2006 VFW Magazine - Veterans of Foreign Wars
2006 VFW Magazine - Veterans of Foreign Wars
2006 VFW Magazine - Veterans of Foreign Wars
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Young Vets in the Limelight<br />
Congratulations on the special “Back Home” April issue about<br />
returning war veterans. Thank you for eloquently showing what<br />
they have done and will continue to do for our country. Most citizens<br />
in our nation are oblivious to their sacrifices. As a parent <strong>of</strong><br />
two soldiers, I am proud <strong>of</strong> my children’s service and also will not<br />
forget their comrades-in-arms.<br />
Steve Hull, E-Mail<br />
It is especially encouraging reading<br />
about how the young vets wounded in<br />
battle are being cared for. I enjoy reading<br />
<strong>VFW</strong> magazine from cover to<br />
cover. Let me compliment you on a<br />
very fine publication.<br />
Bill Harden, Newton, Iowa<br />
Re: Command Post (April): I can’t<br />
recall reading a more well-rounded<br />
recognition <strong>of</strong> today’s troops—those<br />
destined to be our successors. This column<br />
presented a cogent description <strong>of</strong><br />
our organization’s efforts to provide for<br />
the young veterans merging back into<br />
society. Thanks for a job well done.<br />
Bob Swick, E-Mail<br />
I wish to commend you on the April<br />
issue. As a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> military science<br />
and director <strong>of</strong> an Army ROTC<br />
Department on a university campus, I<br />
feel the impact <strong>of</strong> the conditions<br />
described in “Society & the Soldier”<br />
and “Portraying Contemporary War<br />
Vets in Popular Culture.” I plan to<br />
share these articles with some <strong>of</strong> my<br />
faculty advisers so they can better<br />
understand our society’s challenges.<br />
Lt. Col. Perry D. Rearick,<br />
Edinboro University <strong>of</strong> Pennsylvania<br />
Thank you for “Society and the<br />
Soldier.” I am a Persian Gulf War [1991]<br />
veteran and had no idea years later I<br />
would be sending my only son and baby<br />
daughter <strong>of</strong>f to war in Iraq. My daughter<br />
is presently serving her second tour<br />
in Iraq.<br />
Ira D. Jinkins, Sr., E-Mail<br />
As a U.S. Army veteran <strong>of</strong> both Iraq<br />
and Afghanistan, I agree that many<br />
people in this country honestly believe<br />
that we are not at war. The real question<br />
is: How do we wake up the rest <strong>of</strong><br />
the country to the incredible sacrifices<br />
that our fellow soldiers are making,<br />
and that the mainstream media refuses<br />
to cover<br />
Kenneth R. Barber, E-Mail<br />
The April articles addressed very<br />
serious problems that our country<br />
needs to face today. America will continue<br />
to benefit from the return <strong>of</strong><br />
these veterans. They bring leadership,<br />
honesty, integrity and the drive for success.<br />
As Joe Galloway asked, “What are<br />
we doing as a people and a nation to<br />
deserve the service and sacrifice <strong>of</strong> such<br />
men and women”<br />
Chuck Sawyer, E-Mail<br />
Memorials on the Rise<br />
Re: “Recognizing and Remembering<br />
Today’s Warriors” (April). Many units<br />
have erected memorials to their casualties.<br />
Members <strong>of</strong> the 25th Infantry<br />
Division Association took on the task<br />
<strong>of</strong> building a monument at Sch<strong>of</strong>ield<br />
Barracks in Hawaii. Dedicated in June<br />
2005, it honors soldiers killed in<br />
Afghanistan and Iraq.<br />
Dave Garrod, Ohio<br />
Combat Chronologies<br />
on the Mark<br />
“Remembering Those in Combat” and<br />
the accompanying chronologies on<br />
Afghanistan and Iraq (March) was outstanding.<br />
It is a precise, succinct, masterfully<br />
done piece that can serve as an<br />
excellent talking or starting point with<br />
young vets at <strong>VFW</strong> Posts. Thanks for a<br />
job well done.<br />
Bud Moore, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.<br />
The March issue with its Afghanistan<br />
and Iraq War chronologies is invaluable.<br />
They are especially interesting and<br />
useful. Likewise, your Final Salute each<br />
month is a fitting tribute to those who<br />
sacrificed themselves for all <strong>of</strong> us.<br />
Francis X. Callahan, Chico, Calif.<br />
March’s special on “A Chronicle <strong>of</strong><br />
Combat” was right on the mark. This<br />
tribute will help us all never forget<br />
their sacrifices and welcome vets <strong>of</strong><br />
Iraq and Afghanistan into the <strong>VFW</strong> as<br />
they return.<br />
Cory Kilvert III, Goshen, N.Y.<br />
Each war has its signature photo,<br />
and the young soldier shown on the<br />
March cover will be one <strong>of</strong> the distinguishing<br />
pictures <strong>of</strong> the Iraq War.<br />
Richard T. Altman, E-Mail<br />
Please accept my compliments on<br />
the re-cap <strong>of</strong> the Iraq and Afghanistan<br />
wars. It is complete with timeline and<br />
casualties. Thanks for keeping veterans<br />
<strong>of</strong> both wars in the minds <strong>of</strong> readers.<br />
Ned Harrison, E-Mail<br />
The Iraq chronology overlooked one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the most pivotal periods during the<br />
summer <strong>of</strong> 2003 through January 2004. I<br />
served with the 4th Infantry Division in<br />
the Sunni Triangle until being wounded<br />
on Christmas 2003 in Baqubah. During<br />
that period the 4th Division lost 88 KIA.<br />
Overall, I am pleased with <strong>VFW</strong><br />
magazine. Your Final Salute section is<br />
an outstanding tribute to the sacrifices<br />
<strong>of</strong> our fallen comrades.<br />
Joseph A. Tormala, E-Mail<br />
4 • WWW.<strong>VFW</strong>.ORG • © <strong>2006</strong> <strong>VFW</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>