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US ambassador: US-Japan pact critical for peace
U.S. Ambassador John Roos defended U.S. troop levels in Japan Friday, saying their presence is essential for maintaining peace and prosperity in the region, and stressed the importance of a key Marine base whose delayed relocation has frayed bilateral relations.
In a speech at Tokyo's Waseda University, Roos reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan security pact, now in its 50th year, under which nearly 50,000 American troops are stationed in Japan. He called them "front-line forces" in case of emergencies or regional security threats.
"Our alliance is the critical stabilizing force in this area of the world," he said, highlighting China's military modernization and North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.
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North Korea resumes firing artillery amid tension
North Korea fired more artillery near its disputed western sea border with South Korea on Thursday, a day after it lobbed dozens of shells during military exercises that prompted the South to respond with warning shots.
North Korea fired several artillery shells early Thursday that are believed to have landed in its waters, an official at Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity citing department policy, said South Korea did not respond but was closely watching the North's maneuvers.
The poorly marked sea border - drawn by the American-led U.N. Command at the end of the Korean War - is a constant source of tension between the two Koreas. Their navies fought a skirmish in November that left one North Korean sailor dead and three others wounded, and engaged in bloodier battles in the area in 1999 and 2002.
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SKorean marines storm beach in war games with US
More than 800 U.S., Thai and South Korean marines stormed a beach in Thailand on Thursday with Seoul joining the annual joint war games for the first time.
The three-week Cobra Gold exercise sends a message that the United States will have a continued presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and the military is one aspect of that presence, said Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, Commander of the U.S. Army, Pacific.
The core exercise, being held for the 29th time, will focus on peacekeeping operations and humanitarian and disaster responses.
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NKorea, SKorea exchange fire near disputed border
North Korea fired artillery and South Korea responded with warning shots along their disputed western sea border Wednesday, but there were no reports of casualties and the North vowed more barrages would follow as part of a military drill.
North Korea fired about 30 artillery rounds into the sea from its coast and the South immediately responded with 100 shots from a marine base on an island near the sea border, an officer at the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said.
He said no casualties or damage were immediately reported, and that the North's artillery fire landed in its own waters while the South fired into the air. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because of department policy.
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US troops killed in Afghanistan and Africa
Marine Cpl. Jamie R. Lowe
Jamie R. Lowe's parents wanted their son's funeral to be upbeat and patriotic, just like he was, so they asked people to show up in blue jeans and played lively music.
Jeff Milner, who was Lowe's best friend at Cisne High School in Cisne, Ill., before he graduated in 2007, told mourners being a Marine was all Lowe had wanted.
I am in complete concurrence with Bob Breshears [Sept. 18] pertaining to the Sept. 15, 1950, landing of allied troops at Inchon Harbor, South Korea, although "The Day of Infamy" is usually considered to be Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor.
There were many Marines from Fresno, and its close environs, that participated in the action at Inchon. Company B Marine Corps Reserve had many of its members in that assault, which included Marines from the other 48 states.
Several of the young men were awarded medals for gallantry in action against enemy forces, including the Silver Star (Sgt. Michael Flores), Bronze Star (Cpl. Ray Cruz) and numerous Purple Hearts which are bestowed on servicemen who are wounded by enemy forces.
The pain and suffering of the many young men who served in Korea was not in vain. South Korea is now a free and prosperous nation that is very grateful for our involvement in their crisis.
Robert Ortega
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