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This year, about 85,000 wreaths made their way from Maine to the Arlington National Cemetery to be laid by volunteers at grave stones there, Dec. 10, as part of the 20th annual Wreaths Across America event.
Multiple tractor trailers carried some 85,000 wreaths from Maine to Arlington, Va., for volunteers to lay at the grave stones of those buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 10, as part of the 20th annual Wreaths Across America event.
Anna, 18 months old, of Vienna, Va., lays a wreath at a grave stone at Arlington National Cemetery. This year, about 85,000 wreaths made their way from Maine to the Arlington National Cemetery to be laid by volunteers at grave stones there, Dec. 10, as part of the 20th annual Wreaths Across America event.
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Peter Ammon, presented Staff Sgt. Peter Woken with the German Medal of Honor for Gallantry in Action -- an award similar to the American Silver Star, during a ceremony, Dec. 8, at the ambassador's home in Washington, D.C.
German Cpl. Tim Focken and Staff Sgt. Peter Woken meet following a ceremony, Dec. 8, at the home of the German ambassador in Washington, D.C. During the event, Woken was awarded the German Medal of Honor for Gallantry in Action -- an award similar to the American Silver Star -- for saving Focken's like in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Peter Woken and German Cpl. Tim Focken embrace following a ceremony, Dec. 8, at the home of the German ambassador in Washington, D.C. During the event, Woken was awarded the German Medal of Honor for Gallantry in Action -- an award similar to the American Silver Star -- for saving Focken's like in Afghanistan.
Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Peter Chiarelli meets with Staff Sgt. Peter Woken following a ceremony, Dec. 8, at the home of the German ambassador in Washington, D.C. During the event, Woken was awarded the German Medal of Honor for Gallantry in Action -- an award similar to the American Silver Star -- for saving the life of German Corporal Specialist Tim Focken following a conflict in Afghanistan.
Army Staff Sgt. Peter Woken, center, was honored at the German embassy for having saved the life of German Corporal Specialist Tim Focken, right, following a conflict in Afghanistan.
Representatives Rick Crawford and Susan Davis, co-chairs of the House EOD Caucus, met with Staff Sgt. Josh Bowden, 55th Explosive Ordnance Disposal, and Pvt. 1st Class Thomas McCockill, 55th EOD (in bomb disposal suit) on Capitol Hill, Nov. 17. The lawmakers asked Soldiers with the 55th Explosive Ordnance Disposal to appear on the Hill to answer questions from lawmakers about their work, and to show off their equipment.
Capt. Emily Spencer, commander, 55th Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, Fort Belvoir, Va., meets with Congresswoman Susan Davis on Capitol Hill, Nov. 17. Davis, and Congressman Rick Crawford, are co-chairs of the House EOD Caucus. The two asked Soldiers from the 55th EOD to appear on the Hill to answer questions from lawmakers about their work, and to show off their equipment.
Representatives Rick Crawford and Susan Davis are co-chairs of the House EOD Caucus. The two asked Soldiers with the 55th Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, Fort Belvoir, Va., to appear on Capitol Hill, Nov. 17, to answer questions from lawmakers about their work, and to show off their equipment.
Katherine Sullivan, the first American woman to have walked in space, presented Col. Laura J. Richardson, a Black Hawk pilot and commander of the Army's Operational Test Command at Fort Hood, Texas, with the 2011 Women in Aerospace leadership award during a ceremony, Nov. 1, 2011, in Washington, D.C.
Rep. John Boehner presents the Congressional Gold Medal to a representative of the 100th Infantry Battalion, Mitsuo Hamasu, during a ceremony Nov. 2, 2011, at the Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, D.C. The Congressional Gold Medal is awarded by the American Congress, and is the highest civilian award in the United States. The medal was awarded to Nisei Soldiers -- American sons of Japanese-born parents -- who fought in World War II. Those Soldiers fought as part of segregated, all Japanese-American units that included the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the Military Intelligence Service. The three units together were the most decorated units of that war.
Japanese-American veterans from WWII arrive, Nov. 2, 2011, at the Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, D.C., to attend a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to those Soldiers who served as part of the segregated, all Japanese-American units that included the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the Military Intelligence Service. The three units together were the most decorated units of that war.
Hundreds of Japanese-American veterans of WWII and visitors attended a Nov. 2, 2011, ceremony at the Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, D.C., to award the Congressional Gold Medal to those Soldiers who served as part of the segregated, all Japanese-American units that included the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the Military Intelligence Service. The three units together were the most decorated units of that war.
Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno pins a Bronze Star on George George Joe Sakato, Medal of Honor recipient, Nov. 1, 2011, at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. At the ceremony, 40 World War II Soldiers from the all- Japanese-American units -- the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the Military Intelligence Service -- were awarded the Bronze Star.
Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno speaks Nov. 1, 2011, at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. At the ceremony, 40 World War II Soldiers from the all-Japanese-American units -- the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the Military Intelligence Service -- were awarded the Bronze Star.
Kelsey Kam, Donna Masuda Kam, Don K. Masuda, Alice Masuda, and Kasey Kam attended a Nov. 1, 2011-ceremony in Washington, D.C., where 40 World War II Soldiers from the all-Japanese-American units -- the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the Military Intelligence Service -- were awarded the Bronze Star. Don Masuda received the Bronze Star for his service in the 442nd during World War II.
During the opening ceremony of the 2011 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh pointed out that the Army provides 50 to 70 percent of deployable forces. Additionally, he said, the Army represents about half of America's entire fighting force, yet consumes only a quarter to 30 percent of the entire defense budget.
Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry, had the Medal of Honor placed around his neck July 12, 2011, by the president of the United States. During an interview March 30, 2011, he recounted the moment after his hand was taken from him by a grenade during a May 26, 2008, combat operation in Afghanistan.
Lt. Gen. Richard P. Zahner, deputy chief of staff, G-2 and Brig. Gen. Lee, of the Korean military, lay a wreath together, June 24 at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
A military officer of the United Kingdom salutes, after having laid a wreath at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., June 24.
During a ceremony at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., June 24, U.S. and Korean military officers, as well as the Korean ambassador to the United States, Han Duck-soo, and military attaches from nations involved in the war, laid wreaths to remember the conflict and those who were died fighting in it.
Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Sen. James Inhofe, Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III, Rep. Silvestre Reyes (hidden) and Rep. John Carter participate in the cutting of the Army birthday cake, June 14, 2011, at the Capitol Visitor's Center.
Master Sgt. Herbert Mowrey, 2-8 Cav., 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div., talks with a youth about the Abrams M1A2 SEPv2 tank that was on display, May 20, during the 2011 Joint Service Open House at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
Private 1st Class Paul Gorham, 2-8 Cav., 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div., helps a visitor don a crew helmet aboard the Abrams M1A2 SEPv2 tank that was on display, May 20, during the 2011 Joint Service Open House at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
Sgt. Scott Jense, 2-5 Cav., 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div., talked with visitors about and kept things safe aboard the Bradley A3 combat vehicle that was on display, May 20, during the 2011 Joint Service Open House at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
Private 1st Class Paul Gorham, 2-8 Cav., 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div., helps a visitor don a crew helmet aboard the Abrams M1A2 SEPv2 tank that was on display, May 20, during the 2011 Joint Service Open House at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
A boy explores the Abrams M1A2 SEPv2 tank that was on display, May 20, during the 2011 Joint Service Open House at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
A young man does pull ups, May 20, during the 2011 Joint Service Open House at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
Staff Sgt. Jason Hopkins fires an M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle, using a 7.62mm M80 round against a 3/8 inch mild steel plate at 300 meters. The test firing was part of a demonstration to show the effectiveness of the 5.56mm M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round, or EPR, compared to rounds like the M80 and the M855, May 4, 2011, at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md. The EPR was the only round to penetrate the steel.
Jim Newill explains the effectiveness of the Army's 5.56mm M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round fired from an M4 Carbine against a 3/8 inch mild steel plate, and compares its performance against that of a 7.62mm M80 round fired from an M14, during a test fire event at Aberdeen Proving Ground, May 4, 2011. The M80 round, unlike the M855A1 round, was unable to penetrate the plate at 300 meters.
Maj. Kralyn Thomas, Staff Sgt. Jason Hopkins and Pvt. 1st Class Scott Lafferty do battle damage assessment on a truck that was used for target practice on a range at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md. Both Hopkins and Lafferty fired weapons, May 4, 2011, at the range as part of a demonstration to show the effectiveness of the Army's 5.56mm M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round.
The 5.56mm M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round, on the left, is also called the "green bullet," because it contains no lead. It instead uses a copper core with a steel penetrator. The 5.56mm NATO round, on the right, uses a lead core.
Spc. Oscar Alvardo, stationed out of Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, won a gold medal for the Hawaii team in the junior chef of the year competition that was part of the 36th Annual Culinary Arts Competition, March 3-9, at Fort Lee, Va.
Spc. Bennett Rodriguez, stationed at Fort Story, Va., earned a bronze medal for his team as part of the team buffet portion of the 36th Annual Culinary Arts Competition, March 3-9, at Fort Lee, Va.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jeff Lein and his team from the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne), out of Fort Bragg, N.C. carved a dragon from a block of ice as part of the ice carving competition during the 36th Annual Culinary Arts Competition, March 3-9, at Fort Lee, Va.
Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, commander, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, was on Capitol Hill before the Senate Armed Services Committee, March 3, to answer questions from Senators regarding his fitness to serve as the 37th chief of staff of the Army. He was nominated for the position by President Barack Obama. The general's wife, Deanie Dempsey, and their son, Maj. Chris Dempsey, were seated behind him during his testimony.
The island is surrounded by blue ocean and lined with white coral beaches.
A central part of life on Kwajalein is the downtown area, where the post office, the exchange and other retail establishments are located.
Kwajalein is a long way from everywhere.
The turtle pond on Kwajalein Island.
The base chaple on Kwjalein Island.
Leslie Mead looks through her Kwajalein's collection of memorabilia and World War II and U.S. military related ephemera.
On Roi-Namur, weapons systems still stand that were once owned and operated by the Japanese for use during their occupation of Kwajalein.
Brian Bussey serves as an unexploded ordnance technician on Kwajalein.
Col. Joseph N. Gaines, commander, U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll, gives his rank insignia to a boy on Carlos island.
Col. Joseph N. Gaines, commander, U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll, and an ASAKA community relations specialist, listen to a Marshallese woman's concerns about water issues on Carlos Island.
About half the population of Ebeye Island is under 18 years of age.
A cemetery on Ebeye Island.
About half the population of Ebeye Island is under 18 years of age.
About half the population of Ebeye Island is under 18 years of age.
Mark Bradford, the lead meteorologist at Kwajalein, ties a a weather balloon to launch into the atmosphere.
Mark Bradford, lead meteorologist, is responsible for ensuring the weather over the island will cooperate with the mission.
Mark Bradford, the lead meteorologist at Kwajalein, prepares a weather balloon and sensor to launch into the atmosphere. He and his team conduct two such launches every day.
Principal Al Robinson speaks with students at the Kwajalein Junior-Senior High School.
Most everyone on Kwajalein rides a bike--to work, to school and to the grocery store.
Kwajalein Junior-Senior High School.
Kwajalein Junior-Senior High School.
The Islander cargo ship is the chief supply line for Kwajalein Atoll.
A triple chamber incinerator burns garbage on the island, leaving only a fine ash and heat as the byproducts.
Both fresh and brackish water on Kwajalein is purified using a reverse osmosis system to make potable water for drinking and showering.
Glass is recycled and ground up on Kawjalein Island.
The ALTAIR (VHF/UHF) is a tracking radar on Roi-Namur. It is part of the Kiernan ReEntry Measurement Site.
The TRADEX (L-/S- Band) system in the center is a tracking radar, while the ALCOR (C- Band) system in the dome is an imaging radar. Both are part of the Kiernan ReEntry Measurement Site on Roi-Namur.
Kwajalein Island in the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
A flower in Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Two birds in a tree on Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Kwajalein Island in the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Maj. Gen. Phillip E. McGhee, director, Army Budget, and Barbara L. Bonessa, deputy director, Army Budget, discussed the Army's Fiscal Year 2012 budget request, Feb. 14, at the Pentagon.
Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, center, was honored Jan. 26, on Capitol Hill, by a delegation of lawmakers from Iowa - Giunta's home state. The lawmakers included Rep. Tom Latham, Sen. Tom Harkin, Sen. Chuck Grassley, Rep. Leonard L. Boswell, Rep. Dave Loebsack, Rep. Steve King and Rep. Bruce L. Braley. The lawmakers presented Giunta with a framed copy of a joint resolution of Congress.
