Diatribune - veterans - Comments

It's hard to believe that

epppie — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:52:47 -0600

It's hard to believe that providing returning veterans with top notch, or at least adequate(!) care should continue to be a problem.

The Next Step‏ - GI Bil

jimstaro — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:45:57 -0600

The Next Step‏ - GI Bil 2008

Starting this week, GI Bill 2008 will provide America's newest generation of veterans with the tools they need to access the new GI Bill. It includes an interactive benefits calculator based on your zip code, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and the latest news and information about the new GI Bill as it goes into effect.

On The USA Today Report This

jimstaro — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:43:53 -0600

On The USA Today Report

This is a Medical Care Facility, anything dealing with Unhealthful Conditions should have already been Stopped from Advancing Long before it was even observed, as shown in the photo with the USA Today report!!

Whoever is handling the building maintenance, and I'll just bet it's a private contractor and Not an in house crew nor military personal, should be canned and the facility checked completely for anymore UnHealthful Conditions!!!!

This is Exactly the type of information that DRA are looking for.

the idea that you can ignore

fake consultant — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:40:37 -0600

the idea that you can ignore what all this is doing to families and careers (lots of "the troops" are national guard and reserve) is also having a crushing effect on troop morale...and all of this is going to take decades to fix.

What a sickening article,

epppie — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:56:01 -0600

What a sickening article, It's sickening because it is right about the lack of responsibility most americans have show apart from their endless flags and stickers, and because it's sickening that a presidential debate would ocurr in a church.

Thank God Obama is a man of principle; win at all costs. As for McBush - whatta stiff.

Tyler Boudreau's

jimstaro — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:58:39 -0600

Tyler Boudreau's book:

Packing Inferno: The Unmaking of a Marine (Feral House) will be released in September 2008 and is now available for pre-order.

As To This...........

jimstaro — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:18:36 -0600

As To This...........

Iraq's Surplus, Good for them!!!

We blew their country up, we killed and maimed thousands, millions are now refugee's within and in neighboring countries, We Refuse To Hold Those Accountable For Making Us Participants To Their Crimes Against Humanity thus We Are and Will Remain As Guilty!!

We in the 'Focus Groups' told the 70plus% Supporters of this Madness, while being called Unpatriotic, Enemy Sympathizers, and a whole host of like labels, "What would happen if we invaded, and it's turned worse than even we voiced, and continues!", non listened untill it was to late.

Some were very vocal in their attacks on us, most were completely silent, as to what would and now has been done In Our Names and for simplified Politics the Criminals will Walk Away Free with their Blood Wealth, bush is finally a success, as to how we label success in this country, Extreme Wealth, and We Own The Cabal's Disaster, passed on to the next generations!!!!

Our Responsibility, Not Theirs!!!!!

From a Marine

jimstaro — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:06:54 -0600

From a Marine Vet

Palestinian helps Iraqi refugees

Jordan/U.S.A. - Writing this article from the third person is going to be impossible because of my experience with the subject matter at hand. I am an ex-Marine who was involved in the initial invasion of Iraq. My friend, who chooses not to have her name published, is a U.N. worker helping refugees in Jordan, many of whom are from Iraq. This article is about her experience and mine.

And Visit Scotty's, an Iraq War Vets blogspot: Returning Home From Iraq

I think the troops are

kerry — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:28:53 -0600

I think the troops are finally beginning to figure out that there is nothing behind the "rally 'round the flag boys" except a bunch of chickenhawks. This administrations record on military issues is pitiful. The funny thing is I remember Bush in 2000 running around the country complaining that Clinton had stretched the military thin with unnecessary deployments overseas. That's pretty funny now.

Another Reason Why Official:

jimstaro — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:25:39 -0600

Another Reason Why

Official: 9 US troops killed in Afghanistan

A multi-pronged militant assault on a small, remote U.S. base killed nine American soldiers Sunday in one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. troops since the 2001 invasion, a Western official said.

Militants fired machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars from homes and a mosque in the village of Wanat in the northeastern province of Kunar, a mountainous region that borders Pakistan, NATO's International Security Assistance Force said in a statement.

Press Release: Fort Hood

jimstaro — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:39:36 -0600

Press Release: Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall‏

MEDIA ADVISORY

Military and Veteran Advocates Invite Senators McCain and Obama to Fort Hood Texas
Presidential Town Hall to Focus on Military and Veterans
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Carissa Picard, Managing Director, 2008 Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall Consortium, 254.554.1513, e-mail to Hood Townhall.
2008 Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall

Monday August 11, 2008, 9:00 pm (EST)

Bell County Expo Center

301 West Loop 121

Belton, Texas 76513
Hosted by the 2008 Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall Consortium
To be carried live on the CBS Television Network.
A diverse group of non-profit organizations dedicated to serving active military, veterans, their families and their survivors has come together to invite the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates to Fort Hood, Texas, for an in-depth discussion of the increasingly complex issues facing America's military and veteran community. The CBS television network has agreed to produce and broadcast the town hall meeting in prime time that evening.
Fort Hood is the largest U.S. military installation in the world and deploys the most soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan as part of our continuing Global War on Terror. Consequently, the Consortium cannot imagine a more appropriate audience—or a more compelling location—for this event.
This Consortium represents organizations that provide services and support to our service members, veterans, wounded warriors, and their families. "We believe if there is one more debate or town hall before the general election, it should be before an audience comprised of the men and women whose service and sacrifice ensure that these events continue through their defense of our country and of our Constitution," said Carissa Picard, lead organizer and military spouse.
"This forum is NOT about being for the war in Iraq or against the war in Iraq. This is about the fact that there is a war in Iraq, as well as Afghanistan, and there are consequences to that war—consequences for our service members, for their families, for our country. These candidates are asking to be elected the next Commander-in-Chief and we believe that our audience, as well as the American public, will be extremely interested in knowing what they have to say about these issues."
In November 2004, the President was elected by a majority of 126 million votes. Today, approximately 27 million American adults are veterans. If we assume half are married, then there are approximately 40 million voters intimately aware of the issues affecting veterans and their families. Meanwhile, there are approximately 2.6 million Americans currently serving in our Armed Forces, either full or part-time. If you include their spouses, then we will have an additional 4 million voters sensitive to the needs of our veterans, wounded warriors, and military families.
In all, the veteran and military communities total approximately 44 million Americans—almost a quarter of the overall voting population and more than one- third of the total voting participation in 2004.
"The sacrifices these families endure are not abstract; they are borne out in illness, injury, post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, economic hardship, the daily agony of separation from family and friends; and finally, the ultimate sacrifice of our Gold Star families. Furthermore, those citizens who are not themselves members of the military and veteran community are eager to see that those who shoulder the enormous strain of wartime service are afforded the meaningful thanks of a grateful nation." adds Amy Fairweather, director of the Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, a group of organizations dedicated to improving services for military, veterans, families and survivors, many of whom have joined to invite the candidates to this historic forum.
The Consortium includes a diverse group of veteran and military service organizations including Disabled Veterans of America, the Brain Injury Association of America, and Sentinels of Freedom. These groups are working in partnership with the military, the Department of Veterans Affairs, state and local governments, and faith and community based organizations to deliver services and support to our military, veterans and families.
Picard adds that, "We sincerely hope the candidates will accept our invitation. We hope this event will remind American voters in November that his or her choice will have a significant impact on the lives and well-being of millions of service members, veterans, wounded warriors, and military families—including children."
Consortium Members
American Veterans (AMVETS)

Jim King, Executive Director
Brain Injury Association of America

Laura A. Schiebelhut, Director of Government Affairs
Disabled Veterans of America (DAV)

David W. Gorman, Executive Director
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States

MSG (Ret.) Michael P. Cline

Executive Director
Fleet Reserve Association

Joseph L. Barnes, CAE, ABC

National Executive Director
Military Officers Assn. of America

VADM Norb Ryan, Jr. (USN-Ret.), President
Military Order of the Purple Heart

Hershel Gober, National Legislative Director
Military Spouse Corporate Career Network

Deborah Kloeppel, CEO
National Spinal Cord Injury Assn (NSCIA)

Marcie Roth, President/CEO
The Sanctuary International

Jon Norsworthy, Director
Veterans for Common Sense

Paul Sullivan, Executive Director
Veterans United for Truth

Bob Handy, HMC USN Ret, Chair
Vietnam Veterans of America

Texas State Council

Luther "Buster" Newberry, President
Veterans Village

Nadia McCaffrey, President/Founder
WELLsville Veterans Project

Kristin Van Huysen, President/Founder
Members of the Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
Air Compassion for Veterans

Richard Love, Chairman
American Pain Foundation

Tamara Sloan Anderson, Program Development Director
Armed Services YMCA

S. Frank Gallo, National Executive Director
Brave New Foundation

Jim Miller, Executive Director
CA National Guard

Jon Wilson, Financial Assistance Programs Manager
Cause

Barbara Lau, Executive Director
Coming Home Project

Dr. Joe Bobrow, Executive Director
Dallas Foundation

Laura Smith, Director, Community Philanthropy
Homes for Our Troops

John Gonsalves, President
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund

Karen Guenther, Executive Director
New Directions

Toni Reinis, Executive Director
One Freedom

Elizabeth Hawkins, Executive Director
Pathway Home

Fred Gusman, Executive Director
Project: Return 2 Work

Rob Brazell, President
Salvation Army Liberty Program

David K. Leonard, Coordinator
Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation

Mike Conklin, President
Swords to Plowshare

Michael Blecker, Executive Director
TAPS

Bonnie Carroll, Founder
TIRR Foundation Project Victory

Cynthia Atkins, Executive Director
Vets 4 Vets

Jim Driscoll, Coordinator
Babette Maxwell, co-founder and Executive Editor of Military Spouse Magazine, is graciously donating her time and talent as the Town Hall's Military Family advisor
---------
Carissa Picard, Esq.
2008 Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall Consortium
Managing Director
254.554.1513
254.213.1101
Hood Townhall

On Veterans Health Care If

jimstaro — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:39:03 -0600

On Veterans Health Care

If you missed this yesterday:

Diane Rehm Show

Martin Schram: "Vets Under Siege" (Thomas Dunne Books)

An award-winning journalist and author exposes mistreatment of American servicemen and women by the Department of Veteran's Affairs.
Guests

Martin Schram, author of five books, and former national affairs correspondent for the Washington Post. His nationally syndicated column appears in more than 400 newspapers

You can Listen with Windows Media Player

With Real Media Player

His Book

Vets Under Siege: How America Deceives and Dishonors Those Who Fight Our Battles

Diane Rehm Today Martin

jimstaro — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:24:42 -0600

Diane Rehm Today

Martin Schram: "Vets Under Siege" (Thomas Dunne Books)

An award-winning journalist and author exposes mistreatment of American servicemen and women by the Department of Veteran's Affairs.
Guests

Martin Schram, author of five books, and former national affairs correspondent for the Washington Post. His nationally syndicated column appears in more than 400 newspapers

You can Listen with Windows Media Player

With Real Media Player

His Book

Vets Under Siege: How America Deceives and Dishonors Those Who Fight Our Battles

AFL-CIO TO LAUNCH

jimstaro — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:29:20 -0600

AFL-CIO TO LAUNCH ANTI-MCCAIN AD

From NBC's Mark Murray

First Read has confirmed that the AFL-CIO will begin airing a new TV ad tomorrow in the battleground states of Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin that hits McCain on Iraq and veterans' issues. The 30-second ad, which will run for three weeks, features Vietnam vet Jim Wasser.

One Thing About the

jimstaro — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 09:33:04 -0600

One Thing About the Present

We didn't have the number of Documentaries about War and the Experiance as well as how we got here back in our day. To archive the lessons the Country said it would never Forget!

'Winter Soldier', 'Sir! No Sir!' were kept out of the Countries Concious on Purpose!

Hollywood, except for a few like 'Coming Home', painted a Much Differant Picture of War, as the Movies that preceded.

The Record Is Made, with more to come I'm sure, Learn The Lessons, The Real Lessons!!