From the History Channel website
The man we know as Santa Claus has a history all his own. Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red, but his story stretches all the way back to the 3rd century. Find out more about the history of Santa Claus from his earliest origins to the shopping mall favorite of today, and discover how two New Yorkers–Clement Clark Moore and Thomas Nast–were major Learn
From the Task and Purpose website
The U.S. armed forces had a hell of a year. Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump as the new commander-in-chief in January, the Department of Defense has achieved significant victories (the expulsion of ISIS from its major strongholds in Iraq and Syria), robust challenges (North Korea’s nuclear program, the specter of Russia in eastern Europe), and endured its share of tragedies (the deaths of special operations forces in Yemen and Niger and the branches’ growing mishap crises).
But despite everything the armed forces faced in 2017, service members performed their duty with honor and devotion — and they looked damn good doing it, too. To that end, Task & Purpose looks back on the year with 31 of the best U.S. military photos of 2017.
From the Thrilliest website
If you could only eat in one state for the rest of your life, what state would it be?
It’s a complicated question informed by numerous factors — cities with quality restaurant scenes, singular state specialties, variety of fresh seafood and produce — and obviously the answer will vary tremendously from person to person. After all, one person’s Maine lobster binge is another person’s shellfish allergy-induced emergency room visit.
Nonetheless, our intrepid panel (which is unbiased at least in the sense of being completely omnivorous) put its best taste buds forward and devised this unassailable hierarchy of state-by-state deliciousness.
On December 8, 2017, the State Department of Defense hosted its annual Christmas tree trimming ceremony. Department members bring ornaments to decorate the Christmas tree on the second floor of the Headquarters on Diamond Head Road.
The ceremony was followed by a great luncheon with entertainment by department members. A great time to share the holiday spirit.
From the Huffington Post website
The rules and requirements for Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care are complicated and will vary according to the state where your parent lives. With that said, here’s a general, simplified rundown of what it takes to qualify.
From the U.S. News & World Report website
When you’re married or in a committed relationship and approaching retirement, planning your golden years is a dual effort. Saving for retirement as a couple can have some advantages, but certain financial decisions are more complicated for couples.
Aside from money, the onset of extra free time in retirement can challenge a couple’s relationship in new ways. Setting expectations early on and planning for changes ahead of time can help couples design their ideal retirement.
click on photograph to enlarge
In the photograph, Lt. Col. Melvin Morris and CMSgt Clement Oshiro are on the Osan AB flightline. They observed the off loading of a Flying Tiger charter aircraft. Lt. Col. Morris was the Deputy Commander of the 201st Combat Communications Group and Chief Oshiro was the Maintenance Superintendent of the 201st Combat Communications Squadron in Hilo.
From the late 1970s, members of the 201st Combat Communications Group deployed to Korea.
Team Spirit was a joint military training exercise of United States Forces Korea and the Military of South Korea held between 1976 and 1993. The exercise was scheduled from 1994 to 1996 but cancelled in each year as part of diplomacy to encourage the Government of North Korea to disable the North Korean nuclear weapons program.
The North Korea regime abandoned talks following the January 1986 Team Spirit exercises, and in late 1992, North Korea unilaterally withdrew from the South-North High-Level Talks on the pretext of the 1993 Team Spirit exercise.
Until 2007 the exercise had been called “Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration of Forces” (RSOI). As of March 2008, it is called Key Resolve. North Korea has denounced the joint military exercise as a “war game aimed at a northward invasion.”
From the CNBC website
It’s a fact few of us like to think about, but death is a part of life.
Failing to prepare for this could leave loved ones struggling to deal with their loss as well as how to pay for it.
+ Retirees face a dilemma as term life insurance policies expire or as they leave work.
+ Analyze your lifestyle to decide how much insurance you still need.
+ Switching to permanent life insurance is more costly but can be a tax shelter.
From the Military.com website
Besides the advantage of requiring no down payment for qualified VA borrowers, there’s also a distinct advantage for the borrower regarding closing costs. The veteran is limited to the types of closing costs that may be paid, helping the veteran save money at the closing table.
From the 227th Brigade Engineer Battalion Facebook page
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Wonderful 2018!!
click on photograph to enlarge
227th Brigade Engineer Battalion Soldiers at the 2017 Birthday Commemoration at the Convention Center.
From the Kiplinger Magazine website
There actually are people out there diligently saving for retirement.
Yes, you read that correctly. It may not seem like it, given the media’s constant focus on Baby Boomers’ shaky financial future. But there are pre-retirees who have been putting away money for decades in preparation for a long and happy retirement.
Here are four missteps that even skillful savers need to learn to avoid:
From the Time website
If you’re looking to live to 100, you may want to watch more than your diet. A study of people in remote Italian villages who lived past 90 found that they tended to have certain psychological traits in common, including stubbornness and resilience.
The 20-page November issue of the Kūkā‘ilimoku, the newsletter of the 154th Wing features:
+ Puerto Rico Relief
+ Air Refuelers Home
+ Family Care Plan Program
+ Plus more!
The 154th Wing Public Affairs Office staff continues to produce a world-class publication. The staff includes:
2d Lt Justin Leong
MSgt Betty Squatrito-Martin
MSgt Misti Bicoy
TSgt Alison Bruce-Maldonado
SSgt James Ro
SrA Orlando Corpuz
A1C Robert Cabuco
From the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Twitter feed
Our F-102A Delta Dagger looks amazing, fresh out of our Lt. Ted Shealy’s Restoration Shop! The Hangar Owls did an amazing job.
