Thursday, July 19, 2012

Fort Gordon: Soldiers Not Forced to Aid Churches

Fort Gordon: Soldiers Not Forced to Aid Churches
Jul 19, 2012
The Augusta Chronicle, Ga.

Fort Gordon officials said Wednesday they do not compel soldiers to do charity work for churches.

The question was raised when a national organization, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, complained about soldiers assisting Catholic Social Services.

The group, which has also raised questions about the Augusta Mayor's Office and church prayer breakfasts, released a statement this week saying it had pressured the fort to stop the practice.

"The Freedom From Religion Foundation has stopped a violation in which soldiers were being forced to mow Catholic Charities' lawn," the Tuesday press release stated.

"FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel drafted and sent a letter on July 5 on behalf of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and also signed by American Atheists, objecting to using U.S. soldiers to support Catholic Social Services of Augusta. The Regimental Noncommissioned Officer Academy's Advanced Leader Course (ALC) at Fort Gordon, Ga., ordered soldiers to 'provide area beautification support to the Catholic Social Services.'
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Fort Hood report shows FBI ignored warning signs on Hasan

Fort Hood report shows FBI ignored warning signs on Hasan, lawmaker says
Published July 19, 2012
Associated Press

The FBI was too concerned about political correctness and did not launch an investigation into a man who was later charged with killing 13 people in a 2009 attack at the Fort Hood military installation in Texas, despite significant warning signs that he was an Islamic extremist bent on killing civilians, according to a lawmaker briefed on a new report about the terrorist attack.

In emails to a known terrorist, Army Maj. Nidal Hasan expressed his support for suicide bombings and killing civilians, while the terrorist, Anwar al-Awlaki, encouraged Hasan to stay in touch, Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, told The Associated Press on Wednesday after he was briefed on the findings of a new review of the attack.

The review was done by former FBI Director William Webster and was more than two years in the making. FBI Director Robert Mueller asked that Webster conduct an independent review, and the bureau is expected to release an unclassified version this week.
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Navy Corpsman Killed On Bicycle At Camp Lejeune

Navy Corpsman Killed On Bicycle At Camp Lejeune
A Navy corpsman is dead after the military says he was hit by a vehicle while riding his bicycle on Camp Lejeune.

The base says the sailor was killed around 6:10 a.m. on Highway 172 at the Hammocks Bay Road intersection.

Camp Lejeune says the accident remains under investigation and the name of the corpsman has not yet been released.

Colorado National Guard Female Officers murdered

Murder victim was mother, National Guard officer
July 18, 2012

The 39-year-old woman found dead in southwest Colorado Springs on Friday was a mother of four and a 2nd lieutenant in the Colorado Army National Guard.

Cristina Cornejo, a 13-year Colorado Springs resident, enlisted in the National Guard in June 2006 and juggled her pursuit of a full-time career as an officer while raising three sons and a daughter.

Cornejo served as a career counselor with the Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion before attending the Officer Candidate School on Fort Carson, where she graduated in August 2010. She was commissioned as 2nd lieutenant in 2011 and served with the 100th Missile Defense Brigade, receiving several honors.
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Marine awarded Silver Star thanks parents for "putting up with" him

Staff Sgt. Worley receives Silver Star Medal
Story by Pfc. Demetrius Morgan

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Paul Worley, an infantry platoon sergeant with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force was awarded the Silver Star Medal at Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 17.

Worley, an Eden N.C., native, was awarded the Silver Star Medal for heroic actions serving as the 1st Squad leader, Combined Anti-Armor Team 1, Weapons Company 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat team 7, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, July 12, 2010 in support of operation Enduring Freedom.

The Silver Star Medal is the third highest award a service member can receive. It is awarded to those who show perseverance and valor in the heat of battle.


“I give special thanks to my parents for putting up with me,” said Worley. “Also, I want to thank the Marines who were with me. You guys have a special place in my heart.”
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