Former PTSD counselor charged with falsifying his military discharge papers
By Lindsay Wise
June 29, 2012
A Houston-area Army veteran who claimed to be a combat-tested Special Forces soldier and Silver Star recipient has been charged with a federal crime for falsifying his military discharge papers.
A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted Paul A. Schroeder, 40, of The Woodlands, who is accused of unlawfully possessing and exhibiting a certificate of discharge from the military, "knowing the same to be forged, counterfeited, or falsely altered." The misdemeanor charge carries a penalty of up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Schroeder played a high-profile role in Houston's veteran community as the former director of counseling at PTSD Foundation of America, a local nonprofit.
read more here
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Navy Cross Marine Hero returns home to cheers
La Porte crowd cheers return of Marine hero
By Tabatha Bognar
Saturday, June 30, 2012
A Houston-area Marine was given a hero's welcome Saturday by dozens of supporters in La Porte.
A crowd filled the parking lot outside La Porte High School stadium, cheering and waving flags for Cpl. Christopher Farias, 26, who returned home with a Purple Heart and Navy Cross for "fearless actions and leadership" during a 2010 attack on his patrol base in Afghanistan.
"I had no idea what was going on today," said Farias, who sustained serious injuries as he helped fellow Marines during a Taliban attack. "It hit home to have so many people come to pay their respects, and I thank them for their support." read more here
By Tabatha Bognar
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Marine Cpl. Christopher Farias, who earned the Navy Cross and Purple Heart, was given a hero's welcome Saturday in La Porte. He was cited for "fearless actions and leadership" during combat in Afghanistan. Photo: Melissa Phillip / © 2012 Houston Chronicle
A Houston-area Marine was given a hero's welcome Saturday by dozens of supporters in La Porte.
A crowd filled the parking lot outside La Porte High School stadium, cheering and waving flags for Cpl. Christopher Farias, 26, who returned home with a Purple Heart and Navy Cross for "fearless actions and leadership" during a 2010 attack on his patrol base in Afghanistan.
"I had no idea what was going on today," said Farias, who sustained serious injuries as he helped fellow Marines during a Taliban attack. "It hit home to have so many people come to pay their respects, and I thank them for their support." read more here
Fallen Marine Sgt. William Stacey's last letter, "it was all worth it"
Fallen Marine Sgt. William Stacey's last letter, "it was all worth it" became famous. Today, the LA Times brought back his story but it is a story that has been told one way or another since this country was born out of the actions of others willing to lay down their lives for it and their friends.
They live for their families but they die for their friends. It is something that we never seem to fully acknowledge. This country sends them as a whole to fight on foreign lands. Some believe in the reason they go, some don't, but when the men and women they serve with are in danger, they are ready to lay down their own lives to save them.
If we say they did it for their country, that is only part of the story. The most magnificent part of the story is how deep their love is.
Christ said, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) but Stacey wrote how he was not just willing to do that, but to lay down his life for total strangers so they could have a better life.
They serve no matter who is president at the time or which party controls congress. They serve in good economic times as well as bad. They serve in times of peace just as they serve in times of war. They are less than 1% of the population today and veterans are about 8% with disabled veterans the percentage is even lower yet this country keeps finding excuses to not do the right thing for them. A beautiful letter home from a Marine gets the nation's attention proving we do care. So how is it we never seem to prove it all the way?
They live for their families but they die for their friends. It is something that we never seem to fully acknowledge. This country sends them as a whole to fight on foreign lands. Some believe in the reason they go, some don't, but when the men and women they serve with are in danger, they are ready to lay down their own lives to save them.
If we say they did it for their country, that is only part of the story. The most magnificent part of the story is how deep their love is.
Christ said, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) but Stacey wrote how he was not just willing to do that, but to lay down his life for total strangers so they could have a better life.
They serve no matter who is president at the time or which party controls congress. They serve in good economic times as well as bad. They serve in times of peace just as they serve in times of war. They are less than 1% of the population today and veterans are about 8% with disabled veterans the percentage is even lower yet this country keeps finding excuses to not do the right thing for them. A beautiful letter home from a Marine gets the nation's attention proving we do care. So how is it we never seem to prove it all the way?
William C. Stacey dies at 23; Marine sergeant from Seattle
'If my life buys the safety of a child who will one day change the world, then I know that it was all worth it,' Marine Sgt. Will Stacey wrote in a final letter to his family.
By Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times July 1, 2012
At Marine Sgt. William Stacey’s burial at Arlington National Cemetery, Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Albright, center, speaks with Stacey’s loved ones. From left, parents Robert and Robin Stacey, sister Anna Stacey and girlfriend Kimmy Kirkwood. (Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press / March 13, 2012)
Multi-star generals attended his Arlington National Cemetery funeral. His name adorns a fighter jet. His words echo in the halls of Congress.
Since Marine Sgt. William C. Stacey, age 23, was killed Jan. 31 on a remote hillside in Afghanistan's Helmand province, a letter he wrote to his family has gained much attention from politicians and the news media.
"It's quoted by liberals, conservatives and generals and people across the political spectrum. They use it in different ways. But I think Will would be proud of them all," said Robert Stacey, Will's father and interim dean at the University of Washington College of Arts and Sciences.
The letter was intended only for Stacey's family. It was opened shortly after two Marines appeared outside the Staceys' Seattle home as Will's sister, Anna, was heading to school. Will's mother, Robin, was already teaching her UW history class. Robert Stacey said that before a word was spoken, the family knew why the Marines were there.
"My death did not change the world; it may be tough for you to justify its meaning at all," wrote Will Stacey, who left behind college baseball at Shasta College in Redding to join the Marines in 2006. Military personnel often leave behind a final letter for their families in case they are killed.
"But there is a greater meaning," Stacey continued. "Perhaps there is still injustice in the world. But there will be a child who will live because men left the security they enjoyed in their home country to come to his. And this child will learn in the new schools that have been built.... He will grow into a fine man who will pursue every opportunity his heart could desire."
"He will have the gift of freedom, which I have enjoyed for so long. If my life buys the safety of a child who will one day change the world, then I know that it was all worth it."
read more here
Operation Shufly Marine Vietnam Veteran Honored
Former Marine recognized for his service in Vietnam War
11:18 PM, Jun 30, 2012
Written by
Rachel Stalley
St. Cloud resident Art Levandowski was one of four veterans honored during 2012 Marine Week held June 11-17 in Cleveland.
Levandowski, a 1962 graduate of St. Cloud Cathedral High School, was recognized for being part of Operation Shufly, the first operational Marine Corp. activation unit deployed to Vietnam.
Levandowski enlisted in the Marines out of high school and was stationed in San Diego and Memphis before he and a friend volunteered to go into Vietnam. He was a helicopter mechanic in squadron HMM 261, only one of five squadrons in Vietnam from 1962-63.
“We thought it would be great to adventure,” Levandowski said. “We felt like we were indestructible at that age.”
read more here
11:18 PM, Jun 30, 2012
Written by
Rachel Stalley
Art Levandowski of St. Cloud was one of four Marines recognized for work in Operation Shufly during 2012 Marine Week held June 11-17 in Cleveland. He was recognized with a pin from Lt. Gen. Steven Hummer during ceremonies. / Photo courtesy of Deb Isaacson
St. Cloud resident Art Levandowski was one of four veterans honored during 2012 Marine Week held June 11-17 in Cleveland.
Levandowski, a 1962 graduate of St. Cloud Cathedral High School, was recognized for being part of Operation Shufly, the first operational Marine Corp. activation unit deployed to Vietnam.
Levandowski enlisted in the Marines out of high school and was stationed in San Diego and Memphis before he and a friend volunteered to go into Vietnam. He was a helicopter mechanic in squadron HMM 261, only one of five squadrons in Vietnam from 1962-63.
“We thought it would be great to adventure,” Levandowski said. “We felt like we were indestructible at that age.”
read more here
Fort Campbell Mom, guilty of setting fire that killed her 2 children
Woman found guilty of setting fire to home, killing her 2 children at Fort Campbell Army post
By Associated Press, Published: June 28
PADUCAH, Ky. — A federal jury has found a woman guilty of setting fire to her home and killing two of her children at Fort Campbell.
U.S. attorney’s office spokeswoman Stephanie Collins says the jury in Paducah, Ky., reached the verdict Thursday in the case of 32-year-old Billi Jo Smallwood after two hours of deliberations.
read more here
By Associated Press, Published: June 28
PADUCAH, Ky. — A federal jury has found a woman guilty of setting fire to her home and killing two of her children at Fort Campbell.
U.S. attorney’s office spokeswoman Stephanie Collins says the jury in Paducah, Ky., reached the verdict Thursday in the case of 32-year-old Billi Jo Smallwood after two hours of deliberations.
read more here
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)