VA, DoD Host National Mental Health Summit
Shinseki, Gates Address Unprecedented Forum
WASHINGTON (Oct. 26, 2009) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and
the Department of Defense (DoD) are hosting a first-of-its-kind national
summit to address the mental health care needs of America's military
personnel, families and Veterans, harnessing the programs, resources and
expertise of both departments to deal with the aftermath of the
battlefield.
"This is about doing what is best for those who serve this country and
using every federal, state and community asset to do it," said Secretary
Shinseki. "We're proud of the people and the organizations who have
stepped up today to make sure everyone who fought for this country gets
a fighting chance for a sound mind and an independent life."
The summit, which opened today at the Capital Hilton in Washington,
D.C., invited mental health experts from both departments, Congress, the
president's cabinet and more than 57 non-government organizations to
discuss an innovative, wide-ranging public health model for enhancing
mental health for returning service members, Veterans, and their
families.
Striking down the stigma associated with the mental health risks of
service in a combat zone is among the priorities of the joint VA-DoD
campaign on mental health for service members, Veterans and families.
Various studies show a large incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder
occurs during the lifetime of many combat Veterans.
A final report following the summit will summarize policies, programs
and practices that show promise for enhancing the well-being and care
for individual service members, Veterans, and their families. VA and
DoD view mental health in returning service members and Veterans as a
matter of public health and an opportunity to engage in a broad response
throughout America.
VA operates the largest mental health program in the nation. VA has
bolstered its mental health capacity to serve combat Veterans by adding
thousands of new professionals to its rolls in the last four years. The
department also has established a suicide prevention hotline
(1-800-273-TALK) and Web site available for online chat at
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans
Monday, October 26, 2009
Man arrested over death of soldier honoured for bravery in Iraq
From Times Online October 26, 2009
Man arrested over death of soldier honoured for bravery in Iraq
Scotland Staff
A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a soldier honoured for bravery in Iraq.
Paul McGee, 28, died at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley yesterday after an incident in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire. Police said that a 28-year-old man was being held in connection with his death.
Mr McGee, who served with the Scots Guards in Iraq, was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in July last year after he reportedly risked his life trying to save Stephen Ferguson while on a tour of duty.
read more here
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6890824.ece
Man arrested over death of soldier honoured for bravery in Iraq
Scotland Staff
A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a soldier honoured for bravery in Iraq.
Paul McGee, 28, died at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley yesterday after an incident in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire. Police said that a 28-year-old man was being held in connection with his death.
Mr McGee, who served with the Scots Guards in Iraq, was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in July last year after he reportedly risked his life trying to save Stephen Ferguson while on a tour of duty.
read more here
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6890824.ece
2 firefighters hurt when Kissimmee condos burn
2 firefighters hurt when Kissimmee condos burn
Third floor at Villa del Sol collapses from the flames
By Jeannette Rivera-Lyles
Sentinel Staff Writer
12:22 a.m. EDT, October 26, 2009
Two firefighters were hurt when a Kissimmee condominium building burned Sunday night, and dozens of people were left homeless as a result of the blaze.
Several units of the Kissimmee Fire Department responded around 9 p.m. to a fire at the Villa del Sol Condominiums, said Megan Shephard, a fire department spokeswoman. The blaze was in a three-story, 24-unit building at 4103 Tropical Isle Blvd.
read more here
2 firefighters hurt when Kissimmee condos burn
Third floor at Villa del Sol collapses from the flames
By Jeannette Rivera-Lyles
Sentinel Staff Writer
12:22 a.m. EDT, October 26, 2009
Two firefighters were hurt when a Kissimmee condominium building burned Sunday night, and dozens of people were left homeless as a result of the blaze.
Several units of the Kissimmee Fire Department responded around 9 p.m. to a fire at the Villa del Sol Condominiums, said Megan Shephard, a fire department spokeswoman. The blaze was in a three-story, 24-unit building at 4103 Tropical Isle Blvd.
read more here
2 firefighters hurt when Kissimmee condos burn
DEA personnel among 14 dead in Afghan copter crashes
DEA personnel among 14 dead in Afghan copter crashes
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Three were the first DEA personnel to be killed in Afghanistan
Seven U.S. service members and three U.S. civilians were killed in one crash
Four other U.S. service members killed when two copters collided Monday
In the crashes, 28 others injured, including one U.S. civilian
October 26, 2009 12:19 p.m. EDT
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Three Drug Enforcement Administration personnel were among 14 Americans killed when three helicopters went down in Afghanistan on Monday, a law enforcement source said.
They were the first DEA personnel to be killed in Afghanistan. NATO's International Security Assistance Force said that in all, 10 people died in one incident and four in the other.
It was the largest number of Americans killed in Afghanistan in a single day in more than four years, according to CNN records.
ISAF ruled out enemy fire in the crash that killed four Americans and said that enemy action was not thought to be the cause of the other.
A helicopter went down in the west of the country after a raid on suspected drug traffickers. Seven U.S. service members and three U.S. civilians were killed, according to an ISAF statement. Fourteen Afghan service members, 11 U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were injured in the crash.
go here for more
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/26/afghanistan.chopper.crashes/index.html
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Three were the first DEA personnel to be killed in Afghanistan
Seven U.S. service members and three U.S. civilians were killed in one crash
Four other U.S. service members killed when two copters collided Monday
In the crashes, 28 others injured, including one U.S. civilian
October 26, 2009 12:19 p.m. EDT
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Three Drug Enforcement Administration personnel were among 14 Americans killed when three helicopters went down in Afghanistan on Monday, a law enforcement source said.
They were the first DEA personnel to be killed in Afghanistan. NATO's International Security Assistance Force said that in all, 10 people died in one incident and four in the other.
It was the largest number of Americans killed in Afghanistan in a single day in more than four years, according to CNN records.
ISAF ruled out enemy fire in the crash that killed four Americans and said that enemy action was not thought to be the cause of the other.
A helicopter went down in the west of the country after a raid on suspected drug traffickers. Seven U.S. service members and three U.S. civilians were killed, according to an ISAF statement. Fourteen Afghan service members, 11 U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were injured in the crash.
go here for more
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/26/afghanistan.chopper.crashes/index.html
'Hero' Pilot Dies After Saving Passengers
'Hero' Pilot Dies After Saving Passengers
Dramatic Final Mayday Call Captures Him Saying 'So Long'
(Oct. 25) - A British pilot who apparently drowned after his plane crashed into the Caribbean Sea is being hailed a hero for saving the lives of all nine passengers aboard, British news outlets reported Sunday.
An engine failure forced Robert Mansell, 32, to ditch his plane off the Caribbean island of Bonaire last Wednesday, Sky News reported.
After he successfully landed the Britten-Norman Islander in the water, all nine passengers were able to escape the aircraft. But Mansell reportedly remained strapped in the pilot's seat as it sank into the ocean. The passengers were later picked up by a passing cargo ship.
"He's a hero," Simon Janzen, who worked with Mansell at the flight company Divi Divi Air, told the Telegraph. "All the passengers survived and he is the only one missing. If he wasn't a good pilot, he couldn't have ditched it so everyone could be saved."
read more here
Hero Pilot Dies After Saving Passengers
Dramatic Final Mayday Call Captures Him Saying 'So Long'
(Oct. 25) - A British pilot who apparently drowned after his plane crashed into the Caribbean Sea is being hailed a hero for saving the lives of all nine passengers aboard, British news outlets reported Sunday.
An engine failure forced Robert Mansell, 32, to ditch his plane off the Caribbean island of Bonaire last Wednesday, Sky News reported.
After he successfully landed the Britten-Norman Islander in the water, all nine passengers were able to escape the aircraft. But Mansell reportedly remained strapped in the pilot's seat as it sank into the ocean. The passengers were later picked up by a passing cargo ship.
"He's a hero," Simon Janzen, who worked with Mansell at the flight company Divi Divi Air, told the Telegraph. "All the passengers survived and he is the only one missing. If he wasn't a good pilot, he couldn't have ditched it so everyone could be saved."
read more here
Hero Pilot Dies After Saving Passengers
14 Die in Afghanistan Chopper Crashes
14 Die in Afghanistan Chopper Crashes
The U.S. military says 14 Americans have been killed in a series of helicopter crashes in Afghanistan. The dead in a crash in western Afghanistan include seven GIs and three U.S. civilians working for the government. Four Soldiers died in southern Afghanistan when two helicopters collided.Full Story
The U.S. military says 14 Americans have been killed in a series of helicopter crashes in Afghanistan. The dead in a crash in western Afghanistan include seven GIs and three U.S. civilians working for the government. Four Soldiers died in southern Afghanistan when two helicopters collided.Full Story
PTSD:Veterans' step wives
Step one=avoid
Avoid any acknowledgement there is something out of the ordinary you are face to face with. "What you don't know won't hurt you" becomes your attitude when you know deep inside you really should find out what is going on with someone you love.
Step two=find excuses
Military and citizen soldiers leave families with wives having to suddenly become single parents with enough to worry about. They find excuses to not even consider what your spouse is going through on a daily basis. While you face doing everything you had to do while they were home, you then have to take on what they used to do until they come back home. The burdens on your shoulders weighs you down, making you believe you have enough to worry about each day so anything else to worry about will just have to wait. You don't want to know what they can bring home with them buried inside of them. Besides all that, they never want to tell you what's going on anyway.
Step three=ignore
Ignore them being a "changed" person when they return home. Tell yourself they will "get over it" and then go back to normal. Ignore the fact they are drinking more than normal for them, smoking a lot more, sleeping a lot less, laughing less while being angry more and how they are avoiding all the people in their lives they are supposed to love.
Step four=blame
Blame them for acting the way they do. Blame yourself for the way they are treating you. Blame anything and anyone for what is happening between you and your spouse, but above all, find excuses to not look past anything really obvious. Whenever anyone uses the term PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, you tend to block your ears so that you don't hear anything you don't want to hear instead of understanding what you do not know will not only hurt you but them as well.
Step five=shame
Becoming ashamed of them because they act like they are uncaring jerks. Ashamed of them drinking too much or doing drugs. Ashamed of the financial mess you end up with as they make irrational purchasing decisions. Ashamed when they twitch and others notice it. You find excuses for why they no longer want to attend family gatherings or do anything with you or the kids. Ashamed because you believe there is no hope in saving your marriage as you think of divorce as the only option. Final step in this shame is that you believe it is your fault at the same time your ego struggles with blaming them.
Step six=hopelessness
You believe there is no reason to hope any of it will get any better.
Step seven=coming to terms
This is the final step where you come to terms with what is happening in your life as a spouse of a veteran. This is the crossroad where either you plan on ending it or plan on fighting it. Either you put yourself and your own needs first, close your eyes to the pain in their eyes or you remember what they were like before they deployed and decide to find out what you can do to help them.
No easy answers here. It depends entirely on you. Do you have the same compassion you used to have to even attempt to help them or are you so self-absorbed all you can focus on is you at this moment in your life?
Finding out what has happened inside of them is vital to healing them and your relationship. It will also determine your future.
Living with them comes down to what is in your soul and their soul. If you understand where it is all coming from, you will end up having a better life than if you simply walk away. Even if you do end up getting divorced, you can end up with peace inside of you or hatred if you never learn anything.
All of this can be avoided if you have taken the time to learn what happens to at least one of out three exposed to traumatic events, especially when they are combat veterans. The knowledge you have will end up getting them help as soon as possible because part of their issue is denial. They also avoid facing it. You need to know when they need help so that you can support them in getting it. If you know nothing, as a simple human, you will end up trying to find reasons everywhere but where it all came from, and that, that is combat itself.
A spouse will often say that they have enough to worry about when they are risking their lives. This is true however avoiding finding out what PTSD is means you are asking for trouble when they do come home. You cannot remove danger from them while they are in Iraq or Afghanistan any more than we could have removed them from danger in Kuwait, Somalia, Vietnam, Korea or any other nation during the world wars. What you can do is arm yourself to fight the enemy they end up brining home inside of them just as determined to kill them. When they come home, it's your job to defend them, fight for them and watch their backs.
When they have a nightmare, don't shake them awake or you'll end up with a bloody nose or black eye, then you may call the police because you think you've just been abused. This can be avoided if you knew that nightmare they were having took them back to dangerous times and they had no clue where they were or who you were in that moment. This is one thing you can learn among many. Knowledge can help them heal and make their lives easier or lack of it can end up harming them and you more.
It's up to you what you do. I once was a "step wife" as I learned as much as possible about what PTSD was. Then I became a veteran wife. As of last month, we've been married 25 years. We got there with love, knowledge and faith. So can you if you understand it before it's too late.
Here are three links to videos I did about them coming home. Stop avoiding being a step wife and be a veteran wife for real because no one else knows them as well as you do and they need you to pay attention.
Avoid any acknowledgement there is something out of the ordinary you are face to face with. "What you don't know won't hurt you" becomes your attitude when you know deep inside you really should find out what is going on with someone you love.
Step two=find excuses
Military and citizen soldiers leave families with wives having to suddenly become single parents with enough to worry about. They find excuses to not even consider what your spouse is going through on a daily basis. While you face doing everything you had to do while they were home, you then have to take on what they used to do until they come back home. The burdens on your shoulders weighs you down, making you believe you have enough to worry about each day so anything else to worry about will just have to wait. You don't want to know what they can bring home with them buried inside of them. Besides all that, they never want to tell you what's going on anyway.
Step three=ignore
Ignore them being a "changed" person when they return home. Tell yourself they will "get over it" and then go back to normal. Ignore the fact they are drinking more than normal for them, smoking a lot more, sleeping a lot less, laughing less while being angry more and how they are avoiding all the people in their lives they are supposed to love.
Step four=blame
Blame them for acting the way they do. Blame yourself for the way they are treating you. Blame anything and anyone for what is happening between you and your spouse, but above all, find excuses to not look past anything really obvious. Whenever anyone uses the term PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, you tend to block your ears so that you don't hear anything you don't want to hear instead of understanding what you do not know will not only hurt you but them as well.
Step five=shame
Becoming ashamed of them because they act like they are uncaring jerks. Ashamed of them drinking too much or doing drugs. Ashamed of the financial mess you end up with as they make irrational purchasing decisions. Ashamed when they twitch and others notice it. You find excuses for why they no longer want to attend family gatherings or do anything with you or the kids. Ashamed because you believe there is no hope in saving your marriage as you think of divorce as the only option. Final step in this shame is that you believe it is your fault at the same time your ego struggles with blaming them.
Step six=hopelessness
You believe there is no reason to hope any of it will get any better.
Step seven=coming to terms
This is the final step where you come to terms with what is happening in your life as a spouse of a veteran. This is the crossroad where either you plan on ending it or plan on fighting it. Either you put yourself and your own needs first, close your eyes to the pain in their eyes or you remember what they were like before they deployed and decide to find out what you can do to help them.
No easy answers here. It depends entirely on you. Do you have the same compassion you used to have to even attempt to help them or are you so self-absorbed all you can focus on is you at this moment in your life?
Finding out what has happened inside of them is vital to healing them and your relationship. It will also determine your future.
Living with them comes down to what is in your soul and their soul. If you understand where it is all coming from, you will end up having a better life than if you simply walk away. Even if you do end up getting divorced, you can end up with peace inside of you or hatred if you never learn anything.
All of this can be avoided if you have taken the time to learn what happens to at least one of out three exposed to traumatic events, especially when they are combat veterans. The knowledge you have will end up getting them help as soon as possible because part of their issue is denial. They also avoid facing it. You need to know when they need help so that you can support them in getting it. If you know nothing, as a simple human, you will end up trying to find reasons everywhere but where it all came from, and that, that is combat itself.
A spouse will often say that they have enough to worry about when they are risking their lives. This is true however avoiding finding out what PTSD is means you are asking for trouble when they do come home. You cannot remove danger from them while they are in Iraq or Afghanistan any more than we could have removed them from danger in Kuwait, Somalia, Vietnam, Korea or any other nation during the world wars. What you can do is arm yourself to fight the enemy they end up brining home inside of them just as determined to kill them. When they come home, it's your job to defend them, fight for them and watch their backs.
When they have a nightmare, don't shake them awake or you'll end up with a bloody nose or black eye, then you may call the police because you think you've just been abused. This can be avoided if you knew that nightmare they were having took them back to dangerous times and they had no clue where they were or who you were in that moment. This is one thing you can learn among many. Knowledge can help them heal and make their lives easier or lack of it can end up harming them and you more.
It's up to you what you do. I once was a "step wife" as I learned as much as possible about what PTSD was. Then I became a veteran wife. As of last month, we've been married 25 years. We got there with love, knowledge and faith. So can you if you understand it before it's too late.
Here are three links to videos I did about them coming home. Stop avoiding being a step wife and be a veteran wife for real because no one else knows them as well as you do and they need you to pay attention.
Posted to Great Americans by NamGuardianAngel on September 16, 2009
Posted to Great Americans by NamGuardianAngel on September 16, 2009
Posted to Great Americans by NamGuardianAngel on September 16, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Man survives motorcycle accident, killed after
Motorcyclist survives head-on collision but killed after another driver runs over him
A motorcyclist who had been an a wreck and was lying in a northbound lane of State Road 415 was killed when another motorist ran over him and kept driving early this morning in Volusia County, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.
The motorcyclist, Kevin Hill, 47, of Sanford, was southbound on S.R. 415 near Reed Ellis Road when he was struck head-on by a northbound vehicle that was trying to pass slower traffic, FHP Sgt. Kim Montes said.
Hill was thrown off his motorcycle, and the people in the vehicle stopped to help him. They told troopers that Hill was conscious and talking, Montes said.
Motorcyclist survives head-on collision
A motorcyclist who had been an a wreck and was lying in a northbound lane of State Road 415 was killed when another motorist ran over him and kept driving early this morning in Volusia County, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.
The motorcyclist, Kevin Hill, 47, of Sanford, was southbound on S.R. 415 near Reed Ellis Road when he was struck head-on by a northbound vehicle that was trying to pass slower traffic, FHP Sgt. Kim Montes said.
Hill was thrown off his motorcycle, and the people in the vehicle stopped to help him. They told troopers that Hill was conscious and talking, Montes said.
Motorcyclist survives head-on collision
Church janitor held in priest's death
Church janitor held in priest's death
October 24, 2009 9:04 p.m. EDT
Chatham Borough, New Jersey (CNN) -- The janitor at St. Patrick's Church has been charged with murder in the slaying of the church's pastor, the chief prosecutor said Saturday.
Jose Feliciano stabbed the Rev. Ed Hinds 32 times with a knife after the two got into an argument on Thursday, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi said. The Roman Catholic priest's body was found in the church's rectory Friday morning.
Feliciano, 64, has been employed with the church for 17 years, Bianchi said.
go here for more
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/24/priest.killing/index.html
October 24, 2009 9:04 p.m. EDT
Chatham Borough, New Jersey (CNN) -- The janitor at St. Patrick's Church has been charged with murder in the slaying of the church's pastor, the chief prosecutor said Saturday.
Jose Feliciano stabbed the Rev. Ed Hinds 32 times with a knife after the two got into an argument on Thursday, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi said. The Roman Catholic priest's body was found in the church's rectory Friday morning.
Feliciano, 64, has been employed with the church for 17 years, Bianchi said.
go here for more
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/24/priest.killing/index.html
Wounded Warrior called "cripple" wins judgment against Army
Former soldier wins $4.3m judgment from Army
The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Oct 24, 2009 15:25:33 EDT
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A former soldier who lost his right hand when a bomb that he was disarming in Iraq exploded in 2004 has won a $4.3 million judgment against the U.S. Army in a disability discrimination case.
A federal jury in Ann Arbor on Friday reached a verdict in the civil case in favor of 38-year-old James McKelvey of Macomb Township.
Lawyer Kevin Carlson told the Detroit Free Press the case proved that the Army created a hostile work environment. The lawsuit said a boss and coworker at the Army’s Warren arsenal described McKelvey as “the cripple.”
A message seeking comment was left Saturday with a federal lawyer who handled the case for the Army.
The 2004 blast also shattered his face and voice box, and severely burned and damaged his left hand.
read more here
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/10/ap_army_suit_bomb_102409/
The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Oct 24, 2009 15:25:33 EDT
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A former soldier who lost his right hand when a bomb that he was disarming in Iraq exploded in 2004 has won a $4.3 million judgment against the U.S. Army in a disability discrimination case.
A federal jury in Ann Arbor on Friday reached a verdict in the civil case in favor of 38-year-old James McKelvey of Macomb Township.
Lawyer Kevin Carlson told the Detroit Free Press the case proved that the Army created a hostile work environment. The lawsuit said a boss and coworker at the Army’s Warren arsenal described McKelvey as “the cripple.”
A message seeking comment was left Saturday with a federal lawyer who handled the case for the Army.
The 2004 blast also shattered his face and voice box, and severely burned and damaged his left hand.
read more here
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/10/ap_army_suit_bomb_102409/
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