A news story over the weekend shows the flag of the “newly created” U.S. Space Force being presented by military leaders to President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. However, Grumpy Editor notes the new Space Force debuted without much fanfare late last year — on Dec. 20.
The Space Force is organized as a military service branch within the Department of the Air Force, one of the three military departments within the Defense Department. The Space Force, through the Department of the Air Force, is headed by the Secretary of the Air Force who reports to the Secretary of Defense.
The Space Force flag of the newly created armed service will hang alongside those of the other military services at the White House.
Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper says the creation of the Space Force is necessary because adversaries have "weaponized” space. "The United States is now doing what it needs to do to protect our assets in space and ensure that space remains the heavens by which we not only protect America, but we sustain our economy, we sustain our commercial capabilities, we sustain Americans' way of life,” adds Esper.
Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, points out space is critical to the United States. "If we are going to sustain our way of life, and we're going to defend our nation, then we're going to have to defend ourselves in space,” he declares.
Gen. John W. (Jay) Raymond, commander of the U.S. Space Command and the nation's first chief of space operations, thanked the president for his support of the 16,000 space professionals assigned to the Space Force and noted "those men and women come to work every day focusing on providing space capabilities for our nation for joint coalition forces and for the world.
Raymond tells the president: "We're proud of this flag. We're proud to have an opportunity to present it to you here for display in the White House.”
IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE...
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WSJ MAGAZINE SKIPS AUGUST. Latest print publication adjusting summer plans due to the coronavirus, the WSJ Magazine, a monthly publication from The Wall Street Journal, will skip the August issue this summer.
NINTENDO SEES PROFIT JUMP. Japan-based video game giant Nintendo, founded in 1889 as a playing-card company and later producer of household games, announces a profit jump amid the pandemic from an increase in people staying home seeking things to do.
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NYSE TRADING FLOOR TO REOPEN. Closed since March 23 after several employees tested positive for the coronavirus resulted in all trading going to an electronic platform, the New York Stock Exchange reopens its trading floor on May 26, the day after Memorial Day, with limitations.
CONDE NAST REDUCES STAFF. Reflecting the impact of the pandemic, Conde Nast, publisher of the New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Wired and others, will lay off about 100 staffers in the U.S. and furlough another 100.
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REMOVAL OF HOTEL'S TWO TOP FLOORS SOUGHT. In Athens, Greece, builders of a 10-story hotel near the Acropolis have been ordered to remove its top two floors after locals united in a campaign against the structure because its height obstructed the view of the historic site.
BROADWAY SHOWS DARK THROUGH LABOR DAY. New York’s Broadway shows are canceled through Labor Day. Return date remains unknown.
WALMART GIVES MORE BONUS PAYOUTS. Following similar bonus payments in April, Walmart is giving staffers working during the pandemic a second round of bonuses — $300 for full-time workers and $150 for part-timers.
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