Wounded Soldier Reacts to Delay in Fort Hood Shooting Trial
Over Suspect’s Beard
by America Live
Almost three years ago, Major Nidal Hasan opened fire on Fort Hood Army base in Texas, killing 13 people and wounding 30 others. His trial was scheduled to begin this week, but there is growing frustration after the judge in the case decided to delay proceedings over the question of whether the suspected gunman should have to shave his beard. According to military courtroom rules, it is mandatory to be clean-shaven but Hasan’s defense team is protesting the rule because of his religious beliefs.
One of the wounded was Staff Sergeant Shawn Manning, who was shot six times. He joined America Live today by phone and told Megyn Kelly that, “I think they should just shave it off and get him into the courtroom so we can get this over with […] There’s no exception to him versus any other soldier. So, it’s sad to say that he’s still a soldier but you know he still is in the Army, still getting paid by the Army, so I don’t think we should make an exception for him.”
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Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Fort Carson soldier may face charges after couple dies
2 Confirmed Dead After Rollover, Fort Carson Soldier Could Be Charged
KKTV.com
Police have confirmed that two people have died from injuries sustained in a crash on August 12.
The driver at fault, a teenage Fort Carson soldier, could face charges depending on the result of the investigation, a spokeswoman with the Colorado Springs Police Department said in a release Monday.
According to police, 18-year-old Khalil Sanders failed to stop before driving through the intersection of Sawyer and Murray, and collided with a Saturn headed southbound on Murray. The force of impact caused both cars to roll, sending all three to the hospital.
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Couple married 49 years killed on way home from church after soldier driving wrong way down one-way street plows into car
Teddy and Mary Ann Allison had just celebrated their anniversary on July 7
Died three days apart in Colorado Springs, Denver
Hit by driver Khalil Sanders, private in U.S. Army
By MIKE JACCARINO
A couple only a year from their 50th wedding anniversary were killed while driving home from church after a U.S. Army private traveling the wrong way down a one-way street plowed into their car earlier this month.
Teddy and Mary Ann Allison, 67 and 71 respectively, had just left Friendship Assembly of God Church on August 12 when their white Saturn was rammed by a Chevy Malibu driven by Pvt. 1st Class Khalil Sanders.
The couple were taken to hospital in Colorado Springs, Denver in critical condition. Mr Allison, a retired Hewlette Packard electronics technician died on August 15. His wife passed away three days later.
read more here
KKTV.com
Police have confirmed that two people have died from injuries sustained in a crash on August 12.
The driver at fault, a teenage Fort Carson soldier, could face charges depending on the result of the investigation, a spokeswoman with the Colorado Springs Police Department said in a release Monday.
According to police, 18-year-old Khalil Sanders failed to stop before driving through the intersection of Sawyer and Murray, and collided with a Saturn headed southbound on Murray. The force of impact caused both cars to roll, sending all three to the hospital.
read more here
Couple married 49 years killed on way home from church after soldier driving wrong way down one-way street plows into car
Teddy and Mary Ann Allison had just celebrated their anniversary on July 7
Died three days apart in Colorado Springs, Denver
Hit by driver Khalil Sanders, private in U.S. Army
By MIKE JACCARINO
Teddy and Mary Ann Allison, 67 and 71 respectively, had just left Friendship Assembly of God Church on August 12 when their white Saturn was rammed by a Chevy Malibu driven by Pvt. 1st Class Khalil Sanders.
The couple were taken to hospital in Colorado Springs, Denver in critical condition. Mr Allison, a retired Hewlette Packard electronics technician died on August 15. His wife passed away three days later.
read more here
Camp Pendleton chaplain completes three decades of service
A Higher Calling: MCB Camp Pendleton chaplain completes three decades of service
Story by Cpl. Jovane Henry
August 21, 2012
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – After 30 years, three deployments, two children and countless interactions with Marines and sailors, Navy Capt. Ollis J. Mozon, Jr. has no regrets.
“Being a Navy chaplain has made me a better person-- one who recognizes the things that are most important in life,” said Mozon. “I’m blessed to have had this experience.”
Mozon, the Marine Corps Installations-West and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton chaplain, retired in a ceremony attended by his family, friends and fellow service members, at the Blinder Memorial Chapel here, Aug. 17.
As memorable as his military career has been, Mozon chuckles to think that becoming a Navy chaplain wasn’t his initial career choice.
read more here
Story by Cpl. Jovane Henry
August 21, 2012
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – After 30 years, three deployments, two children and countless interactions with Marines and sailors, Navy Capt. Ollis J. Mozon, Jr. has no regrets.
“Being a Navy chaplain has made me a better person-- one who recognizes the things that are most important in life,” said Mozon. “I’m blessed to have had this experience.”
Mozon, the Marine Corps Installations-West and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton chaplain, retired in a ceremony attended by his family, friends and fellow service members, at the Blinder Memorial Chapel here, Aug. 17.
As memorable as his military career has been, Mozon chuckles to think that becoming a Navy chaplain wasn’t his initial career choice.
read more here
Wounded Marines heal through archery
Wounded Marines heal through archery
August 21, 2012
Jacksonville Daily News
AMANDA WILCOX
DAILY NEWS STAFF
“(Archery) makes you quiet your mind — you have that one target, you have that one thing that you’re focused on — it really puts you in the zone,” he said.
Keyes was among the Marines from the Wounded Warrior Regiment who had the opportunity to practice archery at the new range on Camp Lejeune Tuesday, thanks to an archery camp hosted by the Wounded Warrior Regiment.
Amputees and disabled Marines, as well as those with less visible injuries, were gathered at the new range off Holcomb Blvd. Tuesday, where they were greeted by Wounded Warrior Battalion East Lt. Col. Nicholas E. Davis for the start of their week-long archery camp.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to do something different,” said Kerri Rogers, the officer in charge for the camp. “This builds camaraderie for them and it gets them outside of their (daily routines).”
More than 30 Marines from Wounded Warrior Battalion East, headquartered at Camp Lejeune, and Wounded Warrior Battalion West, headquartered at Camp Pendleton, were given coaches and instructed based on their archery level.
read more here
August 21, 2012
Jacksonville Daily News
AMANDA WILCOX
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Don Bryan/The Daily News Sgt. Nick Chinn, left, takes aim during the Wounded Warrior Archery Camp held at McIntyre-Parks Recreational Shooting Complex aboard Camp Lejeune, Tuesday.Archery, Sgt. Stephen Keyes said, helps him put his mind at ease and forget about the injuries that put him in the Wounded Warrior Battalion East in the first place.
“(Archery) makes you quiet your mind — you have that one target, you have that one thing that you’re focused on — it really puts you in the zone,” he said.
Keyes was among the Marines from the Wounded Warrior Regiment who had the opportunity to practice archery at the new range on Camp Lejeune Tuesday, thanks to an archery camp hosted by the Wounded Warrior Regiment.
Amputees and disabled Marines, as well as those with less visible injuries, were gathered at the new range off Holcomb Blvd. Tuesday, where they were greeted by Wounded Warrior Battalion East Lt. Col. Nicholas E. Davis for the start of their week-long archery camp.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to do something different,” said Kerri Rogers, the officer in charge for the camp. “This builds camaraderie for them and it gets them outside of their (daily routines).”
More than 30 Marines from Wounded Warrior Battalion East, headquartered at Camp Lejeune, and Wounded Warrior Battalion West, headquartered at Camp Pendleton, were given coaches and instructed based on their archery level.
read more here
PTSD Foundation gets 100 Cars for Good from Toyota
PTSD FOUNDATION OF AMERICA NAMED A WINNER IN TOYOTA'S 2012 100 CARS FOR GOOD PROGRAM
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Houston-based PTSD Foundation of America announced today that it has been selected as one of 100 nonprofit winners in Toyota's 100 Cars for Good program. 100 Cars for Good is a major philanthropic initiative in which the automaker is giving 100 cars to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 days. The PTSD Foundation of America was selected as a winner based on votes from the public on August 10, 2012 on the 100 Cars for Good Facebook page at www.100carsforgood.com.
The PTSD Foundation of America has developed a caring and positive interim housing program for veterans with post-traumatic stress called Camp Hope. Camp Hope opened in May of 2012 with the initial capacity of 8 residential veteran units with its family unit breaking ground this fall. Camp Hope is located in a quiet and safe setting whereby veterans and their immediate family members can find healing, help and hope while benefiting from intensive treatment for Post Traumatic Stress.
"Everyone at The PTSD Foundation of America is thrilled to have been selected as a winner for the 2012 100 Cars for Good program," said Gene Birdwell, Founder of The PTSD Foundation of America. "We're grateful for this incredible opportunity to showcase what we do for our veterans, and this car will be an enormous help to increase our impact in Houston and around the nation."
read more here
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Houston-based PTSD Foundation of America announced today that it has been selected as one of 100 nonprofit winners in Toyota's 100 Cars for Good program. 100 Cars for Good is a major philanthropic initiative in which the automaker is giving 100 cars to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 days. The PTSD Foundation of America was selected as a winner based on votes from the public on August 10, 2012 on the 100 Cars for Good Facebook page at www.100carsforgood.com.
The PTSD Foundation of America has developed a caring and positive interim housing program for veterans with post-traumatic stress called Camp Hope. Camp Hope opened in May of 2012 with the initial capacity of 8 residential veteran units with its family unit breaking ground this fall. Camp Hope is located in a quiet and safe setting whereby veterans and their immediate family members can find healing, help and hope while benefiting from intensive treatment for Post Traumatic Stress.
"Everyone at The PTSD Foundation of America is thrilled to have been selected as a winner for the 2012 100 Cars for Good program," said Gene Birdwell, Founder of The PTSD Foundation of America. "We're grateful for this incredible opportunity to showcase what we do for our veterans, and this car will be an enormous help to increase our impact in Houston and around the nation."
read more here
Veterans still face challenges from HR ignorance
There is not another job seeker that comes in for an interview with as much information about them as a veteran. Period. That is something smart Human Resource Directors figured out a long time ago.
As Justin Claus points out, if employers are worried about PTSD, they should worry about everyone coming in for an interview since PTSD comes after trauma and comes into lives after all kinds of events. Smart HR Directors made sure they found out the truth about PTSD first before they interviewed anyone and they know there is nothing to be afraid of. As a matter of fact they are better off hiring a veteran than anyone else simply because they have already proven their ability to be trained on any job, dependable, able to withstand a challenge and accustomed to team work even while in a leadership role.
As Justin Claus points out, if employers are worried about PTSD, they should worry about everyone coming in for an interview since PTSD comes after trauma and comes into lives after all kinds of events. Smart HR Directors made sure they found out the truth about PTSD first before they interviewed anyone and they know there is nothing to be afraid of. As a matter of fact they are better off hiring a veteran than anyone else simply because they have already proven their ability to be trained on any job, dependable, able to withstand a challenge and accustomed to team work even while in a leadership role.
Vets' Job Hunt May Be Thwarted By Disability Bias
by ERIN TONER
August 21, 2012
from WUWM
"I've been asked, 'What about a veteran with post-traumatic stress?' Well, what about him? People have post-traumatic stress from being in a car wreck or going through a hurricane or a tornado. But the bottom line still is that they can function on a job," Williams says.When Army veteran Justin Claus, 26, of Racine, Wis., goes to job interviews, he brings along his DD214, a document that serves as proof of military service. Claus is proud of his service and hopes being a veteran will give him an edge.
But the document, which basically sums up a military career, includes the reason it ended. In Claus' case, it reads "disability, permanent." And that little line Claus says, "comes back to get ya."
He says when employers ask why he was discharged, he recounts a parachute accident in 2007 that left him with chronic back and knee pain.
"I'll tell them what happened and then they're like, 'Oh.' Usually they shortly thereafter end the interview and then I don't hear anything from them," Claus says.
Claus does not share the fact that he also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder but suspects employers assume that any veteran who served after Sept. 11 has PTSD. He has no proof he's not getting hired because of his disabilities. But for some jobs, Claus says he just cannot make sense of the rejection.
"I tried to apply to be a bouncer at a bar here in town. Instead of hiring me, who has the years of service, the experience in security, they hired a kid that was fresh out of high school. No offense to the kid, but he was a twig, and he had a broken wrist. I was like, really? He has a cast on his hand," Claus says.
read more here
Special Forces combat veteran new VA public affairs head
Tommy Sowers Sworn in at VA
Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
August 20, 2012
Tommy Sowers, a Missouri native and Army Special Forces combat Veteran, was sworn in today to oversee the public affairs office and other vital programs for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Tommy Sowers brings to VA a boots-on-the-ground approach to problem-solving combining his experience from the private sector, non-profit, military and academia,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We’re lucky to have him on our team to help advocate for our Nation’s Veterans.”
Sowers, 36, led a combat engineering team in the Kosovo campaign and served two tours in Iraq as a U.S. Army Green Beret. He left active duty as a major after 11 years in uniform.
A native of Rolla, Mo., he taught three years at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and received a doctorate in government from the London School of Economics. In 2010, he was a candidate for Congress from Missouri. He later served as senior advisor to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and as a management consultant at McKinsey and Company.
In his new duties as a VA assistant secretary, Sowers will oversee a staff of about 100 professionals. His responsibilities will extend from public affairs, media relations and intergovernmental affairs to tribal relations, homeless programs, outreach, consumer affairs and six national rehabilitative events, including the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
August 20, 2012
Tommy Sowers, a Missouri native and Army Special Forces combat Veteran, was sworn in today to oversee the public affairs office and other vital programs for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Tommy Sowers brings to VA a boots-on-the-ground approach to problem-solving combining his experience from the private sector, non-profit, military and academia,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We’re lucky to have him on our team to help advocate for our Nation’s Veterans.”
Sowers, 36, led a combat engineering team in the Kosovo campaign and served two tours in Iraq as a U.S. Army Green Beret. He left active duty as a major after 11 years in uniform.
A native of Rolla, Mo., he taught three years at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and received a doctorate in government from the London School of Economics. In 2010, he was a candidate for Congress from Missouri. He later served as senior advisor to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and as a management consultant at McKinsey and Company.
In his new duties as a VA assistant secretary, Sowers will oversee a staff of about 100 professionals. His responsibilities will extend from public affairs, media relations and intergovernmental affairs to tribal relations, homeless programs, outreach, consumer affairs and six national rehabilitative events, including the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
VA Accused of Spinning Gulf War Veterans’ Health
VA Accused of Spinning Gulf War Veterans’ Health
Posted on August 20, 2012 by VCS
From 91outcomes.com and Friend of VCS and Gulf War Veteran Anthony Hardie
NEWSMAX The Wire, Aug. 15, 2012 – Members of a federal committee created by Congress say the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) … isn’t telling the truth about its treatment of America’s veterans, and the department’s latest public statements are more spin than substance.
The VA recently issued a lengthy press release touting its alleged accomplishments regarding Gulf War Illness.
But several members of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans (RAC) — created by Congress in 1998 to advise the VA on Gulf War health issues — say the press release is filled with misleading and inaccurate statements. Some members of RAC, which is comprised of physicians, scientists, and veterans, tell Newsmax they are outraged by the press release — and …. neglect of men and women who served in the 1990-1991 war against Iraq.
Anthony Hardie, a Gulf War Army Special Ops veteran and RAC member since 2005, tells Newsmax… the VA “totally ignored” a RAC report released in late June that gave the department a unanimous vote of “no confidence” for its “failure to develop treatments for the estimated 250,000 veterans suffering from Gulf War Illness.”
In a landmark 2010 report, Gulf War Illness was ruled a legitimate disease — not a psychological ailment— by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), a nonprofit organization that provides nonpartisan advice to decision-makers and the public.
But the VA now seems determined to reverse that historic decision and downplay the problem, committee members say.
read more here
Posted on August 20, 2012 by VCS
From 91outcomes.com and Friend of VCS and Gulf War Veteran Anthony Hardie
NEWSMAX The Wire, Aug. 15, 2012 – Members of a federal committee created by Congress say the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) … isn’t telling the truth about its treatment of America’s veterans, and the department’s latest public statements are more spin than substance.
The VA recently issued a lengthy press release touting its alleged accomplishments regarding Gulf War Illness.
But several members of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans (RAC) — created by Congress in 1998 to advise the VA on Gulf War health issues — say the press release is filled with misleading and inaccurate statements. Some members of RAC, which is comprised of physicians, scientists, and veterans, tell Newsmax they are outraged by the press release — and …. neglect of men and women who served in the 1990-1991 war against Iraq.
Anthony Hardie, a Gulf War Army Special Ops veteran and RAC member since 2005, tells Newsmax… the VA “totally ignored” a RAC report released in late June that gave the department a unanimous vote of “no confidence” for its “failure to develop treatments for the estimated 250,000 veterans suffering from Gulf War Illness.”
In a landmark 2010 report, Gulf War Illness was ruled a legitimate disease — not a psychological ailment— by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), a nonprofit organization that provides nonpartisan advice to decision-makers and the public.
But the VA now seems determined to reverse that historic decision and downplay the problem, committee members say.
read more here
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Australian mining companies seeking US vets for high-paying jobs
Australian mining companies seeking US vets for high-paying jobs
By SETH ROBSON
Stars and Stripes
Published: August 21, 2012
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Australian mining companies are head-hunting U.S. war veterans to work Down Under as electricians, carpenters and heavy equipment operators.
Australian exports of minerals such as gold, iron ore, oil, gas and coal have more than tripled in the past decade to $190.5 billion last year, with China accounting for a third of the total, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Additionally, dozens of new mines are planned but, with a population of just 22 million, there aren’t enough skilled Australian workers to fill all of the jobs being created.
In May, the Australian government streamlined procedures for Americans, with new visas allowing skilled workers to stay in the country for four years. Those with job offers can apply online and get approval in a matter of days, according to Australian recruiters.
With the war in Afghanistan winding down and the Army and Marine Corps ordered to cut 100,000 troops over the next five years, the Australian job offers couldn’t come at a better time for many servicemembers who soon might be unemployed. Despite President Obama’s efforts to encourage more government and private sector hiring of veterans, the unemployment rate for those who served in the post-9/11 era remains high. Last month, 8.9 percent of recent veterans were out of work, which is better than previous years but still above the overall U.S. unemployment rate.
read more here
By SETH ROBSON
Stars and Stripes
Published: August 21, 2012
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Australian mining companies are head-hunting U.S. war veterans to work Down Under as electricians, carpenters and heavy equipment operators.
Australian exports of minerals such as gold, iron ore, oil, gas and coal have more than tripled in the past decade to $190.5 billion last year, with China accounting for a third of the total, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Additionally, dozens of new mines are planned but, with a population of just 22 million, there aren’t enough skilled Australian workers to fill all of the jobs being created.
In May, the Australian government streamlined procedures for Americans, with new visas allowing skilled workers to stay in the country for four years. Those with job offers can apply online and get approval in a matter of days, according to Australian recruiters.
With the war in Afghanistan winding down and the Army and Marine Corps ordered to cut 100,000 troops over the next five years, the Australian job offers couldn’t come at a better time for many servicemembers who soon might be unemployed. Despite President Obama’s efforts to encourage more government and private sector hiring of veterans, the unemployment rate for those who served in the post-9/11 era remains high. Last month, 8.9 percent of recent veterans were out of work, which is better than previous years but still above the overall U.S. unemployment rate.
read more here
Military battling white supremacists within its own ranks
Military battling white supremacists within its own ranks
Stars and Stripes
Published: August 21, 2012
The number of white supremacists who have infiltrated the U.S. military is far greater than people realize, Reuters reports. The Pentagon has tried in recent years to crackdown on extremists, but the issue remains a problem.
While the challenge of keeping them out of the uniformed ranks dates back decades, the issue resurfaced recently following the Aug. 5 mass murder at a Sikh temple in southern Wisconsin. The shooter, Wade Page, was a former soldier known for his racist views who openly circulated in white supremacist circles.
Reuters said that, according to a former member of a skinhead group and a Marine veteran, Page and others with similar views are instructed by supremacist groups to join the Army or Marine Corps and absorb all that they can --- from learning how to shoot to working with C-4 explosives. Then, after acquiring military skills, followers are encouraged to get out of the service and prepare themselves for the coming race war.
read more here
Stars and Stripes
Published: August 21, 2012
The number of white supremacists who have infiltrated the U.S. military is far greater than people realize, Reuters reports. The Pentagon has tried in recent years to crackdown on extremists, but the issue remains a problem.
While the challenge of keeping them out of the uniformed ranks dates back decades, the issue resurfaced recently following the Aug. 5 mass murder at a Sikh temple in southern Wisconsin. The shooter, Wade Page, was a former soldier known for his racist views who openly circulated in white supremacist circles.
Reuters said that, according to a former member of a skinhead group and a Marine veteran, Page and others with similar views are instructed by supremacist groups to join the Army or Marine Corps and absorb all that they can --- from learning how to shoot to working with C-4 explosives. Then, after acquiring military skills, followers are encouraged to get out of the service and prepare themselves for the coming race war.
read more here
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