http://www.xdtalk.com/forums This forum is dedicated to the proud men and women who are a part of the five branches of the US Military and for all Veterans who have proudly served the U.S. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:48:30 GMT vBulletin 5 http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.xdtalk.com/forums http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/136308-thou-peace.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:06:10 GMT It seems to me that there are some who need to understand the sacrifice that a few are making to keep us safe and keep our way of life in tact. I will as the information comes to me post the names and other information, as released by DOD, of those who have made the untimate sacrifice for all of us. This thread will honor their memory. The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. *Spc. Joseph M. Lewis, 26, of Terrell, Texas died on Nov. 17 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.* It seems to me that there are some who need to understand the sacrifice that a few are making to keep us safe and keep our way of life in tact. I will as the information comes to me post the names and other information, as released by DOD, of those who have made the untimate sacrifice for all of us.

This thread will honor their memory.


The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Joseph M. Lewis, 26, of Terrell, Texas died on Nov. 17 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash. ]]> usmamg http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/136308-thou-peace.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/136170-most-interesting-strangest-part-military-war-movie-you-ever-saw.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:24:55 GMT The other day, I was watching the movie "Valkerie" and thought it was a great movie. One of the most interesting parts of the movie was when the plan was being enacted. The scene that struck me the most was when it showed German soldiers arresting National Socialist's. It was something you don't see everyday and was somewhat fascinating.

I also saw another movie on TV a loooong time ago (and don't know the name of it) Where it was about sailor's fighting in the Italian Navy in WWII. It was really pretty interesting. We don't see alot of movies from the Italian point of view, and I think we sometime forget they were on the side of the Axis in the beginning of the war. We also forget that the Italians had a pretty bad Army, but did possess a very powerful Navy, that actually caused the British alot of trouble.

Anyone else remember a part or a war movie, or military film that they found interesting/unusual/fascinating? ]]> ah8176 http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/136170-most-interesting-strangest-part-military-war-movie-you-ever-saw.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/136131-guess-who-refuses-salute-his-flag.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:05:34 GMT *This post was in error ... The President acted honorably on Veterans Day! Image: http://www.truthorfiction.com/images/OBAMAARLINGTONSALUTE.jpg * This post was in error ... The President acted honorably on Veterans Day!

]]> Radio Relay http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/136131-guess-who-refuses-salute-his-flag.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/136049-separation-anxiety.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:41:53 GMT Who here has decided to get out of the service only to realize it as a huge mistake?

After almost a year out it finally dawns on me. So I walked back down to the recruiters 214 in hand plus all my page 13s and had a chat with them about getting back in. Let's just say the chat was less than hopeful as they have never done a prior-service reenlistment. They say I need to track down my pre-separation physical paperwork, but can't offer me any insight on who to call about recovering that paperwork. Do I call VA, former squadron's admin, or former base medical? I figure there's gotta be some sailors out there who've been through this, right? ]]> XDoug45 http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/136049-separation-anxiety.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135649-imposter-gets-caught.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:23:26 GMT California Man Charged for Wearing Unearned Military Medals - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

I have a feeling that's going to leave a mark. ]]> Cannibul http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135649-imposter-gets-caught.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135637-senate-bill-669-our-vets.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:46:16 GMT The current laws state that any head trauma, including a concussion (i.e. battle injury such as caused from an IED) will prohibit any veteran from legally owning a gun. S.669 would lift many restrictions currently in place. It seems not perfect, but is less limiting and gives vets a chance to regain their firearms. I have also added a note about H.R. 808, which all I can say is WTF??? Bills like this just reduces any credibility of our government and politicians that think up this skunk crap. read on and make some phone calls.... NVXDRanger... *S. 669* (Burr): This bill would protect veterans by first requiring a finding by a judge or magistrate that an individual is mentally incompetent before his guns are taken away under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This would replace the current method, which has resulted in the disarmament of more than 100,000 veterans by government psychiatrists, who have issued opinions claiming that PTSD symptoms require a returning veteran to get help to manage his financial affairs. AND THEN WE HAVE THIS PILE OF SKUNK CRAP.... *H.R. 808*: This bill would create a Department of Peace, which would be tasked with, among other things, analyzing policies with respect to “tools of violence, including handguns.” The current laws state that any head trauma, including a concussion (i.e. battle injury such as caused from an IED) will prohibit any veteran from legally owning a gun. S.669 would lift many restrictions currently in place. It seems not perfect, but is less limiting and gives vets a chance to regain their firearms.

I have also added a note about H.R. 808, which all I can say is WTF???
Bills like this just reduces any credibility of our government and politicians that think up this skunk crap.

read on and make some phone calls....

NVXDRanger...

S. 669 (Burr): This bill would protect veterans by first requiring a finding by a judge or magistrate that an individual is mentally incompetent before his guns are taken away under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This would replace the current method, which has resulted in the disarmament of more than 100,000 veterans by government psychiatrists, who have issued opinions claiming that PTSD symptoms require a returning veteran to get help to manage his financial affairs.


AND THEN WE HAVE THIS PILE OF SKUNK CRAP....

H.R. 808: This bill would create a Department of Peace, which would be tasked with, among other things, analyzing policies with respect to “tools of violence, including handguns.” ]]> NVXD http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135637-senate-bill-669-our-vets.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135493-warriors-song.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:11:59 GMT YouTube - The Warrior Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTs6a0ORdQU) YouTube - The Warrior Song ]]> mark5019 http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135493-warriors-song.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135488-happy-234th-birthday-marines.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:33:27 GMT Semper Fi. Semper Fi. ]]> akmjolnir http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135488-happy-234th-birthday-marines.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135259-cool-poem.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:16:02 GMT Thought this poem was pretty cool. Don't know author, or origin:

I stood up
I showed up
I stepped forward
I raised my right hand
I stood in the gap
I walked in the fire

I did not run
I did not hide
I did not dodge
I did not evade

Consequently... ...

I have nothing to prove
No one to convince
Those who matter already know
Those who don't, never will ]]> Radio Relay http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135259-cool-poem.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135258-nov-11-a.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:03:08 GMT Image: http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm192/radio_relay/thveterans-day4.gif *Thank You, Veterans!*
Thank You, Veterans! ]]> Radio Relay http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135258-nov-11-a.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135128-immediate-action-all-military-retirees.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:25:39 GMT I just received last evening, and
it reads like a horror story. I can't
vouch for anything in this missive,
but knowing the way things are
headed with our current
administration, and our congress designing new
health care plans that weigh in
more and more every time they
check them, this doesn't surprise
me one bit. My suggestion is to
read this over very carefully, click
on the two links for more
information, and do as suggested.....
write your congressmen/women
many times over and let them know
how you feel about this abomnation.
My experience has taught me to
send an actual letter via snail mail
for best results. I get no answers with
email. Let me hear from you if you
find out anything that is different
or contrary to this letter, so I can
then inform those who I sent this
to. Thank you.


Ed




Please pass on to all your military retired friends so they can be educated on how the "health care reform" will change our tricare benefits. Read article at very bottom of e-mail string for more information.

This is true. It is on pages 77, 172, 218, and 434. You have to dig to see the charges. We (retirees) would lose the Medicare for life benefit and would have to pay.. We would lose TRICARE as a total care package. We would not be allowed to keep TRICARE so when Obama stands and says if you like what you have you can keep it, he lies.

This is a "Heads Up" on a battle we are facing now and down the road with the new Administration. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has already drafted proposed legislation that would basically reduce our TRICARE for Life benefits to a system whereby we pay deductibles and co-pays up to $6,301 the first year for you and your spouse, with future years being indexed to increase with inflation.


What can we do? The article below, obtained from an Air Force Association and written by BG Bob Clements, best describes what we can do. Please read it and check the links for CBO language and do what Bob says-Send this email to every Military Retiree you know and write and email your Congressman often. For those of you that might have voted for "Change", you should do it more than often!


TRICARE FOR LIFE'S FUTURE....


TRICARE For Life was instituted to correct the broken promise that military retirees would receive free health care coverage for life and it covers the Medicare co-pay. Now a heavy assault has begun oVeterans'/Retirees' benefits to pay for other programs our President promised during the campaign. An it is a high priority of his administration. The one item of most interest to Retired Military is in Article 189. If approved by Congress the first assault wave would hit in 2011 and would hit hard. It would initiate cost sharing to require retirees to pay the first $525 of medical cost and 50% of the next $4,725 for a first year cost of $2,888 per person. It would be indexed to increase with inflation. A reason given for this action (for PR effect) is "overuse" by Retirees.

For those of you who are covered by TFL you will want to pay attention (Below) to what BG Bob Clements has surfaced about the future of TFL. In any case, on page 189 of the Congressional Budget Office report, see the note below on how to get to that spot, there is a strong recommendation to eventually eliminate the program as it is too expensive. Just another move to slight those of us who dedicated much of our adult lives to the defense of our country.

Strongly recommend that you contact your elected officials and register your strong opposition to the elimination of the TFL program. Heads-up from BG Bob Clements, USAF Ret (P38 Bob) The following has been added to the Congressional Budget Office Web Site www.cbo.gov/ a. Budget, Options, Volume 1: Health Care (www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=9925)


For those who have never opened one of these web sites from OMB :
1. double click on the above URL
2. click on PDF
3. click on the binoculars
4. do a search for TFL


Now here it is folks and I will guarantee if you sit around on your behind and do nothing about it as they bring these options forward this coming year, you will lose one of the best health care benefits that the Medicare eligible retired military have..It is short of the promises made that we fought so hard for back in the late 90s and early 2000s but it is still the best program that anyone in the United States has, bar none.


People who are professionals always look for the channel of least resistance when it comes to cutting money out of the Federal and DOD budget. I can tell you this straight on, military retirees are one of those channels of least resistance noted for sitting around, doing nothing, and waiting for ole Joe to do it for them. You had better wake up. Your medical benefits are prime target. If you lose them, you have nobody to blame but yourself. Let me repeat that ... you have nobody to blame but yourself.

The way to secure your benefits is to write to your members of Congress and to keep writing and writing and writing. ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH!! Keep repeating the above statement until you are blue in the face.


Now I'm going to make one more statement to all of you younger people out there who are not yet eligible for TRICARE for Life. HEALTH CARE WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME THE DOMINATING FACTOR IN YOUR LIFE. Remember that . . . . it will impact you big time with the utmost in cruelty unless you are fortunate enough to die from a heart attack or get run over by a truck. The service organizations will put up a fight, but, they will need your help and can't do it by themselves. I hope this makes it clear as to what you can expect if you do nothing. To show you how stupid these professionals can be at times just read the data on the noted sites closely. You will see that in spite of the MTFs (Military Treatment Facility) need to get patients back to keep their doctors busy and the hospitals from going to clinic status, these people from OMB would employ a means to keep retirees from using MTF facilities by charging them a fee for services. How dumb can you get. Even if you are an Obama fan, and believe that changeth cometh, TFL option from OMB will not go away. They need the money they spend on you for other programs for people who produce nothing but votes to keep their boss in office. If you know of anyone who is Retired Military, Please forward this on to them.

Remember- TFL is an "Earned Benefit" that's been granted by a previous Congress.

FYI ]]> Ed Ely http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/135128-immediate-action-all-military-retirees.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134792-free-lunch-vets.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:32:36 GMT http://applebees.com/vetsDay/default.aspx http://applebees.com/vetsDay/default.aspx ]]> Bluto http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134792-free-lunch-vets.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134673-you-last-visited-05-08-2009-06-12-pm.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:53:20 GMT It's been a while since I've been on here. I joined the Navy and was at basic and then A school. I did the reserves, but am going to try to go FTS, anyway that's it. ]]> dsr30 http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134673-you-last-visited-05-08-2009-06-12-pm.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134643-world-war-ii-bombardier-wings.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:19:51 GMT

Can anyone Identify this pin? I've been googling for about an hour or so and found a similar pin which tells me it may be " World War II Amico sterling silver 3.0" Bombardier USAAF U.S. Army Air Force military pin". I'm not familiar with WWII memorabilia and not sure how to begin to find out more about the pin it's rarity and value to a collector. Thanks in advance for any info provided. ]]> Mr1ncred1ble http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134643-world-war-ii-bombardier-wings.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134306-free-chow-applebees.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:05:26 GMT Eat Free at Applebee's

Week of October 26, 2009
Military veterans and active-duty servicemembers will be able to eat for free at any Applebee's across the U.S. on Veterans Day, Wed., Nov. 11, 2009. There will be six entrées from the menu to choose from. Guests will be asked to show one or more of the following as proof of service: a U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, a photograph in uniform, or wearing a uniform in person. For more information about Veterans Day at Applebee's, visit the Applebee's website at www.applebees.com/vetsday. A complete listing of all Applebee's locations is available at www.applebees.com. ]]> V Man http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134306-free-chow-applebees.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134092-new-subcompact-rifle.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:46:27 GMT Army 'Excited' About New Subcompact Gun

October 16, 2009
Military.com|by Christian Lowe



Despite initial industry suspicion that the Army would let the effort die a slow death, the service is moving forward with the development of a compact weapon that shoots like a rifle but slings like a sub gun.
According to the Army official in charge of fielding new weapons for the service, the search for a so-called "subcompact individual weapon system" is moving ahead in earnest. In May, the Army sponsored a user evaluation where Soldiers put subcompact weapons through their paces to see if the idea would stick.
And at least for the brass running the show, it did.
"I'm excited about the subcompact," said Col. Doug Tamilio, the Army program manager for Soldier weapons, during an Oct. 15 interview with Military.com. "There are a lot of Soldiers today who do not need to carry either a carbine or an M-16, but yet a pistol may just not be enough."
Read more on the Army’s search for a new rifle.
The Army's preliminary evaluation tested a host of weapons in different scenarios and conditions, their accuracy at different ranges and how well Joes could control the small weapons with a big punch while firing.
"We tested how Soldiers worked with those weapons and what seems to work form, fit and function better than others," Tamilio explained. "We got some great data on that."
Though Tamilio wouldn't say who participated in the evaluation, an industry source said that about six manufacturers may have submitted weapons for the shoot.
The search for a weapon that delivers a Mike Tyson punch in Sugar Ray Leonard package was included in an Army solicitation last year for a possible alternative to the M-4 carbine. The solicitation left open size, weight, barrel length and caliber, but many companies had already developed so-called personal defense weapons, or PDWs, for contract security teams and other covert operators.
"We found out a lot of good things," Tamilio said of the early summer evaluation. "There are a lot of good weapons out there [and] Soldiers can hit accurately, hit very well with all of the weapons that were out there."
"So now it comes down to what are the best parts of all of these?"
Officials with the Army's soldier weapons office said the Army Infantry School is working on final requirements for the subcompact weapon, and while it may be two years before a Joe commanding a supply convoy gets to sling one of these bantam bad boys, Army officials are moving with deliberate speed to get the program in gear.
"We got a lot of great data," Tamilio added. "So, now as the Infantry School writes the requirement they'll be more informed on what they're looking for."
Only a couple months before the Army's subcompact evaluation, industry insiders were grumbling that the Army would likely lose interest in the initiative since it was part of a much larger, more expensive push to look at alternatives to the M-4 carbine.
According to Tamilio, the so-called "Improved Carbine" program is stuck in bureaucratic and budgetary limbo. Top Army generals are still bandying about the requirements developed by the Infantry School, but Tamilio expects those to be resolved "very shortly." Then it goes to Pentagon evaluators for their chop before the Army starts to look at competitors' guns.
"There are a couple comments that they are trying to adjudicate as we speak," Tamilio said of the Army's deliberations.
"To some people [the issues] are fundamental, to other people they're on the margins - it depends on who you talk to," he added, declining to be more specific.
The service is also waiting for the final version of the fiscal 2010 Pentagon budget to be signed by the president, releasing nearly $10 million to start the program.
"At the end of that process, I'll be in a good position to start executing the program," Tamilio said. "Once we get that [Pentagon] approved requirement ... we'll be moving along at our original timeline. We're excited about that still."
Army officials have said that if all the benchmarks are met, Joes could potentially see a new rifle or redesigned M-4 by 2012. ]]> psc http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134092-new-subcompact-rifle.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134091-american-zero.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:40:10 GMT Navy's Reprimand of Leader Not Enough

October 24, 2009
The Virginian-Pilot


The father of a Sailor who killed herself in the wake of an investigation into hazing abuses in a Navy dog-handling unit in Bahrain says the ouster of the alleged ringleader from the Navy is a good start but doesn't go far enough.
The Navy said Wednesday that Senior Chief Petty Officer Michael Toussaint, a dog handler now assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Development Group in Virginia Beach, has received a letter of censure from the secretary of the Navy and will be forced into early retirement.
Toussaint, who led the Bahrain unit until March 2006, was at the center of a 2007 command investigation that documented more than 90 instances of abuse, including Sailors being ordered to simulate homosexual sex in training videos, hogtied to chairs and force-fed dog treats.
Toussaint was not prosecuted and was promoted after transferring out of the unit. He has been unavailable for comment.
"He needs to go to the brig," Chris Young said in an interview Thursday.
Young, of Alpha, Ill., is the father of Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Valdivia, the second in command of the Bahrain unit under Toussaint. Valdivia, 27, killed herself in January 2007 after being relieved of her duties and told that she might be held responsible for some of the alleged misconduct.
Other Sailors in the unit have said Valdivia appeared handcuffed to a bed, covered only in a sheet, in one of the videotaped "training scenarios" that Toussaint organized.
Valdivia's father said she was bullied by Toussaint.
"If my daughter didn't do what he told her to do, he would embarrass her in front of everybody in the kennel, belittle her," Young said. "Everybody who was friends with Jennifer tells me the same story: She was the fall person. She was the scapegoat."
Valdivia, who had been placed in charge of the unit after Toussaint's transfer, was called into an office by a superior officer on Jan. 12, 2007, and "was told to pack her bags -- she was going to the brig," Young said.
That same day -- a Friday preceding a three-day holiday weekend -- she posted a final message on her MySpace Web page: "Tired of being blamed for other people's mistakes. Carry on smartly now." That evening, she killed herself in her living quarters by inhaling carbon monoxide from a charcoal grill.
Young's account of what happened that day is backed up by Joseph Rocha, a former Sailor who acknowledged being gay and left the Navy. He has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from two years of abuse in the Bahrain unit.
"It became common knowledge on the base that Val had been brought in and threatened," Rocha said, referring to Valdivia. "She was treated very unkindly by the chain of command. It was irresponsible to deliver that kind of threat right before a long holiday weekend."
Her father said he thinks Valdivia was driven to suicide by fear that an exemplary military record -- she had been the Bahrain unit's Sailor of the Year in 2005 -- would be indelibly stained.
"She worked so hard to get what she got, and they were going to take it away," he said.
"Somebody has to answer for this."

__________________________________
A letter of censure...are you serious? This azzwipe should have been court martialed and deep sixed! ]]> psc http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134091-american-zero.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134090-american-hero.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:27:22 GMT Portrait Does Justice to a Soldier's Sacrifice -- Sphere News, Opinion and Analysis

WASHINGTON (Oct. 23) – Arlene Coffman stared at the man in the painting. He had no ears, no nose, no eyebrows. Instead of smile lines by his eyes there was scar tissue. Tears welled in her eyes.

"It's incredible. It's hard to describe because it's so moving," said Coffman, 64, visiting here from Pebble Beach, Calif. "Most portraits bring emotions. This one is emotional in a different way."

The face in Coffman's gaze belongs to retired Army Sgt. Rich Yarosh. On Sept. 1, 2006, he was in the turret of a Bradley assault vehicle when it hit a roadside bomb in Baghdad. He and two other soldiers were engulfed in flames. One later died. Yarosh suffered burns on 60 percent of his body, lost part of his right leg and has limited use of what's left of his hands.

Three years later, most of it spent in an Army hospital, and after 35 surgeries, his scarred countenance is now proudly featured at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery here. The painting is one of 49 finalists out of 3,300 entries in the museum's second Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. It will hang in the building for the next year with iconic images of presidents, scientists and celebrities.

"I didn't want the depiction of his injury to overwhelm the depiction of his humanity," said Matthew Mitchell, the Amherst, Mass., artist who painted Yarosh as part of a project called 100 Faces of War Experience. Despite the soldier's obvious wounds, said Mitchell, "He's a whole person."

That's something Tony Bass recognized. A portrait of the New York psychoanalyst stares across the second floor gallery toward Yarosh's. Both men were among the first to view the paintings when the competition exhibit opened to the public Friday.

"There's a sense of his having survived this horrendous trauma, a sense of his spirit coming though," said Bass, 58. "The eyes and the stance – it's an amazing picture of someone prevailing in the face of almost unbelievable tragedy."

Museum curator Brandon Fortune, who organized the competition, said Miller's portrait of Yarosh was "quite traditional" in its head-and-shoulders composition. "It has gravitas, that dignity that really gives it its power," she said.

"He looks calm, like he's dealing with it," said Carmen Diaz, 66, of Alhambra, Calif. "He's gone through the worst in life and yet he can smile. He can sit for this. He's going on."

Yarosh, now 27 and back home in Windsor, N.Y., didn't accept his new look easily. He didn't see his face until five months after the explosion – and then only by accident when he glimpsed himself in the reflection from a laptop computer screen.

"It took another six months to get used to it, especially to going out in public," said Yarosh, who says he still scares little children sometimes. "I'm so used to it now. I still get looks but it doesn't bother me."

Several visitors wandering the gallery seemed drawn to his portrait. Many stopped to read Yarosh's own words about his ordeal in Iraq: "That day started the same as every other day, but that day has never ended."

The portrait is "beautiful but also alarming," said Odile Schalit, 24, of New York. She wondered what it would be like to lose control over her own face, that most basic ingredient of identity. Then, gesturing around, she said, "After seeing this, so many of the other portraits seem so self-indulgent."

Yarosh said he always wanted to sit for a portrait and is thrilled with the one Mitchell painted. He says the artist captured him "perfectly," even though his lack of ears and a nose meant Mitchell had to paint "totally outside his box" to convey the soldier's character.

"It's more than just a portrait, more than just a painting," Yarosh said. "It's a story."

Museum volunteer Heidi Whitesel, 67, of Gainesville, Va., said it was fitting that the soldier's portrait hung among those of others who made a difference in history. Their achievements, she said, were often made possible by the sacrifice of those in the military.

"He's transformed his personal tragedy into an inspiration for others," she said. "It helps us to walk a little more in the shoes and have less fear and more respect."

Some visitors chatted with Yarosh, who arrived before the museum opened. Others, though obviously moved by his likeness, seemed ill at ease when they realized he was nearby. Some glanced his way before moving to another gallery.

For a few, the portrait was political, a reminder of the horrors of war and the wrongness in particular of the one in Iraq.

"Every kid standing in line to go in the Army should look at this," said Bill Meyer, 72, a retiree from Baja, Mexico. "It makes me very glad I chose not to go in the service."

Kathryn Chase, 58, of Austin, said, "It's wonderful someone is recording these tragic stories. I'm very opposed to that war but really respect the people sacrificing in it."

Yarosh said he is "not a symbol of the war gone wrong" and remains "100 percent proud of my service" in Iraq. He hopes those who see his portrait come away with the same sense of pride.

A group of parents and their home-schooled children from Woodbridge, Va., who were on a field trip shared Yarosh's pride and were also grateful for his sacrifice.

"This reminds me that our life is so easy compared to the soldiers fighting the war on a daily basis," said Linene Kleppe, 36, whose husband is in the Air Force but whose job working with satellites has kept him off the battlefield. She asked her four children what they thought about the painting.

"I don't really know," said daughter Madigan, 8. Staring more intently, she added, "He looks like he's been in a lot of battles.

"He's just a guy with an Army shirt on," said her brother McCoy, 6. "He's happy. He's not scary."
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Hooah! ]]> psc http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134090-american-hero.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134004-dr-happy-classes-our-troops.html Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:01:24 GMT Army Seeks to Mentally Toughen Up Combat Troops With Resiliency Classes - Political News - FOXNews.com

In an effort to address the mental health problems of some combat troops, the U.S. Army wants all of its 1.1 million soldiers to start taking emotional resiliency classes.
The new $117 million dollar program is based on the research of Dr. Martin Seligman, chairman of the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center, who has been consulting with the Pentagon and whom the Army calls "Dr. Happy."
The Army wants to train 1,500 sergeants by next summer to teach weekly 90-minute anger management classes to reduce stress and help combat troops avoid depression and suicidal thoughts.
According to Army spokesman Gary Tallman, the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program is "designed to build resilience in soldiers, family members and Army civilians by developing five dimensions of strength: physical, emotional, social, spiritual and family."
"Resilience can be defined as having the ability to grow and thrive in the face of challenges and bounce back from adversity," Tallman told FOX News.
The three-part program began last October with the development of concepts and products. Phase two -- implementation begins in October and lasts for a year. Phase three will extend the program from military members to their families and Army civilians.
By the Army's own estimates, one-fifth of the troops returning from combat have mental health problems.
But some skeptics, including Gen. George Casey Jr., the Army's chief of staff, question whether mental toughness can be taught in a classroom.
The Army has a battle buddy system in place now which works like a designated driver. At Fort Campbell in Kentucky, where 15 soldiers committed suicide in the first five months of this year, the Army distributes "warrior ethos" cards to carry.
"The new card has the Army's intervention model on it," Brig Gen. Steve Townsend told FOX News. "It's called ACE. One, ask your buddy directly if he's having suicidal thoughts. Second, care enough about your buddy to take them to help and get them help now. Three, escort them to help now. Do not wait."
It got so bad at Fort Campbell, Townsend said, that he ordered his base to stand down for a day in May to deal with the high suicide rate. ]]> psc http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/134004-dr-happy-classes-our-troops.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/133934-va-loans.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:22:07 GMT So I just submitted for my certificate of eligibility for a VA loan today. Has anybody used a VA loan before? if so, how long did it take to get your certificate of eligibility? I finally found a house and want to get this done in a hurry. So I just submitted for my certificate of eligibility for a VA loan today. Has anybody used a VA loan before? if so, how long did it take to get your certificate of eligibility? I finally found a house and want to get this done in a hurry. ]]> cwsims84 http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/133934-va-loans.html http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/133909-explaining-military-fiancee.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:32:39 GMT i used to be in the Texas Army National Guard and got out on a medical discharge. this was before we met. ive always talked about getting back and now it is looking like i have a good chance. non combat arms. i used to be in MI. every time i mention it to her she never wants to really talk about it. she says she doesnt know anything about it to be for or against it. ive tried telling her the beenfits of being back in the service. im trying to get her to come and listen to what my recruiter is saying. we have been together for over 7yrs and are getting married in like 17 months. i would have to go to fort huachuca AZ for about 4 months. she says that she already has a lot of other stuff on her mind like the wedding and her graduating from college soon. any thoughts? opinions? i just feel like i was robbed so early in my military career. i got a medical discharge before i went to AIT. i was split ops and enlisted as a junior in high school and was supposed to go after i graduated from high school. i used to be in the Texas Army National Guard and got out on a medical discharge. this was before we met. ive always talked about getting back and now it is looking like i have a good chance. non combat arms. i used to be in MI. every time i mention it to her she never wants to really talk about it. she says she doesnt know anything about it to be for or against it. ive tried telling her the beenfits of being back in the service. im trying to get her to come and listen to what my recruiter is saying. we have been together for over 7yrs and are getting married in like 17 months.

i would have to go to fort huachuca AZ for about 4 months. she says that she already has a lot of other stuff on her mind like the wedding and her graduating from college soon.

any thoughts? opinions?

i just feel like i was robbed so early in my military career. i got a medical discharge before i went to AIT. i was split ops and enlisted as a junior in high school and was supposed to go after i graduated from high school. ]]> tribalCBR http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/u-s-military-services-veterans/133909-explaining-military-fiancee.html