Raped in the Military? You May Have to Pay for Your Own Forensic Exam Kit
By Penny Coleman, AlterNet. Posted November 11, 2008.
This outrage gives "supporting the troops" a whole new meaning.
Editor's note: a correction was made to this story since publication. The uncorrected version stated incorrectly that the military doesn't cover forensic exam kits for the 20 percent of rape victims treated on military bases.
Sarah Palin's decision not to pay for rape kits when she was mayor of Walsilla was an issue in the campaign for the White House. But allow me to introduce the large pink elephant that has been sitting quietly in the corner of the room:
At the Winter Soldier Investigation in March, Spec. Patricia McCann, who served in Iraq with the Illinois Army National Guard from 2003-4, read a memo issued to all MEDCOM commanders clarifying that "SAD kits"-- which are forensic rape kits--"are not included in TRICARE coverage." *
TRICARE, the United States Department of Defense Military Health System that covers active duty members, will only pay for rape kits if the victim is seen in a military or a VA facility.
But the Pentagon acknowledges that 80 percent of military rapes are never reported. And that 80 percent who go off-base to protect their anonymity (and/or their careers) are on their own. If a soldier is on leave, or is five-hours from the nearest VA, or if a soldier is simply delivered to the nearest hospital by the local ambulance driver, their rape kits are not covered under TRICARE. Neither are other forensic exams that might be used in domestic violence situations.
Front-line treatment shouldn't be conditional on where a rape occurs or where the nearest treatment is available. This is not only a parity issue, but a further obstacle to treatment and justice.
Women in the military are twice as likely to be raped as their civilian counterparts. In fact, "women serving in the U.S. military today are more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire in Iraq," Congresswoman Jane Harman, D-Calif., told the House Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs in May.
Harman said, "The scope of the problem was brought into acute focus for me during a visit to the West Los Angeles VA Health Center where I met female veterans and their doctors. My jaw dropped when the doctors told me that 41 percent of the female veterans seen there say they were victims of sexual assault while serving in the military, and 29 percent said they were raped during their military service."
go here for more
http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/106307/raped_
in_the_military_you%27ll_have_to_pay_for_your_own_forensic_exam_kit/?page=entire
linked from RawStory
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
"Family Angel" Beth Ann Kucinich joins the angels
"Family Angel" Beth Ann Kucinich joins the angels
Congressman Dennis Kucinich's youngest sister, Beth Ann, passed away today.
Please keep her and the Kucinich family in your prayers and in your hearts.
CLEVELAND, OH (Tues. Nov. 11) - Proud Army Veteran, Beth Ann Kucinich, beloved youngest sister of Congressman Dennis Kucinich, died today, Veteran's Day, at Veteran's Hospital in Cleveland, after a battle with acute respiratory distress syndrome. She was 48 years old.
Her family was at her side throughout the three week ordeal, as she struggled to survive while on life support.
Beth Ann Kucinich served in the US Army at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. A talented musician as well as an artist, she sold many of her works of art to her fellow veterans at the Brecksville Veterans Center. Her specialty was drawing famous cartoon characters for friends and loved ones on special occasions.
An avid heavy metal fan, she attended many local area concerts and practiced her own music with a guitar, with an extraordinary impression of Janis Joplin.
"She was pure love. Every action, every sentiment, every piece of art, every word she spoke was an expression of love. Beth Ann was our family's angel, our 'Heavy Metal Angel', said her eldest brother Dennis.
"Our brother, Perry, passed away last December. Beth Ann never got over Perry's sudden passing. The two had been inseparable. She talked about Perry constantly and she longed to be with him," Dennis said.
She was the beloved mother of Asher; treasured sister of Dennis, Frank, Gary, Teresa, Larry, and the late Perry Kucinich; and dear aunt and a great aunt.
The Kucinich family will receive visitors at Golubski Funeral Home, 6500 Fullerton Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday, November 12, 4pm to 9pm, and on Thursday from 9:30 am until 11:00. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 am, with interment at Calvary Cemetery
The Re-Elect Congressman Kucinich Committee
Fort Sill official fires back at gang report
Fort Sill official fires back at gang report
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 11, 2008 8:55:20 EST
LAWTON, Okla. — Fort Sill’s liaison to the city of Lawton is firing back at a police officer’s comments that soldiers at the base are involved in gangs.
Col. Robert Bridgford issued a written statement saying information released by police Lt. Darrell Southerland “was completely inaccurate.”
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 11, 2008 8:55:20 EST
LAWTON, Okla. — Fort Sill’s liaison to the city of Lawton is firing back at a police officer’s comments that soldiers at the base are involved in gangs.
Col. Robert Bridgford issued a written statement saying information released by police Lt. Darrell Southerland “was completely inaccurate.”
Bridgford’s statement says no soldier has been arrested or implicated in gang activity in the past year. It also says military police have no information of soldiers being a member of a gang or being involved in gang-related activities.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_sillgangs_111108/
CT Gets $2 Million For War Vets Convicted Of Minor Crimes
CT Gets $2 Million For War Vets Convicted Of Minor Crimes
Associated Press
November 11, 2008
The federal government has given Connecticut $2 million to help military veterans with trauma-related disorders get their lives back on track after committing minor crimes, Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Monday.
The money is for a five-year program designed to move veterans in jail for minor crimes back into the community and provide them with mental health treatment and other services they need.
The state wants to screen at least 500 Connecticut veterans annually for trauma-related disorders and divert a minimum of 250 veterans a year from the criminal justice system to community treatment, according to the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, which is overseeing the new veterans' program.
In a report last month, the department said 1.65 million American military personnel have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including 12,000 from Connecticut.
click link for more
Associated Press
November 11, 2008
The federal government has given Connecticut $2 million to help military veterans with trauma-related disorders get their lives back on track after committing minor crimes, Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Monday.
The money is for a five-year program designed to move veterans in jail for minor crimes back into the community and provide them with mental health treatment and other services they need.
The state wants to screen at least 500 Connecticut veterans annually for trauma-related disorders and divert a minimum of 250 veterans a year from the criminal justice system to community treatment, according to the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, which is overseeing the new veterans' program.
In a report last month, the department said 1.65 million American military personnel have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including 12,000 from Connecticut.
click link for more
3-Year-Old Has Lower Leg Amputated After Mower Accident
3-Year-Old Has Lower Leg Amputated After Mower Accident
Courant Staff Report
4:39 PM EST, November 11, 2008
TORRINGTON - A 3-year-old boy had to have a leg amputated below the knee after his foot and lower leg were mangled by a lawn mower. The boy's father was using a riding mower to pick up leaves Monday afternoon when he accidentally backed over his son, Torrington police Sgt. Paul E. Zeller said Tuesday.
click link for more
Courant Staff Report
4:39 PM EST, November 11, 2008
TORRINGTON - A 3-year-old boy had to have a leg amputated below the knee after his foot and lower leg were mangled by a lawn mower. The boy's father was using a riding mower to pick up leaves Monday afternoon when he accidentally backed over his son, Torrington police Sgt. Paul E. Zeller said Tuesday.
click link for more
Chicago Firefighters search for missing daughter of one of their own
Firefighters aid search for missing girl
November 11, 2008
Chicago firefighters are helping a colleague's family search for their missing 15-year-old daughter, last seen heading to Lincoln Park High School on a CTA bus Monday morning.
About 50 other firefighters and paramedics joined Fabian Muentes canvassing businesses in the neighborhood and handing out fliers for his daughter, Tisha.
Tisha, a sophomore at Lincoln Park High School, was last seen leaving her grandparents' home Monday morning. She called a friend at 7:20 a.m. Monday, saying she was on a Halsted Street bus and on her way to school, her dad said. Her parents said she never turned up in school that day. They said she doesn't have a boyfriend and a quick look at her MySpace page has not turned up anything unusual.
click link for more
November 11, 2008
Chicago firefighters are helping a colleague's family search for their missing 15-year-old daughter, last seen heading to Lincoln Park High School on a CTA bus Monday morning.
About 50 other firefighters and paramedics joined Fabian Muentes canvassing businesses in the neighborhood and handing out fliers for his daughter, Tisha.
Tisha, a sophomore at Lincoln Park High School, was last seen leaving her grandparents' home Monday morning. She called a friend at 7:20 a.m. Monday, saying she was on a Halsted Street bus and on her way to school, her dad said. Her parents said she never turned up in school that day. They said she doesn't have a boyfriend and a quick look at her MySpace page has not turned up anything unusual.
click link for more
President Elect Obama and Tammy Duckworth place wreath in Chicago
Chicago Trib is blamed for the lack of people attending this. Read the comments on the below link. It appears that people are upset because the Trib didn't tell anyone about this before it happened.
Obama honors veterans
President-elect Obama hugs Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs director Tammy Duckworth after laying a wreath at Soldier Field. (Tribune photo / Zbigniew Bzdak)
Obama honors veterans
Only a few dozen spectators were present this morning.
President-elect Barack Obama placed a wreath on a bronze memorial at Chicago's Soldier Field this morning to pay his respects on Veterans Day in what was expected to be his only public appearance of the day.
About 11 a.m., Obama was joined for the ceremony by Tammy Duckworth, the Illinois Veterans' Affairs director.
Wearing a dark overcoat and with Duckworth at his side, Obama picked up a wreath that was placed in front of the memorial and carried it a few feet forward, before setting it in front of the memorial.
Obama bowed his head for a moment, according to a media pool report of the stop. Then, he put his right hand at his forehead, saluted and walked away with Duckworth. Only a few dozen spectators were present on the cool morning visit.
--John McCormick and Rick Pearson, Chicago Breaking News Center
click link for more pictures and comments.
Massachusetts War veterans receive a special thank-you from state
War veterans receive a special thank-you from state
By Brian R. Ballou
Globe Staff / November 11, 2008
Anthony Hinson will use his check for Christmas toys for his two children. Brendan Murphy will use his for a vacation to Aruba.
The two men were among nine US military service members invited yesterday afternoon to the State House to pick up $1,000 "Welcome Home" bonus checks, tax-free money given to war veterans who served in combat zones since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The state has issued about 17,000 checks since the Welcome Home Bill was signed into law three years ago by then-Governor Mitt Romney. There are about 7,000 more service members eligible for the bonus who have not yet applied, state Treasurer Timothy Cahill said during a press conference aimed at getting the word out about the bonus.
"As we think of our veterans today and tomorrow on Veterans Day, give thanks and say a prayer," Cahill said. "In these times of economic uncertainty . . . the purpose of this is to help."
State Representative Anthony Verga, cochairman of the Legislature's Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, told the beneficiaries, "The idea that we're just giving this money to you, let me tell you something: We're not giving it. You've earned it."
The Welcome Home Bill also provides $500 to service members at least six months of active service, and according to Verga, veterans who served in the Vietnam War are eligible for up to $300 in other existing bonuses.
The service members were given large cardboard facsimiles of checks; Cahill handed them small white envelopes that contained the actual checks. Each soldier or Marine posed with Cahill, Verga, and Massachusetts National Guard Brigadier General Thomas Sellars, while the service members' spouses and other relatives snapped pictures. About 60 people attended the ceremony.
go here for more and for video
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/11/11
/war_veterans_receive_a_special_thank_you_from_state/
By Brian R. Ballou
Globe Staff / November 11, 2008
Anthony Hinson will use his check for Christmas toys for his two children. Brendan Murphy will use his for a vacation to Aruba.
The two men were among nine US military service members invited yesterday afternoon to the State House to pick up $1,000 "Welcome Home" bonus checks, tax-free money given to war veterans who served in combat zones since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The state has issued about 17,000 checks since the Welcome Home Bill was signed into law three years ago by then-Governor Mitt Romney. There are about 7,000 more service members eligible for the bonus who have not yet applied, state Treasurer Timothy Cahill said during a press conference aimed at getting the word out about the bonus.
"As we think of our veterans today and tomorrow on Veterans Day, give thanks and say a prayer," Cahill said. "In these times of economic uncertainty . . . the purpose of this is to help."
State Representative Anthony Verga, cochairman of the Legislature's Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, told the beneficiaries, "The idea that we're just giving this money to you, let me tell you something: We're not giving it. You've earned it."
The Welcome Home Bill also provides $500 to service members at least six months of active service, and according to Verga, veterans who served in the Vietnam War are eligible for up to $300 in other existing bonuses.
The service members were given large cardboard facsimiles of checks; Cahill handed them small white envelopes that contained the actual checks. Each soldier or Marine posed with Cahill, Verga, and Massachusetts National Guard Brigadier General Thomas Sellars, while the service members' spouses and other relatives snapped pictures. About 60 people attended the ceremony.
go here for more and for video
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/11/11
/war_veterans_receive_a_special_thank_you_from_state/
Veteran's Day Message from Paul Rieckhoff
It's a nice site with great links. I was just in there. While I am not happy that IAVA has not used any of my work or my videos, no matter how many times I've offered in the past, setting that aside, they are doing great work and deserve to be supported as well as used.
I don't know what's wrong with me or the videos I do but when I've offered to help the IAVA, especially considering I've been doing this since before most of them were born, they have not taken me up on my offers. I even sent them copies of my videos but never heard back.
Maybe it's because they focus on the newer veterans? I don't know but considering what all of our veterans are going through along with their families dealing with PTSD, especially the citizen soldiers of the National Guards and Reservists, you'd think that everyone would all be working together but they don't. There are several organizations I work with but they don't work with the IAVA. It just doesn't make sense. ( Anyway, pet peeve.)
The site is good and the commercial message is meaningful.
I don't know what's wrong with me or the videos I do but when I've offered to help the IAVA, especially considering I've been doing this since before most of them were born, they have not taken me up on my offers. I even sent them copies of my videos but never heard back.
Maybe it's because they focus on the newer veterans? I don't know but considering what all of our veterans are going through along with their families dealing with PTSD, especially the citizen soldiers of the National Guards and Reservists, you'd think that everyone would all be working together but they don't. There are several organizations I work with but they don't work with the IAVA. It just doesn't make sense. ( Anyway, pet peeve.)
The site is good and the commercial message is meaningful.
From the IAVA
I want to share something very exciting with you.Today, IAVA is launching a ground-breaking Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign with the Ad Council. This historic, multi-year, national effort is aimed at easing the transition for veterans returning home from combat.
I want you to be the first to see the amazing new television ad, which will start running nationwide today. Click here to watch it now at CommunityofVeterans.org.
Even if you're not familiar with the Ad Council, you know their work. They have been behind some of our country's most iconic PSA campaigns, including Smokey the Bear, "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk", and "A Mind is A Terrible Thing to Waste". Now, they've teamed up with IAVA to create the largest campaign to date focused on veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
And at the center of this campaign is a new private social network, exclusively for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, at CommunityOfVeterans.org.
Please help us spread the word about this historic campaign. Forward this email to your friends and family members, and tell the veterans in your life to check out CommunityofVeterans.org.
Together, we have the potential to dramatically improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families nationwide.
Thank you for standing with us, and Happy Veterans Day.
Sincerely,
Paul Rieckhoff
Iraq Veteran
Executive Director and Founder
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Veterans Day ceremonies can rekindle bad memories
Veterans Day ceremonies can rekindle bad memories
Returning vets from the wars face problems
By Gregory Lewis South Florida Sun-Sentinel
November 11, 2008
Fermin Jimenez, a 47-year-old Army sergeant who did a year of duty in Iraq, may spend today riding his Harley-Davidson in a Veterans Day parade in Miami.
But, maybe not.
Jimenez ended his tour in Iraq in 2004. But it still isn't over for him. He doesn't like crowds. He suffers flashbacks. He gets angry. Physically, neck and back injuries pain him. He also experienced a hearing loss.
While Veterans Day is a day to celebrate the men and women who have fought in wars to keep America safe, it is also a reminder of the trials and tribulations they face after they come home.
Jimenez, of Miami Lakes, is among the 75,719 vets who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder since the Iraq war began.
Veterans Affairs is trying to help by reaching out to soldiers involved in the wars being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, by hiring counselors who focus specifically on them.
"Transitioning them back into civilian life and family life is our number-one goal," said Susan Ward, a spokeswoman for Veterans Affairs in Miami. "This is a whole new generation we are providing [an] active outreach team for."
Having learned from Vietnam War vets who came back traumatized and had to fight the military for treatment, the VA-operated veterans' centers have tried to be pro-active in helping this generation of soldiers, say VA counselors.
go here for more
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbpiraqwarvets1111sbnov11,0,4725892.story
Returning vets from the wars face problems
By Gregory Lewis South Florida Sun-Sentinel
November 11, 2008
Fermin Jimenez, a 47-year-old Army sergeant who did a year of duty in Iraq, may spend today riding his Harley-Davidson in a Veterans Day parade in Miami.
But, maybe not.
Jimenez ended his tour in Iraq in 2004. But it still isn't over for him. He doesn't like crowds. He suffers flashbacks. He gets angry. Physically, neck and back injuries pain him. He also experienced a hearing loss.
While Veterans Day is a day to celebrate the men and women who have fought in wars to keep America safe, it is also a reminder of the trials and tribulations they face after they come home.
Jimenez, of Miami Lakes, is among the 75,719 vets who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder since the Iraq war began.
Veterans Affairs is trying to help by reaching out to soldiers involved in the wars being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, by hiring counselors who focus specifically on them.
"Transitioning them back into civilian life and family life is our number-one goal," said Susan Ward, a spokeswoman for Veterans Affairs in Miami. "This is a whole new generation we are providing [an] active outreach team for."
Having learned from Vietnam War vets who came back traumatized and had to fight the military for treatment, the VA-operated veterans' centers have tried to be pro-active in helping this generation of soldiers, say VA counselors.
go here for more
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbpiraqwarvets1111sbnov11,0,4725892.story
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