• Have you thanked a Veteran  for the Freedoms you enjoy Today?

   

   

   May you all have many things to be thankful for and may each day bring bountiful blessings to you and yours!

  Gypsy

   

   

   

   

   

   

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Roadside bomb in Afghanistan kills 1 U.S. troop, wounds 2, Western official says. Previous report said 3 troops had died.

The blast hit the soldiers' vehicle about 10 km (6 miles) south of an outpost in Paktia province, near the Pakistani border, the official said.

More than 1,900 Americans and another 1,000-plus allied troops have died in the 10-year-old conflict to date.

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http://spousebuzz.com/blog/2012/04/enlisted-military-third-worst-job-in-america.html

“Enlisted Military” Third Worst Job in America

 April 11, 2012, in Career & Education, Spouse & Family News by Amy Bushatz

A jobs website has proclaimed “enlisted military personnel” the third worst job in America, beating out other “distasteful” professions such as “dishwasher” and “butcher” for the top spot.

And they couldn’t be more wrong.

Researchers based the worst job rankings on a scoring system that takes into account factors such as job danger, environment, physical demands, stress, potential for promotion and salary. I think it’s safe to say that no military job – enlisted or officer – is going to score particularly well in any of those categories. Even “Military General” made the list’s top 60. And while the overall “military officer” profession was not considered, I think it’s safe to assume that it, too, would’ve made their top 200.

But here’s the problem: the rankings are based on scoring, not on interviews. And most of the things that give a job a bad score are things that my servicemember, at least, actually loves about his job. In fact, they are even things that he would make requirements for his top 10 best possible jobs.

For example: the danger and stress give him an adrenaline rush. The travel lets him see the world. And the physical demands make him feel like he is doing something worthwhile.

Check out what the site considers the best:

1. Software Engineer 2. Actuary 3. Human Resources Manager 4. Dental Hygienist 5. Financial Planner 6. Audiologist 7. Occupational Therapist 8. Online Advertising Manager 9. Computer Systems Analyst 10. Mathematician

Can you imagine your servicemember spouse, particularly if he is in a physically demanding position, enjoying ANY of these “top 10 best” professions (with the exception of those who are also dealing with human resources command or those who happen to be in the military medical fields)? Mathematician?! Yikes!

From CareerCast.com’s publisher Tony Lee:

“The top-rated jobs have few physical demands, minimal stress, a good working environment and a strong hiring outlook. Conversely, Lumberjacks and Dairy Farmers, two of the worst jobs in the nation, work in physically demanding, precarious, low-paying professions with a weak hiring outlook.”

Sure, not every lumberjack, dairy farmer or enlisted serivcemember is going to be happy with what he is doing – and most will have things they wish would change (just as mathematicians surely must). But a good percentage of servicemembers stay in the military because it’s something they love – not because they are stuck in the third worst job in America.

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Ruby · 1 week ago

By some measures, the military is much harder than most other jobs. It's especially hard your first few months, and not exactly easy your first few years either - but if you stay on, you start earning some perks. There's a fair amount the recruiters don't tell you - like the fact that you will put a lot of hours in sweeping, mopping, painting, and lifting and moving heavy objects. You'll be told what to do and not do, day in and day out. Combat deployments are no cakewalk either (though it's considerably harder for a combat engineer than it is, for say, an admin specialist.) But really, it's not as bad as all that: you'll have plenty of help doing the work that needs to be done, plenty of downtime once it is done, with lots of friends to hang out with off-duty. And those shouting, fuming NCOs have your own interests at heart, it's just that your interests are not always actually served by your comfort (being undisciplined and out of shape could get you killed.) At any rate, your interests and comfort are quite secondary to the needs of the mission.

Overall the article also doesn't take a lot of things into account. First off, the honor of serving your country in uniform. That is quite a privilege, and it's something to look back on with pride towards the end of a long life well-lived. There's the intangibles like cameraderie. Also, you can't beat the benefits. A minimum wage fry cook would be lucky to get crappy health insurance. An enlisted military member not only has free health care, but also free lodging, three free hot meals a day, and free uniforms. There's also the GI Bill - the latest version will pay for 4 years of in-state tuition at a public university OR 17,500 a year for an education at a private college or university. Pushing french fries won't get you that. Not even close.

In short, most of us Veterans will tell you it was hard, but we ended up getting more out of it than we put into it.

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http://www.military.com/news/article/disabled-soldier-backlog-puts-army-at-risk.html?col=1186032325324 

Disabled Soldier Backlog Puts Army at Risk

March 26, 2012

Military.com|by Michael Hoffman

The backlog of soldiers too injured to serve is growing so large that it could affect the Army’s ability to go to war.

Army leaders plan to reduce the size of the service by 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers each year over the next decade, but that’s not counting the 20,500 troops Army doctors have declared unable to serve.

Budget cuts, combined with the end of the Iraq war and drawdown in Afghanistan, have forced the Army to cut end strength by 80,000 soldiers. The 20,500 soldiers tabbed to leave the service because of disabilities, however, still remain on the books.

The backlog is caused by failures in a system built to transition those soldiers out. Quite simply, Army doctors classify more soldiers as too injured to serve than the system can separate each year.

The number of soldiers in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System has grown by 42 percent just this past year. It’s grown from 11,900 soldiers to 20,500 soldiers since 2009. Army medical leaders expect that number to continue to rise. The Defense Department adopted the IDES -- and it will apply each one of the services -- but the Army is in most dire straits.

Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, the Army’s top manpower officer, described the system to Congress as “fundamentally flawed,” saying, “The biggest area that we need help is in the disability evaluation system.”

“It's long. It's disjointed. We have put money and leadership after this and I'm very concerned that while we're drawing down, this large number of soldiers will remain in the disability evaluation system,” Bostick told the House Armed Services Committee’s military personnel panel in early March.

It’s rare to hear military leaders openly criticize a system under their control. But it’s clear their frustration is mounting.

The growing backlog puts the Army’s readiness at risk because the current end strength takes into account the number of injured soldiers getting ready to separate. The Army mans units at 110 percent so they can deploy at 90 percent of their authorized strength, said Col. Daniel Cassidy, the deputy commander of the U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency.

“As the top end gets smaller, it squeezes where the [disability evaluation system population] kind of floats in the margin,” he said.

With end strength shrinking, the Army will not have the cushion to absorb the backlog of soldiers stuck in a disability evaluation system that keeps growing, Cassidy said.

The Army colonel said the Defense Department can only do so much to salvage a system in which rules were laid out by congressional legislation in 1949. “A patchwork of laws and regulations have been put in place,” but it hasn’t been enough, Cassidy said.

“We’ve advocated for a number of years that we really need to reform this. There’s only so much we can do within the constraints of this law that was created in 1949,” Cassidy said. “We have to reform this system.”

In a perfect world, Army leaders would prefer a system that allowed the service to make a fitness decision and then hand a soldier off to the VA to decide what disability rating he or she receives, Cassidy said.

The Army and the Defense Department as a whole have made changes to the system as recently as 2007. Officials have incrementally introduced the new system to each one of its 34 installations over the past four years.

Those changes have cut down the time it takes for servicemembers to receive benefits from 540 days down to 400. But that’s still unacceptable for Army leadership.

Army officials have set a goal to process 60 percent of soldiers through the disability evaluation system in 295 days by the end of the year. The process runs the gamut from the time a soldier receives a medical referral from Army doctors to the time he or she receives Defense Department and Veterans Affairs benefits after a discharge.

To accomplish this, the Army is working to standardize the process across an enterprise that Army officials admit is confusing for soldiers and their families.

“The process has about 10 sub-processes in it and about 155 processing steps. It crosses eight functional activities. It crosses two departments in the Army; the personnel department and the medical department, and it crosses the department of the VA,” Cassidy said. “It is a very complex process to manage because of all of those touch points.”

Army officials have also tried to launch the process into the new century. Rather than physically mail records between the Army and the VA, the two departments finally started to digitally exchange records in March. This will save seven to 10 days alone, Cassidy said.

What’s truly holding the Army medical command back is a lack of staffing. There are not enough doctors or physical evaluation board liaison officers, better known as PEBLOs, to process the soldiers.

The Army is adding 1,400 people this year to its disability evaluation staff, but it will take a while to train the new staff and make gains toward reducing the backlog.

“We can’t just, out on the open market, a buy a bunch of medical evaluation board doctors. The training it takes to teach the providers how to evaluate and asses those conditions can take up to a year’s worth of time and effort of on the job training,” said Col. Gregory Swanson, the Integrated Disability System’s chief for the IDS Task Force, Army Medical Command.

It’s not only injured active-duty soldiers the Army is worried about separating. A quarter of the backlog is made up of Guardsmen and reservists who often have to travel long distances for appointments. For example, most soldiers who live in Alaska have to fly to Seattle to see an Army doctor.

That’s changing as the Army and VA are working to empower local facilities to offer those appointments to veterans.

“For some reservists, they had to even miss work just to travel all the way to their appointments. That wasn’t fair to them or their families, so we’re working on that,” Cassidy said.

Changes like these help, but Cassidy often returns to his main point when discussing the system: Wholesale change is needed.

“The Army does think we need to fundamentally change the [disability evaluation system.] Statutory reform is the only way to achieve a system that really is worthy of the sacrifices of our force in this era of persistent conflict,” Cassidy said.

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http://www.military.com/news/article/experts-debate-fate-of-stolen-valor-law.html?ESRC=eb.nl 

Experts Debate Fate of Stolen Valor Law

April 23, 2012

Fort Worth Star-Telegram|by Chris Vaughn

More than any other person in the nation, B.G. Burkett is responsible for the Stolen Valor Act, which criminalizes lying about heroism.

An officer in the Army for just three years, one of them in Vietnam, Burkett emerged from a profitable career as a stockbroker more than 20 years ago to become a national expert on military phonies and frauds and the chief defender of Vietnam veterans' honor, a role that he says has easily cost him tens of thousands of dollars and drawn the ever-loving hatred of some people, including fellow veterans.

The term stolen valor didn't exist until Burkett wrote a book by that name in the '90s. Congress appropriated the language several years later when it made it illegal to falsely claim war-hero status, suddenly important again with the U.S. at war in Iraq and Afghanistan. But now the Supreme Court is debating whether the Stolen Valor Act violates the Constitution by stepping on people's First Amendment rights. If the court's rulings in First Amendment cases in recent years are any indication, the law may well fall.

However personally galled and angered Burkett is by phonies, he is equally frank about the possibility of losing the law that punishes them. He puts the odds of it surviving at less than 50-50.

"It's not a worthless law, but it's a weak law," Burkett said. "People expect me to be angry about the possibility that it will go down, but it doesn't bother me. The law isn't doing what it's supposed to do."

What it was supposed to do is protect the integrity of medals such as the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star, which are awarded only for uncommon valor in combat and carry immense weight among those who have served in the armed forces.

The act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2006, makes it a federal misdemeanor to falsely represent oneself, in writing or speaking, as having received a military decoration. The punishment includes a fine and up to a year in prison.

Burkett said only about 60 people have been charged with the crime. FBI agents are busy chasing terrorists, bank robbers and dangerous felons, he said, and don't spend a lot of time, money and energy on misdemeanors.

"I've gone to the Dallas office with a fully completed case, ready to prosecute, and they won't do anything," Burkett said. "Most of these people who would be convicted don't have a criminal record, so they get off with probation. It's not much of a priority."

The U.S. attorney's office in Dallas declined to comment on Burkett's assertions.

Lying 'is a crime'

Many who have earned medals support the Stolen Valor Act and can't imagine that it isn't a crime for someone to falsely make such a boast.

"Lying about your service diminishes the value of those who have earned medals," said Dean DeTar, a retired Air Force colonel who lives in Azle and earned the Air Force Cross for his efforts to rescue a downed airman in Vietnam in 1970.

It happens frequently, even if it never makes news or grabs the attention of a U.S. attorney. Obituaries are rife with tales that sound implausible, not to mention resumes and stories on the golf course or bar stool. Sometimes the lies are part of political campaigns. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., was outed in 2009 after saying numerous times over the years that he had served in Vietnam when he never had.

Occasionally veterans themselves do the unthinkable. In 2007, Army veteran Richard David McClanahan boasted around Amarillo of having received the Medal of Honor, three Silver Stars, three Purple Hearts and more. He pleaded guilty and received probation for lying about his military service and making false statements for financial gain.

Dick Agnew, a Plano resident who earned a Distinguished Service Cross in action against the enemy on July 19, 1953, in Korea, leads the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Legion of Valor, a national organization open only to those who have earned the Medal of Honor or the second-highest medal for heroism, the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross or Air Force Cross. As a measure of how much Burkett is respected, he earned honorary membership in the Legion of Valor, an honor bestowed on no one else, ever.

Agnew virtually sneers at the comparison people have made between lying to gain a competitive edge at work and lying about earning decorations for heroism in combat.

"In many cases, people lost their lives for what they were honored for," Agnew said. "There's no comparison between that and lying about whether you got a degree from someplace. No comparison at all. When you start lying about combat awards you didn't earn, that is a crime."

But it may not be for long.

The nine justices have shown that they will make unpopular rulings on emotionally charged cases, including last year's 8-1 ruling that protected the right of members of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., to protest homosexuality at the funerals of troops killed in action.

Scot Powe, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law, said that's a bad sign for the Stolen Valor Act.

"The First Amendment is one of the few areas that is not politicized on the court," said Powe, who specializes in the Supreme Court and the First Amendment. "You get conservative justices joining with liberals on the First Amendment. I would expect there to be a pretty overwhelming majority ruling against the act."

Honoring Vietnam vets

For Burkett, this story started more than 25 years ago and for very personal reasons.

As chairman of the effort in the mid-1980s to build a memorial in Fair Park to the 3,400 Texans killed in Vietnam, Burkett discovered that almost no corporate executive, law partner or deep-pocketed philanthropist wanted to donate to the project.

It became clear to him that Vietnam and its veterans were tainted goods.

"I was naive. I thought it would be easy to raise the money in Texas," he said.

The memorial was eventually built -- and dedicated by President George H.W. Bush in 1989 -- but by then, Burkett had launched a crusade that would eventually become his primary professional legacy.

He pored over Labor Department statistics on employment, education and income, seeking to debunk the idea that a large portion of Vietnam veterans were homeless, uneducated and unemployed, a stereotype he felt many people had.

Separately, he hunted through VA records, looking for men who he believed were gaming the compensation system by saying they had post-traumatic stress disorder. (His dismissive attitude about many people's PTSD diagnosis has occasionally raised the ire of fellow veterans.)

Most publicly, he began looking into the backgrounds of veterans who appeared in newspapers and on television claiming that their service in Vietnam mitigated whatever crime they committed. He contacted police and the FBI and started exposing phonies, all done mostly for reasons of moral outrage.

"Men served honorably in Vietnam and no one knew it, and there were these scumbags who never served who were being given sympathy," he said.

He showed law officers how to order official copies of military records and demonstrated how people could forge their personal copies of records. He started testifying in trials and at sentencings, and he became one of the nation's most prolific users of the Freedom of Information Act. He has exposed hundreds of phonies over the years.

"I filed one or two FOIAs a day," he said.

Armed with a staggering amount of research material, he and co-author Glenna Whitley in 1998 published Stolen Valor: How the Vietnam Generation Was Robbed of Its Heroes and Its History and launched a website, www.stolenvalor.com.

In 2003, at a ceremony at Texas A&M University, the elder Bush pinned the Distinguished Service decoration on Burkett. It is the highest honor a civilian can receive from the Army.

Bush, at the time, said Burkett "almost single-handedly set the record straight on Vietnam veterans."

Court decisions at odds

Xavier Alvarez was an elected member of the board of directors of a water district in California when he made the following declaration at a public meeting in 2007: "I'm a retired Marine of 25 years. I retired in the year 2001. Back in 1987, I was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. I got wounded many times by the same guy. I'm still around."

Bizarrely, Alvarez also posed for a photograph in an Army dress uniform with his chest full of ribbons and decorations.

Of course, none of it was true. Alvarez never served in the military.

Before the Stolen Valor Act became law, Alvarez might well have been just embarrassed publicly by the likes of Burkett.

Alvarez was prosecuted for the crime. But his legal team persuaded a federal judge that his falsehoods were protected by the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco agreed with the lower court, rejecting the government's appeal.

"Saints may always tell the truth, but for mortals, living means lying," Chief Justice Alex Kozinski wrote in the majority opinion. He said the government is in no position to act as the "truth police" and pursue lies and exaggerations criminally.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver came up with the opposite conclusion, ruling in a case involving a man who set up a veterans organization and told people that he was a Silver Star recipient.

"The Stolen Valor Act does not impinge on or chill protected speech, and therefore does not offend the First Amendment," Judge Timothy Tymkovich wrote in that majority opinion.

That divided federal opinion is why the Supreme Court agreed to look at the Alvarez case.

Supporting the government's position are the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, other veterans groups and 20 state attorneys general, including those from Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado and Louisiana.

"Our nation's interest in protecting and preserving the value of its system of honors for the armed forces far outweighs whatever minimal First Amendment value may exist for the utterance of lies," according to the brief filed by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.

On the other side, supporting Alvarez's position, are the First Amendment Coalition, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 23 news organizations, including the McClatchy Co., which owns the Star-Telegram.

"The purposes of the Stolen Valor Act are better served by reliance on the marketplace of ideas than by criminalizing pure speech," according to a brief filed by the Reporters Committee and news organizations.

"As Alvarez and others like him have learned at their peril, veterans groups, medal winners and the press work tirelessly to expose false claims of heroism."

Possible change

If the Supreme Court rules the law unconstitutional, Burkett hopes it makes a comeback.

If there is a next time, he said, he'd prefer to drop the criminalization of mere talk and concentrate on those phonies who put on a uniform bedecked with medals and actually act like a war hero. He'd also like to make the crime a felony to attract greater attention from law enforcement.

"Every state in the union has a law making it illegal to impersonate a police officer," he said.

"I wouldn't think it would be that hard to craft a law making it illegal to impersonate a military person. I hope that there is some way to craft a bill that protects the military system of honors instead of protecting some loser who buys his medals from a catalog."

Powe, the UT law professor, said that if the law is ruled unconstitutional, any new law would probably have to tie a person's lies to "a demonstrable harm."

"I'm very skeptical of 'soft injuries' that can't be proven," Powe said." 'I feel bad' just isn't tangible."

Retired Navy Vice Adm. David Robinson, a Dallas resident, earned the Navy Cross for combat in August 1970 in Vietnam and finds it "ludicrous" that lying would be protected speech.

But if the law is struck down, Robinson won't actually care much.

"If it goes under, what do we lose?" he said. "... Phonies don't upset me as much as I feel sorry for them."

Robinson adds just one more thing to the conversation.

What he says is almost always true, that those who seek adoration and adulation for their service should be viewed with suspicion.

"Those who have earned awards don't broadcast it," Robinson said.

"If someone ever tells you all the wondrous things they did in war and all the medals they've won, chances are they're a fake."

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http://www.military.com/news/article/ig-sites-vas-mental-health-delays.html?ESRC=eb.nl 

IG Cites VA's Mental Health Delays

April 24, 2012

Military.com|by Michael Hoffman

Most veterans had to wait longer than they should have to receive a full mental health evaluation last year, even though the Department of Veterans Affairs reported that 95 percent of veterans received their evaluations on time, according to an investigation done by the VA's Inspector General.

Veterans, on average, had to wait 50 days to receive a full mental health evaluation from the VA, according to the IG's report published Monday. Only 49 percent of veterans received an evaluation within 14 days of the veteran's chosen date, the VA's defined window for timeliness.

VA had reported that 95 percent of first-time patients received a full mental health evaluation within 14 days in its 2011 Performance and Accountability Report. But the IG team found that report "had no real value."

The VA had measured how long it took the VA to conduct the evaluation, "not how long the patient waited to receive an evaluation," the report said. It did not take into account the weeks veterans often had to wait to see a mental health specialist.

The IG report comes just a week after the VA announced it would hire 1,900 more mental health staff members. It will include 1,600 clinicians, including psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers and professional counselors, and about 300 support staff to an existing mental health staff of roughly 20,590.

Veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have increased the number of people seeking mental health care from the VA by 35 percent since 2007. VA officials expect that number to continue to rise.

"As the tide of war recedes, we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to anticipate the needs of returning veterans," VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said in a statement. "History shows that the costs of war will continue to grow for a decade or more after the operational missions in Iraq and Afghanistan have ended. As more veterans return home, we must ensure that all veterans have access to quality mental health care."

Mental health departments inside the VA increased their staffs by 46 percent from 2005 to 2010 and treated 39 percent more patients, but the progress has not been enough. A VA survey of mental health professionals found that 71 percent did not think their medical centers had adequate mental health staffs to meet veteran needs.

The most alarming shortage is the number of psychiatrists, according to the IG report.

"Based on our interviews at four medical centers, staff in charge of mental health services reported [Veterans Health Administration's] greatest challenge has been to hire and retain psychiatrists," the report said.

Veterans had an average wait of 41 days to see a psychiatrist at the four VA medical centers surveyed. The longest waits came at medical centers in Spokane, Wash., and Salisbury, N.C., -- 80 days and 86 days respectively. Spokane sits next to Joint Base Lewis McChord and Salisbury is a two-hour drive from Fort Bragg - two of the largest U.S. military installations.

Mental health for veterans remains a major concern inside the military. Doctors treat a high rate of service members who have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder following repeated deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Army saw its suicide rate climb to 304 in 2010 before it finally receded slightly to 278 in 2011. Doctors have pegged the high suicide rate on poor mental health and depression caused by brain injuries sustained in combat.

To improve care, the IG team instructed the VA to improve the way it measures how long veterans must wait to be treated. Inspectors questioned why the VA would not think to measure how long a veteran waits from the time he requests care rather than when he first receives an evaluation.

"Without accurate and appropriate data, [Veterans Health Administration's] leadership and decision makers cannot make informed decisions for improving access to mental health care," the report said.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1s19spA39E   VIDEO

Former POW Harold Ramsey tells SBS about how he felt when the Japanese government apologised to Australian soldiers for their treatment in POW camps. Watch World News Australia 6.30pm nightly and 10.30pm Mon-Fri on SBS ONE.

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America's Forgotten POW: http://greasyonline.com/article247.html

Below is what John Costigan sent via email to some news media. All I can say
is, if they get enough emails, someone will have to do a story on
Afghanistan POW Bowe Bergdahl.

Please do a story about this A LIVE POW.
> If you more information,  email me.
> You can contact Danny Belcher at:
>   TFOgreasy@windstream.net
> Best Wishes to you ALL.
>
>
> Thank you.
>
> Sgt. John
>
>
>
The news media does not need to contact me as there is plenty of information
out there on Bergdahl. All they have to do is look at the information posted
on www.greasyonline.com  or many other places. It is not about me or TFO of
KY, it is about bringing a live POW home alive.

Danny "Greasy" Belcher, Executive Director
Executive Director, Task Force Omega of KY Inc.
Vietnam Infantry Sgt. 68-69
"D" Troop 7th Sqdn. 1st Air Cav.
 

= =

From: "Sgt. John Costigan" <sgt.john@me.com>
To: <nancy.cox@wlex18.com>; <nkenny@wlextv.com>; "Danny Greasy Belcher"
<tfogreasy@windstream.net>
Cc: <TFO.4.Veterans@att.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 8:45 AM
Subject: Picture



 

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http://www.delconewsnetwork.com/articles/2012/04/26/media_town_talk/news/doc4f9714d57ec5a294623790.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Profile: Ralph Galati

Published: Thursday, April 26, 2012

by Susan L. Serbin

Ralph Galati stands beside Delaware County’s Board by the Veterans Affairs Office at the Court House in Media.

View and purchase photos

When Ralph Galati was a youngster, he probably had report card comments like “works well with others.” Certainly that was the case from school days at Our Lady of Peace in Folsom, to St. James High School and through St. Joseph’s University.

That must have especially been true when he served in the U.S. Air Force as a Weapons Systems Officer in F-4 Phantom aircraft, flying during the Vietnam War, and as a Prisoner of War for 14 months.

Excellence in teamwork and leadership were evident in his 28-year career with IBM as a Certified Client Executive and Global Account Manager, developing solutions for large, global enterprises.

One assumes there was also a lot of teamwork in his marriage of 40 years to Rosemary, and their two adult children, Christine and Steven.

So why, one wonders, does Galati say -- with great affection -- he has issues with his current clients. What Galati would like is that young veterans ask for more.

For about a year, Galati has been liaison at the Delaware County Veterans Affairs office. His role includes outreach efforts across the county, as well as ensuring that all Delaware County veterans and their families receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

Older veterans of Galati’s generation, and those even more senior from World War II and Korea, have generally gotten into the system and long-ago availed themselves of educational opportunities, financial support and health benefits.

He is most concerned now about the military personnel currently from Iraq and Afghanistan.

“These younger vets don’t ask for a lot and don’t take a lot. Getting them in the door is the hardest part. We go out and talk to anyone who will have us in order to make ourselves available. Just ask and we will be there,” said Galati.

The passion Galati has is clear when it comes to helping veterans find all the possible services and resources, whether in medical, financial, educational or other areas. The challenge is not necessarily traditional red tape, but knowing what is available. Continued...

123See Full Story There is the little summary book of benefits and a comprehensive manual as large as a standard dictionary. Galati said his job, and that of his two colleagues in the office, is to identify what is needed and where to find it.

“Those in military service are briefed when they are discharged, but it wouldn’t be possible that they could be told everything about benefits,” Galati said. “When they get home, they are usually flying below the radar, and don’t want to ask for help. The guys and girls in their 20s come in, or are brought in by spouses or parents. Some of the basic knowledge is absent -- like knowing they get five free years of health care.”

Galati’s perspective is highly informed and very sensitive to those who have combat experience. His Air Force service of seven years active duty and three years in the Air Force Reserve includes five military awards, including a Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Purple Heart.

He neither promotes nor avoids talk of his being in the F-4 that went down on his 69th bombing mission.

“Hey, I’m an anti-war guy. No one wants to go to war. But we did learn some lessons from Vietnam,” Galati said, referring in large part to welcoming back the military. “It was difficult if not impossible for the American citizens to separate the military from the war. We were stained by the politics of war. So we hid. It was difficult to join veterans’ organizations. Fast forward to today, and there is much recognition and appreciation for soldiers, even if we hate the war.”

That attitude should enhance the ability for significant outreach to young vets. Galati continues to think there are needs unmet.

“You don’t come back (from war) the same person. There are many with traumatic brain injury and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The transition, separation from the military and readjustment to civilian and family life are difficult,” said Galati, noting even everyday “peace and quiet” can be hard for those returning from war.

With this framework, Galati feels his work is cut out for him, and seems eager to do whatever possible. To accomplish the identified tasks and goals, Galati said he calls on his three careers -- the military, business and teaching. In the case of the latter, he has been an adjunct professor in the areas of information and systems management at colleges and universities including his alma mater, St. Joseph, and also Widener, Neumann, and Cabrini.

“About a year ago, I approached Jack Whelan, who was then County Council Chairman, about volunteering in the Veterans Affairs office, but the county wanted to hire me. We’ve taken the office in a different direction. We still process claims, but there is more outreach. These are the two things I like to do -- teaching and helping vets.”

As if that is not enough, Galati has a resume of other volunteer positions including with the United Service Organization (USO); as a certified coach for the Pennsylvania Special Olympics; a CCD teacher and Eucharistic Minister at St. John Chrysostom parish; Nether Providence Youth Soccer coach; and member of Toastmasters International. He is a life member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilot Association, St. James High School Alumni Association; VFW and AMVETS. Continued... 123See Full Story Galati’s awards are a diverse collection including the Delaware County Bar Association Themis Award, Delaware County Veterans Council Vietnam Veteran of the Year, Christopher Columbus Memorial Association Hall of Fame, and Daughters of the American Revolution Honor Medal.

Galati has been an active and valuable contributor to the planning and activities of the Welcome Home 2012 Parade, specifically the Veterans Outreach and Career Awareness Fair which will take place noon to 5p.m. Saturday (April 28) on the County Courthouse lawn.

“I love this job because through the outreach efforts I get to meet great vets and their families from all around Delaware County. I help them close the loop on making the connections to entitlement benefits. I want to make veterans better clients,” Galati said, ending where he started. 123See Full Story 1234See Full Story When Ralph Galati was a youngster, he probably had report card comments like “works well with others.” Certainly that was the case from school days at Our Lady of Peace in Folsom, to St. James High School and through St. Joseph’s University.

That must have especially been true when he served in the U.S. Air Force as a Weapons Systems Officer in F-4 Phantom aircraft, flying during the Vietnam War, and as a Prisoner of War for 14 months.

Excellence in teamwork and leadership were evident in his 28-year career with IBM as a Certified Client Executive and Global Account Manager, developing solutions for large, global enterprises.

One assumes there was also a lot of teamwork in his marriage of 40 years to Rosemary, and their two adult children, Christine and Steven.

So why, one wonders, does Galati say -- with great affection -- he has issues with his current clients. What Galati would like is that young veterans ask for more.

For about a year, Galati has been liaison at the Delaware County Veterans Affairs office. His role includes outreach efforts across the county, as well as ensuring that all Delaware County veterans and their families receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

Older veterans of Galati’s generation, and those even more senior from World War II and Korea, have generally gotten into the system and long-ago availed themselves of educational opportunities, financial support and health benefits.

He is most concerned now about the military personnel currently from Iraq and Afghanistan.

“These younger vets don’t ask for a lot and don’t take a lot. Getting them in the door is the hardest part. We go out and talk to anyone who will have us in order to make ourselves available. Just ask and we will be there,” said Galati.

The passion Galati has is clear when it comes to helping veterans find all the possible services and resources, whether in medical, financial, educational or other areas. The challenge is not necessarily traditional red tape, but knowing what is available.

There is the little summary book of benefits and a comprehensive manual as large as a standard dictionary. Galati said his job, and that of his two colleagues in the office, is to identify what is needed and where to find it.

“Those in military service are briefed when they are discharged, but it wouldn’t be possible that they could be told everything about benefits,” Galati said. “When they get home, they are usually flying below the radar, and don’t want to ask for help. The guys and girls in their 20s come in, or are brought in by spouses or parents. Some of the basic knowledge is absent -- like knowing they get five free years of health care.”

Galati’s perspective is highly informed and very sensitive to those who have combat experience. His Air Force service of seven years active duty and three years in the Air Force Reserve includes five military awards, including a Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Purple Heart.

He neither promotes nor avoids talk of his being in the F-4 that went down on his 69th bombing mission.

“Hey, I’m an anti-war guy. No one wants to go to war. But we did learn some lessons from Vietnam,” Galati said, referring in large part to welcoming back the military. “It was difficult if not impossible for the American citizens to separate the military from the war. We were stained by the politics of war. So we hid. It was difficult to join veterans’ organizations. Fast forward to today, and there is much recognition and appreciation for soldiers, even if we hate the war.”

That attitude should enhance the ability for significant outreach to young vets. Galati continues to think there are needs unmet.

“You don’t come back (from war) the same person. There are many with traumatic brain injury and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The transition, separation from the military and readjustment to civilian and family life are difficult,” said Galati, noting even everyday “peace and quiet” can be hard for those returning from war.

With this framework, Galati feels his work is cut out for him, and seems eager to do whatever possible. To accomplish the identified tasks and goals, Galati said he calls on his three careers -- the military, business and teaching. In the case of the latter, he has been an adjunct professor in the areas of information and systems management at colleges and universities including his alma mater, St. Joseph, and also Widener, Neumann, and Cabrini.

“About a year ago, I approached Jack Whelan, who was then County Council Chairman, about volunteering in the Veterans Affairs office, but the county wanted to hire me. We’ve taken the office in a different direction. We still process claims, but there is more outreach. These are the two things I like to do -- teaching and helping vets.”

As if that is not enough, Galati has a resume of other volunteer positions including with the United Service Organization (USO); as a certified coach for the Pennsylvania Special Olympics; a CCD teacher and Eucharistic Minister at St. John Chrysostom parish; Nether Providence Youth Soccer coach; and member of Toastmasters International. He is a life member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilot Association, St. James High School Alumni Association; VFW and AMVETS.

Galati’s awards are a diverse collection including the Delaware County Bar Association Themis Award, Delaware County Veterans Council Vietnam Veteran of the Year, Christopher Columbus Memorial Association Hall of Fame, and Daughters of the American Revolution Honor Medal.

Galati has been an active and valuable contributor to the planning and activities of the Welcome Home 2012 Parade, specifically the Veterans Outreach and Career Awareness Fair which will take place noon to 5p.m. Saturday (April 28) on the County Courthouse lawn.

“I love this job because through the outreach efforts I get to meet great vets and their families from all around Delaware County. I help them close the loop on making the connections to entitlement benefits. I want to make veterans better clients,” Galati said, ending where he started.

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http://www.wnd.com/2012/04/how-service-dogs-are-saving-lives-of-returning-vets/  VIDEO:

Dog means life or death for war-wounded vets

89-year old World War II POW behind thriving effort Published: 04/28/2012 at 9:47 PM

Trauma and PTSD Treatment

Residential Treatment Focused on Trauma, PTSD, Depressions and Grief www.therefuge-ahealingplace.com

What happens when an 89-year-old prisoner of war from World War II is put together with a service dog? The answer is changing the lives of scores of wounded American veterans returning home from tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Irwin Stovroff, founder of Vets Helping Heroes, said he witnessed first-hand how service dogs can save the lives of veterans. He explained he was motivated to start a foundation for the purpose since government funds were largely unavailable.

The End-Time is Here 2008 was God's last warning. 2012 is economic collapse & WW III www.the-end.com

“What motivated me was the fact that I realized these young heroes were coming back and were going to have one tough life,” Stovroff told WND’s Aaron Klein in a radio interview. “They had so many handicaps, being blind, losing arms, having seizures, post traumatic stress disorder, and our government had no funds for dogs.”

Vet Helping Heroes provides the funds needed to ensure that a specialized training process for each dog is tailored to respond to the specific needs of each injured soldier.

In some cases, the dogs learn to block off personal space for PTSD-suffering vets. In others, they are guides for soldiers who lost their sight in battle. Some dogs are even trained to signal an impending onset of seizure by barking, offering their owners a crucial second or two to prepare.

Stovroff says the training costs range from $10,000 up to $60,000 per dog, a sum well out of reach for most returning soldiers. Each dog can take up to two years to train. The training is a complex and extensive process that includes many stages.

“These young veterans coming back, this is the highest rate of suicide we have ever had in the military. … Anytime I have been able to work with a veteran and see that he gets a dog, it’s an entire change in his life,” he said.

Stovroff gave the example of one soldier, retired Master Sgt. U.S. Marine Corps Mark Gwathmey.

“He had seizures, eight, 10, 12 a day. He was suicidal. His wife was scared to death to keep anything in the house if anything would happen. His kids were upset.”

Stovroff said after working with a service dog that Gwathmey “is now is happy man, his wife is happy, his family is happy, they’re together.”

“He has an opportunity to go on and continue in life.”

Gwathmey’s wife, Carolyn, said, “I credit Larry (the service dog) with not only giving Mark back his life but with saving Mark’s life.”

Lt. Col. Kathy Champion shares that her “life has been changed immensely” by a guide dog named Angel.

“Angel is more than a member of my family,” Champion said. “She is my partner for life.”

Stovroff fought the Nazis in World War II. He fell into enemy hands when the B-24 Liberator on which he served as bombardier was shot down on his 35th and supposedly last mission.

After a year in Nazi POW camps, he returned home and became a successful businessman in Youngstown, Ohio. He now lives in Florida.

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http://www.military.com/military-report/va-policy-shift-may-harm-vets?ESRC=miltrep.nl 

VA Policy Shift May Harm Vets

Week of April 23, 2012

The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to resume a policy of cutting into the tuition payments from the Post-9/11 GI Bill for veterans with outstanding debts. In a letter sent recently to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, higher education associations warned that the new policy "violates the faith and intent of the enrollment certification process," in which a veteran enrolls in college under the assumption that the Post-9/11 GI Bill will cover the costs. Two U.S. Senators have also sent a letter to the VA Secretary asking him to reconsider the policy change. The college associations have requested a system in which college officials can check on veterans' benefit eligibility, overpayment amounts and other factors that can affect the amount of aid they receive.

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http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2012/04/shift-in-va-recoupment-policy-may-hurt-vets/ 

Shift in VA Recoupment Policy May Hurt Vets

April 16, 2012 | Terry Howell

According to an article by the American Council on Education, the Department of Veterans Affairs may soon change their debt collecting practices in a way that could cause harm to veterans.

Currently, the VA only collects debts from veterans for housing and other payments that go directly to the veteran (like book stipends, and monthly Montgomery GI Bill benefits). Any Post-9/11 GI Bill debts for tuition and fees, which are normally paid directly by the schools, are currently being offset.

However, the VA is considering changing the policy, making veterans responsible to repay any tuition and fee related debts no matter who directly received the original payments.

ACE reports that the higher education association community—led by the National Association of College and University Business Officers—has asked VA to reconsider the shift in policy. In a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, General Shinseki, NACUBO President, John Walda, wrote that the policy would potentially violate “the faith and intent of the enrollment certification process.” Most colleges and universities allow veterans to register and attend classes while waiting for the tuition and fee payment to arrive from VA. This policy change could force schools to rethink that practice if they can no longer count on the VA benefits.

Walda also said that VA’s history of poor communications with schools and students will likely “exacerbate” the problem.

Veterans should be aware of this proposal because the indebtedness process can cause delays in future benefit payments, block class enrollments, and result in insufficient benefits to cover the cost of their educations. In addition, the financial impact could force veterans to consider dropping out entirely. Walda writes that if a veteran withdraws as a result of this policy, he or she, will also incur debt from the school.

You can read the ACE report and the original letter sent by the National Association of College and University Business Officers on the American Council on Education website.

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http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2012/04/charles-taylor?fsrc=gn_ep

What's fair for the war-criminal goose

Apr 30th 2012, 21:51 by M.S.

LAST week Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, became the first escapee from an American maximum-security prison ever to be convicted of crimes against humanity by an international court.

More significantly, he became the first former head of state convicted of crimes against humanity by an international court, at least since Karl Doneitz went down at Nuremberg. Mr Taylor is hardly an international heavyweight, having been pushed out of Liberia under international pressure back in 2003, but the example of his conviction does have some international resonance to other dictators thinking about their futures. Back in the beginning of the protests against Bashir al-Assad in February, 2011, demonstrators in Syria were chanting: "Assad, Assad, we'll see you in The Hague." (This is apparently a near-rhyme in Arabic, as it is in Dutch.) With Mr Taylor having been convicted by the Special Court on Sierra Leone, Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Coast in custody and facing trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the record-fast ICC indictment secured last year against Muammar Qaddafi (who might have ended up in The Hague as well had a few bullets not interceded), international justice is starting to become a serious factor in the way end-of-regime dramas play out for dictators, as they contemplate whether or not to spray the crowds with bullets.

For anyone who has watched the development of structures of international criminal justice since their halting, often ineffectual first steps in the 1990s, this is very encouraging. But in the course of mounting the best possible defence of the indefensible last week, Mr Taylor's lawyer, the silver-tongued British barrister Courtenay Griffiths, made several trenchant arguments. The last was a new version of the argument he's been making for a couple of years, that Mr Taylor is being prosecuted for actions which, had they been committed by the head of a more powerful state, would never have come to trial. This version of the argument was a bit sharper than usual. Mr Taylor was convicted, ultimately, of "aiding and abetting" the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the rebel groups that carried them out in Sierra Leone, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC). If national leaders are going to be convicted of crimes against humanity for providing support, material and otherwise, to groups that commit war crimes in other countries, Mr Griffiths said, he can think of a few other examples: Nicaragua, El Salvador, Afghanistan. Shouldn't American and British leaders, say, be held to the same standard? And yet, "do you seriously think that could ever happen?"

This is a fair point. America has in fact given arms, strategic advice and training, and moral support to armed groups that have committed war crimes. But there are two points to be made in response. The first is that the war crimes committed by the groups Mr Taylor backed were of a spectacular gruesome nature; everyone knew they were committing these crimes; and the links that tied Mr Taylor to the RUF and the AFRC were very, very tight. The Contras did some pretty awful stuff, but their brutality didn't quite rise to the spectacular level achieved by the RUF—routinely lining up villagers and hacking off their forearms, kidnapping their nine-year-old kids and brainwashing them as child soldiers, enslaving their women for sex and their men to mine diamonds, carving their group initials into their foreheads, and so forth and so on. Ronald Reagan wasn't personally on the phone telling Contra leaders to launch offensives with names like "Operation No Living Thing" in which he knew perfectly well they would massacre whole villages, and he didn't personally take delivery in the White House of 40-karat diamonds from Contra officers. The CIA did in fact write a manual for the Contras that essentially advised them to terrorise civilian populations, but in terms of putting a national leader on trial, there's a significantly greater level of remove there.

The second response to Mr Griffiths's question "could that ever happen?" came to me from a lawyer for a major international human-rights organisation, who said, basically, yes. To be more precise, she said: if there is evidence that American officials have given substantial support to foreign armed groups they knew to be involved in war crimes, then "bring on the investigations". There is no hypocrisy here on the part of advocates of holding international actors to account. Obviously, it will always be harder to bring a case against the leader or ex-leader of a major international power than to bring one against dictators in smaller peripheral states. But the position of human-rights advocates is consistent. You have to start somewhere, and what we've seen over the past decade and more of international justice is that, contrary to the more skeptical expectations, a tentative sort of rule of law is gradually being extended over sovereigns who once treated international courts as laughingstocks.

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http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/military/from-pow-to-vip/article_440516fc-9599-11e1-b6a2-001a4bcf887a.html

From POW to VIP: Genoa man part of Freedom Honor Flight

From POW to VIP: Genoa man part of Freedom Honor Flight STEVE CAHALAN | For the Tribune lacrossetribune.com | Posted: Friday, May 4, 2012 12:15 am | Loading…

Font Size:Default font sizeLarger font size . Clifford Armgard, a World War II veteran, is taking the May 12 Freedom Honor Flight to Washington DC. Armgard was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and spent the rest of the war in a German POW camp. Erik Daily

...About the flights Veterans for the flights are selected from applications on a first-come, first-served basis. World War II veterans are given priority, although veterans of any conflict get top priority if terminally ill. To make a donation, get an application form to be on a flight or for more information, go to www.freedomhonorflight.org.

The upcoming trip is being called a Kwik Trip Customer Honor Flight, because it’s paid for in part through a fundraising campaign at Kwik Trip stores.

The public’s invited The public is invited to a brief send-off program for the veterans on the ninth Freedom Honor Flight at about 6 a.m. May 12 in the Colgan Air Services area at the La Crosse Municipal Airport. The public also is invited to help welcome the veterans home when the jet returns about 10:30 p.m.; the hangar doors will open at about 9 p.m. GENOA — Cliff Armgard weighed only 78 pounds when he was liberated from a prisoner of war camp in Germany on April 2, 1945, months after being captured during the Battle of the Bulge.

Today the spry 86-year-old Genoa resident looks forward to joining other World War II veterans on the Freedom Honor Flight organization’s ninth trip from La Crosse to Washington, D.C.

“I’m excited about it,” Armgard said of the May 12 trip. “I think it’s great what they’re (Freedom Honor Flight) doing. This thing is so well planned out.” It will be unlike the chaos Armgard saw as German tanks surrounded his unit in the Battle of the Bulge. It was the last major offensive by the Nazi army.

Armgard, who was an anti-tank gunner, was captured on Dec. 19, 1944.

“We were so mad,” said Armgard, who was a private first class in the Army’s 106th Division. “We felt like we had failed our country by getting captured.” He had been drafted in December 1943 during his senior year of high school in La Grange, Ill., and after training was sent to Europe in fall 1944.

Armgard and other POWs were herded into railroad boxcars and taken to a prisoner camp near Bad Orb, Germany. One day, Allied airplanes spotted the train, not knowing it was carrying POWs, and bombed it. Some of the prisoners died in the attack.

“We arrived at Bad Orb on Christmas day,” Armgard recalled. The little food the POWs had was bad, and he eventually lost nearly half his body weight.

“We would have soup made out of beet tops,” Armgard said, and occasionally would be treated to barley soup. “They would give us a loaf of bread; six men had to share it.”

The POWs slept on a straw mattress, with no blankets. There were two men in each bunk, and the bunks were stacked three high, Armgard said. The POWs would pick lice off each other.

Armgard and the other POWs didn’t know they were about to be liberated until Allied tanks came crashing into the camp.

“The guards who had treated us halfway decent stayed,” Armgard recalled, and the others fled.

After being freed, Armgard was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Ill., before leaving the Army in 1945.

He and his wife, Rose, were married in 1946 and lived in Chicago suburbs until 1993, when they moved to Genoa. Armgard was a route salesman for a Brookfield, Ill., dry cleaning and carpet cleaning business for 40 years until he retired.

“We used to vacation in the Dells and loved it up here,” he said of the couple’s decision to move to Genoa.

Armgard, whose wife died in June, has three children, seven grandchildren and soon will have 13 great-grandchildren.

He and Rose had traveled to Washington, where they saw the World War II memorial.

He said he waited to apply for the Freedom Honor Flight until other veterans who haven’t seen the memorial could make the trip. Friends and family members encouraged him to apply for one of the upcoming journeys, saying it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Armgard will be among about 100 veterans on the 162-passenger Freedom Honor Flight jet flight May 12, organization President Bill Hoel said. The airplane also will carry volunteer guardians and a medical crew.

Most of the veterans served in World War II, although a few Korean War veterans will be on the upcoming flight.

Donations fund the chartered jet trips to Washington, where veterans see the National World War II Memorial and other monuments. The 10th trip will be this fall, Hoel said, but the date hasn’t been announced.

The eight previous flights have taken 786 veterans who lived in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa to the nation’s capital. The first flight was in October 2008.

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http://www.ktvn.com/story/18118660/3-charged-with-using-prisoner-ids-in-theft-scam

3 charged with using prisoner IDs in theft scam

 Posted: May 03, 2012 5:48 PM EDT Updated: May 03, 2012 5:58 PM EDT

May 05, 2012 2:50 PM EDT

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Three people conspired to steal personal information from prison inmates and used it to claim more than $70,000 worth of illegal tax refunds from the state of Pennsylvania, prosecutors said Thursday.

Pennsylvania's attorney general's office announced charges that included conspiracy, money laundering and identity theft against Qadir Abdul Shabazz, 36, and Leslie Julian Shabazz, 30, a married couple from East Point, Ga.; and Dion Lee McBride, 36, of Pittsburgh.

Court records did not show whether the three were represented by lawyers.

Authorities said they appropriated personal information regarding 185 inmates in Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

"This was an intricate scheme that allegedly used stolen personal information, fabricated employment histories, bogus addresses and numerous debit card accounts and bank accounts to steal money from the taxpayers of Pennsylvania," Attorney General Linda Kelly said.

She said they used tax preparation software to create fraudulent tax returns, and had the money sent to locations in the Pittsburgh area.

Prosecutors said Georgia records indicate Leslie Shabazz runs Indigent Inmate Inc., an Atlanta-based group for inmates in financial need.

Last month, investigators searched apartments in East Point and recovered a file cabinet with information about prison inmates in 50 states, Kelly said.

The Shabazzes face extradition hearings in late May and early June in Fulton County, Ga.

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http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2012/05/05/feature-01

US asks for help in finding WWII missing soldiers 05/05/2012

The US government is seeking dozens of missing soldiers from WWII -- some of whom they think may have ended up throughout Southeast Europe. By Linda Karadaku for Southeast European Times in Pristina -- 05/05/12

More than 73,000 US soldiers remain unaccounted for from WWII. [Reuters]

The US Personnel Accounting Community is asking citizens to help provide information on what happened to dozens of missing soldiers, lost during World War II.

Their two leading agencies charged by the US Department of Defence with personnel recovery and accounting are the Defence Prisoner of War / Missing Personnel Office and the Joint Prisoner of War, Missing in Action (MIA) Account Command. Together with other US defence organisations, the two form the “personnel accounting community.”

US Army Lieutenant Colonel James E McDonough, who works at the Defence Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, told SETimes that the project to find the missing soldiers from World War II is taking place on the former Yugoslav territories and Albania.

"We have approximately 198 MIAs who were lost during missions in this region, although about half of them are believed to have been lost in the Adriatic Sea," McDonough told SETimes, adding that his office is also working on several other projects in different regions of Europe.

McDonough said that the best way to cultivate 70-year-old information about a case is from local citizens.

"It may be that a farmer knows of a crash site that is on his land, or that a local church or even mosque is aware of a grave in which an unknown aviator was buried. Sometimes people don't know they have information of value to us, until we ask," he said.

The US government is pursuing "ground losses." "For this mission we are focused on 12 cases, [that include dozens of soldiers] that may take us to Kosovo, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Albania," according to McDonough.

"We want to bring all our military personnel home with honour, whether or not they are still living. We want to know about what happened to them, where they are located, and how we can bring them back to the US," the personnel accounting community said, adding that any information pertaining to missing service personnel is valuable.

There are "at least 16 American servicemen still missing in the land space of the Republic of Kosovo," the community said. These Americans served during WWII, and were either crewmembers of downed US Air Forces aircraft, or prisoners of war held by German forces.

McDonough told SETimes that so far, all of the offices' co-operation with Kosovo has been through the US Embassy in Pristina.

"[On April 30th,] however, we started to receive feedback from local citizens, who believe they might have information about some of these cases," he said. "We will respond to everyone, sometimes to ask more questions, and other times just to gratefully acknowledge the information provided."

One of the reports -- coded 11286 -- is about a missing air crew on a B-24H, which was last seen over Mitrovica, Kosovo, en route to Foggia, Italy. In this case, the plane could have crashed anywhere between Kosovo and the Italian coast.

Another case -- coded 9599 -- details an air crew of eight missing personnel. Seven of the men were either known or believed to be on board the B-24H, as it went down spinning near Mitrovica. "One of the men bailed out wounded, and was reported by the partisans to have been captured by the Germans and taken to a hospital near Mitrovica," McDonough said.

02/04/2012 Case 10720 includes one missing air crew personnel. "His colleagues survived, and were told by the Germans that he was shot while attempting escape, though none of the crew members believed this to be true. According to German records, he was buried near Brnjica, near the Albanian border," McDonough said.

Kosovo authorities have not been involved in the cases of the missing American military staff.

Prenk Gjetaj, the chairman of Kosovo’s government commission for missing persons, told SETimes that although the mandate of his mission is to provide information on the fate of missing persons from the last war, "it is ready to assist in finding out the fate of the persons missing earlier, in different historical periods, such as during WWII."

"I can confirm that the commission has not taken yet any official request to assist in any possible process for the identification of the missing persons during the Second World War. We are ready to co-operate and offer our assistance if such a request is presented to us," Gjetaj told SETimes

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http://www.military.com/news/article/marine-corps-to-open-officer-infantry-school-to-women.html?ESRC=eb.nl 

Marine Corps to Open Infantry Officer Course to Women

April 20, 2012

Stars and Stripes|by Jennifer Hlad

WASHINGTON -- The Marine Corps will soon allow women to attend its school for infantry officers, as part of a larger effort to determine how to expand the role of women in the Corps.

Gen. Joseph Dunford, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, told the Marine Corps Times on Wednesday that the service is in the process of soliciting volunteers to attend the Infantry Officer Course in Quantico, Va.

All Marine infantry officers attend the 10-week course after completing The Basic School. Dunford and other Marine officials have not said what the next steps will be for women who volunteer to attend the school.

The Marine Corps is expected to release a service-wide message soon about expanding career and training opportunities for women. The message will include information about women attending IOC.

The Corps earlier this year requested that Congress approve an exception to policy that would allow female company-grade officers and female staff noncommissioned officers who already hold certain military occupational specialties, such as communications, to be assigned to about 400 corresponding jobs with ground combat element units at the battalion level. The units include artillery, tanks, amphibious assault, low-altitude air defense, combat assault and combat engineers, but not infantry units.

Women will be considered for those positions starting in May.

Dunford also said there is a plan to evaluate male and female Marines against new physical fitness standards that are being developed. The information from all the new initiatives will be incorporated into a report later this year from the Corps to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

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http://www.military.com/news/article/navy-marine-cg-chiefs-give-bleak-outlook.html?ESRC=marines_a.nl

Navy, Marine, CG Chiefs Give Bleak Outlook

April 16, 2012 Military.com|by Philip Ewing

The chiefs of the naval services gave a bleak outlook Monday about continued global strife and their ability to respond with smaller, older forces, but said they had no choice but to do their best.

“The maritime forces are the first responders and that’s the bottom line,” said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert. “When underway, we’re prepared to do whatever it will take to make things happen and make the outcome correct.”

That’s in spite of shrinking, aging Navy and Coast Guard fleets, a Marine Corps set to lose 20,000 troops over the next six years, and a world “that doesn’t seem to be getting any nicer or more peaceful,” quipped Marine Commandant Gen. James Amos.

Amos predicted the coming two decades would bring resource wars, population growth and threats from terror groups with access to advanced weapons. The potential threat from an expanding Chinese military went unmentioned, but both he and Greenert reaffirmed the importance of the Obama administration’s strategic “pivot” to the Western Pacific.

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http://www.onemarinesview.com/one_marines_view/2012/05/marine-pilot-earns-honor-for-heroic-libya-rescue-no-shit-news-nsn-im-sure-you-saw-this-on-the-news-r.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+onemarinesview%2FmZTC+%28One+Marines+View%29

One Marine's View

- Marine pilot earns honor for heroic Libya rescue - No Shit News (NSN)-Im sure you saw this on the news right?

Posted: 02 May 2012 05:46 AM PDT

Maj. J. Eric Grunke, pictured here April 24 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., has been named Marine Corps Aviator of the Year by the Marine Corps Aviation Association

Im sure you heard about this in the news right? What? It wasnt on your local news channel? You mean they didnt report about our heroes in WAR doing brave heroric feats? What are they reporting on then??? Read on America as you will learn how your heroes are doing the unthinkable, brave actions, that dont get even a mention on the news nontheless in America. Read on about your hero.

Time for a CGar!

Maj. J. Eric Grunke had just left a late-evening briefing to grab some chow when the rumors started to circulate aboard the Kearsarge: There was a friendly jet down in Libya.

The Harrier pilot and his wingman left their plates to learn more.

Indeed, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle had gone down near the city of Benghazi, and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, aboard the amphibious assault ship, was going to launch the rescue mission.

For his actions during the after-midnight rescue effort on March 22, 2011, Grunke has earned the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Marine Corps Aviator of the Year Award.

The award honors the leatherneck who has made “the most outstanding contribution to Marine aviation” in the past year, according to a Marine news release.

There was little information on the downed pilot, Air Force Maj. Kenneth Harney, beyond his last known location. The Marines knew the F-15 was in the area to strike Libyan anti-air weapons, but they didn’t know the extent of the defenses or whether those defenses had shot down the F-15. The weapons systems officer had been protected by friendly rebel forces and rescued, but the pilot was on his own.

Grunke’s Harrier detachment, part of Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), had been flying armed reconnaissance missions over Libya for the previous three days as part of Operation Odyssey Dawn, the international effort to fight troops loyal to Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi. So the pilots knew the area, just not the specifics of Harney’s situation.

As they were prepping their gear, checking their flight suits and getting their sidearms, Grunke told his wingman — Capt. Travis Morris, who was flying his first night of combat operations — to grab a couple extra magazines.

“His eyes, you know, go the size of dinner plates,” Grunke said. “He says, ‘Where do I put the extras?’ I said, ‘Just put it in your G-suit, let’s go.’” Upon reaching the Libyan coastline, Grunke started looking for the smoke trails of surface-to-air missiles and switched to the downed pilot’s radio frequency.

“Right away, I could hear the wind rustling by the microphone of his radio,” Grunke said. “And I hear him whispering and panting on the phone; it’s obvious he’s been running.”

Grunke, 33, earned his qualification as an airborne forward air controller before deploying, certifying him to control air resources engaged in ground support operations. He had also done a tour as a forward air controller on the ground.

“That experience is key. Not only that night, but in general as a Harrier pilot,” he said. “You know what the customer is looking for.”

In addition, Grunke and Morris, along with the rest of the expeditionary unit, had simulated a rescue mission before their deployment.

It all became very real, Grunke said, when he contacted an Air Force F-16 that had been flying overhead, strafing ground targets to protect the downed pilot. Grunke could overhear the F-16 pilot talking to Harney.

“That’s really a guy on the deck. This is no longer training and he’s fearing for his life,” he said.

Grunke remembers thinking about all the reading he’d done on combat missions over Vietnam, and how other pilots stopped their missions to help downed comrades.

“All attention is given to locating the pilot,” he said. “What I’m thinking is, ‘OK, now is my chance to live up to that —what they did.’”

Through his night-vision goggles, Grunke could see the lights of two vehicles chasing the pilot, “meandering their way through the desert,” he said.

Grunke asked the downed pilot if he needed air support. The pilot said yes.

“Just prior to me turning inbound to drop the bomb, he comes on the radio and, crying, says, ‘Tell my wife I love her,’” Grunke said. Grunke told the pilot not to worry because one of his laser-guided, 500-pound bombs would be on deck within a minute.

The tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission was complete when MV-22 Ospreys recovered the pilot shortly after.

Grunke said he reminds junior pilots that, when providing close-air support, they have to be the voice of reason “because the guy on deck is under significant stress and duress. We have to be the one that remains calm through all that to provide him with what he needs.”

After Harney was brought aboard the Kearsarge, Grunke spoke to him briefly.

“I didn’t really want to bother him too much,” Grunke said, because Harney was a bit shaken up. But the two have kept in informal contact via email.

“It’s certainly a special bond we’ll probably always have through that experience,” Grunke said.

Grunke is serving as an aircraft maintenance officer with Marine Attack Squadron 542 out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. He will be honored in May in Washington, D.C.

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http://www.dvidshub.net/news/87953/female-marines-bond-with-afghan-women-children#.T6U99q5bfZd  Female Marines bond with Afghan women, children

MUSA QA’LEH DISTRICT, Afghanistan – It’s common in Afghan culture for men to refrain from talking to women they aren’t related to.

To respect Afghan culture, female Marines have risen to the task of communicating with an otherwise unreachable part of the population.

Marines with Female Engagement Team 1, 1st Marine Division (Forward) talk to Afghans in the Musa Qa’leh district, and learn about local perspectives on International Security Assistance Forces.

“We help get a better understanding of the area and help influence the population,” said Cpl. Mallory R. Ortiz, a FET member with Team 1.

The FET opens up more opportunities to gain support of the population.

“Being a female, the biggest advantage is instead of having access to only 50 percent of the population, as males do, we have access to 100 percent,” said Ortiz, 22, from Medford, Mass. “We can talk to males, females and children. With cultural sensitivities, males cannot approach females and sometimes children.”

Although they mostly stay at home, women in Afghan society know a lot about the area through their local observations and what news they hear from their relatives.

“Women out here have a different perspective than the males,” said Cpl. Amber L. Fifer, a FET member with Team 1. “Males work all day and go to the bazaar, but the women hear from the men and children and know what is going on.”

FET 1 arrived in Musa Qa’leh March 30, and has significantly impacted what Marines know about the local area.

“Information we’ve learned so far has been deemed extremely valuable,” said Fifer, 20 from Parker, Calif. “All the information we gained has come through women and children we’ve talked to.”

FET members say learning information is not difficult once the team builds relationships.

“The people in the Musa Qa’leh district area are always excited to talk to us,” said Ortiz. “Men have no problem having us approach their wives or speak to their families. We’ve even been told that they want us to teach their families about our lives and what we do.”

The two Marines with FET 1 know their work is making a difference and enjoy the opportunity they have to directly support the infantry.

“Out here, this provides us with an opportunity that female Marines would otherwise never get the chance to do,” said Fifer. “We are in support of an infantry unit and do what we have to, so they can get the information they need.”

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USMC 4-star: Women to attend infantry school

Posted: 20 Apr 2012 06:47 AM PDT

With the understanding that the infantry is the most physical demanding job in the military, do you think women should be allowed to be infantry fighters? ">By James K. Sanborn - Staff writer Posted : Wednesday Apr 18, 2012 15:36:36 EDT

The Marine Corps school that produces infantry combat officers will enroll its first-ever female students this year, Marine Corps Times has learned.

As part of the service’s extensive research campaign to determine what additional jobs could be opened to women, an undetermined number of volunteers will attend the Infantry Officers Course in Quantico, Va., said Gen. Joseph Dunford, the Corps’ assistant commandant. There, Marine officers are groomed to serve in direct combat roles and lead troops into battle.

“We are in the process right now of soliciting volunteers,” Dunford said on Wednesday.

It’s a monumental — if controversial — move for the Marine Corps, which until now barred female Marines from the program and required instead that they attend other courses aimed at preparing them for assignments in support roles such as logistics, personnel administration and aircraft maintenance, among others.

Soon, enlisted women also will have an opportunity to attend infantry training, Dunford said. Marine officials are developing plans to assign female Marines to the Corps’ Infantry Training Battalions, which fall under the Schools of the Infantry.

If women are to be in the infantry why does the Marine Corps have two different Physical Fitness Tests? Women in the Marines do not do pull ups like male Marines but do a flex arm hang - a lesser physical "test" because women do not characteristicaly have the upper body strength of men to do pull ups, thus "flex arm test" was designed for testing. Can you have two "physical" tests but at the same time say both are qualified to do the same "physical" job?

Officials don’t yet know how many women — officer or enlisted — will be put into the academic pipeline for the Corps’ “03” infantry occupational code, Dunford said. All will be volunteers — and it remains to be seen how many will answer the call, he said.

It’s not immediately clear either what the next steps will be for those women who successfully complete the Corps’ infantry training programs. Marine officials at Quantico, who have led the service’s effort to explore lifting restrictions on women in combat, said these details are finalized, but declined to discuss them pending an official unveiling in the coming days.

The Marine Corps’ top general, Commandant Gen. Jim Amos, traveled Wednesday to Camp Lejeune, N.C., where among other business he was expected to meet with Marines and explain the service’s plans for expanding women’s career opportunities, Dunford said. Amos was joined by his senior enlisted adviser, Sgt. Maj. Mike Barrett.

Related reading DoD to recommend new combat roles for women (Feb. 9)

“I think the important thing for us is to articulate the commandant’s intent, and to explain what he is doing and why he is doing it,” Dunford said. “The best way to do that is face-to-face, and he, with the sergeant major … is doing that right now.”

The Corps has been studying this issue for more than a year. In February, officials announced that company-grade officers and staff noncommissioned officers would be assigned for the first time to select jobs previously open only to men, though not in the infantry or any billets for which ground combat is a primary mission. Starting in May, women will be considered for about 400 positions within six types of battalions:

• Amphibious assault

• Artillery

• Combat assault

• Combat engineer

• Low-altitude air defense

• Tank.

Additionally, new functional fitness tests are being developed to help Marine Corps leaders determine how women and men perform in, and cope with, various combat tasks. The goal is to establish “gender-neutral” physical fitness standards. Details are scant, but the Marine Corps’ Training and Education Command is looking to purchase a variety of new equipment specifically for these tests, suggesting the tasks associated with them will closely mimic combat-essential duties such as operating and moving heavy weaponry, and carrying casualties from the battlefield.

The Marine Corps defines gender-neutral physical standards as being identical for men and women, rather than weighted — or “gender-normed” — like those applied in the service’s annual Physical Fitness Test. During the PFT, women can earn a minimum or maximum score with fewer repetitions and a slower run times than their male counterparts.

This suggests that women wanting to serve in ground combat units will be given the shot to do so only if they can keep pace with their male counterparts. Standards would likely evaluate Marines not as women and men, but simply as infantrymen, tank crewmen or artillerymen, for example.

“There is a plan to … evaluate males and females against those standards and, potentially, a downstream plan to put women through other training that actually will be informed by our experience” with infantry training, Dunford said. “I think you will hear more from the commandant on that coming up.”

The data gleaned from all these efforts, Dunford said, will be used to inform a recommendation from the Marine Corps to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. That’s expected to be done by mid-November.

This past winter, the Defense Department published a report saying that nonlinear combat against a shadowy enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan has negated the notion of a frontline behind which women can be kept safe. Working in support roles, 144 women have been killed in action and 865 injured since the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, according to Defense Department data. As such, old prohibitions have become irrelevant, according to the report.

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http://www.dodbuzz.com/2012/04/20/tomorrows-reconstituted-marine-corps

Tomorrow’s ‘reconstituted’ Marine Corps

By Philip Ewing Friday, April 20th, 2012 11:56 am Posted in Naval All the services will probably look different after the end of the Afghan war, but the Marine Corps could well be the one that changes the most.

The brass has vowed to get back to its “expeditionary roots;” to rediscover the ways of “amphibiosity;” and, most of all, to get much lighter.

“As I say, the United States Marine Corps needs to go on weight control,” Assistant Commandant Gen. Joe Dunford said on Wednesday. That doesn’t just mean that it’s counting on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle to be as light as possible, the better to go aboard Navy gators, but also that the Corps can’t just “reset” — it must “reconstitute” itself.

“Looking toward the future, we have 10 years of experience at war and we’ve learned a lot of lessons — a lot of equipment we had in the past is probably inadequate to support the distributed, disaggregated operations we expect, so we are doing a review and we’ll determine how to reconstitue the Marine Corps to meet tomorrow’s challenges, not yesterday’s,” Dunford said. – “We’re not resetting the Marine Corps to 2001– 2001 has nothing to do with our future security challenges … we’re going to reconstitute for the future.”

Dunford said one key next move will be the release of an analysis of alternatives around this June that he expects could show the way for the Marines’ new amphibious combat vehicle and the rest of its tactical fleet. The Corps already plans to replace 5,000 of its Humvees with JLTVs, but this AoA should set down broader directions for the future force, the brass says.

(Maybe — every AoA is held up as the Rosetta Stone until it comes out, but it doesn’t take long to become yesterday’s news.)

Dunford reaffirmed that the ACV remains the Marines’ biggest priority, given that today’s fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicles cannot last much longer. It was supposed to have been replaced by the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, but that dream is dead. The Marines are in a pickle because they want to replace the EFV with something like the EFV — an amphibious APC that can speed ashore — but it can’t be so much like the EFV that it too succumbs to problems, delays and cost growth.

This dilemma could be one reason for Dunford’s “reconstitution:” The need for the EFV was driven by a doctrine under which the Navy’s amphibious fleet would stand far out to sea, necessitating a transport that could get up on plane and speed over the waves to the beach. If you don’t get up on plane, you can still make the trip, but you have to plod through the chop and your poor Marines get bounced and tossed inside their vehicle — not to mention that slowness makes them an easy target.

So the Marine Corps must assess whether the EFV died because the basic concept was unachievable, or because the program itself just had some problems. If the brass determines an EFV-like vehicle is possible, and uses the lessons of the previous program to make the ACV work, there you are — the doctrine can survive. But if a wave-skimming amtrac is just too hard to get for the money available, Quantico might need to step back and rethink its overall game plan.

More than that could change in a “reconstituted” Marine Corps, down to service officials’ basic acquisition strategy. In the 90s and 2000s, the Marines’ message was simple: “Look, you Pentagon and Capitol Hill pogues,” the Corps said — “if you want us to be able to continue doing the missions we do today, you have no choice but to continue supporting the expensive, high-end, controversial platforms we want. We need a utility aircraft and our CH-46s are toast; that means the MV-22 Osprey. Our AAVs are rusting from the inside out. That means the EFV. Our AV-8B Harriers are at the end of their lives. That means the F-35B.”

The score sheet from this game is decidedly mixed: The Osprey was a victory, but came at such a cost that it may never have a good name outside the Corps. The F-35B is still on the books but has no date for initial operational capability, and the Corps is making plans to keep flying its Harriers until 2030. The EFV was cancelled, and even though the Marines sought to put a rosy spin on the episode by citing the basic “validation” that Secretary Gates gave to their amphibious mission, validations can’t swim out of the well deck with a squad of riflemen.

So the game of ‘If we don’t get X, we can’t function anymore,’ may itself not work anymore.

Still, it’s never been very smart to bet against the Marine Corps. Along with the Navy, it’s the fulcrum for the U.S. “pivot” to the Western Pacific, which could give it disproportionate throw weight in going after the ACV and whatever other programs might emerge from Dunford’s look ahead.

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POW/MIA RADIO:

All,

This is a resend of my show notice. Seems there was a problem with my original message. Sorry if you receive this twice.

Rod Utech

Subject: POW/MIA Radio

All,

Our scheduled guests on POW/MIA Radio for Sunday, May 6, 2012 are:

2:00pm Mtn - News and Views: An hour of the latest POW/MIA and veterans issues.

3:00pm Mtn - Mr. Leo Hrdlicka: Leo's brother, Capt. David Hrdlicka, USAF, was lost and went Missing in Action 47 years ago on May 18, 1965. He was on a mission that took him over Laos when he was shot down by ground fire. He successfully parachuted from his F-105 but was later captured. David was seen alive afterward and appeared in a Vietnamese newspaper and on a taped recorded broadcast. China claimed him as a prisoner and he appeared in Russia's PRAVDA. Our own intelligence reported him alive in the cave complex near Sam Neua, Laos. Leo has worked extensively for his release, even travelling the Mekong River seeking information on his brother. He remains active in the issue and will offer his comments on current issues today and the best selling book by former congressman Billy Hendon and Beth Stewart, An Enormous Crime: The Definitive Account of American POWs Abandoned in Southeast Asia. For more information, please visit: http://www.enormouscrime.com/ .

4:00pm Mtn - Mr. John LeBoutillier: Are the presidential candidates set as we enter the homestretch for the elections in November? With the elections in six months, will there be any surprises or we we just get the government we deserve? John will discuss the frontrunners, hopefuls and other issues. Why isn't there a candidate that would work with us for honest answers concerning our Missing? John moderates Campaign Insiders, a fresh, new political commentary news show on FOX-TV, Sunday afternoon with Pat Caddell and Doug Schoen. Type in Campaign Insiders in your browser and look for Fox-TV's schedule. Former Congressman from New York, Mr. LeBoutillier is a regular columnist for NewsMax.com. He is a nationally recognized political commentator and has been a frequent guest on national talk shows. John has authored several books and also contributes to several major newspapers and magazines. He has been active in POW/MIA issues since he served as a member of the Special House POW/MIA Task Force. For a fresh, honest insight, please view his articles found at http://www.newsmax.com . You can also see his blog site at http://leboutillier.blogspot.com/ .

Mark your calendars for the 23rd Annual National Alliance of Families Forum, June 15-16, 2012. Please visit http://www.nationalalliance.org for more information.

Jack and Wilma Laeufer of Lima Area MIA-POW (a 501(c)3 org. in 1984 (LIMA AREA MIA-POW EIN# 34-1408002) - Longtime supporters of the POW/MIA issue, Jack and Wilma contributed to many POW/MIA groups by raising funds through the sale of POW/MIA and military merchandise. They originally intended to cease sales at the end of 2011. They have reviewed that decision and decided they will continue to sell merchandise into 2012, to exhaust their inventory. If you need flags, or POW/MIA items, please contact Jack and Wilma at:

6525 Mayberry Road (residence) Columbus Grove, Ohio 45830 Res 419-641-2340 Cell 419-792-9113 email: jwlaeufer@watchtv.net

For a full revised list of their merchandise, visit http://www.nationalalliance.org/lima/order.htm . You can print a copy of their order form from the website.

Thanks to our sponsors for this sponsorship period:

The National Alliance of POW/MIA Families Lima Area MIA-POW Chained Eagles of Ohio

Listen to POW/MIA Radio every Sunday, worldwide, on The American Freedom Network, http://www.americanewsnet.com . We also broadcast with 10,000 watts on KHNC-AM, 1360kz, Johnstown, Colorado. If you are unable to get the show on the website, please delete your bookmark and re-enter the URL in your browser address line and try again. Please note our show call-in number, 1-877-254-7524.

Rod Utech

"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!" Patrick Henry, 1775

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CALIFORNIA:

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_20472179/vietnam-war-pow-candidate-superior-court-judge-talks

Vietnam War POW, candidate for Superior Court judge, talks to Citrus College students

By Juliette Funes, SGVN twitter.com/juliette_funessgvtribune.com Posted: 04/24/2012 06:06:14 PM PDT

Col. Ken Hughey (USAF) Ret., an F4C Pilot in Vietnam who flew over 500 mission and was shot down in 1967, spoke to Citrus college students about his experience as a POW at the Hanoi Hilton for the rest of the war. He was severely tortured and was lucky to survive. Hughey, a Manhatten Beach resident, is now running for Superior Court Judge. (Courtesy Photo, Ken Hughey) GLENDORA - Entering into the Vietnam War with the will to win the war on his own, seasoned Air Force fighter pilot Ken Hughey didn't imagine it would lead to six years of imprisonment and torture.

A prisoner of war at the Hanoi Hilton in North Vietnam, the Mississippi native lived to tell the tale of his survival and perseverance to a group of students at Citrus College on Monday night.

"When you're put in a difficult situation, you have no choice but to deal with it," the 79-year-old veteran said. "Your choice is to throw up your hands and die, but we all have a will to survive and you do the best you can."

After returning from Vietnam, the Manhattan Beach resident went on to became a criminal prosector and is now running for a seat on the bench in Los Angeles County Superior Court in the upcoming November election.

"He's one of those stories of success that you need to know," said Citrus College history professor Stephen Nelson, who teaches the school's Vietnam War class.

Hughey - whose military decorations include two silver stars, 30 air medals, four Purple Hearts and two bronze stars - began his military career at age 17. He climbed the ranks to become a combat fighter pilot and achieved the rank of Colonel.

Hughey said he volunteered for a second tour in Vietnam.

"This was a crazy war," Hughey said. "You never saw the enemy much. They didn't march in columns or dig trenches. They did what they did best snuck around." Hughey recalled his favorite duty - armed reconnaissance, in which he and his fellow pilots would attack specific enemy targets and moving trucks during the night while the unsuspecting enemy drove below.

"Believe it or not, it was fun and that's a terrible thing to say," Hughey said of the attacks. "When the whole skyline would light up, it made your day."

But what was supposed to be a routine mission for Hughey in 1967 would end up turning his life upside down for the next six years.

While flying through the Southeast Asian skies to bomb a railroad with supplies headed toward North Vietnam, Hughey, who was 35 years old at the time, took anti-aircraft artillery fire.

"Anytime you were airborne in Southeast Asia, there was a chance you were going to get shot at," said Hughey, whose flew more than 550 combat missions in Vietnam.

After what seemed like a lengthy cat-and-mouse game, Hughey, and the officer he was flying with, were shot down.

Hughey ejected from the F-4 Phantom and landed on the ground, injuring his back and painfully aware of who surrounded him.

"When we hit the ground, it was like a hornet's nest," Hughey said. "There weren't a whole lot of them, but we knew we weren't going anywhere."

Hughey and his fellow airman were blindfolded, tied up and taken by truck to Hoa Lo Prison, more commonly known to by American POWs as the Hanoi Hilton.

The Hanoi Hilton was a prison used by the North Vietnamese Army to torture and interrogate captured servicemen, including Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona.

After disclosing his rank, Hughey said he was taken to Room 18 - a torture room used to "severely punish" POWS who didn't cooperate.

"Not everybody got out of that room alive," Hughey said as he recalled his captor called him a "criminal who has committed the blackest crimes."

Refusing to disclose his base, Hughey was tortured and starved for the next 24 hours, after which he finally gave in and "broke the code" of military conduct.

"I sold my soul for a cup of water and I felt like I'd just totally betrayed my country," he said. "There were some Americans who died in that room who took it, but there were 500 of us ... who were scarred, beaten and broken."

The shame and guilt of his statements - thoughts of being court-martialed or dishonorably discharged - haunted him for the next several days.

Hughey said he was then taken to another part of the Hanoi Hilton, where he was kept in isolation and learned from nearby prisoners the tap code, a communications system in which messages are communicated through tap sounds that are different for each letter.

Despite each prisoner being in complete isolation, the tap code allowed them to communicate rules - such as never bowing in public - and even establish a leadership structure among the prisoners, Hughey said.

From 1967 to 1972, Hughey was transferred between four prisons, spending about five continuous months in complete isolation.

"I had learned through the walls where I had been," he said.

There had also been escape attempts that resulted in deaths and near-death beatings.

"You just had to stay invisible. There was no chance," Hughey said.

His will to survive was made stronger knowing that his wife and son were waiting for him at home.

Prisoners began getting released in early 1973 when the prison closed. By then, Hughey was 41 years old.

"I lived for the day that I could get home and see her again and my family," he said.

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http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20120505/LIFESTYLE/205050301/A-special-group-reunites-Salinas A special group reunites in Salinas El Sausal Junior High's 1952 graduating class to hold reunion

They played kick-the-can, scurried about on their bicycles and watched Kirk Douglas and Lana Turner movies on the glowing Skyview Drive-In screen.

"We just watched those shows through the fence," John Wisdom, 74, said of those "free" films.

That was 1952, a time in Salinas when 16 cents would buy a gallon of gas.

Though they never realized it at the time, Wisdom and his friends were members of what proved to be one of the more intriguing classes to emerge from any Salinas classroom.

They were the first to enter as seventh-graders and exit as ninth-graders from El Sausal Junior High on East Alisal Street. (Today, it's El Sausal Middle School.)

"When we started in the seventh grade, they hadn't even built the classrooms for the eighth and ninth grade," Wisdom said.

Tuesday, that 1952 graduating class holds its 60th reunion, its first ever.

"I'd say a lot of excellent students were in that group," said Palmina (Brunelli) Rende, who taught English during those years. "They were exceptional."

Rende — she was "Miss Brunelli" then — recalls, for example, a good-natured boy named Joe Kapp.

That would be the same Joe Kapp destined for the College Football Hall of Fame and All-American status — for starters. Kapp went on to quarterback the 1970 Minnesota Vikings, who lost to Kansas City 23-7 in Super Bowl IV.

He lives today in Los Gatos, and he'll be among those at Tuesday's reunion, Wisdom said.

"Joe was tall and gangly, polite and a good student who liked to do acting," Rende said.

Then there was Everett Alvarez Jr., for whom Everett Alvarez High School is named. Alvarez was an excellent student. After high school, he went on to Santa Clara University and then became a Navy pilot.

On Aug. 6, 1964, Alvarez was shot down and captured by North Vietnamese troops. He spent 8 1/2 years as a prisoner of war.

Though he's made numerous trips to his hometown, Alvarez, who lives on the East Coast, will not be attending the reunion, Wisdom said.

Jim Gattis will be there, though, Wisdom said.

Also a classmate, Gattis opted to build a career in his hometown. He became a real estate investor, a founding director of the California International Airshow Salinas and president of the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital board of directors, among many other things.

Most in the class, in fact, went on lead varied and productive lives.

As for the school's teaching staff, it, too, proved exceptional, Rende recalled.

"About half were veterans," returning from service during World War II, she said.

One, for example, served as a paratrooper and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

After the guns were silenced, the veterans returned home. They enrolled in college and earned their degrees. They presented a commanding presence in El Sausal's new classrooms.

Others, teachers armed with solid credentials, were hired out of the Midwest. Only a couple, like Rende, were new to the profession. She was hired in 1949 to teach English and girls' physical education.

"I remember that first day of classes in the new school," she said. "The teachers didn't even have desks yet. We had to stand."

Wisdom is an organizer of the reunion. He grew up in the family home on Orchard Avenue.

"In those days, everybody walked to school, or they rode their bikes," those two-wheelers, with white-walled balloon tires.

"Going to school was like going to a place where you had a whole lot of good friends and a good time every day," Wisdom said.

After graduating from Salinas High School, Wisdom joined the Navy, too. He worked as an "aviation structural mechanic." He fixed everything "from hydraulics to bullet holes," he said.

He recalled the shock upon hearing of Everett Alvarez's capture by the North Vietnamese.

"It just scares hell out of me to think what he had to go through," Wisdom said.

After 30 years, Wisdom retired from the Navy as a master chief supervising 224 people.

On Tuesday, groups of alumni will be shown about by student guides. Soup and sandwiches will be served.

Expected attendance About 75 people including 40 out of the 1952 class of 225 are expected.

Some 60 in that class are known to have died, Wisdom said.

Like all such reunions, Tuesday's will be a golden chance to reconnect and reminisce. Six decades after leaving El Sausal Junior High, Wisdom remains grateful for his time there.

"I look at all these 'kids,' " he said. "I can't believe that we were in junior high together.

"This is going to be a fun time."

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COLORADO:

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_20534081/korean-war-pows-remains-return-u-s-61 Korean War POW's remains return to US 61 years after his death Daily Camera Master Sgt. Elwood Green died in the Korean War at the age of 33. That much has been known. But it was only this year that two pieces of reburied bone -- a tibia and part of the jaw -- were identified as belonging to Green, a prisoner of war who had

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CONNECTICUT:

http://www.theday.com/article/20120424/NWS01/304249927/1017

Griswold students stirred by vet's tales of WWII

By Jeffrey A. Johnson Publication: The Day

Updated 04/24/2012 12:57 PM Sean D. Elliot/The Day

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, right, meets with World War II submarine veteran Ernie Plantz on the stage at Griswold High School Monday.

Sean D. Elliot/The DayU.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, right, meets with World War II submarine veteran Ernie Plantz on the stage at Griswold High School Monday.

Sean D. Elliot/The DayU.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, meets with World War II submarine veteran Ernie Plantz as a member of Courtney's staff snaps a photo on the stage at Griswold High School Monday. Courtney interviewed Plantz for the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. Plantz, who survived the sinking of his submarine, USS Perch, in 1942 and was a prisoner of the Japanese for the remainder of the war, was the first of 20 veterans who will be interviewed by students at the high school as part of the project. The stage was still set for a recent production of the musical "Anything Goes" by the school drama club.Buy Photo of COMMENTS (2) Courtney interviews 92-year-old at school for Library of Congress

Griswold - The images of a 3½-year imprisonment are still fresh in the mind of 92-year-old Ernest "Ernie" Plantz.

"For the first month, our food was a stale hamburger bun," Plantz said of his early days as a prisoner of war. "Then it was rice once a day. … It was never enough to satisfy you. You were always hungry."

All told, Plantz spent 1,297 days in captivity during World War II. A submariner and Navy man, he was taken as a prisoner after his sub, the USS Perch (SS-176), was sunk by an enemy convoy in the Java Sea.

Plantz was held by the Japanese at a former Dutch Army camp, where he escaped disease and death, until he was finally rescued and allowed to return home to his family.

Ever since, Plantz, now of Gales Ferry, has shared how his faith in God and his country carried him through the most harrowing times of his life. He did this again on Monday afternoon for the entire junior and senior classes at Griswold High School as part of the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, interviewed Plantz, and the one-hour interview was taped.

Created in 2000, the project aims to capture the accounts of veterans who have served in various wars ranging from World War I to the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.

Videotapes and other correspondence - letters, postcards, photographs and more - will be cataloged in an effort to preserve these memories for others to learn from. Griswold students will soon begin their part of the project by finding veterans in the community to interview.

"We've been trying to infuse a connection between the community and the military," said Betsy Kowal, a civics teacher who helped organize the Veterans History Project at the school. "We felt this was a cool way for them to hear it first-hand."

Plantz told of the three nerve-racking days he spent with his crew submerged on the Perch as depth charges slowly destroyed the sub. Eventually, the crew of 53 submariners abandoned ship and went into the water.

Once in captivity, Plantz was forced to perform manual labor. The beatings were often severe; in one instance, he said he was beaten 75 times with a club. In sharing the details, he pointed to Courtney's dark dress slacks to give an example of how black his backside was after the beating.

A bout with dysentery and malaria in January 1945 also nearly killed Plantz. He said he was unconscious for six days and received an injection from a Dutch doctor, another prisoner, that helped bring him to. He dwindled to about 80 pounds during the ordeal, down from the healthy 175 he was when he enlisted.

Students seemed intrigued by Plantz's words and gave him a huge round of applause that clearly moved him. Coincidentally, a makeshift ship, part of the set left over from the school play "Anything Goes," served as the backdrop for Plant's interview on the school auditorium stage.

"It was so incredible just to listen to him," said junior Taylor Chaffee, who said her mother is stationed at the Army base in Fort Drum, N.Y., and that she hopes to join the Marine Corps.

Kowal and Phil Anctil, the in-school suspension coordinator, said the plan is for students to interview 30 veterans. The exercise will also be a way for students interested in serving in the military to learn what the life is like.

"We really want them to hear it from the horse's mouth," Anctil said. "They'll see the benchmark of what they'll have to do. A picture is worth a thousand words."

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http://www.military.com/news/article/navy-reassigns-3-female-submariners-in-fraud-probe.html?col=1186032325324

Navy Reassigns 3 Female Submariners in Fraud Probe

Associated Press|by Michael Melia HARTFORD, Conn. -- The U.S. Navy has reassigned three female submarine officers as the military investigates allegations they were involved in financial misconduct before reporting to their vessels, a spokeswoman said Friday.

The investigation into alleged travel claim fraud, which also involves other personnel not assigned to submarines, is led by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, according to Navy Cmdr. Monica Rousselow, a spokeswoman for the submarine force.

The officers are among the first women assigned to U.S. submarines in a high-profile initiative for the Navy, which reversed a ban on women serving aboard the cramped vessels in 2010. The initial class of 24 female submarines officers completed training at sites including Groton, Conn., last year before joining the undersea force in recent months.

"The alleged actions under investigation involve financial misconduct and in no way involved their performance while assigned to their current operational units," Rousselow said in a statement. "Overall the integration of women onboard submarines continues to progress smoothly and the reassignment of the three Supply Corps officers will have minimal impact on the integration process."

The women are being temporarily reassigned to a submarine group at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia.

Rousselow, who is based in Norfolk, Va., said the investigation began in February, but she could not say where or provide further details of the alleged fraud.

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http://www.dodbuzz.com/2012/04/20/tomorrows-reconstituted-marine-corps/ 

Tomorrow’s ‘reconstituted’ Marine Corps

By Philip Ewing Friday, April 20th, 2012 11:56 am Posted in Naval

All the services will probably look different after the end of the Afghan war, but the Marine Corps could well be the one that changes the most.

The brass has vowed to get back to its “expeditionary roots;” to rediscover the ways of “amphibiosity;” and, most of all, to get much lighter.

“As I say, the United States Marine Corps needs to go on weight control,” Assistant Commandant Gen. Joe Dunford said on Wednesday. That doesn’t just mean that it’s counting on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle to be as light as possible, the better to go aboard Navy gators, but also that the Corps can’t just “reset” — it must “reconstitute” itself.

“Looking toward the future, we have 10 years of experience at war and we’ve learned a lot of lessons — a lot of equipment we had in the past is probably inadequate to support the distributed, disaggregated operations we expect, so we are doing a review and we’ll determine how to reconstitue the Marine Corps to meet tomorrow’s challenges, not yesterday’s,” Dunford said. – “We’re not resetting the Marine Corps to 2001– 2001 has nothing to do with our future security challenges … we’re going to reconstitute for the future.”

Dunford said one key next move will be the release of an analysis of alternatives around this June that he expects could show the way for the Marines’ new amphibious combat vehicle and the rest of its tactical fleet. The Corps already plans to replace 5,000 of its Humvees with JLTVs, but this AoA should set down broader directions for the future force, the brass says.

(Maybe — every AoA is held up as the Rosetta Stone until it comes out, but it doesn’t take long to become yesterday’s news.)

Dunford reaffirmed that the ACV remains the Marines’ biggest priority, given that today’s fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicles cannot last much longer. It was supposed to have been replaced by the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, but that dream is dead. The Marines are in a pickle because they want to replace the EFV with something like the EFV — an amphibious APC that can speed ashore — but it can’t be so much like the EFV that it too succumbs to problems, delays and cost growth.

This dilemma could be one reason for Dunford’s “reconstitution:” The need for the EFV was driven by a doctrine under which the Navy’s amphibious fleet would stand far out to sea, necessitating a transport that could get up on plane and speed over the waves to the beach. If you don’t get up on plane, you can still make the trip, but you have to plod through the chop and your poor Marines get bounced and tossed inside their vehicle — not to mention that slowness makes them an easy target.

So the Marine Corps must assess whether the EFV died because the basic concept was unachievable, or because the program itself just had some problems. If the brass determines an EFV-like vehicle is possible, and uses the lessons of the previous program to make the ACV work, there you are — the doctrine can survive. But if a wave-skimming amtrac is just too hard to get for the money available, Quantico might need to step back and rethink its overall game plan.

More than that could change in a “reconstituted” Marine Corps, down to service officials’ basic acquisition strategy. In the 90s and 2000s, the Marines’ message was simple: “Look, you Pentagon and Capitol Hill pogues,” the Corps said — “if you want us to be able to continue doing the missions we do today, you have no choice but to continue supporting the expensive, high-end, controversial platforms we want. We need a utility aircraft and our CH-46s are toast; that means the MV-22 Osprey. Our AAVs are rusting from the inside out. That means the EFV. Our AV-8B Harriers are at the end of their lives. That means the F-35B.”

The score sheet from this game is decidedly mixed: The Osprey was a victory, but came at such a cost that it may never have a good name outside the Corps. The F-35B is still on the books but has no date for initial operational capability, and the Corps is making plans to keep flying its Harriers until 2030. The EFV was cancelled, and even though the Marines sought to put a rosy spin on the episode by citing the basic “validation” that Secretary Gates gave to their amphibious mission, validations can’t swim out of the well deck with a squad of riflemen.

So the game of ‘If we don’t get X, we can’t function anymore,’ may itself not work anymore.

Still, it’s never been very smart to bet against the Marine Corps. Along with the Navy, it’s the fulcrum for the U.S. “pivot” to the Western Pacific, which could give it disproportionate throw weight in going after the ACV and whatever other programs might emerge from Dunford’s look ahead.

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http://americustimesrecorder.com/sports/x474407751/First-ever-Prison-to-Peanuts-ride-draws-over-100-riders

First ever Prison to Peanuts ride draws over 100 riders

Scott Phillips The Americus Times-Recorder The Times-Recorder Mon Apr 30, 2012, 03:41 PM EDT

AMERICUS — On Saturday more than 100 bicycle riders pedaled into downtown Americus to take a break at Lenny’s Market for the half-way point of their journey.

The bikers were participating in the first ever “Prison to Peanuts” bike ride which began at the National Prisoner of War Museum in Andersonville, Georgia, and traveled through Americus on their way to the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains, Georgia. The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site partnered with the River Valley Regional Commission, the Andersonville National Historic Site, and Sumter Cycling Inc. to host this ride for the first time.

Bikers were able to choose to ride the full ride, which was 32 miles from Andersonville to Plains, or the half ride which was 17 miles. The half ride began at Lenny’s Market in downtown Americus and traveled to the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.

Bikers of all ages participated in the ride, and they were welcomed to Americus by city Mayor Barry Blount. After a short break in Americus, bikers made their way to Plains where they were welcomed and with a downtown party. The downtown party in Plains offered food, entertainment, and Jimmy Carter National Historic Site tours.

During the ride, riders were required to wear protective helmets. Riders also had the luxury of knowing that if they had mechanical or safety emergencies that they were being followed by a support vehicle. The support vehicle also monitored traffic to help keep the bikers safe.

The Prison to Plains Bicycle Adventure was a fun and well organized bike ride across beautiful Sumter County, Georgia. The ride was a major success, with over 100 riders from across the state of Georgia. The bike ride benefited many riders and local businesses, and hopefully it will be the first of many bike rides from a prison to peanuts.

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http://www.marketwatch.com/story/medassets-recognizes-montanti-and-day-for-humanitarian-and-heroic-efforts-2012-05-04

MedAssets Recognizes Montanti and Day for Humanitarian and Heroic Efforts

ATLANTA, May 04, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- MedAssets /quotes/zigman/107728/quotes/nls/mdas MDAS -2.44% today announced the recipients of the 2011 Norman Borlaug Humanitarian Award and the 2011 George Herbert Walker (H.W.) Bush Pacesetter Award, recognized during the 2012 MedAssets Healthcare Business Summit held April 10-12.

Corporate charitable giving is engrained in the MedAssets culture and core values. Each year the company bestows these two awards to reflect a strong belief that everyone is entitled to treatment that is dignified and loving.

The honorees are:

Elissa Montanti--2011 Norman Borlaug Humanitarian Award. Elissa Montanti founded the non-profit, non-partisan Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF) for Children in 1997. Its mission is to aid children who are missing or have lost the use of limbs or eyes, have been severely burned, or have been injured due to war, natural disaster or illness. A 501c3 organization, GMRF is supported entirely by private donations and grants.

Colonel George Everette "Bud" Day--2011 George H.W. Bush Pacesetter Award. Col. Day is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and command pilot who served during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War, including five years and seven months as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. While imprisoned, Day was beaten, starved and tortured, but refused to give any valuable information to his captors. He is often cited as being the most decorated U.S. service member since Gen. Douglas MacArthur, having received some seventy decorations, a majority for actions in combat. Day is a recipient of the Medal of Honor and the Air Force Cross.

"Elissa and Bud have shown tremendous selflessness, bravery and dedication. It is our hope this recognition will raise awareness of their important contributions," said John Bardis, chairman, president and chief executive officer, MedAssets. "Their efforts and leadership are inspiring and it is our honor to recognize both of them. On behalf of MedAssets, we believe that it is our corporate responsibility to share our organizational success in ways that empower and enrich those in need."

Elissa Montanti's Story:

"God and all merciful people to help me getting prosthetics." Those were the words that started Elissa Montanti's journey to found GMRF. The year was 1996, and Elissa had lost her mother and grandparents over a short amount of time. She sought solace from her grief by helping the children of war-torn Bosnia, part of the former Yugoslavia. International organizations estimated that 100,000 people were killed during a three-year civil war conflict. Elissa had reached out to the United Nations ambassador of Bosnia to send toys and school supplies. Instead, he shared a letter written by a Bosnian boy, Kenan Malkic, who had lost both arms and a leg after stepping on a land mine while playing soccer. The plan for school supplies and toys was put aside and Elissa instead called airlines, hospitals and any organization she could think of to assist in bringing Kenan to the United States for treatment. Soon after, Kenan and his mother arrived for a four-month stay at Elissa's house in New York to be fitted with prosthetic limbs.

Since its founding GMRF has brought more than 150 children to the United States from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia for treatment, surgery and prosthetic limb and eye fittings.

Colonel Bud Day's story:

Born in Sioux City, Iowa on Feb. 24, 1925, Colonel Day dropped out of high school in 1942 in order to enlist in the Marine Corps. He served in the North Pacific theatre during World War II and after the war joined the Iowa Army Reserve where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was called to active duty in 1951 for pilot training in the U.S. Air Force after its formation in 1947. He served two tours in the Korean War, surviving a "no-chute" ejection in 1955. As a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, Colonel Day was flying a mission in 1967 when his aircraft was struck by a missile. Colonel Day and Captain Corwin M. "Kipp" Kippenhan were forced to eject over enemy territory. Colonel Day was seriously injured during the ejection. He was captured by the enemy, but escaped, only to be recaptured 15 days later with additional gunshot wounds to his leg and hand.

Colonel Day retired from active duty in 1977 to resume his law practice. He had more than 8,000 flying hours to his credit. Years after his retirement, Colonel Day emerged to fight again--this time against the U.S. government for attempting to cut benefits for retired veterans. Due to his advocacy, the planned benefit changes were rolled back by Congress. Colonel Day is the author of two autobiographies focusing on his experience as a prisoner of war, Return with Honor, followed by Duty, Honor, Country.

As part of MedAssets' commitment to support our nation's heroes overseas, the company also hosted the assembly of more than 1,800 care packages. Over 1,600 event attendees helped assemble and ship the individual packages to 23 soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to distribute among their respective units.

About GMRF

Today, a great part of the GMRF's success is owed to Elissa's passion and abilities to bring together great organizations with similar missions, including, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Long Island Jewish Hospital, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, the Long Island Plastic Surgery Group, Winthrop University Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and Ocular Prosthetics, Inc. The maimed and injured children that benefit from GMRF come from countries or regions that can offer only minimal medical care, poorly fitted prostheses, or none at all. The list of countries includes: Bosnia, China, El Salvador, Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, Kosovo, Liberia, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan and Sierra Leone.

In addition to monetary donations, the organization also accepts airline frequent flyer miles to help bring injured children to the United States for care. To learn more about Elissa's work and how to donate to help the Global Medical Relief Fund's mission, please visit the organization's Website at www.gmrfchildren.org .

About MedAssets

MedAssets /quotes/zigman/107728/quotes/nls/mdas MDAS -2.44% helps healthcare organizations to improve financial strength through innovative revenue cycle, spend and clinical resource management solutions that enable improved margins, cash flow, quality of care and patient satisfaction. More than 4,200 hospitals and 100,000 non-acute healthcare providers currently use the company's Web-based technologies and evidence-based solutions to help capture revenue, control cost, increase regulatory compliance and optimize operational efficiency to improve the care delivery process. As a result, the company manages annually $48 billion in healthcare supply spend and touches over $340 billion in gross patient revenues. For more information, please visit www.medassets.com .

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ILLINOIS:

http://www.cantondailyledger.com/news/x272269316/Illinois-involvement-in-the-Korean-War-is-commemorated

Illinois involvement in the Korean War is commemorated.

Apr 28, 2012 @ 12:37 PM

SPRINGFIELD — The State of Illinois is commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War by supplying information each month about the state’s involvement in the conflict. The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Illinois Korean Memorial Association, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are sponsoring “Illinois Remembers the Forgotten War” along with media partners the Illinois Press Association and the Illinois Broadcasters Association. For more information, visit www.Illinois-History.gov or www.veterans.illinois.gov. Illinoisans killed in action in Korea, May 1952 By county of residence (Source: U.S. Department of Defense records) Adams Cpl. Richard F. Schuckman, Marines, May 13. Cook PFC Gene D. Daly, Army, May 31. PFC Norman R. Holsinger, Army, May 9. Pvt. Roosevelt Lanfair, Army, May 11. Hamilton Pvt. Marion D. Faries, Army, May 19. Key events during the Korean War May 1952 The spring of 1952 was a quiet time for American troops serving on the front in Korea, but it was anything but quiet for those serving as guards at one of the U.N.’s many prisoner of war camps in South Korea. Tensions had been building for months in the camps, especially those housing North Korean prisoners. Indeed, in the largest compound on Koje-do Island off the southern tip of Korea, a bloody struggle for control of the camp had been waging for months between those devoted to the Communist revolution, and those prisoners who refused to return to Communist controlled North Korea when the war ended. By early May, the Communist hard-liners held the upper hand. American guards entered the camps at their own risk. The situation came to a head on May 7. Prisoners in the infamous Koje-do camp captured the camp commandant, Brigadier General Francis T. Dodd, when he ventured too close to the front gate. They immediately issued a list of demands and essentially held the general for ransom. Dodd was finally released on May 11 when his successor, Brigadier General Charles F. Colson, agreed to some of the prisoners’ demands. After the “Dodd Incident,” the U.N. brass brought in a new commandant, Brigadier General Hayden Boatner, who would soon get the prisoner of war camps under control once and for all. Communist propagandists made much of the clash of ideologies in the U.N. camps, playing to a third world audience. General Mark Clark assumed command of U.N. forces in Korea on May 12 from General Matthew Ridgway. Clark inherited a military deadlock on the front lines and stalled Armistice negotiations. After assessing the situation, he decided that the Communists only understood force, and began to step up military pressure on the enemy to break the stalemate at Panmunjom. On May 25, tanks from the U.S. 245th Tank Battalion, 45th Infantry Division raided the Korean village of Agok, retaliating for three recent Communist raids on U.N. troops in the area. General Clark was beginning to demonstrate his resolve. Back in the states, General Dwight D. Eisenhower resigned from his post as the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO on May 31, and retired from active military service. Now a civilian, he soon announced his candidacy for President under the Republican Party. Illinois Korean War Memorial The Illinois Korean War Memorial is located in Springfield’s Oak Ridge Cemetery, the same cemetery that contains the Lincoln Tomb. Oak Ridge is the nation’s second most visited burial ground behind only Arlington National Cemetery. Dedicated on June 16, 1996, the memorial consists of a 12-foot-tall bronze bell mounted on a granite base. At the circumference of the base are four niches, each with a larger-than-life figure representing a branch of the armed services. Inscribed on the base are the 1,754 names of Illinoisans killed in Korea. The Illinois Korean War Memorial is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and may be visited daily free of charge. Korean War Veterans Oral History Project Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum’s Oral History Program offers “Veterans Remember,” a collection of interviews with Illinois residents about their wartime experiences, at the Library’s website, www.alplm.org/oral_history/home.html. The audio interviews concern the experiences of Illinois veterans who fought in several conflicts, including the Korean War, as well as the experiences of those on the home front. Visitors to the website can listen to or watch the interviews in their entirety. Several of the interviews have transcripts, and most have still images as well. Website visitors will need a computer capable of playing MP3 audio files or MPG compressed video files in order to listen to the interviews. The transcripts and still images are also accessible. Volunteers conducted and edited many of the interviews and developed the transcripts that accompany them. Korean War National Museum The Korean War National Museum (KWNM) celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War with a new Board of Directors, new professional staff, and a renewed focus on getting a world-class museum built now, in the lifetime of the Korean War veterans. Recent news media reports outlined a proposal of the KWNM to obtain 7,000 square feet of prime space on Navy Pier in Chicago for a state-of-the-art, world-class museum where visitors could come to honor and learn about the service and sacrifices of the Americans, South Koreans and their UN Allies in the "forgotten victory." Those plans are continuing to be developed, and the KWNM hopes to be able to share some exciting news soon. Meanwhile, the Denis J. Healy Freedom Center, located at 9 South Old State Capitol Plaza in Springfield, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The KWNM welcomes donations of photographs, documents, diaries, and artifacts of those who served in the Korean War. To learn more about the KWNM, or to volunteer or donate, please visit www.kwnm.org or look for the Museum Facebook. Korean War Booklet The Illinois Korean Memorial Association, an all-volunteer organization, has published a booklet, A Brief History of the Korean War, copies of which have been provided free of charge to public libraries, high schools and junior high schools in Illinois. Individuals may obtain a copy by sending a $10 check or money order to: Illinois Korean Memorial Association, P.O. Box 8554, Springfield, IL 62791. Tax deductible donations are welcome. One hundred percent of all donations go to the book project and to the upkeep of the Illinois Korean War Memorial.

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http://www.cantondailyledger.com/news/x272269316/Illinois-involvement-in-the-Korean-War-is-commemorated

Illinois involvement in the Korean War is commemorated.

Apr 28, 2012 @ 12:37 PM

SPRINGFIELD — The State of Illinois is commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War by supplying information each month about the state’s involvement in the conflict. The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Illinois Korean Memorial Association, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are sponsoring “Illinois Remembers the Forgotten War” along with media partners the Illinois Press Association and the Illinois Broadcasters Association. For more information, visit www.Illinois-History.gov  or www.veterans.illinois.gov.  Illinoisans killed in action in Korea, May 1952 By county of residence (Source: U.S. Department of Defense records) Adams Cpl. Richard F. Schuckman, Marines, May 13. Cook PFC Gene D. Daly, Army, May 31. PFC Norman R. Holsinger, Army, May 9. Pvt. Roosevelt Lanfair, Army, May 11. Hamilton Pvt. Marion D. Faries, Army, May 19. Key events during the Korean War May 1952 The spring of 1952 was a quiet time for American troops serving on the front in Korea, but it was anything but quiet for those serving as guards at one of the U.N.’s many prisoner of war camps in South Korea. Tensions had been building for months in the camps, especially those housing North Korean prisoners. Indeed, in the largest compound on Koje-do Island off the southern tip of Korea, a bloody struggle for control of the camp had been waging for months between those devoted to the Communist revolution, and those prisoners who refused to return to Communist controlled North Korea when the war ended. By early May, the Communist hard-liners held the upper hand. American guards entered the camps at their own risk. The situation came to a head on May 7. Prisoners in the infamous Koje-do camp captured the camp commandant, Brigadier General Francis T. Dodd, when he ventured too close to the front gate. They immediately issued a list of demands and essentially held the general for ransom. Dodd was finally released on May 11 when his successor, Brigadier General Charles F. Colson, agreed to some of the prisoners’ demands. After the “Dodd Incident,” the U.N. brass brought in a new commandant, Brigadier General Hayden Boatner, who would soon get the prisoner of war camps under control once and for all. Communist propagandists made much of the clash of ideologies in the U.N. camps, playing to a third world audience. General Mark Clark assumed command of U.N. forces in Korea on May 12 from General Matthew Ridgway. Clark inherited a military deadlock on the front lines and stalled Armistice negotiations. After assessing the situation, he decided that the Communists only understood force, and began to step up military pressure on the enemy to break the stalemate at Panmunjom. On May 25, tanks from the U.S. 245th Tank Battalion, 45th Infantry Division raided the Korean village of Agok, retaliating for three recent Communist raids on U.N. troops in the area. General Clark was beginning to demonstrate his resolve. Back in the states, General Dwight D. Eisenhower resigned from his post as the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO on May 31, and retired from active military service. Now a civilian, he soon announced his candidacy for President under the Republican Party. Illinois Korean War Memorial The Illinois Korean War Memorial is located in Springfield’s Oak Ridge Cemetery, the same cemetery that contains the Lincoln Tomb. Oak Ridge is the nation’s second most visited burial ground behind only Arlington National Cemetery. Dedicated on June 16, 1996, the memorial consists of a 12-foot-tall bronze bell mounted on a granite base. At the circumference of the base are four niches, each with a larger-than-life figure representing a branch of the armed services. Inscribed on the base are the 1,754 names of Illinoisans killed in Korea. The Illinois Korean War Memorial is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and may be visited daily free of charge. Korean War Veterans Oral History Project Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum’s Oral History Program offers “Veterans Remember,” a collection of interviews with Illinois residents about their wartime experiences, at the Library’s website, www.alplm.org/oral_history/home.html. The audio interviews concern the experiences of Illinois veterans who fought in several conflicts, including the Korean War, as well as the experiences of those on the home front. Visitors to the website can listen to or watch the interviews in their entirety. Several of the interviews have transcripts, and most have still images as well. Website visitors will need a computer capable of playing MP3 audio files or MPG compressed video files in order to listen to the interviews. The transcripts and still images are also accessible. Volunteers conducted and edited many of the interviews and developed the transcripts that accompany them. Korean War National Museum The Korean War National Museum (KWNM) celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War with a new Board of Directors, new professional staff, and a renewed focus on getting a world-class museum built now, in the lifetime of the Korean War veterans. Recent news media reports outlined a proposal of the KWNM to obtain 7,000 square feet of prime space on Navy Pier in Chicago for a state-of-the-art, world-class museum where visitors could come to honor and learn about the service and sacrifices of the Americans, South Koreans and their UN Allies in the "forgotten victory." Those plans are continuing to be developed, and the KWNM hopes to be able to share some exciting news soon. Meanwhile, the Denis J. Healy Freedom Center, located at 9 South Old State Capitol Plaza in Springfield, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The KWNM welcomes donations of photographs, documents, diaries, and artifacts of those who served in the Korean War. To learn more about the KWNM, or to volunteer or donate, please visit www.kwnm.org or look for the Museum Facebook. Korean War Booklet The Illinois Korean Memorial Association, an all-volunteer organization, has published a booklet, A Brief History of the Korean War, copies of which have been provided free of charge to public libraries, high schools and junior high schools in Illinois. Individuals may obtain a copy by sending a $10 check or money order to: Illinois Korean Memorial Association, P.O. Box 8554, Springfield, IL 62791. Tax deductible donations are welcome. One hundred percent of all donations go to the book project and to the upkeep of the Illinois Korean War Memorial.

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http://www.lincolncourier.com/news/x1700673441/Mount-Pulaski-bids-final-farewell-to-one-of-its-World-War-II-heroes

Mount Pulaski bids final farewell to one of its World War II heroes

.Zoom Photos. .Mount Pulaski’s honor guard, made of of local veterans is shown in this undated photo furnished by Phil Bertoni.

By THE COURIER THE COURIER Posted May 01, 2012 @ 10:49 AM

MOUNT PULASKI — Mount Pulaski gave a farewell salute Monday to one of its heroes from World War II. Arnold A. “Mike” Koehler, who was taken as a prisoner of war during the Battle of the Bulge, died Wednesday at age 89.

His funeral was held at Mount Pulaski Zion Lutheran Church, followed by burial with full military honors at Mount Pulaski Cemetery.

Because of his POW status, active military personnel from different units in Illinois provided a full military graveside salute after his funeral. The military funeral detail included seven pall bearers and two buglers.

They were assisted by color and honor guards and a rifle squad from Mount Pulaski VFW Post 777 and Mount Pulaski American Legion Post 447.

German soldiers captured Koehler on Dec. 19, 1944, and he remained in German custody until the following April. Upon his discharge from the U.S. Army, Koehler’s medals included the Victory Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon, Three Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart and the Overseas Bar.

He was a member of Mount Pulaski’s American Legion and VFW posts. He was employed as a bus driver for Mount Pulaski Township High School for 26 years worked 35 years at the Mount Pulaski Lumber Co.

A Logan County native, he was born Nov. 13, 1922 in Lake Fork. His survivors include a daughter and son, two brothers, a sister, and four grandchildren. Mount Pulaski resident Phil Bertoni contributed to this story.

News from the war front When Logan County resident “Mike” Koehler was captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge, his hometown newspaper, the Mount Pulaski Times-News, gave its readers the bad news. Here’s the article it printed in 1944: "Two Logan County men, Pfc. Arnold "Mike" Koehler of Lake Fork and Pfc. Kenneth Zimmerman, Lincoln, who were captured in the battle of the Belgian Bulge last Dec. 21st (1944), are prisoners of war in Germany, according to postal cards received from them on March 29, by their families. “Both men wrote from Stalag IV-B, which is located near Muhlberg, south of Berlin and northwest of Dresden. “Koehler's card, written Jan. 19 to his parents, stated that he was in good health and asked that cigarettes and chocolate be sent to him."

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INDIANA:

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IOWA:

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KANSAS:

http://www.leavenworthtimes.com/opinions/letters_to_the_editor/x1942566830/Letter-ROTC-Ball-was-an-exceptional-event

ROTC Ball was an exceptional event

Leavenworth, Kan. — Catey Edwards Leavenworth

To the editor: I have worked in the Leavenworth USD 453 communications department for 15 years. I attended an event April 14 that truly blew me away and reminded me why I love this job, school, and community so much.

For reasons that I cannot define, I have never before attended a Leavenworth High School JROTC Ball. I have been invited each year, but have never attended. In my new position at Leavenworth High School (and Warren Middle School), I figured it made all the sense in the world to participate in this important event and support the students and one of the programs for which I provide support.

I dressed up, not too much, but enough to feel professionally presentable. I walked in the door to hundreds of beautifully dressed young ladies and handsomely adorned male cadets decorated in their appropriate medals, all awaiting entry into the ballroom. Immediately, I realized, “I should have dressed up more!” But, what was I to do? I was already there…so, I went in. I was assisted in finding my seat at a guest table, and visited with folks as the evening began. Already, at that moment, I knew I was in for an amazing event! The table decorations were beautiful, all centered around the theme of the 103rd Annual JROTC Ball, Masquerade.

The evening was planned completely by the cadets and began with opening remarks by C/CSM Coogle, emcee for the evening, and the presentation and posting of the colors, by our own JROTC Color Guard. Emily Ross, Battalion Commander, addressed the crowd with an overview of the numerous projects of the year and the thousands of hours donated to various individuals and organizations in the community. A powerful POW MIA Table Ceremony, led by C/MAJ Stedry, recognized those who have served, are serving, and have been held against their will on behalf of the U.S. Army. It brought tears to my eyes and goose bumps to my arms, as a single chair, single rose, and single candle adorned the simple table in honor of courageous soldiers who were held captive or were missing in action. The cadets who supported the ceremony did so with respect and dignity for all it represented.

One of the most notable parts of the evening, for me, was the senior speeches and rose ceremony. Senior cadets and sponsors were provided a single red rose to present to the person who has impacted their success in the greatest way. Many roses went out to mothers and fathers, some to JROTC staff members, and yet, some to best friends and loved ones. To hear the seniors reflect on their success, supported by others, and make a statement to that fact, was moving, to say the least.

This event left an indelible mark on me, as I see the cadets in the hallways of the school, in various parades and performances, and supporting service projects in the community. But, to see the students dressed to the nines, and celebrating their amazing accomplishments of the year at this anticipated formal function, drove home the power of the organization. JROTC not only teaches students respect, flag facts, and an incredible means to effective leadership, but it provides a sense of pride and inclusion for many a student – a family, if you will. I listened to students cheer on their cadet mates and to seniors struggle to identify their most influential person to present their rose to…because there were too many.

Students join JROTC for any number of reasons. Perhaps it is a driving need to feel connected to the military, or because they want to compete in the amazing physical special teams. Some just end up there as a default to their class schedule as they are in need of a PE credit. No matter the reason, JROTC and the cadre leaders, embrace, push, demand, and encourage each and every cadet to reach their fullest potential. As the 103rd JROTC Ball went on, I realized again, that Leavenworth High School has the most amazing students and staff. It is a fabulous place that contributes amazing things to our school and community. I was truly honored to have attended this exceptional event.

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KENTUCKY:

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LOUISIANA:

http://www.barksdale.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123300185

POW/Purple Heart Luncheon

Posted 5/1/2012 Updated 5/1/2012

5/1/2012 - Lester Wilson, a retired Air Force veteran, shakes hands with Col. Thomas Hesterman, 2nd Bomb Wing vice commander, at the 2012 Prisoner of War/Purple Heart Luncheon on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 27. Veterans walked down the middle of Hoban Hall through a saber cordon to be honored for their service. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)(

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MAINE:

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MARYLAND:

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MASSACHUSETTS:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/02/23/medfords_jack_mcglynn_recalls_time_in_ghost_army_during_wwii/?page=2 

Telling the untold tale of soldiers practiced in the art of deception US ‘Ghost Army’ sought to mislead enemy in WWII

By Cindy Cantrell Globe Correspondent /

MEDFORD - During a 50-year career in local and state government, Jack McGlynn was a city councilor for 22 years, served five terms as mayor of Medford, and held numerous roles in the state Legislature. For 42 years of that time, he was simultaneously director and board chairman of Medford Cooperative Bank and its successor, Brookline Bank. The city’s John J. McGlynn Sr. Elementary School is named for him, and he is the proud father of Medford’s current mayor, Michael J. McGlynn.

However, he kept an earlier period of his life secret, even from his wife and six children, until he read four years ago that the US government had declassified the information.

“Those were my orders,’’ recalled McGlynn, who will turn 90 on Sunday. “And I followed them.’’

A member of the 23d Headquarters Special Troops, or so-called Ghost Army, McGlynn was among approximately 1,100 American GIs who used inflatable rubber tanks, sound effects, impersonations, scripted radio transmissions, and other trickery to mislead the Germans about the size, strength, and location of American units in World War II. Beginning shortly after D-day, the troops conducted more than 20 clandestine operations through the end of the war.

The hand-picked soldiers included artists, set designers, engineers, and radio operators. In addition to sketching and painting from Normandy to the Rhine River, many achieved post-war fame, among them fashion designer Bill Blass, sculptor and minimalist painter Ellsworth Kelly, bird artist Arthur Singer, and photographer Art Kane. Others would go on to careers in illustration, design, advertising, and law.

Their story is chronicled in the independent documentary, “Artists of Deception: The Ghost Army of World War II,’’ by Rick Beyer of Lexington and the book of the same name that he coauthored with Elizabeth Sayles of Valley Cottage, N.Y.

“Not only were these men brave enough to be operating right near the front lines with inflatable tanks, but they were creating this amazing art while they did it,’’ said Beyer, a lifelong history enthusiast and writer who has made films for the History Channel, National Geographic Channel, and Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

“The Army was using creativity to save lives, but the men were exercising their own creativity in this awful environment.’’

At a fund-raiser at 7:30 p.m. on March 2 at the Lexington Depot, there will be a screening of the nearly completed film with champagne, dessert, and an exhibit including wartime photographs by Waltham resident Robert Boyajian, a veteran of the 603d Camouflage Engineers. Tickets cost $75. On March 3 from noon to 6 p.m. at the depot, the exhibit will showcase the soldiers’ original photographs and artwork, wartime artifacts, and documentary footage.

Reenactors from the 26th Yankee Division WWII Living History Group will greet visitors and demonstrate their equipment. Military historian Jon Gawne of Framingham will sign copies of his Ghost Army history, “Ghosts of the ETO: American Tactical Deception Units in the European Theater.’’ Beyer, who is curating the exhibit, will be on hand to discuss his seven-year journey making the documentary. Admission is $5 at the door.

Page 2 of 3 --“All along, I had a feeling I was doing more than making a film. I was becoming an archivist of this story,’’ Beyer said. “I was very conscious of the fact these veterans wouldn’t be around forever.’’

In fact, seven of the 20 veterans in the documentary have died since he began videotaping interviews in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Washington, D.C. in 2005. He obtained war footage for the 64-minute film from the Library of Congress and National Archives and Records Administration.

“The film is a salute to all the men involved,’’ Beyer added. “They’re articulate, spirited, amazing guys, but people aren’t aware of them. That’s one of the reasons this is so exciting for me.’’

As a staff sergeant in the 3132d Signal Service Company, McGlynn recalls being given the choice after completing basic training at age 21 of working as a cryptographer for the Pentagon, pursuing specialized Army training in college, or volunteering for a top-secret military organization specializing in sound.

“I figured if we could knock off the Nazis using sound,’’ he recalled, “I was all for that.’’

In Fort Knox, Ky., his sonic deception unit spent a week recording soldiers working and trucks, tanks, and half-tracks (an armored tank-vehicle hybrid) moving back and forth, up and down hills, shifting gears, and backfiring, noises that would be projected through 500-pound speakers to mimic a massive military operation.

The sonic unit shipped out of New York on May 30, 1944, to join its camouflage and radio communications counterparts. Over the next year, the Ghost Army served on the front lines in France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg, where McGlynn yanked down two Nazi flags from a building that had been the Germans’ headquarters “because it stood for the massacre of all those wonderful people.’’

McGlynn laughs now at his youthful shock that Utah Beach in France looked so similar to the beaches of Cape Cod. He also remembers a variety of living arrangements: a cleared pigpen in France; a town hall in Germany; and foxholes all over Europe providing so much insulation from the wind and cold that he likened them to “going into a hotel.’’

“The further you went into the ground,’’ he recalled, “the warmer it became.’’

However, McGlynn’s most memorable moment occurred while leading a platoon down a country road during the Battle of the Bulge. When he couldn’t supply the password to a fellow soldier brandishing a machine gun, the sergeant suspected the men of impersonating Americans to sneak back into Germany.

“He asked where I was from and I said, ‘Boston.’ He growled, ‘Where? That’s a big place.’ I told him Medford, and then he wanted to know the name of the school on Harvard Street. I was relieved because I lived on Harvard Street, so I passed the Lincoln School every day.

All along, I had a feeling I was doing more than making a film. I was becoming an archivist of this story,’’ Beyer said. “I was very conscious of the fact these veterans wouldn’t be around forever.’’

In fact, seven of the 20 veterans in the documentary have died since he began videotaping interviews in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Washington, D.C. in 2005. He obtained war footage for the 64-minute film from the Library of Congress and National Archives and Records Administration.

“The film is a salute to all the men involved,’’ Beyer added. “They’re articulate, spirited, amazing guys, but people aren’t aware of them. That’s one of the reasons this is so exciting for me.’’

As a staff sergeant in the 3132d Signal Service Company, McGlynn recalls being given the choice after completing basic training at age 21 of working as a cryptographer for the Pentagon, pursuing specialized Army training in college, or volunteering for a top-secret military organization specializing in sound.

“I figured if we could knock off the Nazis using sound,’’ he recalled, “I was all for that.’’

In Fort Knox, Ky., his sonic deception unit spent a week recording soldiers working and trucks, tanks, and half-tracks (an armored tank-vehicle hybrid) moving back and forth, up and down hills, shifting gears, and backfiring, noises that would be projected through 500-pound speakers to mimic a massive military operation.

The sonic unit shipped out of New York on May 30, 1944, to join its camouflage and radio communications counterparts. Over the next year, the Ghost Army served on the front lines in France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg, where McGlynn yanked down two Nazi flags from a building that had been the Germans’ headquarters “because it stood for the massacre of all those wonderful people.’’

McGlynn laughs now at his youthful shock that Utah Beach in France looked so similar to the beaches of Cape Cod. He also remembers a variety of living arrangements: a cleared pigpen in France; a town hall in Germany; and foxholes all over Europe providing so much insulation from the wind and cold that he likened them to “going into a hotel.’’

“The further you went into the ground,’’ he recalled, “the warmer it became.’’

However, McGlynn’s most memorable moment occurred while leading a platoon down a country road during the Battle of the Bulge. When he couldn’t supply the password to a fellow soldier brandishing a machine gun, the sergeant suspected the men of impersonating Americans to sneak back into Germany.

“He asked where I was from and I said, ‘Boston.’ He growled, ‘Where? That’s a big place.’ I told him Medford, and then he wanted to know the name of the school on Harvard Street. I was relieved because I lived on Harvard Street, so I passed the Lincoln School every day.

“There were millions of Americans in the Army and I ran into someone who lived a quarter-mile from me,’’ McGlynn continued. “My one regret is that I didn’t remember his name so when I came home, I could contact him.’’

Like McGlynn, one of the occasional duties of US Army Corporal John Jarvie of Kearny, N.J., was impersonating soldiers from vastly larger divisions by painting different US Army insignia on their vehicles, sewing patches onto their uniforms, and talking boisterously about invented battle plans in cafes, bars, and marketplaces that were believed to be under German surveillance.

Jarvie, who was a 20-year-old art student when he joined the 603d Camouflage Engineers in October 1942, was a jeep driver and expert in badly camouflaging rubber artillery, tanks, trucks, and even airplanes so they would be visible to enemies scouting overhead. Now approaching his 90th birthday on Tuesday, it was his niece, Martha Gavin of Beverly, who initially shared with Beyer the Ghost Army’s role and armfuls of three-ring binders containing Jarvie’s artwork created during periods of downtime overseas.

“The only real thing was the soldiers. We joked about it, but it wasn’t fun when shells came whistling in. We lost a few guys that way,’’ said Jarvie, who attended Cooper Union Art School in N.Y. with Singer and befriended Blass in the Army. While Blass was known for tailoring his uniform and reading Vogue in his foxhole, he was just one of the guys in those days.

“Bill Blass wasn’t Bill Blass in the Army. He was Blass, as in ‘Blass, do this’ or ‘Blass, do that,’ ’’ said Jarvie, who eventually became art director for the in-house ad agency of Fairchild Publications, owner of Women’s Wear Daily. “They were all good guys, talented guys.’’

Although it can be emotional to recall the “terrible devastation’’ of the war, McGlynn said it has been an honor to share memories of his service in the Ghost Army with Beyer.

“Going through Belgium and France, we saw house after house destroyed, and we heard about the Jewish people being treated so badly, which always bothered me,’’ he said. “If we could do anything to help, in any way, we did it. We saved lives.’’

To date, Beyer has raised $158,521 for the documentary from individual donations nationwide. He estimates that he needs at least $30,000 more to complete the film, which he hopes to do by June 30. Beyer may submit it to film festivals or offer screenings at colleges and art museums, but his ultimate goal is its broadcast on public or network television.

“Getting it done is the first half of the battle,’’ he said. “The next half is finding a way for people to see it.’’

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http://www.phillyburbs.com/lifestyle/heroes/volunteer-organization-repairs-home-of--year-old-veteran/article_b57c41ba-8d57-11e1-8ef4-0019bb30f31a.html

Volunteer organization repairs home of 91-year-old veteran

Updated: 12:21 pm, Mon Apr 23, 2012.

Volunteer organization repairs home of 91-year-old veteran Eddie Gribbin Calkins Media, Inc.

Talk about a community coming together for a great cause.

Irving Lerner was an Army Air Forces gunner and a prisoner of war during WWII. He spent nine months at a prison complex in Germany. Mr. Lerner recently ran into some bad news - he was going to lose his home insurance unless certain renovations were made to his house in Massachusetts.

He needed some assistance to keep his home safe and that is exactly what the volunteer group, Rebuilding Together Worcester, accomplished.

In an article today from the Worcester Telegram, volunteers over the weekend repaired Lerner’s home. Approximately 45 of them rebuilt a back porch, painted rooms, restored ceilings, and installed new windows.

The volunteers made sure to improve the home in a respectful way and without throwing away any of Mr. Lerner’s possessions.

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The Wounded Vets Ride was HUGE! Over 1200 riders and we raised $80,000!!

POW/MIA Newsletter Editor and Adjutant of Marine Corps League Essex County Detachment #127 Betsy E "Gypsy" Lister with Steve Coddens Sgt. At Arms Det #127 as they present Wounded Marines Cpl Evan Rechenthal and Cpl Greg Caron with colors from the Essex County Detachment #127 at the Wounded Vets Ride Saturday April 28th. 1200 riders and over 300 spectators were on hand to help raise funds for the two Wounded Warriors!

http://bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view/20220429vet_gets_ride_of_his_life

Vet gets ride of his life By Peter Gelzinis Sunday, April 29, 2012 - Updated 7 days ago + Recent Articles Boston Herald Columnist

E-mail Print (17) Comments Text size Share

“Insane!”

It was the only word Evan Reichenthal could think of yesterday, the one he uttered with a humble blend of shock and awe.

This 21-year-old Marine had just arrived in East Boston’s Maverick Square in an open car. Following him was a column of more than 1,200 motorcyclists — some from as far away as Florida and Ohio — who came to ride in his honor.

“This is unbelievable,” he murmured, amid the roar of an approaching tidal wave of Harley-Davidsons.

Evan Reichenthal, a graduate of Wachusett Regional High School who loved to play golf and snowboard, lost his right leg and the use of his right arm after he stepped on a pressure plate while on patrol in Afghanistan.

Reichenthal, along with fellow Marine Cpl. Greg Caron of Ellington, Conn., who lost both his legs in the same theater of war, were the honored subjects of Boston’s second annual Wounded Vet Ride.

The ride is the brainchild of Andrew DelRossi Biggio, a combat Marine from Winthrop, not much older than his two wounded brothers, who has taken it upon himself to raise funds for those things the Veterans Affairs can’t provide to vets who’ve come home severely maimed.

Evan Reichenthal will get a handicapped bathroom in the basement of his mother’s home in Princeton out of a portion of the estimated $65,000 that Biggio guessed he raised yesterday.

Last year, 400 bikers turned out in less than ideal weather conditions so that the family of Vincent Mannion-Brodeur, a young paratrooper who suffered a horrific brain injury in Iraq, could make handicapped modifications to their Cape Cod home.

This year, three times as many bikers stretched from Maverick Square for about a mile down Chelsea Street to Day Square to support young heroes they had heard about through stories relayed along the social media network.

Bobby Lee rode down from Kennebunk, Maine. “As a former Marine, being a part of something like this is just part of my roots.

“I am a proud biker and an even prouder American,” Lee said. “On a day like this, the real joy in my heart is knowing that people who saw us on the road, and watched us rolling in here, understand the love and respect all of us feel for what those two incredible young men have sacrificed on our behalf.”

Eddie Contilli, a former Boston police officer and legend in Maverick Square, rode in honor of the two sons he sent off to Iraq, and thanksgiving for the fact both came back home alive and intact.

“One thing I want to say about people who ride motorcycles,” Eddie said, “they seem to have the worst reputations but the biggest hearts. What you see happening here is just an incredible expression of love and respect. It’s our way of saying thank you for what these two incredible kids have done.”

It took nearly 45 minutes for the procession of motorcycles to make it into the side streets surrounding an ancient veterans post off Maverick Square. Evan Reichenthal and Greg Caron wore shorts to this cookout in their honor. No need to shield their prosthetic limbs from a grateful universe of strangers in leather jackets.

For here, between the live band, the hot dogs, hamburgers and cold beer, two heroic, young men had indeed been welcomed home.

More on the Boston's Wounded Vet Ride ~

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MICHIGAN:

http://www.nilesstar.com/2012/05/04/pow-talk-fills-lecture-hall/

POW talk fills lecture hall

Published 8:07am Friday, May 4, 2012 Email Print Comments Half a million German prisoners of war (POWs) helped short-handed farmers, including those in southwest Michigan, meet labor demands during World War II.

A capacity crowd Wednesday evening moved retired Western Michigan University professor Howard Poole’s Spring Lecture Series-ending talk from the Museum at Southwestern Michigan College into a larger space in adjacent Dale A. Lyons Building.

Berrien County’s first detachment arrived Oct. 2, 1943, when 374 men arrived in Benton Harbor by train and made the Naval Reserve Armory their home.

Banks arranged POW labor, including loans if farms needed them. Some showed up at Van Buren Fairgrounds in Hartford, then returned to Battle Creek after harvest in the fall. A band played to bid them farewell.

A Decatur grower, Harry Becker, not only relied on German POWs, he went to Arkansas and brought 80 Japanese to help with celery and tomato crops.

Coloma accommodated 582 prisoners in 1945. They were also placed in Allegan, Sodus and Mattawan.

Cheap labor

In 1944, POWs powered Dowd Farms, Hilltop Orchards, the William Zech Farm, Burnette Farms in Keeler, the William Prillwitz Farm in Eau Claire, Bronte Vineyards in Keeler, Klett Farms and the Becker and Schuur farms in Decatur.

The Decatur Republican wrote about prisoners working for Harry Becker and George and Jerry Schuur.

The young laborers were said to be good workers who didn’t speak a lot of English — but understood more than they said. Frantz Jamascek, 29, escaped from the Prillwitz Farm, turned himself in at Hartford, asked a guard to shoot him and eventually threw himself in front of a train.

It was also reported that Walter Goebbels, captured in Italy and sent to Hartford to dig ditches, was the nephew of Dr. Joseph Goebbels, Nazi propagandist. Harvey Ross said he first heard about the prisoner population through his wife, Janet, the retired Dowagiac school nurse, who had been an exchange student in Germany. While visiting her host sister, a burly man surprised them by saying, “I know where that is” because he had been shot down in North Africa and incarcerated here.

Looking the other way

Despite anti-fraternization rules, audience members reported POWs going to dances in Benton Harbor and hitchhiking to Battle Creek, where the largest area camp was located at Fort Custer until 1945.

Temporary tents were replaced by wood-framed barracks.

Camps originally were concentrated in the South because warm weather meant not having to heat housing, but eventually every state but North Dakota, Nevada and Vermont had POW camps.

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MINNESOTA:

http://www.redwoodfallsgazette.com/news/x1780487831/Renville-pioneer-is-prisoner-of-war-escapee

...Renville pioneer is prisoner of war escapee.

Redwood Falls, Minn. —

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of monthly stories commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and the people from the area who were part of it.

By the time John Swoboda arrived in what is known today as Henryville Township in Renville County, he had already experienced more than most see in their lifetime. From crossing the Atlantic Ocean as a child to serving in the Civil War, Swoboda saw and heard many things others may have not even imagined. Swoboda, who was born in 1842 in Bohemia, came to the U.S. in 1854. The family settled in Wisconsin. Marcia Dworshak, the great-granddaughter of Swoboda, has been collecting information on her ancestor, adding much of the information she has today has been discovered by her children. The family has found several items, including a copy of Swoboda’s enlistment papers from Wisconsin. The family was still in Wisconsin when the Civil War began, and Swoboda opted to volunteer for service. “His father had to sign for him, because he was only 19 when he volunteered,” Dworshak said. Swoboda became a member of the 26th Wisconsin Voluntary Infantry and did his training at Camp Siegel which was in Milwaukee. After finishing his basic training the company Swoboda was in headed east, but because of the poor weather that December the soldiers were unable to take part in the Battle of Fredericksburg. It was during the following spring when Swoboda and the rest of the company saw action at the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia. Two months later the volunteers were headed for Pennsylvania and on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Wisconsin volunteers saw action. “He was captured on the first day,” said Dworshak. Swoboda was taken to Libby Prison where he remained only for a short period of time. Swoboda was not released but according to the story told from one generation to the next he escaped. “He took a different name,” Dworshak said, adding he kept that name throughout the rest of his service during the Civil War. No one knows what that name was, said Dworshak. Swoboda continued to serve the north and was in Georgia under General Sherman. During a skirmish, Swoboda was injured. After that he was taken to a hospital which is where he stayed until his three-year commitment was over. In 1865 Swoboda was mustered out of the military. No one knows for sure why Swoboda headed for Minnesota, but he and a friend named Jacob Krell, a fellow Civil War soldier who had been a family friend since coming over on the William Seton from Bohemia, eventually stopped in Renville County where they took a Homestead and started farming. Swoboda was one of the first to settle in what is now Henryville Township, and he not only farmed and raised a family but became an influential part of the formation of that part of the county. Swoboda married Agnes Zeta, and the couple have five children. They were married for 50 years. Dworshak said he and Krell, who lived next to each other were the two who donated the land where the Bechyn Church was erected. He also served as a supervisor for Henryville Township when it was first established Dworshak said Swoboda suffered for much of his life having had asthma (Dworshak said some assume that was a result of the time he spent in the hospital after being wounded), but he was able to travel back to Gettysburg for the 50th anniversary commemoration. Swoboda died Aug. 27, 1927, and he is buried at the Bechyn church cemetery. In a memorial to Swoboda printed the day after his funeral, he was hailed as a pioneer who had a lovable disposition in spite of bitter experiences in life. The legacy of John Swoboda lives on through continued generations who live on the land he helped establish and those who carry his name.

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MISSOURI:

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-778011

Korean War POW Returns

 By BigChrisG | Posted April 18, 2012 | 70506

CNN PRODUCER NOTE

April 20, 2012

SOLDIER MISSING FROM KOREAN WAR IDENTIFIED

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Army Cpl. James N. Larkin, 34, of Kirkwood, Mo., will be buried April 24, in St. Louis, Mo. On Feb. 11, 1951, Larkin and his unit known as “Support Force 21,” from the 2nd Infantry Division, were attacked by Chinese forces near Changbong-ni, South Korea. The unit withdrew to a more defensible position and suffered many losses. Following the battle, Larkin was listed as missing in action.

After the 1953 armistice, surviving prisoners of war who returned during “Operation Big Switch” said Larkin had died in April 1951, from battle wounds and malnutrition while captive in the Chinese operated POW camp known as “Bean Camp” located in North Korea. His remains were not returned during Operation Glory in 1954.

Between 1991 and 1994, North Korea gave the United States 208 boxes of remains believed to contain the remains of 200-400 U.S. servicemen. North Korean documents, turned over with some of the boxes, indicated that some of the human remains were recovered from Suan County, where Larkin was held as a POW.

Scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used circumstantial evidence, as well as dental comparisons, radiographs, and mitochondrial DNA – which matched that of Larkin’s nephews—in the identification of the remains.

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http://affton.patch.com/articles/62-years-later-local-man-gives-vet-uncle-honored-buri

62 Years Later, Local Man Gives Soldier Uncle Honored Burial

 Gus Nelson's uncle was among a number of prisoner-of-war remains returned by North Korea in 2006.

May 1, 2012

Gus Nelson, of Grantwood Village, was just 11 years old when his uncle, Jim Larkin Jr. went off to fight the Korean War nearly 62 years ago.

“He got on a plane in 1950, and we never saw him again,” said Nelson, now 72.

So when the U.S. Army called in 2006 saying that North Korea had returned 208 boxes of U.S. Soldier remains, and that Cpl. James N. Larkin, of Kirkwood, might be among them, Nelson was stunned to say the least.

“They asked me if I would submit a DNA sample for a match to the remains and I agreed,” Nelson said. “Then years went by and I didn’t think anything would come of it in my lifetime.”

That is until Nelson got another phone call in February with the news that his uncle’s remains had been positively identified and would be sent back to St. Louis for repatriation.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” Nelson said, “but the facts all lined up and the forensic evidence was all there.”

The remains of Cpl. Larkin were returned to St. Louis April 21. He was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Tuesday with full military honors. Dozens of Patriot Guard riders participated, forming a line of motorcycles several blocks long.

“The ramp ceremony at Lambert Airport and the funeral at Jefferson Barracks were both very emotional for the Nelson Family, so it was very much an honor for me to preside,” Missouri National Guard Chaplain Kevin McGhee said. “I knew this would bring closure for the family, and I made sure to mention that during the ceremony.”

“It does bring closure,” Nelson said. “There was no closure for all these years. We knew he was deceased, but having him back, well, it’s just different now. It brings me a measure of peace.”

After serving in combat in the South Pacific during all of World War II, Larkin was again called to serve in the Korean War. He was assigned to C Company of the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division when he was wounded and captured by North Korean forces on February 12, 1951. According to Army documents, Larkin died April 30, 1951 while a prisoner of war. He was 34 years old. He never married nor had children.

In the subsequent years, Larkin was posthumously promoted to corporal and awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and several other decorations.

While recently looking through family memorabilia, Nelson came across an aluminum plate used by his uncle during World War II. Badly beaten up, the plate had been crudely engraved with the names of each location Larkin had served in during the war. For Nelson, that discovery and the events of the last week brought home the service and sacrifice of Larkin and other veterans.

“It was very emotional for me,” he said.

Equally emotional for Nelson was the number of people who participated in or attended his uncle’s repatriation services.

“To them I say, ‘thank you, thank you, thank you,’” Nelson said.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE:

FREE SEGWAY TO DISABLED VETS THAT QUALIFY

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Honor Flight New England- Are you a WW II?

I was asked if Chapter 1 had any WW II Veterans. As I know we do I am sending this information out. If you know of any WW II Veterans please pass this information on to them. They do not have to be a Chapter 1 member.

More information can be found at http://honorflightnewengland.org. I apologize for the sideway view. It's the best I can do. Please print it to read.

You can call 603-518-5368 to response or I will pass on information.

Thanks for your help and thanks to all our Veterans.

Maureen Timmins

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http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20120429/NEWS01/204290329/Civil-War-re-enactment-returns-former-prison-training-site?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CLocal%20News%7Cs

Civil War re-enactment returns to former prison and training site

Newtown Battlefield reserved for Revolutionary War events 11:04 PM, Apr. 29, 2012

Written by Jeff Murray

Filed Under Local News News IF YOU GO » Who: The Chemung Valley Living History Center. » What: Ben Newton Memorial Civil War weekend. » When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. » Where: The former Elmira Civil War prison camp, along the Chemung River off Windsor Avenue. » Information: www.chemungvalley.org.

After a few years off, the Chemung Valley Living History Center will once again stage a Civil War re-enactment this weekend.

This time, the event will be staged in a place that was a significant part of the Civil War -- the site of the former Elmira prison camp.

In the past, the Chemung Valley Living History Center held Civil War battle re-enactments at Newtown Battlefield State Park, just east of Elmira.

But the state, which owns the park, said Newtown Battlefield is a Revolutionary War landmark and Civil War re-enactments aren't appropriate for that site.

This year, the group will hold its Civil War weekend at a site along the Chemung River where more than 12,000 Confederate soldiers were imprisoned in the latter days of the war and nearly 3,000 of them died.

"Better than half of the original camp site is still there, unused," said Paul Perine, acting president of the Chemung Valley Living History Center. "Unlike most places where it's been used half a dozen different ways over 150 years, this is essentially vacant, untouched land."

Despite the change of venue, the schedule for the weekend will be similar to past events.

There will be an education day Friday for students only.

Public events -- including merchants, soldiers and others in period dress, military drills and exercises, and living history demonstrations -- will be held Saturday and Sunday.

The site itself is historically important for more than its infamous role as a prisoner of war camp, Perine said.

"We're downplaying the fact that it was a prison camp, and playing up that before that, it was a training camp," he said. "I can't tell you how many thousand soldiers trained at that campsite from 1861 to '63. It was a large viable union camp until it became a prison camp."

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http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2012/18/mccueobit_bt_2012_04_26_q.htm

Assistant AG McCue, 91, was active in Queens GOP

William McCue, a New York state assistant attorney general, is survived by his wife Larisa. Photo courtesy Larisa McCueBy Philip Newman TimesLedger Newspapers Pin ItTools Print this story Facebook this Tweet this Digg this Del.icio.us Email to a friend

Your name Your email address Recipients’ email addresses (Up to ten, separated by commas.) William McCue, a New York state assistant attorney general, longtime Republican Party official and World War II veteran, died April 19. He was 91.

Among his survivors is Larisa, his wife of 67 years, who was a Russian prisoner of war when liberated from the Nazis by McCue’s U.S. Army unit near Dusseldorf, Germany, in the closing days of the European Theater in World War II.

McCue, who was born in Brooklyn, served as assistant attorney general from 1960-2006, defending the state of New York against all monetary claims. Each attorney general, regardless of political party, reappointed him to his assistant attorney general position.

Throughout most of his lifetime, McCue was active in the Republican Party, serving as county committeeman, and was the long-term president of the Queens County Republican Club.

Larisa Beresowskaja, the young woman McCue married, was a captive of the Nazis near Dusseldorf when they met as translators. She spoke Russian-German and McCue German-English.

McCue was a staff sergeant in the 774th Tank Destroyer Battalion of the U.S. 3rd Army, commanded by U.S. Maj. Gen. George Patton Jr. when the GIs swept into the town of Angermand outside Dusseldorf.

The need for translators was in part because of the processing of the thousands of what were termed displaced persons, such as Beresowskaja, who was 20. She was sent with thousands of other prisoners in cattle cars on a train from her home in Rostov-on-Don, USSR, to Germany where they were assigned to factories, farms and others places as slave laborers.

“I worked with Bill [her future husband] sometimes 18 hours translating,” Larisa McCue said.

“We were married six weeks after we met,” Larisa said, looking back on that turbulent time in 1945.

“We could not get married in Germany, so we joined a convoy of military vehicles going to Czechoslovakia for rest and recreation. They dressed me in a GI uniform and kept me out of sight as much as possible en route,” she said. “The military higher-ups did not know about this. Only Bill’s captain knew.”

Larisa McCue recalled that “it was not easy to find someone to marry us. Finally a priest agreed and we were married in a Catholic Church.”

She joined thousands of other war brides from Great Britain, France, Belgium and other countries en route to the United States, reuniting with McCue in New York.

“We lived in a cold water flat in Bay Ridge in Brooklyn for a time,” she said.

How did America contrast with war-torn Europe?

“So many of us were astonished at the plentiful food, which was not expensive, and no standing in line,” she said.

Having attended a teachers college in the USSR, she completed her college education at Queens College and taught at the Les Clochettes Nursery School in Bayside for 10 years.

Her husband was president of the Tyholland Civic Association in Bayside and a past commander of the Catholic War Veterans.

McCue is survived by daughters Larisa Anne Waloski and Mary Katherine Kaye, sons James McCue and William G. McCue, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Robert McCue.

His funeral was held at St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church and he was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Arrangements were handled by Martin Gleason Funeral Home in Bayside

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http://articles.philly.com/2012-05-02/news/31519932_1_remains-forensic-identification-tools-defense-prisoner

Remains identified of Philly-born GI who vanished in 1969 in Vietnam

May 02, 2012|By Peter Mucha, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Army Capt. . Charles R. Barnes, who was born in Philadelphia, went…What happened to a Philadelphia-born Army captain who disappeared in Vietnam in 1969 is a mystery no more.

The remains of Charles R. Barnes have been identified, the Department of Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced Monday.

He will be buried with full military honors Wednesday at Arlington National Cemetery.

On March 16, 1969, Barnes and four other service members were flying toward Da Nang and Phu Bai when communications contact with their aircraft was lost. Hazardous weather made a thorough search difficult after their plane failed to land. All five were listed as missing in action, and Barnes is the last whose remains have been accounted for, said DPMO spokeswoman Jessica Pierno.

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SOUTH DAKOTA:

http://www.bhpioneer.com/news/article_7d04e98e-9637-11e1-b34f-0019bb2963f4.html

This week in SD National Guard history

Friday, May 4, 2012 4:21 pm

This week in SD National Guard history By CW5 Duke Doering (Ret.) SDNG Historian Black Hills Pioneer | 0 comments

In recognition of the South Dakota National Guard's 150 years of service to the state and nation from 1862 - 2012, the SDNG will be publishing significant dates in the history of the organization all year long for the media's use in your publications or broadcasts. For more information on these events, please contact the SDNG Historian, CW5 Duke Doering at (605) 737-6581, or e-mail duke.doering@us.army.mil.

May 8, 2010 - On this date in SDNG history - The activation ceremony for the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade took place at the Elmen Center on the Augustana College campus in Sioux Falls on this date. Several hundred friends and family members attended the event to say goodbye in a ceremony that featured speakers Sen. John Thune and Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson, Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Steven Doohen and State Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Zimmerman. Two days later, the unit departed for their mobilization station at Fort Hood, Texas.

At Fort Hood, the Soldiers received their personal equipment issue, trained on individual and crew served automatic weapons and conducted specific mission training they would require in Afghanistan. Forty members underwent the Contracting Officer's Representative course. On June 13, 2010, the 196th main body arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan, and started to move to their 11 base locations throughout the capital city. The responsibility of security and force protection, plans, training and mobilization, human resources, public works, information management and logistics sustainment of nearly 9,000 U.S. and coalition forces fell to the 196th when they assumed control on June 26, 2010.

May 9, 1944 - On this date in SDNG history - Prisoner of War - Captured in Italy: On May 9, 1944, Tech. Sgt. 5 Richard Keifer, of Rapid City, was a prisoner of war in Germany. There, he remained for 18 months until liberated by the Russians in 1945. After the war, Keifer returned to Rapid City and became the well respected fire chief for the city. His capture had taken place in Italy in 1944. It began when a detail from Headquarters Company, 109th Engineer Battalion, led by Sgt. Raymond T. Martin, of Rapid City, Kenneth Kalberg, of Seneca, and Keifer were on a reconnaissance to search for a likely spot for a crossing of the Rapido River. The crossing was needed for the 34th Infantry Division to advance to Cassino, Italy. It was foggy and the detail made its way to the east river bank. The fog lifted and only a short distance away and well emplaced was a German detail with a machine gun. The only concealment was a small, inadequate ravine leading off from the Rapido and giving a little cover. The detail hit the ravine in a bunch. By lying in the water, all were in defilade from the Germans except Kalberg, whose back was exposed. The gunners raked him with fire and had the detail at their mercy. Martin could talk some German and tried to do a little bargaining, but to no avail. The Germans started tossing over grenades and it was a question of but moments until one would wipe them all out. Kalberg was badly wounded so Martin surrendered his detail. They were taken to an old theater near Cassino and separated. Kalberg later recovered from his wounds and escaped.

Martin and Keifer, however, went to Germany and remained prisoners until the end of the war. (South Dakota in WW II, page 185) SOUTH DAKOTA IN WORLD WAR II, page 185, The World War II History Commission May 10, 1863 - On this date in SDNG history -- Fort Thompson, Dakota Territory, Capt. Nelson Miner: In the spring of 1863, Company A, Dakota Cavalry was ordered to pursue and find eight Indian prisoners who escaped from a guardhouse. But the eight prisoners vanished as if the earth had swallowed them. A short time later, word came that the War Department was transporting by steamboat via St. Louis, some of the men and all the women and children who had not already fled from Minnesota, to a point on the Missouri River near Crow Creek. Capt. Nelson Miner was ordered to march his company to that point and be on hand when the steamboats, with the Indians, arrived near the beginning of June and into July. The Indians in the first contingent, all of who were Santees, numbered 1,489 persons and had with them 147 horses, 147 oxen, 123 wagons and all their possessions that could be brought on the steamboats. Clark W. Thompson, for whom Fort Thompson was named, had high praise for Capt. Miner and said, "I am much indebted to Capt. Miner of Co. A., Dakota Cavalry, who is in command of the soldiers here, for the prompt and efficient manner he had discharged his duty and the vigilance in scouting the country and in faithfully guarding the government's property." Pages 298-299, DAKOTA PANORMA, Dakota Territory Centennial Commission, Dakota's Own Civil War by Will G. Robinson May 11, 1936 - On this date in SDNG history -- Building Camp Rapid: The Adjutant General's Biennial report of 1934-1936, to Gov. Tom Berry, reported the progress made at the "Permanent Camp." The land for Camp Rapid had been purchased in 1932. The Adjutant General, Edwin C. Coffey, detailed the construction of the camp site at Rapid City. Funds had been provided by the Public Works Administration and disbursed by the U.S. Property & Disbursing Officer of South Dakota. Construction has been completed on one warehouse, 200x50 feet, four kitchens 64x21 feet, 57 wooden tent floors 16x16 feet, and a complete water, sewer and disposal system. Work on the construction of a boxing bowl seating approximately 2,800 people and warehouse and office building are being rapidly completed at this time. Further requests for additional construction on the camp site through submission of a six-year plan includes 21 kitchens, 34 bathhouses, one incinerator, 3 warehouses, 190 tent floors, 2 standard post powder magazines, 2 quarters for caretakers, 3 miles hard surface roads and extension of gas mains, water, sewer and light lines.

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TENNESSEE:

http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20120426/ENT/204260326/Album-tells-lost-tale-Civil-War

Album tells lost tale of Civil War 'Sultana' to be released on anniversary of ship's demise

 8:12 PM, Apr. 25, 2012

The cover of musician Jeff Stachyra's album "The Sultana." Written by Chris Kocher

Filed Under Entertainment On the web

For more on the project, go online to thesultana.com.

Earlier this month, the whole world paused to remember the 1,514 passengers and crew members who perished aboard the RMS Titanic on the 100th anniversary of its icy demise. Director James Cameron's epic 1997 film was re-released in 3-D, television networks showed various dramas and documentaries, and newspapers and websites featured hundreds of stories about the luxury liner's fate.

Mention the SS Sultana, though, and most folks draw a blank. The explosion of the Mississippi River steamboat near Memphis, Tenn., on April 27, 1865, claimed the lives of an estimated 1,600 people — most of them U.S. soldiers returning to the North from Confederate prison camps at the end of the Civil War.

Why has the Sultana been forgotten? At the time, the country had its attention elsewhere: Four years of bloody brother-against-brother conflict finally had ended, President Abraham Lincoln had been slain at Ford's Theater in Washington, and federal troops tracked down his assassin, John Wilkes Booth, who was killed in Virginia the day before the Sultana sank.

Local musician Jeff Stachyra (best known as the frontman for country-rockers Dirt Farm) first heard of the Sultana in 2008, after singing a spontaneous lyric on a down-tuned guitar: "Burn down the wheel/Burn down the riverboat." The haunting words led him online to a list of riverboat disasters; there were many, but the Sultana's casualty count surprised him and he wanted to know more.

"The whole thing with the Titanic versus the Sultana, where the Titanic gets all the attention and the Sultana gets none, I'm for the man on the street, the average Joe, the 99 percent," Stachyra said in an interview last week.

"Here are the poor guys who are coming home from the war after serving their country and creating the freedom we have today, and they don't get any recognition for that. In our world of fancy and glitzy, we're all driven toward the glamorous story."

Stachyra learned the full story on and off over four years — as long as the Civil War lasted, he realizes now — by reading every book on the Sultana and also doing his own research in St. Louis, Memphis, New York City and elsewhere.

Many elements of the sorry tale resonate today. War profiteering may have played a role: The Sultana's legal capacity was only 376, but more than 2,400 were crammed onboard in Vicksburg, allegedly because the captain had taken bribes to transport as many soldiers as possible. Also, one theory posits that poorly repaired boilers were sabotaged by a Confederate agent getting one last act of revenge on the North.

Then, there are the parts of the story too crazy for fiction, such as the alligator mascot that lived in the Sultana's hold. When the boilers exploded and lit the ship ablaze, one enterprising soldier went below decks, killed the alligator with a bayonet and used its sturdy wooden crate to ride to shore.

As a songwriter and the owner of NewClear Studios in West Windsor, Stachyra slowly began to record an album — and on Friday, 147 years to the day of the tragedy, "The Sultana: April 27, 1856" is being released at an annual "reunion" in Cincinnati. There, Stachyra will gather with Sultana scholars and Civil War aficionados who want to keep alive the memory of those who perished.

The album covers an impressively broad range of musical styles. Songs about the soldiers' freedom from prisoner-of-war camps and their celebratory stopover in Memphis have an old-time feel appropriate to the period, but atmospheric instrumentals and a few rock moments also serve as a soundtrack to the deadly night.

Perhaps the most striking track is a suite built around the spiritual "Sweet Hour of Prayer," which is specifically mentioned in historical accounts as a popular hymn around the time of the disaster. Stachyra recruited the Madrigal Choir to sing the piece; then he played and re-recorded it at an 1850s-era church in Pennsylvania, complete with its original pump organ. The effect is moving, especially when paired with the ethereal "Under the Water," which imagines the Sultana victims' final resting place.

Through the Library of Congress, Stachyra also discovered sheet music for an orchestral piece called "Sultana" that was written in 1879, 14 years after the disaster. A full orchestral version, which is among the album's bonus tracks, may be the first recorded version of the memorial waltz.

About 60 musicians took part in the "Sultana" sessions, including the choir, members of the Binghamton Philharmonic and others Stachyra has worked with over the years. He would record the basic tracks, he said, and then flesh them out with other players.

Although the album will be released on CD, Stachyra thinks the planned liner notes — fashioned like a newspaper of the time — also would do well in an old-school format.

"It would make a perfect vinyl release, because back then so much of it was about sitting in front of the record player and having something in your hand, because you couldn't be out driving," he said. "That was your 'video' when you listened to that music, to get a feel of what the artist was trying to do."

At least three different groups have approached Stachyra about turning his "Sultana" cycle into a stage play, and one local history teacher plans to integrate the story into her Civil War lessons. That kind of response makes his labor of love worth it, Stachyra said.

"My goal is to bring it to the people who don't know the story and get them interested," he said. "Of the 60 musicians that play on this record, every one of them — well, let's say 98 percent of them — now know about it and did not know. I've talked to so many Civil War buffs who do not know, but when they find out, they're interested.

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TEXAS:

http://impactnews.com/articles/author-to-speak-at-westlake  World War II POW to speak at Westlake Academy

by Diane S. W. Lee

April 23, 2012

Col. Glenn Frazier will be at Westlake Academy next week to share his experiences as a Japanese prisoner of war during World War II.

Frazier is the author of "Hell's Guest," a memoir detailing his experience in Japan's POW camps from April 1942 to September 1945. Frazier will be available for a book signing following the event, which is open to the public.

Westlake spokeswoman Ginger Awtry said people who attend the free event can learn about history from the "greatest generation."

"Any time that you can have a firsthand story from someone like that will truly bring history alive for audiences of any age, be it an academy student to a grown-up of any age," she said.

The event begins at 7 p.m. Monday, April 30 at Westlake Academy's gymnasium, 2600 J.T. Ottinger Road in Westlake.

Seating for the event is limited to about 300 people. Contact Lindsay Lemons at llemons@westlakeacademy.org to reserve a spot for the event by April 23.

For more information, visit www.westlakeacademy.org. 

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UTAH:

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=20116986 Man's POW story hard to prove, historians say

SALT LAKE CITY — If you ask David Groves what he was doing during the Vietnam War, he would say he volunteered to serve with the Army's 5th Special Forces Group, was wounded in an ambush and captured, and was starved and tortured for six months until he escaped into the jungle and hid for two weeks.

If you check with the Department of Defense, however, you wouldn't find any that information recorded.

Mary Schantag has been flagging imposters for more than two decades for the Prisoner of War Network. Currently, she is awaiting a letter from the National Personnel Records Center, which told her preliminarily they cannot find any military records on Groves.

"It is our opinion that he is not a former POW, that he was not with the Green Berets or special forces in Vietnam," Schantag said. "To have been missed from every one of the files and lists and determinations is just an impossibility."

Friday, April 13, Groves took part in a luncheon the Veterans Administration hosted to honor Utah's surviving POWs. Groves was honored at a Veterans Day celebration at the University of Utah in 2000. In 2003, his story was flagged by the POW Network, which Schantag said is common among stories like his.

"They're looking for a freebie," Schantag said. "I don't care if it's a free beer, a date, of VA disability. They're looking for something. They don't do it just because they can."

The Department of Defense lists 662 Americans as POWs during the Vietnam War, a list that does not include Groves. Through his wife, Groves insists that he is a POW, but will not explain why he is not on the list.

“It is our opinion that he is not a former POW, that he was not with the Green Berets or special forces in Vietnam.” –- Mary Schantag, POW Network"We are retaining legal counsel," the Groves family said in a statement. "Until then, we have no further comment, except to say, these accusations are entirely false and defamatory."

Could the records be wrong?

"In the 3,000 cases that we follow, not one has ever proven the Department of Defense records wrong," Schantag said.

Retired Navy combat pilot Mike McGrath is the historian for NAM-POWs, Inc. and spent five years and eight months as a POW in Hanoi during Vietnam.

Many of his close friends are also Vietnam-era POWs, and he has helped track down some of the 3,000 fakes — more than four times the number of real Vietnam POWs, according to McGrath.

"Unless this guy has some written proof, or some eyewitness proof, he's not one of us, he wasn't with any one of us of the 662 that got out alive," McGrath said.

Jay C. Hess of Farmington was also honored at the VA luncheon earlier this month. He suspected there was an imposter, because he thought he knew all of the Utah Vietnam POWs.

Hess flew more than 30 combat missions as an Air Force fighter pilot before he was shot down and endured more than 2,000 days in captivity.

"If you're not a phoney, get it corrected," Hess said.

Those who pose as POWs don't make him mad. But, he says, it diminishes the valor of those who did serve. "We ought to be as a country, able to look at a person in uniform and feel respect for them, and not have a suspicion," Hess said.

VA will make a statement about Groves' case Tuesday. David Groves refused comment.

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http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54035267-78/groves-vietnam-army-former.html.csp

Utahn who claimed to be a POW never served in Vietnam

V.A. honoree » Record shows he didn’t deserve the honor.

By Kristen Moulton | The Salt Lake Tribune First Published May 02 2012 02:58 pm • Last Updated May 02 2012 11:28 pm Dave Groves, a West Jordan man who has been honored by the Veterans Administration’s Salt Lake office and the University of Utah as a decorated Vietnam vet and prisoner of war, did indeed serve his country, but never in Vietnam, according to his Army personnel record.

The record, obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune through a Freedom of Information Act request, shows David Jennings Groves, now 67, was drafted and entered the Army in Sante Fe, N.M., and spent two years, Dec. 7, 1962 to Dec. 9, 1964 at Fort Bliss in Texas.

Personnel Records of David Groves

P

Vietnam War POW database

See the Department of Defense database of POWs and those missing in action during Vietnam War: dtic.mil/dpmo/vietnam/reports.

Join the Discussion Post a Comment Afterward, he briefly was in the Army Reserves and then served in the Army National Guard from Dec. 29, 1964 to Nov. 11, 1966. His highest rank was specialist.

Groves had Army training as an automotive repairman, and received standard commendations for a stateside soldier during the war: a National Defense Service Medal, and a marksman badge with rifle and carbine bars.

Terry Schow, executive director of Utah’s Department of Veterans Affairs, said the record is clear. "I draw from this that he never left stateside, never was in Vietnam, never was in the Special Forces and never was a POW."

Groves has made such claims, and told a University of Utah interviewer in 2000 that he had more than a half-dozen awards for valor.

"We have to stand up and say, ‘Sir, with all due respect, you should not have done this,’" said Schow, who served with the 5th Special Forces in Vietnam.

Groves did not answer his phone nor return a reporter’s call seeking comment Wednesday.

Previously, Groves, speaking through his wife, Fran Groves, called suggestions that he was lying about his military record "entirely false and defamatory."

The couple hired an attorney after questions arose about whether he deserved to be honored at an annual VA luncheon for former POWs. Stories and photos of Groves ran in The Tribune and other media after the April 13 affair.

story continues belowstory continues below U.S. revamps student work-visa program Published May 4, 2012 04:29:01PM Former POWs reject Utah man’s claims Published Apr 21, 2012 03:27:33PM Utah Medicaid data breach brings scam warning Published Apr 13, 2012 06:05:07PM U.S. Labor Department opens St. George field office Published Apr 12, 2012 08:48:12AM Groves said at the time that he was held captive by the North Vietnamese for six months after his unit, part of the Army’s 5th Special Forces, was ambushed. He said he was the only survivor of the ambush, and escaped with other U.S. servicemen, spending two weeks in the jungle before they were found by a Marine patrol. He said he had worked for the West Jordan City street department for many years.

The VA said in an April 25 statement that Groves has been on its list of former POW invitees for a number of years, and was honored several times at luncheons, which are co-sponsored by the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs.

The VA refused to answer questions about how the VA comes up with its list of former POWs to invite, how Groves came to be on the list, and whether he will be invited again.

"Privacy laws prevent us from releasing any other information in connection with Mr. Groves," the VA said in its statement, provided by spokesman James Brown.

Schow said that while his department co-sponsors the luncheon, "We have relied on the lists that the federal VA has." He will suggest that Groves’ name be stricken.

"It’s my understanding that he has never applied for VA health care or benefits," Schow said.

Former Vietnam POW Dale Osborne of Salt Lake City said Wednesday that although he doubted Groves’ claims, he was surprised the man didn’t even go to Vietnam.

"It makes me sick. It really does. That guy is out there going to all these functions, wearing these medals and telling these stories. I wonder why the VA is so lax," he said. "Somebody tells them something, they believe it."

Another former Vietnam POW, Jay C. Hess of Farmington, was on the committee that issued the invitations based on the VA list.

Personnel Records of David Groves

"My gut feeling is that the VA has people on their list who are not POWs and that their philosophy is ‘Well, we would rather care for somebody ... than not treat someone who might be,’" he said. "I think they are kind of generous in the position they take."

The University of Utah also honored Groves in 2000 at its annual Veterans Day celebration, where, wearing a dress uniform with medals and green beret, he shared the spotlight with nine other men praised for wartime heroics. The program for the U. event — and a short biography still displayed on the U’s Veterans Day website — says Groves was awarded three Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and two Crosses of Gallantry.

That information came from an interview the university conducted with Groves before the event, Keith Sterling, spokesman at the U, said in April.

"It behooves all of those in the recognition business to check the bonafides," said Schow. "Check their DD214s (service records held by veterans.)"

But Mary Schantag, chairwoman of the Missouri-based P.O.W. Network, said that’s not enough. "Do not take a DD-214. There are too many forgeries out there."

Nonetheless, checking out the claim of former POW status is easy, she notes. The Department of Defense has a website listing former POWs by war.

It’s the medals for injury and valor that are harder to track down because there is no master list, something Utah 3rd District Congressman Jason Chaffetz, burned last year on a case of stolen valor, is proposing.

"I want there to be an easy, simple way to verify that somebody earned the medals they claim they earned," said Chaffetz. "It’s trust, but verify."

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http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/27/11423275-sources-scant-evidence-torture-helped-war-on-terror-senate-probe-finds?chromedomain=nbcpolitics

Sources: Scant evidence 'torture' helped war on terror, Senate probe finds

By Reuters WASHINGTON - A nearly three-year-long investigation by Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats is expected to find there is little evidence the harsh "enhanced interrogation techniques" the CIA used on high-value prisoners produced counter-terrorism breakthroughs.

People familiar with the inquiry said committee investigators, who have been poring over records from the administration of President George W. Bush, believe they do not substantiate claims by some Bush supporters that the harsh interrogations led to counter-terrorism coups.

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The backers of such techniques, which include "water-boarding," sleep deprivation and other practices critics call torture, maintain they have led to the disruption of major terror plots and the capture of al-Qaida leaders.

Advertise | AdChoicesOne official said investigators found "no evidence" such enhanced interrogations played "any significant role" in the years-long intelligence operations which led to the discovery and killing of Osama bin Laden last May by U.S. Navy SEALs.

'Tortured' Gitmo prisoner seeks release of secret videos

The debate over the effectiveness of enhanced interrogations, which human rights advocates condemn as torture, is resurfacing in part because of a new book by a former top CIA official.

In the book, "Hard Measures," due to be published on Monday, the former chief of CIA clandestine operations Jose Rodriguez defends the use of interrogation practices including water-boarding, which involves pouring water on a subject's face, which is covered with a cloth, to simulate drowning.

Slideshow: Life goes on in Guantanamo

John Moore / Getty Images

President Obama's one-year deadline to close the facility has long passed as shutting it down has proven complicated and controversial. Launch slideshow "We made some al-Qaida terrorists with American blood on their hands uncomfortable for a few days," Rodriguez says in an interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes" that will air on Sunday. "I am very secure in what we did and am very confident that what we did saved American lives."

Expert: War on terror at 'critical' point as al-Qaida looks to regroup in Africa

For nearly three years, the Senate intelligence committee's majority Democrats have been conducting what is described as the first systematic investigation of the effectiveness of such extreme interrogation techniques.

The CIA gave the committee access to millions of pages of written records charting daily operations of the interrogation program, including graphic descriptions of how and when controversial techniques were employed.

The wives and children of Osama bin Laden are taken to a chartered flight out of Islamabad after being deported to Saudi Arabia. Sources agreed to discuss the matter on condition of anonymity because the report has not been finalized.

The committee members' objective is to conduct a methodical assessment of whether enhanced interrogation techniques led to genuine intelligence breakthroughs or whether they produced more false leads than good ones.

Report: Bin Laden told followers to kill Obama, Petraeus

U.S. intelligence officials have acknowledged that while the harshest elements of the interrogation program, including water-boarding and other tactics which cause severe physical stress, were in use, the CIA never carried out a scientific assessment of the program's effectiveness.

The Bush Administration only used water-boarding on three captured suspects. One of them was Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Slideshow: After the raid: Inside bin Laden's compound

Farooq Naeem / AFP - Getty Images

U.S. forces found and killed the al-Qaida leader in the affluent Pakistani town of Abbottabad, where he had been living in a large compound. Launch slideshow Other coercive techniques included sleep deprivation, making people crouch or stretch in stressful positions and slamming detainees against a flexible wall.

The CIA started backing away from such techniques in 2004. Obama banned them shortly after taking office.

One source cautioned there could still be lengthy delays before any information or conclusions from the Senate committee's report are made public.

Hidden in plain sight: Inside a secret CIA prison

One reason the inquiry has taken so long is that in 2009, committee Republicans withdrew their participation, saying the panel would be unable to interview witnesses to ensure documentary material was reported in appropriate context due to ongoing criminal investigations.

Current and former U.S. officials have said one key source for information about the existence of the al-Qaida "courier" who ultimately led U.S. intelligence to bin Laden was Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

Advertise | AdChoicesKSM, as he was known to U.S. officials, was subjected to water-boarding 183 times, the U.S. government has acknowledged.

Officials said, however, that it was not until some time after he was water-boarded that KSM told interrogators about the courier's existence. Therefore a direct link between the physically coercive techniques and critical information is unproven, Bush administration critics say.

Supporters of the CIA program, including former Vice President Dick Cheney, have portrayed it as a necessary, if distasteful, step that may have stopped extremist plots and saved lives.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney discusses his new memoir, "In My Time," with TODAY's Matt Lauer. In the exclusive interview, Cheney defends the Iraq war, says waterboarding "worked" and tells Lauer the greatest achievement of the Bush administration was preventing further attacks on U.S. soil after 9/11.

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http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dav-stands-with-bataan-death-march-survivors-2012-04-27

DAV Stands With Bataan Death March Survivors

WASHINGTON, Apr 27, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) was honored to stand with five former World War II prisoners of war who survived in 1942 the Bataan Death March or the siege of Corregidor during the 70th anniversary of the defense of the Philippines held in Washington, D.C., to call for apologies from Japanese companies that abused these POWs as slave laborers.

The DAV has joined these heroes in asking Japanese companies that used American POW slave labor, which include Mitsui, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo and Kawasaki to follow the example of their government and apologize to the American POWs and establish a meaningful program of remembrance.

An estimated 27,000 American troops were prisoners of Japan during the war. Some 40 percent died in captivity. The majority of those Americans were forced to work on military projects or for private Japanese companies producing war materiel. No Japanese company has acknowledged or apologized for the use of POW forced labor.

"These American heroes are not seeking compensation," said DAV Washington Headquarters Executive Director Barry Jesinoski. "They just want their due respect, an apology and the preservation of their history."

In 2010, Japan issued an official apology for the abuse and misuse of the Americans they held prisoner in World War II. This week Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is visiting Washington.

The DAV co-hosted a luncheon for the former POWs with contemporary wounded warriors in Washington, D.C., Wednesday.

The 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation's disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our nation's disabled veterans and their families. More information is available at www.dav.org . 

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http://www.marketwatch.com/story/rolling-thunder-inc-marks-25th-anniversary-of-memorial-day-demonstration-events-with-parents-of-afghanistan-pow-sgt-bowe-bergdahl-may-25-27-2012-in-washington-dc-2012-05-03

Rolling Thunder®, Inc. Marks 25th Anniversary of Memorial Day

 Demonstration Events With Parents of Afghanistan POW Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl May 25-27, 2012, in Washington, D.C. NESHANIC STATION, N.J., May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Bob and Jani Bergdahl, parents of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the U.S. Army soldier who has been held as a prisoner of war by the Taliban in Afghanistan since June 2009, will be featured speakers as Rolling Thunder Inc. marks the 25th anniversary of the Memorial Day Demonstration in Washington, D.C., May 25-27, 2012. They will speak during the May 27 program, which will also include appearances by Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ); Cmdr. Kirk S. Lippold, USN (Ret)., the former commanding officer of the USS Cole; Lynn O'Shea, Director of Research for the National Alliance of Families for the Return of America's Missing Servicemen, along with Col. Patricia S. Blassie, Commander of the Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center; Mike Shelby (aka NY Myke), a Vietnam veteran who participated in the inauguration of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in 1982; Sgt. Matthew Smith, returning from Afghanistan in October 2011 and Steve Thompson, Family & Veteran Liaison - Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command.

In addition to the speakers, a lineup of celebrity entertainers is slated to provide a fitting musical tribute, including long-time veterans' supporters and internationally renowned entertainers Nancy Sinatra and Connie Stevens, as well as perennial favorite Gordon Painter, Loch Rannoch Pipe & Drum, country artists Rockie Lynne and the Dean Crawford Dunn's River Band.

Due to continuing construction around the Lincoln Memorial, the 25th anniversary events will once again be located in the area between the Reflecting Pool and the Korean Memorial. Here's a look at the weekend's events:

Friday, May 25

Historic Congressional Cemetery wreath presentation - 10 a.m.

Candle Light vigil at the Vietnam Wall led by the Flame of Freedom which will escort Gold Star and Blue Star families to honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to their country, and those who are still missing or held prisoner - 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 26

TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) - Crystal Gateway Marriott - visit with the children of fallen heroes 9 a.m.

Harley-Davidson of Washington - 9407 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD - free barbeque 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

U.S. Navy Memorial wreath presentation - 11 a.m.

Rolling Thunder Hospitality Room - Hyatt Regency, Crystal City - 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 27

Rolling Thunder Demonstration - leaves Pentagon North Parking Lot at noon

Program of speakers and Musical Tribute to Veterans at the stage in the field between the Reflecting Pool and Korean Memorial from 1:30 - 5 p.m.

Complete details, including biographies on speakers and entertainers, are available in the Rolling Thunder online press room. News media are encouraged to check back often for updates.

About Rolling ThunderIncorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is a class 501C-4 non-profit organization with over 100 chartered chapters throughout the United States. Membership comprises men and women with 40-45% being non-veterans and the balance being veterans from all wars and peacetime. Although many of its members ride motorcycles, a person does not have to own or ride a motorcycle to be a member, just the time and willingness to be an advocate for our troops, veterans, and POW/MIAs. For more information about Rolling Thunder, visit the organization's web site at http://www.rollingthunder1.com/index.html  .

 Information for MediaProgram details will be available in the online press room and are updated as needed. Members of Rolling Thunder's national media committee will be available at event locations throughout the weekend to assist working press with interviews, photographs, and any other needs. For more information or to schedule interviews in advance, please contact Nancy Regg, national media committee chairperson, at (908) 310-3268 (cell) or nregg2@comcast.net. 

Nancy Regg National Media Chairpersonnregg2@comcast.net (908) 310-3268 (cell) www.rollingthunder1.com 

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XXVth Annual Rolling Thunder : May 26th.

Contact Us Mailing Address: 34597 Harry Byrd Hwy Suite 1 Round Hill, VA 20141

http://rollingthunderrun.com/

Email Us: contact@rollingthunderrun.com

Rolling Thunder Founder Ray Manzo Highlights Speaker Lineup at C*A*M*M*O Tribute to Rolling Thunder XXV on May 26, 2012 Ray Manzo, founding father of the original Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run Manzo returns to celebrate and honor the dream of 25 years ago.

Ray Manzo, founding father of the original Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run in 1988, will be a featured speaker at the Center for American Military Music Opportunities’ (C*A*M*M*O) tribute to Rolling Thunder’s 25th anniversary, on Saturday, May 26, at a special stage set up at the intersection of Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. The program salutes Rolling Thunder’s annual Demonstration Run on May 27 for Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIAs) and honors service members and veterans from all wars.

After seeing his vision of national attention for the POW/MIA issue recognized, Manzo relinquished any role in Rolling Thunder in 1992 and quietly assumed a regular private life for the next 20 years. As Rolling Thunder looks toward its 25th anniversary, Manzo will return to the run to celebrate and honor the dream he first had 25 years ago.

The speaker lineup also includes representation from government, military, veterans and POW/MIA activists, including:

Ted Shpak, President, Rolling Thunder Washington, DC Representative from Vietnam Commemorative Committee (to be announced) Col. Pat Blassie, sister of 1st Lt. Michael J. Blassie, USAF Colleen Shine, daughter of Lt. Col. Anthony Shine, USAF Pam Cain, daughter of Col. Oscar Mauterer, USAF, MIA Laos 2/15/66 “Moe” Moyer, “The Ride Home,” plus a video clip entitled "PRISONERS OF WAR: Stolen Freedom" Adam Clampitt, (Lt., USNR) - Veterans Crisis Line Additional speakers are being confirmed and will be announced later. The event also includes several musical acts, including Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, and nationally recognized military and civilian entertainers. A highlight of the tribute will be the unveiling of five custom-made “tribute” motorcycles—one for each branch of military service—built especially to commemorate the Rolling Thunder XXV anniversary. Complete details of the program, as well as speaker and entertainer biographies, will be available soon in an online press room on C*A*M*M*O’s web site, on the Rolling Thunder Washington, D.C. web site, and a mobile app that will be available shortly.

ABOUT C*A*M*M*O C*A*M*M*O is a 501c(3) non-profit organization founded in 2009 by U.S. Navy veteran Cathie Lechareas and U.S. Army veteran Victor Hurtado that believes in the healing power of music. Run by veterans for veterans and active-duty service members, C*A*M*M*O develops military and veteran artists, technicians, writers and musicians at its C*A*M*M*O centers. Concurrently it is developing military-specific music therapy programs providing qualified music therapists who can assist past and present service members who are suffering neurological impairments such as traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. For more information about C*A*M*M*O, visit http://www.cammomusic.org.

ABOUT ROLLING THUNDER WASHINGTON, D.C., INC. Rolling Thunder-Washington, D.C., is a 501c(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to make certain that we, as a nation, neither neglect our prisoners of war nor forget our missing in action. Founded in 1987 by four Vietnam veterans—Cpl. Ray Manzo, Sgt. Major John “Top” Holland, Staff Sgt. Ted Sampley, and 1st Sgt. Walt Sides, the organization’s most visible outward symbol is the annual Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run through the nation’s capital every Memorial Day weekend. The rally began in 1988 with just a few hundred motorcycles and now attracts hundreds of thousands of participants from all over the world. A less visible, but equally important, expression of our mission is our legislative efforts. We strive to affect national policy in a way that will assist POW/MIAs. We wrote, got introduced and passed, the Missing Service Personnel Act of 1984.

For more information, visit Rolling Thunder Washington, D.C., Inc.’s web site at http://www.Rollingthunderrun.com.

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Welcome to Rolling Thunder XXV

So many things have changed in the past 25 years and we have much to be thankful for. Although there is always a solemn tone to Rolling Thunder, which was begun to raise awareness for the POW/MIA issue, we have many reasons to celebrate this special year.

As many of us ride with a tear in our eye, let us remember just how far we have come, but let us also never forget. We have soared from the 2,500 participants who responded to Ray Manzo’s call to action in 1988 to more than a million expected this year! Rolling Thunder’s achievements have been many, among them boosting the late John Holland’s decade-long effort on the Missing Service Personnel Act of 1993—a bill ensuring that the government could not arbitrarily declare missing servicemen “killed in action” without credible proof of death.

A number of extraordinary events are slated for Rolling Thunder this year. On our stage, many talented and well-known performers will join in the celebration. In commemoration of Rolling Thunder’s 25th year, we will also unveil five tribute motorcycles—one for each branch of the service—custom-built by five premier master builders.

And finally, at a special ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that will kick off the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, our government will officially issue a proclamation that “Welcomes all the Vietnam veterans home.” At last! We are home. Enjoy the run.

Thank a veteran. Never forget.

Ted Shpak, President Walt Sides, Executive Director Rolling Thunder Washington, D.C., Inc.

Contact Us Mailing Address: 34597 Harry Byrd Hwy Suite 1 Round Hill, VA 20141

Email Us: contact@rollingthunderrun.com

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http://www.dodbuzz.com/2012/05/01/a-doctrine-for-the-21st-century-almost/

A doctrine for the 21st Century (almost)

By John Reed Tuesday, May 1st, 2012 5:06 pm Posted in International, Policy As the Pentagon’s top officers look beyond the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan they are embracing a new approach to warfare focusing on a more agile, “networked” force capable of working closely with allies to defeat a mosaic of decentralized enemies around the world, the nation’s top general said Tuesday.

This nascent doctrine, or what Dempsey described as an “inchoate … central organizing principle,” stems from the threat environment the Pentagon sees as the most relevant by the year 2020.

“We are just beginning to adapt from counterinsurgency as kind of our central organizing principle and if I had to put a tagline on it today, it would be very premature for me to do it but I’m gonna do it, I would say that where we’re headed is something that I would describe as a global networked approach to warfare,” said Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, during a talk at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

The general was responding to an audience question about whether the United States had a 21st century military doctrine. “It gets back to my point about taking capabilities we haven’t had before, really integrating them into our conventional capabilities, partnering differently — with a very different goal and with very different processes to support it — and allowing ourselves to confront these networked, decentralized foes with something other than huge formations of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.”

Dempsey went on to say that the military must adapt the lessons learned about fighting nimble, decentralized insurgents over the last decade and apply them to a force that can fight “networked” enemies around the world.

Doing so involves using smaller groups of forces spread around the globe that are capable of working with other nations to combat everything from terrorism to piracy to transnational organized crime in a world where high-tech weapons are commonplace.

“The world that we have seen evolve around us … over the last 10 years in particular, is a world I describe as a security paradox, we’re at an evolutionary low in violence in the world right now but it doesn’t feel that way because there’s a proliferation of capabilities, technologies to middleweight actors, non-state actors, that actually makes the world feel, and potentially be, more dangerous than anytime I remember in uniform.”

Alliances between global terrorist groups, organized crime syndicates and rogue nations that “come together and pull apart based on moments in time when they want to come together against us” must be met by a flexible network of U.S. government agencies and allied nations, said the four-star.

To lead this effort, the Pentagon must focus on international partnership-building and integrating the ne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber and special operations capabilities developed over the last decade into “our normal way of operating,” according to the general.

Dempsey said his comments were based on meeting the priorities laid out in the Pentagon’s new global security strategy that was released in January.

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http://www.military.com/news/article/army-may-reduce-force-by-29000-soldiers.html?ESRC=eb.nl 

Army May Reduce Force by 29,000 Soldiers

April 26, 2012

United Press International

WASHINGTON -- Budget cuts may make the U.S. Army lay off 29,000 enlisted soldiers and officers, a Pentagon official said as GOP lawmakers sought to restore defense funding.

"I hate to throw out numbers, but I have seen numbers that will approach the enlisted category perhaps as high as the mid-20s -- 23, 24,000," Thomas R. Lamont, the Army's top personnel official, told the Senate Armed Services Committee's personnel subcommittee Wednesday.

"And on the officer contingent -- again these are very rough numbers and all based again on assumptions and attrition rates -- officers may go up to 4,500, maybe 5,000," said Lamont, assistant Army secretary for manpower and reserve affairs.

"There will be some officers -- and there will be some very good non-commissioned officers -- that will want to stay in the Army and will probably not," added Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, Army deputy chief of staff.

Lamont and Bostick were among military officials testifying a day before House Armed Services Committee panels were to begin marking up the fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Bill.

The Republican-controlled committee has said it intends to add about $8 billion to the $546 billion for defense set by the Budget Control Act that ended last year's U.S. debt-ceiling crisis.

The crisis threatened to push the federal government into sovereign default on or about Aug. 3, 2011.

The act will trigger across-the-board spending cuts of more than $100 billion a year, starting next fiscal year, if Congress doesn't identify ways of cutting the deficit at least $1.2 trillion during the next decade.

Those reductions -- split evenly between defense and non-defense programs -- would hit the Pentagon with a $54 billion cut in 2013.

The Obama administration seeks to cut defense spending in fiscal 2013, but increase it afterward, just not as fast as previously planned.

The House GOP plan calls for defense spending to be at the same rate next year as it is this year, and future increases to be higher than the White House plan.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Jan. 26 that under the 2013 defense budget, the Army would lose 80,000 soldiers as the Army shrinks to 490,000 from a 570,000 peak, but he did not say then whether the reduction would be through layoffs or through attrition as soldiers retire.

Panetta said the number of Marines would drop by 20,000 to 182,000, the Air Force would buy fewer new Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jet fighters and scrap 92 cargo planes and jets, and the Navy would lose seven cruisers.

Pay raises would be limited beginning in 2015, and healthcare fees for retirees would rise, Panetta said, adding the moves would not compromise security.

Funding for special operations forces trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions, such as the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, would continue to grow as would the military's fleet of drones, Panetta said.

The troop reductions "are potentially devastating to our national security," Senate Armed Services Committee member Joseph Lieberman, Ind-Conn., said after Panetta presented his proposed "tough budget choices" needed to reach $487 billion in cuts over 10 years.

These reductions, which would require congressional approval, "are the result of budget pressure, not what is best for America's security," Lieberman said.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard McKeon, R-Calif., said Wednesday he would seek to increase funding for new M1 Abrams battle tanks, guided-missile Navy destroyers and a mobile air defense system in the defense budget, and seek to put a brake to the planned reduction in military force numbers.

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This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

Implementation Date Set for Opening New Assignments to Women

04/26/2012 10:55 AM CDT

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 309-12 April 26, 2012

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Implementation Date Set for Opening New Assignments to Women

The Defense Department announced today its assignment policy changes will be implemented May 14, opening 14,325 additional positions to women.

The two changes to the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule, announced Feb. 9 in a report to Congress, could not be implemented without a Congressionally-mandated notification period, which has now expired.

When implemented, occupations will no longer be closed to women solely because the positions are required to be co-located with ground combat units. Additionally, a sizable number of positions will be opened to women at the battalion level in select direct ground combat units in specific occupations. The services will continuously assess their experience with these exceptions to policy to help determine future changes to the assignment rules.

"The secretary of defense has said this is the beginning, not the end, of a process," said Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jo Ann Rooney. "The department intends to continue to remove barriers that prevent service members from serving in any capacity in which they qualify."

Defense Secretary Panetta has directed the services to update him in six months on assignment implementation, to include efforts to pursue gender-neutral physical standards, an assessment of the newly opened positions, and identification of any further positions that can be opened.

"Women have contributed immeasurably to our efforts, here and abroad," Rooney said. "We simply could not do the mission without them."

The previously released report to congress can be viewed here: http://www.defense.gov/news/WISR_Report_to_Congress.pdf . 

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http://www.journaltimes.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/paying-tribute-world-war-ii-veterans-to-be-honored-at/article_b84ba71c-960a-11e1-b98e-001a4bcf887a.html

Paying tribute: World War II veterans to be honored at ‘Field of Honor’ event at Miller Park

Paying tribute: World War II veterans to be honored at ‘Field of Honor’ event at Miller Park LEE B. ROBERTS lroberts@journaltimes.com JournalTimes.com | Posted: Saturday, May 5, 2012 12:15 am

JOE DEAN Stars and Stripes Honor Flight

Joe Demler, left, a former prisoner of war and an Honor Flight World War II alum, coined the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight slogan. When he was liberated from a German prison camp, he said, “From now on every day is a bonus.” Demler is presenting a shirt to a Pentagon friend, Lt. Cmdr. Eric Cottrell, for his new baby at an Honor Flight event in Washington, D.C.

...Southeast Wisconsin’s Stars and Stripes Honor Flight program has flown more than 1,800 World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., free of charge, to see the World War II Memorial since the fall of 2008. And now, the SSHF organization, which is based in Port Washington, is expanding its mission to also serve the many World War II veterans who, because of their age and/or health, are not able to make the trip to our nation’s capital.

On Aug. 11, all World War II veterans — along with other veterans, families, friends and neighbors — are invited to a special event at Milwaukee’s Miller Park called the “Field of Honor: A Salute to the Greatest Generation.”

This “once-in-a-generation” event will be a spectacular, patriotic extravaganza at which the entire community can come together to honor the heroes of World War II, according to Joe Dean, founder and chairman of the board for Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. “We wanted to bring the Honor Flight experience here, to those veterans who are too frail to fly with us to Washington, D.C.,” said Dean, one of an all-volunteer team that makes SSHF possible.

With World War II veterans dying at a rate of one every 90 seconds, SSHF is racing against the clock to honor them. “Field of Honor” will give them the opportunity to view the official model of the World War II Memorial, which is being brought to Milwaukee on its way to the Smithsonian Museum. They will also get to see the premiere of a documentary film about the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight program, produced by Dan Hayes, which will be shown on Miller Park’s high-definition video board (a film trailer is available on YouTube).

A sneak preview of the film, shown by Marcus Theaters on Pearl Harbor Day, left everyone in the audience with tears in their eyes, Dean said. And there won’t be a bad seat in the stadium for viewing the film, he said.

“Field of Honor” will also offer other activities at the stadium, and event organizers are partnering with two other events happening in Milwaukee that week — the Milwaukee Air & Water Show (www.milwaukeeairshow.com) and Navy Week (www.navyweek.org/milwaukee2012/index.html).

“There will be a lot of things going on in Milwaukee for people to take part in,” Dean said.

More than 10,000 tickets — at $11 each — have already been sold for “Field of Honor.” Dean said SSHF was able to keep the ticket price low thanks to the sponsorship of We Energies’ Wisconsin Energy Foundation, which is the event’s major underwriter.

Gale Klappa, chief executive officer of We Energies, said it was the opportunity to give the Honor Flight experience to those veterans who are not physically able to make the flights that made him want to get involved in this event.

“It’s a very fitting way to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed so much,” Klappa said.

He said he hopes many of those veterans will be able to attend, and that the message they take with them from the experience is simply “That people remember and are grateful — and that they recognize the sacrifice that was made.”

Jon Christensen, chairman of Racine Area Veterans Inc., said he hopes people throughout the community will support “Field of Honor,” as it is the entire community that sends people off to war. Christensen, who attended 2010’s “LZ Lambeau” event that honored Vietnam veterans at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, said he knows “Field of Honor” will be a very moving event for all.

“I’ve been in Washington, D.C., as a spectator, when Honor Flights have arrived, and I’ve seen what that experience does for them,” he said. “Anybody who cares, really ought to try and get to that stadium.”

Stars and Stripes Honor Flight is part of a national Honor Flight program with 110 hubs in 34 states. In addition to the Stars and Stripes organization, Wisconsin has five other Honor Flight hubs, in the Madison, LaCrosse, Fox Valley, Wausau and Northland areas. For more information, go to www.starsandstripeshonorflight.org.

If You Go:

WHAT: “Field of Honor: A Salute to the Greatest Generation”

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 11. Parking lot opens at 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Miller Park baseball stadium in southwest Milwaukee.

COST: Tickets are $11 (plus service fees) and can be purchased online at www.starsandstripeshonorflight.org or www.brewers.com/fieldofhonor, or by calling (414) 902-4000. Parking is $10. No admission charge for kids younger than 2. Proceeds will help fund future SSHF flights.

INFO: Go to www.starsandstripeshonorflight.org/events.php, or call the event hotline AT (262) 238-7741.

Event Highlights

3:30 p.m.: Parking lot opens for tailgating, with World War II re-enactors and live music.

4:30 p.m.: Stadium opens, visitors can view the “Pillars of Honor” WWII memorial model and a “Best of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight” art show. Photo opportunities for veterans and families.

6:30 p.m.: Program begins with patriotic tribute to veterans, including the Navy SEALS “Leap Frogs” parachuting into Miller Park. World Premiere of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight documentary film on high definition video board.

9 p.m.: Closing ceremony, with fireworks and flyover.

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http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/africa/south-sudan-frees-14-prisoners-of-war-as-a-gesture-of-peace

South Sudan frees 14 prisoners of war as a 'gesture of peace' Agencies .

JUBA/BEIJING // South Sudan freed Sudanese prisoners of war yesterday in a gesture it hopes will defuse tensions between the countries, whose cross-border fighting has threatened to tip into all-out war.

Sitting on top of one of Africa's most significant oil reserves, Sudan and South Sudan have been unable to resolve a dispute over oil revenues and border demarcation since the South gained independence in July.

Nearly all oil production has now stopped and the border fighting in contested oil-producing regions has grown more intensive, prompting China, which has economic interests in both countries, and the African Union to push for a diplomatic deal.

"The SPLA [South Sudan's army] handed over prisoners of war to the ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross]. There were 14 who were captured during the battles of Heglig from April 10 to 15," said Colonel Philip Aguer, the spokesman for South Sudan's army.

Col Aguer was referring to the Heglig oilfield that the South captured this month but later withdrew from, under international pressure. Juba has since accused Sudan's armed forces of bombing its territory, a claim Khartoum denies.

South Sudan's government and its army have said the deal had been brokered by Egypt during its foreign minister's visit to both countries about 10 days ago. Col Aguer said the prisoners would be flown back to Khartoum via Cairo.

He said the men were mostly Sudanese from the north, as well as one South Sudanese who he said had been recruited as a mercenary, adding that the Sudanese army was holding at least seven SPLA members as prisoner of war.

"We have requested that they be released if they have not been killed," he said. There was no immediate comment on the prisoners from Khartoum.

Clashes appear to have ebbed following weeks of cross-border fighting after the Sudanese foreign minister, Ali Ahmed Karti, said Khartoum was ready to resume talks on security issues, a day after the president, Omar Al Bashir, had ruled them out.

Earlier, residents of Bentiu, about 80 kilometres from the contested border, said the area had come under attack from Sudanese fighter jets and they feared their dusty town might be the next target.

"I do not want war to come back," Nyachar Teny, an old woman, said in a market damaged by the Monday's air raid, in which at least two people were killed. "It seemed like everyone was finished with war."

Witnesses in Bentiu did not hear air strikes yesterday, after days of bombardment in the area. Sudan has denied carrying out air strikes.

Meanwhile, Sudan said South Sudan expelled more than 100 of its nationals working for oil companies.

Most were working for Petrodar, which is majority-owned by China National Petroleum Corp, according to the Sudanese spokesman, Rabie Abdelaty.

The Petrodar consortium is composed of the CNPC, Malaysia's Petronas, Sudan's Sudapet, China's Sinopec, and the UAE's Al Thani Corporation.

The move is likely to put the newly independent nation on a collision course as it continues attempts to shore up more allies, amid a worsening conflict with former civil foe, Sudan, according to analysts.

South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir, was on a visit to China this week, seeking support for a southern alternative pipeline.

"Beijing may express willingness to study the pipeline proposal but there is unlikely to be strong support for it in China," said Philippe de Pontet, director for Africa at Eurasia Group. "The pipeline would take years to build, harm CNPC's interests and undermine Khartoum's incentives to find a compromise at the negotiating table.

"Moreover, Beijing will be cautious about committing more funding and personnel to unstable Sudan."

Mr Kiir cut short his visit yesterday, cancelling a trip to Shanghai amid clashes with Sudan.

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The Third Row?

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Just think about this when you pay the IRS.

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