Lawyer: Sgt. in shooting was on strict diet
Reserve soldier was in near-catatonic state after being ‘belittled, humiliated and berated’
By Greg Bluestein - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Aug 31, 2010 9:46:48 EDT
FORT McPHERSON, Ga. — A soldier was fasting to meet strict military weight guidelines and was nearly catatonic when he shot and killed a supervisor who denied his vacation request, his attorney said Monday.
Attorney William Cassara said Army Reserve Sgt. Rashad Valmont was dehydrated, exhausted and delirious when he burst into Master Sgt. Pedro Mercado's office in nearby Fort Gillem in June and shot him six times.
Valmont, 29, faces a premeditated murder charge. The details of the shooting were revealed for the first time Monday at a military hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to go to trial. No immediate recommendation was issued.
read more here
Lawyer Sgt in shooting was on strict diet
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Five Fort Campbell Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan
Five Fort Campbell Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan
NewsChannel5.com
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Five Fort Campbell soldiers have been killed in three separate incidents in Afghanistan over the past few days.
NewsChannel5.com
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Five Fort Campbell soldiers have been killed in three separate incidents in Afghanistan over the past few days.
Private First Class Chad Derek Coleman, and
Private Adam Jacob Novak, both 20,
were killed on August 27 when a command-wired improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during convoy operations in the Paktiya province, Afghanistan.
Coleman was a Cavalry Scout; Novak was an infantryman. Both Coleman and Novak were assigned to B Troop, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
The Department of Defense reported that
Specialist James Robinson, 27,
died August 28 when insurgents attacked his Forward Operating Base in the Bermal district, Paktika province, Afghanistan.
Captain Ellery R. Wallace, 33, and
Private First Class Bryn T. Raver, 20,
died August 29 at Nangahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when their military vehicle was struck by rocket propelled grenade on August. 28.read more here
Cape Coral City employees raise $3,200 for soldier
City employees raise $3,200 for soldier
Funds hand delivered to Pfc. Kent at Walter Reed Hospital
By DREW WINCHESTER,
City of Cape Coral employees are trying to look out for one of their own.
City employees donated $3,200 to Pfc. Corey Kent's family recently, hand delivered by Cape Police Sgt. Rob Wardrop to Walter Reed Hospital where Kent is recovering from serious injuries.
City spokeswoman Connie Barron said Wardrop originally intended to have city employees sign cards showing their support for Kent, but later decided to try and raise money for his family, who are also at Walter Reed in Maryland.
Barron said Wardrop expected to collect a few hundred dollars, and was overwhelmed, but happy, that donations were so strong.
Donations were collected over a period of two weeks, according to Barron.
"The idea was to reach out to him (Kent), and let him know city employees care about him," Barron said.
read more here
http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/518938.html
Funds hand delivered to Pfc. Kent at Walter Reed Hospital
By DREW WINCHESTER,
City of Cape Coral employees are trying to look out for one of their own.
City employees donated $3,200 to Pfc. Corey Kent's family recently, hand delivered by Cape Police Sgt. Rob Wardrop to Walter Reed Hospital where Kent is recovering from serious injuries.
City spokeswoman Connie Barron said Wardrop originally intended to have city employees sign cards showing their support for Kent, but later decided to try and raise money for his family, who are also at Walter Reed in Maryland.
Barron said Wardrop expected to collect a few hundred dollars, and was overwhelmed, but happy, that donations were so strong.
Donations were collected over a period of two weeks, according to Barron.
"The idea was to reach out to him (Kent), and let him know city employees care about him," Barron said.
read more here
http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/518938.html
Vietnam Vet with PTSD aimed at Westboro group
Marine veteran haunted by memories
By Matthew Hansen
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
George Vogel drove his Ford pickup truck toward a group of people he thought were the infamous Westboro Baptist protesters.
The 62-year-old Omahan’s trigger finger rested on a can of potent pepper spray that can cause temporary blindness and vomiting. His grandson rode in the passenger seat.
But what Vogel saw as he leaned out the driver’s side window and twice sprayed the crowd outside the Saturday funeral of Marine Staff Sgt. Michael Bock is a 40-year-old memory he can’t shake, his wife says.
In the memory, Vogel is himself a young Marine. He has just climbed off the ship that has brought him back to the United States from a brutal tour of duty in Vietnam. And he encounters a group of anti-war protesters, young adults his own age, waving signs and screaming at him.
“He kept saying, ‘All I could think of was when I got off the boat,’” Marlene Vogel said Monday of the lone phone conversation she has had with her husband since he was jailed Saturday on suspicion of 16 counts of misdemeanor assault.
The charges stem from the 16 people — none of whom are believed to be Westboro Baptist members — who were allegedly harmed by Vogel’s bear repellent, a Mace-like chemical that burned their eyes, turned their stomachs and sent several to the hospital.
“In no way did he want to take away from the honor of Sgt. Bock, the solemn occasion for his family,” Marlene Vogel says. “But he was not thinking clearly. All he saw in his mind were those protesters when he got off the ship.”
Vogel is a Creighton graduate, a father of four, a retired vice president of a telemarketing firm and a longtime member of a veterans group that aids families of Marines killed or wounded in combat.
He is also a longtime victim of post-traumatic stress disorder, his wife and his attorney said Monday. He is spooked by loud noises. He has long suffered nightmares — his children, when young, grew used to hearing him call in artillery and scream for help while asleep.
read more here
http://www.omaha.com/article/20100831/NEWS97/708319913/0
By Matthew Hansen
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
George Vogel drove his Ford pickup truck toward a group of people he thought were the infamous Westboro Baptist protesters.
The 62-year-old Omahan’s trigger finger rested on a can of potent pepper spray that can cause temporary blindness and vomiting. His grandson rode in the passenger seat.
But what Vogel saw as he leaned out the driver’s side window and twice sprayed the crowd outside the Saturday funeral of Marine Staff Sgt. Michael Bock is a 40-year-old memory he can’t shake, his wife says.
In the memory, Vogel is himself a young Marine. He has just climbed off the ship that has brought him back to the United States from a brutal tour of duty in Vietnam. And he encounters a group of anti-war protesters, young adults his own age, waving signs and screaming at him.
“He kept saying, ‘All I could think of was when I got off the boat,’” Marlene Vogel said Monday of the lone phone conversation she has had with her husband since he was jailed Saturday on suspicion of 16 counts of misdemeanor assault.
The charges stem from the 16 people — none of whom are believed to be Westboro Baptist members — who were allegedly harmed by Vogel’s bear repellent, a Mace-like chemical that burned their eyes, turned their stomachs and sent several to the hospital.
“In no way did he want to take away from the honor of Sgt. Bock, the solemn occasion for his family,” Marlene Vogel says. “But he was not thinking clearly. All he saw in his mind were those protesters when he got off the ship.”
Vogel is a Creighton graduate, a father of four, a retired vice president of a telemarketing firm and a longtime member of a veterans group that aids families of Marines killed or wounded in combat.
He is also a longtime victim of post-traumatic stress disorder, his wife and his attorney said Monday. He is spooked by loud noises. He has long suffered nightmares — his children, when young, grew used to hearing him call in artillery and scream for help while asleep.
read more here
http://www.omaha.com/article/20100831/NEWS97/708319913/0
Sunday, August 29, 2010
600 Patriot Guard Riders stood vigil for Staff Sgt. Michael Bock
Staff Sgt. Michael Bock, 26, who died August 13 in Afghanistan's Helmand province
Veterans with PTSD at greater risk for dementia
Veterans with PTSD at greater risk for dementia
31. August 2010 07:05
More Study Needed to Determine Why Veterans with PTSD Are More at Risk Than Others
Results of a study reported in the September issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggest that Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a greater risk for dementia than Veterans without PTSD, even those who suffered traumatic injuries during combat.
Exposure to life threatening events, like war, can cause PTSD, and there are high rates among veterans. PSTD includes symptoms such as avoiding things or people that remind a person of the trauma, nightmares, difficulty with sleep, and mood problems.
"We found Veterans with PTSD had twice the chance for later being diagnosed with dementia than Veterans without PTSD," said Mark Kunik, M.D., M.P.H., a psychiatrist at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Texas, USA, and senior author of the article. "Although we cannot at this time determine the cause for this increased risk, it is essential to determine whether the risk of dementia can be reduced by effectively treating PTSD. This could have enormous implications for Veterans now returning from Iraq and Afghanistan."
read more here
Veterans with PTSD at greater risk for dementia
31. August 2010 07:05
More Study Needed to Determine Why Veterans with PTSD Are More at Risk Than Others
Results of a study reported in the September issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggest that Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a greater risk for dementia than Veterans without PTSD, even those who suffered traumatic injuries during combat.
Exposure to life threatening events, like war, can cause PTSD, and there are high rates among veterans. PSTD includes symptoms such as avoiding things or people that remind a person of the trauma, nightmares, difficulty with sleep, and mood problems.
"We found Veterans with PTSD had twice the chance for later being diagnosed with dementia than Veterans without PTSD," said Mark Kunik, M.D., M.P.H., a psychiatrist at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Texas, USA, and senior author of the article. "Although we cannot at this time determine the cause for this increased risk, it is essential to determine whether the risk of dementia can be reduced by effectively treating PTSD. This could have enormous implications for Veterans now returning from Iraq and Afghanistan."
read more here
Veterans with PTSD at greater risk for dementia
Glenn Beck took advantage of the troops for himself
Glenn Beck took advantage of the troops and our love for them!
There have been reports that the money Beck raised during his rally did not come with a warning that the money would first go to pay for the rally and then into the foundation. There is a disclaimer on his site about this but when a reported $5 Million dollars was raised for the sake of the troops and the wounded, it is sickening that this happened.
If you donated for them you ended up donating to Beck and his rally.
This is at the bottom of the page,,,,,,,,,
There have been reports that the money Beck raised during his rally did not come with a warning that the money would first go to pay for the rally and then into the foundation. There is a disclaimer on his site about this but when a reported $5 Million dollars was raised for the sake of the troops and the wounded, it is sickening that this happened.
If you donated for them you ended up donating to Beck and his rally.
Thank you to all those that attended 8/28 both in person and online
With your support and help we were able to raise more than $5-million dollars for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
If you would like to donate to their cause you can do so online here OR you can text SOWF to 85944 to make a $10 donation.
THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Every day service personnel risk their lives to protect our country. It is through the support of non-profit organizations like the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) that the families of these service members are taken care of in the event of an accident or loss of life. Learn more about the SOWF today by visiting www.specialops.org.
Help us to honor our heroes, our heritage and our future by making a tax-deductible donation online or by sending a check to:
SOWF
C/O Mercury Radio Arts
1270 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor
NY, NY 10020
(all checks should be payable to Special Operations Warrior Foundation)
This is at the bottom of the page,,,,,,,,,
This rally is compliant with IRS Rules and Regulations found in IRS publication 557 and IRS publication 4221-PC. For tax purposes a gift to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation is deductible in accordance with Internal Revenue Service's tax laws. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution. The purchase of Restoring Honor Rally merchandise is not a donation to SOWF, but all net proceeds from the sale of Restoring Honor Rally merchandise is being donated to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. All contributions made to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) will first be applied to the costs of the Restoring Honor Rally taking place on August 28, 2010. All contributions in excess of these costs will then be retained by the SOWF. Tax ID 52-1183585.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Quick update
As of today, I am a college "girl" as my husband puts it. I went back to college for Digital Media and Post Production. Mondays and Wednesdays will be very light posting from now on since I have two three hour classes and a long drive. Feels really strange being back in college since the last time I was in one my daughter was getting her bachelor's degree. The last time I was a student was over 10 years ago when I went back to get certified in Microsoft Office.
The good news is that if you like my videos now, think of what I can do with this kind of training!
I'll post tomorrow because this college "girl" is really tired.
The good news is that if you like my videos now, think of what I can do with this kind of training!
I'll post tomorrow because this college "girl" is really tired.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Vietnam veteran retiring from Guard after serving since 1970
Vietnam veteran retiring from Guard
One of the last veterans of the Vietnam War still serving in the North Dakota Army National Guard is retiring.
Master Sgt. Douglas F. Balliet will be honored at a retirement ceremony at 1 p.m. Monday at the Army Aviation Support Facility, 3410 Airway Ave., south of the Bismarck Airport. The event is open to the public.
A native of Linton, Balliet enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1970 and was assigned as an aircraft mechanic with the 101st Airborne Division at Camp Eagle, Vietnam, from September 1970, to September 1971.
After an additional tour in the active duty Army, Balliet joined the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1972.
He is assigned as the North Dakota Army National Guard’s aircraft maintenance supervisor.
There are two other Vietnam War veterans still serving in the North Dakota Army Guard.
Vietnam veteran retiring from Guard
One of the last veterans of the Vietnam War still serving in the North Dakota Army National Guard is retiring.
Master Sgt. Douglas F. Balliet will be honored at a retirement ceremony at 1 p.m. Monday at the Army Aviation Support Facility, 3410 Airway Ave., south of the Bismarck Airport. The event is open to the public.
A native of Linton, Balliet enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1970 and was assigned as an aircraft mechanic with the 101st Airborne Division at Camp Eagle, Vietnam, from September 1970, to September 1971.
After an additional tour in the active duty Army, Balliet joined the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1972.
He is assigned as the North Dakota Army National Guard’s aircraft maintenance supervisor.
There are two other Vietnam War veterans still serving in the North Dakota Army Guard.
Vietnam veteran retiring from Guard
Vets mourn loss of Vietnam Veteran Ken Baker
Vets mourn loss of Ken Baker, 61
BY R. NORMAN MOODY
FLORIDA TODAY
August 29, 2010
When it came to helping veterans, Ken Baker was always there.
Today, fellow veterans will gather at 2 p.m. for a memorial service for Baker at the Veterans Memorial Center in Merritt Island. Baker, who was 61, died Aug. 18.
Friends and fellow veterans said Baker would do whatever he could for veterans' causes. He would also enlist others to help.
"He used to come to me," Ralph Earrusso said. "He'd say 'Ralph, it's easy. I'll help you.' He did help me. He was always there for me."
Baker was there so much for others that friends say it will be difficult to replace him in all he did through his volunteer work for Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard. He served as president and in many other capacities for veterans' organizations.
Baker, a Vietnam War veteran of the Army's 1st Cavalry Division, began his work with veterans organizations after coming to terms with his critical war injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.
read more here
Vets mourn loss of Ken Baker
BY R. NORMAN MOODY
FLORIDA TODAY
August 29, 2010
When it came to helping veterans, Ken Baker was always there.
Today, fellow veterans will gather at 2 p.m. for a memorial service for Baker at the Veterans Memorial Center in Merritt Island. Baker, who was 61, died Aug. 18.
Friends and fellow veterans said Baker would do whatever he could for veterans' causes. He would also enlist others to help.
"He used to come to me," Ralph Earrusso said. "He'd say 'Ralph, it's easy. I'll help you.' He did help me. He was always there for me."
Baker was there so much for others that friends say it will be difficult to replace him in all he did through his volunteer work for Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard. He served as president and in many other capacities for veterans' organizations.
Baker, a Vietnam War veteran of the Army's 1st Cavalry Division, began his work with veterans organizations after coming to terms with his critical war injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.
"He was a charter member and the backbone of the organization," said Bill Vagianos, past president of the Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard. "At the time of his death, he was still on the board of directors."
read more here
Vets mourn loss of Ken Baker
Congressmen Filner and Grayson were asking for you today
Just back from meeting Congressman Filner and Congressman Grayson in downtown Orlando. They came together today to ask how you are doing, that is, if you are a veteran. For all the hard work both of these gentlemen do all year long for veterans, they want to know what you need and how what they are trying to do is working for you.
There were a lot of people there working on behalf of veterans and some really great questions but for me right now I want to tell you what I asked. I wanted to know why I was listening to CSPAN and hearing some people in congress say they couldn't increase funding for the VA because "there were two wars to pay for" at the time all the reports of inadequate care were the topic of many news stories beginning with the scandal at Walter Reed. Congressman Filner said he didn't have an answer as to why the general public didn't have a clue about any of this but I have a feeling he was just being nice. We know it is because the cable news shows had better things to talk about than just taking care of veterans or mouthing support to their faces at the same time they were stabbing them in the backs. If you want to know who was voting against veterans, look up the voting record of your senator and representative to learn all about them. If you noticed, then in 2007 when Filner took over chairmanship of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, things started to get better but there is a long way to go and there at too many people getting in the way.
Congressman Grayson added to Filner's answer by saying on the Presidential committee, there are some saying that stopping the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not the answer to coming up with fixing the funding problems. They want to cut the pay to the troops and cut back on services to the veterans. Again, he was being nice because we know that has been the answer all along because the Republicans some of my friends elected were duped into believing they cared simply because they were told and never bothered to check the voting records. Filner and Grayson said it was a moral obligation to take care of the men and women we send into combat and their care should be part of the budget for any war as a debt that needs to be paid just like all other war spending.
I asked Congressman Filner about why he holds so many hearings on the problems our veterans face but doesn't seem to be getting any testimony on what works. Wives of Vietnam veterans were the same age as the newer wives of the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. We have years of experience to offer them in telling them how they can heal their marriages and help their husbands heal. After all we had to make all the mistakes learning because no one was talking about any of this when the Vietnam veterans came home. My own marriage is going on 26 years and yes, I remember what it felt like to be lost, alone, afraid and often even ashamed. I remember what it was like trying to explain all of this to our daughter and our families. I had the luxury, if you want to call it that, of knowing what PTSD was and why my husband changed because I was studying it since 1982 right after we met and my Dad said it was shell shock.
Congressman Filner said that people like me should be hired so that we can help other families cope and help the veteran heal. He's right. Taking care of the veteran and the families keeps families together and then it should help stop many veterans from becoming homeless. None of this has to be this bad.
Both Congressmen also brought up how the DOD says there are so many killed and so many wounded but the figures coming out of the VA do not match. The DOD says there are less than 50,000 wounded but over 100,000 filed claims for their wounds with the VA. The figures on the deaths do not come close because there are many not counted who committed suicide.
There is a lot that has to be done but these two men are trying and so are a lot of others across the country. I just thought it was important that you knew you were talked about today and both of these men wanted to know how you really are instead of waiting for the troubles your going through to become too great before someone does something more for you. They feel it is a debt that needs to be paid and not something any of you should have to do without, beg for or fight for.
There were a lot of people there working on behalf of veterans and some really great questions but for me right now I want to tell you what I asked. I wanted to know why I was listening to CSPAN and hearing some people in congress say they couldn't increase funding for the VA because "there were two wars to pay for" at the time all the reports of inadequate care were the topic of many news stories beginning with the scandal at Walter Reed. Congressman Filner said he didn't have an answer as to why the general public didn't have a clue about any of this but I have a feeling he was just being nice. We know it is because the cable news shows had better things to talk about than just taking care of veterans or mouthing support to their faces at the same time they were stabbing them in the backs. If you want to know who was voting against veterans, look up the voting record of your senator and representative to learn all about them. If you noticed, then in 2007 when Filner took over chairmanship of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, things started to get better but there is a long way to go and there at too many people getting in the way.
Congressman Grayson added to Filner's answer by saying on the Presidential committee, there are some saying that stopping the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not the answer to coming up with fixing the funding problems. They want to cut the pay to the troops and cut back on services to the veterans. Again, he was being nice because we know that has been the answer all along because the Republicans some of my friends elected were duped into believing they cared simply because they were told and never bothered to check the voting records. Filner and Grayson said it was a moral obligation to take care of the men and women we send into combat and their care should be part of the budget for any war as a debt that needs to be paid just like all other war spending.
I asked Congressman Filner about why he holds so many hearings on the problems our veterans face but doesn't seem to be getting any testimony on what works. Wives of Vietnam veterans were the same age as the newer wives of the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. We have years of experience to offer them in telling them how they can heal their marriages and help their husbands heal. After all we had to make all the mistakes learning because no one was talking about any of this when the Vietnam veterans came home. My own marriage is going on 26 years and yes, I remember what it felt like to be lost, alone, afraid and often even ashamed. I remember what it was like trying to explain all of this to our daughter and our families. I had the luxury, if you want to call it that, of knowing what PTSD was and why my husband changed because I was studying it since 1982 right after we met and my Dad said it was shell shock.
Congressman Filner said that people like me should be hired so that we can help other families cope and help the veteran heal. He's right. Taking care of the veteran and the families keeps families together and then it should help stop many veterans from becoming homeless. None of this has to be this bad.
Both Congressmen also brought up how the DOD says there are so many killed and so many wounded but the figures coming out of the VA do not match. The DOD says there are less than 50,000 wounded but over 100,000 filed claims for their wounds with the VA. The figures on the deaths do not come close because there are many not counted who committed suicide.
There is a lot that has to be done but these two men are trying and so are a lot of others across the country. I just thought it was important that you knew you were talked about today and both of these men wanted to know how you really are instead of waiting for the troubles your going through to become too great before someone does something more for you. They feel it is a debt that needs to be paid and not something any of you should have to do without, beg for or fight for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)