Military & Veterans News

Military & Veterans News Vet News: 'Bear Hug a U.S. Soldier' to Ship 300,000 Teddy Bears Overseas; Estero Couple Created Organization to Show Support for Those Serving Next Memorial Day 300,000 red, white and blue teddy bears will be delivered into the arms of men and women serving or having served in the U.S. Armed Forces, thanks in part to the efforts of David Hamblett and his wife P.J.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Last Marine in Iwo Jima Photo Dies at 82 Raymond Jacobs, believed to be the last surviving member of the group of Marines photographed during the original U.S. flag-raising on Iwo Jima during World War II, has died at age 82.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Army Blocks Soldier From Bringing Puppy Back More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition urging the Army to let an Iraqi puppy come home with a Minnesota soldier, who fears that "Ratchet" could be killed if left behind.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Servicemembers Encouraged to Invest in Thrift Savings Plan WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- A money savvy servicemember serving in Iraq did not wait to get back home to buy a shiny new car with his $30,000 military re-enlistment bonus. Instead, he invested all of it into the Thrift Savings Plan.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Stephen Colbert Presents $171,525 to the 'Yellow Ribbon Fund' Charity on 'The Colbert Report' for the Sales Generated by his WristStrong Bracelets $171,525 is a lot of money for a joke to raise.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: World War I Veteran Louis de Cazenave Died Sunday at age 110..leaving just one Known French Survivor of the 1914-1918 Conflict De Cazenave, who took part in the Battle of the Somme, died in his home in Brioude in central France, said his son, also named Louis de Cazenave.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Vets Cleared to Sue U.S. over PTSD Claims SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 16 (OneWorld) - A federal court in San Francisco has cleared the way for a major national class action lawsuit on behalf of veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Face of Defense: Soldier Follows in Father’s, Grandfather’s Footsteps CAMP TAJI, Iraq, Jan. 8, 2008 – When Christopher J. Forit Jr. decided to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather more than two years ago, he started a voyage that would lead him halfway around the world.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Petraeus Not Interested in Presidency WASHINGTON - President Bush’s top Iraq war commander said Sunday that as far as he knows, his command performances now and in the future will be strictly military, not political.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Combat Veterans Connect With America Through 'Why We Serve' Program WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2007 – Wrapping up three months of speaking engagements around the country, recently returned combat Veterans said Americans long to hear firsthand accounts about duty on the front lines without media filters.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Robin Williams and Lance Armstrong on Holiday USO Tour KABUL, Afghanistan - Robin Williams and Lance Armstrong took a swipe at the French, Kid Rock strummed "Sweet Home Alabama," comedian Lewis Black grumbled about the falling snow, and Miss USA told the troops to keep "kicking butt."

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Peake Sworn in As VA Secretary WASHINGTON – In a ceremony today Dr. James B. Peake, a combat veteran of the Vietnam War and former Army Surgeon General, was sworn in by President George W. Bush as the nation’s sixth Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Bennett & Vivian Levin Honor America's Heroes On Special "Liberty Limited" Train to Army Navy Game And now, I bring you the best Christmas story you never heard.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: VA and DoD Pilot Single Physical WASHINGTON – In a landmark agreement to simplify life for service members with medical problems as they leave the military and return to the civilian world, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) signed a memorandum to pilot a single physical examination to be used by both Departments.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: VA Clarifies Policy on Flag-Folding Recitations WASHINGTON -- To ensure burial services at the 125 national cemeteries operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reflect the wishes of Veterans and their families, VA officials have clarified the Department’s policy about recitations made while the U.S. flag is folded at the gravesite of a veteran.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Navy Crew MIA From Vietnam War is Identified The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of five U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been accounted-for and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Doonesbury Creator, Military Bloggers Compile New Book WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2007 - War can inspire great writing, like a series of superlative dispatches from servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan compiled in a new book that offers an arresting glimpse of life on the front lines.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: As War Goes On, US Army Pays A Lot to Retain Soldiers WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US army is spending big money on bonuses designed to attract new recruits and retain its best soldiers in a bid to overcome a reluctance to re-enlist fueled by the Iraq war and the temptations of the private sector.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Panel Urges More Benefits for Veterans WASHINGTON - Veterans disability payments should be increased immediately by up to 25 percent as part of a sweeping overhaul designed to compensate for a wounded warrior’s lost "quality of life," a special commission recommended Wednesday.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Gordon H. Mansfield To Become Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs WASHINGTON - - Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield will become the Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs following the resignation of Secretary Jim Nicholson. Secretary Nicholson tendered his resignation to President Bush on July 17, 2007, to be effective no later than October 1, 2007.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Officials: Bush to Announce Troop Cut WASHINGTON - President Bush will tell the nation Thursday evening that he plans to reduce the American troop presence in Iraq by as many as 30,000 by next summer but will condition those and further cuts on continued progress, The Associated Press has learned.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Education Benefits Run Out For Too Many, Too Often AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFPN) -- Education benefits are still among the top reasons many individuals join the military. Despite this fact, more than 40 percent of Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits go unused each year, according to officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Army Chief: National Guard Vital in Long War SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Aug. 28, 2007 - The National Guard is making a vital contribution to current wars and will continue to be integral as the U.S. military enter a period of persistent conflict, the Army chief of staff said here Aug. 26.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Retired Airmen Don Uniforms Once Again to Teach JROTC Cadets 8/13/2007 - MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) -- More than 1,900 Junior ROTC instructors, who teach at 869 school units throughout the world, finished their initial instructor training here last week.