Foundation blames budget for Medal of Honor Grove's woes
Published: Monday, August 09, 2010
By Anne Pickering
The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge in a July 30 open letter defended its actions in concentrating its financial resources on its educational mission rather than in maintaining the Medal of Honor Grove.
“We intend no disrespect to the Medal of Honor recipients; however, the cost of maintaining the 52 acres is huge and has been a struggle for some time,” wrote Michael Di Yeso, president and CEO of the Freedoms Foundation.
“When faced with the costs of educating young people versus the cost of maintaining the grove, we have been forced to make difficult decisions.”
The letter, which was written to state Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-19th, of West Whiteland, and the community responds to a letter Dinniman wrote to the foundation asking why the grove had been allowed to fall into disrepair.
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Foundation blames budget for Medal of Honor Grove woes
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Millions of Dollars of Disability Benefits Held Back
Millions of Dollars of Disability Benefits Held Back, Unnecessarily, Every Year
Newton, MA (PRWEB) August 11, 2010
Disability Services Group reports that each year millions of dollars in Insurer, Social Security and Veterans Administration disability claims will continue to be denied, unnecessarily. Our new publication contains valuable information on how to correctly file a Long Term Disability claim, "doing it right" the first time, dramatically improving the likelihood of collecting benefits.
Getting Paid
"Collecting the Disability Check", A Resource Manual for Libraries, Individuals & Professional Advisors
ElderCare Publishing Company is pleased to announce the availability of the new disability resource manual 'Getting Paid', authored by Allan Checkoway, a nationally recognized disability expert. Allan developed his new publication to help the multitude of disabled Americans collect the millions of dollars in disability benefits to which they are entitled. Note the following headlines:
Federal Disability Traffic Jam / The Washington Times
Soldiers risk ruin while awaiting benefit checks / Associated Press
Disability Claims can be tough to collect / Wall Street Journal
Millions of dollars of disability benefits are held back, unnecessarily, every year. Does the Disability Safety Net have holes in it? If more than 60 percent of Social Security disability claims are denied initially, then why are 63 percent approved at the hearing stage? What causes the turn around? Unfortunately 39 percent of claimants give up before determining if they would be successful going through the appeal process.
Is this the wrong time to be disabled in America? Tens of millions of dollars in disability benefits go unpaid by private insurers. Over 40 states jointly investigated how one insurer handles their disability claims. Another state set up a system to scrutinize the handling of every rejected claim. What led to the dramatic change in the handling of disability claims? Or has anything changed at all and there's just more adverse publicity?
22,500 Veteran's PTDS disability claims denied as personality disorders, as reported in USA Today . . . How is it possible that a personality disorder (assuming it existed prior to military service) is diagnosed when psychological evaluations are not done prior to induction?
go here for more
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/08/prweb4360794.htm
Newton, MA (PRWEB) August 11, 2010
Disability Services Group reports that each year millions of dollars in Insurer, Social Security and Veterans Administration disability claims will continue to be denied, unnecessarily. Our new publication contains valuable information on how to correctly file a Long Term Disability claim, "doing it right" the first time, dramatically improving the likelihood of collecting benefits.
Getting Paid
"Collecting the Disability Check", A Resource Manual for Libraries, Individuals & Professional Advisors
ElderCare Publishing Company is pleased to announce the availability of the new disability resource manual 'Getting Paid', authored by Allan Checkoway, a nationally recognized disability expert. Allan developed his new publication to help the multitude of disabled Americans collect the millions of dollars in disability benefits to which they are entitled. Note the following headlines:
Federal Disability Traffic Jam / The Washington Times
Soldiers risk ruin while awaiting benefit checks / Associated Press
Disability Claims can be tough to collect / Wall Street Journal
Millions of dollars of disability benefits are held back, unnecessarily, every year. Does the Disability Safety Net have holes in it? If more than 60 percent of Social Security disability claims are denied initially, then why are 63 percent approved at the hearing stage? What causes the turn around? Unfortunately 39 percent of claimants give up before determining if they would be successful going through the appeal process.
Is this the wrong time to be disabled in America? Tens of millions of dollars in disability benefits go unpaid by private insurers. Over 40 states jointly investigated how one insurer handles their disability claims. Another state set up a system to scrutinize the handling of every rejected claim. What led to the dramatic change in the handling of disability claims? Or has anything changed at all and there's just more adverse publicity?
22,500 Veteran's PTDS disability claims denied as personality disorders, as reported in USA Today . . . How is it possible that a personality disorder (assuming it existed prior to military service) is diagnosed when psychological evaluations are not done prior to induction?
go here for more
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/08/prweb4360794.htm
Drowning victim was decorated Vietnam veteran
Drowning victim was decorated Vietnam veteran
By JOSH STILTS / Reformer Staff
August 12, 2010
JAMAICA -- The man who drowned in Townshend Lake on Aug. 6 has been identified as Kendall Query, 65, of Jamaica, according to Vermont State Police.
Sgt. Tara Thomas said there's nothing suspicious about the death but a ruling won't be made until the toxicology report is returned, which could take six to eight weeks.
Query, who served in the Vietnam War, was awarded the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged.
Suzanne Sylvester, Query's wife, said her husband was a man of many talents and truly loved his community.
"He was an avid rock climber and ski instructor," Sylvester said. "After retiring from the banking industry, he worked as a finishing carpenter and painter. He must have painted half the houses in town."
When Query returned home from Vietnam, he -- like many soldiers -- suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, his wife said.
"We dealt with it together for many years," she said.
go here for more
Drowning victim was decorated Vietnam veteran
By JOSH STILTS / Reformer Staff
August 12, 2010
JAMAICA -- The man who drowned in Townshend Lake on Aug. 6 has been identified as Kendall Query, 65, of Jamaica, according to Vermont State Police.
Sgt. Tara Thomas said there's nothing suspicious about the death but a ruling won't be made until the toxicology report is returned, which could take six to eight weeks.
Query, who served in the Vietnam War, was awarded the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged.
Suzanne Sylvester, Query's wife, said her husband was a man of many talents and truly loved his community.
"He was an avid rock climber and ski instructor," Sylvester said. "After retiring from the banking industry, he worked as a finishing carpenter and painter. He must have painted half the houses in town."
When Query returned home from Vietnam, he -- like many soldiers -- suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, his wife said.
"We dealt with it together for many years," she said.
go here for more
Drowning victim was decorated Vietnam veteran
Disabled Vietnam Vet Chases Robber Out of Store With Cane
Vietnam Vet Chases Robber Out of Store With Cane
Published: Wednesday, August 11, 2010
An Army veteran attacked a would-be robber with his cane at Walgreens on Wednesday morning, chasing the man out of the store before he could get any money, Tampa police said.
"I'm a Vietnam veteran," said Clifford Leo Bisek, 69, "and I don't tolerate garbage."
Bisek, who lives in a Nebraska Avenue motel, goes to the Walgreens nearby, at 2115 E. Hillsborough Ave., almost every day to shoot the breeze and get a newspaper.
go here for more
Vietnam Vet Chases Robber Out of Store With Cane
Published: Wednesday, August 11, 2010
An Army veteran attacked a would-be robber with his cane at Walgreens on Wednesday morning, chasing the man out of the store before he could get any money, Tampa police said.
"I'm a Vietnam veteran," said Clifford Leo Bisek, 69, "and I don't tolerate garbage."
Bisek, who lives in a Nebraska Avenue motel, goes to the Walgreens nearby, at 2115 E. Hillsborough Ave., almost every day to shoot the breeze and get a newspaper.
go here for more
Vietnam Vet Chases Robber Out of Store With Cane
Survivor Celebrates Trauma Anniversary
Survivor Celebrates Trauma Anniversary with Online PTSD Community
Michele Rosenthal celebrates her trauma anniversary with followers and fellow trauma survivors online with a month long series of events.
(I-Newswire) August 11, 2010 - Michele Rosenthal, a West Palm Beach resident, is celebrating an unusual anniversary: the day she survived a life-threatening trauma. While what she is celebrating may not be a typical milestone for most, her way of affirming life serves to benefit many people around the country who have a similar milestone to reconcile.
On August 31, 1981, Rosenthal was admitted to a hospital with the rare diagnosis of Stephens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS). A a severe allergic reaction to a medication that affects .5 people/million, SJS can leave a patient with as little as a 30% chance of survival. Rosenthal did survive, but after going through acute stress, she spent the next 25 years suffering with intense and disruptive psychological and emotional symptoms that were finally diagnosed as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
For trauma survivors, the anniversary of the day their world changed can be extremely painful. PTSD symptoms often increase, and on both conscious and subconscious levels survivors struggle to cope with memories and feelings they often can't control or explain. For example, on her trauma anniversary date each year during her 25 years of undiagnosed suffering, Rosenthal’s insomnia increased and her hair shed massively and, according to all the doctors with whom she sought help, inexplicably.
Once she was properly diagnosed, Rosenthal went on a healing rampage. She took control of her recovery and is now PTSD-free. Today, Rosenthal is the founder of Heal My PTSD, LLC, (www.healmyptsd.com), and works as a Self-Empowered Healing Coach, helping survivors shift from powerless to powerful so they can progress their healing journey.
go here for more
Survivor Celebrates Trauma Anniversary
Michele Rosenthal celebrates her trauma anniversary with followers and fellow trauma survivors online with a month long series of events.
(I-Newswire) August 11, 2010 - Michele Rosenthal, a West Palm Beach resident, is celebrating an unusual anniversary: the day she survived a life-threatening trauma. While what she is celebrating may not be a typical milestone for most, her way of affirming life serves to benefit many people around the country who have a similar milestone to reconcile.
On August 31, 1981, Rosenthal was admitted to a hospital with the rare diagnosis of Stephens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS). A a severe allergic reaction to a medication that affects .5 people/million, SJS can leave a patient with as little as a 30% chance of survival. Rosenthal did survive, but after going through acute stress, she spent the next 25 years suffering with intense and disruptive psychological and emotional symptoms that were finally diagnosed as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
For trauma survivors, the anniversary of the day their world changed can be extremely painful. PTSD symptoms often increase, and on both conscious and subconscious levels survivors struggle to cope with memories and feelings they often can't control or explain. For example, on her trauma anniversary date each year during her 25 years of undiagnosed suffering, Rosenthal’s insomnia increased and her hair shed massively and, according to all the doctors with whom she sought help, inexplicably.
Once she was properly diagnosed, Rosenthal went on a healing rampage. She took control of her recovery and is now PTSD-free. Today, Rosenthal is the founder of Heal My PTSD, LLC, (www.healmyptsd.com), and works as a Self-Empowered Healing Coach, helping survivors shift from powerless to powerful so they can progress their healing journey.
go here for more
Survivor Celebrates Trauma Anniversary
Chapel of the Net
I have a new blog, Chapel of the Net. It is for trauma survivors.
It is a nondenominational blog based on Christian beliefs. There are not many traumatic events I had not been touched by but not one has destroyed me.
Domestic violence
My father was a violent alcoholic until I was 13. With the help of AA, he stopped drinking and never touched another drop until he passed away at the age of 58.
My ex-husband beat me once and nearly killed me. I was saved by my landlord and the police.
Divorce
I divorced my ex-husband and he stalked me for over a year. I have been married to Jack, a Vietnam vet since 1984.
Car accident
I survived being hit in the rear and sent head on into a guard rail.
Traumatic brain injury
At 4 ½ I was pushed off a slide at a drive-in movie. I fell two stories head first and landed on cement.
Health crisis
Miscarried twins and hemorrhaged.
After my daughter was born, I had an infection that was not treated properly. It caused a massive infection that almost killed me eight months later.
Death of family members
Father at the age of 58
Brother Warren at the age of 42
Brother Nick at the age of 56
Mom at the age of 85
My husband lost his whole family, Father, Mom, two sisters in 13 months.
His nephew committed suicide. He was a Vietnam veteran and committed suicide due to PTSD and heroin.
Job loss
I lost my job working for a church, a job I loved and didn’t receive unemployment. As a church they didn’t have to pay into the system and I was left with no income to support my ministry. We survived on my husband’s disability and pension.
It is the fact I have not lost hope that I am stil here. I want to give to others what was given to me and that is the support and love that has seen me through it all.
Please visit Chapel of the Net and as the days go on, I hope you will not only find comfort there but share it with others. If you went through something, please share it and how you overcame it.
There will be no ads on this site and totally reader supported.
Marine's mother to get his Bronze Star three years later
Marine's mother to get his Bronze Star -- 3 years late
August 11, 2010
Things, even very important things, can get overlooked when the fog of war is combined with the bureaucratic glitches that can occur when two branches of the military service are involved.
On Thursday, the Marine Corps plans to do something that should have been done nearly two years ago: making sure the family of Sgt. Clinton W. Ahlquist receives the Bronze Star for bravery that he was awarded posthumously.
Ahlquist, 23, a squad leader with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, was cited for continued heroism and leadership during the fierce fighting in Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's Anbar province. He was killed Feb. 20, 2007, while rescuing a wounded Marine.
"His example proved to be a combat multiplier to the Marines he led and contributed decisively to the destruction of enemy forces during these engagement," according to the Bronze Star citation.
Just days before his death, Ahlquist had reenlisted. He listed Creede, Colo, where he finished high school, as his hometown, but he had spent much of his youth in Arizona.
The award was made in November 2008 and the family was notified. But because the 2-4 was under the command of an Army unit, the paperwork that would have made sure the Bronze Star was presented to Ahlquist's family went awry.
go here for more
Marine mother to get his Bronze Star
August 11, 2010
Things, even very important things, can get overlooked when the fog of war is combined with the bureaucratic glitches that can occur when two branches of the military service are involved.
On Thursday, the Marine Corps plans to do something that should have been done nearly two years ago: making sure the family of Sgt. Clinton W. Ahlquist receives the Bronze Star for bravery that he was awarded posthumously.
Ahlquist, 23, a squad leader with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, was cited for continued heroism and leadership during the fierce fighting in Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's Anbar province. He was killed Feb. 20, 2007, while rescuing a wounded Marine.
"His example proved to be a combat multiplier to the Marines he led and contributed decisively to the destruction of enemy forces during these engagement," according to the Bronze Star citation.
Just days before his death, Ahlquist had reenlisted. He listed Creede, Colo, where he finished high school, as his hometown, but he had spent much of his youth in Arizona.
The award was made in November 2008 and the family was notified. But because the 2-4 was under the command of an Army unit, the paperwork that would have made sure the Bronze Star was presented to Ahlquist's family went awry.
go here for more
Marine mother to get his Bronze Star
US sends Marine ship, helicopters for flood aid
US sends Marine ship, helicopters for flood aid
By SAGAR MEGHANI (AP)
TAMPA, Fla. — The United States is more than tripling the number of helicopters it is providing to help in flood-ravaged Pakistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday.
Gates said the USS Peleliu is now off the coast near Karachi, carrying 19 helicopters and a complement of about 1,000 Marines.
The six U.S. helicopters which were sent to Pakistan from Afghanistan earlier have been helping rescue people and deliver aid supplies. Gates said the Peleliu's complement will replace six combat helicopters on loan from the U.S. war effort in Afghanistan.
Gates said President Barack Obama has directed his administration to "lean forward" in offering help to the Pakistanis, which he stressed will be at a pace dictated by Pakistan's needs and its ability to handle aid.
"There's no point in having a lot of helicopters if we don't have the relief supplies to deliver," Gates told reporters traveling with him to Florida. He said the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development and other areas of the government will have to be involved in helping Pakistan recover.
go here for more
US sends Marine ship, helicopters for flood aid
By SAGAR MEGHANI (AP)
TAMPA, Fla. — The United States is more than tripling the number of helicopters it is providing to help in flood-ravaged Pakistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday.
Gates said the USS Peleliu is now off the coast near Karachi, carrying 19 helicopters and a complement of about 1,000 Marines.
The six U.S. helicopters which were sent to Pakistan from Afghanistan earlier have been helping rescue people and deliver aid supplies. Gates said the Peleliu's complement will replace six combat helicopters on loan from the U.S. war effort in Afghanistan.
Gates said President Barack Obama has directed his administration to "lean forward" in offering help to the Pakistanis, which he stressed will be at a pace dictated by Pakistan's needs and its ability to handle aid.
"There's no point in having a lot of helicopters if we don't have the relief supplies to deliver," Gates told reporters traveling with him to Florida. He said the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development and other areas of the government will have to be involved in helping Pakistan recover.
go here for more
US sends Marine ship, helicopters for flood aid
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Widow of WWII Medal of Honor Vernon Baker can't afford to go to Arlington burial
Widow of Medal of Honor recipient can't afford to attend Arlington burial
by KREM.com, Othello Richards
Posted on August 11, 2010 at 11:02 AM
ST. MARIES, Idaho -- Strangers are stepping up to help the widow of a north Idaho veteran who received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Vernon Baker died at his St. Maries home in July and will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941, served and was wounded in World War II. Vernon was 90 years old.
But Baker's wife of the last 17 years, Heidy Baker, can't afford to attend the burial of her own husband's ashes.
"I can keep it together more on the outside, but on the inside I'm just so sad and so empty," Heidy told KREM 2 News Tuesday.
read more here
Widow of Medal of Honor recipient
by KREM.com, Othello Richards
Posted on August 11, 2010 at 11:02 AM
ST. MARIES, Idaho -- Strangers are stepping up to help the widow of a north Idaho veteran who received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Vernon Baker died at his St. Maries home in July and will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941, served and was wounded in World War II. Vernon was 90 years old.
But Baker's wife of the last 17 years, Heidy Baker, can't afford to attend the burial of her own husband's ashes.
"I can keep it together more on the outside, but on the inside I'm just so sad and so empty," Heidy told KREM 2 News Tuesday.
read more here
Widow of Medal of Honor recipient
Sergeant David C. Dolby, a Medal of Honor Vietnam Vet passed away
Idaho Medal of Honor recipient passes away
by KTVB.COM
Posted on August 8, 2010 at 12:20 PM
SPIRIT LAKE, Idaho – Sergeant David C. Dolby, a Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Friday in Spirit Lake, Idaho.
Dolby received his Medal of Honor on Sept. 28, 1967 for service on May 21, 1966 in Vietnam. The citation was issued for Dolby’s gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
Sergeant Dolby was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Company B, 1st battalion (Airborne) 8th Cavalry.
read more here
Idaho Medal of Honor recipient passes away
by KTVB.COM
Posted on August 8, 2010 at 12:20 PM
SPIRIT LAKE, Idaho – Sergeant David C. Dolby, a Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Friday in Spirit Lake, Idaho.
Dolby received his Medal of Honor on Sept. 28, 1967 for service on May 21, 1966 in Vietnam. The citation was issued for Dolby’s gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
Sergeant Dolby was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Company B, 1st battalion (Airborne) 8th Cavalry.
read more here
Idaho Medal of Honor recipient passes away
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