Cilla McCain

Parked in full view of the residents in Kendall County, Texas, are the remnants of a 1995 Tracer once belonging to Air Force Colonel Philip Shue. Nine years ago yesterday, on April 16, 2003, at approximately 5:30-6:00 a.m., Colonel Shue kissed his wife Tracy goodbye and headed to work at...

For nearly a decade, I've been researching and writing about the issue of non-hostile deaths in the military. Early on in my research, I would get upset at the information provided by our troops and their families. Their revelations painted a picture of a dysfunctional military culture that allows medical...

It's a parent's worst fear. You go to sleep thinking all is right with the world only to wake up and find your baby is gone. It must feel as though you are trapped in some cruel dream from which you...

Marine Staff Sgt. Bryan Lampe, 35 years old, grew up admiring the pictures and awards belonging to his beloved grandfather, who had stormed the beaches of Normandy in World War II. As a result, the military was his...

I smiled and cried simultaneously, as I watched Jaycee Dugard's recent interview with Diane Sawyer. After weeks filled with the freakish Casey Anthony circus, I hope that people took a long pause away from the Anthony media coverage to focus on the truly awe-inspiring, magnificent mother that is...

In 1867, a hymn by Nella L.Sweet, Kneel Where Our Loves Are Sleeping, was published with a dedication to southern ladies who, as a result of the Civil War, were actively paying homage to their fallen soldiers by decorating and honoring their grave sites. By May 30, 1868, the entire...

Before First Lady Michelle Obama announced her intention to raise awareness to the plight of our military families in need, Dunbar, West Virginia citizen and disabled veteran Lisa Groves was well underway operating a hot dog stand...

The tragedy in the city of Tucson has an all too familiar ring to it. Once again American's find themselves glued to their television screens for some explanation as to why such a horrible mass killing...

Just before New Year's Day, I sent an e-mail to some of my friends and acquaintances and asked what lessons they've learned in 2010 and what their hopes are for the future. I was expecting to receive a list of resolutions from friends wanting to lose weight and exercise, get...

If you see a Navy veteran walking through your town wearing a backpack and shaking hands with well-wishers, it might be retired CW3 John Ulstrom. Ulstrom is currently on a march from Texas to Washington DC to try to...

Pat Tillman unselfishly set out to defend this country with what some would call old-school American values. His actions were carried out in a manner reminiscent of a time in history when men walked away from good careers and bright futures to enlist in the armed forces. The act should...

Every now and then, I receive letters from veterans serving time in prison. One imprisoned soldier whom I will never forget is serving time for robbery in Washington State. A sergeant and nurse during the early days of the Iraq war, his troubles began when he became addicted to the...

According to the U.S. Army, the June 2010 statistics for military suicides look as grim as ever. Despite all of the prevention programs being studied and implemented, 32 soldiers reportedly took their own life. That is more than one soldier per day.

Just as the Army released the dismal...

President Obama recently announced in his weekly radio address new rules governing the care our veterans receive for PTSD that are designed to make the claim process easier and faster.

"Our veterans and wounded warriors," Obama stated, "will be provided the care and benefits they have earned when they come...

While doing research for the book Murder In Baker Company, I came to know many military family members from the support group "Home of the Brave." The group's goal is to help one another gain information...

Resigning was the only choice. I think even General McChrystal knew it. I cannot help but compare the situation between McChrystal and the Obama administration with many of the military tragedies I have learned about in the past few years when soldier's kill one of their own, or belittle their...

In July 2003, Army Specialist Richard Davis returned from the invasion on Iraq and disappeared almost immediately. Months later, his skeletal remains were found in a small patch of Georgia woods. Four members of his own platoon were arrested for his murder. Stabbed in excess of 100 times and set...