SPC C.Moalli

The Army Chaplain Corps traces its origins to the first months of the American Revolutionary War in 1775. The celebration of the Army Chaplain Corps occurs every July 29th. The Corps, which took part in all major US conflicts from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, provides reliable and relevant religious support in war and peacetime. They are ready to assist soldiers from several faiths, including Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus. Despite its non-combatant status, several members of the Chaplain Corps gave their life in combat and executed significant feats of bravery, staying true to their organization motto, Pro Deo et Patria (For God and Country). One of the most iconic acts of bravery was conducted by "The Four Chaplains", who during World War II lost their lives while rescuing civilians and soldiers as the troopship SS Dorchester sank. Major General Thomas L. Solhjem is the Chief of Chaplains of the US Army, looking over 2,700 chaplains. Pro Deo et Patria, Hooah!

Fifty-seven years ago, on July 2nd, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was enacted. The Act outlaws discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin and paved the way to future conquest of rights on the criminalization of prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Then-President John F. Kennedy originally proposed the legislation in June 1963 but initially was opposed in the Senate. After Kennedy's assassination, President Lyndon B. Johnson pushed the bill forward once more, and, after a 54 days filibuster, the US Congress passed it on June 19th, 1964. The final vote was 290–130 in the House of Representatives and 73–27 in the Senate. Although undoubtedly the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one of the most significant legislative achievements in American history, it made clear one critical issue: How much good for the people a law that the State cannot enforce nationwide can do? There is no argument that the enactment of the Act of 1964 was not a significant victory to the Civil Rights Movement, which was active since the 1950s. Still, the approval of legislation alone was not enough to solve all the issues they struggled against for years. Several significant events in the following years would make that clear, which would motive future changes and amendments in the Act itself. Many business owners maintained their segregational practices long after the Act. In addition, many states still passed or kept a series of discriminatory requirements and procedures to disenfranchise the black population, deliberately preventing millions from registering to vote and voting. Nevertheless, the Civil Rights Movement struggle pressed on. The Selma to Montgomery marches (1965) protested against those disenfranchising practices and, despite peaceful, was violently repressed. The cause of the Orangeburg massacre (1968) was a protest against a business that still didn't accept African American clients. Many murderers influent figures of the Civil Rights Movement happened after enacting the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, most notably Malcolm X on February 21st, 1965; Viola Liuzzo and James Reeb, both on March 1965 during the events of the Selma to Montgomery march; Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4th, 1968 and Fred Hempton on December 4th, 1969. Nonetheless, July 2nd is a date to be celebrated as a day that legally brought civil rights and equality to millions of American citizens, but also as a reminder that a victory over legal battles may not get the expected improvements to society immediately. The end of many social struggles cannot happen before their effects are felt in the real world by the community. In memory of those who fought and fight so that every human being may live on equal grounds, hooah!

Art therapy project to help treat soldiers with PTSD. The mask on the left was made by a US Army flight medic - National Intrepid Center of Excellence Every June 27th, PTSD Awareness Day is observed. PTSD, which stands for Post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental condition that afflicts both civilians and military personnel, either active or retired. As with most mental conditions, symptoms may vary significantly and may be non-specific. However, some "red flags" that may indicate PTSD are hypervigilance, flashbacks, nightmares, persistent memories, and intrusive thoughts about a specific event. In addition, suicidal thoughts and self-destructive behavior can be related to PTSD or its symptoms. If you feel or know someone with those symptoms or have urges of any self-harm, please, seek help. PTSD is part of the human condition, and it is natural that some people may develop it. It doesn't make you any lesser than any other people, nor make you weaker. Treatment of PTSD usually starts with counseling, with a plethora of different methods and approaches. Also, medications can be part of the treatment. The Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, private care providers, counselors, and therapists can help establish initial care or refer those who have PTSD to a qualified care provider. Identifying Symptoms and Warning Signs Symptoms may start months or even years after the traumatic event, and they sometimes come and go over time. People with PTSD typically develop the following symptoms: — Painful memories, or reliving the trauma (flashbacks) — Edginess, hypervigilance, and/or insomnia — Avoidance of triggers, including activities or situations that used to be enjoyable — Increase in sadness, depression, and/or negative thinking You Can Do Something About it There is real hope. With awareness on the rise, help is more available than ever before. Care is crucial after identifying PTSD. Patients who receive treatment report a higher quality of life than those who avoid care. Seeking social support from family, friends, and others also benefits many patients. Veterans are encouraged to contact the VA for help with PTSD: http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/PTSD.asp Active duty/retired personnel with PTSD should schedule an appointment with a primary care manager or mental health provider: https://tricare.mil/mtf/ Civilians who are experiencing PTSD should speak with their doctor for a referral to a specialist. You can search for local providers here: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ To learn more, visit the National Center for PTSD: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/ You're not alone in this fight. Stay strong.

On June 14th, 1776, the Second Continental Congress decided to establish the Continental Army, which would later become the foundation of the US Army in 1796. At first, the Army was composed of 26 company regiments. Still, ten more companies were raised from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia, including 22,000 troops already stationed outside Boston and 5,000 from New York. On the following day, June 15th, the Congress elected George Washington unanimously as Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. As of March 31st, 2021, the US Army has 479,338 active personnel, with 335,741 more on the Army Nation Guard and 187,260 on Army Reserve. The Army's current organization consists of nine field armies with 128 divisions with unique lineages. This We'll Defend! Hooah!

On May 8th, 1945, at 21:20 local time at Karlshorst, Berlin, the German Instrument of Surrender, also known as Germany's Unconditional Surrender, was signed. This event finished World War II in Europe, putting closure to 5 years and 8 months of conflict. The representatives of the document signing were as follows: Marshal Georgy Zhukov on behalf of the Supreme High Command of the Red Army; Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur William Tedder, as Deputy Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force; General Carl Spaatz, Commanding United States Strategic Air Forces, as a witness; General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, Commanding First French Army, also as a witness; Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel as the Chief of the General Staff of the German Armed Forces (Wehrmacht) and as representative of the German Army; General-Admiral Hans-Georg von Friedeburg as Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy and Colonel-General Hans-Jürgen Stumpff as the representative of the German Air Force. The instrument of surrender was written in German, English, and Russian, with the latter two being the authoritative versions: ACT OF MILITARY SURRENDER We the undersigned, acting by authority of the German High Command, hereby surrender unconditionally to the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force and simultaneously to the Supreme High Command of the Red Army all forces on land, at sea, and in the air who are at this date under German control. The German High Command will at once issue orders to all German military, naval and air authorities and to all forces under German control to cease active operations at 23.01 hours Central European time on 8 May 1945, to remain in all positions occupied at that time and to disarm completely, handing over their weapons and equipment to the local allied commanders or officers designated by Representatives of the Allied Supreme Commands. No ship, vessel, or aircraft is to be scuttled, or any damage done to their hull, machinery or equipment, and also to machines of all kinds, armament, apparatus, and all the technical means of prosecution of war in general. The German High Command will at once issue to the appropriate commanders, and ensure the carrying out of any further orders issued by the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force and by the Supreme Command of the Red Army. This act of military surrender is without prejudice to, and will be superseded by any general instrument of surrender imposed by, or on behalf of the United Nations and applicable to GERMANY and the German armed forces as a whole. In the event of the German High Command or any of the forces under their control failing to act in accordance with this Act of Surrender, the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force and the Supreme High Command of the Red Army will take such punitive or other action as they deem appropriate. English version of the German Instrument of Surrender The end of the conflict in Europe was celebrated worldwide, including in the United States, despite still engaging in combat against Japan in the Pacific theater of war, which would only achieve victory 100 days later, on August 15th of that same year. The date is remembered in Europe as a public holiday in several countries, known as Victory Day, Liberation Day, Victory in Europe Day, and Victory Over Fascism Day. In some former Soviet Bloc nations, Russia, and Isreal, Germany's surrender is celebrated on May 9th.

On April 14th, 1948, then president Henry S. Truman ordered the United States Air Force Reserve's formation to provide combat-ready forces to Fly, Fight and Win. Today, the AFR completes 73 years. Currently, the Air Force Reserve Command headquarters is Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. Its current commander is Lieutenant General Richard W. Scobee, son of one of the Challenger Space Shuttle crews. The Air Force Reserves Command also supports the newly established Space Force, which lacks a reserve component, through the 310th Space Wing. Aim right, fly, fight and win!

Every April 5th, we celebrate the Gold Star Spouses Day to honor the surviving loved ones of all military members that made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States while on duty. A US Senate resolution established the annual event in 2010. The first iteration of the GSS Day was celebrated on December 18th of that same year. In 2012, the current date of April 5th was officialized. Initially, the date was called Gold Star Wives Day, but after 2012 the Senate changed it to Gold Star Spouses Day to be more inclusive, although both names are interchangeably used. The group's initial meetings started shortly before World War II ended, and had the participation of former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, one of Gold Star Spouses early organizers and founding members. Currently, Nancy Menagh, widow of Captain Philip S. Menagh from the USMC who was killed in a training accident, is the non-profit organization president and is on her second term. In honor and memory of all fallen heroes of the US Armed Forces, Hooah!