30: Old Bridge

30 years ago today (November 9, 1993) the Stari Most (Old Bridge) in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina was destroyed by the Croatian Defense Council (HVO) who shelled the Bridge during the 1992-1994 Croat–Bosniak War.

The original Old Bridge was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557 and lasted 436 years (including during the German Occupation of Mostar during World War 2.)

During the 1992-1994 Croat-Bosniak War the Old Bride separated the Bosniaks on the western side and the Croats on the eastern side.

A Temporary Bridge was built in 3 days in December 1993 to reconnect the besieged City.

The Temporary Bridge continued to be shelled by the Croats and then by the Serbs (during the 1994-1996 Serb-Bosniak/Croat War.)

After the Bosnia War ended in 1996 The World Bank, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the World Monuments Fund formed a coalition to oversee the reconstruction of the Old Bridge with additional funding provided by Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Croatia, the Council of Europe Development Bank and the Bosnian Government.

The Old Bridge was rebuilt using the same techniques and materials that were used in 1557 and the New Old Bridge was opened on July 23, 2004 and cost $15.5 Million Dollars.

I visited Mostar and the Old Bridge with my Mom in December 2010.

The City is still very segregated (most of the Serbs have moved out) and the Croats live on one side and the Bosniaks live on the other side of the City and the Children go to a “Two Schools Under One Roof” system where they use the same building, but enter using a different door and the Croat Children learn Croatian History and Subjects from Croatian Teachers and Bosniak Children learn Bosniak History and Subjects from Bosniak Teachers.

Apparently, a Croat can tell a Bosniak (and vice versa) from the way they speak the same Language but I couldn’t. I just know that I had some very helpful People carry my Mom in her Wheelchair over the cobbled streets to the Old Bridge and back again – and I used the Bosnian and Croatian Words for “Thank You” I had learned during my trip to thank them.

30: Stari Most

Collapse of the Stari Most – Old Bridge:

(Stari Most- Old Bridge  -1993)

(Old Bridge – 1990s)

(Old Bridge when I visited Mostar in 2010.)

(Old Bridge 2023)

(Old Bridge 2023)

Dog Car

 

10 Days Left

The US Congress has until November 17, 2023 (10 days from now) to fund the Federal Government otherwise the Government will Shutdown.

 

During a US Federal Government Shutdown:

Members of Congress will continue to be paid.

President Biden will continue to be paid.

Congressional and Presidential Staff would not be paid – some will be furloughed while others would be forced to work without pay.

 

The 2 Million Active-Duty Soldiers, Sailors and Marines would continue to protect us across the United States and around the World, but would not be paid.

400,000 of the Civilian Defense Employees would be furloughed and not paid with the other 400,000 forced to work without pay.

Federal Agents of the FBI, CIA, DEA, Federal Prisons, etc. would continue to work, but not be paid.

US Border Patrol would continue to work apprehending and processing over 2,000 Illegal Immigrants every day, but would not be paid.

US Embassies and Consulates would continue to work, but at reduced operations.

US Passports would continue to be issued as would Visas to the US since they fund themselves.

The Smithsonian, National Zoo and other Federal Museums and Properties would close and their Employees furloughed without pay.

17,000 of the 18,300 Employees of NASA would be furloughed without pay and the other 1,3000 would be forced to work without pay.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would operate as normal, and all 83,000 Employees would be paid.

The Small Business Administration would not be able to issue any new loans.

The National Institutes of Health would furlough most of its staff and delay new clinical trials for medical treatments.

Most inspections of hazardous waste sites and drinking water and chemical facilities would stop.

Food-Safety Inspections by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be delayed.

 

Healthcare Services for Military Veterans and Native Americans would continue, but with many delays.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) would furlough roughly 90% of its 4,600 Employees with the remaining working without pay.

The TSA and Air Traffic Controllers would continue to work, but without pay.

Medicare and Social Security Payments would continue, but could be delayed.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would risk running out of funds for Disaster Relief and Long-Term Recovery Projects.

It is unclear whether National Parks would remain open. If they are open then Employees of the National Parks Service wouldn’t be paid.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would continue to operate locks, dams and flood control facilities, but not be paid.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) would be unaffected as it does not depend on Congress for funding.

US States and Territories would not receive any new Federal Money – which would affect Millions of State and Territory Employees as well as Million of Residents receiving certain Benefits funded by both the State/Territory and the Federal Government.

Even those Federal Employees deemed “Essential” would be forced to work without pay many would either call-out sick or do a Work Slowdown as happened in other Shutdowns (especially with the TSA.)

Even though all Federal Government Employees (including those in the Military) would eventually be paid once a Shutdown ends that doesn’t mean much when you are living Paycheck-to-Paycheck and can’t pay your Rent, your Bills, buy Medicines or buy Groceries.

It is estimated that the United States would lose $1 Billion US Dollars every day of a Government Shutdown.

Movie Night Dog

 

9-11 And 10-7

Day 32 since Hamas’ Terrorist Attacks inside Israel

(Israelis stand still for a Minute of Silence in memory of the Victims of Hamas’ October 7^th brutal cross-border attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.)

October 7, 2023 (10-7) is called Israel’s 9-11.

During America’s 9-11: 19 Al-Qaida Terrorists killed 2,977 Innocent Men, Women and Children in 1 Day – people just at their work.

5 Israeli Citizens were killed by Al-Qaida.

During Israel’s 10-7: 3,000 Hamas Terrorists entered Israel and murdered 1,450 Innocent Men, Women and Children; wounded 5,433 Innocent Men, Women and Children and kidnapped 245 Innocent Men, Women and Children – bringing them to Gaza where they continue to be held 32 days and counting – these were people just in their homes or at a concert.

33 American Citizens were killed and Unknown Number of American Citizens were kidnapped and are being held by Hamas.

During America’s 9-11: The World sided with the United States against these Terrorist Attacks and vowed to help.

The exception to this support came from the Taliban in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestinians, etc.

A poll of Palestinians conducted by the Norwegian Fafo Foundation in 2005 found that 65% of respondents supported "Al Qaeda bombings in the USA and Europe"

During Israel’s 10-7: The United Nations (especially the General Secretary, Antonio Guterres) has sided with the Hamas Terrorists instead of with Israel.

These Countries and Organizations have officially sided with the Hamas Terrorists since the Attacks: Russia, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, the Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Nicaragua, Bahrain, Afghanistan,  Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Maldives, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Tajikistan, Yemen, Belarus, Turkey, Scotland (UK) and the Arab League.

So what is the difference between America’s 9-11 and Israel’s 10-7?

Jews!

9-11 involved Americans which the World would support and help.

10-7 involves Jews which most of the World wouldn’t support and help.

 

It is not an Israeli Problem.

It is not a Jewish Problem.

It is OUR PROBLEM!

Election Day

 

50: War Powers

 

Weekend Gone

 

242 Still Hostages

242 Israelis and Foreigners (including Americans) continue to be held Hostage in Gaza since 3,000 Hamas Terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.

There should NOT be a Ceasefire until these 242 Hostages are released.

Israel didn’t start or want this War (Hamas and Iran did) but Israel has every right to defend itself, get the Hostages back and make sure Hamas no longer poses any threat to Israel or the rest of the World.

 

Some of the 242 Hostages are:

9 month old Kfir Bibas

2 year old Aviv Katz Asher

4 year old Ariel Bibas

13 year old Alma Or

35 year old Sagui Dekel-Chen  - an American Citizen

81 year old Diza Heiman

84 year old Amiram Cooper

85 year old Yaffa Adar

People and Politicians that call for a Ceasefire rather than a release of the Hostages are only trying to help the Hamas Terrorists and give them more time to regroup and kill even more Innocent People.

 

 

Dog On Plane

 

Verdun Battle

 

 

The Battle of Verdun was fought between Germany and France from February 21, -December 18, 1916 (during World War 1) in Verdun, France.

(French Soldiers during the Battle of Verdun in 1916.)

It was the longest b=Battle of the First World War and one of the most devastating, which gave rise to the myth of Verdun, the "Mother of all Battles", one of the most inhumane in which man has fought: Artillery caused 80% of the Casualties on both sides.

France won the Battle of Verdun.

(The Battle of Verdun Battlefield today.)

163,000 French Soldiers were killed and 216,000 French Soldiers were wounded.

143,000 German Soldiers were killed and 196,000 German Soldiers were wounded.

When I lived in Germany as a Teenager I visited the Battlefield.

80: Liberation

The Liberation Of Kyiv

November 6, 1943, the Soviet troops during the Kiev offensive liberated capital of Ukraine from fascist invaders.

In late September 1943 the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front, commanded by General of the Army M.F.Vatutin capturing bridgeheads on the right bank of the Dnieper, two times (from 12 to 15 and from 21 to 23 October) started an offensive to liberate Kyiv. The main direction of the strike was from the south, Bukrynsky bridgehead, auxiliary - from the north, Lyutizh. But all attempts to break through to Kyiv from the south were unsuccessful.

October 24, 1943 Supreme Command ordered to put the brunt from Lyutizh bridgehead. 3rd Guards Tank Army, commanded by General P.S.Rybalko, others formations and units were secretly moved from Bukrynsky to Lyutizh bridgehead.

To distract the enemy forces, November 1, an offensive from the beachhead Bukrynsky started again. In the morning, November 3, after an artillery barrage from Lyutizh bridgehead main forces of the front launched an offensive. By the evening of the 38th the troops of the army, together with the 5th Guards Tank Corps and part of the 60th Army moved to 5-12 km. November 4-5, 3rd Guards Tank Army has entered in the battle and cut the highway Kyiv-Zhytomyr.

The night of 5 November 6th became critical in the battle for Kyiv. On the highway Brest-Litovsk (now – Peremogy Avenue) tankers captain D.A.Chumachenko broke through in the city. First on the head tank the Guard sergeant M.M.Sholudenko broke in the city. Near the factory "Bolshevik" he was mortally wounded. Posthumously he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.

On November 6, 0 hours and 30 minutes, a red flag was raised over the building of the CCCP (b) U (Kalinin area).

By four o'clock in the morning on November 6, enemy resistance was broken in Kiev, and at 5 am General M.F.Vatutin reported to the Supreme Commander Stalin that Kyiv is completely freed from the Nazi invaders. On the same day Moscow saluted the heroes of the Battle of Kyiv and Dnipro.

November 7, 1943 at the monument to Taras Shevchenko Kyiv residents held a rally on the occasion of the liberation from Nazi invaders. For courage and heroism during the liberation of Kyiv 17,500 soldiers and commanders were awarded orders and medals, and 668 of them became Heroes of the Soviet Union.

https://kpi.ua/en/833-1

80: Kyiv

Liberation of Kyiv from the Germans

(Soviet soldiers preparing rafts for crossing the Dnieper, 1943)

(Kyiv is liberated from Nazis. The Soviet infantry marching through the main street Kreschatik, November 1943.)

A Veteran

 

Holiday Wars

 

This Season of “Holiday Wars” has Anna Olinyk  (on the Right) - a Ukrainian Cookie Artist forced to flee Ukraine and came to the United States when Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Adopt Senior Dogs

 

November is Adopt a Senior Shelter Dog Month (of course every Month is a good Month to Adopt a Senior Dog Month.)

Complete De-Occupation

 

30 Days: Hamas Attacks

Today (November 5, 2023) is the 30^th Day of the Israeli War against the Terrorists.

On October 7, 2023 3,000 Hamas Terrorists entered Israel and murdered and kidnapped Innocent Men, Women and Children.

Israel is fighting alone the Palestinian and Muslim Terrorist Groups: Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP),  Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, Hezbollah, Lebanese Resistance Brigades and the Houthi.

Israel is fighting alone on several Fronts at once:

Front 1: In Gaza (ie. Hamas, the PFLP, the DFLP, PRC, etc.)

Front 2: In Israeli Territory surrounding Gaza.

Front 3: In Northern Israel by the Lebanese Border (ie. Hezbollah.)

Front 4: In Southern Israel around Eilat (ie. Houthi)

Front 5: In Syria.

Front 6: Inside the West Bank.

Front 7: In the Mediterranean Sea that surrounds Israel and Gaza.

Front 8. In the Air over Israel (with more than 8,000 Missiles and Bombs being shot at Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other Israeli Towns and Cities.)

Front 9: Across the World (with all the Anti-Jewish Terrorist Groups, Organizations, Politicians and Ordinary People attacking Innocent Jewish Men, Women and Children in the United States, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Russia, Poland, the Netherlands, South Africa, Colombia, Australia, etc.)

Front 10: Public Opinion Poll across the World with Israel having to save the Hostages, revenge the murdered, defeat Hamas all while balancing what Other Countries, the UN and Ordinary People across the Globe think.

 

1,447 Israeli and Foreigners have been killed inside Israel – including 33 American Citizens.

5,431 Israeli and Foreigners have been wounded inside Israel.

200,000 Israelis have been forced to evacuate their homes around Gaza and Lebanon.

243 Israeli and Foreigners are still being held Hostage by Hamas inside Gaza.

 

The Hostages include: At least 30 Children (including an Infant and a 3 year old), the Elderly, the Sick and Citizens from France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, Thailand, the Philippines, Nepal and the United States.

While many Arab and Muslim Countries side with Hamas and the Palestinians against Israel even Egypt (which has the only Open Border Crossing with Gaza), Jordan (which took in many Palestinian Refugees after the 1967 Six Day War) and the Palestinians in the West Bank (who separated themselves when Hamas took control of Gaza in 2006) do not want to take in any of the Palestinians (Men, Women and Children) from Gaza.

The United Nations (especially the General Secretary, Antonio Guterres) has sided with the Hamas Terrorists instead of with Israel.

These Countries and Organizations have officially sided with the Hamas Terrorists: Russia, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, the Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Nicaragua, Bahrain, Afghanistan,  Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Maldives, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Tajikistan, Yemen, Belarus, Turkey, Scotland (UK) and the Arab League.

Pogroms against Jews (Israeli and Non-Israeli) are happening in nearly every single Country and Territory around the World.

 Hate Crimes against Jewish Men, Women and Children have gone up 300% across the World from October 7, 2023 to today.

30 Days: War In Pictures

30 Days since the Hamas Terrorist Attacks in Israel:

(Map of the War.)

(A blood-stained home floor in the aftermath of the Nahal Oz Massacre in Nahal Oz, Israel,)

(Scene of destruction at Kibbutz Be'eri, Israel.)

(Alexander Lenskiy, 38, center, take shelter on the ground with the rest of his Family and other travelers as the Air Raid Sirens sound all over Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, Israel.)

(Family, and friends of Yuval Solomon, who was murdered in Kfar Aaz, in Hamas' attack on the Kibbutz, mourn during his funeral in Shefayim, Israel.)

(Some of the known Hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas.)

(“The "Shabbat Meal" table in the plaza of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, with more than 200 chairs, representing the number of Abductees and Missing Persons held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.)

(The White House is lit up in the colors of the Israeli Flag in solidarity.)

(Israeli Iron Dome Air Defense System fires to intercept a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, Israel.)

Helping Veterans With Pets

From Greater Good:

“Send Backpacks with Essentials this Veterans Day”

This Veterans Day, nearly 40,000 veterans experiencing homelessness and their beloved pets will lack essential supplies for warmth and comfort. Most homeless shelters do not allow pets. On any given night, veterans without homes are forced to choose between staying with their pets and facing the dangers of existing outside, or checking into a shelter and abandoning the only family they know. The security of basic comfort items and nutritious meals can help bridge the gap for our veterans and their pets as they seek to secure permanent housing.

Plus, from November 1st through November 11th, Dutch Harbor Brands is generously matching donations until we reach $25k! Donate NOW to double your impact.

Greater Good Charities works to provide food and comfort items to veterans experiencing homelessness in areas with high veteran poverty populations. Through our relationship with the VA, these essential items will ensure local veterans have access to basic supplies and nutritious meals.

Along with food, our Good Packs include basic survival supplies in functional backpacks to veterans in crisis. These supplies for people and pets include blankets, clothing, reusable water bottles, basic hygiene products, pet food and treats, toys, slip leads and collapsible food/water dishes.

They fought for us—let’s fight for them this Veterans Day. Your gift today will help our Good Packs program, and support Greater Good Charities' other lifesaving programs to help those in need. Just $25 can send a Good Pack to a veteran and their pet! Donate NOW and your gift will be matched, dollar for dollar, until we reach $25k.

^ I donated and I hope you do too at this link:

https://greatergood.org/veterans-day-good-packs-and-meals?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paidsocial&utm_term=1112023&utm_content=veterans-day-broad-vets-v1&utm_campaign=veterans-day-fy24&hsa_acc=309839359&hsa_cam=6313076085101&hsa_grp=6482260567901&hsa_ad=6482260569301&hsa_src=fb&hsa_net=facebook&hsa_ver=3&fbclid=IwAR2v4yfa185pdOzMNgCK8fnFRb9bUy7r3eVAq9Wgk1CMa0q-qsh54FeQv_I

^

Helping Food Banks

 

^ With Thanksgiving in 3 weeks and Chanukah and Christmas soon afterwards it's important to not only start to think about your own Holiday Celebrations and Meals, but also those who need some help with their's. ^

80: Vatican Bombing

The Bombing of Vatican City State

80 years ago to the day (November 5, 1943), in the midst of the Second World War, four bombs were dropped over Vatican City State. The war had been raging for four years, and Italy was suffering under Nazi occupation. Despite much speculation and denial, we still don't know who bombed the neutral state, or why they did it.

It was November5, 1943, World War II was raging and Vatican City was, and remained, a neutral state. This is partly why the attack came as such a surprise: five bombs (one of which did not detonate) were dropped into the Vatican gardens from an unidentified aircraft. Luckily no one was hurt, but many of the buildings suffered huge damage, and guards were left dazed and confused after the explosions knocked them to the ground.

One gendarme, Luigi Turchetto, wrote a note to the Vatican’s Noble Guards, in which he recounted what happened that night. He was on duty at the Vatican train station: “I distinctly heard the continuous noise of an aircraft flying at low altitude. I could not see it, prevented by the darkness. From the noise of the engine it seemed to me that the aircraft was coming from the northeast. It flew over the Vatican Railway Station and then went a little further away and immediately turned back. I almost immediately heard a hiss and a prolonged burst that gave me the impression of the almost simultaneous explosion of several bombs. The first of them fell on the escarpment near the boundary wall of the Vatican City State on the side of St. Peter's Station; the second one fell on the terrace of the Mosaic Studio; a third one behind the Governorate Palace and a fourth one in the Vatican Gardens in a location that I could not identify at the moment.”

Pope’s reaction Pope Pius XII commented, in private, that “there was more respect in Cairo, as the religious center of Islam, than in Rome. And more concretely, we are struck by the need to recognise... that there no longer exists, I do not say Christian conscience, but even the minimum of human understanding and a sense of loyalty in acting that should be enough to leave the successor of St. Peter in the narrow strip of land that still remains.”

Who dropped the bombs? Nobody took responsibility for the bombs. The Allies and Axis powers accused each other. One of the theories, following certain clues, was published in the 2010 Italian book “1943: Bombe in Vaticano” by Augusto Ferrari. It describes the possibility that the attack had been orchestrated by the Germans and coordinated by the Fascist Roberto Farinacci, whose aim was to bomb Vatican Radio, that was suspected of transmitting valuable military information to the Anglo-Americans. It is believed that the pilot was "a certain Parmeggiani", and that the plane had been flown from Viterbo, some 50km from Rome.   This claim was contested one year later, in 2011, by subsequent research (such as that of Gregory Alegi and that of Pietro Cappellari). Ferrari claimed that the plane used was a Savoia Marchetti S.M. 79; yet Alegi and Cappellari claim that the Italian Aeronautica only possessed one of these planes and that it could not, at that time, have been geographically located in Viterbo under German control. Ferrari also claimed that the only two pilots with the name Parmeggiani were elsewhere, and working with the Allies. In America, a new theory was developed soon after. Again, soon after that.. clues led to ideas and ideas to theories: from the idea that the bombs had been manufactured in the UK to an intercepted phone call between two priests. But each theory, still remains just a theory...

Protection through neutrality

Upon learning of the possible motivation behind the attack, Pope Pius XII asked that the reasons for the attack not be spread by the media, in an attempt to maintain the neutrality of the State. Throught the war the Pope and the Vatican helped many members of the Italian resistance. It was not easy to hide in Rome, and the Vatican offered protection and exile to those who needed it most. The intermediary position of the Church allowed it to move better to defend and help those in need.   It still remains unclear as to who dropped those first bombs on the Vatican. Bombs were dropped again on Vatican City State on 1 March 1944, killing one person and injuring another.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-11/77-years-bombs-dropped-vatican-city.html

Fall Back

 

Walmart Turkey

 

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue

From Carolina Waterfowl Rescue’s Facebook:

Were you aware that Carolina Waterfowl Rescue may have to close its doors for good? Leaving our innocent friends like this small duckling, homeless.

One of our donation platforms closed up shop and we've lost too many monthly supporters to count and all at once. We need help from the community like never before. Please consider a one time donation. Or even better, a monthly donation. Anything helps!

YOU can be the difference and save our feathered, furred, and scaled friends!

 https://www.cwrescue.org/

Or feel free to check out our Go Fund Me page.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/our-animals-need-you?utm_campaign=p_lico%20share-sheet-first-launch&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0cOzXvmTZdm0fCOkWeodqIpf2u7lg_0M6WhytWvCW34YG8yYZkmMWLyPI/

Thank you!

^ I donated to them now and in the past. ^

5 Million Vets Added

From Military.com:

“Nearly 5 Million Veterans Added to VA's Digital Memorial that Catalogs Grave Sites Around the World”

The Department of Veterans Affairs has added pages for roughly 5 million more former service members to its Veterans Legacy Memorial online project, including thousands of veterans interred at public and private cemeteries outside the VA National Cemetery Administration's system.

Coming just ahead of Veterans Day, VA officials said the expansion doubles the size of the site, bringing the total number of vets memorialized to roughly 10 million, about one-third of all veterans dating back as far as the Revolutionary War.

The department was able to add so many veterans to the site by collecting information on those buried at private and non-VA cemeteries who received a headstone, marker or medallion from the National Cemetery Administration since 1996, according to VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Matt Quinn. "Since becoming under secretary of memorial affairs more than two years ago, I've had numerous requests for family members for this type of opportunity. And again, as of Veterans Day 2023, we have made this a reality," Quinn said during a call with reporters Tuesday.

The Veterans Legacy Memorial launched in 2019, initially as a static website that gave basic details on 3.7 million veterans buried in the VA's 155 national cemeteries, such as name, grave location, and photo of gravesite.

The project was expanded in 2021 to include VA-supported state, tribal and territorial veterans cemeteries, and was then broadened again in 2022 to include two National Park Service cemeteries. Earlier this year, just before Memorial Day, the VA added veterans interred at 27 cemeteries managed by the Air Force, Navy and Army, including Arlington National Cemetery. When making that announcement in May, James LaPaglia, digital services officer at the National Cemetery Administration, said it might be several years before the VA could add veterans in private cemeteries, due to the complexity of the records. On Tuesday, however, LaPaglia said that the "database gave us some extra wins that we weren't quite expecting." Those included 80,000 records for state, tribal and territories veterans cemeteries; 1,000 records for National Park Service-managed cemeteries; and 4,000 records of headstones and markers shipped overseas, according to LaPaglia.

Each memorial page includes a veteran's dates of birth and death, dates or eras of military service, grave location and photo of grave, as available. The site is fully interactive, allowing family members, friends and colleagues to share photos, documents and memories. LaPaglia said that, to date, more than 73,000 posts have been made to veterans' pages by family members, friends, battle buddies and historians, and the dedications continue to "grow exponentially."

Linda Monroe, widow of Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Robert Monroe, buried in Riverside National Cemetery in California, has documented her husband's 20-year career on his page but also posts recent photos of family, provides updates on children and grandchildren, and sends him notes of love. "I call it my radio to heaven because it gives me [so much]," Monroe said during the press call Tuesday. "I would hope that other family members, friends take advantage of what VLM provides you and post information or activities or just say, 'Hi, I miss you.'"

According to the VA, all content submitted for upload to the site is reviewed by moderators to ensure that it conforms with the Veterans Legacy Memorial user policy. The next hurdle for adding more veterans to the site is to include 26 American military cemeteries overseas managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission, LaPaglia said. And, he added, the VA also expects to eventually create a system for family members to request a page for their veteran by providing documentation. "This is years' worth of development work on continuing to bring in more pages so that more stories can be told," LaPaglia said.

For those who need assistance finding their veteran or changing or adding a record, the "Customer Support" link on the VLM website provides a phone number, as well as a link to an email address to request help.

^ I looked over this website and found several of my Relatives on it. I’ve even added a few Military Pictures that are being reviewed before being posted.

Here is a link to the site:

https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/

^

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/11/02/nearly-5-million-veterans-added-vas-digital-memorial-catalogs-grave-sites-around-world.html

No Feeding Change

 

Air Canada Summoned

From the CBC:

“Air Canada summoned to Ottawa after multiple incidents involving passengers with wheelchairs”

(Canada's Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez said Air Canada representatives must present a plan to improve the experiences of people with disabilities on the airline.)

Canada's minister of transport has summoned representatives from Air Canada to Ottawa, following three high-profile events involving passengers with disabilities. Representatives from the airline will meet with the minister and Kamal Khera, diversity, inclusion and persons with disabilities minister, next week, a statement from Pablo Rodriguez said, noting he was "horrified' to learn of yet another incident on Thursday. "All Canadians must be treated with dignity and respect. Full stop," he said in the statement. "They must present a plan to address this. Canadians expect Air Canada to do better."

The call from Rodriguez comes a day after the airline said it violated Canadian disability regulations in the case of 50-year-old Rodney Hodgins. Hodgins, who has cerebral palsy, was forced to drag himself off an Air Canada flight in Las Vegas when he was told no wheelchair assistance was available. The incident garnered international attention and triggered an investigation by the Canadian Transportation Agency.

The story also prompted Ryan Lachance, a B.C.-based comedian with spastic quad cerebral palsy, to come forward with his experience on the airline. In early May, Lachance was dropped and injured by Air Canada staff while attempting to disembark a flight in Vancouver, after crew declined to use the eagle lift he requires to leave his seat. Video of the incident captured by his care assistant shows Lachance on the ground and crashing into airline seats as crew members try to lift him.

The move also comes after Stephanie Cadieux, Canada's chief accessibility officer, said her wheelchair was lost by Air Canada on a recent flight.

(Ryan Lachance, who lives with quad-spastic cerebral palsy, is pictured in his apartment in White Rock, British Columbia on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.)

In a statement, Air Canada said it was conducting internal reviews in all three cases. "In each case, we reached out to these customers to apologize, listen to their concerns, and offer compensation. More important to each of them though was that we commit to improve our services so that others do not have similar experiences," the statement read in part. The statement said in June the airline finalized a three-year plan to increase accessibility for both customers and employees, and said it "fully supports the federal government's Accessible Canada Act and its aim to realize a barrier-free Canada by 2040."

Air Canada said it devotes "considerable resources" to make travel accessible, and employs 180 employees in Toronto whose primary role is to assist with mobility. "In light of this, we are deeply disappointed and sincerely regret when there are mobility service lapses that result in inconvenience and travel disruption," the statement read. Air Canada has apologized to a B.C. man after staff told him he would need to get to the front of the plane without any assistance. The airline has also admitted it violated Canadian disability legislation. Rodney Hodgins hopes the situation will lead to systemic change. In a written apology to the Hodgins, Air Canada acknowledged the experience was "very inconvenient and humiliating." The airline offered Rodney and Deanna Hodgins a $1,000 flight voucher each. Lachance was offered a voucher worth $500. Rodney Hodgins said he hopes to meet with Air Canada personally to offer his suggestions at company to develop a program to make people with disabilities have an easier time travelling with your airline," he said. Lachance said he believes staffers need more training on the equipment available to them, including eagle lifts and aisle chairs. “I know this happens to people all the time," he said.

^ Clearly Air Canada’s Current Disability Training and Execution of that Training is flawed and every single Air Canada Employee needs to be Retrained in how to correctly treat a Disabled Passenger as the Human Being that they are. ^

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/air-canada-ottawa-airline-disabilities-1.7018398