Waterbury Marine Dies Four Months After Bomb Blast
By CHRISTINE DEMPSEY
December 11, 2009
On Monday, in his Texas hospital room, the gravely ill Cpl. Xhacob LaTorre of Waterbury received a Purple Heart for the wounds he suffered in August from a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.
On Tuesday, he died of his injuries.
The Marine leaves behind his wife, Frances, and a 1½-year-old son, Javier. A 2005 graduate of Crosby High School in Waterbury, LaTorre was in the ROTC program. He would have turned 21 Saturday.
LaTorre's legs were severely injured when an improvised, explosive device detonated in the Helmand province of Afghanistan on Aug. 10. The bomb instantly killed a fellow Marine who had been on foot patrol with LaTorre, said his aunt, Carmen LaSalle.
His legs had to be amputated, LaSalle said. LaTorre had made progress, though, and was talking and eating at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio within weeks of his injury, she said.
Then infection set in, and his condition worsened, LaSalle said. When he was conscious, he screamed in pain, she said.
LaSalle, who helped her sister raise LaTorre, flew to see him for Thanksgiving. He was in bad shape, she said, and other family members flew in to say goodbye. He died at 9:50 a.m. Tuesday.
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Waterbury Marine Dies Four Months After Bomb Blast
Friday, December 11, 2009
Former VA secretary calling termination wrong, unlawful
Veterans Affairs to see lawsuit
Former VA secretary calling termination wrong, unlawful
By Katherine Kehoe
Friday, December 11, 2009 1:08 a.m
The former Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary announced Thursday he will be taking legal action against the DVA Board, which fired him last month for suspicious activities.
In his suit, former secretary John Scocos claims his firing from the board was unlawful because of both state and federal laws that prohibit firing veterans within one year of their return from deployment.
A retired Army colonel who returned from Iraq in September, Scocos was fired in late November.
“Because the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs chooses partisan politics over principles and ethics, I was unlawfully fired two days before Thanksgiving — the first Thanksgiving I would have with my family in two years,” Scocos said in a statement released Thursday.
read more here
http://badgerherald.com/news/2009/12/11/veterans_affairs_to_.php
Former VA secretary calling termination wrong, unlawful
By Katherine Kehoe
Friday, December 11, 2009 1:08 a.m
The former Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary announced Thursday he will be taking legal action against the DVA Board, which fired him last month for suspicious activities.
In his suit, former secretary John Scocos claims his firing from the board was unlawful because of both state and federal laws that prohibit firing veterans within one year of their return from deployment.
A retired Army colonel who returned from Iraq in September, Scocos was fired in late November.
“Because the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs chooses partisan politics over principles and ethics, I was unlawfully fired two days before Thanksgiving — the first Thanksgiving I would have with my family in two years,” Scocos said in a statement released Thursday.
read more here
http://badgerherald.com/news/2009/12/11/veterans_affairs_to_.php
Army honors service of Maine Indian tribe
Army honors service of Maine Indian tribe
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Dec 11, 2009 8:55:26 EST
INDIAN ISLAND, Maine — The Army has recognized the military service and sacrifice of Maine’s Penobscot Indian nation.
In a ceremony Thursday in Indian Island, a Department of the Army official presented a Penobscot Nation flag to the sister of Donald Chavaree, who was killed in the Philippines in February 1945 during World War II.
read more here
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_army_maine_tribe_121109/
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Dec 11, 2009 8:55:26 EST
INDIAN ISLAND, Maine — The Army has recognized the military service and sacrifice of Maine’s Penobscot Indian nation.
In a ceremony Thursday in Indian Island, a Department of the Army official presented a Penobscot Nation flag to the sister of Donald Chavaree, who was killed in the Philippines in February 1945 during World War II.
read more here
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_army_maine_tribe_121109/
Fort Hood Event promotes healing, fun, family time
Community Strong; Event promotes healing, fun, family time
By Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, III Corps and Fort Hood Commander
December 10, 2009 Editorial
On Friday, more than 50,000 Soldiers, Airmen and their families and members of Fort Hood’s local community are expected to participate in “Fort Hood Community Strong,” a day for healing, fun, and entertainment to uplift the spirits of the Fort Hood community. Held at Hood Stadium, this event will feature free carnival rides, games, concerts and food.
Several organizations have contributed to make this event so special. The USO, with the support of Fort Hood Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Army and Air Force Exchange Service, are our sponsors. It has taken the efforts of the entire community to bring this together and I appreciate all of their hard work.
I have made it a top priority to ensure that all Soldiers, civilians and their family members have the care and support they need. It is important for everyone to understand what services and agencies are available for mental or emotional needs. Our Community Strong day is a time to emphasize strength and healing here on Fort Hood. The day emphasizes education for the community, recognition of all our supporters and entertainment fun for all.
I consider it very necessary to educate everyone on all of the available resources to aid in the healing process. The educational process is ongoing and we will emphasize the specialized agencies that can help those in need. We recognize those tremendous organizations and contributors who have and continue to donate their time and resources to making our installation greater. Finally, entertainment is a way to give back to the Soldiers and families of Fort Hood. It should be fun for everyone. We all need time to have fun and detach from the daily stress and pressure of our lives.
read more here
http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/story.php?id=2654
By Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, III Corps and Fort Hood Commander
December 10, 2009 Editorial
On Friday, more than 50,000 Soldiers, Airmen and their families and members of Fort Hood’s local community are expected to participate in “Fort Hood Community Strong,” a day for healing, fun, and entertainment to uplift the spirits of the Fort Hood community. Held at Hood Stadium, this event will feature free carnival rides, games, concerts and food.
Several organizations have contributed to make this event so special. The USO, with the support of Fort Hood Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Army and Air Force Exchange Service, are our sponsors. It has taken the efforts of the entire community to bring this together and I appreciate all of their hard work.
I have made it a top priority to ensure that all Soldiers, civilians and their family members have the care and support they need. It is important for everyone to understand what services and agencies are available for mental or emotional needs. Our Community Strong day is a time to emphasize strength and healing here on Fort Hood. The day emphasizes education for the community, recognition of all our supporters and entertainment fun for all.
I consider it very necessary to educate everyone on all of the available resources to aid in the healing process. The educational process is ongoing and we will emphasize the specialized agencies that can help those in need. We recognize those tremendous organizations and contributors who have and continue to donate their time and resources to making our installation greater. Finally, entertainment is a way to give back to the Soldiers and families of Fort Hood. It should be fun for everyone. We all need time to have fun and detach from the daily stress and pressure of our lives.
read more here
http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/story.php?id=2654
Knights of Pythias honors two police officers for actions at Fort Hood
Todd, Munley honored for brave Nov. 5 actions
By Heather Graham, Sentinel News Editor
December 10, 2009 News
Two Fort Hood officers were recognized last week by a fraternal organization for their actions during the Nov. 5 shooting incident.
Senior Sgt. Mark Todd and Sgt. Kimberly Munley were presented medals and certificates of appreciation by the Knights of Pythias.
Knights of Pythias is a national fraternal organization founded in 1864 to promote universal peace, friendship and goodwill.
Todd and Munley were the first two officers on the scene during the shooting.
Munley was shot multiple times and Todd was unhurt.
Kevin Norcross, grand chancellor, Texas Chapter of the Knights of Pythias, presented the honors. He was joined by members from the Midlothian Lodge No. 5.
read more here
http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/story.php?id=2671
By Heather Graham, Sentinel News Editor
December 10, 2009 News
Two Fort Hood officers were recognized last week by a fraternal organization for their actions during the Nov. 5 shooting incident.
Senior Sgt. Mark Todd and Sgt. Kimberly Munley were presented medals and certificates of appreciation by the Knights of Pythias.
Knights of Pythias is a national fraternal organization founded in 1864 to promote universal peace, friendship and goodwill.
Todd and Munley were the first two officers on the scene during the shooting.
Munley was shot multiple times and Todd was unhurt.
Kevin Norcross, grand chancellor, Texas Chapter of the Knights of Pythias, presented the honors. He was joined by members from the Midlothian Lodge No. 5.
read more here
http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/story.php?id=2671
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