A Memorial Day to Remember
National concert to honor heroes from past and present.

Actor and World War II veteran Ossie Davis, singer Charlotte Church, actor Tony Danza, and various other performers will join the National Symphony Orchestra May 26 at 8 p.m. (Eastern time) on the west lawn of the Capitol for the National Memorial Day Concert. This year's concert will pay tribute to America's armed forces in Afghanistan, the victims of Sept. 11, and the survivors of the Bataan Death March during World War II.

"This year our goal was daunting," says executive producer Jerry Colbert. "New challenges face us as we broaden the scope ... to acknowledge the events of Sept. 11 as well as the earlier memories of war and sacrifice. At the same time, we also want to embody the spirit of hope for our country."

The 90-minute concert will feature musical performances, archival footage, and appearances from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard B. Myers, USAF; the other Joint Chiefs of Staff; and color guards from each of the armed forces.

The concert will be broadcast by PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) and aired overseas via the Armed Forces Radio and Television network.

Veterans Given Preference

If you want a shot at one of the new private-sector or federal jobs created to increase airport security, President George W. Bush has given you an in. Per the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration is developing airport security personnel hiring standards that give preference to military veterans who retired after a career in service.

"With the men and women of the armed forces now in harm's way in the war on terrorism, it's entirely appropriate that the legislation born of the Sept. 11 attack acknowledge the value our veterans bring to the workforce," says Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi.

For air marshal positions, contact the Aviation Careers Division via e-mail: 9-amc-amh-300@mmacmail.jccbi.gov. For security screener positions, call the Department of Transportation Connection at (800) 525-2878, or send your name and e-mail address to: screener@ost.dot.gov.

A National Confidence Boost

According to The Harris Confidence Index, after almost 30 years of lagging confidence, Americans feel more confident in their government and military leaders today than they have since the Vietnam War.

The poll, taken each January, measures the confidence Americans have in the leaders of 14 federal institutions and computes a score based on the replies. This year, the index reached 65, compared to 55 in 2001, 60 in 1999, and 42 in 1997. The current measurement is the highest since 1973 when the index stood at 69. This recent large jump primarily can be attributed to three big changes in the last 12 months:

	Confidence in military leaders rose from 44 percent to 71 percent.
	Confidence in the White House has more than doubled from 21 percent to 50 percent.
	Confidence in the executive branch of the federal government rose from 20 percent to 33 percent.

For more information about this survey or the Harris Confidence Index, visit its Web site, available via TROA's links page, www.troa.org/magazine/links.asp.

Goodbye, EdPlus

Due to a lower-than-expected demand for TROA's EdPlus low interest loan program, as of April 9, 2002, the program has been permanently discontinued.

For information on other available avenues of financial aid, please visit the educational aid section of TROA's Web Base, www.troa.org/education/edplus.asp.