As the subject line states, Airman 1st Class Jonathan Warren from Davenport, Iowa, will be represent the Air Force in the 2013 inaugural parade.

When: Monday, Jan. 21, 2013

Where: Washington, D.C.

BACKGROUND ON HOMETOWN HERO:
Originally from Davenport, Iowa, Airman 1st Class Jonathan Warren is a ceremonial guardsman with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. He said, "I am extremely excited to be a part of a great historical moment in history such as the inauguration. Only a little more than one hundred Airmen get the chance to participate in this event. It is a huge honor to be selected through the Honor Guard to have the privilege to march during the inauguration. Just two years ago I was attending Davenport North High School, wondering what I was going to do with my life, but now I'm here it is such an honor and privilege."

BACKGROUND ON U.S. AIR FORCE BAND AND HONOR GUARD:
The U.S. Air Force Band and Honor Guard are stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. Their presentations instill patriotism, deliver positive messages about the Air Force and America, and demonstrate Air Force excellence to billions of people worldwide.

Since its formation, the Air Force Band has marched in 15 inaugural parades (there was no parade in 1945, and the 1985 parade was cancelled due to weather). The band began in 1941 when the newly-formed U.S. Army Air Corps activated 59 bands into operation. It was initially called The Bolling Field "Band" and consisted of five men?a saxophone quartet and a bandleader. Over the next 71 years, the Band expanded its size and mission to include six primary performing ensembles and a global mission. The band's uplifting programs instill patriotism, deliver positive messages about the Air Force and America, and demonstrate Air Force excellence to billions of listeners on television, radio, Internet and at more than 1,600 live events each year.

The primary mission of the United States Air Force Honor Guard is to render military honors to members of the Air Force, past and present, and their families during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition to this distinguished duty, the Honor Guard also conducts military ceremonies at the White House, Pentagon and national memorials representing the Air Force in presidential, joint service, Air Force and public ceremonies. The beginnings of the Honor Guard's rich history date back to May 1948 when it was originally activated within Bolling Field's 1100th Security Squadron. It remained primarily a function of that squadron until Jan. 1, 1972 when it became a separate unit.

The members of both of these elite Air Force units are proud to represent all Airmen, whose selfless service and sacrifice ensure the freedoms we enjoy as American citizens.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/07/2013)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Air National Guard recognized five outstanding Airmen for their achievements in 2012 during an award ceremony at the Illinois State Military Museum Jan. 5.

Winners included: Outstanding Airman of the Year Senior Airman Alex Corwin of Charleston, 182nd Maintenance Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing; Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Tech. Sgt. Angelica Knecht of Belleville, 126th Medical Group, 126th Air Refueling Wing; Outstanding Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Master Sgt. Phillip Clemens of Rochester, 183rd Communications Flight, 183rd Fighter Wing; Outstanding Honor Guard Member of the Year Senior Master Sgt. Diana Braun of Morrisonville, 183rd Force Support Squadron, 183rd Fighter Wing; Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year Senior Master Sgt. Michael Douglas of Waterloo, 126th Security Forces Squadron, 126th Air Refueling Wing.

Awards were given based on performance, mission accomplishment, team building and leadership. Criteria included actions, initiatives and results that showed exceptional leadership and duty performance. Consideration was given for supervision, level of responsibility, process improvements, unusual job assignments, job effectiveness, job knowledge and support to deploying or deployed operations. Additionally, consideration was given for awards and recognition, significant individual accomplishments, unique job achievements, processed or implemented suggestions, and innovative problem solving.

The Airmen will represent Illinois and contend at the national level competition later this year.

By ROBERT LAURIE - There's a good chance that this is the most depressing statistic you'll see all year

According to a new Army report, as of November, 303 active-duty, Reserve and National Guard soldiers had committed suicide in 2012.  During the same period, 212 men and women in uniform were lost due to combat fatalities in Afghanistan.

Back in June, the number of suicides stood at 154 - roughly half of the current total.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta acknowledged the problem and blamed society at large. "We're dealing with broader societal issues," he said. "Substance abuse, financial distress and relationship problems -the risk factors for suicide also reflect problems that will endure beyond war."To continue reading click here.

CAPE MAY, N.J. - The Coast Guard and American Red Cross will place more than 200 Coast Guard recruits with approximately 80 South Jersey families for Christmas as part of Operation Fireside Tuesday at 11:45 a.m.

Coast Guard Training Center Cape May has approximately 200 recruits in training from more than 39 states, U.S. territories and countries. Operation Fireside has placed recruits with South Jersey families during the holiday season since 1981. It allows recruits to celebrate the holiday with a host family while they're separated from their loved ones during the rigorous basic training program.

"Our new Coast Guardsmen will be conducting dangerous frontline Coast Guard missions in the U.S. and abroad within days of graduation, and we make them Coast Guardsmen by pushing them to new levels of physical, mental and emotional toughness," said Capt. Bill Kelly, the commanding officer of Training Center Cape May. "The volunteers of Operation Fireside make them feel at home, which is probably one of the greatest gifts for a service member separated from their family during the Holiday season."

Operation Fireside has been coordinated annually by the American Red Cross Southern Shore Chapter in Cape May Court House, N.J., since the program started three decades ago.  The Red Cross solicits and tracks volunteers and host families, while Training Center Cape May pairs each recruit with a family Christmas Day.

The families and the recruits will meet at Training Center Cape May's Guardian Chapel, and the recruits will be with the families until 8 p.m. While the recruits are off base, they will be allowed to eat as much as they want, call home, and relax before beginning training again that same day.

"We're proud to say supporting military members is just one of our many Red Cross missions, and the families who host these men and women are also honored to have them in their homes," said Donna Croskey, the Operation Fireside coordinator for the Red Cross.  "Even after the Holidays, many of the host families attend the recruits' graduation ceremony and stay in touch long after boot camp."

Training Center Cape May is the Coast Guard's only enlisted basic training program, and more than 83 percent of the Service's workforce receive basic instruction here to become Coast Guardsmen. The recruits are trained in everything from fire arms familiarization to basic water survival.