Today's Focus:
The Joint Korean War 60th Anniversary Commemoration Committee
SENIOR LEADERS ARE SAYING
"Staff Sergeant Giunta, repeatedly and without hesitation, you charged forward through extreme enemy fire, embodying the warrior ethos that says, “I will never leave a fallen comrade. You may believe that you don’t deserve this honor, but it was your fellow Soldiers who recommended you for it … This medal today is a testament to his uncommon valor, but also to the parents and the community that raised him; the military that trained him; and all the men and women who served by his side. All of them deserve our enduring thanks and gratitude."
- President Barack Obama, while presenting the Medal of Honor Tuesday to the first active-duty servicemember, Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta, in nearly 40 years.
Obama presents Medal of Honor to Soldier at White House
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"I'm incredibly proud of my service … I've given blood, sweat and tears for this country and I know some great men and women that have died for this country. I'm glad that I can say I'm part of the stars and stripes and the men and women that serve every single day."
- Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta, on receiving the Medal of Honor
Obama presents Medal of Honor to Soldier at White House
CALENDAR
2010-2013: 60th Anniversary of the Korean War
November 2010
Military Family Appreciation Month (Presidential Proclamation)
Warrior Care Month (Warrior Transition command)
Native American Heritage Month
Nov. 11: Veteran's Day - visit U.S. Army Veterans website
Nov. 16 & 17: Medal of Honor White House & Pentagon ceremonies for Staff Sgt. Salvatore A. Giunta
Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Holiday
TODAY'S FOCUS
The Joint Korean War 60th Anniversary Commemoration Committee
What is it?
The Korean War 60th Anniversary Commemoration Committee (60th AKWCC) was formed by the Department of Defense to thank and honor all the veterans of the Korean War, their families and especially those who lost loved ones in that war.
The Committee observed the beginning of the Korean War on June 25, 2010 at the Pentagon, with a host of dignitaries and veterans in the audience. Col. David J. Clark, director of the 60th AKWCC, honored and thanked the veterans who served with honor and distinction: "Through your heroic actions, the tide of communism on the Korean Peninsula was halted and the foundation was laid for today's modern, vibrant Republic of Korea."
What has the Army done?
Veterans Day 2010 presented an opportunity for the Committee to recognize the sacrifices of those who served during the years 1950-1953. Outreach events included a historic Veterans Day parade in New York City and observances in the National Capital Region and in Baltimore, Maryland. The 60th AKWCC continues to take shape and now includes three Soldiers (in addition to the Executive Director) and two Army civilians who will be actively engaged in planning and supporting outreach initiatives. Other service branches are providing staff so as to underscore that this is a Department of Defense initiative.
What efforts does the Army have planned for the future?
To educate the public about the "Forgotten Victory," the Committee will organize local, regional and national observances that will generally follow the timeline of key events as they transpired 60 years ago.
Why is this important to the Army?
The Korean War was the first test of the United Nations' resolve to stand against tyranny in all its forms. Twenty-one nations joined the United States and South Korea in a display of solidarity to turn back naked aggression and stem the tide of communism.
The Soldiers who shivered in the trenches and trekked through knee-deep mud exemplify the selfless sacrifice required in the defense of Freedom. One hundred thirty one Medals of Honor were awarded for "conspicuous gallantry" in the Korean War: 79 were presented to Soldiers. Their legacy is today's Army and our Soldiers stand on their remarkable achievements.
Furthermore, when the Korean War is viewed through the prism of recent hostilities between North Korea and the Republic of South Korea, we are reminded that we must remain ever vigilant against the forces of tyranny and oppression.
Resource:
Related STAND-TO! edition : June 25, 2010: 60th Anniversary of the Korean War
60th Anniversary of the Korean War website
U.S. Army Veterans website
STAND-TO! NEWS
ABOUT THE ARMY
- Obama presents Medal of Honor (Los Angeles Times)
- Rare honor for a living service member (New York Times)
- Medal of Honor recipient Salvatore Giunta 'as humble as he is heroic' (ABC News)
- My wife is my rock, MOH recipient says (The U.S. Army)
- Fort Bliss unit changes command, takes on systems-testing mission (Fayetteville Observer)
- Multinational test held at White Sands (The U.S. Army)
- Children of deployed more likely to seek mental health care (The U.S. Army)
- U.S. Army holds first master resilience course in Korea (The U.S. Army)
- Soldiers share combat perspective with Army scientists (The U.S. Army)
OVERSEAS OPERATIONS
- Under new plan, U.S. troops will stay in Afghanistan till 2014 (McClatchy Newspapers)
- Afghanistan: Is 2014 the new 2011 for Pentagon war planners? (Christian Science Monitor)
- To save lives, NATO is razing booby-trapped Afghan homes (New York Times)
- U.S. military leaders in Afghanistan say nighttime raids an advantage (Courier Journal)
- Kabul is offered wider role in U.S. missions (Wall Street Journal)
OF INTEREST
- Pentagon stops shielding senior mentors from disclosure (USA Today)
- History of American fighting women celebrated at WIMSA (The U.S. Army)
- U.S. sees "huge" cyber threat in the future (Yahoo)
- Soldier's shots may not have killed Afghan man, lawyer tells hearing (Seattle Times)
- Trial recommendation for Fort Hood suspect sealed (Washington Post)
- ESPN brings 'touch of America' to U.S. Army Europe (The U.S. Army)
- Opinion: New gay Army (Washington Times)
WORLD VIEW
- Obama gives Medal of Honor to Soldier for Afghan feats (BBC)
- Gates says Iran leadership rift over nuclear sanctions (BBC)
- Talks with Taliban 'are being exaggerated' (BBC)
- Obama hopes on nuclear arms fades (Al Jazeera)
- Afghanistan could face 'eye-watering violence' after troops leave (Guardian)
- Mission beyond 2011 will send 950 soldiers across Afghanistan (The Globe and Mail)
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SOCIAL MEDIA