Military & Veterans News

Vet News: Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on the French Train Incident

August 22, 2015

U.S. Department of Defense

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter released the following statement on the actions of U.S. military personnel aboard a passenger train in France Friday. Airman First Class Spencer Stone of Lajes Air Base, Azores, and Specialist Alek Skarlatos, an Oregon National Guardsman, along with a civilian friend subdued an armed gunman aboard a train bound for Paris.

"On behalf of all the men and women of the Department of Defense, I want to thank the brave individuals, including two members of the U.S. military, who stepped forward to prevent an even greater tragedy from taking place aboard that train. My thoughts and prayers today are with those injured in the attack, including Airman First Class Spencer Stone whose selfless actions saved lives. I wish him a speedy recovery. Airman Stone and Specialist Alex Skarlatos are two reasons why - on duty and off - ours is the finest fighting force the world has ever known."

Airman First Class Stone is currently being treated in a French medical facility with non-life threatening injuries.

Blog Tags:

Military & Veterans News

From Our Member Community

250th Anniversary Road Trip

Discounts & Benefits Travel Guide: The Ultimate 250th Anniversary Road Trip At WeSalute, we believe that providing A Real Thank You® means delivering high-quality experiences that truly honor your dedication. As our nation approaches its historic Semiquincentennial this July, there is no better way to reflect on America's 250-year legacy than by exploring the historic routes where our country's story was written.

Scott Higgins

Discounts & Benefits A Quarter-Millennium of Freedom: Honoring America’s 250th Anniversary History is unfolding right before our eyes. We are now officially less than a month away from July 4, 2026—the Semiquincentennial, or America’s 250th Anniversary. Two and a half centuries ago, a bold and unprecedented experiment in self-governance was born. As the nation prepares for this historic milestone, it is a time for profound reflection on how a fragile collection of colonies transformed into the world’s greatest beacon of liberty.

USA flags

Military & Veterans News VA Pioneers Clinical Trial of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Severe Veteran PTSD The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is stepping into a new frontier of mental health treatment, officially launching a controlled clinical trial that pairs psychotherapy with MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) to treat veterans battling severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) alongside alcohol use disorder.

National Military Appreciation Month

Discounts & Benefits National Military Appreciation Month & Memorial Day Military Discounts 2026 National Military Appreciation Month has come to a close. While we won't be adding new deals to this specific guide until next year, you can still explore the incredible special discounts we rounded up from top brands across the country. The celebrations may be over, but the savings don't have to be. To discover even more year-round benefits across categories like travel, shopping, and everyday expenses, check out the exclusive discounts available with WeSalute+ and more on our WeSalute Marketplace.

Join Our Community.

Yes, Get Me Started

Already a member? Login now.