Latest news with #ArmyReserves
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Winder, Gary 1943-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.
Gary Winder, 81, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2025 in St. Joseph. He was born Nov. 24, 1943, in St. Joseph, son of Nadine Viola and Willard Winder. He graduated from Benton High School, class of 1962, and was in the Army Reserves. Gary worked at Boehringer Ingelheim in the Pharmaceutical Lab as a Supervisor. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Nancy Fredrickson; and a nephew, Steven E. Fredrickson. Survivors include brother, James (Connie) Winder, of Maine; nieces, Angie Giegerich, Tracy Kerner, and Stacey Skinsacos; nephews, Scott and Stephen Winder. Graveside funeral services and interment will be conducted on Friday, July 10, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Mount Auburn Cemetery. Memorials are requested to Juvenile Diabetes and an organization of donors choice. Online condolence and obituary at As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Mack and Stisher take charge of Decatur Police Department
Jun. 14—Growing up in Birmingham, new Decatur Police Chief Torry Mack and incoming Deputy Chief Eric Stisher were inspired by police officers who served their communities — and after two decades of doing the same, they find themselves in Decatur, eager to continue that mission. "That's the route; that's the foundation right there," Mack said on Friday. Mack was sworn in as the city's new chief June 2 and Stisher will begin his role Monday. But before these men made the decision to serve their local communities, they served their nation. Both enlisted in the U.S. Army at a young age and first met each other while they were stationed at Giessen, Germany, in the same unit. "I was field artillery and he was communications, but we were in the same battalion back in 1989," Mack said. Both men fought in the Gulf War. Mack, 55, served in the U.S. Army for 21 years and achieved the rank of master sergeant. He received the Kuwait Liberation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. "I just enjoy helping — I did it on a national level in the military," Mack said. "Once I got off active duty, I needed a job. It was going to be in public safety — firefighter or police, whoever called first. Police called first, and I hit the ground running." Stisher, 54, said after he completed his active-duty obligations in the military, he continued serving in the Army Reserves for 24 years and retired as a 1st sergeant. He said by serving in the military and as a police officer, he has accomplished both of his career goals. "Twenty-seven years of military and four combat tours and 27 and a half years with the police department," Stisher said. Mack on March 30 retired as a captain with the Birmingham Police Department after 30 years, where he most recently served as division manager of Special Operations overseeing tactical units such as SWAT, K-9, explosives, snipers and the Crime Suppression Unit, as well as specialized teams focused on enforcement, intelligence, crime reduction and reconnaissance. Stisher retired this year as a lieutenant with the same department, having started his law enforcement career as a corrections officer in 1995 before becoming a police officer in 1997. During their time in Birmingham, Mack and Stisher worked with youth to introduce them to law enforcement and spur interest in potential careers. Instilling a vision of positive policing in the minds of young people is something Mack believes will lead them to become officers one day. He looks forward to Decatur's Explorer program that is scheduled to kick off Monday. It's aimed at educating teenagers who are interested in law enforcement careers, and he lauded the success of the same program in Birmingham. "You wouldn't believe how many participated in our Explorer program that are now sworn officers," Mack said. "That's a good pipeline to a good job." Just as he was preparing to retire after a 30-year law enforcement career, Mack said a friend in Decatur contacted him about the open police chief position left vacant by former Chief Todd Pinion in March, following a third-party review of the Police Department. "I had no idea what was going on in Decatur and I had a friend tell me I should apply," Mack said. "He mentioned some issues that were going on and I was like, 'Why would I want to apply for that?'" In the early morning hours of Sept. 29, 2023, 39-year-old Steve Perkins was shot and killed in his front yard on Ryan Drive Southwest by former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette during a botched attempt to repossess Perkins' truck. Since then, local grassroots organizations like Standing in Power and numerous individuals supporting the Perkins' family have led demonstrations demanding accountability from the Police Department. The Police Department came under scrutiny again April 15 when Decatur resident John Scott Jr., 41, was arrested by police while experiencing an apparent mental health crisis. Scott resisted officers and was tased twice and wrestled to the ground and taken into custody. After an hour in the Morgan County Jail, Scott suffered a medical episode and was taken to Decatur Morgan Hospital and later to Huntsville Hospital where he died a week later. Mack said his friend kept pushing him to apply for the job and he finally did. After watching news reports about Decatur, Mack said he knew he made the right choice. "I said, 'OK, maybe I could be the change agent that is needed,'" Mack said. "I heard about the Perkins incident and other things. The third-party review said it was lacking communication and lacking leadership. I thought that I could bridge the gap between the community and police officers. I know I can be that leader to move this department forward." Stisher said he was sitting at home watching TV when he got the call from his long-time colleague to join him in Decatur as his deputy chief. The position was created Monday by the City Council on a 4-0 vote after Mack requested it. "He said he wouldn't do it unless I came with him and I said, 'I hear you.'" Stisher said. "I'm in, because everywhere he has gone as a leader in Birmingham, he's asked me to come with him. We've done great things together in Birmingham." Stisher said after a brief conversation with his wife about the new job, he was quickly back on the phone with Mack to accept the job. "After that, I started paying attention to the City Council meetings and started reading news and pulling up news clips on social media and I felt like we could truly make a change," Stisher said. Mack said both the Perkins and Marquette families are suffering. "Any time a life is taken, it's sad," he said. He said the Perkins family lost a husband, a father and a brother — "That's a sad occasion." As for Marquette, Mack said the former officer has been impacted as well. "He is not the same since this happened," Mack said. "He's not the husband his wife married prior to this incident. There are no winners in this situation. Prayer on both sides will get them through it." Mack said he spoke with Paulette Tennison Sanders on Monday, the mother of Scott. He plans on providing more mental health training for his officers and will work with mental health liaison Kate Anderson on the direction of the training. "We're going to discuss how to enhance what we've got," Mack said. Mack addressed the frustration of people protesting Decatur police and said it all boils down to transparency and communication, something he aims to perfect during his tenure as chief. "Their perception possibly could have been not caring and not hearing from the leaders in the Police Department and not being informed," Mack said. "I think that's what they are upset about. I guess we turned a deaf ear to it." He said he has spoken with the Decatur police command staff and the members of Standing in Power and said both sides yearn for dialogue with one another. He plans to bring both to the table soon to sort things out. "We're not going to discuss the case or anything that happened yesterday," Mack said. "We're going to talk about where we are today and how we can move forward. That's a start. We need to be intentional. If we want to continue to live like this, then let's not talk. But the people that are suffering are the citizens of Decatur. It's no closure for the loved ones on both ends." — or 256-340-2442.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Anti-ICE protester wearing Army fatigues in video isn't active duty
Claim: A video clip authentically shows an active duty U.S. military member defying deployment orders by participating in anti-immigration enforcement protests in Dallas, Texas, in June 2025. Rating: Context: The Department of Defense Rapid Response X account said the woman seen in the Dallas video served in the U.S. Army from November 2010 to August 2014 and in the Army Reserves from August 2014 to June 2020. In other words, she wasn't on active duty in June 2025. On June 11, 2025, BreakThrough News, an independent news website based in New York City, posted a video (archived) showing a woman wearing Army fatigues at an anti-immigration enforcement protest in Dallas, Texas, on June 9, 2025. (X user @BTnewsroom) BreakThrough News said the video showed a "military member" speaking out against U.S. President Donald Trump's deployment of troops to Los Angeles. The woman in the video said: We are not pawns for Donald Trump's agenda. Why now? It's because the military was called upon innocent protesters. We, in our oath to serve, we serve the people of the United States, the Constitution. These constitutional rights are being stripped and just denied, and the military will not be pawns to that. So I'm calling upon the conscience of military members who served previously and now. We have a conscience, we have a mind, and we have a duty and moral obligation to say no and resist evil. The video had more than 5 million views at the time of this writing. Claims started circulating online on X (archived), Facebook (archived), Threads (archived) and Instagram (archived) that the woman in the video was an active duty U.S. soldier or Marine and had defied orders by participating in the anti-immigration enforcement protest in Dallas. However, according (archived) to the Department of Defense (DOD) Rapid Response X account, the woman in the video was not an active duty soldier. Carmen Colado served in the U.S. Army from November 2010 to August 2014 and in the Army Reserves from August 2014 to June 2020, according to the DoD. Colado described herself as a "U.S. Army veteran" and a "Former military intelligence analyst" on her Instagram page. The DOD Rapid Response account said of Colado that: "She does not speak for nor reflect the U.S. Army." Therefore, we rate this video claim as miscaptioned. We reached out to the U.S. Army Public Affairs to ask whether it had or would contact Colado about her appearance in the video while wearing an Army uniform and whether the appearance broke any army rules that might apply to retired service members and await a reply. Colado, who said her mother immigrated to the U.S. from Honduras in the 1990s, became a filmmaker, director and writer after leaving the Army. Social media users speculated that Colado had broken military rules by appearing and speaking at the protest while wearing an Army uniform (archived) (archived) (archived). According to "DOD Instruction 1334.01 Wearing of the uniform," former service members may wear their uniform during specified activities or occasions. The directive did not list protests as a specified activity. The directive also said that retired service members must not wear their uniform "during or in connection with furthering political activities, private employment, or commercial interests, when an inference of official sponsorship by DoD or the Military Service concerned for the activity or interest may be drawn." Likewise, "Directive 1344.10 on Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces" says that members not on active duty "should avoid inferences that their political activities imply or appear to imply official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement." @BTnewsroom. "BREAKING: After Trump Deployed Marines to LA, This Military Member Joined an Anti-ICE Protest in Dallas, Declaring, 'We Won't Be Pawns in Stripping Away Constitutional Rights.'." X, 11 June 2025, "Carmen Colado." Instagram, "Carmen Colado | Art Department, Director, Writer." IMDb, Accessed 12 June 2025. @DODResponse. "Correction: This Individual Served in the U.S. Army from November 2010 to August 2014 and Was Then in the Army Reserves from August 2014 to June 2020." X, 11 June 2025, Penrod, Virginia S. DOD INSTRUCTION 1334.01 WEARING OF THE UNIFORM. U.S. Department of Defense, 13 July 2021, Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces . U.S. Department of Defense, 19 Feb. 2008, Quezada, Chelsea. "Empowering Dreams: A Year Later with Mitú x Walmart's Filmmaker Mentorship Program Alumni Carmen Colado and Ernest Govea." Mitú, 26 Feb. 2024,
ABC News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Anti-corruption watchdog boss Paul Brereton's defence links spark concerns
The federal anti-corruption commissioner's ongoing role in the Army Reserves has drawn a fresh round of criticism amid concerns he continues to regularly attend military functions in full uniform, including camouflage. While the NACC investigates allegations of corruption in the Australian Defence Force, its head, Paul Brereton, holds the rank of major general in the Army Reserve and has attended at least seven functions in uniform since being appointed the inaugural commissioner of the federal watchdog. A NACC spokesperson told the ABC Mr Brereton's decision to occasionally wear military dress "out of hours" is appropriate and "does not compromise" the commissioner's ability to expose misconduct in defence. While there's no suggestion of wrongdoing on Mr Brereton's part, crossbench senators and members of parliament say details of his attendance at military functions have strengthened their concerns about his ability to manage perceptions of conflict-of-interest issues involving the ADF. Photo shows A close shot of Brereton, who is sitting in the offices of the new national anti--corruption commission The head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission continues to hold senior roles in the Army Reserves six months after a misconduct finding was made against him. "Confidence in the commissioner's capacity to fulfil his function in the NACC would be enhanced, in my view, if Commissioner Brereton fully retired from his roles in defence," Independent MP Helen Haines said. NACC officials told a budget estimates hearing last month that Mr Brereton's position in the reserves was honorary, "not in the command structure", and "akin to an emeritus professor". But several questions — such as whether he was continuing to wear uniform or had access to military facilities — were taken on notice. Transparency expert Geoffrey Watson SC has told the ABC even symbolic ties such as wearing uniform can raise perception concerns, particularly in roles involving oversight. In March, "The commissioner has appropriately remained involved in decision making and deliberations where the matter does not involve the interests of an individual or unit with whom he has or has had a close association," a NACC spokesperson said at the time. Brereton's military ties spark impartiality questions Photos publicly posted on the official Facebook pages of the NSW regiments of which Mr Brereton is aligned, have prompted several crossbenchers to ramp up their calls for the commissioner to step aside from his defence positions. On August 18, 2024, Mr Brereton was pictured wearing what is known as "cams" or camouflage uniform while delivering a presentation at the 2024 Regimental Weekend in the nation's capital. The rank of major general is visible on his arm and the screen behind him indicates the seminar is about generating war fighting capabilities. In photos posted to the Royal New South Wales Regiment Facebook page on March 1 of this year, Mr Brereton was pictured as a guest of honour at a dinner in Sydney wearing what is known as "senior mess dress" according to the Army Dress Manual. Paul Brereton pictured at an event in March 2025. ( Supplied: Facebook ) Another photo posted on the 23rd August 2024, seen by the ABC, showed Mr Brereton wearing the same uniform alongside the NSW Governor Margaret Beazley in Canberra. Both events marked the Royal New South Wales Regiment's involvement in Sudan in 1885. Mr Brereton remains an honorary colonel in this unit. On November 27, 2024, Mr Brereton appeared in the same dress uniform delivering a speech during the dinner at the Battalion Ball and Leadership weekend in Canberra. The previous year, on November 30, 2023, Mr Brereton was pictured wearing what is known as "pollies" or polyester 'general duty dress', in which he is seen putting new rank slides on an officer's shoulder. The army's official dress manual says this uniform is "more appropriate in the office environment" and "not to be worn" during ceremonial events or representational appointments. At different events in September 2023 and August 2023, Mr Brereton was also photographed as a special guest at army reserves events. The NACC came into effect in July of that year. Brereton appears in polyester general duty dress putting new rank slides on an officer. ( Supplied: Facebook ) A NACC spokesperson confirmed Mr Brereton continues to participate in events as an honorary colonel commandant of the Royal New South Wales Regiment and University of New South Wales Regiment. "He occasionally, on weekends or holidays or out-of-hours, visits and participates in ceremonial and regimental activities in that capacity, and appropriately wears uniform when doing so in accordance with that ceremonial function," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the role doesn't compromise the commissioner's full-time commitment to the NACC, nor his ability to investigate and expose misconduct in defence impartially and independently. Mr Brereton, a former NSW Supreme Court Judge, was a major general in the reserves when he was appointed by the inspector general of the ADF to inquire into allegations of war crimes in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. His report published in 2020 that found credible information that war crimes had occurred was a landmark decision and prompted the establishment of an office of special investigations to examine specific alleged crimes. Calls intensify for Brereton to step aside from Reserves In October last year, Mr Brereton was found by NACC inspector Gail Furness to have mishandled a conflict of interest by failing to fully recuse himself from deliberations on whether to investigate six officials implicated in the unlawful Robodebt scheme, despite disclosing a close connection to one of those involved. The watchdog inspector subsequently examined the NACC's handling of the referral and its decision not to pursue an investigation into the public servants. Paul Brereton at an event in November 2024. ( Supplied: Facebook ) While the inspector found no evidence of deliberate misconduct by Mr Brereton, it noted that, although he had delegated the final decision, his involvement in the discussions remained "comprehensive." Following this review, the NACC has since opted to investigate the six individuals initially referred to the body, reversing its earlier decision. Asked how Mr Brereton handles any issues related to his service in the Army Reserve, a NACC spokesperson said if any perceived or actual conflicts arise relating to "an individual or unit with whom he has served or had a close association … he declares the conflict, delegates the matter to a deputy commissioner, and does not participate in deliberations". Senators David Pocock, Jacqui Lambie and David Shoebridge – already unhappy with the way the government set up the NACC, choosing not to hold public hearings except in extraordinary circumstances – have ramped up their criticisms of Mr Brereton. "On that broader issue of the credibility of the NACC, a lot has to change and I think that's got to start with some leadership at the top," Senator Pocock said. Independent Senator David Pocock says it's time for Paul Brereton to go. ( Australian Story: Matt Roberts ) Senator Lambie said the situation was unsatisfactory and a blight on the government. "Paul Brereton is running around in uniform — not just in mess dress but camouflage uniform," she said. "He's playing major general and he's playing in charge of the NACC — this is absolutely ridiculous. The Labor party knew this from day one." Documents released under a freedom of information request reveal Mr Brereton spoke for 30 minutes on the first day of a two-day Defence Integrity Conference at the Australian Defence Force Academy on November 12 last year. Paul Brereton at an event in September 2023. ( Supplied: Facebook ) Budget estimates also heard Mr Brereton took two days of annual leave to give a talk at an ADF facility in the Blue Mountains earlier this year with the watchdog's CEO taking questions on notice about whether Mr Brereton wore a defence uniform to that event. Integrity expert Geoffrey Watson told the ABC Mr Brereton should not have anything to do with probes regarding allegations of corruption in the Department of Defence. "It's time for Mr Brereton to address the obvious. He should resign from the military and stand aside from any investigation involving defence," he said. Geoffrey Watson says Paul Brereton must "address the obvious" and "step aside". ( ABC News: Sissy Reyes ) Broader debate over NACC credibility continues As the watchdog nears its second birthday on July 1, NACC representatives told a Senate estimates hearing that none of the seven inquiries it had completed by the commission — nor the 33 ongoing investigations — have been deemed worthy of a public hearing. Greens Senator David Shoebridge sought clarification from the integrity watchdog at the March budget estimates session about why none had reached that threshold: "So there are 40. Zero out of 40 were found to have exceptional circumstances?" he asked. To which Philip Reed, NACC chief executive, responded: "That's correct." Independent crossbenchers have previously told the ABC they will push to make the integrity watchdog more transparent and hold more public hearings in the event of a hung parliament after the May 3 election. They contend the Albanese government was elected on the promise of delivering a transparent anti-corruption body with teeth and instead created a body that operates almost entirely in secret. With the federal poll due on May 3, independent crossbenchers have told the ABC they will push whoever forms government to unwind legislation so that the body is compelled to hold more public hearings. "We are likely not to see any public hearings. We need to undo that. We need to listen to our community and our experts and I think that's a job for the next parliament," Senator Pocock said. Paul Brereton at an event in September 2023. ( Supplied: Facebook ) The Department of Defence refused to answer the ABC's questions about Mr Brereton's involvement in the reserves, saying: "the personal information of an ADF member can only be released with the consent of the individual". They are yet to confirm whether he continues to have access to army messes or had taken an oath of service that requires obedience with orders and directions.
7NEWS
24-04-2025
- General
- 7NEWS
Channel 7 sports presenter Mark Beretta pays respect to Anzacs with special tribute
Beloved Channel 7 sports presenter Mark Beretta has paid tribute to the Anzacs with a passionate and stirring message. As a member of the Army Reserves, Beretta has a special connection to the day. And the Sunrise star says Anzac Day stirs up something inside of him that brings him to tears. 'Every year at the Anzac Parade I shed tears,' Beretta told News Corp. 'I look at those faces, their medals, the banners they march under, and what they represent. I try to look into their eyes and imagine their stories, the things they've seen, the impact of their experiences, and the mates they remember, and raise a glass to on this day. 'Anzac Day means so many things – service, duty, courage, initiative, bravery, teamwork and not letting your mates down. It's so Australian. I feel it deep down and I want to thank them. 'Only those who serve and have served know the responsibility they take on, and the commitment they make to their fellow Australians to stand by them and stand up for them. 'It's a completely unselfish agreement to be prepared to fight for your country, your mates, and your neighbours. It's to protect what we have, and in the extreme case, to be at peace with the fact that it may cost your life. 'I've been honoured to get to know many amazing, but humble Australians who have committed to that pledge and followed through courageously. 'I have also been to too many veterans' funerals. Those who came back with wounds we couldn't see. I especially think of them on Anzac Day. 'I hope on Anzac Day all Australians feel respect for our veterans and serving members. I hope we can in a small way — on this one day of the year — express our gratitude. Lest we forget.'
