All the things Shannon Button left behind, even washing laundry, felt different when she came home.

In Iraq she never enjoyed privacy. The hot weather and oppressive sun altered her sensibilities about the region. But when she stepped off the plane and onto Virginia soil, her old life looked, felt and seemed new.

RICHMOND — When John L. Burke and his fellow Army Rangers came ashore at Omaha Beach shortly after daybreak 65 years ago today, they didn’t know they would be making history.

Veterans’ resources expected to face increasing strain

FISHERSVILLE — “If this is what I’m coming home to – forget it,” Steven Moore said.

Texas Rep. Chet Edwards will visit Staunton this afternoon as part of a state tour to discuss challenges facing Virginia veterans, and to reveal Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s plans for treatment of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

WEYERS CAVE — Vietnam era veteran Michael St. Sauver feels more than the ache in his bad knee when he needs VA medical care.

Peter Wren can still remember the pungent odor of black bunker oil from the sunken USS Indianapolis that coated survivors when he helped rescue them 63 years ago this week.