Monday, April 10, 2017

Magic’s Fan Appreciation Night Afghanistan Veteran Takes Center Court

Orlando Magic, Chase and Operation Homefront Honor U.S. Marine Corporal
NBA.com
Josh Cohen
April 8, 2017
As part of the Magic’s Fan Appreciation Night, Bravo and his family were honored on the court for their military service during Saturday’s game against the Indiana Pacers. They also were surprised with a 55-inch television, a $1,000 check for home furnishings, tickets to Walt Disney World, a bicycle for the kids and a personalized Magic jersey.
ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have made a concerted effort over the past few weeks to share the ball and trust one another. Frank Vogel, his coaching staff and his players recognize the importance of team cohesiveness. In many ways, this is why the Magic rank in the top 10 in assists over the last dozen games.

Through his own life experiences, U.S. Marine Corps Corporal David Bravo has the same attitude and outlook. He knows that good teamwork is critical for success.

Bravo served as an air defense controller in the Marines from 2011 to 2016. Through outstanding leadership and devotion, he rose up the ranks and played a major role while deployed in Afghanistan. He directed fighter aircrafts, helped launch surface-to-air missiles, conducted surveillance and performed tactical air traffic control and data link coordination.

Bravo’s contributions and attention to teamwork never went unnoticed. In fact, shortly after being discharged from the military, he and his family received some incredible news. Thanks to JP Morgan Chase and Operation Homefront, a national organization whose mission is to build strong, stable and secure military families and help them thrive, the Bravos were awarded a mortgage-free home in Riverview, Fla. They will move into the new home in July.
read more here

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Seven Charged in VA Construction Fraud in California

Senior VA official in Calif., 7 others charged in construction fraud
Associated Press
By SUDHIN THANAWALA
Published: April 8, 2017

SAN FRANCISCO — Federal prosecutors have charged a former high-ranking official in California's veterans affairs department and seven other people in an investigation of alleged bid rigging on public construction contracts, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Friday.

Prosecutors said the investigation that led to the indictment of Eric Worthen, a former assistant deputy secretary in the veterans affairs department, and the seven other defendants was prompted by an earlier probe that ensnared former California state Sen. Leland Yee and San Francisco Chinatown gang tough Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow.
read more here

Call for Tow Changed Vietnam Veteran's Day--And More

Magnolia rallies behind disabled veteran in need
By Click2Houston.com
Staff
April 08, 2017
“These people here, god bless them,” Rickley said. “They turned around and building me a ramp so I can get in and out, which i needed very much, and they're fixing a few other things around the house.”
MAGNOLIA, Texas - From cleaning up the yard to construction work, a community has rallied behind a veteran in need.
Kenneth Rickley served in Vietnam. Recently, he broke a leg and a hip, and relies on a wheelchair.

Earlier this week, Rickley faced another yet another issue.

“They sent us out here on a call because a man's car broke down in front of his house,” Richard Wible, of S and B Towing, said. “We get out here and find out the man is handicapped and stuck in his Suburban.”

Wible helped Rickley out, but when Wible got Rickley home, he noticed something very wrong.

Wible said, “(We) said, ‘Kenneth, how do you get into the house?’ He said, ‘I get down on the ground, I crawl up the steps, and I crawl into my house to my wheelchair.’”
read more here

Cancer Survivor Iraq Veteran Proposes to Survivor Girlfriend

Veteran proposes to girlfriend outside of Schottenstein Center
WCMH News
By NBC4 Staff
Published: April 8, 2017

Beth’s stepmother set the two of them up, Andy said. The two work together in Mansfield. Andy also spent several years in Iraq with the US Army.

COLUMBUS (WCMH) — A local woman got a wonderful surprise when her boyfriend proposed outside the Schottenstein Center on Saturday.
Andy Endicott and Beth Warner have been through a lot in the two years they’ve been together–they were both diagnosed with skin cancer recently and beat it.

Andy got down on one knee outside the Schottenstein Center before the Brantley Gilbert concert on Saturday and asked Beth to marry him.

She nodded, bursting into tears as the people around them applauded.

It’s the first concert Beth has ever been to.

“I’m very surprised,” she said. “I’ve been over the moon that he got tickets for this (the concert).”
read more here

Missing Veteran Alert: Body of Cory Adams Recovered from Pond

Corey Adams: Missing veteran's body recovered from pond
WTMJ News
Ben Jordan
Apr 7, 2017

The body of a missing veteran was pulled from a Milwaukee pond this morning.

Family members confirm it was Corey Adams, who hadn't been seen in 18 days. Adams' family is absolutely heartbroken as this was the last call they wanted to receive.

"I'm going to miss him so much,” said his mother Gwendolyn Adams.

"We came here to the park and we just found out it is him, my brother," said his sister Carmen Adams.

Dozens of officers with Milwaukee Police Department covered the grounds at Dineen Park Friday morning near the pond where Adams’ body was recovered. Family identified him from a tattoo.
read more here