Vietnam Veterans honored in Longwood

Today at the VFW Post 8207 in Longwood, Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy presented Vietnam veterans and their families with pins and challenge coins.

It was a day to remember them and all they did for this country so that no generation would ever be betrayed like they were.

On a personal note, it is why I am heartsick that they are once again, forgotten by the generations who came after them.

Veterans over the age of 50 are the majority of the known veterans committing suicide, but none of the new groups want to help them.

They waited longer for compensation and to have their caregivers helped out along the way, and are still waiting for someone to even notice we are here.

So yes, the Vietnam Veterans deserve much more than this day but it was nice to hear the kind words.

UPDATE
Sgt. Dave interviewed people for his radio show Remember The Fallen

Listen to the compelling story of the First Vietnamese Congresswoman Murphy's families survival of fleeing Communist Vietnam and being saved while drifting in the China Sea without any gas by the US Navy Vietnam Veterans. Most of all, how she and her staff with the assistance of VFW Post 8207, raised the bar, by honoring our Vietnam Veterans with passion and dignity with the pinning of The VNW50th Lapel Pin. God Bless Our Vietnam Veterans

Listen to "1ST Vietnamese Congress Woman Murphy Honors VNW 50th Veterans" on Speaker.

VA Claim Backlog 70,537...maybe?

Inspector general finds VA claims backlog greater than reported
Stars and Stripes
Nikki Wentling
September 10, 2018

WASHINGTON – The number of backlogged benefits claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs is larger than the agency reported, according to findings released Monday from a government watchdog.

The VA considers backlogged claims to be veterans’ claims for benefits that take longer than 125 days to approve or deny. The VA Inspector General’s Office reported officials omitted 63,600 backlogged claims from its count during the first half of 2016, creating a misrepresentation of how many claims were delayed.

Overall, the VA’s estimated backlog represents only 79 percent of actual backlogged claims, the IG determined.
read more here

Seventeen years ago today...

No words adequate enough!

Miramar Marine Sgt. Killed in Lemon Grove

Man Killed in Lemon Grove Shooting ID'd as Miramar Marine
NBC 7 News San Diego
By Alexander Nguyen
Sep 9, 2018

A man shot and killed early Friday morning in Lemon Grove was identified Sunday as a Marine sergeant stationed at Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said.

Sheriff's deputies spotted a car parked in the middle of the street on Pacific Avenue, near the Lemon Grove Square Shopping Center shortly after midnight Friday, sheriff's Lt. Rich Williams said.

Inside, they found Sgt. Christopher Truax Jr., 21, bleeding from a gunshot wound, and a woman. Truax soon stopped breathing and despite CPR efforts from first responders, he was pronounced dead around 12:39 a.m., Williams said.
read more here

Over half of the suicides worldwide are in America?

Well this is shocking!

Every year, almost 80,000 people across the world take their own lives. In the UK alone, more than 6,000 people commit suicide each year - an average of 18 per day. Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day, an annual event designed to raise awareness of suicide and reach out to those who are struggling to cope.

No, not because the number of known suicides is so high. 

It is shocking because according to the CDC, the US is more than half of them!

Suicide rates have been rising in nearly every state, according to the latest Vital Signs report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2016, nearly 45,000 Americans age 10 or older died by suicide. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death and is one of just three leading causes that are on the rise.

And now that you know that, still willing to settle for "suicide awareness" instead of letting them know how they can heal and find hope again?