Latest news with #MIAs
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hundreds of motorcyclists undertake the Ride for Freedom
DIMONDALE, Mich. (WLNS) — Hundreds of motorcyclists rode from Dimondale to the State Capitol over the weekend for an event called 'Ride for Freedom,' a nationwide initiative bringing awareness to veterans, prisoners of war, and those who are missing in action. Rolling Thunder hosted the event, and just after noon, the bikers arrived at the Capitol to show the spirit of remembrance and unity. The Veterans Memorial Freedom Ride is a time to honor those who are lost. 'But there's one man here in town, Arthur Wright, disappeared Feb. 21, 1967,' said Doug Pickle, organizer of the event. 'He's still unknown, since then and right up till now, we're still keeping his name out there because he's unaccounted for.' But it goes deeper than that. The event is also an opportunity to hear the stories of those we have lost in the line of duty and a message to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice—that they deserve to heal from the pain of their past. Pickle, the organizer, says the event is designed to educate people about these veterans. 'And this is an area that everybody forgets. Nobody even knows what a POW is, to be honest with you. So, Rolling Thunder is here today,' said Pickle. 'To teach people what our POWs and MIAs, prisoners of war and missing in action, go through—what the families are going through. This is the importance of this rally today and this ride today. We're honoring everybody who's killed in the line of duty.' He also says he wants to give people a way to remember. 'Michigan POW/MIA memorial, and it's going to be in Mount Pleasant, Michigan,' said Pickle. 'It's gonna be every Michigan resident who was ever taken as a prisoner of war or missing in action from the Civil War all the way to present.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens
The 58th annual Memorial Day ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium on Monday paid tribute to fallen service members with ties to Maryland, honoring U.S. Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States of America. Upon receiving to honor Specialist Jacob W. Mullen who died at 25 years old, his mother Linda Mullen weeps while consoled by Major General Janeen L. Birckhead, Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ternell Fisher of Towson, retired from the U.S. Navy is silhouetted in front of flags placed on the graves in background while listening to speakers during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A wreath is carried by members with the U.S. Marines to place in honor of Marylanders who died in Vietnam and Iraq who are buried in and around the Circle of the Immortals, and for four Maryland MIAs, during the annual Memorial Day Observance at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Three generations of family sit together, with Margaret Arnold, left reaching out to granddaughter Layomi Adedeji 16, as she lays her head on the shoulder of her mother Nicole Arnold while they honor Army P.F.C. Charles M. Hyman, who died on June 8, 2024 at 33 years old during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A wreath is carried by members with the U.S. Marines to place in honor of Marylanders who died in Vietnam and Iraq who are buried in and around the Circle of the Immortals, and for four Maryland MIAs, during the annual Memorial Day Observance at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Members of the U.S. Marines hold the Colors during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Spectators watch the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Spectators watch a rifle volley during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Liam Abbey, 15 of Rising Sun, a member with the u.S. Naval Sea Cadets looks up as the Star-Spangled Banner is played during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Linda Willey, a Gold Star Mother accepts the Loved and Lost presentation honoring Staff Sergeant Sean A. Lange, who died on Aug. 25, 2024 which is given by Major General Janeen L. Birkhead, the Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) From left, Jaheim Brown, lower left, Charles Griffin, Tenessa Davenport, Malik Brown and William Brown mourn the loss of Specialist William T. Brown III, who was 30 years old when he died, during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The Colors are carried during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Major General Janeen L. Birkhead, the Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard speaks during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Relatives and friends of the ten Marylanders who lost their lives in service to the nation sit together during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A slow shutter speed reveals movement as members of the 229th Army Band play while marching past graves adorned with small flags during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Show Caption1 of 16The Colors are advanced past small flags which rise from graves at the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Circle of Immortals, inside Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Expand
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Washington state mayor blows up on LGBTQ activist who says flying POW/MIA flag is a 'political stunt'
A mayor in Washington state blew up on an LGBTQ activist after she described the city flying the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag as a "political stunt" during the public comment portion of the city council meeting on Tuesday. The exchange took place near the end of the Newcastle City Council meeting between Mayor Robert Clark and a woman whose first name is Jen. Newcastle is a suburb of Seattle. Jen was the first person to speak after Clark opened the floor for public comment, and she began by stating she hopes the mayor will support the pride flag "in proclamation this year" since he has a "new-found appreciation" for flags besides the American flag. State Department Blocks Pride, Blm Flags From Embassies, Outposts With 'One Flag Policy' She was referencing a vote by the city council last year to not fly the pride flag over city hall during pride month, which was later flipped after public outrage. At the time, Clark told local outlet KOMO that if the pride flag was going to be flown, then everybody's flag had to be flown. "Do you want a Hamas flag flying over the City of Newcastle? Or a MAGA flag? How about a Trump flag or an Antifa flag? We're not going there folks," Clark stated. "Everybody is equally represented by the American flag." Read On The Fox News App Jen said while she is "very much in support" of veterans, POWs and MIAs, she thinks flying the POW/MIA flag "100 days a year is a political stunt." Jen then began comparing the population of American POWs or MIAs with how many Americans fall under the LGBTQ community, suggesting that the pride flag represents more people. "My research shows that there have been 82,000 Americans who are registered as POWs or MIAs, which is atrocious and horrible, and it should never happen to any American, but there [are] 20 million minimum LGBTQ members," she stated. National Pow/mia Recognition Day Reminds Americans Of 'Nobility' Of War Heroes And The Need To Do Better She then accused council members of being hypocritical and fulfilling special interests by choosing to fly a POW/MIA flag over city hall and not a pride flag. "I think that your approach to trying to trick people out of having to fly the pride flag in June by making sure that the POW/MIA flag was flown is really disgusting. Again, it is not impartial in any way, and I think that you should be ashamed. I definitely am," Jen said before walking off. Her comments set a fire under the mayor, who said he doesn't typically respond to public comment, but he "will not sit here and have somebody tell me that veterans are a political stunt." Some in the audience could be heard clapping as Clark fired back at the woman, adding, "How dare you?" Usaid Employee Says Staffers Hid Pride Flags, 'Incriminating' Books When Doge Arrived "This country was founded because veterans lost their lives. Hundreds of thousands of people died for this country so that you could fly your pride flag," Clark said while looking in her direction. He apologized for being "pissed" and "out of line," but warned her "do not ever disparage veterans in my presence." "Those 82,000 people who never came home will never have a chance to have a family or grow up while you can fly your pride flag," he said. "They sacrificed their lives all over the world for America and for freedom around the world." The mayor appeared to be aware of Jen's opinions, stating that he "tolerates" her comments despite them always being "on the attack" and "libelous." "I tolerate it because, you know, you probably can't help yourself, but don't ever disparage veterans in front of me," he said as someone in the audience could be heard trying to talk back. "Don't ever disparage veterans in front of me," Clark repeated. "And we're done," he said before opening up the floor to the next article source: Washington state mayor blows up on LGBTQ activist who says flying POW/MIA flag is a 'political stunt'
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
American Legion national Commender coming to La Crescent to speak on veteran suicide and other pressing veteran matters
LA CRESCENT, Min. (WLAX/WEUX) – American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere Jr. of Connecticut is coming to La Crescent and will speak on issues of importance to Minnesota veterans. LaCoursiere is strongly committed to raising awareness for The American Legion's 'Be the One' efforts to prevent veteran suicide. 'It is the most significant issue facing veterans,' he told the national convention after being elected in August. 'It is the most significant issue of our time. It's also an issue that galvanizes all of us. I know that we are all touched by someone who has taken their own life.' He will visit La Crescent Area Event Center at 595 Veterans Pkwy. for a social hour, dinner and presentation starting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, March 25th. LaCoursiere will talk with veterans, community leaders and local residents. The visit is hosted by the veterans of La Crescent American Legion Post 595. The American Legion also is focused on stopping veteran claim sharks, passage of the Major Richard Star Act (which eliminates concurrent receipt on military retirement pensions), implementation of the PACT Act, parity for the federal definition of a veteran, full accountability of POW/MIAs, ending veteran homelessness, paying the Coast Guard during federal shutdowns, and passage of an amendment to protect the U.S. flag from desecration. Post 595 plans to celebrate The American Legion's birthday as well. Any local residents wishing to attend can contact Ricard Acevedo. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
