Veterans with PTSD need our attention

Veterans with PTSD need our attention
Alamogordo Daily NewsDaily News Posted: 04/25/2010 12:00:00 AM MDT

Wednesday has been proclaimed by Gov. Bill Richardson as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day. Are you aware that more than 1 million Vietnam veterans suffer from PTSD and thousands more are or will be afflicted by our current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? PTSD is a major problem in New Mexico and our nation.

Medical practioners define PTSD as a normal reaction to an abnormal traumatic event. The disorder results in such symptoms as anxiety, depression, sleep disorder and isolationism. It severely affects a person's quality of life and the lives of their family, friends and neighbors. It often leads to violence, breaking of laws, illegal drug use, an overuse of alcohol, and often results in homelessness.

Because of the stigma attached to mental illness, those afflicted may go underground and not seek treatment.
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Veterans with PTSD need our attention

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day in New Mexico

It would be great to have this in every state!

Memorial sets day for PTSD awareness
Sun-News report
Posted: 02/19/2010 12:00:00 AM MST
SANTA FE - April 28, 2010 will be designed as "Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day" in New Mexico under a memorial sponsored by Rep. Nathan Cote, D-Las Cruces and passed by the Legislature.

"April 28th provides veterans, health-care providers and others to prepare awareness projects and publicity in regards to PTSD," Cote said. "Our population suffering from PTSD continues to grow because of the nature of the illness. Those inflicted may go underground and not seek treatment or may find themselves in trouble with the law. Let's all learn to recognize the nature of this illness."


http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_14431680

Donation saves memorial for Vietnam War fallen

Donation saves memorial for slain vets
Updated: Sunday, 27 Dec 2009, 11:53 PM MST
Published : Sunday, 27 Dec 2009, 11:25 PM MST

Reporter: Crystal Gutierrez
Web Producer: Devon Armijo
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Thanks to a generous donation, a new traveling memorial to honor New Mexicans killed in the Vietnam War will be built.

Many New Mexican families will never get to make the trip to Washington’s Vietnam Memorial, and that's why many say the new memorial means so much.

399 soldiers will soon be memorialized on a traveling wall.

“This wall will designate that they are from New Mexico,” Vietnam Veteran Sardo Sanchez. “We want all New Mexicans to be able to see it.”

The plan was to unveil the wall in March, but just weeks ago those spearheading the idea thought the dream would fail.

Organizers were short about half the $20,000 needed to build it, until Daniel's Funeral Home stepped up and paid the rest.
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Donation saves memorial for slain vets

U.S. serviceman dies in shooting at Mexican strip club

U.S. serviceman dies in shooting at Mexican strip club

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Air Force Staff Sgt. David Booher shot with 5 others in Ciudad Juarez
Gunmen appeared to have targeted the victims, Mexican spokesman says
Juarez is considered off-limits for the U.S. military because of drug violence

(CNN) -- A U.S. serviceman was among six victims of an early morning shooting at a Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, strip club Wednesday, officials said.

Unidentified gunmen entered the Amadeus club in the border city across from El Paso, Texas, just after midnight and fatally shot six men, Chihuahua state attorney general's office spokesman Arturo Sandoval said.

A statement from Holloman Air Force Base, near Alamogordo, New Mexico, confirmed that the airman was based there, and identified him as Staff Sgt. David Booher, 26.
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U.S. serviceman dies in shooting at Mexican strip club

Ex-VFW official admits $122,000 theft

Ex-VFW official admits $122,000 theft
Updated: Saturday, 24 Oct 2009, 12:06 AM MDT
Published : Friday, 23 Oct 2009, 8:05 PM MDT

Reporter: Crystal Gutierrez
Web Producer: Bill Diven
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A Vietnam War veteran Friday admitted to stealing more than a $122,000 from fellow veterans and is awaiting sentencing.

In a plea deal with the state prosecutors Joe Salas, 63, pleaded guilty to 17 counts of fraud for stealing from a Veterans of Foreign Wars bank account Friday in a plea deal with.

In court Salas told District Judge Kenneth Martinez he would reimburse $17,000 of the stolen money.

Salas was the VFW state treasurer. His scheme was uncovered three years ago leaving veterans outraged

“It's disgust, it's knots in the stomach, it's bad thoughts through my head,” Fred Ortiz told KRQE News 13.

Prosecutors said Salas used the post debit card to go on a three-year spending spree. The list of items he bought included tires, gas, car washes, jewelry and plane tickets to Florida.

As the financial officer for the post Salas had a card in his name.

Suspicions arose after a check bounced. Then an internal investigation revealed the amount of missing money to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The money Salas used came from VFW membership fees and payments from VFW posts.
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Ex-VFW official admits theft

"Buffalo Soldiers" Reburied at Santa Fe National Cemetery

"Buffalo Soldiers" Reburied at Santa Fe National Cemetery



WASHINGTON (Aug. 18, 2009) - A ceremony memorializing 64 soldiers and
their family members who protected southwestern New Mexico from Apache
attacks in the mid-1800s was held July 28 by the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) and the Department of Interior. The remains of the Fort
Craig residents originally buried at the fort's cemetery and disinterred
by the Interior Department in 2007 were recently reburied with full
military honors at VA's Santa Fe National Cemetery.



"This ceremony marks a fitting final resting place for these courageous
people," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. "After
more than 100 years, they are finally recognized with the honors earned
for their honorable service to their country."



The ceremony included a color guard, playing of Taps and a 21-gun salute
by the New Mexico National Guard. Officials of VA and Interior were
principal speakers.



Fort Craig, built in 1854, played a major role in the Civil War and
Indian Wars. Located on the west side of the Rio Grande River,
approximately 40 miles south of Socorro, N.M., it was permanently
abandoned in 1885.



After an investigation by Interior's Bureau of Reclamation revealed
looting of the unmarked graves at Fort Craig's cemetery, the Bureau
worked with VA's National Cemetery Administration to move them to Santa
Fe National Cemetery.



Through analysis and military records, archaeologists identified three
of the soldiers as Private David Ford, Private Levi Morris and Private
Thomas Smith. These men were "Buffalo Soldiers," members of units
established by Congress as the first peacetime all-black regiments in
the regular U.S. Army. They were buried in separate graves marked with
individual headstones.



The remains of the 61 unidentifiable people were buried as a group in
Santa Fe National Cemetery in June, and the site was marked with a
historical monument.



Veterans with a discharge issued under conditions other than
dishonorable, their spouses and eligible dependent children can be
buried in a VA national cemetery. Other burial benefits available for
all eligible Veterans, regardless of whether they are buried in a
national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a
Presidential Memorial Certificate and a government headstone or marker.
Families of eligible decedents may also order a memorial headstone or
marker when remains are not available for interment.



In the midst of the largest expansion since the Civil War, VA operates
130 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico and 33 soldiers'
lots and monument sites. More than 3 million Americans, including
Veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA's national
cemeteries on nearly 18,000 acres of land.



For information on the Santa Fe National Cemetery, call the cemetery
office at (505) 988-6400.



Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery
offices, from the Internet at www.cem.va.gov
or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at (800) 827-1000.

Kyle Barthel Veterans and Service Members Mental Health Screening Act

U.S. House passes Defense Authorization Act
By Matthew Reichbach 6/25/09 3:51 PM
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today, the annual bill which funds the Department of Defense. The bill passed 389-22.

The bill included an amendment by Congressman Harry Teague that would set up a post-deployment mental health screening program for service members. The amendment, named the Kyle Barthel Veterans and Service Members Mental Health Screening Act after a Las Crucen who struggled with PTSD and eventually committed suicide after returning home from combat, was introduced by Teague in Las Cruces in May.
go here for more
http://newmexicoindependent.com/30527/u-s-house-passes-defense-authorization-act


Congressman Harry Teague Calls for Veterans and Service Members Mental Health


Screenings to Address Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Bill Named in Honor of Local Veteran Kyle Barthel

Las Cruces, NM - Wednesday at Veteran's Memorial Park, Congressman Harry Teague unveiled a bill to address an increasingly prevalent issue for military personnel and combat veterans, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Kyle Barthel Veterans and Service Member Mental Health Screening Act calls for mandatory mental health screening for military personnel upon induction into the military, before and after deployment, and before discharge.



"Kyle served in the 101st Airborne and was deployed to Iraq. Kyle reached out and sought treatment but was never but was never able to get the mental health help that he needed and deserved. Sadly, Kyle took his own life after suffering from problems associated with PTSD," said Congressman Harry Teague, speaking of the native Las Crucen the bill is titled in honor of.

The legislation comes amid rising concerns that undiagnosed and untreated PTSD cases are leading to mental health issues that decrease quality of life for returning combat veterans and in some cases result in suicide. Suicide rates for the Army have risen 60% since 2003 and the 101st Airborne, which Kyle was a member of, has this year alone suffered 14 deaths that are being investigated as suicides.

"When the Congress returns from its Memorial Day recess, I will introduce the Kyle Barthel Veterans and Service Members Mental Health Screening Act, a bill calling for mandatory and confidential mental health assessments for service members so that those who need it can get the mental health treatment they have earned and so we can begin to stem the tide of tragic incidents associated with PTSD."

Congressman Harry Teague was joined by Kyle Barthel's mother and close family friend, County Commissioner Scott Krahling at the announcement.

"When I decided to run for public office, it was because I wanted to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Today, I can say I feel like I am part of the solution to a very big problem," said Commissioner Krahling. "Although he isn't here with us today, Kyle is here in spirit and we are here because of him. His life has inspired action that will give hope to the many military personnel and veterans currently suffering from PTSD."

Congressman Harry Teague serves on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and has made fighting for our nation's veterans a central priority since being sworn in January 6th, 2009.

DOD: Non combat death in Iraq

DoD Identifies Army Casualty


The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Jose R. Escobedo Jr., 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., died March 20 in Baghdad, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident the night before at Forward Operating Base Kalsu in Iskandariyah, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment in Schweinfurt, Germany.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
linked from ICasualties.org

GAO Voting problems in 10 swing states

Report: Voting problems in several swing states
Story Highlights
New report finds voting problems in states up for grabs this year

Report says 10 states are at risk, including Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin

Problems listed include lack of voting machines and registration glitches


From Kitty Pilgrim
CNN Anchor/Correspondent


(CNN) -- A new Government Accountability Office report on voting system testing finds that the Election Assistance Commission has not notified election officials across the country about electronic voting machine failures.


A line of voters cast their ballots in the primary March 4 in Columbus, Ohio.

And a new study by Common Cause and the Century Foundation finds that 10 very vital swing states have significant voting problems that have not been addressed since the last election.

Those 10 states, according to Common Cause, are Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

In Colorado, 20,000 left polling places without voting in 2006 because of crashed computer registration machines and long lines. And this election day, Colorado will have another new registration system.

"You know, Colorado is two years behind many states in implementing a statewide voter database. ... This is a new system, and there's just a lot of unknowns as to whether or not voters will be successful," said Jenny Flanagan of Common Cause.

The problems listed in the report range from not enough voting machines to glitches with electronic registration poll books. Read the report
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/18/voting.problems/index.html

Patterson NJ Police Officer trains for Iraq as National Guardsman

Just one more case of a police officer also being a member of the National Guard.

Soldiers train hard for duty as prison guards
Mike Kelly

August 13, 2008 6:19 AM
The Record (Hackensack, N.J.)

(MCT)

CAMP OUTLAW, N.M. - Felipe Diaz, Paterson police officer and New Jersey National Guard sergeant bound for Iraq, put down his gun the other day at this remote desert training base and picked up an unlikely tool of war - a shield.

Except for its clear-plastic design, Diaz's protective shell seemed more suited to a Roman centurion 2,000 years ago, not a 21st-century American soldier in camouflage.

''This is a whole new ballgame,'' said Diaz, a member of the Teaneck, N.J.-based Foxtrot Company.

That's an understatement.



The Pentagon has given Diaz and most of the 2,800 other soldiers of New Jersey's 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team the unfamiliar, politically sensitive mission of guarding captured Iraqis.

With their summer of training coming to a close, Foxtrot Company and other New Jersey units are swinging into an intense immersion regimen on how to handle prisoners. Besides plastic shields and other non-lethal gadgets, the soldiers take computer classes in Arabic culture and language and are encouraged to empathize with the plight of some detainees.

But behind almost every lecture and training exercise are two words - Abu Ghraib - and the indelible set of 2004 photographs showing a small group of U.S. Army reservists forcing captured Iraqis to strip naked and pose in sexually suggestive positions.

As the Army points out, Camp Outlaw was built on the sands of New Mexico's rugged chaparral to head off another Abu Ghraib scandal in the sands of Iraq.

click post title for more
Linked from ICasualties.org

NAMI New Mexico has free video for veterans mental health issues

Posted on Friday, Jun. 27, 2008
National Alliance on Mental Illness New Mexico Offers Free Video to Help Veterans Identify and Manage Mental Health Issues

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Mexico announced today that it is offering a free educational video to help returning soldiers in New Mexico identify and manage mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. With the support of a grant from OptumHealth, NAMI New Mexico will make the video available to returning soldiers, family members and others in the community who work with veterans from current and past conflicts.

"Many soldiers coming home may be facing mental health issues that can be treated.

Unfortunately, we know that some soldiers and family members do not seek help because they may not understand a soldier's condition, are not aware of the resources available, or might be afraid to seek help," says Becky Beckett, president of NAMI New Mexico. "With New Mexico's strong ties to the military, this national problem is also a local one. The 'Coming Home: Supporting Your Soldier' video will help our local soldiers understand that they are not alone and that help is available."

The Veteran's Health Administration projects that by September of this year, New Mexico will be home to more than 175,000 veterans, 45,000 of them from the Gulf War and other recent conflicts(1).
Read More...

As soon as I have a chance to watch it, I'll have more to post on this.

Fort Craig Ghosts Of Civil War

Civil War remains dug up as looting reported

By Melanie Dabovich - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Apr 9, 2008 11:55:07 EDT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Working in secret, federal archaeologists have dug up the remains of dozens of soldiers and children near a Civil War-era fort after an informant tipped them off about widespread grave-looting.

The exhumations, conducted from August to October, removed 67 skeletons from the parched desert soil around Fort Craig — 39 men, two women and 26 infants and children, according to two federal archaeologists who helped with the dig.

They also found scores of empty graves and determined 20 had been looted.

The government kept its exhumation of the unmarked cemetery near the historic New Mexico fort out of the public’s eye for months to prevent more thefts.

The investigation began with a tip about an amateur historian who had displayed the mummified remains of a black soldier, draped in a Civil War-era uniform, in his house.

Investigators say the historian, Dee Brecheisen, may have been a prolific looter who spotted historical sites from his plane. Brecheisen died in 2004 and although it was not clear whether the looting continued after his death, authorities exhumed the unprotected site to prevent future thefts.

“As an archaeologist, you want to leave a site in place for preservation ... but we couldn’t do that because it could be looted again,” said Jeffery Hanson, of the Bureau of Reclamation.

The remains are being studied by Bureau of Reclamation scientists, who are piecing together information on their identities. They will eventually be reburied at other national cemeteries.

Most of the men are believed to have been soldiers — Fort Craig protected settlers in the West from American Indian raids and played a role in the Civil War. Union troops stationed there fought the Confederacy as it moved into New Mexico from Texas in 1862.

The children buried there may have been local residents treated by doctors at the former frontier outpost, officials said.

Federal officials learned of the looting in November 2004, when Don Alberts, a retired historian for Kirtland Air Force Base, tipped them off about a macabre possession he’d seen at Brecheisen’s home about 30 years earlier.

Alberts described seeing the mummified remains of a black soldier with patches of brown flesh clinging to facial bones and curly hair on top of its skull. Alberts said the body had come from Fort Craig.

“The first thing we did was laughed because who would believe such a story,” Hanson said. “But then we quickly decided we better go down and check it out.”
go here for the rest
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_exhumed_040908/

Joy Junction Veterans give advice to new veterans

With Expected Upsurge in Homeless Veterans, Joy Junction Vets Give Advice to Their Comrades Returning Home

Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. - 2/12/2008

According to a Nov. 7 2007 story in the New York Times, more than 400 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are homeless, and the Veterans Affairs Department and other service groups are expecting a new surge in homeless veterans in the years to come.

Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, is currently helping 17 vets. While none of them served in the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, they identified with the pain being experienced by their comrades, and had some good advice.
go here for the rest
http://globalpolitician.com/24100-poverty-economics

New Mexico LT. Gov. Denish plays Santa for wounded soldier to go home

Denish helps unite wounded Iraq veteran with family
Posted 12/17/2007 09:02:00 AM


Lt. Gov. Diane Denish has stepped up in a big way to help unite a wounded Iraq veteran with his family this Christmas.

Army Private James Browning was wounded during a firefight in Iraq earlier this year. Twelve of his fellow soldiers died; only two survived. Since then, Browning has battled post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury. He’s currently at Fort Hood in Texas and was recently granted holiday leave.


His family, however, was unable to afford a ticket home.
http://haussamen.blogspot.com/2007/12/denish-helps-unite-wounded-iraq-veteran.html

What a great story! Random acts of kindness, stranger helping a stranger because of someone in their life had touched their hearts. She did this because of her uncle's actions during his life. It's amazing how much we can touch other people many years from now by what we do today.

Vietnam vets used courage to fight for their wounds to be taken care of, to be accepted by other veterans who shut them out and now they are moving mountains for the sake of the newest generation to make sure they are not shut out or forgotten about. We can make a difference just by doing what Lt. Gov. Denish did. She cared enough to help.