Author: Braxton Taylor

Several justices on the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday questioned the financial implications of ruling in favor of plaintiffs in a case that would expand retroactive disability payments to retired service members who receive combat-related disability compensation from the Defense Department.While listening to arguments, both liberal and conservative justices peppered retired Marine Cpl. Simon Soto’s attorney on whether an interpretation of the law would affect time limits of other military compensation programs or result in millions of dollars owed to other claimants.The case, Soto v. United States, represents an estimated 9,000 medically retired service members who say the Defense Department…

U.S. Air Force Capt. Anthony Simone was the co-pilot of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter on June 9, 2010. Deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand Province with the 66th Rescue Squadron, he was on a rescue mission to pick up wounded British soldiers when his helicopter was shot down. He was one of two survivors of the resulting crash, but he suffered a traumatic brain injury. Simone had to relearn how to talk and walk.For a long time, his movement was restricted to a wheelchair or scooter. His wife was pushing him in that wheelchair one day when they saw the Zeen,…

The 1863 Battle of Fort Wagner was a fairly inconsequential battle of the Civil War in terms of overall tactics and strategy. The Union Army needed to capture the rebel-held fort as part of its overall plan to cut Charleston, South Carolina, off from the rest of the Confederacy. Union forces made multiple frontal assaults, all of which were abject failures. In the end, federal troops would have to lay siege to Fort Wagner with continuous shelling to force the Confederates out.What stood out for both Union soldiers and American civilians was the performance of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment,…

“My Dead Friend Zoe” — a film that underscores the importance of talking about traumatic experiences as a way to process pain — brings together an ensemble cast, strong direction, and heartfelt storytelling to shed light on what life is like for many veterans.The film is a powerful story of coming to terms with trauma, marked by excellent performances, touching dramatic moments, and well-placed humor. Director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, who co-wrote the film, served in the U.S. Army in Iraq and draws on those experiences to weave a tale of camaraderie, grief and resilience.”My Dead Friend Zoe” marks Hausmann-Stokes’ major directorial…

When someone says, “Take care of yourself,” what do you think they mean? It is a common, literal expression used when saying goodbye. It generally means to be well, make good choices and stay safe while traveling. Having been in the fitness business for decades, I interpret it as making healthy choices regarding exercise, nutritious foods, sleep and stress relief — and so should you.Taking care of yourself means mastering these important self-care activities to improve how we handle stress, exercise, sleep, eat and breathe properly. Stress is our biggest battle when it comes to taking care of ourselves, and…

Long-time western author Dan Flores presents a big picture history of an American West you’ve never encountered. Covering a vast time span in a western America whose landscapes and wild animals drew people from around the world, this podcast tells a new story of our most fascinating region. Read the full article here

Premier Body Armor has just announced its expansion of the Level III A protective lightweight ballistic-panel line, in collaboration with Vertx. These panels are designed to fit inside of Vertx’s latest backpack products from the new Siege Collection including the Vertx Siege Slong and Siege Pack. Premier Body Armor’s newest Vertx-compatible ballistic panels are rated to protect the wearer from common handgun rounds up to .44 Mag. These panels’ advanced Level IIIA construction are designed to integrate with items in the Siege collection in a seamless manner to remain out of the wearer’s way. Premier Body Armor manufactures its ballistic…

It began with one used golf club, sent to a British military pilot detained in a German POW camp during World War II. Arriving in a Red Cross parcel but with no balls to hit, Sydney Smith had to get creative.Carving a small chunk of wood until it was mostly round, Smith wrapped the wood in wool and cotton and stitched a covering to hold it in place. Once it was completed, he placed his handmade ball on the ground, grabbed his iron club and swung.That simple act caught the attention of another POW, Pat Ward-Thomas, and soon several other…

Summer is the perfect time for bowhunters to sharpen their skills and ensure they’re ready when hunting season arrives. While shooting a few arrows at a backyard target is better than nothing, structured drills can dramatically improve accuracy, consistency, and confidence.This past summer, after diving into the saddle-hunting craze, I found myself perched fifteen feet up in one of our backyard trees. The best way to get comfortable with a new elevated hunting setup was to practice in the yard. As I sat in the saddle, it occurred to me that I should also shoot my bow from this position.…

Kimber, Mfg. Inc. is expanding the lineup of its new double-stack 1911 pistol, the Kimber 2K11, to include variants that can be purchased in restrictive states such as Vermont, New York, Maryland, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Connecticut and Delaware. These new state-compliant models, which are based on the Kimber 2K11 Stainless model, will ship with three 10-round magazines. The Kimber 2K11 is Kimber’s response to the surging trend of modern single-action-only guns that look and work like the original 1911. Kimber currently offers 2K11 models chambered for either .45 ACP or 9mm, and shooters can have their…