Marine Recognized for 1,000 Funeral Honors
Marine Corps News
by Sgt. Michael Ito
Jan 22, 2014
BRIDGETON, Mo. -- As any Marine can tell you, earning and upholding the title is no small feat. No matter what a Marine does in life or how long they serve in their beloved Corps, they will always uphold the honor and respect for the Marines that went before them.
Funeral honor details are just one way Marine Forces Reserve members uphold that honor and respect. To them, it is a duty, not a job. They will carry the honors in any clime or place and conduct thousands of these ceremonies every year across the United States.
So when Sgt. Andrew Portell was called to the front of the formation, he had no idea what was going on. It became evident when Sgt. Maj. Brian Fogarty, battalion sergeant major for 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment began reading his citation.
“Sergeant Portell coordinated and supervised 1,036 funeral honors for Marine Corps veterans throughout the states of Missouri and Illinois, personally conducting 623 of those funerals…”
It was this feat, among others, that earned him a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, awarded during a ceremony here, Jan. 7.
read more here
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Air Force has "morale issues"
SECAF Has Picked Up on 'Morale Issues'
Associated Press
by James MacPherson
Jan 23, 2014
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. - The top civilian leader in the Air Force says she senses morale issues among airmen and officers in charge of the nation's nuclear force but remains confident in its mission.
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James visited the three bases that care for the arsenal Tuesday and Wednesday.
Her trip was in response to cheating and drug scandals the Air Force announced last week as well as other missteps The Associated Press revealed last year.
James visited F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming Tuesday, Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana Tuesday and Wednesday and finished the fact-finding tour Wednesday at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.
She met with 1,700 officers and airmen and later briefly answered questions.
James says she wishes the trouble didn't happen.
James has been on the job for a month. Last week, she said the Air Force is investigating 11 officers suspected of illegal drug possession. Three of the 11 are in nuclear missile units.
read more here
Associated Press
by James MacPherson
Jan 23, 2014
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. - The top civilian leader in the Air Force says she senses morale issues among airmen and officers in charge of the nation's nuclear force but remains confident in its mission.
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James visited the three bases that care for the arsenal Tuesday and Wednesday.
Her trip was in response to cheating and drug scandals the Air Force announced last week as well as other missteps The Associated Press revealed last year.
James visited F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming Tuesday, Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana Tuesday and Wednesday and finished the fact-finding tour Wednesday at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.
She met with 1,700 officers and airmen and later briefly answered questions.
James says she wishes the trouble didn't happen.
James has been on the job for a month. Last week, she said the Air Force is investigating 11 officers suspected of illegal drug possession. Three of the 11 are in nuclear missile units.
read more here
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
No one knows how to pay for new VA bill?
No one knows how to pay for new VA bill?
VETERANS ALREADY PAID FOR IT WHEN THEY SERVED AND PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE!
VETERANS ALREADY PAID FOR IT WHEN THEY SERVED AND PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE!
43 minutes ago
Sanders: Veterans bill will get bipartisan support, despite few details on how to pay for it
Stars and Stripes
By Leo Shane III
Published: January 22, 2014
WASHINGTON -- Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is confident that lawmakers from both parties will support the initiatives in his wide-ranging legislative package for veterans if it comes up for a chamber vote next week.
But Senate leaders still haven’t settled on how they’ll pay for its $30 billion price tag, and that decision will likely determine its future in the House.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has promised the bill -- which covers dozens of changes to Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations, veterans education benefits and post-military health care -- will be brought up for a vote “as quickly as possible.”
But how to pay for the legislation hasn’t been worked out yet. Sanders said his staff is looking at tapping into overseas contingency funding as the most likely option, saying he sees plenty of waste and excess in that account that could be redirected for the post-war needs of veterans.
That’s unlikely to gather Republican support in the House, since leadership there has resisted tapping into overseas resources to pay for new programs.
Republicans have blasted Democratic efforts to use annual reductions in contingency spending to offset new spending, arguing that the approach is nothing more than a budgeting gimmick.
read more here
Pentagon rules adapt for religious exemptions
Religious exemptions for troops easier to request under new rules
Army Times
Andrew Tighman
Staff Writer
January 22, 2014
The Pentagon on Wednesday announced new rules that make it easier for troops to request religious exemptions from uniform rules, grooming standards and other military policies.
The new rules aim to address a spate of controversies in recent years from religious troops seeking special treatment; for example, an Army Sikh wanted to wear a turban with his uniform and a rabbi wanted to wear a beard.
Until now, the Pentagon had no force-wide rules for how to handle requests for religious accommodation, making it unclear who should ultimately make those decisions and what force-wide standards to impose.
From now on, troops’ requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and be denied only “if it is determined that the needs of mission accomplishment outweigh the needs of the Service member,” according to the new policy.
“Each request must be considered based on its unique facts; the nature of the requested religious accommodation; the effect of approval or denial on the Service member’s exercise of religion; and the effect of approval or denial on mission accomplishment, including unit cohesion,” the policy states.
Army Times
Andrew Tighman
Staff Writer
January 22, 2014
The Pentagon on Wednesday announced new rules that make it easier for troops to request religious exemptions from uniform rules, grooming standards and other military policies.
The new rules aim to address a spate of controversies in recent years from religious troops seeking special treatment; for example, an Army Sikh wanted to wear a turban with his uniform and a rabbi wanted to wear a beard.
Until now, the Pentagon had no force-wide rules for how to handle requests for religious accommodation, making it unclear who should ultimately make those decisions and what force-wide standards to impose.
From now on, troops’ requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and be denied only “if it is determined that the needs of mission accomplishment outweigh the needs of the Service member,” according to the new policy.
“Each request must be considered based on its unique facts; the nature of the requested religious accommodation; the effect of approval or denial on the Service member’s exercise of religion; and the effect of approval or denial on mission accomplishment, including unit cohesion,” the policy states.
In addition to grooming and uniform standards, troops can request special accommodation for:
■ Worship practices or special observances
■ Rations that comply with religious dietary restrictions
■ Waivers for some medical requirements
Requests will be denied if they:
■ Interfere with the safe operation of military weapons or equipment
■ Interfere with the proper use of safety or protective gear
■ Jeopardize the public health or safety of the unit
read more here
Vietnam MOH Veteran John J. McGinty III passed away
John J. McGinty III, Vietnam veteran who received the Medal of Honor, dies at 73
The Washington Post
By Emily Langer
Published: January 21
John J. McGinty III, a retired Marine Corps captain who received the Medal of Honor for his efforts to lead, protect and rally his outnumbered platoon during an assault in a jungle in Vietnam, died Jan. 17 at his home in Beaufort, S.C. He was 73.
The cause was bone cancer, said his son Michael McGinty.
Capt. McGinty was awarded the nation’s highest military decoration for valor during a battle in the summer of 1966. On July 15, then a staff sergeant, he helicoptered with his battalion into a location near the demilitarized zone where the men expected to find Vietcong guerrillas. Instead, they were met with a full regiment of the North Vietnamese army.
The Americans took control of an enemy hospital and endured two more days of battle before receiving an order to withdraw, according to the book “Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty.” Capt. McGinty’s platoon was tasked with protecting the men from the rear as they destroyed downed U.S. helicopters and made their way out.
read more here
Medal of Honor Society different branches.
The Washington Post
By Emily Langer
Published: January 21
John J. McGinty III, a retired Marine Corps captain who received the Medal of Honor for his efforts to lead, protect and rally his outnumbered platoon during an assault in a jungle in Vietnam, died Jan. 17 at his home in Beaufort, S.C. He was 73.
The cause was bone cancer, said his son Michael McGinty.
Capt. McGinty was awarded the nation’s highest military decoration for valor during a battle in the summer of 1966. On July 15, then a staff sergeant, he helicoptered with his battalion into a location near the demilitarized zone where the men expected to find Vietcong guerrillas. Instead, they were met with a full regiment of the North Vietnamese army.
The Americans took control of an enemy hospital and endured two more days of battle before receiving an order to withdraw, according to the book “Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty.” Capt. McGinty’s platoon was tasked with protecting the men from the rear as they destroyed downed U.S. helicopters and made their way out.
read more here
Medal of Honor Society different branches.
John Stewart spotlights Vietnam Veterans!
Tuesday January 21, 2014
PTSD and Vietnam
Jason Jones reports on dishonorably discharged Vietnam veterans with PTSD who can't get treatment because they were dishonorably discharged because of PTSD. (05:25)
Think bad discharges are new? Think any of this is new? Watch this in case you haven't been paying attention!
PTSD and Vietnam
Jason Jones reports on dishonorably discharged Vietnam veterans with PTSD who can't get treatment because they were dishonorably discharged because of PTSD. (05:25)
Think bad discharges are new? Think any of this is new? Watch this in case you haven't been paying attention!
Videos from VFW Fundraiser for Navy SEAL
Update on fundraiser for Navy SEAL Bo Reichenbach
Jan 20, 2014
Orlando Navy SEAL Bo Reichenbach Day at VFW Post 4287 the crowd was wowed by 3 year old Justin Roman doing Frank Sinatra tunes.
Steve Roman Rat Pack
Bo and Graceland
Jan 21, 2014
Bo Reichenbach. Bo, a Navy SEAL, lost both of his legs in 2012 while serving in Afghanistan. It was his time to be star of the show at the VFW. Marian J. Cocke, nurse of Elvis Presley was at the event. She arranged for Priscilla Presley to be able to talk to Bo on the phone. Bo was invited out to Graceland.
Tributes to Bo
With five hours of filming it has taken a lot longer to edit the event. Coming up are the singers videos. What a show they put on!
Willy Clatron
Tom Burkhead
The Propellers
Jan 23, 2014
Bo Reichenbach, a Navy SEAL, lost both of his legs in 2012 while serving in Afghanistan. VFW and Semper Fidelis America held a fundraiser for him and Sky Walters performance had the crowd on their feet and very moved by two songs.
Jan 20, 2014
Orlando Navy SEAL Bo Reichenbach Day at VFW Post 4287 the crowd was wowed by 3 year old Justin Roman doing Frank Sinatra tunes.
Steve Roman Rat Pack
Bo and Graceland
Jan 21, 2014
Bo Reichenbach. Bo, a Navy SEAL, lost both of his legs in 2012 while serving in Afghanistan. It was his time to be star of the show at the VFW. Marian J. Cocke, nurse of Elvis Presley was at the event. She arranged for Priscilla Presley to be able to talk to Bo on the phone. Bo was invited out to Graceland.
Tributes to Bo
With five hours of filming it has taken a lot longer to edit the event. Coming up are the singers videos. What a show they put on!
Willy Clatron
Tom Burkhead
The Propellers
Jan 23, 2014
Bo Reichenbach, a Navy SEAL, lost both of his legs in 2012 while serving in Afghanistan. VFW and Semper Fidelis America held a fundraiser for him and Sky Walters performance had the crowd on their feet and very moved by two songs.
Christopher Gerard Band Brothers in Arms
Christopher Gerard Band - Brothers in Arms
On Heels of ‘Brothers’ Single, Christopher Gerard Band Embarks
Ithaca.com
By Bill Chaisson
January 22, 2014
It isn’t really possible to not think about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) these days, but when singer, musician, and songwriter Chris Christensen’s cousin returned from Iraq he asked the soldier how he’d come through and his answer made him start thinking about it a lot more deeply.
“He seems to have come through fine,” said Christensen, “but he said no one comes back unscathed.”
“My brother slept with a pistol under his pillow,” said guitarist Richie Richardson. “He said it was difficult to get used to not doing that when he came back.”
Christensen’s concerns led him to write a song, “Brothers in Arms,” and he began looking for a veterans’ organization that might benefit from money raised through its release.
“I wrote it two years after my cousin came back, but it took about 20 minutes to write,” said Christensen. “When I hit the chorus it was pulling something from me emotionally. I sent it to my cousin, and he loved it and thought it was spot on.”
After combing the Internet for a while Christensen found a site for Soldier’s Best Friend, a veterans’ group based in the Southwest that takes dogs out of shelters and trains them to be service dogs for veterans with PTSD.
“I sent Soldier’s Best Friend a copy of the song,” said Christensen, “and they were totally fine with it.”
read more here
On Heels of ‘Brothers’ Single, Christopher Gerard Band Embarks
Ithaca.com
By Bill Chaisson
January 22, 2014
It isn’t really possible to not think about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) these days, but when singer, musician, and songwriter Chris Christensen’s cousin returned from Iraq he asked the soldier how he’d come through and his answer made him start thinking about it a lot more deeply.
“He seems to have come through fine,” said Christensen, “but he said no one comes back unscathed.”
“My brother slept with a pistol under his pillow,” said guitarist Richie Richardson. “He said it was difficult to get used to not doing that when he came back.”
Christensen’s concerns led him to write a song, “Brothers in Arms,” and he began looking for a veterans’ organization that might benefit from money raised through its release.
“I wrote it two years after my cousin came back, but it took about 20 minutes to write,” said Christensen. “When I hit the chorus it was pulling something from me emotionally. I sent it to my cousin, and he loved it and thought it was spot on.”
After combing the Internet for a while Christensen found a site for Soldier’s Best Friend, a veterans’ group based in the Southwest that takes dogs out of shelters and trains them to be service dogs for veterans with PTSD.
“I sent Soldier’s Best Friend a copy of the song,” said Christensen, “and they were totally fine with it.”
read more here
Air Force Recruits Have Bats in the Dorm
Bats Found in AF Recruits Dorm Prompt Vaccinations
UPI
Jan 21, 2014
More than 200 U.S. Air Force recruits will be vaccinated for rabies after bats were found in a dormitory at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, officials said.
So far, 45 recruits have received the first of five rounds of rabies vaccine shots, the San Antonio (Texas) Express-News reported Sunday.
No one was bitten but everyone living in the dorm will be vaccinated as a precaution, officials said.
"When he heard that there was a bat in the dorm, that's when all the alarm bells went off for us," said Col. Mark Camerer, head of Lackland's 37th Training Wing.
Airman Basic Kayla Hawkins, 20, said she was the first to discover the bats in the dorm.
read more here
UPI
Jan 21, 2014
More than 200 U.S. Air Force recruits will be vaccinated for rabies after bats were found in a dormitory at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, officials said.
So far, 45 recruits have received the first of five rounds of rabies vaccine shots, the San Antonio (Texas) Express-News reported Sunday.
No one was bitten but everyone living in the dorm will be vaccinated as a precaution, officials said.
"When he heard that there was a bat in the dorm, that's when all the alarm bells went off for us," said Col. Mark Camerer, head of Lackland's 37th Training Wing.
Airman Basic Kayla Hawkins, 20, said she was the first to discover the bats in the dorm.
read more here
Wife of Camp Pendleton Marine nominated for Spouse of Year
Camp Pendleton Spouse Recognized for Service to Military Families
Camp Pendleton volunteer, and spouse to a Marine, Liz Snell has been nominated for 2014 Military Spouse of the Year. Voting for the honor starts today.
Ocean Side Camp Pendleton Patch
Posted by Gina Tenorio (Editor)
January 21, 2014
Military Spouses of Strength recently announced that its’ founder Camp Pendleton's own Liz Snell has been nominated for 2014 Military Spouse of the Year.
The award was created by Military Spouse magazine in 2008 to honor military spouses of all ranks and from all branches of service, according to its creators.
“More than a million military spouses support and maintain the home front while our service members defend this great nation,” magazine staff wrote on their website. “The Military Spouse of the Year award recognizes military spouses’ important contributions and unwavering commitment to the military community and our country.”
Camp Pendleton volunteer, and spouse to a Marine, Liz Snell has been nominated for 2014 Military Spouse of the Year. Voting for the honor starts today.
Ocean Side Camp Pendleton Patch
Posted by Gina Tenorio (Editor)
January 21, 2014
Military Spouses of Strength recently announced that its’ founder Camp Pendleton's own Liz Snell has been nominated for 2014 Military Spouse of the Year.
The award was created by Military Spouse magazine in 2008 to honor military spouses of all ranks and from all branches of service, according to its creators.
“More than a million military spouses support and maintain the home front while our service members defend this great nation,” magazine staff wrote on their website. “The Military Spouse of the Year award recognizes military spouses’ important contributions and unwavering commitment to the military community and our country.”
"Our military spouses have endured supporting their service members through nearly thirteen years of war. Thirteen years of combat deployments and other challenges that uniquely face military families. In a recent Military Spouses of Strength survey, nearly 91 percent of those surveyed stated they had dealt with a bout of depression, of that number 73 percent felt it was caused to deployment, 83 percent sought out mental health support and of those who didn't seek support 80 percent said they didn't feel like they were in a bad enough place to do so. As a community, we need to change the dialogue about mental health related issues. We need to begin taking preventative measures, and not react to situations, " said MSoS Founder, Liz Snell.
This year Liz is more determined than ever to continue her fight on raising awareness of mental health issues while crushing the stigma that accompanies diagnosis the of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among others within the military community. read more here
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