Thursday, January 28, 2016

After Being Shot By Police, Veteran Finally Gets Help

E. Texas veteran shot by deputies shares message of hope
Tucson News Now
By Skylar Gallop
Jan 27, 2016

TYLER, TX (KLTV)
A 25-year-old East Texas veteran says getting help with PTSD saved his life, after being shot by Smith County deputies in an apparent attempt at "suicide by police".
Cameron Dossey, a Navy veteran who served tours in Afghanistan and Africa, now has a strong message to other veterans to get help.

Dossey discusses his service, saying, "I don’t like people thanking me for my service, because there’s things I'm not proud of."

Dossey's family says he came back changed. Dossey admits he struggled with depression.

"You know, the last couple of years... getting stuck in my own head, all I hear are my own thoughts."

Thoughts turned into actions.

"I tried to commit suicide three times."

Family members were unable to reach him.

Dossey explains, "I never wanted to talk to my parents about what I've seen, because in my mind I'm carrying the visions and the price for freedom around in my head, so that they don't have to."

His family urged him to get help.

Dossey recalls, "I called the Green Zone, a counseling service for veterans, and I left a message but never got a call back. At that point, I did make an attempt to reach out."

Another call was returned by a different organization, but was unsuccessful at identifying the deep depression and PTSD Dossey was in denial of.
read more here
Tucson News Now

Oldest Female “Queen Bee” Veteran Died in Her Sleep at 108

Alyce Dixon, oldest female veteran, dead at 108
FOX News
January 28, 2016

Alyce Dixon, one of the first African-American women to serve in the army and believed to be the oldest living female veteran, died Wednesday. She was 108.

Dixon, known as “Queen Bee,” died in her sleep, the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center said, according to FOX5DC.

Born in Boston in 1907 as Alice Ellis, Dixon changed the spelling of her first name when she was 16, inspired by actress Alyce Mills, the VA said in a prior press release. She briefly attended Howard University but quit school early to help support her family.

She joined the Women’s Army Corps in 1943, stationed in England and France during World War II and working in the postal service with the 6888th Battalion. Her job was to help eliminate a massive backlog of letters and packages sent to soldiers fighting on the frontlines. She received the Good Conduct Medal for her service.
read more here

Non Combat Death in Iraq Under Investigation

Coalition servicemember dies in Iraq from noncombat injuries
Stars and Stripes
Published: January 28, 2016

A coalition servicemember supporting operations against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria died of a noncombat-related injury in Iraq, the Combined Joint Task Force in charge of Operation Inherent Resolve said in a statement.

The incident is under investigation, the statement said.
read more here

Veteran With Cancer and VA Claim Died at 46

Barry Coates dead; veteran was at heart of VA scandal
CNN
By Scott Bronstein, Nelli Black, Drew Griffin and Curt Devine
CNN Investigations
January 27, 2016
Washington (CNN) Barry Coates, the U.S. veteran who became the human face of the Veterans Affairs scandal over delays in care in 2014, died on Saturday of the cancer that wracked his body after waits for medical care at a VA facility. He was 46.

Coates became a national figure representing delays in medical care at VA hospitals after he was featured prominently in a CNN investigation in January 2014.

The CNN investigation that included Coates was the first national story about delays in care across the country that year. It led to a national controversy resulting in the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, and ultimately a law that provided $16 billion to overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama.
read more here

What Did CBS Wounded Warrior Project Leave Out?

There is so much the CBS report on Wounded Warrior Project left out. First their "mission" itself is troubling.

WWP only "helps" post 9-11 veterans.
"Who We Serve"
Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001 and their families.

Mission Statement
To raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members.
To help injured service members aid and assist each other.
To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.

Did you actually read that? Most people didn't, so all the reports of what they did with the money seem so shocking.

Go back and read those words again. "Raise awareness" which is something WWP did not invent. That's been going on for decades and they haven't explained why they need hundreds of millions to do it.

"Aid and assist each other" but they don't explain why they should get money if veterans are doing it for each other. After all, that is something they do for free and for the most part, exactly what most charities are taking care of.

There are huge sums of money regular folks give when they see the commercials tugging at your heart. Then there are even bigger donations corporations get good PR out of plus a tax write-off.

Southeastern Grocers, which owns Winn-Dixie, Harveys and BI-LO, raised $3,044,091.38.

The money was raised with donations made between July 1 and July 5, plus all profits earned from sales on July 4 at the three supermarket chains. The donations were collected across Southeastern Grocers' nearly 790 stores.
Every penny from the fundraiser will go to Wounded Warrior Project's Independence Program, which helps injured veterans live independently, despite their injuries. The program provides personalized plans for each vets needs or interests.
And that was back in July. Goes to show that while it was for Independence Day, they seemed to have forgotten that older veterans waiting even longer for their wounds to be taken care of were excluded.
Raytheon did it too.
SUPPORTING THE WOUNDED

Raytheon actively supports those wounded while serving their country. In 2014 we fulfilled a five-year grant to the Wounded Warrior Project totaling $2.5 million to provide transition assistance to wounded troops and their caregivers.

Raytheon's grant allowed the organization to expand its Transition Training Academy in six states and to offer two additional certification courses. The academy provides information technology training to help students compete in the job market. More than 4,500 wounded warriors and caregivers have graduated from the academy since 2010.

And Brawny Wounded Warrior Project Celebrates "Plaid Day" with Brawny
One program that will benefit from the Brawny® brand donation is Warrior Care Network™. Warrior Care Network, which is set to begin serving injured veterans in 2016, increases access to quality care for two of the most commonly experienced wounds of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). WWP and its Warrior Care Network partners will commit $100 million over three years to ensure that thousands of wounded veterans do not fall through the cracks.
ATLANTA, Dec. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/-- Georgia-Pacific, the maker of Brawny® paper towels, is proud to have donated more than $2 million to Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) following its third year of partnering together. WWP is a national organization dedicated to honoring and empowering wounded service members transitioning back to civilian life through unique, direct programs and services. This year alone, the Brawny® brand raised $600,000, achieving its 2014 goal.
And you can look up past millions from other years. Then you can also see that WWP has been writing huge checks to colleges. Yep, money you donated to them to help veterans has actually gone to colleges and other places at the same time they took in money for veterans.
Wounded Warrior Project has approved a $15.7 million grant over three years for UCLA Health to expand its Operation Mend program.

Biggest problem with all of this is this part.
The CEO has said that the fundraising should and can be included in the programs and services.


Wounded Warrior Project told CBS News it is committing $100 million to a new mental health care initiative, and they hope to raise another $500 million for long-term care for severely wounded veterans.
What this doesn't say is when will they actually do it? If they are including the money they have given to colleges in that total, it is not the same as actually doing the work. Veterans 'disgusted' by Wounded Warrior report revelations
Veterans we spoke with in Tampa say they are sickened by allegations that the charity spent $26 million in 2014 on expensive parties and conferences. It’s nearly the same amount the Wounded Warrior Project spent on combat stress recovery, which is its top program.
Naturally WWP isn't happy about the reporting going on. CBS didn't mention how the new Caregiver Act was pushed by WWP but excluded pre-911 veterans and our families. It didn't mention that while you donated to WWP they donated to other charities.
The David Lynch Foundation (DLF) has received a $125,000 grant from Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) to provide the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique to veterans who are affected by combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). WWP’s Grant Program, now in its fourth year, is expanding the availability of programs and services that provide support to this generation of injured service members.
But again, not making this too easy on you, you can look up other charities they gave money to.  Who knows? You may even see that you wrote them checks too.
A new program funded by Wounded Warrior Project aspires to improve mental health services and care for veterans in the private sector.

The charity is using $70 million to fund an effort that will create outpatient programs at four of the nation's top academic medical facilities, aimed at helping sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
Reported June 2015
***WWP ISSUES RETRACTION DEMAND TO CBS NEWS***
January 27, 2016
Al Ortiz, Executive Director
CBS Network
51 W. 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
Via email: ARO@cbsnews.com
Re: CBS Stories re: Wounded Warrior Project, Inc.

Then again, considering they never really say much at all in those commercials, other than they want your money, if you gave, BLAME YOURSELF!

Wounded Warrior Project Suing 2 PTSD Veterans?

Wounded Warrior Project suing 2 injured veterans 
News 4 JAX
By Lynnsey Gardner - Investigative reporter
January 27, 2016
Sources said however, both wounded veterans, named in the lawsuits had PTSD and that's part of why they were fired from the charity. Both lawsuits only show WWP’s side, claiming the injured veterans violated their severance agreements.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - In 10 years, the Wounded Warrior Project went from non-existent to the 38th largest charity in the United States, bringing in $312 million in donations in 2014 alone.

It's a brand that has proven to be very valuable. But exactly how is the power of the Wounded Warrior brand being used?

News4Jax spoke with seven sources and only one agreed to reveal his identity for fear the charity's legal team would strike back.

Wounded Warrior Project accused of spending too little on injured soldiers “Warriors that were employees have been fired by Wounded Warrior Project,” said Carol, a woman who used to work at WWP and does not want to reveal her identity.

News4Jax sources said many of those warriors who were terminated had post-traumatic stress disorder, the same invisible wounds the charity says it strives to help warriors heal.

Sources say people have been too afraid to come forward and tell the public, until now.
read more here

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Wounded Warrior Project Spent Millions on "Team Building"

Note from me as a lifetime member of the DAV Auxiliary, they spend the money on ALL DISABLED VETERANS and not just certain ones.

UPDATE FROM CBS NEWS REPORT
Wounded Warrior Project accused of wasting donation money
CBS News
Chip Reid
Jennifer Janisch
January 26, 2016
For example, Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust spends 96 percent of its budget on vets. Fisher House devotes 91 percent. But according to public records reported by "Charity Navigator," the Wounded Warrior Project spends 60 percent on vets.
About 500 staff members attended the four-day conference in Colorado. The price tag? About $3 million.

"Donors don't want you to have a $2,500 bar tab. Donors don't want you to fly every staff member once a year to some five-star resort and whoop it up and call it team building," said Millette.


CBS This Morning
Ex-employee: Wounded Warrior Project conduct "makes me sick"

Oh, gee, so much not a shock. If this surprises you then you haven't been paying attention. BTW look up their donations to colleges.
Report: Wounded Warrior Project spent millions on lavish ‘team building’ gatherings
TBO.com staff
Published: January 27, 2016


One former serviceman who returned from Iraq with a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, told CBS News he witnessed large amounts of spending on staff. It included “team building” gatherings at a “a lavish hotel at the beach.”

The Wounded Warrior Project, a well-known charity for veterans, has been providing less services in recent years while spending millions of dollars on lavish “team building” conventions, according to a television report.

According to CBS News, the charity has placed an increased emphasis on fundraising — receiving more than $300 billion in donations in 2014 — but, according, public records reported by Charity Navigator, has spent only 60 percent on veterans services.

For the report, CBS News spoke to more than 40 former employees of the charity who said spending was “out of control.”

According to the charity’s tax forms, spending on conferences and meetings went from $1.7 million in 2010, to $26 million in 2014, the report said. That’s about the same amount the group spends on combat stress recovery — its top program.
read more here
go to Laura Rauch Photography for the names of the real Marines in the image that may ring a bell.

Should Disabled Veterans Be Eligible for Public Housing?

Simple answer HELL YA!
Reps push bill to make more disabled vets eligible for public housing
Wicked Local Weymouth
By Katie Lannan
State House News Service
Posted Jan. 27, 2016
"The entire purpose to set up public housing after World War II was to benefit our men and women who are returning home," said Rep. Alan Silvia, a Vietnam veteran and vice chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. "Somehow, we've lost our way and we suddenly forget our veterans."
Wicked Local file photo
WEYMOUTH Income thresholds for public housing applicants are set at a level that excludes some disabled veterans, lawmakers and veterans said Thursday as they discussed a bill seeking address that issue.

"The entire purpose to set up public housing after World War II was to benefit our men and women who are returning home," said Rep. Alan Silvia, a Vietnam veteran and vice chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. "Somehow, we've lost our way and we suddenly forget our veterans."

The committee heard testimony from representatives of several veterans groups -- the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, the Marine Corps League and the Massachusetts Veterans Service Officers' Association -- in support of a bill that would exclude a certain amount of a disabled veteran's income in determining eligibility for public housing.

Silvia described the legislation, filed by fellow committee member Rep. Jim Arciero, as "incredibly perfect."
read more here

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

VA Chief of Surgery Missing in Spokane

UPDATE, Sadly
SPOKANE, Wash. - Interim Police Chief Rick Dobrow has confirmed with KHQ's Cynthia Johnson that the body found in the Spokane River Tuesday morning is missing VA doctor John Marshall.
Spokane VA chief of surgery missing
Spokesman Review
Eli Francovich
January 25, 2016
The chief of surgery at the veterans hospital in Spokane was reported missing Monday after he didn’t show up for work.

Dr. John Marshall, 49, started his morning like most of his workdays with morning exercise at the YMCA in central Spokane. Security footage shows him leaving the building after 5:30 a.m. His wife, Dr. Suzan Marshall, said he usually leaves for a jog and heads back to get ready for work about 6 a.m. so he can arrive at the hospital by 7 a.m.

When he didn’t show up at work at the Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Affairs Medical Center, staff notified his family.
"Marshall served in the Marines for five years before becoming an Army surgeon, Suzan Marshall said. He served in the Army from 2004 to 2009. Marshall has worked at the VA since 2010 and was named the acting chief of surgery a year ago. Suzan Marshall is also a veteran and a surgeon."
read more here

Marine Stabbed in Back After Road Rage Attack in Florida

Middleburg man jailed in apparent road-rage attack against Marine Corps lieutenant
Florida Times Union
By Dan Scanlan
Jan 25, 2016
Taken to UF Health Jacksonville for surgery when he suffered a 24-inch-long cut on his back, he is in good condition, according to hospital officials.
Josh Brannock, First Coast News

A 21-year-old Middleburg man is in the Clay County jail after a U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant was stabbed Sunday night in an apparent road-rage incident in a CVS parking lot on U.S. 17, according to the Orange Park Police Department. Tyler Lee Ennis of Seminole Village Drive was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after he was stopped in Middleburg an hour after the incident, police said.

The victim, Lt. Jared Cox, is part of the South Carolina-based Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122. He was here as part of training at Jacksonville Naval Air Station, said Capt. Clay Groover, a spokesman at the Beaufort, S.C., Marine Corps Air Station.
read more here