Iraq approves $400M for Kuwait invasion victims
By Rebecca Santana - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Apr 30, 2011 15:25:58 EDT
BAGHDAD — Iraqi lawmakers approved a controversial $400 million settlement Saturday for Americans who claim they were abused by Saddam Hussein’s regime during the 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
The settlement is part of a deal reached between Baghdad and Washington last year to end years of legal battles by U.S. citizens who claim they were tortured or traumatized, including hundreds held as human shields.
Many Iraqis consider themselves victims of both Saddam’s regime and the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and wonder why they should pay money for wrongs committed by the ousted dictator.
Lawmakers approved the settlement by a majority after listening to the foreign and finance ministers as well as the head of the central bank describe why it was necessary, said Abbas al-Bayati of the State of Law political bloc.
Another lawmaker, Mahmoud Othman, said by approving the settlement, Iraq would be protecting itself from more lawsuits in the future that could have been well above the $400 million that was agreed to.
“They explained very well what was the settlement and how it will be negative if we don’t approve it,” he said. “That’s why people were persuaded.”
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Iraq approves $400M for Kuwait invasion victims
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Coping with the loss of a husband killed at war
Coping with the loss of a husband killed at war
By David Ariosto, CNN
April 30, 2011 4:49 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Jeff Ausborn was among 8 U.S. service members killed in a Kabul airport shooting
The attack also left an American contractor dead
Ausborn is survived by his wife, Suzanna, and 5 children
(CNN) -- Suzanna Ausborn first met her husband during a deployment in Kuwait, where their work and friendship in the same Air Force unit would later blossom into a budding romance.
She soon fell in love with Jeff, an only child and Alabama resident. And despite the 19-year veteran's regular deployments halfway around the world, she said they had remained inseparable.
"Jeff is one of the types of people when you meet, you want to be around him all the time," she said. "You never want to be away from him."
But when Suzanna didn't receive a call from her husband earlier this week, she began to worry.
"We talked nearly every day -- that's how I knew something was wrong, I didn't hear from him."
Jeff Ausborn was among eight American service members killed on Wednesday by an Afghan pilot who opened fire at an airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
A U.S. contractor was also killed in a shooting that has since prompted an investigation into the suspected security breach that resulted in the deaths of nine Americans.
read more here
Coping with the loss of a husband killed at war
By David Ariosto, CNN
April 30, 2011 4:49 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Jeff Ausborn was among 8 U.S. service members killed in a Kabul airport shooting
The attack also left an American contractor dead
Ausborn is survived by his wife, Suzanna, and 5 children
(CNN) -- Suzanna Ausborn first met her husband during a deployment in Kuwait, where their work and friendship in the same Air Force unit would later blossom into a budding romance.
She soon fell in love with Jeff, an only child and Alabama resident. And despite the 19-year veteran's regular deployments halfway around the world, she said they had remained inseparable.
"Jeff is one of the types of people when you meet, you want to be around him all the time," she said. "You never want to be away from him."
But when Suzanna didn't receive a call from her husband earlier this week, she began to worry.
"We talked nearly every day -- that's how I knew something was wrong, I didn't hear from him."
Jeff Ausborn was among eight American service members killed on Wednesday by an Afghan pilot who opened fire at an airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
A U.S. contractor was also killed in a shooting that has since prompted an investigation into the suspected security breach that resulted in the deaths of nine Americans.
read more here
Coping with the loss of a husband killed at war
Chiarelli Lauds Anti-Suicide PSAs
Too many people want to excuse themselves for not wanting to know by saying they can't understand. I was one of them. Before 1982, I didn't want to know what it was like for the Vietnam veterans coming home or what their families were going through. After all, I was raised by a Korean Vet and surrounded by WWII veteran uncles. What could I possibly learn from Vietnam Veterans? I was young when all of it was going on anyway. I didn't want to know until I met a Vietnam Veteran I fell in love with at the age of 23. Vietnam became something very personal to me and I finally opened my eyes to the fact that just because their boots came off and they put on sneakers, where they were stayed with them.
Over the years the biggest thing noticed was these men and women survived combat while someone else was counting on them. No matter how much emotional pain they were in, they stayed and did what they had to do. They got up from a couple of hours of sleep, ready to risk their lives another day. All that happened to them, around them and even because of them, didn't stop them from making sure more of them lived longer than if they had not been there.
I tell the story often of a young Marine back from Iraq crying and apologizing for crying because he was a Marine and wasn't supposed to cry. He did everything he needed to do no matter how much pain he was in. He didn't allow himself to feel it until he was back home and no one else was in danger, except him. He wanted to live.
The other night I got a phone call from a National Guards Mom I hadn't heard from in a couple of years. Her son had tired to commit suicide twice by the time she contacted me. She didn't know what to do any more than she understood what was going on. He was totally lost. He carried the pain of something he had to do, started to think he was evil because all he focused on was what happened, forgetting what came before the end of this event. He needed to see himself through different eyes. Anyway, fast forward to two year later, he got married again, is back in treatment, went back to church and is healing. He's closer to his Mom than ever before because she was willing to do whatever it took to help him. She wanted to understand and it saved his life.
We need to stop making excuses to not care, not want to know, because we lose 18 veterans a day to suicide and we're still losing them to suicide while on active duty. We can't save them all but they are worth fighting for and doing whatever we can to save them. After all, the fact they were willing to die for us shouldn't mean we should let them.
You don't have to know what it was like for them to be a soldier. You just need to understand what it is like for them to be human.
News
American Forces Press Service
Chiarelli Lauds Anti-Suicide PSAs
By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2011 – Preventing suicide in the military is showing signs of progress, but breaking the social stigma attached to it remains a challenge, the Army vice chief of staff said at the Blue Star Families’ premiere showing of the “I Don’t Know What It’s Like,” public service announcements to help military families fight suicide.
“Making sure the people who need help are willing to take advantage of those programs and services is not something that can be directed from the upper echelons of command,” Army Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli told an audience of military families, senior military leaders, members of Congress, business and Hollywood celebrities here last night at the American Red Cross Great Hall of Service.
“In the military, we institute policies and [give] orders,” the general said. “But you can’t direct the elimination of this stigma.”
Fighting the stigma, he said, can only be done by those who understand that the symptoms of depression and anxiety, which could lead to suicide, are real and not signs of weakness, and that seeking help is OK, Chiarelli said.
The nonprofit Blue Star Families launched the suicide prevention PSAs in support of military families, with help from several organizations, including The Creative Coalition, comprising members of the arts and entertainment community who take on issues of public importance.
Chiarelli recalled how a Blue Star Families member, Alison Buckholtz, gained attention last year from her opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times when she called on the Defense Department for an outreach program to tackle the growing problem of suicides in the military.
The general credited Buckholtz for raising awareness of the suicide issue.
”The PSAs are the direct result of her call for a public outreach program that will inevitably save lives both inside the military and outside the military,” Chiarelli said.
“[We’re] seeing a reduction in the number of suicides across our forces, including our reserve components,” he said. “Every suicide is one too many. We must continue, and double, our efforts and keep working to expand the accessibility of programs and services to better support those not living or working near a military installation.”
Combating suicide requires total team support, the general said, now and into the future.
“That’s what these public service announcements are about,” Chiarelli said. “There are great support and care programs available, and today, doctors, therapists, behavioral health counselors and members of the clergy are willing to help those struggling with depression, anxiety and other conditions.”
However, professionals cannot help those who avoid seeking help because they feel embarrassed, ashamed or fear it will negatively impact their lives and careers, the general said.
“There’s absolutely no reason for anyone to suffer in silence,” Chiarelli said. “A soldier who is hit and injured by an [improvised explosive device] would never go untreated, and there’s no difference.”
also
Survivor: War hero reaches out to help Soldiers
Apr 28, 2011
By Dave Larsen, III Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas -- John McCormick is a survivor. He survived two combat tours in Vietnam and came out a hero. He survived deep depression and suicidal ideations and came out addicted to alcohol. He survived his substance abuse and came out with a message for today's troops who face the same fight he fought himself: You can conquer it all, but you don't have to go it alone.
The 72-year-old retired Army officer, a graduate of West Point's class of 1961 and Corpus Christi resident, visited Fort Hood in March 2011, when national media outlets were reporting a spike in suicides among Soldiers in February.
Later that month, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli held a press conference at the headquarters of the 1st Cavalry Division here. With national Alcohol Awareness Month observed in April, the general discussed the correlation between substance abuse and suicide.
"There's no doubt in my mind that there is a correlation between substance abuse, both alcohol and prescription drugs, and suicide," Chiarelli, who has spearheaded the Army's suicide prevention efforts, said March 28. "Suicide is a compulsive act, and when you mix alcohol or some other form of medication with individuals who may have ready access to a firearm you have a lethal combination."
McCormick is living proof of that correlation.
"It really means a lot to me," he said, "if I can help one Soldier by telling my story."
read more here
War hero reaches out to help Soldiers
Friday, April 29, 2011
DoD identifies 8 killed in Kabul shooting
DoD identifies 8 killed in Kabul shooting
By Scott Fontaine - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Apr 29, 2011 14:57:34 EDT
The Pentagon has released the names of the eight airmen killed in Wednesday’s attack at Kabul airport in Afghanistan.
The airmen — seven officers and one NCO — were deployed to help train the nascent Afghan air force. They were killed when a disgruntled Afghan pilot opened fire, killing the airmen and an American contractor.
By Scott Fontaine - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Apr 29, 2011 14:57:34 EDT
The Pentagon has released the names of the eight airmen killed in Wednesday’s attack at Kabul airport in Afghanistan.
The airmen — seven officers and one NCO — were deployed to help train the nascent Afghan air force. They were killed when a disgruntled Afghan pilot opened fire, killing the airmen and an American contractor.
The airmen killed in the attack were:
Lt. Col. Frank D. Bryant Jr., 37, of Luke Air Force Base, Ariz
Maj. Philip D. Ambard, 44, of Buckley Air Force Base, Colo
Maj. Jeffrey O. Ausborn, 41, of Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
Maj. David L. Brodeur, 34, of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown, 33, of Joint Base Andrews, Md
Capt. Charles A. Ransom, 31, of Midlothian, Va
Maj. Raymond G. Estelle II, 40, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va
Capt. Nathan J. Nylander, 35, of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
Capt. Charles A. Ransom, 31, Joint Base Langley-Eustis
read more here
DoD identifies 8 killed in Kabul shooting
Vietnam-era Green Beret finally returns home
Vietnam-era Green Beret finally returns home
By Mitch Weiss - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Apr 29, 2011 13:29:44 EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — No one had seen Sgt. 1st Class Donald Shue since he was on a mission in Laos during the Vietnam War in November 1969, so his sister was skeptical when Army officials called a few months ago to say his remains had been found.
“I said, ‘No you didn’t. I don’t believe it. It’s been 42 years. You don’t have any proof of that,’” his sister Betty Jones told The Associated Press. Then they revealed the clue that identified Shue: a Zippo lighter with his name inscribed on it.
Army officials visited her home and showed her the lighter. When she saw it, she broke down and cried.
“That was the most joyful thing I ever looked at. I knew it was Donnie,” she said.
Now, four decades later, the North Carolina soldier is coming home. Thousands are expected to pay their respects this weekend in Concord, where Shue was born, and nearby Kannapolis, where he was raised. Jones, 74, of Kannapolis, called the burial a homecoming.
“We’ve been praying and praying and praying for this day,” Jones said. “This will finally give us some closure.”
read more here
Vietnam-era Green Beret finally returns home
By Mitch Weiss - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Apr 29, 2011 13:29:44 EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — No one had seen Sgt. 1st Class Donald Shue since he was on a mission in Laos during the Vietnam War in November 1969, so his sister was skeptical when Army officials called a few months ago to say his remains had been found.
“I said, ‘No you didn’t. I don’t believe it. It’s been 42 years. You don’t have any proof of that,’” his sister Betty Jones told The Associated Press. Then they revealed the clue that identified Shue: a Zippo lighter with his name inscribed on it.
Army officials visited her home and showed her the lighter. When she saw it, she broke down and cried.
“That was the most joyful thing I ever looked at. I knew it was Donnie,” she said.
Now, four decades later, the North Carolina soldier is coming home. Thousands are expected to pay their respects this weekend in Concord, where Shue was born, and nearby Kannapolis, where he was raised. Jones, 74, of Kannapolis, called the burial a homecoming.
“We’ve been praying and praying and praying for this day,” Jones said. “This will finally give us some closure.”
read more here
Vietnam-era Green Beret finally returns home
Fort Bragg Staff Sgt. Carson Morris killed in accident
Police ID driver sought in fatal Fayetteville wreck
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Police on Thursday identified a suspect in a weekend wreck in Fayetteville that killed a Fort Bragg soldier.
Carson Morris, 35, was northbound on 71st School Road on a 2006 Suzuki motorcycle on Saturday night when a southbound vehicle attempted to make a left turn on to Old Bunce Road in front of Morris, police said.
Morris, a staff sergeant assigned to the 7th Transportation Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade at Fort Bragg, died at the scene.
read more here
Police ID driver sought in fatal Fayetteville wreck/
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Police on Thursday identified a suspect in a weekend wreck in Fayetteville that killed a Fort Bragg soldier.
Carson Morris, 35, was northbound on 71st School Road on a 2006 Suzuki motorcycle on Saturday night when a southbound vehicle attempted to make a left turn on to Old Bunce Road in front of Morris, police said.
Morris, a staff sergeant assigned to the 7th Transportation Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade at Fort Bragg, died at the scene.
read more here
Police ID driver sought in fatal Fayetteville wreck/
Darkhorse Marines tell the story of Sangin, in their own words
The story of Sangin, in their own words
BY GRETEL C. KOVACH
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011
The 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment gathers today at Camp Pendleton with family and military dignitaries to honor the fallen from their ranks in Sangin, Afghanistan.
During their seven-month tour that ended this month, the battalion helped subdue the deadliest area of the country for international forces. The ritual roll call of names during the memorial ceremony will be answered by silence, but the Marines who gave their lives in the violent outpost coveted by Taliban insurgents and opium traders will be remembered in the annals of the Corps.
Much was written about the 3/5 Marines during their ferocious fight against an entrenched insurgency, when the battalion suffered more casualties than any other in the 10-year war, according to Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Union-Tribune staff writer Gretel C. Kovach and photojournalist Nelvin C. Cepeda spent three weeks on the Sangin front lines with the “Darkhorse” battalion in February and March.
This selection of voices recounts their battle for Sangin — how it was fought, what it meant to them and what it cost.
read more here
The story of Sangin, in their own words
BY GRETEL C. KOVACH
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011
The 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment gathers today at Camp Pendleton with family and military dignitaries to honor the fallen from their ranks in Sangin, Afghanistan.
During their seven-month tour that ended this month, the battalion helped subdue the deadliest area of the country for international forces. The ritual roll call of names during the memorial ceremony will be answered by silence, but the Marines who gave their lives in the violent outpost coveted by Taliban insurgents and opium traders will be remembered in the annals of the Corps.
Much was written about the 3/5 Marines during their ferocious fight against an entrenched insurgency, when the battalion suffered more casualties than any other in the 10-year war, according to Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Union-Tribune staff writer Gretel C. Kovach and photojournalist Nelvin C. Cepeda spent three weeks on the Sangin front lines with the “Darkhorse” battalion in February and March.
This selection of voices recounts their battle for Sangin — how it was fought, what it meant to them and what it cost.
read more here
The story of Sangin, in their own words
Stress rising in families, but programs can help
MILITARY: Stress rising in families, but programs can help
CHILDREN BEARING EMOTIONAL BRUNT OF MULTIPLE DEPLOYMENTS
By RICK ROGERS - For the North County Times
Posted: Friday, April 29, 2011
Marine Corps and Navy officials say military families are seeing an uptick in stress-related problems because of multiple deployments, including high levels of anxiety and depression among children.
Kirsten Woodward, director of the Family Programs Division for the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, said one of the military's best programs for reducing stress is available at Camp Pendleton.
"The level of distress (among families) is distressing," said Woodward, who spoke at the Combat and Operational Stress Control conference held this week in Mission Valley. The four-day forum brought together military mental health professionals from across the country.
"But there are avenues for help, and the FOCUS program, which has been recognized as a best practice program by the Defense Department, is one of them."
FOCUS stands for Families OverComing Under Stress. The program has been a fixture at Camp Pendleton since 2008. While no figures were available for the North County base, the total number of service members, spouses and others using the program has grown from 20,000 three years ago to 200,000 today.
Woodward said FOCUS has been shown to reduce behavior problems among children by almost 50 percent and emotional issues by nearly 33 percent. It's been so successful that the Army and the Air Force want the program on their bases, too.
read more here
Stress rising in families, but programs can help
CHILDREN BEARING EMOTIONAL BRUNT OF MULTIPLE DEPLOYMENTS
By RICK ROGERS - For the North County Times
Posted: Friday, April 29, 2011
Marine Corps and Navy officials say military families are seeing an uptick in stress-related problems because of multiple deployments, including high levels of anxiety and depression among children.
Kirsten Woodward, director of the Family Programs Division for the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, said one of the military's best programs for reducing stress is available at Camp Pendleton.
"The level of distress (among families) is distressing," said Woodward, who spoke at the Combat and Operational Stress Control conference held this week in Mission Valley. The four-day forum brought together military mental health professionals from across the country.
"But there are avenues for help, and the FOCUS program, which has been recognized as a best practice program by the Defense Department, is one of them."
FOCUS stands for Families OverComing Under Stress. The program has been a fixture at Camp Pendleton since 2008. While no figures were available for the North County base, the total number of service members, spouses and others using the program has grown from 20,000 three years ago to 200,000 today.
Woodward said FOCUS has been shown to reduce behavior problems among children by almost 50 percent and emotional issues by nearly 33 percent. It's been so successful that the Army and the Air Force want the program on their bases, too.
read more here
Stress rising in families, but programs can help
300 dead vs. royal wedding
UPDATE 4-30-11
Volunteers rush to help after tornadoes
By Ben Smith, Mariano Castillo and Phil Gast, CNN
April 30, 2011 6:26 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Sunday declared a day of prayer in Alabama
Death toll from South's latest tornado outbreak tweaked to 337
Storms caused at least $2 billion in insured losses, catastrophe expert firm says
Alabama death toll adjusted to 249
(CNN) -- As emergency responders continued to count the dead on Saturday, states pulverized by this week's tornado outbreak encouraged volunteers to help -- but in an orderly way.
In Alabama, where at least 249 people died, a call center is receiving 2,000 to 3,000 calls a day.
Officials working with the United Way are urging people to go to www.servealabama.gov or call 2-1-1 statewide to offer their assistance.
After the search and recovery efforts, people will be needed for months to help with specific tasks, said Jon Mason, director of the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
"We're overwhelmed in a positive way by the willingness to help from within the state and the rest of the United States," he said.
read more here
Volunteers rush to help after tornadoes
Volunteers rush to help after tornadoes
By Ben Smith, Mariano Castillo and Phil Gast, CNN
April 30, 2011 6:26 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Sunday declared a day of prayer in Alabama
Death toll from South's latest tornado outbreak tweaked to 337
Storms caused at least $2 billion in insured losses, catastrophe expert firm says
Alabama death toll adjusted to 249
(CNN) -- As emergency responders continued to count the dead on Saturday, states pulverized by this week's tornado outbreak encouraged volunteers to help -- but in an orderly way.
In Alabama, where at least 249 people died, a call center is receiving 2,000 to 3,000 calls a day.
Officials working with the United Way are urging people to go to www.servealabama.gov or call 2-1-1 statewide to offer their assistance.
After the search and recovery efforts, people will be needed for months to help with specific tasks, said Jon Mason, director of the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
"We're overwhelmed in a positive way by the willingness to help from within the state and the rest of the United States," he said.
read more here
Volunteers rush to help after tornadoes
This morning, every station was covering the royal wedding. It was almost as if the world had stopped. The people surviving the tornadoes were not interested in William and Kate this morning. They were thinking about their family members no longer here and everything else they lost. The death count went up again. The search for more bodies goes on.
Obama to visit Alabama as South reels in tornado aftermath; 300 killed
By the CNN Wire Staff
April 29, 2011 7:39 a.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: 35 emergency response teams deployed across Alabama
NEW: Motorists beware, officials say, gas may be hard to find in northern Alabama
Death toll reaches 300 in six southern states
Nearly 1 million customers are without power
Tuscaloosa, Alabama (CNN) -- President Barack Obama plans to visit Alabama on Friday, the hardest-hit of six states ravaged by a series of storms and tornadoes that killed 300 people and left entire neighborhoods in ruins.
The president's scheduled visit is taking place as emergency responders in Alabama and five other states continue to assess the damage wreaked by one of the worst outbreaks of violent weather in the southeastern United States in decades, experts said.
The severe storms and tornadoes pounded the region between late Tuesday and Wednesday. They leveled entire neighborhoods, rendered major roads impassable and left nearly 1 million customers without power.
Alabama suffered the greatest of loss of life with 213 fatalities in 19 counties. The storms also left 34 people dead in Tennessee, 32 in Mississippi, 15 in Georgia, five in Virginia and one in Arkansas since late Tuesday.
read more here
Obama to visit Alabama
Disabled veterans ruled as "incompetent" ripped off
This story makes me sick. A friend of ours served in Vietnam, not once, not twice, but four tours. It took him 19 years to have his PTSD claim approved. After watching his mental state deteriorate over the years and reactions to the increased medications, a guardian being appointed to take care of his money made a lot of sense. He received a huge retroactive check after living off of only social security payments all those years. In his case, making irrational decisions was always a possibility. If his daughter ended up with control over his money, he would have been able to manipulate her into giving into whatever he wanted to do with his money. She's a sweet woman and loves her Dad making saying "no" to him very hard on her.
That's the good part of this Guardianship Act. The bad part is what is included in this article. The guardians are not just paid for taking care of compensation from the VA. They have been getting a percentage of everything!
The other problem is, there are a lot of veterans able to take care of their own money still put into guardianship and this is wrong. Why hasn't the VA been able to correct this outrageous situation? People have been making money off of it for years and it has been easy money for them.
Vets lose benefits as VA covers up mistake
Written by
Mike Deeson
Thousands of veterans who served our country seem to be taken advantage of when it comes to their benefits. It involves vets who have been declared incompetent and are receiving VA benefits.
Meet Ed Brewer who like thousands of Veterans is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Brewer says now that he is old and sick and he needs what he fought for, they are telling him to go to hell.
Republican Congressman Walter Jones from North Carolina in a speech from the House floor told his fellow member if something isn't done about the vets who are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the situation is going to get worse.
read more here
Vets lose benefits as VA covers up mistake
That's the good part of this Guardianship Act. The bad part is what is included in this article. The guardians are not just paid for taking care of compensation from the VA. They have been getting a percentage of everything!
While the VA says, If the Florida courts appoint a guardian, a 5% commission is permissible under the Florida Uniform Veterans Guardianship Act, a March 2010 Inspector General Audit found VA regional Officers are not consistently taking effective actions to insure the income and estates of incompetent beneficiaries are protected.
And that brings us back to Ed Brewer who is waiting for a guardian because the VA says he is incompetent despite the fact a psychiatrist who works for the VA says Brewer is totally competent, he is aware of his benefits, spending them wisely and doesn't need a guardian.
The other problem is, there are a lot of veterans able to take care of their own money still put into guardianship and this is wrong. Why hasn't the VA been able to correct this outrageous situation? People have been making money off of it for years and it has been easy money for them.
Vets lose benefits as VA covers up mistake
Written by
Mike Deeson
Thousands of veterans who served our country seem to be taken advantage of when it comes to their benefits. It involves vets who have been declared incompetent and are receiving VA benefits.
Meet Ed Brewer who like thousands of Veterans is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Brewer says now that he is old and sick and he needs what he fought for, they are telling him to go to hell.
Republican Congressman Walter Jones from North Carolina in a speech from the House floor told his fellow member if something isn't done about the vets who are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the situation is going to get worse.
read more here
Vets lose benefits as VA covers up mistake
Veterans' families suit against Prudential advances
Veterans' families' suit against Prudential advances
Published: Thursday, April 28, 2011
By Stephanie Barry, The Republican
SPRINGFIELD – A lawsuit brought by 10 veterans’ families across the country who allege they were cheated by an insurance giant advanced in a federal court in Springfield on Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Michael A. Ponsor, who is taking senior, or semi-retired status in August, set a schedule stretching into next year for lawyers for Prudential Insurance Company of America to recover documents dating back to the 1990s stating the policies for paying death benefits to families of fallen soldiers.
The lead plaintiff is Kevin Lucey, of Belchertown, father of a soldier who committed suicide in 2004 when he returned from Iraq. Lucey has been joined by others similarly situated across the nation.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs on Wednesday said that there are potentially 60,000 who may join in the suit to recoup $850 million they allege the insurance company misused by paying woefully low interest rates and holding back lump sum payouts in favor of investing the money.
“They’re investing it in anything they want, to do anything they want,” said plaintiffs’ lawyer, Daniel King, of Austin, Texas.
The lawsuit claims Prudential reaped more than $100 million by collecting 5.7 percent on interest on deferred policy payments while paying out only 1 percent to families.
read more here
Veterans' families' suit against Prudential advances
Published: Thursday, April 28, 2011
By Stephanie Barry, The Republican
SPRINGFIELD – A lawsuit brought by 10 veterans’ families across the country who allege they were cheated by an insurance giant advanced in a federal court in Springfield on Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Michael A. Ponsor, who is taking senior, or semi-retired status in August, set a schedule stretching into next year for lawyers for Prudential Insurance Company of America to recover documents dating back to the 1990s stating the policies for paying death benefits to families of fallen soldiers.
The lead plaintiff is Kevin Lucey, of Belchertown, father of a soldier who committed suicide in 2004 when he returned from Iraq. Lucey has been joined by others similarly situated across the nation.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs on Wednesday said that there are potentially 60,000 who may join in the suit to recoup $850 million they allege the insurance company misused by paying woefully low interest rates and holding back lump sum payouts in favor of investing the money.
“They’re investing it in anything they want, to do anything they want,” said plaintiffs’ lawyer, Daniel King, of Austin, Texas.
The lawsuit claims Prudential reaped more than $100 million by collecting 5.7 percent on interest on deferred policy payments while paying out only 1 percent to families.
read more here
Veterans' families' suit against Prudential advances
Thursday, April 28, 2011
110,000 veterans’ accounts under fiduciary management
Court Rules Against V.A. on Fiduciaries
By JOHN SCHWARTZ
A federal appeals court has told the Department of Veteran’s Affairs to loosen its grip on benefits decisions for veterans who have been declared incompetent.
The department appoints fiduciaries to manage the benefits of veterans who are no longer able to take care of themselves. There are 110,000 veterans’ accounts under fiduciary management, and the total value is about $3.2 billion.
Veterans’ families have argued in several recent cases that they do not want the financial minders appointed by the department, as an article in The New York Times reported earlier this month.
When families have sued, however, the department has generally argued that while families may have input in the decision to appoint a fiduciary, once the minder is in place the relationship is solely within the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs and is not subject to judicial review.
On Tuesday, the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington ordered the secretary of Veterans Affairs and his department to take a second look at that argument.
read more here
Court Rules Against V.A. on Fiduciaries
By JOHN SCHWARTZ
A federal appeals court has told the Department of Veteran’s Affairs to loosen its grip on benefits decisions for veterans who have been declared incompetent.
The department appoints fiduciaries to manage the benefits of veterans who are no longer able to take care of themselves. There are 110,000 veterans’ accounts under fiduciary management, and the total value is about $3.2 billion.
Veterans’ families have argued in several recent cases that they do not want the financial minders appointed by the department, as an article in The New York Times reported earlier this month.
When families have sued, however, the department has generally argued that while families may have input in the decision to appoint a fiduciary, once the minder is in place the relationship is solely within the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs and is not subject to judicial review.
On Tuesday, the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington ordered the secretary of Veterans Affairs and his department to take a second look at that argument.
read more here
Court Rules Against V.A. on Fiduciaries
Lake Mary Florida company used to help VA communication
United States Department of Veterans Affairs Adopts F4W Systems
LAKE MARY, Fla., April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- F4W, Inc. (F4W) announced today that it is providing the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with thirteen of its latest Core communication systems. The systems, which will be placed at VA's twelve Emergency Management Strategic Healthcare Group (EMSHG) regional offices throughout the United States and in the office of VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki, will provide VA with secure, resilient communications in the event of natural disasters and other emergencies.
"We're very proud to be able to support VA and veterans with our state-of-the-art communications equipment," said Harry Timmons, president of F4W. "We believe that our technology is the best in the marketplace, and will significantly improve VA's ability to respond to hurricanes, earthquakes and other emergency situations."
F4W's communications systems utilize the power and flexibility of the Internet and Voice over IP (VoIP) technology to enable encrypted voice and data connections without the need for additional hardware. The company's systems use any available connection to access the Internet for voice and data connectivity without relying on any single system or communications provider.
Using one of F4W's systems, VA employees will be able to conduct up to twenty simultaneous phone calls over a 3G cellular modem. Every call will be secure, private, and have superior sound quality. The systems VA purchased come in an easily transported kit form so that they can be quickly delivered to individual VA facilities requiring assistance.
Each kit provides voice and data communications across any available network. If normal network infrastructure is unavailable, the kit also contains a broadband satellite system to ensure connectivity beyond the incident site. The kit requires absolutely no technical support to set up and needs only ten to twenty minutes to begin working.
read more here
Department of Veterans Affairs Adopts F4W Systems
LAKE MARY, Fla., April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- F4W, Inc. (F4W) announced today that it is providing the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with thirteen of its latest Core communication systems. The systems, which will be placed at VA's twelve Emergency Management Strategic Healthcare Group (EMSHG) regional offices throughout the United States and in the office of VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki, will provide VA with secure, resilient communications in the event of natural disasters and other emergencies.
"We're very proud to be able to support VA and veterans with our state-of-the-art communications equipment," said Harry Timmons, president of F4W. "We believe that our technology is the best in the marketplace, and will significantly improve VA's ability to respond to hurricanes, earthquakes and other emergency situations."
F4W's communications systems utilize the power and flexibility of the Internet and Voice over IP (VoIP) technology to enable encrypted voice and data connections without the need for additional hardware. The company's systems use any available connection to access the Internet for voice and data connectivity without relying on any single system or communications provider.
Using one of F4W's systems, VA employees will be able to conduct up to twenty simultaneous phone calls over a 3G cellular modem. Every call will be secure, private, and have superior sound quality. The systems VA purchased come in an easily transported kit form so that they can be quickly delivered to individual VA facilities requiring assistance.
Each kit provides voice and data communications across any available network. If normal network infrastructure is unavailable, the kit also contains a broadband satellite system to ensure connectivity beyond the incident site. The kit requires absolutely no technical support to set up and needs only ten to twenty minutes to begin working.
read more here
Department of Veterans Affairs Adopts F4W Systems
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