HONORING THE FALLEN: US Military KIA, Iraq & Afghanistan/Pakistan - May 2014

"12 years {now into the 13th year} 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!}

Memorial at the New JPED facility at Dover Air Force Base, Del..OEF: Afghanistan - Pakistan!! There have been 3,443 coalition deaths -- 2,323 Americans, 40 Australians, 453 Britons, 1 Belgian, 158 Canadians, 5 Czech, 43 Denmark, 25 Netherlands, 9 Estonians, 2 Finn, 86 French, 54 Germans, 7 Hungarian, 48 Italians, 2 Jordan, 3 Latvian, 1 Lithuanian, 10 Norwegians, 38 Poles, 2 Portuguese, 21 Romanians, 1 South Korean, 34 Spaniards, 5 Swedes, 14 Turks, 11 New Zealand, 27 Georgian and 14 NATO/ISAF -- in the war on terror as of April 2, 2014, 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 19,784 {19,722 up to May 1, 2014} 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.

Private 1st Class Jacob H. Wykstra 21 Thornton Colorado Non-Hostile - Helicopter crash Kandahar Maruf district 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Fort Carson, CO May 28, 2014

Spc. Adrian Michael Perkins 19 Pine Valley, California, USA Company B, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Died from a non-combat related injury in Amman, Jordan, on May 17, 2014

Command Sgt. Maj. Martin Ray Barreras 49 Tucson, Arizona, USA Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Died on May 13, 2014, in San Antonio Military Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire in Herat province, Afghanistan, on May 6

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deric Michael Rasmussen 33 Oceanside, California, USA Company C, 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Died as the result of a non-combat incident in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan, on May 11, 2014

Spc. Daniela Rojas 19 Los Angeles, California, USA Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Died from a non-combat related illness in Homburg, Germany on May 3, 2014

CNN Map U.S./Canada and Coalition Afghanistan Casualties

"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

POW/MIA: Afghanistan & Iraq - Last Released and Coming Home

US Soldier Freed From Captivity in Afghanistan

This undated image provided by the U.S. Army shows Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl

May 31, 2014 - The only American solider held prisoner in Afghanistan has been freed from Taliban captivity in exchange for the release of five Afghan detainees from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Obama administration officials said Saturday.

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was handed over to U.S. special forces by the Taliban Saturday evening, local time, in an area of eastern Afghanistan, near the Pakistani border. Officials said the exchange was not violent and the 28-year-old Bergdahl was in good condition and able to walk.

In a statement, President Barack Obama said Bergdahl's recovery "is a reminder of America's unwavering commitment to leave no man or woman in uniform behind on the battlefield."

The handover followed secret and indirect negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban, with the government of Qatar serving as the go-between. Qatar is taking custody of the five Afghan detainees that had been held at Guantanamo Bay.

According to a senior defense official traveling with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in Singapore, once Bergdahl climbed onto the noisy helicopter he took a pen and wrote on a paper plate, the "SF?" — asking the troops if they were special operations forces.

They shouted back at him over the roar of the rotors: "Yes, we've been looking for you for a long time."

Then, according to the official, Bergdahl broke down. read more>>>

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl’s Parents Speak Tearfully About Their Son’s Return

Obama statement on Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl

May 31, 2014 12:38 PM - The following is the text of a statement by President Obama on the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl:

Today the American people are pleased that we will be able to welcome home Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, held captive for nearly five years. On behalf of the American people, I was honored to call his parents to express our joy that they can expect his safe return, mindful of their courage and sacrifice throughout this ordeal. Today we also remember the many troops held captive and whom remain missing or unaccounted for in America’s past wars. Sergeant Bergdahl’s recovery is a reminder of America’s unwavering commitment to leave no man or woman in uniform behind on the battlefield. And as we find relief in Bowe’s recovery, our thoughts and prayers are with those other Americans whose release we continue to pursue. read more>>>

Parents of just-freed U.S. Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl: "We cannot wait to wrap our arms around our only son."

'A new chapter': United States shuts down Iraq war Nine years of conflict saw 4,488 Americans killed, 32,230 U.S. wounded and more than $800 billion spent

By the Numbers: 1.5 Million

Iraq Veterans: ‘National Day of Honor’ 19 March

OIF: Iraq, from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn on Sept 1, 2010

December 20 2011 - Ceremony to Retire Iraq Mission Colors on U.S. Soil

Though many still haven't come home from our previous wars, Iraq is Really Now Officially Over,All are out, All are home!!

There had 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 32,230 U.S. troops had been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon.

Iraq war ends with a $4 trillion IOU: 15 December 2011 - Veterans’ health care costs to rise sharply over the next 40 years

CNN Map U.S. and Coalition Iraq Casualties

Brown University - Iraq: 10 Years After Costs of War - Research Papers

Costs of War Project

The British Iraq War Inquiry

"We got a huge round of tax cuts in this country a few weeks before9/11. Once 9/11 happened and we invaded Afghanistan, we kept the tax cuts anyway. How did we think we were going to pay for that war? Did we think it was free?"

"Then, when we started a second simultaneous war in another country, we gave ourselves a second huge round of tax cuts. After that second war started. The wars, I guess, we thought would be free, don`t worry about it, civilians. Go about your business." Rachel Maddow - 23 May 2013

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TX-19 Congressional Candidate Neal Marchbanks - Veteran: 28 March 2014 - "Congress controls the budget for the VA and it is the fault of Congress that the VA does not have enough employees and that the facilities are too small."

Soldiers - Veterans - Families Of

Neither War, OEF and OIF, has yet to be paid for. And as the decades previous and wars, ignoring the issues of those who served in, of the under funded Veterans' Administration budget is still mostly on borrowed capital, even more so for these two long occupations, after quickly abandoning the missions from 9/11 with those served full 'patriotic' approval!

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

Flashback: Republicans {Long Conservative Ideology} Block VA Benefits 'Decades Long' and wars from, as they seek to privatize for corporate profit off the peoples treasury and any fee's they can pass for those corporate overlords!! Like Their Wars!!!

"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

Published on May 23, 2014

Republicans in February blocked important legislation from Sen. Bernie Sanders to improve veterans' access to health care among other things. Only two Republicans, Sens. Dean Heller and Jerry Moran, voted for the veterans benefits bill, which was endorsed by every major veterans organization.

Read more about the bill

House defies White House, passes defense bill, while attacking the Veterans Administration, still grossly under funded and from rubber stamped wars, and the Executive Branch and reaching out to their faithful for campaign contributions!

“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, added to the past decades and wars of the ignoring of many issues along with the denying they exist, don't have to pay for the care needed! Think PTS, Agent Orange and Desert Storms Gulf War Syndrome, to name but only a very few, most now being addressed under This VA and Executive branch even though grossly, decades and wars from, under funded!!

The real scandal is those Served have yet to Sacrifice, DeJa-Vu all over again!

Veterans Administration, Health Care, Audits

GOP's Bad Memory on Screwing Over Veterans

Conservatives Continue Attacks on Individual Military Veterans'

Veterans Administration"The Bush White House was so concerned..............."

Congresses 'travesty' on Veterans Care

DeJa-Vu - Veterans' Get 'Lip Service' and Oh So Cheap 'Patriotic Symbols/Words'

Veterans Administration System Change?

Their Battle to Get The General is Over, Now What - DeJa-Vu

{for full view click on graphic}

With a target on his back since being appointed, after being fired for being Military Honest, Conservatives got what they've long sought, and attempted to do prior, the VA Secretary Out, and their flag waving constitution patriots(?) love it!

“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 Will the actual cause of costly Veterans Affairs problems and ease of ignoring costly issues of the brothers and sisters especially related to the cheered on flag waving wars and long occupations finally be resolved, Country actually Sacrificing and Actually do what Gen Shinseki had finally started addressing, with help from this entire Executive Administration and it's Cabinet, in fully funding the VA's needs, and that includes ability to have an expanded investigative force keeping the greedy and politically connected within honest about the jobs charged to do with those politics left out of their government jobs. Those that don't understand show what little they know about the VA and it's many charges that are those flag waving patriots responsibility and what has been finally started to be accomplished under the Non Political, only the Veterans needs on his plate, Gen Shinseki and the Administration he brought in, especially in addressing long ignored costly issues and with no help from the peoples representatives which them people like, easier to blame an agency then themselves!!

06/02/14 - VA problems still need congressional action, Shinseki resignation notwithstanding Rachel Maddow points out that the resignation of Eric Shinseki as Secretary of Veterans Affairs did not solve the V.A.’s problems and Congress needs to take further action even as the Shinseki resignation has distracted the nation’s focus.

The Country that 'Talks the Talk' but rarely 'Walks the Walk', patriotism posers who loves the free wars and ignore any sacrifice as to the long term results from, while ignoring the many issues of Veterans, those that served them, especially as a result of our wars, their representatives leading that ignoring while attacking the under funded VA, decades now and wars from, they control the purse strings of the Country!

"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

These present wars have yet to be paid for, many greatly increased their wealth with investments in, and once again neither have the long term results from!!

5/29/14 - Sen. Sanders to bring back veterans bill GOP previously blocked Rachel Maddow points out the willingness of Congress to push more money at the Pentagon than the Pentagon wants while under-funding veterans, and reports that Senator Bernie Sanders will bring back a veterans bill previously blocked by the GOP.

TX-19 Congressional Candidate Neal Marchbanks - Veteran: 28 March 2014 - "Congress controls the budget for the VA and it is the fault of Congress that the VA does not have enough employees and that the facilities are too small." Congress are the Country Served!!!

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

Statement by VA Secretary Shinseki on Allegations Regarding the Phoenix VA Health Care System

Modern Conservative Ideology is Not Supporting on Veterans' Issues

It was extremely spotty in previous decades and wars from, since Korea, but for a few lawmakers hired. As they led the ignoring of the so many issues now being addressed by this under funded Veterans' Administration.

Sen. Burr, as minority leader on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, when he decides to even attend the hearings of,Is Not A Friend Of Veterans', Never Has Been, but boy howdy does NC love them Defense Dollars which keep it's economy afloat as it attacks education, the unemployed {including unemployed veterans}, the poor and middle clases {including the veterans within}, the health care needs {including veterans and families needing medicaid}, residents and military and veterans needing food stamps, and much more many including the residents who are Veterans'! Nor are the rest of the Conservative's in the Senate. Nor is Rep. Miller, Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, he leads as attack prosecutor, for photo ops TV appearances and political scandal creation, in their minds only, his fellow conservatives, who also aren't friends of Veterans and lead in ignoring the many issues especially as to our wars, especially when the testimonies are from VA civil servants, not there to do their jobs and help the Veterans Affairs agency.

Especially under Democratic elected Executive Administrations, while praising VA Secretaries, who do extremely little while serving as, under Republican Executive Administrations. Especially, in these recent times, quickly abandoned the missions and those sent after 9/11 and rubber stamped war costs for not one, after 9/11, but two invasions and long occupation theaters! Doing the bidding of those they represent and others, none demanding they Sacrifice as they demand the Military and the Families of do!

They are 'posers' of that 'patriotism' to country and constitution and especially in 'support the troops' and 'national security'!

As they continue seeking to privatize government for corporate profit off the peoples treasury and any fee's they then can legislate for those corporate entities. Not regulated! No oversite, making their jobs then even easier! No accountability for those corporate entities while laying all blame on any civil servants as they keep the agencies in the false sense of a government of and by the people, false representative democracy, but totally controlled by the Corporations and the few benefiting from! And bringing in the vast private sector problems, created as they seek bigger bottom line profit, rarely mentioned in congress and especially as conservatives attack government agencies and not the already private contractors, richly rewarded!

05/27/14 - GOP senator picks fight with American veterans groups

Rachel Maddow reports on the shaming of Republican Senator Richard Burr by U.S. veterans groups after the senator criticized them in an open letter ahead of Memorial Day weekend, and points out the GOP’s lack of engagement on matters of foreign policy.

Nor is the reactive, never proactive, American Legion, taking the lead in this round of attacks on the VA dedicated personal with those inside helping them, who's always conservative leaders reap their own rewards while Not Demanding Those Served Owe Sacrifice. While continuing to seek the ouster of Gen Shinseki because he, along with this whole executive administrations cabinet, is doing what conservative executive administrations, and in congress, leaderships in the VA, ignored doing for decades and obstructed in all democratic administrations!!

Conservatives outraged over treatment of veterans filibustered better health care for vets in February 2014 - Read more about the bill

Conservatives Pro-Business right-wing Think Tank American Enterprise Institutes own Sally Satel, Still Selling Care for PTSD Veterans is Waste of Money! Nemesis of us Vietnam Veterans who fought for recognition of! She, and some others, have made very lucrative livings writing and speaking in denial of, giving reason to country and politicians serving them to ignore, and thus have the blood of hundreds of thousands of not only military, military veterans but civilians who suffer the ravages from extreme trauma's, on just one long of many ignored issues by those served issue so they need not pay for care!

Conservatives Continue Attacks on Individual Military Veterans', while waving 'their' flags of 'patriotism(?)': 'Fox's Allen West Attacks Decorated Vet Rep. Tammy Duckworth', they're cult followers ignore, Again!!

Fox News contributor Ben Carson Calls Veterans Affairs Scandal A 'Gift From God', yup, for them campaign contribution flyers, ignoring their total hypocrisy and no qualms to show very publicly on the floor of both congressional houses, into the congressional public record, as their supporters wave their flags and spit on us Veterans' from their free wars, we got us credit cards, especially!

Privatization in government is a huge part of the problems, in just recent past the NSA the National Security backround checking, think the Navy Shipyard shootings, the Health Care technologies of the ACA and on and on and..........,not only with the private contractors within VA but all agencies, especially our wars as well!

Where were those American (conservative) Legion and Conservatives (long seeking to privatize for corporate profit) calls to fire Principi, 2001–2005, Nicholson, 2005–2007, James Peake, 2007– change of Executive Administrations, who did absolutely nothing as two more wars/occupations raged, oh wait they were being highly praised (even by rolling, conservative leaders of, thunder) because they were theirs!! The problems weren't even being reported and insider VA whistle blowers were no where to be found, there were many reports of lost records in lost or stolen computers though!!

Bearing Witness: Shinseki Does Right for Vets

VA 'scandal'? It's the Country Served and Their Representatives 'SCANDAL'

Sen. Burr Is Not A Friend Of Veterans', Never Has Been!!

Veterans Administration 'scandal'? Conservative Ideology as Usual!!

Gen. Shinseki on the VA OIG Interim Report

Homeless veterans get housing in new Syracuse facility

New Rule Could Aid Veterans’ Access to Health Care for Some Traumatic Injuries

VA to Expand Benefits for Traumatic Brain Injury

Secretary Shinseki’s Farewell Message to VA Employees

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki speaks at a meeting of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans in Washington, Friday, May 30, 2014. (PHOTO/AP, Charles Dharapak)

May 30, 2014 - This morning, I resigned as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. My personal and professional commitment and my loyalty to Veterans, their families, and our survivors was the driving force behind that decision. That loyalty has never wavered, and it will never wane.

Over the course of the last five-and-a-half years, you have made significant and lasting progress in expanding access for Veterans, in significantly decreasing the backlog in Veterans’ claims while building the system that will end the backlog in 2015, and in bringing an end to Veterans’ homelessness. We have come a long way together in bringing this Department into the 21st Century in ways that will serve Veterans well into the future. Yet, there is more work to be done, and I have no doubt that you will achieve all that you set about doing in the interest of Veterans.

I have been privileged to have served as your Secretary and am deeply grateful to the employees and leaders who have placed the interests of Veterans above and beyond their own self-interests; who are serving with dignity, compassion, and dedication; and who live by VA’s core values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. I know that you will provide your support and loyalty to Acting Secretary Sloan Gibson, who is now your leader. In fact, I expect it.

Thank you. May God richly bless all of you, Veterans, and this great country of ours.

Eric K. Shinseki

Link to VA press releases, statement

* * * Joining Forces * * *

Jobless Veterans to Employers: We're a very smart investment!

Today’s military: A well-educated force

Helping Military Veterans and Their Families: Jill Biden

New 'Warriors 4 Wireless' program builds on veterans' IT training and certifications

Joining forces for military children

"we cannot allow ourselves to forget their service to our country"

First lady announcing pledges for vets, families * * * Remarks by the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden at Joining Forces Impact Pledge Announcement * * *

HUD & VA ANNOUNCE MORE VOUCHERS TO HELP HOMELESS VETS GET INTO PERMANENT HOMES

Homeless Veterans 'Stand Down' Events 2014

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

Affordable Care Act and Veterans, a website

Affordable Care Act and Agent Orange

More veterans eligible for benefits as agent orange perimeter expands

VA Offers Dental Insurance Program

Health-care costs for wounded vets to increase for decades to come

Senate Republicans Block Veterans' Health Bill on Budget Worry

America's Debt: At Military Grocery Stores, More Food Stamps Used

ex VP Cheney Doesn't Much Like Military Families, Veterans, on Food Stamps

GWB Now Wrapping Himself in 'Magnetic "Support the Veterans" Ribbons'

Winter Census Tallies Homeless Veterans

Learn Your Benefits: VA’s 2013 Benefits Book Now Available

• Read the Trauma Guide

Rip-Off Artists' Flock to Veterans Charities

Scoundrels … thieves … rip-off artists' flock to veterans charities

Why a Scam Artist Wants to Subpoena John Boehner

Real Bobby Thompson Meets Phony Vets Org Scammer 'bobby thompson'

Mysterious 'Mr. X' Found Guilty in $100M Vets Charity Scheme

28yrs. - John Donald Cody, aka 'Bobby Thompson', in Navy veterans charity fraud

Man Behind Bogus Veterans’ Raffle Gets Prison Term

Stolen Valor Tarnishes Service Members’ Sacrifices

'Stolen Valor' POSER: 'Most Decorated Navy SEAL Ever'

Homeless Veterans Charity Scam Spreads Beyond Florida This Internet cafe and Sweepstakes gambling ring, using Homeless Veterans as it's 'patriotic' grift bait, is growing well beyond the borders of Florida. Which caused in that state the resignation of that state's lieutenant governor and 57 people arrested in March on felony charges.

The effort to pass a sweepstakes legalization bill in North Carolina collapsed after Burns' arrest in Florida, triggered by probes into a homeless veterans charity prosecutors said was a front for collecting nearly $300 million in untaxed profits from sweepstakes cafes. read more>>>>

Grifting the American Veterans' and Country

January 25, 2014 - Another 'Stolen Valor' POSER: Impersonating Dead Green Beret

Desert Storm Gulf War Service

Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Certain illnesses are associated with Gulf War service

Visit Publichealth Exposures to learn about military exposures and VA benefits.

Veterans may have been exposed to a range of chemical, physical, and environmental hazards during military service.

Reports on Veterans' Health Care Use

What are the most common diagnoses given to recent Veterans (OEF/OIF/OND) in VA health care facilities? Find out by checking the latest reports released in March 2013.

Epidemiology Research Studies

Mental Health Service Utilization by OIF and OEF Veterans Commentary: War costs last forever

March 29, 2013 - The past is never dead, as William Faulkner might have written if he were analyzing the federal budget, it’s not even paid for. Did you realize that World War II still costs U.S. taxpayers $5 billion a year? Or that we haven’t closed the financial books on the Civil War yet? read more>>>

Defense Department Releases Crisis Support Guide for Families

Supporting Military Families in Crisis

A Great Resource for Family Caregivers

'The Country You Destroyed': A Letter to George W. Bush

Afghanistan & Iraq Civilian Casualties - War Refugee's

Recording Casualties: Victims of Armed Conflict Worldwide

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

Film Highlights Perils Faced By Iraqis Who Helped U.S. THE LIST: Project to Resettle Iraqi Allies

A decade after US-led forces toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, IRIN examines the impact of the occupation on basic living standards.

Consistent coverage of the health consequences of Iraq’s conflict by the Lancet medical journal here

The Lancet: lraq's health system yet to heal from ravages of war

Afghanistan: World Report 2013

USCIRF Annual Report 2013 - Tier 2: Afghanistan

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!

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

Strasbourg judge: “Those who export war ought to see to the parallel export of guarantees against the atrocities of war”

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

Done "In Our Names"!

America’s Future will Help Define How the Nation Looks at its Veterans

Chairman Makes Case for Support to Veterans

"Flags In" - Memorial Day 2014 - 'Honoring The Fallen' The Fallen Brothers and Sisters and Our Veterans Community are Not a Corporate Marketing Tool!!!

"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 {never to call these past couple of generations a 'greatest generation'}

"Flags In" A Memorial Day Time Lapse

May 23, 2014 -

Prior to every Memorial Day weekend, Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard" conduct a solemn tradition known as "Flags-In", placing a flag in front of every tombstone in Arlington National Cemetery. Please enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at these hallowed grounds while we honor the fallen this Memorial Day weekend.

Video courtesy of Army Sgt. Sean-David from the Old Guard.

Honoring Canadian, American War Dead In Afghanistan

05.23.2014 - Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Of Staff Admiral James Winnefeld addressed a Canadian embassy tribute Thursday to U.S. and Canadian service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan.

Armed Forces Day Message

May 24, 2014 - Hagel Remembers the Post-9/11 Fallen

05/24/2014 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, right, stops to chat with veteran Peter P. Ruplenas as he arrives at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to deliver remarks at the National Reading of the Names: Post 9/11 Heroes ceremony in Washington, D.C., May 24, 2014. Ruplenas served during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War as a combat photographer.

Paying Tribute to our Fallen Heroes this Memorial Day

May 24, 2014 - In this week’s address, President Obama commemorated Memorial Day by honoring the brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives in service to our country. As we stand with our veterans and military families this weekend, the President underscored our commitment to uphold our nation’s sacred trust with our veterans and ensure they get the benefits and opportunities they deserve and have earned. read more>>>

* * * Defense.gov Special Report: Memorial Day 2014 * * *

Team Rubicon - This Memorial Day 2014

Restored Dignity at Arlington Cemetery Four Years After The only ones that really care are some Military Veterans, the Military Personal and their immediate Families, the extended Families and Friends of the Fallen. The country served, 'patriotism posers' following the next 'scandal', then the next, for political reasons with the press, and especially their political representatives, leading them and none demanding they haven't yet sacrificed themselves! As they use the Fallen, Military and us Veterans', as corporate marketing tools! Not marketing to give the masses served the ability to add a few extra nickels and dimes to the collective treasury pot each week in Sacrificing as everyone demands those serving and their families carry that burden. It's for bottom line profits for businesses, corporate kitties and investors in market growth with great help from the peoples representatives in cutting any Sacrifice they should bear, or none at all, for even greater bottom lines!

Maybe thousands more missing at Arlington

06/10/2010 - At least hundreds more graves -- and perhaps thousands -- may turn out to be misidentified or missing, says Salon.com’s Mark Benjamin, who has been investigating records discrepancies at Arlington since early 2009.

“Despite nearly 10 years and countless dollars spent on computerizing its operations,” Benjamin wrote almost a year ago, on July 16, “the cemetery still relies mostly on paper burial records that in some cases do not match the headstones.” read more>>>

Arlington works to correct mistakes of its past

ARLINGTON, Va. -- May 26, 2014 -- New management has done much to restore order at America's premiere military cemetery, four years after revelations of misplaced remains and misidentified graves.

The day begins with the horses: washed down and shined up -- right down to their hooves and the brass on their harnesses. Theirs is sacred duty, part of a stately ritual of mourning and respect that dates back to the Civil War.

For the families, nothing else in the world matters that day. For the staff of Arlington National Cemetery, this is one of 20 burials that will take place in a four-hour period.

"It's important that the funeral processions do not cross each other, that the family feels that they're the only thing going on at that particular moment," says Renea Yates, who is in charge of each day's burials.

The burials are timed and mapped out with the aid of computers and GPS, part of a new electronic records keeping system that tracks more than a quarter million gravesites.

"All of these graves that are in gray are occupied; green is available," says Joe Alberti. read more>>>

And in a totally malfunctioning Congress, the Peoples Representatives, with obstruction causing major costly problems in many area's and issues and lack of oversite after rubber stamping all war costs for two long occupation theaters, no bid private contracts, off the books till administrations changed, this was only one of the many problems created within! And those problems continue and compound!

Arlington Cemetery trying to account for missing $12 million

January 25, 2012 - Arlington National Cemetery is trying to account for $12 million — about a quarter of its current annual budget — that was allocated to the cemetery between 2004 and 2010 but apparently was never spent.

Congressional leaders and federal investigators who have been probing the cemetery’s operations said at a Senate hearing Wednesday that there was no documentation detailing where the funds are or how such a large amount of taxpayer money could have gone missing. read more>>>

Still Coming Home, Our Brothers of WWII, Korea and Vietnam - Rest in Peace, You're Finally Home

Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For

May 27, 2014 - The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Army Pfc. James R. Holmes of Warren, Ohio, will be buried May 29 in Arlington National Cemetery. In November 1950, Holmes was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, which was pushing north through North Korea to the Yalu River. In late November, the unit was attacked by enemy forces and withdrew south to the town of Anju. On Dec. 1, 1950, Holmes was declared missing in action. read more>>>

HONORING THE FALLEN: US Military and Coalition Forces Killed in Action, Iraq & Afghanistan/Pakistan from 2001 to ................. - 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