All Veterans Want is Promise Keepers, Not Bumblers

Promise Keepers or Bumblers?
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 24, 2017

Looks like Santa just may have his hands full of coal for every member of Congress! When you think that this bunch just managed to pull off a Bill to fund the futures of billionaires and millionaires, these same folks didn't use that same energy for our veterans.

(Guess they also forgot that the majority of our veterans are in fact on Social Security and Medicare, also facing cuts.)

AP reported that, "NH veterans want more, better medical services" and that is true. The thing is, they wanted what was promised to them on the day they became "Veteran" instead of civilian. What part of that do people not get? They are not civilians!

The Manchester VA is the subject of this report, however, it is the same story all across the country.

"Veterans offered a long list of services they felt could be provided by the Manchester center, with many seeing the need for additional mental health and substance abuse services at a time when the state is struggling with an opioid crisis and military personal are returning home."

When anyone talks about sending veterans into the mess the rest of us deal with, they are blinded by the need for fast fix. What they fail to see is that Congress has had the responsibility of providing for our veterans since 1946.  

Jurisdiction of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

1. Veterans' measures generally.
2. Pensions of all the wars of the U.S., general and special.
3. Life insurance issued by the government on account of service in the Armed Forces.
4. Compensation, vocational rehabilitation, and education of veterans.
5. Veterans' hospitals, medical care, and treatment of veterans.
6. Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief.
7. Readjustment of servicemen to civilian life.
8. National Cemeteries.

Whatever is wrong with the care our veterans receive after all these years is because Congress failed to deliver on their end of the deal.

Veterans did their jobs. When does Congress?

Iraq Veteran Marine Song of PTSD Says A Lot

Flashbacks, nightmares, physical reactions, sounds of gunshots and memories of a place they think they leave behind. It is all in this release from a Marine trying to explain what PTSD is like.

Pomona veteran-turned-R and B-singer uses music as therapy

ABC 7 News

Josh Haskell

December 23, 2017

A local former U.S. Marine turned to music to help him - and others - cope with the debilitating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Elliott McKenzie served in the United States Marines for five years, which included a tour of duty in Iraq. Like many combat veterans, he started experiencing anger issues and anxiety when he came home. He was then diagnosed with PTSD.

"Every single day we would go on foot patrols, and we got shot at a lot. Your head is always on a swivel, completely, because you're always worried about, 'OK, somebody could come and shoot at us from that building, from that building. An RPG can come in from anywhere,' so it's hard to turn that off when you get back home," said McKenzie.

McKenzie has been singing since he was a kid. Now 33, music has served as a form of therapy for his PTSD.read more here

Quadruple Amputee Will Leave You Speechless

Wheelchair-bound man cutting grass an inspiration for Weslaco and beyond
KENS
Oscar Margain
December 23, 2017

“God gave me the biggest blessing I could ever ask for,” he said. The Ayala name is still going on. You know, it doesn't stop with me.”

WESLACO, TEXAS - Mowing the lawn under 80-degree December weather would seem like a breeze. Not so fast. What may look like a simple chore for Rene Ayala is much more.

“I like to face adversity and hit it head on,” he said. “You’re not going to tell me I can’t do it.”

The 45-year-old Weslaco resident is often seen on his 10-acre property pulling, rather than pushing, a lawnmower.

Ayala said he’s never asked strangers for help. Even after losing his limbs and suffering severe burns in an apartment fire 22 years ago.
read more here

UK: Hundreds of Troops Kicked Out With PTSD

Hundreds of soldiers kicked out of the Army because they were suffering from PTSD and depression
The Mirror
Sean Rayment
December 23, 2017

In the reply, Mr Ellwood admitted almost one in five of all troops medically discharged from the Army in the 12 months to April had mental illness.

Trevor Coult ended up homeless and attempted suicide after he was discharged following his PTSD diagnosis (Image: PA)

There were 499 soldiers with mental health problems kicked out of the Army last year, a ­defence chief has admitted.

Troops suffering illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety were told they were no longer fit to serve.

Many who were medically ­discharged say that losing their jobs and often homes made their illness worse, driving some to the brink of ­suicide. The disclosure was made in a letter from defence minister Tobias Ellwood to decorated hero Trevor Coult, a staff sergeant shown the door after developing PTSD.

Trevor won the Military Cross after killing three would-be suicide bombers in Iraq. He wrote to the MoD urging better treatment for PTSD sufferers.

He said: “I was sent home on sick leave and no one contacted me for 11 months. Then I got a ­letter saying my employment was being terminated and I had 28 days to vacate my MoD ­property or I’d be evicted and my family moved to sheltered ­accommodation. I was devastated. My salary of £36,000 had gone and I was homeless. I became depressed quickly and attempted ­suicide. The money I received from the MoD lasted just a couple of months.

“We now know hundreds of ­soldiers with PTSD are being forced out every year and the Government washes its hands of them. They need help and support.”
read more here

Family of "Mayaguez Marine" Left Behind Found

UPDATE: Vietnam veteran searches for fallen soldier's family

The News Center

WTAP

Sheena Steffen

UPDATE: December 23, 2017

In between our shows, the family of Danny contacted us and explained how shocked they were about learning a veteran was searching for their brother.

Danny's family is now scattered between Marietta and Williamstown and has brothers in Parkersburg and New York City. They also have hopes in contacting Dan shortly.

A veteran who fought in what is known as the last battle of the Vietnam War continues to seek for a fallen soldier’s family.

After many years of research, Vietnam veteran Dan Fields discovered a marine from Waverly West Virginia was left behind in the Mayaguez recovery back in 1975.

According to Fields, Private Danny Marshall was one of the three marines left behind during an evacuation and never returned home. He states that for almost 20 years the Military denied anyone was left behind, but eventually those who were the last to interact with the three marines came forward and shared their experiences.

Fields, being a native to West Virginia and personally involved in the Mayaguez recovery, felt that he should reach out to the fallen soldier’s family.

read more here