TALLAHASSEE
(August 26, 2010)

Retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert F. Milligan is Interim Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. He was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet on Aug. 26, 2010 to succeed the late LeRoy Collins Jr.

He directs a state agency responsible for assisting Florida's more than 1.6 million veterans, their families and survivors in improving their health and economic well-being through quality benefit information, advocacy, education and long-term health services.

Milligan's Marine Corps career culminated as Commanding General of Fleet Marine Forces, Pacific, and Marine Corps Bases, Pacific, with headquarters in Hawaii. General Milligan was responsible for two-thirds of the operating forces of the Marine Corps, consisting of 92,000 Marines and sailors serving at 18 bases and stations and aboard ships at sea, stretching from the continental United States to the far reaches of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. He retired in 1991.

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NEWS RELEASE
Headquarters International Security Assistance Force - Afghanistan

2010-08-CA-016

ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) and ANSF (Afghan National Security Force) Gain Strength, Quash Taliban Momentum

KABUL, Afghanistan (August 25) - Intelligence reports indicate some pockets of low insurgent morale, with some insurgent fighters reluctant to keep fighting and some refusing to assume district commands when commanders are captured or killed. The low morale among fighters and insurgent leaders can be linked to ANSF and ISAF successful security operations. Coalition and ANSF forces conducted more than 2,800 counter-terrorist operations over the past 90 days, killing or capturing more than 365 insurgent leaders and 2,386 fighters. These counter-insurgency successes have also led to a growing sense of distrust among insurgent fighters, their heightened fear of spies, and increased suspicion between rival tribes.

"While the coalition strength and capability of the ANSF are on the rise, we are seeing evidence of low insurgent morale, which is affecting their capability across the country," said Brig. Gen. Blotz. "The coalition will continue to neutralize insurgents and eliminate their safe havens, expanding areas that are secure enough for improved governance and development."

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American Legion Post 155 Family will hold its annual 9-11 Freedom walk at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11.

The walk will start in front of American Legion Post 155 on State Road 44 and head to Meadowcrest entrance and then back to Post 155.

During the walk, the award winning Post 155 Honor Guard will lead the way with the colors of the United States, and the walk will stop for each event had happened that infamous day on Sept. 11, 2001 for a prayer and ringing of Post 155 Bell. After the Walk there will be a barbecue and entertainment at Post 155; The public is welcome to attend.

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WASHINGTON
(Aug. 19, 2010)

The American Legion is tackling the unemployment crisis among veterans with two events this month in Milwaukee, where its 92nd annual national convention will take place.
       
A day-long veterans job fair will be conducted in the Milwaukee Theater, Plankinton Hall on Saturday, Aug. 28th from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. A two-day small business development workshop will follow in the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Wright Ballrooms, on Tuesday, Aug. 31st  and Wednesday, Sept. 1st from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Military veterans and their spouses are invited to attend free of charge.
       
Event organizers say at least 15 government and private sector employers will be on hand at the Saturday job fair representing hundreds of employment opportunities for both military veterans and their spouses.
           
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West Orange Habitat for Humanity is proud to announce their third HAL undertaking of "Home At Last 2010" - building a home for another disabled veteran and his family.


This is a unique effort to honor a combat wounded veteran of the present military campaigns in lraq and Afghanistan. This family is the Corcoran's - Patrick, Rebecca, TJ and Patrick, Army Sergeant Major Patrick Corcoran is a 23 year U.S. Army veteran with two tours and three deployments to war zones.

On August 13, 2009, he was injured travelling to a remote combat post to honor the most recent Killed ln Action (KlA) American Soldier. His armored vehicle was struck by a 500 pound improvised explosive device planted under the road. The roadside bomb breached the hull of the vehicle and severely injured the driver and Patrick. The blast broke both of his legs and caused a compound ankle fracture, a pelvic fracture, torn knee ligaments, broken scapula, torn rotator cuff, a head & brain injury. The blast also tore through his back causing a vertebrae burst fracture with 90% spinal cord compromise and paralyzed him from the waist down.
 
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