In March of 1945 two infantry divisions, the 45th and the 42th, entered Dachau finding a very grim and atrocious sight. In the middle of the camp there lay a train of 39 boxcars and open gondola cars. In thosecars were the bodies of 2,300 dead jews. No troop in that camp had a dry eye that day. The men were told to let no SS men live. All of a sudden four SS men, with their hands held high, came out of a hiding place. Lt. William P. Walsh took the men and put them in one of the boxcars. He took out his pistol and unloaded on them. While they were still moaning a private came over and finished them of with his rifle. All through that day surrendering SS men were killed and the total body count was 24.

Was it murder or justice? You tell me.

unknown author

Subject: Veterans DENIED Assistance from Vet Organizat Date: 21-05-2004

Author: Dale Reply

Combat Disabled Veterans Denied Assistance From VA And Veteran Service Organizations WWW.FIREBASE.NET By Staff Writer: Rick Townsend firebaseadrian@tc3net.com

5/19/04 Vietnam Combat disabled veterans Jere Beery, and Dale Van Luven are discovering the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the many national veteran service organizations are unwilling, or unable to enforce existing federal laws protecting veterans’ benefits.

Within the past twelve months both Beery and Van Luven have been ordered to pay their ex-wives alimony from their VA disability compensation. According to U.S. Code, Title 38, 5301(a), VA disability compensation is totally protected from consideration, and/or attachment in any civil case. “The problem is getting anyone to enforce this federal lawâ€, Van Luven stated.

In March, Beery, was ordered by Georgia, Superior Court Judge, Alan Keeble, to pay $24,000.00 in alimony from his VA disability compensation to his ex-wife. He has appealed his case and will appear before Judge Keeble on June 10, 2004, in Newnan, Georgia. Many supporters from around the country have vowed to attend the Beery Hearing. “I’ve got to hear what this Judge has to say about this,†Molly Turner of Atlanta, Georgia said. “My son is in Iraq right now. As a mother, I will fight to protect his future benefits. I will be at the Beery Hearing to show my support and concern,†she added.

Last year, Van Luven was ordered to pay alimony with his VA disability compensation and Social Security disability by Tennessee, 4th Circuit Court for Davidson County, Judge Muriel Robinson. “I can go to jail at anytime for nonpayment, all because this Judge violated the federal law that is suppose to protect my VA disability compensation,†Van Luven said.

I've had the pleasure of getting to know Bennett J Palmer Sr, of the 36th Infantry Division and author of the book, The Hunter and the Hunted - A Combat Soldier's Story. We've exchanged a few emails and today I received a wonderful package with several documents and a signed copy of his book. Ah, some good reading for these cold winter nights. Started his book late this afternoon and am already finding it an enjoyable read.

Rifleman, 1st Platoon, Co B, 1st Battalion, 143rd RGT, 36th Division. He fought in Italy, France and Germany and was on the front 23 months and wounded twice.

If you are interested in ordering Bennett Palmer's book, click on the link below for a printable form.

Order the Hunter and the Hunted - Bennett Palmer Sr

One Soldier said

My point is that non-combat Occupation Area Ribbons and their times awarded are pretty-much meaningless,...except for qualifying veterans for The American Legion or VFW.

Just think it downright insulting to about 5 MILLION or so Honorable Veterans deemed: "Cold War Warriors" to be quite biasedly and quite superiorily excluded memberships and even HONOR ROLL STATUS (due Dates of Service), by both The American Legion and VFW. Truly an organizational nonsense.

Received this email from Lynette (Ben's wife) today!

Great news!  Ben's convoy arrived safely in Mosul, Iraq on Tuesday.  He has not called me yet, but I was told both convoys (they traveled seperate) made it to Mosul safely.  Ben's convoy- thank the Lord above- made it with NO RESISTANCE!  Ben was lead convoy commander. (No, that doesn't mean he is an officer)  They put Ben in the lead humvee (called a gunship, for it's weapon power) to navigate the way up to Mosul.  He was in charge of getting them there, fast and safe and he did both.  Well he might argue the fast part, it took them 4 days.  He was also in charge of spotting I.E.D's (improvised explosive devices), and ambushes.  There was NO DOUBT in my mind that he would get them all up there.  He was in charge of 20 guys and  7 vehicles.  They made 3 stops on the way up.  They left Camp New York on Saturday, and went to the border (I told him too bad it wasn't Taco Bell lol) and they spent the night there-he got the comfort of sle

 

The FOB (forward operating base) that they are staying at up there is called Camp Merez.  Yes, that is the camp where the suicide bomber went into the mess tent and killed people.  They have really beefed up security around the area and put up more concrete barriers.

 

SSG BENJAMIN JOY

B CO 113TH ENG BN

APO, AE

                  09334

 

I would like to thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.  They worked!!!  Please keep them coming.

 

I will keep you posted.

 

Lynette