Latest news with #U.S.Marine
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gold Star son who hugged Trump at Arlington still dreams of becoming a Marine like his father
Christian Jacobs wanted to be a Marine ever since he was a little boy – a dream inspired by the memory of his late father, Marine Sgt. Christopher Jacobs, who died during a training accident in California in 2011. Eight years after donning a pint-sized U.S. Marine uniform and hugging President Donald Trump at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day in 2017, the Gold Star son is reflecting on what that moment meant to him. "I thought it was really cool that I got to meet him," Christian, now 14 years old, told "Fox & Friends" Tuesday. Trump Honors Fallen American Heroes, Praises God In Memorial Day Address: 'Great, Great Warriors' "I didn't think of it like I would now. I thought it was just some person, but now I think of that as so much more." Christian and his mom, Brittany, have kept the tradition of making a pilgrimage to the hallowed grounds every Memorial Day to honor the late sergeant. This year, they crossed paths with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who interviewed them on "Fox & Friends" in 2017 after 6-year-old Christian's meeting with Trump. Read On The Fox News App Hegseth even snapped a photo with Christian – now visibly older – still honoring his father's memory with the same pride. Marine Injured In Abbey Gate Bombing Praises Trump For Not Forgetting Families After Us Nabs Suspect Some U.S. Marines also welcomed Christian and told him more about his father, helping piece together an image of what he meant to those he knew. "He loves getting to talk about his father to people, and he enjoys hearing about his dad," Brittany told guest host Charlie Hurt. "And yesterday there were Marines at Arlington who got to tell him about his daddy and give him some pictures, so that was nice. For him, I'm sure that was comforting." As for what he wants to be when he "grows up," Christian's answer is the same. "I still want to be a Marine," he said, explaining that three generations on his father's side have proudly worn the uniform, and he wants to follow in their article source: Gold Star son who hugged Trump at Arlington still dreams of becoming a Marine like his father
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Weekend has lots of choices to honor Americans lost to war
Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, is the most solemn of U.S. military holidays because it honors the men and women who lost their lives in service to their country. It is their memory, their sacrifice, that Americans take to heart on this long holiday weekend. Dick Taylor, a U.S. Marine veteran who has for years helped organize Memorial Day events in Bakersfield, is serious about making sure his fellow Americans understand the depth of feeling and emotion many veterans and non-veterans experience on that day. "Each of us, as Americans, has a responsibility to help educate young people, and some not so young, as to the impact those sacrifices had on our very existence as a nation," Taylor said. "Their destiny was to go up against countries who wished harm to the United States and more specifically, them personally. "We honor their dedicated sacrifice to the country," he said, "and their role was pivotal." Put yourself in their boots, he said. Imagine for a moment the fear and uncertainty of going into battle, knowing that many would not be coming home. Bakersfield National Cemetery Kern County's only national cemetery, nestled in the oak-dotted hills of the Tehachapi Mountains, will host an event at 9 a.m. Saturday at 30338 E. Bear Mountain Blvd., said Taylor, who is president of the cemetery's support committee. Guest speakers for the event include George "Rocky" Gillette of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency; U.S. Rep. Vince Fong; Kern County 2nd District Supervisor Chris Parlier; Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh; and others. Additional elements scheduled for the ceremony include a Kern County Fire Department helicopter flyover and Garrison Flag flown from the mast of a fire engine, an honor guard provided by the Kern County Sheriff's Office, Sons of the American Revolution, and music provided by the Bakersfield High School Orchestra. Handicap-accessible parking is available at the cemetery but is extremely limited. Also note that an ASL interpreter will be on site for the hearing impaired. Due to the expected large crowd, patrons are encouraged to plan to arrive early and be in their seats by 8:45 a.m. The ceremony is expected to last approximately one hour. Volunteer opportunities are available for flag holder placement at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 22; and additionally for flag holder and flag holder removal at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27. Also note that after the ceremony on Saturday, volunteers from the community will mark more than 10,000 gravesites at the cemetery with U.S. flags to honor the men and women who served the nation. Family members who wish to place a flag on their loved one's gravesite themselves are asked to do so prior to the ceremony — between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. For further information about the event, contact the cemetery office at 661-867-2250. Historic Union Cemetery Bakersfield's oldest cemetery will hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday, at the memorial park, 730 Potomac Ave. in east Bakersfield. The morning is to include welcoming remarks from Cemetery Manager Griselda Hurtado and several guest speakers, including Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains, Kern County 5th District Supervisor Leticia Perez, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh, and County Veterans Service Officer Jose Lopez. A Garrison Flag will be provided by the Kern County Fire Department on one of its fire engines. Expect a presentation of colors by the Arvin High School Army JROTC, singing of the national anthem, special presentation by Sons of the American Revolution, and taps. Community members and youth groups are invited to help by placing American flags on several thousand veterans' gravesites at 3 p.m. Friday, May 23, and retrieving the flags at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 27. For additional information, contact the cemetery office at 661-324-9648. Thousand Flags There's nothing like the sight of a thousand flags waving in the afternoon breeze at The Park at River Walk in southwest Bakersfield. It is a feeling many remember with awe and amazement. But in early November, when thieves made off with a trailer containing all 1,000-plus American flags, poles and support structures, some wondered if the red, white and blue extravaganza was done. Short answer: It wasn't. The flags were recovered about 10 days later, and this year's Thousand Flags celebration and commemoration remains on track to continue over the entire three-day weekend, said Denise Haynes, event director for the Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club's annual effort. "This year we've added a free concert in the park, not the amphitheater," she said. "It will feature family-friendly, patriotic music." Volunteers make this event possible, and this year, Blue Zones Project Bakersfield is joining with Rotary to recruit volunteers to help set up and tear down. According to BZP, volunteers for the set-up crew are asked to meet at the park at 8 a.m. Saturday, although Haynes said many Rotary volunteers are getting there at 7 a.m. The tear-down crew will help respectfully retire the display after the event. Tear-down is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. Monday. Opening ceremonies will happen at noon Saturday. The free concert Haynes mentioned is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring a beer garden and a barbecue. Bring blankets or lawn chairs, Haynes said. On Sunday, the flag raising at the big flag pole kicks off at 7:45 a.m. A 5K/1-mile Fun Run/Walk starts at 8 a.m. On Monday, Memorial Day, the ceremonial flag raising begins at 9 a.m. Look for a ceremony with speaker and an awards presentation. This is the day when the more than 1 million American soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen who died in service to their country are recognized and honored. Memorial Day at Camp Hamilton It's an oasis of sorts surrounded by the farm fields east of Shafter. And on Monday, Memorial Day, Camp Hamilton plans to dedicate new trees to lost servicemembers. Organizers will hold a remembrance ceremony, followed by a barbecue lunch. Gates open at noon, the ceremony begins at 2 p.m., and attendance is free. Camp Hamilton, 34999 Lerdo Highway, is a veterans memorial park dedicated to preserving the names and stories of those who served. Each tree is planted and named for a veteran. Friends and family who dedicate a tree visit the park to remember and honor their service member.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bravo Fans Furious With Ramona Singer For Branding Daniel Penny A 'Hero'
Many Bravo viewers are used to Ramona Singer being in hot water, but this time, she may have gone too far for people's liking. On social media, "Real Housewives of New York" fans have been sharing their unfiltered thoughts about Ramona Singer's most recent Instagram post, in which she posed for a picture with Daniel Penny, a man who was acquitted of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges in December 2024. Singer, who starred in the original production of "RHONY" from 2008 to 2021, shocked the Bravo community when she uploaded a (now-deleted) picture of herself next to Penny on Instagram. "So proud [of] Daniel Penny!!" she wrote. "#Apennysaved #hero." For those unfamiliar with Penny, the U.S. Marine veteran garnered national attention following an incident on May 1, 2023, when he restrained a homeless man on a New York subway in a chokehold, ultimately leading to the man's death. The case sparked widespread debate, with many labeling Penny a hero, while others felt he used excessive force. He was charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, but was acquitted of all criminal charges in December 2024. Many of Singer's followers commented on her post, slamming her for standing by Penny's side. "Literally murdered another human being in cold blood," someone wrote. "But go off." "Just wear the white hood in public at this point, Ramona," a second user wrote. "Go for it." A third poster questioned what Singer was proud of, adding, "For getting away with murder?" "I always knew your politics were awful, but this is a new low," someone else wrote. Outsiders weren't the only ones voicing their opinion. Preston Mitchum, from the now-canceled "Summer House: Martha's Vineyard," also condemned Singer's "disgusting" behavior. "A picture going around where Ramona Singer is standing next to a Daniel Penny, a white man who killed a neurodiverse Black man, and was found 'not guilty,'" he wrote. "Dorinda is in the comments saying how beautiful she looks," he added. "Some white women get away with anything they want, no matter how disgusting. And networks like them and double their rates." Singer's post isn't the first time the reality star has been under fire for allegedly reckless or offensive behavior. In 2021, news broke that Bravo had conducted an internal investigation during season 13 of "RHONY" after a Black cast member, Eboni K. Williams, alleged that Singer used racist language. "There was a complaint made between Eboni K. Williams and Ramona Singer," a source told PEOPLE at the time. "Cast and members of the production were interviewed, but the investigation was closed after nothing substantial was found." Two years later, a Vanity Fair exposé mentioned the previous allegations that Singer used a racial slur on the set of "RHONY." Singer, of course, denied the claim in a statement to Page Six. However, while commenting on the story via text message, she used a variation of the N-word with a reporter. 'And the word I used was 'N-Word', not n-g…' she wrote. Singer was subsequently dropped from the network's massive fan convention, BravoCon, a decision Andy Cohen said was "the right call." Since the racial allegations against Singer surfaced in 2021, Bravo revamped the flagship version of "The Real Housewives of New York," casting a more diverse group of friends. However, after two seasons, it appears their apples have rotted. A recent report from May 9, 2025, indicated that the network was seemingly considering placing "RHONY" on indefinite hiatus after a season of low viewership and disengaged fans. The news also arrived days after Bravo announced renewals of several "Housewives" shows, excluding "RHONJ" and "New York." "We're trying to figure that show out," an insider said about the network's decision. "We want to figure it out. We think there's still life in it." The latest season of the New York iteration of the franchise featured Jenna Lyons, Brynn Whitfield, Ubah Hassan, Sai De Silva, Jessel Taank, Erin Lichy, and Racquel Chevremont.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US, Philippines to simulate ‘full-scale battle' in Balikatan drills
MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of allied American and Filipino forces opened annual combat drills Monday that include repelling an island attack to simulate the defense of the Philippine archipelago and seas in a 'full-scale battle scenario' that has antagonized China. The annual Balikatan military exercises between the longtime treaty allies are scheduled from April 21 to May 9 with about 9,000 American and 5,000 Filipino military personnel. Fighter jets, warships and an array of weaponry including a U.S. Marine anti-ship missile system will be involved, U.S. and Philippine military officials said. China has steadfastly opposed such war drills in or near the disputed South China Sea and in northern Philippine provinces close to Taiwan, especially if they involve U.S. and allied forces that Beijing says aim to contain it and, consequently, threaten regional stability and peace. 'We are ready,' U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn told a news conference when asked if U.S. and Philippine forces have built up the capability to address any major act of aggression in the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea after years of joint combat exercises. 'Our combined strength … possesses a degree of lethality for a force that possesses an indomitable warrior ethos and spirit,' Glynn said in a speech in the opening ceremony of the annual combat-readiness exercises. 'It's all dedicated to one purpose, to ensure the defense of the Philippines and to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.' 'All of us want to resolve any regional conflict peacefully, but should deterrence fail, we need to be prepared,' said Glynn, who previously helped lead special operations forces against the Islamic State group and served in Fallujah, Iraq. Philippine Army Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo said the exercises during Balikatan, meaning 'shoulder to shoulder' in Tagalog, are not aimed at any particular country. 'It's joint training with the U.S. forces to increase our capability in securing our territory and, of course, it will increase our capabilities and our preparedness and responsiveness to any eventuality,' Lorenzo said. The exercises include a mock allied counter-assault against an enemy attack on an island, the use of a barrage of artillery and missile fire to sink a mock enemy ship, joint navy sails in or near the disputed South China Sea, and aerial combat surveillance, according to the Philippine military. A Philippine military statement described this year's large-scale combat exercises as 'a full-scale battle scenario meticulously designed to rigorously test and enhance the combined capabilities of both nations' armed forces under the most realistic and challenging conditions.' Aside from U.S. and Philippine military personnel, Australia plans deploy about 260 participants, an Australian military officer said. Several countries, including Japan, intend to send military observers. A midrange missile system, which was deployed to the northern Philippines by the U.S. Army last year, will be used again in the combat exercises, U.S. and Philippine military officials said without offering additional details. China has repeatedly expressed alarm over the missile deployment and demanded that Filipino officials pull the weaponry from Philippine territory, saying it could spark an arms race. The U.S. Army's midrange missile system consisting of a mobile launcher and at least 16 Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles has been repositioned in the Philippines, a Philippine official told The Associated Press early this year. The system was repositioned from the northern Philippine city of Laoag to a strategic area in a western coastal province facing a disputed South China Sea shoal, where Chinese and Philippine coast guard and navy forces have had increasingly tense confrontations. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Manila last month in his first trip to Asia and said the Trump administration would work with allies to ramp up deterrence against China's aggression in the South China Sea. The U.S. was not gearing up for war, Hegseth said, while underscoring that peace would be won 'through strength." During the Balikatan exercises, the U.S. would deploy an anti-ship missile system called the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, as well as unmanned sea vessels to enable the allies forces to train together to defend Philippine sovereignty, Hegseth said. The allied forces also agreed to stage special operations forces training in Batanes province in the northernmost tip of the Philippine archipelago across a sea border from Taiwan, he said. Aside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims in the busy waterway. Washington does not lay any claim to the waterway but repeatedly has warned that it's obligated to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
White House holds annual Easter Egg Roll hours after pope's death
(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump is expected to speak at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll hours after Pope Francis died. Trump already posted his condolences on Truth Social. Monday's event, in which children roll eggs across the White House lawn, dates to 1878, during Rutherford B. Hayes' presidency. This year, it falls on the 250th celebration of America's founding. The occasion will also feature an egg hunt, a station to write letters to soldiers, games, interactive experiences, painting and photo opportunities, a cookie decorating station and more. Pete Hegseth disclosed Yemen attack to wife, brother in 2nd Signal chat: Reports American farmers donated eggs for the event, according to a White House news release. Live performances include the U.S. Marine, Navy, Army and Air Force bands, along with Go with YoYo, a famed children's performer. An online lottery was held to select the participating children and families. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
