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Posted on Dec 18, 2006 in Armchair Reading, Front Page Features

ACG WebOps (10-16 December 2006)

Jim H. Moreno

Welcome to WebOps, Armchair General’s weekly recon of links to military history news, articles, websites, and more. This week, WebOps links you to a happy birthday shout out to the National Guard and for a newly-born stealth fighter, to links that are shouting out for the return of honor and integrity in writing and journalism, especially in the field of military history, and a whole lot more. Clicks away!

News

Tuskegee Airmen Record Disputed – Military.com

A heroic tale of awesome bravery and skill by some of the finest American warriors who ever served just may get rewritten as this investigation moves forward. I agree with the point made in the article, though: the group’s history should be made as accurate as possible.

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Ambassadors to honor female WWII spy – Yahoo! News

Her name was Virginia Hall, she had an artificial leg, and she was once considered "the most dangerous of all Allied spies" by the Gestapo.

Sarajevo’s war damage totaled $18.5 billion: study – Yahoo! News

Just over ten years after the once-Olympic city of Sarajevo and its people were nearly destroyed comes this report. It’s just a number to some, but to those who have been to downtown Sarajevo, seen the damage in person, and spent time with the citizens of Bosnia, it’s something that you just can’t put a dollar sign to.

Web site celebrates National Guard birthday, history – Army.mil/News

Happy Birthday!

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Stealth Fighter Completes First Flight – PR Newswire

Air defense units of the world, take heed! The F-35 Lightning II has arrived!

Germans File WWII Claims Against Poland – Newsday.com

The post-World War Two tensions between Germany and Poland seem like they will never subside.

Articles

Maj. Andrew R. English, military history buff – Stars & Stripes

The Stars & Stripes profiles the Major in a recent Pacific Spotlight section.

Bush’s March to the (Mediterranean) Sea – American Thinker

Believe it or not, there are still people the world over who think a simple retreat from fighting the Global War on Terrorism in the Iraq theater is a good idea. Using examples from military history (there’s a big message there, people), Patrick Poole explains another possible strategy to consider.

Military Shop is a walk through history – azcentral.com

A brief look into former Marine and museum curator Dixon L. Poole’s Military Shop in Peoria, Arizona.

Military Historian Lt. Col Robert Bateman Takes Apart AP’s ‘Burning Sunnis’ Tale – NewsBusters.org

The intrepid and self-titled "lousy writer" Lt. Col. Bateman is again hounding the Associated Press. But they make it so easy, sometimes. If you are unfamiliar with Col. Bateman, please check out his article No War Crime at No Gun Ri in Armchair General’s January 2007 (Volume III, No. 6) issue.

Why I Hate WW II – eXile

eXile is an alternative newspaper based in Moscow. Can’t say much about the article (you’ll just have to read it), but at least the author placed one of my favorite Winston Churchill photos with it.

Announcements

BATTLESHIP MISSOURI MEMORIAL SAYS ‘THANK YOU’ WITH CREW MEMBERS DAY, JAN. 27

PEARL HARBOR – Exclusive sneak peaks into previously off-limits spaces aboard the battleship MISSOURI, a boat tour of Pearl Harbor and stories from its Hawaiian and military history, and accounts of life at sea from the world’s last battleship captain … these are a few highlights being planned for the USS Missouri Memorial Association’s 7th annual Crew Members Day on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007. Held each year in honor of the Mighty Mo’s supporters, Crew Members Day 2007 will mark the 63rd anniversary of the battleship’s launching from New York Naval Shipyard.

"Crew Members Day is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to participants in our ‘Heroes of the Mighty Mo’ membership program," said Don Hess, president and chief operating officer of the association. "We have quite a full day in store for 2007 participants. Activities will include the opportunity to be among the first to experience the newest addition onboard the battleship – the CPO Legacy Center. Located in Chiefs’ Country, the first-of-its-kind CPO Legacy Center is dedicated to the legacy of the Navy’s Chief Petty Officers."

Retired U.S. Navy Captain Albert Lee Kaiss, the 20th and 23rd captain of the USS Missouri, will also share his experiences and recollections as the world’s last battleship captain. A resident of San Diego, Captain Kaiss is traveling to Hawaii for Crew Members Day – a trip made possible by the generosity of Hawaiian Airlines and Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, which have donated airfare and accommodations for Kaiss and his wife.

Each year, Crew Members Day features behind-the-scenes tours of operations at the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor and interaction with staff and volunteers to answer questions about current and future programs, exhibits and events. In 2007, participants will experience a significantly expanded and detailed tour compared to previous years, complete with historical experiences and tours that go beyond the MISSOURI. The day’s activities will include:

7:30 a.m. Shuttle ride to USS Utah Memorial on Ford Island
8:00 a.m. Flag raising ceremony at the USS Utah Memorial (afterward, participants will re-board the shuttle for transport to the Battleship Missouri Memorial)
8:45 a.m. History of Pearl Harbor by Kamaki Kanahele
9:30 a.m. "White Boat" tour of Pearl Harbor departing from Pier Foxtrot 2
10:30 a.m. Tour of CPO (Chief Petty Officer) Legacy Center
11:30 a.m. Lunch
12:15 p.m. Experiences and recollections of the USS Missouri’s last captain, Captain Lee Kaiss (the world’s last battleship captain)

Crew Members Day is an exclusive benefit for participants in the USS Missouri Memorial Association’s "Heroes of the Mighty Mo" membership program. However, those who are not currently members but wish to participate in Crew Members Day can still do so if they sign up for a membership by Jan. 19. A membership would also make a great gift for the Holidays. For more information, call (808) 423-1260 or e-mail development@ussmissouri.org.

The USS MISSOURI is the world’s last battleship, best known for her role as the site of Japan’s formal World War II Instrument of Surrender. Following an astounding career spanning five decades and three wars – WWII, Korea and Operation Desert Storm – the 887-foot, 45,000-ton "Mighty Mo" is now open to visitors in Pearl Harbor as the Battleship Missouri Memorial. She remains an American icon under the tireless care of the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a private Hawaii-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to create and maintain a fitting memorial to the people and historic events reflecting our nation’s proud legacy of duty, honor, strength, resolve and sacrifice. The memorial is supported by admissions, retail and concession sales, donations, grants, and the work of volunteers. It is not supported by government funding. The association was formed in 1994 and includes a cross-section of leaders from Hawaii’s business, civic, political, and retired military communities. President George Herbert Walker Bush is the memorial’s honorary chairman of the board.

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