The VFW joined with hundreds of veterans and officials to dedicate the site of the new National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial last week at the corner of 23rd Street and Constitution Ave., in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial and near the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. Special guest speakers were former Vice President and then-Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, retired Air Force Gen. Chuck Horner, former U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait Ed Gnehm, and current Kuwait Ambassador to the U.S. Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Representing the VFW were the Memorial Foundation President/CEO Scott Stump, a life member of the VFW Department of North Carolina, and Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton, a life member of VFW Post 4075 in Frankfort, Ky.
DOD ‘Tenant Bill of Rights’
On Thursday, the three service secretaries and the Joint Chiefs testified before the Senate Committee on Armed Services. The hearing focused on accountability to provide safe military housing and other building infrastructure to service members and their families. To ensure service members and their families have safe and adequate living conditions and proper legal protections, the service secretaries have created a Tenant Bill of Rights. It would provide a major overhaul of the military’s two-decade-old housing privatization program. Key provisions include: requiring the military to renegotiate contracts with the real estate companies and bondholders who back the deals; will impose new controls on the landlords operating on military bases; allow military base tenants to withhold rent payments from landlords if housing troubles persist; and guarantee tenants’ access to housing advocates when they dispute landlords, or allow them to move, at no cost, to “suitable lodging” if repairs aren’t made.
Transition of Service Members and Veterans into the Merchant Marine
Last Monday, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order to “promote employment opportunities for United States military veterans while growing the cadre of trained United States mariners available to meet United States requirements for national and economic security.” The executive order requires the United States Committee on the Marine Transportation System, DOD, and the Department of Homeland Security to streamline credentialing and transition of service members into the Merchant Marines.
POW/MIA Update
Edward J. Weissenback, an employee of Air America Incorporated, was piloting an Air America C-123K from Udorn Airfield, Kingdom of Thailand, headed for Xienhom District, Xaingnabouli Province, Laos. Interment services are pending.
Roy F. Townley, an employee of Air America Incorporated, was piloting an Air America C-123K from Udorn Airfield, Kingdom of Thailand, headed for Xienhom District, Xaingnabouli Province, Laos. Interment services are pending.
George L. Ritter, an employee of Air America Incorporated, was piloting an Air America C-123K from Udorn Airfield, Kingdom of Thailand, headed for Xienhom District, Xaingnabouli Province, Laos. Interment services are pending.
Army Cpl. John G. Krebs was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On July 11, 1950, his unit was engaged in combat operations against the North Korean People’s Army south of Chonui, South Korea. Interment services are pending.
Army Master Sgt. Charlie J. Mares was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division when his unit engaged in combat against the Korean People’s Army. Interment services are pending.
Navy Reserve Seaman 2nd Class Deward W. Duncan was assigned to Aviation, Construction, Ordnance, Repair, Navy Fourteen, Standard Landing Craft Unit 4, when a Japanese air raid on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps. Cpl. Claire E. Goldtrap was assigned to Company A, 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Interment services are pending.
Navy Reserve Aviation Machinist’s Mate 1st Class John O. Morris was a member of Carrier Aircraft Service Unit (CASU) 17. In November 1943, American units landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Interment services are pending.
Army Sgt. Cread E. Shuey was a member of Battery G, 60th Coast Artillery Regiment, serving in the Philippines, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Angelo M. Gabriele was stationed aboard the USS West Virginia, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The ship sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly sink, but not capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 106 crewmen, including Gabriele. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Ernest R. West was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Ensign Charles M. Stern, Jr., was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Hale McKissack was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Billy J. Johnson was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Oris V. Brandt was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fire Controlman 3rd Class Victor P. Tumlinson was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
