Search underway for Camp Pendleton Marine missing at sea San Diego Union Tribune Andrew Dyer August 10, 2018 An all-hands effort is underway near the Philippines to find a U.S. Marine reported overboard Thursday morning from the amphibious assault ship Essex.
An MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft prepared to depart the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) on July 17. The Essex and its crew of sailors and marines left San Diego July 10. (U.S. Navy)
The unidentified Marine is deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit based out of Camp Pendleton.
The Essex left Naval Base San Diego with its complement of Marines on July 10.
The Navy, Marine Corps and Philippine ships and aircraft are searching the Sulu Sea, where the ship was conducting routine operations, the Marines said in a news release Friday.
“It is an all-hands effort to find our missing Marine,” said Navy Capt. Gerald Olin, the amphibious squadron commander leading the search and rescue operation, in a statement. “All of our sailors, Marines and available assets aboard the USS Essex have been and will continue to be involved in this incredibly important search and rescue operation.” read more here
Have you decided to get into your life and drive? PTSD Patrol Sunday Morning Empowerment Zone Kathie Costos August 12, 2018
When you are a passenger, you do not control anything. Someone else is in control of where you go, how fast you get there and how safe your trip is.
When you are the driver, then you decide all of it! Where you go and how fast you get there is all up to the decisions you make. There are things you decide in your own life. Do you want to be happy? Do you want to stay miserable? How you live can change just as it did when you survived the events that caused PTSD. This time, it can change for the better! PTSD is change, so, change again! It is your life. Get in and drive it instead of letting it drive you!
PTSD Patrol Sunday Morning Empowerment Zone topic is are you a passenger in your own life or a driver?
Iraq War veteran, radio host David Bellavia to run for 27th Congressional District WHAM ABC News 13 August 11, 2018
Buffalo, N.Y. (WHAM) - Decorated Iraq War veteran and radio host David Bellavia will run for Congress to represent New York’s 27th District.
Bellavia confirmed his decision to run Saturday, hours after Rep. Chris Collins announced he will not be running for reelection. read more here
Bellavia spoke at the Point Man conference in Buffalo last year.
Money Raised for Veterans Charities at Hog Heaven for Heroes News 9 and 10 Bret Greenacre August 11, 2018
“Well, I woke up in the middle of the night with a dream, and it just blossomed from there.”
It started as a dream, but it’s now become reality, helping to raise money for charity.
Saturday, people are going hog wild at an event to raise money for veterans organizations.
People at Saturday’s “Hog Heaven for Heroes” event at Hopewell Ranch in Weidman are being treated to everything from a roast pork dinner to live music — and even a live auction.
The money raised is going to two veterans organizations that support veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: Project Solomon and Reboot Combat Recovery.
About three years ago we pulled together a group of veterans to create an advisory board so we could expand our programming to help veterans struggling with PTSD,” said Jodi Stuber, executive director of Hopewell Ranch. “We’re really excited to have this great event here today.” read more here
Ed Smith, would-be loner and World War II veteran, dies at 92 Star Tribune By Emma Nelson AUGUST 11, 2018 Those who knew him describe a man whose life was colored by tragedy from the beginning, but punctuated until the end by moments of grace.
Smith was able to bring Puffy when he spent the night at St. Stephen’s. Later, with help from the organization and Novatney, he moved into an apartment. When Puffy died, Smith asked that the dog be cremated and the ashes tucked inside a stuffed animal that he could hold as he slept.
The RV stood in the same downtown Minneapolis parking lot, day in and day out, never moving.
Don Novatney could see it from the building where he worked and wondered if someone was living inside. He hoped not — it was deep winter and frigid cold.
Then, one Sunday, he read a newspaper story about a World War II veteran living in an unheated RV.
“I drove over there and knocked on his door and asked him if he was the person in that article,” Novatney recalled. “And he said yes.”
Shortly after, the man, Ed Smith, also caught the attention of the VA. He soon started receiving enough benefits to move out of the RV, and he lived the rest of his life in an apartment building for seniors in Minneapolis.
Smith died July 25 at age 92. Those who knew him describe a man whose life was colored by tragedy from the beginning, but punctuated until the end by moments of grace.
“He didn’t really have anybody most of his life,” Novatney said. “He just wanted somebody to know his story.” read more here
