Don't be defined by what is wrong with you! PTSD Patrol Kathie Costos March 4, 2018 Yesterday I went to an event for this fantastic veteran!
Kelly Smith will not let anything stop her. You can see the video from the event on Combat PTSD Wounded Times later today. For now, we need to talk about some of the conversations going on at the event. It was more about a veteran worried about another veteran, than anyone talking about themselves. AND THAT IS THE POINT MOST OF YOU MISS! No one is in this after combat alone! The same people you would have died for, the same ones who would have died for you, still care! What the hell makes you think they wouldn't listen to you if you need them? What stops you from talking to them if you think they need help? This video also introduces Murray! It is a glorious morning here in Florida and he wanted to get some fresh air. Don't settle for the way thing are today! TAKE YOUR LIFE BACK! Cross posted from PTSD Patrol
Mystery surrounds 'non combat' death of female soldier battling ISIS in Iraq as her body is returned home and Department of Defence announce an investigation Daily Mail UK Associated Press March 3, 2018
The Department of Defense announced Tuesday that 26-year-old Christina Marie Schoenecker, Arlington, died Monday in Baghdad, Iraq The department did not release any details about her death and said it is under investigation The Army Sgt. was the third soldier to die since the beginning of 2018 in the U.S.-led fight against ISIS called Operation Inherent Resolve The military noted that 51 U.S. military members have died since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve in 2014
Mystery surrounds the death of an Army Reserve soldier from Kansas who has died in Iraq in a non-combat situation.
The Department of Defense announced Tuesday that 26-year-old Christina Marie Schoenecker, Arlington, died Monday in Baghdad, Iraq.
The department did not release any details about her death and said it is under investigation.
The Department of Defense announced Tuesday that 26-year-old Christina Marie Schoenecker (Pictured), Arlington, died Monday in Baghdad, Iraq
The Army Sgt. was the third soldier to die since the beginning of 2018, according to The Kansas City Star. All three deaths in the ongoing, U.S.-led fight against ISIS called Operation Inherent Resolve were non-combat related.
Schoenecker enlisted in the Army in May 2009 and was on her first deployment, which began last June. A human resources specialist, she was assigned to the 89th Sustainment Brigade out of Wichita.
read more here
Veteran seriously injured in Iraq continues to serve at home St. Louis Post Dispatch Lori Rose March 4, 2018
“I got involved with the Disabled American Veterans - they were the ones that helped me with my disability claim and helped me get my head out of the funk,” Alexander says. “We do whatever we can do to help veterans. Pretty much whatever a veteran needs, we try to get it for him or her.”
Tim Alexander (U.S. Army)
He doesn’t know why he didn’t strap in as regulations dictated, but that one decision may have saved his life.
Army Staff Sgt. Tim Alexander was a sniper atop a Humvee traveling outside Basra in southern Iraq on Oct. 29, 2005, when an IED hidden in the sand detonated, destroying the vehicle, killing the four soldiers inside and blasting Alexander some 45 feet through the hot, dusty air.
“All I remember is hearing the explosion and seeing the flash and seeing the sky,” the Glen Carbon man says. “The next thing I know I woke up in Germany.”
Alexander, now 46, doesn’t remember the fighting that ensued, in which two more American soldiers were injured, or the helicopter flight to Baghdad, where doctors put him in a medically induced coma and transferred him to a military hospital in Germany. He had broken his back in six places.
“We had vehicles in front of us clearing (improvised explosive devices) but you knew every day when you went outside the wire there was a chance they could miss something,” he said. “I still don’t know why I didn’t strap myself in that day. I’ve racked my brain. I can’t say why.” read more here
My husband is a life member of the DAV, he was Commander of Chapter 16 for a few years and I'm a life member of the DAV Auxiliary.
If you're a disabled veteran, why aren't you a member?
PTSD "Prevention" on Trial Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos March 4, 2018 The military did a great job selling "resilience" training. Too bad it turned out that it did not work. As a matter of fact, it made seeking help an impossible dream. Who the hell would want to ask for help, especially a Marine, after hearing the training was intended to make them mentally tough enough?
That is exactly what this training did. Every member of the military has to take this training since 2009 and since then, while the number of enlisted personnel went down, the number of suicides were not reduced accordingly. There was Sergeant Major's trail that is more of an indictment on this FUBAR than on him.
Marine sentenced for hate crime at Iraqi restaurantBy: The Associated PressMarch 3, 2018 PORTLAND, Ore. — A highly decorated active-duty Marine who slammed a chair into the neck and shoulder of an employee at an Iraqi restaurant in Portland has been sentenced to five years of probation and $21,000 in fines. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Damien Rodriguez was charged with a hate crime and assault that could have put him in prison for a mandatory five years and 10 months. But Rodriguez’s defense attorney presented evidence that Rodriguez suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder from witnessing soldiers die while in combat in Iraq.read more here
Is anyone paying attention to this? It keeps happening but no one with the power to end this deadly assault on our troops, will call for accountability! It was predicted to have this outcome back in 2009! And it was predicted right here. So, now this Marine, has lost everything because no one stopped what should have never been pushed before they had any proof of what the results would be. Who is accountable to this Marine?
Marine Corps sergeant major indicted on hate crime charges
Immediately following the incident, the 1st Marine Division removed Rodriguez from his position as the 1st Battalion, 11th Marines battalion sergeant major. "The 1st Marine Division will continue to assist the Portland District Attorney with this matter," Gainey said. "The Marine Corps does not tolerate disorderly conduct or bad behavior from its Marines or senior leaders and expects all Marines to uphold the highest of principles and ethical behavior, both on and off duty."
Who is accountable for any of them since this cause more harm to them than enemy bullets? Factor in all the younger veterans committing suicide, despite having been trained to be "resilient" and out of the combat zones. Factor in how they now have 400,000 charities to turn to for help. Factor in how they have Veterans Courts to get them the help they need. Factor in the Suicide Prevention hotline. Why would they continue to push this training when they could have easily accomplished the same result by giving them bean bags to fight with instead of bullets? The deadly outcome was predicted but no one listened. They are still not listening!
Police arrest Plainfield teen suspected of killing his parents at Central Michigan University Chicago Tribune Matthew Walberg, Angie Leventis Lourgos and John Keilman March 3, 2018
The victims were identified by authorities as Davis’ parents, James Eric Davis Sr. and Diva Jeneen Davis. Davis Sr. was a police officer in west suburban Bellwood and an Illinois National Guard veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Diva Davis’s Facebook page identified her as a real estate broker; friends said she was also a breast cancer survivor and had worked as a flight attendant.
After a nearly daylong manhunt, authorities took into custody a college student from the Chicago suburbs who police said fatally shot his parents on the campus of Central Michigan University.
Part-time Bellwood police Officer James Eric Davis Sr. He and wife Diva Davis were shot and killed, allegedly by their son, James Eric Davis Jr., at Central Michigan University. (Bellwood Police Department)
The university and local police said 19-year-old James Eric Davis Jr., of Plainfield, was taken into custody after being seen passing through the campus after midnight Saturday. read more here
