Silver Stars awarded to 2 Richardson soldiers
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jun 23, 2010 12:03:57 EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Two Fort Richardson soldiers have been awarded the Silver Star medal for bravery in combat in Afghanistan.
In a ceremony Tuesday at the Army post, the military’s third-highest medal was presented to Spc. Ryan. S. Chester and Spc. Robert E. Parson, members of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division.
The Army says Chester fought continuously for 25 minutes unprotected after being thrown from his vehicle while on patrol. Parson fought enemy fire to protect the evacuation of his wounded squad leader.
Chester was a gunman in the roof turret of an armored vehicle on July 6, 2009, when the 19-man platoon was ambushed by 30 enemy fighters, the Army said.
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Silver Stars awarded to 2 Richardson soldiers
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
American Lung Association deeply concerned over Burn Pits
Shut down burn pits, lung association urges
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jun 23, 2010 17:05:42 EDT
The American Lung Association called for the military to ban open-air burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The association “is deeply concerned by reports of the use of burn pits and negative effects on lung health on soldiers in both Iraq and Afghanistan,” H. James Gooden, chairman of the association’s board of directors, said during a Senate defense appropriations subcommittee hearing Wednesday.
read more here
Shut down burn pits, lung association urges
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jun 23, 2010 17:05:42 EDT
The American Lung Association called for the military to ban open-air burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The association “is deeply concerned by reports of the use of burn pits and negative effects on lung health on soldiers in both Iraq and Afghanistan,” H. James Gooden, chairman of the association’s board of directors, said during a Senate defense appropriations subcommittee hearing Wednesday.
read more here
Shut down burn pits, lung association urges
Maywood CA lets everyone go including police
California town to lay off all city employees, disband police
By Muriel Kane
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 -- 11:46 am
Economic hard times are causing many municipalities to look for ways to reduce their payrolls, but none has taken it as far as the town of Maywood, California.
On Monday night, the Maywood City Council voted unanimously to fire all 100 city employees and contract out most services, including record-keeping, street maintenance, and parks and recreation, to the neighboring town of Bell.
"We will become 100% a contracted city," Maywood's interim city manager stated.
Even the Maywood police department will be disbanded. Those services will be provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, since a proposal earlier this month to merge Mayfield's police department with that of Bell was met with angry protests by Bell residents.
read more here
California town to lay off all city employees
By Muriel Kane
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 -- 11:46 am
Economic hard times are causing many municipalities to look for ways to reduce their payrolls, but none has taken it as far as the town of Maywood, California.
On Monday night, the Maywood City Council voted unanimously to fire all 100 city employees and contract out most services, including record-keeping, street maintenance, and parks and recreation, to the neighboring town of Bell.
"We will become 100% a contracted city," Maywood's interim city manager stated.
Even the Maywood police department will be disbanded. Those services will be provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, since a proposal earlier this month to merge Mayfield's police department with that of Bell was met with angry protests by Bell residents.
read more here
California town to lay off all city employees
Army Holds Wounded Warrior Conference held in San Antonio
There is a lot of confusion on Wounded Warriors. There is the program connected to the Army and the project which is a charity.
Army Holds Wounded Warrior Conference held in San Antonio
Terry Gildea, TPR (2010-06-23)
SAN ANTONIO, TX (KERA) - The U-S Army is holding a special conference in San Antonio this week designed to examine how it cares for wounded soldiers. More from Texas Public Radio's Terry Gildea.
This is the sixth year that Army brass have invited wounded warriors and their families to sit down and discuss what they think the service branch is doing right and wrong when caring for soldiers. Colonel Jim Rice is director of the Army's Wounded Warrior Program.
Col. Jim Rice: This event is about listening to those who have been through it and learning about ways we can continue to improve how we care for our most severely wounded and injured soldiers, veterans and their families and take action.
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Wounded Warrior Conference
One killed, 2 injured in training accident at Fort Bragg
Why are contractors training soldiers?
One killed, 2 injured in training accident at Fort Bragg
By the CNN Wire Staff
June 22, 2010 5:42 p.m. EDT
(CNN) -- A civilian Army contract employee was killed and two other people were injured Tuesday in a small-arms training accident at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, an Army spokesman said.
The contract worker, who managed operations at training ranges on the base, was taken to Womack Army Medical Center where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound, according to a statement.
The injured included another civilian contractor, who was transported by air to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, and a soldier enrolled at the U.S. Army's John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. The soldier was grazed by a bullet and was being treated at Womack.
go here for more
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/22/north.carolina.army.accident/
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Soldiers struggling with undiagnosed brain injury
Soldiers struggling with undiagnosed brain injury
Web producer: Sheryl Kornman
The American Forces Press Service covered a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday exploring how the services are dealing with brain injuries and mental health problems. Here is its report:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (American Forces Press Service/KGUN9-TV) - Post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and suicides among service members are interrelated problems requiring holistic prevention methods and more scientific study, military leaders told a Senate panel Tuesday.
"The reality is, the study of the brain is an emerging science, and there still is much to be learned," Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, Army vice chief of staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee during a hearing about how the services are dealing with brain injuries and mental health problems.
The vice chiefs of the Navy and Air Force, the Marine Corps' assistant commandant and a Veterans Affairs Department health official also spoke before the committee. All agreed with Chiarelli that the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments are coordinating better than ever to diagnose and treat brain injuries and mental disorders, and that much more is known about such conditions today than when combat operations began after Sept. 11, 2001.
Still, they acknowledged, much more needs to be done. They noted that suicides are highest among ground forces. The Army reported 162 confirmed suicides last year, up from 140 in 2008 and 115 in 2007. The Marine Corps reported 52 suicides last year – more per capita than the Army, and up from 42 in 2008 and 33 in 2007. Last year's numbers are expected to rise as more investigations are completed, they said.
read the rest here
Soldiers struggling with undiagnosed brain injury
Web producer: Sheryl Kornman
The American Forces Press Service covered a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday exploring how the services are dealing with brain injuries and mental health problems. Here is its report:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (American Forces Press Service/KGUN9-TV) - Post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and suicides among service members are interrelated problems requiring holistic prevention methods and more scientific study, military leaders told a Senate panel Tuesday.
"The reality is, the study of the brain is an emerging science, and there still is much to be learned," Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, Army vice chief of staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee during a hearing about how the services are dealing with brain injuries and mental health problems.
The vice chiefs of the Navy and Air Force, the Marine Corps' assistant commandant and a Veterans Affairs Department health official also spoke before the committee. All agreed with Chiarelli that the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments are coordinating better than ever to diagnose and treat brain injuries and mental disorders, and that much more is known about such conditions today than when combat operations began after Sept. 11, 2001.
Still, they acknowledged, much more needs to be done. They noted that suicides are highest among ground forces. The Army reported 162 confirmed suicides last year, up from 140 in 2008 and 115 in 2007. The Marine Corps reported 52 suicides last year – more per capita than the Army, and up from 42 in 2008 and 33 in 2007. Last year's numbers are expected to rise as more investigations are completed, they said.
read the rest here
Soldiers struggling with undiagnosed brain injury
Gen. Stanley McChrystal, top commander in Afghanistan, ordered back home
UPDATE
The people I usually agree with on most things think McChrystal should be fired, or at least forced to resign. On this one, I have to disagree only because when we were waiting for Generals to tell the truth about Iraq, they were silenced and forced to resign. They put their men and women first and cared about what was happening to them as well as why. The same people saying McChrystal should go, used to support the free speech rights of the others. So why not now?
Was his choice of words wrong? I think so. Was he grinding some kind of ax? Probably. Did he publicly insult elected officials and the President's cabinet? Yes and his words have power since the rest of the world is listening. The problem comes from voices calling for him to pay with losing his career. He should be busted in rank but stay in the military if that's what he wants to do but I don't think he should have to give up the military. We can't just want them to speak out on what they think only when we agree with it. After all, too many generals had to leave the military for telling the truth and that was wrong.
Updated at 6:04 p.m. Gen. Stanley McChrystal has "offered to resign," according to a Twitter post from Time magazine's Joe Klein on Tuesday. Earlier, Klein, citing "a very reliable source," told CNN that McChrystal had already submitted his resignation.
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/22/latest-mcchrystal-developments/?hpt=T1
The people I usually agree with on most things think McChrystal should be fired, or at least forced to resign. On this one, I have to disagree only because when we were waiting for Generals to tell the truth about Iraq, they were silenced and forced to resign. They put their men and women first and cared about what was happening to them as well as why. The same people saying McChrystal should go, used to support the free speech rights of the others. So why not now?
Was his choice of words wrong? I think so. Was he grinding some kind of ax? Probably. Did he publicly insult elected officials and the President's cabinet? Yes and his words have power since the rest of the world is listening. The problem comes from voices calling for him to pay with losing his career. He should be busted in rank but stay in the military if that's what he wants to do but I don't think he should have to give up the military. We can't just want them to speak out on what they think only when we agree with it. After all, too many generals had to leave the military for telling the truth and that was wrong.
Gen. Stanley McChrystal, top commander in Afghanistan, ordered home over Rolling Stone comments
BY Sean Alfano
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, June 22nd 2010, 8:51 AM
Gen. Stanley McChrystal apologized from overseas Tuesday for ripping the administration in a magazine article.
Now, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan will have a chance to say sorry in person.
McChyrstal has been ordered to Washington to explain why he and his staff criticized the White House in a recent Rolling Stone interview, administration officials said Tuesday.
Earlier, McChrystal had attempted to defuse the backlash over his comments in the piece, titled "The Runaway General."
"I extend my sincerest apology for this profile. It was a mistake reflecting poor judgment and should never have happened," he said.
"Throughout my career, I have lived by the principles of personal honor and professional integrity. What is reflected in this article falls far short of that standard," McChrystal added.
Instead of attending the monthly White House meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan via teleconference, the general will be there in person Wednesday, the officials told The Associated Press.
The first casualty from the article appears to be a civilian member of McChyrstal's staff who allegedly arranged the Rolling Stone interview.
NBC News reported that Duncan Boothby quit his role on the general's public relations team. According to a senior military official, he was "asked to resign."
go here for the rest
Gen. Stanley McChrystal, top commander in Afghanistan
Gen. Stanley McChrystal, top commander in Afghanistan
New York Daily News
Fremont medic fatally wounded in Afghanistan
Fremont medic fatally wounded in Afghanistan
Chronicle staff report
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
(06-21) 14:38 PDT FREMONT -- A soldier from Fremont has died after being wounded in fighting in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said Monday.
Army Spc. Nathan W. Cox, 27, was wounded by small arms fire when insurgents attacked a forward operating base at Khogyani in eastern Afghanistan on June 14, the Defense Department said. He died two days later at a hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
Cox was a combat medic with the HHC, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based at Fort Campbell, Ky.
Read more: Fremont medic fatally wounded in Afghanistan
Chronicle staff report
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
(06-21) 14:38 PDT FREMONT -- A soldier from Fremont has died after being wounded in fighting in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said Monday.
Army Spc. Nathan W. Cox, 27, was wounded by small arms fire when insurgents attacked a forward operating base at Khogyani in eastern Afghanistan on June 14, the Defense Department said. He died two days later at a hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
Cox was a combat medic with the HHC, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based at Fort Campbell, Ky.
Read more: Fremont medic fatally wounded in Afghanistan
Labor of love builds memorial for soldiers who died in Vietnam
Memorial Honors Area Soldiers Who Died In Vietnam
originally posted on: 6/19/2010 6:00:13 PM
Fifty-one servicemen from Richland County who died in Vietnam were honored over the weekend during the dedication ceremony of the Richland County Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.
The polished black granite wall erected on the front lawn of the Richland County Administration Building, displays the names of all 51 service members who fought in the Vietnam War.
Richland County Vietnam Veteran's Memorial committee member Larry Moore, said the monument was made possible through the generous support of area veterans and their families. He said the $35,000 memorial was a labor of love for the Richland County Joint Veterans Council who spearheaded the project which began in March 2009.
read more here
http://www.wmfd.com/newsboard/single.asp?Story=41733
originally posted on: 6/19/2010 6:00:13 PM
Fifty-one servicemen from Richland County who died in Vietnam were honored over the weekend during the dedication ceremony of the Richland County Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.
The polished black granite wall erected on the front lawn of the Richland County Administration Building, displays the names of all 51 service members who fought in the Vietnam War.
Richland County Vietnam Veteran's Memorial committee member Larry Moore, said the monument was made possible through the generous support of area veterans and their families. He said the $35,000 memorial was a labor of love for the Richland County Joint Veterans Council who spearheaded the project which began in March 2009.
read more here
http://www.wmfd.com/newsboard/single.asp?Story=41733
Soldier injured in Iraq becomes LMPD officer
Soldier injured in Iraq becomes LMPD officer
By Janelle MacDonald
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - LMPD graduated its newest class of officers Friday and one of them has already led an amazing life in the U.S. Military.
Twenty men and women are beginning new lives, putting their own lives at risk as LMPD officers
New officer Dexter Pitts is just hoping for a calmer life than the one he led before.
"When I was in the Army, I served with the 10th Mountain Division in Iraq," Pitts said.
Two years in, insurgents struck.
"I got wounded in action by a 300 pound bomb on January 2nd of 2005," Pitts said. "I just had this bad feeling. I just knew something wasn't right. You know, you can feel when somebody's watching you. I just knew somebody was watching us."
He was right.
"The next thing I know, I wake up and I'm looking at the sky," said Pitts. "I looked down at my left arm and my bones were trying to come through my skin ... I remember waking up in the Humvee and my lieutenant was like, 'You're good man. You're alive man.' He pulled me out the Humvee and it hurt so bad."
He went through six months of rehabilitation at Walter Reed Medical Center.
"I had 12 operations," said Pitts. "I had radiation therapy. I constantly battle with sickness, PTSD, nightmares."
go here for the rest and video
http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=12673974
By Janelle MacDonald
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - LMPD graduated its newest class of officers Friday and one of them has already led an amazing life in the U.S. Military.
Twenty men and women are beginning new lives, putting their own lives at risk as LMPD officers
New officer Dexter Pitts is just hoping for a calmer life than the one he led before.
"When I was in the Army, I served with the 10th Mountain Division in Iraq," Pitts said.
Two years in, insurgents struck.
"I got wounded in action by a 300 pound bomb on January 2nd of 2005," Pitts said. "I just had this bad feeling. I just knew something wasn't right. You know, you can feel when somebody's watching you. I just knew somebody was watching us."
He was right.
"The next thing I know, I wake up and I'm looking at the sky," said Pitts. "I looked down at my left arm and my bones were trying to come through my skin ... I remember waking up in the Humvee and my lieutenant was like, 'You're good man. You're alive man.' He pulled me out the Humvee and it hurt so bad."
He went through six months of rehabilitation at Walter Reed Medical Center.
"I had 12 operations," said Pitts. "I had radiation therapy. I constantly battle with sickness, PTSD, nightmares."
go here for the rest and video
http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=12673974
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