Vermont State's VA center chosen for new rural veterans project

State's VA center chosen for new rural veterans project
By BOB AUDETTE, Reformer Staff



Wednesday, August 20
BRATTLEBORO -- For veterans living in New England's rural areas, getting adequate health care is often a question of how far they live from a Veterans Affairs medical center.

In the tri-state region of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, veterans often have to drive an hour or more to get care in Manchester, N.H., Northampton, Mass., or White River Junction.

Making health care more accessible for rural veterans is the focus of a new program set to go into effect Oct. 1 at White River Junction and two other facilities in the United States.

The Veterans Rural Health Resource Center will serve as a research center and clearinghouse for those studying the health needs of veterans who live far from a VA health facility.

Just as with the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Center at White River Junction, staffers will analyze data and trends and disseminate the information not only to other VA medical centers, but to nonVA rural health care providers around the country.

The purpose of the centers, said Patricia Vandenberg, the VA's assistant deputy under secretary for health policy and planning, is to conduct "policy-oriented study and analysis to function as a laboratory for demonstration and pilot projects."

Along with White River Junction, medical centers in Iowa City, Iowa, and Salt Lake City were chosen to participate in the program.

"We had 11 applications," said Vandenberg.


The three medical centers were chosen not only on the strength of their applications, but also because of their commitment to providing access and quality health care to rural veterans, she said.

Another reason White River Junction was chosen was because of the reputation of the PTSD Center and the fact the medical center there "had already demonstrated experience at programs that studied the special needs of rural veterans," said Vandenberg.
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http://www.reformer.com/ci_10252213

Sgt. Richard G. Desautels died in China's hands during Korean War

China admits taking, burying U.S. POW

By Robert Burns - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jun 20, 2008 8:22:13 EDT

WASHINGTON — After decades of denials, the Chinese have acknowledged burying an American prisoner of war in China, telling the U.S. that a teenage soldier captured in the Korean War died a week after he “became mentally ill,” according to documents provided to The Associated Press.

China had long insisted that all POW questions were answered at the conclusion of the war in 1953, and that no Americans were moved to Chinese territory from North Korea. The little-known case of Army Sgt. Richard G. Desautels, of Shoreham, Vt., opens another chapter in this story and raises the possibility that new details concerning the fate of other POWs may eventually surface.

Chinese authorities gave Pentagon officials intriguing new details about Desautels in a March 2003 meeting in Beijing, saying they had found “a complete record of 9-10 pages” in classified archives.
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/06/ap_chinaPOW_062008/

Sgt. First Class Jason Dene "was in no shape to return to the war."

Family Mourns Loss Of Soldier From Vermont

The Department of Defense said Thursday Army Sgt. First Class Jason Dene died in his sleep Saturday while serving his third tour of duty in Iraq.

His aunt and uncle told Newschannel Five the soldier was in no shape to return to the war. They say Dene was depressed after being injured by a roadside bomb last summer.

His uncle, Patrick Farrow, published a letter in the Rutland Herald expressing his anger with the Bush administration.

Dene is also the nephew of actress Mia Farrow, who wrote on her web site about Dene and her disatisfaction with the war.

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http://www.wptz.com/news/16429955/detail.html

Another non-combat death in Iraq

DoD Identifies Army Casualty


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

Sgt. 1st Class Jason F. Dene, 37, of Castleton, Vt., died May 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident on May 24. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The incident is under investigation.

Linked from ICasualties.org

Many other Veterans suffered the same fate of homelessness

Helping Homeless Vets

Barre, Vermont - March 28, 2008

Under bridges, behind dumpsters, in dark alleys, in cars; they are common places Vermont's homeless veterans sleep when shelters are full.

Richard Schroeder knows. He's been there. The former Vietnam medic-- who earned the nickname "Doc"-- spent six years homeless.

"I've eaten out of dumpsters before. That's where I ate," says Doc. "When I talk to a vet who is struggling, I know where he's coming from. I been there and done that."

Doc suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after what he saw during combat. His marriage fell apart and he became an alcoholic.

Many other Veterans suffered the same fate.

One central Vermont group is working to get homeless vets off the streets and back into society.

"We can provide a transition back into stability so they don't have to wander around," explains Rev. Ralph Howe of the Hedding United Methodist Church.

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http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=8085279&nav=menu183_15_1_4

PTSD: If we know what works, why don't we just do it?

More Help for Veterans
White River Junction, Vermont - February 8, 2008

The Department of Veterans Affairs will begin providing more mental health services for veterans returning from recent combat.

VA facilities across the country will expand training programs for psychologists. The internships and postdoctoral fellowship positions will focus on the increased mental needs of veterans-- like treatment for post traumatic stress disorder.

Doctors say, the earlier soldiers can get treatment, the better off they are.

"People with PTSD often don't take care of themselves as well. They are more likely to wind up drinking too much, smoking too much. Not doing the kind of things that help people stay healthy, so by investing a lot of resources in the psychological aspects of healthcare, we think we can make a real dent in their long-term trajectory," explains Dr. Andrew Pomerantz of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is adding over $5.3 million a year to its budget to pay for the expanded training programs. There are currently three postdoctoral fellowships at the VA in White River. Part of the money will pay for an additional one.

Adam Sullivan - WCAX News
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=7845104&nav=menu183_2

When Vietnam veterans came home, they were studied over 30 years ago. What the studies proved was that as soon as treatment began, the healing began. PTSD stopped getting worse when they were being treated with therapy as well as medication. Like an infection spreads untreated, PTSD just worse if you don't treat it. So why are they still delaying getting all of these veterans into treatment programs?

We already know a lot about PTSD because of the Vietnam veterans. There is still a lot to learn from why some treatment works better on some but not on others. Group therapy works great on some but others cannot tolerate it. Veterans centers seem to help more than the VA setting but we don't use more of them across the country waiting for enormous hospitals to be built. We know it is never too late to begin treatment but in the time lost, the wound cuts deeper and hits every other part of the veteran's life. There is a golden opportunity right here and right now to take care of them for the sake of their futures and their families. Why aren't we doing what we know works until we find something better to offer them?

WCAXTV Vermont 3 part series on PTSD and National Guard

SPECIAL REPORT
Private Battle, Part 1
WCAX TV

Franklin, Vermont - February 5, 2008
A fellow Guard soldier captured a photo of Dennis Delisle and his wife, Mikell, on the day of his deployment to Iraq. He was all smiles-- unaware of the horror the next 18 months would bring.

"You're scared all of the time," he says.
At 38 years old, Delisle was called to duty; driving supply trucks in the war-torn country. He spent much of his tour in Ramadi, a hotbed for insurgents and one of the deadliest areas for U.S. troops. Delisle saw hundreds of bombs detonate. "While we battled insurgents, we could hear his screams. It was pretty horrifying."

He witnessed many deaths, including a colleague burned alive.

"I actually didn't think I'd make it back out of Iraq because of how scared I was."
He did get out and had hopes for the future, back home in Franklin.

"You come home and you get all of this honeymoon stage, back with family and reconnecting. You settle into a groove," he explains.

Life seemed normal for the first six months.

"It's like being newly married all over again," says wife, Mikell. "Everything is great. It's fantastic. Everyone is happy and excited. And then all of the sudden everything changes."

Delisle began to have bursts of anger, depression, thoughts of killing himself, and others.

"I still have nightmares," he says. "I still see stuff when I am driving. I pay attention to guardrails, bridges, and sometimes I drive too fast. Sometimes I drive on the opposite side of the road, just like I was in Iraq. So, I still have a lot of it."

He hasn't been able to hold a full-time job since his return.
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Private Battle Part 2
National Guard Sgt. Jim Greene

Franklin, Vermont - February 6, 2008

"I'd been in the Army 30 years ago. You just don't expect 30 years after getting out of the Army to suddenly be in a war situation."

But in 2005, that's where Vt. National Guard Sgt. Jim Greene found himself-- in Ramadi, Iraq, securing the area alongside other Vermonters as part of Task Force Saber.

"We started off with the hopes we weren't going to lose anybody," says Greene.

Six Vermonters from the unit died in combat. Greene photographed each memorial service in Iraq. One casualty was especially difficult. Greene carried a fallen soldier's remains after a roadside bomb took his life.

"We had an officer who brought what was left of these guys in an ammo can... and handed it to me. You don't know that feeling," Greene says, crying. "How do you let that go? You don't let it go. It stays with you the rest of your life."

The memories remain. But Greene managed to move on with his life. He returned to his family and his job back in Vermont. He's adjusted well.

Other Vermont Guard Soldiers are not so lucky.

"Filing bankruptcy and losing our home," says Dennis Delisle.

"We fought a long time to try to keep it but it's not looking good," says his wife, Mikell.

Dennis Delisle deployed to Iraq and lived through countless explosions. But what he saw there still haunts him. He suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

"It's been real hard. I take medicine to keep me from suicide or being homicidal. It's a constant battle now," he says.

Delisle hasn't been able to hold down a job and his wife, Mikell, was laid off. She has to stay close to home to help her husband. They're nine months behind on their bills and house payments.

On this day, the couple heads to court forced to declare bankruptcy.

"Yeah, a lot of family history in the home, his family all grew up in it... and it's just rough," says Mikell.
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Part 3 will be aired tonight

Burlington, Vermont - February 7, 2008

Nearly half of all Vermont's soldiers returning from Iraq suffer a private battle. Experts say Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injuries are at record levels. And there are a few reasons: the constant danger and explosions in Iraq, more awareness about PTSD, and because the National Guard has been called to duty like never before.

"This is a very different conflict. Certainly in Vermont, many of the people who are serving are National Guards. People who may not have planned to deploy overseas. So I think that also plays a role," explains Dr. Andrew Pomerantz of the VA Hospital.

Darren Perron has more on the Private Battle our soldiers face, treatment, and how Vermont is leading the nation in dealing with PTSD. Don't miss his special report. It continues tonight on the Channel 3 News at 6:00 p.m.

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=7837539

Vt. lawmakers seek to pull Guard from war

Vt. lawmakers seek to pull Guard from war

By Lisa Rathke - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jan 30, 2008 10:01:56 EST

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Fed up that Washington hasn’t done more to end the war, a group of Vermont lawmakers said Tuesday that the president no longer has the authority to use Guard troops in Iraq.

State Rep. Michael Fisher, D-Lincoln, said the authority to call up Guard members for Iraq duty has expired because that country no longer poses a threat to U.S. national security.

“The mission authorized in 2002 does not exist,” said Fisher, who plans to introduce a bill backed by 30 colleagues Wednesday that calls on Gov. Jim Douglas to join the effort. “Unless Congress grants a new authorization, the Vermont Guard should revert back to state control.”

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin said the Senate would take up similar legislation.

“Bottom line is, if the politicians in Washington aren’t going to do the right thing for our troops, let’s do the right thing by bringing our Vermont Guard members home,” he said. “If Vermont can make one small step forward, I believe others will follow.”
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_vermontguard_080130/

National Guard troops have been reporting with rates of 50% with PTSD for two years now. They have to live with giving up their jobs and incomes in order to be deployed over and over again. Many of them face financial troubles beyond what the regular military face. This adds to their stress level.

Senator Bernie Sanders: PTSD program for returning GIs to be expanded

Sanders: PTSD program for returning GIs to be expanded
November 19, 2007
BURLINGTON, Vt. --A Vermont program aimed at helping returning GIs get help to address brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorder got a boost Monday, with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders announcing new federal funding that will enhance it and begin sowing the seeds for similar programs in other states.

more stories like thisA Department of Defense appropriations bill signed by President Bush contains $3 million for expanding the Vermont National Guard Outreach program and another $3 million for other states to reach out to troops returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The program, which began about a year ago, also reaches out to soldiers back from Army Reserve units or active duty soldiers who have returned to civilian life.

The goal is simple, but the problem isn't.

"This is a hugely important issue, because we are seeing a staggering number of people coming home with PTSD and traumatic brain injury," said Sanders, I-Vt. "It is terribly important that these people get the help they need and in order to do that, we need to do this effectively."

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffering from PTSD jumped by 70 percent over the last year.

The Pentagon says 38 percent of soldiers and 31 percent of U.S. Marines report having psychological concerns after deployment.
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