Free Republic

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2006 – Three years ago, Army Pfc. Sam Ross Jr. was disposing of munitions near Baghdad when an explosion took his eyesight, his left leg, part of his hearing and, ultimately, his military career. Sam Ross Jr., a former 82nd Airborne Division soldier severely wounded in Iraq, stands on the deck of his new log cabin in Dunbar, Pa., custom-built for his needs by "Homes for Our Troops." Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Last month, the former 82nd Airborne Division soldier moved into a custom-built log cabin specially designed and built for his...

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kirk Milhoan Doctor Donates Time, Talents to Help HIV-Positive Children By Sue Campbell 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Feb. 7, 2006 — Lt. Col. (Dr.) Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist with the 859th Medical Operations Squadron, rarely takes a routine vacation. He devotes almost all his leave time to humanitarian service. He and his wife Kim, a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center, just returned from a trip to Zambia where they opened an AIDS orphanage. “This is the second AIDS orphanage we’ve opened...

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO (Jan. 6, 2006) -- Ticket donations from a nonprofit public benefit corporation allowed depot Marines to attend the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, Oklahoma Sooners vs. Oregon Ducks, at Qualcomm Stadium, Dec. 29. Jim Dillon, the founder and president of the Dillon Foundation, donated 25 Holiday Bowl tickets to the Marines, as well as 127 Poinsettia Bowl tickets the previous week. "I look at it as an opportunity for people - men, women, young, old-to go out and experience. I'm just trying to create happy memories for these people. You're not putting somebody on the...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2005 – A company based in Monahans, Texas, has partnered with a grassroots-level America Supports You organization to distribute 300 gift certificates for tactical gear to deployed servicemembers. Through its AmericaSupportsYou.mil Web site, the Defense Department showcases efforts of American citizens and industries to support the nation's armed forces. Spec.-Ops. Brand provided the gift certificates for its line of nylon tactical gear to the Soldiers' Angels organization to distribute in care packages for deployed servicemembers. "We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Spec.-Ops. Brand to provide holiday gifts of their products that we know our troops will...

11/29/2005 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- It’s evening, and the Pitman family is playing Candyland in their living room. Devin, 5, bounces from the sofa to the gameboard and pulls a card. “Ice cream!” the blue-eyed boy shouts, and moves his yellow pawn toward the end of the trail. “My turn,” his father says, leaning over the board to pull a card. In two moves, he catches up with Devin, placing his pawn side by side with his son’s. They share the same purple square. But that’s not all they share. Devin and his father, Tech. Sgt....

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Virginia, Oct. 21, 2005 - Brenda Harris Tustian, a strong supporter of the Corps and Marine affiliated-organizations, donated two framed limited-edition prints of her patriotic Santa Clause paintings to the Base commander Col. James Lowe Oct. 3 in the foyer of Lejuene Hall. The paintings were Tustian’s “God Bless America” Santa and “Let Freedom Ring” Santa. “’Let Freedom Ring’ is a beautiful painting that celebrates the spirit of America, our freedoms and the blessing of our great country,” said Mike Kindrick at the unveiling of the paintings. “’God Bless America’ inspires pride and honor in all...