Scourge of war: Parents share son's sad story of suicide
By Todd South
Chattanooga Times/Free Press, Tenn.
Published: February 10, 2013
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Jeff and Paige McDonald sat down recently in front of a television camera, looked into glaring lights and shared memories of the worst day of their lives.
The married couple, who live in Dalton, Ga., were asked by filmmakers contracted with comedian Ron White's production company to tell the story of their son's suicide as part of his sixth annual "Salute to the Troops" special scheduled to air on the Country Music Television channel on March 15.
The camera crew spent most of the afternoon of Feb. 1 with the McDonalds and local former Marine Staff Sgt. Joey Jones, a childhood friend of the couple's son Chris McDonald.
Jones was featured in a yearlong series of Chattanooga Times Free Press stories tracking his recovery after the sergeant lost both legs above the knee to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
McDonald's story, while different, is equally heartbreaking.
Chris McDonald ran headfirst at every challenge in his young life, excelling in school, four sports and rising fast in the ranks of the U.S. Marine Corps.
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Sunday, February 10, 2013
Army refuses to release details of Madigan investigation
Army refuses to release details of Madigan investigation
By Adam Ashton
The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)
Published: February 10, 2013
TACOMA, Wash. — Army leaders insist they have fixed flaws in Madigan Army Medical Center’s behavioral health department that resulted in the misdiagnoses of hundreds of patients. But they have refused to release reports that could substantiate their findings and shed light on what happened at the Army hospital last year.
The latest in a long string of denials and non-disclosures happened last week when Secretary of the Army John McHugh visited Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He called a press conference Monday to announce the completion of an Army-wide behavioral health investigation that stemmed from the Madigan reports, but he declined to share it.
McHugh said a task force review had generated 24 findings and 47 recommendations, but he would not release them and described only one. He signed a memo intended to bolster Army wellness programs and left open the door to release more information later.
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By Adam Ashton
The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)
Published: February 10, 2013
TACOMA, Wash. — Army leaders insist they have fixed flaws in Madigan Army Medical Center’s behavioral health department that resulted in the misdiagnoses of hundreds of patients. But they have refused to release reports that could substantiate their findings and shed light on what happened at the Army hospital last year.
The latest in a long string of denials and non-disclosures happened last week when Secretary of the Army John McHugh visited Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He called a press conference Monday to announce the completion of an Army-wide behavioral health investigation that stemmed from the Madigan reports, but he declined to share it.
McHugh said a task force review had generated 24 findings and 47 recommendations, but he would not release them and described only one. He signed a memo intended to bolster Army wellness programs and left open the door to release more information later.
read more here
Andrew Steiner, Army Reservist, died the way he lived, helping other people
Army veteran's kind last act comforts grieving family
Published February 10, 2013
Associated Press
GREEN BAY, Wis. – After watching their son survive a pair of military stints in Kuwait and Afghanistan, Andrew Steiner's parents were devastated when he was killed helping the victims of a minor Brown County traffic crash last month. But Douglas and Nicole Steiner took solace in one fact: Steiner died the way he lived, helping other people.
Andrew Steiner, a 26-year-old U.S. Army reservist, was driving to Howard just after midnight Jan. 27 when he and a friend came upon the scene of a minor crash. As they checked on the vehicles' occupants, another vehicle slammed into the wreckage, launching Steiner over an overpass railing about 30 feet away.
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Published February 10, 2013
Associated Press
GREEN BAY, Wis. – After watching their son survive a pair of military stints in Kuwait and Afghanistan, Andrew Steiner's parents were devastated when he was killed helping the victims of a minor Brown County traffic crash last month. But Douglas and Nicole Steiner took solace in one fact: Steiner died the way he lived, helping other people.
Andrew Steiner, a 26-year-old U.S. Army reservist, was driving to Howard just after midnight Jan. 27 when he and a friend came upon the scene of a minor crash. As they checked on the vehicles' occupants, another vehicle slammed into the wreckage, launching Steiner over an overpass railing about 30 feet away.
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Corporal Robert Archer laid to rest after 60 years
Soldier’s Funeral Held 60 Years After His Death
WTIU
By SEHVILLA MANN
Posted February 9, 2013
Sixty-three years after Cpl. Robert Archer went missing during the Korean War, he was finally laid to rest in Brazil, Ind.
Veterans, family and townspeople packed the funeral service on Saturday for the soldier, whose remains the military recently located and returned to Indiana.
Archer was just 19 when he was captured by Chinese soldiers, just a few months after joining the Army. He later died, most likely of malnutrition, while in captivity. The military contacted Archer’s family in December, telling them they had found his remains and verified them through DNA tests.
Mourners at French’s Funeral Home heard “Amazing Grace” and “God Bless America” as well as a brief sermon that recounted Archer’s bravery and service to his country. Veterans placed medals, including some bestowed by the Korean government, on the casket.
The funeral procession that followed moved down National Avenue on its way to the cemetery, with onlookers lining the streets as the cars passed.
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WTIU
By SEHVILLA MANN
Posted February 9, 2013
Sixty-three years after Cpl. Robert Archer went missing during the Korean War, he was finally laid to rest in Brazil, Ind.
Veterans, family and townspeople packed the funeral service on Saturday for the soldier, whose remains the military recently located and returned to Indiana.
Archer was just 19 when he was captured by Chinese soldiers, just a few months after joining the Army. He later died, most likely of malnutrition, while in captivity. The military contacted Archer’s family in December, telling them they had found his remains and verified them through DNA tests.
Mourners at French’s Funeral Home heard “Amazing Grace” and “God Bless America” as well as a brief sermon that recounted Archer’s bravery and service to his country. Veterans placed medals, including some bestowed by the Korean government, on the casket.
The funeral procession that followed moved down National Avenue on its way to the cemetery, with onlookers lining the streets as the cars passed.
read more here
How Horses Help an Army Veteran Heal from PTSD
How Horses Help an Army Veteran Heal from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
OWN.com
Brian Mancini is an Army veteran who battles post-traumatic stress disorder after having served in Baghdad. To help with his emotional recovery, he's turned to equine therapy—a practice that uses specially trained horses to help improve a person's physical and emotional states. Watch what happens when Brian enters the ring with two horses.
Go to the link to watch a great video on veterans learning to understand.
If you live in the Central Florida area, we have equine therapy right here with
16540 Lake Stewart DriveGroveland, FL 34736352-429-8387
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