All articles tagged with #navy veteran
Bob Fernandez, a 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor, passed away peacefully in Lodi, California. A Navy veteran who served on the USS Curtiss during the 1941 attack, Fernandez was known for his generosity and kindness. Despite planning to attend the 83rd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, his health prevented him from traveling. Fernandez is remembered for his service and his contributions to his community.
Navy veteran Mary Jo Burkhard, 71, initially feared she was having a heart attack, but a hospital visit revealed a three-inch cancerous tumor on her pancreas. Diagnosed with Stage II pancreatic cancer, Burkhard underwent chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, ultimately achieving 'no evidence of disease.' Despite the challenges, her military determination helped her through treatment. She remains under close monitoring and is focused on enjoying life, including community service and family visits.
Ervin Lee Bolling, a 48-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, was arrested for attempting to breach the gate at the FBI’s Atlanta headquarters. The FBI has not disclosed a suspected motive, and no explosives or weapons were found in his car. Bolling, who works as an insurance broker, will face state and federal charges. He has no criminal history but is involved in a class-action lawsuit against 3M. His brother is currently in prison for armed robbery.
Retired Indian Navy commander BK Verma, who was among eight former Indian Navy personnel released from a jail in Qatar, expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal intervention in securing their release. Verma, who missed his daughter's wedding due to his imprisonment, reflected on the nature of military life and expressed joy at reuniting with his family. His wife, Suman, expressed gratitude for her husband's release and the Indian government's efforts.
Laneisha Henderson, a 26-year-old decorated Navy veteran, has been identified as the woman who attempted to burn down Martin Luther King Jr.'s childhood home in Atlanta. She has been charged with attempted arson and interfering with government property. Henderson was prevented from setting the historic home ablaze by passing tourists who saw her dousing the property with gasoline. The incident has prompted discussions about increased security measures at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.
Lawrence Faucette, a Navy veteran from Maryland, who became the second person in the world to receive a pig heart transplant, has died after living for six weeks with the experimental organ. Faucette, who was ineligible for a traditional heart transplant, underwent the surgery on September 20. The procedure bought him valuable time, but he ultimately passed away on October 30. Faucette's final wish was for his experience to contribute to advancements in organ transplantation, ensuring that others in need have a chance for a new heart when human organs are unavailable.
Rudy Noorlander, a Navy veteran who lost part of his jaw in a grizzly bear attack in Montana, is preparing to leave the hospital and return home. After undergoing three surgeries and a complete jaw reconstruction, Noorlander is nearly ready to rejoin his family. Despite the challenges of recovering his ability to eat and speak, he remains positive and optimistic. Noorlander plans to share his story in a book and hopes to see it turned into a movie, with actor Cole Hauser playing him. He is already making plans to go snowmobiling again in December.
Navy veteran Michael White, who was imprisoned in Iran on spying charges, formed an unlikely friendship with Iranian political activist Mahdi Vatankhah while in jail. Vatankhah provided crucial information about White's status in prison and helped him communicate with the outside world. After their release, White successfully advocated for Vatankhah's admission to the United States under humanitarian parole. The two were reunited in Los Angeles, and Vatankhah is now living in San Diego, seeking asylum and enjoying the freedom to express his political views without fear of retribution.
The Philadelphia Phillies have designated Navy veteran Noah Song for assignment, giving the Boston Red Sox the option to take him back if he clears waivers. Song, a right-handed pitcher, was acquired by the Phillies in the Rule 5 draft with hopes that he would play after completing his military service. However, he struggled in the minor leagues and had not pitched in a professional game since 2019. The Phillies, currently in the NL wild-card race, decided not to use a roster spot on a pitcher who hadn't played in any baseball game before this season.
Sarah Bils, a 37-year-old Navy veteran and pro-Kremlin propagandist, was highly decorated during her 13 years of service, including receiving the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. She is now under investigation by the Department of Justice for posting leaked Pentagon documents from her "pro-Russian" social media account. Bils claimed to be a Russian Jew living in Luhansk and documenting alleged "war crimes" committed by the Ukrainian army. Her real identity was revealed by volunteers from the North Atlantic Fella Organization, who matched her voice and home interiors to her postings as "Donbas Devushka."
Sarah Bils, a former US Navy aviation technician and tropical fish seller from New Jersey, is under investigation by the Department of Justice for sharing leaked Pentagon documents on her pro-Kremlin Telegram account. Bils, who posed as a Russian Jew from the occupied Ukrainian city of Luhansk, is known online as "Donbas Devushka" and claimed to be documenting alleged "war crimes" committed by the Ukrainian army. She denies involvement in helping US National Guard member Jack Teixeira, who was charged with two offenses for leaking the documents.