Scars and Stripes: Vietnam veteran spreads inspirational message to Oakwood student WDTN 2 News Kelly King October 19, 2017
Roever admits there were times he thought of taking his own life, but he shared a message of hope.“I’m here to tell you today suicide is not the solution,” stressed Roever.
OAKWOOD, Ohio (WDTN) — A Vietnam veteran burned beyond recognition fighting for our country is making it his mission to tell his story of survival and inspire others.
Dave Roever was at Oakwood High School Thursday speaking to an auditorium full of students.
“Never let a good scar go to waste,” Roever told the crowd.
His story tugged at heartstrings as he recounted the day he left his wife for the war.
“She said are you coming back? That’s when I made that promise I couldn’t keep. I said ‘I’ll be back without a scar.'” read more here
Firefighters Battle Blaze Within Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos October 18, 2017 Note to firefighters: If people did not want your help, you'd be out of a job. Think about that for a second. They do not just have to need help, but want it enough to call for you to come and help them.
When I was at the Point Man Conference at the Adam's Mark hotel in Buffalo over the weekend, there was a Firefighters Ball at the same hotel.
During a break a firefighter noticed the patch I was wearing and we talked. I told the firefighter who we were, how long we've been working on PTSD and that help is out there. All they have to do is ask for it.
He said it isn't that they don't need it, they don't want to ask for it. That shows how little they understand about what PTSD is. If they knew, then they'd never waste another second without getting help to be the best they can be for their families, other firefighters and the community they serve.
I had to get back to the conference and he had to go to the ball. Had we had more time, I would have explained that they won't ask for help because they blame themselves for having PTSD. Somehow, somewhere along the line, they, like veterans, got it into their heads there was a weakness within them.
Ya, I know but that is what they think. I guess no one ever told them that it wasn't weakness that was causing them pain. It was the strength of their emotional core that made them feel it so much stronger than others.
The very thing that allows them to rush into burning buildings while everyone else is running away, trying to do whatever they can to save someone else, prevents them from being able to save themselves.
If they understood it properly, they'd know that PTSD only comes from trauma. They'd didn't cause it but they were hit by it.
They'd know that the word "trauma" is actually Greek for "wound" and thus, be able to accept the reality it happened to them.
They'd know that if they looked at it properly, they'd understand that the people they risk their lives for, not only need their help, they want it. They are unashamed to admit they cannot save themselves.
They'd acknowledge that they do not look down on the strangers they help, but find their lives so valuable, they will do anything to save them.
So, then why don't they see, that their own life is valuable too and trust those they serve with enough to talk about what they need from them?
Here's a video I did several years ago. I did it for National Guardsmen to help them heal PTSD and understand it better. I found out at another conference Chaplains were using it with police officers and firefighters and it worked.
Wedding party gives back to community by volunteering at food bank KTHV
Meredith Mitchell
October 13, 2017
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - A lot of wedding weekends begin with a bridal luncheon, maybe a trip to the spa, but one Little Rock couple wanted to do something a little different.
The beautiful path to marriage is getting more and more elaborate these days, but before Patricia Minor walks down the aisle, she and her groom-to-be wanted to spend time with their wedding party.
But the group went for something a little unconventional. The group decided to give back to their community by volunteering their time at the Arkansas Food Bank.
"I thought this would be a great opportunity for us to have some bonding time and some fun times," Minor said.
The groom, Will Ewings, and all of his groomsmen are either retired or active duty military. The man were wearing their favorite team's jersey as they stacked cans of food and helped in any way they could. Minor said service is nothing new to them. read more here
2 US sailors die of apparent drug overdoses in same week at Submarine Base Kings Bay
By Michael Callahan, CNN
October 18, 2017
Washington (CNN)Two US sailors based at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia have died of apparent drug overdoses in the last week, according to a US Navy public affairs officer.
Petty Officer First Class Brian Jerrell, a sailor assigned to the Trident Training Facility, was found dead of an apparent drug overdose in his off base residence on October 12, Navy Cmdr. Sarah Self-Kyler said. Four days later, Jerrell's roommate, Petty Officer Second Class Ty Bell, a sailor assigned to the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Wyoming was found dead of an apparent overdose as well, according to Self-Kyler. A Navy official said the overdoses were a result of cocaine, but cautioned there is a toxicology report pending.
read more here
Missing Army Veteran Julia Jacobson Now Believed Dead, Ex-Husband Arrested NBC News by BIANCA HILLIER October 17, 2017
A San Diego Army veteran who disappeared last month is now believed to be dead, according to local officials.
Julia Jacobson, 37, has been missing since September 2, 2017. She was last seen on security video at a store in Ontario, California with her Wheaten Terrier, Boogie. According to a press release from the Ontario Police Department on October 16, “detectives now have reason to believe” Julia and Boogie are both deceased.
While Julia and Boogie’s remains have not yet been located, on Friday October 13, police arrested Julia’s ex-husband on suspicion of her murder.
According to the press release, through a coordinated effort with the Phoenix Police Department and the FBI’s Arizona Violent Crimes Task Force unit, Dalen Larry Ware was arrested at his home in Laveen, Arizona. He was then transferred to the San Bernardino County West Valley Detention Center and is awaiting booking. read more here
