Latest news with #VeteransVoices
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Local woman stars in Army recruitment video
SUGARLOAF, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— On this week's Veterans Voices, a woman with ties to NEPA is the star of a new video campaign, spotlighting careers in the U.S. Army Reserves. But her story began far away from the field of battle, it started on the balance beams and uneven bars of Luzerne County. 'If you learn how to be all that you can be in one situation in life you can do it in all of them,' said Sugarloaf native, Lt. Bryanna Hamilton. The new army reserve video campaign is called 'It's your time', and the star is a Sugarloaf native and gymnastics instructor named First Lt. Bryanna Hamilton. The video shows how soldiers are using their skills and expertise to impact reservists, but it also shows how resiliency and hard work can motivate others, an attitude first Lt. Hamilton exemplifies. 'Perseverance has always been a characteristic through my life. Whether it was when I was a gymnast or in the army, when things have not gone to plan, but there's always a way to get back up no matter what happens to you to find another avenue to be successful in life,' voiced Hamilton. Hamilton is from a military family. Her father is a retired Colonel and both her grandfathers served. She was a high level gymnast as a teen, but an injury ended her competitive career. She began med school at Penn State, eventually enlisting in the reserves. Her athletic setback became her motivation, and now she's a USA gymnastics coach, teaching students the importance of bouncing back, especially after a fall. 'I have two daughters and one son and both of my daughters are gymnasts,' said Hamilton. Her entire family is in the video. It shows Lt. Hamilton coaching her oldest daughter for the Jr. Olympics. She says that pride in family was passed down from her military dad. 'Following in his footsteps and trying to make him proud and maybe a little friendly father/daughter competition. Trying to fill his shoes if I can get there someday. Definitely something I've always taken pride in,' expressed Hamilton. Lt. Hamilton gets back to NEPA periodically, and has a message for her family and friends back home. 'I love the food, I miss you guys so much. Can't wait to come home and see you all,' voiced Hamilton. Lt. Hamilton is currently in Salt Lake City working as a military police officer and company commander, recently helping at detention facilities from Fort Leavenworth to Guantanamo Bay. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ross Simpson, DC News Now family member, award-winning journalist dies
WASHINGTON () — Award-winning journalist and member of the DC News Now family Ross Simpson died Wednesday. He was 82 years old. Ross, who was a military veteran, began his career in broadcast journalism in 1961 in the U.S. Air Force. He reported from the D.C. area before working as a radio news anchor with the Associated Press for 18 years. Veterans Voices: The 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor In 1981, he was the only journalist to get access to George Washington University Hospital to report on the condition of President Ronald Reagan. On September 11, 2001, Ross was on the air when a colleague called and reported the third plane hijacked by terrorists crash into the Pentagon. Ross, who worked in the journalism field for more than 60 years, was from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). Ross joined DC News Now (WDVM) as a morning show anchor. Outside of the studio, Ross' work included spotlighting veterans in the region through DC News Now's Veterans Voices. Flying with the Navy Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds He received two Edward R. Murrow Awards, one for his coverage during 9-11, and the second when he was the first multimedia journalist to enter Iraq with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. From all of us at DC News Now, thank you, Ross. You are in our hearts forever. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pearl Harbor survivor from Louisiana dies at 102
MANY, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A rare story of American history is found in Many, Louisiana where a longtime resident once served in World War II and survived to tell the story. Jessie Alton Mahaffey survived the attack on Pearl Harbor while being stationed on the infamous battleship, the USS family said he has passed away at the age of 102. Our news team spoke to Mr. Mahaffey for a Veterans Voices special report in 2022. 'He was placed inside the city office and I was put on the battleship Oklahoma,' Mahaffey said. Mahaffey recounted how he joined in the United States Army in 1941. Born in Florien, Louisiana, he and a group of friends graduated high school and made their way to Shreveport to enlist. He was sent to board the now infamous USS Oklahoma that was soon stationed in Hawaii. When on December 7 of that year, Japanese bombers appeared in the skies and began the attack on Pearl Harbor. Torpedoes hit the Oklahoma's hull and the ship capsized. 'Then it sunk on December 7. First, it all started with Oklahoma. It was easy. She gradually rolled over, and we slid off the bottom of it,' Mahaffey said. Sabine Parish veteran turning 100, shares story of surprise attack on Pearl Harbor The haunting images of the sinking of the USS Oklahoma are now a part the famous scenes of what led to World War II. 429 crew members died on the USS Oklahoma, many trapped underneath as the water rose. Some sailors survived through air pockets and rescuers drilled holes and opened hatches to save them. Others jumped off the 50 foot ship into burning oil in the water or crawled across the mooring lines to the USS Maryland. Such a horrifying moment in history that Mahaffey survived. 'Right out of high school in '41 and stayed in the war was over in '45,' Mahaffey said. Mahaffey continued his service until the war's end. He moved back home to Louisiana and resided in the town of Many. Celebrated by his community in 2022 when he turned the amazing age of 100. When our news team interviewed him then, he told us he was thankful to survive and his best memories were with his shipmates before they died. 'We got to go ashore off the ship to try and find a pretty little lady,' Mahaffey said. Mahaffey's remarkable journey of survival did not end there. Not only did he survive the bombing of the USS Oklahoma, he survived the sinking of another battleship, the USS Northampton in the Battle Tassafaronga on November 30, 1942 when it was struck by two Japanese torpedoes. 50 crewmen died that day. Funeral services for Mahaffey are Saturday, March 8 at 2 p.m. at Warren Meadows Funeral Home. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
