CLICK & DOUBLE CLICK; HAPPY VETERANS DAY! INTERNET CHOCKED FULL OF MILITARY RESOURCES (COLUMN 62)

Today is Veterans Day. It is a day we honor the men and women who have given so much to protect and preserve the United States of America.

While we set aside a day to honor veterans, you can learn more about veterans and the military any time on the Internet.

There are a host of sites for every military organization. Each branch also has its own web site, along with lots of associated sites.

www.legion.org

Joni: At the American Legion's site, you can learn about membership, veterans' issues and flag protection. The American Legion is the world's largest organization. Shall we take the American Legion online quiz?

Peggy: Yes, let's. They ask such questions as: When were they formed? When were they incorporated by an act of Congress? What is the preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion?

Joni: These are tough questions. But it is an education. Once you get through, you'll know a lot about the organization.

Peggy: They give you all the answers and more. Who was the first president of the United States to be a Legionnaire? Harry S. Truman.

Joni: One thing I know they are interested in is flag protection. This button links you to the Citizens' Flag Alliance, a group of people dedicated to protecting the flag from physical desecration.

Peggy: On the American Legion site, you can also learn about veterans' issues, including the GI Bill of Health, Gulf War issues, support of veterans in Bosnia and Vietnam Rehabilitation Project.

Joni: You can find out how to become a member and read all the press releases from the national organization.

Peggy: You can even find a suggested speech for Veterans Day. According to the speech, Veterans Day first became a holiday in 1938 and was called Armistice Day or Victory Day. Next stop, Veterans of Foreign Wars web site.

www.vfw.org

Peggy: On the Veterans of Foreign Wars site you could win a flag set, if you can answer its monthly history quiz.

Joni: The quiz has just three questions, but they are fill in the blank. You can find tons of information about being a member of VFW. You can also learn about hidden benefits available to veterans. Like the American Legion, the VFW has information about the origins of Veterans Day.

Peggy: As the history of the holiday is told, the VFW includes photos of soldiers from different eras. I like this.

Joni: For anyone looking to link up with old military buddies, try

www.militaryusa.com

The National Reunion Registry includes a database of 7,200 military units. You can search for unit information about reunions. Vietnam veterans can also search by name for others who served in Vietnam.

Peggy: The modern military has discovered the power of the Internet and makes use of it in recruiting efforts. For example, the Air Force, alerts visitors to its web site that they are approaching the U.S. Air Force Air Base. It asks visitors to proceed for clearance and instructions.

www.airforce.com

Joni: You can register or enter as a visitor. The site has an elaborate setup of frames and windows. Click on the area you are interested in and all the windows change.

Peggy: We took a look at special tactics and First Force. These are the guys skiing with guns and riding motorcycles. They are kind of like James Bond in the Air Force.

Joni: The Hangar has pictures of all the different Air Force planes, the Career Center tells what jobs are available. Hot Jobs tells what the Air Force is recruiting for currently. Next stop, the Army.

www.goarmy.com

Peggy: You can find out about being in the Army, including special forces, paratroopers called the Golden Knights, Army chaplains, the band, the health care team and more. You can also download cool Army stuff, including screen savers and action photos.

Peggy: I think I'll pick this action photo of a soldier parachuting from a plane and e-mail it to my friends. Here I am on my latest assignment.

Joni: I don't think they will buy it. The Army has recruiters online then they help you find your local recruiter. Let's take a look at the Navy web site.

www.navy.com

Peggy: The Navy site has audio and video. You can hear a Welcome Aboard the U.S. Navy web site in streaming audio. It tells us the Navy is hiring 60,000 people this year.

Joni: That could get your attention. You can learn the status of the Navy. There are 179 ships under way at this moment, which is 55 percent of the fleet. It even tells you where they are.

Peggy: You can learn about the dozens of places where you can be stationed. Where will the Navy take you today?

Joni: Cowabunga Surf's up in Melbourne, Australia. The Navy asks: Does your current job take you down under? Well, it depends on the day.

Peggy: These are the recruiting sites. If you want to go to the official site, look at www.navy.mil. The same would be true for the other branches of the service.

Joni: You can celebrate the birthday of the Marine Corps, 222 years at

www.marines.com

Peggy: If you have a son or daughter at Boot Camp, you can e-mail them off this site. Marine kids speak up on their duty stations or you can connect with Spousenet, great military spouse web site. There are lots of resources on the Marine Corps extended family.

Joni: You can read the official magazine of the Marine Corps, and there is a link to other military magazines, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Air Force, the Navy and the Army.

Peggy: What's your favorite military web site on the Internet? E-mail us at click@semissourian.com

See you in Cyberspace.

Joni Adams and Peggy Scott are members of the Southeast Missourian online staff.