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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas posted an image of his hand-on-heart salute as the far-left, pro-diversity “Progress Pride Flag” was hoisted at the Department of Homeland Security headquarters on June 1.

When a veteran or member of the armed forces dies, he or she is entitled to a ceremony that includes the presentation of a U.S. flag to a family member and a bugler blowing Taps. Most of the time, there is a three-volley rifle salute if requested by family members. But now, if the deceased served in the Air Force, the three-volley salute is not an option because the Air Force can no longer support riflemen for funeral services for veteran retirees. [....] “To me, without the 21-gun salute, it just does not make it complete a proper military burial,”...

HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Veterans are rallying around a local bar whose owners say they have been ordered to removed a sign that salutes their service. “Thank a veteran for your freedom!” says a large sign perched above Johnny’s Booze and Pool. Vets love it and make up a significant part of the establishment’s clientele. “I love this place. The sign gives me the pride back that I lost … I struggled a lot when I first came back,” an Army vet told CBS2′s Stacey Butler. But someone complained to the city about the sign, and now the bar’s owners...

Skyrocketing debt, housing market in the toilet, 9.2% unemployment, inflation up, dollar down, general malaise... yeah, nice assessment George.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama saluted a new spirit of political compromise Friday as he signed into law a huge tax bill extending cuts for all Americans -- including benefits for the rich that he and congressional liberals had denounced -- along with billions of dollars in help for the middle class and jobless workers. "It's a good deal for the American people; this is progress and that's what they sent us here to achieve," Obama said as a rare bipartisan assembly of lawmakers looked on. The package retains Bush-era tax rates for all taxpayers, from the working poor...

10/31/2008 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Veterans and servicemembers not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect in October. "The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's armed forces," said Dr. James B. Peake, secretary of Veterans Affairs. "This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation's flag." The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2008 – A red, white and blue patchwork quilt commemorating the 113 U.S. military women who’ve died during the global war on terrorism was unveiled for public view at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial today. (Left to right) Donna J. Birtwistle, Mavis Olsen, Marlene Wallace and Penny Eakin stand before their patchwork quilt at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, Sept. 17, 2008. The quilt honors military women who’ve died during the global war on terrorism. Defense Dept. photo by Gerry J. Gilmore  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The hand-sewn...

SACRAMENTO - As an international movie star and bodybuilding champion, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is clearly one of a kind. Yet throughout his tenure as governor his actions have seemed to channel past governors. In 2005, Schwarzenegger, with his unsuccessful push for partisan ballot measures, seemed to follow the aggressive, in-your-face approach of former Republican Gov. Pete Wilson. In 2006, Schwarzenegger's emphasis on rebuilding the state's schools, highways and levees recalled the huge building push in the 1960s of former Democratic Gov. Pat Brown. This year, Schwarzenegger has acted much like former Republican Gov. Earl Warren. Both men made a...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2007 – Six U.S. military members recognized by a local patriotic organization for their overseas service in the war on terror also received Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’ personal thanks here yesterday evening. “You are the best, and we all owe you. And, in all sincerity, we’re all humbled by you,” Gates told the Grateful Nation Award recipients at the start of his remarks at the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs’ annual award dinner. “It’s surreal,” Grateful Nation Award honoree Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Jason T. Fetty said of his meeting with Gates. He said the...

SAN DIEGO, July 6, 2007 – In a tribute to the military and Independence Day, Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres went with a different-looking uniform for their game at Petco Park here, July 4, 2007. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathaniel Leoncia, a corpsman with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, throws a ceremonial pre-game pitch as part of the San Diego Padres’ salute to the military at Petco Park, July 4, 2007. Photo by Lance Cpl. Nathaniel Sapp, USMC  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Sporting desert-camouflage-style uniform shirts, the Padres took on the Florida Marlins. Before the...

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2007 – Famous television Chef Emeril Lagasse will salute the military with two programs showcasing recipes created by the men and women who keep the troops fed and happy. “Emeril’s Army-Navy Contest” will air on the Food Network tomorrow at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. “Emeril’s Military Contest” will air the following evening at the same time. The six winners, representing each of the five branches of the military, were selected from entries in “Emeril’s Military Recipe Contest.” “These folks are the real heroes,” Lagasse said of the servicemembers. “You just can’t understate the importance of what...

INDIANAPOLIS, May 26, 2007 – Patriotism was on display during today’s 50th annual Indy 500 Festival Parade in downtown Indianapolis. People showed support for their country and their troops when patriotic displays and military parade participants marched past.  Indiana University cheerleaders carry an America Supports You banner during the 50th Indy 500 Festival Parade on May 26, 2007. Servicemembers were prominently featured throughout the parade. Defense Dept. photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Cheerleaders from Indiana University carried a banner heralding the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, which proclaimed that “We Support You –...

WASHINGTON, July 4, 2006 – Marking the 230th anniversary of American independence, President Bush today gave thanks for the nation's freedom and for the men and women who make that freedom possible. "Each of you have stepped forward to serve, knowing the risks and dangers that accompany freedom's defense," the president told soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division, the 18th Airborne Corps and the Army's Special Operations Command, as well airmen from adjoining Pope Air Force Base. "You are serving our country at a time when our country needs you," he said. "And because of your courage, every day is...

WASHINGTON, July 4, 2006 – The Defense Department's "America Supports You" program is a good thing for the nation's men and women in uniform, breakout country music star Rockie Lynne said today on ABC's "Good Morning America." Country music singer, songwriter and lead guitarist Rockie Lynne greets a group of wounded servicemembers during a visit to the Pentagon May 12, 2006. Lynne said he'll never forget the positive outlook of one young man he met at the Pentagon. Sitting in a wheelchair wearing a prosthetic limb from the knee down, the young veteran had a huge smile. He told...

WASHINGTON, July 3, 2006 – Military members serving in the global war against terrorism, as well as their families, are true American patriots, the Pentagon's top officer told the Daughters of the American Revolution here June 30. Each servicemember swears an oath to the U.S. Constitution upon entering the armed forces, Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told 4,000 DAR members gathered in Constitution Hall for their 115th annual meeting. While deployed to far-flung locales like Afghanistan or Iraq to perform arduous, dangerous duty, those servicemembers "probably are not repeating the words of their...

CHICAGO, May 28, 2006 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff offered condolences here yesterday to families of fallen servicemembers, many observing their first Memorial Day as Gold Star families, and assured them the country will never forget their sacrifice. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. Peter Pace signs a message for a Gold Star parent at the conclusion of the Chicago Memorial Day parade May 27. Photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen, USAF  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. "I don't know what words I could possible say to you that...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 7, 2006 – Military Appreciation Month is under way, as millions of people have jammed the beach here this week for "Fleet Week USA - A National Salute to America's Heroes," sponsored by McDonald's. The company kicked off the salute on May 1. Today's McDonald's Air and Sea Show, featuring the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels demonstration team and the Army's Golden Knights parachute team, will conclude the week's festivities. The Canadian Forces Snow Birds precision aerobatics team is adding an international flavor to the weekend. The salute has been a fixture here for 12 years running,...

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines from Coronado were thanked for their service by their civilian neighbors with a night of dinner and dancing March 18. Coronado’s 21st Annual Salute to the Military Ball, held at the historic Hotel Del Coronado and organized by the city's chamber of commerce, was Coronado's way of showing its appreciation to their military community. “This is the most patriotic thing any city can do for its country and its military,” said Mike Urquhart, Coronado’s Salute to the Military Ball co-chairman and a retired Navy commander. The Harry T. Jenkins Memorial Award was presented...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2006 – As progress continues in Iraq, U.S. forces are "going to put a great deal of focus on the police issue," a senior U.S. general in Iraq told reporters here today. "The Iraqi army has made enormous progress in 2005," Army Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, commanding general of Multinational Corps Iraq and the 18th Airborne Corps, said from Baghdad during a satellite news conference at the Pentagon. Iraqi police forces will get more training and mentoring from U.S. experts this year, Vines said, noting he's very optimistic for Iraq's future in light of the successful...

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti, Jan. 3, 2006 – A Medal of Honor recipient saluted the work servicemembers are doing around the world as part of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's tour of the U.S. Central Command area. Retired Army Col. Jack Jacobs, who received the nation's highest award for heroism in the Vietnam War, told servicemembers that he has seen improvements all across the theater "and it's all because of you." Jacobs, a military analyst for NBC News, thanked the troops for their service. He spoke to thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines at 13 stops in...