Army soldier among 4 dead when skydiving plane crashes at Georgia airport FOX News By Travis Fedschun August 26, 2018
A U.S. Army soldier was among four people killed when a plane carrying a group of skydivers crashed at a Georgia airport on Saturday, officials said.
Aliaksandr "Slex" Bahrytsevich was off duty when he died in the plane crash, the U.S. Army said. (US Army)
The crash happened around 2 p.m. at the East Georgia Regional Airport in Swainsboro, located about 90 miles southeast of Macon, FOX54 reported.
Aliaksandr "Slex" Bahrytsevich, 31, was off-duty when he died, but served most recently as a demonstrator on the Golden Knights Black Demonstration Team, the post said. He is survived by his mother, Nattallia, and father, Mikhail. read more here
Mel B to enter rehab after PTSD diagnosis: ‘I am at a crisis point’ Metro UK Rebecca Lewis Sunday 26 Aug 2018
‘I am fully aware I am at a crisis point. No-one knows myself better than I do. But I am dealing with it. I love my three girls more than life itself. I have also made the decision to go into a proper therapy programme in the next few weeks, but it has to be in the UK because I am very, very British and I know that will work best for me.’ ‘I am still struggling,’ she continued, ‘but if I can shine a light on the issue of pain, PTSD and the things men and women do to mask it, I will do. I am speaking about this because this is a huge issue for so many people.
Mel has confirmed she plans to enter rehab (Picture: Rex)
Mel B is preparing to check into rehab after being diagnosed with PTSD and reaching what she calls ‘crisis point’. The former Spice Girl and mother of three is planning to enter a British facility in the next few weeks to get help after being diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and admitting to drinking heavily following a turbulent period in her life, including the death of her father Martin Brown and her split and subsequent messy divorce battle from Stephen Belafonte, who she accused of being abusive. ‘The past six months have been incredibly difficult for me,’ she said.
read more here
Congressional candidates' military service records under attack By KEVIN LANDRIGAN New Hampshire Union Leader August 26. 2018
...State Rep. Sean Morrison, R-Hampton, formed the Veterans Caucus in the New Hampshire Legislature after joining the Army National Guard at 30 and making combat deployments to Iraq.
"The 'combat proven' thing seemed to me to be close to stolen valor," said Morrison, who is supporting state Rep. and Air Force veteran Steve Negron of Nashua in the GOP primary.
"That means you were in direct combat with the enemy and you acted appropriately. I don't think anyone should be separating and holding themselves up on a pedestal as veterans."
A clearly upset Blankenbeker said Friday that Morrison and others who share his views should be "ashamed of themselves."
Maura Sullivan was a Marine captain in Iraq.
"I was a combat nurse in a combat hospital in a combat zone caring for combat casualties while the hospital took on an average of 18 mortar attacks in a given day," Blankenbeker said of her time in Afghanistan's violent Kandahar province during 2010-11.
Dan Helmer is the vice chairman of VoteVets, another liberal group supporting veteran candidates.
"Maura Sullivan served in Fallujah, Iraq, an incredibly dangerous area of operations where numerous Marines died, including female service members," Helmer said. "Women in combat zones often don't get the recognition they deserve and we're shocked that anyone would call into question the sacrifices Maura and other female leaders made for our country."
Blankenbeker remembers when the Afghan terrorist threat came into her Kandahar hospital treatment room.
"I cared for a woman; she was an Afghan patient. I was cutting her clothes off in a combat zone and she had a wire harness on her for an explosive," Blankenbeker said. "I had to hold that explosive device in my hand until we could get her sedated on morphine. Is that combat proven?" read more here
Ok, no filling up this post with links or pictures. No rants, like I've been doing lately. Just one, simple, pure thought.
You have no idea what can happen when you need help, until you ask for it.
Would you help your buddies?
Lyrics
Oh, why you look so sad, the tears are in your eyes, Come on and come to me now, and don't be ashamed to cry, Let me see you through, 'cause I've seen the dark side too. When the night falls on you, you don't know what to do, Nothing you confess could make me love you less,
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you, I'll stand by you
So if you're mad, get mad, don't hold it all inside, Come on and talk to me now. Hey there, what you got to hide? I get angry too, well, I'm alive like you. When you're standing at the cross roads, And don't know which path to choose, Let me come along, 'cause even if you're wrong
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you, I'll stand by you. Baby, even to your darkest hour, and I'll never desert you, I'll stand by you. And when, when the night falls on you baby, You're feeling all a lone, you're wandering on your own, I'll stand by you.
I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you, I'll stand by you, baby even to your darkest hour, And I'll never desert you, I'll stand by you,
I'll stand by you. I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you, I'll stand by you, baby even to your darkest hour, And I'll never desert you I'll stand by you
Songwriters: Thomas Kelly / Christine Hynde / Billy Steinberg
KY Firefighter Shares His Battle Against PTSD Firehouse August 24, 2018
Veteran Burlington firefighter Phil Hall opens up in this news segment about his struggle with PTSD after 18 years of witnessing difficult incidents.
Cindy and Meghan McCain mourn John McCain with heartbreaking tribute Huffington Post CARLA HERRERIA Aug 26th 2018
“He was a great fire who burned bright, and we lived in his light and warmth for so very long,” she wrote. “We know that his flame lives on, in each of us.
The wife and daughter of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) wrote heartbreaking tributes to the lawmaker hours after his death on Saturday.
Cindy McCain, the senator’s wife of 38 years, expressed her grief on Twitter.
“My heart is broken,” she wrote. “He passed the way he lived, on his own terms; surrounded by the people he loved, in the place he loved best.”
Meghan McCain, the senator’s 33-year-old daughter, wrote an emotional statement thanking her father for being a hero to both her and the country.
“I was with my father at his end, as he was with me at my beginning,” she wrote. “In the thirty-three years we shared together, he raised me, taught me, corrected me, comforted me, encouraged me and supported me in all things.” read more here
Shock Absorbers Surround You! PTSD Patrol Sunday Morning Empowerment Zone Kathie Costos August 26, 2018 When we got the idea to turn PTSD Patrol into something related to vehicles, it was odd, to say the least. Once explained that people understand the vehicle they drive a lot more than the vehicle they live in, it only made sense to do it this way.
There are a lot of automotive parts that can be used to explain the vehicle you live in. Your body is your ride and we are all different but the stuff that makes it work can be linked to the stuff that goes into the vehicle you drive. If you took a job to save others, you took on a lot more than most people have to deal with on a daily basis. That is why there are over 7 million citizens with PTSD, and you helped most of them survive.
If lives of strangers meant that much to you, then don't you think they matter to those you serve with? Ok, then why don't you get that your buddies would want to save you too? Read about shock absorbers From Firestone
HOW DO STRUTS AND SHOCKS WORK?
The suspension on your car is made up of many components, including a set of springs that absorb bumps and road impact, a set of struts that support your springs, and a set of shocks (short for shock absorbers) that limit the bounce your car experiences by absorbing residual movement in suspension springs.
Without properly maintained struts and shocks an unexpected pothole, or even a gravel road, can actually cause the wheels of a vehicle to bounce off of the ground, which can easily lead to loss of control and collision. read more here
Paying tribute through art: Hempfield veteran honors every unit from Vietnam War WTAE Pittsburgh Action News Mike Clark August 24, 2018
IRWIN, Pa. Jack Otto is making people cry, making them smile -- making them feel.
His incredibly detailed artwork salutes all who served our country in the Vietnam War.
Through art, the 74-year-old veteran from Hempfield Township pays tribute to every unit and every division that served in Vietnam.
"It became a labor of love, and second of all, it became somewhat of a therapy for me," Otto said. "I was involved in many of the units in one way or other."
Otto was a military policeman in the U.S. Army who survived the Tet Offensive in 1968. He hopes that his art will help veterans and their families to heal.
Tracy Alaia, owner of Feathers Artist Market and Gifts in Irwin, invited Otto to display his patriotic artwork. It means so much to everyone who sees it. read more here, watch video
Suicide in Mishawaka VA parking lot puts spotlight on veteran mental health crisis WSBT 22 News by Veronica Ortega August 24th 2018
A veteran shot himself yesterday in the parking lot of the VA Health Care Center in Mishawaka -- dead from an apparent suicide.
We often don't report suicide, but this is not about drawing attention to an individual. Rather, we are hoping to raise awareness and help people who are struggling.
This is an issue that impacts people and families every day. read more here The rest of the report is good and they interviewed a Vietnam veteran offering hope in the battle against PTSD. The problem is, what they got wrong to start off the report. Yet again, reporters repeated the number "22" and yet again, we have to endure yet another shameful reminder that another veteran was failed. Failed by all of us because reporters did not care enough to investigate anything for real. Well, it turns out that while they keep repeating "22 veterans a day commit suicide" the fact is, no one knows how many and we proved it! The VA says they used CDC data but even the CDC does not know how many Americans have committed suicide! Yes, that is right. They are missing data from 10 states. NO ONE KNOWS HOW MANY MORE VETERANS HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDE! Add this one to the following public suicides!
How much louder to they have to scream? Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos July 14, 2018 Last year veterans were facing off with law enforcement almost every week, maybe even more, but while these reports should have been national news, they were ignored. Oh well, it is just so much easier to just use a number as if that is supposed to make any difference to the men and women screaming for help to stay alive.
Medal of Honor Air Force Memorial Unveiling Ceremony Air Force TV AirForceTV Streamed live 23 hours ago Medal of Honor recipient and Air Force Special Tactics Combat Controller Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman's name is unveiled on the Air Force Memorial Honor Wall, August 24, 2018 at 10:00am.
Chapman's widow, Valerie Nessel, was presented the medal by President Donald J. Trump during a White House ceremony, August 22, 2018, in recognition of Chapman's "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty."
Chapman was the 19th Airman to be awarded the Medal of Honor since the Department of the Air Force was established in 1947, and the first Airman recognized with the medal for heroic actions occurring after the Vietnam War. He was also the first Special Tactics Airman to receive the medal. The Medal of Honor is the highest award for heroism in military action that the Nation can bestow on a member of its Armed Forces.
