Local Woman Raises $40,000 to Help Wounded Warriors with a Cookbook
Gladys Rodriguez gathered recipes from Marine moms, wives, family and friends before she self-published a cookbook.
By Mitchelle Stephenson
Gladys Rodriguez is an American in love with her country. Sure, she loves her husband and her children and her job, but she really loves America in a way that only people who have lived in other places can.
The Crofton resident said it is the home she “chose.”
Rodriguez and her husband immigrated from Cuba (via Chile) in 1970 and took the oath of citizenship on July 4, 1976 at Fort McHenry in Baltimore.
Rodriguez works full time in Davidsonville at Homestead Gardens.
But spend a few minutes talking to Rodriguez about her story and she quickly moves the conversation to her enthusiasm for a charity close to her heart.
That charity is the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, which helps wounded warriors and their families with financial assistance and other necessities.
Rodriguez has raised more than $40,000 for the Semper Fi Fund through sales of a cookbook that she self-published with recipes from military wives and mothers.
read more here
Monday, November 28, 2011
Hunter kills himself after accidentally shooting friend
If you still don't understand what guilt can do to a person, read this and it may help you understand veterans with PTSD along with the recent report that guilt is a huge factor in their suffering.
The report says that after accidentally shooting Birch, Bolgnani killed himself according to another person there.
The report says that after accidentally shooting Birch, Bolgnani killed himself according to another person there.
Two dead in Vermont hunting accident
By WNYT.com
Two hunters from Bennington County, Vt., are dead after an apparent accidental shooting-suicide Saturday afternoon.
Vermont State Police say they were called to a location off of Howe Pond Road just after noon for a call of two men with gunshot wounds.
Upon arrival, troopers found the men, Benjamin Birch, 39, and Timothy Bolgnani, 49, both of Readsboro, dead.
read more here
PTSD veterans focus of Leverage episode
Last night while watching Leverage I thought about how right they were along with how most people wouldn't know it. Most of the programs for PTSD are nothing more than research with veterans being used as lab rats. When the report that Half of Vets Returning From Iraq and Afghanistan Need Medical Attention alarm bells should have shaken the entire country but they didn't seem to wake anyone up. This didn't wake anyone up either. Almost half of military suicides came after seeking help
Medications are given but found to either not help or in many cases, do more harm than good like Hundreds of Soldiers & Vets Dying From Antipsychotic--Seroquel
While the number of servicemen and women taking their own lives went up, no one was asking about who was being held accountable, what research programs were canceled for failures or what was being done to get it right for a change.
There is a lot of money to be made off veterans suffering. The Leverage episode focused on that as well. It should leave everyone wondering who is making money off of our veterans being tortured by what is supposed to be helping them. The people working for the VA can only use what they are given, only know what they are told, so if they are told this medication works, this program works, they use it. All of them are based on research done by companies making money off developing them.
Medications are given but found to either not help or in many cases, do more harm than good like Hundreds of Soldiers & Vets Dying From Antipsychotic--Seroquel
While the number of servicemen and women taking their own lives went up, no one was asking about who was being held accountable, what research programs were canceled for failures or what was being done to get it right for a change.
There is a lot of money to be made off veterans suffering. The Leverage episode focused on that as well. It should leave everyone wondering who is making money off of our veterans being tortured by what is supposed to be helping them. The people working for the VA can only use what they are given, only know what they are told, so if they are told this medication works, this program works, they use it. All of them are based on research done by companies making money off developing them.
'Leverage' Recap: 'The Experimental Job' (4.11)
November 27th, 2011 9:57pm EST
By: Brittany Frederick
TNT's Leverage crew returned tonight with the first of seven remaining season four episodes - and "The Experimental Job" made me glad to have them back.
When a homeless veteran dies in the middle of a party full of rich kids, the police write it off as a heart attack. His daughter thinks differently; she tells Nate and Eliot that her dad was part of a university sleep study involving PTSD and she's suspicious.
She has a reason to be: Hardison singles out a well-connected, BMW-driving kid named Travis (Jonathan Keltz), who also happens to be a member of the university's "Order of the 206," as in the 206 bones in the human body. No, that's not ominous at all.
The backdrop allows Nate, Parker and Hardison to go back to school, the former as a substitute professor and the other two as students. While Hardison befriends Travis, Parker gets to poke around in the research lab, where she gets trigger-happy with the button that electro-shocks a poor volunteer.
read more here
Sunday, November 27, 2011
SWAT team's shooting of Marine causes outrage
Nov 27, 1:49 PM EST
SWAT team's shooting of Marine causes outrage
BY AMANDA LEE MYERS
Associated Press
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Jose Guerena Ortiz was sleeping after an exhausting 12-hour night shift at a copper mine. His wife, Vanessa, had begun breakfast. Their 4-year-old son, Joel, asked to watch cartoons.
An ordinary morning was unfolding in the middle-class Tucson neighborhood - until an armored vehicle pulled into the family's driveway and men wearing heavy body armor and helmets climbed out, weapons ready.
They were a sheriff's department SWAT team who had come to execute a search warrant. But Vanessa Guerena insisted she had no idea, when she heard a "boom" and saw a dark-suited man pass by a window, that it was police outside her home. She shook her husband awake and told him someone was firing a gun outside.
A U.S. Marine veteran of the Iraq war, he was only trying to defend his family, she said, when he grabbed his own gun - an AR-15 assault rifle.
What happened next was captured on video after a member of the SWAT team activated a helmet-mounted camera.
read more here
SWAT team's shooting of Marine causes outrage
BY AMANDA LEE MYERS
Associated Press
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Jose Guerena Ortiz was sleeping after an exhausting 12-hour night shift at a copper mine. His wife, Vanessa, had begun breakfast. Their 4-year-old son, Joel, asked to watch cartoons.
An ordinary morning was unfolding in the middle-class Tucson neighborhood - until an armored vehicle pulled into the family's driveway and men wearing heavy body armor and helmets climbed out, weapons ready.
They were a sheriff's department SWAT team who had come to execute a search warrant. But Vanessa Guerena insisted she had no idea, when she heard a "boom" and saw a dark-suited man pass by a window, that it was police outside her home. She shook her husband awake and told him someone was firing a gun outside.
A U.S. Marine veteran of the Iraq war, he was only trying to defend his family, she said, when he grabbed his own gun - an AR-15 assault rifle.
What happened next was captured on video after a member of the SWAT team activated a helmet-mounted camera.
read more here
Afghan soldiers called in deadly NATO airstrike
Afghan soldiers called in deadly NATO airstrike
By Rahim Faiez and Sebastian Abbot - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Nov 27, 2011 10:26:46 EST
ISLAMABAD — Afghan troops and coalition forces came under fire from the direction of two Pakistan army border posts, prompting them to call in NATO airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, Afghan officials said Sunday. The account challenges Islamabad’s claims that the attacks, which have plunged U.S.-Pakistan ties to new lows, was unprovoked.
It also pointed to a possible explanation for the incident Saturday on the Pakistan side of the border. NATO officials have complained that insurgents fire from across the poorly defined frontier, often from positions close to Pakistani soldiers, who have been accused of tolerating or supporting them.
read more here
By Rahim Faiez and Sebastian Abbot - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Nov 27, 2011 10:26:46 EST
ISLAMABAD — Afghan troops and coalition forces came under fire from the direction of two Pakistan army border posts, prompting them to call in NATO airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, Afghan officials said Sunday. The account challenges Islamabad’s claims that the attacks, which have plunged U.S.-Pakistan ties to new lows, was unprovoked.
It also pointed to a possible explanation for the incident Saturday on the Pakistan side of the border. NATO officials have complained that insurgents fire from across the poorly defined frontier, often from positions close to Pakistani soldiers, who have been accused of tolerating or supporting them.
read more here
After 60 years, Korean War vet with stress disorder seeks vindication, upgrade in discharge
Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011
'Punishment did not fit the crime': After 60 years, Korean War vet with stress disorder seeks vindication, upgrade in discharge
BY MIKE FITZGERALD - News-Democrat
BELLEVILLE -- Ralph Simonton grew up in rural Clinton County, the youngest son of a proud military family.
Each of his three brothers served in the armed forces. And each one received a burial with full military honors.
Simonton, 80, wants the same thing for himself.
The last surviving member of his family, and a wounded Korean War veteran, Simonton has spent the last decade fighting for the restoration of his military benefits, including the right to a military funeral.
He knows he's facing a tough battle. He also knows time is running out.
Simonton, of Belleville, has undergone surgeries for a heart ailment, a perforated colon and a hernia.
He continues to suffer from the nightmares, depression, anxiety and other symptoms of the severe case of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) he acquired after taking part in some of the bloodiest fighting of the Korean War.
"When I hear any loud noise, I jump," he said. "I want to take cover. I still have dreams about the war. ... I dream all the time about the guys who died. Almost every one of my friends were killed."
During one battle against Chinese troops, Simonton nearly died from a grenade attack. The rest of his platoon died.
Simonton was later nominated for the Purple Heart, the Silver Star and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. But he never received those decorations, nor will he under Department of Defense rules.
The same rules forbid him from obtaining access to Veterans Affairs health care or receiving a military burial.
read more here
'Punishment did not fit the crime': After 60 years, Korean War vet with stress disorder seeks vindication, upgrade in discharge
BY MIKE FITZGERALD - News-Democrat
BELLEVILLE -- Ralph Simonton grew up in rural Clinton County, the youngest son of a proud military family.
Each of his three brothers served in the armed forces. And each one received a burial with full military honors.
Simonton, 80, wants the same thing for himself.
The last surviving member of his family, and a wounded Korean War veteran, Simonton has spent the last decade fighting for the restoration of his military benefits, including the right to a military funeral.
He knows he's facing a tough battle. He also knows time is running out.
Simonton, of Belleville, has undergone surgeries for a heart ailment, a perforated colon and a hernia.
He continues to suffer from the nightmares, depression, anxiety and other symptoms of the severe case of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) he acquired after taking part in some of the bloodiest fighting of the Korean War.
"When I hear any loud noise, I jump," he said. "I want to take cover. I still have dreams about the war. ... I dream all the time about the guys who died. Almost every one of my friends were killed."
During one battle against Chinese troops, Simonton nearly died from a grenade attack. The rest of his platoon died.
Simonton was later nominated for the Purple Heart, the Silver Star and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. But he never received those decorations, nor will he under Department of Defense rules.
The same rules forbid him from obtaining access to Veterans Affairs health care or receiving a military burial.
read more here
Deployed Camp Pendleton Marine's Thanksgiving Message
Deployed Camp Pendleton Marine's Thanksgiving Message
A Marine in Afghanistan sends home a holiday message
By Lea Sutton
Thursday, Nov 24, 2011
Source: Deployed Camp Pendleton Marine's Thanksgiving Message | NBC San Diego
While we're here at home, enjoying the holiday with friends and family, many of our military men and women are deployed overseas.
Sgt. Bryan Mayorga is spending the holiday in Afghanistan. The Camp Pendleton Marine, a mechanic for “Huey” and “Super Cobra” helicopters, says he's staying busy.
"The tempo is high, we're working a lot. That's our main focus right now. Just focused on getting the job done," said Sgt. Mayorga.
From Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Sgt. Mayorga says its all work and no play for now.
He leads his Marines to keep helicopters safely flying. Those helicopters provide air support to keep coalition forces safe on the ground.
Bonding helps ease the deployment.
"I've noticed that [camaraderie] has really built up quickly in the past two weeks that we've been here, so that's always a good thing. It helps build a strong work center and a strong bond among the Marines," said Sgt. Mayorga.
read more here
A Marine in Afghanistan sends home a holiday message
By Lea Sutton
Thursday, Nov 24, 2011
Source: Deployed Camp Pendleton Marine's Thanksgiving Message | NBC San Diego
While we're here at home, enjoying the holiday with friends and family, many of our military men and women are deployed overseas.
Sgt. Bryan Mayorga is spending the holiday in Afghanistan. The Camp Pendleton Marine, a mechanic for “Huey” and “Super Cobra” helicopters, says he's staying busy.
"The tempo is high, we're working a lot. That's our main focus right now. Just focused on getting the job done," said Sgt. Mayorga.
From Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Sgt. Mayorga says its all work and no play for now.
He leads his Marines to keep helicopters safely flying. Those helicopters provide air support to keep coalition forces safe on the ground.
Bonding helps ease the deployment.
"I've noticed that [camaraderie] has really built up quickly in the past two weeks that we've been here, so that's always a good thing. It helps build a strong work center and a strong bond among the Marines," said Sgt. Mayorga.
read more here
View more videos at: http://nbcsandiego.com.
When you are not "that" anymore
When you are not "that" anymore
by
Chaplain Kathie
I've had my share of successes and honestly, more failures, in my life. I went from being my parents little girl to a rowdy teenager in the blink of an eye. My parents are both gone now, so I am no one's daughter. I went from being the kid sister to two brothers, to being no one's sister after they passed away. One of my brothers passed away at the age of 42 and the other at the age of 56.
I've had a lot of jobs. Most of them came with a title and some power. With each job change came the realization I was not "that" person anymore. I'd go from being the "go to" person with all the answers into a new employee needing help finding the ladies room. While I took my experience with me, I had to let go of who I used to be.
I used to always have a date but then I got married to someone no one wanted me to marry. It lasted less than two years. I was no longer his wife and had to change my name back to the name I had all my life. Then I fell in love again and again had to change my name. 27 years ago I became Kathie DiCesare, wife, then Mom. Each time we moved I became someone else's neighbor. I was not "that" neighbor everyone knew. I became another stranger in a new neighborhood, discovering where to shop and the best way to get around traffic.
Almost 4 years ago I lost my job working for a church because of the economy. Not able to find anything I really wanted to do, I went back to college. In classes with students my daughter's age, with most knowing a lot more than I do about the equipment and programs we're using, I had to let go of my pride so I could learn what they know. I was a professional but I'm not that anymore. I'm a student.
Angel Art
I used to have a reputation of being Nam Guardian Angel. I've been online forever it seems but no matter how hard I worked or what I knew, time has proven me right, but it didn't do much good when no one with any power to change what was wrong knew I was alive. My website is shut down now because I just couldn't afford to keep it going or find the time to change it. After almost 20 years, I am no longer Nam Guardian Angel, but now just one more blogger trying to make a difference, hoping and praying what I do does some good to someone. While my "this and that" have changed, I am still the "who" I always was.
Each one of us goes through changes in our lives when we have to face the fact we are no longer "that" anymore and we become some other "that" looking back on what we used to be.
Young men and women leave ROTC heading for the place in their lives where they always wanted to be. They couldn't think of doing anything else. They go into the military planning on spending the rest of their working lives there but end up wounded and discharged from their dreams. They have to go from "that" career they always wanted to do into the unknown wondering what else can fulfill them the same way.
A combat medic going back to college is opening up text books remembering he used to have the life of a wounded soldier in the palm of his hands. He used to spend his days in danger but now spends them under pressure to pass a test so that he can become a "that" he wants to spend the rest of his life doing.
Each one of the veterans we have in this country has gone from being "that Soldier" "that Marine" "that Sailor" "that Airman" or citizen soldier in the National Guards or Reserves, into being civilian all over again. But for them, it isn't "all over again" because they've seen a side of humanity they will never forget. It has become a part of them. All the evil they saw mixed with love. Yes, love. The kind of love that developed to the point where they are willing to die to save the life of someone else. The love that causes them to give up everything the rest of us spend time with like our families, watching our kids grow up day to day and sleeping in our own bed every night. While they are no longer doing "that" in the next part of their lives, it is part of them.
The rest of us look at them and expect them to just move on but we never seem able to understand that we never really moved on from the "that" that we used to be. I am still my parent's daughter, my brother's sister, just as I still have the same mind that was able to learn each new job I was given a title to. I am still the same person that started to reach out to veterans almost 30 years ago in a local newspaper back home and face to face. Back then we did't have computers on our desk at home, laptops to take with us or even cellphones. While everything we "do" changes, who we are remains constant.
For combat veterans, the "who" they always used to be is still in there but we have to help them find themselves again after "that" part of their lives is over. While we all have regrets in our lives, their regrets involve lives. Help them to see what was good because they were there and doing "that" they managed to do. If they regret being where they were because they no longer see the reason as "honorable" help them to see their original intent was. Help them to see that it was about fighting for each other in the end because that is what it all boils down to.
There is one more thing that helps them. Help them feel "that" again. The sense of belonging to a group of people so unselfish they were willing to anything for someone else. There are so many groups in this country today they could join. Look them up online and find one that suits them. Patriot Guard Riders, Rolling Thunder, some motorcycle groups and organizations out there doing good for their communities seems to work best for them but as long as they feel that sense of belonging again, that's really all that matters.
by
Chaplain Kathie
I've had my share of successes and honestly, more failures, in my life. I went from being my parents little girl to a rowdy teenager in the blink of an eye. My parents are both gone now, so I am no one's daughter. I went from being the kid sister to two brothers, to being no one's sister after they passed away. One of my brothers passed away at the age of 42 and the other at the age of 56.
I've had a lot of jobs. Most of them came with a title and some power. With each job change came the realization I was not "that" person anymore. I'd go from being the "go to" person with all the answers into a new employee needing help finding the ladies room. While I took my experience with me, I had to let go of who I used to be.
I used to always have a date but then I got married to someone no one wanted me to marry. It lasted less than two years. I was no longer his wife and had to change my name back to the name I had all my life. Then I fell in love again and again had to change my name. 27 years ago I became Kathie DiCesare, wife, then Mom. Each time we moved I became someone else's neighbor. I was not "that" neighbor everyone knew. I became another stranger in a new neighborhood, discovering where to shop and the best way to get around traffic.
Almost 4 years ago I lost my job working for a church because of the economy. Not able to find anything I really wanted to do, I went back to college. In classes with students my daughter's age, with most knowing a lot more than I do about the equipment and programs we're using, I had to let go of my pride so I could learn what they know. I was a professional but I'm not that anymore. I'm a student.
Angel Art
I used to have a reputation of being Nam Guardian Angel. I've been online forever it seems but no matter how hard I worked or what I knew, time has proven me right, but it didn't do much good when no one with any power to change what was wrong knew I was alive. My website is shut down now because I just couldn't afford to keep it going or find the time to change it. After almost 20 years, I am no longer Nam Guardian Angel, but now just one more blogger trying to make a difference, hoping and praying what I do does some good to someone. While my "this and that" have changed, I am still the "who" I always was.
Each one of us goes through changes in our lives when we have to face the fact we are no longer "that" anymore and we become some other "that" looking back on what we used to be.
Young men and women leave ROTC heading for the place in their lives where they always wanted to be. They couldn't think of doing anything else. They go into the military planning on spending the rest of their working lives there but end up wounded and discharged from their dreams. They have to go from "that" career they always wanted to do into the unknown wondering what else can fulfill them the same way.
A combat medic going back to college is opening up text books remembering he used to have the life of a wounded soldier in the palm of his hands. He used to spend his days in danger but now spends them under pressure to pass a test so that he can become a "that" he wants to spend the rest of his life doing.
Each one of the veterans we have in this country has gone from being "that Soldier" "that Marine" "that Sailor" "that Airman" or citizen soldier in the National Guards or Reserves, into being civilian all over again. But for them, it isn't "all over again" because they've seen a side of humanity they will never forget. It has become a part of them. All the evil they saw mixed with love. Yes, love. The kind of love that developed to the point where they are willing to die to save the life of someone else. The love that causes them to give up everything the rest of us spend time with like our families, watching our kids grow up day to day and sleeping in our own bed every night. While they are no longer doing "that" in the next part of their lives, it is part of them.
The rest of us look at them and expect them to just move on but we never seem able to understand that we never really moved on from the "that" that we used to be. I am still my parent's daughter, my brother's sister, just as I still have the same mind that was able to learn each new job I was given a title to. I am still the same person that started to reach out to veterans almost 30 years ago in a local newspaper back home and face to face. Back then we did't have computers on our desk at home, laptops to take with us or even cellphones. While everything we "do" changes, who we are remains constant.
For combat veterans, the "who" they always used to be is still in there but we have to help them find themselves again after "that" part of their lives is over. While we all have regrets in our lives, their regrets involve lives. Help them to see what was good because they were there and doing "that" they managed to do. If they regret being where they were because they no longer see the reason as "honorable" help them to see their original intent was. Help them to see that it was about fighting for each other in the end because that is what it all boils down to.
There is one more thing that helps them. Help them feel "that" again. The sense of belonging to a group of people so unselfish they were willing to anything for someone else. There are so many groups in this country today they could join. Look them up online and find one that suits them. Patriot Guard Riders, Rolling Thunder, some motorcycle groups and organizations out there doing good for their communities seems to work best for them but as long as they feel that sense of belonging again, that's really all that matters.
Ret. Lt. General Hugh Smith tells PTSD Veterans they are not alone
Backed by retired Lt. Gen., 'Not Alone' helps veterans from all wars deal with PTSD
Nov. 26, 2011
Written by
Philip Grey
The Leaf-Chronicle
People meeting retired Lt. Gen. Hugh Smith for the first time likely get the impression of a tough, no-nonsense man who does not suffer fools gladly.
They would be right.
They also might get the impression of a hard-nosed combat veteran who would tell a soldier claiming to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to "suck it up, drive on and stop whining."
They would be dead wrong.
If the general has one message for PTSD sufferers, it is this: "You are not alone."
read more here
Nov. 26, 2011
Written by
Philip Grey
The Leaf-Chronicle
Whether welcoming troops home from deployments or working with PTSD sufferers, Smith is vociferous in his support of our warriors. / THELEAF-CHRONICLE/PHILIP GREY
People meeting retired Lt. Gen. Hugh Smith for the first time likely get the impression of a tough, no-nonsense man who does not suffer fools gladly.
They would be right.
They also might get the impression of a hard-nosed combat veteran who would tell a soldier claiming to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to "suck it up, drive on and stop whining."
They would be dead wrong.
If the general has one message for PTSD sufferers, it is this: "You are not alone."
read more here
American Legion Riders feel honored to ride for the fallen
American Legion Riders honored by their participation in motorcycle processions for fallen soldiers
8:08 PM, Nov. 26, 2011
Written by
Nicholas Huba
Staff Writer
American Legion Post 129 Rider Michael Schaffer was riding his motorcycle during the procession for fallen Army Sgt. John Lyons through Seaside Park and noticed something that struck him.
“Riding through Seaside in the winter, there is usually no one around. I remember coming around the corner and seeing this guy in his late 60s, early 70s standing in the parking lot by himself,” recalled Schaffer, 62, of Long Branch, regarding the Nov. 10 procession. “This guy made an effort to come out in awful weather and say ‘thank you.’ He did not have to, but he wanted to.”
The American Legion Riders, which was started nationally in 1993 in Garden City, Mich., are members of the American Legion, Legion Auxiliary or the Sons of the American Legion who also are motorcycle enthusiasts.
read more here
8:08 PM, Nov. 26, 2011
Written by
Nicholas Huba
Staff Writer
American Legion Post 129 Rider Michael Schaffer was riding his motorcycle during the procession for fallen Army Sgt. John Lyons through Seaside Park and noticed something that struck him.
“Riding through Seaside in the winter, there is usually no one around. I remember coming around the corner and seeing this guy in his late 60s, early 70s standing in the parking lot by himself,” recalled Schaffer, 62, of Long Branch, regarding the Nov. 10 procession. “This guy made an effort to come out in awful weather and say ‘thank you.’ He did not have to, but he wanted to.”
The American Legion Riders, which was started nationally in 1993 in Garden City, Mich., are members of the American Legion, Legion Auxiliary or the Sons of the American Legion who also are motorcycle enthusiasts.
read more here
Crash kills Schofield Barracks soldier and injures 3 others
Crash kills Schofield Barracks soldier and injures 3 others
By Star-Advertiser staff
Nov 26, 2011
A crash at Schofield Barracks left one soldier dead and three others serious injured this morning, according to an Army statement.
Three injured soldiers, two men and one woman, all 19, went to the Queens Medical Center in serious condition, an Emergency Medical Services supervisor said. The fourth soldier died at the scene. All four soldiers were assigned to the 25th Infantry Division.
read more here
By Star-Advertiser staff
Nov 26, 2011
A crash at Schofield Barracks left one soldier dead and three others serious injured this morning, according to an Army statement.
Three injured soldiers, two men and one woman, all 19, went to the Queens Medical Center in serious condition, an Emergency Medical Services supervisor said. The fourth soldier died at the scene. All four soldiers were assigned to the 25th Infantry Division.
read more here
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Florida Gov. Scott doesn't want to pay to care for homeless veterans
Scott serves up Thanksgiving dinner, explains cuts to homeless veterans program
From the Naples Daily News:
As eight tables of eight filled up in the bustling dining room, where pumpkin, pecan, apple and lemon meringue pies lined several side tables, the Scotts rushed back and forth, grabbing plates heaped with fixings for their two tables from an assembly line of volunteers at the kitchen counter.
“I care completely about all these programs,” said Scott, whose budget cuts earlier this year slashed funding to some veteran and farm surplus programs that helped the homeless.
“All the programs are very important, but nobody wants their taxes to go up,” Scott explained, noting that businesses also can help spur the economy. “They’ve got to grow. We’ve got to make this a place people can do well.”
read more here
From the Naples Daily News:
As eight tables of eight filled up in the bustling dining room, where pumpkin, pecan, apple and lemon meringue pies lined several side tables, the Scotts rushed back and forth, grabbing plates heaped with fixings for their two tables from an assembly line of volunteers at the kitchen counter.
“I care completely about all these programs,” said Scott, whose budget cuts earlier this year slashed funding to some veteran and farm surplus programs that helped the homeless.
“All the programs are very important, but nobody wants their taxes to go up,” Scott explained, noting that businesses also can help spur the economy. “They’ve got to grow. We’ve got to make this a place people can do well.”
read more here
Deputy District Attorney didn't meet "criteria" before suicide
EXCLUSIVE: Deputy district attorney sent angry email before suicide
By MORGAN COOK mcook@nctimes.com
Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 2011
San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Christine Trevino sent an email with "My Death" in the subject line to at least 50 people, including District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, two weeks before she shot herself to death Thursday evening in Oceanside, according to documents obtained by North County Times.
The email, which Trevino sent the evening of Oct. 26, prompted measures by the district attorney's office to "keep her safe," an official said.
Trevino's message appeared to accuse Dumanis' administration of taking the side of another employee with whom Trevino had been involved in a dispute, and warned the administration not to try to "cover up" Trevino's death as a mental health issue.
The email's final line said, "YOUR administration is to blame!"
Trevino, 51, killed herself with a handgun during a traffic stop about 6:35 p.m. Thursday near the intersection of Vista Way and Jefferson Street, Oceanside police Lt. Leonard Mata said last week.
She shot herself as a Carlsbad police officer was speaking to her through her driver's side window.
read more here
By MORGAN COOK mcook@nctimes.com
Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 2011
"Officers spoke to Trevino at her home and she seemed OK, he said. She didn't meet the criteria required to detain her for mental evaluation, and police did not confiscate any weapons."
San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Christine Trevino sent an email with "My Death" in the subject line to at least 50 people, including District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, two weeks before she shot herself to death Thursday evening in Oceanside, according to documents obtained by North County Times.
The email, which Trevino sent the evening of Oct. 26, prompted measures by the district attorney's office to "keep her safe," an official said.
Trevino's message appeared to accuse Dumanis' administration of taking the side of another employee with whom Trevino had been involved in a dispute, and warned the administration not to try to "cover up" Trevino's death as a mental health issue.
The email's final line said, "YOUR administration is to blame!"
Trevino, 51, killed herself with a handgun during a traffic stop about 6:35 p.m. Thursday near the intersection of Vista Way and Jefferson Street, Oceanside police Lt. Leonard Mata said last week.
She shot herself as a Carlsbad police officer was speaking to her through her driver's side window.
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2 deputies shot responding to domestic-violence 911 call
2 deputies shot responding to domestic-violence 911 call
By Susan Jacobson, Orlando Sentinel
3:37 p.m. EST, November 26, 2011
Two Volusia County deputies are recovering after being shot this morning when they responded to a domestic-violence call.
The Sheriff's Office received a 911 call about 4:50 a.m. reporting that Corey Reynolds, 27, had tried to kill his ex-girlfriend at her home in DeBary, deputies said. Reynolds was arrested on charges of felony battery and two counts of attempted murder of a law-enforcement officer.
The 24-year-old woman told investigators Reynolds threw her down and began to strangle her because she told him to leave. They used to live together, and Reynolds wanted to get back together, she told deputies.
Deputy John Braman and Deputy John Brady arrived at Reynolds' house on Huntington Street in Deltona about 5:30 a.m. and tried to arrest him. The deputies and Reynolds struggled as they tried to handcuff him, and Reynolds pulled out a handgun and shot Braman and Brady, the Sheriff's Office said.
Braman was shot in the right shoulder and left arm, and another bullet grazed his neck. He was taken by helicopter to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
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By Susan Jacobson, Orlando Sentinel
3:37 p.m. EST, November 26, 2011
Two Volusia County deputies are recovering after being shot this morning when they responded to a domestic-violence call.
The Sheriff's Office received a 911 call about 4:50 a.m. reporting that Corey Reynolds, 27, had tried to kill his ex-girlfriend at her home in DeBary, deputies said. Reynolds was arrested on charges of felony battery and two counts of attempted murder of a law-enforcement officer.
The 24-year-old woman told investigators Reynolds threw her down and began to strangle her because she told him to leave. They used to live together, and Reynolds wanted to get back together, she told deputies.
Deputy John Braman and Deputy John Brady arrived at Reynolds' house on Huntington Street in Deltona about 5:30 a.m. and tried to arrest him. The deputies and Reynolds struggled as they tried to handcuff him, and Reynolds pulled out a handgun and shot Braman and Brady, the Sheriff's Office said.
Braman was shot in the right shoulder and left arm, and another bullet grazed his neck. He was taken by helicopter to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
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Navy personnel heading home from war zones
Navy personnel assigned to other services in war zones are heading home, too
By Drew Brooks
Staff writer
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - They sometimes call themselves sand sailors.
They are the thousands of U.S. Navy personnel who have fought in the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan or who have worked in Kuwait supporting the two operations.
On Friday, more than 30 sailors who had been deployed as individuals and attached to other service branches took one step closer to home, turning in their body armor and other gear and preparing to fly to the United States.
In addition to the sailors who have fought and worked alongside soldiers, Marines and airmen for the past decade of war, others are playing a key role in the drawdown in Iraq.
"We've been here for quite a while," said Capt. Keith Jones, commander of the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Forward, a Navy unit that falls under the 1st Theater Sustainment Command. "And some of the last troops in Iraq will be my sailors."
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By Drew Brooks
Staff writer
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - They sometimes call themselves sand sailors.
They are the thousands of U.S. Navy personnel who have fought in the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan or who have worked in Kuwait supporting the two operations.
On Friday, more than 30 sailors who had been deployed as individuals and attached to other service branches took one step closer to home, turning in their body armor and other gear and preparing to fly to the United States.
In addition to the sailors who have fought and worked alongside soldiers, Marines and airmen for the past decade of war, others are playing a key role in the drawdown in Iraq.
"We've been here for quite a while," said Capt. Keith Jones, commander of the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Forward, a Navy unit that falls under the 1st Theater Sustainment Command. "And some of the last troops in Iraq will be my sailors."
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Lynne Griffey painting to help fund Wreaths Across America
'Wreaths Across America' to benefit from sale of Clarksville artist's painting
Nov. 25, 2011
Written by
Philip Grey
The Leaf-Chronicle
The subject is beautiful in its simplicity — rows of standard military tombstones rising above a blanket of fresh snow at Kentucky West Veterans Cemetery, with only the green and red of Christmas wreaths to mark the stones and keep them from fading into obscurity.
The subject of the painting is perfectly aligned with the artist’s cause — to keep America’s deceased veterans from being forgotten.
The painting has been donated by well-known local artist Lynne Griffey for the purpose of furthering the “Wreaths Across America” program, an effort that is backed in this area by the local Gold Star Wives Eagles chapter, together with the American Legion.
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Nov. 25, 2011
Written by
Philip Grey
The Leaf-Chronicle
The subject is beautiful in its simplicity — rows of standard military tombstones rising above a blanket of fresh snow at Kentucky West Veterans Cemetery, with only the green and red of Christmas wreaths to mark the stones and keep them from fading into obscurity.
The subject of the painting is perfectly aligned with the artist’s cause — to keep America’s deceased veterans from being forgotten.
The painting has been donated by well-known local artist Lynne Griffey for the purpose of furthering the “Wreaths Across America” program, an effort that is backed in this area by the local Gold Star Wives Eagles chapter, together with the American Legion.
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Sgt. 1st Class Barry E. Jarvis posthumously awarded Silver Star
Soldier posthumously awarded for saving lt.
By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Nov 26, 2011 8:26:37 EST
Sgt. 1st Class Barry E. Jarvis and his soldiers had visited this observation post before.
Manned by the Afghan Border Police, the OP sat in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province in the east, in Pachir Wa Agam district.
On that day, Nov. 29, 2010, Jarvis and members of his platoon were at the OP to conduct an assessment of the unit’s 155mm rockets. But the routine mission took an ugly and tragic turn: A member of the border police opened fire on the troops, killing six American soldiers.
Jarvis, 36, and his platoon leader, 1st Lt. Will Janotka, turned toward the fire but quickly realized they were in the gunman’s line of sight.
Jarvis immediately pushed Janotka out of the way, saving his lieutenant’s life.
But Jarvis, a husband and father, was mortally wounded.
For his actions, Jarvis was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor, and was honored during a ceremony Nov. 10 at Fort Campbell, Ky.
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By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Nov 26, 2011 8:26:37 EST
Sgt. 1st Class Barry E. Jarvis and his soldiers had visited this observation post before.
Manned by the Afghan Border Police, the OP sat in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province in the east, in Pachir Wa Agam district.
On that day, Nov. 29, 2010, Jarvis and members of his platoon were at the OP to conduct an assessment of the unit’s 155mm rockets. But the routine mission took an ugly and tragic turn: A member of the border police opened fire on the troops, killing six American soldiers.
REMEMBERING THE FALLEN
Six soldiers from 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, were killed Nov. 29, 2010, when an Afghan border policeman opened fire on them. They were:
• Sgt. 1st Class Barry E. Jarvis, 36, of Tell City, Ind.
• Staff Sgt. Curtis A. Oakes, 29, of Athens, Ohio.
• Spc. Matthew W. Ramsey, 20, of Quartz Hill, Calif.
• Pfc. Jacob A. Gassen, 21, of Beaver Dam, Wis.
• Pfc. Austin G. Staggs, 19, of Senoia, Ga.
• Pvt. Buddy W. McLain, 24, of Mexico, Maine.
HEROISM REMEMBERED
Our database of valor awards
Jarvis, 36, and his platoon leader, 1st Lt. Will Janotka, turned toward the fire but quickly realized they were in the gunman’s line of sight.
Jarvis immediately pushed Janotka out of the way, saving his lieutenant’s life.
But Jarvis, a husband and father, was mortally wounded.
For his actions, Jarvis was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor, and was honored during a ceremony Nov. 10 at Fort Campbell, Ky.
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PTSD rates of sexual dysfunction were as high as 80%
If you are having a problem with sex, you need to know that you are not alone and it is tied to PTSD. One more thing to consider is the side effects of a lot of medications you may be on. Talk to your doctor about this and you'll be surprised what can be done about it. It is a part of PTSD but doesn't have to be.
Sexual Problems in Veterans with PTSD
By Matthew Tull, PhD, About.com Guide
Updated November 22, 2011
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
Military veterans have been found to be at high risk for a number of mental and physical health problems, including pain, substance use, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, one problem that may not be discussed as commonly is sexual problems in veterans with PTSD.
Sexual problems or sexual dysfunction can refer to a wide range of issues, including decreased sexual desire, premature ejaculation, or erectile dysfunction. Additional information on the many forms sexual dysfunction may take can be found at the About.com website on Sexuality. Studies have found that people who have been exposed traumatic events may be more likely to experience sexual dysfunction.
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Sexual Dysfunction among Veterans
Most studies on sexual dysfunction among veterans with PTSD have looked at Vietnam veterans. In those studies, rates of sexual dysfunction were as high as 80%. The high rates led some mental health professionals to suggest that decreased sexual desire should be considered as a symptom of PTSD.
Sexual Problems in Veterans with PTSD
By Matthew Tull, PhD, About.com Guide
Updated November 22, 2011
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
Military veterans have been found to be at high risk for a number of mental and physical health problems, including pain, substance use, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, one problem that may not be discussed as commonly is sexual problems in veterans with PTSD.
Sexual problems or sexual dysfunction can refer to a wide range of issues, including decreased sexual desire, premature ejaculation, or erectile dysfunction. Additional information on the many forms sexual dysfunction may take can be found at the About.com website on Sexuality. Studies have found that people who have been exposed traumatic events may be more likely to experience sexual dysfunction.
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Deployments Taking a Toll on Military Kids Again
Before troops were sent into Iraq, before they were sent to Afghanistan, long before they were sent to Kuwait, we knew a lot about PTSD but the general public didn't. Once wars are declared over, in the public view, it should be over and done with. They never notice the combat casualties kept coming. They came in the health issues caused by chemicals like Agent Orange. They came with the suicides of veterans. They also came with health issues caused by war in their children as well as suicides of their children because Daddy went to war.
If you take Combat PTSD seriously, the following should be no surprise to you. After all, Australia did a study in 2000 on the relationship of families after war and the veterans sent to fight them. Now some want to bring this hidden price of war out in the open. One thing to keep in mind as you read this, while it has not made a "big" news story, it has been an huge issue for military families going back many generations.
When you think about the stress on adults, you need to think about the stress on kids when they have to adjust to another deployment and time to worry about their parent not coming back.
If you take Combat PTSD seriously, the following should be no surprise to you. After all, Australia did a study in 2000 on the relationship of families after war and the veterans sent to fight them. Now some want to bring this hidden price of war out in the open. One thing to keep in mind as you read this, while it has not made a "big" news story, it has been an huge issue for military families going back many generations.
When you think about the stress on adults, you need to think about the stress on kids when they have to adjust to another deployment and time to worry about their parent not coming back.
Deployments Taking a Toll on Military KidsThis is part of the research done in Australia in 2000.
Posted on 18 November 2011
By Richard Sisk
The War Report
The reality of what happened is nearly unbearable for the two Army wives to speak about, but they said that being silent would be worse.
In June 2009, Daniel, the 12-year-old son of Tricia Sparks Radenz and Lt. Col. Blaine Radenz, hanged himself at Fort Hood, Tex. Last January, Ashton, the 13-year-old son of Ambra Roberts and PFC Luke Roberts, attempted to hang himself at Fort Benning, Ga. He is still undergoing hospital treatment.
“We live this daily,” said Radenz, whose husband has served two tours in Iraq. “We have to get the word out. People have to realize how difficult it is” to keep a military family together through repeated deployments to combat zones, Radenz said.
Ambra Roberts, whose husband has served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and two other advocates met privately today at the Pentagon with Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the Army’s vice chief of staff and the military’s point man on suicide prevention, to discuss the impact on children of coping with the constant fear that their parents won’t come home.
Numerous studies by the military and government agencies have documented the growing number of suicides among active duty servicemembers and veterans. The latest statistics show that a servicemember commits suicide every 36 hours, and a veteran kills himself or herself every 80 minutes. Military wives are also susceptible to suicide.
But until recently, there has been little research on the effects of the current wars on the children of military parents. Earlier this year, a study by the University of Washington School of Public Health showed that adolescents with a deployed parent were more likely to have suicidal thoughts than the children of civilians.
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Morbidity of Vietnam veterans: suicide in Vietnam Veterans' children, supplementary report 1: a study of the health of Australia's Vietnam veteran community
released: 7 Aug 2000 author: Commonwealth Department of Veterans' Affairs and AIHW
Analyses suicide patterns among Vietnam veterans' children highlighting time trends, age and sex distribution, location and method of suicide. It is a supplementary report to Morbidity of Vietnam Veterans: Volume 3 Validation Study which recommended that suicide in veterans' children be further investigated and the result drawn to the attention of the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service. This report extend the knowledge about the health of Vietnam veterans and their families.
You can read the full report on this link.
Suicide in Vietnam Veterans' children
Methods
In the Validation Study the 111 ‘validated’ suicides were confirmed by matching information provided by the veteran about the child’s name, birth year, sex and State/Territory of residence to the National Death Index (NDI) to confirm that the cause of death was suicide. The NDI contains identifiable information for all deaths occurring in Australia from 1980, as contained on death certificates.
The 230 ‘estimated validated’ number of suicides was based on the assumption that the number of suicides ‘not able to be validated’ should be allocated to either ‘validated’ or ‘not validated’ according to the number in each of these categories. This assumption was based on the overwhelming confirmation of suicides of veterans’ children, where veterans had reported such events in the Morbidity Study. The ‘not able to be validated’ cases refer to reported cases from the Morbidity Study where the veterans did not respond to the Validation Study or were unable to be contacted.
In this report a number of key demographic variables were extracted from the NDI to enable an analysis of the demographic characteristics of those veterans’ children who suicided. The data items used are age at death, sex, birth date, Statistical Local Area of usual residence, and suicide method.
In the following section the suicide rates for veterans’ children are based on the 230 ‘estimated validated’ suicides from Table 1. In the other sections, characteristics are discussed for the 111 ‘validated’ suicides from the Validation Study. These cases represent those children who have been successfully matched to death records and therefore have information available from the NDI. An implicit assumption of this discussion is that the characteristics identified for the 111 ‘validated’ suicides reflect the characteristics of all 230 estimated veterans’ children suicides.
Community helps Silver Star Hero because the VA didn't
We read about the backlog of claims everyday and some just get on with their lives as if it isn't a big deal, but in the end the number represents a veteran coming home wounded with no money to live. In this case he is a Silver Star Hero wounded while saving lives.
Specialist Daniel Foster came home with teeth damaged in a blast but his claim was tied up so the teeth had to wait. No money coming in, bills had to wait and he almost lost his house. The VA had his life on hold after his service but his community wanted to help him get on with his life and they did something about it.
Specialist Daniel Foster came home with teeth damaged in a blast but his claim was tied up so the teeth had to wait. No money coming in, bills had to wait and he almost lost his house. The VA had his life on hold after his service but his community wanted to help him get on with his life and they did something about it.
Donations pour in for O.C. Army specialist
Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient Dan Foster was in danger of losing his house until strangers stepped up to help out.
Army Specialist Daniel Foster, right, salutes his commanding officer Lt. Col. Robert J. Harman after being awarded the Silver Star in a ceremony just before the start of the game at Angels Stadium. He was awarded the Silver Star for actions while protecting his unit from attack in Afghanistan.By ELYSSE JAMES / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
COSTA MESA – Army Spc. Dan Foster was frustrated.
He'd been home for months, living with his father in Costa Mesa, but he still hadn't received benefits from Veterans Affairs - benefits he needed to rebuild his teeth, among other things, and get his life back on track.
What's more, because of the delays in his benefits and inability to find work, his finances were drying up. His family home in Costa Mesa was facing foreclosure, and he was behind on payments.
Was this a hero's welcome?
In April, the Angels fan was awarded a Silver Star during a special ceremony at Angel Stadium in Anaheim for his actions while on guard duty in May 2010 in Afghanistan.
Foster had stopped a suspicious cargo truck from reaching his tower, which had been filled with 500 pounds of explosives. When the truck exploded, the force threw Foster to the ground as shrapnel from the blast shattered his jaw and cut his face. Over the next half-hour, Foster continued to fight, stopping at least one other suicide bomber, Register reports state.
Still, even a hero was caught up in red tape.
And when a friend learned introduced Foster to Deanne Tate, president and CEO of the nonprofit Veterans First.
"He filed for his benefits and he just waited," Tate said.
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