PACT fostering pets of military members and sick pet parents

When people get sick or military members deploy, PACT finds free foster care for their pets

Philadelphia Enquirer
by Natalie Pompilio
March 18, 2020

“I had no dog to come home to,” said King, who lives in Newark, Del. “It broke me like you wouldn’t believe.”

But after a stressful combat tour in Afghanistan, he adopted Bandit, a Rottweiler mix, who stayed by his side as he dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder. Soon after, King found Ruger, a puppy who’d been used as a bait dog by a dog-fighting ring.

When King learned he was being deployed again, this time for six months, he turned to PACT.

COURTESY OF MIKE KING
Mike King (center) had a joyful reunion with his dogs after returning home from overseas deployment. His dogs were fostered by Gin Keefer and John Melleady (standing) while he was away.

In 2011, Buzz Miller was disturbed to learn that some deploying military members surrendered their dogs and cats to animal shelters because they had no one to care for the pets while they were away.

That prompted him to create PACT for Animals, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that finds free foster homes for animals of deployed members of the military and for hospitalized patients of all ages.

PACT (an acronym for “People + Animals = Companions Together”) has 250 foster homes in the Greater Philadelphia area and 450 more throughout the country. Since 2011, the organization has arranged temporary homes for more than 1,000 pets.

“I’m all about the human-animal bond,” said Miller, 78, an “animal nut” who left his 35-year law career for PACT. “I can’t stand the thought of a military person going to Iraq or fighting ISIS and they have to give up their animal. I can’t let a kid fighting cancer or heart problems at CHOP lose his animal.”
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Six Philadelphia officers shot, another trapped with gunman

Suspect in custody after 6 officers hurt in hours-long Philadelphia standoff

All of the officers who were shot had been released from the hospital by late Wednesday night. The city’s mayor said that one of those officers, who is the father of two boys, suffered a graze wound to his head and could have been killed.
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Six Philadelphia officers shot in active standoff with gunman holed up in house

NBC News
By Doha Madani and Tom Winter
Aug. 14, 2019

At least six Philadelphia police officers were shot Wednesday afternoon in an active standoff with a gunman holed up in a North Philly house.

A large police presence responded to a shooting incident at about 4:30 p.m. local time in a residential area of the Nicetown section of the city. One male shooter was still inside a residence in what police described as an active situation.

A police spokesperson told NBC News that the incident began when an officer attempted to serve a warrant at the address.
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Vietnam Veteran Sgt. Matthew Francis Kelly made a dying wish to his nurse

Strangers invited to funeral for Vietnam veteran who died alone. ‘I wanted to honor his final wishes,’ his nurse said.

Philadelphia Enquirer
by Melanie Burney
July 9, 2019

Kelly left Vietnam in November 1970 and received an honorable discharge, his records show. Little is known about his life after the military. He returned to Philadelphia. Richello said he had a hard life, “and he was one of the forgotten.”

BRADLEY C BOWER / FOR THE INQUIRER

Former Army Sgt. Matthew Francis Kelly made a dying wish to his nurse: He wanted to be buried with full military honors, a parade, bagpipes, and a 21-gun salute.

In death, Kelly will get what he did not receive in life when he returned home to Philadelphia from the Vietnam War nearly 50 years ago. His nurse, Jennifer Richello, has recruited a band of strangers to keep the promise she made to Kelly on his deathbed a few months ago.

“I wanted to honor his final wishes, and love and respect for his service to our country,” Richello, a registered nurse, said in a statement Tuesday. “Kelly was a good man and deserves this.”

Richello also made a special request to mourners: bring a can of Pepsi to the funeral. Kelly loved the soft drink, she said.

After graduating from high school, Kelly enlisted on Jan. 14, 1969, his 20th birthday. He completed training at Fort Bragg, N.C, and Fort Sill, Okla., according to his military record. He was deployed to Vietnam in December 1969 and served as a communications chief in the 13th Battalion Signal, First Cavalry Division.
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Philly veteran met best friend in Florida...PTSD Service Dog named Maverick

How a very good dog named Maverick is helping a local vet escape the lingering effects of war

Philly Voice
BY BRIAN HICKEY
PhillyVoice Staff
July 2, 2019

Geoff Dempsey was haunted by things he saw in Afghanistan, but an 18-month old canine lightened his mental load

In late April, Geoff Dempsey flew from Philadelphia to Florida knowing he would soon meet his new best friend without any idea who, exactly, that was.

BRIAN HICKEY/PHILLYVOICE Geoff Dempsey said he felt an instant connection with Maverick, a black-and-tan lab who helps him escape a shell brought about by PTSD stemming from his service with the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan.

He and six other veterans – each still troubled by their time in the service – waited in line. One by one, they walked outside of K9s for Warriors headquarters in Ponte Verde for the big moment.

There, the 30-year-old, who served for five years including an eight-month tour in Afghanistan with his fellow U.S. Marines, was introduced to Maverick, a one-and-a-half-year-old black-and tan lab. They hit it off on the spot.

That connection was clearly evident when the duo arrived at Philadelphia’s Fitler Square Park two months later to talk about a non-profit program that matches veterans with “life-changing service dogs.”

In Dempsey’s case, it was all about being saddled with post-traumatic stress disorder related to his military service.

“He was licking me, sniffing me. I felt an instant connection,” he recalled with a smile on Monday morning, with Maverick at his side. “It was clear that he had a lot of love to give.
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Deputy sheriff found dead at his desk in apparent suicide

Philadelphia's first openly gay deputy sheriff found dead at his desk in apparent suicide

FOX News
By Anna Hopkins
June 9, 2019

Philadelphia's first openly gay Deputy Sheriff committed suicide at his desk from an apparent gunshot wound on Friday, just before the city's weekend of pride celebrations were set to begin.

Dante Austin, 27, was found dead at his desk at the Philadelphia Sheriff's office. An official cause of death is awaiting confirmation from the local Medical Examiner's office.

Austin was an Army veteran who also served as the department's first LGBTQ community liaison and was known as a "fierce advocate." He was set to be promoted to the position of sergeant next month, according to CBS Philly.

Sheriff Jewell Williams reflected on Austin's service with the Philadelphia Police Department, which he joined in 2013, and called his death “a tragedy for the Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Austin’s family and the local LGBTQ community.”
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Video of Afghanistan veteran being stabbed to death regarded as "trophy"

Fugitive captured in fatal stabbing of Cherry Hill war veteran

Philly.com
by Robert Moran
April 23, 2019

A 26-year-old man wanted in the fatal stabbing in Chinatown of a 28-year-old Afghanistan War veteran from Cherry Hill was captured by authorities Tuesday morning in Southwest Philadelphia.

Victor Yan has been accused of killing Brett Berdini, who was attacked by a group in the 1000 block of Race Street shortly before 2 a.m. last Oct. 14.

The attack, including the stabbing, was recorded on a camera phone by one of the assailants and shared among the attackers and others for their amusement, said Anthony Voci Jr., chief of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office homicide unit.

“We have a generation that is apparently obsessed with recording just about everything, and that includes violent crimes,” Voci said.

Voci said the defendants regarded the video as a “trophy.”
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Marine Corps reservists attacked in Piladelphia

Police: Marine reservists attacked, robbed in Philadelphia

By: The Associated Press
November 21, 2018

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police say a group of men and women attacked several Marine Corps reservists near a conservative rally last weekend.

The "We the People Rally" near Independence Hall drew more counterprotesters than participants Saturday.

Police say a few blocks away from the rally, the reservists were approached by the group that called them "Nazis" and "white supremacists." Police say members of the group used mace on the reservists and punched and kicked them. They allegedly stole one person's phone before running away.

Police released video of some of the attackers from the earlier counter-protest.
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Vietnam veteran takes veterans for last ride---in truck hearse

Vietnam vet uses pickup truck to make sure war veterans are never forgotten
ABC Action News 6 Philadelphia
August 26, 2018

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, you can't come through here right now, we got a funeral going on. I said I know, I got him in the back," says Elliott.

The boots polished to a high shine, and the rifles and helmets in a fallen soldier tribute, have accompanied many service members on the journey to their final resting place, in the bed of Ron Elliott's truck.

"I transport the casket in here and I deliver them down at the cemeteries," says Elliott.

It's obvious that this isn't just any old pickup truck. The sides of the truck are covered with names.

"They're all Delaware Veterans, who died in each war," Elliott says.

Names from World War II to the Vietnam War.

Ron fought in Vietnam, where he lost many friends. He hasn't forgotten them, and he doesn't want anyone else to forget them either.
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After WWII Love Lasted Two Lifetimes

WWII Veteran Couple Married for Seven Decades Dies on the Same Day 
PEOPLE 
Jason Duaine Hahn 
November 22, 2017

Two lovebirds who married each other after serving in World War II passed away within hours of each other last month, after sharing one last nap together just days before.

Isabell Whitney and Preble Staver put their love story on hold when the United States entered World War II. The two sweethearts met during a blind date in Philadelphia before they signed up to help the Allies in their efforts—Isabell as a nurse in the Navy stationed in Maryland and Preble as a Marine, who earned a Bronze Star during his tenure. Five months after the war concluded, Isabell and Preble reunited and married on February 15, 1946, the beginning of a more than 70-year-long union.

“They were great people. Mom really taught me that you can’t change another person but you can change your attitude towards them. Dad was a bit of a prickly pear!” Laurie Staver Clinton, 62, one of the couple’s five children, tells PEOPLE. “Dad was the strict one. Mom tried to be strict, but we knew what we could get away with her. It was pretty much a father rules the roost sort of thing.”
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Homeless Man Helped Stranger with $20, She Returns $20,000

This story keeps getting better!!!

Homeless veteran who received over $360K now wants to pay it forward, 'I just want to do the right thing'

UPDATE

Woman Raises over $254,000 for Homeless Veteran Who Helped Her

Posted on November 23, 2017

UPDATE

Woman raising funds to help homeless Marine Veteran

Johnny, who's 34, told McClure and D'Amico he has been homeless for about a year. He said he was previously a certified paramedic, and also served in the Marine Corps.

Woman raises money for homeless veteran who spent his last $20 to help her

Associated Press

November 22, 2017

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A New Jersey woman who was helped by a homeless man when she ran out of gas in Philadelphia is raising money to help him.

Kate McClure was heading to Philadelphia to visit a friend last month when she ran out of gas on Interstate 95. The Florence Township woman pulled over and began to worry until a homeless man approached her.

The man, whose name was “Johnny,” told her it wasn’t safe and he bought McClure gas with his last $20.

McClure promised she would return to pay him. McClure and her boyfriend, Mark D’Amico, have since raised over $20,000 for the former ammunition technician.

The pair hope to get “Johnny” an apartment and help with transportation.

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DUI Driver Killed Vietnam Veteran--Crowd Captures Driver

DUI Driver Strikes, Kills Vietnam Veteran in Tacony: Police
NBC 10 News
By David Chang and Denise Nakano

NBC10 obtained surveillance video of the suspect being surrounded by residents moments after the crash.

Friends and family are mourning a grandfather and Vietnam War veteran who was struck and killed by an alleged DUI driver only a few blocks away from his home in the Tacony section of Philadelphia.

Norm Ewing, 73, was standing on the 6500 block of Torresdale Avenue at 4:23 p.m. Sunday when he was struck by a van that dragged him for more than two blocks. The van also struck six cars and plowed through several intersections on Torresdale Avenue.
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Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vandalized

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vandalized In Philadelphia
Philadelphia Patch
By Max Bennett (Patch Staff)
May 9, 2017

Police said the male spray painted a band's upcoming album release onto the sidewalk inside the Veterans Memorial then fled in an unknown direction.

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Police are seeking two people who were seen on camera allegedly vandalizing a veterans memorial in the city recently. Police said anyone who can identify the two should contact police immediately.

According to police, the vandalism occurred on April 23 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Front and Spruce streets.

In the footage released by police, the two suspects walk up to the memorial, the male places a stencil on the ground, and spray paints the ground while the female watches.
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Professor Blames Media for Tweet He Sent About Soldier?

The jerk decided to send a Tweet about how he felt. Not bad enough he actually feels that way, but when he was confronted for his actions, he turned around and blamed the media?

Professor tweets ‘trying not to vomit’ when person gives seat to soldier
FOX 8 News
BY CNNWIRE
MARCH 31, 2017

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — A Drexel University professor tweeted that he was “trying not to vomit or yell about Mosul” after he watched a first-class passenger give up his seat for a uniformed soldier on an airplane.

Many on Twitter responded to the professor’s comments with anger and outrage.

George Ciccariello, associate professor of politics and global studies, posted the tweet Sunday on his private Twitter account. CNN obtained his tweet from a retweet someone else posted publicly on the social media platform.

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Real Death, Fake Headline on Homeless Veteran Being Beaten

Online story of homeless man killed by Philly anti-Trump protesters is fake
Philly.com
Julie Shaw
Staff Writer
Updated: NOVEMBER 15, 2016

In April 2015, Robert Barnes, 51, was attacked at the Sunoco gas station at 5338 N. Fifth St. An article posted Saturday by the Christian Times Newspaper website wrongly claimed that the video of Barnes' beating showed a homeless veteran being beaten to death by anti-Trump protesters. Barnes was not a veteran and was not beaten by anti-Trump protesters.

A fake article published Saturday on the Christian Times Newspaper website claims that a video showing the brutal beating of a homeless man at a gas station in the Olney section of Philadelphia last year was actually a homeless veteran being beaten to death by anti-Trump protesters.

Barnes was attacked outside the Sunoco gas station on 5th Street near Somerville Avenue at about 6:40 p.m. April 7, 2015, allegedly by three women and three juveniles. The assault landed him in a coma.

Barnes, 51, died seven months later, on Nov. 25, at Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health.
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Philadelphia Police Officer Survives Being Shot Eight Times During Ambush

Suspect in Philadelphia Shooting Rampage Left Note Showing Hatred Toward Police, Officers Say
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHILADELPHIA
By MEGAN TRIMBLE
Sep 17, 2016

The wild chase and shootout through the streets of Philadelphia began about 11:20 p.m. Friday when Sgt. Sylvia Young, a 19-year police veteran, was ambushed while sitting in her patrol car in west Philadelphia; she was shot a number of times in the arm and protective vest, Ross said.

"She didn't hear him say a word, just walked up on her and started firing," Ross said. "She did hear about 15 shots or so, and that's consistent with the scene, where we believe she was struck at least eight times."

PHOTO: An aerial view of police activity of a shooting in Philadelphia on September 16, 2016.WPVI-TV

A "rambling" note expressing hatred for police was found after a man opened fire on a Philadelphia police officer then went on a shooting rampage, injuring a second officer, killing a woman and wounding three other people before he was shot and killed by police in an alley, authorities said Saturday.

Police Commissioner Richard Ross identified the gunman in the Friday overnight attack as 25-year-old Nicholas Glenn, who was "well-known" to police and has a criminal record.

Ross said Glenn had a 9mm Ruger and at least three magazines as well as a plastic bag with 13 to 15 live rounds. Investigators were trying to track the origins of the weapon, which had an obliterated serial number.

"Obviously, he was hell-bent on hurting a lot of people," the commissioner said at a news conference, adding that "we aren't absolutely clear as to why."

The note was addressed "Doomed People" and expressed hatred for law enforcement and a probation officer; it was found on the gunman, Ross said. Police believe Glenn acted on his own and not as part of a group.
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Taylor Party of Nine Your Bill Is Covered: Stranger Thanks Marine's Family

Restaurant Patron Picks Up Tab For A Marine’s Family Of 9
CBS Philly
by Ray Boyd
May 14, 2016

RIDLEY, Pa. (CBS) — A local marine and his family were the recipients of a very special thank you at a local restaurant recently.

On May 9, Gina Taylor and her family went out for dinner at an Applebee’s in Ridley. With Gina and the family was her nephew Josh.

The Taylor family party was not a small one on that evening as nine of them were in attendance. Josh wore his Marine uniform to dinner that evening.

When their meal was wrapping up, a generous person in the restaurant decided to show his thanks.

The entire check had been paid for; a check that included appetizers, meals and desserts for a party of nine. The gesture was simply to thank Josh for his service.
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Veteran Died After Setting Himself on Fire at VA Clinic

Distraught veteran sets himself on fire with gasoline outside VA facility after losing wife and job
RAW Story
Sarah K. Burris SARAH K. BURRIS
14 APR 2016

Dashcam footage has just been released from the suicide of Navy veteran Charles Ingram III who, on March 19, doused himself with gallons of gasoline and set himself on fire outside of the Veterans Affairs clinic in Northfield, New Jersey.

The footage shows police in a frantic rush to put the fire out but it was to no avail. Ingram was burned on 100 percent of his body and rushed to Temple University Hospital burn unit. He died nine hours later, according to My9NJ.com.
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I am not posting the picture because I do not see the point of doing it when the story itself is so heartbreaking.


UPDATE
Services announced for man who set himself on fire in Northfield
Press of Atlantic City
March 26, 2016

Funeral services have been announced for the Egg Harbor Township man who set himself on fire last weekend outside a Northfield VA clinic.

Charles R. Ingram III, 51, died last Saturday after he poured gasoline on himself and set himself ablaze at the Department of Veterans Affairs facility on New Road. He was taken by helicopter from the scene to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he passed.

Ingram served in the Navy from 1985 to 1992, according to his obituary. His public death renewed attention to problems in the VA health care system, local veterans advocates said.
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Man who set himself on fire at Northfield veterans' clinic has died 
Press of Atlantic City 
MICHELLE BRUNETTI POST, Staff Writer March 23, 2016

Ingram used gasoline as an accelerant and set himself on fire at the clinic at 1901 New Road. He was evacuated by helicopter from the Northfield Community School to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia just before 2 p.m., police said.

Michael Ein / Staff Photographer A woman who identified herself as the mother-in-law of Egg Harbor Township Veteran Charles R. Ingram III, 51, lays flowers at the memorial adjacent to the Veterans Affairs Clinic in Northfield, Wednesday March 23, 2016. Ingram died Saturday after setting himself on fire outside the clinic.

An Egg Harbor Township veteran who died after setting himself on fire Saturday outside a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Northfield has drawn attention to problems in the VA system. Charles R. Ingram III, 51, was airlifted to the Temple Burn Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, where he died later that night, Northfield police said. No note of explanation was left at the scene or at Ingram’s home, said Northfield acting Police Chief Paul Newman.

In July 2014, Navy veteran Kevin Keller, 52, shot himself in front of a closed VA clinic in Wytheville, Virgnia. He left a note blaming the VA for leaving him in terrible pain after weaning him off prescription painkillers, according to a Sept. 7, 2014, story in the Roanoke Times. read more here

Philadelphia Police Officer Survived Isis Inspired Assassin

Philadelphia police release chilling images of alleged ISIS-inspired attack on officer
Business Insider
Colin Campbell
Jan 8th 2016

On Friday, the Philadelphia Police Department released dramatic still images of an alleged assassination attempt against one of its officers the night before.

Police Commissioner Richard Ross said the attacker claimed to have been inspired by the Islamic State terror group, also known as ISIS. Ross said the targeted officer was shot three times and that it was something of a miracle that he survived such a direct attack.

"I don't know how this officer survived," Ross said.

The alleged attacker was identified as Edward Archer.
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HOMELESS VETERAN, BEATEN BY TEENS ON CAMERA DIED

HOMELESS VETERAN, BEATEN BY TEENS ON CAMERA IN OLNEY, DIES
WPVI TV News Philadelphia
November 27, 2015

OLNEY (WPVI) -- A homeless veteran, beaten at a gas station in the Olney section of Philadelphia nearly eight months ago, has died.

The incident at the Sunoco in the 5500 block of North 5th Street was captured by a surveillance camera on April 7th.

The video shows 51-year-old Robert Barnes being pummeled by teens with a hammer, a piece of wood and punches, after police say a 10-year-old boy told his mother he got into an argument with Barnes.

The attack left Barnes in a coma.
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Disabled Veteran Jumped From Philadelphia VA Hospital

UPDATE

Stewart A. Mosher, 34, appeared to have jumped from the top level of the parking garage on the VA campus just after noon on Nov. 27, according to a police report obtained by the Times Union. Five people, including a VA employee and a nurse from Albany Medical Center Hospital, witnessed Mosher hit the pavement in front of 67 Veterans Way, police said.

Disabled veteran jumps from deck, dies at Philadelphia VA hospital
Federal authorities investigating incident as Philadelphia VA remains under scrutiny
Philly Voice
BY MICHAEL TANENBAUM
Philly Voice Staff
November 20, 2015

Federal authorities with the Department of Veterans Affairs the death of a man who jumped from a parking deck Thursday morning at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs hospital.

The incident occurred as the victim, whose name has not yet been released, sought psychiatric treatment at the facility in Philadelphia, according to The Daily Beast. Because the incident occurred on federal property, the investigation is being conducted by the VA police department.

A spokesperson for the VA, Fern Billet, did not confirm whether the man's death was considered a suicide. At the scene, officials said that the victim was a white male, approximately 5'7'', who was identified by a witness based on a distinctive backpack he was wearing.

The witness said the victim left the VA waiting room and jumped from a parking deck, striking a utility building and losing his shoes before falling to the ground. The body was removed from the scene as VA police and federal officials began an investigation.
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