The Moving Wall, a traveling memorial exhibit, continues to make its way around the U.S. with the goal of honoring Vietnam veterans.
Currently, the tribute is on display in Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles Daily News, the memorial is a miniature version of the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., measuring in at about half the size. It was constructed by a Vietnam vet in 1982 who wanted to bring the experience of viewing the display to those who could not travel to the U.S. capital. It contains the names of all 58,300 servicemembers who died fighting in the war.
The exhibit, which travels from April to November, is open for viewing 24 hours a day and remains in each location for a few days. According to the Los Angeles Daily News, it draws a diverse crowd at all hours of the day, but Vietnam veterans are always present in large numbers.
"For us Vietnam veterans, it's not only a time for remembering, it's a time for healing. You move on with your life, but you can never forget what you went through," veteran Lloyd Johnson told the source.
The 39th Marine Corps Marathon was held on Sunday, Oct. 26, in Washington, D.C. Runners from all over the world assembled to experience the physical challenge – a challenge meant to symbolize the obstacles experienced by Marines every day.
According to Military Times, over 30,000 people signed up to participate in the marathon as well as the 10 kilometer race. This number included 8,000 servicemembers, 3,700 of which were active duty. The Marine Corps specifically was represented by 3,200 runners.
The first-place winner was Uganda native and active duty U.S. Army specialist in the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, Samuel Kosgei. He completed the race with a time of 2:22. The female champion was also a servicemember – Army 2nd Lt. Meghan Curran. Military Times reported that when she started to slow down around mile 20, she joined up with a group of Marines that inspired her to pull through.
Marine Col. David Maxwell was a proud spectator at the event.
"It takes courage to sign up in the first place, facing the physical and mental challenges that you will endure. As Marines, we know full well what it means to face a challenge and overcome it," he told Military Times about the symbolic importance of the race.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring our Heroes program recently released a list naming the top cities for veterans to settle down in during their life after service.
According to a press release, the factors used to determine the top cities were job growth, health resources, population growth, military skills jobs, unemployment rate, number of colleges and universities and their relationships with veterans, certification/license transfers and G.I. Bill enrollment.
Forbes magazine reported that the top spot went to Pittsburgh. The Pennsylvania city boasts a number of companies with special veteran hiring initiatives, including Heinz and FedEx. With a population of 2.4 million, a relatively low cost of living and a number of reputable colleges, it fits the criteria for a veteran-friendly city. No. 2 on the list was Austin, Texas, where the city government has a veteran hiring program and the unemployment rate falls well below the national average at 4.6 percent.
Other cities included in the roundup were Oklahoma City, whose low unemployment rates and inexpensive home prices make it a smart choice for money-conscious veterans. Minneapolis came in at No. 10, with a bustling metropolitan area of 3.3 million people and various schools and companies known for strong veteran relationships.
President Obama will issue a posthumous Civil War Medal of Honor on Nov. 6.
Alonzo H. Cushing, commanding officer of Battery A, 4th United States Artillery, Artillery Brigade, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac, will be recognized for his actions during the Battle of Gettysburg over 150 years ago, according to Military Times. Typically, the award – which is the highest recognition of battlefield valor in the nation – must be awarded within three years of the heroic act, but Congress made an exception for Cushing's exemplary sacrifice.
At age 22, the Wisconsin native was in command of 110 soldiers and six cannons at Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, when 13,000 Confederate servicemembers, known as Pickett's Charge, advanced toward him and his men. Even after being severely wounded by enemy actions, Cushing remained fighting on the front lines, where he died in combat on July 3, 1863, noted Military Times.
Cushing's cousins, Frederic Steven Sater and Frederic Cushing Stevens III, will attend the awards ceremony at the White House, where they will accept the award from the president on behalf of their deceased ancestor. Military Times noted that the Cushing name remains significant in southern Wisconsin, where there is a monument to Alonzo and his brothers in Cushing Memorial Park.
The Army has begun isolating servicemembers arriving at U.S. military bases upon returning from West Africa.
According to Military Times, 12 soldiers were ordered to remain isolated for 21 days – the Ebola incubation period – at the U.S. Army's base in Vicenza, Italy, after they arrived from Liberia, though none of them were visibly ill. While current Defense Department standards do not require soldiers without symptoms to be quarantined, this could represent a step toward a stricter, more cautious policy, noted the source.
A group of 75 more servicemembers will be arriving in Italy within the next week and they will all be ordered to undergo the same isolation procedure. According to Military Times, they will be monitored closely by a medical team, but will have plenty of access to food and recreational activities.
This added safety precaution comes after an American doctor living in New York City tested positive for the virus after being home from Africa for a few days. According to NBC News, he declined voluntary quarantine, increasing the risk of exposing the virus to other people.
Currently, there are 700 troops in West Africa working to eradicate the Ebola outbreak – a number that will soon reach 4,000 as more soldiers deploy to assist with the mission, noted Military Times. Though they are not treating infected people, being in the central zone of the epidemic puts them at some risk of catching the illness.
After using their post-9/11 GI bills to fund their educations at two of the nation's top schools, veterans Augusto Giacoman and Tim Hsia wanted to help others do the same.
According to Forbes magazine, Giacoman used the government-funded education benefits to pay for his business degree from New York University, while Hsia did the same to cover the expense of his business and law program at Stanford University.
The veterans, who first met at West Point in 2001, served in Iraq together and share a passion for education. When their military friends returned home from war looking to start graduate school in their life after service, the two became a known resource for application help and advice. After helping a few of their colleagues successfully navigate the process of enrolling in top higher education programs, using their GI Bill to pay for tuition, they decided to officially begin their nonprofit initiative, Service to School, reported Forbes.
The organization works with soldiers through all steps of the process to ensure that they submit a solid application. They offer advice on test preparation, resume construction, essays, interviews and networking. It is open to former servicemembers looking to pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
After 13 years, the Marine Corps officially transferred their last base in Afghanistan to the nation's National Army Troops.
According to Military Times, a ceremony was held to hand over the U.S. base, Camp Leatherneck, as well as the British airfield, Camp Bastion, to the Afghani military. NBC News reported that the flags of both the U.S. and U.K. were lowered and folded to represent the countries' departures.
The base is located in Afghanistan's Helmand region, which includes the Marjah and Sangin districts, noted Military Times. The area experienced many of the war's 458 Marine casualties.
According to NBC News, the Marines' reason for vacating the base has not yet been revealed for safety purposes. It also remains unknown how Afghan police and military will use the U.S. site.
While they plan to use Bastion as an aviation center mainly for travel to Kabul, Camp Leatherneck's new purpose is still under evaluation. It measures 1,600 acres and holds $230 million worth of U.S. military equipment and buildings, reported Military Times. NBC News speculated that the large base will remain a central location for local officials to continue the fight against the region's Taliban insurgency.
Ricardo Butler, a veteran who lives in Pittsburgh, has struggled with his home's upkeep since he became disabled seven years ago.
According to CBS Pittsburgh, the former Marine experienced a stroke while riding his motorcycle in 2007. The accident caused him to lose an arm, making it difficult for him to work. Prior to the incident, Butler worked in the region's steel industry as a welder, carpenter and equipment operator during his life after service, noted a press release.
Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, a local volunteer organization, decided to reach out to Butler as part of their 2014 Season of Service. According to the release, he is the 25th veteran the group has been able to help, and they look forward to assisting many more.
The group provides free home repairs and upgrades to those in need. For Butler, they installed grab bars and hand rails for increased accessibility. They even installed an American flag in the veteran's front yard, reported CBS.
"Veterans projects really are my favorite. Making sure that those who have served our country are being taken care of by not only nonprofit organizations that serve veterans but their communities themselves," volunteer Hilary Bundy told CBS.
Sgt. Daniel Vasselian was killed in Afghanistan on Dec. 23, 2013, by enemy fire. During a ceremony in Abington, Massachusetts, on Oct. 13, his family was given the Bronze Star award he earned for the heroism displayed during his time serving as a Marine.
According to Marine Corps Times, the 27-year-old was a squad leader with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines when he was shot and killed during a security patrol. When small enemy fire erupted, Vasselian led his troops in pursuit of the source. He was shot while protecting the other soldiers in his unit.
Prior to his death, he displayed leadership and bravery during his participation in Operation Nightmare III, a heliborne raid mission. Even under heavy enemy machine gun fire, Vasselian was able to delegate important commands. Under his direction, troops were not only able to fire back at opposing forces but were also able to find protective cover, reported Marine Corps Times.
The award citation also mentions two other heliborne missions in addition to 10 combat patrols during which Vasselian displayed outstanding leadership. Marine Corps Times noted that the servicemember was originally set to receive a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, but upon reevaluation of his actions his honor was upgraded to that of the Bronze Star award.
A press release issued by the Marine Corps noted that the medal was given to Vasselian's wife and parents during a memorial ceremony in his hometown.
A veteran in San Diego will get to keep his beloved truck, thanks to the help of some concerned neighbors.
According to Fox 5 News, disabled Vietnam vet Daniel Riley woke up in his truck as it was being lifted by a tow truck on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 22. He had been living in the vehicle during a time of financial hardship. He was aware that he was late on payments for the truck, but did not have any other options.
Another local veteran, Michael Pruitt, watched the scene unfold. Aware of Riley's military service, he spoke to the men repossessing the vehicle and convinced them to stop. According to the source, police were called in and eventually it was decided that the vehicle would remain in Riley's ownership. The finance company responsible for billing the veteran decided to grant him more time to figure out his money situation.
ABC 10 reported that after the story broke, another concerned neighbor stepped in to offer help. Though they asked to remain anonymous, a local resident is attempting to organize funds to help Riley pay his outstanding debts.
"I'm simply amazed. Makes you feel so good inside." Riley told ABC 10 after hearing the news.