North Carolina Veteran Saved From Flood By Brother, Twitter and Stranger with Drone

Brother uses Twitter to save veteran, dog in Matthew flooding
KHOU
October 10, 2016

HOPE MILLS, NC - A worried brother and a man with a drone used the power of social media to save someone trapped in their house.

Craig Williams was worried about his brother, Chris, and contacted WFMY News 2 early Sunday morning. Chris Williams is a Navy veteran with a dog who cannot swim in Cumberland County. He was stuck in his house because of Hurricane Matthew flooding.

We called Cumberland County 911 and they said they were working on getting someone to help, but could not get there due to the flooding.

Little did Craig know, a man posting drone pictures on social media could help.

Searching through #HopeMills on Twitter, the city his brother lives in, he found a drone picture of homes almost completely flooded.

Trying to cheer up his brother he sends this picture and teases him that at least this isn't his house.
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UK Navy Veteran Standoff With Police

Combat caused PTSD does not just happen here in the US. It happens to humans no matter what country they serve to defend. Civilians benefit from what they fought for in order to have this wound treated. After all, Trauma is Greek for wound. It is something that happened to them and they survived. It is an ancient wound. It has been described in some of the first printed words including the pages of the Bible, especially within the Psalms of David.

What has never been explained is, how is it that most humans know so little about it when everyone seems to be talking about it?

There are far too many claiming they are raising awareness about PTSD and suicides yet none of them have the ability to truly do anything to change what has been happening. Why? Simply because they do quick searches, find the number "22" and never bother to do anymore research. How important is it when they can't even bother to invest the time in understanding it? They are unprepared and the results show how little they actually know.

When asked simple basic questions they should have known before they even began to publicize themselves, they give the wrong answers. When asked if they are prepared for an encounter with a veteran in crisis, they have not even thought about it. They are not ready to make anything better or help a veteran when they are losing everything in the process.

They will talk about PTSD but never mention what comes with it when normal life happens to deliver more trauma. It happened in the UK with a standoff between a veteran and police officers.

Chris Taylor, prosecuting, said Emerson’s mental health issues were compounded by the break-up of his marriage.

He said: “Added to these problems was that he lived next door to his ex mother-in-law. His ex-wife would still attend at the property with her new partner and children.

“All these circumstances added together to provide a very tense situation.”

PTSD is followed by a series of misfortunate events because they did not get the proper help. That is what everyone needs to know in all of this. So when do we start to make surviving be more of a blessing instead of it feeling like a curse?

Former Navy officer threatened to shoot police during armed siege in “suicide by cop” attempt
Mirror UK
BY NEIL DOCKING
4 JUN 2016

Neil Emerson threatened to shoot police during a five-hour armed siege in a “suicide by cop” attempt

An ex-Royal Navy officer wearing a gas mask and threatened to shoot police during a five-hour armed siege in a “suicide by cop” attempt.

Neil Emerson, who was suffering post traumatic stress disorder, brandished an axe after calling officers to his home in Waterloo, Merseyside, at around 5.30pm on March 7 this year, the Liverpool Echo reported.

Liverpool Crown Court heard he yelled: “I’m wearing Kevlar so you will have to shoot me in the head when you come in here to get me.”

He then shouted: “I’ve got an SLR [self-loading rifle] and I’m going to take potshots at you – you won’t even see it coming.”

Emerson had earlier dialled 999 and told an operator: “I’ve set the house up. I’m ready for youse. Come and get me. I’m going to kill youse.”

The 52-year-old, of Oxford Drive, added: “You’ve got my number, you’ve got my name, so come and get me. Tell them to come in heavy.”
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Navy Veteran's Act of Kindness Solved Problem and Warmed Hearts

There are so many stories all over the country about acts of kindness by our veterans. This kind of story is not as rare as you may think.

This is one of those stories.

A Navy Veteran saw a family in need of simple-human kindness at an airport. He not only helped solve their problem, he touched their hearts.

Read the rest of the story on Mighty by Lauren Davis When a Veteran Stood Up for My Son at the Airport

"I was in a fog, sorting through my emotions and attempting to create an action plan. Then a man who overheard this conversation got up and started talking to the attendant. He was dressed in a retired Navy veteran sweatshirt and hat. I watched him, shocked by his kindness. We were complete strangers to him and he still tried to help us. But again, the attendant used her desensitized robotic voice to tell him the flight was full, she could not accommodate us, sit down.

All I could think of was to call the airline to contact a representative for help. I didn’t notice, but the Navy veteran left the gate. As I sat on hold with the airline, he returned within moments with a supervisor. He explained what had happened, and the supervisor immediately removed the attendant from her post."

That is just a small part of this story.  It gets even better when you understand exactly what happened before this part and afterwards. And oh, by the way Mighty is looking for your stories celebrating the human spirit too.

“A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown.” – Tom Hanks.

A version of this post originally appeared on HOPE.

The Mighty is asking its readers the following: Describe the moment a stranger — or someone you don’t know very well — showed you or a loved one incredible love. If you’d like to participate, please send a blog post to community@themighty.com. Please include a photo for the piece, a photo of yourself and 1-2 sentence bio.

Manhunt searches for ex-LAPD Cop and Navy Veteran

UPDATE

LAPD Chief: Fired Officer's Rampage a "Vendetta" Against Law Enforcement
Officers were stopped at a red light in Riverside when they were "ambushed by the suspect"
By Jonathan Lloyd
Thursday, Feb 7, 2013

Officers Shot, One Killed in Riverside County

The search led to Riverside County early Thursday after two LAPD officers -- part of a security detail assigned to one of the families mentioned in the Dorner manifesto -- encountered Dorner in Corona, Lopez said. The LAPD officers were flagged down by someone who recognized Dorner's vehicle at Magnolia Avenue near the 15 Freeway.

The gunman exited the vehicle and opened fire on officers with a "shoulder-type" weapon, said Lopez. One of the officers was shot, suffering what was described as a "minor" graze wound.

"It's extremely intense," Lopez said. "We're trying to identify where he's been, where he's going. In this case, we are the targets. He's brazen. He's on a hunt to do whatever havoc he can.

"In my 22 years, it’s unusual that this many officers have been targeted."

About 20 minutes later, two Riverside officers responded to Magnolia and Arlington avenues (map) after receiving a call for assistance. Both Riverside officers were shot and transported to a hospital, where one was pronounced dead.

"By all accounts, it appears they were stopped at a red light and just ambushed by the suspect," said Riverside Lt. Guy Toussaint. "The suspect did flee the scene, and we're in the process of trying to identify and apprehend the suspect at this time."

The second officer remained in surgery Thursday morning, but authorities said the officer's condition was stable.

Christopher Dorner Manhunt: Police Search For Ex-Los Angeles Officer In Alleged Murder, Cop Killing
By TAMI ABDOLLAH and SHAYA TAYEFE MOHAJER
02/07/13

LOS ANGELES — Thousands of police officers throughout Southern California and Nevada hunted Thursday for a disgruntled former Los Angeles officer wanted for going on a deadly shooting rampage that he warned in an online posting would target those on the force who wronged him, authorities said.

Police issued a statewide "officer safety warning" and police were sent to protect people named in the posting that was believed to be written by the fired officer, Christopher Dorner, who has military training. Among those mentioned were members of the Los Angeles Police Department.

"I will bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in LAPD uniform whether on or off duty," said the manifesto. It also asserted: "Unfortunately, I will not be alive to see my name cleared. That's what this is about, my name. A man is nothing without his name."

Dorner has available multiple weapons including an assault rifle, said police Chief Charlie Beck, who urged Dorner to surrender. "Nobody else needs to die," he said.

More than 40 protection details were assigned to possible targets of Dorner. Police spokesman Cmdr. Andrew Smith said he couldn't remember a larger manhunt by the department.

In San Diego, where Dorner allegedly tied up an elderly man and unsuccessfully tried to steal his boat Wednesday night, Naval Base Point Loma was locked down Thursday after a Navy worker reported seeing someone who resembled Dorner.

Navy Cmdr. Brad Fagan said officials don't believe he was on base Thursday but had checked into a base hotel on Tuesday and left the next day without checking out. Numerous agencies guarded the base.

Fagan said Dorner was honorably discharged and that his last day in the Navy was last Friday.
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Last deed lives on as hero Jonathan Blunk laid to rest

Last deed lives on as hero Jonathan Blunk laid to rest
by Chaplain Kathie
Wounded Times Blog
August 4, 2012


The gunman did something in Colorado that will not be forgotten after he decided that others should die for what he wanted to do.

Jonathan Blunk will be remembered because he decided he would do something because others should live.

Keeping my promise to not give the mass murderer publicity, his evil act will not be forgotten but as with most, his name will be forgotten when the jail cell closes. This we know by others who came before him after the headlines contained their names.

The pain they left behind was replaced by memories of their victims. Do we really remember the names of the people that decided they should crash planes into the Twin Towers to kill as many people as possible or the other mass murderers killing people in the Pentagon or in the murderers killed in field in Shanksville Pennsylvania because heroes took action? We can look them up online and find their names but no one really wants to. Instead there are now three ships named for the places the murderers caused so much pain, USS Somerset, USS New York and USS Arlington will sail the seas bearing the memories of the victims and not the murderers.

As with most murderers, this report about Jonathan Blunk has the accused murderer mentioned far below his name. Pretty much the way it should be.

Friends: Family has been told that slain Navy veteran tried to stop shooter in Colo. theater
By Associated Press
Published: August 3
Washington Post

RENO, Nev. — A Navy veteran who died after throwing himself in front of a friend during the Colorado movie theater shooting was remembered Friday for his fearlessness and optimism.

Some mourners at the funeral for 26-year-old Jonathan Blunk also said they’ve been told by officials that there are indications he may have tried to stand up to the heavily armed gunman and stop him during the July 20 attack in Aurora, Colo.

“Law enforcement is leaning toward he was trying to get the (suspect’s) gun to save people’s lives,” said Roland Lackey, an Air Force veteran who officiated the service. “He was a hero, and I salute him.”

FBI spokesman Dave Joly in Denver said Friday that a court gag-order prevented him from commenting on the case. Officials have not yet indicated publicly whether anyone inside the Aurora theater confronted suspected gunman James Holmes during the shooting spree that left 12 people dead and dozens wounded.

Among the 500 mourners who packed a mortuary in the Nevada city where Blunk was raised were his wife, Chantel; daughter, Hailey, 4; son, Maximus, 2; and dozens of service members.

Blunk, who served three tours in the Middle East from 2004 to 2009, was credited for saving his friend’s life when the heavily armed gunman burst into the midnight showing of the Batman film “The Dark Knight Rises.”

Kyle Dawson, his shipmate in the Navy, said authorities told Blunk’s widow that her husband also matched the description of a man who went after the suspect.
red more here

Former Navy Doctor Looks At PTSD From Within

Former Navy Doctor Looks At PTSD From Within
July 14, 2012
By John Ostapkovich

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is the hell of war that follows you home and a former Navy doctor’s book looks at the ailment, from the inside.

Dr. John Parrish can give you a medical description of PTSD.

“It’s a rewiring of parts of the brain that learn to process dangerous conditions and the person thinks, inappropriately, that they’re in a dangerous position either all the time or after certain triggers,” says Dr. Parrish.

But Dr. Parrish, author of Autopsy of War, knows from personal experience how it nearly destroyed his life, until he admitted he had a problem and got treatment.
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Iraq Veteran locked up for "not being a citizen"

Veteran of Iraq War Now Fights His Own Deportation
By SUSANNAH NESMITH
Published: June 23, 2011

“We don’t often incarcerate war-hero-type people for making a false statement on a passport application,” Mr. Mervis said. “It’s a case that should never have been prosecuted criminally. This is just wrong.”

MIAMI — A veteran of both the Army and the Navy who served with distinction in Iraq and at Guantánamo Bay has spent the last month in federal lockup here because the government wants to deport him.

Not only did he lie on a passport application, prosecutors say, but he was never even a citizen.

But a lawyer for the man, Elisha L. Dawkins, 26, has a different story, one that begins with Mr. Dawkins’s arrival here from the Bahamas as an infant. He was raised to believe he was a citizen, his lawyer contends, something the state and federal authorities did not challenge during his seven years in the military.

It is unclear why Mr. Dawkins was indicted in March, five years after receiving his passport and when he was still in the Navy.

“The military believes he’s an American citizen,” the lawyer, Clark Mervis, told Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga of Federal District Court here last week, noting that Mr. Dawkins had “secret” security clearance when he served in Guantánamo.
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Veteran of Iraq War Now Fights His Own Deportation

Agent Orange still killing veterans

Shelia over at www.agentorangequiltoftears.com sent this

Sailors suffer illness, disability as VA denies Agent Orange benefits to an entire class of Vietnam veterans.
By Ken Olsen

Sailors suffer illness, disability as VA denies Agent Orange benefits to an entire class of Vietnam veterans.

Robert Ross heard the low-flying plane heading his direction as he stood on the signal bridge of USS Vega on a late-summer day in 1966. Bathed in Southeast Asian sunshine, he was listening to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons when he looked up just in time to get a face full of spray.

“The officer on deck was panicking,” Ross recalls. “They hollered, ‘Everybody inside! Agent Orange!’ But it was too late.”

Forty-three years later, time is running out for Ross and tens of thousands of other sailors suffering from various cancers, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and heart conditions caused by Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. For nearly a decade, VA, acting on a Bush administration directive and a punitive court decision, has severed their benefits or denied their claims. Under these new VA rules, so-called “Blue Water” and “Blue Sky” veterans are deemed not to have suffered any ill effects from the millions of gallons of toxic defoliant spread across the jungles during the war, regardless of any contact they may have had with it. The government’s rationale: they did not set foot on land or couldn’t meet VA’s stringent requirements for proof that they were exposed.
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Blue Water Battle

Veteran says "The Democrat has made the right promises"

This is one of the biggest points that can be made. The author of this goes on to say how McCain has not supported veterans. In my opinion, with all that has been happening since McCain returned from Vietnam, he has had 26 years of opportunity to be an advocate for veterans but decided he didn't need to stand up for them. He only claimed he did but when more should have been expected out of him as a veteran he turned his back on them. His record proves that.

The Democrat has made the right promises

Date published: 10/24/2008


THE PERSON chosen to be the next president will face extremely difficult challenges over the next few years.

The choices the president makes will undoubtedly upset many Americans in both parties, if our out-of-control economy is to be brought back into balance after eight years of rampant spending under an administration that has done little to provide leadership on economic issues. Now more than ever, true leadership and courage is needed to affect the change in policies we so very much need to change course, and to heal the economic woes faced by so many Americans throughout our great nation.

As a Virginia small-business owner, veteran, and Latino, I'm voting for Sen. Barack Obama for the same reasons as millions of other Americans: because I believe this country desperately needs change. Obama will change our economic policies to help middle-class families, promote the growth of small businesses, and increase funding for veterans' affairs, so no member of our armed services goes without the medical treatment he or she needs and deserves.

As a 26-year veteran of the United States Navy, I have had the opportunity to serve this country under the leadership of Democrats and Republicans alike. I served at the highest levels in both Democratic and Republican administrations. In the ruins of 9/11, I commanded the construction and operation of the Navy's newest and most capable warship. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to lead some of America's bravest men and women, and the privilege to serve my country.
click post title for more of this great piece

Carlos Del Toro is a resident and small-business owner in Stafford County who serves on the boards of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Council and as a member of the local Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Blue Water-Agent Orange:Loophole frustrates veterans

Loophole frustrates veterans
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 | 11:05 AM
By Steve Daniels, produced by Ross Weidner
The federal government says more than 400 thousand veterans are dying from illnesses linked to agent orange exposure from their time in Vietnam.

But now some veterans say a loophole in the law is letting the Veterans Administration leave them out in the cold.

Harry Spencer served as a Navy photographer during the Vietnam War as a member of what's called the Blue Water Navy, sailors who helped troops on the ground from ships right off shore.

"In the background of each picture, you can actually see the beach," says Spencer. He continues, "at times we were probably within a half a mile."

Spencer says because he was that close he and other sailors breathed in Agent Orange. Agent Orange is a chemical the army used to kill plant life in Vietnam. He also says they unknowingly drank it.

"They very basically take salt water from the sea and they make freshwater," says Spencer. He says freshwater on the ship, water used for drinking, cooking and washing clothing was contaminated with Agent Orange.

"Nobody knew at that point that it was going to hurt us," says Spencer. When he returned home to Raleigh from his ship off the coast of Vietnam, he ran a photo shop in eastern North Carolina until the day his cancer appeared.

"They informed me that I also had chronic emphysemic leukemia. First question out of the doctor's mouth was, 'You've been in Vietnam haven't you?'" says Spencer.
Spencer has all the classic symptoms but gets none of the compensation the government gives to Vietnam Vets because the VA says he didn't have his "boots on the ground."

"Boots on the ground means you actually set foot on the soil," says Spencer. He continued, "it makes no difference if it's one hour or one second, and you're eligible for benefits."

That means if you were in the navy off the coast, exposed to Agent Orange, and have the same illness as someone on land, the VA says you don't get a dime.

"It's like getting a knife, in your heart. I mean I gave the Navy ten years of my life. And now they just, basically say that I don't exist anymore," says Spencer.

"I know some of my friends have sent their medals back," says Wally Ward. Ward also served in the navy right off shore. HE says his two different kinds of cancer and diabetes are symtoms of Agent Orange exposure that other vets do get paid for. But, now he can't get help from the government and isn't even considered a Vietnam war veteran.
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Lucas Senescall's suicide raises questions about PTSD care

When will they get the message that the suicide hot line is great but they need to have the rest of the VA up to speed or all it does is prolong the suffering?

Army Vet's Suicide Raises Questions About VA's Treatment of PTSD Cases
Written by Jason Leopold
Thursday, 14 August 2008
by Jason Leopold

The tragic death earlier this month of a 26-year-old Navy veteran who hung himself with an electrical cord while under the care of a Spokane, Washington Veterans Administration hospital depression underscores what veterans advocacy groups say is evidence of an epidemic of suicides due failures by the VA to identify and treat war veterans afflicted with severe mental health problems.

Lucas Senescall, who suffered from severe depression, was the sixth veteran who committed suicide this year after seeking treatment at the Spokane VA, according to a report published last weekend in the Spokesman Review.

Senescall’s father said his son was “begging for help and [the VA] kicked him to the curb,” according to the July 20 report in the Spokesman Review.

On Tuesday, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wa, addressed the increasing number of war veterans who are committing suicide, specifically pointing out the death of Lucas Senescall, during a speech on the Senate floor.


“More than five years [after the start of the Iraq war], we should have the resources in place to treat the psychological wounds of war as well as we do the physical ones. But we don’t,” Murray said. “When someone with a history of depression, PTSD, or other psychological wounds walks into the VA and says they are suicidal, it should set off alarm bells We can’t convince veterans or service members to get care if they think they will be met with lectures and closed doors. That is unacceptable. At the very least, we must ensure that staff at military and VA medical centers have the training to recognize and treat someone who is in real distress.

“Time and again, it has taken leaks and scandals to get the Administration to own up to major problems at the VA – from inadequate budgets to rising suicide rates. And its response to rising costs has been to underfund research and cut off services to some veterans. Service members and veterans need more than an 800 number to call,” Murray said.

Paul Sullivan, the executive director of the advocacy group Veterans for Common Sense, agreed.

“The facts show VA lacks consistent and complete policies and oversight on the subject of suicide, as VA leaders confirmed during the trial in the lawsuit veterans brought against VA.”
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Agent Orange Bill needs to do more

Received by email

I'm Jeff, and I write the VNVets blog.

This legislation goes a long way, but only applies to Vietnam Veterans. It is a bill that will make inclusive for Vietnam Navy AND Air Force Veterans, presumptive eligibility for Agent Orange benefits.

It is my belief that this will be a major step and a huge precedent for Agent Orange benefits and will lead to further legislation that will expand to include Korea, Guam, Panama, and many sites in the States.

Filner's bill strikes a death blow to the VA which has been steadily rolling back the great work of the Agent Orange Act of 1991. The DVA issued a precedent in 1992 that was implemented in 1993 stripping the Air Force veterans of presumption eligibility. In 1997 they issued another precedent that was implemented in 2002 stripping the Blue Water Navy Veterans from presumption. This bill reverses that by a simple amending of the original language in Agent Orange legislation.

Once in place is establishes the will of Congress on Agent Orange legislation. It will make life easier for those who have the scientific evidence to present to the Institute of Medicine to expand the coverage of the Agent Orange Act to other locations besides Vietnam. Won't be easy, but the path is there if this bill goes through.

What we are seeking tonight is Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans to join us in Washington at noon next Wednesday for Bob Filner's public introduction of the bill. We need a good presence there to support Filner and show the press what they've been ignoring. It is an opportunity we have been waiting for over the past few years.

Any BWN Veterans of Vietnam who can and wish to come along should contact me with their name, email address and home town at
emailvnvets@vetsnet.us

I hope to have confirmation that this will occur next Wednesday and info on where specifically to go sometime tomorrow,
BUT,
I must provide a list of at least a dozen names of BWN Vets who will be attending.

If this does not occur next Wednesday, it will occur in September, after the August recess. My fear is that if we wait until September, the bill will not have enough time to clear Congress before the election, which increases the chance that it will die on the floor.

Hence the urgency.

Pease feel free to visit the VNVets Blog and read about this [currently less detail than what I have posted here...we don't want to give the VA too much info in advance], and our efforts to date.

Thanks folks! I'm glad to be a part of this forum.

Jeffngfs66VNVets

http://vnvets.blogspot.com

Daisy Diaz promoted within Marion County Veterans Services

Navy veteran promoted within Marion County Veterans Services

BY GWENN WELCH
SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BANNER


Published: Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 12:38 a.m.

OCALA- Daisy Diaz, a retired Navy petty officer, has been a service officer with Marion County Veterans Services since 2006. She recently was promoted to Veterans Service Supervisor. She also is vice president for the 11-county Veterans Service Officers Association.

"My newest goal is to see that information regarding new benefits and changes in benefits for veterans gets out as quickly as possible," Diaz said.

Jeffrey Askew, director of the county's veterans services department, said Wednesday, "She's an outstanding asset to the veterans services office, what with her multiple languages and military experience. A lot of people can relate to that."
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Iraq veteran remembered by police, Air Force, Navy and many more

Family Mourns Former Montgomery Police Officer, Air National Guardsman, War Veteran

Updated: May 12, 2008 10:54 PM EDT


A former Montgomery man was looking for not just a way out but a way up when he left our city.

On the way, he served our country as a police officer, a Navy man, as an Air Force mechanic, and he saw action in Iraq not once but three times.

His life is over, but not his legacy. It's a legacy his family says should inspire others.

The family's tape player is showing an image and a time young Jermichael Barnett might remember best.

It's from Christmas 2006, and Michael Barnett was doing what he did best - work on something.

"He'd always strive go go higher," said Barnett's younger brother, Fred.

It seems Barnett had an itch only constant change could scratch. Right out of school, he joined the Navy, then local police.

Then he joined the Air Force and found himself fighting against Iraq, not once but three times.

"When the planes would come back, they'd come back to him because he worked on the planes, they'd be full of bullet holes, so he knew houw tough it was," Fred Barnett said.

In the past couple of years, Michael Barnett settled in the Atlanta area, working as an airplane mechanic for Lockheed Martin, and as a welder on the side.

When he wasn't working, he coached his son's baseball team.

"He loved being respected. He loved wearing a respectable uniform," said his brother.

It all came to a tragic end last Wednesday, when a driver turned left in front of Barnett's motorcycle.

He never had a chance to slow down.

"Thrown off the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene," said Mr. Barnett.
go here for more
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=8313849

Blue Water Navy Vets Need To Pay Attention To This

"BLUE WATER NAVY" VETERANS LOSE CASE IN U.S.

COURT OF APPEALS -- Offshore Vietnam vets will not

get presumptive benefits for exposure to Agent Orange.

VA's "Boots on the Ground" rule stands.
go here for more
http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfMAY08/nf050808-8.htm


UPDATE: VETS' ATTORNEY ANALYZES "BLUE WATER NAVY" DECISION (05-10-08)"It is a sad day...because the VA...will now be able to continue to deny benefits to deserving veterans who are suffering the effects of Agent Orange exposure."

UPDATE: "BLUE WATER NAVY" DECISION TO BE APPEALED (05-09-08)

Homeless Veteran buried with dignity

Homeless Veteran Gets Military Burial
Miri Marshall-KFOX Morning News Traffic Anchor/Reporter
POSTED: 12:39 pm MDT March 27, 2008

EL PASO, Texas -- Family and friends wiped tears as they bid farewell to Navy Veteran Steven Lee Osborn Monday at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

“We’re all gonna (going to) miss him,” said Osborn’s friend Besi Nicholes.

Osborn, 48, died of pneumonia. He was known for loving the desert and polishing trucks.

“He was a really a neat guy.” Said Nicholes. “He really was very humble, kind, loving, very understanding."

Osborn was homeless and last living in Socorro’s Tent City. He was one of more than 270,000 homeless veterans living on the streets.

The Dignity Memorial Program paid for Osborn’s burial arrangements. The program is sponsored by Kaster-Maxon & Futrell Funeral Home. Dignity Memorial pays for the military burial of homeless veterans.

"Instead of being buried in a pauper's grave they will be buried here at the national cemetery,” said Dignity Memorial spokeswoman Mary Slawson. “They served their country and did what they did for our country, then we need to give back to them."
go here for the rest
http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/15724291/detail.html