VFW says Thank You for new GI Bill

"WASHINGTON, June 26, 2008 – The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is saluting Congress for the overwhelming passage of a new GI Bill for the 21st Century. The bill, S. 22, the 'Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act,' was attached to the war funding supplemental that the House passed June 19 and the Senate is predicted to approve this evening. President Bush is expected to quickly sign it into law."

S. 22 will pay the highest in-state public tuition rate, and provide for
books, fees, and a living stipend. It eliminates the $1,200 enrollment fee,
extends the use-or-lose benefit requirement from 10 to 15 years, and greatly
enhances the amount paid to Guard and Reserve members. The new GI Bill
automatically adjusts itself as tuitions increase, and provides a
dollar-for-dollar tuition match for private colleges and universities who choose
to participate in the program. A new provision added to the bill allows
reenlisting servicemembers to transfer their educational benefit to their spouse
and/or children. The transferability provision – which is endorsed by the
Defense Department – was proposed by Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC), Lindsey Graham
(R-SC), an Air Force Reserve colonel, and John McCain (R-AZ), a Vietnam veteran
who was held as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for five and a half
years.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) :: News:

Local soldier returns home

KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports Local soldier returns home: "

After a 15 month tour in Iraq, a hero returns with a warm welcome from his family. They're thrilled to have their son and brother back home on the Western Slope.

Specialist Antonio Martinez is back for 20 days after serving 15 months in northern Baghdad. This is the first time the army has granted him a leave to visit his family.
Specialist Martinez was part of the 82nd Airborne Unit, one of the first battalions that spearheaded the surge into Iraq.

He's happy to be on American soil and ready to relax.
Martinez's grandmother traveled all the way from Arizona to see him. He'll spend his 20 day vacation at his family's home in Hotchkiss. "

Military briefs

Military briefs Stafford County Sun: "Stafford brothers return from duty
Sgt. Richard Carnicom and Specialist Derek Carnicom have returned from Iraq and from Afghanistan, respectively. The brothers are both graduates of North Stafford High School and are serving in the United States Army stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with the 82nd Airborne Division.
Richard Carnicom’s unit, the first of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, served in Baghdad from January 2007 through March 2008 as part of a 15-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Richard Carnicom earned the Combat Action Badge during this tour. Derek Carnicom’s unit, the second of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, served in Afghanistan from February 2007 thru May 2008 as part of a 15-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Derek Carnicom earned the Combat Medical Badge during this tour. Jeffrey and Roxanne Carnicom of Stafford are extremely proud of their son’s accomplishments and relieved to have them back home safe. Both Jeff and Roxanne Carnicom, as well as Roxanne’s father, Richard Clark of Stafford, were at Pope Air Force Base as Richard landed on March 12, 2008 and as Derek landed on May 12, 2008. Richard Carnicom was also there to welcome his brother Derek home. "

Surge brigade to get new leader

"The 82nd Airborne Division brigade that spearheaded the surge into Iraq is getting a new commander.
Col. B. Don Farris will pass command to Col. Christopher Gibson during a ceremony Wednesday at Fort Bragg. Farris' brigade deployed days after receiving emergency orders in January 2007. The brigade spent 15-months restoring order to the Iraqi capital of Baghdad and was instrumental in bringing violence in the city to its lowest level since 2004.
During a mission in May 2007, Farris was seriously wounded by sniper fire. He recovered and returned to Iraq months later to finish the deployment.
Gibson served with the 2nd Brigade from 2004 to 2006."FayObserver.com - AP Article Page: