Friends: Soldier who took his life outside VA is tragic example of vets desperate for help FOX 17 News BY ERIKA LATHON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 25TH 2016
"My only three options now or go back to jail, be homeless or check myself into the psych ward they knew the extent of my problems with PTSD depression,” Toombs says in the video.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WZTV) -- Friends say a soldier who took his life before Thanksgiving is a tragic example of veterans desperate for help.
Authorities found the soldier's body on the Alvin York campus in Murfreesboro where he'd been recently discharged from a drug treatment program.
Veterans helping veterans as the Military Vets Motorcycle Club is camping for 48 hours.
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From YouTube
My friend John Toombs last testament before he committed suicide after the VA refused to help him.
Justice For Toombs
Veterans 911: What’s Being Done to Combat Suicide After Service FOX 40 News BY NIKKI LAURENZO NOVEMBER 23, 2016
On July 28, right after he was released from Doctors Behavioral Health Center in Modesto, Scott went to Costco. He was shot by an off-duty police officer after lunging at him with a knife, according to investigators.
He survived and is now in the Stanislaus County Jail. It's a bond that began when they were kids, growing even stronger as they got older. Suzanne Perez said she tried everything.
"It was very hard. I wanted to make him better,” she said.
As the big sister, she felt a sense of responsibility.
“It was out of my control, and that was hard to accept,” Perez said.
Her brother, Gary Scott, is a Vietnam veteran who she said is battling severe depression and early signs of multiple sclerosis.
“He felt like it was hopeless, like nobody could help him. So he wanted to end his life,” Perez explained, fighting back tears.
She said she knew her brother was going to do something, but she didn’t imagine what was about to happen. read more here
ARMY VETERAN FACES DEPORTATION ABC 7 News By Evelyn Holmes Thursday, November 24, 2016
"He offered his life for this country for this nation and he has a right to live in the country that he fought for," said Miguel Perez, Sr.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- An Army veteran who served two tours of duty could be deported as soon as next week.
On Thursday, his parents joined with members of Rainbow Push and called for help to keep their son here.
Miguel Perez, Sr., and his wife Espranza said they have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving although their son, Gulf War veteran Miguel Perez, Jr., could be deported soon.
"It's very hard for us," said Esperanza Perez, Miguel's mother.
Perez is one of the thousands of so-called green card soldiers, undocumented immigrant men and women who served in the American military, but still face deportation.
Relatives say the 36-year-old has lived in the Chicago area most of his life and is father to a 18-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, who are both born U.S. citizens.
His family pleaded his case while attending the Rainbow Push Thanksgiving Day dinner for veterans, their families, the homeless and anyone else in need of a hot meal.
Miguel's parents said his troubles began after he returned home after completing two tours of duty overseas. They said after being diagnosed with PTSD, their son had a hard time finding a job. read more here
EXCHANGE: Veteran given a new house as he confronts PTSD Belleville News Democrat Marie Wilson November 26, 2016
"I was in shock," Chobanov said, recalling his reaction to the news he'd be getting a debt-free house and a lot fewer financial worries. "I didn't have words for it at first."
ADVANCE FOR USE SATURDAY, NOV. 26, 2016, AND THEREAFTER - In this Oct. 6, 2016 photo, Army Spc.Tony Chobanov, who served two tours of combat duty, one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, is seen with his wife Abby, right, and their children, from left, Olivia, 6, Milan, 8,and Faith,11, in Lisle, Ill. Chobanov can't wait to get his family into their new home. They will be a recipient of a new house to be built by a charity by an Arlington Heights-based nonprofit called 'A Soldier's Journey Home' with help from District 214 high school students. Daily Herald, via AP Paul Michna
NAPERVILLE, ILL. The burden of spending roughly half his family's income on rent isn't even lifted yet, but Army Spc. Tony Chobanov of Naperville already feels better.
He's been working on getting better for the past two years, and this most recent step is proving a giant help.
An Arlington Heights-based nonprofit called A Soldier's Journey Home chose Chobanov, his wife, Abbey, and their three children as the 2017 recipients of a new house, built free for the family with donated materials and labor. The house, on 1.3 acres in Spring Grove donated by First Midwest Bank, should be complete by next June - just in time for the family's lease on a house near Abbey's parents in Lisle to expire at the end of the month.
Chobanov, 32, has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury stemming from his four years in the Army, which took him through two tours of combat duty - one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. read more here
New Mexican veteran heading back to Standing Rock KOB 4 News Joy Wang November 25, 2016
Protesters aren't taking any holiday breaks as they continue demonstrating against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
There are a number of New Mexicans up at Standing Rock to help fight for that cause.
Many, including New Mexican and Veteran Jason Joe, are saying what's happening up there is unconstitutional
Joe was in Iraq about ten years ago. Joe says he sees a lot of similarities with what’s happening in North Dakota and what happened while he was in the military.
He says it's his duty as a veteran and an American to protect this land.
In September, Joe traveled 16 hours with his girlfriend from New Mexico to North Dakota.
“I am a Native American Veteran,” said Joe. “As a soldier, it's our duty to protect the people of this country. I took an oath just like many of my brothers and sisters took that oath.” read more here
