California military families may get a new way to honor loved ones who’ve died in combat. State Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, proposed new legislation to create a “Gold Star” license plate. the problem is, the bill, SB 287, is stalled in committee since April.

Senator Denham is a 16 year U.S. Air Force veteran received the meritorious service medal for his service in Operation Desert Storm (Iraq) and Operation Restore Hope (Somalia), and was honored by the California National Guard with the highest military award, the “Order of California” service award, for distinguished service.

“This is about supporting our troops,” Denham said. “Supporting those that are serving, as well as those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice.” State Senate Bill 287 would amend the existing Vehicle Code, authorizing a person who is a relative of an armed forces member killed in active duty to apply for special license plates. (continue reading…)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2007 – Violence in Baghdad has been cut in half, thanks to a massive influx of new Iraqi police officers, a top U.S. military advisor said today.

“Along with the surge of U.S. forces is also the surge of Iraqi police,” Brig. Gen. David Phillips told online journalists and “bloggers” during a conference call from Baghdad.

As deputy commanding general of the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team, Phillips helped stand up the Baghdad Police Academy in January 2004. Yesterday, he watched 744 brand new officers graduate from that academy. (continue reading…)

Editors Note; I decided to add this AFRICOM section because I am getting more press releases from this area of the world and because the United States has soldiers in harms way, standing watch there. Please add them to your prayer list.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2007 – The U.S. military’s new Africa Command will be dissimilar to other unified commands in a variety of ways, not least of which is its primary charge to cultivate security, not fight a war, a top Defense Department official said here yesterday.

“Instead of saying war fighting is the primary mission of the command, we are flipping the equation around, and we are saying that the primary mission of this command is to focus on building security capacities in Africa so that Africans can manage their own security challenges,” Theresa Whelan, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs, said.

Speaking at a panel discussion at the American Enterprise Institute, Whelan also worked to allay fears and dispel rumors that AFRICOM represents an American militarization of Africa and a possible usurpation of power from African leaders. She said critics are wrong in their assertion that AFRICOM is an attempt to further expand the war on terror in Africa, secure oil reserves, or hedge against Chinese influence there. “That is patently untrue,” she said. (continue reading…)