Sunday, July 26, 2015

Iraq Veteran Claims Fairfax County Police Heavy Handed Tactics Need To Change

An Iraq war veteran is accusing Fairfax County Police of using heavy handed tactics
ABC 7 News
Roz Plater
July 25, 2015
"They will say this is according to the book, but they will not look to see if the book itself is wrong." Alex Horton
FAIRFAX, V.a. (WJLA ) - Alex Horton says it started Sunday morning June 14th. He was sound asleep in a model unit of his Alexandria apartment building while his unit was being repaired.

A neighbor thought he was a squatter and called police.

Horton says he woke to find three Fairfax County Police officers with their guns drawn.

"They came in and swept from either side with their guns drawn," Horton said. "Then one leapt on the bed and handcuffed me; my face was down."

Horton continued saying, "My risk of violent death went up a hundred percent that morning and I was doing nothing wrong."

He wrote about his experience on social media and in an Op-Ed for the Washington Post.

Then in a surprising move Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin Roessler issued a statement on Twitter saying in part:
"I can assure you no SWAT response was utilized in the response to this call for service. However, the Fairfax County Police Department takes seriously the writer’s remarks and as such, an inquiry by the Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau is being conducted at my direction."

The Chief also seemed to take issue with Horton calling it a "raid". But the Iraq Veteran sees it differently.
read more here

Decorated Iraq Veteran Gets New Home in Colorado

Decorated veteran and family gifted with new home
FOX 13 News
BY WEB STAFF
JULY 25, 2015

STAPLETON, Colo. — An American hero and his family were honored today with the keys to a brand new custom-built home.
“It’s kind of like seeing your first born son or your wife on your wedding day.”

U.S. Army Sgt. Marco Dominguez is decorated with two purple hearts and several other achievement medals. “I wouldn’t say that I’m more deserving,” Marco said. “I would say that I accept it for all the other people that didn’t get it that are deserving.”

During his second deployment to Iraq, he sustained blast and burn injuries in an explosive attack and currently suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“There’s a lot of people that say they support the troops, but to do more than that – to take us in like that, it’s amazing.”
go here for video and more

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Vietnam Veteran Arrested at Recruiting Office

Vietnam Veteran arrested for showing weapon at recruitment office
My FOX Atlanta
By George Franco, FOX 5 Reporter
Posted: Jul 24, 2015

CONYERS, Ga. - Police said 72-year-old Vietnam Veteran Harry Tracey was arrested after they said recruiters allowed him entry into a Conyers army recruiting office Thursday morning.

The police report said Tracey showed a weapon under his waistband and asked a recruiter if "he felt safe, if he was armed and if he could protect himself against an attack like the one that happened in Chattanooga."

No one was at the recruitment office when FOX 5’s George Franco paid a visit, but retired Army Major Thomas Brown said recruiters have a specific purpose.

"Their main reason is to recruit soldiers, airmen or whatever. They're not in a defensive mode. When somebody challenges that, they got to pay the consequences," said Brown

Police said Tracey was arrested outside the Dollar Tree store nearby after he left the recruitment office unhappy with the soldier’s response.

The police report states Tracey admitted bringing his handgun to "keep the guys on their toes" and "keep them aware of their surroundings.” He was jailed on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon into a government building.
read more here

VIetnam Veteran Puts Texas Veterans Back in Boots

Vietnam Vet Helps Wounded Warriors
Texoma's Homepage
By Stephanie Garland
Published 07/24 2015
Bowman, who is a double amputee, will soon be able to wear a pair for the first time in 21 years. Thanks to getting just the right measurements, Bowman will soon have a pair he can slip right on.

Wounded Warriors are motivating Texomans at the Wichita Falls leadership breakfast Friday morning by sharing their stories of great sacrifice.

Many Wounded Warriors can no longer wear some shoes, due to their injuries. But, there is one local bootmaker who is changing that and making a difference in these heroes' lives.

Vietnam Veteran, Tom Cartlidge, is working on one the most fulfilling jobs of his life.

"Now, keep this foot right where it is while I do all this stuff," said Cartlidge.

A custom bootmaker, he is sharing his craft with those who have stepped on the soil of foreign lands while serving our country.

"That tickles," stated Medal of Honor Recipient, Leroy Petry.

"That's the neat thing about a custom fit, you get fit for each foot," Cartlidge said.

Cartlidge is making custom boots for several Wounded Warriors.

"I love Texas, I love Cowboys, I love boots. I have two boots at home, but this probably feels like its ... well, it's custom fitted to me, so it'll fit like a glove," Petry said.
read more here

Homeless Veterans Buried With Honor

Homeless veterans buried with honors 
Ocala Star Banner
Andy Fillmore
July 24, 2015
Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Star-Banner Members of the U.S. Military Veterans Motorcycle Club and the Patriot Guard Riders of Florida lead the casket of Raymond J. Nowicki to a burial ceremony during the Homeless Veterans Burial Program at Forest Lawn Funeral Home on South Pine Avenue south of Ocala, Fla. on Friday, July 24, 2015. Two burial ceremonies were held by Veterans Services for Marion County for two homeless veterans, Raymond J. Nowicki, 82, who served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 and Ross Clyde Walls, 63, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1970 to 1993. Both veterans will be buried in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell....
OCALA - Two honorably discharged veterans, both homeless and indigent, were honored with military honors Friday at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens prior to their burial at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

Individual ceremonies were held for Raymond Nowicki, 82, a U.S. Army veteran who died June 1, and U.S. Navy veteran Ross Walls, 63, who died on May 21. The deaths were not connected. This is the eighth year local partners have conducted such ceremonies. This was the first time the group conducted two on the same day.

Nowicki served in the Army from Aug. 3, 1953, through Aug. 3, 1955.

Walls was in the Navy 22 years, from Dec. 15, 1970, to Jan. 31, 1993. read more here

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. David Wyatt's Family Comforted by Community

Multitudes gather to mourn and honor fallen Marine Staff Sgt. David Wyatt
Times Free Press
by Tyler Jett
July 25th, 2015

(The turnout for the funeral) took our breath away. Chattanooga has touched us. Dawne Trent, sister of David Wyatt
United States Marines carry the casket of U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. David Wyatt out of Hixson United Methodist Church after his funeral service Friday, July 24, 2015, in Hixson, Tenn. Staff Sgt. Wyatt was killed in the July, 16 shootings at the Naval Operational Support Center and Marine Corps Reserve Center on Amnicola Highway which left five dead, including shooter Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez, and a Chattanooga police officer wounded.
Photo by Doug Strickland /Times Free Press.

Seven men in crisp uniforms walked into the church, six gripping the casket handles, one leading them out front.

The Marines in Mike Battery had drilled for a moment like this, the way they drill through even the most mundane details of their jobs. Their expressions were practiced. Their steps in sync.

Mike Battery was accustomed to the ceremony of military funerals. Often, they attend the memorials of veterans, men who fought in old wars and died of old age.

But on Friday, the Marines carried the casket, draped in the American flag, for one of their own. Staff Sgt. David Allen Wyatt, 35, was one of five military servicemen who died on July 16, when the FBI says a 24-year-old Muslim from Hixson attacked the U.S. Naval and Marine Reserve Center with a handgun and an assault rifle.
But, Shell told her, "the impact has gone far beyond the bounds of your family. July 16 has impacted this community in ways it may not have been impacted since 9/11."
read more here

Marines: Thanks But No Thanks to Armed Civilians

Marine recruiters told to call the cops if armed citizens show up
Marine Corps Times
By Hope Hodge Seck, Staff writer
July 23, 2015
Marines were also instructed to call the relevant Army Corps of Engineers representative to notify the lessor of the recruiting office property of the presence of the armed individuals.
After four Marines and a sailor were killed by a lone gunman last week, armed civilians have volunteered to stand guard at military recruiting stations around the country — but troops are being warned to keep their distance and alert law enforcement of their presence.

In a memo published Tuesday that was obtained by Marine Corps Times, Lt. Gen. Mark Brilakis, the head of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, advised troops not to support the "armed citizen" volunteers in any way.

"These citizens' presence, while well intentioned, will be counterproductive to our recruiting operations," Brilakis wrote.

Maj. Garron Garn, a spokesman for MCRC, confirmed the authenticity of the memo.
read more here


Marine recruiter shot in Chattanooga is back at work
Marine Corps Times
By James K. Sanborn, Staff writer
July 23, 2015

At first, Marine recruiter Sgt. DeMonte Cheeley thought a firecracker had gone off. But after a short pause, multiple bullets fragmented the front windows of his recruiting office in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it became apparent that his office was under deadly attack.

The motor transport operator who had been on recruiting duty for just a month and a half when Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez opened fire at about 10:45 a.m. on July 16. Cheeley, one of six troops shot that day, was sitting on a couch near the front of his office.

“From the position I was in, I could see him, but I didn’t look directly out the door,” he said. “The immediate response was to get up and head towards the back office. After the first initial shot there the rounds were continuous.”
read more here

When Folks Forget She Served Too!

Over the years I've heard it all. Or, so I thought until I started spending more time with female veterans. How many times has a male veteran been thanked for serving standing right by the side of a female veteran totally ignored? It happens all the time when folks forget She Served Too!

On August 8, 2015 at 9:00 am we're going to do something about that. If you are in the Orlando area come to VFW Post 4287. We're doing a video/photo shoot with male and female veterans. Wear a black T-shirt. If it has a military or veteran graphic that is fine otherwise we don't want to see anything that does not tie into service. You can wear your hats and anything else you want to but it has to be a black T-shirt.

For more information email woundedtimes@aol.com or call 407-754-7526.
VFW A.E.M Post 4287
3500 S. Goldenrod Rd.
Orlando, Fl 32822
Just as a reminder of military women here are some things that do not get enough attention.

Department of Defense

March 24, 2014 | Fred Hermstein


Women in the U.S. Army
From the American Revolutionary War to the present recent overseas contingency operations, women have served a vital role in the U.S. Army. Ever since Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley ("Molly Pitcher") replaced her husband when he collapsed at his cannon, women have continually proven that the narrow stereotype, limiting their choice of occupation, was wrong. As women expanded into different roles in the U.S. Army, it was clear that the heart of a warrior was not limited to one gender.

Four University of Virginia law school students - assisted by a professor and a high-flying law school alum - are gearing up to fight for the right of women to serve in combat, and they're interested in finding women in the military who want to join them.

Their effort, dubbed The Molly Pitcher Project, seeks to end military policies that categorically bar women from serving in units engaging in direct ground combat. The project takes its name from the woman who took over loading and firing a cannon after her husband fell ill during a Revolutionary War battle.

Who was Molly Pitcher?
Molly Pitcher was born Mary Ludwig circa October 13, 1754, near Trenton, New Jersey. During the American Revolutionary War's Battle of Monmouth, she carried pitchers of water to soldiers, thereby earning her nickname. After her husband collapsed during the battle, she took over the operation of his cannon. Honored in 1822 for her bravery, she died in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on January 22, 1832.