Navy hosts grand opening of Child Development Center tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. - This facility is the first of two Navy Child Development Centers funded by the First 5 Commission of San Diego, which supports early childhood development for children ages newborn through five years-old in San Diego County. "We know that 90 percent of a child's brain develops in the first 5 years of life, and a child's experiences, relationships and environment play a critical role in his or her development," said Nick Macchione, Director of the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. According to Naval Base Coronado Commanding Officer Captain Yancy Lindsey, "This is the first Child Development Center at Naval Air Station North Island after nearly seven years without any of these Centers. Navy child and youth programs are among the highest quality in the nation." The Child Development Center has the capacity for 112 children and includes site development for play areas, new parking, drop-off areas and service entrance. The facility has also been designed to accommodate a future expansion capable of caring for approximately 300 children. For more information contact Naval Air Station North Island at 619-437-7953. House Committee on VA Ranking Member Steve Buyer (R-IN) introduces bill to help ailing veterans - 'Recently, a number of Army National Guardsmen, including soldiers from my home state of Indiana as well as Oregon, West Virginia, South Carolina and individual augmentees from other states were notified by VA that they were possibly exposed to toxins during their service in Iraq. These brave men and women were tasked with guarding the Qarmat Ali water treatment facility and in doing so were exposed to a toxic chemical known as sodium dichromate. Health problems associated with such exposure include respiratory issues, skin lesions, burns, increased rates of lung cancer, and other disorders. Some of the Qarmat Ali veterans who separated from service following their deployment in 2003 may no longer be eligible to enroll in VA health care. As a result, they must first file a claim and seek a service-connected disability rating before gaining access to the comprehensive medical care VA provides. H.R. 6127 would correct this unintended gap in services by extending the enrollment eligibility period for Qarmat Ali veterans by five years from the date of notification. This would allow them to immediately begin receiving services at VA medical facilities. Appropriate preventative care can substantially improve health outcomes and the quality of life for our honored heroes.'
Seven Iraqis killed in a village near Falluja - American and Iraqi security forces raided the house of a suspected insurgent leader early Wednesday morning, officials said. Four of the dead were brothers between the ages of 10 and 18, according to Iraqi police and residents of the area. The U.S. military said in an e-mail on Wednesday afternoon that the Iraqi military had 'planned and led' the 'joint counter-terrorism' operation. In addition to the four brothers who were killed, police officials said that a man who had been a colonel in the Iraqi Army under Saddam Hussein had also died. The police officials said they believed that the man might have been the original target of the raid. Local residents described a scene of chaos and fear as American soldiers and Iraqi security officers moved through the area in the darkness. They accused the Iraqis of firing indiscriminately, often at people who represented no threat. The raid underscored the continuing presence of American service members in security operations, even after the United States declared an official end to combat on Aug. 31. Marine veteran exposed to toxins hoping for help - When John Sullivan joined the Marine Corps after high school, he probably didn't consider drinking water as one the dangers he might face in the military.But that's just what Sullivan blames for the rash of health problems he and his children have experienced during the past two decades. Sullivan is one of thousands of former Marines who claim their health problems are caused by contaminated well water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. As many as a million people between 1957 and 1987 were exposed to toxins from leaking fuel tanks at the base. Now federal lawmakers might step up assistance to those veterans and their families. Legislation called the Janey Ensminger Act would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide health care to veterans and their family members who have health problems resulting from well water at the base. "If they can get it passed, you would see me jumping for joy," said John Sullivan's wife, Eileen. The Department of Veterans Affairs did not respond Tuesday to a call and e-mail seeking comment for this story.
