Away from home for the holidays

The holidays are a time of family and festivities in America, but for many soldiers deployed overseas the time can be lonely as they are away from family and friends. However, there are ways for Americans to help. Watch the following production to find out how you can help bring the holidays to the troops overseas.



By Angie and Jen.

The Journey from Soldier to Student: SGT James Ryburn Halstead III

SGT James Ryburn Halstead III joined the Army in 2003 at the age of 20, serving as a Forward Observer. Halstead has served two tours in Iraq since joining the Army. Today he spends his time in Pullman, Wash. studying construction management. Hear his story in the video below.

Obama Picks His National Security Team

Obama has just announced his National Security team, with Hillary Clinton leading the way as Secretary of state but a major concern is still the matter of pulling our troops out of Iraq. Obama's goal is to remove our troops from combat in Iraq within 16 months . President-elect Barack Obama also named Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Gen. James L. Jones as national security adviser; Gov. Janet Napolitano as secretary of homeland security, Susan E. Rice as ambassador to the United Nations, and Eric H. Holder JR. as attorney general. It will be exciting to see what this team can do for our country and pulling our troops out of Iraq in the next 16 months.

Obama's Iraq Plan Meets Reality

A recent article in USA Today analyzed President-elect Barack Obama's plan for Iraq and how the economic situation of the United States will affect what he can, and will, do in Iraq.

"The decisions Obama makes on Iraq will go a long way toward determining his other policies — namely how many troops he can shift to the war in Afghanistan, which he has called a priority in cracking down on al-Qaeda, and how much money he has at his disposal to help boost the economy.

The importance is certainly not lost on politicians and ordinary people in Iraq, where they are closely watching for any sign of how Obama will act." Read More

Obama and the Future of America's MidEast Wars

With Barack Obama as the new president-elect, America's policies toward its conflicts in the Middle East are expected to change.

The Taliban asks Obama to end the war in Afghanistan.
Obama plans new approach to Afghanistan.
Iraqi politics change in light of Obama win.


And on a lighter note, here is a story about dogs who help U.S. military veterans with disabilities. Watch Slideshow

Troops React to Obama Win

U.S. soldiers voice their reactions the the recent election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. Obama will take office in January 2009 and assume the role of commander-in-chief of U.S. troops throughout America and the world. Soldiers deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq have a special interest in the president-elect. Watch Here

WSU Veteran

In light of the U.S. presidential election and the issues involved, the personal stories of the people behind the issues are easily overlooked. This is the story of one family and the impact the Iraq war has had, and continues to have, on them.



By Angie and Jen.