Hero Grenfell Tower firefighter 'I have been cast out of a job I love'
THE DAILY MAIL By KATHRYN KNIGHT 7 December 2018
Charlie Kaye was one of hundreds of firemen at Grenfell Tower blaze aftermath Nine months later he ran into a burning building in a desperate bid to save a man Mr Kaye, 32, contravened Fire Brigade rules as he entered without his partner His heroism led to a dismissal for contravening health and safety regulations
Like many dedicated firefighters, Charlie Kaye has spent his professional life propelled by two instincts — to save lives and help others.
Charlie Kaye (centre left) was one of four firefighters to receive a prestigious Borough Commander’s Award for bravery for helping to save a woman who had collapsed from a blood clot
In ten years of distinguished service he’s battled blazes all over London and attended harrowing road and rail accidents — each one leaving its mark.
‘I have lost count of the number of fatal incidents I’ve attended. Each one eats away at you a little,’ he recalls. ‘But that’s the job.’
It’s a job which, in June last year, led him to one of the most distressing points of his career, when the 32-year-old was one of the hundreds of fireman to attend the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire, helping to clear bodies from the wreckage of the West London tower block. The sights of that day are permanently seared on his mind — along with the guilt that this time, there was no chance of saving anyone. read more here
So, you need to check on your health and then since you're already there, do some shopping? That is what the VA has come up with for rural veterans, because, as they said,
“Ninety percent of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart,” Scher said.
“Virtual care is the future of medicine,” he told the conference crowd. “It is our most powerful emerging tool. Ultimately it will improve and ease access for millions of Americans.”
The partnership with Walmart will be a pilot program to put telemedicine stations specifically for veteran customers at stores in rural areas (exact locations have yet to be announced.)
Patients will be able to check in to a private room and video conference with VA medical specials across the country, covering both basic checkups and specialty appointments like dermatology consults or mental health care support.
Las Vegas mental health Crisis Response Team sees success with new strategy
KTNV By: Joe Bartels Dec 08, 2018
"We are outperforming expectations by some distance, and I think we are showing a good cost-savings to the state and we're going great care for patients," said Asst. Fire Chief Jon Stevenson with Las Vegas Fire and Rescue.
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — There is a small crisis response team that is making a big impact when it comes to the emerging mental health crisis across Las Vegas.
"It can be tense," said Amanda Jurden, a licensed clinical social worker.
"Usually, we just try and talk to the person, kind of gauge where they're at, find out, number 1, are they open to talking to you, are they going to be voluntary patient?" explained Jurden.
Jurden is now on the front lines of the Crisis Response Team and rides aboard an ambulance to make an on-scene patient assessment during a mental health crisis incident.
"They can be angry, they can be agitated, they can be under the influence, all of those things," said Jurden.
"But at the end of the day we just want to see if they are willing to engage with us, and cooperate in some form or fashion," said Jurden.
The Crisis Response Team was organized in April 2018 with the goal of connecting those in mental distress with available resources while reducing the burden on local emergency rooms. read more here
Indiana veterans affairs leader resigns after awarding grants for needy vets to employees
Indianapolis Star Tony Cook December 7, 2018
Most veterans also were strictly held to a $2,500 lifetime cap on aid, but at least four of Brown's employees who are veterans received more than that, including the manager of the program, who dipped into the fund multiple times.
Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs Director James Brown
(Photo: Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs)
The leader of Indiana's veterans affairs agency is resigning after awarding grant money intended for struggling veterans to his own employees.
Gov. Eric Holcomb accepted the resignation of Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs Director James Brown on Friday morning, according to a media release. Brown, a decorated Vietnam veteran, has led the agency since 2013.
"Sgt. Maj. Brown is a good man with a distinguished service record,” Holcomb said. “I am grateful for his longstanding service to our state and country.”
The shakeup comes one week after an ongoing IndyStar investigation found Brown gave middle-income state employees who were veterans an inside track on emergency assistance grants intended for needy vets.
IndyStar reported last week that at least 11 of the agency's employees — many making $40,000 to $50,000 a year — received a total of roughly $40,000 or more through the Military Family Relief Fund. read more here
Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos December 8, 2018
If you can forgive others, as a human, maybe it is time to think of God's capacity to forgive you. This morning I was reading something on Camp Lejeune The Globe "Restored to fellowship with God through grace, love" by Lt. Matt Schilling Combat Logistics Battalion 26.
What is the worst thing you have ever done? Have you experienced God’s forgiveness? Or, in contrast, do you fear that God will not forgive you? I invite you to consider the example of Peter. You may remember that though he was one of the twelve disciples, he denied Jesus three times, even invoking a curse on himself and swearing that he did not know Jesus. And yet Jesus forgave him. In John 21:15-19, we read the remarkable account of how God’s great mercy was shown to Peter.
First, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” In doing so, he graciously gave Peter the opportunity to publicly reaffirm his love for Christ, demonstrating his grief and repentance over his sin. The story reveals that though Peter sinned greatly, he was restored to fellowship with Jesus.
Jesus also gave Peter a very important task, “Tend my sheep.” Yes, Jesus entrusted the care of his followers to Peter despite his earlier failure, so great and complete is the forgiveness he bestows.
Lt. Schilling goes on to write about being forgiven for our sins. But most wonder if they can be forgiven for other things, that are not sins. Can you be forgiven for being a simple human?
Many times we do things, doing the best we can at the time, with the best intensions, only to have things turn out terribly wrong. Afterwards, we run all kinds of alternative scenarios, trying to figure out what we should have done. All fine and good when it is a thought but the brutal reality is, as a human, what we think we had the power to do, would have been physically impossible. By the grace of God we find it easier to forgive others for what they do, or do not do. By the will of our own minds, we put up a barrier to forgiving ourselves. If you feel you are unworthy of being forgiven, please read about the Roman Centurion who humbled himself in front of his men asking Jesus to heal his servant. Read about how Jesus faced someone over and over again, thinking they too were unworthy of being forgiven, but He showed them love and compassion. Understand that what is in your core, compassion, courage and a will to serve others, is not evil. It is a gift that comes with a heavy price because the more you care about others, the more you will grieve. It is also what gives you the power to feel joy more than others. Know what causes you emotional pain is not because of weakness, but because of the strength of your soul. Rely on that strength, seek healing, forgive yourself and #TakeBackYourLife from PTSD. Here are a couple of videos to explain more.
There is suddenly a lot of talk about "moral injury" and combat PTSD. It is survivor's guilt adding to what is known as PTSD but unlike other causes of PTSD, this one is harder to heal from. The good news is, you were not judged by God but He has put what you need to heal already in your soul. It is our job to connect you to it again. Contact Point Man International Ministries to show you the way.
National Guardsmen and Reservists have the same wounds as active duty troops but they come back home without the same support. They grieve just as much but for many, they are also risking their lives as police officers and firefighters.
Vietnam veterans have been healing from what their service did to them and they know what it is to grieve. Combat PTSD is different from other types. We only know about this wound of war because they fought for everything available today for all veterans. If you have PTSD understand this one message. You are not stuck the way you are and your life can get better. PTSD caused the change in you. Change again!
Rocky Mountain Telegram BY LINDELL JOHN KAY Staff Writer Friday, December 7, 2018
“If it weren’t for Sgt. Bass, I probably would have killed myself,” the veteran said, according to reports
A Nash County deputy has been recognized for his life-saving compassionate community service.
Sgt. Scott Bass was recognized as Deputy of the Year earlier this week by the Nash County Board of Commissioners. Bass has convinced suicidal gunmen to surrender without violence and appeared on national television for helping a woman find a quicker way to work than walking, often in inclement weather.
Employed with the county since 2010, Bass has served primarily in the Patrol Division and was promoted to sergeant last year.
During the short ceremony to recognize Bass, Chief Deputy Brandon Medina described him as being kind and compassionate with a very generous heart.
Bass' heroism and care for the people he serves as a deputy has been repeatedly demonstrated by his actions.
In 2017, Bass and other deputies responded to the call of a missing and possibly suicidal person.
A high-ranking member of the military, the missing man was located down a secluded path. He was armed. Bass began to reason with the man and ordered the other deputies to fall back, putting himself between a suicidal man with a gun and his fellow law enforcement officers.
Another time in 2017, Bass, while in Raleigh attending specialized training, ate lunch with a friend.
After leaving the restaurant, Bass was about to pull away in his marked patrol car when a man ran up and said a business was being robbed.
"Without hesitation, Sgt. Bass responded to the business and apprehended the suspect, holding him until proper authorities arrived," Medina said.
In February, Bass responded to a call for service where he again spoke with a military veteran who was having a hard time coping with life.
"Being a veteran himself, Sgt. Bass was empathetic and provided the necessary assistance as soon as he recognized that he was dealing with someone suffering from severe mental distress," Medina said.
David Smith riding new wave of veteran-advocates in the Florida Legislature
Orlando Rising Scott Powers 12/05/2018
Republican state Rep. David Smith will be heading to Tallahassee with a broad platform of ambitions covering education, the economy and the environment, but the retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel gets particularly excited about prospects he sees to improve the lot for Florida’s military veterans.
Smith was elected Nov. 6 to succeed Jason Brodeur in representing House District 28 in east Seminole County. Riding in with him in this class are state Reps. Anthony Sabatini of Howie-in-the-Hills, Elizabeth Fetterhoff of Deland, Tommy Gregory of Sarasota, and Spencer Roach of North Fort Myers, all military veterans, joining returning lawmakers such as Paul Renner of Palm Coast.
They have restarted a veterans’ caucus in the Florida House, Smith said.
“I think there is going to be new excitement to address issues for veterans,” Smith said. “The one thing I’m committed to is systemic solutions. I don’t want band-aid solutions or give-away programs. They don’t work and they’re insulting to veterans.”
Specifically, Smith is looking at creating a state contracting set-aside preference for veteran-owned businesses, much as currently exists for women- and minority-owned businesses. There are plenty of models out there, including a federal program, state programs in Texas, California, and North Carolina, and a patchwork of local programs.
Smith said that the University of Central Florida’s contracts for construction of its downtown campus features a 10 percent set-aside for veterans’ businesses. Smith’s willing to start much smaller at the state, perhaps 1 percent, and work toward 3 percent.
He has filed no bills yet, saying he’s taking his time. Like other state representatives, he’s also waiting for his committee assignments.
“That’s one of the things I campaigned on,” Smith. “One of the differences I have even with Gov. [Rick] Scott is I think Florida is not as veteran-friendly as it could be as relates to veterans’ businesses. I want to be an advocate for those veterans in the Legislature.” read more here
Meet the Palmetto resident who was inducted into Florida Veterans Hall of Fame
Bradenton Herald BY JAMES A. JONES JR. December 7, 2018
MANATEE Carl Hunsinger of Palmetto, chairman of the Manatee County Veterans Council, was among 20 vets inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame this week in Tallahassee.
Carl Hunsinger has been inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. He is shown above with Lee Washington, Manatee County veterans service officer, Gov. Rick Scott, and the Florida Cabinet. Hunsinger is retired from 30 years service in the U.S. Air Force, and is a tireless advocate for the Manatee County veterans community,
provided photo
Hunsinger, 63, a retired U.S. Air Force chief master sergeant and veteran of 26 months of combat service in Iraq and Kuwait, was the only Manatee County resident among the 20 inductees honored by Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet.
“I was surprised when I got the call that I had been selected about 9 a.m. one morning around Thanksgiving,” Hunsinger said. “I said, ‘What?’ ”
In 2004, he led a team of 160 enlisted airmen providing gun truck security in Mosul, Iraq.
Hunsinger was in Mosul when one of the American dining facilities was bombed, killing 24 and wounding 70 others.
read more here
Mangini is also a veteran, as he served with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division in the late 1970s. In his own way, living up on the roof during Christmastime is a way to pay tribute to those in the military who are currently stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq or other far-flung places. Mangini himself never served overseas, but said his tent is “a mansion” compared to what he lived in while training. He’s willing to bet his current living conditions are miles better than active-duty troops.
ELKTON — He has eyes that twinkle and a beard as white as snow. But unlike the Santa Claus described in “The Night Before Christmas” that shimmies down chimneys to leave presents, Bruce Mangini, of Landenberg, Pa., plans on staying on his rooftop until he can rally enough people to fill his “sleigh” with toys for families of veterans in need.
Mangini, 58, started living on the roof of the Elkton Veterans of Foreign Wars Elkton Memorial Post No. 8175 on Dec. 2 in a fundraising and awareness campaign called #BruceOnTheRoof To protect himself from the wind and rain, he built a tent out of tarp and a blue gazebo and sleeps under an electric blanket on a cot his grandson chose for him. He comes down on occasion to walk around, per his doctor’s orders, and to go into the VFW to use the bathroom.
But for the most part, Mangini stays on the roof — and he’ll come down for good when his 12 days are up or when his trailer, parked nearby, is filled with toys, coats and non-perishable food donations.
“People say I’m crazy,” he said. “Well, I’ve been called that a lot in my life.”
Mangini likes to participate and organize charity events in the tristate region, like a motorcycle ride to fundraise for the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, Pa., or coordinating with his cousin on a cookie baking and giveaway for veterans. But he’s always gravitated to Elkton after he established a friendship with Commissioner Mary Jo Jablonski and her family. After working with the Elkton VFW for other toy drives with the Steel Horse Guardians, a nonprofit charitable group of motorcyclists, he’s felt the need to continue paying it forward to Elkton.
“I don’t like talking negatively about nobody, but Elkton is a very small town, and it’s a struggling town that’s trying to do better,” Mangini said. “When I see a small town trying to do better, I want to jump in and help. Everybody needs a helping hand once in a while.” read more here
Police Officers should learn from Vietnam Veterans
Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos December 6, 2018 Yesterday I read an article that broke my heart. Then I thought about how it happened to other heroes that I spend most of my time with. They do not see themselves as heroes, but they are to me, especially my own husband.
Who wants to be a police officer? Job applications plummet at most US departments
The Washington Post By Tom Jackman December 4, 2018 Chuck Wexler talks to police chiefs frequently, as head of the Police Executive Research Forum think tank in Washington. Recently, he asked a roomful of chiefs to raise their hands if they wanted their children to follow them into a law enforcement career. Not one hand went up, he said.
Across the country, interest in becoming a police officer is down dramatically. In Nashville, job applications dropped from 4,700 in 2010 to 1,900 last year. In Seattle, applications have declined by nearly 50 percent, in a department where the starting salary is $79,000. Even the FBI saw a sharp drop, from 21,000 applications per year to 13,000 last year, before a new marketing campaign brought an upswing.
And retaining officers once they’ve joined is getting harder too. In a PERF survey of nearly 400 police departments about voluntary resignations, 29 percent of those who left their police job voluntarily had been on the force less than a year, and another 40 percent had been on the job less than five years. At a PERF gathering of police chiefs and commanders from across the country in Washington Tuesday, many attributed their declining numbers to a diminished perception of police in the years after the shooting and unrest in Ferguson, Mo., and an increase in public and media scrutiny of police made possible by technology and social media. read more here
If you want to become involved in this kind of work, here are some things to consider. First the obvious risk to your life followed by the actions of a few, being taken out on you. The second thing to consider is there is a valuable lesson you can learn from Vietnam veterans. You may be too young to remember this, but you need to know so that you'll understand the rest of what you need to hear.
This is what most people heard about Vietnam veterans.
This was just part of Vietnam veterans being attacked when they came home, called baby killers an oh, so many other horrible things.
What they did not hear, was the other part of this story.
— March 16, 1968, 50 years ago — but not many know about the man who stopped it: Hugh Thompson, an Army helicopter pilot. When he arrived, American soldiers had already killed 504 Vietnamese civilians (that's the Vietnamese count; the U.S. Army said 347). They were going to kill more, but they didn't — because of what Thompson did.
For the most part, Vietnam veterans knew what they did and were honorable in horrible conditions.
They ended up hearing that Afghanistan is the longest war this country fought, but here is the truth on that part.
Not that what was going on in 1968 excuses what happened, but you get the idea. This video is with MOH Sammy Davis Jr. and his wife Dixie. He is talking about what happened to him when he came home, just out of the hospital, after his actions were worthy of the Medal of Honor. It is cut in between one of the Nam Knights reading his citation, so that you can know the full power of his story, against what he came home to.
What I am getting at is simply, no matter how they were treated, they were always honorable, and like Sammy, did not give up on the American people, or themselves. Many went on to serve in other ways. Many more fought to make sure that no other veteran would ever, ever be treated like they were. Because of their efforts, courage and dignity, they managed to provide such a powerful force for good that the government finally had to do something about PTSD. Everything that came afterwards, was due to them. The thing is, they knew what was in their core and it was good. It was a desire to serve and a will to do whatever they could to prove who they really were inside. Today, they are cherished for obvious reasons, and now you know what the not so obvious ones are. So, if you are a member of Law Enforcement already, thank you for what you do for us everyday, no matter how you are treated in return. You show up everyday knowing it could be your last day. You save people from criminals, rush toward gunfire, respond to accidents and ever increasing mental health crisis situations.
ORLANDO, Fla. - An Orlando police officer is being honored for saving the life of a veteran who was threatening to commit suicide.On Sept. 3, Officer Wesley Cook responded to the report of an armed, suicidal man who was holding a knife to his throat in the 400 block of West Amelia Street.
This is not a job that people do because they do not care. It is a job you do because they care so much. It comes with a heavy price, so please, make sure that if you need help you ask for it. After all, you must know how important that is since you made it your career to help others.
Looking back over the reports from the last few days, it was stunning to see five living presidents, with their wives, gathered together to say farewell to one. Wonder what they were thinking? Wonder if they thought about their own funerals and what will be said by those who knew them, and what history told us about them? Somehow, I think that President Bush knew what would be said about him, that in the end, was the most important thing that can be said of anyone. He was a good man! The following is a great article but I pulled out a couple of things that stood out for me. At George H.W. Bush funeral, hope for a kinder, gentler America Chicago Tribune Dahleen Glanton December 5, 2018
President Donald Trump, from left, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter attend the funeral of George H.W. Bush. (Alex Brandon/Getty-AFP)
"At this moment, we are desperately clinging to the promise that America once represented, hoping that somehow we can begin to live up to the greatness the world has come to expect of us and that we once expected of ourselves."
"Meacham called Bush “America’s last great soldier-statesman, a 20th-century founding father.”
But Bush’s Texas minister, the Rev. Russell Levenson, told us not to consider this the end to an era.“It doesn’t have to be,” he said. “ Perhaps it is an invitation to fill the hole that has been left behind.”
“My hunch is heaven, as perfect as it must be, just got a bit kinder and gentler,” he said in closing.
I don’t know about heaven. But maybe America can be."
