The Washington Post 

By Ed O'Keefe

Friday, July 9, 2010; A02 

Veterans organizations are eagerly anticipating changes in government policy designed to ease the burden of proof for receiving disability benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder, saying new rules should help veterans receive fair compensation for the mental scars of war.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is to announce Monday that veterans will no longer need to provide detailed documentation proving they experienced a traumatic event during combat in order to file PTSD disability claims, congressional aides and veterans advocates said.

By Steve Pearce:

The conductor of the orchestra is Andre Rieu from Austria.

The young lady, Melissa Venema, age 13, is the trumpet soloist.  Her rendition of TAPS will make your hair stand on end.

Many of you may never have heard taps played in its entirety, for all of the men & women that have died for you to have the freedom you have in America.  Miss Venema’s rendition simply is beautiful.

Here is "Taps" played in its entirety. The Original version of 'Taps' was called 'Last Post', and was written by Daniel Butterfield in 1801. It was rather lengthy and formal, as you will hear in this clip, so in 1862 it was shortened to 24 notes and re-named 'Taps'. Melissa Venema is playing it on a trumpet whereas the original was played on a bugle. Turn on your speakers … sit back … and enjoy it.

By: Vic Currier

I know several “decorated” heroes from different branches of service; Army Rangers, 5^th Special Forces, SOG groups, 82^nd Airborne, Navy SEALS and the like.  I’m not sure just how many I know - but it’s a bunch.  It is not very often that you are asked by a fellow Veteran to review his military record and make a comment or two.  My friend, and former Congressman Steve Pearce, a candidate for the 2010 U.S. House of Representatives, District 2, from New Mexico – asked me to do just that; in part because we were stationed at the same base in Vietnam “…back when…” and in part, because he wanted a second set of eyes to set the record straight about a subject he keeps to himself – the way most heroes do. 

Operation Soldier Smiles

I would like to express my profound gratitude to Maggie Fazenbaker and Operation Soldier Smiles who recently reached an impressive milestone. Operation Soldier Smiles was founded Oct.1, 2004, by Maggie Fazenbaker of Alamogordo, at the time 11-year-old 7th grader who was concerned about the well-being of active duty soldiers far from home. Through her organization, Maggie has made an impact on the lives of thousands of our soldiers who are defending our country around the world. Her organization recently reached a remarkable milestone by delivering over 10,000 care package to our military troops serving in the war zones over the past five years. Maggie and her volunteers have raised funds and shipped packages tirelessly for the past five of our troops. As someone who has served in our military, I know what it means to the brave men and women in our military to receive such a thoughtful care package. Please join me in applauding Maggie and Operation Soldier Smiles on their remarkable work on behalf of our country.

Memorial Day is past, let us commit to honoring the fallen by remembering every day, not just Memorial Day, the sacrifice Americans are willing to make for a better world.

I wanted to take this opportunity as we to reflect on what we are actually celebrating on Memorial Day.  It is truly a great time to reflect and recognize not only the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and defend our country in the past, but also a time to remember that we still have many young Americans in harms way around the world.

We honor those who have given what Lincoln called "that last full measure of devotion" to protect our nation.

As someone who has had the honor of serving our country, I know firsthand the dangers our brave servicemen and servicewomen have faced in defending our freedom around the world.  Sometimes, people take for granted the great freedoms we enjoy but we must never forget those brave patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country. We also must remember to honor our commitments to the Veterans who have come home yet still need our help.  Remember them also.

I hope everyone enjoys this holiday weekend with friends and family, but I hope you will join me in taking a moment to reflect on those heroes we are remembering and to say prayer for the safe return home of our troops who are currently in harms way around the world.