Abrupt end of college tuition help angers military spouses
By Les Blumenthal, McClatchy Newspapers
Stars and Stripes online edition, Sunday, March 28, 2010
WASHINGTON — With her husband deployed in Iraq with a Stryker brigade from Washington state's Joint Base Lewis-McChord, 20-year-old Lauren Silva isn't your typical college student. But when it comes to finding money for tuition, books and other expenses, she's not so different.
Silva has scrambled to apply for scholarships and loans to pay for classes at the University of Washington-Tacoma, where she's a junior studying social work. She thought part of her financial problems were solved when she learned of a Defense Department program that pays military spouses $6,000 to help them with their education. Yet just as Silva prepared to apply earlier this year, the military abruptly shut the program down.
The Pentagon was overwhelmed by the number of applicants, which had grown from an average of about 10,000 a month to 70,000 in January alone as the nation's economy continued to sputter. Money for the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program, known as MyCAA, was rapidly running out. Rather than ask Congress for more cash, Pentagon officials decided to close the program to new applicants and stop payments to those who were already enrolled.
read more here
Abrupt end of college tuition help angers military spouses
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Foreclosure help in Orlando: Millions in federal money unspent
Foreclosure help in Orlando: Millions in federal money unspent
Federal funds aim to help neighborhoods hit by foreclosures in the Orlando area.
By Mary Shanklin, Orlando Sentinel
7:47 a.m. EDT, March 31, 2010
Florida and several local governments within Central Florida are way behind in spending $91 million statewide in federal funds aimed at stabilizing neighborhoods shaken by foreclosures.
Florida trails all but three other states in putting the foreclosure-relief dollars to work and could lose any funds not committed to projects by the end of September, according to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report this month on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
"It's obvious that the state … was unprepared to handle processing of those kind of grant resources and has dropped the ball," said U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, a Republican who represents parts of Polk, Osceola and Hillsborough counties.
read more here
Millions in federal money unspent
Federal funds aim to help neighborhoods hit by foreclosures in the Orlando area.
By Mary Shanklin, Orlando Sentinel
7:47 a.m. EDT, March 31, 2010
Florida and several local governments within Central Florida are way behind in spending $91 million statewide in federal funds aimed at stabilizing neighborhoods shaken by foreclosures.
Florida trails all but three other states in putting the foreclosure-relief dollars to work and could lose any funds not committed to projects by the end of September, according to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report this month on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
"It's obvious that the state … was unprepared to handle processing of those kind of grant resources and has dropped the ball," said U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, a Republican who represents parts of Polk, Osceola and Hillsborough counties.
read more here
Millions in federal money unspent
Veterans say goodbye to Dignity Wall
Veterans touch the wall in the Call to the Wall during the closing ceremony for the Dignity Vietnam Memorial Wall at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier on Tuesday March 30, 2010. The last day of the traveling wall is also Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Keith Durflinger/SWCITY)
Veterans say goodbye to Dignity Wall
By Sandra T. Molina Staff Writer
WHITTIER - The closing ceremony Tuesday for the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall was a time of reflection, healing and remembrance.
About 1,000 people - mostly veterans and their families - attended the final event of the 10-day program held at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary.
Pico Rivera Councilman Bob Archuleta opened the program with "Welcome home," a phrase he said is used by combat veterans greeting one another.
Read more:
Veterans say goodbye to Dignity Wall
Hyperbaric chamber clinical trial offers hope for TBI wounded
Hyperbaric chamber may treat TBI
By Amy McCullough - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Mar 31, 2010 7:47:00 EDT
The Defense Department hopes to find a better treatment for the 100,000 troops who have been diagnosed with mild Traumatic Brain Injury since 2003, and it’s looking at hyperbaric chambers — often used in cases of carbon monoxide poisoning — for the answer.
Although there have been studies looking at the impact these pressurized oxygen chambers have on TBI patients, none have been able to definitively answer whether hyperbaric oxygen can reduce or eliminate chronic symptoms of TBI such as headaches, memory loss and mood swings. A new clinical trial, which is expected to begin in January 2011, is designed to do just that.
The study, conducted by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, in Virginia, and the Army Research and Materiel Command, in Maryland, is expected to run for at least 18 months. It will include about 300 participants, mostly soldiers and Marines, and will build upon other ongoing studies on TBI treatment, said Col. Richard Ricciardi, director of the research evaluation and quality assurance and surveillance directorate at DCoE.
read more here
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/03/army_TBI_033010w/
By Amy McCullough - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Mar 31, 2010 7:47:00 EDT
The Defense Department hopes to find a better treatment for the 100,000 troops who have been diagnosed with mild Traumatic Brain Injury since 2003, and it’s looking at hyperbaric chambers — often used in cases of carbon monoxide poisoning — for the answer.
Although there have been studies looking at the impact these pressurized oxygen chambers have on TBI patients, none have been able to definitively answer whether hyperbaric oxygen can reduce or eliminate chronic symptoms of TBI such as headaches, memory loss and mood swings. A new clinical trial, which is expected to begin in January 2011, is designed to do just that.
The study, conducted by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, in Virginia, and the Army Research and Materiel Command, in Maryland, is expected to run for at least 18 months. It will include about 300 participants, mostly soldiers and Marines, and will build upon other ongoing studies on TBI treatment, said Col. Richard Ricciardi, director of the research evaluation and quality assurance and surveillance directorate at DCoE.
read more here
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/03/army_TBI_033010w/
Anger rises over bill to father of slain Marine
"As soon as we heard this, we just knew that it was going to go through the roof, and people were going to be upset. We seized on it," Seavey said. "On an issue like this that cuts across political lines, it's relatively easy, and it's the kind of fight we want to wade into because it's not right or left, it's right or wrong. We're going to do the best we can to make sure that Mr. Snyder doesn't have to deal with this. We're going to make sure he doesn't have to pay a red cent." Mark C. Seavey, new-media director for the American Legion
Seavey is right and this issue has captured the attention (and outrage) of the American people. This is not about anything other than doing the right thing.
Albert Snyder, right, and lawyer Sean Summers are waiting for the Supreme Court to rule in their suit against Westboro Baptist Church. A lower appeals court ruled that the York, Pa., man must pay $16,510 in some court costs incurred under the church members' appeal. (Baltimore Sun photo by Barbara Haddock Taylor / March 22, 2010)
Anger rises over bill to father of slain Marine
Support, money sent to help pay court costs in Westboro suit
By Robbie Whelan
March 31, 2010
Outraged that the father of a dead Marine was ordered to pay some court costs incurred by a group he had sued for picketing his son's funeral, people from across the country have launched a grass-roots fundraising effort to help the grieving family.
"I was appalled," said Sally Giannini, a 72-year-old retired bookkeeper from Spokane, Wash., who had called The Baltimore Sun after seeing an article about the court decision against Albert Snyder. "I believe in free speech, but this goes too far."
Living on a fixed income, Giannini said she could send only $10 toward the $16,510.80 that the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Snyder to pay to Fred Phelps, leader of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., an anti-gay group that travels the country picketing military funerals. The group says military deaths are God's punishment for America's tolerance of homosexuality.
Snyder sued Westboro because its members waved signs saying "God hates fags" and "God hates the USA" at the 2006 funeral in Westminster of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who had been killed in Iraq. A federal jury in Baltimore awarded Snyder $11 million in damages in 2007, saying Phelps' group intentionally inflicted emotional distress on the family. The award was later reduced to $5 million, and eventually overturned on appeal.
read more here
Anger rises over bill to father of slain Marine
Bill O’Reilly Pays Legal Bill for Fallen Marine’s Father
But it turns out, the money may not be needed to pay the protesters.
Updated March 30, 2010
Marine's Father Will Not Pay Court-Ordered Funeral Protesters' Fees
FOXNews.com
The father of a Marine killed in Iraq whose funeral was picketed by anti-gay protesters told Fox News he will defy a court order and not pay the protesters' appeal costs.
The father of a Marine killed in Iraq whose funeral was picketed by anti-gay protesters told Fox News he will defy a court order and not pay the protesters' appeal costs.
Albert Snyder, of York, Pa., told Fox News he does not intend to pay $16,510 to Fred Phelps, the leader of Kansas' Westboro Baptist Church, which held protests at Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder's funeral in 2006.
"I don't think I'm going to be writing a check until I hear from the Supreme Court," Snyder told Fox News on Tuesday. "I'm not about to pay them anything."
The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ordered Snyder on Friday to pay Phelps. A two-page decision supplied by his attorneys offered no details on how the court came to its decision.
The decision adds "insult to injury," said Sean Summers, one of Snyder's attorneys.
Snyder is also struggling to come up with fees associated with filing a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, his attorneys said.
read more hereMarine Father Will Not Pay Court-Ordered Funeral Protesters'
Does this mean that O'Reilly will pay the money Mr. Snyder owes his lawyers for taking on this case?
Somehow I have a feeling O'Reilly will do the right thing and help this father with his own legal bills because he cares and this is not some kind of a stunt. This is not about politics at all and people on both sides agree this is wrong, wrong, wrong beyond belief!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Dallas County judge creating court for troubled veterans
Dallas County judge creating court for troubled veterans
03:11 PM CDT on Tuesday, March 30, 2010
By CHRISTY HOPPE / The Dallas Morning News
choppe@dallasnews.com
AUSTIN – Soldiers who survive combat only to fall into addiction, depression, rage - and, sometimes, criminal behavior - will have their own court in Dallas County, starting next month.
State District Judge Mike Snipes of Dallas attended training in Austin today to handle a new docket devoted to veterans.
If he can, he’s going to get them into a Veterans Administration bed instead of a prison bed.
“The veterans have unique problems that come from their service - not only in Iraq and Afghanistan. There’s still some from Vietnam,” Snipes said.
“We’re seeing more and more examples of people coming out of there with post-traumatic stress disorder, unique mental difficulties that have to do with combat-related issues.”
read more here
Dallas County judge creating court for troubled veterans
03:11 PM CDT on Tuesday, March 30, 2010
By CHRISTY HOPPE / The Dallas Morning News
choppe@dallasnews.com
AUSTIN – Soldiers who survive combat only to fall into addiction, depression, rage - and, sometimes, criminal behavior - will have their own court in Dallas County, starting next month.
State District Judge Mike Snipes of Dallas attended training in Austin today to handle a new docket devoted to veterans.
If he can, he’s going to get them into a Veterans Administration bed instead of a prison bed.
“The veterans have unique problems that come from their service - not only in Iraq and Afghanistan. There’s still some from Vietnam,” Snipes said.
“We’re seeing more and more examples of people coming out of there with post-traumatic stress disorder, unique mental difficulties that have to do with combat-related issues.”
read more here
Dallas County judge creating court for troubled veterans
Town raps arms around family in need
America Now: A Circle of Hands
An entire town helps a family in need, and becomes a stronger community
A Circle of Hands: A Dateline special
March 28: Amid job losses and struggles of their own, the people of Grafton, Wisc. came together to help an extraordinary family: single-mother Karen Longoria and her children, two of whom have cerebral palsy. The volunteer efforts resulted in a renovated home — and a closely knit community.
An entire town helps a family in need, and becomes a stronger community
A Circle of Hands: A Dateline special
March 28: Amid job losses and struggles of their own, the people of Grafton, Wisc. came together to help an extraordinary family: single-mother Karen Longoria and her children, two of whom have cerebral palsy. The volunteer efforts resulted in a renovated home — and a closely knit community.
11 U.S. troops injured in helicopter crash
11 U.S. troops injured in helicopter crash
By Michael Hoffman - mhoffman@militarytimes.com
Posted : Tuesday Mar 30, 2010 15:21:51 EDT
KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — An Army helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff from a forward operating base in Zabul province, injuring 11 U.S. and two Afghan soldiers. No one died and all the troops reported their injuries as minor.
The UH-60 Blackhawk sustained heavy damage in the March 29 accident, not far from Forward Operating Base Atgar, said Sgt. Shannon Wright, an 82nd Combat Aviaition Brigade spokesman. Rescue forces flew the wounded to Forward Operating Base Lagman for treatment.
read more here
11 US troops injured in helicopter crash
By Michael Hoffman - mhoffman@militarytimes.com
Posted : Tuesday Mar 30, 2010 15:21:51 EDT
KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — An Army helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff from a forward operating base in Zabul province, injuring 11 U.S. and two Afghan soldiers. No one died and all the troops reported their injuries as minor.
The UH-60 Blackhawk sustained heavy damage in the March 29 accident, not far from Forward Operating Base Atgar, said Sgt. Shannon Wright, an 82nd Combat Aviaition Brigade spokesman. Rescue forces flew the wounded to Forward Operating Base Lagman for treatment.
read more here
11 US troops injured in helicopter crash
Marines lift social media ban
Marines lift social media ban
By Warren Peace, Stars and Stripes
European Edition, Wednesday, March 31, 2010
STUTTGART, Germany — The Marine Corps lifted its ban on social media sites Monday, allowing Marines from Japan to the States to sign on to YouTube, Facebook and Twitter and other sites.
But it looks like European-based Marines — along with other troops in Europe — will have to wait a little longer: As of Tuesday, servicemembers in Europe were still unable to log onto the sites from their government computers.
The Defense Department had lifted the ban on social networking sites in late February, but Army and Air Force officials in Europe said earlier this month they were trying to determine the best way to proceed.
“Local commanders still have to weigh security risk and bandwidth issues in their area of operation,” Chris Joseph, a spokesman for U.S. Army Europe’s 5th Signal Command said at the time.
The day after the Marines reversed their position, one official spoke about maintaining a transparency with the American public.
read more here
Marines lift social media ban
By Warren Peace, Stars and Stripes
European Edition, Wednesday, March 31, 2010
STUTTGART, Germany — The Marine Corps lifted its ban on social media sites Monday, allowing Marines from Japan to the States to sign on to YouTube, Facebook and Twitter and other sites.
But it looks like European-based Marines — along with other troops in Europe — will have to wait a little longer: As of Tuesday, servicemembers in Europe were still unable to log onto the sites from their government computers.
The Defense Department had lifted the ban on social networking sites in late February, but Army and Air Force officials in Europe said earlier this month they were trying to determine the best way to proceed.
“Local commanders still have to weigh security risk and bandwidth issues in their area of operation,” Chris Joseph, a spokesman for U.S. Army Europe’s 5th Signal Command said at the time.
The day after the Marines reversed their position, one official spoke about maintaining a transparency with the American public.
read more here
Marines lift social media ban
St. Petersburg undercover cop wounded on duty given medals
Undercover cop wounded on duty given medals
By Luis Perez, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Tuesday, March 30, 2010
ST. PETERSBURG — When it was his turn on the podium, the detective told a story of what he asked God in a dark alley.
It was Jan. 26, 2009, just before 10 p.m. He lay on the ground, south of an Exxon station at 31st Street and First Avenue N. He was shot several times. His service weapon was empty of bullets, and the bad guys, who had just robbed the gas station, were running away. His partners from an elite anti-crime unit raced toward him.
"I said to God, 'If this is it, if this is my time, I'm okay with that,' " said the officer, whose name is being withheld by the St. Petersburg Times because he works undercover. "I asked God if he would please take care of my wife and boys.
"Apparently, he felt my wife and five boys were too much work," said the officer, who is 42 and a 20-year veteran of the force. "I thank him so much for that."
read more here
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/undercover-cop-wounded-on-duty-given-medals/1083748
By Luis Perez, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Tuesday, March 30, 2010
ST. PETERSBURG — When it was his turn on the podium, the detective told a story of what he asked God in a dark alley.
It was Jan. 26, 2009, just before 10 p.m. He lay on the ground, south of an Exxon station at 31st Street and First Avenue N. He was shot several times. His service weapon was empty of bullets, and the bad guys, who had just robbed the gas station, were running away. His partners from an elite anti-crime unit raced toward him.
"I said to God, 'If this is it, if this is my time, I'm okay with that,' " said the officer, whose name is being withheld by the St. Petersburg Times because he works undercover. "I asked God if he would please take care of my wife and boys.
"Apparently, he felt my wife and five boys were too much work," said the officer, who is 42 and a 20-year veteran of the force. "I thank him so much for that."
read more here
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/undercover-cop-wounded-on-duty-given-medals/1083748
Man found dead in apartment was Camp Pendleton Marine
FALLBROOK: Man found dead in apartment was Camp Pendleton Marine
North County Times
By SARAH GORDON - sgordon@nctimes.com
Posted: March 29, 2010 6:32 pm
A man who died after a night of drinking and a skirmish with friends at a Fallbrook apartment was a Camp Pendleton Marine, base officials said Monday.
Lance Cpl. Jason Kameroff, 21, of Aniak, Ala., was a ground communications organizational repairman assigned to Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps officials said.
He enlisted in June 2006. His awards included the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
read more here
Man found dead in apartment was Camp Pendleton Marine
North County Times
By SARAH GORDON - sgordon@nctimes.com
Posted: March 29, 2010 6:32 pm
A man who died after a night of drinking and a skirmish with friends at a Fallbrook apartment was a Camp Pendleton Marine, base officials said Monday.
Lance Cpl. Jason Kameroff, 21, of Aniak, Ala., was a ground communications organizational repairman assigned to Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps officials said.
He enlisted in June 2006. His awards included the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
read more here
Man found dead in apartment was Camp Pendleton Marine
Marine Dad Must Pay Westboro Court Fees
Albert Snyder's son lost his life serving this country. When his son's body returned to him, he was not allowed to grieve during the funeral procession escorting the casket covered by the flag of this nation. He had to see the signs held from people so filled with contempt, they held signs saying "Thank God for IED's" along with other protest signs.
What was Mr. Snyder supposed to do about this? Was he to simply take it? Now he has to pay the Westboro group legal fees? It is a very sad day in this country when a tiny group like this can cause so much pain and suffering for so many.
What was Mr. Snyder supposed to do about this? Was he to simply take it? Now he has to pay the Westboro group legal fees? It is a very sad day in this country when a tiny group like this can cause so much pain and suffering for so many.
Marine Dad Must Pay Westboro Court Fees
March 30, 2010
York Daily Record
Albert Snyder got a bill for $16,500 on Friday -- the latest result of his ongoing legal battle with the Westboro Baptist Church.
Church members are seeking to recoup costs from federal appeals court, which dismissed Snyder's lawsuit against them. Snyder's lawyer, Sean Summers, said the court declared last week that Snyder was responsible for the costs.
Efforts to reach an official from Westboro Baptist Church were unsuccessful Monday.
Such mandated reimbursements are common after appellate court cases, Summers said.
When the U.S. Supreme Court hears Snyder's case in the fall, its decision will ultimately make a big difference as to whether or not Snyder can eventually recoup that money, Summers said.
"It's rubbing salt in an open wound," Summers said.
The Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church, led by the Rev. Fred Phelps, preaches an anti-homosexual message. Members maintain that combat deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are God's retribution for America's tolerance of gay men and lesbian women.
read more here
Marine Dad Must Pay Westboro Court Fees
Monday, March 29, 2010
Women’s History Lives On
Women’s History Lives On; III Corps officer sets Army standard
By Joy Pariante, Sentinel Staff
March 25, 2010 Living
As a woman who started out her career in the Women’s Army Corps, Col. Carolyn A. Carroll knows how hard women have worked to be able to serve as commanders, first sergeants and general officers in today’s Army.
In fact, when Carroll, now the chief of the strategic initiatives group for III Corps, joined the Iowa Army National Guard as an administrative clerk, she wasn’t thinking about breaking gender barriers. She was trying to find a way to support her children after she and her husband divorced.
read more herehttp://www.forthoodsentinel.com/story.php?id=3408
By Joy Pariante, Sentinel Staff
March 25, 2010 Living
As a woman who started out her career in the Women’s Army Corps, Col. Carolyn A. Carroll knows how hard women have worked to be able to serve as commanders, first sergeants and general officers in today’s Army.
In fact, when Carroll, now the chief of the strategic initiatives group for III Corps, joined the Iowa Army National Guard as an administrative clerk, she wasn’t thinking about breaking gender barriers. She was trying to find a way to support her children after she and her husband divorced.
read more herehttp://www.forthoodsentinel.com/story.php?id=3408
1st Cav Div ‘knights’ join Order of St George
1st Cav Div ‘knights’ join Order of St George
By Spc. Justin Naylor, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
March 25, 2010 News
Sixteen members of 4-9 Cav. Regt., 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div., stand in line with their medallions and awards of the Order of St. George following their induction ceremony. Spc. Justin Naylor, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public AffairsFor mounted Soldiers, there is hardly a more prestigious honor than to receive the medallion of the Order of St. George.
Since 1986, when the order was established, 6,195 awardees have been inducted, and leaders from 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, added 16 of their own to this number during a recent award ceremony on Fort Hood.
The order was named in honor of St. George, the only saint commonly portrayed as fighting mounted. St. George is depicted in Italian legend as having defeated a dragon, saving a princess and preserving the livelihood of a city; and his memory is celebrated annually by the Italian Armor Force.
read more here
1st Cav Div knights join Order of St George
By Spc. Justin Naylor, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
March 25, 2010 News
Sixteen members of 4-9 Cav. Regt., 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div., stand in line with their medallions and awards of the Order of St. George following their induction ceremony. Spc. Justin Naylor, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public AffairsFor mounted Soldiers, there is hardly a more prestigious honor than to receive the medallion of the Order of St. George.
Since 1986, when the order was established, 6,195 awardees have been inducted, and leaders from 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, added 16 of their own to this number during a recent award ceremony on Fort Hood.
The order was named in honor of St. George, the only saint commonly portrayed as fighting mounted. St. George is depicted in Italian legend as having defeated a dragon, saving a princess and preserving the livelihood of a city; and his memory is celebrated annually by the Italian Armor Force.
read more here
1st Cav Div knights join Order of St George
Cancer taking woman's life but she's giving away her money to make life better for others
Cancer-stricken woman scrambles to donate money
By Marlee Ginter
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. - A Mount Vernon woman is giving away her life savings - she's already donated hundreds of thousands of dollars and says she's not done.
In the process, she is leaving a memorable footprint on her community.
Her name is Sonya Beard, and for 15 years she has been battling oral cancer. Finally she told her doctors - no more.
read more here
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/89367982.html
By Marlee Ginter
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. - A Mount Vernon woman is giving away her life savings - she's already donated hundreds of thousands of dollars and says she's not done.
In the process, she is leaving a memorable footprint on her community.
Her name is Sonya Beard, and for 15 years she has been battling oral cancer. Finally she told her doctors - no more.
read more here
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/89367982.html
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