First Coast military trying to get mental health care right
Post-traumatic stress disorder isn't unusual after combat but the military's stance has changed, with troops encouraged to seek help.
By Timothy J. Gibbons Story updated at 12:11 PM on Friday, Jun. 5, 2009
Mike Murray got back to Mayport Naval Station from Afghanistan eight months ago, but his experiences there haven't faded.
"I haven't had a good night's sleep once since I've gotten home," said the petty officer first class who spent a year in Kabul helping the Afghan air force.
Murray volunteered for the assignment as an individual augmentee, the Navy's term - commonly abbreviated IA - for a sailor sent to serve with the nation's ground forces. The job was fun, he said, but there was the constant sound of rocket-propelled grenades hitting the NATO base where he worked and regular high-pitched explosions. Such things have a far-reaching impact.
"You become numb to it," he said. "You get used to throwing on your body armor, to throwing your flight suit on over your pajamas."
When he came home, he had trouble even driving, the result of leading around two or three dozen convoys through the crowded streets of Kabul.
"The first time I drove by myself [at home], I had to pull over twice because of anxiety," he said. "I would pull up to crowded stoplights, and instinct and urge would make me want to drive around the cars and through the intersection. We never stopped with convoys."
The long-lasting aftershocks of his experiences aren't unusual.
"We're not equipped to go and see that stuff and then come home and drop it," said Marianne Chapman, a mental health counselor who has spent much of her career working with the military in Jacksonville and Miami. "What they need to recognize is they're having a completely normal reaction to an abnormal situation."
That's a message the military has been pushing hard as it fights to preserve the mental health of its warriors. The cost of losing that battle was shown a few weeks ago when a soldier in Iraq who had been sent for counseling grabbed a gun and shot five fellow troops, including a Navy officer working at the mental health clinic there.
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First Coast military trying to get mental health care right
Friday, June 5, 2009
Veteran spreads message on trip across U.S.
In the post I did yesterday, ok, the rant I did, about some in congress even suggesting that anything could be "too good" for our veterans, I pointed out what they have to go thru between deciding to serve and what comes after. This story not only points out how much they can suffer instead of being taken care of, it also shows just how magnificent some of them can be when they think of others and not just themselves.
Fueled by faith
Veteran spreads message on trip across U.S.
By JEFF M. HARDISON
jhardison@lakecityreporter.com
Published: Thursday, June 4, 2009 6:06 AM EDT
It is by faith alone that a 53-year-old wheelchair-bound veteran is crossing the country to raise awareness about homeless veterans.
David Whittaker rode his electric-powered wheelchair into Lake City on Wednesday as part of a trip from Key West to Blaine, Wash.
Whittaker said he chose the southernmost point in the continental United States to start and the most northwestern point to end his journey — a journey 36 years in the making.
Severely injured during training in 1973 with the U.S. Marine Corps, Whittaker found success in the civilian world. Health problems wiped him out financially, however, he said.
Diabetes combined with heart problems make it very expensive for him to stay alive. First his health insurance canceled his policy, he said.
“Then the VA wouldn’t help me because it said I had too much money in the bank,” Whittaker said.
He said he spent $800,000 and lost his home to cover medical costs. He suffered a stroke. He became homeless about two years ago, he said.
Finally, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs agreed to cover 100 percent of his medical expenses, he said.
go here for more
Fueled by faith
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Veteran Stigma: "What Does My Country think of Me?"
Luis Carlos Montalván
Freelance Journalist, Veteran
Posted: June 4, 2009
Veteran Stigma: "What Does My Country think of Me?"
As if to pour salt on the physical and psychological wounds of millions of America's veterans, a recent trend has emerged in both public pronouncements and privately held attitudes that suggests that veterans returning from the 'long wars' in Iraq and Afghanistan pose a security risk to potential employers, fellow workers, and workplace patrons.
"I cannot be open about my post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with prospective employers in light of the Homeland Security debacle," says former Army Sgt. and Iraq veteran Steve Kraft. "It's like a scarlet letter."
The "debacle" Sgt. Kraft refers to means comments made by Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), citing a section of an April 7, 2009, DHS Report titled "Disgruntled Military Veterans" to the effect that "DHS assesses that right-wing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans...suffering from the psychological effects of war."
"Having been singled out by the media for attention, Napolitano's statement surely discourages would-be employers from considering hiring veterans applying for jobs, especially in an uncertain economy."
But while the DHS incident lingers in the minds of the public, it isn't the only highly publicized case of veterans stigmatized for their courageous and honorable military service.
A scandal at Penn State erupted in February when the University's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) department posted a contentious video on its website. Produced as part of a package to help faculty deal with "worrisome student behaviors," the video depicted an angry young veteran and a professor who felt threatened by him. Unhappy with his grade, the veteran threatens the professor and says he deserves a better grade, "or else."
go here for more
What Does My Country think of Me
Honestly, part of your country does not think of you at all. They don't think about where you were, what you did, how you did or what your future will be. It's not just veterans being ignored. It's people in general. They have a habit of just paying attention to one news report a day and the rest of the time they spend watching TV is about relaxing. Newspapers, well, they don't want to read them either unless they are flipping the pages until the come to the Help Wanted ads. Veterans are just more competition for them with less jobs to go around. National Guardsmen are a bigger problem because while they hold civilian jobs, they can get deployed and their jobs have to be held open until they come back.
Another part of your country thinks of you the same way they thought about Vietnam veterans. You're all crazy. Unfortunately that part of your countrymen will never change. They are uninformed and uninvolved. They can't understand you and have absolutely no interest in trying.
Then there is another part of your country thinking that we should do all we can for you because of what you were willing to do for us. They showed up in Washington DC over Memorial Day weekend and rode their motorcycles to The Wall. They came from all over the country just to show respect for the fallen and yes, to take care of the veterans with them. They showed up at ceremonies with The Wall That Heals and the rest of the traveling Vietnam Memorial Walls, shed tears, removed their hats, placed hands over hearts and yes, their hearts were connected to what the black walls meant. They showed up in North Carolina for the NASCAR race when President Obama had called for a moment of silence at 3:00 and the drivers formed a line, shutting down their engines, pit crews lined the road and everyone in the packed crowd was silent. Oh but it does not stop with just one day out of the year to honor the fallen.
They show up at the events for veterans from tiny towns to enormous cities. They show up volunteering at homeless shelters and veterans' hospitals. They show up making quilts, sending care packages, writing letters and breathing a sigh of relief when units come home. They show up when to line the streets when a fallen soldier comes home to be laid to rest and when a wounded soldier needs help renovating his house. They show up all the time because they know you did when you were needed to.
They also take on the battles you should not have to fight to make sure you are taken care of if you are in need of medical or mental health care, making phone calls, writing letters and posting on blogs to spread the word so others join in on the fight for your sake.
They don't care if you were in Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Afghanistan or Iraq. They only care you went where you were sent. They want to know what you need and what they can do for you. It doesn't matter if they protested the war you were involved in or fully supported it because the end result is you were the one being supported by people on both sides.
Are there struggles and problems that should not be? Absolutely but it's up to you and the people that do care to set the record straight and get the others to open their eyes. It takes a lot of work to do that. After all, we managed to do it for the Vietnam veterans and think of how badly they were treated when they came home. While they still run into some pinheads, they are viewed as people to be proud of because no matter what they ran up against from the rest of their own countrymen, they never gave up on the rest of us or each other.
One day, the story of PTSD will be well known and they will discover there are different levels and different outcomes and yes, sometimes you come out on the other end better than you were before. Until that day comes, this part of your countrymen will not give up until there is no need to fight anymore.
Unlicensed psychologists sent to Iraq?
Until his son's death, Chris Scheuerman was probably like the rest of us assuming the military hired psychologist and psychiatrists to take care of the mental health needs of the troops especially considering that suicides were claiming too many lives. After all, who would have thought they would have sent anything less? The problem was, they were. The question is, how many lives did it cost the men and women serving? Then we need to ask how many had ended up with PTSD misdiagnosed because an expert was not there?
AP NewsBreak: IG says dad's complaints unfounded
By KIMBERLY HEFLING – 2 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The practice of sending unlicensed psychologists to Iraq to treat troops did not violate Army regulations, according to a military inspector general's investigation instigated by a complaint from the father of a soldier who committed suicide.
The soldier, Pfc. Jason Scheuerman, 20, was found dead in his barracks in Iraq in 2005. Three weeks earlier, an unlicensed psychologist asked by the soldier's captain to evaluate him, said in a report that Scheuerman was "capable of claiming mental illness" to manipulate superiors and sent him back to his unit.
A copy of the Army Medical Command's inspector general's investigation, completed in November, was obtained by The Associated Press using a Freedom of Information Act request.
Prior to a change in policy in 2006, it was a common practice in Iraq for the military to deploy unlicensed providers with the stipulation that they work under supervision. The policy was similar to that in civilian settings, but was changed after the military determined supervision was difficult to do in a combat setting.
Scheuerman's father, Chris Scheuerman, of Sanford, N.C., said the then-unlicensed psychologist who treated his son should never have been in a position to do so, and is culpable in his son's death.
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IG says dad complaints unfounded
Florida golfers with extra clubs needed for troops
If they can do it in Navada don't you think Florida can do better? We have more veterans here and I'm sure we must have more golfers too.
Fore! Nev. tourney collecting clubs for troops
By Scott Sonner - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jun 4, 2009 14:28:17 EDT
RENO, Nev. — Officials for the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open and a local insurance company who launched an effort last week to collect new and used golf clubs for U.S. soldiers overseas say they’ve already gathered dozens of full sets.
“The response has been unbelievable,” said Michael Stearns, director of the PGA Tour tournament.
“We have 30 bags with full sets and over 50 sets of irons. We’ve even got two pairs of golf shoes,” he said Thursday.
The tournament is sponsoring the Clubs for Armed Forces program along with KKOH radio and Employers Insurance Co., a Reno-based group of companies providing workers’ compensation insurance and services to small businesses.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/06/ap_military_clubs_4_forces_060409/
6 soldiers sue KBR, Halliburton over burn pits
6 soldiers sue KBR, Halliburton over burn pits
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jun 4, 2009 18:37:26 EDT
SAN ANTONIO — Soldiers are among six Texans suing Houston-based KBR and Halliburton over burn pits at U.S. camps in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The suit filed in a San Antonio federal court alleges the military contractors burned everything from trucks and tires to human corpses in the large war-zone pits. Plantiffs say the burning waste released toxins that harmed at least 10,000 people.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/06/ap_army_burn_pits_060409/
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jun 4, 2009 18:37:26 EDT
SAN ANTONIO — Soldiers are among six Texans suing Houston-based KBR and Halliburton over burn pits at U.S. camps in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The suit filed in a San Antonio federal court alleges the military contractors burned everything from trucks and tires to human corpses in the large war-zone pits. Plantiffs say the burning waste released toxins that harmed at least 10,000 people.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/06/ap_army_burn_pits_060409/
VA Watchdog Larry Scott sets record straight on gun rights
RUMOR CONTROL: THE VA IS NOT DISARMING VETERANS
Viral email makes astoundingly stupid claim that the VA is trying to take guns away from veterans.
by Larry Scott, VA Watchdog dot Org
Sometimes I wonder if people just make up this crap: "Hey, Merle. Hold my beer while I hit the keyboard and start a rumor to scare veterans."
The latest email making the rounds has the VA setting up vets to take away their weapons. Nonsense! Not just nonsense ... an out-and-out lie!
go here for more
http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfjun09/nf060409-4.htm
Viral email makes astoundingly stupid claim that the VA is trying to take guns away from veterans.
by Larry Scott, VA Watchdog dot Org
Sometimes I wonder if people just make up this crap: "Hey, Merle. Hold my beer while I hit the keyboard and start a rumor to scare veterans."
The latest email making the rounds has the VA setting up vets to take away their weapons. Nonsense! Not just nonsense ... an out-and-out lie!
go here for more
http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfjun09/nf060409-4.htm
Hill Air Force Base takes steps to stop suicides
Hill wing breaks to address suicides
By Joseph M. Dougherty
Deseret News
Published: Wednesday, June 3, 2009
HILL AIR FORCE BASE — Two civilian suicides in recent weeks have prompted the commander of the 309th Maintenance Wing to have his employees "stand down" during two shifts for mandatory talks about suicide prevention.
The two suicides, one of which happened in the past week, bring the base total to four for the year.
That total puts Hill Air Force Base's suicide rate of 17 per 100,000 above Utah's rate of 15.2 per 100,000.
The suicide-prevention talks centered around the importance of communication and how employees can help find those who are in a personal crisis, said Rich Essary, spokesman for the base's 75th Air Base Wing.
Employees of the 309th also attended presentations by the wing's wellness advocates, who showed a 30-minute video about suicide prevention.
Wellness advocates are like emergency friends — listeners who can suggest productive courses of action. Eight wellness advocates are assigned to the 309th, and some have been credited with helping workers regain focus and work their way out of depression.
Brig. Gen. John Cooper, commander of the 309th, said he realizes he has employees who have financial, relationship, medical, substance-abuse or emotional problems. He wants to create an environment in which his employees are wingmen who look out for one another.
go here for more
Hill wing breaks to address suicides
By Joseph M. Dougherty
Deseret News
Published: Wednesday, June 3, 2009
HILL AIR FORCE BASE — Two civilian suicides in recent weeks have prompted the commander of the 309th Maintenance Wing to have his employees "stand down" during two shifts for mandatory talks about suicide prevention.
The two suicides, one of which happened in the past week, bring the base total to four for the year.
That total puts Hill Air Force Base's suicide rate of 17 per 100,000 above Utah's rate of 15.2 per 100,000.
The suicide-prevention talks centered around the importance of communication and how employees can help find those who are in a personal crisis, said Rich Essary, spokesman for the base's 75th Air Base Wing.
Employees of the 309th also attended presentations by the wing's wellness advocates, who showed a 30-minute video about suicide prevention.
Wellness advocates are like emergency friends — listeners who can suggest productive courses of action. Eight wellness advocates are assigned to the 309th, and some have been credited with helping workers regain focus and work their way out of depression.
Brig. Gen. John Cooper, commander of the 309th, said he realizes he has employees who have financial, relationship, medical, substance-abuse or emotional problems. He wants to create an environment in which his employees are wingmen who look out for one another.
go here for more
Hill wing breaks to address suicides
Subcommittee approves bill easing PTSD compensation for vets
How can any Republican or Democrat say anything is too good for the troops or our veterans? These are the same people that were in position to send them into combat in the first place right? If a man or woman is willing to set aside "normal" life as a civilian, ask their families to sacrifice for the sake of the nation, then risk that life facing death or life changing wounds, how can there be anything at all that is "too good" for them in return? Think about it.
Think about what we ask of them and what they deliver on. What is it they ask in return? They ask that they be only used as a last resort; they are provided with the plans to carry the mission they are given out; they are trained to do their jobs; they are fed and clothed with uniforms that don't fall apart in the crotch (yes, this happened too) and in the end, they ask their families are taken care of if they pay with their lives, and should they live, they will not have to suffer neglect or financial hardships for surviving. Not a lot to ask for since from every corner of this nation we are able to spout out "Support the Troops" "Freedom isn't free" and use the words "from a grateful nation" yet when you get right down to the bottom of all this talk, talk is cheap but actually doing what we claim is very expensive.
I've been tracking PTSD in this country for far too long to know exactly how bad it is for them and how much worse it's going to get. They have to put up with people saying PTSD is not real and that they are just trying to suck off the system. Lord help these people if they ever encounter a traumatic event that changes the rest of their lives, but in order for that to happen they would have to have a tender soul and feel for others first. So that's unlikely.
They have to carry on with the mission watching over the backs of their buddies, while nightmares and flashbacks are eating them away. They have to then come home, bulldoze past ignorant fools trying to make them feel as if they are responsible for the pain they are carrying with them, and then, then they get to fight the VA to have their claims honored. No easy task either when they have to prove what moment in time did it to them. It's almost as if the VA cannot understand that sometimes it's not one, two or three times, but hundreds of them. Simply being able to show that they were fine when they were in boot camp and not fine after their deployment into hell the first time, the second time or third time and so on, would be honorable but all they have to go thru is just not enough for some law makers who have never once lived with them, talked to them or held them in their arms.
John McCain and Bush whined about the GI Bill being "too good" and would make the troops want out to go to college. Members of congress, guess which side, took to the floor of the congress and said there just wasn't enough money to increase the VA to take care of the wounded when they absolutely no problem at all funding two military campaigns without plans or accounting at the same time both were producing more wounded veterans. Was that really supporting the troops?
Want to use the excuse about money? Well that one doesn't work either because when you consider how much they could be making as a private citizen instead of military pay, you would then understand that they are not in the military for the money. Then consider when they are wounded by body or soul, and they cannot work they receive a lot less than they could working. The VA does not pay bonuses and it does not pay overtime. It does not give merit raises but it does give measly cost of living increases. If you think those increases keeps pace with inflation or what gas prices did last year, you must be living under a rock.
Set aside the over 900,000 claims in the system already still waiting to be processed and denied that they have to wait their turn on. Set aside the fact that between now and the time they begin to be treated, PTSD gets worse and when you add in the extra burden of bills that cannot be paid because they can't work and the VA won't approve their claim, is hell for them and their families. Set aside the fact that for the last 8 years we had people in charge without a clue what to do. Set all of that aside and then please tell me, what could possibly be too good for any of them after all we ask of them?
So please tell me how any member of congress would ever say that anything is too good for any of these men and women? Ever think about how many years lapse between the time a soldier or Marine is wounded by PTSD and they actually sought help? How about over 30 years later and they don't get retro pay for the 30 years they were suffering in silence. Think about how much money they save the government? Then take it a step further and look at the Korean veterans and WWII veterans seeking help for the first time.
My father-in-law had a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart because of serving this country in WWII, but never sought one dime from the VA. We had to pay to bury him. My husband came home in 1971 and knew he brought home an enemy inside of him but he thought he could work and the VA was for the "guys missing legs" so he didn't receive a dime until 1999, six years after PTSD was full blown and killing him. He knew something was wrong in 1971 but he didn't cost the government a dime all that time. He sucked it up as PTSD got worse. He had a job and made good money, worked overtime, got longevity bonuses and raises along with promotions for when he learned to use another piece of equipment. PTSD got so bad, his doctors told him he had to stop working. That, well that came two years shy of 20 years on the job. That cost us money as well as the lost overtime and raises but I still had my husband living instead of in the ground with a very early death. Then we had to go without any income from him while we fought to have his claim approved. All he had was a decreased pension coming in instead of the pay check we were used to living off of. His retroactive pay only went back to the time he filed his claim and not back to Vietnam. Think of how much money he saved the government and what it cost him to do it.
If you want to try to tell me that making it easier to have a claim for PTSD approved is "too good" for the men and women serving this country, you better be prepared for an ear full because when you consider that civilians like you and me would get workman's comp if we suffered from trauma on the job and they can't just walk off the job and go to a trauma center or make an appointment with a psychologist, you'd know what they have to go thru. They have to still pick up their weapon and risk their lives the next day and the next day until they can do it no more. They have to stay until they are ordered back home. Everything they do from the time they enlist until the time they are discharged is for the sake of all of us. So why aren't we asking will we ever be good enough to them instead of what's too good for them?
Make sure your congressman votes to approve this bill and get it done for their sake!
Think about what we ask of them and what they deliver on. What is it they ask in return? They ask that they be only used as a last resort; they are provided with the plans to carry the mission they are given out; they are trained to do their jobs; they are fed and clothed with uniforms that don't fall apart in the crotch (yes, this happened too) and in the end, they ask their families are taken care of if they pay with their lives, and should they live, they will not have to suffer neglect or financial hardships for surviving. Not a lot to ask for since from every corner of this nation we are able to spout out "Support the Troops" "Freedom isn't free" and use the words "from a grateful nation" yet when you get right down to the bottom of all this talk, talk is cheap but actually doing what we claim is very expensive.
I've been tracking PTSD in this country for far too long to know exactly how bad it is for them and how much worse it's going to get. They have to put up with people saying PTSD is not real and that they are just trying to suck off the system. Lord help these people if they ever encounter a traumatic event that changes the rest of their lives, but in order for that to happen they would have to have a tender soul and feel for others first. So that's unlikely.
They have to carry on with the mission watching over the backs of their buddies, while nightmares and flashbacks are eating them away. They have to then come home, bulldoze past ignorant fools trying to make them feel as if they are responsible for the pain they are carrying with them, and then, then they get to fight the VA to have their claims honored. No easy task either when they have to prove what moment in time did it to them. It's almost as if the VA cannot understand that sometimes it's not one, two or three times, but hundreds of them. Simply being able to show that they were fine when they were in boot camp and not fine after their deployment into hell the first time, the second time or third time and so on, would be honorable but all they have to go thru is just not enough for some law makers who have never once lived with them, talked to them or held them in their arms.
John McCain and Bush whined about the GI Bill being "too good" and would make the troops want out to go to college. Members of congress, guess which side, took to the floor of the congress and said there just wasn't enough money to increase the VA to take care of the wounded when they absolutely no problem at all funding two military campaigns without plans or accounting at the same time both were producing more wounded veterans. Was that really supporting the troops?
Want to use the excuse about money? Well that one doesn't work either because when you consider how much they could be making as a private citizen instead of military pay, you would then understand that they are not in the military for the money. Then consider when they are wounded by body or soul, and they cannot work they receive a lot less than they could working. The VA does not pay bonuses and it does not pay overtime. It does not give merit raises but it does give measly cost of living increases. If you think those increases keeps pace with inflation or what gas prices did last year, you must be living under a rock.
Set aside the over 900,000 claims in the system already still waiting to be processed and denied that they have to wait their turn on. Set aside the fact that between now and the time they begin to be treated, PTSD gets worse and when you add in the extra burden of bills that cannot be paid because they can't work and the VA won't approve their claim, is hell for them and their families. Set aside the fact that for the last 8 years we had people in charge without a clue what to do. Set all of that aside and then please tell me, what could possibly be too good for any of them after all we ask of them?
So please tell me how any member of congress would ever say that anything is too good for any of these men and women? Ever think about how many years lapse between the time a soldier or Marine is wounded by PTSD and they actually sought help? How about over 30 years later and they don't get retro pay for the 30 years they were suffering in silence. Think about how much money they save the government? Then take it a step further and look at the Korean veterans and WWII veterans seeking help for the first time.
My father-in-law had a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart because of serving this country in WWII, but never sought one dime from the VA. We had to pay to bury him. My husband came home in 1971 and knew he brought home an enemy inside of him but he thought he could work and the VA was for the "guys missing legs" so he didn't receive a dime until 1999, six years after PTSD was full blown and killing him. He knew something was wrong in 1971 but he didn't cost the government a dime all that time. He sucked it up as PTSD got worse. He had a job and made good money, worked overtime, got longevity bonuses and raises along with promotions for when he learned to use another piece of equipment. PTSD got so bad, his doctors told him he had to stop working. That, well that came two years shy of 20 years on the job. That cost us money as well as the lost overtime and raises but I still had my husband living instead of in the ground with a very early death. Then we had to go without any income from him while we fought to have his claim approved. All he had was a decreased pension coming in instead of the pay check we were used to living off of. His retroactive pay only went back to the time he filed his claim and not back to Vietnam. Think of how much money he saved the government and what it cost him to do it.
If you want to try to tell me that making it easier to have a claim for PTSD approved is "too good" for the men and women serving this country, you better be prepared for an ear full because when you consider that civilians like you and me would get workman's comp if we suffered from trauma on the job and they can't just walk off the job and go to a trauma center or make an appointment with a psychologist, you'd know what they have to go thru. They have to still pick up their weapon and risk their lives the next day and the next day until they can do it no more. They have to stay until they are ordered back home. Everything they do from the time they enlist until the time they are discharged is for the sake of all of us. So why aren't we asking will we ever be good enough to them instead of what's too good for them?
Make sure your congressman votes to approve this bill and get it done for their sake!
Subcommittee approves bill easing PTSD compensation for vets
By Otto Kreisher
CongressDaily June 4, 2009
The House Veterans Affairs Disability Assistance Subcommittee on Wednesday approved a bill that would make it easier for veterans to receive financial compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The bill was referred to the full committee on a voice vote, despite votes against it from at least two of the three Republican members.
Sponsored by Disability Assistance Subcommittee Chairman John Hall, D-N.Y., and 16 other Democrats, the bill would allow a veteran to qualify for the monthly compensation for combat-related PTSD just by demonstrating that the psychological disorder was caused by something that happened while he or she was serving in the "combat theater" as defined by the Defense secretary. Currently, the Veterans Affairs Department requires proof that the stress occurred during "combat with the enemy."
go here for more
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0609/060409cdam1.htm
Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas talks about progress with the VA
Senior Community Bulletin
Winter Park/Maitland Observer - Winter Park,FL,USA
June 4, 2009
Congresswoman, Suzanne Kosmas announced that the Veterans Administration will begin processing applications for the higher education benefits available through the New GI Bill. The GI Bill for the 21st Century, which was passed by Congress and signed into law last year, provides a full, four-year college education to any veteran who has served since September 11, 2001 for at least 90 aggregate days or at least 30 days with a disability discharge.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has begun processing applications for the new benefit program, and veterans will be able to use the new educational benefits beginning Aug. 1. Congresswoman Kosmas encouraged all eligible veterans to visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/ to sign up or call the GI Bill hotline with any questions at 1-888-GIBILL-1. A detailed pamphlet on the GI Bill for the 21st Century is available on Congresswoman Kosmas' Web site, www.kosmas.house.gov.
The Paralyzed Veterans of America Central Florida Chapter commends Congress for increasing funding to veterans and moving toward advanced appropriations for VA's healthcare services.
On Wednesday, April 29, Congress passed a budget resolution that provides $53.4 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs. That's almost $5.6 billion more than the previous year's budget, an increase of nearly 12 percent. Additionally, the resolution has a provision creating advance appropriations for the VA's health care services next fiscal year.
The Paralyzed Veterans continues asking representatives and senators to support the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (HR 1016, S 423). That act would permanently mandate advance appropriations for the VA. A bi-partisan mix of 101 representatives and 43 senators has co-sponsored the act. Five of Florida's 25 representatives have become co-sponsors. Advance appropriations would help VA hospitals improve care and reduce patient-waiting times. Officials would be better able to allocate employment and equipment resources if they knew their budgets months ahead. Unlike other hospital systems, the VA cannot borrow against projected future income to add employees or equipment.
Florida has about 1.75 million veterans, about 9 percent of its population. VA spent about $5.5 billion in Florida in 2007 Much of it went toward health services. Through its various health care services VA had 5,263, 276 outpatient and about 46,000 hospitalizations in 2007. For information, contact Patrick McCallister, Government Relations Director, at 800-940-2378, or patrick.mccallister@yahoo.com.
go here for more
http://wpmobserver.com/WPMObserver/article.asp?ID=1928
Winter Park/Maitland Observer - Winter Park,FL,USA
June 4, 2009
Congresswoman, Suzanne Kosmas announced that the Veterans Administration will begin processing applications for the higher education benefits available through the New GI Bill. The GI Bill for the 21st Century, which was passed by Congress and signed into law last year, provides a full, four-year college education to any veteran who has served since September 11, 2001 for at least 90 aggregate days or at least 30 days with a disability discharge.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has begun processing applications for the new benefit program, and veterans will be able to use the new educational benefits beginning Aug. 1. Congresswoman Kosmas encouraged all eligible veterans to visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/ to sign up or call the GI Bill hotline with any questions at 1-888-GIBILL-1. A detailed pamphlet on the GI Bill for the 21st Century is available on Congresswoman Kosmas' Web site, www.kosmas.house.gov.
The Paralyzed Veterans of America Central Florida Chapter commends Congress for increasing funding to veterans and moving toward advanced appropriations for VA's healthcare services.
On Wednesday, April 29, Congress passed a budget resolution that provides $53.4 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs. That's almost $5.6 billion more than the previous year's budget, an increase of nearly 12 percent. Additionally, the resolution has a provision creating advance appropriations for the VA's health care services next fiscal year.
The Paralyzed Veterans continues asking representatives and senators to support the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (HR 1016, S 423). That act would permanently mandate advance appropriations for the VA. A bi-partisan mix of 101 representatives and 43 senators has co-sponsored the act. Five of Florida's 25 representatives have become co-sponsors. Advance appropriations would help VA hospitals improve care and reduce patient-waiting times. Officials would be better able to allocate employment and equipment resources if they knew their budgets months ahead. Unlike other hospital systems, the VA cannot borrow against projected future income to add employees or equipment.
Florida has about 1.75 million veterans, about 9 percent of its population. VA spent about $5.5 billion in Florida in 2007 Much of it went toward health services. Through its various health care services VA had 5,263, 276 outpatient and about 46,000 hospitalizations in 2007. For information, contact Patrick McCallister, Government Relations Director, at 800-940-2378, or patrick.mccallister@yahoo.com.
go here for more
http://wpmobserver.com/WPMObserver/article.asp?ID=1928
Fundraising begins for Washington ‘Wall That Heals’ project
Fundraising begins for Washington ‘Wall That Heals’ project
Half-scale Vietnam memorial will visit city in April 2010
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
Published: Thursday, June 4, 2009 2:20 AM EDT
Vietnam veteran and Washington resident George H. Schryer is getting closer to realizing his dream of bringing a special part of American history to Beaufort County.
Schryer, who was in the Air Force, is leading the movement to have The Wall That Heals — a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. — brought to the original Washington. It’s part of his efforts to ensure that America’s service men and women are not forgotten.
“The statue memorializes the more than 58,000 men and women who were killed during the 10-year-long Vietnam War,” Schryer said.
The traveling memorial is owned and operated by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, a private, nonprofit organization, Schryer explained.
Plans are now in place to display the memorial in Washington April 22-25, 2010.
“I have been wanting to do this for quite some time,” said Schryer, who is incoming commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6088 in Washington and District II Commander. “I couldn’t get all the pieces to fit, and we had to find the right location.”
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Fundraising for Wall That Heals
Half-scale Vietnam memorial will visit city in April 2010
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
Published: Thursday, June 4, 2009 2:20 AM EDT
Vietnam veteran and Washington resident George H. Schryer is getting closer to realizing his dream of bringing a special part of American history to Beaufort County.
Schryer, who was in the Air Force, is leading the movement to have The Wall That Heals — a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. — brought to the original Washington. It’s part of his efforts to ensure that America’s service men and women are not forgotten.
“The statue memorializes the more than 58,000 men and women who were killed during the 10-year-long Vietnam War,” Schryer said.
The traveling memorial is owned and operated by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, a private, nonprofit organization, Schryer explained.
Plans are now in place to display the memorial in Washington April 22-25, 2010.
“I have been wanting to do this for quite some time,” said Schryer, who is incoming commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6088 in Washington and District II Commander. “I couldn’t get all the pieces to fit, and we had to find the right location.”
go here for more
Fundraising for Wall That Heals
Driver plows into crowd gathered for opening ceremony of Vietnam Wall
Driver plows into crowd, several injured in Plymouth, Mass.
Play video
(NECN: Plymouth, Mass.) - Police in Plymouth, Massachusetts, say an elderly woman lost control of her vehicle this afternoon, driving into a crowd of people.
Somewhere between five and seven people suffer injuries. Two people suffer serious injuries, but none are considered to be life-threatening.
The reason for the large crowd gathered outside was an opening ceremony for the Vietnam Veteran Wall at the American Post 40.
Play video
(NECN: Plymouth, Mass.) - Police in Plymouth, Massachusetts, say an elderly woman lost control of her vehicle this afternoon, driving into a crowd of people.
Somewhere between five and seven people suffer injuries. Two people suffer serious injuries, but none are considered to be life-threatening.
The reason for the large crowd gathered outside was an opening ceremony for the Vietnam Veteran Wall at the American Post 40.
Actor David Carradine has been found dead
David Carradine dead, hanging in closet
Story Highlights
NEW: Actor was found in a Bangkok hotel hanging by a rope in a closet, police say
NEW: Rope was believed taken from the hotel room curtains, police say
Carradine became famous in the 1970s after starring in the TV series "Kung Fu"
Carradine, 72, was also known as "Bill" in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films
Actor David Carradine has been found dead, hanging by a nylon rope in a hotel room closet in Bangkok, Thailand, according to a Thai police official. The rope was believed taken from hotel room curtains, Bangkok Police Col. Pirom Chanpirom said. Investigators found no signs of forced entry, he said. full story
UPDATE
Carradine's body to return home, while questions remain
Story Highlights
NEW: David Carradine's family orders autopsy when body returns to United States
Actor's family, manager dispute suicide theory
Carradine found hanging by rope in Bangkok hotel closet, police say
By Alan Duke
CNN
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- David Carradine's wife and his manager disputed suggestions that the actor's death was a suicide, while rescue workers and police in Bangkok, Thailand, said the actor's neck and genitals were found bound with rope.
After Carradine's body arrives back to the United States this weekend, an autopsy ordered by Carradine's family will be conducted, according to the actor's co-manager.
"They're doing everything possible to get to the bottom of what really happened," said Carradine's co-manager Tiffany Smith.
Carradine, 72, became famous in the 1970s when he portrayed the traveling Shaolin monk Kwai Chang Caine in the television series "Kung Fu."
Bangkok police said Carradine was found hanging by a nylon rope in a Bangkok hotel room closet Thursday morning.
He was the star of "Kung Fu" TV series; also known as "Bill" in "Kill Bill" films
go here for the rest
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/06/05/carradine.death/index.html
Story Highlights
NEW: Actor was found in a Bangkok hotel hanging by a rope in a closet, police say
NEW: Rope was believed taken from the hotel room curtains, police say
Carradine became famous in the 1970s after starring in the TV series "Kung Fu"
Carradine, 72, was also known as "Bill" in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films
Actor David Carradine has been found dead, hanging by a nylon rope in a hotel room closet in Bangkok, Thailand, according to a Thai police official. The rope was believed taken from hotel room curtains, Bangkok Police Col. Pirom Chanpirom said. Investigators found no signs of forced entry, he said. full story
UPDATE
Carradine's body to return home, while questions remain
Story Highlights
NEW: David Carradine's family orders autopsy when body returns to United States
Actor's family, manager dispute suicide theory
Carradine found hanging by rope in Bangkok hotel closet, police say
By Alan Duke
CNN
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- David Carradine's wife and his manager disputed suggestions that the actor's death was a suicide, while rescue workers and police in Bangkok, Thailand, said the actor's neck and genitals were found bound with rope.
After Carradine's body arrives back to the United States this weekend, an autopsy ordered by Carradine's family will be conducted, according to the actor's co-manager.
"They're doing everything possible to get to the bottom of what really happened," said Carradine's co-manager Tiffany Smith.
Carradine, 72, became famous in the 1970s when he portrayed the traveling Shaolin monk Kwai Chang Caine in the television series "Kung Fu."
Bangkok police said Carradine was found hanging by a nylon rope in a Bangkok hotel room closet Thursday morning.
He was the star of "Kung Fu" TV series; also known as "Bill" in "Kill Bill" films
go here for the rest
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/06/05/carradine.death/index.html
Pvt. William Andrew Long came from military family
Slain soldier came from military family
By Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jun 4, 2009 10:37:51 EDT
CONWAY, Ark. — The father of a soldier slain outside a recruiting center sought a quiet life for his family in rural Arkansas after years of military service, but the battlefield came home to find them.
Daris Long’s son, Army Pvt. William Andrew Long, was shot Monday in suburban Little Rock while he stood and smoked a cigarette, far from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Long, 23, died in an attack that also wounded Pvt. Quinton I. Ezeagwula, 18. The alleged gunman, Abdulhakim Muhammad, also 23, told investigators he wanted to kill as many Army personnel as he could “because of what they had done to Muslims in the past,” police said.
But Ezeagwula and Long had never seen battle. Both only completed basic training recently and had volunteered to help attract others into military service. Long was heading to South Korea, not even the Middle East, for his service.
“He was a hero. The other young lad that’s in the hospital, he’s a hero,” Daris Long told Little Rock television station KATV. “They weren’t on the battlefield, but apparently, the battlefield’s here.”
Long’s service adds to his family’s military tradition, his father said. The elder Long served in the Marine Corps while his wife, Janet, was in the Navy.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/06/ap_recruiting_center_shooting_2_060309/
By Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jun 4, 2009 10:37:51 EDT
CONWAY, Ark. — The father of a soldier slain outside a recruiting center sought a quiet life for his family in rural Arkansas after years of military service, but the battlefield came home to find them.
Daris Long’s son, Army Pvt. William Andrew Long, was shot Monday in suburban Little Rock while he stood and smoked a cigarette, far from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Long, 23, died in an attack that also wounded Pvt. Quinton I. Ezeagwula, 18. The alleged gunman, Abdulhakim Muhammad, also 23, told investigators he wanted to kill as many Army personnel as he could “because of what they had done to Muslims in the past,” police said.
But Ezeagwula and Long had never seen battle. Both only completed basic training recently and had volunteered to help attract others into military service. Long was heading to South Korea, not even the Middle East, for his service.
“He was a hero. The other young lad that’s in the hospital, he’s a hero,” Daris Long told Little Rock television station KATV. “They weren’t on the battlefield, but apparently, the battlefield’s here.”
Long’s service adds to his family’s military tradition, his father said. The elder Long served in the Marine Corps while his wife, Janet, was in the Navy.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/06/ap_recruiting_center_shooting_2_060309/
AF retiree sending 28,000 pizzas and beer to troops
AF retiree sending 28,000 pizzas to troops
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jun 3, 2009 21:17:22 EDT
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — A retired Air Force master sergeant who last year sent more than 2,000 pizzas to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is planning to up the ante this Independence Day.
Mark Evans is planning to ship 28,000 deep-dish pizzas, packed in dry ice, to the war zones.
Evans says sending the pizzas to the troops is like telling them they are doing a great job.
Evans said he is approaching corporations and private citizens for donations for this year’s shipment. It is his intent that every soldier at nine forward bases in Iraq and Afghanistan get a third of a pizza.
Evans says DHL Express has volunteered to ship the pizzas that will be obtained from Uno Chicago Grill. MillerCoors is donating 10,000 cases of beer.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/06/ap_pizza_troops_deployed_060309/
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jun 3, 2009 21:17:22 EDT
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — A retired Air Force master sergeant who last year sent more than 2,000 pizzas to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is planning to up the ante this Independence Day.
Mark Evans is planning to ship 28,000 deep-dish pizzas, packed in dry ice, to the war zones.
Evans says sending the pizzas to the troops is like telling them they are doing a great job.
Evans said he is approaching corporations and private citizens for donations for this year’s shipment. It is his intent that every soldier at nine forward bases in Iraq and Afghanistan get a third of a pizza.
Evans says DHL Express has volunteered to ship the pizzas that will be obtained from Uno Chicago Grill. MillerCoors is donating 10,000 cases of beer.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/06/ap_pizza_troops_deployed_060309/
NASCAR stops all for moment of silence on Memorial Day!
I just got off the phone with someone who was there. He asked about my trip to Washington and then he told me this. He said that everyone in the crowd was misty. What a wonderful way to honor the men and women that paid the price with their lives! Amazing video!
NASCAR Pauses for Moment of Silence
Drivers, Crews, Fans Honor Fallen
Heroes
Updated: Monday, 25 May 2009, 4:40 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 25 May 2009, 4:00 PM EDT
By EMILY STONE/myfoxdc
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Just as Americans across the country stopped their holiday barbeques and celebrations Monday to remember their country's fallen heroes, drivers and fans at NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina did the same.
In a moving tribute, NASCAR officials brought the race to a halt at lap 166, bringing out the red flag and joining the nation in a moment of silence at 3 p.m. to honor U.S. veterans and servicemen and women. NASCAR threw out the yellow caution flag at lap 163, and the drivers came to a stop three laps later— shutting off their engines on the frontstretch at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Crew members lined pit road to observe the moment of silence, and flags were at half staff all around the track.
The crowd, at least for the most part, was also quiet during the tribute. Some drivers, like Tony Stewart, waved small American flags out the window of their cars as they drove to a stop.
The 600-mile race was scheduled to be run on Sunday, but it was delayed and pushed to Monday due to rain in the Charlotte area.
President Barack Obama called on the nation stop at 3 p.m. local time and observe the National Moment of Remembrance . He also proclaimed Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace.
Watch video of NASCAR's tribute by clicking on video to the left.
NASCAR Pauses for Moment of Silence
Drivers, Crews, Fans Honor Fallen
Heroes
Updated: Monday, 25 May 2009, 4:40 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 25 May 2009, 4:00 PM EDT
By EMILY STONE/myfoxdc
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Just as Americans across the country stopped their holiday barbeques and celebrations Monday to remember their country's fallen heroes, drivers and fans at NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina did the same.
In a moving tribute, NASCAR officials brought the race to a halt at lap 166, bringing out the red flag and joining the nation in a moment of silence at 3 p.m. to honor U.S. veterans and servicemen and women. NASCAR threw out the yellow caution flag at lap 163, and the drivers came to a stop three laps later— shutting off their engines on the frontstretch at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Crew members lined pit road to observe the moment of silence, and flags were at half staff all around the track.
The crowd, at least for the most part, was also quiet during the tribute. Some drivers, like Tony Stewart, waved small American flags out the window of their cars as they drove to a stop.
The 600-mile race was scheduled to be run on Sunday, but it was delayed and pushed to Monday due to rain in the Charlotte area.
President Barack Obama called on the nation stop at 3 p.m. local time and observe the National Moment of Remembrance . He also proclaimed Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace.
Watch video of NASCAR's tribute by clicking on video to the left.
Honoring the sacrifices of veterans still needs work
This is from my friend Lily Casura over at Healing Combat Trauma. She went to an event for Memorial Day that was not well attended.
There were many times over the years that I understood military and veterans families are a minority in this nation but even knowing that, when you're surrounded by other veterans and their families, you realize that this is one minority it's a honor to be among.
Rolling Thunder's Ride for The Wall produced, as with every year, hundreds of thousands of veterans and supporters. The Nam Knights ended up with hundreds of their own. They came from all over the country at their own expense and some of them spent the year saving up for this trip to honor the fallen from Vietnam. Financial hardship in a down economy aside, there were also the endless miles of riding motorcycles to get there, facing rain, crazy drivers and traffic jams. All of it was worth it to every single one.
Across the nation there were gatherings to honor the fallen from all wars and most were well attended because people care and wanted in someway to honor the sacrifices made by showing up instead of just offering slogans like "Freedom isn't free" because their hearts are tugged to be there in solidarity.
The event covered by my friend Lily normally would have saddened me but after what I witnessed Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC, I know enough people care enough to go above and beyond to prove it.
I grew up surrounded by veterans and married one. Most of the groups we've belonged to over the years have been veteran related. We don't know any other way of life although we do have other interests, we know our non-veteran friends cannot relate to any of this so we just enjoy their company as Americans and friends. For the most part, we spend the bulk of our days with other veterans and their families and I, well you know what I do because you read it here everyday on this blog. Sure there are more popular blogs with the usual posts touching the masses and what is popular in the news, but to tell the truth given the fact I can post on anything I want, I'd rather spend my time doing something to focus on veterans and the troops. They are the vast majority of my posts because I understand what it's like. My speciality is trauma related but it's the veterans tugging at my heart the most. The way I figure it, this minority should be getting a lot more attention than they do and I'm just doing my part to help that happen. I'm also grateful people like Lily are out there and showing up at ceremonies to honor the fallen as well as being fully invested in telling their stories. She's been a great friend to veterans for a very long time and a very dear friend of mine.
There were many times over the years that I understood military and veterans families are a minority in this nation but even knowing that, when you're surrounded by other veterans and their families, you realize that this is one minority it's a honor to be among.
Rolling Thunder's Ride for The Wall produced, as with every year, hundreds of thousands of veterans and supporters. The Nam Knights ended up with hundreds of their own. They came from all over the country at their own expense and some of them spent the year saving up for this trip to honor the fallen from Vietnam. Financial hardship in a down economy aside, there were also the endless miles of riding motorcycles to get there, facing rain, crazy drivers and traffic jams. All of it was worth it to every single one.
Across the nation there were gatherings to honor the fallen from all wars and most were well attended because people care and wanted in someway to honor the sacrifices made by showing up instead of just offering slogans like "Freedom isn't free" because their hearts are tugged to be there in solidarity.
The event covered by my friend Lily normally would have saddened me but after what I witnessed Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC, I know enough people care enough to go above and beyond to prove it.
I grew up surrounded by veterans and married one. Most of the groups we've belonged to over the years have been veteran related. We don't know any other way of life although we do have other interests, we know our non-veteran friends cannot relate to any of this so we just enjoy their company as Americans and friends. For the most part, we spend the bulk of our days with other veterans and their families and I, well you know what I do because you read it here everyday on this blog. Sure there are more popular blogs with the usual posts touching the masses and what is popular in the news, but to tell the truth given the fact I can post on anything I want, I'd rather spend my time doing something to focus on veterans and the troops. They are the vast majority of my posts because I understand what it's like. My speciality is trauma related but it's the veterans tugging at my heart the most. The way I figure it, this minority should be getting a lot more attention than they do and I'm just doing my part to help that happen. I'm also grateful people like Lily are out there and showing up at ceremonies to honor the fallen as well as being fully invested in telling their stories. She's been a great friend to veterans for a very long time and a very dear friend of mine.
Honoring the sacrifices of veterans still needs work
By Lily G. Casura
Thursday, June 04, 2009
As part of last week’s celebrations around Memorial Day, I went to the presentation at the St. Helena public library on Thursday night, intended to honor those locally who had died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2000. The presentation honored veterans who had lost their lives from both Napa and Sonoma counties, and there were 10 of them — in addition to over 500 from California, total.
The program, which was held in the library’s wine collection room, represented the work of several volunteers and many hours, and was led by Jennifer Baker, library director.There could be a number of reasons, but veterans themselves have one. Scrawled in black dry-erase marker on a white board in Iraq, one Marine wrote, “America isn’t at war. The U.S. military is at war. America is at the mall …”
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Fort Hood Soldiers' spouses help single soldiers
Soldiers' spouses help single soldiers
6/3/2009 5:45 PM
By: Brandi Powell
As more members of the military return to Fort Hood, volunteers work to make sure soldiers without family nearby are provided with the comforts of home.
A group of community members and wives of other soldiers set up 500 rooms on Fort Hood on the first day of Operation Restful Night. The group plans to set up 2,000 more rooms in the next few weeks with care packages, including sheets from JC Penny and toiletries provided by the USO.
"It's a special feeling because you're giving so much to them, and they've given so much to us," Karessa Lang, an employee at Killeen's JCPenny, and volunteer for the day, said.
go here for more
http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=242269
6/3/2009 5:45 PM
By: Brandi Powell
As more members of the military return to Fort Hood, volunteers work to make sure soldiers without family nearby are provided with the comforts of home.
A group of community members and wives of other soldiers set up 500 rooms on Fort Hood on the first day of Operation Restful Night. The group plans to set up 2,000 more rooms in the next few weeks with care packages, including sheets from JC Penny and toiletries provided by the USO.
"It's a special feeling because you're giving so much to them, and they've given so much to us," Karessa Lang, an employee at Killeen's JCPenny, and volunteer for the day, said.
go here for more
http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=242269
Prosecutor of Timothy McVeigh now seeks justice for soldier son
Officials seek new trial for soldier
Mark Schlachtenhaufen
The Edmond Sun
EDMOND — An Edmond mother seeking justice for her soldier son said she is hopeful but is not sure efforts to get a new trial will work.
On March 20, 1st Lt. Michael Behenna was sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing an Iraqi detainee he took aside for questioning.
Behenna’s supporters say Ali Mansur was a member of an Al Qaeda cell operating in Behenna’s area of operation, and Mansur was suspected of organizing an attack on Behenna’s platoon in April 2008. Two U.S. soldiers were killed in that attack.
Army officials ordered the release of Mansur, and Behenna was ordered to return him to his home. While Behenna was questioning him, the shooting occurred.
Supporters say during the interrogation Mansur attacked Behenna, who acted in self defense. Prosecutors said the killing was premeditated murder, that Behenna shot Mansur “execution style.”
Behenna’s mother, Vicki Behenna, said her son deserves a new trial because prosecutors withheld evidence allowing them to argue that Lt. Behenna murdered Mansur while seated, when forensic experts agree Mansur was standing, corroborating her son’s testimony.
Vicki Behenna knows law. She is a professor in Oklahoma City University’s School of Law and she was a lead member of the team that prosecuted Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma City bombing case.
go here for more
http://www.edmondsun.com/local/local_story_155000421.html
Mark Schlachtenhaufen
The Edmond Sun
EDMOND — An Edmond mother seeking justice for her soldier son said she is hopeful but is not sure efforts to get a new trial will work.
On March 20, 1st Lt. Michael Behenna was sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing an Iraqi detainee he took aside for questioning.
Behenna’s supporters say Ali Mansur was a member of an Al Qaeda cell operating in Behenna’s area of operation, and Mansur was suspected of organizing an attack on Behenna’s platoon in April 2008. Two U.S. soldiers were killed in that attack.
Army officials ordered the release of Mansur, and Behenna was ordered to return him to his home. While Behenna was questioning him, the shooting occurred.
Supporters say during the interrogation Mansur attacked Behenna, who acted in self defense. Prosecutors said the killing was premeditated murder, that Behenna shot Mansur “execution style.”
Behenna’s mother, Vicki Behenna, said her son deserves a new trial because prosecutors withheld evidence allowing them to argue that Lt. Behenna murdered Mansur while seated, when forensic experts agree Mansur was standing, corroborating her son’s testimony.
Vicki Behenna knows law. She is a professor in Oklahoma City University’s School of Law and she was a lead member of the team that prosecuted Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma City bombing case.
go here for more
http://www.edmondsun.com/local/local_story_155000421.html
Timothy's Law should include PTSD
Bolster coverage for mental health
June 4, 2009
Two years ago, state lawmakers made the sensible decision to correct a grave injustice in mental health-care coverage. They passed "Timothy's Law,'' which has forced insurers to cover more treatment for mental health care.
But the law was passed with a sunset provision, which means it will expire at the end of this year unless the state takes action. Gov. David Paterson is calling for such action - and lawmakers should adhere to his proposal.
Specifically, Paterson recently offered legislation to make the law permanent, timing his announcement with what would have been the 21st birthday of Timothy O'Clair, for whom the law is named. The 12-year-old Schenectady boy hanged himself after his parents were unable to obtain the mental health treatment he needed due to their health insurance coverage limits.
June 4, 2009
Two years ago, state lawmakers made the sensible decision to correct a grave injustice in mental health-care coverage. They passed "Timothy's Law,'' which has forced insurers to cover more treatment for mental health care.
But the law was passed with a sunset provision, which means it will expire at the end of this year unless the state takes action. Gov. David Paterson is calling for such action - and lawmakers should adhere to his proposal.
Specifically, Paterson recently offered legislation to make the law permanent, timing his announcement with what would have been the 21st birthday of Timothy O'Clair, for whom the law is named. The 12-year-old Schenectady boy hanged himself after his parents were unable to obtain the mental health treatment he needed due to their health insurance coverage limits.
Include post-traumatic stress disorder
Not only should this law be extended and made permanent, but it also should be expanded to include those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Many veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering from the disorder and could ultimately benefit from such coverage. Committees in the Senate and Assembly are reviewing bills introduced this year that define the stress disorder as a biologically based mental illness that would also be covered under Timothy's Law in order to assure "returning veterans, victims of terror and other violent crimes and others suffering from PTSD are afforded the care they need through their insurance coverage to address their disease."
go here for more
Bolster coverage for mental health
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