Latest news with #PurpleHeart
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Mailbag: Veteran disappointed in MAGA-style Memorial Day in Huntington Beach
As a former U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman I served with the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam where I tended to Marines in combat and where I received my own Purple Heart medal. It is on Memorial Day that I attend Memorial Day services to pay respects to my fellow Marines and sailors who never made it home, as I was lucky enough to do. As a resident of Huntington Beach I attended this year's event at Pier Plaza by the pier where Memorial Day services are held annually. This year's service had the undertones of a mini MAGA pep rally. The former H.B. city attorney stood up for a bow as he was praised for doing the good work for H.B. back in Washington, D.C. We know what that work is. During a reading of the fallen, a council member dressed in bright MAGA red stood out as the current president did when he attended Pope Francis' recent funeral services. Attention-getting to be sure. This smug show of politics was so out of line. The day is meant to honor the fallen — not to enhance your political standing. Victor BravoHuntington Beach The Newport Beach City Council, which was once considered fiscally conservative, has been involved in its share of lawsuits. Perhaps this is not unusual for a city of its size. The most important one at the present time is the lawsuit that has been filed by a representative organization of residents alleging the city has violated its charter. Also, other memorable ones involved issues related to John Wayne Airport and with Banning Ranch. As to lawsuits, I have advocated for many years for greater transparency regarding the litigation the city is involved in, including its costs, but with no results. By the end of next month, public funds amounting over half a million dollars will have been spent on two special elections since 2022. The election for the NMUSD school board seat will cost up to nearly $500,000. The latest use of a large sum of the public's money was brought about by a petition signed by 361 people against a population of 123,000 NMUSD voters. It has brought disunity to Newport Beach and is a perfect example of fiscal irresponsibility, which has been supported by some of the City Council. On May 14, it was revealed by the Daily Pilot that the majority of the City Council has been backing a candidate with a questionable financial history. Andrea McElroy's financial and litigation background brings scrutiny to her qualifications to serve on the school board. Evidently some of her public supporters are unaware of this because two of them wrote previously in a letter to be made available to the city, 'Andrea, a business owner and mother, brings proven fiscal accountability...' They described her as earning trust from neighbors, educators and leaders. It is unknown who was privy to Andrea's true financial background. Maybe everybody was and they supported her nonetheless. There is also the possibility that they were just careless in their background check. Her support has seemed to remain consistent despite this revelation. It certainly would have been much more harmonious to the public and advantageous to the schools if the legal selection of Kirstin Walsh had never been challenged. Lynn LorenzNewport Beach As a former school board president who helped forge the partnership between our city and school district to bring school resource officers (SROs) to our campuses, I write to express my strong support for Andrea McElroy's candidacy for NMUSD school board trustee and to highlight the significance of her endorsement from the Newport Beach Police and Fire associations. Years ago, our community recognized the need for a collaborative approach to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. The introduction of SROs was a pivotal step, blending law enforcement's expertise with our schools' nurturing environments. This program, built on trust and mutual respect, has fostered safer schools while creating positive relationships between students, staff and officers. It wasn't just about security — it was about building a culture of care, accountability and community. The Police and Fire associations' endorsement of Andrea is no small matter. These organizations represent the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting us, and their support tells us that Andrea understands the delicate balance required to maintain safe, supportive schools. Their trust in her reflects her commitment to policies that prioritize student safety while respecting the unique role of educators. As someone who has seen the SRO program's impact firsthand, I know how critical it is to have leaders like Andrea who value these partnerships. Andrea's vision aligns with the principles that guided our original efforts: collaboration, community engagement and a steadfast commitment to our students' futures. Her endorsement by the Police and Fire associations underscores her ability to bridge public safety and education, ensuring our schools remain places where students can thrive. I urge our community to support Andrea. Her leadership will honor the legacy of our SRO program and strengthen the bonds that help our schools and our city succeed. Karen Yelsey, Former NMUSD school board presidentCorona del Mar I am writing to recommend Andrea McElroy for the open position on the Newport-Mesa Unified School District school board. I am a retired NMUSD teacher. I taught elementary students at Newport Heights Elementary for 28 years. I also taught for the education department at the University of California, Irvine and was a regular lecturer for the teacher education department at UCI. I had the pleasure of teaching Andrea's daughter, Savannah, for two years, as a second grader and as a third grader. During these periods of time, Andrea was a regular weekly volunteer in my classroom. Her easy rapport with my students enabled me to have her lead a small group of struggling math students every week. These groups usually included two or three second language students. Andrea was firm, but her sense of humor put the kids at ease, and they always looked forward to their group time with her. Andrea's daughter, Savannah, was one of the most creative and talented students I've had the good fortune to teach. From a very young age Savannah sang publicly, and her poise on stage naturally led her to an interest in acting. Savannah began playing the lead role in school productions at Newport Heights, and throughout her entire tenure in NMUSD. Although she attended Newport Harbor High School, she was often asked to perform in productions at other Newport Mesa high schools when needed, including Estancia and CDM. Contributing to the community was something both Andrea and Savannah enjoyed very much. Andrea began as the parent lead volunteer for our school plays at Newport Heights, and she continued to run school productions throughout Savannah's career at Newport Mesa. Andrea McElroy was the most prolific supporter of the arts in NMUSD during my time in the district. Being a performing musician myself, I can't imagine a better suited candidate for the school board. In my opinion, NMUSD has always needed a champion for the arts like Andrea. John G. DaffronHuntington Beach This Huntington Beach City Council is a collection of opportunists lacking true leadership or the skills to govern effectively. What you call leadership is nothing more than a parade of gimmicks — empty gestures masking incompetence. And it's the citizens who foot the bill for council failures. Just look at the air show settlement fiasco and the growing list of reckless legal battles we're likely to lose — each one, a costly reminder of the council's inability to govern responsibly. H.B. residents reacted to the latest council library overreach and collected more than 13,000 signatures to get Measures A and B on the ballot. Measure A would repeal a City Council ordinance that created a 21-member panel to oversee children's books — an unelected, unqualified group overriding trained library staff is farcical. If someone objects to a book in the library, they can submit a formal complaint. A panel of three librarians will then review the book and decide whether it is proper for that specific section of the library. Measure B protects the public library from privatization by requiring voter approval before it can be outsourced. Stop the H.B. City Council now and vote 'yes' on Measures A and B. Protect history before it is too late. Remember: Hitler did not start with ovens — he started with books. First banned, then burned — then came the people. Andrew EinhornHuntington Beach You can tell the character of an individual by the way he responds to criticism. Chad Williams responded by using the word 'porn.' Black's law dictionary defines 'porn' as that which is pertaining to obscene literature; obscene, licentious, appealing to a prurient interest. If an individual's prurient interest is aroused by a book on potty training, then he must be a very disturbed individual. The H.B. City Council seeks to privatize and control the library and ban any books they deem unfit. They appointed a committee of unqualified individuals to determine what books are fit. This is what 'Fahrenheit 451' is about. It took the signatures of nearly 14,000 registered voters, both Democrats and Republicans, to qualify and schedule the June 10, special election, at a cost of more than $1 million, when the election could have been held in November. I urge all voters to read Measures A and B to see if any porn issues are present and vote with a clear conscience. That is why I ask all Huntington Beach residents to see this election as a mandate against the MAGA vested city council and vote 'yes' on both Measure A and B, to preserve the independence of our community library. As the Rolling Stones song goes. The H.B. City Council can't always get what they want, they get what they need! Richard C. ArmendarizHuntington Beach The Huntington Beach City Council continues to misinterpret the 1st Amendment — often invoking freedom of religion while ignoring the foundational principle of separation of church and state. You're free to practice your faith in your home, your place of worship and among your community. However, intentionally imposing religious beliefs through city governance—whether in council chambers or in public libraries—is, in my view, unconstitutional. This special election goes beyond library content. It's about protecting our freedoms, our community's quality of life, and the 1st Amendment rights of all its residents. It's become a referendum on how we expect our City Council to govern — respectfully, lawfully and with due consideration. Regardless of our political views or religious affiliation (among the 30+ houses of worship in our city), we must reject the divisive rhetoric and confrontational behavior that's tearing our city apart. We all agree: Parents — not the government — should guide their children's upbringing. Further, any attempt to privatize our public library system must be put to a citywide vote, not rubber-stamped by a City Council majority. If you agree, please vote 'yes' on Measures A and B. Measure A repeals the Library Book Review Committee Ordinance. Measure B requires a public vote before contracting with any private, for-profit entity to manage our library system. Larry SlonimHuntington Beach
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- General
- Boston Globe
Remains of Somerville airman killed during WWII returned to Massachusetts 80 years later
Lord and members of his crew were reported missing in action. In 2018, investigators combing through a suspected crash site recovered ossified remains that were later confirmed to be Lord's, according to the Defense Department's POW/MIA Accounting Agency. A Southwest flight carrying Lord's remains and captained by his great-nephew, Charles Axtell landed at Logan Airport in Boston on Thursday afternoon. Advertisement 'I'm not sure if I can put it into words what it means to be flying him home,' his great nephew, Charles Axtell, said by email before the flight. 'It has been a special journey the whole way.' Lord's remains were also escorted by his great-great niece, Space Force 2nd Lieutenant Katherine Hendl. Lord's remains were taken to Bedford Funeral Home and will be interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett on June 7, alongside Lord's parents and his sister Ruth, his family said in an Axtell, who worked on the excavation that recovered Lord's remains, said that returning his great-uncle's remains to his home state represents 'the end of 80 years of torment.' Advertisement 'Now we know and we have the ability to give hope to the other 80,000+ MIA's since WW2,' said Axtell, who lives in New Hampshire. " . 'We also are reminding our present day armed forces that we do not quit looking for them! This is closure for our family but I think every veteran and military family member knows in their hearts what it means.' Lord's family still has letters he wrote while overseas. Axtell said Lord would end his letters writing, 'Remember me to all' and 'Loads of Love.' 'In today's world that makes me smile, knowing that all anyone wants is to be remembered,' Axtell said. Charles Axtell said his great-uncle, Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant Loring E. Lord, signed his letters home with "remember me to all" and "loads of love." Charles Axtell Axtell retired from the Air Force in 2015 and later joined Southwest Airlines. 'We are honored to support Captain Axtell as he transports his great uncle to his final resting place,' Chris Perry, a spokesperson for Southwest, said by email. Lord was officially accounted for on Sept. 18, 2024, according to There was no indication that anyone escaped the plane crash, which happened less than two months before victory was declared in Europe on May 8, 1945, the agency said. An article in the Boston Traveler on Feb. 23, 1946, reported that Lord, a graduate of Somerville High School who worked at Pratt & Whitney, had been listed as missing in action since March 21, 1945, while on his 31st mission. He entered the Army on Oct. 10, 1941, and received the Air Medal, Silver Star, and Purple Heart, the newspaper reported. Lord's family said he was engaged to be married at the time of his death. Advertisement U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Loring E. Lord of Somerville was killed when his plane was shot down in Germany in March 1945. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency After the war ended, the American Graves Registration Command began investigating and recovering the remains of missing US service members in the European Theater. In 1949, investigators visited villages between Velen and Dülmen, including Reken, where they met a former police chief who recalled seeing an American plane crash after one of its wings was shot off, according to the accounting agency. Heinrich Mels reported that the German military secured the crash site and buried several airmen at a local cemetery, the agency said. The remains were exhumed in April 1945 when US forces occupied the town and were identified as crew members from Lord's aircraft, the agency said. Investigators later located several aircraft parts at the crash scene, but no other remains were located. Decades later, in 2014, Adolf Hagedorn, a German researcher, reported another possible crash site to the accounting agency. In 2018, after several recovery missions, investigators with the agency located 'identification media' for one of Lord's crew members, as well as ossified remains, during an excavation of the site. The remains were sent to the agency's laboratory, where scientists were able to identify them as Lord's based on anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence, as well as mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial genome sequence analysis, according to the agency. Nick Stoico can be reached at
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New Hartford veteran inducted into Senate Veteran's Hall of Fame
ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — A New Hartford veteran was given a high honor by the New York State Senate on Wednesday, according to State Senator Joe Griffo. Griffo announced on Wednesday, May 28 that Lawrence Badger of New Hartford has been inducted into the New York State Senate's Veterans' Hall of Fame. Badger is a veteran of the United States Army and served during the Vietnam conflict. 'It is an honor to recognize Larry and all the other men and women who have been inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame this year,' Senator Griffo said in a statement. 'Larry has selflessly and courageously served his nation with distinction. He remains committed to supporting and advocating for other veterans and their families and continues to be an active, dedicated and instrumental part of several organizations that support veterans in the region. I am grateful for Larry's service and all that he has done for the veteran community in the 53rd Senate District.' Badger graduated from Proctor High School, and was a student at Mohawk Valley Community College when he enlisted in the Army. He served during Vietnam as a Paratrooper infantryman, serving in several campaigns, including two phases of the Tet Counter Offensive. Badger received the Purple Heart in 1968 after being wounded in Vietnam. When he departed Vietnam in July of 1969 as a squad leader of the 93rd MP Batallion, he had received the following awards and medals: The Purple Heart, The Combat Infantry Badge, The Army Commendation Medal with 'V' Device, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Parachute Badge, The Air Medal Citation, The Good Conduct Medal, and three Overseas Service Bars. After leaving the Army, Badger was employed at the U.S. Postal Service until he retired in 2008. He works behind the scenes at several Central New York veteran-related ceremonies and other events. He is a member and ranking member of several Central New York veteran organizations, including: Vice President of the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Finance Officer of the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an officer in the local post of the Masonic War Veterans, a Trustee of the Yorkville Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a Director of Wreaths across America in Rome. Badger is also a member of the American Legion Post in New Hartford. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Parren Mitchell, the first Black member of Congress from Maryland, honored with memorial
The Parren J. Mitchell memorial outside the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis. (Photo courtesy of the City of Annapolis) Keiffer Mitchell Jr. remembers that his uncle, the late Rep. Parren J. Mitchell, would always arrive a bit late for November and Christmas dinners. 'We would say, 'Uncle Parren, where you were? How come you were late?'' the younger Mitchell said in an interview Wednesday. 'He sat and had dinner with the men and women in the penitentiary. He represented his people.' It was just one of the memories shared Wednesday at the dedication of a memorial honoring Parren Mitchell, the first African American member of Congress from Maryland as well as a pioneer in other areas. A few hundred friends, family members and dignitaries braved the rain to honor Mitchell during the dedication of the black stone memorial at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis, featuring images and words from the late congressman's life. Wednesday was the anniversary of Mitchell's death in 2007 at age 85, He made history as the first Black member of Congress from Maryland, but Mitchell was making a name for himself well before his election to the House in 1970. Born and raised in Baltimore, he joined the Army in 1942 and was assigned to the all-Black 92nd Infantry Division. He served in Italy, earning a Purple Heart, and on his return used his GI Bill money to earn a bachelor's degree from what was then Morgan State College. He then successfully sued for the right to attend the University of Maryland, College Park, becoming the first Black graduate student on the campus and earning a master's in sociology. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE He was elected to Congress in 1970 from Maryland's 7th District and served eight terms before stepping down in 1987. He was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and a fierce advocate for policies protecting small- and minority-owned businesses. When then-President Jimmy Carter signed the Small Business Act and Small Business Investment Act in 1978, the legislation included amendments from Mitchell to fund and support minority businesses. When Sen. Nick Charles (D-Prince George's) and Del. H. Scott Phillips (D-Baltimore County) sponsored proposals in the 2024 legislature requiring state agencies to set aside 10% of contracts for minority- and veteran-owned businesses, they named it for Mitchell. Their bill ultimately passed and was signed into law. 'Congressman Parren Mitchell did so much that, even in his death, that his legacy still lives on,' said Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-Montgomery), chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. 'Our Maryland Black Caucus will continue to make sure that his legacy and his work and his leadership lives in all of the work that we do.' Gov. Wes Moore (D) credited Mitchell's trailblazing with making it possible for him to be governor today. 'I want to be very, very clear: I am not the 63rd governor of the state of Maryland had it not been for Congressman Parren Mitchell,' Moore said at Wednesday[s event. Moore also read a citation which he gave to the Mitchell family. 'What you see here is you see an entire mosaic of our state in celebration. Today is not just a great day for Anne Arundel County. Today is a great day for the state of Maryland and a great day for the United States of America,' Moore said to a warm applause. Moore, who attended the 90-minute ceremony with his wife, received a standing ovation when he walked to the microphone to speak on the importance of Mitchell's legacy. Not everyone was as welcoming of Moore, who this month vetoed a bill that would have created a Maryland Reparations Commission. 'We need that reparations bill. We need it,' Greg Thrasher shouted toward Moore. Thrasher, who recently moved to Anne Arundel County from Michigan, said he is not part of a local Black Lives Matter group, but after elected officials and others were acknowledged, he yelled, 'Black Lives Matters is here, too.' But most of the afternoon's proceedings were celebratory. The Caucus of African American Leaders and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee led efforts that helped raise $100,000 for the memorial in just four months. Although Mitchell was a Baltimore City native, the memorial in Annapolis has a Mitchell connection: His nephew, former state Sen. Michael Mitchell, was arrested during a sit-in at a segregated restaurant in Annapolis and called Moyer, a former mayor, to post his bail, according to an article in Eye on Annapolis. Parren Mitchell's niece, Lisa Mitchell Sennaar, thanked everyone and mentioned her uncle didn't have any children. 'I see the legacy of Karen Mitchell in this room. We are His children. We are his legacy,' said Mitchell Sennaar, a small business reserve compliance manager in the Governor's Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- 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
