Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting Suspect Alaska National Guardsman

Was he among the thousands kicked out of the military instead of getting help they needed to heal from combat?

He joined the Puerto Rico National Guard in December 2007, and served in Iraq from April 2010 to February 2011 as a combat engineer, according to the Alaska National Guard.

He was in the Army Reserves before joining the Alaska National Guard two years ago and got a general discharge Aug. 16, 2016, for unsatisfactory performance, a spokesman for the Alaska guard said. He was a private first class when he was discharged, the Guard said.

Santiago tried to get help and was clearly in distress.

In November, Santiago walked into the FBI's office in Anchorage and claimed his mind was being controlled by a U.S. intelligence agency and the CIA was forcing him to watch ISIS videos, federal law enforcement officials told NBC News.

Santiago was clear that he didn't intend to harm anyone, but the FBI was concerned by his erratic behavior and called police and he was taken to a mental health facility for an evaluation, FBI Special Agent in Charge George Piro of the Miami division told reporters Friday night.

Read more of the report from NBC News Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting Suspect Esteban Santiago Said He Heard Voices: Officials

5 dead, 8 wounded in airport shooting; US veteran arrested
WESH 2 News
Suspect was on passenger at the airport
Updated: 6:09 PM EST Jan 6, 2017

An arriving airline passenger with a gun in his luggage opened fire in the baggage claim area at the Fort Lauderdale airport Friday, killing five people and wounding eight before throwing his weapon down and lying spread-eagle on the ground, authorities and witnesses said.

The gunman — identified by authorities as 26-year-old Esteban Santiago, of Anchorage, Alaska, an Army National Guard veteran who served in Iraq — was immediately taken into custody. His brother said he had been receiving psychological treatment recently.

The attack sent panicked passengers running out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, baggage in hand, and forced the shutdown of the entire airport.

Authorities said the motive was under investigation.
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Combat PTSD Marine Master Sergeant Life Saved by Military Family

EOD MARINE BATTLES ENEMY WITHIN; CREDITS COLLEAGUES FOR SAVING HIS LIFE 
Marine Corps Systems Command
By Emily Greene 
January 6, 2017

Farmer credits the support and compassion of the two men—part of his leadership team at MCSC—with saving his life during a time when he contemplated suicide. Today, Farmer battles post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, and urges leaders across the Marine Corps to show understanding and compassion for Marines who may be suffering.

Joseph Klocek (left) and Maj. Scott Graniero (right) pose with Master Sgt. Clifford Farmer at Marine Corps Systems Command aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VA -- Master Sgt. Clifford Farmer is one tough Marine. As an explosive ordnance disposal technician with four combat tours under his belt, he has years of experience neutralizing and disposing of deadly explosives, including improvised explosive devices, the signature weapon of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

“We always joke in the field that some of us aren’t EOD techs, we’re IED techs,” Farmer said laughingly. “But, truth be told, and as much as I love my family, deployments are my happy place. As a Marine that is where I want to be – on the front lines with my Marines.”

When this battle-hardened senior non-commissioned officer transitioned from serving in operational environments to a support role at Marine Corps Systems Command it was hard.

“I never saw myself not in the field, side-by-side with my Marines,” he said. “At first I didn’t see how my new job was helping the Corps. And I was never cut out for a desk job.”

Little did he know his life was on the line again, but in a way he never saw coming. This time the enemy was himself.

“In the Corps the question is always ‘what have you done for the Marine Corps today?’ It’s about selfless service; someone else always has it worse,” Farmer said. “Throughout my career I’ve had aches and pains and just disregarded them as a passing inconvenience. My physical issues were nothing compared to seeing a friend die, and supporting the friend who carried him home. Everything else seems insignificant. I’ve since learned it’s also important to have self-compassion—to remember to take care of yourself.”

When Farmer found himself at MCSC, his years of combat stress hit, and they hit hard. He underwent multiple surgeries and treatments to repair a body that had not only served in theater, but also performed in sporting events ranging from mud runs to triathlons.
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Frozen Soldiers Want to Go to Afghanistan Because It is Warmer Than Barracks

Hundreds of frozen troops left without army camp heating
Daily Star UK
By Jack Bellamy
Published 6th January 2017

Hundreds of troops have paid to live in barracks with a broken boiler for the last eight months.

FROZEN: Soldiers are left without heating at an Army camp

One said: “They are saying there is no money left to repair the boiler.

“It is disgusting. We pay rent for this – any other landlord would be taken to court. If we were allowed to join a union we would all be on strike.”

The soldier added: “I would be better off in Afghanistan. At least it was warm there and we were looked after.”
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Younger Veterans Swoop in For WWII Veteran

Berlin veterans swoop in to help WWII Navy man 
My Record Journal
January 6, 2017

The VFW Post 10732 is intending to do more of these projects. However, younger veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are needed. It is tough when we ask an 85-year-old veteran to climb a ladder to paint. But they do it gladly.

Berlin VFW Post 10732 was in search of a veteran needing assistance with their home. It has been difficult to find a needy elderly veteran, Post Commander Gary Barwikowski pointed out.

From left, veteran volunteers Stu Topliff (Desert Storm), Brad Parsons (Iraq), Dan McKeon (Vietnam) and Bob Dornfried (Korea).

Well, the local post did not stop in its quest to find a candidate to support. Recently, Post 10732 found its veteran, a WWII Navy veteran who wanted to paint his home, but knew he was not up to the task. So his fellow veterans came to his aid. The veteran manpower was further augmented by the generous donation of the paint and supplies needed for the job by The John Boyle Company. Jim King, company president, personally came out to evaluate the home and assess the requirements. read more here

Homeless Veteran "Army Strong, Saved His Own Foot!

A Homeless Veteran’s Struggle to Survive on the Streets of Sacramento
FOX 40 News
BY KARMA DICKERSON
JANUARY 5, 2017

SACRAMENTO -- He told doctors he operated on himself on the streets of Sacramento.

This homeless veteran's struggle to survive is amazing and heartbreaking. For years, he was on his own, but two homeless programs came together and helped save his life.

Army Strong, to Greg Metcalf, it’s not just a recruiting slogan.

“I did what I had to do when it was time for me to do it ,” said Metcalf.

It’s the frame of mind that led him to self-treat a life-threatening wound while living on the street rather than let a doctor amputate his foot.

According to what Metcalf later told Veteran Administration doctors, in 2012 he developed gangrene in his left foot from exposure to the cold. When emergency room doctors told him they’d need to take his foot, Greg left the hospital.

“Then took himself behind a dumpster, sterilized a pocket knife with a lit flame and went about using his knowledge he got from his military training about how to treat wounds," said Doctor Michael Yanuck.

Two years later Greg told his story to Doctor Yanuck with the VA’s Homeless outreach program -- Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team.
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