Vietnam veteran finds ancestor who escaped slavery, joined Union Army Decatur Daily News By Evan Belanger Staff Writer October 16, 2016
Retired Lt. Col. James Walker didn’t know his military heritage when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
But Walker, an Austin High School teacher who has a passion for history and has written six books, knows how to look back in time and find the stories that matter.
"If you don't know where you're going, you don't know where you've been," he said in a recent interview at Austin, where he is the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor.
Walker served 11 months and 28 days in Vietnam and was well into his 24-year career with the Army before he ever heard the name Thomas Lane.
In fact, he was 39 when his elderly aunt casually mentioned an ancestor of his fought in “the war.” Unsure of which war she meant, he quickly ran through the list: the Korean War, World War II, World I, the Spanish-American War.
“Now I’m getting interested,” Walker recalled when his aunt confirmed it was the Civil War.
On Christmas Eve, Lane ran away from the plantation and walked the 25 miles to Pulaski, Tennessee, where he joined the 111th U.S. Colored Infantry for the Union Army.
Walker speculates today that his ancestor’s sale to a man named Green accounts for the name change in military records.
“When he joined the Union, his last name was Green,” he said. “After the war, you could pick your own name, so he went back to Lane, which was probably also a slave name, but it was his first.” read more here
At last Harry hero gets his medal, all thanks to the Mail on Sunday: Veteran who served alongside the Prince in Afghanistan receives the award he should have had EIGHT years ago Daily Mail By NICK CONSTABLE FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY 15 October 2016
Mr Smith, 44, said: ‘I can’t thank The Mail on Sunday enough. I left the Army with undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder and have had problems readjusting to civilian life. 'A lot of it stems from needing to feel valued and have recognition that you served your country well.
Served together: Prince Harry (left) is pictured with fellow soldiers including Sergeant Deane Smith (right) on his way into a church in Windsor for a remembrance service in 2008
An Army veteran who served alongside Prince Harry in Afghanistan has at last been given the service medal he should have received eight years ago – thanks to The Mail on Sunday. Last week, this newspaper reported how Sergeant Deane Smith had lost a court battle for ownership of his Operational Service Medal. It went missing shortly before it was due to be presented to him at a ceremony in 2008, at which the Prince and others who served with the Household Cavalry were given their honours. read more here
NI charity helps more than 100 army veterans who tried to take their own lives BBC News October 16, 2016
A Northern Ireland charity is helping more than 100 army veterans who have tried to take their own lives, a BBC documentary has been told. 'Losing the Battle' will be broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster on Sunday.
Aaron Nixon said he had to pay for a private post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessment at a Belfast clinic this month
It will examine issues including post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, and attempted suicide among army veterans.
The programme hears claims that increasing numbers of veterans are facing difficulties accessing help to deal with mental health problems. Brett Savage, 28, who celebrated his 19th birthday in Afghanistan, said: "I didn't expect my life to be like this now. Never. You know I can't sleep and stuff. Stupid things remind me of things." Alexander Gore described the changes he has faced since a homecoming parade in Belfast for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. He said it was "definitely a proud moment in my life" but that after it "things just started to go downhill with the post traumatic stress really". "Now it is never going to go away, it is always going to be there and everybody is going to need help sooner or later with it," he added. read more here Beyond the Battlefield
FROM FOUNDATION TO FINISHING TOUCHES: TEAM DEPOT BUILDS CUSTOM HOME FOR VETERAN IN 7 DAYS Home Depot Foundation October 14, 2016
When you ask Cody Evans why he wanted to join the military, his answer is simple: to help others and serve his country.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. While on patrol a few weeks before Christmas, Cody encountered a bomb blast and lost both of his legs.
It took nearly a year of recovery before he was ready to return to his Tennessee home. However, his home was no longer suited to fit his needs. Major modifications were needed just for Cody to get through the front door.
That’s when Cody’s community, nonprofit organization A Soldier’s Journey Home and Team Depot stepped in to help, building Cody a brand new, specially-adapted home in just one week. read more here
Family confirms missing Fort Hood soldier found dead KVUE ABC News Jim Hice and Katie Grovatt November 4, 2016
FORT HOOD - A family member of missing Fort Hood PVT Dakota Stump confirmed to Channel 6 News Friday that he had been found dead on post.
Fort Hood officials said Stump's remains were found next to his flipped-over vehicle 100 yards from the roadway near Building 43028 on Fort Hood.
Soldiers conducting land-navigation training found his body approximately at 11:50 a.m. Thursday. read more here
The Army needs your help finding a missing Fort Hood soldier Army Times
By: Meghann Myers
October 14, 2016
Pvt. Dakota Stump has been missing since Monday, and his family and chain of command need your help.
Stump, 19, an infantryman assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, is missing from Fort Hood, Texas, a spokesman confirmed to Army Times Friday.
The 1st Cavalry Division is exhausting all resources to look for him, Master Sgt. Jacob Caldwell told Army Times. Leadership has contacted local police, hospitals and is in contact with his mother, brother and girlfriend in addition to monitoring his barracks room.
Stump's cellphone is ringing, but there is no answer, Caldwell said.
"They spoke with soldiers who work directly with Pvt. Stump to see if there was any change in his demeanor or mood that they could make sense of why he would go missing," he added. read more here
