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In 2004, Debbie Arntson became the first woman inducted into Zanesville’s 1058. She served as a sergeant and military police in the Army Reserves from March to November 2003 in Iraq.

“When I was over there, one of the guys I served with was a member of the VFW in Wisconsin, and they paid for our first year of dues and then to be transferred over to our local VFWs,” Arntson said. “It was something they offered to the soldiers when the came back. It feels good to be the first female member on the ‘men’s side.’”

“No one ever applied for membership,” said local quartermaster Tom Coen about female involvement. “We have no problem with women becoming members. They served their country, and they’ve got the right to be here just as much as we (men) do. We’d like to have other women, and we encourage any woman to join.”

Don Campbell, local membership coordinator, said with membership decreasing as veterans pass away, the organization remains on the lookout for “a few good men” and women.

“We have about 550 members now,” he said. “We’re always looking for new members. We don’t care if they’re men or women. The veterans are getting older, but we’re always trying to get the word out and actively recruit members.”

In many veterans’ eyes, their status knows no gender limits…”

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Jackson has been the base’s executive officer since April 2009.

Born in Spain, she spent most of her childhood in Saudi Arabia and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1988.

She served in Norfolk as executive officer of the destroyer Stout and commanding officer of the destroyer McFaul. Her shore assignments include head of surface junior officer assignments at Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn., and flag secretary at Naval Surface Forces Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk.

Johnson is headed to the staff of the commander of Naval Installations Command in Washington.”

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“A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier died Saturday from wounds suffered during an attack in Iraq, the Department of Defense said Monday.

The soldier was 23-year-old Army Spc. Faith R. Hinkley, from Colorado Springs, Colo. She suffered wounds when insurgents attacked her unit, which was stationed in Iskandariya in central Iraq.

Hinkley was assigned to the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord between Olympia and Tacoma. She enlisted in August 2007 and went to Fort Jackson, S.C., for basic training, then she got advanced training at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. She went to Fort Lewis in August 2008 and was deployed to Iraq in September 2009.

During her time in the Army, Hinkley was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Source:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012580030_soldier10m.html

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Spc. Faith R. Hinkley
KIA: Aug. 7, 2010
Iraq
Assigned to the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

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First and foremost, VA is an advocate for Veterans – we are committed to finding innovative solutions to long standing issues and to empowering Veterans and other stakeholders to be a part of the solution.

VA recognizes and values the selfless service and sacrifice of Gulf War Veterans and their families, and continues our efforts to address the unique health needs of Gulf War Veterans.

Today, more than 250,000 Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield Veterans receive disability benefits from VA. VA has treated nearly 150,000 Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield Veterans for illnesses associated with their military service. We vow to reach more of these Veterans and have taken steps to do so. Earlier this year, VA proposed a new rule to make it easier for Gulf War-era Veterans to obtain disability compensation and related health care. This rule, once it takes effect, will grant presumptive service-connection for nine infectious diseases associated with military service in Southwest Asia and Afghanistan.

In addition, VA’s ongoing Gulf War research and Task Force efforts continue to examine multisymptom illnesses, and other conditions associated with service in this conflict. VA continues to participate in Federal research efforts on Gulf War illnesses, contributing more than $158 million of the $406 million in total Federal commitment.

VA is taking bold steps forward in how we consider and address the challenges facing Gulf War Veterans as well as the challenges facing all Veterans. Our commitment to the Nation’s Veterans is unwavering.

As your Secretary and fellow Veteran, I pay tribute to all of you who so bravely served and thank all Gulf War Veterans for their heroic efforts. Our Nation owes you a debt of gratitude. We acknowledge and honor the contributions of your service. Thank you.

–Eric K. Shinseki

Marine Lance Cpl. Holly A. Charette
KIA: June 23, 2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; killed June 23 when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle in Fallujah, Iraq.

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“We must never forget that the care and benefits veterans have earned is a cost of war, and must be treated as such. I am pleased with the bipartisan input that has produced these bills, and I will work with my colleagues to move them forward during this session of Congress,” said Akaka. Chairman Akaka’s full opening statement is available here.

The Committee approved the following bills:

S. 3234, Veteran Employment Assistance Act of 2010 (Committee Print, as amended). To improve employment, training, and placement services furnished to veterans, especially those serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes.

S. 3447, Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 (Committee Print). To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve educational assistance for those who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.

S. 3517, Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2010 (Committee Print, as amended). To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the processing of claims for disability compensation filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

S. 3325, Veterans Telehealth and other Care Improvements Act of 2010 (Committee Print, as amended). To improve the quality of health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, to increase access to health care and benefits provided by the Department, to authorize major medical facility construction projects of the Department, and for other purposes.

S. 3107, Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2010. To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase, effective December 1, 2010, in the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.

S. 3609. A bill to extend the temporary authority for the performance of medical disability examinations by contract physicians for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

An original bill — S. ____ (Committee Print, as amended). To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance and to modify the provision of compensation and pension to surviving spouses of veterans in the months of the deaths of the veterans, and for other purposes.

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Staff Sgt. Kimberly A. Voelz

Age: 27
Hometown: Carlisle, Pa.
Unit: Assigned to the 703rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment based in Fort Knox, Ky.
KIA: Dec. 14, 2003, while responding to an explosive ordnance disposal call in Iskandariyah, Iraq.

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