Homeless Jacksonville veteran tells his story after officials speak on the subject
Officials address the national problem Wednesday at the Clara White Mission.
Posted: August 15, 2012
By Matt Soergel
Ronnie Hellum’s eight years in the Army were the best days of his life.
He had structure. Purpose. An important job. A steady paycheck. People depended on him.
After getting out, he was adrift. And over the years he’s suffered many losses: His son, murdered at 17. His family. His freedom, after running afoul of the law. His job. And his health — he ended up profoundly depressed.
Two years ago he became homeless, sleeping under bridges, in bushes off the side of the road.
But on Wednesday, Hellum, 56, stood right next to some national and local leaders as they talked about the nation’s responsibility to help veterans who have ended up homeless.
U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, a retired Army general, came to the Clara White Mission in downtown Jacksonville. So did Mayor Alvin Brown and U.S. Reps Corrine Brown and Ander Crenshaw.
read more here
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Iraq Veteran/NY Firefighter with PTSD losing job
What's next New York? Deny healthcare for 9-11 responders? Oops, already did that one too. So much for appreciating the people step up everyday if Troy is allowed to do this.
They just may need to change their website to get this off
They just may need to change their website to get this off
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N.Y. Firefighter on Leave With PTSD Set to Lose Job
BY BOB GARDINIER
TIMES UNION, ALBANY, N.Y.
CREATED: AUGUST 16, 2012
Troy Firefighter Jeffrey Wright, an Iraq war veteran on leave while undergoing treatment for the past three years, is set to lose his job.
TROY, N.Y. -- An Iraq war veteran undergoing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder for the past three years will lose his job Friday as a city firefighter.
"I got a letter last week that I will be terminated Friday," Jeffrey Wright said. "They have tried to paint a very misleading picture of what's going on here."
Wright, 36, has been battling to keep his job since 2010, when he was placed on medical leave by the city. Wright said he has been undergoing treatment since 2009 for PTSD related to his combat service and has not worked since February 2010, when he was placed on medical leave.
Wright was an Army Reserve staff sergeant who served in Iraq from February 2004 to March 2005 and became a firefighter in 2007. He was notified last December by Fire Chief Thomas Garrett that he was being considered for termination under Civil Service Law.
The Times Union reported last month that Wright had recently received a letter from the department saying that action was being taken to end his employment.
read more here
Weekend Vietnam Vet Run to include war dogs memorial
Weekend Vietnam Vet Run to include war dogs memorial
August 16, 2012
AMANDA WILCOX
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Of the more than 4,500 military working dogs sent to Vietnam from 1965 to 1972, only 240 returned home to the United States. The rest were either euthanized, considered a surplus of equipment from the war or turned over to the South Vietnamese.
At this weekend’s Vietnam Memorial Motorcycle Run and Rally, Vietnam veteran and former dog handler Johnny Mayo will be bringing his traveling war dog memorial to honor the dogs who served dutifully by their handlers’ sides.
The display, lined with images and histories of the many working dogs who served in Vietnam, will “break your heart,” memorial foundation spokeswoman Pat Walker said.
“So bring your Kleenex,” she added.
In addition to the dog memorial, the rally will feature a car show hosted by the Tobacco Road Cruisers, a bike show and games, hosted by Combat Cycles, and a beer garden hosted by Harbor Site Bar. There will also be a silent auction, entertainment by local band Freeway Friday night, and a concert Sunday with music by bands Ricochet and Dixie Driver.
But the main event will always be the motorcycle run, Walker said.
read more here
August 16, 2012
AMANDA WILCOX
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Of the more than 4,500 military working dogs sent to Vietnam from 1965 to 1972, only 240 returned home to the United States. The rest were either euthanized, considered a surplus of equipment from the war or turned over to the South Vietnamese.
At this weekend’s Vietnam Memorial Motorcycle Run and Rally, Vietnam veteran and former dog handler Johnny Mayo will be bringing his traveling war dog memorial to honor the dogs who served dutifully by their handlers’ sides.
The display, lined with images and histories of the many working dogs who served in Vietnam, will “break your heart,” memorial foundation spokeswoman Pat Walker said.
“So bring your Kleenex,” she added.
In addition to the dog memorial, the rally will feature a car show hosted by the Tobacco Road Cruisers, a bike show and games, hosted by Combat Cycles, and a beer garden hosted by Harbor Site Bar. There will also be a silent auction, entertainment by local band Freeway Friday night, and a concert Sunday with music by bands Ricochet and Dixie Driver.
But the main event will always be the motorcycle run, Walker said.
read more here
4 soldiers confirmed dead in Afghan helo crash
UPDATE August 16, 2012
Black Hawk crash kills 7 Americans, 4 Afghans
Black Hawk crash kills 7 Americans, 4 Afghans
4 soldiers confirmed dead in Afghan helo crash
Taliban says it shot down Black Hawk
7 U.S., 4 Afghans dead
By Heidi Vogt and Kay Johnson
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Aug 16, 2012
KABUL, Afghanistan — Seven American troops and four Afghans died in a Black Hawk helicopter crash on Thursday in southern Afghanistan, the NATO military coalition said. The Taliban claimed their fighters shot down the aircraft. At least four U.S. soldiers were confirmed among the casualties, according to Col. Thomas Collins, Army spokesman in Afghanistan.
The crash marked another deadly day for the United States in Afghanistan, less than a week after six American service members were gunned down, apparently by two members of the Afghan security forces they were training to take over the fight against the insurgency as international combat troops prepare to exit the country by the end of 2014.
read more here
Budget cuts will harm National Guard
Officials: Budget cuts will harm National Guard
By Kevin Wang
Medill News Service
Posted : Thursday Aug 16, 2012
Massive budget cuts that are due to take effect in January if Congress can’t reach a deficit-reduction deal could affect not only the active-duty military but also the National Guard, experts said Tuesday.
At a discussion at the conservative Heritage Foundation, Paul McHale, former assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense, and retired Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, former deputy chief of U.S. Northern Command, said the across-the-board budget cuts would jeopardize the Guard’s domestic readiness and are an “irresponsible approach” to U.S. national security.
Under the Budget Control Act passed by Congress last year, federal spending is set to be reduced starting in January by more than $1.2 trillion — automatic, across-the-board cuts known as sequestration that would affect every government agency — if Congress does not act. More than $500 billion would come from the Defense Department budget.
McHale warned that although sequestration will have the most direct impact on the active-duty military, the National Guard cannot avoid cuts to its operational capabilities.
Funding reductions could result in less-trained, less-equipped personnel and longer response periods, he said.
Blum, a former National Guard Bureau chief, said a shrinking budget could mean the Army would have to transfer funding to the National Guard and possibly cover some of its domestic duties.
“It’s very likely that 20,000 National Guard troops will be cut,” McHale warned.
read more here
By Kevin Wang
Medill News Service
Posted : Thursday Aug 16, 2012
Massive budget cuts that are due to take effect in January if Congress can’t reach a deficit-reduction deal could affect not only the active-duty military but also the National Guard, experts said Tuesday.
At a discussion at the conservative Heritage Foundation, Paul McHale, former assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense, and retired Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, former deputy chief of U.S. Northern Command, said the across-the-board budget cuts would jeopardize the Guard’s domestic readiness and are an “irresponsible approach” to U.S. national security.
Under the Budget Control Act passed by Congress last year, federal spending is set to be reduced starting in January by more than $1.2 trillion — automatic, across-the-board cuts known as sequestration that would affect every government agency — if Congress does not act. More than $500 billion would come from the Defense Department budget.
McHale warned that although sequestration will have the most direct impact on the active-duty military, the National Guard cannot avoid cuts to its operational capabilities.
Funding reductions could result in less-trained, less-equipped personnel and longer response periods, he said.
Blum, a former National Guard Bureau chief, said a shrinking budget could mean the Army would have to transfer funding to the National Guard and possibly cover some of its domestic duties.
“It’s very likely that 20,000 National Guard troops will be cut,” McHale warned.
read more here
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