Jeff,
Thanks for setting up this forum.
Madison Courier has a Military News section, I think it is grest. It has news from the kids getting out of basic to unit deployment.
Hopefully this will gain momentum and local service men and women will be recognized as to where they are stationed as will as their promotions, etc.
I have read on the forums where the parents are proud of their kids and what they are doing.
This will also give the readers info from the VFW and American Legion as the state and national sends out E-Mails.
Thanks Again.

Jeff,
I'll see if I can get ball rolling on the two items you listed.
Veteran's History Project, Luger has done a lot of work this project, I read where some of the kids in this area had also done some work, The schools will be a good place to start. I know some of the WW-2 people have been interviewed, but don't know right off hand who they were, I'll ask Robins and Ford of the VFW and McBeath from the legion.
Maintenance of veteran's headstones at cemeteries: Harold should be able to give me some input as to What, When, and Where to go with this. When I was a scout leader a couple of the boys received their badges for refurishing a cemetery south of town,
The township trustees in Ripley Co. had money for the cemeteries upkeep down there. I'll check with Buell to see what if any is available.
Now don't hold my feet to the fire for a while, I'm going to be out of town for a few days.
Maybe with the help from the schools, Legion, VFW, Scouts, and County People. We can accomplish these two projects. Also if anyone can give us input, it would be deeply appreciated.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Country star Michael Peterson to serve as spokesman for

The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund

INDIANAPOLIS (August 3, 2007) - The nation’s largest veterans organization today announced that country music artist Michael Peterson will serve as the national spokesman for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund.

“Michael Peterson is a staunch supporter of this cause,” said National Commander Paul A. Morin. “I am delighted that he has agreed to champion this great program that benefits the children of our fallen heroes.”

The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund provides college scholarships for children of military personnel killed on duty since Sept. 11, 2001. Peterson has pledged that 50 percent of the profits of his upcoming DVD, “It’s Who We Are,” will go to the fund.

“When it started off, it was just a song, ‘It’s Who We Are,” written for The American Legion National Convention last year,” Peterson said. “After I recorded the song this spring, I saw it move a lot of folks to tears. I wanted to help more people understand and appreciate the immeasurable contribution of The American Legion and so the vision grew beyond just a music video. Simply by hitting ‘play,’ any viewer will gain a broader understanding, in a way that’s highly inviting, of what’s going on with The American Legion. Our goal was to be entertaining, inspirational and highly informational. That was the target, and I think we accomplished that in a way that’s also connected to a higher purpose: raising awareness, recruiting and raising funds for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship.”

The million selling Peterson, whose hits “From Here to Eternity,” “Drink Swear Steal & Lie” and “Too Good To Be True" reached number one on the charts, will be at The American Legion’s 89th National Convention in Reno, held Aug. 24-30. He will be promoting The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund and “It’s Who We Are.”

The “It’s Who We Are” DVD includes interviews with celebrities and Legionnaires, along with public service announcements about The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. It will be available for purchase on August 15 on The American Legion’s website, www.legion.org <http://www.legion.org/>, and by calling 1-866 539-2509. They can also be purchased by sending a check for $12.00 each, which includes shipping and handling, to The American Legion, American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, Michael Peterson DVD, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46206.

With a current membership of 2.7-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

-30-

Let me explain something to you all that most of you aren't aware of. I draw a 10% disability from the VA because I have tinnitus in my ears caused from the excessive noise of spending 20+ years in the boiler rooms aboard Naval vessels.
I am also retired from the Navy and draw a monthly retirement check from the government.
My hearing problem was found during a routine hearing test and the VA determined it to be service related, thus the disability. At the time the check each month was $106.00. That was about 6 years ago. It is now $116 a month.
The only thing is, when I started to recieve the $106, my Navy retirement check DECREASED by that amount. So, actually I AM paying my own disability! The VA says I shouldn't complain because, after all, I am getting $106 a month tax free. Whooptee do!!
The thing that bugs me the most about it is that I served 20+ years and pay my own disability and people who served one tour, or less, and never left the confines of the USA, are drawing a lot bigger percentage without any penalty or cost for them. A lot of these people practically live at the VA Hospital seeing various doctors and having all kinds of tests in order to draw even more free money. I'm not saying they don't deserve their disabilty, but why should I have to pay my own. Let's at least make it equal and pay everyone what is due to them. I should recieve my entire Navy retirement and my disability pay too.
I guess I'm just in a bitching mood today. Thank you for putting up with me.

Commander.
I understand where you are coming from, My father-in-law was in Pattons unit ,WW-2, He came home went to school to be a
barber, after school his eyes started going bad, It got so bad, that his glasses was about a quarter inch thick, His eye doctor told
him that the hole back of this eyes was burned out, go to VA and see what they can do, VA said there was nothing that could be done
he starting receiving 100% disability, after a few years they called him back in and said the eye damage may not been caused by
what he be in,, as military (service) related, cut back to 50 %, then a couple years later cut to 10%,,
I know people that go to VA and they tell me, that all they have to do is act nuts one day a year and they get full disability, Now I can't
say if it is true or not, but I do know that they don't have to work for a living.
I don't know if this info will help, but maybe you tell them that you're going nuts from the ringing in your ears, and see what happens,
The worse,, that could happen is that they would put you in a straight jacket and make you run for a political office,,

Jeff,
I just got back in town after a week of vacation, but before I left, I set up a meeting with the Greensburg Legion Commander to go over
some of the things you asked about,

I was told last week that one the biggest fears our service people has is chance that Al-Qaeda and or the Taliban get their hand on Nuclear Weapons.
Pakistan is on top,, because President Musharraf is a big target for the al-qaeda. because he already has them. Iran is second because they are tring to obtain them.
It is well known that Iran is suppling them with IEDs and EFPs,in Irag. He didn't know(or just didn't say) where the al-qaeda was getting their IED & EFPs from for Afghanistan.
But he said that is was way better, that we keep these people in the mid east, and not let them get to us in the US. again !!!!!!!!!

Hey Jeff,

You think maybe it is an election year?

I got a flier from Congressman Pence in which he proudly claimed to have supported the recent increases in VA services passed by congress. Of course he forgot to mention the last 7 budgets he supported that reduced services. He is probably on safe ground though since the average voter can be distracted by news of what type of dog Paris Hilton is carrying around today. (A Yorkie, by the way.)

Jeff.
ref. 8-1-07 Post,
''''The other has to do with maintenance of veteran's headstones at cemeteries. About all of the older stones are marble, which isn't a good stone to have in the North where water freezes and thaws. The Veteran's Administration will replace worn or damaged stones but there is a paperwork drill to be accomplished with the county veteran's affairs officer.'''''
The boy Scouts are going to do some clean up work, I'll get with them as they get started. I'm getting off to a slow start on this project.

Tree County WTRE -1330
8:00 - 9:00 AM Tuesday Aug.28,
Tom Imel, Service Officer, Greensburg American Legion Post 129
Vaterans or non-vaterans call in and express your opinion on the non-smoking ordinance
Call in to WTRE at no. 812-663-8733
----------------------------------------------------------------

I tried to call in this morning, But all I got was a directory recording.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Legion Blasts 9th Circuit’s Cross Ban

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 10, 2007) - The leader of the nation’s largest veterans organization criticized last week’s decision by the 9th Circuit Court to remove a cross from a World War I veterans memorial in California’s Mojave Desert as the beginning of the “slippery slope of extreme secularism.”

“This is one more prime example of wrong-headed political correctness and one more critical reason why the current Congress must pass the Public Expression of Religion Act,” said American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser. “This is not about freedom of religion. The First Amendment also says Congress shall pass no law ‘prohibiting the free exercise’ of religion. The cross is an important symbol to millions of veterans, some of whom had to make the ultimate sacrifice for this nation.”

Referring to the federal Court’s September 6 decision, Conatser said that across the nation litigation is being brought by the ACLU and other groups attacking the Boy Scouts, the public display of the Ten Commandments and other symbols of America’s religious history. “Today’s lawyers and judges are outlawing the values and religious symbols that the Founding Fathers revered and proclaimed as the very foundation of the American republic,” he said. “Today it’s a memorial. Tomorrow, these same judges can order the removal of crosses on veterans gravestones, the dismissal of military chaplains and the closure of base chapels.”

Conatser pointed out that a loophole in the current law allows the ACLU and other groups to collect millions of dollars in attorney’s fees from the taxpayers, who, by and large, support the memorials.

Congress, in 2004, passed legislation that transferred one acre of the Mojave Desert Memorial on which the cross sits to private ownership, in exchange for five acres of land and thereby effectively removing it from federal jurisdiction. But the circuit court decreed that the federal government couldn’t exchange federal lands for private lands in order to maintain the cross that has been the center of the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial for three quarters of a century.

The American Legion is spearheading a nationwide effort to develop a grassroots groundswell of support to pass legislation in Congress that would amend federal law to prevent the use of the legal system in a manner that extorts money from state and local governments.

“Passage of ‘The Veterans Memorials, Boy Scouts, Public Seals, and Other Public Expressions of Religion Protection Act of 2007’ (PERA) would prevent the ACLU from mugging America’s taxpayers in this manner,” Conatser said. “I hope all Americans who are angry about this, write their senators and representatives and demand that they pass PERA. The bills, H.R. 725 and S. 415 are languishing in the Judiciary Committees of both chambers. It’s time for Congress to make this public law, before other veterans’ memorials are literally desecrated at the whim of judges.”

The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. The Legion’s 2.7 million wartime veterans work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

- 30 -

Media Contacts: Ramona Joyce, 202/263-2982; Cell, 202-445-1161 or Joe March/John Raughter, (317) 630-1253; Cell (317) 748-1926 or (317) 441-8847). This text and a high-resolution photo of Cmdr. Conatser can be downloaded at www.legion.org <http://www.legion.org>.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Legion: Support Surge, Troops, Petraeus

WASHINGTON, DC (September 10, 2007) - The National Commander of the nation’s largest veterans organization today called for “much resolve and patience” by Congress and the American people on the war in Iraq after Multi-National Force Iraq Commander Gen. David Petraeus’s testimony before Congress.

National Commander Marty Conatser voiced The American Legion's continued support for the "surge" in Iraq and the improving security environment.

"Gen. Petraeus forcefully and effectively reported measurable gains to the joint session of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees and his honest and professional assessment reinforced what I had seen in Iraq in the last month," Conatser said.

"General Petraeus's assessment that the military objectives are in large measure being met plus his reasonable proposal for a troop draw down prove the wisdom of the “surge” strategy,” Conatser explained.

He also applauded Gen. Petraeus's view that failure to follow through would be a ‘"rush to failure."’
“I visited Iraq in August and met with troops and Gen. Petraeus,” Conatser said. “There is no doubt in my mind, a premature troop withdrawal from Iraq would be disastrous for the Iraqis and the United States.”

Conatser said the troops he spoke with there said they’ve seen significant change and real improvements in the security environment, echoing what Gen. Petraeus told Congress today.

“The Senate confirmed Gen. Petraeus to change direction in Iraq,” Conatser added. “He’s doing that but change does not happen overnight and his “surge” strategy just became fully implemented in mid-June when the requested reinforcements finally arrived.

“In the broader context, this report to the Congress today demonstrates progress in the global war on terrorism,” the national commander said. “We agree with the Multi-Nation Force Iraq Commander that this will be a long struggle but we support our nation's forces and their leadership for the long haul.”

Two weeks ago, The American Legion unanimously re-affirmed The American Legion’s unwavering support for the war on terrorism during the organization’s 89th National Convention in Reno, Nevada. Resolution 169 also points out that the United States was “suddenly and without provocation, attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001.” It adds, “The global war on terrorism is a just war, aimed at protecting the very foundations of freedom and freedom-loving people everywhere.”

Conatser, a retired sergeant major with the Illinois National Guard, fully supports Resolution 169.
“I am proud that The American Legion passed Resolution 169, which reminds people that supporting the troops also means supporting their mission. Iraq is part of the Global War on Terrorism. I always believed that but after seeing it firsthand, I am more convinced than ever,” he said. “Everything I saw in Iraq last month points to the fact that the “surge” is working.”

The national commander also addressed recent personal attacks on Iraq’s top military commander.
“For anyone or group to portray Gen. Petraeus as a traitor is outrageous and downright despicable,” Conatser said. “The military leader I met with is an honest, dedicated patriot who is succeeding given the very difficult mission before him. He should be commended not condemned for his 35 years of selfless service to our nation.”

With a membership of 2.7-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

--30-

Media Contacts: Ramona Joyce, (202) 263-2982; Joe March, (317) 630-1253; Cell 317-748-1926 or John Raughter (317) 630-1350; (317) 441-8847.

Retired,

"The cross is an important symbol to millions of veterans, some of whom had to make the ultimate sacrifice for this nation."

Certainly, not every veteran shares the belief in Jesus as the Savior. Is it a slippery slope to ask that public money not promote one belief over another on a monument meant to honor ALL veterans?

A young mother and widow of a soldier that died in Iraq was recently notified that the final marker for her husbands grave in a national cemetary had been set. The letter went on to apologize that due to a clerical error, the marker had a Star of David on it instead of a cross even though the records clearly showed that the soldier was a devout Southern Baptist. The letter expressed great regret at the small error but informed her there was no way to correct the mistake once the stone was put in place.

This is a made up story but it shows the lack of sensitivity an incorrect religious marker represents. I would be upset if they decided to put any specific religious symbol on a monument meant to honor people from all walks of life for their service and sacrifice.

If a private group wants to buy some land, build a monument to Christian veterans and include religious artifacts on it they are protected by the same law they are denouncing and I would support their right to do so 100%. To whine about not having their belief system forever memorialized above that of other veterans that gave their lives is mean spirited and seems a bit one-sided to me.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HuzurPapa,

The article is pretty correct in its facts except America is nowhere near the country with the largest military in terms of boots. China owns that disctinction with 4 times our number and there are several other countries that also beat us in shear quantity. We do however dominate the Air and the Navy and the WMD categories.

The fact that we are spread out throughout the world and over 1/3 of all our military is committed to Iraq has had a toll on its members. I served on nuc submarines, which was nowhere near as stressful as a combat post and I know the effects long stretches of duty had on me and my family. I think Webb's bill to require at least a 50/50 ratio for downtime of the troops is not only caring, but essential for the long haul. My brother, who served three tours in Vietnam (he volunteered each time) agrees.

[URL=http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070922/NEWS02/709220335]
FORT CAMPBELL - Before they leave for Iraq, thousands of troops with the 101st Airborne Division line up at laptop computers to take a test: basic math, matching numbers and symbols, and identifying patterns. They press a button quickly to measure response time.
It's all part of a fledgling Army program that records how soldiers' brains work when healthy, giving doctors baseline data to help diagnose and treat them if they come back with a traumatic brain injury - the signature injury of the Iraq war.
"This allows the Army to be much more proactive," said Lt. Col. Mark McGrail, division surgeon for the 101st. "We don't want to wait until the soldier is getting out of the Army to say, 'But I've had these symptoms.'"
The mandatory brain-function tests are starting with the 101st at Fort Campbell and are expected to spread to other military bases in the next couple of months. Commanders at each base will decide whether to adopt the program.
The tests provide a standard, objective measurement for each soldier's reaction time, his short-term memory and other cognitive skills. That data would be used when the soldiers come home to identify mild brain trauma that can often go unnoticed and untreated.
One veterans group wants to ensure the Army doesn't use the results to deny treatment by claiming that soldiers' problems came from pre-existing conditions.
"We certainly think these tests should not be used to reduce the responsibility that the Army has to treat the soldiers who have served," said Jason Forrester, director of policy for Veterans for America.
About 7,500 Fort Campbell soldiers have completed the tests, said Dr. Robert Schlegel, a University of Oklahoma researcher who administers the 10-minute exams to soldiers as they file quickly through a testing center.
One question asks soldiers to memorize patterns on the screen and then identify them later among several different patterns. Other questions require soldiers to match numbers and symbols, or complete simple addition and subtraction problems.
"Everybody functions a bit differently in terms of how quickly they react to things, how well they process things and remember things and so forth," Schlegel said.
Brain injuries caused by explosions have become some of the most common combat wounds suffered in Iraq. Thirty percent of soldiers taken to Walter Reed Army Medical Center since 2003 suffered traumatic brain injuries, according to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center.
The center, which has seven facilities around the country, has seen 2,669 patients between from 2003 to this year. But doctors believe many less obvious brain-injury cases go undetected.
Sgt. Adam Wyatt, 22, has been close to 20 to 30 blasts from homemade bombs, rocket-propelled grenades or mortar fire during his last two deployments. But he's never been directly hit. "The initial shock is a little disorienting," Wyatt said. "Your first thought is seeing if anyone is wounded and suppressing enemy fire."
Soldiers sometimes walk away from explosions with no obvious injuries. But the concussion from the blast can have a lingering effect that is not always immediately apparent.
"They look physically normal, but their neurocognitive performance is off," said Col. Mary Lopez, a physician specializing in occupational therapy.
Most brain injuries are mild, and soldiers can recover with rest and time away from the battlefield. But the military estimates that one-fifth of the troops with these mild injuries will have prolonged or lifelong symptoms requiring continuing care.
The brain tests already have been tried in pilot programs at Fort Bragg, N.C., with paratroopers who often suffer concussions during jumps as well as with some soldiers who have deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia.
But the 101st is the first unit to use them on a large scale for every soldier preparing to deploy. The division is leaving for its third deployment, splitting between battlefronts in Iraq and Afghanistan