From Intel Press Service, posted on Military.com, 22 August 2008:

McCain Plan Moves Some Out of VA Care

Some of the "high" points of the McCain plan (which would almost certainly be supported by U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg if both he and McCain are elected):

• Would create a "VA Card" which would be issued to qualifying veterans and usable for access to ( Read more... )

My aunt and uncle are trying to sell a four-level townhome in San Francisco (either Portola or Potrero Hill, I forget which). They are not having an easy time.

For my part, I was very very lucky when I lived there from '87 to '89.

One, as a soldier stationed at The Presidio, I had barracks space provided by the Army free-of-charge. Then, two, the ( Read more... )

 I had my qisdm teeth -- three of them, the fourth never developed -- pulled by an Army dentist in 1987 when I first arrived at Letterman Army Medical Center, with nothin' but local anesthetics.
Was conscious the whole time.

To this day, that stands as one of the dumbest choices I've ever made.

Didn't get dry socket, though (I remember squirting water ( Read more... )

Lately I've been interacting with other Veterans. Vietnam-era. At the gym, at the Chinese restaurant I frequent.

Perhaps it's a coincidence, but had I stayed in the Army I'd've hit 20 years in January.

I tried emailing Michael G. "Mike" Meines, my former boss at Letterman Army Medical Center, but he hasn't replied. It was via the "Contact" link at the site for the motivational speaking firm he runs.

He retired in 2006 after 33 years in civil service, and still lives up by Fort Lewis, Washington (where he last worked as Public Affiars Officer for ( Read more... )

Helz, just curious, Had 2,000 troops not died, what would your stance be on Bush?

A fair question. Thank you.

From the military and geopolitical perspective, if we had followed up the blitzkrieg-like overthrow of Saddam with better planning, better intelligence, less posturing and a real sense that occupying, stabilizing and rebuilding Iraq would ( Read more... )