Returning Bonuses to Wounded Vets

Brigadier General Michael S. Tucker on returning Army bonuses to wounded vets. Soldiers will keep bonuses despite reports of wounded soldiers receiving letters from the Army requesting that they return signing bonuses after injuries caused them to return home before their contract had been “fulfilled”.

Warriors Walk

NBC Nightly news did a story recently about ‘Warriors Walk‘ in GA that is very moving. But, the story also highlights the unwavering pride of able veteran Joel Jacobs. The short video I discovered on YouTube is worth watching and you can find it at the end of this article.

Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Joel Jacobs lost his leg in service with the 92nd Engineer Battalion in Iraq and still makes a trip to Warriors Walk nearly every day to support the fallen warriors from the 3rd Infantry Division. He makes sure the personal effects that adorn the resting places of these warriors are intact and places new items on the sites as well.

Despite not knowing those he so selflessly tends to he feels a strong connection to them and understands just how close he came to being killed himself. I have to believe that if he hadn’t lost his leg he’d have found a way to b back over in Iraq alongside other brave warriors serving our country.

Joel Jacobs is an Able Veteran everyone can look up to! Thank you sir.

We Salute You Sir

Bush Spends Veterans Day in Waco Texas

AP Photos
AP - President Bush went to American Legion Post 121, which was honoring four Texas men who were among the members of the U.S. military who have died in Iraq since 2003. They were Army Spc. Javier Antonio Villanueva of Bellmead, Army Spc. Jeffrey Paul Shaffer of West, Marine Lance Cpl. Johnny Ray Strong of Waco and Marine Gunnery Sgt. John David Fry of Lorena.

As can be expected it was a tearful event with the President leaving politics out of the event and focusing instead strictly on making sure the event was an honorable one that would make the families of the fallen proud.

Veterans Day

An AP photo of the honor guards marching near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., during the ceremonial Changing of the Guard, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007.

My dad is buried at Arlington National Cemetery and I’m thinking of him and the other unknown soldiers buried there. So many tomb stones, so many names, so many unknown stories. Whenever I think of the soldiers buried there I don’t feel sadness, I feel pride. Although unknown individually they’re all well known. Well known as the strongest and bravest our country has known.

God bless all of you soldiers.

Veterans Day Facts

History of Veterans Day:

Armistice Day, as Nov. 11 was initially known because on that date the armistice ended WWI, became an official U.S. holiday way back in 1926 and a nationally recognized holiday in 1938. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.

In 1968, congressional legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. In 1978 Congress, recognizing that their predecessors had goofed, returned the observance to its traditional date of November 11.

There are official national ceremonies for Veterans Day focusing on the Tomb of the Unknowns. To honor these men and women, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard at Ft. Myer, VA), keeps a day-and-night vigil, regardless of the weather. At 11 a.m. Nov. 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes “Present Arms” at the tomb. The nation’s tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath and the playing of “Taps.”

A few facts about our veterans:

• There are an estimated 25 million veterans living today.

• More than 48 million Americans have served in our military since the birth of our nation in 1776.

• Every year roughly 80,000 veterans are buried in in National Cemetery system.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about veterans’ events and organizations, you can contact a local support group, such as the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars. On Veterans Day and Memorial Day, these groups raise money for charity by selling paper poppies made by disabled veterans. This bright red wildflower became a symbol of World War I after a bloody battle among rows of poppies in Belgium’s Flanders Field.

At 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, many Americans observe a moment of silence to remember those who fought for peace. Let’s all observe that moment of silence again this year.

SBA Patriot Express Loan Program

In four short months the SBA’s loan program for disabled vets has made more than 500 loans (SBA guaranteed loans) totaling more than $51 million and an average loam amount of over $100,000.

Patriot Express is a streamlined loan product based on the agency’s highly successful SBA Express Program, but with enhanced guaranty and interest rate characteristics.

Patriot Express Loan Program Details:

Whose eligible?

Patriot Express loans are available to military veterans, service-disabled veterans, service members leaving active duty, Reservists and National Guard members, current spouses of any of the above, spouses of active duty members, and the widowed spouse of a service member who died during service, or of a service-connected disability.

What can the loan be used for?

The Patriot Express Pilot Loan can be used for most business purposes.How much can I borrow?

Loan amounts can be up to $500,000 (although the average is currently running close to $100,000) and qualify for SBA’s maximum guaranty of up to 85 percent for loans of $150,000 or less and up to 75 percent for loans over $150,000.

What do the terms of the loan look like compared with a standard bank loan?

Interest rate maximums for Patriot Express loans are the same as those for regular SBA 7(a) loans: a maximum of prime + 2.25 percent for maturities under seven years; prime + 2.75 percent for seven years or more. Interest rates can be higher by two percent for loans of $25,000 or less; and one percent for loans between $25,000 and $50,000.

Where can I get more information?

Details on the initiative can be found at http://www.sba.gov/patriotexpress.

Illinois announces new home for homeless vets

Illionois is trying to do something to help reduce the homelessness problem in their state by opening a home for homeless veterans. Their are an estimated 200,000 veterans of wars sleeping in streets across the U.S. on any given night and this is a small step in the right direction. More information can be found on the Illinois State website: Homeless veterans. If you’re looking for an application for you or a loved one you can find it here:

Apply

Operation Iraqi Freedom

A childhood friend who is currently serving in Iraq sent me an article today about a large explosives factory they closed down recently thanks to a tip from a concerned local resident.

The article about the explosives factory can be found here:

Explosives Factory put out of business

For ongoing news from the front line in Iraq click here:

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Always nice to have good news!