http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/vets/ en-us Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:13:50 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2413361/posts In the post-9/11 world, the term hero has been thrown around often by politicians and the media. At a time when our country is losing a generation of selfless men and women, it is a good time to reflect on the actions of some of our true American heroes. One of the latest losses is that of Col. James Herbert Macia, who died on Monday December 21st, 2009. Col. Macia was a Bombardier/Navigator on Crew 14 in Jimmy Doolittle’s Tokyo raid (pictured on far left). This volunteer action was considered by many to be a mission of no return. Main Street Radical http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2413361/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:13:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389362/posts <p>Contact your Senators and let them know what you think!</p> <p>U.S. veterans or subsidies for United Nations (U.N.) bureaucracy.</p> Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389362/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:20:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387110/posts 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... Foster's Daily Democrat http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387110/posts#comment Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:22:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385865/posts Grieving soldiers and families at Fort Hood, Texas, will get a visit from Sarah Palin next month as part of her national book tour, her publisher told Washington Wire. The former vice presidential candidate, whose book “Going Rogue,” will be released on Tuesday, had already agreed to visit the Army base, according to her publicist. She said that after last week’s shooting that left 13 people dead and 30 wounded, an official on the base contacted HarperCollins to say that Palin should stick with the planned appearance. The Dec. 4 event had not been announced publicly or included in a... Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385865/posts#comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:54:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2383798/posts Dan Lasko swore his oath to join the Marine Corps early on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 — just before the terrorist attacks. As he watched the towers fall and the Pentagon burn, he knew his service to his country would be more vital than he could have imagined. Just a month into his deployment in Afghanistan, in the spring of 2004, Lasko's vision of his service was violently disrupted again. Exiting a rocky canyon, his Humvee rolled over two makeshift bombs. "Everything is in slow motion," he recalls. "Two big blasts. You can't see anything. Everything is foggy.... MSNBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2383798/posts#comment Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:23:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2380757/posts Also Posted: The Things I Carry The old train lumbered up the track amid a hoofbeat clatter, its cloudy windows streaked by rain that fell in gentle patter. With duffle heavy on my back I trudged along the aisle Until I saw an empty seat next to a welcome smile. A stifled groan curled in my chest beneath the weight I bore; I shrugged the duffle off my back, it thudded on the floor. "That pack looks awfully heavy friend" he said with narrowed stare, "You got a load of cinderblocks or something tucked in there?" My gaze fell to... Any Soldier.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2380757/posts#comment Sat, 7 Nov 2009 12:16:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2364922/posts February 29, 2008 -- Austin, TX - U.S. Senator Barack Obama was joined by Congressman Chet Edwards (TX-17) in Houston this morning for a town hall meeting with area veterans. Obama discussed his track record of fighting for veterans in the U.S. Senate and pledged that, as President, he will ensure that veterans are treated with the dignity and respect they have earned. "America enters into a sacred trust with every single person who puts on the uniform," Obama said. "That trust is simple: America will be there for you, just as you have been there for America. Keeping that... All American Patriots http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2364922/posts#comment Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:40:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2354534/posts WWII Vets Take To The Sky For Flight Of Honor101 Local Veterans Visit WWII Memorial UPDATED: 9:31 pm EDT October 3, 2009 GREENSBORO -- With family and friends looking on in anticipation, 101 local veterans took to the sky Saturday morning for a daytrip visit to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. These were the men and women who 65 years ago stormed the beaches in France, battled at sea, liberated Paris, marched to Berlin and served on the home front, all to squash the surge of tyrannical Nazism and preserve freedom in the world. The veterans, now... WXII 12 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2354534/posts#comment Sun, 4 Oct 2009 12:42:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2348867/posts WASHINGTON -- In a strongly worded message to Congress outlining presidential priorities for a military spending bill, the Obama administration said Friday it disapproved of including money for pensions for 26 elderly members of the World War II-era Alaska Territorial Guard. The White House move drew swift rebuke from the state's two senators, Republican Lisa Murkowski and Democrat Mark Begich, who had together sponsored the pension fix. The legislation honors 26 elderly Alaskans who are the few remaining survivors of a military unit that served the country with valor, Murkowski said, calling the administration's direction "deeply disappointing, bordering on insensitive."... Anchorage Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2348867/posts#comment Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:16:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2343850/posts Gov Palin skipped the Values Voter Summit since her son Track is back from Iraq this weekend.... Fox News TV http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2343850/posts#comment Sat, 19 Sep 2009 23:01:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2340992/posts NATO-led forces are investigating the death of four Marines in eastern Afghanistan after their commanders reportedly rejected requests for artillery fire in a battle with insurgents, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. Tuesday's incident was "under investigation" and details remained unclear, press secretary Geoff Morrell told a news conference. A McClatchy newspapers' journalist who witnessed the battle reported that a team of Marine trainers made repeated appeals for air and artillery support after being pinned down by insurgents in the village of Ganjgal in eastern Kunar province. The U.S. troops had to wait more than an hour for attack helicopters to... Military.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2340992/posts#comment Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:02:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2341146/posts Contact: media@vetsforfreedom / (202) 338-4070 (Washington, DC) – Today, Vets For Freedom—the largest Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans organization in America—released an online petition urging President Obama to follow the request of the commanders on the ground in Afghanistan and allocate the troop-strength necessary to turn the war around. The “Give Our Generals What They Need” Petition calls upon the President to honor the forthcoming troop-level recommendations of General Stanley McChrystal and give our troops the same chance to succeed in Afghanistan that they had in Iraq following the Surge. The full petition can be found at: www.vetsforfreedom.org/give_them_what_they_need “Unlike Iraq,... Vets for Freedom http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2341146/posts#comment Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:31:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2340697/posts Vets for Freedom Connecticut representative Melissa Weaver (SGT, CTANG, OIF 2003-2004) has sent me an e-mail requesting our help. A sometimes co-host and a brave woman and soldier … I assured her we would not hesitate. We have never wavered in our support for our soldiers … and right now our soldiers in Afghanistan need our help. Tomorrow (Wednesday) The Vets for Freedom, which led the charge for the surge in Iraq, will launch a petition drive urging the President to give the Generals the additional troops they have requested for Afghanistan. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2340697/posts#comment Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:31:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2336020/posts Bob Dole, a venerable 86 years old now, was back in the Washington limelight over the weekend, appearing on ABC TV to dispense counsel on a bipartisan approach to health care, popping up in newspapers explaining how to cut a deal, even suggesting Gen. David Petraeus as a presidential possibility. But his most heartfelt weekend activity took place elsewhere, out of sight of Washington politicos and devoid of any potential for gain or notoriety. It came under a brilliant Saturday-morning sun, when the former Republican presidential candidate, now a bit more frail than most Americans recall him, stepped out of... The Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2336020/posts#comment Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:34:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2323382/posts The Wall Street Journal just published a shocking editorial written by a respected University President, confirming the Obama Administration is now using VA hospitals to order doctors to pressure all military veterans to sign "pull the plug" do-not-resuscitate orders, hastening their premature deaths through mandatory "end of life" counseling. President Jim Towey of Saint Vincent's College, founder of the non-profit "Aging With Dignity" and former White House Director of faith based initiatives, wrote a blistering expose entitled "The Death Book For Veterans," revealing President Obama's new Veterans Administration (VA) directive, presumably signed by VA Secretary, General (ret.) Eric Shinseki, which... HUman Events e-mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2323382/posts#comment Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:57:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2317620/posts August is a seminal month in the history of the airborne, and especially of the 82nd Airborne Division. Aug. 15, 1942, is the birth date of the 82nd and 101st airborne divisions. "Airborne" was already well under way before the magic date 67 years ago when the War Department formally ordered the formation of two divisions of jumpers and glidermen. Battalions of jumpers had been training at Fort Benning, Ga., since 1940, and the high command of the Army was eager to grow the airborne force. By March, a new infantry division, the 82nd, was activated for training at Camp... fayobserver.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2317620/posts#comment Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:43:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2317006/posts Janie VandenBosch's blood boils when she receives telephone solicitations from a group that calls itself the Minnesota Disabled Veterans. The caller has offered to send her plastic bags, lightbulbs and other items in exchange for a donation. Problem is, VandenBosch works for Minnesota Disabled American Veterans (DAV) -- and her group has nothing to do with the calls. "Sometimes I think I should just let them send me the bags so I can see who they are,'' said VandenBosch, who coordinates clothing donations to the state DAV. "But I'm also hearing about them from people who donate clothes to us.... StarTribube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2317006/posts#comment Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:08:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2316820/posts Did you ever have an encounter with a thief? If not, how many times have you read or heard about their sudden attacks in newspapers or TV and thought or gasped, “I hope that never happens to me”? Well, it is happening. As I write this, we have politicians all over the country stealing from us. Many of you are now more than aware of this new Cap and Trade bill brought to us by “our” representative in the 30th district of California, Mr. Henry Waxman. Well, you may also want to know that Mr. Waxman has been quite busy... Big Hollywood http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2316820/posts#comment Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:28:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2308735/posts As we reported late last month, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen is catching flack from all sides of the health care debate. Some in his district are patently outraged by his lack of support for proposals made by Democratic colleagues. One letter writer to the Bellingham Herald today accused Larsen of being beholden to lobbyists. Back in the district, Larsen again faced questions about his stance on health care reform. This time, speaking to veterans, the 2nd District Congressman refused to answer questions altogether: “You’re at the wrong meeting if you’re here to talk about health care.” NW Digest http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2308735/posts#comment Wed, 5 Aug 2009 16:02:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2303474/posts Maybe a few folks going to the TEA Party forums with their congress people will take a few pages from this book and ask their congressman/woman or senator how long is the wait to get enrolled in the VA health care program? Why would enrollment in the Public Option be faster? Will there be the same categories for those who get service "based upon funding?" Wounded Warrior Handbook http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2303474/posts#comment Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:05:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2287100/posts Two tours in Vietnam. A Purple Heart. A welding accident. A wheelchair. Death at 61. A bill for $277,186.96. Two months after Roger Lennon died, the woman who took care of him for more than a dozen years got a bill in the mail. The state of Iowa said the Bettendorf veteran owes almost $300,000 for the medical care he received in the state-run veterans home. "I called them and said, 'Is this a joke?'" Sarah Miller said. "Who has that kind of money? And I was with Roger every time he was signed into the Iowa Veterans Home in... Quad City TImes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2287100/posts#comment Tue, 7 Jul 2009 09:10:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282763/posts Vetting Healthcare for Vets by: Mytheos Holt, June 29, 2009 Due to the recent appearance of oversight issues in the national veterans’ healthcare program, the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans’ Affairs convened a hearing chaired by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI). The committee room was practically abandoned, except for Chairman Akaka and Ranking (minority) Member Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC). “We know of several instances of poor care,” Sen. Akaka said, accusing the administrators of “putting veterans at risk for infectious diseases.” According to Sen. Akaka, Congress had “subcontracted with an outside entity with the expectation that good care will be provided. Good... Campus Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282763/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:59:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282358/posts WASHINGTON -- The first $250 payments to veterans as part of President Obama's recovery plan were sent Monday, and officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs said all payments will be distributed by June 30. As part of the recovery plan, VA is making one-time payments of $250 to eligible veterans and survivors to offset the effects of the current economy. VA estimates $500 million in payments will be made to approximately 1.9 million veterans and eligible beneficiaries as part of this measure. Military.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282358/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:17:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280648/posts The Department of Veterans Affairs is at the center of a growing controversy over the improper treatment of veterans at VA hospitals. On June 16, CNN noted that a report released in June by the VA’s Office of Inspector General showed only “about 42.5 percent of 42 VA facilities inspected without warning in May had standard operating procedures in place for the equipment being used and could demonstrate that their staffs had been trained to use the devices.” In other words, more than half of the institutions (57.5 percent) had improper procedures or training... New American http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280648/posts#comment Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:31:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276066/posts In the first time they hit pavement this month, the men and women of Operation Denali arrived in Talkeetna ahead of schedule Friday after climbing Mount McKinley. KTUU http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276066/posts#comment Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:05:48 GMT