Death of Hernando student touches many

Death of Hernando student touches many
By Joel Anderson, Times Staff Writer
In print: Monday, December 1, 2008


SPRING HILL

A "No Outlet" sign is, quite literally, a big, yellow warning sign. But George and Suzanne Abell never saw it. Eric Millican made sure to hide the sign from his grandparents, sliding it underneath the spare tire in the trunk of his new Saturn Ion. The sign was both a trophy to go on his bedroom wall and proof of a simmering rebellious streak in an honor student who hardly ever broke the rules. "I didn't know he had it in him," said George Abell, chuckling at his grandson's shenanigans.

There are a lot of things the Abells, other family members and friends will never know about Eric. Beneath the smirk and normal schoolboy angst was a teen who lived in a great deal of pain. A 16-year-old student at Nature Coast Technical High School, Eric Millican had already had four open-heart surgeries, with a fifth likely on the way, and a stroke. He also suffered through debilitating migraine headaches and pancreatitis.

One day, for whatever reason, Eric had had enough.

He hanged himself Nov. 13 in the garage of his home in the 2400 block of Dustin Circle, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. He left a note. His grandparents found him a little after 5 p.m. Deputies are calling the death an apparent suicide. The case is open pending a report from the medical examiner.

The night after Eric's death, dozens of his friends made their way over to the Abells' home to pay their respects and sort through their grief. At some point in the evening, one of the boys took the keys to Eric's car, went outside and came back with the "No Outlet" sign.

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http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article921225.ece

Hillsborough Deputy Malachi McCoy wins Medal of Heroism

Hillsborough Deputy Malachi McCoy wins Medal of Heroism
By Rebecca Catalanello, Times staff writer
In print: Wednesday, December 3, 2008


TAMPA — Six months ago on a Saturday morning, Hillsborough sheriff's Deputy Malachi McCoy's bullet ended one man's murderous rampage.

Today, Gov. Charlie Crist will honor McCoy along with 10 other recipients of the Medal of Heroism — an award presented to first responders who knowingly risk their lives in the line of duty.

"It's definitely an honor, getting an award from the governor," said McCoy, 29, as he drove Tuesday to Tallahassee with members of his family.

On June 7, McCoy shot and killed murder suspect Jorge Bello Garcia, 54, as Garcia struggled to wrestle the gun away from a wounded deputy.

At the time, all three deputies said that, while they appreciated the recognition, they could not lose sight of the fact that three others died that day: Gina Marie Lamantia-Bello, 44, Garcia's estranged wife and a mother of two; and two of her friends — Hillsborough Fire Rescue Capt. Chris Artigas, 45, and Regina Ann Coffaro, 44.

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http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article924193.ece

1,811,000 Have Served In Iraq and Afghanistan

Keith Armstrong, Director of Family Therapy Clinic, San Francisco VA, gave that figure just now in a presentation on Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Military Families.

1,811,000 men and women going into combat and coming back to their families and communities. 662,221 have had more than one tour of duty.

Think about that. With the rate of PTSD in humans calculated at 1 out of 3 exposed to traumatic events, we're already looking at 600,000. If you use the rate of 1 out of 5, which others use, it's still 362,000. Wait, if you think that's bad add in this. 662,221 have a 50% higher risk of developing PTSD with each new redeployment. Some have gone back 5 times.

When you look at the National Guards and the Reservists, their rate of PTSD has been presenting at 50%. Where do they go when the communities are not stepping up? When clergy are not stepping up so they can help the families to heal and stay together?

Three quarters of the American public do not know what PTSD is.

The suicide and attempted suicide rate has gone up every year.

Divorce rates have gone up in Military families.

While programs like the one I was just watching are wonderful, there are not enough of them. Sure they help the therapist become more aware but these programs should have begun in the beginning of sending them into Afghanistan and definitely by the time they were sent to Iraq they should have been well established.

Given the fact that when Vietnam veterans came home, families had no clue what was going on and time was wasted. Now they still don't know what's going on. With the media paying attention we are closer to informing people about it,but these are baby steps when we need Olympian speed skaters taking the message from coast to coast.

So where are the veterans groups? The DAV? The VFW? The American Legion? Why aren't all of them doing programs on this? There are so many people that could be helping but they are no where to be found. If you are a member of any organization or religious group that is not stepping up, get them to. If they are then thank them and praise the daylights out of them so they know it's well worth their time.

One more thing. The above numbers are from Afghanistan and Iraq veterans. They do not include the Gulf War veterans, Vietnam veterans or the Korean veterans. They also don't include the few remaining WWII veterans.

We have adult children of Vietnam veterans with secondary PTSD. They are dealing with the trauma of being raise by a Vietnam veteran with no treatment.

They blame themselves for the way their parent acted. The veteran blames him/herself. The spouse blames her/himself. When they know what PTSD did inside of the veteran, they can forgive but they can't until they understand first.

That's what I've been doing but I can post until my fingers fall off, create videos until I can't stand the sound of music any longer, but none of it will do any good unless people are willing to seek the information.


Senior Chaplain Kathie "Costos" DiCesare
International Fellowship of Chaplains
Namguardianangel@aol.com
http://www.namguardianangel.org/
http://www.woundedtimes.blogspot.com/
www.youtube.com/NamGuardianAngel
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington

VA Opening 31 New Outpatient Clinics

Recent VA News Releases

To view and download VA news release, please visit the following
Internet address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel


VA Opening 31 New Outpatient Clinics
World-Class Health Care Brought Closer to More Veterans

WASHINGTON (Dec. 4, 2008) - Veterans will have easier access to
world-class health care under a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plan
to open 31 new outpatient clinics in 16 states.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake today announced VA will
establish new clinics in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida,
Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota,
Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

"VA is committed to providing world-class health care to the men and
women who have served this nation," Peake said. "These new clinics will
bring VA's top-notch care closer to the veterans who have earned it."

With 153 hospitals and about 745 community-based clinics, VA operates
the largest integrated health care system in the country. VA's medical
care budget of more than $41 billion this year will provide health care
to about 5.8 million people during nearly 600,000 hospitalizations and
more than 62 million outpatient visits.

"Community-based medicine is better medicine," said Dr. Michael Kussman,
VA's Under Secretary for Health. "It makes preventative care easier for
patients, helps health care professionals have closer relationships with
their patients and permits easier follow-ups for patients with chronic
health problems."

The community-based outpatient clinics, or CBOCs, will become
operational by late 2010, with some opening in 2009. Local VA officials
will keep communities and their veterans informed of milestones in the
creation of the new CBOCs.

VA's Proposed Sites for New Outpatient Clinics
Alabama - Monroe County (2010)

Arkansas - Faulkner County (2010), Pope County (2010)

California - Lake County (2010), Oakhurst (2010), Susanville (2010),
Yuba County (2010)

Florida - Brandon (2010), Clermont (2010)

Georgia -- Blairsville (2010)

Hawaii - Leeward (Honolulu, 2010)

Illinois - Carbondale (2009), Harrisburg (2010), Sterling (2010)

Iowa -- Decorah (2010)

Maryland - Fort Meade (2010), Montgomery County (2010)

Michigan - Bad Axe (2010), Cadillac (2010), Cheboygan (2010), Grayling
(2010)

Minnesota - Southern central border (2010), Southwest metro area (exact
locations to be determined, 2010)

Mississippi - Pike County (2010)

Missouri - Excelsior Springs (2009), Sikeston (2009), Sedalia (2010)

North Carolina - Edenton-Elizabeth City (2010), Goldsboro (2010)

Pennsylvania - Cranberry Township (2009)

Vermont - Brattleboro (2010)

Judge: Vet was scarred by war

Judge: Vet was scarred by war
Barre Montpelier Times Argus - Barre,VT,USA
By David Delcore Times Argus Staff
Published: December 3, 2008

BARRE – If Thomas Coffey hadn't served his country with distinction during a military career that has spanned nearly two decades, the Waterbury man would almost certainly be serving time in jail today.

But he's not, because Judge Brian Grearson concluded during a Tuesday morning sentencing hearing that if Coffey hadn't served his country, he may never have done anything to deserve jail time in the first place.

Coffey, 40, is a decorated war veteran who was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after returning from his latest tour in Iraq two years ago. His charges stem from an incident where he walked into a crowded barroom in Montpelier last New Year's Eve with a loaded semi-automatic pistol tucked in the waistband of his pants.

Before the night was over an intoxicated Coffey would draw the .45-caliber pistol and place its barrel behind the left ear of another Charlie-O's patron with whom he had exchanged threatening glances.

No shots were fired and by all accounts Coffey left the bar when asked. He was arrested moments later by Montpelier police who were on First Night celebration foot patrol at the time.
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PTSD Continues To Take Toll After Soldiers Return

PTSD Continues To Take Toll After Soldiers Return
OPB News - Portland,OR,USA

BY APRIL BAER

Portland, OR December 4, 2008 6:21 a.m.

For thousands of young men and women coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, the price exacted by war is obvious.

Anyone can see the evidence left by scars, burns and amputated limbs. But other wounds are invisible.

April Baer profiles one young Army veteran whose life is in pieces after a harrowing tour of duty.

Some guys you look at, and you can just tell they were in the military.

But if you walked past John Blaufus on the street or ran into him in a coffee house, you might never guess this tattooed, shaggy-haired 26-year-old witnessed some of the worst the war had to offer.

But to understand John Blaufus, you first need to know about the coffee.

John Blaufus: "I love Stumptown Coffee -- it’s my favorite coffee. I actually used to get Stumptown coffee sent to me in Iraq. I had a French press I would bring in the Hummer or the Stryker. I’d have one hand on my rifle and one hand with a cup of coffee."

Anne Blaufus: “John and coffee are like peas and carrots.”

This is John's mom, Anne Blaufus.

Coffee even helped her keep tabs on him while he in Iraq, with the Fifth Infantry Regiment Stryker Brigade. On days when he wasn’t able to call, he’d use a debit card she’d sent to buy a coffee. That way she could check the account and know he was alright.

Anne says her son's thoughtfulness was part of the reason she had to send so much coffee.

Anne Blaufus: “John, you know he was constantly giving everything away -- that is John! If he thought you needed it, John just put it forward.”

The coffee helped with a lot of things, the 4 a.m. missions, the uncertainty of what lay behind each door in a house-to-house search.

And Blaufus says what the coffee couldn’t fix, his staff sergeant could.

John Blaufus: "When I got to Ft Lewis, my duty station, I met Staff Sgt Julian Melo. He was just really like a father to me. We really relied on each other."

Norma Melo: "He just was the sweetest, sweetest young man, truly felt like he was an adopted son.”

This is Sgt Melo's wife, Norma Melo.

Norma Melo: "I remember my husband coming home and saying, 'He’s going to be OK, I just need to make sure that I keep him under my wing', and I just started laughing and thought, ‘You could keep him under your wing 'til he’s an old man, you’d still feel the same way’.”

The men's bond became especially important as they moved with their Stryker Brigade through increasingly dangerous areas, from Baghdad, through the Second Invasion of Fallujah, into Mosul.

On December 21st, 2004, a suicide bomber struck the base where Blaufus was assigned, killing twenty-three men, including Julian Melo.
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Some troop deaths in Iraq non-combat related

Some troop deaths in Iraq non-combat related

By Erin McKeon
The Facts

Published December 4, 2008

With more than 800 deaths in Operation Iraqi Freedom attributed to non-hostile accidents or suicide, military personnel said steps are being taken to reduce and eliminate non-combat injuries and deaths.

As of Nov. 29, two deaths of Brazoria County soldiers in Operation Iraqi Freedom were classified as non-hostile.

The Aug. 3 death of Army Spc. Kevin Dickson of Angleton was attributed to a non-combat incident, but autopsy results providing the exact cause have not been disclosed. Army First Lt. Robert Tipp Jr. of Lake Jackson died in an all-terrain vehicle accident on March 27, 2005, three days after arriving home from Iraq.

They are among 74 non-hostile deaths of Texas soldiers and 811 non-hostile deaths nationwide, according to Defense Department statistics.

Army Capt. Charles Calio at the Multi-National Forces Media Operations Center in Baghdad said non-hostile deaths could be anything from vehicle or weaponry accidents to drownings.

“There’s extensive training that the soldiers go through when they deploy on everything,” Calio said. “For example, an accidental discharge would be a non-combat death, but it’s weapons-related, as opposed to a vehicle rollover.”

Statistics connected to Operation Iraqi Freedom include casualties that occurred on or after March 19, 2003, in the Arabian Sea, Bahrain, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Persian Gulf, Qatar, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, according to the Department of Defense Web site.

Of the 811 non-combat deaths, 439 have been Army members, 116 have been Army National Guard and 44 have been Army Reserve. Marines have accounted for 159 of the deaths, Navy for 33 and 20 have been Air Force personnel.
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http://thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=cee8ce09b8799e25

Death of Fort Huachuca soldier called negligent homicide

Death of Fort Huachuca soldier called negligent homicide
Arizona Daily Star - Tucson,AZ,USA

Death of Fort Huachuca soldier called negligent homicide
Pfc. Eli Baker, of California, was given morphine he wasn't prescribed while in a medical barracks at the Army post in Sierra Vista
By Brian J. Pedersen
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona Published: 12.03.2008

An Army investigation has determined the death of a soldier earlier this year in a medical barracks at Fort Huachuca was a negligent homicide.

Pfc. Eli Baker, 22, died as the result of a morphine overdose, said Chris Grey, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.

“We have reason to believe that someone supplied him with that morphine, but he was not prescribed that morphine,” Grey said.
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http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/270035.php

Austrailian Soldier suicide linked to drugs and PTSD

Soldier suicide linked to drugs: inquiry
Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney, New South Wales,Australia

A special forces soldier hanged himself as a result of drug and alcohol dependence, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder caused by his service in Afghanistan, an inquiry has found.

But the Department of Defence inquiry found no evidence that Captain Andrew Paljakka, 27, had experienced a traumatic event during his six weeks in Afghanistan in 2006.

"The inquiry concluded it was the compound effect of all the difficulties Captain Paljakka was experiencing, including alcohol and drug dependence, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), depression, and his personal problems, that led him to take his own life," Defence said.

"Captain Paljakka developed traumatic memories which were an elaboration of what he had heard and been told about during his six-week service in Afghanistan.

"This is a recognised phenomenon suffered by some individuals with PTSD," the inquiry found.
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Capt. Robert J. Yllescas succumbs to wounds suffered in Afghanistan

DoD Identifies Army Casualty


The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Capt. Robert J. Yllescas, 31, of Lincoln, Neb., died Dec. 1 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., of wounds suffered Oct. 28 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit at Combat Outpost Keating, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

http://icasualties.org/oef/

Sixteen Indiana National Guard soldiers sue over chemical exposure in Iraq

Ind. soldiers sue over chemical exposure in Iraq
The Associated Press
By CHARLES WILSON – 20 hours ago

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Sixteen Indiana National Guard soldiers sued the big defense contractor KBR Inc. on Wednesday, saying its employees knowingly allowed them to be exposed to a toxic chemical in Iraq five years ago.

The federal suit filed in U.S. District Court alleges the soldiers from a Tell City-based unit were exposed to a carcinogen while protecting an Iraqi water pumping plant shortly after the U.S. invasion in 2003.

The 23-page complaint claims that Houston-based KBR knew at least as early as May 2003 that the plant was contaminated with sodium dichromate, a known carcinogen, but concealed the danger from civilian workers and 139 soldiers from the Indiana Guard's 1st Battalion, 152nd Infantry.

"It's not right, what they done," said Mark McManaway, a 55-year-old truck driver from Cannelton who has since retired from the Guard. McManaway, the main plaintiff in the lawsuit, has suffered nosebleeds and rashes he believes are due to the chemical exposure.

The chemical, used to remove pipe corrosion, is especially dangerous because it contains hexavalent chromium, which is known to cause birth defects and cancer, particularly lung cancer, the lawsuit said. The cancer can take years to develop.

Some of the soldiers who served at the site now have respiratory system tumors associated with hexavalent chromium exposure, the lawsuit states.

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Sears Holiday Fundraiser to Grant Wishes for Military Families

Sears Holiday Fundraiser to Grant Wishes for Military Families
MarketWatch - USA
Joint Effort With Rebuilding Together to Improve Lives of Military Families at Home

Last update: 3:36 p.m. EST Dec. 3, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC, Dec 03, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Rebuilding Together is pleased to once again join Sears in supporting America's military veterans and families. Sears customers will be able to turn their shopping into dreams come true for military families and veterans. The retailer recently launched an in store and online fundraising effort to benefit Heroes at Home(SM), a charitable program created in association with the nation's leading non-profit home rehabilitation organization, Rebuilding Together. Through Heroes at Home, the retailer seeks to improve the lives of military families and veterans in need across America by making necessary repairs, improvements or modifications to their homes.
Now through December 28, Sears customers will be able to participate in this initiative by using their Sears card or purchasing a Sears gift card. Sears will make a donation to Heroes at Home for every credit card purchase made at any of its Sears stores from now to December 28 up to $1 million, and for every gift card purchased during that time up to $100,000. Customers can also make a donation at registers or online at www.sears.com. Heroes at Home has raised more than $5 million to help military families in need across America by making necessary repairs, improvements or modifications to their homes.
"We are proud to be partnering with Rebuilding Together to support families through this important initiative," said Richard Gerstein, Chief Marketing Officer, for Sears Holdings Corporation. "Sears has a longstanding commitment to the heroic men and women who serve in the military. We hope our customers will take this opportunity to help grant wishes for military families and veterans while they shop our stores."
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Live Video Teleconference on Treating PTSD in Military Families

Join us this Thursday, Dec. 4th 12-2pm pdt For A Live Video Teleconference
Treating Post Traumatic Stress in Military Families Herbst Hall at UCSF, Mount Zion Campus 1600 Divisadero St. - 2nd floor

The impacts of war-related trauma don't reside solely in the Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman or woman. Because humans are wired to connect, the ripples radiate out and affect many, in particular those close to the veteran: including his or her spouse, children, siblings, parents, marital relationship, extended family, and significant others. In this training, two experts on the dynamics of post traumatic stress in military families and their treatment will provide a clear review that will help us understand and treat the impacts on couples and families of PTSD.

If you have questions related to the topic, you can have them addressed on air by sending them to: contact@cominghomeproject.net

Viewing options:
* In Person at UCSF,Mount Zion [NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY]
* Watch live online
or on Dish Network channel 9412.
* To view past programs go to UCTV's website
Part of "Treating the Invisible Wounds of War: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, Families and Care Providers" series, a collaboration among the Coming Home Project, UCSF, and UCTV.

Pfc. Joseph Dwyer to have street named after him

This is Pfc. Joseph Dwyer running to help the child.


This is the famous picture taken after.

Brookhaven Township to Name Street in Honor of PFC Joseph Dwyer
NewsLI - West Babylon,NY,USA

(Brookhaven, N.Y.) Brookhaven Township will dedicate a street to Long Island fallen hero, PFC Joseph Dwyer on Monday, December 8, 2008, at 11:00am. The street which is located at Pipe Stave Hollow Road in Mount Sinai is at the corner of Echo Avenue. PFC Dwyer’s widow Matina and daughter Meagan as well as other family members and local dignitaries will take part in the dedication ceremonies.

PFC Joseph Dwyer enlisted into the Army two days after September 11, 2001. A native of Long Island, New York, he felt it his patriotic duty to defend his country. PFC Dwyer served his country with honor, survived many battles in Iraq, to return home with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This would eventually take his life on June 28, 2008. “Joe was truly a hero deeply devoted to his family and country,” said Christopher Delaney, Founder of Hero Army PFC Joseph Dwyer whose purpose is to set up a fund for PFC Dwyer’s daughter and to assist his wife with any financial difficulties as well as to bring awareness to the public of this disease which is affecting many returning soldiers.
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