Tulsa Iraq War Veteran: PTSD Treatment Saved My Life
Tara Vreeland, News On 6
TULSA, Oklahoma -- Oklahoma military veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder could soon get treatment if they're convicted of a crime. On Tuesday, legislation that could help passed out of House committee.
One local veteran says the treatment he's received saved his life.
The horrors of war still haunt two-time Iraq war veteran Tony Clum.
"We go out there, and we are trained depending on your job, to kill, to be aggressive," said Iraq war veteran Tony Clum. "Your feelings get shut out because you can't think about that stuff over there."
After his final tour in 2008, Clum struggled to adjust to life back home.
"Your mindset gets to be a certain way, and then you come here and you can't be that way anymore," he said.
After his tours, the death of a close friend, and a divorce Clum turned to alcohol. That led to two DUIs and two stints in jail.
"I tried to hang myself. I didn't do that right. Which I'm glad; I just wasn't in my right mind at all. Having a hard time adjusting," he said.
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Tulsa Iraq War Veteran: PTSD Treatment Saved My Life
Friday, March 4, 2011
New Member Appointed to VA Committee on Women Veterans from Florida
New Members Appointed to VA Committee on Women Veterans
WASHINGTON (March 4, 2011)- Four new members have been appointed to the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Advisory Committee on Women
Veterans, an expert panel that advises VA on issues and programs
affecting women Veterans.
"The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans' work is very important in
guiding VA's efforts to address the ever changing needs of women
Veterans," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "VA
welcomes the newest members."
Established in 1983, the advisory committee makes recommendations to the
Secretary for administrative and legislative changes. The committee
members are appointed to two-year terms. The new committee members are:
Jack Phillip Carter, Jr., Bradenton, Fla.; Nancy A. Glowacki, Silver
Spring, Md.; Nancy Kaczor, Franklin, Wis.; and Terry F. Moore, Stetson,
Maine.
"Throughout history women have played essential roles in the military,"
Shinseki added. "It is VA's responsibility to anticipate and prepare for
the evolving needs of women Veterans, their families and survivors."
Women Veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the Veterans
population. There are 23.4 million Veterans; approximately 1.8 million
are women Veterans. They comprise nearly 8 percent of the total
Veterans population and nearly 5 percent of all Veterans who use VA
health care services.
VA estimates that by 2020 women Veterans will comprise 10 percent of the
Veteran population. VA has women Veterans program managers at VA medical
centers and women Veterans coordinators at VA regional offices to assist
women Veterans with health and benefits issues.
New Members
VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans
* Jack Phillip Carter, Jr., Bradenton, Fla. A retired Marine
Corps lieutenant colonel, decorated for valor during the Persian Gulf
War; currently serves as lead detective of the economic crimes section
for the Sarasota police department.
* Nancy A. Glowacki, Silver Spring, Md. A former Army Reserves
officer; currently owns a consulting firm, where she serves as a subject
matter expert on Veterans' transition issues, specializing in employment
and special challenges of disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Global
War on Terrorism.
* Nancy Kaczor, Franklin, Wis. A retired Air Force colonel, with
service in Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan; currently serves as an
active volunteer for a number of Veterans and community service
organizations.
* Terry F. Moore, Stetson, Maine. A retired Air Force lieutenant
colonel; currently serves as chair of the Maine Advisory Commission on
Women Veterans, and serves on several professional and Veterans service
organizations.
WASHINGTON (March 4, 2011)- Four new members have been appointed to the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Advisory Committee on Women
Veterans, an expert panel that advises VA on issues and programs
affecting women Veterans.
"The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans' work is very important in
guiding VA's efforts to address the ever changing needs of women
Veterans," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "VA
welcomes the newest members."
Established in 1983, the advisory committee makes recommendations to the
Secretary for administrative and legislative changes. The committee
members are appointed to two-year terms. The new committee members are:
Jack Phillip Carter, Jr., Bradenton, Fla.; Nancy A. Glowacki, Silver
Spring, Md.; Nancy Kaczor, Franklin, Wis.; and Terry F. Moore, Stetson,
Maine.
"Throughout history women have played essential roles in the military,"
Shinseki added. "It is VA's responsibility to anticipate and prepare for
the evolving needs of women Veterans, their families and survivors."
Women Veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the Veterans
population. There are 23.4 million Veterans; approximately 1.8 million
are women Veterans. They comprise nearly 8 percent of the total
Veterans population and nearly 5 percent of all Veterans who use VA
health care services.
VA estimates that by 2020 women Veterans will comprise 10 percent of the
Veteran population. VA has women Veterans program managers at VA medical
centers and women Veterans coordinators at VA regional offices to assist
women Veterans with health and benefits issues.
New Members
VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans
* Jack Phillip Carter, Jr., Bradenton, Fla. A retired Marine
Corps lieutenant colonel, decorated for valor during the Persian Gulf
War; currently serves as lead detective of the economic crimes section
for the Sarasota police department.
* Nancy A. Glowacki, Silver Spring, Md. A former Army Reserves
officer; currently owns a consulting firm, where she serves as a subject
matter expert on Veterans' transition issues, specializing in employment
and special challenges of disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Global
War on Terrorism.
* Nancy Kaczor, Franklin, Wis. A retired Air Force colonel, with
service in Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan; currently serves as an
active volunteer for a number of Veterans and community service
organizations.
* Terry F. Moore, Stetson, Maine. A retired Air Force lieutenant
colonel; currently serves as chair of the Maine Advisory Commission on
Women Veterans, and serves on several professional and Veterans service
organizations.
Homeless veteran raises money to house others
$55K needed for new homeless vets hotel
Affordable housing for homeless veterans
Updated: Wednesday, 02 Mar 2011
Sharia Davis
FOX Toledo News reporter
TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - A Toledo man says he's one step closer to turning a former hotel into a home for homeless veterans. Peter Hatas, who's homeless himself, says he now has the $75,000 to make that happen.
Hatas presented his idea to investors and politicians Feb. 26 to turn the former St. James hotel in North Toledo into a home for veterans. So far he's raised more than $20,000 from the community. Now he's just waiting for more checks to come in.
Peter Hatas says his dream is starting to become a reality. With the $20,000 he's already raised for the housing project, other businesses in the area are now showing some interest too.
"It's going to be a great thing for getting a lot of people off the street," said Hatas.
So far he says he's gotten positive emails from the CSX railroad system, Veterans of the UAW, and Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant just to name a few. Now he's just waiting for the money to come in.
read more here
Affordable housing for homeless veterans
Affordable housing for homeless veterans
Updated: Wednesday, 02 Mar 2011
Sharia Davis
FOX Toledo News reporter
TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - A Toledo man says he's one step closer to turning a former hotel into a home for homeless veterans. Peter Hatas, who's homeless himself, says he now has the $75,000 to make that happen.
Hatas presented his idea to investors and politicians Feb. 26 to turn the former St. James hotel in North Toledo into a home for veterans. So far he's raised more than $20,000 from the community. Now he's just waiting for more checks to come in.
Peter Hatas says his dream is starting to become a reality. With the $20,000 he's already raised for the housing project, other businesses in the area are now showing some interest too.
"It's going to be a great thing for getting a lot of people off the street," said Hatas.
So far he says he's gotten positive emails from the CSX railroad system, Veterans of the UAW, and Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant just to name a few. Now he's just waiting for the money to come in.
read more here
Affordable housing for homeless veterans
American Legion Riders and Dignity Memorial bury 2 more veterans with honor
Program provides 2 homeless vets with military funeral
WICHITA, Kansas – Two Wichita veterans were laid to rest Thursday with full military honors. The men were both homeless with no money and no next of kin who could make funeral arrangements. But a program is taking charge in making sure homeless vets receive proper burial.
"These men stepped up, served our country honorably and they deserve the respect and the love,” said Ron Herndon with the American Legion Riders.
Navy veteran Franklin Myers and Marine veteran Kenneth Calhoun were honored for their service to the country flanked by American Legion Riders and active servicemen and women paying their final respects.
"We honor them for everything that they did and they deserve the total respect of what we do,” said Herndon.
Calhoun and Myers had both fallen on hard times. Both were homeless with nothing to pay for a burial and no legal next of kin to make funeral arrangements. But Thursday, they were given full military funeral services through the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program.
read more here
Program provides 2 homeless vets with military funeral
WICHITA, Kansas – Two Wichita veterans were laid to rest Thursday with full military honors. The men were both homeless with no money and no next of kin who could make funeral arrangements. But a program is taking charge in making sure homeless vets receive proper burial.
"These men stepped up, served our country honorably and they deserve the respect and the love,” said Ron Herndon with the American Legion Riders.
Navy veteran Franklin Myers and Marine veteran Kenneth Calhoun were honored for their service to the country flanked by American Legion Riders and active servicemen and women paying their final respects.
"We honor them for everything that they did and they deserve the total respect of what we do,” said Herndon.
Calhoun and Myers had both fallen on hard times. Both were homeless with nothing to pay for a burial and no legal next of kin to make funeral arrangements. But Thursday, they were given full military funeral services through the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program.
read more here
Program provides 2 homeless vets with military funeral
National Guardsman, foreclosed on during active duty, fights back
Iraq veteran, who was foreclosed on during active duty, fights back
March 03, 2011
VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – A soldier from Van Buren County, a man who has served more than 25 years in the Michigan National Guard is now in the midst of a different battle here at home.
Sergeant James Hurley is suing the bank that foreclosed on his home while he was on active duty.
Hurley was deployed to Iraq in 2004 and 2005. While he was over there, he fell behind on his mortgage payments and Deutsche Bank and Saxon Mortgage foreclosed on his home near Hartford.
Hurley and his lawyers say that was in violation of the service members Civil Relief Act.
The trial began Thursday.
Inside the Grand Rapids Federal Courthouse, the battle is underway between Sgt. Hurley and the banks.
Outside, people were on hand, showing their support for Hurley through flags and signs.
Barb Mitchell is one of about ten people who lined up on the sidewalk Thursday.
“This is a soldier who answered his nation's call,” said Mitchell. “That this case should even reach this point is a sad commentary. We believe this man needs our support.”
read more here
Iraq veteran, foreclosed on during active duty, fights back
March 03, 2011
VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – A soldier from Van Buren County, a man who has served more than 25 years in the Michigan National Guard is now in the midst of a different battle here at home.
Sergeant James Hurley is suing the bank that foreclosed on his home while he was on active duty.
Hurley was deployed to Iraq in 2004 and 2005. While he was over there, he fell behind on his mortgage payments and Deutsche Bank and Saxon Mortgage foreclosed on his home near Hartford.
Hurley and his lawyers say that was in violation of the service members Civil Relief Act.
The trial began Thursday.
Inside the Grand Rapids Federal Courthouse, the battle is underway between Sgt. Hurley and the banks.
Outside, people were on hand, showing their support for Hurley through flags and signs.
Barb Mitchell is one of about ten people who lined up on the sidewalk Thursday.
“This is a soldier who answered his nation's call,” said Mitchell. “That this case should even reach this point is a sad commentary. We believe this man needs our support.”
read more here
Iraq veteran, foreclosed on during active duty, fights back
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Families of severely wounded veterans still waiting for help
Families of severely wounded veterans still waiting for help
By ROB HOTAKAINEN
McClatchy Newspapers
Fabienne Uran quit her job after her son, Matthew, broke his neck and fractured his skull and pelvis in a helicopter crash in the Kuwaiti desert in 2005.
Now she takes care of the former pilot on a full-time basis. For her efforts, she figures she should get paid at least $600 a week by federal taxpayers.
"I'm modest about my expectations," said Uran, 60, of Bellevue, Wash.
Like thousands of others who are taking care of wounded veterans at home, Uran had hoped to be getting checks from the Department of Veterans Affairs by now.
In May, President Barack Obama signed a new law that promised - for the first time in history - to pay family members and others who care for severely wounded soldiers at home. To qualify, soldiers had to be injured after Sept. 11, 2001.
But the VA missed a Jan. 30 deadline to get the program up and running. That's angering many families of wounded veterans and many members of Congress, who are accusing the Obama administration of dragging its feet.
On Wednesday, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, gave a public scolding to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, telling him the VA isn't complying with the law.
Read more:
Families of severely wounded veterans still waiting for help
By ROB HOTAKAINEN
McClatchy Newspapers
Fabienne Uran quit her job after her son, Matthew, broke his neck and fractured his skull and pelvis in a helicopter crash in the Kuwaiti desert in 2005.
Now she takes care of the former pilot on a full-time basis. For her efforts, she figures she should get paid at least $600 a week by federal taxpayers.
"I'm modest about my expectations," said Uran, 60, of Bellevue, Wash.
Like thousands of others who are taking care of wounded veterans at home, Uran had hoped to be getting checks from the Department of Veterans Affairs by now.
In May, President Barack Obama signed a new law that promised - for the first time in history - to pay family members and others who care for severely wounded soldiers at home. To qualify, soldiers had to be injured after Sept. 11, 2001.
But the VA missed a Jan. 30 deadline to get the program up and running. That's angering many families of wounded veterans and many members of Congress, who are accusing the Obama administration of dragging its feet.
On Wednesday, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, gave a public scolding to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, telling him the VA isn't complying with the law.
Read more:
Families of severely wounded veterans still waiting for help
Only 8 percent of Connecticut veterans receive disability compensation
Connecticut lags in vets' disability compensation
By LISA CHEDEKEL C-HIT Senior Writer
Connecticut lags behind most of the country in the number of veterans receiving federal disability payments, leaving thousands of potential recipients relying on state resources instead, according to veterans advocates.
Advocates say that the state's failure to reach out to eligible veterans is the reason Connecticut has one of the lowest percentages of veterans getting compensation, although the rate is higher in New London County than anywhere else in the state.
More than 20,200 Connecticut veterans are receiving disability compensation for injuries and illnesses connected to their military duty, according to data obtained from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
"It's very vital, especially in these troubled economic times, that veterans know what benefits they're entitled to," said Linda Schwartz, the state's veterans affairs commissioner, who said she has been pushing for more outreach staffing to help veterans file disability claims. "People need help filling out the applications, and we need the people to help them. It's at the top of my list of priorities to get these outreach offices fully staffed."
Only about 8 percent of the estimated 253,000 veterans in Connecticut are receiving disability compensation, a tax-free benefit for disabilities that are a result of, or made worse by, injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty or during training. That percentage has put Connecticut in the bottom third of states, some of which have 12 to 14 percent of their veterans receiving compensation.
read more here
Connecticut lags in vets' disability compensation
By LISA CHEDEKEL C-HIT Senior Writer
Connecticut lags behind most of the country in the number of veterans receiving federal disability payments, leaving thousands of potential recipients relying on state resources instead, according to veterans advocates.
Advocates say that the state's failure to reach out to eligible veterans is the reason Connecticut has one of the lowest percentages of veterans getting compensation, although the rate is higher in New London County than anywhere else in the state.
More than 20,200 Connecticut veterans are receiving disability compensation for injuries and illnesses connected to their military duty, according to data obtained from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
"It's very vital, especially in these troubled economic times, that veterans know what benefits they're entitled to," said Linda Schwartz, the state's veterans affairs commissioner, who said she has been pushing for more outreach staffing to help veterans file disability claims. "People need help filling out the applications, and we need the people to help them. It's at the top of my list of priorities to get these outreach offices fully staffed."
Only about 8 percent of the estimated 253,000 veterans in Connecticut are receiving disability compensation, a tax-free benefit for disabilities that are a result of, or made worse by, injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty or during training. That percentage has put Connecticut in the bottom third of states, some of which have 12 to 14 percent of their veterans receiving compensation.
read more here
Connecticut lags in vets' disability compensation
Country Stars Join Boot Campaign to Help Troops
Country Stars Join Boot Campaign to Help Troops
PIERCE GREENBERG | MARCH 2ND, 2011
There are more than 1.4 million American soldiers on active duty and more than 300,000 servicemen are stationed overseas. Army studies reveal that roughly 1 in 8 soldiers who return from battle suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
But five women from Tyler, Texas are working to combat PTSD while honoring America’s troops—and they’re using boots and country stars to do it.
“There’s a lot of worthy charity organizations out there. This is one of those underpublicized issues that we have in the country now,” country singer Joe Nichols said.
The “Boot Girls” were struck after reading The Lone Survivor by former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell. During his time in Afghanistan, Luttrell was chased by the Taliban for five days before emerging as the only survivor from Operation Redwing. His story sparked a simple idea: start a non-profit boot-selling business to help soldiers deal with life after service.
The grassroots campaign began locally in early 2010, but eventually started garnering national attention. Actors, athletes, and celebrities jumped on board, donning their boots in posed photographs. Nichols recently joined the cause.
“I think being a soldier—that’s the higher honor of any job there is,” Nichols said. “We should probably pay respect to those people more than any other.”
read more here
Country Stars Join Boot Campaign to Help Troops
PIERCE GREENBERG | MARCH 2ND, 2011
There are more than 1.4 million American soldiers on active duty and more than 300,000 servicemen are stationed overseas. Army studies reveal that roughly 1 in 8 soldiers who return from battle suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
But five women from Tyler, Texas are working to combat PTSD while honoring America’s troops—and they’re using boots and country stars to do it.
“There’s a lot of worthy charity organizations out there. This is one of those underpublicized issues that we have in the country now,” country singer Joe Nichols said.
The “Boot Girls” were struck after reading The Lone Survivor by former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell. During his time in Afghanistan, Luttrell was chased by the Taliban for five days before emerging as the only survivor from Operation Redwing. His story sparked a simple idea: start a non-profit boot-selling business to help soldiers deal with life after service.
The grassroots campaign began locally in early 2010, but eventually started garnering national attention. Actors, athletes, and celebrities jumped on board, donning their boots in posed photographs. Nichols recently joined the cause.
“I think being a soldier—that’s the higher honor of any job there is,” Nichols said. “We should probably pay respect to those people more than any other.”
read more here
Country Stars Join Boot Campaign to Help Troops
Patients with PTSD from Iraq and Afghanistan Wars Hits Record High
The numbers hit a record high, but as VCS points out, that number was hit seven months ago!
Count of Veteran Patients with PTSD from Iraq and Afghanistan Wars Hits Record High
Written by VA
Wednesday, 02 March 2011 11:08
VA Report Obtained by VCS Using FOIA Reveals 182,147 OEF/OIF Veterans Treated for PTSD
December 2010, Washington, DC - Veterans for Common Sense used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain the following VA report counting the number of Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans treated for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Please note the counts are seven months old.
Consequences of Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Updated March 2, 2011
625,384: U.S. Veteran Patients Treated at VA 537,550: U.S. Veteran Disability Claims Filed Against VA
2,158,015 deployed into the war zone with 973,766 still in the military.
read more here
Count of Veteran Patients with PTSD
Oklahoma City approves alternative sentencing for Veterans with PTSD
Committee approves alternative sentencing for Veterans with PTSD
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation approved by a House committee would allow veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) to receive treatment when they are convicted of a crime
House Bill 1081, by state Rep. John Bennett, would allow a judge to send a military veteran convicted of a crime to the Department of Veterans Affairs for treatment if the defendant was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Bennett, a Marine who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, said the PTSD or TBI would have to be service-related and have contributed to the commission of the crime.
“Many veterans are struggling to cope with PTSD and TBI, and are not seeking the treatment they need,” Bennett, R-Sallisaw, said. “My legislation will help them to get treatment, which I believe they have earned through their service to our country. This is not an opportunity for someone to commit a crime and blame it on PTSD. You have to be diagnosed with the condition, it has to be service-related, and it has to have played a role in the commission of the crime.”
As a private citizen, Bennett worked with Matt Stiner and state Rep. Fred Jordan (R-Jenks), all Marine veterans, to help create the state’s first veteran’s court, an alternative sentencing venue for veterans struggling with addiction due, in part, to PTSD.
read more here
Alternative sentencing for Veterans with PTSD
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation approved by a House committee would allow veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) to receive treatment when they are convicted of a crime
House Bill 1081, by state Rep. John Bennett, would allow a judge to send a military veteran convicted of a crime to the Department of Veterans Affairs for treatment if the defendant was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Bennett, a Marine who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, said the PTSD or TBI would have to be service-related and have contributed to the commission of the crime.
“Many veterans are struggling to cope with PTSD and TBI, and are not seeking the treatment they need,” Bennett, R-Sallisaw, said. “My legislation will help them to get treatment, which I believe they have earned through their service to our country. This is not an opportunity for someone to commit a crime and blame it on PTSD. You have to be diagnosed with the condition, it has to be service-related, and it has to have played a role in the commission of the crime.”
As a private citizen, Bennett worked with Matt Stiner and state Rep. Fred Jordan (R-Jenks), all Marine veterans, to help create the state’s first veteran’s court, an alternative sentencing venue for veterans struggling with addiction due, in part, to PTSD.
read more here
Alternative sentencing for Veterans with PTSD
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