Coast Guard rescues 14 people from ocean after fleeing Maui wildfires.

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Military news…

US troop surge to aid Middle East shipping echoes past confrontations with Iran
A resurgence in tensions between the U.S. and Iran in Middle Eastern waters is harkening back to the playbook of clandestine maritime conflicts that has pitted the two countries against each other for more than four decades, according to analysts.

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Coast Guard rescues 14 people from ocean after fleeing Maui wildfires
More than 100 National Guardsmen are helping with the wildfire response.

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7 killed in Ukraine’s Kherson region, including a 23-day-old baby girl

Artillery shelling in the village of Shiroka Balka, on the banks of the Dnieper River, killed a family and another resident. Meanwhile, a Russian warship on Sunday fired warning shots at a Palau-flagged cargo ship in the south-western Black Sea.

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US military ready to assist in Hawaii fire recovery, Pentagon says

The U.S. National Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard are assisting with recovery efforts in the communities reeling from fires in Maui. No active-duty forces are involved yet.

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North Korea confirms it has runaway US soldier in custody

North Korea apprehended Army Pvt. Travis King, 23, after he dashed into the country during a group tour of the heavily guarded Joint Security Area on July 18, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

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The Maui fires are heart breaking. Over 106 deaths confirmed. However it is comforting to know that the National Guard, and the Coast Guard are helping out. The Coast Guard saved 14 people’s lives out of the ocean. The National Guard is searching for survivors.

We do not hear to much about these two forces, but they are always there helping.

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I had the National Guard help me personally two years ago. It was the height of the pandemic, and I was at the place for people to get their shots.

The lines were huge, but I got in line anyway. As I slowly worked my way forward, a National Guard private came up to me and said, “Follow me.”

He took me past the head of the line into a special area. It looked like it was set up for handicapped people. Since I was using a walker that seemed t be the reason he took me there. Maybe it also could have been that I was wearing an Army hat.

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I am in the process of interviewing a submariner. Not just any submariner, but a nuclear submariner. Incredible interview. This should be enough to buy my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the trenches of life.

I also talked to a Vietnam veteran who is deciding if he will allow me to interview him. He has an amazing story. (He had a bayonet go through both legs in an one on one fight.)

Keep coming back to find what new interviews I may be having. You can Also Subscribe at the top of this page, When you do all future posts will go directly to your inbox.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you fighting back memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 15,219 Veterans on this site who have your back.

If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.
1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up.

+Now there is an easier way to get help. Just dial 988, and you will have help ready for you.

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

December 7th, 1942 Pearl Harbor Was Attacked Killing Thousands of Americans.

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Military news…

4 Navy Sailors Assigned to Same Facility Die by Apparent Suicide Within Weeks, Amid Growing Concerns of Mental Health Crisis

The four sailors worked for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC), which maintains military ships and is based in Norfolk, Virginia.

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Defense Bill Likely to Include End to Military Vaccine Mandate, Source Says

The White House says it still supports the vaccine mandate, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reiterated the Pentagon’s support for the order.

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Army Vs. Navy: One of College Football’s Greatest Rivalries 

The annual matchup between the Army Black Knights of the United States Military Academy at West Point and the Navy Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis promises a stadium atmosphere unlike anything else. 

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Ukraine war pushes Poland to train civilians as soldiers for a military mighty enough to challenge Russia
The Polish Ministry of National Defense’s new “Train with the Army” project is an initiative born out of the anxiety over the war in neighboring Ukraine. Weekend courses for thousands of Poles began in October and, due to popular demand, will continue into January.

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US accuses Iranian boat of using spotlight to blind the bridge crews of two Navy ships in Strait of Hormuz

An Iranian patrol boat on Monday flashed its spotlight at the bridges of two Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which U.S. military officials said blinded the crews and created an “unsafe and unprofessional” incident, according to a U.S. Central Command statement.

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Today is December 7th. That date rings in veterans ears. December 7th, 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, killing thousands of our brothers and sisters. It is a day we should never forget. I had three uncles that fought in WWII. Two of them received Purple Hearts. They inspired me to enlist in 1959. I am so glad I served in honor of them.

I was only two years old when Pearl Harbor happened, so I had not idea what was going on, but as the years past my uncles told me stories that dug deep into my heart. They were my heroes.

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Still in the final stages of my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life. Just a couple more interviews, and some formatting of the book, and it is off to the publisher. Keep coming back to see the progress. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on subscribe. When you subscribe, all future posts go directly to your inbox.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you fighting back memories?
FEAR NOT!
There are over 15,219 Veterans on this site who have your back.
If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!
Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.
1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up.

+Now there is an easier way to get help. Just dial 988, and you will have help ready for you.

_______________________________________________________________

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

Ukrainian strikes against Russian vessels are more than just lucky hits

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Military news…

Soldier who ran into burning helicopter in Vietnam War honored with street name

Sgt. Gary McKiddy was a member of the 1st Squadron, 9th Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary Division, when he was killed in action May 6, 1970, at age 20 in Cambodia after pulling fellow soldier Spc. Jim Skaggs from a burning helicopter.

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The Navy is unprepared to fight in two conflicts at once with current fleet size, the service’s top officer tells senators
The current fleet of about 298 ships “is not sized to handle two simultaneous conflicts,” Adm. Mike Gilday, the chief of naval operations, said during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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Ukrainian strikes against Russian vessels are more than just lucky hits

The destruction of at least eight Russian vessels in recent weeks points to an emerging strategic effort to break a Black Sea blockade that is strangling the Ukrainian economy.


North Korea fires 3 ballistic missiles off its eastern coast, South’s military says

North Korea launched three short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast on Thursday, according to South Korean military officials.

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Finland will apply to join NATO in decision welcomed by US and allies

Finland’s announcement of its intent to join NATO, prompted by Russia’s war on Ukraine, reverses Finland’s quasi-neutral status, which dates to the Cold War.

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US intelligence officials warn of prolonged war in Ukraine as Russia expands territorial goals
Fighting in Ukraine will be “significant” in the coming months as Russian President Vladimir Putin sets his sights beyond conquering the eastern Donbas region to building a land bridge across the entire Ukrainian Black Sea coast, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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Here is another “interview” with WWII veteran. I sat down to interview him, and after the first question, he never stopped talking.

I sat down with WWII veteran Bob Kosta, who is still alive at 97 years old recently, and had a very pleasant surprise. After I asked him one question, he talked for an hour about his experiences:

What rank did you have?

CPL.

I was sent to France to fight in the war with Germany. On the way there our ship’s propellers broke down, and we were dead in the water. There were German subs in the area. We were very lucky to get the propellers fixed before we were spotted. (Near death experience # 1)

Once we landed we pushed our way into the center of France.

While we were maneuvering we came across a cave full of Russian lady’s, who were hiding from the Germans. If they would have been found, they all would have been killed. We got them to safety.

Then at another spot we were pinned down by enemy fire. A buddy and I could only find one spot to hunker down. It was in a furrow. Whereas trenches are over six feet deep. a furrow is only about 12 inches deep, so some of your body was still sticking up. My buddy and I figured we were goners at that time.

Then we heard some equipment making noise behind us. It was two tanks. They came over the top of both of us and they opened the hatch and pulled us in. (Near Death Experience # 2.)

Then we came to some concentration camps. One was full of military people. We set them free. We also came to another centration camp full of Jews. We set them free too.

At another time our vehicle was lost. We tried to find our convoy, and saw one up ahead that we got in behind a followed. After a while we realized it was a German convoy, and exited left. (Near death experience # 3)

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Talk about a wild ride! Bob is a hero in my book. A true greatest generation person. Come back often, because I have at least two other WWII interviews. The both had near death experiences as well. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on Subscribe. When you all future posts will come directly to you inbox.

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This Military Appreciation Month, I hope you will take an extra minute to recognize the sacrifices made by our Nation’s service members.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you struggling?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 14,700 veterans on this site who have your back.

Here is what I am asking you to do…please share this site with as many other veterans as you can. It has helped so many.

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If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

_______________________________________________________________

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

________________________________________________________________

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.