Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Book: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption


Article Title: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Unbroken: Buy it from Amazon
Unbroken on Amazon
Snippet of Article: "...Growing up in California in the 1920s, Louie was a hellraiser, stealing everything edible that he could carry, staging elaborate pranks, getting in fistfights, and bedeviling the local police. But as a teenager, he emerged as one of the greatest runners America had ever seen, competing at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he put on a sensational performance, crossed paths with Hitler, and stole a German flag right off the Reich Chancellery. He was preparing for the 1940 Olympics, and closing in on the fabled four-minute mile, when World War II began. Louie joined the Army Air Corps, becoming a bombardier. Stationed on Oahu, he survived harrowing combat, including an epic air battle that ended when his plane crash-landed, some six hundred holes in its fuselage and half the crew seriously wounded. On a May afternoon in 1943, Louie took off on a search mission for a lost plane. Somewhere over the Pacific, the engines on his bomber failed. The plane plummeted into the sea, leaving Louie and two other men stranded on a tiny raft. Drifting for weeks and thousands of miles, they endured starvation and desperate thirst, sharks that leapt aboard the raft, trying to drag them off, a machine-gun attack from a Japanese bomber, and a typhoon with waves some forty feet high. At last, they spotted an island. As they rowed toward it, unbeknownst to them, a Japanese military boat was lurking nearby. Louie’s journey had only just begun. That first conversation with Louie was a pivot point in my life. Fascinated by his experiences, and the mystery of how a man could overcome so much, I began a seven-year journey through his story. I found it in diaries, letters and unpublished memoirs; in the memories of his family and friends, fellow Olympians, former American airmen and Japanese veterans; in forgotten papers in archives as far-flung as Oslo and Canberra. Along the way, there were staggering surprises, and Louie’s unlikely, inspiring story came alive for me. It is a tale of daring, defiance, persistence, ingenuity, and the ferocious will of a man who refused to be broken. The culmination of my journey is my new book, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption . I hope you are as spellbound by Louie’s life as I am. ..."
Article Source: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Ebola duty troops serving required 21-day isolation period

Ebola duty troops ready for 21-day isolation period to end

Article Title: Ebola duty troops ready for 21-day isolation period to end

Snippet of Article: "...At Langley, the personnel have stayed in a remote camp called the Langley Transit Center. They've undergone twice a day medical checks, and have had access to computers, a gym and t.v. The military even bought the NFL Sunday Ticket for them. A special Thanksgiving feast is planned for them on Thursday. The troops are now 12 days into the 21-day confinement, and are ready for this period to come to an end. ..."

Article Source: www.13newsnow.com

Soldiers Provide QualityCare to MWDs at Base Clinic

Soldiers Provide QualityCare to MWDs at Base Clinic

Article Title: Soldiers Provide QualityCare to MWDs at Base Clinic

Snippet of Article: "...The NAS Jax Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) is professionally staffed by Army Veterinary Corps personnel who provide medical and surgical care for the base military working dogs, as well as privately owed pets of service members ..."

Article Source: military-dogs.blogspot.com

Monday, November 24, 2014

Hagel resigns as administration fails to heed military advice

Hagel resigns as Defense Secretary, official says

Article Title: Hagel resigns as Defense Secretary, official says

Snippet of Article: "... Obama accepted his resignation and would formally announce the decision at 11:10 a.m. EST (1610 GMT), officials said...."

Article Source: www.foxbusiness.com

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Vets sue banks for their role in illegally financing terrorism

U.S. Veterans Sue Big Banks for Facilitating Iranian Terrorism

Article Title: U.S. Veterans Sue Big Banks for Facilitating Iranian Terrorism

CV 14-6601
CV 14-6601
Snippet of Article: "...The suit filed early Monday accuses multiple banks of “committing acts of international terrorism” by helping Iran fund and arm Iraqi terrorists who have killed scores of U.S. troops, according to the complaint. ..."
Article Source: freebeacon.com
Court Documents: Clip from court documents: ""...C omplaint for damages and equitable relief pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2333(a). Plaintiffs allege that each of the Defendants named herein is liable to Plaintiffs for committing acts of international terrorism for violations of 18 U.S.C. § 2339A and § 2339B and that Defendants HSBC BANK USA, N.A. ( “ HSB C - US ” ) , BARCLAYS, STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, AND ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND N.V. committed acts of international terrorism in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2332d. 2. The Complaint aris es out of the Islamic Republic of Iran ’ s ( “ Iran ” ) decades - long scheme to evade U.S. sanctions and provide material support to Hezbollah, a Foreign Terrorist Organization ( “ FTO ” ) (as that term is defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1189 of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 ( “ AEDPA ” )) and other terrorist organizatio ns...

Saturday, September 20, 2014

General: Sending military to fight Ebola 'misuse' of soldiers

General: Sending military to fight Ebola 'misuse' of soldiers

Article Title: General: Sending military to fight Ebola 'misuse' of soldiers

Snippet of Article: "... Sending American troops to combat Ebola in Liberia is “an absolute misuse of the U.S. military,” contends retired Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin. Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/09/boykin-sending-military-to-fight-ebola-misuse-of-soldiers/#UUsSeQQhojdoUISt.99..."

Article Source: www.wnd.com

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Support Yourself and All Veterans: Join the DAV


Article Title: Support Yourself and All Veterans: Join the DAV

Join the DAV
Join over 1.2 million of your fellow veterans who have joined DAV to take advantage of the wide range of membership benefits.

DAV is an organization of veterans helping veterans. We receive no government funding and look out for our members 100% of the time because we have been in their shoes. We are proud of our 90+-year history of helping our country’s veterans, proud of our record of fighting for your rights and proud of working alongside so many other non-profits and advocacy organizations to make sure that we fulfill our promises to the men and women who have served. Most of all, we are proud to serve our country’s veterans as you so steadfastly served us.

Membership Benefits As a DAV Member, in addition to our programs and free services, you are entitled to a Member Benefits Package, which gives you access to a variety of important programs, products and services. Also included with your membership is a FREE subscription to DAV Magazine.

Preview the Member Benefits Package
Article Source: www.dav.org

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) Title 38 Chapter 1 PART 4—SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES

Article Title: Title 38: Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief

Snippet of Article: "...This rating schedule is primarily a guide in the evaluation of disability resulting from all types of diseases and injuries encountered as a result of or incident to military service. The percentage ratings represent as far as can practicably be determined the average impairment in earning capacity resulting from such diseases and injuries and their residual conditions in civil occupations. Generally, the degrees of disability specified are considered adequate to compensate for considerable loss of working time from exacerbations or illnesses proportionate to the severity of the several grades of disability. For the application of this schedule, accurate and fully descriptive medical examinations are required, with emphasis upon the limitation of activity imposed by the disabling condition. Over a period of many years, a veteran's disability claim may require reratings in accordance with changes in laws, medical knowledge and his or her physical or mental condition. It is thus essential, both in the examination and in the evaluation of disability, that each disability be viewed in relation to its history. ..."

Article Source: www.ecfr.gov

Boots on the Ground: 3,000 Troops to Fight Ebola in Africa

Article Title: U.S. to Commit Up to 3,000 Troops to Fight Ebola in Africa

Snippet of Article: "...The focus on Liberia, he said, is too limited, and more help should be extended to Sierra Leone and Guinea, the other countries at the center of the worst Ebola outbreak ever recorded. “We should see all of West Africa now as one big outbreak,” Dr. Osterholm said. ..."

Article Source: www.nytimes.com

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Putting our soldiers in harms way as 'health care worker protectors'

‘It doesn’t make sense’: Concerns over enlisting DoD in Ebola response

Article Title: ‘It doesn’t make sense’: Concerns over enlisting DoD in Ebola response

Snippet of Article: "... “We keep asking our military to do more and more. The other day I saw that they’re going to be asked to go help solve the Ebola crisis,” McKeon said. “And at the same time we’re saying go do this, and then taking away their resources with the other hand – it doesn’t make sense.”..."

Article Source: www.foxnews.com

Friday, September 12, 2014

"Tide for Troops" provides t-shirts at no cost to the military (depends on donations to supply shirts)

Tide for Troops

Article Title:  Tide for Troops

Tide for Troops
Support "Tide for Troops"
Snippet of Article: "... Tide For Troops, Inc is a company who provides unique Bama fan t-shirts to our military serving or retired. The organization provides these shirts at no cost to the military but depends on donations from the community and sponsors to continue sending the shirts to all those who apply...."
Article Source: tidefortroops.com

Monday, September 8, 2014

More on the FERS Supplement and military service

More on the FERS Supplement

Article Title: More on the FERS Supplement

Snippet of Article: "... Although the FERS supplement is based only on civilian federal service, not Social Security-covered employment in the private sector or military service, it does provide supplemental income prior to Social Security eligibility...."

Article Source: www.govexec.com

Monday, September 1, 2014

VA retaliation lawsuits near final phase

VA retaliation lawsuits near final phase

Article Title: VA retaliation lawsuits near final phase

Snippet of Article: "...Pointing to the VA’s zero-tolerance policy toward sexual harassment, DiMaria wants to know what, if any, action has been taken against her former supervisors. “Why does it state the VA has zero tolerance for sexual harassment and yet I was sexually harassed and when I reported it I was targeted?” she asked ..."

Article Source: tbo.com

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Veterans look to farming to help them grow and heal

Veterans look to farming to help them grow and heal

Article Title: Veterans look to farming to help them grow and heal

Snippet of Article: "... "Agriculture needs veterans as much as veterans need agriculture," said Ed Cox, chairman of the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Iowa, an organization that works with farm groups to match veterans with opportunities in agriculture. "There's definitely a groundswell of veterans that are interested in (farming)."..."

Article Source: www.argusleader.com

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Islamic State threatens America

Islamic State message to America: 'we will drown all of you in blood'

Article Title: Islamic State message to America: 'we will drown all of you in blood'

Snippet of Article: "... has warned the United States it will attack Americans "in any place" if the raids hit its fighters. The video, which shows a photograph of an American who was beheaded during the US occupation of Iraq and victims of snipers, featured a statement which said in English "we will drown all of you in blood"...."

Article Source: www.smh.com.au

Monday, August 18, 2014

Marine's missing wife: Alleged lover arrested

Alleged lover of Marine's missing wife arrested

Article Title: Alleged lover of Marine's missing wife arrested

Snippet of Article: "...Corwin was about three weeks pregnant when she disappeared June 28 from her Twentynine Palms, California, home. Her husband, Marine Cpl. Jonathan Corwin, reported her missing the next day. ..."

Article Source: www.seattlepi.com

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Reunited: Emotional Homecoming For Military Veterans

Emotional Homecoming For Military Veterans Reunited

Click Video Below

Reference: http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/08/07/emotional-homecoming-for-military-veterans-reunited-at-dia/

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Obama signs Veterans Health Care Access Bill

Obama signs veterans health care bill

Article Title: Obama signs veterans health care bill

Snippet of Article: "... Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, said a "dysfunctional Congress" managed to accomplish "something significant" for veterans. "This legislation will go a long way toward ending unacceptably long waiting times for veterans to access health care and..."

Article Source: www.usatoday.com

Friday, August 8, 2014

U.S. Maj. Gen. Harold Greene was visiting an Afghan military training academy when killed

Article Title: The Murky Motives Of The Afghan Soldier Who Shot A U.S. General

Snippet of Article: "...Students say Rafiqullah was bothered by the fact that British men were training female Afghan officers at a neighboring compound. ..."

Article Source: www.npr.org

Thursday, August 7, 2014

America to help trapped Iraqis?

Obama Weighs Airstrikes or Aid Drops to Help Trapped Iraqis, Officials Say

Article Title: Obama Weighs Airstrikes or Aid Drops to Help Trapped Iraqis, Officials Say

Snippet of Article: "... The administration had been delaying taking any military action against ISIS until there is a new Iraqi government. Both White House and Pentagon officials have said privately that the United States would not intervene militarily until Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki stepped down...."
Article Source: www.nytimes.com

Thursday, July 10, 2014

The Old Guard has its own recognition for exemplary Soldiers

Brass Spurs of the Caisson

Article Title: Brass Spurs of the Caisson

Snippet of Article: "...Within each of the specialty platoons of the Old Guard, there is an award recognizing a soldier who goes above and beyond. For the riders of the Caisson platoon, they receive brass spurs after participating in 500 rides. ..."

Article Source: www.dodlive.mil

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

The real hero in the Bowe Bergdahl saga

The Army Lied About the Hero Who Died Looking for Bowe Bergdahl

Article Title: The Army Lied About the Hero Who Died Looking for Bowe Bergdahl

 Lt. Darin AndrewsSnippet of Article: "...34-year-old Andrews was a soldier to the core and the very best kind of officer. He spent that final moment pushing the sergeant and the radio man on either side of him out of the way while leaving himself directly in the deadly projectile’s path. He used his last breath to call out a warning to the five other soldiers around him. “RPG!” ..."
Article Source: www.thedailybeast.com

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

The President Defends Negotiation of Taliban Release for Alleged Army Deserter Bowe Bergdahl

Obama Defends Swap of Taliban for American P.O.W.

Article Title: Obama Defends Swap of Taliban for American P.O.W.

Snippet of Article: "... “Regardless of circumstances, whatever those circumstances may turn out to be, we still get an American prisoner back,” he said. “Period. Full stop. We don’t condition that.”..."

Article Source: www.nytimes.com

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

VA disrespecting veterans and vets dying as a result?

VA investigating Florida hospital wait lists

Article Title: VA investigating Florida hospital wait lists

Snippet of Article: "... For six months, CNN has been reporting on delays in medical appointments suffered by veterans across the country and veterans who died or were seriously injured while waiting for appointments and care...."

Article Source: www.cnn.com

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Veteran Pilot Eddie Andreini Killed at Air Show Crash at Travis Air Force Base

Pilot killed in Travis Air Force Base air show crash

Article Title: Pilot killed in Travis Air Force Base air show crash

Snippet of Article: "...The 1945 plane was registered to the Eddie Andreini Air Shows, Inc. based in Half Moon Bay. ..."
Article Source: www.foxnews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

SpaceX sues Air Force to protest monopoly that allows one company to launch air force and spy agency satellites into space

SpaceX Sues U.S. Air Force to Protest Monopoly

Article Title: SpaceX Sues U.S. Air Force to Protest Monopoly

Snippet of Article: "...SpaceX's lawsuit against the military is noteworthy because the company claims it can save the U.S. government at least $1 billion annually on national security space launches. Musk also announced the successful soft landing of its Falcon 9 reusable rocket booster stage in the Atlantic Ocean Friday. ..."

Article Source: www.fox54.com

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Time to replace the current congressional members who are not taking care of our military and veterans

Congress lets down military members and vets

Article Title: Congress lets down military members and vets

Snippet of Article: "...Just how awful has Washington dysfunction become? America's military members and veterans -- once immune to political sniping -- are caught in the crossfire. ..."

Article Source: www.cnn.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Operation Boots to Business

Article Title: Operation Boots to Business

Operation Boots to Business
Operation Boots to Business
Snippet of Article: "...Boots to Business: From Service to Startup is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)-sponsored, worldwide program offered as a component of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) redesigned Transition Assistance Program (TAP) renamed Transition GPS. Boots to Business is offered by the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University (SU) and operated by SU’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), in partnership with SBA resource partners. Boots to Business is a three-step training program developed to introduce and train transitioning service members to business ownership. Boots to Business helps ensure that every transitioning service member has access to a standardized entrepreneurship training track and small business resources in their local communities. After completing Boots to Business participants will have the tools and knowledge they need to identify a business opportunity, draft a business plan, connect with local small business resources, and launch their small business. ..."
Article Source: boots2business.org

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

New Huntsville Veterans Affairs Clinic Will Serve 13,000 Patients


New VA Clinic will be built in Huntsville

Article Title: New VA Clinic will be built in Huntsville

Snippet of Article: "... HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAAY) - A brand new 47,800 square foot VA Clinic is coming to Huntsville...."
Article Source: www.waaytv.com

Monday, February 24, 2014

Hagel Wants You To Do It Cheaper So The Rich Can Get Richer: Screwing The Military and Military Vets

DoD proposes deepest compensation cuts in all-volunteer era

Article Title: DoD proposes deepest compensation cuts in all-volunteer era

Chuck Hagel ImageSnippet of Article: "... Changes are also coming to Tricare. “We will ask retirees and some active-duty family members to pay a little more in their deductibles and co-pays,” Hagel said. Officials have not provided specific details. Many of the proposed changes to compensation will require approval from Congress...."
Article Source: www.militarytimes.com

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Compensation claims for veterans has stalled at about 400,000 cases

Compensation claims for veterans

Article Title: Veterans group seeks action to cut backlog of claims

Snippet of Article: "...The government's effort to cut a backlog of pending compensation claims for veterans has stalled at about 400,000 cases, and steps are needed to understand what is and isn't working to solve the problem ..."

Article Source: www.usatoday.com

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

OPM Military Deposits Webcast

OPM Military Deposits Webcast

Article Title: OPM to Host Military Deposits Webcast

Snippet of Article: "... webcast on military deposits. It will provide a comparison between making and not making a military deposit. Karen McManus of Retirement Services, Benefits Officers Training and Development, will present this information...."

Article Source: www.fedsmith.com

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War by Robert Gates

Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War

Article Title: Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War

Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War
Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War
Snippet of Article: "...From the former secretary of defense, a strikingly candid, vividly written account of his experience serving Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Before Robert M. Gates received a call from the White House in 2006, he thought he’d left Washington politics behind: after working for six presidents in both the CIA and the National Security Council, he was happy in his role as president of Texas A&M University. But when he was asked to help a nation mired in two wars and to aid the troops doing the fighting, he answered what he felt was the call of duty. Now, in this unsparing memoir, meticulously fair in its assessments, he takes us behind the scenes of ..."
Article Source: Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War