Anthony Principi, former secretary of veterans affairs, warned last week that disabled veterans and their families will suffer if Americans “lose faith in the integrity” of VA disability compensation system. Thankfully, for hundreds of thousands of Vietnam veterans in line to be compensated for three additional diseases linked Agent Orange exposure, few senators seemed ready […]
Base closing process tense, emotional
September 3, 2005
By David Stevens: Freedom Newspapers The day before the Defense Base Closure and Realignment hearings opened in Washington, Gov. Bill Richardson was exchanging high fives and feeling confident Cannon Air Force Base could be spared from closure. One day later, that optimism gave way to uncertainty and concern, and Cannon backers said they weren’t sure […]
Top admiral: Oceana has ‘robust’ future
August 5, 2005
The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Navy’s top admiral reiterated the service’s position that Oceana Naval Air Station is the most sensible location for an east coast fighter hub during an appearance before the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission. “I need now, your Navy needs now, Naval Air Station Oceana,” Adm. Mike Mullen, the […]
BRAC chairman questions Cannon AFB closure
July 1, 2005
Staff and wire reports WASHINGTON — A letter from the military base closing commission chairman to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld asks whether the Pentagon considered a plan that would keep Cannon Air Force Base open. In the letter, Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission Chairman Anthony Principi asks whether Rumsfeld considered moving the assets […]
Mandatory VA funding not a good idea
August 22, 2004
Tom Philpott, Military Update If John Kerry has his way, any veteran who served two years on active duty or, if mobilized, even less, would be rewarded with lifetime access to healthcare from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). That’s the logical consequence of Kerry’s call for “full, mandatory funding” of veterans healthcare, if the Democratic […]
