
promoted to Brig. Gen. during a 10 a.m. ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 10 at the
Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck. Seekins is currently assigned as the
Land Component Commander for the N.D. Army National Guard. Maj. Gen. David
Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general will preside over
the ceremony.
Immediately following the promotion ceremony, three North Dakota Army
National Guardsmen will be formally recognized for their service at a
retirement ceremony. The retiring Soldiers are Lt. Col. Roger Alan Sayler
(Fargo, N.D.), Lt. Col. Shawn D. Ackre (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Chief
Warrant Officer Margaret E. Birney (Mandan, N.D.).
Media and the public are invited to attend.
-30-

WHAT: Promotion ceremony for William L. Seekins to Brig. Gen.
Retirement ceremony for Lt. Col. Roger Alan Sayler,
Lt. Col. Shawn D. Ackre and Chief Warrant Officer Margaret E.
Birney

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009
Ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Raymond J. Bohn Armory (Room 386)
4200 East Divide Ave.
Bismarck N.D. 58506
 

NDARNG 1-88th ADA RAID III Send Off

MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
Jan. 7, 2009

Contacts:
Dan Murphy at 701-333-2007 (office) or 701-426-0190 (cell)
Amy Willson at 701-451-6130 (office) or 701-412-6895 (cell)

Send-Off Planned for North Dakota Army National Guard Unit Heading for
Afghanistan

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - A send-off event planned for Sunday in Grand Forks will
wish 40 Soldiers of the 1-188th Air Defense Artillery the best as they
prepare to leave for a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan. The Soldiers are
part of a Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment unit known as RAID-III since it
is the third contingent from the battalion to provide such support.

Gov. John Hoeven and Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National
Guard adjutant general, will address the Soldiers and their families during
the ceremony, as will other leaders in the community and National Guard.

RAID-III was alerted for mobilization in March 2008. It is commanded by 1st
Lt. Amber Monette, of East Grand Forks, Minn., and 1st Sgt. George Overby, of
Reynolds, N.D., is the senior enlisted Soldier.

The public is welcome to join the Soldiers' families and friends at 1 p.m.
Sunday at the Grand Forks Armory Complex for the send-off ceremony. The
armory is at 1501 South 48th Street in Grand Forks.

Besides the previous two RAID deployments, the 1-188th ADA also has supported
a mobilization to Iraq - Battery F in June 2004 through November 2005 - and a
Security Forces contingent to Afghanistan between November 2005 and February
2007. Currently, a RAID-IV mission is on alert for a possible mobilization as
are two Sentinel Radar missions. Dates and locations would be forthcoming
should any receive mobilization orders. The 1-188th ADA Battalion as a whole
has more than 300 Soldiers assigned in the North Dakota National Guard.

WHO: 1-188th Air Defense Artillery Battalion's RAID-III (Rapid Aerostat
Initial Deployment)
WHAT: Send-Off Ceremony
WHEN: 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11
WHERE: Grand Forks Armory Complex, 1501 S. 48th St., Grand Forks, ND 58201

Amy Willson will be available Sunday in Grand Forks to help coordinate
interviews. To reach her, please call her cell at 701-412-6895.
--
Since the terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has
mobilized more than 2,700 Soldiers and more than 1,600 Airmen in support of
the Global War on Terrorism. Currently, the North Dakota National Guard
remains on duty at home and around the world. More than 3,000 National
Guardsmen remain in North Dakota and are available to provide support for
state and national emergencies and homeland defense.
-30-

1-188th Air Defense Artillery Mobilization Breakdown

Battery F
Mobilized June 2004 to November 2005 to Iraq

RAID-I (Previously referred to as JLENS)
Mobilized November 2005 to February 2007 to Afghanistan

Security Forces (SECFOR)
Mobilized December 2005 to April 2007 to Afghanistan

RAID-II (Previously referred to as RAID)
Mobilized November 2006 to January 2008 to Afghanistan

RAID-III
Received its notification for training and alert for mobilization in March
2008; mobilizing to Afghanistan January 2009

RAID-IV
Received alert for possible mobilization; any dates and locations would be
forthcoming should the unit receive mobilization orders

Sentinel Radar
Two missions consisting of approximately 25 and 8 Soldiers each; received
alert for possible mobilization; any dates and locations would be forthcoming
should either unit receive mobilization orders

For more information:

NDNG Press Releases for 1-188th ADA RAID-III (3rd ADA surveillance mission)

NDNG Press Release 08-020 (3/19/2008)
1-188th Air Defense Artillery Receives Alert For Possible Mobilization -
(RAID)
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=194


NDNG Press Releases for 1-188th ADA RAID-II (2nd ADA surveillance mission)

NDNG Press Release 08-029 (5/17/2008)
Freedom Salute Recognizes 1-188th Air Defense Artillery - (RAID)
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=206

NDNG Press Release 08-014 (1/10/2008)
ND Gov. and Deputy Adj Gen Announce return of 1-188th Air Defense Artillery
(RAID)
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=188

NDNG Press Release 07-008 (11/17/2006)
1-188th ADA (RAID) Send-Off Ceremony
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=122

NDNG Press Release 07-001 (10/7/2006)
N.D. National Guard Soldiers Receive Mobilization Orders - (RAID-II)
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=114


NDNG Press Releases for 1-188th ADA JLENS (1st ADA surveillance mission)

NDNG Press Release 07-033 (4/18/2007)
1-188TH ADA - JLENS Homecoming Tribute & Freedom Salute
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=148

NDNG Press Release 05-088 (8/29/2005)
North Dakota Air Defense Artillery Receives Additional Mobilization Order
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=15

NDNG Press Releases for 1-188th ADA - Security Forces (SECFOR)

NDNG Press Release 07-047 (7/24/2007)
1-188th ADA (SECFOR) Homecoming Tribute
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=162

NDNG Press Release 07-030 (3/14/2007)
Gov. and Adj. Gen. Announce Return of 1-188th ADA SECFOR
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=145

NDNG Press Release 05-086 (7/28/2005)
National Guard's 1-188th Air Defense Artillery Receives Mobilization Order
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=13


NDNG Press Releases for Battery F, 1-188th ADA

NDNG Press Release 06-025 (2/8/2006)
Freedom Salute Event For Battery F, 188th ADA
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=52

NDNG Press Release 06-011 (11/9/2005)
'Fox' Battery Soldiers Inducted in Order of St. Barbara for Service in Iraq
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=35

NDNG Press Release 05-091 (9/20/2005)
'Fox' Battery 188th ADA Helps With Humanitarian Effort
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=18

Amy Wieser Willson
Deputy Public Information Officer
Joint Force Headquarters
North Dakota National Guard
Office: (701) 451-6130
Cellular: (701) 412-6895
Fax: (701) 451-6017
DSN: 373-6130
amy.wieserwillson@us.army.mil
http://www.ndguard.com/


Shelle Michaels Soldiers' Angels National Communication Officer Ladies of Liberty Team Director www.soldiersangels.org www.theladiesofliberty.blogspot.com

North Dakota Patriot Guard / MISSIONS - Bismarck & Fargo!

This is an email from 'North Dakota Patriot Guard' Message:


Flight Info: Flight #1835 Arriving @ 12:20 p.m. - FARGO's Hector Airport
 
Attention Patriot Guard;

 

The second of at least three groups of airmen from the 119th's NDANG, (Civil Engineers), will be arriving this Wednesday @ Fargo's Hector Airport. Please Bring your 3X5 flags and check flight arrival prior to mission time. Last week's flight actually came in early! Itinerary is as follows.

 

11:50 A.M. Gather and and form flagline upstairs in the main foyer in airport.

 

12:20 P.M. Flight #1835 arrives: Lets welcome them "North Dakota Style"!

 

12: 30 Dismissed

 

Thanks to all of you who take time out of your busy weeks to participate in these welcome homes. They mean so much to our returning troops and their families!

---

Heads up to returning 191 MP's returning to Fargo and Bismarck, ND

Approximately 100 soldiers will be returning to Fargo's Hector Airport and 60 soldiers to Bismarck this week as early as Thursday, Friday, or Sat. They are beginning their demob in Ft. Louis today.

Another upcoming mission is a sendoff from the Grand Forks Armory on Sunday. This will consist of 40 soldiers of the 188th ADA.

---

 

---

NDARNG 191 MP CO--- one STOP closer to home...

Coming out of the NDARNG PA office last night...


191st Military Police Company Lands on U.S. Soil191st Military Police Comment on their Deployment


FORT LEWIS, WASH. - The first plane load of Soldiers from the North DakotaArmy National Guard's 191st Military Police Company arrived in Fort Lewis,Wash., at 8:30 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. PT).

The remainder of the companyis at Fort Dix, N.J., and will join their unit at Fort Lewis tomorrow. The company deployed to Iraq a year ago, and is expected back in North Dakotawithin a week. "It's always a great day when we can welcome returning Guardsmen, and it willbe an even greater day when we get them home to their families.

We have N.D.National Guard resources in place to speed up the demobilization process,"said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutantgeneral. "While it's been a difficult year for families separated by thismission, we all can be very proud in what our Soldiers accomplished whilethey were in Iraq.

Through vigilance and instruction, they left Iraq betterthan they found it and they provided Iraqis with tools to continue thatimprovement." Sprynczynatyk and other senior leaders from the N.D. National Guard traveledto Fort Lewis to greet the returning Soldiers.

A contingent of more than two dozen North Dakota Soldiers were already inplace at Fort Lewis arriving last week to begin preparations for thecompany's demobilization process. Their presence will ensure that thedemobilization goes smoothly and considerably faster than it would otherwise.

The 191st MP Company is based in Fargo with detachments in Mayville andBismarck, although its members come from 40 different cities. The 191t received its mobilization order in October 2007, and began active duty inJanuary 2008. Since arriving in Iraq to perform military police, security andmaneuver support operations, the company has completed nearly 1,300 missions and traveled more than 120,000 miles.

Among the company's accomplishments are assisting in 74 detainee releases andtraining 346 Iraqi Police in a rigorous, 15-day training program thatincorporated weapons training, Iraqi law, police tactics and physicaltraining. The MPs also ensured they left everything better than they foundit, including relations with the local communities, living quarters,communications, Iraqi Police stations, vehicles and other equipment, said thecompany's leadership, Capt. Ben Cleghorn, commander, and 1st Sgt. KevinKeefe, the unit's senior enlisted Soldier.

Nearly 10 percent of the 187 Soldiers who deployed with the MP Company lastJanuary aren't returning home just yet. Sixteen decided to extend their tourfrom anywhere between four and 13 months.

Keefe said that the Soldiers feel a"sense of duty and pride in what they're doing." Continuing that job alsopresents opportunities for some, including not returning to North Dakotauntil winter has ended or continuing to do their job until they're ready tostart the fall semester in college. During the mobilization, the Soldiers earned 21 Bronze Star Medals and 153 Army Commendation Medals.

Two of the Commendation Medals were for specificacts of heroism with "V" device for valor and 72 Soldiers earned CombatAction Badges to recognize their direct participation in combat operations.