Stars and Stripes

Afghan future threatened by ex-warlords in government

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Warlords helped drive the Russians from Afghanistan, then shelled Kabul into ruins in a bloody civil war after the Soviets left. Now they are back in positions of power, in part because the U.S. relied on them in 2001 to help oust the Taliban after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Official: Obama wants his war options changed

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

President Barack Obama does not plan to accept any of the Afghanistan war options presented by his national security team, pushing instead for revisions to clarify how and when U.S. troops would turn over responsibility to the Afghan government, a senior administration official said Wednesday.

Veterans Day Observance

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

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Interservice basketball: Bombers win Warrior Classic

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan � Most Valuable Player Nicholas French scored 23 points and Guam's Andersen Bombers began the Pacific's interservice basketball season by capturing the title in the Warri...

Far East tournaments: Falcons nail down first top seed in AA

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Never before Wednesday had Seoul American achieved the top seed entering the single-elimination playoffs of a Far East High School Girls Class AA Volleyball Tournament. Never before Wednesday had DODEA Pacific teams occupied the top two spots.

�Adrenaline� fuels late night homecoming to Schweinfurt

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

More than 200 members of the 172nd Infantry Brigade returned to Schweinfurt and Grafenw�hr in the wee hours of the morning on Veterans Day after a 12-month deployment to Iraq, but neither the troops nor the family members and friends awaiting them at Conn Barracks seemed to mind the time.

Europe briefs: Soldier found dead in barracks identified

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

BAMBERG, Germany � A Grafenw�hr-based soldier who was found dead Sunday in his barracks room has been identified as Pfc. Matthew C. Johnson of the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd I...

Zabul moves front and center in fight against the Taliban

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Zabul has suddenly gained importance as U.S. and other NATO military planners seek to improve security around the city of Kandahar, the spiritual home of the Taliban and the most important city in southern Afghanistan.

Relatively untouched DMZ is home to a number of natural wonders

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The water deer nibbled away on the vegetation on the gently sloping bend along the Imjin River, seemingly unaware of the dozen people pointing and staring at it through a field scope from the opposite shoreline.

Death penalty rare, executions rarer in military

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Though the suspect in the shooting rampage at Fort Hood could face the death penalty, he will be prosecuted in a military justice system where no one has been executed in nearly a half-century.

Obama honors veterans at Arlington cemetery

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

President Barack Obama carried out the traditional Veterans Day role Wednesday, then made a surprise visit to a part of Arlington National Cemetery reserved for troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, walking among the grave sites and talking to mourners.

Pacific scoreboard for the November 13 edition

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Interservice Basketball Warrior Classic At Samurai Fitness & Sports Center, Yokota Air Base, Japan Men's double-elimination playoffs Monda...

Let soldiers defend themselves

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

My condolences and prayers go out to the families of those killed and injured at Fort Hood, Texas. I see zero differences between [the suspect], Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, and suicide bom...

Attacks on Obama demoralizing

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In response to "No fan of 'Obama's fan club' " (letter, Oct. 28): I find it very demoralizing that a soldier would air his opinion on the quality of his leadership in a public venue. ...

Chance wasted in Afghanistan

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

[I work in a public affairs office, but am writing to offer my personal opinion]: Afghanistan's fraud-tainted election handed the world an opportunity to hit the reset button and erase the bigg...

Volksmarch column for the Thursday, November 12, 2009 edition

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

We understand that Nov. 15 and 22 are religious holidays in some German states. Depending on the state, some IVV walks that have been publicized might be canceled. If you plan to attend a walk ...

Looking for some group fun? Join the club

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Whether you are new to Europe's ski slopes or a veteran of its toughest runs, one of the best ways to enjoy outdoor sports during the winter season is to join a ski club.

New lifts, special deals at Edelweiss

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

It may not be in full swing yet, but an early blast of snow already has kick-started the ski season in Garmisch, Germany, an auspicious omen for winter sports enthusiasts eager to hit the slopes.

Far afield in Switzerland: Great skiing rewards effort to reach tiny, remote area

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This is the way skiing used to be. Last year, German friends invited my husband and me for a ski week at their cabin in Radons, a Swiss hamlet from which we could ski the slopes of Savognin. There was no bus dropping us off at the door of a comfortable hotel. No help with skis, boots and suitcases. No lifts right out the door. We were in the boonies.

Prognosticator says there will be snow, but less than last year

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In the winter, skiers, snowboarders and schoolchildren look to the sky for one thing � snow. So what will Old Man Winter bring this year? It's too early to tell, said climatologist Harald Strauss, who explains that predicting the winter season is hardly a science.

Europe has plenty of locations for off-piste skiing

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The European Alps boast some of the most spectacular off-piste skiing in the world. Fortunately for American skiers stationed in Europe, the majority of Europeans have little interest in straying off the groomed runs, leaving plenty of virgin powder for visiting free skiers to enjoy.

Best bets

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Austria: According to the Vienna Web site, in 1298 Albrecht I granted the city the privilege of holding a December market, or "Krippenmarkt." The tradition is going strong toda...

Let's Go

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

USO Christmas market tours Expand your Christmas market experiences in Germany, France and the Netherlands on one-day tours organized by the United Service Organizations. Dependi...

Intrepid Maine troop greeters age along with wars

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Jerry Mundy rarely misses an opportunity to extend his hand and offer thanks to young soldiers and Marines returning home, or departing for the war zone, during their brief layovers at the nation's easternmost major airport, a refueling hub for military transports.

VA sec'y promises timely response to war illness

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Veterans Secretary Eric Shinseki says he's working to improve the agency's ability to cope with increasing numbers of troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mental health problems.

Shooting suspect's superiors questioned his behavior

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A group of doctors overseeing Nidal Malik Hasan's medical training discussed concerns about his overly zealous religious views and strange behavior months before the Army major was accused of a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, that left 13 dead and 29 wounded.

Missing U.S. soldier's body found in Afghan river

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Military divers have found the body of a U.S. paratrooper who disappeared last week along with another soldier as the two tried to retrieve airdropped supplies from a river in western Afghanistan, NATO said Wednesday.

Soldier a suspect in hit-and-run fatality

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A U.S. soldier has been identified as the driver of a car police suspect was involved in a fatal hit-and-run Saturday, Okinawa officials said Tuesday.

Ex-S. Korean generals: Unify wartime commands

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Twenty retired South Korean generals have asked the presidents of the United States and South Korea to reconsider dissolving the countries' joint warfighting command, saying it would weaken their country's ability to defend itself against nuclear-armed North Korea.

Protest prompts more opposition to Futenma plan

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Okinawa leaders urged U.S. and Japanese government officials on Tuesday to scrap plans to construct a new U.S. Marine Corps air facility on Okinawa after thousands protested against the plan during a rally Sunday on Okinawa.

Local police beef up base security ahead of Obama visit

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Japanese police are swarming U.S. military bases in Japan ahead of the arrival of President Barack Obama in Tokyo on Friday. The Japanese National Police and coast guard are augmenting American security forces at all bases in mainland Japan and Okinawa, according to a statement from U.S. Forces Japan.

Seoul American soaring at the right time

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A week ago, Steve Boyd had no idea what kind of boys team he'd be taking to the Far East cross country championships with two of his Falcons down with the flu. On Tuesday, one of them, Anthony Catineau, played a huge role as the Falcons made it back-to-back team championships in the two-day meet. Seoul American sealed it by winning the team title in the 6.2-mile relay at Gosser Memorial Golf Course at Misawa Air Base, Japan.

Europe briefs: Woman dies after giving birth on base

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy � A woman died Oct. 17 in the base hospital after giving birth, base officials said. First Lt. Kimberley Schaerdel, chief of public affairs for the 31st Fighter W...

Kaiserslautern community report to Army details needs

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Army suicide rates are on the rise and there's no overseas suicide prevention hot line for at-risk soldiers, civilians and family members, a glaring shortcoming in services that needs to be fixed, according to delegates at the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern's recent Army Family Action Plan conference.

Abdullah: Protests too risky, could help insurgents

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

There are almost no foreign soldiers on the streets of Panjshir province, no massive bombings or ambushes that plague much of Afghanistan. Still, the war is nearby.

Text of President Obama's remarks at Fort Hood

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

We come together filled with sorrow for the thirteen Americans that we have lost; with gratitude for the lives that they led; and with a determination to honor them through the work we carry on...

Pentagon workers get H1N1 vaccine

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Pentagon is administering 25,000 doses of swine flu to military personnel, civilian employees and defense contractors despite a Defense Department study that found most Pentagon employees are at low risk for infection.

Pacific scoreboard for the November 12 edition

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Football Class A playoffs Championship Saturday, Nov. 7 Zama American 46, Daegu American 38 Class AA playoffs At Camp Foster, Okinawa

Fort Hood shooting exposes personal struggles of Muslims in the military

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Although Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's alleged shooting spree last week at Fort Hood, Texas, marks him as an extremist, his struggles to reconcile his faith with his military service are familiar to thousands of other Muslims serving the U.S. armed forces.

Happy with football coverage

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Congratulations, Stars and Stripes. I was pleasantly surprised to read about the DODDS-Europe Division I championship football game in Sunday's Stars and Stripes. Good job! Normally we ...

Stop war of words

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Knock it off! All of you! I read the supporting and condemning letters to the editor on Nov. 5 referring to "The War...

Can�t relate to their stress

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I have little sympathy for airmen and officers who complain about the stress and operation tempo of piloting unmanned aerial vehicles stateside ("

Vogelweh drawdown madness

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The drawdown of Vogelweh, Germany, continues. I found out that the auto skills shop at Kapaun Air Station will no longer perform any sort of repair services. This on top of the Community ...

Belts are no big deal

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

"Airmen sound off on reflective belts" (article, Nov. 5) is not helping the case that people are preaching for "The War ...

Despite building, Camp Humphreys full

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Most families assigned to Camp Humphreys in South Korea should expect to live off post and wait up to 18 months before an on-post apartment becomes open, according to Army officials.

Authorities probe fatal Okinawa hit-and-run

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Okinawa police are working with Army investigators to see if a vehicle owned by a member of the U.S. military community was involved in a fatal hit-and-run.

Kadena ready to host annual Special Olympics

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The 10th Annual Special Olympics is set for 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Saturday at the Risner Fitness Complex on Kadena Air Base. About 930 athletes will compete in track and field, basketball...

Obama urged to discuss abduction issue

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A group of U.S. senators has urged President Barack Obama to address parental child abduction with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama during his first trip to Japan, scheduled for later this week.

Far East playoffs roundup: Falcons pair wins cross country titles

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Even in replacing 12 runners who helped Seoul American capture last year's Far East cross country team titles, the Falcons hardly lost a step, thanks to the fleet feet of senior Thomas Kim and freshman Siarria Ingram.

Pacific local scoreboard for the November 11 edition

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Football Class AA playoffs At Camp Foster, Okinawa Semifinals Monday, Nov. 9 Kadena 55, Yokota 6 Tuesday, Nov. 10 Seoul America...

U.S., Germany increase pressure on Afghan's Karzai

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The United States and Germany stepped up pressure on Afghan President Hamid Karzai Monday to implement major reforms and crack down on rampant corruption.

Stars and Stripes stories about the Fort Hood shooting

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Megan McCloskey and other Stars and Stripes staffers report on the shootings at Fort Hood and their aftermath.

Europe briefs: Night training flights resume at Mildenhall

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

RAF MILDENHALL, England � The 48th Fighter Wing has resumed nighttime flight training over the English countryside and the RAF Lakenheath-based F-15C Eagles and F-15E Strike Eagles will continu...

MWR plays vital role

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I must adamantly say that this is oh-so-wrong ("Amenities at Afghan bases are facing cuts," article, Oct. 30)! M...

Solitary shoes a tactile symbol of amputees' sacrifices

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Behind Landstuhl Regional Medical Center's closet door No. 3E 105 are two bins labeled "left" and "right." The bulk of the shoes in the bins have no mate because the other is being used by someone who has lost a limb.

Losing benefits at retirement

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I am writing to make people aware of the discrimination against Department of Defense civil service retired personnel. I am a GS-12 DOD employee working in Naples, Italy. I have full base...

Stop the complaining

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Let me get this straight. The Air Force has figured out a way to do an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission from halfway across the globe, keeping its footprint small, saving m...

Stepdad hides behind religion

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

As I read "Isolated, family struggles to restart after stepfather's sex abuse conviction" (article, Nov. 3), I was rem...

Thank Cold War veterans too

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Twenty years ago it fell. It was the symbol of intimidation, of subjugation of the entire world, one heartbeat away from total annihilation. The world called it the Berlin Wall, and for 27 year...

Quick Trips: With beautiful views, Hohenzollern Castle's mountaintop site is popular with tourists

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Atop a foothill of the Swabian Alb mountain range, about 40 miles south of Stuttgart, Germany, the house of the Hohenzollerns stands over the trees in an image that seems to have leapt from the pages of a fairy tale. Hohenzollern Castle, built in the 11th century, was the home of the Hohenzollern family who ruled Prussia and Brandenburg in the Middle Ages.

Pacific scoreboard for the November 10 edition

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Volleyball Boys all-stars Voted by tourney and league coaches Mediterranean championship all-tournament team Abram Campbell (MVP), Jonathan Higgins, Neill Tumulac, ...

Protesters rally against Okinawa base plans

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Thousands attended a rally at Ginowan on Sunday, protesting plans to construct a new military air base on Okinawa, only days ahead of President Barack Obama's visit to Japan.

U.S. to release huge report on impact of Guam buildup

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

After more than 2� years of research, the U.S. military this month will release a mammoth study explaining how its expansion plans on Guam will affect the land, water, wildlife and living standards on the island.

Ramstein chaplain found dead at home

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Col. Lonnie B. Barker, command deputy chaplain for U.S. Air Forces in Europe, was declared dead at about 5 a.m. Sunday by local medical authorities. Barker, 53, had served in his position for 15 months.

Campaign will be a long road

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

After reading "S. Korea steps up 'keep right' campaign," (article, Oct. 20, Pacific editions...

Unfair to war room warriors

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The letter writers slamming "The War Room" (article, Oct. 27) are missing the point. I'd bet that close to 100 percent of these airmen would prefer to be deployed to the region thei...

AF fighting downrange, too

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

After reading "The War Room," (article, Oct. 27), I completely understand the frustration ex...

Listening to Rush

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Why is it everyone has an opinion on what Rush Limbaugh says? They hear one part of "I want Obama to fail," and they don't listen to why he said what he said. While I do not ...

Hoping Obama�s plans fail

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I would like to respond to "Limbaugh, propaganda machine" (letter, Oct. 26). Seriously, if the...

Where�s news from Southeast?

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I am e-mailing you in regard to your "American Roundup" articles. I have been reading the Mideast edition for several weeks now, since I discovered someone posts them on SIPR...

Nature vs. nurture

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In regard to "A weighty matter in pregnancy" (article, Nov. 2, Science & Medicine page), I have to admit, I don't buy it. Of course children get genes from their parents. W...

20 years after the Berlin Wall: In Europe, U.S. military remains committed to ensuring stability while taking on new threats

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the beginning of the end of the Cold War, the American military is scarcely getting out of Germany. Instead, it's digging in.

Trojans take down Warriors

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In a high-octane shootout pitting contrasting styles, Michael Spencer and Zama American's ground machine won out over David Martinez and Daegu American's spread option.

Homefront: Embracing the circus-like quality of family

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This week, I have decided to steal an idea from Bil Keane, the creator of the comic strip "The Family Circus." Over the years, he has often taken "vacations" and left it up ...

Spouse Calls: Overseas moves take forethought

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Our first four moves as a military family were transoceanic, so I learned early on that moving overseas requires thorough planning and good advice. Official channels will provide the regu...

�Rock Band� for everyone

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Parents eager for a little less sex and drugs in their kids' rock 'n' roll will like "Lego Rock Band." However, the E10-rated rhythm game � developed by Harmonic and Traveller's...

�Forza� on fast track to fun

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Variety can spice up any game, and it's what makes "Forza Motorsport 3" such a delicious treat. The E-rated racing game � developed by Turn 10 for Microsoft Game Studios � d...

�DJ Hero� in the groove

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Music games are great for guitar heroes and rock bands, but not so hot for dancers. Scratch that! And blend it, too. "DJ Hero" � developed by FreeStyleGames for Activision �...

Money Talk: Consider these factors before refinancing loan

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: When does it make sense to refinance a home? I have a 30-year, fixed-rate jumbo loan. The loan is just over 2 years old with a rate of 6.5 percent. Should I refinance to 5.75 perce...

Use your commissary to save big bucks

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A buddy showed me an article recently touting the 30 percent savings realized by shopping at the commissary. Not being a regular commissary shopper that number got me thinking. My family probab...

Everyone is welcome at a tournament of traditional Japanese sport

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Seeing a sumo tournament live in Japan is a must. I'd seen a clip or two on television, but watching it on the tube doesn't do the sport justice. One might think that anyone can get big and put on a diaper � it's actually called a "mawashi" � and slap another fat guy around a ring a few times.

European H.S. football championships: Alconbury completes rebound from 0-4 with Division III title

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

BAUMHOLDER, Germany � Alconbury's 2009 Tale of Two Seasons ended in the best of times Saturday with a 31-13 victory over Menwith Hill in the DODDS-Europe Division III football championship game...

European H.S. football championships: Bitburg stops Ansbach�s bid for fourth straight Division II title

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

BAUMHOLDER, Germany � Using a hard-nosed running game, Bitburg toppled previously undefeated Ansbach, giving the Barons a 19-6 victory Saturday in the DODDS-Europe Division II football champion...

European H.S. football championships: Ramstein finds footing, claims Division I crown

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

BAUMHOLDER, Germany � Saturday's night's Division I championship won 35-21 by Ramstein over defending champion Heidelberg should have had one of those skidding-car road warning signs along the ...

Naples boys finish season with perfect record, claim European volleyball championship

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Abram Campbell has had a nice run lately. The 6-foot, 4-inch Naples senior was named homecoming king earlier this fall. Saturday, his volleyball team capped an unbeaten season by topping Aviano 25-22, 25-22, 15-25, 25-15 in the finals of the DODDS-Europe boys' championships.

Ramstein girls rule in Division I volleyball

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

DODDS-EUROPE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS RAMSTEIN, Germany � Ramstein returned to the top and Brussels and Black Forest Academy retained their titles before loud crowds Saturday in...

Guam routs JFK in tuneup for AA semis

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Hours before boarding a flight to Okinawa, Jason Brunson and Guam High secured a second straight third-place finish in the Interscholastic Football League playoffs and momentum heading into Tue...

Pacific Scoreboard: Nov. 8, 2009

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Football DODEA Pacific Far East Playoffs Class A Championship Saturday, Nov. 7 Zama at Daegu, 4 p.m. Class AA At Camp Foster, Okinawa S...

Far East H.S. volleyball: DODEA teams� mental outlook has brought them more success

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

That used to be the province of international schools has changed the past four years, with DODEA Pacific schools winning three of the past four Far East high school girls Class A volleyball tournaments: Daegu American in 2005 and Osan American the past two years.

Far East�s many tennis standouts wary of up-and-comers in tourney

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa - Perhaps the most star-studded field ever in the Far East high school tennis tournament takes the court Monday at Kadena's Risner Tennis Complex, with three former cha...

Adoption reform urged

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

During National Adoption Month (November), the "uncommon truth" will have to compete with stories of wonderful reunions and the perpetual myth that if we remove secrecy from adoption,...

Ratings fair measure to use

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

[The writer of] "The influence of AFN news" (letter, Nov. 4), would like American Forces Network to censor its content. I always find it odd that such free thinkers feel the nee...

Ads for immorality

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I read "Commercials also on during TV shows themselves," (Opinion, N.E. Marsden, Nov. 3), which decried the over-the-top product placement in today's television programming. However, ...

Frivolous lawsuits play a role

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In response to the numerous opinions in Stars and Stripes on health care, why doesn't anyone seem to look at the actual problem and not just the symptoms? The symptoms are obvious: Healt...

Where�s the accountability?

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I just read "Going nowhere" (article, Nov. 2), about the dismal job prospects in Detroit. I sympathize with the young people mentioned in the article, but whatever happened to personal...

Don�t cut troop amenities

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I read "Karaoke night, other amusements take a back seat at Kandahar" (Oct. 29, Web). This is not the right thing to do....

Troops deserve perks

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In regard to "Karaoke night, other amusements take a back seat at Kandahar" (Oct. 30), I believe it would be a mistake t...

Experiencing both sides

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I read "The War Room" (Oct. 27) and almost felt embarrassed on behalf of the Air Force. I worked a similar miss...

Every job contributes

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I am saddened to see our leadership is still resistant to the idea that combat stress can only come from personal combat and that the elitist attitude of aviators shown in the letters on the fl...

Heidelberg JV team lauded

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

While they receive no mention in the high school sports summaries, I think it is important and deserved to recognize the Heidelberg junior varsity football team on its tremendous achievement th...

Policy changes can hurt Army

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I do not agree with the Army changing its uniform policy for a soldier based on that person's religion ("Army waives its u...

No sympathy for Creech pilots

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I found it highly ironic that while sitting in western Afghanistan where we just lost 14 Americans in helicopter crashes, I find "

All in this together

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The airmen discussed in "The War Room" (article, Oct. 27) are no more or less proud members of the military than any of ...

Putting selves on a pedestal

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I am completely disgusted with the writers of "Away with prancing unicorns" (letter, Oct. 29) and "'

Don�t insult Creech airmen

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Those who have written in disgust to "The War Room" (article, Oct. 27) have no right to be offended or to be so offensiv...

The Renaissance of G�rlitz

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Our first encounter with G�rlitz was miserable. In 1978 my wife, Heidi, and I traveled to Poland by car. It meant using the transit route through eastern Germany, the DDR, the Deutsche Demokratische Republik, the former communist country of East Germany. To use the transit route, even West Germans needed a visa and they had to use designated border crossings when entering and leaving the DDR. In our case, the border crossing into Poland was at G�rlitz at the Neisse River, the eastern border of East Germany.

Best bets

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Germany: Throughout 2009, Berlin has been celebrating "20 Years Since the Fall of the Wall," the anniversary of the opening of transit points between East and West Berlin. On N...

Let's go

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Hockenheimring package The Hockenheimring racetrack between Heidelberg and Speyer in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg is an international destination, each year hosting the ...

Volksmarch column for the November 5, 2009 edition

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Gene from the Ramstein Roadrunners sent us a report about the club's bus trip to the volksmarch in Dachsenhausen and follow-on trip to the wine festival at Boppard, Germany. Being unfamiliar wi...

Quick Trips: Comforts for creatures

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

"How did they get up there?" I watched, bewildered, as about a dozen mountain goats bounded around a cliff that went up at least 100 feet, bouncing acrobatically up and down ledges to get where they wanted to be in their home away from home.

Money Talk: Parents with good credit can help kids build scores

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: My credit scores are good (over 800 when I refinanced my mortgage last year). I was thinking of listing my son, who is 14, as an authorized user of my credit cards to start establi...

After hours: Plaza House Chinese Restaurant, Okinawa

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

For me and my family, dining here is like meeting a longtime friend. Good food and warm hospitality are something we can fully count on at Plaza House Chinese Restaurant. The 55-year-old restaurant's interior is designed in relaxed wine tones, and cozy booths are spaciously arranged.

Climbing majestic Mount Seorak

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

By the time I realized that climbing to the peak of a very high mountain with nothing between me and a freefall of several hundred feet wasn't such a good idea, there was no turning back.

After hours: Noodle 1 in Stuttgart, Germany

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

If noodles are your thing, there's a cornerside Vietnamese place that should be required eating. But if you do make a stop at Noodle 1 in downtown Stuttgart, Germany, be sure to take a little patience with you.

Homefront: P.E. grade an exercise in blame-laying

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I have been a parent long enough to realize there are at least two sides to every story. In my home, there are usually three different versions, each altered in a way that makes "the other" brothers look guilty.

Spouse calls: Post-move life has ups, downs

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A friend and experienced military wife offered a keen insight about life overseas just before our move to Germany. "You're going to love it," she told us. "But for the first three months, you're going to hate it."

�Ratchet & Clank� twists time

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

When we last saw our heroes, Clank had fallen into the hands of the nefarious Dr. Nefarious and Ratchet was on his way to the rescue.

Take a trip to �Borderlands�

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Badass psycho midgets! You know you're in for an interesting ride when you meet those politically incorrect little people in "Borderlands." The game � developed by Gearbox Software for 2K Games � deftly mixes the role-playing and shooter genres as it dishes out ornery humor, wild battles, exceptional co-op play and cool cell-shaded graphics.

Volksmarch column for the October 29, 2009 edition

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Since we did the "fall back" thing last week, it means daylight will be growing even shorter. It also means it's time to review the tips on one of our favorite types of volksmarch: th...

Germany�s leader of the pack: To study wolves, he must become one, researcher says

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

It's clear who the dominant "wolf" is among the pack of hungry pups. The one in charge lies on the ground, holding the slab of calf meat firmly in his teeth while the fair-coated Arctic canines tear off pieces of raw tendon and flesh. Between bites, they crawl playfully over his back all the while adhering to the group hierarchy, which means they don't abscond with the meal, however tasty.

Europe�s creepy places: Even when it�s not Halloween, boneyards and damp, creaky places can chill the bones

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Haunted house attractions and ghost tours can be a lot of fun during the Halloween season. But some things are naturally spooky, without the fake blood or recorded howls.

Let's go

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Winter tours Stuck for winter fun ideas? Here are two possibilities from Meyer Group Travel. � One is to take a Christmas cruise on the Main and Rhine rivers Dec. 21-28 a...

Best bets

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

England: Starting Monday, festive winter wonderland scenes will brighten the way for shoppers on London's Regent and Oxford streets with the ceremonial turning on of Christmas lights.

Stories in this week's U.S. edition

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Monster links: Castles share name with horror classic

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Interested in visiting Frankenstein's castle this Halloween? In western Germany, you have two good options � one with a tenuous link to Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, the other only to its name.

Marine Corps Marathon Interviews

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

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2009 Marine Corps Marathon

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

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34th annual Marine Corps Marathon Expo, Washington, DC

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

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Money Talk: Cheaper ways to pay down credit card debt

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: I'm trying to pay off credit card debt and was told to call my issuers to negotiate a rate lower than what I'm currently paying, which is about 8 percent. One issuer lowered the ra...

After hours: Dream Factory, Tokyo, Japan

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Searching for the perfect pizza is more about the journey than about fulfilling the impossible dream. It is a path that more often leads to frozen dough and processed cheese than to the...

After hours: Al Lido, Pordenone, Italy

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The origins of the largest city near Aviano Air Base date before recorded history. But its name, changed a bit with the passing of time, originally meant "river port." The Med...

Homefront: The scariest Halloween story yet

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I did a bit of research before writing this Halloween column, and what I discovered out there scared me. Children who go trick-or-treating Saturday night will have a new type of "treat&quo...

Spouse calls: Portion for Orphans gives back

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Sally Lockett's position at the helm of an international organization takes her around the world � China, Russia, Peru, India, Nepal, Thailand � but she's no jet setter. No swanky hotels for th...

Review: Aion

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Aerial combat isn't just for jet fighters anymore. In the new online role-playing game "Aion," characters sprout wings and soar into the sky to meet their opponents. The T-rate...

Three ways to play detective

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Armchair detectives have plenty of opportunities to hone their sleuthing skills this season. Two games for the Nintendo DS and one for the Wii offer puzzles to ponder and crimes to solv...

�Operation Flashpoint� offers squad-based action

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

If you've gotta slay a dragon, it's best to call in the Marines. That's what happens in "Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising." In the M-rated squad-based shooter from Code...

The Space-A files: One man�s courageous story of survival on space-available travel with his pregnant wife, toddler son

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

It was humid. Our bags required an insane, mind-boggling amount of patience. But, physically, emotionally, we were done. Before us � my pregnant wife, 2-year-old son and me � was the daunting task of getting our seven bags of luggage from Naval Air Facility Atsugi to Yokota Air Base, where our car was parked. From there, we would drive to our home in Tokyo.

Volksmarch column for the October 22, 2009 edition

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Don't forget that Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday. Be sure to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night and then get up early to enjoy the extra hour of walking!

Fall river splendor: Don�t miss the Danube near Regensburg, Germany

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The 1,785-mile course of the Danube river between the Black Forest and the Black Sea flows through some fantastic scenery. But for a mixture of natural and man-made beauty, it is hard to beat the stretch in Bavaria between the Danube Gorge and the city of Regensburg

Let's go

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Edelweiss deals Through November, if you can get a few days free to add onto your weekend at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch, Germany, you can take 20 percent off the ...

Best bets

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

France: Check out the Paris contemporary-art scene and talk to the artists Tuesday through Nov. 1 at the city's annual Grand March� d'Art Contemporain, held outdoors on the Place de la B...

Reviving the Renaissance

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A new art exhibit honoring Caterina de' Medici opened in Rome on Friday at the Complesso del Vittoriano in the city center, just down the road from the Coliseum.

Quick Trips: Auto show

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Take a trip through the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, and you will understand why German engineering has become so iconic.

Money talk: How to dig yourself out of student loan default

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: I'm in default on my student loans. I don't know how many there are, I don't know who owns them, and I don't know how to start paying them off. I've had a debt-collectio...

After hours: Gecko�s Terrace Restaurant and Bar, Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Brunch. For many, the term brings to mind quaint, after-church gatherings, fresh fruit set out just so and dainty napkins available to dab the corners of little mouths. For the ...

After hours: Maharaja, Homburg, Germany

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The German word for spicy, scharf, is peppered in Som Dhingra's conversations at Maharaja, his authentic Indian restaurant in Homburg. The avuncular owner, who has lived in Germany for m...

Homefront: Daytime TV now a little darker

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I was more than a little sad when I heard the news several months ago that "Guiding Light" was finally going to air its last episode, but I wasn't surprised. Daytime soap oper...

Spouse calls: Writing the military experience

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The sweet voice on the phone was not what I expected when I called Gunnery Sgt. Sally Drumm, U.S. Marine Corps, Ret. What I knew about the 52-year-old former drill instructor, I learned from he...

Review: �Zombie Apocalypse'

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Most real Americans can't get enough of zombies. Whenever we're not watching Woody Harrelson serenade a brain-eating ghoul on the banjo, we're blasting away at them with our own digital shotguns.

Boost for �Wii Fit�

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

People are different, so their workouts need to be different. "Wii Fit Plus" � the updated and expanded version of Nintendo's popular fitness game � lets you arrange its various activities to suit your needs and interests. It also adds more than 20 new tasks to the lineup of yoga, aerobic, strength and balance activities that were available in the original "Wii Fit."

'Brutal Legend' rocks but doesn�t roll

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

"Br�tal Legend" is a heavy-metal dream come true.The adventure game from Electronic Arts was created by Tim Schafer and Double Fine to satisfy all those fantasies engendered by Molly Hatchet album covers in the 1980s. It's wild. It's dark. It's brutal. It's packed with headbanging classics. It's also amusing, thanks to an exceptionally good script and the talents of such stars as Jack Black, who voices the hero Eddie Riggs, and Tim Curry, who voices the evil Doviculus.

Gung ho about cars?: Take a tour of Mazda�s Hiroshima factory

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In a scene from the 1986 movie "Gung Ho," Michael Keaton's character, a union leader, is trying to convince the local auto plant's new managers, a group of stuffy salary men flown in from Japan, that there is a problem among the American workers

Money Talk: How to dig yourself out of student loan default

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: I'm in default on my student loans. I don't know how many there are, I don't know who owns them, and I don't know how to start paying them off. I've had a debt-collect...

Travel tales: A natural Spilt: Croatian city�s Roman palace adds to its innate beauty

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Looking for a fascinating vacation spot that combines ancient history with natural beauty? Consider Split, Croatia. Split, the largest city along Croatia's Adriatic coast is a hub for bus...

Rebirth of London�s docks gives capital a shiny, new look

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Thames is the second longest river in the United Kingdom, flowing from Gloucestershire in the west to the North Sea in the east. On its way it runs through London, where on or near its banks are several of the capital's famous sights: the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben, the London Eye, the Globe Theater and the Tower of London, to name a few.

Fine museums, big meals: Go inside to find Mulhouse�s best features

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Mulhouse is probably best seen on a rainy day. Why? Because most of its top attractions are museums. The auto, train and wall paper museums all get high marks from travel guides.

French town built on faith: Pilgrimage site became ground for Thann�s splendid church

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The small Alsatian town of Thann owes its existence to money and faith. Thann, about 15 miles west of Mulhouse in eastern France, once sat at a key spot in the trade route running from Fr...

Best Bets

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

England: The advantage of going to a movie festival in England is that so much of it is in English. This year's BFI Film Festival in London, which runs through Oct. 29, will be showing n...

Let's Go

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Looking for ghosts Want to get in the mood for Halloween? Try a visit to the Oxford Castle in Oxford, England, for two weeks of ghost hunts, seances, and sessions with psychics and il...

Volksmarch column for the October 15 edition

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Heidelberg International Wandering Club's annual walk was another big success, according to the club's Cath and Rob Floyd. In spite of the higher tempo of operations and recent deployments, mor...

Get your veg on: Commissaries full of oft-ignored, healthful options

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dr. (Lt. Col.) John Vogel suggests a simple nutrition test: Take a good look around the section of the commissary where fruits and vegetables are sold. If you see a lot of things you aren't eating � or don't even know the names of � you've failed.

Artistic Rovereto: Italian city offers modern museums, colorful churches

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

If it weren't for Autostrada 22, the city of Rovereto, Italy, would be even farther off the main tourist routes. So it might be somewhat surprising to run across the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Trento and Rovereto in the small city along the Adige River.