Author: Meri-Jo Borzilleri
-
Character is issue for Rockies, not faith
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday that automatic, across-the-board defense cuts would be a disaster, with widespread jobs losses and problems for the Pentagon as it tries to pay for health care for military personnel. The Pentagon chief and Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, painted a…
-
Perks of greatness
KABUL, Afghanistan – The Obama administration on Saturday declared Afghanistan the United States’ newest “major non-NATO ally,” an action designed to facilitate close defense cooperation after U.S. combat troops withdraw from the country in 2014 and as a political statement of support for Afghanistan’s long-term stability. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made the…
-
Wheelchair athletes often have to train in isolation
WASHINGTON — Last summer, gays in the military dared not admit their sexual orientation. This summer, the Pentagon will salute them, marking Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month just as it marks other celebrations honoring racial or ethnic groups. Officials said Thursday that they’re planning the first-ever event to recognize gay and lesbian troops.…
-
Fast start raises doubts
200-mile biker ride to help children of fallen soldiers An upcoming motorcycle ride aims to help children whose parents have died in war. The Freedom Seekers Association will host a 200-mile motorcycle ride across Colorado on July 7, said Jeff Holt, a member of the club. A portion of the proceeds will go to the…
-
Take a number
DENVER — Friday, July 6, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today praised the military for its support fighting the High Park and Waldo Canyon fires and asked U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta to end Dual Status Command authority. That authority provided a unity of command for both National Guard and Active Duty…
-
Phelps’ hunger still strong
WASHINGTON — Almost afraid to say it out loud, lest they jinx their record, U.S. troops in Afghanistan achieved one small but important victory over the past year: They found and avoided more homemade bombs meant to kill and maim them than a year ago, thanks to a surge in training, equipment and intelligence. Bomb-planters…
-
Volleyball moving to California
When dad’s deployed, there’s no distraction good enough to trump that reality. But there are some that make it more bearable. “I’m not so good at drawing, so I wondered if I took this class, if I might become a good drawer,” 8-year-old Emma Speakes said on a recent afternoon as she penciled a masterpiece…
-
Ctvrtlik carries hopes of USOC
Two years ago, nearly 100 people in the Air Force chose not to testify at court-martial about being sexually assaulted. Confronted with that statistic, the Air Force has embarked on an initiative to keep sexual assault investigations from stalling before court-martial. The program, which began in late January, offers a government-paid attorney to give advice…