SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2011.  In honor of the 20th anniversary of the cease fire announcement of the Persian Gulf War, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) held a memorial service today at the Capitol Rotunda in Springfield for the 14 Illinois service members who lost their lives during Operation Desert[Read More…]

WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2011.  Today, the Center for American Progress released a report on Tricare, by Senior Fellow Lawrence Korb, which challenges policymakers to “do what works,” to rethink the status quo in the military health care system, embrace innovation and experimentation, and be ready to execute changes fairly and[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2011.   Michelle and I were inspired by the service and life story of former Army Corporal Frank W. Buckles, the last surviving American veteran of World War I and the oldest known World War I era veteran in the world, who passed away yesterday at the[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2011.  The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Spc. Andrew C. Wilfahrt, 31, of Rosemount, Minn., died Feb. 27, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.  He[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 25, 2011.  The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sgt. Jerome Firtamag, 29, of Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, was medically evacuated from Kandahar, Afghanistan, to the United States on Dec. 1, 2010, for treatment of a[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 24, 2011.  The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Cpl. Johnathan W. Taylor, 23, of Homosassa, Fla., died Feb. 22 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment,[Read More…]

CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–February 23, 2011.  The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) today honored two World War II U.S. Army Air Force Veterans and members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen as February 2011 Veterans of the Month at a ceremony in Chicago. The Illinois Veteran of the Month award is a distinction[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 22, 2011.  The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. Robert C. Sisson Jr., 29, of Aliquippa, Pa., died Feb. 21 in Kandahar district, Afghanistan, in a non-combat related incident.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 22, 2011.  The Army released suicide data today for the month of January.  Among active-duty soldiers, there were 15 potential suicides:  one has been confirmed as suicide, and 14 remain under investigation.  For December 2010, the Army reported 12 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers.  Since the release of[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 22, 2011.  The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Lance Cpl. Andrew P. Carpenter, 27, of Columbia, Tenn., died Feb. 19 of wounds received Feb. 14 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to[Read More…]