The Air Force for the first time welcomed nine Air Chiefs at the new Air Force Memorial and conducted a wreath laying ceremony, traditionally performed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in nearby Arlington National Cemetery. Participating in the Oct. 25 event were Air Chiefs from Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, and the Philippines. President Bush formally accepted the new Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va., overlooking the Pentagon, during an Oct. 14 dedication ceremony.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.