Army to reorganize special-care program
WASHINGTON – With the number of seriously wounded and ill soldiers at a six-year low, the Army is closing down some of the special units set up to care for troops and reorganizing the program.
“That’s good for the Army, good for our soldiers,” Brig. Gen. David Bishop said of the declining population of severely wounded. Bishop heads the command that runs the so-called Warrior Transition Units, started in 2007 following the scandal over poor conditions at what was then Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, including shoddy housing and bureaucratic delays for troops who were outpatients.
Fourteen of the 38 units will be closed and some new community-based units will be established under the reorganization plan being announced Thursday.
Rodman apologizes to detainee’s family
PYONGYANG, North Korea – Dennis Rodman apologized Thursday for comments he made in North Korea about a detained American missionary, saying he had been drinking and was under pressure as he organized a game with former NBA players.
The former basketball star issued the apology through publicist Jules Feiler, a day after he sang “Happy Birthday” to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the start of the friendly game.
Rodman has been slammed for not using his influence with Kim to help free Kenneth Bae, the missionary in poor health who is being confined in North Korea for “anti-state” crimes. In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Rodman implied Bae was at fault.
“I want to apologize,” Rodman said Thursday.
Associated Press
