America's North Shore Journal

Flyleaf Rocks Afghanistan

Chuck Simmins — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:12:37 +0000

The band played lots of shows near Fort Hood, Sturm explained. “But this was our first time out playing to a completely ‘military’ audience,” Sturm said. “It was just overwhelming to look out into the crowd and see nothing but uniforms.” The Flyleaf show was full of special treats for the troops. According to Hartmann, the group played their new songs “Chasm” and “Circle” from their upcoming album “Memento Mori” for the first time live. The band also stuck around and signed autographs for anyone who wanted them, a process that took the rockers well past 2 a.m.

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Viruses resistant to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) identified

Chuck Simmins — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:30:50 +0000

WHO has been informed by health authorities in Denmark, Japan and the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, China of the appearance of H1N1 viruses which are resistant to the antiviral drug oseltamivir (known as Tamiflu) based on laboratory testing.

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Our Best: Torch and the WASPs

Chuck Simmins — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:00:56 +0000

It's been more than 60 years since the Women Air Force Service Pilots or WASP took the skies by storm as the first women in U.S. history trained to fly American military aircraft, overcoming inequality and changing the face of aviation forever. On July 1, these aviation pioneers were recognized by President Barack Obama, who presented the Congressional Gold Medal as long-overdue recognition of the historical "Fly Girls." Here at JBB, a 21st-century "Fly Girl," Maj. Gina Sabric, an F-16 fighter pilot, couldn't be more pleased with the recognition.

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A Bright NCO

Chuck Simmins — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:00:58 +0000

"My advice to a new NCO is to take charge and fulfill the responsibilities that come with the rank," said Bright. "Soldiers look up to you for direction, purpose and motivation. Soldiers are always looking at you even though when you think they are not looking."

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Air Force Combat Camera - Focus on the Fight

Chuck Simmins — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:00:45 +0000

Yesterday's Bloggers' Roundtable was with Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiler, photojournalist; Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary, print journalist; Senior Airman Brian Economides, videographer; and Capt. Phil Ventura, Combat Camera officer in charge all based out of the Combined Air Operations Center. Team 2 travels across Central Command's Area of Responsibility to document the Air Force's role in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

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Real World - Baghdad

Chuck Simmins — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:00:19 +0000

During the show, Conklin received a call from his brother, notifying him that he'd been recalled to active duty. Ruecker and Williams were there when Conklin received the call, and have since followed him to Iraq. "It's not just a news story, it's deeper than that" Ruecker said. "Being the first people from MTV [in Iraq], I think that hopefully, we're going to provide a story that is not typical that is coming out of this region." "And not typical to MTV," Williams added.

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Our Best: Aerobics Instructor

Chuck Simmins — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:00:29 +0000

The occasional sound of music blares from the flight deck of USS Comstock. A group of Marines step awkwardly in unison and seem to be enjoying themselves, making the most of their workout. The leader of this up-beat aerobics class, Staff Sgt. Colleen Wilcox, radio chief, Communications Detachment, Combat Logistics Battalion 13.

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Air Assault into Zurok

Chuck Simmins — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:00:34 +0000

Here are three video clips showing Aaron Fairbairn's unit assaulting into the area where he would later be killed in action.

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Marines Come to Stay

Chuck Simmins — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:00:31 +0000

Two related stories from the Marine operation in southern Afghanistan.

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Pandemic Swine Flu - H1N1 in the United States July 6 2009

Chuck Simmins — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:42:15 +0000

The Centers for Disease Control have reduced their reporting of pandemic swine flu / novel H1N1 cases to once a week, on Friday. We will attempt to keep our readers updated during the week by posting data from various state sites.

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Pfc. Aaron E. Fairbairn, 20, of Aberdeen, Washington

Chuck Simmins — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:57:58 +0000

"If there's any day when you're going to make that kind of sacrifice ... " Masters said, his voice tearfully trailing away. Finally, he said: "I realize Aaron's just one guy coming home not sitting in a seat. Lots of other guys have made that same sacrifice."

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Father Tim Never Surrendered

Chuck Simmins — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:00:33 +0000

After he was injured in Iraq, Vakoc developed a large following among caregivers and volunteers who often joined him in prayer, first at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and then at the nursing home. Eventually, he was able to speak a few words, but mostly communicated with looks and touch, his friends recalled.

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Our Best: More Sisters in the Military

Chuck Simmins — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:00:34 +0000

Sisters Nedra Placke, of Dayton, Ohio, and Annette Havens, of Beavercreek, Ohio, recently received promotions from private 1st class to specialist in front of their fellow Soldiers in Headquarters, 155th Chemical Battalion. It was a special day for two sisters who have spent much of their short military service separated.

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Navy Builds Noah’s Ark for Marines

Chuck Simmins — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:00:17 +0000

"In my 19 years in the Navy, I have never built a building this big," said Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas Damron, a supervisor for the construction of the 12,000 square-foot structure. "This is the largest wooden structure I've ever seen Seabees build."

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Soldiers Say Goodbye to Orphans

Chuck Simmins — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:00:44 +0000

Children from the Kut orphanage were treated to an evening of games, gifts and entertainment at the Rehanah Al-Haydaryah Family Park by 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, June 26. "It was an idea to have an event before the American forces left that they could say goodbye to the Iraqi children; and it should be in an open area like the park," said Ms. Nisreen Abdul Raoof, the director of the Kut orphanage.

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