UK: Suicide Days Apart, Two Soldiers From Same Unit

Military chiefs launch urgent investigation after two war veterans from same unit kill themselves just days apart

Mirror UK

By Dan Warburton and Sean Rayment
November 18, 2017

The probe is set against a growing crisis in the Armed Forces over fears of a lack of support for troops battling demons

Military chiefs have launched an urgent probe after two war veterans from the same unit killed themselves within days of each other.

Royal Military Police officers are quizzing colleagues of the two men over fears they were suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Sunday People can reveal married dad-of-one Paul Sparks was found dead at an Army base in Germany as he was about to end his 27-year military career.

Nathan Shimwell's death came just days later after Paul Sparks took his own life (Image: Facebook)

And Sergeant Nathan Shimwell, 33, died just days later at a base in England, sparking an MoDinvestigation.

The probe is set against a growing crisis in the Armed Forces over fears of a lack of support for troops battling demons.

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Holiday's Harder For PTSD Soldiers to Survive Alone

Holidays a difficult time for some veterans, soldiers

Killeen Daily Herald
David A. Bryant
November 18, 2017

“People tend to do stupid things when they isolate themselves,” he said. “As a first sergeant in the Army, I always encouraged people, especially my (noncommissioned officers), to take a soldier home for the holidays.”

The holiday season can be a difficult time for soldiers and veterans dealing with post traumatic stress, and difficult for young troops dealing with the loneliness of being away from family during the holidays for the first time in their lives.

While there is no correlation between the number of suicides going up and the season, the number of attempts does tend to increase around Thanksgiving and Christmas, according to local organizations that assist in suicide prevention.

And the ones most likely to go through with a suicide attempt are the ones who don’t talk about it, said Tony Smith, Coryell County veterans service officer.

“I’ve found in the past that those who talk about committing suicide are less likely to actually follow through,” Smith said. “Those who don’t talk tend to just do it.”

Smith said the holidays increase the number of calls he receives from people who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, regardless of the holiday.

“I’ve been to a lot of calls and a lot of suicides,” he said. “I get 3 a.m. phone calls, calls at 4 a.m. or 1:30 a.m. They get to drinking, start thinking about stupid things.” 
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PTSD Veteran From 2 Wars Life Changed by Bike

Helping veterans get motivated, and moving, goal of fund founder

Arkansas Online
Ginny Monk
November 19, 2017

"In Iraq, you know who your friends were and who your enemies were," (Paul Bunn) said, crossing his arms over his chest. "When I came back here, it got hard to tell."

PHOTO BY GINNY MONKMark Leonard is one of the founders and organizers for Arkansas Freedom Fund, a nonprofit aimed at getting veterans moving. The Arkansas Challenge Ride is its biggest event. 

Mark Leonard approached a veteran wearing an American flag T-shirt and paused on his way to set up more registration signs for his organization's biggest event of the year.

"I want you to sit on this one here or that one there because I want you to have a new bike," Leonard said, pointing to two recumbent bikes sitting under a tent. "I want you to go faster."

Paul Bunn, a veteran who is getting ready to participate in a 24-mile bike ride, hugs Leonard and starts adjusting his new bike -- an eight speed instead of a three speed.

Leonard, 59, is one of the founders and organizers for Arkansas Freedom Fund, a nonprofit that works to get veterans active. The Arkansas Challenge Ride last month is its biggest event, Leonard said.

This year's ride was Bunn's second time to participate. He is an Army veteran who served one tour during the Persian Gulf War and one in Iraq. He returned with post-traumatic stress disorder that made venturing out into crowds difficult. 
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Villagers For Veterans Helping Hope Come Home

Villagers for Veterans salute quadruple amputee veteran of Afghanistan and Iraqi wars

Villages News
Larry Lentz
November 19, 2017

"Since its formation in 2014, Villagers for Veterans has raised more than $500,000. The organization has presented 19 all-terrain wheelchairs to paraplegic and quadriplegic veterans who had served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Besides the many fund raising activities, it sponsors educational initiatives such as PTSD seminars and provides respite services for care-giving families."

Marie Bogdonoff and John Peck, center, Saturday night at SeaBreeze Recreation Center. Also with them, from left, are Joe Bogdonoff, John Woodall, president of Camp4Heroes, Jennifer Peck and Shanda Taylor Boyce with Timber. 

With its goal of $10,000, a Villagers For Veterans fundraiser, Saturday evening, will help a military hero continue his incredible battle to return to a life of self-independence.

John Peck, then a 24-year-old Marine, had lost both arms and legs stemming from an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan, May 24, 2010.  He then spent two years in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center undergoing 27 surgeries, months of daily medical procedures, and endured countless hours of intensive rehabilitation. 

Peck became the third quadruple amputee of the Afghan and Iraq wars, and the first Marine to receive a double-arm transplant.  He also has the distinction of being only one of two people to ever survive blood contamination by the flesh-eating fungus, Aspergillosis.

Some 250 Villagers gathered at the SeaBreeze Recreation Center to honor his wartime service and financially support Peck’s on-going recuperation. The evening was spearheaded by Marie Bogdonoff, Villages for Veterans founder and president.
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Majority of Veterans Are Not Republican?

If you control a Veterans Charity or group, think about this before you allow any of your members to put politics over other veterans.

PEW Voting Veterans

It clearly shows the majority are not Republicans, as many would have you believe. It clearly shows that the majority are not Democrats and many would like you to believe. 

The truth is, MOST ARE INDEPENDENTS and all of them are veterans!

29% are Republican, 20% are Democrats but 49% are Independents! 

The divide is even wider when taken by age group.

Younger veterans, you know the ones you want to join your group, between the ages of 19-49 show 25% are Republicans, 16% are Democrats but 59% are Independents. 

When they walk into a group and hear political talk, imagine being one of the ones who do not agree with your political view and you just made them feel uncomfortable. Do you think they'll want to hear how much you care about them afterwards?