At a ceremony Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park on U.S. 301, 191 miniature U.S. flags were added to the Operation Field of Honor memorial. ...more

January 13, 2008

Refer to Mr. Ludacer's literal repeat of his editorial concerning the Patriot Act and Major Johnston's volatile diatribe about our efforts in Iraq. It's a shame Highlands Today can't find something new to accept instead of simply allowing a repeat of an earlier editorial from Mr. Ludacer or the kind of attack mounted by the major. It seems the major has an axe to grind with the military, apparently because he could not advance beyond the rank of major. Personally, I didn't get beyond the lower ranks of the enlisted men but I didn't and don't blame politics for that. 1 simply recognize that I did not apply myself to do any better and the major doesn't seem to be able to face that fact about himself. He chooses to pass the blame to politicians, for whom I often also have little love lost but they aren't the bullies standing in the way of personal development. ...more

January 13, 2008

Early voting begins Monday. Find out where the presidential candidates stand on issues crucial to the nation's future. Their takes on Iraq, the economy, health care and more are on a page you can take with you whether you vote early or on Jan. 29. ...more

January 13, 2008

Some Iraq veterans are having trouble adjusting to life outside the combat zone, leading them to violent crimes. ...more

January 13, 2008

The military's reliance on unmanned aircraft that can watch, hunt and sometimes kill insurgents has soared to more than 500,000 hours in the air, largely in Iraq, The Associated Press has learned. ...more

January 2, 2008

The Highlands County Commissioners are thinking about a stipend for combat veterans. This should be for all combat veterans and not just Iraq and Afghanistan. We veterans put our lives on the line just like those of Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans are doing. ...more

December 31, 2007

The United States should redeploy troops from Iraq, allowing the military to focus on terrorist threats in Pakistan and Afghanistan, New York Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand said Saturday. ...more

December 30, 2007

SEBRING — A woman came to Fred Blake's shop three months ago, looking for a humidor for her son, who is deployed in Iraq. ...more

December 26, 2007

It appears the Highlands County Commission is going to step up and do something good to support our troops who have been serving in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's a wonderful gesture and sure to help any local soldiers who have been serving their country and placing themselves in danger. If approved – and it appears it will be – any soldiers who have served in a combat role will receive a $75 per month stipend, for every month they serve in combat, from the county, which could mean an extra $900 per year depending on amount of time. Commissioners are considering this instead of giving a property tax break, which would only benefit troops who own homes. Veterans officials suggested making it a stipend for all combat soldiers, instead of just property owners, since so many of the troops in harms way are young and just getting started with their lives. Some other Florida counties are offering the property tax rebate, but Highlands County would be one of three counties offering stipends. ...more

December 21, 2007

Hillary Rodham Clinton ridiculed Democratic rival Barack Obama on Tuesday for his contention that living abroad as a child helped give him a better understanding of the foreign policy challenges facing the United States. ...more

November 21, 2007