Whoever does not have the stomach for this fight, let him depart. Give him his money to speed his departure since we wish not to die in this man’s company. Whoever lives past today and comes home safely will rouse himself every year on this day, show his neighbor his scars, and tell him embellished stories of all their great feats of battle. These stories he will teach his son and from this day until the end of the world we shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for whoever has shed his blood with me shall be my brother. And those men afraid to go will think themselves lesser men as they hear of how we fought and died together.

VA to Provide Free Credit Monitoring

Secretary Nicholson Announces VA to Provide Free Credit Monitoring
June 21, 2006

WASHINGTON – As part of the continuing efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to protect and assist those potentially affected by the recent data theft that occurred at an employee’s Maryland home, Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson today announced that VA will provide one year of free credit monitoring to people whose sensitive personal information may have been stolen in the incident.
“VA continues to take aggressive steps to protect and assist people who may be potentially affected by this data theft,” said Nicholson. “VA has conducted extensive market research on available credit monitoring solutions, and has been working diligently to determine how VA can best serve those whose information was stolen.
“Free credit monitoring will help safeguard those who may be affected, and will provide them with the peace of mind they deserve,” he added.
The Secretary said VA has no reason to believe the perpetrators who committed this burglary were targeting the data, and Federal investigators believe that it is unlikely that identity theft has resulted from the data theft.

For additional information see: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1143

Conway nominated as next commandant

By Beth Zimmerman
Marine Corps Times staff writer

Lt. Gen. James Conway has been nominated by President Bush to receive his fourth star and assignment as the Corps’ 34th commandant, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced today.
Conway, who is currently the director of operations for the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C., was promoted to lieutenant general in November 2002. He commanded I Marine Expeditionary Force during two combat tours in Iraq prior to his Washington assignment.
Pentagon officials declined to say when Conway would take the reigns from the current commandant Gen. Mike Hagee, but did confirm Conway’s nomination was unrelated to recent allegations Marines in Iraq committed war crimes. Hagee began his tour as commandant in January 2003.

2006 Deptartment of Indiana, Marine Corps League Awards

In a non-profit organization there is no pay for your hard efforts, recognition is the best way to acknowledge those who get the job done. The Department of Indiana, Marine Corps League met on Saturday June 3rd to present the awards. In a rare occasion, one Marine came home with both of the state's top awards. Former Marine Russ Eaglin was awarded the 2006 Marine of the Year by the Department and the 2006 Devil Dog of the Year by the Military Order of Devil Dogs. Along with the Marine of the Year award came a Distinguished Citizen Silver medal, (the state's second highest award authorized). The inscription on the Marine of the Year read: "For Dedicated Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty".

DoD Announces Indiana Soldier Death

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 526-06June 08, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Richard A. Blakley, 34, of Plainfield, Ind., died in Al Khalidiyah, Iraq, on June 6, when he was shot by enemy small arms fire during dismounted combat patrol operations. Blakley was assigned to the National Guard's 38th Main Support Battalion, Indianapolis, Ind.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000 or see http://defenselink.mil/releases/2006/nr20060608-13207.html

Note, Indianapolis Star is reporting that SSgt. Blakley is from Avon.

To All Veterans, Servicemembers and Spouses:

June 7, 2006

I ask that you help notify others about the loss of personal information by the Department of Veterans Affairs, especially in light of VA’s announcement yesterday that the stolen data files also contained information on our nation’s 2.2 million military servicemen and women.
What we know to date is that personal information on 26.5 million veterans and active-duty, Guard and Reservists was stolen May 3 from the home of a VA employee who was not authorized to take such information home. The data consisted of names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and some home addresses, telephone numbers, disability ratings and spousal information.
Veterans and servicemembers should contact one of the three largest national consumer credit bureaus below and place a free three-month fraud alert on their files and, if married, their spouse’s files. The other two companies will be automatically informed of the fraud alert.
• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, www.equifax.com

• Experian: 1-888-397-3742, www.experian.com
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289, www.transunion.com
We understand the VA is working with the national credit bureaus to develop a program that will extend credit protection at no cost. As I stated in a letter to all veterans last Friday, the VFW firmly believes it is the obligation of the U.S. Government to pay for any additional credit protection, to include assisting veterans — and now, servicemembers — should they become credit fraud victims.
I urge you to protect yourself and your families now, and I ask that you share this letter with others, to include older veterans who may not fully understand the ramifications of identity theft and fraud, and the families of our troops, especially those with loved ones deployed in harm’s way.
As always, we will continue to keep you informed as more details become known. Please check our website at www.vfw.org for updates. You may also call toll-free 1-800-FED-INFO (333-4636) or logon to www.firstgov.gov for additional information.

Yours in Comradeship,
JAMES R. MUELLER
Commander-in-Chief
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States