DOD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 677-13
September 22, 2013
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. James T. Wickliffchacin, 22, of Edmond, Okla., died Sept. 20 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol during combat operations in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan on Aug. 12.
He was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Showing posts with label Oklahoma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oklahoma. Show all posts
Monday, September 23, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Veterans committing suicide at twice the rate of civilians
Veterans committing suicide at twice the rate of civilians
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
September 5, 2013
We need to start getting some answers on how Veterans charities are taking in a billion a year while the number of suicides go up, attempted suicides go up and veterans all over the country are discovering being back home is worse than combat. We need to start getting some answers from the military on how they spend a billion a year, or more, on prevention and "resilience" training when all the numbers in all branches contain more suicides and attempted suicides within the military as well as when they come out and become veterans. Yes, we can tie the majority of the suicides of veterans to the same "troops" trained by the FUBAR programming that started in 2006 and morphed into "resilience" training in 2009.
We need answers because these are the results of what they have been getting away with for far too long.
"Oklahoma veterans and active-duty military personnel are killing themselves at twice the rate of civilians, despite increased efforts to address the problem."
"The rate of suicide among military veterans in Arizona is more than double the civilian rate. Advocates say veterans need more than benefits when returning from war. The average veteran suicide rate in Arizona from 2005 through 2011 is almost 43 deaths per 100,000 people. That’s according to data compiled by News21, a national reporting project based out of Arizona State University. And the rate should increase as more veterans return home."
Last week in Montana a 62 year old veteran went to the VA, entered the men's room, pulled out a gun and shot himself in the head. That same night over in Lubbock, a Marine veteran was taken into custody by a SWAT Team standoff.
In Massachusetts a veteran with PTSD got into his truck and drove it into a convenience store. This was captured on video.
In Washington DC Army Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter received the Medal of Honor for saving lives in Afghanistan but he has also been trying to save the lives of other veterans like him with PTSD. This came a day after the Department of Defense released the Army suicide report. As of the end of July 94 soldiers, 58 Army National Guardsmen and 32 Army Reservists committed suicide. All of this comes after the Pentagon spent over $4 billion on mental health.
Out of Wisconsin news came that domestic violence incidents involving veterans was on the rise. "There are tens of thousands of domestic abuse incidents every year in southeastern Wisconsin. As wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down, the number involving veterans is growing."
Danny Weiss, a 2004 graduate of Naperville Central High School, killed himself in 2012 after three deployments in the Army.
There is a great piece on the Huffington Post about military suicides. They could have saved tax payers $677,000 that went to the University of Kentucky to study how families feel after suicide. Yes, you read that right. The problem is while veterans charities have become a billion dollar a year industry, the government has been spending over that every year and it is almost as if they haven't paid any attention to all of this at all. Army Specialist Cody Baker of Kentucky, an Iraq War veteran committed suicide August 19, 2013.
"The tragedy of suicide is not only the loss of an individual, but the profound grief that is left when someone chooses to die by suicide. This summer, The Huffington Post asked relatives of military members and veterans who died by suicide to tell their stories. They are mothers, fathers, grandfathers, men and women, ordinary Americans who are, as one put it, members of a group you never want to be part of. They hope their stories will help other suicide survivors find comfort, and will convince those at risk of suicide to seek help now."
Master Chief David Ellingson sat down with his wife to watch a movie, went into the bathroom and shot himself in the head. The community is holding an event "Coming Out of the Dark" but no one seems to have their high beams on. Families blame themselves because no one told them what they needed to know to help these men and women heal. How do they go from wanting to stay alive during combat, doing everything possible to save the lives of their buddies, to coming back home and not wanting to live one more day?
My God! Has any of this sunk in? Back in the 70's and 80's there were plenty of excuses when Vietnam veterans were coming home and killing themselves. The last study done on them found 200,000 had committed suicide but that was in the 90's. In 2007 this came out, "Up to 80% are older veterans who served in Vietnam and Korea and suffer from anxiety, anger or depression." This was followed by this piece of news. "In the past 18 months, 148,000 Vietnam veterans have gone to VA centers reporting symptoms of PTSD "30 years after the war," said Brig. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, deputy commanding general of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He recently visited El Paso."
I've seen way too much damage done in my own family. I almost lost my husband. We lost his nephew to suicide. They were the same age in Vietnam. It happened before September 11th, before troops were sent into Afghanistan and Iraq and long before the military was doing something about suicides. As much as I blame myself for not being able to get Andy to listen to me it haunts me every time I read another report on another suicide or hear from a family member blaming themselves. It hurts even worse to know how no one is being held accountable. We ran out of excuses a long time ago.
"NEW YORK CITY, September 7, 2005—A ground-breaking study conducted by Dr. Joseph Boscarino, a Senior Scientist at The New York Academy of Medicine and Associate Professor of Medicine at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, found that U.S. Army Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had twice the rate of post-service deaths 30 years after military service, when compared to other veterans."
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
September 5, 2013
We need to start getting some answers on how Veterans charities are taking in a billion a year while the number of suicides go up, attempted suicides go up and veterans all over the country are discovering being back home is worse than combat. We need to start getting some answers from the military on how they spend a billion a year, or more, on prevention and "resilience" training when all the numbers in all branches contain more suicides and attempted suicides within the military as well as when they come out and become veterans. Yes, we can tie the majority of the suicides of veterans to the same "troops" trained by the FUBAR programming that started in 2006 and morphed into "resilience" training in 2009.
We need answers because these are the results of what they have been getting away with for far too long.
"Oklahoma veterans and active-duty military personnel are killing themselves at twice the rate of civilians, despite increased efforts to address the problem."
"The rate of suicide among military veterans in Arizona is more than double the civilian rate. Advocates say veterans need more than benefits when returning from war. The average veteran suicide rate in Arizona from 2005 through 2011 is almost 43 deaths per 100,000 people. That’s according to data compiled by News21, a national reporting project based out of Arizona State University. And the rate should increase as more veterans return home."
Last week in Montana a 62 year old veteran went to the VA, entered the men's room, pulled out a gun and shot himself in the head. That same night over in Lubbock, a Marine veteran was taken into custody by a SWAT Team standoff.
In Massachusetts a veteran with PTSD got into his truck and drove it into a convenience store. This was captured on video.
In Washington DC Army Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter received the Medal of Honor for saving lives in Afghanistan but he has also been trying to save the lives of other veterans like him with PTSD. This came a day after the Department of Defense released the Army suicide report. As of the end of July 94 soldiers, 58 Army National Guardsmen and 32 Army Reservists committed suicide. All of this comes after the Pentagon spent over $4 billion on mental health.
Out of Wisconsin news came that domestic violence incidents involving veterans was on the rise. "There are tens of thousands of domestic abuse incidents every year in southeastern Wisconsin. As wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down, the number involving veterans is growing."
Danny Weiss, a 2004 graduate of Naperville Central High School, killed himself in 2012 after three deployments in the Army.
There is a great piece on the Huffington Post about military suicides. They could have saved tax payers $677,000 that went to the University of Kentucky to study how families feel after suicide. Yes, you read that right. The problem is while veterans charities have become a billion dollar a year industry, the government has been spending over that every year and it is almost as if they haven't paid any attention to all of this at all. Army Specialist Cody Baker of Kentucky, an Iraq War veteran committed suicide August 19, 2013.
"The tragedy of suicide is not only the loss of an individual, but the profound grief that is left when someone chooses to die by suicide. This summer, The Huffington Post asked relatives of military members and veterans who died by suicide to tell their stories. They are mothers, fathers, grandfathers, men and women, ordinary Americans who are, as one put it, members of a group you never want to be part of. They hope their stories will help other suicide survivors find comfort, and will convince those at risk of suicide to seek help now."
Master Chief David Ellingson sat down with his wife to watch a movie, went into the bathroom and shot himself in the head. The community is holding an event "Coming Out of the Dark" but no one seems to have their high beams on. Families blame themselves because no one told them what they needed to know to help these men and women heal. How do they go from wanting to stay alive during combat, doing everything possible to save the lives of their buddies, to coming back home and not wanting to live one more day?
My God! Has any of this sunk in? Back in the 70's and 80's there were plenty of excuses when Vietnam veterans were coming home and killing themselves. The last study done on them found 200,000 had committed suicide but that was in the 90's. In 2007 this came out, "Up to 80% are older veterans who served in Vietnam and Korea and suffer from anxiety, anger or depression." This was followed by this piece of news. "In the past 18 months, 148,000 Vietnam veterans have gone to VA centers reporting symptoms of PTSD "30 years after the war," said Brig. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, deputy commanding general of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He recently visited El Paso."
I've seen way too much damage done in my own family. I almost lost my husband. We lost his nephew to suicide. They were the same age in Vietnam. It happened before September 11th, before troops were sent into Afghanistan and Iraq and long before the military was doing something about suicides. As much as I blame myself for not being able to get Andy to listen to me it haunts me every time I read another report on another suicide or hear from a family member blaming themselves. It hurts even worse to know how no one is being held accountable. We ran out of excuses a long time ago.
"NEW YORK CITY, September 7, 2005—A ground-breaking study conducted by Dr. Joseph Boscarino, a Senior Scientist at The New York Academy of Medicine and Associate Professor of Medicine at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, found that U.S. Army Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had twice the rate of post-service deaths 30 years after military service, when compared to other veterans."
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Suicide rate for Oklahoma veterans double civilian rate
This week in Montana a 62 year old veteran went to the VA, entered the men's room, pulled out a gun and shot himself in the head. That same night over in Lubbock, a Marine veteran was taken into custody by a SWAT Team standoff. In Massachusetts a veteran with PTSD got into his truck and drove it into a convenience store. This was captured on video.
In Washington DC Army Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter received the Medal of Honor for saving lives in Afghanistan but he has also been trying to save the lives of other veterans like him with PTSD. This came a day after the Department of Defense released the Army suicide report. As of the end of July 94 soldiers, 58 Army National Guardsmen and 32 Army Reservists committed suicide. All of this comes after the Pentagon spent over $4 billion on mental health.
Out of Wisconsin news came that domestic violence incidents involving veterans was on the rise. "There are tens of thousands of domestic abuse incidents every year in southeastern Wisconsin. As wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down, the number involving veterans is growing."
Keep in mind that this is only Wednesday morning. Topping off all the reports that prove beyond a shadow of doubt that all the money spent, all the claims made, all the speeches given, they are not really doing anything to help the war fighters or their families heal.
Billions are spent every year by government branches, agencies and charities but the bad numbers go up. We've been hearing what they are doing about it but not seeing anything to show that something is working. Is anyone paying attention to all of this?
When you read the following you'll know what else is happening the national news just doesn't have time for. The national tragedy for veterans and their families is a worsening national disgrace!
In Washington DC Army Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter received the Medal of Honor for saving lives in Afghanistan but he has also been trying to save the lives of other veterans like him with PTSD. This came a day after the Department of Defense released the Army suicide report. As of the end of July 94 soldiers, 58 Army National Guardsmen and 32 Army Reservists committed suicide. All of this comes after the Pentagon spent over $4 billion on mental health.
Out of Wisconsin news came that domestic violence incidents involving veterans was on the rise. "There are tens of thousands of domestic abuse incidents every year in southeastern Wisconsin. As wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down, the number involving veterans is growing."
Keep in mind that this is only Wednesday morning. Topping off all the reports that prove beyond a shadow of doubt that all the money spent, all the claims made, all the speeches given, they are not really doing anything to help the war fighters or their families heal.
Billions are spent every year by government branches, agencies and charities but the bad numbers go up. We've been hearing what they are doing about it but not seeing anything to show that something is working. Is anyone paying attention to all of this?
When you read the following you'll know what else is happening the national news just doesn't have time for. The national tragedy for veterans and their families is a worsening national disgrace!
Suicide rate for Oklahoma veterans, active-duty military sees incline
The Norman Transcript
By Chase Cook, Oklahoma Watch
August 28, 2013
NORMAN — Oklahoma veterans and active-duty military personnel are killing themselves at twice the rate of civilians, despite increased efforts to address the problem.
The 2011 suicide rate for soldiers was about 44 per 100,000 population, according to an Oklahoma Watch analysis of Oklahoma State Department of Health data. This rate includes active-duty military as well as veterans from the post-9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea and World War II. The civilian rate for people over the age of 18 was about 22 per 100,000.
In 2011, 141 of the state’s 684 suicides were veterans, according to state health department records.
The veteran suicide rate in Oklahoma is down from a peak of about 46 in 2008, but researchers said that year had increased suicides due to the Great Recession. The rate dropped to about 39 in 2009 and has since climbed back up.
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services recently allocated $500,000 in new funding for suicide prevention programs, including veterans outreach.
read more here
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Vietnam veteran's mule-powered journey to visit father's grave ends sadly
Mich. veteran's mule-powered journey to visit father's grave ends sadly
Truck rear-ends wagon, injuring man, killing mules
JC Online
Written by Mikel Livingston
Jul. 26, 2013
A Vietnam veteran’s 1,000-mile trek to visit his father’s grave — a journey that took him through the Clinton County town of Colfax on May 24 and 25 — took a sad turn this week.
Since May 1, 68-year-old Charlie Peters has been traveling by a wagon pulled by a pair of mules from his home in Owosso, Mich., to the grave of R.B. Peters in Okemah, Okla.
Peters had been hoping to reach the grave site next week, to thank his father in person for the elder Peters’ service in World War II.
But on Wednesday night, Peters’ wagon was rear-ended by a truck in a late night accident on Highway 64 in Ozark, Ark. Peters suffered two broken ribs.
According to various media reports from that area, one of the mules died at the scene and another died overnight at a nearby veterinary hospital.
Carol Peters, Charlie Peters’ daughter, said her father was traveling back to Owosso by car Friday, along with his son.
read more here
Truck rear-ends wagon, injuring man, killing mules
JC Online
Written by Mikel Livingston
Jul. 26, 2013
A Vietnam veteran’s 1,000-mile trek to visit his father’s grave — a journey that took him through the Clinton County town of Colfax on May 24 and 25 — took a sad turn this week.
Since May 1, 68-year-old Charlie Peters has been traveling by a wagon pulled by a pair of mules from his home in Owosso, Mich., to the grave of R.B. Peters in Okemah, Okla.
Peters had been hoping to reach the grave site next week, to thank his father in person for the elder Peters’ service in World War II.
But on Wednesday night, Peters’ wagon was rear-ended by a truck in a late night accident on Highway 64 in Ozark, Ark. Peters suffered two broken ribs.
According to various media reports from that area, one of the mules died at the scene and another died overnight at a nearby veterinary hospital.
Carol Peters, Charlie Peters’ daughter, said her father was traveling back to Owosso by car Friday, along with his son.
read more here
Sgt. Richard Marshall passed away after being wounded in Iraq
Soldier, Oklahoma Native Dies Of Heart Attack Years After Injury In Iraq
News On 6
Tess Maune
Posted: Jul 25, 2013
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma - Sgt. Richard Marshall was severely injured by a roadside bomb in 2007.
The bomb had killed three of his fellow soldiers, but Marshall somehow managed to kick open the door of his humvee to let the other survivors know he was alive.
He'd show the same fighting spirit for the next six years.
Marshall was born to be a soldier.
"It's our family duty, it seems, to serve our country," said Marshall's cousin, William Lowe.
Lowe said Marshall was serving his country proudly during his third tour of duty in Iraq, when he volunteered to go on a routine patrol.
That's when Marshall's humvee was hit by a roadside bomb.
"My mother calls me and says, 'Hey, Richard has been severely hurt,'" Lowe said.
Marshall needed open heart surgery immediately after the explosion in Baghdad. He survived the attack and was eventually sent back to his home in Alabama, still ready to fight.
"He was pretty adamant about staying in the Army, and I know he gave it his best efforts to even serve after he was injured, but his health just wore him," Lowe said.
So, instead of the military life, Marshall settled into his most important roles: that of Dad, to Autumn and Jalen, and husband to Brittany.
read more here
News On 6
Tess Maune
Posted: Jul 25, 2013
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma - Sgt. Richard Marshall was severely injured by a roadside bomb in 2007.
The bomb had killed three of his fellow soldiers, but Marshall somehow managed to kick open the door of his humvee to let the other survivors know he was alive.
He'd show the same fighting spirit for the next six years.
Marshall was born to be a soldier.
"It's our family duty, it seems, to serve our country," said Marshall's cousin, William Lowe.
Lowe said Marshall was serving his country proudly during his third tour of duty in Iraq, when he volunteered to go on a routine patrol.
That's when Marshall's humvee was hit by a roadside bomb.
"My mother calls me and says, 'Hey, Richard has been severely hurt,'" Lowe said.
Marshall needed open heart surgery immediately after the explosion in Baghdad. He survived the attack and was eventually sent back to his home in Alabama, still ready to fight.
"He was pretty adamant about staying in the Army, and I know he gave it his best efforts to even serve after he was injured, but his health just wore him," Lowe said.
So, instead of the military life, Marshall settled into his most important roles: that of Dad, to Autumn and Jalen, and husband to Brittany.
read more here
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Fort Hood soldier passed away from terminal illness
Death of a Fort Hood soldier
Fort Hood Public Affairs Office
Courtesy Story
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Dallas Keas
FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a soldier who died from a terminal illness in Temple, Texas July 7.
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Dallas Keas, 44, whose home of record is listed as Bixby, Okla., entered active duty service in July 2007 as an air defense enhanced early warning operator. He was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, Warrior Transition Brigade, Fort Hood, since November 2012.
Keas deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2009 to February 2010.
read more here
Fort Hood Public Affairs Office
Courtesy Story
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Dallas Keas
FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a soldier who died from a terminal illness in Temple, Texas July 7.
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Dallas Keas, 44, whose home of record is listed as Bixby, Okla., entered active duty service in July 2007 as an air defense enhanced early warning operator. He was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, Warrior Transition Brigade, Fort Hood, since November 2012.
Keas deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2009 to February 2010.
read more here
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Fourth of July parade tragedy when child run over by float Dad was driving
Father driving float accidentally runs over son at Fourth of July parade
NBC News
By Sophia Rosenbaum
July 4, 2013
An Oklahoma Fourth of July parade turned tragic Thursday morning when a father accidentally ran over and killed his eight-year-old son who had been on a parade float, police said.
Thousands of people had gathered on the streets of Edmond, Okla., to watch the 40th annual Fourth of July parade, which is part of the weeklong LibertyFest celebration.
NBC News
By Sophia Rosenbaum
July 4, 2013
An Oklahoma Fourth of July parade turned tragic Thursday morning when a father accidentally ran over and killed his eight-year-old son who had been on a parade float, police said.
Thousands of people had gathered on the streets of Edmond, Okla., to watch the 40th annual Fourth of July parade, which is part of the weeklong LibertyFest celebration.
When he was loaded into the ambulance, the nurse said he still had a pulse but the boy was pronounced dead when he arrived at UC Presbyterian Hospital.
read more here
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Retired General David Petraeus joins TEAM RUBICON
Retired General David Petraeus joins TEAM RUBICON
TR Nation
Almost one month ago, an EF-5 tornado hit the city of Moore, OK, leaving catastrophic damage in its wake. As Moore picked itself up from the rubble, a tremendous outpouring of support came in from across the country.
Team Rubicon was on the ground the very next day, and as we built out the framework for the long-term recovery efforts, we saw what kind of impact TR Nation would have on Operation: Starting Gun.
Four weeks later, we've collected 2,374 damage assessments, completed over 250 work orders on damaged structures, and deployed over 300 veteran volunteers from all ten regions. Because of your support, we estimate TR has saved the community roughly $1.1 million in demolition and debris removal costs.
And today, we're pleased to announce that Team Rubicon is adding General David Petraeus USA (Ret.) to our Board of Advisors. Between his time in uniform and as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, General Petraeus served our Nation for over 38 years. By joining our Board of Advisors, General Petraeus is making good on his promise to help our veterans continue their service and ease the transition from military to civilian life. His ability to develop and implement radical strategies will serve Team Rubicon greatly as we attempt to revolutionize disaster response and veteran reintegration.
There is still a lot of work to be done in Moore. Your continued support will put more volunteers on the ground and provide us the equipment needed to help Moore rebuild. Can you help?
We couldn't do this without you.
Thanks,
The Team
TR Nation
Almost one month ago, an EF-5 tornado hit the city of Moore, OK, leaving catastrophic damage in its wake. As Moore picked itself up from the rubble, a tremendous outpouring of support came in from across the country.
Team Rubicon was on the ground the very next day, and as we built out the framework for the long-term recovery efforts, we saw what kind of impact TR Nation would have on Operation: Starting Gun.
Four weeks later, we've collected 2,374 damage assessments, completed over 250 work orders on damaged structures, and deployed over 300 veteran volunteers from all ten regions. Because of your support, we estimate TR has saved the community roughly $1.1 million in demolition and debris removal costs.
And today, we're pleased to announce that Team Rubicon is adding General David Petraeus USA (Ret.) to our Board of Advisors. Between his time in uniform and as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, General Petraeus served our Nation for over 38 years. By joining our Board of Advisors, General Petraeus is making good on his promise to help our veterans continue their service and ease the transition from military to civilian life. His ability to develop and implement radical strategies will serve Team Rubicon greatly as we attempt to revolutionize disaster response and veteran reintegration.
There is still a lot of work to be done in Moore. Your continued support will put more volunteers on the ground and provide us the equipment needed to help Moore rebuild. Can you help?
We couldn't do this without you.
Thanks,
The Team
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Three "Storm Chasers" killed in Oklahoma
'Storm Chasers' Star Tim Samaras, Son Paul Samaras And Carl Young Die In Oklahoma
Huffington Post
Posted: 06/02/2013
Former "Storm Chaser" star Tim Samaras, his son Paul Samaras, and colleague Carl Young died while chasing the Oklahoma storm on Friday, May 31.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Tim Samaras his son Paul and their colleague Carl Young. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families," Discovery Channel said in a statement.
Samaras' brother, Jim, posted a message on Samaras's official Facebook page. TheWeatherSpace.com reported on the trio's passing.
read more here
Huffington Post
Posted: 06/02/2013
Former "Storm Chaser" star Tim Samaras, his son Paul Samaras, and colleague Carl Young died while chasing the Oklahoma storm on Friday, May 31.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Tim Samaras his son Paul and their colleague Carl Young. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families," Discovery Channel said in a statement.
Samaras' brother, Jim, posted a message on Samaras's official Facebook page. TheWeatherSpace.com reported on the trio's passing.
read more here
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Veteran losing home to tornado 3 weeks after it was paid off
The media pushes the political divide in this country but the truth is far from a divided nation. When tragedy strikes, people show up to help strangers. That is what this country is all about.
American Legion
By Cameran Richardson
May 23, 2013
Army veteran Frank Froman and his wife, Gisela, were at a gas station when the deadly tornado ripped through Moore, Okla., late afternoon on May 20; their six-month pregnant granddaughter was at their house alone. They returned home to find their granddaughter safe but were faced with the tornado’s aftermath — a pile of debris. And it was just three weeks ago that the Froman’s paid off their entire home mortgage.
“People are the most important thing. Everything else can be replaced,” Gisela said.
The route home from the gas station was shocking. “We couldn’t even find what road we lived on,” said Chris Froman, son of Franklin and Gisela. “Yet, we came into the neighborhood and a few blocks away it was normal — there wasn’t any damage to homes.”
read more here
“Just when you think the country is divided, you look around at all these people — many of whom don’t even live here (in Moore) — helping with the cleanup efforts and it reminds you that people are patriotic,” Department of Oklahoma Adjutant Lance Rooms said.Veteran family returns home to debris
American Legion
By Cameran Richardson
May 23, 2013
Army veteran Frank Froman and his wife, Gisela, were at a gas station when the deadly tornado ripped through Moore, Okla., late afternoon on May 20; their six-month pregnant granddaughter was at their house alone. They returned home to find their granddaughter safe but were faced with the tornado’s aftermath — a pile of debris. And it was just three weeks ago that the Froman’s paid off their entire home mortgage.
“People are the most important thing. Everything else can be replaced,” Gisela said.
The route home from the gas station was shocking. “We couldn’t even find what road we lived on,” said Chris Froman, son of Franklin and Gisela. “Yet, we came into the neighborhood and a few blocks away it was normal — there wasn’t any damage to homes.”
read more here
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Tornado turns Marin Iraq vet’s town into war zone
Tornado turns marine vet’s town into war zone
War veteran vows to rebuild home flattened in devastating Oklahoma storm
AFP
May 22, 2013
Moore, Oklahoma: Curtis Carver has every intention of rebuilding from scratch the house he lost in Monday’s powerful and deadly hurricane that devastated this Oklahoma City suburb. But first, the construction worker and 20-year veteran of the US Marine Corps, who spent two years on active duty in Iraq, wants to recover his memories from the rubble - and law enforcement is getting in the way.
“My pictures. That’s all I want - my pictures,” he said Tuesday while cooling his heels and suppressing his anger at a road block where a police officer politely but firmly denied him access to the disaster zone.
Other residents could enter with a valid proof of address, and many did, toting out by foot whatever they could in bags and luggage of all shapes and colours to their cars parked a few kilometers away.
But Carver’s house, in the vicinity of Southwest 14th Street and Santa Fe Avenue, was in an area deemed by authorities Tuesday to be still too hazardous to enter, although he did get a glimpse of it Monday evening.
“It was my home, my kids’ home,” said Carver, a 38-year-old father of two, wearing a camouflage jacket over an Oklahoma T-shirt. “Now it’s gone. There’s nothing left. It’s a pile of sticks, and they’re keeping me away.”
read more here
War veteran vows to rebuild home flattened in devastating Oklahoma storm
AFP
May 22, 2013
Moore, Oklahoma: Curtis Carver has every intention of rebuilding from scratch the house he lost in Monday’s powerful and deadly hurricane that devastated this Oklahoma City suburb. But first, the construction worker and 20-year veteran of the US Marine Corps, who spent two years on active duty in Iraq, wants to recover his memories from the rubble - and law enforcement is getting in the way.
“My pictures. That’s all I want - my pictures,” he said Tuesday while cooling his heels and suppressing his anger at a road block where a police officer politely but firmly denied him access to the disaster zone.
Other residents could enter with a valid proof of address, and many did, toting out by foot whatever they could in bags and luggage of all shapes and colours to their cars parked a few kilometers away.
But Carver’s house, in the vicinity of Southwest 14th Street and Santa Fe Avenue, was in an area deemed by authorities Tuesday to be still too hazardous to enter, although he did get a glimpse of it Monday evening.
“It was my home, my kids’ home,” said Carver, a 38-year-old father of two, wearing a camouflage jacket over an Oklahoma T-shirt. “Now it’s gone. There’s nothing left. It’s a pile of sticks, and they’re keeping me away.”
read more here
Monday, May 20, 2013
Students trapped after tornado hits two schools near Oklahoma City
UPDATE NBC
'Confirmed casualties' at Oklahoma school flattened by tornado, fire chief says
UPDATE KROR.COM 4 NEWS said they are now in search and recovery at the school.
About 2 dozen children are believed to remain in the rubble of Plaza Towers Elementary School.
Reporters have also been talking about average people showing up to do whatever they can to help.
Live coverage on NBC
'Major damage' as huge tornado rips through neighborhoods south of Oklahoma City
By Erin McClam
Staff Writer
NBC News
A monster two-mile-wide tornado ripped through southern Oklahoma City and the suburb of Moore on Monday afternoon, leaving homes and schools in ruins and fires burning out of control.
There was no immediate word on casualties, but aerial footage showed major destruction: flattened homes, cars flipped over and crushed, residents milling around in shock or combing through debris.
At one wrecked school, search crews were trying to account for students in kindergarten through third grade, NBC station KFOR reported.
“I lost everything,” a shirtless man told a reporter as he walked in a daze through the ruins of a horse farm that was obliterated. “We might have one horse left out of all of them.”
'Confirmed casualties' at Oklahoma school flattened by tornado, fire chief says
UPDATE KROR.COM 4 NEWS said they are now in search and recovery at the school.
About 2 dozen children are believed to remain in the rubble of Plaza Towers Elementary School.
Reporters have also been talking about average people showing up to do whatever they can to help.
Live coverage on NBC
'Major damage' as huge tornado rips through neighborhoods south of Oklahoma City
By Erin McClam
Staff Writer
NBC News
A monster two-mile-wide tornado ripped through southern Oklahoma City and the suburb of Moore on Monday afternoon, leaving homes and schools in ruins and fires burning out of control.
There was no immediate word on casualties, but aerial footage showed major destruction: flattened homes, cars flipped over and crushed, residents milling around in shock or combing through debris.
At one wrecked school, search crews were trying to account for students in kindergarten through third grade, NBC station KFOR reported.
“I lost everything,” a shirtless man told a reporter as he walked in a daze through the ruins of a horse farm that was obliterated. “We might have one horse left out of all of them.”
Two elementary schools — Briarwood Elementary in Oklahoma City and Plaza Towers Elementary in Moore — were heavily damaged, KFOR reported.
A teacher told a KFOR reporter that she lay on top of six kids in a bathroom as the tornado touched down to protect them.
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Thursday, February 14, 2013
Push for National Guard PTSD treatment advances
Push for National Guard PTSD treatment advances
DAN HOLTMEYER
Associated Press
February 13, 2013
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma must bridge a gap in mental and physical trauma treatment for its 10,000 National Guard members, a state senator told a Senate panel Wednesday.
The Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee approved without opposition a proposal from Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, that calls for training guard members' caregivers to better treat post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.
"I've got a concern that others have brought to me that we are not doing enough to provide the full attention that those National Guard members need and certainly deserve," Crain told The Associated Press after the hearing. "We want to make sure that people that are providing care to those National Guard members have the training, have the support, know what resources are available."
Specifically, Crain's bill calls on the Oklahoma Health Care Authority's medical advisory committee to launch and oversee pilot training programs for caretakers, even if they're simply family members or neighbors of guardsmen.
According to Pentagon data, more veterans died by suicide than in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan last year, a years-long trend that has intensified interest in military mental health screening and treatment. Multiple studies also have found National Guard members are especially at risk for PTSD and other mental health problems.
"Because National Guard soldiers return to civilian status following their deployment, they do not have the same uninterrupted access to military medical care as Active Component soldiers," researchers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research wrote in a June 2010 study on PTSD among returning active and reserve Iraq veterans.
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DAN HOLTMEYER
Associated Press
February 13, 2013
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma must bridge a gap in mental and physical trauma treatment for its 10,000 National Guard members, a state senator told a Senate panel Wednesday.
The Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee approved without opposition a proposal from Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, that calls for training guard members' caregivers to better treat post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.
"I've got a concern that others have brought to me that we are not doing enough to provide the full attention that those National Guard members need and certainly deserve," Crain told The Associated Press after the hearing. "We want to make sure that people that are providing care to those National Guard members have the training, have the support, know what resources are available."
Specifically, Crain's bill calls on the Oklahoma Health Care Authority's medical advisory committee to launch and oversee pilot training programs for caretakers, even if they're simply family members or neighbors of guardsmen.
According to Pentagon data, more veterans died by suicide than in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan last year, a years-long trend that has intensified interest in military mental health screening and treatment. Multiple studies also have found National Guard members are especially at risk for PTSD and other mental health problems.
"Because National Guard soldiers return to civilian status following their deployment, they do not have the same uninterrupted access to military medical care as Active Component soldiers," researchers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research wrote in a June 2010 study on PTSD among returning active and reserve Iraq veterans.
read more here
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Oklahoma Vietnam Veteran Receives $600,000 In Overdue Benefits
Oklahoma Vietnam Veteran Receives $600,000 In Overdue Benefits
Feb 11, 2013
Lacie Lowry
News On 6
TULSA, Oklahoma - An Oklahoma veteran is enjoying a long overdue payday. The former soldier, from Tulsa, finally received $600,000 in back benefits that he was never paid because of a paperwork error.
The veteran wants to keep his privacy about the money, so we won't use his name.
He recently got paid for a claim he filed in 1986.
"It happened about three months ago and it's still soaking in. I still try to save coupons for the store. It's still soaking in," he said.
read more here
Feb 11, 2013
Lacie Lowry
News On 6
TULSA, Oklahoma - An Oklahoma veteran is enjoying a long overdue payday. The former soldier, from Tulsa, finally received $600,000 in back benefits that he was never paid because of a paperwork error.
The veteran wants to keep his privacy about the money, so we won't use his name.
He recently got paid for a claim he filed in 1986.
"It happened about three months ago and it's still soaking in. I still try to save coupons for the store. It's still soaking in," he said.
read more here
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Fort Sill soldier faces death penalty
Soldier faces trial in child’s death
The Associated Press Posted : Friday Feb 8, 2013
OKLAHOMA CITY — Almost two years after a 10-year-old boy starved to death at an Oklahoma Army base, a soldier accused of first-degree murder is set to go on trial in a rare case in which federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday at the federal courthouse in Lawton for the trial of Pvt. Connell C. Williams, 33, who was indicted by a federal grand jury for the May 5, 2011, death of Marcus Holloway, the son of Williams' girlfriend, at Fort Sill in southwestern Oklahoma. He has pleaded not guilty.
A September 2011 indictment accused Williams and the boy's mother, Candice Holloway, 32, of depriving the boy of food over a period of about four months until he starved to death. Holloway pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as part of a plea agreement in which she will serve 30 years in federal prison and testify against Williams.
Since 1927, there have been only 37 federal executions, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Federal prosecutors filed to seek the death penalty last April because they claim Williams "committed the offense in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner in that it involved torture and serious physical abuse to the victim." The notice of intent, authorized by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, also cites the vulnerability of the victim and the fact that he was in Williams' care and custody.
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The Associated Press Posted : Friday Feb 8, 2013
OKLAHOMA CITY — Almost two years after a 10-year-old boy starved to death at an Oklahoma Army base, a soldier accused of first-degree murder is set to go on trial in a rare case in which federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday at the federal courthouse in Lawton for the trial of Pvt. Connell C. Williams, 33, who was indicted by a federal grand jury for the May 5, 2011, death of Marcus Holloway, the son of Williams' girlfriend, at Fort Sill in southwestern Oklahoma. He has pleaded not guilty.
A September 2011 indictment accused Williams and the boy's mother, Candice Holloway, 32, of depriving the boy of food over a period of about four months until he starved to death. Holloway pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as part of a plea agreement in which she will serve 30 years in federal prison and testify against Williams.
Since 1927, there have been only 37 federal executions, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Federal prosecutors filed to seek the death penalty last April because they claim Williams "committed the offense in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner in that it involved torture and serious physical abuse to the victim." The notice of intent, authorized by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, also cites the vulnerability of the victim and the fact that he was in Williams' care and custody.
read more here
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
"Dirty Dozen" World War II hero James "Jake" McNiece passed away
WWII Hero, Inspiration for 'The Dirty Dozen,' Dies
Jan 23, 2013
UPI
World War II hero James "Jake" McNiece, whose behind-the-lines exploits helped inspire the film "The Dirty Dozen," has died, family members said. He was 93.
McNiece, a retired postal worker who spent most of his adult life in Ponca City, Okla., but lived his last years near family in Springfield, Ill., passed away Monday, The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman reported.
McNiece led a group of soldiers nicknamed "The Filthy 13" on a paratroop mission behind German lines in the hours before the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion by Allied forces.
Their mission was to destroy bridges and prevent German reinforcements from moving into Normandy and retreating forces from leaving.
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Jan 23, 2013
UPI
World War II hero James "Jake" McNiece, whose behind-the-lines exploits helped inspire the film "The Dirty Dozen," has died, family members said. He was 93.
McNiece, a retired postal worker who spent most of his adult life in Ponca City, Okla., but lived his last years near family in Springfield, Ill., passed away Monday, The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman reported.
McNiece led a group of soldiers nicknamed "The Filthy 13" on a paratroop mission behind German lines in the hours before the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion by Allied forces.
Their mission was to destroy bridges and prevent German reinforcements from moving into Normandy and retreating forces from leaving.
read more here
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Vietnam Veteran Dennis Hall passed away after seeing the Wall
Vietnam Veteran Featured On News 9 Passes Away
Posted: Jan 14, 2013
By Steve Shaw, News 9
BRIDGEPORT, Oklahoma - A Vietnam Veteran from Bridgeport whose dying wish was to see the Vietnam Veterans Wall in Washington D.C. has passed away. But 64-year-old Dennis Hall's dream came true anyway.
Hall, who had been battling an aggressive brain tumor for several months, died peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning.
We first told you about Dennis Hall last August. Hall's granddaughter emailed News 9 about a bake sale the family was having. They were trying to scrape together money to get Dennis closer to his dream.
Not even five minutes after our story aired August 9, Oklahomans from all over the country stepped forward and offered money to help the Hall family.
read more here
Donations Pour In Granting Oklahoma Vietnam Vet's Dying Wish
Posted: Jan 14, 2013
By Steve Shaw, News 9
BRIDGEPORT, Oklahoma - A Vietnam Veteran from Bridgeport whose dying wish was to see the Vietnam Veterans Wall in Washington D.C. has passed away. But 64-year-old Dennis Hall's dream came true anyway.
Hall, who had been battling an aggressive brain tumor for several months, died peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning.
We first told you about Dennis Hall last August. Hall's granddaughter emailed News 9 about a bake sale the family was having. They were trying to scrape together money to get Dennis closer to his dream.
Not even five minutes after our story aired August 9, Oklahomans from all over the country stepped forward and offered money to help the Hall family.
read more here
Donations Pour In Granting Oklahoma Vietnam Vet's Dying Wish
Monday, November 26, 2012
Oklahoma National Guards struggle with PTSD rates
Military in Oklahoma, nationwide still struggling with PTSD rates, treatment
NewsOK
By Bryan Dean
Published: November 22, 2012
WASHINGTON — If the averages apply, at least 500 Oklahoma National Guard soldiers who returned earlier this year from Afghanistan will show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Identifying and treating those soldiers is one of the great challenges for the modern military, and both military and mental health professionals said they still aren't very good at it.
Officials with the U.S. Defense Department, Veterans Affairs, the National Institutes of Health and other agencies gathered last week for a workshop on post-traumatic stress.
Despite monumental efforts by the military to grapple with PTSD and suicide, the numbers aren't encouraging.
Dr. Michael Kilpatrick, deputy director of force health protection and readiness programs at the U.S. Department of Defense, said about 5 percent of those in the military show signs of post-traumatic stress when they are screened before going on deployments.
read more here
NewsOK
By Bryan Dean
Published: November 22, 2012
“If 75 percent of the people who need care aren't getting it, we aren't doing our job right,” Kilpatrick said.
WASHINGTON — If the averages apply, at least 500 Oklahoma National Guard soldiers who returned earlier this year from Afghanistan will show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Identifying and treating those soldiers is one of the great challenges for the modern military, and both military and mental health professionals said they still aren't very good at it.
Officials with the U.S. Defense Department, Veterans Affairs, the National Institutes of Health and other agencies gathered last week for a workshop on post-traumatic stress.
Despite monumental efforts by the military to grapple with PTSD and suicide, the numbers aren't encouraging.
Dr. Michael Kilpatrick, deputy director of force health protection and readiness programs at the U.S. Department of Defense, said about 5 percent of those in the military show signs of post-traumatic stress when they are screened before going on deployments.
read more here
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Two months home from Afghanistan, Marine fighting for life after hit and run
Marine's Family Speaks After Ada Hit-and-Run Incident
KTEN
Posted: Oct 22, 2012
By Shannon McConathy, Reporter / Producer
TUPELO, OK -- Josh Stein, a marine and father, fought for his country in Afghanistan.
After returning just two months ago, he is fighting for his life at an Oklahoma City Hospital.
"His ribs are broken on both sides. His lungs are bruised and one has a hole in them.
His liver is bruised and has a tear in it. He's lost part of an ear," Stein's grandmother Nellie Hunter explained.
Stein is still in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle in a parking lot.
Nellie Hunter is caring for her grandson's children as his wife and parents stay at OU Medical Center.
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KTEN
Posted: Oct 22, 2012
By Shannon McConathy, Reporter / Producer
TUPELO, OK -- Josh Stein, a marine and father, fought for his country in Afghanistan.
After returning just two months ago, he is fighting for his life at an Oklahoma City Hospital.
"His ribs are broken on both sides. His lungs are bruised and one has a hole in them.
His liver is bruised and has a tear in it. He's lost part of an ear," Stein's grandmother Nellie Hunter explained.
Stein is still in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle in a parking lot.
Nellie Hunter is caring for her grandson's children as his wife and parents stay at OU Medical Center.
read more here
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Oklahoma Vietnam Veteran's Dying Wish Granted
Oklahoma Vietnam Veteran's Dying Wish Granted
Posted: Aug 27, 2012
By Steve Shaw
News 9
Sixty-three-year-old Dennis Hall has an inoperable brain tumor doctors say will kill him in less than a year. Three weeks ago, we told you Halls' final request was to visit the National Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington D.C.
Since our initial story aired, donations from all across the country have poured into the Hall's home in tiny Bridgeport, Oklahoma.
read more here
Posted: Aug 27, 2012
By Steve Shaw
News 9
BRIDGEPORT, Oklahoma - A Vietnam veteran's dying wish has been granted.Hall received a special send-off from the Patriot Guard at Will Rogers World Airport.
Sixty-three-year-old Dennis Hall has an inoperable brain tumor doctors say will kill him in less than a year. Three weeks ago, we told you Halls' final request was to visit the National Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington D.C.
Since our initial story aired, donations from all across the country have poured into the Hall's home in tiny Bridgeport, Oklahoma.
read more here
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