INSIDER
Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery receives excellency award
Read full article: Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery receives excellency awardOur region is full of military families and the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery was recognized for their work to keep the cemetery looking its best for the families visiting.
State lawmakers meeting this week about changes to the Virginia military tuition program
Read full article: State lawmakers meeting this week about changes to the Virginia military tuition programVirginia lawmakers are slated to meet later this week to discuss possibly repealing changes made to the stateโs military tuition program.
A Chinese military buff inadvertently bought 4 books of military secrets for under $1
Read full article: A Chinese military buff inadvertently bought 4 books of military secrets for under $1A military history buff in China appears to have made an alarming discovery after picking up four books for less than $1 at a neighborhood recycling station.
Myanmar will start drafting 5,000 people a month into the military soon. Some think of fleeing
Read full article: Myanmar will start drafting 5,000 people a month into the military soon. Some think of fleeingMyanmarโs military government says it will draft 60,000 young men and women yearly for military service under its newly activated conscription law, with call-ups beginning after the April festival marking the countryโs traditional New Year.
Facing setbacks against resistance forces, Myanmar's military government activates conscription law
Read full article: Facing setbacks against resistance forces, Myanmar's military government activates conscription lawMyanmarโs military government has for the first time activated a decade-old conscription law that makes young men and women subject to at least two years of military service if called up, effective immediately.
Israeli military admits killing Palestinian toddler by mistake, closes initial investigation
Read full article: Israeli military admits killing Palestinian toddler by mistake, closes initial investigationThe Israeli military says it has closed an initial investigation into its shooting and killing of a Palestinian toddler in the occupied West Bank earlier this month.
Israeli military raid kills 1 Palestinian, 4 people wounded in separate West Bank shooting attack
Read full article: Israeli military raid kills 1 Palestinian, 4 people wounded in separate West Bank shooting attackPalestinian health officials say that an Israeli military raid into the northern West Bank has sparked a gunfight with militants that killed a young Palestinian man.
Israeli army admits to covert influence campaign in Gaza war
Read full article: Israeli army admits to covert influence campaign in Gaza warThe Israeli military says that it made a โmistakeโ in launching a secretive influence campaign on social media in an effort to improve the publicโs view of Israelโs performance in its devastating war with Gaza militants in 2021.
The Deep Blue Ridge: Army veteran says his wife and horse saved his life
Read full article: The Deep Blue Ridge: Army veteran says his wife and horse saved his lifeA local army veteran is hoping his fight against PTSD through equine therapy inspires other veterans and their families to always find ways to never give up on life.
โDonโt give up, just keep moving forwardโ: Local wounded warrior with a contagious smile
Read full article: โDonโt give up, just keep moving forwardโ: Local wounded warrior with a contagious smileThe road to recovery since that fateful day has been hard, but part of his healing is horseback riding โ something that wasnโt easy at first.
Chicken Salad Chick to offer free meals to veterans, active-duty military on Veteranโs Day
Read full article: Chicken Salad Chick to offer free meals to veterans, active-duty military on Veteranโs DayOn Veteranโs Day this year, Chicken Salad Chick is offering a free meal to all veterans and active-duty military, the company said.
VMIโs highest honor to be awarded to General Peay, former superintendent of 17 years
Read full article: VMIโs highest honor to be awarded to General Peay, former superintendent of 17 yearsGen. J.H. Binford Peay III won all of the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitorsโ votes, and was chosen to be awarded the schoolโs highest honor, the New Market Medal, VMI said.
Photos: Russian forces withdrawing from Kharkiv, but Mariupol looks to be on brink
Read full article: Photos: Russian forces withdrawing from Kharkiv, but Mariupol looks to be on brinkThe city of Mariupol looks like it will be in Russian hands shortly after hundreds of the remaining Ukrainian soldiers were ordered to evacuate.
Veterans, employees react to recommendation of closing Salem VA Medical Center
Read full article: Veterans, employees react to recommendation of closing Salem VA Medical CenterDepartment of Veterans Services released a 52-page report this week, recommending renovations or closing several facilitiesโincluding the Salem Medical Centerโdue to aging infrastructure.
Your vote helped a Lynchburg veterans group win $10K grant to help homeless service members
Read full article: Your vote helped a Lynchburg veterans group win $10K grant to help homeless service membersThe Lynchburg Area Veterans Council announced Tuesday that they won a $10,000 grant from the Homes for Heroes Foundation.
New Zealand won't engage Myanmar in largest free trade bloc
Read full article: New Zealand won't engage Myanmar in largest free trade blocNew Zealand says it will not deal with Myanmar under a major 15-nation trade agreement, the worldโs largest that took effect this year, citing the deadly violence and democratic setbacks in the Southeast Asian country after the military seized power.
Hereโs how you can help a Hill City veterans group win a national grant
Read full article: Hereโs how you can help a Hill City veterans group win a national grantThe Lynchburg Area Veterans Council is one of three national finalists to win a $10,000 grant from the Homes for Heroes Foundation โ and need your vote to help them win.
Lynchburgโs Monument Terrace Troop Rally receives special visitors at Christmas Eve celebration
Read full article: Lynchburgโs Monument Terrace Troop Rally receives special visitors at Christmas Eve celebrationThe group has assembled in the Hill City every Friday for 20 years as a way of showing support for U.S. troops.
Bedford Boys Tribute Center organizes โOperation Bedford Remembersโ for recently deployed troops
Read full article: Bedford Boys Tribute Center organizes โOperation Bedford Remembersโ for recently deployed troopsVolunteers can sign up to adopt a soldier, then receive their name, birth date, and hometown. You can write to your service member using custom stationery and have opportunities to send care packages overseas.
Lynchburgโs Monument Terrace Troop Rally celebrates 20th anniversary, veterans honor original members
Read full article: Lynchburgโs Monument Terrace Troop Rally celebrates 20th anniversary, veterans honor original membersLynchburgโs Monument Terrace Troop Rally marked its 20th anniversary Friday. The veteran group shows support for those who served and active-duty members.
Campbell County group breaks ground on community center to help healing veterans
Read full article: Campbell County group breaks ground on community center to help healing veteransThe complex includes a lounge, kitchen, meeting space, laundry and weight rooms. Itโs a multi-purpose building with the purpose of helping veterans who are healing.
Military display in Lynchburg serves as fundraiser to build Vietnam War museum
Read full article: Military display in Lynchburg serves as fundraiser to build Vietnam War museumThe Vietnam War and Foreign Conflicts Foundation is on a mission to raise one million dollars to build a museum in Nelson County.
Veterans group on 22-hour mission to raise awareness about suicide, brain injuries
Read full article: Veterans group on 22-hour mission to raise awareness about suicide, brain injuriesShepherdโs Men is a group on a weeklong, seven-city journey. Theyโre spending 22 hours at each stop while wearing 22-pound vests -- representing 22 veterans who commit suicide in the United States each day.
Ted Cruz not backing down from tweet criticizing โwoke, emasculatedโ US military
Read full article: Ted Cruz not backing down from tweet criticizing โwoke, emasculatedโ US militaryTed Cruz is pointing the finger at Democrats after receiving backlash over a tweet he published on Thursday morning that said โa woke, emasculated military is not the best idea.โ
โHeโs a hero to our countryโ: Tuskegee Airman from Lynchburg memorialized with flyover
Read full article: โHeโs a hero to our countryโ: Tuskegee Airman from Lynchburg memorialized with flyoverLYNCHBURG, Va. โ A group of pilots flew over a Lynchburg neighborhood Saturday to honor a Tuskegee Airman who died the week before. Feldvary believes itโs important to pay respect to the surviving Tuskegee Airmen while they are still here. โThere are very few World War II veterans alive now,โ Feldvary said. โItโs an incredible honor to pay tribute to a hero and a patriot this way,โ Crider said. โAlfred Farrar, heโs a hero to our country.โThis is the second memorial event for Farrar in Lynchburg, following an event in his honor at Monument Terrace which featured his son, Roy.
Meet this Army captain, recently presented with Bronze Star Medal after deployment during pandemic
Read full article: Meet this Army captain, recently presented with Bronze Star Medal after deployment during pandemicHow familiar are you with what military members do, day in and day out? Of course, all military members deserve our recognition for voluntarily raising a hand and going to bat for our country and our freedom. (Provided by Maximillian Boudreaux)Amid the uncertain times that go hand in hand with a global pandemic, Woodbury was sent overseas. โThe mission is to help sustain logistics and maintenance support operations in Iraq -- more so to help the Iraqi Army sustain themselves,โ Woodbury said. It was the support of my team that enabled me to obtain that Bronze Star,โ Woodbury said.
Most of us can walk into a polling station and vote -- this is what itโs like for deployed military members
Read full article: Most of us can walk into a polling station and vote -- this is what itโs like for deployed military membersItโs an issue that dates back to World War II: Making sure American servicemen and servicewomen have the ability to cast a vote in a presidential election, no matter where theyโre stationed. With the passage of the Soldier Voting Act of 1942, it was settled: Military members would be given easy access to vote. Moran, whoโs currently deployed in Poland, cast her first-ever absentee ballot for this yearโs election. Although voting is a common task for many Americans, for most soldiers, it is a very unorthodox method -- voting overseas, that is, but the process is quite simple. In the 2000 presidential election, Republican nominee George W. Bush relied on 537 ballots to tilt Florida in his direction.
โItโs humbling for me to stand before youโ: Vice President Mike Pence speaks to VMI cadets
Read full article: โItโs humbling for me to stand before youโ: Vice President Mike Pence speaks to VMI cadetsLEXINGTON, Va. โ Vice President Mike Pence addressed cadets at Virginia Military Institute on Thursday about the state of the nationโs military and gave them advice on what it means to lead and serve. โNow more than ever, America needs leaders like VMI to lead our nation forward," said Pence. Pence emphasized that both he and President Donald Trump have the utmost respect for the men and women who serve in the military. โI couldnโt be more proud to be vice president of a president that cares so deeply about the men and women of our armed forces.โ said Pence. Ahead of the 19th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the vice president also took the time to pay tribute to all VMI graduates and armed forces who have served and those who died for the country.
Covington native, Virginia Tech graduate awarded Silver Star for military valor
Read full article: Covington native, Virginia Tech graduate awarded Silver Star for military valorCOVINGTON, Va. An Air Force veteran from the Alleghany Highlands will receive the militarys third-highest honor this week for his actions in Afghanistan. Master Sergeant John Grimesey has been awarded the Silver Star for his bravery during a 2013 battle in Afghanistan. He has also been honored with a Bronze Star for a separate instance of heroism in Afghanistan in 2017. He graduated from Alleghany County High School in 2004 and from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets in 2008. He said the lessons he learned in high school and college prepared him for the scenarios he faced abroad.
Army Reserve member from Roanoke becomes fourth military coronavirus death
Read full article: Army Reserve member from Roanoke becomes fourth military coronavirus deathROANOKE, Va. A Roanoke man and member of the Army Reserve is the fourth military death related to COVID-19, according to Stars and Stripes. Curtis Fort died on July 30 from complications related to COVID-19, according to a spokesperson for the Army Reserve. Fort was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2-319th Cadet Summer Training Battalion in Salem. Fort was decorated with the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon, according to the Army Reserve. A GoFundMe has been created to help with funeral costs.
Federal agents, local streets: A 'red flag' in Oregon
Read full article: Federal agents, local streets: A 'red flag' in OregonPresident Donald Trump says he plans to send federal agents to other cities as well. The Chicago Tribune, citing anonymous sources, reported Monday that Trump planned to deploy 150 federal agents to Chicago. The ACLU of Oregon has sued in federal court over the agents presence in Portland, and the organizations Chicago branch said it would similarly oppose a federal presence. One prominent Republican, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who is from the libertarian-leaning flank of the party, came out publicly against the federal agents. "But the notion that a handful of federal crimes justifies a substantial deployment of federal law enforcement officers to show force on the streets is, to my mind, unprecedented.Federal law enforcement," Vladeck said, "is not a political prop.____Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/gflaccus
US, Canada and Mexico borders to stay closed for travelers
Read full article: US, Canada and Mexico borders to stay closed for travelersWASHINGTON The U.S., Canada and Mexico have agreed to keep their shared borders closed to non-essential traffic until at least late August because of COVID-19. Officials had said in recent days that another 30-day extension was likely before the expiration of the previous 30-day extension. The partial closure restricts crossing to commercial traffic, people returning to their home country and other travel deemed essential. The extension agreed to by the three countries would keep the border closed until Aug. 21. The border restrictions are intended to maintain the commercial cargo traffic that is vital to the economies of all three countries.
Movement for Black Lives seeks sweeping legislative changes
Read full article: Movement for Black Lives seeks sweeping legislative changesFILE - In this May 31, 2020, file photo, demonstrators kneel in a moment of silence outside the Long Beach Police Department in Long Beach during a protest over the death of George Floyd. Proposed federal legislation that would radically transform the nation's criminal justice system through such changes as eliminating agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration and the use of federal surveillance technology is set to be unveiled Tuesday, July 7, by the Movement for Black Lives. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
Movement for Black Lives seeks sweeping legislative changes
Read full article: Movement for Black Lives seeks sweeping legislative changesProposed federal legislation that would radically transform the nation's criminal justice system through such changes as eliminating agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration and the use of federal surveillance technology is set to be unveiled Tuesday, July 7, by the Movement for Black Lives. Dubbed the BREATHE Act, the legislation is the culmination of a project led by the policy table of the Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of more than 150 organizations. The proposed changes are sweeping and likely to receive robust pushback from lawmakers who perceive the legislation as too radical. The polling found that the majority of Americans say the criminal justice system needs major changes, including many saying it needs a complete overhaul. We are a generation that wants to make sure that the needs of all Black people are met, Cullors said.
Critics of US-Taliban deal say militants can't be trusted
Read full article: Critics of US-Taliban deal say militants can't be trustedIt did give critics of the deal another reason to say the Taliban shouldnt be trusted. So far the U.S. has reduced U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan from 12,000 to 8,600 a target reached ahead of schedule. Critics of the deal like Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., say the agreement is simply a cover for withdrawal.I have serious concerns with how this agreement has been pursued," Waltz said. I cant talk about the things that I have seen, Pompeo said on Fox News Channels Special Report. The U.N. report also reported six meetings between al-Qaida and Taliban senior leaders during the past 12 months while U.S.-Taliban talks were ongoing.
Supreme Court declines to hear border wall challenge
Read full article: Supreme Court declines to hear border wall challengeWASHINGTON The Supreme Court is leaving in place a decision that rejected environmental groups' challenge to sections of wall the Trump administration is building along the U.S. border with Mexico. The high court on Monday declined to hear an appeal involving construction of 145 miles (233 kilometers) of steel-bollard walls along the border in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. But a lower court dismissed the case. This is not the first time the Supreme Court has weighed in on border wall construction during the Trump administration. Last year, the high court gave the administration the go-ahead to tap billions of dollars in Pentagon funds to replace barriers along the border with Mexico in Arizona, California and New Mexico with more robust fencing.
July Fourth celebration will include East Coast flyovers
Read full article: July Fourth celebration will include East Coast flyoversWASHINGTON Military planes will conduct flyovers in a handful of major cities along the East Coast as part of this year's July Fourth celebration amid the coronavirus pandemic. From there, the military planes will join with other aircraft participating in the Salute to America" over Washington, D.C. Washington has held an Independence Day celebration for decades. President Donald Trump added to the mix of events last year with a speech and a display of tanks and warplanes. It said the president will deliver remarks, and the ceremony will include music, military demonstrations and flyovers. Trump plans to kick off Independence Day festivities with a showy display at Mount Rushmore the day before.
Nominee to be CIA watchdog says he'll stand up to Trump
Read full article: Nominee to be CIA watchdog says he'll stand up to TrumpThomson's nomination as CIA inspector general comes as Trump is attacking the inspector general and whistleblower system. Trump has fired or replaced inspectors general across the federal government in recent months, including the former watchdogs for the intelligence community and State Department. "If I was fired for doing my job in a lawful way, in an appropriate way, then I would be fired,'' Thomson said. The White House Counsel's office interviewed him before his nomination, but he did not speak personally with Trump, Thomson said. "I never perceived any kind of loyalty test at all with regard to the president,'' Thomson said.
CIA unit that crafts hacking tools didn't protect itself
Read full article: CIA unit that crafts hacking tools didn't protect itselfSen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, obtained the redacted report from the Justice Department after it was introduced as evidence in a court case this year involving stolen CIA hacking tools. The 2017 report was produced one year after the theft of sensitive tools for hacking into adversaries' networks that were developed by the CIA's specialized Center for Cyber Intelligence. The disclosure of the hacking tools featured prominently in the trial this year of Joshua Schulte, a former CIA software engineer accused of stealing a large trove of the agencys hacking tools and handing it to WikiLeaks. He was convicted in March of only minor charges after a jury deadlocked on more serious espionage counts against him, including the theft of the hacking tools. The CIAs cyber tools were gone in an instant.
US Air Force plane crashes into North Sea
Read full article: US Air Force plane crashes into North SeaLONDON A U.S. Air Force fighter plane with one pilot on board crashed into the North Sea on Monday. The status of the pilot wasn't known. The F-15C Eagle from the 48th Fighter Wing was on a routine training mission from RAF Lakenheath when it crashed at 9:40 a.m. local time (4:40 a.m. EDT). The cause of the crash wasn't immediately clear. Lakenheath is a Royal Air Force base that hosts the U.S. Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing, known as the Liberty Wing.
Lafayette Park near White House: A soapbox for social unrest
Read full article: Lafayette Park near White House: A soapbox for social unrestIn this June 1, 2020, photo, police stand in smoke as they clear the area Lafayette Park as demonstrators gather to protest the death of George Floyd, near the White House in Washington. The Trump administrations use of smoke bombs and pepper balls to rout civil rights demonstrators from Lafayette Park near the White House has added a new chapter to the sites storied history as a soapbox for social and political unrest. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON The Trump administration's use of smoke bombs and pepper balls to rout civil rights demonstrators from Lafayette Park near the White House has emboldened protesters and added a new chapter to the site's storied history as soapbox for social and political unrest. Police action at those locations didnt deter demonstrators from returning and Levy said he doesnt think it will keep protesters away from Lafayette Park either. Law enforcement officials say dozens of officers were injured during protests in the park that Monday and the previous weekend.
President Trump says no change at military bases named for Confederate officers
Read full article: President Trump says no change at military bases named for Confederate officersWASHINGTON โ President Donald Trump on Wednesday said his administration will "not even consider" changing the name of any of the 10 Army bases that are named for Confederate Army officers. Supporters of disassociating military bases from Confederate Army officers argue that they represent the racism and divisiveness of the Civil War era and glorify men who fought against the United States. Ten major Army installations are named for Confederate Army officers, mostly senior generals, including Robert E. Lee. Few voices in the military are openly defending the link to Confederate symbols, but some of the bases named for Confederate officers are legendary in their own right. Fort Bragg was named for Braxton Bragg, a native North Carolinian and Confederate general with a reputation for bravery and mediocre leadership.
Barr says he didnt give tactical order to clear protesters
Read full article: Barr says he didnt give tactical order to clear protestersBarrs comments in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday were his most detailed explanation yet of what unfolded outside the White House earlier this week. They come after the White House and others said repeatedly that the attorney general ordered officers to clear the park. Earlier in the week, White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told reporters it was Barr who made the decision to push back the security perimeter outside the White House on Monday morning. Barr said it was a Park Police tactical commander an official he never spoke to who gave the order for the law enforcement agencies to move in and clear the protesters. Members of the National Guard were present but didn't engage with the protesters, Barr said.
No 'silver lining': Trump faces voter backlash amid crises
Read full article: No 'silver lining': Trump faces voter backlash amid crisesHe later watched with dismay Trump's hard-line response to the police killing of George Floyd and the civil unrest that followed. Lund, who is white, now plans to vote a straight Democratic ticket and rejects any effort by Trump to put a silver lining on the nation's pain. "Even the most die-hard Trump supporters are exhausted.Trump is leading a nation grappling with unemployment rates not seen since the Great Depression. She said she wasn't going to support Trump before Floyds death but is now considering recruiting new Democratic voters. But back in Wisconsin, a state Trump narrowly carried four years ago, the restaurant worker Lund isn't so sure.
Barr says he didnt give tactical order to clear protesters
Read full article: Barr says he didnt give tactical order to clear protestersBarrs comments in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday were his most detailed explanation yet of what unfolded outside the White House earlier this week. They come after the White House and others said repeatedly that the attorney general ordered officers to clear the park. Earlier in the week, White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told reporters it was Barr who made the decision to push back the security perimeter outside the White House on Monday morning. Barr said it was a Park Police tactical commander an official he never spoke to who gave the order for the law enforcement agencies to move in and clear the protesters. Members of the National Guard were present but didn't engage with the protesters, Barr said.
Esper opposes using Insurrection Act for law enforcement
Read full article: Esper opposes using Insurrection Act for law enforcement(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)WASHINGTON Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday he opposes use of the Insurrection Act, which would allow President Donald Trump to use active-duty military forces for law enforcement duties in containing street protests. But interest in exerting that extraordinary federal authority appeared to be waning in the White House. Trump added, (thank you President Trump! He was also angry about the news coverage revealing he had been rushed to the White House bunker during Fridays protests. They had been in Washington to coordinate with federal law enforcement officials but were diverted to the White House to brief Trump on military preparations, the officials said.
Trump, chafing at oversight, takes aim at inspectors general
Read full article: Trump, chafing at oversight, takes aim at inspectors generalStill, he was stunned by a Friday night phone call saying President Donald Trump had fired him. He demoted Glenn Fine as acting Defense Department watchdog, stripping him of oversight of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief effort. Democrats have raised questions about whether a Transportation Department acting inspector general who was removed was replaced for political reasons, too. All presidents take umbrage at inspector general oversight, a post-Watergate concept meant to root out waste, fraud and corruption. Chuck McCullough, the intelligence community inspector general under Obama, said he maintained a sparsely decorated office, aware he could be fired any time.
Inquiry into Russia probe carries political consequences
Read full article: Inquiry into Russia probe carries political consequencesBut that doesn't mean the investigation, led by U.S. Attorney John Durham of Connecticut, doesn't carry its own political consequences. He was named last year by Barr to investigate the origins of the Russia investigation. Durham's investigation is one of multiple inquiries the department has undertaken in connection with the FBI's probe into potential coordination between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign. In the statement, released through the Justice Department, Durham said he disagreed with the inspector general about the investigation being properly predicated. Trump is likely to seize on any modicum of questionable activity during the FBIs counterintelligence probe, which morphed into special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation.
Pentagon's No. 2 IG official resigns after being passed over
Read full article: Pentagon's No. 2 IG official resigns after being passed over2 official in the Pentagon's office of inspector general, Glenn Fine, resigned Tuesday, several weeks after he was effectively removed as head of a special board to oversee auditing of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus economic relief package. In April, Trump also fired Michael Atkinson, the intelligence community inspector general who forwarded to Congress a whistleblower complaint that ultimately led to the presidents impeachment in the House. A spokeswoman for the Pentagon's Office of Inspector General, Dwrena Allen, said Fine was not asked to resign. 2 official in 2015 and had previously been inspector general at the Department of Justice from 2000 to 2011. Although O'Donnell is now the acting inspector general at the Pentagon, Trump has nominated Jason Abend to be the permanent IG.
Here is how you can show your support on this unique Memorial Day
Read full article: Here is how you can show your support on this unique Memorial DayAnd Monday marks Memorial Day, the federal holiday in the U.S. for honoring and mourning the military personnel whoโve died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Itโs a great way to show your followers that this day means more to you than just a barbecue or the day off work. Another neat way to honor the ultimate sacrifice is to create an online memorial for a loved one with the Veterans Legacy Memorial Website. If you really want to show your support, hang up an American flag outside your home or perhaps honor the day with a sign or sidewalk chalk in your front yard. Thatโs likely the easiest way to honor the day while still socially distancing and following CDC guidelines.
Think you know your military battle history? See your rank on this quiz
Read full article: Think you know your military battle history? See your rank on this quizEven though every day is one to recognize those who have served our country, Memorial Day rightfully highlights the sacrifices military personnel have made for centuries. Itโs also a good opportunity to revisit interesting tidbits of past battles, some of which are in the quiz below. Think you can rank high when it comes to knowledge of past military battles? Then try your hand at our quiz.
Federal coronavirus testing plan puts burden on states
Read full article: Federal coronavirus testing plan puts burden on statesWASHINGTON The Trump administrations new strategy for coronavirus testing puts much of the burden on states while promising to provide supplies such as swabs and material to transport specimens. The plan, which was delivered Sunday to members of Congress, drew harsh criticism Monday from Democrats. In a joint letter, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. and Washington Sen. Patty Murray said the administration still does not have a serious plan for increasing testing to stop the spread of the virus.The report comes as the U.S. death toll from the pandemic is approaching 100,000. The HHS document, which The Washington Post first reported, recommends that all states have an objective of testing a minimum of 2 percent of their population in May and June.The Democratic lawmakers, who released the HHS report along with their joint letter, said it confirms that President Trumps national testing strategy is to deny the truth that there arent enough tests and supplies, reject responsibility and dump the burden onto the states.The Trump Administration still does not take any responsibility for ramping up our nations testing capacity, instead pushing the burden onto the states forcing states to compete with each other to procure vital supplies to administer tests from the private market, the lawmakers wrote. They also called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to act on the $3 trillion virus release package passed earlier this month by the House, saying it would deliver a clear strategy and $75 billion for the testing and contact tracing necessary to stop the spread of this vicious virus.
Quest for `super-duper missile pits US against key rivals
Read full article: Quest for `super-duper missile pits US against key rivalsPresident Donald Trump calls them super-duper" missiles though theyre better known as hypersonic weapons. Critics argue that hypersonic weapons would add little to the United States ability to deter war. Trump occasionally mentions his interest in hypersonic weapons, sometimes without using the term. He added, "I call it the super-duper missile. He said he heard it travels 17 times faster than any other U.S. missile. Russia last December said its first hypersonic missile unit had become operational.
Annie Glenn, 100, famed astronauts widow, dies of COVID-19
Read full article: Annie Glenn, 100, famed astronauts widow, dies of COVID-19Her husband, John Glenn, died in 2016 after an extraordinary life that also included breaking the transcontinental speed record and serving as a Democratic U.S. senator from Ohio. During WW II, the Korean war and two flights into outer space, Annie patiently waited for her John to come home, Butland said. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Annie Glenn Award was created to honor people who overcome a communication disorder. The university bestows an Annie Glenn Leadership Award annually. The Glenns served on the board of the college, now Muskingum University, and Annie Glenn was named a distinguished alumni fellow in speech communications.
Space Force unveils flag; Trump touts 'super-duper missile'
Read full article: Space Force unveils flag; Trump touts 'super-duper missile'President Donald Trump stands as Chief of Space Operations at US Space Force Gen. John Raymond, second from left, and Chief Master Sgt. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)WASHINGTON The U.S. Space Force the newest branch of the armed services now has its own flag. Defense Department officials presented President Donald Trump with the Space Force flag during a short Oval Office event on Friday. The Space Force, which was officially established in December, is the first new military service since the U.S. Air Force was established in 1947. The 16,000 airmen and civilians that make up the Space Force technically remain part of the Air Force, which previously oversaw offensive operations in space.
Donโt fall for it: Army Recruiting says military draft texts arenโt real
Read full article: Donโt fall for it: Army Recruiting says military draft texts arenโt realJust a heads up: The U.S. Army is not sending out text messages to tell people theyโve been chosen for a military draft, officials from Recruiting Command said Wednesday. Even if there were a draft, itโs not a decision made by U.S. Army Recruiting Command. The Selective Service System, a separate agency outside of the Department of Defense, is the organization that manages registration for the Selective Service, officials said. The Selective Service System is conducting business as usual. Registering for the Selective Service does not enlist you into the military.