Report: VA Abandoned Terminally Ill Army Combat Veteran
Free Beacon
BY: Morgan Chalfant
February 24, 2016
Marshall missed mandatory meetings with the VA last year during which he would have had the opportunity to offer evidence connecting his cancer to his service in Iraq because he was hospitalized with pneumonia. While Marshall said he could still present such evidence, the VA will not listen to him.
A decorated Army combat veteran says that the Department of Veterans Affairs abandoned him in his fight against terminal cancer following his service in Iraq.
Pvt. John Marshall told Fox News that the VA has denied his claims that his service in Iraq, particularly his close proximity to burn pits, precipitated his cancer.
“It’s all just a big slap in the face. I tried to be the perfect soldier,” Marshall said. “I did everything I was told, and now they just forced my claim through and denied coverage and my benefits.”
Marshall, who now lives in a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona, was diagnosed with scar tissue sarcoma a little over a year ago. He attributes his illness to his time spent working over open burn pits, which a 2013 report from the Government Accountability Office designated as a likely cause of chronic health problems for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Retired general celebrates 92nd birthday
Killeen Daily Herald
Amy Proctor
February 24, 2016
Shoemaker, who commanded III Corps and later U.S. Army Forces Command, retired as a general after 36 years in the U.S. Army.
Amy Proctor
RET GEN SHOEMAKERs 92nd BIRTHDAY
1st Cavalry Division Commanding General Maj Gen. John Thomson III, right, talks with retired Gen. Robert M. Shoemaker and his wife, Tuke, at Shoemaker's birthday celebration at Robert M. Shoemaker High School in Killeen. Shoemaker turns 92 on February 18, 2016.
KILLEEN — More than 750 Shoemaker High School students, staff and Fort Hood area dignitaries celebrated retired Gen. Robert M. Shoemaker’s 92nd birthday at the high school bearing his name Feb. 18.
Nearly a dozen of the school’s groups and clubs performed for the retired general, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony and refreshments.
The auditorium at Shoemaker High School was standing room only, overflowing with affection and appreciation from students, faculty, family and local community leaders who came to honor the former four-star general.
“How blessed are we that we have such a man such as our dear Gen. Shoemaker, as not only our namesake, but as our benefactor and our Grey Wolf grandfather,” said JROTC cadet Capt. Joshua Rillera, a senior at Shoemaker High School.
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‘Dark Horse’ Military Unit Will Test Experimental Weapons
Epoch Times
By Joshua Philipp
February 23, 2016
Lance Cpl. Timothy Knaggs (center), a team leader with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, walks ahead of the Legged Squad Support System at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, June 19, 2014. The Marines is assigning a battalion to test new equipment and new ways of operating.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Callahan)
The “Dark Horse” battalion of the U.S. Marines will spend the next year field-testing new equipment, technology, and fighting methods that may eventually be used in the broader military.
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller made the announcement on Feb. 19. According to Military.com, he announced the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, also called “Dark Horse,” will start testing the new gear and techniques in Camp Pendleton, California.
The battalion has close to 1,200 Marines in it, and was first organized in June 1917 for the First World War, and has fought in every major American war since then.
“They’re going to be our experimental platform, if you will, and we’ll give them capabilities and do it in an efficient way—which is, give it to Marines and let them figure it out, because they’re our best developers and experimenters,” Neller told Miltiary.com.
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Lauderdale: Vietnam veteran ‘thank you’ goes viral from Bluffton
The Island Packet
David Lauderdale
February 23, 2016
‘Dear Vietnam Vet’ nonprofit created
It wants to get a letter of thanks to every living Vietnam veteran
Founder’s father was a Vietnam vet who died at 43
Vietnam was many years ago, and also just yesterday.
Only a veteran of America’s unpopular war of a half century ago could say that.
And that’s exactly how one responded to a Bluffton woman who has taken it upon herself to get a personal letter of thanks into the hands of every living Vietnam veteran.
Bonnie Wade Mucia has sent thousands of letters, but it’s one she got in return that chokes her up. It mentions her father, the drive behind her drive. Her dad served two tours in Vietnam and got home with a Purple Heart, but he died unexpectedly at 43.
“I could have met your father,” writes an aging Marine.
“We did travel the same rice paddies, villages and jungle. Watching men die, and how they die, affects even the toughest Marines. It does change your life forever.
“Vietnam was many years ago, and also just yesterday. We all have our burdens to bear. Thank you for making mine more bearable.”
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Attorney claims public was 'duped' by Marine veteran in 'Bring Kai Home' search
KGTV San Diego
Allison Ash
Feb 23, 2016
A Vista woman's plea to find her missing service dog is not all that it appears to be, according to the attorney representing the man accused of stealing the German shepherd.
Attorney Alex Ozols told 10News that former Marine Alexandra Melnick didn't tell the whole story about Kai, who she said disappeared from her Vista home around Thanksgiving 2014.
Melnick launched a massive search for Kai, claiming he was a registered service dog that helped her cope with post-traumatic stress disorder. Melnick created a "Bring Kai Home" Facebook page, went on TV and handed out thousands of fliers with Kai's picture, hoping for his return.
Kai was found 9 months later in Texas.
However, what was never revealed at that time was who Kai was living with. It was Melnick's ex-father-in-law.
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