Volume ©SS2014 2014 Volume6, 6, No. No. 40 40 ©SS
FFRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 RIDAY ,, S EPTEMBER 19, 2014
COUNTERING ISLAMIC COUNTERING THETHE ISLAMIC STATE: STATE:
GRUELING GRUELING EFFORT AHEAD AHEAD
Sgt. William Winstead watches Iraqi soldiers participat Sgt. William Winstead watches Iraqi soldiers participat ee in Fallujah, in 2010. in training training exercises exercises at at Camp Camp Fallujah, Iraq,Iraq, in 2010. Many Many say theU.S. U.S. but tothe retrain the Iraqi military say the hashas little little choicechoice but to retrain Iraqi military in for them toable be to able fight theState. Islamic State. in order order for them to be fighttothe Islamic Stars Stars and and Stripes Stripes
2014 Nissan
MAXIMA Military Price
SV Premium
$ 32,034 Plus Fees.
• 3.5L, 290-hp V6 Engine • HID Xenon Headlights • Speed Sensitive Steering • 18” Alloy Wheels
• Heated & Cooled Driver’s Seat • Dual Panel Moonroof • Premium Welcome Lighting • Premium Leather Seating …and Much More! #55132, Mdl 16214, VIN 487254 Two or more available at this price
• VOLVO Nissan • SUZUKI• 5115 Continental Old Seward, Anchorage MAZDA CONTINENTALAUTOGROUP.com 563-CARS • ContinentalAutoGroup.com/Nissan
MSRP: VPP Price:
$40,045 $37,034
Nissan Factory Cash: License Fee:
-$ 5,000 + $ 280
Dealer Document Fee: Total Cost with all fees:
+ $ 199 $32,513
Advertised prices are valid thru September 30, 2014. Stock numbers listed are subject to previous sale. Photo may vary from actual vehicle. Dealer-installed accessories and DMV and DOC fees additional. MSRP may not reflect regional selling price. All prices after manufacturer rebates and incentives, financing rate is offered with $0-down, O.A.C. Subject to vehicle insurance, availability.
2
September 19, 2014
STARS AND STRIPES • S
PAGE 2
TA R S
A N D
S
T R I P E S
•
Friday, September 19, 2014
COVER STORY
A squad of Iraqi soldiers clears a building during an exercise at the Besmaya Training Center on Jan. 2, 2010. Stars and Stripes
Retraining Iraq’s fractured army: Will it work this time? BY H EATH DRUZIN Stars and Stripes
WASHINGTON — As American troops prepared to leave Iraq in December 2011, the former head of the military training mission there, Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, had this to say about the Iraqi Security Forces: “My gut tells me they will be capable to do this — they are doing it today,” Helmick said. “Yet to ANALYSIS be determined, longer term.” Helmick’s doubts were validated this summer as a stunned world watched several hundred Islamic State militants and their allies send divisions of Iraqi soldiers into full retreat. An eight-year, $25 billion effort to reorganize, train and equip Iraq’s military now seems all for naught — undermined by corruption and sectarian divisions. Now, the U.S. is starting from scratch with a new mission to urgently revamp the Iraqi military in hopes it can roll back the militant group that calls itself the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. Many politicians and experts say the U.S. has little choice but to try to salvage
$1,000 0ff for military 2014 CHEVY
EQUINOX
$5,000
OFF MSRP
A F T E R U S A A R E B AT E
LTZ AWD
the Iraqi military. Yet some current and former U.S. military officers involved in the effort to stand up an Iraqi force wonder whether the new effort will succeed where the first one failed. One senior Army officer, who served as a battalion-level trainer for the Iraqi army, said fixing deep problems within the Iraqi army’s leadership would take years and would do little to combat the Islamic State in the short term. “We just left in December 2011, so it’s not even three years later,” said the officer, who asked to remain anonymous because he is still in the military and fears reprisals. “So if all this effort didn’t even make them capable of standing and fighting, why do we think it’s going to matter if we send a handful of advisers over now?”
A sectarian militia Many involved in the last training mission blame former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki — who took power with U.S. backing — for turning the military into what many now see as little more than a Shiite-dominated militia. Al-Maliki’s policies, which put many commanders into place more for their
political loyalties than their military acumen, alienated the country’s Sunni minority and helped set the stage for the Islamic State, a Sunni group, to take over towns populated by disaffected Sunnis with little resistance. Retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, who oversaw training of the Iraqi forces in the early days of the Iraq War, said that after the U.S. invasion in 2003, American trainers tried to construct a military that was representative of the religious and ethnic makeup of a country where hostilities between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, as well as Kurds and Arabs, run deeply. Eaton and others involved in that training program said al-Maliki, a Shiite hard-liner, started undoing the process as soon as U.S. troops withdrew from the country at the end of 2011. “That process broke down with Maliki — it became a Shia-dominated army,” Eaton said. “The army became illegitimate in the eyes of the people and illegitimate in the eyes of the soldiers themselves.” In order to address sectarian concerns, the U.S. plans to stand up National Guard units made up of Sunni tribesmen to operate in largely Sunni areas. SEE PAGE 3
ACTIVE AND RETIRED MILITARY MEMBERS CAN TAKE AN ADDITIONAL $1,000 OFF ADVERTISED PRICES ON ALL NEW VEHICLES. 2014 CHEVY
TRAVERSE
$6,000
LTZ AWD
OFF MSRP
A F T E R U S A A R E B AT E
USE YOUR PFD NOW! • USE YOUR PFD NOW! • USE YOUR PFD NOW! • USE YOUR PFD NOW! • USE YOUR PFD NOW! 9100 OLD SEWARD, ANCHORAGE • (907) 365-8600 • ANCHORAGECHEVROLET.COM
CHEVROLET OF SOUTH
ANCHORAGE
Equinox STK# E6261795. MSRP $37,665 priced after $2,450 CSA Discount, $2,000 Consumer Cash, $750 USAA Offer. Prices plus tax, title and license. Traverse Stk# EJ288879. MSRP $47,995 priced after $2,950 CSA Discount, $2,500 Consumer Cash, $750 USAA Offer. USAA members must present certificate to qualify. Prices plus tax, title and license. Prices includes $200 dealer Doc fee. Not all sales at MSRP. Prices valid through 09/30/14. * Use your PFD Now program requires promissory note. Interest free. Customer must qualify for 2014 Alaska PFD, must be verifiable on Alaska PFD website.
September 19, 2014
3
STARS AND STRIPES • S
Friday, September 19, 2014
TA R S
A N D
S
T R I P E S
•
PAGE 3
COVER STORY
FROM PAGE 4
It’s an idea with echoes of a similar program used to help bring Iraq out of a bloody civil war that engulfed the country between 2006 and 2008. That idea, known as the Awakening movement, involved paying Sunni tribesmen to turn against insurgents. Unlike the proposed National Guard, Awakening units were never integrated into the Iraqi military because al-Maliki didn’t trust them. “The Iraqi army can be a nationalizing force — although some units are predominantly Sunni and others are predominantly Shia, they all fight for Iraq,” said retired U.S. Army Col. Peter Mansoor, a brigade commander during the Iraq War. “I think it’s really critical to make sure that ethic is instituted in the Iraqi military, and any identity with militias or other groups is squeezed out.” Mansoor said that early on in the Iraq War, the U.S. did not always pick the best officers to lead training and did not instill enough of a meritocracy in the Iraqi ranks, mistakes he said the U.S. must avoid this time around. “We need to provide our best soldiers and leaders to be advisers and not just the most available ones,” he said. “The real dilemma was how to convince the Iraqi government to promote the most competent leaders and not the most politically loyal ones, and that’s what we got wrong and what the Iraqi government got wrong.”
With the Islamic State making advances and the Iraqi army so far unable to beat them back, experts say time is running out for increased foreign military help to make a difference. “There’s a window here where the new government can make some strides if it takes the central messages to heart and makes some real reforms,” said Kathleen Hicks, the director of the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “If that window closes … I think that’s a real risk for us, because we can’t train and equip a sectarian force that doesn’t have support from the population.”
Deep misgivings Some have deep misgivings about trying to repeat a program that offered little lasting benefit. Their fears have heightened after reports that government-aligned Shiite militia members have been targeting Sunni villagers in Islamic State strongholds, even beheading some in a grim adoption of Islamic State tactics. Retired Army Col. Douglas Macgregor said any training-and-equipping mission will accomplish nothing as long as Sunni Muslim countries allied with the U.S. continue to surreptitiously fund the Islamic State. “You’ve got recruiting stations and cash outlets supporting ISIS inside Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar,” he said.
• Earn Rebates that spend like cash • Get a discount at the pump • Load coupons • And more!
16-9-1-85030 (LRB/AKH, SMG, AWC, BLS, BXG)
“As long as they exist, even if you kill 10,000 or 20,000 ISIS people inside Iraq and Syria … and you ignore the recruiting and cash outlets in these countries, whatever you destroy will be rebuilt and return.” The other part of Obama’s train-andequip plan calls for increased aid to moderate Syrian rebels, who have been battling the forces of President Bashar Assad for more than three years. More recently, the so-called moderates have also been fighting the more hard-line rebel groups, including the Islamic State. In his speech on Sept. 10, President Barack Obama said moderate Syrian rebels can act as a “counterweight” to the Islamic State. But moderate forces have been increasingly squeezed out. The so-called Free Syrian Army, on which the U.S. once pinned its hopes to oust Assad, barely exists anymore, said Daniel Seckman, co-founder of the SREO Research Organization, a Turkeybased group that studies the Syrian conflict. Seckman questioned how much the U.S. can accomplish by sending more help to any rebel factions, noting that even once moderate factions have had to join with Islamists to survive. “I don’t think the United States has any ‘friend’ inside Syria anymore,” he said. druzin.heath@stripes.com Twitter: @Druzin_Stripes
Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Notterman, 48, an Army reservist with the 382nd Military Police detachment in San Diego, Calif., supervises members of an Iraqi reconnaissance platoon during range training on Dec. 28, 2006, at the Iraqi Army’s 9th Division headquarters, Al Rasheed Army Base. Stars and Stripes
Get paid to shop with a Rewards Card! Learn more: fredmeyer.com/rewards
4
September 19, 2014
STARS AND STRIPES • S
PAGE 4
TA R S
A N D
S
T R I P E S
•
Friday, September 19, 2014
WAR ON TERRORISM Here is a look at some of the key players and how they are contributing or may contribute to the coalition.
United States On Aug. 8, the U.S. began a bombing campaign against Islamic State militants, hitting targets at strategic points in northern and western Iraq. So far, nearly 200 strikes have been carried out. In addition, President Obama announced on Sept. 10 that he would be sending 450 more U.S. troops into Iraq to work as advisers and to fly surveillance aircraft. That will bring the total number of military personnel in Iraq to 1,600. Obama has said the troops will not take part in ground operations against the Islamic State.
United Kingdom Britain has dropped humanitarian supplies into Iraq and provided arms to Kurdish fighters and carried out surveillance flights. Government officials have not ruled out participation in the U.S. air campaign. Iraq’s new central government must first prove itself as inclusive, encompassing Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds before British forces get involved, government officials have said.
Arab League The league of 22 Arab nations on Monday agreed to confront the Islamic State militarily and politically, but hasn’t elaborated on how it would do so.
WH AT
TO
E X PEC T
F RO M
THE
‘CORE COALITION’ BY JOHN VANDVER, JENNIFER SVAN AND M ATT M ILLHAM Stars and Stripes
U.S. officials are working hard to build a broad, international coalition to combat Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq. What’s unclear is whether the international effort will produce a coalition of consequence or one in name only. At the NATO summit earlier this month, the U.S. announced formation of a 10-nation “core coalition” that includes nine NATO members plus Australia. It has since grown. In all, about 40 countries have expressed solidarity in the effort, according to the State Department, although some countries have not spelled out in detail what they are prepared to contribute. So far, most contributions from allies have centered on ferrying humanitarian aid into Iraq and limited arming of Kurdish forces in the north.
Major Arab states are all likely to play a role in the fight against the Islamic State, said Shashank Joshi, a senior research fellow with the Royal United Services Institute in London. “The bigger question is what type of cooperation,” he said. Some Arab states may limit their contributions to allowing the U.S. to use their military facilities to launch airstrikes, Joshi said. But few will likely commit their forces with perhaps the exception of the United Arab Emirates, which is reported to have carried out airstrikes last month in Libya against Islamist-linked militia. The UAE has denied doing so. Jordan may also provide special forces, he said. It will be difficult for the U.S. to persuade the mostly Sunni Muslim Arab rulers to play a more public role for various reasons, Joshi said. They include fears of Islamic State retaliation and inadvertently boosting the Syrian regime of Bashar Assad. SEE PAGE 6
Germany Berlin also has agreed to send weapons to semi-autonomous Kurdistan, marking a major shift for a country that has avoided foreign military entanglements since World War II. While it is unlikely Germany would participate in direct military action, it is conceivable that Berlin could take part in an advisory mission if Baghdad were to seek NATO training assistance.
United Arab Emirates The U.S. maintains an air base and has access to ports here. The UAE recently carried out airstrikes against militants in Libya.
Bahrain The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet is based here. The U.S. maintains an airfield here and has had access to a second to move heavy equipment used in the war in Afghanistan. Bahrain’s prime minister on Sept. 11 urged Muslim countries to strengthen cooperation to tackle regional threats, but did not mention Islamic State.
France Paris has said it will send arms to Kurdish forces leading the fight against the Islamic State. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Sept. 10 that France “will participate, if necessary, in military air action.”
Qatar The country hosts two major U.S. installations, one an air base used for bombing missions over Afghanistan and cargo movement through the Middle East, the other an Army base used by Central Command to stage military equipment and supplies. The Qataris have also sent planeloads of aid to help with the humanitarian crisis in Iraq.
Jordan The kingdom routinely hosts U.S. troops for training, but, despite speaking out against “transnational terrorists,” hasn’t committed to action in Syria.
President Barack Obama addresses the nation on Sept. 10. AP
ribbon racks, mini medals, Coin displays, shadow Boxes & more! Veteran Owned Business | CustOm wOrk
907-227-4071 ribbons-n-racks
Barbies Cafe’ Homestyle
Breakfast & Lunch Family Friendly Café featuring home-style cooking at its finest with Barbie’s “fresh, not canned” ingredients
Breakfast & Espresso ALL DAY!
M-F 5am-3pm S-S 6am - 3pm Beer & Wine available 10am - 3pm 68th & Lake Otis - 6728 Lake Otis Pkwy 344-4100
Menu: BarbiesCafe.com
10% discount - Veterans & active duty
September 19, 2014
5
ALASKA EDITION
Red, Blue REDWhite WHITE & & BLUE AUTO SALES (907) 561-6045 Auto Sales Red,5740White & Blue Old Seward Highway, Anchorage, Alaska 99518 4x4s
CARS
IMPORTS 4x4s DOMESTICS IMPORTS
TRUCKS CARS VANS TRUCKS
OVER 100 VEHICLES UNDER $10,000 Auto Sales DOMESTICS FINANCING ALWAYS AVAILABLE! • www.rwbauto.com 100UNDER VEHICLES $10,000 OVER 100OVER VEHICLES $10,000 •UNDER FINANCING ALWAYS AVAILABLE! VISITWE BUY CARS – TALK TO US BEFORE YOU TRADE! US AT THE WEB SITE WWW.RWBAUTO.COM FINANCING ALWAYS AVAILABLE! FIN NANCING ALW LWA LW W AYS AV AY AVA AV VAILABLE! • www.rwbauto.com www. w rwbauto.co w. com
VANS
Visit us at 5740 Old Seward Hwy • 1 Block North of Dowling • Phone: 561-6045 WE BUY CARS – TALK TO US BEFORE YOU TRADE!
Visit us ODYSSEY at 5740 Seward Hwy • 1 Block North of Dowling • Phone: 02 HONDA EX Old05 SUBARU OUTBACK S/W 01 FORD561-6045 SPORT-TRAC 00 DODGE DAKOTA SLT CREW CAB
V6 • 7pass • CD • Pwr Opts • Alloys • #U6455
AWD • 4cyl • A/T • CD • Alloys • #U6475
4WD • V8 • A/T • CD • Pwr Opts • #U6474
02 HONDA ODYSSEY EX
05 SUBARU OUTBACK S/W
00 DODGE DAKOTA SLT CREW CAB 4WD • V8 • A/T • CD • Pwr Opts • #U6474
4WD • V6 • A/T • CD • Alloys • #U6353
$4,950 04 VW JETTA$4,950 TDi
4dr • 5spd • CD • Exc MPG! • #U6324
$5,950 01 CHEVY 1500 LS EXT CAB $5,950
$5,950 00 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD $5,950
04 VW JETTA TDi
01 CHEVY 1500 LS EXT CAB
V6 • 7pass • CD • Pwr Opts • Alloys • #U6455
AWD • 4cyl • A/T • CD • Alloys • #U6475
$3,950 01 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR $3,950
AWD • V8 • 3rd Row • Leather • Alloys • #U6302
01 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR
AWD • V8 • 3rd Row • Leather • Alloys • #U6302
4dr • 5spd • CD • Exc MPG! • #U6324
$5,950 05 DODGE DURANGO SLT $5,950
$6,950 05 NISSAN TITAN $6,950 CREW CAB
05 DODGE DURANGO SLT
05 NISSAN TITAN CREW CAB
4WD • V8 • A/T • 3rd Row • CD • Alloys • #U6294
4WD • V8 • A/T • CD • Pwr Opts • #U6375
4WD • V8 • A/T • 3rd Row • CD • Alloys • #U6294
crossword KIND DOGS? By Mary Jersey
$8,950 $8,950 52 Witches’ gathering 53 Manor master 54 White-water craft
ACROSS 1
Kings and jokers
6 Those guys 10 List bits 15 Main branch
55 Lobster coral 56 Adroit 60 Order in a pub 61 Gunpowder alternatives
19 “He’s ___ nowhere man” (Beatles lyric)
64 Kind of dog
20 Institution since 1701
67 Bicycle racing’s Tour de ___
21 Update boundaries
68 Plumb tuckered out
22 Jewish month
69 Youngest of Alcott’s March sisters
66 High-___ graphics
23 New York city or its college
70 Kind of dog
24 Quiet “Yoo-hoo!”
72 Mollycoddles
25 Fan setting
73 Turtledove sound
26 Andrews or Carvey
74 Ogler
27 Photographer’s tool
75 Self-conceit
29 Cowboy’s controls
76 Poolroom ploy
31 Hawaiian Punch rival
77 Personal adviser
32 Burns and Griffey
78 Doctor, one would hope
33 Rocks, at the bar
4WD • V8 • A/T • CD • Pwr Opts • #U6375
34 Where Mark Twain is buried
80 At the original locale
37 Axis submarine
83 Alternative to plastic at a supermarket
82 Care for a wound
4WD • V8 • A/T • CD • Lifted • #U6412
$6,950 07 NISSAN XTERRA SE $6,950
4WD • V6 • A/T • CD • Alloys • #U6441
07 NISSAN XTERRA SE
4WD • V6 • A/T • CD • Alloys • #U6441
$9,950 $9,950 94 Some consider it a gift 95 Participate in a child’s game 99 “Pacific ___” (2013 film) 100 Islamic spirit 102 Interchanges 105 Racetrack shape 107 Up in arms 109 Entertainer Amos or Spelling 110 Calms 111 Surrealist painter Joan 112 Causes of destruction 113 Spew forth 114 Maternally akin 115 Simon’s verb 116 Mensa-suitable 117 Suggestive 118 Commercial designer DOWN 1
Render airtight
2 Clarinet man Shaw 3 Sit on the throne
39 Milquetoast’s antithesis
84 ___ role (act)
4
41 Spike and Peggy
85 Does some cobbling
5 Picket fence part
42 Blooms in a Whitman poem
87 Place at Hollywood and Vine
7
43 Pours forth 46 Drummer Ringo
89 Dutch settler in South Africa
48 Attacked 49 Midnights’ counterparts 50 Carrier’s task
4WD • V8 • A/T • CD • Lifted • #U6412
Kind of dog
6 Given similar parts Pick up the pace
$11,950 $11,950
12 Muslim princes (var.)
72 Baseless story
13 Suffix with “Beatle” or “Wrestle”
76 One who’s in it for the long run
14 Go from side to side
77 Kind of dog
15 Irish boy
79 Overthrow
16 Gem State resident
81 Polished elegance
17 “Flashdance” hit 18 Flower features
82 Word with “more” and “merrier”
28 Speechless actor
83 Race before a race
30 Hotel offering
84 Kind of dog
35 Gaucho’s grasslands
86 Retreats from shore
36 Turn two companies into one
87 Billiard bounces
38 Like Marilyn Monroe
88 Newton-John of “Grease”
40 Sibilant sound
89 High-potassium fruit
42 Bunny kin
90 Mushroom with an umbrella cap
43 Increase the size of a picture
93 Weasel’s wet cousin
45 Predict
96 Muslim faith
46 Batting posture
97 It may be found around the mouth
48 Give comfort to 51 Justice Sandra Day 52 Beacon mounted on a pole 57 Displaced person 58 Of the thighbone 59 Auditions 61 Poet’s “frequently” 62 Man with a menu
8 “If all ___ fails ...”
63 African wagon train encampment
90 Westminster, for one
9 British length measure
64 Putin’s land
91 Non-earthling
10 Rolled-over item
92 Top arrangement?
11 Kind of dog
65 Bouncers check them 68 Heifer’s handle 71 Secret, as rituals
01 FORD SPORT-TRAC
4WD • V6 • A/T • Leather • S/Roof • Alloys • #U6371
00 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD
4WD • V6 • A/T • Leather • S/Roof • Alloys • #U6371
$7,950 04 FORD F150 FX4 $7,950 CREW CAB
4WD • V8 • A/T • CD • Pwr Opts • Alloys • #U6442
04 FORD F150 FX4 CREW CAB
4WD • V8 • A/T • CD • Pwr Opts • Alloys • #U6442
$12,950 $12,950
92 Walker of whisky
44 Tom’s behavior?
47 Faint hue
4WD • V6 • A/T • CD • Alloys • #U6353
98 City northwest of Frankfurt 101 Small sails 103 TV angel Downey 104 It may be copped by a perp 106 ___ Alamos 108 Wild finish?
Last week’s answers
6
September 19, 2014
STARS AND STRIPES • S
PAGE 6
TA R S
A N D
S
T R I P E S
•
Friday, September 19, 2014
WAR ON TERRORISM Denmark
Here is a look at some of the key players and how they are contributing or may contribute to the coalition.
Danish aircraft have delivered both humanitarian supplies and weapons into northern Iraq. Though Denmark is one of NATO’s smallest members, it often is a part of alliance-led military action, including sending forces into Afghanistan and taking part in the Libya intervention in 2011.
Poland Poland was named as one of the 10core nations that are part of the U.S.-led coalition, but what it will contribute isn’t yet clear. Poland possesses experienced, battle-tested troops who have spent the past decade fighting in Afghanistan. Warsaw could contribute some of those soldiers as advisers to Iraqi forces. Like many others in the coalition, Warsaw already has helped in the delivery of humanitarian supplies to Iraq.
Turkey The NATO member is among the “core coalition,” but its role remains murky. Allies have been pressuring Turkey to tighten controls along its border with Syria, which has functioned as a main transit route for those fighting the regime of Bashar Assad. The Islamic State militants have been among the fighters moving through Turkish territory. U.S. plans to strike at Islamic State targets in Syria could undermine Turkey’s main objective in the region, Assad’s removal from power. Meanwhile, The Islamic State is holding about 40 Turkish government officials and aid workers hostage, which also could limit Istanbul’s willingness to play a prominent role in fighting the militants.
Canada Canada has provided aircraft to help deliver humanitarian supplies into northern Iraq and has delivered weapons to Kurdish fighters. The Canadian government is also considering sending a small team of military advisers into Iraq.
Italy The NATO ally took part in initial humanitarian relief efforts in northern Iraq in August. At NATO’s recent summit in Wales, Italy also said it would join the U.S.led coalition in the effort to counter the Islamic State. It remains unclear whether that support will involve airstrikes or sending in trainers to work with Iraqi security forces.
Kuwait The U.S. maintains a handful of bases in the country, including an air base, a large desert ground maneuver training facility and a forward headquarters for the three-star Army component of U.S. Central Command. Kuwait was the primary logistics hub for the Iraq War. It also donated $10 million to help with the growing humanitarian crisis in Iraq.
Saudi Arabia U.S. officials say the kingdom on Sept. 10 agreed to host a proAP gram to train and Fighters from the group down a main road ofAffairs Mosul, We proudly offerIslamic mortgageState products fromparade the U.S. Department of Veterans (VA).Iraq, on June 23 equip moderate in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle. Syrian rebels fighting These safe, flexible products with favorable loan terms are available to veterans and NMLS #402135 The Islamic State militants and the active duty personnel. FROM PAGE 4 Iran’s close ties to Assad and the delicate Syrian regime. balancing act with Sunni Arab nations. Arab countries in the Persian Gulf also Features and Benefits “At least publicly, a prominent Iranian risk domestic political problems • Purchase, rate/term refinance,due andto cash-out refinance options role is not conducive to Arab participation,” public sympathy for the Islamic State, which • No down payment1required he said. some Sunnis are fighting for Sunni • Fixed-believe Australia and adjustable-interest rates available For President Barack Obama, decision interests against Iran and its fellow Shiite • Seller-assistance Supporting those the who serve. options Australian aircraft to go after Islamic State militants in Syria allies in the minimum region. credit score requirement • Low took part in the also creates a dilemma, as doing so could The U.S. has been urging Sunni allies initial humanihelp Assad, who Obama has said needs to such as Qatar and Kuwait to crack down Eligible Properties intervenrelinquish power. on donations to theproperty Islamic State by their Rich Moore, Mortgage Banker tarian • 1- to 4-unit tion in northern “Whilst it’s true that attacks will serve citizens. • PUDs NMLS# 211177 Iraq last month, and Not on the list of potential partners is Iran, Syrian ends, it will also serve the ends of • Condominiums Canberra is supplying weapons to toll free: 855.313.8138 Syrian opposition groups, whom Obama has though • its interests coincide Manufactured homes with those of forces countering the Islamic State. committed to supporting,” Joshi said. The the U.S. regarding the Islamic State’s threat Australian officials haven’t ruled out Islamic State may be weakened, “but the to thePrograms Shiite-led Baghdad government. available only to qualified borrowers. Programs subject to change without notice. joining the U.S. in future airstrikes. opposition will also be getting stronger and Nevertheless, Joshiand does not expect the restrictions Underwriting terms conditions apply. Some may apply. that’s bad news for Assad.” U.S. 1will seek overt cooperation because of Down payment may be required for loan amounts over $417,000 based on VA county loan limit.
VA mortgage products.
Call me to learn more.
Member FDIC
Rev. 0313
Providing professional and
VIKI KAAS, CRS, GRI, BROKER cell: (907) 727-5555 e-mail: viki@gci.net
personalized real estate
VA mortgage products We proudly offer mortgage products from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These safe, flexible products with favorable loan terms are available to veterans and active duty personnel.
Features and Benefits • Purchase, rate/term refinance, and cash-out refinance options • No down payment1required • Fixed- and adjustable-interest rates available • Seller-assistance options • Low minimum credit score requirement
NMLS #402135 FDIC# 35309
Supporting those who serve.
services for men
Eligible Properties • 1- to 4-unit property • PUDs • Condominiums • Manufactured homes
and women of the U.S. military
Call me to learn more. Rich Moore, Mortgage Banker NMLS# 211177 toll free: 855.313.8138
Programs available only to qualified borrowers. Programs subject to change without notice. Underwriting terms and conditions apply. Some restrictions may apply. 1Down payment may be required for loan amounts over $417,000 based on VA county loan limit.
CERTIFIED MILITARY RELOCATION SPECIALIST
Rev. 0313
Member FDIC
September 19, 2014
7
ALASKA EDITION
Taking Care of You ~Way Beyond Your Smile… Always Welcoming New Patients and Families! NEW PATIENT EXAM INCLUDES X-RAYS Dr. Jared Adams
Dr. Clark Bassham
Call office for details.
Dr. Joe Baggette
125
$
YOU SAVE $248!
ALASKA PREMIER DENTAL GROUP www.smilealaska.com We’re honored to serve active duty and retired military families. We are Metlife Tricare, Premera Blue Cross and Delta Preferred Providers.
Dr. Brian Kruchoski
Dr. Jessica Smith
Dr. Adam Walker
ANCHORAGE
WASILLA
6611 DeBarr Rd., Suite 100 & 200 Anchorage, AK 99504 (just off the Muldoon exit)
935 Westpoint Dr., Suite 202 Romar Center • Wasilla, AK 99654 (15 minutes from Eagle River)
907-337-1322
907-373-5930
code breaker In these Code Quotes from America’s history, each letter given is a code consisting of another letter. To solve this Code Quote, you must decode the puzzle by replacing each letter with the correct one. An example is shown. A ‘clue’ is available if you need extra help. Example: G E O R G E W A S H I N G T O N Is coded as: W J A M W J G I T C X Z W F A Z
K X F X F U X K
M A X
E T W B X L ,
Z X G X K H N L
T G W
Y T O H K T U E X
R H N K
T G V X L M H K L .
T G W
T U B Z T B E
U X
M H
F H K X
M A X F
M A T G
T W T F L
Hint: This statement was made in a letter to her husband and the Continental Congress. Last week’s answer: “Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.” John Adams
word search
sudoku
Name:
Created with TheTeachersCorner.net Word Search Maker
Our Armed Forces Y
P
G
I
A
I
X
N
J
C
Y
L
F
H
I
N
E
X
L
L
H
W
B
C
M
N
T
I
V
C
O
M
R
A
D
E
R
Y
M
P
V
I
V
X
S
A
F
B
N
Q
W
A
C
J
C
T
N
W
O
X
E
U
N
A
O
T
Q
A
M
T
J
R
I
T
T
F
A
M
E
P
O
L
O
L
L
I
M
D
F
P
W
M
L
N
O
A
J
T
D
H
E
X
I
Y
D
O
A
T
U
E
A
Y
B
E
R
M
T
B
E
I
C
E
T
R
V
N
R
E
C
R
S
N
U
M
K
I
I
L
C
Q
I
F
A
E
T
A
D
A
T
S
Q
O
P
H
V
L
U
M
L
T
F
P
C
E
X
L
N
M
O
E
P
I
E
S
C
Y
P
A
A
E
I
B
I
R
W
G
L
W
C
V
B
T
R
I
O
U
R
I
R
C
R
A
D
A
B
U
S
O
P
E
X
U
U
L
M
R
I
R
A
N
C
A
E
C
L
A
C
R
W
R
K
T
N
P
M
W
D
F
T
E
A
Q
D
J
Q
R
V
K
B
A
Z
I
H
M
A
G
E
O
I
I
S
F
Z
T
A
D
B
F
B
N
V
T
O
O
N
Y
W
R
O
R
B
X
P
J
J
B
V
O
B
C
Y
S
N
C
D
Y
H
C
N
E
A
G
S
E
N
I
R
A
M
E
M
N
O
C
K
X
U
E
K
P
N
S
D
V
E
T
E
R
A
N
S
O
R
A
X
D
N
L
R
X
W
H
D
R
A
U
G
T
S
A
O
C
X
S
E
R
V
I
C
E
C
M
I
O
S
C
M
S
T
R
A
T
E
G
Y
A
Z
L
D
U
E
O
G
S
G
Z
G
U
S
R
P
L
P
C
O
U
N
T
R
Y
REPUBLIC CONSTITUTION HONOR Our Armed Forces SACRIFICE GOD COUNTRY DECLARATION Republic Country DEDICATION Air Force ARMY NAVY Constitution Pride Marines MARINES Valor DeclarationCOASTGUARD Coast Guard ROTC Honor Dedication COMMAND National Guard ACCOMPLISHMENT Sacrifice Comradery SERVICE ROTC VETERANS EXPERIENCE Family Army Command CAREER God Navy Strategy
VALOR FAMILY PRIDE COMRADERY Accomplishment AIRFORCE Service NATIONALGUARD Perseverance STRATEGY Veterans PERSEVERANCE Experience TEAMWORK Teamwork Career
Previous week’s answers
8
STARS AND STRIPES
September 19, 2014
September 19, 2014
ALASKA EDITION
Communitymatters
The Last Frontier Honor Flight B y Ma jor Mike Dry d en USAR R et.
F
or those of you not familiar with the Honor Flight program, it’s a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing WWll and Korean War veterans an opportunity to travel to Washington DC to visit the nation’s capital and the various war memorials at no cost to the veteran. Sixty years after the end of WWll, the country finally built a WWll memorial after many of the “Greatest Generation” had passed away. We are losing WWll veterans at the rate of one ever ninety seconds. A seat on one of these all expense paid flights to Washington may be the only time many of this brave generation may ever have to experience the belated tribute to them from a grateful nation.
Our Alaska chapter, The Last Frontier Honor Flight, which also includes members of the Alaska Territorial Guard, will be traveling again in October. Alaska Airlines has been a big contributor to the cause by donating free seats to the veterans with local merchants and individuals’ donations covering the food and lodging expenses. Since this worthy cause is a private sector operation, success depends on generous donation from the public. No amount is too small to help ensure the next flight in October is fully funded. Donations may be mailed to:
Alaska played one of the largest roles of any of state or territory on the continent in the Second World War. The pre-war program called Lend-Lease which provided much needed war materials to Russia (also Britain and China) needed a road from the contiguous US to Alaska so planes that were being ferried from the states to Russia could be refueled. Alaska Command and over 12,000 men from the US Army Corp of Engineers embarked on one the most ambition road projects of the war. The 1500 mile Alaska Highway (now known as the ALCAN) was started in early spring of 1942 and finished the same if you know anybody that year.
served in WWll, Korea or in
Alaska was the the Territorial Guard and you only part of the would like to see them travel to continental US Washington, you can nominate occupied by a forthem by going to The Last Honor eign country since the War of 1812. Flight website, www.tlfhonorflight. The Japanese inorg ,or call toll free (877) 560vasion of Kiska 8542. From their website you can Island and Attu download all the forms needed Island in the Aleuto sponsor a veteran or donate tians (which most to the cause. historians say was a diversion for the Midway campaign) highlighted Alaska’s importance to the nation. The The Last Frontier Honor Flight Aleutian Islands Campaign saw JapaP.O.Box 520116 nese bomb raids on Dutch Harbor and Big Lake, AK 99652-0116 Unalaska Island and occupation of Just as important as donating is, if you Kiska and Attu for a little more than know anybody that served in WWll, a year. Korea or in the Territorial Guard and I urge those of you that served in WW you would like to see them travel to ll and/or Korea, or if you have a loved Washington, you can nominate them one from the “greatest generation” to by going to The Last Honor Flight webget behind The Last Frontier Honor site, www.tlfhonorflight.org ,or call toll Flight fund drive to pay for these worfree (877) 560-8542. From their website thy veterans to travel to Washington you can download all the forms needed this fall. Let’s show them our thanks to sponsor a veteran or donate to the for preserving this great nation and for cause. their sacrifices which are beyond our comprehension.
9
10
ALASKA EDITION
September 19, 2014
September 19, 2014
$1,000 0ff for military 2014 CHEVY
11
STARS AND STRIPES
SILVERADO 1500
$12,500
OFF MSRP
A F T E R U S A A R E B AT E
DOUBLE CAB LT Z171 ALL STAR EDITION 4WD
ACTIVE AND RETIRED MILITARY MEMBERS CAN TAKE AN ADDITIONAL $1,000 OFF ADVERTISED PRICES ON ALL NEW VEHICLES. 2015 CHEVY
TAHOE
$7,000
LTZ AWD
OFF MSRP
A F T E R U S A A R E B AT E
USE YOUR PFD NOW! • USE YOUR PFD NOW! • USE YOUR PFD NOW! • USE YOUR PFD NOW! • USE YOUR PFD NOW! 9100 OLD SEWARD, ANCHORAGE • (907) 365-8600 • ANCHORAGECHEVROLET.COM
CHEVROLET OF SOUTH
ANCHORAGE
Silverado Stk# EZ259888. MSRP $42,145, priced after $6,200 CSA Discount, $4,250 Consumer Cash, $750 USAA Offer, $1,500 trade in bonus:must trade in ’99 or newer vehicle. Prices plus tax, title and license. Tahoe Stk# FR120840. MSRP $66,220 priced after $6,450 CSA Discount, $750 USAA Offer. USAA members must present certificate to qualify. Prices plus tax, title and license. Prices includes $200 dealer Doc fee. Not all sales at MSRP. Prices valid through 09/30/14. * Use your PFD Now program requires promissory note. Interest free. Customer must qualify for 2014 Alaska PFD, must be verifiable on Alaska PFD website.
12
September 19, 2014
STARS AND STRIPES • S
PAGE 12
TA R S
A N D
S
T R I P E S
•
Friday, September 19, 2014
NATION FROM PAGE 11
It used to be our chosen way to enter a fight. Congress issued 11 war declarations from the War of 1812 to World War II, according to the CRS, a nonpartisan research arm of Congress. So, what changed? During the Cold War, anxiety over national security surged and presidents believed they needed more flexibility to wage military action spanning from covert operations to all-out warfare, said Matt Dallek, an assistant professor in the graduate school of political management at George Washington University. “Congress essentially punted on their core responsibilities” and the lines between declared war and various types of military intervention “all blurred together,” Dallek said. Congress did pass legislation in 1973, called the War Powers Resolution, aimed at limiting the president’s use of military force by requiring time limits and notification to lawmakers. Between the resolution passing and 2003, the White House sent 111 notifications of military action to Congress, the CRS reported. The change has affected the type of battles we fight and
Declarations of war 1812 — Great Britain The War of 1812 hinged on international trade disputes and U.S. expansion. 1846 — Mexico Following the MexicanAmerican War over territory, the U.S. annexed eight western states. 1898 — Spain The U.S. entered into the Spanish struggle with Cuba over independence. 1917 — Germany After remaining neutral for several years, the U.S. joined World War I. 1917 — Austria-Hungary Involvement in WWI quickly deepened when the U.S. went to war with Germany’s ally.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI /AP
Secretary of State John Kerry listens to a question during a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri in Cairo on Saturday. our sense of them, Dallek said. “All of our conflicts, except for the attack by al-Qaida, have been somewhat murkier than the bell that rang with the attack on Pearl Harbor,” Dallek said. “There is no lon-
ger a sense the wars we enter are total wars that require sacrifice from the rest of the country.” President Barack Obama’s new offensive against the Islamic State announced Sept.
10 may be looking more like a war but likely will follow the legal pattern of other recent conflicts. The president called for dismantling and destroying the Islamist group in Iraq
1941 — Japan A spectacular air attack on Pearl Harbor spurred the U.S. to enter World War II. 1941 — Germany The U.S. responded in kind after Germany declared war first. 1942 — Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania The three German allies first declared war against the U.S.
1802 — Tripoli The Navy was again ordered to protect commerce ships from what is today Libya. 1815 — Algeria Congress denied a presidential request for war but allowed Navy action to protect trade from this other North Africa country. 1819-23 — Caribbean, Latin America Rampant pirating prompted a military response to protect U.S. merchant ships. 1955 — Formosa The U.S. acted to fend off communist China from seizing the island now known as Taiwan. 1957 — Middle East In the midst of the Cold War, Congress authorized military
force if any countries in the region were attacked by communist forces. 1964 — Southeast Asia Following the Gulf of Tonkin incident, combat forces were sent to Vietnam and elsewhere in the region. 1983 — Lebanon U.S. Marines were sent to this Mid-East country bordering Syria to quell violence and provide stability. 1991 — Iraq The U.S. pushed Iraqi forces out of Kuwait following an invasion and occupation. 2001 — Global A global fight against the al-Qaida terrorist network and any countries helping them followed deadly attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
Use of force In many cases, presidents have asked Congress to pass legislation allowing or supporting the use of military force: 1798 — France The fledgling U.S. Navy was ordered to protect American trading ships from the French.
Barbies Cafe’ Homestyle Homestyle
Breakfast Breakfast & Lunch
Family home-style Family Friendly Friendly Café Café featuring featuring home-style cooking Barbie’s cooking at at its its finest finest with with Barbie’s “fresh, “fresh, not not canned” canned” ingredients ingredients
Breakfast DAY! Breakfast & & Espresso ALL DAY!
M-F 3pm M-F 5am-3pm 5am-3pm S-S 6am - 3pm Beer && Wine Wine available available 10am - 3pm Beer 3pm 68th&&Lake Lake Otis Otis - 6728 Lake Otis 68th Otis Pkwy Pkwy
344-4100 344-4100
Menu: BarbiesCafe.com BarbiesCafe.com
10%discount discount -- Veterans Veterans & active 10% active duty duty
and Syria through airstrikes, arming and training opposition rebel groups, and support from an international coalition. Before the announcement, he had already ordered 154 airstrikes and more than 1,000 military personnel back into Iraq as of Sept. 10. The White House has argued it does not need any congressional approval for the Iraq strikes, saying they are allowed under a 2001 resolution called the Authorization for Use of Military Force, commonly referred to as AUMF. The AUMF was passed just a week after 9/11 and gave President George W. Bush powers to strike al-Qaida or any group or nation involved in the attacks. It was used to justify both the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the ongoing Afghanistan War — the longest in U.S. history. Kerry said it still stands in the offensive against the Islamic State, which sprung out of the three-year Syrian civil war and was once associated with al-Qaida but recently was shunned by the group. “This group is and has been al-Qaida. It is the same thing as al-Qaida,” he told CNN. tritten.travis@stripes.com Twitter: @Travis_Tritten
Executive power Presidents have exerted executive power and used United Nations resolutions to wage military campaigns without first getting approval from Congress: 1950 — Korea The U.S. sent air power and troops to the peninsula to repel invading communist North Korea forces backed by the Soviet Union. 1994 — Bosnia The Clinton administration joined a NATO airstrike campaign to quell ethnic and religious fighting following a government disintegration. Source: Congressional Research Service; American Journal of International Law
DidYou YouKnow? Know? Did all homes qualify forfinancing VA financing due the nature NotNot all homes qualify for VA due to thetonature of of repairs that may be needed. The VA protects its Veterans repairs that may be needed. The VA protects its Veterans by by allowing to finance of those repairs allowing themthem to finance somesome of those repairs to beto be completed after closing. And at CBC National Bank, we allow completed after closing. And at CBC National Bank, we allow up to $5,000 in post-closing repairs, enabling you to up to $5,000 in post-closing repairs, enabling you to meetmeet scheduled closing in many cases. youryour scheduled closing in many cases. today to your get your pre-qualification started! CallCall today to get pre-qualification started! Moore, Mortgage Banker RichRich Moore, Mortgage Banker NMLS# 211177 NMLS# 211177 toll free: 855.313.8138 toll free: 855.313.8138 ©2013 CBCCBC National BankBank is a FDIC insured chartered commercial ©2013 National is a FDIC insured chartered commercial bankbank approved VA Lender #6720800000. NMLSNMLS #402135 approved VA Lender #6720800000. #402135
September 19, 2014
13
STARS AND STRIPES
Veteran Owned Businesses Windy City LLC
Orion Construction Inc
1410 Rudakof Cir Anchorage, AK 99508 (907) 222-0844 adaktu.net
4701 E Shaws Dr Wasilla, AK 99654 (907) 631-3550 orionconstructioninc.net
Historical Urban Wear
Revl Inc
PO Box 141402 Anchorage, AK 99524 (907) 351-8834 classyurbanwear.com
Denali Graphics and Frame
650 W 58th Ste J Anchorage, AK 99518 (907) 563-8302 revlinc.net/Contact.aspx
World-wide Movers Inc
Alaska Commercial Carpenting and Services 8530 Gordon Cir Anchorage, AK 99507 (907) 830-9878 www.accs1.com
135 Christensen Dr Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 243-0668 www.computermatrixcourtreporters.com
Alaska Veteran’s Business Alliance
8150 Petersburg St Anchorage, AK 99507 (907) 349-2300 www.containerspecialtiesak.com
4141 B St Ste 203 Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 344-5505 www.akconstsurveys.com
7120 Hart St Anchorage, AK 99518 (907) 349-2581 world-widemovers.com
Mat-Su Tactial
4900 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy Wasilla, AK 99654 (907) 357-3381 matsutactical.com/index.html
Federal Resource Solutions
PO Box 244911 Anchorage, AK 99524 (760) 473-2982 www.4frs.com
3705 Arctic Blvd #1335 Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 279-4779 www.akvba.org
M-W Drilling Inc
A-Two Septic
7920 Schoon St Anchorage, AK 99518 (907) 522-6684 www.alaskanace.com
8460 E Gold Bullion Blvd Palmer, AK 99645 (907) 841-8632 www.a2septic.com
Computer Matrix Court Reporter
Alaska Construction Surveys LLC
5001 Arctic Blvd Ste 3 Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4456 denaligraphics.com
12200 Avion St Anchorage, AK 99516 (907) 345-4000 mwdrillinginc.com
Central Environmental
311 N Sitka St Anchorage AK 99501 (907) 561-0125 www.cei-alaska.com/contactus.html
Container Specialties of Alaska
Custom Truck Inc
Ace Delivery and Moving Inc
4748 Old Seward Hwy Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 563-5490 www.customtruckak.com
Brown’s Electrical Supply
8240 Petersburg St Anchorage, AK 99507 (907) 562-2312 www.denalidrilling.com
365 Industrial Way Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 272-2259 www.brownselectric.com
Denali Drilling
J&S Auto Repair
21065 Bill Stevens Dr Chugiak, AK 99567
(907) 688-1191 www.jsautoak.com
Lemay Engineering and Consulting
4272 Chelsea Way Anchorage, AK 99504 (907) 250-9038 www.lemayengineering.com/Contact.html
LMC Management Services
2440 E Tudor Rd 1123 Anchorage, AK 99507 (907) 242-6069 www.lmcmanagementservices.com
Lugo’s Upholstery
648 E Dowling Rd Ste 101 Anchorage AK 99518 (907) 562-5846 www.lugosupholstery.com
Microbyte Computers
PO Box 90057 Anchorage, AK 99509 (907) 382-8397 www.mbcak.com/contact
14
September 19, 2014
STARS AND STRIPES • S
PAGE 14
TA R S
A N D
S
T R I P E S
Two vets awarded the Medal of Honor BY H EATH DRUZIN WASHINGTON — Running through sniper and mortar fire to retrieve wounded comrades and ammunition, fighting off Vietnamese soldiers, digging an escape tunnel to help his fellow soldiers survive a brutal assault, all while bleeding from multiple wounds — the full story of Bennie Adkins’ heroism during a deadly 38-hour battle could not fit in a 20-minute ceremony. “Bennie performed so many acts of bravery that we don’t have time to talk about all of them,” President Barack Obama said in a ceremony Monday awarding the Medal of Honor to Adkins and, posthumously, Spc. 4 Donald P. Sloat, who covered a grenade to save his fellow soldiers. Adkins, who was a sergeant first class on his second tour in Vietnam at the time, is credited with killing 135 to 175 Vietnamese and was wounded 18 times during the battle while running back and forth between a mortar position and no-man’s land. Despite his injuries, he refused to be evacuated while other wounded soldiers needed medical help and ended up spending an extra
Friday, September 19, 2014
New book helps military spouses manage stress
MILITARY
Stars and Stripes
•
RICK VASQUEZ /Stars and Stripes
President Barack Obama applauds after awarding Army Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins the Medal of Honor at the White House on Monday. And he bent over it. And then, as one of the men said, ‘all of a sudden there was a boom.’ “The blast threw the lead soldier up against a boulder,” Obama continued. “Men were riddled with shrapnel. Four were medevaced out, but everyone else survived.” For Adkins, it took nearly 50 years to be recognized for leading fellow soldiers through the harrowing battle in 1966 while serving as an intelligence sergeant with detachment A-102, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces. “Sometimes even the most extraordinary stories get lost in the fog of war,” Obama said. Sloat’s brother, Bill Sloat, was on hand to accept the award and expressed gratitude in brief comments following the ceremony. For decades, Sloat’s family was unaware of the details of his death. “On behalf of my brother, Donald P. Sloat, I’d like to thank our country for this great award,” he said.
night on a mountainside with fellow soldiers, surrounded by Vietnamese soldiers. At one point, the night before Adkins and his remaining comrades were rescued, they heard a tiger growl from the jungle — a growl he credits with scaring away the Viet Cong. For Adkins and the family of Sloat, the recognition was decades in the making. Sloat made his fatal decision — credited with saving the lives of three fellow soldiers — in 1970 after another soldier triggered a trip wire and the attached grenade rolled to Sloat’s feet. He was 20 years old and serving as a machine gunner with 3rd Platoon, Delta Company, 2/1 196th Light Infantry Brigade. “Don did something truly amazing — he reached down and picked that grenade up,” Obama said. At first Sloat looked to throw the grenade, but seeing U.S. soldiers all around him, covered it instead. “So Don held on to that grenade,” Obama said, “and he pulled it close to his body.
Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Terry Leonard, Editor Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content Amanda L. Trypanis, U.S. Edition Editor Michael Davidson, Revenue Director CONTACT US 529 14th Street NW, Suite 350, Washington, D.C. 20045-1301 Email: stripesweekly@stripes.com Editorial: (202) 761-0908 Advertising: (202) 761-0910 Daniel Krause, Weekly Partnership Director: krause.dan@stripes.com Additional contact information: stripes.com
ALASKA EDITION
Publishing Alaska Anchorage
Druzin.heath@stripes.com Twitter: @Druzin_Stripes
This publication is a compilation of stories from Stars and Stripes, the editorially independent newspaper authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military community. The contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, including the Defense Department or the military services. The U.S. Edition of Stars and Stripes is published jointly by Stars and Stripes and this newspaper. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD or Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Products or services advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron.
© Stars and Stripes, 2014
Judy Davis is excited about once did we put on him that it the release of her first book, was his responsibility to take “Right Side Up: Finding Your care of me,” she said, but he Way When Military Life Turns felt it just the same. You Upside Down,” but writing In these difficult times, a guide for military spouses Davis turned to her journal. was not on her radar until “Understanding that I had recently. to redefine my thoughts about Army life took her by surbeing a parent and a military prise six years ago when her spouse, I began to write,” she husband of 17 years rejoined said. “The process of journalthe military life he had left being was my personal tool for fore their marriage. Entering dealing with situations.” military life in mid-stride with After defining the stressors two teenagers was a challenge, in her life, she began to formusaid Davis, for her and the late and write down strategies whole family. for overcoming stress and In civilian life, Davis had managing the flux inherent in her own marketing business military life. and was a motivational speaker “I just started coming up with a passion for helping with exercises and writing small businesses. Her experidown the things that I did that ences in the Army and a series were helpful,” Davis said. She of crises changed the way she knew she wanted to use her uses those talents. experiences to help other miliThe first came two years tary spouses, into her military adventure, when SPOUSE CALLS and and only a few days after her the opporhusband returned from his tunity came first deployment. Davis said to put it into she realized she had to make a a book, she change when she was hospitaltook it. ized with heart issues. She had “It was because of my inalready ability to deal with stress and directed her chaos during the deployment,” speaking she said. “It was a wake-up call business that said, ‘You better figure out toward miliTerri Barnes how to live this tary spouses, life and get leading Join the conversation with Terri at through the workshops day to day, and stripes.com/go/spousecalls and blogging also embrace on her webit as an opporsite as “The tunity. Otherwise, it’s literally Direction Diva.” going to kill you.” Her son, now an adult, folSitting in her hospital bed, lows in his mother’s footsteps Davis said she realized the by speaking out about his own coping skills she’d used to challenges. Together, mother manage civilian life were not and son created Living Thru working for her military life. Crisis, a source of information “I don’t think we are natufor families struggling with rally equipped to deal with the behavioral or mental health challenges that we face as mili- issues. tary spouses,” she said. “It’s a “We are not doctors,” she skill set that we need to learn.” said, “but we lived it and we So she decided to equip herself lived through it. We’re growing and others. and learning as we go, and we The next crisis came a can share hope.” couple of years later when “Right Side Up” is an outher then college-aged son was growth of all of these efforts. diagnosed with post-traumatic Davis said the book is a guide stress, depression and other to help military spouses develissues. Davis and her husband op life skills to meet their own learned their son had been personal challenges, whatever internalizing the pressures of they might be. She said that military life. means a solid foundation, and “We didn’t know it, but our way to cope with changes when son was under so much stress, they happen, because they will. thinking it was his job to take “The book isn’t meant to be care of me while his father was one size fits all; it’s what size gone or if something happened fits you in a given situation and to him,” Davis said. “Never in that moment,” she said.
ALASKA EDITION
Brought to us each week with the support of these businesses
Sponsorship Level General:
none currently Colonel:
For Advertising, distribution, content, or other information Major:
www.AnchorageChevrolet.com
VIKI HOMESUNLIMITED
www.ContinentalAutoGroup.com
www.CallViki.com
Contact Steve Abeln
RIBBONS-N-RACKS Captian:
(907) 250-0018 SteveA@AK.net Art Direction Studio D Graphics
www.RWBAuto.com
www.26Glaciers.com
www.LithiaChryslerAnchorage.com
www.LithiaKIAAnchorage.com
Sponsorship Details - Steve 250-0018
Facebook Ribbons-n-Racks
Barbies Cafe’
www.BarbiesCafe.com
Fred Meyer
www.FredMeyer.com
ALASKA PREMIER DENTAL GROUP www.SmileAlaska.com
September 19, 2014
• S
Friday, September 19, 2014
Can you:
TA R S
A N D
S
T R I P E S
•
Volunteers needed
Meet and greet guests, data entry, and give tours? Schedule volunteers & directors for duty each month?
Alaska Veterans Museum
15
STARS AND STRIPES
Write press releases, call media organizations, and/or design ads? Coordinate with schools, Scouts, etc to arrange tours and other events?
PAGE 15
is Yo ap ur pr he ec lp iat ed
Brief VFW’s, American Legions, AMVETS & DAV Chapters on AVM activities ? Help collect oral histories; work directly with our Veterans to document their experiences? Help by donating Military uniforms & artifacts form WWI, Korea, Vietnam & the Gulf Wars? Help raise money to continue and expand our programs, and ultimately move to a larger space?
Please call: Suellyn @ (907) 696-4904 to offer any help you can.
16
STARS AND STRIPES
PAGE 16
• S
TA R S
A N D
S
T R I P E S
•
September 19, 2014 Friday, September 19, 2014
FREELANCE WRITERS Stars & Stripes U.S. Edition – Alaska is looking for freelance writers to add a local flavor to our newspaper. Two specific areas of interest are “Veteran Spotlights”, focusing on Alaska Veterans, and “Explore Alaska” focusing on Alaska adventure. Other topics will be added as well.
If you have a desire to help tell our readers about our local Veterans, Alaska’s outdoors, and other newsworthy topics, please email SteveA@AK.net. Please include some writing samples.