Marine Prayer Request for Darkhorse not what it seems

UPDATE
Looks like Stars and Stripes paid attention too

Don't believe the social media rumors: Camp Pendleton's 'Darkhorse Marines' aren't dying in Afghanistan
By CARL PRINE | 
The San Diego Union-Tribune (Tribune News Service) | Published: May 4, 2017
Although thousands upon thousands of well-meaning Americans on Facebook and Twitter are asking people to pray for the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, the grunts aren’t suffering any casualties in Afghanistan. They’re home at Camp Pendleton, preparing to deploy to sea.
The latest hoax seems to have broken out on Facebook in late February before dying down in mid-March. It has come roaring back in recent days, however, triggering a flood of social-media support for the “Darkhorse” battalion that once suffered heavy losses in Afghanistan but isn’t actually in combat now.
“We are asking everyone to say a prayer for ‘Darkhorse’ 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in Afghanistan and have lost nine Marines in four days. Please repost this,” reads the typical message being circulated on social media.

Not sure what to make out of this now. I did a search for more information on this prayer request I received by email. I remembered 9 in a week but not recently so I did some checking. One of the "Marines" listed as killed this week was from the UK and he died in July. Matthew Weikert was in the Army and so was Chase Stanley.

Staff Sergeant Brett Linley

Bomb disposal expert who saved hundreds of lives killed in Afghanistan
By TAMARA COHEN
Last updated at 8:46 AM on 20th July 2010

A bomb disposal expert who saved hundreds of lives in Afghanistan has been killed by a Taliban bomb.
Staff Sergeant Brett Linley, 29, died while clearing explosives on Saturday and was hailed by his military bosses as a 'true hero'.

In five months on the front line with the Royal Logistic Corps, he defused 100 bombs, on one occasion dismantling three in just one hour.

Read more: Bomb disposal expert who saved hundreds of lives killed in Afghanistan

Justin Allen and Justus Bartelt were killed in July

July 25, 2010
The Defense Department last week identified the following American military personnel killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, or who died at a U.S. military hospital of their injuries:

Justin B. Allen, 23, of Coal Grove, Ohio; sergeant, Army. Allen was shot and killed July 18 during a firefight in the Zhari district of southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province, on the Pakistani border. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.


Justus S. Bartelt, 27, of Polo, Ill.; staff sergeant, Marine Corps. Bartelt was killed July 16 while supporting combat operations in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, on the Pakistani border. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, N.C.


http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/25/local/la-me-wardead-20100725

Army Sgt. Matthew W. Weikert
Died July 17, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

29, of Jacksonville, Ill.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died July 17 in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
Sgt. Matthew W. Weikert

Army Specialist Chase Stanley, 21, Napa
Soldier is killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
MILITARY DEATHS
September 26, 2010|By My-Thuan Tran, Los Angeles Times
Chase Stanley was eager to join the Army. When he was a teenager, his bedroom was covered in Army posters and he often sported an Army T-shirt, said his sister, Britney Stanley. Even before he signed up for boot camp, he would go to extra training sessions.

Growing up in the rugged terrain of the Capell Valley area of Napa, Stanley enjoyed hiking, fishing and hunting with his father. After graduating from Napa High School, he enlisted at age 17, along with two friends.
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/26/local/la-me-stanley-20100926

Marine Cpl. Dave M. Santos
Died July 16, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

21, of Rota, Marianas Islands of the Pacific; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
http://militarytimes.com/valor/marine-cpl-dave-m-santos/4716075/

I am not sure who did this or why they did it but they did it.

Prayer Request

We are asking everyone to say a prayer for "Darkhorse" 3rd

Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in

Afghanistan and they have lost 9 marines in 4 days. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE

the message spread if more could pass it on.

Semper Fi, God Bless America and God Bless the United States Marine

Corps...

Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever.

Nothing in the media about these guys because no one seems to care:

Justin Allen, 23,

Brett Linley, 29,

Matthew Weikert, 29,

Justus Bartett, 27,

Dave Santos, 21,

Chase Stanley, 21,

Jesse Reed, 26,

Matthew Johnson, 21,

Zachary Fisher, 24,

Brandon King, 23,

Christopher Goeke, 23,

Sheldon Tate, 27,

All are Marines that gave their lives for YOU this week.

It looks like the "this week" was back in October and had different names.

Unit in Sangin loses 9 Marines in 4 days

By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Oct 18, 2010 18:11:02 EDT
The 3/5 casualties in October include:

• Sgt. Ian Tawney, 25. The squad leader was killed Saturday by an improvised explosive device while on a foot patrol, Marine officials said. He enlisted on March 14, 2005, and had deployed to Iraq in 2007.

• Lance Cpl. James Boelk, 24. The infantry rifleman was killed by an IED while on a foot patrol last Friday, officials said. He was on his first combat deployment.

• Lance Cpl. Joseph Lopez, 26. The infantry rifleman was killed by an IED while on a foot patrol last Thursday, officials said. He was on his first combat deployment.

• Lance Cpl. Alec Catherwood, 19. The infantry rifleman was shot to death while on a foot patrol last Thursday, officials said. He was on his first combat deployment.

• Lance Cpl. Irvin Ceniceros, 21. The machine gunner was shot to death while on a foot patrol last Thursday, officials said. He was on his first combat deployment.

Four additional Marines were killed last Wednesday in the same IED blast while riding in a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle, or M-ATV, according to media reports. Those Marines include:

• Cpl. Justin Cain, 22. The machine gunner was on his first combat deployment.

• Lance Cpl. Phillip Vinnedge, 19. The anti-tank assaultman was on his first deployment.

• Lance Cpl. Joseph Rodewald, 21. The machine gunner was on his first combat deployment.

• Pfc. Victor Dew, 20. The anti-tank assaultman was on his first deployment.

Additional details about the deaths were not immediately available, but the Corps said the unit is now based in Sangin in a news release covering the death of Lance Cpl. John Sparks, 23. He was shot to death Oct. 8, becoming the first Marine to die on 3/5’s deployment, Marine officials said.

The most recent Marine casualty announced was Cpl. Jorge Villarreal, 22. A member of Pendleton’s 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, he died Sunday from an IED blast while on a foot patrol.

Dog hospital rehabilitates war heroes with four legs

Great story but as WLOX News points out some of these dogs are treated for PTSD and once they are rehabilitated, they are sent back or adopted.

Dog hospital rehabilitates war heroes
SAN ANTONIO (CNN) - A hospital in San Antonio, TX, is helping military dogs injured in war zones get back on their feet.

Called the "Walter Reed" for dogs, dogs that serve the county are treated at the high-tech hospital, which is operated by the Department of Defense.
read more here
Dog hospital rehabilitates war heroes

Would be wonderful if someone would adopt some of the PTSD veterans with no family to go home to just as it would be wonderful if the others wanting to stay in the service were all "rehabilitated" before they were sent back. Odd how we seem to treat dogs better.

Pastor attacked, robbed at Seminole County church

Pastor attacked, robbed at Seminole County church

By Gary Taylor, Orlando Sentinel
11:25 a.m. EST, January 12, 2011

The pastor of a church in the north Seminole County community of Midway was kicked and beaten early Tuesday by two robbers who confronted him when he left his church, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office said today.

The Rev. Leonard Lee Wilson, 47, of Sanford, suffered injuries to his head and face and was treated by paramedics from Seminole County Fire Rescue, Sheriff's spokeswoman Kim Cannaday said.

The incident occurred about 4:15 a.m. at the St. Matthew's Missionary Baptist Church, 3724 Main St.

Wilson told deputies he worked late into the night preparing for a meeting when he realized how late it was and packed up to go home.
read more here
Pastor attacked, robbed at Seminole County church

Palin's map of targets

This is what the "blame Palin" came from.

"Time to take a stand" with crosshairs? With targets? Maybe she should have used a boot instead and then no one would have put two and two together?
This is from FOX

House of Representatives
Palin Criticizes Manufacturers of 'Blood Libel' as Proponents of Speech Limits Cite Sharron Angle
Published January 12, 2011
FoxNews.com


AP
FILE: In this Oct. 30, 2010, photo, Sarah Palin campaigns in Wheeling, W.Va., for ultimately unsuccessful U.S. Senate candidate John Raese, a Republican Tea Party-backed candidate.
Sarah Palin made a call to conscious Wednesday for those who would manufacture "a blood libel" for last weekend's Arizona shooting, saying "acts of monstrous brutality ... begin and end with the criminals who commit them, not collectively" with Americans exercising their constitutional freedoms.
The former Republican vice-presidential candidate, the target of many pontificators ascribing motive to gunman Jared Lee Loughner, charged in the Tucson attack that killed six and injured 14 others, had been silent since shortly after the Saturday shooting when she issued a two-line statement offering her prayers for the families and victims.
But Palin's name -- and those of others, including Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle -- had been central in the early accusations over what spurred the shooting. Liberal media pundits assigned blame by citing Palin's political action committee's website, which showed crosshairs on districts that it was targeting in the November midterm, including the district of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the believed target of the gunman who was wounded in the shooting.
Others said Angle's comments on the campaign trail also incited violence. The debate about heated political rhetoric ratcheted up so quickly and vigorously -- even before Loughner had been identified as the alleged shooter -- some Democratic lawmakers called for curbs on free speech.
In a Facebook posting issued Wednesday morning, Palin lamented the "irresponsible statements" of those casting blame on political figures.


Read more: Palin Criticizes Manufacturers of Blood Libel

It seems there are a lot of "irresponsible statements" and Palin was behind a lot of them. Love her, hate her, but whatever you do, she seems to feel as if she is supposed to be responsible for nothing she says or does. If you point out what words came out of her own mouth, it is the "liberal" media's fault and they are attacking her. The "liberal" media made her a celebrity, gave her voice many ears but they did not put up a map with a bunch of targets. They did not make up the words she used and took great pride in saying like "reload" any more than they put any other words in her mouth. Now she wants to deflect any responsibility she may have in all of this?

The really bad thing in all of this is that she wants to be the center of attention instead of the people killed and wounded. If she had a brave bone in her body, really believed in what she says, then she wouldn't have taken down the map with the targets all over it or at least admit it was wrong to do it and that's why she took it down. She just wants to blame everyone else for the connection being made between her and the shooter.

We have no idea yet what connection there is or is not but Palin must have made the connection herself just as Giffords mentioned it before she was shot for wanting to be able to meet some of the people she wanted to serve in Congress.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signs bill to keep Westboro group away from funerals

Arizona enacts funeral protest legislation
By the CNN Wire Staff
January 11, 2011 9:24 p.m. EST


STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Gov. Jan Brewer signed the bill Tuesday night
Westboro Baptist Church says the shootings are God's punishment for disobedience
Legislation bars protesters within 300 feet of services
Groups plan to also shield families from potential picketers
For more information, visit CNN affiliates KGUN, KOLD, KVOA, KPHO and KMSB. Read the federal charges against Jared Lee Loughner (PDF).
Tucson, Arizona (CNN) -- Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed emergency legislation Tuesday that bars protests within 300 feet of a funeral and within an hour from its beginning or end.
Earlier in the day, the state legislature passed the measure, which targets a Kansas church whose members announced they plan to picket the funerals of the victims of Saturday's shootings in Tucson.
"Such despicable acts of emotional terrorism will not be tolerated in the State of Arizona," Brewer said in a statement announcing she had signed the bill. "This legislation will assure that the victims of Saturday's tragic shooting in Tucson will be laid to rest in peace with the full dignity and respect that they deserve."
The legislation makes protesting too near a funeral a misdemeanor in the state. It went into effect immediately upon Brewer's signing it.
The action is in direct response to the Westboro Baptist Church's announcement that it will picket the funeral of Christina Green, the 9-year-old who was among six people killed during Saturday's attempted assassination of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona.
read more here
Arizona enacts funeral protest legislation

This is from their site

About Westboro Baptist Church

Since 1955, WBC has taken forth the precious from the vile, and so is as the mouth of God (Jer. 15:19). In 1991, WBC began conducting peaceful demonstrations opposing the fag lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth.

In response, america bombed WBC, sued WBC, prosecuted WBC, burned WBC. God is now america's enemy: 5,887 dead soldiers; 218,400,000+ gals. of oil in the Gulf; $14 trillion+ national debt. "Arise, O LORD, in thine anger...because of the rage of mine enemies..." (Ps 7:6)

america crossed the line on June 26, 2003, when the Supreme Court ruled in Lawrence v. Texas that we must respect sodomy. WBC's gospel message is your last hope. More about WBC.


GodHatesTheMedia (.com)

What a glorious paradox! The worldwide media does its best to vilify WBC – and WBC preaches through the worldwide media!

more

God Sent The Shooter To Arizona (Video)

God sent one of your heroes to shoot a Congresswoman, a federal judge and 16 others. Thank God for His righteous judgments.

more

Destruction Is Our Prayer (Video)

Parody of 'In the Air Tonight' by Phil Collins. "€œPlease bring their destruction" is our prayer tonight, Oh Lord!! God hears the prayer of His sheep, but not the wicked!
http://www.godhatesfags.com/

I do not suggest that you go to the site to watch the videos. After reading what they were about, it was the last thing I wanted to do but the link to the site is there anyway.

They hate Catholics, Protestant, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Baptists and Orthodox Christians. Yet while they have Baptists on their hate list, they claim to be part of the Baptist church.Westboro Baptist Church How is this possible? Because of the rules Baptists have.

Baptists do not consider themselves as part of a denomination and thus don't fall under any one governing organization. They operate as individual churches that uphold basic Baptist doctrines. Specific requirements for Baptist pastors may vary from church to church but basic beliefs hold true.

Enroll in a Bible College such as Baptist Bible College and Seminary to gain proper training to be a pastor. Courses may include Family Life of the Minister or Effective Bible Teaching. Although becoming a Baptist pastor doesn't require a formal education, the coursework helps prepare a pastor to meet his expectations. Some Baptist congregations prefer a pastor that has a degree or education in theology.

Read more: eHow.com How to Become a Baptist Pastor

In other words they get to hide behind being a "church" but living under their own rules.

The draft resolution the congress put together will do nothing to stop this kind of attack against people trying to bury their dead any more than it will protect simple Americans gathering together from an assassin with a gun.
Proposed House resolution condemns 'horrific' Arizona attack
By the CNN Wire Staff
January 12, 2011 6:14 a.m. EST
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Draft resolution: "Intimidation and threats of violence cannot silence the voices of any American"
President Barack Obama will attend a Wednesday memorial service and visit victims' families
Wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is breathing on her own
The Arizona legislature limits how close protesters can get to funerals
For more information, visit CNN affiliates KGUN, KOLD, KVOA, KPHO and KMSB. Read the federal charges against Jared Lee Loughner (PDF).
(CNN) -- The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a resolution Wednesday condemning the "horrific" Arizona shooting rampage, as President Barack Obama prepares to attend a memorial for victims of the attack.
The proposed resolution lists the names of the six victims killed in the Saturday shooting and states that the House of Representatives "stands firm in its belief in a democracy in which all can participate and in which intimidation and threats of violence cannot silence the voices of any American."
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who authorities said was the target of the attack, remained in critical condition Tuesday.
Doctors said she was breathing on her own. The Arizona Democrat's office released two photos of her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, sitting beside her hospital bed and holding her hand.
read more here

Proposed House resolution condemns 'horrific' Arizona attack

Fort Campbell soldier allegedly beat his 4-month-old son

Soldier Charged With Beating 4-Month-Old
Police: James Marcinkowski Admitted Hitting Son
POSTED: 10:38 am CST January 9, 2011

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn -- A Fort Campbell soldier allegedly beat his 4-month-old son.
read more here
http://www.wsmv.com/news/26417247/detail.html

Female veterans missing out on benefits

Report: Women missing out on post-war benefits
By Zinie Chen Sampson - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Jan 10, 2011 18:03:03 EST
RICHMOND, Va. — A new study says female military members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to be diagnosed with mental-health conditions than their male counterparts. But men are more likely than women to get benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.

The Veterans Administration’s Office of Inspector General report, released Monday by Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., also found that women are much more likely to suffer from major depression and to have a harder time transitioning back to civilian life after combat service than men.

It also advises that the Veterans Benefits Administration better inform female veterans about specific services available to them.

“Female veterans may be unaware of services available through Women Veterans Coordinators, because few regional offices post signs describing those services,” the report said.

The study also found that the benefits administration denies payment for PTSD claims at a higher rate for women than for men, and denies a higher rate of male veterans’ claims for mental health conditions other than PTSD.

During a review of 750 veterans’ claims, the inspector general found that one of the primary reasons that more male veterans were granted disability compensation than female veterans was due to a regulation that the service member was required to have earned a combat badge or ribbon — which leaves out many female service members, because Defense Department policy requires that women be excluded from units that primarily engage in direct ground combat, the report said.
read more here
Women missing out on post-war benefits

Retired 74 year old colonel helped capture gunman

Retired colonel helped capture gunman
By Brennan Smith - The Arizona Republic
Posted : Tuesday Jan 11, 2011 7:02:47 EST
TUCSON, Ariz. — A 74-year-old retired Army colonel, wounded and disoriented in Saturday’s shooting, helped three others disarm and subdue the gunman.

Bill Badger, interviewed Monday night at University Medical Center, credits his military training for his ability to respond quickly.

When he first heard shots ring out near the grocery store, Badger said he thought he was hearing the pop of firecrackers meant to harass the congresswoman, whom he had hoped to meet.

He saw no gun but could see the shooter’s hand extended as he began firing on the crowd.

“By the time I looked over there and saw him, he’d already shot the congresswoman, the 9-year-old girl and the judge,” Badger said.

Badger said the gunman then took aim at people waiting to see Giffords who were sitting in a line of 12 chairs.

Badger said he dropped to the ground to avoid the fire but felt something graze the back of his head.

“I dropped down all the way to the ground, and I lowered my head about 6 inches. I felt this burning, stinging sensation right in the back of my head,” he said.
read more here
Retired colonel helped capture gunman

Disgraceful Westboro Group to protest funeral of Christina Green and other victims

Maybe now there can be no doubt this group only wants the attention for causing a lot of heartache and this has nothing to do with what they claim to be about what the Bible says. These people were murdered but they want to protest anyway. A nine year old girl was shot down but they want to protest. They claim they are trying to stop the sin of gays as a reason to protest all military funerals. What's their excuse now?

"God hates Catholics!" the flier, posted on the church's "God Hates Fags" website, says. "God calls your religion 'vain,' as it's empty of His truth; you worship idols!"

Funeral pickets to be met by 'angels'
By the CNN Wire Staff
January 11, 2011 8:09 a.m. EST

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Westboro Baptist Church plans to picket funerals of the Tucson shooting victims
Groups want to show support for the families of the victims
They will be silent and nonconfrontational, organizers say
The funeral of 9-year-old Christina Green set for Thursday
Tucson, Arizona (CNN) -- Tucson just isn't that kind of town, says Christin Gilmer.
Gilmer is referring to the actions of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, which has made its name protesting the funerals of people who died of AIDS, gay people, soldiers and even Coretta Scott King.
But when the church announced its intention to picket the funeral of a 9-year-old girl -- one of six people who died Saturday during the attempted assassination of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords -- Gilmer and others put their feet down.
Tucson is a "caring, loving, peaceful community," according to Gilmer, who said two of the six people killed were friends.
"For something like this to happen in Tucson was a really big shock to us all," she said. "Our nightmare happened when we saw Westboro Baptist Church was going to picket the funerals."
They're planning an "angel action" -- with 8- by 10-foot "angel wings" worn by participants and used to shield mourners from pickets. The actions were created by Coloradan Romaine Patterson, who was shocked to find the Topeka church and its neon signs outside the 1999 funeral of Matthew Shepherd, a young gay man beaten and left on a fence to die in Laramie, Wyoming.
Funeral pickets to be met by 'angels'

This is from the Orlando Sentinel

DAY #2 OF “THANK GOD FOR THE SHOOTER” – 6 DEAD! WBC WILL PICKET THEIR FUNERALS.

The 9-year-old girl was born 9/11/01! “Hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it,” Mic. 6:9. God mercifully gave this nation a fair warning on 9/11 – but you despise His mercies, so you get no more mercy – man, woman or child. That’s how God the Avenger rolls!

That child was not innocent. This is a nation of depraved perverts who pass their children through the fire of their rage against God & all-consuming lust. From the womb, she was taught to hate God & mock His servants. That child is better off dead, so the cup of her iniquity will not overflow! Rep. Giffords passed laws trying to keep WBC watchers off the street corners. In repayment, God sent the shooter when she took to a street corner! The blood of the 9-year-old is on Rep. Giffords’ hands! This nation rejoiced & your officials were ho-hum when a violent veteran stalked 5 WBC picketers with 90 rounds of ammunition. In repayment, God sent the shooter with 90 rounds of ammunition & killed your federal judge, your child, & others. Now let’s see if you’re so ho-hum in the face of God’s wrath! The blood of these six dead is on your hands rebellious doomed-america! God’s judgments are so righteous & marvelous in our sight!

THANK GOD FOR HIS RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTS!
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/ktxl-westboro-baptist-church-using-01092011,0,1103853.story

Enhanced VA Health Care Enrollment Opportunity Closing

Enhanced VA Health Care Enrollment Opportunity Closing for Certain
Combat Veterans

WASHINGTON (Jan. 10, 2011) - Certain combat Veterans who were discharged
from active duty service before Jan. 28, 2003 have until Jan. 27, 2011
to take advantage of their enhanced health care enrollment opportunity
through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

"While there is no time limit for Veterans to apply for the VA health
care they earned with their service, I highly encourage this group of
combat Veterans to take advantage of the enhanced enrollment window to
use their health care benefits through this simplified process," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "VA has health care
eligibility specialists online and at every medical center eager to help
Veterans take advantage of this opportunity."

The enhanced enrollment window was provided for in Public Law 110-181,
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. That law
gave combat Veterans who served after Nov. 11, 1998 but separated from
service before Jan. 28, 2003, and did not enroll before Jan. 28, 2008,
three years, beginning on Jan. 28, 2008, to apply for the enhanced
enrollment opportunity.

These Veterans will still be able to apply for health benefits with VA
after Jan. 27, but will have their status for receiving VA health care
determined under normal VA procedures that base health care priority
status on the severity of a service-connected disability or other
eligibility factors. This would mean some Veterans could face income or
asset-based restrictions, as well as delays in establishing their VA
health care eligibility while their disability status is determined.

Since the inception of the enhanced enrollment opportunity, VA has sent
more than 750,000 personal letters to eligible Veterans and hosted
thousands of outreach efforts through OIF/OEF and enrollment
coordinators stationed at every VA medical center.

Since June 2010, VA sent another 194,000 personal letters to give every
eligible Veteran a chance to take advantage of this opportunity, but to
date only 13,000 of these Veterans have enrolled.

The law does continue to provide the enhanced health care enrollment
window to combat Veterans who were discharged or released from active
service on or after January 28, 2003. For these Veterans, the five-year
enrollment period begins on the discharge or separation date of the
service member from active duty military service, or in the case of
multiple call-ups, the most recent discharge date.

Veterans can apply for enrollment online at
www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez
, by contacting VA at
1-877-222-VETS (8387) or with the help of a VA health care eligibility
specialist at any VA medical center. Go to
www2.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp for locations. For more information
regarding enrollment, visit VA's eligibility site at
www.va.gov/healtheligibility.

Fort Wainwright soldier in custody after wife's death

Fort Wainwright soldier in custody after wife's death
by Staff Report / newsroom@newsminer.com
Jan 10, 2011
FAIRBANKS - A Fort Wainwright soldier is in military custody in connection with the death of his wife.

U.S Army officials on Monday said no charges had been filed and the case is under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Command.

The name of the dead woman and the soldier were not released, pending notification of the next of kin, Army officials said.


Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Fort Wainwright soldier in custody after wife s death

Deployment of PTSD soldier sparks protest at Fort Campbell

UPDATE

Returned AWOL soldier enters treatment program


By KRISTIN M. HALL
The Associated Press
Tuesday, January 11, 2011; 2:31 PM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The wife of a formerly AWOL Fort Campbell soldier who was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan said her husband has entered a mental health treatment program instead.

Protests at Fort Campbell Over Deployment of Wounded Soldier
Monday 10 January 2011
by: Sarah Lazare & Ryan Harvey | Even if Your Voice Shakes | Report

A soldier at Fort Campbell, Kentucky is being forced to return to Afghanistan this week amidst claims he is not fit to deploy because he has not received treatment promised by the Army for severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder sustained during his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jeff Hanks deployed to Afghanistan early last year with the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He returned to the base on leave from Afghanistan this past September, where he sought and was denied treatment on two separate military bases for traumatic injuries sustained in combat.

Hanks subsequently refused to redeploy and was forced to go Absent Without Official Leave in order to get medical attention from civilian professionals.

Now, less than two months after surrendering himself at Fort Campbell, the Army Specialist awaits imminent redeployment to Afghanistan against his wishes and against the advice of his team of medical professionals.

Seeking help in fighting for his right to heal, Hanks contacted Operation Recovery, a joint-campaign of Iraq Veterans Against the War and the Civilian-Soldier Alliance, which seeks to end the re-deployment of traumatized and wounded soldiers.
read more here
Protests at Fort Campbell Over Deployment of Wounded Soldier

Colorado National Guardsman killed by wife in murder-suicide

Man Killed by Wife in Murder-Suicide a Military Member
Police say 44-year-old Pam Sevey shot her husband, 48-year-old Aaron Sevey, before turning the gun on herself. Military officials say Aaron Sevey was a member of the Colorado Army National Guard.
Posted: 5:23 PM Jan 10, 2011
Reporter: KKTV

Colorado Springs police are now identifying the two bodies found on Saturday on the 800 block of Skyway Blvd. Police say 44-year-old Pam Sevey shot her husband, 48-year-old Aaron Sevey, before turning the gun on herself.
read more here
Man Killed by Wife in Murder-Suicide a Military Member

VA nurse pleads guilty to WWII veteran's death

Nurse pleads guilty to veteran death

WENDY MITCHELL wendy.mitchell@lee.net | Posted: Monday, January 10, 2011

LEXINGTON -- A nurse has pled guilty to the 2006 killing of a Maysville veteran.
According to Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital Medical Center nurse Maria K. Whitt, 33, pled guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Lexington, to involuntary manslaughter for the death of Jessie Lee Chain.
Chain, 90 at the time of his death, was a patient at VAHMC in Lexington and terminally ill, officials said.
Chain was a World War II veteran who served with the 445th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a retiree from January and Wood Company in Maysville.
Whitt, an intensive care nurse at the hospital, acknowledged on Monday that on Sept. 3, 2006 she provided an unapproved 10 ml dose of morphine to Chain; he died the same afternoon.
According to court records, an attending physician prescribed morphine for Chain; following Chain's death, another nurse notice that Chain's bottle of morphine was empty and "should've had significantly more left in it." Morphine pump records indicated additional doses were administered that exceeded the prescribed amount.
read more here
Nurse pleads guilty to veteran death

WWII veteran's Tampa panhandling stirs offers of help

WWII veteran's Tampa panhandling stirs offers of help

By Jessica Vander Velde, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Anthony Jacondino, 84, a World War II veteran, turned to panhandling along Tampa streets to help pay the bills after his wife suffered a stroke and couldn’t work.

[STEPHEN J. CODDINGTON | Times]

TAMPA — Monday started with a call from Veterans Affairs for a World War II veteran who had turned to panhandling to pay his bills.

Anthony Jacondino said the VA wants to see if he might qualify for a disability pension. His appointment: 10 a.m. Friday.

For the first time in months, he feels hopeful.

Jacondino, 84, was the subject of a story in Saturday's St. Petersburg Times, after he caught the attention of motorists at Dale Mabry Highway and Columbus Drive.

He served in the Philippines before leaving the Army in 1947 and then worked most of his life as an apartment maintenance man. His first wife died years ago, and in April, his second wife suffered a stroke.

They had been living on his $980 Social Security check and her income cleaning rooms at a local nursing home. With her unable to work at 62, they fell about $400 behind on their bills each month.

So Jacondino bought an orange vest and penned a message on cardboard: World War II vet in need of help.
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WWII veteran's Tampa panhandling stirs offers of help