Viagra for PTSD veterans leave women alone

Viagra for vets costs surge on war disorders
Washington Post
By Kathleen Miller
Published: January 13

The Department of Veterans Affairs has almost tripled spending on erectile-dysfunction drugs in the past six years as war-related psychological disorders contribute to sexual difficulties.

The VA spent $71.7 million on drugs including Pfizer’s Viagra and Bayer’s Levitra in the year ended Sept. 30, up from about $27.1 million in fiscal 2006, records show.

The surge in drug spending reflects the number of troops returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, said Jason Hansman, senior program manager for health and mental-health programs at the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a New York-based nonprofit group. Both conditions can limit sexual functioning, he said.

"More than 250,000 of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans sought care for potential PTSD from October 2001 through June 2012 at VA facilities, according to a departmental report posted online."

The VA needs to do more to ensure female veterans receive equal treatment for sexual dysfunction, Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) said.

“Many of the issues around female sexual dysfunction are largely unrecognized, and it’s difficult to get assistance,’’ Pingree said.
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More than 500 attend funeral for Lt. Col. Michael J. Backus

Maine Army National Guard Leader Lt.Col. Michael J. Backus Dies At Camp Keyes
B98.5
By Andy Capwell

Shock and sadness overspread Camp Keyes in Augusta this week with the unexpected passing of longtime Maine Army National Guard leader, Lt. Col. Michael J. Backus of Wilton. Backus died unexpectedly on Monday while performing duties at Camp Keyes. According to the Lewiston Sun-Journal, Major Michael Steinbuchel, spokesman for the Maine Army National Guard, said “the cause of the death is still under investigation.”
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Backus remembered as dedicated soldier, husband, father
Jan 13, 2013
Written by
Sarah Delage
Written by
Kristin DiCara
FILED UNDER
WCSH 6 News
WLBZ 2 News

FARMINGTON, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- More than five hundred people gathered Sunday to say goodbye to Lt. Col. Michael Backus.

Backus died last Monday while performing regular duties at Camp Keyes in Augusta. He dedicated twenty-two years to military service. He flew helicopters during a deployment to Iraq in 2003, and also held high-ranking command positions in the National Guard.
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SFC Josh Burnette cheered by 200 in Orlando

UPDATE February 2, 2013
Just to let you know the video project is finally done! Because there was so much footage to use, it ended up over an hour long and is a huge file so it hard to be compressed and then compressed again until I got it down to the size where it would fit onto a DVD. As it is, there are two parts to it and I am about to try something new. There is a new DVD that will hold over 8 GB, so wish me luck or you'll be getting two DVDs.
Three weeks worth of editing and while I wanted to pull my hair out, I have to say that after watching the footage about a thousand times, I still get a kick out of it. It was a lot of fun and a really great cause. So proud of everyone for doing all of this for a wonderful man like Josh.
Check back soon for an update post to be done sometime tomorrow.

Yesterday was the event for SFC JOSH BURNETTE, US ARMY, GREEN BERET at the VFW. Josh was given a limo ride and motorcycle escort Orlando style! About 200 people came to help Josh be welcomed back home after a long recovery. There will be more on this as soon as I have the video done. This three hour event was a a lot of fun to cover and here's a few shots grabbed from the film.

Here are some videos from the event. If you want to watch the whole thing, you'll have to order a DVD for a tax deductible donation of $20.00. Use PAYPAL button on this site and make sure to put in DVD with your name and address. You can also mail checks to
Pointman of Winter Park
PO Box 196992
Winter Springs FL 32719-6992

Veteran reunited with dog tag 45 years later with Nam Knights

Veteran reunited with dog tag 45 years later
Man gets back piece of history
By Jon Busdeker
Orlando Sentinel
January 12, 2013

More than 45 years ago, Jim Alderman left behind a dog tag in Vietnam.

That 1-by-2-inch tin tag stamped with Alderman's name, service number, service branch, religious affiliation and blood type made it back to the former U.S. Marine Saturday at a ceremony in east Orange County.

Standing in front of a group of fellow veterans at the Nam Knights motorcycle clubhouse in Bithlo, an emotional Alderman accepted the tag, taking back something he thought was lost to history.

"I'll remember this day till the day I die," said 64-year-old Alderman of Kissimmee, while his wife Pat and son Jon looked on.

In 1967, Alderman was 18 when he arrived in Vietnam as a member of the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Charlie Company. Five months into his tour of duty, enemy fire struck Alderman near his wrist and chest. While medics tended to his wounds, Alderman's boots — where he stored his dog tag — were removed and placed in a pile near a dozen dead soldiers.
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Marine re-enlists at grave of fallen Marine

Marine Keeps Re-enlistment Promise To Fallen Valley Marine
Rich Rodriguez
VISALIA, Calif.
(KMPH)

A Marine Sergeant re–enlisted in the service Saturday next to the grave of a fallen comrade in Visalia. It was a solemn and emotional ceremony as Jonathan Diehm kept a pact he made with Corporal Jared Verbeek.

"He touched a lot of people and inspired a lot of people." Sgt. Jonathan Diehm made a pact with Jared Verbeek when they first met at a Marine base in Missouri. Both planned careers in the Marine Corps and they promised to always attend each other's re–enlistment.

Corporal Verbeek was killed in the war in Afghanistan on June 21st, 2011.
read more here and watch video report