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At 31 years old, Sergeant First Class Thomas Payne walked into a burning prison while enemy fighters were shooting at hi...
06/17/2026

At 31 years old, Sergeant First Class Thomas Payne walked into a burning prison while enemy fighters were shooting at him from every direction.

On October 22, 2015, during a nighttime raid near Hawija, Iraq, Payne helped lead one of the most dangerous hostage rescue missions of the war against ISIS. As flames spread through a building packed with prisoners, time was running out.

Most soldiers would have stayed outside.

Payne charged inside.

Again and again, he entered the burning structure under heavy enemy fire, cutting through multiple locks while smoke and heat filled the building. Each trip could have been his last.

Because of his actions, 75 hostages were freed from certain death.

Even after being ordered to evacuate, Payne went back inside one final time to ensure no one was left behind.

For his extraordinary courage, he received the Medal of Honor—the first living Medal of Honor recipient from the Global War on Terror.

Some heroes fight the enemy.

Thomas Payne ran through fire to save strangers.








Former Marine Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews, who was gravely injured, losing an arm and a leg in a su***de attack at Hamid K...
06/16/2026

Former Marine Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews, who was gravely injured, losing an arm and a leg in a su***de attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, becomes emotional as he recounts his story.

Tyler was a Marine sniper during the 2021 Kabul evacuation at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan. His sniper team reportedly identified a suspicious ISIS-K su***de bomber in the crowd and asked for permission to engage, but according to Tyler's testimony, approval never came.

Minutes later, the bomber detonated himself. The su***de blast that followed killed 13 U.S. service members and at least 170 Afghans.

He survived, but the explosion changed his life forever.

Reports say he lost his right arm and left leg, and that he had already gone through 29 surgeries in the aftermath: he looks like a young warrior, but his story carries the weight of a national disaster.

Service. Commitment. Excellence. These values are more than words; they are demonstrated every day by Florida State Guar...
06/16/2026

Service. Commitment. Excellence.

These values are more than words; they are demonstrated every day by Florida State Guard members who answer the call whenever and wherever they are needed.

Crisis Response Battalion (CRB)’s Major William Pickett and Sgt. Major Craig Campbell were recently recognized for their exceptional contributions to the Florida State Guard. Major Picket received the Certificate for Outstanding Service for his unmatched operational participation, consistently answering the call and demonstrating remarkable readiness, reliability, and dedication to mission success. Sgt. Major Campbell was awarded the Executive Director’s Leadership Award for exemplifying the Florida State Guard’s core values through outstanding leadership, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Together, their service, professionalism, and dedication reflect the highest standards of the organization and the mission we proudly serve.

Please join us in congratulating Major Pickett and Sergeant Major Campbell on these well-deserved recognitions. Their service reflects the very best of the Florida State Guard and serves as an example for all who wear the uniform.

Army Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Blankenbecler, 40, of Alexandria, Va.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artil...
06/16/2026

Army Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Blankenbecler, 40, of Alexandria, Va.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas; killed while riding in a convoy that was hit by an improvised explosive device and rocket-propelled grenades on Oct. 1, 2003 in Samarra, Iraq while Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom.

James was born in Arlington, Va., and attended the old Groveton High School in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County. He was interested in sports and played quarterback on the varsity football team.

James joined the Army in 1983 and his career included service in Operation Desert Storm and at Fort Belvoir in the Army Personnel Command.

“After graduation, he didn’t really know what he wanted to do,” said his mother, Joanne Blankenbecler, “and in January 1983, he joined the Army, where he thrived. It was always his dream to be a command sergeant major, and he reached his dream,”

CSM Blankenbecler is survived by his wife, Linne and their three children.

May we never forget the Service and the Sacrifice of Army Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Blankenbecler.








ProjectRollCall.org

3 Marines found dead in vehicle at North Carolina gas station died of carbon monoxide poisoningThe Marines were identifi...
06/16/2026

3 Marines found dead in vehicle at North Carolina gas station died of carbon monoxide poisoning
The Marines were identified as Lance Cpl. Tanner J. Kaltenberg, 19; Lance Cpl. Merax C. Dockery, 23; and Lance Cpl. Ivan R. Garcia, 23.

🇺🇸🎆 THE BIGGEST 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN TT'S HISTORY! 🎆🇺🇸This Independence Day, we're pulling out all the stops for a...
06/16/2026

🇺🇸🎆 THE BIGGEST 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN TT'S HISTORY! 🎆🇺🇸

This Independence Day, we're pulling out all the stops for an unforgettable day on Charlotte Harbor!

Join us Friday, July 4th at TT's Tiki Bar as we celebrate America with live music, incredible food, family fun, and what promises to be **Punta Gorda's Largest Firework Show Ever!** 💥

🎯 **Dunk Tank Benefiting the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County**
Starting at 1PM, take your shot and help support a great local cause! 🐾

🌭 **Hot Dogs From Across the USA**
Sample regional favorites inspired by some of America's most iconic hot dog destinations.

🎶 **Live Music All Day**
🎤 Hell on Heels | 3PM - 7PM
🎸 The Outsiderz | 7:30PM - 11PM

🍹 Tropical cocktails
🍺 Ice-cold beer
🌴 Waterfront views
🎇 Spectacular fireworks
🇺🇸 American pride

Whether you're bringing the family, meeting up with friends, or looking for the ultimate place to celebrate the holiday, TT's is where you want to be on July 4th.

📍 TT's Tiki Bar
📅 Friday, July 4th
⏰ Festivities Begin at 1PM

👇 Tell us in the comments:
What's your favorite 4th of July tradition?

UPDATE: The US Air Force has confirmed that all eight people aboard the B-52 Stratofortress that crashed at Edwards Air ...
06/16/2026

UPDATE: The US Air Force has confirmed that all eight people aboard the B-52 Stratofortress that crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday were killed, the deadliest crash involving the bomber in more than 40 years.

The aircraft went down on a routine test mission shortly after takeoff, at 11:20 a.m. local time. At an afternoon news conference, Col. James Hayes, deputy commander of the 412th Test Wing, told reporters, "We lost eight great Americans." The base had said earlier that initial indications were the crash was not survivable.

Those on board were a mix of uniformed military personnel, government civilians, and contractors supporting the flight. Boeing confirmed two of its employees were among the dead, saying it is in contact with their families and offering support. The names of those lost have not yet been released; officials said they will be made public 24 hours after the families have been notified.

The Air Force confirmed the aircraft was B-52H tail number 60-0061, a jet with a notable place in the bomber's future. In December 2025, it became the first B-52 to receive the new AESA radar as part of the Air Force's modernization program, and it was supporting that radar testing when it crashed. That program is part of a broad effort to keep the B-52 flying into the 2050s.

It is the deadliest B-52 accident since 1982, when nine crew members died near Sacramento, and the first loss of a B-52 since 2016. The cause of Monday's crash is under investigation.

Eight people went to work on a test flight and did not come home. Our thoughts are with their families, their colleagues, and the entire Edwards community.

BREAKING: Eight crew members are believed dead after a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff ...
06/16/2026

BREAKING: Eight crew members are believed dead after a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California, on Monday.

The bomber went down on the Edwards airfield around 11:20 a.m. Pacific time while carrying eight people on a routine test mission. In a statement, the base said initial indications are that the crash was not survivable.

“Emergency crews immediately responded to the scene and the situation is ongoing,” Edwards Air Force Base said. Aerial footage showed a large plume of black smoke and a blackened scar across the desert floor, with little of the aircraft recognizable in the wreckage.

The airfield has been closed, all inbound aircraft diverted, and non-commercial visitor passes suspended while crews focus on emergency response.

Edwards is the Air Force’s premier flight-test center, and B-52s stationed there are used heavily for developmental and modernization work rather than operational missions. The aircraft is one of 76 B-52s remaining in the fleet, a nuclear-capable bomber that first entered service in the 1950s and is slated to keep flying into the 2050s under a multibillion-dollar modernization program.

Officials have not yet released the names of those on board. Please keep the Edwards community in your thoughts as more information becomes available.

We will update this story as it develops.

Veterans, this Saturday don't the Veteran Resource Fair at the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall hosted by Warrior Wellnes...
06/16/2026

Veterans, this Saturday don't the Veteran Resource Fair at the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall hosted by Warrior Wellness Veteran Solutions and DAV Chapter 82.

Confirmed to be there:
Keller Williams Coastal Living, Summer Daniel
SBG Insurance Group, James Aloysius Ahearn
Retire Proof, Sara Kocareli
Short Stop Printing, Klevis Koçareli
Rally Point USA, James Hemingway
Nic and Colton Podcast
North Port Art Center, Gale West
Empath Health/Tidewell, Chris Parent
Canopy Mortgage, Ray George
Operation Warrior Resolution, Hunter Desenti
Breathe Acupuncture, Kim Marino
Florida Veteran Cleaning, Christy Piper
Archwell Health, Gail McGee
Student Veterans of America, Julia Gallo
ActivAge, Melissa
Beautiful Poison Tattoo, Mae Kuncaitis
Lotus Shadow
Right At Home, Dawn
Southwest Florida Honor Flight
Franz Ross Park YMCA, Thea
Rhino Gym, Ryan Farnham
Marine Corps League, Shelley
The Long Walk Home, Ron Zaleski
Heart, Body, and Mind, Sandra Ahlbrand
Veteran Mobile, Will Rogers
DAV Chapter 82, Ashley Abbott
Project Pinky Tribute Tiles, Terry Bernstein-Weiner

If you or another veteran experience foot, ankle, knee, hip, or back pain, don’t overlook the importance of proper footw...
06/16/2026

If you or another veteran experience foot, ankle, knee, hip, or back pain, don’t overlook the importance of proper footwear. The VA may be able to provide a free pair of athletic shoes to eligible veterans to help improve comfort, mobility, and reduce stress on your joints.

Talk with your VA healthcare provider to see if you qualify. If approved, your provider will place the order, and you’ll be able to choose from several well-known brands at no cost.

Sometimes the right pair of shoes can make a meaningful difference in reducing pain and helping you stay active. If you think you may qualify, it’s worth asking your VA care team.

Please see the attachment for more information and the process to obtain footwear from the VA.

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Port Charlotte, FL

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