Dog breeder donates PTSD service dog to Iraq veteran

Brooksville breeder donates service dog to vet
by Kim Dame
Hernando Today correspondent
November 21, 2013

Michael Giannetti, left, has been working with Ernest Chainey for nearly two years to bring him a PTSD canine. KIM DAME

Ernest Chainey awakens with a jolt, covered in sweat, shaking and convulsing in fear. His wife, Tammy, tries to comfort him, gently guiding him out of the night terror by speaking softly. And eventually Chainey calms down, his breathing becomes labored and he attempts to fall back to sleep.

That scenario is all too common in the Chainey household since Ernest, 45, returned from three tours in Iraq. He was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after his first tour in Iraq and medically discharged in 2012.

Like so many other service men who served on the battlefield, Chainey came home after his final tour a changed man. He now battles a different war on friendly ground where the enemy has set up camp inside his head.

"It has affected everything I do," Chainey said. He hasn't been able to find a job or provide for his family. He deals with deep depression, explosive anger and bouts of paranoia. Since the disorder is still largely misunderstood and not widely recognized as an actual disability, Chainey says he often feels he is fighting alone, but he should get some relief soon.

Michael Giannetti, owner of Pendragon Acres U.S. K-9, stepped in to help Ernest and other wounded Vets live a better quality of life through the placement and training of assisted service and PTSD-certified canines.
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Lady Antebellum Performs Celebrate Me Home

Lady Antebellum Performs Celebrate Me Home
Watch as the Grammy award-winning group Lady Antebellum performs "Celebrate Me Home" -- the official anthem of Home for the Holidays!

ABC’S “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS” CAMPAIGN WILL DEBUT FIVE SHORT FILMS, WRITTEN, DIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY U.S. VETERANS AND VETERAN CENTERED STORYLINES WITHIN PROGRAMMING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Digital Short Films from U.S. Veterans to Begin Debuting on Monday, November 18 on ABC.com

Grammy Award Winning Lady Antebellum to Record “Celebrate Me Home” as Official “Home for the Holidays” Anthem

ABC Primetime Series and “General Hospital” to Incorporate Storylines Honoring U.S. Veterans

ABC News to Cover Incredible Stories of Veterans’ Heroism and Inspiration

Across All Programs and Platforms

Daytime’s “The View” and “The Chew” Lend Their Support

As part of ABC’s annual “Home for the Holidays” campaign, and in support of Disney’s company-wide “Heroes Work Here” initiative, which served as the foundation for a recent Veteran’s hiring event at Walt Disney World featuring a keynote address by First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, ABC will honor our military veterans with several new elements this year by premiering five short films written, directed, and produced by U.S. Veterans highlighting the creative work from our military servicemen and women.

Five talented U.S. Veterans with aspirations to work in the entertainment industry were selected to create digital short films which will be thematically centered around U.S. Veterans coming home this holiday season. As part of the initiative, these five U.S. Veteran storytellers and their short films will be mentored throughout the creative process by experienced creative teams from some of ABC’s most successful series. The five short films will begin to debut on ABC.com MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, which will serve as the kick-off for the “Home for the Holidays” campaign.

In addition to the five digital short films, “Home for the Holidays” will continue its tradition in welcoming our veterans’ home through holiday greetings from some of ABC’s biggest names. This year, the seven-time Grammy award-winning group, Lady Antebellum, will record a cover of “Celebrate Me Home,” which will be the official anthem of ABC’s “Home for the Holidays.”
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The Letter
Rebecca Murga's film tells the heartwarming story of a little girl who writes a letter to Santa asking him to bring her mother home for Christmas.

President Kennedy WWII Veteran and President

There have been a lot of radio programs asking where people were when President Kennedy was assassinated. I know where I was. It was a wonderful day with a real treat for a four year old. My Mom and I were in the living room and I was coloring on the wall. I wasn't in trouble. She was suggesting colors to use next. I was 4 so not much of an artist but she figured the wallpaper would be replaced soon so that didn't matter much. It would all be covered up and replaced.

The TV was on and there was the car carrying President Kennedy when I turned my head as my Mom screamed. He had just been shot. At the time no one knew who decided the President needed to die and not many remember now what he did to try to save lives in WWII.

John F. Kennedy "Despite having a bad back, Kennedy was able to join the U.S. Navy through the help of Captain Alan Kirk, the Director, Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) who had been the Naval Attache in London when Joseph Kennedy was the Ambassador."

"Kennedy was later awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroics in the rescue of the crew of PT 109, as well as the Purple Heart Medal for injuries sustained in the accident on the night of 1 August 1943. An official account of the entire incident was written by intelligence officers in August 1943 and subsequently declassified in 1959. As President, Kennedy met once again with his rescuers and was toasted by members of the Japanese destroyer crew."

John F. Kennedy was President when he was killed right before our eyes but he was also a hero.

There is something else that has been forgotten in the story of Kennedy and that was what was happening when hate was alive and well in Dallas.

Marking Kennedy Assassination, Dallas Still On 'Eggshells'
NPR
by WADE GOODWYN
November 21, 2013

"Dallas native Lawrence Wright, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, was a sophomore at Woodrow Wilson High School when Kennedy came to town in 1963.

"On the morning of Nov. 22, I went out to get the newspaper, and there was on our doorstep this flier and it said, 'Wanted for Treason.' And it had pictures of President Kennedy, full-face and profile," Wright says.

The day Kennedy arrived at Love Field airport, the front page of the Dallas Morning News was bordered in black. The right-wing radicals and John Birchers who dominated the city despised Kennedy."  read more here

Strangers rushed to rescue 5 kids trapped in car in pond

5 children in serious condition after being pulled from car in pond
NBC News
By Tracy Connor, Staff Writer
November 21, 2013

Five children were in serious condition after being submerged in a frigid Minnesota pond for half an hour of more after a car accident, authorities said.

The children, who ranged in age from 1 to 7, were not responsive when rescuers got to them, a city spokesman told the Associated Press. The State Police later listed all five as being in serious condition.

The driver of the Pontiac Grand Am, Marion Guerrido, 23, escaped when it landed in the water, state police said. She had no apparent injuries.

State Patrol spokesman Lt. Eric Roeske said passersby and a person who lived in a nearby apartment jumped into the pond to rescue the kids but the bottom was too mucky.
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Army reports 22 suicides for October

Army Releases October 2013 Suicide Information
No. NR-031-13
November 21, 2013

The Army released suicide data today for the month of October 2013. Among active-duty soldiers, there were 10 potential suicides: None have been confirmed as suicide and 10 remain under investigation.

For September 2013, the Army reported nine potential suicides among active-duty soldiers; however, subsequent to the report, 1 more case was added bringing September’s total to 10: three have been confirmed as suicides and seven are under investigation.

For CY 2013, there have been 126 potential active-duty suicides: 67 have been confirmed as suicides and 59 remain under investigation.

Updated active-duty suicide numbers for CY 2012: 186 (172 have been confirmed as suicides and 14 remain under investigation).

During October 2013, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were 12 potential suicides (11 Army National Guard and 1 Army Reserve): None have been confirmed as suicide and 12 remain under investigation.

For September 2013, among that same group, the Army reported 8 potential suicides: 3 have been confirmed as suicides and 5 cases remain under investigation.

For CY 2013, there have been 125 potential not on active duty suicides (82 Army National Guard and 43 Army Reserve): 87 have been confirmed as suicides and 38 remain under investigation.

Updated not on active duty suicide numbers for CY 2012: 140 (93 Army National Guard and 47 Army Reserve): 140 have been confirmed as suicides and none remain under investigation.

Reminder there are less serving this year than there were last year.
Last year at this time, Army Releases October Suicide Data 2012
No. 907-12
November 15, 2012

The Army released suicide data today for the month of October. During October, among active-duty soldiers, there were 20 potential suicides: 5 have been confirmed as suicides, and 15 remain under investigation.

For September, the Army reported 15 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers: 4 have been confirmed as suicides, and 11 remain under investigation.

For 2012, there have been 166 potential active-duty suicides: 105 have been confirmed as suicides, and 61 remain under investigation.

Active-duty suicide number for 2011: 165 confirmed as suicides, and no cases under investigation.

During October, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were 13 potential suicides (9 Army National Guard and 4 Army Reserve): 3 have been confirmed as suicides, and 10 remain under investigation.

For September, among that same group, the Army reported 16 potential suicides. Since the release of that report one case was added for a total of 17 cases (13 Army National Guard and 4 Army Reserve); five have been confirmed as suicides, and 12 remain under investigation.

For 2012, there have been 114 potential not on active-duty suicides (75 Army National Guard and 39 Army Reserve): 83 have been confirmed as suicides, and 31 remain under investigation. Not on active-duty suicide numbers for 2011: 118 (82 Army National Guard and 36 Army Reserve) confirmed as suicides, and no cases under investigation.

For October 2011 the Army reported there were 17 and 12 National Guards and Reservists

New vans haul disabled veterans

New vans haul disabled veterans
The Daily Inter Lake
By LYNNETTE HINTZE
Posted: Saturday, November 16, 2013

Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake New vans haul disabled veterans From left, John Babb, Dean House, Shane Stratton, Montana DAV Commander Joe Parsetich and Carey Dill gather in front of the three new Disabled American Veterans vans on Friday at the National Guard Armory north of Kalispell.

When three of the four vans serving local disabled veterans crossed the 200,000-mile mark some time ago and a third van had topped 196,000 miles, Larry Smith decided it was time for some new wheels.

Smith, the local area coordinator for the Flathead Valley Chapter of Disabled American Veterans, turned into a fundraising dynamo, bringing in $44,495 in just six weeks. That was the amount needed for the national DAV organization to match half the cost for three new vans.

“These vans have served the vets well,” Smith said about the worn fleet. “The guidelines for replacement for the DAV is 200,000 miles. Our oldest van had 246,000 miles. It was used strictly for local runs, not for long hauls.”

The local DAV held a ceremony on Friday during which top donors were presented plaques for their generosity. Those donors included Plum Creek Timber Co., Kalispell and Whitefish VFW posts, and the Babb family.

Tracy Babb, a Navy veteran, had decided to donate to the van project before she died, so her brother John Babb, of Kalispell, saw to it that the family chipped in $14,000. The Babb family’s donation also honors Ronald Babb, an Army veteran, and John Bartlett, a Whitefish Vietnam veteran who died last year.

“We’ve had lots of smaller contributions, too, from as far away as Charleston, South Carolina,” Smith said.

Last year 2,100 veterans received transportation services from the DAV vans. It’s common to put on 12,000 miles a month, Smith said. The smaller vans transport veterans locally to the Veterans Center on Meridian Road, Kalispell Regional Medical Center and the VA Clinic on Three Mile Drive, while a larger, 12-passenger van takes veterans regularly to facilities in Missoula and the VA Medical Center at Fort Harrison west of Helena.
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Three confirmed dead because of delayed care at Augusta VA

UPDATE
Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center brought in help to complete 5,100 unresolved consults
By Wesley Brown
Staff Writer
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013

Health care administrators at the Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center said Thursday that the hospital botched its gastrointestinal program so badly that it had to re-engineer its floor plan and bring in extra personnel and equipment to handle a consultation case­load that topped 5,100 unresolved diagnostic screenings last year.

The large-scale effort, which was launched in August 2012 and completed three months later, helped the facility determine appropriate treatment plans for 4,560 patients and reduce its backlog to 540 unresolved consults, Director Bob Hamilton said.

He attributed some of the problem to the Department of Veterans Affairs shifting its policies in 2011 to offer more screening colonoscopies. As a result, Charlie Norwood was soon flooded with colonoscopy requests and did not have the resources or procedures in place to handle the caseload.
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Three confirmed dead because of delayed care at Augusta VA
Augusta Chronicle
By Wesley Brown
Staff Writer
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013

The Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta confirmed Wednesday that three of its cancer patients died needlessly in the past two years because of long waits and delayed care in the hospital’s gastrointestinal program.

The hospital declined to release the names of the victims; however, the deaths have reportedly been tied to the medical center’s former director, Rebecca Wiley.

During her time in Augusta from February 2007 to December 2010, Wiley’s mismanagement of staff and medical procedures led to five patients sustaining injury or death and more than 4,500 gastrointestinal endoscopy consults going unresolved, according to a 2012 report from the VA Inspector General’s Office.
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National Guardsman sues Army for "personality disorder" discharge

Former soldier sues Army for alleged wrongful mental health discharge
Air Force Times
By Patricia Kime
Staff writer
November 21, 2013

A former Army National Guard soldier has filed a lawsuit against the Army, saying the service illegally denied him medical retirement by discharging him for an adjustment disorder when he actually suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Former Sgt. William Cowles of Connecticut alleges he was wrongfully denied full retirement benefits when he was medically evacuated from Iraq in 2003 following a mental breakdown.

He later was discharged for adjustment disorder, a condition considered to exist before a person enters military service, and therefore he is disqualified from disability compensation.

Cowles’ mental health crisis stemmed from seeing several men in his unit die and watching the killing of a civilian truck driver. Two months after he was dismissed from the military, Veterans Affairs Department physicians diagnosed him with service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

Cowles is seeking the maximum amount allowed under law for damages — $10,000 — but he really just wants to be medically retired, according to his legal counsel, two law student interns from the Veterans Legal Services Clinic at Yale Law School.

“The Army Board for Correction of Military Records has denied every single application from veterans who received discharges for adjustment disorder and requested corrections to military retirement for PTSD in the past decade,” second-year law student Sopen Shah said. “This discrimination against disabled veterans is intolerable.”
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Sen. Michael Bennet from Colorado wants to find out about the others receiving other-than-honorable discharges for "discipline problems" when most of the time it turns out to be PTSD.

Lawmakers already have been pressing the Pentagon to examine 31,000 discharges since 2001 for adjustment disorders and personality disorders, mental health conditions considered to presage military service and generally not considered compensable conditions.

Veteranized Veteranette

Veteranized Veteranette
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 21,2013

After struggling for years to find the right word to describe people fighting for veterans, I think I found it. Veteranize or in this case veteranized. Families didn't decide to join but they do decide to stay. We don't get to decide what wars will be fought but we get to decide to if we are willing to fight their battles when they come home. We can't leave out friends willing to do the same and we sure can't leave out anyone working to take care of them as a career. So how do we figure out that one word to explain the connection we all have to our veterans?

It wasn't easy but then again, nothing is really easy when we are talking about only 7% of the population. We do need a word for a spouse that will fit male or female but so far all I could come up with is "veteranette" and I have a feeling some males won't like that one.

We'll just have to leave that one for now.

Veteranized would also fit what is happening to families all over this country trying to figure out what to do to help their veterans heal and it is pretty traumatic at times for us, just as it is for them.

I really think we deserve our own word. Don't you? If you do then think of one and leave a comment on the Facebook page of Veterans Wounded Times or right here.

Military Sexual Assault Amendment: 'It's The Least We Can Do'

We assume the DOD is serious about addressing sexual assaults and treating the perpetrators like criminals. That also means we assume the DOD thinks they are criminals. The problem is, they have not given any indication they believe it is a real crime.

We've been reading about these attacks from within for far too long to be able to pretend they are doing something about it now. How many more years does it take before the DOD stops protecting the criminals? Senators standing in the way of this have no acceptable excuse.

Kirsten Gillibrand On Military Sexual Assault Amendment: 'It's The Least We Can Do'
The Huffington Post
By Ashley Alman
Posted: 11/20/2013

WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Wednesday failed to reach agreement on amendments to the military justice system, including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's (D-N.Y.) proposal to remove military sexual assault cases from the chain of command.

The Senate adjourned Wednesday evening after discussing amendments for more than five hours. Gillibrand, who has the public backing of 53 senators for her proposal, told MSNBC's Chris Hayes she is "still hopeful" that the Senate will vote when it reconvenes on Thursday. She argued that her proposal would benefit both victims and defendants in serious cases by protecting them from bias. She said the amendment will bring an "objective review, outside the military chain of command."

Gillibrand said the amendment would allow a justice system that members of the military deserve.
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