Colonel killed in Fort Bragg parachute accident
Army Times
Joe Gould
Staff Writer
September25, 2013
A paratrooper killed during a parachute training exercise Monday has been identified as 46-year-old Col. Darron L. Wright.
Wright, the 18th Airborne Corps assistant chief of staff for plans (G-5), died while conducting “a standard MC-6 parachute jump at Sicily Drop Zone,” according to a statement fromFort Bragg, N.C.
Wright, of Mesquite, Texas, is survived by his wife and three children.
Experienced jumpers and onlookers described Wright’s parachute malfunction as a cigarette roll, which requires the user to activate a reserve chute, the Fort Bragg Patch reported.
The MC-6 tactical assault parachute was introduced to replace the MC-1 series. It was designed to turn almost twice as fast as its predecessor, which allows special operators to maneuver onto smaller drop zones.
In a news release this morning, Lt. Gen. Joe Anderson, commander of 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, and others, lamented Wright’s death.
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Thursday, September 26, 2013
Investigation into Medal of Honor Chaplain Emil Kapaun may mean Sainthood
Fort Hood: Investigation Could Lift 1st Cav Chaplain To Sainthood
Our Town Texas
September 26, 2013
FORT HOOD (September 24, 2013)--Italian lawyer Andrea Ambrosi, a Vatican official, will travel Kansas Saturday to complete a lengthy investigation into a possible miracle that could help elevate Capt. Emil J. Kapaun, a Korean War era 1st Cavalry Division chaplain, to sainthood.
The Kansas-born Roman Catholic priest died as a prisoner of war in 1951 when he was 35.
The recovery of Avery Gerleman, a student at Hutchinson Community College, is one of the possible miracles the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints is investigating.
Gerleman believes Kapaun saved her life in 2006, just as he saved soldiers in the prisoner-of-war camp.
The Catholic Church usually requires two miracles for sainthood, but only one will be required if Kapaun is declared a martyr.
Kapaun was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor, which President Barack Obama presented to members of his family in April.
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Capt. Emil Kapaun, Soldier, Chaplain, Hero and Saint
Our Town Texas
September 26, 2013
FORT HOOD (September 24, 2013)--Italian lawyer Andrea Ambrosi, a Vatican official, will travel Kansas Saturday to complete a lengthy investigation into a possible miracle that could help elevate Capt. Emil J. Kapaun, a Korean War era 1st Cavalry Division chaplain, to sainthood.
The Kansas-born Roman Catholic priest died as a prisoner of war in 1951 when he was 35.
The recovery of Avery Gerleman, a student at Hutchinson Community College, is one of the possible miracles the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints is investigating.
Gerleman believes Kapaun saved her life in 2006, just as he saved soldiers in the prisoner-of-war camp.
The Catholic Church usually requires two miracles for sainthood, but only one will be required if Kapaun is declared a martyr.
Kapaun was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor, which President Barack Obama presented to members of his family in April.
read more here
Capt. Emil Kapaun, Soldier, Chaplain, Hero and Saint
Double-Murder Suspect Due In Court After Death of Soldier and Pregnant Wife
Double-Murder Suspect Due In Court Tuesday
KKTV
David Nancarrow
September 24, 2013
A Fort Carson soldier and his pregnant wife were killed early this year when police say they surprised an armed burglar in their home. Prosecutors are now expected to lay out their case against the suspect.
Prosecutors believe the deaths of SSG David Dunlap and his wife Whitney Butler came at the hands of 18-year-old Macyo January.
"Some days are easier than others," said Christian Butler.
read more here
KKTV
David Nancarrow
September 24, 2013
A Fort Carson soldier and his pregnant wife were killed early this year when police say they surprised an armed burglar in their home. Prosecutors are now expected to lay out their case against the suspect.
Prosecutors believe the deaths of SSG David Dunlap and his wife Whitney Butler came at the hands of 18-year-old Macyo January.
"Some days are easier than others," said Christian Butler.
read more here
Heroic efforts of Fort Carson MedEvac company save lives in Colorado floods
Heroic efforts of Fort Carson MedEvac company save lives in Colorado floods
Army
By Valecia L. Dunbar, D.M., Army Medicine Public Affairs
September 24, 2013
FORT CARSON, Colo. (Sept. 24, 2013) -- Three Army Medicine MedEvac crews from Fort Carson deployed to flood areas this week to assist in evacuation and rescue efforts.
They joined members of the Colorado and Wyoming National Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other local emergency response teams in support of flood evacuation operations.
According to Lance Blyth, U.S. Northern Command historian, the military response to the Colorado floods, dubbed "Operation Centennial Raging Waters," is likely to be the biggest rotary-wing airlift mission since Hurricane Katrina.
Operating out of Boulder Municipal airport, the MedEvac crews equipped with three Black Hawk and four Chinook helicopters flew upwards of 9.5 hours each on a single Saturday evacuation event before running out of daylight, and crew endurance. From Friday evening through Tuesday, flight crews completed several rounds of non-stop evacuations and 2nd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, rescued/evacuated 1028 civilians and flew over 150 total flight hours.
Charlie Company Archangels flew over 75 flight hours and conducted 43 hoist missions, most of which included five or more lifts per mission in order to clear evacuation sites of all personnel, pets, and baggage. A total of 3,054 people were evacuated by military personnel as of mid September.
At the time, authorities were reporting more than 1,000 individuals were still unaccounted for, which increased concern that flight crews would start seeing patients by the time the mission was complete.
read more here
Army
By Valecia L. Dunbar, D.M., Army Medicine Public Affairs
September 24, 2013
FORT CARSON, Colo. (Sept. 24, 2013) -- Three Army Medicine MedEvac crews from Fort Carson deployed to flood areas this week to assist in evacuation and rescue efforts.
They joined members of the Colorado and Wyoming National Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other local emergency response teams in support of flood evacuation operations.
According to Lance Blyth, U.S. Northern Command historian, the military response to the Colorado floods, dubbed "Operation Centennial Raging Waters," is likely to be the biggest rotary-wing airlift mission since Hurricane Katrina.
Operating out of Boulder Municipal airport, the MedEvac crews equipped with three Black Hawk and four Chinook helicopters flew upwards of 9.5 hours each on a single Saturday evacuation event before running out of daylight, and crew endurance. From Friday evening through Tuesday, flight crews completed several rounds of non-stop evacuations and 2nd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, rescued/evacuated 1028 civilians and flew over 150 total flight hours.
Charlie Company Archangels flew over 75 flight hours and conducted 43 hoist missions, most of which included five or more lifts per mission in order to clear evacuation sites of all personnel, pets, and baggage. A total of 3,054 people were evacuated by military personnel as of mid September.
At the time, authorities were reporting more than 1,000 individuals were still unaccounted for, which increased concern that flight crews would start seeing patients by the time the mission was complete.
read more here
TROOPS FLOODING INTO HOSPITALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Mental health leading cause of military hospital stays
TROOPS FLOODING INTO HOSPITALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Mental disorders were the leading cause of hospitalizations and the second leading cause of medical visits for active duty troops in 2012, according to the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center. A look at how mental health conditions affected active duty troops last year
USA Today
Gregg Zoroya and Meghan Hoyer
September 25, 2013
Through 2012, mental illness in the military took up more days for hospitalization than any other mental or physical problems, including war wounds, accidents, illness or pregnancies.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and other mental illnesses accounted for more days spent by troops in the hospital than any other medical condition in the military in 2012, including war wounds, injuries and illness, according to Pentagon data.
The numbers show how years of exposure to combat trauma created a core of servicemembers with severe mental health problems — about 20,000 last year — who accounted for more lost workdays than those with any other health issue.
In the worst cases, troops remained hospitalized more than a month. Only servicemembers with severe amputations and long rehabilitation stay longer, according to Pentagon data provided in response to USA TODAY queries.
One ray of hope: New Army data show the mental health hospitalization trend that began rising during the depths of two wars in 2006 finally may be reversing.
read more here
TROOPS FLOODING INTO HOSPITALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Mental disorders were the leading cause of hospitalizations and the second leading cause of medical visits for active duty troops in 2012, according to the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center. A look at how mental health conditions affected active duty troops last year
USA Today
Gregg Zoroya and Meghan Hoyer
September 25, 2013
Through 2012, mental illness in the military took up more days for hospitalization than any other mental or physical problems, including war wounds, accidents, illness or pregnancies.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and other mental illnesses accounted for more days spent by troops in the hospital than any other medical condition in the military in 2012, including war wounds, injuries and illness, according to Pentagon data.
The numbers show how years of exposure to combat trauma created a core of servicemembers with severe mental health problems — about 20,000 last year — who accounted for more lost workdays than those with any other health issue.
In the worst cases, troops remained hospitalized more than a month. Only servicemembers with severe amputations and long rehabilitation stay longer, according to Pentagon data provided in response to USA TODAY queries.
One ray of hope: New Army data show the mental health hospitalization trend that began rising during the depths of two wars in 2006 finally may be reversing.
read more here
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Soldier’s Family Seeks Answers After Ft. Leonard Wood Death
Soldier’s Family Seeks Answers After Ft. Leonard Wood Death
CBS St. Louis
September 25, 2013
ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The parents of a military officer want more answers after their son died at Ft. Leonard Wood in southern Missouri two weeks ago.
“This hurts. It doesn’t make sense,” Gregory Coble tells KMOX News.
Coble last spoke to his son, 2nd Lt. Steven Coble, on September 8, two days before the 25-year-old’s body was found unresponsive in his bed in his officer quarters.
The next day, two officers came to Gregory Coble’s Southfield, Michigan home early in the morning. His wife called him home from work.
“When I saw them in my living room when I got home fifteen minutes later, I knew and I just broke down,” he says.
read more here
CBS St. Louis
September 25, 2013
ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The parents of a military officer want more answers after their son died at Ft. Leonard Wood in southern Missouri two weeks ago.
“This hurts. It doesn’t make sense,” Gregory Coble tells KMOX News.
Coble last spoke to his son, 2nd Lt. Steven Coble, on September 8, two days before the 25-year-old’s body was found unresponsive in his bed in his officer quarters.
The next day, two officers came to Gregory Coble’s Southfield, Michigan home early in the morning. His wife called him home from work.
“When I saw them in my living room when I got home fifteen minutes later, I knew and I just broke down,” he says.
read more here
General Odierno blames soldiers and families for suicides?
General Odierno blames soldiers and families for suicides?
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
September 25, 2013
There is not a single nerve in my body not under stress right now!
David Wood of the Huffington Post has another great article up on Invisible Casualties and the title alone indicates a huge problem.
He's responsible? Give me a break! If he had been then why hasn't he held himself accountable? Why hasn't he held any of these defense contractors taking in billions a year when the results have proven to be a failure going back to 2009! Think I'm wrong. Then tell me how I predicted if they pushed Comprehensive Soldier Fitness the suicides would go up?
I left this comment when I was a bit cooler.
As you can see my temper is hot again and I am tired of families being blamed, soldier being blamed and hearing that they lack anything!
I've known too many of them so to hear those thoughts come out of this General's mouth makes me sick to my stomach.
Oh I'm sure he'll try to say that he didn't mean what he said or it came out wrong. Just like Maj. General Dana Pittard of Fort Bliss blasted out a post that he thought soldiers were selfish when they committed suicide.
Now I have to go and make some calls to some of the families I had to talk to because they blamed themselves for their soldiers committing suicide. I have to make more calls to veterans I had to talk off the ledge because they had their heads full of crap like this for so long they started to believe it was their fault they didn't train right!
OH MY GOD WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO STOP THESE FOOLS FROM DOING MORE DAMAGE?
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
September 25, 2013
There is not a single nerve in my body not under stress right now!
David Wood of the Huffington Post has another great article up on Invisible Casualties and the title alone indicates a huge problem.
Army Chief Ray Odierno Warns Military Suicides 'Not Going To End' After War Is OverWhile it is also one title that pissed me off when I was reading it earlier today. I wanted to take some time to cool off so that I wouldn't hit the roof especially when most of the post I've done lately come with a disclaimer that I stopped playing nice a long time ago. I am damn tired of counting body bags because these people don't get it! They are inflicting most of the damage while they refuse to accept responsibility for the increase in military folks not wanting to be alive anymore.
He's responsible? Give me a break! If he had been then why hasn't he held himself accountable? Why hasn't he held any of these defense contractors taking in billions a year when the results have proven to be a failure going back to 2009! Think I'm wrong. Then tell me how I predicted if they pushed Comprehensive Soldier Fitness the suicides would go up?
"Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno recently told The Huffington Post. The Army's chief of staff, Odierno is charged with recruiting, training and equipping the 1.1 million active-duty, reserve and National Guard soldiers. He's also responsible for the health and well-being of Army troops and their families."He was asked
"You've been in a lot of extreme, dangerous situations. What have you learned about what makes soldiers strong?"And he blamed the soldiers on top of blaming their families!
"First, inherently what we do is stressful. Why do I think some people are able to deal with stress differently than others? There are a lot of different factors. Some of it is just personal make-up. Intestinal fortitude. Mental toughness that ensures that people are able to deal with stressful situations.
But it also has to do with where you come from. I came from a loving family, one who gave lots of positive reinforcement, who built up psychologically who I was, who I am, what I might want to do. It built confidence in myself, and I believe that enables you to better deal with stress. It enables you to cope more easily than maybe some other people.
I left this comment when I was a bit cooler.
"Some of it is just personal make-up. Intestinal fortitude. Mental toughness that ensures that people are able to deal with stressful situations." This attitude is part of the problem and it is infuriating! Do you really think it is helpful for the troops to hear these thoughts? The Army has been telling them this message for years and the number of suicides went up. Do you think Dakota Meyer lacked "mental toughness" or "intestinal fortitude" when he put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger after earning the Medal of Honor? The list goes on. They die. They don't want to be here anymore after doing whatever they could to stay alive in combat. When will you guys ever get that?"
As you can see my temper is hot again and I am tired of families being blamed, soldier being blamed and hearing that they lack anything!
I've known too many of them so to hear those thoughts come out of this General's mouth makes me sick to my stomach.
Oh I'm sure he'll try to say that he didn't mean what he said or it came out wrong. Just like Maj. General Dana Pittard of Fort Bliss blasted out a post that he thought soldiers were selfish when they committed suicide.
Now I have to go and make some calls to some of the families I had to talk to because they blamed themselves for their soldiers committing suicide. I have to make more calls to veterans I had to talk off the ledge because they had their heads full of crap like this for so long they started to believe it was their fault they didn't train right!
OH MY GOD WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO STOP THESE FOOLS FROM DOING MORE DAMAGE?
Salon owner gives back to veterans for Dryhootch
Salon Owner Gives Back to Veterans
Get Dolled Up is partnering with Dryhootch for their grand opening ceremony on Oct. 11.
Shorewood Patch
Posted by Jeff Rumage (Editor)
September 24, 2013
When Geri Beth Stigen opened her new Shorewood salon, she knew she had a chance to do something bigger than perms and hair treatments.
Stigen, whose brother just returned from three tours in Iraq, has seen the toll military conflict can have on families. Her brother Jeremy, who joined the Marines in 2003, has battled post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and other issues since returning back to civilian life.
So for the grand opening ceremony at Get Dolled Up, Stigen decided to help Dryhootch, a local coffee shop and non-profit organization that helps veterans and their families with a variety of reintegration issues.
Stigen said she hopes the grand opening ceremony will raise awareness of the work Dryhootch is doing in the area and raise money for Dryhootch to build a cafe closer to her brother in the Fond du Lac area.
read more here
Get Dolled Up is partnering with Dryhootch for their grand opening ceremony on Oct. 11.
Shorewood Patch
Posted by Jeff Rumage (Editor)
September 24, 2013
When Geri Beth Stigen opened her new Shorewood salon, she knew she had a chance to do something bigger than perms and hair treatments.
Stigen, whose brother just returned from three tours in Iraq, has seen the toll military conflict can have on families. Her brother Jeremy, who joined the Marines in 2003, has battled post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and other issues since returning back to civilian life.
So for the grand opening ceremony at Get Dolled Up, Stigen decided to help Dryhootch, a local coffee shop and non-profit organization that helps veterans and their families with a variety of reintegration issues.
Stigen said she hopes the grand opening ceremony will raise awareness of the work Dryhootch is doing in the area and raise money for Dryhootch to build a cafe closer to her brother in the Fond du Lac area.
read more here
Canadian Bosnia veteran betrayed instead of treated for PTSD
Protest for Hamilton veteran losing funding
CHCH
September 25, 2013
A quiet protest is taking place this week in front of the federal building downtown Hamilton. A Canadian Armed Forces veteran says Veterans Affairs is releasing him from the vocational rehabilitation program, even though he suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and physical disability.
Shane Corbeil served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1989 to 1997 where he was stationed at CFB Trenton and in Bosnia.
“Your average day citizen doesn’t see people hanging from their basements because they killed themselves with an electrical chord and a soldier has to see that stuff,” he says.
His time in the military not only left him in physical pain, there was emotional scarring as well.
“In the 90′s there was nothing for a veteran to get any help. You were given a release and they said see ya later.”
It wasn’t until 2007 that Corbeil sought help. He says Veterans Affairs Canada paid for initial psychiatric treatment where he was told he had symptoms of PTSD.
He was receiving $3,000 a month in lost income, until 5 days ago when his case worker told him he was being released from their vocational rehabilitation program because he does not suffer from PTSD.
read more here
CHCH
September 25, 2013
A quiet protest is taking place this week in front of the federal building downtown Hamilton. A Canadian Armed Forces veteran says Veterans Affairs is releasing him from the vocational rehabilitation program, even though he suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and physical disability.
Shane Corbeil served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1989 to 1997 where he was stationed at CFB Trenton and in Bosnia.
“Your average day citizen doesn’t see people hanging from their basements because they killed themselves with an electrical chord and a soldier has to see that stuff,” he says.
His time in the military not only left him in physical pain, there was emotional scarring as well.
“In the 90′s there was nothing for a veteran to get any help. You were given a release and they said see ya later.”
It wasn’t until 2007 that Corbeil sought help. He says Veterans Affairs Canada paid for initial psychiatric treatment where he was told he had symptoms of PTSD.
He was receiving $3,000 a month in lost income, until 5 days ago when his case worker told him he was being released from their vocational rehabilitation program because he does not suffer from PTSD.
read more here
Up to 7 day wait in Utah for outpatient PTSD help?
It is hard enough for them to admit they need help but when this veteran traveled into another state to be able to get help, he discovered this,
PTSD outpatient treatment (there is no residential treatment for PTSD in Utah) the wait is up to seven days.He did not survive long enough to get the help he went for.
After Veteran's Death, Family Says He Didn't Get The Help He Needed
KUTV
September 25, 2013
27 year-old James Steven Carlson was found dead in a Murray motel room nearly two weeks ago.
His family doesn't know the official cause of death yet (likely overdose, accidental or intentional) but they know it was emotional war wounds that led to his death. "If my brother had just come home with physical injuries it would have been much more manageable, but I think the emotional scars that he brought home (from war) were ultimately what caused his death," said his oldest sister Amy Tebbs.
James was deployed to Iraq and came home in 2006. He was awarded two purple hearts according to his family. Tebbs said he broke bones in his leg when he fell off a roof during battle. He also suffered a concussion when an IED exploded. He had nightmares, depression and then became dependent on the anti-depressants and anxiety pills he was given to deal with all the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. He had addiction issues. "The hardest thing for me was to see him get worse and worse every day," said his sister Christy Valladares who said her brother was "merely existing, not living this life whatsoever."
The family said Carlson left his wife and kids in Missouri to get help at the VA in Utah thinking it would be easier. In Missouri, he didn't have a car and the VA was two hours away. In Utah, he could take TRAX and have the support of his family.
The Carlsons said they didn't know details of the treatment he sought, but he told them he had a two-week wait for a spot at the residential substance abuse treatment program at the Salt Lake VA. They say he lived at the motel while he awaited his treatment he died in the meantime. "Ive never been to war. I don't know the demons he had in his head but I know that they were real," said Amy of her brothers struggle to be happy.
Dr. Steve Allen at the VA Salt Lake City said there is help for any veteran who goes to the agency for assistance. He said for PTSD outpatient treatment (there is no residential treatment for PTSD in Utah) the wait is up to seven days.
For substance abuse treatment there is both inpatient and outpatient treatment and the wait is about the same. In both cases, he said veterans who are suicidal or in a very bad way, can get crisis help immediately. If there is no room for substance abuse inpatient treatment, the vets are typically referred to an outside clinic who can take them sooner. He could not comment on Carlson's case for privacy reasons.
read more here
Troubled young Utah veteran dies alone, waiting for help
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