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USS JASON DUNHAM (DDG 109)

Jason Dunham is the 59th destroyer in her class and built by the Bath

Iron Works in Bath, Maine.[4] She was christened by Corporal Dunham’s

mother, Debra Dunham, and launched on August 1, 2009.[1] Jason Dunham

was commissioned on 13 November 2010 with Commander M. Scott Sciretta in

command.

http://www.jason-dunham.navy.mil/default.aspx

Corporal Jason L. Dunham was born on 10 November 1981 in Scio, New York.

The date may seem insignificant to those who don’t know its history. The

ones who do know its significance celebrate this day – faithfully – each

year. November 10th is the United States Marine Corps birthday… a

birthday that Jason Dunham shares.

Corporal Jason L. Dunham was 22 years old when he left us. He came from

the small town of Scio (sigh-oh) population 1900. It’s the kind of town

where everyone knows your name… where values and respect still mean

something. It was here, along a winding country road filled with

rolling-meadows, and a swift moving creek, that Jason L. Dunham was

brought into this world.

As you turn into the Dunham’s long driveway that leads to their house,

the breeze catches a yellow ribbon tied to the mailbox and the story

begins to unfold. The further you drive; two flags adorn the front

porch, an American flag and the United States Marine Corps flag. And

both seem to play the same quiet song, and yet both stand tall for this

fallen young man. There is a final reminder that Jason Dunham is no

longer with us. a blue star in the front window has been replaced by a

gold star, symbolizing the Dunham family loss.

On April 14, 2004, 3 days after Easter Sunday, Corporal Dunham was

manning a checkpoint in Karabilah, Iraq, when an insurgent leapt from

his car and began choking Corporal Dunham. A scuffle ensued as two

Marines approached to help. Reportedly, the last words from Corporal

Dunham were, “No, No. Watch his hand.” Suddenly, the insurgent dropped a

grenade. Corporal Dunham took off his Kevlar helmet, dropped to the

ground, and covered the explosive as best he could.

The blast seriously wounded all 3 Marines. Eight days later, Corporal

Jason L. Dunham died at Bethesda Naval Hospital from wounds he received

in the incident. He was 22.

Corporal Dunham made the ultimate sacrifice, and in doing so saved the

lives of his fellow Marines. Due to his actions on that fateful day,

Corporal Dunham has been awarded the Medal of Honor.

CORPORAL

JASON L. DUNHAM

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life

above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader,

4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced),

Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14

April 2004. Corporal Dunham’s squad was conducting a reconnaissance

mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled

grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the

west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the

engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander’s

convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As

Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive

enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles

and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the

ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting

to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search

them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped

out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent

to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a

grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the

threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal

Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt

of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an

ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded,

he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted

courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty,

Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby

reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest

traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service”.

The federal government is now telling American citizens to stay out of three southern Arizona counties. It is too dangerous because of armed smugglers from Mexico.

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu: Quite frankly I’m telling you as a sheriff that we don’t control that part of the county. My county is larger than the state of Connecticut and we need support from the federal government. It’s their job to secure the border and they haven’t done it. In fact President Obama suspended the construction of the fence.

FOX News reporter: Would you like to see some of the president’s outrage about the oil spill and some of the butt-kicking that he’s talked about doing applied there on the border as well?

Sheriff Paul Babeu: Even with that, you say one thing and then you’re out at a fundraiser in California and you don’t go to the funeral of the people who died in the explosion. You know its one thing to say something slick on television in a ten second soundbite but we need action. And, it’s shameful that we as the most powerful nation on earth can win wars and liberate countries throughout history yet we can’t even secure our own border

http://www.thefoxnation.com/gulf-coast-oil-spill/2010/06/15/obama-gives-back-major-strip-az-mexico

At Last, They’re Home | MailTribune.com

About 320 Oregon Army National Guard soldiers returning

from Iraq marched in a parade on Monroe Street Saturday

before a demobilization ceremony at South Medford High School.

Jamie Lusch

The black T-shirt Central Point resident Cindy Lebel was wearing said it all in bright yellow letters, “Welcome Home — My soldier, My hero, My husband.”

With their four young boys in reserve, all proudly sporting T-shirts welcoming home their father, Pfc. Robert Lebel, 33, she was among hundreds of loved ones gathered early Saturday afternoon at the Medford Armory for local members of the Oregon Army National Guard returning from Iraq.

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The U.S. Army has launched an inquiry into how and why active duty troops from Fort Rucker, Ala., came to be placed on the streets of Samson, Ala., during last week’s murder spree in that tiny South Alabama community. The use of the troops was a possible violation of federal law.

“On March 10, after a report of an apparent mass murder in Samson, Ala., 22 military police soldiers from Fort Rucker, Ala., along with the provost marshal, were sent to the city of Samson,” Harvey Perritt, spokesman for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) at Fort Monroe, Va., told CNSNews.com on Monday.

“The purpose for sending the military police, the authority for doing so, and what duties they performed is the subject of an ongoing commander’s inquiry–directed by the commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Gen. Martin Dempsey.”

TRADOC is the headquarters command for Ft. Rucker.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com …

The greatest increase in violence has occurred near the U.S. border.
However, U.S. citizens traveling throughout Mexico should exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Mexican and foreign bystanders have been injured or killed in violent attacks in cities across the country, demonstrating the heightened risk of violence in public places. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped across Mexico. Many of these cases remain unresolved. U.S. citizens who believe they are being targeted for kidnapping or other crimes should notify Mexican officials and the nearest American consulate or the Embassy as soon as possible, and should consider returning to the United States.

U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll ("cuota") roads, which generally are more secure. Occasionally, the U.S. Embassy and consulates advise their employees as well as private U.S. citizens to avoid certain areas, abstain from driving on certain roads because of dangerous conditions or criminal activity, or recommend driving during daylight hours only. When warranted, U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to or within parts of Mexico without prior approval from their supervisors. When this happens, the Embassy or the affected consulate will alert the local U.S. citizen Warden network and post the information on their respective websites, indicating the nature of the concern and the expected time period for which the restriction will remain in place. U.S. citizen visitors are encouraged to stay in the well-known tourist areas of the cities. Travelers should leave their itinerary with a friend or family member not traveling with them, avoid traveling alone, and should check with their cellular provider prior to departure to confirm that their cell phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G international networks. Do not display expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items.

Violence Along the U.S. – Mexico Border

Mexican drug cartels are engaged in an increasingly violent conflict – both among themselves and with Mexican security services – for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S.-Mexico border. In order to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens should cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.

Some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have resembled small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades. Large firefights have taken place in many towns and cities across Mexico but most recently in northern Mexico, including Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area. The U.S.
Mission in Mexico currently restricts non-essential travel to the state of Durango and all parts of the state of Coahuila south of Mexican Highways 25 and 22 and the Alamos River for U.S. government employees assigned to Mexico. This restriction was implemented in light of the recent increase in assaults, murders, and kidnappings in those two states. The situation in northern Mexico remains fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements cannot be predicted.

A number of areas along the border are experiencing rapid growth in the rates of many types of crime. Robberies, homicides, petty thefts, and carjackings have all increased over the last year across Mexico generally, with notable spikes in Tijuana and northern Baja California. Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales are among the cities which have recently experienced public shootouts during daylight hours in shopping centers and other public venues. Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana.

The situation in Ciudad Juarez is of special concern. Mexican authorities report that more than 1,800 people have been killed in the city since January 2008. Additionally, this city of 1.6 million people experienced more than 17,000 car thefts and 1,650 carjackings in 2008. U.S. citizens should pay close attention to their surroundings while traveling in Ciudad Juarez, avoid isolated locations during late night and early morning hours, and remain alert to news reports. A recent series of muggings near the U.S.
Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez targeted applicants for U.S. visas. Visa and other service seekers visiting the Consulate are encouraged to make arrangements to pay for those services using a non-cash method.

U.S. citizens are urged to be alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles. While most crime victims are Mexican citizens, the uncertain security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well. U.S.
citizen victims of crime in Mexico are urged to contact the consular section of the nearest U.S. consulate or Embassy for advice and assistance. Contact information is provided at the end of this message.

Demonstrations and Large Public Gatherings

Demonstrations occur frequently throughout Mexico and usually are peaceful.
However, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate to violence unexpectedly. Violent demonstrations have resulted in deaths, including that of an American citizen in Oaxaca in 2006. In 2008, a Mexican Independence Day celebration was the target of a violent attack. During demonstrations or law enforcement operations, U.S. citizens are advised to remain in their homes or hotels, avoid large crowds, and avoid the downtown and surrounding areas. Since the timing and routes of scheduled marches and demonstrations are always subject to change, U.S. citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments and exercise extreme caution while within the vicinity of protests. The Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention and/or deportation.
U.S. citizens are therefore advised to avoid participating in demonstrations or other activities that might be deemed political by Mexican authorities.
As is always the case in any large gathering, U.S. citizens should remain alert to their surroundings.
Further Information

For more detailed information on staying safe in Mexico, please see the Mexico Country Specific Information at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html . Information on security and travel to popular tourist destinations is also provided in the
publication: "Spring Break in Mexico- Know Before You Go!!" at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spring_break_mexico/spring_break_me
xico_2812.html For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s internet web site at http://travel.state.gov <http://travel.state.gov/ >  where the current Worldwide Caution </travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html> , Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and canada, or, for callers from Mexico, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department’s travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ .

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs

By Mary MosqueraJan 28, 2009

The Veterans Affairs Department has agreed to pay $20 million to settle a lawsuit filed by veterans over the risk of potential identity theft when a VA laptop PC that contained their sensitive information was stolen in 2006. The laptop contained files with personally identifiable information on millions of veterans, such as names, birth dates and Social Security numbers.

Attorneys for the VA and the veterans filed legal papers Jan. 27 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to settle the suit, and a judge must approve the terms of the settlement. The class-action lawsuit, filed in 2006, asked for $1,000 in damages for every veteran whose data was put at risk.
http://fcw.com/articles/2009/01/28/va-settlement.aspx?s=fcwdaily_290109

Goodevening from Veterans’ Headquarters in Arlington:

Governor Sarah Palin took some time out on the campaign trail to record a special message to America’s military families. As a proud Blue Star mom, she wanted to share her thoughts and hopes with others who have loved ones serving in America’s Armed Forces. CLICK HERE TO VIEW HER MESSAGE.

Please spread this around to your friends both Governor Palin and John McCain know exactly what it’s like to live in a military family, and both will fight on behalf of all of those with loved ones serving in the active, Guard, and Reserve forces.

To continue that fight, though, they need your help. They need the votes of your fellow Americans, and they need your hard work as we make our final push. CLICK HERE to sign up for a shift at your local Victory center. If you live near one of our target states and can travel in for a few days or a weekend before the election, CLICK HERE to sign up now.

13 days to make history!

Lang Sias

National Director for Veterans Outreach

McCain/Palin 2008