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The article relates the bombing incident in Iraq that killed Louisiana soldiers in January 2005. The soldiers have faced different challenges during their deployment in Iraq. The families are having difficulty recovering from the tragedy and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The soldiers' wives were proud of the achievements of their husbands.

This article focuses on the role of technology in the U.S.-led war in Iraq, as exhibited in the ability of military family and friends to see digital color photographs coming from Iraq of troops assembling in air-conditioned tents typing electronic mail messages on computers connected to the Internet and talking on voice-over Internet Protocol telephones. Army officials built 145 cafés across Iraq so that off-duty troops could electronically mail family and friends. Each café, officially called a morale, welfare and recreational site, consists of 20 notebook computers and eight voice-over-Internet Protocol telephones. Troops said they enjoy using the laptop computers to surf the Internet, but especially like the 5-cents-a-minute cost to make telephone calls. Segovia Inc., which provides the service, has received more than 100 thank-you letters, according to Kirby Farrell, the company's executive vice president for sales and marketing. Internet Protocol satellite services use the Internet's packet-switched connections to exchange voice, video and data information, avoiding the tolls of the public telephone network. In 2003, Segovia received a two-year, $27 million contract to design and build the military's Internet cafés. INSET: Focusing on what you know.

The article offers news briefs related to the U.S. Army. It mentions the two Army helicopter pilots who have been awarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their roles in rescuing crew members of a downed helicopter in Iraq. It notes that the Army has recovered the remains of five Vietnam-era soldiers who died when their helicopter was shot down over Laos in 1968. It cites the effect of the increase in postage rates for packages on military families.

The article presents news briefs on the U.S. Army as of February 2006. The Army Culinary Arts Competition will be held at Fort Lee, Virginia in March. The parents of presumed dead soldier Reserve Sergeant Keith Maupin started a scholarship for the high schools chosen by the families of troops killed in Iraq. Only three of the over 7,000 military families of activated National Guard soldiers were given financial aid by the California Military Relief Fund.

The article provides information on a bill that would allow some service members to choose not to participate in deployments in Iraq approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on May 16, 2007. It notes that the measure would apply to dual-service couples with dependent children. It also announces that amendments involving transportation of remains of soldiers as well as free postal privileges for families sending mail to troops in combat were passed by the House.

The author relates her experience of being reunited with her husband who is a U.S. Army soldier assigned in Iraq. She waited for his return at the Alert Holding Area in Fort Wainwright, Sinai Desert in Egypt. They had been separated for 16 months. Her husband left when their son is only 11 days old.

The article focuses on the holiday efforts launched for U.S. soldiers and their families. The Snowball Express organization has launched an all expenses-paid trip to Disneyland for the families of service members killed on active duty since September 11, 2001. Frankie Mayo, founder of Operation AC, has shipped more than 500 Christmas trees to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operation Gratitude has sent holiday packages to deployed troops.

The article suggests several things that a family of U.S. military personnel can send to Iraq such as homemade DVD recordings of family, friends and church members and photographs of family, house or the backyard.

This article reports on the arrival of holiday packages for the American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan as of December 2005. In November 2005, about 7.7 million pounds of mail went to Iraq by charter flights, according to Army Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Arata, spokesman for the Military Postal Service Agency. In December 2004, about 13.6 million pounds of mail went by charter flights, which is how most of the mail is being transported. Numerous groups have set up campaigns to send gifts to troops away from their families. Marine Moms Online targets injured and ill Marine recruits in Parris Island, South Carolina and San Diego, California. Operation Homefront, with chapters around the country, helps military families all year long. A more comprehensive nationwide program, to be accessible through the Operation Homefront Web site, was due to go online on December 6, 2005.

Emphasizes the need to consider the views of U.S. Representative John P. Murtha calling for a withdrawal of military troops from Iraq. Support given by Murtha to military members and their families; Background on Murtha; Concerns and views raised by Murtha.

Presents excerpts from two articles about the services offered by casualty assistance officers to the family of U.S. soldiers who died in war in Iraq. Views of Major Stephen Beck on their responsibilities in giving the death notification to families; Request of Elisabeth A. Beard, mother of the late Specialist Bradley S. Beard, to meet and offer gratitude to casualty assistance officers.

Interviews Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Kenneth O. Preston regarding issues related to soldiers and their families. Control of soldiers and families on unit life-cycle manning; Duration of the mission of the U.S. Army; Concerns of soldiers in Baghdad, Iraq.

Highlights an advisory from the U.S. Military Postal Service Agency which involves the mailing of gifts for military personnel by their families in the U.S. during the holiday season in 2005. Deadline for sending packages in Iraq and Afghanistan; Information on free packing materials being offered by postal officials; Restrictions and specific rules on mailing.

Highlights ways for military spouses to share in the support and sacrifices of the U.S. troops in Iraq. Participation in discussions in military and neighboring civilian community about the support of civilians for troops; Assistance for a service member or family that is experiencing a deployment; Contribution to organizations that support service members and their families.

Reports on the decision of Celeste Zappala, a United Methodist and a mother who lost a son in Iraq, to join an antiwar protest against U.S. President George W. Bush in Crawford, Texas. Impact of the war on the dependents of soldiers deployed to Iraq; Reasons of the protesters for opposing the war efforts of Bush; Background on Zappala.

Focuses on the stand of U.S. citizens on the war in Iraq based on analysis by columnist Mary Schmich. Basis of Cindy Sheehan, mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, for opposing the war efforts of President George W. Bush; Social implications of the war.

Reports on the need for the U.S. government to improve its support for families of military reserves. Absence of family meetings that would inform military families of their entitlements; Views of U.S. Representative John McHugh (R-N.Y.) on the issue; Improvement done at exchange facilities in Al Asad air base in Iraq.

Presents an article relating the fears and concerns being felt of having a soldier father deployed to Iraq. Efforts in dealing with the situation; Reasons for not sharing the idea that the father will be leaving for Iraq; Role of friends in overcoming the anxieties.

Focuses on the civilian perception of the deployment of the U.S. troops in Iraq. Efforts done to volunteer in the service; Concerns of the family on being deployed in Iraq; Significance of loyalty and sacrifice to military service.

Reports on the plan of the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush regarding an increase in death benefits for the families of U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Limitations of the benefits; Challenges facing the proposal; Views of Kathleen B. Moakler, representative of the National Military Family Association, on the survivors' benefits package.

Describes the efforts of military families to stay connected with U.S. troops deployed to Iraq during the holiday seasons. Way for families and deployed troops to stay connected during holidays; Tips for service members on dealing with holiday blues and stress; Strategy of some families to recover from holiday blues.

Reports on the impact of delayed deployment of Saipan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) on military families in Norfolk, Virginia in September 2004. Operational requirements of the U.S. Navy for the Saipan ESG warships; Changes in the deployment of the warship that carries the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Iraq; Actions taken by several sailors regarding their families during a change in duty station.

Focuses on the support programs initiated by U.S. military leaders in Korea for the wives of soldiers deployed in Korea and Iraq. Information on the 'virtual family readiness group' program; Reason behind the launch of the program; Revitalization of the 'waiting families' program of the U.S. government. INSET: Extended tour leaves family in limbo.

Offers observation on the negative attitude of U.S. military authorities towards families of soldiers who died in Iraq. Criticism on the absence of military funerals or ceremonies; Stance taken by Jon Anderson, an official at Dover Air Force Base on family members' desire to meet the bodies of their loved ones; Respect shown by commercial airlines that transported the bodies.

Presents updates on the U.S. military as of December 15, 2003. Benefit of the Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003 for survivors of deceased service members; Information on a bill introduced by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.) which deals with military Survivor Benefits Plan; Concerns of U.S. troops in Iraq regarding bomb-carrying donkeys.

Presents comments from military families on U.S. President George W. Bush, regarding the impact of the U.S. military occupation of Iraq. Military wife Shannon Sharrock; Cynthia Lemley, wife of an Army sergeant in Baghdad, Iraq; Patricia Acosta, mother of Army soldier Robert Acosta.

Interviews Jessica Porter, founder of the project called Operation Homefront Quilts which makes quilts for families of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq. Attractions of quilting; Goal of the project; Coping strategy for the volume of work involved.

Focuses on the effort of the grass-roots group Military Families Speak Out against U.S. military involvement in Iraq. Role of military wife and former U.S. Army member Shannon Sharrock; Background on the group; Lawmakers supporting the effort; Sentiments of military families.

Warns against the consequences of a U.S.-led war against Iraq. Goals of the undertaking; Effect on military families; Expectations from the war preparations.