NATO: 77 personnel injured after Taliban hit Afghan coalition base
By the CNN Wire Staff
September 11, 2011 12:08 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Most of the injured troops are Americans, a U.S. defense official says
At least two Afghan civilians are killed in the attack
Gen. John R. Allen: The attack says more about what the Taliban cannot do
"Their only ability to influence the battlefield" is often to go for a high-profile attack, he says
(CNN) -- At least two Afghan civilians are dead and as many as 77 NATO personnel were injured after Taliban militants struck a coalition base in Afghanistan, officials said.
The injured troops were "mostly" Americans, a U.S. defense official said Sunday.
The incident occurred Saturday, the eve of the 10th anniversary of al Qaeda's attack on the United States on 9/11.
The truck bombing took place in the central-east province of Wardak, and those killed were Afghan laborers, said Shahidullah Shahid, the Wardak governor's spokesman.
"This attack was a high-profile attack. It was a pretty significant suicide vehicle bomb," Gen. John R. Allen, commander of coalition and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, told CNN's Suzanne Malveaux Sunday.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assault. NATO's International Security Assistance Force confirmed the attack was carried out by a Taliban suicide bomber.
read more here
ALSO
3 Okla. soldiers killed in Afghanistan attack
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Sep 11, 2011 11:54:30 EDT
OKLAHOMA CITY — Three Oklahoma National Guard soldiers have been killed in an attack with small arms in Afghanistan.
The Defense Department on Sunday released the names of the soldiers after their family members had been notified of the Friday deaths.
Killed were 26-year-old Sgt. Bret D. Isenhower of Lamar, 26-year-old Spc Christopher D. Horton of Collinsville and 20-year-old PFC Tony J Potter of Okmulge. Two other soldiers were wounded in the attack in Patkia Province.
read more here
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Many military service members have served multiple tours of duty post 9/11
Many military service members have served multiple tours of duty post 9/11
By Justo Bautista / The Record (Hackensack N.J.)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
HACKENSACK, N.J. - Cleveland Atwater, the night manager at a ShopRite in Rochelle Park, N.J., spent his first tour in Iraq leading a Marine fire team against insurgents in Fallujah.
"We took fire every day and we fired every day," he said. Three men in his unit were killed. Back home, he was initially wary of strangers. "I was always on guard," he said. Less than two years later, he was deployed again.
In the war on terrorism, that is one of the enduring legacies of the 9/11 attacks. The Marine slogan "The few, the proud" sums up the situation for all of the service branches. They are stretched to their limits.
Since 9/11, less than 1 percent of Americans have been doing the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Of the more than 2 million soldiers who have served in those war zones, nearly 800,000 have been deployed more than once, according to the Department of Defense.
But Atwater, 34, said he never thought about statistics while dodging rocket-propelled grenades.
"All the guys that went over there were hard chargers," he said. "They wanted to be there.
The draft ended in 1973, and it is unlikely to be revived. But a draft won’t solve anything if draftees don’t want to fight, some veterans say.
"It’s not a numbers game," said Eric Hollenstein, 27, a Riverdale, N.J., police officer who served with Atwater. "It’s about heart. I want people that volunteer and want to be there."
read more here
By Justo Bautista / The Record (Hackensack N.J.)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
HACKENSACK, N.J. - Cleveland Atwater, the night manager at a ShopRite in Rochelle Park, N.J., spent his first tour in Iraq leading a Marine fire team against insurgents in Fallujah.
"We took fire every day and we fired every day," he said. Three men in his unit were killed. Back home, he was initially wary of strangers. "I was always on guard," he said. Less than two years later, he was deployed again.
In the war on terrorism, that is one of the enduring legacies of the 9/11 attacks. The Marine slogan "The few, the proud" sums up the situation for all of the service branches. They are stretched to their limits.
Since 9/11, less than 1 percent of Americans have been doing the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Of the more than 2 million soldiers who have served in those war zones, nearly 800,000 have been deployed more than once, according to the Department of Defense.
But Atwater, 34, said he never thought about statistics while dodging rocket-propelled grenades.
"All the guys that went over there were hard chargers," he said. "They wanted to be there.
The draft ended in 1973, and it is unlikely to be revived. But a draft won’t solve anything if draftees don’t want to fight, some veterans say.
"It’s not a numbers game," said Eric Hollenstein, 27, a Riverdale, N.J., police officer who served with Atwater. "It’s about heart. I want people that volunteer and want to be there."
read more here
After a decade of grief and recovery, nation remembers 9/11
After a decade of grief and recovery, nation remembers 9/11
By the CNN Wire Staff
September 11, 2011 7:02 a.m. EDT
The Tribute in Light, a tribute honoring those who died in the 9/11 attacks, shines behind the Empire State Building.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Moments of silence will be observed in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania
Obama will visit all three sites on Sunday
343 fallen New York City firefighters are honored at a memorial service
A child born weeks after 9/11 tells his late father, "I really like it when people compare me to you"
New York (CNN) -- Ten years ago today, America's sense of security was shattered in a series of attacks that tested the will and resolve of the American public.
A surreal day of death and destruction emerged as planes plummeted from crystal blue skies and pierced through the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania, averting what many believe would have been another catastrophic attack in Washington.
The nation will pause Sunday to mark the anniversary of the attacks that killed 2,977 people.
Silence will spread across New York City at 8:46 a.m. -- the time when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center a decade ago.
read more here
By the CNN Wire Staff
September 11, 2011 7:02 a.m. EDT
The Tribute in Light, a tribute honoring those who died in the 9/11 attacks, shines behind the Empire State Building.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Moments of silence will be observed in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania
Obama will visit all three sites on Sunday
343 fallen New York City firefighters are honored at a memorial service
A child born weeks after 9/11 tells his late father, "I really like it when people compare me to you"
New York (CNN) -- Ten years ago today, America's sense of security was shattered in a series of attacks that tested the will and resolve of the American public.
A surreal day of death and destruction emerged as planes plummeted from crystal blue skies and pierced through the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania, averting what many believe would have been another catastrophic attack in Washington.
The nation will pause Sunday to mark the anniversary of the attacks that killed 2,977 people.
Silence will spread across New York City at 8:46 a.m. -- the time when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center a decade ago.
read more here
"As if they guessed they might not see each other again"
The easy way to start this day of sadness would be to just find a few of the thousands of stories reflecting the anniversary of September 11, 2001. That horrible day caused ten years of war.
What started off with this
The count is different depending on which site you go into but considering no matter what number we read, we'll never know the numbers for sure. The numbers do not include suicides due to this day. As sad as those numbers are, that dark day in our history was just the beginning.
iCasualties.org has the number of servicemen/women killed in Iraq at 4474 and in Afghanistan at 1762. Again, the true number will never really be known because suicides are not counted if they are died after they left the military. The VA doesn't count them unless they were in their system.
Everyday 18 veterans end their lives by their own hands. These men and women managed to have the will to live through combat but lost it back home when they were supposed to be safe once more and out of danger. Home to them became more dangerous than war.
Every American changed that day but for the men and women who answered the call of their country, the changes never stopped, the threats to their lives have not ended and their memories of that dark day have been added onto by 3,650 more days.
Considering a young soldier serving today was not even a teenager when the planes hit the Towers ten years ago, their memories of a nation living in peace have come from history books because their lives have been filled with the threat of more attacks.
Here is a story that should be read this morning so that we never forget that day in America has not ended.
What started off with this
Number of 9-11 Deaths
At least 2,985 people died in the September 11, 2001, attacks, including:
19 terrorists
2,966 victims [2,998 as of Spring 2009]
All but 13 people died on that day. The remaining 13 later died of their wounds. One person has died since the attacks, of lung cancer. It is suspected to have been caused by all the debris from the Twin Towers.
There were 266 people on the four planes:
American Airlines Flight 11 (crashed into the WTC): 92 (including five terrorists)
United Airlines Flight 175 (crashed into the WTC): 65 (including five terrorists)
American Airlines Flight 77 (crashed into the Pentagon): 64 (including five terrorists)
United Flight 93 (downed in Shanksville, PA): 45 (including four terrorists)
There were 2,595 people in the World Trade Center and near it, including:
343 NYFD firefighters and paramedics
23 NYPD police officers
37 Port Authority police officers
1,402 people in Tower 1
614 people in Tower 2
658 people at one company, Cantor Fitzgerald
1,762 New York residents
674 New Jersey residents
1 NYFD firefighter killed by a man jumping off the top floors of the Twin Towers
The count is different depending on which site you go into but considering no matter what number we read, we'll never know the numbers for sure. The numbers do not include suicides due to this day. As sad as those numbers are, that dark day in our history was just the beginning.
iCasualties.org has the number of servicemen/women killed in Iraq at 4474 and in Afghanistan at 1762. Again, the true number will never really be known because suicides are not counted if they are died after they left the military. The VA doesn't count them unless they were in their system.
Everyday 18 veterans end their lives by their own hands. These men and women managed to have the will to live through combat but lost it back home when they were supposed to be safe once more and out of danger. Home to them became more dangerous than war.
Every American changed that day but for the men and women who answered the call of their country, the changes never stopped, the threats to their lives have not ended and their memories of that dark day have been added onto by 3,650 more days.
Considering a young soldier serving today was not even a teenager when the planes hit the Towers ten years ago, their memories of a nation living in peace have come from history books because their lives have been filled with the threat of more attacks.
Here is a story that should be read this morning so that we never forget that day in America has not ended.
Wounded in Iraq: A Marine's Story
SEP 6 2011
Five years after a gunshot changed his life, the author reflects on what a decade of war has cost Americans
Reuters
I cry whenever I think of a memorial service I attended in Iraq. From the back of the hot, packed room next to the chaplain's office, I looked down the center aisle and saw six sets of boots, rifles, helmets, and dog tags.
Six Americans had lost their lives defending their country. I had seen these Marines hug each other before heading out on patrol -- real hugs, as if they guessed they might not see each other again.They had been in Iraq for a while and knew how dangerous every mission was.
Blood and treasure are the costs of war. However, many news articles today only address the treasure -- the ballooning defense budget and high-priced weapons systems. The blood is simply an afterthought. Forgotten is the price paid by our wounded warriors. Forgotten are the families torn apart by lengthy and multiple deployments. Forgotten are the relatives of those who make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. As we look back on 9/11, we should also remember all those who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Fewer than 1 percent of Americans have fought in these wars, and it is important for the public to understand their effects on our fighters and those close to them.
The attacks of September 11, 2001, ushered in a new era of reservist involvement, and like many others, I volunteered to deploy to Iraq. As a Civil Affairs Team Leader, I was entrusted to help local Iraqi communities develop critical infrastructure projects. Our focus on foot patrols, combined with the intense heat and carrying 65 pounds of weapons and gear, made for long days. The enemy threat was omnipresent, and this was a chance to truly lead from the front. Being a part of this unit was the highlight of my military career, and in my short time there I learned a lot about leadership and troop welfare.
October 18, 2006, started out like any day over there, at least as much as I can remember of it. We had a newspaper reporter with us, and he rode next to me in the up-armored humvee. We stopped to inspect an Iraqi police station that had been shot up the night before, and then to check on a squad of Marines who guarded a notoriously dangerous area.
As we exited the vehicle at our next stop, I told the reporter about an enemy sniper in the area who had already killed several Marines, and warned him to move quickly. Based on this advice, he took a big step forward, and a bullet smashed into the wall next to us right where his head had been. The next bullet hit me behind my left ear and exited out my mouth, causing catastrophic damage along the way. Somehow, from hundreds of yards away, the sniper had managed to shoot me in the thin sliver of exposed skin between my helmet and neck guard. Miraculously the bullet did not hit my brain or my spinal cord. It did, however, tear apart my mouth and face. Although I initially did not lose consciousness, I do not remember anything from the sniper attack, nor anything else from the next two weeks.
The Marines closest to me thought that I had been killed instantly, but that did not deter Corpsman George Grant. With complete disregard for his own life, Corpsman Grant ran over to me, even though the sniper was still trying to pick off other targets. George saved my life that day. He performed rescue breathing and an emergency tracheotomy on me, even under these chaotic conditions. Ultimately, he was able to stabilize me long enough to get me to the closest medical facility. The Battalion Commander also stared down death to help provide emergency medical care to me.
read more here
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Carson City seeks solace after IHOP shooting
Carson City seeks solace after IHOP shooting
By Sandra Chereb - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Sep 10, 2011 13:08:42 EDT
But the emotional wounds are raw and will take much longer, if ever, to completely heal.
There is sadness, anger, grief and the unanswered question of why Eduardo Sencion — described as a quiet, friendly man who worked at his family’s market — stormed an IHOP restaurant with an assault rifle Tuesday, gunning down 11 people before taking his own life in the parking lot.
Four people in the restaurant were killed, including three uniformed members of the Nevada National Guard and a woman from South Lake Tahoe who was having breakfast with her husband.
read more here
By Sandra Chereb - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Sep 10, 2011 13:08:42 EDT
SANDRA CHEREB / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Pat Fike adds a bouquet to a memorial outside the IHOP restaurant in Carson City, Nev., for victims of a shooting that left five people dead, including the gunman, and seven injured.CARSON CITY, Nev. — From outward appearances, Carson City is returning to normalcy after eight minutes of terror at a family restaurant that left five people dead and seven wounded.
But the emotional wounds are raw and will take much longer, if ever, to completely heal.
There is sadness, anger, grief and the unanswered question of why Eduardo Sencion — described as a quiet, friendly man who worked at his family’s market — stormed an IHOP restaurant with an assault rifle Tuesday, gunning down 11 people before taking his own life in the parking lot.
Four people in the restaurant were killed, including three uniformed members of the Nevada National Guard and a woman from South Lake Tahoe who was having breakfast with her husband.
read more here
At Arlington, Obama pays tribute to war dead
At Arlington, Obama pays tribute to war dead
By Erica Werner - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Sep 10, 2011 13:17:58 EDT
ARLINGTON, Va. — President Barack Obama and first lady Michele Obama visited Arlington National Cemetery, where they paid tribute to members of the military killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
At one gravesite, the Obamas stopped to talk with members of a family who appeared to be visiting a grave. The Obamas chatted a few minutes, posed for pictures and gave out handshakes and hugs.
Then the Obamas, hand in hand, strolled along one of the rows between identical white tombstones, pausing at some markers.
read more here
also from Army Times
By Erica Werner - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Sep 10, 2011 13:17:58 EDT
ARLINGTON, Va. — President Barack Obama and first lady Michele Obama visited Arlington National Cemetery, where they paid tribute to members of the military killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
CAROLYN KASTER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS President Barack Obama, center, and first lady Michelle Obama, second from right, pay their respects graveside with other visitors at Arlington National Cemetery on Sept. 10.One day before the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the Obamas made a pilgrimage to Section 60 of the cemetery. The White House says that’s the burial ground for military personnel killed in the two wars. The conflicts have claimed 6,213 military personnel.
At one gravesite, the Obamas stopped to talk with members of a family who appeared to be visiting a grave. The Obamas chatted a few minutes, posed for pictures and gave out handshakes and hugs.
Then the Obamas, hand in hand, strolled along one of the rows between identical white tombstones, pausing at some markers.
read more here
also from Army Times
14,000 rounds of ammunition missing from Fort Bragg
14,000 rounds of ammunition missing from Fort Bragg
From John Branch, CNN
September 10, 2011 12:55 a.m. EDT
Authorities are investigating the disappearance of nearly 14,000 rounds of ammunition from Fort Bragg.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The ammunition was reported missing on Wednesday
Authorities searched but could not find the ammunition
"The incident is currently under investigation," a spokesman says
(CNN) -- Authorities are trying to find 14,000 rounds of ammunition missing from Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
The ammunition went missing from the 1st Brigade Combat Team at Fort Bragg, said Staff Sgt. Joshua Ford.
The missing ammunition can be used in the M-4 and M-16 assault rifles.
read more here
From John Branch, CNN
September 10, 2011 12:55 a.m. EDT
Authorities are investigating the disappearance of nearly 14,000 rounds of ammunition from Fort Bragg.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The ammunition was reported missing on Wednesday
Authorities searched but could not find the ammunition
"The incident is currently under investigation," a spokesman says
(CNN) -- Authorities are trying to find 14,000 rounds of ammunition missing from Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
The ammunition went missing from the 1st Brigade Combat Team at Fort Bragg, said Staff Sgt. Joshua Ford.
The missing ammunition can be used in the M-4 and M-16 assault rifles.
read more here
10 years after 9/11: Marines, sailors honor victims, fallen brothers in Sangin
10 years after 9/11: Marines, sailors honor victims, fallen brothers in Sangin
Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division
Story by Cpl. Benjamin Crilly
SANGIN DISTRICT, Afghanistan - Aaron Denning always knew he wanted to become a Marine. He was just shy of a month into his freshman year at Royal High School and it was September of 2001. In a matter of days his life and the world changed forever.
The Simi Valley, Calif. native, like most people on the West Coast, woke up to the unfolding events on national television and continued to follow the events for the remainder of the day.
“I remember waking up shortly after six o’clock in the morning. My mom was already watching the news,” said Sgt. Denning, the team chief of Advisor Team 2 assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. “Then, just like every other day, I walked to school. Once I got to school, we didn’t do anything in every one of my classes, each classroom had the news and we all just watched in awe.”
Everyone can recall the mixed emotions of fear, anger and astonishment that pulsed through their veins as they witnessed the most deadly act of terrorism on U.S. soil. Their stories vary, but for the majority of them their daily lives were put on hold as the world became a very small place full of danger.
“That day brought life to a shocking halt, but I remember what my history teacher told us ‘this is going to change everyone’s life,’” reminisced the Iraq and Afghanistan combat veteran. “When the war kicked off, I remember thinking that I wouldn’t get a chance to do my part for our nation. I enlisted before I graduated high school and shipped off for boot camp within a week of graduating.”
On the 10th anniversary of the attacks, Denning and the other Marines and sailors of 1/5 are doing their part serving in Sangin. Their dedication and diligence on a daily basis honors the memory of those lost in the attacks and their fallen brothers who paid the ultimate price for freedom over the past decade serving overseas.
read more here
Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division
Story by Cpl. Benjamin Crilly
SANGIN DISTRICT, Afghanistan - Aaron Denning always knew he wanted to become a Marine. He was just shy of a month into his freshman year at Royal High School and it was September of 2001. In a matter of days his life and the world changed forever.
The Simi Valley, Calif. native, like most people on the West Coast, woke up to the unfolding events on national television and continued to follow the events for the remainder of the day.
“I remember waking up shortly after six o’clock in the morning. My mom was already watching the news,” said Sgt. Denning, the team chief of Advisor Team 2 assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. “Then, just like every other day, I walked to school. Once I got to school, we didn’t do anything in every one of my classes, each classroom had the news and we all just watched in awe.”
Everyone can recall the mixed emotions of fear, anger and astonishment that pulsed through their veins as they witnessed the most deadly act of terrorism on U.S. soil. Their stories vary, but for the majority of them their daily lives were put on hold as the world became a very small place full of danger.
“That day brought life to a shocking halt, but I remember what my history teacher told us ‘this is going to change everyone’s life,’” reminisced the Iraq and Afghanistan combat veteran. “When the war kicked off, I remember thinking that I wouldn’t get a chance to do my part for our nation. I enlisted before I graduated high school and shipped off for boot camp within a week of graduating.”
On the 10th anniversary of the attacks, Denning and the other Marines and sailors of 1/5 are doing their part serving in Sangin. Their dedication and diligence on a daily basis honors the memory of those lost in the attacks and their fallen brothers who paid the ultimate price for freedom over the past decade serving overseas.
read more here
We are Killing Ourselves Through Suicide
UPDATE
Ontario plan to help first responders deal with PTSD
February 1, 2016
And this is why it happened. Change came after Shannon Pennington wrote the following.
There are many people working on PTSD. I focus on the troops and veterans but there are others also focusing on other responders. Shannon Pennington of Firefighter Veteran Network is one of the dedicated people helping the firefighters. He sent this email that I believe should be known to everyone in this country.
Firefighter PTSD, Depression and Suicide -- Helping the Helpers
By JANE E. ALLEN, ABC News Medical Unit
Sept. 9, 2011
When Jack Slivinski Jr., a member of Philadelphia's elite fire rescue squad, killed himself last June, friends and family partly blamed the humiliating suspension he endured after he posed barechested for a firefighters' fund-raising calendar without department permission.
However, few people were aware that the caring, 32-year-old former Marine had been quietly drowning in survivor's guilt in the seven years since his supervisor suffered fatal burns racing into a collapsing building to rescue Slivinski and another firefighter, unaware they'd both gotten out.
"It was very apparent when you got to know Jack that it was something that was wearing on him," said Lt. Dan Cliggett, his close friend inside and outside the firehouse. Cliggett, along with Slivinski's wife, Carla, from whom he'd separated but hoped to reconcile, believe Slivinski had developed post-traumatic stress disorder because he felt responsible for the death of Lt. Derrick Harvey, 45.
The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, made heroes of the 343 New York City firefighters who lost their lives rushing to save others at the World Trade Center. But that tragic, life-changing day has also had a more subtle impact on the nation's first responders: It created more awareness, if not empathy, for the sacrifices they make in putting others' lives ahead of their own physical and psychological health. It also generated changes in firehouse culture and attitudes.
read more here
Ontario plan to help first responders deal with PTSD
February 1, 2016
TORONTO - Ontario is launching a plan to help first responders deal with the impact of post traumatic stress disorder, which the government calls a serious and debilitating injury.
Labour Minister Kevin Flynn says the stress and danger faced by police, firefighters and paramedics can have a lasting and serious effect not only on their physical health, but their mental health as well.
And this is why it happened. Change came after Shannon Pennington wrote the following.
There are many people working on PTSD. I focus on the troops and veterans but there are others also focusing on other responders. Shannon Pennington of Firefighter Veteran Network is one of the dedicated people helping the firefighters. He sent this email that I believe should be known to everyone in this country.
Shannon Pennington ex IAFF Calgary
Executive Director
NAFFVN
F.I.R.E.S. Within Suicide Prevention Program
firefighterveteran on the world wide web:
Firefighter Veteran Network
July 11-12, 2011 BWI Four Points Sheraton
Baltimore Maryland
July On Line E Newsletter for North American Firefighter Veteran Network
We are Killing Ourselves Through Suicide
N.L.O.D.D./S
(Non Line of Duty Death, Suicides)
Welcome to this issue on a very complex and vitally important topic. I was invited along with several other organizations to attend the Issues of Depression and Suicide in the Fire Service.
First and foremost a huge thank you to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation for taking this subject on under the Everyone Goes Home Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Section 13, Mental Health and Wellness of the 16 components for our safety in the most dangerous profession in the world.
At there has been a direct presence and information about suicide prevention in our service using the F.I.R.S.T. S.T.E.P. H.O.P.E. program since 2006. From the meeting in Baltimore with the introduction of the N.A.F.F.V.N. program "F.I.R.E.S. Within", F.I.R.E.S. standing for Firefighter/First Responder Increased Risk Exposure to Suicide, information will be developed and posted on the web site and on the Everyone Goes Home web site under section 13, reinforceing the Fireline with resources, information and web based training.
These will be tools for the tool box you can use to combat the effects of depression and for some the "run into suicide". The information will provide H.O.P.E. through an understanding that "Suicides are Increasing" in our service as fast as any wild fire moves and consumes or as any structural fire erupts into open flame in the incipient stage and before 911 is called and rigs dispatched.
Line of Duty Death (L.O.D.D.) we in the fire service understand, perhaps all too well. Our response is quick, efficient, supportive to family and "rubber boot warriors" who clean the smoke sweat and tears off their faces and uniforms to render "last post" honors for the fallen and the family as well as the department affected. We are if nothing else good at the big "IT".
There is another bit "IT" however, lurking like an arsonist in the dark back alleys and open fields of our hearts and minds.
We are going to talk in this article about the other big "It" and what we can do and what is being done to "Cool, Quell and Quench the F.I.R.E.S. Within" each and every "Firefighter Veteran/First Responder working in the cities, towns, and rural "Fire Front Lines" of America and around the world.
Suicide became a very hot topic over the last 12 months and with the outbreak in Phoenix Fire Department along with other fire departments nationally, the all call went out to find the help and resources to start fighting back. For some, in our work, suicide was the "Only Option" and they could not see their way out of the emotional smoke of events that they had been witness to or a part of. For others the long dark road of "Depression" was a precursor to death. Those who took their life as a final act to stop the pain inside of them left behind a legacy of pain in the survivors, the widows and orphans, the very same ones we hold close under L.O.D.D. we somehow manage to abandon and leave behind under suicide circumstances. The shock waves go through the members immediate crew and department and cloud them in thoughts of what went wrong.
Firefighter Brad Pasishnek out of Local 255, I.A.F.F. Calgary Alberta Canada. One of ten suicides in the local. Brad took a skill saw to his neck to commit his final act in life. He left behind a wife, Christine and his two young boys, Connor and Daniel. I talked with Christine about the conference and she gave me permission to talk about Brad if it would make a difference to those who would be there and to firefighters who need to know that Brad lived a firefighterveterans life and died from the stress. She wants you to know that her widows struggle to raise her and Bradley's children is taking place without access to any support programs that could make a difference to their lives. Do you think people that we could do a little better than to abandon them beyond a mere token assist on getting the pension details sorted out for a survivor?
Depression is much like the smoke in a room that has become dormant and is waiting for a sudden inrush of air in order to ignite itself into a full blown back draft of emotions that explodes and runs wild within our heads. Somewhere between the head and the heart we are connected to the events that affect us in our line of work and the inch and a half hose needs to be gated back to a safe working emotional pressure so that we can start to talk about what is going on inside of us. From flashover to the free burning state the depression we experience in the attic or the basement, our heads or our guts, is consuming us in the form of suicide.
Too soon "IT" can consume us and the Perp Arsopnist that controls our thoughts and moods will gleefully retreat to find more firefighters to cull from our ranks.
N.L.O.D.D/S or Non Line of Duty Death/Suicides "CAN BE PREVENTED". It need not be so in the terrible outcome. F.I.R.E. Prevention is the key to the success of the American Fire Service when it comes time to face up to the reality of what has been going on in front of us in the crews, the departments and the culture that makes us who we are.
I did not enjoy the experience of being in a room of some 40 fire service leaders who were in Baltimore on July 11th and 12th 2011 to discuss the very topic of Depression and Suicide. It was not pretty, nor nice, nor happy, or joyous. It was worse than a basement fire fully involved with kids trapped. The honesty, and integrity that those who did attend, gave to the understanding, was to my way of thinking, powerfully presented. It was a drama like no other that I have experienced in my 26 years as a line firefighterveteran and as a member of my honor guard. It was however, necessary and a "wake up call" to take action.
In the near future from the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation under the leadership and direction of Executive Director Ronald J. Siarnicki,you will see on their web site under the section 13 mandate on line, web based training. Look for it. That should be available by the end of the year.
Additional resources to train rural clinicians on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (C.B.T.) will be made available. Peer support is vital in vetting those who are at risk and who need patience, understanding, love and support. If we give ourselves in service to our communities in need then we too have to recognize that we are a community and we have needs and those needs are inclusive of our protection of our own. The best peer practices are being developed but from what I heard in the symposium both Phoenix Fire, F.D.N.Y and Houston Fire have the skeleton models you can research for your own department.
The following individuals came to the symposium to present their side of the suicide equation which, is both academic and from life events which affected them.
Thomas Joiner, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology, Florida State University. Dr. Joiner lost his father to suicide some years ago. He not only came armed with his research but with his story of loss and movement beyond the loss into the understanding.
Matthew K. Nock, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, presenting in depth knowledge of suicide, the study into the math of statistics and how it all adds up.
Lanny Berman, Ph.D., ABPP, Executive Director, American Association of Suicidology who presented a solid overview of the problem and some examples of how to develop programs in prevention.
Ron Acierno, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Medical University of South Carolina, Director, PTSD Clinic, RJH VA Medical Center. (We are not alone with the suicide problem, veterans from the armed services are struggling to cope with this as well).
Additional heavy hitters were from the I.A.F.F., Rich Duffy, Assistant to the President,
Jeff Dill, Safety, Health and Survival Representative, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Jeff is conducting an on line survey of numbers of fire department suicides. He is the founder of Counseling For Firefighters (CFF) google. If you know of a suicide of a firefighterveteran then send your report to Jeff, confidential on line. We need the information so that grant applications can be made to help us study the problem in depth.
Thomas D. Miller MA, LPC, ALPS, ADC, West Virginia Director, National Volunteer Fire Council
Sandy Bogucki, Md, Ph.D. National Association of EMS Physicians,
Wendy Norris, Master Chaplain/Administrative Assistant, Federation of Fire Chaplains,
Karen Badger, Ph.D., MSW, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Assistant Professor, College of Social Work, University of Kentucky. A special thank you from me to Karen for her grounding while I was wanting to leap out of my chair and shout out the need to have a program for our widows and orphans left behind. We got that message to the participants and it will be a part of their focus and follow on for inclusion in the outcome and protocols.
A full list of participants is available from me if you request it via email.
Richard Gist, Ph.D. did stellar work keeping us on track and focused. Richard is the Principal Assistant to Fire Chief Kansas City (MO) Fire Department and a Research Associate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
In summary:
So, what can we say here about what is going on regarding suicides in our service?
It is a problem that can be resolved. IT IS OUR PROBLEM AND WE OWN IT AND WE CAN FIND THE SOLUTIONS NEEDED. We need to reach out with programs that are active and supportive. Look around the fire service and start talking to other departments that are doing just that. Talk to each other at the kitchen table about depression. Google the subject and look at firefighterveteran.com and the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation section 13 Life Safety Initiative.
We do not have to re invent anything....we do have to do what is obvious. Stop looking away from the problem of Depression and Suicide in our fire service and start to face it full on on the fireline where it can be put out. We have adopted a defensive mode for far too long and lost too many good firefighterveterans. It is time to go on the offensive and bring on the additional resources that are already out there.
The fire bucket is full of the tears from surivivors, the widows and orphans who have been left behind by those who have lost H.O.P.E. We can do better than this. We are going to do better and you will see the programs start to roll.
In conclusion I will say that this has not been an easy process nor should it be to bring this newsletter/article to the web. It is however necessary. Like it or not the body parts are starting to cause departments to stumble on them. They are awake and listening to the message from those who took their lives. Are you?
Additional Information on Suicide Prevention is Available from your Primary Care Physician, and your local community mental health care clinics.
The Sweeny Alliance writes on line in blog and newsletter form. Use Google to find this.
Above all else: Guard your mind at work and at home. Depression happens to us. We are not superhumans but rather very human and vulnerable in the work we do. Let's get connected to the information. Buddy up for close support. Find a clinician who will work with you if you do feel the need to seek help. There is life beyond depression and it is something that is survivable if you get the help that is out there. Know the signs and symptoms of depression. Understand that booze and drugs mask the symptoms of depression and only cause you to loose focus on the positive aspects of a healthy life and healthy life choices. You deserve better and your family deserves you complete and whole.......GET A MENTAL HEALTH CHECK UP ONCE A YEAR JUST AS YOU GET A PHYSICAL......IT MAKES COMMONS SENSE.
A special thank you to Christine Pasishnek and her sons. Peace and Prayers for the three of you.
"Lets Roll"
Stay safe
Shannon Pennington
NAFFVN
F.I.R.S.T. S.T.E.P. H.O.P.E.
F.I.R.E.S. WITHIN PREVENTION PROGRAM
Firefighter PTSD, Depression and Suicide -- Helping the Helpers
By JANE E. ALLEN, ABC News Medical Unit
Sept. 9, 2011
When Jack Slivinski Jr., a member of Philadelphia's elite fire rescue squad, killed himself last June, friends and family partly blamed the humiliating suspension he endured after he posed barechested for a firefighters' fund-raising calendar without department permission.
However, few people were aware that the caring, 32-year-old former Marine had been quietly drowning in survivor's guilt in the seven years since his supervisor suffered fatal burns racing into a collapsing building to rescue Slivinski and another firefighter, unaware they'd both gotten out.
"It was very apparent when you got to know Jack that it was something that was wearing on him," said Lt. Dan Cliggett, his close friend inside and outside the firehouse. Cliggett, along with Slivinski's wife, Carla, from whom he'd separated but hoped to reconcile, believe Slivinski had developed post-traumatic stress disorder because he felt responsible for the death of Lt. Derrick Harvey, 45.
The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, made heroes of the 343 New York City firefighters who lost their lives rushing to save others at the World Trade Center. But that tragic, life-changing day has also had a more subtle impact on the nation's first responders: It created more awareness, if not empathy, for the sacrifices they make in putting others' lives ahead of their own physical and psychological health. It also generated changes in firehouse culture and attitudes.
read more here
Military suicides, congress and clueless
For two members of congress military suicides are a personal issue. Maybe now there will be something done to stop them from happening. But while there have been many congressional hearings, there hasn't been much listening going on. After reading this, there hasn't been much learning either.
Battlemind
Department of Defense and Revenge of the Sith
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2007
As for the redeployments, they knew it back in 2006.
So after all these years of hearings in Congress, all the claims made by the military to be learning from their mistakes, we see the numbers go up and yet, yet they still have to come out with something as clueless as saying "It's early. We don't know why that's happening, but we're looking at it very closely,"
Last year I asked Congressman Filner why they were holding hearings just about the problems and never seemed to hold any on what was working. He said he people like me should be heard but that was the last of that conversation. I should have asked him when they were planing on holding hearings on who was responsible for this callousness. After all, insisting on repeating the same failed approach shows they have not cared enough to learn anything.
Reading that "Lieutenant General Thomas P. Bostick Deputy Chief of Staff G-1, United States Army" with "EDUCATIONAL DEGREES: United States Military Academy – BS – No Major Stanford University – MS – Civil Engineering Stanford University – MS – Mechanical Engineering" we should be wondering why he was answering questions on this matter. There are several Generals that already came out and admitted they have PTSD, sought help and were still able to keep their careers. Why not have them testify?
The reports go all the way back to the 70's on PTSD but the same questions are being asked all over again. The same research is being done all over again. The same results followed. Yet somehow they wonder why Soldiers with PTSD were at increased risk for suicide
(Army Lt. Gen. Thomas) Bostick said that the Army is trying to figure out why suicides among soldiers with multiple deployments are climbing.Did he really say that? It's early? For heaven's sake! Did he just arrive in the Army? They've been talking about military suicides since 2003 when they started to come out with their "prevention programs" to prevent PTSD.
"It's early. We don't know why that's happening, but we're looking at it very closely," he said.
Battlemind
Mental orientationIn 2007 I wrote how Battlemind was not working when this report came out.
In the definition provided by the U.S. Army Medical Command
"Battlemind is the Soldier's inner strength to face fear and adversity with courage. Key components include:
Self confidence: taking calculated risks and handling challenges.
Mental toughness: overcoming obstacles or setbacks and maintaining positive thoughts during times of adversity and challenge."[1]
The significance of Battlemind in the Medical Command's context is that "Battlemind skills helped you survive in combat, but may cause you problems if not adapted when you get home."[1]
Initial writings on the subject focused on the utility of battlemind while in service,[2] while several recent works focus on treatment and self-help.[3][4
Department of Defense and Revenge of the Sith
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2007
The task force was formed through the 2006 National Defense Appropriations Act to examine the current state of military mental health practices and processes. The panel is now collecting information through visits to multiple military installations, document reviews, specialists’ opinions and town hall-style meetings. The panel is scheduled to provide its report to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in May. Reservists are assessed for mental health issues during both pre- and post-deployment phases, Army Maj. Clemens Presogna, a nurse and reservist assigned to U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort McPherson, Ga., told members of the task force....................Considering they were talking about "vitamins" and getting them to "train their brains" to fight against PTSD, that should have sent an alarm bell off across the country. But that wasn't enough.
..............“We really need to train and reinforce actions that soldiers, leaders and buddies can take,” Thomas said. The Battlemind system, he added, requires “emphasis on looking out for your buddy, and for small-unit leaders to look out for their soldiers.” Another troop mental health assistance initiative is the Combat and Operational Stress Control Program implemented in October 2006 by the Marine Corp Reserve’s 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, said Dr. Tania Glenn, a military contractor who co-manages the program.
“This is a Marine-to-Marine advocacy and education program,” Glenn explained. “We are teaching Marines how to identify and help other Marines.” The COSC program utilizes peer-to-peer discussion and monitoring, she said, to assist in recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental stress and burnout among Marines returning from combat overseas. Actively discussing mental health issues represents “a culture shift in the Marine Corps,” but not a massive change, said Glenn, noting the COSC program could be likened to adding high-potency vitamins to a servicemember’s normal field rations. Returning Marines experiencing heightened emotions caused by “mindset conditioning” during combat tours are provided counseling and assistance while transiting to stateside assignments, Glenn said.
As for the redeployments, they knew it back in 2006.
So after all these years of hearings in Congress, all the claims made by the military to be learning from their mistakes, we see the numbers go up and yet, yet they still have to come out with something as clueless as saying "It's early. We don't know why that's happening, but we're looking at it very closely,"
For two lawmakers, military suicides hit too close to home
By Larry Shaughnessy, CNN Pentagon Unit
September 9, 2011 9:02 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Reps. Joe Heck and Judy Chu have personal connections with military suicides
They both spoke during an Armed Services Committee hearing on Friday
A soldier under Heck's command recently committed suicide
Chu's nephew, a Marine, killed himself after an alleged hazing incident
Washington (CNN) -- For years, the Pentagon and Congress have worried over the problem of military suicides. The House Armed Services Committee held another hearing on this life-and-death issue Friday, but this time, it was more than studies and statistics.
For two members of Congress, suicide is an issue they know intimately.
"This is -- especially right now -- a bit of a personal issue for me," said Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nevada, a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. "I just had a soldier recently under my command commit suicide.
"He was actually seen two hours earlier by another member of his unit. And both had been through the Army Reserve Suicide Prevention Training Program. And his colleague did not recognize anything that was out of the ordinary. And two hours later this other soldier took his own life."
Rep. Judy Chu, D-California, is not a member of the committee, but she was allowed to participate in the hearing because of her personal interest in the issue.
She told the story of 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Harry Lew, who got in trouble when he first arrived in Afghanistan for falling asleep while on watch. Chu said his sergeant told Lew's fellow Marines to "teach" him.
"Lance Corporal Lew was beaten, berated and forced to perform rigorous exercise. He was forced to do push-ups and leg lifts wearing full body armor, and sand was poured in his mouth. He was forced to dig a hole for hours. He was kicked, punched and stomped on. And it did not stop until 3:20 am," Chu told the committee.
Chu said that a few minutes later, "Lance Corporal Lew climbed into the foxhole that he just dug and shot himself and committed suicide.
"Lance Corporal Lew was my nephew."
read more here
Last year I asked Congressman Filner why they were holding hearings just about the problems and never seemed to hold any on what was working. He said he people like me should be heard but that was the last of that conversation. I should have asked him when they were planing on holding hearings on who was responsible for this callousness. After all, insisting on repeating the same failed approach shows they have not cared enough to learn anything.
Reading that "Lieutenant General Thomas P. Bostick Deputy Chief of Staff G-1, United States Army" with "EDUCATIONAL DEGREES: United States Military Academy – BS – No Major Stanford University – MS – Civil Engineering Stanford University – MS – Mechanical Engineering" we should be wondering why he was answering questions on this matter. There are several Generals that already came out and admitted they have PTSD, sought help and were still able to keep their careers. Why not have them testify?
The reports go all the way back to the 70's on PTSD but the same questions are being asked all over again. The same research is being done all over again. The same results followed. Yet somehow they wonder why Soldiers with PTSD were at increased risk for suicide
Services still grappling with suicide trends
By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Sep 9, 2011 17:36:03 EDT
Suicide prevention programs appear to have contributed to the dip in self-inflicted deaths among active-duty soldiers, sailors and Marines in 2010, but the services must continue addressing the problem in the face of some disturbing trends seen so far this year, military leaders told lawmakers Friday.
Efforts such as the Marine Corps’ Operational Stress Control and Readiness program, the Army’s resiliency counseling and efforts to reduce the stigma of mental health counseling, as well as the Air Force’s at-risk identification program, are reaching troops, military leaders told the House Armed Services Committee’s military personnel panel.
But there is more to do as the wars wind down and the Defense Department faces possible budget cuts, officials and lawmakers agreed.
“Talking about success in suicides, unless you get no suicides, is not appropriate,” said Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick, the Army’s deputy chief of staff for personnel.
“Suicides are a loss that we simply cannot accept,” agreed Marine Lt. Gen. Robert Milstead Jr., deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs. “Leaders at all levels of the Marine Corps are personally involved in efforts to help address and prevent future tragedies.”
Rear Adm. Anthony Kurta, DoD’s director of military personnel plans and policy, said the Navy is “regrettably” seeing an increase in its suicide rate this year compared to 2010.
He added that historically, the Navy has seen a spike in the year following a drawdown — something that has happened three times in the past 20 years.
The Army, which saw a decline in active-duty suicides in 2010 but an uptick in rates among National Guard and Reserve troops, must continue developing its programs, Bostick said.
read more of this here
Following 'Soldiers,' To The Battlefield And Back
September 10, 2011
Following 'Soldiers,' To The Battlefield And Back
Filmmaker Heather Courtney didn't set out to make a war story. "I set out to make a story about rural America," she says. Her new documentary, Where Soldiers Come From, is both war story and small-town homecoming saga; it follows a group of young men who sign up for the National Guard, serve in Afghanistan, and then return home to their families in Michigan's woody Upper Peninsula.
Courtney joins NPR's Scott Simon to discuss the documentary, along with two of the young soldiers featured in the film, Dominic "Dom" Fredianelli and Matt "Bodi" Beaudoin.
On his assertion in the film that serving in Afghanistan taught him "to hate people":
Matt "Bodi" Beaudoin
Beaudoin: "I was so mad at the time. I obviously don't feel that way anymore. ... It was a crazy time in all of our lives, and I was so jaded because of how many times that I got blown up that I hated everything about that place. I don't regret what I said because at the time that's how I felt. ... What I love about the film [is that] Heather wasn't afraid to put the times like that into the film, because that's as real as it gets."read more here
Beaudoin has been diagnosed with severe traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. He says he fooled the military into letting him continue to go out on missions:
Beaudoin: "I would kind of bend the truth — tell them, 'I feel fine, I feel fine, let me keep going out.' They have what's called a TBI test — a traumatic brain injury test — and I kind of cheated and memorized it. ... I could have sat out way earlier on the explosions, but I didn't want to because I wanted to go out with my boys. I'd rather get me blown up than my buddies."
Every once in a while I am reminded of an argument I had with an Iraq veteran. He was drunk, or high, or a combination of both. He was convinced God was "an evil bastard enjoying the suffering of children." There was no goodness left in the world to him because he had seen way too much of the opposite.
My challenge was to prove to him the existence of a loving God, which was nearly impossible considering where he had been.
"Look around you right now. Think about the fact almost everyone here is armed with guns and knives. What are they doing?"
He looked around. What he saw was a bunch of bikers talking, laughing and hugging with one arm and a beer in the other hand. He looked at everyone for a long time, turned back to me and said "So what!" as if it was no big deal at all. He'd seen all that going on a hundred times but never really thought about it.
"It's easy to see what God allows but you have to look for what God prevents." Then I walked away. He followed me. "What's that supposed to mean?" I told him that if he only looks for what is bad, that is all he'll see. There is a lot of good going on at the same time."
When we see someone suffering, we often miss the love they are surrounded with at the same time. We think of only the suffering and wonder where God was when right in front of our eyes proof of His love and mercy are right there.
In the midst of horror the simple fact that someone can still cry, feel the pain inside for someone else, that is proof that love and compassion survives everything. Those emotions were not created by "an evil bastard" but by a loving God more powerful than the worst man can do to man.
Someone just has to point all that out. How can they see what God stops from happening when they are not looking for it? He keeps humans from hardening to the point where they just stop caring about anyone. He allows compassion to survive when surrounded by people willing to blow themselves up and take as many others with them as possible.
He causes a soldier to pray another life is not taken by his hand just as much as he prays one more of his friends does not have to die that day. If evil was the only thing left, that would not be possible. It would be like a computer game when they are more concerned with scoring points than the lives taken. Any goodness within them had to have come from somewhere and the source has to be a lot more powerful than the source of the evil because the good survives.
It is that goodness within them that causes so much internal suffering. Focusing on what was bad becomes all they know and faith is eroded.
If Beaudoin in the above article could see that his thoughts were for his friends above all else, he'd see that came from love and it lasted no matter what else was happening.
The young Iraq veteran I was arguing with kept asking more and more questions, more determined to shatter my own faith than to restore his own. Finally I asked him the question he needed to think about. "Did anyone help you?" He fought to hold back a tear. "Ya" I let him think about that for a while. "Then why would "evil" send help to you?"
I think it's really funny when I hear someone say you cannot prove God is real. I wonder if they believe someone loves them when they cannot "see love" or prove it. We know love is real with what the other person does, says, looks at us and cares for us. Well, we can know God is real the same way. We can see God everyday if we only look for Him and understand that there are things happening all around us surviving whatever "evil" attacks it with.
Canine Heroes of 9-11
Canine Heroes of 9-11
During the chaos of the September 11 attacks, nearly 100 loyal search and rescue dogs and their brave owners scoured Ground Zero for survivors. Credit: Barcroft Media
Scout and another unknown dog lie among the rubble at Ground Zero, just two of nearly 100 search and rescue animals who helped to search for survivors.
click the link for more amazing images
During the chaos of the September 11 attacks, nearly 100 loyal search and rescue dogs and their brave owners scoured Ground Zero for survivors. Credit: Barcroft Media
Scout and another unknown dog lie among the rubble at Ground Zero, just two of nearly 100 search and rescue animals who helped to search for survivors.
click the link for more amazing images
Soldiers with PTSD were at increased risk for suicide
The military can try to blame every other factor for the suicide rate, but here is the real answer.
PTSD comorbidity and suicidal ideation associated with PTSD within the Ohio Army National Guard.
J Clin Psychiatry. 2011 Aug;72(8):1072-8
Authors: Calabrese JR, Prescott M, Tamburrino M, Liberzon I, Slembarski R, Goldmann E, Shirley E, Fine T, Goto T, Wilson K, Ganocy S, Chan P, Serrano MB, Sizemore J, Galea S
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the relation between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) psychiatric comorbidity and suicidal ideation in a representative sample of Ohio Army National Guard soldiers.
METHOD: Using retrospective data collected on the telephone from a random sample of 2,616 National Guard soldiers who enrolled in a 10-year longitudinal study (baseline data collected November 2008-November 2009), we examined (1) the prevalence of other psychopathologies among those with DSM-IV-diagnosed PTSD compared to those without PTSD and (2) the association between PTSD comorbidity and suicidal ideation (reporting thoughts of being better off dead or hurting themselves). All analyses were carried out using logistic regression.
RESULTS: Of guard members with PTSD in the last year, 61.7% had at least 1 other psychopathology; 20.2% had at least 2 other co-occurring conditions. The most common co-occurring psychopathology was depression. While those with PTSD overall were 5.4 (95% CI, 3.8-7.5) times more likely to report suicidality than those without PTSD, those who had at least 2 additional conditions along with PTSD were 7.5 (95% CI, 3.0-18.3) times more likely to report suicidal ideation at some point in their lifetime than those with PTSD alone.
CONCLUSIONS: Soldiers with PTSD were at increased risk for suicidality, and, among those with PTSD, those with at least 2 additional conditions were at the highest risk of suicidal ideation. Future research should address the mechanisms that contribute to multimorbidity in this population and the appropriate treatment methods for this high-risk group.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Iraq Vet with PTSD pleads insanity in girlfriend's murder
Vet pleads insanity in girlfriend's murder
Published: Sept. 7, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- An Iraq war veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder killed his girlfriend because he thought she was part of a "hostile military force," his lawyer said.
Davon Londell Thomas, 29, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity Tuesday in the fatal shooting of his girlfriend in November 2009, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer reported.
read more here
Published: Sept. 7, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- An Iraq war veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder killed his girlfriend because he thought she was part of a "hostile military force," his lawyer said.
Davon Londell Thomas, 29, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity Tuesday in the fatal shooting of his girlfriend in November 2009, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer reported.
read more here
Most UK doctors 'cannot detect PTSD'
This may go a long way to explaining how the UK came out with a report on how low their military PTSD rate is.
Most doctors 'cannot detect PTSD'
07 September 2011
More than half of Britain's GPs are unaware of how to spot Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in veterans despite official guidelines being available, a survey has found.
A ComRes poll commissioned by forces charity Combat Stress found that just 42 per cent of GPs were familiar with National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on diagnosing PTSD.
Nearly half, 49 per cent, said they were not familiar with the guidelines at all, according to the survey of 1,006 doctors.
read more here
Michelle Obama helps build home for homeless women veterans
In North Carolina, under a blazing sun, the First Lady lent a hand to crew and volunteers building "Steps N Stages Jubilee House," a boarding home for homeless women veterans.
Her visit was filmed for an episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" that drew a huge crowd early in the day, hundred of fans hoping to see Michelle Obama in person. For some of these fans, the wait was overwhelming. The Times Union reports "the early afternoon heat and excitement got the best of some and a handful of people fainted, requiring the care of emergency medical crews."
But for the most part, the event was a success, if a sweltering hot one. Obama took a tour of the project with Barbara Marshall, herself a 15-year Navy veteran who allowed her own home to be demolished to make room for the boarding house, playhouse, greenhouse, and resource center-- all intended to function as shelter for women veterans. Several families will be able to live in the new building.
read more here
Her visit was filmed for an episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" that drew a huge crowd early in the day, hundred of fans hoping to see Michelle Obama in person. For some of these fans, the wait was overwhelming. The Times Union reports "the early afternoon heat and excitement got the best of some and a handful of people fainted, requiring the care of emergency medical crews."
But for the most part, the event was a success, if a sweltering hot one. Obama took a tour of the project with Barbara Marshall, herself a 15-year Navy veteran who allowed her own home to be demolished to make room for the boarding house, playhouse, greenhouse, and resource center-- all intended to function as shelter for women veterans. Several families will be able to live in the new building.
read more here
Bill would expand disabled vets’ job rights
Bill would expand disabled vets’ job rights
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Sep 9, 2011 13:59:30 EDT
A Texas Democrat is proposing an expansion of the employment protections for service members and veterans to prevent combat-wounded troops from being fired or demoted if they need time off for medical treatment.
Under the proposal unveiled Friday by Rep. Lloyd Doggett, called the Wounded Veterans Job Security Act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act would be amended to protect wounded veterans from workplace discrimination if they need time off for treatment of war-related injuries or disabilities.
In a statement, Doggett said the issue was raised during discussions with veterans. “They said, ‘Wounded veterans should not be fired after they exhaust their sick and vacation days to receive care for injuries suffered while defending our nation.’ I agreed. They said, ‘There ought to be a law supporting our veterans.’ I agreed.”
read more here
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Sep 9, 2011 13:59:30 EDT
A Texas Democrat is proposing an expansion of the employment protections for service members and veterans to prevent combat-wounded troops from being fired or demoted if they need time off for medical treatment.
Under the proposal unveiled Friday by Rep. Lloyd Doggett, called the Wounded Veterans Job Security Act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act would be amended to protect wounded veterans from workplace discrimination if they need time off for treatment of war-related injuries or disabilities.
In a statement, Doggett said the issue was raised during discussions with veterans. “They said, ‘Wounded veterans should not be fired after they exhaust their sick and vacation days to receive care for injuries suffered while defending our nation.’ I agreed. They said, ‘There ought to be a law supporting our veterans.’ I agreed.”
read more here
Montana VA stresses suicide prevention without a full time psychiatrist?
Montana VA stresses suicide prevention, awareness
Posted: Sep 8, 2011 4:48 PM by Melissa Anderson (Helena)
This is Suicide Prevention Week, and the suicide rate among veterans is reported to be two times higher than the civilian population.
Registered nurse Kellie LaFave of the Montana VA in Helena explained, "Veterans are at greater risk because they're exposed to such extremes and where they do their service. They may be injured physically or emotionally. They may be suffering from traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress syndrome. "
That's why the VA has stressed mental health as a key priority in its healthcare system.
The VA Montana system recently added the 24,000 square foot mental health facility that will house up to 24 veterans.
The PTSD program, which opened in July, is set up in six week outpatient sessions.
While the VA awaits hiring a full time psychiatrist, they are not taking inpatients at this time. However, veterans can still be referred.
read more here
Posted: Sep 8, 2011 4:48 PM by Melissa Anderson (Helena)
This is Suicide Prevention Week, and the suicide rate among veterans is reported to be two times higher than the civilian population.
Registered nurse Kellie LaFave of the Montana VA in Helena explained, "Veterans are at greater risk because they're exposed to such extremes and where they do their service. They may be injured physically or emotionally. They may be suffering from traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress syndrome. "
That's why the VA has stressed mental health as a key priority in its healthcare system.
The VA Montana system recently added the 24,000 square foot mental health facility that will house up to 24 veterans.
The PTSD program, which opened in July, is set up in six week outpatient sessions.
While the VA awaits hiring a full time psychiatrist, they are not taking inpatients at this time. However, veterans can still be referred.
read more here
Police: Veteran officer shot wife, then self
Police: Veteran officer shot wife, then self
CAROL ROBINSON, The Birmingham News
Published 11:50 a.m., Thursday, September 8, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Police detective Rodney Wilson and his wife of two years, Uteva, had their difficulties, but family members said they never expected those troubles to end in murder-suicide.
"I knew in the past they had problems and I told him and her that we all have financial worries," said Sharon Woods, Uteva Wilson's mother. "I talked to Rodney Saturday and he was concerned about things. I said, 'I have bills too. Do what you can, even if it's $1, and leave the rest to God.'"
"He always stressed that he loved her," Woods said Wednesday. "I never thought he would take her life."
Police said that's exactly what happened.
The 41-year-old detective apparently shot his 23-year-old wife and then got on his police radio and warned he was about to take his own life.
He told dispatchers he had killed his wife, but that the children were OK. He asked for paramedics and a supervisor to come to the scene, and then said, "I won't be here when you get here," authorities said.
Wilson, a nearly 11-year veteran of the Birmingham force who served in the burglary unit, used his service weapon in shooting, authorities said.
CAROL ROBINSON, The Birmingham News
Published 11:50 a.m., Thursday, September 8, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Police detective Rodney Wilson and his wife of two years, Uteva, had their difficulties, but family members said they never expected those troubles to end in murder-suicide.
"I knew in the past they had problems and I told him and her that we all have financial worries," said Sharon Woods, Uteva Wilson's mother. "I talked to Rodney Saturday and he was concerned about things. I said, 'I have bills too. Do what you can, even if it's $1, and leave the rest to God.'"
"He always stressed that he loved her," Woods said Wednesday. "I never thought he would take her life."
Police said that's exactly what happened.
The 41-year-old detective apparently shot his 23-year-old wife and then got on his police radio and warned he was about to take his own life.
He told dispatchers he had killed his wife, but that the children were OK. He asked for paramedics and a supervisor to come to the scene, and then said, "I won't be here when you get here," authorities said.
Wilson, a nearly 11-year veteran of the Birmingham force who served in the burglary unit, used his service weapon in shooting, authorities said.
Leavenworth-born Marine killed in motorcycle crash
Leavenworth-born Marine killed in motorcycle crash
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. | The Marine Corps says a 37-year-old gunnery sergeant has died in North Carolina of injuries he suffered in a motorcycle accident last week.
Sgt. Christopher E. Cunningham was a 19-year veteran of the Corps and a native of Leavenworth, Kan. Officials announced his death in a news release Thursday.
read more here
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. | The Marine Corps says a 37-year-old gunnery sergeant has died in North Carolina of injuries he suffered in a motorcycle accident last week.
Sgt. Christopher E. Cunningham was a 19-year veteran of the Corps and a native of Leavenworth, Kan. Officials announced his death in a news release Thursday.
read more here
Bill protects Constitutional Right to Freedom of Religion for Veterans
The law has managed to protect the rights of the Westboro hate group to say whatever they want, show up at military funerals, tell the family members they are thankful for the death and spewing hatred against them. To think that a separate Bill has to be written to protect the rights of our veterans needs to be done is deplorable.
CONGRESSMAN POE INTRODUCES THE VETERANS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT
Bill protects Constitutional Right to Freedom of Religion for Veterans
Washington, Sep 8 -
WASHINGTON, DC— This week Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02) introduced the Veterans’ Religious Freedom Act in response to the alleged religious censorship taking place at the Houston National Cemetery.
This legislation will prohibit the Veterans Administration from limiting the free speech of any member of a veteran service organization or any person who else who has been invited to speak at a funeral service of a veteran. It will also require that within 90 days of the passage of the bill, all VA cemetery directors must be veterans. Finally, it will mandate that the VA inform families of veterans all options available to loved ones when they are planning funeral services.
“It is the constitutional duty of the federal government to protect speech and religion, not prohibit it. Government censorship of funeral services for our veterans is unacceptable, unconstitutional and un-American. The policy of the director of the Houston VA Cemetery is anti-Christian, anti-religion and anti-veteran. What has reportedly taken place at the Houston VA Cemetery is inexcusable, and Congress must take immediate action to protect the rights of those who have fought and died for our country.”
read more here
Iraq War Vet with PTSD Pleads Guilty, Finally Gets Help
Iraq War Vet with PTSD Pleads Guilty to Assault, DUI Charge
Rob Low
6:19 p.m. CDT, September 8, 2011
PLATTE CITY, Mo.— A Platte County Iraq War veteran fighting post-traumatic stress disorder may finally get the help he needs, but only after he pleaded guilty in court on Thursday.
read more here
UPDATE
I received this email from his wife.
Rob Low
6:19 p.m. CDT, September 8, 2011
PLATTE CITY, Mo.— A Platte County Iraq War veteran fighting post-traumatic stress disorder may finally get the help he needs, but only after he pleaded guilty in court on Thursday.
read more here
UPDATE
I received this email from his wife.
Chaplain Kathie,
Thanks for posting the story, however, it's somewhat misleading. Zac has applied to Pathway Home in California for inpatient treatment. We are awaiting approval. It is his only hope, if doesn't get in, we don't know what we'll do. Additionally, it is tragic and an injustice that it came down to this. My husband is now a felon for something he did not do. Those rights he promised to protect when he signed his life over to Uncle Sam, are the very ones he has been unjustly stripped of. Our veterans with legal issues and injuries are being largely ignored and neglected by those who have the power to help them. We received no help from the VJOC or any other veteran's organization we reached out to.
I am really disappointed in my country.
Over 20 groups unite to end military suicides
Sept. 8, 2011, 8:14 p.m. EDT
More than 20 Organizations Unite in Washington DC to End Suicide for US Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel
Sept. 10th to Honor 8th Annual World Suicide Prevention Day with the Global Night for Hope
WASHINGTON, Sep 8, 2011 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Groups join together on September 10th uniting in solidarity to end suicide for the veteran and active duty military communities. Serendipity brought twenty organizations and counting together to present expert views of why we are losing 18 veterans every single day to suicide, share personal stories of loss, and provide solutions for a reduction in these tragic occurrences. Mood-factory is donating 25,000 Mood-lites to Washington DC to shine a light of hope, and donating $0.25 of each Happiness Mood-lite sold to Project Hope, an iFred initiative. If you know an active duty military or veteran, encourage them to get support by visiting imalive.org, 1-877-VET2VET, or www.hopeline.com . To find out more about this historic event that marks the first collaborative effort of these groups, putting aside politics and egos in hopes of saving lives, at www.globalnightforhope.org .
When: Saturday, September 10th 2011 - noon -- 2:00pm rally with porches lit at dusk
Where: The area is known as Taft Memorial Park.
http://www.uscapitolpolice.gov/special_events/map.pdf .
What: Rally from 12-2 and Global Night for Hope for the military.
Why: Military and veteran suicides outpace the rest of the population, in combat zones as well as back home. Suicide now outpaces the number of combat deaths of active duty personnel and has become a critical crisis for our military and veteran community. Sadly, July 2011 had the most suicides occur in the army, 32, since the War on Terror began 10 years ago.
We must examine the methods we are using to eliminate suicide in our society, particularly for active military, Veterans and their Family Members. Serendipity, the KBHC, and iFred are joining with other veteran service organizations and hundreds of survivors who have lost their loved ones to suicide on the 8th Annual Suicide Prevention Day with an emphasis on the military. The intent is to send a message to the Nation that all veteran service organizations, the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and people in the community must work together collaboratively to end suicide among these brave men and women.
In addition, iFred.com has initiated a Global Night For Hope, and Mood-lites has donated 25,000 yellow light bulbs to hand out to participants and the neighborhoods surrounding the capital during the September 10 event. All are encouraged to place the yellow bulb in their porch light fixtures and turn them on the evening of Sept 10th. It is our goal to "light up the night" and show people in our nations' Capitol support for our veterans and their family members in providing world class depression, PTSD,and TBI evaluation and treatment which may in turn save lives.
The 1-877-VET2VET (838-2838) suicide prevention and crisis intervention counseling program is vital to many veterans in need of empathetic support from their own peers. The Kristin Brooks Hope Center, one of the leading suicide prevention organizations in the U.S. for over 13 years, is well positioned to have a significant impact on the at-risk veteran community with this new, online, peer-to-peer, crisis intervention program. We encourage you to join us and would be happy to include you in the program during our event.
Who: Our Sponsors: Kristin Brooks Hope Center (KBHC), Mood-factory, PostSecret.com, Psych Central, World Makers. Our Nonprofit Partners: Blue Star Families, Center for Strategic Military Excellence, Family of a Vet, Project Honor an iFred.org initiative, NAMI of Montgomery County, National Veterans Foundation, Operation Second Chance, Serendipity, The Mommies Network, The Soldiers Project, Vet2Vet, Veterans Advocacy Services, Inc., Veteran's Dream Foundation, Veteran's Education Project, VetsforVets, iFred, and invited members of Congress on both the Senate and House Committees for Veterans Affairs and Armed Services.
Our Sponsors:
About Mood-factory: We have one goal at our company: To Improve Moods. We do this by teaching you how to engage all of your senses, in the correct way, to create a more desirable state. Mood-lites is the Mood-factory's first product category, and are light bulbs based on how colors affect moods. Mood-factory is now just launching our 2nd generation Mood-lites in Lowe's Home Improvement stores throughout the United States. It is our goal, through the donation of 25,000 light bulbs, to shine Washington DC porches yellow on September 10th to increase awareness for depression. Additionally, 0.25 of each Mood-lite sold will be donated to iFred, a 501c3 aiming to shine a positive light on depression. Light your porch yellow on September 10th, showing Hope for healing and support of our military. Allow this light to flood our cities as we fall into September 11, in the Hope for a more peaceful world free from violence and hatred.
About PostSecret.com: Called "the most trusted stranger in America," Frank Warren is the sole founder and curator of the PostSecret Project: A collection of nearly 500,000 highly personal and artfully decorated postcards mailed anonymously from around the world, displaying the soulful secrets we never voice. The PostSecret.com site now receives more than 1,000,000 visitors every week. In 2005, the All-American Rejects approached Warren about using images of actual PostSecret images in their "Dirty Little Secret" music video. They offered Warren $1,000, but Warren instead asked them to donate $2,000 to 1-800-SUICIDE where Warren was a volunteer. The donation was made and the music video became one of the most requested on MTV. The National Mental Health Association presented Warren with an award for his work in raising public awareness of Suicide. The PostSecret project has now raised over $500,000 for 1800-SUICIDE. PostSecret was awarded the December 2008 "Myspace Impact Award" and donated 100% of the proceeds to 1-800 SUICIDE. The latest PostSecret book titled Confessions on Life, Death and God made the NY Times Best Seller List at #1 and in June 2010 Time Magazine rated Postsecret the #2 blog in the US. www.postsecret.com
About World Makers: World Makers, Inc. creates and sources high quality and environmentally friendly personal use and gift products through its website, www.worldmakers.com . World Makers, Inc. insists that free enterprise is a luxury that would not exist if it weren't for America's veterans. For this reason the company is creating a Veterans Sales Force (VSF) in order to proactively employ U.S. military veterans and to stem the pandemic of 6,000 veteran suicides per year. Commissions from product sales will be shared equally with the Vet2Vet suicide prevention program.
About Psych Central: Psych Central ( www.psychcentral.com ) is the Internet's largest and oldest independent mental health and psychology network. Since 1995, it has been run by mental health professionals led by Dr. John Grohol offering reliable, trusted information and over 170 support groups to consumers. We touch the lives of over 2 million people around the world every month. Psych Central also runs one of the most popular suicide resources on the Internet, "Suicide… Read this first," ( www.metanoia.org/suicide/ ) which has been read by over 16 million people since 1995 and changed the minds of over 5 million of them.
About Our Nonprofit Partnerships:
About Blue Star Families: Blue Star Families is a non-partisan, non-profit organization, created by real military families. We are committed to supporting one another through the unique challenges of military service and asking the larger civilian population to help as well, connecting military families regardless of rank, branch of service or physical location, and empowering military family members to create the best personal and family life possible for themselves. www.bluestarfam.org
About Center for Strategic Military Excellence: The Center for Strategic Military Excellence is a private organization that serves as a standalone center to fulfill the needs of veterans, DOD members, and their dependents by providing access to health care, mental health services, education, job placement and special needs housing. The Center for Strategic Military Excellence is determined to make these services more effective and efficient so to better provide the level of care and consideration that these great men and women deserve. They strive to bridge the gap between the private health care industry and VA/DOD health services by helping to overcome bureaucratic obstacles and working to better deliver the quality of care that we all expect for the veterans of this country. Their mission requires that we approach the care of our veterans with a steadfast resolve from the day they take their oath to serve until the day that they are laid to rest. csme-usa.com
About Family of a Vet: Family Of a Vet was started by the proud wife of an OIF Veteran who suffers from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Her family originally planned to be "career" Army. They dearly loved the military, the people who make up its family, and are passionate patriots.
About the Kristin Brooks Hope Center/Vet2Vet: The Kristin Brooks Hope Center was founded in April 1998 by Reese Butler after his wife, Kristin Brooks, died by suicide. The mission of the KBHC is to offer hope to those in the deepest emotional pain. To that end, the KBHC has launched programs such as the National Hopeline Network 1.800.SUICIDE, which connects those who are depressed or suicidal to a local certified crisis center. In 2003 KBHC launched 1-877-VET2VET and the www.veteranscall.us which provides peer support online, via telephone or email. The KBHC works to prevent suicide and educate people about depressive disorders. www.hopeline.com .
About National Veterans Foundation: The National Veterans Foundation serves the crisis management, information and referral needs of all U.S. Veterans and their families through: Management and operation of the nation's only toll-free helpline for all veterans and their families. It is our goal to increase public awareness programs that shine a consistent spotlight on the needs of America's veterans. In addition we provide outreach services to veterans and families in need with food, clothing, transportation, employment, and other essential resources
About NAMI, Montgomery County: NAMI Montgomery County (NAMI MC) is the Montgomery County, Maryland affiliate of National Alliance on Mental Illness which is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
About Operation Second Chance: Founded in 2004 by Cindy McGrew they are patriotic citizens committed to serving our wounded, injured and ill combat veterans. They support Veterans and their families while they recover in military hospitals, by building relationships and identifying and supporting immediate needs and interests. They are dedicated to promoting public awareness of the many sacrifices made by our Armed Forces. Since its foundation in 2004, Operation Second Chance has developed a series of deep, mutually beneficial, and constructive working relationships with a series of Partners, and is proud to be associated with them.
www.operationsecondchance.org
About Serendipity: Responding to the outcry of military families who are losing not only soldiers, but family members as well to suicide, this team of professionals from all walks of life have become "People Brokers" and dedicated themselves to eliminating suicide in our nation. By bridging current resources both nationally and locally, empowering survivors and survivor families to find their own voices, holding leadership accountable for changes long overdue, and creating awareness for the public at large, Serendipity seeks to create a holistic support system that not only prevents suicide, but also promotes healthier families and communities across both military and civilian communities.
About The Mommies Network: The Mommies Network is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping moms find support and friendship in their local community. We started as one chapter and launched as network of chapters in 2005. Now we have about 100 communities across the country and over 25,000 active members.
About The Soldiers Project: The Soldiers Project is a private, non-profit, independent group of volunteer licensed mental health professionals. This group of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, registered nurses, marriage and family therapists provide free confidential psychological counseling for military service members and their loved ones.
About Veterans Advocacy Services: Veterans Advocacy Services Inc. works hard to make sure our Veterans get the help they deserve. Please make a donation today and make a difference in the life of an armed services family.
About Veteran's Dream Foundation: Veteran's Dream Foundation work to fulfill the final dreams of our nations terminally ill veterans.
About Veteran's Education Project: VEP Veterans speak in secondary schools, youth programs, colleges, public venues, and at conferences and workshops for human service and education professionals in the Western Massachusetts area.
About Project Honor an iFred.org initiative: Kathryn Goetzke founded the International Foundation for Research and Education for Depression which operates www.depression.org iFred's primary purpose is to Bring Depression Hope. iFred brings energy and information together from a variety of existing sources to educate, inform and change the way we look at depression today.
This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com
SOURCE: iFred
CONTACT: Lindsey Mask
lindsey@globalvisioncommunications.com
202 680 4417
More than 20 Organizations Unite in Washington DC to End Suicide for US Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel
Sept. 10th to Honor 8th Annual World Suicide Prevention Day with the Global Night for Hope
WASHINGTON, Sep 8, 2011 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Groups join together on September 10th uniting in solidarity to end suicide for the veteran and active duty military communities. Serendipity brought twenty organizations and counting together to present expert views of why we are losing 18 veterans every single day to suicide, share personal stories of loss, and provide solutions for a reduction in these tragic occurrences. Mood-factory is donating 25,000 Mood-lites to Washington DC to shine a light of hope, and donating $0.25 of each Happiness Mood-lite sold to Project Hope, an iFred initiative. If you know an active duty military or veteran, encourage them to get support by visiting imalive.org, 1-877-VET2VET, or www.hopeline.com . To find out more about this historic event that marks the first collaborative effort of these groups, putting aside politics and egos in hopes of saving lives, at www.globalnightforhope.org .
When: Saturday, September 10th 2011 - noon -- 2:00pm rally with porches lit at dusk
Where: The area is known as Taft Memorial Park.
http://www.uscapitolpolice.gov/special_events/map.pdf .
What: Rally from 12-2 and Global Night for Hope for the military.
Why: Military and veteran suicides outpace the rest of the population, in combat zones as well as back home. Suicide now outpaces the number of combat deaths of active duty personnel and has become a critical crisis for our military and veteran community. Sadly, July 2011 had the most suicides occur in the army, 32, since the War on Terror began 10 years ago.
We must examine the methods we are using to eliminate suicide in our society, particularly for active military, Veterans and their Family Members. Serendipity, the KBHC, and iFred are joining with other veteran service organizations and hundreds of survivors who have lost their loved ones to suicide on the 8th Annual Suicide Prevention Day with an emphasis on the military. The intent is to send a message to the Nation that all veteran service organizations, the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and people in the community must work together collaboratively to end suicide among these brave men and women.
In addition, iFred.com has initiated a Global Night For Hope, and Mood-lites has donated 25,000 yellow light bulbs to hand out to participants and the neighborhoods surrounding the capital during the September 10 event. All are encouraged to place the yellow bulb in their porch light fixtures and turn them on the evening of Sept 10th. It is our goal to "light up the night" and show people in our nations' Capitol support for our veterans and their family members in providing world class depression, PTSD,and TBI evaluation and treatment which may in turn save lives.
The 1-877-VET2VET (838-2838) suicide prevention and crisis intervention counseling program is vital to many veterans in need of empathetic support from their own peers. The Kristin Brooks Hope Center, one of the leading suicide prevention organizations in the U.S. for over 13 years, is well positioned to have a significant impact on the at-risk veteran community with this new, online, peer-to-peer, crisis intervention program. We encourage you to join us and would be happy to include you in the program during our event.
Who: Our Sponsors: Kristin Brooks Hope Center (KBHC), Mood-factory, PostSecret.com, Psych Central, World Makers. Our Nonprofit Partners: Blue Star Families, Center for Strategic Military Excellence, Family of a Vet, Project Honor an iFred.org initiative, NAMI of Montgomery County, National Veterans Foundation, Operation Second Chance, Serendipity, The Mommies Network, The Soldiers Project, Vet2Vet, Veterans Advocacy Services, Inc., Veteran's Dream Foundation, Veteran's Education Project, VetsforVets, iFred, and invited members of Congress on both the Senate and House Committees for Veterans Affairs and Armed Services.
Our Sponsors:
About Mood-factory: We have one goal at our company: To Improve Moods. We do this by teaching you how to engage all of your senses, in the correct way, to create a more desirable state. Mood-lites is the Mood-factory's first product category, and are light bulbs based on how colors affect moods. Mood-factory is now just launching our 2nd generation Mood-lites in Lowe's Home Improvement stores throughout the United States. It is our goal, through the donation of 25,000 light bulbs, to shine Washington DC porches yellow on September 10th to increase awareness for depression. Additionally, 0.25 of each Mood-lite sold will be donated to iFred, a 501c3 aiming to shine a positive light on depression. Light your porch yellow on September 10th, showing Hope for healing and support of our military. Allow this light to flood our cities as we fall into September 11, in the Hope for a more peaceful world free from violence and hatred.
About PostSecret.com: Called "the most trusted stranger in America," Frank Warren is the sole founder and curator of the PostSecret Project: A collection of nearly 500,000 highly personal and artfully decorated postcards mailed anonymously from around the world, displaying the soulful secrets we never voice. The PostSecret.com site now receives more than 1,000,000 visitors every week. In 2005, the All-American Rejects approached Warren about using images of actual PostSecret images in their "Dirty Little Secret" music video. They offered Warren $1,000, but Warren instead asked them to donate $2,000 to 1-800-SUICIDE where Warren was a volunteer. The donation was made and the music video became one of the most requested on MTV. The National Mental Health Association presented Warren with an award for his work in raising public awareness of Suicide. The PostSecret project has now raised over $500,000 for 1800-SUICIDE. PostSecret was awarded the December 2008 "Myspace Impact Award" and donated 100% of the proceeds to 1-800 SUICIDE. The latest PostSecret book titled Confessions on Life, Death and God made the NY Times Best Seller List at #1 and in June 2010 Time Magazine rated Postsecret the #2 blog in the US. www.postsecret.com
About World Makers: World Makers, Inc. creates and sources high quality and environmentally friendly personal use and gift products through its website, www.worldmakers.com . World Makers, Inc. insists that free enterprise is a luxury that would not exist if it weren't for America's veterans. For this reason the company is creating a Veterans Sales Force (VSF) in order to proactively employ U.S. military veterans and to stem the pandemic of 6,000 veteran suicides per year. Commissions from product sales will be shared equally with the Vet2Vet suicide prevention program.
About Psych Central: Psych Central ( www.psychcentral.com ) is the Internet's largest and oldest independent mental health and psychology network. Since 1995, it has been run by mental health professionals led by Dr. John Grohol offering reliable, trusted information and over 170 support groups to consumers. We touch the lives of over 2 million people around the world every month. Psych Central also runs one of the most popular suicide resources on the Internet, "Suicide… Read this first," ( www.metanoia.org/suicide/ ) which has been read by over 16 million people since 1995 and changed the minds of over 5 million of them.
About Our Nonprofit Partnerships:
About Blue Star Families: Blue Star Families is a non-partisan, non-profit organization, created by real military families. We are committed to supporting one another through the unique challenges of military service and asking the larger civilian population to help as well, connecting military families regardless of rank, branch of service or physical location, and empowering military family members to create the best personal and family life possible for themselves. www.bluestarfam.org
About Center for Strategic Military Excellence: The Center for Strategic Military Excellence is a private organization that serves as a standalone center to fulfill the needs of veterans, DOD members, and their dependents by providing access to health care, mental health services, education, job placement and special needs housing. The Center for Strategic Military Excellence is determined to make these services more effective and efficient so to better provide the level of care and consideration that these great men and women deserve. They strive to bridge the gap between the private health care industry and VA/DOD health services by helping to overcome bureaucratic obstacles and working to better deliver the quality of care that we all expect for the veterans of this country. Their mission requires that we approach the care of our veterans with a steadfast resolve from the day they take their oath to serve until the day that they are laid to rest. csme-usa.com
About Family of a Vet: Family Of a Vet was started by the proud wife of an OIF Veteran who suffers from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Her family originally planned to be "career" Army. They dearly loved the military, the people who make up its family, and are passionate patriots.
About the Kristin Brooks Hope Center/Vet2Vet: The Kristin Brooks Hope Center was founded in April 1998 by Reese Butler after his wife, Kristin Brooks, died by suicide. The mission of the KBHC is to offer hope to those in the deepest emotional pain. To that end, the KBHC has launched programs such as the National Hopeline Network 1.800.SUICIDE, which connects those who are depressed or suicidal to a local certified crisis center. In 2003 KBHC launched 1-877-VET2VET and the www.veteranscall.us which provides peer support online, via telephone or email. The KBHC works to prevent suicide and educate people about depressive disorders. www.hopeline.com .
About National Veterans Foundation: The National Veterans Foundation serves the crisis management, information and referral needs of all U.S. Veterans and their families through: Management and operation of the nation's only toll-free helpline for all veterans and their families. It is our goal to increase public awareness programs that shine a consistent spotlight on the needs of America's veterans. In addition we provide outreach services to veterans and families in need with food, clothing, transportation, employment, and other essential resources
About NAMI, Montgomery County: NAMI Montgomery County (NAMI MC) is the Montgomery County, Maryland affiliate of National Alliance on Mental Illness which is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
About Operation Second Chance: Founded in 2004 by Cindy McGrew they are patriotic citizens committed to serving our wounded, injured and ill combat veterans. They support Veterans and their families while they recover in military hospitals, by building relationships and identifying and supporting immediate needs and interests. They are dedicated to promoting public awareness of the many sacrifices made by our Armed Forces. Since its foundation in 2004, Operation Second Chance has developed a series of deep, mutually beneficial, and constructive working relationships with a series of Partners, and is proud to be associated with them.
www.operationsecondchance.org
About Serendipity: Responding to the outcry of military families who are losing not only soldiers, but family members as well to suicide, this team of professionals from all walks of life have become "People Brokers" and dedicated themselves to eliminating suicide in our nation. By bridging current resources both nationally and locally, empowering survivors and survivor families to find their own voices, holding leadership accountable for changes long overdue, and creating awareness for the public at large, Serendipity seeks to create a holistic support system that not only prevents suicide, but also promotes healthier families and communities across both military and civilian communities.
About The Mommies Network: The Mommies Network is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping moms find support and friendship in their local community. We started as one chapter and launched as network of chapters in 2005. Now we have about 100 communities across the country and over 25,000 active members.
About The Soldiers Project: The Soldiers Project is a private, non-profit, independent group of volunteer licensed mental health professionals. This group of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, registered nurses, marriage and family therapists provide free confidential psychological counseling for military service members and their loved ones.
About Veterans Advocacy Services: Veterans Advocacy Services Inc. works hard to make sure our Veterans get the help they deserve. Please make a donation today and make a difference in the life of an armed services family.
About Veteran's Dream Foundation: Veteran's Dream Foundation work to fulfill the final dreams of our nations terminally ill veterans.
About Veteran's Education Project: VEP Veterans speak in secondary schools, youth programs, colleges, public venues, and at conferences and workshops for human service and education professionals in the Western Massachusetts area.
About Project Honor an iFred.org initiative: Kathryn Goetzke founded the International Foundation for Research and Education for Depression which operates www.depression.org iFred's primary purpose is to Bring Depression Hope. iFred brings energy and information together from a variety of existing sources to educate, inform and change the way we look at depression today.
This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com
SOURCE: iFred
CONTACT: Lindsey Mask
lindsey@globalvisioncommunications.com
202 680 4417
New start for wounded vets and military complex
New start for wounded vets and military complex
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
Story by JoAnne Castagna
Courtesy Photo
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Heather Miller of Saint Charles, Mo., remembers a horrific day - Oct. 20, 2009.
"My husband Greg sent me a text message telling me he was going to take his life and that he will send me a message with the location of his body."
Luckily, she found him hours later safely in a hospital bed. Greg Miller suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and this was one of several suicide attempts he's made after his last deployment to Kirkuk, Iraq, in 2008.
Today, Greg is a retired staff sergeant with the U.S. Air Force and is on the road to recovery. He and his wife attribute this in large part to his love of art.
“His talents and ability to complete art projects have literally saved his life,” said Heather. “It also makes Greg feel good to finally have his passion of artwork get noticed.”
One of Greg's works of art will be displayed in the new Department of Defense (DoD) administrative office complex in Alexandria, Va. as part of the Spirit of Wounded Warriors and Veterans: Healing the Soul through Artistic Expression program.
“This program is a way for us to thank our wounded veterans for their service and provide them a venue to display their artwork. The residents of the complex will also benefit by being able to view the works of art,” said Joanne Hensley, chief, project development, BRAC 133. Hensley created this program in cooperation with personnel from other federal agencies.
read more here
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
Story by JoAnne Castagna
Courtesy Photo
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Heather Miller of Saint Charles, Mo., remembers a horrific day - Oct. 20, 2009.
"My husband Greg sent me a text message telling me he was going to take his life and that he will send me a message with the location of his body."
Luckily, she found him hours later safely in a hospital bed. Greg Miller suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and this was one of several suicide attempts he's made after his last deployment to Kirkuk, Iraq, in 2008.
Today, Greg is a retired staff sergeant with the U.S. Air Force and is on the road to recovery. He and his wife attribute this in large part to his love of art.
“His talents and ability to complete art projects have literally saved his life,” said Heather. “It also makes Greg feel good to finally have his passion of artwork get noticed.”
One of Greg's works of art will be displayed in the new Department of Defense (DoD) administrative office complex in Alexandria, Va. as part of the Spirit of Wounded Warriors and Veterans: Healing the Soul through Artistic Expression program.
“This program is a way for us to thank our wounded veterans for their service and provide them a venue to display their artwork. The residents of the complex will also benefit by being able to view the works of art,” said Joanne Hensley, chief, project development, BRAC 133. Hensley created this program in cooperation with personnel from other federal agencies.
read more here
PTSD cases grow as combat continues for Fort Drum soldiers
PTSD cases grow as combat continues for Fort Drum soldiers
By DANIEL WOOLFOLK
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2011
FORT DRUM — James E. Bonds sat on the back deck of the Captain’s Cove Motel overlooking Henderson Harbor and took a break from preparing reflective bait to watch the sea gulls feed.
“Fishing runs in me,” the lifelong angler said. “My mom said she was even dreaming of fishing when she had me.”
Even when the former soldier was deployed to Iraq in 2005 with the 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, he fished.
“I was the only one ... who’d get dressed up in full battle gear to go fishing," he said.
Mr. Bonds survived an improvised explosive device attack. And during a raid, he was shot twice in the chest at close range. The rounds hit his armor, knocking the wind out of him before his fellow soldiers killed the shooter.
Back home after the deployment, Mr. Bonds began having nightmares about being attacked. One night while asleep with his girlfriend beside him, Mr. Bonds had another nightmare and began to choke her.
“After that, I didn’t sleep in the bed with her no more,” he said. “I couldn’t trust myself.”
In 2008, a doctor diagnosed Mr. Bonds with post-traumatic stress disorder that he believes came from the countless combat experiences and a traumatic brain injury, which likely came from the IED explosion, he said. To combat the effects of the wars, he makes behavioral health appointments and constantly works to keep the bad dreams and thoughts at bay. He does that mostly by keeping busy. If he’s not fishing, he’s mowing the lawn or painting.
“The more you harp on it, the worse it gets,” he said. “That’s why I’m always doing something.”
read more here
By DANIEL WOOLFOLK
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2011
FORT DRUM — James E. Bonds sat on the back deck of the Captain’s Cove Motel overlooking Henderson Harbor and took a break from preparing reflective bait to watch the sea gulls feed.
“Fishing runs in me,” the lifelong angler said. “My mom said she was even dreaming of fishing when she had me.”
Even when the former soldier was deployed to Iraq in 2005 with the 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, he fished.
“I was the only one ... who’d get dressed up in full battle gear to go fishing," he said.
Mr. Bonds survived an improvised explosive device attack. And during a raid, he was shot twice in the chest at close range. The rounds hit his armor, knocking the wind out of him before his fellow soldiers killed the shooter.
Back home after the deployment, Mr. Bonds began having nightmares about being attacked. One night while asleep with his girlfriend beside him, Mr. Bonds had another nightmare and began to choke her.
“After that, I didn’t sleep in the bed with her no more,” he said. “I couldn’t trust myself.”
In 2008, a doctor diagnosed Mr. Bonds with post-traumatic stress disorder that he believes came from the countless combat experiences and a traumatic brain injury, which likely came from the IED explosion, he said. To combat the effects of the wars, he makes behavioral health appointments and constantly works to keep the bad dreams and thoughts at bay. He does that mostly by keeping busy. If he’s not fishing, he’s mowing the lawn or painting.
“The more you harp on it, the worse it gets,” he said. “That’s why I’m always doing something.”
read more here
LPGA Golfer Jennifer Johnson giving half winnings to Wounded Warrior Project
Jennifer Johnson to Donate Half of Navistar LPGA Classic Winnings to Wounded Warrior Project
LPGA Golfer Teams with Navistar to Encourage Donations to Wounded Warrior Project
PRATTVILLE, AL. – SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 — Jennifer Johnson, one of the LPGA’s leading rookies, has announced that half of her total winnings at this year’s Navistar LPGA Classic on September 15-18, 2011, will be donated to Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP), a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services for injured service members and caregivers.
“Our wounded veterans should not have to endure any more suffering than they already have and deserve the best care and treatment available,” said Johnson, who last year was the NCGA Freshman of the Year and an NCAA First Team All-American. “Wounded Warrior Project helps those who have sacrificed so much move back into civilian life. It’s a wonderful organization and I encourage other players and tournament attendees to make a donation.”
Johnson’s donation is following Navistar’s recent announcement that for the first time, the 2011 Navistar LPGA Classic at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Capitol Hill complex in Prattville, Alabama will be open to the public free of charge. In a partnership with the LPGA and the Retirement Systems of Alabama, the company is asking spectators to instead donate to those who serve in the U.S. armed forces by asking event attendees to donate to the WWP.
“Our military men and women have given so much to our country,”said Dan Ustian, chairman, president and CEO, Navistar International Corporation. “That is why we support Wounded Warrior Project and have made the Navistar LPGA Classic free of charge this year, in hope attendees will consider taking a portion of the admission fee that would have paid and donate to Wounded Warrior Project. We at Navistar are thankful to Jennifer for her extreme generosity and commitment to Wounded Warrior Project.”
More than 45,000 of our nation’s armed forces have been physically wounded during the recent military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands more are estimated to be recovering from invisible wounds of war, including post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and traumatic brain injury. WWP assists wounded warriors and their families through a holistic approach to their recovery. In addition, the Warriors to Work program of WWP assists warriors with the transition back into the civilian workforce, including many jobs in the trucking and transportation industry. This free program offers a complete package of employment-assistance services, including resume assistance, interviewing skills, job training, networking and job placement assistance. Those interested in donating will be able to either at the tournament or by texting “WWP” to 90999 on a mobile phone.
“Jennifer’s dedication to both her profession and the military men and women who serve our country is inspiring to us as an organization,” said Steve Nardizzi, Executive Director of Wounded Warrior Project. “With the support of partners like Navistar and Jennifer, we are able to honor and empower warriors each and every day.”
In its fifth year, the Navistar LPGA Classic has confirmed more than 100 of the world's top women golfers, including the top six-ranked players: Yani Tseng, Cristie Kerr, Suzanne Pettersen, Jiyai Shin, Na Yeon Choi and I.K. Kim.
To learn more about the Navistar LPGA Classic and Wound Warrior Project visit navistarlpgaclassic.com or woundedwarriorproject.org.
How-to Donate
To donate, text “WWP” to 90999 on your mobile phone to donate $10 to Wounded Warrior Project. A $10.00 charge will be added to your mobile phone bill (or deducted from your prepaid account).
About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded warriors. The purpose of WWP is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members; to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other; and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, non-partisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.
About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial and military trucks, MaxxForce® brand diesel engines, IC Bus™ brand school and commercial buses, Monaco® RV brands of recreational vehicles, and Workhorse® brand chassis for motor homes and step vans. The company also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com/newsroom.
Media contact: Steve Schrier, 630-753-2264
Investor contact: Heather Kos, 630-753-2406
Web site: www.navistar.com
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