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Military Medley

1LT James Earl Jones, U.S. Army (1953-1955)

1LT James Earl Jones, U.S. Army (1953-1955)

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Before gaining fame as the iconic voice behind Darth Vader in 'Star Wars,' James Earl Jones had a significant chapter in his life. During his youth, Jones responded to his country's call and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. His military experience profoundly influenced his character and laid the foundation for his exceptional journey in the entertainment industry. James Earl Jones’s Early Years James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi. His father, Robert Earl Jones, a boxer and actor, was largely absent from his life growing up. At an early age, Jones was raised by his maternal grandparents on their farm in Michigan. He is of Irish, Cherokee and African descent. Jones developed a severe stutter in childhood, which left him terribly self-conscious and shy around other children. He refused to speak in school until a teacher helped him out of his silence during his high school years. "I had a great English teacher who believed in...

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Targeted: Beirut by Jack Carr

Targeted: Beirut by Jack Carr

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If the name Jack Carr sounds familiar, that's because the former Navy SEAL and podcaster is also the author of "The Terminal List," a New York Times bestseller. The paperback thriller has been adapted into a hit television show on Amazon Prime Video, starring Chris Pratt as the main character, Navy SEAL Lt. Cmdr. James Reece. There is even a prequel series in the works at Amazon Studios starring Taylor Kitsch.  Targeted: Beirut Explores a Tragic Day in Marine Corps History Earlier in 2024, Carr released "Red Sky Mourning," the seventh book in the thrilling "Terminal List" series, but in September, he will offer fans something entirely different. His first nonfiction novel, "Targeted: Beirut: The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Origin Story of the War on Terror." On Oct. 23, 1983, a 19-ton stake-bed truck laden with high explosives drove through the security perimeter of a building that served as the barracks for the 1st Battalion 8th Marines, deployed to Beirut as...

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Top Reasons a Claim for VA Disability Compensation is Denied

Top Reasons a Claim for VA Disability Compensation is Denied

VA states that disability compensation is "a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to Veterans whose service made an existing condition worse."  VA Disability Compensation is Denied Without Proper Documentation After leaving service, an injury or disability can limit or reduce a Veteran's ability to earn a living. Additional expenditures on care, equipment, and supplies might be necessary. Disability compensation is the benefit that addresses this situation. At a high level, the process to obtain disability compensation is as follows: • The Veteran provides information and VA forms (referred to as a claim), documenting their injury that occurred during military service and continues to affect them.• VA staff review information, comparing it with the relevant rules and regulations, to determine if the Veteran qualifies.• VA decides to grant, and at what level, or deny benefits and informs the Veteran. VA Disability Compensation...

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SSgt John Charles Carter (Charlton Heston), U.S. Army Air Forces (1943–1946)

SSgt John Charles Carter (Charlton Heston), U.S. Army Air Forces (1943–1946)

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Charlton Heston, renowned for his powerful performances in iconic films such as *Ben-Hur*, *The Ten Commandments*, and *Planet of the Apes*, was much more than a Hollywood star. He was also a dedicated serviceman who proudly served his country during World War II. While many remember Heston for his towering presence on screen, his commitment to his nation and the principles he stood for extended far beyond his film career.  Charlton Heston’s Early Life and Enlistment Born on October 4, 1923, in Evanston, Illinois, Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter) grew up during a time when the world was on the brink of monumental change. Heston spent his youth in a backwoods town in Michigan, a shy boy with few friends. He attended a one-room school with a pump in front. There were 13 pupils, three were his cousins, and he was the only student in his grade level.  The actor’s parents divorced in 1933, and his mother moved the future actor and his siblings back to Illinois,...

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JD Vance (Cpl. James D. Hamel), U.S. Marine Corps (2003-2007)

JD Vance (Cpl. James D. Hamel), U.S. Marine Corps (2003-2007)

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JD Vance, the Vice President-elect of the United States in 2024, is widely recognized for his bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy and his role as a U.S. Senator from Ohio, has a lesser-known but significant chapter in his life: his service in the United States Marine Corps. This period was a pivotal time for Vance, providing him with discipline and a profound sense of purpose that shaped his future endeavors. JD Vance’s Early Life: From Middletown to the Marines James David Vance was born on August 2, 1984, in Middletown, Ohio, a town struggling with the decline of the American manufacturing industry. His early life was marked by significant challenges, including his parents' divorce and his mother's battles with drug and alcohol addiction. Eventually, his mother changed his middle name to David, and he took on his mother’s maiden name, Vance, as his surname.  Vance grew up primarily under the care of his maternal grandparents, who had moved to Middletown from eastern Kentucky's...

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Condemned Property by “Dusty” Trimmer

Condemned Property by “Dusty” Trimmer

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"Dusty" Trimmer served one year of combat infantry duty with the 25th Infantry Division. In this, his first book, he presents a staggering description that cut to the heart of the combat experience: the fear and belligerence, the quiet insights and raging madness, the lasting friendships and sudden deaths. Yet it is much, much more. It is an account of veterans long after leaving the battlefield as they struggle with physical and emotional damage in a world that seems indifferent to their plight. The book differs from most Vietnam War tomes. It is a collection of interrelated short, seemingly disparate pieces. It jumps around a lot. It does not have a plot. There is no moral to the story. However, what it does more importantly is bear witness to the things men do in war and the things war does to men. Horrible things that scar many, if not all, for the rest of their lives. To dramatize this point, Trimmer personalizes much of it by writing about his experience, observations,...

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234th Birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard

234th Birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard

August 4, 2024, marks a significant milestone as we celebrate the 234th Birthday of the United States Coast Guard. This day invites reflection on the storied past and vital contributions of this essential branch of the U.S. military. For over two centuries, the Coast Guard has been at the forefront of safeguarding shores, ensuring maritime safety, and responding to emergencies both at home and abroad. Historical Beginnings of the U.S. Coast Guard The United States Coast Guard was officially established on August 4, 1790, by the Treasury Department, making it one of the oldest continuous seafaring services in the nation. Initially named the Revenue Marine, it was tasked with enforcing tariff and trade laws and preventing smuggling. Its first fleet consisted of ten cutters, small ships designed for patrolling the coastlines and intercepting contraband. In 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service, leading to the creation of the modern Coast Guard. This...

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PFC William Mays (Willie Mays), U.S. Army (1952–1953)

PFC William Mays (Willie Mays), U.S. Army (1952–1953)

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Willie Mays, widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, is known for his incredible athletic prowess and his illustrious career in Major League Baseball (MLB). However, his life story encompasses more than just his achievements on the baseball field. Mays also served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Let’s review and honor Willie Mays' life, his military service, key accomplishments, and the awards he received both on and off the field. Willie Mays’ Early Life and Baseball Beginnings Willie Howard Mays Jr. was born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama. Raised in a segregated America, Mays' early life was marked by the racial challenges of the time. Despite these challenges, he exhibited a natural talent for sports, particularly baseball, from a young age. Born to unmarried parents outside of Birmingham, Alabama in 1931, Willie’s mother was just 16 years of age when Willi was born. She abandoned him as a baby, remarried, and had 10 more...

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Codename Nemo by Charles Lachman

Codename Nemo by Charles Lachman

On June 4, 1944, the escort carrier USS Guadalcanal and its escort destroyers picked up a sonar ping. A U-boat was hiding off the coast of Cape Verde. U.S. Navy Captain Daniel V. Gallery was in command of his second hunter-killer cruise as skipper of the Guadalcanal. Having already sunk three U-boats, he was determined to capture one and get the trove of valuable intelligence information hidden aboard it. He was so ready to make history; he had several boarding teams and a film crew ready and waiting.  The U-Boat Chase Begins Charles Lachman, a journalist whose work includes The New York Post, Fox News, and "Inside Edition," has written a new book about the capture of U-505. Called "Codename Nemo: The Hunt for a Nazi U-Boat and The Elusive Enigma Machine," he goes into painstaking detail, having researched the story for three years and digging up interviews from both the American and German stories of the tale. The result is a fast-paced, thrilling adventure at sea filled with great...

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VA Updates: What Can I Do to Help Expedite My Claim For My Veterans Benefits From VA?

VA Updates: What Can I Do to Help Expedite My Claim For My Veterans Benefits From VA?

Applying for disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be time-consuming and frustrating. This frustration is made worse by the time it takes to get a decision. Often, this wait is extended because needed information is missing. When that happens, additional time passes as the Veteran and VA search for that information. One way to avoid this additional time and help the VA complete your claim faster is to present all the information needed when initially applying for veterans benefits. This is often referred to as presenting a completed claim. With all the needed information, VA claims processors can focus on rendering the decision, avoiding "back-and-forth" communication with the Veteran about what is missing. Required Documentation for Veterans Benefits from the VA To apply for disability compensation, you have to demonstrate three items. Here is a listing of these items and the documentation used to support each item. Item 1 – Demonstrate that...

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WO1 Craig Morgan, U.S. Army (1982-1997, 2023 – Present)

WO1 Craig Morgan, U.S. Army (1982-1997, 2023 – Present)

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Craig Morgan, the renowned country music artist, is known for his remarkable military service. Before pursuing a successful career in the entertainment industry, Morgan dedicated over a decade of his life to serving his country in the United States Army. Rising through the ranks, he served as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division and later as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. Today, Craig Morgan continues to significantly impact military organizations through his advocacy and support for veterans' causes. The Early Years of Craig Morgan Born on July 17, 1964, in Dickson County, Tennessee, Craig Morgan spent his early years immersed in the rural landscapes of the American South. Raised amidst rolling hills and open fields, Morgan's childhood was a testament to hard work and community values. Influenced by the sounds of classic country music, he developed a passion for storytelling through song. During his teenage years in the early 1980s, Morgan began honing his musical...

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VA Updates: Are You Eligible for Disability Compensation?

VA Updates: Are You Eligible for Disability Compensation?

A frequent topic in conversations with Veterans is how they were injured in service and whether they are eligible for benefits. Generally, they point out they didn't serve in combat but were injured while in service. Their question is, given their experience, "Am I Eligible for Disability Compensation?" Eligibility Criteria for Disability Compensation The specific benefit they are referring to is Disability Compensation. This is a tax-free monthly payment for Veterans who have suffered an injury or disability while in service. Consequently, under certain conditions, the answer to the question could be yes. One important requirement is to demonstrate that the injury is connected to service, often called Service Connection.Service-Connection can be demonstrated in one of three ways: 1.    Direct Service-Connection2.    Aggravated Service-Connection3.    Secondary Service-Connection  Types of Service-Connection for Disability Compensation Direct Service-Connection This means that the...

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