Veterans

WASHINGTON -- The nation's 26 million military veterans -- 541,000 of them in Maryland -- are fighting a new battle, this time to defend their health and benefit programs against attack by Republican congressional budget-cutters.It is an uphill campaign in a penny-pinched era when almost all federal programs are under assault and a dwindling corps of legislators on Capitol Hill have military experience -- a traditional cornerstone of support for veterans.The proposed cuts would freeze all construction and modernization of facilities for veterans, and make medical treatment more difficult to obtain and more expensive for some veterans.

WASHINGTON -- In an effort to repair a health-care system on the verge of collapse, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown is proposing sweeping changes that would enable the agency to raise money, improve its medical facilities and extend treatment to millions of vets who now are shut out.The nationwide network of 680 veterans hospitals, community clinics and other health facilities has suffered from decades of meager financing, inadequate staffing, lax...

This month is National Hospital Volunteer Month in Maryland veterans hospitals.The state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary president are encouraging community members to contact their local veterans hospital volunteer services.The Yingling-Ridgely Post 7472 Ladies Auxiliary and Junior Girls Unit of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Ellicott City visited the Baltimore VA Medical Center Tuesday, and gave books, popcorn, soda and Valentine's cards to the veterans.

Marine veteran Larry Kimble knows what it is like to adjust to civilian life, so when his boss at the Maryland Transit Administration asked for ways to get more former military personnel involved in the department, he came up with an idea that could soon be replicated across the nation. The MTA holds numerous training classes for its employees, teaching them how to do everything from filling in a spreadsheet in Excel to repairing the brakes on a subway car. Slots in those classes often go empty, so, Kimble asked, why not offer them to veterans?

Nine veterans returned for the Baltimore Bays as they opened training camp yesterday for the second indoor season in the U.S. Interregional Soccer League.The returning veterans include two members of the 1994 league all-star team -- defender Mark Mettrick and midfielder Billy Ronson.Other returning players are midfielders Joe Layfield and Eric Spalt; forwards Eric Riedlbauer, Roberto Ascenzi and David Parravano; and defenders Joe Barger and Steve Nichols.The team's practices, which are open to the public, will be held Mondays at 9 p.m. at Du Burns Arena and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. at Myers Pavilion.

There is a sense of urgency among the 2006 Ravens. It has been there since Day One of training camp. You don't hear about it, but you can feel it. The Ravens have gathered some of the game's best talent at certain positions, but a lot of them are on the downside of their careers. And that raises a major question for the remainder of the season: Can the Ravens get enough out of these veterans to make a serious push for the playoffs? That's what the sense of urgency is all about. They know there is this season, and maybe one more, for a serious run by veterans such as linebacker Ray Lewis, running back Jamal Lewis, offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, quarterback Steve McNair, cornerback Samari Rolle, defensive end Trevor Pryce and receiver Derrick Mason.

Military veterans applying for work with Harford County will have 5 percent or 10 percent added to their test scores under a preference law passed by the County Council.The measure, which was suggested by the county's Commission on Veterans Affairs, was approved last week by a 6-0 vote, with District A Councilwoman Susan B. Heselton absent.George Mitchell, a veteran of the Korea and Vietnam wars who heads the county's veterans commission, said the new law will bring Harford into line with the state and federal governments' hiring practices.

MEET VETERANS from modern wars and "veterans" of the Civil War when the Manchester Historical Center pays tribute Sunday to local fighting men.The center, at 3208 York St., is a museum of local history staffed by volunteers. It will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with a program honoring military veterans at 2 p.m.Pitching tents on the grounds of Manchester Elementary School will be the 29th Division, Pennsylvania, under the direction of Walt Bosman of Westminster.Gen. Robert E. Lee will be played by Art Twigg of Sykesville.

When Herbert D. Greff recalls the Persian Gulf War, two emotions rattle his soul.First, he is bitter because U.S. soldiers were restricted in their military actions against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Second, he is disgusted because the mission against Iraq was not completed -- President Hussein and his forces still control the nation."And I'm mad because now we might have to remotivate our soldiers to go back over there. We did a lousy job there the first time. We didn't complete our mission," said Mr. Greff, who served in Vietnam.

Calvin Arthur Backus, a retired stationary engineer and volunteer in veterans' affairs, died Thursday of kidney failure at Knollwood Manor in Millersville. He was 70.A longtime resident of Odenton, Mr. Backus retired in 1988 as a power engineer for the Anne Arundel County Board of Education. He worked at all the county's public schools during his 23 years of service, said his daughter, Margaret Bovat of Severn.He was a former president of the Maryland Chapter No. 14 of the National Association of Power Engineers.