Free Republic

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo., March 29, 2011 – Camaraderie and the opportunity to challenge themselves are proving to be some of the best therapy possible for wounded warriors attending the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic here as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. Former Army Spc. Barbara Newstrom, left, and Army Sgt. John Barnes, center, both wounded during Operation Iraqi Freedom, take a break during the 25th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, Colo., March 28, 2011. Joining them is Barnes' mother, Valerie Wallace, who watched the changes last year’s clinic helped to bring about in her son....

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2008 – As ghostlike Capitol Hill workers scurried through a cold, misty fog early yesterday evening, a nearby group of wounded warriors cosseted in a warm room broke bread and shared stories about far-away lands and future hopes. Army Staff Sgt. Anthony Maschek, right, and his wife, Angela, enjoy a wounded warrior dinner held at the Capitol Hill Club Nov. 14, 2008. Maschek, a 10th Mountain Division infantryman from Twin Falls , Idaho, was shot 11 times causing two broken legs during a February 2008 firefight near Kirkuk in northern Iraq . “It’s really nice,” Maschek...

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2007 – Each day, as the nation’s volunteer military men and women perform their mission in Iraq and Afghanistan, they know the enemy they’re up against employs uncommon tactics and weapons. They know that a simple misstep could cause disfigurement or death. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, center, poses with four Purple Heart recipients at a reception at the Marine Corps Barracks in Washington, D.C., July 13, 2007. With him, from left, are Marine Sgt. Nicholas Wahle, Army Cpl. Mathew Murray, Navy Senior Chief David L. Hall and Air Force Senior...

U.S. Army soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade, spent weeks choosing and painting team logos of their favorite sports teams on the wall of their command post on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. From left to right: U.S. Army Capt. Adam Cubbage, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Ellis and U.S. Staff Sgt. Laferrel Evans view their sports map. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Caldwell Airborne’s Sports Map Promotes Camaraderie For paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, a map depicting favorite sports teams serves as a relaxing diversion from deployment hardships. By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jacob...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2005 – Re-enlistment rates for the Army and Marine Corps are the highest they've been in a long time, specifically in units with high deployment tempos, military leaders told the House Armed Services Committee here today. Testifying at a committee hearing, titled "Your Troops: Their Story," the leaders said that soldiers and Marines re-enlist because they believe in the mission they are performing, and they feel comfortable knowing their families will be taken care of while they are deployed. "Our soldiers know that while they're deployed, while they're forward, they don't have to worry about what's going...

CAMP HURRICANE POINT, AR RAMADI, Iraq (August 6, 2005) -- Shawn M. Gallagher routinely puts his life on the line to support the ongoing war on terrorism, but he doesn’t let the risks get him down. “It’s an adventure out here for me,” said Lance Cpl. Gallagher, “and I enjoy it.” Each day the 21-year-old from Fairfax, Va., takes to the streets of the Al Anbar capital with Marines of 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and conducts security and stabilization operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Gallagher has maintained a high level of motivation throughout his deployment, which is...

Harvesting friendships By Celeste Beam, Staff Reporter Friday, 11/15/02 For one farmer in Evansville, living in "small town rural America" is something he wouldn’t trade for anything else in the world.For the last 20 years, Jeff Larson and his wife, Karen, have farmed on a fourth generation family farm. It was built in the 1860s, creating a path of pride and heritage along the way.Many friendships were also established — friendships that spoke volumes for what small town rural America is all about.Last week, Jeff, Karen and their two children, Derek, 17, and Jenna, 16, found out how important...