(NAPSI)—All Americans can now be part of the nation’s lasting tribute to the American Soldier.

(NAPSI)—Seven months after joining the Army, Sgt. Ryan McIntosh stepped on an improvised explosive device during a routine orchard-clearing mission in Afghanistan. He came home with a deeper commitment to the uniform, despite losing his right leg below the knee.

Special to The Explorer

In the United States, Veteran’s Day is a time to commemorate and thank the veterans of all military branches for their hard work and dedication to our country. Although this year’s Veteran’s Day has passed, it provided an opportunity to remember all that past members of the military have endured and sacrificed for our country, including their health. Though it is not a condition resulting from combat, many current veterans face deadly asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma due to frequent asbestos exposure while serving in the military.

Last week, the Ironwood Ridge High School’s football team received the Army National Guard national ranking trophy during the eighth annual MaxPreps Football Tour of Champions.

(NAPSI)—Jon Zagami is a leader. He gets results. He motivates his peers and he works hard. Most employers would be grateful to have an employee like him. Yet each year, many employers will turn down the opportunity to hire eligible candidates like Zagami, simply because of one factor: They are disabled veterans.

U.S. Rep. Ron Barber has been appointed to two House committees that have major implications for Southern Arizona – Armed Services and Homeland Security.

"Icons of Experience: An Anniversary Show," a celebratory exhibition featuring "the classical, yet mysterious and brilliantly moody oil paintings" of Arizona artist William Blomquist, is on display at Jane Hamilton Fine Art through Sunday, April 4.

Nov. 28, 1944 - Oct. 21, 2012 Hirom (Mac) McFarland, 67, passed away suddenly at home on Oct. 21, after chronic illnesses. Mac was a joy to know, a kind soul and a very loving man who made friends every where he went and whose family loves him and will miss him for eternity. Mac was born Nov. 28, 1944, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Hiram and Violet McFarland. After both parent’s death, while Mac was a young child, he then lived with his brother, Jerry Taylor, and sister in law, Fran in Japan and then Novato, Calif. He graduated from Novato High School in 1963 then entered the U.S. Army that year.

Congress has approved a bill that will end furloughs that have delayed hundreds of flights daily for air traffic controllers.

Kern, Robert (Bob) crossed the river to join his parents Chris and Maggie, Brother Donnie and Sister Irma just 3 days shy of his 80th Birthday April 27, 2012.

Great battles have often been fought during the Christmas season. The bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 comes to mind, as well as the Battle of the Bulge in 1944.

Military personnel from the Republic of Singapore are getting help finding places to live and local schools for their children from the Silverbell Patriots Committee, a coalition of political and business leaders in the Northwest.

Tucson veterans are sharing life lessons learned in service as part of a nationwide project spearheaded by Watermark Retirement Communities.

Many people think of Hanukkah as the “Jewish Christmas”.  However, Hanukkah has nothing to do with Christmas or the life of Jesus Christ. The only similarities between the holidays is that they fall around the same time every year and they feature festive lights. 

(NewsUSA) - This year marks the 150th anniversary of the turning point in the Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg. As far as defining American moments go, it doesn't get much more iconic than that.

Saturday Morning Guided Hikes

(NAPSI)—Nearly 7.5 million U.S. students are chronically absent every school year—missing enough school to put them at severe risk of dropping out or failing to graduate—but a new public service advertising (PSA) campaign aims to reverse this trend.

“The awards don’t mean that much. What’s really the most important thing in my life, looking back on it, was an opportunity to serve America, its families, and its youth, and to make a difference with my life.”

An Iraq War veteran, nine-year U.S. Army soldier and former competitive swimmer has opened a personal training business in Oro Valley.

Did you know there is an active historical society in Marana? The Marana Heritage Conservancy, a local historical nonprofit organization, shares points of interest, stories, and lore from in and around the Town of Marana.  Did you know that we trained 10,000 Army air pilots from 1942 to 1945?  Have you visited the location of the Prisoner of War camps in Marana?  Follow the trail of 10,000 hopeful miners on their way to the gold fields in California, and the route of the Mormon Battalion. There were no marked trails, just the Santa Cruz River drawing the adventurers along as it winds its way northward.  

Marana Mayor Ed Honea endorsed Jonathan Paton for Arizona’s Congressional District 1.