Havelock native survives head shot and returns to action with U.S. Army unit
August 31, 2012
DREW C. WILSON
HALIFAX MEDIA
Few soldiers take a direct hit to the head and live to tell about it.
But for Army Spc. Roger Bryan Daniels, that’s exactly what happened Aug. 21 in Afghanistan.
Daniels, a Havelock native, was on foot patrol in eastern Afghanistan with other members of the 109th Military Intelligence Battalion when an enemy bullet pierced his helmet.
“It was like getting hit by a bat,” Daniels told the Havelock News during an online interview from Afghanistan on Monday.
Daniels was on a rooftop when he was hit.
“I almost fell off but a guy grabbed me and kept me from falling off,” Daniels said.
“The bullet went through my helmet. It hit straight 90 degrees, took a right and got stuck in the back of my helmet, nicking my head in two places. It hit me on the left side of the head.”
Despite his wound, Daniels had to wait to be evacuated to a hospital.
“It was about two hours before we could get out. The area was kind of ‘hot,’” Daniels said, referring to the firefight.
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Friday, August 31, 2012
Volunteers lend hand at injured Marine's home
Volunteers lend hand at injured Marine's home
August 30, 2012
ANIESA HOLMES
DAILY NEWS STAFF
BEAULAVILLE — Volunteers from the Semper Fi Fund and Home Depot spent many hours sawing, planting and building to make life more comfortable for a local injured Marine.
About 60 volunteers from Home Depot’s “Team Depot” and Semper Fi Fund spent three days provide landscaping and exterior modifications to Sgt. Maj. Raymond Mackey’s Beulaville home.
In 2009, Mackey was injured by an IED explosion during an ambush while serving in Afghanistan, leaving him with bilateral amputations of both legs above the knees and extensive nerve damage to his arms. Along with the use of prosthetic legs and a wheelchair, Mackey said the renovation project helps to add major steps to his recovery process.
“It really means a lot because there’s a lot of stuff that I can’t do now,” said Mackey, who has been in the Marine Corps for more than 29 years. “Everything that they have done is making my life a lot easier and attractive to come home to.”
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August 30, 2012
ANIESA HOLMES
DAILY NEWS STAFF
BEAULAVILLE — Volunteers from the Semper Fi Fund and Home Depot spent many hours sawing, planting and building to make life more comfortable for a local injured Marine.
About 60 volunteers from Home Depot’s “Team Depot” and Semper Fi Fund spent three days provide landscaping and exterior modifications to Sgt. Maj. Raymond Mackey’s Beulaville home.
In 2009, Mackey was injured by an IED explosion during an ambush while serving in Afghanistan, leaving him with bilateral amputations of both legs above the knees and extensive nerve damage to his arms. Along with the use of prosthetic legs and a wheelchair, Mackey said the renovation project helps to add major steps to his recovery process.
“It really means a lot because there’s a lot of stuff that I can’t do now,” said Mackey, who has been in the Marine Corps for more than 29 years. “Everything that they have done is making my life a lot easier and attractive to come home to.”
read more here
Florida Hospital breach affects 700,000 people
Florida Hospital breach affects 700,000 people
WESH 2 News
ORLANDO, Fla.
A breach in patient information at Florida Hospital once thought to involve 2,000 patients actually affects as many as 700,000.
One man has been indicted in the case and investigators say more is to come. WESH 2’s Bob Kealing uncovered the information on what detectives are calling a massive sale of personal information.
According to an indictment made public Wednesday, a former Florida Hospital clerical worker named Dale Munroe II faces federal charges of accessing the personal information of 700,000 patients over a period of two years.
Read more
WESH 2 News
ORLANDO, Fla.
A breach in patient information at Florida Hospital once thought to involve 2,000 patients actually affects as many as 700,000.
One man has been indicted in the case and investigators say more is to come. WESH 2’s Bob Kealing uncovered the information on what detectives are calling a massive sale of personal information.
According to an indictment made public Wednesday, a former Florida Hospital clerical worker named Dale Munroe II faces federal charges of accessing the personal information of 700,000 patients over a period of two years.
Read more
Retired Army staff sgt. foils robbery attempt
Retired Army staff sgt. foils robbery attempt
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 31, 2012
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Police in Bellingham, Wash., said a gas station clerk with a hammer stapler chased away a burly would-be robber armed with pruning shears.
The Bellingham Herald reported that police released photos Thursday of the Aug. 20 robbery attempt. They show a 6-foot-tall, 200-pound man wearing a black ski mask walking into Starvin’ Sam’s.
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The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 31, 2012
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Police in Bellingham, Wash., said a gas station clerk with a hammer stapler chased away a burly would-be robber armed with pruning shears.
The Bellingham Herald reported that police released photos Thursday of the Aug. 20 robbery attempt. They show a 6-foot-tall, 200-pound man wearing a black ski mask walking into Starvin’ Sam’s.
read more here
Florida National Guard Soldier "accidentally" shot during Convention
Officials: Guardsman accidentally shot in Fla.
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 31, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Authorities say a member of a Florida National Guard unit assisting at the Republican National Convention was accidentally shot while examining his personal revolver in a hotel room with another guard member.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said 21-year-old Michael Wdowiak was showing his handgun to Jeffrey A. Spurr when it discharged a single round while in Spurr’s possession. The sheriff’s statement said Wdowiak was hit in the upper body and left hand and required surgery. There was no immediate report on his condition.
The sheriff’s statement said alcohol did not appear to be a factor, and there were no charges. It added at least three others in the room were not hurt. Wdowiak and Spurr are with a guard contingent from Ocala staying at the hotel, it said.
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The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 31, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Authorities say a member of a Florida National Guard unit assisting at the Republican National Convention was accidentally shot while examining his personal revolver in a hotel room with another guard member.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said 21-year-old Michael Wdowiak was showing his handgun to Jeffrey A. Spurr when it discharged a single round while in Spurr’s possession. The sheriff’s statement said Wdowiak was hit in the upper body and left hand and required surgery. There was no immediate report on his condition.
The sheriff’s statement said alcohol did not appear to be a factor, and there were no charges. It added at least three others in the room were not hurt. Wdowiak and Spurr are with a guard contingent from Ocala staying at the hotel, it said.
read more here
Vietnam War Veteran Elected Leader of The American Legion
Vietnam War Veteran Elected Leader of The American Legion
Published: August 30, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS — A U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran has been elected national commander of the nation’s largest veterans organization.
Delegates to The American Legion’s 94th National Convention here chose James E. Koutz of Boonville, Ind., to lead the 2.4 million-member organization of wartime veterans for a one-year term.
Koutz entered the United States Army in August 1969. He attended Basic Training at Ft. Knox, Ky., and Advanced Infantry Training at Ft. Ord, Calif.
In January 1970 he reported to Vietnam and served an extended tour of duty with Co. C 169th Engineer Battalion. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist 5 in March 1971 and quickly joined The American Legion. He is a member of Boonville Post 200 where his father, George, was a World War II veteran and a past commander of the post.
Jim was honored as a life member of his Post in 1991 and served as its post commander for nine years.
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Published: August 30, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS — A U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran has been elected national commander of the nation’s largest veterans organization.
Delegates to The American Legion’s 94th National Convention here chose James E. Koutz of Boonville, Ind., to lead the 2.4 million-member organization of wartime veterans for a one-year term.
Koutz entered the United States Army in August 1969. He attended Basic Training at Ft. Knox, Ky., and Advanced Infantry Training at Ft. Ord, Calif.
In January 1970 he reported to Vietnam and served an extended tour of duty with Co. C 169th Engineer Battalion. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist 5 in March 1971 and quickly joined The American Legion. He is a member of Boonville Post 200 where his father, George, was a World War II veteran and a past commander of the post.
Jim was honored as a life member of his Post in 1991 and served as its post commander for nine years.
read more here
Iraq war vet: ‘Now it’s time to win’ at Paralympics
Iraq war vet: ‘Now it’s time to win’ at Paralympics
By Jamieson Lesko
NBC News
LONDON -- "I love my country. I fought for it, and now it's time to win for it,” said U.S. Army Iraq war veteran Scott Winkler, who was paralyzed in 2003 while serving on a mission in Tikrit.
"When you raise your hand and you swear to your country, that is the chance you have to take. That's the biggest part of being a soldier," Winkler, now a shot putter on the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field Team, told NBC News.
Bound to a wheelchair for life, he battled depression and went through a divorce. While in recovery at the VA Augusta Spinal Cord Injury Unit in Georgia, it was a struggle to regain self-sufficiency.
"I said enough is enough. I don't want anyone taking care of me and dressing me, bathing me. ... I'm a soldier," Winkler, 39, said.
read more here
By Jamieson Lesko
NBC News
LONDON -- "I love my country. I fought for it, and now it's time to win for it,” said U.S. Army Iraq war veteran Scott Winkler, who was paralyzed in 2003 while serving on a mission in Tikrit.
"When you raise your hand and you swear to your country, that is the chance you have to take. That's the biggest part of being a soldier," Winkler, now a shot putter on the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field Team, told NBC News.
Bound to a wheelchair for life, he battled depression and went through a divorce. While in recovery at the VA Augusta Spinal Cord Injury Unit in Georgia, it was a struggle to regain self-sufficiency.
"I said enough is enough. I don't want anyone taking care of me and dressing me, bathing me. ... I'm a soldier," Winkler, 39, said.
read more here
New Jersey Pathmark Killings "everyone in the store was a target"
UPDATE September 1, 2012
New Jersey supermarket shooter tweeted before killing
Ex-Marine Suspected in New Jersey Pathmark Killings
By KEVIN DOLAK
Aug. 31, 2012
The man suspected of killing two people early this morning at an Old Bridge, N.J., grocery store before shooting himself to death is a 23-year-old former Marine who worked at the grocery store for two weeks, according to the town's mayor.
The suspect left the Old Bridge shopping plaza at about 4 a.m. and returned to a Pathmark grocery store, having changed into camouflage clothing, Mayor Owen Henry said today. He was armed with an AK-47 and an automatic handgun when he entered the store, allegedly firing his weapon.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan said the victims were "not specifically targeted; everyone in the store was a target."
"Two of the employees were shot and killed, the others were able to hide and escape," Kaplan said. There were two weapons that were found -- one was an AK-47 and there were multiple magazines that were found in the store and there was also a handgun."
read more here
Ex-Marine Suspected in New Jersey Pathmark Killings
By KEVIN DOLAK
Aug. 31, 2012
Officials investigate the scene of a shooting at a Pathmark grocery store in Old Bridge, N.J., Aug. 31, 2012. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)
The man suspected of killing two people early this morning at an Old Bridge, N.J., grocery store before shooting himself to death is a 23-year-old former Marine who worked at the grocery store for two weeks, according to the town's mayor.
The suspect left the Old Bridge shopping plaza at about 4 a.m. and returned to a Pathmark grocery store, having changed into camouflage clothing, Mayor Owen Henry said today. He was armed with an AK-47 and an automatic handgun when he entered the store, allegedly firing his weapon.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan said the victims were "not specifically targeted; everyone in the store was a target."
"Two of the employees were shot and killed, the others were able to hide and escape," Kaplan said. There were two weapons that were found -- one was an AK-47 and there were multiple magazines that were found in the store and there was also a handgun."
read more here
VA Report on Female Veterans Reveals Special Needs
VA Report on Female Veterans Reveals Special Needs
A recent draft report from the Women Veterans Task Force (WVTF) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outlines the challenges of addressing disability among women veterans.
TAMPA, FL, August 31, 2012 /24-7PressRelease
A recent draft report from the Women Veterans Task Force (WVTF) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outlines the challenges of addressing disability among women veterans. The need to deal with issues unique to women vets arose because of significant changes in the culture generally and the military specifically.
Woman Vets on the Increase
One obvious change is the number of women in the military. In 1950, only two percent of all military personnel were women. Today, 14 percent of active duty military and 18 percent of National Guard and Reserves are female. Women are no longer relegated to support roles, but take part in active combat. As a result, they suffer injuries that are similar to those experienced by male soldiers.
As a result of growing number of women who choose to enter the military, the number of female veterans has also increased. In fact, women make up the fastest growing group of veterans - eight percent of veterans, or 1.8 million, were women. It is estimated that by 2020, 10.7 percent of vets will be female.
Female Veterans Have Different Needs
The report not only recognizes the growth in the number of woman veterans, but also pinpoints the different needs of this cohort. Overall, female veterans have higher service-connected disabilities than their male counterparts. In 2009, for example, 26 percent of female vets and 19 percent of male vets had disability ratings greater than 50 percent.
In addition to generally having higher disability ratings, disabled female vets also have higher incidences of certain types of disabilities, including Military Sexual Trauma (MST). One in five female vets who use the VA for health care is identified as suffering from MST as a result of rape, harassment or assault. This can lead to additional problems, such as depression, substance abuse and PTSD. Women vets suffering from MST are four times more likely to have PTSD and six times more likely to have multiple mental health conditions.
read more here
A recent draft report from the Women Veterans Task Force (WVTF) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outlines the challenges of addressing disability among women veterans.
TAMPA, FL, August 31, 2012 /24-7PressRelease
A recent draft report from the Women Veterans Task Force (WVTF) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outlines the challenges of addressing disability among women veterans. The need to deal with issues unique to women vets arose because of significant changes in the culture generally and the military specifically.
Woman Vets on the Increase
One obvious change is the number of women in the military. In 1950, only two percent of all military personnel were women. Today, 14 percent of active duty military and 18 percent of National Guard and Reserves are female. Women are no longer relegated to support roles, but take part in active combat. As a result, they suffer injuries that are similar to those experienced by male soldiers.
As a result of growing number of women who choose to enter the military, the number of female veterans has also increased. In fact, women make up the fastest growing group of veterans - eight percent of veterans, or 1.8 million, were women. It is estimated that by 2020, 10.7 percent of vets will be female.
Female Veterans Have Different Needs
The report not only recognizes the growth in the number of woman veterans, but also pinpoints the different needs of this cohort. Overall, female veterans have higher service-connected disabilities than their male counterparts. In 2009, for example, 26 percent of female vets and 19 percent of male vets had disability ratings greater than 50 percent.
In addition to generally having higher disability ratings, disabled female vets also have higher incidences of certain types of disabilities, including Military Sexual Trauma (MST). One in five female vets who use the VA for health care is identified as suffering from MST as a result of rape, harassment or assault. This can lead to additional problems, such as depression, substance abuse and PTSD. Women vets suffering from MST are four times more likely to have PTSD and six times more likely to have multiple mental health conditions.
read more here
Ron Paul supporters call GOP Convention a sham
Navy Veterans at Republican convention, Ron Paul supporters call convention a sham.
The video quality is not good but try to get past it to listen to what they had to say.
Video streaming by Ustream
Press Conference - Delegates at RNC - Thursday evening, Aug. 30 - RNC
Standing together, in front of the RNC venue at the Tampa Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. National delegates and alternates, supporting Ron Paul and the Liberty movement, join together in a Press Conference.
Video streaming by Ustream
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