Soldier’s mom gets apology on ‘deceased’ mix-up
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Feb 15, 2013
DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth mother who received a returned letter mailed to her soldier son mistakenly stamped “deceased” finally has the apology she sought for more than six years.
Joan Najbar received the returned letter she sent to her son in Iraq in 2006. Najbar said the letter made her angry because she knew her son wasn’t dead. She had just talked to him.
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Showing posts with label deployed to Iraq. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deployed to Iraq. Show all posts
Friday, February 15, 2013
Friday, April 8, 2011
Members of Congress will be paid average of $477 a day even in shut down
Here's a great update for you.
Bachmann, along with other members of congress, are saying they will give up their paychecks during a shutdown. Bachmann went so far as to say that her pay will go to organizations serving military families. While this is a great publicity stunt, she does not mention which charities she plans on giving to any more than she says which ones she normally donates to in the first place. Remember she is the same person wanting to make huge cuts in the VA and stop disabled veterans from getting Social Security along with disability benefits from the VA. This could very well be another stunt to redeem herself in their eyes, but it won't work. Add up the number of days the troops won't be paid and then ask yourself if her pay or the pay of any of them is worth what they will have to go through. Try telling them that this is just a "slowdown" and not a shutdown when they don't get to slow down in Afghanistan, slow down dying, slow down being wounded and their families don't get to slow down worrying. This all adds to the burden they have to carry because people like Bachmann want to have it all their own way.
While she is at it, maybe she could even explain it to the wounded veterans waiting to have their claim processed that they have to slowdown eating and paying their bills so what little money they do have left lasts longer.
ANGRY REACTIONTroops are political dynamite in budget battle
Many U.S. troops live paycheck to paycheck, with the average junior enlisted member -- typically with just a high school degree -- drawing a salary of about $43,000 per year.
By Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON | Fri Apr 8, 2011 3:07pm EDT
(Reuters) - A looming government shutdown would be felt thousands of miles away by U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and there could be a high political cost for the lawmakers who let it happen.
Soldiers will not get their paychecks for the duration of the shutdown, leaving their families at home struggling to pay the bills.
Some relatives are already furious.
"Thanks for sending my husband to war and not paying him in return," the wife of one soldier exclaimed on a website, fearing delayed pay in the case of a shutdown.
The sharp reaction among military families underscores the political dangers for Republicans and Democrats if they fail to reach agreement on funding the government for the remainder of fiscal 2011 by midnight on Friday.
read more here
Troops are political dynamite in budget battle
Bachmann, along with other members of congress, are saying they will give up their paychecks during a shutdown. Bachmann went so far as to say that her pay will go to organizations serving military families. While this is a great publicity stunt, she does not mention which charities she plans on giving to any more than she says which ones she normally donates to in the first place. Remember she is the same person wanting to make huge cuts in the VA and stop disabled veterans from getting Social Security along with disability benefits from the VA. This could very well be another stunt to redeem herself in their eyes, but it won't work. Add up the number of days the troops won't be paid and then ask yourself if her pay or the pay of any of them is worth what they will have to go through. Try telling them that this is just a "slowdown" and not a shutdown when they don't get to slow down in Afghanistan, slow down dying, slow down being wounded and their families don't get to slow down worrying. This all adds to the burden they have to carry because people like Bachmann want to have it all their own way.
While she is at it, maybe she could even explain it to the wounded veterans waiting to have their claim processed that they have to slowdown eating and paying their bills so what little money they do have left lasts longer.
Bachmann would skip pay during shutdown
12:03 AM, Apr. 8, 2011
Written by
Larry Bivins
Times Washington correspondent
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann announced Thursday that she would forgo her congressional pay if the federal government is forced to shut down because of a failure by lawmakers and the White House to reach a spending agreement.
Bachmann’s statement came as President Barack Obama continued to meet with House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to find enough common ground to keep the government from shutting down at midnight tonight.
“I have serious reservations about the fact that Congress and the president will continue to receive a timely paycheck during a government slowdown,” Bachmann said. “Unfortunately, current law prevents our military men and women from receiving their pay on time if government services are interrupted. Because of this discrepancy between the troops and members of Congress, I will personally be donating my pay to a nonprofit organization serving our military families.”
The annual salary for members of Congress is $174,000, meaning Bachmann, R-Stillwater, would give up roughly $477 for each day the shutdown is in effect.
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Bachmann would skip pay during shutdown
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Defense Department will have no funds to pay service members
How a shutdown would affect troops, families
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Apr 7, 2011 17:48:56 EDT
If the government shuts down at midnight on Friday, what are service members and Defense Department civilians expected to do? How will they be paid? What installation functions will remain open?
The intensifying budget crisis on Capitol Hill has sparked many concerns throughout the military community. While some details remain unclear, Pentagon officials have put out guidance in a number of key areas. Here’s a rundown of what is known:
REPORTING FOR DUTY
Uniformed service members are not subject to furlough and must report to duty as normal during a shutdown. Reserve component personnel should refer to the DoD Contingency Guidance document and to their chain of command for specific information.
DoD civilian personnel must still report to work on their next scheduled duty day at their normal time and await further instructions.
The military will continue to conduct operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Japan, Libya-related support operations, and “other operations and activities essential to the security of our nation,” Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn said in a message to the DoD workforce Thursday.
PAY
If the government shuts down, the Defense Department will have no funds to pay service members or civilian employees for the days during which the government is shut down.
read the rest here
How a shutdown would affect troops, families
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Apr 7, 2011 17:48:56 EDT
If the government shuts down at midnight on Friday, what are service members and Defense Department civilians expected to do? How will they be paid? What installation functions will remain open?
The intensifying budget crisis on Capitol Hill has sparked many concerns throughout the military community. While some details remain unclear, Pentagon officials have put out guidance in a number of key areas. Here’s a rundown of what is known:
REPORTING FOR DUTY
Uniformed service members are not subject to furlough and must report to duty as normal during a shutdown. Reserve component personnel should refer to the DoD Contingency Guidance document and to their chain of command for specific information.
DoD civilian personnel must still report to work on their next scheduled duty day at their normal time and await further instructions.
The military will continue to conduct operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Japan, Libya-related support operations, and “other operations and activities essential to the security of our nation,” Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn said in a message to the DoD workforce Thursday.
PAY
If the government shuts down, the Defense Department will have no funds to pay service members or civilian employees for the days during which the government is shut down.
read the rest here
How a shutdown would affect troops, families
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Family of soldier found dead in Iraq wants answers
UPDATE: Family of soldier found dead in Iraq wants answers
Reported by: Julie Tremmel
Email: julietremmel@fox23news.com
The air in the Bennett-Jones house in St. Johnsville is heavy with pain and sadness. On Sunday night, two uniformed military men showed up at their front door with the news that U.S. Army Private David Jones was found dead in his room on base in Baghdad, Iraq.
His mother Theresa Bennett of St. Johnsville said, "They said that they found him in his room at 2 o'clock yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, and there was one gunshot wound to his head. That was it. They didn't say anything about anything else."
The family says Jones had so much to live for, suicide simply isn't possible.
Family of soldier found dead in Iraq wants answers
Reported by: Julie Tremmel
Email: julietremmel@fox23news.com
The air in the Bennett-Jones house in St. Johnsville is heavy with pain and sadness. On Sunday night, two uniformed military men showed up at their front door with the news that U.S. Army Private David Jones was found dead in his room on base in Baghdad, Iraq.
His mother Theresa Bennett of St. Johnsville said, "They said that they found him in his room at 2 o'clock yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, and there was one gunshot wound to his head. That was it. They didn't say anything about anything else."
The family says Jones had so much to live for, suicide simply isn't possible.
Family of soldier found dead in Iraq wants answers
Thursday, September 30, 2010
3rd ID soldier accused of shooting, killing 2 others
3rd ID soldier accused of shooting, killing 2 others
By Denise Etheridge
Special to the News
Updated: Sept. 29, 2010 10:06 a.m.
Two Fort Stewart soldiers died from gunshot wounds Friday in a non-combat incident while deployed in support of Operation New Dawn. A fellow soldier is being held in connection to the fatal shootings, and in the wounding of another soldier.
Spc. John Carrillo Jr., 20, of Stockton, Calif., and Pfc. Gebrah P. Noonan, 26, of Watertown, Conn., were fatally shot following a “verbal altercation” on Sept. 23 in Fallujah, Iraq, said U.S. military spokesman Col. Barry Johnson in an Associated Press story. The military has not released the name of a third solider who was injured in the incident.
Spc. Neftaly Platero of Houston, Texas, is suspected of shooting his fellow soldiers, Johnson said.
Carrillo and Noonan were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. The 4th brigade deployed to Iraq in July.
“Both came to Fort Stewart in May 2010, and it was their first deployment,” said Fort Stewart spokesperson Kevin Larson.
The installation’s public affairs office referred all inquiries about Noonan and Carrillo’s deaths to U.S. Forces-Iraq, based in Baghdad.
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3rd ID soldier accused of shooting, killing 2 others
By Denise Etheridge
Special to the News
Updated: Sept. 29, 2010 10:06 a.m.
Two Fort Stewart soldiers died from gunshot wounds Friday in a non-combat incident while deployed in support of Operation New Dawn. A fellow soldier is being held in connection to the fatal shootings, and in the wounding of another soldier.
Spc. John Carrillo Jr., 20, of Stockton, Calif., and Pfc. Gebrah P. Noonan, 26, of Watertown, Conn., were fatally shot following a “verbal altercation” on Sept. 23 in Fallujah, Iraq, said U.S. military spokesman Col. Barry Johnson in an Associated Press story. The military has not released the name of a third solider who was injured in the incident.
Spc. Neftaly Platero of Houston, Texas, is suspected of shooting his fellow soldiers, Johnson said.
Carrillo and Noonan were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. The 4th brigade deployed to Iraq in July.
“Both came to Fort Stewart in May 2010, and it was their first deployment,” said Fort Stewart spokesperson Kevin Larson.
The installation’s public affairs office referred all inquiries about Noonan and Carrillo’s deaths to U.S. Forces-Iraq, based in Baghdad.
read more here
3rd ID soldier accused of shooting, killing 2 others
Sunday, August 9, 2009
51 US soldiers in Iraq diagnosed with swine flu
51 US soldiers in Iraq diagnosed with swine flu
By CHELSEA J. CARTER (AP) – 5 hours ago
BAGHDAD — Fifty-one American troops in Iraq have been diagnosed with and treated for swine flu, while another 71 soldiers remain in isolation suspected of contracting the potentially deadly virus, the U.S. military said Sunday.
The figures were released as Iraqi health officials confirmed Sunday the country's first swine flu death.
A woman in the southern holy Shiite city of Najaf died of the disease, raising fears about a possible outbreak among worshippers making pilgrimages to the revered sites.
All the 51 U.S. troops diagnosed with the flu have fully recovered, while the 71 suspect cases are in isolation, said Col. Michael D. Eisenhauer, the chief of clinical operations in Iraq.
read more here
http://icasualties.org/Iraq/index.aspx
By CHELSEA J. CARTER (AP) – 5 hours ago
BAGHDAD — Fifty-one American troops in Iraq have been diagnosed with and treated for swine flu, while another 71 soldiers remain in isolation suspected of contracting the potentially deadly virus, the U.S. military said Sunday.
The figures were released as Iraqi health officials confirmed Sunday the country's first swine flu death.
A woman in the southern holy Shiite city of Najaf died of the disease, raising fears about a possible outbreak among worshippers making pilgrimages to the revered sites.
All the 51 U.S. troops diagnosed with the flu have fully recovered, while the 71 suspect cases are in isolation, said Col. Michael D. Eisenhauer, the chief of clinical operations in Iraq.
read more here
http://icasualties.org/Iraq/index.aspx
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Son killed by LA gang, Sgt. Anita Shaw was serving in Iraq
The Saga of Sgt. Anita Shaw
Soldier Reflects on the Killing of Her Son by Gang Member
New America Media/Our Weekly , News feature, Shirley Hawkins, Posted: Jun 12, 2009
Editor's Note: In its commitment to ethnic and communities of color and to developing new coverage models, New America Media, supported by the McCormick Foundation, is using Los Angeles to tell the emotional and often wrenching stories of what happened when veterans came home and found no jobs, red tape and their own demons and inner turmoil.
As a pioneer in forging ethnic-mainstream media partnerships, NAM brought together reporters from three ethnic media -- Sing Tao Daily, La Opinion and Our Weekly -- and the Los Angeles Daily News. This is one of their stories.
A year has passed since the death of 17-year-old Jamiel Shaw Jr., the promising high school athlete who was gunned down by a gang member in South Los Angeles.
A popular young man with a charismatic personality, Jamiel Shaw Jr.’s trophies and medals still adorn the mantel of the quiet 5th Street Avenue home in Arlington Heights. A day before the anniversary of his son’s death, Sgt. Anita Shaw, a veteran of two tours of Iraq, and her husband, Jamiel Shaw Sr., reflected on their son whose future held so much promise.
Soldier Reflects on the Killing of Her Son by Gang Member
New America Media/Our Weekly , News feature, Shirley Hawkins, Posted: Jun 12, 2009
Editor's Note: In its commitment to ethnic and communities of color and to developing new coverage models, New America Media, supported by the McCormick Foundation, is using Los Angeles to tell the emotional and often wrenching stories of what happened when veterans came home and found no jobs, red tape and their own demons and inner turmoil.
As a pioneer in forging ethnic-mainstream media partnerships, NAM brought together reporters from three ethnic media -- Sing Tao Daily, La Opinion and Our Weekly -- and the Los Angeles Daily News. This is one of their stories.
A year has passed since the death of 17-year-old Jamiel Shaw Jr., the promising high school athlete who was gunned down by a gang member in South Los Angeles.
A popular young man with a charismatic personality, Jamiel Shaw Jr.’s trophies and medals still adorn the mantel of the quiet 5th Street Avenue home in Arlington Heights. A day before the anniversary of his son’s death, Sgt. Anita Shaw, a veteran of two tours of Iraq, and her husband, Jamiel Shaw Sr., reflected on their son whose future held so much promise.
For Sgt. Anita Shaw, the irony of serving her country in war torn Iraq while her son was killed on the streets of Los Angeles is still a painful memory.
“When the military told me my son had been killed, my mind went blank,” recalls Anita. “My commander had gotten a message from the Red Cross that my son had been killed. I was given emergency leave. I boarded a flight on Kuwait International and cried all the way home.”
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The Saga of Sgt. Anita Shaw
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Our troops need more time between deployments
Our troops need more time between deployments
Ellen Tauscher
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Having fought two wars on two fronts for more than seven years, our troops are tired and our military's equipment is worn out.
The demands of multiple deployments in quick succession have taken a toll on our troops, who suffer on a personal level, experiencing higher rates of suicide, divorce and post-traumatic stress disorder. This has hampered the military's ability to respond to another crisis somewhere else in the world to protect America's interests.
That's why Congress must pass legislation making sure the military services guarantee "dwell time," a period of time to rest and regroup, for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.
Active-duty troops should have at least a month of rest for every month they were deployed in a combat zone. Reservists and National Guardsman should have at least three months of rest for each month of deployment.
The pace of deployments needed to sustain combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan has taken a toll on our servicemen and servicewomen, who silently endure emotional fatigue and distress. They have missed their children's births, their parents' funerals and learned of divorces on blogs and Web sites.
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A Marine is reunited with his family at Twentynine Palms after a fifth tour of duty to Iraq. (Lance Iversen / The Chronicle)
Ellen Tauscher
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Having fought two wars on two fronts for more than seven years, our troops are tired and our military's equipment is worn out.
The demands of multiple deployments in quick succession have taken a toll on our troops, who suffer on a personal level, experiencing higher rates of suicide, divorce and post-traumatic stress disorder. This has hampered the military's ability to respond to another crisis somewhere else in the world to protect America's interests.
That's why Congress must pass legislation making sure the military services guarantee "dwell time," a period of time to rest and regroup, for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.
Active-duty troops should have at least a month of rest for every month they were deployed in a combat zone. Reservists and National Guardsman should have at least three months of rest for each month of deployment.
The pace of deployments needed to sustain combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan has taken a toll on our servicemen and servicewomen, who silently endure emotional fatigue and distress. They have missed their children's births, their parents' funerals and learned of divorces on blogs and Web sites.
click link for more
Friday, December 12, 2008
Minnesota Guard sending 1,000 to Iraq and bring music along with their munitions
Minnesota Guard sending 1,000 to Iraq
When they arrive in Iraq next year, they'll administer forces in a third of the country -- and bring music along with their munitions.
By MARK BRUNSWICK, Star Tribune
Last update: December 11, 2008 - 11:00 PM
Larger groups of Minnesota soldiers have been deployed in recent years to Iraq, Bosnia and Kosovo, but the new deployment announced Thursday will involve a level of responsibility unseen since the Second World War. More than 1,000 troops will be deployed to Iraq early next year, the Minnesota National Guard announced, with the Guard's 34th Infantry Division taking over command of 16,000 coalition forces in eight of Iraq's 18 provinces.
The Minnesota troops will deliver to the war zone not just firepower but the soothing sound of music to ease the weariness of warriors far from home.
The 34th will provide leadership, command, logistics, and communication support for four active-duty brigades of more than 16,000 multinational coalition forces.
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When they arrive in Iraq next year, they'll administer forces in a third of the country -- and bring music along with their munitions.
By MARK BRUNSWICK, Star Tribune
Last update: December 11, 2008 - 11:00 PM
Larger groups of Minnesota soldiers have been deployed in recent years to Iraq, Bosnia and Kosovo, but the new deployment announced Thursday will involve a level of responsibility unseen since the Second World War. More than 1,000 troops will be deployed to Iraq early next year, the Minnesota National Guard announced, with the Guard's 34th Infantry Division taking over command of 16,000 coalition forces in eight of Iraq's 18 provinces.
The Minnesota troops will deliver to the war zone not just firepower but the soothing sound of music to ease the weariness of warriors far from home.
The 34th will provide leadership, command, logistics, and communication support for four active-duty brigades of more than 16,000 multinational coalition forces.
click link above for more
Saturday, November 8, 2008
US troops in Iraq losing savings
US troops in Iraq losing savings
US combat troops in Iraq battle to defend savings
US Lieutenant Colonel Mark Grabski has been busy on the computer over the past few weeks -- not to follow the history-making presidential election but to check on his dwindling savings.
"I had a list of icons, my favourites, the funds that are working with Thrift savings programme. Every single day, their rates were just collapsing," said the officer posted at Camp Speicher, north of the Iraqi capital.
"Virtually, I've lost right now tens of thousand of dollars," said the 31-year-old who is in charge of criminal inspections of the base.
Grabski said a third of his salary goes into Thrift, an additional pension scheme for US civil servants and soldiers. "I've lost 30 percent of my savings in this programme due to the financial crisis."
Army pensions are meant to pay out 50 percent of the salary of soldiers with 20 years of service and 75 percent for 30 years, but many rely on the Thrift programme to further secure their retirement.
US combat troops in Iraq battle to defend savings
US Lieutenant Colonel Mark Grabski has been busy on the computer over the past few weeks -- not to follow the history-making presidential election but to check on his dwindling savings.
"I had a list of icons, my favourites, the funds that are working with Thrift savings programme. Every single day, their rates were just collapsing," said the officer posted at Camp Speicher, north of the Iraqi capital.
"Virtually, I've lost right now tens of thousand of dollars," said the 31-year-old who is in charge of criminal inspections of the base.
Grabski said a third of his salary goes into Thrift, an additional pension scheme for US civil servants and soldiers. "I've lost 30 percent of my savings in this programme due to the financial crisis."
Army pensions are meant to pay out 50 percent of the salary of soldiers with 20 years of service and 75 percent for 30 years, but many rely on the Thrift programme to further secure their retirement.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Deployed soldiers are paying attention to election, but wish someone paid attention to them
Is the economy important in this election? Absolutely! But imagine being in Iraq or Afghanistan right now and noticing how little coverage there is in either place. Would you feel as if anyone cared anymore? It keeps getting forgotten that everything that happens here affects them just as much as it does us because they have family here dealing with it and know they will have to return to it as well. They just have the extra burden on their shoulders trying to do their duty and stay alive. Why have the politicians forgotten them?
McCain, well he still wants to use them to sell his "I know how to win wars" but never addresses the simple fact the surge of troops had little to do with it and it was the rest that went on to reduce the violence and our troops dying as well as the Iraqis. Obama is focused on the economy and says that he wants to bring the troops home from Iraq and build up forces in Afghanistan. Aside from that, they are hardly mentioned.
One other missing subject in this election is the veterans, especially the wounded veterans needing care. McCain says he cares about them but his votes have proven he really doesn't. Obama serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee and has been part of the changes for the better in the VA, but we are left to wonder why it is Obama never really brings any of this up. Why wouldn't he be proud of his record on veterans issues compared to McCain? While they will say there are only so many hours in the day, it would be a wonderful thing if some reporter interviewing them would at least bring the subject of the troops deployed and the veterans who have been wounded at least once in a while. They noticed.
Soldiers see wars, economy as key election concerns
European edition, Friday, October 31, 2008
For Staff Sgt. Derek Detherow, based in Baghdad’s Sadr City district, the Iraq war is by far the biggest issue in the upcoming U.S. elections.
After all, the decisions that the future president will make on the war will directly affect him.
"The biggest thing in my life is here in Iraq," Detherow, who is with 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, said recently. "I can’t see too much beyond that."
McCain, well he still wants to use them to sell his "I know how to win wars" but never addresses the simple fact the surge of troops had little to do with it and it was the rest that went on to reduce the violence and our troops dying as well as the Iraqis. Obama is focused on the economy and says that he wants to bring the troops home from Iraq and build up forces in Afghanistan. Aside from that, they are hardly mentioned.
One other missing subject in this election is the veterans, especially the wounded veterans needing care. McCain says he cares about them but his votes have proven he really doesn't. Obama serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee and has been part of the changes for the better in the VA, but we are left to wonder why it is Obama never really brings any of this up. Why wouldn't he be proud of his record on veterans issues compared to McCain? While they will say there are only so many hours in the day, it would be a wonderful thing if some reporter interviewing them would at least bring the subject of the troops deployed and the veterans who have been wounded at least once in a while. They noticed.
Soldiers see wars, economy as key election concerns
European edition, Friday, October 31, 2008
For Staff Sgt. Derek Detherow, based in Baghdad’s Sadr City district, the Iraq war is by far the biggest issue in the upcoming U.S. elections.
After all, the decisions that the future president will make on the war will directly affect him.
"The biggest thing in my life is here in Iraq," Detherow, who is with 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, said recently. "I can’t see too much beyond that."
Detherow said he doesn’t like how little attention is paid to his soldiers who are out working every single day. Yet he also acknowledged that there was some good in not being such a hot topic this year.
"The way I look at it, there are pros and cons of both the Republicans and the Democrats, and I don’t really favor either side," said Pvt. Gabriel Esquero, 25, of Alamogordo, N.M. "I’m just for whatever presidential candidate is ready to build the economy back up."
Esquero added that he believed both candidates had failed to talk enough to voters about what is at stake in Afghanistan.
"I think a lot of people fail to know what the issues are here," he said. "A lot of people think this is a wasted effort here."
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