SEBRING — As the economy is tanking, more people seem to want to ride a tank… at least with the Army National Guard. A local recruiter for the Army National Guard estimated Tuesday that he has seen a 10-percent increase in the number of people calling or coming to his office to sign up. He believed the economy was a factor in the increase, even though he also credited a more "aggressive marketing technique" over the Internet for the added interest. ...more

July 4, 2008

A new Army history of the service's performance in Iraq immediately after the fall of Saddam Hussein faults military and civilian leaders for their planning for the war's aftermath, and it suggests that the Pentagon's current way of using troops is breaking the Army National Guard and Army Reserve. ...more

June 30, 2008

Bobby Hodges could enjoy his Sterling Hills house for a few days. That is no small reward for a man about to embark on his second consecutive tour of duty. ...more

June 15, 2008

Bobby Hodges could enjoy his Sterling Hills house for a few days. ...more

June 14, 2008

AVON PARK — The area known as the triangle in Avon Park officially became a location of pride and reverence Monday morning with the dedication of the Southside Veterans Garden. "This has been a project that we have been working on for approximately two years," said Southside CRA Chairwoman Shirley Johnson. "We are so proud to be opening and dedicating this garden today to all the men and women that serve in the armed forces." ...more

May 27, 2008

SEBRING — Ed Graff feels a great sense of serenity after walking through the labyrinth prayer garden at Atonement Lutheran Church. "You walk through the maze and pray as you go, and it's a very moving experience," Graff said. "Your problems just seem to melt away in there." A few weeks ago the prayer garden was an idea on a sheet of paper and now it is nearly finished and awaiting dedication. ...more

May 12, 2008

Here's a chance for veterans to put a face on the often faceless bureaucracy. ...more

February 1, 2008

The U.S. military isn't ready for a catastrophic attack on the country, and National Guard forces don't have the equipment or training they need for the job, according to a report. ...more

February 1, 2008

An independent commission's 400-page report concludes that the nation "does not have sufficient trained, ready forces available" to respond to a chemical, biological or nuclear weapons incident, "an appalling gap that places the nation and its citizens at greater risk." ...more

February 1, 2008

Here's a chance for veterans to put a face on the often faceless bureaucracy. ...more

January 31, 2008