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More Military Lighting Up
For the first time in 20 years there has been an increase in
smoking among military personnel, according to a DoD survey
conducted in 2002. Heavy drinking also was up among servicemembers.
“These findings … are not entirely surprising given the military’s
role in worldwide events throughout the past two years,” says Dr.
William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for Health
Affairs.
According to the report, 33.8 percent said they smoked, and 18.1
percent said they consumed five or more drinks per occasion at least
once a week. DoD surveyed 12,500 active duty servicemembers at 30
installations about various health behaviors. Respondents were
selected randomly to provide a cross section of men and women in all
pay grades of the active force worldwide.
Memorial Concert Remembers D-Day
The National Memorial Day Concert, an annual tradition that
honors the bravery and sacrifice of U.S. servicemembers, will
celebrate its 15th year on the air by offering a special segment
on the 60th anniversary of D-Day, the World War II Allied
landing at Normandy. This year’s concert also will pay tribute
to the troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, with a special
focus on wounded servicemembers, and will offer the stories of
children who have lost parents to war.
Ossie Davis, actor and World War II veteran, will reprise his
role as host and will be joined by the U.S. Joint Chiefs of
Staff; actor Charles Durning, a U.S. Army veteran of Normandy;
and actor Joe Mantegna. The National Symphony Orchestra, under
the direction of conductor Erich Kunzel, will perform. The
program will feature a mix of musical performances, dramatic
readings, and archival footage. The event will be broadcast live
on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol before an audience
of more than 350,000 on Sunday, May 30, at 8 p.m., Eastern time.
No Drivers Wanted
The Mojave Desert was the setting this spring for a race like no
other—one with plenty of fast cars, but no drivers. Fifteen teams
put their robotic vehicles to the test across rugged terrain to help
revolutionize warfare.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Grand Challenge
offered a $1 million prize to the team whose vehicle could complete
the 142-mile route in less than 10 hours. None of the teams,
however, was able to finish the race, with some vehicles making it
seven miles and some only one.
The vehicles set off on a course over utility roads, switchbacks,
and steep climbs without a driver behind the wheel or navigators
using remote control. Competitors included high-tech companies,
colleges and universities, and amateur inventors.
Military planners want to introduce autonomous vehicles in combat to
help keep more troops out of harm’s way. The vehicles could be used
to deliver supplies over long distances.
The race will be held again in the next year or two, with the prize
still to be won.
Purple Heart Finds a Home
In the spring of 1783, officers of Gen. George Washington’s Army
met in New York’s Hudson Valley to swap stories of courage on the
battlefield. America’s first soldiers were recognized for their
service with a purple piece of cloth in the shape of a heart.
Now, more than 200 years later, the National Purple Heart Hall of
Honor will be established at the same site, the New Windsor
Cantonment. The memorial will recognize more than 2 million American
servicemembers who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal for
being wounded in combat or killed in action. The staff at the New
Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site will collect thousands of
stories of medal winners, along with their photographs, documents,
videotaped interviews, personal mementos, and military artifacts.
The information will be made available to the public through
exhibits, education programs, and the Internet.
To register information on Purple Heart recipients or for more
information, contact the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site,
P.O. Box 207, Vails Gate, NY 12584, (845) 561-1765.
Nashville!
MOAA is gearing up for its 2004 Convention in Nashville, Tenn.,
Oct. 13-17. The convention is sure to be MOAA’s finest ever,
offering fun, food, music, camaraderie, and a host of informational
sessions. Home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole
Opry, Nashville is a city rich in history, commerce, and
entertainment.
moaa has reserved a block of rooms for its members at the downtown
Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Make room reservations online at
www.renaissancehotels.com
or call the hotel directly at (800) 327-6618. See you in Nashville!
Committee Picks Nominees
In late April a committee of seven MOAA members who are on
neither the board nor the staff met at MOAA headquarters to select a
slate of 12 nominees to the MOAA board.
The nominating committee consisted of:
Gen. Ronald H. Griffith, USA-Ret.;
Cmdr. Leighton M. Royston, USNR-Ret.;
Lt. Col. Edward L. Marvin, USAF-Ret.;
Gen. Joseph P. Hoar, USMC-Ret.; Adm. James S. Gracey, USCG-Ret.;
Capt. David H. Peterson, NOAA-Ret.; Capt. Penni St. Hilaire, USPHS-Ret.
The nominees will stand for election late this summer.
Calling All Rosies
Was there a “Rosie the Riveter” in your family? If so, she
has a story, and it’s time to tell it. A nationwide effort is
under way to collect the memories and memorabilia of World War
II’s working women. Already more than 4,000 Rosies and their
families have shared stories and artifacts that will become part
of Rosie the Riveter National Park in Richmond, Calif.
The designation “Rosie the Riveter” comes from Rose Will Monroe
(right), who worked at an aircraft factory during the war. In
1942 she appeared in a film encouraging women to join the
workforce, and later her likeness was used in the popular “We
Can Do It!” poster. As a result, “Rosie” came to symbolize each
of the millions of women who filled factory jobs and maintained
the country’s labor force as men fought overseas.
Rosie the Riveter National Park, at the site of a former Kaiser
Shipyard, won’t be complete for several years. But visitors can
view the Rosie the Riveter memorial sculpture. This summer, a
ship built during World War II will be displayed, and the
Richmond City Hall will house a Rosie exhibit. If you have a
Rosie story, call (800) 497-6743 or visit
www.ford.com/go/rosie.
— Maryann Hammers
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