Air National Guard SSgt. Chris Pieper with the 119th Fighter Wing in Fargo, N.D., and a Fargo firefighter has won a partial improvement to the city of Fargo’s military leave policy, reports the Associated Press news service. Pieper had filed a challenge with the US Labor Department because he claimed Fargo was violating the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act by denying benefits accrual to city personnel called to active duty. According to AP, city commissioners voted to revise its policy but only for reservists on active duty for 30 days or less. The Labor Department has bumped the complaint over to the US attorney.
Gene Smith, Former POW and AFA Chair, Dies at 91
Jan. 19, 2026
Lt. Col. Richard “Gene” Smith, who overcame five and a half years as a prisoner of war in the notorious Hanoi Hilton from 1967 until 1973, died Jan. 16. He was one day short of his 91st birthday.
