The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is home to a new Varian Trilogy linear accelerator, considered one of the most versatile cancer treatment devices available in the field of radiation therapy.

Awarded 3 Green Globes by Green Building Initiative™

“The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is pleased to accept the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts,” said Adam C. Walmus, MEDVAMC director. "Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while also lowering our energy costs and saving taxpayer dollars.”

Area schools participated in various Veterans Day activities this week.

Orangefield Junior High Students honored area veterans with a breakfast and memorial service.  Students invited veterans to the event, sponsored by O.J.H. Student Council and the Social Studies Department.

American Legion Post 250 presents a Blue Star Banner, double Blue Star to Leonard Sterling in honor of having two members of his family on active duty.

As veterans start the new academic year, the leader of The American Legion said he is happy to see that they will be able to enjoy the benefits of the new GI Bill.  

“August 1st will be a proud day for us,” said David K. Rehbein, national commander of the nation’s largest veterans service organization.  “That’s when the educational benefits in the Post -9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act take effect –benefits that The American Legion worked hard to bring about.”     

The Navy has a force of highly specialized undersea boats and sailors. That force is the submarine service. The "Silent Service" has a distinguished record unequaled by any other service.

A local veterans group meets quarterly to remember the lost submarines and the men who sailed on them.

Bridge City and Orangefield American Legion Post 250 members are asking the local community for help in reviving an old tradition for local families of active duty service members to show their pride in their loved ones and their patriotism for the country.

The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) again has been recognized for demonstrating consistently low observed-to-expected mortality rates in general surgery, all surgery, and all non-cardiac surgery.

Gov. Rick Perry today met with Texas troops while on a trip to Iraq hosted by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). Perry also presented Iraq Campaign Medals to six Texas guardsmen during a ceremony today in Iraq. Also on the DOD trip are Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine.

Skipper Free

One of nature’s spectacular displays of beauty and mystery are those pretty little butterflies that flutter in circles in tow direction at the same time... sometimes making abrupt u-turns or suddenly veering straight up!

The blooming fields of ragweed and goldenrod this time of year get “crowned” with their glorious yellow presence, yet they never seem to light on a flower; they seem to be in perpetual motion.

Bridge City and Orangefield residents will soon see an old tradition return as local families of active duty service members show their pride for their loved ones and their patriotism for the country.

Orange VFW Post 2775 and Ladies Auxiliary kicked-off the new fiscal year with a Barbecue / Membership Drive with post commander George Jones and Auxiliary President Gail Duhon leading the event.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry visited Soldiers assigned to 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division "Highlander" in Iraq, July 19.

It’s been a long time – too long indeed – since I wrote something for The Record, but when I was asked to contribute to the anniversary edition, it’s a true pleasure. The Record has always been a friend to Orange County veterans, and so many stories have been published about their heroic deeds.

Red and green enhance Entergy outage maps

The holidays may be over, but traditional colors of red and green have new meaning to Entergy, Texas customers. In December, the company enhanced its View Outages Web site to show street-by-street where power is on or off.

“This detailed view of power availability is rare among power companies,” said Vernon Pierce, customer service director. “Instead of showing a general area where power may be out, this new view shows customers exactly whether power is available on a given street.”

It starts with a few letters and cards; next, a box stuffed with snacks and candy. Pretty soon there’s a constant stream of care packages, from loved ones and friends, jam-packed with everything from home-made cookies to electric fly-swatters.

In the span of a few months, these trinkets, and those must-have items from the PX, have grown into mountainous piles. When Soldiers and equipment must relocate, because of a mission change, something must be done with these accumulated items.