Richard E. Austin VFW Post 10592 Official blog

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T17:10:00.003+01:00

I would like to wish everybody a Happy New Year.

Peace

Ambushed Soldiers Heroes VFW Chief Says; National Commander Visits Wounded at Landstuhl

2008-07-30T09:33:00.000+02:00

LANDSTUHL, Germany, July 17, 2008--The national commander of the nation’s largest organization of combat veterans on Tuesday met with wounded soldiers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, who were recovering from last week’s battle on a remote outpost in Afghanistan’ Kunar Province, near the border with Pakistan, discounting some media speculation that the soldiers allegedly were ill-prepared when insurgents stormed the American and Afghan outpost in the mountainous northeastern province.

“That’s simply not true,” George Lisicki, a Vietnam War veteran from Carteret, N. J., said during an interview with Veterans of Foreign Wars “The National Defense” [listen to interview] talk-radio show,” adding that, although the men had endured a tremendously fierce battle, they were all lucid in providing details of the early morning Sunday battle.

Note: To read the TRUE account of what happened, read Stars and Stripes interview with Col. Charles "Chip" Preysler, commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team: Commander: Media reports on Afghanistan outpost battle were exaggerated.

“Although it was emotionally difficult for them to talk, their spirit and morale was amazing. In their words, even though they were outnumbered four-to-one, they ‘took it to the enemy, and kicked butt,” the VFW national commander said.

The soldiers, who are with the Vicenza, Italy-based 173rd Airborne Brigade, had just been deployed to the outpost when the heavily-armed insurgents attacked. Nine of their comrades died during the battle. According to published sources, the attack was “one of the deadliest engagements for the international forces that arrived in Afghanistan in late 2001 to fight the hard-line Taliban movement now waging an insurgency.”

“They really smoked them,” Lisicki relayed after listening to the soldiers recant the battle in their hospital beds. “They are our heroes, and we are so proud of the individuals who fought in the battle. They gave the insurgents quite a beating.”

When asked about their morale, Lisicki said their spirits are high.

“They’re really gung ho in everything they are doing. The only thing they regret is that they are in the hospital, and their buddies are back there fighting the war,” he said. “Just about all of them want to get back there to fight the battle because they believe in what they are doing and in their mission,” adding that he knows they will win the war.

“We have great Americans fighting the battle,” he said, “and just listening to their spirit and seeing the dedication they have for their county is remarkable. They believe in what they are doing.”

Lisicki, who was on a fact-finding mission in Europe meeting military and government officials, said this unfortunate incident verifies the need for more resources and more allied help in Afghanistan, especially in the eastern area near the Pakistan border.

“We need help,” he said, sharing the governmental agencies concerns that the situation is Afghanistan is worsening. “They are telling me our allies are under resourced and are undermanned. They need more help, especially helicopter support.”

The VFW national commander of the 1.6 million-member combat veterans group will travel next to Kuwait and Bagdad, where he will spend five days with troops.

Commander: Media reports on Afghanistan outpost battle were exaggerated

2008-07-23T10:39:00.000+02:00

173rd’s fight not symbol of more violent Afghanistan, says Preysler

By Mark St.Clair, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Sunday, July 20, 2008

"The sky is not falling," Col. Charles "Chip" Preysler, commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, said Saturday from Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

Preysler spoke via telephone less than a week after his paratroops and their Afghan allies were involved in a fierce attack at a small post near the village of Wanat. In the July 13 battle, nine of his men were killed and 15 others wounded.

But the attack is not a sign of conditions worsening in the country, he said.

The battle occurred just after dawn at a temporary vehicle patrol base near Wanat. A platoon-sized element of Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) soldiers and a smaller Afghan National Army force were occupying a hastily built area as they had done many times over the 15 months they’d been in country, Preysler said. The soldiers were there on a reconnaissance mission to establish a presence and find a good location to connect with the local government, populace and Afghan National Police, he said.

The small outpost had been built just days before the attack and consisted of protective wire and observation posts surrounding strategically placed vehicles. "That’s all it was, a series of vehicles that went out there," Preysler said.

"People are saying that this was a full-up [forward operating base]/combat outpost, and that is absolutely false and not true. There were no walls," Preysler said, latter adding, "FOB denotes that there are walls and perimeters and all that. It’s a vehicle patrol base, temporary in nature."

But that doesn’t mean the soldiers were not prepared to take on the enemy, he said.

"Now, obviously when you halt, you start prepping your defenses, and in this case we had [observation posts] and protective wire, we had the vehicles deployed properly to take advantage of their fields of fire, and we set up like that all over the place, and we do it routinely," he said.

The Army did not "abandon" the base after the attack, as many media reporters have suggested, Preysler said.

He said the decision to move from the location following the attack was to reposition, which his men have done countless times throughout their tour, and to move closer to the local seat of government.

"If there’s no combat outpost to abandon, there’s no position to abandon," he said. "It’s a bunch of vehicles like we do on patrol anywhere and we hold up for a night and pick up any tactical positions that we have with vehicle patrol bases.

"We do that routinely.... We’re always doing that when go out and stay in an area for longer then a few hours, and that’s what it is. So there is nothing to abandon. There was no structures, there was no COP or FOB or anything like that to even abandon. So, from the get-go, that is just [expletive], and it’s not right."

He also didn’t like the media’s characterization that his men were "overrun."

"As far as I know, and I know a lot, it was not overrun in any shape, manner or form," an emotional Preysler said. "It was close combat to be sure — hand grenade range. The enemy never got into the main position. As a matter of fact, it was, I think, the bravery of our soldiers reinforcing the hard-pressed observation post, or OP, that turned the tide to defeat the enemy attack."

Though Preysler and his staff have seen several reports on the fight and numbers of enemy, he said true specifics still remain unclear.

"I do not know the exact numbers. But I know they had much greater strength than one U.S. platoon," he said. "I believe the enemy to number over 100 in that area when he attacked. I don’t know the casualties that he took, but I know that it’s got to be substantial based on the different reports I’m getting. We may not know the true damage we inflicted on the enemy, but we certainly defeated his attack and repulsed his attack and he never got into our position."

Preysler and his staff also object to media reports that because of the size of the attack, it could be a harbinger of change in the way militants fight in eastern Afghanistan.

"I think people are taking license and just misusing statistics, and I refuse to do that," he said. "We’re in the middle of the fighting season. When we first got here last summer and started fighting here in June, we were only seeing the enemy and engaging him first about 5 percent of the time. Now we’re between 25 and 40 percent. We see the enemy, and we’re engaging him first."

When the 173rd arrived last summer, it marked the first time that a brigade-sized element operated in the upper provinces near of the Pakistan border, allowing for a much larger presence.

"By sheer numbers and sheer volume of patrols — I mean this [battalion] has had 9,000 patrols in 15 months — we’re out there taking the fight to the enemy," We’re out there taking the ground that he used to own exclusively, and we have separated him from the people in many locations," Preysler said. "This is one area that is still contested, and we’re going to have to go back in there and fight hard to separate the insurgents from the population, and that is exactly what we’re going to do.

"Now, the problem is we are in the middle of a transition, [but] I would not characterize this as anything more than the standard fighting that happens in this area in good weather that the summer provides. The harvest is in, and it’s the fighting season. I don’t see massive enemy pushes into our area. The sky is not falling, and this is what we’ve been facing all along in the summer."

Preysler ended the interview by lauding his soldiers.

"I get emotional about this, you’ll have to forgive me," he said. "These guys have fought for 15 months, and they have fought harder, and I mean this literally, they have fought harder and (had) more engagements, more direct-fire engagements, than any brigade in the United States Army in probably the toughest terrain. These guys are absolutely veterans and they know what they’re doing and they have that airborne spirit and they fought a very, very tough battle and held the ground and did everything they were supposed to do.

"I would like to also say I wish my guys who were wounded a speedy recovery and obviously condolences to the families, and that’s very close and personal to us. It’s tough to take casualties toward the end of any combat tour for any unit, but it signals that we’re in a fight, and we’re going to continue to fight."

What's right with America? Plenty

2008-07-11T16:01:00.001+02:00

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A few days before the Fourth of July, I read a column in The Philadelphia Inquirer that said America didn't deserve to celebrate its independence this year.

It claimed that all of our so-called atrocities have shamed the memory of our founding fathers and, as a result, we should cancel our parades, put away our fireworks and all sit quietly while we atone for our sins.

I guess that was one way to go.

Another way to go would be to fire up the grills, bring the kids to the beach,and gather the family on a blanket to watch as your tax dollars ignite into colorful bursts.

I'm guessing that most of us chose the second option.

But just because I had fun with friends and family doesn't mean that I believe America is perfect. It just means that, for one day, I chose to celebrate the fact that America is still closer to perfect than any other country in the history of the world.

For 364 days a year we talk about high gas prices, crooked politicians, and how much people from one political party allegedly hate everyone from the other. But for 24 hours we get to put it all aside and marvel at how a few brave men risked their lives to stand up for what they believed in. Of course, I would prefer we celebrate that every day, but for now, or at least until that Inquirer columnist gets elected president and bans it, I'll take the one.

Don't Miss

As someone who works in the media in New York City, I'll admit that I am part of the chorus of people who talk about our problems. But there's nothing wrong with that, so long as you also occasionally take the time to talk about the other side. And that's what I want to do now by asking the question that never seems to be of interest to the mainstream media: What's right with America?

Let's start with our much maligned economy. I'm not trying to sugarcoat it, times are definitely tough for an awful lot of families right now. But you know what? We've made it through a depression; we've made it through wars, oil shocks, and major terrorist attacks and we're still standing. In fact, we're not just standing, we're towering over the rest of the world.

Our economy is almost as big as the next four largest economies on Earth (Japan, Germany, China and Great Britain) combined. The state of California alone has an economy as large as the entire country of France. Illinois has the same GDP as all of Mexico. New York matches the entire GDP of Brazil. Florida's economy is as large as South Korea's. Texas has a GDP roughly equal to Canada's. Michigan's economy is as large as the entire country of Argentina.

It takes a lot longer to turn around an aircraft carrier than it does a dinghy, but the problem we have is with our ship's captain -- the pea-brains in Washington -- not her crew.

What's right with America? How about the way we educate our children. Sure, I complain a lot about left-wing professors and how some wealthy private universities hoard their billions while charging obscene amounts for tuition, but the truth is that our universities are always ranked among the best in the world.

Students aren't fleeing America to go to college in Japan, India, or China -- it's the other way around. We open our colleges and universities to more than 80,000 foreign professors, scholars and educators a year and we have more students in college right now than those three countries combined.

What's right with America? Our world-class universities don't require you to have an elite family name or Rockefeller-type wealth to get in. We don't care about your race, gender or nationality. You just have to be smart enough and work hard for it. What a concept, huh?

What's right with America? How about the way we treat the less fortunate? With no help from our government, Americans gave a record $306 billion to charities last year alone. We give twice as much as the next closest country and, relative to the size of our economies, we give 1,000 percent more than the French.

What's right with America? It's not just the wealthy who are generous. Two-thirds of American families making under $100,000 a year give to charity. Compassion is ingrained in our culture like no other.

What's right with America? How about our supposedly third-world health care system? We spend more on health care per person than Switzerland, Germany, Canada, or any other country you can think of. Do we still have problems? Absolutely, but don't fall for "the grass is greener" crowd; every country has health care problems.

What's right with America? We love our country. World Values Survey found that 77 percent of Americans are very proud of their nationality. That puts us in a first place tie with the Irish. Australia was next and no one else was really even close.

I could go on and on, but my point is that we don't need the so often wished for "change" in this country, we just need perspective.

While most of us inherently know that we've won the lottery by living here, we don't often think about the reasons why.

So, for at least that one day, let's just remember that America still leads the world in the principles that matter most: The rule of law, freedom of religion, equal rights, freedom from an oppressive government and, fortunately for the Philadelphia Inquirer, freedom of speech.

Flag Information

2008-07-11T15:15:00.002+02:00

July 8, 2008

TO: VFW Department Adjutants for distribution to Citizenship/Education Chairman

RE: Flag Information

In February 2008 Congress approved and the President signed the 2008 Defense Authorization Bill which included (S.1877) an amendment to title 4, USC, to allow veterans to salute the flag during the raising and lowering of the flag and during the passing of the colors.

Congress is aware that they had overlooked the National Anthem and have added an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (S.3002, section 1081) to amend title 36, USC, to allow veterans to salute during the National Anthem. Below is the wording in the bill.

Section 301(b)(1) of title 36, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs (A) through (C) and inserting the following new subparagraphs:

`(A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;

`(B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and

`(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and'.

New GI Bill Passes Congress

2008-06-24T09:59:00.000+02:00

Many post-9/11 veterans and servicemembers will soon be eligible for a new comprehensive education benefits package. The new bill goes well beyond helping to pay for tuition. Many veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001, will get full tuition and fees, a new monthly housing stipend, and a $1,000 a year stipend for books and supplies. The new bill also gives Reserve and Guard members who have been activated for more than 90 days since 9/11 access to the same GI Bill benefits. The new GI Bill will soon be on its way to the president for signature, he is expected to sign it by July 4.

Learn more about the "Post-9/11" GI Bill.

Last surviving U.S. World War I vet honored by president

2008-03-08T15:40:00.000+01:00

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Frank Woodruff Buckles was just 15 years old when he joined the U.S. Army. Soon, he was deployed to war and headed overseas on the Carpathia -- the same ship used in the rescue mission of the Titanic.

World War I veteran Frank Buckles entered the Army at age 15. "I didn't lie," he said with a laugh this week.

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He drove ambulances in Britain and France for soldiers wounded during World War I.

A few decades later, Buckles was in the Philippines as a civilian, on December 7, 1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. He was taken as a prisoner of war for 39 months in Manila, eating his meals out of a single tin cup.

More than 60 years later, he still clings to that cup, the one that sustained his life. Weathered with age, the cup has flecks of white paint chipped off. He keeps it as a reminder of his sacrifice for the country he so loves. He also still has his dog tags.

At age 107, there's not much the war veteran, POW and West Virginia farmer hasn't seen. But this week, this quietly accomplished man was humbled.

Buckles, the last known surviving World War I U.S. veteran, met the president of the United States and received a standing ovation at the Pentagon.

"I didn't lie; nobody calls me a liar," he said with a chuckle, referring to how he became a soldier at just 15.

Speaking with a hushed, deep voice, he conceded, "I may have increased my age."

He spoke from a wheelchair, dressed in a dark blazer with his military medals pinned over his heart. Those in attendance clung to his words.

"We cherish the chance to say thank you in person to Cpl. Frank Buckles," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said, before unveiling a portrait of him.

At the White House, President Bush thanked him for his "love for America" and called him "the last living 'doughboy' from World War I." Watch Bush honor a national hero »

"Mr. Buckles has a vivid recollection of historic times, and one way for me to honor the service of those who wear the uniform in the past and those who wear it today is to herald you, sir, and to thank you very much for your patriotism and your love for America," the president said, seated with Buckles in the Oval Office.

Buckles' tour of Washington was part of a series of events to honor the veterans of World War I, which included the opening of a photographic display at the Pentagon on Thursday.

There will be nine formal portraits on permanent exhibition at the Pentagon. All were donated by David DeJonge who spent a decade finding and photographing the last of the World War I vets.

Don't Miss

1 of 2 surviving WWI vets dies, aged 108

DeJonge wants a more elaborate memorial in Washington to honor the veterans.

For now, the only public site is an unpretentious gazebo near the Jefferson Memorial established by the city of Washington D.C.

Buckles visited the site Thursday afternoon.

"I think it was a very nice idea," he said after he and an aide toured the structure.

But Buckles noticed the memorial is not national but built primarily to honor veterans from the District of Columbia.

"I can read here that it was started to include the names of those who were local," Buckles said.

He was greeted at the site by two young Army Medical Corps candidates in training at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland.

"It's just an honor to see somebody that served so much before us, to be in the same shoes as him, like, a century later," said Reeme Sikka, 22.

One passerby, Vietnam veteran Zeke Musa, was embarrassed by the unkempt condition of the memorial.

"These guys served their country, you know. It's a shame," he said.

According to an autobiography the Pentagon released, Buckles was eager to join the war. He said his recruiter in the summer of 1917 told him that "the ambulance service was the quickest way to get to France," so he trained in trench casualty retrieval.

Buckles eventually served as an officer's escort in France before joining a transport detail for German prisoners of war. He now lives on his family's cattle farm near Charles Town, West Virginia.

By the end of Thursday, the last of America's World War I doughboys was clearly effected by the day's events.

"I feel honored," he said.

Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons creator, dies

2008-03-05T11:06:00.000+01:00

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (AP) -- Gary Gygax, who co-created the fantasy game Dungeons & Dragons and helped start the role-playing phenomenon, died Tuesday morning at his home in Lake Geneva. He was 69.

He had been suffering from health problems for several years, including an abdominal aneurysm, said his wife, Gail Gygax.

Gygax and Dave Arneson developed Dungeons & Dragons in 1974 using medieval characters and mythical creatures. The game known for its oddly shaped dice became a hit, particularly among teenage boys, and eventually was turned into video games, books and movies.

Gygax always enjoyed hearing from the game's legion of devoted fans, many of whom would stop by the family's home in Lake Geneva, about 55 miles southwest of Milwaukee, his wife said. Despite his declining health, he hosted weekly games of Dungeons & Dragons as recently as January, she said.

"It really meant a lot to him to hear from people from over the years about how he helped them become a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, what he gave them," Gygax said. "He really enjoyed that."

Dungeons & Dragons players create fictional characters and carry out their adventures with the help of complicated rules. The quintessential geek pastime, it spawned a wealth of copycat games and later inspired a whole genre of computer games that's still growing in popularity.

Funeral arrangements are pending. Besides his wife, Gygax is survived by six children.

What is This

2008-01-26T12:30:00.000+01:00

It Is A Hill-Billy

Army has plan for soldiers told to vacate barracks

2008-01-26T10:47:00.000+01:00

By Mark St.Clair, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, January 25, 2008

The Army has come up with a plan to house 17 soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team’s 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, who were told they had to vacate their barracks rooms this week, Army leaders in Schweinfurt, Germany, said Thursday afternoon.

Maj. Eric Stetson, public affairs officer for the 2nd BCT, said the brigade’s enlisted leadership has a plan to alleviate the problem by moving some soldiers into hotels paid for by U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt. Others will move off post into private rental houses until they leave. Still others will move into other barracks.

On Thursday, Stars and Stripes reported that 17 soldiers from Schweinfurt were told they had to leave their barracks rooms because of planned renovations to the building but that the Army had not provided them with other housing arrangements.

When asked why the soldiers would think they had no place to stay only two days before they had to leave their barracks, Stetson said, “at that time [the leadership] may have not had a plan firmed up.”

Nonetheless, the soldiers will not be left out in the cold.

“No one is being asked to move out without a plan of where to put them,” Stetson said Thursday.

As of Thursday morning, the housing issue had not been resolved, according to one of the affected soldiers, Sgt. Joseph Walker. Attempts to reach Walker throughout the rest of the day, however, were unsuccessful.

The 17 soldiers, all from 1-18’s Company B, are set to rotate back to the States on Feb. 18. They are part of a unit that is currently at 135 percent strength, and are just a fraction of the 1,600 soldiers in the community set to leave within the coming weeks.

“We understand and appreciate the frustration on the part of our affected soldiers. We remain committed to helping our soldiers in every way possible to minimize the turbulence from overcrowding that will exist through the first half of February,” the battalion commander, Lt. Col. George Glaze, said in a statement released to Stars and Stripes on Thursday afternoon.

Glaze’s comments, released by the brigade’s public affairs office, continued, “There are challenges ahead of us but the chain of command will remain engaged, at all levels, by our soldiers’ sides overcoming challenges as they arise. We continue (our) mission with a primary focus on the constant care for our soldiers in all manners, whether in combat or in garrison Schweinfurt.”

If, for some reason, Dagger Brigade can’t house all the troops from Company B, one family in Stuttgart has offered to take in two or three of them.

“I’m prepared to pick up the slack if that is required,” said Charles R. Dunn, a retired soldier and employee of defense contractor L3 Communications. “And I don’t know where they have to fly out of, but I’d even get them to the airport if that needs to be done.”

Dunn and his wife, Carol, made a similar offer in July to an Army wife and toddler who for seven weeks were stranded at the Kristall Inn in Vilseck after her husband deployed.

“We’re just trying to do the right thing, soldiers to other soldiers,” Dunn said.

Schweinfurt soldiers back from Iraq are facing eviction

2008-01-26T10:45:00.000+01:00

By Mark St.Clair, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, January 24, 2008

SCHWEINFURT, Germany — They just got back from Iraq, and now they’re being evicted from their homes.

Seventeen infantrymen from Company B, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment who returned from Ramadi, Iraq, in November have been living in barracks normally occupied by soldiers who are currently deployed in Afghanistan.

All of the soldiers, who are scheduled to leave Germany next month, said the Army told them they had until Feb. 1 to vacate the barracks.

But they found out Tuesday they had have to move out of the rooms Thursday afternoon, according to Sgt. Joseph Walker, 23.

When they asked why, the single soldiers were told the rooms they have been living in — in which many of them had phone and Internet service installed — need renovations.

According to Walker, their rooms are just fine. In fact, he said, they are better than where they were living before they left for Iraq, with newer furniture and cleaner floors and walls.

“Why now? Why can’t it wait?” Walker asked. “We’ll paint our own rooms. We’ll do the hallways. We only need the rooms for another 20 days. Just to work on the hallways alone would take them 20 days.”

All the affected soldiers are scheduled to rotate back to the States on Feb. 18. The Army had no plan to house the soldiers after Feb. 1.

While not specifically addressing the plight of the 17 soldiers, U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt officials acknowledged there is a problem with overcrowding in the community.

“The Schweinfurt community has a serious housing problem primarily due to replacements arriving to the brigade even before they were re-deploying from Iraq,” according to a statement from the base public affairs office.

Base officials planned to house the soldiers in the barracks until they left. But those buildings “have been identified and funded for flagship money to improve them while the (deployed) soldiers are gone so there was a short window of opportunity to house the (brigade) overflow in these barracks temporarily.”

Those barracks now need to be turned over to the contractor to complete the renovations before the troops deployed in Afghanistan return, the statement said.

“Currently we have more than 1,000 extra Soldiers in the community. But, this is a short-term problem,” according to the statement. “The stop-loss/stop-move lift will see more than 1,600 Soldiers and families move from the Schweinfurt community to their next duty station over the next several weeks.”

The base said all soldiers are being tracked by the brigade senior leadership and all will have a bed and space.

“There are rooms available throughout the Schweinfurt community for every Soldier,” according to the statement. “There will be no tents and no one will go without a hot shower or a hot meal.”

The Company B soldiers said pleas to their leadership — from their platoon sergeant to their company commander — fell on deaf ears.

“We told our commander we were homeless, and he just laughed at us,” Walker said.

When they tried to talk to their platoon sergeant, he didn’t seem to care either, he said.

The 17 soldiers took their case to the judge advocate general’s office to see if there was legal recourse. They were told there was nothing JAG could do and were sent to the inspector general.

When they told the JAG office that IG personnel were nowhere to be found, they were told, “Well, if you find IG, you should let us know where they are.” Apparently, Walker said, IG office personnel vacated Leighton Barracks in Würzburg last week and were supposed to set up shop in Schweinfurt this week.

After finding out they had to leave the barracks early, the soldiers contacted members of Congress, family members and lawyers and got one extra day.

But, after Friday, there’s no plan — aside from being forced to turn in their keys on Monday.

The troops have been looking for buddies who are willing to let them cram three-to-a-room, with perhaps a cot or a mattress on the floor.

Walker and his buddies — most of whom are specialists and sergeants in their early 20s — also contacted military support groups. Mary Ann Phillips from Soldiers’ Angels Germany said they offered to pay for a hotel for the soldiers for a week, along with taxi fare to and from post.

“We appreciate the help, but right now everyone wants to fight,” Walker said.

“None of us are saying, ‘[expletive] the Army.’ We’re all staying in. We all re-enlisted in Iraq. Most of the guys are out in 2012, except three who got stop-lossed, and they deserve to get out if they want to.

“We just want the Army to take care of us until we leave. That’s their responsibility … that’s what we enlisted for,” Walker said.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

2008-01-01T12:12:00.000+01:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2007-12-24T11:39:00.000+01:00

Wishing everyone a wonderful and peaceful MERRY CHRISTMAS.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2007-11-22T11:55:00.000+01:00

Here at post 10592 we want to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving and please remember the troops down range. They are doing a important job and you can bet they would rather be home enjoying the holidays.

Bamberg ceremonies honor vets’ sacrifices

2007-11-13T10:42:00.000+01:00

By Mark St.Clair, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Mark St.Clair / S&S
The 15th Junior ROTC Battalion Color Guard from Bamberg American High School posts the colors at a Veterans Day remembrance at Warner Barracks in Bamberg, Germany.

Mark St.Clair / S&S
In honor of Veterans Day, Travis Fosmo, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Richard E. Austin Post 10592, and his son Fabian, 2, replace a flag at the grave of an American serviceman at a cemetery in downtown Bamberg, Germany.

BAMBERG, Germany — Hundreds of soldiers, family members and veterans came together Monday to remember the service and sacrifice of American fighting men and women.

As a parade led by Bamberg American High School’s 15th Junior ROTC Battalion and followed by more than 60 Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from more than 11 local troops wound through post, the military community gathered at Warner Barracks’ Memorial Park.

In a short ceremony at 11:11 a.m., members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars led the community in the laying of flowers and a wreath.

While Veterans Day observances normally are held on the 11th, the community elected to gather on the 12th due to conflicting religious services.

“And I’m glad we did it today, since yesterday at 11:11 it was pouring down rain,” VFW commander Tom Stenson said.

“It’s been said that without the American soldier there would not be a United States of America,” said Col. Martin B. Pitts, commander of Bamberg’s 16th Sustainment Brigade, the ceremony’s guest speaker.

Honoring the 52 million veterans who have served since colonial times, Pitts said that although the number of Americans is the largest it’s ever been, the 2.2 million men and women in uniform make up less than one percent of the population, a percentage far lower than previous generations.

“Our world would be a very different place if it wasn’t for the American soldier. ... It’s that seven-tenths of one percent that should matter the most to this country,” Pitts said.

Gulf War veteran and VFW member Dave Robinson, who acted as the ceremony’s chaplain, said he tries to honor veterans “to never let the American people who have never served forget that there are those who have and are serving to give them the freedoms and benefits of American life as they know it.”

One of the 50 JROTC members who participated was 17-year-old high school senior Patricia Payton.

“There are a lot of teenagers who don’t care about veterans,” Payton said. “ROTC helps show that there are some teenagers who do.”

Shortly after the activities concluded on Warner, several members of VFW Post 10592 went to a cemetery in downtown Bamberg to place or replace flags at the gravesites of Americans who elected to live and be buried in Germany after their time in service was done.

Upholding Veterans Day

2007-11-11T12:25:00.000+01:00

A Message from VFW National Commander George Lisicki
Remembering America’s warriors is often an afterthought for many Americans. It’s about time Nov. 11 is paid its proper respect. Veterans Day, once a widely celebrated holiday, is increasingly forgotten by many Americans. One need only look at the poor turnouts at ceremonies on Nov. 11. With the percentage of citizens who have worn a uniform rapidly declining, appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans is correspondingly diminishing. To help counter this trend, VFW has long promoted Veterans Day as an opportunity to educate the public as to the meaning of this significant time each November. This task can best be accomplished by explaining the five “Ws.” Who. As a nation, we remember all Americans who served on active duty in the armed forces. While those who died always remain prominent in our memories, they have a special time of mourning reserved for Memorial Day. Veterans Day is an opportunity to publicly commemorate the contributions of living veterans. What. Collective as well as individual contributions to the nation’s defense is what we are remembering. The outcome of any given military campaign is irrelevant here—it’s the sacrifices made at the behest of the country that are important. Where. Across the land, the grounds of virtually every state capitol and county courthouse host monuments, memorials and plaques honoring those who served. They date back as far as the American Revolution and are as recent as Iraq. But paying homage to veterans need not necessarily be in a public place. Every private home also should serve this purpose when appropriate. When. For some Americans, remembering veterans is a daily act. But as a nation, it is essential that we preserve the integrity of November 11 as that one extra-special day for the American people as a whole to pause in silence or demonstrate public recognition. Why. Remembering gives true meaning to sacrifice and service. Millions of Americans’ lives were forever altered because they donned a uniform to protect the freedoms and rights we take for granted. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to them. And acknowledging Veterans Day is the time that debt comes due. It’s our way of keeping faith. All of this is particularly relevant now, with the nation at war in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is no better example of how Veterans Day has moved from the public consciousness than in my home state of New Jersey. The state legislature and the New Jersey School Boards Association attempted to abolish mandatory teaching about the importance of Veterans Day. Thankfully, Gov. Jon S. Corzine vetoed that part of the bill dealing with this day. This should serve as a reminder that vigilance is necessary. The 24 million veterans living in America deserve no less of us as an organization. It is often forgotten that legislative battles were waged over this day and its earlier version called Armistice Day in 1926, 1938, 1954 and throughout the 1970s. Let’s not take its value for granted. God Bless America George Lisicki VFW Commander-in-Chief

Syndicated Talk-Radio Show Hosting Veterans Day Radiothon

2007-11-11T12:22:00.000+01:00

to Raise Money for VFW ’s ‘Unmet Needs’ Military Assistance Program
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 5, 2007--In honor of Veterans Day and those who continue to put their lives on the line for our country, “The Rusty Humphries Show,” in conjunction with VFW's “The National Defense” and hundreds of radio stations across the country, will host a national fundraiser for the VFW Unmet Needs program, which provides emergency assistance to military families who face financial burdens, complicated and amplified by a family member's deployment. “The Rusty Humphries Show”, recently ranked by Talkers Magazine as the 9th most listened to radio show in America, will host the VFW Unmet Needs program, radiothon November 8-11. During the 4-day event, listeners will be able to dial toll-free 1-866-437-9283 to donate to the valuable military support program. Since 2003, the VFW Foundation’s Unmet Needs Program, has assisted more than 1, 250 military families by providing them with emergency aid such as mortgage assistance, rent, home repair, vehicle repair and maintenance, medical expenses, groceries, and transportation expenses. Thanks to corporate sponsor Vermont American Power Tool Accessories, 100 percent of all donations go directly to the military families in need. Some examples of how Unmet Needs funds are used: When a wildfire destroyed the home of a soldier from Washington, the Unmet Needs Program quickly joined with the local VFW post, community volunteers and businesses to help the family find temporary shelter and plan for the rebuilding of their home. In another example, the wife of a Missouri soldier was struggling under the weight of medical bills due to a complicated pregnancy and the expense of caring for a new baby on her own. The Unmet Needs Program approved a grant to cover the medical expenses and one month of rent to help get the family back on its feet. To join Rusty Humphries in raising funds for the VFW Unmet Needs Program, call 1-866-437-9283 to make your donation. To donate online, got to VFW Unmetneeds.com. Click to listen to VFW's “The National Defense.”

Study: 1 Out of 4 Homeless Are Veterans

2007-11-08T11:31:00.000+01:00

WASHINGTON — Veterans make up one in four homeless people in the United States, though they are only 11 percent of the general adult population, according to a report to be released Thursday.

And homelessness is not just a problem among middle-age and elderly veterans. Younger veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are trickling into shelters and soup kitchens seeking services, treatment or help with finding a job.

The Veterans Affairs Department has identified 1,500 homeless veterans from the current wars and says 400 of them have participated in its programs specifically targeting homelessness.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness, a public education nonprofit, based the findings of its report on numbers from Veterans Affairs and the Census Bureau. 2005 data estimated that 194,254 homeless people out of 744,313 on any given night were veterans.

In comparison, the VA says that 20 years ago, the estimated number of veterans who were homeless on any given night was 250,000.

Some advocates say the early presence of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan at shelters does not bode well for the future. It took roughly a decade for the lives of Vietnam veterans to unravel to the point that they started showing up among the homeless. Advocates worry that intense and repeated deployments leave newer veterans particularly vulnerable.

"We're going to be having a tsunami of them eventually because the mental health toll from this war is enormous," said Daniel Tooth, director of veterans affairs for Lancaster County, Pa.

While services to homeless veterans have improved in the past 20 years, advocates say more financial resources still are needed. With the spotlight on the plight of Iraq veterans, they hope more will be done to prevent homelessness and provide affordable housing to the younger veterans while there's a window of opportunity.

"When the Vietnam War ended, that was part of the problem. The war was over, it was off TV, nobody wanted to hear about it," said John Keaveney, a Vietnam veteran and a founder of New Directions in Los Angeles, which provides substance abuse help, job training and shelter to veterans.

"I think they'll be forgotten," Keaveney said of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. "People get tired of it. It's not glitzy that these are young, honorable, patriotic Americans. They'll just be veterans, and that happens after every war."

Keaveney said it's difficult for his group to persuade some homeless Iraq veterans to stay for treatment and help because they don't relate to the older veterans. Those who stayed have had success _ one is now a stock broker and another is applying to be a police officer, he said.

"They see guys that are their father's age and they don't understand, they don't know, that in a couple of years they'll be looking like them," he said.

After being discharged from the military, Jason Kelley, 23, of Tomahawk, Wis., who served in Iraq with the Wisconsin National Guard, took a bus to Los Angeles looking for better job prospects and a new life.

Kelley said he couldn't find a job because he didn't have an apartment, and he couldn't get an apartment because he didn't have a job. He stayed in a $300-a-week motel until his money ran out, then moved into a shelter run by the group U.S. VETS in Inglewood, Calif. He's since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, he said.

"The only training I have is infantry training and there's not really a need for that in the civilian world," Kelley said in a phone interview. He has enrolled in college and hopes to move out of the shelter soon.

The Iraq vets seeking help with homelessness are more likely to be women, less likely to have substance abuse problems, but more likely to have mental illness _ mostly related to post-traumatic stress, said Pete Dougherty, director of homeless veterans programs at the VA.

Overall, 45 percent of participants in the VA's homeless programs have a diagnosable mental illness and more than three out of four have a substance abuse problem, while 35 percent have both, Dougherty said.

Historically, a number of fighters in U.S. wars have become homeless. In the post-Civil War era, homeless veterans sang old Army songs to dramatize their need for work and became known as "tramps," which had meant to march into war, said Todd DePastino, a historian at Penn State University's Beaver campus who wrote a book on the history of homelessness.

After World War I, thousands of veterans _ many of them homeless _ camped in the nation's capital seeking bonus money. Their camps were destroyed by the government, creating a public relations disaster for President Herbert Hoover.

The end of the Vietnam War coincided with a time of economic restructuring, and many of the same people who fought in Vietnam were also those most affected by the loss of manufacturing jobs, DePastino said.

Their entrance to the streets was traumatic and, as they aged, their problems became more chronic, recalled Sister Mary Scullion, who has worked with the homeless for 30 years and co-founded of the group Project H.O.M.E. in Philadelphia.

"It takes more to address the needs because they are multiple needs that have been unattended," Scullion said. "Life on the street is brutal and I know many, many homeless veterans who have died from Vietnam."

The VA started targeting homelessness in 1987, 12 years after the fall of Saigon. Today, the VA has, either on its own or through partnerships, more than 15,000 residential rehabilitative, transitional and permanent beds for homeless veterans nationwide. It spends about $265 million annually on homeless-specific programs and about $1.5 billion for all health care costs for homeless veterans.

Because of these types of programs and because two years of free medical care is being offered to all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, Dougherty said they hope many veterans from recent wars who are in need can be identified early.

"Clearly, I don't think that's going to totally solve the problem, but I also don't think we're simply going to wait for 10 years until they show up," Dougherty said. "We're out there now trying to get everybody we can to get those kinds of services today, so we avoid this kind of problem in the future."

In all of 2006, the National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that 495,400 veterans were homeless at some point during the year.

The group recommends that 5,000 housing units be created per year for the next five years dedicated to the chronically homeless that would provide permanent housing linked to veterans' support systems. It also recommends funding an additional 20,000 housing vouchers exclusively for homeless veterans, and creating a program that helps bridge the gap between income and rent.

Following those recommendations would cost billions of dollars, but there is some movement in Congress to increase the amount of money dedicated to homeless veterans programs.

On a recent day in Philadelphia, case managers from Project H.O.M.E. and the VA picked up William Joyce, 60, a homeless Vietnam veteran in a wheelchair who said he'd been sleeping at a bus terminal.

"You're an honorable veteran. You're going to get some services," outreach worker Mark Salvatore told Joyce. "You need to be connected. You don't need to be out here on the streets."

___

Associated Press writer Kathy Matheson contributed to this story from Philadelphia.

___

On the Net: National Alliance to End Homelessness: http://www.naeh.org/

New Directions: http://www.newdirectionsinc.org/

Project Home: http://www.projecthome.org/

County of Lancaster: http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/

Veterans Affairs Department: http://www.va.gov/

U.S. Vets: http://usvetsinc.org/

VFW’s Ideas to Celebrate Veteran’s Day 2007

2007-11-07T14:34:00.000+01:00

Supporting Troops More Than a Bumper Sticker
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 05, 2007--This Veteran’s Day (November 11), the VFW encourages all Americans to consider what it means to "support our troops." A yellow ribbon is a great start, but what more can we all do to show our support? The VFW offers these tips to celebrate Veteran’s Day and honor our military veterans--past and present--who have put their lives on the line every day to protect our freedoms. Say “thank you” to the veterans and members of the military in your community. Take a moment to stop and say thank you – it’s a simple gesture that speaks volumes. Do something nice for a veteran’s family. Bring over a meal. Take the kids out to give a military spouse a break. Offer to drive the carpool. It’s especially hard for the families of those deployed to cope with everyday life struggles. Encourage veterans and their families to take advantage of programs like those offered by the VFW, including the Military Assistance Program, Operation Uplink and the Unmet Needs program. Click here to find out more about VFW's military support programs. Volunteer at your local veteran’s hospital or retirement facility, even if it’s only for an hour. Ask what items you can donate. Find a VA facility Send a care package to a deployed unit. Contact your local VFW post to participate in an Adopt-A-Unit program. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. To find a VFW post in your area enter zip code . Send thank you cards to a local VA hospital to cheer newly returning troops. Consider working with a local organization to organize a card-making campaign. Fly the United States flag, especially on patriotic holidays. For tips on flag etiquette, Click for VFW flag information Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., the VFW is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the sacrifice and ensuring the rights of America’s veterans through advocacy, support and community service, while promoting patriotism. The VFW offers various services to support veterans and their families throughout their military career, from active duty to honorably discharged.

Haunted Places on U.S. Bases

2007-11-01T04:59:00.000+01:00

It's not your imagination -- maybe that sound in the night really was a moan.

Stories of spirits and unexplained phenomena have persisted on U.S. military bases in the Pacific for years.

Doors slam, shadows creep and voices shout in the night. Could it be spirits of the dead reaching out?

As costumed ghosts and ghouls hit the streets for Halloween, Stars and Stripes has compiled some accounts of allegedly real ghosts and ghouls to keep the holiday creepy.

Creepy Crematorium Tale

Many of the buildings on Yongsan Garrison in South Korea have been there longer than the U.S. military. Some date back to Japan's occupation of Korea before and during World War II.

One of those buildings, near the gas station on the garrison's South Post, has been surrounded by rumors for years.

"I hate being here at night. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up just talking about it," said Sgt. 1st Class Riviere Cools, 52nd Medical Battalion as he eyed the squat, red-brick building in the center of his unit's complex of offices. "I don't believe in that kind of stuff, but in the back of my mind, there are souls here."

The entire compound, surrounded by a thick, crumbling, brick wall, was a prison during the occupation.

For years, said U.S. Army Garrison spokesman David McNally, soldiers working there have passed along stories claiming that the area, especially the small building in the center, was haunted.

McNally said the building was most likely the prison's administrative office, but those working around it have a more sinister theory.

"Everybody that's worked in that building right there has either seen something or heard something," said Staff Sgt. Sae Kim, 52nd Medical Battalion. "Because that's where they burned people."

McNally was quick to point out there was no evidence to suggest that the building was a crematorium, but that doesn't stop the stories from spreading.

"I haven't seen any ghosts," said Sgt. 1st Class Freeman Witherspoon. "But I definitely have heard the rumors. People say they see shadows when they have duty at night."

The Unexplained Voice

Stories of strange happenings abound at the base chapel at Camp Zama in Japan.

Strange presences in rooms and doors that mysteriously open and close are part of chapel lore, employees say.

Some tell stories of strange figures passing by and then disappearing.

"My predecessor said that she used to hear footsteps through the halls late at night," said Staff Sgt. Desmond West, the Unit Ministry Team noncommissioned officer in charge.

Last year, Spc. Jennifer Villagomez, a funds clerk, said she was working late when a voice emanated from her unplugged computer speakers.

It sounded like a Japanese man, "like a drill sergeant yelling at a private," she said.

At first, Villagomez said she thought the sounds were a practical joke and called for a sergeant who was the only other person in the building at the time.

"And as I heard him come closer to my office, the voice on the speaker went lower and lower until it went away, just before he walked in the room," Villagomez said.

She said that since that incident, she tries not to be the last person to in the office at night.

Sgt. Joshua Lee, who works at the chapel with Villagomez, said he didn't hear the voice that night but has witnessed other strange occurrences.

Chapel lights switch on and doors open seemingly on their own, Lee said.

West, who has worked in the chapel for four years, said he has never seen or heard anything peculiar.

"But the day I start hearing things, I'm running out of here," he said.

Ghosts Crowd Okinawa

Reportedly haunted sites can be found around almost any corner on and off Okinawa bases.

So many ghost stories abound that Marine Corps Community Services and 18th Services Squadron on Kadena Air Base both run special Halloween spooky sites tours that sell out weeks in advance.

Web sites and a book on the subject -- Jayne A. Hitchcock's "The Ghosts of Okinawa" -- celebrate the local haunts.

A World War II soldier is said to roam Gate 3 on Camp Hansen in blood-splattered fatigues asking sentries to light his cigarette.

Marines refused to stand guard due to the haunting, and the gate was eventually closed, according to Hitchcock.

Camp Foster is said to be the home of a ghostly samurai warrior who eternally travels from Stillwell Drive uphill toward Futenma Housing.

Kadena Air Base also has its ghost stories.

A small house behind the Kadena United Services Organization, numbered 2283, is now used for storage because, it is said, no one willingly lives in it for long.

Some say the house remains haunted after a man murdered his family there. Others say the house rests on an ancient burial site, and the souls of the dead beneath are restless.

Kadena's golf course might be the site where in 1945 a group of high-school girls pressed into service in the Japanese Imperial Army committed suicide, according to another yarn.

The spirits of the dead girls are said to still haunt the land.

Off-base, half-finished buildings are abandoned due to reports of ghostly visitors.

Construction of the Royal Hotel off Route 329, near the Nakagusuku Castle ruins, was begun some three decades ago -- possibly on a sacred site.

Mysterious accidents and deaths drove workers to abandon construction.

Meanwhile, at Maeda Point, there is rumored to be a prophet-of-death ghost.

The elderly Okinawan apparition is said to appear at a tomb that can be seen only from the water, and within days of a sighting, a body is found on a nearby beach.

Stars and Stripes reporters Travis Tritten, Jimmy Norris, Vince Little and Cindy Fisher contributed to this story.

Bush picks Army doctor as veterans secretary

2007-10-31T06:39:00.002+01:00

By Caren Bohan

WASHINGTON, Oct 30 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Tuesday chose a retired military doctor and decorated Vietnam veteran to head the veterans agency criticized over shoddy health care for soldiers wounded in the Iraq and Afghan wars.

Lt. Gen. James Peake was chosen as Bush's nominee as secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department. If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace Jim Nicholson, who left government to join the private sector.

Peake, a former Army surgeon general, would be the first physican and first general to hold the job. As someone who was wounded twice in combat, Peake "understands the view from both sides of the hospital bed," Bush said.

The selection of Peake came eight months after a scandal erupted over reports of poor health care for veterans of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bush has apologized for the problems, which included dilapidated conditions at the flagship Walter Reed Army Medical Center and bureaucratic delays faced by soldiers seeking care for their injuries.

He also has embraced the findings of a panel formed to recommend how to fix the problems in veterans care.

The veterans agency was also criticized after the revelation in 2006 that a laptop computer containing data on 26.5 million veterans had been stolen. The laptop was later recovered.

At the White House ceremony where his selection was announced, Peake acknowledged continued flaws with some of the services provided to veterans and pledged to overhaul them.

"The disability system is largely a 1945 product, 1945 processes, around a 1945 family unit. About everybody that has studied it recently said it is time to do some revisions," Peake said.

Peake was nominated by President Bill Clinton as Army surgeon general and served in that role from 2000-2004. After leaving that post, he worked for Project Hope, a nonprofit international health organization.

Most recently, Peake was chief medical director for QTC Management Inc., a private firm that provides medical exams and electronic medical records services for veterans.

Congressional Democrats this week criticized Bush for taking too long to name a replacement for Nicholson, a former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican and a former chairman of the Republican National Committee who said in July he was leaving.

Peake has served in military medicine for more than 40 years and served in the Vietnam War. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat and a Bronze Star for acts for valor.

He graduated from the U.S. military academy at West Point and got his medical training at Cornell University.

Sen. Barack Obama, an Illinois Democrat who is running for president, said he hoped Peake would bring a "new era of leadership" to the veterans agency. But Obama said budget shortfalls, inadequate care and other problems had marked the Bush administration's oversight of the agency.

(Additional reporting by Tabassum Zakaria)

Hundreds of thousands of U.S. veterans lack any health insurance, survey finds

2007-10-31T06:39:00.000+01:00

Cox News Service

WASHINGTON | Nearly 1.8 million U.S. veterans are without health insurance, and more than half of them said they had no place to go when they were sick, researchers reported Tuesday.

The finding contradicts many Americans’ assumption that all veterans qualify for free health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The uninsured veterans are primarily low- to middle-income workers, ages 44 to 64, who are too poor to afford private insurance coverage but not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid or VA health care, the Harvard Medical School researchers said.

Analyzing data from two federal surveys, the researchers found that more than one-fourth of the uninsured veterans said they did not get needed medical care or delayed it because of its cost. Nearly half said they had not had an office visit or contact with a health professional in more than a year, and two-thirds said they received no preventive care.

The study also found that more than 25 percent of uninsured veterans said they could not afford prescriptions, and more than 20 percent said they could not afford eyeglasses.

The researchers said the main cause for the large number of uninsured veterans was the narrowing of eligibility for health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2003, the Bush administration limited VA health-care eligibility to veterans with combat-related health problems or those making less than $30,000 a year.

“I was not surprised to hear that (1.8 million veterans are uninsured) … given the large number of uninsured in this country,” said John Rowan, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

There are nearly 24 million U.S. veterans, according to the VA.

The study is based on an analysis of government surveys released between 1988 and 2005. It will be published in the December issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

One More Post

2007-10-29T10:28:00.001+01:00

Did I kick ass or what. I think the site looks great, (clap myself on the back) I got more to come. let me know what you think about the new look.

VA PTSD Psychiatrist Given “Genius” Award

2007-10-26T06:29:00.000+02:00

WASHINGTON -- A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee in Boston, Dr. Jonathan Shay, has been awarded the so-called “Genius Award” from the MacArthur Foundation. Shay, the author of two popular books about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been a VA staff psychiatrist treating combat veterans with PTSD since November 1987.

“Dr. Shay is living proof that VA is providing our veterans with the best health care this country has to offer, especially for the treatment of PTSD,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. “Our veterans deserve -- and VA is providing -- world-class health care.”

Shay was one of 24 Americans who each recently received a $500,000 grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, one of the nation’s largest philanthropic organizations, for “exceptional merit and promise of continued creative work.” Shay combines a study of classic literature with 20 years of experience treating veterans in Boston to explain PTSD to both the public and health care professionals.

In addition to publications in professional journals, he is the author of Achilles in Vietnam and Odysseus in America, two widely regarded books that helped spread the understanding that PTSD is an age-old battlefield injury by comparing the works of the ancient Greek poet Homer to the experiences of modern combat veterans.

He also pioneered the use of certain anti-depression medicine, called “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors,” for combat trauma, a treatment that now has broad endorsement for veterans with psychological injury.

Besides working for VA, Shay has also worked with the military services and the Defense Department in a variety of capacities to foster an understanding of PTSD, improve military leadership and strengthen ethics training for the military.

Shay received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, and his M.D. and Ph.D. in neuropathology from the University of Pennsylvania.

VFW: Troops Need Funds, Not Further Debate

2007-10-26T06:24:00.000+02:00

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2007--Congress' nonchalant attitude towards President Bush's war funding request yesterday is not what the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. expected from a wartime Congress.

"Our nation is at war, yet congressional leaders would rather continue to debate the administration's policies than fulfill their obligation to support the troops with adequate and timely funding," said George Lisicki, a Vietnam combat veteran from Carteret, N.J.

“Our men and women in uniform are doing everything within their power to succeed in Afghanistan and Iraq,” he said. “Their families are keeping the home front functioning so that their loved ones can stay mission focused. The administration has new military leadership with a new plan that is working. The only part of the team that isn’t pulling its weight in this war is Congress.”

The new funding request for $196.4 billion is in addition to the Defense Department’s fiscal year 2008 budget, which is among the 12 major spending bills that the House and Senate have approved separately but have yet to consolidate for the president’s signature. The federal government’s new fiscal year began Oct. 1. It is currently operating on a temporary stopgap measure that expires Nov. 16.

The media is reporting that House and Senate leadership will wait until next year before advancing the president’s new request, the bulk of which would go to DOD. The funds would purchase 7,200 new mine-resistant vehicles, fill equipment shortfalls, repair damaged equipment, enhance roadside bomb countermeasures, and fund military construction projects, as well as improve medical and rehabilitation programs for wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

On Monday, President Bush said, “I know some in Congress are against the war [in Iraq] and are seeking ways to demonstrate that opposition. I recognize their position – and they should make their views heard – but they ought to make sure our troops have what it takes to succeed.”

The VFW’s national commander, who met with the president yesterday on this topic, agrees.

“Every day in Iraq is better than the day before,” said Lisicki. “A stable and secure environment is allowing their economy to bounce back, and that is bringing political reconciliation. Our troops have done everything asked of them under the most difficult of conditions. All they are asking from the U.S. Congress is for a chance to finish the job.”

My last post here

2007-10-25T07:11:00.000+02:00

I'll be working on my own blog from now on. Greg and Tom will be responsible for all the content on this site from now on. I will stay on to take care of the look of the site, and making changes as they request. My effort will be better used in getting this site to look good. Take it easy.

Veteran's Grave Vandalized

2007-10-22T06:39:00.000+02:00

Liberty County Veteran's Grave Vandalized

By Elizabeth Scarborough

Lance Cpl. Jeremy Burris, 22, of Liberty, died in Iraq and was buried at Cook Memorial Cemetery earlier this week.The cemetery has a locked gate at the front and a fence around the perimeter, but vandals managed to get in sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, less than two days after the Liberty marine was buried, officials said.part and stuff was strewn everywhere."Burris was laid to rest on Tuesday. Huge crowds lined the streets to bid him a final farewell. The community is now in shock.Tom Smathers, a Liberty resident said, "It's terrible. You can't believe someone would do something like that.""They're doing their best to keep us safe. It's horrible," said resident William Dozer.Liberty police said they have no leads and no idea who would do this or why, but even the chief is outraged."This is a despicable act. In 30 years of policing, it's probably the lowest event I have witnessed," said Chief Mike Cummings.He stressed that vandalizing a grave is a crime, and asked for the public's help in figuring out the culprits.Anyone with information is asked to call Liberty Police at 936-366-5666.

I would like to say if the vandals are caught they should be sent to Marine boot camp and made to graduate. It just shows you the caliber of children that are being raised today.
Peace Greg

Show support for the Troops

2007-10-21T09:05:00.000+02:00

Photos of troops overseas are gone from Paso post office, inspiring outrage

From customers to congressmen, the removal of dozens of photos of U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan – many of them with relatives who use the Paso Robles Post Office, where the pictures had been on display for years behind the counter – inspired outrage Friday.

The photos were taken down after a customer complained that the display was pro-war. When the issue came to the attention of the regional postal center, they asked that Paso Robles postmaster Mike Milby and his staff take them down because they violate a regulation against displays of non-postal business material at any U.S. post office.

“It’s an emotional issue and people look at their post office as a hub of the community, but the post office is there to do postal business and it’s not a place to post things or make displays,” said postal spokesman Richard Maher.

Two signs posted at the postal counter Friday said “We are being forced to remove the pictures from out wall of our boys and girls in the military. Please ask for your pictures back.”

Clerks were constantly barraged with questions about why the display had gone down Friday, which most people expressing dismay that the photos had been removed.

Maher said the post office will not be punished for the display.

Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) weighed in on the removal after his office was besieged with dozens of phone calls from constituents upset about the removal.

“Supporting our local heroes’ bravery and sacrifice is common sense. That is why I am troubled with the Paso Robles Post Office’s removal of pictures honoring the sacrifice of our brave men and women serving in the Armed Services. I am in contact with the Postal Service to get a clear answer of why this happened and determine what actions can be taken,” the congressman said in a statement.

McCarthy is going to try to get the pictures put back up, said his spokesman Nick Bouknight, even if it requires changing the postal regulations to do it.

-Leah Etling

2007-10-19T16:36:00.000+02:00

VFW POST 10592
RICHARD E. AUSTIN
APPRECIATION DINNER

24 NOVEMBER 07 1800 HOURS

FOR ALL MEMBERS OF POST 10592

HELD AT MUHLENDORF, GASTHAUS ALTE MUHLE

RSVP BY CALLING BY 15 NOVEMBER 07

TIM GALLTON 09543-851958 OR 01626023078

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U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the

2007-10-19T16:32:00.000+02:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla..) today
praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill ( S.1877) clarifying
U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the
flag. Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans and
servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over their heart
without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.

'The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride
in one's military service,' Senator Inhofe said. 'Veterans and service
members continue representing the military services even when not in
uniform. 'Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether
veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute the
flag. My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and
servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not.
'I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at
baseball games, parades, and formal events.

I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the
25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military
and remain as role models to others citizens. Those who are currently
serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their
recognition will be an inspiration to others.'

This Bill was passed July 25, 2007. Let your veteran friends
know about the Passage of this Bill

VFW Urges Congress

2007-10-19T06:31:00.000+02:00

to Immediately Pass DOD, VA Budgets: Funds needed to turn benefits commissions' recommendations into reality
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2007--The national commander of America's largest organization of combat veterans is urging Congress to immediately pass two key funding packages so that the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs can begin bringing the recommendations made by a pair of wounded veterans' benefits commissions into reality. "The two most important issues in America today are the war and the care of our wounded veterans," said George Lisicki, a Vietnam veteran from Carteret, N.J., who leads the 2.3 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries. "But Congress has yet to pass any fiscal year 2008 funding bill, to include the VA's, which Congress has touted as the largest VA budget increase in history," he said. "You can't brag about something until you finish the job, and that means consolidating the two House and Senate versions into one bill for the president's signature." This marks the eighth consecutive year the VA started a new fiscal year without an on-time budget. The federal government's new fiscal year began Oct. 1. The VFW wants the DOD and VA budgets passed so that some of recommendations made by the two commissions – the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission and the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors – can be accomplished without the need to seek additional appropriations. One key recommendation the VFW fully supports is having the VA assign disability ratings to transitioning servicemen and women instead of having the onus fall on DOD; making fit-for-duty determinations will remain a military service responsibility. Other recommendations would address the VA claims backlog, provide compensation for a disability's impact on an individual's quality of life, expand TRICARE benefits, and allow all current war veterans to receive VA mental health services without first receiving a service-connected determination, among others. But nothing is going to move forward without funding. "There is absolutely no excuse for Congress to fail in its primary responsibility to legislate and appropriate funding," said Lisicki. "DOD is fighting a war and the VA is a partner in that fight. They need funding, not empty rhetoric, because the war is producing casualties who will need a lifetime of care. The budget holdup is severely restricting medical research, healthcare advancements, and equipment and facility upgrades. Congress keeps demanding that DOD and VA improve their systems, but improvements go hand-in-hand with funding." Lisicki believes the reason for Congress' inaction is some of the members are too busy politicking to do their jobs. "Partisan politics is preventing our country from moving forward," he said. "We need elected officials who know how to think on their own and who can compromise when it puts the best interests of America first, and that's why I am now urging my entire membership to tell their senators and representatives to pass the DOD and VA budgets immediately. "Our nation is at war. There are no higher priorities." To contact a member of the Senate, go to click here. To contact a member of the House, click here. To read the Disability Benefits Commission report, click here. To read the President's Commission report, click here. To read testimony from an Oct. 17 Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, click here.

VFW, New Jersey Honor Veterans in Stadium Tributes During 'Veterans of America Day'

2007-10-19T06:30:00.000+02:00

A young boy in the stands watches the men assemble on the field of the Commerce Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, N.J – the home of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Team –on a warm summer afternoon. “Why are those men on the field in uniforms?” he asks his father. “What did they do that was so special?”

Dad explains that those are veterans who have defended our country and deserve to be recognized and honored by a grateful nation. The young child smiles and waves his little United States flag wildly as the parade goes by.

Moments like this make Joe Yuzuik, VFW Post 2290 in Manville, N.J., and the other organizers of the “Veterans of America Day” celebration proud to be affiliated with the event now in its fifth year.

Yuzuik remembers how it all started.

After a July 4, 2003, fireworks display, Yuzuik said he approached Steve Kalafer, team and stadium owner, and asked him if he would honor veterans.

“Steve immediately said the ballpark was ours," Yuzuik said, "and the Patriots would make sure we got whatever we needed to accomplish a tribute.”

With the help of Yuzuik's friends -- John Dorell, an Army Vietnam veteran, and Pat DeChirico, a Marine Corps Korean War through Operation Desert Storm veteran -- things began to take shape.

Since 2003, events have included keynote speakers such as Medal of Honor recipients and important military leaders like former Brigadier General Janis Karpinski.

Most recently, VFW national commander-in-chief, George Lisicki, addressed the crowd – and even threw out the first pitch of that day’s game!

Other patriotic activities have included flyovers from WWII planes, rifle salutes, echo taps, color guards from various military and veterans organizations and stirring musical performances.

Outside the stadium, local groups such as the Boy and Girl Scouts and the Bridgewater Police Force set up booths that are popular with the community. Inside, there are tables laden with information specific to veterans seeking help with benefits and entitlements issues.

As a Vietnam veteran, Yuzuik said the ceremony has special significance to him.

“I survived Vietnam and did not question it,” he said. “I have a caring and wonderful wife, Nancy, a beautiful daughter, Kristin, and the support of true friends. I don’t take anything for granted – I take life one day at a time and enjoy what the day brings.”

“Veterans of America Day” is a moving and respectful occasion that draws veterans from all over the area, as well as from the local VA Hospital and Soldier’s Home Yuzuik said, adding that the other organizers are humbled to be in presence of the veterans who attend.

“The ceremony is getting bigger every year,” he said. “To be able to honor veterans for the sacrifices they have made, to be able to meet veterans from all of the wars, to have had the privilege and honor of being on the same field as Medal of Honor recipients and a survivor of the Bataan Death March – I feel that I have been blessed.”

Honoring USS Cole; Celebrating 232 years of Naval Service

2007-10-16T07:28:00.000+02:00

On Oct. 12, 2000, our nation lost 17 of America’s finest sailors when terrorists attacked USS Cole while the guided-missile destroyer was moored in the Gulf of Aden in Yemen.

Today, as we honor those sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice for service, we are reminded that they were committed to something larger than themselves and genuinely understood the call of duty for the greater good. They stood proud and met every challenge with an understanding that there is a price to be paid for freedom. To our fallen comrades, America stands united in celebrating your lives because it is you, our fallen, who have provided us with hope and courage.

We also are reminded that more lives could have been lost on that dreadful day had it not been for the heroic efforts of USS Cole crewmembers and their dedication in saving their ship.

It is fitting that today, as we honor our fallen, that we also praise and thank the men and women in the U.S. Navy as they celebrate the 232nd year of their rich heritage in defending freedoms and promoting peace.

God bless America.
George Lisicki
VFW Commander-in-Chief

Understanding Depression

2007-10-16T07:24:00.000+02:00

Week of October 15, 2007

October is National Depression Education and Awareness Month. As the season changes and the days get shorter, some people develop symptoms of depression when days with less sunlight can lower brain serotonin levels affecting mood and behavior. Depression can come in different forms exhibiting many different symptoms. A confidential screening test for depression is available at the DoD's Mental Health Self-Assessment Program website. Non-active duty TRICARE beneficiaries can find out more about getting help by visiting the Mental Health and Behavior section under the "My Benefit" portal at www.tricare.mil. The CDC's Understanding Depression --Yours and Theirs webpage. More information on depression is also available on the Army Medicine website.

$1M sitting unused in military relief fund

2007-10-11T06:46:00.000+02:00

By Will Higgins will.higgins@indystar.com
VA official wants to make it easier for soldiers' families to get grants

More than $1 million is sitting idle in a fund to help Indiana soldiers fighting the war on terrorism.

TO APPLY FOR AID

The Military Family and Relief Fund was set up in 2006 by the Indiana General Assembly to assist soldiers' families who are financially strapped because of an overseas deployment. So far, with nearly 1,000 Indiana National Guard troops deployed and thousands of others recently returned from serving their country, just $22,000 in grants have been awarded.

Tom Applegate, director of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, said Tuesday he plans to propose eliminating a prerequisite he says prevents many deserving families from tapping the fund: "We need to delete the requirement (that the soldier) needs to be earning less money while deployed than in his regular job."

Most troops get a pay raise while deployed, but that doesn't mean the family back home doesn't suffer, Applegate said. "There could be more child-care costs, and in some cases the spouse can no longer work full time."

Applegate testified before the Commission on Military and Veterans Affairs, a consortium of state lawmakers chaired by Sen. Thomas J. Wyss, R-Fort Wayne.

"We need to make sure (the funds) get to those who need it," said Wyss, noting the upcoming deployment of the Indiana Guard's 76th Infantry Brigade's 3,500 troops.

The General Assembly would have to approve a change in the fund's criteria. Lawmakers convene briefly Nov. 20, and the legislative session starts in early January.

The 76th is expected to deploy in December and ship out to Iraq in March. It would be the Indiana Guard's largest deployment since World War II.

The fund gets its money through sales of specialty license plates. About 32,500 "Hoosier Veteran" plates have been sold, with $15 from each sale going to the fund. Half as many "Support Our Troops" plates have been sold, with $20 from each sale going to the fund. The state matches that money, up to $450,000 a year.

The maximum grant amount for families is $2,000. So far, 11 grants have been awarded. More than that have been turned down, though "fewer than 20," Applegate said.

Those numbers suggest either little interest in the grants or, more likely, that many soldiers don't know about them, Applegate said. He said he would redouble his efforts to get the word out by publicizing the available money through veterans groups such as the American Legion.

There are 975 Indiana Guard troops deployed for the wars: 10 in Afghanistan, 75 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the remainder in Iraq.

Rocket carrying military satellite launched into orbit

2007-10-11T06:34:00.000+02:00

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Florida: A rocket carrying a satellite used for communication by the United States Air Force lifted off Wednesday night.

The Atlas V, which launched at 8:22 p.m. (0022 Thursday), is carrying a Wideband Global SATCOM satellite. It is the first of at least five satellites that will be placed in orbit through 2008.

The system will replace the current Defense Satellite Communications System that has been used for military communications for the last two decades. This first satellite will cover the Pacific Zone which includes Hawaii, Japan and Southeast Asia. Each spacecraft will cost $350 million (€247.42 million).

The DSCS system will be used in conjunction with WGS until being phased out within the next few years.

Col. David Urich, the Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing vice commander, said the first spacecraft alone "will provide more capacity than all the current DSCS satellites currently in use."The launch was scheduled for Tuesday, but delayed a day as engineers checked data that might have indicated the Atlas V rocket would have fallen short of its intended orbit.

Corps Exceeds '07 Recruiting Goal

2007-10-07T06:59:00.000+02:00

Stars and Stripes | October 06, 2007

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Marine Corps ended fiscal 2007 with more than 186,000 Marines, surpassing its goal of 184,000, Corps officials said.

That means the Corps is on track to grow to 202,000 Marines by fiscal 2011, which will help give Marines two months at home for every month in combat, officials told reporters on Thursday.

The Corps' plan calls for the Corps increasing to 189,000 Marines by the end of fiscal 2008; 194,000 Marines by fiscal 2009; 199,000 Marines by fiscal 2010; and 202,000 Marines by fiscal 2011.

Asked if the Corps might reach 202,000 before fiscal 2011, a Corps official said the Corps is facing an "unprecedented" recruiting challenge.

"To suggest that we do it faster scares us even more," the official said. "We had a very successful year. We made our recruiting goals; we exceeded [them] by a small amount. ... But we think we are pushing the maximum of our capability."

For fiscal 2007, the Corps signed up 35,603 recruits, which is 27 more than the Corps' fiscal 2007 goal, the official said.

The official stressed that the Corps did not lower its standards to get more recruits.

"Quality begets quality; that's one of the mantras of our recruiters," the official said.

Also in fiscal 2007, the Corps reenlisted 7,668 Marines who faced their first re-enlistment opportunity, known as first-term Marines, and 10,027 Marines who have already re-enlisted at least once , officials said. Friday.

That translates into 31 percent of eligible first-term Marines and 70 percent of eligible Marines who have already re-enlisted at least once, compared with 22 percent and 65 percent respectively in fiscal 2006, officials said Thursday.

Several retention incentives announced for fiscal 2007 will continue into this fiscal year, including eliminating restrictions on how many Marines approaching their first re-enlistment can stay with the Corps - known as "boat spaces," officials said.

Selective re-enlistment bonuses will continue to be offered on a flat rate with a $10,000 re-enlistment incentive rolled into the bonus itself, officials said.

Any further re-enlistment incentives would be announced in forthcoming Marine corps administrative Messages, an official said.

N.H. tax evaders taken into custody after standoff

2007-10-05T06:49:00.000+02:00

You can run but you can't hide. I think this sets a good example for the people who think they don't have to pay income tax. You drive on the streets and use the modern comforts of the country. How the hell do you think that stuff was paid for? Want a top notch Military? It just doesn't exist with out the all mighty tax dollar. Ed and Elaine I wish you a happy five years in Federal prison.

A couple convicted of tax evasion was taken into custody after a five-month-long standoff with federal agents in New Hampshire, a federal law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN.

Ed and Elaine Brown, who had refused to surrender to authorities to serve their prison sentences, were taken into custody without incident Thursday evening by U.S. Marshals at about 8:00 p.m.

The Browns had been holed up in their concrete-reinforced home in Plainfield, New Hampshire.

They were convicted of evading $1.9 million in taxes -- a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. The Browns were sentenced in absentia in April.

Throughout the ordeal, the Browns insisted there was no valid law that requires them to pay income taxes.

"We have committed no crime and we will not go to prison for non-crimes," Elaine Brown told CNN in June.

Marshals cut off utilities to the house in early June, but the Browns told CNN it was not much of a hardship because they had their own wind turbine, as well as solar panels that provided some electricity.

Also, their property covers more than 103 acres, so there was plenty of wood to keep them warm in the winter, they said.

The couple and their New Hampshire home had become a rallying spot for anti-government supporters. Randy Weaver -- a survivor of the 1992 incident in Ruby Ridge, Idaho -- had recently visited the Browns to show his support.

Over the summer, the Browns invited their supporters and friends to an outdoor party on their property that included live music, bocci and barbeque. Their online invitations asked attendees to "stand in solidarity with the Browns against income tax fraud and celebrate freedom."

U.S. Marshal Steve Monier told CNN the service had no desire to engage in a violent confrontation with the Browns. "But warrants aren't going away. They will serve their prison sentence," he added.

The Browns, who are in their 60s, now likely face a host of other charges.

They accumulated the back taxes between 1996 and 2003, in part from money made from Elaine's private dental practice.

Four people accused of aiding and abetting the Browns, including one man who allegedly provided security, were arrested and taken into custody in mid-September.

VFW Applauds Disability Benefits Commission Report

2007-10-05T06:26:00.000+02:00

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2007--The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is applauding the 13 members of the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission for keeping a promise to make the system better for disabled veterans, servicemembers and their families. The commission unveiled their 562-page report yesterday after more than two years of research and interviews.

VFW Commander-in-Chief George Lisicki, a Vietnam veteran from Carteret, N.J., said that some in the veterans' community were initially skeptical because they thought the commission was formed to cut programs and benefits. "But there is no doubt from the report that the skeptics were wrong," he said. "The commission kept its promise to care for those who have borne the battle."

The commission report includes 113 recommendations, 14 of which were considered to be priorities. These recommendations would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a permanent committee to regularly update the rating schedule that guides the VA's evaluation of service-connected disabilities, especially where it concerns traumatic brain injuries, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, and other mental or neurological injuries or diseases. The commission said the rating schedule revision is needed to include compensation for the impact a service-connected disability has on an individual's quality of life, something current law provides only to the most seriously disabled.

Also recommended was the elimination of the ban on concurrent receipt for all military retirees and those who are medically-separated before reaching the 20-year retirement point, as well as ending the offset that currently prevents survivors of veterans who die on active duty or as the result of service-connected disabilities from collecting both their Defense Department Survivor Benefit Plan payment and VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

Other priorities address a reduction in the VA claims backlog and adjudication cycle, the creation of a standard disability rating examination, the seamless transition of electronic medical records between DOD and VA, and the creation of a co-chaired VA-DOD oversight group to implement the commission's recommendations.

Lisicki said this is the third commission to file a report this year that addresses how the nation treats and compensates its disabled veterans and servicemembers.

"But this one is different, because it wasn't established in response to the substandard outpatient housing debacle at Walter Reed Army Medical Center," he explained.

"The Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission was created by the 2004 defense authorization bill to examine the disability benefits system. This report is much more thorough, and for that reason, it must carry more weight within the administration and Congress."

The VFW national commander now wants his organization to participate in the VA-DOD oversight group that was recommended to examine and implement the commission's 113 proposals.

"Veterans organizations must have a seat at the table if we're to make the system better for everyone involved," said Lisicki, who leads the nation's oldest major veterans' organization and its largest organization of combat veterans.
"The VFW has a vested interest in ensuring these recommendations become reality."

Too Funny

2007-10-04T13:44:00.000+02:00

Domestic Abuse No Longer A Problem, Say Bruised Female Researchers

Study: Multiple Stab Wounds May Be Harmful To Monkeys

Al Qaeda Also Fed Up With Ground Zero Construction Delays

'Students First In Line' Program To Offer Job Training At Needy Schools

VA Previews Texas Site for “Polytrauma” Health Care

2007-10-04T06:48:00.000+02:00

WASHINGTON – The Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital will house the nation’s newest Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, where seriously injured and wounded veterans can go to receive intensive medical rehabilitation for treatment of disabilities due to trauma, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) said today.

VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Michael J. Kussman on Friday visited the site, which will eventually house one floor of polytrauma ward space (12 beds) and transitional housing (12 apartments); one floor of polytrauma rehabilitation and multi-purpose space; and one floor for physical medicine and prosthetics service.

“VA manages the only nationwide network to care for polytrauma patients, and we are aggressively researching new methods of identifying and treating traumatic brain injury. San Antonio will play a critical role in our ability to properly care for these badly injured veterans,” Kussman said. “We are the world’s leader in traumatic brain injury, rehabilitation and research.”

“Polytrauma” refers to multiple injuries such as loss of vision or limbs and brain injuries, frequently caused by improvised explosive devices used by insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. Service members who are close to those blasts can suffer a range of brain injuries, even if they don’t suffer from a visible wound. Those injuries are called “traumatic brain injuries” (TBI).

VA created four special TBI centers in 1992 in Minneapolis, Minn.; Richmond, Va.; Tampa, Fla.; and Palo Alto, Calif. The centers expanded their mission in recent years to assist TBI patients and service members suffering from other serious problems, including amputations, burns, blindness and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). Their new designation as polytrauma centers reflects their expanded mission. The facilities have structured their services around teams of specialists.

Last year, the four polytrauma centers were joined by 17 other regionally-based facilities to meet the needs of less severely injured veterans or those whose conditions had stabilized at one of the four primary polytrauma centers.

“The polytrauma system of care has been designed to balance the needs of our combat injured for highly specialized care with their needs for more local access to life-long rehabilitative care,” Kussman said.

The San Antonio project will consist of two stages. In the first, VA will construct an 84,000 square-foot, three-level building for rehabilitation, transitional living and prosthetics. This will be followed by renovation of 32,500 square feet of office and exam room spaces in the main medical center building at the veterans medical center.

The cost of the entire project is estimated at $66 million. Construction is expected to begin next year.

Congress Fails To Pass On-Time VA Budget

2007-10-03T09:06:00.000+02:00

As they have for the better part of a decade, Congress has failed to pass an on-time budget for VA. The government’s new fiscal year begins on October 1, and instead of pressing forward on the VA Appropriations bill, each chamber has passed a stopgap funding measure while will fund VA and the rest of the government through November 16th. This means that, in the short term, VA will be funded on last year’s level – a level that does not account for the growing numbers of veterans seeking care. The stopgap budget they have approved is roughly $6.7 billion less than what Congress itself has decided what VA needs, and will hamper VA’s efforts to recruit and retain the highest quality doctors, nurses and health care professionals. It will also delay VA’s ability to hire and train disability compensation claims processors, impairing VA’s ability to manage the ever-growing backlog.
This past week, VFW let Congress know that we expect them to approve the budget on-time. The differences between the House and Senate versions are negligible, and the bipartisan support for the bill would ensure its success if it had come up for a vote. Congressional leaders, however, decided to use the broad support for it to attach less politically popular provisions, turning it into a large omnibus bill and delaying its passage.
The VFW calls on Congress to end the political games and do what is right for this nation’s veterans, especially those wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. We urge all VFW members, and any concerned veterans’ advocates you know to call your Congressman and Senators, to tell them to immediately pass the VA budget. This nation’s 24 million veterans are looking to them to do the right thing.

Army Sniper Acquitted of Murder

2007-10-03T08:58:00.001+02:00

BAGHDAD - A military panel on Friday acquitted U.S. Army Spc. Jorge G. Sandoval on charges he killed two unarmed Iraqis, but it convicted him of planting evidence on one of the men in attempt to cover up the shooting.

Sandoval, 22, of Laredo, Texas, had faced five charges in the April and May deaths of two unidentified men. He was found not guilty of the two murder charges, but the panel decided he had placed a spool of detonation wire on one of the bodies to make it look as if the man was an insurgent.

Lawyers for Sandoval said he should be sentenced only for misplacement of public or private property, which carries no more than six months in prison. Prosecutors argued he should be punished for obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum five-year sentence. He will be sentenced on Saturday.

"Anyone who has been charged with murder for their first kill on the battlefield on the order of his superior and is found not guilty is happy," Capt. Craig Drummond, a defense attorney, said outside court after the verdict. "Today what the panel concluded was justice. This soldier is not guilty."

During the two-day court-martial, Sandoval's colleagues testified they were following orders when they shot the men during two separate incidents on April 27 and May 11.

Spc. Alexander Flores of Hayward, Calif., who was in the same squad as Sandoval on the day of the April killing, testified they were acting on the orders of their platoon leader who said the suspect was "our guy" and ordered them to "move in," which they interpreted as "take the target out."

After the killing, Flores said Staff Sgt. Michael Hensley of Candler, N.C., told him to place a spool of detonation wire on the body and in the man's pocket.

But prosecutors cited an interview with Sandoval immediately after his arrest in which he said he planted the wire. Outside court, Flores stood by his testimony.

"He was just doing his job, as he was told. It's not his fault," said Flores, who, along with the rest of Sandoval's sniper platoon, greeted him with hugs and well wishes.

In the May shooting, Sgt. Evan Vela of Rigby, Idaho, said Hensley told him to shoot the man, who had stumbled upon their snipers' hide-out, although he was not armed and had his hands in the air when he approached the soldiers.

"He (Hensley) asked me if I was ready. I had the pistol out. I heard the word shoot. I don't remember pulling the trigger. It took me a second to realize that the shot came from the pistol in my hand," Vela testified, crying.

Vela said that as the Iraqi man was convulsing on the ground, "Hensley kind of laughed about it and hit the guy on the throat and said shoot again."

"After he (the Iraqi man) was shot, Hensley pulled an AK-47 out of his rucksack and said, 'This is what we are going to say happened,'" said Vela, who testified on Thursday under a deal that bars his account of events from being used against him when he goes to trial. Sandoval also was acquitted Friday of charges he planted the weapon on the second man's body.

Vela and Hensley are both charged in the case and will be tried separately.

The three soldiers are part of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Vela's lawyer, Gary Myers, alleged this week that Army snipers hunting insurgents in Iraq were under orders to "bait" their targets with suspicious materials, such as detonation cords, then kill those who picked up the items. He said his client was acting on "orders."

Asked about the existence of the "baiting program," Drummond said it was unclear "what programs were going on out there and when," especially "if there were things that were done that made the rules of engagement not clear."

VFW Statement on MoveOn.org Attack on Gen. Petraeus

2007-10-01T18:59:00.001+02:00

VFW Statement on MoveOn.org attack on Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, and subsequent attempts to use the issue for partisan politics:

"It was absolutely unacceptable for MoveOn.org to ridicule and question the motives and allegiances of America's senior military commander in Iraq. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus is trying to win a war as quickly and with as few casualties as possible. He and the men and women under his command must remain focused on the enemy at their front and not the naysayers at home.

"Equally disgusting are those who would use the personal attack on General Petraeus for political gain. Americans may have become desensitized to dirty politics in Washington, but we can still recognize when innocents are being used. Our brave servicemen and women are not political pawns. They serve selflessly to protect our nation and every freedom we enjoy. The right to free speech is not permission to exploit."

George J. Lisicki
Commander-in-Chief
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
Washington, D.C.

Fairy Tale

2007-10-01T18:58:00.000+02:00

One day, long, long ago, there was this woman who
did not whine, nag, or bitch........
*

But this was a long time ago......

and it was just ONE day.

The End

Bill Maher | September 28 2007 |

2007-10-01T12:59:00.000+02:00

Ken Burns on his new PBS documentary.

Iran

Rahm Emanuel gets grilled.

America Used To Be Really Goddamn Awesome

2007-09-29T10:39:00.000+02:00

Bob Cesca's article can be read here. This is a really good read! Bob Cesca is a writer, director and producer, and the founder of Camp Chaos, an animation studio based near Philadelphia. He's written and produced hundreds of animated shorts as well as music videos for Iron Maiden, Meat Loaf, Everclear, Yes and Motley Crue. After 9/11, Bob directed the independent feature film, The War Effort: a mockumentary satirizing the nation's post-9/11 knee-jerk patriotism. He's also the creator of the animated sketch show "ILL-ustrated" which aired for two seasons on VH1 and MTV2. Bob grew up in Northern Virginia and graduated from Kutztown University with a degree in Political Science. His latest animated project is KUNG FU JIMMY CHOW.
Another piece you might want to read from Bob is "The Democrats Could Learn A Lot From Larry Craig's Balls."

U.S. missile defense test successful

2007-09-29T08:43:00.000+02:00

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - A ground-based missile successfully intercepted a target missile Friday in a test of the nation's defense system, the Missile Defense Agency said.

An intercontinental ballistic missile interceptor blasted out of an underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force Base shortly after 1:15 p.m., and tracked a target missile that had lifted off from the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska, the Boeing Co. said in a statement.

The Missile Defense Agency said initial results show the interceptor's rocket motor system and kill vehicle performed as planned. Boeing said the warhead was tracked, intercepted and destroyed.

Boeing is the prime contractor for what is formally known as the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system.

The MDA expects to invest $49 billion in ballistic missile defense development and fielding over the next five years.

Two operational interceptor missiles are currently based at Vandenberg and there are 11 deployed at Fort Greely, Alaska.

Army plans to increase size of the force more quickly

2007-09-29T08:36:00.001+02:00

Army plans to increase size of the force more quickly

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday he would probably approve a plan to expand the army by 74,000 troops in four years instead of five to ease strains on the force.

Gates said still he had questions about whether the army could accelerate the expansion without lowering the quality of its recruits, or spreading its cadre of mid-level officers too thin.

"They are confident they can do that; they've put together some programs to try and do it, and I'm probably going to recommend that they go ahead and give it a try," he said.

In one of his first acts as defense secretary, Gates set in motion plans in January to increase the size of the active army to 547,000 by 2012 in large part by adding seven thousand troops a year over five years.

Army Secretary Pete Geren told reporters the army now believes it can accomplish that in four years.

"We concluded that we could expedite the growth by a year and that would help relieve stress on the force," Geren said.

He said accelerating the plan would cost an additional 2.7 to 2.8 billion dollars, and require recruiting more than 80,000 troops a year.

But it would add 74,000 troops to its active force and to the army national guard and reserves.

"There are some who have expressed concerns that in this recruiting climate we wouldn't be able to accomplish it. We believe that we could," he said.

Geren said another means of expanding the force is through re-enlistments, which have remained high despite the stress of repeated deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

But Gates said he wanted to see improvements in the percentage of army recruits who were high school graduates, which he said has slipped to around 76 percent, compared to around 95 percent in years past.

"I have been very explicit that, at least as long as I'm here, I will not allow them to lower the standards," he said.

The army, meanwhile, has struggled to meet the demand for troops in Iraq, particularly as some 30,000 additional troops were sent over as part of the US surge strategy.

The army had to extend combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan from a year to 15 months earlier this year to ensure that all units would have at least a year at home between deployments.

General David Petraeus, the US commander in Iraq, said earlier this month that he plans to shrink the number of combat brigades in the country from 20 to 15 by mid-July.

Even so, Geren said it was not yet clear how much the force in Iraq must shrink before it reaches a sustainable level over the long term.

Even as the number of combat troops go down, the number of support troops and trainers could go up as the US military shifts to a new mission of training and supporting Iraqi security forces, he indicated.

One unresolved issue, he said is whether bringing down the brigades "will that require more or less soldiers ... (in) various types of training teams and support teams," he said.

"It's a mosaic of assignments over there that will determine what is sustainable," he said, adding that the the mix of forces would be up to Petraeus.

But the levels of combat troops versus support forces "don't necessarily move in tandem -- one could go up and the other could go down," he said.

"I think it's important as we think about the demand on the resources of the army we have to recognize the possibility that we could have them move in different directions," he said.

Geren said the active duty army was on track to grow to 519,000 this year.

The 74,000 troop increase that Geren referred to included an immediate permanent increase of 30,000 troops in the army's authorized end-strength from 482,400; 35,000 active duty troops to be added over five years; and 9,000 national guard and reserve troops to be added by 2013.

Federal judge rules 2 Patriot Act provisions unconstitutional

2007-09-27T07:07:00.000+02:00

CNN) -- A federal court on Wednesday struck down two provisions of the Patriot Act dealing with searches and intelligence gathering, saying they violate the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures with regard to criminal prosecutions.

Brandon Mayfield, left, and public defender Steven Wax tell of the dismissal of the case against Mayfield in 2004.

"It is critical that we, as a democratic nation, pay close attention to traditional Fourth Amendment principles," wrote Judge Ann Aiken of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon in her 44-page decision. "The Fourth Amendment has served this nation well for 220 years, through many other perils."

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, set up to review wiretap applications in intelligence cases under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, "holds that the Constitution need not control the conduct of criminal surveillance in the United States," Aiken wrote.

"In place of the Fourth Amendment, the people are expected to defer to the executive branch and its representation that it will authorize such surveillance only when appropriate."

The government "is asking this court to, in essence, amend the Bill of Rights, by giving it an interpretation that would deprive it of any real meaning. The court declines to do so," Aiken said.

The Justice Department was reviewing the decision, said spokesman Dean Boyd.

The ruling was a response to a lawsuit filed against the federal government by Brandon Mayfield, a Portland, Oregon, attorney who was wrongly arrested for alleged involvement in the 2004 Madrid train bombings.

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The federal government later apologized to Mayfield and settled part of Mayfield's lawsuit for $2 million. But Mayfield was permitted to keep pursuing the portions of his lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Patriot Act.

Mayfield claimed in the suit that his home and law offices were secretly broken into by the FBI, his clients' files at his office were searched, his business and personal computers were secretly copied, his telephone was wiretapped and his home was bugged.

Mayfield said he was "excited and happy" with the ruling.

"This, to me, is not so much personal," he said. "I think it's just the right thing to do. It was the right thing to continue to challenge the constitutionality of the Patriot Act."

"This is an example of the judicial branch doing what it should do, and that's to be a check and balance for the legislative and executive branch of government," he said. "I feel wonderful today, because the Fourth Amendment has been restored to its rightful place, and the balance between liberty and security is balanced again."

Mayfield's attorneys -- Gerry Spence, Elden Rosenthal and Michelle Longer Eder -- lauded the ruling.

"Judge Aiken, in striking down the challenged provisions of the Patriot Act, has upheld both the tradition of judicial independence and our nation's most cherished principle of the right to be secure in one's own home," they said in a written statement. "We are relieved that the Bill of Rights can be honored and preserved even in times of perceived crisis."

Aiken ruled that FISA, as amended by the Patriot Act, permits the government to conduct surveillance and searches targeting Americans without satisfying the probable-cause standard in the Fourth Amendment.

"Prior to the amendments [to FISA], the three branches of government operated with thoughtful and deliberate checks and balances -- a principle upon which our nation was founded," Aiken wrote.

But the Patriot Act, she said, eliminated "the constitutionally required interplay between executive action, judicial decision and Congressional enactment."

"For over 200 years, this nation has adhered to the rule of law -- with unparalleled success. A shift to a nation based on extra-constitutional authority is prohibited, as well as ill-advised," she wrote.

Aiken noted that FISA does not require that the subject of a search be notified, although the Fourth Amendment ordinarily does. In addition, she said, the Fourth Amendment requires particularity -- authorities seeking a search warrant, for example, must list what they are looking for and where they are looking for it.

Named to the bench in 1997 by President Clinton, Aiken is considered one of the more liberal judges on the federal bench in Oregon.

What you can find on the internet

2007-09-27T06:50:00.000+02:00

What you can find on the internet

Re: Jesus loves you

5 Tips for Leaving Better YouTube Comments

Seattle man starts 'Gratitude Campaign' to thank soldiers

2007-09-24T21:33:00.000+02:00

If you push on the title you can watch the video.

So thank a soldier today.

SEATTLE - What began as a simple idea to say thank you to soldiers he passed on the street, has blossomed into a full scale campaign for Seattlite Scott Truitt.

He says many Americans want to express their gratitude to members of our military, but most aren't really sure how to proceed.

"I think there's a lot of politics wrapped around the military and that can get confusing for a lot of people," he said.

Both Truitt's father and father-in-law spent decades in the military, but even so, he realizes approaching strangers can be a little awkward at times.

Sanchez speaks to veterans summit, receives standing ovation

2007-09-24T20:15:00.000+02:00

By ELIZABETH WHITE Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez said Saturday there is a "crisis in national political leadership" and that partisanship is preventing a strategy that would help the U.S. take on the threat of Islamic extremism.

Sanchez, who spent a tumultuous year as the top U.S. commander in Iraq, made the remarks at a veterans summit sponsored by U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz, a Corpus Christi Democrat.

About 200 veterans and their families attended the event. They gave Sanchez a standing ovation and mobbed him afterward for autographs.

"My assessment is that we have a crisis in national political leadership," Sanchez said. "When will America recognize the danger we face? When will the corrosive partisanship of American politics end and allow for a bipartisan solution to arguably the most dangerous threat our nation has faced in over 60 years?"

After his speech, Sanchez wouldn't name names, but told The Associated Press he was referring to "the most senior leadership in our nation."

"We have failed as a nation to bring together a grand strategy and that is creating a large part of the difficulty we face in this current war effort," he said.

Sanchez became the senior U.S. commander in Iraq in June 2003, two months after the fall of Baghdad, and held the post until June 2004. He retired in November 2006 after 33 years.

Sanchez was faulted by some for leadership failures in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. He was not accused of any misconduct but was criticized by some for not doing more to avoid mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners.

Sanchez said Saturday he is not surprised that the U.S. still has a presence in Iraq, nor is he surprised at current troop levels. But, he said, focusing on troop numbers will not end the conflict.

"We can't focus on the military element of power to solve this war," he said after his speech.

During his address, Sanchez said "tremendous work" has been done for veterans, but he also pointed out the challenge of post-traumatic stress disorder, which he said service members must think of as an injury and not as a "matter of manhood."

"We must not abandon today's warriors," he said. "This must become a matter of national priority."

DID YOU KNOW?

2007-09-24T20:01:00.001+02:00

There are 25.6 million living veterans:

24.1 million men and 1.5 million women
48 million Americans have served since 1776
Nearly 1 million people have died in combat or combat-related events.
This year, an estimated 88,000 veterans will be laid in honored rest at National Cemeteries.
There are more than 578,800 surviving spouses, children, and parents of deceased veterans.
The largest number of living veterans served during the Vietnam War: 8.2 million. Veterans make up the majority of all men in the U.S. population ages 65-85.
SOURCE: Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Soldiers Not Getting Needed Help for PTSD

2007-09-23T10:16:00.001+02:00

National Guard Sgt. Chuck Rice shows some classic symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. As a veteran, he's eligible for free counseling. But he hasn't gone.Rice, 37, just doesn't want to deal with the bureaucracy and the 40-minute drive to the nearest VA counseling center. His wife, April, said he views seeking help as a sign of weakness.

PTSD is one of the most common mental disorders arising from combat. With 1.5 million having served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as many as 300,000 could have some form of PTSD, health experts say.

The Observer found that the VA, the main agency responsible for treating veterans, is understaffed, underfunded and unprepared for the wave of returning service members.

Rice served on about 50 convoys as a turret gunner, one of the most exposed and dangerous duties in Iraq. Every car, dead dog, or cluster of trash could hide that bomb with his name on it. In his year in Iraq, Rice walked away from three roadside blasts. Such bombs account for 38 percent of the 3,466 U.S. casualties.

The danger "didn't bother me over there," he said, finishing a Bud Lite at Chili's in Gastonia. What bothers him now are crowds, traffic and noises -- loud, sudden noises.

Here is a list of symptoms:

Symptoms

Symptoms can include general restlessness, insomnia, aggressiveness, depression, dissociation, emotional detachment, and nightmares. A potential symptom is memory loss about an aspect of the traumatic event. Amplification of other underlying psychological conditions may also occur. Young children suffering from PTSD will often re-enact aspects of the trauma through their play and may often have nightmares that lack any recognizable content.

One patho-psychological way of explaining PTSD is by viewing the condition as secondary to deficient emotional or cognitive processing of a trauma.^[13] This view also helps to explain the three symptom clusters of the disorder:^[14]

Intrusion: Since the sufferers are unable to process the extreme emotions brought about by the trauma, they are plagued by recurrent nightmares or daytime flashbacks, during which they graphically re-experience the trauma. These re-experiences are characterized by high anxiety levels and make up one part of the PTSD symptom cluster triad called intrusive symptoms.

Hyperarousal: PTSD is also characterized by a state of nervousness with the patient being prepared for "fight or flight". The typical hyperactive startle reaction, characterized by "jumpiness" in connection with loud unexpected sounds or fast motions, is typical for another part of the PTSD cluster called hyperarousal symptoms and could also be secondary to an incomplete processing, similar to a reflex.

Avoidance: The hyperarousal and the intrusive symptoms are eventually so distressing that the individual strives to avoid contact with everything and everyone, even their own thoughts, which may arouse memories of the trauma and thus provoke the intrusive and hyperarousal states. The sufferers isolate themselves, becoming detached in their feelings with a restricted range of emotional response and can experience so-called emotional detachment ("numbing"). Many Veterans with PTSD may also use avoidance as a technique to avoid losing control and harming others. This avoidance behavior is the third part of the symptom triad that makes up the PTSD criteria.

Dissociation: Dissociation is another "defense" that includes a variety of symptoms including feelings of depersonalization and derealization, disconnection between memory and affect so that the person is "in another world," and in extreme forms can involve apparent multiple personalities and acting without any memory ("losing time").

Suicide Rate in Army at a 26-Year High

2007-09-23T10:11:00.000+02:00

Ninety-nine U.S. soldiers killed themselves last year, the highest rate of suicide in the Army in 26 years of record-keeping.

Nearly a third of the soldiers who committed suicide did so while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, according to a report released Thursday. Iraq accounted for most of those - with 27 of the suicides coming from that conflict and three from Afghanistan. Also, there were 948 attempted suicides, officials said, adding that they didn't have a comparison for previous years.

The report said the 99 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers compares with 87 in 2005 and is the highest number since 102 were reported in 1991, the year of the Persian Gulf War, when there were more soldiers on active duty.

Investigations are still pending on two other deaths.

In a half million-person Army, last year's suicide toll translates to a rate of 17.3 per 100,000, the highest since the Army started counting in 1980, officials said. The rate has fluctuated over those years, with the low being 9.1 per 100,000 in 2001...

Senate passes VA spending bill in near-unanimous vote

2007-09-23T10:08:00.001+02:00

The Senate passed the Military Construction/Veterans Affairs Department spending bill for fiscal 2008 in a near-unanimous vote, which will likely compel President Bush to sign it despite a previous threat to veto it. The appropriations are $4 billion more than the president requested, which led the White House to raise the threat.

The bill includes $64.8 billion for discretionary spending and $41 billion in veterans’ disability benefits.

The Senate passed the bill by a 92-1 vote Sept. 6. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) made the lone vote against it. The Senate bill mirrors the House version passed in June.

The bill increases VA health care by almost 10 percent, or $3.2 billion. That’s in addition to $1.3 billion that Congress added for health care to the Iraq funding bill passed in May.

“Congress has a responsibility to provide for important veterans programs, especially during a time of war,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

”The VA has consistently underestimated the resources necessary to meet the growing needs of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, resulting in dangerous budget shortfalls that have imperiled the availability of quality health care for all veterans,” said Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in a statement...

Two years ago, the administration’s estimate for health care fell far short of veterans’ needs. Earlier this year, revelations about mismanagement and poor living conditions for wounded soldiers and follow-up care for veterans drove the Bush administration and Congress to improve military and veterans health care as a cost of war. VA continues to lag on resolving and delivering veterans’ disability benefits in a timely manner.

“This funding bill provides the resources needed to improve and strengthen health care for our brave veterans, and wisely directs key investments to areas in the greatest need,” Byrd said.

The bill provides for $1.8 billion for information technology systems, $684 million more than this year’s enacted level and $38.8 million more than Bush’s request. Funds will go toward IT programs, including information security, the Financial and Logistics Integrated Technology Enterprise, and the HealtheVet-Vista Electronic Health Records system.

In final deliberations, the Senate added an amendment requiring VA to develop the capability to anonymously report online waste, fraud and abuse to the inspector general through a link on VA’s home page. The VA is to create the link 30 days after passage of the bill.

The Senate also added $100 million to the spending bill for security at the 2008 political conventions in St. Paul, Minn., and Denver.

The War on Terrorism

2007-09-22T11:09:00.000+02:00

One of the most searing events in German history occurred soon after Hitler took office. On February 27, 1933, in what easily could be termed the 9/11 terrorist attack of that time, German terrorists fire-bombed the German parliament building. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Adolf Hitler, one of the strongest political leaders in history, would declare war on terrorism and ask the German parliament (the Reichstag) to give him temporary emergency powers to fight the terrorists. Passionately claiming that such powers were necessary to protect the freedom and well-being of the German people, Hitler persuaded the German legislators to give him the emergency powers he needed to confront the terrorist crisis. What became known as the Enabling Act allowed Hitler to suspend civil liberties “temporarily,” that is, until the crisis had passed. Not surprisingly, however, the threat of terrorism never subsided and Hitler’s “temporary” emergency powers, which were periodically renewed by the Reichstag, were still in effect when he took his own life some 12 years later.
Is it so surprising that ordinary German citizens were willing to support their government’s suspension of civil liberties in response to the threat of terrorism, especially after the terrorist strike on the Reichstag?
During the 1930s, the United States faced the Great Depression, and many Americans were willing to accede to Roosevelt’s assumption of massive emergency powers, including the power to control economic activity and also to nationalize and confiscate people’s gold.
During the Cold War, the fear of communism induced Americans to permit their government to collect massive amounts of income taxes to fund the military-industrial complex and to let U.S. officials send more than 100,000 American soldiers to their deaths in undeclared wars in Korea and Vietnam.
Since the 9/11 attacks, Americans have been more than willing for their government to infringe on vital civil liberties, including habeas corpus, involve the nation in an undeclared and unprovoked war on Iraq, and spend ever-growing amounts of money on the military-industrial complex, all in the name of the “war on terrorism.”
It is a sad day in the history of our great nation that our elected congress would not restore habeas corpus to the people. History repeats itself again.

Um mm Rebuttal please.

Purple Heart Veterans: Win a Free Trip to Vietnam

2007-09-21T17:34:00.001+02:00

If you received a Purple Heart for being wounded in Vietnam, you
could be one of nine veterans to win VFW’s “Return to Vietnam” trip.

The in-country tour March 19-29, 2008, includes visits to Saigon, the Mekong
Delta, Cu Chi, Hue, the DMZ, Hoi An, Marble Mountain and China Beach.

Airfare, accommodations and meals are included. Entries must be received before the Dec. 1, 2007, drawing.

For more details and entry form, click on the VFW Purple Heart Vietnam Trip entry form .

VFW Announces "Honor a Veteran" Online Video Contest

2007-09-21T17:31:00.001+02:00

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 18, 2007--Just in time for Veterans Day on November 11, the VFW has unveiled a new online contest to honor veterans.

All members of the public are invited to participate by creating a video honoring any U.S. military veteran. Prizes include a trip for two to Orlando, Fla., courtesy of Southwest Airlines Vacations, two Nintendo Wii systems, and gift cards to national retailers.

"Millions of Americans have a friend, family member, or loved one who is a veteran," said George Lisicki, VFW national commander. "With the 'Honor a Veteran' contest, they can now share that respect and love with the world. Regardless of a person's stance on politics or the war, our veterans deserve to be honored for their sacrifice and bravery. This contest gives everyone the chance to do just that."

The deadline for the contest is Nov. 3, 2007. Winners will be announced on Veterans Day. Videos will be judged on creativity, originality and how well they honor our nation's veterans.

The contest is being produced and promoted through the AIMS (Accelerated Interactive Media Saturation) program offered by SiteEDGE Agency, an interactive marketing firm located in Kansas City.

Janice Thompson, managing director of SiteEDGE Agency said, "We are honored to be a part of helping the VFW with this important project. We hope to raise the profile of veterans and the VFW in the online world by hosting and promoting this historic event."

For more information or to enter the contest, please visit the
>official contest website .

Federal Judge not a Fascist?

2007-09-20T22:05:00.000+02:00

Well I sure am glad to see that our justice system does work and works well. America is great with its system of checks and balance.

For every negative there is a positive. Sleep well my Left wing friends not all is lost. =

NEWARK, N.J. - Two students in northern New Jersey can wear buttons featuring a picture of Hitler youth to protest a school uniform policy, a federal judge ruled Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Joseph A. Greenaway Jr. sided with the parents of the students, who had been threatened with suspension last fall for wearing the buttons. However, the judge added in his ruling that the boys will not be allowed to distribute the buttons at school.

Citing a 1969 case in Iowa involving students who wore black arm bands to protest the Vietnam War, Greenaway wrote that "a student may not be punished for merely expressing views unless the school has reason to believe that the speech or expression will 'materially and substantially disrupt the work and discipline of the school.'"

The buttons bear the words "no school uniforms" with a slash through them superimposed on a photo of young boys wearing identical shirts and neckerchiefs. There are no swastikas visible on the buttons, but the parties agreed that they depict members of Hitler youth.

After the suspension threat, the boys' parents filed a federal lawsuit claiming the district stifled the children's First Amendment free speech rights.

District lawyers asserted that the image of the Hitler youth was abhorrent because it conveyed intolerance and racial inequality represented by Nazism.

Naomi Wolf: Fascist America, in 10 easy steps

2007-09-20T19:19:00.000+02:00

It is a mistake to think that early in a fascist shift you see the profile of barbed wire against the sky. In the early days, things look normal on the surface; peasants were celebrating harvest festivals in Calabria in 1922; people were shopping and going to the movies in Berlin in 1931. Early on, as WH Auden put it, the horror is always elsewhere - while someone is being tortured, children are skating, ships are sailing: "dogs go on with their doggy life ... How everything turns away/ Quite leisurely from the disaster."
As Americans turn away quite leisurely, keeping tuned to internet shopping and American Idol, the foundations of democracy are being fatally corroded. Something has changed profoundly that weakens us unprecedentedly: our democratic traditions, independent judiciary and free press do their work today in a context in which we are "at war" in a "long war" - a war without end, on a battlefield described as the globe, in a context that gives the president - without US citizens realising it yet - the power over US citizens of freedom or long solitary incarceration, on his say-so alone.

Read The Full Story Here

Window to the soul

2007-09-18T09:17:00.000+02:00

They say eyes are the window to the soul, but I think music would be a better medium. Just my opinion, and I know that everyone out there has heard something that has moved them. In my opinion there's always a song that moves you. Or how do I say reflects your state of mind. We relate a song to a lost friend, or a point in our lives that meant a lot to us. Or a lot of other things I'm to lazy to write about, but you know where I'm coming from. I think that music moves our soul. It's one of the things that make this life a more interesting place.

Who would you like to party with?

2007-09-17T09:20:00.000+02:00

I'm sure a lot names pop into your mind, but let me tell you about who I'd like to party with Neil deGrasse Tyson. Click the link to find out who he is. I first seen him on the Daily Show. If there is someone who can get you interested in the universe it's this man. What got me hooked today, was GRB's (Gamma ray bursts) . In the life of our planet there is a 1% chance that one will hit our little house on the prairie. Do you want to know what a GRB is then go here. If not the I'll give you the short of it. When a super star goes super nova or hyper nova, and collapses upon itself to form a black hole. A tremendous amount of energy is released through the compression process. Sorta like squeezing a grape in the palm of your hand. It squirts out both sides of your hand. The energy released is 1 million trillion times the energy of our sun, and that's not a typo! To put it into terms that we can have some type of way to gage it. Every second our sun produces more energy than the human race has used since we came into being. It boggles the mind. The short of it is, that if one these Gamma Ray Bursts happened to hit they earth, it would be a quick end. A GRB moves at the speed of light, so we wouldn't see it coming. If it was within 1000 light years of our planet it would burn off our ozone and atmosphere, delivering radiation 100x the lethal dose to humans, and causing all life to start decomposing at the cellular level. Not good! NASA launched the SWIFT probe in 20 November 2004.
If you are interested in real time information the Swift mission data it can be viewed here. accessed here. It's very cool, but only interesting if you're above the level of a wife beater t-shirt. Now for Mr.Neil deGrasse Tyson I give you a couple videos that I hope you will enjoy.

We The People

2007-09-12T09:36:00.000+02:00

I was going to publish this long string of things that wouldn't keep people interested, but I decided against it. We have a Bill of Rights and a Constitution . These apply to all Americans! We know what is written in these documents, but do we really understand what it means to us as a people. They are the basic principles that make us Americans. They are the building stones of our nation. It is the principle that the people have the power, and the men and women we designate are to carry out our will. It now seems the people we designate feel that we are small children who don't know the big picture. That fear will make us complacent. Enough we must say!
Many persons try to speak for the people, our elected representatives ignore the will of the people that have sent them there, and we sent them with a clear mission. End the madness of war. It's not happening. We as Veterans should be at the for front of protesting a war that has no meaning. To see what this war really is doing to us, we only need to see how protesters and free speech is being brutally snuffed out. Our oath demands that we demand something better from our leaders. If you have the nerve you should check out this clip.

What is wrong with America? WE don't care! We let this shit happen, and then bitch about China and North Korea. We have lost our way. It's time we wake up and start to make our voices heard.

A Brief History Lesson

2007-09-06T21:17:00.000+02:00

What's wrong with the world we live in?

2007-09-06T10:03:00.000+02:00

Corruption is a general concept describing any organized, interdependent system in which part of the system is either not performing duties it was originally intended to, or performing them in an improper way, to the detriment of the system's original purpose.

Something to laugh at.

2007-08-20T11:53:00.001+02:00

Dear Abby,
My husband is a liar and a cheat. He has cheated on me from the beginning, and, when I confront him, he denies everything. What's worse, everyone knows that he cheats on me. It is so humiliating. Also, since he lost his job six years ago, he hasn't even looked for a new one. All he does all day is smoke cigars, cruise around and bullshit with his buddies while I have to work to pay the bills. Since our daughter went away to college he doesn't even pretend to like me and hints that I may be a lesbian. What should I do?
Signed: Clueless

Dear Clueless,
Grow up and dump him. Good grief, woman. You don't need him anymore! You're a United States Senator from New York running for President of the United States . Act like one!!!!

Going to get healthy

2007-08-20T11:50:00.000+02:00

Just letting people know I wont be posting for awhile. As some of you know I have been sick for the past two years. I am going to a rehabilitation health spa for the next six weeks. I hope it works 'cause I am getting kind of tired of this.
Army_Tanker should be back from vacation tomorrow and should be posting again.

Peace
Greg
Sr. Vice Commander
Post 10592

Military History

2007-08-20T11:07:00.000+02:00

Fifty four years ago today the Russians tested a hydrogen bomb. Check out this link .
It was there way of letting the world know the Cold War was gonna get a lot colder.

News from Iraq.

2007-08-16T08:09:00.000+02:00

Here is a report I read in the Fort Benning community newspaper The Bayonet. The national media would never cover a story like this because it shows how humane our military really is.
Give it a read let me know what you think.

IED Video

2007-08-12T11:29:00.000+02:00

Check out this link. Yes life can get dangerous even when you think you are safe.
Take time to thank a soldier today. They do it so you don't have too.
This video shows what our boys and girls will be using in the near future to take out the bad guys.

Peace

The Draft

2007-08-12T11:17:00.000+02:00

I read this article yesterday. I actually think it is a great idea, Not for the reason written in this article though. American children for that matter most children growing up in the west take every thing for granted. Send our spoiled little children to boot camp and have them do a tour or two in a combat zone and all of a sudden you have some grown ups who know how to appreciate what they have in life.

Peace =)

WASHINGTON - Frequent tours for U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan have stressed the all-volunteer force and made it worth considering a return to a military draft, President Bush's new war adviser said Friday.

"I think it makes sense to certainly consider it," Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute said in an interview with National Public Radio's "All Things Considered."

"And I can tell you, this has always been an option on the table. But ultimately, this is a policy matter between meeting the demands for the nation's security by one means or another," Lute added in his first interview since he was confirmed by the Senate in June.

President Nixon abolished the draft in 1973. Restoring it, Lute said, would be a "major policy shift" and Bush has made it clear that he doesn't think it's necessary.

The repeated deployments affect not only the troops but their families, who can influence whether a service member decides to stay in the military, Lute said.

"There's both a personal dimension of this, where this kind of stress plays out across dinner tables and in living room conversations within these families," he said. "And ultimately, the health of the all-volunteer force is going to rest on those sorts of personal family decisions."

The military conducted a draft during the Civil War and both world wars and between 1948 and 1973. The Selective Service System, re-established in 1980, maintains a registry of 18-year-old men.

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., has called for reinstating the draft as a way to end the Iraq war.

Bush picked Lute in mid-May as a deputy national security adviser with responsibility for ensuring efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan are coordinated with policymakers in Washington. Lute, an active-duty general, was chosen after several retired generals turned down the job.

Congressman Denied Access To Post-Attack Continuity Plans

2007-07-23T23:17:00.000+02:00

By JEFF KOSSEFF

WASHINGTON — Constituents called Rep. Peter DeFazio's office, worried there was a conspiracy buried in the classified portion of a White House plan for operating the government after a terrorist attack.

As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, DeFazio, D-Ore., is permitted to enter a secure "bubbleroom'' in the Capitol and examine classified material. So he asked the White House to see the secret documents.

On Wednesday, DeFazio got his answer: DENIED.

"I just can't believe they're going to deny a member of Congress the right of reviewing how they plan to conduct the government of the United States after a significant terrorist attack,'' DeFazio said.

Homeland Security Committee staffers told his office that the White House initially approved his request, but it was later quashed. DeFazio doesn't know who did it or why.

"We're talking about the continuity of the government of the United States of America,'' DeFazio said. "I would think that would be relevant to any member of Congress, let alone a member of the Homeland Security Committee.''

Bush administration spokesman Trey Bohn declined to say why DeFazio was denied access: "We do not comment through the press on the process that this access entails. It is important to keep in mind that much of the information related to the continuity of government is highly sensitive.''

Norm Ornstein, a legal scholar who studies government continuity at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said he ``cannot think of one good reason'' to deny access to a member of Congress who serves on the Homeland Security Committee.

"I find it inexplicable and probably reflective of the usual knee-jerk overextension of executive power that we see from this White House,'' Ornstein said.

This is the first time DeFazio has been denied access to documents. DeFazio has asked Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., to help him access the documents.

"Maybe the people who think there's a conspiracy out there are right,'' DeFazio said.

(Jeff Kosseff can be contacted at jeff.kosseff(at)newhouse.com)

more 4th of July fun

2007-07-06T22:00:00.001+02:00

Here is some more of the fun that we had at the celebration

Shoot The Geek

2007-07-06T09:05:00.000+02:00

Our post ran a stand at this years 4th of July celebration in Freedom park. Basically you pay 2$ and you get to shoot paint guns at live targets "Shoot The Geek". We had had almost as many kids who wanted to be the Geek as the ones that wanted to shoot. We had had a pretty good hail and rain storm early on, but things picked back up later. It turned out to be a pretty good day for everyone. Here's a few photos and a video. Sorry about the video, I had to resize this a couple times before Youtube would upload it. It went form 330MB down to about 48MB. Well Youtube said my video was too long so I cut it into 3 parts. grinding my teeth, I finally got it posted.

Starting out

Here comes the hail and rain

Fireworks and bull session to end the day

To All A Happy 4th of July

2007-07-03T14:19:00.000+02:00

To all the men and women who served, and still serve. To all those who have paid the ultimate price, and their families who must live with the loss. To all the citizens who support them. Our nation turns 231 today. Our nations birthday is really our birthday as a people. Which has grown over generations, starting with our Founding Fathers dream of a new and different kind of nation. To were we are today, and were we will be tomorrow. Happy 4th of July.

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!
Patrick Henry

He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.
Thomas Paine

God grant that not only the love of liberty but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man pervade all the nations of the earth, so that a philosopher may pervade all the nations of the earth, so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface and say:" This is my country."
Benjamin Franklin

The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered…staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.
George Washington

There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.
John Adams

History teaches us that grave threats to liberty often come in times of urgency, when constitutional rights seem too extravagant to endure.
Thurgood Marshall

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.
John F. Kennedy

Only our individual faith in freedom can keep us free.
Dwight D. Eisenhower

I'm Proud To Be An American

Written By Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,

And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,

I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,

'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,

And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,

And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, '

Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee,

Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.

, There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,

And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,

And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, '

Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

This and That

2007-06-30T13:29:00.000+02:00

Way to go Mika Brzezinski! This gives me heart, knowing that there are still some real journalists still in the main stream media.

MSNBC Journalist Burns and Shreds Paris Hilton Story.

Now something on the lighter side. The English aren't really known for their stand up comedians. So here's an exception. Ricky Gervais, I think this guy is friggin hilarious. So if you're up for a laugh, you should check these 2 clips out. All 7 parts are on Youtube.

Have a great weekend.

Paris Hilton’s Prison Diary

2007-06-27T15:21:00.000+02:00

Day 1-5: (reported by inmates) Hysterical sobbing, accompanying by alternating cries of “Mom!,” “Why me?” and “I’m too hot to be in prison.”
Day 6-8: (reported by inmates) Sniveling, looking for mirrors. Found mirror, screamed at state of hair extensions/roots/pores, rushed back to cell and hid under scratchy blanket.
Day 9: (Paris’s own handwriting, spelling errors corrected) Seeing Nicki, Mom and Dad calmed me down. That, and the Valium.
Day 11: There’s a library with old copies of US Weekly from last year 2006. Happier times. Also, how come we all keep dating the same boys?
Day 12: I started thinking about what I should do when I get out. I meant what I said to Barbara, I need to be a better person. This has happened to teach me a lesson about growing up, taking responsibility and owning up to who I am. Instead of using my celebrity for freebies, I should think about helping other people. Like Angelina, except with dogs instead of kids. And she ended up with Brad while Jen’s with nobodies. So helping other people…ooooh, lunch. I hope it’s pizza again.
Day 15: My new cornrows are so hot. I thought that it might be a little too Federline but Tisha convinced me that I need a new post-prison look, like Martha Stewart. Also, the girls taught me how to hotwire a car (so helpful!) and I told them how to make your boobs seems ten times bigger. Then, we did a rap version of “Stars are Blind.” Remix!
Day 16: Today, the girls and I traded tips about self-defense because it doesn’t matter whether you’re from Compton or Beverly Hills, you have to know how to protect yourself from frenemies. They showed me how to cut someone with keys or a ring and I showed them how to cut a bitch down with a nasty look or mean comment about her outfit. I’m going to have them follow me like Gwen’s Harajuki chicks!
Day 19: I’m almost done with the world religions thing. I thought that I would find something that really spoke to who I want to be. Judaism is way too much work. I liked the idea of being Catholic – I have lots of crosses and confession sounds like fun (those little booths are just like Hyde’s VIP), but it seems like I’d be confessing every day, which would cut into “me time.” Buddhism sounds really cool and chanting’s kinda like singing but all that sitting…it’ll wrinkle my Dolces. I think I’m going to stick with what I’ve got.
Day 21: I’m glad that Lindsay’s out first because then everyone’ll want to compare us and they’ll look at that overtanned, drunk slut and me, looking all glowing and wiser, and people’ll realize that jail is way harder than Promises. I mean, I had to eat Wonderbread.
Day 23: I’m going in like 10 minutes. I really think this experience has totally changed me. I talked to people that I usually don’t even drive in their neighborhoods and I realized that they’re just like me, and that even though I am a Hilton, I’m also part of the universe and I need to be more…OMG, Stavros is here! I bet he totally wants to get back together. I need to check my hair.
This story was ~~stolen~~ borrowed from Crackpotpress.

Wednesday open house + Update on July's post meeting

2007-06-25T07:29:00.000+02:00

This Wednesdays open house will be seeing Mario cooking up some lasagna. Everyone who's down with putting away some good grub should stop by. Seems like we've been eating pretty good last couple of weeks. From Army Tanker's chili-dogs to Paul's Hawaiian stew (I don't know what else to call it since I've never had stew with pineapple before, so don't get the a** at me Paul, because it was damm tasty) . It makes all that calorie burn off on the bike worth it. Our main man Tim gets back from his vacation in the states at the end of the week. If our post had a heart it would be Tim. He's the guy that dots all the i's and crosses all the t's. It'll be good to see our most active, and important member get back. Our resident card shark and news hack Mark S. will also be back from England. I hope he's up to getting his a** kicked in spades.

Update to our monthly VFW post meeting. Our commander has moved the meeting ahead one day to Monday July 2. The reason being we need to get the volunteer list straight for everyone who will be helping out with the "Shoot the Geek" stand at this years 4th of July festivities on post. People are needed on the the 3rd, 4th, and 5th. If you don't have time for all 3 days. Try to help out at least on 1 or 2 of these days. As the saying goes "the more the merrier". So that just about covers everything. In parting here's a link to a book preview that debuts tomorrow. Seemed like a pretty good read to me. Take it easy everyone, and we'll all see each other on Wednesday.

Who's more informed?

2007-06-24T13:51:00.000+02:00

I get about 99.9% of all my news from the internet. It's not like picking up the local paper or tuning into the local news broadcast, because by visiting multiple sites you get a wider variety of real news. My honest opinion is that all news outlets either lean right or left politically. So I guess it depends on what you find important, and your willingness to search for the facts. I won't bother listing all the sites I visit on a daily basis, but I will give 2 good examples. The first one is The Huffington Post and for my second choice The Drudge Report.

The lead stories today 25 June 2007.
The Huffington Post - More Lobbyists On McCain Staff Than Any Other 08 Candidate.
25 US Soldiers Killed In Iraq In Four Days.

Iran

Arrests 150,000 For Non-Islamic Clothing, Parades Violators Bleeding Through Streets.
Cheney Announced Bush Detainee Policy Before Bush Made Decision.

Drudge Report - LARRY KING LANDS PARIS HILTON INTERVIEW!
BOX OFFICE: MOST EXPENSIVE COMEDY EVER PRODUCED DISAPPOINTS; JOLIE'S 'MIGHTY HEART' TANKS.
Judge Criticizes Warrantless Wiretaps.
Obama: Christian Right Has 'Hijacked' Faith.

As you can see it's pretty much your personal preference if you rely on only one source. Drudge is a right leaning news source, and the right has of late tried to sway public opinion by reporting on the most trivial of things. By keeping the the war in Iraq, and questions of abuse of power by the executive branch of our government. Sources like Drudge are trying to stem the growing public discord with events taking place in our country. I mean seriously who cares about Paris Hilton? Being rich, spoiled, and acting the fool. Should in no way qualify someone as being a person of importance. Then again if we waste our time on meaningless things the real important issues are pushed out of the the spotlight.

The Huffington Post is a left leaning news source. Now that is not to say everyone that reads the site is a left winger, but a lot of the readership is dissatisfied with the state of affairs in our country and the world at large. Now some people would argue that reporting on issues that lead to discourse is hurting our country. On the other side their are many people like myself who believe that getting out the truth, and being informed about the really important issues is the only way we can fix our country. It doesn't matter if you lean right or left. We all know that there are some very serious things wrong with our nation. Only by getting all the facts can we begin to fix the many problems we face as a nation. The right and the left need to talk, not yell, but talk, discus and debate the problems we face today. Hiding the truth, and cluttering the issues with mindless fluff helps no one.

Veterans also have a voice...

2007-06-20T08:49:00.000+02:00

You know it's time I started blogging again. It came on me all at once. I was checking out some of my older links. Just looking at them, and trying to figure out why I even had them. Well then I ran across these gems. I should say that not just videos motivated me, but the comments. Take a minute and watch this first video. Then read my response to what some pinhead wrote. I am a firm believer of keeping it real.

Simha you should try to understand that Clinton's hummer didn't kill anyone. Much unlike Dubya's lies.. Clinton's lies didn't get almost 3600 of our finest citizens killed. Lies that have gotten another 25000 wounded, and how many of those have lost limbs, been blinded, are deaf, or have brain damage? Not to mention all the brave men and women how will live with this war for the rest of their lives. Spineless f***s like you make me sick. I never liked Clinton, but you have to respect the man in regards to his job performance. Why don't spineless, witless, scumbags like yourself highlight the sins, and criminal violations of this current president?

Really you can't watch this enough. Fox News has leagaly battled to scour this clip from the internet. Watch and enjoy as Bill Clinton gives the most entertaining smack down I have ever seen.

Cool wasn't it. The only thing missing was Clinton saying "biatch". ;)

Social Security

2007-06-20T07:50:00.000+02:00

It does not matter if you personally like or dislike Bush. You need to sign
this petition and flood his e-mail box with e-mails that tell him that, even if
the House passes this bill, he needs to veto it. It is already impossible to
live on Social Security alone.
If the government
gives benefits to "illegal" aliens who have never contributed, where does that
leave those of us who have paid into Social Security all our working lives? As
stated below, the Senate voted this week to allow "illegal" aliens access to
Social Security benefits.
Attached is an
opportunity to sign a petition that requires citizenship for eligibility to that
social service.

Instructions are below.
If you don't forward the petition and just stop it, we will lose all these
names. If you do not want to sign it, please just forward it to everyone you
know.

Thank you!

To add your name, click on "forward" or better yet, "copy and paste" if you
know how. You will be able to add your name at the bottom of the list and then
forward it to your friends.

When the petition hits 500 / 1000 / 1500 ect, send it to
comments@whitehouse.gov
Instructions are below.

PETITION for President Bush:

Dear Mr. President:

We, the undersigned, protest the bill that the Senate voted upon

recently which would allow illegal aliens to access our Social Security.

We demand that you and all Congressional representatives require

citizenship as a prerequisite for social services in the United States .

We further demand that there not be any amnesty given to illegal immigrants, NO

free services, No funding, No payments to and for illegal immigrants.

We are fed up with the lack of action about this matter and are tired

of "paying" for services to illegal immigrants!

Instructions to sign are at the bottom.

501. Charlotte Clark , TN
502. A H. Clark, TN
503. Susan Koop. IN
504. Dennis Hites. Fl
505. Sandra Sexton , FL
506. Stanley B. Sexton, Fl
507. Louise sova Pa
508. Don Sova Pa
509. Jennifer Frazee Pa
510 Dee Frazee Pa
511. Lisa Stewart Pa
512 Jeff Stewart Pa
513. Wendy Mayo Pa
514 & 15 Mr. & Mrs Allen G. Wood Cerrito s , Ca.
516 L.B Strawn
517 Mary Strawn
518 Ann Tack
519 H. L. Williamson
520 Nancy Williamson
521 J H Arra
522 M A Arra
523 Susan Kent, Fountain Valley, CA
524. THOMAS KENT, FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA
525. VICKI REDDING, PLACENTIA, CA
526. Pamela Thomas Saulls, Wetmore, KS
527. Anglo E.Saulls, Wetmore, KS
528. Jerry J. Thomas, Whiting, KS
529. brett lyon utah
530 Linda Moore Gardner, Ks.
531. Penny Bumgarner, Mo.
531. Jeff Bumgarner, Mo.
532. Joe Hess, Mo.
533. L.J. Lightle, Mo.
534. Jena Bernstein, Mo.
535. Evan Bernstein, Mo.
536. Janelle Ford
537 Aaron Ward, Mo.
538. Francine Medina, VA
539. Edward Medina, VA
540. Sylvia Harrison, TX
541. Jennifer Carson, GA
542. Steve Carson, GA
543. William Inman
544. Sylvia Inman&nbs p;
545. Ken Gillespie, GA
546. Annette Gillespie, GA
547.Carol Edwards
548.Valerie Dues, GA.
549. Della Thomas, GA
560. Melba L. Wallace, GA
561. Nancy Lewis, Va
562. Melvin Lewis, Va
563. Beverly Grigsby, AR
564.Lyn Keaster, AR
565 Kathy Gonten, AR
566 Kathy Smith PA
567 Terry Smith PA
568 Tristan Smith ND
569 NIcholas Smith PA
570 Colin Smith PA
571. Dwight Damschroder OH
572 L. Anatra Ohio
573. Paul A. Nickles OH.
574. Mary Ann Nickles OH.
575. Martha Rae Enold OH
576. Ernest T. Enold OH
577. Regina J. Mattox CO
578. Veronica Staron, WV
578. Donald E. Mattox CO
579. Stephen H. Yost
580. Ronald Johnson, Wheeling, W. Va.
581 Kenneth Burns,Wheeling,Wva.
582. Steven Derer, Pittsburgh, PA
583. Charles Town , Indianapolis, Indiana 584. Amber Brandt, Indianapolis,
Indiana
585 Becky Garrette Nashville, TN
586 Jackie Hammond Nashville, TN
587. Jeri Vincent-Nashville, TN
588 Gina Kresge, Nashville, TN.
589 Kathy Schrader, Knoxville, TN
590.. Sue Bragg, Louisville, TN
591. Tom Bragg, Louisville, TN
592.Ronald Watson, Spanish Fort AL.
593 BEVERLY COLEMAN, MOBILE, AL
594 Susan Baker, Chunchula, AL
595 Rita Darlene Hadley, Perdido, AL
596 Lydia Olivier, Cantonment FL
597 Michael Olivier, Cantonment FL
598 Levie Leyba, Pensacola, FL
599 Nicholas Leyba, Pensacola, FL
600. Lucy Leyba, Merrillville, IN

601. Robert Leyba, Merrillville, IN
602. Lisa Vanderbye, Whiting, IN
603. Linda Dull Pasadena Tx
604. John Dull Pasadena Tx
605. Bob Dull Pasadena Tx
606. Cynthia Vrla, Southmayd TX
607. Corey Vrla, Southmayd, TX
608. Mark Guynes,Â Â Houston, TX
609. Jocelyn Guynes,Â Â Houston, TX
610. Michael L. Sadler
611. Michael T. Sadler, Victoria, TX
612. Helen Seargeant, Brackettville, TX
613. Karen Bizzell, Lakehills, TX
614. Mary Bullard, Greenwich, NY
614. Art Bullard, Greenwich, NY
615 Don Campbell Norfolk, N.Y.
616 Winnie Campbell Norfolk, N.Y.
617&618 GEORGE & ARLENE HARRIS, NORFOLK, NY
619 Donna A. Woodcock, Norfolk, New York 620. Tina Winks, West Monroe, NY 621.
Joseph Winks, West Monroe, NY 622. Kristin Lyon, Brewerton, NY 623. Patrick
Wallace, Brewerton, NY 623. Lynn House, Clay, NY 624. Donald House, Clay, NY
625. Donna Marrocco, Rochester, NY 626. Paul Larobardiere, Phoenix New York 627.
Bob Cook, Fulton, NY 628. Debbie Hall, Fulton, NY
629 Dick Colvin
630. Phillip Eno, Martville, NY
631. Elaine Eno, Martville, NY
632. John Perry Baldwinsville, NY
633. Robert C. Swartz Syracuse N. Y.
634. Lou Miceli, Syr. NY
635. Richard L Filippi Syracuse, NY 13215 636. Laurie R Marshall, Holland
Patent, NY 637. Joan Crookes, Ilion, NY
638 Debbie Donahue Mohawk NY
639. Patrick Donahue Mohawk NY
640 Walter Boyles Ilion NY
641 Jacqueline Boyles Ilion NY
642Debbue Webb Jefferson City, TN
643 Harrell Webb Jefferson City, TN
644 Robert Gibson Mooresville, NC
645 James S. Pope
646 Phillip Griffin
647 Jack Snow
648 Mel Kersey
649 Ron Reid, Kansas City, MO
650 Robert Reid, Chattanooga, TN
651 Ann Reid, Chattanooga, TN
652 Michael R. Kraus, Fostoria, OH
653 Richard A. Krieger
654 Phyllis J. Dehring - Ohio
655 Roger L. Dehring - Ohio
656 Pat Delcamp

657 Jim Delcamp
658 Norma Paugh - Fl.
659 Donald Paugh - Fl.
670 Opal Whitsit, FL.
671 Richard Whitsit, FL.
672 Mary Williams, IN
673 Les Williams, IN
674 John Cox, IN
675 Margaret Wagner, IN
676 Gloria Harris
677 C. A. Johnson
678.Brandie Wolowinski,IN
679 Inge Ogden,IN
680 William Ogden,IN
681 Liza Ogden,IN
682 Tony Fegley,IN
683 LONNIE ROGERS AZ
684 Ralph johnson IN
685 Michael Hays, IN
686 Robert Lindsey IN
687 Sondra Lindsey IN
688 Charlotte Shipley, San Diego,CA.
699. Linda Carothers CA
700. Edwin Carothers C

701.Anita Owens, Fl
702 Charles Owens, Fl
703 David Hunter Ga.
704 Linda Hunter ga
705 Norman Strickland,Sr. Ga.
706 Christine Strickland Ga.
707 Norman Strickland, jr. Ga.
708 Robin Strickland Ga.
709 Dobie Strickland Ga.
710 Tammy Strickland Ga.
711 Cecil McCollum SR,GA
712 Margie McCollum, GA
713 Charlie Ladd, S.C.
714. Libby Stafford - Loganville GA
715 John Prater - GA
716 Nancy Prater - GA
717 Wayne King - NC
718 Faye King - NC
719 Janice Cassidy - Statham, GA
720 Robert Cassidy - Statham, GA
721 Jamie Combs - Colbert, GA
722 Alan Combs - Colbert, GA
723.Shelby Moseley , Cumming, Ga.
724 Jo Freeman, GA
725 Betty Phillips
726 Millie Chitwood
727. Maxine Robinson, Atlanta, GA
728. Linda Squires, Orlando, FLA
729. Sarah Squires, Orlando, FL
730. Quinn Curtis, Orlando, FL
731.Craig Fournier, Lake Mary,Fl.
732. Amanda Wright, Savannah, NY
733. Joshua Curry
734. April Dillard
735. David Jackson
736. Becky Jackson
737. James Jackson
738. Kay Jackson
739. Glen Jackson Tn.
740. Sonya Jackson Tn.

741. James Roleson, Memphis, TN
742 Dennis Rockswold, Riverside, CA

743.Frank Hart Germany
744 Herbert P. Barnes, Reagan TN
745 Kathlene K. Barnes, Reagan TN
746 Hilda Fay Martinello, Scotts Hill TN
747 Joey Bobak Sardis TN
748 Terry Bobak Sardis TN
750 R.F."Dick" Kennedy
751 Antonie Kennedy
752 Matt Coulter

--
Timothy Gallton

7,264 from our goal!

2007-06-01T20:52:00.000+02:00

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Timothy,

In honor of Memorial Day, VFW is launching The VFW Veterans Memorial Wall Campaign.

As a tribute to all of the proud men and women who have served our country and live on in our memories, we are building a virtual memorial on our website- The VFW Veterans Memorial Wall.

The goal of the campaign is to collect the names of 10,000 veterans - spanning every generation - and memorialize them in the inaugural launch.

The VFW Veterans Memorial Wall will be viewed by the thousands of people who visit our site each year and serve as a reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for our freedom.

We want to ensure that not one single veteran is ever forgotten.

They helped make this the greatest country in the world. And we have a duty to make sure that their dedication to this country is remembered long after they are gone.

Add your loved one's name to The VFW Veterans Memorial Wall today.

Add a Veteran

But hurry! You must send your submission by Memorial Day - May 30^th - in order for your loved one to be a part of the inaugural launch of The VFW Veterans Memorial Wall.

And please take a moment to forward this email to your family and friends so they can honor the memory of their hero.

Forward to a Friend

Once The VFW Veterans Memorial Wall is launched, we will email you the link so that you can view your loved one's name and share it with others.

Thank you for remembering our veterans!

Convention Meal Reservations

2007-06-01T20:39:00.000+02:00

Please find, fill-out and mail the attached documents to me as soon as possible. There will be no exceptions: If you do not order and pay in advance you will not be eating at the convention's functions.

Rob............

DOE

JVC

2007 Meal Reservations.doc

file.html (7KB); 2007 Meal Reservations.doc (40KB)

file.html

Turn up the sound!

2007-06-01T20:37:00.000+02:00

http://www.bentbay.dk/blue_angels.htm

After leaving VP47 in 1967

Stars and Stripes

2007-06-01T20:36:00.000+02:00

Did any of you happen to read Teusdays paper. On page 5 you will see what Memorial Day is all about. Post 10592 had and excellent Memorial Day.

--
Timothy Gallton

Out of Net

2007-06-01T20:35:00.000+02:00

As of today I will be out of the net. My grandaughter went into the hospital today and is in the Pediatric ICU. I am in the process of getting the laptop setup so I can see her over the Web Cam. That way we can take turns sleeping and keep an eye on her. Thank God for Modern Technology. I fly next Thursday and will be there in the late afternoon. I will not return until she is better or I am out of sick leave. I am scheduled to be back on 29 June. I am praying that I get to keep that Schedule.
I will inform everyone when I do arrive back.

--
Timothy Gallton

Memorial Day Bamberg Germany

2007-05-29T17:41:00.000+02:00

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo'
No more on life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few;
On Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread;
But Glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead.

By Theodore O'Hara, 1847

TEN LIFE LESSONS THE ARMY HAS TAUGHT ME

2007-05-02T04:23:00.000+02:00

Courtesy of Military Blog .
TEN LIFE LESSONS THE ARMY HAS TAUGHT ME

1. Always have a notepad, pen, watch, knife, and flashlight on hand.
In life, as in the Army, there are always unforeseen events. An important note needs to be taken, you need the precise time, something needs to be fixed, or you just can't find your way. All these items are small and cheap; lifesavers when you have them, deal breakers when you don't.

2. Have a copy of everything. If it's important, have two copies.
If it has your name on it, then you need a copy. If it affects your health, paycheck, or other element of well-being, then you need two copies. Records get lost, computers crash, and sometimes people just need to see a piece of 80 bond under their noses to get anything done.

3. Make friends wherever you go.
It doesn't matter if you are there for 20 minutes or 20 months, make friends. Inevitably, you will see them again. You will go to where they are. They will go to where you will be. And at the end of the day friends are the only ones covering the front of your position.

4. Make an SOP. Know the SOP. Work the SOP.
Civilian. Military. It doesn't matter. There should be a Standard Operating Procedure for daily life. Often we don't have fulfilling days or lives because "we just don't have time" and that is because we often don't have good processes. On the battlefield there is a place for everything, and everything in its place. There is a rote routine (often personal) for everything from showering in the morning to they way we check our gear. We do this because often there are times when there is no time, but the task still needs to get done. Routine accomplishes this, and we accomplish more when we have a routine.

5. Sleep.
Sleep is one of the things in life we don't appreciate until we aren't getting it. Sleep recharges us, heals us, and lets us put a new perspective on the world. If it was bad when you went to sleep and it's still bad when you wake up, well then I guess you weren't missing anything. If by chance it's better when you wake up, then apparently the world doesn't rest upon your shoulders. So take a nap, Atlas.

6. Don't go cheap.
I didn't grow up with money. I have learned to make due with what is available. There are times, however, that you can't afford to go cheap. Whether it be getting the brakes fixed on your HUMVEE or your Ford, get it done, get it done by a professional, and get the warranty. If you are buying shoes (speaking from personal experience) don't get them because they are cheaper. Get them because they are comfortable and durable. If you don't, it'll be more than your wallet that will hurt.

7. Find humor everywhere.
I have been in some pretty crappy places, some pretty crappy situations, and yet forced myself to find some humor, somewhere. It helps you cope. It takes the sting out of the painful, awkward, or otherwise difficult moments in life. And humor is one of those conversations you can have with yourself, because you always get your own jokes. As a side note, as much as it may pain you, never ridicule someone for their dark sense of humor. We aren't them and they aren't us, and we are all just trying to get by. I think Plato put this in perspective best by saying, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle."

8. Don't tolerate oppression.
To quote someone more intelligent than myself: "First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me." Stand up for what you think is right. In the end if you were wrong, so be it.

9. Tell your Story.
Battles are decided not only by the Soldiers on the field, the armament, or the weather. They are also won and lost by the lessons learned from prior battles. We learn these lessons because someone told their story. As a young Soldier I was a sponge for knowledge; it was before the current age of mass communication. Older Soldiers told their stories in hopes that a single silver strand of wisdom would be gleaned and be passed on. It is part of what we contribute to society. When we can glean wisdom from the lessons others have learned, we can avoid repeating the hardships by which they gained that knowledge. And by sharing our lessons we are helping someone else. That is one of our greatest contributions to humanity.

10. Never forget.
Never forget who you are. Never forget what you have done. Never forget where you are. Never forget what it is you want from this one life we have. Never forget the people that stood behind you in support, beside you in camaraderie, or in front of you in adversity. Never forget to write home. Never forget that someone is missing you. Never forget what you have learned. Never forget to share what you have learned. Never forget anything; lest you forget everything.

THE CHASM
May 02, 2007

THE CHASM
Name: C.M.
Posting date: 4/27/07
Husband: on his way home!
Milblog url: corpsdjour.blogspot.com

I've been away from The Sandbox. It was just too much. I am so thankful that this resource is here for the world to get a glimpse into the experiences of our military members, but it was a little too close and too personal and just too scary. But I am very happy to say that my husband is out. He is somewhere between there and home, and I'm ecstatic. Having him out of harm's way has afforded me the luxury of peace of mind, and the mental capacity to put my thoughts into words. And here they are: I support our troops, I'm conflicted on the war, but mostly I'm frustrated by the isolation.

I know I shouldn't complain that I get a call from my husband only twice a month, when my grandmother heard from her husband by letter only a handful a times a year during WWII. It's terrifying that death is a possibility, but I know the numbers pale in comparison to Vietnam. Watching your husband go off to war is as old as time -- think of the Spartan saying: "Come home with your shield or on it." But for this war, it seems different...It's just that now I feel like it's only me.

I'm one of the few wives that have the opportunity to live on base, but work in a professional capacity at a leading company, and I can't tell you the echoing depth of the chasm that separates my two worlds. I walk into the office to talk of stock options, tax cuts, weekend parties, laissez-faire political debates. If I hear about the war at all, it's typically someone priming me to say that it's awful, that they should all come home -- don't they know that can be offensive when my husband is risking his life to be there? I'll never forget the day that Al Zarqawi died and I mentioned the news to a college-educated co-worker at my fortune 500 company, and the response was..."Who?" Or when a war-age eligible man asked me if my husband would be coming home for Christmas. "Nope, unfortunately Iraq doesn't close shop for the holidays." It's not that they don't care, it's that it just doesn't affect them.

Then I hop the train back to my other life. When I come home, I pass through the guarded gates of my Marine Corps life into this parallel dimension. Back here the streets are full of women taking out the trash and climbing on roofs to put up the Christmas lights because daddy isn't home to do it. Back on base I always have a friend that is about to come home, and another that is about to leave. Back home, women are crying because they're afraid that their children won't remember their fathers. On my street, there is a rotation of "Welcome Home Daddy" signs that fill me with pride and smiles, but also make me want to cry because I want it to be my turn. Back home I know not to knock on a friend's door without calling first, lest she think that that knock is CACO on the other side telling her that her husband didn't make it. Back home, I have to close my front door, because hearing car doors shut brings up images of men in blue walking up to my door and delivering the bad news.

I don't want to complain, I have loved many experiences I've had with the MC life; it's fast and furious and always entertaining. My friends on the perpetual cycle of deployments do not feel sorry for themselves, and neither do I. But still, I'm left with a feeling of frustration, and it comes down to this: the burden is just too big to be borne by so few.

CHANGE
May 02, 2007

CHANGE
Name: Doug Templeton
Posting date: 4/26/07
Stationed in: Afghanistan
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Email: dtempleton14@yahoo.com

Today is Thursday and that means bad pizza night. Rumor has it the current vender is going out and a Pizza Hut is going in. This would have been a nice change, however, as luck would have it, it's happening after I leave. We do have a Subway here, but it is literally in the back of a van that is parked outside the Post Exchange. Of course, all the food other than the chow hall has to be paid for, and since we get a whopping $3.50 a day it takes a day or more’s allowance to eat out.

I am looking forward to going to the Big Bazaar tomorrow for the last time. I doubt I will be buying anything, but it is another last that I can check off my list of things to do before heading home. We have been checking off a lot of lasts lately, and with every one come a joy and sadness. Our lives here are about to change and everything we have grown used to is ending.

When we go home to our families there will also be change. They have spent the year moving forward without us, and it will most definitely be different. Many of us will be moving to new bases and will be starting new jobs. I often wonder how I will keep up with all of it. Our children have gotten bigger and have had to endure being single-parented. They have learned that mommy or daddy can be sent away for a long period of time and if they are older, like my daughter, they understand the danger they faced.

I guess the one thing in life that remains constant is change. You either learn to accept it, or lock yourself in a box and refuse to come out. I for one have learned to accept it, because my whole life and military career has been about moving and changing. Now I have spent a year helping others to make change, and in the end I’m pretty proud of what we’ve done.

First Post

2007-05-01T23:40:00.000+02:00

I would like to welcome you to the official website for VFW Post 10592, Bamberg, Germany.

Richard E. Austin VFW Post 10592 Official blog

Happy New Year

Ambushed Soldiers Heroes VFW Chief Says; National Commander Visits Wounded at Landstuhl

Commander: Media reports on Afghanistan outpost battle were exaggerated

173rd’s fight not symbol of more violent Afghanistan, says Preysler

What's right with America? Plenty

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Flag Information

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HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Bamberg ceremonies honor vets’ sacrifices

Upholding Veterans Day

Syndicated Talk-Radio Show Hosting Veterans Day Radiothon

Study: 1 Out of 4 Homeless Are Veterans

VFW’s Ideas to Celebrate Veteran’s Day 2007

Haunted Places on U.S. Bases

Bush picks Army doctor as veterans secretary

Hundreds of thousands of U.S. veterans lack any health insurance, survey finds

Cox News Service

One More Post

VA PTSD Psychiatrist Given “Genius” Award

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My last post here

Veteran's Grave Vandalized

Liberty County Veteran's Grave Vandalized

By Elizabeth Scarborough

Show support for the Troops

Photos of troops overseas are gone from Paso post office, inspiring outrage

U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the

VFW Urges Congress

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Honoring USS Cole; Celebrating 232 years of Naval Service

Understanding Depression

$1M sitting unused in military relief fund

Rocket carrying military satellite launched into orbit

Corps Exceeds '07 Recruiting Goal

N.H. tax evaders taken into custody after standoff

VFW Applauds Disability Benefits Commission Report

Too Funny

VA Previews Texas Site for “Polytrauma” Health Care

Congress Fails To Pass On-Time VA Budget

Army Sniper Acquitted of Murder

VFW Statement on MoveOn.org Attack on Gen. Petraeus

Fairy Tale

Bill Maher | September 28 2007 |

America Used To Be Really Goddamn Awesome

U.S. missile defense test successful

Army plans to increase size of the force more quickly

Army plans to increase size of the force more quickly

Federal judge rules 2 Patriot Act provisions unconstitutional

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The War on Terrorism

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Naomi Wolf: Fascist America, in 10 easy steps

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We The People

A Brief History Lesson

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Something to laugh at.

Going to get healthy