Stand-To!- Guardians of Freedom: 50th Anniversary of Operation Arkansas

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STAND TO!!

Edition: Mon, September 24, 2007
SENIOR LEADERS ARE SAYING

"They [the founders] proclaimed to all the world the revolutionary doctrine of the divine rights of the common man. That doctrine has ever since been the heart of the American faith." -President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th U.S. President.
TODAY'S FOCUS

Guardians of Freedom: 50th Anniversary of Operation Arkansas

Fifty years ago today, the Army, helped to usher in a new era for civil rights. In a time of inner turmoil for the United States, the Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division had the tremendous task of keeping peace in their own country. They stood guard and protected nine young African-Americans so that they could enjoy the rights promised to all U.S. citizens. The unit was able to complete their mission without injury to the students, citizens or themselves.

On Sept. 24, 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Executive Order 10730. The order federalized the Arkansas National Guard and ordered the Secretary of Defense to employ the Arkansas Soldiers as well as federal troops to enforce a federal district court order in Little Rock, Ark. Within hours, 1,000 Soldiers of the 327th Airborne Battle Group of the 101st Airborne Division deployed to Little Rock from their base in Kentucky.

The following morning, troops from the 327th surrounded Little Rock Central High School while a small detachment went to pick up nine neatly-dressed black teenagers. After a short drive, the Soldiers and their charges reached the school. Staring straight ahead, the youngsters formed a single file. Surrounded by some of America's best Soldiers carrying rifles with bayonets fixed, they marched through a jeering crowd into the school to begin the fall term after two previous failed attempts. As the nation and much of the world watched, Central High School became desegregated. The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which mandates that no American will be deprived of the equal protection of the laws, had been upheld.

In recognition of this significant event, and to honor the nine Arkansans who fought for equality and justice, the Central High Integration 50th Anniversary Commission is planning a number of commemorative events for late September 2007. The activities will culminate with a ceremony on the front lawn of Central High School on Sept. 25.

This was a tremendous mission that speaks of our nation’s civil rights history and strength and character of the Army Soldier. To learn more about Operation Arkansas and the events celebrating its anniversary visit www.army.mil/ arkansas.

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

• 2007 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2007 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates.
• Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace
• Army Public Affairs Portal

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

• Graft in U.S. Army contracts spread from Kuwait base (EB | NYT)
• Fort Stewart in running for additional Army brigade (SN)
• Army sweetens the pot looking for recruits in Alaska (ADN)
• 1st AD Band ready for march to Iraq (SAS)

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

• U.S. aims to lure insurgents with 'bait' (EB | WP)
• 19 terrorists killed, 80 detained during four days of operations in Iraq (AFIS)
• A cautious approach to troop reduction (EB | WP)
• “Operation Lion’s Paw” releases detainees (MNF)

OF INTEREST

• Sergeant finds use for body armor away from war (SAS)
• Repeat war tours take toll on home front (AT)
• Help for the self-employed Soldiers (BST)
• Scientists: Brain injuries from war worse than thought (USAT)

WORLD VIEW

• Iraqis’ lives unchanged by U.S. surge (ALJ | Story)
• Iraq kills another U.S. Soldier (PLNG | Story)
• U.S. troops kill 10 insurgents, detain 22 others in ops against al-Qaida (JP | Story)
• U.S. troops' Iraq leave bid blocked (TT | Story)

WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS

• First Cavalry division news (AR)
• Final thoughts on our mission and command (BF)
• At the right time, we remember (KDH)
• Al-Qaeda lost (MT)

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Remind your Representatives and Senators of the following
failures of the 2006 & 2007 National Defense Authorization Acts
-375,000 retirees with less than 50% disability denied CRDP
-327,000 retirees age 70 & 30 years still paying SBP premiums
-188,000 Chapter 61 with less than 20 years denied CRDP
- 55,000 widows denied relief from SBP/DIC
- 28,000 IU denied 100% benefit under CRDP
- 17,000 POW who died in captivity denied the Purple Heart
All of this legislation has bills held hostage in committee.

Visit http://usdr.org
USDR Action Alerts http://capwiz.com/usdr/

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