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Video of Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C. and the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknowns in 1998. Video produced by Roger & Pam Young
Defending America: Protecting the Skies on Sept. 11, 2001 – FoxNews – 8 Sep 2011
Remembering September 11, 2001 – DoD
Ex-fighter pilot recalls her 9/11 suicide mission – Seattle Times – 9 Sep 11
9-11 Remembered: Rick Rescorla was a soldier – The Mudville Gazette
How two lives intersected on 9/11 – ArmyTimes – 10 Sep 11
Fellow Veterans and dear friends, Pam and I wanted to share this with all of you. The Moving Wall was here in Bellevue, Wa. this past weekend and we wanted to share the experience with you.
Our very special thanks to Lois Gustafson and all the volunteers that helped put this all together. Having helped assemble & disassemble this very Wall in 2001 at the very same cemetery, we know just how much hard work and dedication it takes to put on this event.
At the close is a special dedication to Nathan Pulliam’s grandson-in-law who died in Afghanistan on 25 Jun 2011. The West Point dedication reads in part:
1Lt. Dimitri A. Del Castillo, 24, of Tampa, Florida died June 25, at Kunar province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He was on the radio calling in support when he was hit. He kept working on the support until he died with the handset in his hand.
Of special note was our local Vietnamese who significantly contributed to hosting the Wall this time around. Without their help it wouldn’t have been possible.
Our best,
Roger & Pam
Updated 30 Sep 2011:
National Memorial Ladies Rep: We’re Not Allowed to Say ‘God Bless You’ at Funerals – FoxNews
Houston Veterans Claim Censorship of Prayers, Including Ban on ‘God’ and ‘Jesus’ – FoxNews – 29 Jun 11
VA Cemetery Accused of Censoring Religious Speech – Military.com – 29 Jun 11
Lawmaker Wants Veterans Cemetery Investigated Over Anti-Christian Rules – FoxNews – 30 Jun 11
Congressmen call for resignation of Houston National Cemetery director – KHOU, Houston – 30 Jun 11
Legion supports religious charge against VA – American Legion - 30 Jun 11
VFW Joins in Houston National Cemetery Censorship Lawsuit – VFW – 1 Jul 11
“…’This is a point in case of bureaucracy…or rather, a classic example of a bureaucrat running amok. In spite of VA policy, the cemetery director is making up her own rules and has imposed hurtful, unilateral restrictions of her own choosing,’ said Richard L. Eubank, the national commander of the 2.1 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries…”
At VA National Cemeteries, Families’ Wishes Come First – VA blog – 1 Jul 11
Settlement Reached in VA Discrimination Suit – MyFox – 22 Sep 11
Produced by my wife, Pam, honoring the women, both military and civilian who served during the Vietnam war. Pam served in the Navy from 1970-1974 and was assigned to CINCPAC Joint Command and worked on Operation Homecoming for our POWs.
Here’s some more background by Pam on the civilian women who were killed during Vietnam:
http://northwestvets.com/op-baby.htm
And more on the nurses who perished:
I can’t speak for others, but I am one frustrated American. It appears with each successive administration, We the People lose more personal freedoms supposedly protected by our Constitution.
To make matters worse, our Congress apparently can’t agree on anything these days seemingly only concerned about the next election cycle. They can’t pass a budget, can’t cut spending, can’t pass a resolution on our engagement in Libya, and seem happy to shirk their responsibilities and hand it over to our President.
Today we are screened or frisked to board a commercial airplane, and need a U.S. passport to return from Canada all the while illegals are crossing our southern border, which the politicians refuse to close.
The so-called “greatest generation” would have a collective stroke seeing what our country has become today: a country that can not, or is unwilling to make, the tough decisions necessary for the prosperity of our country, our children and grandchildren.
Roger Young – co-editor
Updated: 15 January 2013
Background: Project Gunrunner by Michelle Malkin
May 3, 2011 – Rep. Darrell Issa questions Eric Holder on Project Gunrunner
Oversight Is Delivering Answers on the Administration’s Deadly Project Gunrunner – 14 Jun 11
Why Did Govt Let Drug Smugglers Get Guns, Kill US Border Agent? – CBS News 15 Jun 11
House Panel Slams ‘Fast and Furious’ Gun Operation Tied to Border Agent’s Death – FoxNews – 15 Jun 11
Newsletter comment: 16 Jun 11 – What the House committee is finding difficult to establish is who authorized this Phoenix operation to allow the weapons to ‘walk’? The DOJ and BATF, to date, have failed to disclose that information!
Audio Tapes Reveal More Details in ‘Fast and Furious’ Gunrunner Scandal – FoxNews – 21 Sep 11
Republicans Step Up Pressure on Holder as More Details Surface on ‘Fast and Furious’ – FoxNews – 23 Sep 11
U.S. Government Bought and Sold Weapons During ‘Fast and Furious,’ Documents Show – FoxNews – 26 Sep 11
Letter From Issa and Grassley to Holder – FoxNews – Posted 29 Sep 11
Smoking gun?: Documents Suggest Holder Knew About ‘Fast and Furious’ Earlier Than He Claimed – FoxNews – 3 Oct 11
House Republicans Request Special Counsel to Probe Holder on ‘Fast and Furious’ – FoxNews – 4 Oct 11
Text of Letter Requesting Special Counsel for Holder – Courtesy of FoxNews
Justice Department Accuses GOP of Playing ‘Gotcha’ With Fast and Furious Memos – FoxNews – 6 Oct 11
Holder Challenges ‘Fast and Furious’ Allegations in Scathing Letter to Congress – FoxNews – 7 Oct 11
Holder Letter to Congress on ‘Fast and Furious’ – Courtesy of FoxNews
Issa Responds to Holder Letter With Matching Gusto – FoxNews – 10 Oct 11
Issa Letter to Holder dated 9 Oct 2011 – Courtesy of FoxNews
Issa Issues Subpoena to Holder in Fast and Furious Investigation – FoxNews – 12 Oct 11
Holder Agrees to Testify on Operation Fast and Furious – FoxNews – 28 Oct 11
Justice Official Regrets Not Speaking Up About Federal Anti-Gunrunning Operation – FoxNews – 1 Nov 11
Memo Shows Early ATF Concern on Fast and Furious Probe Despite Claims – FoxNews – 2 Dec 11
Justice Department Explains How It Got Fast and Furious Statements Wrong – FoxNews – 2 Dec 11
Grassley Calls for Top Justice Official’s Resignation Over Gunrunning Operations – FoxNews – 7 Dec 11
Documents: ATF used “Fast and Furious” to make the case for gun regulations – CBS News – 7 Dec 11
Federal official in Arizona to plead the fifth and not answer questions on ‘furious’ – FoxNews – 20 Jan 12
In new ‘Fast and Furious’ report, Democrats clear Justice appointees of wrongdoing – FoxNews – 31 Jan 12
Issa threatens contempt proceeding against Holder if Justice fails to comply with Fast and Furious subpoenas – FoxNews – 31 Jan 12
New report released by GOP lawmakers suggests top Justice officials had extensive knowledge of Operation Fast and Furious – FoxNews – 2 Feb 12
Holder: No cover-up in ‘Fast and Furious,’ no effort to hide details of the operation – FoxNews – 2 Feb 12
Former DEA chief says 3 other federal agencies knew about Operation Fast and Furious – FoxNews – 10 Feb 12
Newsletter comment: It would appear everyone knew about the operation except for Holder & Obama if we are to believe the spin from DOJ?
Issa, Chaffetz confirm contempt plans for Holder over Fast and Furious – FoxNews – 27 Apr 12
Issa sends out draft contempt order against Holder, says ‘Furious’ response ‘cannot stand’ – FoxNews – 3 May 12
Fast & Furious amnesia hits Attorney General Eric Holder during House testimony – FoxNews – 7 Jun 12
Newsletter comment: As I stated long ago, I believe such hearings seldom ever uncover the truth. It appears to me this “investigation” has run its course – Roger Young
Opinion: Attorney General Eric Holder should resign by Sen. John Cornyn – 12 Jun 12
Republicans open door to negotiating with Holder over contempt push – FoxNews – 13 Jun 12
Obama grants Holder request on ‘Furious’ documents as contempt vote looms – FoxNews – 20 Jun 12
Opinion: President Obama, Attorney General Holder and executive privilege by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano
House panel approves Holder contempt resolution – FoxNews – 20 Jun 12
Newsletter comment: Executive Privilege might well indicate that the President was fully aware of Fast & Furious. Or he’s just attempting to protect AG Holder which does not justify such privilege. Personally, I would like to see impeachment proceedings initiated immediately by the House.
Almost every week as we near the November election we’re witnessing matters of national security “leaked” to the press which endangers future intelligence gathering efforts. But we can not get answers on Fast & Furious on who was responsible and certainly none have been held accountable. I believe that would be a “cover-up” in my opinion. – Roger
Commentary: Fast and Furious and OCDETF – Whom is executive privilege protecting? by Andrew C. McCarthy – 23 Jun 12
22 Jun 12: [Posted 25 Jun 12]
26 Jun 2012: Video from the Don Smith Show
Holder in peril as Dems break ranks on contempt resolution – FoxNews – 27 Jun 12
A primer on the “Fast and Furious” scandal – CBS News – Posted 29 Jun 12
House votes to hold Attorney General Holder in contempt of Congress – FoxNews – 29 Jun 12
Justice Department shields Holder from prosecution after contempt vote – FoxNews – 29 Jun 12
Justice unseals indictment charging 5 in Brian Terry’s death, offers $1M reward for leads on fugitives – FoxNews – 9 Jul 12
Congressional report blames five ATF employees for Fast and Furious debacle – FoxNews – 31 Jul 12
Long-awaited ‘Furious’ report places blame on ATF, Justice – FoxNews – 11 Sep 12
‘Furious’ guns tied to 2010 Juarez massacre, other murders in Mexico – FoxNews – 1 Oct 12
Report: ATF review board recommends firings over Fast & Furious – FoxNews – 5 Dec 12
Gun buyer connected to Fast & Furious, Brian Terry’s death gets 57 months in prison by William La Jeunesse – 12 Dec 12
Fast and Furious whistleblower cleared by ATF – FoxNews – 15 Jan 13
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
