veterans

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28 Civil War Veterans Finally Get a Proper Burial

Cremated remains languished in Seattle funeral home's storage facilities for decades

(Newser) - For decades, the cremated remains of more than two dozen Civil War veterans languished in storage at a funeral home and cemetery in Seattle. The simple copper and cardboard urns gathering dust on shelves only had the name of each of the 28 soldiers—but nothing linking them to the...

Vietnam Vet's Obit Reveal: 'I Was Gay All My Life'
Vietnam Vet's Obit Reveal:
'I Must Tell You One More Thing'
in case you missed it
Jun 16, 2024 11:05 AM CDT

Vietnam Vet's Obit Reveal: 'I Must Tell You One More Thing'

Edward Ryan tells the world he was gay, had longtime partner, was afraid of being ostracized

(Newser) - By all accounts, Edward Thomas Ryan could claim a life well-lived. As noted in his obituary published earlier this month in the Albany Times Union, the 85-year-old Vietnam vet and retired firefighter from Rensselaer, New York, was a beloved brother and uncle to many nieces and nephews, with various "...

Korean War Vet, 96, Is Still Trying to Get Purple Heart
After 73 Years, Korea Vet
Awarded Purple Heart
UPDATED
May 20, 2024 2:30 PM CDT

After 73 Years, Korea Vet Awarded Purple Heart

Earl Meyer, 96, fought to have Army recognize injury

(Newser) - After 73 years and a long fight with the US Army, a Korean War veteran from Minnesota who was wounded in combat finally got his Purple Heart medal. The Army notified Earl Meyer, 96, last month that it had granted him a Purple Heart, which honors service members wounded or...

At New Orleans Museum, AI Lets You Talk to WWII Vets

Participants sat for as many as 1K questions each

(Newser) - Olin Pickens sat in his wheelchair facing a life-sized image of himself on a screen, asking it questions about being taken prisoner by German soldiers during World War II. After a pause, his video-recorded twin recalled being given "sauerkraut soup" by his captors before a grueling march. "That...

Looks Like This Veteran Didn't Need His Wheelchair After All

Prosecutors say New Hampshire's Christopher Stultz lied about disability to get $660K in benefits

(Newser) - A New Hampshire veteran has admitted to faking his need for a wheelchair for 20 years to claim more than $660,000 in benefits he wasn't entitled to. Christopher Stultz, 49, of Antrim pleaded guilty in US District Court on Thursday to one count of making false statements. He...

New Suicide-Prevention Option Drew 50K Veterans Last Year

VA initiative offers free emergency suicide-prevention aid to veterans, ex-service members

(Newser) - An emergency suicide-prevention initiative launched last year by the Department of Veterans Affairs has resonated with its target audience. The agency announced Wednesday that so far, almost 50,000 veterans and other ex-service members have made use of the program. The benefit allows those eligible to go to any VA-...

Last Member of Famed WWII Unit Dies
Last of Merrill's Marauders Dies
Dec 28, 2023 4:19 AM CST

Last of Merrill's Marauders Dies

Russell Hamler, member of famed WWII unit, was 99

(Newser) - The reputed last member of the famed American jungle fighting unit in World War II nicknamed Merrill's Marauders has died. Russell Hamler, 99, died on Tuesday, his son Jeffrey said. He did not give a cause of death. Hamler was the last living Marauder, according to a biography published...

John Kelly Confirms Trump Remarks on Veterans

Former WH chief of staff says ex-boss 'has no idea what America is all about'

(Newser) - John Kelly, who served as chief of staff to former President Donald Trump, went on the record Monday to confirm "a number of damning stories" about Trump in a statement to CNN . And what a statement it is. Kelly described Trump as "a person who is not truthful...

Study Suggests More Veterans Die of Suicide

Greater cooperation from states would help, nonprofit says

(Newser) - The number of US military veterans who have died by suicide could be far higher than the Department of Veterans Affairs has reported, a new study indicates. America's Warrior Partnership, which works to eliminate veteran suicide, found that in eight states, the number of suicides was 1.37 times...

VA Makes 'Historic Shift' on Abortion Access

Agency will start offering abortion access to veterans, even in states where procedure is banned

(Newser) - The Department of Veterans Affairs hasn't offered abortions, or even counseling for patients considering one, to the former service members covered by its health care services. That's about to change, thanks to what the Washington Post calls a "historic shift" that will allow veterans and eligible family...

Schumer Says Deal Has Been Reached on Burn Pits Bill
Burn Pits Bill Clears Senate
UPDATED
Aug 2, 2022 7:46 PM CDT

Burn Pits Bill Clears Senate

It's headed to Biden's desk after 86-11 vote

(Newser) - This story has been updated with new developments. A bill to expand benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits cleared the Senate Tuesday evening—days after Jon Stewart fiercely denounced Republicans who blocked its passage . The bill was approved in an 86-11 vote and it will now head to...

Risk of Heart Problems Spikes After COVID
Another Nasty Side Effect
of COVID Rears Its Head
NEW STUDY
Feb 23, 2022 8:09 AM CST

Another Nasty Side Effect of COVID Rears Its Head

Millions potentially affected by heart problems as researchers warn of strained health systems

(Newser) - People who've been infected with COVID-19 are at a "substantial" risk for cardiovascular diseases up to a year after infection, according to a study of US veterans, 99.7% of whom were unvaccinated. The study analyzed health data for 153,000 veterans who were infected up to January...

Veteran Gets Unexpected Gift From Long-Dead Friend

Edmonton Oilers T-shirt belonged to his best friend and fellow medic, killed in Afghanistan in 2008

(Newser) - A Canadian veteran whose best friend and fellow service member was killed 13 years ago serving in Afghanistan got a surprise Christmas gift this year that drew out a cascade of feelings: his pal's Edmonton Oilers hockey T-shirt. The CBC reports on the emotional story of the friendship between...

'I Think We're Making History,' Pilot Said. Then He Crashed

Marc Olson died Tuesday during pioneer mission to battle Colorado wildfire at night

(Newser) - A pilot who'd flown for 42 years—32 of those spent in the Army and Air Force— died Tuesday during a pioneering effort to fight a Colorado wildfire at night. Marc Thor Olson of CO Fire Aviation successfully completed a water drop over the Kruger Rock Fire in Larimer...

He Almost Fired on 3 Kids in WWII. Now, a Joyous Reunion

'My heart is bursting,' says American vet Martin Adler, 97

(Newser) - Martin Adler still has nightmares about his experience in World War II. But there are happy memories, too, like that day in October 1944 when he posed for a photo with three Italian children he'd nearly killed. Adler, then a 20-year-old private, had been searching the village of Monterenzio...

Report Finds Toll, Possible Causes of Military Suicides

Greater funding of programs hasn't helped, Cost of War Project says

(Newser) - More than four times as many US active military personnel and veterans involved in 21st century wars have died by suicide than were killed in fighting, a new report says. The report from Cost of War Project, run by Brown University and Boston University, listed a series of possible causes,...

Veteran, 35, Is Dying From Burn Pit Exposure

He has terminal colon cancer after service in Iraq, Afghanistan

(Newser) - It's an issue that Jon Stewart says has an "incredible similarity" to the health problems suffered by 9/11 first responders—and it's killing 35-year-old retired Staff Sgt. Wesley Black. He has terminal colon cancer that doctors have linked to exposure to burn pits during his time in...

Veteran Began Speaking About Black Americans, Got Mic Shut Off

Ohio American Legion investigating incident after Memorial Day event organizers admit to censoring

(Newser) - Retired Army Lt. Col. Barnard Kemter had an inspiring 11-minute speech planned as the keynote speaker at a Memorial Day event in Hudson, Ohio, including a bit about the history of the holiday. Partway through his address at a local cemetery, however, the microphone cut out for about two minutes....

Remains of Pearl Harbor Vet Identified, 80 Years Later

William Blanchard of Idaho died at age 24

(Newser) - About 80 years after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a veteran who died during the attacks has had his remains identified, per the AP . The remains of William Eugene Blanchard, who was killed at Pearl Harbor while serving on the USS Oklahoma , were identified through DNA testing conducted by an...

Family Sues After Vet Dies Covered in Ant Bites

He was bitten more than 100 times in room at VA facility

(Newser) - After serving his country for six years, Air Force veteran Joel Marrable died in a Veterans Affairs facility covered in more than 100 fire ant bites. The 73-year-old's three adult children are now suing the government, alleging that the bites contributed to his death days later. According to the...

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