Sunday, August 19, 2012

Iraq Veteran Describes Battle with PTSD

Veteran Describes Battle with PTSD
Aug 17, 2012

GROTTOES, Va -- Bruce Webb is a proud veteran that now lives in Grottoes. His life changed after he came home from his last tour, so much that he thought about taking his own life. Now, he is beginning to recover, but it is not an easy journey.

“I deal with this on a daily basis," said Webb.

He is not an active soldier anymore, but he still feels like one.

"You're still in combat mode."

Webb served in the military for 33 years. He was sent back home wounded from Iraq in March 2010, but he says those wounds are not the most painful ones.

“There's a lot of thoughts that go through our mind. Will God forgive me? Number one for what I've done. I've lost my best friend or I lost all my guys."

Webb says when he returned he drank heavily, he lost his patience easily and he could not sleep.

“All of this is going on in your mind so much, that you don't wanna live with it no more."

In June 2010, Webb almost pulled the trigger at Skyline Drive.

"I was crying. I was in so much pain."
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Conn. Town Honors Marine Convicted in Iraq Deaths

Conn. Town Honors Marine Convicted in Iraq Deaths
MERIDEN, Conn
August 19, 2012
(AP)

A Marine who was convicted in the 2005 killings of unarmed Iraqis returned home this weekend to Connecticut for a golf tournament organized by local veterans for his benefit.

Former Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich told the Record-Journal of Meriden on Saturday that some people think prosecutors let a child-killer go free. He says that's absolutely not the case.

"It wasn't the military letting off a murderer, rampager," he said.

In February, he received a general discharge under honorable conditions — one step below an honorable discharge. Wuterich was the only Marine convicted in the killings in Haditha.

Wuterich, who grew up in Meriden but now lives in California, pleaded guilty to negligent dereliction of duty as the leader of the squad that killed 24 Iraqis. He apologized for the loss of life but said his squad did not behave dishonorably.

Local veterans, including golf tournament organizer Chip Geriak, have rallied around Wuterich and criticized the military, which they say has given Wuterich a bad deal.
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Corporate America tells veterans their help is wanted and welcomed!

Corporate America Seeks Veteran Help
By Pete Griffin
Published August 17, 2012
Fox News Latino

Las Vegas, Nevada – Using the skills gained from serving in the military could potentially lead to a successful career in corporate America for veterans.

The Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting would like to make it a reality.

"People don't realize that the military really trains you to be leaders," said Manny Espinoza, CEO of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, more commonly known as ALPFA. "They have a lot of different types of leadership skills and they bring them to the table."

During their annual convention and job fair in Las Vegas this week, ALPFA put together an exclusive panel of military veterans to discuss ways for veterans to transition into the corporate sector based on their skill sets.

"Things like operational and leadership experience, managing large teams of people, project management and task management, any employer would want those types of skills," said Lisa Rosser, an Army veteran who spoke on the panel.

Corporate officials at the job fair agree.
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St. Augustine Stand Down refits veterans

'Stand down' refits vets, homeless
Posted: August 19, 2012
By SHELDON GARDNER
St. Augustine Record

Saturday’s stand down at the Anastasia Island Elks Lodge provided cots, clothing and a fresh pair of boots to dozens of appreciative veterans.

For veteran Gary Johnson, the stand down provided a chance to give back to people who are going through the same thing he did.

“I’ve seen three or four days with nothing to eat — a week. I’ve been there,” Johnson said.

At least 43 homeless or in-need veterans received assistance through the stand down, which are periodic events that provide haircuts, hot showers, clothing, cots, assistance applying for benefits and answers to legal questions.

The annual stand down also helped more than 80 non-veterans, said Heather Andrews, assistant veterans service officer for St. Johns County.
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Homeless Gulf War vet lost eye after being attacked while sleeping

Hammer attack costs man eye
Victim survives;Sheriff: Agents spot, hold suspect in case
Aug 17, 2012
Written by
J.D. Gallop
FLORIDA TODAY

"Gotshall, who served in Desert Storm, worked with the group to repair wheelchairs."

Friends said David Gotshall is a homeless veteran who struggled for years to find stability in his life, forced from one homeless camp to another.

Now the 52-year-old is fighting for his life after Titusville police said he was assaulted in his sleep Friday morning by a hammer-wielding transient.

“(Gotshall) was attacked while he was sleeping, beaten, kicked and attacked with a hammer. He was badly hurt and he’s in critical condition,” said Gary Boyer, a spokesman for the Titusville Police Department. “He is one of our local transients and we are familiar with him.”

Gotshall was airlifted to Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center in critical condition. He lost an eye and suffered numerous fractures to his face, head and back as he was repeatedly beaten, police report.
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