Tampa VA removes hidden camera

Tampa VA removes covert camera
VA says covert camera was only one hidden, no plans to use again
By Matt Grant
CREATED AUG. 9, 2012

FORT MYERS - The James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital has removed a covert camera hidden inside a smoke detector that was used to videotape brain damaged Korean War veteran Joseph Carnegie against his family's wishes.

Congress began investigating the Tampa VA's use of covert cameras last week. The VA tells Fox 4 the type of camera used to monitor Carnegie's condition was the only one they've ever used like that.

"There are currently no cameras of this type installed, in use or in stock for use at Tampa VA," said spokesperson Mary Kay Hollingsworth. "The camera which was removed from Mr. Carnegie's room will not be placed back into stock."
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July 14, 2012
Hidden camera found in patient's room at James A Haley VA hospital

ACLU defense of Westboro hate group is wrong

I was a member of the ACLU because I want the rights of all Americans protected but I discovered the ACLU is not interested in protecting the rights of everyone. If they were then they would see that allowing the Westboro hate group stalk and then harass families trying to bury someone they love, they don't deserve support. These families are forced to look at their signs and hear their hateful words. The rights of the families should be equally important to the ACLU. The ugly truth is, Westboro has a right to say what they want, but no one should be forced to listen to them. It is part of the free speech rights we all have. We can say whatever we want but people have the choice to listen or not, stay or walk away. Families at a funeral should not be forced to listen to the people attacking them. This law protects the families while still allowing Westboro to protest and say what they want but they have no right to make people listen to them. This is all about the media attention they want and nothing more. No where in the Bill of Rights or the Constitution does it provide for media attention. We do still have a free press and they are allowed to cover whatever they want. Or not.

Free speech is not being muffled. They just don't have the right to demand an audience. The ACLU lawyers should have used some common sense on this along with some common decency.

ACLU: New funeral law stifles speech
By Kevin Cirilli
Politico
© August 9, 2012

A law just signed by President Barack Obama that makes it more difficult for protesters to picket military funerals has already drawn fire from the American Civil Liberties Union, which says it muffles free speech.

The legislation, which Obama signed Monday as part of the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act, doubles the distance picketers must keep away from funerals, from 150 feet to 300 feet. It also restricts such protests from happening two hours before or after the services. The previous law had a one-hour restriction.

Obama said upon signing the bill that he believed it was a reasonable restriction on the freedoms of speech and assembly.

“The graves of our veterans are hallowed ground,” he said. “We all defend our Constitution and the First Amendment and free speech, but we also believe that when men and women die in the service of their country and are laid to rest, it should be done with the utmost honor and respect.”

ACLU litigation policy adviser Gabriel Rottman says the new measures stifle free speech. And though the protesters’ message may be unpopular, that doesn’t make it unconstitutional, he said.

“This law is about making the message a federal crime, and that’s a violation of the Constitution to which members of the military swear their oath,” Rottman told Politico.
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update
This is what this bill is all about.

Veterans express thanks for funeral legislation
By Holly Ramer
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Aug 9, 2012

CONCORD, N.H. — A Henniker woman whose son was killed in Afghanistan in 2006 said Thursday that she is thankful that other families will be spared the the worry she felt along with her grief during his funeral.

While there were no protestors at her son's funeral, Jean Durgin said she feared there would be because members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas had shown up at services for other soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At a news conference marking the signing of a bill to limit such disruptions, Durgin said it is incomprehensible that parents should have to worry about protestors when burying their children.
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Disabled American Veterans among groups VA taps to help with claims

Now this is a smart thing to do. Administrations come and go but these groups have been around through many of them, no matter what party was in charge.

VA taps vets groups to help fast track claims
By LEO SHANE III
Published: August 10, 2012
WASHINGTON — Veterans Affairs officials hosted a workshop last week to brief 10 veterans service organizations on plans to fast track certain veterans benefits claims, and how they can help in the process.

The VSOs involved in the process were the
American Legion
AMVETS
Disabled American Veterans
Marine Corps League
Military Order of the Purple Heart
National Association of County Veterans Service Officers
National Organization for Veterans Advocates
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Vietnam Veterans of America
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Guardian found in contempt in veteran's case

Guardian found in contempt in veteran's case
Aug 10, 2012
Written by
Walter F. Roche Jr.
The Tennessean

The court-appointed guardian of a now deceased Vietnam veteran has been found in contempt of court and threatened with an indefinite jail term while a specially appointed master tries to unravel what became of thousands of dollars of the veteran’s assets.

In a case which one participant says is one of a kind, the former guardian, George Phillips, has been ordered to repay the estate of his uncle, Harold C. Hill, for thousands of dollars in rent payments while Hill was a permanent resident at the Alvin C. York Veterans Medical Center in Murfreesboro.

Phillips was, in effect, paying himself since he was Hill’s landlord.

Dozens of payments from Hill’s bank account have been challenged going back to 2005 when he was first placed in a guardianship.
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Clarksville Police need Assistance locating a Man for a Welfare Check

Clarksville Police need Assistance locating a Man for a Welfare Check
August 9, 2012
Clarksville, TN – Clarksville Police are asking for the public’s assistance to locate a man for a welfare check.

Police received a report that the man had requested assistance about legal issues concerning his wife and two children. The man indicated he had been discharged from the military and has PTSD.
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AWOL soldier gets life term for Fort Hood plot

AWOL soldier gets life term for Fort Hood plot
By By SARAH KUTA
5 minutes ago

WACO, Texas (AP) — An AWOL soldier convicted of collecting bomb-making materials for what he told authorities would be a "massive attack" on a Texas restaurant full of Fort Hood troops was sentenced Friday to life in prison.

Army Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo, a Muslim, was planning a religious mission to win "justice" for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a recorded jail conservation with his mother played for jurors at trial.

U.S. District Judge Walter allowed Abdo to represent himself at the sentencing after the 22-year-old told him last month that he and his attorneys weren't communicating effectively.

A federal jury convicted Abdo in May on six charges, including attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. He was AWOL from Fort Campbell, Ky., when arrested with bomb-making materials last summer at a Fort Hood-area motel.

He also was found guilty of attempted murder of U.S. officers or employees and four counts of possessing a weapon in furtherance of a federal crime of violence.

In a recorded police interview, Abdo said he wanted to carry out the attack "because I don't appreciate what my unit did in Afghanistan." His plan, according to what he told authorities, was to place a bomb in a busy restaurant filled with soldiers, wait outside and shoot anyone who survived — and become a martyr after police killed him.
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Central Florida veterans upcoming events

Central Florida upcoming events collected and sent by Cathy Haynes

“Home for Our Troops” working in St. Augustine
·“Home at Last” flag and dedication ceremonies
·New veterans/disabled vet owned business group mtg.
·Movies in Baldwin Park
·Bowling for Heroes
·Independence Expo
·Space Coast Honor Flight and other Honor Flights
·50+FYI Expo
·3-Day Film Festival and opening movie premier aids wounded
·V-J Day
·9/11 Tribute and Navy Top Gun Event
·Thank You Veterans Cruise and Raffle
·IamVeteran
·American Warrior Radio Show
·National Vietnam War Museum
·Museum of Military History
·Websites to check out

Fri. Aug 10, 11 - Homes for Our Troops changed the lives of 4 severely wounded warriors in FL by building and giving them specially adapted homes to better aide in their rehabilitation and better yet allowing them to move more freely in their homes. Another home for a very deserving warrior, Marine GySgt John Hayes in St. Augustine, begins with a volunteer Construction Blitz on Aug 10 and 11, 8:30am – 5pm, 218 Honey Branch Lane, St. Aug., 32092. Volunteers wanted now and with more days to come. Contact Autumn Oster, Community Outreach Coordinator, at aoster@homesforourtroops.org (508) 823-3300 ext. 209. www.homeforourtroops.org/hayes

Sat. Aug. 11 – Army SSgt Jeffery Kelly and his family will received their specially adapted home on Saturday. The Flag Raising ceremony will be at 9:30 am at 218 West Oakland Ave, Oakland, FL 34760 and the Dedication will be at 11 am at the nearby Oakland Presbyterian Church Christian Life Center at 218 EAST Oakland Ave. This is the 4th home from the West Orange Habitat for Humanity's Home at Last project in providing specially adapted homes to make life somewhat easier for wounded warriors. Jeffery grew up in the Orlando area and is an Eagle Scout. He served three tours in Iraq before being injured by an RPG blast in 2008. Guest speaker will be Lt. General Randy Mixon. A flag flown over the U.S. Capitol on July 4 will be presented by Congressman Dan Webster. Info: www.westorangehabitat.org/node/150

Wed. Aug 15 – New Non-profit group meeting – Florida Association of Veteran and Service Disabled Vet Owned Businesses meeting on Wed. Aug. 15 at 11:30 at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, 9500 Armed Forces Reserve Dr., Orlando, 32827 (off of Tradeport Dr. near Orlando Int’l Airport). This non-profit group will be promoting fellow veteran businesses and furthering their involvement in government contracting. There are volunteer opportunities and networking. Contact Brian at 407-394-4754 bpwarner@cfl.rr.com

Fri. Aug 17 - Movies in Baldwin Park - Join us for a free community event in Baldwin Park on the green in front of Barnie's on New Broad Street. Activities begin at 6:30 PM – remote control car races, etc. The Disney-Pixar computer-animated comedy-adventure film cartoon movie “Cars” will play at dusk (Rated G). Please bring a school supply item to donate in return you will receive a Movie Event Grab Bag. Benefiting Audubon Park Elementary. Sponsored by Game Plan Media, big supporter of veterans and military. Info: laura@gameplanmedia.info 407-900-1915 Corporate sponsorships welcomed!

Wed. Aug 22 - Building Homes for Heroes – 2nd Annual Bowling for Heroes fundraising. 5pm – 10pm at Colonial Lanes, 400 N. Primrose Land, Orlando, 32803.
- Session One check-in begins at 5pm; bowling begins promptly at 6pm
- Session Two check-in begins at 7pm; bowling begins promptly at 8:15pm
$30 per person if registering online before event day; $40 at the door. 4 person teams and it is requested that teams pledge raising $500 per team to build a home for a hero.
More info: www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/events/bowling/ or call 407-758-5779.
Donations and sponsorships welcomed!

Fri and Sat. Aug 24,25 - Independence Expo - Products, services, workshops for people with disabilities at the Marriott Orlando World Center. Free admission, free parking, Complimentary Accessible Van Service. Fri. Aug 24th, 10am to 4pm and Sat. Aug 25, 11am to 4pm. Disabled Veterans: This may have discussions, products and resources that may be of particular interest to you! Workshop topics include: Sports and Recreation, Employment, Health, Research and Technology, and LOTS more. Local veterans speaker Annie Artis, Disabled Veteran’s Outreach Program Representative (DVOP); Workforce Central Florida, will speak at a workshop on Friday, 2:30-3:30 : “Veterans and Employment.” Expo info: www.independenceexpo.org/

Sat. Aug 25 – Space Coast Honor Flight takes about 25 World War 2 and terminally ill veterans to see the WWII Memorial in person. In addition, the group may see Arlington Cemetery, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial Wall and others. The group leaves early in the morning and returns that same evening. There is always a special “Welcome Home” event at the airport in the evening. If you wish to participate in thanking these veterans, contact Cathy at chaynes11629@yahoo.com or 407-239-8468
Additional Honor Flights using Orlando Int’l Airport this year: Villages Honor Flight: Sun. Sept 23 and Sun. Oct 28; Space Coast Honor Flight: Sat. Sept 29, Sun. Oct 20, and Sat. Oct 27 ; Honor Flight Central Florida: Sun. Oct 7.
Ocala Honor Flight flies out of Ocala’s airport on Thurs. Oct 25.

Wed. Aug 29 - 50+ FYI Expo - The quarterly expo is back! The summer EXPO is at St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, 1450 Citrus Oaks Avenue, Gotha, 34734 in West Orange from 9:30 am - 1:00 pm. It's FREE and provides the public with opportunities to learn about local resources, including veterans info. Presented by Orange County Commission on Aging, 50+ Resource Network, Seminole County Triad, and the Senior Resource Alliance. Take advantage of free health screenings and meet area service providers, agencies, housing specialists, health care representatives, and other professionals who provide products and services to the community.More info: www.50plusfyi.org/EXPO_page.htm

Fri. Aug 31 – Sun. Sep 2 - 3-Day Film Festival in Ocoee - 7th Annual Central Florida Film Festival (CENFLO) on Labor Day weekend. Festival attendees can see 80 feature films, shorts and documentaries over 3 days; Tickets are $10 per movie or $25* per day special Moviewatcher Pass includes a soda and popcorn. “War Flowers”, a Civil War love story starring Christina Ricci and Tom Berenger, is the opening movie premiere on Friday, Aug. 31. Theater doors open at 6:15 p.m., and anyone who shows up in Civil War attire will be admitted free. Proceeds from this showing only will go to the Ocoee Chapter of Building Homes for Heroes. After the film, director Serge Rodnunsky will host a question-and-answer session. At the newly remodeled West Orange 5 Cinemas, 1575 Maguire Road, Ocoee. (*But $20 per day advance sale tickets are offered online NOW for a short time.) More info: CENFLO’s Bob Cook at 407-370-3703. To view list of movies, screening times and to purchase tickets online, visit www.CentralFloridaFilmFestival.com or www.wotimes.com/articles/2012/08/01/news/top_stories/news07.txt

Sun. Sept 2 - V-J Day The surrender of Japan in World War 2 following the atomic bombings in August. Although Japan announced its surrender intentions on August 14, the surrender ceremony took place on September 2, 1945 aboard the US Navy battleship USS Missouri. Thank a WWII vet for his/her service, especially those who served in the Pacific theater on V-J Day!

Sat. Sep. 15 - 9/11 Tribute and Navy Top Gun Event in Baldwin Park - Take part in the largest first annual 9/11 Tribute honoring our fallen soldiers and civilians and the heroes in the US Navy on Sat. Sept. 15. 5-11pm. This unique event takes place on the former grounds of the closed Orlando Navy Recruit Training Base now known as Baldwin Park. Funds raised will help obtain the Lone Sailor Monument to commemorate the former training base site where hundreds of thousands of recruits started their military lives. Features: Military and museum displays, SPECWAR vehicle, PT Drills, US Navy and Navy SEALs meet and greet, NJROTC and Sea Cadets, Volleyball-Cornhole-BeerPong tournaments, trivia and costume contests and much more! 9pm Special showing of “Top Gun” movie. $10 advance tickets, $12 at door. For more info: laura@gameplanmedia.info 407-900-1915 Corporate sponsorships welcomed. http://topgunusnavy911.eventbrite.com

Sun. Sep 16 - Thank You Veterans Cruise Raffle - $20 chance to join the Cruise for FREE!
Win a Free Stateroom aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Sea to the Bahamas. Departs from Port Canaveral on Fri. Dec. 7 and returns on Mon. Dec. 10. Includes stateroom for 2, port charges and gratuities, plus $50 on-board credit. Drawing to be held at the Museum on Sun. night Sept. 16. (Need not be present to win.) The same night is the fundraiser band – JeNDeR playing. Reservations are still being taken to join Thank You Veterans Cruise at a special price. Donations accepted to provide Cruise for a wounded warriors and guest. Info: 407-679-6674 www.thankyouveteranscruise.org/
Sponsored by the Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum (aka “the Bunker”), 3400 N. Tanner Rd., Orlando, 32826 New website: www . BunkerFlorida . org

IamVeteran.com is now offering Job Coaching services to Veterans who need help in positioning themselves in their job search. Lots of new information has been added to the website: Non-service connected Disability, and the new VRAP program that pays the veteran to go back to school, as well as job postings. This is a part of WorkForce Central Florida. Contact: Annie Artis at AArtis@wcfla.com A veteran helping other veterans. Employers – please hire a Vet!

American Warrior Radio Show - Catch Garren and Kim Cone, founders of AVET Project, weekly on the American Warrior Radio Show from 11am-noon EDT on Saturdays, radio station WMEL - AM 1300 Nationwide broadcast: www.1300wmel.com Topics of interest to current and past military and their families. Facebook: AVET Project, Inc. www.avetproject.org

Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum (aka “The Bunker”) - at 3400 North Tanner Road Orlando, FL 32826. New website: www . BunkerFlorida . org Come see the new items on display. The museum is open to the public on Saturdays from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and Sundays from 10:00pm to 4:00pm. Private and educational tours can be scheduled with prior agreement and confirmation with the museums staff. Hours of operation are subject to change due to restoration in progress.

Museum of Military History –5210 West Irlo Bronson Highway - located west of SR 535 on SR 192 Kissimmee, FL – near the Poinciana Blvd. intersection on the south side of the road. http://www.museumofmilitaryhistory.com/ ; "Educating the world about the cost of freedom."
Hours of 10 am to 6 pm on Tuesdays thru Sunday (Closed Mondays.) For more information call 407 507-3894
"The Museum of Military History is a 10,000 sq. ft. institution that will provide educational exhibits starting with the Civil War, incorporating World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and leading the visitor up to the most current pages of our military history in Afghanistan and Iraq."
*Note: If you or your friends have military items that may not mean much to your other family members, please consider donating them or placing them "on permanent loan" with a Museum for safekeeping. Others may appreciate their historical significance, and it will keep them out of potential landfills. If possible please include the story of the item.

Some additional websites of interest for veterans, military, and patriotic folks:

Wounded Times Blogspot – www.woundedtimes.blogspot.com

Wounded Warriors Outdoors - www.woundedwarrioroutdoors.com

American Legion, Florida - www.floridalegion.org Including a cyber-post.

Military Order of the Purple Heart - http://www.purpleheart.org (Aug. 6 was Purple Heart Day)

Lone Sailor Monument for Orlando - http://www.lonesailorfl.com

***I am now accepting information about organizations planning public events. Please include date, location, time, and a point of contact (name, email, phone). Other people cannot attend if they don’t know about the event!

Caring and sharing,
Cathy Haynes

Three officers killed by insurgents in Afghanistan

Wyoming News Briefs
By: Associated Press
FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) — A Wyoming soldier is among three troops killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan. The Department of Defense yesterday said

45-year-old Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin of Laramie was killed alongside

38-year-old Air Force Maj. Walter D. Gray, of Conyers, Ga. and

35-year-old Army Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy, of West Point, N.Y.

when insurgents detonated suicide vests Wednesday in Kunar province.
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3 Firefighters Hurt In Camp Pendleton Brush Fire

3 Firefighters Hurt In Camp Pendleton Brush Fire
10 News.com
Cause Of Fire Unknown
August 9, 2012

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Three firefighters suffered minor injuries Thursday while extinguishing a brush fire that charred a swath of open land alongside Interstate 5 on the grounds of Camp Pendleton.

The blaze erupted for unknown reasons about 2 p.m. on the east side of the freeway, just north of the main gate of the Marine Corps station, officials said.
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Records Show How Army Doctors Downgrade PTSD

A Tale of Two Diagnoses: Records Show How Army Doctors Downgrade PTSD
By Keegan Hamilton
Seattle Weekly
Aug. 10 2012

How does one doctor diagnose an Iraq war veteran with PTSD while another says the same soldier has a less severe condition called adjustment disorder? Medical records shared by one of the characters in our feature story this week offer some insight into the workings the controversial forensic psychiatry team at Madigan Army Medical Center.

Here's the relevant background excerpted from our feature story, which chronicles the case of John Byron Etterlee, a chemical weapons specialist stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM):

On July 15, 2011, a Veterans Affairs (VA) psychiatrist interviewed Etterlee and diagnosed him with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). But five months later the diagnosis was abruptly changed to "adjustment disorder"--a lesser condition--by a forensic psychiatrist at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma.

The switch was made even though the clinician merely reviewed paperwork and never spoke with Etterlee or met him face-to-face. Only later did Etterlee learn that he was one of several hundred Fort Lewis soldiers who'd had their PTSD diagnoses downgraded by Madigan doctors.
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