The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument will mark its groundbreaking by paying special honor to the 3,417 Texans who died in the Vietnam War. Read on for a full description of all events.

March 24, 2013
• 08:30 – 5:30 Reading of the Names at the LBJ Presidential Library. Open to the public.

Rand Paul Holds The Floor For 13 Hours Over Drones
By Harold Hutchison

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) took to the Senate floor in an old-school filibuster that lasted for over 13 hours in protestation of the Obama Administration’s policies on the use of UAVs to target American citizens in the United States. UAV strikes have been a major aspect of the Obama Administration’s counter-terror strategy.

Video by U.S. Coast Guard District 9

Video by U.S. Navy

VMR-1 Chopper Carries Out Search-and-Rescue
By Harold Hutchison

Marine with VMR-1 carried out a search-and-rescue mission on President’s Day, saving three children. The Marines used a HH-46E Sea Knight for the mission. The mission was a first for most of the six-member crew.

“When I got the call that we were needed to assist a search and rescue mission, I was about to take my dog for a walk,” Hospital Corpsman Third Class John H. Nelson said.

Maryland Gun Law May Wreck Supply Chain for M9 Pistol
By Harold Hutchison

The gun-grabbing legislation that Maryland governor Martin O’Malley is supporting could be bad news for the troops due to a provision in the law. Should it become law, the legislation could prevent Beretta from assembling the M9 pistol in their factory in Accokeek.

According to a report by the Washington Times, the proposed law would prohibit anyone from receiving a magazine that holds more than ten rounds. Beretta’s M9, a version of the Model 92, has a standard magazine capacity of 15 rounds.

Videos by U.S. Coast Guard District 11 Public Affairs Detachment

Videos by Camp Atterbury Public Affairs

Soldier Accused of Handing Documents to Wikileaks
By Harold Hutchison

Bradley Manning, the Army enlisted man accused of handing hundreds of documents to the site Wikileaks.org, plead not guilty to charges of aiding the enemy. Manning did admit to ten of the 22 charges.

Manning faces 20 years in prison for the charges he admitted to. He faces life in prison if he is convicted on the charges of aiding the enemy. The secrets exposed by WikiLeaks beginning in 2010 stunned diplomats across the globe and outraged officials. Many said that the leaks endangered lives.