Soldiers complain about conditions
(UKPA)
1 day ago
Soldiers have complained about "horrible" living conditions, boredom and a lack of Olympics tickets as Boris Johnson visited their packed warehouse base in London.
The London mayor walked past soldiers sleeping on camp beds in the open, cramped rooms full of dozens of makeshift beds, people washing in plastic crates, smelly portable toilets and an outdoor kitchen as he visited the armed forces' accommodation in an old tobacco warehouse.
The sound of diggers and cranes filled the air as Mr Johnson visited the recreation area - a small strip of concrete next to the old dock. "What is that there?" he remarked. "Should we go and intervene? It's probably Hare Krishnas or something."
Inside, some troops watched Britain win another rowing gold medal and posed for pictures with Mr Johnson, but others told stories of missing holidays and having nothing to do while on standby or on downtime.
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Saturday, August 4, 2012
New study compares health of vets, civilians
New study compares health of vets, civilians
By Patricia Kime
Staff writer
Posted : Friday Aug 3, 2012
Male veterans are more likely than civilians to have two or more chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma, according to a Centers for Disease Control report released Wednesday.
But male veterans are only slightly more likely to report issues related to psychological stress than those who never served.
In general, veterans aged 25 to 64 reported their health as “poor to fair” at rates higher than their civilian counterparts, 16 percent versus 10 percent. The widest disparity was among the 45 to 64 age group: 17 percent of male veterans described their health as either poor or fair — as opposed to good, very good or excellent — while just 12 percent of civilian males said their health was poor or fair.
Regarding psychological stress, a condition the CDC says could indicate a diagnosable mental condition, fewer than 5 percent of both veterans and nonveterans reported any problems, although the percentages among veterans still were slightly higher across the board for all age groups.
read more here
By Patricia Kime
Staff writer
Posted : Friday Aug 3, 2012
Male veterans are more likely than civilians to have two or more chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma, according to a Centers for Disease Control report released Wednesday.
But male veterans are only slightly more likely to report issues related to psychological stress than those who never served.
In general, veterans aged 25 to 64 reported their health as “poor to fair” at rates higher than their civilian counterparts, 16 percent versus 10 percent. The widest disparity was among the 45 to 64 age group: 17 percent of male veterans described their health as either poor or fair — as opposed to good, very good or excellent — while just 12 percent of civilian males said their health was poor or fair.
Regarding psychological stress, a condition the CDC says could indicate a diagnosable mental condition, fewer than 5 percent of both veterans and nonveterans reported any problems, although the percentages among veterans still were slightly higher across the board for all age groups.
read more here
Kan. Army veteran’s service dog found dead
Kan. Army veteran’s service dog found dead
The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Aug 4, 2012
WICHITA, Kan. — A disabled Army veteran’s service dog is found dead along a Kansas interstate highway about three hours after its owner reported it stolen.
The Wichita Eagle reported Ryan Newell stopped at a car wash in Park City shortly before 7 p.m. Friday to let the dog, a Doberman named Red, stretch its legs.
read more here
The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Aug 4, 2012
WICHITA, Kan. — A disabled Army veteran’s service dog is found dead along a Kansas interstate highway about three hours after its owner reported it stolen.
The Wichita Eagle reported Ryan Newell stopped at a car wash in Park City shortly before 7 p.m. Friday to let the dog, a Doberman named Red, stretch its legs.
read more here
Secret Service Grabs Florida Man in Obama Threat
Secret Service Grabs Florida Man in Obama Threat
Aug 3, 2012
The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a mentally unstable Florida man who made multiple verbal threats against President Obama and former president Bill Clinton, both of whom were visiting the state at the time, law enforcement officials tell ABC News. Federal agents and deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office descended on the suspect’s apartment complex Thursday, four miles from where Obama was holding a campaign rally at Rollins College in Winter Park.
Aug 3, 2012
The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a mentally unstable Florida man who made multiple verbal threats against President Obama and former president Bill Clinton, both of whom were visiting the state at the time, law enforcement officials tell ABC News. Federal agents and deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office descended on the suspect’s apartment complex Thursday, four miles from where Obama was holding a campaign rally at Rollins College in Winter Park.
The threat, called into a Veterans Affairs office earlier in the day, was deemed sufficiently legitimate to warrant a swift response, particularly since Obama had not yet left the area, officials said. But he did not attempt to attend the event or get close to Obama and Clinton.
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Vice President Joe Biden Addresses DAV National Convention
Vice President Joe Biden Addresses DAV National Convention
Actors J.R. Martinez and Gary Sinise to receive special recognition for their contributions to the veteran community
LAS VEGAS (July 31, 2012) – DAV will convene its national body to address the needs of injured and ill veterans of all generations when the organization meets at Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas for its 91st National Convention Aug. 4-7. On Saturday, the expected 4,000 attendees will have the opportunity to hear Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., discuss key policies affecting the veteran community.
Thousands of delegates will also draw up legislative initiatives aimed at fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. The major issues to be addressed at the Convention include: the need to improve mental health care for the psychologically wounded and their families; eliminating the lengthy delays veterans encounter when submitting disability claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs; and increased funding for construction projects to maintain the VA’s critical infrastructure.
v “We look forward to creating a united front of veterans to achieve our legislative goals,” said DAV National Commander Donald L. Samuels. “It is important that lawmakers understand that some areas of the VA are facing inadequate funding. This is our health care system, and it is struggling to meet the needs of our nation’s veterans.”
A special moment will be the presentation of DAV’s Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year Award to J.R. Martinez, whose remarkable accomplishments in service to veterans inspired the nation and advanced the causes of America’s veterans. Despite suffering severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body when his Humvee hit a land mine in Iraq, Martinez has helped lift the spirits of other ill and injured veterans by sharing his story and listening to theirs.
On Sunday morning, actor and long-time veteran supporter, Gary Sinise will also receive a special recognition for speaking out on issues affecting veterans and military men and women. Perhaps best-known for playing the iconic character, Lieutenant Dan in the movie Forrest Gump, Sinise has a long track record of proactively supporting the troops and veterans – from being featured in PSAs to performing for the troops in his band, The Lieutenant Dan Band. The band will be performing for Convention attendees on Sunday evening.
DAV delegates will also elect national officers at the Convention, get the latest information on veterans issues and renew our commitment to serving those who have sacrificed for our freedoms and way of life.
DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a non-profit organization with 1.2 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U. S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at www.dav.org.
for more on the convention go here
Actors J.R. Martinez and Gary Sinise to receive special recognition for their contributions to the veteran community
LAS VEGAS (July 31, 2012) – DAV will convene its national body to address the needs of injured and ill veterans of all generations when the organization meets at Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas for its 91st National Convention Aug. 4-7. On Saturday, the expected 4,000 attendees will have the opportunity to hear Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., discuss key policies affecting the veteran community.
Thousands of delegates will also draw up legislative initiatives aimed at fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. The major issues to be addressed at the Convention include: the need to improve mental health care for the psychologically wounded and their families; eliminating the lengthy delays veterans encounter when submitting disability claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs; and increased funding for construction projects to maintain the VA’s critical infrastructure.
v “We look forward to creating a united front of veterans to achieve our legislative goals,” said DAV National Commander Donald L. Samuels. “It is important that lawmakers understand that some areas of the VA are facing inadequate funding. This is our health care system, and it is struggling to meet the needs of our nation’s veterans.”
A special moment will be the presentation of DAV’s Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year Award to J.R. Martinez, whose remarkable accomplishments in service to veterans inspired the nation and advanced the causes of America’s veterans. Despite suffering severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body when his Humvee hit a land mine in Iraq, Martinez has helped lift the spirits of other ill and injured veterans by sharing his story and listening to theirs.
On Sunday morning, actor and long-time veteran supporter, Gary Sinise will also receive a special recognition for speaking out on issues affecting veterans and military men and women. Perhaps best-known for playing the iconic character, Lieutenant Dan in the movie Forrest Gump, Sinise has a long track record of proactively supporting the troops and veterans – from being featured in PSAs to performing for the troops in his band, The Lieutenant Dan Band. The band will be performing for Convention attendees on Sunday evening.
DAV delegates will also elect national officers at the Convention, get the latest information on veterans issues and renew our commitment to serving those who have sacrificed for our freedoms and way of life.
DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a non-profit organization with 1.2 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U. S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at www.dav.org.
for more on the convention go here
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