Texans, volunteers present Marine widow with new home

Texans, volunteers present Marine widow with new home
by Kevin Reece
KHOU 11 News
Posted on October 30, 2012

HOUSTON—The widow of a fallen Marine received the keys and a mortgage-free deed to her new home in Alvin Tuesday.

It fulfilled a promise made by the Houston Texans and a home-building organization called Operation Finally Home.

Marine Staff Sgt. Scott Wood served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device while he was on duty led to several painful surgeries. His family said he also suffered from PTSD. While he was at home in Alvin visiting family and friends he died unexpectedly in his sleep on Nov. 20, 2011.

He was 35 years old.

Four weeks later, his widow Sara Wood and their son Landon were invited to Reliant Stadium to be guests of the Houston Texans at a game against the Carolina Panthers.

They were told they would receive free Christmas presents, especially for 5-year-old Landon. Landon did get several presents. But the Texans, and Operation Finally Home CEO Dan Wallrath in a presentation broadcast on the stadium’s video screens, also surprised them with the promise to build her a new home.

Fast forward 10 months to Tuesday in the Kendall Lakes subdivision in Alvin, and dozens greeted Sara and Landon Wood at their new 2,391-square-foot home.

“We owe this to this family,” said Operation Finally Home founder and CEO Dan Wallrath.

“As Americans we owe this to this family.”
read more here

Houston police officer kills double amputee in wheelchair

Double Amputee Shooting: Matthew Jacob Marin, Houston Officer, Kills Man In Wheelchair, Police Say By
The Associated Press
09/22/12

HOUSTON -- A Houston police officer shot and killed a one-armed, one-legged man in a wheelchair Saturday inside a group home after police say the double amputee threatened the officer and aggressively waved a metal object that turned out to be a pen.

Police spokeswoman Jodi Silva said the man cornered the officer in his wheelchair and was making threats while trying to stab the officer with the pen. At the time, the officer did not know what the metal object was that the man was waving, Silva said.

She said the man came "within inches to a foot" of the officer and did not follow instructions to calm down and remain still.
read more here

Houston SWAT responds to suicidal Army veteran

SWAT responds to suicidal Army veteran
by KHOU.com Staff
khou.com
Posted on September 9, 2012

HOUSTON—A SWAT team was called to negotiate with a suicidal Army veteran who barricaded himself inside his apartment Sunday morning.

Around 8 a.m., Houston police arrived at the Chestnut Hill Apartments on Bellerive to find the man inside his home.

He told officers that he was armed.

SWAT arrived and spoke with the suspect until 2 p.m., when the man was taken to the VA hospital for an evaluation.

No shots were fired and no injuries were reported.
read more here
linked from Stars and Stripes

PTSD Foundation gets 100 Cars for Good from Toyota

PTSD FOUNDATION OF AMERICA NAMED A WINNER IN TOYOTA'S 2012 100 CARS FOR GOOD PROGRAM
Tuesday, 21 August 2012

Houston-based PTSD Foundation of America announced today that it has been selected as one of 100 nonprofit winners in Toyota's 100 Cars for Good program. 100 Cars for Good is a major philanthropic initiative in which the automaker is giving 100 cars to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 days. The PTSD Foundation of America was selected as a winner based on votes from the public on August 10, 2012 on the 100 Cars for Good Facebook page at www.100carsforgood.com.

The PTSD Foundation of America has developed a caring and positive interim housing program for veterans with post-traumatic stress called Camp Hope. Camp Hope opened in May of 2012 with the initial capacity of 8 residential veteran units with its family unit breaking ground this fall. Camp Hope is located in a quiet and safe setting whereby veterans and their immediate family members can find healing, help and hope while benefiting from intensive treatment for Post Traumatic Stress.

"Everyone at The PTSD Foundation of America is thrilled to have been selected as a winner for the 2012 100 Cars for Good program," said Gene Birdwell, Founder of The PTSD Foundation of America. "We're grateful for this incredible opportunity to showcase what we do for our veterans, and this car will be an enormous help to increase our impact in Houston and around the nation."
read more here

Female Afghanistan War veteran honored with gift of home

War veteran honored with gift of home
Monday, February 27, 2012
Erik Barajas
More: Bio, E-mail, Facebook, News Team

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An Afghanistan war veteran who lost her leg during an insurgent attack nearly two years ago is back on her feet and helping other wounded veterans. On Monday, she was the focus of attention as she was honored and awarded for her sacrifice, with a house warming party like no other.

Sgt. Kendra Coleman saw her new home for the first time, with our cameras rolling. She arrived at her new home amid much pomp and circumstance.

On May 11, 2010, an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan took Sgt. Coleman's leg.

Former presidential candidate Ross Perot, Sr. depicts the next moments.

He read, "'I knew I was hit,' she said. 'I reached down to my left leg pocket to grab my tourniquet, my pocket wasn't there, just the remaining pieces of what had been my left leg.'"

Her fellow battle buddies were able to save her. And her little brother then called himself up to duty, dropping everything he was doing to help her rehab.
read more here

"Military veteran" accused of killing Mom and pets

Murder victim identified as community leader
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Sonia Azad

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We now know more about the victim of Thursday's shooting in southwest Houston.

According to police, a son shot his mother and their family pets.

Police released the victim's identity and it turns out she was a well-known figure in Houston: Reyna Rogers.

Rogers -- known affectionately to friends as "Yuki" -- made her most significant impact in the heart of Houston's Asian American community where she was a leader, and she will be missed.

"She was a fountain of energy," friend Gordon Quan said of Rogers.

A native of Japan, Rogers embraced Houston as home. Her volunteerism is legendary in the nonprofit circle, having served as the executive director of the Asian Chamber of Commerce and the International Trade Center.
read more here

After 8-year delay, VA program hopes to help vets

After 8-year delay, VA program hopes to help vets
By: ARELIS HERNANDEZ
Associated Press
09/05/09 10:30 AM PDT HOUSTON — The drone of helicopters still haunts William Callahan decades after Vietnam combat left him paralyzed, but he said government bureaucracy stood in the way of getting the one thing that made the echoes stop and kept him independent: a service dog.

It took four years and giving up on a Veteran's Affairs canine program for Callahan to find Taylor, a specially trained Labrador retriever.

Although the canine program's Web site touts that it "routinely" gives veterans service dogs, the program's director Neil Eckrich said only two dogs have been paired with veterans since Congress authorized the program in 2001. Eckrich acknowledged there were difficulties with the program, including the time it took to conduct studies on the dogs' benefits and problems promoting the service.

Finally, about eight years after the program began, many hope it will start finding homes for the four-legged companions that can help disabled veterans be more independent, better deal with post traumatic stress syndrome and to just be a friend. The VA is now working on improving the program and in Washington, increasing funding for such programs is getting bipartisan support.

Callahan, 63, began trying to find a service dog in 2004, and his local VA office said the program didn't exist — even though that wasn't true. He eventually turned to one of the more than two dozen nonprofit groups in the U.S. that train dogs for injured veterans.
read more here
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/ap/57566422.html

Another Stolen Valor Case

At first, I was furious over this. Another case of Stolen Valor. Why do they do it? What do they really hope to gain? Do they think they will get respect for lying? How could they when they don't have enough respect for themselves already? Think about it. The ones charged, usually did serve in some capacity. You would think that would be enough for them to respect themselves, just for having served but no, they have to try to portray themselves as extreme heroes. Do they do it because they think they deserve what they did not earn or is it because they think what others think of them will give them what they lack inside? If that is the case then they will never find what they are looking for. If they respected themselves in the first place, they would already be proud of their real service and what they really did instead of making up stories to empress strangers.

His medals aren't real, but his search for honor is
Wracked by guilt, local veteran admits deception on his war record
By LINDSAY WISE
Copyright 2009 Houston Chonicle
July 11, 2009, 12:10AM
Houston native Charles Bass had told the story about how he survived a deadly snake bite in Vietnam so many times it seemed natural to tell it again, this time in front of a TV camera on the Fourth of July. He pointed at scars on his hand and the crook of his elbow, explaining how he'd stuck a hollow bamboo in the vein to stop the venom from reaching his heart.

The camera panned a display case full of his medals at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum on Southmore Boulevard. A placard explained that Sgt. Maj. Bass had earned the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star for gallantry and Purple Hearts for his wounds.

Bass, in a rumpled fatigue jacket, seemed humbled by the attention. “I thank God that I endured what I had to endure for my country,” he said.

The story on Channel 2 KPRC that day was less than three minutes long, but that's all the time it took for nearly 40 years of lies to unravel.

Five days later, a tearful Bass apologized for his dishonesty — not only about the snake, but also the rank of sergeant major, Special Forces status, and all of the medals at the museum. He'd bought them in military surplus stores, he said, and forged certificates from forms he found online.

“It's a hell of a load off my shoulders,” said Bass, 66. “It's pressure off me. Things that needed to be said for a lotta, lotta years.”
read more here
Wracked by guilt, local veteran admits deception on his war record

Houston, We've got a problem! This time with veterans claims

Here we have Houston Texas with the worst problem in the country. The same state where the Governor wanted to pass on stimulus money and complained about socialism never seeming very concerned that the veterans in his own state were falling behind, suffering from claims not being approved and in between suffering for serving the country ending up wounded, they were further wounded financially while having to fight the same country to honor their claims.

When did Texans stop caring about the men and women serving on their military bases? When did they stop caring about the veterans in their state? Any ideas? So how can it be they are not holding their own governor's feet to the fire to make sure these veterans are taken care of properly? Why aren't they holding their senators and congressmen personally responsible for neglecting them all these years? Is this a matter of national honor or party loyalty? Veterans are suffering all over this country and so are the men and women serving today. If we do not immediately resolve to do whatever it takes today to meet the need of today's veterans, we will in turn betray the men and women risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan today. This cannot remain a national disgrace.


While it was predictable this would happen, and much has been reported over the last 8 years about things getting worse, we can't say none of that will help now. It's high time it did so that it never, even happens again.

We had a President and his cabinet while all of this was happening and there were two occupations sending over 1.7 million off to fight in both of them. Why weren't they planned for? Who was held responsible for the suffering of all of these veterans? What was congress doing up until 2007 when the Democrats took over and started the ball rolling on play catch-up? Yes, that's right, the Democrats are the ones pushing for all that has happened for the troops in the last couple of years. While they can excuse the fact the Republicans had control over the House, Senate and the White House, they are not off the hook either for the mess.

People are wondering where they were when the need was getting so out of control, but none of them decided to make a public issue out of any of it. It's not that they didn't try to do something because I heard most of their speeches on CSPAN. The problem is, not very many people will sit and listen to the floor speeches or read transcripts. They turn on TV for entertainment and spend very little time watching the news. So why weren't the Democrats and the Republicans that were paying attention, on every single channel making sure the public was aware of the dire need the troops and our veterans were in? Where was the media?

Instead of inviting congressmen and senators on their cable news shows to answer questions on this crisis, they were asked some pretty stupid questions over and over again instead of asking them questions that would do someone some good. Where are the questions now? Any ideas when the talking heads over at FOX Cable news will start to ask or prove they care? Any ideas when they will find time in between covering Michael Jackson and South Carolina Governor Sanford? Realizing these stories are big news, reporting on them will not really make a difference in this country. They don't have to spend so many hours on either one. What happened to their obligation to report on the events that do have a direct impact on our lives?

Backlog of VA claims in Houston one of highest
© 2009 The Associated Press
June 27, 2009, 5:14PM

HOUSTON — Houston has one of the biggest backlogs and some of the longest waiting times in processing veterans' claims for disability benefits in the nation, according to the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Nearly 18,000 veterans are waiting for the Houston VA Regional Office to process their applications for disability benefits, the Houston Chronicle reported Saturday.

Also, 26 percent of those claims in Houston have been pending for more than half a year, compared to the national average of 21 percent.

Total claims in Houston, including nondisability compensations and pensions, add up to almost 24,000, with 24 percent pending over six months. That percentage is also higher than the national average.

The number of claims on appeal from Houston — 11,389 — is the highest in the country.

"The situation at VA's Houston office is among the worst in America," said Paul Sullivan, executive director of Veterans for Common Sense, a national advocacy group. "Our veterans and their families deserve better."
go here for more
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6500860.html

Some US soldiers forced to steal water in Iraq

This is just more of what's been going on in Iraq part of the country never paid attention to.

Some US soldiers forced to steal water in Iraq

Rations and problems trigger desperate measures to survive intense heat

11:17 AM CDT on Tuesday, May 12, 2009

By JEREMY ROGALSKI / KHOU-TV Defenders

HOUSTON -- Take Houston’s heat on a miserable summer day and add 40 degrees, making temperatures 130 or more.


Next, add an extra 100 pounds of life-protecting gear to your body: bulletproof vests, guns and ammunition.

And then imagine not having enough water around to drink.

Stories of short supplies have haunted the U.S. military throughout the war in Iraq—things like inadequate body armor or unshielded Hummers. But while many soldiers say they had good access to water and even Gatorade, the 11 News Defenders discovered that others, stationed all over the country and during all phases of this desert war, say something else was often missing.

“We were rationed two bottles of water a day,” said Army Staff Sgt. Dustin Robey, referring to 1 to 1.5 liter bottles.

And he said that wasn’t nearly enough.

“You’ll see guys throw up, you’ll see them pass out,” he said.

Robey said it started early on in the war, and that he and other soldiers are paying the price to this day. In 2003, he said soldiers were given what was the equivalent of only a half gallon of water to survive on a day—all while dodging bullets in the blistering heat.
go here for more
Some US soldiers forced to steal water in Iraq

Linked from ICasualties.org

Killing of Officer Abernethy followed call from suspect's ex-girlfriend

Allegations grow for suspect
Ex-girlfriend of man accused of killing officer filed abuse report before slaying, sources say — The revelation indicates why Mabry Landor might have run when Houston police officer Timothy Abernethy pulled him over for a minor traffic violation Sunday morning. Abernethy was killed shortly afterward.
By PEGGY O'HARE
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Dec. 10, 2008, 9:06PM
The man accused of ambushing and killing a Houston police officer had threatened his former girlfriend in the hours leading up to the bloodbath, prompting her to call the police for help.

The ex-girlfriend of Mabry Joseph Landor III had called Houston police to her apartment three hours before the officer was killed Sunday and filed a report alleging that Landor was harassing her, said sources close to the investigation who asked not to be identified.
click link above for more

“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.

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/

Man kills ex-wife's boyfriend, self in northwest Houston

Man kills ex-wife's boyfriend, self in northwest Houston
JENNIFER LEAHY and MIKE GLENN
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Nov. 7, 2008, 12:08AM
A Houston man on Thursday killed his ex-wife's boyfriend of two months, then fatally shot himself, police said.

The woman was shot in the hand.

Ildefonso Rodriguez-Saldana went to the home of Daniel Nava Eloisa in the 10300 block of Gladewood, police said.

Rodriguez-Saldana approached his ex-wife and Eloisa as they sat inside a silver Toyota parked in the driveway of the home, preparing to leave for work about 10:45 a.m., police said. He shot Eloisa several times, police said.

Eloisa died at the scene. Lilliana Del Carmen-Rodriguez was shot in the hand, likely trying to pull her 33-year-old boyfriend away from the gunfire, police said.

The estranged couple's 10-year-old son was with his father at the time of the shooting but did not witness it because he had fallen asleep in the car, said Sgt. John McGalin, with the Houston Police Department's homicide division.

Rodriguez-Saldana returned to his car after the shooting, drove around the block, and told his son to go to his mother, police said.

Rodriguez-Saldana then shot himself in the head. His car rolled several feet before striking a tree.
go here for more


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6098538.html

Army to investigate 5 recruiter suicides from Houston battalion

Army to investigate 5 recruiter suicides

The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Nov 7, 2008 6:31:42 EST

HOUSTON — The Army has appointed a brigadier general to investigate allegations of a cover-up among commanders of a recruiting battalion after a string of recruiter suicides, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said.

Five Army recruiters from the same Houston battalion have committed suicide since 2001, including two since August.

Cornyn, a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services who won his second six-year term Tuesday, last month called for an independent investigation in a letter to Secretary of the Army Pete Geren.

Geren responded in a two-page letter dated Nov. 3, writing that he shared Cornyn’s concern about the suicides and reports of “undue command influence within the Houston Recruiting Battalion investigations.” He pledged to work with the senator’s staff to provide answers “after we review and assess these issues,” the Houston Chronicle reported Friday for its online edition.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_recruitersuicides_110708/

Hurricane Ike problems go on long after storm gone

Storm over, but hunger, fear remain
Advocates push for food donations, day care support
By ALLAN TURNER
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Oct. 17, 2008, 11:14PM
Hurricane Ike was an ill wind for tens of thousands of Houston-area children, who, more than a month after the storm blasted the Texas coast, are still hungry, fearful and sometimes abused, a coalition of social service providers warned Thursday.

"Things are getting back to normal," said Bob Sanborn, president of Children of Risk. "The lights are back on and schools are open. ... But there are still problems, still needs. ... Children are still in poverty. They still have hardships."

The children's advocates gathered to call for support of the Houston Food Bank, which distributed 12 million pounds of food in the hurricane's wake, and area day care centers, many of which were damaged and have not reopened.
go here for more
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/6065373.html

Ike relief fund returns day care to Galveston
Many Ike victims still waiting for help from FEMA

PFC Hunter Levine needs to feel the love we have for him

Every once in a while I'll be forwarded an email that breaks my heart. This is one of them. Pfc. Hunter Levine needs to feel the love and support this country has for him. There are too many who do not know exactly how special they are to us. Here is a chance to do something for one of them. There are many in this country who want to send cards, letters, care packages, but have no idea who to send them to. If you know of any wounded soldier in need of some TLC, add the name and where to send it to on the comment section of this post or email me. We'll see what we can do.

I need your support! Please get a card or package to our wounded
brother that is up in the VA Hospital in palo Alto, CA. It is urgent that
he get love and support of his countrymen who care! Keep him and his family
in your prayers.
Thank you so much!
God Bless you!
Continue to pray for them that keep us safe!!



Subject: [modestobluestarmothers] Cards needed

Passing this all along as I just received...thanks in advance for any
cards & prayers -

____________ _________ _________ _________ ___
All-

I know a young man who is in desperate need of help. His name is
PFC Hunter Levine. He is 20 years old and hails from Houston, Tx.
He was in my company and was wounded on 9 May, 2008 while
conducting combat operations in East Baghdad. He recieved a very
serious injury to his face, resulting in the loss of his entire
bone structure, mouth, nose, and vision.

He was evacuated to Walter Reed Hospital where the Doctors
performed numeorus surgerys to repair his face. I was fortunate
enough to attend a Purple Heart Ceremony at Walter Reed while I
was home on leave in June. I was also able to meet with Hunter's
father Beau.

Hunter was transferred to a VA hospital in Palo Alto, where the
best care for his vison would be available. He is a true fighter
with a heart of gold. Unfortuntaly, I recieved some bad news from
the hospital doctors. Lately, he has been resisiting treatment
and being somewhat combative with the hospital staff. He has had
a few outbursts and the staff is real worried about him. It seems
like a serious case of depression is setting in. Although his
wounds on the outside may look bad, they may never compare with
the wounds he has on the inside.

I spoke with him on the phone this evening, and he seemed real
down. The reality is that he still has a long road to recover and
may never see again. This young man has everything to live for
and is a true inspiration. He is exactly the kind of person we
would all want in a brother, son, or friend. I feel obligated to
try and rally some support for him.

I know we have a lot of caring people out there who would love to
do something sepcial for an outstandig American who gave his all
for his country. If you know of any church groups, school room
classes, or other benevolent organizations that would be
interested in assiting this brave young man, please forward this
message on to them as well.

He is a pretty typical young man, so he likes sports and other
typical young men stuff. A small care package with some goodies
and such would mena the world. Again, please forward this message
to as many people as you know. It would be so great if we can all
give way togther and show Hunter that his country will never
forget his sacrifices or service. He is down and needs our help.
Thank you for your support...it means everything.

Address:

PFC Hunter N. Levine
C CO 2-30 IN
3801 Miranda Ave
Building 7D
Palo Alto, CA 94304



V/R,

1SG Brian M. Disque
C CO 2-30 IN
"Our Country, Not Ourselves!"

Gunman eludes SWAT officers in Houston

Gunman eludes SWAT officers
N. Houston school lockdown ends after fatal shooting —Houston police SWAT officers are seeking a heavyset gunman in camouflage who eluded them while three schools on the near north side were locked down because of a nearby fatal shooting.

Woman praises Florida man killed trying to save dogs

Woman praises Florida man killed trying to save dogs
By DANE SCHILLER Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Oct. 3, 2008, 4:05PM

The Houston owners of the three dogs that a Hurricane Ike relief worker from Florida died trying to save said today they feel horrible and are grateful to Robert "Bob" Emery.

Emery was killed the night of Sept. 27 as he tried to reach the three dogs, huddled on the East Freeway median, after one of them had apparently had its paw mangled by a passing car.

Emery, a 54-year-old loner and jack of all trades, was hit by a motorcycle before he could reach the dogs, which were later rescued by animal-control officers.

Speaking out for the first time, the dogs' owners said Friday that they were thankful that Emery tried to help.

"You just don't meet people with hearts like that," said the dogs' owner, whose name is Jackie. She spoke with the Houston Chronicle on the condition her last name not be published in order to protect her privacy.

Emery's death has rallied animal lovers, who have vowed that Emery won't be forgotten and won't be buried as a pauper, even if his family is never located.

He had been living alone in a trailer in Big Pine Key, an island off the southern edge of Florida, but was recently evicted for failing to pay rent.

He came to Texas as part of a crew of about a dozen men from Florida who had been through hurricanes in their own lives and wanted to help Texas out as well as make some money.
go here for more
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6038651.html

Houston soldiers' suicides prompt scrutiny

Houston soldiers' suicides prompt scrutiny
Response team to deploy here after deaths of 2 more recruiters
By LINDSAY WISE Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Sept. 26, 2008, 2:35AM

An alarming number of suicides among Houston-based Army recruiters — including two in recent weeks — has prompted calls by a senator and veterans' advocates for closer scrutiny of high-stress recruiting duty during wartime.

Staff Sgt. Larry G. Flores Jr., 26, and Sgt. 1st Class Patrick G. Henderson, 35, are the fourth and fifth recruiters at the Houston Recruiting Battalion to kill themselves since 2001. Both men belonged to the battalion's Tyler Company, and both were combat veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Clearly, there's a problem," said David Rudd, a former Army psychologist and psychology chair at Texas Tech University. "Somebody needs to look and see if there's a broader national problem outside of this one battalion. Is it a problem placing these combat veterans in recruiting positions?"

Following inquiries by the Houston Chronicle on the suicides, Texas Sen. John Cornyn sent a letter Thursday to the secretary of the Army, asking for a briefing on the ongoing investigation and on the policy of returning soldiers from combat and reassigning them to a recruiting office.

"I am very concerned about this apparent trend within the Houston-based recruiting battalion, and I believe the situation requires your leadership and oversight to ensure the proper actions are taken and safeguards put in place to protect our troops," Cornyn wrote.

Also on Thursday, U.S. Recruiting Command at Fort Knox in Kentucky announced that it is "deeply concerned" and will deploy a critical response team to the battalion.

RESOURCES FOR SOLDIERS, FAMILIES

• Veterans experiencing emotional and suicidal crisis, as well as their concerned family members or friends, have immediate access to emergency counseling services 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 800-273-TALK (8255).

• For information on suicide warning signs visit www.behavioralhealth.army.mil

• The Army's Battlemind Training System is a mental health awareness and education program that helps prepare soldiers and their families for the stresses of war and assists with the detection of possible mental health issues before and after deployment. Visit www.battlemind.org .

• Soldiers in crisis should talk to their chaplain, chain of command or a fellow soldier immediately. They may also call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-SUICIDE.

• Call the Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline at 800-984-8523or e-mail wsfsupport@conus.army.mil

Click post title for rest of the article.

Editor's Note,,,
I cannot under any circumstances recommend Battle Mind. This program's record is abysmal. Common sense demands they rethink this before it's too late for more. Had Battle Mind proven effective, the attempted suicide rate and successful suicide rate would have gone down instead of up.

Houston Astros, Carlos Lee, helps out after Hurricane Ike

Lee goes from slugger to rancher to helping hand
Astros outfielder pitches in for Hurricane Ike relief effort in two counties
By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Sept. 18, 2008, 7:34PM
As the ranching industry in Jefferson and Chambers counties deals with the devastation left by Hurricane Ike, Astros left fielder Carlos Lee has stepped up to donate hay and lend his name to shine a light on the struggles being faced by fellow cattlemen.

In Jefferson and Chambers counties, there are at least 20,000 cattle in need of hay, feed and water; they also need to be moved, so the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is working with the Texas Department of Agriculture on farm relief.

Lee, who has ranches in Boling and his native Panama, is donating hay and planning fundraisers for the affected cattlemen in Chambers and Jefferson counties.

"Right now hay's probably the main thing they need," said TSCRA president Dave Scott of Richmond. "Most of these cattle will have to leave this area. This area is devastated. The salt water has ruined over 85 percent of the range area, so it's ruined for at least a year."

Lee, currently on the disabled list with the Astros, learned of the relief effort while visiting his friends at the J.D. Hudgins Ranch in Hungerford on Thursday. He volunteered to donate hay when asked by Coleman Locke, the president of the ranch and a member of the cattle association's Board of Directors.
go here for more
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6009396.html