Veterans

Study finds PTSD the equivalent of smoking 2 to 3 packs a dayVietnam veterans who experienced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were twice as likely to die from heart disease as veterans without PTSD, a new Geisinger Health System study finds. In a study published in the July issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, Geisinger Senior Investigator Joseph Boscarino, PhD, MPH examined the prevalence of hea

While I know today is not Veterans Day, it is about what they all fought for. They all fought for freedom. That’s why the Fourth of July is called Independence Day. With this in mind I wanted to spend some time myself at the Alabama Veterans Memorial. I don’t want to ever forget that our [...]

Annual Veterans Week was celebrated in Crewe last Friday with a reception for ex-service men and women. Mayor Brian Silvester hosted the event to mark the day as part of a national festival of recognition of the vital role that people played during their active service. Some of the veterans are pictured with the Mayor and Mayoress Sheila Davies in the reception area of the Municipal Buildings.. E

WASHINGTON – The director of the Hines, Ill., Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) has agreed to plead guilty to participating in a conspiracy that allowed a subordinate to make contracting decisions regarding a company owned by the subordinate’s spouse, the Department of Justice announced today. The director also has agreed to plead guilty to accept

As with other types of home loans and mortgages, you will have a better opportunity to purchase a particular home if you have been pre-qualified for a VA home loan.  Being pre-approved affords the buyer with a level of confidence and assurance as they deal with lenders and sellers.  With a certain amount approved, the [...]

For the many veterans who take advantage of the financing resources of the VA to obtain home loans, it is often overlooked how amazing the existence of such an organization is in the history of the world.  The Veterans Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs is the outgrown of nearly four centuries of military [...]

Among the legacies of the Bush disaster in Iraq is the fact over 30,000 fighting men an women were wounded in combat and thousands more are leaving the service with a range of disabilities. Isaac Stevens was injured while training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and as a result became paralyzed. He was discharged, but due [...]

GM Karjakin (2732) - GM Ivanchuk (2740) [C42]Foros - Round 7, 15.06.20081.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3 Nc6 7.Bf4 Qf6 8.Qd2 Be7 9.0–0–0 0–0 10.Re1 Qf5 11.a3 Bf6 12.Bd3 Qa5 13.h4 Bf5 14.Ng5 Rae8 15.g4 Bxg5 16.Bxf5 Bxf4 17.Qxf4 Re5 18.Bd3 Game drawn ½–½GM Volokitin (2684) - GM Svidler (2746) [C89]Foros - Round 7, 15.06.20081.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0

Many of the Chargers young players will be back on the practice field for three final Offseason Coaching Sessions next week, but the Bolts veterans concluded the on-field portion of their offseason Thursday.

Won’t be long before my Sacramento home buyers close on the house they are buying in Sacramento. Both buyers are Veterans and getting a VA loan. We have anxiously been awaiting the VA appraisal which is tougher than an FHA loan when it comes to the condition of the house. Many of the bank owned properties we looked at for

As indicated in an earlier posting, some U.S. veterans/retirees and their dependents/supporters are intent on mobilizing to strongly oppose the passage of S. 1315. -- dcg In a message dated 6/4/2008 9:10:18 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, cfcgunnrb29@comcast.net writes: There was no intent in my original message to deny that the Filipino veterans... Philippine political & social events as seen from

The city of Buffalo, New York has established a special court which only focuses on criminal charges against veterans or members of their families. Judge Robert russell, who created the city’s drug treatment court in 1995 and a mental health treatment court in 2005, holds court weekly with veterans assured criminal charges will be [...]

It looks like the memorial is divided into a part more reflective of Leftist thought about the war (i.e. "it sucked") and Rightist thought about the war ("it sucked, but people gave their lives for a reason"). Can a memorial says more about us than about what we're honoring?

Many thanks, Commissioner Baldonado, for getting out this statement. May I highlight the last of its three Talking Points, which states: "VEC supports SB 1315 and will continue to work with veterans advocates for its passage. In doing so, it will not abandon its advocacy for full equity." However, I'm worried that the said VEC statement also... Philippine political & social events as seen fro

I find all the good stuff on the al.com forums, check this out: Still Serving Veterans - Join Us for The First Annual “Protecting America – Heroes in Our Midst” Friday, May 30, 2008, 6pm South Hall, Von Braun Center Benefiting Still Serving Veterans Premier Sponsor: Lockheed Martin With Special Guest Internationally Acclaimed Artist, Michael Israel, Performance Painter $75 per person inclu

In a message dated 5/27/2008 10:28:41 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, dale98@tampabay.rr.com writes: This is not hate mail about the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007. This is about the U. S. VETERANS AND SURVIVING SPOUSES BEING PUT BEFORE ANYONE ELSE WITHOUT QUESTION. Pass along from: Norm Campbell. Norm does his homework,... Philippine political & social events as seen from the

ARRA News Service:Remembering Our Veterans & Active Duty MilitaryPlease set it aside in reverence for all those who have served with honor and are now departed. And please join us for a moment of silence at 1500 hours your local time, for remembrance and prayer.“Remembering” by Gary Bauer: As we approach Memorial Day, our nation [...]

In this war – as in others – I am less interested in honoring the dead than in preventing the dead.- Butler Shafferthe other day i was just glancing through the book Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukov and somewhere one line really struck me which says, "Since the end of the Vietnam War, three times more veterans have taken their own lives than the number of men and women who were killed during the

Well it’s the long Memorial Day weekend again. Not only is this annual occasion significant to me because it always occurs around the same time as my birthday, it’s also one of the important federal holidays set aside by our United States government to honor those men and women of past and present who laid [...]

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,who has given us freedom of religion.It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,who has given us freedom of the press.It is the VETERAN, not the poet,who has given us freedom of speech.It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,who has given us freedom to assemble.It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,who has given us the right to a fair trial.It is the VETERAN, not the

Mga Kababayan, With its lopsided passage in the U.S. Senate recently, it may be said that the long sought Filipino veterans' benefits bill has once again managed to progress beyond initial obstacles laid across its path. To this initial milestone we have the principal sponsors of the bill, ardent supporters, veterans organizations and other... Philippine political & social events as seen from

They often say life is stranger than fiction. It would appear that as American soldiers were dying at alarming rates in dual conflicts (Iraq & Afghanistan) back home the National cemeteries have... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Thomas Insel, MD, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, discusses the impact of PTSD and depression on veterans and the affect this will have on the public mental health system and the wider community.

Veterans for Peace, was initially granted a permit to particpate in the Memorial Day parade in Washngton, but after it was discovered the group planned to express political views, their scheduled march was cancelled. Members of the Veterans for Peace organization argued “we are a veterans group like any other except we have the word [...]

Shaun Pollock and Sanath Jayasuriya combined to give Mumbai Indians a formidable 8-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders. Put in to bat by Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar who won the toss, the Knight Riders were dismissed for a paltry 67 in 15.3 overs, the lowest score so far in the tournament. Ever since the [...]

One of the pleasures of writing this blog in connection with my book MRS. LIEUTENANT: A SHARON GOLD NOVEL is learning about organizations and companies that support military personnel and their families. Just now, by looking at recent headlines on www.Spousebuzz.com, I learned about Royal Neighbors of America. This is a fraternal benefit society first established in 1895 to provide “insuran

I’m always on the look-out to learn about organizations or projects helping military personnel and their families. In fact, I include several of these on my website www.mrslieutenant.com in a section titled “Support Military Families.” And I blog about other organizations or projects I find. In the coming weeks I’m looking forward to learning about several new groups as I have found

With the 2008 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s an exciting time for rookies who were lucky enough to land a job. On the flip side, it can be a nervous time for veterans, even established ones. Just last summer, Donovan McNabb dodged reports that his days were numbered after quarterback Kevin Kolb was [...]

Today, at noon, I sat down to watch a little television, and as I usually do, I stopped at Channel 7's noon staple, "Like it Is." The show was showing testimony from members of a group known as IVAW — Iraq Veterans Against the War. Now, perhaps I've been really absent-minded, because this group has apparently been around for some time. But truth be told, I was stunned by what I was hearing. And I was equally as stunned by what I saw.During their testimony, the veterans of the war backed up their stories by using photographs and videos.I am going to share one of the videos with you. Pay close mind to this veterans comments about what life would be like if a foreign government were to invade our country.Also, if you feel so inclined, you can click here to see the group's Web site. I think

Filipino Veterans of WWII who fought alongside American Forces against the Japanese may soon get their due in terms of benefits in a historic vote of 96 to 1 approval of S1315. A long hard fought battle 63 long years and counting to restore their honor, dignity and status as veterans is nearing victory. The Senate has paved the way for all the... Philippine political & social events as seen from the vantage point of a Jaywalking Cyber Pedestrian Observer, visit the blog to read the rest or for other hot issues of the day.

Those old enough to remember World War II will never forget the gallant Filipino soldiers who stood shoulder to shoulder with their American comrades in the bitter fight on Bataan and then endured the horrible death march conducted by the Japanese troops. Apparently, Republican senators have no such memories as they fight bitterly against proposals [...]

The Daily Mail in the U.K. is reporting that WWII veterans are furious over next week’s cover of TIME and the manipulation of the famous photo of marines raising the United States flag during the battle at Iwo Jima after TIME replaced the flag with a tree for the article, “How to Win The War [...]

The Daily Mail in the U.K. is reporting that WWII veterans are furious over next week's cover of TIME and the manipulation of the famous photo of marines raising the United States flag during the battle at Iwo Jima after TIME replaced the flag with a tree for the article, "How to Win The War on Global Warming".Raising the Flag on Iwo Jimo, photo by Joe RosenthalOne Imo Jima veteran, 81-year-old Donald Mates, felt the Times' cover was "an absolute disgrace" and that "Whoever did this is going to hell." He went to say it was a "mortal sin".Why would veterans be upset about TIME magazine essentially photoshopping, or digitally altering a photo, albeit a rather famous one from so long ago?We decided to take a look back at the history of the photographer and the photo that spoke more than a tho

I just don't see the issue over the Time magazine cover. Maybe I am just a product of different experiences and time. My dad was in the Second World War and Vietnam War and he is still alive. He has voted Republican most of his life except during the last election he voted for John Kerry. He likes to say that a monkey can do a better job than you know who. Shortly after you know who was elected the first time, my dad made claims that he would bankrupt the country. I am not sure how he came to such a quick conclusion and I thought he was delusional at the time but given the "bitter" situation today he was correct. My dad was against the Iraq war vehemently too. Like those issues, he probably thinks this issue over the Time Magazine cover illustrates how people fail to understand rea

For only the second time in 85 years, Time magazine abandoned the traditional red border it uses on its cover. The occasion – to push more global warming alarmism.The cover of the April 21 issue of Time took the famous Iwo Jima photograph by Joe Rosenthal of the Marines raising the American flag and replaced [...]

Nearly 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan — 300,000 in all — report symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder or major depression, yet only slight more than half have sought treatment, according to a new RAND Corporation study. In addition, researchers found about 19 percent of returning service members report that they experienced a possible traumatic brain injury while deployed, with 7 percent reporting both a probable brain injury and current PTSD or major depression. Many service members said they do not seek treatment for psychological illnesses because they fear it will harm their careers. But even among those who do seek help for PTSD or major depression, only about half receive treatment that researchers consider "minimal

Now that I’m applying to go back to school full time, I’m being forced to make cuts left and right to insure that I’ll be able to get a degree with as little debt as humanly possible. When I entered the service, I was quick to sign up for the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). [...]

On April 3rd, Infinity Ward released both CoD 4: Game of the Year Edition and the Variety Pack on Xbox 360. The Variety Pack includes 4 new maps to play online against thousands of players. And those who have been playing the CoD 4, since its November, 2007 release like me, are sure to be pleased to the news. But, it wouldn’t be like me, if I didn’t question this one thing that has been bugging me. How come those who purchase the GOTY Edition get to have the Variety Pack for free, whereas those who have worn out their controllers like I have over the past months are required to pay $10 (800 credits on Xbox 360) to enjoy the map pack. I am really sorry to have paid the same amount money months ago, as those who bought the new GOTY, and funded the making of Variety Pack.As a gamer of yea

Smoothie Franchise COO Says International Franchise Association’s Program Is “Great Way for Vets to Begin Building a Future for Themselves and Their Families” DENVER, CO – Maui Wowi Hawaiian, the premier destination for authentic Hawaiian products on the mainland, today announced it is supporting the efforts of the International Franchise Association’s [...]

Veterans demand that Cheney and Bush are charged with war crimesThis is the most stirring 2 minutes of video news I have seen in months. And a sad commentary on our media, as I find out about it 3 days after it happened. What if we all did this one day next week? At Federal buildings all across the country.

This has been building for some time now. The old guard is almost at an end on both sides of the aisle. Veterans of the War On Terror are seeking spots in government in record numbers from the... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Public Citizen, and California consumer lawyers Chandler Visher and Marie Appel, filed suit last year on behalf of Operation Desert Storm, veteran, Julius Briggs, and a class of soldiers and veterans nationwide because millions of dollars have been illegally taken from them by Pentagon bill collectors over military credit cards. The Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) took money from

Texas Veterans Land Board (TVLB) Weekly Rate Sheet (Effective March 28, 2008) Base Rate for all housing loans: 5.51% Base Rate applies to all loans with a term greater than 15 years. The TVLB mortgage rates are effective for all rate lock applications received by CitiMortgage, Inc. after March 28, 2008 5:00 p.m. CST. Available Discounts to Base Rate* Discount for [...]

18 March, 2008Backed by family members and supporters all across the nation, U.S. military veterans will serve citizen arrest warrants for George Bush and Dick Cheney tomorrow in Washington, D.C. The warrants are "for multiple violations of the Constitution and international war crimes," according to a statement issued by Veterans for Peace, a national organization of men and women who served in wars and military conflicts beginning with the Spanish Civil War in 1936 through the present war in Iraq."It has long been apparent that our Constitution is under attack and has been deliberately and relentlessly undermined by domestic enemies -- indeed, by our highest government officials -- who took the same oath we did and have violated it by waging a war of aggression and committing wa

Veterans Struggle To Join Work ForceGovernment Report Says Pay, Stability Fall Short at HomeBy YOCHI J.DREAZENWASHINGTON -- A new government report paints a dire picture of the employment prospects of returning military veterans, concluding that young veterans earn less and have a harder time finding work than do civilians in the same age group.The report prepared for the Veterans Affairs Department found that the percentage of veterans not in the labor force -- because they couldn't find jobs, stopped looking for work, or went back to school -- jumped to 23% in 2005 from 10% in 2000. Half of the young veterans -- ages 20 to 24 -- with steady employment earned less than $25,000 per year, it found.Article continues below: (use left/right arrows in screen to view more videos)Young veterans "

JEFF EVANS Current depressive symptoms in veterans with a prior history of depression might be more of a concern as a risk factor for all-cause mortality than would a history of posttraumatic stress disorder, according to a study of more than 35,000 veterans. "The data presented here highlight the importance of depression as a predictor of health outcomes and mortality among veterans ... [and] suggest that depression should not be ignored in studies evaluating the health consequences of PTSD," reported lead investigator Leslie S. Kinder, PhD, of the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, and her colleagues. More... © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

This panel will look at neglect and abuse of veterans and service members with regards to their mental and physical health. Testimonies will include accounts about the impact of an under-funded Veterans Administration.injured soldiers being forced back into combat without fully recovering from their wounds,

The protest group Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), made up of US veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, organized in Washington, D.C. this week to reveal what is really going on in Iraq: "The veterans are not against the military and seek not to indict it – instead they seek to shine a light on the bigger picture: that the Abu Ghraib prison regime and the Haditha massacre of innocent Iraqis are not isolated incidents perpetrated by “bad seeds” as the military suggests, but evidence of an endemic problem. They will say they were tasked to do terrible things and point the finger up the chain of command, which ignores, diminishes or covers up routine abuse and atrocities."read more | digg story

Rob Morris, the outside line back veteran and defensive tackle veteran Bogger McFarland, have been released by the Indianapolis Colts this year, according to the Colts President Bill Polian. The head coach of the Colts, Tony Dungy, felt that their release was a difficult decision to make and it hurt the entire Colt management as [...]

In Ohio, two laws apply to the employment of veterans: the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), which provides reemployment rights to returning veterans, and Ohio's ban on military status discrimination, which goes into effect on March 18. If a returning veteran is injured, though, another law might come into play, the ADA. Earlier today the EEOC published guidance for employers on how to handle veterans with service-connected disabilities under the ADA. The following summarizes the EEOC's key points: How does USERRA differ from the ADA? USERRA protects the reemployment rights of those who leave their civilian jobs to serve in the uniformed services. The ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities

A few days earlier I had blogged about how an increasing number of American soldiers are buckling under pressure of war and loneliness and committing suicide. Today I came across this wonderful... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Information for Recipients of Veterans’ BenefitsThe IRS and Treasury will be working closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs along with beneficiary organizations to ensure that all eligible individuals know what to do to receive a stimulus payment.

President Bush Pleased By Confirmation of Dr. James Peake as Secretary of Veterans Affairs Lt. Gen. James B. Peake (Ret.), M.D BiographyI am pleased that the Senate unanimously confirmed Dr. James Peake to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Peake is a decorated veteran, highly-skilled physician, and proven leader who has devoted his career to serving America's men and women in uniform. His decades of expertise in combat medicine and health care management have provided him with a thorough understanding of the Department's responsibility to care for America's veterans.One of his first tasks as Secretary will be to ensure that my Administration continues to swiftly implement the recommendations of the Dole-Shalala Commission on Wounded Warriors. I am confident that he will build upon our record of improving care, reducing bureaucracy, and ensuring that our veterans receive the benefits they deserve. # # #For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary December 14, 2007Tec

By KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press Writer The parents of an Iraq war veteran who committed suicide and members of Congress on Wednesday questioned why there's not a comprehensive tracking system of suicide among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.Mike Bowman, of Forreston, Ill., said his son, Spc. Timothy Bowman, 23, is a member of the "unknown fallen" not counted in statistics. His son, a member of the Illinois National Guard, took his own life in 2005 eight months after returning from war. Bowman said he considers his son a "KBA" — killed because of action."If the veteran suicide rate is not classified as an epidemic that needs immediate and drastic attention, then the American fighting soldier needs someone in Washington who thinks it is," Bowman said.Bowman was one of several witnesses who testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee on the issue.Rep. Bob Filner, the committee chairman, questioned why the comprehensive tracking wasn't already being done."They don't wa

By KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press Writer The parents of an Iraq war veteran who committed suicide and members of Congress on Wednesday questioned why there's not a comprehensive tracking system of suicide among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.Mike Bowman, of Forreston, Ill., said his son, Spc. Timothy Bowman, 23, is a member of the "unknown fallen" not counted in statistics. His son, a member of the Illinois National Guard, took his own life in 2005 eight months after returning from war. Bowman said he considers his son a "KBA" — killed because of action."If the veteran suicide rate is not classified as an epidemic that needs immediate and drastic attention, then the American fighting soldier needs someone in Washington who thinks it is," Bowman said.Bowman was one of several witnesses

Suicide among veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq has been a problem of increasing seriousness. Veteran suicides now double non-vet suicides; 5000 veteran suicides can be expected this year. The Veterans Authority, who released those statistics, has promised to beef up its mental health services. A CBS study suggests the numbers may be far worse.read [...]

If you are one who has been following the talk around the web over the past few years on google not honoring our veterans you will be glad or shocked that google has finally remembered them .Over the past few years this subject has been talked about quite a bit if you have been following it.Your thoughts?

If you are one who has been following the talk around the web over the past few years on google not honoring our veterans you will be glad or shocked that google has finally remembered them . Over the past few years this subject has been talked about quite a bit if you have been following it. Your thoughts?

Why in the world wouldn’t an American Public School honor Veterans on Veterans Day? Nelson Guirado over at PajamasMedia.com has some concerns: “I’d like to implore parents not to take anything for granted. Chances are that if your child goes to public school, you’re going to have to teach him patriotic stuff yourself. Increasingly, public school seems [...]

Suicide among veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq has been a problem of increasing seriousness. Veteran suicides now double non-vet suicides; 5000 veteran suicides can be expected this year. The Veterans Authority, who released those statistics, has promised to beef up its mental health services. A CBS study suggests the numbers may be far worse.read more | digg story

As the founder of a charity called Help Hospitalized Veterans, which distributes craft kits to veterans' hospitals, Roger Chapin of San Diego pays himself and his wife more than $500,000 a year in salary... Of the $70 million Help Hospitalized Veterans took in last year, only 31 percent went to the actual charitable cause.read more | digg story

~Snooper~ I received this in my email today and, after this Rough Tough Cream Puff DAV composed himself, I still refrained from posting it here because I would have to read it again. Well, I read it again and here it is. Stormin' Normin' sent it this way...my friend Cassy said it was sad, for a Very Special Reason. God Bless You Cassy.He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,and he sat around the Legion telling stories of the past.Of the war he had fought in and the deeds that he had done.In his exploits with his buddies they were heroes, everyone.And 'tho sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,all his buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.But we'll hear his tales no longer, for ol' Bob has passed away,and the world's a little poorer for a veteran died today.No, he won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife.For he lived an ordinary, very quiet sort of life. He held a job andraised a family, quietly going on his way;

 I find this story kind of sad actually. Boston had a Veteran’s Day parade, after the parade there was going to be a ceremonial laying of wreaths for every war from WWI all the way up to the Iraq war. That is when the ceremony got ugly. A group called Veterans For Peace teamed up with Code Pink to interupt the ceremony. In a protest of the Iraq war, the Veterans for peace shouted anti-war slogans and would not stop when asked by the police.  The Veterans For Peace and their supporters say this is a free speech issue, and they had their say. The ironic part here is that they didn’t allow the people who held the ceremony to continue with their ceremony in effect stifling the free speech of the people holding the ceremony.  Needless to say, this infuriated many of the veterans who were there to witness the ceremonies in their honor. “This is not a political parade,” said Lawler, an Air Force veteran of the Korean War and former Boston police officer, “it’s to show

A Veterans Day Tribute by RidesAPaleHorseRAPH writes:I actually did this video for Memorial day this year but I thought it was also appropriate for Veterans day. I would have re-edited it but somehow, all the files were lost so all I have is this.I got this from a brother this morning along with the following note:Fellow Veteran's: as Bob Hope said. "I just want to show you what your fighting for!". This was Raquel Welch at the 1967 Bob Hope show in Vietnam. I just started walking towards the back of the stage with my camera and no one even questioned where I was going. I ended up backstage with all the brass and the stars.And one more:WW I eraDuring the WW I years, Arthur S. Mole and John D. Thomas made some incredible human pictures by using thousands of sailors or soldiers in uniform to create images. Enjoy your Vets day brotherWE will never forget[We know Veterans Day was yesterday, but any day is a good day to honor those who serve our country. We wouldn't worry about the l

Good afternoon!So nice to see you after all these days! I wanted to post today with a special Thank You to everyone who is serving in our military and whoever who has served. You have earned my eternal thanks and gratitude. Thank you for your service to our great Nation! It is because of you that I can blog here today! THANKS! Sorry for being so busy. I am working on a website for a friend of mine and since I am being paid for it this blog is taking a backseat for the time being. I'll be back, especially if there is big news. In the meantime the Mike Huckabee blog is doing a great job keeping everyone informed on the news each evening. Don't forget to check back each night as they try to post a roundup each evening of the day's activities and news.

110th CONGRESS1stSessionS. RES. 357Designating the week of November 11 through November 17, 2007, as "National Veterans Awareness Week" to emphasize the need to develop educational programs regarding the contributions of veterans to the country.IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES October 26, 2007Mr. BIDEN (for himself, Mrs. LINCOLN, Mr. DORGAN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. BOND, Mrs. CLINTON, Mr. BUNNING, Mr. CRAIG, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. INHOFE, Ms. SNOWE, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. BAUCUS, Mr. ALLARD, Mr. CASEY, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. TESTER, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. ROCKEFELLER, Mr. FEINGOLD, Mr. NELSON of Florida, Mr. HAGEL, Mr. VITTER, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. KERRY, Mr. GREGG, Mr. COLEMAN, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mr. DODD, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. STEVENS, Mr. THUNE, and Mr. BURR) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed toRESOLUTION Designating the week of November 11 through November 17, 2007, as "National Veterans Awareness Week" to emphasize the need to develop educational

From Daily Kos: Its time to be done with the ridiculous idea that there are some sort of politically neutral expressions of “patriotism.” Patriotism is a consciously cultivated mindset intended to secure popular consent for military actions that might otherwise be unpopular. The US is a hyper-patriotic country because it is an imperialist country that is constantly engaged in foreign adventures that defend corporate profitability but that waste precious lives of American servicemembers. The American Legion and VFW are, first and foremost, lobbies for militarism. Veterans Day is essentially an annual exercise in the cynical manipulation of the grief that war brings into our lives in order to secure support for ongoing and future wars by wrapping the whole enterprise in the bullshit rhetoric of “military honor.” The exclusion of IVAW, VfP and MFSO just rips away the fraudulent veil that conceals the real purpose of this whole celebration. I understand that vetera

This morning driving home from school I noticed a lot of classic old cars decorated with American Flags. They were headed downtown for the Veterans Day parade. Our town can boast of being adjacent to a major military fort, the oldest continuously active post west of the Mississippi. We're big on the military here. The military and prisons, that 's what we do here. We are so obviously a fun loving people.Anyway-I realized that we are unique from many Americans in that we are surrounded by active military and veterans every day. You can't spit in this town without hitting military personnel or federal property owned by the military (I DO NOT recommend this, figure of speech folks!).Regardless of politics, I think thanking those who serve in harm's way is of paramount importance for every American today. To be totally cheesy, I'll quote Demi Moore talking about soldiers in the movie "A Few Good Men":" . . . they stand upon a wall and say, 'Nothing's going to hurt you tonig

Have you Hugged a Vet Lately? No Seriously, have you actually thanked a Veteran for his service to YOUR COUNTRY? That's right, just reach out to them and say thanks, and what better way then to get'em...

Happy Veteran's Day and Happy 232nd Birthday to the USMC. Ooh-Rah.Cpl. Jordan M. Moehnle21 years old from Los Angeles, CaliforniaCompany L, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 ("Darkhorse" Battalion)Cpl. Jordan M. Moehnle takes time out of leading his squad in a patrol through Fallujah's Nazaal district to spend some time interacting with local children. Moehnle, who is on his second tour in Iraq, said the changes he has witnessed since he was last here in 2006 have been dramatic. "The city was like the Wild West, we'd put our heads down and drive down (the middle of Fallujah) and hope not to get shot," he said. "Since we've been here (this year), we can stop and shoot the breeze."You can read more here.These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such Peop

Today is Veterans Day, a day to pay homage to the servicemen and servicewomen who have fought and sacrificed life and limb to make this nation the shining beacon of freedom and hope that is America. God bless, and hats off to the brave and willing, both past and present, who have proven their mettle [...]

Today undoubtedly you will see many tributes to our veterans on television, in print and on the web. Last week when I spent a day in Boulder City, I spent some time driving through the different neighborhoods and visiting the historic part of the city. One of the recent additions to Boulder City was a Veteran's cemetery located off of Veteran's Memorial Drive and Commons Way. There is an onsite chapel and a computer terminal that will help you locate a loved one's resting place. There are also pavers and monuments to the various branches of the armed forces. As for what we can say to describe our vets, I think this monument sums it up best. To all our members of the armed forces, thank you. Your sacrifices are appreciated.

Today I attended the Veterans Day observance in our nation's oldest city, St. Augustine.The ceremony was held on the grounds of the fortress Castillo de San Marcos, an awe-inspiring backdrop for the 25 color guards from veterans organizations and service clubs, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, the St. Augustine Police Department, and the Florida National Guard.I left my handkerchief at the hotel, and almost right away I wished I'd remembered to bring it with me. I needed it.Quite a few townsfolk and tourists passed by the patriotic activities on San Marco Avenue -- in their vehicles, on bicycles, on scooters, on foot -- as if it were just another day, just another attraction.It was abundantly clear that something special was happening. This is evident in the photographs.I told myself that the people who didn't stop walking and riding their bicycles/vehicles during the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem and "Taps" were foreigners who didn't know better so that I wouldn

Check out the signs--education in America pays offDone for the day, we were over at Wake Up America and saw "Facing Off The Westboro Cult". The picture above came from the events Spree describes that happens at the Veterans Day Parade in Washington, DC today.The infamous Westboro cult, the despicable group that travels the country disturbing the funerals of dead servicemen, was in town. Read the story, then head over (as WUA advises) to The Mountain to get a further reporting and more pictures of the confrontations between the protesters and veterans present. Scroll the whole way down the page for photos.Vets respond to protestersIt will be well worth the five-ten minutes you spend.by Mondoreb& GinnBack to Front Page.

NEWS RELEASE LITTLE ROCK, AR – Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee issued the following statement today in honor of Veterans Day: “Today we honor American military... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

It is veterans day a time to think of all who have served and sacrificed for this great nation, no task is to small and no task is to large,,,thank you for all you have done not only today but everyday.

Bill Online Easily, Fast & Free with PayPal. No Software Needed. Sign Up Now! Today, Veteran’s Day, there is a way to reflect on where we’ve been, plan where we are going, remember our veterans and honor our Constitution.  That way is supporting Ron Paul for President. BY: AaronI’m a former Marine and I will support Ron Paul with my vote and donation! Also remember the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party coming up in December too!BY: Mark AlbertiniI’m a Marine Vet in Chattanooga TN and am thrilled Mr. Paul is a Vet. We need a Vet in the White House to end the mess we are in in America and around the world. I’m not certain we should just march right out of Iraq but I really like what Mr. Paul stands for. BY: J.P.I am a career Naval officer who has always been politically neutral, but voting for Ron Paul is about voting for America and our Constitution–which I took an oath to preserve. I am now supporting Dr. Paul with my wallet–and m

Being Veteran's Day, it is a chance to reflect on our veterans. They gave and continue to give us their best. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, in fighting to defend our freedoms we take so for granted today. We honor them by telling their stories, by reminding us how very proud we are of them. Think of our soldiers, our veterans. Give them a handshake. Tell them how much you appreciate them. Our freedoms are not free. They are there because our veterans and soldiers have been there to defend them. They are our countries (and the world's) true heroes. Some served along the front lines during WWII like my Uncle Ches in Italy. He was also one of the first soldiers to help liberate the concentration camp at Dacchau and witnessed the horrors that had gone on there. At 90, he still finds it hard to talk about what all he saw that day. In recent years,

I wanted to do something in Honor of all Veterans and ask each and everyone of you to Please take just 1 minute of your day to reflect on what this day is all about. I set up a link on how and when Veterans Day 1st started just click on the post Title I found it to be a very interesting story I hope you will to. Throughout our history, America has been protected by patriots who cherished liberty and made great sacrifices to advance the cause of freedom. The brave members of the United States Armed Forces have answered the call to serve our Nation, ready to give all for their country. On Veterans Day, we honor these extraordinary Americans for their service and sacrifice, and we pay tribute to the legacy of freedom and peace that they have given our great Nation. Veterans Day Proclamation In times of war and of peace, our men and women in uniform stepped forward to defend their fellow citizens and the country they love. They shouldered great responsibility and lived up to the highe

Today is the day when we honor those soldiers that have served and died to protect our freedoms and the Constitution of the United States of America. Whether you are attending a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery or shaking the hand of a veteran you know, let all those that have gone into the fight understand how much we appreciate them. We have the greatest military in the history of the world here in the U.S.A. Our military traditions are time-honored and world renowned. These men and women make us all proud, but they most importantly keep us free. Remember them today. This thread is now open. Similar Posts:Open Thread: America Dying Open thread on a tense Sunday Open Thread: October 21st Open Thread Sunday There is No Equivalence Here arlington national cemetery, constitution of the united states, constitution of the united states of america, freedoms, military traditions, Open Threads, proud to be an american, U.S. Military, United States, veteranShare This

  I can’t put into words how much I want to say thank you to all those who have served this country so hopefully these videos I found can do it for me.  Thank you. Happy Veteran’s Day.

Friday evening I had the pleasure of attending the Veteran's Day dinner at our local VFW post. We were treated to an excellent meal and a speech by a National Guardsman that had recently served in Iraq. He really gave an amazing first-hand account of what the life of a soldier is like on a daily basis.I know everyone in our great country has their own personal views on the war. I honestly don't care to debate that, but just wanted to remind you all that our living veterans today sure could use a kind word, a visit, or just a simple thanks for their time of service. An organization I have been involved in since I was a small child that supports veterans, their families, and the community is the American Legion Auxiliary. So many women qualify for membership through the service of their fathers and grandfathers and don't even realize it. If you're looking for a way to make a difference, I would urge you to become involved with this organization. If you need more information, j

I would like to take this time to thank all of the Veterans who fought and those who are still fighting for our freedom. I was able to attend the memorial that was held today at the Veterans Memorial Park in Blue Ridge. The many Fannin County Veterans where honored there following a parade that traveled along the Veterans Memorial Highway leading to park. Retired Army Lt. Col. George Pletcher was Master of Ceremonies, followed by the keynote speaker, good friend and fellow Rotarian Army Lt. Col. Jot Thomas. The Fannin County High School Marching Band performed to near perfection during the parade and ceremonies. The Blue Ridge City Police department did a great job handling the traffic through town on such a usual busy Saturday this time of year. The North Georgia Color Guard posted the flags and carried the colors. It was good to have been there and to honor the men and women who have fought and those who have died to provide the very blanket of freedom that we all enjoy. (more&hellip

The established correlative factors such as mental illness and substance abuse may be the more serious problem in that veterans are more prone to suffer from these things. I am curious to know what percentage of veterans who are homeless have served in combat versus veterans who haven't. I am inclined to believe that the horrors of war are enough to leave even the strongest mind prone to mental illness and substance abuse.You are welcome for the link. I try to look at as many views as possible. Your blog adds to the diversity of my blogroll.