Troops to Teachers

Placing veterans in the nation's classrooms to serve again is the goal for the Troops to Teachers program. The purpose of the Department of Defense program is to help eligible current and former military personnel begin new careers as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are most needed.

In addition to counseling and referral, state Troops to Teachers representatives help applicants identify teacher certification requirements for the state they wish to teach, programs leading to certification and employment opportunities in their state. Other state representatives will reach out to servicemembers earlier while they are still on active-duty and identify education requirements so that interested servicemembers may begin working toward their teaching certifications before leaving the service, enabling a smoother transition into teaching.

Servicemembers can learn more about Troops to Teachers and locate a state representative at www.proudtoserveagain.com. www.military.com

Boston Marathon ”GO RUCK” 2013

National Guardsmen "Ruckers" among
first marathoners to cross finish line.

At zero dark hundred on the morning of Patriot's Day, at the starting line in Hopkinton, Massachusetts - four hours before the runners took off - 15 active-duty soldiers from the Massachusetts National Guard began the 26.2 miles, 8-hour walk of the Boston Marathon known as the "Tough Ruck." Instead of shorts, t-shirts and running shoes, soldiers dressed in full fatigues, boots and carry their rucksacks filled with clothes and supplies, that can weigh as much as 45 lbs. 

Participants, who are referred to as Ruckers, honor a lost soldier by affixing a yellow ribbon that bears the name of a veteran who lost their life in service to their country in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn in Iraq. It is a fundraising effort for active military personnel and raises money for "Military Friends Foundation in support of Families of the Fallen." 

The Military Friends Foundation was established in 2003 with the financial support of generous private donors who wished to recognize the unique service of citizen soldiers and airmen.  Unlike any other time in history, these men and women are being called upon to serve this Nation overseas.  Created as an independent non-profit organization, the Military Friends Foundation is designed to assist eligible Massachusetts National Guard and Reserve families facing financial hardships related to a deployment or extended activation. http://www.militaryfriends.org/

People saw the soldiers throughout the race and thought they were part of the security for the Boston Marathon. They were not. The picture of two soldiers tearing apart the fence to help those injured had just finished their Tough Ruck. And, while many ran away from the noise and chaos following the bombings, the soldiers ran toward it.  

All Tough Ruckers are all accounted for and safely home with their families. As always, they supported the American people. Now, it is our turn to support them. Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to Military Friends Foundation, 14 Beacon Street #706, Boston, MA 02108 or made online via PayPal at www.militaryfriends.org/donate.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the bombings at the Boston Marathon.

Fallen Hero: "American Sniper" former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle killed.

Yesterday, I started reading American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle, 38. In 2012, Kyle told The Dallas Morning News that he wrote American Sniper because “I wanted to be able to let people know about the sacrifices that not only people in the service make, but what their families go through. I knew this would give me a voice so I could speak about the guys I know who were killed. I wanted to get their story out and I wanted to raise awareness for veterans."

Kyle held the record for the number of kills by an American sniper. The Pentagon has confirmed more than 150 of his kills. The previous record was 109. For his service, Kyle was awarded two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars with Valor. 

Yesterday, Kyle was shot and killed at a charity event at a gun range at Rough Creek Lodge & Resort on behalf of his Dallas-based security firm Craft International. Craft International often hosted law-enforcement training events at the location, which is near Glen Rose, about 50 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Texas.

It seems that our Navy SEALs and other honorable military men are in more danger in the United States than they were overseas. I'm so heartbroken that yet another young man was killed. 

I've said condolences so often lately that I'm numb. Yet, what else do you say to a family that lost their husband and dad? There must be a better way to express my sorrow for Kyle's death, but my grief isn't nearly as deep as theirs. So, at a loss for words I'll say again that our thoughts and prayers are with Kyle's family and friends during this difficult time. Kyle is survived by his wife and two children.

Fallen Hero: Marine CPL Tyler W. Ziegel (1982-2012)

Tyler W. Ziegel, 30, was a U.S. Marine Corps reservist with Peoria County-based Company C, 6th Engineer Support Battalion when he deployed to western Iraq in 2004. On Christmas Eve 2004 a suicide bomber blew up near his truck. Ty lost his left hand and fingers on his right, fractured his skull and suffered severe burns in the blast.

Five other reservists were injured but none as severely as Ziegel, who suffered third-degree and full-depth burns on his head, left arm and right hand. He spent 19 months in an Army hospital in Texas and underwent almost 30 operations.

Ziegel’s attitude impressed many at the hospital and back home. He would go from room to room talking to other patients. Even when Ziegel returned home, he took the approach that he was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time and didn’t deserve any pity.

In this Journal Star file photo from August 2006, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, right, listens as Marine CPL Tyler Ziegel of Metamora, addresses the press during an announcement at the Marine Corps and Navy Reserve Center, urging summer travelers to donate unused frequent flyer miles to Operation Hero Miles. http://www.pjstar.com/news/x459330231/Hundreds-pay-final-respects-to-Iraq-War-veteran-Tyler-Ziegel?img=1

As Ty rests, having given the ultimate sacrifice of his devotion to this Country, may his light linger around his friends and loved ones with a blessed radiance, bringing them comfort and solace, brightening their days. With deepest sympathies.

Fallen Hero: Navy SEAL Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque

The Pentagon identified the U.S. Navy SEAL who was killed in the rescue of an American doctor in Afghanistan as a highly-decorated 10-year veteran from Pennsylvania.
28-year-old Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, of Monroeville, Pa., died Sunday of combat-related injuries sustained while supporting operations in Afghanistan. Though the release only said Checque was assigned to "an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit," ABC News previously reported the fallen servicemember was a part of the Navy's elite SEAL Team 6.

Checque enlisted in October 2002, the year he graduated from high school, and entered the Navy’s Special Warfare training in April 2003. He joined an East Coast-based Special Warfare unit the next year, according to Naval Special Warfare Command. Checque talked about becoming a SEAL as far back as seventh grade, said Anthony Troisi, a classmate and wrestling teammate. As a high school junior, Checque underwent LASIK eye surgery so he could qualify for the SEALs, Troisi said. After grueling, 2½-hour wrestling practices and conditioning sessions, Checque would go to the swimming pool and swim laps for an hour. “It wasn’t to keep in shape; it was because he wanted to be a Navy SEAL,” said Troisi, 28, of Irwin. Checque inspired Troisi to joined the Navy in 2002, he said, sparking a 10-year career as a crew chief on a C-9 Skytrain cargo jet. “I trusted him. He was a leader.” Checque served in the Iraq War and in Afghanistan operations. His decorations included the Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, among others.

Checque sustained his mortal injuries while on a nighttime mission Saturday to free Dr. Dilip Joseph, an American doctor with the Colorado-based medical nonprofit Morning Star Development, on Wednesday as he and two Afghan members of Morning Star’s staff were returning from a visit to a rural clinic. The kidnappers took them to a mountainous area about 50 miles from the Pakistan border, according to Morning Star’s website. The captors released the two Afghans on Saturday. Checque’s SEAL team deployed to rescue Dr. Joseph after intelligence showed he was in imminent danger of injury or possible death, the military said.

Dr. Dilip Joseph (Photo: KUSA)

“Our relief in the safe rescue of Mr. Joseph is now tempered by our deep grief over the loss of this true hero,” said a statement from Morning Star executive director Lars Peterson. “We offer our deepest condolences to his family and to his fellow team members. We want them to know that we will always be grateful for this sacrifice and that we will honor that sacrifice in any way we can.”

Dr. Joseph's family released a statement thanking the U.S. government and military for the operation and offering their condolences to Checque's family. "We could not be more grateful for that soldier's heroism and for the bravery of all involved in the mission to bring Dilip home." 

--
[A] particular centurion had a slave who was who was at the point of death. He cared for his slave and had probably sought every means that conventional medicine had to offer to save the slave's life. None of this had worked. So this centurion convinced some of the Jewish elders to find Jesus and enlist his help in restoring the slave to health .... Jesus left what He was doing and began walking with the elders to the centurion's house. Before could reach the house, the centurion sent friends out to intercept Jesus and tell Him that the centurion wasn't worthy to have Jesus come under his roof .... The centurion told his friends to tell Jesus to just say the word. That's all. Just say the word, and the centurion's servant would be healed .... When Jesus heard this, He was amazed at the faith of this military man. "I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel." Jesus had known many people over the course of His life. He had known godly people like his mother and Joseph. But of all these people in the land which God had abundantly revealed Himself, He had not found one who had so great a faith as this Gentle, this Roman, this military man. 

The Soldier's Bible by Holman Christian Standard Bible.

Book Review: Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team Six Operator Brown by Eric Blehm

Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team Six Operator Adam Brown is another "history" book everyone should read. Eric Blehm did an incredible job of documenting the amazing life of Adam Brown.

Long before Adam Brown became a member of the elite SEAL Team SIX, he was a fun-loving country boy from Arkansas whose greatest goal had been to wear his high school’s football jersey. Adam was a man of extremes, whose determination was fueled by faith, family, and the love and support of his wife. He was a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses. Adam persevered through grueling qualifying tests that resulted in injuries most considered career-enders -- including the loss of his right, dominant eye after being shot during a training exercise and having the fingers of his right hand crushed off in a Humvee accident in Afghanistan. His determination to beat the odds on the way to the top tier of the U.S. military earned him the respect of his teammates and commanders.

Adam was a 12-year veteran of the United States Navy. On his last scheduled deployment before retiring, he was killed in action in Komar Province, Afghanistan on March 17, 2010. U.S. Forces were engaging the enemy in a firefight when a portion of the team were pinned down by very heavy fire from the enemy compound. In an effort to protect his men, Adam charged the enemy from a better vantage point, drawing fire away from his pinned down comrades. His selfless action relieved the fire on his men, but it unfortunately resulted in Adam being repeatedly struck by enemy fire. One other member of the American Team was wounded, but Adam’s heroic action saved the other men. The enemy compound was captured and all enemy combatants were killed in the action. Always the first to volunteer for the most dangerous assignments, Adam’s final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice.

Last family photo as Adam
deploys for Afghanistan

Sadly, the majority of the members in his unit perished when the Chinook helicopter transporting them was viciously shot down while on a mission in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011, only a few short months after Adam's death. Yet, before then, they gave extensive interviews to the book's author. The book is filled with eyewitness accounts of the people who knew Adam and his incredible life.

I've been working on this book review for days. I just can't find the right words to describe this amazing, amazing man, his life, his friends, his family, his sacrifice. Even now..... Well, certainly I recommend this book to e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e. You support our troops? Fine, read this book. You don't understand the war in Afghanistan? Fine, read this book. You're a teenager and you think you know everything? Fine, read this book. What to be a better person? Fine, read this book. You're a patriotic American will an undying love for our Armed Forces? Fine, read this book. Then, gather your entire family and watch the NRA's Line of Duty A Tribute to Adam Brown, U.S. Navy Seal. http://nralifeofduty.tv/#/patriotprofiles/gallery/54,0.

Fallen Heroes: Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods lost their lives in Benghazi

The heroism of former Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods MUST surface. They deserve it. We must not let their courage be hidden or diminished. These men died while defending U.S. interests because they were brave patriots who put country ahead of self. 

In his Weekly Address, President Obama implied, quite intentionally, that Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods were part of Ambassador Christopher Steven’s security detail:

“Glen and Tyrone had each served America as Navy SEALs for many years, before continuing their service providing security for our diplomats in Libya. They died as they lived their lives — defending their fellow Americans, and advancing the values that all of us hold dear."

However, that's false. Yes, they were both former Navy SEALs, but Doherty and Woods were not part of the Ambassador's security detail. 

Glen Doherty, 42

During the Gadaffi overthrow, massive stockpiles of Libyan weapons including MANPADS and other surface-to-air missiles were looted from the military storage facilities.  Estimates put the number of missing missiles around 20,000. Doherty and Woods were in Libya to track down those weapons.  As a consequence of their visit, they were at an annex to the US consulate grounds using it as a safe place to meet, coordinate, and evaluate their ongoing intel.  Their location was approximately a half mile from the main consulate compound area.

They were inside that annex building when the main consulate complex came under attack from the Libyan al-Qaeda terrorists.  They heard the distant shots and responded to a call for help from the compound itself.  Both Woods and Doherty evaluated the assassination attempt, and immediately took up arms to defend Ambassador Stevens.

Ty Woods, 41

Their heroism is incredible when you consider what they were facing.  Doherty and Woods reached the main compound of the Consulate and evacuated approximately 20 employees.  (Unfortunately, Ambassador Steven’s aide Sean Smith was already dead when they arrived.)  Woods and Doherty fought through the firefight, and took the consulate employees back to the annex building where again they came under another wave of attacks. 

The second wave of attacks at the annex brought even more firepower upon them.  Yet they held their position providing time for the 20 consulate employees to be rescued.  In total for over two hours they held off upwards of 200 al-Qaeda terrorists -- who pre-planned and coordinated the attack to occur in two stages -- under heavy fire from RPGs, mortars, and at least one 23mm Anti Aircraft gun firing on their positions around the consulate grounds and the annex building. 

Doherty and Woods heard the attack; they heard the gunfire. Despite the danger to themselves, they rushed into the breach, taking weapons from the frightened Libyan security officials to help protect the American Consulate, Ambassador Stevens and his embassy aide Sean Smith. Both Woods and Doherty were under no obligation to assist, protect or defend Stevens.  They could have bugged out; they did not. They could not.....They're U.S. Navy SEALS. Hoo-rah!

Mr. Doherty’s best friend and former SEAL Team 3 comrade, Brandon Webb, has written a goodbye letter that was published in full by The New York Times. I hope you'll read its entirety. A wonderful tribute from a comrade-in-arms and friend. http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/21/a-letter-to-my-friend-glen-doherty/?hp

Book Review: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

 Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand is brilliant. This should be required reading for all high school students.

The beginning part of the book is the delightful story of Louie Zamperini, a mile-runner ("miler") in the late 1930s. He smashes local, state, national, and international running times. He participates in the 1936 Olympics before Hitler in Berlin, Germany. Louie trains for the 1940 Olympics and came within seconds of being the first man to break the four-minute mile. However, the 1940 and 1944 Olympics were cancelled due to WWII. But, this only covers the first 25% of the book.

Louie and his beloved brother Pete

The remaining three-fourths of the book is Louie's life as a bombardier for the Army Air Corps., stationed on Funafuti Island. He and his crew have great successes against the Japanese. They have an epic battle over Nauru, a tiny yet military-strategic island between the Marshall Islands and the Solomon Islands in the Pacific. In April 1942, their faithful B-24 bomber Superman was badly damaged in the fight against Japanese Zeros (as well as wounding most of the crew). Louis and his pilot Russel Allen "Phil" Phillips are "volunteered" to join another flight crew to conduct a search for a missing airplane and its crew. This time, Louis and Phil are ordered to take The Green Hornet, another B-24 bomber notorious among the pilots as a defective "lemon plane." It lives up to its reputation.

Funafuti and Naura Islands
(middle, right)

While on the search, mechanical difficulties caused the plane to crash into the ocean 850 miles west of Oahu, killing eight of the eleven men aboard. Zamperini and Phil survive the crash with another crewman Francis "Mac" McNamara. Mac died after 33 days at sea. They drifted for 2,000 miles. On their 47th day adrift, Zamperini and Phil see land in the Marshall Islands, but they are captured by the Japanese Navy before they can reach the island. For three years, they were held in captivity and severely beaten and starved until the end of the war in August 1945. Zamperini was especially tormented by sadistic prison guard Mutsuhiro Watanabe (nicknamed "The Bird"). The brutality of the Japanese treatment of their prisoners of war is......unspeakable.

Louie's perseverance is astonishing. Not only does Louie survive his days as a POW, but he helps many other POWs survive as well. The Bird never breaks Louie's spirit. Eventually Louie forgives the Japanese prison guards. He even visits them in Japan! The book does conclude with Louie's life through the years. Thankfully, the author also tells what happened to the other prisoners.

Louie, 95 (2012)

All these years I have learned much about the European half of WWII. But, I never knew so much about the Pacific portion. This is why this book should be required reading. It tells the real-life story of an American soldier and his days as a POW. It relates how amazing our Armed Forces truly are and his, and their, ability to triumph over great adversity. I hope everybody reads Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand. It's required reading for you too.

Afghan Fallen Heroes: Gray, Griffin, Kennedy Thompson

Sgt. Maj. Griffin

Our soldiers in Afghanistan {and other locations around the world} seem forgotten. I want to make sure they are recognized and remembered.....

On Tuesday, two gunmen wearing Afghan army uniforms killed a U.S. soldier and wounded two others in Paktia province in the east.

Also on Tuesday, the Taliban released a sickening video showing an Afghan soldier {who killed a U.S. soldier and injured two others} being welcomed back into the insurgent encampment. On May 11, 2012, the soldier – who the Taliban named as Mamood – turned on his American trainers and opened fire. First Lt. Alejo R. Thompson, 30, of Yuma, Arizona, a father of two young children, was killed in the ambush in eastern Afghanistan. Thompson was based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

First Lt. Thompson

On Wednesday, three U.S. soldiers and an American aid worker were also killed in the eastern province of Kunar, which lies along the volatile border with Pakistan where militants have hideouts. Two attackers wearing suicide vests detonated their explosives as a Nato foot patrol passed by the headquarters of the provincial government. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the killings. The Defense Department identified the three troops killed in Kunar as Air Force Maj. Walter D. Gray, 38, of Conyers, Ga.; Army Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy, 35, of West Point, N.Y.; and Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, 45, of Laramie, Wyo., all based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Air Force Maj. Gray

On Thursday, two Afghan soldiers tried to gun down a group of NATO troops outside a military base in eastern Afghanistan. No international forces were killed, but one of the attackers was killed as NATO forces shot back.

On Friday morning in Helmand province, in a green-on-blue shooting, an Afghan police commander invited at least three U.S. Special Forces soldiers to dinner at his outpost under the pretext of having a meeting to discuss security. {Special Forces soldiers are used in Afghanistan to train local police. These "green on blue" shootings are when the Afghans who Americans are tasked to train turn their weapons and target U.S. troops.} "During dinner, the police commander opened fire killing three and injuring one. The Taliban say the shooter fled and joined their forces. 

Army Maj. Kennedy

In another incident on Friday, NATO said a coalition service member died after an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan. The death brings to 19 the number of coalition troops killed in Afghanistan this month.

Also in Helmand province Friday, six Afghan civilians were killed when their car hit a roadside bomb.

P.S. If you discover names and photos of the other soldiers killed this week, please leave a comment and/or link so I may add to this post. Thank you.


The Public Affairs office of the 4th Brigade 4th Infantry Division shared this on Facebook:

“There has been some inaccurate reporting from unauthorized sources about recent events in the Task Force Mountain Warrior AO. As many are aware, the Brigade Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, 45, of Laramie, Wyo., Maj. Thomas Kennedy, the brigade Fire Support Coordinator, Maj. Walter D. Gray, USAF and Mr. Ragaei Abdelfattah, USAID were recently killed during a suicide attack in Kunar Province. Certain media outlets have reported that the Brigade Commander has been seriously wounded. We can confirm that Col. Mingus is unharmed, although he was present during the attack. There were, however, other leaders and soldiers harmed in the attack, which is a favored TTP of an enemy who cares little about who he harms in the pursuit of his goals. We are respecting the privacy of those wounded until they are prepared to release the specific information on the attack and their injuries. Please keep the soldiers, leaders, families and loved ones of the fallen and wounded in your thoughts and prayers as we remain focused on the mission of securing the provinces of Eastern Afghanistan and training and partnering with the Afghan National Security Forces. All of these brave men were committed to this task, and we will continue to honor their service and commitment by seeing the task accomplished. "Led By Love of Country." -- Maj. Thomas, BCT PAO.”

http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=15507

U.S. Army Airborne Soldier Brenden Salazar killed in Afghanistan

(Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel / August 3, 2012)

The funeral service for U.S. Army Airborne Soldier Brenden Salazar took place on Friday, August 3, 2012, at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Winter Springs, Fla. PFC Salazar was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He was 20 years old.

May God Bless the family and friends and comfort them in grief. I know personally that the loss is hard, but I also know that when we reach out to Christ Jesus, He will answer us and be with us. Brenden  died a hero doing what he knew that he had to do... defend our country and stand for Freedom throughout the world. For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know......

(Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel / August 3, 2012)

God bless all who made the ultimate sacrifice, and God be with all of the brave men and women who so willingly fight so that America can continue to be called "the land of the free and the home of the brave."

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Salazar family and friends.

Is U.S. Army's MEDEVAC policy killing our wounded soldiers?

SPC  Chazray Clark
(1987-2011)

If you do not follow the dispatches of Michael Yon (independent combat journalist), you must. Mr. Yon offers a unique and valuable inside look at the dangers American soldiers face every day, previously in Iraq and now in Afghanistan. His photographs of missions with our soldiers are heartbreaking and compelling.

The mainstream media has forgotten our armed forces around the world. Mr. Yon has not. It's refreshing to read the dispatches of a journalist who is pro-soldier. I like and respect that.

Mr. Yon has been reporting about the disastrous U.S. Army Dustoff MEDEVAC ("Dustoffs) policy and procedures. Because the Dustoffs carry the Red Cross symbol, the helicopters are not allowed to be armed pursuant to the Geneva Convention. They must be accompanied by an Apache attack helicopter. If all Apaches are on mission and unavailable, then the Dustoffs cannot rescue our wounded soldiers - they must stay grounded, waiting for an escort. This significantly contributed - if not caused - the death of SPC Chazray Clark (24) on September 18, 2011, in Afghanistan. In an IED explosion, Mr. Clark lost both legs and an arm. Although medics on the ground had Mr. Clark stabilized, it took 69 minutes from time of injury until he arrived at the Kandahar Airfield Hospital. While Mr. Clark's death is horrible enough, he was awake and talking while waiting for his rescue helicopter. I cannot even comprehend what this young man's final hour was like.... It's unspeakable. 

The Army's Dustoff policies and procedures must be changed. Why? (1) U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine rescue helicopters do not carry the Red Cross symbol and are properly armed. Their response time is quicker (and safer) because they do not have to wait for an escort. (2) There were Air Force Pedros available at Kandahar Airfield, but the Army didn't allow them to assist. Sort of a "we'll take care of  'our' own" policy. (3) The atrocities of the Taliban and al-Qaeda have been reported extensively. Our helicopters with the Red Cross symbol are just additional targets. And, not surprisingly, the Taliban and al-Qaeda are not parties of the Geneva Convention so they certainly are not going to abide by those rules of engagement.

Please help, by contacting the President and your congressmen and tell them the Dustoffs policies and procedures must be changed. Our soldiers should not pay for the price for their outdated, bureaucractic policies. Not only should American be united, our armed forces should be as well. Let's save lives.

For assistance in contacting your elected governmental officials, go to: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.


http://www.michaelyon-online.com/red-air-americas-medevac-failure.htm (10/12/11)
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/golden-seconds.htm# (10/24/11)
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57362374/did-military-rules-cost-a-soldier-his-life/?tag=mncol%3Blst%3B1 (with clips from Mr. Yon's video on site) (1/19/12).
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/military-professionals-discussing-the-medevac-dilemma-armed-or-escorted.htm# (7/18/12)
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/deadly-delays.htm (7/19/12)