Who are the veterans you count?

What Makes a Veteran?

Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 6, 2018

On Veterans Day, there will be all kinds of events to honor our military veterans. The term "veteran" can be applied to anyone who has a lot of experience in their field. That would be someone like me, which I never really thought of before. After 36 years, I guess that would be accurate, but it is also in my DNA now.

This day is for the veterans who were willing to die for the sake of others. Once we get that into our heads, then maybe, just maybe, we can grieve more than we have for them.

It is all so easy to push a number that is "easy to remember" and defended by those who have no intentions of getting too close to the subject of losing veterans to suicide. After all, that would make them uncomfortable. They would rather make donations and walk away. Do some pushups and have some laughs. 

Readers already know that the number of "22" came from limited data from just 21 states. You already know that the numbers have gotten worse. We've covered the facts, the ones who were abandoned by the military instead of helped to heal.

We've covered every subject going back to 2007 when we had the first major report on veterans committing suicide. At the time, it seemed only active duty troops were worthy of reporters attention.

In 2009, we warned about how Comprehensive Soldier Fitness training would increase suicides, and we were right. 

We have covered just about everything there is to know on our veterans since the day this site started.

One thing we did not cover much was "Who is a veteran" because there does not seem to be an answer that would do any of those who served justice.

Yesterday we touched on how any service member without an "honorable" discharge, cannot call themselves a veteran. Some have been fighting to make sure that those who have been experiencing mental distress and acted out, are having their discharges reviewed. 

There are even more. If someone served in the National Guard or Reserves, but were not deployed into combat, then they would not be able to be called "veteran." Apparently being sent into some of the worst conditions following a natural disaster, or on humanitarian missions into other countries, is not worth mentioning.

According to Social Security

The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

It appears that the Social Security Administration did not update their definition of what a veteran is.

Guard and Reserve members receive ‘Veteran’ status

National Guard Bureau

By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy

Dec. 28, 2016

ARLINGTON, Va. – A recently signed law gives official veteran status to National Guard members who served 20 years or more. Previously, Guard members were considered veterans only if they served 180 days or more in a federal status outside of training. 

"As long as you were deployed on active duty for at least 180 days and you didn't get a dishonorable discharge or a bad conduct discharge coming off those orders, then you could be considered a veteran," said Army Sgt. Maj. Matthew Krenz, a legislative liaison at the National Guard Bureau who provided background information to Congressional members working on the bill. Prior to the new law's passage, even if  Guard members served for 20 years or longer they were not deemed veterans unless they served on active duty. That included those serving in an Active Guard and Reserve status. 

Massachusetts
FEDERAL DEFINITION: under Federal Law a VETERAN is any person, who served honorably on active duty in the armed forces of the United States. 
(Discharges marked GENERAL AND UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS also qualify.)

STATE DEFINITION:DEFINITION OF A MASSACHUSETTS VETERAN, M.G.L. C.4, SEC. 7,cl 43rd as amended by the Acts of 2004 – Effective August 30, 2004. 

To be a “veteran” under Massachusetts law a person is required to have either: 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions Such member does not need to have any wartime service. – OR – 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day of which is during “wartime”, and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. The one-day need not have actually been served in a war zone. For Guard Members to qualify they must have 180 days and have been activated under Title 10 of the U.S. Code – OR – Members who were activated under Title 10 or Title 32 of the U.S. Code or Massachusetts General Laws chapter 33, sections 38, 40 and 41 must have 90 days, at least one of which was during wartime. The Members’ last discharge or release must be under honorable conditions. 

Full time National Guard duty is only considered such when National Guard members are activated to regular service and does not include weekend drills or active duty for training Minimum Service Exception (for Death or Disability) It is not necessary that an applicant have completed the minimum service for wartime or peacetime campaign if he/she served some time in the campaign and was awarded the Purple Heart, or suffered a service-connected disability or died in the service under honorable conditions. Training Duty Exception – Active service in the armed forces as used in this clause shall not include active duty for training in the Army or Air National Guard or active duty for training as a Reservist in the Armed Forces of the United States.

 Just to give you an idea of how confusing this all is, this is a report from the National Guard.

GUARD SUICIDES UP IN LATEST REPORT JAN 6, 2016 

JOHN HARRIS 

UNCATEGORIZED 

“Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem that doesn’t end the chances of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of it ever getting any better.” Military-Suicide Statistically, we will see 90+ of our Brothers and Sisters in Arms make the wrong decision in the upcoming year. Take some time this UTA and be a Leader. Talk to your fellow Soldier or Airman and find out how they are doing after the Holidays. It is more important than anything you can possibly do on a computer or the paperwork on your desk. Thirty-two National Guard members killed themselves during the third quarter of last year, according to the Pentagon’s latest report released Monday. 

The Quarterly Suicide Report shows five Air Guard members and 27 Army Guard troops committed suicide during the three-month period of July, August and September 2015. 

During that same period in 2014, the numbers were four for the Air Guard and 24 for the Army Guard. In the second quarter of 2015, the figures were five for the Air Guard and 23 for the Army Guard. 

With statistics still waiting to be compiled for the final three months of 2015, the Guard suicide figure for the year seems likely to top that of 2014, when 91 Guardsmen killed themselves. 

After nine months in 2015, the figure was at 89, with 18 citizen-airmen and 71 citizen-soldiers taking their own lives. 

Throughout the military, the latest report shows 142 suicides in the third quarter of 2015, with 72 in the active component and 70 in the reserve component, up from 105 for the same period in 2014. 

The biggest increase for the years was in the Army Reserve, which endured 42 suicides in 2014, but had reported 48 after nine months in 2015. 

The military reported 443 suicides in 2014. The figure was at 383 after nine months in 2015.

As bad as all the seems, we do not know how many members of the National Guards and Reserves, who were not "deployed" committed suicide. We do not know how many returned to their jobs as first responders and took their own lives doing that job. 

Do you still want to use a number to cover the veterans who could not count on us when we cannot even count the number of veterans we counted on?

There is still much we do not know. On Veterans Day, consider all that you have learned over the last few days and maybe, just maybe, that number you hear, will be one that begins a conversation that is actually worthy of all those who are not here anymore to thank for their service.

UPDATE
Just got a reminder about this group of veterans.



Suicide risk higher among veterans released from prison
Medical Life Science
Reviewed by Alina Shrourou, BSc
Oct 31 2018

Veterans released from prison are five times as likely to attempt suicide as their peers who have never been incarcerated, report UConn Health researchers in an article slated for publication in the November 2018 print edition of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

"People over 50 are the fastest growing segment of the prison population, and most of them will eventually be released," says UConn Health epidemiologist Lisa Barry.

Regardless of a person's age, release from prison increases the chance of death in the years immediately afterward. But older prisoners tend to have fewer friends and family around when they get released, and may find it even harder to reintegrate into the workforce than the average ex-prisoners, with the double stigma of being a former prisoner and being old.
read more here

Slogan of 22 Other Than Honorable Way for Veterans Day

Real Numbers Should Matter More Than Slogan Of 22

Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 5, 2018

With Veterans Day coming it is more troubling too many in this country have not had the opportunity to become aware of the other numbers that should matter more than a slogan, when the topic is veterans killing themselves.

For far too many veterans, their days are ended with a bullet, or a rope, drugs, car wrecks, a knife or facing off with police officers.

If you still have the number 22 stuck in your head, after you read this, maybe it will disgust you as much as it has sickened me all these years.

Here are just the facts. We need to begin with the group of veterans who pushed for all the research and funding on what war does to those we send.

Vietnam veterans were the first generation to make the battle to heal PTSD public. They were determined to #BreakTheSilence. 

Most servicemembers receive fully honorable discharges. However, 1.5 million have received less than fully honorable discharges since 1950.

That was from The Comptroller General report to Congress in 1980. That also means that they would not have been counted in any of the suicide reports being released since this decade.

One such veteran was John Shepherd Jr. and this report came out in 2012 on the Hartford Courant.

John Shepherd Jr. enlisted in the Army and earned a Bronze Star for valor fighting with the Ninth Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta in 1969. But after his platoon leader was killed while trying to help him out of a canal, Mr. Shepherd appeared to come undone, eventually refusing to go out on patrol. 

He was court-martialed and given an other-than-honorable discharge, making him ineligible for most veterans' benefits. He believes his behavior was the result of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. His immediate problem: PTSD wasn't recognized as a medical condition until 1980.

Why is that important? Because the Department of Veterans Affairs stated clearly, the majority of veterans committing suicide are over the age of 50.

None of those veterans would have been included within the "known" number of veterans committing suicide.

More were added to the omission of numbers that should have mattered. GAO again, released another report May 16, 2017.

GAO's analysis of Department of Defense (DOD) data show that 62 percent, or 57,141 of the 91,764 servicemembers separated for misconduct from fiscal years 2011 through 2015 had been diagnosed within the 2 years prior to separation with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or certain other conditions that could be associated with misconduct. 

Specifically, 16 percent had been diagnosed with PTSD or TBI, while the other conditions, such as adjustment and alcohol-related disorders, were more common. 

Of the 57,141 servicemembers, 23 percent, or 13,283, received an “other than honorable” characterization of service, making them potentially ineligible for health benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

GAO found that the military services' policies to address the impact of PTSD and TBI on separations for misconduct are not always consistent with DOD policy. For example, contrary to DOD policy, Navy policy does not require a medical examination—or screening—for certain servicemembers being separated in lieu of trial by court-martial to assess whether a PTSD or TBI diagnosis is a mitigating factor in the misconduct charged. 

This type of separation occurs when a servicemember facing a trial by court-martial requests, and is approved, to be discharged administratively. In addition, GAO found that two of the four military services have TBI training polices that are inconsistent with DOD policy. GAO also found that the Army and Marine Corps may not have adhered to their own screening, training, and counseling policies related to PTSD and TBI. 

For example, GAO found that 18 of the 48 nongeneralizable sample separation packets reviewed for Marine Corps servicemembers administratively separated for misconduct lacked documentation showing that the servicemember had been screened for PTSD and TBI. 

During interviews with Army officers, GAO found that some officers may not have received training to identify mild TBI symptoms, despite Army policy that all servicemembers should be trained. Further, GAO found instances in which both Army and Marine Corps may not have adhered to their counseling policies, which require that servicemembers, specifically prior to requesting separation in lieu of trial by court-martial, be counseled about their potential ineligibility for VA benefits and services. 

For 11 of the 48 separation packets included in GAO's analysis of Army servicemembers who requested separation in lieu of trial by court-martial, there was no documented evidence—or the evidence was unclear—as to whether the servicemembers received counseling.

KPPC in 2016 reported the number of "bad paper discharges" since 1990, was 615,000.

None of them would have been counted in the suicide data.

Getting back to the data itself, this chart shows the "known" suicides in the first VA Suicide report released in 2012.

This is from the latest report from the VA on known suicides.

As you can see, the percentages went up and the number of living veterans dropped by over 4 million. Again, as with all the reports, the majority of veterans committing suicide were over the age of 50, as well as the majority of the less than honorable discharges, were also of those older generations.

If you are among the veterans who were kicked out instead of treated, the VA is trying to find you~

VA Struggles To Reach Other-Than-Honorable-Discharge Vets In Need Of Help

Advocates Fault VA for Inadequate OutreachThe VA last year estimated there are more than 500,000 OTH vets. 

Nationally, 115 veterans have used the program, a figure that's disappointing to veterans advocates. They say it represents just a small fraction of the veterans who now qualify for mental health care. 

"It's not possible that that's the number of people who need help," said Kristofer Goldsmith, an Iraq vet who works with the Vietnam Veterans of America. "It's a failure to contact them, to fully inform them and to break the stigma." 

Vietnam Veterans of America lobbied the VA to help veterans with other-than-honorable discharges. 

"It's a program that most people who are eligible for don't know about, and the reason for that is that VA refused to do any outreach," said Vietnam Veterans of America executive director Rick Weidman.Weidman said there was an internal debate over whether the VA could pay to reach out to veterans who normally don't qualify for VA care.

After racking my brain for one more piece of all of this, is a report from Jacksonville Times Union going back to 2014. The report said that there were only 250,000 Vietnam veterans with "less than honorable discharges" and that "80,000" of them may be due to PTSD. 

Kids hungry to learn about veterans from veterans

Program 'desperately seeking' veterans to speak to Elgin-area students
Daily Herald
Elena Ferrarin
October 5, 2018

John Oliver, principal at Clinton Elementary School in South Elgin, said he's excited to have veterans back in November after they spoke in fourth- through sixth-grade classrooms last year. One thing is to learn about wartime in textbooks, but it's entirely different to ask questions of veterans who served in submarines, aircraft carriers and military support, he said.

A program that invites Elgin-area veterans to speak in classrooms around Veterans Day was so successful that many more volunteers are needed this year.

Don Eageny of Elgin was among veterans who spoke in November at Clinton Elementary School in South Elgin as part of the "Veterans Voices" program. More volunteers are needed this year.
Courtesy of Gail Borden Public Library

There have been about 130 requests for speakers for the "Veterans Voices" program and about 40 veterans have signed up so far, or about 20 short of the ideal, said librarian Tish Calhamer of Gail Borden Public Library. 

"People's lives tell stories, and this is a great way to teach kids what it means to serve and what Veterans Day is all about." Calhamer said.
read more here

Innocent Vietnam Veteran Released from Prison...After 38 Years!

Man Who Spent Nearly 40 Years Behind Bars for Crime He Did Not Commit Speaks Out
NBC San Diego
Wendy Fry

Craig Coley, a 70-year-old Vietnam veteran, hopes authorities can still find the man who killed his then-girlfriend and her 4-year-old son in 1978

Craig Richard Coley has spent more than 38 years behind bars for a double homicide he did not commit. On Thanksgiving Day, he tasted freedom.

On Thursday morning, Coley woke up in Carlsbad, California, just blocks from the beach, a free man for the first time since Nov. 11, 1978.

During an hour-long exclusive interview with NBC 7, the 70-year-old Vietnam veteran broke down and cried while reading details of the horrific crime that put him away.

“In the early morning hours, of November 11, 1978, Rhonda Wicht was beaten and strangled to death in her apartment. Her 4-year-old son...”

Coley has maintained his innocence from behind bars for more than 38 years.

He was arrested on Veteran’s Day 1978 after serving his country in the U.S. Navy. His service included several deployments to Vietnam aboard USS Enterprise and USS Bainbridge.

read more here

PTSD Veterans in New York Getting Medical Marijuana

Veterans with PTSD can apply to use medical marijuana legally, Cuomo announces

PIX 11 News

Ashley Soley-Cerro

November 11, 2017

"I think that can help thousands of veterans. It's something that we've been talking about for a long time and I'm glad we're taking action today." Gov. Andrew Cuomo

NEW YORK — In an effort to help thousands of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD will be added to the list of conditions covered for medical marijuana, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Veterans Day.

"Many of our veterans are suffering from PTSD and the medical community has determined that marijuana can be a helpful treatment," Cuomo said in a statement Saturday. "If there are veterans that are suffering and we can make a treatment available, we want to."

The governor plans to sign into law that marijuana will be legal if a doctor authorizes it, and finds a veteran suffers from PTSD, Cuomo said.

read more here

Women Veterans 'It Was Just The Thing To Do'

6 Women Veterans Recall Their Military Service: 'It Was Just The Thing To Do'

NPR

Isabel Dobrin

Jennifer Kerrigan

November 11, 2017

"I went home that night, and my mom had life insurance policies for all the kids ... and I told her I needed the number for my life insurance policy, and she said 'What in the world do you need that for?' and I said, 'I joined the Navy today,' and she flipped. But it was the best thing I did, joining the Navy." Helen Sadowski, US Navy

There are more than 21 million military veterans in the country, according to a 2016 report from the Department of Veterans Affairs. About 2 million of those are women.

In commemoration of Veterans Day, NPR spoke with six women veterans living at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C., to find out what their service means to them. 

Here are their stories.

PTSD, "Heaven Knows It's Not The Way It Could Be"

What We Left Out of Veterans Days
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 12, 2017

Yesterday was Veterans Day, but for us, we knew that they are a veteran everyday of the year. As for us, we're fighting the battles after they fight for the country...and each other.

They get parades, we get mood swings. They get pins, we get canceled plans. They get coins, we get pay the bill 24-7. They get thanked for their service, we get to witness what that service did to them and wonder what we can do to ever make it up to them.

I wasn't planning on writing this early this morning. I was listening to an Oldies countdown when Donna Summer's "Heaven Knows" came on. I thought about watching the Orlando Veterans Day parade for the first time on TV, instead of being at it or in it.

My back isn't doing very well right now, so I opted to take it easy. It was also a choice made out of heartache. 

The theme of this year's parade was PTSD. For the 13 years I've lived in Florida, it has been one rejection after another. It didn't seem to matter much that I had invested over three decades in working on healing it. No one wants to hear from the old lady. They only want the younger ones. The worst thing is, they don't want to help the older veterans, even though 65% of the veterans committing suicide, are from my generation.

Yes, men and women just like the one I fell in love with so long ago. When we met I was young, like the generation everyone talks about helping. Back then I didn't have the luxury of easy answers in the palm of my hand. We didn't deal in what was easy for anyone. We dealt with what was working. We wanted to know how to save our families the painful choice of walking away.

I don't know about you, but once I understood what PTSD was, there was no way in hell I was about to let a man like him leave with that depth of love inside of him.

While you may be thinking it isn't the way you thought it would be, maybe you should be thinking about the way it could be. I can assure you, it can all be so much better.

Heaven knows

It's not the way it should be

And heaven knows

It's not the way it could be

and don't you know

There's no need to leave

Heaven knows

I never wanna leave you

Heaven knows

I only wanna please you

Don't you know

Love is what I need

Take whatever you think you know from social media and all the folks running about the country screaming about a number that has been proven false, and forget about all of it. Safe bet it has done you absolutely no good at all. Pretty much, it seems to be doing more harm than helping any of our veterans stay here. Read the percentages from the VA suicide report. The numbers are wrong but it shows the percentage of the veterans they do know about.

Try something new, like investing the time to learn about what will help the ones we love. You won't regret it, especially when it is just the two of you to live still standing by their side.

Down inside (down inside)

Don't get caught with foolish pride

(Don't get caught with foolish pride)

Blow the other things aside (things aside)

It's only you and me

(You and me, you and)

Believe in us (believe in us)

We were always meant to be

(Always meant to be)

Me for you and you for me (you for me)

Till eternity ('til eternity)

Donna Summer 

If you really love him/her, then learn what is harming them. If you really know how rare their love is, then fight the stuff that is trying to turn them into someone you don't want to be around. Remind them why you loved them and that you know, under all the pain they try to hide, they are still in there. 

Stop wanting things to be better and do the work to make it good.

Vietnam Veteran "Santa" Took the Hill, Then Float

TIME-LAPSE: Ride along on our Veterans Day float
Channel 13 News
Sarah Panko
November 13, 2017

ORLANDO -- 

Frank Schmidgall was going to stop playing Santa Claus.

Dressed in familiar red and white, the Vietnam War veteran has sat in the same spot for the Orlando Veterans Day Parade every year for the past 15 years.

"I am what you call a charity Santa Claus," Schmidgall said.

But before his mother died, he promised her he would continue the tradition.

“I enjoy it. To watch their faces and to see the people in the parade passing out the candy, it’s fun. I hope they enjoy it," Schmidgall said.

But he doesn't just watch the parade, he buys candy to hand out to spectators. He said he spends hundreds of dollars and several hours getting the bags ready.
read more here

Floridians Show Up For Veterans

From Cathy Haynes

VETERANS DAY EVENTS – alphabetical by County

 

BREVARD COUNTY

 

Veterans Day Ceremony – Sat. Nov 11 – The Veterans Memorial Center (VMC) in north Brevard County is where keynote speaker Army Col. Danny McKnight (ret.) will share a Veterans Day message. 9am-10am at the VMC, 400 S Sykes Creek Pkwy, Merritt Island, 32952. Info: www. veteransmemorialcenter .org 321-453-1776. 

 

Veterans Day Parade in South Brevard County – Sat. Nov 11 - This annual Parade begins at 10am, from E. New Haven Ave. west to 1601 Oak St, Melbourne, FL, 32901 to the Liberty Bell Memorial Museum

 

Veterans Memorial Service in North Brevard County – Sat. Nov 11 - The Military Order of World Wars Space Coast-Indian River Chapter will hold the 35th Annual Veterans Memorial Service and Massing of the Colors on the Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) Cocoa Campus. The 3 pm ceremony at 1519 Clearlake Rd, Cocoa, 32922, in the George F. Schlatter Veterans Memorial Amphitheater. Free and open to the public. The moving, patriotic ceremony honors those who have given their lives in service to their country and pays tribute to those currently serving. This year’s featured service is the U.S. Air Force. The keynote speaker will be Col. Steven M. Gorski, Commander of the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) at Patrick Air Force Base. Info: Suzanne at EFSC at 321-433-7022.

 

Veterans Day Weekend Open House, Sat & Sun Nov 11 and 12 - The Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum will provide free admission to the museum for all military, active or retired. Also, ALL Florida residents will be admitted free – but please bring a non-perishable food item. Events include flybys, collection of vintage aircraft, plastic modelers and radio controlled modelers, and the opportunity to speak to former combat pilots. Car Club exhibits. (If you have a classic car that you would like to show on Saturday and/or Sunday, please contact the museum.) 9AM-5PM, Saturday and Sunday. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Space Coast Regional Airport, 6600 Tico Road, Titusville, 32780. Info: www. valiantaircommand .com Warbirds@ valiantaircommand .com 321-268-1941.

 

FLAGLER COUNTY

 

Freedom Fest 2017 – Fri to Sun. Nov. 11 – 12 - A Veterans weekend celebration with ShockWave jet truck (375mph!), live music, military aircraft, military displays, vendor village, patriotic presentations and fireworks finale on Saturday night. $10 advance tickets, $15 at gate. Free Sunday re-entry with paid Saturday admission, free parking at school, $5 at airport. Sat: 11am – 9pm, Sun: 11am – 2pm. Flagler Executive Airport, 201 Airport Rd, Palm Coast, 32164 (off S.R.100, across from the high school.) Vendor space still open. Contact: Kirk Keller 386-437-1992 #218, Kirk@ beach927 .com

 

LAKE COUNTY

 

Veterans Day Observance  - Sat. Nov. 11 – 11am at the waterfront pavilion on Lake Minneola. (330 Third St., Clermont, FL.)  Sponsored by the Tomoka Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR); Sgt. I. W. Hatcher, Jr. South Lake Marine Corps Detachment, VFW Post #5277 and Korean War Veterans group. Also participating will be the South Lake High School ROTC, Blessed Sacrament Knights of Columbus, South Lake Scouts. Info: cdarling6@juno.com

 

Astatula’s 1st Veterans Day – Sat. Nov 11 - Country music artist Rodney Atkins will be the headline entertainer at this event. He has had six number one songs on the country music charts. Also present will be Rob O'Neill, a highly decorated SEAL and retired special forces operator with over 400 missions. 11am – 11:30pm at Central Florida Motorsports Park, 24200 County Road 561, Astatula, (Lake County) 34705. $10 advanced gen. admission before Nov 1, then $15; $100 VIP tickets; Vendors available. Tickets at Eventbrite.

 

ORANGE COUNTY

 

6th Annual Orlando Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K Races/Walk – Sat. Nov 11- Orlando Marathon race 26.2, Orlando Half Marathon 13.1 and Orlando 5K race or walk event hosted by American Legion Post 112 and Help the Vets, Inc. 4490 N. Goldenrod Rd. Winter Pk, FL 32792. A local quartet, Noteables, will sing before the event, the Anthem at 7:20 and races starting at 7:30 am. Discounts if registered by Oct 30. www. omarathon .com Info: Jim at racenut478@ aol .com 407-739-4949.

 

Orlando Veterans Day Parade – Sat. Nov 11 – One of the largest Veteran’s Day Parades, Hosted by Mayor Buddy Dyer and his Veterans Advisory Council in Downtown Orlando.  11am – 1pm. Free! This year’s parade recognizes the invisible wounds of war. The parade includes about 100 Central Florida veterans groups, floats, pipe bands, marching bands, ROTC and JROTC units, first responders, community groups and military vehicles. Begins at Robinson St., south on Orange Ave., east on Central, the north on Rosalind Ave. The parade will be televised live on News 13, starting with the opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Info: cityoforlando.net/ veteransparade 407-246-3104.

 

Red, White & Blue Rally – Sat. Nov 11 – After the parade go to Ace Cafe Orlando, 100 W Livingston St, Orlando.  Free to the public – Classic Cars, Classic Motorcycles, Military Vehicles, Live Music, Poker Crawl, and Vendor Tents. Sponsored by FAVOB (Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses) and honoring those who have served! Info: Jim at jrice@ supportingstrategies .com 407.930.9420

 

Windermere Veterans Monument Dedication – Sat. Nov.11 –Join members from all of the branches of the armed forces at 11am as Windermere unveils its Veterans Monument at 520 Main Street. Patriotic music and a family friendly day long event. Sponsored by the Town of Windermere and Windermere Rotary. Info: Gary Bruhn at windermeremayor@ yahoo .com 407-876-1732.

 

Veterans’ Day Ceremony – Sat. Nov 11 – A wreath ceremony at Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St, Orlando, 32803. It will take place by the monument to the Red Tail Pilots just outside the Science Center in Loch Haven Park. It will be a brief and simple ceremony at 2pm, including a bugler playing “Taps” to honor those we have lost in service to our country. The ceremony is free to the public, but admission to the Science Center is $20.95 for adults, $18.95 for seniors, and $14.95 for youth. However, we are currently offering veterans and active military free admission with their military ID and 50% off family members in their party. Info: Jeff at JStanford@ osc .org 407-514-2145

 

Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) meeting – Sat. Nov 11 – Are you a descendant of America’s first veterans? Tracing your family tree and finding a lineal ancestor who fought for or supported the efforts for our freedoms in the American Revolution allows you to honor their sacrifices by becoming a member. And if you are active military or a veteran (but not required) it makes the connection even more important because you swore to uphold the US Constitution that was put into place at the start of our country – a true tribute! A monthly luncheon meeting for the Central Florida chapter is being held at the Mayflower Retirement Complex because it has great food! Info for membership and/or the meeting: Don at donaldg100@ aol .com

 

Marine Corps Birthday Ball – Sat. Nov. 11 – Sponsorships available for this 242st celebration will be at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, 9840 International Drive, 32819. Cocktails begin at 6pm and the ballroom doors open at 6:45. At 7:30 the ceremony begins with dinner and dancing following that. Dress is formal. Special guests.  Interested persons can get more information at the Central Florida Marine Corps Foundation website: centralfloridamarines.org or thru Jan Baka 407.745.3029 during business hours or jan.baka@ecs-federal.com Semper Fi!

 

OSCEOLA COUNTY

 

Osceola County Veteran’s Day Parade – Sat. Nov 11 – 10am start time. Floats, bands, color guards and more. Forms in the Osceola Courthouse parking lot (Rose Ave. and Patrick St.) and travels down Main Street in Kissimmee. Children’s Parade will form in front of the Kissimmee Police Dept. Prizes for Best band, Best unit, Best float. Sponsored by the Osceola County Veterans Council. Info: Wilfredo “Fred” at 407-520-7646.  

 

13th Annual USO Benefit Ride – Sat. Nov 11 - Orlando Harley Davidson South, 7786 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy (aka US 192), Kissimmee, 34747 (abt 3 miles west of I-4) Central Florida's largest motorcycle fundraising event in support of our military personnel and the USO Care Package Program in association with the Greater Jacksonville Area USO. Police escorted ride. Registration 8:30 am to 10am/ Ride departs 1030am. Motorcycles NOT required. After party 12 - 3 pm. Silent auction, raffles, lives music, continental breakfast, delicious lunch, vendors. $20 per rider, $10 per passenger - each registration covers the cost of a USO Care Package to be sent to a deployed member of the US Military. 

For more information on these events and early registrations see www. usobenefitride.com

 

SEMINOLE COUNTY

 

Veterans Day Expo – Sat. Nov 11 – Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy will be available to hear your concerns at the Seminole County Public Library, Central Branch, from 9am – 11am. 215 N. Oxford Rd, Casselberry, 32707. Info: Constituent Advocate Kyle at 888-205-5421

 

Seminole County Celebrates Veterans Day – Sat. Nov 11 - Presented by the Seminole County Area Veterans Advisory Council (SCAVAC), this ceremony at Sanford Veterans Memorial Park begins at 11am, 110 W Seminole Blvd, 32771. Coast Guard Lt. Jim Krzenski, (ret.) will provide the keynote address and many veterans organizations will be participating. Following the Ceremony, the Disabled American Veterans (D.A.V.) invite you to a luncheon at their post, 3512 S. Orlando Drive, Sanford. Info: Jennifer Brooks at 407.688.5120 option 6 or jennifer.brooks@sanfordfl.gov

 

VOLUSIA COUNTY

 

1047 Steps for the Vets - Veterans Day Bridge Walk - Sat. Nov 11 – 3rd annual event hosted by The Rock of Daytona (WROD 104.7FM) and Veterans Support Fund at Granada Bridge, Ormond Beach, 32174 in Volusia County. 6am – 6pm at Cassen Park, 1 South Beach St. Come walk, sponsor a team, make a donation or just cheer the walkers on. Stay for a few minutes or a few hours... The first 100 walkers who donate at least $20 will get a FREE Bridge Walk T-shirt! The Rock of Daytona Crew will be walking 1047 steps for every $104.7 donated, with all the proceeds going to the Veteran's at the Emory L Bennett Veterans Nursing Home. Freedom Mortgage and Caton Hosey Insurance are sponsors for this year’s walk. Info: www. therockofdaytona .com 386-253-0000. 

 

Volusia County Veterans Day Parade – Sat. Nov 11 –Honoring the sacrifices of all veterans and their families in a daylong celebration in historic downtown DeLand. Opening ceremony at 9:30am on Indiana Ave, Parade beginning at 10am-12noon with military vehicles, marching bands and patriotic floats on Woodland Blvd. Info: MainStreet DeLand Association, 386-738-0649.

Veterans Day Reminder of the Forgotten

All Veterans Should Matter Everyday
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 5, 2017 

There is a serious problem in this country when men and women are expected to show up to fight our battles but we don't show up to fight for all of them when they need us.

Veterans Day is next weekend. Cannot think of a better time to do this for all our veterans, especially the Pre-9-11 veterans everyone seems to have forgotten about.

When we pay attention to only young veterans, what does that say about us? When we only donate to groups claiming to help only young veterans, what does that say to the majority of the veterans?

I hope this effort will open your eyes so that maybe we can actually change the outcome.

There is a huge difference between what we think we know and what there is to actually learn.

The Department of Veterans Affairs released their reports on how many veterans are committing suicide. What they left out of the report will shock you.

The numbers came from veterans in the VA system and from death certificates. Suicide was a factor but so was a connection to military service.

Some states have "Armed Forces" along with a question as to which war. Some states do not have a space for military service.

***Images were searched for every state. Where you see "yes" it was found but where you see "no" double check me to see if I just missed it. Some were very hard to read.***

Here are the states and the facts you need to know.

VA Suicide Report by State 2014

Number of Veterans Per State  2014

Alabama

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

130 suicides 2014
344,304 Veterans Population

Alaska

Veteran Death Certificates, Honorable Only

38 suicides 2014
69,848 Veterans Population

Arizona

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

259 suicides 2014
483,026 Veterans Population

Arkansas

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

100 suicides 2014
207,886 Veterans Population

California

NO

Bill passed this year to add it

662 suicides 2014
1,693,602 Veterans Population

Colorado

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

178 suicides 2014
377,992 Veterans Population

Connecticut

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

49 suicides 2014
189,056 Veterans Population

Delaware

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

24 suicides 2014
72,017 Veterans Population

District of Columbia
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
Under 10 suicides 2014
28,055 Veterans Population

Florida

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

591 suicides 2014
1,461,772 Veterans Population

Georgia

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

200 suicides 2014
651,283 Veterans Population

Hawaii

? See below

33 suicides 2014
109,871 Veterans Population

Idaho

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

54 suicides 2014
115,951 Veterans Population

Illinois

NO 

Bill passed this year to add it

193 suicides 2014
639,445 Veterans Population

Indiana

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

136 suicides 2014
408,790 Veterans Population

Iowa

NO

25 suicides 2014
198,627 Veterans Population

Kansas

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

88 suicides 2014
187,113 Veterans Population

Kentucky

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

136 suicides 2014
280,030 Veterans Population

Louisiana

NO

112 suicides 2014
261,772 Veterans Population

Maine

NO

55 suicides 2014
113,958 Veterans Population

Maryland

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

89 suicides 2014
384,882 Veterans Population

Massachusetts

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

73 suicides 2014
338,287 Veterans Population

Michigan

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

213 suicides 2014
600,135 Veterans Population

Minnesota

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

113 suicides 2014
322,421 Veterans Population

Mississippi

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

74 suicides 2014
174,500 Veterans Population

Missouri

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

207 suicides 2014
438,287 Veterans Population

Montana

NO

58 suicides 2014
84,496 Veterans Population

Nebraska

NO

61 suicides 2014
127,730 Veterans Population

Nevada

NO

127 suicides 2014
212,314 Veterans Population

New Hampshire

NO

37 suicides 2014
99,552 Veterans Population

New Jersey

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

93 suicides 2014
360,415 Veterans Population

New Mexico

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

91 suicides 2014
152,055 Veterans Population

New York

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

225 suicides 2014
773,063 Veterans Population

North Carolina

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

249 suicides 2014
673,382 Veterans Population

North Dakota

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

23 suicides 2014
50,185 Veterans Population

Ohio

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

244 suicides 2014
759,737 Veterans Population

Oklahoma

NO

149 suicides 2014
276,348 Veterans Population

Oregon

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

144 suicides 2014
295,348 Veterans Population

Pennsylvania

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

311 suicides 2014
821,624 Veterans Population

Rhode Island

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

16 suicides 2014
63,726 Veterans Population

South Carolina

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

143 suicides 2014
368,017 Veterans Population

South Dakota

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

30 suicides 2014
62, 645 Veterans Population

Tennessee

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

166 suicides 2014
450,313 Veterans Population

Texas

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

554 suicides 2014
1,496,724 Veterans Population

Utah

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

82 suicides 2014
131,381 Veterans Population

Vermont

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

24 suicides 2014
43,725 Veterans Population

Virginia

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

227 suicides 2014
690,427 Veterans Population

Washington

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

219 suicides 2014
558,895 Veterans Population

West Virginia

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

69 suicides 2014
140,755 Veterans Population

Wisconsin

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

133 suicides 2014
368,382 Veterans Population

Wyoming

Yes, Armed Forces Veteran

 25 suicides 2014
45,420 Veterans Population

Puerto Rico

Under 10 suicides 2014

Not really sure about the different results from Puerto Rico. 

Check the links and try to figure it out.

89,665 Veterans Population

US Census 2015 95,342

There are somewhere around 75,000 U.S. Army veterans living in Puerto Rico. Most served during the Vietnam War. After Hurricane Maria, many are now living in shelters. Thousands of people, not just veterans, have been displaced by the storm, and the shelters are packed. 

Some states have separate rules on who they consider a veteran. 

Hawaii has "'Veteran' means any person who has served in any if the armed services if the United States, or any person who is now a citizen of the United States who has served in any of the armed services of any country which was an ally of the United States in any war or campaign in which the United States was also engaged and has been discharged from that service."

I hope that explains why I make no apologies to all the folks running around the country claiming to be "raising awareness" at the same time they only talk about the OEF and OIF veterans. I really hope the next time you decide to support a Veteran's Charity, you check to see what they are doing with your money and who is being left out.