Congressman Brian Mast says ban assault weapons

Republican, veteran and gun rights supporter Brian Mast says assault weapons should be banned
Tampa Bay Times
Alex Leary
February 25, 2018

We "must unite with one mission: that no one will ever be murdered in school again," Mast says

WASHINGTON – Congressman Brian Mast, R-Palm City, has as much authority on guns as anyone, having served in the Army and losing both legs in Afghanistan. He says assault weapons such as the AR-15 should be banned.

"I cannot support the primary weapon I used to defend our people being used to kill children I swore to defend," Mast, who represents a swing district and faces a tough re-election, writes in an op/ed for the New York Times.

"The Second Amendment is unimpeachable. It guarantees the right of citizens to defend themselves. I accept, however, that it does not guarantee that every civilian can bear any and all arms.

"For example, the purchase of fully automatic firearms is largely banned already, and I cannot purchase an AT-4 rocket, grenades, a Bradley fighting vehicle or an Abrams tank. I know that no single action can prevent a truly determined person from committing mass murder, and I am aware of other ways to commit mass murder, such as bombings and mass vehicular slaughter. Not being able to control everything, however, should not prevent us from doing something."
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PTSD Patrol Putting Hope in Your Engine

PTSD Patrol Fuels Hope
Kathie Costos
February 25, 2018

We need to talk! How many times have you heard those words and thought, oh crap, bad news coming? This time, it is good news!

Starting today, PTSD Patrol is going to be changing the conversation from suicide to healing. We need to face the fact that we will never know how many took their own lives but we do know why they did it. They lost hope that the next day would be any better for them.

We're going to be changing that conversation and start giving them reasons to hope for a much better life even with PTSD.

 For PTSD Patrol

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Travis Mills focusing on inspirational message at CPAC

Travis Mills Speaks At CPAC In Washington
WABI 5 News
David Abe
February 25, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WABI) - "This is all about inspiring people to do greater things, and to never give up on themselves, and to never quit."

Staff Sargent Mills lost parts of all four limbs after an improvised explosive device went off near him during his third tour in Afghanistan.

After a long recovery, Mills now uses his foundation to bring fellow injured veterans and their families to a retreat in Maine, to experience moments they may have thought were no longer possible.

"Some really monumental moments have happened with some fathers and daughters or some fathers and sons that went kayaking for the first time, or found out they could, you know, go out there and go tubing with their loved ones."

Saturday, Mills spoke on stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

"I think the biggest problem facing our veterans today, when they get out of the military, is communication breakdown."

His panel, not political, but focused on delivering a message of how people can help veterans transition back into civilian life.
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VA system hacked, some Texas veterans did not get deposits

Local vet gets answers about missing money
Seguin Gazette
Kati Waxler
February 25, 2018

Houston Area VA has also urged all veterans who suspect that they have been the victim of fraud to call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or reach the VA OIG at 1-800-488-8244 or via email at vaoighotline@va.gov.

A veteran whose monthly disability checks were rerouted for two months without his knowledge has finally received answers, as well as his money.

“I found out that (the VA) system was hacked,” Santa Clara resident Phil Sierer said. “So somebody went in, removed my bank information and had my benefits routed to a virtual bank.”

Recently, the Seguin Gazette ran an article highlighting the issues that local veterans have had with their disability benefits. It was reported that several disabled veterans were unable to receive their benefits via direct deposit. Upon notifying Veterans Affairs, some residents were still left without answers.

Gary Elley, the public information officer for Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 61, said that “a number of veterans did not receive their VA disability compensation checks,” due to the theft.

Elley issued a press release, urging veterans to check their accounts and monitor where deposits were being sent.

When the Feb. 8 article was published, Sierer had no answers as to when he would get his missing benefits. At the time, there also was no response from the VA on the issue.
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UK Troops with PTSD get phone linkup to help

New phone helpline for troops with mental health problems is launched

The Telegraph
February 25, 2018

"I will be working personally with the service chiefs to make sure there isn't a single person in the Armed Forces who doesn't know where to turn in times of trouble."

A helpline to give troops suffering from mental health problems round-the-clock support is being launched.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced an extra £20 million in funding to pay for the hotline and other new support services over the next decade.

It follows calls by campaigners, including Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army, for more help for struggling soldiers.

Mr Williamson said it was "simply unacceptable" that troops should suffer in silence.

"It is our duty to ensure we do all we can for our world-class personnel," he told the Mail on Sunday.

The helpline will be funded by the Ministry of Defence and run with the charity Combat Stress.

Lord Dannatt said the new helpline, which opens at midday on Sunday, was a "massive improvement" in support for troops.

The Military Mental Health Helpline can be called on 0800 323 4444.
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