Afghanistan Veteran Marine Gets Back Dog

Why a Capitol Police Officer gave her beloved dog to a U.S. Marine 
CBS 6 News
BY WEB STAFF
FEBRUARY 12, 2015

RICHMOND, Va. – Spike is a member of the K-9 patrol with the Virginia Capitol Police. Sweet as he is though, Spike, is also a heartbreaker.

He didn’t mean to be – he just got caught in a love triangle. At the State Capitol in Richmond on Wednesday Spike was reunited with U.S. Marine Jared Heine.

They hadn’t seen each other in three years. “Right when he got next to me he knew it was me,” said Heine. “He pushed up against me. It was like we didn’t skip a beat.”

They were a team in Afghanistan where Spike’s job was to sniff out bombs – risking his life every day to keep Heine and his buddies alive.

“He did a great job at it,” Heine told me.

“He was like my brother, my kid. He slept with me every day like we were inseparable.”

But after a series of traumatic brain injuries, Jared was sent home to Louisiana — where he’s been struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Police Searching For Driver Who Left Vietnam Veteran to Die on Street

Police still seeking public’s help solving hit-and-run that killed vet 
WJCL News
By Christopher Buchanan
Published: January 20, 2015

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WJCL) — Investigators with the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) were back on the scene of a fatal hit-and-run Tuesday morning. Crews worked to gather more information on the crime in hopes of solving the accident which killed a Bronze Star-awarded veteran who was just passing through.

And with a $100,000 now on the line from family, friends and Crimestoppers, officials are still hoping that someone at the busy section of Abercorn saw something that will lead to the driver’s arrest. “Our father was killed by someone’s recklessness and we are eager to have that person identified so that they cannot bring harm to others,” said Deb Meyer Cohen and Susan Meyer Ross.

“We also know there is healing power in taking responsibility and asking for forgiveness, and we are hoping whoever committed this crime will step forward and accept responsibility for their actions.” Peter J. Meyer, a Vietnam veteran on his way home to Florida when he stopped for the night in Savannah. He was struck and killed on Abercorn about a block south of DeRenne on Jan. 4 while crossing the street after dinner.
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VFW Post Gives Homeless Veterans Honorable Tribute

Vets honor those who served, but died homeless 
Portland Tribune
Written by Raymond Rendleman
11 February 2015

“It’s an honor for us to be able to step in for the active military personnel who can no longer perform this service due to budget cuts,” Trumble said.

Photo Credit: PHOTO COURTESY: POST #1324 - From left, Bill Trumble leads fellow Three Rivers VFW members Chuck Chamberlin, Neil Alexander, Steve Prowant and DJ Ruger in presenting arms during the monthly memorial service at Willamette National Cemetery.

Upon the request of a deceased veteran’s family, U.S. law requires every eligible veteran who served honorably to receive a military funeral ceremony that includes the presentation of a folded burial flag, a rifle salute, and the playing of “Taps.”

But what if a veteran dies homeless or without any surviving family members?

When Senior Vice Cmdr. Bill Trumble and his group at the Three Rivers Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1324 heard that funding was cut for the Oregon National Guard’s program giving full military honors at the funerals of homeless veterans, he immediately went to the Willamette National Cemetery in Happy Valley and offered services for the monthly memorial.

Burial services for veterans who don’t have a next-of-kin seeking full military honors are technically called “unescorted.” George Allen, Willamette National Cemetery director, said he appreciated that the VFW post stepped in to honor such veterans.

“It all aligns with our mission to make sure that no veteran goes unrecognized,” Allen said.

Nationwide, a 44 percent cut to the Army National Guard’s Military Funeral Honors program resulted in a $21 million shortfall. In a policy known as sequestration, automatic across-the-board funding cuts began taking effect in 2011 when congressional and White House officials couldn’t agree on a plan to reduce the U.S. deficit.

Although there’s been a 33 percent decrease in the number of homeless veterans since 2010, about 50,000 were found on the streets during the January 2014 Point-in-Time Count. Between 25 and 30 Oregon veterans are honored each month at Willamette National Cemetery’s monthly memorial service. The ceremonies are usually held on the fourth Thursday of the month.
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Fort Hood Soldier Attacked in Carjacking

Fort Hood soldier injured in carjacking 
Army Times
Staff report
February 10, 2015

A Fort Hood soldier was attacked in a carjacking on the post Monday afternoon and sustained a minor injury, a Fort Hood spokesman said Tuesday. The soldier, whose name has not been released, was attacked at about 1 p.m.

Monday near the Warrior Way post exchange, according to a press release. An "unknown male" in civilian clothes used a knife in an apparent robbery, officials said. read more here

Navy Boots 3 Rear Admirals After Scandal

3 Rear Admirals Forced Out Amid Massive Navy Bribery Scandal 
Associated Press
Feb 11, 2015

From left, Adms. Terry Kraft, Michael Miller, David Pimpo. Official U.S. Navy portraits

SAN DIEGO -- Three Navy rear admirals linked to a massive bribery scandal that cost the government at least $20 million have been reprimanded but will not face criminal charges, the Navy announced Tuesday. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus issued secretarial letters of censure to Rear Adms. Michael Miller, Terry Kraft and David Pimpo, a Navy statement said.

The letters are considered career-ending reprimands.

The three -- who all graduated from the Naval Academy -- are seeking retirement and the letters could affect their benefits. The three showed "poor judgment and a failure of leadership" by improperly accepting gifts from a "prohibited source" while they were deployed on the USS Ronald Reagan in 2006-2007, the Navy said.

One of the men also solicited gifts and two improperly endorsed a commercial business, the Navy said. read more here