Veterans suffer in silence on a harsh home front

Veterans suffer in silence on a harsh home front
Published: Saturday, August 04, 2012
By Mike Francis
The Oregonian

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press
U.S. Marines fill out research consent forms before taking psychological tests at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., on Sept. 29, 2009, in a program testing hundreds of Marines and soldiers before they ship out to search for clues that might help predict who is most susceptible to post-traumatic stress.

A Vietnam-era veteran suffering 40 years after he said he was victimized by a sexual predator in the military.

A veteran in jail after being caught with heroin.

A veteran charged with driving under the influence.

A young veteran with a gun in his mouth who, thankfully, put it down.

Families broken up under the stress of living with a veteran who is moody, alcoholic or who lashes out in anger.

These are just a few of the cases in this state that have come to me recently in phone calls, emails or personal conversation. They differ in the details and the degree of tragedy, but they speak to the emotional pain that is pulsing like an exposed nerve in every corner of the state.

How big a problem does it pose, this fragmented community of suffering veterans and current service members? That's maddeningly difficult to say. Even the military, which says it cares deeply about the issue but cultivates a warrior stoicism that discourages self-reporting, can't tell you. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense have multiple, disconnected programs intended to address post-traumatic stress, depression and other widespread emotional and mental health issues, but nobody seems able to say how well they work.

A report in July from the Institutes of Medicine found that "no single source within the DOD or any of the service branches maintains a complete list of such (treatment) programs, tracks the development of new or emerging programs, or has appropriate resources in place to direct service members to programs that may best meet their individual needs."
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James A. Haley VA reports contradict its claims on covert camera

Haley VA reports contradict its claims on covert camera
By William R. Levesque
Times Staff Writer
In Print: Sunday, August 5, 2012

TAMPA — Officials at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center insist they told the family of a severely brain-damaged veteran about a camera disguised as a smoke detector before installing it in his hospital room.

Hospital officials told the Tampa Bay Times and another media outlet that one of the man's relatives even signed a release acknowledging the unusual camera.

But Haley's own records appear to show the hospital's defense is simply untrue.

An internal "contact report" by an assistant nurse manager involved in Joseph Carnegie's care said angry family members approached hospital staff complaining about the camera after discovering it themselves.

The report by a supervisory nurse shows they were told nothing confirming its installation or use.

Then hospital officials told a Fort Myers television reporter that the Carnegies signed a release acknowledging the camera had been installed.

The Times requested a copy of that document.

Haley released two "contact reports" to the Times with the names of hospital staff redacted. "Yes, the family was aware and attached is the signed release," Haley spokeswoman Carolyn Clark said in an email providing the reports.

But the forms are not signed releases at all. And they clearly contradict the heart of Haley's defense that the family knew about the camera before its installation.

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Hidden camera found in patient's room at James A Haley VA hospital

Deplorable conditions for America's war heroes at Haley VA

UK soldiers sent to guard Olympic games in horrible living conditions

Soldiers complain about conditions
(UKPA)
1 day ago

Soldiers have complained about "horrible" living conditions, boredom and a lack of Olympics tickets as Boris Johnson visited their packed warehouse base in London.

The London mayor walked past soldiers sleeping on camp beds in the open, cramped rooms full of dozens of makeshift beds, people washing in plastic crates, smelly portable toilets and an outdoor kitchen as he visited the armed forces' accommodation in an old tobacco warehouse.

The sound of diggers and cranes filled the air as Mr Johnson visited the recreation area - a small strip of concrete next to the old dock. "What is that there?" he remarked. "Should we go and intervene? It's probably Hare Krishnas or something."

Inside, some troops watched Britain win another rowing gold medal and posed for pictures with Mr Johnson, but others told stories of missing holidays and having nothing to do while on standby or on downtime.
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New study compares health of vets, civilians

New study compares health of vets, civilians
By Patricia Kime
Staff writer
Posted : Friday Aug 3, 2012

Male veterans are more likely than civilians to have two or more chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma, according to a Centers for Disease Control report released Wednesday.

But male veterans are only slightly more likely to report issues related to psychological stress than those who never served.

In general, veterans aged 25 to 64 reported their health as “poor to fair” at rates higher than their civilian counterparts, 16 percent versus 10 percent. The widest disparity was among the 45 to 64 age group: 17 percent of male veterans described their health as either poor or fair — as opposed to good, very good or excellent — while just 12 percent of civilian males said their health was poor or fair.

Regarding psychological stress, a condition the CDC says could indicate a diagnosable mental condition, fewer than 5 percent of both veterans and nonveterans reported any problems, although the percentages among veterans still were slightly higher across the board for all age groups.
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Kan. Army veteran’s service dog found dead

Kan. Army veteran’s service dog found dead
The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Aug 4, 2012


WICHITA, Kan. — A disabled Army veteran’s service dog is found dead along a Kansas interstate highway about three hours after its owner reported it stolen.

The Wichita Eagle reported Ryan Newell stopped at a car wash in Park City shortly before 7 p.m. Friday to let the dog, a Doberman named Red, stretch its legs.
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Secret Service Grabs Florida Man in Obama Threat

Secret Service Grabs Florida Man in Obama Threat
Aug 3, 2012
The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a mentally unstable Florida man who made multiple verbal threats against President Obama and former president Bill Clinton, both of whom were visiting the state at the time, law enforcement officials tell ABC News. Federal agents and deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office descended on the suspect’s apartment complex Thursday, four miles from where Obama was holding a campaign rally at Rollins College in Winter Park.

The threat, called into a Veterans Affairs office earlier in the day, was deemed sufficiently legitimate to warrant a swift response, particularly since Obama had not yet left the area, officials said. But he did not attempt to attend the event or get close to Obama and Clinton.
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Vice President Joe Biden Addresses DAV National Convention

Vice President Joe Biden Addresses DAV National Convention


Actors J.R. Martinez and Gary Sinise to receive special recognition for their contributions to the veteran community

LAS VEGAS (July 31, 2012) – DAV will convene its national body to address the needs of injured and ill veterans of all generations when the organization meets at Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas for its 91st National Convention Aug. 4-7. On Saturday, the expected 4,000 attendees will have the opportunity to hear Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., discuss key policies affecting the veteran community.

Thousands of delegates will also draw up legislative initiatives aimed at fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. The major issues to be addressed at the Convention include: the need to improve mental health care for the psychologically wounded and their families; eliminating the lengthy delays veterans encounter when submitting disability claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs; and increased funding for construction projects to maintain the VA’s critical infrastructure.
v “We look forward to creating a united front of veterans to achieve our legislative goals,” said DAV National Commander Donald L. Samuels. “It is important that lawmakers understand that some areas of the VA are facing inadequate funding. This is our health care system, and it is struggling to meet the needs of our nation’s veterans.”

A special moment will be the presentation of DAV’s Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year Award to J.R. Martinez, whose remarkable accomplishments in service to veterans inspired the nation and advanced the causes of America’s veterans. Despite suffering severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body when his Humvee hit a land mine in Iraq, Martinez has helped lift the spirits of other ill and injured veterans by sharing his story and listening to theirs.

On Sunday morning, actor and long-time veteran supporter, Gary Sinise will also receive a special recognition for speaking out on issues affecting veterans and military men and women. Perhaps best-known for playing the iconic character, Lieutenant Dan in the movie Forrest Gump, Sinise has a long track record of proactively supporting the troops and veterans – from being featured in PSAs to performing for the troops in his band, The Lieutenant Dan Band. The band will be performing for Convention attendees on Sunday evening.

DAV delegates will also elect national officers at the Convention, get the latest information on veterans issues and renew our commitment to serving those who have sacrificed for our freedoms and way of life.

DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a non-profit organization with 1.2 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U. S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at www.dav.org.
for more on the convention go here

Philanthropist's death sparks unusual lawsuit

Philanthropist's death sparks unusual lawsuit
By LINDA DEUTSCH
AP Special Correspondent
Published August 04, 2012

LOS ANGELES – When former model and philanthropist Phyllis Harvey died last year at the age of 59, little note was taken. Brief paid obituaries appeared in Los Angeles and her hometown paper in North Carolina.

There was no mention of how she died. Nothing was said about her struggle with alcoholism and mental illness. And there was no reference to one of the final projects she helped fund with nearly a half million dollars.

Those details now figure prominently in a medical board complaint and wrongful death lawsuit claiming her psychiatrist coaxed $490,000 in research funding from her while she was under powerful doses of psychotropic drugs that eventually killed her.

The suit filed on behalf of Brian Harvey by attorney Daniel M. Hodes accuses University of California, Los Angeles psychiatrist Dr. Alexander Bystritsky of causing Phyllis Harvey's death with a dangerous combination of drugs that altered her heart rhythm.

Hodes says that Mrs. Harvey was hospitalized several times for heart abnormalities associated with drugs, and that emergency room doctors discontinued her medications only to have Bystritsky resume giving them to her when she was discharged.

Brian Harvey earned a fortune by selling an invention for coating electronic wires with recycled metal from beer cans. Following the sale of his company, he and his wife formed the Brian and Phyllis Harvey foundation to fund scholarships and other donations. The lawsuit claims Bystritsky knew of the couple's wealth and charitable giving and insinuated himself into their lives with house calls, long chats and email with Phyllis Harvey while treating her undiagnosed mental illness. He allegedly touted his own credentials and convinced her to give large donations to research a device that might cure her.
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Florida loses another soldier in Afghanistan

Family says Florida soldier killed Afghanistan
The Associated Press
Published: Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012

LARGO, Fla. -- Family members say a Tampa Bay-area soldier has been killed in Afghanistan.

The family of Staff Sgt. Matthew Steven Sitton says Army officials told them Thursday that the 26-year-old died this week after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
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Are Congressmen smarter than a 5th grader?

Are members of Congress given drug test of breathalyzers? They can't really be this dumb.



Congressmen are asking where are the jobs but these same folks keep forgetting they are the government.

They ask President about the jobs, but they don't seem to remember they are the ones controlling the bills and the money.



NPR reported that more states accept stimulus funds quietly. Labor Department released $97 million to South Carolina but Texas also took the money and was the state that depended the most on those very stimulus funds to plug nearly 97% of its shortfall for fiscal 2010, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures."

But this is not the stupidest thing they said so far. Some folks in Congress say that "government doesn't create jobs" defending tax cuts for the wealthy, which they've done for a long time, but never once allowed it to dawn on them that we lost jobs after they gave away the piggybank to them.

If government couldn't create jobs then why give the rich money tax money at all?

Now unless members of Congress are dumber than a 5th grader, they know better than to confuse folks this much. Either they know they are pulling the wool over our eyes so we don't see the fox trying to kill off the sheep or they actually are dumber than my dog chasing his tail just to bite it. He can't understand it is a part of him any more than congress can understand they are a part of the government!