Civil War re-enactors participate in the dedication of a memorial for an African-American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient, Sgt. Maj. Edward Ratcliff, at the Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Va. Ratcliff gallantly led his company into battle after his commander was killed at Chaffin's Farm, Va. August 11, 2006

Photo by
Petty Officer 3rd Class Chad A. Hallford and courtesy of U.S. Army

Armed Forces Foundation (AFF) President and Director Patricia Driscoll, right, presents Hilary Duff with an AFF portrait to thank her for her continued support of the military community during a free concert at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, N.C., Aug. 1, 2006.

Duff and the Foundation began working together nearly two years ago because she says she understands the hardships military families face and felt compelled to use her talents to brighten their lives.

Photo by Wyatt Smith, Armed Forces Foundation

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife Lynn, congratulate Clare Lanigan, 15, Kids Serve Too youth co-chair, for winning a $7,500 grant during the 2006 Newman's Own Award Ceremony at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Aug. 11, 2006. Kids Serve Too, in partnership with Warner Brothers, spearheaded “A Thousand Thanks to Military Children,” sending letters of thanks signed by a wide range of children's characters to children of deployed military members.

Defense Dept. photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen

President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld thank troops for their service at the Pentagon, Aug. 14, 2006.

Defense Dept. photo by
Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen