The Point: News From the Front

vol. III, 1st Edition, 7 April 2006


While commercial media and disingenuous detractors nip at the edges of the courage and sacrifice of our Men and Women in Uniform, I bring you this report:

** haystack's needles: **

Interview with Gen. Kimmitt: March 8, 2006 with Hugh Hewitt

Turn off the TV, unplug the Ipod(tm)...listen to this!

Call to Action

"As a result of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, many people felt compelled to join the military. While every military member's service is valued, in recognition of the upcoming third anniversary of the terrorist attacks, we're featuring the stories of some of those who answered America's call to action this week."

Heroes in Action

The Medal of Honor: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in actual combat against an armed enemy force.



Distinguished Service Cross: For extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force



Distinguished Service Medal: For meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United States armed forces



Silver Star: For gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force



Legion of Merit: For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements



Distinguished Flying Cross: For any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in combat in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918



Soldier's Medal:For any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy


Bronze Star Medal:For any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after December 6, 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party


Meritorious Service Medal:For members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969


Air Medal:For any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself/herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight


Army Commendation Medal:For sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For actions where such performance was in direct contact with an enemy force, the Valor device is authorized as an attachment to the decoration


Army Achievement Medal:To recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel


Purple Heart:For those who have been wounded or killed while serving in, or with, the U.S. military after April 5, 1917

Special Focus: "America Supports YOU"

A nationwide program launched by the Department of Defense, recognizes citizens' support for our military men and women and communicates that support to members of our Armed Forces at home and abroad.

Soldier's Angels:

Charities of the Week: Easter is coming! PLEASE consider these 2 great ways to say thank you to the Troops:

Help our Soldiers Call Home


Send a Package to a Soldier

	Eight Strategic Pillars to Victory in Iraq:
	Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgency Transition Iraq to Security Self-Reliance Help Iraqis Forge a National Compact for Democratic Government Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy Help Iraq Strengthen the Rule of Law and Promote Civil Rights Increase International Support for Iraq Strengthen Public Understanding of Coalition Efforts and Public Isolation of the Insurgents
	The President Discusses Global War on Terror The President Discusses Democracy in Iraq with Freedom House The President discusses Freedom and Democracy in Iraq Strategy for Victory: Freedom in Iraq
	** UPDATED: Whitehouse Releases "National Security Strategy" ** Champion Aspirations for Human Dignity Strengthen Alliances to Defeat Global Terrorism and Work to Prevent Attacks Against Us and Our Friends Work with Others to Defuse Regional Conflicts Prevent Our Enemies from Threatening Us, Our Allies, and Our Friends with Weapons of Mass Destruction Ignite a New Era of Global Economic Growth through Free Markets and Free Trade Expand the Circle of Development by Opening Societies and Building the Infrastructure of Democracy Develop Agendas for Cooperative Action with the Other Main Centers of Global Power Transform America’s National Security Institutions to Meet the Challenges and Opportunities of the 21st Century Engage the Opportunities and Confront the Challenges of Globalization

	UPDATED: US State Department Iraq Weekly Status Report:
	** Highlights through 5 April 2006: ** 1. Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgents 2. Transition Iraq to Security Self-Reliance 3. Help Iraqis to Forge a National Compact for Democratic Government 4. Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services 5. Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy 6. Help Iraq Strengthen the Rule of Law 7. Increase International Support for Iraq 8. Strengthen Public Understanding of Coalition Efforts and Public Isolation of the Insurgents
	Dept. Of State Section 1227 Report on Iraq: 6 April, 2006 ** Highlights ** 1. Current mission and and measures taken to support it 2. Iraqi progress towards a sustainable political settlement 3. Conditions necessary for a transfer of security responsibility 4. Iraqi security forces capacity and readiness which contribute to the transfer of security responsibility 5. Criteria used to evaluate progress in that area 6. Our plan for successfully completing the mission Dept. of State Section 2207 Quarterly Report on Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Funding and Expenditures [January 2006]

	US Embassy in Iraq: Latest Headlines
	Iraqi People Looking to Leaders To Form Government, Bush Says United States Condemns Bombing of Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, Iraq Defense Department Seeks $5.2 Billion for Special Operations Forces New Human Rights and Democracy Report Highlights U.S. Efforts

	USAID: Assistance for Iraq
	Program Financial Summary through 31 March 2006 Restoring Iraq’s Agricultural Sector USAid Press Releases USAID Hosts Forum With Middle Eastern-American Leaders Indonesian Islamic Leaders to Gather in Washington To Discuss and Strengthen US-Indonesian Relations Senate Confirms Randall L. Tobias As Administrator for USAID

	US Department of Defense
	** NEW: Quadrennial Defense Review Report [from 2001 but a MUST read] ** "The attack on the United States and the war that has been visited upon us highlights a fundamental condition of our circumstances: we cannot and will not know precisely where and when America's interests will be threatened, when America will come under attack, or when Americans might die as the result of aggression. We can be clear about trends, but uncertain about events. We can identify threats, but cannot know when or where America or its friends will be attacked. We should try mightily to avoid surprise, but we must also learn to expect it. We must constantly strive to get better intelligence, but we must also remember that there will always be gaps in our intelligence. Adapting to surprise - adapting quickly and decisively - must therefore be a condition of planning. The Quadrennial Defense Review was undertaken during a crucial time of transition to a new era. Even before the attack of September 11, 2001, the senior leaders of the Defense Department set out to establish a new strategy for America's defense that would embrace uncertainty and contend with surprise, a strategy premised on the idea that to be effective abroad, America must be safe at home. It sought to set the conditions to extend America's influence and preserve America's security. The strategy that results is built around four key goals that will guide the development of U.S. forces and capabilities, their deployment and use: Assuring allies and friends of the United States' steadiness of purpose and its capability to fulfill its security commitments Dissuading adversaries from undertaking programs or operations that could threaten U.S. interests or those of our allies and friends Deterring aggression and coercion by deploying forward the capacity to swiftly defeat attacks and impose severe penalties for aggression on an adversary's military capability and supporting infrastructure Decisively defeating any adversary if deterrence fails" National Military Strategic Plan for the War on Terrorism National Military Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction
	UPDATED: US Department of Defense War on Terror - Current Headlines: Bush Defends Iraq War for Short-Term Protection, Long-Term Peace U.S., British Defense Chiefs: Now is Time to Stand Firm Hiring Initiative Allows IED Survivors to Fight Back Determined Manhunt Leads to Major Terrorist Catch Integrated Cyber Network Will Save Lives, DoD Official Says Commanders Share Ideas on Provincial Reconstruction Teams Case of Accused Teen Terrorist Hits More Legal Roadblocks ** IN FOCUS: Alternatives to the MSM ** AFIS News Aricles Stars & Stripes Web Special Reports The Pentagon Media Channel [Windows Media 7.1 required] Defense Visual Information

	US Central Command
	** FULL STATEMENT OF GENERAL JOHN P. ABIZAID BEFORE THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE ON THE 2006 POSTURE OF THE UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 14 MARCH 2006 **
	** Press Releases **
	DETERMINED MANHUNT LEADS TO MAJOR CATCH: IRAQI TERRORIST LEADER WANTED FOR MURDERS, KIDNAPPINGS, ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS AND INTIMIDATION CORPSMEN TREAT GIRLS INJURED BY LAND MINE INSURGENT KILLED IN URUZGAN ENGAGEMENT AFGHAN, COALITION AVIATORS TO BEGIN JOINT MISSIONS COMMANDERS SHARE IDEAS ON PROVINCIAL RECONSTRUCTION TEAMS COALITION FORCES DESTROY ROCKET IN GHAZNI PROVINCE CCCI CONVICTS 22 INSURGENTS 1ST BRIGADE, 4TH IRAQI ARMY DIVISION ASSUMES SECURITY RESONSIBILITIES COALITION FORCES CAPTURE NINE TERRORISTS IN YUSIFIYAH COALITION FORCE RESCUES THREE HOSTAGES ** IN FOCUS: What Extremists are Saying **

	Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq
	Multi-National Security Transition Command: Press Releases 04 April :: Troops nab five, seize cache 04 April :: Troops detain four in Khalidiyah 04 April :: Three detained, cache found near Karabilah 04 April :: Suspects detained near Ramadi 04 April :: Suspected triggerman nabbed in Fallujah 04 April :: Cache found, cleared near Ramadi 03 April :: Troops net cache near Hit

Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System

DVIDS Headlines: Bayji Security Agencies Work Together for the Good of the City Visiting Villages MND-B Commander Briefs Pentagon Press Club Iraqi, MND-B Soldiers Find Weapons Caches During Patrols IA, MND-B Soldiers Secure Safety for Pilgrims 526th BSB Secures 2nd BCT,101st Abn. Div. Area of Operation 988th MPs Ship Forensic Equipment to Al Hillah Crime Lab ** NEW: Image Gallery ** Military Branch and Unit Publications Featured Editions This Week: Anconda Times Desert Voice ** NEW: Air Force News** ** NEW: Army News** ** NEW: Navy News** ** NEW: Marine News**

America is fighting a war against Terrorism. On September 11, 2001 we were forced to say so publicly. Before that day, this sleeping giant was content to swipe at individual acts as they happened. When 3,000 of our souls were taken from us, we emerged on the other side having survived, but finding ourselves as a Nation mortally wounded. When the fires were finally put out, and as many of the bodies identified and claimed as possible, we arose from the ashes to face our enemy with resolve and righteous indignation. The phrase "Never Forget" meant something then, and for those engaged in the fight, it still means something today. We are in a war, and we must win.



Today, the two most active theaters of this war are Afghanistan and Iraq. Our Civilian leadership and our brave men and women in uniform are fighting for US, and in our stead. We owe them loyalty, support, honor, and commitment. Not through Political machines; power-hungry self-important aspirants to the halls of Congress or the Whitehouse, but through our direct involvement with, and understanding of the evils they face and the accomplishments they continue to make with dignity, courage, and faithful execution of the mission.

Now, go out and seek the truth from those who fight for all of us each and every day