Free Republic

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2008 – The Defense Department, in conjunction with the military services and the Department of Veterans Affairs, has created a framework to help wounded, ill and injured servicemembers not only survive, but also thrive as they transition from military service back into their communities. “We want them to really not only survive their injuries, but now thrive in what’s called oftentimes ‘the new normal,’” said Lynda C. Davis, DoD lead for case/care management reform for wounded, ill and injured servicemembers and their families. “We’ve been able to, jointly with the services and [Veterans Affairs], develop a framework...

Cindy McCain has accused her husband's presidential rival of putting at risk the life of her son who fought in Iraq by not supporting a troop funding bill. Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate, had voted against the bill in the senate last year, but later supported a version of the legislation that included a timetable to withdraw troops from the Middle Eastern state. Until recently Mrs McCain and her husband, the Republican presidential candidate John McCain, have refused to discuss their two sons serving in the US military. However, all that changed at a rally on Wednesday night in the...

Michelle Obama told a crowd of military families near the Marine Corps' massive base at Camp Lejeune on Tuesday there is "only one candidate" for president who will work to give them the services and care they need. "When I look at the two candidates and their plans for America ... and when I think about the military families I've met across the country and the kind of help that they could use right now - not in four years or eight years but right now - then the choice is clear," the wife of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama...

DOVER, Del., Oct 3 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden bid a safe farewell on Friday to 112 "citizen soldiers" headed to Iraq, including his son, and told them "thank you for answering the call of your country." "God bless you and may He protect you," Biden said a day after his debate with his Republican rival Sarah Palin, who as Alaska's governor saluted her 20-year-old son off to war last month. In brief remarks at a departure ceremony outside the Delaware state capitol, Biden made no mention of his showdown in St. Louis with Palin.

MARYVILLE - The Japanese widow of a Maryville Marine killed in Iraq has decided to bear their son in Japan. Hotaru Ferschke, 24, relayed the decision to Sgt. Michael Ferschke's mother, Robin Ferschke, on Thursday after a doctor pronounced her fit and able to make the arduous journey to the U.S. The baby, who will be named Mikey, is due Jan. 9. Hotaru Ferschke, who had come to Maryville in August to bury her husband of one month, ran into bureaucratic problems when she tried to return to the U.S. to have the baby, as she and her husband had...

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 2, 2008 – Military spouses often have a hard time finding employment, and even when they do, there’s little opportunity to continue their career because it’s only a matter of time before their servicemember spouse is transferred to another duty station. Inova Health System of Northern Virginia is trying to help. “It’s a challenge to build and keep a family together, especially while the nation is at war,” Michael L. Dominguez, principal undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said yesterday during a ceremony in which Inova made its commitment to the military community. Inova’s pledge gives...

**UPDATE** Jopek Mother Confirms She Asked Obama NOT To Use Bracelet in Campaign This afternoon the Associated Press was at last able to contact Tracy Jopek, mother of Sergeant Ryan David Jopek, the KIA soldier on the bracelet that Barack Obama is using on the campaign trail. Ryan's Mother is confirming that she gave the bracelet to Mr. Obama, but is also confirming that she asked him to stop using her son's name on the campaign. After Tracy Jopek gave Sen. Barack Obama a bracelet in honor of her son who was killed in Iraq, she asked Obama not to...

Barack Obama played the "me too" game during the Friday debates on September 26 after Senator John McCain mentioned that he was wearing a bracelet with the name of Cpl. Matthew Stanley, a resident of New Hampshire and a soldier that lost his life in Iraq in 2006. Obama said that he too had a bracelet. After fumbling and straining to remember the name, he revealed that his had the name of Sergeant Ryan David Jopek of Merrill, Wisconsin. Shockingly, however, Madison resident Brian Jopek, the father of Ryan Jopek, the young soldier who tragically lost his life to a...

Despite reports to the contrary, Tracy Jopek , mother of the late Sgt. Ryan David Jopek, very much approves of Senator Barack Obama's mention of her son during Friday's debate. She acknowledges e-mailing the campaign in February asking that Obama not mention her son in speeches or debates. But she says Obama's mention on Friday was appropriate because he was responding after Senator John McCain said a soldier's mother gave him a bracelet. Jopek says Obama's comment rightfully suggested there's more than one viewpoint on the war.

<p>PHILADELPHIA—Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin met with a group of military mothers at a downtown eatery Sunday, the third day of a swing through this Democratic stronghold.</p> <p>The Alaska governor, along with her 14-year-old daughter, Willow, spent about 45 minutes sipping a skinny white chocolate mocha and talking privately with four women who have children serving in the military overseas. Palin's son, Track, is deploying for service in Iraq.</p>

Obama needs to apologize for this right now. He ineptly tried to use the memory of a fallen soldier to score points against McCain at Friday's debate, but it turns out the mother of Sgt. Ryan David Jopek had already asked him to stop doing that. Brian Jopek: Because of some of the negative feedback she's gotten on the Internet, you know Internet blogs, you know people accusing her of... or accusing Obama of trying to get votes doing it... and that sort of thing. Radio Host Moberg: Yeah Jopek: She has turned down any subsequent interviews with the media...

Family Asked Obama TAKE OFF THE BRACELET !!! Remember the debate Friday night, when Senator Obama said, "I have a bracelet too" Good Old WHAT'S HIS NAME? He had the name of an American Hero Sergeant Ryan David Jopek . Well Sgt Jopek's mother asked the Senator to STOP WEARING THE BRACELET because she didn't want it to become a campaign Issue. Obama ignored her request. It seems that he REALLY DOESN'T GIVE A RATS ARSE ABOUT MRS JOPEK OR HER SON "WHAT'S HIS NAME" and of course no mention of this in the media. If the reverse was true,...

BUTLERVILLE, Ind., Sept. 25, 2008 – Overseas deployments usually call upon soldiers to temporarily leave loved ones behind. But, here, two members of the Hempstead family are preparing to mobilize together. First Sgt. Bob Hempstead, 1313th Engineer Company, and his daughter Pfc. Crystal Hempstead, a light-wheel vehicle mechanic for the 1313th, will deploy together early next year. Their unit is currently at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center on Camp Atterbury, Ind., conducting pre-mobilization training. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elizabeth Gorenc  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. First Sgt. Bob Hempstead and his daughter, Pfc. Crystal Hempstead, members of the...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2008 – Hundreds of relatives celebrated the lives of departed loved ones lost in the war on terrorism during a national remembrance ceremony on the grounds of the Washington Monument yesterday. The third annual “A Time of Remembrance” honored military members who died during the nation’s wars, as well as their families and veterans. It is sponsored by the White House Commission on Remembrance, established by Congress in 2000. Carmella LaSpada, chairman of the “A Time of Remembrance” program, saluted the military families who attended the event. “You, the families of the men and women who fought...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2008 – An organization based here is working to help military infants and toddlers cope with the stresses of a parent’s deployment unique to their age group. Zero to Three, a Washington-based nonprofit organization, helps even the youngest military children cope with the stresses of having a parent deployed. Photo courtesy of Zero to Three  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The mission of “Zero to Three” is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers, said Lynette Fraga, the organization’s director of military projects. “‘Coming Together Around Military Families’ is an initiative to...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2008 – The letter that appeared in a soldier’s mailbox promised an offer almost too good to be true: a home improvement loan approved by Congress and backed up by a government agency. Officials at the Federal Citizen Information Center fear it’s a scam targeting military members that uses the center’s credibility to lure victims in. An eagle-eyed soldier notified the Federal Citizen Information Center after receiving the ad from the “Home Information Center” linked to post office boxes in Dallas and in Owasso, Okla. The letter included a reference to FCIC’s Web site in an...

Here is a 7 minute video of Palin addressing the troops (her son Track one of them) and families on September 11th at Fort Wainwright

WAR MOM PALIN TAKES HARD LINE By CHARLES HURT Bureau Chief September 12, 2008 -- WASHINGTON - Vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin saw her eldest son off to war yesterday as she took a hard line on Russia, Iran and terrorists "hellbent on destroying America and our allies." Asked in her first extended interview since becoming John McCain's running mate if she thinks she's qualified to take over the presidency, Palin replied, "I do." "I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink," she told ABC News. "You have to be wired in a way of being...

Sarah Palin formally sent her 19-year-old son Track off to Iraq with a speech before his unit in Fairbanks, Alaska. "As you depart us, your parents, your friends and family, if you allow for a few tears and (allow us) to hold you closer before you're gone," she told the troops of the Army's 1st Stryker Brigade, Delta company, on Thursday. The Republican vice presidential candidate didn't mention her son by name in her remarks during the deployment ceremony that coincided with the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Members of Track's unit are expected to begin arriving in...

Sarah Palin was back in Alaska Thursday to see her son off to war. A homecoming rally late Wednesday marked the first time the governor had been in the state since Republican presidential hopeful John McCain asked her to be his running mate on August 28. And there was no hiding her joy at being back after the madness of the past two weeks in which the little-known governor and self-proclaimed "hockey mom" was transformed into a political rock star. Palin's laughter filled the cabin as the freshly painted McCain-Palin campaign plane pulled up to an airport hanger in Fairbanks...

Q. Military moms certainly know what it’s like to juggle family and career under stress, how have you managed to balance career and family? Like the women I’ve met across the country, I play many different roles. I’m a wife, a working woman, a daughter, a sister, and a best friend. But most importantly, I’m a mom. No matter where I am — at work, on the campaign trail, you name it — my girls are always on my mind. Finding a balance between all of these roles is something that I’ve dealt with throughout my marriage. Barack and I...

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gklG-DS9dhwcGUIY_Tk6O-myVSOgD930QVEO1 Link Only- from AP

JUNEAU -- Gov. Sarah Palin's son, Track, left on Tuesday for infantry boot camp in Fort Benning, Ga. The 18-year-old enlisted last week on the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Track is the oldest of Palin's four children and her only son. "I support my son's independence, and I am proud of his decision because he made it for the right reasons -- to serve his country," Palin said. In July, Palin went to Kuwait where she visited the Alaska Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry, a unit that is made up of about 575 Alaska...

The rumor is that now that Sarah Palin has been nominated as a vp candidate her son will not have to serve in Iraq because of security concerns.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2008 – Starting a business requires cold, hard cash and moral support, both of which are now available to military spouses through a Virginia-based organization. “Military Spouse Business Association will help military spouses with the tangibles of financial and business resources and the intangibles of motivation, encouragement, support and recognition,” said Lanette Lepper, a co-founder of the organization, and a military spouse who owns her own business. The other co-founders, Joanna Williamson and Rebecca Poynter, share the same backgrounds as military spouses and small-business owners. Their idea to create the Military Spouse Business Association stemmed from...

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 26, 2008 – Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind the program “Sesame Street,” and the United Service Organizations joined forces to bring “The Sesame Street Experience for Military Families” to 43 installations across the country. Amanda Moran of Military OneSource, helps Kassandra Chavez, 11, and her brother José, 9, put beading kits into a bag Aug. 10, 2008, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The table was one of many with giveaways and information at the “Sesame Street Experience.” U.S. Army photo by Cheryl Harrison  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “The tour travels for...

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va., Aug. 25, 2008 – It started as a leap of faith, but more than 10 million steps later, a 10-man relay team arrived here, at what the memorial run’s organizer called the most sacred place in America. Shannon Cleary, center, kisses her mother, Marianne Cleary, Aug. 24, 2008, during the last few moments of Run for the Fallen, a memorial run in memory of Cleary's brother, Army 1st Lt. Michael Cleary. Jack Flanagan, Marianne’s grandson, also participated in the last day of the living memorial that began June 14, outside the gates of Fort Irwin,...

My name is April Popaditch, wife of Gysgt Nick Popaditch (ret) AKA Cee-gar Marine to FreeRepublic. This web site was such a source of strength to my family and I when my husband was wounded in Fallujah, Iraq April 2004. The beauty of the words and prayers that we read on a daily basis from all of you, will stay in our hearts forever. Military life is a sacrifice but one you never regret. Support from people you've never met, is life affirming and gives us the strength to carry on our new missions in life. I hear on the...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2008 – Because it always has been a family-owned and -operated business, it’s no surprise that Coastal Windows, a small Hawaii company, knows how to take care of its employees. Coastal Windows applies its family philosophy in taking care of all employees, including those who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. For its support of employees who serve part-time in the military, Coastal Windows is being awarded the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Coastal Windows has 62 employees, and at present, only one of them serves in the National Guard, said Bob Barrett,...

I’ll say this much for the Obamas: No one has more interesting political conversations with second-graders than they do. Something for everyone here — for the righties, some easy snark that the correct way to proceed in Iraq is obvious even to grade-school kids; for the lefties, some even easier snark that it takes someone with the mindset of a grade-school kid to think this is the correct way to proceed; and for the nonpolitical among us, a warm and fuzzy moment at the end. A good time was had by all. Video at link

Major Bill Donahue (USMC, retired) has a personal stake in the Third Battle of Fallujah. He lost a son in that city (a second son lost both legs a month later in Iraq). Now Donahue heads United American Patriots, a national non-profit 501(c) 3 organization and its Warrior Fund project. His mission is to ensure justice for soldiers and Marines accused of crimes arising out of combat in Iraq. Donahue speaks with passion about his cause. And he speaks with understandable pride about his successes. Donations from Warrior Fund were crucial to the recent exonerations of Sgt. Leonardo Treviño and...

Michelle Obama shared a stage this afternoon with six hand-picked military spouses in Norfolk as the campaign announced the formation of “Blue Star Families for Obama.” Obama said families of military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan not only are suffering the uncertainty of having loved ones in harm’s way, but also are coping with rising prices and unemployment. She wove details of her husband's plan to support military families into the conversation with the spouses. The wives talked about inadequate child care on bases, education opportunities for children and health care. The event was this afternoon at Old Dominion...

GREEN, Ohio, Aug. 6, 2008 – When military recruits speak of their reasons for enlisting, many cite family pride and tradition as their strongest motivation. The desire to follow in a parent's footsteps has prompted many soldiers to enlist into the National Guard. Army Pvt. Larry Gravius (right) was inspired to join the Ohio Army National Guard as a result of the February enlistment of his 18-year-old daughter, Army Pfc. Gwendolyn Gravius (left). U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Bemus, Ohio National Guard  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. For recent enlistee Pvt. Larry Gravius, a 39-year-old...

Both major presidential candidates have been invited to the event, which CBS has agreed to broadcast live. So far, only Mr. McCain has agreed to attend. [...] Obama campaign spokeswoman Shannon Gilson said that while the senator has a scheduling conflict on Aug. 11, he "strongly supports" veterans and military families, and he has worked hard on their behalf in the Senate. U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois is expected to attend a private fundraiser for his presidential campaign on Aug. 12 at the Halekulani Hotel, several sources said.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2008 – A military child’s education is one of many things a servicemember’s injury or death in the line of duty could jeopardize. To make sure that never happens, retired Air National Guard F-16 pilot and Iraq War veteran Maj. Dan Rooney created Oklahoma-based “Folds of Honor.” “Folds of Honor is dedicated to providing deserving families with tailored, effective, lasting change through education,” said Jason Ohrenberger, the organization’s senior vice president for future development. “[It] provides current- and future-use educational scholarships for spouses and children of military servicemembers killed or disabled in action in Iraq or...

He’s a 17-term incumbent who’s bloated his district with so much pork that the Journal once described him as having practically built the town himself. Nothing’s going to dislodge him unless he commits a major felony — and even then, per Abscam, I wouldn’t be so sure — but if there’s any justice this clip will put Bill Russell within single digits. Russell’s active military duty ended just two days ago so presumbly this signals the start of his campaign in earnest. I can’t find any polls online, but follow the last link to MM’s post and you’ll see that...

A 40-year-old Van Nuys man and his 19-year-old son both plan to be sworn in this week as new U.S. Army recruits -- an unusual scenario produced by a weakened economy and the wartime relaxation of military acceptance standards. Gary Rankins, who served in the Army from 1986 to 1994, got frustrated about his job prospects about a month ago, decided to enlist again and persuaded his son to join the Army a few weeks after that, the Los Angeles Times reported. They plan to swear in together this week. "We're just waiting on my blood work," Gary Rankins told...

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today called it a “sacred responsibility” to care for the generation of American military children affected by the deployment, and in some cases the death, of a servicemember parent. “The empty seat at the dinner table night after night is a constant reminder of a child’s worry for his or her parent’s safety,” Gates said, according to his prepared remarks. “And there is also the grief and the heartbreak when a loved one is injured or killed -- a grim reality of war.” Roughly 43 percent of U.S. active-duty,...

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2008 – After matching servicemembers re-entering the civilian work force with military friendly employers, “Hire a Hero” is stepping outside its box and trying some matchmaking of a different kind. The troop-support organization has teamed with Dreamworks Television and Mark Burnett Productions to help two deserving military couples have their dream weddings. The gesture is a thank you for their service and commitment to the country, according to the Hire a Hero Web site. “Providing something like this is just great,” said Rob Barr, a Hire a Hero representative. “It’s showing support for the troops, and...

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, July 14, 2008 – Deployments usually separate families, but for two brothers from Arkansas, deployment to Iraq actually brought them closer. Army Sgt. Maj. Jim Snow and his younger brother, Army 1st Sgt. Joe Snow, are serving their second deployment together in Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Josh LeCappelain, Multinational Division Center  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “We live about six miles apart [in Benton and Bryant, Ark.],” said Army 1st Sgt. Joe Snow, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 39th Brigade Combat Team, first sergeant. “Here, it’s about 30 steps.” Snow is on his second...

FORT WORTH — In a few days, Francisco Martinez will land in Iraq. He is one of tens of thousands of men and women who, with various motivations, enlisted in the armed forces, knowing that they’d someday end up there. For Martinez, Iraq is a kind of perdition, a receptacle for all the dark emotions, anguish and guilt that have buffeted him for the last three years. When Martinez steps off the airplane, he will be in the country that took his only son, a 20-year-old skateboarder and budding graphic artist whose loss is felt every single day of his...

The Chris Plante Show, 630 WMAL, Washington, DC is discussing RIGHT NOW (during the 10:00 - 11:45 ET a.m. hour) what Obama needs to do to earn the respect of Americans and military families. Perfect opportunity for Freepers to call-in and express your thoughts on this matter!!! LISTEN LIVE: http://radiotime.com/program/p_61017/Chris_Plante.aspx http://www.630wmal.com/article.asp?id=632848 CALL: 888 630 9625

Apparently Michelle Obama’s pride in America (circa 2007) places her in a unique situation to understand the issues facing patriotic military families. I'm sure they'll love her.

BETHESDA, Md., July 2, 2008 – They may not be on the pro tour yet, but two military children got a taste of the big time when they helped pro golfer Fred Couples kick off the second AT&T National at Congressional Country Club here today. Jeffrey Dahl, 9, of New Jersey, left, professional golfer Fred Couples, and Margaret Rollins, 13, of Virginia hit the ceremonial first shot to open the second AT&T National golf tournament July 2, 2008, at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. Both children’s fathers are servicemembers, serving in Pakistan and California, respectively. Defense Dept. photo...

Democratic presidential presumptive Sen. Barack Obama (IL) met with his terrorist supporting fundraiser, Jodie Evans, at a $5 million Hollywood fundraiser held last week at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion on Tuesday, June 24.In what can only be described as a big middle finger to the veterans and military families who have urged Obama to renounce Evans, Obama met with Evans and was photographed with her at the fundraiser.Evans is co-founder of the leftist anti-American group Code Pink. She and Code Pink have endorsed the terrorists in Iraq and have sent over $600,000 in cash and humanitarian aid to "the other...

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's love for children is by no means limited to their own: The couple has donated $1 million to help kids affected by the war in Iraq, the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict announced Wednesday. The organization will distribute the donation, made through the couple's Jolie-Pitt Foundation, to four organizations working on behalf of children who have lost parents, homes and schools in Iraq. Children in the U.S. who have lost parents in the conflict will also benefit. "These educational support programs for children of conflict are the best way to...

Lifetime's "Army Wives" and real military families get a presidential salute from Senator Barack Obama

Staff Sgt. Andy Graves, a Paragould, Ark., native, takes a moment from his deployment to go on a mental vacation with his three daughters on June 13. Graves is a sergeant of the guard for the 1123rd Transportation Company, an Arkansas National Guard unit, 1/152nd Cavalry Regiment, an Indiana National Guard unit, 1st Sustainment Brigade, in support of Multi-National Division-Baghdad. Photo by 1st Lt. George Fowler. CAMP TAJI — Alone with his thoughts, Staff Sgt. Andy Graves, a Paragould, Ark., native, sits quietly in the “Snack Shack� during his guard shift reminiscing. Presently Graves is a squad leader for the...

For dads with sons and daughters in the military, Father's Day can be tough. Saturday, a soldier and her father were able to overcome the thousands of miles between them, at least for a little while. You could say the military is in Kirk Fjetland's blood. A Navy veteran, his father and brother were also in the military and now, so are two of his kids. Son Jeremy is in the Air Force and stationed in North Carolina. Daughter Bryce is a soldier in Afghanistan. "She is a real sweetheart. She really is. To know her is to love her....

Mr. McCain, now the presumptive Republican nominee, has staked out his candidacy on the promise that American troops can bring stability to Iraq. What he almost never says is that one of them is his own son, who spent seven months patrolling Anbar Province and learned of his father's New Hampshire victory in January while he was digging a stuck military vehicle out of the mud.