MLB honors America's heroes at parks

MLB honors America's heroes at parks
Veterans throw out first pitches in pregame festivities
By Mike Scarr / MLB.com

On Friday it was time to stand and deliver.

To honor our nation's 232nd anniversary of its birth, a select group of veterans tossed honorary first pitches at ballparks hosting games for the Fourth of July holiday.

The gesture is part of Major League Baseball's "Welcome Back Veterans" initiative taking place at big league games across the U.S. this weekend. Baseball will also honor veterans during games on Sept. 11.

THE DAY I CHEATED DEATH

THE DAY I CHEATED DEATH
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BY ALAN THOMPSON

10:30 - 19 May 2008



A wounded airman who cheated death in Iraq when he was caught in rocket fire has told of the terrifying moment shells rained down all around him.

Senior Aircraftman Jon Butterworth was blasted into the air by the force of the explosions at Basra airfield.

The 22-year-old, who is based at RAF Cottesmore, in Rutland, was left lying in a pool of his own blood after the attack.



Military surgeons battled in vain all day to save his injured arm, which had to be amputated at the elbow.

The father-of-one had been driving his Land Rover to work with a colleague when the siren sounded at the base last August.

BEYOND THE IRAQ WAR HEARINGS

BEYOND THE IRAQ WAR HEARINGS
Sunday, April 13, 2008
David Reinhard
I 've never been a big basher of members of Congress as a class. Capitol Hill lawmakers do important work in a democratic republic, and many of them put in long days of high purpose. Also, as tempting as it is to roast Congress, it's always helpful to recall that Congress in our Great Republic represents . . . us.
Last week, however, I may have finally reached a break point. I say finally because my anger, disgust, frustration -- call it what you will -- has been building for some time now -- perhaps since late 2007.

Amputee dives in the sea

Amputee dives in the sea

In this photo released by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Jeremy Stengel, a 22-year-old Marine who lost his left leg as a result of a combat injury in Iraq 14 months ago, goes scuba diving for the first time Monday, April 7, 2008, in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary off Key Largo, Fla. Stengel used a special prosthesis that features an artificial foot that can be extended so a dive fin can be used as normal.

SoCal Marine Volunteers For Another Tour After Leg Amputation

SoCal Marine Volunteers For Another Tour After Leg Amputation

POSTED: 7:16 am PDT March 28, 2008
UPDATED: 3:31 pm PDT March 28, 2008

SAN DIEGO --

A Marine who lost his leg in the Iraq war is heading back to the Middle East. Video Images
Cpl. Garrett Jones told NBC affiliate KNSD-TV he doesn't have to return to the frontlines -- he volunteered to go back. Jones, 22, said he wants to go, even though he still feels pain in what remains of the leg blown off by an improvised explosive device during his first tour of duty last summer.

Wounded Soldiers

Wounded Soldiers

By YOCHI J. DREAZENMarch 13, 2008; Page A1
WASHINGTON -- Cpl. Kenny Lyon's mother pushed his wheelchair down a narrow Pentagon hallway, crying as she listened to the applause.
Hundreds of Defense Department employees lined the corridor, cheering for Cpl. Lyon and the other wounded military personnel who walked or rolled past. Some of them patted Cpl. Lyon on the shoulder, while others shook his hand or leaned in to hug his mother, Gigi Windsor.

Job Relief For Battle Weary

Job Relief For Battle Weary
Joshua Lipton 02.23.08, 11:39 AM ET


Justin Callahan doesn't remember much about the landmine explosion that crippled him. He recalls only the echo of a large blast, and a shower of dirt raining down on top of him.

The young soldier, then a 22-year-old sergeant in the Army's 10th Mountain Division, was on a routine patrol in Afghanistan. It was a January morning in 2004. Callahan was in charge of an eight-man squad, conducting area clearance and counter mine operations, walking along a dirt road, about 10 yards behind a Humvee.