Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Treating PTSD: Are we there yet?


From Carissa Picard
In 2007, the DoD Mental Health Task Force recommended MEB/PEB for soldiers with PTSD/TBI versus disciplinary or other administrative action (when possible) in cases of misconduct as both injuries were known to cause what it identified as "disinhibitory" behavior. If senior leadership isn't going to honor those recommendations, how can we expect that of lower level leadership? And why hasn't Congress done anything about this yet?

Carissa is a good friend of mine and I'm very proud of what she's doing. I'll be joining here site soon to focus on PTSD. Right now I feel like Lisa Simpson on the Disney ride when she and Bart keep repeating "are we there yet" only to have Homer tell them "Yes, we've arrived at this exact spot at this very moment!"

We are not there yet but no one seems to be asking why we are not even close to being able to treat all the wounded with PTSD adequately enough that things like this do not happen any longer. What's it going to take? Three Generals not enough for them to wake up and understand what PTSD does? Think about that. Three Generals came out and said they had PTSD. Did the military try to end their careers too? When will the DOD stop treating them as if they are useless instead of wounded?

I posted yesterday about an Iraq veteran who had a limb amputated. He was treated, went through physical training, fitted with a prosthetic leg and he's right back with his troops. It's the same thing with PTSD. There are different levels of it and depending on the person, they can return to their units after they are treated properly. So why isn't this being done for them when the wound is PTSD? Why are they not given what they need without having to fight for it? Did they have to fight the DOD for a gun to train and deploy under orders? Who can expect them to get on with their lives after without the proper tools to do it with?

How many more years do they need to get any of this right and why aren't we there already?



PTSD victim booted for 'misconduct'
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jan 7, 2009 12:55:53 EST
After serving two tours in Iraq — tours filled with killing enemy combatants and watching close friends die — Sgt. Adam Boyle, 27, returned home expecting the Army to take care of him.

Instead, service member advocates and Boyle's mother say his chain of command in the 3rd Psychological Operations Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C., worked to end his military career at the first sign of weakness.

In October, a medical evaluation board physician at Bragg recommended that Boyle go through the military disability retirement process for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder — which is supposed to automatically earn him at least a 50 percent disability retirement rating — as well as for chronic headaches. The doctor also diagnosed Boyle with alcohol abuse and said he was probably missing formations due to the medications doctors put him on to treat his PTSD.

But in December, Lt. Gen. John Mulholland, commanding general of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, signed an order forcing Boyle out on an administrative discharge for a "pattern of misconduct," and ordering that the soldier pay back his re-enlistment bonus.

Last year, after a number of troops diagnosed with PTSD were administratively forced out for "personality disorders" following combat deployments, the Defense Department changed its rules: The pertinent service surgeon general now must sign off on any personality-disorder discharge if a service member has been diagnosed with PTSD.

"Not even a year later, they're pushing them out administratively for 'pattern of misconduct,' " said Carissa Picard, an attorney and founder of Military Spouses for Change, a group created in response to the personality-disorder cases. "I'm so angry. We're seeing it all the time. And it's for petty stuff."

In Boyle's case, according to Picard and Boyle's mother, Laura Curtiss, the soldier had gotten in trouble for missing morning formations and for alcohol-related incidents such as fighting and public drunkenness.

"The whole thing is absurd to me," Picard said. "They acknowledge that PTSD causes misconduct, and then they boot them out for misconduct."

FOR THE REST OF THE ARTICLE, click link

Soldier pleads not guilty to animal abuse

Soldier pleads not guilty to animal abuse

The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jan 7, 2009 9:09:22 EST

SAPULPA, Okla. — An Army soldier accused of dragging a dog behind a sport utility vehicle has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of animal abuse.

More than a dozen animal-rights supporters took front-row seats in a Creek County courtroom Tuesday as Cody Wayne Hahn made an initial appearance.

“We’re here because it’s important that people see and care what happens to animals,” said Ruth Steinberger, state outreach coordinator for the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals. “Animal abuse is a serious crime, and everyone wants to see justice done here.”

Several witnesses reported seeing a black SUV dragging a dog behind the vehicle on Oct. 16. The dog, which now goes by the name of Sammy, suffered gruesome injuries but Drs. William Mitchell and Agniellis Feliciano of the Bristow Veterinary Hospital saved his life.

Sammy has since been adopted.
click link above for more

Convicted man may go free because of VA Fraud?

David Hinkson may get a new trial because Elven Joe Swisher had been lying about his record in the military along with taking from the real disabled veterans. The man is 71 years old! How long did he get away with being a fake? Did he serve and what did he really do? So many questions this leaves to be answered but above all, I want to know why he did it.

My father was a Korean War vet. It took him years to have his claim approved and finally he received 100% disability. My husband had his claim tied up for 6 years before it was finally approved. My father-in-law, well he's another story. He served in WWII, was wounded, had a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He never filed a claim for anything. When he died, we were on our own to pay for the funeral. His attitude contributed to my husband's reluctance to file a claim for years. Even though he knew Vietnam was eating him up inside, he didn't want to file a claim until experts told him that he needed to be treated by the VA. So many others in this country finally reach out to the VA with legitimate claims, get trapped in an overloaded system, are considered fake until proven truthful, have to read about yet more case of someone that did not earn anything but received everything. None of this makes sense at all.
Idaho man gets prison for stealing vet benefits

Associated Press - January 6, 2009 7:14 PM ET

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - The star witness in a botched 2005 Idaho attempted murder prosecution will spend 12 months and one day in federal prison after defrauding the government of nearly $100,000 in veterans benefits.
click above link for more
Give an Hour: More than We Envisioned

Give an Hour: More than We Envisioned
[1/6/2009]

Source: Barbara V. Romberg


The beginning of every year offers an opportunity for reflection and anticipation. As we head into 2009 and continue our efforts to provide critical mental health care to the men, women, and families who serve our country, it is important to stop for a moment to review our mission and contemplate our future.

Give an Hour began nearly four years ago as a response to the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our initial concept was simple: ask the licensed mental health professionals in our country to offer an hour per week of service to those men, women, and families affected by the current conflicts. Our mental health community has responded with tremendous generosity. We now have nearly 3,200 providers in the Give an Hour network—with more joining daily—and we have the support of the major mental health associations in the United States, including the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.

In addition, with the support of West Virginia’s Governor Joe Manchin and in partnership with West Virginia’s Counsel of Churches and its National Guard, we launched a statewide initiative in the Mountain State in October. We expect to launch similar initiatives this year in several other states including Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Arkansas. Our providers have given nearly 7,500 hours in direct and indirect service since we began offering care in July of 2007. Thousands of additional hours have been donated by numerous volunteers who work behind the scenes to ensure that our organization runs smoothly and effectively.

Give an Hour has received grants from the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation, and the Standard Foundation. Humana Military donated a beautiful new Web site to Give an Hour in the spring of 2008, and we have received generous monetary gifts from Veterans Advantage, Value Options, Capital One, and many individual donors.

Moreover, we have developed excellent relationships with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, numerous Veterans Service Organizations, and many National Guard and Reserve Units across the country. Give an Hour is welcomed by these organizations as a critical partner in the effort to provide continuity of care to returning warriors and their families. In November I was asked by the Presidential Transition Team for Veterans Affairs to submit a position paper on my views regarding the needs of the military community.

Clearly, we are well on the way to achieving our mission. But something amazing and unexpected has happened as a result of our efforts. In the course of providing direct mental health services to the military community, we have become an agent of social change. Give an Hour is helping to shift our nation’s view of mental health and psychological care—while offering a new model for volunteerism.
click link above for more

PTSD? YouTube Doesn't Care

Well YouTube just blocked another video of mine. PTSD After Trauma has been blocked so I pulled it. I'm not fighting them anymore. Take a look across YouTube and you'll find music video after music video but mine, well there about PTSD and to help people cope with it. They are for educational use and I have a Creative Commons license for share and share alike. That doesn't matter. You can't talk to anyone there to have them explain this either. They send back a form letter explaining absolutely nothing.

Video Disabled
A copyright owner has claimed it owns some or all of the audio content in your video PTSD After Trauma. The audio content identified in your video is Amazing Grace by Judy Collins. We regret to inform you that your video has been blocked from playback due to a music rights issue.



When War Comes Home Part Two uses two songs by Toby Keith. They blocked that one. I muted the music then they decided to let the music back in but I couldn't get it to play. Then I pulled it, tried to upload it again but they wouldn't allow it. They blocked Women At War, along with others. This is why all of my videos are being pulled from YouTube the end of the month. I can't take this anymore. They will be up on my web site at http://www.namguardianangel.com/ and soon they'll be uploaded here from the site.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Shinseki pledges to fix gaps in veterans care

Shinseki pledges to fix gaps in veterans care

By Hope Yen - The Associated PressPosted : Tuesday Jan 6, 2009 21:08:25 EST

WASHINGTON — Retired Gen. Eric K. Shinseki pledged to move quickly to fix gaps in health care if confirmed as Veterans Affairs secretary, saying he will reopen benefits to hundreds of thousands of middle-income veterans denied during the Bush administration.
In a 54-page disclosure obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, President-elect Barack Obama’s choice to head the government’s second largest agency also urged Congress to set VA funding a year in advance to minimize political pressures. And the former Army chief of staff said he will step down from the corporate boards of defense contractors to alleviate potential conflicts of interest.
“If confirmed, I would focus on these issues and the development of a credible and adequate 2010 budget request during my first 90 days in office,” Shinseki wrote to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, noting that VA funding in the past created “significant management difficulties” that delayed medical care.
The Senate committee is scheduled to hold Shinseki’s confirmation hearing on Jan. 14.

click link above for more

U.S. Marine Corps an Orgy Palace of Stoned, Drunk, Horny Teens?

There is a picture that goes with this story that I will not be posting. This is not your Dad's Marines that's for sure.


While the vast majority of the men and women serving this country are fully serious about their position, there are many of a new breed that are clearly not up to the challenge. The DOD changed the rules to allow people in by lowering the standard in order to fill recruitment needs for the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Gangs in the military are a problem as well. This story is not just one of adolescent boys entering into the man's world of tough Marines. It goes much deeper than that. Is this a sign of the attitude causing an increase in military rapes? This study addresses girls as willing but we really need to wonder if this idea about sex is carried over into deployment and beyond. Where is the leadership on any of this? What are the Marines doing about this? Has discipline been forgotten? What does this say about the rest of the Marines when something like this comes out? Is it an isolated case of a group of young Marines or is this a problem across all bases? Next, what the hell is wrong with the female Marines? Don't they understand what they are doing?

U.S. Marine Corps an Orgy Palace of Stoned, Drunk, Horny Teens, New UCSF Study Suggests
Mon Jan 05, 2009 at 12:59:00 PM
By Matt Smith

While doomsayers bemoan America's ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, researchers at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center may have turned up a brilliant silver lining.

Thanks to desperate recruiting methods required to staff those wars, the U.S. Marines may be turning military service into a male sexual fantasy land, where recruits are paid actual money to cohabitate with drunk, stoned, horny teenage girls.

UCSF scientists tested and surveyed 2,157 female U.S. Marine recruits -- out of 2,288 possible respondents -- with an average age of 19. Researchers found that the young women were more than twice as likely as non-military young women to be infected with venereal diseases. And the recruits were prone to engage in behaviors likely to get them sick again.

The sexually-precocious female recruits "perceived that sex is more likely and enjoyable under the influence of alcohol, and were heavy alcohol and drug users before recruit training entry," according to a November 2008 UCSF study titled "Relationships among Sociodemographic Markers, Behavioral Risk, and sexually transmitted infections in U.S. Female Marine Corps Recruits."

Fort Hood investigating death of another soldier



Fort Hood investigating death of another soldier in barracks
Dallas Morning News - Dallas,TX,USA

05:47 PM CST on Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The Associated Press

FORT HOOD, Texas – Army officials are investigating the death of a soldier found in his barracks at Fort Hood on New Year's Day.

Staff Sgt. Kevin M. Marsh, 41, of Friedens, Pa., was found dead the night of Jan. 1 by officers from his unit after a concerned call from a family member, said Maj. David Shoupe, a Fort Hood spokesman.

Marsh was assigned in June to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Rear-Detachment. He served twice in Iraq, in 2003-04 and in 2005-06, as a gunner and vehicle commander.

His medals and awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.

Authorities were already investigating at least five deaths at Fort Hood from late July to September at the sprawling post that's home to about 52,000 troops.
click link above for more

No Purple Heart for PTSD? Then give them something else.


Aside from the DOD being clueless what Washington's original medal was about, which had nothing to do with being wounded, they should at least come up with something else. They need to stop acting as if PTSD is anything to be ashamed of. The title itself means "wound" by the word "trauma" which is Greek for wound.

There was an award called the Wound Chevron.

Wound Chevron
A Wound Chevron was a badge of the United States Army which was authorized for wear on an Army uniform between the years of 1918 and 1932. The Wound Chevron was displayed on the lower right cuff of a military uniform, and denoted wounds which were received in combat against an enemy force. The Wound Chevron was a replacement insignia for the short lived Army Wound Ribbon.

In 1932, with the creation of the Purple Heart, Wound Chevrons were no longer awarded to Army personnel. A directive of the United States War Department permitted soldiers to exchange wound chevrons for the new Purple Heart medal. This was not required, however, and some Army personnel elected to retain wound chevrons for wear on the military uniform instead of the Purple Heart. For those who were subsequently wounded in the Second World War, both the original wound chevrons and the Purple Heart medal were worn simultaneously. It is historically agreed that Army regulations did not permit wearing both the Purple Heart and the Wound Chevron at the same time; however, photographic evidence indicates that this was often done by veterans of both the First World War and Second World War.

If they really want PTSD to be seen for what it is, then they should stop treating it like a sub-class wound that is less honorable than other wounds. Just because it does not break the skin that does not mean it was not caused by the enemy. Combat is inflicting the most harm on the enemy as possible. This wound cuts them so deeply many would rather have lost a limb instead. Since the DOD does not sub-classify a graze instead of an entry wound, they should treat all wounds equally. I've posted on this before and I'm more convinced than ever they need to actually honor this wound as a wound if they really want to get rid of the stigma.

No Purple Hearts for PTSD, Pentagon rules

By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jan 6, 2009 12:31:49 EST

The Purple Heart will not be awarded to service members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, the Pentagon confirmed Monday.

“It’s not a qualifying Purple Heart wound,” said Defense Department spokeswoman Eileen Lainez, although she added that “advancements in medical science may support future re-evaluation.”

The decision, reached Nov. 3 but not made public until now, followed months of evaluation by military and outside officials. That evaluation was spurred when Defense Secretary Robert Gates was asked at a May press conference whether he would support awarding the Purple Heart to PTSD sufferers.

Gates said the idea was “clearly something that needs to be looked at.” His undersecretary for personnel and readiness, David S.C. Chu, decided against making such awards after conferring with the Pentagon’s Awards Advisory Group, which includes “awards experts” from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the military services, the Institute of Heraldry and the Center for Military History, according to Lainez.

Gates concurred with that decision, Lainez said.

The decision was first reported Monday by the Stars and Stripes newspaper.

The Purple Heart “recognizes those individuals wounded to a degree that requires treatment by a medical officer, in action with the enemy or as the result of enemy action where the intended effect of a specific enemy action is to kill or injure the service member,” Lainez said.

PTSD “is not a wound intentionally caused by the enemy from an outside force or agent, but is a secondary effect caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event,” she said.

Disney's Armed Forces Salute


Video: Disney Parks Celebrate U.S. Military With Free, Multi-day Admission to Theme Parks in 2009
PR Newswire
Posted: 2009-01-05 15:54:00
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. and ANAHEIM, Calif., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- As Disney Parks ask "What Will You Celebrate?" and invite guests to turn their personal milestones into magical family vacations in 2009, America's military personnel will have one more reason to celebrate: Free multi-day admission to Disney's U.S. theme parks.


To view the Multimedia News Release,

go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/disney/36573/
With the "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" offer, active and retired U.S. military personnel, including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, can enjoy complimentary, multi-day admission into Disney's U.S. theme parks, great rates at select Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort hotels, and additional special ticket offers for family members and friends.


"For so many of the men and women who serve in our U.S. military, time together with their families is cause enough for celebration," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We are grateful for their service and hope 'Disney's Armed Forces Salute' will allow our troops to create wonderful, magical memories with their family and friends."
At the Disneyland Resort in Southern California:


Through June 12, 2009, each active or retired member of the U.S. military can receive one complimentary three-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" Park Hopper ticket valid for admission to both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure parks. During the offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel also may make a one-time purchase of an adult or child three-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" Park Hopper ticket for up to five family members (including spouse) or friends for the price of an adult 1-Day Park Hopper ticket.
Disneyland Resort hotels are also offering special room rates for active or retired military personnel. For example, at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, active or retired members of the military and their families may find hotel rooms starting at $119 per night during value season, with great savings during other times of the offer period. This offer is available through June 12, 2009, and the number of rooms available at these special rates is limited.


For information regarding "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" at the Disneyland Resort, or to make reservations, military personnel may call 714/956-6424.


At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:
Through Dec. 23, 2009, each active or retired member of the U.S. military may obtain one complimentary 5-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" ticket with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More options. This ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus a total of five visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions. During this offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel may also make a one-time purchase of up to a maximum of five 5-Day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets (one theme park per day) for $99 per ticket, plus tax, for family members (including spouse) or friends. Although this ticket for family members and friends does not include either the Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More options, this ticket can be upgraded to add either such option, or both, for an additional $25, plus tax, per option. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by Dec. 23, 2009.
Ask about the great rates that may be available at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for active or retired U.S. military personnel during this offer period.


For information on the "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" offer at Walt Disney World Resort or the Disneyland Resort, or to make reservations, active and retired U.S. Military personnel may call the ITT office on their base. Information about "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" offer at Walt Disney World Resort is also available at www.disneyworld.com/military.


Through the years, The Walt Disney Company has demonstrated its support of United States' servicemen and women through a variety of initiatives. Disney's support for the U.S. Marines' Toys for Tots program started 58 years ago - when Walt Disney became one of the original sponsors. Since 1995, Disney's Operation Uplift program has sent over 90,000 postcards to troops worldwide, thanking them for their service. The company also supports U.S. service members and their families as a sponsor of the USO and its centers. Each year, Operation Disney Care packages, containing Disney DVDs, books, magazines and games, are sent to centers around the world to help entertain the servicemen/women and their families, Disney Minnie Grants are used to host family appreciation events, while Disney VoluntEARS donate many hours participating in local USO projects.


Other Offer Details:
Complimentary "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" tickets may be obtained only by active or retired U.S. military personnel, including activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (with orders showing active status after Jan. 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard. Spouses are not eligible.


Complimentary "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort can be obtained only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices (including at the Shades of Green Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort), or at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows. Military personnel will need to activate those tickets at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows in order to use those tickets (no more than 1 such complimentary ticket per service member will be activated).


Please see a participating U.S. military base ticket office for an exchange certificate for the complimentary "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" ticket for the Disneyland Resort. The exchange certificate will need to be redeemed for such ticket by the active or retired military personnel at a Main Entrance theme park ticket window (maximum of 1 such complimentary ticket per service member).


"Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for family members and friends may be purchased only by active or retired U.S. military personnel, including activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (with orders showing active status after Jan. 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard (or, in each case, their spouses, but not both).


"Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort can be purchased only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices (including at the Shades of Green Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort), or at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows. "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for admission to the Disneyland Resort can be purchased only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices.


Military personnel (or their spouses) who purchase "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort for family members and friends will need to activate those tickets at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows in order for those tickets to be used (regardless of where those tickets are purchased). Actual prices for such tickets may be less than prices shown above.


Military personnel (or their spouses) who purchase "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for admission to the Disneyland Resort for family members and friends will receive exchange certificates to be redeemed by such military personnel (or their spouses) for tickets at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows (one ticket per exchange certificate).


The military personnel (or spouse) will be required to present valid military identification (which, for activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, also includes orders showing active status after Jan. 1, 2008) for all ticket transactions (including to activate tickets, and/or redeem exchange certificates for tickets, at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows). A valid ID may also be required for admission.


"Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets are limited to five per service member (regardless of place of purchase and whether purchased by service member or spouse) and all five must be purchased at the same time. Accordingly, no service member (or spouse) will be permitted to activate, and/or to redeem exchange certificates for, more than a total of five "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort (regardless of whether activated or exchanged by the service member or spouse).


First day of use of "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" complimentary tickets and "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets at the Disneyland Resort must be no later than June 12, 2009, and tickets expire 13 days after the first day of use or June 25, 2009, whichever occurs first. Last day of use on "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" complimentary tickets and "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets at the Walt Disney World Resort is Dec. 23, 2009.


Tickets must be used by the same person on any and all days. "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" complimentary tickets may be used only by the service members to whom they are issued. "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets may be used only by the friends and family members for whom they are purchased.


This offer may not be combined with any other offer.
"What Will You Celebrate?"
Military personnel taking advantage of this offer will find even more to celebrate during their stay. Beginning now, Disney Parks is embracing a newly identified nationwide travel trend called "celebration vacations," in which Americans mark special occasions in their lives with a family vacation.


In 2009, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resorts ask guests "What Will You Celebrate?" and lead this growing trend with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones -- a birthday, an anniversary, Quinceanera or any special occasion -- into magical Disney experiences.
SOURCE Walt Disney World Public Relations
http://money.aol.com/news/articles/qp/pr/_a/video-disney-parks-celebrate-us-military/rfid172641372