Wounded warriors win with $38,000 raised in charity race Orlando Sentinel
Caitlin Doornbos
April 2, 2016
With his wife on one arm and a cane in the other, veteran Corey Lehman crossed the finish line at the seventh annual Wounded Warrior and Lone Sailor 5K and 10k.
Lehman of Deltona injured his lower spine during a 2008 tour in Iraq. It affected his ability to walk, so completing a 2-mile stretch of the course Saturday was a milestone in his recovery, said his wife, Heather Lehman.
He had finished just one other race, in 2010, but since then his family has pushed him around the track in his wheelchair.
"It's an amazing feeling [to see him complete the walk]," Heather Lehman said. "It shows how far he has progressed."
The Lehmans were two of about 1,300 people participating in the fundraising event benefiting the Camaraderie Foundation, an Orlando-based veterans'-services organization, event organizer and retired naval Cmdr. Chris Townsend said. read more here
With the help of local leaders, one Vietnam veteran finally has a place to call home KGET News Published 04/01 2016
BAKERSFIELD, Calif.
One local Vietnam veteran finally has a place to call home. After the Veterans Affairs gave Curtis Fitts the run around, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and other local supporters, stepped up to make sure this hero has a roof over his head.
"I feel home, I feel the love," Fitts said.
After being homeless and living in RV's he wanted somewhere to feel safe, something he hasn't felt since before the war.
"Its what we have been looking for all this time," Fitts said.
He and his wife Carol have waited 37 years for a place to call home.
Mr. Fitts has health issues and serious trauma after being shot down three times in Vietnam.
"The war stays with you, you never really forget it," Fitts said. read more here
Suicide hits hard among the ranks of Minnesota National Guard A father's despair over his son's death in Iraq drives home a suicide crisis for Minnesota National Guard.
Star Tribune By Mark Brunswick APRIL 1, 2016
Few organizations have felt the crisis in military suicides more than the Minnesota National Guard. In the past five years, more of its members have died by suicide than all but one state Guard in the country.
Kim Schmit knew her husband was in trouble, that much was clear.
It had been seven years since the Willmar couple’s 26-year-old son, Josh, had been killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq while serving in the Army. Greg Schmit, an 18-year member of the Minnesota National Guard, had found it particularly hard to adjust.
Out of guilt and grief, his life had dissolved into a series of unproductive counseling sessions at the VA. A medley of medications for anxiety, depression and sleeplessness now frequently left him either lethargic or irritable. Contributing to his despair, he contended that the Guard had been unsupportive after Josh’s death and that a few commanders had conspired to ruin his career and have him fired.
Late on a July night last year, Kim would later tell authorities, she was awakened by her husband struggling for breath next to her. She spotted the prescription bottles. All were empty. Within minutes, Greg Schmit, the by-the-book supply sergeant, was rushed to the hospital in a futile attempt to save his life.
Few organizations have felt the crisis in military suicides more than the Minnesota National Guard. In the past five years, more of its members have died by suicide than all but one state Guard in the country. Minnesota’s Guard is the 10th largest state Guard by size. But when it comes to suicide, its 27 deaths rank second only to Pennsylvania’s 30.
Veteran's beloved service dog breaks leg, community steps in to help
5-month-old puppy hurt playing outside needs surgery WLWT News By Tammy Mutasa
Published Apr 01, 2016
“I don’t look at it as trying to help Jim or help a veteran. They don’t need our help. To me, it’s repay the debt that’s never going to able to be repaid.” Curt Edwards
CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio —A service dog which has been helping a local veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder is the one that needs help now.
Five-month-old Apollo has changed veteran Jim's life forever; he has never left Jim's side since they've been together for the last three months.
“He's my best friend, there ain't no doubt about it,” veteran Jim said.
Jim is an Army 82nd Airborne Division Veteran from Desert Storm battling PTSD.
“He's everything, I don't really have no friends. I don't hang out with nobody. I'm a homebody. It's just me and him,” Jim said. “He's just there for me, you know what I mean, no matter. If I've had super bad day or if I feel bad, just don't feel like talking, seeing, opening my blinds, he's here for me.”
“In the past few months we've seen him with Apollo, we've just seen Apollo change his life,” said family friend Curt Edwards.
The community said it’s coming together to help heal a dog who healed a friend who has sacrificed so much.
SLO Vietnam War vet gets service dog from nonprofit San Luis Obispo News
Nick Wilson
April 1, 2016
Hulin, 67, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and has had difficulty doing daily tasks since his right leg was amputated a year and a half ago. Hulin said doctors believe the herbicide Agent Orange, which he was exposed to in Vietnam, contributed to health complications that led to the loss of his leg.
Bruce Hulin’s dog, Nichols, comforts him and helps him pick up dropped items and open doors
The San Luis Obispo-based nonprofit, Paws for a Cause, has raised $40,000 to help train dogs for war veterans
It takes one to two years of intense work to train a service dog
They say a dog is a man’s best friend. Dogs also can save lives, according to a local nonprofit group that connects dogs with veterans.
Cayucos-based Paws for a Cause has raised $40,000 and partnered with the San Luis Obispo-based nonprofit New Life K9s to provide service dogs to veterans — and, as a result, help prevent suicide, improve their relationships with those in the community, offer assistance and emotional support, and reduce homelessness.
The organization says dogs are the perfect buddies for those who have been hurt — physically or emotionally — by war because their loyalty and friendship is unconditional.
San Luis Obispo resident Bruce Hulin, a Vietnam War veteran and amputee, officially was awarded his new service dog, a yellow lab named Nichols, in an emotional ceremony at a Los Osos Rotary Club meeting Friday at La Palapa restaurant in Los Osos. Hulin is the fourth veteran to receive a service dog from Paws for a Cause.
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