T H E  V E T E R A N S  H O U R                ArmedForcesPress.Com/ - 2008 Media Edition.
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U.S. Army Pfc. Vincent Hancock sets two Olympic records and prevails in a four-shot shoot-out with Norway's Tore Brovold to win the men's skeet competition at the Beijing Shooting Range, Aug. 16, 2008. U. S. Army photo by Tim Hipps.

OLYMPIC SHOOTER - U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program marksman Maj. Michael Anti shoots to a ninth-place finish in Olympic 50-meter rifle prone, Aug. 15, 2008, at the Beijing Shooting Hall Range with a 594 total. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Aug. 8, 2008) Country music singer Gretchen Wilson performs to a capacity crowd of More than 15,000 fans at Little Creek Amphibious Base. Wilson was in town to perform a free concert as part of the "2008 Summer Concert Series" sponsored by the USO. (U. S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Oscar Espinoza/ Released)

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Aug. 9, 2008) Competitors make their way through the first of two mud pits during the eighth annual Health Net Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) Mud Run at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek (NABLC). Approximately 2,500 Mud Runners, both civilians and service members alike, descended upon NABLC to participate in the 8k Mud Run, with all proceeds going to the ASYMCA to help improve the quality of life for junior enlisted military and their families. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher S. Wilson/Released)

NORTH ARABIAN SEA (Aug. 11, 2008) An aviation boatswain's mate (Handling) directs traffic on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom as well as maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Geoffrey Lewis/Released)

Troy, left, and 1st Lt. Justin Dumais, of the South Carolina Air National Guard, finished sixth in the men’s synchronized 3-meter springboard diving event in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. This year, Dumais is an F-16 student in the Night Systems Training Course at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and his younger brother is in Beijing alone. Photo courtesy of Dumais family.

Army World Class Athlete Program Staff Sgt. Dremiel Byers wrestles to a 1-1, 2-0 victory over Oleksandr Chernetskyi of Ukraine in their opening match of the Olympic Greco-Roman 120-kilogram tournament Aug. 14, 2008, at the China Agricultural University gymnasium in Beijing. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command.

CHICAGO (Aug. 11, 2008) Chief Special Boat Operator Jay Norton, and Special Warfare Operator 1st Class John Murray parachute onto U.S. Cellular Field before a MLB game between the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox. Norton and Murray are members of the Navy parachute demonstration team the Leap Frogs, which is participating in various events during Chicago Navy Week and SEAL Challenge. U.S. Navy photo by Chief (Sel.) Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Sean Tufts (Released)

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (Aug. 10, 2008) Actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton and special guest The Boxmasters entertain Sailors from various commands at Naval Station Great Lakes during a free concert on Ross Field. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Thomas J. Miller/Released)

Photo by Courtesy photo. August 11, 2008. Spc. Walton “Glenn” Eller III (pictured here before the Olympics) earned a Gold Medal Tuesday in Beijing, while also setting a new Olympic record in Men's Double Trap. Read Story

Photo by Eric Hortin - August 11, 2008. Sgt. Lisa Morales, 11th Signal Brigade, and fellow competitors kneel to write a warning order during the Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Signal Command noncommissioned officer of the year competition June 18. Morales won NCO of the year and went on to become the first female NETCOM Soldier to win Forces Command NCO of the Year. Read Story

Jessica Kahnk makes her way across the three-mile marker of the seven-mile Bellevue/Offutt Runway Run Aug. 10 during Air Force Week in the Heartland supported by Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The week is designed to broaden awareness of the Air Force's role in the war on terrorism and strengthen support for Airmen serving worldwide in defense of freedom. Ms. Kahnk is a teacher at McMillan Middle School in Omaha, Neb., and is scheduled to attend the Air Force Officer Training School in June. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III) 

Country music singer Jessica Andrews performs her No. 1 country hit song "Who I Am" during the opening ceremonies of Air Force Week in the Heartland to a crowd of approximately 10,000 spectators Aug. 9 at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb. The week is designed to broaden awareness of the Air Force's role in the war on terrorism and strengthen support for Airmen serving worldwide in defense of freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 7, 2008) Aerographer's Mate 1st Class Jeffrey Jackson embraces his wife and daughter after departing the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) at Naval Air Station North Island. The 46- year-old carrier is the oldest active-duty warship in the Navy and will be replaced this summer by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alexia M. Riveracorrea/Released)

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 7, 2008) Friends and family of crewmembers aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) hold up "Welcome Home" banners as Kitty Hawk approaches the pier at Naval Air Station North Island. The 46- year-old carrier is the oldest active-duty warship in the Navy and will be replaced this summer by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alexia M. Riveracorrea/Released)

SURFACING - U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Jenna Dudley crawls out of a water obstacle on the assault course during basic training at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, July 25, 2008. U.S. Air Force photo by Dennis Rogers.

U.S. Air Force Academy basic cadets compete in a long distance run on the final day of training in the Jacks Valley training area at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, July 26, 2008. U.S Air Force photo by Dave Ahlschwede.

Air Force World Class Athlete Program Capt. Kevin Eastler (right) passes Army WCAP Sgt. John Nunn (center) en route to winning the 20-kilometer race walk at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field July 5 outside Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. Eastler won the race in 1 hour, 27 minutes, 8 seconds, and was followed by runner-up Matthew Boyles (left) of Miami Valley Track Club in 1:28:20. Nunn finished fourth with a time of 1:30:35. Eastler will compete for Team USA at the Olympic Games in Beijing. U.S. Air Force photo/Tim Hipps.

Fullback Cadet 1st Class Todd Newll (25) participates in drills as the Falcons practice in preseason camp July 31 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. The Falcons had their best Mountain West Conference record in school history in 2007 with a 9-4 record. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)  

An Airman from the Air Force Honor Guard at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C., stands solemn duty behind a wreath placed at the Air Force Memorial in observance of the 60th Anniversary of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Hastings) 

In observance of the 60th Anniversary of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, a wreath is placed at the Air Force Memorial Aug. 1. In a moment of solemn observance are (l to r) Mr. Douglas Thomas, AFOSI executive director; Chief Master Sgt. Chris Redmond, AFOSI command chief; and Brig. Gen. Dana Simmons, AFOSI commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. John Jung) 

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 3, 2008) Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) perform a burial at sea as the ship sails towards the Panama Canal Zone to participate in Fuerzas Alidas PANAMAX 2008, an annual multi-national exercise to train to defend the Panama Canal. This exercise spells the final chapter for Tarawa, which is slated for decommissioning in early 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel A. Barker (Released)

July 30, 2008 - Sgt. 1st Class Elisa Tennyson picks up Silver in the Women's Style discipline for the 30th FAI World Style and Accuracy Parachuting Championships in Slovakia. Photo by Staff Sgt. Joe Abeln.

IOWA RIDE - Members of the Air Force Cycling Team ride through cheering crowds at the completion of the Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa in Le Claire, Iowa, , July 26, 2008. The team has been participating in the event for the past 14 years. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joanna M. Kresge.

Edward Gonzalez, Fight Club 29, delivers a powerful blow to an opponent of team Apex out of Marine Corps Camp Pendleton, Calif., during the USA National Pankration Team Championships tournament held at Santa Ana High School in Orange County, Calif., Saturday, July 26, 2008. Photo ByLine: Cpl. Nicole A. LaVine.

Airman 1st Class Caitlin Davies sounds reveille July 24 during a 407th Air Expeditionary Group formation at Ali Base, Iraq. In modern times, reveille sounds in the morning, generally near sunrise, though its exact time varies from base to base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Chris Griffin) 

SEATTLE (July 30, 2008) The Navy Region Northwest Band performs during the last week of the month-long Seattle Sea Fair parade of ships. Ships from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Canadian Navy will be available for public tours. Sailors and the citizens of Seattle will also experience a Blue Angels air show and hydroplane races. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chantel M. Clayton/Released)

NEVER LET 'EM SEE YOU SWEAT - U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Damien Drolet, left, and Seaman Colby Cook prepare for push-ups with their Basic Crewman Training classmates at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, Calif., July 23, 2008. BCT is the first phase of the special warfare combatant-craft crewman training pipeline. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dominique M. Lasco.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Timothy Manning demonstrates how to manipulate satellite pictures on the SMQ-11 satellite receiver to Tech. Sgt. Philip Mohr, weather forecaster. A joint Navy and Air Force weather team worked together at sea aboard the USS Bataan in support of JTFEX 08-4, a multinational exercise that included Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Nicholas J. Sabula)

Tops in Blue vocalists strike a pose during the "Deja Blue" show July 13 at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. Vocalists and instrumentalists representing a wide range of career fields tour with the show all over the world for nine months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

NORTH ARABIAN SEA (July 26, 2008) Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Ashley Schumm, from Everett, Wash., picks up boxes of cookies from Girl Scouts participating in Operation Cookie Drop in the hangar bay of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom as well as maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Geoffrey Lewis (Released)

WET DOWN - U.S. Navy Capt. Richard W. Rhett Butler gets hosed down after returning from his final flight as commander of Carrier Air Wing 14 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, July 27, 2008. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joe Painter.

GAME FACE - William Kafka, a disabled veteran from El Paso, Texas, prepares to take a shot during nine-ball pool at the 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Omaha, Neb. The games opened July 25, 2008. Department of Veterans Affairs photo.

Unit: Marine Corps Base Hawaii - Members of the U.S. Pacific Command and component commands from Hawaii visit The Great Wall just outside Beijing June 16. The military members are part of the first all-enlisted delegation to China. The purpose of the delegation was to gain a better understanding of the People's Liberation Army's enlisted forces and military in general. Photo Date Taken: 6/16/2008. Photo ByLine: Gunnery Sgt. Demetrio J. Espinosa.

CORONADO, Calif. (July 22, 2008) Seaman Apprentice Damien Bell uses his uniform as a floatation device during a training exercise in the combat training tank at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Bell is a basic brewman training (BCT) student in the first phase of special warfare combatant-craft crewman (SWCC) training. SWCCs operate and maintain the Navy's inventory of state-of-the-art, high performance boats used to support SEALs in special operations missions worldwide. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dominique M. Lasco/Released)

HARRINGTON, Del. (July 21, 2008) Rear Adm. Joseph F. Campbell, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, speaks with WMDT 47 ABC News anchor Stacy Sakai during a live news broadcast. Campbell was supporting Delaware Navy Week and served as Co-Grand Marshall of the Armed Forces Day parade at the Delaware State Fair. Navy Week is designed to raise awareness in metropolitan areas that do not have a significant Navy presence. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew L. Romano/Released)

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (July 19, 2008) Construction Electrician 1st Class Samuel Roman carries the guide-on flag for Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 1, Charlie Company, while participating in the first Jose M. Peguero "Give Me More than a 5K" run. Camp Peguero is the 2,700 personnel life support area (LSA) dedicated in memory of ACB-1 Seabee Construction Electrician 1st Class Jose Peguero. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian Morales/Released)

RIDING A WAVE  - U.S. Navy Seaman Michael Cain, left, Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Dahlin and Seaman Nancy Torres, ride a Zodiac inflatable boat through the surf while on safety patrol near the construction area of an elevated causeway during Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore, JLOTS 2008, Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 12, 2008. The sailors are assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion 1. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian P. Caracci.

U.S. Air Force Academy basic cadet trainees of the Class of 2012 march to the athletic fields July 12 at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., to test their teamwork and athletic skills during Field Day. After being greeted by Academy leaders, they competed in various athletic events, and closed out the morning with a parachute demonstration by the Academy's Wings of Blue parachute demonstration and competition team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Dave Ahlschwede) 

Captain Richard J. Fay, Support Battalion, leaps into the air for the reception while Cpl. Richard A. Harmon, Ceremonial Platoon, attempts to block him during the third week of the Commanding General’s Cup flag football season July 8 at Hall Field. Fay caught the ball for a 30-yard gain. Pfc. Paul Matthew Brown.

U.S. NAVY SAILORS MUSTER ON THE FLIGHT DECK. -  U.S. Navy sailors muster on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) before manning the rails as the ship pulls into Busan, South Korea, for a port visit on July 14, 2008. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of maritime security operations. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joe Painter, U.S. Navy. (Released)

GREAT LAKES, Ill., (July 14, 2008) Capt. David Schnell, commanding officer of Naval Station Great Lakes; Leon Rockingham Jr., mayor of North Chicago; a third grade student at Forrestal School; and Dr. Cassandra Brooks, the Forrestal Elementary School Principal, attached the American Flag to the lanyards for raising during the unveiling ceremony of the renovation project for the school. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Thomas J. Miller (Released)

July 15, 2008 - Capt. Keelan McNulty surveys the majesty of the Alaskan mountain range during his climb of Mount McKinley. Photo by 1st Lt. Graham Ward.  Read - http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/07/15/10900-soldiers-climb-mount-mckinley/

U.S. Air Force Academy Jumpmaster Cadet 1st Class Lindsey Robinson briefs Cadet 3rd Class David Barron during Airmanship 490, Basic Parachuting - an airmanship program where cadets earn their basic jump wings after successfully completing five free-fall jumps at the academy in Colorado, July 7, 2008. U.S. Air Force photo by Mike Kaplan.

UNDERWATER RE-ENLISTMENT - U.S. Army Maj. Shean Phelps re-enlists U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin Arnold in an underwater ceremony on the main deck of the newly sunken aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, which is located at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico about 23 miles south of Pensacola, Fla., July 6, 2008. This was the first re-enlistment to be held aboard the sunken aircraft carrier. Arnold is a personnel specialist attached to Naval Air Station Pensacola. U.S. Navy photo.

Camille Anderson, an actress from the film The Wedding Crashers, drapes a belt of machine gun rounds around herself during a visit to Marines of Delta Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn., Regimental Combat Team 5 at Combat Outpost Akashat, Iraq, July 6. Anderson, along with four other entertainers, experienced the life of a Marine in areas outside of the major bases while conversing with them. Photo ByLine: Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson.

Senior Master Sgt. Kirk Kessler lines up his shot during the 2nd Annual AT&T National Golf Tournament July 2 at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. The Tiger Woods Foundation selected Sergeant Kessler to play in the tournament. Sergeant Kessler is assigned to the 316th Civil Engineer Squadron from Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Steven R. Doty)

 Easter Holiday

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush, aboard Marine One, depart Thursday, March 20, 2008 from the South Lawn of the White House en route to Camp David for the Easter holiday. White House photo by Chris Greenberg...

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 23, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 Sailors bow their heads for prayer during an Easter sunrise service on the flight deck. Kitty Hawk is at sea conducting routine training after completing sea trials after a scheduled maintenance period at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Juan Antoine King (Released)

Navy Owl & Army Dog

PERSIAN GULF (March 18, 2008) Airman Jacob Larsen holds "Fod," a screech owl that was found on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The owl was discovered in the left-main wheel well of an F/A 18 Hornet during a pre-flight inspection of the aircraft. Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 are deployed supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Bookwalter (Released)

Budge a three-year-old therapy dog kisses his handler Sgt. Duane Sanders before they head out on his daily walk to visit troops in Mosul, Iraq, July 6, 2008. Sanders is an occupational therapist assigned to the 528th Medical Detachment.   U.S. Army photo by Spc. Karla Rodriguez Maciel.

Houston Astros Major League Baseball

LEAP FROGS - A member of the U.S. Navy Parachute Team, the "Leap Frogs," descends into Minute Maid Park during the pre-game ceremony for the opening day of the Houston Astros major league baseball season, April 7, 2008. U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kimberly R. Stephens...

HOUSTON, Texas (April 7, 2008) A member of the U.S. Navy Parachute Team. the "Leap Frogs," descends into Minute Maid Park during the pre-game ceremony for the opening day of the Houston Astros major league baseball season. U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kimberly R. Stephens (Released)

CEREMONY HONORS AMERICAN AIRMEN

A B-17 Flying Fortress (top of frame), a P-40 Kittyhawk and a P-51 Mustang soar over the spires of the Air Force Memorial April 10 in Arlington, Va. The three World War II-era planes flew over a ceremony honoring the 30,000 American Airmen who gave their lives flying from British bases during World War II. The event was arranged by the American Air Museum at Duxford, England, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The first Americans to serve in England were based at Duxford in 1918. During World War II it was also home to the 78th Fighter Group from 1943 to 1945. Former British Prime Minister John Major served as guest of honor for the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Andy Morataya)

Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley represents the Air Force at a ceremony honoring the 30,000 American Airmen who gave their lives flying from British bases during World War II April 10 at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. The event was arranged by the American Air Museum at Duxford, England, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The first Americans to serve in England were based at Duxford in 1918. During World War II it was also home to the 78th Fighter Group from 1943 to 1945. General Bradley is the chief of Air Force Reserve. (U.S. Air Force photo/Andy Morataya)

Royal Air Force Air Commodore Phil Goodman shakes hands with Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley during a ceremony honoring the 30,000 American Airmen who gave their lives flying from British bases during World War II April 10 at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. The event was arranged by the American Air Museum at Duxford, England, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The first Americans to serve in England were based at Duxford in 1918. During World War II it was also home to the 78th Fighter Group from 1943 to 1945. Former British Prime Minister John Major served as guest of honor for the ceremony. General Bradley is the chief of the Air Force Reserve. (U.S. Air Force photo/Andy Morataya)