Vietnam Veteran in Florida Wins Battle Over Display of U.S. Flag
Published July 23, 2010
FoxNews.com
A Florida Vietnam veteran who went to war with his apartment complex over the right to post an American flag in his window appears to have won a stars and stripes showdown.
Carlisle Vereen, of Daytona Beach, told Central Florida News 13 that "patriotism" led him to tape the paper flag to the inside of his apartment window last Thanksgiving. No complaints were received at the time, he said.
Joann Thompson, a manager at Manatee Bay Apartments, told FoxNews.com she gave Vereen a notice earlier this week indicating that the flag needed to be removed from the window within 24 hours or it would be disposed of by apartment officials.
The notice indicated that no signs were allowed on doors or windows, but Thompson said the flag -- which was originally made of paper -- had been replaced with a plastic version and is now in compliance with the complex's regulations.
"The issue was that it was paper and all faded and torn," Thompson said. "We didn't want this to go this far. I understand why he got upset -- he's a veteran, he's very passionate. It was not my intention to upset him."
read more here
Vietnam Veteran in Florida Wins Battle Over Flag
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Command Sgt. Major, Walter Reed official accused of falsifying military record
Walter Reed official accused of falsifying military record
From Barbara Starr , CNN Pentagon Correspondent
July 23, 2010 9:17 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Medical brigade's senior enlisted officer claims to have attended several educational courses
Sgt. Maj. Stoney Crump may face court martial
Crump is also charged with wearing as many as 15 service ribbons he isn't entitled to wear
Washington (CNN) -- A top military official at Walter Reed Army Medical Center has been relieved of duty and charged with knowingly falsifying his personnel records.
Command Sgt. Maj. Stoney Crump, the senior enlisted officer for the Medical Center Brigade, had the "intent to deceive" when he submitted a false official record incorrectly stating that he had attended several military educational courses, according to the Army charge sheet.
Among the courses he is alleged to have attended were Reconnaissance School, Sniper School,; Drill Sergeant Course,; U.S. Army Ranger School and several Special Forces schools and courses, the Army charge sheet says.
read more here
Walter Reed official accused of falsifying military record
From Barbara Starr , CNN Pentagon Correspondent
July 23, 2010 9:17 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Medical brigade's senior enlisted officer claims to have attended several educational courses
Sgt. Maj. Stoney Crump may face court martial
Crump is also charged with wearing as many as 15 service ribbons he isn't entitled to wear
Washington (CNN) -- A top military official at Walter Reed Army Medical Center has been relieved of duty and charged with knowingly falsifying his personnel records.
Command Sgt. Maj. Stoney Crump, the senior enlisted officer for the Medical Center Brigade, had the "intent to deceive" when he submitted a false official record incorrectly stating that he had attended several military educational courses, according to the Army charge sheet.
Among the courses he is alleged to have attended were Reconnaissance School, Sniper School,; Drill Sergeant Course,; U.S. Army Ranger School and several Special Forces schools and courses, the Army charge sheet says.
read more here
Walter Reed official accused of falsifying military record
5 US troops die in blasts in southern Afghanistan
5 US troops die in blasts in southern Afghanistan
By ROBERT H. REID
The Associated Press
Saturday, July 24, 2010; 7:30 AM
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Five American troops died Saturday in bombings in southern Afghanistan where international forces are stepping up the fight against the Taliban, officials said.
Four of the victims died in a single blast, NATO said in a statement without specifying nationalities nor providing further details. A fifth service member was killed in a separate attack in the south, NATO said.
U.S. officials confirmed all five were Americans. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity under rules regarding casualty identification.
The latest deaths bring to 75 the number of international troops killed in Afghanistan this month, including 56 Americans.
read the rest here
5 US troops die in blasts in southern Afghanistan
By ROBERT H. REID
The Associated Press
Saturday, July 24, 2010; 7:30 AM
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Five American troops died Saturday in bombings in southern Afghanistan where international forces are stepping up the fight against the Taliban, officials said.
Four of the victims died in a single blast, NATO said in a statement without specifying nationalities nor providing further details. A fifth service member was killed in a separate attack in the south, NATO said.
U.S. officials confirmed all five were Americans. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity under rules regarding casualty identification.
The latest deaths bring to 75 the number of international troops killed in Afghanistan this month, including 56 Americans.
read the rest here
5 US troops die in blasts in southern Afghanistan
Friday, July 23, 2010
Crash victim's family and friends clean road as memorial to life lived
Wellington crash victim's friends to clean up roadside near site of collision with polo mogul
By Jason Schultz, The Palm Beach Post
9:46 a.m. EDT, July 22, 2010
Friends of Scott Patrick Wilson will come from far away this weekend to the site where his car was hurled into a canal following a violent collision with a Bentley driven by polo mogul John Goodman.
At least 50 people are expected to show up at 9 a.m. Saturday to clean trash from the stretch of Lake Worth Road at 120th Avenue where Wilson drowned after the Feb. 12 crash.
"It's a way of remembering Scott in a positive way," said Lili Wilson, his mother.
Wilson's father, William, said friends of Wilson's are coming from as far away as New York City and Washington, D.C., to participate.
go here for more
Wellington crash victim
By Jason Schultz, The Palm Beach Post
9:46 a.m. EDT, July 22, 2010
Friends of Scott Patrick Wilson will come from far away this weekend to the site where his car was hurled into a canal following a violent collision with a Bentley driven by polo mogul John Goodman.
At least 50 people are expected to show up at 9 a.m. Saturday to clean trash from the stretch of Lake Worth Road at 120th Avenue where Wilson drowned after the Feb. 12 crash.
"It's a way of remembering Scott in a positive way," said Lili Wilson, his mother.
Wilson's father, William, said friends of Wilson's are coming from as far away as New York City and Washington, D.C., to participate.
go here for more
Wellington crash victim
House hearing returns focus to visible wounds
House hearing returns focus to visible wounds
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Jul 23, 2010 10:02:30 EDT
After years of hearings and debates about the “invisible wounds of war” — the traumatic brain injuries and combat stress injuries inflicted in the Iraq and Afghanistan war zones — lawmakers met Thursday to focus on the visible wounds of war, such as amputated limbs and spinal cord injuries.
Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s health panel, said these injuries often are overshadowed as the media, Congress and the Veterans Affairs Department have given a higher profile to head trauma and psychological injuries.
“I like that you highlighted that in this town, you don’t hear about the other injuries,” said Thomas Zampieri, director of government relations for the Blinded Veterans Association. He said he sees other issues that need to be addressed.
For example, while VA has hired 50 new blindness rehabilitation specialists, a promised Vision Center of Excellence keeps getting pushed back, said Thomas Zampieri, director of government relations for the Blinded Veterans Association.
go here for more
House hearing returns focus to visible wounds
If you want to make this more personal watch this video. It would really be supporting them if it didn't take an act of congress as an after thought to take care of the wounded.
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Jul 23, 2010 10:02:30 EDT
After years of hearings and debates about the “invisible wounds of war” — the traumatic brain injuries and combat stress injuries inflicted in the Iraq and Afghanistan war zones — lawmakers met Thursday to focus on the visible wounds of war, such as amputated limbs and spinal cord injuries.
Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s health panel, said these injuries often are overshadowed as the media, Congress and the Veterans Affairs Department have given a higher profile to head trauma and psychological injuries.
“I like that you highlighted that in this town, you don’t hear about the other injuries,” said Thomas Zampieri, director of government relations for the Blinded Veterans Association. He said he sees other issues that need to be addressed.
For example, while VA has hired 50 new blindness rehabilitation specialists, a promised Vision Center of Excellence keeps getting pushed back, said Thomas Zampieri, director of government relations for the Blinded Veterans Association.
go here for more
House hearing returns focus to visible wounds
If you want to make this more personal watch this video. It would really be supporting them if it didn't take an act of congress as an after thought to take care of the wounded.
2010 Weekend of Remembrance in Washington, D.C.
Honoring Service and Sacrifice
Families United is honored to invite our country's Gold Star Families—families who have lost a loved one in service to our country—to the 2010 Weekend of Remembrance in Washington, D.C. on July 23-24, 2010.
GOLD STAR FAMILIES
Gold Star Families from across the country will attend the 2010 National Weekend of Remembrance. See the weekend's events.
SUPPORTERS
Become a sponsor and honor our nation's fallen and their families.
VOLUNTEERS
We're looking for volunteers to help at the 2010 Weekend of Remembrance.
Sign-up now to volunteer!
linked from Washington Post
Families United is honored to invite our country's Gold Star Families—families who have lost a loved one in service to our country—to the 2010 Weekend of Remembrance in Washington, D.C. on July 23-24, 2010.
GOLD STAR FAMILIES
Gold Star Families from across the country will attend the 2010 National Weekend of Remembrance. See the weekend's events.
SUPPORTERS
Become a sponsor and honor our nation's fallen and their families.
VOLUNTEERS
We're looking for volunteers to help at the 2010 Weekend of Remembrance.
Sign-up now to volunteer!
linked from Washington Post
Soldiers and therapists speak out on PTSD and suicides
U.S. Army Suicides At All Time High, Local Soldiers, Therapists Speak Out
Posted: July 22, 2010 06:35 PM EDT
Suicides among members of the US Army are at an all time high right now. Licensed counselors say post traumatic stress disorder plays a large role in that increase. One of the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder is depression. Experts say the emotional numbness and isolation is a major contributing factor in soldier suicides but counselors say help is available.
Former Sergeant Jimmy Roberts spent 4 years with the 101st Airborne Division. He served two tours of duty in Iraq. After Roberts' first tour, he began noticing the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.
"Once I got out and things started calming down, that's when the night mares and flashbacks and all that stuff kind of affects you," said Jimmy Roberts.
Associate Licensed Counselor Terri Norwood has 2 sons in the Army. She has studied PTSD extensively. She says PTSD symptoms include sleep issues, aggression, agitation, flashbacks and depression.
read more here
http://www.waaytv.com/global/story.asp?s=12856472
Posted: July 22, 2010 06:35 PM EDT
Suicides among members of the US Army are at an all time high right now. Licensed counselors say post traumatic stress disorder plays a large role in that increase. One of the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder is depression. Experts say the emotional numbness and isolation is a major contributing factor in soldier suicides but counselors say help is available.
Former Sergeant Jimmy Roberts spent 4 years with the 101st Airborne Division. He served two tours of duty in Iraq. After Roberts' first tour, he began noticing the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.
"Once I got out and things started calming down, that's when the night mares and flashbacks and all that stuff kind of affects you," said Jimmy Roberts.
Associate Licensed Counselor Terri Norwood has 2 sons in the Army. She has studied PTSD extensively. She says PTSD symptoms include sleep issues, aggression, agitation, flashbacks and depression.
read more here
http://www.waaytv.com/global/story.asp?s=12856472
One in nine medical discharges due to mental illness, according to Army
1 soldier in 9 exits Army for mental disorder
By Gregg Zoroya - USA Today
Posted : Thursday Jul 22, 2010 22:05:31 EDT
The number of soldiers forced to leave the Army solely because of a mental disorder has increased by 64 percent from 2005 to 2009 and accounts for one in nine medical discharges, according to Army statistics.
Last year, 1,224 soldiers with a mental illness, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, received a medical discharge. That was an increase from 745 soldiers in 2005 or about 7 percent of medical discharges that year, according to personnel statistics provided to USA Today.
The trend matches other recent indicators that show a growing emotional toll on a military that has been fighting for seven years in Iraq and nine years in Afghanistan, the Army and veterans advocates say.
“These numbers really just validate the mental health communities’ concern about multiple deployments,” says Adrian Atizado, who specializes in health issues as assistant national legislative director for Disabled American Veterans. “Mind and body are both taking a beating.”
read more here
1 soldier in 9 exits Army for mental disorder
By Gregg Zoroya - USA Today
Posted : Thursday Jul 22, 2010 22:05:31 EDT
The number of soldiers forced to leave the Army solely because of a mental disorder has increased by 64 percent from 2005 to 2009 and accounts for one in nine medical discharges, according to Army statistics.
Last year, 1,224 soldiers with a mental illness, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, received a medical discharge. That was an increase from 745 soldiers in 2005 or about 7 percent of medical discharges that year, according to personnel statistics provided to USA Today.
The trend matches other recent indicators that show a growing emotional toll on a military that has been fighting for seven years in Iraq and nine years in Afghanistan, the Army and veterans advocates say.
“These numbers really just validate the mental health communities’ concern about multiple deployments,” says Adrian Atizado, who specializes in health issues as assistant national legislative director for Disabled American Veterans. “Mind and body are both taking a beating.”
read more here
1 soldier in 9 exits Army for mental disorder
PTSD on driver's license bad idea
If they really wanted to help then they should have done it in a way that would help as well as honor. I posted on this before that they should have just put on "Combat Vet" instead of PTSD.
Veterans groups complain of stigma
Law aims to aid in stressful situations
By Kyle Martin
Staff Writer
Friday, July 23, 2010
Reaction is mixed to a new law that allows service members and veterans to have a notation on their driver's license that they've been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.
Advocates say it's a way to warn law enforcement at a traffic stop that the driver has a sensitive condition and should be treated with care.
Critics argue that it reinforces the stigma that veterans with PTSD are ticking time bombs and could foster discrimination against people with mental illness.
The law, which went into effect July 1, requires veterans to bring paperwork from their doctor or psychologist proving their condition.
read more here
Veterans groups complain of stigma
Tennessee Helping Hearts host a PTSD clinic
Tenn.'s Helping Hearts host a PTSD clinic
Behind closed doors, the unshown side of war is out in the open.
Posted: 6:21 PM Jul 22, 2010
Reporter: Sara Shookman
SEVIER CO., Tenn. (WVLT) -- As East Tennessee expects more of our friends and neighbors' return Friday, a Sevier County group is trying to help those already back deal cope with Post Traumatic Stress. They're inviting anyone who serves in the military to come by.
Behind closed doors, the unshown side of war is out in the open.
"I've done two tours in Afghanistan. Two tours in Iraq," said Spc. Darrell Pearson. "I didn't know anything was wrong with me for a while. I didn't know I had PTSD...I was having problems with anger, solitude, depression and everything else."
Pearson was injured in Iraq in 2004. Six years later, he's dealing with the mental aftermath, and trying to help other veterans with PTSD do the same.
"We're always taught to man up, internalize it, and do your job, you are a solider. Don't show weakness," he said. "It takes more of a man, or more of a solider, to admit that he has a problem, and desires help than to does to deny you have a problem."
Tennessee's Helping Hearts is taking over American Legion Post 104 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, encouraging veterans to just talk or even just listen.
read more here
Helping Hearts host a PTSD clinic
Behind closed doors, the unshown side of war is out in the open.
Posted: 6:21 PM Jul 22, 2010
Reporter: Sara Shookman
SEVIER CO., Tenn. (WVLT) -- As East Tennessee expects more of our friends and neighbors' return Friday, a Sevier County group is trying to help those already back deal cope with Post Traumatic Stress. They're inviting anyone who serves in the military to come by.
Behind closed doors, the unshown side of war is out in the open.
"I've done two tours in Afghanistan. Two tours in Iraq," said Spc. Darrell Pearson. "I didn't know anything was wrong with me for a while. I didn't know I had PTSD...I was having problems with anger, solitude, depression and everything else."
Pearson was injured in Iraq in 2004. Six years later, he's dealing with the mental aftermath, and trying to help other veterans with PTSD do the same.
"We're always taught to man up, internalize it, and do your job, you are a solider. Don't show weakness," he said. "It takes more of a man, or more of a solider, to admit that he has a problem, and desires help than to does to deny you have a problem."
Tennessee's Helping Hearts is taking over American Legion Post 104 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, encouraging veterans to just talk or even just listen.
read more here
Helping Hearts host a PTSD clinic
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)