How fast did the word "privatization" pop into your head? Trump loyalists at VA shuffling, purging employees before new secretary takes over Washington Post By Lisa Rein July 18 at 2:32 PM
Ahead of Robert Wilkie’s likely confirmation to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, Trump loyalists at the agency are taking aggressive steps to purge or reassign staff perceived to be disloyal to President Trump and his agenda for veterans, according to multiple people familiar with the moves.
The transfers include more than a dozen career civil servants who have been moved from the leadership suite at VA headquarters and reassigned to lower-visibility roles. The employees served agency leaders, some dating back more than two decades, in crucial support roles that help a new secretary.
None say they were given reasons for their reassignments.
The moves are being carried out by a small cadre of political appointees led by Acting Secretary Peter O’Rourke who have consolidated power in the four months since they helped oust former Secretary David Shulkin.
Navy vet survives 300-foot fall from Mount St. Helens ABC 7 News Tuesday, July 17, 2018
As a Navy vet, Fintel joked by saying, "Oh crap, I'm being saved by Coasties."
Brittany Fintel knows she cheated death after falling more than 300 feet while climbing Mount St. Helens.
The 32-year-old Omaha, Nebraska native and Navy veteran lost her footing while climbing the 8,663-foot volcano in Washington state.
"The first thing that hit the boulder was my hip," Fintel told KATU. "Then I flipped over that and hit my head, and then kept literally rolling down until I naturally stopped."
Fintel's German Shepherd, named Indie, was the first to reach her after the fall. She said Indie helped by laying beside her and comforting her.
A nurse and search and rescue volunteer who were nearby were able to radio for help. Five hours later, a Coast Guard helicopter arrived to airlift Fintel.
read more here
Nevada VA takes new approach to combat rampant veteran suicides NBC 3 News Las Vegas by John Treanor July 15th 2018
“A veteran can walk into our facilities and seen, and if they say ‘I’m in crisis,’ they can see someone that day,” said Dr. Komanduri.
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Suicide is still a serious problem plaguing our veterans. An average of 20 veterans take their own lives each day.
The alarming number of veteran suicides has been an ever-present shadow cast over our country. It’s a number that represents a sad fact in America.
The sad fact in America is reporters do not seem to care enough to learn anything about this! What is really alarming is when a reporter says that the "20 a day" veterans committing suicide are from Nevada! "Believe it or not" he really did say that.
Here is the clip!
If he blames the teleprompter, then he should have known better!
Police grant vet's wish to use night-vision goggles before going blind FOX News Caroline Judelson July 17, 2018
An 88-year-old Florida veteran recently called his local police department with an unusual request.
Pembroke Pines PD 88-year old Navy Veteran Stanley Gold, who is 75% blind, reached out to our officers and asked if he could try their night vision equipment before he lost his vision completely. Last night members of our PPPD SWAT met with Mr. Gold to make his dream a reality.
Stanley Gold, who served in the Navy, wanted to know if he could use the Pembroke Pines Police Department's night-vision goggles before he completely loses his sight, Fox 13 reported. read more here
Airman from Moody Air Force Base found dead in Missouri ABC 27 News WTXL.com Jul 15, 2018
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (WTXL) - An airman part of a unit connected to Moody Air Force Base was found dead in Missouri on Saturday.
Master Sergeant Brett Davidson, 37, was found in the water and pronounced dead at about 11:30 a.m. in Rocky Mount, Missouri on Saturday.
He was assigned to the 19th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. read more here
