Decorated Vietnam Veteran Walter Bryant Jr and Daughter Found Murdered

Decorated veteran, daughter identified as victims in SE Indiana slaying
WLWT 5 News
January 22, 2018

AURORA, Ind.
A decorated Vietnam War veteran and his daughter have been identified as the victims in an Aurora, Indiana, double slaying.

The bodies of Walter Bryant Jr., 78, and his daughter Faith Craig, 58, were found Friday night in a home in the 5000 block of Douglas Drive.

Neighbors said Bryant was a decorated Vietnam War veteran.

Indiana State Police were called to the home for a welfare check and found the bodies inside.

Two people were taken into custody Saturday in Pulaski County, Kentucky, a mostly-rural area in the southern portion of the state, in connection to the case.
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Indiana National Guard Soldier's Death Under Investigation

Indiana National Guard soldier dies at Fort Hood in Texas

Associated Press

January 7, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana National Guard says one of its soldiers has died after arriving for training at Fort Hood in Texas.

Indiana Guard officials said 43-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Mark Boner of Fort Wayne died early Saturday. The Guard didn't release information about the circumstances of his death, saying it was under investigation.

Boner was a member of the Kokomo-based 38th Sustainment Brigade. About 250 members of the unit left last week for training at Fort Hood ahead of a deployment to Kuwait.

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Did you know Vietnam Veteran Glenn Shelton?

Veteran with no family at funeral not forgotten

WTHR 13 News
Rich Nye
December 16, 2017

The veterans in the pews did not know the Marine in the casket draped with the American flag. But they answered the call to honor a brother.
"Coming and showing our solidarity and showing the love for a brother that we don't know really helps other veterans,” said Pryor. “It helps those that are homeless, those that are dealing with TBIs (traumatic brain injuries), PTSDs (post traumatic stress disorder) and moral injuries."

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – The sanctuary at Allisonville Christian Church was nearly full Saturday afternoon for the funeral service of a Marine who died with no known family.

"We didn't know him, but yet we showed up, because vets help vets,” said Russell Pryor, Veterans of Foreign Wars district 11 commander. “Vets take care of vets. I think this was wonderful today. I mean to see every place out here looking around being filled with people who just have a love in their heart because of a service that he did for us and for this country."
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Search continues for family of abandoned veteran
WTHR 13 News
Kevin Rader
December 15, 2017

FISHERS, Ind. (WTHR) - A memorial service for Glenn Shelton, 68, will take place on Saturday.

The story of the abandoned Vietnam veteran has spread all across the country.

About all we know is that Glenn Shelton was a Vietnam veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart.

We didn't know why this man came to Indiana (he had roots in Kentucky) but late Thursday we got word that revealed Shelton may have some extended family in this area. We attempted to make contact by phone and in person on Friday but got no answers.

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Mom Grieves For Veteran Son Killed During Standoff

Mother of veteran killed in standoff wants medical marijuana legal to 'give our vets another choice'
The Indy Channel
Katie Cox
Nov 9, 2017

OWEN COUNTY, Ind. -- The mother of a man who was killed after a standoff with police that lasted over 30 hours says her son was suffering from PTSD and medical marijuana could have helped him.

Mason Johnson, 31, was holding hostages in an Owen County home when he was shot and killed by police earlier this month.

“My heart is broken, no child should have to die like that,” said Jade Griffin. “His life was ended by his own demise from his mental breakdown from PTSD.”

Griffin said Mason had served in Iraq when he was 19 years old and had several traumatic experiences during his time there. Those experiences led to him having significant mental health issues in the years that followed.

“His friend died, his sergeant was gravely injured,” said Griffin. “The ugliness of war every day – he wondered if it was going to be his last.”
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Suspect in 31-hour Owen Co. standoff killed after firing several shots at officers, hostages rescued

November 4, 2017

Veterans Court, Support and Encouragement

13 vets graduate from Indy Veterans Court

FOX 59

Randy Spieth

October 27, 2017

“I know I wouldn’t be here today if veterans court didn’t exist," Mills said while holding back tears. "I probably would be in jail, but they gave me hope.”

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.  - A relatively new program recognized the work of 13 veterans Friday who have suffered because of their time in the military.

Veterans court allows service men and women to enroll in treatment, allowing them to stay out of jail and possibly see their criminal charges dropped.

Vets in the program were recognized for graduating with an hour-long ceremony at the Indiana World War Memorial auditorium.

The Indianapolis Veterans Court (IVC) celebrated its second anniversary of serving men and women. Including Friday's ceremony, 21 veterans have graduated from IVC.

“Our program is a treatment-oriented court," said Marion County Superior Court Judge David Certo, who also runs the IVC. "You go to treatment, the court helps support you and encourage you, and hold you accountable in doing that because you get better outcomes when you go consistently to treatment.”

The program is completed by veterans in phases, and can take 12 to 18 months overall. 
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Disabled Veterans Reaching Out For Help

Ohio

Veteran, disabled police officer now calls fifth-wheel camper home in Highland County

A disabled former police officer and U.S. Army veteran is now calling a small fifth-wheel camper home in northern Highland County.

He met with The Highland County Press this week inside his Big Sky Montana camper parked in a rural area on private property between Leesburg and Greenfield.

find out how to help here

Michigan

Disabled veteran fights massive tax bill from IRS

LANSING, Mich. - A disabled veteran is in the fight of his life as the country he fought to serve and protect is fighting him for a massive sum of money.

William Milzarski, 46, is a highly decorated, disabled Michigan Army veteran, but now he's being forced to take on a new battle. The IRS has left him with a financial burden he struggles to carry.

Many college graduates know the crushing weight of college debt. Milzarski said he succeeded in getting his debt canceled, but the IRS still has its hand out.

Milzarski served three years as an engineer during the first Gulf War before he left the military, finished law school and became a top state of Michigan disability advocate.

find out how to help here

Indiana

Disabled veteran frustrated by craftsmanship of donated home

ANDERSON, Ind. -- A disabled veteran in Anderson is frustrated after he says a non-profit organization took on more than they could handle and left him with an unfinished home with lots of projects to complete.

Tim Senkowski lost both of his legs to a buried explosive while serving in Afghanistan.

“I lost both my legs – they cut right above the joints. I lost half my bicep, three-quarters of my triceps,” said Senkowski.

After he returned home to Anderson, he was put in touch with a local non-profit veterans group called “The Path Home.” Organizers there offered to build he and his family a house with donated time and resources.

But the process was slow, Senkowski said it took four years for him to get the keys to his new home – and it was still incomplete. 

find out how to help here

Mike Rowe Gets Stunned by Honoring Veteran Dedicated to Helping Other Veterans

Mike Rowe surprises veteran in 'Returning the Favor'

Fox News 
Published August 31, 2017

Rowe surprised Zaidement with equipment for his shop, one year's worth of rent, a new coat of paint. Additionally, The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association presented the shop with $17,500

Mike Rowe gave a veteran the surprise of a lifetime in the first episode in his Facebook series "Returning The Favor."

The former "Dirty Jobs" host traveled to Indiana to meet up with an army veteran who started an organization to help his fellow veterans overcome post-traumatic stress disorder.

Jason Zaidement founded Operation Combat Bikesaver after he watched his father, a Vietnam War vet, struggle with PTSD.

"I love this place," Rowe says when he visits the bike shop that Zaidement built.

Zaidement said he started his shop as a way to "give back."
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The thing that totally blew me away in this is when Jason Zaidement said that his Dad's ashes are in the clear coat on his bike so that he will be on the ride with him!

Cincinnati Reds Honor Vietnam "Hometown Hero"

Local Veteran Honored As Reds’ Opening Day Hometown Hero
Eagle Country
By Travis Thayer
April 04, 2017

Ron Spurlock was honored as the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Hometown Hero on Monday, April 3. Photo by P.G. Gentrup.

The Cincinnati Reds came up on the short end of the scoreboard, but Opening Day was still memorable for one southeastern Indiana hero.

Rising Sun resident Ron Spurlock was honored as the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Hometown Hero on Monday, April 3.

Spurlock was introduced to the largest crowd in Great American Ball Park history at the end of the second inning, and was presented with a Reds cap, certificate and Cincinnati Reds challenge coin.

After graduating from Vevay High School, Corporal Spurlock entered the United States Marines in 1969 and served until 1971 when he was honorable discharged.
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Ex-Homeless Veteran's Smile Just Got Bigger

Former homeless veteran gets new smile thanks to Indianapolis dentist
FOX 59 News
BY BRIAN BONDUS
FEBRUARY 23, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Veteran Lewis Morris used to not have a lot to smile about, but now he says he can't keep his mouth shut.

"They gave me that perfect smile...I can’t help myself. Life is good," Morris said.

In November, the mayor and other community members came together to get Morris back into the home his family built decades ago. Morris had been living on the street prior to that and often slept on the front porch and in the backyard of that house on 2300 block of Arsenal Avenue.

“I got a key! I can get in," Morris said. "They did me a favor... took me out of the backyard and put me inside."

And the favors keep coming to Morris. Tillery Family Dental saw the story in November and wanted to make Morris the recipient of their annual, "Perfect Smile for the Holidays," project.
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Richard Reisz "Green Beret" Stolen Valor

14 News Investigation: Stolen Valor?
KXXV News
Posted by Jess Powers, Reporter
November 18th 2016

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE)
For six months, 14 News has been investigating a claim of stolen valor involving an Evansville business owner.

That's after several people contacted us, asking us to look into the matter.

Investigative reporter Jess Powers spent months acquiring documents and sifting through the information to get answers for you.

All of those documents are public records. Documents that help tell a tale, some may not want you to hear.

Veterans earn the right to wear the uniform. They have the right to display their earned patriotism.

When people falsify military claims or embellish their records, it's taken very seriously.

14 News received an email on May 20th titled "Stolen Valor".

The email claimed an Evansville business owner was portraying himself as a military veteran, but did not serve in the military.

The claims surround Richard Reisz, a man who previously identified himself to 14 News as the owner of the former Ground Zero Fitness.
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Death of Fort Hood Soldier Under Investigation

Pvt. Kevin Paulino, 24, was shot in Peru, Ind., and died Wednesday, officials said. (U.S. ARMY)

If you saw the following copy of the report, it is wrong. The picture below is of a Sailor.

Bronx soldier, 24, fatally shot while serving in Indiana
New York Daily News
Ginger Adams Otis
November 19, 2016

A Bronx soldier serving in Indiana died of a gunshot wound, Army officials said Friday.

Provided by New York Daily News Pvt. Kevin Paulino, 24, was shot in Peru, Ind., and died Wednesday, officials said. - Byron Smith for New York Daily News

Pvt. Kevin Paulino, 24, died Wednesday, according to officials at Fort Hood Army Base in Texas.

Paulino entered active-duty service in May as an infantryman.

He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood in September, officials said.
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Fort Wainwright Soldier's Death Suspected Suicide

Army: Soldier died from self-inflicted gunshot wound
Army Times
By: Staff report
October 21, 2016

A soldier assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, has died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said Friday.

Spc. Tyler Christian White, 21, died Wednesday at a friend's house in Fairbanks, Alaska.

White, 21, was from Richmond, Indiana. He was found in his friend's driveway with a single gunshot wound about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. He died while he was being taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
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Sheriff and Daughter Share Heartbreak to Help Others With PTSD

Boone County Sheriff shares important personal message about PTSD
WTHR 13 News
October 19, 2016

"Taylor wanted us to share her story to save other lives," Mike Nielsen wrote. "Taylor feels very strongly that this is the beginning of a path that God has laid for her to help others with PTSD. This will be the beginning of our advocacy with her."

BOONE COUNTY, Ind. (WTHR) - The Boone County Sheriff is expressing an important message about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its effect on law enforcement.

Sheriff Mike Nielsen wrote in a post on Facebook Tuesday night that his daughter, Lebanon Police Officer Taylor Nielsen, almost lost her life to PTSD, caused by the February murder of a Zionsville mother and her young son.

"I always thought giving my life would be the ultimate sacrifice on my job," Mike Nieslen wrote. "I never imagined my decision that day to send my daughter into the autopsy of a young child to document the evidence would have triggered what was almost truly the ultimate sacrifice of my career – my daughter.

"I am a broken man.

"We will heal from this with God's grace, prayer and the right treatment."

He wrote that PTSD is not talked about in law enforcement.

"We have lost many lives to a disorder that is treatable and more common than we want to believe," Mike Nielsen said. "Police officers don’t want to admit that a call has affected them emotionally. Police officers feel that showing emotion is a sign of weakness."

He said that loved ones "need to do a better job at identifying the signs that our loved ones are displaying from the disorder."

He said Taylor's employer did not provide her with the proper treatment after the incident.
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PTSD Veteran Tried to Commit Suicide By Cop With Air Gun

Huntington Man Sentenced After Triggering Police Action Shooting
WBIW News
Updated August 17, 2016

Peek had admitted in court he was trying "to commit suicide by cop." The U.S. Army veteran told the court he hoped to get treatment for his wounds and for PTSD.

(HUNTINGBURG) - A Huntingburg man who triggered a standoff in February and was wounded in an officer-involved shooting was sentenced last week in Dubois Circuit Court.

In an open plea deal, 27-year-old Zachary Peek pleaded guilty to a Level 5 felony count of intimidation with a deadly weapon. On Friday, Judge Nathan Verkamp sentenced Peek to three years to be served at the Dubois County Security Center. But the court noted Peek can apply to be admitted into an in-patient post traumatic stress disorder program at the Marion, Ill., Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Police later learned the gun was an air gun pistol with a long barrel.

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Staff Sgt. Halex Hale Still Missing

UPDATE

Italian police examine body in search for missing US airman
Virginia Pilot
July 11, 2016

MILAN (AP) — Italian authorities are investigating whether a body found in the Adriatic Sea could be related to the disappearance of a U.S. airman some 40 kilometers (30 miles) away.

Missing Aviano airman may have drowned, police say
Stars and Stripes
By Nancy Montgomery
Published: July 11, 2016

VICENZA, Italy — The Aviano airman still missing for more than a week despite a massive search effort may have drowned, Italian police said.

Police — aided by dogs, divers, helicopters and volunteers — called off a three-day search on Sunday for 24-year-old Staff Sgt. Halex Hale. Assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, he was last seen when he left a friend’s house in Sacile, the small town near the base where Hale lived.

“The most plausible theory for now is that he was inebriated with alcohol, left the house and fell into one of the nearby canals, which were swollen due to particularly stormy weather,” Grigoletto Michele, the national police captain in charge of the search, told NBC News on Sunday.

That theory was disputed by Hale’s father, who traveled to Italy last week from his home in Indiana.

“It just doesn’t make sense,” Lance Hale told the network. He said he’d walked the route his son was thought to have taken from the cookout, where he was last seen about 10 p.m.
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Iraq Veteran Got Reason to Change in Indiana Veterans Court Program

Veterans Treatment Court saves 'tornado of self destruction'
Northwest Indiana Times
Joyce Russell
May 21, 2016

“I was a tornado of self-destruction,” Israel Toledo

PORTAGE — For the first time in a long time Israel Toledo cares — about himself, his family and their future.

“I never saw my drinking, my anger, my aggressiveness as an issue,” said Toledo, 33, of Merrillville.

He didn’t care about being arrested for driving under the influence. Toledo said he had about six arrests under his belt and knew he’d end up with a slap on the wrist. He didn’t care, at the time, about how those arrests and his behavior affected his family.

“I was a tornado of self-destruction,” said Toledo, a U.S. Army veteran who participated in the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

That was until his last arrest, in Porter County.

“I understood I had a problem, but I didn’t feel I had the tools to deal with the problem. They talk to you and get to the bottom of the BS,” said Toledo, adding the program also holds the participants accountable.

Now, he says, he can look himself and his parents in the eye, thanks to the court giving him a chance to start over clean and sober.

“It gives you a reason to change,” said Toledo. “I discovered me.”
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Ex-Police Officer Holds Press Conference After Standoff Ends

UPDATE
Ex-Jeffersonville cop says PTSD led to his suicidal standoff
WVAE 3 News
By Katie Bauer
Friday, February 26th 2016

SELLERSBURG, IN (WAVE) – A former Jeffersonville police officer won't face charges after he was the center of a several-hour standoff in his own home Friday morning.

This all played out along west Utica Street in Sellersburg.

Steve Cooper was a Jeff police officer for 12 years. During that time he was a SWAT sniper and undercover narcotics officer. He says he is upset with how his career unfolded after he said he opened up about suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Armed and barricaded for nearly seven hours, the standoff ended after Cooper walked out of his house peacefully to meet police.

“This was kind of a breaking point for me," he said. "I had some conversations that went awry and I got depressed and had some liquid courage and was just to the point where maybe it was time to end my life.”

Family called police, concerned and tried to help.
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wave3.com-Louisville News, Weather

Former Jeffersonville police officer surrenders after standoff in Sellersburg
WDRB News
By Sitarah Coote
By Stephan Johnson
Posted: Feb 26, 2016

Steven Cooper barricaded himself in a home in Sellersburg for several hours on Feb. 26, 2016.

SELLERSBURG, Ind. (WDRB) -- An armed man who barricaded himself inside a home on West Utica Street in Sellersburg early Friday has surrendered.

Sellersburg Police Deputy Chief Mark Levesque says officers were called about 2:30 a.m. to check on a man in the home that might be suicidal.

The man, identified as Steven Cooper, surrendered around 9:15 a.m. He says he is a former police officer with the Jeffersonville Police Department and wants to expose corruption.

After holding police at bay for several hours, the man inside the home -- now identified as Steve Cooper -- actually put the guns down and walked right up to our cameras and held an impromptu press conference to explain why this all happened.

"Tonight was kind of a breaking point for me," Cooper said. "We had some conversations, and they went awry, and I got depressed and and had some liquid courage and got to the point that I was thinking that maybe it's time to end my life."

But instead of ending his life, Steve Cooper, a former Jeffersonville Police officer, walked out of his house. Cooper says he left the Jeffersonville Police Department in August and has been struggling ever since.

He blames his struggles and what happened Friday morning on post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
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WDRB 41 Louisville News

Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center HOVER For Veterans

FOX28 Special Report: HOVER Vets
Katherine Duchame
February 10, 2016

The first visit to a veteran took place on January 5 last year. The total of visits to vets so far, over 1,300.

A local Vietnam veterans dream to continue serving after duty, is now a reality. One that touches the hearts of dozens of veterans every week in Michiana.

It started as what was thought to be a "simple" idea, a program to help veterans hospitalized get back on their feet. Now, a realization that the program does so much more as we learned in a special report from FOX 28's Katherine Ducharme.

The program is called HOVER, it stands for Honoring Our Veterans and Encouraging Recovery. HOVER ensures that every veteran hospitalized at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, is thanked for their service. A gesture many of us view as "normal" in today's world, but for some veterans who never received that recognition, it means so much more.

Bern McGrane, a Vietnam veteran and coordinator of HOVER, has a routine day of delivering an American flag and some company to hospitalized veterans. It became McGrane's mission in life just over a year ago."I was in the army in 1967, and as funny as it may seem that was me in 1967, I was 19 I believe," said McGrane.He served as a combat infantry soldier in Vietnam for 14 months.

"During the time that I was there, there was a uniqueness to being in a squad or a platoon, because it's not like you're going to do an eight to five job, you live with your fellow soldiers 24/7 under every imaginable kind of circumstance," said McGrane.
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Fox 28: South Bend, Elkhart IN News, Weather, Sports

After 26 Years in Army Veteran Killed 9 Days After Retiring

Decorated war veteran with Austin ties killed in crash
American-Statesman
By James Barragan Staff
January 15, 2016

Martinez, 49, had retired from the Army on Dec. 31 and was looking forward to spending more time with friends and family, said his brother Octavio Martinez.

Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Martinez, who was killed in a car crash in Ohio on

Jan. 9. Martinez, who grew up in Austin and was profiled by the American

Statesman, had just retired from the U.S. Army after a 26-year career.

A decorated war veteran who grew up in Austin and had just retired from the U.S. Army after a 26-year career was killed last weekend in a car crash in Ohio.

Carlos Martinez, who was profiled by the American-Statesman in 2006 for his work defusing explosives for the Army, was returning to his Pennsylvania home after a trip to Indiana on Jan. 9 when a Dodge Avenger driving in the opposite direction hit several other cars before going through a grass median and a guardrail and hitting the Toyota Prius that Martinez and his wife were in.

Martinez’s wife, Laura, who was driving the Prius, suffered severe injuries but survived the crash.
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Fort Wayne Funeral For Vietnam Veteran Attended by Hundreds

Hundreds turn out in droves to honor disabled Vietnam veteran at funeral
21Alive
By Corinne Rose
December 17, 2015

Hundreds of people from all walks of life paid their respects to the former Army Staff Sergeant who reportedly was an orphan from Marion, Indiana, who never married and never had any children.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (21Alive) -- Members of the community paid tribute Thursday afternoon to a disabled Vietnam veteran who died in Fort Wayne without having any known family.

When administrators at D. O. McComb and Sons heard about James Beavers, they offered to host services and donate a burial plot for him in the veterans section of Riverview Cemetery.
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UPDATE
Better reporting on this.

Veteran’s funeral: ‘Doesn’t matter what war or who it is. It’s family.’
WANE News
Sara Wagner
Published: December 17, 2015

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – He served the country during one of the most controversial wars. Now, Vietnam veteran James Beavers will forever be remembered for the hero he was. Thousands of people came to pay their respects to the 74-year-old Thursday afternoon.

Beavers died a few days before Thanksgiving. However, after three weeks of searching for any family, no one could be located. That’s when local funeral home D.O. McComb and Sons stepped forward to provide funeral services and a burial with full military honors.

Standing shoulder to shoulder, the Indiana Patriot Guard kept watch for nearly three hours outside the Lakeside Park Chapel.

“We came out today to pay Mr. Beavers the respect that he’s due for his service in Vietnam. Doesn’t matter that he doesn’t have any family members that are known. What matters is that we’re here today to show him that respect. We’re honored to be here. People take time out of their days to do this. There are still a lot of patriotic people in this country and we’re glad to stand their shoulder to shoulder with them today,” Senior Chaplain for the Indiana Patriot Guard Pat Brase said.
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