Vietnam vet branded “panhandler” for handing out memorial poppies

Mansfield., Mass. lays one to rest. Spec. Corey Shea, 21, 3/3 Armor. KIA in Mosul Nov. 12 when an Iraqi soldier turned his weapon on American soldiers. Boston Herald with the funeral, “Ultimate Hero,” and a profile, ”Heart of Gold.”

“His life had changed since 9/11 and he wanted to serve our country,” said Shea’s aunt Renee O’Neil. “And we just call him a hero right now.”

Long War Journal, taking a long walk through Mosul, on what Shea was doing there. Via Mudville, some background on Mosul, which remains a battleground, here and here.

David Zucchino at the LA Times on interpretations of Pentagon disability regs that he reports are shafting the war wounded. Zucchino, a former embed, is the author of a great book, Thunder Run, and an acquaintance from those days.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the same war, via Ledeen at NRO, a good day for the Marine Corps. Thirty jarheads in an eight-hour firefight with 250 Taliban, guess who wins: Continue reading . . .