This video shot over time shows the transformation of a United States veteran. Jim fights with with not having a home and his drinking problem, but thankfully the ministries have taken him in and given him a second chance. Jim's change is absolutely amazing, and as shown on the recording, the physical difference has also made him change his life for the better. He's now going to AA meetings for the first time ever. No wonder his last name is Wolf :).

Have you ever noticed that at some cemeteries, on the headstone, you can find coins left on them. Did you ever wonder where they came from and WHY they were there? If these coins were left on a soldier's grave who lost his live while in the US military then there are different meanings based upon which type of coin someone left. By leaving a coin on a soldier's grave it is meant as a sign of respect for the family. If you just leave a penny it simply means that you have been there. It's not disrespectful, but it doesn't carry special meaning. If there's a nickel it means that the person who left it participated in training with the deceased. If a dime is left then it means that the person who left it served with the deceased. A quarter left indicates that the person was with the deceased at the time of their death. The money left at the graves is eventually collected and used for the general upkeep and for helping people with the costs of burying their loved ones at the cemetery. In the United States it started to be normal for people to do this during the time of the Vietnam War since there was such a separation of viewpoints towards the war at the time. It was an easier way to show your support towards the family than contacting them. You should show your respect without risking a political confrontation with the family. In some circumstances the coins left were a symbol of treating their friends to a beer when they finally met up again in the world beyond. This tradition can be seen as far back as the Romans where they also did the same practice. Have you ever left a coin?

In the United States military forces, war dogs are associated with the troops and they take significant part in the war game. The SEAL Team Six and the most popular "Soldier Dog" named Cairo were commissioned to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden way back in 2011. In the operation, Cairo used his dog senses and canine skills to accomplish the mission of killing Bin Laden. This Dog was effective aid in the triumph of the operation. Other military dogs are used as sniffing dogs to discover threats (similar to what you see at the airports), some are guards and companions of the military troops, some are used for search and rescue operations. The war dogs are also used to guide and lead the soldiers in dark and treacherous places. Closeness and faithfulness are developed between the handlers and trainers. They are genuine lovers of dogs and with their beloved friends, they are an indispensable members of the military. According to Maria Goodavage, author of the new book "Soldier Dogs", dogs' extreme sensitivities and alertness make them great in the battlefield. She added that dog's sense of smell is stronger and greater than human thus they can recognize if danger and fear are at hand much more effectively. Dogs are more vigilant than we are and they are always ready to attack. There is inseparable relationship between trained dog and his military master as they often sleep and eat together, moreover play together. Greatness of military dogs is achieved by the patience and compassion of their handlers. Dog is man's best friend and a great companion and protector in times of danger and war. The training of dogs, especially the Belgian Malinois dogs, is usually conducted in Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Texas. Training is tough and tiresome for both the handlers and the canines during the preparation for the battlefield or a special mission. The course also includes lessons and training for the development of extreme physical tolerance and mental readiness. Trainers at Lackland are also required to know basic commands in different languages. Some smaller dogs like the tiny Jack Russell terrier "Lars J274" are also included in the Navy services. These dogs are great in sniffing bombs in submarines. Breeding and training of military or war dogs are customary practice in Germany and Netherlands. After the accomplishment of the mission or when the war is over, the military dogs are brought back to the United States and oftentimes are adopted by their handlers which bring them home to their families. However, during Vietnam era, war dogs were treated harshly and the poor dogs were abandoned and even erased after the service. Unfortunately, today dogs are still treated only as tools and instruments in the war instead of co members of the team. In 2012, bipartisan Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act presently proposes its way through both houses of Congress to have clear and definite plan for the retirement, adoption, care and appreciation of military working dogs.

There was an unexpected surprise for the National Air and Space Museum visitors as the United States Air Force Band trickled in to perform selected pieces from Johann Sebastian Bach's portfolio. This was the initial from the twenty nine planned flashmobs by the USAF choir and band.

The Military and the Department of Defense of the United States is the largest government organization and it involves big percentage of the country's budget allocation and expenses. The security and welfare of the country and its citizens play major and important role of the United States government, but some Americans are not fully aware of the truthful information about the agency. The following list composes of 10 amazing facts about the American military and the DoD that you may or not be aware of.

In Los Angeles, California an unidentified flying objects were seen over the skies in late February, 1942. Just 3 months after the Pearl Harbor, the US military was keen on identifying the enemy aircraft. It was just a few months after the United States entered the stage of war and so the military launched into an anti-aircraft barrage using artillery. Before this incident in LA, a Santa Barbara production facility was fired upon by a Japanese I-17 submarine. When the unknown flying object was spotted over LA, the ground & naval troops on the West Coast were on high alert. Air raid sirens were turned on and blackouts were ordered. Anti-aircraft shells weighing 12.8 pounds were fired at the unidentified objects by the 37th Coast Artillery Brigade. There was a lot of damage to buildings and there were three fatalities as well-civilians who died of friendly fire. At first, people believed that Japan sent an aerial unit to attack the city. Later it was mostly attributed to "war nerves." The UFOs were determined to be imaginary, or possibly a weather balloon or a blimp. Since the mystery was never solved, others think that it was a psychological warfare technique which the Japanese employed using a fire balloon. There are still a few who believe that the object was extra-terrestrial in origin. What do you think UFO or military tactic?

The military force of North Korea is prepared to launch operation and aggression against United States and South Korea after weeks of alleged hostility and provocation. North Korea has repeatedly challenged and intimidated their Southern neighbor and United States, however has yet to attack either of the parties. Tragic consequences may occur warned the North's military spokesman after learning that a group of battle ships including aircraft carrier was deployed to South Korean port. The spokesman also confirmed that all service ready units of the KPA are on an emergency order from its commanding officers and should be ready to attack at any time. Finally, he added that if North Korea is going to attack, US is going to be held accountable. Meanwhile there was no sign of military action in the North said the South Korea's Minister of Defense Kim Kwan-jin on Tuesday. Washington ignored the North's warning. What are your thoughts?

A US citizen made the huge blunder of actually becoming a part of al-Qaida. Officials in the US government say that he is part of attack plans targeting American citizens abroad, and therefore he must be taken out. President Obama is going back and forth on whether to simply take him out with drones or not and how to do it in a legal way. Currently the government cannot kill him because he is still a citizen of the United States, but they are currently trying to do it in a legal way. The American traitor is currently located in a country where the United States is not allowed to act militarily. It is Obama's policy that American terrorists that are located overseas can only be taken out by military maneuvers, and not by the intelligence agencies. The citizen is believed to be responsible for the deaths of American citizens abroad and he supposedly keeps on planning attacks and engaging in activities that put American lives in danger. The CIA has said that they think he should be killed, but the American terrorist is in a place where it will be difficult to reach him and kill him. If troops are sent in to take him then they will be risking their lives. It could also cause more problems then by simply taking him out with missiles. Currently it is not publicly known in which country the terrorist is hiding away.

As a response to US ships being in the Gulf, an Iranian Navy officer said that warships are heading toward US water borders, said a Fars news reporting agency. An Iranian admiral is quoted saying that the ships are moving towards the borders as a message to the Americans. Apparently these ships have gone towards the Atlantic by going new South Africa. The United States has increased the amount of Navy vessels they have in the Persian Gulf, so this is a response by Iran. However, there was not a definite report that Iranian ships were actually getting closer to the borders. The United States defense department put out an anonymous statement saying that they doubted that Iranian vessels were actually approaching. America and it's allies regularly do different navy exercises in the Gulf as a way to make sure that the area is free for oil to pass through. Iran sees the Gulf as being part of their boundaries and wants to increase their influence over the area. There have been threats by high up people in Iran saying that if there was any attack that they could block the Strait of Hormuz, thus blocking the oil distribution. Also, if the US was to press too hard into stopping Iran from producing Nuclear weapons then Iran has leverage in stopping the shipment of oil through the strait.

General Hassan Firouzabadi of the Iranian Armed forces sent out a warning to his country's arch-enemies. The Chief of Staff of Iran warned Israel & United States that his country is prepared. According to a report by the Fars News Agency on Wednesday, Iran will retaliate and is ready for a "decisive battle" if attacked. General Firouzabadi was quoted by Fars expressing that they are ready to battle "America and the Zionist regime," pertaining to Israel. The General did not end there. He also warned other countries in the region to not be involved in launching an attack targeting Iran from within their territory. He said that if Iran were attacked from any of the American bases from Middle East, they will strike back. He insisted that Iran has no hostile attitude towards the regional states, but Iran will not take things quietly when provoked. The Americans maintain a few military outposts in some countries within the region including Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and UAE. Gen. Firouzabadi considers the forceful remarks of John Kerry, the US Secretary of State to be mere political bluff. Secretary Kerry stated that if Iran continues to develop its nuclear capabilities, the US is prepared for a military option. Sec. Kerry added that America will do whatever it takes, however, the Iranian general dismisses this statement as just "hot air." Meanwhile, on Tuesday Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that America and the West must not entertain delusions of going into military action. Leave a comment below

There is another Super Bowl ad that has touched our hearts, thanks to the beer company that has already sent us reeling. The ad entitled, "A Hero's Welcome," is all about Lt. Chuck Nadd, a 24-year old United States Army serviceman who has just come home from Afghanistan. This 60 second ad is rather simple. The plot is mainly about the homecoming welcome that the Lieutenant's hometown threw to surprise him. The party scenes were set to P. Diddy and Skylar Grey's fitting hit track, "Coming Home." According to the Washington Post, Lt. Nadd was an operations officer and Black Hawk helicopter pilot. The cameras that were following him were, in his belief, related to a documentary that was being made about soldiers. He also thought they would record him making a speech later at an event to be held at Winter Park, Fl. He was sent home one week and a half earlier that he was supposed to go, so he thought that the event was the reason for the early leave. At the airport, Lt. Nadd was welcomed home by Shannon Cantwell, his girlfriend. Cantwell was in Washington D.C. When Lt. Nadd arrived at Winter Park, he was in for the surprise of his life. He was greeted by hundreds of people including his family members, friends, neighbors, and former teachers. There was even a parade in his honor graced by the Clydesdale horses, the famous Budweiser icons. At the end of the ad, Lt. Nadd and his mother who came all the way from Alabama can be seen hugging. Another Budweiser ad tugged at our hearts earlier in the week with "Puppy Love." This one is about a dog that was separated from its home. The ad was released previously this week. Evidently, the beer company has opted to trigger heart-tugging emotions as the theme for its Super Bowl related marketing. Do you have anything to add to this story? If so, leave a comment.

The General Atomics Avenger, formerly known as the Predator C is an unmanned combat air vehicle. This war machine is built for the US Military by the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. This drone first took to the air in April 4, 2009. The Avenger is different from other drones like MQ-1 Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper (Predator B) because it has stealth features and a turbofan engine. The stealth features of this vehicle are: 1) S-shaped exhaust for lower heat and decreased radar signature, 2) internal weapons storage. This new Avenger drone is capable of carrying the Lynx aperture radar equipment and supporting MQ-9 weapons. It can also be fitted with the electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) similar to that of the F-35 Lightning II. This drone also has the ALERT (Advanced Low-observable Embedded Reconnaissance Targeting) system. The General Atomics Avenger requires similar ground supportive systems as the MQ-9 & MQ-1 models. The infrastructure, communications networks, and ground control center are no different.