Military Marriages, Strained By War, Beginning To Heal
Huffington Post
David Wood
Posted: 07/03/2013
HATTERAS, N.C. -- Staff Sgt. Joe Payne, an Army combat engineer, survived Afghanistan. It was coming home seven years ago that shattered his marriage and nearly killed him.
"When he got home safe we thought it was the end of the biggest battle," Joe's wife Mary, now 31, told The Huffington Post. "We didn't realize that the biggest battles were still ahead."
A decade of war has taken a toll on the nation's military families. For years they have been lauded for their resilience, for enduring frequent deployments and the physical and mental wounds that often accompany their loved ones when they return. But now, with the pace of deployments easing, with combat troops retiring from the familiar structure of military service and trying to adjust to civilian life, marital strains are emerging.
A grinning, easy-going teenager, Joe Payne had enlisted in 1997 right out of high school in Asheville, N.C. He loved military life, including a 2003 deployment to Iraq. He and Mary were married in 2004. During his second tour, in 2005-2006, he traveled Afghanistan's roads to hunt down hidden improvised explosive devices, the deadly homemade explosives that have killed thousands of American troops and Afghans. These "route clearance" missions are among the military's most dangerous. Death was everywhere. Payne himself was shaken and stunned by dozens of blasts and was knocked unconscious twice.
read more here
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Experts say Canadian military underplaying scope of mental injury
Experts say military underplaying scope of mental injury
The Star Post
By Chris Cobb
Postmedia News
July 3, 2013
A new Department of National Defence study that says 13.5 per cent of Canadian soldiers who served in Afghanistan returned home with mental illness severely underestimates the problem, say specialists in military mental health.
Of the soldiers who deployed, eight per cent have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), says the study by David Boulos and Mark A. Zamorski titled Deployment-related Mental Disorders Among Canadian Forces Personnel Deployed in Support of the Mission in Afghanistan, 2001-2008.
The DND study, drawn from a pool of 30,513 troops who served in Afghanistan up to 2009 - two years before the final combat deployment ended - was published Tuesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
But in the confusing numbers game surrounding posttraumatic stress and other war-induced mental injury, the DND study appears to undercut some of the department's previous estimates. The real number of mentally injured Afghan veterans is likely twice the number reported in the study, says retired Brig. Gen. Joe Sharpe, one of Canada's foremost authorities on operational stress injury in the Canadian Forces.
read more here
The Star Post
By Chris Cobb
Postmedia News
July 3, 2013
A new Department of National Defence study that says 13.5 per cent of Canadian soldiers who served in Afghanistan returned home with mental illness severely underestimates the problem, say specialists in military mental health.
Of the soldiers who deployed, eight per cent have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), says the study by David Boulos and Mark A. Zamorski titled Deployment-related Mental Disorders Among Canadian Forces Personnel Deployed in Support of the Mission in Afghanistan, 2001-2008.
The DND study, drawn from a pool of 30,513 troops who served in Afghanistan up to 2009 - two years before the final combat deployment ended - was published Tuesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
But in the confusing numbers game surrounding posttraumatic stress and other war-induced mental injury, the DND study appears to undercut some of the department's previous estimates. The real number of mentally injured Afghan veterans is likely twice the number reported in the study, says retired Brig. Gen. Joe Sharpe, one of Canada's foremost authorities on operational stress injury in the Canadian Forces.
read more here
Why should you get a colonoscopy?
Why should you get a colonoscopy?
Wounded Times Blog
Kathie Costos
July 3, 2013
This has not been a fun couple of weeks for me. Every year around July, I take care of my health. A couple of weeks ago it was getting a mammogram. Turns out there was something strange going on so they wanted me to come back for another one plus an ultrasound. It happened a couple of years ago, so I wasn't too worried about it.
Monday I had both tests done and it turned out to be just my body being a bit freaky. I celebrated with a huge glass of wine.
Yesterday it was yet another day of misery getting ready for a colonoscopy today. I kept putting it off because of the stuff you have to drink to flush everything out. NOT FUN AT ALL. Most of the day I was either in the bathroom or laying down. I couldn't eat but what surprised me was, I wasn't hungry at all.
This morning, bright and early my husband drove me to Florida hospital in Altamonte so that I could be there by 6:00 to check in. That followed a series of forms to fill out and some great nurses taking my mind off what was coming. As soon as the medication went into the tube, I was out. I woke up in another room and that was when my husband gave me the news. There were four polyps. The doctor told him they looked benign but he wouldn't be sure until he got the report back.
On the way home there were two things on my mind. One was getting something to eat. The more pressing thing was thinking about if I had not had it done. What would have happened? Would I have found out too late there was something wrong?
I kept putting it off finding excuses for something I just didn't want to do. I wasn't having any health problems in that area so putting it off was easy. Now I am glad I did.
If you doctor tells you to go for a colonoscopy, go! It is better to discover you are healthy and don't have to worry for ten more years than to discover you waited too long. I was miserable yesterday and to tell the truth, not feeling much better yet but oh so happy to put up with all of this than something much worse.
Wounded Times Blog
Kathie Costos
July 3, 2013
This has not been a fun couple of weeks for me. Every year around July, I take care of my health. A couple of weeks ago it was getting a mammogram. Turns out there was something strange going on so they wanted me to come back for another one plus an ultrasound. It happened a couple of years ago, so I wasn't too worried about it.
Monday I had both tests done and it turned out to be just my body being a bit freaky. I celebrated with a huge glass of wine.
Yesterday it was yet another day of misery getting ready for a colonoscopy today. I kept putting it off because of the stuff you have to drink to flush everything out. NOT FUN AT ALL. Most of the day I was either in the bathroom or laying down. I couldn't eat but what surprised me was, I wasn't hungry at all.
This morning, bright and early my husband drove me to Florida hospital in Altamonte so that I could be there by 6:00 to check in. That followed a series of forms to fill out and some great nurses taking my mind off what was coming. As soon as the medication went into the tube, I was out. I woke up in another room and that was when my husband gave me the news. There were four polyps. The doctor told him they looked benign but he wouldn't be sure until he got the report back.
On the way home there were two things on my mind. One was getting something to eat. The more pressing thing was thinking about if I had not had it done. What would have happened? Would I have found out too late there was something wrong?
I kept putting it off finding excuses for something I just didn't want to do. I wasn't having any health problems in that area so putting it off was easy. Now I am glad I did.
If you doctor tells you to go for a colonoscopy, go! It is better to discover you are healthy and don't have to worry for ten more years than to discover you waited too long. I was miserable yesterday and to tell the truth, not feeling much better yet but oh so happy to put up with all of this than something much worse.
July 4th celebration for some, frightening for others
4th of July Fireworks a Nightmare for Shell-Shocked War Veterans
GOOD MORNING AMERICA
By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES
Digital Reporter
July 3, 2013
Samuel Askins spent 545 days as an infantryman in the U.S. Army in Iraq, witnessing numerous firefights and suffering a concussion in an explosion that eventually ended with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.
"It ruined my life," Askins said, adding that he tried to kill himself with alcohol and drugs because of the panic attacks and despair that followed him back to the United States and resulted in his retirement from active duty.
Today, at 35, he helps other vets as director of Camp Hope in Houston, but even he is having a tough week anticipating the loud fanfare that comes hand in hand with Fourth of July.
"Even with my recovery, the fireworks will kill me this week. The [fireworks] stands are all open," Askins said.
"Just last week, I went fishing and I put the boat in the water when a cherry bomb exploded. I fell out of the boat.
"I will have to deal with this for the rest of my life," he said.
read more here
GOOD MORNING AMERICA
By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES
Digital Reporter
July 3, 2013
Samuel Askins spent 545 days as an infantryman in the U.S. Army in Iraq, witnessing numerous firefights and suffering a concussion in an explosion that eventually ended with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.
"It ruined my life," Askins said, adding that he tried to kill himself with alcohol and drugs because of the panic attacks and despair that followed him back to the United States and resulted in his retirement from active duty.
Today, at 35, he helps other vets as director of Camp Hope in Houston, but even he is having a tough week anticipating the loud fanfare that comes hand in hand with Fourth of July.
"Even with my recovery, the fireworks will kill me this week. The [fireworks] stands are all open," Askins said.
"Just last week, I went fishing and I put the boat in the water when a cherry bomb exploded. I fell out of the boat.
"I will have to deal with this for the rest of my life," he said.
read more here
Iraq veteran running to replace Rep. Steve King
Jim Mowrer
Born and Raised with Iowa Values
Jim Mowrer grew up on a farm in Boone, Iowa. When Jim was just seven, his father was tragically killed in a farming accident, leaving Jim’s mother, Susan, to raise Jim and his sister Ruth Ann, by herself. It wasn’t easy – they had only Susan’s small salary and Social Security survivor benefits to pay the bills.
Jim worked hard and graduated from Boone High School and married his high school sweetheart, Chelsey. Today they have two boys, Carter (4) and Jack (2).
Called to Service for His Country
After the September 11th, attacks Jim wanted to give back and serve his country. So as soon as he graduated high school, Jim joined the Iowa National Guard, where he quickly moved up the ranks and was promoted to Sergeant after just two years of service.
In 2005, Jim’s unit was mobilized and deployed to Iraq. Serving as an Intelligence Analyst, it was Jim's job to help locate IED's or roadside bombs so they could be removed before causing harm. Jim’s unit, the 1-133 Infantry Battalion, served the longest deployment of any unit in the Iraq War – 23 months.
Even while serving in Iraq, Jim finished college in between missions, earning a degree from the American Military University. Jim went on to earn Masters of Public Policy from George Mason University.
Working at the Pentagon to make the military more efficient
Jim returned to Iowa with his National Guard unit in 2007, but he returned to Iraq in 2009 as a civilian analyst and advisor to the Commander of US Forces.
In 2010, Jim was asked to serve as the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Army. At the Pentagon, Jim helped start and oversee the Army’s Office of Business Transformation – tasked with making the Army more effective, while saving tax dollars.
At the Pentagon, Jim also served as the Army’s lead representative to the Council of Governors, where he worked with America’s Governors to help coordinate Army bases and operations in individual states across the country.
Running for Congress
Jim Mowrer's whole life has been about service to our country and protecting what makes America and Iowa great. Now Jim's running for Congress because he sees that Politicians on both sides of the aisle aren't doing anything to protect middle class Iowa families like the one Jim grew up in. Instead of pushing for solutions, too many politicians in Washington are pushing sound bytes to please the extreme parts of their party and score political points for partisan gain.
Born and Raised with Iowa Values
Jim Mowrer grew up on a farm in Boone, Iowa. When Jim was just seven, his father was tragically killed in a farming accident, leaving Jim’s mother, Susan, to raise Jim and his sister Ruth Ann, by herself. It wasn’t easy – they had only Susan’s small salary and Social Security survivor benefits to pay the bills.
Jim worked hard and graduated from Boone High School and married his high school sweetheart, Chelsey. Today they have two boys, Carter (4) and Jack (2).
Called to Service for His Country
After the September 11th, attacks Jim wanted to give back and serve his country. So as soon as he graduated high school, Jim joined the Iowa National Guard, where he quickly moved up the ranks and was promoted to Sergeant after just two years of service.
In 2005, Jim’s unit was mobilized and deployed to Iraq. Serving as an Intelligence Analyst, it was Jim's job to help locate IED's or roadside bombs so they could be removed before causing harm. Jim’s unit, the 1-133 Infantry Battalion, served the longest deployment of any unit in the Iraq War – 23 months.
Even while serving in Iraq, Jim finished college in between missions, earning a degree from the American Military University. Jim went on to earn Masters of Public Policy from George Mason University.
Working at the Pentagon to make the military more efficient
Jim returned to Iowa with his National Guard unit in 2007, but he returned to Iraq in 2009 as a civilian analyst and advisor to the Commander of US Forces.
In 2010, Jim was asked to serve as the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Army. At the Pentagon, Jim helped start and oversee the Army’s Office of Business Transformation – tasked with making the Army more effective, while saving tax dollars.
At the Pentagon, Jim also served as the Army’s lead representative to the Council of Governors, where he worked with America’s Governors to help coordinate Army bases and operations in individual states across the country.
Running for Congress
Jim Mowrer's whole life has been about service to our country and protecting what makes America and Iowa great. Now Jim's running for Congress because he sees that Politicians on both sides of the aisle aren't doing anything to protect middle class Iowa families like the one Jim grew up in. Instead of pushing for solutions, too many politicians in Washington are pushing sound bytes to please the extreme parts of their party and score political points for partisan gain.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
DOD Contractors to Get New Whistleblower Protections
DOD Contractors to Get New Whistleblower Protections
By Nick Simeone
American Forces Press Service
Press release
WASHINGTON, June 28, 2013 – Beginning July 1, whistleblowers working for Defense Department subcontractors will begin receiving protection against reprisals through a new law intended to better protect those who expose possible wrongdoing.
In addition, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, contractors who report suspected waste, fraud and abuse within their company rather than directly to the DOD inspector general also will be protected, a modification of previous laws aimed at better protecting whistleblowers working on DOD contracts.
Nilgun Tolek, who directs investigations against whistleblower reprisals for the Defense Department inspector general’s office, explained the new law to reporters yesterday at the Pentagon.
“Since internal complaints weren’t covered under the statute, those people who did make an internal hotline complaint and believed they were retaliated against had nowhere to get protection,” Tolek said, adding that the measure “brings the statute up to par with existing whistleblower protections.”
The new law will apply to all DOD contracts beginning on or after July 1, as well as to new amendments to existing contracts.
Marguerite C. Garrison, deputy inspector general for administrative investigations, said complaints about abuse from DOD subcontractors revealed the need for the new law.
“Congress has recognized that there have been some loopholes in the provisions, and that the protections didn’t expand to everyone,” she explained.
The law will provide added protection to whistleblowers from retaliation by requiring “clear and convincing evidence” that a contractor would have taken the same disciplinary action against an employee even if he or she had not come forward with an allegation of abuse, Tolek said.
By Nick Simeone
American Forces Press Service
Press release
WASHINGTON, June 28, 2013 – Beginning July 1, whistleblowers working for Defense Department subcontractors will begin receiving protection against reprisals through a new law intended to better protect those who expose possible wrongdoing.
In addition, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, contractors who report suspected waste, fraud and abuse within their company rather than directly to the DOD inspector general also will be protected, a modification of previous laws aimed at better protecting whistleblowers working on DOD contracts.
Nilgun Tolek, who directs investigations against whistleblower reprisals for the Defense Department inspector general’s office, explained the new law to reporters yesterday at the Pentagon.
“Since internal complaints weren’t covered under the statute, those people who did make an internal hotline complaint and believed they were retaliated against had nowhere to get protection,” Tolek said, adding that the measure “brings the statute up to par with existing whistleblower protections.”
The new law will apply to all DOD contracts beginning on or after July 1, as well as to new amendments to existing contracts.
Marguerite C. Garrison, deputy inspector general for administrative investigations, said complaints about abuse from DOD subcontractors revealed the need for the new law.
“Congress has recognized that there have been some loopholes in the provisions, and that the protections didn’t expand to everyone,” she explained.
The law will provide added protection to whistleblowers from retaliation by requiring “clear and convincing evidence” that a contractor would have taken the same disciplinary action against an employee even if he or she had not come forward with an allegation of abuse, Tolek said.
WOUNDED WARRIORS FIND VOICE IN CAMERA
WOUNDED WARRIORS FIND VOICE IN CAMERA
UT San Diego
July 2, 2013
The Tug McGraw Foundation deserves a hearty “thank you” for doing its part to help injured or sick soldiers. The family of the late major league pitcher, who spent six years in the Marine Corps reserves during the Vietnam War, has established a photo-therapy program that’s currently being offered through Camp Pendleton’s Wounded Warrior program.
The fStop Warriors Project, taught by Santa Barbara photographer Terence Ford, teaches Marines to use the camera lens to express thoughts and feelings they can’t quite verbalize. As Cpl. Jennifer Ratliff, injured by an IED (improvised explosive device) and now getting treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, notes in a photo caption, “It allows me to express myself in a way that I can no longer do with words.” The photo shows her hand, with a “love” tattoo, holding a picture of her lifting up a little girl, the daughter of a friend.
read more here
UT San Diego
July 2, 2013
The Tug McGraw Foundation deserves a hearty “thank you” for doing its part to help injured or sick soldiers. The family of the late major league pitcher, who spent six years in the Marine Corps reserves during the Vietnam War, has established a photo-therapy program that’s currently being offered through Camp Pendleton’s Wounded Warrior program.
The fStop Warriors Project, taught by Santa Barbara photographer Terence Ford, teaches Marines to use the camera lens to express thoughts and feelings they can’t quite verbalize. As Cpl. Jennifer Ratliff, injured by an IED (improvised explosive device) and now getting treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, notes in a photo caption, “It allows me to express myself in a way that I can no longer do with words.” The photo shows her hand, with a “love” tattoo, holding a picture of her lifting up a little girl, the daughter of a friend.
read more here
Fear of losing guns led Granville man to fire at police
Police: Fear of losing guns led Granville man to fire at police
Post Star.com
DON LEHMAN
July 1, 2013
GRANVILLE -- Police said a fear he was going to be arrested and police were going to confiscate his guns apparently prompted a Granville man to fire three rifle shots at police cars late Friday.
But officers said there appears to be no connection between Friday’s shooting and the violent death last month of a fellow military veteran from Granville.
Jonathan P. Hyatt, 26, died late Friday or early Saturday of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head from a .308-caliber rifle he had been using to fire at police from inside the 7 Irving Ave. home of his grandmother, officials said.
Hyatt was a veteran of the U.S. Army who spent 14 months in Iraq. He had suffered from post traumatic stress disorder because of a head injury sustained during combat.
Hyatt’s death follows a June 16 incident in nearby western Vermont, where Granville resident Aaron Allen was shot and killed by the boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend as Allen stabbed her with a knife.
read more here
Post Star.com
DON LEHMAN
July 1, 2013
"Granville Police Chief Ernie Bassett said the two incidents appear to be unconnected, other than the fact both men were military veterans who had struggled to re-acclimate to society after their return from the Middle East."
GRANVILLE -- Police said a fear he was going to be arrested and police were going to confiscate his guns apparently prompted a Granville man to fire three rifle shots at police cars late Friday.
But officers said there appears to be no connection between Friday’s shooting and the violent death last month of a fellow military veteran from Granville.
Jonathan P. Hyatt, 26, died late Friday or early Saturday of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head from a .308-caliber rifle he had been using to fire at police from inside the 7 Irving Ave. home of his grandmother, officials said.
Hyatt was a veteran of the U.S. Army who spent 14 months in Iraq. He had suffered from post traumatic stress disorder because of a head injury sustained during combat.
Hyatt’s death follows a June 16 incident in nearby western Vermont, where Granville resident Aaron Allen was shot and killed by the boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend as Allen stabbed her with a knife.
read more here
Accused murder sent text about insurance money after pregnant wife killed
Investigator: Soldier's wife choked or smothered
By RUSS BYNUM
Associated Press
July 1, 2013
FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia-based soldier sent an old girlfriend a text message saying "we'll have plenty of money" a few hours before his pregnant wife died, allowing him to collect more than $500,000 in life insurance and benefit payments from the Army, a military investigator testified Monday.
Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, 22, has been charged by the Army with murdering his wife, Sgt. Deirdre Aguigui, and with causing the death of their unborn child in July 2011.
read more here
By RUSS BYNUM
Associated Press
July 1, 2013
FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia-based soldier sent an old girlfriend a text message saying "we'll have plenty of money" a few hours before his pregnant wife died, allowing him to collect more than $500,000 in life insurance and benefit payments from the Army, a military investigator testified Monday.
Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, 22, has been charged by the Army with murdering his wife, Sgt. Deirdre Aguigui, and with causing the death of their unborn child in July 2011.
read more here
Iraq veteran committed suicide at VA, Mom picks up battle against PTSD
Mother works to breakdown stigma of PTSD
WDBR News
Posted: Jul 01, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- When Carol Cassedy wrapped her arms around her son in 2003 she hoped the worst was over.
"We really didn't notice a change in him mentally at that time," said Carol Cassedy.
Her son, Sean Cassedy, had been shot and crushed in combat in Baghdad. But little did anyone know for Sean the worst part of war was still to come.
"We began to see an evolution of his personality. He was becoming more withdrawn and paranoid. He would suffer from delusions," said Carol.
The Marine Corporal deployed to Iraq two more times, and by 2008 spoke to WDRB about digging out from the darkness.
"You'll lose family, friends and love ones by pushing them out of your life," Sean said.
Fast forward five years, on the day after Mother's Day 2013, Sean Cassedy drove himself to the VA hospital in Louisville and shot himself in the head.
"Oh, I couldn't believe it," Carol said. "I had just talked to my son that morning; he was fine. "He succumbed to PTSD. It is an extremely devilish thing to treat."
Now Carol has launched a new mission. She's speaking out about suicide prevention, and mental health services for veterans and even gained the backing of Kentucky's first lady.
"Between 18 and 25 veterans commit suicide everyday and that's frightening," said Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear.
Together, Carol and Jane are fighting the stigma that PTSD is a sign of weakness and promoting awareness for the services that are available.
"I hope this calls others to wake up," said Beshear.
read more here and watch video
WDBR News
Posted: Jul 01, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- When Carol Cassedy wrapped her arms around her son in 2003 she hoped the worst was over.
"We really didn't notice a change in him mentally at that time," said Carol Cassedy.
Her son, Sean Cassedy, had been shot and crushed in combat in Baghdad. But little did anyone know for Sean the worst part of war was still to come.
"We began to see an evolution of his personality. He was becoming more withdrawn and paranoid. He would suffer from delusions," said Carol.
The Marine Corporal deployed to Iraq two more times, and by 2008 spoke to WDRB about digging out from the darkness.
"You'll lose family, friends and love ones by pushing them out of your life," Sean said.
Fast forward five years, on the day after Mother's Day 2013, Sean Cassedy drove himself to the VA hospital in Louisville and shot himself in the head.
"Oh, I couldn't believe it," Carol said. "I had just talked to my son that morning; he was fine. "He succumbed to PTSD. It is an extremely devilish thing to treat."
Now Carol has launched a new mission. She's speaking out about suicide prevention, and mental health services for veterans and even gained the backing of Kentucky's first lady.
"Between 18 and 25 veterans commit suicide everyday and that's frightening," said Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear.
Together, Carol and Jane are fighting the stigma that PTSD is a sign of weakness and promoting awareness for the services that are available.
"I hope this calls others to wake up," said Beshear.
read more here and watch video
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