Military

Coast Guard continues search for missing Canadian sailor

Kathy.Adams — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:06:22 -0500

PORTSMOUTH

The Coast Guard continued searching for a missing Canadian sailor today.

The sailor, 67-year-old Hubert Marcoux, was scheduled to arrive in Bermuda by Monday, but never arrived, according to a news release from the Coast Guard's Portsmouth office. He was sailing his 45-foot boat, the Mon Pays, there from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He left Nov. 9.

Cole-attack suspect may face fresh charges

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:39:03 -0500

WASHINGTON Military prosecutors said Friday they plan to seek new charges against the alleged mastermind of the 2000 bombing of the destroyer Cole. The announcement follows Attorney General Eric Holder's decision a week ago to place Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, a Saudi of Yemeni descent, among 10 high-profile detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who will face justice in the United States.

His handiwork is a holiday tradition in Portsmouth

Cindy.Clayton — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:04:43 -0500

PORTSMOUTH These days, Warren Swain has to admire his heavenly creation from afar. When relatives are in town during the holiday season, the retired sheet-metal worker drives them to downtown Norfolk and points to the giant, lighted star atop Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. "I say, 'See that? I built that,' " the 66-year-old said, beaming with pride.

Disabled veterans miss out on contracts, GAO finds

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:01:25 -0500

A federal program set up to steer $4 billion in government contracts to businesses owned by disabled military veterans has allowed more than $90 million in contracts to be fraudulently obtained by ineligible companies, according a report released Thursday.

Donations needed for wreaths for veterans cemetary

Andrew.Tran — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:40:45 -0500

Tidewater Tidal WAVES Unit 152 is raising money to buy and place Christmas wreaths on each gravesite at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk. Checks can be made to the Wreath Society and mailed to SunTrust Bank, 123 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434. For information, call (757) 539-6311.

Toy donation for military families set up at Dollar Tree

Andrew.Tran — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:39:45 -0500

Operation Homefront Hampton Roads is collecting toys donated at local Dollar Tree stores for military families in need this holiday season. Last year, volunteers collected more than 210,000 toys, said Carol Berg, the chapter's executive director, in a news release. This year, requests for emergency financial help have risen by 35 percent.

Postal service offers info on sending packages overseas

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:36:53 -0500

The U.S. Postal Service expects to handle more than 30 million pounds of holiday mail for service members overseas this year, and it's offering tips to friends and family for making sure mail arrives on time.

Army limits media access at Palin event at Fort Bragg

Patrick.Wilson — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:24:04 -0500

By Mike Baker

RALEIGH, N.C. The U.S. Army will allow the media limited coverage of Sarah Palin's appearance at Fort Bragg, but will bar reporters from interviewing her or her supporters on the post, officials said Thursday.

Plan in works to free 'ghost fleet' ship moved by storm

Patrick.Wilson — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:58:08 -0500

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY The Coast Guard continued to work on a plan to move a decommissioned Navy ship that broke free of its moorings during last week's nor'easter and ran aground in Isle of Wight County. The 700-foot-long Monongahela, a fleet oiler, poses no threat of pollution, Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Scott McBride said Thursday.

Fort Monroe group requests national park status

PilotonPolitics — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:45:05 -0500

HAMPTON The group that will manage Fort Monroe after the Army leaves voted Thursday to try to have certain sections of the post designated a unit of the National Park Service.