The Groundtruth from a combat veteran, backed up by independent research and historical study. Information beneficial to the Troops. And a touch of objective politics, as it relates to the subjects at hand.
This site is unabashedly Pro-American and Pro-Military however none of the views expressed here are to be considered as endorsed, proposed, or supported by the Department of Defense or any other Agency, government, public, or private. http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/
SSgt Workman is featured in the Hall of Heroes and a book review on this from Marine Till Death that read it as it was written: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2008/12/shadow-of-the-sword-by-jeremiah-workman-w-john-bruning.html
http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2008/12/ssgt-jeremiah-workman-navy-cross-usmc-iraq-marion-oh.html and links to prior articles.
The United States Postal System (USPS) has announced the recommended mailing dates for packages and envelopes going to APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Unlike years past, there are really only two sets of dates.
For almost all APO/FPO/DPO addresses:
Priority Mail Express Military Service: December 17th First Class mail: December 10th
Priority mail: December 10th PAL mail: December 3rd SAM mail: November 26th Standard Post: November 12th
For APO/FPO/DPO addresses that begin with 093:
Priority Mail Express Military Service: not available First Class mail: December 3rd Priority mail: December 3rd PAL mail: December 3rd SAM mail: November 26th Standard Post: November 12th Please keep in mind that these are recommendations and not guarantees. Earlier is always going to be cheaper and more likely to arrive on time. I can’t believe we’re dealing with Christmas already.
"Almost once an hour – every 65 minutes to be precise – a military veteran commits suicide." - Recent investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs
With this kind of statistic, it is imperative we come together to draw awareness to this crisis. We implore you to help us with the "Save A Life" Campaign.
COUNTRY MUSIC DUO, ROSEHILL, LAUNCHES ‘SAVE A LIFE TONIGHT’ CAMPAIGN TO COINCIDE WITH SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
September 16, 2013 / Nashville, TN – Country music’s Rosehill has initiated the “Save A Life Tonight” suicide prevention campaign to coincide with September’s Suicide Prevention Month in hopes to shed light on and remove the stigma associated with depression and suicide. Blake Myers and Mitch McBain (Rosehill) lost their best friend and original drummer to suicide and recorded the song "The Bible and The Gun," for their current album Crooked Thoughts, which tackles the tragic issue head-on. The song reminds them of their sense of powerlessness when it came to helping their friend in his time of crisis.
Recently, the duo received a personal email from a fan who was contemplating suicide: “I've been on that bed. This song saved my life a few weeks back. Right when everything seemed hopeless, I heard this song. I heard it on the radio never before this and never since. Now it is in my playlist and I listen to it everyday! I'm sure you've heard this from people that want something from you, but I had to tell you and all I want is to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! Can't wait to see you again in College Station!” Rosehill realized quickly that this song could be their way of helping many others.
It is Rosehill’s desire to use the song “The Bible and The Gun” and corresponding music video as a means to reach out to those in crisis and guide them to organizations and people that can help them. Rosehill will donate all profits from the sale of the single to organizations dedicated to suicide prevention. To learn more on how to participate in the “Save A Life Tonight” campaign, please visit www.savealifetonight.com. To watch the music video for “The Bible and The Gun,” click HERE.
The most recent statistics, generated by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state that in 2010 (the most recent year for which data are available), "38,364 suicides were reported, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. In that year, someone in the country died by suicide every 13.7 minutes."
As Blake Myers put it, “We are absolutely committed to this effort. We know what it feels like to have lost someone to suicide and we want to do everything we can to prevent future losses.” Mitch McBain adds, “If this song and initiative saves one more life, it will have been worth the effort.”
If you or someone you know needs help, you can call:
1-800-273-8255 – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) – National Hopeline Network
It's been awhile since we highlighted a group that is pro-troop.
Gateway Warrior Foundation is making their debut in St. Louis, Missouri. They are looking at raising funds starting with a Golf Benefit next month and are directing the proceeds to Fisher House, Mission Continues and Wounded Warrior Project. Read below for more details.
Gateway Warrior Foundation Established in St. Louis
Non-Profit Organization Aims to Honor and Empower “Wounded Warriors” in Missouri
ST. LOUIS (Sept. 17, 2013): A group of St. Louis executives has established the Gateway Warrior Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, whose sole purpose is to help men and women who have paid a tremendous price for defending the United States.
The Gateway Warrior Foundation plans to raise funds that it will donate to other organizations that support wounded service men and women who live in Missouri.
The Gateway Warrior Foundation Golf Benefit, the organization’s fund-raiser, will take place Oct. 7 at the Country Club of St. Albans. The event will feature a golf tournament and auction. Proceeds will go to the St. Louis Fisher House (www.fisherhouseinstl.org), The Mission Continues (www.missioncontinues.org) and the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).
The tournament will also feature several military demonstrations including marines repelling from a helicopter and a bugler who will play “Taps” prior to the golf tournament to honor the military men and women who have lost their lives defending their country. The golf tournament is sold out, but donations can be made to Gateway Warrior Foundation by visiting www.gatewaywarriorfoundation.org.
Of all the MOS's (jobs) in the military, the one I hold in greatest respect is probably an 18D, Special Forces Medic. Those that graduate the SF Medic's course are capable of amazing feats of life saving trauma treatment. As (more than) one person has described the role of the SF Medic:
"They can kill you and then save your life."
They don't wear the medic red cross, because theirs is a combat mission, with the job of keeping everybody alive and healthy. On the range, you probably wouldn't know the difference between the 18D and his teammates, and ODA's (Operational Detachment Alpha) are the epitome of a team. The things they can do aren't a matter of just physical brawn. It's intelligence, common sense, hard work, constant practice, dedication beyond perfection, but above and beyond all is teamwork.
So, it does not surprise me to find that team 7125, formerly known as 725, has adopted SGT Padgett's family as their own, or that they are going the extra 4.4 miles in Honor of him, and in support of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
I have rarely mentioned SOWF, but it is one of the most efficient Non-Profits in the Pro-Troop arena. It specializes in ensuring that the children of fallen Special Operations Troops get a college education. Funds donated to it make it to that cause at a percentage unprecedented in the Non-Profit world. In short, they are good stewards of financial donations.
Though the team is currently deployed to Afghanistan, they are training and have a goal of being 1st and raising $10,000, in the 4.4 mile run at Eglin AFB in May. They're running treadmills at a pace of 5:50 minute miles, which is frankly unreal to me, for an individual, much less a team. And they plan to cut that time down before the race, and when they aren't in the middle of place where people are shooting at them.
In fact, it wasn't the team itself that contacted me about this, but the brother of a team member, because their duties still come first, defending America, in a far off land that has taken a Brother from them.
With your help, Sgt Elton Adams made the National Finals...Today, voting daily is off and running again to keep Elton in the contest to be named Canada's Best New Artist. Read on:
HERE
WE GO EVERYONE, the National finals have begun with only 24
bands/artists remaining. In this first round we will be fighting to
make it into the top 16 and only have 1 week to do it, so we really need
to get desperate for votes. Please continue to utilize all of your
electronic devices and vote every day. Here is the link to vote---
Because this is a long list, you'll need to scroll waaaaaaaay down this time, but please continue to vote daily for one of our own. Thank you...
Canadian soldier, Elton Adams has been performing for his fellow soldiers since he joined the military at the age of 17. While serving his country in Afghanistan in 2008, Sgt Adams performed his song, What A Soldier Left Behind, with Canada’s beloved rock band Blue Rodeo. (One of this writer's favourite songs. Take a listen at the link.) He released his first rock album in March 2009 (most of the songs on the album were written in Afghanistan) upon returning to Canada. In addition to having his songs chart on various internet radio stations, Sgt Adams has received numerous awards for his music contributions to the Canadian Forces including 5 coins of excellence from 5 different generals and the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal. The Canadian Forces also released Sgt Adams’ new song, “Lock and Load”, which commemorates the amazing efforts of Canadian soldiers while deployed to Afghanistan. Further, after returning from his third tour of duty (second tour to Afghanistan), Elton released two songs, “My Canadian Girls” and “Gunslinger”(2012).
Now Sgt Adams is entered into a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation national contest to name Canada's Best New Artist.
I need to extend a huge THANKS to two very important people in my life.....one an Army veteran and the other a Marine!
The 2012 MCM was fast approaching, along with Hurricane Sandy. The runners were gathered in D.C. and surrounding areas watching the news, carbo loading, thinking about their race day strategy. Would the hurricane cancel the race? What would it be like running through wind and rain being pushed by a hurricane?
For this runner, it was a notable year as a first timer running the MCM 10k race.
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., Jan. 3, 2013 - With a simple idea and their fallen Marine son's Servicemembers Group Life Insurance check, a retired soldier and his wife are honoring his memory through a program that's bringing new hope and self-confidence to wounded warriors.
Pictured: William "Mike" White, founder of Camp Hope for wounded warriors, left, chats with Army Capt. Joe Bogart, a wounded warrior who said the camp restored his sense of independence. U.S. Army photo by Michael William Petersen
William "Mike" White, an equipment operator at the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command here, remembers as if it were yesterday the dreaded knock on the door as he and his wife, Galia, learned that their son, Marine Pfc. Christopher Neal White, had been killed. The young White, an avid outdoorsman who grew up in rural Kentucky, died in Iraq's Anbar province two days after Father's Day, 2006.
Heartbroken and guilt-ridden that he had convinced his wife to allow their son to join the military, White struggled to find meaning in their personal tragedy. "I had to take a negative and make it a positive. It had to be done," he said.
Alone on a hunting trip -- an endeavor he and his son had often shared -- White came up with the inspiration for Camp Hope.
"I wanted to start a place for our wounded guys, to teach them that even if they have one arm or one leg or no arms or no legs or they're blind, that they could still get out and enjoy the outdoors," he said. "Little did I know it was going to lead to where we are today."
The Whites used Christopher's SGLI payment to buy Chris Neal Farm, a 170-acre retreat in southeast Missouri, and home of Camp Hope.
Five years later, Camp Hope is exceeding everything the senior White could have imagined. Hundreds of combat-wounded warriors from across the United States have flocked there to participate in everything Christopher White loved: skeet shooting, hunting, fishing, hiking, exploring the great outdoors and relaxing around an ever-burning fire pit.
The idea, White explained, is to allow wounded warriors to experience the healing powers of nature as they focus on what they can do, instead of what they cannot.
Operated through private and corporate donations and a legion of volunteers, Camp Hope provides a supportive, loving environment and a renewed sense of community to wounded warriors, White explained.
"We are really not doing anything special other than offering them a place and an opportunity to be able to get back and talk with other folks whose boots have been in the same dirt," he said.
White is the first to admit that he had no grand plan when he and his wife founded Camp Hope. "Everything that has happened has pretty much been an accident," he said. "You can't plan some of the things that have happened. There is no way. It just happens."
But the healing effect, he said, is undeniable.
"There is a magic thing about Camp Hope. I can't explain it. I really can't," White said. "All I know is that it does things for the good for people. It gives a lot of hope to a lot of people. It changes their attitude when they are there."
Army Sgt. Bobby Lee Lisek, a severely wounded warrior who attended the very first gathering at Camp Hope, said he was amazed at the transformation within himself.
"Camp Hope is the greatest place ever. They don't hold you or hold you back. They don't say, 'No you can't.' There is no limit to what you can do here," he said.
Admitting to White that he'd been struggling with suicidal thoughts before arriving at Camp Hope, Lisek said, "I don't know where I'd be today if I didn't have somewhere to go like Camp hope. I'm just at peace here."
So much at peace, in fact, that Lisek volunteers his time regularly as a hunting guide, helping other visitors to Camp Hope experience the same kind of transformation he did.
Army Capt. Joe Bogart, another Camp Hope veteran, said the experience gave him a renewed sense of independence. "I got part of my old self back," he said. "I healed in ways I didn't know I needed to."
For Army Spc. Adam Berkemeier, the healing came through taking on new challenges. "They push me to do more because they know I am capable of more," he said.
For Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan Kinnamore, who called his visit to Camp Hope "one of the best experiences I've had in years," healing came through camaraderie with fellow wounded warriors.
"I had forgotten how to socialize," he said. "It was good to be able to sit around the fire pit and talk with people who had been in the same place I had been in and who knew what was going on, what I'm going through. It helped me relax for the first time in a long time."
The Whites' work at Camp Hope has received national recognition. In 2010, the Army honored White with its prestigious Spirit of Hope Award, and the National AMVETS Ladies' Auxiliary presented him its Humanitarian of the Year award.
Veterans groups and individual and corporate sponsors have stepped up their support as volunteers or donors, covering all costs for veterans to participate and even sponsoring special trips to Alaska and other destinations.
The camp has become such a success that White hopes to open a second Camp Hope, near Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest to reach more wounded warriors. Once it's operational, White said he plans to rely on wounded warriors who have attended the camp themselves to run its day-to-day operations.
He even envisioned it creating a ripple effect, with Camp Hopes scattered around the country to help wounded warriors heal.
White said the calls he regularly receives from parents and spouses, thanking him for the difference Camp Hope has made in their loved ones' lives, is the driving force that keeps him motivated to drive on.
"That's our payday," he said. "That's what makes us continue to do what we do."
Six years after his son's death, White still gets choked up when he talks about the enthusiastic young boy who loved the outdoors and dreamed of becoming a Marine. Making things right after losing him would be impossible, he admitted.
"But now that we know we've been able to help some of these young folks coming back, even saving some of them from committing suicide or hurting themselves, it makes it a little bit easier to accept," he said. "Camp Hope is all about Helping Other People Excel. And as it honors Christopher's memory, that's exactly what it does for these wounded warriors."
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr., AFPS, BAGRAM, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, 2012 - Country music star Kellie Pickler is among the celebrity entertainers taking part in Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey's annual USO holiday show tour, which entertained Afghanistan-deployed U.S. troops posted here and at Kandahar Airfield.
On this trip, the USO troupe also has entertained service members aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis and at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan.
Kellie Pickler, a country singer addresses the audience before she begins her USO holiday tour show performance at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 16, 2012. DOD photo
Pickler, an Albemarle, N.C., native, is traveling on her sixth USO tour and she's keenly aware of the difficulties troops and their families endure during the holiday season.
"It's always different coming here this time of the year," she said. "[During] the holidays -- Thanksgiving has already passed -- everyone wants to be home with their families and loved ones.
"Then, Christmas is right around the corner," Pickler continued. "It's a hard time for all of you."
The country music singer said she enjoys touring with the USO and has done so for quite some time.
"I love it," Pickler said. "My very first trip was in [2007] ... and it's by far the most life-changing thing I've ever been a part of."
Pickler performed with her husband, Kyle Jacobs, and with David Michael Baker, who provided the musical backdrop for her vocal performances.
"We look forward to doing shows, but I think that the small intimate moments -- just having breakfast together, lunch together, dinner together ... [are] where we can just sit, talk and listen to one another," Pickler said.
The singer, who said she comes from a military family, "gets" how hard it is for troops being away from their loved ones.
"I know it's just as hard for your families back home, so they're making a sacrifice as well," Pickler said.
Pickler said she always looks forward to USO trips.
"I always take a little something from each place when we go to each base," she said. "I always have a little special memory that I cherish and I never forget about it."
She said the USO tour's visit to a hospital was one example of those special moments.
"We were able to go to the hospital and try to take a little piece of home in there," she said. "[And] that's our goal coming out here. We just want to bring a little piece of home to you all."
Pickler was accompanied on the tour by Washington Nationals Major League Baseball players Ross Detwiler and Craig Stammen; Matt Hendricks from the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals; comedian Iliza Schlesinger, winner of NBC's Last Comic Standing.
Sloan D. Gibson, president of the USO, and Shane Hudella, of "Defending the Blue Line," an organization that donates hockey equipment to military families, also joined the celebrities.
Pickler praised U.S. troops and their families for their sacrifices, and wished them all happy holidays as she joined Dempsey in serenading the troops with Bing Crosby's "A White Christmas."
"I just want to say thanks so much for all that you do," she said. "Thank you to your families -- we know that they make a huge sacrifice."
"This time of the year is really hard so I hope that you know that we love you," Picker said. "The USO, all of us, we are praying for a safe return home for you all. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
Jack Daniel's is honored to partner with the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) of the USA on our Operation Ride Home campaign as we work to reunite our service members and their families during the holiday season.
We were very proud to kick off this year’s campaign with a $100,000 donation, and we hope our friends will do what they can to help us in the effort.
The trained staff of the ASYMCA will work closely with military commands and committed volunteers in every branch of service to identify those service members and families in most need of financial assistance and to assist them with travel. Through travel vouchers for plane tickets and pre-paid debit cards for gas, lodging and food, we hope to surpass the overwhelming success of last year's effort that helped send 721 Fort Campbell soldiers and their families home last year.
The ASYMCA offers no-cost and low-cost programs for nearly 500,000 active duty-enlisted military and their families each year at 33 branches and affiliates with hands on innovative programming nationwide. For the sixth consecutive year, the Armed Services YMCA was rated in the top 3% of charities nationwide by Charity Navigator in 2011. Please visit www.asymca.org to learn more.
We thank you again for contributing what you can to assist in our effort. Your tax deductible donation (tax ID #36-3274346) to the ASYMCA, a top-rated non-profit, and Operation Ride Home will make a significant difference in the lives of junior military service members and their families this holiday season.
"As part of our strong, ongoing commitment to America's military, The Home Depot is proud to announce a special one-day event across the nation: Mission:Transition"
"Unlike a job fair, these Civilian Career Workshops focus on helping service members and veterans transition successfully into the workforce in any industry. With service at the center of our core values, we are proud to arm service men and women with knowledge and resources to navigate a successful transition into a meaningful career. It is our goal to serve the military community."
"Register to participate in our October 27, 2012 Mission:Transition event and hear directly from hiring managers, human resources professionals and former military leaders currently working at The Home Depot. Attendees will learn:"
They say that neither rain, sleet or snow will stop the mail but I know for a fact that an approaching hurricane, being hit by a car, a stress fracture, running through burn pit smoke and dangerous heat and/or humidity has not stopped members of the team "For Those Who Can't."
Five years ago I learned how one man left his mark,literally, in the dirt on Okinawa. His wife "was first told that her husband probably wouldn’t make it through the night. The couple was then told that he would never walk again.
“I told them, ‘I’ll let you know my time when I run my first marathon,’” he said. "This year’s Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) will be the fifth he has run with the team he created."
How do you train for a marathon while on crutches? Simple! "Use your on-line training buddy for inspiration" relates one team member.
"Team For Those Who Can't" was founded by a Marine (Jon White) who refused to accept that he would never walk again. Back in 2007, he founded his team, running his first marathon along with his wife and son. Each year his goal is the same, "....I just want to cross that finish line."
One franchise restaurant owner needed to chose a charitable cause to support. Realizing that most of his customer's were connected to a Marine he picked the Semper Fi Fund which supports all services.
Have you ever wondered about what a marathon training schedule involves? Prepping for a marathon is not something one decides to do a few weeks out from the race.
First off, you should be running on a regular basis for at least 6 months and have a base mileage of 12-15 miles a week. Secondly, you will need to dedicate yourself to running/cross-training 5 days a week for the next 20 weeks.
Jon runs in various half-marathons throughout the year to stay in shape for the MCM. He only runs ONE marathon a year. Along the way he has collected a bit of bling! He has inspired friends and colleagues to run in the MCM each year also. This year, after crossing the finish line he will be able to join a special group, the MCM Runners Club. Not only will he have run the MCM 5 times, he will have done it in 5 successive years. Not such a big deal? He is still active duty, flying in from overseas several times, across the country and trained on multiple continents.
I have known Jon since 2005 and have recently taken several "working vacations" with him to a third world country. It took him a bit to convince me to come along. It is pretty hard to say no to him. I was shocked to realize that he spends most of his family vacations doing these "working vacations." Trust me, they are work, I came back exhausted but a better person for having gone!
I had my game plan for this year's race.....what to carry in my backpack, what mile markers I would be standing near to watch for the members of "Team For Those Who Can't" during the marathon. I even had my husband, his sister and nephew coming out to cheer them on. After all, this was to be my 2nd year watching the racers! I was excited!!! Suddenly I get an email notification saying my registration for the MCM 10k race had been confirmed.......say WHAT?!!!!!
Did you know that Marines can be downright sneaky??! That includes my daughter who was in on this! So much for my marathon day plans! Yes, I could have said, "No thanks!" I almost did, but I couldn't let Jon down. He is not one to set you up for failure, but he will set that bar high! His wife, a Marine veteran, signed up for the MCM 10k also. She has strict instructions to drag me across the finish line if I fall or can't make it under my own steam. It is only 6.2 miles..........that is chump change compared to the 26.2 miles you run for a marathon!
Right now though, they are in need of a boost. With the 2012 Marathon less than a week away, they are still 9% short of their team goal.
They are $468 short of their $5,000 goal for the team. Yes, some of the team members are above their goal, but this is a "team" effort and the team is looking for more donations!!
Every dollar donated goes to help our wounded military members. Jon was once part of that community of wounded in need of help.....now he is on the other side of that equation once again....and trying his hardest to earn your support while supporting his brothers-in-arms!
I have seen the following statement and I believe Jon lives up to this in more ways than one......
A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to "The United States of America " for an amount of "up to and including my life". That is Honor, and there are way too many people in This country who no longer understand it."
Jon runs because he can, because in one day's time he went from being a normal healthy Marine to one who was paralyzed and had to be resuscitated several times in the hospital that first night.
Jon chose to run for the Semper Fi Fund. He could have just entered the MCM with no fundraising requirements. He and his wife have made way too many visits to various hospitals overseas and stateside visiting his Marines and their friends who have been injured. He not only walks the walk and talks the talk........he goes the distance......one marathon...a 26.2 mile race once a year "For Those Who Can't."
He truthfully can say........Been there, done that! Can you???
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr., AFPS, LONDON, Sept. 5, 2012 - Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines answer the nation's call to serve, knowing there likely will be a time where they will be asked to step into harm's way.
With the hopes and prayers of their families, comrades and the community, they embark on their tour of service never knowing what exactly they can expect or when that day will come.
For Navy Lt. Bradley Snyder, one of three active duty service members competing in the 2012 Paralympic Games here, that day came Sept. 7, 2011, while he served in Afghanistan.
Speaking during a news conference today, Snyder shared his harrowing experience, but continued to demonstrate an inspirational and unbridled optimism about his future despite having lost his sight when an improvised explosive device detonated.
"I actually remember everything from the blast to when I arrived at the first medical facility," Snyder said. "I was aiding the evacuation of two other people who were hurt in another blast, and probably within 10 meters of that first blast, I stepped on a secondary explosive device that was buried in the ground.
by Jim Greenhill ARLINGTON, Va. – An organization viewed by its founders as crucial to preserving an all-volunteer force quietly celebrated its 40th anniversary Friday.
“Throughout these 40 years, one thing has remained constant: the vision and mission of ESGR to create a culture of America’s employers and America’s industrial base to support and value the service that their men and women provide our country,” said James Rebholz, ESGR’s national chair.
The last decade of continuous combat and historic natural disasters has tested the reliance on members of the National Guard and Reserves and their employers, revealing both groups’ willingness to make extraordinary sacrifices, ESGR officials said.
by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo1st MarDiv, KAJAKI, Afghanistan – He stands side-by-side his fellow Marines, pours his blood and sweat into his job and sacrifices time away from his family. He lives driven by a will to earn his way in life and appreciate what’s been given to him.
Lance Cpl. Christopher Yudin, a machinegunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, serves in the Corps as a chance to give back to the country where, after a childhood of moving from place to place, he finally found a place to call his own.
Lance Cpl. Christopher Yudin, a machine gunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, sits outside a compound room with Lance Cpl. Frank Duran, an assaultman with the battalion, June 6, 2012.
A medevac helicopter takes off following an improvised explosive device strike against an Afghan National Army vehicle, May 8, 2012.
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LAGMAN, Afghanistan — Soldiers in Afghanistan go to great lengths to prevent being injured. Sometimes, though, even their best efforts are not enough and an improvised explosive device strikes a vehicle or soldier is injured by small arms fire, at which point, combat medics spring into action and apply their training in order to save the soldier's life, limbs or eyesight.
A combat medic’s ability to take action and save lives, in what are often chaotic scenarios, is the culmination of years of instruction that usually begins in their Advanced Individual Training, which follows basic training. The classes for medics include trauma based training such as the brigade combat team trauma training (BCT3) - prior to being sent to their unit, explained Sgt. Michael Hood, Senior Line Medic for Battle Company, 5th Battalion.
FORT HOOD, Texas - A new $62 million complex for Fort Hood's wounded, ill and injured soldiers opens June 6.
Fort Hood’s new Warrior Transition Brigade Complex is a $62 million, 15-acre campus that includes a 30,137 square-foot battalion headquarters, a 15,000 square-foot company headquarters, a 192,000 square-foot 320-person barracks and a 15,000 square-foot Soldiers and Family Assistance Center that includes child care facilities and a modern playground. The new facility, which opens June 6, improves care for wounded, injured and ill soldiers and their families because services are now centrally located and within walking distance. The new WTB campus allows WTB soldiers to work, train and socialize as a group to create tighter bonds that have proven to be helpful in a soldier’s healing.
Growing up, I HATED running! I only ran when I had to, usually the requisite 1 mile timed run in gym class which I barely passed each time. My father still shakes his head each time I finish a race and says “but you hated running before.”
During the summer of 2009, I was working on losing weight and decided I might want to try training for a half marathon. It would accomplish two things: help me lose weight and I would do something that I never thought I could do before. I even told a friend about wanting to train for a half marathon. My friend laughed at me and said, “No way are you ever going to be able to do that!”
MSN has recently published the top 10 "charities" in America, based on "Charity Navigator" ratings. The ratings are based on how efficiently the organizations spend the donations entrusted to them. Simply put, the higher the percentage of donated dollars that go directly towards the mission statement of the organization, the higher the rating. Not surprisingly, the top rated Pro-Troop Non-Profits do not spend as large a percentage on advertising. Four of the top 10 overall were Pro-Troop Non-Profits, and their ratings are very close with less than 2 rating points separating them.
Number 10 on their list with a rating of 67.96 is the Injured Marine & Sailor Semper Fi Fund. War On Terror News readers are more likely than others to have heard of it, because we have supported the efforts of Jon Whitein support of it, for 4 years. This year, Jon is running the Marine Corp Marathon for the 5th time, and has done so with a team of runners each year. Some of them have run every year. Others have started their own teams. And some are running for their first year. He has run thousands of miles in training and hundreds of miles competitively in the MCM and other Marathons and half Marathons across multiple countries and continents, in and out of combat zones.
For many folks, the running season is never ending, depending on where you are located. With its members scattered halfway across the United States, members of "Team For Those Who Can't" begin their marathon training at different times. For many, they have been running all year long, others are just beginning to conquer races in the lead up to when their actual marathon training schedule begins.
You see, the team is made up of veterans, civilians and a rank newbie. Several members have previously run the Marine Corps Marathon. One will be running their first ever marathon. What brings them all together you might ask?
I would answer that question this way. They are all CRAZY!!!!!
by Sgt. Joseph Koktan 980th Engineers, KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – On a hot, sunny day at Kandahar Airfield, members of the 980th Engineer Battalion of Austin, Texas, gathered together for outdoor games, music, grilled food, and charitable pie throwing.
About a month before the day of festivities, troops began placing monetary bids on the coveted opportunity to throw three pies at an officer or soldier of their choosing. Upping the ante, Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Wyatt Lowery of Melissa, Texas, allowed each winning bidder to take a full day off of work—the highest overall bidder earned a two-day trip to any military base in Afghanistan.
Pictured: Capt. Marc Richardson of Hot Springs, Ark., wipes the pudding off his face after participating in a pie throwing fundraiser for wounded warriors, Sunday, May 13, 2012, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Soldiers raised $4,300 for the Fisher House Foundation, Travis Mills Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project.
WASHINGTON (5/15/12) – Service members and their families will be able to enter all of America’s national parks free of charge for a year under an initiative announced Tuesday.
The pass – the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass, which normally costs $80 – will become available to service members and their dependents on Armed Forces Day, May 19.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar made the announcement along with National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, at a ceremony at Colonial National Historical Park in Yorktown, Va., the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. The area surrounding the park hosts installations from all the military services, including the world's largest naval base.
by Lance Cpl. Bridget KeaneSAN DIEGO - Ambition is the desire that drives one to achieve the goals they have set. It makes every step toward completing that goal worthwhile, no matter how long it takes.
Pfc. Steven Sieker, Platoon 1031, Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, had no problem achieving his goal to become a police officer for the Los Angeles Police Department, but Sieker’s lifelong goal was to be a Marine.
“I always wanted to be a Marine,” said Sieker. “I not only saw it as an opportunity to start my career in law enforcement, but a way to develop myself personally and professionally.”
Pictured: Pfc. Steven Sieker, Platoon 1031, Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, fireman's carries a fellow May 1 at Weapons and Field Training Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Sieker is a police officer for the Los Angeles Police Department and went through recruit training to gain leadership skills that can only be instilled in the Marine Corps.
By Donna Miles, AFPS, WASHINGTON, May 8, 2012 - Great Britain's Prince Henry of Wales, commonly known as Prince Harry, urged the U.S. and British publics last night to unify in supporting wounded warriors and families of the fallen, particularly as the drawdown of military operations in Afghanistan takes the media spotlight off their continuing needs.
Prince Harry accepted the Atlantic Council's Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership Award for charitable work he and his brother, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, conduct for wounded British service members and veterans. He also urged closer cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom in providing their countries' veterans and families long-term support.
"So many lives have been lost and so many changed forever by the wounds that they have suffered," the prince told a black-tie gathering of almost 900 former and current administration officials, members of Congress, ambassadors and business leaders at last night's annual awards dinner.
"Tampa, FL – The Commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base announced today that he would no longer allow chairs to be used by his airmen. In his weekly command-wide email, Colonel Lenny Richoux stressed the importance of good posture, physical fitness, and “standing tall”."
"The Command Chief Master Sergeant, Derrick Crowley, wasn’t buying it." “This isn’t about posture. The Colonel’s just plain sick and tired of this ‘Chair Force’ moniker. Being around all these CENTCOM doorkickers all day long means we have to put up with all their crap.”
“How the hell am I supposed to work under these conditions?” said Senior Airman Gregory Jones, “So we use chairs. Big deal. It doesn’t mean we all should be at standing desks like a bunch of idiot hippies.”
This is just a taste of the great satire produced at The Duffle Blog. Troops of all stripes (but not necessarily The Brass), and uniforms will enjoy it, except those inundated with the politically correctness bug. For them, there is equal opportunity to be offended, regardless of service.
Drop in, relax, and enjoy some good old Military Humor, written in a style that you could likely start some serious Rumint by pasting it up on the unit bulletin board.
When a man is being beat by a mob on a beach, stabbed by those that had attempted to push a woman beyond her levels of acceptance, an Iraq War Veteran stepped in to help the good Samaritan. This is the nature of your Protectors, your Sheepdogs, YOUR Troops and Veterans.
This happens far more often than violence later blamed on PTSD by lawyers and malcontents. H/T to Jonn Lillyea of ThisAintHell.us Currently youtube says it has been viewed 12 times. It needs to go viral.
WASHINGTON, March 20, 2012 - With the temperature rising and the school year drawing to a close, parents across the nation are starting to think about summertime plans. With three young children and a stretch of lazy summer days ahead, it's definitely a hot topic in my household.
Military families can get a head start on their planning today by applying for the National Military Family Association's Operation Purple Summer Camp program. The nonprofit organization launched this free program nine years ago to support military children, ages 7 to 17, dealing with the stress of war.
The weeklong camps are open to military children of all ranks and services, both active and reserve. Officials will give priority to children who meet the association's deployment criteria and have never attended an Operation Purple camp. Families should submit their application by midnight EDT on April 19.
“At no time have we ever owed a greater debt of gratitude to our Veterans but also at no time have we ever so blatantly turned our back on them.” Stephen Labate, March 2012
The White House has requested that Congress raise $12.9 Billion in new revenue over the next 5 years, by charging Military Retirees and Combat Veterans for their own prescriptions and health care. Stephen Labate, running for the 2nd Congressional District is one of the few clearly stating that this is WRONG.
And even with massive cuts to Defense Budgets and charges to Veterans for their Mental and Physical scars in service to this Nation, the Administration budget request is for another $1.3 Trillion in debt, just like last year. Charging Veterans and cutting National Security is not being used to decrease the deficit, but rather to fund pet projects.
“I call on all members of the New York delegation to not only condemn these cost increases to TRICARE, but also, [to reject] the unilateral disarmament of our military. It is when times are tough that you are judged and it’s also when you learn who your friends really are.” Stephen Labate
In a modern world, where politicians speak in vague terms to avoid allegations of flip-flopping, it is refreshing to see a Combat Veteran take the podium and stand up for what is right, to leave no doubt about his position, on the issues. For Troops and Veterans, he is one of the very few, that is discussing the issues that effect them most.
Our Veterans need an advocate in Congress. If we are to have advocates in Congress, we're going to have elect Combat Veterans to Congress.
Iranian state media is reporting that the Supreme Court has overturned a death sentence for a U.S. citizen convicted of "spying for the CIA."
Quoting the prosecutor general, ISNA reported on Monday that the case of former U.S. Marine Amir Mirza Hekmati “has been sent back” to a lower court for retrial.
Iran's Islamist Revolutionary Court announced in January that Hekmati was convicted of several crimes — including cooperating with a hostile nation, being a member of the CIA and trying to implicate Iran in terrorism.
Iranian TV showed Hekmati in December appearing to confess his crimes, in a mixture of English and Farsi. Hekmati talked of receiving language training.
Hekmati said he received the training at U.S. bases in Iraq and Afghanistan before traveling to Iran. His family said he was in Iran visiting grandparents. VoA.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (2 MERCIAN) have built and decorated a 'Swiss-style' log cabin chapel at their forward operating base (FOB) in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand province.
Father David Smith with British soldiers in front of the new chapel building at FOB Ouellette [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]
The new chapel, at 2 MERCIAN headquarters at FOB Ouellette in northern Nahr-e Saraj district, has been dubbed the 'Chapel of St Martin of Tours', and has quickly won admirers from other British bases across Helmand.
St Martin was a young Roman Christian soldier who, while out riding, came across a poor beggar. Remembering the words of Jesus, 'I was naked and you clothed me', he cut up his cloak and gave half to the man.
Celebrated on 11 November, St Martin's day coincides with Armistice Day, adding further relevance to the new chapel's name.
The new building provides a private setting in which soldiers can attend religious services or simply talk with the chaplain in a confidential environment.
Father David Smith, 49, from Ipswich, Suffolk, is no stranger to the needs of the men and women to whom he provides pastoral care, having deployed on seven operational tours.
He said:
"Whether religious or not it is important for soldiers to have a place which provides peace, quiet and privacy to collect their thoughts. I wanted to ensure that there was a military connection and St Martin's was an obvious choice for a name.
"The services used to take place outdoors or in the cookhouse. The new chapel is a worthwhile investment for the soldiers and is a haven of peace and quiet away from the busy operational environment.
"It is a huge privilege to be with my soldiers on the ground, and I hope to be of some support to them during what can be a very testing time for them."
Many soldiers have come to visit the new chapel, including Staff Sergeant Jones Lee of the United States Marine Corps, who offered to paint a mural of St Martin to add to the welcoming atmosphere.
Have you wondered what life on a FOB in Afghanistan is like? There's a MilBlog for that!
This isn't the sexy combat type of MilBlog, but rather the kind that tells of the everyday frustrations of living in a cold, dusty environment, where not even showers or toilets are to be taken for granted.
"If you've never heard of Navy showers, try this next time you shower: get in, turn on the water long enough to get wet, and turn the water off. Wash everything you intend to: hair, body, face. Then, turn the water on just long enough to rinse."
Of course, first you have to leave your warm abode and walk to the showers, outside in the cold.
"It's a half mile walk to the Green Bean (think Starbucks), which isn't so fun in the cold. And with the snow/slush/refrozen ice, walking is rather perilous."
Why's she telling you about the walk to the coffee shop? Because that is where the internet connection is. It's not the only connection, but the at the last one:
"I once sat on the floor in the corner to try to upload classwork. And the USO always seemed to be 10 degrees too hot."
What she's careful to avoid are OPSEC issues, but that doesn't mean that work can't ever pop up:
"Not a word is said about changes before or after they happen. They just happen. Having studied psychology and sociology in college, I'm attuned to this social interaction, the intricate dance of how total strangers become a working team."
You never know who you'll run into on the other side of the world:
"A good friend from high school is here with his National Guard unit. We hadn't seen each other for 20 years, and had a good time catching up over dinner."
Do not short change them, by turning away those their potential brothers that are willing to put their lives on the line to defend Freedom. Do not tie their hands behind their back by denying them equipment.
Do not betray Our Troops by stripping them of the benefits, they earned in their Sacrifices. The only guaranteed peace is through surrender, and that comes with the guarantee of oppression.
... jumping to conclusions can lead to embarrassment and entrenchment. The initial reports will never have sufficient information, and sometimes, there are people better situated to assess the situation.
So, when I started reading reports that an Orange County California Deputy had fatally shot a serving Marine, in front of his daughters, I took a wait and see approach. Military and Police are fellow Sheepdogs, though, at times, the fraternity has been strained. Not every Veteran and not every Police Officer is Honorable, but the norm is that the average in both are risking their lives to protect Our Citizens. And when two Honorable Sheepdogs meet, the exchange should be one of mutual respect.
But that was not the case at Orange County's San Clemente High School. On 7 February 2012, at approximately 4:50AM, Pacific Time, a Deputy, who is also an Instructor in the Police Force, encountered an unarmed Marine NCO, with his two school age daughters. The Marine was shot to death by the deputy, in front of the Marine's children. Those are the facts. Other parts of the story are less clear, as the story has changed with time.
"Law enforcement sources say Darren Sandberg, a instructor who joined the sheriff's academy in 2011, was responsible for the Feb. 7 shooting at San Clemente High School that killed Sgt. Manny Levy Loggins." KTLA-TV, Los Angeles
It appears that the initial report occurred at 4:41 AM at or near the school. The officer called in a report from the "700 Block" of Avenida "Pico," The School is at 700 Avenida Pico.
From the OCSD Blotter:
2/7/2012 4:41:26 AM
2/7/2012 4:41:26 AM
12-022073
CAR STOP-EXPEDITE FOLLOW UP
700 BLK AVD PICO
"[2/7/2012 04:41:26 : pos5 : SHINEFM] Landmark Comment: 992J2 92672 AREA = 75 1ST TURN OFF INTO PLOT"
Story by Lance Cpl. Chelsea Flowers, CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Sgt. Maj. Raymond Mackey has been in the Marine Corps for 29 years but will be the first to tell you he can still hang with even the youngest Marines on the basketball court. As he quickly maneuvers his wheelchair by other players to get open for a pass, puts up shots in the key and shouts directions to others on his team, it is easy to see that Mackey is a natural-born leader – as an athlete, a Marine and a Wounded Warrior. For the past two years, Mackey has mentored and inspired other injured Marines he met while at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland. It is these Marines who are now playing and competing alongside Mackey because of his gentle prodding and unwavering example. With every step he takes on his prosthetic legs and every push of the wheels on his wheelchair, Mackey is showing them what it means to be a Wounded Warrior.
While deployed to Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, in 2009 Mackey’s unit came under fire while on patrol. While returning fire and moving for cover through a ditch, the Marine directly in front of Mackey stepped on the trigger mechanism of an improvised explosive device, causing it to detonate. The IED explosion funneled in the ditch, spreading out instead of up, and hit Mackey harder than the Marines around him. Most of the Marines suffered class four concussions and shrapnel wounds. Mackey lost both of his legs. But this setback did not change Mackey’s desire to lead and mentor Marines. This same desire prompted Mackey to compete with more than 300 other wounded Marines, veterans and allies in the 2012 Marine Corps Trials.
Pictured: Sgt. Maj. Raymond Mackey lost both of his legs in an improvised explosive device blast in 2009. Now Mackey is stepping up to inspire and mentor other wounded Marines at the 2012 Marine Corps Trials and wherever else life may take them. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mark Fayloga)
KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Thirty-six Operation Enduring Freedom Marines, soldiers and airmen participated in a naturalization ceremony on Kandahar Airfield, Feb. 10. After going through the processes of applying, testing and interviewing, these service members were finally granted their citizenship to the United States of America.
Maj. Gen. Jim Huggins, 82nd Airborne Division and Regional Command (South) commander; Ambassador Richard Olson, Coordinating Director for Development and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy Kabul; and Robert Daum, director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office in Bangkok, Thailand, were on hand to speak at the ceremony, present the service members with their certificates of citizenship, and congratulate every one of them.
On the 18th of December 2011, Iranian TV announced that they had captured an "American Spy" and broadcast his "confession." Amir Mirzaei Hekmati had been illegally held since at least September 2011, and subjected to interrogations for at least 3 months. An Iranian Islamist Court sentenced him to death on 9 January 2012, after a half day show trial.
His "crime?" "Fighting against Allah." In Iran, that is a "crime" punishable by death. The "evidence?" His confession that he was a US Marine who had deployed to Iraq & Afghanistan.
But what was Amir's real purpose in being in Iran? He was there to visit his grandmother. His parents had emigrated to the United States before he was born. Amir is an American, born in Flagstaff, Arizona. When he applied for his travel visa, he stated his background. If he were a "spy," he wouldn't have said he was a former Marine. He would have said he was a clerk at Best Buy or 7-11, or a college student, but he wouldn't have carried a US Military ID, if he had thought there was a need to hide it, i.e. if he were working for an Intelligence Agency of an adverserial government.
Warrior Hike started out as the ultimate dream vacation after college graduation for Sean Gobin. He had always wanted to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. It wasn't a whim, he had even done his research and knew what kind of a commitment of time, equipment and money it would involve.
What better way to celebrate his graduation from college? Right? Wrong....unfortunately the Marine Corps had other ideas for Sean. So, a few years have passed (10), but that dream of Sean's will begin in just under 2 months time and here is how.
Marcus Richmond may be running against Tom Cotton, but that doesn't mean he isn't also a great candidate:
"Despite fighting two wars, many of our national leaders are now seeking to solve our deficit problems by crippling national defense. The easiest target for their deficit knives is personnel cuts and reduced research and development for individual weapons and protective equipment. What will not be touched are the big ticket items built in the career politicians’ districts. Cutting manpower is always the first choice because, despite its high impact on defense capabilities, it has a low impact on politician’s careers." Richmond for Congress
This is the kind of race I'd like to see taking place in every district, where the voters have a choice between great candidates, rather than the lesser of two evils. And he "gets it" on Military Retirement vs. Congressional Retirement:
" A politician’s risk is limited to losing a future election if he fails to pander to special interests. Yet, cutting military retirement is always the first option presented to lawmakers. This is not the first time that attempts have been made to alter military retirement. In the 1980′s, military retirement was altered and had to be changed back, due to the adverse affect it had on retention and readiness. Career politicians need to lead by example and cut their own retirement first and leave military retirement alone. The men and women of the armed forces have earned this small benefit." ibid.
LANDSTUHL, Germany, Jan. 25, 2012 – Medical-surgical teams at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center here save the lives every day of warriors wounded in Afghanistan and, until recently, saved troops wounded in Iraq. But that’s only part of their success.
Here, a side benefit of providing relentlessly superior care from the point of injury in the war zone to what doctors call “definitive care” -- care given to manage a patient’s condition -- has been to advance the practice of military medicine and, ultimately, the practice of medicine everywhere.
For medical teams at Landstuhl, the brutality of combat and the urgent need to respond to the wounded have yielded advances in en-route lung bypass, whole-blood transfusion, and even combat tourniquets that can be applied with one hand and in the dark.
“Ten years ago, we had to stabilize [patients] before we could move them,” said Army Col. (Dr.) Jeffrey B. Clark, commander of the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
“Now what our Air Force can do is basically put an intensive care unit in the back of a C-17 with a critical-care air-transport team so we can continue to stabilize while we are moving,” Clark said.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2012 – For a sense of what’s ahead for combat rations, check out offerings at one of the many sit-down chain restaurants that have sprung up like mushrooms around the country and outside many military bases.
Food scientists at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center near Boston look to Applebee’s, TGI Friday’s and other popular chain eateries for inspiration in their quest to provide warfighters the kind of food they’d seek out at home if they weren’t deployed, explained Jeremy Whitsitt, technology integration analyst for the center’s Department of Defense combat feeding directorate.
Soldiers at Fort Carson, Colo., meet with Jeannette Kennedy, left, and Wendy Johnson, right, from the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center at Natick, Mass., to provide their input about items in combat rations and to try out new prototype menu items. U.S. Army photo by David Kamm
So “Meals, Ready to Eat” and other combat rations the Natick center develops for all the services are a blend of comfort foods such as the ever-popular beef stew, old standbys such as spaghetti and meat sauce and an increasing number of ethnic selections, particularly Italian, Mexican and Oriental dishes, he said.
A Southwest beef and black bean dish introduced in 2010 is “quickly becoming a favorite,” Whitsitt said, along with a Mediterranean-inspired chicken with tomato and feta cheese course also added that year. Ratatouille and Santa Fe rice and beans entrees made their debut in 2011. This year, Asian pepper steak and Mexican chicken stew went into production.
For a few bucks more you can get a signed copy from the author himself! http://www.deltabravosierra.us/2011/02/10/a-word-about-the-new-book/comment-page-1/#comment-3383
Get your copy of this legendary cartoon now (or wait a few days for the signed copy!)
Go to War against the Nazis with SSG Smith of the 94th Infantry Division. Review: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2010/04/everymans-war-vet.html.html
Ace Of Spades: Why Language Matters In this article, Ace of Spades demonstrates how the writing style of "journalists" and other writers is purposely used to influence the electorate. He explains this far better than I have been able to do, but this is the foundation of why I could no longer be silent.
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