Tag Archives: Ken Olsen

Broken System: Despite 30-year battle, federal court victory, Vietnam veteran’s disability claim remains unresolved

By Ken Olsen (Copyright 2011 / All Rights Reserved) A federal appeals court ruled in his favor two years ago, but Leroy Comer’s decades-long fight for less than $30,000 in VA disability benefits remains mired in the bureaucracy. Comer, who … Continue reading

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Still Adrift: Congressional inaction sinks hope that ailing Vietnam Navy veterans will regain Agent Orange benefits

By Ken Olsen (Copyright 2010 / All Rights Reserved) Ann Langston sent a desperate note to her senator in early June asking for help expediting her husband’s Agent Orange claim. Bruce Langston had suffered an aneurysm after long bouts with … Continue reading

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Frank Buckles, last surviving U.S. World War I veteran, dies at age 110

By Ken Olsen (Copyright 2011 / All Rights Reserved) Frank Buckles, the last living U.S. World War I veteran among the 4.7 million who served– and the last survivor of that conflict’s brutal Western Front – died February 27 at … Continue reading

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Pershing’s Last Patriot: Photographer pitching documentary on Frank Buckles, the last surviving American World War I veteran

By Ken Olsen A Michigan photographer is working to raise $150,000 to make a documentary about Frank W. Buckles, the last living American World War I veteran. The film will be narrated by Richard Thomas, who started in the television … Continue reading

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Book recounts ‘Mother of Normandy’ — Little known French woman corresponded with families of Americans who perished during D-Day Invasion

The editor of The American Legion Magazine will return to his hometown of Clarkston Saturday, Jan. 29, to sign books and discuss the documentary film about a French woman who dedicated her life to the memory of Allied soldiers who … Continue reading

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Tireless warrior: Kristy Kaufmann fights for military families

By Ken Olsen (Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved) For more than three years, Kristy Kaufmann has been one of the most prominent voices warning that too many of the nation’s military families are quietly crumbling. The wife of a battalion … Continue reading

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Fort Hood shootings leave lasting effect on Army wife, mother

By Ken Olsen (Copyright 2010/All Rights Reserved) Angi Cunningham didn’t believe her husband’s friend when he called Nov. 5 to warn that a gunman had opened fire on his fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas. “He said, ‘There’s been a … Continue reading

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From Blue Star to Gold: For military spouses and families, death changes everything

Part III Quickly forgotten, families of the fallen struggle with loss, loneliness By Ken Olsen (Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved) Shellie Smith buried her husband near Clayton, N.C. Army 1st Lt. Justin Smith could have been laid to rest at … Continue reading

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Medal of Honor recipient Vernon Baker buried at Arlington

By Ken Olsen / For The Spokesman Review (Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved) ARLINGTON, Va. – A caisson drawn by seven white horses carried Vernon J. Baker to his final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery Friday under the solemn watch … Continue reading

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Forgotten on the Home Front: Guard and Reserve Families Serve in Isolation

PART II ‘A lot for a country to ask’ Far from the active-duty community, Guard and reserve families feel isolated By Ken Olsen (Copyright 2010/All rights reserved) Stacy Bannerman ate her holiday meals at a local diner during her husband’s … Continue reading

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