Hybrid versus Handicap
Reported by: Mireya Villarreal
It's reserved - But is it deserved?
A video posted on Youtube.com shows hybrid vehicles being allowed to park closer than wounded service members living at the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU).
It’s a hybrid versus handicapped battle brought forward by a solider staying at the Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston facility.
Kent Ployhar lives at the Warrior Transition Unit after being injured by a grenade attack overseas. Eventually, he'll walk again. But not everyone living at the WTU is that lucky. So, after just a week of living at the complex, Kent posted a Youtube video.
read more here
Showing posts with label Fort Sam Houston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Sam Houston. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Friday, September 30, 2011
‘High-risk activities’ help soldiers remain grounded
‘High-risk activities’ help soldiers remain grounded
Posted On: Thursday, Sep. 29 2011 11:31 PM
'By Colleen Flaherty
Killeen Daily Herald
DALLAS — First Lt. Emily Miller had one thought as she stood at the edge of the seven-story platform.
"Why am I doing this?" she recalled, following her first bungee jump experience Thursday at Zero Gravity adventure park in Dallas.
Miller and about 30 other 66th Military Intelligence Company soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, visited the park as part of their reintegration training. The regiment returned from its fourth and final deployment to Iraq in August.
"There's nothing between you and the ground, just open space," said Miller, 24. But the fear was worth "the adrenaline rush. I always told myself I'd go bungee jumping."
Sgt. 1st Class Stanley Holcombe of Fort Hood's Warrior Adventure Quest program accompanied the Ghostrider crew. He said encouraging returning soldiers to thrill-seek in a controlled environment is central to Warrior Adventure Quest, which "mitigates high-risk behavior through high-risk activities."
"The purpose is two-fold," Holcombe said. "They're having fun, but at the same time, they're exhibiting positive adaptive behavior, versus maladapted behavior, like driving too fast or drinking."
read more here
Posted On: Thursday, Sep. 29 2011 11:31 PM
'By Colleen Flaherty
Killeen Daily Herald
DALLAS — First Lt. Emily Miller had one thought as she stood at the edge of the seven-story platform.
"Why am I doing this?" she recalled, following her first bungee jump experience Thursday at Zero Gravity adventure park in Dallas.
Miller and about 30 other 66th Military Intelligence Company soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, visited the park as part of their reintegration training. The regiment returned from its fourth and final deployment to Iraq in August.
"There's nothing between you and the ground, just open space," said Miller, 24. But the fear was worth "the adrenaline rush. I always told myself I'd go bungee jumping."
Sgt. 1st Class Stanley Holcombe of Fort Hood's Warrior Adventure Quest program accompanied the Ghostrider crew. He said encouraging returning soldiers to thrill-seek in a controlled environment is central to Warrior Adventure Quest, which "mitigates high-risk behavior through high-risk activities."
"The purpose is two-fold," Holcombe said. "They're having fun, but at the same time, they're exhibiting positive adaptive behavior, versus maladapted behavior, like driving too fast or drinking."
read more here
Monday, September 19, 2011
Cutting-edge care for wounded warriors at Fort Sam Houston
Cutting-edge care for wounded warriors
By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Sep 19, 2011
From providing virtual reality therapy and custom-made prosthetics, to using a Flowrider wave pool and creating a one-of-a-kind orthosis that has helped wounded troops return to combat, the experts here continue to push their patients and set the tone for wounded warrior care in the future.
“When this facility was established, we were given three missions: patient care, research, and education and training of the next generation of rehabilitation specialists,” said Becky Hooper, program manager for CFI.
War almost always drives medical advancements that will have a long-term impact on caring for the wounded, said Lt. Col. Don Gajewski, director of CFI and an orthopedic surgeon.
read more here
By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Sep 19, 2011
JAMES J. LEE/MILITARY TIMES STAFFORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — The Center for the Intrepid is harnessing technology and innovative thinking to improve its care of wounded warriors.
From providing virtual reality therapy and custom-made prosthetics, to using a Flowrider wave pool and creating a one-of-a-kind orthosis that has helped wounded troops return to combat, the experts here continue to push their patients and set the tone for wounded warrior care in the future.
“When this facility was established, we were given three missions: patient care, research, and education and training of the next generation of rehabilitation specialists,” said Becky Hooper, program manager for CFI.
War almost always drives medical advancements that will have a long-term impact on caring for the wounded, said Lt. Col. Don Gajewski, director of CFI and an orthopedic surgeon.
read more here
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
U.S. Army battling a silent enemy: Soldier suicides
U.S. Army battling a silent enemy: Soldier suicides
by Wendy Rigby
KENS 5
Posted on September 20, 2010 at 12:02 PM
SAN ANTONIO -- The U.S. military is fighting against a killer: suicide. The suicide rate in all four branches is now higher than the national average.
The problem of soldiers killing themselves is on the rise. Now military leaders in San Antonio and across the country are working aggressively to reverse this disturbing trend.
With war fronts in both Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s an extremely stressful time to be in the service. Even those soldiers here at home who haven’t been deployed are busy with military expectations and personal relationships fraught with the pressure of home, family and finances.
All of that has led to a growing problem. Since 2006, the number of Army suicides is up by 37%. Already in 2010, 196 soldiers have killed themselves.
read more here
US Army battling a silent enemy
by Wendy Rigby
KENS 5
Posted on September 20, 2010 at 12:02 PM
At Ft. Sam Houston Monday, leaders took time out from a busy schedule to talk about the problem and share information about the wide variety of resources to help.
Police officers often face stresses similar to soldiers. “Both our military personnel and our police officer see unspeakable acts of violence and uses of deadly force,” commented S.A.P.D. chief William McManus.
SAN ANTONIO -- The U.S. military is fighting against a killer: suicide. The suicide rate in all four branches is now higher than the national average.
The problem of soldiers killing themselves is on the rise. Now military leaders in San Antonio and across the country are working aggressively to reverse this disturbing trend.
With war fronts in both Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s an extremely stressful time to be in the service. Even those soldiers here at home who haven’t been deployed are busy with military expectations and personal relationships fraught with the pressure of home, family and finances.
All of that has led to a growing problem. Since 2006, the number of Army suicides is up by 37%. Already in 2010, 196 soldiers have killed themselves.
read more here
US Army battling a silent enemy
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Veteran Gives Insight on Suicide Prevention
Veteran Gives Insight on Suicide Prevention
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2010 – When retired Army Maj. Ed Pulido was medically evacuated from Iraq in August 2004, he knew tough challenges were ahead, as he’d have to learn to live without his left leg.
But as he sat in his hospital bed at Brooke Army Medical Center on Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he began to realize that recovering from his physical disability was only a small part of that challenge.
“When my leg was taken away … I sat in the hospital bed not knowing what was happening to me mentally,” said Pulido, who medically retired after a 19-year Army career. “I remember those three weeks at Brooke where I thought about the fact that as positive as I am, I hit that dark place, and those hidden wounds were the ones that would cripple me at times when I just didn’t understand.”
Post-traumatic stress had taken form, and depression and anxiety began to take their toll. Suddenly, suicidal thoughts began to surface, the Oklahoma native said.
Pulido shared the story of his struggles yesterday with an audience of more than 1,000 military and other government agency health-care workers and officials gathered here for the 2nd Annual Suicide Prevention Conference sponsored by the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments.
The weeklong conference began yesterday and goes through Jan. 14 to give department health-care professionals insight to each organization’s programs and best practices in suicide prevention. Nearly 100 veterans who’ve experienced suicidal thoughts, such as Pulido, are expected to share their stories of survival.
read more here
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=57470
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2010 – When retired Army Maj. Ed Pulido was medically evacuated from Iraq in August 2004, he knew tough challenges were ahead, as he’d have to learn to live without his left leg.
But as he sat in his hospital bed at Brooke Army Medical Center on Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he began to realize that recovering from his physical disability was only a small part of that challenge.
“When my leg was taken away … I sat in the hospital bed not knowing what was happening to me mentally,” said Pulido, who medically retired after a 19-year Army career. “I remember those three weeks at Brooke where I thought about the fact that as positive as I am, I hit that dark place, and those hidden wounds were the ones that would cripple me at times when I just didn’t understand.”
Post-traumatic stress had taken form, and depression and anxiety began to take their toll. Suddenly, suicidal thoughts began to surface, the Oklahoma native said.
Pulido shared the story of his struggles yesterday with an audience of more than 1,000 military and other government agency health-care workers and officials gathered here for the 2nd Annual Suicide Prevention Conference sponsored by the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments.
The weeklong conference began yesterday and goes through Jan. 14 to give department health-care professionals insight to each organization’s programs and best practices in suicide prevention. Nearly 100 veterans who’ve experienced suicidal thoughts, such as Pulido, are expected to share their stories of survival.
read more here
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=57470
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Mourners remember Sgt. Franklin D. "J.R." Barnett Jr
Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2009
'He was just a flat-out character': Mourners remember Belleville soldier
BY WALLY SPIERS - News-Democrat
Family, friends and admirers of Sgt. Franklin D. "J.R." Barnett Jr., spoke of the courage, love of life and humor of the soldier at his funeral Monday.
"He had a big heart. He had been through the test of time," said Tim Rankins, pastor of New Destiny Church in Belleville, lamenting the loss of a young man he had counseled for much of his life.
Jeff Babcock, the person who taught J.R. to juggle, called J.R. an American hero.
"He had plenty of his own challenges and then he grew up and pulled someone out of the fire," Babcock said.
Barnett, 29, of Belleville, had survived a suicide bombing attack in Afghanistan last year, pulling his lieutenant to safety despite injuries to his own lungs. He was a member of the Army National Guard, assigned to the 927th Engineer Company as a combat engineer.
When he returned to the United States, he was assigned to C Company of the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on Oct. 15. On June 7, he was discovered dead of unknown causes in his room.
go here for more
http://www.bnd.com/372/story/809447.html
'He was just a flat-out character': Mourners remember Belleville soldier
BY WALLY SPIERS - News-Democrat
Family, friends and admirers of Sgt. Franklin D. "J.R." Barnett Jr., spoke of the courage, love of life and humor of the soldier at his funeral Monday.
"He had a big heart. He had been through the test of time," said Tim Rankins, pastor of New Destiny Church in Belleville, lamenting the loss of a young man he had counseled for much of his life.
Jeff Babcock, the person who taught J.R. to juggle, called J.R. an American hero.
"He had plenty of his own challenges and then he grew up and pulled someone out of the fire," Babcock said.
Barnett, 29, of Belleville, had survived a suicide bombing attack in Afghanistan last year, pulling his lieutenant to safety despite injuries to his own lungs. He was a member of the Army National Guard, assigned to the 927th Engineer Company as a combat engineer.
When he returned to the United States, he was assigned to C Company of the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on Oct. 15. On June 7, he was discovered dead of unknown causes in his room.
go here for more
http://www.bnd.com/372/story/809447.html
Monday, June 15, 2009
Family waits for answers on death of Sgt. Franklin D. "J.R." Barnett Jr.
Belleville soldier's death under investigation
BY MARIA BARAN - News-Democrat
A soldier from Belleville died Sunday at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
The Army is investigating the cause of death for Sgt. Franklin D. "J.R." Barnett Jr., 29, of Belleville.
During Barnett's recent tour of Afghanistan, Barnett survived a suicide bombing attack and pulled his lieutenant to safety, despite his own injuries to his lungs.
"We don't believe he died from his war injuries, but the Army is investigating," Brooke Army Medical Center spokesman Dewey Mitchell said.
The father of three sons was found unresponsive in his Fort Sam Houston barracks room Sunday afternoon. He had been assigned to C Company of the Warrior Transition Battalion since Oct. 15 after being injured in Afghanistan, according to a news release.
"I don't exactly know what happened," said his wife, Diane Barnett.
She was not able to contact him late Saturday and into Sunday, so she called and had someone check on him. He was found in his chair with his television and video game on.
go here for more
http://www.bnd.com/179/story/806453.html
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wounded Kentucky GI found dead at Fort Sam
Wounded Kentucky GI found dead at Fort Sam
By Scott Huddleston - Express-News Another soldier recovering from war injuries died this week in his barracks at Fort Sam Houston, the Army said Wednesday.
Spc. Franklin D. Barnett Jr., 29, was found dead in his room Sunday afternoon, according to a release from Brooke Army Medical Center. Barnett, who was hurt in Afghanistan, had been assigned to C Company of the Warrior Transition Battalion since Oct. 15.
Barnett's death, at least the third in less than three months involving members of the battalion, is under investigation.
Earlier this year, Spc. Craig Reginald Hamilton and Warrant Officer 1 Judson Erick Mount, also members of the warrior transition battalion, died on post. Army officials have not released details in either death, citing ongoing investigations.
Hamilton, 35, of Milford, N.H., had been injured at Fort Sill, Okla. He died at Fort Sam on March 27.
Mount, a 37-year-old former San Antonian, was badly wounded in a car bomb blast near a market in Iraq. He died April 7.
go here for more
http://www.mysanantonio.com/military/47693722.html
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Female soldier death at Fort Sam Houston probed
Soldier's fatal shooting probed
By Sig Christenson - Express-News
Web Posted: 04/21/2009 11:02 CDT
A soldier was found dead in her barracks Tuesday night at Fort Sam Houston after a caller told post police that someone there had fired a weapon.
The victim suffered a single gunshot wound, but police were not saying where the GI had been shot or if her death was an apparent suicide.
“I haven't even seen a police report yet,” Fort Sam spokesman Phil Reidinger said late Tuesday, adding that police had provided few details to him in the case. “Without the police report and without confirmation of next-of-kin notification, I don't have any more details than I am able to provide you now.”
Fort Sam police arrived at the 32nd Medical Brigade training barracks around 6:30 p.m., moments after receiving the call. They found a body in the barracks, which has an open bay configuration and accommodates an average of about 60 GIs.
Virtually nothing was known about the victim. Reidinger said police had not given him her name, rank or age, and added that it wasn't known if her relatives had been notified. Though he did not know her job specialty, those in the barracks are at Fort Sam for training as combat medics.
“I don't know how long she had been assigned here,” he said.
go here for more
Soldier's fatal shooting probed
UPDATE
Sam Houston soldier apparently killed self
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Apr 22, 2009 19:28:40 EDT
SAN ANTONIO — The military says a soldier who flunked out of combat medic training has been found dead in an apparent suicide at the Fort Sam Houston barracks.
Spokesman Phil Reidinger at the base in Texas says Pfc. Jaynie May Askew was found Tuesday on her bed, next to a note and a .45-caliber handgun.
Reidinger says only two of the 60 training medics living at the barracks were there at the time of the shooting. He says the gun was not military issued, and he doesn't know how she got the gun into the barracks.
The 43-year-old Askew was being sent back to a military police unit of the Arizona National Guard after failing a required emergency medical technician test.
Sam Houston soldier apparently killed self
Sunday, November 30, 2008
“I asked for an Xbox 360 and I got a 12,500 square-foot building" for Fort Sam wounded
$5M oasis for war wounded to open at Fort Sam
By Michelle Roberts - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Nov 29, 2008 14:30:03 EST
SAN ANTONIO — Judith Markelz has relied on volunteers for years to help the war wounded and their families. They’ve brought meals, DVDs, event tickets and an endless supply of cookies to help comfort those whose lives are suddenly upended by a bomb or a bullet.
So when a new volunteer, Les Huffman, arrived at the chaotic 1,000-square-foot room used for the Warrior and Family Support Center in January 2007 and asked what Markelz needed, the program manager said a new video game system.
But Huffman, the president of a small commercial development firm, wanted to do more. And when Markelz conceded she could use a little more room, that’s what she got: a $5 million building designed like a Texas Hill Country home with a therapeutic garden, classroom, video game room and kitchen — all paid for by private donations. It’s the first center of its kind built on an Army post.
“I asked for an Xbox 360 and I got a 12,500 square-foot building,” she laughs. “Nice trade-off.”
Markelz gets the keys to the new place, built at Fort Sam Houston, on Monday.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_warwounded_112708/
By Michelle Roberts - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Nov 29, 2008 14:30:03 EST
SAN ANTONIO — Judith Markelz has relied on volunteers for years to help the war wounded and their families. They’ve brought meals, DVDs, event tickets and an endless supply of cookies to help comfort those whose lives are suddenly upended by a bomb or a bullet.
So when a new volunteer, Les Huffman, arrived at the chaotic 1,000-square-foot room used for the Warrior and Family Support Center in January 2007 and asked what Markelz needed, the program manager said a new video game system.
But Huffman, the president of a small commercial development firm, wanted to do more. And when Markelz conceded she could use a little more room, that’s what she got: a $5 million building designed like a Texas Hill Country home with a therapeutic garden, classroom, video game room and kitchen — all paid for by private donations. It’s the first center of its kind built on an Army post.
“I asked for an Xbox 360 and I got a 12,500 square-foot building,” she laughs. “Nice trade-off.”
Markelz gets the keys to the new place, built at Fort Sam Houston, on Monday.
Cash donations to the Returning Heroes Home, the nonprofit Huffman Developments set up to oversee the project, were supplemented by subcontractors eager to give their time and by suppliers willing to give materials for free or at steep discounts.
“Whenever we’ve needed anything, things have just come together,” said Beverly Lamoureux, the Huffman Developments executive vice president who helped oversee the design and building of the new center.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_warwounded_112708/
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