A cavalry troop discovers a different war than the one it trained for
Stars and Stripes
By Steven Beardsley
Published: November 29, 2013
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Traveling through this dusty city inside the windowless belly of an armored vehicle, Pfc. Mike Forgach opened his eyes, shifted in his seat and turned to the sergeant standing through the ceiling hatch.
“Want some downtime, sergeant?” the young mortarman asked. “I’m getting bored.”
The sergeant declined, saying he needed to monitor the radio, and Forgach, with hours to go in a routine convoy and little chance of dismount, closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep, his mortar tube stowed in a nearby rack.
If the front lines in Afghanistan are often elusive, they’ve felt especially distant for L Troop, 3rd Squadron. In the three months since being posted to Kandahar Airfield, one of the largest military installations in the country and a hub of the coalition’s approaching combat withdrawal, its soldiers have rarely set foot outside their base and have yet to see much of the enemy.
The war grinds on around them. Reports about it reach the troop like dispatches from a distant front. Insurgents attack police checkpoints, trade gunfire with Afghan soldiers and plant bombs outside their compounds.
Older soldiers marvel at how much has changed since their last deployment. Younger soldiers wonder what happened to the war they trained for in the spring.
“I think they feel like maybe this was misrepresented to them,” Capt. Craig Nelson, L Troop commander, said of his soldiers. “But I won’t apologize.”
read more here
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Parent pushes for Afghanistan war memorial in Brevard
Parent pushes for Afghanistan war memorial in Brevard
FLORIDA TODAY
Written by
R. Norman Moody
November 29, 2013
MERRITT ISLAND — Over 18 months, Jeanne Weaver completed many drafts of a drawing that will be become a sculpture that pays tribute to those who served in the war in Afghanistan.
Weaver, an artist from Cocoa Beach, worked from several photographs, including one of her son, Army Lt. Todd Weaver, to come up with final drawing that will be the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center plaza.
Todd Weaver, was killed Sept. 9, 2010, when a bomb exploded along the road his platoon was patrolling in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
“He is the lone soldier who will represent all of our troops serving in Afghanistan,” she said. “As far as I’m concerned he is a nameless lone soldier.”
Weaver will not be identified in the sculpture. The soldier is kneeling, his rifle in one hand; his other hand pointing offinto the distance. A mountain, a desert and a river completes the scene for the 4-foot wide by 5-foot tall monument that will list the names of those from Brevard or with local family connections killed in the war in Afghanistan.
“I wanted to show emotion and I wanted to show passion,” Weaver said. “I wanted it to be a lasting memorial.”
read more here
FLORIDA TODAY
Written by
R. Norman Moody
November 29, 2013
MERRITT ISLAND — Over 18 months, Jeanne Weaver completed many drafts of a drawing that will be become a sculpture that pays tribute to those who served in the war in Afghanistan.
Weaver, an artist from Cocoa Beach, worked from several photographs, including one of her son, Army Lt. Todd Weaver, to come up with final drawing that will be the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center plaza.
Todd Weaver, was killed Sept. 9, 2010, when a bomb exploded along the road his platoon was patrolling in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
“He is the lone soldier who will represent all of our troops serving in Afghanistan,” she said. “As far as I’m concerned he is a nameless lone soldier.”
Weaver will not be identified in the sculpture. The soldier is kneeling, his rifle in one hand; his other hand pointing offinto the distance. A mountain, a desert and a river completes the scene for the 4-foot wide by 5-foot tall monument that will list the names of those from Brevard or with local family connections killed in the war in Afghanistan.
“I wanted to show emotion and I wanted to show passion,” Weaver said. “I wanted it to be a lasting memorial.”
read more here
Christmas Tis the Season for Selfish and Selfless
Christmas Tis the Season for Selfish and Selfless
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 30, 2013
I checked NBC this morning for news but when I saw side by side videos it got me thinking about how this time of year brings out the best and the worst in us. This is the worst.
Are people really shopping to give to others or for themselves? Black Friday frenzy is not about what others are getting but more about what people want for themselves.
Would they really give a huge flatscreen TV away? Women rushing to buy clothes and jewelry are a dead giveaway since they try on the stuff they load their carts with. Guys buying tools, computer games and the latest gadget when they have small kids with them, a sure bet the stuff isn't for the kids.
Right next to this video was a report about troops in Afghanistan.
Back here in the states families all over the country are spending this season with Skype and emails instead of sharing hugs while the vast majority of the American people are simply spending on bargains.
While most focus on their own needs, wants and issues,there is another group spending this season the same as they do the rest of the year, caring about others. They donate to charities, volunteer their time and show up with someone is in need.
They may get into the shopping frenzy but they are not loading up their cars with things for themselves. They are loading them up with things for others, like blankets and warm clothes for the homeless. Buying toys for their own kids as well as toys to donate so that other kids have something special just for them even though the givers know no one will ever really know it was from them.
When people donate to charities the people getting the services never know the people supporting them on the flip side. They just know someone out there does care about them. Unlike the shoppers pushing and shoving to get the best deal possible for themselves they put others on their to do list.
Which one are you?
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 30, 2013
I checked NBC this morning for news but when I saw side by side videos it got me thinking about how this time of year brings out the best and the worst in us. This is the worst.
Are people really shopping to give to others or for themselves? Black Friday frenzy is not about what others are getting but more about what people want for themselves.
Would they really give a huge flatscreen TV away? Women rushing to buy clothes and jewelry are a dead giveaway since they try on the stuff they load their carts with. Guys buying tools, computer games and the latest gadget when they have small kids with them, a sure bet the stuff isn't for the kids.
Right next to this video was a report about troops in Afghanistan.
Back here in the states families all over the country are spending this season with Skype and emails instead of sharing hugs while the vast majority of the American people are simply spending on bargains.
While most focus on their own needs, wants and issues,there is another group spending this season the same as they do the rest of the year, caring about others. They donate to charities, volunteer their time and show up with someone is in need.
They may get into the shopping frenzy but they are not loading up their cars with things for themselves. They are loading them up with things for others, like blankets and warm clothes for the homeless. Buying toys for their own kids as well as toys to donate so that other kids have something special just for them even though the givers know no one will ever really know it was from them.
When people donate to charities the people getting the services never know the people supporting them on the flip side. They just know someone out there does care about them. Unlike the shoppers pushing and shoving to get the best deal possible for themselves they put others on their to do list.
Which one are you?
From serving the homeland to no home: why?
Why are reporters still asking "why" veterans go homeless?
In 2011 the Department of Veterans Affairs published a report from the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans.
There is also a report from 2007 that shows how homeless veterans were regarded.
This attitude of "no different" was a huge part of the problem. Another part of the problem was the simple fact there were less working for the VA with two wars creating more in need of services.
In the same article was another part of the problems veterans faced, Dishonorable Discharges. It is one that a Fort Bragg solider knew all too well. Specialist James Eggemeyer was facing this.
There were many, many more.
Since nothing was really fixed when Vietnam veterans came home, as they died they were simply replaced by this generation of veterans being left behind.
So now there are less living on the streets and some people want to pretend it is a new problem our veterans face. It is far from new. It is just improved. The question is, what will it be like for them when another war comes and no one planned for more?
From serving the homeland to no home: why?It is all so easy to ask why this is happening to our veterans now, especially when not many people asked why it was happening to Vietnam veterans.
Times Press Wisconsin
Julie Belschner Times-Press
November 30, 2013
They’ve served their country. They’ve risked their lives to keep home, family and country safe. They are the best of the best.
So why, as most people prepare for Thanksgiving, are more than 50,000 veterans homeless? There is a mixed bag of reasons, many the same as homeless people in general – alcoholism, drug addiction, unemployment and divorce. But too many veterans also suffer from PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Veterans who have seen extensive combat stress and death are much more likely to suffer from PTSD, the Veterans Administration says.
read more here
In 2011 the Department of Veterans Affairs published a report from the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans.
There is also a report from 2007 that shows how homeless veterans were regarded.
“We (the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) are the agents of a grateful society grateful for people who put on the uniform,” Nicholson said. “But we have challenges to take care of the many living veterans who are no different from the rest of the citizens of our country. We have veterans who have problems.”
This attitude of "no different" was a huge part of the problem. Another part of the problem was the simple fact there were less working for the VA with two wars creating more in need of services.
Since the launch of the Iraq war more than four years ago, the number of people charged with reviewing and approving veterans' disability claims has actually dropped. According to the American Federation of Government Employees, the VA employed 1,392 Veterans Service Representatives in June 2007 compared to 1,516 in January 2003.
In the same article was another part of the problems veterans faced, Dishonorable Discharges. It is one that a Fort Bragg solider knew all too well. Specialist James Eggemeyer was facing this.
Returning to Fort Bragg in April 2004, James was quickly discharged from the military. His experience in Iraq had changed his disposition. He started fighting with his captain, and was given "dishonourable discharge under honourable conditions", which allowed him to use services from Veterans Administration but denied him access to college tuition assistance or vocational training.
There were many, many more.
Approximately 40% of homeless men are veterans, although veterans comprise only 34% of the general adult male population. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that on any given night, 200,000 veterans are homeless, and 400,000 veterans will experience homelessness during the course of a year (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 2006). 97% of those homeless veterans will be male (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2008).
Since nothing was really fixed when Vietnam veterans came home, as they died they were simply replaced by this generation of veterans being left behind.
So now there are less living on the streets and some people want to pretend it is a new problem our veterans face. It is far from new. It is just improved. The question is, what will it be like for them when another war comes and no one planned for more?
Friday, November 29, 2013
Arrests made after deployed Army Reservists were targeted by identity thieves
Active-duty Army reservists victims of identity theft; 2 men arrested
LA Times
By Adolfo Flores
November 29, 2013
Two men were arrested in connection with the identity theft of U.S. Army Reserve officers who were on active duty in Afghanistan, authorities said.
Mauro Cortez, 25, and Rigoberto Cortez, 29, were arrested Wednesday after the Los Angeles County Identity Theft Task Force served a search warrant at a home in Pomona, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The men were allegedly provided the identity information of more than five U.S. Army Reserve officers who were serving overseas in Afghanistan and then used it to establish lines of credit and buy cars.
Deputies found evidence at the home allegedly linking the Cortez men to the identity theft.
read more here
LA Times
By Adolfo Flores
November 29, 2013
Two men were arrested in connection with the identity theft of U.S. Army Reserve officers who were on active duty in Afghanistan, authorities said.
Mauro Cortez, 25, and Rigoberto Cortez, 29, were arrested Wednesday after the Los Angeles County Identity Theft Task Force served a search warrant at a home in Pomona, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The men were allegedly provided the identity information of more than five U.S. Army Reserve officers who were serving overseas in Afghanistan and then used it to establish lines of credit and buy cars.
Deputies found evidence at the home allegedly linking the Cortez men to the identity theft.
read more here
Grieving family says military drops the ball on wounded veterans
Grieving family says military drops the ball on wounded veterans
CTV Atlantic
Published Friday, November 29, 2013
A family from Truro, N.S. is dealing with shock and anguish over the death of a family member serving in the military.
They say warrant officer Michael McNeil struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and never got over the death of a his cousin, who was also a soldier.
McNeil died Wednesday at the Canadian Forces Base Petawawa in Ontario and his family says he committed suicide.
McNeil is one of three Canadian soldiers believed to have committed suicide this week and his family is calling on the military to take better care of its veterans.
“The support that they get when they get home is almost nil,” says his uncle, Frank McNeil. “I mean, they’ve got an illness and they’re not looking after it.”
He says his nephew, a 19-year war veteran, suffered from PTSD after serving overseas in Kosovo and Bosnia.
“I’m hurt to think that there wouldn’t be someone to help these young guys.
read more here
Canadian Military Investigating Three Deaths
CTV Atlantic
Published Friday, November 29, 2013
A family from Truro, N.S. is dealing with shock and anguish over the death of a family member serving in the military.
They say warrant officer Michael McNeil struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and never got over the death of a his cousin, who was also a soldier.
McNeil died Wednesday at the Canadian Forces Base Petawawa in Ontario and his family says he committed suicide.
McNeil is one of three Canadian soldiers believed to have committed suicide this week and his family is calling on the military to take better care of its veterans.
“The support that they get when they get home is almost nil,” says his uncle, Frank McNeil. “I mean, they’ve got an illness and they’re not looking after it.”
He says his nephew, a 19-year war veteran, suffered from PTSD after serving overseas in Kosovo and Bosnia.
“I’m hurt to think that there wouldn’t be someone to help these young guys.
read more here
Canadian Military Investigating Three Deaths
Fundraiser to help Wounded Warriors go home for Christmas
Fundraiser to help Wounded Warriors go home for Christmas
Sun Journal
By Charlie Hall
Published: Sunday, November 24, 2013
A chance meeting between a New Bern businessman and a leader of the Military Order of the Purple Heart eight years ago blossomed into a major local fundraising project.
Wounded Warriors Leave Fundraiser has raised more than $2 million to give recovering wounded Marines a most special Christmas gift —a trip home for the holidays.
Steve Tyson’s business is real estate and his community involvement includes being a Craven County commissioner. With military service of his own, he often attends functions involving veterans.
Jim Casti of Newport is a retired Marine and multiple winner of the Purple Heart. He is a leader in the nonprofit organization for combat-wounded veterans.
The two were seated beside each other at a 2005 military fundraiser in Havelock, an event unrelated to the Purple Heart group. Their conversation set the stage for what has become an annual holiday event in New Bern —the Wounded Warrior Christmas Leave Fundraiser. This year, it is Dec. 11 at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.
read more here
Sun Journal
By Charlie Hall
Published: Sunday, November 24, 2013
A chance meeting between a New Bern businessman and a leader of the Military Order of the Purple Heart eight years ago blossomed into a major local fundraising project.
Wounded Warriors Leave Fundraiser has raised more than $2 million to give recovering wounded Marines a most special Christmas gift —a trip home for the holidays.
Steve Tyson’s business is real estate and his community involvement includes being a Craven County commissioner. With military service of his own, he often attends functions involving veterans.
Jim Casti of Newport is a retired Marine and multiple winner of the Purple Heart. He is a leader in the nonprofit organization for combat-wounded veterans.
The two were seated beside each other at a 2005 military fundraiser in Havelock, an event unrelated to the Purple Heart group. Their conversation set the stage for what has become an annual holiday event in New Bern —the Wounded Warrior Christmas Leave Fundraiser. This year, it is Dec. 11 at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.
read more here
Airman of the Year AIr National Guardsman's body found
Body found in water is DC Air Guard's Airman of Year, cops say
The Associated Press
Published: November 28, 2013
BALTIMORE — The body found in the water near Fells Point is that of an airman with the D.C. Air National Guard who went missing last week, Baltimore police say.
Police said Thursday that divers with the department's marine unit removed the body of Airman 1st Class Evan Curbeam, 29, from the water at the Inner Harbor Wednesday afternoon.
read more here
The Associated Press
Published: November 28, 2013
Police said Thursday that divers with the department's marine unit removed the body of Airman 1st Class Evan Curbeam, 29, from the water at the Inner Harbor Wednesday afternoon.
read more here
Homeless slayings suspect died after eating something
UPDATE
Accused O.C. serial killer swallowed Ajax in cell, attorney says
Lawyer: Homeless slayings suspect died after eating something
Orange County Register
By MARY ANN MILBOURN and SALVADOR HERNANDEZ
Nov. 29, 2013
BULLETIN: SANTA ANA — A former Marine who was awaiting a death penalty trial in the deaths of six people, including four homeless men, died after ingesting something while in his jail cell, his defense attorney told The Associated Press on Friday.
Attorney Michael Molfetta would not say what his client ingested but said the death raises serious questions about how much supervision Itzcoatl Ocampo, 25, was getting from Orange County sheriff's deputies.
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Accused O.C. serial killer swallowed Ajax in cell, attorney says
Lawyer: Homeless slayings suspect died after eating something
Orange County Register
By MARY ANN MILBOURN and SALVADOR HERNANDEZ
Nov. 29, 2013
BULLETIN: SANTA ANA — A former Marine who was awaiting a death penalty trial in the deaths of six people, including four homeless men, died after ingesting something while in his jail cell, his defense attorney told The Associated Press on Friday.
Attorney Michael Molfetta would not say what his client ingested but said the death raises serious questions about how much supervision Itzcoatl Ocampo, 25, was getting from Orange County sheriff's deputies.
read more here
Unfair Feres Doctrine Bars Wrongful Death Suit for Soldier's Baby
Unfair Feres Doctrine Bars Wrongful Death Suit for Soldier's Baby
By Anne C. O'Donnell of FindLaw
November 8, 2013
"We can think of no other judicially-created doctrine which has been criticized so stridently, by so many jurists, for so long," wrote Judge Nguyen of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in the case, Ritchie v. United States.
The doctrine to which she is referring is known as the "Feres doctrine." Under this doctrine, the government is not liable for injuries to members of the military service arising out of, or in the course of, activity incident to service. It originates from a 1950 case, decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, which actually involved three different claims against the government:
By Anne C. O'Donnell of FindLaw
November 8, 2013
"We can think of no other judicially-created doctrine which has been criticized so stridently, by so many jurists, for so long," wrote Judge Nguyen of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in the case, Ritchie v. United States.
The doctrine to which she is referring is known as the "Feres doctrine." Under this doctrine, the government is not liable for injuries to members of the military service arising out of, or in the course of, activity incident to service. It originates from a 1950 case, decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, which actually involved three different claims against the government:
-The wrongful death of an active service member who died in a fire in barracks allegedly known or which should have been known to be unsafe;
-A medical negligence claim alleging that an army surgeon left a towel 30 inches long by 18 inches wide in a soldier who underwent an abdominal operation; and
-The wrongful death of an active service member who died due to negligent medical treatment by army surgeons
The Federal Tort Claims Act waives the federal government's sovereign immunity, allowing it to be sued just as a private individual would be. The Feres court carved out a judicial exception to this rule, by holding that "the Government is not liable under the Federal Tort Claims Act for injuries to servicemen where the injuries arise out of or are in the course of activity incident to service."
This principle was extended to include claims brought by third parties, which derive directly or indirectly from injuries to service members incident to military duty.
The Feres court and its progeny assert three policy rationales for this rule: (1) the government should not be subject to liability based on the fortuity of the situs of the injury; (2) there are alternative compensation systems available; and (3) the fear of damaging the military disciplinary structure.
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