August Drive wraps up Gitmo

The US Report asked Jeff Congo with August Drive to let us know how the Jacksonville-based band’s trip to US Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (otherwise known as Gitmo) went. Lead vocalist/guitarist Jeff and his fellow band members Jason Ramsey (bass), Evan Cameron (lead guitar) and Chris Condon (drums) traveled to the base over the July 4 holiday to entertain US troops. Jeff agreed to share some photos from the trip.

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Kilbride’s Iraq memoir delivers surprises about politics, the military and war

By Kay B. Day

Elizabeth Kilbride—Betty to those who get to know her—has a special place in her heart for people who serve in the military. Her father served in the U.S. Army; her brother served in the U.S. Marines. She grew up in Levittown, N.Y., the first planned community for veterans in the U.S.

'Soul of American Warriors' by Elizabeth Kilbride is a first hand account of life in a combat zone, but the memoir is told from the perspective of a layperson rather than a soldier.By the time Kilbride reached adulthood, there wasn’t much she didn’t know about the military. From the social atmosphere at VFW posts to the military fondness for acronyms, Kilbride had an inside view. And by the time the U.S. entered the War on Terror after being attacked, Kilbride found herself in a unique position, that of observer and writer. She traveled to Iraq, embedded with a Marine Corps unit. She recorded her experiences in the just-released book ‘Soul of American Warriors’ (Fathers Press, 2009).

Few writers and virtually no one from elite journalism circles share the perspective Kilbride has. Her book is shaped as a memoir, and she shares information no other media has covered. It comes as a surprise that in a country where the enemy is not readily identifiable, at a time when violence was raging, locals were preparing and serving our soldiers’ food.

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ACM Awards tribute to troops not about war, but the warrior

The story behind the song ‘Til the Last Shot’s Fired

When Lt. Andrew Kinard of the United States Marine Corps took the stage in Las Vegas Sunday to introduce performer Trace Adkins during the 44th Academy of Country Music Awards, Kinard received a lengthy standing ovation for his service. Kinard’s war injuries resulted in the loss of both legs, but the Marine stood proud all the same as he said of the forthcoming song, “It’s not about the war, it’s about the warrior.” The US Military Academy at West Point glee club backed Adkins up as he performed 'Til the Last Shot's Fired. And a fan's video of the performance itself will probably garner millions of hits on YouTube, because it’s a classic. I was moved not only by the presentation, but by a personal connection.

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‘Taking Chance’ a hymn of praise to a fallen soldier featured in ‘Faces of Freedom’

The film starring Kevin Bacon tells the story of Lance Cpl. Chance Phelps. An essay about Chance is also included in the book ‘Faces of Freedom.’

Lance Cpl. Chance Phelps, USMC, is also the subject of an essay in the book 'Faces of Freedom.' Click the photo to learn more about the book.I had my doubts when I saw announcements about another war film, because they almost always come up short. But those doubts were relieved by an outstanding performance in the closest thing I’ve ever seen to a poem on film—HBO’s ‘Taking Chance.’ The main character Lance Cpl. Chance Phelps is a 20 year old U.S. Marine killed in a battle in Iraq. Although you never hear him speak, by the end of the film you will come to admire him, and it is likely you will mourn him.

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