Getting accepted to West Point is an impressive achievement for anyone, so one family from Texas is certainly filled with pride. Brothers Sumner, Cole and Noah Ogrydziak were recently accepted to West Point and are expected to graduate in 2017, marking one of the few times in the academy's storied history it has accepted three siblings into the same class, according to The Associated Press.
Sumner and Cole, twins, are 18 while their older brother Noah recently turned 19. The last time West Point accepted three siblings was in 1981, when twins Rose and Anne Forrester joined their older brother John. As for the Orgydziak's, they seemed destined to attend the academy. Their family has a long military history, with their father currently serving in the Coast Guard and their mother having served 10 years herself. Regardless of how often they see one another, the brothers are happy they won't be alone.
"It helps knowing that your brothers are here, even though we're going to be separated all across campus in different companies, but I'm sure we'll see each other and it will help keep morale a little bit higher," Sumner told the AP.
Graduating from West Point is certainly no easy task. About 81 percent of admitted students make it through the rigorous coursework and high standards, according to The New York Times.
Much of the southwestern corner of the U.S. has been plagued by wildfires in recent days due to extreme heat and dry conditions. As local firefighters respond to the flames, they are getting some assistance from the sky thanks to the Air Force. In Arizona, four C-130s have helped out by dropping thousands of gallons of fire retardant, according to Military.com.
The planes moved to the Grand Canyon state after helping out first responders in Colorado, and the pilots are pushing their planes as hard as they can go. They can drop about 3,000 gallons of liquid at once and are flying at just about 150 feet above the flames. It's not an easy job, but it's a necessary one.
"They are pushing the aircraft to its maximum performance," Ann Skarban, a spokeswoman for the 302nd Air Lift Wing told the website. "They are flying slow, low and heavy. They are working to draw lines of containment to break up or stop the fire."
The fires in Arizona have already been among the most damaging in recent memory. Last week, one fire in particular in Yarnell Hill claimed the lives of 19 firefighters.
Most people are familiar with Drew Carey thanks to his self-titled sitcom, his stint as the host of "Whose Line Is It Anyway" and most notably his gig with "The Price Is Right." However, they're likely less familiar with his military past. The former stand-up comedian served in the Marine Corps for six years, so it should come as no surprise to learn that he identifies with military families, and the July 4 episode of "The Price Is Right" will feature the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families, Stars and Stripes reports.
A long standing relationship
The venerable game show – a TV staple for more than 40 years – has hosted military centric episodes before. In 2002, for instance, each branch of the Armed Forces got its own episode. Additionally, for each of the past five years there have been servicemembers in the audience for Veterans Day. However, honoring the troops on Independence Day is a first. Among those who were lucky enough to be a contestant was Air Force Maj. Douglas Johnson, who said the experience is not one he will soon forget.
"It was a lot of fun. The studio itself – the TV always make it look bigger than it is. It was really exciting to be there. To see the show taped, it was almost surreal," Johnson told Stars and Stripes.
Communities pay tribute
Of course, Carey and the rest of "The Price Is Right" crew aren't the only ones paying tribute to the military on July 4. Communities across the country are doing the same, and one in particular stepped up to save a popular event after budget cuts threatened to shut it down, according to CBS affiliate WBTW.
Salute from the Shore has been an annual tradition in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where civilians would line the coast and honor the the troops as Air Force planes fly overhead. Although sequestration grounded the F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base, volunteers helped fill the void. Organizers found volunteers who owned vintage military planes were more than willing to step up to the plate and complete the flyovers. So while it may have a different look, the Fourth of July tradition will continue in the Palmetto State.
Although much attention is paid to the world class golfers participating in this week's AT&T National Golf Tournament, the day before the pros teed off, the focus was on another group in attendance. Tournament host Tiger Woods paid tribute to the military's wounded warriors on Wednesday, something he has made a point of doing every year since launching the event more than five years ago, Stars and Stripes reports.
Family ties to the military
Honoring America's servicemembers is an issue close to the heart of the world's No. 1-ranked golfer. Woods' father, who passed away in 2006, served in the Army's Special Forces and fought in the Vietnam War. So it should come as no surprise that Woods makes recognizing the sacrifice made by troops a priority. In opening remarks on Wednesday, he touched on how important it is for him to thank those who serve in the military.
"For me to have a golf tournament in the D.C. area, it's only right to be able to honor the great men and women who serve our great country and do what they do," he told the gathered crowd, according to the news source. "It's a thankless act, and they put their lives on the line every time they go down range … We really do owe our freedom to all their hard work and sacrifices … in leaving their families for months at a time. They come back with debilitating injuries and sometimes they don't come back at all."
Vets hit the course
The pre-tournament ceremonies offered some of the veterans in attendance more than just the chance to watch. In fact, some got the chance to play nine holes alongside some of the biggest names in the sport, according to NBC Washington. Among those who got the chance to hit the links was U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tim Lang. The 28-year-old servicemember has had to have nearly 50 surgeries due to injuries he suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near him.
Despite losing his right leg from the knee down, Lang has turned into an avid golfer. In fact, the Salute Military Golf Association reached out to him and he has since used the sport to overcome the mental and physical wounds of war, according NBC.
As the Armed Forces winds down operations in Afghanistan, there are significant changes on the horizon. Specifically, the Army is expected to cut its size by tens of thousands of soldiers over the next several years, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno announced on Tuesday that the branch will cut at least 12 brigades over the next five years, according to The New York Times.
Odierno said the Army will reduce the number of brigade combat teams from 45 to 33, while noting that one more may be added to the list. The cuts are the result of a $500 billion reduction in funding implemented in 2011 and come a time when the Department of Defense may need to make greater changes due to sequestration. Lawmakers are concerned the future may hold more substantial, and damaging, elimination.
"As damaging as they are, these cuts don't begin to reflect the crippling damage sequestration will do to our armed forces and national security," Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. "This is only the tip of the iceberg. Much deeper cuts are still to come."
According to Military.com, at least 10 bases in the U.S. will lose a brigade including Fort Bliss, Fort Bragg and Fort Hood.
It's not unusual to see wounded warriors go on to do great things after they've recovered from their injuries. Some eventually compete in the Paralympic Games while others even return to active duty. For, Army Capt. Christian Labra, recovery meant helping other soldiers who have gone through the same things he did. More than 10 years after being injured in Iraq, Labra has become a doctor in an effort to not only treat fellow wounded warriors but as a tribute to the skilled physicians and surgeons who helped him recover, according to American Forces Press Service.
Tragedy to triumph
Labra had his pelvis and legs broken when he was hit by a collapsing wall. After being pulled from the rubble, he eventually was moved to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. It was there he saw firsthand how impressive the medical experts in the military are. When he returned stateside, he abandoned plans to pursue a law degree and instead headed to the world of medicine.
"I am where I am because people took really, really good care of me, and I am so incredibly grateful," Labra told the news source. "Now, as a doctor, I want to be the kind of ally who can lead someone through the dark. To be able to do that is really powerful. It is awesome when it works."
One of many
By the end of 2012, more than 50,000 troops had been wounded serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to figures from the Department of Defense. Labra's success story should serve as a clear indication that many of these injured servicemembers can achieve impressive levels of success. In fact, a group of wounded warriors recently began an impressive 3,000 miles trek from one end of the U.S. to the other.
The servicemembers are participating in the 32nd annual Race Across America event, which kicked off June 15. The course takes them through 12 states and is among the longest such races in the world. Many of the participants are riding hand-powered bicycles to make the trip due to injuries.
"Race Across America is opportunity for me to be an example and show that there is nothing combat wounded veterans can't do," said Cpl. Justin Gaertner, who lost both legs due to an improvised explosive device.
The military and college football have a strong relationship that dates back decades. Whether it's the annual Army-Navy game or the presentation of the Commander-in-Chief Trophy, the Armed Forces and football are inextricably linked. Now, for the first time in NCAA history, a postseason bowl game will be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. In 2013, the Military Bowl will move from Washington, D.C., to the home of the Midshipmen, according to CBS Sports.
The Military Bowl is among the youngest postseason games in college football, with its history dating back to 2008. Game officials say the change in location is the perfect way to honor the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces.
"Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is truly a venue that is in line with our mission of supporting our nation's military and raising awareness for organizations supporting the Armed Forces. We expect a great matchup," DC Bowl Committee President and Executive Director Steve Beck said.
This isn't the only bowl game to pay tribute to the members of the military. The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, which last year featured Air Force, has been played every season since 2003.
The role of women in the military has changed considerably in recent years. Previously, female troops were officially not allowed to serve in combat roles, but as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan proved that the line between these roles was very blurry, it became readily apparent a change had to be made. Earlier this year then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey removed these barriers, and this week the military is moving forward with plans to open up significantly more positions to servicewomen, according to The Associated Press.
Women play a vital role
The last 10-plus years of war have changed the way a lot of people view combat, and that includes the role of women. More than 280,000 female troops have served in Iraq, Afghanistan or one of their neighboring countries, and women make up about 14 percent of the active military personnel. Although the Pentagon opened up about 14,500 combat positions to women last year, there were still hundreds of thousands that were not available due to a nearly 20-year-old policy that barred women from serving on ground combat units. However, that is about to change.
Plans in place
Military leaders recently presented Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel with a tentative schedule for opening up new positions to women. For instance, in the Army, leaders say they will have standards set by July 2015 so that servicewomen can train to be Army Rangers. There are also plans to open up channels for women to train to be Navy SEALs by March 2016. Special Operations Command also has plans in place.
Widespread praise
The move has been met with considerable applause from lawmakers and military leaders. Among the most vocal supporters of the change in policy is New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who says the decision will have far-reaching implications.
"This decision finally opens the door for more qualified women to excel in our military and advance their careers, and obtain all of the benefits they have earned," she said in a statement. "Officially recognizing women in combat will strengthen our country both morally and militarily, and create promising opportunities for the brave women who serve our country, and the families that stand by them."
June 14 is recognized as Flag Day, but it also marks the anniversary of the Army's creation, and this year marks the branch's 238th birthday. The milestone is being observed in a variety of different ways across the country, but one of the biggest celebrations is at Mount Vernon, according to the Army's official website.
The birthday celebrations began several days ago when Secretary of the Army John McHugh visited the former residence of George Washington to lay a wreath at the first president's crypt. He was one of hundreds on hand for the occasion, and aside from recognizing Washington's important role in the founding of the U.S., they also paid tribute to the integral role he played in the formation of the Army.
"Not only was George Washington first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was the first military official to recognize Soldiers who served and sacrificed for what we now call the Purple Heart," Ann Bookout, the regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, said at the ceremony.
There was also a ceremony held at the Pentagon on Thursday where McHugh, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ray Odierno, and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel all spoke.
Over the last several years, the military and college basketball have become more intertwined. In 2011, for instance, North Carolina and Michigan State played on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson, and last fall Michigan State and the University of Connecticut took to the court at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The tradition will continue this year, as Oregon and Georgetown have been announced as the two participants in this year's Armed Forces Classic on Nov. 8, according to ESPN.
The match up should be a good one. Both Oregon and Georgetown advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season, with the Ducks making it to the Sweet 16 before being knocked out by eventual champion Louisville. However, despite the appeal of a big-time early season game, Georgetown coach John Thompson III says this contest has more meaning than what's reflected in the standings.
"I think it's important as we prepare for league play to compete against top-flight opponents," he said. "At the same time, it's an honor for Georgetown to be involved in the Veteran's Week festivities and to recognize the contributions of the United States military."
This marks the second year college basketball will come to an Army base, with plans to have similar games over the next three seasons.