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Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bittersweet homecoming for USS Harry S. Truman
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — On Sunday, thousands of people were excited to greet their USS Harry S. Truman sailors pier side. Families reunite with sailors as USS Harry S. Truman returns in Norfolk It was a bittersweet homecoming after an extended deployment that made headlines several times for not just missions, but million-dollar mishaps. Norfolk-based USS Harry S. Truman loses aircraft, tow tractor Carrier Strike Group 8 lost 3 F/A-18 Super Hornets while at sea, totaling $180 million. in what the Navy called a 'friendly-fire' accident. Retired naval aviator shares insight on 'friendly fire' incident in the Red Sea The aircraft carrier was also involved in a collision with a merchant ship near the entrance of the Suez Canal in the beginning of the group's deployment. US aircraft carrier collides with merchant ship near Egypt, but no injuries reported The strike group conducted missions ranging from exercises with NATO allies in Europe to combat operations in the Middle East, with no loss of life. 'Today is not just a homecoming,' said Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, Commander of Carrier Strike Group 8. 'It's the return of every sailor back to their family.' Bailey described the deployment as 'up-tempo', and its homecoming reflected that. The Truman was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, which was displayed on the ship when it pulled into view Sunday. Also on display was metal carnage on the side from the collision with the merchant ship. Issues like the collision and the lost jets left questions of where some issues may lie. Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Hill said he couldn't be prouder of the group of sailors. Particularly, his praised their ability to change what people may perceive to be the shortcoming of Generation X in the military. He said he saw no cowering or fallback, but instead, he said the sailors just kept fighting and fighting. Some may say U.S. Navy ships haven't seen this kind of engagement since the Persian Gulf War of 1990. Truman was in a 50-day streak of continuous strikes, launching Tomahawk missiles and precision airstrikes aimed at degrading the Iranian backed Houthi rebels' capabilities to disrupt commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Truman also accomplished the largest airstrike in history launched from an aircraft carrier when 125,000 pounds of ordinance was launched against Islamic State terrorists in northeast Somalia. Stay with for more local news, weather and traffic. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wounded Marine and His Family to Receive Life-Changing Home Makeover on Military Makeover with Montel®
The Reeves Family of North Carolina to Be Featured in Upcoming Season Airing on Lifetime TV. Full makeover will be realized between June 10th to June 22nd. The reveal of the home makeover will be filmed on June 22nd. KING, N.C. , May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Military Makeover with Montel® along with Official Non-Profit Partner, Purple Heart Homes, proudly announces its upcoming season spotlighting the remarkable story of U.S. Marine Corps veteran Sean Reeves and his family. Coming to Lifetime TV this summer, this season will follow an inspiring path of bravery, dedication, and recovery, culminating in a well-earned home makeover for a selfless family. Sean's courageous service and sacrifice were recognized with many military decorations, such as the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, NATO Medal ISAF Afghanistan, and the Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, among others. Driven by the September 11th attacks, Sean Reeves enlisted in the United States Marine Corps upon his 2008 high school graduation. He served as an infantry rifleman (0311) with the First Battalion, Second Marines and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. During Operation Northern Penetration, Mr. Reeves sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and three gunshot wounds resulting from an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation and subsequent ambush. Despite these severe injuries, he continued his military service until his medical retirement in 2011. Presently, Mr. Reeves is employed as a Care Coordinator at Veterans Bridge Home, providing support to veterans and their families as they navigate challenging transitions. Notwithstanding persistent chronic pain, cognitive impairments, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and having achieved remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, he remains a dedicated advocate and an essential source of support within the veteran community. "The story of the Reeves family is one of resilience and commitment to community," said Nicole Oropesa, President of BrandStar Entertainment. "Through Military Makeover with Montel, we are honored to recognize and uplift a family who truly embodies the heart of service to their fellow veterans." With the help of generous partners and the King, NC community, alongside Co-Host Art Edmonds and Designer Jennifer Bertrand, Military Makeover with Montel® will renovate the Reeves family home to reflect the care, accessibility, and comfort they deserve. To volunteer, click here. Military Makeover with Montel: Military Makeover with Montel® is an award-winning reality TV series dedicated to transforming the homes and lives of military families across the country. Hosted by Veteran, Author and TV Personality Montel Williams, alongside Co-Host Art Edmonds and Designer Jennifer Bertrand, the show brings together businesses, non-profits, and local communities to create lasting change for those who've served. Airing on Lifetime® and the American Forces Network, Military Makeover is more than a renovation show—it's a powerful mission where help, healing, and hope truly start at home. For more information, visit Purple Heart Homes: Purple Heart Homes is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by John Gallina and the late Dale Beatty, two Iraq combat-wounded Veterans who started a mission to provide housing solutions for Service-Connected Disabled Veterans and their families. Driven by the belief that no Veteran should be left behind, Purple Heart Homes, together with the community, is committed to ensuring quality of life solutions for Disabled American Veterans from all eras. Purple Heart Homes – Improving Veterans' Lives One Home at a more information, visit and follow us on X @PHHTweet and Facebook and Instagram @PurpleHeartHomes. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Military Makeover with Montel
Associated Press
28-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Wounded Marine and His Family to Receive Life-Changing Home Makeover on Military Makeover with Montel®
The Reeves Family of North Carolina, Honored for Their Service and Resilience, to Be Featured in Upcoming Season Airing on Lifetime TV. 'The story of the Reeves family is one of resilience and commitment to community. We are honored to recognize and uplift a family who truly embodies the heart of service to their fellow veterans.'— Nicole Oropesa, President of BrandStar Entertainment KING, NC, UNITED STATES, May 28, 2025 / / -- Military Makeover with Montel® along with Official Non-Profit Partner, Purple Heart Homes, proudly announces its upcoming season spotlighting the remarkable story of U.S. Marine Corps veteran Sean Reeves and his family. Coming to Lifetime TV this summer, this season will follow an inspiring path of bravery, dedication, and recovery, culminating in a well-earned home makeover for a selfless family. Sean's courageous service and sacrifice were recognized with many military decorations, such as the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, NATO Medal ISAF Afghanistan, and the Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, among others. Montel Williams' co-host Jennifer Bertrand and Purple Heart Homes CEO John Gallina spoke at the King, NC event where Mayor Rick McCraw proclaimed May 16, 2025, as 'Military Makeover with Montel in honor of Sean Reeves Day' and went on to declare June as 'Military Makeover' month. Driven by the September 11th attacks experienced during his upbringing in Greensboro, North Carolina, Sean Reeves enlisted in the United States Marine Corps upon his 2008 high school graduation. He served as an infantry rifleman (0311) with the First Battalion, Second Marines and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. During Operation Northern Penetration, Mr. Reeves sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and three gunshot wounds resulting from an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation and subsequent ambush. Despite these severe injuries, he continued his military service until his medical retirement in 2011. Presently, Mr. Reeves is employed as a Care Coordinator at Veterans Bridge Home, providing support to veterans and their families as they navigate challenging transitions. Notwithstanding persistent chronic pain, cognitive impairments, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and having achieved remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, he remains a dedicated advocate and an essential source of support within the veteran community. His soulmate, Ms. Marilyn Cecilia Williams, a junior programmer/analyst at Atrium Wake Forest Health, shares his life journey. They reconnected years after high school at Mr. Reeves's sister's wedding and have maintained their relationship since 2015. Ms. Williams contributes significantly to their household with her warmth, resilience, and creative pursuits in gardening, animal care, and artistic expression, which are integral to their family's fortitude. 'The story of the Reeves family is one of resilience and commitment to community,' said Nicole Oropesa, President of BrandStar Entertainment. 'Through Military Makeover with Montel, we are honored to recognize and uplift a family who truly embodies the heart of service to their fellow veterans.' With the help of generous partners and the King, NC community, alongside Co-Host Art Edmonds and Designer Jennifer Bertrand, Military Makeover with Montel will renovate the Reeves family home to reflect the care, accessibility, and comfort they deserve. This makeover will not only serve their daily needs—it will celebrate their unwavering dedication to service and one another. Full makeover will be realized between June 10th to June 22nd. The reveal of the home makeover will be filmed on June 22nd. To volunteer, click here. Media Contact: Kristen Noffsinger, SVP, Kreps PR | [email protected] | 954-464-7388 ### Military Makeover with Montel: Military Makeover with Montel® is an award-winning reality TV series dedicated to transforming the homes and lives of military families across the country. Hosted by Veteran, Author and TV Personality Montel Williams, alongside Co-Host Art Edmonds and Designer Jennifer Bertrand, the show brings together businesses, non-profits, and local communities to create lasting change for those who've served. Airing on Lifetime® and the American Forces Network, Military Makeover is more than a renovation show—it's a powerful mission where help, healing, and hope truly start at home. For more information, visit and follow us on X @MilitaryMakeover and Facebook and Instagram @MilitaryMakeover. Purple Heart Homes: Purple Heart Homes is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by John Gallina and the late Dale Beatty, two Iraq combat-wounded Veterans who started a mission to provide housing solutions for Service-Connected Disabled Veterans and their families. Driven by the belief that no Veteran should be left behind, Purple Heart Homes, together with the community, is committed to ensuring quality of life solutions for Disabled American Veterans from all eras. Purple Heart Homes – Improving Veterans' Lives One Home at a Time. For more information, visit and follow us on X @PHHTweet and Facebook and Instagram @PurpleHeartHomes. Kristen Noffsinger Kreps PR & Marketing +1 954-464-7388 [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Remarkable Women 2025 winner: Buffalo combat veteran Monica Lynch instills hope
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — News 4 celebrates Women's History Month by recognizing remarkable women in Western New York. The 2025 campaign concludes with Monica Lynch of Buffalo — a mother, disabled combat veteran, cancer survivor and community advocate. In 1990, Lynch answered the call to serve. 'I went right on down on Huron Street and I said, 'OK, I'm ready to sign up,'' Lynch said. 'I went to the Air Force first and took a test, and they were like, 'Well, you're about three, four points away from the certain job we want.' I didn't care about which job, I just knew, 'I'm ready to go and I'm ready to help my country.' So, I went to the next door, and it was the Marine Corps.' Lynch deployed to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War, where she engaged in ground combat. 'I was there for six months and I was on the front line,' Lynch said. 'I drove everything — ammo, POWs, the food supplies … everything up to the front and back.' Over half a million U.S. troops were sent to the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, less than 7 percent were women. 'There were 10 women in my unit, but only two of us went on the front line … only two,' Lynch said. 'But I knew I was there to serve and I had to give 100 percent. So, no matter what, I was ready to achieve something.' Lynch has been called 'a pioneer for Black women in the Marines' — paving the way for the modern-day era of women warriors. 'I know everybody be saying the words 'trailblazer,' 'pioneer' and things like that, but just to go through it and to achieve it, it's an inner-body experience,' Lynch said. 'It's like, 'you went on the front line, you stayed on the front line … and you survived.'' In 2022, Lynch was one of 11 local veterans presented with long-awaited service medals and ribbons by Rep. Brian Higgins. Lynch was awarded: Combat Action Ribbon for active participation in ground combat during Operation Desert Storm during the period Jan. 17 – Feb. 28, 1991 Navy Unit Commendation awarded to a Marine Expeditionary Force for service during the period Aug. 14, 1990 – April 16, 1991 Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal with Three Bronze Campaign Stars Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with One Bronze Star Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) Rifle Marksman Badge Various other medals 'When Lynch joined, just 4 percent of all active U.S. military personnel were women,' Rep. Higgins said in his presentation. 'She is likely one of the first Black women from Western New York to serve in combat, and receive the Combat Action Ribbon while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.' 'People keep saying, 'the first of,' 'first of,' and it makes me sad,' Lynch said. 'This is 2025 and everybody's still saying 'the first of.' We should be the 100th person or something to do this or that, but I'm grateful.' Lynch's final military stop was in Japan. Upon her return home, she was delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service in Williamsville when she noticed something wrong. At 23 years old, cancer — soft tissue sarcoma — wrapped itself around the nerves in her left arm. 'I was about the youngest one at the VA that was going through something like that,' Lynch said. 'I ended up having to get 95 percent of my scapula removed, and they were going to amputate my arm.' After a 'miracle surgery,' doctors saved her arm. Though it left her disabled, Lynch wasn't going to let that stop her from lending a helping hand. So, she set off on a journey of compassion. 'When I went through the good-old talking phone book, it was saying something about St. Augustine, and they had foster care and adoption and stuff like that,' Lynch said. 'So, I called them and said, 'Well, what are the requirements?' And when they told me, I said, 'Oh, I got plenty of love. So, yeah, I can do that. I can do it with no problem.'' Lynch took care of children, and along the way, she adopted children of her own — twin boys. Because they have several disabilities, raising them comes with many demands. But the moment they entered her life, Lynch was blessed. 'I love them, I really do. They overcame so many obstacles,' Lynch said. 'They have mild [mitral regurgitation], psychosis, intermittent explosive disorder and fetal alcoholism.' In their name, Lynch founded the Bernard and Eric Resource Center. The mission is inspired by her daughter, Melany, whom she also adopted. The nonprofit supports young women who've aged out of the foster care system — giving them the tools to build a better future through housing assistance, financial literacy, job-readiness training, therapy sessions and more. 'Some of them become homeless. Some of them become involved in domestic violence. Some of them, sex trafficking,' Lynch said. 'A lot of them just be lost, period. They get on drugs, they – you know … it's just so many things because they don't have people that can tell them, 'I have your back.'' Charnaye Sanders is Lynch's sister. She explained how Lynch has helped many young women transition into independence with confidence and dignity by addressing immediate needs and long-term personal growth. 'Beyond basic services, [Lynch] fosters a sense of belonging through enriching activities like cultural outings, art workshops and holiday celebrations,' Sanders said. 'Very recently, she took a young woman shopping and was helping her just get some interview clothes so she can be interview-ready so she can get back into the field because she was homeless. This young woman now was able to find the resources through my sister to establish an apartment.' Lynch has been in remission for 30 years. While living with the scars of combat, she's now on a different front: proudly fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves. It's a legacy to leave behind for her family, so when the call to serve rings, like Lynch, they answer. 'Just watching her still use that military strength to just be herself and be who she has given her life on the line to be — a person that is willing to give her all, and fight until she has no more fight in her left,' Sanders said. 'Even when she doesn't have any fight left in her, there's still just an ounce, and that can go a long way.' 'I gotta keep giving. When I said, 'Oh, I got love to give,' it was not just for my family. It is for everybody,' Lynch said. 'I'm 'Grateful Monica.' I feel really happy to have achieved anything, and this is really, very emotional for me.' * * * Jordan Norkus is an Emmy-nominated, award-winning anchor who has been with the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Last Houthi Attack Was Months Ago. But the US Military Has Now Launched an Open-Ended Campaign in Yemen.
U.S. military strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels continued into their sixth day on Thursday, as the Pentagon and Trump administration had yet to fully explain what prompted the resumption of operations against the Iranian-backed rebel group after months of relative quiet in the Red Sea. Officials said the new round of strikes in Yemen may last for weeks and that they are now less worried about casualties. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Sunday claimed the renewed military operation is necessary due to attacks on Navy ships and shipping, telling Maria Bartiromo on Fox News that "ships haven't been able to go through for over a year without being shot at." However, as leaders like Hegseth demand the Houthis halt their attacks as a condition of ending the strikes, multiple officials at the Pentagon, who spoke on condition of anonymity to more freely discuss the current situation, told that the last Houthi attack they were aware of occurred in December -- months ago and before President Donald Trump even took office. Read Next: Deadline Nears for Troops to Sign Up for Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts In his Fox News appearance, Hegseth said that, around that time frame, "we sent a ship through, it was shot at 17 times," but he didn't offer any further details about whether it was a U.S. warship or merchant ship. U.S. Central Command did announce two attacks against U.S. warships and merchant ships that month, but the munitions used didn't appear to add up to 17. The latest round of Houthi attacks began in October 2023 when the destroyer USS Carney first shot down a Houthi barrage of missiles and drones headed for Israel. Since then, Navy ships in the area have engaged in a steady stream of missile and drone interceptions aimed at them and merchant ships. At least seven Navy ships have been awarded the prestigious Combat Action Ribbon as a result. The Houthi rebels began targeting merchant ships in the region following the outbreak of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The rebels warned this month that any Israeli vessel traveling in those waters is a target due to the continuing siege of Gaza, though they have also attacked merchant ships with no ties to Israel. reached out to the White House and the National Security Council for more clarity on what prompted the strikes now. The White House didn't respond, and an official from the NSC referred to "statements made by the president, the secretary of defense, the secretary of state, [the White House spokeswoman,] and many others." The Trump administration's military operations against the Houthis began Saturday with a strike that hit "over 30 targets at multiple locations," Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, the joint staff's planning boss, told reporters Monday. "These included terrorist training sites, unmanned aerial vehicle infrastructure, weapons manufacturing capabilities and weapon storage facilities," Grynkewich said, adding that the targets "also included a number of command-and-control centers, including a terrorist compound where we know several senior Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle experts were located." Since Saturday, Grynkewich said strikes have continued; posts on the U.S. Central Command and Defense Department social media pages show that jets from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman were flying as late as Thursday. Grynkewich wouldn't say how many targets were hit on subsequent days, but several defense officials told that the number of targets was lower than the total reported Saturday. One official described the ensuing several days of strikes as bringing the number of targets to about 60, or about twice as many as were struck in the initial wave last weekend. The military strikes are not unique to the Trump administration. In January 2024, the Biden administration began a series of strikes, with the first one hitting more than 60 targets at 16 locations controlled by the Iranian-backed militants, and immediately followed those initial strikes by attacking 12 other locations. One of the last strikes under the Biden administration happened Dec. 21. According to Grynkewich, the difference in the Trump administration's operations in Yemen is a "much broader set of targets ... and the other key difference is the delegation of authorities from the president through Secretary Hegseth down to the operational commander." That means the head of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Erik Kurilla, is able to make more strikes with less oversight, which according to Grynkewich "allows us to achieve a tempo of operations where we can react to opportunities that we see on the battlefield in order to continue to put pressure on the Houthis." Two defense officials told that there is also less reluctance to hold off striking targets based on the casualties that may result. Trump, posting Wednesday on his social network Truth Social, called the Houthis "barbarians" and said they would be "completely annihilated" by U.S. military strikes. The defense officials who spoke with said they expected the strikes to go on for about a month or so. The Pentagon's top spokesman, Sean Parnell, said Monday that "there's going to be ... a very clear end state to this." But neither he nor Grynkewich would go into detail about what specific aims they were trying to achieve. "Just know that there is a design to the operation," Grynkewich said Monday. "There's specific targets that have been selected and approaches that we're taking in order to achieve the president's end state." Parnell said the rebels "could stop this tomorrow if they said 'we're going to stop shooting at your people.'" He didn't offer any examples more recent than what Hegseth offered to Fox News. Related: Navy's Fight in Red Sea Used 220 Missiles, But Officials Say That's Changing
