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Leading the fight is U S Marine Gunnery Sgt Michael Burghardt, known as ‘Iron Mike’ or just ‘Gunny’. Sgt Burghardt is on his third tour in Iraq. He had become a legend in the bomb disposal world after winning the Bronze Star for disabling 64 IEDs and destroying 1,548 pieces of ordnance during his second [...]

Capturing the experience of soldiers and families through U.S. military photographs, Melissa Etheridge sings “This War is Over.” Home video of military action in Iraq shot by a Army Private makes for a loud and intense ending.
When I discovered it on Producer Cate Poole’s Website I was eager to get it on YouTube so [...]

H.R. 1293: Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009 passed.
Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009 – Increases from: (1) $4,100 to $6,800 the amount authorized to be paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for improvements and structural alterations for homes of veterans [...]

H.R. 1803: Veterans Business Center Act of 2009
This bill has been passed in the House. The bill now goes on to be voted on in the Senate. Keep in mind that debate may be taking place on a companion bill in the Senate, rather than on this particular bill. Veterans Business Center Act of 2009 [...]

H.R. 2180: To amend title 38, United States Code, to waive housing loan fees for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities called to active service.
Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting a housing loan fee from any veteran who, but for the receipt of active service pay, would be entitled to compensation for a service-connected [...]

VA hospitals are integrating service dogs adopted from local shelters into treatment for disabled vets. The program was formed after Freedom Service Dogs, a Denver-based nonprofit, recently partnered with the VA.
Training takes up to nine months and costs exceed $20,000. Freedom Service Dogs doesn’t charge its clients but relies on private donations and foundation grants.
“The [...]

The SBA announced today that over the last two years their Patriot Express Pilot Loan Program has backed more than $310 million in loans lent out to nearly 4,000 veterans. These vets are using the SBA-guaranteed loans to start-up and expand small businesses.  As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment [...]

Veterans Airlift Command is an incredible organization doing incredibly important work for wounded warriors.
Pictured to the left is Walt Fricke whose own experience led him to launch this great cause. Here’s a quote from Mr. Fricke from their Website:
“I spent six months in a hospital 700 miles from my hometown recovering from combat injuries sustained [...]

Want to help disabled vets, but not sure which charity will deliver the biggest bang for your buck? You can donate to Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust with confidence that your money will do a lot of good and that the entire organization is on the up-and-up. Visit them here: DAVCST
Charity Navigator gives DAV [...]

Montana based Camp Patriot recently sent me some photos taken from their 2008 MT Rainier Summit Climb. Three able vets made it to the summit and while the pics below can’t possibly replace being there, it’s clear that this was no cake walk!
For information on Camp Patriot and their great cause visit: Camp Patriot and [...]