Stolen Valor to Grow Pot?

Oklahoma Vice: Veterans say pot grower lied about service in Iraq

News OK

Brianna Bailey

September 8, 2017

Command Sgt. Maj. Jared Worley of the  Kansas National Guard drove about three hours from Kansas to refute Constuble's claims about his military service at trial.On the witness stand, Worley testified that, Constuble spent less than two months in Iraq before he was found unfit for service and was sent home.

A Bartlesville man who claimed he grew marijuana to treat post traumatic stress disorder has spent much of the past decade lying about his time in Iraq, according to veterans who served with him.

Austin Eugene Constuble, 31,  told Oklahoma Vice he was forced to kill a special-needs child who insurgents strapped with an artillery shell in Iraq. He said he rescued bleeding children from a bombed out school. He also claimed he had been shot at and was injured by a roadside bomb.

None of those things are true.  

A jury in Washington County this week found Constuble guilty of cultivating marijuana at his grandmother's house and recommended a three year prison sentence.  

read more here

Vietnam Veterans Take Honor Flight With Dignity and Grace

Austin veterans head to D.C. to visit war memorials

FOX 7 News
RaeAnn Christensen
September 8, 2017

“When we saw what happened with these veterans when they saw the wall and when they etched their buddies name off the wall, it was unbelievable, it was a very powerful and painful but a healing experience.” Dulen Lee

There was a long overdue proper send off at the Austin airport Friday morning as more than 100 veterans took off for Washington, D.C. It was part of Honor Flight Austin and was extra special because it was the largest group to go so far and they all served in the Vietnam War.

The vets were met with cheers, smiles, waves, some tears, and many thank yous.

“It's very nice to get recognized because we did not get recognition in the 1970s and 60s,” said veteran Dulen Lee. Lee was one of the many who served in the Vietnam War, considered one of the most controversial wars. Many were not well received when they made their way back home.

“People stayed away from you or insulted you one of the two,” he said.

Lee is part of the group from the Austin area that will be visiting at our Nation’s Capital. But there's one memorial for them in particular, that has special meaning, the one built in their honor.
read more here

Floridians Forget Calm Before Storm--Get Busy Now!

If you live on the West Coast of Florida, get out!

Tracking Irma City by City

weather.com
Meteorologist Ari Sarsalari looks a the specific cities in Florida where Irma will have the worst impacts. 

The Worst-Case Hurricane Irma Scenarios For Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville
Tampa Bay

The center of Hurricane Irma's forecast path, the most likely forecast track, now introduces the chance of the eyewall of Irma raking across part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg metro area.

Fortunately, it looks like Irma won't be the worst-case scenario for storm surge that area residents fear.

For that to happen, the center would have to track in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, then make landfall north of Pinellas County. This would not only bring destructive eyewall winds to much of the metro area, but would also drive a catastrophic storm surge into Tampa Bay.

The so-called Tarpon Springs Hurricane made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in October 1921. According to an NWS model simulation, this hurricane likely drove a 9 to 11-foot surge into Hillsborough Bay, including downtown Tampa, as well as Old Tampa Bay.

At the time, it was the most destructive hurricane in the region since an 1848.

Hurricane Irma now Category 4, shifts west creating 'very dangerous situation' for SW Florida
ABC News
By MORGAN WINSOR JULIA JACOBO DAVID CAPLAN
Sep 9, 2017

Just hours after Hurricane Irma strengthened Friday night to a Category 5 storm as it made landfall on Cuba, the monster storm went back to a Category 4 storm around 5 a.m. Saturday, the National Hurricane Center announced.

Its maximum sustained winds decreased to 155 mph, but the storm remains strong as it moves closer to South Florida at a speed of 12 mph. As of 5 a.m., it was 245 miles southeast of Miami. Just three hours earlier, it was 275 miles south-southeast of the city.

The storm's track has shifted slightly to the west, creating a "very, very dangerous situation for western Florida," says ABC News meteorologist Daniel Manzo. Major hurricane conditions will slam communities on Florida's west coast, including Naples and Fort Myers, he added. Landfall may also occur as far north as Tampa as a strong Category 3 hurricane.
read more here

If you live in a mobile home, get out!

Hurricane Irma: Thousands living in S. Florida mobile homes face greater threat

Rodrigo Felipe's home is an old trailer he shares with five others in Immokalee, directly in Hurricane Irma's predicted path up the middle of Florida.

He wants to get out of the storm's way, but he doesn’t have a car or money to evacuate. Like tens of thousands of residents in Irma's way who live in mobile homes that likely can't withstand the storm's force, Felipe sought shelter elsewhere.

Many of Florida's mobile home residents are immigrants, including those who are undocumented. Felipe, a farmworker from Guatemala, worries that he and others who are undocumented won't have a place to go.

“I don’t know where we are going because we don’t have documents,” he said. 

If you can't get out, get busy now!

For mobile homes, get out of them and get to a friend's house or shelter. 

Get a backpack for everyone ready. 

Find a ladder to get to your roof.

Make a check list of what you have to have.

Print a list of shelters with how to get there and put it in a plastic bag. You can't read it if it gets wet. You may not have cell service, so you need to do some things the old fashion way.

Charge cell phones!

*IDs, birth certificates, policy numbers or at least put phone numbers into your cell phone for everyone you have to notify besides family and friends.

**banks **pharmacy **insurance company 

*Medicine, put them in plastic bags to protect them.
*Cell phone chargers for when you get to a power supply. Put them in a plastic bag. Keep in mind that not all chargers will fit yours.
*Water bottles, pre-freeze a few before you pack them and have to head to the roof. 
*Get pool floats blown up and attach a rope in case someone falls off. They can also help if you have dogs that can't get to the roof.
*Find anything that will float and know where it is.

Pick an area of your home to hide in like an interior closet. Put flashlights, water and battery operated radio along anything you can put against a door like a mattress.

Here is an official list

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

UK:Amputee Afghanistan Veteran "Couldn't Prove Disability" Without a Card?

War hero blown up in Afghanistan barred from boarding train 'because he couldn't prove disability' 
The Herald 
Miles O'Leary 
September 8, 2017

Andy, who holds the record for being the world’s fastest single leg amputee, said having to prove his disability was quite disheartening.

Andy Grant was led away because he couldn't produce his disability railcard

An amputee war hero blown up in Afghanistan was barred from boarding a train and escorted by police from the station after being unable to 'prove' his disability.

Former Royal Marine Andy Grant was injured in an explosion in Afghanistan in February 2009 and had his right leg amputated in November 2010.

The 28-year-old, who now has a prosthetic leg, was left in total disbelief after a member of Virgin Trains staff asked him: "How do we know you're even disabled?" when he was unable to produce his disability railcard.

The 28-year-old, who now has a prosthetic leg, was left in total disbelief after a member of Virgin Trains staff asked him: "How do we know you're even disabled?" when he was unable to produce his disability railcard.
read more here

Marine MP Led Patriots Onto Field

Maine veteran experiences thrill of carrying flag at Patriots opener

Bangor Daily News
Ryan McLaughlin
September 9, 2017

Like a lot of New England Patriots fans from Fort Kent to Stamford, Connecticut, Michael Flanagan was hoping for a different outcome than the shocking one the Kansas City Chiefs served up on Thursday night.

Contributed Photo | BDN

Sanford native Michael Flanagan poses with New England Patriots mascot Pat Patriot at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Thursday evening. Flanagan, a U.S. Marine veteran, led the Patriots onto the field prior to their game carrying a U.S. flag.

But the Sanford native and 18-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps experienced a thrill that made the final score somewhat irrelevant.

Flanagan, who is currently stationed with the Navy’s ROTC program at the University of Maine, was one of four military personnel selected to lead the Patriots onto the field carrying a U.S. flag. The longtime Patriots fan was chosen to represent the Marines for Thursday’s season-opener, which featured a speech from actor Mark Wahlberg and the unveiling of the Patriots’ fifth championship banner.

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity” said Flanagan, who has enjoyed multiple jobs in the Marines but most of his service has been as a Military Police officer.

He did two tours in Iraq as a military officer, and went back to the University of Mississippi to earn a law enforcement degree and remained in the military police field.
read more here

Tens of Thousands Military Personnel Ready to Risk Everything for Us in Florida

Tens of thousands of military personnel prepping for Hurricane Irma
USA Today
Kevin Robinson
Pensacola News Journal
September 8, 2017

All told, the National Guard Bureau has identified approximately 30,000 troops, 4,000 trucks, 100 helicopters and air evacuation crews that are standing by for Hurricane Irma support.

PENSACOLA, Fla. — As hundreds of thousands of Floridians trek north to escape Hurricane Irma, tens of thousands of military personnel are heading south to prepare for rescue and recovery efforts.

Army Lt. Col. Jamie Davis, a spokesman for the Pentagon, said Friday afternoon it was too early yet to know where and how much support Florida would need in the wake of the historic storm, but he said Department of Defense assets would be "very ready and willing to assist if called upon."

The Department of Defense reported it has identified several possible bases to serve as staging areas for post-Irma support operations on the East Coast — including Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.; Fort A.P. Hill, Va.; Moody Air Force Base, Ga.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; and Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

“Right now, majority of this is preparation,” Davis said. “We’re identifying where bases are and ideal possible bases, but until things actually shift we can’t actually respond.”
read more here

Please keep in mind that as these men and women ready to risk their lives to help us here in Florida, have left their own families, homes and concerns, to take care of total strangers! Please include all our responders in your prayers.

Whenever I hear a siren I pray, "Father, please watch over them!" because they are always watching over us!

Texas Physician Volunteers Sleep on Clinic Floors to Care for Harvey Survivors

Mosquitoes, Medicine and Mold: Texas Battles Post-Harvey Health Issues
NBC News
by MAGGIE FOX
September 9, 2017

Zika mosquito 'heaven'

So far, there's no big epidemic to cope with. The Harris County Health Department had to squelch rumors that plague was being spread by flood waters. Plague is carried by fleas, not in water.

Dr. Luke LeBas works on a patient at Code 3 ER and Urgent Care in Rockport, Texas. For-profit and free clinics alike across southeast Texas are struggling to cope with a deluge of patients after Harvey's floods devastated communities. Danado Saltarelli, RN / Courtesy Dr. Luke LeBas

Dr. Carrie de Moor has a nasty cough, and she’s not sure if it's allergies or one of the common respiratory infections that have been spreading since Hurricane Harvey hit southeast Texas late last month.

She's been sleeping in a trailer adjacent to her free-standing emergency room and urgent care clinic in Rockport, Texas, which was devastated by Harvey’s winds and flood waters. The clinic had only been open for two weeks when Harvey hit. De Moor is home in Dallas now for a few days with her children but will soon head back to the clinic, which is overwhelmed by people crowding in for stitches, tetanus shots, ear infections and skin rashes.

"We were seeing numbers outpacing anything we were prepared to take care of," said de Moor, an ER physician who is CEO of Code 3 ER and Urgent Care.

Physician volunteers have been cramming into the trailer and sleeping on the clinic floors as they tend to as many as 90 patients a day.
read more here

Combat Wounded Army Veteran Faces Charges After Threats to VA

Texas Army veteran accused of threatening Veterans Administration

Associated Press

September 8, 2017

SAN ANTONIO (AP) A wounded retired soldier arrested by FBI agents in San Antonio is accused of threatening to kill Veterans Administration workers and posting online threats to blow up an agency building.

Federal prosecutors say Walter Steven Crosley, 44, told a VA nurse in June that he "may be the next guy that takes y'all out" and posted videos online threatening to destroy the VA facility in Kerrville.

Authorities say Crosley, from Lakehills, about 30 miles northwest of San Antonio, spent 13 years in the Army.

read more here

12 Texas Non-Profits Score $3.1 Million for Veterans

Texas Veterans Commission awards $3.1 Million to twelve non-profit organizations in S.A.

LA Prensa
Nathaly Cruz
September 7, 2017

On Wed. Sept. 6, twelve non-profit organizations were awarded a total of $3.1 million dollars in grant funding from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance at SAMMinistries’ Transitional Living and Learning Center, 5922 Blanco Rd.

The ceremony took place at SAMMinistries’ Transitional Living and Learning Center, 5922 Blanco Rd. SAMMinistries received $800,000 to help veterans stay in their homes through their home prevention program. (Photo, Nathaly Cruz)

The 12 non-profit organizations that received grant awards from the Texas Veterans Commission are, 

Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) – $300,000, 

American GI Forum – $300,000, 

Catholic Charities – San Antonio – $300,000, 

Operation Comfort – $200,000, 

Project MEND – $250,000, 

Salvation Army – San Antonio – $300,000, 

SAMMinistries – $300,000 (in a General Assistance grant) $500,000 (Veteran Homelessness Prevention programs), 

Southwest Area Regional Transit – $200,000, 

Operation Finally Home – $75,000, 

Bexar County – $200,000 , 

Comal County – $75,000 

Marriage Management Consultants – $100,000.

read more here

Sexual Predator Warning Ignored

Bad Santa: Navy's top admiral kept spokesman after boozy party, sexual predator warning
USA Today
Tom Vanden Brook
September 7, 2017

WASHINGTON — A Navy commander accused of sexual misconduct while dressed as Santa Claus at a boozy party inside the Pentagon was allowed to stay on as spokesman for the Navy’s top admiral despite written warnings that the commander was a sexual predator, USA TODAY has learned.

Cdr. Chris Servello, 41, was accused by fellow officers and a civilian of making unwanted sexual passes and slapping a woman on the buttocks while dressed as Santa at the 2016 office Christmas party for Navy public affairs officials, documents obtained by USA TODAY show.

Servello was not reassigned as spokesman for Adm. John Richardson, the Chief of Naval Operations, until mid-August, just weeks after USA TODAY sought documents regarding the incidents and the investigation. Capt. Peter Hudson, who completed his initial inquiry on Dec. 21, made plain that Servello should be shipped out.

Servello, in a statement to USA TODAY, said that naval investigators did not recommend that criminal charges be issued against him. He added that his career will likely be killed by the incidents.

"I have cooperated fully with all investigations conducted by the Navy,” Servello said. “Ultimately, the allegations were unproven and charges were not filed. I should have never put myself into a situation where my judgment or my military bearing could be called into question. I deeply regret this and have been held to account for my decision making. Indeed, the overall effect of the administrative counseling makes it highly unlikely that my career will recover."
read more here