At a recent press conference in the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta reiterated that the United States Government is "doing everything possible" to free Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl who is a listed as a Prisoner Of War (POW) held by the Taliban.

The article also mentioned that "Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at the same press conference that he has met with members of the sergeant’s family in his office and has corresponded with family members several times."

You can learn more about this situation via Google News.

President Obama has awarded posthumously Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti, U.S. Army with the Medal of Honor.  His parents Janet and Paul Monti joined President Obama at the White House for the commemoration.

For more information please check out: official press release, DefenseLink, and Google News.

The August 2008 edition of the American Rifleman arrived today and there were a couple of resource items of potential interest for veterans and military folks:

"The History Of Sniping and Sharpshooting" by Major John L. Plaster, USAR (Ret) covers the history of snipers in six chronological parts, and reportedly includes not only American perspectives but also includes worldwide perspectives from France and Germany to name a few.

The National Combat History Archive offesr great historical combat footage in collections like: "Gun Camera 1944, Part1"; "Group Patton"; "Normandy Invasion", and "War In The Sky - World War II (WWI)" with prices starting at $10 plus S&H.

Oliver North has published a new book called  "American Heroes: In The Fight Against Radical Islam" that examines his perspective on the current war on global terrorism.

Boeing and other defense contractors are supporting a new project by author Andrew Carroll and the National Endowment of the Arts called "Operation Homecoming." 

This book tells the "moving personal stories" of those serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and at home in support of the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT).  It also includes perspectives of friends and family of those serving.

The Royal Oak Memorial Society is planning a re-dedication ceremony of Veteran's War Memorial that will include 26 new names based on some additional research by John Wendland. [detroit free press]

AP Wire is reporting that WWII US Navy veteran Roy Camero is finally getting his medals that he earned.  These include: "World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Honorable Service lapel pin, and an Honorable Discharge button."

Afghanistan veteran Craig Fitzgerald shares his stories of rehabilitation with WCAX. He is currently on a fund-raising tour for the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes to help raise funds those who return to the United States after service in Iraq or Afghanistan with serious injuries. [newsday]

The Bedford Bulletin has a very interesting and historical interview piece with retired Air Force Brigadier General Roger Smith.  During his service he was: launch officer for a Titan II missile; stationed with leadership positions at Whiteman Air Force Base; assigned to the North American Aerospace Defense Command center at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado, and part of the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) treaty negotiations with the Soviets during the 1980s.

Lastly, some notices on Veterans passing crossed the newswire:

• KCEN is reporting a sad story of a Vietnam Vet that was robbed and killed.  Amazingly Barney Goodman was able to crawl "8 to 9 hours" to a position that could be seen from the highway and he was able to describe his attackers before he died. [KLTV, Veterans For America]
• WWII and Korean War US Navy veteran Peter Bolcis died on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006.  He was extremely active in his community and in veteran organizations most of his life.  He served as motor machinist's mate on the submarine USS Bang in WWII, and the USS Yancey during the Korean War. [the morning journal]
• James Joseph Hill died on Aug. 28, 2006. He was a WWII USMC veteran that was attached to the 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion, and after WWII he became a U.S. Merchant Marine. [times community newspaper]