Memorial Day Events for Central Florida

Remember, Memorial Day isn't supposed to be a "happy" day but it has turned into the unofficial kickoff to summer with BBQ, shopping and beaches. If you don't remember what the day is supposed to mean, then please go to work Monday or at least think about your own family members someplace on your family tree you should be honoring instead of enjoying a day off work.

From Cathy Haynes

May event list #2, Memorial Day/weekend and associated events in Central Florida.  

Please share with others.   Post where appropriate.   Attend when able.

There are other events before the weekend and after the Memorial Day/weekend that were on the event list sent out on May 1.  

American Legion membership - Special Membership Drive for all New Member Veterans, Active Duty personnel AND Renewals!  But this is currently offered ONLY by Orlando Memorial Post 19, 5320 Alloway St, Orlando, 32810-5510.   Post 19 will pay $10 of your $35 annual dues, a $10 dollar saving, if you join by May 25.   Phone 407-622-1807   Membership includes the monthly national magazine that covers a wide variety of topics for all generations, all service zones, and all branches of our military.

Support Blue Star Families by shopping – Week of Sun. May 17 – Mon. May 25 – Macy’s offers 15%-25% discount in return for a $3 donation made at the register.   Proceeds benefit “Got Your Six” and “Blue Star Families” programs and events for military families.  

Florida’s Fallen Hero Crosses - Lawton House Grounds, 200 West Broadway, Oviedo, 32765. Guests are invited to walk the grounds May 16-25, where 385+ crosses with grapevine wreaths represent lost Floridian military members. Pictures and other items may be present with the displays.   This is free and open to the public to remember and honor service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend and protect our freedom.   Memorial Day ceremony to honor them.   Info:   407-339-0879.

MEMORIAL DAY/weekend events:  

Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings.

FRIDAY MAY 22

Ocoee’s Memorial Day Ceremony –11am - Lakeshore Center, 125 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, 34761.  The keynote speaker will be Michael McDaniel, Department Adjutant of the Florida American Legion.   Mr. McDaniel served in the United States Marine Corps for 26 years and reached the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant.    As Adjutant he has oversight on more than 300 Posts and 113,101 Legionnaires throughout Florida and is an advocate for veterans’ rights in Washington, D.C. and Tallahassee.  A processional will be made to the Ocoee Memorial Wall, where a wreath will be set in place. The wall is inscribed with the names of Ocoee residents who gave their lives for freedom.  Ocoee High School student Andrew Jolicoeur will sing the National Anthem and there will be ceremonial flag presentations by the Ocoee High School Air Force JROTC Color Guard and Ocoee Police Department Honor Guard.   Jacob Pickett, Ocoee Middle School band director, will play "Taps". Refreshments will be served after the ceremony. Info:   Joy Wright at   joy.wright@ ocoee.org   407-905-3100

Tallahassee National Cemetery Dedication Ceremony – Fri. May 22 – 1pm ceremony with VA Secretary Bob McDonald scheduled to attend.   This site off of Apalachee Parkway will offer families in that area an alternative other than the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

NOTE:   A second one cemetery for veterans – the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Scottsmoor of Brevard County, will open within the next year.   It will serve more than 163,000 veterans, spouses and their eligible dependents living in the central eastern Florida area.   If there are (or will be) cremains that you need to place, the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery may be closer to you than the one in Bushnell…something for you to consider…..

SATURDAY MAY 23

Cypress Grove Park Memorial Day Salute - 9:30am to 12noon – 290 Holden Ave., Orlando, 32839.   VFW Post 2093 Community Band will be performing, Chaplain Richard Black, USN (ret.) and Dr. Neal Euliano, keynote speaker.   Dr. Phillips High School ROTC will perform the Posting of the Colors, POW/MIA Remembrance and folding of the Flag; Goldenrod VFW Post 4287 will close with gun salute.   All veterans welcomed.   Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets.   Info:   407-855-5877.

Celebration’s Veterans Memorial Day Flag Ceremony – 10am – at Founders Park, Campus St, Celebration, 34747 in Osceola County.    The flag ceremony will honor the men and women who have bravely and selflessly defended our country, and will celebrate and pay tribute to our nation’s heroes.   The Celebration Veterans Group, Boy and Girl Scout Troops and the Garden Club of Celebration are helping to host this ceremony. The Celebration Community Chorus will put on a special performance recognizing US military members.  

Lake Nona VA Hospital Open House for VETERANS –10am to 2pm - Lake Nona Campus of Orlando VA Medical Center – 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, 32827. This day is targeted to honor Veterans, Active Duty and their families.   Veteran or active duty ID is needed (VA ID, DD214, Driver’s License with veteran designation, military ID, etc.)   Food, tours, games, more.   Public is invited on Tuesday, May 26 for the Dedication.   Public Affairs office – 407-599-1301.

Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum – Sat. May 23 and Sun. May 24 only – Open House 9am – 5pm, 6600 Tico Rd., Titusville, 32780.   Free admission for active or retired military and ALL Florida residents. (I.D. required)   Low fly-bys, memorabilia, combat pilots, exhibits and displays honoring the military.   Requesting additional donation of canned goods which will be sent to local food banks.    www. vacwarbirds.org    321-268-1941.

SUNDAY, MAY 24

Taft Cemetery – 12 noon ceremony, 501 Landstreet Rd., Orlando, 32824 in south Orlando.   American Legion Dorie Miller Memorial Post #331 will place flags on veteran’s graves beginning about an hour before the ceremony.   Public invited.   Post phone: 407-294-3548.

American Legion Memorial Day Commemoration - 1pm - Orlando Memorial Post 19, 5320 Alloway Street, Orlando, 32810.   Commemoration for all fallen warriors & will include recognition of two Post members who died within the past year – Gerry Rogers and Kenny Harlow - whose combined membership totaled over 100 years of service to American Legion.   Live music entertainment from 2 to 5 PM by 90 Proof Band.    Burger or Brat with two sides for $3 with advanced purchase of ticket otherwise will be $5 on the day.   Info:  Commander at 407-622-1807.

City of Rockledge Inaugural Memorial Day Ceremony – 2 to 3pm - This event will feature patriotic music, guest speakers, Color Guards, and the laying of a ceremonial wreath. Light refreshments to follow at the McLarty Park Recreation Center, 790 Barton Blvd. Rockledge, 32955   Info: www.    cityofrockledge.org

Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina - NASCAR drivers will honor fallen service members with "600 Miles of Remembrance." The strip across the windshield of Sprint Cup cars will feature a fallen United States Armed Forces member.   There will be two warriors from central Florida who will be remembered and honored:

·        Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller from Oviedo, a Medal of Honor recipient, will have his name on the windshield of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 Chevrolet.

·        Marine Gunnery Sgt. Floyd Earl Holley from Casselberry/Winter Park will have his name on the windshield of Landon Cassill’s No. 40 Chevrolet.

The race will start at 6pm, and will be carried on TV.

National ‪ ‎Memorial Day Concert - 8pm on our local PBS TV station – WUCF This concert is from Washington DC and is hosted by Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna.

MEMORIAL DAY, MONDAY 25 MAY – alphabetical by county

BREVARD COUNTY

10th Annual Cocoa Riverfront Park Memorial Day Tribute – 3pm to 8pm.   Parade through Historic Cocoa Village from 5p-6p.   Ceremony from 6:45 - 8pm - downtown Cocoa Village, 401 Riveredge Blvd, Cocoa, 32922.   Opening remarks will be presented by City Manager John A. Titkanich, Jr. and our guest speakers for the ceremony are Pastor David E. Bryant, Sr., US Air Force Retired, Major General Jonathan A. Maddux, US Army and Commander Paul Nitz, US Navy. There will be various veterans’ organizations on site, presentations and patriotic music. Special flag-folding ceremony, period costumes, a moment of silence, entertainment, and more.   Free. RAIN OR SHINE the tribute will take place. In inclement weather the event will be held in the Cocoa Civic Center located at 430 Delannoy Ave., Cocoa which is located directly behind the Riverfront Park. Info:  City of Cocoa Leisure Services Dept - 321-639-3500.   www. cocoafl.org

LAKE COUNTY

Lake County Memorial Day observance – 11am, Waterfront Pavilion, 330 Third Street on Lake Minneola in Clermont.   Sponsored by the Tomoka Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), I.W. Hatcher, Jr. South Lake Marine Corps Detachment and VFW Post #5277. Also participating will be the Knights of Columbus Council #13240, South Lake High School NJROTC, Boy Scouts and Girls Scout of South Lake County.   Info:  Susan DeHart at 352-242-2394.

Amvets Post 2006 Memorial Day ceremony – 11am - 500 N Canal St, Leesburg, Fl 34748.   Shortly after the ceremony, lunch will be served at 12:30 and prepared by the Military Chef of Le Cordon Bleu.   Info:   Peggy AMVETS Auxiliary at veteransinfoandevents@ gmail.com    407.484.2159  

ORANGE COUNTY

Winter Garden Memorial Day Service - 8:30 am at Veterans Memorial Park, 420 S. Park Ave., Winter Garden, 34787.   Featured speaker is Jerry L. Hagan of the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. and retired Navy Master Chief.    A Roll Call of Veterans, placement of wreaths, patriotic songs performed that will invoke pride, honor and respect for our veterans. Refreshments will be served.   Info:   Theo Graham at 407-656-2021.

Orange County War Memorial Commemoration Ceremony – 10am – Orange County Courthouse, south side, 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, 32801.    Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council will express eternal gratitude.   Also attending Orlando City Mayors’ Veterans Advisory Council.   Keynote speaker will be Capt. Warren Hudson, USN (ret.) who is the President of Lake Highland Preparatory school.   He served aboard a Navy swift boat in Vietnam.   Color Guard, singers, high school band and more as we remember and honor members of the armed forces from Orange County who ultimately sacrificed their lives while serving our country.   Info:   407-836-7370.

Woodlawn Memorial Park Ceremony - 10am; 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd., Gotha, 34734.   Rifle volley, Taps and the tolling of the replica Liberty Bell in memory of the dead of all wars.   Guest speakers are former Florida House of Representatives member Dick Batchelor, and Army Col. Vincent F. Malone, 407-293-1361.

Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando – 10am - ceremony by the American Legion Orlando Memorial Post 19, at the Veterans Section of the cemetery, 1603 Greenwood St., Orlando, 32801.   Public is invited.   Refreshments for those attending free at the post following the ceremony at 5320 Alloway Street, Orlando, 32810.   Contact Information: Wade Foster 407-622-1807                

Glen Haven Memorial Park - 11am to 1pm - 2300 Temple Dr., Winter Park, 32789.   Annual observance of those who so selflessly fought and died for their country, honoring the memory of lives lost in service. Memorial service is emceed by 540 WFLA's Bud Hedinger.   It includes the presentation of the colors, uniform presentation of all wars by the Winter Springs High School Army JROTC unit, and patriotic songs sung by Charles Haugabrooks accompanied by the VFW 2093 Community Band.   Small American flags will be available for all visitors.   Info:   407-647-1100

American Legion Post 286 – 1 to 2 pm    The American Legion Family invites the public to the Memorial Day Observance Ceremony. 529 E. Fairlane Ave. Orlando, 32809.   (Pine Castle in South Orlando; north of Sand Lake Rd on Orange Ave.)   Info: Sandi at 407-859-1460.

Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation - 2pm – the first Memorial Day ceremony at the Central FL Veterans Memorial Wall located at the Lake Nona VA Hospital site.   The Wall features the names of fallen warriors from the six county area (Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia) who served in WWI to the present day conflicts.   A reception starts at 1:45pm.   Arrive early, limited seating.  Lake Nona Campus of Orlando VA Medical Center – 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, 32827.

American Legion Post 112 – See event listed on Sunday, May 31.

OSCEOLA COUNTY

Osceola Memory Gardens – 8am, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Rd., Kissimmee, 34744.   Osceola County Veterans Council and other groups perform ceremony.   Public invited. 407-957-2511.

Mount Peace Cemetery – 10am, 755 E. 10th St., St. Cloud, 34769.   Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3227 is hosting St. Cloud's Memorial Day Service. Everyone is invited to stop by to remember and honor those who gave their all in the service of their country.   407-892-6761.

POLK COUNTY

Bok Tower Gardens Memorial Day Carillon Concerts – 1 to 1:30pm and 3 to 3:30pm, 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, 33853.   Half-hour carillon concerts as musical salute of gratitude to our nation’s military service – past and present.   Free admission offered to all military branches, active, retired, and disabled veterans with valid ID.   Concerts included with general admission.   863-676-1408.

SEMINOLE COUNTY

Florida’s Fallen Hero Crosses ceremony - 9am - Lawton House Grounds, 200 West Broadway, Oviedo, 32765. The Memorial Day ceremony to honor fallen Floridian military members. This free event is open to the public and includes the Presentation of Colors preceding a short program in memory of and to honor all U.S. service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend and protect our freedom. Guests are also invited to walk the grounds May 16-25, where 385+ crosses with grapevine wreaths represent lost Floridian military members.  Info:   407-339-0879.

Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony - 9am - For spectators and family, the fun starts at 9 AM with music, stilt walkers and lots of fun!   The Parade starts at 10 AM, heading east to Park Avenue and then heads North on Park Avenue, ending at Seminole Boulevard and Veterans Memorial Park, 110 E. Seminole Blvd, Sanford, 32771. Dignitaries and officials, all of the County’s Veteran Service Groups, Tuskegee Airmen, the Steel Soldiers Military Vehicle Association, Cpl Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum, Bahia Shriners, a variety of Color Guards.   Also military vehicles and veteran organizations to give ‘Thanks’ to those who have served, continue to serve and to mourn with the family members who have lost loved ones on Memorial Day.   

The Remembrance Ceremony starts after the parade, at about 11am.   Sanford Veterans Memorial Park will feature dual 21-gun salute, a helicopter fly-over and Seminole County’s Sheriff’s Office own Chief Deputy Dennis Lemma, U.S. Marine, providing the Memorial Day Address. Hosted by City of Sanford and Seminole County Area Veterans Advisory Council (SCAVAC). The Remembrance Ceremony begins at 11 AM in Veterans Memorial Park.  Info:    Jennifer at 407.688.5120, www.    sanfordfl.gov

Seminole County Hero's Memorial Dedication – 2pm - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to first responders and military service personnel killed in combat.   In front of the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center, 101 Bush Blvd, at the Hero’s Memorial.   Info:   Ashley Moore    amoore@ seminolecountyfl.gov   407-665-1172.

SUMTER COUNTY

Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell – 11am - 6502 SW 102nd Ave., Bushnell, 33513.   Traditional and touching ceremony.   Guest speaker.   Persons attending need to arrive early and enjoy the patriotic and inspirational musical prelude which will begin shortly before the ceremony. Seating is limited, arrive early, wear comfortable clothing and bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit upon.   Info:   352-793-7740 or 1074.

Lake Nona VA Hospital dedication – Tues May 26 – HURRAY!   This long awaited Ceremony starts at10am and VA Secretary Bob McDonald will be attending to provide the keynote address.   Plan on arriving early to allow for time.   The dedication will culminate a week of special events, including a day for Veterans, the media, and our stakeholders as well.   Lake Nona Campus of Orlando VA Medical Center – 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, 32827.   Public Affairs office – 407-599-1301.

American Legion Post 112 Memorial Day Commemoration - Sun. May 31 – 11am – The Post members along with Sea Cadets, Fleet Reserve, and Boy Scouts assist with ceremony.   Public invited.   407-671-6404. 4490 N. Goldenrod Rd., Winter Park, 32792 (btwn Aloma Blvd and University Blvd.)  

Compiled by Cathy Haynes

chaynes11629@yahoo.com

Member/supporter of numerous veterans and military organizations in Central Florida

407-239-8468

Six Marine Helicopter Crash Victims in Nepal Identified

Six Marine Helicopter Crash Victims in Nepal Identified
Military.com
Richard Sisk
May 18, 2015

The remains of six Marines and two Nepalese soldiers who died in the May 12 crash of their helicopter while on an earthquake relief mission in the Himalayas have been recovered and identified.

Marine Lt. Gen. John Wissler thanked U.S. and Nepalese search and recovery teams that found the charred wreckage of the Marine UH-1Y Huey helicopter in dense forest at an elevation of more than 11,000 feet and recovered the remains despite mountain storms and temperatures below freezing.

"You never hesitated in the joint effort to bring our brothers home. Everyone united -- the soldiers hiking through hazardous terrain, the pilots flying in uncertain weather conditions and the Nepalese special forces standing watch over our Marines on a mountainside at night," Wissler said.

"We honor our fallen comrades through our unselfish support to each other in this time of grief," said Wissler, commander of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force and of Joint Task Force 505 which arrived in Nepal on April 29 following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that killed more than 8,000.

The six Marines aboard the Huey from Marine Light Attack Helicopter squadron 469 based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., were identified as:

Capt. Christopher L. Norgren, 31, of Sedgwick, Kans.
He was a UH-1Y pilot with HMLA-469, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton.

Capt. Dustin R. Lukasiewicz, 29, of Harlan, Neb.
He also was a UH-1Y pilot and was with the same unit as Norgren.

Sgt. Ward M. Johnson, IV, 29, of Seminole, Fla.
He was a UH-1Y helicopter crew chief with HMLA-469.

Sgt. Eric M. Seaman, 30, of Riverside, Calif.
He was a UH-1Y helicopter crew chief with HMLA-469

Cpl. Sara A. Medina, 23, of Kane, Ill.
She was a combat photographer with Marine Corps Installations Pacific in Okinawa, Japan.

Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Hug, 22, of Maricopa, Ariz.
He was a combat videographer with Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Okinawa, Japan.

read more here

Coffee Bunker "Brothers" Made Sure Veteran Buried With Honor

Coffee Bunker buries veteran with honors who likely died in sleep in parking lot
He was found dead in his SUV at a Tulsa Wal-Mart.
Tulsa World
By COREY JONES World Staff Writer
May 17, 2015

Blackburn said Marcussen was a broadcaster in Los Angeles — “did a couple of commercials and things” — but ended up divorced, falling on hard times and moving far from his home.

For one airman, his military brethren were able to step in and offer a final goodbye when his family couldn’t.

His body was found inside his SUV in April after several weeks parked at a south Tulsa Wal-Mart.

Presumed dead of natural causes, he was a veteran and regular of the Coffee Bunker.

Ronald Ralph Marcussen had fallen on hard times, but life was on the upswing for the 48-year-old before his death. After being homeless, Marcussen had recently found an apartment on the west side of Tulsa.

He held a job as a pizza delivery man on the other side of town, and had just purchased the white Mitsubishi Endeavor where his body would later be discovered on a mattress in the back seat.

Marcussen’s death had a deep impact on Scott Blackburn, who described the Air Force veteran as a pleasant man who had a positive effect on anyone he met.

So as Coffee Bunker’s executive director, Blackburn worked to ensure Marcussen would receive a military funeral and be laid to rest with honors.

That ceremony took place Thursday morning at Fort Gibson National Cemetery.

“I can’t imagine he had an enemy in the world,” Blackburn said.
read more here

Fort Hood Soldier Found Dead Identified

Army ID's Fort Hood soldier found dead 
Army Times
By Kevin Lilley, Staff writer
May 18, 2015

Fort Hood, Texas, officials on Monday released the name of a 29-year-old staff sergeant found dead Thursday in Killeen from an apparent gunshot wound that local police have classified as self-inflicted.

Staff Sgt. Kevin Darnell Lewis, 29, was declared dead at 8:20 a.m. Thursday morning, according to a Fort Hood news release. His death remains under investigation, the release states.

A Killeen Police Department spokeswoman would not provide any details on the incident, including where Lewis' body was found, saying such information was not made publicly available in cases of self-inflicted wounds. read more here

Second Marine Died After Nepal Crash

Family mourns 'angel' killed in Marine helicopter crash 
Chicago Tribune
By Linda Girardi
Aurora Beacon-News
May 17, 2015

She was engaged to a fellow Marine from Colorado, and they planned to marry in August, her brother said.

It was Mother's Day when Carlos Medina teased his younger sister, Marine Cpl. Sara A. Medina, about her not being able to join in for a family photo because she was overseas.

The Facebook message to her that day included a picture of their mother, Cecilia Lopez, along with himself and his two young sons.

"I told Sara, 'We miss you' and that 'The only person missing is you,'"Carlos Medina said Sunday. "She told me that she would be with us very soon."

But instead of a reunion, the family is experiencing heartbreak. Sara Medina, 23, of Aurora, was killed in a helicopter crash last week during a relief mission in earthquake-hit Nepal, along with five other Marines and two soldiers from Nepal's army.
read more here

Osprey Hard Landing Leaves Marine Dead and 21 Injured

MV-22 Osprey 'Hard Landing' in Hawaii Kills One Marine, Injures 21 
Associated Press
May 17, 2015

A Marine Corps Osprey aircraft made a hard landing in Hawaii on Sunday, killing one Marine and sending 21 other people to hospitals as dark smoke from the resulting fire billowed into the sky.

The tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey, which can take off and land like a helicopter but flies like an airplane, had a "hard-landing mishap" at about 11:40 a.m., the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit said in a statement. Officials didn't provide details about the conditions of the injured.

Twenty-two people were aboard the aircraft, including 21 Marines and one Navy corpsman assigned to the unit, spokesman Capt. Brian Block said in an email.

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is based at Camp Pendleton in California and is in Hawaii for about a week for training.

The Osprey was being used for training at Bellows Air Force Station on Oahu at the time of the hard landing. read more here

Wounded Warrior Program Sports At Eglin Air Force Base

Wounded Warrior competition provides new mission, comradery for severely injured veterans
Associated Press
By MELISSA NELSON-GABRIEL
MAY 18, 2015

"I lost my identity after the military. I felt lost. Being part of the Air Force Wounded Warrior program, it helps you to know that there is more to life than the military. I am proud of my service but I have more to accomplish," the Las Vegas, Nevada, native said.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — As an Air Force crew chief in Afghanistan and Iraq, part of Sgt. Tim McDonough's dangerous mission was recovering the remains of soldiers killed in combat.

An explosion in Afghanistan in 2005 changed his life. He suffered a brain injury and nine surgeries later, McDonough has seizures, limited range of motion and host of other medical problems. Even worse, he lost the camaraderie he had with other airmen.

"You are the cream of the crop, the best of the best. You get injured and put off to the side," said McDonough, 40, of Spokane, Washington.

But he has a new mission that has given him much-needed focus and self-esteem. He will represent the Air Force at the 2015 Department of Defense Wounded Warrior Games in Quantico, Virginia, next month.

His sport? Archery.

McDonough is one of about 200 athletes from the Air Force, Marines, Navy and Army who will compete in eight sports, including basketball, swimming and track and field.
read more here

Religious Freedom Group Doesn't Want Everyone to Use Freedom?

Group wants two-star court-martialed for speech
Air Force Times
By Jeff Schogol, Staff writer
May 15, 2015

An Air Force two-star general is being blasted by a civil liberties group for speaking in uniform about how God has guided his career.

Video posted on YouTube shows Maj. Gen. Craig Olson speaking at a National Day of Prayer Task Force event May 7. In the speech, Olson refers to himself as a "redeemed believer in Christ," who credits God for his accomplishments in the Air Force.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation has called for Olson to be "aggressively and very visibly brought to justice for his unforgivable crimes and transgressions" by a court-martial, adding that any other service members who helped him should be investigated and punished "to the full extent of military law."

Olson is program executive officer for C3I and Networks at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.

During his 23-minute address, Olsen spoke of "flying complex aircraft; doing complex nuclear missions — I have no ability to do that. God enabled me to do that."

"He put me in charge of failing programs worth billions of dollars. I have no ability to do that, no training to do that. God did that. He sent me to Iraq to negotiate foreign military sales deals through an Arabic interpreter. I have no ability to do that. I was not trained to do that. God did all of that."

At the end of his speech, Olson asks the audience to pray for Defense Department leaders, who "need to humbly depend on Christ." He also asks them to pray for troops preparing to deploy again so they can "bear through that by depending on Christ."
read more here

I just listened to the speech and very happy to say that this is not a place where free speech is not protected as much as it is practiced. Free, honest speech is a thing of beauty and that is the point that needs to be raised right now.

This was a group of like minded members of faith listening to a speaker talking about his faith. No one was forced to go to the conference or listen to the speeches. There is not a single place in this speech where Olson ever spoke out against the code of the military nor did he condemn anyone.

I come from Massachusetts and went to Hanscom every weekend and maybe since the freedoms we have were worth fighting for by the Patriots, we can acknowledge the right of everyone to seek their own faith or not, to practice their own faith or not as long as they do not try to take that right away from anyone else. There is a lot of that going on in this country and none of us should stand for it.

None of us should stand for a place where they were holding a prayer session silencing someone from participating willingly. None of us should stand for a group of folks claiming to be about religious freedom trying to take away everyone else's right to use that freedom to choose.

There have been times when Military Religious Freedom Foundation were standing up against forcing anyone in the military to participate in a religious service. No one was claiming they were forced to go or to listen to the speech. In this case, they are clearly wrong in my opinion but then again, I am free to still state what I believe because military folks stepped up to make sure that right was protected for me and everyone else!

Published on May 17, 2015
Air Force Major General Craig Olson speaking in uniform at Shirley Dobson's May 7, 2015 National Day of Prayer Task Force event on Capitol Hill, in violation of a slew of military regulations.

Members of the military are strictly prohibited from endorsing any "non-federal entity," religious or non-religious, by doing things like speaking in uniform at their events.

So this isn't just about the obvious issue of Olson violating the regulations regarding participation in religious events and the promotion of his personal religious beliefs; he's blatantly disregarding a whole bunch of regulations.

But the biggest danger of his very public Jesus speech is that it was streamed around the world by GOD TV, handing our enemies like ISIS some great material for recruiting propaganda on a silver platter.

Sequestration Hitting Army Hard

Congress has been whining about "support the troops" but this pretty much proves they don't really practice what they preach. They could have fixed what they caused years ago. They didn't.

With sequestration looming, area’s economic future unclear
Killeen Daily Herald
JC Jones and Jacob Brooks
May 17, 2015

SHRINKING ARMY As the end of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan loomed in 2011 and 2012, military leaders began a plan to shrink the size of the Army from about 570,000 active-duty troops to 490,000 by 2020. However, when sequestration was enacted by Congress, a series of automatic budget cuts began in March 2013, cutting about $1.1 trillion — including more than $450 billion in defense spending — from the federal budget through 2021.

In August 2012, Ashley Kristof and her husband opened a 900-square-foot restaurant on Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Killeen, blocks away from Fort Hood, where droves of hungry soldiers pour out every weekday during their lunch breaks.

Thanks to those hungry soldiers, the gamble of opening a restaurant — an industry where as many as 60 percent of new establishments fail in the first year — was a success.

The Kristofs’ restaurant, The Gyro Nook, now has a staff of eight and expansion plans are underway.

“I kind of need to open a second location,” Kristof said. The second Gyro Nook is set to open next month in Harker Heights, and the owners are contemplating moving the original location to a bigger building to keep up with demand.

“They come in groups of four or five at a time,” Kristof said. Up to 50 soldiers per hour will pass through during the peak lunch time, she added.
read more here

Iraq-Afghanistan Veteran's Service Doge Saved His LIfe

Iraq veteran: “Service dog saved my life.” 
Asbury Park Press
Amanda Oglesby
May 17, 2015

“When you have things that really hurt your soul, that you’ve either done or gone through, and you’ve been to the other end of the spectrum of what I guess is normalcy… you really need that kick to get out of it,” Campbell said. Kenan “is that kick.”

SEASIDE PARK – Nightmares and anxiety attacks have rattled the life of Army Sgt. Adam Campbell in the eight years since he was struck by an improvised explosive device and a rocket-propelled grenade in Samarra, Iraq.

His physical injuries — spinal fractures that left him partially paralyzed for nearly a year, a traumatic brain injury and shrapnel wounds in the back of his legs — were compounded by post-traumatic stress, the 32-year-old Wall resident said.

But one special yellow dog with chocolate brown eyes has made a world of difference for Campbell, a Lakewood native who served in the Army for five years, in both Iraq and Afghanistan, before he was injured.

Kenan is a four-year-old golden retriever with $35,000 worth of specialized training under his service dog jacket.

“He’s the ultimate reminder to calm down and breathe,” Campbell said Sunday outside Chef Mike’s Atlantic Bar and Grill.
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VA Inspector General Reports Include Tampa

VA mismanagement, malpractice detailed in reports 
Military Times
By Patricia Kime, Staff writer
May 17, 2015

More than 120 previously unpublished investigations by the Veterans Affairs Department's inspector general, dating as far back as 2006, reveal problems at VA medical centers nationwide ranging from medical malpractice and patient safety concerns to mismanagement, infighting and corruption.

VA Assistant Inspector General John Daigh posted the reports on the VA inspector general's website in April after receiving criticism that his office failed to disclose results of an investigation into the Tomah Wisconsin VA Medical Center charging that a psychiatrist prescribed dangerous amounts of painkillers and other medications to patients, resulting in at least one death.

Daigh told lawmakers he did not "hide" the results of the Tomah investigation and explained that he routinely closes investigations for a variety of reasons — either the facility under investigation has taken steps to correct the issue, a lawsuit has been filed over an incident, or, in the case of Tomah, allegations were not substantiated.

But lawmakers say procedures that allow VA facilities to fix themselves after being investigated by the department's inspector general make no sense.

Pointing to scandals that have plagued VA in the past year, ranging from off-the-books appointment wait lists to construction overruns totaling more than $1 billion to whistleblower intimidation and more, House and Senate lawmakers continue to question VA's commitment to transparency.

In Tampa, Florida, a physician at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital was counseled for more than two years by supervisors for prescribing controlled substances at rates "significantly higher than his peers."

The inspector general found that efforts to mentor the doctor "did not result in changes to his prescribing practices." But because the hospital was proactive in counseling the physician, the IG recommended only that supervisors also notify the Professional Standards Board and closed the case.

"While there was potential for harm to patients, we didn't find any patients that were harmed," the IG office wrote in the report.

Other reports ranged from poor practices to misrepresentation of credentials to doctor errors.
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Near Fatal Motorcycle Crash Marine Veteran Proves Miracles Still Happen

Fundraiser launched for Boonton 'Miracle Marine' 
Daily Record
Michael Izzo
May 16, 2015

"His first words were 'hi' and 'I love you,'" Bucher said. "And 'orange juice … I'm thirsty.'"

Kyle Chappell in Afghanistan with the Marine Corps 2nd Light Armored Recon Battalion.

(Photo: Photo courtesy of Jennifer Bucher)

MORRISTOWN – A 26-year-old Marine veteran from Boonton has been in intensive care for more than six weeks after a grisly motorcycle accident in Denville left him with life-threatening injuries, including an "internal decapitation."

Kyle Chappell has a long road ahead on his recovery, and his friends and family have started a crowdfunding campaign to help with the cost.

Chappell was driving his motorcycle to work on Diamond Spring Road, four miles from his Boonton home, on the morning of April 2 when he was hit by a car.

Chappell later would find out he suffered an "internal decapitation," meaning his skull separated from his spinal cord, a typically fatal occurrence. There are only about two dozen documented cases of people surviving the injury.

"It's such a miracle. All the credit and gratitude to the first responders for safely moving him," Kyle's mother, Jennifer Bucher, said. "They didn't know about the injury and moving him safely was pivotal to his survival."

Bucher said her son also dissected his aorta artery in two places.

"That aorta was a ticking time bomb. Dissecting it once would typically cause someone to bleed out in 10 minutes," she said. "But somehow it clotted on the way to the hospital."

Chappell's extensive list of injuries also included two collapsed lungs, a lacerated liver, kidney, spleen, a fractured femur, a broken tibia and fibula on his left leg and a broken ankle on his right leg.
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Nepal Army Says Bodies of US Marines Recovered After Huey Crash

All 8 bodies found at crashed US Marine chopper, Nepal army says 
Associated Press
May 16, 2015

KATHMANDU, Nepal – The bodies of all eight people on board the U.S. Marine helicopter that disappeared this week during a relief mission in earthquake-hit Nepal have been recovered, Nepal's army said Saturday.

The wreckage was found on Friday and the first three bodies retrieved the same day by Nepalese and U.S. military personnel from the crash site in the mountains northeast of capital Kathmandu.

The Nepalese army said in a statement Saturday that the remaining five bodies were also recovered. 

The discovery of the wreckage followed days of intense search involving U.S. and Nepali aircraft and U.S. satellites.

The aircraft, with six Marines and two Nepali soldiers on board, went missing while delivering aid on Tuesday. Lt. Gen. John Wissler, commander of the Marine-led joint task force, told reporters in Kathmandu on Friday that his team could not immediately identify the cause of the crash of the UH-1 "Huey" or identify the bodies found. read more here

Medal of Honor Recipients Say "Talk About It"

Medal of Honor recipient implores: Let it out on DVIDS by Lance Cpl. Harley Thomas covers the story of Col. Jay R. Vargas (click link for the rest of this report)

"Col. Jay R. Vargas, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, waves at the camera after speaking to service members about the importance of finding help for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder May 12, 2015, at the Chaplain Joseph W. Estabrook Chapel aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Thomas/Released)

The retired colonel, now a mental health advocate, spoke to the Marine Corps Base Hawaii community about the importance of seeking help for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, May 12, 2015, at the Chaplain Joseph W. Estabrook Chapel.

Col. Timothy Winand, the commanding officer for 3rd Marine Regiment, said it was a great privilege to have a Medal of Honor recipient speak to the Marines about such an important topic.

“(It was) a great opportunity in the realm of professional military education,” Winand said. “Col. Vargas has commanded Marines at every level, from platoon to infantry regiment, and his great story is one of courage, dedication, honor, commitment and valor. This is a message we should all listen to and take away from.”

Vargas, a Winslow, Ariz., native, said it took him 37 years to talk about his experiences and once he let it all out, it felt good. He said he held it in because it’s what his brothers did. His brothers, Angelo and Frank, were at the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa during World War II, and his brother Joseph was in the Korean War. Vargas said they never spoke about it.

“The night after I received the medal, the four of us got together at supper and that was the first time I had heard what they did in WWII,” Vargas said. “They held it in, like I did. I had just assumed that once you came home, you didn’t talk about it, like that’s the way it was supposed to be. To those of you who are coming out of a combat zone, don’t hold it in and, if you might have a problem, seek help.”

Vargas said there isn’t a Marine in this world that’s not tough, but there’s ongoing issue in the military called fatigue. He said it causes mental problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder or suicidal thoughts.

“I’ve found this stigma between all of us,” he said. “Nobody wants to admit they have a problem because of the things they’ve seen in combat, but most people don’t understand what effect combat fatigue — that was the term we used in WWII — has on Marines. If you need help, contact your chain of command. PTSD is vicious and some people might not be aware they have it; after coming home, I didn’t.”"

MOH Sammy Davis said the same thing. "Talk about it" but what makes it a more powerful statement is that Sammy was wounded saving lives and then, after getting out of the hospital, he was beaten at the San Francisco Airport.

In this video, Sammy tells the story of what happened when he came home. At the same time, Wimpy, member of Orlando Nam Knights reads the MOH Citation of what Sammy did to save lives. Sammy spent more time talking about how the crew of the plane treated them with kindness and respect than the protestors treated them with hatred.

I asked Sammy and his wife Dixie if they wanted to share a message of hope to the newer generation. They gave the same message of "talk about it" during this video. Truly remarkable is when Dixie is speaking and Sammy is called to the stage.

He is so humble, he didn't want interrupt Dixie as she added a message to families.

Really fabulous couple and have been a pleasure to know.

Indiana Military Family Struggles to Bury Son After Suicide

Family of Tri-State veteran who committed suicide has one final wish 
14 News Indiana
By Jess Raatz, Reporter
Updated: May 14, 2015

The family says the military does not help with funeral costs when someone dies by suicide.

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - The family of an Evansville soldier who spent two years serving in Afghanistan has one final wish as they try to lay him to rest.

23-year-old Robert Moroney was the strong, silent type, with one thing on his mind. “He always said he was going to be a soldier,” said his mother, Gina Hayes.

His pictures now line the dining room table as the family prepares for something they never thought would happen. Robert's family says what he witnessed during combat drastically changed him. "He was walking away, she was crying, and she blew up. She had a bomb strapped to her. Her father put it there."

Robert committed suicide last week, and his family wants other veterans to know they aren't alone. read more here