Soldier

Cholera broke out in Haiti two years ago, and more than 7,000 people have died. Some researchers traced the outbreak's origin to United Nations peacekeepers sent from Nepal after the devastating earthquake in 2010. The theory that Nepalese soldiers unwittingly spread the bacterial gastrointestinal ailment has become widely accepted based on genetic fingerprints revealing the strain's Asian roots. Now research from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and College Park campuses is painting a more complicated picture, with recent findings showing that a second cholera strain also sickened some Haitians.

A soldier from Frederick has died in Afghanistan, defense officials said Tuesday. Sgt. David V. Williams, 24, of Frederick died Saturday in Kandahar, officials said. The cause of death is under investigation. Williams was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. He entered the Army in August 2008 and was stationed at Camp Red Cloud, South Korea. He arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in February 2011 and deployed to Afghanistan with his brigade in April 2012.

A Special Forces soldier from Baltimore County was killed Saturday in Afghanistan, officials said. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Robert Pepper, a 1999 graduate of Kenwood High School in Essex, was on patrol in Ghazni province in Eastern Afghanistan when his unit was attacked by insurgents, according to Army Special Forces Command. He was 31. In a statement, his family called him "A good brother, a caring brother, a loving brother. " "Brandon was a good friend to all of us, and was always willing to help.

Army Sgt. Justin Haggerty was 7,000 miles away from his wife and daughter last Fourth of July — with his canine partner, HHelotes, in Afghanistan, searching for explosives and helping to protect a U.S. Special Forces group from the enemy. This year, Haggerty has a new mission: patrolling Fort Meade's Independence Day celebration. He will report to duty at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, dressed in his combat uniform and boots laced up his ankles, to inspect vehicles that enter the base and scout the grounds with his new dog, Rodi.

Other than what part of "illegal" people (including President Barack Obama) don't understand, what I find incredibly and utterly unbelievable regarding President Obama's exemption for illegal immigrants having served in the military is this: How is it that illegal immigrants are allowed to join our military in the first place? Could somebody please explain? If theU.S.

I attended and enjoyed Sunday's fabulous performance by theU.S. Navy's Blue Angels and other crack units of the American military in Baltimore. The weather was perfect, the crowd friendly, and the narration was, for the most part, as on target as the Navy jet. I was astonished, however, when the narrator interjected a gratuitous swipe at the Fourth Estate and non-military citizens in general. To the best of my recollection, the quote I refer to declaimed as follows: "It is the soldier, not the reporter, who stands for and protects our freedom.

Tyler Steinhardt doesn't remember the last time he slept. Monday, maybe. When he's finally able to shut his eyes, after his world-record 24-hour lacrosse game to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project is finally over at 9 a.m., Friday, he'll have more than sheep to count. One thousand players. An estimated 5,000 spectators. Forty thousand dollars raised? Done. What about 50-, 60-, 100 thousand? And then this number: One. The first steps taken in public by Sgt. Ryan Major since he lost both legs and several fingers to an IED in Iraq.

Howard "Bud" Ritter Jr., a retired Towson High School principal who had a second career as an antique toy and train dealer, died of dementia Monday at the Presbyterian Home of Maryland. The longtime Towson resident was 83. Born in Baltimore and raised in Rodgers Forge and in Stoneleigh, he was a 1946 graduate of Towson High School, where he played basketball and tennis. As a young man, he worked at the Bethlehem Steel Co. and as a Senator Theatre usher. Mr. Ritter enrolled at Towson State Teachers College.

The IRS and Maryland's comptroller are warning of a new scam that targets military personnel and retirees as well as civilian workers. The emails, which seem to come from the Defense Finance and Accounting Services, claim that recipients of disability compensation from the VA may be entitled to more money from the IRS. Not true. The email, which has a “.mil” domain, instructs recipients to send copies of their income tax returns, 1099-Rs, Retiree Account Statements, VA award letter to a colonel in Florida, officials say. With that kind of information, a con artist can steal an identity and wreak all sorts of havoc on a victim's finances.

News Roundup •••• CNN published an extensive and interesting piece about the genre of game commentary videos and its most popular producer, “SeaNanners.” I suppose it depends on the game, but it seems this whole “video games as a spectator sport” thing is gaining some traction. We did it, America. [ CNN ] •••• Domain registration clues have lead folks to discern that box office smash “The Avengers” will get a console tie-in game called “Battle for Earth.” With summer blockbuster tie-ins having a dodgy track record, let's hope this is more than just a platform-style runthrough of the film.