Free Republic

"But when the men and women take off their uniforms and return to their homes and assume responsibility for their own and their families’ safety, suddenly the politicians don’t trust them to own a gun. This is pure elitism. … Gun control is not about guns or crime. It is about an elite that fears and despises the common people.“ .....;

They’re the four-legged veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – military war dogs, doing everything from sniffing out explosive devices on the battlefield to providing companionship to soldiers during wartime. Three of these dogs traveled to Washington, D.C., Wednesday with the same service members they served with on the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan, raising awareness about the need to reunite military war dogs with their handlers. Since 9/11, over 3,600 dogs have served in the military, with close to 2,000 dogs currently serving through various branches of the military. Earlier this year, the Army said 578 dog...

The Hamas charter proudly proclaims that the organization exists for the single purpose of destroying Israel, claiming all territory therein for Palestinians as part of the global Islamic-supremacist movement. Manifestly, Palestinians knew this when they voted to be led by this notorious Muslim Brotherhood franchise, which has ruled Gaza for nearly a decade. They also knew that Hamas operatives wage war through barbaric jihadist methods: intentionally targeting civilians for mass-murder attacks; refraining from wearing uniforms or otherwise distinguishing themselves as military combatants; blending in among the non-combatant population, and using civilian infrastructure — schools, hospitals, mosques, homes, etc. — as...

Grommet is trying to get his dog back. Don Grommet was able to track Matty to Fort Bragg, where Vet Services was treating the K9 for a torn ACL, and preparing him for separation from service and adoption. The Grommets said they submitted and re-submitted adoption paperwork, and were told the first set of documents were lost. “We were told several times not to worry about it; that everyone knew that Brent was going to adopt Matty” said Don Grommet. But after months of weekly calls to check on the adoption status, Grommet said his son received a call in...

In the stack of worn American flags, this one stood out: stars, stripes and dozens of heartfelt inscriptions. Wally and Lanie Mae Brown were recently rummaging at a Texas flea market when one particular cloth caught their attention. “I was shocked to see dedications from Marines all over this flag to a lance corporal named 'Fred,'” Lanie Mae writes in a Facebook message. “While scouring the many heartfelt messages to this young man, simultaneously we saw 'RIP Fred' and again, simultaneously we said, 'we have to get this flag to his mama.'” Lance Cpl. Fred L. Maciel, 20, of Spring,...

Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system has been highly visible protecting its airspace during Operation Protective Edge. But exactly how the military is locating Hamas’ labyrinth of underground tunnels between Israel and Gaza – and whether it is using new technologies to uncover them – remains a closely held secret. “Due to security concerns, we cannot specify the tools or methods used to uncover these tunnels. Exposing our capabilities would hamper our ability to address this lethal threat,” an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokeswoman said in an email to FoxNews.com. “However, using precise intelligence combined with specialized units which use...

Democrats held a press conference on Friday to announce the introduction of a House resolution calling for the Secretary of Defense to allow illegal aliens brought to the country as children who have been granted temporary legal status by President Barack Obama’s 2012 executive order to serve in the U.S. military – a move that would also grant them a path to citizenship.

........But our story picks up with what happened on Thursday. That was the day when the church was supposed to honor the National Guard. They had invited troops from the nearby armory to drop by with one of their Humvees. “We were going to thank them for protecting our religious liberty,” said Pastor Hogan. “It was more of a promotion for the military – to show the kids what the military does.” But the National Guard did not visit Bible Baptist Church on Thursday night, and the reason why has caused great anger and frustration among church members ...........

If a military working dog is retired in a non-combat zone overseas, then the military does not provide transportation home since they are no longer considered military dogs, and therefore, not legally allowed to be transported on military aircraft. The solution is simple: Military working dogs should be brought home to U.S. soil before being retired. And, their former handlers, who have the strongest bond with these animals, should be given the first chance to adopt. SNIP That’s certainly true for U.S. Army Staff Sergeant James Harrington, who served for four years with Military Working Dog Ryky, a seven-year-old Belgian...

A war veteran who builds furniture in his garage and gives it to military families in need could be forced to shut down the saws. A homeowners association is telling Dennis Kocher he needs to close up shop after years of doing business, or he could be fined between $100 and $1,000.

They say life is full of surprises. Thursday afternoon, amidst the hustle and bustle of a downtown Minneapolis lunch hour, Jill Stephenson's surprise waited behind an SUV. When Erick Innis popped out, Stephenson was speechless. Innis isn't Jill's son, but he might as well be. In Afghanistan, Innis fought alongside Stephenson's actual son, Rosemount native and Army Ranger Ben Kopp. Innis and Kopp were best friends. When Kopp was shot by a sniper in July 2009, Innis carried him to the medivac. Weeks later, when Kopp was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Innis was there too.

The air force of neutral Sweden may not be one of the big-hitters in terms of global power projection. Indeed, it has barely even undertaken combat operations. When Swedish jets went into action over Libya in 2011, during Operation Unified Protector, the government only allowed them to fly reconnaissance missions. The previous time Swedish fighters deployed in combat was almost 50 years earlier, during the Congo crisis. However, Sweden always has taken its air defense very seriously—and has a proven track record of developing innovative, often indigenous solutions to meet its air-power needs. Now, the Swedish air force is about...

It's dog days on Capitol Hill — or, more precisely, dogs have had their day there. Five in particular — all war dog veterans. The canines joined their human advocates at a Capitol Hill briefing Wednesday, "Military Dogs Take the Hill," to spotlight an effort to require that all military working dogs be retired to the U.S. Congress passed a law last year saying the military may bring back its working dogs to the U.S. to be reunited with their handlers, but it does not say they must be brought back. Carlos, one of five war dog veterans at a...

Nearly 70 years ago, on Aug. 1, 1944, Lieutenant General George S. Patton took command of the American Third Army in France. For the next 30 days they rolled straight toward the German border. Patton almost did not get a chance at his summer of glory. After brilliant service in North Africa and Sicily, fellow officers — and his German enemies — considered him the most gifted American field general of his generation. But near the conclusion of his illustrious Sicilian campaign, the volatile Patton slapped two sick GIs in field hospitals, raving that they were shirkers. In truth, both...

They served in the Civil War. They were there for American soldiers during both world wars. One was even on SEAL Team Six, the military team that killed Osama Bin Laden. But military dogs do not always get to go home with their military handlers after serving together in war. During a Capitol Hill event on Wednesday, legislators argued it should be easier for these veterans to reunite with their dogs.

SIERRA VISTA — Artificial flowers and flags are being pulled at the Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery. It’s not that they are prohibited, it’s that they are being pilfered and Cemetery Administrator Joe Larson cannot fathom why people are stealing them from in-ground burial sites. Apparently the thefts happened Saturday night and it wasn’t until a woman let Larson know on Monday that the artificial flowers from her loved one’s grave were taken, noting they were not there on Sunday. “We’ve had a number of other complaints this week about the stealing of artificial flowers and flags, but no real...

Because the Kenyan squatter is in town, Tim Conway show was discussing fundraisers. Callers, who have attended fundraisers, were phoning in and telling what happens at the events. Here is the best anecdote. A young cadet from Cal State Fullerton was there with other cadets as part of the Honor Guard. When Reagan greeted them, he asked the cadet his name and was open to a question from him. The cadet said, "Can I ask anything?" The President said he could. So the cadet said (paraphrasing) - Cadet - Mr. President, do you remember when you were doing a sound...

Today, the gun world is buzzing with news of a "revolution in silencers." SilencerCo has announced today they will be producing the Salvo 12, the first ever commercially produced shotgun sound suppressor. The official press release reads: “Confirming its place as a trailblazer in the firearms industry, suppressor manufacturer SilencerCo has unveiled the first commercially-viable shotgun silencer ever produced. The company made the announcement today at an exclusive event near its Utah headquarters.” Active content removed Active content removed “The Salvo 12 represents a revolution in silencers, not just an evolution,” said Joshua Waldron, Chief Executive Officer for SilencerCo. “There...

The Burlington, Iowa city council wants to ban open carry of toy guns. The ordinance will make it illegal to openly carry a toy gun or conceal one with clothes. ia Iowa Gun Owners Facebook page: The Burlington Iowa City Council is moving to pass an ordinance that would require you to get their WRITTEN permission before your kids can play with toy guns, replica guns, BB guns, etc! If your kids play with these toys in most outdoor situations, or if they play with toy guns in the car while you drive them around, you are looking at a...

24-year-old gymnast Kacy Catanzaro makes history by becoming the first female ever to qualify for the "American Ninja Warrior" national finals. After becoming a celebrity overnight, she hopes to use her newfound fame to encourage young people to get fit.