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Category: Military Interest
Army Defends Decision to Have West Point Graduation
The Army’s top leaders are defending their decision to bring 1,000 cadets back to the Military Academy at West Point for graduation, where President Donald Trump is slated to speak.
he Army’s top leaders on Thursday defended their decision to bring 1,000 cadets back to the Military Academy at West Point for graduation, where President Donald Trump is slated to speak, saying that despite the coronovirus risk students would have had to return anyway to prepare for their next duty assignment.
The announcement has been criticized as a political move to get Trump on stage at the academy, where he hasn’t yet given a graduation address. But Army officials said the students must return for final medical checks, equipment and training.
“We can’t telecommute to combat,” Gen. James McConville, the chief of staff of the Army, told Pentagon reporters when asked about the decision, which forces cadets spread out across the U.S. to travel, risking exposure on public transportation, and then land in New York, a coronavirus hot spot.
Cadets have been home since spring break in March, with their return to school delayed because of the outbreak. Only the seniors will return, and the graduation is set for June 13.
‘Extensive search’ for missing soldier, 20, last seen on Texas army base continues after keys, wallet found
An “extensive search” continued Sunday for a 20-year-old soldier who went missing while stationed on a military base in Texas last week.
Pvt. 1st Class Vanessa Guillen was last seen around 1 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of her Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters, 3rd Cavalry Regiment on Fort Hood.
Her car keys, barracks room key, identification card and wallet were later found in the armory room where she was working earlier in the day, according to the Fort Hood Press Center release.
Guillen was described as of Hispanic descent, 5 feet, 2 inches tall, 126 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black T-shirt.
A “Be on the Lookout” (BOLO) notice was issued by Fort Hood Military Police notifying surrounding law enforcement. An “extensive search” is underway by military members, as well as civilian and military police, the press release said.
Fort Hood officials and Special Agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command are also asking for the public’s assistance in their search.
Her sister, Mayra Guillen, shared a Facebook post on Friday, writing: “My sister… last seen two days ago. Phone last tracked at Belton, Texas. No contact with boyfriend, close friends or family. Belongings and CAR are at base too back in fort hood. Something is not right please help me find her. Houston Austin Ft hood/ Killeen areas.”
Some veterans must file information to receive stimulus money for dependents
The Department of Veterans Affairs said stimulus checks will be sent automatically to veterans who receive VA benefits but don’t typically file tax returns. However, those veterans need to fill out an online form to get additional money for dependents.
The deadline for veterans to submit information to the Internal Revenue Service is May 5, the IRS announced Monday. Otherwise, they won’t receive the extra $500 per dependent that the government approved for most Americans.
Lawmakers learned last week that some veterans would be required to send information about dependents to the IRS. It applies to disabled or low-income veterans and surviving family members who receive monthly compensation from the VA but didn’t file tax returns for 2018 or 2019.
The IRS originally set a deadline of April 22 but extended it after receiving criticism about giving such little notice. Veterans are to go to the IRS website to submit the information.
‘Historic’ Air Force graduation ceremony goes off with masks and social distancing
As nearly 1,000 Air Force Academy cadets took part in their socially distanced graduation ceremony Saturday, swearing an oath to the United States, wearing face masks before and after, separated at all times by at least 6 feet and without family and friends there to cheer them on.
This year, in a historic first prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Air Force Academy Graduation went virtual.
Families said watching graduation on a computer screen is not exactly how they envisioned celebrating the completion of four years of hard work. But they’re taking it all in stride.
The Carlisi family had been looking forward to a big gathering in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with 22 family members and guests from at least five states planning to attend before the pandemic struck.
“We rented a couple of houses, and we had some big parties planned and lots of family coming in, and it was going to be exciting,” Alison Carlisi told ABC News. “And, yeah. It’s different now.”