In December we asked our Congressional delegation to ponder whether the war in Afghanistan is worth the price we’re paying. That was just after the death of 24-year-old Pvt. Buddy W. McLain of Peru, the latest of more than 50 Mainers to die during the past decade in Iraq and Afghanistan. After 10 years of […]
Afghanistan
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Transportation Company returns home from Afghanistan
AUGUSTA — For 173 Maine soldiers, Tuesday’s formation at the front of the Augusta Armory was another rock-star moment. The crowd behind the rope line whooped and hollered when the soldiers walked in. Moms stood on tiptoes. Dads waved. Kids held signs aloft, stretching to be seen by the figures in the tan battle uniforms. […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine guard troops return from Afghanistan
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine National Guard troops returning from Afghanistan have been given a welcome-home ceremony in Augusta. Guard officials say 173 soldiers from the 1136th Transportation Company arrived late Tuesday morning at the State Armory, where Gov. Paul LePage was among the hundreds to greet them. Also among the greeters was Bev Morrison […]
Posted inOur View
Gates warns cadets against large land wars
We have fought five wars in Asia since World War II, and you would think we would have learned a few things. Like, don’t. With the U.S. still engaged in its longest war in history, and with no apparent end in sight, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates used an address to cadets at West Point […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Snowe pushes for answers on soldiers’ deaths
PERU — U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe is calling for a federal review of Afghan security forces in the wake of the ambush killings of a Maine man and five other soldiers on Nov. 29. Pfc. Buddy McLain, 24, of Peru and fellow servicemen in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division were killed by an Afghan […]
Posted inConnections
Briefly
AL ships boxes LISBON FALLS — Nelson-Conley Post 66, American Legion, recently shipped eight large boxes of Christmas gifts to two platoons in Afghanistan, four to each platoon. A total of 30 individual gift bags per platoon had a value of more than $900, all but $50 coming from individual monetary donations from post members. […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, River Valley, The Franklin Journal
Questions raised in soldier’s death under Army review
RUMFORD — Some of the Army’s top brass are promising to keep the family of Buddy McLain updated as the Pentagon investigates the details surrounding the deaths of McLain and five other soldiers in late November. McLain’s body was buried after a military funeral Saturday. In a letter to U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe and to […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Franklin, The Franklin Journal
Christmas gifts to be sent to soldiers in Afghanistan
LIVERMORE FALLS – Boxes of goods are being packed. Handmade Christmas cards are being stuffed. Envelopes being addressed. They will all be heading to Afghanistan soon to brighten Christmas Day for soldiers. Lorraine Cushing of Livermore Falls was in the midst of packing items on Wednesday that will be sent to her daughter, Jerrica Richards, […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills, River Valley, The Franklin Journal
Donations being taken for family of fallen soldier
MEXICO — Buddy and Chelsea McLain have had strong ties to the local vocational school. Buddy was in the diversified occupations class instructed by Norm Jamison, and Chelsea received her high school diploma through the Region 9 adult education program. So it only made sense that the school is serving as a drop-off/collection point for […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Nation / World, River Valley
Snowe seeks probe in death of soldier
U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe has some questions about the death of Army Pvt. Buddy McLain, who was killed Monday in Afghanistan. In a letter made public Thursday, Snowe asked Army Secretary John McHugh for a full investigation of the circumstances surrounding McLain’s death. Part of the probe is expected to focus on things McLain may […]