The bill carries Hannon's name because of his service as a Navy SEAL and as an advocate for the National Alliance of Mental Illness in Helena, where he retired after 23 years of military service. Hannon was dealing with post-traumatic stress, a traumatic brain injury, depression and bipolar disorder after he ended his military service. He was active in veterans' issues and helped develop a group therapy for veterans involving rehabilitating birds of prey at Montana Wild. Hannon died by suicide in 2018.
Maybe I have been watching all of this for far too long? I have become so jaded by them that the evaporation of hope forces me to ask, "Why didn't they know what would make all this suffering grow?" Who was Commander John Scott Hannon?
Scott was open about his invisible wounds of war, and
found solace and recovery in many of the causes that also
allowed him to give back to his fellow veterans and his
community. He was passionate about improving veterans’
access to mental health care and integrating service
animals into mental health care. Scott worked closely with
Montana Wild and VA Montana to develop a group therapy
program for veterans that involved birds of prey. Scott was
embraced on his journey to recovery by his family, friends,
and community. He died from his invisible wounds of war
February 25, 2018.
Ranking Member Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., speaks during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C. in September 2018.
A handout from Tester's office said expanding rural veterans' access to telehealth care and investment in "gender-specific specialists, services, and research" were part of the bill's overarching goals. If passed, the bill would also fund a study to see if there is a higher risk of suicide for veterans living at high altitude. Funding would also provide alternative treatment paths for veterans, including agricultural and animal therapy, yoga, acupuncture and meditation.
While we knew decades ago what works, it seems as if no one bothered to learn any history. It also seems that Senator Tester has not explained why the outcome is still devastating families across the country, especially when in 2009, the Montana National Guard program was touted as the best thing going and pushed across the same nation to address the same problem...veterans and military members killing themselves.
The Montana Guard's Yellow Ribbon program has become a model that the rest of America should adopt, said U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.
"We're getting terrific responses to the program from the families of our soldiers, but also some great suggestions," said Col. Jeff Ireland, chief of manpower and personnel for the Montana Guard. "For instance, we were told it would be useful to have a special breakout session for spouses. Ireland said officials believe the session was a great idea.
"We plan to act on it and other suggestions until we meet all the needs we're aware of," he added.
With the approval and funding of the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., the Montana National Guard is adding five positions and spending approximately $500,000 to fund the Yellow Ribbon program, Ireland said.
The core of the program is twofold: mental health assessments every six months after deployment and crisis response teams that can be activated immediately to check out concerns about the emotional wellbeing of a soldier.
"The genius of the Montana screening model is that it happens every six months," Matt Kuntz, Dana's stepbrother, told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee last week during testimony in Washington.
Current suicides within the military have also increased...but hey, why bother about reviewing the failures of the past?
So why do we know that suicides in the Veterans' Community have gone up, but even as more members of Congress use the names on more bills, they remain disconnected to what the result of their other efforts produced?
Apparently they have not been notified that current military suicides have also risen.
Rep. Don Young wrote to Lt. Gen. Nadja West requesting an inquiry into suicides at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, The Daily News Miner reported Tuesday. "As the number of military suicides continues to climb in Alaska, it is clear that the battle is far from over."
Advocates, like me, continue to fight to educate them and families, but it is a constant battle because members of Congress have failed to listen to us. As we watch suicides in every branch and in every state, claim more lives, they haveeviscerated all hope we placed upon their shoulders.
As more and more members of Congress are taking about what they are doing, we are watching to see what they keep repeating and, honestly, we are fed up!
WASHINGTON — A Department of Veterans Affairs analysis of its suicide prevention programs touted mostly “positive outcomes” of the efforts even though they didn’t translate into fewer veterans dying by their own hand. Now, as the White House launches a new year-long effort to find solutions to the problem, outside advocates want to make sure that bureaucrats aren’t going to repeat the same mistakes in how they look for those answers.“We’ve already seen four years of wasted time. It’s not a partisan mistake or problem. We’ve see this across administrations. But we seem to be doing the same things over and over again.”Joe Chenelly, executive director at AMVETS.
But perhaps the most damning part of all of this came with this statement.
“More than 24,000 veterans have died by suicide since the passage of the Clay Hunt Act,” said group National Commander Rege Riley in a statement. “God willing, we won’t be stuck with the same system we have not in 2023, with a new report that highlights only that what (they) keep doing continues not to work.”
People like me have advising them to do everything that veterans like Clay Hunt did in order to heal, like Scott Hannon, but lost his battle too.
The Senate voted 99-0 to pass the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act on Feb. 3, while the House voted 403-0 in favor of it last month. Obama signed the bill on Thursday...The bill is named after a Marine Corps veteran who killed himself in 2011 after he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder following deployments to Iraq and in Afghanistan. After his service, Hunt volunteered in Haiti to offer relief following the 2010 earthquake, and worked with other veterans who were dealing with the physical and mental tolls of war. He worked to address his own difficulties coping, but lacked adequate resources – he reportedly waited monthsto see a psychiatrist, and an appeal of his disability rating did not come through until five weeks after his death."By the time the severity of his condition was recognized, it was too late," Obama said.
Specifically, this Act requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a program that includes screening for suicide risk factors for veterans receiving medical care at all Department facilities, referral services for at-risk veterans for counseling and treatment, designation of a suicide prevention counselor at each Department facility, a 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability, peer support counseling, and mental health counseling program for veterans who have experienced sexual trauma while in military service.
They made all kinds of speeches back then too...but it was signed by President Bush in 2007~ How long will it take before anyone cares that while lives are on the line, more and more members of Congress get applauded for naming bills after the dead they already failed...but veterans keep paying the price with their lives on the line?
UPDATE Billions of dollars a year go into "raising awareness" and all these years later, this is the outcome! Yet people still write checks to support that instead of people actually doing the work to change the outcome. This is what they paid for!
Suicide rate up 33% in less than 20 years, yet funding lags behind other top killers
Suicide rates are up 33% in the U.S., yet funding lags behind that of all other top causes of death — leaving suicide research in its "infancy."
Shocking suicide awareness happened 22 times this year
Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos December 2, 2018
When you need to know how to get to somewhere, you plug in the addresses from where you are to where you want to be. Let's say you needed to go from Lake Nona VA Hospital to Tampa VA. What would happen if this is all you got for directions?
It tells you how long it will take, how many miles, and even how much it will cost in fuel, but the rest is up to you to figure out. Not very helpful is it? You are still lost without a clue how to get to where you want to go. Yet, as with directions, details should matter regarding anything important to know. All across the country there are people doing everything possible to "raise awareness" that veterans are committing suicide. Much like the missing directions, they are missing important details. The first thing is, they are missing an explanation on what their goal is. What is the point of raising awareness something is happening, if they do not understand the extent of how many times it happens? If they do not offer anything of value to change the outcome? If they did not take the subject seriously enough to learn how much they did not bother to learn in the first place? In 2006, Doug Barber of the Ohio National Guard committed suicide. Montana National Guard soldier Chris Dana was doing suicide awareness. He committed suicide in 2007. He was due to be discharged under "other than honorable" kick to the curb. He would have been one of the over 2 million without honorable discharges that were not even worth mentioning in the numbers left out. In 2008 the National Guard was doing "suicide prevention" followed by more years, but while some have been "prevented" far too many had succeeded.
That gives you an idea that it is happening all over the country. But when you do a Google Search on "veteran suicide awareness" you get 10,700,000 results. Why weren't all of these "awareness" groups paying attention all along? Wasn't it important enough when the VA said it was 18 a day? Wasn't it important enough when the VA said it was 20 a day at the same time they said the number of veterans living in the country dropped by millions?
Wasn't it important enough during all these years before they became "aware" of what they decided to make it their mission?
Most of the "awareness" groups left out the fact that the majority of veterans committing suicide, the known number anyway, had been over the age of 50 and yes, committing suicide before the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Most of the groups still leave out the fact that while they failed to change the outcome, veterans keep committing suicide in very public ways to make sure the public knows what the truth is. So far this year, veterans made sure their names were known and their deaths could not be covered up or forgotten about. Each one of them had a name. It happened 22 times this year...so far.
Giving Healing Awareness Some Fuel Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos February 5, 2018 Which road you take is up to you, so stop and get directions! I have to admit it.
A co-worker keeps giving me advice on how to get people to pay attention to something as heartbreaking, and uncomfortable to talk about, as suicides. This is the result of the last time she told me I needed to pull a stunt. The numbers you hear do not make them true. Almost like when folks were saying the earth was flat, it wasn't and still isn't. The CDC puts the number of Americans committing suicide at 42,826. Almost every state has said veterans commit suicide double the civilian rate, and some states say it is triple. That means it would have to be over 70 a day. This is complicated but what makes it all worse is that the ones trying to do the "teaching" are just repeating a headline. You'd think they would have taken these lives a lot more seriously and reporters would have done a better job getting closer to the real number. No one will ever know for sure but we, not only have to try to figure it out, stop what failed, beginning with awareness and we have to repeat what worked all these years. If you doubt what is in this video, consider this. All the folks running around the country screaming about "suicide awareness" have managed to bring the known veteran suicides down to...
WHERE THEY WERE IN 1999 WHEN THERE WERE OVER 5 MILLION MORE VETERANS ALIVE AT THE TIME.
And they would have known this if they bothered to read the report in the first place.
Hope you enjoy this video but hope you change what is happening a lot more. If they did not know what is stated in this video, then there isn't much they bothered to learn.
For the love of God, if you know someone hurting, tell them they can heal and live a better life instead of giving up!
"Death certificates provide “a convenient but imperfect tool to describe suicides,” says the fact sheet. “While the death certificate provides a field asking whether the decedent was ever in the armed forces, it does not distinguish between active duty, the Reserves or National Guard membership … while the death certificate is able to reliably identify military services, research has suggested that there may be vulnerable subgroups such as active duty personnel.”
April and May Veterans Events-Because everyday is Veteran's Day List of events from Cathy Haynes
Army Reserve Birthday – April 23, 1908 – Happy Birthday!
The RAFMAN Club has their annual chicken and fish fry TODAY! RAFMAN stands for Retired Air Force, Marines, Army, and Navy and provide scholarships. And in past years they have served up some fried fish that makes Mrs. Paul's, Gorton's and many fish restaurants envious! 12noon to 5pm at the L. Claudia Allen Center, 1840 Mable Butler Blvd., Orlando, 32805. Dinners are $12 each - Eat in or take out. Info: 407-467-9635 or 407-492-1266
Rifle / Pistol Range Benefit - Sun. April 23 - Come out for the purposes of fun and to benefit Larry E. Smedley Marine Corps League Det. 064. 12noon - 3pm at Danville Bed and Breakfast, 232 N. Jungle Rd. Geneva, 32732. Arrive NLT 1pm if you plan on shooting, shooting to start promptly at 1:15pm. Fun and friendly competition with awards for Marine, Veteran, Civilian top guns. B&B facility that was featured on HGTV, includes the range. Info: Jr. Vice Commandant - 407-415-1504
Veteran Hiring Event – Mon. April 24 - The Orlando VA Medical Center is hosting an employment hiring event for Orange County Corrections - 10am-2pm interviews at Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona, 13800 Veterans Way, Crescent Room, Orlando, 32827. Positions to be filled include: Certified Correctional Officers, Detention Service Officers, Community Corrections Officers, and Inmate Programs Employees. Info: Annie Artis, Veteran Employment Community Coordinator, at 407-646-5500 x27246 or new Mobile #: 407-750-0350 EllaMay.Artis@ va .gov
Aerospace and Defense Industries hiring event – Mon. April 24 – Industries (including Kratos, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman) are looking for veterans to hire. This was an invitation only event that was coordinated with Mission United, CareerSource Central Florida, and Goodwill Industries of Central Florida. Missed the resume’ submission deadline or want ‘heads-up’ for a next one? Contact Priscila Kalagian, Mission United Director, at MissionUnited@ hfuw .org
Passports Week - April 24-29 – Are you leaving the country to take a vacation? Be sure the County Clerk’s Office is at the top of that list. Whether you live in Orange, Seminole or any surrounding county, join us for Passport Week. The offices in Apopka, Ocoee and Winter Park locations will have extended hours, staying open until 5:30 p.m. Those same branch locations will also be open on Saturday, April 29, from 9am to 12noon to process your passport applications. Some passport requirements have changed so visit www. myorangeclerk .com/passportweek to review the details.
Clothesline Project displays – Tues. April 25 and Fri. April 28 – Displays at VA locations will be set up to help bring awareness of sexual trauma and to “break the silence” that often surrounds the experience. The VA provides free and confidential treatment services to males and females veterans for mental and physical health conditions related to experiences of military sexual trauma. Info: Dr. Ashley Arens, 407-646-5500 x28442. Ashley.Arens@ va .gov
Displays on Tues. April 25 at Viera VA Clinic lobby, Orange City VA Clinic; Fri. April 28 at Kissimmee Clinic.
FAVOB Lunch and Learn – Wed. April 26 – The Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses (FAVOB) hosts this lunch with a guest speaker at the Heritage Country Club (in The Heritage Room). $20 pp, 12noon – 1:30pm at 1200 Bridgewater Drive, Heathrow, 32746. RSVP’s requested. 19 states offer contract preferences to veteran owned businesses. Florida is NOT one of them. FAVOB’s goal is to change that in big business, and with our state, our cities, and counties too. Info: Website, Facebook or marketing@ favob .org (863) 899-3703
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall - April 27 - May 1 - City of Eustis is the site of this touching memorial. Volunteers, sponsors, vendors for this event are welcomed. Also yearly music Fest event April 28-30th. Info: Erin Bailey 352-483-5491
Orlando VA Family Resource Fair – Thurs. April 27 – All are welcome to come and connect with some VA resources and local organizations that provide services to Veterans and their families. Couple & Family Therapy services, Family Groups, Women’s Health, Vet Center, and more. 10am – 2pm at Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona, 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, 32827. Info: Melissa at 407-621-2681.
MacDill AFB Career Fair – Thurs. April 27 - This military focused career fair allows service members, contractors, civilians, veterans and family members (essentially anyone who lives, works or has access to a military installation) to meet 70+ different employers. Hosted by MacDill AFB, Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC). 11am – 2pm at Surf’s Edge Club, 7315 Bayshore Blvd, MacDill AFB, 33621 (This event is in Tampa area.) Thank you, David St. John!
Sailing Into Your Senior Years - Thurs. April 27 - Free educational event from 5:30pm – 7pm. Learn about veteran Aid and Attendance and how to get your affairs in order to control how you age. An attorney will talk about veteran benefits and assets. A VSO (veterans service officer) cannot tell people how to manage their assets in order to get funding but an attorney can. An array of healthcare options available can be discussed. 4:30-5:30 Complimentary Happy Hour; 5:30-6:30 Presentations (20 minutes each panelist); 6:30-7:00 Panel Q & A. Space is limited. Watercrest of Lake Nona, Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 9682 Lake Nona Village Place Orlando, 32827. Info and to RSVP: 407-226-3113 jphillips @watercrestseniorliving .com
U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Foundation Golf Tournament – Fri. April 28 – The Florida Chapter of this group (USMCCCA) use all the proceeds of this 13th Annual event to benefit America's wounded Marines in charitable, educational and patriotic programs. Sherman Hills Golf Club - considered one of Central Florida’s better venues - at 31200 Eagle Falls Drive, Brooksville, 34602. 12:30pm sharp, shotgun start, usual tournament benefits, and meal, awards following tournament. Corporate sponsorships still welcomed! Donations VERY welcomed! Info: James “Red” Carpenter at jcar1@ tampabay.rr. com or (352) 688-6720.
“Invisible Wounds Memorial” fund raising breakfast - Sat. April 29 – Pancake breakfast to raise funds for memorial dedicated to veterans and service members who suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. $10pp – pancakes, bacon, sausage, home fries, eggs, doughnuts, coffee, tea, OJ, fruit salad. (WHAT? No cheese grits?!?!) 9am – 12noon at Disabled American Veterans #84 (DAV) 605 8th St., Daytona Beach, 32117. Contact Post at (386) 252-4551 or Cathy Heighter, cathy.remembering.vets@ gmail .com 386-931-8323
Veteran Revamp Service Project - Sat. April 29 – Join Hands On Orlando in this project for veterans in transition at the William R Just Center for Drug Free Living in Orlando. 10am – 2pm at 1405 West Michigan Street, Orlando, 32805. Working together to plant trees and shrubs to create a hedge, paint apartments, lay concrete and erect a shade structure. Info: Brittany - Brittany@ handsonorlando .com - 407-375-9389
Ocoee Fire Department Open House – Sat. April 29 - Annual Open House from 10am – 2pm at Fire Station 25 located at 563 South Bluford Avenue, Ocoee, 34761. The Fire Station will be open to the public, giving the opportunity to meet their firefighters and tour the station. With the storm season just around the corner, the open house will offer hurricane preparedness information. Residents can register to win first aid supply kits and weather radios. A full day of fun activities will include blood pressure checks, complimentary hot dogs, sodas and popcorn. Many First Responders (fire, police, EMT’s, etc.) are veterans. Info: 407-905-3140 or thoover@ ci.ocoee.fl.us
(A note from me on this one--here's a video from last year on how large this ride is.)
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall – Sun. April 30, Mon. May 1 – This replica tribute arrives on Sunday April 30 for a week at the Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion. Large motorcycle and first responder vehicle escort leaving Eastern Florida State College, Clearlake Rd, Cocoa at 10am. Proceeding down the highway to Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Dr, Melbourne, 32935. It will remain at Wickham Park thru Sun. May 7. The cortege is a sight to behold going down the highway! 12pm: Covered dish picnic and wall set up.
Mon. May 1 – 6pm: Presentation of Wreaths from organizations. 7pm – Opening ceremonies.
Mon. May 8 – 9am Wall take down and clean up.
HBI (Home Builders Institute) Classes – Mon. May 1 – May 26– HBI offers 3 certifications in 4 Weeks and job placement at No Cost to Military Members, Past or Present. OSHA 10, First Aid/CPR/AED, Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate, Training, and Job Placement Promotion Class. 9am – 2:30pm - Mon-Thurs. 9200 Southpark Center Loop, Orlando FL 32819 (Inside Everest University off John Young Parkway.) Info or to secure your seat: Jamacan Penney-Vassey 407-259-5069 jvassey@ hbi .org A current OSHA 10 card is a valuable asset in any industry. Safety training enhances your professional marketability.
Primary Cares Day – Mon. May 1 –The Orlando VA Medical Center hosts this day to provide Veterans an opportunity to learn about all the different services primary care offers. This provides some basics explanation time to clear up some confusions that you may have. This is an open house so people may come and go as they choose or come for only the topic they are interested in or to speak to a subject matter expert. 9am to 4:30pm in the Auditorium “A” on the 4th Floor. Presentations are: 0900 - Acting Director Remarks; 0915 – My Healthe Vet; 0950 – Minority Program/Homeless Program/Special Events; 1040 – Enrollment; 1130 – Primary Care/Womens Health/Resident Clinic; 1220 – My VA Access; 1310 – Choice; 1400 – National Cemetery Administration; 1450 – Traveling Veteran Coordinator. Tables with displayed info: 2018 Wheel Chair Games; LGBT, Veteran Affairs Pharmacy, Enrollment, Infectious Disease; My VA Access, and many others. Info: vhaorlpublicaffairs@ va .gov 407-631-4436
World Aviation Training Conference and Tradeshow – Tues-Thurs. May 2 – 4 – The 20th annual gathering of aviation training professionals is at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando. The Conference streams to Cabin Crew, Helicopter, Maintenance, Regional Pilot and World Pilot positions, and over 70 exhibitors from around the world will be showcasing on the Tradeshow Floor the latest training and technology surrounding the simulation industry. Info: www. halldale.com/wats
Coast Guard Auxiliary meeting – Wed. May 3 – The Osceola Flotilla 17-10 meets on the 1st Wed. of each month, 7pm, at American Legion Post 10, 205 Lakeview Dr., Kissimmee, 34741. Auxiliary members are volunteers who support the Coast Guard in all its non-military, and non-law-enforcement missions. Members help to provide maritime safety, security and stewardship; to secure the homeland, save lives and property; and to protect the environment. There are several Flotillas (groups) in Central Florida and membership in the Auxiliary is open to persons 17 years of age and older – some are much older! Info: Jim Nickles at jimnickles2@ gmail .com 407-390-9611
City of Orlando Mayors’ Veterans Advisory Council – Thurs. May 4 – 1:30pm Monthly meeting of numerous organizations and individuals for the benefit of local veterans and active duty personnel. Planning of functions (ie: Veterans Day parade) and awareness of events is shared. Designated representatives allow groups to coordinate efforts. If your Orlando area vet/military associated group isn’t attending, it should plan to get involved. Networking before and after the meeting. See website at cityoforlando.net, Office of the Mayor, Mayor’s Committees, Veterans. Contact Chairman Michael Waldrop for attendance and location information. mwaldrop@ blue-cord .com or Emily Bonvini emily.bonvini@ cityoforlando .net 407.246.2728
Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion – Thurs. May 4 – Sun. May 7 – This is the 30th Annual Reunion - the nation’s largest veterans reunion is very well attended; military displays, reenactments and ceremonies, music, old and new friends. All eras, all branches. Military vendors have almost every patch or pin that you could ever need. Last year brought 87k+ persons. Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Dr., Melbourne, 32935. Additionally, the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Memorial Wall will be onsite from Sun. Apr. 30 to May 7. Definitely check the website for the schedule of numerous and varied events at floridaveteransreunion .com – VERY busy and interesting each day. Free parking, free admission. Info: 321-408-2698. Vendors call: 321-652-4185 or vet.reunion.vendor@ gmail .com
Family Fun Day 2017 – Sat. Or Sun. May 6 or 7 - A Day at the Circus - The BAHIA Shrine Circus has invited Camaraderie Foundation's Military Service Members, Post- 9/11 Veterans and their family members to enjoy a free day at the circus. Silver Spurs Arena at 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee, 34744. Shows are at 10am, 2pm or 6:30pm on either day. To participate, register by emailing or calling: Anna Tanzilla at programs@ camaraderiefoundation .org or 407 841 0071 with your name, email, phone number, # of tickets, and which performance on which day. Tickets are limited to 6 per family. Tickets will be available for pick-up the week of May 1st at Camaraderie Foundation (2488 East Michigan Street, Orlando, 32806)
Honor Flight “Welcome Home” – Sat. May 6 – See information listed in the April 22 event paragraph.
VE Day – Victory in Europe – May 8, 1945 – Thank a WW2 veteran for his/her service!
“The Vietnam War” special screening – Mon. May 8 – PBS channels will begin a special 18-hour documentary series on the Vietnam War from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick in September. This is a special screening of selected previews that will be attended by Lynn Novick and Col. Hal Kushner (ret.) of Daytona beginning 7pm-9pm at the Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, 32801. WUCF hosts this and moderates a discussion, Q&A after the screening. Registration is requested at their website. Info: WUCF TV 407-823-2947 jennifer.cook@ wucftv .org
Central Florida Navy League social – Tues. May 9 – Join those who support the Sea Services at this Social sponsored by Envision Innovative Solutions. 5pm-7pm at Cooper’s Hawk in Waterford Lakes, 529 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando, 32828. You don’t have to have served in the military in order to join the Navy League – just support the Sea Services: US Navy, US Coast Guard, US Marine Corps or Merchant Marines. Info: navleaguecenfl@ juno .com
Marine Corps League Orlando - Tues, May 9 - Cpl. Larry E. Smedley, Detachment 064 Monthly Meeting, 7pm – 8pm at the at American Legion Florida Department bldg., 1912A Lee Road, Orlando, FL 32810. Info: mclcfl @gmail. com or Sr.Vice Cdr at 407-963-9388. (Cpl. Larry Smedley was an Orange County resident and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was killed in Vietnam on December 21, 1967 after heroic actions were seen in battle. He earned the Medal of Honor, awarded posthumously; he was 18 yrs old.)
Central Florida Navy League luncheon and meeting – Wed. May 10 – All persons who support the sea services, whether civilian or military, are welcomed to attend this gathering on the 2nd Wed. of each month. 11:30 – 1pm at the Holiday Inn – UCF, 1724 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando, 32826. Interesting speakers and networking potential includes the simulation technology businesses. $20 with credit card payment on website (cfnavyleague .org) or $25 at the door. 3rd largest Navy League in FL with diverse membership including nearby technology industries. Contact Bob K. (Membership Chair.) at navleaguecenfl@ juno .com 407-977-7575
(NEW! The Navy League offers national E-Membership for only $25 per year! Prior military service is NOT required. Support the sea services – Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines – with membership.)
Military Spouse Appreciation Day – May 12 – Thank a Military Spouse for their oftentimes overlooked and unrecognized support of their loved one.
Army Aviation Association of America, Networking Social – Fri May 12 – Join the Central Florida Chapter of 4A’s (aka Quad A) during Happy Hour for some fun and friendship at Froggers, Alafaya Square, 27 Alafaya Woods Blvd, Oviedo, 32765. Info: sean.c.osmond@ gmail .com
Packaging for the Troops – Sat. May 15 – Join Kids in Support of Soldiers (K.I.S.S.) to pack special care packages that will be sent to troops. 10am – 11am this month at Progressive Insurance, 1050 West Town Parkway, Altamonte Springs, 32714. If you have a loved one overseas or know of someone who has a loved one overseas, let K.I.S.S. know and they will add them to the mailing list to receive a package every month they are gone. Donations and items always welcomed! Info: 321-279-6092 akissfromhome@ yahoo .com
Marine Corps League fundraising – Sat. May 13 – The Cpl. Larry Smedley Detachment will be collecting donations at the Navy Exchange (NEX). 9am – 3pm, 8717 Avenue C, Orlando, 32827. The NEX is south of the Beachline on Tradeport Drive, just bordering the west side of Orlando Int’l Airport. The funds raised help support the Young Marines Orlando Devil Dogs (boys and girls ages 8 – 18), and Scholarship programs. (Cpl. Larry Smedley was an Orange County resident and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was killed in Vietnam on December 21, 1967 after heroic actions were seen in battle. He earned the Medal of Honor, awarded posthumously; he was 18 yrs old.) sgtmajgna@ earthlink .net
NEX - Haven’t been to the NEX (Navy Exchange) recently? You will be pleasantly surprised! There are great new products – non-gluten, fresh produce, popular brands of groceries and products, electronics, liquor and clothing at extremely competitive pricing! And no sales tax! To be eligible to shop, you need to be active military, reserve or guard, military retired, or 100% service disabled – at least until mid-November when shopping all the Exchanges online will open up to ALL veterans! The site also has a barber shop and an MWR for tickets to local attractions at competitive, even incredibly reduced prices! You must be eligible - military cards ARE checked. Think ahead to summertime for visiting relatives!
Joggin for Frogmen – Sat. May 13 - 5K supporting Navy Seals Foundation in Fernandina Beach FL. www. jogginforfrogmen. com
Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses mtg (FAVOB) – Tues May 16 - Meeting at 10am, a “Chamber of Commerce” of sorts open to all veteran owned businesses, at American Legion Florida Department bldg., 1912A Lee Road, Orlando, FL 32810. 19 states offer contract preferences to veteran owned businesses. Florida is NOT one of them. Our goal is to change that in big business, and with our state, our cities, and counties too. See FAVOB Facebook site. Info: chairman@ favob .org or marketing@ favob .org
Orange County Mayors’ Veterans Advisory Council –Wed. May 17 – 1:30pmmonthly meeting of numerous organizations and individuals for the benefit of Central FL veterans and active duty personnel. Planning of events and awareness is shared. Designated representatives allow groups to coordinate efforts and unite for the common cause. If your Orange County /Central FL vet/military associated group isn’t attending, it should plan to get involved. Mayor Teresa Jacobs is very supportive of a veteran-friendly community. Contact Chairman Col. Edwin Marrero for attendance and location information. emarrero81 @cfl.rr .com
Armed Forces Appreciation Day – May 20 – The unified recognition of all presently servicing persons in the armed forces rather than separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force Days.
Coast Guard Auxiliary meeting – Sat. May 20 – The Orlando-Winter Park Flotilla 17-11 meets on the 3rd Sat. of each month, 9am, at the Lake Baldwin VA Clinic, 5201 Raymond St., Orlando, 32803. Auxiliary members are volunteers who support the Coast Guard in all its non-military, and non-law-enforcement missions. Members help to provide maritime safety, security and stewardship; to secure the homeland, save lives and property; and to protect the environment. There are several Flotillas (groups) in Central Florida and membership in the Auxiliary is open to persons 17 years of age and older – some are much older! Info: Joseph Bonaccorse bonaccorse@usa.net 407.222.9681.
Armed Forces Appreciation Night – Thurs. May 25 – A combined gathering of Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel, veterans, and groups at the Citrus Club in downtown Orlando. (Dag-gone-it, Air Force! Ain’t we good ‘nough for ya?!?! But you are still welcomed to join us for fellowship and networking!!! Maybe next year? – My words. )
VERY UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY:
Coast Guard Cutter Eagle visit to Port Canaveral: May 31- June 3. This is a tall ship – one with real masts and sails. The Coast Guard Cutter EAGLE, provides USCG Academy cadets and officer candidates with their first taste of sea and salt air. Built in Germany in 1936 and recommissioned by the United States at the close of World War II, the EAGLE is the largest tall ship flying the Stars and Stripes. This will be a unique opportunity.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
Army Birthday Ball – June 17 – Commemoration of the 242nd Birthday with “Over There! A Celebration of the WWI Soldier” A grand event and gathering. Discounted advance tickets and hotel bookings. Info: Dee at (407) 924-0810 www. ausa-sunshine .org
MISCELLANEOUS:
First time Veteran home buying workshops - Veteran homes being built in Apopka, Orlando & Winter Garden. Must attend one First-time buyer class. Classes are on the 1st Saturday of the month. Winter Park Community Center, 721 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 32789. Registration required in order to receive a Certificate of Completion for HUD. Info and to register: 407-599-0057 tasiah.malofsky@ consumerdebtcounselors .com
Research Project - Active military, reservists, guardsmen and veterans needed – If you or someone you know has experience overseas, a research project is ongoing at the UCF RESTORES lab at the University of Central Florida. The project determines if smells influence their experience in virtual environments similar to those we use in the treatment of combat-related PTSD. Participation takes approximately one hour, and those who volunteer will be compensated for their time. You can help others who suffer from PTS by your participation. Call UCF RESTORES: 407-823-3910.
Navy Yearbooks and Photos - a volunteer Navy historian is amassing the largest collection of pictures/articles and RUDDERS - which are yearbooks of graduating recruits. Especially wanted are the Yearbooks from our past Orlando Navy Training Base – the “boot camp” that changed over 650,000 lives. If you can’t part with your yearbook or photos, a scanned copy would be ideal! Info: usnwaveret7495@ gmail .com
USTA Program for Veterans - Every Monday from Now – May 22 – United States Tennis Association (USTA) shares that tennis is an excellent way to stay physically fit and mentally sharp. Disabled Veterans and wounded, ill and injured Service Members are invited to participate in a 7-week program designed to help Veterans and Service Men and Women reconnect with everyday activities. All Veterans are welcome at no cost. Please bring valid military ID, VA ID or DD 214 on the first day of program. USTA National Campus, 10000 USTA Blvd., Orlando, 32827 Info: Jason Allen at jason.allen@ usta .com 844-872-8667 (Remember: Tennis is an included event in the Paralympics and the National Veterans Wheelchair Games (being held in Orlando in 2018!)
Veterans Bowling League – Now for 7 weeks - 6p-8:30p – Veterans, R.O.T.C.’s, Service Organizations and Families. Come put together a team to represent your Favorite Branch or Organization. Hosted by Boardwalk Bowl, 10749 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, 32817. Info: 407-384-0003. Thank you, Roger D. Sack of PVA!
April – Month of the Military Child - The Museum of Military History recognizes the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome. This overlooked treasure has exhibits that offer learning for all ages. Regular hrs: 10am-6pm Tues-Sun. 5210 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, 34746. (407) 507-3894
Fantasy of Flight Museum is currently OPEN on weekends!! It has a large collection of military aircraft. Friday - Sunday 11am - 3pm. Fantasy of Flight Museum, 1400 Broadway Blvd SE, Polk City, 33868 (Take exit 44 from I-4) Ph: 863-984-3500 or check their website for more info.
Burial Schedules - VA is now providing online daily burial schedules for its national cemeteries, per VAntage Point, Official Blog of the Department of Veterans Affairs, March 24, 2017. The online schedule for all VA national cemeteries that will allow families, friends and community members to find time and location information for those being interred. Thank you, Ed Burford, Seminole Co. VSO. (Locally: This effects the grounds at Bushnell and Cape Canaveral – Some people and groups don’t want ANY veteran to be buried or interred alone and forgotten. This will allow a tribute to the deceased veteran.)
Drivers’ Licenses, TSA, federal facilities and military bases – If you are a snowbird or have snowbird family, residents of eight states will no longer be able to use their state-issued ID for domestic air travel [or to enter a federal facility or military base]. Beginning January 22, 2018, residents of Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina or Washington, will no longer be valid to pass TSA-checkpoints with their state IDs [driver’s license]. This means they'll have to bring a passport, military ID or permanent resident card next time they go to the airport, even if they're just traveling within the United States. (Jan. 2017 resources, including Military.com) Why? These states don't meet the federal government's minimum security standards, which requires verifying every ID applicant's identity, putting anti-counterfeit technology into the production of the card and conducting background checks on the people issuing the driver's licenses.
Puerto Rican birth certificates - All certified copies of birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010, have become invalid. The government of Puerto Rico has invalidated every birth certificate issued on the island before July 1, 2010, in an attempt to curb rampant fraud and identity theft that officials say has ruined lives, strained social service programs and compromised national security.
Veterans in crisis – For you or someone you know.
Suicide is a medical emergency. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, know that you are not alone and care should be sought immediately by calling 911. Free, confidential resources are instantly available through the Military Crisis Line to aid you if you are in crisis.
Call 800-273-8255 and press 1,
OR chat online now for 24/7 access to trained counselors who understand what service members and military families are coping with. Website at veteranscrisisline
OR: text 838255 for 24/7 confidential assistance. They are there because they care….
Camaraderie Foundation in Central Florida provides resources for private and confidential Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) counseling for Post 9/11 veterans/warriors and their families. They also have connections in other areas, other states. It works. It HAS saved lives, saved marriages and saved families. camaraderiefoundation .org Contact 407-841-0071
Caring and sharing,
Cathy Haynes Member/supporter of numerous veteran and military organizations in Central FL
As always, no one had to explain anything. No explanation on how suicides went up after all this "awareness" or the other, all too often avoided fact, that most of the veterans committing suicide are over the age of 50. Then add in the other avoided topic of all the awareness raisers repeat a non-existent number from a report they didn't bother to read. As if that wasn't bad enough, add in the news reports on this infamous group and you have a sham-grand-slam hit out of the park by our Commander-in-Chief. Wounds don’t end service for US military members
"Some participants in the annual Wounded Warrior Ride who were welcomed at the White House on Thursday are working through less visible wounds, like post-traumatic stress disorder. The ride was established to raise awareness of U.S. service members who suffer the physical and psychological effects of combat."
As you can hear in the video, there are sirens from emergency responders but they were ignored by the President and the group. Seems most politicians have a hard time paying attention to any of the emergency sirens replaced by the anguished cried from families after they had to bury a veteran they loved.
Am I too harsh? Hardly harsh enough because every time I read about more suicides, the words of President Obama reverberate in my had like a bad dream. The words came in 2008 when he was still a Senator serving on the Veterans Affairs Committee.
On January 24, 2008 Senator Obama said this in Beaufort South Carolina.
“I will never forget that everyone who wears the uniform deserves the opportunities that my grandfather got – to have a Commander-in-Chief who is accountable, and to have a grateful nation that helps you live the American Dream that you have defended,”
Army statistics show that 121 soldiers committee suicide last year - a 20 percent increase from 2006. This is the highest rate of Army suicides recorded since the Army started collecting this data in 1980. The Post also reported that last year about 2,100 soldiers "injured themselves or attempted suicide, compared with about 350 in 2002."
and Tom Harkin had this to add
"These startling statistics should serve as a wakeup call that suicide among soldiers and veterans is more than a problem, it is an epidemic. Thankfully, our push to provide America's veterans with a suicide prevention program was heard last year, when the President signed the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act into law. But there is more work ahead - especially in serving our active duty military personnel. We can and must act quickly to save our soldiers who are so bravely fighting for our country."
But as we've seen, there hasn't been any accountability from anyone as more speeches were made.
Obama promises to repeat Montana's National Guard PTSD work nation wide Obama Pledges Nationwide Use of PTSD Program Eric Newhouse Great Falls Tribune Aug 28, 2008 - Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama promised Wednesday to expand Montana's pilot program to assess the mental health of combat vets nationwide, if elected.The Montana National Guard has developed a program to check its soldiers and airmen for signs of post-traumatic stress disorder every six months for the first two years after returning from combat, then once a year thereafter. The program exceeds national standards set by the U.S. Department of Defense.The pilot program was created in response to the suicide of former Army Spc. Chris Dana of Helena, who shot himself on March 4, 2007, days after being given a less-than-honorable discharge because he could no longer handle attending drills following a tour in Iraq. "He (Obama) told me he understood why we need to have additional screenings for PTSD," said Matt Kuntz, Dana's stepbrother, who was among a small group invited to meet with Obama on Wednesday in Billings. "And he told me when he is elected president, he will implement Montana's pilot program nationwide."Kuntz, who recently gave up his job as a lawyer in Helena to advocate for the mentally ill and their families, said he was invited to brief Obama on how Montana had become a national model for assessing the mental health of its combat vets. click above for more I've done a lot of posts on the Montana National Guards program. http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/search?q=Montana+National+Guard
As you can see, it isn't that Obama didn't know what was happening all along. He just hasn't taken much time to notice the change we got was more dead veterans and a lot more families grieving. The number of suicides went up but no one has done anything to hold anyone accountable for anything. UPDATE: Just got word some viewed this as a political statement. In a way it is because after all these years, no politician has held anyone accountable for any of this. As with most things, this crossed over 2 administrations and will be carried over into the next one. So no, not just about President Obama but he is in fact still Commander-in-Chief.
