Horses for Heroes: Military veterans find healing and hope at Angleton ranch
Among the activities on site, the veterans learn about grooming the animals and guiding the horses with their voices. Sasha Camacho explained the skills developed at the stables can translate to success in the veteransโ personal and work lives as well.
Myanmar will start drafting 5,000 people a month into the military soon. Some think of fleeing
Myanmarโs military government says it will draft 60,000 young men and women yearly for military service under its newly activated conscription law, with call-ups beginning after the April festival marking the countryโs traditional New Year.
Facing setbacks against resistance forces, Myanmar's military government activates conscription law
Myanmarโs military government has for the first time activated a decade-old conscription law that makes young men and women subject to at least two years of military service if called up, effective immediately.
Texas National Guard disbanded intelligence wing after members used WhatsApp to spy on migrants
Four members of the unit working on Gov. Greg Abbottโs border mission have been punished after whistleblowers reported the surveillance operation violated long-standing rules against state-run spy operations.
Watch live: Notable women to be honored at Texas Women Veterans Day celebration at City Hall
Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs will celebrate Texas Women Veterans Day with notable honorees on the 75th Anniversary of the Womenโs Armed Services Integration Act Monday.
Man who impersonated US soldier, scammed 84-year-old man out of more than $13K sentenced to 3 years in prison
A 30-year-old Houston man has been sentenced to three years in federal prison after pretending to be a United States soldier and scamming several people out of money, according to U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Help US VETS fight homelessness among Houston-area veterans
In honor of Military Appreciation Month, KPRC 2 and our Community partners at Energy Transfer and Houston Christian University are proud to feature U.S.VETS โ Houston. Founded by veterans to serve veterans, the organization is on a mission to end veteran homelessness.
โWe just want parityโ: Military groups call on lawmakers to give Operation Lone Star troops death benefits
Law enforcement officers who serve on Operation Lone Star get a $500,000 death benefit for their survivors if they die on duty. But National Guard troops on the same mission donโt get a dime from the state for their families if they die.
An Afghan soldier fleeing the Taliban spent months reaching the U.S. to request asylum. He was arrested at the Texas border.
Abdul Wasi Safi was trying to reach his brother, who immigrated legally to Houston after helping the U.S. military. Legal experts say Wasi may have to serve a criminal sentence before he can pursue asylum.
Vanessa Guillenโs family seeks $35 million in the Army specialistโs 2020 wrongful death at Fort Hood
Armed with a new federal court ruling that allows a former Army colonel to pursue a sexual assault lawsuit, the family of Vanessa Guillรฉn has filed a wrongful death and assault case against the federal government.
In the Army, youโre more likely to be detained for drugs than sexual assault
A first-of-its-kind analysis reveals that, on average, Army soldiers had to face at least eight counts of sexual offenses before their commanders detained them ahead of trial as often as soldiers charged with drug or burglary crimes.
Governor Abbott announces $114.1 billion economic impact of military installations in Texas
Governor Greg Abbott announced Wednesday the results of a study completed by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts at the request of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC) analyzing the impact on the stateโs economy of the U.S. military installations within Texas.
Texas soldier who drowned trying to help migrants wasnโt equipped with flotation device
Spc. Bishop Evans died after jumping into the Rio Grande to save migrants. He and other members of Operation Lone Star were not provided safety equipment. Texas Military Department said an order for buoys and ropes was made but has not been fulfilled.
New Zealand won't engage Myanmar in largest free trade bloc
New Zealand says it will not deal with Myanmar under a major 15-nation trade agreement, the worldโs largest that took effect this year, citing the deadly violence and democratic setbacks in the Southeast Asian country after the military seized power.
Allen West blasts Gov. Greg Abbott over suicides, pay problems among National Guardsmen at the border
Abbottโs political challenger said guard members deployed to Operation Lone Star are facing late pay, being exposed to COVID-19, experiencing supply shortages and dealing with added stress that has led to multiple suicides tied to the mission.
A year after Vanessa Guillรฉnโs death, lawmakers and advocates call for Congress to pass military sexual assault reform bill
A federal bill was recently reintroduced, proposing sweeping changes to the way the military investigates sexual assault and harassment allegations. Texas lawmakers are urging Congress to make it law.
US soldier arrested in plot to blow up NYC 9/11 Memorial
The 20-year-old soldier, also known as Cole Gonzales, was with the Third Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Georgia, when he thought he was communicating with the Islamic State online about the terrorism plots, Biase said. They said he expressed his support for the Islamic State group and jihad on social media before he began communicating in October with an FBI employee who posed as an Islamic State group supporter in contact with the group's fighters in the Middle East. According to court papers, he expressed his frustration with the U.S. military and his desire to aid the Islamic State group. The criminal complaint said he then provided training and guidance to purported Islamic State fighters who were planning attacks, including advice about potential targets in New York City, including the 9/11 Memorial. This month, according to the complaint, Bridges sent a video of himself in body armor standing before an Islamic State flag, gesturing support.
Army leaders fighting distrust from soldiers at Fort Hood
FORT HOOD, Texas โ The skepticism in the rooms was palpable when U.S. Army leaders met with soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, in recent days, to check in on the embattled base, which has been stricken with violence and eroded morale over the past year. โI feel like leaders are just checking off boxes,โ one male soldier said Thursday, as Army Sgt. Grinston, along with other Army leaders, met with dozens of soldiers. โThe whole world is looking at Fort Hood, so they want to see you come here,โ one female soldier said. He said the soldiers he met with told him: โDonโt stop getting to know your soldiers.
House votes to override Trumpโs veto of defense bill
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)WASHINGTON โ The Democratic-controlled House voted overwhelmingly Monday to override President Donald Trumpโs veto of a defense policy bill, setting the stage for what would be the first veto override of his presidency. House members voted 322-87 to override the veto, well above the two-thirds needed to override. Trump rejected the defense bill last week, saying it failed to limit social media companies he claims were biased against him during his failed reelection campaign. The veto override was supported by 212 Democrats, 109 Republicans and an independent. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in a rare break with Trump, had urged passage of the defense bill despite Trumpโs veto threat.
Defense spending bill named after Texas congressman passes U.S. House despite Trumpโs veto threat
The National Defense Authorization Act is a massive annual bill that addresses spending within the armed forces and rarely encounters obstacles en route to passage. But this year, President Donald Trump threatened to veto the NDAA the day of the vote. โI hope House Republicans will vote against the very weak National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which I will VETO,โ Trump tweeted Tuesday morning. The billโs sponsor was Thornberryโs Democratic counterpart, House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith of Washington, who named the legislation the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act. โDoing it on the defense bill, airdropping it at the last minute, is not the right way.โSenior members in both chambers are warning the legislative delay could affect troopsโ pay in the new year.
These 3 things make all the difference for veterans returning to civilian life
But what happens when veterans return to civilian life? Here are three things that can help a veteran acclimate to civilian life. Access to workIt can be a process for a veteran to get acclimated back to civilian life. If you know someone who is struggling to find work, share this: They have access to free programs that are specifically structured for them. The Goodwill Houstonโs Veterans Employment and Training Services program provides free resume preparation, job training and interview skills.
Meet this Army captain, recently presented with Bronze Star Medal after deployment during pandemic
How familiar are you with what military members do, day in and day out? Of course, all military members deserve our recognition for voluntarily raising a hand and going to bat for our country and our freedom. (Provided by Maximillian Boudreaux)Amid the uncertain times that go hand in hand with a global pandemic, Woodbury was sent overseas. โThe mission is to help sustain logistics and maintenance support operations in Iraq -- more so to help the Iraqi Army sustain themselves,โ Woodbury said. It was the support of my team that enabled me to obtain that Bronze Star,โ Woodbury said.
Most of us can walk into a polling station and vote -- this is what itโs like for deployed military members
Itโs an issue that dates back to World War II: Making sure American servicemen and servicewomen have the ability to cast a vote in a presidential election, no matter where theyโre stationed. With the passage of the Soldier Voting Act of 1942, it was settled: Military members would be given easy access to vote. Moran, whoโs currently deployed in Poland, cast her first-ever absentee ballot for this yearโs election. Although voting is a common task for many Americans, for most soldiers, it is a very unorthodox method -- voting overseas, that is, but the process is quite simple. In the 2000 presidential election, Republican nominee George W. Bush relied on 537 ballots to tilt Florida in his direction.
Fort Hood: Regaining trust after string of homicides, assaults and suicides
KPRC 2 Investigates is looking into how Army leaders are trying to regain trust following a string of suicides, homicides and assaults. A new acting senior commander was appointed to Fort Hood and KPRC 2 investigator Robert Arnold conducted an exclusive sit-down interview with Maj. Gen. John Richardson. Not only is Richardson the new acting senior commander of Fort Hood, but heโs also the deputy commanding general of operations for III Corps. Every time they see a leader not enforce a standard, theyโre noting that.โMultiple investigations are underway into exactly why Fort Hood experienced 129 felonies a year over five years. At the end of September, Richardson shut down the corps at Fort Hood for five days.
Fort Hood: The Armyโs most dangerous post?
So far this year, nearly 30 service members connected to Fort Hood have died, including by homicide, suicide, accident and illness. Army leadership has admitted that Fort Hood has the worst rate of violent crime and incidents among its U.S. installations. Christopher Wayne SawyerSawyer, 29, was found unresponsive on March 5 in his residence on Fort Hood, according to a statement released by the post. Mejhor MortaMorta, 26, was found unresponsive July 17 in the vicinity of Stillhouse Hollow Lake, near Fort Hood. His body was discovered on Aug. 25 near railroad tracks in Temple, about 30 miles from Fort Hood.
4-star Army general meets with Vanessa Guillenโs family in Houston
HOUSTON โ KPRC 2 Investigates has learned four-star general John Murray visited with the Guillen family Tuesday at their southeast Houston home. Vanessa Guillen, 20 and a Houston native, was last seen at Fort Hood on April 22. READ: Vanessa Guillen timeline: These are the dates to know about her caseArmy officials named the main suspect in Guillenโs disappearance as Spc. READ: Soldierโs estranged wife charged in connection with Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillenโs disappearance, officials sayTuesdayโs meeting comes more than six months after Guillenโs disappearance and as several investigations are underway into numerous problems uncovered at Fort Hood, including Guillenโs murder. In August, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy visited Fort Hood and apologized for failing Guillen and her family.
Spc. Vanessa Guillenโs death ruled โin the line of dutyโ
HOUSTON โ The death of Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen has been ruled โin the line of dutyโ after a military investigation into the case, according to a statement issued by the Army on Tuesday. Investigators said an Army specialist and killed and dismembered Guillen. The specialist killed himself as officers moved in on him. Cecily Aguilar, 22, of Killeen, is accused of helping the specialist dispose of Guillenโs body in some nearby woods.
At least 9 Fort Hood soldiers found dead this year. Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus demands Congressional investigation
(TEXAS TRIBUNE) Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Elder Fernandes was found Tuesday in Temple, about 30 miles from the base, roughly a week after he was reported missing. In May, Fernandes reported he had been a victim of sexual assault. Army officials said Wednesday that an investigation determined the inquiry was unsubstantiated and that Fernandes was made aware of the results, according to The Washington Post. The circumstances surrounding Guilln's death sparked protests across major cities in Texas, with demonstrators calling on the military to reform its investigations into sexual assault allegations.
Family: Soldier believed dead was happy until recently
Elder Fernandes, 23, was found late Tuesday in Temple, according to local police. Natalie Khawam, who is representing the Fernandes family, said Army police told family members about the discovery late Tuesday night. Fort Hood officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. U.S. Army officials confirmed in a statement that Elder Fernandes reported an incident of abusive sexual contact and that investigation is ongoing. According to Isabel Fernandes, the family was told by Army officials that a different superior signed her nephew's hospital release.
9 Texas men, including 3 soldiers, charged in child sex ring case
KILLEEN, Texas (AP) Central Texas authorities say theyve cracked a child prostitution ring involving nine men, including three soldiers. Two Fort Hood soldiers and one from Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio are among the nine suspects netted in their investigation, Killeen police said. Seven suspects, including the Fort Hood soldiers, were arrested on felony child prostitution charges. The other two, including the Fort Sam Houston soldier, were charged with misdemeanor prostitution. Meantime, the planned transfer of the Fort Hood commander to Fort Bliss to assume command of a division has been postponed.
Honoring Vanessa: Public viewing at Chavez HS to begin at noon Friday
HOUSTON Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen will be remembered on Friday during a public memorial at Houstons Chavez High School, the same school she graduated from in 2018. A public viewing is scheduled to begin at noon followed by the rosary at 6 p.m.I just want the community to get together and honor who she was, said Ashley Macias, a friend of Vanessa who plans to attend the memorial. The two met at Chavez during soccer tryouts. Vanessa Guillen to be laid to rest in customized casket this weekendShe was actually always really positive, Macias said. The Guillen family believes she faced sexual harassment in the military and has called for a Congressional investigation.
Trial date set for Cecily Aguilar, woman charged in connection with Vanessa Guillens death
WACO, Texas The trial of a woman charged in connection with the death of Army Spc. Cecily Ann Aguilar, 22, was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence after she told authorities her estranged husband, Aaron Robinson, 20, asked her to help dispose of Guillens body. According to Aguilar, Robinson killed Guillen by striking her in the head with a hammer while on Ft. Court documents showed that Aguilar entered a not guilty plea and is set to appear before a judge on Sept. 28 following jury selection. The legal teams have until Sept. 14 to enter a plea bargain, and should a plea bargain be entered, re-arraignment held on Sept. 22, according to court documents.
Vanessa Guillens funeral, procession: Heres what you need to know about the 2 days of events honoring the fallen soldier
HOUSTON Vanessa Guillen will be laid to rest following a memorial service Friday and a caravan and a private funeral on Saturday. Guillens loved ones have shared the information on social media for those who want to participate in honoring the fallen soldier. FridayPublic events honoring Guillen start at 10:50 a.m. Friday, according to a schedule posted on social media. Friday will not be a day about justice or about our military reform, it will be about Vanessa Guillen. Friday will be the day of honoring, remembering, cheering, praying and respecting (the) beautiful life God gave her.SaturdayAt 5 p.m., there will be a caravan honoring Guillen ahead of a private funeral service and burial.
Fort Hood soldier drowns; 4th from base dead in months
BELTON, Texas โ U.S. Army officials said Tuesday that a Fort Hood soldier drowned at the same lake near the Texas base where another soldier's body was found last month. Fort Hood officials say they are cooperating with local authorities. Hernandezvargas is at least the fourth Fort Hood soldier whose body has been found in recent months. According to a federal complaint, the 20-year-old was bludgeoned to death at the base by a fellow Fort Hood soldier who later killed himself. Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy on July 10 ordered a review of the command climate at Fort Hood.
Houston-area Marine among 9 feared dead in sea-tank sinking
The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit announced on Sunday that the others, from California, Texas, Wisconsin and Oregon, are presumed dead." The Marine Corps commandant, Gen. David Berger, suspended waterborne operations of more than 800 amphibious assault vehicles across the branch until the cause of the accident is determined. In 2011, a Marine died when an amphibious assault vehicle in a training exercise sank offshore of the camp. Neighbor remembers Marine from Cypress presumed dead in training mishapBill Nink lived next door to Cpl. Last week, Nink was watching the news and saw there was a military training accident with an amphibious assault vehicle in southern California.
1 Marine dead, 2 injured, 8 missing after vehicle accident in California
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. A military seafaring assault vehicle that sank off the coast of Southern California is under hundreds feet of water, beyond the reach of divers and complicating rescue efforts for eight missing troops, officials said Friday. Troops on board two other amphibious assault vehicles responded quickly but could not stop the 26-ton vehicle from sinking, Osterman said. All of the Marines on the vehicle, which resembles a seafaring tank, were attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Thursday's accident marks the third time in recent years that Camp Pendleton Marines have been injured or died in amphibious assault vehicles during training exercises. And in 2011, a Marine died when an amphibious assault vehicle in a training exercise sank off the shores of Camp Pendleton.
LIVE: Vanessa Guillens mother meets with President Donald Trump
WASHINGTON The attorney for the family of murdered Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen joined Members of Congress and the Guillen family to demand justice by introducing the #IAmVanessaGuillen Bill. Guillens mother spoke before the march:If passed, the bill will allow active duty service members to file sexual harassment and assault claims to a third-party agency instead of their chain of command. When someone volunteers to serve our country, they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect by their fellow service members. This bill will help us provide the protection and respect to others that was denied to Vanessa.Guillens family is also scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump. Following the meeting, Khawam gave a news conference to talk about the bill.
Vanessa Guillen death a #MeToo moment for the military? Congresswomen continue to call for full investigation, change
HOUSTON โ Three congresswomen continued to call for a full investigation into the death of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen and changes to military culture in a news conference on Tuesday in Washington. This can never happen again.โGuillenโs death has been called a #MeToo moment for the military. The 20-year-old was bludgeoned to death at Fort Hood by a fellow soldier, investigators say. We know that at least one in four women veterans has experienced sexual harassment and assault. That is far, far too many, but I have to say that this statistic alone, it is staggering.
Federal agents, local streets: A 'red flag' in Oregon
President Donald Trump says he plans to send federal agents to other cities as well. The Chicago Tribune, citing anonymous sources, reported Monday that Trump planned to deploy 150 federal agents to Chicago. The ACLU of Oregon has sued in federal court over the agents presence in Portland, and the organizations Chicago branch said it would similarly oppose a federal presence. One prominent Republican, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who is from the libertarian-leaning flank of the party, came out publicly against the federal agents. "But the notion that a handful of federal crimes justifies a substantial deployment of federal law enforcement officers to show force on the streets is, to my mind, unprecedented.Federal law enforcement," Vladeck said, "is not a political prop.____Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/gflaccus
US, Canada and Mexico borders to stay closed for travelers
WASHINGTON The U.S., Canada and Mexico have agreed to keep their shared borders closed to non-essential traffic until at least late August because of COVID-19. Officials had said in recent days that another 30-day extension was likely before the expiration of the previous 30-day extension. The partial closure restricts crossing to commercial traffic, people returning to their home country and other travel deemed essential. The extension agreed to by the three countries would keep the border closed until Aug. 21. The border restrictions are intended to maintain the commercial cargo traffic that is vital to the economies of all three countries.
Vanessa Guillens family to have private meeting with President Trump, attorney says
HOUSTON The family of Houston-native Vanessa Guillen, the Fort Hood soldier whose remains were found near the Leon River months after she went missing, will meet with President Donald Trump. According to the familys attorney Natalie Khawam, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows contacted her to thank her for the work she has been doing for Guillens family. Meadows told Khawam that Trump invited her and the Guillen family for a private meeting with him, Khawam said. Guillen went missing from Fort Hood in April, and is believed to have been killed by another soldier. Click here to see more of Click2Houston.coms coverage of Vanessa Guillen.
Army: Independent probe to look into Fort Hood command after Vanessa Guillens death
Vanessa Guillen, who investigators say was bludgeoned to death at Fort Hood by a fellow soldier. That day, Robinson was identified as a person of concern based on information that he provided investigators during his interview, Army officials said. The Army says the gun Robinson used was not issued by Fort Hood, but it's unclear where he got it. Army officials said 52 agents from multiple military and civilian law enforcement agencies have conducted more than 300 interviews investigating Guillen's killing. That has lasted for more than 170 days, and Army officials say that has led to forensic examinations of more than 50 phones.