WWII Veteran Robbed Twice Just For Asking For Help

WWII veteran asked for help after getting lost. They stole his wallet. He asked another group for help and they stole his car. They did all this to a 93 year old veteran!

Why didn't his life matter or the fact that he was part of history matter at all? Any clue what the Tuskegee Airmen put up with yet still put their lives on the line during WWII?

The Tuskegee airmen were the first black servicemen to serve as military aviators in the U.S. armed forces, flying with distinction during World War II. Though subject to racial discrimination both at home and abroad, the 996 pilots and more than 15,000 ground personnel who served with the all-black units would be credited with some 15,500 combat sorties and earn over 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses for their achievements. The highly publicized successes of the Tuskegee Airmen helped pave the way for the eventual integration of the U.S. armed forces under President Harry Truman in 1948.

Tuskegee Airman, 93, carjacked after being robbed, stopping for help Sunday
KMOV News
By Stephanie Baumer, Online News Producer
August 18, 2015

Authorities are currently searching for the victim’s vehicle, a maroon 2012 Honda Accord Sedan with Missouri license plate AA2 K8R.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV.com) – A 93-year-old Tuskegee Airman was robbed and carjacked while attempting to visit his daughter Sunday.

Around 11 a.m., the man was driving to his daughter’s home and got lost. When he stopped at McPherson and Sarah to call her, a suspect got into his car, grabbed money from his pocket and left. The suspect then entered a black, older model four-door vehicle and drove away, police said.

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Illinois County VA Superintendent Veteran Locked Out For PTSD?

Advocate for veterans says PTSD caused manic episode 
Belleville News Democrat
BY ELIZABETH DONALD
July 18, 2015

“PTSD is not a mental disease, it is a neurochemical change brought on by the experiences of combat or stress,” he said. It is very common for people with PTSD not to even seek treatment due to its massive misunderstandings, he said — “being good soldiers, they keep their mouths shut.” Dr. Jay Liss

A Madison County veterans’ advocate has been locked out of his office after a mental break related to post-traumatic stress disorder, and he is suing the county for permission to return to work, with the backing of the commission that hired him.

Bradley Lavite is the superintendent of the Madison County Veterans Assistance Commission, which operates a number of veterans’ services out of the Madison County Administration Building. Lavite is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves and an adjunct professor of military science with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Reserve Officer Training Corps. Library of Congress records indicate Lavite served in Kuwait, Fallujah and Baghdad, achieving the rank of captain as platoon leader and convoy commander. Through his service, he has been decorated with the Combat Action Badge, two National Defense Service medals and the Bronze Star, among others. He became superintendent of the VAC in 2009, and was named veteran of the month by the state of Illinois in 2012.

But Lavite has had problems, which his attorney said are attributed to post-traumatic stress disorder relating to his service. In early March, his wife applied for a temporary restraining order, though later she asked a judge to let the order expire. In that application, Sherry Lavite wrote that her husband now had been properly diagnosed and medicated, which had not always been the case since returning from service overseas.

“America doesn’t understand combat in general,” he said. “They’re used to going to the movies, seeing horrible things...and think they’re a veteran themselves, because they’re used to turning it off and going for pizza.” read more here

Sailor's Death in Abu Dhabi Under Investigation

Sailor from Illinois dies overseas 
WGN News
BY TOM NEGOVAN
MAY 22, 2015

ABU DHABI– A sailor from Illinois has died overseas, according to the Department of Defense.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan D. Burris, 24, of Lisle, died May 21, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, of a non-combat related incident at Zayed Military City as he was helping to support Operation Inherent Resolve—that is the fight against ISIS.

He was temporarily assigned to the Crisis Response Element of Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula, Special Operations Command Central, U.S. Central Command, according to the Department of Defense. read more here

Restaurant Makes Amends After PTSD Veteran Turned Away

Restaurant manager fired after veteran, dog turned away
WGNO News
BY ANTHONY PERRUCCI
MAY 26, 2015

Hershey the Labradoodle was turned away from a restaurant in Illinois. (WGN)

ALGONQUIN, Ill. (WGN)— An Illinois veteran’s trip to a restaurant over the weekend caused an uproar and cost a restaurant manager her job.

Garrett Loughran of Huntley has served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. And like a lot of veterans, Garrett uses a service dog to help with his PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder.

Hershey, a 5-year-old Labradoodle, helps keep him calm in crowds and adjust to civilian life. He’s no ordinary canine. In fact, he’s specially trained for this. By law, he’s allowed to go where Garrett does.

But Garrett’s mom wanted to take him to a pre-Memorial Day lunch at the Houlihan’s in nearby Algonquin. And that’s when things got a little touchy. The veteran, his mom and his dog were turned away.

Houlihan’s says the manager involved in turning Laura, Garrett and Hershey away has been fired and it’s donating $2,000 dollars to the organization Pets for Vets.
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Students Sent to Detention Defending Flag Against Teacher

Teacher Accused of Stomping on American Flag in Front of Students
May 21, 2015
As seen on Fox and Friends

An Illinois town is in an uproar after a teacher allegedly stomped on a flag in front of his students.

Two parents of children at Martinsville High School were on “Fox and Friends” this morning to discuss the ordeal.

Gina Gibson said that the unnamed teacher was using the American flag as a pointer in the classroom, even though students objected to the flag being used in that manner.

She said the students cautioned the teacher not to let Old Glory touch the floor, and that’s when he stomped on the flag, telling his students that it was his right to do so.

Gibson said that some students – her son included – were sent to the office to be given detention for refusing to lift their heads off of their desks following the teacher's actions.
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Parents Want Answers After PTSD Veteran Shot By Police

Southern Illinois parents seek answers in fatal Texas police shooting of their veteran son
The Southern Illinoisan
BIANCA MONTES VICTORIA ADVOCATE
May 14, 2015

VICTORIA, TEXAS — The Southern Illinois parents of a 25-year-old veteran fatally shot by police officers at his home this past month in southeast Texas want answers. Answers they say Victoria, Texas, police officials have been reluctant to offer.

Brandon Lawrence, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, is from Southern Illinois, and his parents and siblings reside in Murphysboro and De Soto, according to his obituary.

On Saturday, April 25, officers responded to a disturbance call in Victoria, Texas. At the scene, one of the officers observed a man inside his own residence holding a 23-inch machete.

Police Chief J.J. Craig said at a news conference the next day that officers ordered the suspect, Lawrence, out of his residence. He said they also ordered him more than 30 times to drop his weapon.

Lawrence didn't comply and was fatally shot outside his home, Craig said.
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original report
Afghanistan Veteran Killed By Police in Texas

Sgt. Daniel Nerstrom's Life Remembered

Libertyville soldier's funeral brings remembrance, awareness 
Pioneer Press
By Rick Kambic
March 21, 2015

Girlfriend Amanda Tiffany, left, and her son Austin are comforted as Kim Nerstrom, far right, is comforted by a member of the Patriot Guard after the funeral for Nerstrom's son, Army veteran Daniel Nerstrom, in Libertyville on Saturday, March 21, 2015. (Anthony Souffle, Chicago Tribune)

Sgt. Daniel Nerstrom was knocked unconscious by bombs eight times during his 12-month deployment in Iraq from 2005 to 2006.

Suffering from relentless migraines and the memories of losing 44 colleagues, Nerstrom committed suicide at some point after his Dec. 1 disappearance. 

More than 100 friends, family and complete strangers attended Nerstrom's funeral Saturday in north suburban Libertyville, about a week after police found his body.

Nerstrom, 31, was remembered as an enthusiast of Lego blocks and as a recreational welder. He also was credited with being a devout family man.

While deployed as a scout with the Army's Third Armored Regiment, Nerstrom was able to get home for a few days and donate stem cells to help his father, Douglas, beat cancer. 

Serving his country was a dream, according to Nerstrom's mother, Kim. She asked him to go to college first, but caved after one year and gave her blessing. She said he watched the news with a burning passion, and she couldn't deny him any longer.

Nerstrom was given a medical discharge from the Army in January 2009. He had been stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo., during the years after his tour in Iraq.

In her eulogy, the Rev. Janet Lee Kraft said Nerstrom struggled with his post-war injuries for years before he disappeared.

She said he turned to alcohol for a while but quit when a counselor prescribed animal therapy. 

"Daniel deserved better," Kim Nerstrom said.

"This shouldn't have happened. He loved his country. His country shouldn't let things like this happen."

Police found Nerstrom's body around 10 a.m. March 13 along the Metra tracks east of downtown Libertyville after a train passenger noticed something unusual outside his window. 
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Have You Seen Dan?

Parents from Illinois are in Kansas searching for their adult son. May not make sense to you but it makes sense to them. Dan is an Iraq veteran with PTSD. He may have become one of those homeless people you see everyday walking the streets because combat tagged along and the VA didn't help.

Family searches for missing veteran in Wichita
KWCH News
Hannah Davis
Feb 12, 2015

Family searching for missing veteran

WICHITA, Kan. - Kim Nerstrom came to Wichita for the first time Thursday morning.

She and her husband are here from Illinois to find their son.

"I still can't believe he's gone," Nerstrom said.

Her son's name is Dan and he's been missing since December 2014.

Nerstrom says the Iraq veteran struggled with severe PTSD after returning from war.

"He went to the VA for help and they just wanted to mute everything with drugs. He wasn't getting better and he was afraid he'd hurt us. He left because he loves us," Nerstrom says.

She and her husband will spend the weekend driving Wichita's streets looking for their son who they believe is homeless in the Wichita area. read more here

Orlando Rocked for Cpl. Adam Devine

Adam's road to recovery has not ended yet and has had over 60 surgeries so far. Cpl. Adam Devine's facebook page.

Join Elbows for Adam This is a page for Adam. Please use this page to send well wishes and comments for Adam, Michelle, and Amya as they proceed down the road of recovery!!!

Adam Devine, Dixon IL had a longtime dream to serve his country as a United States Marine! He completed this goal and then some! We all love you Adam!

Adam played hockey as a kid, loved football and track - throwing. He worked hard at all he did. Striving to be the best he can be - always. He did well in sports in high school. Playing on the varsity football team during the 2007 run to the Elite Eight, Adam was a key member of the team. He competed in 2007 and 2008 Illinois State High School Track and Field in Shot Put. He applied to Augustana College in Moline, IL and was accepted for the 2008-09 year, paying football for the Vikings. However, college was not his dream - the Marine Corps was...so Adam worked very hard to meet the standards required and surpassed those qualifications.

Along the way to meeting those high standards of the USMC, Adam met a beautiful young lady named Michelle. It didn't take a whole lot and they fell in love! Adam and Michelle were married in January 2010, after Adam graduated from boot camp. In late May, a gorgeous little bundle of joy, Amya, joined the family. She is the apple of her daddy's eye!

Adam serves in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, based in Twentynine Palms, Calif. and has been a machine gunner with the Marines since April.

On Wednesday, December 28, about 12:30 p.m. in Afghanistan, or about 2 a.m. Central time, Adam was wounded in action by an improvised explosive device (IED). He was hospitalized at Bastion Role III Medical Treatment facility in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, transferred to another facility, in the Middle East, then transferred to base in Germany and soon will be treated at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, MD.

Adam is in stable condition, however seriously injured. He has suffered lower extremity amputations, however...those of us that know him, know that this will never stop him!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting this fabulous family at the 3rd Annual Orlando Rocks Fundraiser. This Marine and his family have been through terrible times, lots of trials and tribulations but side by side, they managed to do the nearly impossible for most people.

It was easy to tell when there is this much love, nothing can stop them!

Here are some pictures of the event and the video will go up later today so check back. There was also a news station out there interviewing Adam and I'm checking right now to find the report.s

UPDATE Here is the first video
Cpl. Devine got a call from Graceland! The nurse of Elvis Presley, Marion Justice Cocke spoke with Adam.

Mr. Postman got the crowd on their feet!


Orlando Rocks and Rolls
Orlando Rocks Patriotism Lives

Police need help finding missing Iraq Veteran with PTSD from Libertyville

Police search for missing vet from Libertyville
FOX 32 News
By Tisha Lewis, Reporter
Posted: Dec 12, 2014

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News)
A desperate search is underway for a suburban man and Iraq war veteran.

Police are very concerned about 30-year-old Daniel Nerstrom. Nerstrom's car is not with him and his handgun is missing. He's believed to have left his Libertyville home on foot.

Police say he's not a danger to anyone else, but he might be to himself.

"Just come home, I need you Dan. I will come to you," said Kim Nerstrom, Daniel's mother.

Fighting through tears, Nerstrom's mother made an emotional plea for her son's safe return. It's been 11 days since the army veteran was last seen. Police said Nerstrom walked out of his Libertyville home shortly after sunset on Monday, December 1st.

"We need our boy home," said Kim.

"We just need to get some word that he's ok and we'll go from there," said Douglas Nerstrom, Daniel's father.

Nerstrom's parents said the Iraqi war veteran was battling post traumatic stress disorder and sought help on several occasions.

"He's always gone to the VA and it just seemed like it never got any better, if anything it was on the slow decline," said Douglas.
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Naval Recruit Andrew Adams Died After Training

Naval recruit dies one day after completing training
"Recruit Andrew Adams, 20 years old, of Sarasota, Fla passed out and hit his head," said Lt. Matt Comer, spokesman for Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes.
UPI
By Danielle Haynes
Dec. 3, 2014

Naval recruit Andrew Adams.
Photo courtesy the U.S. Navy.

GREAT LAKES, Ill., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy is investigating the death of a 20-year-old recruit who died Monday one day after completing his training.

Andrew Adams was undergoing training at Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes at the time of his death.

"Recruit Andrew Adams, 20 years old, of Sarasota, Fla passed out and hit his head," said Lt. Matt Comer, spokesman for Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes. "His recruit division commander responded with first aid until medical personnel could arrive, but neither could not revive the recruit."
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Rep. Duckworth Announces Birth of Baby Girl

Rep. Duckworth Announces Birth of Baby Girl
Abigail O'kalani Bowlsbey was born Tuesday, Nov. 18, U.S. Rep says
NBC Chicago
November 20, 2014

U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth and her husband announced Thursday the birth of their new daughter two days earlier.

The couple, who publicly announced the pregnancy in September, named the newborn Abigail O'kalani Bowlsbey.

"We are grateful for the love and support of our family and friends. We also appreciate the respect for our privacy during this important moment in our lives," Duckworth said in a statement.
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Vietnam War-era Marine who fought for veterans' rights passed away

Lane Evans Legislator, veteran, 63
Philly.com
November 10, 2014

Former Illinois Rep. Lane Evans, 63, a Vietnam War-era Marine who fought for veterans' rights during his 24 years in the U.S. House, died Wednesday in East Moline, Ill., after a long fight with Parkinson's disease.

"In the early days of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Lane was one of the first members of Congress to take on issues like PTSD and TBI," said Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America CEO Paul Rieckhoff, referring to stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. "He helped put our issues on the map."

Mr. Evans joined the Marines at age 17 and had orders for Vietnam. But he served in Okinawa, Japan, as a security guard because his older brother was already deployed in the war.
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Veteran Pays Bill for Soldiers In Illinois

In Two Separate Cases, Veterans Perform Random Acts of Kindness at Store
ABC News
By JOHN FISCHER
Nov 7, 2014

PHOTO: An anonymous man bought up to $70 in snacks for a group of 15-20
soldiers at Huck's Convenient Store in Swansea, Illinois.

A convenience store in Swansea, Illinois, was the scene of not one but two random acts of kindness by anonymous veterans.

Tim Lillis, the manager of Huck’s Convenience Store, said it all started yesterday when a Navy veteran was purchasing a cup of coffee as a group of 15 to 20 soldiers lined up behind him to pay for their items. The man bought his coffee then moved to the side and asked the cashier to add whatever the soldiers bought to his tab. The final bill came to $69.88 in hot dogs, drinks, nuts and snack foods, according to Lillis.

Lillis said he asked the man to pose for a picture but he politely declined, saying "it was just something I wanted to do," before turning and leaving the store.

"I think he should get a medal," Lillis told ABC News. "It was an awesome thing."
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VA Clinic Still Short Staff in Illinois

Springfield VA clinic grapples with short staffing
The Associated Press
October 21, 2014

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. — The overseer of federal outpatient clinics for veterans in central Illinois said sudden short staffing at the Springfield site is posing "unprecedented" challenges in meeting patient demands as the nation's Veterans Affairs system faces questions about long wait times in delivering care.

Dr. Dexter Hazlewood, chief of the VA Illiana Health Care System's outpatient clinics, said two doctors have left the Springfield clinic over the summer, putting that site "in a very, very challenged position" at a time when it has the same or greater patient demand.

But Hazlewood told The (Springfield) State Journal-Register (http://bit.ly/1sLfTbD ) that he does not believe any patient conditions have worsened because of the vacancies and related delays in appointments. Hazelwood said that while the recent staffing shortage has drawn complaints from some of the clinic's 5,000 to 6,000 patients, most of them appear understanding of the situation.

"A shortage of this extent is unusual and not anything anticipated," he said. "We practice what we call 'veteran-centric' care. The veteran is at the center of what we do. The vast majority of veterans are very pleased with their care."

U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, a Peoria Republican whose district includes part of the Springfield area, is working with five to 10 veterans upset with access and quality-of-care issues related to the Springfield VA site.

"We have a concerning number of open cases involving the Springfield clinic," and the veterans' concerns have been conveyed to VA officials, said Benjamin Cole, a senior adviser to Schock.
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Chicago: WOUNDED POLICE CAPTAIN EXPECTED TO SURVIVE

1 DEAD, 1 IN CUSTODY AFTER ENGLEWOOD STANDOFF; WOUNDED POLICE CAPTAIN EXPECTED TO SURVIVE
ABC CHICAGO 7 NEWS
By Eric Horng and Paul Meincke
Wednesday, October 08, 2014

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A six-hour standoff in the 7200-block of South Lowe Avenue left Captain Ed Kulbida wounded, one suspect dead and one suspect in custody.

The standoff ended just before midnight. Police found one person dead and apprehended another suspect upon entering the apartment building.

"They used a flash bang and there was still no response. At that point it was time to make entry. They did it in a progressive fashion. I was listening to it the whole time. They did it perfectly. They did a really outstanding job," Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said.

Police have not said how the standoff ended or how one suspect, Daniel Jackson, 42, died. Daniel Brown, 42, the other suspect involved in the standoff, has also not been charged.

The standoff began around 6 p.m. Tuesday when Chicago police and U.S. marshals were serving a murder warrant for Brown in the city's Englewood neighborhood.
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Young soldier killed in Afghanistan, forever part of Illinois community

MOKENA NAMES STREET FOR FALLEN SOLDIER AARON TOPPEN
ABC 7 News
August 30, 2014

(Courtesy John Downs, Mokena village administrator)

MOKENA, Ill. (WLS) -- Residents gathered for a ceremony Saturday to officially re-name a portion of a Mokena road for fallen soldier Aaron Toppen.

Mokena and Frankfort townships re-named part of Townline Road "PFC Aaron Toppen Memorial Drive," which leads to the Toppen family's home.

Toppen was one of four service members killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan on June 9. He was 19.
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AARON TOPPEN, MOKENA SOLDIER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN, LAID TO REST
Senior Pastor Dr. Tim Harlow said the young soldier died doing what he wanted to do.

"He had a tattoo on his chest that had a cross with dog tags draped across. It says, 'For those I love, I sacrifice,' an army motto. The dog tags were both his grandparents' dog tags," Harlow said. "I mean, that's who he was."

DOD releases names of 5 soldiers killed in Afghanistan

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No: NR-316-14
June 14, 2014
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died June 9, in Gaza Village, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered while engaged in a combat operation. The incident is under investigation.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Scott R. Studenmund, 24, of Pasadena, California;

Staff Sgt. Jason A. McDonald, 28, of Butler, Georgia;

Spc. Justin R. Helton, 25, of Beaver, Ohio;

Cpl. Justin R. Clouse, 22, of Sprague, Washington;

Pvt. 2nd Class Aaron S. Toppen, 19, of Mokena, Illinois.

Staff Sgt. Studenmund and Staff Sgt. McDonald were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Spc. Helton was assigned to the 18th Ordnance Company, 192nd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Cpl. Clouse and Pvt. 2nd Class Toppen were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Fort Hood Soldier Died in Kosovo

Fort Hood soldier, 32, from Illinois dies in noncombat-related incident in Kosovo
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
May 13, 2014

FORT HOOD, Texas — A 32-year-old Fort Hood soldier has died of injuries suffered last week in a noncombat-related incident in Kosovo.

Fort Hood officials on Tuesday announced the death of Staff Sgt. Heidi Lynn Ruh of Barrington, Illinois. She died at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo following an incident May 9. No other details were available Tuesday. The matter is under investigation by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.

Ruh joined the military in January 2003 as a biomedical equipment specialist and was assigned to the 1st Medical Brigade at Fort Hood. She was attached to Kosovo Force's Multinational Battle Group-East.
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Soldier from Florida among dead at Fort Hood

Three soldiers slain at Fort Hood identified
CNN
By Ralph Ellis
updated 3:20 PM EDT, Fri April 4, 2014

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Sgt. Danny Ferguson came from Mulberry, Florida

Sgt. Carlos A. Lazaney was from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Sgt. Timothy Owens grew up in Effingham, Illinois

Sixteen others wounded in the shooting rampage

CNN) -- The three soldiers killed Wednesday at Fort Hood, Texas, came from different places. Two grew up in small towns, and one came from a seaside city in Puerto Rico. They all died in a shooting rampage that also left 16 others wounded.

Sgt. Danny Ferguson
Ferguson was killed trying to hold a door shut to stop the shooter, his fiancée, Kristen Haley, told CNN affiliate WTSP-TV in Tampa, Florida.

"He held that door shut because it wouldn't lock. It seems the doors would be bullet proof, but apparently they're not," Haley told the station. "If he wasn't the one standing there holding those doors closed, that shooter would have been able to get through and shoot everyone else."

Haley, also a soldier, said Ferguson was a native of Mulberry, Florida, and an outstanding athlete at Mulberry High, where he graduated in 1993. The small town is about 30 miles east of Tampa.

He'd just returned from Afghanistan, she said.

"This was his life. He was proud to be part of a great service," Haley told WTSP.

CNN also spoke to Ferguson's parents in the Tampa Bay area. They declined to comment.
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