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How faith, family and focus took this Marine through Iraq and to the Olympics – We Are The Mighty

Jamel Herring is most known for his boxing success as the World Boxing Organization junior lightweight champion from 2019 to 2021 with a record of 23-4. He is a 2012 US Olympian competitor, the only Marine to compete in the 2012 games and the last active-duty Marine to qualify for the US Boxing team since 1992. Herring deployed twice, once with the 2nd Marine Division and once with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group. His first deployment was in 2005 to Fallujah, Iraq and again went to Iraq in 2007. His deployment experiences consisted of a lot of convoys and security details during his tours, and he served as a gunner on convoys during his 2007 deployment.

Can you share with us about your life growing up?

I grew up in Long Island, Gordon Heights, and was always out and doing sports. Im still close today with one of my friends from childhood who is an Army veteran. One of my influences from growing up was Stephen Brown (pronounced Stefan) and he was a Marine. He encouraged me to join the Corps and I already loved sports, so it made sense. He died in 2004 from lung cancer while still in the Corps and I named my oldest son after Stephen. Stephen was a year older, and he came back from boot camp in the Corps. Im now a world champion boxer and U.S. Olympian and the only U.S. Marine to represent the Corps in the 2012 Olympics. The deployments made me appreciate the simple things in life. I came back and was happy to see grass and a good lawn, even proper plumbing. Now, even today I dont ask for much. Ive been to places where people dont have much but then are grateful for what they do have. My deployment experience gave me a better aspect of how I look at things in my own life. Ive seen people with little, but they are happy. Theres always somebody out there that wishes they were in your place. So, I was never the type of person who needed to have more. In reality, I have more than enough. I could be out chasing what I could have, or I could be happy for quality time with my friends and family.

Do you have a spirituality?

I lost a daughter in 2009 due to SIDS. It took a lot of faith for me not to break. I took that negative and turned it into a positive. I look at my daughter as a Guardian Angel and I look at every decision based on character. I ask myself, If I do this, how would my daughter view me and keep her in mind when I do things more impactful for othersI go off of thathaving my faith intact kept me on the right path.

What got you into Boxing?

A good friend of mine named Ashanti Henderson introduced me to boxingI grew up watching it with my parents and friends but didnt ever see myself doing it, especially when you come from watching the Rocky movies, I didnt want anything to do with boxing. Growing up I wanted to stay out of the streets and would go from school to gym and then from home to bed. I didnt have time to mingle and get in trouble. Thats the main reason why I picked up boxing and to stay busy. Over time I fell in love with the sport, took it more seriously, and then started studying it a lot more to get where Im at now. Another influence was a fellow veteran (Army), Lindberg Freeman. We started boxing together around the same time and motivated each other.

Are there certain key traits and memories from the Corps?

When Im in the boxing ring and am having a rough fight and go back to the corner, I always think about what Ive been through just to get to this point. I always go back to a place in Iraq and have seen roadside bombings and had RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) flying directly towards me and stuff of that nature. Basically, it could be worse, and I have been through worse. More importantly, I know for a fact that there are Marines out there that look up to me and would love to be in my place. Its more of a sense of, theres no room for me to complain about the situation that Im in. Ive overcome so much, and Ive been through worse and there are people who would love to trade places with me. I always think about those tough times in the Corps and think about everything Ive learned from the beginning in basic training. Because a lot of people dont know I spent my 18th birthday in basic training. I was still a kid when I went to boot campstraight out of high school and right in the fire. I had to mature and grow quickly. Most of my adulthood so far took place as a United States Marine. Its all I knew as a Marine growing up, so a lot of those Marine Corps traits stick with me.

Are there a top two or three of those traits that come to mind?

Ill share a story that opens my eyes to this life and how serious it can be. In 2007, I was expecting my oldest son, who was named after Stephen. His mother was pregnant with him, and I happened to be deployed at that time. Ill never forget this EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Sergeant giving us a class on what to look out for, like roadside bombs. Ill never forget he had a 2-week-old son, and a few of the Marines I was in class with out there in Iraq were fooling around and not taking him seriously. Rightfully so this Sergeant lost it and went off and he told us, Hey Im a father trying to get home to my newborn son and you guys are out here playing around. Im giving you my time so that you all go home safely.

The guys wisened up and stopped fooling around, but a week later that same sergeant lost his life to a roadside bomb. I always think, this is really serious. This is really real life here. This was a man who was a good man and had a 2-week-old son. He has a son now that will never meet him. All his son will hear are his stories. I didnt want to be that guy. I didnt want to be the Marine who falls victim to the war. I actually matured a lot more because of that real-life scenario and grew up a lot faster. That always sticks with me. I always share that story when other people take things for granted. There are people out there who really will put everything on the line for you to get to the next level. Its my duty to give back.

About a year agoI went down to Camp Hope (PTSD healing center/foundation) to speak with Marines and veterans in general about their personal issues and what they have dealt with. I may be the champion of the world but at the same time, Im a fellow brother to you guys as well and am still human. I go through the same hardships at times that we all do. Once I felt like we all connected, it just got a lot easier to communicate with these individuals.

Another trait I learned from the Corps is leadership. A great prime example: As a leader you have to learn how to deal with all types of personalities and people from all over. On the 2012 Olympic team, they voted me in as the team captain because of my military background. I took the honor very seriously. Ill never forget, as a Marine, you can easily talk to Marines in a stern way and with civilians, you have to take a different approach. I can talk to this individual strictly and sternly, but for another individual, I might have to have a lighter tone and open up more not only to them but to patiently get them to open up as well.

At the end of the day, as long as I got the same results down the road, I was happy with that. That is when leadership really came in. True story, these individuals, these Olympianswe actually still speak today because of having a great relationship and knowing how to be a good leader and to be more understanding of others.

I owe that due to the Marine Corpswhen I went to the Marine Corps, I was a kid and was in no position to lead. As time went on, I really grew into that leader that was expected of me and I have nothing but the Marine Corps to thank for that.

In what ways did the Corps prepare you as a boxer and in the community?

Boxing is 80% mental, and 20% physical. The Corps strengthens you more mentally and even in basic training, your drill instructor will always tell you its to break you down and to build you up stronger. I truly understand the meaning of that even in the boxing world, even just in life in general. The Corps actually makes life easier for me to speak in life openly. When I went to Camp Hope, I respect every one of those men and women out there who open up about their traumas and past experiences in their lives, making it a lot easier for me to do the same. I instantly, as soon as I walk into the room, find something that can be picked out and connect with them. We will all be laughing and joking as if we knew each other for years. That just comes from great qualities and speaking skills thanks to the Marine Corps.

Is there anything you are doing for community service?

Ive traveled out of the country and have gone from defending a world title and winning on Saturday to being, sore and bruised up on Sunday to getting on a plane just to go see fellow veterans around the world. Giving them a few days of my time. I have been really sore and in pain, but I felt there is a greater need out there and the greater good for me to do. I got on a plane, went out there for a few days and had a blast. I can honestly say that is probably a moment that I wont forget, and they wont forget as well.

What are your next goals and plans?

Its many times day by day, but I want to continue laying down a foundation to where I can help others. Honestly, even though Ive been through tragedies, Ive lost my best friend and I lost a daughter, yet I still look at the great things I have in life. My next thing is to better themselves in their life and to continue going out there and speaking out. I also lost good friends I served with because they didnt have someone to talk to or they couldnt get the help that they needed. I dont want to see that on my watch. Im going to continue to speak to others, help others and be the best individual I can be in life. Taking my free time to go out there and share my love with others as well.to give back.

If it wasnt for the Marine Corps I probably wouldnt be in the position where Im at. People thought I was a good boxer, but, the mental aspects of the Marine Corps are what made me into a better boxer and a better fighter, not only inside the ring but out of it. Thats why I give so much love and respect back to the Marine Corps. Whenever they called me to come back and visit, hey Im there. Give me the date and time and Ill fly myself out there. I already had Marines ask me a few weeks ago to come to the Marine Corps ball. Give me the details and Ill be there in my dress blues. I can still fit in them. I just need a haircut and a proper shave and Im fine.

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How faith, family and focus took this Marine through Iraq and to the Olympics - We Are The Mighty

Public Statement by Chair of Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (2 September 2022) – Iraq – ReliefWeb

The Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, in connection with the examination of the fourth report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in Iraq (S/2022/46), agreed to convey the following messages through a public statement by the Chair of the Working Group:

To the armed conflict in Iraq, in particular the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) also referred to as Daesh, while it also concerns all other parties mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General, including the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF):

To Daesh

Condemning in the strongest possible terms the abhorrent violations and abuses and extreme violence committed against children, including children belonging to religious and ethnic minorities, by Daesh, including their killing and maiming, abduction, rape and other forms of sexual violence, noting that such violations and abuses may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity; and furthermore reaffirming that terrorism in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations, whenever and by whomsoever committed

Strongly urging Daesh to immediately:

Cease all attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, including those resulting in the killing and maiming of children, and comply fully with international humanitarian law by, inter alia, putting an end to any targeting of the civilian population, especially children, as well as to disproportionate and indiscriminate attacks in populated areas, including through terror tactics, attacks by suicide bombers or any other forms of extreme violence or the indiscriminate use of weapons, in particular improvised explosive devices, and any use of weapons prohibited by international law;

End and prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, including through abduction, end the military training of children and release without preconditions all children who remain under their control;

Cease the rape of and other forms of sexual violence against children, such as child, early and forced marriage, sexual slavery and human trafficking for sexual exploitation, including against children belonging to ethnic and religious minorities;

Cease the abduction of children and all violations and abuses committed against abducted children, notably girls who face higher rates of abductions in Iraq, and release without preconditions all abducted children, and allow for swift family reunification in the best interests of the child or provide information as to their fate if no longer alive;

To community and religious leaders:

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Public Statement by Chair of Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (2 September 2022) - Iraq - ReliefWeb

Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans urged to join new local project – Coventry Live

Support and advice for Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is being offered by a Nuneaton charity. Operation Freespeech has been launched by the Veterans Contact Point,which has its HQ in Nuneaton with satellite centres in Atherstone, Dordon and soon in Warwick.

Its aim is to provide a safe, non-judgemental environment where veterans can talk freely of their experiences both within these arenas and the problems they face in civilian life. The project is being delivered by a veteran who has seen active service in both Iraq and Afghanistan and believes in the help this project will bring, working in conjunction with the VCP and its partners.

"Sometimes having the support of those that care and understand you can make the world of difference" said a spokesman.

Operation Freespeech will offer non-clinical, one-to-one meetings, online video calls and group activities. It is being funded by the Office of Veterans Affairs administered through the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund.

Those who would like more detail about the project should either go along to the Veterans Contact Point, which is based in the Horsa Building off Bentley Road , call 024 7634 3793 or via email at contactus@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk

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Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans urged to join new local project - Coventry Live

Democrats are tactically ignoring the rule of the law: Rep. Byron Donalds – Fox News

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During an interview on "Fox & Friends Weekend," Saturday, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., denounced President Biden for his divisive speech on Thursday evening, arguing that it is "incumbent" for Republicans to fight for the "soul" of America this November.

REP. BYRON DONALDS: He's only doing this because he knows he did a terrible, stupid thing. That speech was dumb. They shouldn't have ever done it. The imagery was bad, but the words and the destruction to the country was far worse. Look, somebody should remind Joe Biden that the issue he has right now with his approval numbers is that you have Independents and also some Democrats who don't agree with how he's doing his job. This president has ignored the rule of law at the southern border. This president is forgiving anywhere from $300 billion to $1 trillion in student loans where he has no legal authority to do this. This president signed off on an Inflation Reduction Act where he and his party lied because it's really about the Green New Deal and climate change.

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on what he calls the "continued battle for the Soul of the Nation" in front of Independence Hall at Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, U.S., September 1, 2022. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY/File Photo)

But they couldn't get that through if they told the truth, so they lied to the American people. Those are threats to the democracy as well. But last thing for Joe Biden. It's incumbent now for Republicans, whether you're a MAGA Republican, mainstream Republican, whatever the classifications are, or frankly, any American to actually fight for the soul of America. It's a fight for the soul of the republic, because we do not believe in just ignoring the rule of law when it suits your interests. And we definitely don't believe in either packing or unwinding the Supreme Court because we did not get our way. That's what Joe Biden believes. That's what Raphael Warnock believes. That's what Katherine Masto in Nevada believes. Mark Kelly in Arizona believes. Maggie Hassan in New Hampshire believes. They believe that stuff. They will vote for that stuff. They will do that stuff.

VULNERABLE DEMOCRATS AVOID BIDEN'S ANTI-MAGA SPEECH, TRUMP-BACKED CANDIDATES FIRE BACK AT DIVISIVE REMARKS

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Democrats are tactically ignoring the rule of the law: Rep. Byron Donalds - Fox News

Hollywood Democrats Pour Money Into Midterms With A Tinge Of Hope And A Lot Of Caution – Deadline

When a stream of Democratic candidates trek to Los Angeles this month in likely their final effort to raise money before the midterms, they will be met by Hollywood supporters who are less deflated than they once were about the partys prospects in November: Call them cautious, if maybe a bit more optimistic.

President Joe Bidens recent legislative wins, coupled with a renewed focus on the chaos of Donald Trump, has given industry Democrats reason to believe that the party wont face quite the drubbing that they did in the past. The backlash to the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v Wade, fueling a new wave of activism within the industry, has raised hopes that it will translate into improved turnout, and perhaps even match what is expected on the GOP side.

The victory last week of Pat Ryan in a purple New York congressional district was seen as a bit of a bellwether, as he emphasized the Supreme Courts abortion ruling and the need to protect a womens right to choose. And even if retaining the House still seems like a long shot, the chances are better in the Senate, particularly given the missteps of Republican candidates in key races, including Dr. Oz in Pennsylvania, while their Democratic rivals highlight their extreme positions.

In the coming weeks, candidates including Beto ORourke, challenging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott; Mandela Barnes, running to unseat Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), seeking an open seat in Ohio, are planning to headline L.A. fundraisers, while administration figures like Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg are expected to help draw donors and supporters to various events. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), facing a tight race for reelection, raised money last week at an event along with Cheri Beasley, seeking a U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina.

Already, figures like Carole King and Bradley Whitford have lent their names to fundraising emails, while Hollywood money has poured into a number of super PACs seeking to protect the Democratic majority.

In terms of peoples excitement level and people getting worked up, it is night and day versus earlier in the year, said Mathew Littman, a strategist who leads the Entertainment Industry Working Group, a set of politically engaged actors, writers and other creatives. It is not a fund-raising entity.

Ken Solomon, president of the Tennis Channel, who has been giving to numerous candidates, said that there is a cautious and measured optimism over the partys prospects, or the idea that the historic pattern of midterm losses for the party in power may not swing quite as hard.

He said that the Supreme Court decision has made real what was unimaginable to many people. Abortion rights and reproductive rights are things that are really ringing the bell for people on the reality of where we stand.

As bleak as prospects seemed at the start of the summer, Democrats actually have been positing solid fundraising numbers, including from the entertainment industry.

Showbiz donors have contributed almost $45 million to federal candidates and committees as of mid-August according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That likely has a shot at matching the more than $58 million raised in the 2018 cycle, when many Democrats ran as a check on then-President Donald Trump. According to the CRP, 88% of the showbiz money this cycle has gone to Democrats and 12% to Republicans. Lopsided as the figures are, the exception is the Motion Picture Association and media corporate PACs which, as they traditionally do, spread the wealth between the parties.

The top recipient, according to the data, is Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), who has collected just over $875,000 from industry sources, as he is in a tight race against Herschel Walker for a full U.S. Senate term.

Ted Snowdon Productions, the theatrical producer, accounted for the top contributions, with just over $2.5 million, all to Democrats, followed by employees at Fox Corp. at almost $2.4 million, with 52.5% of that amount going to Republican candidates.

What has helped drive up the numbers, though, have been big outlays to super PACs, which can collect unlimited contributions from donors.

One of the largest donations to the Senate Majority PAC, seeking to retain or expand the Democrats Senate majority, is Netflixs Reed Hastings, who gave $2 million. Other significant contributions came from Seth MacFarlane and Jeff Skoll, who each have given $1 million. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) may be returning for another SMP fundraiser this fall.

Haim and Cheryl Saban each have given $500,000 to the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund, set up to raise money for the Democratic National Committee and state parties, while MacFarlane has given $365,000. Other six-figure contributions have come from Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath, Byron Allen and Jake Kasdan.

Nancy Pelosi has been among the most prolific and effective fundraisers for Democrats as they defend a very thin majority in the House. Shes returning for a Sept. 10 event at the home of Alan and Cindy Horn, according to a source.

The Nancy Pelosi Victory Fund has drawn significant contributions from figures including Joan Ganz Cooney, one of the founders of Sesame Workshop, who has given $266,300, with Saban and MacFarlane each giving nearly equal amounts. Katzenberg contributed $263,400 this year and $263,400 in contributions last year, according to Federal Election Commission data, while Spielberg gave $133,150 in June and $150,000 last year. Others who have written six-figure checks include Allen and Marcy Carsey.

Andy Spahn, political consultant with Gonring Lin Spahn, said he was very optimistic about the Democrats chances to hold the Senate or expand their majority, while the House will be tougher but the political climate has improved dramatically for Democrats in the past few weeks.

Donor enthusiasm remains strong. Donors understand the stakes could not be greater, he said via email. The next couple of years are truly about saving our democracy.

Adam McKay, who has shunned the fundraising circuit and has been outspoken about the influence of money in politics, said that he is now more optimistic after Biden issued an executive order to cancel a portion of student debt, something he sees as exactly what people have been begging for for years. (See sidebar here).

The Entertainment Industry Working Group plans to travel to Michigan for get-out-the-vote efforts, with actors, writers and directors aiming to help candidates such as Jocelyn Benson, seeking another term as secretary of state, and Gretchen Whitmer, seeking reelection as governor.

People were really burnt out and despondent earlier in the year, and it seemed to peak with the abortion decision, Littman said.

The caution comes from the fact that there still are two months until the election. Polls in 2020 predicted Democratic gains in Congress, but the party lost seats in the House. And many Democrats candidates have yet to face the avalanche of ads from GOP Senate committees and PACs in states like Ohio and Wisconsin.

Biden, meanwhile, spoke on Thursday evening about the continued battle for the soul of the nation, tying in his campaign theme that Republicans have embraced an extreme ultra MAGA agenda. With Trump again tearing up social media with barrages of messages, there is a sense that the coming election may be less of a referendum on the current occupant of the White House.

If the message is that the GOP has embraced extremist candidates and positions, Solomon noted, that makes common sense and sanity seem like a better respite for voters.

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Hollywood Democrats Pour Money Into Midterms With A Tinge Of Hope And A Lot Of Caution - Deadline