Veteran Navy SEAL Missing in California

UPDATE

San Diego Police: Missing Navy SEAL veteran found

US Navy SEAL Veteran Reported Missing

NBC Los Angeles
Astrid Solorzano
September 12, 2017

For Becky McGinnis, the first two weeks of September have been a nightmare.

Her boyfriend, who served as a U.S. Navy SEAL for 18 years, has not contacted her since August 27. He was last seen near Chollas Lake Park, according to San Diego police. Officers found his car in La Jolla on Sunday, September 3.

"We just want to find him,” said McGinnis. “We have a little information on anything.”

John Surmont, 45, has struggled with trauma related to his military service, McGinnis told NBC 7 Monday.

San Diego Police confirmed they are actively looking for Surmont, a veteran of U.S. Navy SEAL Team 3 and a father of three. The VA is cooperating with the police department on their investigation. 

People who served in the SEALs with him confirmed the community is conducting private searches. 

Surmont’s ex-wife got a call from Surmont on August 31 saying he was in a "rough place" in Los Angeles, police said.

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DUI Driver Killed Vietnam Veteran--Crowd Captures Driver

DUI Driver Strikes, Kills Vietnam Veteran in Tacony: Police
NBC 10 News
By David Chang and Denise Nakano

NBC10 obtained surveillance video of the suspect being surrounded by residents moments after the crash.

Friends and family are mourning a grandfather and Vietnam War veteran who was struck and killed by an alleged DUI driver only a few blocks away from his home in the Tacony section of Philadelphia.

Norm Ewing, 73, was standing on the 6500 block of Torresdale Avenue at 4:23 p.m. Sunday when he was struck by a van that dragged him for more than two blocks. The van also struck six cars and plowed through several intersections on Torresdale Avenue.
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With Wings and a Prayer, National Guard Couple Wedding Inspires Floridaians Facing Irma

I couldn't post about this when I heard it on the radio the other day, but wow, it did us a world of good to hear this! It wasn't enough this Air National Guard couple were ready to risk their lives for us, but they decided to share their lives by starting their future here and gave us hope!

Hurricane Irma: Air National Guard couple gets married in fatigues

Fox News 
Published September 10, 2017 

Two senior airmen with the Air National Guard deployed to help out with Hurricane Irma efforts were supposed to get married later in September -- so with the storm on Orlando's doorstep, they raced to tie the knot early on Sunday. Lauren Durham, 24, and her fiance, 26-year-old Michael Davis, both wore fatigues for the ceremony.

Lauren Durham, left, and Michael Davis, both members of the Air National Guard, married on Sunday in their fatigues. (AP Photo/Claire Galofaro)

The bride and groom, who had planned a beach wedding, said they were deployed indefinitely and told their out-of-town guests that they’d likely miss their own nuptials. 

 They were eating breakfast with some friends Sunday morning, and one asked the couple why didn’t they get married in the middle of the storm. “It started out as a joke, and it just kind of unfolded,” Davis said. “And it turned out to be really great.” read more here

We Got The Power!

Irma Left and Rainbow Came
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
September 12, 2017

For over a week, we feared what Hurricane Irma could do to Florida. The monster was bigger than the entire state. We knew no one would go untouched by this. Having been through four hurricanes since we moved to Florida, this one was the one I feared the most. 

Food and water ran out. Long lines for gas, if they had any at all. And then we did the best we could to prepare. We boarded up the house, like every time before. We left my husband's sandals on the deck, like every time before because as powerful as Hurricane Charlie was, they did not move. This time we added mine.

We left the rest in God's hands since there was nothing more we could do.

Before Irma

This is where I waited during the beginning of it not knowing what to expect and feeling some fear. This was our 5th hurricane since moving to Florida.

But after it passed, this is what was saw in the sky!

Tree branches down and neighbor lost his fence.

But the rainbow got brighter and grew.

And spread out over my whole area!

And then it started to fade away like the storm itself.

12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth."

Maybe if all of us think of troubles coming into our lives like Hurricane's doing their damage and moving on, leaving us behind as survivors, we'd be a happier with what we have.

Last night was rough without air conditioning or getting any hope of the power restored, but then I thought about all the people here before we even had all the modern conveniences we have now. No internet service to find out what was going on, they had to listen the radio, much like we did for a couple of days. They had no way of keeping food stocked and safe to eat. Much like we did when we just had to throw away everything in the refrigerator.

Still, while we had the hope of power coming back on and life getting back to normal, they didn't even know what any of this was, yet they managed to survive.

This morning I wanted to jump out of the car and hug Duke Energy workers on the main street near our house as we took a chance on finding something to eat. I felt joy when I saw MacDonald's open and didn't mind waiting in a long line at all. I almost kissed the coffee cup! I felt more joy as we walked down the water isle of Publix and saw they had a couple of cases of water and gallon jugs. Yet, when I saw the traffic signals working again near our house, I flipped out! Hope took over and then as we approached our house, the street was quiet. No generators running and I screamed, "We got the power" and sure enough, it was back on.

All of us have the power to get through whatever is blown our way. Ask for help along the way and be there the next time someone asks you for help. No storm in our lives ever came with an order to go it alone!

Sheriff in Florida Issues Warning to Stop Shooting at Hurricane Irma

It is really tense right here in Central Florida, especially when most of us know folks in the areas about to be hit hard by storm surges. Here are some things that I hope make some of us laugh at this nightmare.

Florida sheriff's office warns people not to shoot at Hurricane Irma

Yep, that's Florida! That was on USA Today. Here are a few more

In other news, boat owners ride out hurricane in boats, because "they float."

WENY NewsFort Myers, Florida -- It's generally considered dangerous to attempt to ride out a major storm in a boat. But a look around the Fort Myers Yacht Basin Saturday evening revealed several boat owners remaining on board. 

We even talked to one man who plans to stay aboard throughout Hurricane Irma. 

We asked the brave mariner how he plans to deal with a potential 10-foot storm surge. "My boat floats...I'm going to be on top of it."

Hurricane Party 
South Beach

Shouts of “F— you, Irma!” rose from a group of some 20 surfers as they drank beer, white wine and champagne on the beach. 

“Block party, baby!” artist Jona Cerwinske, announced.

They’d reluctantly left off surfing by late afternoon, after the Atlantic Ocean began to churn.

“It’s like a washing machine out there,” noted George Granizo, 51, as he abandoned the water.

The surfers said they’d gathered on the beach to mark the one-year anniversary of the death of one of their friends, who’d died while surfing.

In defiance of Irma, Fort Pierce's infamous Archie's Seabreeze parties

Everyone at the bar had more to say about it than just liking the hot wings and cold beer — though owner Patty McGee said Budweiser has awarded her 21 years in a row for selling the most Budweiser in a four-county area.

"Thank God for Patty," said Frances Pollari, an island resident and Archie's regular. "Look at us, we're all happy. If we were isolated in our homes, we wouldn't be happy. God bless her."

Pollari and Feeney touched on why Archie's Seabreeze has thrived   for 70 years. It's more than just hosting the best hurricane party on the Treasure Coast, it's perhaps its close and raunchy family.

Besides being open 365 days a year, Archie's is  known for staying open close to a hurricane. They even made t-shirts for Hurricane Irma.  

A Hundred Vietnam Veterans Return from Honor Flight to Honors

Vietnam vets have emotional homecoming after Honor Flight trip

KXAN StaffPublished: September 9, 2017

AUSTIN (KXAN) – About 100 Vietnam War veterans returned home to Central Texas Saturday evening, after visiting our nation’s capital on behalf of Honor Flight.

It’s an experience they said was special for them, and the reception they received upon arrival back at Austin Bergstrom International Airport brought out an emotional response.

“It was my first time in D.C. I really enjoyed it, and I wish everybody could do it,” said Alerse Martinez, Vietnam veteran. “This, I think, is great. I wish we would have had this 50 years ago. It would have been different.”

They were met upstairs in the airport terminal’s west ticketing area with a welcome home greeting from a big crowd.

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Vietnam Veteran Gone Fishing as Final Wish

Final mission: Vietnam veteran makes fishing trip near his Point Marion home

Herald Standard

Alyssa Choiniere

September 10, 2017

Vietnam veteran Robert Lincoln gazed out at the scenery during a fishing trip on the Monongahela River in Point Marion Wednesday. Local veteran groups organized the trip, a fullment of his final wish. Alyssa Choiniere Herald Standard

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Robert Lincoln gave a thumbs up to his men, several many years his junior, their arms straining for a final shove as they launched the vessel for his final mission.

His last tour in Vietnam was cut short in 1970. Three months into his deployment in northern Vietnam, an explosion rocked his platoon and injured Lincoln. Nearly 50 years later, he had only one mission left — to set out onto the Monongahela River near his childhood home in Point Marion for a fishing trip.

“He said before he departs this world, he’d like to go fishing one more time in the Mon River,” said Darryl Smith of Veterans for Veterans of Western Pennsylvania, who organized the trip. “I said, ‘Buddy, we’ll get you down there if we have to carry you down.”

Lincoln set off in a power wheelchair, strapped to the back of a pontoon. His deteriorating health almost thwarted his goal. It took several months and an organized effort between several local veteran groups to fulfill. His health problems began with the explosion and compounded with age. He had lost both his legs to diabetes and much of his vision and hearing.

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Camp Pendleton Marines Death Under Investigation

Officials Investigating Death of Marine at Reconnaissance Course

Military.com
by Hope Hodge Seck
9 Sep 2017

Marine Corps officials have yet to determine the cause of death for a private first class who was found unresponsive during a training event last month at Camp Pendleton, California.

Michael P. Giannattasio (Photo courtesy Modetz Funeral Homes)

Pfc. Michael P. Giannattasio had been attending the Basic Reconnaissance Course at School of Infantry West, a physically demanding training course required for those who want to join the elite ranks of reconnaissance Marines.

He was discovered unconscious during a land navigation training event Aug. 30, according to a spokesman from Marine Corps Training and Education Command, Capt. Joshua Pena.

The San Diego Union-Tribune first reported Giannatasio's death.

Giannatasio, 22, was from Armada, Mich. According to a published obituary, he was the fourth of eight children.
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Evacuation orders for Central Florida counties

WESH 2 News
Check here for updates

BREVARD COUNTY:

Brevard County officials have announced a mandatory evacuation order for residents living in Merritt Island and some mainland low-lying areas along the Indian River Lagoon.

The order for people living in Evacuation Zone A begins at 3 p.m. Friday.

In addition, people who live in mobile or manufactured homes or in other flood-prone areas are also vulnerable and should evacuate, whether on the mainland or the barrier islands, county officials said.

Residents who do not plan to stay in public shelters are encouraged to stay with family or friends on the mainland, and to evacuate tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles, as traffic on highways and interstates is likely to be heavier.

FLAGLER COUNTY:

Flagler County has issued a mandatory evacuation order effective at 7 a.m. Saturday for the following areas:

Evacuation Zone A includes everything east of the Intracoastal including Marineland, Hammock, Flagler Beach along A1A.

Evacuation Zone F is in western Flagler County and includes areas near Dead Lake - St. Johns Park and the Haw Creek Basin - as the St. Johns River, which feeds Dead Lake.

Low-lying areas subject to flooding, as well as for those who live in mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and trailers.

Individuals with special medical needs, due to the potential loss of power.

There is a mandatory evacuation for nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Flagler County zones A,B,C and F.

Flagler County announced a voluntary evacuation for residents and said evacuation zones A, B, C and F (not Palm Coast alphabet sections) should consider leaving the area ahead of Hurricane Irma.

The county has also expanded their voluntary evacuation to include residents who live in a mobile home, a recreational vehicle, a trailer or an unsafe structure that is not rated to withstand strong winds.

Evacuation Zone A : Everything east of the Intracoastal including Marineland, Hammock, Flagler Beach along A1A.

Evacuation Zone B: neighborhoods along Colbert Lane to the south, all of the C section and the F section east of Florida Park Drive and the F section east of Palm Harbor Parkway. This zone also includes the area east of Old Kings Road, south of State Road 100 including Bulow and its adjacent neighborhood, Grand Haven and western Flagler Beach.

Evacuation Zone C: Woodlands area of Palm Coast

Evacuation Zone F: Areas near Dead Lake, St. Johns Park and the Haw Creek basin, as the St. Johns River, which feeds Dead Lake is tidal.

The Flagler Beach Police Department is asking residents to stop by for a placard that can help with post storm recovery if residents plan to evacuate.

SEMINOLE COUNTY:

No voluntary or mandatory evacuation notice has been posted by Seminole County at this time.

ORANGE COUNTY:

Orange County mayor Teresa Jacobs issued a mandatory evacuation notice to all residents living in mobile homes in Orange County.

Officials are encouraging residents to stay with family or make their way to shelters which will open at 9 a.m. Saturday.

MARION COUNTY:

Marion County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents living in mobile homes and modular-type homes.

Residents are urged to evacuate those homes by 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept 9.

Evacuees are encouraged to first seek shelter with family or friends living in a site-built home. If that option is not available, you can check the list of shelters by clicking here.

VOLUSIA COUNTY:
Volusia County is asking residents on the beachside, in low-lying areas, and in RVs, mobile or manufactured homes are asked at this time to evacuate voluntarily. If you are uncomfortable in your home, you also are encouraged to evacuate.

Florida Hospital
Florida Hospital Oceanside is an 80-bed facility located beachside in Ormond Beach on A1A. This facility will evacuate 31 patients to Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach on Friday, September 8. The emergency department at this facility is also expected to close, however the exact time has not yet been determined.

• Florida Hospital New Smyrna is a 112-bed facility located in New Smyrna Beach, a few short blocks from the Intracoastal Waterway. This facility will evacuate approximately 50 patients to Florida Hospital DeLand in DeLand and Florida Hospital Fish Memorial in Orange City on Friday, September 8. The entire hospital will be closed and the emergency department at this facility will be closed to patients as of noon on Saturday, September 9.

• The ERs will be open and available for patients in emergency medical situations at:

◦ Florida Hospital DeLand in DeLand
◦ Florida Hospital Fish Memorial in Orange City
◦ Florida Hospital Flagler is Palm Coast
◦ Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach

• All procedures, diagnostic testing and outpatient appointments scheduled for Monday, September 11 are cancelled and will need to be rescheduled for future dates.

• All freestanding Florida Hospital outpatient facilities and employed physician offices will be closed on Monday, September 11. Depending on the storm's track and localized impact, these facilities and offices plan to assess any damages on Tuesday, September 12 to evaluate reopening.

OSCEOLA COUNTY:

Residents in low-lying areas or in modular and mobile homes are officially advised to evacuate to safer accommodations, including shelters or staying with family or friends.

LAKE COUNTY:

Lake County has issued a voluntary evacuation order in Astor and Lake George.

Officials are asking the residents of those areas to safely self-evacuate by Saturday afternoon. Lake County has 13 emergency shelters that will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept 9.

The closest emergency shelters to Astor are Spring Creek Elementary, 44440 Spring Creek Road, Paisley and Umatilla Elementary, 40

1 Lake St., Umatilla. Both shelters are pet-friendly and Umatilla can also accommodate special needs persons.

More shelters 

You have to admit that Gov. Scott has done a fabulous job keeping all of us up to date on what is going on. He's on TV several times a day giving updates!

September 10th, 2017
Gov. Rick Scott: I’m not sparing any resources during Hurricane Irma
Florida Gov. Rick Scott tells TODAY that he’s extremely worried about the storm surges hitting Florida from Hurricane Irma. “It’s hard to believe anybody will survive it,” he says. Scott says he’s not sparing any resources to protect people from the storm.

Iraq Veteran and Service Dog Not Welcomed? Seriously!

Wounded veteran says California restaurant refused entry to dog

Fox News
Published September 08, 2017

A vision-impaired veteran claims he was wronged by a California restaurant after they refused to let his dog join him for dinner.

Readen Clavier, an Iraq War veteran who suffered head injuries when his vehicle was hit by an IUD in Balad, told KTVU that he was denied a meal at Inchin’s Bamboo in San Mateo because the employees didn’t want his comfort dog, Cole, sitting under the table.

“[They said] you can’t have a pet in here,” Clavier told KTVU. “I’m like, he’s not a pet, he’s a service animal.”

According to Clavier, the restaurant offered to seat him outside in a covered patio instead, but he simply opted to dine elsewhere.

KTVU reached out to the manager of the restaurant, who confirmed that Clavier and his dog were indeed offered a seat outside. He also says that he personally spoke with Clavier at the time of the incident, but suggested that Clavier didn’t actually need the dog for service reasons.

“He was speaking to me and to another lady,” said the Inchin’s manager. “And nobody was blind and everything [was recorded] on the camera."
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