I found this tribute on YouTube. The annotation reads:
“This is a Tribute Video of the American Legion Riders and Patriot Guard Riders who Ride for our Fallen Brothers and Sister here in Nebraska. May these heroes rest in peace.”
I found this tribute on YouTube. The annotation reads:
“This is a Tribute Video of the American Legion Riders and Patriot Guard Riders who Ride for our Fallen Brothers and Sister here in Nebraska. May these heroes rest in peace.”
Bin Laden’s Hideout Raises Concerns About Pakistani Cooperation – FoxNews – 2 May 11
Mission helo was secret stealth Black Hawk – ArmyTimes – 4 May 11
Detailed intel led U.S. to bin Laden compound – ArmyTimes – 2 May 11
DoD Special Report: The Demise of Osama Bin Laden
Prager University: How the Vietnam War Was Won and Lost – Silver Spur blog – 29 Apr 11
Vietnam Legacy Shapes Today’s Military Leaders – DoD – 29 Apr 11
The Saddest Day: 30 April 1975 (The Fall of Saigon) – Silver Spur blog – 30 Apr 11
Two US Airmen Killed in Frankfurt Airport Shooting - AOL – 2 Mar 11
Frankfurt Attack Draws White House Reaction – DoD – 2 Mar 11
Official: Suspect Confesses to Targeting U.S. Airmen at German Airport – FoxNews – 3 Mar 11
DOD Identifies Air Force Casualty- DoD – 3 Mar 11
Newsletter comment: I see the administration & DoD are going through another debate - just like the Ft. Hood killings - if this is terrorism.
What would YOU call it? What is it with this administration that can’t seem to utter the word? Meanwhile they are lobbying the cable companies to include Al Jazeera!
Obama administration official urges cable companies to carry Al-Jazeeraby Ed Lasky – Posted 4 Mar 11
Opinion: From Baghdad to Benghazi By Charles Krauthammer – 4 Mar 11
“Voices around the world, from Europe to America to Libya, are calling for U.S. intervention to help bring down Moammar Gaddafi. Yet for bringing down Saddam Hussein, the United States has been denounced variously for aggression, deception, arrogance and imperialism…”
Newsletter comment: It does seem strange to me that while many have been screaming about getting our troops out of Iraq & Afghanistan, they now seemingly can’t wait to send our stretched forces into Africa. Guess it depends on what your cause is? Even Sen. McCain is pushing to establish a no-fly zone in Libya.
Whatever the decision it will be our brave troops that will pay the price if they get the green light. Remember the folly in Somalia? Best intentions but with no resolve from the Clinton White House when things turned ugly. – Roger Young, editor
U.S. Military Aircraft to Deliver Libya-related Aid – DoD – 4 Mar 11
Clinton: No-Fly Zone Over Libya Cannot be U.S.-Led Effort – FoxNews 9 Mar 11
U.S. readying plans to enforce Libya no-fly zone – ArmyTimes – 17 Mar 11
Obama Warns Qaddafi to Stop Attacks or Face Consequences – FoxNews – 18 Mar 11
Obama: No ground invasion in Libya – ArmyTimes – 23 Mar 11
2,200 Marines Go To Libya, ‘What Happened to No Boots on the Ground’? – CanadaFreePress – 23 Mar 11
Opinion: The Speech Obama Hasn’t Given What are we doing in Libya? Americans deserve an explanation. By Peggy Noonan – 25 Mar 11
President’s address – 28 Mar 11
Gates, Mullen downplay nature of Libya mission – ArmyTimes – 31 Mar 11
NATO Warns Rebels Against Attacking Civilians – New York Times – 31 Mar 11
U.S. ending its air combat role in Libya – ArmyTimes – 1 Apr 11
U.S. General: We May Consider Sending Troops Into Libya – FoxNews – 7 Apr 11
At NATO summit, U.S. resists calls for greater engagement in Libya – The Washington Post – 14 Apr 11
Opinion: Qaddafi May Be Crazy Like a Fox, But He Has Also Emulated the Success of Rommel, the Famous ‘Desert Fox’ From 70 Years Ago by Martin Sieff – 20 Apr 11
Obama Approves Use of Predator Drones in Libya – FoxNews – 21 Apr 11
“The U.S. is not at war with Libya and has not taken sides, but President Obama nevertheless has signed off on the use of armed predator drones in the North African nation that has been torn by a weeks-old bloody conflict, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday…”
Newsletter comment: Not a war, not taking sides, and where is the Congressional Resolution authorizing this action? – Roger Young, editor
House puts off vote on Libya resolution – ArmyTimes – 1 Jun 11
House Chides Obama Over Libya – FoxNews – 3 Jun 11
Gates Cautions Against Ending U.S. Support in Libya – DoD – 3 Jun 11
Divisions delay Senate work on Libya resolution – ArmyTimes – 7 Jun 11
Boehner Blasts Obama on Libya – FoxNews – 14 Jun 11
President Obama’s Letter to Congress on the War Powers Resolution and the U.S. Mission in Libya – FoxNews – 15 Jun 11
Obama Reportedly Sided Against 2 Top Administration Lawyers in Libya War Debate – FoxNews – 18 Jun 11
NATO: Airstrike Mistakenly Hit Libyan Rebels – FoxNews – 18 Jun 11
Gates Defends Libya Action Minus Congressional OK – FoxNews – 19 Jun 11
House Rebukes Obama on Libya, Stops Short of Funding Cutoff – FoxNews – 24 Jun 11
Euphoric rebels control much of Libyan capital – ArmyTimes – 22 Aug 11
Muammar Qaddafi Killed, Libya’s Prime Minister Confirms – FoxNews – 20 Oct 11
With today’s sluggish economy, returning vets are facing some tough times finding jobs, keeping their homes, etc.
Unemployment for young vets jumps to 15 percent – ArmyTimes – 4 Feb 11
“…For Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans, the unemployment rate for January was 15.2 percent. This is a sharp increase from 9.4 percent in November and 11.7 percent in December, a clear trend of a worsening job market for younger veterans, many of them combat veterans…”
20,000 servicemembers, vets lost homes in 2010 – ArmyTimes – 3 Feb 11
“More than 20,000 veterans, active-duty troops and reservists who took out special government-backed mortgages lost their homes last year — the highest number since 2003.
“The rate of foreclosure filings in 2010 among 163 zip codes located near military bases rose 32 percent over 2008, according to RealtyTrac, a foreclosure research firm. This compares with a 2010 increase in foreclosures filings nationally of 23 percent over 2008…”
Military veterans more likely to be homeless – ArmyTimes – 9 Feb 11
“Military veterans are much more likely to be homeless than other Americans, according to the government’s first in-depth study of homelessness among former servicemembers.
“About 16 percent of homeless adults in a one-night survey in January 2009 were veterans, though vets make up only 10 percent of the adult population.
“More than 75,000 veterans were living on the streets or in a temporary shelter that night. In that year, 136,334 veterans spent at least one night in a homeless shelter — a count that did not include homeless veterans living on the streets.
“The urgency of the problem is growing as more people return from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The study found 11,300 younger veterans, 18 to 30, were in shelters at some point during 2009. Virtually all served in Iraq or Afghanistan, said Mark Johnston, deputy assistant secretary for special needs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development…”
Senator Murray’s Statement on VA-HUD Assessment of Veteran Homelessness - 10 Feb 11
Part 1: Weight of War: Gear that protects troops also injures them – Seattle Times Special Report – 12 Feb 11
Part 2: Military struggles to lighten soldiers’ load – Seattle Times Special Report – 13 Feb 11
Army: War affected soldier killed by Utah police – Seattle Times – 12 Feb 11
“The unemployment rate last year for young Iraq and Afghanistan veterans hit 21.1 percent, the Labor Department said Friday, reflecting a tough obstacle combat veterans face as they make the transition home from war.
“The number was well above the 16.6 percent jobless rate for non-veterans of the same ages, 18 to 24…”
Mullen Urges Communities to Assist Returning Troops – DoD – 8 Mar 11
“WASHINGTON, March 8, 2011 – As the men and women who serve in today’s military leave active duty, communities around the country should tap their potential as employees for the benefit of the nation, the top U.S. military officer said yesterday…”
Report: More younger veterans land federal jobs – ArmyTimes – 11 Mar 11
100,000 Jobs for Vets – AOL – 14 Mar 11
“Eleven major U.S. firms have joined together in a pledge to hire 100,000 veterans and military personnel after they’ve finished serving the country over the next several years. Huge corporations such as JPMorgan Chase, AT&T, Verizon and Cisco are among those participating…”
New veteran group: Veterans of Modern Warfare
Newsletter comment: As the wars are starting to wind down – at least in the minds of many civilians and the MSM – the same “Rambo syndrome” is setting in for our younger vets that many Vietnam vets experienced after coming home; that some employers are reluctant to hire military veterans for fear of you “going postal” for lack of a better term.
Because of that false perception, many military veterans would not include their military service during Vietnam on their resumes. And I submit, such attitudes by employers and the media only added to a false sense of shame and only made PTSD even worse!
They can pass all the laws they want, but nothing can force an employer to hire a veteran. Sadly history is repeating itself! – Roger “Bear” Young
May jobs report shows market worsening for vets – ArmyTimes – 3 Jun 11
Marines pay a price trying to secure an Afghan hot spot – LA Times – 22 Jan 11
HUNTER: Let Marines be Marines – Washington Times – 25 Jan 11
Obama Accepts McChrystal’s Resignation, Nominates Petraeus – DoD – 23 Jun 10
Statement by the President in the Rose Garden – White House – 23 Jun 10
Gates Issues Statement on McChrystal Profile – DoD – 22 Jun 10
McChrystal ousted, Petraeus takes over – ArmyTimes – 23 Jun 10
The Runaway General – Rolling Stone
The General and the Community Organizer by Paul Hollrah - 28 Jun 10
McChrystal says he’ll retire – ArmyTimes – 29 Jun 10
Petraeus says he will review Afghanistan rules of engagement – The Washington Times – 29 Jun 10
Senate unanimously confirms Petraeus – ArmyTimes – 30 Jun 10
Gen Petraeus’ Letter to the Troops [Unclassified] – DoD – 4 Jul 10
Gates Issues Memo to Leaders on Media Engagement – DoD – 6 Jul 10
Soldiers ‘handcuffed’: Afghan war rules under review – Seattle Times – 9 Jul 10
Britain’s top general in Afghanistan admits ‘courageous restraint’ must change – Telegraph – 11 Jul 10
General sees IED drop by year’s end – ArmyTimes – 12 Jul 10
Updated 28 July 2010:
PDF: Arizona’s Immigration Law – Courtesy of FoxNews – Posted 20 May 10
Newsletter comment: Why is it that others, including high level officials in the Obama administration, wish to condemn Arizona for attempting to enforce Federal immigration laws?
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White House, Democrats Applaud Mexican President Slamming Arizona Law – FoxNews - 20 May 2010
Top Official Says Feds May Not Process Illegals Referred From Arizona - FoxNews - 21 May 10
1,200 guardsmen headed for Mexico border – ArmyTimes – 25 May 10
Obama Pushes for National Standard on Immigration, Urges GOP to Back Overhaul – FoxNews – 1 Jul 10
Justice Department Files Suit Against Arizona Immigration Law – FoxNews – 6 Jul 10
“Accusing Arizona of trying to ‘second guess’ the federal government, the Justice Department on Tuesday filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s immigration policy — claiming the ‘invalid’ law interferes with federal immigration responsibilities and ‘must be struck down’…”
Federal Judge Blocks Portions of Arizona Illegal Immigration Law – FoxNews – 28 Jul 10
Good morning Roger and Pam,
I am a veteran who works at a nonprofit organization who does free home repairs for low income housing, seniors, people with disabilities and veterans. Rebuilding Together Seattle started the Veterans Program in 2009. And that there is a Rebuilding Together National Initiative (http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/section/initiatives/veteran_housing)
You can read more about our Veterans Program here… http://www.rtseattle.org/veteransprogram.php.
I came across your newsletter/website when I was at the Seattle Veterans Museum. I am looking for ways to get our program out to veterans to help more in need. We have been able to help over ten veterans this year, but I want to increase that number. I need more veterans applicants who are in need of some free home repairs. If you want to read about our organization you can click here – Rebuilding Together Seattle
Please let me know if this opportunity is available or you know any other resources I can reach out to help fellow vets.
Thank you,
Jason Cummings
Program & Outreach Coordinator, Rebuilding Together Seattle
811 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109
P: 206-682-1231/ F: 206-682-8962
Opinion: Military leaders are AWOL on Warrior Transition Units By Amee Gilbert – Seattle Times – 4 May 10
“Military leaders are not facing facts about soldiers who are being ‘warehoused’ in Army’s Warrior Transition Units, writes guest columnist Amee Gilbert. She has had to intervene several times in her soldier son’s care…”
Marine’s father ordered to pay Westboro’s court costs – The Baltimore Sun – 29 Mar 10
How we can help: www.matthewsnyder.org
Updates:
Talking Points by Bill O’Reilly – FoxNews – March 31, 2010
“…In another insane situation, the Westboro Baptist Church, which hates gay people and believes God is punishing America, won a victory in court. These disturbed souls from Westboro disrupt military funerals, so Albert Snyder of York, Pennsylvania, the father of a Marine killed in Iraq, sued the church for intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy. Mr. Snyder won in the beginning and then lost on appeal, and incredibly, the court has ordered him to pay more than $16,000 in court costs to the Westboro people.
“That is an outrage, and I will pay Mr. Snyder’s obligation. I am not going to let this injustice stand…”
Outpouring of support for Marine’s dad suing funeral protesters – Seattle Times – 1 Apr 10
Westboro Funeral Pickets Are Protected Speech, High Court Rules – FoxNews – 2 Mar 11
Updated 12 Mar 10:
U.S., Afghan and NATO Forces Begin Offensive Against Taliban - FoxNews – 12 Feb 10
“…The objective of Operation Moshtarak, which means ‘together’ in Dari, is to secure the region from narcoterrism and establish basic services under supervision of the Afghan government, a senior defense official told Fox. To do that, Afghan and NATO forces need to defeat the remaining insurgents and drastically reduce the number of heroin producing crops that fund the Taliban. U.S. commanders are confident they’ll win the fight, but removing the poppy will prove harder than the battle…”
Clearing Operations Begin in Central Helmand – DoD – 13 Feb 10
U.S., Afghan and NATO Forces Begin Offensive Against Taliban – FoxNews – 13 Feb 10
Slide show: U.S., Afghan Forces Storm Taliban Stronghold – FoxNews – 13 Feb 10
Taliban Sniper Teams Attack U.S., Afghan Troops - FoxNews – 15 Feb 10
Army Aviation Plays Key ‘Moshtarak’ Role – DoD – 17 Feb 10
Forces adjust to unusual Taliban tactics – ArmyTimes – 17 Feb 10
Op-Ed: Empty Skies Over Afghanistan – New York Times – 18 Feb 10
McChrystal Apologizes to Afghans for Civilian Deaths – FoxNews – 23 Feb 10
Marja Operations Move Toward ‘Holding’ Phase – DoD – 25 Feb 10
Marja Clearing Phase Nears Completion – DoD – 2 Mar 10
After Marja, ‘Kandahar Will be Next,’ Mullen Says – DoD – 4 Mar 10
EDITORIAL: Ready, aim, hold your fire – The Washington Times – 6 Mar 10
McChrystal Details Lessons of Marja Offensive – DoD – 8 Mar 10
Marjah Battle Yields Lessons for Future – Military.com – 12 Mar 10
5 Feb 2010:
As a grandpa I often wonder, what kind of future are we leaving for our children and grandchildren?
With the alarming rise of our national debt, the lack of heavy industry in our country, and the raiding of our social security by countless administrations, I am very concerned.
Today, politicians look at fiscal policy only looking towards the next election cycle. They are not concerned how their spending binges today will impact our nation’s future, and I’m convinced they could care less. Remember they sold us on international trade and trade agreements like NAFTA, and what do we have to show for it? Cheaper electronics and fewer good paying jobs with good benefits as major industry fled the U.S. for cheaper labor markets. We were promised this was a good thing for one and all. It never made any sense!
Another personal observation is that government workers not only have the excellent perks, they now have salaries that are well above the private sector. There was a time only a generation back when my father entered civil service for the good retirement benefits and job security at a lower wage. It was a good trade off. Government workers still have all the benefits plus what has become excessive salaries which we, as a nation, will not be able to sustain as our government continues to grow.
Today we have a very professional military that is engaged in a protracted war on terrorism. As the budget crisis grows there will be cries to slash the defense and intelligence budgets, two of our nation’s largest expenditures, which will gut our nation’s defenses. I see no other option as a coming day of financial reckoning looms in the not-too-distant future.
Perhaps that is the grand plan? To destroy our very defenses from within? To tax the middle class into extinction? To be the first generation to leave a worse future for our children and grandchildren? Isn’t that a wonderful legacy! That’s what I foresee if the American people won’t start holding their elected officials accountable for their irresponsible actions!
Roger Young - The Northwest Veterans Newsletter
Related article:
Federal Workers Paid More Than Private Employees For Similar Work – FoxNews – 5 Mar 2010