The weird engineering that links old ships of the line and the SR-71 Blackbird
One is the fastest jet ever produced, capable of outrunning anti-air missiles while capturing reconnaissance in some of the most hostile airspace on Earth.
← August 2026
Edition · Issue 2026-08-17
August 17, 2026
14 stories curated for veterans on this date.
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LEGACY
The BBC broadcast Britain’s Falklands War invasion plan before the invasion
It doesn’t take a military genius to know that an enemy acquiring your war plans could be an unmitigated disaster. Journalist Geraldo Rivera got kicked out of the Iraq War in 2003 for giving away...
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LEGACY
Major exercise in South Korea continues after Trump orders US role curtailed
U.S. troops launched a major joint exercise in South Korea on Monday, just hours after a last-minute social media post from President Donald Trump that the annual event would be drastically curtailed.
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HEALTH
Live Whole Health #331: Mindfulness for pain
Chronic pain can affect your mood, your daily life and how you feel overall. But there are many ways to feel better and recover.
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COMMUNITY
Fairfax-based founder wins $10K in pitch contest for veterans in Orlando
A Fairfax, Virginia, based Army veteran and the co-founder of NextStepCare secured $10,000 in non-dilutive funding in a special pitch competition hosted by DAV (Disabled American Veterans) , the...
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COMMUNITY
South Carolina student named DAV’s top youth volunteer, earns $30K scholarship
DAV (Disabled American Veterans) has named Noah Omura of Columbia, South Carolina, as the recipient of the 2026 DAV Scholarships’ top prize of $30,000. Omura was recognized Aug.
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COMMUNITY
Ford Motor Co. donates vehicles to help veterans access health care
DAV (Disabled American Veterans) has announced a generous $200,000 donation from Ford Motor Co. to help support free transportation to medical appointments for America’s ill and injured veterans.
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COMMUNITY
Disabled veterans gather in Orlando, Florida, to tackle critical issues at annual national convention
DAV (Disabled American Veterans) held its annual national convention Aug. 1–4 at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida. Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Paul R.
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SERVICE
Two special ops commanders removed at Air National Guard Wing
The top two commanders of a special operations training wing in the New Mexico Air National Guard were removed from command on Aug. 14, state officials confirmed to Task & Purpose Monday. Col.
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SERVICE
Navy awards 7-year, $22.9B Tomahawk missile contract to Raytheon
On Aug. 17, 2026, the U.S. Navy and RTX announced a massive contract for Tomahawk missiles. Manufactured by Raytheon, an RTX business, the Tomahawk is the Navy’s primary long-range munition… and the..
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LEGACY
From wild horse to Route 66: A sailor’s century-long journey
Morris Neighbors’ journey from Oklahoma to the Pacific and back Morris Neighbors was raised far from the ocean, in an Oklahoma community where oil derricks, farm chores, school, church and baseball...
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ADVOCACY
Everything you need to know about short-barreled rifles, shotguns, and silencers
On Aug. 5, 2026, a federal court ruled that aspects of the 1934 National Firearms Act , including the registration of short-barreled rifles, shotguns, and silencers, was unconstitutional.
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TRANSITION
Hiring Veterans: Jobs of the week for Aug. 17, 2026
Editor’s note: This post contains links to jobs that are active at the time of publishing. Most job listings close 7–30 days after posting.
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LEGACY
Rigged shells, poison pens, the mob: inventive ways the CIA tried to kill Fidel Castro
In 1958, Fidel Castro was near the end of a yearslong battle to overthrow Cuban President Fulgencio Batista. Confident of soon seizing power, Castro was already looking ahead.
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SERVICE
Life after homecoming: how to manage the post-deployment phase as a couple
With the end of her husband’s first deployment as a married man nearing, Navy wife Amy Botelho assumed that his work-life balance was about to get easier.
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