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:
On August 31, 2010, President Obama traveled to Fort Bliss to mark the end of the combat mission in Iraq. On Friday, two years later, President Obama will return to Fort Bliss.Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes sat down to discuss what to expect from the speech the President will deliver to service members there about winding down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, our nation’s obligation to stand by those who fought and their families, and the ways his administration is delivering on that obligation as troops transition back to civilian life.
To mark two years since the end of combat in Iraq, and with troops still serving in Afghanistan, take a moment to show your support for those that serve and their families. Here’s how you can participate. read more>>>
OIF: Iraq, from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn Sept 1, 2010
December 20 2011 - Ceremony to Retire Iraq Mission Colors on U.S. Soil
The last Soldiers to die in service in OIF-OND at official end to the war and occupation in Iraq
Spc.David Emanuel Hickman 23 Greensboro, North Carolina, USA Company B, 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Died of injuries suffered when his patrol was attacked with a roadside bomb in the Kadhimiya neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq, on November 14, 2011
1st Lt.Dustin Dale Vincent 25 Mesquite, Texas, USA Battery A, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire in Kirkuk province, Iraq, on November 3, 2011
Though many still haven't come home from our previous wars, Iraq is Really Now Officially Over,All are out!!
There have been 4,804 coalition deaths
4,488 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 January 2, 2012, according to a CNN and iCasulties count.
Graphical breakdown of casualties. At least 32,224 U.S. troops had been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon.
View casualties in the war in Afghanistan
POW/MIA: Afghanistan & Iraq
One U.S. soldier is currently listed as captured or Duty Status -- Whereabouts Unknown as of March 3 2012. The information below reflects the name as Prisoner of War or Duty Status -- Whereabouts Unknown by the Pentagon.
Sgt 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.
Memorial at the New JPED facility at Dover Air Force Base, Del..OEF: Afghanistan - Pakistan!!
There have been 3,171 coalition deaths -- 2,110 Americans, 38 Australians, 425 Britons, 1 Belgian, 158 Canadians, 5 Czech, 42 Denmark, 25 Netherlands, 9 Estonians, 2 Finn, 86 French, 53 Germans, 7 Hungarian, 47 Italians, 2 Jordan, 3 Latvian, 1 Lithuanian, 10 Norwegians, 35 Poles, 2 Portuguese, 19 Romanians, 1 South Korean, 34 Spaniards, 5 Swedes, 14 Turks, 11 New Zealand, 11 Georgian and 14 NATO/ISAF -- in the war on terror as of August 4, 2012, according to a CNN and iCasulties 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 17,382 {17,024 up to August, 2012} 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.
Pvt.Nathanael John Aubrey Galagher 23 Wee Waa, New South Wales, Australia 2nd Commando Regiment One of two Australian soldiers killed when their UH-60 Huey transport helicopter crashed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2012
Lance Cpl.Mervyn John Aubrey McDonald 30 Carnarvon, Australia 2nd Commando Regiment One of two Australian soldiers killed when their helicopter crashed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2012
Lance Cpl.Stjepan Milosevic 40 Penrith, New South Wales, Australia 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, Queensland Mounted Infantry One of three Australian soldiers killed when an Afghan soldier opened fire on them at Patrol Base Wahab in the Baluchi Valley region of Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, on August 29, 2012
Sapper James Thomas Martin 21 Perth, Australia 7th Combat Engineer Squadron, 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment One of three Australian soldiers killed when an Afghan soldier opened fire on them at Patrol Base Wahab in the Baluchi Valley region of Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, on August 29, 2012
Pvt.Robert Hugh Frederick Poater 23 Canberra, Australia 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment One of three Australian soldiers killed when an Afghan soldier opened fire on them at Patrol Base Wahab in the Baluchi Valley region of Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, on August 29, 2012
Staff Sgt.Jessica M. Wing 42 Alexandria, Virginia, USA 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, Maine Army National Guard Died in a non-combat related incident in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on August 27, 2012
Spc.Mabry J. Anders 21 Baker City, Oregon, USA 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division One of two soldiers killed when a member of the Afghan National Army turned his weapon against ISAF service members in Kalagush, Afghanistan, on August 27, 2012
Sgt.Christopher J. Birdwell 25 Windsor, Colorado, USA 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division One of two soldiers killed when a member of the Afghan National Army turned his weapon against ISAF service members in Kalagush, Afghanistan, on August 27, 2012
Pfc.Patricia L. Horne 20 Greenwood, Mississippi, USA 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division Died of non-hostile cause at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, on August 24, 2012
Sgt.Louis Ramon Torres 23 Oberlin, Ohio, USA Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Died on August 22, 2012, in San Antonio, Texas, of wounds suffered when he encountered a roadside bomb in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on August 6, 2012
Lance Cpl.Jacinda Baker 26 Christchurch, New Zealand 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, deployed with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team Baker was one of three New Zealand soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated near their Humvee traveling in a convoy northwest of Do Abe in Bamyan province, Afghanistan, on August 19, 2012. She is first New Zealand female soldier killed in action since a New Zealand nurse was killed in Vietnam in 1966.
Sgt. 1st ClassCoater Bernard Debose 55 State Line, Mississippi, USA 18th Detachment, 2nd Battalion, 351st Infantry Regiment, 158th Infantry Brigade, 1st Army Division East, Army Reserve Killed when an individual wearing an Afghan Uniformed Police uniform turned his weapon against ISAF service members in Spin Boldak, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 19, 2012
Pvt.Richard Harris 21 Pukekohe, New Zealand 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, deployed with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team One of three New Zealand soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated near their Humvee traveling in a convoy northwest of Do Abe in Bamyan province, Afghanistan, on August 19, 2012
Cpl.Luke Tamatea 31 Kawerau, New Zealand 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, deployed with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team One of three New Zealand soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated near their Humvee traveling in a convoy northwest of Do Abe in Bamyan province, Afghanistan, on August 19, 2012
Sgt.David Vincent Williams 24 Frederick, Maryland, USA Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Died as the result of a non-battle related injury in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on August 18, 2012
Petty Officer 1st ClassDarrel Lynn Enos 36 Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA Navy corpsman assigned to 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment Enos was killed along with Marine when a member of the Afghan Local Police opened fire on them near Kanesk, Farah province, Afghanistan, on August 17, 2012.
Spc.James Austin Justice 21 Grover, North Carolina, USA Company C, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Justice died on August 17, 2012, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, from injuries suffered from enemy small-arms fire in Wardak province, Afghanistan, on August 14.
Guardsman Jamie Shadrake 20 Wrexham, Wales Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards Shadrake died of gunshot wounds when his checkpoint was attacked by insurgents in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 17, 2012
Staff Sgt.Gregory Todd Copes 36 Lynch Station, Virginia, USA 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment Copes was killed along with a Navy corpsman when a member of the Afghan Local Police opened fire on them near Kanesk in Farah province, Afghanistan, on August 17, 2012.
Sgt.Luis Antonio Oliver Galbreath 41 San Juan, Puerto Rico, None Company B, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Galbreath was one of four soldiers killed along with three sailors when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the Chinartu area of the Shah Wali Kot district in northeastern Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 16, 2012. Three Afghan soldiers and an Afghan civilian interpreter also died in the crash.
Petty Officer 1st ClassSean Patrick Carson 32 Des Moines, Washington, USA Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Three Carson was one of three sailors killed along with four soldiers when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the Chinartu area of the Shah Wali Kot district in northeastern Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 16, 2012. Three Afghan soldiers and an Afghan civilian interpreter also died in the crash.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brian Daniel Hornsby 37 Melbourne, Florida, USA Company A, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Hornsby was one of four soldiers killed along with three sailors when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the Chinartu area of the Shah Wali Kot district in northeastern Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 16, 2012. Three Afghan soldiers and an Afghan civilian interpreter also died in the crash.
Petty Officer 2nd ClassDavid John Warsen 27 Kentwood, Michigan, USA SEAL Team Three, Naval Special Warfare Group One Warsen was one of three sailors killed along with four soldiers when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the Chinartu area of the Shah Wali Kot district in northeastern Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 16, 2012. Three Afghan soldiers and an Afghan civilian interpreter also died in the crash.
Pfc.Michael Robert Demarsico II 20 North Adams, Massachusetts, USA Company C, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Died of wounds suffered when he encountered an enemy roadside bomb in Panjwayi, Afghanistan, on August 16, 2012
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Suresh Niranjan Aba Krause 29 Cathedral City, California, USA Company A, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Krause was one of four soldiers killed along with three sailors when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the Chinartu area of the Shah Wali Kot district in northeastern Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 16, 2012. Three Afghan soldiers and an Afghan civilian interpreter also died in the crash.
Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick Delaney Feeks 28 Edgewater, Maryland, USA SEAL Team Three, Naval Special Warfare Group One Feeks was one of three sailors killed along with four soldiers when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the Chinartu area of the Shah Wali Kot district in northeastern Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 16, 2012. Three Afghan soldiers and an Afghan civilian interpreter also died in the crash.
Sgt.Richard Allen Essex 23 Kelseyville, California, USA Company A, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Essex was one of four soldiers killed along with three sailors when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the Chinartu area of the Shah Wali Kot district in northeastern Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 16, 2012. Three Afghan soldiers and an Afghan civilian interpreter also died in the crash.
Pfc.Andrew James Keller 22 Tigard, Oregon, USA Company B, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Killed when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire in Charkh, Logar province, Afghanistan, on August 15, 2012
Staff Sgt.Eric Scott Holman 39 Evans City, Pennsylvania, USA 767th Ordnance Company, 192nd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, 20th Support Command Killed when he encountered an enemy roadside bomb in Godali, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, on August 15, 2012
Lance Cpl.Gregory Thomas Buckley 21 Oceanside, New York, USA Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force One of three Marines killed while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 10, 2012
Staff Sgt.Scott Edward Dickinson 29 San Diego, California, USA Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force One of three Marines killed while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 10, 2012
Gunnery Sgt.Ryan Jeschke 31 Herndon, Virginia, USA 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment One of three Marines killed when an Afghan police officer opened fire after sharing a pre-dawn meal with them at a police compound in the Garmsir district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 10, 2012
Cpl.Richard Anthony Rivera Jr. 20 Ventura, California, USA Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force One of three Marines killed while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 10, 2012
Capt.Matthew Patrick Manoukian 29 Los Altos Hills, California, USA 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment One of three Marines killed when an Afghan police officer opened fire after sharing a pre-dawn meal with them at a police compound in the Garmsir district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 10, 2012
Lance Cpl.Matthew David Smith 26 Aldershot, England 30 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 26 Engineer Regiment Smith was part of a troop building a new checkpoint next to the Nahr-e-Bughra Canal in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, when he was hit by small-arms fire on August 10, 2012
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Staff Sgt.Sky Russell Mote 27 El Dorado, California, USA 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment One of three Marines killed when an Afghan police officer opened fire after sharing a pre-dawn meal with them at a police compound in the Garmsir district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 10, 2012
Lt.Andrew Robert Chesterman 26 Guildford, England Company C, 3rd Battalion, The Rifles Chesterman was commanding a vehicle patrol when the lead vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 9, 2012. As he moved forward to take control of the situation, insurgents attacked the patrol with small-arms fire. Chesterman was shot and later died of his wounds at the hospital at Camp Bastion.
Maj.Walter David Gray 38 Conyers, Georgia, USA 13th Air Support Operations Squadron, 3rd Air Support Operations Group Killed along with two soldiers when an insurgent detonated a suicide vest bomb in Sarkowi, Kunar province, Afghanistan, on August 8, 2012
Master Sgt.Gregory R. Trent 38 Norton, Massachusetts, USA Company B, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group Died on August 8, 2012, at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, from wounds sustained from small-arms fire in Bahktabad, Herat province, Afghanistan, on July 31, 2012
Command Sgt. Maj.Kevin James Griffin 45 Laramie, Wyoming, USA Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division One of two soldiers killed along with an airman when an insurgent detonated a suicide vest bomb in Sarkowi, Kunar province, Afghanistan, on August 8, 2012
Maj.Thomas Elliott Kennedy 35 West Point, New York, USA Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division One of two soldiers killed along with an airman when an insurgent detonated a suicide vest bomb in Sarkowi, Kunar province, Afghanistan, on August 8, 2012
Sgt. Maj.Franck Bouzet 45 Albertville, France 13e Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins (13th Mountain Infantry Battalion)Killed when French soldiers engaged in a security operation in support of the Afghan National Army were attacked with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades near Tagab in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, on August 7, 2012
Petty Officer 3rd Class Clayton Ross Beauchamp 21 Weatherford, Texas, USA Navy corpsman assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Killed when enemy forces attacked his unit with a roadside bomb during a dismounted patrol in Shaban, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 7, 2012
Spc.Ethan Jacob Martin 22 Lewiston, Idaho, USA C Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Killed when two individuals wearing Afghan National Army uniforms turned their weapons against ISAF service members in Koragay, Afghanistan, on August 7, 2012
Cpl.Daniel Lee Linnabary II 23 Hubert, North Carolina, USA 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 6, 2012
Lance Cpl.Rory Patrick Malone 26 Auckland, New Zealand 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, assigned to the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team One of two New Zealand soldiers killed when their unit came to the assistance of local security forces who encountered suspected insurgents near a village south of Do Abe in Bamyan province, Afghanistan, on August 4, 2012
Lance Cpl.Pralli Durrer 26 Christchurch, New Zealand Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles, assigned to the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team One of two New Zealand soldiers killed when their unit came to the assistance of local security forces who encountered suspected insurgents near a village south of Do Abe in Bamyan province, Afghanistan, on August 4, 2012
1st Sgt.Russell Ryan Bell 37 Tyler, Texas, USA Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division One of two soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated during dismounted operations in the Zhari district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 2, 2012
Staff Sgt.Matthew Steven Sitton 26 Largo, Florida, USA Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division One of two soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated during dismounted operations in the Zhari district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 2, 2012
Sgt.Kyle Brenton McClain 25 Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA 1433rd Engineer Company, 507th Engineer Battalion, 177th Military Police Brigade, Michigan Army National Guard Died following an improvised explosive device attack in Salim Aka, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 1, 2012
1st Lt.Todd William Lambka 25 Fraser, Michigan, USA Company D, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division One of two soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in the Bermel district of Paktika province, Afghanistan, on August 1, 2012
Pfc.Jesus Jonathan Lopez 22 San Bernardino, California, None Company D, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division One of two soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in the Bermel district of Paktika province, Afghanistan, on August 1, 2012
Lance Cpl.Curtis Joseph Duarte 22 Covina, California, USA 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Died following an improvised explosive device attack during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 1, 2012
August 21, 2012 - Officials from the Joining Forces campaign say they have helped 125,000 veterans and military spouses find jobs in the last year and are setting a new goal of getting another 250,000 hired in coming years.
First lady Michelle Obama announced the jobs figures at her appearance at Naval Station Mayport in Florida on Wednesday. She identified several new companies committed to hiring veterans. The campaign had already secured more than 175,000 commitments for veteran hires this year.
Officials said the hiring numbers are a positive sign, not just of public efforts to find veterans jobs but also of corporate interest in their skills and talents.
“They’ve learned what you all have to offer,” the first lady told the troops at Mayport on Wednesday. “These companies are not making these decisions just because it’s the right thing to do – which it is. They’re doing it because it’s the smart thing to do for their bottom lines. read more>>>
First Ladies remarks link and video can be found here.
Now if congress would do their jobs, so much time wasted especially in the past couple of years even holding the transportation bill hostage and not fully funding the needs in the end. But especially if the reagan capitalist would actually stop the con and do the economic growth trickle down from that rapid growing huge wealth to the top, stagnating and cutting wages on those who actually do the work, then the country could move from the threat still lingering of total collapse, economically and more!
May 10, 2012 - In an unprecedented show of support for veterans and military families, nearly every major studio, broadcast and cable network, talent agency, and guild in the entertainment industry has united with Team Rubicon and other top-tier non-profit organizations to launch the Got Your 6TM campaign. Got Your 6 will create a wide array of opportunities for veterans to successfully convert their leadership operational training into positive civilian roles in our communities nationwide.
“Got your six” is a military expression that means “I’ve got your back, and you’ve got mine.” The six o’clock position or “six” is the designation of the rear of a military formation.
Got Your 6 will focus on six pillars of reintegration: jobs, education, health, housing, family and leadership. Got Your 6 will work with a lead non-profit organization to activate each pillar in pursuit of a specific, substantial launch goal. read more>>>
VA is seeking to extend the date to Dec. 31, 2018 for medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses and undiagnosed illness to have appeared in Gulf War Veterans. Medically unexplained chronic symptoms include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, insomnia, gastrointestinal problems, and respiratory disorders: Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses: Medically Unexplained Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses.
31 August 2012 - Since September 11, 2001, more than two million service members have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, many of them serving with unprecedented duration and frequency. Long deployments and intense combat conditions require optimal support for the emotional and mental health needs of our service members and their families, and ensuring that they receive the support they deserve is a top priority for the Obama Administration.
That's why today, President Obama signed an Executive Order that will help the federal government better meet the current and future demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment services for our troops and veterans, as well as their families.
Building on the ongoing efforts to expand these services, today's Executive Order: read more>>>
August 1, 2012 - A room in the basement of the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center is undergoing renovations for a new, $8 million magnetic resonance imaging machine, which will join an arsenal of some of the most powerful research scanners in the world.
The machine, known as a 7T - "T" standing for tesla, a unit of magnetic field - will offer researchers a more in-depth look than the VA center's current MRIs provide into the details of the brain and the roles biological markers play in developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and other cognitive problems.
New, ultra-high resolution MRIs help researchers view details in the brain that they used to be able to see only after a patient died, such as subtle changes in brain structure and function and other abnormalities associated with Alzheimer's disease. The hope is that by seeing such signs earlier, doctors will be able to detect the disease earlier. read more>>>
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2012 - Twenty U.S. service members and veterans are among the more than 4,000 athletes participating in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. Go to Military Paralympians to follow their progress in an American Forces Press Service special report.
Special Report: Military Paralympians
Military Paralympians
September 5, 2012 - From the start of the London Olympics through the closing ceremonies, we watched American athletes compete every day filled with patriotism and excitement. But for some athletes currently competing in the London Paralympics, Aug. 29 to Sept. 9, they are doing more than just wearing the American flag – they are wearing or have worn a uniform.
Of the 227 members of the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Team, 20 are active-duty service members or veterans, some injured during their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. These world-class athletes are showing their countrymen and the world that it’s possible to overcome physical injuries, psychological health challenges and still excel. read more>>>
In 2010, NPR reported that some Army commanders refused to award the Purple Heart to many troops who got concussions in combat because they didn't consider these "real" injuries. As a result of our story, the Army did its own investigation and put out new guidelines on Purple Hearts. Last week, the Army told NPR that under the new rules, they've finally awarded the medal to almost 1,000 soldiers, including Michelle Dyarman, whom we profiled in our original 2010 reports.
September 3, 2012 - Michelle Dyarman is at the American Legion on a recent Sunday more than two hours before the ceremony is supposed to begin. Her local American Legion is in a drab brick building in Hanover, Pa. They've set up three long folding tables in the social hall, covered with red, white and blue plastic tablecloths. There are platters with cubes of salami, cheese and vegetable dip.
Dyarman keeps tearing up and wiping her eyes. "It's a big day," she says.
She has set up poster boards on a side table with mementos and photos from her Army career. Her Army cap, her Army boots — they're tiny, like they belong to a kid. read more>>>
August 29, 2012 - Military kid Hannah Rauhut was given an assignment: create a multimedia presentation about a topic that was important to her. While some 13-year-old students might use the opportunity to discuss anything on their minds (my own “groundbreaking” middle school presentation addressed what brand of chocolate chips make for a tastier cookie), Rauhut had a more passionate approach — educate her peers on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Her presentation included facts, a video she made of the local Wounded Warrior Horsemanship program and a live interview with founder retired Sgt. Maj. Sam Rhodes on coping with PTSD. Not only did Rauhut get a perfect score and gratitude from her enlightened classmates, she’s now raising awareness nationwide as a journalist for A Backpack Journalist, a program that teaches military youth about resilience through creative expression. I spoke with Rauhut about the significance of raising awareness of PTSD, especially for youth.
What inspired you to focus on PTSD? read more w/video's of >>>
NORTHPORT, N.Y. - August 31, 2012 - It's a story that makes you think, "What are the chances?" It started with a mystery at a nursing home we visited, "On the Road."
John Angerame says when you love someone with advanced dementia -- like his father has -- you can't help but wonder: Are they still in there?
snip Augie Angerame served in the Korean War, in an artillery unit. He was a medic, which may partly explain his recent behavior at his VA nursing home on Long Island.
A few months ago, Augie started going into the room of another veteran with dementia named Frank Dibella.
snip The kids agreed: It seemed like Augie was trying to care for Frank -- like he was back in the war. Frank didn't seem to mind. The staff eventually moved the two men into the same room.
And that's when John started putting the pieces together. read more>>>
Recording Casualties: Victims of Armed Conflict Worldwide
This programme draws on the principles of human security to develop and enhance the technical and institutional capacity, identify and consolidate the legal requirements, and build the political will to record details of every single victim of armed conflict worldwide. The programme incorporates research into emerging good practice and existing legal frameworks, the development and promotion of clearer legal and more effective regulatory instruments, and the creation and support of advocacy networks. visit site for updated reports
Every Casualty.org: New Org Website Launched On Casualty Recording The one-stop source for information on conflict's casualties worldwide and the organisations that record them
Exact Count of Civilian Casualties 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 country, the U.S., were ever invaded, who suffer the most, during and long after!
The Rand Corporation Terrorism Report the press release here, you can get the full document here or a summary of the research brief here
97 percent {now more} of U.S. deaths in Iraq have occurred after George W. Bush declared an end to "major combat."
May 1, 2003 - "Mission Accomplished!" After leaving the Main Mission in Afghanistan, as to 9/11, to invade and occupy Iraq, which created the rise in the regional insurgents fighting in Afghanistan since!
"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
Airman Missing in Action from WWII Identified
August 22, 2012 - The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from World War II, has been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. John E. Hogan, of West Plains, Mo., will be buried Aug. 24, in Arlington National Cemetery. On Sept. 13, 1944, Hogan and eight other crew members were on a B-17G Flying Fortress that crashed near Neustädt-on-Werra, Germany. Only one of the crewmen is known to have successfully parachuted out of the aircraft before in crashed. The remaining eight crewmen were buried by German forces in a cemetery in Neustädt. read more>>>
August 27, 2012 - The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of three servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, were recently identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors.
Army Sgt. 1st Class William T. Brown of La Habra, Calif., Sgt. 1st Class Donald M. Shue of Kannapolis, N.C., and Sgt. 1st Class Gunther H. Wald of Palisades Park, N.J., will be buried as a group on Aug. 30, in a single casket representing the three soldiers, in Arlington National Cemetery. Brown and Shue were each individually buried on Sept. 26, 2011, at Arlington and May 1 in Kannapolis, N.C. read more>>>
HONORING THE FALLEN: US Military and Coalition Forces Killed in Action, Iraq & Afghanistan/Pakistan from 2001 to September 2012 - My Honor Rolls, and more, to Share
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
Arlington National Cemetery
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