Veteran, family in danger of becoming homeless
By Melanie Tucker
It’s one thing to hold a yard sale to get rid of some old golf clubs or a few dresses you’ve outgrown.
It’s quite another when the motivation is providing groceries for your family.
The Duke family, who resides off East Broadway Avenue in Maryville, set out some items they could do without for a sale on a recent weekend. They sold some and used the extra money for food.
The larger picture, however, is even more dire. Stuart Duke is 55 and a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in Korea, Germany, Egypt, Honduras and Iraq. The home he bought back in 1995 before he married Beatrice is now on the auction block, set to be sold to the highest bidder on the steps of the Blount County Courthouse. The date — July 24 — is getting way too close for this family of three.
The Dukes are raising their 14-year-old granddaughter who’s been with them since the age of 3. It’s the only home she’s known.
The Dukes said they’ve received the notice of the pending sale from their lawyer, who confirmed the state-mandated legal notice was published in the Knoxville News Sentinel rather than The Daily Times, despite the fact that they live in Maryville.
Proud to serve
Stuart’s military service began in 1975, and he remained in the Army until 1992. He then entered the inactive reserves until 2000 when he became an active reservist. He stayed for 10 years, just recently getting out. His year of service in Iraq was as an active reservist. That was in 2004.
read more here
Showing posts with label Army Reservists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Army Reservists. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Iraq veteran and family heading into homelessness
We can read about numbers but we don't really know the veterans or the families behind the numbers. Here's one of them. We have a choice here. We can just get really sad reading about another homeless veteran in a few months or, we can do something about it today. If you know someone that can help this family, please share this story with them.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Fire Destroys Soldier's Home Days Before Deployment
Fire Destroys Soldier's Home Days Before Deployment
Marion Co. Family Of 6 On Mission To Rebuild
POSTED: 11:18 pm EST March 9, 2012
REDDICK, Fla. -- A Marion County solider who was just days away from deployment to Afghanistan lost nearly everything in a house fire.
Flames tore through Richard Leadingham's home in Reddick on Wednesday. He, his four children and his wife made it out safely. Now, there's an overwhelming support effort coming from the community.
The house fire destroyed the Leadingham family's home, and they don't have insurance. Adding to the heartache, the patriarch of the family leaves Saturday to serve overseas.
"(It's) tough, really tough," Linda Leadingham said. "Both of my kids' rooms are gone, and so is our bathroom. What the fire didn't damage, the smoke did."
Richard Leadingham is a U.S. Army Reserve serviceman. He said he salvaged his uniforms in the fire, and he'll need them. He joins his transportation unit in Jacksonville this weekend to head to Afghanistan.
The cargo specialist will be gone a year.
read more here
Marion Co. Family Of 6 On Mission To Rebuild
POSTED: 11:18 pm EST March 9, 2012
REDDICK, Fla. -- A Marion County solider who was just days away from deployment to Afghanistan lost nearly everything in a house fire.
Flames tore through Richard Leadingham's home in Reddick on Wednesday. He, his four children and his wife made it out safely. Now, there's an overwhelming support effort coming from the community.
The house fire destroyed the Leadingham family's home, and they don't have insurance. Adding to the heartache, the patriarch of the family leaves Saturday to serve overseas.
"(It's) tough, really tough," Linda Leadingham said. "Both of my kids' rooms are gone, and so is our bathroom. What the fire didn't damage, the smoke did."
Richard Leadingham is a U.S. Army Reserve serviceman. He said he salvaged his uniforms in the fire, and he'll need them. He joins his transportation unit in Jacksonville this weekend to head to Afghanistan.
The cargo specialist will be gone a year.
read more here
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Army reported 16 potential suicides for January and 6 citizen soldiers
Army Releases January Suicide Data
February 22, 2012
The Army released suicide data today for the month of January. During January, among active-duty soldiers, there were 16 potential suicides: five have been confirmed as suicide and 11 remain under investigation.
For December, the Army reported 11 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, eight have been confirmed as a suicide and three remain under investigation.
During January, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were six potential suicides (five Army National Guard and one Army Reserve): none have been confirmed as suicide and six remain under investigation.
For December, among that same group, the Army reported five potential suicides. Since the release of that report, one case has been added for a total of six cases (four Army National Guard and two Army Reserve). Six were confirmed as suicides and none remain under investigation.
read more here
February 22, 2012
The Army released suicide data today for the month of January. During January, among active-duty soldiers, there were 16 potential suicides: five have been confirmed as suicide and 11 remain under investigation.
For December, the Army reported 11 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, eight have been confirmed as a suicide and three remain under investigation.
During January, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were six potential suicides (five Army National Guard and one Army Reserve): none have been confirmed as suicide and six remain under investigation.
For December, among that same group, the Army reported five potential suicides. Since the release of that report, one case has been added for a total of six cases (four Army National Guard and two Army Reserve). Six were confirmed as suicides and none remain under investigation.
read more here
Thursday, February 16, 2012
51-year-old woman finishes basic at Fort Leonard Wood
51-year-old finishes basic at Leonard Wood
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Feb 16, 2012 11:14:52 EST
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — A 51-year-old woman has finished basic training at Fort Leonard Wood and has become one of the oldest people to go through the 10 weeks of physical and tactical drills.
Sgt. Sandra Coast, of Holmes, Ohio, will graduate Thursday from the program, which allows her to serve with an Army Reserve unit.
Coast served in the Navy for 11 years before leaving in 1993 to raise her son. When her son joined the Marines, she decided to join the Army.
read more here
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Feb 16, 2012 11:14:52 EST
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — A 51-year-old woman has finished basic training at Fort Leonard Wood and has become one of the oldest people to go through the 10 weeks of physical and tactical drills.
Sgt. Sandra Coast, of Holmes, Ohio, will graduate Thursday from the program, which allows her to serve with an Army Reserve unit.
Coast served in the Navy for 11 years before leaving in 1993 to raise her son. When her son joined the Marines, she decided to join the Army.
read more here
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
This Ain’t Hell blogger alerts Stars and Stripes duped by Army sergeant’s war claims
Stars and Stripes duped by Army sergeant’s war claims
By MARTIN KUZ
Stars and Stripes
Published: January 31, 2012
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — An Army reservist in Afghanistan with the 425th Civil Affairs Battalion who told Stars and Stripes that he deployed during the Vietnam War has come under military investigation for apparently lying about his prior combat service.
Staff Sgt. Larry Marquez, a civil affairs specialist, stated that he deployed to Cambodia in 1973 after enlisting at age 17 with his parents’ consent.
A story about Marquez ran under the headline “Vietnam vet joins ‘today’s war’ ” in Jan. 13 editions of Stars and Stripes and was also published on the newspaper’s website.
Stars and Stripes failed to perform basic fact-checking to verify any of Marquez’ claims about his service record. The newspaper was alerted to inconsistencies in Marquez’s account by a blogger, Jonn Lilyea, who runs the military blog “This Ain’t Hell.”
Lilyea raised questions about whether Marquez, whose current age Stars and Stripes reported as 55, would have been too young to serve during the Vietnam War. Lilyea also questioned the timing of Marquez’ alleged year-long deployment in Cambodia, given that most U.S. troops were withdrawn from Cambodia by the end of 1970 and from Vietnam in 1973.
read more here
By MARTIN KUZ
Stars and Stripes
Published: January 31, 2012
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — An Army reservist in Afghanistan with the 425th Civil Affairs Battalion who told Stars and Stripes that he deployed during the Vietnam War has come under military investigation for apparently lying about his prior combat service.
Staff Sgt. Larry Marquez, a civil affairs specialist, stated that he deployed to Cambodia in 1973 after enlisting at age 17 with his parents’ consent.
A story about Marquez ran under the headline “Vietnam vet joins ‘today’s war’ ” in Jan. 13 editions of Stars and Stripes and was also published on the newspaper’s website.
Stars and Stripes failed to perform basic fact-checking to verify any of Marquez’ claims about his service record. The newspaper was alerted to inconsistencies in Marquez’s account by a blogger, Jonn Lilyea, who runs the military blog “This Ain’t Hell.”
Lilyea raised questions about whether Marquez, whose current age Stars and Stripes reported as 55, would have been too young to serve during the Vietnam War. Lilyea also questioned the timing of Marquez’ alleged year-long deployment in Cambodia, given that most U.S. troops were withdrawn from Cambodia by the end of 1970 and from Vietnam in 1973.
read more here
Murder for hire "once great soldier" faces death penalty
What happened to turn a man from "great soldier" into what Sher is accused of becoming? Did combat change him that much or was this part of his character all along?
There are criminals who never once cared about someone else. We are never shocked when they murder someone. Read any newspaper and you'll find a lot more stories about civilians committing murder than you do about veterans. These men and yes, even some female veterans, were willing to die for the sake of someone else so when one of them takes a life back home, it leaves us all wondering what happened to change them that much.
There have been a lot of reports tying PTSD to crimes, which could have had something to do with the way this man thinks but the fact is, with hundreds of thousands of veterans with PTSD, you don't read about them simply because they never cause any trouble at all.
There are criminals who never once cared about someone else. We are never shocked when they murder someone. Read any newspaper and you'll find a lot more stories about civilians committing murder than you do about veterans. These men and yes, even some female veterans, were willing to die for the sake of someone else so when one of them takes a life back home, it leaves us all wondering what happened to change them that much.
There have been a lot of reports tying PTSD to crimes, which could have had something to do with the way this man thinks but the fact is, with hundreds of thousands of veterans with PTSD, you don't read about them simply because they never cause any trouble at all.
Murder-For-Hire Suspect Faces Death Penalty
Josiah Sher Accused Of Killing Robert Rafferty, Amara Wells
Written By Kim Ngan Nguyen, Web Editor
January 31, 2012
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. -- Prosecutors will be pursuing the death penalty against an Army veteran accused of killing two people in a Douglas County home last February, the district attorney announced Tuesday.
The case against Josiah Sher will be among the state's few death penalty cases.
Sher, 26, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges. However, in videotaped testimony played in a Douglas County District courtroom in August, Sher admitted he killed Robert Rafferty and Amara Wells for $15,000.
Christopher Wells, Amara Wells' estranged husband, is accused of hiring three of his former coworkers -- Sher, Matthew Plake and Micah Woody -- to kill the pair.
Sher Once Called 'Great Soldier' In Army Reserves
Sher said on the videotape that he was high on cocaine at the time of the killings and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder from his time in the military.
Sher was called a "great soldier" who served in Iraq and Afghanistan during eight years with the U.S. Army Reserve, a military official told 7NEWS last March.
Sher earned high marks as an "aircraft structural repairer" working on military helicopters, said Capt. Malisa Hamper, spokeswoman for the Army Reserve's 11th Aviation Command, a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft unit based at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
"He's been a great soldier," Hamper said of Sher last spring. "He's done great things for the Reserves."
"He was just really great in his performance (reviews)," she said, referring to Sher's extensive skill on repairing and maintaining aircraft. "He's constantly strived to learn more about his job and learn other duties."
read more here
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Maj. Thomas B. Bryant sings for betterment of troops
Third Army soldier sings for betterment of troops
13th Public Affairs Detachment
Story by Cpl. Christopher Calvert
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – For many, singing offers an outlet to express one’s feelings. Troops often find singing helps pass the time during a deployment while building esprit de corps among members of a unit. For one Third Army soldier, singing is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to help his fellow brothers and sisters in arms.
Maj. Thomas B. Bryant, Third Army/ARCENT Logistics, deputy plans chief and Silver Creek, Miss., native, grew up singing his entire life.
“I’m the son of a preacher,” said Bryant. “I’ve been singing pretty much all of my life. It’s just been one of those things God has blessed me with. I like to make people feel what I’m feeling, and singing helps me accomplish this.”
When Bryant graduated from high school, he felt compelled to join the U.S. Army Reserves and serve his country like his father did before him, he said.
“My father was prior military,” Bryant explained. “I felt obligated to do something for my country as well. My father was a little reluctant for me to join, but after I did and found it was something I really enjoyed, he gave me 120 percent of his support.”
After serving six years in the Reserves, Bryant decided to transfer to active duty and was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1995, then transferred to the Quartermaster Corps in 1998.
It was after this transition that Bryant realized the true power of his singing and began wondering how he could use it to better his fellow soldiers, many of whom would go on to suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental illnesses after multiple deployments, he said.
“I felt compelled to tell the story of the nation being at war for the past 10 years,” explained Bryant. “How could I capture that in a 3.5 minute song? A lot of my fellow comrades have made the ultimate sacrifice, and many who came home are suffering from PTSD and things of that nature. I was able to record the song ‘Fall on my Knees,’ and I pray that it is a blessing and an inspiration to all of my fellow service members.”
read more here
13th Public Affairs Detachment
Story by Cpl. Christopher Calvert
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – For many, singing offers an outlet to express one’s feelings. Troops often find singing helps pass the time during a deployment while building esprit de corps among members of a unit. For one Third Army soldier, singing is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to help his fellow brothers and sisters in arms.
Maj. Thomas B. Bryant, Third Army/ARCENT Logistics, deputy plans chief and Silver Creek, Miss., native, grew up singing his entire life.
“I’m the son of a preacher,” said Bryant. “I’ve been singing pretty much all of my life. It’s just been one of those things God has blessed me with. I like to make people feel what I’m feeling, and singing helps me accomplish this.”
When Bryant graduated from high school, he felt compelled to join the U.S. Army Reserves and serve his country like his father did before him, he said.
“My father was prior military,” Bryant explained. “I felt obligated to do something for my country as well. My father was a little reluctant for me to join, but after I did and found it was something I really enjoyed, he gave me 120 percent of his support.”
After serving six years in the Reserves, Bryant decided to transfer to active duty and was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1995, then transferred to the Quartermaster Corps in 1998.
It was after this transition that Bryant realized the true power of his singing and began wondering how he could use it to better his fellow soldiers, many of whom would go on to suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental illnesses after multiple deployments, he said.
“I felt compelled to tell the story of the nation being at war for the past 10 years,” explained Bryant. “How could I capture that in a 3.5 minute song? A lot of my fellow comrades have made the ultimate sacrifice, and many who came home are suffering from PTSD and things of that nature. I was able to record the song ‘Fall on my Knees,’ and I pray that it is a blessing and an inspiration to all of my fellow service members.”
read more here
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Suicidal soldier prompts SWAT standoff
Suicidal soldier prompts SWAT standoff
Chelsea Bannach The Spokesman-Review
A suicidal soldier prompted a SWAT standoff in Spokane County this afternoon.
A few minutes before noon, a couple called police after finding a bloody man in a truck parked near Nevada Street and Magnesium Road that was running for more than an hour and a half, said sheriff’s Spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.
Police thought the 35-year-old man may have been armed with a gun because he is a military reservist, Reagan said. The SWAT team responded after the man refused to exit the vehicle and began revving his engine.
As SWAT moved in, the man exited the truck and surrendered. He had self-inflicted knife wounds to his legs and neck, and was transported to a downtown hospital for surgery and a mental evaluation.
read more here
Chelsea Bannach The Spokesman-Review
A suicidal soldier prompted a SWAT standoff in Spokane County this afternoon.
A few minutes before noon, a couple called police after finding a bloody man in a truck parked near Nevada Street and Magnesium Road that was running for more than an hour and a half, said sheriff’s Spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.
Police thought the 35-year-old man may have been armed with a gun because he is a military reservist, Reagan said. The SWAT team responded after the man refused to exit the vehicle and began revving his engine.
As SWAT moved in, the man exited the truck and surrendered. He had self-inflicted knife wounds to his legs and neck, and was transported to a downtown hospital for surgery and a mental evaluation.
read more here
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Soldier may Face Punishment for Ron Paul Endorsement
Soldier may Face Punishment for Paul Endorsement
January 04, 2012
Military.com
by Bryant Jordan
An Army Reserve corporal could face disciplinary action after he publicly endorsed Rep. Ron Paul for president while wearing his uniform on Tuesday night during the Iowa caucus.
Cpl. Jesse Thorsen, of the Illinois-based 416th Theater Engineer Command, spoke out for the Texas congressman first in an interview with CNN and then before a gathering of Paul supporters.
His endorsement violates a longstanding Defense Department policy that bars servicemembers from engaging in political activities while in uniform.
"The chain of command of that soldier is involved," Army spokeswoman Maj. Angel Wallace told Military.com on Wednesday. "They will determine what kind of action may be taken."
read more here
January 04, 2012
Military.com
by Bryant Jordan
An Army Reserve corporal could face disciplinary action after he publicly endorsed Rep. Ron Paul for president while wearing his uniform on Tuesday night during the Iowa caucus.
Cpl. Jesse Thorsen, of the Illinois-based 416th Theater Engineer Command, spoke out for the Texas congressman first in an interview with CNN and then before a gathering of Paul supporters.
His endorsement violates a longstanding Defense Department policy that bars servicemembers from engaging in political activities while in uniform.
"The chain of command of that soldier is involved," Army spokeswoman Maj. Angel Wallace told Military.com on Wednesday. "They will determine what kind of action may be taken."
read more here
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Cop, veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, fired over PTSD he doesn't have?
Psychological testing didn't show any signs of PTSD but he lost his job all the same. This story shows how backwards things can be. They cannot be fired because they have PTSD but because the psychologist said he didn't have it, they were able to fire him. Twisted and wrong!
Ex-West Palm cop fights firing over PTSD allegations
By JANE MUSGRAVE
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Updated: 8:32 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011
Photo provided to The Post Matthew Ladd served two years in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is a sergeant in the Army Reserve, where he said none of his supervisors has questioned his ability to perform.
WEST PALM BEACH — When Matthew Ladd came home in 2008 after serving two years in Afghanistan and Iraq, he was more than ready to embrace civilian life.
He attended the police academy at Palm Beach State College. He landed a job with the West Palm Beach Police Department. Life was good.
Then, in October 2010, after spending roughly nine months patrolling city streets, his superiors said they wanted him to undergo a psychological review.
The review was uneventful. Ladd, the psychiatrist wrote, "is NOT suffering from any apparent psychiatric disorders."
"It is further my opinion within a reasonable degree of psychiatric/medical certainty that there are no psychiatric contraindications that would prevent or preclude Mr. Ladd from returning to full duty and performing the essential functions of a police officer," Dr. Norman Silversmith wrote on Oct. 12, 2010.
Six days later, Ladd was fired. His superiors told him they thought he had post-traumatic stress disorder .
"I thought it was a joke," Ladd said.
read more here
Friday, December 23, 2011
Orlando Army Reservists back home from Iraq
What a great morning! Over 100 Army Reservists were greeted by a large crowd and ample TV stations. Here's the video I shot and pictures will be up later today.
also
Soldiers return home from Iraq
Updated: Friday, 23 Dec 2011, 6:27 PM EST
Published : Friday, 23 Dec 2011, 10:52 AM EST
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - An emotional holiday homecoming Friday morning as more than 100 Central Florida soldiers return home from Iraq.
read more here
From News 13
Video troops back from Iraq
also
Soldiers return home from Iraq
Updated: Friday, 23 Dec 2011, 6:27 PM EST
Published : Friday, 23 Dec 2011, 10:52 AM EST
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - An emotional holiday homecoming Friday morning as more than 100 Central Florida soldiers return home from Iraq.
read more here
From News 13
Video troops back from Iraq
Some of the pictures I took yesterday.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
115 Army Reservists from the Central FL area coming home
Distribute to your friends and group networks, please!
What a Christmas present! There are 115 Army Reservists from the Central FL area coming home TOMORROW - Friday, 23 Dec. The charter flight arrives at approx. 8:30 AM. Buses will transport the warriors to the Armed Forces Reserve Center at approx.
9 - 9:30 AM Bring your flags and cheer these troops home to their families!
Location: South of the 528-Beachline Toll road approx 1.5 miles
Armed Forces Reserve Center: 9500 Armed Forces Drive Orlando, FL 32827 (between Tradeport Drive and Boggy Creek Rd near Orlando Int'l Airport)
· If taking Tradeport exit from the Beachline - south on Tradeport approx. 1.5 miles, turn right onto Express St. Continue about 0.5 miles - Reserve Center will be on your left.
· If taking Boggy Creek exit, south on Boggy Creek approx 1.5 miles, turn left at stoplight onto Dowden Rd.
Sorry for the short notice but the Army was doing all they could to get these warriors home quickly. The 196th Transportation Company of the Army Reserve drove heavy equipment out of Iraq. This group practically turned out the lights and shut the door upon their leaving! 15 members of the group were wounded and are still in the Ft. Hood medical facilities and will be released in the days/weeks/months ahead.
What a Christmas present! There are 115 Army Reservists from the Central FL area coming home TOMORROW - Friday, 23 Dec. The charter flight arrives at approx. 8:30 AM. Buses will transport the warriors to the Armed Forces Reserve Center at approx.
9 - 9:30 AM Bring your flags and cheer these troops home to their families!
Location: South of the 528-Beachline Toll road approx 1.5 miles
Armed Forces Reserve Center: 9500 Armed Forces Drive Orlando, FL 32827 (between Tradeport Drive and Boggy Creek Rd near Orlando Int'l Airport)
· If taking Tradeport exit from the Beachline - south on Tradeport approx. 1.5 miles, turn right onto Express St. Continue about 0.5 miles - Reserve Center will be on your left.
· If taking Boggy Creek exit, south on Boggy Creek approx 1.5 miles, turn left at stoplight onto Dowden Rd.
Sorry for the short notice but the Army was doing all they could to get these warriors home quickly. The 196th Transportation Company of the Army Reserve drove heavy equipment out of Iraq. This group practically turned out the lights and shut the door upon their leaving! 15 members of the group were wounded and are still in the Ft. Hood medical facilities and will be released in the days/weeks/months ahead.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Home safe from Afghanistan, but just barely
Home safe from Afghanistan, but just barely
By KEVIN ABOUREZK
Lincoln Journal Star
Posted: Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tom Brewer's two-year tour of duty in Afghanistan ended Friday with a flash and a bang, just 24 hours before he was to leave the country for Christmas leave.
The 53-year-old Nebraska native and U.S. Army Reserve colonel was injured when the SUV he was standing next to was hit hard in the rear by a grenade. Brewer has spent the past two years helping train Afghanistan's security forces to prepare for America's planned departure in 2014.
"Sometimes, it seems to work that way," he said. "As you get to the end, you tend to be less concerned about some of the negative things that can happen to you. Afghanistan is very unforgiving."
On Friday, he was with a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official at about 6:30 p.m., having just finished with a meeting at Camp Phoenix focused on planning for a National Guard division's planned departure and a Texas brigade's planned arrival. He and the DEA official were driving on the northern edge of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, when their vehicle hit a metal rod that flattened a tire.
read more here
By KEVIN ABOUREZK
Lincoln Journal Star
Posted: Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tom Brewer's two-year tour of duty in Afghanistan ended Friday with a flash and a bang, just 24 hours before he was to leave the country for Christmas leave.
The 53-year-old Nebraska native and U.S. Army Reserve colonel was injured when the SUV he was standing next to was hit hard in the rear by a grenade. Brewer has spent the past two years helping train Afghanistan's security forces to prepare for America's planned departure in 2014.
"Sometimes, it seems to work that way," he said. "As you get to the end, you tend to be less concerned about some of the negative things that can happen to you. Afghanistan is very unforgiving."
On Friday, he was with a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official at about 6:30 p.m., having just finished with a meeting at Camp Phoenix focused on planning for a National Guard division's planned departure and a Texas brigade's planned arrival. He and the DEA official were driving on the northern edge of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, when their vehicle hit a metal rod that flattened a tire.
read more here
Saturday, July 30, 2011
The 686th Engineer Company, Orlando leaves for Fort Bliss
Troops concerned about national debt debate
By Mark Jenkins, Reporter
Last Updated: Saturday, July 30, 2011 5:47 PM
ORLANDO --
More than 180 troops received their marching orders, and left Orlando Saturday with a ceremony. They said goodbye to their families, and prepared to deploy to Afghanistan.
"We're all pretty pumped and excited to go," says Army Cpl. Shannon Sabsook.
Sabsook is part of the 689th Engineer Company. They search for road-side bombs, which is the number one killer of US troops in combat operations.
"It's a very dangerous job," Sabsook said. "I'm thankful we have very good equipment."
These troops are deploying during a time of economic uncertainty. While the war wages on in Afghanistan, the money battle continues in Washington.
read more here
Troops concerned about national debt debate
By Mark Jenkins, Reporter
Last Updated: Saturday, July 30, 2011 5:47 PM
The 686th Engineer Company prepares for deployment to Afghanistan.
ORLANDO --
More than 180 troops received their marching orders, and left Orlando Saturday with a ceremony. They said goodbye to their families, and prepared to deploy to Afghanistan.
"We're all pretty pumped and excited to go," says Army Cpl. Shannon Sabsook.
Sabsook is part of the 689th Engineer Company. They search for road-side bombs, which is the number one killer of US troops in combat operations.
"It's a very dangerous job," Sabsook said. "I'm thankful we have very good equipment."
These troops are deploying during a time of economic uncertainty. While the war wages on in Afghanistan, the money battle continues in Washington.
read more here
Troops concerned about national debt debate
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Georgia Reservist blames crash diet during murder trial
Ga. soldier charged with slaying superior blames crash diet after being ordered to lose weight
By Associated Press, Published: July 27
FORT STEWART, Ga. — Attorneys for an Army Reserve soldier on trial for murder in Georgia say he killed a superior because he was dehydrated and delirious from a crash diet after being ordered to lose weight.
Army Staff Sgt. Rashad Valmont’s fiancée testified Wednesday that he quit eating and put in extra hours at the gym and sauna after being ordered by a supervisor to shed 3 percent of his body fat quickly. Two days later he walked into a different superior’s office holding a Glock handgun, took aim and shot the man six times.
read more here
Ga soldier charged with slaying superior
By Associated Press, Published: July 27
FORT STEWART, Ga. — Attorneys for an Army Reserve soldier on trial for murder in Georgia say he killed a superior because he was dehydrated and delirious from a crash diet after being ordered to lose weight.
Army Staff Sgt. Rashad Valmont’s fiancée testified Wednesday that he quit eating and put in extra hours at the gym and sauna after being ordered by a supervisor to shed 3 percent of his body fat quickly. Two days later he walked into a different superior’s office holding a Glock handgun, took aim and shot the man six times.
read more here
Ga soldier charged with slaying superior
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Hit and run driver killed Fort Hood Reservist
Hit-and-run driver kills local soldier
by Spencer Crawford/Villa Rican
A Villa Rica soldier was killed by a hit-and-run driver outside Fort Hood, Texas, early Friday morning, just weeks before he was to be sent to the Middle East for his fourth tour of duty.
James Michael Butler, 35, was an Army Reservist who had just reported to duty to Fort Hood on July 11 for four weeks of preparation before being sent to Afghanistan for a tour as a fixed-wing aircraft pilot. He had served three previous tours in either Iraq or Afghanistan as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot.
According to Killeen, Texas, media reports, a woman was driving down U.S. Business 190 near South Fort Hood Street about 4 a.m. Friday morning when she saw something in the road, tried to swerve and miss it, but couldn’t. It turned out to be Butler’s body, which state troopers say had already been run over by another car that fled the scene and is still being sought.
Read more: Times-Georgian -
Hit and run driver kills local soldier
by Spencer Crawford/Villa Rican
A Villa Rica soldier was killed by a hit-and-run driver outside Fort Hood, Texas, early Friday morning, just weeks before he was to be sent to the Middle East for his fourth tour of duty.
James Michael Butler, 35, was an Army Reservist who had just reported to duty to Fort Hood on July 11 for four weeks of preparation before being sent to Afghanistan for a tour as a fixed-wing aircraft pilot. He had served three previous tours in either Iraq or Afghanistan as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot.
According to Killeen, Texas, media reports, a woman was driving down U.S. Business 190 near South Fort Hood Street about 4 a.m. Friday morning when she saw something in the road, tried to swerve and miss it, but couldn’t. It turned out to be Butler’s body, which state troopers say had already been run over by another car that fled the scene and is still being sought.
Read more: Times-Georgian -
Hit and run driver kills local soldier
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Reservists from Kentucky allege mistreatment during Iraq prep
Reservists allege mistreatment during Iraq prep
By Gregg Zoroya - USA Today
Posted : Thursday Jul 14, 2011
Nearly 200 Reservists in Iraq have signed a complaint accusing the Army of mistreatment and discrimination during the months they were preparing for war.
The soldiers say their movements and freedoms were severely restricted during a four-month training before deployment, describing it as virtually a "lockdown" confinement to base. The Army says it was pushing to get Reservists trained and denies discriminatory treatment.
The soldiers are with a Kentucky-based attack helicopter battalion — nicknamed "The Flying Tigers" — that went to Iraq in January. The request for an inquiry by Congress was signed by 178 soldiers or nearly half of the battalion, including company commanders.
No action has been taken on the petition, filed April 1.
"Army Reserve soldiers love the Army, they love their jobs and they love their country," the complaint says. "They also understand that service is voluntary, and if not shown the respect and courtesy accorded their active-duty brethren, they will no longer be willing to make the personal, family and civilian-life sacrifices required."
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Reservists allege mistreatment during Iraq prep
By Gregg Zoroya - USA Today
Posted : Thursday Jul 14, 2011
More than 635,000 National Guard and Reserve troops have been sent overseas since Sept. 11, 2001, most of them to Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 57,000 are currently mobilized.
Nearly 200 Reservists in Iraq have signed a complaint accusing the Army of mistreatment and discrimination during the months they were preparing for war.
The soldiers say their movements and freedoms were severely restricted during a four-month training before deployment, describing it as virtually a "lockdown" confinement to base. The Army says it was pushing to get Reservists trained and denies discriminatory treatment.
The soldiers are with a Kentucky-based attack helicopter battalion — nicknamed "The Flying Tigers" — that went to Iraq in January. The request for an inquiry by Congress was signed by 178 soldiers or nearly half of the battalion, including company commanders.
No action has been taken on the petition, filed April 1.
"Army Reserve soldiers love the Army, they love their jobs and they love their country," the complaint says. "They also understand that service is voluntary, and if not shown the respect and courtesy accorded their active-duty brethren, they will no longer be willing to make the personal, family and civilian-life sacrifices required."
read more here
Reservists allege mistreatment during Iraq prep
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Reserve deputy chief talks up new Florida center
Reserve deputy chief talks up new Fla. center
By Don Ruane - The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press
Posted : Sunday May 1, 2011
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — An Army Reserve training center to be built in north Cape Coral is a $14.5 million investment that will create 20 to 30 jobs and help local businesses, the deputy chief of the national Army Reserve said Saturday after a tour of the city.
Maj. Gen. Keith L. Thurgood toured the 15-acre training center site on Corbett Road at Diplomat Parkway while in town to address the gathering of the Florida Reserve Officers Association at The Resort at Marina Village.
The construction contract for the center is going out for bids in September. Completion is expected in 2013. The site is on Corbett Road at Diplomat Parkway. A $132-million, four-story Veterans Affairs Clinic is going up just across Corbett Road and is expected to open in 2012. The Reserve wants to look for ways to collaborate with the clinic, Thurgood said.
He said he also is impressed with the city’s efforts to spur more development in the area, which is called the Veterans Investment Zone. The zone is a one-mile circle around the clinic where special incentives are available from the city to entice developers.
Some 300 reservists will pass through the center each year, but they will stay in local hotels at the end of each day, dine at local restaurants and visit local attractions, Thurgood said. The training center also will need the services of local landscapers, plumbers, electricians and others.
“Our soldiers are involved in communities all the time,” Thurgood said at a news conference after inspecting the rehabilitation work on the Iwo Jima flag-raising statue at Four Mile Cove Eco Preserve.
There are 11,000 Army reservists in Florida and they have an annual economic impact of $200 million, Thurgood said.
read more here
Reserve deputy chief talks up new Fla. center
By Don Ruane - The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press
Posted : Sunday May 1, 2011
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — An Army Reserve training center to be built in north Cape Coral is a $14.5 million investment that will create 20 to 30 jobs and help local businesses, the deputy chief of the national Army Reserve said Saturday after a tour of the city.
Maj. Gen. Keith L. Thurgood toured the 15-acre training center site on Corbett Road at Diplomat Parkway while in town to address the gathering of the Florida Reserve Officers Association at The Resort at Marina Village.
The construction contract for the center is going out for bids in September. Completion is expected in 2013. The site is on Corbett Road at Diplomat Parkway. A $132-million, four-story Veterans Affairs Clinic is going up just across Corbett Road and is expected to open in 2012. The Reserve wants to look for ways to collaborate with the clinic, Thurgood said.
He said he also is impressed with the city’s efforts to spur more development in the area, which is called the Veterans Investment Zone. The zone is a one-mile circle around the clinic where special incentives are available from the city to entice developers.
Some 300 reservists will pass through the center each year, but they will stay in local hotels at the end of each day, dine at local restaurants and visit local attractions, Thurgood said. The training center also will need the services of local landscapers, plumbers, electricians and others.
“Our soldiers are involved in communities all the time,” Thurgood said at a news conference after inspecting the rehabilitation work on the Iwo Jima flag-raising statue at Four Mile Cove Eco Preserve.
There are 11,000 Army reservists in Florida and they have an annual economic impact of $200 million, Thurgood said.
read more here
Reserve deputy chief talks up new Fla. center
Monday, April 25, 2011
U.S. Army Reserve nurse killed in Afghanistan
Jamestown family mourns loss of soldier killed in Afghanistan
By Keith Gushard
Meadville Tribune
MEADVILLE — Mike McClimans of Jamestown was asleep at home when his phone rang just after 7 a.m. Saturday.
“He said to me, ‘Mr. McClimans, I’m Maj. Scott North and I’m outside your door,’ ” McClimans said, his voicing quivering slightly.
McClimans knew what the call meant.
“I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ He said, ‘No sir, I’m not.’ ”
North was there to inform him that McClimans’ son, Capt. Joshua McClimans, 30, a registered nurse serving with the U.S. Army Reserve, had been killed in action in Afghanistan.
Capt. McClimans apparently had left his living quarters to begin a 12-hour shift at a hospital when he was shot.
read more here
Jamestown family mourns loss of soldier killed in Afghanistan
By Keith Gushard
Meadville Tribune
MEADVILLE — Mike McClimans of Jamestown was asleep at home when his phone rang just after 7 a.m. Saturday.
“He said to me, ‘Mr. McClimans, I’m Maj. Scott North and I’m outside your door,’ ” McClimans said, his voicing quivering slightly.
McClimans knew what the call meant.
“I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ He said, ‘No sir, I’m not.’ ”
North was there to inform him that McClimans’ son, Capt. Joshua McClimans, 30, a registered nurse serving with the U.S. Army Reserve, had been killed in action in Afghanistan.
Capt. McClimans apparently had left his living quarters to begin a 12-hour shift at a hospital when he was shot.
read more here
Jamestown family mourns loss of soldier killed in Afghanistan
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Army "promises" change in the way National Guards-Reservists are treated
Wyden: Army Vows to Improve Guard Treatment
Changes Outlined Involving irag, Afghanistan Returnees
From KTVZ.COM News Sources
WASHINGTON -- Responding to concerns raised over the past year, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.),said Wednesday the Army has announced changes aimed at improving the treatment of National Guard and Reserve troops returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The changes announced in documents provided to Wyden’s office include ensuring each soldier receives proper medical care, improving communication about entitlements and benefits and greater access to medical care following demobilization.
The changes also include keeping Guard and Reserve leaders with their units at demobilization stations until each soldier receives the care and resources they have earned
“For more than a year now, we have been concerned that the Army was treating National Guard and Reserve troops differently by sending them home too quickly following demobilization and not informing them or providing them with the medical care they needed and deserved following a combat deployment,” Wyden said.
“The Department of Defense has acknowledged that the treatment of these troops was not what it should be. Now the military has taken steps to improve the situation. They deserve a great deal of credit for recognizing these problems and taking steps to fix them.”
"Our National Guard and Reserve men and women have served this nation honorably and with distinction," said Schrader. "They deserve, and are frankly entitled to, the same consideration during and after demobilization as Active Component service members. Being provided misinformation two hundred miles from the nearest Military Treatment Facility is not acceptable."
Under the new policies, the demobilization process for Guard and Reserve soldiers will be extended to up to 14 days rather than the previous five- to seven-day limit. This change addresses complaints that troops were being rushed off active duty too quickly and before their medical issues were properly identified and resolved. Another change includes making it easier to admit Guard and Reserve troops into the Warrior Transition Unit for medical treatment.
read more here
Army Vows to Improve Guard Treatment
Changes Outlined Involving irag, Afghanistan Returnees
From KTVZ.COM News Sources
WASHINGTON -- Responding to concerns raised over the past year, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.),said Wednesday the Army has announced changes aimed at improving the treatment of National Guard and Reserve troops returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The changes announced in documents provided to Wyden’s office include ensuring each soldier receives proper medical care, improving communication about entitlements and benefits and greater access to medical care following demobilization.
The changes also include keeping Guard and Reserve leaders with their units at demobilization stations until each soldier receives the care and resources they have earned
“For more than a year now, we have been concerned that the Army was treating National Guard and Reserve troops differently by sending them home too quickly following demobilization and not informing them or providing them with the medical care they needed and deserved following a combat deployment,” Wyden said.
“The Department of Defense has acknowledged that the treatment of these troops was not what it should be. Now the military has taken steps to improve the situation. They deserve a great deal of credit for recognizing these problems and taking steps to fix them.”
"Our National Guard and Reserve men and women have served this nation honorably and with distinction," said Schrader. "They deserve, and are frankly entitled to, the same consideration during and after demobilization as Active Component service members. Being provided misinformation two hundred miles from the nearest Military Treatment Facility is not acceptable."
Under the new policies, the demobilization process for Guard and Reserve soldiers will be extended to up to 14 days rather than the previous five- to seven-day limit. This change addresses complaints that troops were being rushed off active duty too quickly and before their medical issues were properly identified and resolved. Another change includes making it easier to admit Guard and Reserve troops into the Warrior Transition Unit for medical treatment.
read more here
Army Vows to Improve Guard Treatment
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