George W Bush

August 20, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Travis M. Stottlemyer, 20, of Hatfield, Pennsylvania, died Aug. 17 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Manama, Bahrain.

He was assigned to the 3rd Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company, Marine Corps Security Forces, Norfolk, Va.

The incident is currently under investigation.

Source: DoD

August 19, 2008 -- The Department of Defense today announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Pfc. Jonathon L. Luscher, 20, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, died Aug. 17 at Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Scranton, Pa.

The incident is under investigation.

Source: DoD

August 19, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died Aug. 15 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device and then received small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire.

Killed were:

1st Lt. Donald C. Carwile, 29, of Oxford, Virginia, and

Pfc. Paul E. Conlon Jr., 21, of Somerville, Massachusetts.

The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Source: DoD

August 19, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pvt. Janelle F. King, 23, of Merced, California, died Aug. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident.

She was assigned to the 115th Combat Support Hospital, Fort Polk, La.

The incident is under investigation.

Source: DoD

August 19, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Kristopher D. Rodgers, 29, of Sturgis, Michigan, died Aug. 16 in Korengal, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Source: DoD

August 18, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

The following Marines died Aug. 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan:

Cpl. Anthony G. Mihalo, 23, of Naperville, Illinois.

Lance Cpl. Juan Lopez-Castaneda, 19, of Mesa, Arizona.

The Marines were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Source: DoD

August 18, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Jacob J. Toves, 27, of Grover Beach, California, died Aug. 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Source: DoD

August 15, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Daniel A. C. McGuire, 19, of Mashpee, Massachusetts, died Aug. 14 while supporting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq.

He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Source: DoD

August 14, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. James M. Hale, 23, of Naperville, Illinois, died Aug. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 978th Military Police Company, Fort Bliss, Texas

Source: DoD

August 14, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Michael H. Ferschke Jr., 22, of Maryville, Tennessee, died Aug. 10 while supporting combat operations in Salah ad Din province, Iraq.

He was assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

Source: DOD

August 13, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) today issued this statement following the President’s remarks regarding the conflict in Georgia:

“This morning, President Bush expressed strong support for international efforts to broker a ceasefire in Georgia and affirmed the United States’ commitment to Georgia’s people and democratic government. I applaud the President’s statement, but I believe he must make these points directly to Russia’s leaders. There is no indication that he has done so since leaving Beijing.    » read more »

August 13, 2008 -- "I welcome President Bush's decision to send aid to the people of Georgia, and Americans stand united in support of the men and women who will carry out this humanitarian mission. As soon as possible, we must follow this aid with broader reconstruction assistance, including emergency economic loans, to help the people of Georgia rebuild their lives and their economy.    » read more »

Troubling Alcohol Use Found Among Young Veterans; New Study Finds Disturbing Risk of Binge Drinking Among Servicemembers

August 13, 2008 -- NEW YORK - Yesterday, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) released a study on alcohol abuse among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. According to the study, combat exposure significantly increases servicemembers' risk of heavy drinking, binge drinking and other alcohol-related problems. Young servicemembers are at the highest risk of developing these problems following their deployments. JAMA also found, "Those born after 1980 were at 6.72 increased odds of new-onset binge drinking."    » read more »

Urges Russia to Cease Military Operations

August 13, 2008 -- THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I've just met with my national security team to discuss the crisis in Georgia. I've spoken with President Saakashvili of Georgia, and President Sarkozy of France this morning. The United States strongly supports France's efforts, as President of the European Union, to broker an agreement that will end this conflict.

Outgoing president George W. Bush delivers a statement on Georgia: Flanked by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Aug. 13, 2008. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian    » read more »

White House -- 12 August 2008 -- U.S. President George Bush wants Congress to allow more offshore oil drilling. High energy prices are a big part of this year's presidential campaign. President Bush says a lot of Americans are wondering why their government is not doing something about the supply of crude oil.

Following a meeting with business leaders, Mr. Bush said opposition Democrats in Congress are to blame for blocking efforts to expand domestic offshore drilling that has been restricted since the early 1980s.    » read more »