"This is a nightmare that I'm not going to wake up from." Brenda Marles

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center 'failed' veteran who died by suicide, lawsuit says

WPTV
By: Dave Bohman
Jul 27, 2023

This is a case about not listening to the needs of a Marine veteran who was reaching out to get help

WPTV
Brenda Marles describes the heartbreak of losing her husband to suicide and why she is suing the West Palm Beach VA.

According to her lawsuit, he went to the VA in January 2021 complaining "of anxiety, hallucinations, chest pain, insomnia, night sweats, and 'having crazy dreams.'"

The suit claims his PTSD was triggered in part by the Jan. 6 siege on the nation’s capital days earlier.

But after two visits to the West Palm Beach VA, the suit claims Rico Marles told his wife, "he did not believe anyone in the [Emergency Department] took his complaints seriously." Instead, "he felt 'brushed off.'"

After returning from his second VA visit, Brenda Marles said she fell asleep next to her husband. Then heard, "the sound of a pop."

Rico Marles shot himself.

Brenda Marles said her husband's suicide left her diagnosed with PTSD.

"This is a nightmare that I'm not going to wake up from," she said. read more here

I hate to read something like this. Not just because it is so sad, but because it is still happening. Veterans fight our battles and then have to fight the government for what they need to heal and recover. They give up and then it is up to the families to fight for them. That's what happened to us in the '90s. My husband is still here and the VA is doing everything he needs. Once his claim was finally approved they have been wonderful but it was a hell of a battle to get there. The thing that wounds my soul the most is this is still happening and Brenda Marles has to fight the battle as a widow and her own battle with PTSD after her husband committed suicide. WHY?

COVID-19 positive 4 employees, 14 patients at West Palm Beach VA

4 employees, 14 patients at West Palm Beach VA Medical Center test positive for coronavirus

WPTV News
By: Linnie Supall , Matt Papaycik
Apr 10, 2020

3,700 veteran patients at VA medical facilities around the country have tested positive for COVID-19, the Veterans Affairs Department said.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Four employees at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials confirm.

A spokesperson wouldn't provide any additional details about the conditions of those patients.

In addition, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 14 veteran patients at the West Palm Beach hospital have tested positive for COVID-19.
read it here

West Palm Beach VA Doctor Shot by Double Amputee

UPDATE

'Heroic' doctor subdues gunman at veterans hospital, authorities say

The gunman was identified as 59-year-old Larry Ray Bon.
ABC NEWS
By Morgan Winsor
February 28, 2019

A doctor is being hailed a hero for stopping a patient who opened fire in the emergency room of a veterans hospital in South Florida on Wednesday night.

The patient, a double-amputee, came to the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center in Riviera Beach for treatment but became combative with staff members and was taken to the emergency room. He pulled out a small handgun from his electric wheelchair and started firing as he was about to undergo a mental health evaluation around 6:20 p.m. local time.

The doctor was shot in the neck, and another hospital employee was grazed by a bullet, according to Justin Fleck, assistant special agent in charge at the FBI's Miami field office.

The wounded doctor, whom Fleck called "very brave," was able to jump on the patient in between fired rounds and disarm him before more shots were fired.

read more here

Doctor shot at VA hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida

STARS AND STRIPES
By NIKKI WENTLING
Published: February 27, 2019

WASHINGTON – An employee was shot Wednesday evening at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla., the VA confirmed.

An emergency room doctor was shot in the neck by a double amputee in a wheelchair, according to local news station CBS12. A hospital tech was in the restroom with the shooter and saw him loading a weapon, the report said. When the tech went to seek help, the shooter came out of the restroom firing.

The VA Sunshine Healthcare Network confirmed in a statement that one VA employee was shot at about 6:20 p.m. The employee was taken to another hospital and was in stable condition Wednesday night.
read more here

Vietnam Veteran Continues to Bless Customers At Dunkin Donuts

Army veteran will be allowed to continue greeting at local Dunkin' Donuts
WPTV News
Alyssa Hyman
Jan 8, 2016

Dunkin' Donuts said Sydoriak will be allowed to continue saying God Bless since he is not the franchisee's employee.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A beloved veteran will be able to continue greeting customers at a local Dunkin' Donuts, the franchise owner says.

A few weeks ago, he says the management had told him to stop, which lead to an uproar on social media.

For more than 10 years, Army Veteran David Sydoriak has been opening the door and greeting customers at the Dunkin' Donuts located on Military Trail in West Palm Beach.

However, recently he says store management asked him to stop saying "God Bless" and opening the door, saying it was bothering some customers.

Social media users erupted on Facebook, angry that the veteran was told to stop. However, the franchise changed its mind and Sydoriak can keep greeting customers.
read more here

When Will There Be Justice For Matthew Ladd?

How many years will Matthew Ladd wait for justice? Matthew Ladd left a message on Facebook to update what has been happening to him since a jury tried to provide him with the justice he should have received years ago.

West Palm claims ex-cop lied in court about PTSD
Palm Beach Post
March 11, 2015

WEST PALM BEACH — In what labor lawyer Sid Garcia calls the most vicious act he’s ever seen by an employer, the city of West Palm Beach is suing a former city police officer, claiming the Iraqi vet lied to convince a jury to award him $880,000 in a discrimination case.

The complex, multi-pronged litigation involves Matthew Ladd, who was fired by West Palm Beach in 2010 while he was still on probation. His termination came days after a psychiatrist hired by the city rejected police claims that Ladd, who served two years in Iraq and Afghanistan, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Norman Silversmith found that Ladd was fit to return to duty.
read more here

Matthew Ladd won lawsuit for PTSD still waiting for justice
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
January 6, 2014

Matthew Ladd has still not received a dime of the money the jury awarded him in August. He has not been given his job back and has not been able to find another one working as a police officer. Why? For heaven's sake this man risked his life in combat then was ready to continue risking his life in West Palm Beach. What he was not willing to do was give up. He still isn't even though he lost everything he owned.

Can you imagine what it has been like for him? I only know because he contacted me to update me on what is going on and with his permission I have posted this update because no matter what he's been thru, he isn't ready to give up on justice.

He still believes there is right and wrong in this world. That belief compelled him to enter into military service and what has compelled him to want to do whatever it takes to protect citizens. He still believes that he can be of service no matter how many have betrayed him in the past. Why? Because he has seen the worst people can do to each other along with the magnificence of what they can do for each other. His life has always been about doing for so he doesn't want revenge, he wants what the court said was justice for what was done to him.

If you want to contact Matthew, here is his email address matthewladd85@gmail.com. He needs our prayers and he needs support but right now he needs to be able to get past this darkness hanging over his head so that he can do what he was created to do, serve others.

Some want to think that PTSD is some kind of thing to be ashamed of but they ignore the fact that many police officers are also veterans and many have PTSD. That police work is dangerous enough to cause PTSD even without military service. They want to ignore that the vast majority of these men and women have earned awards for their service but then again, they seem all too willing to ignore the fact that many of the Medal of Honor Heroes have not only been heroes, they did with with PTSD.
read more here

On January 16, 2014 Judge refused to give Matthew Ladd back his job

You may remember Matthew Ladd providing an update to what has been happening after he won the lawsuit for being fired. Ten days later he sent me this from the Palm Beach Post. the judge refused to force the police to give him back his job and he still doesn't have the money the jury awarded him. None of this is fair. He served his country in the military and then began to pay the price with grace but what makes him even more remarkable is the fact he still wants to serve the people as a police officer.

Is this how Florida treats Police Officers after service in combat?
The story of Matthew Ladd didn't start when he was fired from the West Palm Beach Police Department. It started the day he joined the Army Reserves. We just didn't know what was happening to him until New Year's Eve 2011.
Ex-West Palm cop fights firing over PTSD allegations

Veteran Facing Eviction Robbed Bank To Get Help

Homeless veteran accused of bank robbery wanted to go to jail; now getting help
WPTV
Brian Entin
Nov 20, 2014

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Steven Bynes says he finally has hope.

Walking out of the VA Hospital in West Palm Beach, he isn't worried about getting evicted, going hungry, and having no medicine.

One week ago, it was a very different story.

Bynes says he walked into the Bank United on Okeechobee Boulevard and gave an employee a note demanding money.

Then he sat down and waited to get arrested.

"I figured that it would be simple...give them the note and they would put me in the backseat and take me to jail," Bynes said.

He says that was his plan for weeks.

"It was mainly about my health. I am trying to stay alive. At least in jail, I would be alive. But on the streets...I wouldn't have made it six months," Bynes said.
read more here

Homeless Veteran John E. Miller Died Alone, Buried with Honors

John E. Miller: Full honors at funeral for homeless veteran
WPTV
Ashleigh Walters
Sep 17, 2014

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. - Wednesday John E. Miller was honored by a group of men who had never met him. They knew he was born in Akron, Ohio in 1950 and served honorably as an E-1 Private in the United States Army in 1970.

"Unfortunately in this case have not been able to locate any family or any friends," explained Bill Quinn with Dignity Memorial and a funeral services director.

Miller's body sat in a quiet room at Quattlebaum funeral home in West Palm Beach. The silver-toned casket was draped in an American flag. The chairs in the expansive room sat empty.

"He is cared for just like one of your loved ones would be. We take him into our care from his place of death. We bring him in and we take care of him. We dress him in clothes, whether he has clothes or not. He is dressed in, you know, in a brand new set of clothes. He is placed in a casket that we provide free of charge," explained Quinn.

Miller died homeless. The Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program is a network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers who work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, local medical examiners, coroners, veterans advocates and veterans organizations to offer homeless and indigent veterans a proper burial.
read more here

Homeless veterans facing eviction from group home

Homeless veterans facing eviction from group home
Florida business challenging others to help
Ministry needs $180,000 to buy the home
WPTV News
Jeff Skrzypek
Jul 28, 2014

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- - The clock is ticking on several homeless veterans in Vero Beach, who will be kicked to the curb and out of the group home they have been staying in unless enough money is raised to buy the house.

Breath of Heaven Ministries, which runs the group home to help veterans, has until Thursday to raise $180,000 or they have to move out of the home.

After hearing about the situation, West Palm Beach tow truck company owner Kenneth Duvall, is pledging money and hopes other small businesses follow his lead.

"Veterans deserve it. They are why my small business is successful," said Kenneth Duvall, owner of Duvall Towing.

Pledging $1,000 to help, Duvall hopes others follow his lead and help pitch in to save the home before the owners sell it.

"There's a couple million people between Palm Beach County to Vero (Beach) and I figured if 1-in-10,000 of those people would give a thousand dollars, it would be $200,000 and it would be done," said Duvall.

Time is running out on the veterans who are counting on the home to get them back on their feet.
read more here

Matthew Ladd Goes to Federal Court in Battle for PTSD Justice

PTSD suit against West Palm Beach goes to federal court
Palm Beach Post
By Jane Musgrave
Staff Writer
May 21, 2014

WEST PALM BEACH — Having convinced one jury that the city of West Palm Beach violated his rights when it fired him because it suspected he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, an Army veteran is now taking his case to federal court.

Making many of the same claims that swayed a Palm Beach County Circuit Court jury in August that the city should pay him $880,000, Matthew Ladd on Wednesday sued West Palm Beach in U.S. District Court.
read more here

Ex-West Palm cop fights firing over PTSD allegations

Matthew Ladd still has not received the money the jury awarded him. Late Friday, a Palm Beach County jury agreed, ordering West Palm Beach to pay the 28-year-old Army veteran $880,000 for firing him on the basis of rumors that he had post-traumatic stress disorder.

Matthew Ladd won lawsuit for PTSD still waiting for justice

Judge refuses to order West Palm police to reinstate veteran who has PTSD

West Palm Beach Florida VA going solar

Veterans Medical Center Goes Solar in Florida
Solar Novus Today
Published on 7 March 2014

South Coast Solar LLC, Gulf Building & Hernandez Consulting Joint Venture, along with solar mounting manufacturer Renusol America announced the installation of a grid-connected 217.62 kW photovoltaic (PV) system at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida (US).

The system is comprised of 806 Suniva OPT270-60-4-1B0 monocrystalline modules installed on the rooftops of Building 10 and Building 13 at the Medical Center. The panels were attached to the metal roofs with S5 Clamps and the Renusol VS mounting system for pitched roofs. The system also included two Solectria PVI 100kW inverters to convert the generated energy from DC to AC power.
read more here

Is this how Florida treats Police Officers after service in combat?

The story of Matthew Ladd didn't start when he was fired from the West Palm Beach Police Department. It started the day he joined the Army Reserves. We just didn't know what was happening to him until New Year's Eve 2011.

Ex-West Palm cop fights firing over PTSD allegations

By JANE MUSGRAVE
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Updated: 8:32 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011

Photo provided to The Post Matthew Ladd served two years in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is a sergeant in the Army Reserve, where he said none of his supervisors has questioned his ability to perform.

WEST PALM BEACH — When Matthew Ladd came home in 2008 after serving two years in Afghanistan and Iraq, he was more than ready to embrace civilian life.

He attended the police academy at Palm Beach State College. He landed a job with the West Palm Beach Police Department. Life was good.

Then, in October 2010, after spending roughly nine months patrolling city streets, his superiors said they wanted him to undergo a psychological review.

The review was uneventful. Ladd, the psychiatrist wrote, "is NOT suffering from any apparent psychiatric disorders."

"It is further my opinion within a reasonable degree of psychiatric/medical certainty that there are no psychiatric contraindications that would prevent or preclude Mr. Ladd from returning to full duty and performing the essential functions of a police officer," Dr. Norman Silversmith wrote on Oct. 12, 2010.

Six days later, Ladd was fired. His superiors told him they thought he had post-traumatic stress disorder .

"I thought it was a joke," Ladd said.
read more here

You can read the rest of what happened here

Jury awards former West Palm Beach officer, fired on PTSD rumors, $880,000
Palm Beach Post
By Jane Musgrave
Staff Writer
August 30, 2013

WEST PALM BEACH — For three years, Matthew Ladd insisted that his military service in Iraq and Afghanistan shouldn’t have disqualified him from the ranks of the city’s police force.

Late Friday, a Palm Beach County jury agreed, ordering West Palm Beach to pay the 28-year-old Army veteran $880,000 for firing him on the basis of rumors that he had post-traumatic stress disorder. 

“I’m stunned,” Ladd said shortly after the verdict was announced. “I’ve just been so stressed out about this case. Finally, I can get some sleep. My wife can get some sleep.”

His attorney Sid Garcia said Ladd was the victim of “malicious gossips” who lied about the trauma the rookie officer suffered while serving in the Middle East. They ultimately persuaded then-Police Chief Delsa Bush that Ladd was a danger to himself and others even though a psychiatrist who examined the rookie officer at the request of police brass found no evidence of mental distress and declared him fit for duty. 

“Former Chief Bush did not take time to treat him like a human being,” Garcia said. Instead of believing the doctor, he said, she believed a vicious memo a sergeant wrote, claiming Ladd was mentally ill.
read more here

Matthew Ladd won lawsuit for PTSD still waiting for justice

Judge refuses to order West Palm police to reinstate veteran who has PTSD

This is the latest in this very troubling outcome for someone who wanted to serve the nation as well as his community.

PTSD shouldn’t derail law enforcement career, Iraqi war vet argues

“What about just being plain wrong?” Crow said, indicating he had no problem reversing himself.

Crow said he would issue a ruling soon. The city has also appealed the jury’s decision that it should pay Ladd $880,000 for firing him without any justified medical reason.

Florida Marine Promoted in Afghanistan

Marine in Afghanistan promoted, awarded for six-course meal at patrol base
DVIDS
Regional Command Southwest
Story by Cpl. Cody Haas
February 10, 2014

CAMP LEATHERNECK – Infantry Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, stationed at Patrol Base Boldak in Helmand province, Afghanistan, have few luxuries while patrolling an area roughly half the size of Rhode Island. However, one such luxury they do have is a warm, satisfying meal three times a day, thanks to Sgt. Marcus Myers.

Since September 2013, Myers, a food service specialist with Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 9th Marines, Regional Command (Southwest), has single-handedly prepared nourishing entrées and handmade side dishes for Marines and sailors aboard PB Boldak.

He prides himself on giving the Marines and sailors what they need to get back in the fight while keeping morale in the unit high, said Myers, a 26-year-old native of West Palm Beach, Fla.
read more here

Judge refuses to give Matthew Ladd back his job

You may remember Matthew Ladd providing an update to what has been happening after he won the lawsuit for being fired. Ten days later he sent me this from the Palm Beach Post. the judge refused to force the police to give him back his job and he still doesn't have the money the jury awarded him. None of this is fair. He served his country in the military and then began to pay the price with grace but what makes him even more remarkable is the fact he still wants to serve the people as a police officer.

Judge refuses to order West Palm police to reinstate veteran who has PTSD
PALM BEACH POST
BY JANE MUSGRAVE STAFF WRITER
January 16, 2014

Iraqi war veteran Matthew Ladd won the personal battle he has fought on the home front but lost the war.

Six months after a jury agreed the city wrongly fired him from the police force in 2010 on the basis of rumors that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, a judge on Wednesday refused to order the city to reinstate him to his former post.

Saying there is evidence Ladd would pose a threat to himself and others and that fellow officers don’t trust him, Palm Beach County Circuit Judge David Crow said it wouldn’t be “appropriate” for him to order the city to rehire the 28-year-old who served two years in Iraq and Afghanistan and remained in the U.S. Army Reserves until 2012.

His attorney, Sid Garcia, said Crow’s ruling doesn’t track the jury’s decision or reflect evidence that was presented during the trial. He plans to appeal.

A jury in August ordered the city to pay Ladd $880,000 for discriminating against him because of his disability. Evidence during the trial showed that Ladd wasn’t fired for any justified medical reason. In fact, a psychologist hired by the city cleared him to return to duty after he was suspended in October 2010. Six days later he was fired.

After he was fired, Ladd was diagnosed with the combat malady, once known as battle fatigue. But, during the trial, a psychiatrist testified that PTSD is treatable and, contrary to images often portrayed in the media, those who suffer from it aren’t destined to become crazed killers. Further, two West Palm Beach offices testified that they have PTSD.
read more here

Matthew Ladd won lawsuit for PTSD still waiting for justice

Matthew Ladd won lawsuit for PTSD still waiting for justice
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
January 6, 2014

Matthew Ladd has still not received a dime of the money the jury awarded him in August. He has not been given his job back and has not been able to find another one working as a police officer. Why? For heaven's sake this man risked his life in combat then was ready to continue risking his life in West Palm Beach. What he was not willing to do was give up. He still isn't even though he lost everything he owned.

Can you imagine what it has been like for him? I only know because he contacted me to update me on what is going on and with his permission I have posted this update because no matter what he's been thru, he isn't ready to give up on justice.

He still believes there is right and wrong in this world. That belief compelled him to enter into military service and what has compelled him to want to do whatever it takes to protect citizens. He still believes that he can be of service no matter how many have betrayed him in the past. Why? Because he has seen the worst people can do to each other along with the magnificence of what they can do for each other. His life has always been about doing for so he doesn't want revenge, he wants what the court said was justice for what was done to him.

If you want to contact Matthew, here is his email address matthewladd85@gmail.com. He needs our prayers and he needs support but right now he needs to be able to get past this darkness hanging over his head so that he can do what he was created to do, serve others.

Some want to think that PTSD is some kind of thing to be ashamed of but they ignore the fact that many police officers are also veterans and many have PTSD. That police work is dangerous enough to cause PTSD even without military service. They want to ignore that the vast majority of these men and women have earned awards for their service but then again, they seem all too willing to ignore the fact that many of the Medal of Honor Heroes have not only been heroes, they did with with PTSD.

Here is a reminder of Matthew's story.

Jury awards former West Palm Beach officer, fired on PTSD rumors, $880,000
Palm Beach Post
Jane Msgrave
August 30, 2013

WEST PALM BEACH — For three years, Matthew Ladd insisted that his military service in Iraq and Afghanistan shouldn’t have disqualified him from the ranks of the city’s police force.

Late Friday, a Palm Beach County jury agreed, ordering West Palm Beach to pay the 28-year-old Army veteran $880,000 for firing him on the basis of rumors that he had post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I’m stunned,” Ladd said shortly after the verdict was announced. “I’ve just been so stressed out about this case. Finally, I can get some sleep. My wife can get some sleep.”

His attorney Sid Garcia said Ladd was the victim of “malicious gossips” who lied about the trauma the rookie officer suffered while serving in the Middle East. They ultimately persuaded then-Police Chief Delsa Bush that Ladd was a danger to himself and others even though a psychiatrist who examined the rookie officer at the request of police brass found no evidence of mental distress and declared him fit for duty.

“Former Chief Bush did not take time to treat him like a human being,” Garcia said. Instead of believing the doctor, he said, she believed a vicious memo a sergeant wrote, claiming Ladd was mentally ill.
read more here

Police Officer, OEF OIF veteran wins judgement after disgraceful treatment

Jury awards former West Palm Beach officer, fired on PTSD rumors, $880,000
Palm Beach Post
By Jane Musgrave
Staff Writer
August 30, 2013

WEST PALM BEACH — For three years, Matthew Ladd insisted that his military service in Iraq and Afghanistan shouldn’t have disqualified him from the ranks of the city’s police force.

Late Friday, a Palm Beach County jury agreed, ordering West Palm Beach to pay the 28-year-old Army veteran $880,000 for firing him on the basis of rumors that he had post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I’m stunned,” Ladd said shortly after the verdict was announced. “I’ve just been so stressed out about this case. Finally, I can get some sleep. My wife can get some sleep.”

His attorney Sid Garcia said Ladd was the victim of “malicious gossips” who lied about the trauma the rookie officer suffered while serving in the Middle East. They ultimately persuaded then-Police Chief Delsa Bush that Ladd was a danger to himself and others even though a psychiatrist who examined the rookie officer at the request of police brass found no evidence of mental distress and declared him fit for duty.

“Former Chief Bush did not take time to treat him like a human being,” Garcia said. Instead of believing the doctor, he said, she believed a vicious memo a sergeant wrote, claiming Ladd was mentally ill.
read more here

Cop, veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, fired over PTSD he doesn't have?

Psychological testing didn't show any signs of PTSD but he lost his job all the same. This story shows how backwards things can be. They cannot be fired because they have PTSD but because the psychologist said he didn't have it, they were able to fire him. Twisted and wrong!

Ex-West Palm cop fights firing over PTSD allegations

By JANE MUSGRAVE
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Updated: 8:32 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011

Photo provided to The Post Matthew Ladd served two years in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is a sergeant in the Army Reserve, where he said none of his supervisors has questioned his ability to perform.

WEST PALM BEACH — When Matthew Ladd came home in 2008 after serving two years in Afghanistan and Iraq, he was more than ready to embrace civilian life.

He attended the police academy at Palm Beach State College. He landed a job with the West Palm Beach Police Department. Life was good.

Then, in October 2010, after spending roughly nine months patrolling city streets, his superiors said they wanted him to undergo a psychological review.

The review was uneventful. Ladd, the psychiatrist wrote, "is NOT suffering from any apparent psychiatric disorders."

"It is further my opinion within a reasonable degree of psychiatric/medical certainty that there are no psychiatric contraindications that would prevent or preclude Mr. Ladd from returning to full duty and performing the essential functions of a police officer," Dr. Norman Silversmith wrote on Oct. 12, 2010.

Six days later, Ladd was fired. His superiors told him they thought he had post-traumatic stress disorder .

"I thought it was a joke," Ladd said.
read more here

Military ID not good enough Homeland Security?

Change in policy leaves military man on the dock when cruise ship leaves port


By: Shannon Cake

"He can serve in Afghanistan, fly through different countries with his military I.D., but to go to the Bahamas on a cruise line is not acceptable?" Fontane demanded. "It's upsetting...it's upsetting."

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - In June, Jupiter mom Melissa Fontane got the phone call she had been wanting to hear. It was a call informing her that her son, serving with the 101st Airborne Division, would be returning home for a break.

"I wanted to do something special for him," Fontane said. "He was coming home for a leave of absence and this was a celebration cruise on Celebration cruise line."

The single mom of two grown boys cashed in several days of vacation, pulled her other son out of college, and called to book their family getaway on Celebration, a ship that docks in the Port of Palm Beach. Fontane had one concern before she paid for the weekend cruise.

"I told them at that time my son had active military I.D. and did not have a birth certificate," Fontane recalls. "The agent got off the phone, asked several other people, came back on the phone and said active military I.D., no problem!"

Fontane and her boys showed up July 2nd ready to sail.

"Two hours in line with suitcases dragging along behind us. By the time I got up to the front of the line, my son and I showed our passport and my other son shows his military I.D.," Fontane said. "That's when she says, it's no good. He can't go with that."

The Department of Homeland Security had just changed its policy just a few weeks earlier. No longer was a military I.D. enough to board a cruise ship and sail to the Bahamas for a weekend away.
read more here

Judge sets bail after Palm Beach VA drug raid

Judge sets bail for woman arrested in drug raid at the VA Medical Center
By CYNTHIA ROLDAN AND CYNTHIA ROLDAN
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Monday, Aug. 22, 2011

WEST PALM BEACH — Terri Guerra went before a judge Monday morning hoping to get some leniency.

But even after listening to the Jupiter woman's attorney try to explain why federal agents found hundreds of prescription pills and thousands of dollars in cash in her home, Circuit Judge Joseph Marx ordered Guerra held on $50,000 bail. And if she posts bond, he ordered that she be placed under house arrest.

Guerra, 53, also ordered not to travel and have no contact with controlled substances, is scheduled to return to court for a status hearing on Sept. 9.

Last Thursday, she was among 17 people arrested during a raid at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Riviera Beach. Unlike the rest, however, Guerra's bond hearing was postponed at the request of her attorney, Joseph R. Atterbury.

Waiting to go before Marx at the downtown courthouse on Monday allowed time for Atterbury to bring in a character witness, the pastor of her church. Meanwhile, Assistant state Attorney Phil Wiseberg brought in an agent of the Office of Inspector General at the VA and an agent of the Multi-Agency Diversion Task Force.

Wiseberg argued that Guerra, who faces conspiracy to distribute oxycodone charges, was well aware of her son's illegal activities. Federal authorities arrested Larry J. Dorsey, 32, in July on the same charge as his mother.
read more here

Drug dealers arrested at West Palm Beach VA

After all they are drug dealers if they sold medication intended for disabled veterans. Fire the employees and the rest of the honest employees should be demanding this. Cut the veterans off who decided to sell their medications and the rest of the disabled veterans should demand this as well. This VA "The VA center is almost like a little city," Coleman said. "There's 8,000 to 10,000 people a day that come through here." so if there were 21 criminals out of all of these veterans then they need to be held accountable for harming the rest of them.

Undercover Drug Probe Yields 21 Arrests At VA Center

Thousands Of Oxycodone Pills, $2,000 In Cash Seized

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A seven-month-long investigation into prescription-drug dealing culminated in significant arrests at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Palm Beach on Thursday.

The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office conducted the probe inside the center, targeting VA workers and veterans alike, WPBF 25 News' Tory Dunnan reported.

"We were able to purchase narcotics from 21 individuals on the property here," PBSO spokesman Eric Coleman said.

Read more

First lady at West Point: Keep families in mind

First lady at West Point: Keep families in mind
By Michael Hill - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday May 20, 2011 20:48:20 EDT
WEST POINT, N.Y. — First lady Michelle Obama urged more than 1,000 cadets Friday night on the brink of graduating to keep in mind the families of the soldiers they will lead.

Obama addressed the white-clad cadets and their families gathered in the U.S. Military Academy’s castle-like mess hall for a graduation-eve banquet. It marked her first trip to the storied academy and dovetails with her recent work on behalf of military families.

“You’ll be helping your troops deal with the joy of a new birth and the disappointment of not being in the delivery room,” she said. “You’ll be helping a soldier cope with a family emergency halfway around the world.”

She noted that more than half of service members are married and 40 percent have two or more kids.

Obama is the only first lady to address cadets at their graduation banquet — a rare occasion for them to wear their dress whites and dine with their relatives. The mess hall was filled with thousands more family members in suits and dresses dining on filet mignon and garlic mashed potatoes.

Obama reminded cadets that they not only must support their soldiers’ families, but that their families helped them to this point in their careers.
read more here
First lady at West Point: Keep families in mind