Veterans | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Veterans’ Category

USAA Unveils The National Military Monument, Honoring More Than 41 Million Americans Who Have Answered the Call to Serve Since the Revolutionary War

Sunday, August 9th, 2026

Immersive experience on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial invites every American to remember and honor generations of military service during the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration.

SAN ANTONIO, TX – July 27, 2026 – As Americans continue commemorating our nation’s 250thanniversary, The National Military Monument will open to the public on July 28, offering a one-of-a-kind tribute honoring more than 41 million Americans who have answered the call to serve across 250 years of our nation’s history. Located on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the monument invites visitors to reflect on the generations of Americans whose courage, sacrifice and commitment has shaped our country and safeguarded the freedoms we enjoy today.

Drawing from military and public records dating back to the Revolutionary War, the monument honors generations of Americans who answered the call to serve. Because no single historical record captures every individual who has served, the names displayed have been assembled from multiple trusted sources, such as National Public Records (Virginia Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem, National Parks Service, WWII Army Enlistment, Multiple POW Lists), Veteran Service Organizations and USAA Members who opted in.

“This monument is ultimately about people,” said Juan C. Andrade, President and CEO of USAA. “Every name represents someone who stepped away from family and chose something greater than themselves. Their service has protected the freedoms we enjoy today and shaped the nation we call home. We hope every person who walks through The National Military Monument leaves thinking about someone they know who served, reflecting on their sacrifice and carrying forward a deeper sense of gratitude.”

This monument brings tradition and technology together, its towering double-sided flags blend classic monument design with cutting-edge digital screens that illuminate the names of generations of military servicemembers. As visitors walk alongside the monument, the flags appear to gently wave in the wind, creating a powerful reminder that behind every stripe is a person, a family and a story of service.

Throughout the installation, interactive kiosks invite visitors to search for parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and loved ones who have served. For many, the experience will transform from simply viewing a monument into discovering a personal connection to America’s military story.

Beginning July 28, visitors can also search online, confirm loved ones are included and submit names that are not yet represented, allowing this living tribute to continue growing over time. Due to privacy protections and the availability of public records, some currently serving military members and veterans may not yet appear.

The National Military Monument opens to the public at 10:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, July 28, and admission is free. Visitors can learn more, search for names and submit additional records by visiting USAA.com/Monument250.

More than a monument, this installation stands as a national expression of gratitude and respect for the millions of Americans whose service has defined our country’s first 250 years and continues to safeguard its future.

Posted in History, Memorial, Press Release, Veterans | No Comments »

SIG SAUER Recognizes Medal of Honor Recipients with Commemorative Firearms

Thursday, July 9th, 2026

NEWINGTON, N.H., (July 9, 2026) – SIG SAUER, an industry-leading manufacturer of cutting-edge firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, and advanced concepts, recognized four Medal of Honor recipients for their sacrifice, service, and commitment and presented each soldier with a commemorative SIG SAUER pistol.

At the SIG SAUER Experience Center in Epping, N.H., Master Sergeant Earl D. Plumlee, Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia, Staff Sergeant Salvatore A. Giunta, and Staff Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts, received commemorative SIG SAUER M17 pistols. The SIG SAUER M17 and M18 are the official sidearms of America’s Armed Forces.

Master Sergeant Plumlee, Staff Sergeant Bellavia, Staff Sergeant Giunta, and Staff Sergeant Pitts were each awarded the Medal of Honor for their service during the War on Terrorism and for unique acts of bravery that risked their own lives to save and protect others. Their stories of extraordinary heroism can be viewed at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society website.

About the Commemorative SIG SAUER Pistol

The SIG SAUER Medal of Honor M17 pistol was designed from concept to production by SIG Custom Works, an exclusive program at SIG SAUER to engineer and build-your-own customized pistol. The Medal of Honor M17 pistol is hand-polished with a black chrome finish and features gold-plated controls.
The grip is American walnut sourced from Appalachia with high-grade figuring and with the Medal of Honor medallion featured on both sides. The sight plate is also engraved to match the Medal of Honor ribbon.
Each firearm has a unique engraving on the left side of the gun with each Medal of Honor recipient’s name and rank, as well as their rank earned at retirement.

In line with its mission to support the military, SIG SAUER has a strong history of recognizing U.S. servicemembers, including in 2019 presenting a commemorative SIG MK25 pistol to Medal of Honor recipient Command Master Chief Britt Slabinski and releasing a short documentary honoring his service. In 2025, the SIG SAUER Experience Center Museum hosted a tribute display for Medal of Honor recipient Captain Larry L. Taylor showcasing his heroic service in Vietnam. In 2026, SIG recognized the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary at the Pentagon with commemorative M17 pistols for the Secretary of the Army and Army leadership.

Posted in Advertiser, History, Press Release, Veterans | 2 Comments »

Former Soldier-Turned-Contractor Found Guilty of Stealing Over $1 Million of MREs in El Paso

Sunday, July 5th, 2026

EL PASO, Texas – A federal jury convicted a former U.S. Army civilian contractor in El Paso for stealing more than 200 pallets of Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MREs) valued at approximately $1,120,000, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons. The case is being prosecuted in support of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Joseph Lavar Davis, 47, was named along with three other co-defendants in a two-count indictment on Feb. 12, 2025, for conspiracy to commit theft of government property and a substantive count of theft of government property between Feb. 24, 2020, and Aug. 12, 2020.

On Aug. 12, 2020, FBI and Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division agents executed a search warrant at a civilian warehouse in El Paso, where they found about 100 pallets of MREs. The investigation revealed that the owner of the company using the warehouse was purchasing the MREs from individuals who had stolen them from Ft. Bliss.

Each of the indicted individuals played a role in the scheme, which involved a civilian contractor who knew how to request and pick up the MREs, a soldier to assist in picking up and transporting the MREs, an intermediary between the buyer of the MREs and these two individuals, and the civilian who sold the MREs online.

The investigation showed a scheme involving false paperwork to obtain MREs from Ft. Bliss, truck rentals to transport the MREs, coordination among the co-conspirators to pick up and deliver the MREs, communications and financial transactions between the co-conspirators.

While in the Army, Davis held a position in food service supply where he gained knowledge of the process to obtain MREs. Upon retirement, he was hired into a similar position as a civilian contractor and used that position to exploit the process and steal MREs from Ft. Bliss.

Davis created false requests, rented trucks to transport the MRE pallets, and picked up or arranged for others to pick up the MREs from Ft. Bliss. Davis also coordinated various individuals involved to obtain, deliver, and receive payment for the MREs. Davis both negotiated the sales price and received payment for the MREs.

“Joseph Davis betrayed the very country he once swore to protect in an effort to satisfy his own selfish ambition and a jury of his peers held him accountable for it,” said U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons. “Rooting out fraud that undermines our government and our military readiness is a priority of this administration. I want to thank our Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Lori Hughes and Mallory Rasmussen, as well as our support staff and law enforcement partners, for their excellent work in bringing this fraudster to justice. Their dedication resulted in a win for the Western District of Texas, a win for Justice, and a win for the American people.”

“This conviction should send a clear message the FBI and our law enforcement partners at the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division make it a priority to bring to justice those who resort to theft of government property for ill-gotten gain”, said Jarod Brown, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI El Paso Field Office. “We are stronger when we work together to seek justice and will continue to combat these issues through strong partnerships.”

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lori Hughes and Mallory Rasmussen are prosecuting the case.

From U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Texas

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (‘Fraud Division’). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Posted in Admin, Press Release, Veterans | 2 Comments »

TURBOVETS Names Medal of Honor Recipient and Navy SEAL MASTER Chief Britt Slabinski as President

Sunday, July 5th, 2026

Special Operations Leader to Champion AI-Powered Platform Transforming Veterans’ Benefits Access and Confronting the Veteran Suicide Crisis

DALLAS, July 1, 2026 — TurboVets, Inc., the AI-powered platform dedicated to automating and accelerating veterans’ full lifecycle benefits management, today announced the appointment of retired Command Master Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Britt Slabinski, Medal of Honor recipient, as President. Slabinski will lead the company’s operational strategy, veteran community partnerships, and engagement with the VA. This mission execution and leadership are critical as TurboVets scales its technology-driven approach and focus to surpass VA.gov in securing the benefits America’s veterans have earned.

Britt Slabinski stands among the most decorated figures in the history of U.S. Special Operations. On May 24, 2018, President Donald J. Trump presented him the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Takur Ghar on March 4, 2002 – one of the most intense engagements in modern special operations history. Under withering enemy fire on a snow-covered Afghan mountain at 10,000 feet, Slabinski led SEAL Team Six through a fourteen-hour firefight, made life-or-death decisions under impossible conditions, and demonstrated the kind of courage and leadership that defines the Special Operations community at its best.

Slabinski retired in June 2014 as Command Master Chief Petty Officer of U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command after more than 25 years of service – including nine overseas deployments and 15 combat deployments in direct support of the Global War on Terrorism. Few have served longer, harder, or at greater personal cost and sacrifice.

“The VA has failed veterans for generations. Not because veterans aren’t worthy – they are – but because the system was built to be complex, expensive, antiquated, and adversarial. People have died waiting. That is unacceptable, and it ends now. TurboVets was built to cut through every bureaucratic bottleneck standing between a veteran and the benefits they earned. Britt spent his career doing the hardest things imaginable alongside the best teams in the world – and earning their absolute trust in the process. That’s not a credential. That’s a calling. Paired with TurboVets’ technology and team, it becomes something this country has never seen: a real solution to veteran suicide and benefits management, led by people who will not quit until it’s solved.”

– Joseph Loomis, Founder & CEO, TurboVets

As President, Slabinski will direct TurboVets’ enterprise growth strategy, build and deepen relationships with veteran service organizations, and lead the company’s engagement with Congress, the VA, and U.S. Government stakeholders. Alongside the TurboVets’ leadership team, he will champion the company’s mission and drive accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs, which has proven to be a difficult relationship to formulate.

“For too long, veterans have had to fight a second war just to access the benefits they earned and were earned by the Department of Veterans Affairs,” said Slabinski. “After more than a year starting with TurboVets as an advisor, I saw firsthand that this team changes that equation. The technology this team has built cuts through the bureaucratic noise and puts veterans in a position to manage their benefits – faster, with better evidence and structure, and without the predatory middlemen or claim sharks who have exploited our community for years. That’s a mission I’m proud to lead.”

– Britt Slabinski, President, TurboVets

TurboVets was built to change history. By automating the benefits process end-to-end and eliminating the costly intermediaries who have long profited from veteran confusion – at the expense of both veterans and taxpayers – TurboVets puts veterans in control of their claims: faster, with stronger evidence, and, more importantly, free of charge.

Veterans kept their promise to America. It’s time for America to keep its promise to them.

The team behind TurboVets spent a decade deploying advanced cybersecurity automation through their former company, CyberSponse, across Fortune 500 enterprises and the highest levels of the U.S. Government – the NSA’s US CyberCommand, the Pentagon, the Department of Energy, and the U.S. Senate, to name a few. They know what it means to build mission-critical technology where failure is not an option. Now they’ve reassembled the team again with a new mission: fixing one of the most broken systems in America.

About TurboVets, Inc.
TurboVets automates the full veteran benefits journey – disability, education, vocational rehabilitation, healthcare, suicide prevention, and VA loans – serving veterans directly and through every state and accredited VSO partner in America. Currently in beta, TurboVets launches nationwide in Q3 2026 and is free of charge to unify the US on a single enterprise solution, with an enterprise team to make enterprise-level impacts. For more information, visit www.TurboVets.com.

Posted in Press Release, Veterans | 6 Comments »

The Big Book of PVT Murphy

Friday, June 26th, 2026

Mark Baker and I served together in the Army. You know him as the artist behind PVT Murphy. He has launched a Kickstarter for an omnibus edition of his cartoons, “The Big Book of PVT Murphy.”

www.kickstarter.com/projects/murphytoys/the-big-book-of-pvt-murphy

Posted in Veterans | No Comments »

Aiming For Zero Competitive Shooting Match Raises $30,000 to Help End Veteran Suicide

Tuesday, June 9th, 2026

SIG SAUER Charitable Foundation supports event with Academy resources and donations

NEWINGTON, N.H., (June 8, 2026) – SIG SAUER, an industry-leading manufacturer of cutting-edge firearms, optics, and ammunition, announced today the completion of the Aiming For Zero Charity Falling Steel Match, hosted at the SIG SAUER Academy in Epping, NH, and raising approximately $30,000 to help end veteran suicide. Held May 29 – 31, the competitive event brought together members of the military, law enforcement, and shooting community, all unified toward one cause and with proceeds supporting not-for-profits Ruck Up, Easter Seals NH Military and Veterans Campus, and the Travis Mills Foundation.

“The work being done by the SIG SAUER Charitable Foundation helps to strengthen the organizations and communities dedicated to serving those who have sacrificed so much for our nation,” said Chris Tessier, President at Aiming For Zero. “At Aiming For Zero, we believe that meaningful change happens when organizations come together with a shared commitment to service, connection, and community. Through the Foundation’s generosity, we are able to expand our efforts to combat veteran suicide, foster camaraderie, and build lasting support networks for veterans and their families. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and investment in the lives of those who have worn the uniform and continue to serve our communities every day.”

The SIG SAUER Charitable Foundation (SSCF) provided support and resources to Aiming For Zero for the event. Aiming For Zero’s mission is to eliminate veteran suicide by fostering a supportive network through competitive shooting events and proactive engagement with veterans and their families. In addition to providing premium firearms, optics, and ammunition to support the military’s mission, the SIG SAUER workforce is one-third veteran.

“The SIG SAUER Academy in Epping, New Hampshire, is proud to provide world-class firearms training, safety education, and professional development programs,” said Steven Gilcreast, Director of Strategy and Planning, SIG SAUER Academy. “Through the support of the SIG SAUER Charitable Foundation, we were honored to host Aiming For Zero and help create greater awareness to the critical issue of veteran and first responder suicide prevention. By bringing together veterans, community partners, and veterans service organizations, we are helping to strengthen support networks and ensure that those who have served know they are not alone.”

In addition to providing use of the SIG SAUER Academy range and on-site event support, SIG SAUER contributed firearms and product donations to support raffle prizes and fundraising efforts. Through the support of SSCF, the event also brought together local veteran service organizations to increase awareness, foster collaboration, and strengthen the network of resources available to veterans, first responders, and their families. The partnership with Aiming For Zero reflects the ongoing commitment by SIG SAUER to support organizations that make a meaningful impact in the communities they serve.

SSCF is a 501(c)3 organization. It focuses on firearms safety and training, hunting and conservation efforts, and the promotion of shooting sports, all supporting law enforcement, military personnel, first responders, and the public safety and shooting communities. More information on SSCF is available online. Additional information on Aiming For Zero is available at AimingForZero.org.

For more information on SIG SAUER, please visit sigsauer.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Fundraising, Press Release, Veterans | Comments Off on Aiming For Zero Competitive Shooting Match Raises $30,000 to Help End Veteran Suicide

New Veteran Education Initiative Launched In Houston As Many Eligible Borrowers Continue To Underutilize VA Home Loan Benefits

Sunday, June 7th, 2026

Program Offers Educational Consultations Focused on Home Financing Options Available to Veterans

HOUSTON, June 4, 2026 — New Era Lending today announced the launch of its New Era Hero Care Promise, a veteran-focused educational initiative designed to help current and former service members better understand available home financing options and benefits, including those offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The announcement comes as industry data continues to indicate that many eligible veterans have not utilized their VA home loan benefit. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 36 percent of eligible veterans had used their VA home loan benefit as of 2022, leaving a significant portion of the veteran population who may not fully understand the homeownership resources available to them.

Texas is home to one of the nation’s largest veteran populations, with hundreds of thousands of veterans residing throughout the Greater Houston region. Mortgage professionals and housing advocates note that misconceptions surrounding eligibility requirements, entitlement restoration, refinancing opportunities, and down payment requirements continue to create confusion for some prospective veteran homebuyers.

Through the New Era Hero Care Promise, veterans may schedule a complimentary educational consultation to discuss homeownership goals, review available mortgage programs, and receive information regarding potential eligibility for VA and other home financing options.

“Many veterans are familiar with the existence of VA home loans, but fewer understand how the program may apply to their individual circumstances,” said Omar Said, Chief Executive Officer of New Era Lending. “Questions surrounding eligibility, entitlement usage, refinancing opportunities, and other program features can often create uncertainty. We developed this initiative to provide veterans with access to information that may help them make more informed home financing decisions.”

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA-backed loans have helped millions of veterans and service members achieve homeownership since the program’s creation in 1944. Industry research has also shown that many veterans remain unaware that certain VA loan benefits may be reused under qualifying circumstances, while others mistakenly believe a down payment is required to access VA financing.

New Era Lending representatives say the educational consultations are intended to provide veterans with a clearer understanding of available mortgage options and the questions they may wish to consider when evaluating future homeownership decisions.

“Veterans have earned access to a unique set of home financing benefits through their service,” added Said. “Our objective is to help ensure they have access to accurate information and understand the resources that may be available to them.”

Veterans interested in learning more about the program may schedule a no-obligation consultation through New Era Lending’s Veteran Resource Center.

**This is not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to underwriting approval. New Era Lending LLC (NMLS 2424293) is not affiliated with nor endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the federal government.

Posted in Press Release, Veterans | Comments Off on New Veteran Education Initiative Launched In Houston As Many Eligible Borrowers Continue To Underutilize VA Home Loan Benefits

Air Force Veteran Launches Memor App to Digitize Cemetery Records and Honor the Fallen

Sunday, June 7th, 2026

New mobile app empowers families, veterans organizations, and cemetery managers to geo-locate gravesites and preserve the memories of loved ones — before they are lost forever

SCHENEVUS, N.Y., June 4, 2026 — Memor Cemetery Management, a mobile application designed to bring cemetery record-keeping into the digital age, is now available on iOS and Android. Founded by Jason Knapp, a 22-year United States Air Force veteran, Memor was born out of years of frustration placing Memorial Day flags using faded handwritten lists — and a growing urgency to preserve gravesites before deteriorating headstones make them unreadable forever.

From Handwritten Lists to GPS-Enabled Grave Records

For Jason Knapp, the problem was deeply personal. After two decades of Air Force service — during which he lost many friends and fellow servicemembers along the way — Knapp became active on a local cemetery board, a role he took to heart given his family’s roots in the death care profession. His father was both a funeral home director and a coroner.

Each Memorial Day, Knapp would head out to place flags on veterans’ graves, armed only with worn handwritten lists or decades-old typed records annotated in pen and pencil over the years. Without photographs or GPS coordinates for each grave, finding older gravesites became an increasingly difficult task.

“The stones were deteriorating year by year. I realized we needed to electronically catalogue them before they were lost forever,” said Knapp. Existing platforms like Find-a-Grave fell short of what he envisioned. So he built Memor.

What Memor Does

Memor is a simple, family-friendly app that allows individuals, businesses, and organizations to honor their loved ones by creating digital records of gravesites. Core features include:

Geo-location of gravesites – users can pin the exact GPS coordinates of a grave, making it easy to locate on any future visit.

Photo and documentation storage – capture gravesites with photographs while the stones are still legible, creating a permanent digital record.

Sharing and storytelling – families can share stories, moments, and pictures tied to a gravesite, preserving personal history alongside location data.

Growing accessibility – as more cemeteries adopt the platform, individuals gain easy digital access to their loved ones’ records.

Memor is built for families, veterans organizations, funeral homes, cemetery associations, and local historical organizations, anyone with a stake in preserving the lives of those who came before.

A Vision to Become a Household Name

Knapp envisions Memor growing beyond a management tool into a full-service platform for remembrance. “I’d like this to become a household name,” he said. “When someone wants to buy flowers and have them sent to the cemetery, they use Memor to do it.”

The app’s spring 2025 launch is well-timed. “It was a long winter, and half the country is just now able to feel spring and get outside again,” Knapp noted. “The season for visiting graves, placing flags, and honoring the people we’ve lost is just beginning.”

“We want Memor to be the place that everyone uses to honor, remember, tell stories, gather to celebrate, share pictures, and talk about their friends and family who have passed while digitally preserving their final resting place for all to share.”

— Jason Knapp, Founder, Memor Cemetery Management

Download Memor
Memor Cemetery Management is available now on:

iOS: apps.apple.com/us/app/memor-cemetery-management/id6756589530

Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.memor.binate

Posted in Memorial, Press Release, Veterans | Comments Off on Air Force Veteran Launches Memor App to Digitize Cemetery Records and Honor the Fallen