By Julia A. Seymour
Business & Media Institute
11/4/2009 3:16:04 PM

Ford Motor Company took everyone by \”surprise\” Nov. 2, when it announced nearly a billion dollars in profit for the third quarter of 2009. The company also said it would be \”solidly profitable\” by 2011.

 

CNN repeated the announcement on Nov. 3 \”American Morning,\” saying, \”Turning now to the Big Three in Detroit, Chrysler extends its buyout offer to more than 20,000 employees while General Motors is still trying to restructure spending billions of bailout dollars, but Ford – which didn’t take any cash from Uncle Sam – is back in the green again, posting a profit of nearly $1 billion for the third quarter.\”

 

The announcement was big news, but what should have caught more journalists’ attention was the fact that Ford managed to turn things around without the help of a federal bailout – the very bailout reporters promoted in 2008 and 2009.

via www.businessandmedia.org

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 4, 2009 – Army Staff Sgt. Megan Krause\’s words come out in a rush, as if she wants everyone to hear and learn from her story.

Staff Sgt. Megan Krause, an Army Reserve medic who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, hopes to help other servicemembers by telling her story of seeking help when post-traumatic stress had her spiraling out of control. Courtesy photo

Krause, an Army reservist with the 365th Engineer Battalion in Pennsylvania, does want people to hear her story, and she wants to connect with servicemembers so they don\’t go through what she did.

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2009 – President Barack Obama condemned the fatal shooting rampage today on Fort Hood, Texas, that left 12 soldiers dead and another 31 wounded, and promised full-scale support to get to the bottom of what happened and help the Fort Hood community recover from the tragedy.

More than one gunmen – two being held as suspects and another believed to be among those killed — fired shots at about 1:30 p.m. Central Time at the post\’s Soldier Readiness Processing Center and Howze Theater, Fort Hood officials confirmed.
The incident reportedly occurred as soldiers were conducting their final preparations for deployment. 

\”These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk, and at times, give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis,\” the president said. 

\”It\’s difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas,\” he said. \”It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil.\” 

Obama said he is in close coordination with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen in monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, the White House is working with the Pentagon, FBI and Department of Homeland Security to ensure Fort Hood is secure. 

Obama said his thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and families of the fallen, and the Fort Hood community. 

\”We will continue to support the community with the full resources of the federal government,\” he said. \”We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident.\” 

Obama said he has no greater honor than serving as commander and chief, but also recognizes the responsibility that entails in ensuring servicemembers are properly cared for and that their safety is assured while they are at home. 

\”So we are going to stay on this,\” he said. \”But I hope in the meantime that all of you recognize the scope of this tragedy, and keep everybody in their thoughts and prayers.\”
Speaking to reporters at Fort Hood, Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commander of 3rd Corps and Fort Hood, credited quick response by police forces with bringing down a gunman after he opened fire at the soldier readiness unit. 

\”There were several eyewitness accounts that there was more than one shooter,\” he said, noting that two additional soldiers had been taken into custody. 

\”The soldiers and family members are absolutely devastated,\” he said. \”It\’s a terrible tragedy,\” he said, but offered assurances, \”We will work through it.\”

The Navy will commission the newest San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship New York, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in New York City.

The ship is named New York in honor of the state and the courage and heroism of New Yorkers during and after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. A unique characteristic of the ship is the use of 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center wreckage that was incorporated into the construction process. The steel was melted and formed to make the bow stem of the ship. Use of this steel symbolizes the spirit and resiliency of the people of New York. The ship\’s motto is \”Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget.\”

Amity Fire Company Firefighter Robert Stone collapsed and died the morning after responding to a call, according to the department\’s web site. 

Stone, 47, began complaining of chest pains on Nov. 3 after returning to the station and was transported to Reading Hospital. 

After undergoing surgery at the hospital, he went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at approximately 7:30 a.m. the following morning after attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
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