Vermont Mom Goes On Mission After Hearing 'Your Son Took His Own Life'

They are willing to endure any hardship that comes to serve this nation. Then come back feeling like a stranger among family and friends.

They fight for our country. Then they don't think they are not worthy of anyone fighting for them, especially when they cannot fight for themselves. 

They risk their lives, willing to die for those they serve with. Then believe they do not want to bother any of them with their problems.

They finally understand they need help but then fail to believe they deserve it. All too often, afraid if they get in line, they'll push back someone they think deserves it more.

When they come home, and folks believe they are finally safe, that is when the words no mother wants to hear rips her apart.

'Your Son Took His Own Life': A Veteran's Suicide Set His Mother On A Mission To Help Others

Vermont Public Radio

Annie Russell and Henry Epp

August 8, 2017

In Vermont, of all the deaths by gunshot wounds in the last six years, more than a quarter were suicides by current or former members of the armed forces. Even though Veterans Affairs knows that soldiers are at greater risk of taking their own lives, it’s difficult to intervene successfully.

Valerie Pallotta, whose son Josh died by suicide in 2014, now runs a fund in her son's name to raise money for a treatment center.

HENRY EPP / VPR

Now, one Vermont mom who lost her son has made it her mission to end veteran suicide.

Josh Pallotta, 25, was one of those Vermont veterans who took his own life. He died in 2014. His mother Valerie Pallotta of Colchester is trying to create a space where veterans can socialize and also get treatment.

"When you get home, you have to play catch-up. It's not easy. It's not easy to adjust to a completely different world." – Brian Barrows, Army veteran

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We can talk all we want about raising awareness but no one wants to talk about the only question that isn't getting answered. What good does it do?

All this awareness hasn't changed the outcome. Then next question is, why are we tolerating any of it? Why are we not standing up to our elected officials and demanding accountability from them? Why are we so willing to settle for Moms, Dads, Wives and Husbands hearing the words they thought they no longer had to fear?

Take A Different View of You

Take a different view of you
PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
August 6, 2017

Sometimes it may feel like you are driving alone, far behind everyone else.

You decided where you want to go. You found out the best way to get there. Picked music to listen to. Pulled over to get gas to get wherever you are heading for.

Without warning it happens and then, what was behind you, catches up.

It can be a shock to see something that isn't there anymore. It can make you feel as if you've lost your mind.

The choice is, do you keep going alone or do you find someone to share the driving with?

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Ever count how many times you asked folks "How are you?" Ever ask yourself the same question? So how are you? Still wondering what to do to make sense out of all this? Still trying to find a way to feel better and make peace?

Homeless Vietnam Veteran Escorted With Honor to Rest

Homeless Vietnam vet honored by Funeral home with final free farewell

FOX 2 Now St. Louis

Staff Writer

August 8, 2017

ST. LOUIS, Mo. A homeless veteran will get a special final farewell this morning courtesy of a local funeral home and you can be a part of it.

The owners of Michel Funeral Home on Southwest Avenue are donating services for Sergeant John Beard, a Vietnam veteran who had become homeless in his civilian life. He was 67 when he died recently of cancer.

Beard served in the United States Air Force in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. He received four different awards and later transferred to the Air Force Reserves.
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New England Veterans Alliance "Cannabis Gateway Drug to Wellness"

The New England Veteran's Alliance Is Using Cannabis As A Gateway Drug To Wellness

WAAF

107.5 FM

August 8, 2017

To Derek Cloutier and Devin Tellier of New England Veterans Alliance, cannabis IS a gateway drug.  But as Devin says in this interview, 

"The gate swings the other way"  

Both are veterans (Derek, Marines, Devin, Army) and have done tours of duty in Iraq.  Both came home with personal struggles from their experiences.  Both have used cannabis to help them fight addictions and personal demons.  

Through NEVA they are helping other Vets and their families do the same. Check out the podcast above to hear more details about their mission and experiences.  

go here for more

DAV Veteran of the Year, Iraq Veteran-Doctor With PTSD

Brookfield doctor Kenneth Lee honored as Disabled Veteran of the Year
Brookfield Elm Grove Now
Geoff Bruce
August 8, 2017

CITY OF BROOKFIELD – Veteran, doctor, proud father of two and now the 2017 Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year.

The lifetime accomplishments of Dr. Kenneth K. Lee continue to accumulate. The longtime city of Brookfield resident was recognized in New Orleans by Disabled American Veterans with the award July 29.

(Photo: Submitted photo by Emily Kask/DAV)

“The Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year has been around for many years here at DAV and each year we select the most deserving veteran,” DAV National Voluntary Services Director John Kleindienst said. “What we’re looking for is individuals who have overcome a severe obstacle in their lives from military service.”

Lee, a native of South Korea, was deployed to Iraq as the commander of the Army’s Company B, 118th Area Support Medical Battalion, but was injured in 2004 by a suicide car bomber. Lee suffered an open head traumatic brain injury and severe shrapnel wounds to his legs. He was evacuated back to the U.S. and diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Everyone kind of works towards a certain goal in their life to make a difference in what you do,” Lee said. “You don’t do it to get an award, but you do it to make things happen.”

Prior to his deployment, Lee worked as a rehabilitation specialist at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center. Despite that experience, his own recovery was much harder than he expected.

“Coming back from Iraq, it was more difficult than I imagined," Lee said. "As a physician, I thought I could handle a lot of stuff, but it turned out to be not. There were a lot of challenges at home both dealing with family and everything else.”

Lee, 52, credits his own patients, fellow veterans and especially his family with helping him to get through that difficult period.
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