Unclaimed Veteran James “Jim” Sands family found

Dozens of friends, family bid farewell to once unclaimed Army veteran
Hawaii News Now
Chelsea Davis
Saturday, July 14th 2018

Sands served in the Army from 1962 to 1965 as an Airborne Infantryman, and his friends say he belongs in Hawaii alongside his fellow veterans.

KANEOHE, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow)
An Army veteran whose body went unclaimed for months has been granted a final resting place at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.

James “Jim” Sands moved to Hawaii from Texas decades ago and made several friends at the beach and at the bars. But when he died last spring — no family members came forward.

After a story about Sands aired on Memorial Day, someone tracked down his sister in Riverside, California.

His sister, Nicki, released his body to the military so he could have a military burial. And on Friday morning, dozens gathered to bid their final farewells.

"He was a great guy. He was a wonderful person. He had a great sense of humor so I've been told," said Chaplain Maj. Raymond Hawkins.

The McPhees, a couple that hadn't seen Sands in about 40 years, were among those who wanted to say goodbye.
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Fake Marine-PTSD Pastor and Serial Killer Buddy?

Fake Marine gave serial killer suspect a home. Now he's accused of bilking man of RV park
Mississippi Clarion Ledger
Jerry Mitchell
Published June 29, 2018

CANYON LAKE, Texas — A fake Marine who gave Mississippi native and convicted killer Felix Vail a home is now accused of using a Christian charity to bilk a man of an RV park.

David Thomason was so close with convicted murderer Felix Vail that he gave him property in Canyon Lake, Texas. And there is one thing he has in common with Vail: each had a wife reported to have drowned in an accident.
(Photo: File photo)

David Thomason portrays himself as a heroic Marine and a generous pastor who aids veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder with his Tree of Light Ministries.

In reality, he is a mail-order minister with no record of serving in the Marines.

A local man here, Bryan Todd Sympson, is now suing Thomason and his wife, saying they tricked him over the past three years into giving their Tree of Light Ministries at least $336,590 in donations, plus an RV park.

It gets stranger...read more here

Fort Knox Soldier stole gun--found dead

Coroner: Soldier found in Clarksville died of self-inflicted gunshot wound
News and Tribune
BY ELIZABETH DEPOMPEI
Jun 12, 2018

Njoroge was assigned to the 14th Human Resources Sustainment Center, 1st TSC at Fort Knox, Ky., according to a news release from the U.S. Army. He was on leave in Clarksville at the time of his death.

CLARKSVILLE — An investigation into the death of a U.S. Army soldier on leave in Clarksville is ongoing.

Pfc. Bryan N. Njoroge, 21, of McKinney, Texas, was found unconscious on Clarksville High School property near the announcer station at the school's baseball field around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, according to a police report. The responding officer observed a gun and a "large amount of blood" surrounding Njoroge.

Clark County Coroner Billy Scott said Tuesday the death is preliminarily attributed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Toxicology results are pending.

A second police report from the Clarksville Police Department shows that a gun was reported stolen from American Shooters around 8 p.m. Friday. Using witness statements and security footage, police identified the theft suspect as Njoroge, who had left his military I.D. at the business.

An employee told police Njoroge had been in the indoor range three times during the day, each time renting the same gun. Njoroge reportedly came out to the front counter around 8:10 p.m. As other customers entered the store, Njoroge "slowly made his way away from the front counter towards the door" and left the store, according to the police report.

Njoroge was found deceased outside Clarksville High School the next day. The school is located less than a half-mile from American Shooters.
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Disabled veteran left homeless after being hacked

Gulf war veteran and family living in a U-Haul van after hacker stole disability benefits from online account
Dallas Morning News
David Tarrant, Enterprise writer
June 7, 2018

DENTON — Jeff Slaughter needs answers fast after his monthly disability check didn't show up in his bank account earlier this month. The disabled Persian Gulf War veteran said he was told by Department of Veterans Affairs officials late last month that his account was hacked.

Slaughter had been staying at a La Quinta Inn off Interstate 35 in Denton, waiting for new veteran housing to open in Houston. But after his account was hacked, his money ran out. Today, he's living out of a U-haul van in the hotel parking lot with his wife, son and two dogs. Hotel management lent him a fan, but it was still a rough night.

"We didn't get much sleep — hardly any," Slaughter said, standing outside the white van.

A VA spokeswoman said that its eBenefits program, which handles compensation for the nation's disabled veterans, has not been hacked. Instead, individual eBenefits accounts — which 4 million disabled veterans use to get benefit payments — have been fraudulently accessed. Jessica Jacobsen, a VA spokeswoman, said about 2,300 of 7.1 million eBenefits accounts have been compromised since August 2015.
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Hearing Veterans Voices Seeking Healing at Waco VA

HEARING THE VETERAN'S VOICE: SUICIDE A panel of veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan opened up about what they're experiencing in our series, Hearing the Veteran's Voice. They've been going through a residential rehab program for PTSD at the VA in Waco. In this report they candidly discussed suicide.

If you take nothing else away from this report, read this part.

Was it hard to ask for help?
Joel: "It took me seven years to even talk to a therapist, because I don't trust a lot of people. When I first came back, my very first therapist was Nidal Hasan and when he went and shot up Fort hood, I was called by CID because I was on a list of his. You just feel like you just can't trust anybody, because if you can't trust a soldier, especially a major in the United States Army, then who can you trust?"

It is something that has still not been answered. 

Help Find Family of Air Force Veteran Margaret Rosa King

Air Force veteran with ties to Hampton Roads dies alone in Texas, push is on to find her family
KPAX 8 News
TODD CORILLO
Posted: May 10, 2018

DENTON, Texas -- A Texas university is trying to find any family members or friends of an Air Force veteran with ties to Hampton Roads who died on their campus last year.

Margaret Rosa King, 67, was found unresponsive near her car on the campus of University of North Texas on September 14, 2017.

She was taken to Texas Presbyterian Hospital in Denton, Texas where she was pronounced dead. Authorities with the Tarrant County medical examiner's office later classified her death as natural as a result of heart disease.

Unfortunately, neither the University nor the medical examiner's office have been able to locate or identify any next of kin.

King began working for UNT Facilities as a custodian in June of 2016, but she has a long list of degrees, several of which were earned in Hampton Roads. On her employment application, she indicated that after retiring from civil service, she enjoyed taking classes as a hobby.

She served in the Air Force from May of 1971 through September of 1974. King's time in Hampton Roads was spent earning an associate's degree in business from Tidewater Community College and a master's degree in gerontology from Norfolk State University.

Additionally, UNT says King had a bachelor's degree in business from Saint Leo University in Florida, an associate's degree in accounting and information technology from Tarrant County Community College, a master's degree in information science from UNT, and a master's degree in computer education from UNT.
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Clergy learning how to heal veterans with PTSD

Lay leaders learn veteran and military culture
Tyler Morning Telegraph
By LouAnna Campbell
Apr 12, 2018

Enlisted. Officer. National Guard. Reserves. Active duty.

These were just some of the terms about 30 lay leaders, pastors and community leaders learned Thursday at Central Baptist Church.

With 15 military installations in the state, Texas has become a veteran-friendly place to live, and the Smith County Behavioral Health Leadership Team and Texas Veterans Commission teamed up to give free training to faith, community and lay leaders.

“Texas is home to almost 1.6 million military veterans, many of whom have experienced one or more forms of military-service-related trauma,” said Craig Combs, Texas Veterans Commission community partner coordinator.

The training gave those in attendance a glimpse into military culture and the stress and effects that continuous readiness has on military members and their families.

Local mental health authorities like the Andrews Center are part of the programs the Texas Veterans Commission relies on to reach veterans. Now they are reaching out to faith-based communities to help veterans and those serving in the Reserves and National Guard.

The veterans group is working with faith community members to give them skills in suicide awareness, military sexual trauma, alcoholism, post-traumatic stress disorder and moral injury.
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Sheriff Investigating Death of Veteran Shot by Wife

Brazos County neighbors react to deadly shooting
KBTX News
By Clay Falls
Apr 12, 2018

“It’s too premature for me to be able to give details of our investigation. I can confirm that he was a veteran," said Kirk.

BRAZOS COUNTY, Tex. (KBTX) - A Brazos County man is dead after the sheriff's office said his wife shot him following a fight.

Investigators were at the home in the northeast part of the county morning Thursday. The victim has been identified as 36-year-old, Jason Lee Gamez. Flashing lights and crime scene tape covered the house in rural Brazos County early Thursday along Vaquero Drive.

"I'm surprised because we walk almost every morning around the neighborhood and we have real nice people out here. There's no trouble or anything like that, so it comes as a definite surprise," said Jim Killingsworth, who lives nearby in the North Country Estates neighborhood.
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17 Medal of Honor Escorted in Texas

Medal of Honor recipients welcomed with motorcade, hundreds of spectators in Texas
FOX News
By Travis Fedschun
April 5, 2018

A motorcade along a Texas interstate to escort 17 Medal of Honor recipients on Wednesday drew hundreds of participants and spectators to honor the special guests.

The city of Gainesville, located 70 miles north of Dallas, has hosted the Medal of Honor Host City Program since 2001 to "provide residents with a more interactive connection with America’s history, the military and the veteran community."

In the years since founding the program, almost half of the nation’s Medal of Honor Recipients have attended the special weekend to honor their service.

This year's group arrived Wednesday at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and were escorted by Patriot Guard riders and law enforcement up to Gainesville ahead of this weekend’s ceremonies. Crowds of onlookers stood atop overpasses and alongside the highway to watch them pass.
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VA employee wanted to help veterans with PTSD-until boyfriend killed her

Woman was on track to become licensed psychologist before boyfriend killed her, friends say
KSAT ABC 12 News
patty Santos
March 19, 2018

Santiago worked at the VA helping veterans. She was on a postdoctoral clinical fellowship in geropsychology at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System.

SAN ANTONIO - Tania Rendo Santiago had a way of connecting with people, her friends say.

Santiago's friend Kristina Arciniega said that's what drew her to the counseling psychologist. Arciniega said Santiago's personality is what helped her connect with her patients.

“She was there to give you great insight. She was also a friend,” Arciniega said. “She wasn't stuffy. She was well-rounded. She loved to walk with you, your dog and have fun and host people.”

When police arrived, officers said the gunman, Scott Caruso, 36, shot and killed himself. Friends said the two had been in a relationship.
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Two Fort Hood soldiers die days apart at home

Two Fort Hood soldiers die days apart, each found at his residence
Military Times
By: Nicole Bauke
1 hour ago

Two soldiers were reportedly found unresponsive at their Fort Hood residences just one day apart from each other.

Spc. Devon Michael Wulff, 23, was found unresponsive at his home on Feb. 28 and died three days later, and Pvt. 2 Colton Everett Vassar, 29, was discovered on March 1, according to two separate press releases from Fort Hood, Texas.

Both incidents are under investigation.

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VA system hacked, some Texas veterans did not get deposits

Local vet gets answers about missing money
Seguin Gazette
Kati Waxler
February 25, 2018

Houston Area VA has also urged all veterans who suspect that they have been the victim of fraud to call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or reach the VA OIG at 1-800-488-8244 or via email at vaoighotline@va.gov.

A veteran whose monthly disability checks were rerouted for two months without his knowledge has finally received answers, as well as his money.

“I found out that (the VA) system was hacked,” Santa Clara resident Phil Sierer said. “So somebody went in, removed my bank information and had my benefits routed to a virtual bank.”

Recently, the Seguin Gazette ran an article highlighting the issues that local veterans have had with their disability benefits. It was reported that several disabled veterans were unable to receive their benefits via direct deposit. Upon notifying Veterans Affairs, some residents were still left without answers.

Gary Elley, the public information officer for Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 61, said that “a number of veterans did not receive their VA disability compensation checks,” due to the theft.

Elley issued a press release, urging veterans to check their accounts and monitor where deposits were being sent.

When the Feb. 8 article was published, Sierer had no answers as to when he would get his missing benefits. At the time, there also was no response from the VA on the issue.
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PTSD veteran couldn't donate plasma because of PTSD?

Veteran says he was denied service while trying to donate plasma
KAGS NBC News
Author: Kerrie Hall
February 20, 2018

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - After nine years and five deployments with the US Marines, Bratton says he never imagined one of his biggest battles would be faced after leaving the military.

Dogs are often seen as man’s best friend and for veteran Mark Bratton, his dog Benny is that and much more.

After nine years and five deployments with the US Marines, Bratton says he never imagined one of his biggest battles would be faced after leaving the military.

“My symptoms just compounded and got worse but I just kept shoving them down. This is where my symptoms started to really arise and I got severe anxiety, depression severe hypervigilance,” said Bratton.

It was not until after some testing, that Bratton was diagnosed with PTSD.

“I didn't want to accept it, I didn't want to accept that I had post-traumatic stress disorder, that those were the things I was going through. I was afraid of how people would view me,” said Bratton.

A fear he came face to face with after he was denied while attempting to donate plasma. Clinic staff initially telling Bratton it was because of his dog then later saying it was because the veteran has PTSD.

“First it’s about the service dog then whenever I have the paperwork to back it up they fall back on, well you can't be here because you have PTSD,” said Bratton.
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Community Shows Love on Valentine's Day Military Funeral

Community gathers for funerals of veterans who had no family
Caller Times
Meagan Falcon
February 14, 2018

Silence filled the air Wednesday at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.

Tears rolled down the cheeks of strangers as they honored and remembered two veterans, who had no other family.

Although their families could not be found, over two hundred people visited Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery to attend the funerals of retired Army Cpl. Howard Mason Lyman and retired Navy Hospital Corpsman, First Class Randy Glade Shultz.

"We may have not known the veterans, but it is important to have the public remember what these men sacrificed when they served our country," said Eric Brown, deputy director for the Texas State Veterans Cemetery. "They did not know us, but that didn't stop them from from raising their right hand to defend us."
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PTSD Disabled Veteran Died After SWAT Standoff

Friend says Harris Co. deputy's accused shooter troubled by divorce and custody dispute
ABC 13 News
By Jessica Willey
Friday, February 02, 2018

Cobb was on the track team at the University of Houston. He was a triathlete and an Army veteran, having served in Afghanistan. "I know for sure he had PTSD. I know it. I feel like, that was a huge, plays a huge part in what happened," she said.

SPRING, Texas (KTRK) -- The man at the center of a deputy's shooting and SWAT standoff overnight was a disabled Army veteran who suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, according to friends.

Matthew Vincent Cobb, 35, was found dead from gunshot wounds early Thursday morning inside the house on Kiplands Way where he rented a room. That came after a Harris County Sheriff's deputy and a roommate had been shot.

Sources tell Eyewitness News Cobb had threatened his ex-wife with a gun at her house and then left. Deputies found him at his house and were mid-arrest when, investigators say, Cobb pulled a gun from his clothes and fired.

The deputies returned fire and retreated. Video from a neighbor's security camera shows one deputy stumbling out, having been shot in the arm.
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Vietnam Veteran Arthur McAfee, Shot by Deputy After Welfare Check Call

Family speaks out after war veteran was shot, killed by deputy
KLTV ABC News
By Brenna Burger
Monday, January 22nd 2018

HARRISON COUNTY, TX (KLTV)
A Vietnam veteran was shot and killed by a Harrison County deputy Saturday and details are still unclear.

The Harrison County Sheriff's office says it happened at a residence in the 5400 block of Curtis Black Road in western Harrison County, just east of Longview.

"The next thing I knew, I heard two shots, right there in his chest," said the sister of Arthur McAfee.

Lorine McAfee says she was sitting at the bottom of her brother’s feet as a Harrison County deputy shot Arthur McAfee twice in the chest.

"His hands were over his head and I was down there at his feet trying to help control him," McAfee says.

McAfee admits that her brother, Arthur, the 61-year-old Vietnam veteran was being difficult, as the deputy did his best to restrain him.

"Was he violent in any way towards the cop? Physically violent?"

"Yes, he was resisting because he didn't know what was going on, because Arthur was not in his right mind, he didn't know what was going on," McAfee says.

Lorine describes her brother as an intelligent, recent graduate, who had developed post-traumatic stress disorder from his service in the army; the reason for the welfare check call.
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'Valhalla' PTSD relief in pro wrestling

'Valhalla' documentary shows vets finding PTSD relief in pro wrestling
WACo Tribune Herald
Carl Hoover
January 17, 2019

Professional wrestling means more than an evening’s entertainment for three Texas wrestlers, who say the sport and the physical training it demands keep them functioning despite post-traumatic stress disorder from their time in combat.

Three professional wrestlers and Army veterans share their story of how wrestling helps them cope with post-traumatic stress disorder in the film “Valhalla Club.” “Valhalla Club” photo

The three — Army veterans and wrestlers Jan Ohrstrom, John Brazier and Eddie Wittern — tell their story in the film “Valhalla Club” that makes its debut at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Waco Hippodrome.

The documentary, written and directed by Waco filmmaker R. Bradley Morris, evolved from a discussion between Ohrstrom and Wittern a few years ago, when both men shared their struggles with PTSD and how wrestling helped them cope with the stresses of dealing with their combat experiences in Iraq.

“It hit me: This is a story that needs to be told,” said Ohrstrom, 36.
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Quadruple Amputee Will Leave You Speechless

Wheelchair-bound man cutting grass an inspiration for Weslaco and beyond
KENS
Oscar Margain
December 23, 2017

“God gave me the biggest blessing I could ever ask for,” he said. The Ayala name is still going on. You know, it doesn't stop with me.”

WESLACO, TEXAS - Mowing the lawn under 80-degree December weather would seem like a breeze. Not so fast. What may look like a simple chore for Rene Ayala is much more.

“I like to face adversity and hit it head on,” he said. “You’re not going to tell me I can’t do it.”

The 45-year-old Weslaco resident is often seen on his 10-acre property pulling, rather than pushing, a lawnmower.

Ayala said he’s never asked strangers for help. Even after losing his limbs and suffering severe burns in an apartment fire 22 years ago.
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Marine Collecting Toys for Tots Bags Shoplifter

Marine Corps veteran stops Texas shoplifter

WTHR 13 News

December 13, 2017

PLANO, Texas (WTHR) - Marines collecting toys for children outside a north Texas Walmart did not hesitate to stop a shoplifter last weekend.

Even in his dress blues and slippery patent leather shoes, Nathan Hanson managed to chase down the suspect.

"I fell on my face when I got over there. And then I got up and I yelled at him, 'You're not getting away, I'm going to catch you!'" Hanson recalled.

In a photo snapped at the scene, Hanson had lost his hat, but got his man.

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Fort Hood Families Holiday Express to Make Memories

Holiday Express: Train ride a treat for military families

Temple Daily Telegram
Melany Cox
December 3, 2017

“It’s important, because we get a chance to show the military families how much we appreciate all the sacrifices they make for all of us.” Carl Ice, President and CEO of BNSF

Santa hands out Christmas ornaments to the Wagner family during the annual BNSF Holiday Express train ride. Melany Cox Telegram

For the past 10 years, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway has honored military families with the Holiday Express train trip, a free, festive train ride for families of servicemen and women. This year the train is making its way through Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri. The tour included a stop in Central Texas.

On Wednesday afternoon nearly 350 members of families stationed at Fort Hood boarded the Holiday Express at the Santa Fe Depot in Temple for a round-trip ride complete with complimentary snacks, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa.

“It’s important, because we get a chance to show the military families how much we appreciate all the sacrifices they make for all of us,” said Carl Ice, President and CEO of BNSF.

The Holiday Express features 15 restored vintage railcars, and is powered by two of BNSF’s newest locomotives. Passengers exclaimed in delight as they boarded the passenger cars, which were lavishly decorated with garland and lights.
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