Unrequited Service

That Such Americans Lived For Others 
Combat PTSD Wounded Times 
Kathie Costos 
October 22, 2017

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived” — George S. Patton

By now everyone seems to know the answer on how many veterans committed suicide yesterday. They think they have something to be proud of when they reply with "22" as the daily count. They will swallow that pride when they learn they have been deceived.

The CDC can come close to knowing how many Americans commit suicide per year. The latest number is 42,826. Self-inflicted emergency room visits are 383,000.

While we read the VA report about veterans in rural areas committing suicide at higher rates, the CDC had released the report for all Americans.

Rural counties consistently had higher suicide rates than metropolitan counties from 2001-2015, according to data released today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. There were more than half a million suicides during the 2001–2015 study period.

But we don't talk about the other Americans committing suicide. We separate them from those with military backgrounds. Why? Because we all know that members of the military today and veterans we willing to sacrifice their lives for others.

For Those I Love 

The thought of someone like that not wanting to live anymore is unimaginable and should be unacceptable. We cannot dismiss it. We cannot honor their lives adequately by putting them among the number we think we know.

There are other reports putting the rate of veterans committing suicide at double the civilian rate. Most states release their own numbers. Still, many states do not have military service on death certificates. We simply do not know true numbers but, with what we do know, we are losing over 26,000 a year who should still be here.

There are many quotes if you search for "unrequited love" but most deal with the type of love the rest of us know, romantic in nature.

Unrequited love or one-sided love is love that is not openly reciprocated or understood as such by the beloved. The beloved may not be aware of the admirer's deep and strong romantic affection, or may consciously reject it. The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary defines unrequited as "not reciprocated or returned in kind."

When we allow them to be betrayed by every body of government for decades, that is unrequited love. But we play political games. We only pay attention to the slaughter when the other party is in charge instead of every year.

When we allow people to use them for their own gain, that is unrequited love. But we just write checks without ever asking where the money is being spent, who it is suppose to help or even if the charity actually deserves it.

When we allow them to continue to be subjected hardships they do not deserve, that is unrequited love.

When we fail to see we have done absolutely nothing meaningful for them, that is unrequited love. The VA put the number of veterans committing suicide the same as it was back in 1999 when no one was paying attention or using them.

Getting back to Patton's quote, they lived for the sake of others. Instead of appreciating that men and women lived to save others, we allow deception to promote their deaths.

Vietnam Veterans: Did you serve with Clinton Ray Brown?

Did you serve with Clinton Ray Brown?

He needs someone to speak for him since he can no longer tell his story for the VA!

This Vietnam veteran’s untold war stories may be keeping him from getting VA benefits

"Military records show that Clinton Ray Brown, born Feb. 27, 1945, in Sheldon, Mo., was a sergeant in the Army’s 6th Infantry during the Vietnam War. He was awarded a Purple Heart and several other medals for his year in-country from 1968-69."

Fort Collins Murder Suicide Investigation Involves Florida Airman

Florida man killed in Fort Collins shooting was Air Force veteran
Coloradoan
John Borja
October 21, 21017

The 26-year-old Florida man who died in a Fort Collins shooting Thursday was a kind-hearted and brave individual, according to his family.

Investigators say U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael A. Zamora shot and killed Tristian Kemp and 22-year old Savannah McNealy outside a condominium complex early Thursday morning. Zamora also shot and injured another woman before killing himself, police said.

The woman who survived the shooting was taken to Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland and is expected to survive her injuries, police said.

Kemp spent part of his youth in Guam, and he was a 2009 graduate of George Washington High School.
read more here

UK Military "Taking a back seat" on Caring for Soldiers

'We saw dead families' Soldier pal claims Terry Butcher's tormented son was haunted by horrors of war
Daily Record UK
Louie Smith
October 21, 2017

“Our Government take a back seat in terms of caring for soldiers – it’s a scandal. These guys have fought for our freedom but as soon as they leave, they are forgotten.”
Joe Rimmer

A former soldier who met Terry Butcher’s tragic son Chris in rehab says the Army don’t do enough to help traumatised veterans.

Chris, 35, signed up for a 12-week stay with charity Tom Harrison House, who run recovery programmes.

But he pulled out less than halfway through and Rangers and England legend Terry, 58, drove him home.

Chris, who battled post-traumatic stress disorder after a tour of Afghanistan, was found dead at his dad’s house on Monday.

Fellow veteran Joe Rimmer, 37, said: “Chris was a friendly giant but he had more issues than we could help him with.
read more here

20th Anniversary Women in Military Service for America Memorial

Female service members: 'We've touched every kind of service'
The Washington Post
By TARA BAHRAMPOUR
Published: October 21, 2017

ARLINGTON, Va. — Elvira Chiccarelli grew up during the Vietnam War and felt a call to serve her country. Her mother had been a cadet nurse in World War II, and in 1975 Chiccarelli, a dentist, joined the Air Force. But when she reported for duty, her commanding officer told her that he did not want women working there and assigned her to an auxiliary unit.

Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rosemary Masters, left, listens to one of the speakers.

SALWAN GEORGES/THE WASHINGTON POST

On Saturday, watching the celebration for the 20th anniversary of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, the retired lieutenant colonel's eyes got misty.

"We've touched every kind of service - medical, dental, computers, flying," said Chiccarelli, 67, who had traveled from Panama City Beach, Florida, to attend with her daughter, who is in the Air Force and shares the same name. "Any place they needed people, women have stepped forward and demanded to give our talents to the country."

Women have been enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces since 1917, but it wasn't until 1997 that a memorial was erected for them. The arched semicircle and reflecting pool at the top of the road that leads to Arlington National Cemetery is still the only major national memorial honoring the 3 million women who have served.
read more here

And they have also received every Military Award including the Medal of Honor

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker
Mary Walker was born on November 26, 1832, in Oswego, New York. She graduated from Syracuse Medical College and, while serving as an assistant surgeon during the Civil War, was captured by the Confederate army. She was awarded a Medal of Honor for her service, and went on to lecture on women's rights, dress reform and suffrage. Walker died in Oswego in 1919.