Veterans

News that informs military veterans on topics such as benefits, healthcare and Tricare, transition assistance and more.

Military quality of life a key focus of Congress in 2024

A special House panel has been examining the issue for the last year.

8 hours ago

American soldiers, members of Gen. Frank Merrill's 'marauders', with trained Chinese soldiers on a jungle trail in Burma circa 1940.

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.

2 days ago

The Capitol in Washington, D.C., is seen Nov. 4, 2022.

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.

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.

7 days ago

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.

9 days ago

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.

10 days ago

Workers prepare a Confederate memorial for removal in Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 in Arlington, Va.

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.

10 days ago

Workers prepare a Confederate memorial for removal in Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 in Arlington, Va.

Judge issues order keeping Confederate memorial at Arlington Cemetery

The Army had planned to remove the memorial this week.

11 days ago

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.

11 days ago

A man salutes after placing a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Arlington, Va.

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.

12 days ago

Homelessness among veterans jumps more than 7%

The rise comes after years of progress in reducing the number of veterans facing stable housing issues.

2 weeks ago

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.

2 weeks ago

Nonprofit honors new enlistees in their communities

The organization has grown nationwide and held more than 600 ceremonies in 31 states.

2 weeks ago

$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.

2 weeks ago

Defense bill would expand leave for veterans joining federal workforce

Nearly one of every four civil servant has prior or existing military experience.

2 weeks ago

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)

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.

2 weeks ago

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.

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.

3 weeks ago

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.

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.

3 weeks ago

Jill Biden tells military children, ‘You teach us how to be brave’

It was the first year Jill Biden has hosted her annual Toys for Tots event at the White House rather than at a local military base.

3 weeks ago