Clydesdales help wounded soldiers
Hundreds turn out to support Yellow Ribbon Festival and Corn Hole Tournament
Posted: Sunday, June 3, 2012
By CHRIS POLK Staff Writer
EASTON The colors were red, white and blue Saturday on the grounds of the Easton VFW Post 5118 when hundreds of people showed up to support services for active-duty wounded soldiers and their caregivers.
The occasion was the Yellow Ribbon Festival and Corn Hole Tournament, sponsored by Kelly Distributing and organized by Big Tuna Promotions.
Front and center were the Budweiser Clydesdales. Eight of the enormous horses were decked out in their finest, with black and gold-trimmed harnesses and tiny red and white rosebuds woven with ribbons into their manes.
They pulled the gleaming red Budweiser wagon around the paved area of the VFW, driven by two green-capped drivers and a decorative Dalmatian hound named "Brewer." After several turns, they paused for photos, with some cameras going off like strobe lights as the crowd pressed forward.
In the background, the down-home strains of Bird Dog and the Road Kings could be heard as the corn hole tournament started getting warmed up in the "Beer Garden" area. Children tried to wear themselves out in the moon bounce games and alternately got their faces painted.
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Sunday, June 3, 2012
Obama's focus on unemployed veterans hits close to home
Obama's focus on unemployed veterans hits close to home
Posted: Jun 02, 2012
By Christina Killion Valdez
The Post-Bulletin, Austin MN
On a trip to Minnesota last year, President Obama had lunch with Joseph Kidd, of Stewartville. But when Obama visited Minnesota on Friday, Kidd was happy to be at work instead.
When he met the president at a Cannon Falls restaurant, Kidd, a Navy veteran, had been unemployed since he was discharged in April 2011. The frustrating part, however, was that his years of military medical training didn't transfer to civilian experience, he said.
Obama is trying to change the situation for veterans, though, and on Friday, while speaking at Honeywell’s Golden Valley facility, he called on Congress to pass Veterans Job Corps legislation. The bill would leverage skills developed in the military to put Afghanistan and Iraq veterans to work as cops, firefighters and other jobs serving the community.
The president also announced a "We Can’t Wait" initiative to help thousands of service members with manufacturing and other high-demand skills receive civilian credentials and licenses.
"That would be great to help other veterans," Kidd said.
Kidd, though, is already looking to change his career track, from medicine to business, after following a friend's recommendation to apply for a job as a meter reader for Minnesota Energy Resources.
read more here
Posted: Jun 02, 2012
By Christina Killion Valdez
The Post-Bulletin, Austin MN
On a trip to Minnesota last year, President Obama had lunch with Joseph Kidd, of Stewartville. But when Obama visited Minnesota on Friday, Kidd was happy to be at work instead.
When he met the president at a Cannon Falls restaurant, Kidd, a Navy veteran, had been unemployed since he was discharged in April 2011. The frustrating part, however, was that his years of military medical training didn't transfer to civilian experience, he said.
Obama is trying to change the situation for veterans, though, and on Friday, while speaking at Honeywell’s Golden Valley facility, he called on Congress to pass Veterans Job Corps legislation. The bill would leverage skills developed in the military to put Afghanistan and Iraq veterans to work as cops, firefighters and other jobs serving the community.
The president also announced a "We Can’t Wait" initiative to help thousands of service members with manufacturing and other high-demand skills receive civilian credentials and licenses.
"That would be great to help other veterans," Kidd said.
Kidd, though, is already looking to change his career track, from medicine to business, after following a friend's recommendation to apply for a job as a meter reader for Minnesota Energy Resources.
read more here
Deaths under investigation at Camp Lejeune
Deaths under investigation
June 02, 2012
AMANDA WILCOX and MIKE MCHUGH
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The deaths of a Lejeune Marine and a Jacksonville man are under investigation, Jacksonville police said Friday.
The bodies were discovered late Thursday night. Jacksonville police were notified that someone was shot in the parking lot of Navy Federal Credit Union at 422 Yopp Road.
JPD, along with the N.C. Highway Patrol, found a black Dodge truck in the parking lot backed into the building. Jason Eimer, 30, of Jacksonville, was found dead inside the truck with multiple gunshot wounds, according to a release.
JPD.were then notified that a shooting suspect, Christoffer Apger, 32, of Jacksonville, was at the New River Harley Davidson at 2394 Wilmington Highway. As police officers arrived, Apger walked to the rear of the building and shot himself.
A Marine Corps spokesman confirmed that one of the men involved in the shooting was a Marine, but he could not confirm whether that man was Apger.
However, neighbors said Apger was an enlisted Marine from Texas stationed on Camp Lejeune who recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan.
read more here
Camp Lejeune Marine murdered posted on Facebook
June 02, 2012
AMANDA WILCOX and MIKE MCHUGH
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The deaths of a Lejeune Marine and a Jacksonville man are under investigation, Jacksonville police said Friday.
The bodies were discovered late Thursday night. Jacksonville police were notified that someone was shot in the parking lot of Navy Federal Credit Union at 422 Yopp Road.
JPD, along with the N.C. Highway Patrol, found a black Dodge truck in the parking lot backed into the building. Jason Eimer, 30, of Jacksonville, was found dead inside the truck with multiple gunshot wounds, according to a release.
JPD.were then notified that a shooting suspect, Christoffer Apger, 32, of Jacksonville, was at the New River Harley Davidson at 2394 Wilmington Highway. As police officers arrived, Apger walked to the rear of the building and shot himself.
A Marine Corps spokesman confirmed that one of the men involved in the shooting was a Marine, but he could not confirm whether that man was Apger.
However, neighbors said Apger was an enlisted Marine from Texas stationed on Camp Lejeune who recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan.
read more here
Camp Lejeune Marine murdered posted on Facebook
Soldier Killed, 2 Injured In Overnight Bar Shooting
Shooting Happened Outside Colorado Springs Bar
Written By Justin Adams, News Editor
POSTED: 10:02 am MDT June 2, 2012
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- A soldier was killed outside a Colorado Springs bar Saturday night in a shooting that also injured two other people.
The shooting happened around 1 a.m. at the Golden Cue Bar near the intersection of South Academy Boulevard and Hancock Expressway.
According to the Colorado Springs Gazette, police reported there were several fights at the bar that night. The soldier who was shot was taken to Fort Carson in a private car.
read more here
A Lone Marine Salutes
A Lone Marine Salutes
POSTED BY PATRICK EDABURN, ASSISTANT EDITOR IN AT TMV
JUN 2ND, 2012
Every year the veterans group Rolling Thunder holds a special event in Washington DC. They ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam War Memorial both to bring attention to POW/MIA issues and to pay honor to the fallen.
read more here
POSTED BY PATRICK EDABURN, ASSISTANT EDITOR IN AT TMV
JUN 2ND, 2012
Every year the veterans group Rolling Thunder holds a special event in Washington DC. They ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam War Memorial both to bring attention to POW/MIA issues and to pay honor to the fallen.
read more here
Widow pushes for change in treatment for PTSD
Our job really begins when they claim the title of Veteran and it does not end as long as they live. They will be a combat veteran 365 days a year.
The general public assumes it is all over for them and their families when they come home but as we've seen with the backlog of claims and the long lines at the VA, they may finally be getting the fact that for them and us, it is not over.
also
Soldier's widow wages war against meds she says killed her husband
The general public assumes it is all over for them and their families when they come home but as we've seen with the backlog of claims and the long lines at the VA, they may finally be getting the fact that for them and us, it is not over.
Widow pushes for change in treatment for PTSD
Jun. 3, 2012
Written by
JESSE BASS
American Staff Writer
Camp Shelby
Petal military widow Alicia McElroy cares for her 4-year-old son in the absence of his father.
"I see myself as raising a hero's son and not as a poor, single mom," she said.
Staff Sgt. James "Mac" McElroy had served in some of the most dangerous - and deadly - war zones.
A deployment with the U.S. Marine Corps to Afghanistan in the early 2000s.
A tour in Iraq with the Mississippi Army National Guard in 2005.
A return to Afghanistan in 2010 for a tour of duty with the National Guard.
But it wasn't on a battlefield where James McElroy lost his life.
Instead, nearly a year ago, the 30-year-old died suddenly - and unexpectedly - on American soil in a military hospital while undergoing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Now, his widow has joined a list of families who want to see change in military standards for treatment of PTSD.
read more here
also
Soldier's widow wages war against meds she says killed her husband
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Armor of God Military Ministry
1st. LT Ryan Presnal talks about going to war and coming back but the danger of combat is not over when they come home. He is stationed at Fort Hood. Members of his unit got divorced and some committed suicide.
The story of how one family dealt with the deployment and return of their son and the issues they dealt with and how the Armor of God Military Ministry was formed to offer hope and healing to our troops and their families. Armor of God Military Ministry is an outreach ministry of the WoodsEdge Community Church of The Woodlands, Texas.
Combat loss of genital or urinary organs now covered?
This is something veterans were not paid for before this? WOW!
TSGLI to start paying $50K for loss of genitals
By Rick Maze
Staff writer
Posted : Friday Jun 1, 2012
The Veterans Affairs Department announced Friday it will begin paying $50,000 in traumatic injury insurance to service members who suffer severe genitourinary losses.
The $50,000 payment of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance traumatic injury payments will apply to the loss of genital or urinary organs as a result of military service, for injuries incurred on or after Oct. 7, 2001, VA announced in a Federal Register notice.
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Injured Iraq war vets to take lap around Belle Isle's Grand Prix track
Injured Iraq war vets to take lap around Belle Isle's Grand Prix track
June 2, 2012
By Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer
Nick Koulchar won't be driving a race car when he does his lap around the track just prior to Sunday's Detroit Chevrolet Belle Isle Grand Prix. But fans are likely to cheer him all the same.
Koulchar of Macomb Township will pedal a hand cycle around the track just before the pace car leads the racers around, as part of the Achilles International Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans.
Koulchar is a former Army sergeant who lost both legs above the knee in 2008 when a car bomb exploded while he was on a routine patrol in Iraq. Since then, he has become a marathoner with the Freedom team and participated in last fall's Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon. He can go 26 miles on his hand cycle in about two hours.
His goal is to help raise awareness about veterans such as himself, who came home with life-changing injuries.
read more here
June 2, 2012
By Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer
Nick Koulchar is a former Army sergeant who lost his legs in 2008 in Iraq. Since then, he has become a hand cycle marathoner with the Achilles Freedom Team and can go 26 miles in about two hours. / Larry Sillen/Special to the Free Press
Nick Koulchar won't be driving a race car when he does his lap around the track just prior to Sunday's Detroit Chevrolet Belle Isle Grand Prix. But fans are likely to cheer him all the same.
Koulchar of Macomb Township will pedal a hand cycle around the track just before the pace car leads the racers around, as part of the Achilles International Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans.
Koulchar is a former Army sergeant who lost both legs above the knee in 2008 when a car bomb exploded while he was on a routine patrol in Iraq. Since then, he has become a marathoner with the Freedom team and participated in last fall's Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon. He can go 26 miles on his hand cycle in about two hours.
His goal is to help raise awareness about veterans such as himself, who came home with life-changing injuries.
read more here
Increase Funding for the VA Health Care System
Increase Funding for the VA Health Care System
June 1, 2012 Update
Earlier this year, DAV and our partner organizations in The Independent Budget, recommended that funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) FY 2013 health care budget be increased by $3.8 billion in order to meet increased demand and rising health care costs. By contrast, the Administration’s budget proposal called for a $2.3 billion increase for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), a difference of $1.5 billion. We strongly believe the additional funds we identified can be put to effective use within VA, including better meeting the needs of new veterans of our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
On May 31, by a vote of 407-12, the House passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. The bill includes a measure that would boost suicide prevention and homeless assistance funds for veterans. It would also provide $71.7 billion in discretionary funding for veterans’ benefits about four percent above the FY 2012 level, but $1.5 billion less than The Independent Budget recommendation.
Recently, we saw evidence of the negative effects of inadequate funding at a Senate hearing when witnesses testified that VA is failing to meet the mental health needs of the veterans it should be serving. VA’s Inspector General reported that these problems were caused by a multiplicity of factors, including funding and staffing shortages, and lack of quick, easy access by veterans to VA’s many mental health programs. The Inspector General’s findings are consistent with DAV’s own internal survey of the VA mental health care system that showed serious problems with access and response for veterans seeking care.
If you or a family member have experience with VA mental health care and would like to add your voice to our continuing survey, please complete the survey here.
We need grassroots support: please use the prepared e-mail to write your Senators to urge them to increase funding for VA’s FY 2013 appropriation by at least $1.5 billion for medical care services to match or exceed the recommendations of the Independent Budget. We are concerned that failure to provide this increase could lead to further disruptions of VA health care and other vital programs, including its critical mental health efforts.
As always, we at DAV are grateful for your participation in our legislative and grassroots advocacy program. Without your active assistance DAV would not be able to accomplish many of our goals in support of the interests of sick and disabled veterans.
June 1, 2012 Update
Earlier this year, DAV and our partner organizations in The Independent Budget, recommended that funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) FY 2013 health care budget be increased by $3.8 billion in order to meet increased demand and rising health care costs. By contrast, the Administration’s budget proposal called for a $2.3 billion increase for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), a difference of $1.5 billion. We strongly believe the additional funds we identified can be put to effective use within VA, including better meeting the needs of new veterans of our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
On May 31, by a vote of 407-12, the House passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. The bill includes a measure that would boost suicide prevention and homeless assistance funds for veterans. It would also provide $71.7 billion in discretionary funding for veterans’ benefits about four percent above the FY 2012 level, but $1.5 billion less than The Independent Budget recommendation.
Recently, we saw evidence of the negative effects of inadequate funding at a Senate hearing when witnesses testified that VA is failing to meet the mental health needs of the veterans it should be serving. VA’s Inspector General reported that these problems were caused by a multiplicity of factors, including funding and staffing shortages, and lack of quick, easy access by veterans to VA’s many mental health programs. The Inspector General’s findings are consistent with DAV’s own internal survey of the VA mental health care system that showed serious problems with access and response for veterans seeking care.
If you or a family member have experience with VA mental health care and would like to add your voice to our continuing survey, please complete the survey here.
We need grassroots support: please use the prepared e-mail to write your Senators to urge them to increase funding for VA’s FY 2013 appropriation by at least $1.5 billion for medical care services to match or exceed the recommendations of the Independent Budget. We are concerned that failure to provide this increase could lead to further disruptions of VA health care and other vital programs, including its critical mental health efforts.
As always, we at DAV are grateful for your participation in our legislative and grassroots advocacy program. Without your active assistance DAV would not be able to accomplish many of our goals in support of the interests of sick and disabled veterans.
Homeless Vet Aided Dying Bellevue Mom in Seattle Shooting
Homeless Vet Aided Dying Bellevue Mom in Seattle Shooting
Gloria Leonidas of Bellevue was one of Ian Stawicki's victims in Wednesday's shooting spree in Seattle. SeattlePI.com reported that a homeless veteran was among those who came to Leonidas' aid after she was shot.
By Patch Staff
June 1, 2012
A homeless veteran, a married couple and a passerby who abandoned her running car were among those who came to the aid a Bellevue mother of two killed in a Seattle shooting rampage that took the lives of six people, the SeattlePI.com reported.
Gloria Leonidas of Bellevue was fatally shot and her Mercedes SUV taken by Ian Stawicki, who had fled the scene of a mass shooting at Cafe Racer coffee shop in the Ravenna neighborhood earlier in the day, Seattle police said.
Seattle police say that Stawicki, 40, shot five people at Cafe Racer, killing four of them and critically wounding the fifth.
read more here
Gloria Leonidas of Bellevue was one of Ian Stawicki's victims in Wednesday's shooting spree in Seattle. SeattlePI.com reported that a homeless veteran was among those who came to Leonidas' aid after she was shot.
By Patch Staff
June 1, 2012
A homeless veteran, a married couple and a passerby who abandoned her running car were among those who came to the aid a Bellevue mother of two killed in a Seattle shooting rampage that took the lives of six people, the SeattlePI.com reported.
Gloria Leonidas of Bellevue was fatally shot and her Mercedes SUV taken by Ian Stawicki, who had fled the scene of a mass shooting at Cafe Racer coffee shop in the Ravenna neighborhood earlier in the day, Seattle police said.
Seattle police say that Stawicki, 40, shot five people at Cafe Racer, killing four of them and critically wounding the fifth.
read more here
Camp Lejeune Marine murdered posted on Facebook
Murder-suicide appears to be result of lover's triangle
Posted: Jun 01, 2012
By: WECT Staff
Police in Jacksonville are investigating a murder-suicide that happened late Thursday night. (Source: WITN)
ONSLOW COUNTY, NC (WITN/WECT) – Police in Jacksonville are investigating a murder-suicide that happened late Thursday night. Apparently, it was the result of a lover's triangle. The victim may have posted a warning on Facebook that something was about to happen.
WITN is reporting Jason Eimer, 30 of Jacksonville, and Christopher Apger, a Marine from Camp Lejeune, were killed in the incident.
According to WITN, police received a call just before midnight. Several officers responded and had a "significant presence at the New River Harley-Davidson dealership" in Jacksonville.
read more here
Posted: Jun 01, 2012
By: WECT Staff
Police in Jacksonville are investigating a murder-suicide that happened late Thursday night. (Source: WITN)
ONSLOW COUNTY, NC (WITN/WECT) – Police in Jacksonville are investigating a murder-suicide that happened late Thursday night. Apparently, it was the result of a lover's triangle. The victim may have posted a warning on Facebook that something was about to happen.
WITN is reporting Jason Eimer, 30 of Jacksonville, and Christopher Apger, a Marine from Camp Lejeune, were killed in the incident.
According to WITN, police received a call just before midnight. Several officers responded and had a "significant presence at the New River Harley-Davidson dealership" in Jacksonville.
read more here
Army Specialist Brandy Fonteneaux was stabbed 74 times
Jun 01, 2012
By Ned Hibberd, Reporter
HOUSTON (FOX 26)
Seventy-four stab wounds: those are some of the injuries inflicted on a female soldier from Houston, in her own barracks.
The new information comes as her alleged murderer, a fellow soldier, is claiming he suffered from temporary insanity.
"I had to know. I had to see just what this man did to my daughter," said Verona Fonteneaux.
Her daughter, 28-year old Army Specialist Brandy Fonteneaux, was stabbed and choked in her room at Fort Carson in Colorado on January 8.
Plenty of moms would leave it at that. But Verona Fonteneaux needed to know. Everything.
read more here
Women Combating PTSD, "The Silent Killer of the Military"
Women Combating PTSD, "The Silent Killer of the Military"
*Click here for an exclusive interview with an active female veteran.
Comparing The PTSD Rate Among Military Men Vs. Women Serving In The Military
You know all about physically wounded warriors. You hear their stories on television and you read them online. It's important to realize the "Silent Killer of the Military" is just as debilitating to our nation's troops. That is, to our servicemen, as well as servicewomen."
The statistics are surprising.
Shadowing One Of Texoma's Female Veterans – Kymm Putman, Iowa Park
Kymm R. Putman is a veteran of the United States Air Force. She spent about 14 years serving in the Air Force. Kymm spent time serving her country overseas on numerous occasions, including in Germany. She was stationed across the globe, including in Germany at times, but was also deployed to various regions, as well.
In November 2003, toward the beginning of the war in Iraq, Kymm Putman was deployed to Tallil, Iraq, as part of the 4077 Expeditionary Medical Group for the United States Air Force. Her deployment was four and a half months long. While deployed, her squadron's focus and dedication was on public health.
read more here
*Click here for an exclusive interview with an active female veteran.
Comparing The PTSD Rate Among Military Men Vs. Women Serving In The Military
You know all about physically wounded warriors. You hear their stories on television and you read them online. It's important to realize the "Silent Killer of the Military" is just as debilitating to our nation's troops. That is, to our servicemen, as well as servicewomen."
The statistics are surprising.
- Eight out of 100 men (only 8%) serving in the military in the United States have PTSD.
- Twenty out of 100 women in the military, or one in five (20%) have been diagnosed with PTSD.
- It's also important to remember that perspective is key in this data. The military is made up, in a large majority, of men, not women. Yet, the PTSD rate among military women is double that (or higher) compared to men. Of those members of the military deployed right now in Iraq or Afghanistan, only 15% of them are women.
Shadowing One Of Texoma's Female Veterans – Kymm Putman, Iowa Park
Kymm R. Putman is a veteran of the United States Air Force. She spent about 14 years serving in the Air Force. Kymm spent time serving her country overseas on numerous occasions, including in Germany. She was stationed across the globe, including in Germany at times, but was also deployed to various regions, as well.
In November 2003, toward the beginning of the war in Iraq, Kymm Putman was deployed to Tallil, Iraq, as part of the 4077 Expeditionary Medical Group for the United States Air Force. Her deployment was four and a half months long. While deployed, her squadron's focus and dedication was on public health.
read more here
Quadruple amputee Taylor Morris story goes viral
UPDATE
September 17, 2012
Amazing love story of Taylor Morris
September 17, 2012
Amazing love story of Taylor Morris
Funds roll in after injured sailor's story goes viral
By PAT KINNEY
Posted: Friday, June 1, 2012
Taylor Morris, right, and his dad, Dan, rest at Walter Reed Army Hospital. (Courtesy Photo)
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The story of Taylor Morris, the Cedar Falls sailor recovering from injuries he suffered in an Afghan bomb blast, has gone viral.
A Venice, Calif.-based Internet site called theChive.com posted a story about Morris on Wednesday, along with online fundraising links set up by the family.
The site invited viewers to make contributions toward a cabin for Taylor and girlfriend Danielle Kelly. Morris told theChive.com co-owner John Resig that would be his dream home.
Just 12 hours after posting the story, $143,000 had been raised through online donations at TaylorMorris.org.
"I think it's amazing," Taylor's mother, Juli Morris, said this morning by phone from Washington, D.C., where Taylor is recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
read more here
Quadruple amputee Taylor Morris says "I chose this path"
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