Army Lt. Michael E. McGahan's service today at St. Luke's

"Funeral services will be held at St. Luke's Methodist Church in Orlando on Saturday at 2 p.m. The McGahan family said anyone who would like to pay their respects is welcome to do so. "

Father: Fallen Soldier 'Believed In Serving His Country'
Olympia High School Grad Killed In Afghanistan

POSTED: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
UPDATED: 7:31 pm EDT June 9, 2010


ORLANDO, Fla. -- The father of a local soldier who was recently killed Afghanistan is sharing his son's story.


"He knew the dangers involved, but he was willing to serve anyway, and that's the legacy that we want to remember him by," Tim McGahan said.

McGahan's son, Michael McGahan, and his platoon were attacked by insurgents in eastern Afghanistan on Sunday. Michael McGahan, 23, was killed.

"He felt like he could make a difference, he could make things better, and that was his goal and he was pretty darn good at it," Tim McGahan said.

Tim McGahan said his son could not dodge bullets from the insurgents near the Pakistan border.
read more here
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/23848956/detail.html

Military Mental Health Probe Widens

Military Mental Health Probe Widens After NPR-ProPublica Report
06:36 pm
June 11, 2010


by T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, and Daniel Zwerdling, NPR

Responding to an investigation by ProPublica and NPR, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said Friday that he would expand a hearing on soldier suicides to include a more extensive discussion of the military’s handling of traumatic brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorder.

"The recent NPR and ProPublica reports on the military's diagnosis, treatment, and tracking of traumatic brain injuries are concerning," Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., said in a prepared statement.

NPR and ProPublica reported this week that the military was failing to diagnose soldiers with so-called mild traumatic brain injuries. Such injuries, also called concussions, are typically difficult to detect but can cause lasting mental and physical difficulties.

Unpublished military studies and interviews with medical officials suggest there could be tens of thousands of soldiers suffering undiagnosed traumatic brain injuries, which have been called one of the wars' signature wounds. When soldiers were diagnosed, many received little or no treatment, even at large bases such as Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.

Soldiers with traumatic brain injury often also suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, a debilitating psychological wound. Those who survive roadside blasts can suffer both a brain injury and PTSD, which can be triggered by the terror of the event.

click above link for more

Police officer gets hit by an ATV after Stanley Cup Win

A police officer gets hit by an ATV as crowds bust through barricades and chase the Stanley Cup winning Blackhawks.


Watch the full Blackhawks parade and rally!
Look here for ABC7's three-hour special report of the Blackhawks victory parade and rally in downtown Chicago.

Medevac crash victims returned home

When you read an article like this, you don't need pictures to feel it. It is a beautiful tribute to the fallen as well as those who care for them.

Medevac crash victims returned home

By Scott Fontaine - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Jun 12, 2010 10:10:44 EDT

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. — The transfer team’s steps were meticulously synchronized. Their white gloves were spotless. The flag wrapped around each case was tight, each with an identical number of stars and stripes showing.

They said little — just a few orders, barely audible over the clanging rotors of the Boeing 747. The Air Force chief of staff held a sharp salute as they walked by. The service secretary held his hand over his heart.

Four of their colleagues were killed two days earlier, when insurgents shot down their HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter during a medical-evacuation mission in southern Afghanistan. And on Friday, the fallen returned to the U.S.; their remains were met here with full honors.

The Air Force transfer team first carried the flag-draped case containing the remains of Lt. Joel C. Gentz, a combat rescue officer who enrolled in ROTC because he wanted to be a pilot and fly rescue missions, from a hydraulic lift to a waiting cargo van.

Next came the body of Tech. Sgt. Michael P. Flores, a pararescueman who had previously been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and had served overseas eight times in 12 years.

And then Staff Sgt. David C. Smith, a flight engineer who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan during his nine-year Air Force career.

And, lastly, Senior Airman Benjamin D. White, a pararescueman on his first deployment.

Their helicopter crashed in Helmand province, leaving three other airmen injured and leading to the Air Force’s deadliest day at war in more than five years. The remains of Lance Cpl. Michael G. Plank, a Marine killed in Helmand province on Wednesday, also made the trip from Germany.
read more here
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/06/airforce_helo_crash_remains_061110w/

Maryland state trooper shot, killed

Maryland State Trooper Wesley Brown. (AP/Maryland State Police)

Maryland state trooper shot, killed
This post was updated at 11:30 a.m.

An off-duty Maryland state police officer was shot and killed early Friday in the parking lot of a Forestville area restaurant, police said.

Wesley Brown, 24, was shot shortly before 12:40 a.m. at the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar on Donnell Drive after an incident inside the restaurant involving a “disorderly” customer who refused to pay a bill, Col. Michael Blow told reporters.


Maryland State Trooper Wesley Brown. (AP/Maryland State Police)Brown, who was working part-time as a security officer at the Applebee's, escorted the individual outside, police said. About 30 minutes later, a gunman ambushed the trooper as he exited the restaurant. The man who disputed his bill is considered a “person of interest,” police said, but they are not limiting their search to him.

UNITED STATES ARMY 235TH ANNIVERSARY

All gave some, some gave all! This is from the Vietnam War but speaks for all of the men and women willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of this nation and her people.

UNITED STATES ARMY 235TH ANNIVERSARY
Date Signed: 6/4/2010
ALMAR Active Number: 020/10

041855Z JUN 10
UNCLASSIFIED
ALMAR 020/10
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS
SUBJ/UNITED STATES ARMY 235TH ANNIVERSARY
GENTEXT/REMARKS/

1. ON BEHALF OF MARINES SERVING AROUND THE GLOBE, IT IS MY HONOR TO RECOGNIZE OUR COMRADES-IN-ARMS AS YOU CELEBRATE THE 235TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY ON 14 JUNE. THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF THIS FINE INSTITUTION, BRAVE SOLDIERS HAVE RISEN TO EVERY TASK AND FOUGHT VALIANTLY IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM.

2. SINCE THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY, THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO FILL YOUR RANKS HAVE DEFENDED OUR NATION WITH THE UTMOST COURAGE, PROFESSIONALISM, AND DEVOTION TO DUTY. THROUGH THE WHEAT FIELDS OF BELLEAU WOOD AND THE JUNGLES OF THE PACIFIC TO THE SNOW-CAPPED TAEBEK MOUNTAINS OF KOREA AND THE DUSTY STREETS OF IRAQ, MARINES AND SOLDIERS HAVE FOUGHT TOGETHER TO PRESERVE THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF OUR NATION.

3. AS YOU CELEBRATE THIS YEAR, KNOW THAT ALL MARINES SALUTE YOU FOR YOUR PROUD HERITAGE, VALOR, AND HONORABLE SERVICE.

4. SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//

The 235th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps
The 235th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps
June 6, 8:22 AM
Nashville Christian History Examiner
Tami Kilmarx
New York, July 9th, l776--Headquarters:

“When George Washington assumed command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts, chaplains were already present for duty. Washington could count fifteen chaplains serving with the twenty-three regiments gathered around Boston. The Continental Congress gave the chaplains its official recognition on 29 July l775

“The Honorable Continental Congress having been pleased to allow a Chaplain to each Regiment, with the pay of Thirty-Three Dollars and one third dollars per month - The Colonels or commanding officers of each regiment are directed to procure Chaplains accordingly; persons of good Characters and exemplary lives - To see that all inferior officers and soldiers pay them a suitable respect and attend carefully upon religious exercises. The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger -The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavor so to live, and act as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country.”

Signed, George Washington
click links above for more

The need for Chaplains in the Army was fully understood by General Washington. A need to give last rites to the fallen, to pray for the wounded and comfort the battle scared. This was understood 235 years ago but the lesson has not fully evolved into action equal to the demands on the men and women serving today. There are not enough Chaplains in the military today and even less ready to step up for the veterans still in need of spiritual comforting so they can heal from what was asked of them.

John McDermott's exhibition aims at healing invisible wounds in UK

John's exhibition aims at healing invisible wounds
Express & Echo
ART is always very personal, both to the artist and the viewer, so to look at some of John McDermott's paintings makes for a slightly uneasy feeling of intrusion into his mind, as his work is about his experiences in — and after — conflict.

John studied art in Glasgow before joining the Royal Navy, where he was to spend the next 27 years before settling in Exeter. He has seen conflict from two angles — mainly from being on active duty in conflicts around the world, including the Falklands, the Gulf and Bosnia, but also as a "man in the middle" as a UN observer in Cambodia in the wake of the killing fields.

It is apt, then, that his exhibition at Exeter Castle, as part of the Exeter Festival, is entitled Aftermath; he hopes it will raise awareness of the terrible problem of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among servicemen and women.

John, himself a PTSD sufferer, is passionate about getting the message across to the public that there are servicemen who have been in conflict non-stop for ten years, from the first invasion of Afghanistan, and the difficulties many of them will subsequently face in assimilating back into civilian life. "This is twice as long as the Second World War lasted," he says.


"One of the big issues we have with war-related trauma is the stigma surrounding it. We are getting better at understanding mental health, but our people are going through life-changing situations almost daily.
read more here
John McDermott exhibition aims at healing invisible wounds

DAV Chapter 16 Chaplain Lyle Schmeiser receives well deserved awards

I couldn't be more happy for this dear, sweet man!

Today, June 11, 2010 at 8:30am marked the 2010 joint opening excerise of the Disabled American Veterans Florida State Department DAV/DAVA Conference at the Orlando Lake Mary Marriot Hotel.

About 10:30am our State Director, Comrade Albert Linden from Gainesville Florida caused an quite an uproar when he began to give a long speech about this one fellow's many attributes the end result being that he presented..................................

VETERAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Presented to Lyle Schmeiser
2009-2010
Department of Florida, Inc.
ADJUTANT COMMANDER
Al Linden Jim Sursely

RARELY EVER am I at a loss for words but the surprise/shock of recieving this award was OVERWHELMING and when I was handed a mic I was not quite able to preach a sermon but I did rally around enough at least to thank them for presenting.......
(In 2007 my BELOVED Comrade Commander James E. "Jim" Sursely made the remark "Well, an 'ol Colorado farm boy comes down to Orlando Florida and makes good"!!! As I had just been elevated to the position of Florida State Department Chaplain)(That year I held the position of Chapter 16 Chaplain, the District 10 Chaplain and the Florida State Department Chaplain....all THREE of 'em at the same time!!!

Then in the afternoon session they handed me another plaque

Local Veterans Assistance Program Award
Presented to
Lyle Schmeiser
2009-2010
Department of Florida, Inc
ADJUTANT COMMANDER
Al Linden Jim Sursely

This award is for having accumulated the most volunteer hours since the DAV National Headquarters created the LVAP program October 1, 2007.....I have been credited with serving over 3800 volunteer hours. PLUS....they didn't say anything about ALLL the LONG list of "followers" I have in this program but there are about 35 and I signed up two new ones at our Chapter 16 General Membership meeting last evening.........

Our (interim) Commander Bradley A. Bouters designated me as the person to carry ALL the awards home....two that will adorn a wall in the Central Florida Chapter 16 Chaplain's Office in my home....and the rest of them go to the Chapter.
All toll there were FIVE (5) awards presented to our Chapter 16 today!!!
What an HONOR what a PRIVILEGE to serve as Chaplain, as a volunteer for the GREATEST Veterans Organization in all of America!!!
LAUS DEO...Praise be to God....!!!

God Bless America
and God Bless all that read this e-mail!!!

Chaplain Lyle Schmeiser

16 dead in Arkansas flooding

16 dead in Arkansas flooding
By the CNN Wire Staff
June 11, 2010 6:18 p.m. EDT


STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Obama orders FEMA to be in contact with local officials
36 people remain missing after campground flood
Hospital treating five flood victims
Scores could be trapped in area, authorities say
Local coverage of flash flood from KARK

(CNN) -- At least 16 people died at a federal campground in Arkansas after heavy rain and flash flooding Friday, and many more could be trapped in the area, state authorities said.

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe said there's word from the Red Cross that there could have been as many as 300 people in the rugged Albert Pike campground area, a part of the U.S. Forest Service, in western Arkansas, but he said there is no registration that would show the precise number. Emergency management officials had put the death toll at 20 but revised the figure to 16 later Friday.

Nick Hofert awoke just after 2 a.m. to screams from families, some with children as young as 4, hurrying up a hill toward his cabin, looking for higher ground. He filed them into his home and went back out, trying to find those family members who were separated from the group.
read more here
16 dead in Arkansas flooding

Wounded senior airman to wed widow of comrade

Wounded senior airman to wed widow of comrade

By Charles D. Brunt - Albuquerque (N.M.) Journal via AP
Posted : Friday Jun 11, 2010 15:16:36 EDT

BOSQUE FARMS, N.M. — It is an unusual love story, forged just over four months ago in a horrific attack on a platoon of 13 U.S. troops crossing a small bridge outside the southern Afghanistan village of Ashoque.

In a matter of minutes, three soldiers and an airman, none of whom had reached his 25th birthday, were killed by two roadside bombs — one set off by the weight of a soldier stepping on a buried pressure plate, the other triggered by a hidden Taliban fighter as the rest of the platoon scrambled back across the bridge with their dead and wounded.

Among the six wounded was Air Force Senior Airman Michael Malarsie, a 22-year-old Bosque Farms man who had been in Afghanistan just four weeks when the improvised bombs went off.

Malarsie, blasted by shrapnel and gravel from the neck up by the first IED, lost his left eye immediately. Despite the best efforts of a phalanx of doctors, he never regained sight in his right eye.
read more here
Wounded senior airman to wed widow of comrade