Trump Nominates Army Veteran, VA Adviser as Under Secretary for Benefits
Karen Brazell, a senior adviser to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, has been nominated to head the Veterans Benefits Administration — the section of the VA that manages $189 billion in benefits for nearly six million veterans and family members. The White House sent a notification Monday to the Senate committee that will […]
As National Guard Arrived in Los Angeles, VA Docs Scrambled to Make Sure Veteran Patients Received Care
As protests in Los Angeles became more widespread and some turned violent over the weekend, leaders of the Veterans Affairs L.A. Ambulatory Care Center made the tough call to close the facility, which serves thousands of patients a week. The center is one of four federal buildings in a block in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo […]
Police Search for Army Veteran Father of 3 Dead Girls in Washington State
A man in central Washington state is wanted on suspicion of murder after his three young daughters were reported missing and then found dead. Authorities asked the public Tuesday for help finding Travis Decker, 32, who is wanted for three counts of murder and kidnapping, according to police in Wenatchee, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) […]
Army Veteran and 'Walking Tall' Actor Joe Don Baker Dies at 89
When was the last time you stood up and applauded a movie? That’s the question the trailer for the vigilante film “Walking Tall” asked American audiences in 1973. The movie was a smash hit for Cinerama and made its lead actor, Joe Don Baker, an equally instant hit. Baker had been a mainstay supporting actor […]
Jail Staff Laughed at Dying Veteran Left Strapped to Chair in Texas, Suit Says
The family of Glenn Earl Smallwood Jr., a 33-year-old U.S. Army veteran who needed immediate medical attention but was instead taken to jail and strapped to a restraint chair until he was no longer responsive, is suing over his death, according to their legal counsel. Civil rights attorney Erik Heipt, who represents the family, said […]
Army Veteran Convicted of Killing Girlfriend and Her 3 Children Set to Be Executed in Florida
STARKE, Fla. — An Army combat veteran whose Gulf War experience triggered severe mental problems is scheduled to be executed Thursday in Florida for the shotgun killings of his girlfriend and her three young children in 1998. Barring a last-minute reprieve, Jeffrey Hutchinson is set to receive a lethal injection starting at 6 p.m. Thursday […]
After Paralyzing Bike Accident, Veteran Lauds VA as Critical to Recovery
After a biking accident five years ago, Mark, a retired Army officer, didn’t fully grasp the seriousness of his injuries. In his daze, he felt certain he was going to recover. But the accident left him paralyzed from his neck down and bedridden. He was uncertain if he would ever taste food again. Right after […]
Remains of Army Veteran and Her Daughter Identified 3 Decades After Deaths near Gilgo Beach
MINEOLA, N.Y. — A woman and toddler whose remains were discovered scattered along an oceanfront highway not far from the victims of Long Island’s infamous Gilgo Beach killings were identified Wednesday as an Army veteran from Alabama and her daughter. Tanya Denise Jackson, 26, of Mobile, had been living in Brooklyn with her 2-year-old daughter, […]
93-Year-Old Veteran Honors Granddaughter at Army National Guard Officer Graduation
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — It’s been at least six years since the last woman graduated from the Michigan Army National Guard’s Officer Candidate School. That was one motivating factor for 2nd Lt. Samantha Swiatek. The other, she said, was that her grandfather, Harold Yarrington, would be there to salute her after graduation. Swiatek graduated Officer […]
Georgia WWII Veteran, 100 Years Old, to Receive French Legion of Honor
ATLANTA — Alan Kinder was touched last year when the strangers he encountered during his trip back to Normandy gratefully hugged and kissed him. He had returned to France with other World War II veterans so they could mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the allied invasion of Europe. Still buoyed by that warm reception, […]