Once again Cathy Haynes has been hard at work putting together a list of things going on in Central Florida for our veterans.
Benefit for wounded Army Green Beret warrior – Sat. Jan 12. Orlando Rocks for SFC Josh Burnett with a major 3-hour Gala Extravaganza Show at VFW Post 4287, 3500 S. Goldenrod Rd, Orlando, 32822. Doors open 1:30 pm, National Anthem at 14:15. Tickets $25, limited seating. Semper Fidelis America is assisting; much hard work and organizing from Mary Ingrassia. Contact: 407-273-6581 or Mary at letsneverforgetthem@yahoo.com
Info available at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyjXrP3MCWw
Home at Last Welcoming Ceremony - Oakland on Sun. Jan. 13 at 2 pm at Tanner Hall, 29 Garden Ave, Winter Garden, 34787. The welcoming reception is free and open to the public.
Marine Cpl. Ronald Clayton "CJ" Barnes Jr. (another wounded veteran) and his wife, Katy, will be welcomed to the West Orange community of Oakland. The Barnes couple, originally from West Palm Beach, will soon become a family as they are expecting their first child in March. They will receive the 5th mortgage-free, disability-friendly home in Oakland from the West Orange Habitat for Humanity's wounded veteran project, Home at Last.
Congressman Daniel Webster will be at the welcoming, and he will present a flag that has flown over the capital to CJ Barnes. Commissioner Scott Boyd will also be in attendance, as well as area town mayors. There will also be a Marine color guard, a guest speaker, and warriors from Cpl. Barnes service group. Contributions to the project are very welcomed and Cpl. Barnes’ story can be read at: http://www.westorangehabitat.org/home-last-2013
Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses (FAVOB) – meeting on Wed. Jan 16 at 11:30 am, at Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 3496 Lodge, 1900 S. Goldenrod Ave., Orlando, 32822. Strength in numbers for all veteran (including service disabled veterans) owned businesses. Provides networking and awareness of local and state contacts and contracts. Contact vicechairman@favob.org 407-394-4754.
Central Florida Scottish Highland Games –Sat. and Sun. Jan. 19 - 20, Central Winds Park, 1000 E. Highway 434, Winter Springs, 32708. Hours: Sat 8am – 9pm, Sun 8:30 am – 5pm Variable priced Tickets: $5 to $20, free parking. Many ‘First Responders’ participate in bagpipe bands, Scottish athletics. You don’t have to have Scottish lineage to enjoy these increasingly popular Games! Dancing, clan tents, food, vendors, LOTS of fun and music from “Albannach”, Celtic rock group “Rathkeltair”, “The Wyndbreakers” and more! http://www.flascot.com/
Country Night at the Bunker on Sat. Jan. 26. – Featuring band Slick 50, 6pm – 10pm; Dinner at 5pm is a pulled pork meal ($6) but RSVP’s requested by Jan. 19 to JoAnne at 508-523-7192 or po87jcb@yahoo.com Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum (aka “The Bunker”) - at 3400 North Tanner Road, Orlando, FL 32826. New website at: http://www.bunkerflorida.org (Event flyer available)
Casino Night on Sat. Feb. 23, 4pm – 10pm. MAJOR fund raising effort for the Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum (aka “The Bunker”) that operates solely on donations. Dinner at 4pm, tables (Blackjack, Texas Holdem, Let it Ride, LCR) open from 5 – 8 pm followed by Chinese Auction to use your winning chips - at 3400 North Tanner Road Orlando, FL 32826. New website at: http://www.bunkerflorida.org (event flyer available)
4th Annual Ride for the Stone on Sat. Mar. 2 – Fund raising effort to provide grave site markers for parents who lose a child and cannot afford a cemetery marker. All vehicles welcome, $10 per person. (Event flyer available) Two starting points at 10:30 – your choice of Winter Garden or Deland; Last stop at 3:30 at the “Bunker” - Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum at 3400 North Tanner Road Orlando, FL 32826. Food, drinks, 50/50 draw and live music. For more information: email bradsummersill@aol.com or 407-256-9360.
Tico Warbird Airshow - March 22, 23 and 24 in Titusville. Advance tickets available – 321-268-1941 Info: www.vacwarbirds.org/ Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum - 6600 Tico Road, Titusville, FL 32780 Open 7 DAYS A WEEK 9am – 5pm
EXTRAS of Interest:
·American Warrior Radio Show from 11am-noon EDT on Saturdays, radio station WMEL - AM 1300 Nationwide broadcast: www.1300wmel.com
·iamveteran.com - “A one stop resource for ALL veterans nationwide who are transitioning from military to civilian life.” There are resources for all veterans, postings for new benefits, jobs, and more!
·WoundedTimes.blogspot.com - Veterans News Service covering news that matters to veterans and their families. Local, state and national news and events – especially with videos involving Central Florida military and veterans. Dedicated to defeating Combat PTS.
·Shades of Green Resort – Armed Forces Recreation Center on Disney property provides various packages for active duty, reservists, guardmen, 100% service connected disabled, and retired military personnel and their families. Go to www.shadesofgreen.org for information. Special discounts for rooms may be available based on occupancy levels, and special ticket rates. (407) 824-3400
·Vet Centers are available for combat zone veterans to help with personal and family readjustment counseling and outreach services. The nearest centers are located in Orlando, Melbourne, Clermont, and Daytona Beach. www.vetcenter.va.gov/
Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum (aka “The Bunker”) - at 3400 North Tanner Road Orlando, FL 32826. New website at: http://www.bunkerflorida.org The museum is a place full of knowledge, experiences, and memories. It is here that you will discover many unique and historical artifacts of the Vietnam Era. Open to the public with FREE admission on Saturdays from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and Sundays from 10:00pm to 4:00pm. Private and educational tours can be scheduled with prior agreement and confirmation with the museums staff. Hours of operation are subject to change due to restoration in progress.
Museum of Military History –5210 West Irlo Bronson Highway - located west of SR 535 on SR 192 Kissimmee, FL – near the Poinciana Blvd. intersection on the south side of the road. http://www.museumofmilitaryhistory.com/ ; "Educating the world about the cost of freedom" with educational exhibits starting with the Civil War, incorporating World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and leading the visitor up to the most current pages of our military history in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hours of 10 am to 6 pm on Tuesdays thru Sunday (Closed Mondays.) For more information call 407 507-3894
*Note: If you or your friends have military items that may not mean much to your other family members, please consider donating them or placing them "on permanent loan" with a Museum for safekeeping. Others may appreciate their historical significance, and it will keep them out of potential landfills. If possible please include the story of the item.
I am now accepting information about organizations planning public events that involve military, veterans or patriotic themes. Please include date, location, time, and a point of contact (name, email, phone). Other people cannot attend if they don’t know about the event!
Caring and sharing
Cathy Haynes
Member/supporter of numerous veterans and military organizations
407-239-8468
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Texas military assault scandal prompts congressional hearings
Texas military assault scandal prompts congressional hearings
By MOLLY HENNESSY-FISKE
Los Angeles Times
Published: January 12, 2013
HOUSTON - About 4 percent of female service members experience some form of sexual assault each year compared to 1 percent of male service members, according to information gathered for a report discussed Friday by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
In fiscal year 2011, the Armed Services completed 2,353 investigations of reported sexual assaults, a "small fraction" of the total estimated sexual assaults, according to the report, which is still being compiled.
Of those cases investigated, fewer than a quarter, or about 489, were referred to court-martial, according to the report, and for those convicted of sexual assault, 78 percent served time in prison.
read more here
By MOLLY HENNESSY-FISKE
Los Angeles Times
Published: January 12, 2013
HOUSTON - About 4 percent of female service members experience some form of sexual assault each year compared to 1 percent of male service members, according to information gathered for a report discussed Friday by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
In fiscal year 2011, the Armed Services completed 2,353 investigations of reported sexual assaults, a "small fraction" of the total estimated sexual assaults, according to the report, which is still being compiled.
Of those cases investigated, fewer than a quarter, or about 489, were referred to court-martial, according to the report, and for those convicted of sexual assault, 78 percent served time in prison.
read more here
Pittsburgh VA hospital under investigation for deadly disease
VA hospital under investigation for deadly Legionnaires' disease outbreak
January 11, 2013
(CBS News) The Veterans Affairs Inspector General is investigating a Pittsburgh VA nursing home, to determine whether hospital administrators took appropriate action to prevent an deadly outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at the facility.
Outbreaks of the deadly strain of pneumonia, are rare and most hotels and hospitals have plans in place to control the bacteria, legionella, that causes the disease.
Legionnaires' disease is contracted when bacteria that grows in water systems is transmitted through the inhalation of water vapor. As many as 18,000 people are hospitalized with disease each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
read more here
January 11, 2013
(CBS News) The Veterans Affairs Inspector General is investigating a Pittsburgh VA nursing home, to determine whether hospital administrators took appropriate action to prevent an deadly outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at the facility.
Outbreaks of the deadly strain of pneumonia, are rare and most hotels and hospitals have plans in place to control the bacteria, legionella, that causes the disease.
Legionnaires' disease is contracted when bacteria that grows in water systems is transmitted through the inhalation of water vapor. As many as 18,000 people are hospitalized with disease each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
read more here
716 patients at VA may have been exposed to HIV and Hepatitis
716 patients at VA may have been exposed to HIV
Buffalo News
BY: JERRY ZREMSKI
NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF
WASHINGTON – More than 700 patients at the Buffalo VA Medical Center may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C because of the inadvertent reuse of insulin pens that were intended to be used only once.
The possible reuse of the insulin delivery devices occurred between Oct. 19, 2010, and Nov. 1, 2012, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said in a memo sent Friday to local members of Congress, which The Buffalo News obtained.
“There is a very small chance that some patients could have been exposed to the Hepatitis B virus, the Hepatitis C virus, or HIV, based on practices identified at the facility,” the memo said.
The VA told local lawmakers that 716 patients at the facility may have been exposed to the reused insulin pens, and that 570 of those patients are still living.
read more here
Buffalo News
BY: JERRY ZREMSKI
NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF
WASHINGTON – More than 700 patients at the Buffalo VA Medical Center may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C because of the inadvertent reuse of insulin pens that were intended to be used only once.
The possible reuse of the insulin delivery devices occurred between Oct. 19, 2010, and Nov. 1, 2012, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said in a memo sent Friday to local members of Congress, which The Buffalo News obtained.
“There is a very small chance that some patients could have been exposed to the Hepatitis B virus, the Hepatitis C virus, or HIV, based on practices identified at the facility,” the memo said.
The VA told local lawmakers that 716 patients at the facility may have been exposed to the reused insulin pens, and that 570 of those patients are still living.
read more here
Fort Campbell Military Ministry Fair focused on PTSD
'Military Ministry Fair' gets positive reviews
Mission of building bridges largely accomplished, participants say
Jan 11, 2013
Written by
Philip Grey
Leaf-Chronicle
FORT CAMPBELL, KY. — Over 180 people, representing a large number of area churches and mental health advocacy groups, participated in Fort Campbell’s Military Ministry Fair on Friday.
The event – the second such meeting in recent months – was held at Fort Campbell’s Liberty Chapel. Hosted by Installation Chaplain (Col.) Jeff Houston, the stated purpose of the meeting was to continue to build a bridge between the military and civilian faith communities.
According to participants who were interviewed, that task was largely accomplished.
'An informational event'
The goal beyond building bridges was to ensure that participants left with a good idea of the number of programs available to the military members of their faith communities, and information on how to refer soldiers and family members in need to appropriate agencies and programs.
Those who attended were provided with nearly an overload of information pertaining to the issues of PTSD, depression, military suicide and military family problems that stem from the stresses of over a decade of war.
Mission of building bridges largely accomplished, participants say
Jan 11, 2013
Written by
Philip Grey
Leaf-Chronicle
FORT CAMPBELL, KY. — Over 180 people, representing a large number of area churches and mental health advocacy groups, participated in Fort Campbell’s Military Ministry Fair on Friday.
The event – the second such meeting in recent months – was held at Fort Campbell’s Liberty Chapel. Hosted by Installation Chaplain (Col.) Jeff Houston, the stated purpose of the meeting was to continue to build a bridge between the military and civilian faith communities.
According to participants who were interviewed, that task was largely accomplished.
'An informational event'
The goal beyond building bridges was to ensure that participants left with a good idea of the number of programs available to the military members of their faith communities, and information on how to refer soldiers and family members in need to appropriate agencies and programs.
Those who attended were provided with nearly an overload of information pertaining to the issues of PTSD, depression, military suicide and military family problems that stem from the stresses of over a decade of war.
Frustration and hope
Pastor Carlo Serrano of Extreme Ministries, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan who hosts “The Spirit of Clarksville” on WJZM 1400 AM on weekday mornings, was frustrated by the fact that military suicide rates continue to climb despite hundreds of programs, policies and procedures instituted by the military to help service members and their families.
However, he also sounded a hopeful note based on the day’s events. “Ultimately, I know the Army is doing everything they can,” he said, “just like local pastors are doing everything they can. I think the more we do these kinds of get togethers and meetings, we’ll eventually fill that gap.”
read more here
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