Man Accused of Posing as Air Force General
June 24, 2011
Arizona Daily Star
A Tucson man is being jailed until his July arraignment on suspicion he posed as a two-star general to get onto Southern Arizona's largest military installation.
Jeffery Lee Bennett, 46, is accused of donning a U.S. Air Force uniform with the rank of major general and entering the Fort Huachuca Army post in Sierra Vista on two occasions in March and April.
He's also accused of possessing a fake military identification card and of knowingly putting a phony Department of Defense vehicle sticker on the silver Volkswagen used to drive past the fort's guard gates.
While dressed as a general, the suspect went shopping at the fort's commissary and post exchange and bought $62 worth of groceries and tax-free items, federal court records say.
Man Accused of Posing as Air Force General
Monday, June 27, 2011
Marine to receive Bronze Star for valor
Marine to receive Bronze Star
June 26, 2011 4:31 AM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
A Camp Lejeune Marine will receive a Bronze Star with Combat “V” at a June 29 ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, officials with 2nd Marine Division announced recently.
Gunnery Sgt. Chad Miller, a Marine with 10th Marine Regiment, is scheduled to receive the award at a 9 a.m. ceremony held at the 10th Marine Regiment Landing Zone.
read more here
Marine to receive Bronze Star
June 26, 2011 4:31 AM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
A Camp Lejeune Marine will receive a Bronze Star with Combat “V” at a June 29 ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, officials with 2nd Marine Division announced recently.
Gunnery Sgt. Chad Miller, a Marine with 10th Marine Regiment, is scheduled to receive the award at a 9 a.m. ceremony held at the 10th Marine Regiment Landing Zone.
read more here
Marine to receive Bronze Star
Vet nabs foul ball at Yankee Stadium with hat in his only hand
Video: Nice catch, soldier! Vet nabs foul ball at Yankee Stadium
By Ian Casselberry
Friday night was already shaping up to be a good one for Michael Kacer.
He took his 13-year-old nephew, Isaiah, to his first New York Yankees game. And as part of a group with Achilles International — a non-profit organization devoted to athletes with disabilities — Kacer got to hang out on the field before the game, meeting Nick Swisher(notes) and posing for a photo with Joe Girardi. Kacer served 11 years in the National Guard and lost his left arm in a 2008 rocket attack.
read more here and see video
Vet nabs foul ball at Yankee Stadium
By Ian Casselberry
Friday night was already shaping up to be a good one for Michael Kacer.
He took his 13-year-old nephew, Isaiah, to his first New York Yankees game. And as part of a group with Achilles International — a non-profit organization devoted to athletes with disabilities — Kacer got to hang out on the field before the game, meeting Nick Swisher(notes) and posing for a photo with Joe Girardi. Kacer served 11 years in the National Guard and lost his left arm in a 2008 rocket attack.
read more here and see video
Vet nabs foul ball at Yankee Stadium
Veterans good enough for Wall Street, why not your company?
They know what it is like to work well as a team. They had to because it kept them alive. They know what it is like to finish the job no matter how tired they are. They did it without sleep for most of the year they were deployed. They spent it working everyday and didn't even think about calling in sick. Devoted? You bet. Focused on the task? Yep, that too. So while some companies won't consider hiring a veteran, Wall Street is.
Wall Street recruits war veterans as financial jobs decline
By William McQuillen, Published: June 24
Updated: Sunday, June 26, 8:58 PM
June 24 (Bloomberg) — Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are being recruited by banks such as Citigroup Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. as Wall Street jobs wane.
The New York-based banks joined Credit Suisse Group AG, Bank of America Corp. and Deutsche Bank AG at a job fair hosted yesterday by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for service personnel aboard the USS Intrepid, a museum in the Hudson River.
“We’re looking for the right talent at the right time,” Suni Harford, Citigroup’s head of markets for North America, said while gripping a stack of resumes collected at the fair.
The veterans are aiming to work in an industry where jobs fell in 2010 for a fourth straight year to an average 7.63 million, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or 8.4 percent below a 2006 peak. For veterans, unemployment rose to 12.1 percent in May from 10.6 percent a year ago. President Barack Obama said on June 22 he will withdraw 33,000 troops from Afghanistan by September 2012.
Wall Street recruits war veterans as financial jobs decline
PTSD Awareness Day:More soldiers seeking help for PTSD
Chaplain Kathie
This is PTSD Awareness Day. This is also post number 12,000! While I had high hopes this day would come there were many times I thought that nothing would do any good. How is a person supposed to find hope with reports of suicides and attempted suicides going up all the time? How does anyone find hope after reading about Marine Clay Hunt's suicide not counted after he did everything that experts said had to be done in order to save their lives? Too many reports over the years and I've been reading them for almost 30 years now. While this blog is less than 4 years old, I began in 1982 when PTSD became part of my life. I fell in love with a Vietnam Veteran. Hard to believe after all we've been through, we're still in love, still married, but above all that, he's living a better life. With therapy and medication, he finally reached the point where he is unashamed of what Vietnam did to him. Knowing that all is not hopeless because I have seen it with my own eyes has been torture, grieving for families suffering the loss of someone they loved. The worst emails I receive are from families when it is too late to help their veteran heal.
Defeating the stigma of PTSD is step one in overcoming it. Knowing what it is and what it is doing to their lives helps them understand they are not "defective" or "crazy" or anything else but a person who cared enough to risk his/her life for the sake of someone else. Brave? You bet or they wouldn't have been able to do anything more than sit it out like the majority of the people in this country. Beyond the bravery is compassion. They cared deeply about other people and that opened the door to the pain they came home with.
After reading the following report, it seems as if the enemy called "stigma" is losing this battle for their lives and that's a wonderful thing.
More Lewis-McChord soldiers seeking mental help
Officials at Joint Base Lewis-McChord believe they're making progress against the stigma that keeps some soldiers from getting help for mental-health issues.
By The Associated Press
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD — Officials at Joint Base Lewis-McChord believe they're making progress against the stigma that keeps some soldiers from getting help for mental-health issues.
More soldiers and military families are reaching out for mental-health care at the base, and post-traumatic stress diagnoses and prescriptions for common antidepressants are on the rise at Madigan Army Medical Center, The News Tribune of Tacoma reported.
What's not clear is how much of that increased pace is the result of distress caused by combat and long separations, and how much is the result of the sheer numbers of soldiers returning to the base from overseas. More than half of the base's 40,000 service members were gone from mid-2009 to mid-2010.
"I think we're actually starting to win this battle on stigma," said Madigan's commander, Col. Dallas Homas.
More Lewis-McChord soldiers seeking mental help
Community comes together for Staff Sgt. Kyle Malin
Thanks all around, as Army Staff Sgt. Kyle Malin and family show gratitude to Lakeville community
By Rachel Wedlund
When Army Staff Sergeant Kyle Malin is thanked for his military service, he responds as many veterans do - with humility.
At a homecoming party Saturday night for Malin, 28, at Lakeville's VFW Post 210, he told a grateful Vietnam veteran, "Hey, all I did was step in the wrong spot."
Malin's parents planned the party not for people to thank Malin, but for him and his parents to express their gratitude to the community for its help after his injury in the line of duty.
Malin's life changed forever last summer in the pomegranate and grape fields of the Afghanabad Valley in Afghanistan. The Lakeville native and father of two was a month into a tour with the Army's 101st Airborne Unit on that July day. His team was coming to the aid of a wounded soldier when Malin stepped on an improvised explosive device He ended up losing both legs.
"I remember hearing a really loud noise and being thrashed into a sandstorm," Kyle Malin said. "The next thing I knew, I was waking up in Walter Reed (Army Medical Center)."
Jon Malin, Kyle's father and high school wrestling coach, said the support of family, friends and community - who raised more than $50,000 for the Malins with a golf benefit last fall - has helped Kyle and his family stay strong during Kyle's recovery.
read more here
Thanks all around
By Rachel Wedlund
When Army Staff Sergeant Kyle Malin is thanked for his military service, he responds as many veterans do - with humility.
At a homecoming party Saturday night for Malin, 28, at Lakeville's VFW Post 210, he told a grateful Vietnam veteran, "Hey, all I did was step in the wrong spot."
Malin's parents planned the party not for people to thank Malin, but for him and his parents to express their gratitude to the community for its help after his injury in the line of duty.
Malin's life changed forever last summer in the pomegranate and grape fields of the Afghanabad Valley in Afghanistan. The Lakeville native and father of two was a month into a tour with the Army's 101st Airborne Unit on that July day. His team was coming to the aid of a wounded soldier when Malin stepped on an improvised explosive device He ended up losing both legs.
"I remember hearing a really loud noise and being thrashed into a sandstorm," Kyle Malin said. "The next thing I knew, I was waking up in Walter Reed (Army Medical Center)."
Jon Malin, Kyle's father and high school wrestling coach, said the support of family, friends and community - who raised more than $50,000 for the Malins with a golf benefit last fall - has helped Kyle and his family stay strong during Kyle's recovery.
read more here
Thanks all around
Bars offer vets more than drinks
Bars offer vets more than drinks
The Los Angeles Times
DALE CITY, Va. — The minute one of her regulars comes into VFW Post 1503, Dori Keys starts to pour. Rich gets a Captain Morgan and Diet Coke. Sam drinks Old Crow on the rocks. Bruce likes Miller Lite.
The men she serves have one thing in common: They are American combat veterans. After seven years of listening from behind the bar, she knows a lot more about them than what they drink.
For instance, Bruce Yeager, 62, came in one day complaining about a sore on his foot that wouldn't heal. A former Army medic in Vietnam, he knew what was wrong. But it took Keys to persuade him to see a doctor. She even drove him. His gangrenous leg was amputated a few weeks later, the result of diabetes linked to his exposure to Agent Orange.
“I listened to Dori because she is a real good person,” Yeager said. That's about all he can put into words before his eyes mist up.
When it comes to dispensing health care, war veterans are a hard group to reach — and a growing group, thanks to ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Combat vets came up in a military system that rewards toughness and discourages complaints, particularly concerning psychological problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
A researcher in Ohio thinks bartenders like Keys might be part of a solution.
“In social work, you try to meet the clients where they are. If that happens to be a bar, then that's where the first line of help needs to be,” said Keith Anderson, an assistant professor of social work at Ohio State University. He is lead author of “The Healing Tonic,” a report on a pilot study that explored the family-like relationships between bartenders and vets at VFW canteens around Ohio.
The results suggest the women behind the bar — most of them happen to be women — could be an untapped resource for steering vets in crisis toward professional help.
read more here
Bars offer vets more than drinks
The Los Angeles Times
DALE CITY, Va. — The minute one of her regulars comes into VFW Post 1503, Dori Keys starts to pour. Rich gets a Captain Morgan and Diet Coke. Sam drinks Old Crow on the rocks. Bruce likes Miller Lite.
The men she serves have one thing in common: They are American combat veterans. After seven years of listening from behind the bar, she knows a lot more about them than what they drink.
For instance, Bruce Yeager, 62, came in one day complaining about a sore on his foot that wouldn't heal. A former Army medic in Vietnam, he knew what was wrong. But it took Keys to persuade him to see a doctor. She even drove him. His gangrenous leg was amputated a few weeks later, the result of diabetes linked to his exposure to Agent Orange.
“I listened to Dori because she is a real good person,” Yeager said. That's about all he can put into words before his eyes mist up.
When it comes to dispensing health care, war veterans are a hard group to reach — and a growing group, thanks to ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Combat vets came up in a military system that rewards toughness and discourages complaints, particularly concerning psychological problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
A researcher in Ohio thinks bartenders like Keys might be part of a solution.
“In social work, you try to meet the clients where they are. If that happens to be a bar, then that's where the first line of help needs to be,” said Keith Anderson, an assistant professor of social work at Ohio State University. He is lead author of “The Healing Tonic,” a report on a pilot study that explored the family-like relationships between bartenders and vets at VFW canteens around Ohio.
The results suggest the women behind the bar — most of them happen to be women — could be an untapped resource for steering vets in crisis toward professional help.
read more here
Bars offer vets more than drinks
Britney Spears meets YouTube Marines
Britney Spears Marine Spoof (Video) Meets The Youtube Marines!
by Jack Ryan
Britney Spears has met the HMLA-169 and VMM-266 REIN Marines who did a spoof of her song "Hold It Against Me." The spoof video was shot in Afghanistan. It featured members of the Marines dancing and lip synching to her new audacious hit single.
The popstar met the marines on Friday before her show in Anaheim, California. She wrote on her twitter: "So honored to meet the marines of HMLA-169 'Vipers' who made that amazing HIAM video." She posted a photo of her and the marines who did the video.
read more here
by Jack Ryan
Britney Spears has met the HMLA-169 and VMM-266 REIN Marines who did a spoof of her song "Hold It Against Me." The spoof video was shot in Afghanistan. It featured members of the Marines dancing and lip synching to her new audacious hit single.
The popstar met the marines on Friday before her show in Anaheim, California. She wrote on her twitter: "So honored to meet the marines of HMLA-169 'Vipers' who made that amazing HIAM video." She posted a photo of her and the marines who did the video.
read more here
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Former Iraq POW looks back
Former Iraq POW looks back
20 years ago, Mike Roberts was shot down and captured by Iraqi troops
Jun 26, 2011
COLUMBUS -- The colonel in the olive drab flight suit picks up a remote control lying on his desk, aims it at the television mounted to his office wall and pushes play. The screen flickers on to a crude black and white video overlaid with numbers and symbols.
On the screen, from this bird's-eye view, jets careen through a morbid and magnificent fireworks display as rockets race up from below. The horizon tilts sharply as just ahead, a rocket finds its target. "Stroke One took a hit! Stroke One took a hit!" says an adrenaline-laced voice that transports the colonel in the flight suit back 20 years into the cockpit of his F-16 fighter jet. A moment later, another missile finds its mark.
read more here
Former Iraq POW looks back
20 years ago, Mike Roberts was shot down and captured by Iraqi troops
Jun 26, 2011
COLUMBUS -- The colonel in the olive drab flight suit picks up a remote control lying on his desk, aims it at the television mounted to his office wall and pushes play. The screen flickers on to a crude black and white video overlaid with numbers and symbols.
On the screen, from this bird's-eye view, jets careen through a morbid and magnificent fireworks display as rockets race up from below. The horizon tilts sharply as just ahead, a rocket finds its target. "Stroke One took a hit! Stroke One took a hit!" says an adrenaline-laced voice that transports the colonel in the flight suit back 20 years into the cockpit of his F-16 fighter jet. A moment later, another missile finds its mark.
read more here
Former Iraq POW looks back
Fallen soldier returns home as "everyone's son"
A fallen hero becomes everyone's son when he returns home for the final time
By GREG JAFFE The Washington Post
Publication: The Day
Many in Woodstown, never knew the soldier killed in Afghanistan; but for a few moments, they pause their lives to think of him - and that distant war
Woodstown, N.J. - The silver hearse rolls out the main gate of Dover Air Force Base, where America's war dead return to U.S. soil.
"He's coming," yells John Davis, a 73-year-old retired electrician and Vietnam veteran. He and about 20 other bikers scramble for their Harleys.
Davis has a droopy gray mustache, a small soul patch and trifocals. He swings an artificial knee over his bike, drapes an ice pack over the nape of his neck and fires up his black motorcycle. The bikers pair off, forming a line leading away from the base. The hearse falls in behind them.
At 1:15 p.m., the convoy is heading north on Route 1 out of Delaware, toward the soldier's home town. The guttural rumble of the Harleys, softened by the hum of highway traffic, fills the air.
Most of the bikers don't even know the name of the soldier in the hearse.
Sixty miles away, in Woodstown, N.J., the three local employees of the John M. Glover Insurance Agency wonder why the police have posted temporary "no parking" signs on South Main Street. They check the borough of Woodstown's Web site to see whether there are plans to trim the trees in town. Then they notice the firemen hanging a big American flag between the ladders of their two trucks.
One of the agency employees, William Seddon, calls his son, a volunteer firefighter, to ask what is happening.
"The body of a soldier is going to come down the street later in the afternoon," his son tells him.
A fallen hero becomes everyone son
By GREG JAFFE The Washington Post
Publication: The Day
Many in Woodstown, never knew the soldier killed in Afghanistan; but for a few moments, they pause their lives to think of him - and that distant war
Woodstown, N.J. - The silver hearse rolls out the main gate of Dover Air Force Base, where America's war dead return to U.S. soil.
"He's coming," yells John Davis, a 73-year-old retired electrician and Vietnam veteran. He and about 20 other bikers scramble for their Harleys.
Davis has a droopy gray mustache, a small soul patch and trifocals. He swings an artificial knee over his bike, drapes an ice pack over the nape of his neck and fires up his black motorcycle. The bikers pair off, forming a line leading away from the base. The hearse falls in behind them.
At 1:15 p.m., the convoy is heading north on Route 1 out of Delaware, toward the soldier's home town. The guttural rumble of the Harleys, softened by the hum of highway traffic, fills the air.
Most of the bikers don't even know the name of the soldier in the hearse.
Sixty miles away, in Woodstown, N.J., the three local employees of the John M. Glover Insurance Agency wonder why the police have posted temporary "no parking" signs on South Main Street. They check the borough of Woodstown's Web site to see whether there are plans to trim the trees in town. Then they notice the firemen hanging a big American flag between the ladders of their two trucks.
One of the agency employees, William Seddon, calls his son, a volunteer firefighter, to ask what is happening.
"The body of a soldier is going to come down the street later in the afternoon," his son tells him.
A fallen hero becomes everyone son
Duckworth stresses women's service history
Duckworth stresses women's service history
Sun, 06/26/2011
Dave Hinton
Even today, Tammy Duckworth says she gets questions about whether women belong in combat.
"Where do you think I was?" she responds. "In a bar fight?"
Duckworth lost both legs and partial use of one arm when the Black Hawk helicopter she was co-piloting was shot down during a 2004 mission in Iraq.
A major in the Illinois National Guard, she now serves as assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs — a position for which she was nominated by President Barack Obama.
She recently resigned the latter post and is rumored to be planning a run for U.S. Congress. Appearing Saturday at the annual Women With Wings event at Chanute Air Museum, Duckworth said she cannot speak about any potential run for Congress yet.
Duckworth said women serving in the military are becoming increasingly common. But she said many people forget that women's service started many years ago, citing the World War II service of the Women's Army Corps.
Duckworth stresses women's service history
Sun, 06/26/2011
Dave Hinton
Even today, Tammy Duckworth says she gets questions about whether women belong in combat.
"Where do you think I was?" she responds. "In a bar fight?"
Duckworth lost both legs and partial use of one arm when the Black Hawk helicopter she was co-piloting was shot down during a 2004 mission in Iraq.
A major in the Illinois National Guard, she now serves as assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs — a position for which she was nominated by President Barack Obama.
She recently resigned the latter post and is rumored to be planning a run for U.S. Congress. Appearing Saturday at the annual Women With Wings event at Chanute Air Museum, Duckworth said she cannot speak about any potential run for Congress yet.
Duckworth said women serving in the military are becoming increasingly common. But she said many people forget that women's service started many years ago, citing the World War II service of the Women's Army Corps.
Duckworth stresses women's service history
Vietnam Veteran with PTSD finds peace in Oregon's coast
Ron Cronin: A photographer with an obsession for the Oregon coast
Published: Saturday, June 25, 2011
By David Stabler, The Oregonian
This rock shelf at Boiler Bay is Cronin's favorite spot on the coast, where power and fury drown out his demons for a few hours.
Out of his backpack come his tools: a tripod, a large-format camera, a lens, glass slides, a light meter and a black cloth. Cronin assembles his gear and ducks under the cloth, waiting for the perfect wave.
Maybe this one. Or this one. He watches the waves like a surfer, looking for signs of chaos and harm.
"I'm a power junkie. I absolutely love storms," he says. "It's hypnotic and mesmerizing. It may be because I'm a Vietnam veteran."
A photographer with an obsession for the Oregon coast
Published: Saturday, June 25, 2011
By David Stabler, The Oregonian
Ron CroninRon Cronin hoists a 70-pound pack onto his surly back and scrambles over rocks the size of filing cabinets to a spot 25 feet from the heaving surf. One big one and he'd be sucked into the cold churn, but after decades of visits, he knows the waves here, as well as the tides, temperatures, wind and light.
You can look at Ron Cronin's photographs and not know humans exist. "What I want is comfort, being in the moment, something that goes directly into the soul of the viewer."
This rock shelf at Boiler Bay is Cronin's favorite spot on the coast, where power and fury drown out his demons for a few hours.
Out of his backpack come his tools: a tripod, a large-format camera, a lens, glass slides, a light meter and a black cloth. Cronin assembles his gear and ducks under the cloth, waiting for the perfect wave.
Maybe this one. Or this one. He watches the waves like a surfer, looking for signs of chaos and harm.
"I'm a power junkie. I absolutely love storms," he says. "It's hypnotic and mesmerizing. It may be because I'm a Vietnam veteran."
After his Ecola days, he came back to Portland, married an opera singer, Maria Novak Cronin, had a son and found ways to cope. Years later, he was diagnosed as 50 percent disabled with PTSD, he says.read more here
"I knew I could never work with people or in a corporate office. I was unemployable, so I created my own occupation.
A photographer with an obsession for the Oregon coast
Iraq Veteran died in a psychiatric hospital in El Paso
Elgin man dies after serving in Iraq
By Elena Ferrarin
A 21-year-old Elgin man died Tuesday in Texas after suffering from traumatic brain injury resulting from an Army training exercise accident last year, his family said Saturday.
Timothy John “T.J.” Hansley died in a psychiatric hospital in El Paso, said his mother Trish Hansley. “We don’t know what happened; they can’t find the cause of death,” she said.
read more here
Elgin man dies after serving in Iraq
Veteran in Westboro case looks to move beyond his legal troubles
Veteran in Westboro case looks to move beyond his legal troubles
BY TIM POTTER
The Wichita Eagle
Ryan Newell is resting on his three-wheeler in a row of motorcycles in a Wichita garage, its door open to the steamy weather.
Just sitting there, it's hot enough to sweat, but the 26-year-old looks comfortable, calm, wearing his ball cap backward and smiling.
The garage is a refuge for the Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran. Just being there with his friend and fellow veteran Tony Sparling among the shiny, powerful machines boosts Newell's morale after what he's been through — disabling war wounds, PTSD, and a run-in with a controversial Topeka church that got him in trouble with the law and drew national attention.
People still call him Sgt. Newell even though he's no longer in the Army. He was a sergeant returning from a mission in Afghanistan in 2008 when an improvised bomb detonated.
"We lost everybody in the Humvee that day except for me," he says.
read more here and see video report
Veteran in Westboro case looks to move beyond his legal troubles
BY TIM POTTER
The Wichita Eagle
Ryan Newell is resting on his three-wheeler in a row of motorcycles in a Wichita garage, its door open to the steamy weather.
Just sitting there, it's hot enough to sweat, but the 26-year-old looks comfortable, calm, wearing his ball cap backward and smiling.
The garage is a refuge for the Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran. Just being there with his friend and fellow veteran Tony Sparling among the shiny, powerful machines boosts Newell's morale after what he's been through — disabling war wounds, PTSD, and a run-in with a controversial Topeka church that got him in trouble with the law and drew national attention.
People still call him Sgt. Newell even though he's no longer in the Army. He was a sergeant returning from a mission in Afghanistan in 2008 when an improvised bomb detonated.
"We lost everybody in the Humvee that day except for me," he says.
read more here and see video report
Veteran in Westboro case looks to move beyond his legal troubles
PTSD Will No Longer Be 'Invisible' In The Military
PTSD Will No Longer Be 'Invisible' In The Military
Written by
Anita Brikman
WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- The organizers of "Honor for All; Visible Honor for Invisible Wounds" are hoping to bring the debilitating effects of PTSD and traumatic brain injuries to the forefront.
Thousands of current service men and women are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan haunted by nightmares and memories of friends lost and the carnage they witnessed. Yet they may appear "OK" on the outside, compared to some of their fellow veterans with combat injuries.
Efforts are underway both in Washington, DC and across the nation to help suffering soldiers in new ways.
In Atlanta, Georgia, 27-year-old former Army Staff Seargeant Jeff Matthews is back on the battlefield in Afghanistan, thanks to a virtual reality computer program and the helmet covering his eyes and ears.
"There's bullets everywhere," he describes, as he takes part in an experiment at Emory University for more than 90 vets with PTSD.
PTSD Will No Longer Be Invisible In The Military
Written by
Anita Brikman
WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- The organizers of "Honor for All; Visible Honor for Invisible Wounds" are hoping to bring the debilitating effects of PTSD and traumatic brain injuries to the forefront.
Thousands of current service men and women are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan haunted by nightmares and memories of friends lost and the carnage they witnessed. Yet they may appear "OK" on the outside, compared to some of their fellow veterans with combat injuries.
Efforts are underway both in Washington, DC and across the nation to help suffering soldiers in new ways.
In Atlanta, Georgia, 27-year-old former Army Staff Seargeant Jeff Matthews is back on the battlefield in Afghanistan, thanks to a virtual reality computer program and the helmet covering his eyes and ears.
"There's bullets everywhere," he describes, as he takes part in an experiment at Emory University for more than 90 vets with PTSD.
PTSD Will No Longer Be Invisible In The Military
Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier who killed self fell through cracks
We tell them to ask for help if they need it. Spc. Derrick Kirkland did. We tell them that if their buddies need help, tell someone. His buddies did. The Army sent him back to the states for help. That's where it all ended. All the efforts made before that were wasted because he was left alone after two suicide attempts. Any idea how many people including his family are asking "why" when it didn't need to happen? When they did everything they were supposed to do? Any idea what that kind of grief and "what ifs" does to the people left behind? I wonder if the person responsible for making the decision to give this troubled combat veteran his "privacy" has any clue so that something like this never happens again.
read more here
JBLM soldier who killed self fell through cracks
JBLM soldier who killed self fell through cracks, soldiers and mom say
Derrick Kirkland’s friends thought they got him the care he needed in southern Iraq when they told commanders the 23-year-old Army specialist had raised a shotgun to his mouth and threatened to kill himself.
MATT DETRICH The Indianapolis Star
Mary Corkhill Kirkland, 49 of Indianapolis holds a photograph of her son Spc. Derrick Kirkland, who committed suicide while serving in the Army.
Derrick Kirkland’s friends thought they got him the care he needed in southern Iraq when they told commanders the 23-year-old Army specialist had raised a shotgun to his mouth and threatened to kill himself.
Their alarms – and a second suicide attempt – led the Army to evacuate Kirkland early last year from his base to Landstuhl, Germany. His next stop was Madigan Army Medical Center at his home station, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
But Kirkland’s distress, so apparent to fellow soldiers, fell short of what a Madigan psychiatrist regarded as “high risk behavior” that would have kept him in the hospital under constant watch.
Instead, the Army assigned him a private bedroom in the barracks south of Tacoma on March 15, 2010, and sent him to work with his unit’s rear detachment.
He hanged himself four days later.
Among the cases of troubled soldiers that played out badly:
• Since April 2010, four soldiers and two military contractors killed themselves within Lakewood’s city limits. The total number of Lewis-McChord soldiers committing suicide has held steady, with nine in each of the past two years and seven in 2008.
• In addition to the suicides that happen quietly, two Lewis-McChord killed themselves in the past year very publicly. In August, Spc. Brandon Barrett went AWOL and died in a shootout with police in Salt Lake City. In April, Sgt. David Stewart killed his wife and then himself off Interstate 5 in Thurston County. Police later found their 5-year-old son dead in their Spanaway home.
• Some soldiers who’ve sought counseling at Madigan report receiving superficial help that doesn’t address problems including sleep deprivation or depression. They worry that a failure to find the right therapist could lead to dangerous behavior or suicides.
read more here
JBLM soldier who killed self fell through cracks
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Help available for Lejeune Marines with PTSD
Help available for Lejeune Marines with PTSD
6/24/2011 By Lance Cpl. Walter D. Marino II , 2nd Marine Division
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Imagine you’re driving down a road with loved ones and suddenly a deer leaps in front of your car. Maybe you’re able to avoid the crash, maybe not – either way, that moment will affect you for the rest of your drive and maybe the rest of your life. Now multiply that by 100 and you might have an idea of what it’s like to encounter an improvised explosive device.
Psychiatrists at the Deployment Wellness Clinic aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., such as Robert Wilson, who described the above situation, help Marines and sailors who deal with issues like post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and family problems. Their goal is to help the service members recover and get back to full duty status through therapy and medication.
They follow a chart that categorizes Marines and sailors into four colored-stress levels: green, yellow, orange and red. The green zone represents a service member in an optimal state of mind while the red zone signifies disabling distress. Wilson stated that they usually receive service members in the red and work to get them to green.
While each Marine and sailor is different, so is the program, explains Sarah S. Spar-Alexander, a clinical psychologist for the clinic.
“Some thrive in group therapy, and for others, individual therapy is better,” said Spar-Alexander. Service members with serious issues sometimes feel separate from others in their workplace, explained Spar-Alexander. A group-setting involving Marines and sailors with similar problems gives them a chance to relate with one another and feel a sense of camaraderie.
read more here
Help available for Lejeune Marines with PTSD
6/24/2011 By Lance Cpl. Walter D. Marino II , 2nd Marine Division
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Imagine you’re driving down a road with loved ones and suddenly a deer leaps in front of your car. Maybe you’re able to avoid the crash, maybe not – either way, that moment will affect you for the rest of your drive and maybe the rest of your life. Now multiply that by 100 and you might have an idea of what it’s like to encounter an improvised explosive device.
Psychiatrists at the Deployment Wellness Clinic aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., such as Robert Wilson, who described the above situation, help Marines and sailors who deal with issues like post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and family problems. Their goal is to help the service members recover and get back to full duty status through therapy and medication.
They follow a chart that categorizes Marines and sailors into four colored-stress levels: green, yellow, orange and red. The green zone represents a service member in an optimal state of mind while the red zone signifies disabling distress. Wilson stated that they usually receive service members in the red and work to get them to green.
While each Marine and sailor is different, so is the program, explains Sarah S. Spar-Alexander, a clinical psychologist for the clinic.
“Some thrive in group therapy, and for others, individual therapy is better,” said Spar-Alexander. Service members with serious issues sometimes feel separate from others in their workplace, explained Spar-Alexander. A group-setting involving Marines and sailors with similar problems gives them a chance to relate with one another and feel a sense of camaraderie.
read more here
Help available for Lejeune Marines with PTSD
Veterans’ needs in spotlight
Veterans’ needs in spotlight
U.S. Army Col. David W. Sutherland of the Pentagon was in Duluth to help veterans agencies unite to improve services
By: Jana Hollingsworth, Duluth News Tribune
Chuck Smith has walked through the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis and seen what improvised explosive devices have done to men and women who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
He’s upset with how long it can take for benefits to reach some of the people who have lost limbs or experienced other life-changing injuries while at war.
“When someone’s legs are blown off and they can’t return to work and they’ve answered the call to defend their country, there should be a way to fast-track (help),” Smith said. “No one should have to wait six months to a year and a half.”
Smith is head of the veterans service office for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, who was a “grunt” in the Vietnam War. He was one of several area veterans who met Friday for a picnic at the Duluth Veterans Place in West Duluth with U.S. Army Col. David W. Sutherland.
read more here
Veterans’ needs in spotlight
U.S. Army Col. David W. Sutherland of the Pentagon was in Duluth to help veterans agencies unite to improve services
By: Jana Hollingsworth, Duluth News Tribune
Chuck Smith has walked through the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis and seen what improvised explosive devices have done to men and women who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
He’s upset with how long it can take for benefits to reach some of the people who have lost limbs or experienced other life-changing injuries while at war.
“When someone’s legs are blown off and they can’t return to work and they’ve answered the call to defend their country, there should be a way to fast-track (help),” Smith said. “No one should have to wait six months to a year and a half.”
Smith is head of the veterans service office for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, who was a “grunt” in the Vietnam War. He was one of several area veterans who met Friday for a picnic at the Duluth Veterans Place in West Duluth with U.S. Army Col. David W. Sutherland.
read more here
Veterans’ needs in spotlight
GOP trying to cut back on homeless veterans?
Democrats, Veterans Advocates Discuss Impact of Reckless Republican Budget Plan on Homeless
Suicide total for Minnesota's Guard members ranks among nation's worst
Battle on home front is Guard's most perilous
Article by: Star Tribune Updated: June 25, 2011 - 12:20 AM
Suicide total for Minnesota's Guard members ranks among nation's worst.
Their names are tucked into the Minnesota Department of Health database that catalogues the state's suicides, with no hint of their common bond.
There is the 17-year-old girl from Kerrick who shot herself on the railroad tracks in Pine County. The 38-year-old man who made his living selling rides on a World War II-era tank until he killed himself in Inver Grove Heights. The 19-year-old born in Thailand who shot himself in Minneapolis.
Some were mechanics, some were students, some worked construction. All were soldiers in the Minnesota National Guard.
Their deaths have helped give the state Guard an unwanted distinction: It's second in the nation in the number of suicides that occur in its ranks.
Since 2007, 18 members of the state National Guard have killed themselves. Only Oregon, with 20, has had more. The Minnesota cases have been part of a worrisome trend of more suicides in the military, one which saw more service members kill themselves last year than died in combat.
read more here
Battle on home front is Guard's most perilous
Article by: Star Tribune Updated: June 25, 2011 - 12:20 AM
Suicide total for Minnesota's Guard members ranks among nation's worst.
Their names are tucked into the Minnesota Department of Health database that catalogues the state's suicides, with no hint of their common bond.
There is the 17-year-old girl from Kerrick who shot herself on the railroad tracks in Pine County. The 38-year-old man who made his living selling rides on a World War II-era tank until he killed himself in Inver Grove Heights. The 19-year-old born in Thailand who shot himself in Minneapolis.
Some were mechanics, some were students, some worked construction. All were soldiers in the Minnesota National Guard.
Their deaths have helped give the state Guard an unwanted distinction: It's second in the nation in the number of suicides that occur in its ranks.
Since 2007, 18 members of the state National Guard have killed themselves. Only Oregon, with 20, has had more. The Minnesota cases have been part of a worrisome trend of more suicides in the military, one which saw more service members kill themselves last year than died in combat.
read more here
Battle on home front is Guard's most perilous
Camp Pendleton veteran writers mentored by Hollywood writers
Everyone has a story to tell: Local veteran writers mentored by Hollywood writers
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Story by Sgt. Marcy Sanchez Follow This Journalist
The Veterans' Writing Group-San Diego County, is a group of local veteran writers who conduct a monthly meeting for lectures and workshops from Hollywood professionals.
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Veterans throughout San Diego County have found a way to speak their minds through a writer’s group mentored by Hollywood professionals.
The Veterans Writing Group – San Diego County consists of writers of all ages and backgrounds who come together to receive lectures and workshops from professional writers.
The idea started when the Writers’ Guild Foundation, an organization that educates and inspires writers, hosted a military veterans writing workshop last year. The workshop was held to help veterans improve their skills as writers, producers, screenwriters, journalists and novelists.
Since April 2008, the foundation has held weekend-long writing workshops in which professional writers mentor veterans and active duty military personnel, encouraging them to express themselves in writing.
read more here
Local veteran writers mentored by Hollywood writers
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Story by Sgt. Marcy Sanchez Follow This Journalist
The Veterans' Writing Group-San Diego County, is a group of local veteran writers who conduct a monthly meeting for lectures and workshops from Hollywood professionals.
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Veterans throughout San Diego County have found a way to speak their minds through a writer’s group mentored by Hollywood professionals.
The Veterans Writing Group – San Diego County consists of writers of all ages and backgrounds who come together to receive lectures and workshops from professional writers.
The idea started when the Writers’ Guild Foundation, an organization that educates and inspires writers, hosted a military veterans writing workshop last year. The workshop was held to help veterans improve their skills as writers, producers, screenwriters, journalists and novelists.
Since April 2008, the foundation has held weekend-long writing workshops in which professional writers mentor veterans and active duty military personnel, encouraging them to express themselves in writing.
read more here
Local veteran writers mentored by Hollywood writers
Missing soldier listed as "deserter" while people still search for him
Volunteers plan Sunday search for missing Dugway soldier, now listed as a deserter
Published: Friday, June 24, 2011 3:51 p.m. MDT
By Steve Fidel, Deseret News
DUGWAY — Volunteers are planning a search on Sunday for Army Spc. Joseph Bushling, assigned to Dugway Proving Ground, who has been missing since Mother's Day.
The search is being coordinated on an open Facebook page under Bushling's name.
"I've been taken by this story and I'm familiar with the area a little. We're hoping for ATVs, casual or intermediate hikers and anybody else available," said search coordinator Adam Lux. "Please tell friends, family and spouses to join us and some of the Bushling family."
read more here
Volunteers plan Sunday search for missing Dugway soldier
Published: Friday, June 24, 2011 3:51 p.m. MDT
By Steve Fidel, Deseret News
DUGWAY — Volunteers are planning a search on Sunday for Army Spc. Joseph Bushling, assigned to Dugway Proving Ground, who has been missing since Mother's Day.
The search is being coordinated on an open Facebook page under Bushling's name.
"I've been taken by this story and I'm familiar with the area a little. We're hoping for ATVs, casual or intermediate hikers and anybody else available," said search coordinator Adam Lux. "Please tell friends, family and spouses to join us and some of the Bushling family."
read more here
Volunteers plan Sunday search for missing Dugway soldier
"Pledge to America" hurt veterans
There has been something going on in this country that reminds me of the movie "Something Wicked This Way Comes." While congress has been patting themselves on the back in front of veterans groups, they have been using their free middle finger hidden from view.
Veteran trapped in 800,000 paperwork backlog but while congress passed rule changed to allow Vietnam Veterans to file claims for the growing list of Agent Orange related health problems along with making it easier to file PTSD claims, the number of claims processors has been cut. Cut? Yes. For all the talk about getting it right for veterans, they wait without money for months wondering how to keep a roof over their heads and feed their families.
If you read the newspapers you'd think that the hiring freeze exempted the VA, but it didn't. Across the country it seems every state has been cutting the people working for veterans.
Errors in making decisions have also added to the pain veterans suffer.
But it was not the hiring of Federal Employees that got us into this mess and if things go as planned by the GOP with their "Pledge to America" things are going to get a whole lot worse for our veterans.
Did you notice what party is standing behind this? Cutting government spending sounds good because no one wants to pay taxes but part of the taxes we pay takes care of the men and women serving this country everyday and veterans injured serving it yesterday.
What would make them want to do this especially to veterans in a time when two wars are producing more and more wounded topped off with the new claims coming in for Agent Orange and older veterans with PTSD? Is outsourcing still their goal?
But none of this is really that new. There is a dangerous game being played behind the backs of veterans expecting to get the "best care possible" after their service to this country. Maybe they think if they just break the VA their plan to turn it over to private, for profit corporations will happen and their rich buddies will fund them getting back into office?
It takes two years to train processors to do it right. Even if the VA was exempt in every state from hiring workers today, it would take two more years before they would be able to address the backlog pile. Maybe this is what they had planned for all along?
Why would they want to do this? There is a lot of money to be made by corporations if they take it over. For example, here's a look at the 2010 budget proposal.
Now while this all looks great, even if the congress provides funds for these efforts, if they don't have workers to process the claims, it will all seem like money wasted since veterans will continue to suffer in claims backlog hell. The average person will look at the money being spent along side of reports of veterans waiting for help we owe them and think it is a failure. They may end up thinking turning it all over to for profit companies is a good idea.
This "Pledge to America" hurt veterans but we weren't supposed to notice any of this.
We were also not supposed to notice that as congress holds hearings on the problems veterans have had to endure, we haven't heard any solutions. We weren't supposed to notice that as millions are spent on "Suicide Prevention" the number of suicides and attempted suicides have gone up. We weren't supposed to notice that even as the "Suicide Prevention Hotline" has seemed to be a "success" the number of desperate veterans increases when we should be asking why they even have to reach that level of pain suicide is seen as an option.
All in all, we've been deluded by a lot of talk and smiles but if you read this blog, even occasionally, you know the news has not been good for our veterans and now we all know why.
Veteran trapped in 800,000 paperwork backlog but while congress passed rule changed to allow Vietnam Veterans to file claims for the growing list of Agent Orange related health problems along with making it easier to file PTSD claims, the number of claims processors has been cut. Cut? Yes. For all the talk about getting it right for veterans, they wait without money for months wondering how to keep a roof over their heads and feed their families.
House passes government funding measure, sends on to President Obama
By Felicia Sonmez
Updated: 7:40 p.m.
The House on Tuesday night passed a bill that would continue to fund the government through March 4, 2011, sending the measure to President Obama for his signature ahead of a midnight deadline.
The bill passed by a 193-to-165 vote, with about 80 members not present. The House vote was closer than the Senate's vote on the measure earlier Tuesday; 79 senators voted in favor of the bill and 16 voted against it.
President Obama must sign the bill by midnight in order to avert a federal shutdown.
If you read the newspapers you'd think that the hiring freeze exempted the VA, but it didn't. Across the country it seems every state has been cutting the people working for veterans.
Louisiana
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT –LIMITED HIRING FREEZE
The following departments, agencies, and/or budget units of the executive branch of the State of Louisiana (hereafter “Unit and/or “Units”), as described in and/or funded by appropriations through Acts 11 and 41 of the 2010 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature (hereafter “Acts”), shall be subject to the hiring freeze as provided in this Executive Order:
Executive Branch
Schedule 01 — Executive Department Schedule 03 — Veterans Affairs
Sioux City
County department seeks to break hiring freeze
Story
Discussion
By Bret Hayworth bhayworth@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Wednesday, April 27, 2011
SIOUX CITY -- All Woodbury County governmental departments have been under a hiring freeze for more than a year, but with a doubled workload the commission of veteran affairs director is looking to expand the staff to three.
Danille Dempster, Veteran Affairs director, and commission chairman Ronald Kerr on Tuesday told the five county supervisors an additional worker is needed.
"The amount of veterans that are eligible (for programs) is increasing every year," Kerr said, citing Vietnam War veterans who are just now coming in for Agent Orange-related ailments.
Errors in making decisions have also added to the pain veterans suffer.
Veterans' Disability
5/27/2011
Advocate for the Disabled
VA Retraining Mental Health Claims Processors
A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) internal investigation revealed a high number of errors being made on disability claims evaluations filed by veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In response to those results, the VA is implementing new training for both their health care workers and their benefits processors.
The results of the investigation were somewhat shocking. The VA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) found 8% of veterans claims filed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) contained errors. For those claims filed for TBIs, however, the error rate jumped to 19%. More than 50% of the TBI claims directly affected veterans' benefits.
There was an overall 23% error rate in all the OIG-reviewed cases. Most of the errors were technical, meaning they did not affect benefits. More than 80% of the claims, however, involved 100% disability ratings, and were made based on a need for surgery or other treatment stemming from a service-related disability.
The OIG examined 16,000 disability files based solely on PTSD claims. Investigators found there was no way the claims processors could be accurate with the limited training and experience they possessed. The VA noted the largest number of mistakes were made verifying specific events qualifying for PTSD benefits. The VA, however, has made that verification process much easier, and has therefore eliminated this issue.
Veterans' Disability
But it was not the hiring of Federal Employees that got us into this mess and if things go as planned by the GOP with their "Pledge to America" things are going to get a whole lot worse for our veterans.
FMA URGES SHIFT IN FOCUS ON WORKFORCE RIGHTSIZING DEBATE
The House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and Labor Policy once again played host to a contentious debate centering on proposed cuts to the civil service. During a May 26 hearing titled, “Rightsizing the Federal Workforce,” lawmakers from both sides of the aisle sparred over data relating to the size and composition of, along with compensation received by, the federal workforce. The Federal Managers Association (FMA), along with the Senior Executives Association (SEA) and the Professional Managers Association (PMA), submitted joint testimony for the record urging lawmakers to consider the scope of work carried out by employees to achieve agency missions, not just the number of active civil servants.
In his opening statement, Subcommittee Chairman Dennis Ross (R-Fl.) exclaimed that the number of federal employees has exploded over the last few years, to the tune of 2.1 million in sum, reaching unprecedented heights in recent United States history. He also stated that federal workers, on average, earn $101,751 in compensation, a figure he said far outpaces the private sector average. Ranking Member Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) countered the Chairman’s opening statement by refuting his compensation figure and declaring it is important to remember there are two types of federal workers: federal employees and federal contractors. Lynch said there are 10.5 million contractors and grantees working for the federal government, nearly four times the number of civil servants, military personnel and postal employees. He said too often the finger of blame for our fiscal woes goes around and around before falling on federal employees.
Appearing before the Subcommittee, Representatives Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Tom Marino (R-Penn.) detailed their respective legislative measures introduced in the 112th Congress to pare down the size of the civil service. The Federal Workforce Reduction Act (H.R. 657), introduced by Lummis, would restrict federal hiring to one new employee for every two who leave the civil service. The legislation exempts the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs from the attrition policy. Marino’s bill, the Federal Hiring Freeze Act (H.R. 1779), would enforce a hiring freeze until the budget deficit is eliminated.
Both Lummis and Marino argued that federal employees provide essential services, but American taxpayers cannot afford to maintain the workforce on its current growth trajectory, maintaining their bills represent measures necessary to address the current economic environment. Lummis said she believes reducing the workforce through attrition, as opposed to other means, is sensible and will not hurt federal families’ economic wellbeing.
In the joint testimony, FMA, SEA and PMA cautioned that the two legislative proposals ignore the real concern of whether federal workforce levels enable agencies to achieve their congressionally-mandated objectives.
“We are primarily concerned that enacting proposals promoting a government-wide workforce reduction or hiring freeze absent of a comprehensive strategic plan will severely impede agencies’ efforts to acquire the proper staffing levels based on their established missions,” the trio wrote. “H.R. 657 and H.R. 1779, along with similar efforts to cap the federal workforce, fail to account for the services that agencies provide to taxpayers or the necessary personnel levels to effectively provide such services.”
Andrew Biggs of the American Enterprise Institute, also testifying before the Subcommittee, said a problem in analyzing the federal workforce is the lack of a model to compare it to. He argued it is difficult to say if it would be appropriate to reduce the workforce by a hard, arbitrary number; but he acknowledged there is also a danger that government officials could “study the issue to death,” which would be detrimental given the state of the budget and the rising national debt.
H.R. 657
Rep. Cynthia Lummis [R-WY]
Cosponsors:
Todd Akin [R-MO2]
Marsha Blackburn [R-TN7]
Dan Burton [R-IN5]
Jeff Denham [R-CA19]
Scott DesJarlais [R-TN4]
John Fleming [R-LA4]
Bill Flores [R-TX17]
Trent Franks [R-AZ2]
Bob Gibbs [R-OH18]
John Gingrey [R-GA11]
Louis Gohmert [R-TX1]
Paul Gosar [R-AZ1]
Ralph Hall [R-TX4]
Dean Heller [R-NV2]
Tim Huelskamp [R-KS1]
Samuel Johnson [R-TX3]
Steve King [R-IA5]
Jack Kingston [R-GA1]
John Kline [R-MN2]
Doug Lamborn [R-CO5]
Kenny Marchant [R-TX24]
Mick Mulvaney [R-SC5]
Pete Olson [R-TX22]
Bill Posey [R-FL15]
Scott Rigell [R-VA2]
Phil Roe [R-TN1]
Todd Rokita [R-IN4]
Peter Roskam [R-IL6]
Jean Schmidt [R-OH2]
Aaron Schock [R-IL18]
Addison Wilson [R-SC2]
Rob Bishop [R-UT1] (withdrawn)
Did you notice what party is standing behind this? Cutting government spending sounds good because no one wants to pay taxes but part of the taxes we pay takes care of the men and women serving this country everyday and veterans injured serving it yesterday.
What would make them want to do this especially to veterans in a time when two wars are producing more and more wounded topped off with the new claims coming in for Agent Orange and older veterans with PTSD? Is outsourcing still their goal?
But none of this is really that new. There is a dangerous game being played behind the backs of veterans expecting to get the "best care possible" after their service to this country. Maybe they think if they just break the VA their plan to turn it over to private, for profit corporations will happen and their rich buddies will fund them getting back into office?
VA Diverted Healthcare Funds for Illegal Studies
December 4, 2005
Funds were diverted from veterans’ healthcare to pay for studies on outsourcing jobs and closing VA hospitals – The dismantling of the VA is leading to privatization
by Larry Scott
One of the maxims of the Bush administration is: Never let the law get in your way. The political appointees who run the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) certainly know how to play by those rules.
Between 2001 and 2004 the VA illegally diverted funds earmarked for veterans’ healthcare to pay for studies on outsourcing jobs at VA facilities and to fund other studies on closing VA hospitals. The report detailing the VA’s misdeeds was released last week by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). (The full GAO report is available here -- http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06124r.pdf )
The VA officially denies any wrongdoing. VA Secretary Jim Nicholson argued, "Congress clearly did not intend to preclude all manner of cost analysis necessary for the day-to-day administration of our health-care system …” However, Congress did pass legislation in 1981 that prohibits the diversion of funds appropriated to VA medical care accounts for studies on the cost of keeping work in-house versus that of contracting it out.
During the time VA officials were misappropriating funds they were working with Republicans in Congress to try to change the 1981 law that they were breaking. Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced legislation (S. 1182 Sec 7) to do away with the prohibition and allow the VA to spend healthcare funds on outsourcing studies.
Also during this time the VA asked Congress for funds to conduct outsourcing studies. The amounts ranged from $16 million to $50 million. The VA was turned down every time. Since the VA couldn’t get the funds, they just broke the law.
It takes two years to train processors to do it right. Even if the VA was exempt in every state from hiring workers today, it would take two more years before they would be able to address the backlog pile. Maybe this is what they had planned for all along?
McCain defends VA health proposal
Aigne Treworgy
NationalJournal.comAugust 27, 2008
PHOENIX -- Although much attention this past week has been focused on political conventions and running mate selections, one of John McCain's only campaign events involved a somewhat defensive speech to a group that many consider a big part of his base. Following up on an appearance at the Disabled American Veterans convention in Las Vegas two weeks ago, McCain addressed the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Florida last week and responded to the allegation that his veterans' health care plan is a step towards privatizing veterans' health care.
For many months, McCain has proposed giving every veteran a "plastic card" to be used for the treatment of routine health care needs outside the Veterans Affairs system. In March, McCain held a town hall at a VFW in Chula Vista, Calif., and used a line he had repeated throughout his campaign to promise the audience he would fix the VA health care system.
"The thing that disturbs all of us is that for a routine health care need, too often someone goes down to the VA and stands in line to stand in line to get an appointment to get an appointment," McCain said at the time. "My friends, that's not right, and what I intend to do as president is for a routine health care need I intend to give a veteran a plastic card" which he or she would take "to the doctor or the health care provider of their choice and never have to stand in line to stand in line again."
And almost before McCain's speech was over, the Obama campaign had released a statement from the chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, fulfilling the GOP senator's predictions.
"Not only has John McCain repeatedly voted 'no' on needed funding for veterans supported by the VFW, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans, he has now come up with a plan to privatize VA health care that the Disabled American Veterans is saying would be a disservice to veterans," Edwards' statement read.
Why would they want to do this? There is a lot of money to be made by corporations if they take it over. For example, here's a look at the 2010 budget proposal.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
www.va.gov
2010 Budget: $112.8 billion (total including collections) – $55.9 billion in discretionary funding (including collections) and $56.9 billion in mandatory funding
Enacted 2009: $97.7 billion (total including collections) -- $50.4 billion in discretionary funding (including collections, not including ARRA funds) and $47.3 billion in mandatory funding
To honor America’s veterans and expand the services they receive, the Fiscal Year 2010 budget increases funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs by $25 billion over the next five years. The budget includes an 11 percent increase in resources for a discretionary funding level of $55.9 billion. The budget increases health care funding for veterans, enabling the VA to provide timely, high-quality care to 5.5 million veterans, develop Centers of Excellence, and enhance access to mental health and cognitive care. It also restores health care eligibility for modest-income veterans, steps up investment in technology for the delivery of services and benefits to veterans, and provides improved benefits for veterans who are medically retired from active duty. The budget provides for a collaborative pilot program with non-profit organizations to help veterans avoid homelessness, and for the timely implementation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill to Americans who have served the country though military duty.
INCREASED FUNDING AND EXPANSION OF BENEFITS
Increases funding for VA by $25 billion above the baseline over the next five years. The President’s budget takes the first step toward increasing funding for VA by $25 billion during the next five years in order to honor our nation’s veterans and expand the services they receive.
Dramatically increases funding for VA health care. This increase will provide adequate resources to give 5.5 million veteran patients timely and high-quality care. This funding also enables VA to create Centers of Excellence and provides additional veteran-oriented specialty care in areas including prosthetics, vision and spinal cord injury, aging, and women’s health.
Restores health care eligibility for modest-income veterans. The President’s budget expands eligibility for VA health care to non-disabled veterans earning modest incomes. This expansion will bring more than 500,000 eligible veterans into the VA health care system by 2013 while maintaining high-quality and timely care for the lower-income and disabled veterans who currently rely on VA medical care.
Provides greater benefits for veterans who are medically retired from active duty. For the first time, highly disabled veterans who are medically retired from service will be eligible for concurrent receipt of full disability benefits from VA in addition to Department of Defense retirement benefits.
Enhances outreach and services related to mental health care and cognitive injuries with a focus on access for veterans in rural areas. VA will increase the number of Vet Centers and mobile health clinics to expand access to mental health screening and treatment in rural areas. In addition, new funding will help veterans and their families to stay informed of these resources and encourage them to pursue needed care.
TECHNOLOGY FOR IMPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY
Invests in better technology to deliver services and benefits to veterans with the quality and efficiency they deserve. Through improved electronic medical records, VA will more efficiently retrieve active duty health records from the Department of Defense and enable all VA care sites to access the records of veterans needing care. VA will also invest in the development of rules-based electronic processes to increase accuracy, consistency, and timeliness in veterans’ receipt of benefits.
COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
Facilitates timely implementation of the comprehensive education benefits veterans earn through their dedicated service. This budget provides the resources for effective implementation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill -- providing unprecedented levels of educational support to the men and women who have served our country through active military duty.
SAFEGUARDING VULNERABLE VETERANS
Combats homelessness by safeguarding vulnerable veterans. The President’s budget expands VA’s current services to homeless veterans through a collaborative pilot program with non-profit organizations. This pilot will help to maintain stable housing for veterans who are at risk of falling into homelessness while helping VA to continue providing them with supportive services.
White House Seeks $125 Billion for Veterans in 2011
Homelessness, Claims Increases and Access - Priorities for VA Budget
WASHINGTON – To expand health care to a record-number of Veterans, reduce the number of homeless Veterans and process a dramatically increased number of new disability compensation claims, the White House has announced a proposed $125 billion budget next year for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Our budget proposal provides the resources necessary to continue our aggressive pursuit of President Obama’s two over-arching goals for Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “First, the requested budget will help transform VA into a 21st century organization. And second, it will ensure that we approach Veterans’ care as a lifetime initiative, from the day they take their oaths until the day they are laid to rest.”
The $125 billion budget request, which has to be approved by Congress, includes $60.3 billion for discretionary spending (mostly health care) and $64.7 billion in mandatory funding (mostly for disability compensation and pensions).
“VA’s 2011 budget request covers many areas but focuses on three central issues that are of critical importance to our Veterans – easier access to benefits and services, faster disability claims decisions, and ending the downward spiral that results in Veterans’ homelessness,” Shinseki said.
Reducing Claims Backlog
The president’s budget proposal includes an increase of $460 million and more than 4,000 additional claims processors for Veterans benefits. This is a 27 percent funding increase over the 2010 level.
The 1,014,000 claims received in 2009 were a 75 percent increase over the 579,000 received in 2000. Shinseki said the Department expects a 30 percent increase in claims – to 1,319,000 – in 2011 from 2009 levels.
One reason for the increase is VA’s expansion of the number of Agent Orange-related illnesses that automatically qualify for disability benefits. Veterans exposed to the Agent Orange herbicides during the Vietnam War are likely to file additional claims that will have a substantial impact upon the processing system for benefits, the secretary said.
“We project significantly increased claims inventories in the near term while we make fundamental improvements to the way we process disability compensation claims,” Shinseki said.
Long-term reduction of the inventory will come from additional manpower, improved business practices, plus an infusion of $145 million in the proposed budget for development of a paperless claims processing system, which plays a significant role in the transformation of VA.
Automating the GI Bill
The budget proposal includes $44 million to complete by December 2010 an automated system for processing applications for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. VA also plans to start development next year of electronic systems to process claims from other VA-administered educational programs.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill authorizes the most extensive educational assistance opportunity since the passage of the original GI Bill in 1944. Over $1.7 billion in regular Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit payments have been issued since the implementation of the program on Aug. 1, 2009. In 2011, VA expects the number of all education claims to grow by 32 percent over 2009, going from 1.7 million to 2.25 million.
“To meet this increasing workload and process education claims in a timely manner, VA has established a comprehensive strategy to develop industry-standard technologies to modernize the delivery of these important educational benefits,” Shinseki said.
Eliminating Homelessness
The budget proposal includes $4.2 billion in 2011 to reduce and help prevent homelessness among Veterans. That breaks down into $3.4 billion for core medical services and $799 million for specific homeless programs and expanded medical care, which includes $294 million for expanded homeless initiatives. This increased investment for expanded homeless services is consistent with the VA secretary’s established goal of ultimately eliminating homelessness among Veterans.
On a typical night, about 131,000 Veterans are homeless. They represent every war and generation, from the “Greatest Generation” to the latest generation of Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. To date, VA operates the largest system of homeless treatment and assistance programs in the nation.
Targeting Mental Health, Preventing Suicides
“The 2011 budget proposal continues the department’s keen focus on improving the quality, access and value of mental health care provided to Veterans,” Shinseki said.
The spending request seeks $5.2 billion for mental health, an increase of $410 million (or 8.5 percent) over current spending, enabling expansion of inpatient, residential and outpatient mental health services, with emphasis on making mental health services part of primary care and specialty care.
The secretary noted that one-fifth of the patients seen last year in VA’s health care facilities had a mental health diagnosis, and that the department has added more than 6,000 new mental health professionals since 2005, bringing to 19,000 the number of employees dedicated to mental health care.
The budget request will enable the department to continue expanding its programs for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), along with the diagnosis and treatment of depression, substance abuse and other mental health problems. Shinseki called PSTD treatment “central to VA’s mission.”
The proposed spending will continue VA’s suicide prevention program. Since July 2007, the department’s suicide prevention hotline has received nearly 225,000 calls from Veterans, active-duty personnel and family members. The hotline is credited with saving the lives of nearly 7,000 people.
Reaching Rural Veterans
For 2011, VA is seeking $250 million to strengthen access to health care for 3.2 million Veterans enrolled in VA’s medical system who live in rural areas. Rural outreach includes expanded use of home-based primary care and mental health.
A key portion of rural outreach – which shows promise for use with Veterans across the country – is VA’s innovative “telehealth” program. It links patients and health care providers by telephones and includes telephone-based data transmission, enabling daily monitoring of patients with chronic problems.
The budget provides an increase of $42 million for VA’s home telehealth program. The effort already cares for 35,000 patients and is the largest program of its kind in the world.
Serving Women Veterans
The 2011 budget provides $217.6 million to meet the gender-specific health care needs of women Veterans, an increase of $18.6 million (or 9.4 percent) over the 2010 level. Enhanced primary care for women Veterans remains one of the Department’s top priorities. The number of women Veterans is growing rapidly and women are increasingly using VA for their health care.
Shinseki said the expansion of health care programs for women Veterans will lead to higher quality care, increased coordination of care, enhanced privacy and dignity, and a greater sense of security among women patients.
Among the initiatives for women in the 2011 budget proposal are expanded health care services in Vet Centers, increased training for health care providers to advance their knowledge and understanding of women’s health issues, and implementing a peer call center and social networking site for women combat Veterans. This call center will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Delivering World-Class Health Care
During 2011, VA expects to treat 6.1 million patients, who will account for more than 800,000 hospitalizations and 83 million outpatient visits.
The total includes 439,000 Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, for whom $2.6 billion is included in the budget proposal. That’s an increase of $597 million – or 30 percent – from the current budget.
The proposed budget for health care includes:
· $6.8 billion for long-term care, an increase of $859 million (or 14 percent) over 2010. This amount includes $1.5 billion for non-institutional long-term care;
· Expanding access to VA health care system for more than 99,000 Veterans who were previously denied care because of their incomes;
· $590 million for medical and prosthetic research; and
· Continuing development of a “virtual lifetime electronic record,” a digital health record that will accompany Veterans throughout their lives.
VA is requesting $54.3 billion in advance appropriations for 2012 for health care, an increase of $2.8 billion over the 2011 enacted amount. Planned initiatives in 2012 include better leveraging acquisitions and contracting, enhancing the use of referral agreements, strengthening VA’s relationship with the Defense Department, and expanding the use of medical technology.
Preserving National Shrines
“VA remains steadfastly committed to providing access to a dignified and respectful burial for Veterans choosing to be buried in a VA national cemetery,” Shinseki said. “This promise requires that we maintain national cemeteries as shrines dedicated to the memory of those who served this nation in uniform.”
The requested $251 million for cemetery operations and maintenance will support more than 114,000 interments in 2011, a 3.8 percent increase over 2010. In 2011, the department will maintain 8,441 acres with 3.1 million gravesites. The budget request includes $37 million to clean and realign an estimated 668,000 headstones and repair 100,000 sunken graves.
Building for the Future
$1.15 billion requested for major construction for 2011 includes funding for medical facilities in New Orleans; Denver; Palo Alto, Calif.; Alameda, Calif.; and Omaha, Neb. Also budgeted for 2011 are major expansions and improvements to the national cemeteries in Indiantown Gap, Pa.; Los Angeles; and Tahoma, Wash., and new burial access policies that will provide a burial option to an additional 500,000 Veterans and enhance service in urban areas.
A requested budget of $468 million for minor construction in 2011 would fund a wide variety of improvements at VA facilities.
Now while this all looks great, even if the congress provides funds for these efforts, if they don't have workers to process the claims, it will all seem like money wasted since veterans will continue to suffer in claims backlog hell. The average person will look at the money being spent along side of reports of veterans waiting for help we owe them and think it is a failure. They may end up thinking turning it all over to for profit companies is a good idea.
This "Pledge to America" hurt veterans but we weren't supposed to notice any of this.
We were also not supposed to notice that as congress holds hearings on the problems veterans have had to endure, we haven't heard any solutions. We weren't supposed to notice that as millions are spent on "Suicide Prevention" the number of suicides and attempted suicides have gone up. We weren't supposed to notice that even as the "Suicide Prevention Hotline" has seemed to be a "success" the number of desperate veterans increases when we should be asking why they even have to reach that level of pain suicide is seen as an option.
All in all, we've been deluded by a lot of talk and smiles but if you read this blog, even occasionally, you know the news has not been good for our veterans and now we all know why.
Congressional Hearing On Meds and Suicide of Veterans
February 12, 2011 Dr. Peter Breggin testifies before congress on the connection between medications and suicides among veterans.
Lilly reported "no drug affect" connection with suicides after study. The FDA compared Prozac to Trazodone and found increased suicides along with attempted suicides. Double the rate of suicides in young adults equals young soldier age group.
Lilly reported "no drug affect" connection with suicides after study. The FDA compared Prozac to Trazodone and found increased suicides along with attempted suicides. Double the rate of suicides in young adults equals young soldier age group.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Vietnam Vet called "rouge homeowner" for flying his flag
Vietnam vet threatened with legal action for flying Stars and Stripes outside his home
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 9:30 PM on 23rd June 2011
A 77-year-old Army veteran is being threatened with legal action for flying the American flag in his front yard.
Fred Quigley, of Macedonia, Ohio, a retired Army chaplain and minister who served active duty during the Vietnam War, has been told his flag violates his homeowners association's rules on flagpoles.
As an alternative, the association offered to place the flag at the entrance of the development, but Mr Quigley refused.
Read more: Vietnam vet threatened with legal action for flying Stars and Stripes
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 9:30 PM on 23rd June 2011
A 77-year-old Army veteran is being threatened with legal action for flying the American flag in his front yard.
Fred Quigley, of Macedonia, Ohio, a retired Army chaplain and minister who served active duty during the Vietnam War, has been told his flag violates his homeowners association's rules on flagpoles.
As an alternative, the association offered to place the flag at the entrance of the development, but Mr Quigley refused.
Read more: Vietnam vet threatened with legal action for flying Stars and Stripes
Medics get guidelines for treating warrior dogs
Medics get guidelines for treating warrior dogs
By Gregg Zoroya - USA Today
Posted : Thursday Jun 23, 2011 21:48:40 EDT
Panting is normal. That advice is among several new guidelines issued to battlefield doctors called on to treat dogs injured in the line of duty in Afghanistan.
“Canines differ in anatomy and physiology,” the guidelines say. “Knowledge of key differences will assist the physician in resuscitating and stabilizing ... prior to transport to veterinary care.”
About 650 dogs — mostly German Shepherds, Labradors and Belgian Malinois — are in Afghanistan to sniff out explosive booby traps for U.S. troops on patrol. A dog was with the SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden last month.
Since May 2010, 14 dogs have been killed in combat, six wounded and three are missing, said Army Maj. T.G. Taylor, spokesman for U.S. Central Command.
read more here
Medics get guidelines for treating warrior dogs
By Gregg Zoroya - USA Today
Posted : Thursday Jun 23, 2011 21:48:40 EDT
Panting is normal. That advice is among several new guidelines issued to battlefield doctors called on to treat dogs injured in the line of duty in Afghanistan.
“Canines differ in anatomy and physiology,” the guidelines say. “Knowledge of key differences will assist the physician in resuscitating and stabilizing ... prior to transport to veterinary care.”
About 650 dogs — mostly German Shepherds, Labradors and Belgian Malinois — are in Afghanistan to sniff out explosive booby traps for U.S. troops on patrol. A dog was with the SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden last month.
Since May 2010, 14 dogs have been killed in combat, six wounded and three are missing, said Army Maj. T.G. Taylor, spokesman for U.S. Central Command.
read more here
Medics get guidelines for treating warrior dogs
Oops, President Obama gets Medal of Honor heroes mixed up
UPDATE:
The Christian Broadcasting Network contacted the White House to see what happened and was told the President didn’t have prepared remarks. They quoted White House Press Secretary Jay Carney as saying, ”At Fort Drum, the President misspoke when discussing the first Medal of Honor he presented posthumously to Jared Monti, who was a member of the 10th Mountain Division. The President paid tribute to Monti in his remarks to troops in Afghanistan in March 2010. Last year, the President presented the Medal of Honor to Salvatore Giunta, who was the first living recipient of the Medal who served in Afghanistan.”
read more here
Obama flubs at 10th Mountain meet-and-greet [UPDATE]
JUNE 23RD, 2011 | OUTSIDE THE WIRE | POSTED BY JOE GOULD
Mental illness often ignored by churches
This is something that goes on no matter how many churches are in your area. A couple of years ago I visited over 20 in the Orlando area and found out just how disinterested they are. I wanted local churches to step up to help National Guard families with the crisis of PTSD but only one of them responded. The pastor happened to be a chaplain and wanted to help but he was being transferred to another state. If they don't want to get involved helping veterans, what chance does anyone else have?
Mental illness often ignored by churches
Published: June 23, 2011 at 8:31 PM
WACO, Texas, June 23 (UPI) -- Mental illness is prevalent in church communities but is also accompanied by significant distress that is often ignored, U.S. researchers found.
Study co-author Dr. Matthew Stanford -- a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University, and an expert in mental illness and the church -- says families with a member who is mentally ill would like their congregation to provide assistance.
read more here
Mental illness often ignored by churches
Dog Bless You Campaign Brings Service Dogs to Injured War Vets
'Dog Bless You' Campaign Brings Service Dogs to Injured War Vets
For every 5,000 'likes' on facebook, a veteran will get a dog.
KTLA News
8:25 a.m. PDT, June 24, 2011
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- A new internet campaign is helping veterans, struggling with debilitating pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, get some much-needed help from our four-legged friends.
Former U.S. Army Captain Carlos Montalvan was 30 years old in 2003 when he was attacked by two men while on foot patrol in Iraq. He sustained a traumatic brain injury and fractured vertebrae.
He says once he returned home, life was a struggle.
"From that attack, I had a hard time sleeping," he told KTLA.
The Purple Heart recipient was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and suffered from severe migraines and panic attacks.
Montalvan says a 4-year-old golden retriever named "Tuesday" saved his life.
The highly-trained service dog listens and looks for any signs of distress and helps Montalvan tackle the stairs and other physical tasks.
Los Angeles-based filmmaker and philanthropist Charlie Annenberg Weingarten founded DogBlessYou.org, an internet campaign aimed at helping veterans get service dogs like "Tuesday."
read more here
Campaign Brings Service Dogs to Injured War Vets
For every 5,000 'likes' on facebook, a veteran will get a dog.
KTLA News
8:25 a.m. PDT, June 24, 2011
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- A new internet campaign is helping veterans, struggling with debilitating pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, get some much-needed help from our four-legged friends.
Former U.S. Army Captain Carlos Montalvan was 30 years old in 2003 when he was attacked by two men while on foot patrol in Iraq. He sustained a traumatic brain injury and fractured vertebrae.
He says once he returned home, life was a struggle.
"From that attack, I had a hard time sleeping," he told KTLA.
The Purple Heart recipient was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and suffered from severe migraines and panic attacks.
Montalvan says a 4-year-old golden retriever named "Tuesday" saved his life.
The highly-trained service dog listens and looks for any signs of distress and helps Montalvan tackle the stairs and other physical tasks.
Los Angeles-based filmmaker and philanthropist Charlie Annenberg Weingarten founded DogBlessYou.org, an internet campaign aimed at helping veterans get service dogs like "Tuesday."
read more here
Campaign Brings Service Dogs to Injured War Vets
Claims backlog to be addressed at annual VFW convention in Alexandria
Unless the hiring freeze ends, the pile of claims will get deeper. It takes two years to train new processors but as older processors retire, they have been unable to hire replacements. It is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.
Claims backlog to be addressed at annual VFW convention in Alexandria
2:41 AM, Jun. 24, 2011
Written by
Warren Hayes
The former national commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars wants quicker disposition of claims at Veterans Affairs hospitals across the country.
"Some people are waiting months and months before their compensation claim goes into the appeal process," Gary Kurpius said Thursday in Alexandria.
"When people are living on a reduced income because of disability, that is a disadvantage to them and their whole families."
read more here
Claims backlog to be addressed
Outrage over "home that doesn't fit" for paralyzed Iraq Vet
UPDATE to this story
Veteran speaks out about Knob Hill Controversy
The Homes for Our Troops organization has built several hundred homes to assist severely injured service men and women. One home was built two years ago in Harlem for Sergeant Darryl Wallace.
Posted: 7:47 PM Jun 25, 2011
June 24, 2011
HARLEM, Ga. -- The Homes for Our Troops organization has built several hundred homes to assist severely injured service men and women. One home was built two years ago in Harlem for Sergeant Darryl Wallace.
Sgt. Wallace and his family feel Homes for Our Troops gave them a start to a brand new life -- one they thought they would not have. They just hope the Gittens' family can soon feel the same.
"It's just wonderful what they are doing for extremely wounded soldiers like me," said Sgt. Wallace. He was stationed in Afghanistan back in 2007. An IED exploded under his work truck and he lost both his legs.
"It was pretty painful, I woke up two months after it happened," he said. When he woke up his wife Tiffany was right by his side and so was the community.
In April 2009, volunteers and troops from Fort Gordon helped build a house for Sgt. Wallace. The home was one hundred percent handicap accessible with lowered counters, wider showers and doors that power open. Many felt it was the least they could do for a man who put his life on the line.
read more here
Veteran speaks out about Knob Hill Controversy
Veteran speaks out about Knob Hill Controversy
The Homes for Our Troops organization has built several hundred homes to assist severely injured service men and women. One home was built two years ago in Harlem for Sergeant Darryl Wallace.
Posted: 7:47 PM Jun 25, 2011
June 24, 2011
HARLEM, Ga. -- The Homes for Our Troops organization has built several hundred homes to assist severely injured service men and women. One home was built two years ago in Harlem for Sergeant Darryl Wallace.
Sgt. Wallace and his family feel Homes for Our Troops gave them a start to a brand new life -- one they thought they would not have. They just hope the Gittens' family can soon feel the same.
"It's just wonderful what they are doing for extremely wounded soldiers like me," said Sgt. Wallace. He was stationed in Afghanistan back in 2007. An IED exploded under his work truck and he lost both his legs.
"It was pretty painful, I woke up two months after it happened," he said. When he woke up his wife Tiffany was right by his side and so was the community.
In April 2009, volunteers and troops from Fort Gordon helped build a house for Sgt. Wallace. The home was one hundred percent handicap accessible with lowered counters, wider showers and doors that power open. Many felt it was the least they could do for a man who put his life on the line.
read more here
Veteran speaks out about Knob Hill Controversy
"It doesn't fit" with the neighborhood? He doesn't either. Considering how few in this country serve today, it is unlikely the HOA can value someone like him even wanting to live in their neighborhood.
Over the years there have been plenty of excuses for not wanting a home for homeless veterans because of unfounded fears centered around homeless people in general, but when they refuse to allow one for a wounded veteran to be customized for him and his family, that should have everyone outraged.
Homes for Our Troops does everything possible to provide a special house for these special veterans so they can live as comfortably as possible with the wounds they ended up with serving this country. Too bad this HOA can't value that as well.
Neighbors pull plug on injured vet's home
By Carole Hawkins
Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
An Evans neighborhood association has blocked a group that was prepared to build a home free of charge for a local veteran who was injured in Afghanistan.
The homebuilding group, Homes for Our Troops, says Knob Hill Property Owners Association approved the home's design June 2 but reversed its decision in a later meeting.
A member of the association, however, says the group got only a conditional approval, pending a review of its design; the neighborhood is carefully protected by building covenants, and the final design did not fit.
Homes for Our Troops -- a national organization that has built or remodeled homes for more than 100 severely injured veterans -- had planned to build a house for Army Sgt. 1st Class Sean Gittens and his family this weekend. Gittens suffered concussive head injuries while serving in Afghanistan. After he returned home, a brain aneurysm caused a stroke that left him partially paralyzed.
read more here
Neighbors pull plug on injured vet's home
City Life Affects Brain's Response to Stress
This does not really make sense considering people living in cities are exposed to more traumatic events than those living in tiny towns. More people means more traumatic events.
I lived in a large city for most of my life. Everyday there was something in the headline of the local paper. Fires, accidents, crimes and tragedy came above the fold all the time. When you are exposed to traumatic events that often, it does tend to get to you.
When you are exposed to traumatic events in combat, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of evidence suggesting veterans from big cities fair any worse than veterans in rural areas. When it comes to helping the rural veterans, they find it hard to get to the help they need.
Social stress from living in a big city? Yep. I came from Massachusetts and back home, we're all in overdrive with a lot more to worry about.
I lived in a large city for most of my life. Everyday there was something in the headline of the local paper. Fires, accidents, crimes and tragedy came above the fold all the time. When you are exposed to traumatic events that often, it does tend to get to you.
When you are exposed to traumatic events in combat, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of evidence suggesting veterans from big cities fair any worse than veterans in rural areas. When it comes to helping the rural veterans, they find it hard to get to the help they need.
Social stress from living in a big city? Yep. I came from Massachusetts and back home, we're all in overdrive with a lot more to worry about.
City Life Affects Brain's Response to Stress
Study May Help Explain Why City Residents Have Higher Rates of Depression and Anxiety
By Brenda Goodman
WebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD
June 23, 2011 -- The brains of people who live in cities react more strongly to stress than those who live in small towns and rural areas, a new study shows.
The study is published in the journal Nature. It may help explain why mood disorders like depression and mental illnesses like schizophrenia are more common in city dwellers than in those living in less densely populated areas.
Researchers in Germany and Canada recruited healthy adults who lived in large cities, moderately sized towns, or smaller, rural communities. Scientists recorded their brain activity as they tried to solve difficult math problems while being criticized for their poor skills. It's a test that creates social stress as people struggle, but fail, to prove their mental abilities.
As they were stressed, people who were currently living in cities had more activity in an almond-shaped area of the brain called the amygdala than those who lived in towns or rural areas.
The amygdala plays important roles in fear, emotional processing, and self-protection. It has been linked to scores of mental illnesses including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, autism, and phobias.
People who grew up in cities also had an interesting response to the stress. Even if they were no longer living in an urban area, their brains showed higher activity in a region called the anterior cingulate cortex, which helps to regulate the amygdala, suggesting that the early-life environment helps to shape the brain's stress response in important ways.
read more here
City Life Affects Brain's Response to Stress
Veterans get second chance at Fairweather Lodge
Men get second chance at Fairweather Lodge
Rob Madsen sees this as rock bottom.
He lost his marriage and his job. He’s gone from a six-figure household income to nothing. He’s bounced around between the homes of friends and relatives. And all the while he’s grappled with post-traumatic stress disorder, a burden he’s carried since the first Gulf War.
But Madsen isn’t giving up on his future.
Two weeks ago, the 42-year-old Army veteran came to Iowa City’s Shelter House from Clinton with the hopes of turning his life around in a new program that is providing him with a job and, ultimately, a home.
Madsen is one of six homeless men with chronic mental illness who have been accepted into a new Fairweather-style lodge program, a residency and work initiative founded by Shelter House in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Johnson County and the Iowa City VA Health Care System.
“There’s a lot of people that had normal lives, some better than others, but we’re all starting over,” said Madsen, one of three veterans accepted into the program. “The Fairweather Lodge is our way to get back into society, something to look forward to, a goal, something to call our home.”
read more here
Men get second chance at Fairweather Lodge
Rob Madsen sees this as rock bottom.
He lost his marriage and his job. He’s gone from a six-figure household income to nothing. He’s bounced around between the homes of friends and relatives. And all the while he’s grappled with post-traumatic stress disorder, a burden he’s carried since the first Gulf War.
But Madsen isn’t giving up on his future.
Two weeks ago, the 42-year-old Army veteran came to Iowa City’s Shelter House from Clinton with the hopes of turning his life around in a new program that is providing him with a job and, ultimately, a home.
Madsen is one of six homeless men with chronic mental illness who have been accepted into a new Fairweather-style lodge program, a residency and work initiative founded by Shelter House in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Johnson County and the Iowa City VA Health Care System.
“There’s a lot of people that had normal lives, some better than others, but we’re all starting over,” said Madsen, one of three veterans accepted into the program. “The Fairweather Lodge is our way to get back into society, something to look forward to, a goal, something to call our home.”
read more here
Men get second chance at Fairweather Lodge
PTSD: "It's hard to be hurt and not have anybody understand that,"
Local Veterens Raise PTSD Awareness
Congress has officially recognized June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day, and for the first time ever veterans from around the country will gather in Washington D.C. to bring recognition to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Reporter: Janelle Lilley
Congress has officially recognized June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day, and for the first time ever veterans from around the country will gather in Washington D.C. to bring recognition to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
In his address to the nation Wednesday night, President Obama said, "Some have lost limbs on the battlefield and others still battle the demons that have followed them home."
Thursday's event at VFW Post 2216 was about fighting those demons. Veterans came together to call attention to what they call invisible wounds.
"It's hard to be hurt and not have anybody understand that," says Tom Mahany, spokesperson for Honor for All.
Mahany is traveling from Michigan to D.C., stopping at VFW posts along the way to raise awareness.
read more here
Local Veterens Raise PTSD Awareness
Congress has officially recognized June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day, and for the first time ever veterans from around the country will gather in Washington D.C. to bring recognition to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Reporter: Janelle Lilley
Congress has officially recognized June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day, and for the first time ever veterans from around the country will gather in Washington D.C. to bring recognition to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
In his address to the nation Wednesday night, President Obama said, "Some have lost limbs on the battlefield and others still battle the demons that have followed them home."
Thursday's event at VFW Post 2216 was about fighting those demons. Veterans came together to call attention to what they call invisible wounds.
"It's hard to be hurt and not have anybody understand that," says Tom Mahany, spokesperson for Honor for All.
Mahany is traveling from Michigan to D.C., stopping at VFW posts along the way to raise awareness.
read more here
Local Veterens Raise PTSD Awareness
Iraq Veteran locked up for "not being a citizen"
Veteran of Iraq War Now Fights His Own Deportation
By SUSANNAH NESMITH
Published: June 23, 2011
MIAMI — A veteran of both the Army and the Navy who served with distinction in Iraq and at Guantánamo Bay has spent the last month in federal lockup here because the government wants to deport him.
Not only did he lie on a passport application, prosecutors say, but he was never even a citizen.
But a lawyer for the man, Elisha L. Dawkins, 26, has a different story, one that begins with Mr. Dawkins’s arrival here from the Bahamas as an infant. He was raised to believe he was a citizen, his lawyer contends, something the state and federal authorities did not challenge during his seven years in the military.
It is unclear why Mr. Dawkins was indicted in March, five years after receiving his passport and when he was still in the Navy.
“The military believes he’s an American citizen,” the lawyer, Clark Mervis, told Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga of Federal District Court here last week, noting that Mr. Dawkins had “secret” security clearance when he served in Guantánamo.
read more here
Veteran of Iraq War Now Fights His Own Deportation
By SUSANNAH NESMITH
Published: June 23, 2011
“We don’t often incarcerate war-hero-type people for making a false statement on a passport application,” Mr. Mervis said. “It’s a case that should never have been prosecuted criminally. This is just wrong.”
MIAMI — A veteran of both the Army and the Navy who served with distinction in Iraq and at Guantánamo Bay has spent the last month in federal lockup here because the government wants to deport him.
Not only did he lie on a passport application, prosecutors say, but he was never even a citizen.
But a lawyer for the man, Elisha L. Dawkins, 26, has a different story, one that begins with Mr. Dawkins’s arrival here from the Bahamas as an infant. He was raised to believe he was a citizen, his lawyer contends, something the state and federal authorities did not challenge during his seven years in the military.
It is unclear why Mr. Dawkins was indicted in March, five years after receiving his passport and when he was still in the Navy.
“The military believes he’s an American citizen,” the lawyer, Clark Mervis, told Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga of Federal District Court here last week, noting that Mr. Dawkins had “secret” security clearance when he served in Guantánamo.
read more here
Veteran of Iraq War Now Fights His Own Deportation
Veterans Court helps wrongly accused veteran heal
Man wrongly accused of murder placed on probation for gun violation
Published: Thursday, June 23, 2011 9:09 p.m. MDT
By Dennis Romboy, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — A Payson man wrongly accused of killing his father will be placed on probation for violating federal firearms law.
U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell sentenced Roger Kay Mortensen to 36 months probation and ordered him to continue participating in the veteran's court program. Campbell also told Mortensen, 49, that she will closely monitor him in light of a recent verbal altercation in which he threateningly shouted, "I just got out of jail for murder."
"I believe you can make it," she said. "But that doesn't mean I won't be watching very carefully because I will."
Mortensen suffered a traumatic brain injury in an ATV accident in 1994 that left him with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anger management issues. As a Navy veteran, he qualified for federal veteran's court which operates much like drug court. He has attended the court since being charged and is on medication and seeing a psychologist.
read more here
Man wrongly accused of murder placed on probation
Published: Thursday, June 23, 2011 9:09 p.m. MDT
By Dennis Romboy, Deseret News
Utah County authorities dropped charges against the Mortensens last December after two other suspects were arrested. One pleaded guilty to aggravated murder this month; the other awaits trial.
SALT LAKE CITY — A Payson man wrongly accused of killing his father will be placed on probation for violating federal firearms law.
U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell sentenced Roger Kay Mortensen to 36 months probation and ordered him to continue participating in the veteran's court program. Campbell also told Mortensen, 49, that she will closely monitor him in light of a recent verbal altercation in which he threateningly shouted, "I just got out of jail for murder."
"I believe you can make it," she said. "But that doesn't mean I won't be watching very carefully because I will."
Mortensen suffered a traumatic brain injury in an ATV accident in 1994 that left him with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anger management issues. As a Navy veteran, he qualified for federal veteran's court which operates much like drug court. He has attended the court since being charged and is on medication and seeing a psychologist.
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Man wrongly accused of murder placed on probation
Thursday, June 23, 2011
New Tricare fees, end to combat pay 'windfall' voted
Makes perfect sense to me since these same folks wanted to make sure corporations kept tax cuts, when we got job cuts and cut backs but we also need to remember when it came to wars, they voted for them but never thought about paying for them before, durning and especially after.
Military Update: New Tricare fees, end to combat pay 'windfall' voted
By TOM PHILPOTT
Special to Stars and Stripes
Published: June 23, 2011
The Senate Armed Services Committee has agreed with House colleagues to approve a small increase in Tricare Prime enrollment fees for working-age retirees, and to allow these fees to be raised annually by the percentage cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) applied to military retired pay.
The vote ensures that Tricare Prime enrollment fees for individual retirees under age 65 will be raised in the new fiscal year by $30, to $260 a year, and that retiree family coverage will climb by $60, to $520. These will be the first fee increases since Tricare rates were set in 1995.
The Senate panel also joined with the House to endorse an Obama administration plan to restructure Tricare pharmacy co-payments to encourage use of mail order for refills instead of having local drugstores, at far greater cost to the government, refill prescriptions for chronic conditions.
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New Tricare fees, end to combat pay 'windfall' voted
Army veteran pleads in Westboro stalking case
He is a double amputee, deciding to "stand up" to Westboro hate group but he ends up with two years probation. They get to do what they want and when they want, stalking any family they want, but get away with it? How is this justice?
Army veteran pleads in Westboro stalking case
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jun 23, 2011 14:23:20 EDT
WICHITA, Kan. — An Army veteran charged with stalking and conspiring to harm members of a controversial Topeka church pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
An attorney for Ryan Newell says his client pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of false impersonation of an officer, which are misdemeanors.
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Army veteran pleads in Westboro stalking case
Son’s suicide followed tour of duty in Afghanistan
‘A different person came home’
Father: Son’s suicide followed tour of duty in Afghanistan
By The Canadian Press
Wed, Jun 22 - 4:54 AM
GLACE BAY — The father of a Canadian soldier who committed suicide last week says his son might not have been in Afghanistan when he died, but he died because of his time there.
Cpl. James McMullin, 29, who was stationed at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, N.B., was found dead Friday at his home near the base.
Originally from Glace Bay, McMullin served in Afghanistan for six months and his tour ended in March 2009.
"If I could tell anyone anything about Jamie after he came back from Afghanistan . . . he never came back," said Darrell McMullin, the soldier’s father.
"A different person came home. He couldn’t forget what he did over there, he couldn’t get past it. He tried to make everyone happy and smile, but when he was alone he didn’t smile."
Capt. John Hugh MacDonald, a Forces spokesman, said the death of McMullin is under investigation by the RCMP and will also be the subject of a military inquiry.
"It’s automatic — the military will convene a board of inquiry," he said.
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A different person came home
Father: Son’s suicide followed tour of duty in Afghanistan
By The Canadian Press
Wed, Jun 22 - 4:54 AM
GLACE BAY — The father of a Canadian soldier who committed suicide last week says his son might not have been in Afghanistan when he died, but he died because of his time there.
Cpl. James McMullin, 29, who was stationed at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, N.B., was found dead Friday at his home near the base.
Originally from Glace Bay, McMullin served in Afghanistan for six months and his tour ended in March 2009.
"If I could tell anyone anything about Jamie after he came back from Afghanistan . . . he never came back," said Darrell McMullin, the soldier’s father.
"A different person came home. He couldn’t forget what he did over there, he couldn’t get past it. He tried to make everyone happy and smile, but when he was alone he didn’t smile."
Capt. John Hugh MacDonald, a Forces spokesman, said the death of McMullin is under investigation by the RCMP and will also be the subject of a military inquiry.
"It’s automatic — the military will convene a board of inquiry," he said.
read more here
A different person came home
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