Two Iraq Veterans Survived Combat...for a while

Tragic ‘suicides’ of two heroes who fought side by side in Iraq before succumbing to the strain of PTSD
Daily Mail
By ANDREW YOUNG FOR MAIL ON SUNDAY
16 June 2018

Soldier Kevin Williams and John Paul Finnigan both took their own lives They both struggled to recover from the trauma of war after serving in Iraq At least 12 veterans have killed themselves so far this year – one every 13 days

Going out on patrol night after night, soldiers Kevin Williams and John Paul Finnigan became brothers in arms, always looking out for each other amid the horrors of combat in Iraq.

But after leaving the British Army, they both struggled to recover from the traumas of war.

In March this year, Kevin took his own life at the age of 29.

John Paul, already tormented by the suicides of seven other soldiers he knew, was devastated.

Three weeks ago, the 34-year-old father-of-three was found hanging in the garden of his home.

‘He told me there were eight former soldiers who had taken their lives within eight months. The last one was Kevin. It started to eat away at him.’ read more here

Having read that, reading how John Paul was "tormented" by the others who committed suicide, then took his own life, is what all this "awareness" has accomplished.

This is not just hitting veterans here in the US, it is hitting all of men and women risking their lives to save others.

None of this is new but when you consider that there were better results before all this "awareness" shit started, that should be a clue right there, the people doing it, do not have a clue they are doing more harm than good.

So, lets talk about the ones who do not count in the number being quoted because it is an easy number to remember!

Did not get "honorable discharge" not counted.

Lived outside the US after service for the US, not counted.

Lived in states where they do not have military service on death certificates, not counted. (California and Illinois passed legalization last year to have it added.)

Homeless veterans...not counted.

Drug deaths and accidents, not counted because they do not know for sure.

The really repulsive part of all of this is they say the VA said it was 22 a day. The truth is the VA said that was the average of limited data from just 21 states! So, no, the number did not come from the VA. It came from reporters too lazy to read it and people who just went blindly into all of this that has led to exactly what has happened all too many times.

"John Paul, already tormented by the suicides of seven other soldiers he knew, was devastated. Three weeks ago, the 34-year-old father-of-three was found hanging in the garden of his home."

They were too busy spreading the heartache to spend any time spreading hope that any day could be better than the next.

Kevin Williams adapted from citizen to solider, but not the other way around

Basildon army veteran sent to Iraq on 18th birthday killed himself after battling with PTSD
Essex Live
James Gregory
31 MAY 2018

He struggled to adapt to civilian life and was homeless for a period
A former soldier deployed to Iraq on his 18th birthday killed himself after a long battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an inquest heard.

Kevin Williams, 29, was found hanging by police in his home at Waterville Drive, Basildon, on March 18.

He was the youngest rifleman to ever to serve in Iraq and was deployed on his 18th birthday in November 2006 as part of the now defunct Royal Green Jackets, going on to fight in Basra as part of the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles.

But after leaving the army, he found it difficult to adapt to civilian life and took his own life.
read more here

UK Veterans Battle Bosses After Combat PTSD

Veterans battling PTSD are being sacked by heartless employers, top army officer claims
Portsmouth News UK
Tom Cotterill
May 26, 2018

TRAUMATISED veterans battling a silent war against mental health are still facing an uphill struggle against fearful employers, a decorated army officer has claimed.

Lieutenant Colonel Chris Parker has hit out saying ex-soldiers, diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are still being penalised by employers. This comes despite a national drive for companies to sign up to the armed forces covenant, which is a pledge to offer fair treatment for military veterans and their families.

The retired officer – who was chief of staff of the 8,000-strong 7th Armoured Brigade in the Middle East during the Iraq War – said scores of troops were being sacked or pushed out of roles after admitting to their condition. Lt Col Parker, who grew up in Cowplain and is the chairman of the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment Association – which looks after troops across the area – said things needed to change.

Speaking to The News, the nine-time combat veteran said: ‘There is clearly evidence that, although the public is very positive and say when asked they will support the military, it can be a very different story with employers.

‘The sad news is once employers find out their employees have PTSD or have had mental health issues in the past, very often we find people lose their jobs. ‘There seems to be a fear that someone will turn into an axe murderer. This certainly isn’t an issue.
read more here

Body of missing veteran Danny Johnston found

UPDATE: Police confirm body found is that of missing veteran Danny Johnston
The Portsmouth News
Tom Cotterill
May 23, 2018

Officers said Mr Johnston was found in a wooded area at Stoughton Down, near Chichester. The 35-year-old Afghanistan war hero was declared dead at the scene. Officers added his next of kin had been informed.

Inspector Roy Hodder of the missing persons team said: ‘We would like to express our condolences to the family and friends of Daniel Johnston at this difficult time. 

‘We would like to extend our thanks to family and friends of Daniel who volunteered to assist us in the search for him.’ It marks the end of a three-day ordeal for Mr Johnston’s loved ones. He disappeared from his family home in Bognor Regis on Sunday morning, at around 9am.
Read more here

Iraq Kevin Williams lost his battle with PTSD

Basildon Iraq War veteran with PTSD killed himself
BBC
May 21, 2018

While serving in the Green Jackets Mr Williams had met the Queen

A former soldier deployed to Iraq on his 18th birthday killed himself after a long battle with post traumatic stress disorder, an inquest has found.

The body of Kevin Williams, 29, was discovered by police at his home in Basildon, Essex, in March.

Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray, said Mr Williams left the army seven years earlier and had found it difficult to adapt to civilian life.

The inquest in Chelmsford found that Mr Williams had taken his own life.
read more here

Harry and Meghan pledged to "honor and protect" each other

Harry kept the beard and yes, wore his uniform! 

Markle becomes a princess automatically by marrying Harry. As she was not born a royal, her title as princess becomes her husband's name so she'll formally be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Harry of Wales.

NBC News WINDSOR, England — America has a new princess.
Los Angeles native Meghan Markle joined hands with Britain’s Prince Harry Saturday as they pledged to “honor and protect” each other in marriage after a 15-month romance. They later kissed on the steps outside the chapel.

Kevin Williams fought in war, in the ring but lost battle within

Suicide tragedy of Iraq war hero: Soldier struggled with PTSD after his time in the army
Daily Star UK
Ross Kanluk
April 4, 2018

“Returning to civilian life was a big shock. The skills I learnt, especially being in the infantry, were all combat-based, but civilian life doesn’t have any combat.”

SPORTY: Kevin had been a keen boxer before joining the Royal Green Jackets

Kevin Williams was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after a comrade was killed.

He was then discharged after failing a drugs test when he was 22.

Keen boxer Kevin, who joined the Royal Green Jackets at 16, found it difficult to adapt to civilian life and ended up homeless.

In a documentary recorded before his death aged 29, he said: “Not long after coming back from Iraq I just felt sad all the time.

“I lost a friend out there and I didn’t really grieve till I got back.
read more here

UK Troops with PTSD get phone linkup to help

New phone helpline for troops with mental health problems is launched

The Telegraph
February 25, 2018

"I will be working personally with the service chiefs to make sure there isn't a single person in the Armed Forces who doesn't know where to turn in times of trouble."

A helpline to give troops suffering from mental health problems round-the-clock support is being launched.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced an extra £20 million in funding to pay for the hotline and other new support services over the next decade.

It follows calls by campaigners, including Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army, for more help for struggling soldiers.

Mr Williamson said it was "simply unacceptable" that troops should suffer in silence.

"It is our duty to ensure we do all we can for our world-class personnel," he told the Mail on Sunday.

The helpline will be funded by the Ministry of Defence and run with the charity Combat Stress.

Lord Dannatt said the new helpline, which opens at midday on Sunday, was a "massive improvement" in support for troops.

The Military Mental Health Helpline can be called on 0800 323 4444.
read more here

Gulf War Veteran fined for having flashback while parking?

Navy veteran with PTSD is fined £100 for 'overstaying' in a parking space while recovering from a flashback - before car park firm reject his appeal and threaten to sue him
Daily Mail
Rory Tingle
February 25, 2018

Mr Clamp received a penalty charge notice from Euro Car Parks for overstaying in a 20-minute maximum stay space. His is pictured embracing his son, David, on the deck of HMS Hecla after returning from the Gulf War in September 1991

EXCLUSIVE: Tim Clamp, 60, had a PTSD flashback at petrol station near Gatwick
He explained incident to shop assistant before driving off to pick up a taxi client
Five days later Euro Car Parks demanded £100 for overstaying 20-minute limit
Firm rejected Gulf War veteran's appeal even after hearing evidence of condition
Subsequently increased fine to £160 and threatened to take Mr Clamp to court
Local MP Nick Herbert slammed the parking company for its lack of 'empathy'

A Gulf War veteran with PTSD was fined for overstaying by 20 minutes in a parking space while recovering from a flashback before having his appeal rejected despite providing medical evidence for his condition.

Tim Clamp, 60, had parked his Ford taxi at Gatwick North Shell petrol station while waiting to pick up a customer when a minor argument with another motorist sparked a 'very distressing' mental episode that left him immobilised.

After he recovered, the Royal Navy veteran and Sussex Police crime investigator explained what had happened to a shop assistant before driving off and 'blanking' the incident from his mind.
read more here

UK PTSD: there was NOBODY to take his desperate call for help

The crack shot who cracked up: Ice-cool sniper suffered PTSD after seeing body of his best friend killed in combat in Helmand... and there was NOBODY to take his desperate call for help
The Daily Mail
Ian Gallagher
February 10, 2018

Eventually a Medical Board dealt with his case in his absence and a decision was made to discharge him. He left the RAF last year without a pension – a decision he is appealing and which the couple describe as ‘appalling’.

The couple have never stopped campaigning for a 24-hour helpline, with Luke even invading the pitch at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium during a match in 2015 in protest at the MoD’s treatment of its soldiers

Dodging Taliban bullets in Helmand, RAF sniper Luke Huskisson drew on all his training just to stay alive.

Yet it was many months later, safely back at base in Suffolk, that the battlefield almost claimed him.

In Afghanistan, flushed with adrenaline, he was constantly tuned to life-threatening danger. Now, alone in his room, death and oblivion seemed enticing.

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Luke recalls: ‘I was getting constant flashbacks and I couldn’t take any more.’
read more here

UK Firefighters still struggle after Grenfell Tower

"It will stay with us forever": Hero Grenfell firefighters reveal emotional toll of dealing with tower tragedy
Mirror UK
Emily Retter
February 10, 2018

They worked relentlessly, up and down the smoke-filled stairs time and time again. The team had to listen to the screams and cries of victims and traumatised survivors in the worst blaze on our soil since the Second World War.

Tom Abell says he "shed a few tears" when the reality of the tragedy hit him (Image: Daily Mirror)

After witnessing the horrors of the inferno, Tom Abell and his colleagues are still suffering - but the brave crew are now set to run the London ­marathon to raise cash for victims

Driving day after day past the charcoal shell of Grenfell Tower , knowing first-hand the horrors that lay within, firefighter Tom Abell was unable to process what had happened there.

Based at the closest fire station, he and his watch had been first to arrive and then spent nine hours in the heart of the devastation.

They worked relentlessly, up and down the smoke-filled stairs time and time again. The team had to listen to the screams and cries of victims and traumatised survivors in the worst blaze on our soil since the Second World War.

Later, at North Kensington fire station, Tom read letters written in hopeful childish ­handwriting, with the pleading words: “My friend is still missing, can you help me find him?”

And he watched the events of June 14 over and over on television.

Yet it still took days before 31-year-old Tom could actually take any of it in. Then reality struck like a tsunami.

And today, Tom and his colleagues, along with the Grenfell residents, are still suffering torment over the blaze that killed 71 adults and children.
read more here

UK Gulf War, Ex-POW hopes MOD pays attention

Top guns in tears: The bravest and the best yet weeping and traumatised, war heroes say they have nowhere to turn for help - will the MoD heed their call?
Daily Mail
John Nichol For Mail On Sunday
PUBLISHED: 27 January 2018

"My experiences have also made me a much more emotional person and tears can flow at the simplest of triggers such as Remembrance Sunday, when I recall the friends I have lost. In those moments I take solace that at least I understand what is happening to me – the processes of PTSD and how it shows its teeth."

John Nichol was beaten by Hussein's henchmen and paraded on Iraqi television, with his picture flashing across the world

Twenty-seven years ago I was shot down over Iraq, captured, tortured and forced by Saddam Hussein’s henchmen to appear on television to denounce my actions as an RAF officer.

Images of my bruised face flashed across the world and became a lasting image of the horrors of the 1991 Gulf War.

As a prisoner of war, I felt like the most insignificant, terrified human being on Earth.

The memories of my abuse and brushes with death are still with me. Dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has become part of my life.

For this reason I am backing The Mail on Sunday’s campaign to improve mental healthcare for serving troops, including the introduction of a 24/7 helpline.

I feel the pain of those worst affected by PTSD. As someone who has experienced it myself, I understand what they are going through and the confusion they can face. I can be enjoying a perfectly normal day or night when a sensory stimulus, or trigger, fires me back into my past.

For me it is primarily noise – loud bangs, fireworks going off, trains going past, all these sound like the Coalition jets that flew missions over Baghdad attacking several of the buildings we were held in.
read more here

UK: Firefighter's Book Falling Through Fire and PTSD

Former London firefighter 'floored' by trauma of job encourages others to seek help
Get West London
By Rachael Bletchly and Frederica Miller
26 JAN 2018

"As professional firefighters, we weren’t expected to show our feelings; it was just our job. I was 25 and had my whole life and career ahead of me. But what happened to Gordon floored me. I felt like a failure." Clifford Thompson

A former London firefighter has opened up about how his dream job spiralled into a nightmare when years of trauma finally caught up with him.

Clifford Thompson opened up about the emotional toll of firefighting  (Image: CLAUDINE HARTZEL)

Now a BBC journalist, Clifford Thompson was a London Fire Brigade officer for half a decade.

From 1987 to 1992 he tackled some of the capital's most devastating events, including the King's Cross tube tragedy and the Clapham rail crash.

But after five years in the brigade, Cliff's world collapsed when he watched a three-year-old boy he rescued from a house fire die before his eyes.
read more here

Grieving Parents "End stigma around PTSD"

Parents of Lincoln solider found dead at home want his death to ‘end stigma around PTSD’
The Lincolnite
Court Reporter
January 22, 2018

An inquest in to the death of a decorated soldier from Lincoln who served alongside Prince Harry in Afghanistan has today been formally opened.

Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt, 39, was found dead at his home in the city on January 2.

His parents, Derek and Maria Hunt, from Lincoln, want their son’s death to help end the stigma of post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by returning soldiers.

An inquest heard police forced entry to the property in Westbrooke Road, Lincoln, on the morning of January 2 after concerns were raised for his safety.

WO Hunt served with Prince Harry in Helmand Province in 2008 after being attached to the Household Calvary.

The father-of-one was part of a desert reconnaissance unit which was involved in identifying roadside bombs planted by the Taliban.

Mr Hunt, a member of the Royal Engineers, was awarded a Mention in Dispatches for his courage in locating improvised explosive devices while on secret missions to ambush the enemy.

But he was later diagnosed with mental health issues linked to combat stress.
read more here

13,000 Brit PTSD homeless veterans sleep in doorways and beg for help?

At least 13,000 hero soldiers left HOMELESS after leaving the military - and almost all have PTSD
The Mirror UK
Patrick Hill, Sean Rayment and Amy Sharpe
Januray 13, 2018

A Sunday People probe reveals how hundreds of Brit veterans are reduced to sleeping in doorways and begging from passers-by

The 56-year-old says during his time on the streets and since, he has met hundreds of veterans, from the Falklands campaign through to more recent conflicts, including those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many are reduced to sleeping in doorways, bus stops and parks, ­begging from passers-by.

 

Hero Craig Mealing was left homeless for two months after turning to alcohol to cope with his PTSD

At least 13,000 of our war heroes are homeless after leaving the military, a Sunday People probe reveals.

Military charities said the shameful figure is a record high and the Government is failing those who risk their lives for Queen and country.

They also issued a stark warning that the crisis deepens every month.

Les Standish, who won the Military Medal in the Falklands War, said: “The Government has let these people down. These men and women were willing to fight and lay down their lives for this country and the only help available to them is from charities.

“The Government needs to do more for them. It’s a disgrace.”
read more here

Invictus Games and Dog Named Jester

Pooch SAVED war veteran and helped him compete in Invictus Games
The Daily Star UK
Ed Gleave
January 14, 2018

Jon, who took home a bronze medal last year, said: "I'm trying to push myself and see what I can achieve and that all seems a little bit easier when I've got Jester with me.

Ex-Royal Marine Jon Flint fell 30ft while abseiling during a training exercise in 1996.

It left him with a fracture in his lower spine, but because he was so fit it went undiagnosed until he left the services.

After quitting the Marines his condition got worse until he was unable to walk unaided.

That's when threeyear-old labrador Jester stepped into offer him a lifeline. Jon, a former lance corporal who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, said: "It's difficult to put into words how much difference he's made to my life and the life of my family.

"When I was in the Royal Marines I knew the guys with me always had my back. And now I know Jester has always got my back."

For three years, assistance dog Jester - featured on ITV's Britain's Favourite Dogs on Tuesday - has helped with taking out laundry, opening doors, answering the phone and picking up Jon's stick.

Jon added: "He's always with me wherever I go and he enjoys what he does for a living because he's a working dog.

"He's trained to enjoy it. He makes the things that I struggle with a lot easier."

Thanks to vital help from Jester, Jon was able to join Britain's archery squad for the Invictus Games. And while competing he became pals with its founder Prince Harry.
read more here

Suicide of Veteran may have changed future of UK PTSD veterans

It is said that things only change when something hits a politician personally. Looks like that just happened when one of the soldiers Price Harry served with committing suicide. Now the Daily Mail is trying to do something about changing the story from tragedy to offering hope of healing.

Tragedy of Harry's band of brothers: How battlefield trauma affected the soldiers the prince served with in Afghanistan - including one who killed himself
Daily Mail
Mark Nicol and Nick Craven
January 13, 2018

Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt is believed to have tragically died last week. It is said he struggled to cope with the effects of battlefield trauma. Since then two more members of Harry's desert reconnaissance unit have revealed they also suffered with serious mental health issues. The Mail on Sunday have launched a campaign to support them.

This is the elite band of brothers, including Prince Harry, that were sent on a top secret mission to take on the Taliban in one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan.

This is the elite band of brothers, including Prince Harry, that were sent on a top secret mission to take on the Taliban in one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan

Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed how one of the courageous soldiers pictured here, Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt, is believed to have tragically killed himself after struggling to cope with the effects of battlefield trauma.

Since then two more members of Harry’s desert reconnaissance unit have come forward to say they too have suffered serious mental health issues as a direct result of their harrowing experiences in the war zone.

This shocking revelation comes as The Mail on Sunday joins forces with Lord Dannatt, a former head of the British Army, in a campaign to dramatically improve the provision of mental healthcare for serving soldiers, a service which medical experts say is ‘on its knees’ due to spending cuts. read more here

UK:Police officers talk about their battle against PTSD

Police officers talk about their battle against PTSD

BBC
By Nicola Dowling, Sally Chesworth and Adrian Goldberg5live Investigates

December 3, 2017

Sgt Suzie Randall struggled with her mental health after working in traumatic circumstances

More than half of all police forces in England and Wales have told the BBC the number of officers having to take long-term sick leave because of mental health problems has been increasing over the last six years. 5 live Investigates has spoken to officers struggling to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) brought on by some of the disturbing things they've experienced during the course of their job.

"I remember just before Christmas going to the death of a child," Sussex police sergeant Suzie Randall recalls.

"If you can imagine walking into a house with a massive Christmas tree and the child's siblings sobbing their hearts out, the family sobbing their hearts out. That was the first incident when I think I suddenly became not very well."

Suzie was an experienced officer with many years in the job when her mental health began to suffer.

Unsure of quite what was wrong and determined not to let the public or her colleagues down, the 44-year-old didn't immediately seek help.

"I carried on and over a three-month period I dealt with some horrific incidents. A samurai sword attack, a double murder - just awful, awful things." 

read more here 

UK: Suicide Days Apart, Two Soldiers From Same Unit

Military chiefs launch urgent investigation after two war veterans from same unit kill themselves just days apart

Mirror UK

By Dan Warburton and Sean Rayment
November 18, 2017

The probe is set against a growing crisis in the Armed Forces over fears of a lack of support for troops battling demons

Military chiefs have launched an urgent probe after two war veterans from the same unit killed themselves within days of each other.

Royal Military Police officers are quizzing colleagues of the two men over fears they were suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Sunday People can reveal married dad-of-one Paul Sparks was found dead at an Army base in Germany as he was about to end his 27-year military career.

Nathan Shimwell's death came just days later after Paul Sparks took his own life (Image: Facebook)

And Sergeant Nathan Shimwell, 33, died just days later at a base in England, sparking an MoDinvestigation.

The probe is set against a growing crisis in the Armed Forces over fears of a lack of support for troops battling demons.

read more here

Airman Took a Knee, After Anthem

If you still think that taking a knee during the National Anthem is not disrespecting the troops, read this story. This Airman not only stood for the anthem of the US and the UK, he was slammed for taking a knee instead of fainting!

Maybe now you'll understand how the stunt the football players are doing hits the troops and veterans. The National Anthem was written for them after the war of 1812, when yet again, the troops defended this country and united a nation after the Civil War. Want to protest? They gave you the right to do it. So why protest against them?


Outrage sparked after airman takes knee during ceremony; Air Force says he felt faint

Stars and Stripes

William Howard

November 14, 2017

An airman, while part of a ceremonial detail from RAF Mildenhall, stepped out of the formation and took a knee when the music to reveille began playing during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Mildenhall, England, on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. Air Force officials said the airman felt faint, but others on social media interpreted the photo as a protest. The airman previously stood and saluted during the U.S. and British national anthems.COURTESY PHOTO

RAF MILDENHALL, England — An airman attacked on social media for appearing to take a knee in protest during a Remembrance Day service near the Mildenhall War Memorial on Sunday morning was just feeling faint, Air Force officials said.

The airman first class from RAF Mildenhall, while participating in a ceremony detail in dress uniform, stood and saluted during the U.S. and British national anthems, according to photos contributed to Stars and Stripes. He stepped backward out of the formation and fell to a knee when the music to reveille began playing.

Feeling faint after locking the knees during formation “can be a common occurrence for airmen participating in these types of events and at no time did this airman display or intend any disrespect to either the U.S. or U.K. servicemembers the event was honoring,” the base said in a statement on Monday.

The airman’s name is being withheld because of threats he has received and concerns about his safety, the base said.

read more here