Veteran’s widow forced to fight for benefits
Son says VA is waiting for his mother to die
By Lou Michel
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Updated: January 17, 2010, 7:09 am
Lawrence Henry enlisted twice to serve in World War I and then in World War II.
He died in 1963, but with the expectation that the Department of Veterans Affairs would honor benefits for his wife, Florence, if she ever needed them.
It turns out that his widow, now 91, does need help, but her family believes the VA is intentionally delaying crucial financial assistance to her in the hopes she will die first.
Though not in the best of health, Florence E. Henry is not thinking about dying any time soon. She says she is more worried about paying the rent for her costly assisted-living apartment in Williamsville.
“My savings are just about gone. I have been here for 3z years. Where I will go from here, I don’t know,” Henry said. “My husband was a very patriotic man, and although he was a little over 40, he enlisted in World War II and was very proud of it.”
Her 64-year-old son, Michael, has been leading the effort to get his mother a needs-based “aid and attendance” monthly benefit of about $1,000. And while not every widow qualifies, the benefit can be applied to the survivors of veterans if there is a demonstrated need for assistance in carrying out the daily tasks of living.
read more here
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/925467.html
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Cocoa shelter for homeless women vets important step
Our views: Comrades in arms (Jan. 26)
Cocoa shelter for homeless women vets important step
January 26, 2010
A few weeks ago in this space, we drew attention to the rising number of homeless veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to what we called a “perfect storm” of trouble.
Trouble with the ravaging effects of post-traumatic stress disorder from repeated combat tours, trouble finding a job in the recession and trouble putting food on the table for themselves and their families.
Among their ranks nationally and in our community are an alarming number of women veterans winding up on the streets with their children.
We said the situation demands more attention and we’re happy to report that’s happening along the Space Coast.
The Center for Drug Free Living broke ground Friday in Cocoa for the first local shelter dedicated to homeless women veterans and their kids. It’s an important, compassionate step that will help fight this unseen crisis.
The center will include seven, two-bedroom units with common living and dining areas along with housing, substance abuse and mental health services for 28 women.
The $1.6 million project was largely funded through the Department of Veterans Affairs, part of its ramped-up, $3.2 billion plan to help returning veterans, including the homeless.
Other money came locally, including $250,000 from an unnamed Brevard County donor who deserves a special thanks.
read more here
Cocoa shelter for homeless women vets important step
Cocoa shelter for homeless women vets important step
January 26, 2010
A few weeks ago in this space, we drew attention to the rising number of homeless veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to what we called a “perfect storm” of trouble.
Trouble with the ravaging effects of post-traumatic stress disorder from repeated combat tours, trouble finding a job in the recession and trouble putting food on the table for themselves and their families.
Among their ranks nationally and in our community are an alarming number of women veterans winding up on the streets with their children.
We said the situation demands more attention and we’re happy to report that’s happening along the Space Coast.
The Center for Drug Free Living broke ground Friday in Cocoa for the first local shelter dedicated to homeless women veterans and their kids. It’s an important, compassionate step that will help fight this unseen crisis.
The center will include seven, two-bedroom units with common living and dining areas along with housing, substance abuse and mental health services for 28 women.
The $1.6 million project was largely funded through the Department of Veterans Affairs, part of its ramped-up, $3.2 billion plan to help returning veterans, including the homeless.
Other money came locally, including $250,000 from an unnamed Brevard County donor who deserves a special thanks.
read more here
Cocoa shelter for homeless women vets important step
Vandals of Marine's Lehigh home arrested
Vandals of Marine's Lehigh home arrested
Anonymous tip to sheriff leads to 3 Lehigh teens
BY CRISTELA GUERRA • cguerra@news-press.com • January 27, 2010
1:10 A.M. — An anonymous tip to Sheriff Mike Scott himself led detectives to arrest three Lehigh Acres teenagers in connection with the burglary of a U.S. Marine's home.
Brian Dufrane, 16; Louis Estrada, 15; and Kevin Suarez, 14 were arrested Tuesday and charged with three counts each of burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief.
The Marine, Lance Cpl. Steven Von Soosten, 23, has been serving in Iraq since last April.
All three live in the same neighborhood as Von Soosten.
Von Soosten's mother, Nancy Gonzalez, discovered the house stripped of all appliances last week. Burglars also stole uniforms, military gear and medals, and generally trashed the house.
read more here
Vandals of Marine Lehigh home arrested
Anonymous tip to sheriff leads to 3 Lehigh teens
BY CRISTELA GUERRA • cguerra@news-press.com • January 27, 2010
1:10 A.M. — An anonymous tip to Sheriff Mike Scott himself led detectives to arrest three Lehigh Acres teenagers in connection with the burglary of a U.S. Marine's home.
Brian Dufrane, 16; Louis Estrada, 15; and Kevin Suarez, 14 were arrested Tuesday and charged with three counts each of burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief.
The Marine, Lance Cpl. Steven Von Soosten, 23, has been serving in Iraq since last April.
All three live in the same neighborhood as Von Soosten.
Von Soosten's mother, Nancy Gonzalez, discovered the house stripped of all appliances last week. Burglars also stole uniforms, military gear and medals, and generally trashed the house.
read more here
Vandals of Marine Lehigh home arrested
Military guests to attend State of the Union
Military guests to attend State of the Union
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jan 27, 2010 12:37:13 EST
The two police officers who took down the alleged shooter at Fort Hood are among the six people with ties to the military community who will be seated with first lady Michelle Obama at President Obama’s State of the Union address Wednesday, a White House official said.
White House officials have provided details about the 22 guests who will be seated with Obama and Jill Biden.
In addition to police officers Kim Munley and Mark Todd, other military-related guests will include:
Retired Army Spc. Scott Vycital
Army Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Rubin
Julia Frost
Janell Kellett
read their stories here
Military guests to attend State of the Union
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jan 27, 2010 12:37:13 EST
The two police officers who took down the alleged shooter at Fort Hood are among the six people with ties to the military community who will be seated with first lady Michelle Obama at President Obama’s State of the Union address Wednesday, a White House official said.
White House officials have provided details about the 22 guests who will be seated with Obama and Jill Biden.
In addition to police officers Kim Munley and Mark Todd, other military-related guests will include:
Retired Army Spc. Scott Vycital
Army Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Rubin
Julia Frost
Janell Kellett
read their stories here
Military guests to attend State of the Union
Minn. researchers quickly diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder
Minn. researchers quickly diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder
By Renee Tessman
MINNEAPOLIS -- Researchers here in Minnesota have uncovered something that could impact thousands of military veterans. It's a way to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, with more than ninety percent accuracy, with something called magnetoencephalography.
Vietnam veteran, Gary Lore of Minnetonka, participated in the study.
Lore served in the U.S. Army infantry and then at the mortuary in Da-Nang from 1966 to 1968.
He has an old tin of memorabilia from his time there filled with patches, medals and photos. It's something he can easily store away and forget. Unfortunately, he can't do the same with his memories.
Lore lost many friends in the Vietnam War and also prepared the bodies of dead soldiers being sent home. He says, "It obviously imprinted; went into my brain and stayed there."
It wasn't until 20 years later, after seeing images from the Gulf War in 1991, that he was diagnosed with PTSD.
read more here
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=839295&catid=14
By Renee Tessman
MINNEAPOLIS -- Researchers here in Minnesota have uncovered something that could impact thousands of military veterans. It's a way to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, with more than ninety percent accuracy, with something called magnetoencephalography.
Vietnam veteran, Gary Lore of Minnetonka, participated in the study.
Lore served in the U.S. Army infantry and then at the mortuary in Da-Nang from 1966 to 1968.
He has an old tin of memorabilia from his time there filled with patches, medals and photos. It's something he can easily store away and forget. Unfortunately, he can't do the same with his memories.
Lore lost many friends in the Vietnam War and also prepared the bodies of dead soldiers being sent home. He says, "It obviously imprinted; went into my brain and stayed there."
It wasn't until 20 years later, after seeing images from the Gulf War in 1991, that he was diagnosed with PTSD.
read more here
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=839295&catid=14
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