UPDATE
New York Daily News
California man busted for impersonating Army soldier to get discounted Starbucks coffee
The man, whose name hasn’t been disclosed, was caught sporting a full U.S. Army uniform at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport when an actual veteran grew suspicious of his getup.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
BY ADAM EDELMAN
December 25, 2014
He was all that he could be — and he pretended to be all that someone else was, too.
A California man was busted earlier this week for impersonating a U.S. soldier — donning a fake U.S. Army uniform and bragging about accomplishments that weren’t his — all to get a 20% Starbucks discount for veterans.
The man, whose name hasn’t been disclosed, was caught sporting a full Army uniform at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport on Monday when an actual veterans grew suspicious of his story after asking him questions about his service.
A man dressed in an Army uniform who received a 20% discount off his order at Starbucks was confronted by a former U.S. Army combat engineer.
“He’s wearing his hat indoors, which we don’t,” former Army combat engineer Christian Parmer told KMPH-TV about noticing inconsistencies in the man’s uniform.
“He’s got a Confederate flag on his shoulder, which we don’t wear of course.”
Parmer then asked the man about his service, on tape, revealing a hole-ridden story that fell apart in mere moments.
“I had nothing else that was clean. I have no other clothes that are here right now,” the man, who said he was 44 years old and a veteran, says in the video. “I’ve been here only for four days.”
read more here
Stolen valor caught on camera
Dec. 22, 2014
Veteran confronts guy wearing Army uniform at the Fresno Airport
Showing posts with label Fresno. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fresno. Show all posts
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Monday, January 16, 2012
Fresno VA live music calms PTSD TBI veterans waiting for appointments
Live music at Fresno's VA hospital makes a big difference
Musicians in the hospital waiting room were meant to provide simple distraction, but doctors noticed improvement in many patients, especially those with PTSD or traumatic brain injury.
By Diana Marcum, Los Angeles Times
January 16, 2012
Reporting from Fresno— The hospital was built in the years after World War II. Its ceilings are low, corridors long and corners sharp — all possible stress triggers for those who have been in combat.
Not to mention that a hospital waiting room can make anyone edgy.
But the Veterans Affairs hospital in Fresno has found a way to make the experience easier: live music.
A musician playing amid the hustle and bustle is familiar to anyone who has ever sat at a cafe with entertainment or taken the subway. But this has proved to be more. The hospital set out to provide simple distraction, but soon doctors noticed a marked improvement in many of their patients, especially those with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.
Dr. Hani Khouzam, a psychiatrist who treats both disorders, said patients have been arriving for appointments so notably calmer that it takes him longer to make a diagnosis — something he welcomes.
"You have to understand what it means for a combat veteran to be agitated in the waiting room.
Their pupils are dilated. They are angry or waiting for something to happen," he said. "But when we have live music that day, they come to me far more relaxed. It's like an amazing miracle, and I don't say that lightly."
On a recent day in a busy main reception area, grandfathers waited for blood work and a young veteran was whisked through on a gurney, face-down and in restraints — possibly headed for a locked psychiatric unit. Jon Sharp, a classical guitarist, played Francisco Tarrega's "Recuerdos de la Alhambra," which begins in wistful melancholy and builds to an uplifting melody.
George Flores, head of the hospital's police force and himself an Iraq War veteran, paused to listen.
read more here
Musicians in the hospital waiting room were meant to provide simple distraction, but doctors noticed improvement in many patients, especially those with PTSD or traumatic brain injury.
By Diana Marcum, Los Angeles Times
January 16, 2012
Reporting from Fresno— The hospital was built in the years after World War II. Its ceilings are low, corridors long and corners sharp — all possible stress triggers for those who have been in combat.
Not to mention that a hospital waiting room can make anyone edgy.
But the Veterans Affairs hospital in Fresno has found a way to make the experience easier: live music.
A musician playing amid the hustle and bustle is familiar to anyone who has ever sat at a cafe with entertainment or taken the subway. But this has proved to be more. The hospital set out to provide simple distraction, but soon doctors noticed a marked improvement in many of their patients, especially those with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.
Dr. Hani Khouzam, a psychiatrist who treats both disorders, said patients have been arriving for appointments so notably calmer that it takes him longer to make a diagnosis — something he welcomes.
"You have to understand what it means for a combat veteran to be agitated in the waiting room.
Their pupils are dilated. They are angry or waiting for something to happen," he said. "But when we have live music that day, they come to me far more relaxed. It's like an amazing miracle, and I don't say that lightly."
On a recent day in a busy main reception area, grandfathers waited for blood work and a young veteran was whisked through on a gurney, face-down and in restraints — possibly headed for a locked psychiatric unit. Jon Sharp, a classical guitarist, played Francisco Tarrega's "Recuerdos de la Alhambra," which begins in wistful melancholy and builds to an uplifting melody.
George Flores, head of the hospital's police force and himself an Iraq War veteran, paused to listen.
read more here
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Vietnam Vet's avalanche flashback
Stress disorder suspected in attack
Family of Olympian's father says he suffered from war flashbacks; Fresno police defend pursuit.
By Denny Boyles and Marc Benjamin / The Fresno Bee
09/26/07 04:31:57
Experts in post-traumatic stress disorder said Tuesday it's possible the condition could have contributed to Cliff Finch's actions during a police chase and shootout Monday.
Finch, 58, father of Olympic snowboarder Andy Finch, remains in critical condition at Community Regional Medical Center after being shot multiple times. Tuesday, Finch's family offered more details about the days leading up to the shootout and the steps they tried to take to get him help.
"He's been as stable as a rock," Craig Finch said of his brother. "But when he broke, we knew it. We knew it was not Cliff."
Police said that regardless of Cliff Finch's state of mind, they responded the only way they could to an armed suspect who refused to stop and then fired at officers.
"Throughout this whole case, we were put in situations where we were left with little or no options," said Fresno police spokesman Jeff Cardinale. "Cliff Finch ran from officers, refused to surrender and shot first."
Craig Finch said he believes his brother did not know what he was doing when he ran from police and shot at them.
Cliff Finch has been charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer. Tuesday, Police Chief Jerry Dyer announced that officers had recovered a second loaded weapon from Finch's truck, along with a box of .223 caliber ammunition.
go here for the rest
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