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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trans troops leaving military following Trump administration ban
Bree Fram, a colonel in the U.S. Space Force and a transgender woman who was tapped to be the grand marshal at the Annapolis Parade last month before bad weather postponed it, said Monday she will retire after a Trump administration directive led to her being placed her on leave. Fram is among a wave of trans people voluntarily leaving military service following an ultimatum from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who directed transgender servicemembers to elect by last weekend whether they would go on their own, or face 'involuntary separation.' In a May memo, the Trump administration had argued that 'service by individuals with a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibiting symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria is not in the best interest of the military services and is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security.' Support for transgender troops serving in the military has declined from 71% in 2019 to 58% in 2025, according to a February Gallup poll, but the majority of Americans still believe the military should be open to transgender and gender-nonconforming servicemembers. Fram, who lives in Virginia, joined the military not long after the attacks of Sept. 11. While she said she is proud of her accomplishments, Fram also said the first 13 years of her career taxed her mentally, as she had to conceal her identity as a trans woman. That changed in 2016, when then-Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said transgender people could serve openly. Since then, Fram has been open about being transgender. 'I am proud of being a trans person who has served and who has upheld her oath to the Constitution and done everything this nation has asked of me,' Fram said. 'I know the writing that is on the wall and that my service is no longer required or requested by this nation, so I have applied for retirement.' As of Monday, Fram was on administrative leave pending retirement approval. She spoke with The Sun about her retirement and the circumstances around it but added that her views do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Defense. Nationwide, around 1,000 service members have begun the process of voluntary separation, according to a statement issued by Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell on May 8. Maryland has over 6,500 service members across the National Guard, Air Guard, Defense Force and Military Department, a 2023 study showed. Another 27,863 federal servicemembers were born in Maryland, but only 2.5% of them reside in Maryland. Some Maryland officials have voiced their disapproval of the policy, which they say is discriminatory and harmful to national security. In a statement, Gov. Wes Moore, an Army veteran, said: 'We as a nation must respect these patriots by putting a halt to attempts to minimize the military by trying to divide the military.' On May 30, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, who was supposed to walk alongside Fram during Annapolis' Pride Parade, signed onto an amicus curiae brief, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, arguing against the ban. Brown called the ban 'discriminatory' and a 'direct attack on our Constitution and the core American values of fairness and equal treatment,' in a statement Friday. 'This policy is not only unjust; it undermines our military readiness and betrays the courage and sacrifice of those who have stepped up to serve. It must be reversed immediately,' Brown said. The weekend deadline set by Hegseth, which coincided with the first week of Pride Month, follows a Supreme Court decision permitting the reinstatement of orders from the Department of Defense that called for the removal of transgender troops. The department says it does not maintain a state-by-state breakdown of how many transgender soldiers will be affected. Maryland's Military Department, which oversees the Maryland National Guard, declined to comment. June 6 was the deadline for active duty members to self-identify in order to be eligible for the voluntary separation process, which offers monetary compensation. The deadline for National Guard members is July 7. Remaining transgender and gender-nonconforming soldiers will be removed through an involuntary process, Hegseth's May memo said. 'We are all being forced out,' Fram said. 'I want to make it clear that there is no 'voluntary' or 'involuntary' separation. Neither of those things would be the choice that any of us would be making.' In a statement Friday, Annpolis Pride, which organizes the parade, said 'our nation is less safe because thousands of brave Americans have been forced to leave the armed forces — not because of any failure in duty, but because of hatred codified at the highest levels of government,' It is unclear if Fram will return for the rescheduled parade in the fall. The U.S Space Force declined to comment. According to Cathy Marcello, the Interim Executive Director of Modern Military Association of America, which works with LGBTQ+ veterans, nearly three-quarters of transgender service members have served for over 12 years. 'People are losing their homes, their livelihoods, their community, their identity — and their families are being uprooted suddenly with no backup plan or safety net,' Marcello said. Maryland's VA department is working with the University of Baltimore's Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic to 'connect transgender veterans with legal support services, especially for discharge upgrades or discrimination cases,' Ross Cohen, the acting secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families, said. Fram said that leaving her career has been a 'grieving process' because she is 'stepping away from something that [she] love[s], something that [she] care[s] about, something that [she] intended to do far into the future.' ---------------
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Athens teacher finalist for state teacher of year
Apr. 30—Athens High School teacher Amanda Gudmundsson, one of four finalists for Alabama teacher of the year, changed career paths because of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on New York. Because she lived right outside New York City at the time, she witnessed everything firsthand, she said. Even though she is a fifth-generation educator, her path to the classroom was unexpected. Initially, she pursued a degree in higher education administration, but her career shifted following the events of Sept. 11. She decided to become a teacher after seeing the unity and the outpouring of selflessness the attack inspired. Through teaching, she found a way to contribute to democracy and uphold the values of equality and civic responsibility, she said. She believes that with the right support, all students can succeed and make meaningful and impactful contributions to society. Now the Athens High School teacher has been named one of the top four finalists for the 2025 — 26 Alabama Teacher of the Year award. Finalists for state teacher of the year include: —Gudmundsson, Athens City Schools, secondary teacher of the year. —Aubrey Bennett Birmingham City Schools, George Washington Carver High School, secondary teacher of the year. —Katie Collins, Hoover City Schools, Bluff Park Elementary School, elementary teacher of the year. —Katherine Thomas, Homewood City Schools, Edgewood Elementary School, elementary teacher of the year. Gudmundsson, who teaches government, economics and history, was first selected by her peers as Athens High School's teacher of the year in September 2024. She was then honored as the Athens City Schools teacher of the year in November 2024. She became a state finalist after being selected from more than 150 educators across Alabama. Gudmundsson also teaches dual-enrollment U.S. history courses at Calhoun Community College, as well as honors economics and American government. In addition to her recent accolades, Gudmundsson was also named the 2025-26 high school teacher of the year by the Alabama Veterans of Foreign Wars for her efforts in promoting citizenship education and patriotism in the classroom. She said caring for the students is the critical quality in being a good teacher. "I think you have to have compassion and empathy and treat your student the way you would treat your own children," she said. "If you go with that you will come out with great results. It's more than a subject matter; I try to build them up." Because the name Gudmundsson is so long, her students have dubbed her "Mrs. G" instead. She was astonished upon being selected as a finalist for teacher of the year. "I was completely shocked but honored," she said. "It is great to be acknowledged by students, colleagues and administrators." She said she has been humbled by the selection. "I never thought I'd get this far along in the process," she said. "I just care about students but I'm not doing anything anyone else isn't doing." Still, she is honored to represent her colleagues, which is how she looks at it since she was nominated by them. She thanked her superintendent, Beth Patton, whom she says has been a classroom teacher herself and understands, and Willie Moore, her principal. "They have been behind me all the way, my colleagues, too," she said. Patton said Mrs. G's students and colleagues are rooting for her. "This recognition not only reflects her commitment to excellence in the classroom but also the passion, innovation and heart she brings to our entire school community," Patton said. "We are honored to have such an inspiring educator among us." On Friday, Gudmundsson will attend her final interview, and a winner will be chosen during a May 7 banquet in Montgomery, she said. — or 256-340-2361
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Muscatine Assistant Fire Chief retires April 1
Muscatine Assistant Fire Chief Mike Hartman made a deliberate decision to retire from active duty with the Muscatine Fire Department on April 1, 2025. It was part of a plan to get the last laugh on his way out the door and start his next adventure with a smile. 'I told people that by retiring on April Fool's Day, I can come back a few days later and say, 'Just kidding, I want my job back',' Hartman said. 'Probably won't be as funny since everyone knows that I was thinking of doing it.' The department is hosting a retirement celebration on Tuesday, April 1 from 12 – 2 p.m. in the firefighters' dayroom upstairs in the Public Safety Building, 312 E, Fifth Street in Muscatine. Hartman has worked for the Muscatine Fire Department for over 30 years and is looking forward to his next phase as the Camp Director of Camp Loud Thunder, the Scout Camp for the Illowa Council. 'One of the proudest moments of my life is when I got the call that I was being hired as a Muscatine firefighter,' Hartman said. He started with the Muscatine Fire Department on November 21, 1994 and was promoted to Fire Lieutenant on December 7, 1999, and then to Fire Captain on March 7, 2005. The Assistant Fire Chief position was created during a department reorganization, and he assumed that role on January 7, 2013. Shift commanders performed the duties of assistant chief before then, but the department realized that the position needed a dedicated 40-hour-per-week staff member instead of relying on overworked shift commanders. 'I was fortunate enough to see Mike's talent early on and promoted him to Assistant Fire Chief in 2013,' said Fire Chief Jerry Ewers. 'Mike has been our city's Fire Marshal for over 12 years, keeping our community safe.' 'During my career I would always ask myself how can I have a bigger impact as a fire professional,' Hartman said. 'I never lost sight of where I came from with every promotion I received.' He's a firm believer in preventing fires, not just fighting them. 'The fire we prevent is the most effective way to protect ourselves and the citizens from harm,' he said. His inspiration came from Mike Kruse, the only Muscatine firefighter to die in the line of duty. 'I worked with Mike and he was also a big proponent of fire prevention,' Hartman said. 'One of the reasons we put such an emphasis on firefighter training and fire prevention education is to honor him.' Hartman carried a picture of Kruse when he participated in the inaugural stair climb at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., after the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, as well as a picture of Michael Fiore, a New York firefighter from Rescue 5 who lost his life responding to the terrorist attack on Sept. 11. Hartman visited Rescue 5 while attending the first class of the National Fire Academy after Sept. 11. 'It was amazing to visit and stay at Rescue 5, to see the pictures of those who lost their lives, and the history of the station,' Hartman said. Hartman helped develop the fire investigation program and the training of the fire investigation team, which Hartman says is probably the best investigation team in the state. He also worked to develop the HAZMAT team in Muscatine in November 1996 after then Fire Chief Steve Dalbey gave his approval to create the team and develop the training program. The Muscatine HAZMAT team is now designated as a Regional HAZMAT team that provides services to Muscatine, Louisa, Henry, Washington and Keokuk counties. 'We worked to develop and train in the areas of hazardous material handling, confined space rescue, high angle rope rescue, trench rescue, and clandestine lab clean up,' Hartman said. 'His earlier accomplishments are really tied back to creating our first HazMat team, which now is a designated HazMat team for Iowa covering five counties in Southeast Iowa,' Ewers said. 'This is really something to be proud of, along with furthering and elevating our fire investigation program for the department. I wish Mike well in his retirement and want to thank him for his service to our department and our community.' Hartman has a long history of working with the Boy Scouts of America and local Scouts and is looking forward to his new position as Camp Director at Camp Loud Thunder. 'I am truly excited to provide the leadership and mentoring to current scouts similar to what I received since I was a youth,' he said. 'There is no better organization for strong character development in today's youth than the Scouts. I look forward to spending time with these youth and my staff, and to emphasize the principles of scouting.' Hartman, an Eagle Scout, watched with pride as his youngest daughter entered the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
24-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Carney highlights aid Gander residents gave U.S. during 9/11 at N.L. campaign stop
Liberal Leader Mark Carney continued travelling in Newfoundland on Monday with a campaign stop in Gander, locking in on the support residents showed travellers from the United States during the Sept. 11 attacks over two decades ago. Carney's podium speech included a nod to Gander's response during the attacks, which saw residents step up to support travellers when planes were diverted to Gander. "We have to look out for ourselves, and we have to look out for each other like you did in Gander," Carney told a crowd that had gathered. "Unfortunately, President Trump's actions have put that kinship under greater strain." Carney's speech concluded by telling the crowd he would fight for Canada in his mandate. His visit also included conversations with residents of Gander who helped travellers — and particularly, Americans — during 9/11. Diane Davis told CBC News she spoke with Carney for about an hour. "We talked about the fact that, you know, we have to be proud of who we are, and we can't let threats change how we react to people in need," Davis said. WATCH | Liberal Leader Mark Carney draws on Canada's 9/11 response at a Gander, N.L., campaign stop: Carney talks 9/11 response at Gander campaign stop 4 hours ago Duration 1:48 "We had a lot of things in common in our conversation. He's very easy to talk to." Davis said she also told Carney of the positive repercussions that have come in the decades that have followed Sept. 11. She'll soon be meeting virtually with high school students in Maine to tell them about it, and said it's important that Americans be reminded of it. "I showed [Carney] cards where Grade 8 students had thanked me…. One of the cards that I just happened to pull out, the little girl said 'Your stories of kindness inspire me to be more kind," Davis said. "I think it's important to be kind. It's also important to put your foot down and be strong, and I think we can do both." Among the crowd was 17-year-old Joseph Scott, who told CBC News he resonated with Carney's words. "I guess it's good to have somebody on Canadians' side. I'm proud to be Canadian, but there's a lot of stuff going on right now," Scott said. "[I heard] some good stuff, some promising things, and I hope, you know, it will come true." Central candidate commits to supporting harvesters Carney kicked off his election campaign in St. John's on Sunday, promising tax cuts while addressing the hundreds of protesting fish harvesters that had gathered outside the city's convention centre. During his speech, Carney acknowledged the protesting harvesters, and said he is there to listen. He said his government will take a closer look at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, with the goal of creating a sustainable fishery and potentially restructuring the department. Lynette Powell, the acclaimed Liberal candidate for Central Newfoundland, said she's hoping to learn more about the issue from voters but backed Carney's commitment. "I'm going to figure out what their concerns are, and I'm going to work on their behalf. I know they're frustrated and it's their livelihood. I see what happens when they can't work, so I am very invested," Powell said. "All of us want this fishery to be around so that our grandkids are still able to fish." Powell said she's running to ensure that rural Newfoundland is properly represented nationally.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Flag-touting runner to carry stars and stripes from Grand Rapids to Sand Lake
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — On average, 22 military veterans lose their lives to suicide each day. One Grand Rapids runner is gaining momentum as he uses his endurance to shed light on that tragic number. Zach Baker is a familiar face throughout West Michigan. He runs each and every day. And when he does, no matter the conditions, he carries a large American flag mounted on about a four-foot pole. It's a visual he says makes him stand out for all the right reasons. 'People like to stop me and ask about it,' Baker, a Northview graduate, said. 'The biggest thing that keeps me going is if there are people on the trail, give me a quick fist bump, look at the flag. It just gives me chills when people admire the flag.' Saturday, the 22nd day of the month, Baker is running 22 miles starting at the Grand Rapids home for veterans. He'll work his way north on the White Pine Trail all the way to Sand Lake, carrying the stars and stripes with him no matter what the weather conditions are. Baker got the idea to run with the flag on the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11. He says carrying the flag is often a catalyst for important conversations, something he's always willing to slow down for. 'I just hope people realize that mental health is a problem in this world,' he explains. 'And that's just me honoring America for the 22 a day. I'm just one person out there trying to make an impact on such a big problem.' Baker will begin his run around 8 a.m., hoping to finish up in Sand Lake around 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. — an impressive pace considering the cold and windy conditions on Saturday. You'll also see him, and his flag, racing 15 kilometers at the River Bank Run in May. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
