Lame Deer soldier dies at Fort Benning

Lame Deer soldier dies in Ga.
Montana's News Station - Missoula, MT,USA
Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has ordered all federal and state flags to be flown at half-staff on Friday to honor a Lame Deer soldier who died last weekend at Fort Benning, Ga.



Lame Deer Soldier Funeral
By Stephanie Domurat
Story Published: Apr 10, 2009


LAME DEER - Sergeant Kellum's family says they had the option to bury their son in Arlington, but instead they chose to bring his body home. He was laid to rest Friday in Lame Deer. "He was a well known young man, not only through the military but as a young boy he was involved in everything. He was a traditional dancer, participated in sports and participated in everything. He was well liked by many." says his uncle Steve Littlebird.

Family members say Sergeant Kellum wanted to be a soldier since he was a young boy. He enlisted in 2004, and since has served in Germany and Iraq.

"He was really enjoying it and made lot of friends in the military," says Littlebird. Fellow soldiers and family members spoke in remembrance, saying he was in many ways a hero.
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Bond – Boxer – Lieberman Bill will Improve Treatment of Troops, Military Families

When President Obama was a Senator and running for the office, he made a promise to the family of Spc. Chris Dana and the Montana National Guard. He said if he ended up elected, he would take their PTSD program nationally. It looks like this is the start of honoring that promise. Read about Chris Dana below.

United States Senate

WASHINGTON, DC



For Immediate Release Shana Marchio - Bond: (202) 224-0309

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2009 David Frey - Boxer: (202)224- 8120

Erika Masonhall - Lieberman: (202) 224-4041



Bond – Boxer – Lieberman Bill will Improve Treatment of Troops, Military Families





WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senators Kit Bond (R-MO), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) along with a bipartisan coalition of Senators, introduced the Honoring Our Nation’s Obligations to Returning Warriors Act (HONOR) to improve treatment for our service members and veterans suffering with invisible injuries like PTSD and TBI and increase care for military families. Additional original co-sponsors of the bill include Sam Brownback (R-KS), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Arlen Specter (R-PA).



Senator Bond said, “The government pledged to provide care for our troops and veterans who served America honorably in combat and their families but to date the Pentagon’s response to the suffering of our troops returning home with ‘invisible injuries’ has been deeply disappointing. We can’t continue to wait for the Pentagon to do the right thing, Congress must act now and this bipartisan bill is a critical first step.”



Senator Boxer said, “This bipartisan bill will help ensure the best possible care for those brave individuals who incurred traumatic brain and mental injuries while serving their country. We also help provide for the loved ones of those lost to suicide. I look forward to working with Senator Bond, Senator Lieberman and my other colleagues to see this bill become law.”



Senator Lieberman said, "We have no greater obligation than to care for our wounded service members. Our troops put their lives on the line for our nation – we must fulfill our duty to provide them with the support they need to recover from mental health problems and resume normal lives. If we provide the right care at the right time, we will not only be protecting them, but making our military stronger and more effective.”


As the Senate’s leading advocates for improving the mental health care our troops receive, Bond, Boxer, and Lieberman reintroduced the HONOR Act to address the immediate needs of those suffering with invisible injuries and to make a long-term fix to the military’s mental health care system. The Senators are hopeful for swift passage and Administration support since President Obama was one of the HONOR Act’s strongest supporters in the Senate last year.



According to the RAND Institute an estimated 620,000 returning service members suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or both. Despite this figure, which represents about 30 percent of those who have served in combat, the Pentagon’s response to the suffering of these troops and their families has been inadequate. The Senators stressed that the current military mental health system is underfunded, understaffed, and extremely difficult to navigate. Compounding this problem, there is a silent stigma on these “invisible injuries” that prevents many service members from seeking mental health treatment.

Provisions in the Bond-Boxer-Lieberman bill will:



Give active duty service members access to Vet Centers – the community-based counseling centers veterans use for mental health care services;


Extend survivor benefits to families of military personnel who commit suicide and have service-related mental health conditions, including PTSD and TBI;


Establish a scholarship for service members who have served in a combat zone to seek professional degrees in behavioral sciences to provide assistance to active and former service members afflicted with psychological mental health conditions connected with traumatic events during combat;


Create a program to employ and train combat veterans as psychiatric technicians and nurses to provide counseling for active duty service members in immediate need of treatment;


Establish an annual joint review and report on the effectiveness of re-integration programs from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.


The HONOR Act also has support from our veterans and military groups. Wayne Frost, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Military Spouses of America said the HONOR Act is “one of the necessary steps that our nation must take in order to provide for the adequate and deserved care of our active duty military personnel and veterans who have become post traumatic stress, or traumatic brain injury war casualties.”



Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said “Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is pleased to offer our support for the ‘HONOR Act’. This legislation provides incentives for retiring or separating military personnel and combat veterans to pursue an advanced degree in the behavioral health field, alleviating the shortage of mental health specialists serving our active service members and veterans.”

The Importance of the HONOR Act: Chris Dana’s Story
At 23 years old, Chris Dana returned home with the 163rd Infantry Battalion, Montana National Guard. With an Iraq combat deployment and a world of experiences behind him, Dana was ready to transition from warrior to civilian. In November 2005, he came home to the peaceful town of Helena, Montana to rejoin his family, his friends, and his old job.
Like many before him, Dana honorably served his country and returned full of pride. Nevertheless, he began to struggle with the world around him, grappling with the inescapable memories of war. Chris'
loved ones began to notice his distant behavior, a striking departure from his usual outgoing demeanor. Although Chris was never physically injured in combat and his uniform was adorned with multiple stacks of ribbons, his psychological injuries festered under the surface. One of his brothers, Matt Kuntz, said Chris seemed to be melting from the inside. His father noticed that his eyes had lost their shine, reflecting the slow withdrawal from the joys of living.
Too many of our returning warriors come home with the same obstacles and face large uphill battles. These invisible injuries manifest themselves from numerous traumatic events which are often exacerbated by the lack of effective treatment at home. Chris was no different. Struggling with Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD), he distanced himself from those closest to him, and his unit failed to reach out to him.
Today, many returning war fighters are unfamiliar with the mental and physical occupational hazards of war. In effect, military leaders struggle to grasp the toll that combat takes on the human body, and fail to reach out to their subordinates and those around them. All too often there exists an environment plagued by a stigma that punishes the returning service member for seeking help and rewarding those who "suck it up."
As a result, our Armed Forces continue to lose our most precious assets to suicide from PTSD and other psychological disorders. The spike in suicides is alarming, and the month of January 2009 solidified our worst fears. That month, suicide rates eclipsed combat fatalities from both Iraq and Afghanistan. The services have responded with audacious plans and resolute intensity to find a way to fix the suicide epidemic. A significant contributor to the inflated suicide rate is the inadequacy of mental health treatment for invisible injuries among service members, all too often compounded by a stigma that discourages seeking help. For example, in many units seeking mental health treatment is silently portrayed as a sign of weakness. One common phrase is that "our men and women knew what they were signing up for." Many cases of PTSD are never reported because service members are asphyxiated by the formidable impression of losing their job or more importantly, losing the respect of their colleagues.
Soon, Chris Dana drew further away from his family. He began screening his calls, he quit his job, and he stopped showing up at drill with the National Guard. Members of Chris' family felt that his unit failed to offer him an acceptable level of care, which ultimately pushed him further away. In the end, he was unable to be saved. Chris lost his battle to PTSD when he took his own life.
Chris' was buried with honors at a VA cemetery in his home state of Montana. The ceremony was filled with state officials, Montana National Guardsmen, and throngs of family. The National Guard honored Chris Dana's service by extending survivor benefits to his family. As a result, his brother was able to attend college and carry on the legacy his brother left behind.
Under current law, survivor benefits are not extended to former service members who commit suicide. The Honor Act introduced by Senators Bond, Boxer, Lieberman, Brownback, Grassley, McCaskill, Murkowski, Schumer, and Specter will extend survivor benefits to EVERY former service member who commits suicide and has a medical history of PTSD connected to combat. No military family should be left behind with nothing to honor and remember the legacy of their fallen loved one.

17 killed in Montana plane crash

FAA: 17 killed in Montana plane crash
A single-engine airplane crashed close to this cemetery near Butte, Montana, on Sunday, killing at least 17 people, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said. "We drove into the cemetery to see if there was any way my husband could help someone," crash witness Martha Guidoni said. "We were too late -- there was nothing to help." full story

Montana Naitonal Guard Yellow Ribbon gets $500,000

Mont. Guard gets $500000 a year for Yellow Ribbon KXNet.com ...
KXMC - Minot,ND,USA

Mar 1 2009 1:46PM
Associated Press
Eds: APNewsNow. Will be led.

HELENA, Mont. (AP) The Montana National Guard is now spending about $500,000 a year to make deployments easier on soldiers and families and reduce depression and suicide among the troops.

The Yellow Ribbon program has received a federal funding boost that will pay for five new positions.
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Libby Montana gets day in court over asbestos

Asbestos-ravaged town gets its day in court
For much of the last century, people in the small town of Libby, Montana, were surrounded by toxic asbestos. It covered patches of grass, dusted the tops of cars and drifted through the air in a hazy smoke that became a part of their daily lives. Now, federal prosecutors have begun a trial of the mining company they blame for the pollution, which some doctors say left more than 1,000 people ill and more than 200 others dead. full story

Sen. Claire McCaskill wants answers on military substance abuse program

When they have an addiction and want help, that takes courage. I know because my father was not only a disabled Korean War veteran, he was also an alcoholic. It took a lot for him to get to the point where he wanted to do whatever it took to stop drinking. To have them made to feel as if they should have never sought help if appalling.
There is one more thing that needs to be considered here. That's self-medicating. Most of the time without the diagnosis of PTSD, self-medicating can appear to be the same as an addiction. The problem is, they are not addicted to the chemicals but addicted to killing off feelings they don't want to feel and claiming themselves down. Too many have been treated for addictions when they were not addicted and PTSD had gone untreated, so the treatment for addiction was worse than a waste of time. It prolonged the agony.

Senator wants substance-abuse program review
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jan 29, 2009 17:31:54 EST

A Missouri lawmaker wants service members who seek help for substance abuse problems to be shielded from disciplinary action.

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is pushing for a review of military treatment and prevention programs for alcohol and substance abuse to look at whether the threat of punishment for admitting a problem is discouraging people from getting help.

She also is concerned about mismanagement and chronic understaffing of substance abuse programs.

Both Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Army Secretary Pete Geren have promised McCaskill they will investigate problems, but she is pressing ahead with legislation calling for a comprehensive review of current programs, new research into substance abuse treatment and an independent study of substance abuse in the ranks.

In a statement, McCaskill said her concerns come after looking into whistle-blower complaints involving the substance abuse program at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where the Army employee who pointed out problems said he later suffered reprisals. click link for more

Montana Havre VA clinic bogged down

Local Headlines:
Havre VA clinic bogged down



(Created: Friday, August 29, 2008 1:06 PM MDT)


Tim Leeds Havre Daily News tleeds@havredailynews.com

The Veterans Affairs Montana Healthcare System has announced that the plans to open a VA clinic in Havre have been delayed while the VA determines the most cost-effective way to open a Havre clinic. Teresa Bell, public affairs officer for VA Montana Healthcare System, said that after the VA received bids to provide services on a contract basis in Havre, the VA decided to review a bid by a local provider and determine whether the clinic should be opened on a contract basis or opened as a separate VA-staffed facility. “Whenever the government enters into a contract arrangement there is a requirement to assure the price is cost effective to the government … ,” Bell said in an e-mail. “Once the analysis is complete VA will go forward with the Havre (clinic).”
Montana’s U. S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester said they have been looking into the delay. Both also said they will fight to make sure it does open. “The Havre VA Clinic is a big priority for me, and I have directly contacted VA Montana about this delay.
They say they’re taking a second look at how they want to do the Havre clinic to get the best bang for the buck for Montana’s veterans and taxpayers,” said Tester, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “I am frustrated that things have ground to a halt but I have assurances from (Montana VA Healthcare) Director (Joe) Underkofler that the VA remains committed to opening a clinic in Havre sooner rather than later. “As a member of the Senate veterans committee I will keep the VA’s feet to the fire and work to make sure The Havre clinic doesn’t get bogged down in red tape.” Tester added. “Hi-Line vets have waited long enough.” Baucus also said he will fight to make sure the clinic does open. “I’ve made it very clear to the VA that there is a tremendous need for veterans’ health services in Havre and across the Hi-Line,” he said.
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http://www.havredailynews.com/articles/2008/08/29/local_headlines/state.txt

PTSD Vet Get Help from Service Dog

PTSD Vet Get Help from Service Dog
By Madelyn Jarrett
Story Published: Aug 23, 2008 at 12:00 AM MDT

Story Updated: Aug 22, 2008 at 11:32 PM MDT


BILLINGS - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can cause life-long struggles with depression and flash-backs. Christina Avey was unsure when someone recommended she get a service dog. Making a mistake many do by thinking the animals only assist people with physical disabilities. But Christina is now very emotional about the way her new dog Zeus has changed her life.

Christina Avey is an army veteran. She served from 1980 to 1986 and again in 1997. Christina no longer talks about the trauma that caused her Post Traumatic stress Disorder, but she lives with the consequences every day. She says since her diagnosis 11 years ago life has changed dramatically. "It's destroyed my life." says Avey. She says because of PTSD, she has trouble dealing with society in general and suffers from depression, nightmares and flashbacks. Now, 11 years later, Avey finally feels like she has hope.
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http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/27306619.html

Parents to take wounded soldier off life support

Parents to take hurt soldier off life support

The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jul 30, 2008 13:02:14 EDT

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — The parents of a Fairfield soldier who was critically injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq are expected to take their son off of life support Wednesday.

Army Sgt. Jimmy McHale, 31, has been in a coma since the July 22 bombing of his Humvee that also injured the driver.
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/07/ap_lifesupport_073008/

No answers on death of Staff Sgt. Shawn Gillespie

Army looking into cause of soldier's death
By MARTIN J. KIDSTON
Independent Record

HELENA - The March death of a U.S. Army soldier with ties in Hardin remains under investigation, officials said Wednesday, bringing to two the number of Montana soldiers whose cause of death has not been released by the military.

Staff Sgt. Shawn Gillespie, who was born in Wyoming and grew up in Montana, died in King George, Va., on March 24. The cause of death has not been released by investigators.

"They're not telling us," said Col. Garth Scott, public relations officer for the Montana National Guard. "It's under investigation. The cause of death is pending."

Gillespie was not a Montana Guard soldier, but military protocol calls for Guard officials to answer media questions about the death of soldiers in their state, placing Scott in the difficult position of fielding media calls surrounding the case. The soldier was assigned to Fort Myer, Va.
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http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/04/03/news/state/33-investigation.txt

Why does it take so long for the family to have answers? Why do they make the families wait to know the answer?

Another non-combat death

Soldier laid to rest in Helena
KPAX-TV - Missoula,MT,USA

Posted: Dec 16, 2007 02:37 AM EST

Updated: Dec 22, 2007 08:38 PM EST


A Montana soldier was laid to rest in his hometown on Saturday after dying last week in Baghdad.

Private Daren A. Smith, 19, was Helena High School graduate who died in Iraq as a result of non-combat related injures. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.

Smith, who grew up in Butte, entered the U.S. Army in March and was stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana prior to his November deployment.

While Smith's funeral was held Saturday morning in Butte, the burial took place at the State Veteran's Cemetery at Fort Harrison in Helena and community members came out in force to remember the young soldier.

Another Non-combat death

Helena soldier killed in Iraq
By MARTIN J. KIDSTON - Independent Record - 12/16/07
A 19-year-old soldier from Helena died in Iraq on Thursday of non-combat related injuries, the Department of Defense announced Saturday night.

Pvt. Daren Smith became the sixth soldier or Marine from Helena to die in the Iraq war since it began more than four years ago.

Capt. Michael MacKinnon was killed on Oct. 27, 2005; Cpl. Phillip Baucus on July 29, 2006; and Sgt. Scott Dykman on Dec. 20, 2006.

Three additional Helena men have died this year including Staff Sgt. Shane Becker on April 3, 2007; Spec. Donald Young on Aug. 8, 2007; and Smith on Thursday.

To date, 22 Montana men have died in Iraq dating back to Dec. 22, 2003, when 1st Lt. Edward Saltz was killed by a roadside bomb.

The DOD has not released any additional information regarding Smith’s death, but said the incident is still under investigation.
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2007/12/16/helena/a03121607_01.txt


UPDATE
8/13/08

Montana Discovers Local Soldier's Suicide in Iraq -- Files for Documents



Published: August 13, 2008 12:25 PMET

HELENA, MT. A U.S. Army investigation has determined the December 2007 death of a 19-year-old Montana soldier was a suicide.

Jeffrey Castro, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, told the Independent Record on Tuesday that Pvt. Daren Smith died Dec. 13, 2007, of self-inflicted wounds. [As often the case, this information only became public due to the queries of a local newspapper.]

Castro declined further comment, prompting the newspaper to file a Freedom of Information Act request for details about the soldier’s death. Attempts to reach Smith’s family Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Records show that Smith, who was born in Butte and grew up in Helena, joined the Army in March 2007. He was deployed to Iraq around Nov. 30, where he was a cavalry scout with the 10th Mountain Division.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003838442