Stars and Stripes

Official: More foreign troops certain in new Afghan plan

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Undersecretary of Defense Michele Flournoy said President Barack Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan will be certain to include reinforcements of foreign troops from both the United States and allied nations.

U.K. foreign secretary: Obama's critics miss the point

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said those sniping at Obama failed to understand the scale of challenges facing the international community, or the shifting power centers of global politics.

Giant dominoes form tribute to Berlin Wall's fall

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Massive colorful dominoes painted by German students were placed Saturday along the former path of the Berlin Wall to mark the 20th anniversary of the opening of the barrier that divided the city for nearly three decades.

Japanese official says no base deal during Obama visit

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Japan's foreign minister said Sunday that no deal on relocating U.S. troops on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa can be expected during President Barack Obama's visit this week, saying the issue needs more time to resolve.

Police: Suicide bomb in Pakistan market kills 12

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A suicide bomber apparently targeting an anti-Taliban mayor struck a crowded market Sunday in northwest Pakistan, killing the mayor and 11 other people and injuring dozens, police said.

Trojans take down Warriors

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In a high-octane shootout pitting contrasting styles, Michael Spencer and Zama American's ground machine won out over David Martinez and Daegu American's spread option.

Veterans Day events at Pacific bases

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

South Korea Yongsan Garrison: The Korea district of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold a ceremony honoring U.S. veterans at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the 8th Army War Memorial. ...

Homefront: Embracing the circus-like quality of family

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This week, I have decided to steal an idea from Bil Keane, the creator of the comic strip "The Family Circus." Over the years, he has often taken "vacations" and left it up ...

Spouse Calls: Overseas moves take forethought

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Our first four moves as a military family were transoceanic, so I learned early on that moving overseas requires thorough planning and good advice. Official channels will provide the regu...

�Rock Band� for everyone

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Parents eager for a little less sex and drugs in their kids' rock 'n' roll will like "Lego Rock Band." However, the E10-rated rhythm game � developed by Harmonic and Traveller's...

�Forza� on fast track to fun

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Variety can spice up any game, and it's what makes "Forza Motorsport 3" such a delicious treat. The E-rated racing game � developed by Turn 10 for Microsoft Game Studios � d...

�DJ Hero� in the groove

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Music games are great for guitar heroes and rock bands, but not so hot for dancers. Scratch that! And blend it, too. "DJ Hero" � developed by FreeStyleGames for Activision �...

Money Talk: Consider these factors before refinancing loan

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: When does it make sense to refinance a home? I have a 30-year, fixed-rate jumbo loan. The loan is just over 2 years old with a rate of 6.5 percent. Should I refinance to 5.75 perce...

Use your commissary to save big bucks

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A buddy showed me an article recently touting the 30 percent savings realized by shopping at the commissary. Not being a regular commissary shopper that number got me thinking. My family probab...

Embassy, consulate mail pickup to be limited

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Starting next year, the State Department will no longer provide postal service to military retirees and DOD contractors who pick up their mail at an embassy or consulate.

Everyone is welcome at a tournament of traditional Japanese sport

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Seeing a sumo tournament live in Japan is a must. I'd seen a clip or two on television, but watching it on the tube doesn't do the sport justice. One might think that anyone can get big and put on a diaper � it's actually called a "mawashi" � and slap another fat guy around a ring a few times.

European H.S. football championships: Alconbury completes rebound from 0-4 with Division III title

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

BAUMHOLDER, Germany � Alconbury's 2009 Tale of Two Seasons ended in the best of times Saturday with a 31-13 victory over Menwith Hill in the DODDS-Europe Division III football championship game...

European H.S. football championships: Bitburg stops Ansbach�s bid for fourth straight Division II title

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

BAUMHOLDER, Germany � Using a hard-nosed running game, Bitburg toppled previously undefeated Ansbach, giving the Barons a 19-6 victory Saturday in the DODDS-Europe Division II football champion...

European H.S. football championships: Ramstein finds footing, claims Division I crown

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

BAUMHOLDER, Germany � Saturday's night's Division I championship won 35-21 by Ramstein over defending champion Heidelberg should have had one of those skidding-car road warning signs along the ...

Naples boys finish season with perfect record, claim European volleyball championship

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Abram Campbell has had a nice run lately. The 6-foot, 4-inch Naples senior was named homecoming king earlier this fall. Saturday, his volleyball team capped an unbeaten season by topping Aviano 25-22, 25-22, 15-25, 25-15 in the finals of the DODDS-Europe boys' championships.

Ramstein girls rule in Division I volleyball

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

DODDS-EUROPE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS RAMSTEIN, Germany � Ramstein returned to the top and Brussels and Black Forest Academy retained their titles before loud crowds Saturday in...

Civilian police officer acted quickly to help subdue alleged gunman

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

FORT HOOD, Texas � Before the shooting rampage began, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan was sitting quietly among the soldiers going through medical preparations for deployment. He then stood up a...

Despite Army efforts, no catch-all test for troubled soldiers

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

ARLINGTON, Va. � The Army does not screen every soldier for mental and behavioral health, and even if it did, it is impossible to say if any of the current efforts would have flagged suspected ...

Pakistan models defy Taliban with 1st fashion week

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Some women strode the catwalk in vicious spiked bracelets and body armor. Others had their heads covered, burqa-style, but with shoulders � and tattoos � exposed. Male models wore long, Islamic robes as well as shorts and sequined T-shirts.

Afghan ministry: NATO strike kills Afghan soldiers

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Afghanistan's Defense Ministry said Saturday that a NATO airstrike in the western province of Badghis the previous day mistakenly hit a joint base housing coalition troops and Afghan security forces, killing four Afghan soldiers and three policemen.

Guam routs JFK in tuneup for AA semis

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Hours before boarding a flight to Okinawa, Jason Brunson and Guam High secured a second straight third-place finish in the Interscholastic Football League playoffs and momentum heading into Tue...

Pacific Scoreboard: Nov. 8, 2009

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Football DODEA Pacific Far East Playoffs Class A Championship Saturday, Nov. 7 Zama at Daegu, 4 p.m. Class AA At Camp Foster, Okinawa S...

Far East H.S. volleyball: DODEA teams� mental outlook has brought them more success

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

That used to be the province of international schools has changed the past four years, with DODEA Pacific schools winning three of the past four Far East high school girls Class A volleyball tournaments: Daegu American in 2005 and Osan American the past two years.

Far East�s many tennis standouts wary of up-and-comers in tourney

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa - Perhaps the most star-studded field ever in the Far East high school tennis tournament takes the court Monday at Kadena's Risner Tennis Complex, with three former cha...

Adoption reform urged

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

During National Adoption Month (November), the "uncommon truth" will have to compete with stories of wonderful reunions and the perpetual myth that if we remove secrecy from adoption,...

Ratings fair measure to use

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

[The writer of] "The influence of AFN news" (letter, Nov. 4), would like American Forces Network to censor its content. I always find it odd that such free thinkers feel the nee...

Ads for immorality

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I read "Commercials also on during TV shows themselves," (Opinion, N.E. Marsden, Nov. 3), which decried the over-the-top product placement in today's television programming. However, ...

Frivolous lawsuits play a role

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In response to the numerous opinions in Stars and Stripes on health care, why doesn't anyone seem to look at the actual problem and not just the symptoms? The symptoms are obvious: Healt...

�Haunted hotel� declared off limits

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa � The Air Force has joined the Marines in placing the ruins of a hotel complex in Nakagusuku off limits. Following an order in effect for Marines and sailors on...

7th Fleet readies for joint Japan exercise

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

About 8,500 U.S. military personnel will join Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for a war exercise near Japan from Nov. 10-18. Annualex 21G will focus on aspects of air, undersea and surf...

Misawa plans health insurance mandate

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The recent hospitalization of an uninsured visitor to Misawa Air Base is helping drive a new base policy that would require guests to have overseas medical insurance.

Some programs focus on military caregivers

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

While the military has developed numerous programs to help servicemembers and their families deal with deployment-related stress, it has only recently launched efforts to help those who provide that support.

Army struggles to ease strain on troops

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Hiring more mental health counselors, asking soldiers to keep tabs on each other's mental health and working to remove the stigma of getting psychological help are all well and good.

Fort Hood deals with aftermath of shooting as details of accused gunman emerge

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Some said he was an outspoken Muslim, prone to emotional outbursts, angry about the U.S. war in Iraq and dreading an impending deployment to Afghanistan.

After the shooting, combat instincts kicked in

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

It lasted just four minutes from the time someone first dialed 911. But when the shooting stopped, the scene looked like the aftermath of a fearsome battle in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Muslim groups quick to condemn shooting

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

American Muslim groups have been quick to distance themselves from the actions of Maj. Malik Nidal Hasan, who allegedly opened fire at Fort Hood, leaving 13 people dead and 30 others injured.

DODDS-Europe volleyball championships: Brussels, Sigonella roll in semifinals to reach D-III girls title match

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Top-seeded Brussels and No. 4 Sigonella took the shortest route to Saturday's Division III European girls volleyball championship match with straight-game victories in Friday's semifinals.

Czech, US governments discuss military cooperation

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Senior U.S. and Czech defense officials held talks Friday to discuss ways for the Czech Republic to participate in a reworked U.S. missile defense plan.

Two coalition service members missing in Afghanistan

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Two NATO soldiers are missing in western Afghanistan after a routine resupply mission, the alliance said Friday, but officials indicated it was unlikely they had been taken captive.

Moment of silence set Friday for Fort Hood victims

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Moment of silence set Friday for Fort Hood victims. The moment of silence is planned for 2:34 p.m. EST Friday - exactly 24 hours after the shooting in Texas. All U.S. forces worldwide are being asked to participate in the show of respect.

Pacific High School Scoreboard for the November 7, 2009 edition

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Football Guam playoffs Quarterfinals Friday, Oct. 23 Game 1-Father Duenas Memorial 49, Okkodo 13 Saturday, Oct. 24 Game 2-Guam Hig...

New Afghan violence makes Obama decision tougher

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

President Barack Obama's next move on Afghanistan is growing more difficult by the day. Deadly attacks this week deepened British and U.N. alarm over their commitments, and fresh worries about Iraq could delay the exit of U.S. troops there, squeezing an already overstretched military.

Suspect told 'There's something wrong with you'

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

As a student, some who knew Nidal Malik Hasan said they saw clear signs the young Army psychiatrist � who authorities say went on a shooting spree at Fort Hood that left 13 dead and 29 others wounded � had no place in the military. After arriving at Fort Hood, he was conflicted about what to tell fellow Muslim soldiers about the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, alarming an Islamic community leader from whom he sought counsel.

Osan wing leader heading to Pentagon

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea � Col. Thomas H. Deale, commander of Osan's 51st Fighter Wing, will head to the Pentagon next month to become director of the Colonel Management Program, wing spokesm...

Military Update: Senator stalls wounded veterans� caregiver bill

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

More than a month after a new fiscal year began Oct. 1, the House and Senate are still pressing to pass a group of bills to improve veterans' benefits and health programs, rolling them together in "omnibus" legislative packets.

Two Futenma Marines honored for assisting police

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

GINOWAN, Okinawa � Police honored two Marines on Wednesday for helping a Ginowan police officer apprehend three minors suspected of stealing the license plates from a parked car and putting the...

American security contractor killed in alcohol-related crash in Japan

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

TOKYO � A U.S. military security contractor was killed last week in a drunken-driving crash in northern Japan, local Japanese officials confirmed Wednesday. The crash � the area's secon...

Yokota envisions surplus housing for civilian use

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Towering apartment buildings sit practically empty and a $232 million basewide housing renovation project is being scaled back due to a declining population in recent years as military units have been relocated.

Many questions follow Fort Hood shooting rampage

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

At least 12 people were killed and 31 wounded in a mass shooting incident Thursday at Fort Hood, the Army said. At least three suspects, all of them U.S. soldiers, were involved, said Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commander of III Corps at Fort Hood.

DODDS-Europe volleyball championships: Ankara looks good after its long trip

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany � Judging from Thursday's early results, traveling from Turkey to the DODDS-Europe girls Division III volleyball tournament proved worth the trip. "This is ...

DODDS-Europe football: Title-game tripleheader offers impressive stats, intriguing stories

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Saturday's Super Six high school football championship tripleheader will offer spectators the chance to see a 1,400-yard rusher, a possible unprecedented fourth straight European title and seve...

Bigger discounts with card at AAFES pumps

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

STUTTGART, Germany � The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is again offering increased discounts at the pumps when customers use their Military Star Card. AAFES customers already get ...

Cleaning agent mix-up at Conn Barracks sends 11 to hospitals

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

SCHWEINFURT, Germany � Eleven dining facility workers at Conn Barracks were sent to the hospital Wednesday morning after a worker mistakenly mixed bleach with another cleaning agent in a bucket...

Flu vaccine due Sunday at Europe bases

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The swine flu virus vaccine is expected in theater Sunday, and it could be available to active-duty personnel and individuals with certain underlying medical conditions as early as next week, military officials in Europe said.

Where�s the accountability?

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I just read "Going nowhere" (article, Nov. 2), about the dismal job prospects in Detroit. I sympathize with the young people mentioned in the article, but whatever happened to personal...

Don�t cut troop amenities

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I read "Karaoke night, other amusements take a back seat at Kandahar" (Oct. 29, Web). This is not the right thing to do....

Troops deserve perks

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In regard to "Karaoke night, other amusements take a back seat at Kandahar" (Oct. 30), I believe it would be a mistake t...

Experiencing both sides

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I read "The War Room" (Oct. 27) and almost felt embarrassed on behalf of the Air Force. I worked a similar miss...

Every job contributes

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I am saddened to see our leadership is still resistant to the idea that combat stress can only come from personal combat and that the elitist attitude of aviators shown in the letters on the fl...

Virtual game gives troops an introduction to African culture

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

To help U.S. troops navigate a region where tribes, customs and languages are too numerous to count, the U.S. Joint Forces Command is looking to online gaming to improve cultural understanding.

Families, DOD spar over dangers of burn pit smoke

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Pentagon health experts insist that burn pits overseas � used to dispose of trash, broken furniture, and even some excess combat equipment � do not pose a serious health risk to troops. Staff Sgt. Matt Bumpus' widow calls that "a slap in the face" to the families who have seen the effects firsthand.

At the helm of a U.S. warship, a Vietnam refugee comes home

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Thirty-four years after his family fled Vietnam on a U.S. Navy ship, Hung Ba Le returns to the land of his birth for the first time. And it is a U.S. Navy ship � the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen that he commands � that will take him there.

USFK starts distribution of H1N1 flu vaccine

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

U.S. Forces Korea personnel have begun receiving H1NI flu vaccinations, with the goal of immunizing all military and Department of Defense civilians by Thanksgiving.

Far East H.S. cross country meet: Osan, Seoul American aim for a Korea medal bonanza

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

If Osan American wins its first Far East Class A Cross Country Meet team title, the warning shot will likely be credited to the fleet feet of junior Josh Hanks. Hanks surprised the fiel...

European athletes of the week for November 5, 2009

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

...

Heidelberg�s Montfleury again leading team in title game

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

HEIDELBERG, Germany � Even though he'll be quarterbacking a team in a European championship game for the third straight year Saturday, Heidelberg's Jimmy Montfleury hasn't found football to be ...

Naples, Aviano seeded 1-2 in Med

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Ankara and Incirlik have traveled from Turkey to join the eight American Schools in Italy League teams Thursday through Saturday to determine the boys Mediterranean volleyball champion.

High school volleyball championships: Fewer titles could mean better event

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Count on good things coming in threes when the streamlined DODDS-Europe girls volleyball championships open Thursday morning at three sites in the Kaiserslautern military community.

Heidelberg JV team lauded

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

While they receive no mention in the high school sports summaries, I think it is important and deserved to recognize the Heidelberg junior varsity football team on its tremendous achievement th...

Policy changes can hurt Army

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I do not agree with the Army changing its uniform policy for a soldier based on that person's religion ("Army waives its u...

No sympathy for Creech pilots

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I found it highly ironic that while sitting in western Afghanistan where we just lost 14 Americans in helicopter crashes, I find "

All in this together

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The airmen discussed in "The War Room" (article, Oct. 27) are no more or less proud members of the military than any of ...

Putting selves on a pedestal

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I am completely disgusted with the writers of "Away with prancing unicorns" (letter, Oct. 29) and "'

Don�t insult Creech airmen

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Those who have written in disgust to "The War Room" (article, Oct. 27) have no right to be offended or to be so offensiv...

The Renaissance of G�rlitz

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Our first encounter with G�rlitz was miserable. In 1978 my wife, Heidi, and I traveled to Poland by car. It meant using the transit route through eastern Germany, the DDR, the Deutsche Demokratische Republik, the former communist country of East Germany. To use the transit route, even West Germans needed a visa and they had to use designated border crossings when entering and leaving the DDR. In our case, the border crossing into Poland was at G�rlitz at the Neisse River, the eastern border of East Germany.

Airmen sound off on reflective-belt requirement

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Some servicemembers don't like having to wear something that may be fine and dandy for jogging at night or on the flight line, but is a head-scratcher when it comes to trying to blend in on a desert battlefield.

Best bets

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Germany: Throughout 2009, Berlin has been celebrating "20 Years Since the Fall of the Wall," the anniversary of the opening of transit points between East and West Berlin. On N...

Let's go

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Hockenheimring package The Hockenheimring racetrack between Heidelberg and Speyer in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg is an international destination, each year hosting the ...

Navy doctor accused of assaulting patients in Japan, Kuwait

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A Navy doctor faces 24 counts of wrongful sexual contact and is accused of assaulting at least 15 patients he treated in Japan and Kuwait since 2007.

Volksmarch column for the November 5, 2009 edition

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Gene from the Ramstein Roadrunners sent us a report about the club's bus trip to the volksmarch in Dachsenhausen and follow-on trip to the wine festival at Boppard, Germany. Being unfamiliar wi...

Pacific local scoreboard for the November 5 edition

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Girls volleyball Okinawa Tuesday's summary Kadena def. Okinawa Christian International 25-20, 25-19, 22-25, 25-11 At Kadena Air Base Spike kills�Kadena, Tayler Gomez 8,...

Zama, Daegu numb to numbers

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

They might possess gaudy records, but beneath those numbers lie trends that could prove disturbing for coaches and teams preparing for the Far East football playoffs.

Pacific Athletes of the Week

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Want to trade places?

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

As an Army aviator deployed to eastern Afghanistan, I can appreciate the significant impact that unmanned aerial vehicles have had on the battlefield (

Klebold�s cry for help

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I write to express my pain, renewed by several articles I've read lately, [including] "Myths revictimize Columbine families" (Opinion, Meghan Daum, Oct. 25). Her view as an outsider d...

Former Marine is a quitter

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

After reading "Former Marine quits State post over Afghan war," (article, Oct. 28), I am disappointed he was once a Marine. It appears Matthew Hoh is in a place in his life where his ...

It�s not �free� health care

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The author of "Health care deficiencies real" (letter, Oct. 28) makes a serious error when he criticizes th...

Suggestions to honor fallen

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I've served in both Iraq and Afghanistan with members of the U.S. armed forces, and the one thing we Brits have always admired, and indeed envied, has been the American attitude toward its serv...

Quick Trips: Comforts for creatures

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

"How did they get up there?" I watched, bewildered, as about a dozen mountain goats bounded around a cliff that went up at least 100 feet, bouncing acrobatically up and down ledges to get where they wanted to be in their home away from home.

�The War Room� ... seriously?

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Leave it to the Air Force to complain about participating in combat from home. If complaining about 90 to 180 day rotations in the most upgraded camps downrange wasn't bad enough, dedi...

An insult to those deployed

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

As I read "The War Room" (Oct. 27), on the Air Force "difficulties" of flying the Predator/Reaper...

The influence of AFN news

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

When I arrived in Germany, the American Forces Network news programming had me puzzled. I wrote a few letters to AFN, got a few "company" responses, but it wasn't until I read

Petty complaints? Get over it

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

It seems every time I read letters to the editor someone is complaining over petty things. The flight uniform debate, awards or what have you. Get over it, and debate those issues with y...

Unkept promises to vets

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I served in the Army. The post-9/11 GI Bill is a hoax. People are losing their homes, going into great debt and being evicted from their homes due to an unkept promise by our government ...

Why slam successful program?

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The writer of "Away with prancing unicorns" (letter, Oct. 29) chose his profession, just like ...

In-lieu-of taskings

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I read "The War Room" (article, Oct. 27) and I read the responses. I see everyone's point. To get bent out of shape, as some writers have, remember one thing: The Air Force has been f...

Their awful life in Nevada

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I recently read "The War Room" (article, Oct. 27), the sorrowing tale of officers and airmen stationed at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., detailing their struggles and hardships with ope...

Big difference to be in States

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I served two active-duty tours in Iraq. "The War Room" (article, Oct. 27) hits a new low in deployment woes. There are those in the military today who have it much easier than ...

It�s not like being there

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

After reading "The War Room" (article, Oct. 27) on the war-weary combat veterans at Nevada's C...

More deserving of Nobel prize

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Nobel Peace Prize should have been awarded to Greg Mortenson, who has dedicated his life to building peace in one of the world's most war-torn regions. He and his organization, the Central ...

Down in front at air show

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

On Oct. 18, Japanese nationals were seen scurrying across Misawa Air Base at 7 a.m. to secure seats next to the runway for unobstructed views of the Thunderbirds taking off and landing six hour...

Be thankful for new mall?

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Be thankful the Army and Air Force Exchange Service shut down a perfectly good (and likely very profitable) quality-of-life facility nearer the center of the Kaiserslautern military community f...

Trivial matters important, too

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The writer of "Some things just don't matter" (letter, Oct. 21), is comparing apples to orange...

Money Talk: Parents with good credit can help kids build scores

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: My credit scores are good (over 800 when I refinanced my mortgage last year). I was thinking of listing my son, who is 14, as an authorized user of my credit cards to start establi...

After hours: Plaza House Chinese Restaurant, Okinawa

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

For me and my family, dining here is like meeting a longtime friend. Good food and warm hospitality are something we can fully count on at Plaza House Chinese Restaurant. The 55-year-old restaurant's interior is designed in relaxed wine tones, and cozy booths are spaciously arranged.

Climbing majestic Mount Seorak

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

By the time I realized that climbing to the peak of a very high mountain with nothing between me and a freefall of several hundred feet wasn't such a good idea, there was no turning back.

After hours: Noodle 1 in Stuttgart, Germany

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

If noodles are your thing, there's a cornerside Vietnamese place that should be required eating. But if you do make a stop at Noodle 1 in downtown Stuttgart, Germany, be sure to take a little patience with you.

Homefront: P.E. grade an exercise in blame-laying

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I have been a parent long enough to realize there are at least two sides to every story. In my home, there are usually three different versions, each altered in a way that makes "the other" brothers look guilty.

Spouse calls: Post-move life has ups, downs

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A friend and experienced military wife offered a keen insight about life overseas just before our move to Germany. "You're going to love it," she told us. "But for the first three months, you're going to hate it."

�Ratchet & Clank� twists time

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

When we last saw our heroes, Clank had fallen into the hands of the nefarious Dr. Nefarious and Ratchet was on his way to the rescue.

Take a trip to �Borderlands�

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Badass psycho midgets! You know you're in for an interesting ride when you meet those politically incorrect little people in "Borderlands." The game � developed by Gearbox Software for 2K Games � deftly mixes the role-playing and shooter genres as it dishes out ornery humor, wild battles, exceptional co-op play and cool cell-shaded graphics.

Don�t rush it, Mr. President

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Regarding "The danger of dithering on foreign policy" (Opinion, John R. Bolton, Oct. 21): American history is wrought with very bright, high-level advisers telling our president to hu...

Advice for war room

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I read "The War Room" (article, Oct. 27) with intense interest. I am an experienced emergency ...

Volksmarch column for the October 29, 2009 edition

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Since we did the "fall back" thing last week, it means daylight will be growing even shorter. It also means it's time to review the tips on one of our favorite types of volksmarch: th...

Germany�s leader of the pack: To study wolves, he must become one, researcher says

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

It's clear who the dominant "wolf" is among the pack of hungry pups. The one in charge lies on the ground, holding the slab of calf meat firmly in his teeth while the fair-coated Arctic canines tear off pieces of raw tendon and flesh. Between bites, they crawl playfully over his back all the while adhering to the group hierarchy, which means they don't abscond with the meal, however tasty.

Europe�s creepy places: Even when it�s not Halloween, boneyards and damp, creaky places can chill the bones

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Haunted house attractions and ghost tours can be a lot of fun during the Halloween season. But some things are naturally spooky, without the fake blood or recorded howls.

Let's go

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Winter tours Stuck for winter fun ideas? Here are two possibilities from Meyer Group Travel. � One is to take a Christmas cruise on the Main and Rhine rivers Dec. 21-28 a...

Best bets

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

England: Starting Monday, festive winter wonderland scenes will brighten the way for shoppers on London's Regent and Oxford streets with the ceremonial turning on of Christmas lights.

Stories in this week's U.S. edition

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Monster links: Castles share name with horror classic

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Interested in visiting Frankenstein's castle this Halloween? In western Germany, you have two good options � one with a tenuous link to Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, the other only to its name.

Marine Corps Marathon Interviews

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

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2009 Marine Corps Marathon

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

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34th annual Marine Corps Marathon Expo, Washington, DC

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

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Money Talk: Cheaper ways to pay down credit card debt

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: I'm trying to pay off credit card debt and was told to call my issuers to negotiate a rate lower than what I'm currently paying, which is about 8 percent. One issuer lowered the ra...

After hours: Dream Factory, Tokyo, Japan

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Searching for the perfect pizza is more about the journey than about fulfilling the impossible dream. It is a path that more often leads to frozen dough and processed cheese than to the...

After hours: Al Lido, Pordenone, Italy

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The origins of the largest city near Aviano Air Base date before recorded history. But its name, changed a bit with the passing of time, originally meant "river port." The Med...

Homefront: The scariest Halloween story yet

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I did a bit of research before writing this Halloween column, and what I discovered out there scared me. Children who go trick-or-treating Saturday night will have a new type of "treat&quo...

Spouse calls: Portion for Orphans gives back

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Sally Lockett's position at the helm of an international organization takes her around the world � China, Russia, Peru, India, Nepal, Thailand � but she's no jet setter. No swanky hotels for th...

Review: Aion

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Aerial combat isn't just for jet fighters anymore. In the new online role-playing game "Aion," characters sprout wings and soar into the sky to meet their opponents. The T-rate...

Three ways to play detective

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Armchair detectives have plenty of opportunities to hone their sleuthing skills this season. Two games for the Nintendo DS and one for the Wii offer puzzles to ponder and crimes to solv...

�Operation Flashpoint� offers squad-based action

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

If you've gotta slay a dragon, it's best to call in the Marines. That's what happens in "Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising." In the M-rated squad-based shooter from Code...

The Space-A files: One man�s courageous story of survival on space-available travel with his pregnant wife, toddler son

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

It was humid. Our bags required an insane, mind-boggling amount of patience. But, physically, emotionally, we were done. Before us � my pregnant wife, 2-year-old son and me � was the daunting task of getting our seven bags of luggage from Naval Air Facility Atsugi to Yokota Air Base, where our car was parked. From there, we would drive to our home in Tokyo.

Volksmarch column for the October 22, 2009 edition

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Don't forget that Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday. Be sure to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night and then get up early to enjoy the extra hour of walking!

Fall river splendor: Don�t miss the Danube near Regensburg, Germany

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The 1,785-mile course of the Danube river between the Black Forest and the Black Sea flows through some fantastic scenery. But for a mixture of natural and man-made beauty, it is hard to beat the stretch in Bavaria between the Danube Gorge and the city of Regensburg

Let's go

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Edelweiss deals Through November, if you can get a few days free to add onto your weekend at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch, Germany, you can take 20 percent off the ...

Best bets

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

France: Check out the Paris contemporary-art scene and talk to the artists Tuesday through Nov. 1 at the city's annual Grand March� d'Art Contemporain, held outdoors on the Place de la B...

Reviving the Renaissance

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A new art exhibit honoring Caterina de' Medici opened in Rome on Friday at the Complesso del Vittoriano in the city center, just down the road from the Coliseum.

Quick Trips: Auto show

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Take a trip through the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, and you will understand why German engineering has become so iconic.

Money talk: How to dig yourself out of student loan default

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: I'm in default on my student loans. I don't know how many there are, I don't know who owns them, and I don't know how to start paying them off. I've had a debt-collectio...

After hours: Gecko�s Terrace Restaurant and Bar, Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Brunch. For many, the term brings to mind quaint, after-church gatherings, fresh fruit set out just so and dainty napkins available to dab the corners of little mouths. For the ...

After hours: Maharaja, Homburg, Germany

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The German word for spicy, scharf, is peppered in Som Dhingra's conversations at Maharaja, his authentic Indian restaurant in Homburg. The avuncular owner, who has lived in Germany for m...

Homefront: Daytime TV now a little darker

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I was more than a little sad when I heard the news several months ago that "Guiding Light" was finally going to air its last episode, but I wasn't surprised. Daytime soap oper...

Spouse calls: Writing the military experience

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The sweet voice on the phone was not what I expected when I called Gunnery Sgt. Sally Drumm, U.S. Marine Corps, Ret. What I knew about the 52-year-old former drill instructor, I learned from he...

Review: �Zombie Apocalypse'

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Most real Americans can't get enough of zombies. Whenever we're not watching Woody Harrelson serenade a brain-eating ghoul on the banjo, we're blasting away at them with our own digital shotguns.

Boost for �Wii Fit�

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

People are different, so their workouts need to be different. "Wii Fit Plus" � the updated and expanded version of Nintendo's popular fitness game � lets you arrange its various activities to suit your needs and interests. It also adds more than 20 new tasks to the lineup of yoga, aerobic, strength and balance activities that were available in the original "Wii Fit."

'Brutal Legend' rocks but doesn�t roll

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

"Br�tal Legend" is a heavy-metal dream come true.The adventure game from Electronic Arts was created by Tim Schafer and Double Fine to satisfy all those fantasies engendered by Molly Hatchet album covers in the 1980s. It's wild. It's dark. It's brutal. It's packed with headbanging classics. It's also amusing, thanks to an exceptionally good script and the talents of such stars as Jack Black, who voices the hero Eddie Riggs, and Tim Curry, who voices the evil Doviculus.

Gung ho about cars?: Take a tour of Mazda�s Hiroshima factory

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In a scene from the 1986 movie "Gung Ho," Michael Keaton's character, a union leader, is trying to convince the local auto plant's new managers, a group of stuffy salary men flown in from Japan, that there is a problem among the American workers

Money Talk: How to dig yourself out of student loan default

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: I'm in default on my student loans. I don't know how many there are, I don't know who owns them, and I don't know how to start paying them off. I've had a debt-collect...

Travel tales: A natural Spilt: Croatian city�s Roman palace adds to its innate beauty

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Looking for a fascinating vacation spot that combines ancient history with natural beauty? Consider Split, Croatia. Split, the largest city along Croatia's Adriatic coast is a hub for bus...

Rebirth of London�s docks gives capital a shiny, new look

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Thames is the second longest river in the United Kingdom, flowing from Gloucestershire in the west to the North Sea in the east. On its way it runs through London, where on or near its banks are several of the capital's famous sights: the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben, the London Eye, the Globe Theater and the Tower of London, to name a few.

Fine museums, big meals: Go inside to find Mulhouse�s best features

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Mulhouse is probably best seen on a rainy day. Why? Because most of its top attractions are museums. The auto, train and wall paper museums all get high marks from travel guides.

French town built on faith: Pilgrimage site became ground for Thann�s splendid church

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The small Alsatian town of Thann owes its existence to money and faith. Thann, about 15 miles west of Mulhouse in eastern France, once sat at a key spot in the trade route running from Fr...

Best Bets

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

England: The advantage of going to a movie festival in England is that so much of it is in English. This year's BFI Film Festival in London, which runs through Oct. 29, will be showing n...

Let's Go

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Looking for ghosts Want to get in the mood for Halloween? Try a visit to the Oxford Castle in Oxford, England, for two weeks of ghost hunts, seances, and sessions with psychics and il...

Volksmarch column for the October 15 edition

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Heidelberg International Wandering Club's annual walk was another big success, according to the club's Cath and Rob Floyd. In spite of the higher tempo of operations and recent deployments, mor...

Get your veg on: Commissaries full of oft-ignored, healthful options

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dr. (Lt. Col.) John Vogel suggests a simple nutrition test: Take a good look around the section of the commissary where fruits and vegetables are sold. If you see a lot of things you aren't eating � or don't even know the names of � you've failed.

Artistic Rovereto: Italian city offers modern museums, colorful churches

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

If it weren't for Autostrada 22, the city of Rovereto, Italy, would be even farther off the main tourist routes. So it might be somewhat surprising to run across the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Trento and Rovereto in the small city along the Adige River.

Money Talk: Good deals for balance transfers are disappearing

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: Can we really trust the banks anymore to adhere to the terms they offer us? I liked your suggestion about using low-interest balance-transfer offers to speed up debt repayment. How...

After hours: Obika in Tokyo, Japan

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

An entire restaurant based on cheese � could it get any better than this?

Famed doctor, wife open cafe and farm on Okinawa

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Deep in a lush Okinawan mountain range, standing quietly at the edge of a hill, is a tiny cafe overlooking the East China Sea.

After hours: Arbuckles in Suffolk, England

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The restaurant's d�cor makes you feel like you are almost home. Think lots of space, with roomy booths and a red, white and blue flair. No cramped pub vibe or stools to sit on throughout the joint.

Let the teen driving games begin

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Since the new school year began, my weekends have been pretty dull. I spend a lot of time trying to catch up on household chores. Jimmy's cross country races and Ronnie's soccer games hav...

Spouse calls: Military brats on the blog

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Military kids grow up, but they are still military kids. I know because I am one. Others like me have been contemplating the nature of military childhood on the Spouse Calls blog: <...

�Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2� arrives on PS3

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The M-rated game follows the same basic plot as the original. Ninja Ryu Hayabusa must stop the Black Spider Ninja Clan and a variety of fiends who are seeking to conjure an evil archfiend.

�NFS� shifts into high gear

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The E-rated "Shift" � developed by Slightly Mad Studios for Electronic Arts � simulates the thrill of driving high-performance machines on the world's best tracks. Those cars and courses look great, but the driving experience is what sets the game apart.