Independence Night Of Flashback Avoidance

If you are among the over 400,000 veterans right here in Central Florida, you may be heading off to Red Hot and Boom to celebrate Independence Day. According to predictions they are expecting at least 150,000, like they had in 2014. It is a fun time with great music and fireworks.

Red Hot and Boom 2014
But it isn't fun for all, especially when you are part of the reason we still have independence.

You have a choice to go or not. To watch from Cranes Roost Park or Lake Eola Fireworks At The Fountain or any of the other events to celebrate. To watch from the privacy of home the National Capitol Celebration for a star studded patriotic event.

What you do not have a choice on is what your neighbors do. It is still illegal to send bombs bursting in air on your street and any other street in Florida.

While fireworks are sold in Florida, and it is legal to buy them, it is illegal for people without a permit to set off fireworks other than sparklers.

You can't control them.

There is a push on all over the internet for veterans to put up signs about being a veteran and asking folks to be respectful of that. Nice thought and can be helpful however the majority of veterans don't want their neighbors to know and they want to retain their privacy. So what do you do?

The same thing other veterans have done for decades. They improvised, adapted and overcame others having too much fun to remember the price you paid. (Yes Gunny, your voice is reverberating in my head)

Improvise
If you live alone.
Change what you normally do at night for several days, since they will be blowing stuff up for about a week. If you can, get some headphones and plug them into your TV or stereo to block out some of the noise. If you are comfortable doing it, go out and watch some of your neighbors acting like little kids. You may get some laughs. Otherwise, stay near your home and don't drive since you don't know what you'll be driving near, usually the smell of gunpowder and some yahoo blowing up enough fireworks to light up an entire neighborhood. That can trigger a flashback and you will be in an unfamiliar area.

If you live with family members, try playing games to take your mind off what is going on and remind yourself that you are safe. When you start to think about being in combat, shut it down and replace the thought. If you have prepared yourself for the inevitable noise, it makes it a bit easier to do.

Hero After War is a video that was up on Youtube years ago and has been uploaded again. (yes it is mine)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is nothing to be ashamed of. It is because you put your life on the line and felt it more than others that you suffer today. The good news is, you can change again and heal to live a better life.

If it helps, then show it to your family so they will understand what you are seeing and thinking about.

Adapt
Don't expect your neighbors to fully understand that you are different from them. How could they? Veterans are only about 7% of the US population. Combat veterans are even less than that. There are almost 17 million combat veterans from WWII to Desert Storm scattered all over the US according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Living War Veterans 16,962,000

Living Veterans (Periods of War and Peace) 23,234,000

Your neighbors don't mean you any harm and have no clue about the real fireworks you saw intended to kill and not for entertainment. They are celebrating freedom without really thinking about what came with it.

Don't watch war movies especially if your house is being filled with the smell of gunpowder. Try cooking something that reminds you of happier times to replace the fumes. The smell of homemade chocolate chip cookies can remind you of when you were young.

Overcome
If you among the younger generation then talk to the 3,403,000 Vietnam Veterans Deployed to Southeast Asia to find out how they did it all these years. Contrary to popular reports dismissing the majority of veterans in this country, they have been through everything you are going through right now. They just did it all before the internet and Facebook. Before reporters decided that they would jump on the bandwagon of covering what has been going on all this time yet pretending they just discovered something new.

When it comes to PTSD, these veterans didn't invent it, since all other generations came home with same wounds, but they started everything to be in place for all generations.

Try to do what they did and that is to spend time with other veterans. You will discover that while you no longer feel you fit in with civilians, you fit perfectly with them. You will gain support and be understood. You will find strength in their numbers.

UPDATE July 4, 2015 a link to the following story from New York was sent this morning and shows exactly what I was saying.

Sign designed to help veterans with PTSD on the 4th of July is not welcomed by all veterans
WSYR News
July 2, 2015

We don't want to be looked at as broken people,” said Earl Fontenot, a veteran who believes the signs cast a negative shadow on the military. “If that's something they want to do they should go door to door.”

Fontenot is Chief of Staff at Clear Path for Veterans, an organization helping service men and women adjust to civilian life.

“We can't expect our community to mold for our needs, we need to mold back into the community successfully and I don't think the signs are helping that,” said Fontenot.
read more here

UPDATE from Kansas City
'About twilight, I'm back in the house hunkered down;' Vietnam veteran prepares for Fourth of July
KSHB News

Every year, Ebert has to mentally prepare for the Fourth of July. During the day, he's usually grilling out, undisturbed by fireworks.

"But at night, the starbursts and the bigger fireworks going off, that bothered me," Ebert said.

"Along about twilight, I'm back in the house hunkered down."

Dr. George Dent, a psychologist with the Department of Veteran Affairs, works with thousands of veterans who also have PTSD.

"For a person who has encountered a boom or a flash with risk to their life, it's (fireworks) not just a boom, it's not just a flash," Dent said. "It's a signal that they may be on the verge of death."

"Serious Disconnect Between Average American and Military" Gary Sinise

Sinise: ‘Serious Disconnect’ Between the Average American and Military
"This is a dangerous 21st century...and the military is going to be called many, many times in the coming decades."
PJ Media
Nicholas Ballasy
June 29, 2015

Actor Gary Sinise said there is a “serious disconnect” between the average American citizen and its military, emphasizing the need to educate the public about lasting effects of war.

“Education, as I was saying, is such a critically important part of letting our young people understand why it’s important to support this 0.1 percent of our population that serves in the military. It’s a very, very small percentage of over 300 million people serving in uniform, defending our country,” Sinise said at the National Press Club.

“A lot of young people, if they don’t have a personal connection to somebody who is serving in the military, there’s a disconnect, there’s a serious disconnect between the average American citizen and its military so keeping awareness up, education, that’s why I’m supporting the Medal of Honor Foundation museum.”

Sinise, the national spokesperson for the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation, said the museum is going to serve as a “beacon of education for what service, selflessness and character is all about.”

“We want our young people to understand something greater than themselves of service,” he said.
read more here

Sinise: ‘Serious disconnect’ between the average American and its military

Internet Left Four Generations of Veterans Forgotten About

There are five generations of war veterans alive in this country today.

In 2011, there were six.

Last American WWI Veteran
Feb 28, 2011
Frank Buckles was repeatedly rejected by military recruiters and got into uniform at 16 after lying about his age. He would later become the last surviving U.S. veteran of World War I. (Feb. 28)

When we think about veterans in this country, far too many forget there are a lot more of the other 4 generations.

Take a look at the publication from the Department of Veterans Affairs on pre-Internet veterans.

These are their numbers up to 1991 as of May 2015

Living War Veteran 16,962,000
Living Veterans (Periods of War and Peace) 23,234,000

WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War veterans still alive but as far as the press is concerned, the only ones worthy of reporting on are Post Internet veterans.

War on Terror, Afghanistan and Iraq

War on Terror 2001–present 294,043,000

When you look at these numbers maybe you can explain to all the other veterans why they no longer matter. After all, when you consider all the donations going to the Post-Internet generation, all the hearings and bills passed by congress and all the news reports focused on them, it shows the other four generations of veterans have been forgotten about.

They experienced all the same wounds. They waited longer for those wounds to be treated by the VA for decades while most citizens have been deluded into thinking all the issues War on Terror veterans go through are new.

The other generations are the majority of the veterans living on the streets.

23% of homeless population are veterans
33% of male homeless population are veterans
47% Vietnam Era
17% post-Vietnam
15% pre-Vietnam
67% served three or more years
33% stationed in war zone
25% have used VA Homeless Services
85% completed high school/GED, compared to 56% of non-veterans
89% received Honorable Discharge
79% reside in central cities
16% reside in suburban areas
5% reside in rural areas
76% experience alcohol, drug, or mental health problems
46% white males compared to 34% non-veterans
46% age 45 or older compared to 20% non-veterans

They are the majority of veterans within the VA claim backlog. They are the majority of veterans committing suicide. They are the minority of news reports.

While the veterans organizations fighting for their care began generations ago, those same organizations are struggling to find financial support while billions a year are donated to others with huge Internet PR exposures.

Until all veterans from all generations are treated equally we will continue to see one generation being more important than all others. If veterans continue to be the project of a few instead of the priority of a grateful nation, then they will never received what they deserve. All of them deserved better from all of us.

UK Soldiers Stories of PTSD and Getting Help

PTSD: The Soldiers' Stories
The Sun Proudly Sponsors Forces TV
Simon Newton June 2, 2015

During the past year some mental health charities for ex-service personnel have recorded a sharp rise in the numbers of veterans seeking their help for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The rise in cases, with most of those being treated having served in Iraq or Afghanistan, has been described as ‘very concerning’.

Three former British soldiers, meanwhile, have told Forces TV about the devastating effects of PTSD on their lives and their battle to recover with the help of the London Veterans' Service.
watch video here

Jon Stewart Looking For A Few Funny Veterans

Jon Stewart is helping veterans break into the TV industry
Army Times
Jon Stewart is leaving 'The Daily Show' but is leaving a job training program for Veterans as a parting gift.
Keri Lumm has the story.

Taking Care of Our Veterans More Like Impossible Dream

In 2010 I used "The Impossible Dream" by Luther Vandross for a memorial tribute.

I put it back up on YouTube in March. While it has the quote about how veterans are treated attributed to George Washington, back then I thought it was but I've discovered the quote was not his. It should be the quote from all of us. It seems more like an impossible dream to far too many of them to receive the care they deserve.

This is from 2010. The numbers are higher now and the debt we owe them has still not been paid yet. Music

Lincoln Awards Concert for Veterans and Military Families

A Concert for Veterans and The Military Family
PBS
May 22, 2015
Lincoln Awards
Enjoy a concert in celebration of the Lincoln Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement and excellence in providing opportunities and support to veterans and military families.

Veterans More Involved Helping Others Than Civilians Are

Veterans more likely to volunteer, vote, serve community than civilians 
The Washington Times
By Jacqueline Klimas
Thursday, April 30, 2015

“They have learned to put service before self, to bridge differences to accomplish shared goals. “What they now need is a new purpose. At a time when our country faces so many challenges, we need to make the most of what veterans have to offer.”
Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald

Veterans are more likely than similar civilians to volunteer more hours, to vote consistently and to serve in civic organizations, according to a report released Thursday that advocates hope will counteract the perception of veterans as “broken heroes.”

The report found that veterans, even those who may be struggling with issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, are eager to contribute to their communities and can make neighborhoods safer and friendlier.

“For years, we’ve been working to make sure veterans are perceived as leaders and assets. Now we have empirical evidence,” said Chris Marvin, managing director of Got Your 6, a veterans group that sponsored the report. “The statement that veterans are civic assets is no longer an opinion; it’s a fact, and it’s backed up by data.”

In addition to volunteering more hours annually — 160 for an average veteran volunteer compared with 120 for a civilian — veterans are more likely to trust most of their neighbors, the report found.

Veterans also are more likely to vote in local elections, contact their public officials and discuss politics frequently with families and friends.

Former service members came under fire this week after a CNN anchorwoman suggested that veterans who left the service and became police officers may be partly to blame for law-enforcement violence against minority communities around the country.

“I love our nation’s veterans, but some of them are coming back from war, they don’t know the communities and they’re ready to do battle,” Brooke Baldwin said live on air while reporting on the riots in Baltimore.

John W. Stroud, national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, called Ms. Baldwin’s comments insulting to those who served the country in the military and urged others to contact CNN to voice their disgust. Ms. Baldwin has since issued an on-air apology.
read more here

Brooke Baldwin Should Prove What She Really Believes About Veterans

"CNN’s Brooke Baldwin shows rest of media how to apologize" or so Erik Wemple wrote on the Washington Post. Maybe that is what she thinks however, there is far too much yammering and far too little thinking going on.

This is what Baldwin said in the first place.

“And a lot of these young people … and I love our nation’s veterans, but some of them are coming back from war, they don’t know the communities and they’re ready to do battle.”

This is the apology being defended by Wemple.

On CNN’s “New Day” program Baldwin said:
I made a mistake yesterday. We were in the middle of live TV, I was talking to a member of Congress, and I was recounting a story, a conversation I had had recently just referring to police. And I absolutely misspoke, I inartfully chose my words 100 percent and I just wish speaking to all of you this morning: I wholeheartedly retract what I said. And I’ve thought tremendously about this, and to our nation’s veterans, to you — this is just who I want to speak with this morning — I have the utmost respect for our men and women in uniform. And I wanted you to know that this morning, so to all of you, I owe a tremendous apology. I am truly sorry.

"Recounting" a conversation she had? Ok, if someone told her in a conversation that the moon was made out of cheese, would she simply repeat that without ever wondering what kind of cheese it was? Would she do some research to find out if the person expressing the thoughts was telling the truth or not? Would she ask experts on the CNN payroll for their thoughts?

Baldwin may have shown how to say "sorry" but didn't do much good for proving being informed in the first place would have prevented her from even repeating those words.

Baldwin isn't just a person stopped on the street for an interview. She's a reporter! She has a job to do. This didn't just hurt the feelings of veterans but it added to the already uninformed believing veterans are dangerous and looking for some kind of a fight.

Guess it didn't matter to her that veterans are more likely to harm themselves than anyone else or the other very underreported fact that PTSD veterans have PTSD because they put their lives on the line over and over again for others and are, in my opinion, some of the best people you'd ever want to meet.

When they come home the number on job they go into is law enforcement followed by firefighting. Both jobs require putting their lives on the line to defend, protect and save lives. And yes, some of them have PTSD but just like the citizens after traumatic events in their own lives, most folks would never know they were suffering. Suffering doesn't mean they are not capable of love, compassion, mercy, forbearance, or lacking anything other than proper help to heal.

Then again maybe Baldwin is just remembering some of the other "reports" CNN has done over the years.
Experts: Vets' PTSD, violence a growing problem, By Ashley Hayes, CNN, Updated 5:02 PM ET, Tue January 17, 2012

A coincidence -- two recent high-profile cases? Or a sign of an increase in hostile behavior as U.S. troops complete their withdrawal from Iraq, similar to that seen when U.S. troops returned home from the Vietnam War?

"You're going to see this more and more over the next 10 years," said Shad Meshad, founder of the National Veterans Foundation, who has been working with veterans since 1970. "... There's a percentage that come back, depending on how much trauma and how much killing they're involved in, they're going to act out."

And in the same article there was this,

"What we don't want to do is stigmatize veterans by saying they're walking time bombs," said Elspeth Ritchie, chief clinical officer for the Washington, D.C., Department of Mental Health and a former U.S. Army colonel. "They're not."

But then again, Richie had a bad habit of doing exactly that. Had she thought differently about our veterans she would have told the truth that an infinitesimal number of veterans cause trouble to anyone.

Keep in mind, according to the VA report from 2014 "Living Veterans (Periods of War and Peace) 23,234,000" yet there are few reports compared to those numbers. What we do see more of is veterans committing suicide and trying to on an upward trend at the same time there are more and more "efforts" to "raise awareness" and help veterans. (Don't get me started on that!)

There is way too much bullshit going on all over the country and the last thing veterans need is to hear something like what Baldwin said and they didn't deserve it to be in her mind in the first place. After all, if she didn't think it, she wouldn't have said it.

So, now what? Being one to open my mouth and let the words come out before I can actually think of how it sounds before it is too late, she is not beyond redemption. After all typing something isn't the same as saying something. I can hit the delete button and you'd never know I was about to be a blithering idiot, (Lucky you I usually catch myself) but saying it can't be taken back.

She needs to show that she has really wanted to learn what the truth is. Let her go on CNN and interview experts and veterans with a list of questions and then she'll show she how much she does care. We can judge by the type of questions she asks and if she had any follow-up questions ready. If she really cares then she'd do enough research to be able to do that.

Making mistakes is human, but showing where her heart really is, must now be proven.

Awesome Baltimore Veterans Line Up For Police

Awesome Veterans!!

Citizens Line Up to Protect Baltimore Police 
Young Conservatives
David Rufful
April 29, 2015

In a very unexpected turn of events, the community that was targeting and injuring police officers is now lining up…. to defend them. Take a look at this:

read more here

Military Tattoos Evolution of Tributes

Military tattoos evolve into tributes in South Jersey 
Courier-Post
Carol Comegno
January 10, 2015

"The pain of getting those next tattoos was nothing compared to the pain of losing comrades in the fighting or the pain their families went through," concluded the Marine, a Westampton police officer who is still in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Marine Sgt. Andrew Einstein of Mount Laurel, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, displays his tattoo memorial for his friends who lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan, located on his torso. 01.06.15
(Photo: Chris LaChall/Courier-Post)

Andrew Einstein did what a lot of leathernecks do immediately after surviving Marine boot camp.

He got a tattoo.

It would not be the only one.

After tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Mount Laurel resident got several other symbols of his military service, including one emblazoned on his left rib cage to memorialize the death of two fellow Marines.

Army veteran Bruce Coleman of Marlton got one of his tattoos for the same reason — to remember fallen comrades in Iraq, where he served.

Younger veterans' tattoos are different than those worn by their World War II and Korean War counterparts — today, they are often larger, more colorful and artistic, relating more personal, intimate stories of their military service.

The 26-year-old Einstein disliked the feel of tattoo needles piercing his skin when he got that first Marine Corps emblem and vowed never to get another tattoo, but his attitude changed after considerable time spent in combat zones.

A second tattoo on his left shoulder and upper back signifies the stress of returning home.

"Now, I love tattoos. They tell my story," he freely admits.

"I had my battles adjusting to a lifestyle outside of war and dealing with the loss of those guys, so I got more tattoos and decided on a full rib cage tribute piece in honor of those we unfortunately lost.
read more here

The best within some defeats the worst a few can do

Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
January 9, 2015

It always seems to end this way. Someone decided to use their time and energy to make the world a worse place but they end up making it better. How many times have we gone through  horrific acts only to rediscover the best of what we can offer each other?

It happened right after the first bomb went off in Boston at the marathon. One bomber was killed and the other is getting ready to go on trial.

The Boston Marathon bombings and subsequent related shootings were a series of attacks and incidents which began on April 15, 2013, when two pressure cooker bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon at 2:49 pm EDT, killing 3 people and injuring an estimated 264 others. The bombs exploded about 12 seconds and 210 yards (190 m) apart, near the finish line on Boylston Street.

Instead of running away after the first bomb went off, people ran to help the wounded.

Twelve seconds later, another bomb exploded. More ran to help not knowing if there would be another one or not. The will to help overcame their fear.

It happened in France. The murderers didn't get away with it. Oh, not just the crime itself but they didn't get away with what their goal must have been. Sure people were afraid but they overcame that fear, gathered together while the murderers were still running around and they sent a message. "Not Afraid"

I Am Charlie’: ’Je Suis Charlie’ goes viral after France attack People gather in solidarity of the victims of a terror attack against a satirical newspaper, in Paris, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. Masked gunmen shouting "Allahu akbar!" stormed the Paris offices of a satirical newspaper Wednesday, killing 12 people, including the paper's editor, before escaping in a getaway car. It was France's deadliest terror attack in living memory. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

I have a feeling they were at least a little afraid but their need to show they were not willing to live in fear was remarkable.

Now it looks as if there has been some closure.

France: Raids kill 3 suspects, including 2 wanted in Charlie Hebdo attack
CNN
By Greg Botelho
Updated 3:01 PM ET, Fri January 9, 2015

(CNN)A pair of dramatic raids Friday in France led to the killing of three terrorists -- one suspected in the fatal shooting of a policewoman, the other two in the massacre at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine -- and to the freeing of at least some of those they were holding hostage.

The French government's work is not over. There's still a lot of healing to do, a lot of questions to answer about how to prevent future attacks, and the fact that a woman wanted in the policewoman's shooting remains at large.

Still, as Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said, "The nation is relieved tonight."
read more here

Closure for the murderers anyway. As for the people, this will go on and on long after the names of the murderers have slipped off memories of the days people stood up to murderers and said WE WIN! Not defeated. Not forced to hide their love for other humans, the need to be connected with mercy and compassion.

That is what murderers never really understand. They can take a life but they can't take the best we have out of the living.

Average people do it all the time. Some run to help while others, understandably, run away. It is just the need to help is stronger than self-preservation.

It happens in the military when average men and women decide they want to do whatever they can to be of service to others. Among the many careers they could train for, they pick the hardest one of all.

They join during peacetime like they did between the major wars Gulf War (1991) and Afghanistan (2001) and Somalia (1993) Haiti (1994) Kosovo (1999) They did it all even after veterans of Vietnam were mistreated by the public for years.

There were many examples of compassion in Vietnam. Because brave photojournalists we were shown exactly what that looked like.

For everyone of the wounded, many more decided to risk their lives to help them survive. In this picture there are at least 7 others risking their lives for this 1 wounded soldier.

It is the depth of their ability to care for others more than themselves that causes so much pain and grieving.  The more they feel, the more they feel it all.

It is by that same strength they can overcome the worst that is happening inside of them.  That same strength can help them heal.  They just need to look at things in a different way because while they were focusing on the worst man was capable of doing to others, the best man was busy doing all he could do for others.

There is no cure for PTSD but no one is frozen the way they are today.  They can heal.  They can get better and live happier lives.  They still have a lot more to give to others and thank God they do because the best that is within them has not seen the end of their story.

Navy SEAL: Inspired movies, killed Osama and now living in poverty?

Navy SEAL who shot al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden dead revealed, nearly broke
By RYAN GORMAN
Nov 6th 2014

The Navy SEAL who shot dead al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is now reportedly living in poverty after leaving the military four years short of being eligible to receive his pension, he claims.

Robert O'Neill, 38, from Montana, went public with his identity after meeting family members of 9/11 terror attack victims, he told the Washington Post. And now the heroic commando is saying he was left high and dry by the government he dedicated his life to serving.

"The families told me it helped bring them some closure," said O'Neill, of killing the al-Qaeda founder.

O'Neill's career has inspired three movies: "Captain Phillips," about the rescue of a ship captain from Somali pirates; "Lone Survivor," which dramatized the hunt for Taliban leader Ahmad Shah; and "Zero Dark Thirty," about the bin Laden mission.

O'Neill now tours the country as a motivational speaker but claims he is barely making ends meet.

A man who carried earned more than 50 medals serving over 400 combat missions during his 16 years as a Navy SEAL does not even have health insurance, his father told the Daily Mail.

He also has no military pension.
read more here

Veterans Still Not Having Transition Help from Military to Veteran

New study finds veterans struggle in transition to civilian life
Advocates call for holistic approach to vet health
KJRH 2 News
RACHEL QUESTER
OCT 7, 2014

Rep. Murphy has authored a bill to overhaul how the U.S. treats the entire mental health system. Murphy says the bill, Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis, aims to provide treatment before tragedy, especially when it comes to helping veterans. The bill is still in committee.

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

WASHINGTON D.C. - Some people look at the military veteran Omar Gonzalez who jumped the White House fence recently and say: if only we had a higher fence. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., the only practicing psychologist in Congress, looks at the incident and says, “there was a need for treatment for this man, and he couldn’t get it.”

If a new study by the School of Social Work at the University of Southern California is any indication, Murphy has the right response.

The circumstances service members face upon leaving the military are, to say the least, very bleak.

Nearly two-thirds of veterans are unprepared for civilian life, the study says, and nearly eight in ten do not have a job lined up. Around 40 percent do not have a place to live, and many leave active duty with untreated physical or mental issues. In fact, the study found that about one-third have contemplated suicide.

The study focused only on veterans returning home to Los Angeles County, but an author of the study, retired Army colonel and USC professor Carl Castro, argues that these results can apply on a national level.
read more here

Military left out training to transition to life as veteran

Most veterans return to LA unprepared for civilian life, USC report finds
Few veteran services focus on prevention of chronic conditions, such as unemployment and homelessness
USC News
by Claudia Bustamante
September 30, 2014

Many service members leaving the military and returning to Los Angeles County are not prepared for the transition home and have a range of needs that cannot be easily provided by a single organization, according to a new USC School of Social Work report released today.

“The State of the American Veteran: The Los Angeles County Veterans Study” by the school’s Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families outlines the findings of a survey conducted in fall 2013 of more than 1,350 veterans. The first comprehensive study of a large urban military population, which also included follow-up focus groups with 72 veterans, explored transition challenges, employment and finances, housing, health and access to veteran services, among other areas.

The study found that many veterans leave the military without having lined up some key elements that could complicate their transition home.

Nearly eight in 10 veterans left the military without a job, expecting to quickly find meaningful employment.

About 40 percent of veterans left the military unsure of where they would be living.

Many left active duty with untreated physical and mental health issues, which was higher among post-9/11 veterans.

Among the most recent veteran population, one-third had made a plan to commit suicide but did not seek help, compared to 24 percent of pre-9/11 veterans.
read more here

Veterans Memorial Attacked in New Lenox

Veterans Memorial Vandalized In New Lenox
CBS Chicago
Jim Williams
September 29, 2014

(CBS) – Residents of southwest suburban New Lenox cannot believe it: Vandals heavily damaged a beloved veterans memorial over the weekend.

“They pushed it over to point where it actually fell and broke,” Vietnam veteran Larry Paveza tells CBS 2’s Jim Williams.

Four monuments — honoring the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines — were shoved over at the memorial, despite their size and weight.

Locals wonder: Why would vandals destroy what people here have called sacred ground since its dedication 10 years ago? The memorial honors service members who once lived in the area and died in conflicts from the Civil War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
read more here

Atlanta Veteran Shot At During Attempted Carjacking

Gunfire narrowly misses veteran during attempted carjacking
WSB TV 2 Atlanta
September 28, 2014

ATLANTA — A local veteran, who just returned home from war, is now dodging gunfire in his own neighborhood.

Jonathan Knight has been shot at before. The veteran spent five and a half years in the military. But he never thought he'd put that training to use while sitting in his car behind the building where he works in northwest Atlanta.

Knight says he wasn't willing to let his brand new Ford Mustang go without a fight.

He says he was sitting in his car listening to music around 6 p.m. Sunday when two men in a blue Jeep Grand Cherokee approached.

“The driver asked me for directions. So I attempted to tell him and he pretended not to hear me, so he pulled up right next to me, very close. I could tell he was trying to block me off,” said Knight.
read more here

Someone is waiting for you to come home

We all get it. A lot of veterans drink. Sometimes you drink too much. This is something to think about the next time that happens. Someone loves you and will be waiting for you to come home. Make sure you don't let your buddy down.

Kitchen Commandos Debate War Again Ignoring Cost

War Computer Games vs Real Call of Duty
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
September 20, 2014

The debates about sending troops back into Iraq, keeping them in Afghanistan and spreading them out into other countries leaves most of us sick because they never manage to consider the cost. Hell, they never really do while they show their knowledge, or lack of it, defending their opinions on the options never thinking beyond their limited view. Kitchen Commandos think they understand because more Americans play computer war games than actually go to do it for real.

The New Yorker has an article about "Isis's Call of Duty" computer game "In a recruitment video for the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS (also known as ISIL or I.S.), that has been making the rounds of some uglier parts of the Internet"

The real Call of Duty on Google Plus has this many followers

3,522,318 followers 57,054,760 views

More people are paying attention to computer war games than the real battles being fought as the politicians push for more. The real price paid is what they ignore the most.

ICYMI: WITH A VETERAN COMMITTING SUICIDE EVERY HOUR
U.S. REP. RON BARBER SAYS THEY MUST NOT ‘FACE THE GHOSTS OF WAR ALONE’
Sep 18, 2014

Press Release

Congressman calls for ‘well-funded, well-planned campaign’ to halt epidemic WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Ron Barber, noting that a veteran commits suicide every 65 minutes, called for increased attention to the issue, saying that soldiers and veterans “are left to face the ghosts of war alone.”

“The suicide rate among our country’s brave service men and women and veterans is at a frightening level,” Barber said yesterday on the floor of the House. “Some estimates have shown that as many as 22 veterans take their own lives every day.”

Barber, who represents 85,000 veterans in Southern Arizona, called for an increased focus on identifying members of the armed forces and veterans who may be at risk of taking their own lives and increased attention to preventing that from happening.

“We must combat military and veteran suicide with the same conviction that we take on an enemy of war – because it is killing our men and women in and out of uniform,” Barber said. “We must wage a well-funded, well-planned campaign to fight this heartbreaking epidemic.”

Video of Barber’s entire remarks can be seen by clicking on the photo below:
Published on Sep 18, 2014
Rep. Ron Barber spoke on the floor of the House on veterans suicide prevention. "The suicide rate among our country’s brave service members and veterans is at a frightening level. Some estimates have shown that as many as 22 veterans take their own lives every day.

“We must combat military and veteran suicide with the same conviction that we take on an enemy of war. Because it is killing our men and women in and out of uniform. We must wage a well-funded, well planned campaign to fight this heartbreaking epidemic. we must do more for those who have borne the brunt of war. We must come together, Congress, the administration, the health care community, mental health experts and build upon a plan to help the veterans who served this nation proudly, yet may be suffering." September 17, 2014.

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Kathie Costos DiCesare
Being appalled is one thing, knowing how long it has been going on is inexcusable. By 1978 there were 500,000 Vietnam veterans with PTSD. Their suicides were 200,000 many years ago and today, today veterans over 50 are 78% of the suicides no one talks about. How many more years does it take to stop being home more deadly than being in combat?

Why don't you fit in with buddies back home after combat?

Why don't you fit in with buddies back home after combat? While they were watching reality TV shows, reruns on Netflix, playing computer games, checking out Facebook and killing time chilling out,,, this was your life.

But even with that there is also this. Some of your buddies think they should get $15 an hour for working at a fast food place but this is what you did for less than minimum wage, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Now you do understand why you can hang out with them but not feel as if you fit in anymore? You never did and be proud of that.

You wanted to serve your country and risked your life to do it. You were willing to die for your "coworkers" but they have a hard time saying "hi" to theirs.

They complain about a long commute but your commute took you thousands of miles away for months.

They complain about a jerk for a boss but you put your life into the hands of yours.

They complain about working too many hours. Your hours didn't end.

They make excuses for not getting their work done on time, but if you were not doing your job, it meant more would have died.

You earned the title of Veteran and that set you apart from them but with the other 7%!

HERE ARE TWO MORE REASONS TO THINK ABOUT


Published on Mar 4, 2014
Army Capt. Will Swenson received the Medal of Honor for his bravery while defending his country. The small act of kindness caught on video shows his real nature, even in the middle of combat. God Bless Will Swenson, and God Bless our troops!