UK Veteran paid ultimate price after being redeployed with PTSD

'HE WANTED TO END THE NIGHTMARES' Soldier who fought alongside Prince Harry in Afghanistan hanged himself after clearing explosives ‘without being qualified’
The Sun
By Rob Pattinson and Aletha Adu
5th July 2018

Hunt was deployed to Helmand Province in 2008 and sent back in 2009 despite showing signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt served with Prince Harry, fifth right, in Afghanistan in 2008

A SOLDIER who hanged himself after fighting alongside Prince Harry cleared explosives in Afghanistan without being qualified, an inquest heard.

Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt, 39, protected the prince and was mentioned in dispatches for saving hundreds of comrades.

Today a Lincoln inquest heard the Royal Engineer had not been properly trained for the nerve-racking combat role and suffered years of nightmares back home.

His ex-wife Lainey Hunt, a Warrant Officer with 32 Engineer Regiment, like her husband, told the hearing: "From 2008 to the day he died Nathan suffered.

"He suffered from nightmares and sleeplessness, and I would see him crying.

"I do believe Nathan wanted to end the nightmares and decided to end his life that night."
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Veteran decided to become homeless veteran to tell their stories

Veteran commits to living in homeless veteran camp for 1 year
NBC News 9
By Jolina Okazaki, Multimedia Journalist
Wednesday, July 4th 2018

"The majority of the veteran suicides we get are Vietnam veterans and a lot of those guys are homeless," said Rodriguez. "The camp I'm going to, there's amputees, wheelchairs, they need help. The only way they can get more help is to tell that story and make sure people here in the country know that exists."

(KWES) -

Last year, we told you about a veteran who passed through the Permian Basin and walked to honor the 22 vets who take their lives every day. Now he's on another mission to be a voice for homeless vets.

Ernesto Rodriguez has always been an advocate to help veterans across the country, especially after dealing with PTSD. He still wants to continue his mission, but this time he's committing to one year with no A/C or roof above his head. 

"I walked across the country last year and I passed through Midland/Odessa area," said Rodriguez. "Anyone who has been in the service is going to pass by the Chris Kyle Memorial and pay their respects."

Rodriguez is heading to Tuscon, Arizona to a homeless camp that takes care of veterans. Rodriguez is joining his brothers and sisters to leave a life of air conditioning and a soft bed in order to live in a tent in the blazing heat.

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VA ID card sponsored by Office Depot?

VA issues long awaited veteran ID card, but it comes with an ad on the back
NCPR
by Bobbie O'Brien (American Homefront)
July 5, 2018

The VA is now mailing identification cards to veterans who want tangible proof that they served in the military. But after waiting almost three years for the new government-issued I.D., some veterans are not happy that the card contains an advertisement.

President Obama signed the law creating the card in July 2015, but it included no funding, so it languished for more than two years. Eventually, the VA struck a partnership deal with Office Depot, in which the retail chain is paying to print and mail the cards.

The company logo appears on the back, along with the taglines, "Saluting you today and every day. Thanks for taking care of business."

That disappoints Air Force veteran Carl Hunsinger, chairman of the Manatee County Veterans Council in Florida. For years, he had lobbied Congress to create the card, because many of the 40,000 vets the council represents have little or no proof of their service.

"A majority of the ones I know are looking for a sign of professionalism. 'Hey, I'm a veteran this is my I.D. card,'" Hunsinger said.
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Veteran with flag forced out of Tides Condominium?

Veteran forced to sell home over display of American flag 
By: NBC News 
Posted: Jul 04, 2018 

SWEETWATER, FL (NBC News) – A Florida Air Force veteran says he was forced to sell his home over a dispute about a small American flag he placed in a flower pot. 

"One day I was thinking about the country and I put a small American flag on my front porch in a flower pot," said Larry Murphree. 

"It's a small flag," said Murphree. "It stands for a big thank you." He says the HOA at the Tides Condominium didn’t agree. "I got a violation letter that stated the American flag was an unauthorized object and for me to take it down," said Murphree. 

"They started fining me up to $1,000 because I wouldn't take the flag down."
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Iraq Veteran getting dream wedding on Veterans Day!

Veteran wins wedding giveaway
Posted by Press Release on July 4th, 2018

Emily Beers and Tyler Thiel of Downingtown are the winners of the Veterans Day Wedding Giveaway sponsored by West Chester’s American Helicopter Museum and Education Center (AHMEC) and John Serock Catering. The free five-hour ceremony and reception for 100 guests on Sunday, November 11, 2018, also boasts contributions by Blue Dog Printing and Design, Schaffer Sound, Matlack Florist, Baiada Photography and Sagets Formal Wear.

Emily Beers and Tyler Thiel of Downingtown win wedding giveaway

“I was certainly surprised and instantly felt overwhelmed with joy and pride,” said Beers when notified that she and her fiancé won. “I am truly thankful for all the local businesses that are contributing to make this day possible for us.”

“Being a veteran means so much to me. I am proud that I served my country,” she continued. “I have PTSD and the thought of planning a wedding is a daunting task. This opportunity makes it possible for me to have an amazing wedding that we will appreciate forever while reducing my stress, which greatly helps with my existing PTSD.”

Beers is a United States Army veteran with eight years’ service, including a tour of duty in Iraq.
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