Man who spent more than $300K of a disabled veteran’s benefits sentenced to 19 months in federal prison
FOX 43 News BY SEAN NAYLOR APRIL 16, 2019
Ehrhart submitted eight false annual accountings to the VA to conceal the embezzlement.
HARRISBURG — A Thompsontown man who spent $316,360 of a disabled veteran’s VA and Social Security benefits after becoming the veteran’s VA Fiduciary and Legal Custodian in 2006 was sentenced Monday to 19 months in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of PA.
Jason Ehrhart, 48, also must pay that total in restitution to his nephew (the veteran’s son). The veteran died at the VA Hospital in Lebanon in July 2018. read more here
KKTV News By Tony Keith/Lindsey Grewe Apr 17, 2019
"The soldiers of our brigade are tremendously relieved that our Soldier has been recovered safely," said Col. Dave Zinn, commander of 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
FORT CARSON, Colo. (KKTV) - A Fort Carson soldier who went missing Monday night has been found alive, the Mountain Post confirms.
The soldier had been participating in the "Expert Field Medical Badge competition" and was last seen on foot at the Fort Carson Land Navigation course, which is on the southeastern corner of the post near Pueblo West. The last time someone reported seeing the soldier was about 9:45 p.m. on Monday.
More than 1,700 soldiers, along with Directorate of Emergency Services personnel, and search rescue teams from El Paso, Fremont and Douglas counties took part in a ground search. Additionally, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., and Flight for Life helicopters searched from the air.
read more here
When I think about all the news reports on PTSD and very sad outcomes, I remember what it was like when no reporter was interested at all. I often wonder what it would have happened if they cared back in the 80's. What would it be like now if they exposed how Vietnam veterans came home and fought for all the research and funding for all generations of veterans? I was not alone in trying to get reporters to pay attention. There were many others and even more came afterwards. Even though we were not silent, it sure felt that way.
I had an old website NamGuardianAngel, among others, that I had to let go of because I could not afford to keep it. Thank God for the fact that the internet does not forget! In 2005 I was still trying to make a difference with the book...then opted to allow people to read it for free in a PDF!
And then there were more websites. This one started in 2007 and has over 30,000 posts on it. Yes, all trying to make a difference and #BreakTheSilence but to tell the truth.
This video Wounded Minds was also out there early. It went up in 2006.
And this shows how old Wounded Minds video is!
The point to all this pondering is, I still cannot figure out how is it that media has still been unable come close to doing it. Today we had an example of that on NBC Nightly News as they tackled the latest round of suicide reports.
Yes, they did the "20" a day, without a clue how many more they are missing. The report was about how there were three veteran suicides at VA hospitals...yes, those, but they missed the others we have been talking about. So, I am still wondering what it would have been like if they had paid attention all along...or long enough to find the facts first. Looks like they are still not worthy of good reporting~
US soldier runs Boston marathon in Afghanistan before flying home from deployment
By: WFLA/CNN Newsource Posted: Apr 16, 2019
(WFLA/CNN Newsource) – A US soldier ran the Boston marathon this week, but he did it while serving in Afghanistan.
Joseph Fraser did the full 26.2 mile run on Sunday, admittedly with zero training ahead of time.
He was not able to shadow Monday’s actual marathon for operations and timing reasons.
Fraser said he took the challenge, among other reasons, to tell the story of how powerful positive thinking can be to get through any tough obstacle.
He’s recovering from his run by flying home from deployment.
He boarded a plane out of Afghanistan shortly after his run. read more here
Marine running in honor of his fallen comrades crawls to the finish line of the Boston Marathon
CNN By Amanda Jackson April 15, 2019
(CNN)Micah Herndon proved that you never give up, no matter what, by crawling on his hands and knees to the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday.
Micah Herndon crawls to the finish line in the 123rd Boston Marathon.
Herndon, of Tallmadge, Ohio, competed in the marathon as a tribute to the memories of three men he knew while he served as a Marine in Afghanistan. He told the Record-Courier in Portage County, Ohio, that whenever he feels like giving up he just repeats their names: Mark Juarez, Matthew Ballard and Rupert Hamer.
"I run in honor of them," Herndon told the Record-Courier. "They are not here anymore. I am here, and I am able. I am lucky to still have all my limbs. I can still be active. I find fuel in the simple idea that I can run. Some cannot."
Herndon crossed the finish line with a time of three hours and 38 minutes to complete the 26.2 miles. CNN affiliate WBZ said once he was over the yellow and blue line he was lifted into a wheelchair and given medical attention.
He wore the last names of his comrades on tags on his running shoes. read more here
DVIDS By Eve Meinhardt 15 April 2019 FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- It all started when she was stationed in Virginia 12 years ago. That's when Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Beofra Butler saw everyone training for the Marine Corps Marathon and decided to give the 26.2-mile race a try.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Beofra K. Butler, administrative executive officer to the commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, poses with her marathon medals on March 22, 2019. She has run 99 marathons since 2008. Around her neck are medals from her five previous Boston Marathons. She will run her 100th race April 15 in Boston. (U.S. Army photo by Eve Meinhardt)
As a soldier, running was already a part of her daily life and physical fitness routine. She had run several other shorter races, including the Army 10-Miler and a few half-marathons, so the challenge of a full marathon appealed to her. She wasn't even afraid of the dreaded "wall" that everyone told her she would hit around mile 20, when her body would start shutting down as energy stores ran low and fatigue set in. read more here
Kohl’s Launches Military Mondays – A New 15% Off Discount Every Week
KOHL's Corporate The in-store discount rewards and celebrates active and former military personnel, veterans and their families every Monday, all year long.
Kohl’s is introducing Military Mondays – a 15 percent in-store discount – to thank active and former military personnel, veterans and their families for their selflessness and service to our nation. The Kohl’s discount is valid in-store every Monday – all year long – when customers show a valid Military ID, Military Dependent ID or Veteran ID at the point of purchase.
Kohl’s military discount has been strongly advocated for by store leaders and Kohl’s Veterans Business Resource Group (BRG) as an opportunity to reward our active and former military personnel, veterans and their families for their sacrifice.
“Through Military Mondays, we are proud to strengthen our support of our military families who have made sacrifices to ensure the safety of our communities,” said Doug Arnoldi, Kohl’s vice president, district manager, and a champion for the military discount. “We saw a need to better serve our brave military families, and this discount is our way to give back, and lighten the load, for families who have given so much.”
In addition to Military Mondays, Kohl’s support of military and their families is expressed in numerous ways throughout the company. Through Kohl’s volunteer program, Kohl’s associates volunteered at more than 250 events in 2018 specifically benefitting 230 organizations that support military causes. Kohl’s associates nationwide are also encouraged to join Kohl’s Veterans Business Resource Group (BRG), which recognizes and celebrates diverse perspectives and fosters an inclusive environment.
To learn more about the incredible savings families enjoy when they shop at Kohl’s, click here.
Kohl's offers active military, veterans, retirees and their immediate family members a 15% discount on purchases made on Mondays, IN STORE ONLY. In order to receive the military discount, eligible customers must present proper identification along with any tender type. Proper identification includes: military identification card; a state-issued identification indicating veteran status; or Form DD 214. FOR MILITARY DISCOUNT, please bring identification to verify your military status for this offer.
New Jersey woman pleads guilty in 'feel good' GoFundMe scam with homeless vet
NBC News By Tim Stelloh April 16, 2019
Prosecutors have said that she and her then-boyfriend concocted a story about the man giving the couple his last $20 when they ran out of gas.
Kate McClure appears in court at Burlington County Superior Court in Mount Holly, N.J. on April 15, 2019.Joe Lamberti / Camden Courier-Post via AP, Pool
A New Jersey woman pleaded guilty Monday to helping swindle thousands of GoFundMe donors out of more than $400,000 with what authorities called a “fairy tale narrative.”
Katelyn McClure, 29, pleaded guilty to theft by deception and will serve a four-year term in state prison, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
McClure and D’Amico created a GoFundMe campaign that aimed to raise $10,000 to get Bobbitt off the streets.
The then-couple raked in $402,000 from 14,000 donors — a sum authorities say they quickly spent on gambling, a BMW and a trip to Las Vegas, among other things. read more here
Homeless 'good Samaritan' gets probation in GoFundMe scam By: DAVID PORTER, Associated Press Posted: Apr 12, 2019
MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (AP) - A homeless man was sentenced to five years' probation Friday after admitting last month that he conspired with a couple to scam the public out of $400,000 in donations by concocting a feel-good story about him helping a motorist in distress.
Johnny Bobbitt had pleaded guilty in state court to conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Conditions of his sentence include inpatient drug treatment and cooperation with prosecutors against his co-defendants. If he violates those conditions, he will be sentenced to five years in prison with no possibility of parole for at least 18 months. read more here
Four Idahoans in the national spotlight after viral video
KIVI 6 News By: Natasha Williams Apr 15, 2019
Before the heartwarming video went viral, Khloe had been dealing with some bullying at school for not having a dad. She says the video changed everything.
BOISE, Idaho — Steve Exceen and his daughter Sarai have a special bond with Mary Braunstein and her daughter Khloe--so much so they say the four Idahoans are a package deal.
"It was basically like...(pause)...friendship at the first moment," Sarai said.
You might remember the special moment, caught on camera, we brought to you back in February.
A local veteran and his daughter stepped in to take a fifth-grade girl to a daddy-daughter dance after she lost her own father to suicide after a battle with PTSD. The sweet video went viral and now has more than four million views.
read more here
Woman Dies in Apparent Suicide at Arlington National Cemetery
Military.com By Patricia Kime 15 Apr 2019
A woman died by apparent suicide Monday at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, just yards from Joint Base Henderson Hall-Fort Myer.
Arlington National Cemetery, shown May 17, 2013. (U.S. Coast Guard/Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley)
The death took place near the Confederate Memorial in the western portion of the cemetery, according to a report by local news outlet ARLnow.
Emergency responders from the base and Arlington County were called to the scene, according to reports.
"We are deeply saddened to learn about the apparent suicide in the cemetery earlier today," Arlington National Cemetery spokesman Timothy Lawson said Monday. "Our thoughts are with the family at this time."
Lawson could not provide information on the deceased and did not say whether the person was affiliated with the military or the cemetery. The location in which she died is easily accessible through Fort Myer, the home of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard -- the regiment that stands vigil at Arlington's Tomb of the Unknowns and serves as the U.S. Army's main ceremonial unit. read more here
