{This blog is not affiliated with the VA. Though a Veteran, four yrs. all shore in Navy last year In-Country Vietnam, I don't work for the VA}
**USN All Shore '67-'71 GMG3 Vietnam In Country '70-'71 - Independent**


In 2003 some 72% of Americans fully supported the Abandoning of the Missions and those Sent to Accomplish so extremely Quickly after 9/11!!
At least some 95%, if not more as less then 1% serve them, not only still support the, just below, total lack of Sacrifice, they ran from any and all Accountability and left everything still on the table to be continually used if the political/military want was still in play in future executive/legislative wants!!
DeJa-Vu: “With no shared sacrifices being asked of civilians after Sept. 11", Decades and War From, All Over Again!!
Especially for the Corporate and Wealthy Community, investors in Defense Industries, and for these, Afghanistan and Iraq, came Two Huge Tax Cuts, with more sweetheart deals to same from states and the fed!!


Thousands of people across America don’t just talk about honoring Veterans; they walk the walk. Dedicated Volunteers Serve Veterans for Decades

On this Executive Administration, it's Cabinet and those directly around same, "Best - Ever": "We haven't had this kind of visibility from the White House—ever." Joyce Raezer National Military Family Association - Dec. 30, 2011, and plenty more of similar since Joyce, others, spoke and continues!

Ask yourself: If the Veterans Administration is so corrupt and mismanaged, as the conservative ideology, under which the seeds of are planted when they control, wants everyone to buy into as they obstruct the budgets and do extremely little after they charge same, then why does the Private sector, many problems within rarely heard about, adopt so many practices and advanced technologies developed within the VA, for free?! The VA, DoD, and in partnership with Universities and Colleges, not just Health Care are constantly in R&D and that developed that works is quickly moved into the private, for profit, sector, even as the VA is long under funded, decades, and especially during and after our wars that the few are sent into!

* * * * *
President Obama 26 August 2014

Fact: "This is not just a job of government. It’s not just a job of the veterans’ organizations. Every American needs to join us in taking care of those who've taken care of us. Because only 1 percent of Americans may be fighting our wars, but 100 percent of Americans benefit from that 1 percent. A hundred percent need to be supporting our troops. A hundred percent need to be supporting our veterans. A hundred percent need to be supporting our military families."

Fact:
"We’ve been able to accomplish historic increases to veterans funding. We’ve protected veterans health care from Washington politics with advanced appropriations. We’ve been able to make VA benefits available to more than 2 million veterans who didn't have them before, including more Vietnam vets who were exposed to Agent Orange. We’ve dedicated major new resources for mental health care. We’ve helped more than 1 million veterans and their families pursue their education under the Post-9/11 GI Bill."

August 26, 2014 - Secretary Robert A. McDonald's Remarks for the American Legion's 96th Annual Convention, Charlotte, NC
Fact: "Unlike, P&G, VA may not be concerned about quarterly profit and loss statements or shareholder value, but it does have a bottom line—Veterans. "
{which is why No Government agency should be turned into a private corporate entity feeding for profit off the Countries duty and responsibility, especially the VA}
* * * * *

Fact: “We are dealing with veterans, not procedures—with their problems, not ours.” —General Omar Bradley, First Administrator of the Veterans Administration

Facts: Matthew Hoh {former Marine and foreign service officer in Afghanistan}: "We spend a trillion dollars a year on national security in this country."
"And when you add up to the Department of Defense, Department of State, CIA, Veterans Affairs, interest on debt, the number that strikes me the most about how much we're committed financially to these wars and to our current policies is we have spent $250 billion already just on interest payments on the debt we've incurred for the Iraq and Afghan wars."
26 September 2014

Fact: "If military action is worth our troops’ blood, it should be worth our treasure, too — not just in the abstract, but in the form of a specific ante by every American." -Andrew Rosenthal 10 Feb. 2013

Fact: "12 years also is a long time. We now have a lifetime responsibility to a generation of service members, veterans and their families." Dr. Jonathan Woodson 11 Sep. 2013: With 9/11 Came Lifetime Responsibility
{two tax cuts, especially for the wealthy, came with these two recent unpaid for wars, nor the results of, DeJa-Vu all over again from the previous decades and wars from! Ignore the many issues, by those served, no need to fund!}

Fact: Sen. Bernie Sanders told Republicans: “If you can’t afford to take care of your veterans, than don’t go war. These people are bearing the brunt of what war is about, We have a moral obligation to support them.” February, 26th, 2014

Fact: 25 June 2014 U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller: Veterans' Affairs issue an 'all too similar' scene

Fact: How We Could Do More For Our Vets: "We need to go into debt to pay our debt to U.S. veterans to make sure they get the care and services we owe them."

Fact: “Why in 2009 were we still using paper?” VA Assistant Secretary Tommy Sowers “When we came in, there was no plan to change that; we’ve been operating on a six month wait for over a decade.” 27 March 2013

WHY? GOOD QUESTION THOSE SERVED SHOULD ANSWER!


Bob Herbert Losing Our Way : "And then the staggering costs of these wars, which are borne by the taxpayers. I mean, one of the things that was insane was that, as we're at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Bush administration cut taxes. This has never been done in American history. The idea of cutting taxes while you're going to war is just crazy. I mean, it's madness." Bill 'Moyers and Company': Restoring an America That Has Lost its Way 10 Oct. 2014

Presidential Proclamation -- Veterans Day, 2013: "As we pay tribute to our veterans, we are mindful that no ceremony or parade can fully repay that debt." read more>>>


Under two previous Executive administrations and wars from, father and son. With son and conservative congresses leading the extremely quick abandoning of the missions and those sent to accomplish after 9/11:

ProPublica and The Seattle Times Nov. 9, 2012 - Lost to History: Missing War Records Complicate Benefit Claims by Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans
"DeLara's case is part of a much larger problem that has plagued the U.S. military since the 1990 Gulf War: a failure to create and maintain the types of field records that have documented American conflicts since the Revolutionary War."

Part Two: A Son Lost in Iraq, but Where Is the Casualty Report?

Army Says War Records Gap Is Real, Launches Recovery Effort

3/27/15 - U.S. Nerve Gas Hit Our Own Troops in Iraq
"During and immediately after the first Gulf War, more than 200,000 of 700,000 U.S. troops sent to Iraq and Kuwait in January 1991 were exposed to nerve gas and other chemical agents. Though aware of this, the Department of Defense and CIA launched a campaign of lies and concocted a cover-up that continues today."
"When Brown and others tried to obtain their medical records to prove their illnesses were service-related, they learned that the records had disappeared."


Add in the issues of finally recognizing in War Theater and more Veterans, by the Shinseki Veterans Administration and the Executive Administrations Cabinet, what the Country choose to ignore from our previous decades and wars of: The devastating effects on Test Vets and from PTS, Agent Orange, Homelessness, more recent the Desert Storm troops Gulf War Illnesses, Gulf War Exposures with the very recent affects from In-Theater Burn Pits and oh so so much more! Tens of Thousands of Veterans' that have been long ignored and maligned by previous VA's and the whole Country and through their representatives!

How does a Country HONOR It's Fallen, by Their Own 'Sacrifice' in Taking Care of the Brothers and Sisters They Served With!!


"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." - Abraham Lincoln

"To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan" - President Lincoln

She wrote that she's proud of her service but added this: "That doesn't change the fact that I contributed - however indirectly - to human beings vanishing from the earth in a moment of sheer agony."







For our sisters: National Women Veterans Hotline, call 1-855-VA-WOMEN1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-66361-855-829-6636) New Hotline now up and running







They are a coalition of leading Veterans, mostly of OEF and OIF, and national security organizations who recognize that climate change is a major threat, and support fast, bold action. It is time for Americans to rise to the challenge, and we’re taking on the fight.





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Monday, October 11, 2010

HONORING THE FALLEN: US Military KIA, Iraq & Afghanistan/Pakistan - August 2010

Iraq, from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn Sept 1, 2010
There have been 4,736 coalition deaths -- 4,417 Americans, 2 Australians, 1 Azerbaijani, 179 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, 1 Czech, 7 Danes, 2 Dutch, 2 Estonians, 1 Fijian, 5 Georgians, 1 Hungarian, 33 Italians, 1 Kazakh, 1 South Korean, 3 Latvian, 22 Poles, 3 Romanians, 5 Salvadoran, 4 Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, 2 Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of September 5 2010, according to a CNN count. { Graphical breakdown of casualties }. At least 31,926 {31,897 last month} U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon. View casualties in the war in Afghanistan


Sgt.Faith Renee Hinkley 23 Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA Company C, 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade Died August 7, 2010 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked her unit in Iskandariya, Iraq


Sgt.Jamal Maurice Rhett 24 Palmyra, New Jersey, USA Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with grenades in Baquba, Diyala province, Iraq, on August 15, 2010


Sgt.Brandon E. Maggart 24 Kirksville, Missouri, USA 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment Died of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with indirect fire at Basra, Iraq, on August 22, 2010


POW/MIA: Afghanistan & Iraq


Two U.S. soldiers are currently listed as captured or Duty Status -- Whereabouts Unknown as of December 1, 2009. The information below reflects the name, an unknown, officially listed as Prisoners of War or Duty Status -- Whereabouts Unknown by the Pentagon.


Spc. Ahmed K. Altaie 41 Army reservist assigned Provincial Reconstruction Team Baghdad Ann Arbor, Michigan On October 23, 2006, Altaie was categorized as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown when he allegedly was kidnapped while on his way to visit family in Baghdad, Iraq. The Pentagon changed his status to missing-captured on December 11.


Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl 23 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Ketchum, Idaho Captured in Paktika province in Afghanistan, on June 30, 2009. The Pentagon declared him Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown on July 1 and his status was changed to Missing-Captured on July 3.


Afghanistan - Pakistan!!
There have been 2,063 coalition deaths -- 1,274 Americans, 21 Australians, 332 Britons, 1 Belgian, 152 Canadians, 3 Czech, 36 Denmark, 24 Netherlands, 1 NATO, 8 Estonians, 1 Finn, 49 French, 42 Germans, 3 Hungarian, 27 Italians, 1 Jordan, 3 Latvian, 1 Lithuanian, 9 Norwegians, 20 Poles, 2 Portuguese, 15 Romanians, 1 South Korean, 30 Spaniards, 4 Swedes, 2 Turks, 1 New Zealand, 1 Jordanian and three NATO/ISAF -- in the war on terror as of September 5 2010, according to a CNN count. Below are the names of the soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors whose deaths have been reported by their country's governments. The troops died in support of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom or were part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. At least 7,644 {7,150 last month} U.S. personnel have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon. In addition to the military deaths, 11 U.S. intelligence operatives have died in Afghanistan.

Lance Sgt.Dale Alanzo McCallum 31 Hanover, Jamaica 1st Battalion, Scots Guards Killed when the guardpost at a checkpoint came under small-arms fire in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 1, 2010


Marine Adam Brown 26 Burtle, England 3 Troop, Company A, 40 Commando, Royal Marines Killed when a roadside bomb detonated during a patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 1, 2010


Master Sgt.Jared Neville Van Aalst 34 Laconia, New Hampshire, USA Special operations team member, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command Killed during a combat operation in Kunduz province, Afghanistan, on August 4, 2010


Lt.Timothy Andrew O'Donnell 28 Feilding, New Zealand 2/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment Killed when his mounted patrol was attacked with a roadside bomb, rocket-propelled grenades and other small arms fire in Bamiyan province, Afghanistan, on August 4, 2010


Pfc.Dariusz Tylenda 31 Gołdap, Poland 15 Pułk Obrony Powietrznej (15th Air Defense Regiment) Killed when a roadside bomb detonated near his convoy in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, on August 6, 2010


Lance Cpl.Kevin M. Cornelius 20 Ashtabula, Ohio, USA 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force One of two Marines killed while during a prisoner escape attempt in Musa Qaleh, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 7, 2010. The two Marines were trying to recapture a prisoner who had escaped a room where he was observing prayer time, acquired a rifle and engaged Afghan and coalition forces. The Marines were killed while trying to subdue the prisoner, who was later shot and killed by small-arms fire.


Pfc.John E. Andrade 19 San Antonio, Texas, USA 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment Died of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using a roadside bomb at DE Khak Chupan Turah, Kandahar, Afghanistan, on August 7, 2010


Cpl.Max William Donahue 23 Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force Died on August 7, 2010, in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained on August 4 during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan


Pfc.Erik Berre Rolandsen 26 Denmark Kompagniet B, 1. Bataljon, Den Kongelige Livgarde (Company B, 1st Battalion, Royal Life Guards) One of two Danish soldiers killed when their infantry fighting vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 7, 2010


Pfc.Jimmi Bøgebjerg Petersen 28 Denmark Kompagniet B, 1. Bataljon, Den Kongelige Livgarde (Company B, 1st Battalion, Royal Life Guards) One of two Danish soldiers killed when their infantry fighting vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 7, 2010


Pfc.Vincent Emmanuel Gammone III 19 Christiana, Tennessee, USA 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force One of two Marines killed while during a prisoner escape attempt in Musa Qaleh, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 7, 2010. The two Marines were trying to recapture a prisoner who had escaped a room where he was observing prayer time, acquired a rifle and engaged Afghan and coalition forces. The Marines were killed while trying to subdue the prisoner, who was later shot and killed by small-arms fire.


Cpl.Kristopher Daniel Greer 25 Ashland City, Tennessee, USA Company D, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve Died August 8, 2010, of wounds received while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 6


Pfc.Paul Orazio Cuzzupe II 23 Plant City, Florida, USA G Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment Died of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using a roadside bomb in Akhtar-Mohammad-Khan, Afghanistan, on August 8, 2010


Sgt.Andrew Cote Nicol 23 Kensington, New Hampshire, USA Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment One of two soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated while their unit was attacking a heavily defended bunker system in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 8, 2010


Spc.Bradley David Rappuhn 24 Grand Ledge, Michigan, USA Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment One of two soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated while their unit was attacking a heavily defended bunker system in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 8, 2010


Sgt.Jose Luis Saenz III 30 Pleasanton, Texas, USA 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Died of wounds suffered when a homemade bomb detonated during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 9, 2010


Pfc.Antoine Maury 21France 1er Régiment Médical (1st Medical Regiment) Died of a non-hostile incident in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 10, 2010


Sgt.Christopher Neal Karch 23 Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Company A, 2nd Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan, on August 11, 2010


Lt.John Charles Sanderson 29 Oklahoma, USA Company B, 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) Died on August 11, 2010, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England, of wounds sustained when a roadside bomb detonated while his unit was providing security for a bomb clearance operation near the village of Char Coucha in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on July 13, 2010


Rifleman Remand Kulung 27 Basaha, Nepal Company G, 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) Kulung died on August 12, 2010, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England, of injuries sustained when a CH-47 Chinook helicopter accidentally came into contact with his guard post, causing part of it to collapse, at Patrol Base Bahadur in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 10


Sapper Ishwor Gurung 21 Pokhara, Nepal 69 Gurkha Field Squadron, 36 Engineer Regiment Killed when his unit was attacked while building a new guard post at Forward Operating Base Shahzad in southwest Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 13, 2010


Sapper Darren Foster 20 Carlisle, England 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 21 Engineer Regiment Died of wounds sustained when the guard post he was manning in Patrol Base Sangin Fulod came under small-arms fire near Sangin in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 13, 2010


Staff Sgt.Michael Andrew Bock 26 Leesburg, Florida, USA 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 13, 2010


Trooper Jason Thomas Brown 29 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Australian Special Air Service Regiment Died of gunshot wounds sustained in a firefight in northern Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 14, 2010


Sgt. 1st ClassEdgar Nathaniel Roberts 39 Hinesville, Georgia, USA 810th Engineer Company, Georgia Army National Guard Died August 17, 2010 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using a roadside bomb at Sayed Abad in Wardak province, Afghanistan, on June 26, 2010


Pfc.Benjamen Glen Chisholm 24 Fort Worth, Texas, USA Company D, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division One of two soldiers killed when a roadside bomb caused their military vehicle to roll over in Kunar province, Afghanistan, on August 17, 2010


Staff Sgt.Derek John Farley 24 Nassau, New York, USA 702nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade Died of wounds sustained when a roadside bomb detonated as he attempted to disarm it at Bala Boluk, Farah province, Afghanistan, on August 17, 2010


Pvt. Enlisted Grade 2Charles Milton High IV 21 Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Company D, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division One of two soldiers killed when a roadside bomb caused their military vehicle to roll over in Kunar province, Afghanistan, on August 17, 2010


Chief Petty OfficerCollin Trent Thomas 33 Morehead, Kentucky, USA Tactical Development And Evaluation Squadron Five, Naval Special Warfare Development Group Killed during a combat operation in eastern Afghanistan on August 18, 2010


Lance Cpl.Kevin Edward Oratowski 23 Wheaton, Illinois, USA 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Died following a roadside bomb attack in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 18, 2010


Cpl.Christopher John Boyd 22 Palatine, Illinois, USA 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Died following a roadside bomb attack during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 19, 2010


Sgt.Martin Anthony Lugo 24 Tucson, Arizona, USA Company C, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Died of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire in Puli Alam, Logar province, Afghanistan, on August 19, 2010


Spc.Christopher Shane Wright 23 Tollesboro, Kentucky, USA Company C, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Died of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire in Pech, Kunar province, Afghanistan, on August 19, 2010


Pvt.Grant Kirby 35 Brisbane, Australia 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment One of two Australian soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated near their Bushmaster military vehicle during a patrol in the Baluchi Valley of Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, on August 20, 2010


Pvt.Tomas Dale 21 Reynella, Australia 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment One of two Australian soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated near their Bushmaster military vehicle during a patrol in the Baluchi Valley of Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, on August 20, 2010


Lance Cpl.Cody Steven Childers 19 Chesapeake, Virginia, USA 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Died following a roadside bomb attack during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 20, 2010


Lance Cpl.Nathaniel Joseph Augustus Schultz 19 Safety Harbor, Florida, USA 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Died following a roadside bomb attack during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 21, 2010


Lance Cpl.Jordan Dean Bancroft 25 Burnley, England 1 Platoon, Anzio Company, 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment Killed in an exchange of fire with insurgents while his platoon was providing security for a shura between ISAF troops and local village elders in Sayedabad, Nad-e Ali district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 21, 2010


Pfc.Alexis Vicente Maldonado 20 Wichita Falls, Texas, USA 510th Clearance Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade Died at Kandahar Air Field of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms fire in Zhari district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 21, 2010


Sgt.Jason Dean Calo 23 Lexington, Kentucky, USA 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 22, 2010


Sgt.Steven Joseph Deluzio 25 South Glastonbury, Connecticut, USA Company A, 172nd Infantry Regiment, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Vermont Army National Guard One of two soldiers killed when insurgents attacked their unit with small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire in the Jajil district of Paktia province, Afghanistan, on August 22, 2010


Spc.Tristan Howard Southworth 21 West Danville, Vermont, USA Company A, 172nd Infantry Regiment, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Vermont Army National Guard One of two soldiers killed when insurgents attacked their unit with small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire in the Jajil district of Paktia province, Afghanistan, on August 22, 2010


Spc.Pedro Antonio Millet Meletiche IV 20 Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA Company C, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Died of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with a roadside bomb at Arghandab River Valley in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 22, 2010


Cpl.Jean-Nicolas Panezyck 25 France 21è Régiment d’Infanterie de Marine (21st Marine Infantry Regiment)One of two French soldiers killed by small-arms fire during a firefight south of Tagab in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, on August 23, 2010


Lt.Judith Abraham Pappné 32 Alacska, Hungary 25. Klapka György Lövészdandár (25th Klapka Infantry Brigade) Killed when her Baghlan Provincial Reconstruction Team convoy was attacked with a roadside bomb and small-arms fire 12.4 miles (20 km) northwest of Pul-e Khumri in Baghlan province, Afghanistan, on August 23, 2010


Lance Cpl.Robert John Newton 21 Creve Coeur, Illinois, USA 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 23, 2010


Lt.Lorenzo Mezzasalma 43 Paris, France 4e compagnie, 21è Régiment d’Infanterie de Marine (Company 4, 21st Marine Infantry Regiment) One of two French soldiers killed by small-arms fire during a firefight south of Tagab in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, on August 23, 2010


Sgt.Ronald Ariel Rodriguez 26 Falls Church, Virginia, USA 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 23, 2010


Spc.Justin Blue Shoecraft 28 Elkhart, Indiana, USA B Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment Died at Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using a roadside bomb at Kakarak, Afghanistan, on August 24, 2010


Lance Cpl.Jared MacKinney 28 Brisbane, Australia 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Killed when insurgents fired on his joint Afghan-Australian patrol, launching a three-hour firefight, near Deh Rawod in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, on August 24, 2010


Ensign Abraham Leoncio Bravo Picallo 33 Vimianzo, Spain Unidad de Acción Rural, Guardia Civil (Rural Action Unit, Spanish Civil Guard) One of two Spanish Guardia Civil agents killed when their driver opened fire on them while they were teaching a police training class to 47 Afghan students in Qala-i-Naw, Baghdis province, Afghanistan, on August 25, 2010. The driver was subsequently shot and killed by other Guardia Civil agents.


Capt.José María Córdoba Galera 33 Albacete, Spain Unidad de Acción Rural, Guardia Civil (Rural Action Unit, Civil Guard) One of two Spanish Guardia Civil agents killed along with an Afghan interpreter when their driver opened fire on them while they were teaching a police training class to 47 Afghan students in Qala-i-Naw, Baghdis province, Afghanistan, on August 25, 2010. The driver was subsequently shot and killed by other Guardia Civil agents.


Petty Officer 3rd ClassJames M. Swink 20 Yucca Valley, California, USA Navy corpsman assigned to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 27, 2010


Pvt.Adam Jacob Novak 20 Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin, USA B Troop, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division One of two soldiers killed when a command-wired roadside bomb was detonated near their vehicle during convoy operations in the Dzardan district of Paktia province, Afghanistan, on August 27, 2010


Spc.Chad Derek Coleman 20 Moreland, Georgia, USA B Troop, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division One of two soldiers killed when a command-wired roadside bomb was detonated near their vehicle during convoy operations in the Dzardan district of Paktia province, Afghanistan, on August 27, 2010


Master Sgt.Daniel Louis Fedder 34 Pine City, Minnesota, USA 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 27, 2010


Spc.Andrew J. Castro 20 Westlake Village, California, USA Company B, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division One of two soldiers killed when their unit was attacked with a roadside bomb while on patrol in Babur, Afghanistan, on August 28, 2010


Sgt.Patrick K. Durham 24 Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA Battery B, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division One of two soldiers killed when their unit was attacked with a roadside bomb while on patrol in Babur, Afghanistan, on August 28, 2010


Spc.James Christopher Robinson 27 Lebanon, Ohio, USA Company A, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division Died when insurgents attacked his unit with indirect fire at Forward Operating Base Boris in the Bermal district of Paktika province, Afghanistan, on August 28, 2010


Staff Sgt.James R. Ide 32 Festus, Missouri, USA 230th Military Police Company, 95th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade Died of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire in Hyderabad, Afghanistan, on August 29, 2010


Gunnery Sgt.Floyd E. C. Holley 36 Casselberry, Florida, USA 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force Died following a roadside bomb attack during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 29, 2010


Pfc.Bryn T. Raver 20 Harrison, Arkansas, USA Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Special Troop Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division One of two soldiers killed when their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade while on patrol in Nangahar, Afghanistan, on August 28, 2010


Capt.Ellery R. Wallace 33 Salt Lake City, Utah, USA B Troop, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division One of two soldiers killed when their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade while on patrol in Nangahar, Afghanistan, on August 28, 2010


Staff Sgt.Kevin J. Kessler 32 Canton, Ohio, USA 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division One of five soldiers killed when their unit was attacked with a roadside bomb in the Arghandab River Valley of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2010


Sgt.Herdis Sikka 20 Estonia Estcoy-10 Died following a roadside bomb attack in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2010


Staff Sgt.Matthew J. West 36 Conover, Wisconsin, USA 62nd Explosive Ordnance Company, 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One of five soldiers killed when their unit was attacked with a roadside bomb in the Arghandab River Valley of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2010


Capt.Dale A. Goetz 43 White, South Dakota, USA 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division One of five soldiers killed when their unit was attacked with a roadside bomb in the Arghandab River Valley of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2010


1st Lt.Mark A. Noziska 24 Papillon, Nebraska, USA 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division One of two soldiers killed when insurgents attacked their unit with a roadside bomb in the village of Malajat in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2010


Pfc.Chad D. Clements 26 Huntington, Indiana, USA 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division One of five soldiers killed when their unit was attacked with a roadside bomb in the Arghandab River Valley of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2010


Cpl.Brian Pinksen 21 Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Company A, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Died on August 30, 2010, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained when a roadside bomb detonated during a patrol in the Panjwa'i district, southwest of Kandahar city, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 22, 2010


Staff Sgt.Jesse Infante 30 Cypress, Texas, USA 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division One of five soldiers killed when their unit was attacked with a roadside bomb in the Arghandab River Valley of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2010


Staff Sgt.Casey J. Grochowiak 34 Lompoc, California, USA 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division One of two soldiers killed when insurgents attacked their unit with a roadside bomb in the village of Malajat in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2010


1st Sgt.Herve Enaux 35 France 35e Régiment d’Infanterie (35th Infantry Regiment) Died of wounds sustained when his VAB armored vehicle fell into a ravine in the Uzbin Valley, located in the Surobi district of Kabul province, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2010


Lance Cpl.Cody A. Roberts 22 Boise, Idaho, USA 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 31, 2010


Staff Sgt.Vinson B. Adkinson III 26 Harper, Kansas, USA 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team One of four soldiers killed when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with a roadside bomb in Logar province, Afghanistan, on August 31, 2010


Sgt.Raymond C. Alcaraz 20 Redlands, California, USA 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team One of four soldiers killed when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with a roadside bomb in Logar province, Afghanistan, on August 31, 2010


Pfc.James A. Page 23 Titusville, Florida, USA 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team One of four soldiers killed when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with a roadside bomb in Logar province, Afghanistan, on August 31, 2010


Sgt.Joseph A. Bovia 24 Kenner, Louisiana, USA 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 31, 2010


Pfc.Matthew E. George 22 Grantsboro, North Carolina, USA 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team One of four soldiers killed when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with a roadside bomb in Logar province, Afghanistan, on August 31, 2010


PTSD - TBI - Military and Veterans Suicides


VA PTSD Program Locator


The Pentagon Channel "Restoring Hope": an in-depth look at servicemember suicide and the families left behind. Plus, military leaders discuss what they are doing to stop the upward trend. {you can find this series "Restoring Hope" in the list on the left side of the page at the Pentagon Channel along with the rest of the programing.}



The first episode, in above, was aired on Friday, Sept. 3, at 4:00 p.m. EDT as the Pentagon Channel begins month-long special programming on “This Week in the Pentagon” entitled, “Restoring Hope.” We will introduce you to families impacted by the loss of a loved one to suicide as well the warning signs and what actions the military is taking in suicide prevention. {read more}


Department of Defense "Restoring Hope": You Can Help Save A Life


Study: military children have higher levels of stress, behavioral problems


August 03, 2010 Fighting a war a world away is hard on parents, but can be tougher on their children.


The Rand Study on Military Children: Children on the Homefront: The Experiences of Children from Military Families


The following is a 10MB, 370page pdf download, you can visit the Army site by clicking on the graphic or the link.


Army Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention Report


July 29, 2010 With suicides at an all-time high, the U.S. Army released a report today blaming "a permissive unit environment" for high risk behavior.

"For some, the rigors of service, repeated deployment, injuries and separations from family resulted in a sense of isolation, hopelessness and life fatigue," Army Vice Chief of Staff Peter Chiarelli says in a letter accompanying the report.

In fiscal year 2009, 160 soldiers took their own lives. In addition, there were 1,713 suicide attempts and nearly 17,000 drug and alcohol offenses.


Facing the New Enemy


Thousands Of Returning Soldiers Face A New Enemy


Courtesy Colby Buzzell: Colby Buzzell was diagnosed with PTSD after returning home

September 4, 2010 - More than seven years after U.S. troops first invaded Iraq on March 20, 2003, President Obama addressed the nation on Tuesday to commemorate the official end of the Iraq War. However, the legacy of one of America’s longest combat missions will continue to affect the thousands of troops who came home suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.

Many soldiers, like Colby Buzzell, were looking for excitement and purpose in the war, but were permanently affected by the combat they saw.

"I didn’t know what I wanted to do or be," Buzzell tells NPR’s Guy Raz. "Our country was at war, this was my chance to be part of history." {read more}


Special Series


Traumatic brain injury is considered the "signature injury" of soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. An NPR and ProPublica investigation has uncovered the military's failure to diagnose, treat and document brain injuries. Evidence suggests tens of thousands of soldiers are falling through the cracks.
Brain Wars: How The Military Is Failing Its Wounded July 1, 2010


The Military OneSource toll-free number for those residing in the continental United States is 1-800-342-9647. Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource Web site for dialing instructions for their specific location


The Defense Center for Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020.


The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).


The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Council.


Information about the Army’s Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program.


The Army’s most current suicide prevention information.


The Army's comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Programs.


Suicide prevention training resources for Army families {requires Army Knowledge Online access to download materials} .


The War in Iraq Costs, the rolling tabulation, over $745,300,827,832+++++ and continually counting!


The true cost of the Iraq war: $3 trillion and beyond


September 5, 2010 - Writing in these pages in early 2008, we put the total cost to the United States of the Iraq war at $3 trillion. This price tag dwarfed previous estimates, including the Bush administration's 2003 projections of a $50 billion to $60 billion war. {read more}


CNN-Iraq and Afghanistan War Casulties


In Remembrance - Moving Tributes


Civilian Casulties - Iraq


Just Foreign Policy Issues
Over a million {*1,366,350 plus} Iraqis are estimated to have been killed as a result of the U.S.-led invasion and occupation. Learn More and Take Action»
*Estimate, click for explaination

.
To


John Hopkins School of Public Health { October 11, 2006 report } puts the count at 650,000, with a range from 400,000 to 900,000.


Civilian Casulties - Afghanistan

Civilian casualties of the War in Afghanistan (2001-present)

The War in Afghanistan (2001-present) has caused the deaths of thousands of Afghan civilians directly from insurgent and foreign military action, as well as the deaths of possibly tens of thousands of Afghan civilians indirectly as a consequence of displacement, starvation, disease, exposure, lack of medical treatment, crime and lawlessness resulting from the war. The war, launched by the United States as "Operation Enduring Freedom" in 2001, began with an initial air campaign that almost immediately prompted concerns over the number of Afghan civilians being killed[1] as well as international protests. With civilian deaths from airstrikes rising again in recent years[2], the number of Afghan civilians being killed by foreign military operations has led to mounting tension between the foreign countries and the government of Afghanistan. In May 2007, President Hamid Karzai summoned military commanders to warn them of the consequences of further deaths.[3]........Continued


Exact Count of Civilian Casulties may never be known, as is the case in every conflict, especially an Invasion by another Country. For it is the Innocent Civilians and those Defending their Countries {of which All would be counted if this land were ever invaded} who suffer the most, during and long after!


UNHCR - Refugees and more, Afghanistan and Iraq


Iraq Refugees UNHCR - Iraq: UNHCR Global Appeal 2008-2009 - Iraq Situation


Afghanistan Refugees UNHCR - Afghanistan UNHCR Global Appeal 2008-2009 - Afghanistan Situation


All the Deaths, Maimings and Destruction are the Blood on All Our Hands, No One can Escape that Guilt!



97 percent {now more} of U.S. deaths in Iraq have occurred after George W. Bush declared an end to "major combat."
"Mission Accomplished!"


GOP Congressmen Say That ‘Everyone’ In Congress ‘Would Agree That Iraq Was A Mistake’


"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the president to explain to us what the exit strategy is," - George W. Bush, Texas Gov., 1999


The Rand Corporation Terrorism Report the press release here, you can get the full document here or a summary of the research brief here


"What is the difference between an al Qaida terrorist and a misguided American terrorist?" "The planes they fly!"


In fairness, we’ve been putting ground zeros next to mosques in Iraq since 2003


"How anyone can say that torture keeps Americans safe is beyond me -- unless you don't count American soldiers as Americans."
How to Break a Terrorist: The U.S. Interrogators Who Used Brains, Not Brutality, to Take Down the Deadliest Man in Iraq
Matthew Alexander who is writing under a pseudonym for security reasons


"Torture is the tool of the lazy, the stupid, and the pseudo-tough. It's also perhaps the greatest recruiting tool that the terrorists have."
Major General Paul Eaton


Done "In Our Names"!


Still Coming Home, Our Brothers of WWII, Korea and Vietnam - Rest in Peace, You're Finally Home
U.S. Soldier, Army Sgt. Charles P. Whitler, MIA from Korean War


Airman Missing In Action From WWII, 1st Lt. Ray F. Fletcher


Soldiers Missing in Action, 1st Lt. Paul G. Magers and Army Chief Warrant Officer Donald L. Wann from Vietnam War


Airman Missing in Action, Sgt. John P. Bonnassiolle, from WWII


Soldier Missing from Korean War, Cpl. Roy Stewart, Identified


Soldiers Missing in Action, 1st Lt. Paul G. Magers and Army Chief Warrant Officer Donald L. Wann from Vietnam War Identified


Attention brothers and sisters of Desert Shield Desert Storm:

Information For Veterans Who Served In Desert Shield/Storm and Their Families


July 2010 Secretary Shinseki Marked the 20th Anniversary of Gulf War with a Renewed Pledge to Improve Care and Services to Gulf War Veterans Continued in a Twelve Page PDF Download


Attention my brothers and sisters of Vietnam Service:


Federal Register: Diseases Associated With Exposure to Certain Herbicide Agents (Hairy Cell Leukemia and Other Chronic B-Cell Leukemias, Parkinson's Disease and Ischemic Heart Disease)


08/31/2010 - Summary

This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adjudication regulations concerning presumptive service connection for certain diseases based upon the most recent National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Institute of Medicine committee report, Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2008 (Update 2008). This amendment is necessary to implement the decision of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that there is a positive association between exposure to certain herbicides and the subsequent development of hairy cell leukemia and other chronic B-cell leukemias, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic heart disease. The effect of this amendment is to establish presumptive service connection for these diseases based on herbicide exposure. {This Link Gives The Released Rulings with Backlinks}


Honoring The Fallen of Iraq and Afghanistan/Pakistan



National World War II Memorial



National Korean War Memorial



National Vietnam Veterans Memorial - The Wall



The Vietnam Women’s Memorial


Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemeteries

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