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The New York Giants on Tuesday will be showered with confetti and greeted by throngs as they are feted with the city’s most storied honor: a parade through its Canyon of Heroes. But all the fanfare — the parade this week is the fourth since 2000 to honor a sports team — has touched off anger and unease among some returned Iraq veterans, who are eagerly awaiting their own recognition. “Everybody recognizes that the Giants deserve a parade,” said Paul Rieckhoff, founder and executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. But, he added, “If a football team gets...

Tens of Thousands Waving Flags Turn Out in Cold for St. Louis Tribute to Iraq War Vets St. Louis parade on Iraq War's end draws thousands By JIM SALTER, Associated Press January 29, 2012 ST. LOUIS (AP) — Looking around at the tens of thousands of people waving American flags and cheering, Army Maj. Rich Radford was moved that so many braved a cold January wind Saturday in St. Louis to honor people like him: Iraq War veterans. The parade, borne out of a simple conversation between two St. Louis friends a month ago, was the nation's first big welcome-home...

THE TRIAL OF SSGT. WUTERICH:Final Battle Of Haditha Set To Begin by Nathaniel R. Helms | Friday, January 6, 2012 | Day Two: Jury selection complete Camp Pendleton, Calif. – An eight-man panel of four officers and four senior non-commissioned officers will begin listening to testimony Monday morning when the lawyers fighting the final Battle of Haditha offer their opening statements at the General Court Martial of SSgt Frank D. Wuterich, the last Marine standing in the six-year-old fight. The government is apparently expecting a tough battle in the weeks ahead. “I can’t think of a single witness desiring of...

Police say they may have found the body of Benjamin Colton Barnes, an Iraq veteran sought in the fatal shooting of a Mount Rainier National park ranger, who apparently died while trying to evade SWAT teams in a remote wilderness area.

A 26-year-old Navy pilot struck by an SUV while riding his bicycle in Atlantic Beach early Sunday morning has died.

On Tuesday, six Iraq and Afghanistan veterans were elected to Congress (and possibly seven, if Jesse Kelly pulls out his race in Arizona’s 8th district). All six (seven) of them support victory on the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan and a hawkish national-security posture overall. The impressive list of warriors can be found at the bottom of this post, and also at Vets for Freedom’s website. These warriors — and the two pro-victory Iraq veterans already in Congress (Duncan Hunter and Mike Coffman) — constitute a formidable new Victory caucus in the House. All eight (or nine) Iraq and Afghanistan...

Twenty-four years in the military doesn't count as public service, at least according to Virginia Democratic Congressman Jim Moran. In a video that's gone viral online, Moran is heard telling a Democratic gathering earlier this month that his opponent, Republican Patrick Murray, is just another unqualified GOP candidate. "What [Republicans] do is find candidates, usually stealth candidates, that haven't been in office, haven't served or performed in any kind of public service," Moran said. "My opponent is typical, frankly." The trouble is, Murray is a retired Army colonel with 24 years of service--including combat in Iraq. The idea that such...

Filner - "I'm going to stick to the issues....right after I accuse my opponent of smearing me."

25 Comments Nick Popaditch Nick Popaditch is running for Congress. Previous occupation? Gunnery Sergeant, USMC. That patch he wears? Not preparing for Talk like a Pirate day, but rather a wound at Fallujah. His district? California’s 51st. Oh yes, that district. Inland California tends to be right-leaning, but Imperial County is one big exception. It’s a poor expanse of desert along the Mexican border stretching from Arizona to San Diego County. Since redistricting shifted the seat’s number from 50 to 51, Democrat Bob Filner won by 19, 26, 27, and 48 points. This is not friendly territory, so it’s good...

Nick Popaditch is an American hero who has spent his life in service to our country. He first enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1986, serving with 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division. During Operation Desert Shield, he served as a tank commander before being honorably discharged in 1992. In 1996, he reenlisted with the Marine Corps, and once again served as a tank commander. From 1998 to 2002, he served as a drill instructor before returning to 1st Marine Division in 2002. He rose to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and deployed to Iraq. The 1st Tank Battalion pulled...

As a decorated United States Marine, Nick Popaditch has clearly shown his loyalty and love of country. Nick was a career marine who first served his nation in combat as a Sergeant during Operation: Desert Shield and Storm – after an Honorable Discharge – he decided to re-enlist and returned to the front lines in Operation: Iraqi Freedom. Nick’s willingness to serve is testament to his character and heart. Now, Nick is once again going to serve and protect the liberties that make this nation truly exceptional, this time from liberals in Washington. Californians deserve a leader like Nick who’ll...

Melanie Morgan's web site supporting combat veterans running for a congressional seat.

FRISCO — A soldier returned home from combat to find his Frisco home, which was owned free and clear, sold off by his homeowners' association. While there is a law to protect service members from financial disaster while they're off fighting a war, it is frequently broken. On dangerous missions in Iraq, Capt. Michael Clauer of Frisco was responsible for the lives of 130 soldiers. He had a lot on his mind. "You can't worry about what's going on at home," he said. "It's enough stress there the way it is." His wife, Mae Clauer, was under stress, too. She...

Usually a handful of ex-soldiers seeks political office every election cycle. But more than 20 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are running this fall for Congress alone. Almost all are riding a wave of public anger at incumbents over a profligate government and dishonest Wall Street -- and a general feeling that the Democratic remedy has proven as bad as, or worse than, the GOP disease.

WASHINGTON, D.C., MARCH 29, 2010 (Zenit.org).- This Easter, thousands are planning to become Catholic, including a man who almost lost his life five times. The U.S. bishops' conference shared the story of Jeremy Feldbusch, 30, from Blairsville, Pennsylvania, who is among the thousands preparing to enter the Church Saturday evening. Feldbusch was in the armed services in Iraq, and on April 3, 2003, he was wounded with shrapnel from the conflict, which resulted in blindness in both eyes and traumatic brain injury. He was expected to die shortly after, or if he lived, to sustain extensive brain damage. Doctors put...

Dear freepers. This Thursday morning, 3/18/2010, at 8:00AM Pacific (11:00 eastern) Marine Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch will join us for an hour or so live on FR to say hello and answer as many questions as he can in that time. His lovely wife April will be joining him as well. As many of you know, Nick is a candidate for Congress in California's 51st district. He is attempting to unseat the Pelosi butt kisser and socialist named Bob Filner. Nick is also a retired Tank Commander who had two great stints in the Marine Corps (prounounced 'core', Mr. Obama,...

Greg Brown has a littlest son, Jacob, in the Petersburg, WV hospital. He needs our prayers. But, Greg is also the best man for the job. Helmick, the D is a spendthrift, and more...

Robert Allen Mansfield, a sergeant in the National Guard with service in Iraq, has announced he is dropping out of the May 18 Republican primary election to run for governor as an independent. The state Republican committee voted overwhelmingly, last month, to endorse Attorney General Tom Corbett for the spot. Still in the primary race is state Rep. Sam Rohrer (R-128) Mansfield is an African-American from Philadelphia, born in 1971, whose heroine addicted mother put him up for adoption. He spent two years in foster care before being adopted by the Mansfield family.

O.K., I know it's not Murtha's seat; that was just for clarification. That said: Those who filed to run for Murtha’s seat in PA’s 12th District before his death are: Dems: Former Naval Officer Ryan Bucchianeri and Attorney Ron Mackell Republicans: Activist Dave Battaglia, Businessman Tim Burns and Army Vet & ’08 nominee William T. “Bill” Russell

(AP) Shoshana Johnson survived gunshot wounds to both legs and 22 days as a prisoner of war in Iraq. Life wasn't so easy when she came home, either. In a new book out this week, the 37-year-old single mother describes mental health problems related to her captivity and tells how it felt to play second fiddle in the media to fellow POW Jessica Lynch, who was captured in the same ambush. "It was kind of hurtful," the former Army cook said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "If I'd been a petite, cutesy thing, it would've been different."

WILMINGTON, N.C., Jan. 28 (UPI) -- A former U.S. Marine officer acquitted of killing two Iraqis announced Thursday he is a candidate for Congress in North Carolina. Ilario Pantano plans to seek the Republican nomination in the seventh district, now represented by Democrat Mike McIntyre, WECT-TV in Wilmington reported. "Anybody's background in a political race is fair game," Pantano said. "My life has been more dramatic and kinetic than any other candidate's." After his acquittal five years ago, Pantano wrote a memoir, "Warlord." He has also been a commodity trader for Goldman Sachs. Will Breazeale, who was defeated by McIntyre...

Jan. 29, 2010 - 11:43pm Will Breazeale, candidate for United States Congress in North Carolina’s 7th Congressional District, took the President to task for what he deemed an “instigating” State of the Union speech Wednesday night. “The speech was filled with a bulk of lies, half truths, and vague assertions,” observed Breazeale. “What is worse is that he repeatedly attempted to try to play class warfare, pitting ordinary Americans against each other.” The three-time Iraq War veteran took issue with numerous times where he felt President Obama was more interested in “getting even” than improving the country. In particular, Breazeale...

BAGHDAD - Rick Kell, executive director of the Troops First Foundation, has done it again. Six wounded warriors stepped off a C-130 Hercules here, Jan. 31, and took their first steps on Iraqi soil since being severely wounded the last time they were here. This is the fourth time Kell has returned wounded service members to Iraq as part of Operation Proper Exit, a program aimed at helping the warriors find emotional closure after being injured. Although this is the fourth trip, this set of Soldiers differs from previous groups, as all six Soldiers are now retired. Capt. Ferris Butler...

There is one towering person- physically, intellectually, and militarily who would make the ideal and unbeatable Republican candidate for US President in 2012. His name David Petraeus. Now of course, he's said that he has ruled out such a role for him in politics. But given the mess and morass in which this nation finds itself, one man can unify the country along the simple themes of being militarily strong, winning the war on terror, putting the mullahs in their place, adherence to Judeo-Christian principles, low taxes, American exceptionalism, fighting for the right to life, conservative judges, and above all...

Nobody wants to buy them a beer. Even near military bases, female veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan aren't often offered a drink on the house as a welcome home. More than 230,000 American women have fought in those recent wars and at least 120 have died doing so, yet the public still doesn't completely understand their contributions on the modern battlefield. For some, it's a lonely transition as they struggle to find their place.

AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ VETERANS NOT READY TO SUPPORT OBAMA STRATEGY IN AFGHANISTANUsually supportive of administration, largest progressive veterans group in America has serious questions about future of War in Afghanistan following Obama speech WASHINGTON -- Veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are not ready to support the strategy for the war in Afghanistan, laid out by President Obama this evening, saying they had serious reservations and questions about it.  The veterans of VoteVets.org, the largest progressive group of veterans in America, said that the strategy left unanswered too many questions regarding strain on the Armed Forces, and...

Disabled Iraq veteran, Luis Montalvan, says that he was repeatedly discriminated against at a Brooklyn McDonald's. According to Montalvan, these conflicts culminated in an assault that sent him to the emergency room. Now, Montalvan is suing McDonald's for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, discrimination, and assault and battery.

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines treated at Camp Lejeune for post-traumatic stress had to undergo therapy for months in temporary trailers where they could hear bomb blasts, machine-gun fire and war cries through the thin walls, according to servicemen and their former psychiatrist. The eight trailers were used for nearly two years, until a permanent clinic was completed in September in another location on the base, said a Camp Lejeune medical spokesman, Navy Lt. j.g. Mark Jean-Pierre. The noise from training exercises "shook me up real bad. I couldn't take it. I almost ran out of there a couple of...

Tonight on Red Eye: Author Sgt. Nick Popaditch. My God, what a difference.... Gunny Pop or Bobby "I make Waxman look handsome Filner...

Some members of local veterans groups who attended an Every Day is Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 8 in Berwick, Maine, said they were surprised to find it was a kickoff for a new Maine affiliate of the national Oath Keepers organization, which has been described as part of a rebirth of the nation's right-wing militia movement. An August report from the Southern Poverty Law Center describes the parent organization as a "particularly worrisome example of the Patriot revival," involving groups with a virulent anti-government sentiment, though organizers of the newly formed Maine affiliate say they are far from being an...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2009 – Generations of American servicemembers braved and survived the din, destruction and uncertainty of war to return home to enjoy the freedoms they helped to preserve for their fellow citizens. Retired Navy Rear Adm. Robert H. Shumaker is a famous U.S. military veteran who coined the term “Hanoi Hilton” when he was a prisoner of war from 1965 to 1973 in North Vietnam. Any person –- civilian or military –- who thinks they may have emotional problems should seek professional help, he said. DoD photo by Gerry J. Gilmore  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Yet,...

A former U.S. Marine who survived several tours of duty in Iraq and a knife attack at his Phelan home a few months ago was violently beaten to death with a hammer while installing cable at a Victorville home, authorities said. A relative of the homeowners has been arrested in the attack. Trevor Neiman, 25, a Charter Communications Cable installer, was found beaten and bloody by San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies who responded to the home shortly after 4:30 p.m. Monday. While Neiman was working on the cable at the home in the 15200 block of San Jose Drive, a...

A former assistant Bucks County prosecutor and Marine reservist who served in Iraq announced his candidacy Tuesday for the Republican nomination for the 8th Congressional District. Dean Malik said it's time to return a Republican to the district and criticized the direction of the country since President Barack Obama was elected last year. ''They have taken it upon themselves to reinvent, modify and tamper with this American dream,'' he said outside the Bucks County Courthouse in Doylestown. ''The American dream, which always stood for opportunity and freedom, is now being turned into an American dream of entitlements and handouts.''

VICTORVILLE, Calif., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- California detectives say they don't yet know why someone fatally attacked an ex-Marine who served multiple tours in Iraq and survived a knife attack at home. Trevor Neiman, 25, of Phelan, Calif., was beaten to death with a hammer Monday while he was working as a cable installer at a home in Victorville, east of Los Angeles. San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies say 45-year-old Johnny Acosta turned himself in and was booked on suspicion of murder. The Los Angeles Times said Wednesday Acosta had moved into the home a few days earlier and was...

Decorated Marine veteran Nick Popaditch on Tuesday announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 51st Congressional District seat held by Democrat Bob Filner. Nicknamed “Gunny Pop,” Popaditch served two separate stints in the Marines. He was a tank commander during the Persian Gulf war and honorably discharged in 1992 after six years. Tiring of civilian life, he rejoined the Marines in 1995. A widely circulated photograph after the fall of Baghdad in 2003 shows the tank commander and platoon sergeant smoking a cigar in front of the statue of Saddam Hussein just before his unit helped tear it...

I've been asked by many to repost this for Veteran's Day. This is what I have so far. Happy Veterans day to vets and active duty military. We love you and are praying for you every day! God Bless You! Photos of my soldier in Iraq, enjoy...... 6-10-05 As many of you know, my daughter is in Iraq. Here's a photo essay detailing some of her activities there. I hope you all enjoy...... My daughter, left, and her Iraqi roommate before they left for Iraq. They are in the same platoon. A convoy... A baby goat... Nora, her 10 year...

My son just recently returned from Iraq. His screen name is hollywoodusmc. He's looking at this post now so please welcome him. Thanks all.---optiguy

The youngest soldier to win the George Cross has criticised Gordon Brown for ‘betraying’ the Armed Forces and revealed he now works in a call centre, selling insurance. ‘My medal says I am a hero of the Iraqi conflict, a man of extraordinary valour and strength of character,’ says Chris Finney. ‘But now I work in a call centre. My life has gone from one extreme to the other.’ At 18, he won Britain’s highest civil accolade for rescuing a wounded comrade from a burning Scimitar armoured vehicle. If his courage had been in response to an attack by the...

As a Democrat in a very red state, Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick knew from the day he was elected that he would have a hard time holding on to his seat in 2010. But there's also an interesting tale to be told about just which candidate the Republicans will put up to run against Minnick. Political blogger Randy Stapilus has the story about how Ken Roberts, the majority leader of the Idaho House, has racked up a slew of statehouse endorsements and is well-plugged into the Idaho GOP establishment - but now looks like he could get swamped by newcomer...

Despite court prodding and changes in state election laws, 16 Virginia localities have failed to meet a deadline to allow absentee ballots of military personnel serving overseas to be counted on time. Nancy Rodriques, secretary of the State Board of Elections, said she did not know how many ballots will not be counted. The local election districts include the cities of Richmond, Colonial Heights and Williamsburg as well as Caroline County. "Words cannot express my disappointment in our commonwealth," said Rusty McGuire of Hanover County, chairman of the Iraqi Freedom Veterans Plate Project and deputy commonwealth's attorney in Louisa County....

CHICAGO (CBS) ― They serve on the front lines only to come home to the unemployment line. National statistics show the jobless rate for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is skyrocketing. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports with what's being done to change them. A few hundred veterans showed up to a "Recruit Military" job fair at The University of Illinois Chicago Thursday. Those just returning from war were especially appreciative. "It's difficult. I'm married. I have two kids," said 23-year-old Marine Reservist Corporal James Dillingham. Afghanistan veteran Javier Sandoval, 22, says it's difficult to go from having a steady job to...

MUNCIE, Ind. -- A 21-year-old military veteran fatally shot himself inside a central Indiana movie theater shortly after he argued with employees over being asked to produce ID to see an R-rated film, police said. Muncie police said no one else was hurt at the theater, including the man's two brothers, a friend and eight others attending the horror comedy "Zombieland."

An Iraq war veteran died after receiving cancerous lungs from a heavy smoker in a transplant. Matthew Millington, 31, a corporal in the Queen’s Royal Lancers, had the operation to save him from an incurable respiratory condition. But the organs were from a donor who was believed to have smoked 30 to 50 roll-up cigarettes a day. A tumour was found after the transplant, and its growth was accelerated by the drugs that Mr Millington took to prevent his body rejecting the organs. Because he was a cancer patient, he was not allowed to receive a further pair of lungs,...

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (Sept. 22, 2009) — The Missouri National Guard will host two events near the Lake of the Ozarks that are designed to assist and recognize soldiers who recently returned from supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. About 100 soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 106th Assault Helicopter Battalion, of Fort Leonard Wood, and Detachment 3, 1st Battalion, 185th Theater Aviation Company, of Springfield, are expected to attend the Yellow Ribbon and Freedom Salute programs on Oct. 3 and 4 at Tan-Tar-A Resort. Yellow Ribbon is a reintegration program for soldiers returning from a long deployment. As part of the...

Frank Wilborn served his country during wartime and lived to tell about it. But he couldn’t survive the war back home in Paterson. Wilborn, a recently discharged U.S. Navy veteran, was shot to death Saturday morning when two men burst through the door of an apartment on Ryle Avenue. First, they took his money. Then, they took his life, pumping two shots into his chest as his girlfriend watched in horror, police said. After being hit, Wilborn "was either thrown out or jumped out the window," said Lt. Det. Ronald Humphrey, a Paterson police spokesman. After hitting the pavement, he...

Gov Palin skipped the Values Voter Summit since her son Track is back from Iraq this weekend....

We all knew he was due to return soon...but now we now for sure when he will be arriving back home! Meg Stapleton issued the following statement: "The Palins are expecting the return of eldest son Track this weekend from a yearlong deployment with an Army combat brigade in Iraq," etc..

Thane Thompson – 9/11 survivor, Morgan Stanley employee, and Iraq veteran – wrote a first hand account just after his experience on Sept. 11, 2001 in Tower 2. It’s an appropriate read this morning. Never forget.

Russell Speaks at Tea Party Express EventCalls on Citizens to “Guard This Nation”September 9, 2009 (JOHNSTOWN, PA) – Republican 12th Congressional district candidate William Russell called on citizens to “Guard this nation” in a speech to a large crowd gathered at Johnstown’s Central Park Wednesday evening, as part of the National Tea Party Express. Crossing the nation and calling on all Americans to oppose the out-of-control spending, higher taxes, bailouts and growth in the size of government, the Tea Party Express is expected to draw hundreds of thousands to the final stop in Washington DC on Saturday. The following is...

MONTPELIER — Democratic Vermont Auditor Tom Salmon is switching parties to the GOP. Salmon announced his plans today, saying he is frustrated with the Democrats’ handling of the budget, and says the party has moved too far to the left. Salmon says he plans to run for auditor next year, but says if Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie does not run for governor, there’s a very slim chance he might. Salmon says he’s been considering switching parties for some time and says the Republican party is the closest to accepting the realities of the times. He says when he returned...