It takes a real coward of a Senator to block a raise for veterans and not do it publicly!
Which Senator Put a Hold on Veterans Benefits Bill?
Sep 27, 2012
AUTHOR Jamie Reno
A routine bill for a cost-of-living increase for military veterans and surviving spouses just got delayed for months because of a secret hold by an unidentified Senate Republican.
In what appears to be an election-year stunt that quickly backfired, an unidentified Republican senator on Thursday briefly blocked disabled veterans and their survivors from getting a cost-of-living adjustment to their benefits, according to Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
The Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) increase for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, which typically passes the House and Senate without opposition, was cleared by Senate Democrats but placed on a “secret hold” Thursday by an unidentified Republican senator, Murray says.
Under Senate rules, a single senator is allowed to anonymously keep a bill from advancing toward a vote with what is called a “secret hold.” The senator in this case has not been identified.
read more here
Friday, September 28, 2012
Coward Senator anonymously blocked COLA Veterans Bill
Update
Hold Lifted
WPVI News doesn't know difference between Medal of Honor and Congressional Gold Medal
Congressional Gold Medal and this is Medal of Honor.
How could a news station care so little about what they reported on they made a mistake like this?
One more thing to notice is the title itself. "Old living" and not Oldest.
How could a news station care so little about what they reported on they made a mistake like this?
One more thing to notice is the title itself. "Old living" and not Oldest.
Old living Marine receives Medal of Honor
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Lisa Thomas-Laury
Action News
MONTGOMERY CO, Pa. - September 27, 2012 (WPVI) -- A trail-blazing Marine from Montgomery County has received the nation's highest civilian honor, but that's not all that distinguishes Richard Washington from others.'
He is also the oldest living Marine to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.
At the age of 102, Richard Washington is finally getting his due.
Richard Washington was among the first African American marines to break the U.S. Marine Corp's strict racial barrier during World War II.
"God bless me, one of these days, I want to be a Marine, but they didn't want me," said Washington.
While other branches of the military had opened the door for blacks, the Marines upheld a policy of exclusion.
"But when the president gave that order in 1942," he said; that's when he was able to enlist.
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Double amputee Marine returns to community greeting
Injured Marine Returns Home to Munford
WREG Memphis
September 27, 2012
by Natasha Chen
(Munford, TN) A marine injured in Afghanistan was due to return home to West Tennessee late Thursday night, after spending nearly a year recovering from an explosion.
As of 11p.m., his flight from D.C. was delayed until early Friday morning. Some supporters in his hometown were still waiting to welcome him back through downtown Munford.
L. Cpl. Christian Brown lost both his legs in the blast last November, and after several months, developed the ability to walk using prosthetics.
Late Thursday night, dozens of Patriot Guard Riders waited with close family and friends at Memphis International Airport to escort him home to Munford.
read more here
WREG Memphis
September 27, 2012
by Natasha Chen
(Munford, TN) A marine injured in Afghanistan was due to return home to West Tennessee late Thursday night, after spending nearly a year recovering from an explosion.
As of 11p.m., his flight from D.C. was delayed until early Friday morning. Some supporters in his hometown were still waiting to welcome him back through downtown Munford.
L. Cpl. Christian Brown lost both his legs in the blast last November, and after several months, developed the ability to walk using prosthetics.
Late Thursday night, dozens of Patriot Guard Riders waited with close family and friends at Memphis International Airport to escort him home to Munford.
read more here
At Fort Eustis, the battle against suicide intensifies
This started out to be a great day. This report about Chief Warrant Officer 4 Clifford W. Bauman provides a lot of hope. This approach will help as more and more talk about their own battles.
At Eustis, the battle against suicide intensifies
NEWPORT NEWS
By Hugh Lessig
September 27, 2012
( Sangjib Min, Daily Press / September 27, 2012 )
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Clifford W. Bauman, right, talks of his experience with PTSD during a round table discussion at Fort Eustis in Newport News on Thursday.Plagued by anguish and misplaced guilt, Bauman began to drink and lose sleep. Co-workers who enjoyed his joking mood saw his work begin to suffer. He entered counseling, but he wasn't honest with his counselor and didn't make progress.
In December 2002, he downed 20 sleeping pills, wrote a suicide note and passed out. Bauman credits his brother – who "had a feeling" – with stopping by the house and saving his life. That day turned his life around.
"At that point, I realized I had to be honest, I had to be truthful," he said.
He not only progressed through private counseling, in 2010 he decided to tell his story in public. That launched him on a new phase of his life: Trying to reach soldiers who, like him, felt like they were losing control.
— Last year, two soldiers at Fort Eustis died of suicide. So far this year, two suicides are confirmed but officials said Thursday another six cases are under investigation as possible self-inflicted deaths.
The potential rising rate at the Newport News installation reflects the larger battle the Army is waging against suicide. On Thursday, the Army held a worldwide suicide prevention stand down, setting aside routine activity to focus attention on the problem and talk about dealing with soldiers who are suicidal, depressed and who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
Statistics indicate the Army has yet to turn the corner.
The good news, according to Betak and others, is that large numbers of soldiers are now coming forward to talk about mental health concerns. That suggests the Army is making progress in reducing the stigma that comes with taking that first step, Betak said.
In 2008, the Eustis behavioral health clinic logged about 3,500 patient visits, Betak said. That increased to about 9,000 in 2009 and 12,000 last year.
read more here video report
Sailor turned soldier killed by suicide bomber in Afghanistan
Suicide bomber kills Fredonia soldier
WIVB.com
Updated: Thursday, 27 Sep 2012
Jacquie Walker
Posted by: Eli George
FREDONIA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Fredonia man who served his country first in the Navy for six years, and then returned to duty in the U.S. Army, has been killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan.
Family members tell News 4 28-year-old Army Sergeant Jonathan Gollnitz was devoted to his 4-year-old son and service to his country.
His grandma, Minnie Gollnitz, said, "Guarding the Army headquarters and a suicide bomber comes by and I guess he got blown up."
Gollnitz had previously served in Iraq and had only been in Afghanistan for the past two to three months.
read more here
WIVB.com
Updated: Thursday, 27 Sep 2012
Jacquie Walker
Posted by: Eli George
FREDONIA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Fredonia man who served his country first in the Navy for six years, and then returned to duty in the U.S. Army, has been killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan.
Family members tell News 4 28-year-old Army Sergeant Jonathan Gollnitz was devoted to his 4-year-old son and service to his country.
His grandma, Minnie Gollnitz, said, "Guarding the Army headquarters and a suicide bomber comes by and I guess he got blown up."
Gollnitz had previously served in Iraq and had only been in Afghanistan for the past two to three months.
read more here
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Containers carrying cremains of 56 people found in foreclosed home
Cremains thought to be interred at national cemetery
Sept. 26, 2012
By Kelli Wynn
Staff Writer
Dayton — Dellaina Grundy thought her father’s cremains had been interred at the Dayton National Cemetery more than 10 years ago.
On Tuesday, she found out that his remains were among containers carrying cremains of 56 people that had been found last week at foreclosed Dayton home co-owned by former funeral director Scherrie McLin.
“My mother got a call from the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. She was told that they had found his remains in the home,” said Grundy of Jefferson Township. “He assured me that he was positive that my father was not in that grave. He had his remains in his office.”
The coroner’s office so far has contacted 20 families about loved one’s remains being found at the house at 2121 Philadelphia Drive, which is co-owned by McLin’s half sister Tanya Anderson.
read more here
linked from Stars and Stripes
Sept. 26, 2012
By Kelli Wynn
Staff Writer
Dayton — Dellaina Grundy thought her father’s cremains had been interred at the Dayton National Cemetery more than 10 years ago.
On Tuesday, she found out that his remains were among containers carrying cremains of 56 people that had been found last week at foreclosed Dayton home co-owned by former funeral director Scherrie McLin.
“My mother got a call from the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. She was told that they had found his remains in the home,” said Grundy of Jefferson Township. “He assured me that he was positive that my father was not in that grave. He had his remains in his office.”
The coroner’s office so far has contacted 20 families about loved one’s remains being found at the house at 2121 Philadelphia Drive, which is co-owned by McLin’s half sister Tanya Anderson.
read more here
linked from Stars and Stripes
Captain mounts Harley to Stop Soldier Suicides
FORMER ARMY CAPTAIN RAISES MILITARY-SUICIDE AWARENESS ON CROSS-COUNTRY HARLEY TOUR
Posted on September 26, 2012
by Eddie Scarry
Brian Kinsella never had any suicidal thoughts when he served in the U.S. Army. But he knew people who did and who followed through with them.
“I think going through deployment as a single man who didn’t have a family or children at home, I was in a much different place,” Kinsella told TheBlaze. “I didn’t deal with some things that other soldiers dealt with.”
Kinsella’s experience led him to create Stop Soldier Suicide, a non-profit that aims to raise awareness about suicide in the military and offer mental health counseling to soldiers who need it. On Friday, he’s attempting to further his cause by embarking on a 5,000-mile cross-country trip. It starts in Washington state, ends in New York City and he’s doing the whole thing on a Harley motorcycle.
Through the Stop Soldier Suicide website and social media, Kinsella said he’s seen outpouring of support across the country for his trip. He’s hoping many of the people who have reached out, soldiers and non-soldiers alike, will join him on their own Harleys as he passes through their towns.
Posted on September 26, 2012
by Eddie Scarry
Brian Kinsella never had any suicidal thoughts when he served in the U.S. Army. But he knew people who did and who followed through with them.
“I think going through deployment as a single man who didn’t have a family or children at home, I was in a much different place,” Kinsella told TheBlaze. “I didn’t deal with some things that other soldiers dealt with.”
Kinsella’s experience led him to create Stop Soldier Suicide, a non-profit that aims to raise awareness about suicide in the military and offer mental health counseling to soldiers who need it. On Friday, he’s attempting to further his cause by embarking on a 5,000-mile cross-country trip. It starts in Washington state, ends in New York City and he’s doing the whole thing on a Harley motorcycle.
Through the Stop Soldier Suicide website and social media, Kinsella said he’s seen outpouring of support across the country for his trip. He’s hoping many of the people who have reached out, soldiers and non-soldiers alike, will join him on their own Harleys as he passes through their towns.
The suicide rate is a big concern for the Army. So far in 2012 (through July), there have been 66 confirmed suicides among active-duty Army personnel and 50 more potential suicides that are still being investigated. For all of last year, the Army reported 165 confirmed suicides. Among non-active soldiers, there have been 54 confirmed suicides among Army National Guard and Army Reserve personnel compared with 118 confirmed suicides for all of 2011.
read more here
Beau Biden holds veterans roundtable in Columbus
Beau Biden holds veterans roundtable in Columbus
By: Lydia Coutre
The Columbus Dispatch
September 27, 2012
Beau Biden, Delaware Attorney General and Iraq war veteran, stopped in Columbus this morning to talk to veterans about how their care and benefits would look under presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
“Governor Romney confuses the defense budget with the (Veterans Affairs) budget,” Biden said. “He talks about wanting to increase the defense budget as if that’s going to help veterans. It doesn't. They’re two separate budgets.”
Sitting around a table in the back of Cup of Joe in German Village, Biden and Rob Diamond, the Obama campaign’s National Veterans and Military Families Vote Director, talked jobs, healthcare and support with about a dozen veterans.
Biden contrasted an $11 billion cut in Veterans Affairs spending in year one proposed in Paul Ryan’s budget with Obama’s spending record. “He’s increased VA spending by more than any president has in 30 years,” Biden said.
These numbers concern Bernard Pontones, secretary and treasurer of Vietnam Veterans of Ohio.
read more here
By: Lydia Coutre
The Columbus Dispatch
September 27, 2012
Beau Biden, Delaware Attorney General and Iraq war veteran, stopped in Columbus this morning to talk to veterans about how their care and benefits would look under presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
“Governor Romney confuses the defense budget with the (Veterans Affairs) budget,” Biden said. “He talks about wanting to increase the defense budget as if that’s going to help veterans. It doesn't. They’re two separate budgets.”
Sitting around a table in the back of Cup of Joe in German Village, Biden and Rob Diamond, the Obama campaign’s National Veterans and Military Families Vote Director, talked jobs, healthcare and support with about a dozen veterans.
Biden contrasted an $11 billion cut in Veterans Affairs spending in year one proposed in Paul Ryan’s budget with Obama’s spending record. “He’s increased VA spending by more than any president has in 30 years,” Biden said.
These numbers concern Bernard Pontones, secretary and treasurer of Vietnam Veterans of Ohio.
read more here
Veterans may review VA benefit information on foundation website
Veterans may review VA benefit information on foundation website
Sep. 27, 2012
USA Today
By Joan Noricks
Guest Columnist
Believe it or not, Michigan ranks last among the states in its dollar receipt of Veterans Affairs benefits. Yet Michigan is home to more than 704,000 veterans, making it the 11th largest veteran population in the United States.
Clearly, there's a significant gap between the size of our veterans' population and the dollar amount of benefits individual veterans receive. Michigan is below what is called the median Geographic Distribution of VA expenditures (GDX), which is $4,703. Michigan's GDX is $3,409. If Michigan could increase its distribution of benefit dollars to that median level, the state would reap an additional $1.03 billion, which just might be a help to our economy.
The Canton Community Foundation staff and board are still in awe at the unprecedented attendance at our recent third annual Veterans' Summit Sept. 13. Following presentations on specific VA benefits, veterans had plenty of questions and comments.
As we watched veterans pour into the Laurel Manor Banquet & Conference Center for the summit, many armed with their military paperwork, we fully realized that our decision to host the annual forum is on the right track.
Far too many veterans are unaware of their potential benefits and how to obtain them. On the other hand, we heard plenty of frustrated veterans who, in some cases, have spent years trying to get benefits.
read more here
Sep. 27, 2012
USA Today
By Joan Noricks
Guest Columnist
Believe it or not, Michigan ranks last among the states in its dollar receipt of Veterans Affairs benefits. Yet Michigan is home to more than 704,000 veterans, making it the 11th largest veteran population in the United States.
Clearly, there's a significant gap between the size of our veterans' population and the dollar amount of benefits individual veterans receive. Michigan is below what is called the median Geographic Distribution of VA expenditures (GDX), which is $4,703. Michigan's GDX is $3,409. If Michigan could increase its distribution of benefit dollars to that median level, the state would reap an additional $1.03 billion, which just might be a help to our economy.
The Canton Community Foundation staff and board are still in awe at the unprecedented attendance at our recent third annual Veterans' Summit Sept. 13. Following presentations on specific VA benefits, veterans had plenty of questions and comments.
As we watched veterans pour into the Laurel Manor Banquet & Conference Center for the summit, many armed with their military paperwork, we fully realized that our decision to host the annual forum is on the right track.
Far too many veterans are unaware of their potential benefits and how to obtain them. On the other hand, we heard plenty of frustrated veterans who, in some cases, have spent years trying to get benefits.
read more here
Record high suicide rate prompts Army-wide initiative, again
Army pauses operations for mandatory suicide prevention training
Record high suicide rate prompts Army-wide initiative
By Erin Cox
The Baltimore Sun
September 26, 2012
At Fort Meade, where the suicide rate among service members is six times higher than that of the entire state, a crowd of 75 soldiers offered mostly silence when Mark Fisher asked them to list potential warning signs that a colleague is about to take his or her own life.
"The only way we're going to attack suicides is to talk about it," Fisher urged them.
"We have to get it. And this is the only way."
Fort Meade's mandatory suicide prevention training Wednesday was part of an Army-wide initiative undertaken as the military branch is on pace to reach its highest-ever suicide rate. The number of suicides each year has nearly doubled since 2005, from 87 to 165 last year. And the number of monthly suicides doubled from June to July — when suicides outpaced combat deaths of active-duty soldiers.
Aberdeen Proving Ground will hold its "stand down" training Thursday as military installations around the globe temporarily halt operations to focus on suicide prevention.
"Out of 365 days of the year, we're taking a day that was otherwise devoted to something else and saying: That's not as important as this," Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III said in a conference call.
"The nation has asked our soldiers to carry a heavy load over the past 11 years, and they have not let us down. But suicide is an enemy we have yet to beat."
At the current pace, the Army's suicide rate would be its highest yet at 29 deaths per 100,000 people this year. Fort Meade saw six suicides within the past 12 months among its military population of 11,600 people, base spokeswoman Mary Doyle said. Based on those numbers, the rate for Fort Meade would be more than 50 per 100,000 people.
read more here
DOD condescending attitude kills suicide prevention
Record high suicide rate prompts Army-wide initiative
By Erin Cox
The Baltimore Sun
September 26, 2012
At Fort Meade, where the suicide rate among service members is six times higher than that of the entire state, a crowd of 75 soldiers offered mostly silence when Mark Fisher asked them to list potential warning signs that a colleague is about to take his or her own life.
Col. John B. Wells, commander of the U.S. Army Claims Service at Fort Meade, listens to mandatory suicide prevention training in the Post Theater on base. (Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina Perna / September 26, 2012)
"The only way we're going to attack suicides is to talk about it," Fisher urged them.
"We have to get it. And this is the only way."
Fort Meade's mandatory suicide prevention training Wednesday was part of an Army-wide initiative undertaken as the military branch is on pace to reach its highest-ever suicide rate. The number of suicides each year has nearly doubled since 2005, from 87 to 165 last year. And the number of monthly suicides doubled from June to July — when suicides outpaced combat deaths of active-duty soldiers.
Aberdeen Proving Ground will hold its "stand down" training Thursday as military installations around the globe temporarily halt operations to focus on suicide prevention.
"Out of 365 days of the year, we're taking a day that was otherwise devoted to something else and saying: That's not as important as this," Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III said in a conference call.
"The nation has asked our soldiers to carry a heavy load over the past 11 years, and they have not let us down. But suicide is an enemy we have yet to beat."
At the current pace, the Army's suicide rate would be its highest yet at 29 deaths per 100,000 people this year. Fort Meade saw six suicides within the past 12 months among its military population of 11,600 people, base spokeswoman Mary Doyle said. Based on those numbers, the rate for Fort Meade would be more than 50 per 100,000 people.
read more here
DOD condescending attitude kills suicide prevention
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