Cumberland County: local soldier dies in car accident
August 1, 11:40 AM
Scranton Crime Examiner
Amanda Tennis
Ryan Heffernan, 19, a local Cumberland County soldier on leave, was killed around 3a.m. When he crashed into a tree. Heffernan was unconscious when EMS got to the scene of the crash.
read the rest here
Local soldier dies in car accident
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Counseling center opens with goal of offering peace to safety forces
Counseling center opens with goal of offering peace to safety forces
Idea springs from trial of five sheriff's deputies
By Kathy Antoniotti
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Tuesday, Aug 03, 2010
Inside the Furnace Street Mission is a place for those who help others to seek respite for themselves.
The Summit County Chaplaincy Center for safety forces will provide confidential counseling for stress debriefing after incidents involving on-duty safety personnel, including dispatchers.
Renovations began about 18 months ago, said the Rev. Bob Denton, chaplain for the Akron Police Department and executive director of Victim Assistance.
The need for the center is apparent by the escalation in counseling requests from last year to this year, he said.
''There were about 90 sessions last year and 71 sessions just since the first of this year,'' he said.
Most memorable in Denton's mind
are the officers still on the street because they asked for and received help.
''Four officers in the last year are all here because of it. They were going to eat their guns,'' he said.
The idea for the center was born during the trials of five Summit County sheriff's deputies who were accused of contributing to the 2006 death of jail inmate Mark D. McCullaugh Jr.
read more here
http://www.ohio.com/news/99818554.html
Idea springs from trial of five sheriff's deputies
By Kathy Antoniotti
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Tuesday, Aug 03, 2010
Inside the Furnace Street Mission is a place for those who help others to seek respite for themselves.
The Summit County Chaplaincy Center for safety forces will provide confidential counseling for stress debriefing after incidents involving on-duty safety personnel, including dispatchers.
Renovations began about 18 months ago, said the Rev. Bob Denton, chaplain for the Akron Police Department and executive director of Victim Assistance.
The need for the center is apparent by the escalation in counseling requests from last year to this year, he said.
''There were about 90 sessions last year and 71 sessions just since the first of this year,'' he said.
Most memorable in Denton's mind
are the officers still on the street because they asked for and received help.
''Four officers in the last year are all here because of it. They were going to eat their guns,'' he said.
The idea for the center was born during the trials of five Summit County sheriff's deputies who were accused of contributing to the 2006 death of jail inmate Mark D. McCullaugh Jr.
read more here
http://www.ohio.com/news/99818554.html
President wins praise of veterans
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Barack Obama Hosts Roundtable Discussion with South Carolina Veterans
Obama noted that his commitment to veterans is grounded in his experience being raised in part by his grandfather, who served during World War II.“I will never forget that everyone who wears the uniform deserves the opportunities that my grandfather got – to have a Commander-in-Chief who is accountable, and to have a grateful nation that helps you live the American Dream that you have defended,” Obama said.
And he didn't forget. The problem is, not many knew about any of this. When he was Senator Obama, he did a lot of things no one really paid attention to and that was what made me admire him more.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Obama, Hagel, and Harkin Address GI Suicides
Obama, Hagel, and Harkin Address GI Suicidesby Piuma, Thu Feb 07, 2008 at 11:36:08 PM EST
The following is excerpted from a diary on the Think On These Things blog:As news reports reveal growing numbers of suicide among soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, U.S. Senators Tom Harkin, Chuck Hagel, and Barack Obama on January 31, introduced major legislation aimed at preventing suicide among active duty members of the military.
The Senators' bill, the Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Act, would direct the Department of Defense (DoD) to create a comprehensive suicide prevention program including annual training for soldiers, improved instruction for field medics and post deployment assistance. The legislation authorizes six million dollars for implementation of the programs. A companion measure will be introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Leonard Boswell (D-IA).
Today's Washington Post reported that Army statistics show that 121 soldiers committee suicide last year - a 20 percent increase from 2006. This is the highest rate of Army suicides recorded since the Army started collecting this data in 1980. The Post also reported that last year about 2,100 soldiers "injured themselves or attempted suicide, compared with about 350 in 2002.""These startling statistics should serve as a wakeup call that suicide among soldiers and veterans is more than a problem, it is an epidemic," said Senator Harkin. "Thankfully, our push to provide America's veterans with a suicide prevention program was heard last year, when the President signed the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act into law. But there is more work ahead - especially in serving our active duty military personnel. We can and must act quickly to save our soldiers who are so bravely fighting for our country."
But that was just the start. When no one was looking, he was paying attention to what programs were in the country for veterans.
Obama: Real patriotism is treating veterans right
Obama: Real patriotism is treating veterans right
Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor May 12, 2008 12:35 PM
Barack Obama told West Virginia voters today that a test of real patriotism is giving veterans the care and services they need -- a test he argued that the Bush administration has sorely failed in a "betrayal of the ideals that we ask our troops to risk their lives for.""We must never forget that honoring this service and upholding these ideals requires more than saluting our veterans as they march by on Veterans Day or Memorial Day," he said, according to prepared remarks. "It requires marching with them for the care and benefits they have earned It requires standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our veterans and their families after the guns fall silent and the cameras are turned off.
At a time when we’re facing the largest homecoming since the Second World War, the true test of our patriotism is whether we will serve our returning heroes as well as they’ve served us," said Obama, who has been criticized for not wearing a flag lapel pin.The Democratic front-runner renewed his call for creating a "21st century VA," for expanding treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, and for a new GI bill for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.In calling for expanding services and benefits, Obama also talked at length of personal memories of his grandfather, Stanley Dunham, who enlisted after the Pearl Harbor attacks, fought with General George Patton during World War II, and is buried in a national cemetery in Hawaii with Pearl Harbor victims
At the time, the one I thought did the most good was the Montana National Guards Program.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Obama talks about Montana National Guard at Columbia University
Columbia University Presidential ForumLIVE VIDEO: Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain make a joint appearance at Columbia University to discuss civic engagement in the post 9/11 world.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/22886841#22886841
At about half way through Senator Obama's question and answer session, he brings up the Montana National Guard and their PTSD program. I know I must be boring some readers with this but it is one of the best programs in the country.Obama promises to repeat Montana's National Guard PTSD work nation wide
Obama Pledges Nationwide Use of PTSD Program
Eric Newhouse
Great Falls Tribune
Aug 28, 2008 - Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama promised Wednesday to expand Montana's pilot program to assess the mental health of combat vets nationwide, if elected.The Montana National Guard has developed a program to check its soldiers and airmen for signs of post-traumatic stress disorder every six months for the first two years after returning from combat, then once a year thereafter. The program exceeds national standards set by the U.S. Department of Defense.The pilot program was created in response to the suicide of former Army Spc. Chris Dana of Helena, who shot himself on March 4, 2007, days after being given a less-than-honorable discharge because he could no longer handle attending drills following a tour in Iraq.
"He (Obama) told me he understood why we need to have additional screenings for PTSD," said Matt Kuntz, Dana's stepbrother, who was among a small group invited to meet with Obama on Wednesday in Billings. "And he told me when he is elected president, he will implement Montana's pilot program nationwide."Kuntz, who recently gave up his job as a lawyer in Helena to advocate for the mentally ill and their families, said he was invited to brief Obama on how Montana had become a national model for assessing the mental health of its combat vets.
How else would he have known about this program if he didn't care? I do this as my job (unpaid but hey, it's my mission in life) and he had a lot of other things he had to learn at the time he was trying to become the president. He knew this was the best program out there at the time simply because he bothered to pay attention. Things have changed a lot for the veterans in this country and the way the troops are treated when they have PTSD. We have a long way to go but he's part of the reason we've come this far. The proof is there but too few have bothered to pay attention. As for me, I believe he earned praise from veteran a long time ago but few in the media will even talk about any of this. It's the reason so many at the DAV Convention were shocked by what he knew and how much he cared. No one ever told them.
President wins praise of veterans
By Walter C. Jones
Morris News Service
Tuesday, Aug 3, 2010
ATLANTA --- The big news from President Obama's speech to disabled veterans Monday was that the Iraq pullout is on schedule.
But the commander in chief's words about the veterans themselves were what stuck with Augustan Willie Davis Jr.
"He really surprised me," the Vietnam veteran said. "We had everybody from World War II to current war veterans here, and everybody said the same thing. They were surprised that the president was so knowledgeable and cared so much for the veterans."
They responded with a standing ovation as the president finished, said Davis, who is the chief of staff in the Georgia Disabled American Veterans.
"Most presidents or politicians will tell you anything, but hearing him speak, you could tell it came from his heart," he said.
Obama told the veterans that the planned troop drawdown from Iraq will be completed this month, with more than 90,000 troops returned. Not all troops will be home until the end of 2011.
read more here
President wins praise of veterans
By the way, he's the third President to go to speak to the DAV. First Ford, then Clinton and now Obama.
Gina, the bomb sniffing German Shepherd treated for PTSD
Andrieski/APGina, a highly trained bomb-sniffing dog with the U.S. military, joins Staff Sgt. Chris Kench on a sofa at the kennel at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. She has been diagnosed with PTSD.
Depressed dog Gina gets treated for post-traumatic stress disorder after coming home from Iraq
BY Aliyah Shahid
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, August 3rd 2010, 11:22 AM
Poor pup.
Soldiers aren't the only ones being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Some dogs are too, according to The Associated Press.
Gina, a highly-trained, bomb-sniffing German Shepherd is being treated for the disorder after she came home from Iraq and refused to enter rooms.
Once she went inside, the terrified dog would tuck her tail between her legs and crouch to the floor. She'd then hide under furniture to avoid humans.
Gina used to be a people-friendly canine. But at 2-years-old, she was sent to Iraq to search homes. She would frequently observe loud explosions. She was once in a convoy when another vehicle got bombed.
When Gina came back to Colorado after a six-month stint abroad, a military vet diagnosed Gina with PTSD, which animal experts say can affect dogs just like humans.
Read more: Depressed dog Gina
Denial of Social Security to Vietnam vet upheld
Denial of Social Security to Vietnam vet upheld
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer
A wounded Vietnam veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, who lives in a remote area and said he has frequent flashbacks, isn't entitled to Social Security disability benefits because there is work he could still perform, a divided federal appeals court ruled Monday.
James L. Turner's mental condition would not prevent him from holding a job where he could work alone at "simple, repetitive tasks," such as a cleaner, laundry sorter or folding machine operator, said the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
Read more: Denial of Social Security to Vietnam vet upheld
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer
A wounded Vietnam veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, who lives in a remote area and said he has frequent flashbacks, isn't entitled to Social Security disability benefits because there is work he could still perform, a divided federal appeals court ruled Monday.
James L. Turner's mental condition would not prevent him from holding a job where he could work alone at "simple, repetitive tasks," such as a cleaner, laundry sorter or folding machine operator, said the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
Read more: Denial of Social Security to Vietnam vet upheld
Clergy Burnout a Growing Concern
Even when they are not working, they are thinking about it and most of the time, even dreaming about it. It's like being a parent. You can't take a day off from that no matter how old your kids get and they can't stop caring about their "flock" no matter how tired get.
I'm glad someone wrote about this finally.
I'm glad someone wrote about this finally.
No Rest For the Holy: Clergy Burnout a Growing Concern
David Gibson
Religion Reporter
God may have rested on the seventh day, but for a growing number of his ministers, there is more work -- and stress -- than ever, and less chance to unwind. That has led to all sorts of health problems among clergy, from a lack of exercise and a rise in obesity to problems of depression and substance abuse and all the many ills of modern life that pastors spend so much time helping their congregants tackle.
Indeed, even as the folks in the pews head off to vacations this summer, priests, rabbis, pastors and ministers of all faiths often find themselves looking after those left behind and still in need of spiritual support, or using any down time to catch up on the inevitable backlog of administrative work that always takes second place to the care of souls.
"It's a huge problem," said Rich Teeters, a veteran pastor and speaker who currently serves as at Renaissance Church, a non-denominational congregation in Summit, N.J. "People's deaths and serious illnesses and troubles and marital problems -- they don't take vacations."
read more here
Clergy Burnout a Growing Concern
Seven deaths reported in Connecticut workplace shooting
UPDATE from MSNBC
Report: 9 shot dead at beer distributor in Conn.
Officials say gunman shot himself as police approached
msnbc.com news services
updated less than 1 minute ago
Share Print Font: +-breaking news
MANCHESTER, Conn. — An employee who had been asked to resign opened fire Tuesday at a family-owned beer distributing company outside Hartford, killing eight people before fatally shooting himself, an official told the Associated Press.
Authorities identified the alleged shooter as a warehouse worker named Omar Thornton. He reportedly turned the gun on himself as police approached.
read more of this here
9 shot dead at beer distributor in Conn
Report: 9 shot dead at beer distributor in Conn.
Officials say gunman shot himself as police approached
msnbc.com news services
updated less than 1 minute ago
Share Print Font: +-breaking news
MANCHESTER, Conn. — An employee who had been asked to resign opened fire Tuesday at a family-owned beer distributing company outside Hartford, killing eight people before fatally shooting himself, an official told the Associated Press.
Authorities identified the alleged shooter as a warehouse worker named Omar Thornton. He reportedly turned the gun on himself as police approached.
read more of this here
9 shot dead at beer distributor in Conn
Seven deaths reported in Connecticut workplace shooting
By the CNN Wire Staff
August 3, 2010 12:51 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: At least seven people, including the gunman, are dead after a shooting in Connecticut
The suspect died of a gunshot wound, authorities said
Police say they did not fire at the suspect
(CNN) -- A shooting at a beer distribution business in Manchester, Connecticut, Tuesday morning left at least seven people dead, including the shooter, a police source close to the investigation told CNN.
The suspect was found dead of a gunshot wound at the scene, Manchester Police Lt. Joe San Antonio said. Police had not fired at him, he added.
Police identified the suspect as Omar Thornton, said Sgt. Sandy Ficara of the Manchester Police.
San Antonio wouldn't say how many people had been wounded.
Three people were rushed to Hartford Hospital but one of them later died, a doctor told reporters at another news conference.
read more here
Seven deaths reported in Connecticut workplace shooting
McConnell widows speak of relatives killed in St. Petersburg crash
McConnell widows speak of relatives killed in St. Petersburg crash
'These men were wonderful beautiful people.'
By Bianca Prieto, Susan Jacobson and Walter Pacheco, Orlando Sentinel
12:27 p.m. EDT, August 3, 2010
Lisa Raybern let out a loud sob that conveyed the heartbreak of a mother who has lost her children.
On Sunday a suspected drunken driver ran a red light in St. Petersburg and plowed into the car driven by her ex-husband, Elroy "Roy" McConnell, killing him and his three sons instantly.
"All these men were wonderful, beautiful people," Raybern said while holding her 4-month-old grandson, Elroy "Roy" McConnell IV.
Raybern was among a large group of friends and family, including the three widows and girlfriend of the dead men, who gathered at the McConnell family home in east Orange County this morning.
Roy McConnell, 51, sons Nathan, 24, and Kelly, 19, both of Orlando; and Elroy "Roy" McConnell III, 28, of Pineville, La., were killed after a speeding car crashed into their Ford Fusion while the McConnell clan was on a beach vacation on the Gulf Coast, police said.
Family members said they were grieving, but not vengeful, and that is the message they wanted to impart today.
"This drunk driver didn't just steal [Roy McConnell's] life from him, but from his friends and family," family member Rebecca Watson said in a tearful speech. "I hope and pray that the next time you go drinking and driving, you stop to think about this tragedy."
read more here
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-four-dead-st-pete-family-20100803,0,4723160.story
'These men were wonderful beautiful people.'
Anais McConnell, Amy McConnell and Sandie McConnell stand together Tuesday, August 3, in Amy's front yard. (RED HUBER, ORLANDO SENTINEL)
By Bianca Prieto, Susan Jacobson and Walter Pacheco, Orlando Sentinel
12:27 p.m. EDT, August 3, 2010
Lisa Raybern let out a loud sob that conveyed the heartbreak of a mother who has lost her children.
On Sunday a suspected drunken driver ran a red light in St. Petersburg and plowed into the car driven by her ex-husband, Elroy "Roy" McConnell, killing him and his three sons instantly.
"All these men were wonderful, beautiful people," Raybern said while holding her 4-month-old grandson, Elroy "Roy" McConnell IV.
Raybern was among a large group of friends and family, including the three widows and girlfriend of the dead men, who gathered at the McConnell family home in east Orange County this morning.
Roy McConnell, 51, sons Nathan, 24, and Kelly, 19, both of Orlando; and Elroy "Roy" McConnell III, 28, of Pineville, La., were killed after a speeding car crashed into their Ford Fusion while the McConnell clan was on a beach vacation on the Gulf Coast, police said.
Family members said they were grieving, but not vengeful, and that is the message they wanted to impart today.
"This drunk driver didn't just steal [Roy McConnell's] life from him, but from his friends and family," family member Rebecca Watson said in a tearful speech. "I hope and pray that the next time you go drinking and driving, you stop to think about this tragedy."
read more here
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-four-dead-st-pete-family-20100803,0,4723160.story
New Rules on Soldiers' Life Insurance in House Bill
U.S. House Bill Would Set New Rules on Soldiers' Life Insurance
By Patrick O’Connor and David Evans - Aug 2, 2010 11:09 AM
Representative Debbie Halvorson wants Congress to set new rules for life insurance companies that profit from accounts that hold death benefits from policies of dead U.S. soldiers and veterans.
The first-term Illinois Democrat introduced legislation on July 30 that would require companies such as Prudential Financial Inc. to tell beneficiaries how their money will be invested and how much the insurer stands to make from holding the funds.
Her legislation follows the start of a probe by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs into what has become a common industry practice. Officials at the Pentagon and the White House have said they’ll support that investigation.
Bloomberg Markets magazine reported on July 28 that life insurance companies keep money in their own accounts, instead of paying a lump sum directly to survivors when a policy holder dies. The insurers pay uncompetitive interest rates and offer misleading guarantees about the safety of accounts that aren’t federally insured.
read more here
U.S. House Bill Would Set New Rules on Soldiers Life Insurance
By Patrick O’Connor and David Evans - Aug 2, 2010 11:09 AM
Representative Debbie Halvorson wants Congress to set new rules for life insurance companies that profit from accounts that hold death benefits from policies of dead U.S. soldiers and veterans.
The first-term Illinois Democrat introduced legislation on July 30 that would require companies such as Prudential Financial Inc. to tell beneficiaries how their money will be invested and how much the insurer stands to make from holding the funds.
Her legislation follows the start of a probe by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs into what has become a common industry practice. Officials at the Pentagon and the White House have said they’ll support that investigation.
Bloomberg Markets magazine reported on July 28 that life insurance companies keep money in their own accounts, instead of paying a lump sum directly to survivors when a policy holder dies. The insurers pay uncompetitive interest rates and offer misleading guarantees about the safety of accounts that aren’t federally insured.
read more here
U.S. House Bill Would Set New Rules on Soldiers Life Insurance
Unanswered questions about plans for military memorial
Attorney general investigating Fallen Heroes Foundation
Posted on July 29, 2010 at 10:23 PM
Updated Thursday, Jul 29 at 10:34 PM
Just two days after a News 8 investigation was broadcast, the organizer of the United States Fallen Heroes Foundation has resigned and state officials are trying to answer questions about the organization
Unanswered questions about plans for military memorial
by BYRON HARRIS
WFAA
Posted on July 27, 2010 at 10:38 PM
NEWS 8 INVESTIGATES
KENNEDALE — Questions are swirling around a $50 million project in Kennedale to honor veterans who have died since the September 11 terrorist attacks.
The Texas Attorney General is looking into documentation behind the United States Fallen Heroes Foundation.
What exactly is the United States Fallen Heroes Foundation?
Why does its founder use two names?
And is it a tax-exempt organization?
The memorial project was introduced to the public during a slick presentation at a news conference two months ago. An animation showed 15 acres of land in Kennedale that would be the site of a memorial. A Web site honoring veterans was set up, and TV spots in which families of vets were used to solicit money.
read more here
Unanswered questions about plans for military memorial
Posted on July 29, 2010 at 10:23 PM
Updated Thursday, Jul 29 at 10:34 PM
Just two days after a News 8 investigation was broadcast, the organizer of the United States Fallen Heroes Foundation has resigned and state officials are trying to answer questions about the organization
Unanswered questions about plans for military memorial
by BYRON HARRIS
WFAA
Posted on July 27, 2010 at 10:38 PM
NEWS 8 INVESTIGATES
KENNEDALE — Questions are swirling around a $50 million project in Kennedale to honor veterans who have died since the September 11 terrorist attacks.
The Texas Attorney General is looking into documentation behind the United States Fallen Heroes Foundation.
What exactly is the United States Fallen Heroes Foundation?
Why does its founder use two names?
And is it a tax-exempt organization?
The memorial project was introduced to the public during a slick presentation at a news conference two months ago. An animation showed 15 acres of land in Kennedale that would be the site of a memorial. A Web site honoring veterans was set up, and TV spots in which families of vets were used to solicit money.
read more here
Unanswered questions about plans for military memorial
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