Anniversaries are opportunities to reflect on the past and on what it might mean for the future. Monday saw the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, even if Barack Obama could not find time to travel once again to Berlin to attend the commemoration there. And Wednesday was the 91st anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. ...more

November 14, 2009

With the implementation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill on Aug. 1, our country created a new generation of potential college students from our nation's active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members and veterans. We educators are thrilled about this advance, including those of us at Florida's private colleges and universities. ...more

November 11, 2009

Almost 10 years ago, the 21st century dawned with fear and expectancy. Warned of computer shutdowns when the clocked ticked to 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2000, some stockpiled emergency supplies in case the world needed rebooting. We were laughing at ourselves by noon, but mirth ended Sept. 11, 2001. ...more

November 6, 2009

The monster that can't be killed is a common theme in horror stories. It's easy to see the Taliban of Afghanistan that way, but the analogy is misleading. ...more

November 3, 2009

President Barack Obama is in the small town of Arcadia, where is delivering an energy policy speech at a solar power plant. ...more

October 27, 2009

It was two hours of moving patriotic songs, speeches and soliloquies during The Patriots Club of Sun City Center's first annual "A Tribute to the Heroes and Victims of Sept. 11, 2001" ceremony. Held from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 11 at Freedom Towers, about 200 guests attended the ceremony, highlighted by speeches from retired U.S. Army Col. Luther Lloyd of Odessa; Florida state Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon; Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham; and Patriots Club President Uta Kuhn. A letter of regret from U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus was read by the Master of Ceremonies, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Gordon Bassett, commander of the Sun City Center Military Order of the World Wars. ...more

September 23, 2009

Sept. 11, 2001, is a day that should never be forgotten. ...more

September 11, 2009

After the World Trade Centers fell on Sept. 11, 2001, "This changes everything," was an often repeated phrase. Eight years have passed. What changed, in your life, and for your country? Email Gary Pinnell at gpinnell@highlandstoday.com or call him at 863.386-5828 if you'd like to contribute to this story. ...more

September 10, 2009

First Lt. Joseph Helton has been identified as the airman who died Tuesday in Iraq. ...more

September 10, 2009

First Lt. Joseph Helton has been identified as the MacDill Air Force airman who died Tuesday in Iraq, the U.S. Department of Defense announced today. ...more

September 9, 2009