Nam Knights Westside Draws Motorcyclists to the Cause
Representatives from the Haley House Fund talk about their cause and give thanks for the annual Nam Knights Westside Chapter charity pig roast fundraiser, held this year at Winthrop in Riverview on April 6.
By Linda Chion Kenney
A scene from the 2013 annual Nam Knights Westside Chapter pig roast charity fundraiser at the Winthrop Pole Barn in Riverview. Credit: Linda Chion Kenney
For seven of the nine years the Haley House Fund has been in existence the Nam Knight Westside Chapter has held an annual pig roast fundraiser at Winthrop to raise funds for the fund's mission.
"It's gone quite well," said Vietnam veteran Dave Braun, a former honrary mayor of Brandon, who heralded the Haley House Fund formation years ago at a Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Event. "We're all proud of doing what we're doing and for who we're doing it for, which are our most injured soldiers, at the James Haley Veterans Hospital. Our focus is on the families and friends of these soldiers, we put them up."
Braun spoke his mind at the seventh annual charity pig roast fundraiser, held April 6 at the Winthrop Pole Barn in Riverview.
"In my view, there are three things necessary for a soldier's rehabiliation," he said. "One, the best doctors and staff. Two, the best facility possible. Number three, and not necessarily in that order, family members at their bedside, and that's where we come in."
Mary Ann Keckler, with the aid of Mary Ellen Harlan and Dr. Steven Scott, founded the Haley House Fund, a charity that houses and supports the families of soldiers cared for at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa, at 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
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Sunday, April 7, 2013
Nam Knights Westside Chapter annual pig roast for Haley House
This just made my day! We couldn't make it out there but very happy it was a success. These guys are amazing!
DOD pushes new "resilience" program, get ready for more suicides
I live in Florida. If Sarah Palin was home in Alaska, she would have heard me scream from my house! 900 programs based on this were not enough I guess.
What is Ready?Reminder suicides have gone up, not down since they started this FUBAR BS!
The ability to accomplish assigned tasks or missions through resilience, individual and collective team training, and leadership.
What is Resilient?
The mental, physical, emotional, and behavioral ability to face and cope with adversity, adapt to change, recover, learn and grow from setbacks.
What's Different?
The Ready and Resilient Campaign integrates and synchronizes multiple efforts and programs to improve the readiness and resilience of the Army Family - Soldiers (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard), Army Civilians and Families. Ready and Resilient creates a holistic, collaborative and coherent enterprise to increase individual and unit readiness and resilience. Ready and Resilient will build upon physical, emotional and psychological resilience in our Soldiers, Families and Civilians so they improve performance to deal with the rigors and challenges of a demanding profession.
Specifically, Ready and Resilient will...
Integrate resilience training as a key part of the Army's professional military education throughout a Soldier's career from induction through separation or retirement.
Synchronize and integrate key Army programs to reduce or eliminate suicide and suicidal ideations; sexual harassment and sexual assault; bullying and hazing; substance abuse; domestic violence; and any stigma or barriers associated with seeking help.
Develop improved methods to provide Leaders and Commanders timely and accurate information and metrics to aid them in better identifying "at risk" and "high-risk" Soldiers, enabling early intervention.
Continue to improve the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) to shorten processing times and improve the services provided to Soldiers and their Families.
Why Is It Important?
A healthy mind and body are essential to individual and unit readiness
Resilience combines mental, emotional, and physical skills to generate optimal performance (i.e. readiness) - in combat, healing after injury, and in managing work and home life Resilient individuals are better able to bounce back and overcome adversity by leveraging mental and emotional skills and behavior by seeking out training
Individual resilience can be built, maintained, and strengthened when viewed as an enduring concept and acquired through regular training
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Silver Star TBI wounded 101st Airborne soldier re-ups
Soldier recovering from TBI gets Silver Star then re-enlists
By KRISTIN M. HALL
The Associated Press
Published: April 6, 2013
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- A Fort Campbell soldier who suffered a traumatic brain injury received the Silver Star on Friday for his actions to help evacuate wounded troops during a mission in Afghanistan in 2010.
After receiving the honor during a ceremony at the Tennessee-Kentucky state line, Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Loheide (LOH'-hyd) of Patchogue, N.Y., immediately re-enlisted in the Army to serve other wounded warriors like him.
Several of Loheide's former teammates returned to Fort Campbell to see him accept the military's third-highest medal for valor, which he said was earned by everyone in his unit. "I am humbled to be honored with it, but I think overall it is a team event," he said.
In June 2010, he was attached to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team under the 101st Airborne Division. The mission, called Operation Strong Eagle I, was to clear the Ghaki Valley in Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan of entrenched insurgents, said his former platoon leader, Capt. Douglas Jones.
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By KRISTIN M. HALL
The Associated Press
Published: April 6, 2013
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- A Fort Campbell soldier who suffered a traumatic brain injury received the Silver Star on Friday for his actions to help evacuate wounded troops during a mission in Afghanistan in 2010.
After receiving the honor during a ceremony at the Tennessee-Kentucky state line, Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Loheide (LOH'-hyd) of Patchogue, N.Y., immediately re-enlisted in the Army to serve other wounded warriors like him.
Several of Loheide's former teammates returned to Fort Campbell to see him accept the military's third-highest medal for valor, which he said was earned by everyone in his unit. "I am humbled to be honored with it, but I think overall it is a team event," he said.
In June 2010, he was attached to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team under the 101st Airborne Division. The mission, called Operation Strong Eagle I, was to clear the Ghaki Valley in Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan of entrenched insurgents, said his former platoon leader, Capt. Douglas Jones.
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Three Army generals censured for misconduct
After Pentagon inquiries, three Army generals censured for misconduct
by Craig Whitlock
The Washington Post
Published: April 6, 2013
After lengthy investigations, the Pentagon has determined that three Army generals committed misconduct in separate incidents, adding to an unusually long list of senior military commanders who have been censured over the past year.
On Friday, defense officials confirmed that Army Maj. Gen. Ralph O. Baker, the commander of a strategic counterterrorism force on the Horn of Africa, was fired March 28 on charges of sexual misconduct. Two officials familiar with the case said Baker was investigated for allegedly groping a female civilian employee after he had been drinking.
In addition, documents obtained by The Washington Post under the Freedom of Information Act show that the Pentagon’s inspector general upheld misconduct allegations against two Army lieutenant generals last year: David H. Huntoon Jr., the superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; and Joseph F. Fil Jr., a former commander in South Korea and Iraq. Neither episode had previously been disclosed by the Pentagon.
The cases have exacerbated concerns about the ethics and personal behavior of senior military officers, a problem that has bedeviled the Pentagon in recent months despite repeated pledges to address it.
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by Craig Whitlock
The Washington Post
Published: April 6, 2013
After lengthy investigations, the Pentagon has determined that three Army generals committed misconduct in separate incidents, adding to an unusually long list of senior military commanders who have been censured over the past year.
On Friday, defense officials confirmed that Army Maj. Gen. Ralph O. Baker, the commander of a strategic counterterrorism force on the Horn of Africa, was fired March 28 on charges of sexual misconduct. Two officials familiar with the case said Baker was investigated for allegedly groping a female civilian employee after he had been drinking.
In addition, documents obtained by The Washington Post under the Freedom of Information Act show that the Pentagon’s inspector general upheld misconduct allegations against two Army lieutenant generals last year: David H. Huntoon Jr., the superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; and Joseph F. Fil Jr., a former commander in South Korea and Iraq. Neither episode had previously been disclosed by the Pentagon.
The cases have exacerbated concerns about the ethics and personal behavior of senior military officers, a problem that has bedeviled the Pentagon in recent months despite repeated pledges to address it.
read more here
Comic Book Legend Stan Lee Kicks Off Military Concert
Comic Book Legend Stan Lee Kicks Off Military Concert Series in San Diego
By Nicole Gonzales and Monica Garske
Saturday, Apr 6, 2013
A special military concert series sponsored by comic book legend Stan Lee kicked off in San Diego Friday night with hundreds of military service members in attendance.
The concert, featuring the rising country band Gloriana, was held at the Pacific View Events Center at Camp Pendleton as part of “Stan Lee’s Power Concerts” series, which is aimed to honor the superheroes of the Armed Forces and their families by bringing live entertainment to the homefront.
The all-ages show began at 7 p.m. and was also open the general public. Military members were given a special rate on admission tickets.
Close to 300 people bought tickets to Friday’s concert at Camp Pendleton. Inside, attendees got to watch Gloriana perform and got a chance to meet renowned comic book creator Lee.
The entertaining night was a hit with service members.
“When things like this happen and people try and give back, it does feel good because it’s motivation to keep going,” Lance Cpl. Wade Bartels with the U.S. Marine Corps told NBC 7.
read more here
By Nicole Gonzales and Monica Garske
Saturday, Apr 6, 2013
A special military concert series sponsored by comic book legend Stan Lee kicked off in San Diego Friday night with hundreds of military service members in attendance.
The concert, featuring the rising country band Gloriana, was held at the Pacific View Events Center at Camp Pendleton as part of “Stan Lee’s Power Concerts” series, which is aimed to honor the superheroes of the Armed Forces and their families by bringing live entertainment to the homefront.
The all-ages show began at 7 p.m. and was also open the general public. Military members were given a special rate on admission tickets.
Close to 300 people bought tickets to Friday’s concert at Camp Pendleton. Inside, attendees got to watch Gloriana perform and got a chance to meet renowned comic book creator Lee.
The entertaining night was a hit with service members.
“When things like this happen and people try and give back, it does feel good because it’s motivation to keep going,” Lance Cpl. Wade Bartels with the U.S. Marine Corps told NBC 7.
read more here
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