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![American soldiers, members of Gen. Frank Merrill's 'marauders', with trained Chinese soldiers on a jungle trail in Burma circa 1940.](jpg/idb2tibiyrfdpfvcu4y2tjioum-2.jpg)
Russell Hamler of famed WWII Merrill’s Marauders dies at 99
Russell Hamler was believed to be the last living member of the famed American jungle fighting unit in World War II nicknamed the Merrill’s Marauders.
![The Capitol in Washington, D.C., is seen Nov. 4, 2022.](jpg/smgktqkvyjbsrkypqip3bog2vm-2.jpg)
Pentagon & Congress
New year brings same government shutdown threats
Congress enters 2024 without a clear plan for federal spending, just a few weeks before another budget deadline.
![A cashier at a Travelex Bureau de Change counts U.S. dollars in February 2004.](jpg/byiiflmomreazdzxcnhsvxnem4.jpg)
Junior enlisted pay to be key congressional focus in 2024
House Republicans are already looking at ways to put more money into the wallets of lower-ranking service members.
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Defense bill grants Native American veterans more paths to advocacy
A congressional charter for the National American Indian Veterans organization passed as part of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.
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In reversal, judge allows removal of Confederate memorial at Arlington
Allegations that the removal efforts amounted to grave desecration “were, at best, ill-informed and, at worst, inaccurate," the judge said.
![Workers prepare a Confederate memorial for removal in Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 in Arlington, Va.](jpg/rj54w46htbb2tkamsyhxmrqeku.jpg)
Judge weighs removal of Confederate memorial at Arlington Cemetery
A commission recommended the memorial's removal last year after reviewing names of military bases commemorating Confederate leaders.
![Workers prepare a Confederate memorial for removal in Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 in Arlington, Va.](jpg/rj54w46htbb2tkamsyhxmrqeku.jpg)
Judge issues order keeping Confederate memorial at Arlington Cemetery
The Army had planned to remove the memorial this week.
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Disability payouts help some vets earn more than healthy peers
Veterans with low disability ratings see higher income than non-disabled peers, but individuals with significant health issues lag far behind.
![A man salutes after placing a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Arlington, Va.](jpg/lrneex5e3rh6xfalyi2yndt7g4.jpg)
Confederate memorial to be removed from Arlington National Cemetery
A Confederate memorial is to be removed from Arlington National Cemetery in northern Virginia in the coming days, a cemetery official said.
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Homelessness among veterans jumps more than 7%
The rise comes after years of progress in reducing the number of veterans facing stable housing issues.
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Most Americans respect vets but would not recommend enlisting
The new survey from RAND suggests that positive views of veterans are enough to boost military recruitment.
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Nonprofit honors new enlistees in their communities
The organization has grown nationwide and held more than 600 ceremonies in 31 states.
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$30M military wreath charity buys solely from its founders’ farm
About 60,000 volunteers are expected at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday for this year’s wreath layings.
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Defense bill would expand leave for veterans joining federal workforce
Nearly one of every four civil servant has prior or existing military experience.
![U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Piketinal Alou, left, and Airman 1st Class Destiny Story, 502d Comptroller Squadron, hold positive messages of support at base gates during the morning inbound commute as part of their on-going initiative, “We Care,” at JBSA-Lackland, Texas, Sept. 16, 2022. They spent the morning at various gates letting each person know that the simple, yet powerful display allows for everyone to stand together in support of those struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide. (Thomas Coney/Air Force)](jpg/grh65zkhnzektm5hrics6qafim.jpg)
Lawmakers press for more outside help in stopping veteran suicides
Some want to expand a $174 million grant program which funds suicide prevention efforts run by community groups.
![A U.S. squad armed with guns and hand grenades closes in on Japanese holdouts entrenched in dugouts during World War II on Attu Island, Alaska, in June 1943.](jpg/vd2ruc5ptjdgzeqldfozof6pye.jpg)
Last surviving Alaskan taken by Japan during WWII dies
Japan invaded Attu in June 1942 and held the Attuans captive in Japan. The invasion prompted the only World War II battle on North American soil.
![Pearl Harbor survivors Harry Chandler, 102, left, and Herb Elfring, 101, talk to each other during the 82nd Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii.](jpg/pc3kamwl3relzimn3urxocvnrq.jpg)
Pearl Harbor survivors return to honor those who died in attack
Pearl Harbor survivors, World War II veterans and their families gathered in Pearl Harbor to remember those who died 82 years ago.
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