Afghanistan

03 June 2008 -- A top World Bank official says the institution is committed to building a prosperous and stable Afghanistan but the people must do their part by fighting corruption and improving services.

World Bank Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala just concluded a three-day visit to Afghanistan in which she met with President Hamid Karzai, Cabinet ministers and members of the donor community.

In a statement issued Tuesday Okonjo-Iweala says much has been accomplished in Afghanistan in a short amount of time and she called on the international community to support the nation and its development.    » read more »

Flag lowering honors fallen sailor from Bremerton

June 3, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Wednesday, June 4, in memory of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Jeffrey A. Ammon of Bremerton who was killed in action in Afghanistan May 23.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset Wednesday or first thing Thursday morning, June 5.

Last year, Congress amended the U.S. Flag Code to give governors the authority to lower flags when a state resident in the military is killed in the line of duty. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join in this recognition

Source: Washington Governor

June 3, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – In remembrance and honor of Spc. Justin L. Buxbaum, Governor John E. Baldacci has directed that the United States flag and the State of Maine flag be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Wednesday, June 4, 2008.

Spc. Buxbaum died in a non-combat related incident last month in Kushamond, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Visiting hours for Spc. Buxbaum are from 2-6 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway in South Portland. A funeral service is planned for 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 4, at Holy Cross Church on the corner of Broadway and Cottage Road in South Portland.

Source: Maine Governor

June 02, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died May 31 in Jalalabad City, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

They were assigned to the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany.

Killed were:

Spc. James M. Finley, 21, of Lebanon, Missouri.    » read more »

06/02/2008 - WASHINGTON - Wounded servicemembers in need of accommodations for their visual, hearing, dexterity and cognitive disabilities are the fastest-growing group requesting assistive technologies, a senior Defense Department official said in a May 29 interview.

“Recently, we have been overwhelmed with requests from our wounded servicemembers as they are coming back and also learning that they need to have a different type of technology or can benefit from assistive technology,” Dinah Cohen, director of the department’s Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program, or CAP, said on the “Dot Mil Docs” program on BlogTalkRadio.com.    » read more »

May 31, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class David Nunez, 27, of Los Angeles, California, died May 29 in Shewan, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered small arms fire while conducting combat operations.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.

   » read more »

May 29, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Pfc. Chad M. Trimble, 29, of West Covina, California, died May 28, near Gardez, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.    » read more »

Chicago, IL -- May 29, 2008 -- "Today's news is a tragic reminder of the staggering and ongoing costs of the Iraq war, particularly on our troops and their families. We are more than five years into this war, and the Pentagon and VA are still unprepared to treat the unseen wounds of battle.

We know that incidence of psychological injury increase with each additional tour of duty in Iraq, and that our troops are not getting the support they need. Too many are falling through the cracks because they need help but feel they can't get it.    » read more »

May 29, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – The death of a soldier from South Portland has been confirmed by the Department of Defense. Maine Governor John E. Baldacci mourned the soldier, who has ties to Maine. Spc. Justin L. Buxbaum died as a result of wounds received in a non-combat related incident on May 26 in Kushamond, Afghanistan. Spc. Buxbaum was from South Portland.

“All of Maine joins in mourning this promising young man,” said Governor Baldacci. “The loss is difficult to bear for the family, and we recognize that the community of South Portland has now suffered its third loss in the wars overseas. My prayers are with Spc. Buxbaum’s family and friends.”

Spc. Buxbaum was assigned to the 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.    » read more »

05/29/2008 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Pfc. Chad M. Trimble of West Covina, CA:

"Private First Class Trimble served with honor, integrity and unrelenting dedication to our country and his fellow soldiers. He was a true patriot and his selflessness will never be forgotten. Maria and I join all Californians in offering our condolences to Chad's loved ones during this difficult time."

Trimble, 29, died May 28, near Gardez, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Trimble was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), United States Army, Fort Campbell, KY.    » read more »

May 28, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Justin L. Buxbaum, 23, of South Portland, Maine, died May 26 in Kushamond, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident.

He was assigned to the 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood Texas.

The incident is under investigation.

   » read more »

May 28, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Christopher Gathercole, 21, of Santa Rosa, California, died May 26 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from small arms fire during combat operations.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.

   » read more »

27 May 2008 -- The U.S. military says newly diagnosed cases of post-traumatic stress disorder among American troops sent to Iraq and Afghanistan climbed nearly 50 percent last year, bringing a five-year total to nearly 40,000.

US soldier rests during 12-hour battle in Karbala, Iraq: Photo by Ashley Gilbertson (CC)

Officials Tuesday released figures that showed Marines and Army soldiers were most affected. These are the forces bearing the brunt of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.    » read more »

May 23, 2008 --The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lt. Jeffrey A. Ammon, 37, of Orem, Utah, died May 20, as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device in the Aband District, Afghanistan.

The sailor was attached to Commander Navy Region Northwest, Bangor, Wash., and serving in Afghanistan as a member of Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni.

   » read more »

Veterans of the Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan Closer to Realizing Comprehensive Educational Benefits for their Service

May 22, 2008 -- Washington, DC—The Senate today overwhelmingly passed landmark legislation to provide post-9/11 veterans with comprehensive educational benefits, introduced by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) seventeen months ago on his first day in office.

The measure—cosponsored by Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), John Warner (R-VA) and a strong bipartisan majority of their colleagues—was passed in the House last week. Identical measures were included in the Iraq War emergency supplemental spending bills.

The following is a statement from Senator Webb:    » read more »