WWII Veteran's Son, John Mayer, has foundation for veterans

John Mayer launches foundation for veterans’ health

Press Herald
February 28, 2019

Mayer, whose father was a World War II veteran, said part of the reason he started The Heart and Armor Foundation came after he visited the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in 2008.

John Mayer, a Grammy-winning singer, has started The Heart and Armor Foundation, which plans to focus on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and meeting the needs of women veterans. Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, file

NEW YORK — John Mayer is launching a foundation focused on improving the health of veterans through scientific research.

The Grammy-winning singer announced The Heart and Armor Foundation, which plans to focus on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and meeting the emerging needs of women veterans.

John Mayer, a Grammy-winning singer, has started The Heart and Armor Foundation, which plans to focus on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and meeting the needs of women veterans. John Mayer, a Grammy-winning singer, has started The Heart and Armor Foundation, which plans to focus on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and meeting the needs of women veterans. Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, file Though he publicly announced the foundation Friday, Mayer has been working on the organization since 2012 alongside veterans, scientists and clinicians.

“We’re going to the public with things like published research papers and having raised enough money to really build some pilot programs. We have some really great data and … we want it to be working first so that a lot of the questions were answered before we brought things to people by way of awareness,” Mayer said in an interview. “I think it just makes it that much more compelling and much more concise to bring it to people with the message being, ‘Hey, this is not taking something that is zero to try to get it to five. This is something that is at 50 and we want to get it to 100.'”
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Texas executed Vietnam veteran with PTSD?

Texas death row inmate's son arrested for outburst during father's execution

The Chronicle
By Keri Blakinger
February 28, 2019

Billie Wayne Coble's son pounded on the execution chamber windows, cursing and shouting "no" as he watched his father die.

It was just after 6:20 p.m., and the 70-year-old triple killer was about to become the oldest Texan executed in the modern era of capital punishment.

The aging Vietnam veteran who murdered his in-laws in an apparent rash of vengeance offered a only a short final statement before he was pronounced dead, according to the Texas Department of Criminal

It was a dramatic and unexpected end to a decades-long saga.

Back in the summer of 1989, Coble was distraught over the disintegration of his third marriage when he kidnapped his estranged wife and killed her parents and brother before attempting to kill himself.

But the Waco man, now 70, had no priors and, as he racked up years of good behavior in prison, his attorneys argued that a pair of experts for the state got it wrong at trial when they offered testimony claiming he'd be a future danger even behind bars.

"That Coble will be executed on such discredited testimony is unconscionable," Brian Stull, an ACLU attorney who previously handled the case, wrote two days before the execution. "The example of his case already shows all who are willing to look why the death penalty is never justice, and why it should be abolished once and for all."

Raised in an orphanage, Coble went on to serve in Vietnam as a machine gunner involved in combat. Afterward, his sister said he came back "different," according to court records, and he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress and bipolar disorder.
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Vietnam veterans need help getting to Dogwood Memorial

Veterans urge improved access to Dogwood Vietnam Memorial

CBS 19 News
By Courteney Stuart
Feb 28, 2019

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The Dogwood Vietnam Memorial in McIntire Park was the first Vietnam War memorial in the country, and some veterans are having a hard time getting there.

“These guys fought for the freedom of Vietnam. Now, we should have the freedom to get to this memorial to give them the respect that they are due," said Jim Carpenter, an Army veteran who has been leading the charge to improve access to the memorial.

Carpenter’s childhood friend, James Marion Kardos, was killed in Vietnam and is one of the 28 men remembered on plaques at the memorial.

McIntire Park has undergone a multi-million dollar overhaul in the past couple of years, including the new YMCA and skate park, but that renovation didn't include the addition of parking near the memorial.

Instead, visitors to the memorial must park across Route 250 at a parking area in front of the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad station.

As Carpenter illustrated on a recent morning, that means a lengthy walk, crossing seven lanes of traffic and climbing a winding hill up to the memorial.
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Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio is calling for PTSD care

Ohio fraternal order calls for PTSD care for first responders

The Blade
KATE SNYDER
Blade Staff Writer
February 28, 2019

Officer Payne did not report to work as scheduled on Tuesday, which prompted a welfare check, police said, and indications are that the death was a suicide. He was hired by the Toledo Police Department on Jan. 24, 1997, and served in field operations most of his career.

COLUMBUS — The Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio is calling for post-traumatic stress disorder care for first responders, citing a Toledo police officer’s possible suicide.

In a statement released Thursday, the Ohio FOP highlighted the mental-health hardship officers face in their work, and said the order plans to work with lawmakers on a new bill to provide better resources to police who may be suffering in silence.

“If a police officer breaks his leg carrying an injured child to safety, workers’ comp is there to help him heal,” the Ohio FOP said. “If that same child dies a painful death in the officer’s arms, and the officer isn’t otherwise injured, there is no help for the officer to process and cope ... ”

Toledo officer Jeffrey Payne, 53, died Tuesday in a possible suicide, according to the Toledo Police Department. Lucas County Sheriff John Tharp, whose office has investigated the death, said law enforcement throughout the country could benefit from expanded access to mental health services.
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What part of "nor prohibit the free expression" do they not get?

Bible at center of dispute over display at Manchester VA Medical Center

Group says inclusion of Bible gives preference to one faith over another
Andy Hershberger
News Reporter
Feb 27, 2019

MANCHESTER, N.H.
A Bible that was on display at the Manchester Veterans Affairs Medical Center is at the center of a controversy.

 The Bible was carried by a prisoner of war in World War II and then made part of a memorial at the Manchester VA until a veterans group objected and it was removed. Now, there's an effort to put it back.

VA officials said they consider the Bible to be an historical artifact, but people on both sides of the debate said they believe it represents something much more

The Missing Man Table is intended to honor the nation's missing veterans and POWs, but a spokesman for the Military Religious Freedom Foundation said the organization received complaints about a Bible that was originally part of the memorial.

The group asked the VA to remove it, calling its presence intolerable and unconstitutional.
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Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Cornell Law

No one is stopping atheists, or anyone else, for believing what...or not believing...as they choose to. So why do they feel they have the right to "prohibit the free expression" of others to do the same?

They complain about everything because they believe in nothing, and that is OK. It is their right. The problem is, most of what they complain about has to do with what people raised funds to do, or began as an act of love, as with the POW MIA Table service.

In the case of the Manchester Bible, it was donated by a WWII POW veteran! So who protects the rights of Christians to "freely express" what they believe in?

As for the monuments the atheists, and freedom from religion crowd want taken down, they do have the right to build their own. But, since they believe nothing, here's a thought. Put up a statue of Ron Reagan.

When someone pushes to have it taken down, they can defend how they have the right to do it protected by the Constitution. Then maybe they'll value that right for everyone too!

Women's History Month with 'Trailblazers' campaign

VA's Center for Women Veterans kicks off Women's History Month with 'Trailblazers' campaign

WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it will celebrate the start of Women’s History Month in March with a kickoff event on March 6, from 2-4 p.m. at the Women in Military Service for America (WIMSA) Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

Sponsored by VA’s Center for Women’s Veterans, the event will feature 15 women Veterans representing all branches of military service in a 2019 campaign titled “Trailblazers: Women Breaking Barriers,” celebrating the contributions of women Veterans in honor of Women’s History Month and continuing through the rest of the year.

"Women Veterans are one of the fastest growing demographics within VA, and will represent nearly 20 percent of the U.S. Veteran population by 2045,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “VA is proud to serve all our nation’s Veterans, and the Center for Women Veterans does a great job reminding all Americans of the strong service and sacrifice of women Veterans through these innovative campaigns.”

The following women will be featured in the Trailblazers campaign:

Robinann Alex, U.S. Navy; Pappilion, Nebraska
Cathy Bennett-Santos, U.S. Army; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Patricia Collins, U.S. Army; Alexandria, Virginia
Diana Danis, U.S. Army; Bloomington, Nebraska
Kyleanne Hunter, U.S. Marine Corps, Leesburg, Virginia
Michele Jones, U.S. Army; Jacksonville, Florida
Judy Keene, U.S. Coast Guard; Washington, D.C.
Ginger Miller, U.S. Navy; Accokeek, Maryland
Tonja Myles, U S. Army; Zachary, Louisiana
Amanda Plante, U.S. Navy; Santee, California
Linda Singh, Army National Guard; Bowie, Maryland
Cassie Strom, U.S. Air Force; St. Louis, Missouri
Wilma Vaught, U.S. Air Force; Falls Church, Virginia
Melissa Washington, U.S. Navy; Lincoln, California
Tanya Whitney, U.S. Army; Sorrento, Louisiana

The campaign will provide a platform for the featured women to share stories about their military service and how their unique experiences in uniform led to their continued roles as leaders and advocates in their communities.

The event is open to the public. Please RSVP to join VA in celebrating these women Veteran Trailblazers. Registration deadline for the event is March 5.

Participants and invitees are invited to explore WIMSA’s exhibits and learn more about women’s service in the military by visiting www.womensmemorial.org.

For more information about the Center for Women Veterans and the Trailblazers Initiative, visit www.va.gov/womenvet or contact Alohalani Bullock-Jones at 00w@va.gov.

The Trailblazers campaign is sponsored in part by Veteran Canteen Services, whose mission includes emphasizing the importance of service to Veterans and supporting VA’s overall mission. For more information about VCS, visit www.vacanteen.va.gov or www.shopvcs.com.

You have the power to climb out of the valley and #TakeBackYourLife

This is a video I did last year.

Amputee veteran's neighbor in HOA won't "allow" him ramps?

Disabled veteran with PTSD, bilateral amputee says HOA won't let him have ramps at house

WZTV
by AJ Abell
February 28th 2019

She says the neighbor threatened them with a $1 million lawsuit if they put in the ramps, so now, just to get outside, he has to get out of his wheelchair and physically walk down the stairs where he could easily fall down.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A disabled Vietnam War veteran says his Hermitage neighborhood won’t let him put ramps over the steps of his house because they don’t look good and don’t follow the HOA regulations.

Selross Adams and her husband William just moved to the Meadows of Seven Points neighborhood about a year ago.

He’s a disabled Vietnam veteran with PTSD and is considered a bilateral amputee, so – with help from the VA – the two have turned their house into a special adaptive home.

Adams says, right before they could close on the home, their next door neighbor said the ramps had to go because they don’t look good.

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Vietnam Veteran "Coming back is tough, but a gift toward healing."

Return to Vietnam: Down the Mekong River

WBAY
By Jeff Alexander
Feb 28, 2019

"Peace has come to this country," he said, "and I know peace has come to a lot of vets. And I'm looking at the fellas here, I see peace sinking in."

MEKING DELTA, Vietnam (WBAY) - Thursday, a local Vietnam veteran paid an emotional tribute to his brother and the Old Glory Honor Flight tour spent its final day in southern Vietnam.

In our Return to Vietnam coverage, Jeff Alexander takes us to the Mekong Delta, where the vets received a cultural experience and emotions ran high.

Vietnam veterans tour canals on the Mekong Delta aboard small, low boats called sampan boats (WBAY photo)

The fertile soil in the Mekong Delta makes it the heartland of agriculture in Vietnam, where rice, fruits and seafood are exported around the world.

It's an area Keith Johnson's older brother served in and fell in love with.

"He appreciated the people and their hard work, and he could see beyond the war," said Keith, who's from Appleton.

To honor his late brother Duane's wish of returning to Vietnam, Keith brought his ashes to spread.

"He was a... the real deal... over here," Keith said, getting emotional.

"This gentleman's brother was with the 9th Infantry Division," Tom Sharp of Green Bay said.

A Navy gunner, Tom transported troops up and down the rivers throughout the delta.

Coming back is tough, he says, but a gift toward healing.

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Air Force Colonel lost "wingman" to suicide

Commentary: Watching out for lost wingmen

By Col. (Dr.) Bruce K. Neely
446th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander
Published February 27, 2019

There is no shame in reaching out for help, asking for help, or letting others know you are lost.

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Washington

6,079. That’s the number of veteran suicides for 2016, the most recent year reported. In some ways it’s just a random number and hard to put into any type of perspective. In many ways it’s sobering, sad, disturbing and disappointing.

One. That’s the number of veteran suicides of former 446th Airlift Wing members in 2019. I’ll give you some perspective on that. It was a friend of mine. A pilot who I flew into a war with. A pilot I helped when he needed a waiver for a medical issue. A pilot who was always upbeat, encouraging and helping to others. A pilot who left behind family and hundreds of friends across the Air Force. In all ways it’s sad, disturbing, hard to comprehend, and yes, disappointing.

There will probably never be answers for the question of why people commit suicide. I deal with suicidal people at my civilian work in the Emergency Department nearly every day.

Many of them have no answer for why they are feeling that way or what led them to that point. Many feel they are a burden on others, and don’t want to go on being a burden to others.

They don’t realize the burden of helping them, be it by those of us in the hospital or by their families and friends, is nothing compared to the burden left behind if they end their own lives. That burden is much greater and felt by more people. I know that to be true from my own reaction and the reaction of others to the death of our friend.

I make it a point to ask, remind and encourage everyone to take care of the people around them, in the squadron and in the wing. That is part of being a good wingman.

But, there’s another part to being a good wingman. In the flying community there is a term called lost wingman. That call is made when the wingman loses sight or contact with the lead. The call is made because it’s a serious safety of flight issue to be lost or out of contact. The procedure is to change your direction for a short period of time and then get back into contact and back on heading. There is no shame in calling lost wingman.

So, you see the other part of being a good wingman is knowing when you’re lost, and not just in relation to flying. It’s a serious safety of life issue. There is no shame in reaching out for help, asking for help, or letting others know you are lost.

People are concerned it will end their career. It’s not an end, it’s a temporary change in direction until you can make contact and get back on the correct flight path. Remember, there’s a waiver for almost everything, except being dead. There’s no waiver for that.

Pay attention to those around you. If someone seems off, ask them what’s going on. Reach out. Be a good wingman. But if you are lost, don’t hesitate to make that lost wingman call. I don’t want to lose any more friends.

Here is a partial list of resources if you feel lost: unit commander, first sergeant, your supervisor, your flight or section chief, your flight or section officer in charge, psychological health, chaplain, emergency departments, Military OneSource (militaryonesource.mil or 800-342-9647), National Suicide Prevention Life Line (1-800-273-8255).

Military leaders blame bad leadership?

Personnel chiefs blame unsafe base housing on leadership failures

Stars and Stripes
By TOM PHILPOTT Special to Stars and Stripes 
Published: February 28, 2019

Three-star personnel chiefs and senior non-commissioned officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps testified Wednesday that unsafe and sometimes scandalous conditions of base housing units, which has sparked waves of complaints from military families, can largely be blamed on leadership failures.

Urgent reforms are underway, they contend, after military leaders and private partnership contractors that operate on-base housing analyzed failings which harmed the health of, and lowered quality of life for, some military families.

Commands across the military had not been attentive enough to the performance of housing contractors who, under a 1997 Military Housing Privatization Initiative, became responsible for construction of new housing and refurbishing legacy units on base. Under long-term contracts, companies profit from maintaining, managing and renting to military tenants who in turn forfeit their monthly Basic Allowance for Housing and sometimes even pay a little more.

Increasingly dissatisfied military families say maintenance problems and health hazards from leaky roofs or pipes, dangerous mold, problem-plagued heating or air conditioning systems, high radon readings or infestations of bugs and rodents have gone unaddressed or resulted in only temporary fixes to await new renters.

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But...they want to take money from their budget to build a wall instead of FIX THE PLACES WHERE THEY MAKE TROOPS AND FAMILIES LIVE?