Showing posts with label Kansas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kansas. Show all posts

Sunday, September 18, 2016

1st Lt. Katie Blanchard Set on Fire, Third and Fourth Degree Burns

Crowdfunding quickly raises $44,000 for soldier recovering from brutal hospital attack
Army Times
September 17, 2016
Blanchard has three children under the age of five that she raises with her husband, also a soldier in the Army.
A crowdfunding effort quickly raised tens of thousands of dollars for a hospitalized lieutenant set on fire in suffering severe burns. A civilian subordinate is accused of attacking the officer on Sept. 7 at Munson Army Health Center in Kansas.
The GoFundMe page for 1st Lt. Katie Blanchard, 26, has raised nearly $44,000 since Monday. The page said her injuries included “severe burns to her head, neck, back, arms and hands — mostly third and fourth degree,” and that she would be in the hospital or rehab for most of the next year.

An update to the page late Wednesday said she had undergone successful skin graft surgery Monday, and that Tuesday Blanchard spoke for the first time since she was injured. The update also said the family closed the campaign to donations because it had raised more than enough money for its current needs; excess money will be donated to charity.
read more here

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Vietnam Veteran Shocked to Receive Purple Heart After 50 Year Wait

After nearly 50 years of waiting, T-Bones help surprise metro Vietnam veteran with Purple Heart
FOX4KC
BY MEGAN BRILLEY
AUGUST 20, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- A metro Vietnam veteran has been waiting nearly 50 years for his Purple Heart.

Milton Shelley served in Vietnam in the 60s and was injured while serving. The veteran gave up hope, but Saturday night he got the surprise of a lifetime while at a T-Bones game.

Milton Shelley waited in a line of military veterans. Then he stepped up to the mound and threw the first pitch of the game.

Shelley thought his job was done and started to walk back to his seat, when he was told to stand on home plate.

The announcer began to tell him he wasn't just there to throw the first pitch.

Milton served in Vietnam in the 60s, he was shot and injured. For nearly 50 years, Milton wondered why he didn't get a Purple Heart.


"I never thought I'd get it," Shelley said. "I tried several times. Mailing stuff in."
read more here

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Kansas National Guardsman--Police Officer Killed in Drive-By

Kansas City Police Officer Killed After Drive-By Shooting
NBC News
Erik Ortiz
July 20, 2016

A police officer in Kansas City, Kansas, was killed Tuesday afternoon after pursuing suspects wanted in a drive-by shooting, authorities said.

Kansas City, Kansas, police captain Robert David Melton has died following a shooting, July 19. KSHB
Kansas City, Kansas, police Capt. Robert Melton was pronounced dead at the hospital. Police said two people are in custody and they are not looking for any other suspects, NBC affiliate KSHB reported.

"There's a lot of pain and brokenness in our community and nation right now," Kansas City Mayor Mark Holland said at a news conference, pleading with residents to "not go down a path" of fear and hatred.

Melton's death is the latest to rock the law enforcement community in the city of 467,000 people after KCK Police Detective Brad Lancaster was killed in May.

Melton, 46, was a 17-year law enforcement veteran, served in the Kansas National Guard and was known for consistently wearing a bullet-proof vest — something he regularly reminded his colleagues to do as well, officials said.

Police Chief Terry Zeigler said details of Melton's shooting would be made public at a news conference Wednesday morning.

The fatal chain of events began when a person called 911 at around 1:30 p.m. CT (2:30 p.m. ET) to say multiple people were firing at them from a car, reported NBC affiliate KSHB.
read more here

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Veterans Face Sexual Predator At Leavenworth VA

If he did this at the VA, did he also do it as an Army Major?
Veterans say they returned home from battlefield only to face new foe at Leavenworth VA
FOX 4 News
John Holt
JULY 11, 2016

"We went through so much ourselves overseas... I mean day in and day out nonsense. To come back to this, for real. Is this a real thing happening to all of us right now?" Purple Heart Veteran Jake
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. -- He was a decorated Army officer.

They are Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, who all came home with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and in some cases, physical wounds. The men turned to the Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth for treatment when their paths crossed with Mark Wisner.

Now, the retired Major and former physician assistant at the Leavenworth VA is charged with aggravated sexual battery in Leavenworth County. Prosecutors filed that charge in June, the second sex abuse case filed in Leavenworth County involving veterans treated at the VA. Wisner also faces two misdemeanor counts.

On top of that he faces at least eight federal lawsuits by veterans who allege he sexually abused them, the most recent filed on July 11, 2016. And more lawsuits are expected, with pending Federal Tort Claims filed by other veterans.

"He went in there, we trusted him, he says 'hey, I'm also a doctor," said Steve, a staff sergeant at Fort Leavenworth.

And that's the similar story of other veterans, who for the first time are sharing their stories and experiences with Wisner. They all allege they were lured into trusting him by easy access to him and prescriptions, and by the fact he was prior service and claimed to know what they were up against.
read more here

Monday, July 4, 2016

Double Amputee Marine Gets Triple Wheels

Amputee veteran receives custom motorcycle
KAKE News
Posted: Jun 30, 2016


WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - A Marine who was injured five years ago in Iraq received a three-wheeled wish Thursday, thanks to some big-hearted people in Wichita.
A special motorcycle was the work of Allan "Big Al" Gaihter of Riverside H-D Customs. He's considered one of the best custom bike builders around, but his latest menacing-looking three-wheeler was one of a kind.

"We dropped this frame four inches, and built the entire back by hand," Gaihter explained. "This is actually the first trike that I got to do, a pretty radical custom. It was a fun build."

But just as unique as the bike is its brand new owner. Matt Amos is a Marine veteran who did two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. But it was that visit to Afghanistan that was life-changing.

"In 2011, I ended up stepping on an improvised explosive device and became a double amputee," Amos explained.
read more here

Monday, May 23, 2016

Body Found In River Was Missing Veteran Somebody Loved

Body found on west bank of Animas River identified
Durango Herald
By Jonathan Romeo Herald staff writer
May 22, 2016

“We don’t want him to be another nameless face found in Colorado that nobody knew,” Jack Shaw said. “He was somebody.”


Courtesy of the Shaw family
The family of Randy Shaw, whose body was identified Sunday after it was discovered Saturday along the Animas River in Durango, is desperately trying to track down his dog, Johlene. The dog is a brown and white pit bull mix.

The body of a 40-year old man discovered Saturday afternoon along the west bank of the Animas River near West Park Avenue has been identified as Kansas native Randy Shaw.

“We all knew this phone call was coming,” said Shaw’s brother, Jack. “We were just glad he was found and not off the mountain somewhere and never heard from again.

“We’re all torn up about it. But at the same time he’s not suffering anymore.”

Around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, a worker spotted Shaw’s body behind a West Park Avenue home, downstream from the Main Avenue bridge. The body was in a sleeping bag, covered in brush near the river’s edge.
read more here

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Kansas veteran on cemetery rule: ‘I said this is bull-crap’

Kansas veteran on cemetery rule: ‘I said this is bull-crap’
KSN News
By Emily Younger
Published: May 13, 2016


“We have got to stick up for these guys. They fought for this country, so I am going to fight for them as much as possible.” Jim Hall
AUGUSTA, Kan. (KSNW) – A group of Kansas veterans are fighting to get a city ordinance passed after they say Augusta city officials told them to get rid of their veteran markers at the local cemetery. However, the city said it was all a big misunderstanding.

John Cox is a Vietnam veteran. To this day, he continues to serve.

“I honor the veterans by putting a flag on their grave every year,” said John Cox.

Along with a flag, Cox and fellow veteran Jim Hall, place a memorial marker on the graves.

“It means they served their country with honor,” said Vietnam veteran Jim Hall.

The two said they got a letter in the mail from the City of Augusta saying loose items like flowers, stuffed animals and angels surrounding grave sites were no longer going to be allowed at the cemetery.
read more here

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Raymond Schwab ends 17-day hunger strike

With Los Angeles-based lawyer in town, Raymond Schwab ends 17-day hunger strike
Suit seeks injunction against Kansas Department for Children and Families
Topeka Capital Journal

By Phil Anderson
Posted: March 30, 2016

In what has become a public battle against DCF, Schwab, a military veteran, contends his children were removed by authorities and placed in foster care because of his use of medical marijuana to treat chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. He and his wife, Amelia, live in Colorado, where his marijuana use is legal.

With a lawsuit written by a Los Angeles-based lawyer ready to be filed at U.S. District Court in Topeka, Raymond Schwab was finally ready Wednesday afternoon to end a 17-day hunger strike.

As he stood at 12:15 p.m. on the steps of the Statehouse, a beaming Schwab proclaimed, “Now I can eat! Maybe we can figure out how to get a barbecue up here.”

A few minutes earlier, Schwab spoke at a news conference attended by about 35 supporters to provide an update on his appeal to regain custody of five of his six children, who in 2015 were removed from his custody by the Kansas Department for Children and Families.

read more here

Friday, March 25, 2016

Gulf War Veteran With PTSD Arrested Trying To Get Kids Back

Capitol Police arrest man holding hunger strike at Statehouse 
WIBW 13 News 
By Melissa Brunner 
Mar 24, 2016
When he launched his hunger strike March 14, Schwab said DCF used unsubstantiated allegations to take his and his wife Amelia's five children out of the home. The couple also believes Schwab's use of marijuana for treatment of pain and post-traumatic stress disorder is a factor. Schwab is a Gulf War veteran and the couple lives in Colorado, where use of medical cannabis is legal.
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Day 11 of Raymond Schwab's hunger strike against the Kansas Department of Children and Families ended in handcuffs and a trip to the hospital.

Capitol Police arrested Schwab around 1 p.m. Thursday, as he prepared to begin a round-the-clock campout on the north steps of the Statehouse. As Schwab set up a chair, a Capitol Police officer approached and informed Schwab there was a warrant for his arrest. Schwab said he was weak and the officer allowed him to sit for a few moments before then placing him in handcuffs, walking him down the stairs and ushering him into a law enforcement vehicle.
read more here

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Kansas Veteran Get Second Chance to Heal From Court

Kansas' First Veterans Treatment Court Convenes In Johnson County 
KCUR News
By KYLE J SMITH
March 4, 2016

“This is not the easy path out. The person is supervised in some instances more heavily than they would be if they were on probation.” Dion Sankar with Jackson County's veteran court

The first Veterans Treatment Court is now in session in

Johnson County giving veterans options other than incarceration.
WIKIPEDIA -- CREATIVE COMMONS
Kansas’ first Veterans Treatment Court went into session in the Johnson County Courthouse on January 13, making the state the 41st in the nation to start such a program.

The court provides veteran offenders a diversion track through the Johnson County District Attorney’s office and a probation track offered through Johnson County District Court Services. They also link veterans with programs, benefits and services for which they are eligible.

Court officials pay special attention to conditions that may have risen as a result of active military service, including post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, depression, and substance abuse.

The Veteran’s Treatment Court was spearheaded by Judge Timothy McCarthy of the 10th Judicial District of Kansas. In order for a veteran to be eligible for the court, their felony must be a level 4 or lower.
read more here

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Air Force Major Died in Qatar

US Air Force officer dead in non-combat incident in Qatar 
The Gazette
Published: January 18, 2016
SAN ANTONIO (AP) —

A U.S. Air Force officer from Kansas has died in a non-combat related incident while serving in Qatar (GUH'-tur).

The Department of Defense says 42-year-old Maj. John D. Gerrie died Saturday in Al Udeid Air Base.

The cause of death was not immediately released. DOD says Gerrie was supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

He was assigned to 453rd Electronic Warfare Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Gerrie is a native of Nickerson, Kansas. get updates here

Friday, January 15, 2016

PTSD Veteran Lost Kids Over Medical Marijuana

Disabled Navy veteran’s children taken away because he treats his PTSD with legal marijuana
Free Thought Project
William N. Grigg
15 JAN 2016

Disabled Navy veteran Raymond Schwab moved to Colorado last year to free himself from addictions that grew out of the pharmaceuticals prescribed by the VA to treat his service-related physical and psychological injuries.

As Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access points out, medical cannabis is an effective treatment for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where other drugs fail. Veterans are successfully treating themselves despite the federal government’s prohibition.

Because Schwab is legally using medicinal cannabis in Colorado, officials in prohibitionist Kansas have abducted five of his children, ranging from 5 to 16 years of age.

The ransom demanded by the Kansas “child protection” bureaucracy is a promise that Schwab will refrain from using cannabis, and four months of “clean” urinalysis test results.

“They’re basically using my kids as a pawn to take away freedoms I fought for,” Schwab explained to the Denver Post. “It’s a horrible position to put me in.”
read more here

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Soldier from Florida Among Dead After Blackhawk Crash

Fort Hood releases names of soldiers killed in Blackhawk crash
WFAA 8 ABC News
November 27, 2015
FORT HOOD — The names of the four Soldiers killed in a UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter crash on Nov. 23 have been released after next-of-kin notification. The crash occurred sometime after 5:49 p.m. in the northeast portion of the Fort Hood training area. All four crew members were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 291st Aviation Regiment, First Army Division West. The aircraft, assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment was on a routine training mission.

The Fallen Warriors are: 
Sgt. 1st Class Toby A. Childers, 40, a Hays, Kansas native
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen B. Cooley, 40, a Cantonment, Florida native
Sgt.1st Class Jason M. Smith, 35, a Destrehan, Louisiana native
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael F. Tharp, 40, a Katy, Texas native.
read more here


UPDATE report on each soldier. Fort Hood Crash Victims Were Veterans Of Wars In Afghanistan, Iraq
Sgt. 1st Class Toby A. Childers
(Enhanced photo courtesy of Fort Hood Visual Information Services)

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen B. Cooley
(Enhanced photo courtesy of Fort Hood Visual Information Services)

Sgt. 1st Class Jason M. Smith and his wife, Trisha M. Smith
(Photo courtesy of the Smith family)

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael F. Tharp
(Enhanced photo courtesy of Fort Hood Visual Information Services)

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Homeless Veteran Returned Found Lost Wallet and Found Respect

Homeless veteran receives bike in recognition of his integrity
Turned in found wallet with hundreds in cash
Topeka Capital Journal
Katie Moore
Posted: October 30, 2015

A homeless veteran whose “integrity stood out” was recognized with a special gift in a presentation Friday afternoon at the Colmery-O’Neil Veterans Administration Center.

KATIE MOORE/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
VA police chief Sparky Edwards presents veteran Ron
Trusheim with a bike, a lock and a pair of gloves.
In May, Ron Trusheim, affectionately known as “Bicycle Ron,” happened to see a wallet on the grounds of the VA. Without hesitation, he turned it in to VA police.

“I just did what you’re supposed to do,” Trusheim said.

The wallet contained nearly $400. It was returned to its owner, a female veteran who had dropped it from her wheelchair.

“Your integrity stood out,” VA police chief Sparky Edwards told Trusheim during the presentation.
read more here

Monday, September 14, 2015

Only Survivor of Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan Tries to Heal in Kansas

The loneliest war: The sole survivor of a crash in Afghanistan battles to regain his life
Fulton Post News
September 14, 2105
Grenades and small bombs exploded in the living room.Automatic weapons fire echoed off the walls

Pfc. Jayson Morton was the sole survivor of the crash of Arrowsmith 35, an Army helicopter attacked in Afghanistan. His survival was called a blessing, and he wanted to believe it.

At home in Kansas with his wife and children, he told everyone he was doing fine. He believed he could tame his grief and rage. He never imagined he had more to lose.

By late winter, the war had come home to Pickett Place.

Grenades and small bombs exploded in the living room.

Automatic weapons fire echoed off the walls.

Soldiers shouted to one another. One fell wounded.

Whitley Morton had tried to make their house a retreat, but her husband, Jayson, wouldn't let go of the Xbox.

Outside, the sun was warm and inviting, and Whitley knew the good weather wouldn't last. She had talked about going out, perhaps taking the boys to the park.

It wasn't going to happen.
read more here

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

VA Says Pick Pot or Pain Meds, Not Both

Vietnam vet with cancer denied pain medication after testing positive for marijuana
By WSAV Staff
Published: September 9, 2015
Dixon is the latest in the growing number of veterans caught in a change nationwide within the VA.

They have to sign an ‘opiate consent’ form which outlines the negative effect of mixing pain killers and marijuana is now required.

Under the new VA guidelines, vets can get their prescriptions filled, or use marijuana, but can’t do both.
TOPEKA (KSNT) — A nationwide argument between the veterans’ administration and groups which represent the rights of veterans emerged in Topeka Tuesday.

That issue is whether veterans should be denied prescription medications because they use marijuana for physical or emotional pain even in states which allow medical marijuana use.

We found out about it when a Vietnam veteran contacted KSNT News.

“I went in to get a refill on my pain medication and they refused to let me have it, because I have marijuana in my blood,” Gary Dixon, Vietnam veteran.

Gary Dixon is a 65-year-old disabled Vietnam veteran. While in Vietnam he was exposed to Agent Orange.

“I hurt, and I hurt from something I got fighting for my country,” says Dixon.

Now he’s got stage four lung cancer, doesn’t have much time left to live and readily admits to smoking marijuana.
read more here

Monday, August 24, 2015

Kansas Veteran Became PTSD Suicide Statistic

Parents, wife of veteran talk about PTSD-related suicide
The Capital Journal
Ann Marie Bush
Saturday, Aug 22, 2015

Keith and Norine Holtsclaw hold a photograph of their son, Mark Allen Holtsclaw, 43, of Kansas City, Mo. Mark committed suicide earlier this month.

Items throughout Keith Holtsclaw’s Topeka living room remind him of his 30-year military career.

Medals. Patches. Photographs.

At one point in time, Holtsclaw was proud of his service.

“That is me,” Holtsclaw said as he pointed to a shadow box filled with his patches. “I have given so much time to a country I love. What good did I do? What good did my son do?”

Holtsclaw’s 43-year-old son, Mark Allen Holtsclaw, committed suicide earlier this month in Kansas City, Mo. Mark’s body was discovered Aug. 7 in his apartment.

Mark joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17. He spent 22 years serving and did tours in Panama, Kuwait, Iraq and Egypt. He also served in Somalia and Haiti.

“We could tell when he came back from Iraq something was wrong,” Keith said. “We couldn’t get him to come out of it.”

The soldier — who was described as a loving son, father and brother — battled post-traumatic stress disorder.

He became a statistic.
read more here

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Bats Cancel Surgeries at Leavenworth VA Hospital, Not a Typo

Leavenworth VA hospital cancels surgeries due to bat infestation 
FOX4kc.com
BY ABBY EDEN AND JASON M. VAUGHN
JULY 9, 2015

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Bats have made themselves at home in one section of the surgical floor at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Leavenworth, and it’s created a scheduling mess for patients.

About sixteen patients had to reschedule surgeries because of the bat infestation, but the spokesperson for the hospital says there’s no need to worry about bats ever being inside the surgery rooms.
read more here

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Vietnam Veteran's Wheelchair Stolen In Kansas

Hutchinson veteran’s wheelchair stolen from porch 
By KSN TV
Published: July 7, 2015

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) – A 350-pound wheelchair belonging to a Vietnam veteran has been stolen from the front porch of his Hutchinson home.

The Hutchinson News reports Jerry Josephson, a Vietnam War veteran, had one leg amputated earlier this year. The $4,000 wheelchair he used to get around was stolen Friday off his porch, where he left it locked.

Josephson had recently been given the electric chair by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
read more here

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Wichita Officers Caught Taking Homeless Veteran From Shed

Wichita officers and volunteers help homeless veteran 
KAKE News
Lily Wu
Jul 02, 2015

WICHITA, Kan.--- Local organizations are helping a US Army veteran who was homeless for weeks.

"A week ago I was sleeping in a shed. This week I have a house to sleep in," said Josh Jernigan, a 2001 graduate of Maize High School and a US Army veteran.

Jernigan is having a life changing week.

"Seven days ago, I wasn't sure what I'd eat or when I'd eat, or didn't have any money, didn't have a job," he said.

It all changed when he approached a Wichita Police officer and asked about the Homeless Outreach Team.

Within 15 minutes, Officer David Nienstedt of HOT met Jernigan. Nienstedt is one of three officers in the special unit that helps the homeless population in Wichita.

"What I do is offer referrals and guidance," said Nienstedt. "Josh took it upon himself to really do those things that were necessary to help himself out and he did that, and did a tremendous job."
read more here