Army suicide numbers speak louder than words ever could

This is the last day of 2013. As I look back on the year that is finally over, it is ever more crushing that there have been too many suicides. As the number of troops serving has gone down, the numbers prove one thing. All the time, all the money and all the pleading of families to change what the outcome has been, have all been ignored. I tried to warn of what was coming in April. Few read The Warrior SAW, Suicides After War.

Now I am letting the numbers speak for themselves.

For 2010, 156 potential active-duty suicides and 145 "among reserve component soldiers."

CY 2011: 166 and 116 (80 Army National Guard and 36 Army Reserve)

For 2012, there have been 182 and 143 potential not on active-duty suicides (96 Army National Guard and 47 Army Reserve) (Revised to 185 in December of 2013)

For calendar year 2013, there have been 139 potential active duty suicides and 139 potential not on active duty suicides (89 Army National Guard and 50 Army Reserve (Up to November)

Army
2011
As of March 31, 2012
557,780

2012
Total as of December 31, 2012
535,247 (-22,533)

Total as of July 31, 2013
530,382 (-4,865)

(-27,398)
The numbers went down for these branches as well but I have not included the number of suicides because I have seen no hard data for 2012 or 2013. The DOD has not released the Suicide Event Report for 2012 and the total number of suicides for these branches has not been released for 2013.

Navy
2011
320,961

2012
312,877

2013
318,845



Marines
2011
198,427

2012
195,740

2013
194,227



Air Force
2011
332,709

2012
328,658

2013
328,882

Vietnam veteran gives child hero Bronze Star

Three-Year-Old Collects 900 Teddy Bears for Fellow Hospitalized Children
LifeNews.com
by Lauren Enriquez
Houston, TX
12/30/13

A Vietnam veteran who chose not to be identified to the media noticed Bennett’s heroism in the face of his own battle against illness, and his selflessness in focusing on other children who were going through the same thing, and decided to give Bennett his own Bronze Star from the war.

He told Bennett that he could keep it as long as he promised to brave his medical battle like a real hero– a promise that little Bennett seems to have no trouble living up to.
read more here
linked from Bizpac Review

Afghanistan War less supported than Vietnam War?

Afghanistan war less supported than Vietnam War?
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 31, 2013

This is a shocking piece of news. War in Afghanistan, started because of an attack on this country, is now less supported than the Vietnam War.

CNN Poll: Support for war in Afghanistan dips below 20 percent
UPI
Dec. 30, 2013

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Support for the war in Afghanistan is less than 20 percent, making the longest U.S. military conflict the least popular, a CNN poll released Monday indicated.

Results of the CNN/ORC International survey also indicates a majority of Americans would like to see U.S. combat troops leave Afghanistan before the December 2014 deadline.

Only 17 percent of Americans say they support the 12-year-long war, the poll indicated. Opposition is at 82 percent.

"Those numbers show the war in Afghanistan with far less support than other conflicts," CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said.

"Opposition to the Iraq war never got higher than 69 percent in CNN polling while U.S. troops were in that country, and while the Vietnam War was in progress, no more than six in 10 ever told Gallup's interviewers that war was a mistake."
read more here

They say that Americans do support the troops and veterans even if they do not support wars. They say it, but it seems that support comes from not having to actually pay attention to the troops or veterans.

This year the US lost 127 in Afghanistan, 52 due to IEDs. The Department of Defense reported yesterday that up to the end of November, the Army has lost 139 to suicide, as well as 139 Army National Guards and Army Reservists. 278 from the Army alone. There has been no official release from the other branches. Most Americans have no clue what is happening there, has happened there or is happening right here after they come home.

Army reports 14 soldiers, 6 National Guardsmen and 4 Reservists suicides for November

 How can there be the same exact number for Army and "not on active duty" for the year?

Army Releases November 2013 Suicide Information
Release No: NR-100-13
December 30, 2013

NEWS RELEASE

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Army released suicide data today for the month of November 2013.

Among active-duty soldiers, there were 14 potential suicides: 1 has been confirmed as suicide, and 13 remain under investigation.

For October 2013, the Army reported 10 potential suicides among active duty soldiers: 2 have been confirmed as suicides, and 8 are under investigation.

For calendar year 2013, there have been 139 potential active duty suicides: 74 have been confirmed as suicides, and 65 remain under investigation.

Updated active duty suicide numbers for calendar year 2012: 185 (184 have been confirmed as suicides, and 1 remains under investigation).

During November 2013, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were 10 potential suicides (6 Army National Guard and 4 Army Reserve): 1 has been confirmed as suicide, and nine remain under investigation.

For October 2013, among that same group, the Army reported 12 potential suicides; however, subsequent to the report, 3 more cases were added, bringing October's total to 15: 5 have been confirmed as suicides and 10 cases remain under investigation.

For calendar year 2013, there have been 139 potential not on active duty suicides (89 Army National Guard and 50 Army Reserve): 94 have been confirmed as suicides, and 45 remain under investigation.

Updated not on active duty suicide numbers for calendar year 2012: 140 (93 Army National Guard and 47 Army Reserve): 140 have been confirmed as suicides and none remain under investigation.

Florida veterans group shifts efforts to aid homeless veterans

Veterans group shifts focus to the southern Brevard and beyond
NVHS has made progress in northern part of county
FLORIDA TODAY
Written by
R. Norman Moody

After helping more than 600 veterans this year, many of them homeless in the northern half of the county, George Taylor wants his force of volunteers to concentrate on areas in south Brevard and beyond.

Taylor, founder and president of National Veterans Homeless Support, said that in 2014 more of the organization’s search and rescue volunteers will seek out veterans in the southern part of Brevard, where there is now a larger concentration than in the north.

They also will look beyond the county to Sebastian in the south and west into Orange County, where they have already been working.

“We’re putting more boots on the ground there on the south end,” said Taylor, a Vietnam veteran who was homeless himself for a time after returning from the war.
read more here

Veteran charged with boarding plane with loaded gun?

This has me all confused. She is charged with "boarding a plane" but how did she get on the plane with a gun in the first place? I can't even get past the security with a pack of cigarettes in my pocket. The foil sets off the alarm every time.

Veteran charged with trying to board plane with loaded gun at Midway
Chicago Sun Times
BY JON SEIDEL Staff Reporter
December 29, 2013

A military veteran is accused of trying to bring a loaded handgun onto a plane at Midway Airport during the busy holiday travel weekend.

Josephine M. Coleman, 25, of Country Club Hills, is charged with boarding an aircraft with a weapon, and Cook County Judge James Brown ordered her held Sunday in lieu of $25,000.
read more here

Georgia National Guardsman gunned down by 14 year old

Family demands peace after soldier's shooting death
WSB 2 News
By Rachel Stockman
December 29, 2013

ATLANTA, Ga. — Family members hope a local soldier's death sparks a movement to root out senseless crime in a northeast Atlanta neighborhood.

"This could have been anyone's son. They took my son ," said Nichole Villafane, the mother of 21-year-old Xavier Arnold.

Atlanta police said Arnold was killed during an attempted robbery on a bike path between Rogers and Warren streets in Kirkwood.

"Our victims, their behavior had nothing to do with what happened to them," said Atlanta Police Capt. Paul Guerrucci. "It appears to be a senseless robbery."

On Saturday police said a juvenile had been arrested in connection with the Thursday night shooting death of a local soldier.

"A 14-year-old killed my son," said Villafane, "I am glad that someone that didn't have the scruples to think about life and consequences is off the street."
read more here

Iraq Veteran, triple amputee attacked on Facebook

Screenshot of union leader to disabled vet: You’re all worthless burdens, deserved to lose limbs, die
Bizpac Review
by Michael Dorstewitz
December 29, 2013

Debate over the decrease in veterans’ benefits included in the Murray/Ryan budget deal recently passed by Congress has been heated, but not vicious — until now.

Air Force Sr. Airman Brian Kolfage Jr., a triple amputee and Iraq war veteran, said he received a vile message on his Facebook page from union executive Janet Vrotsos, according to the conservative news site, Pat Dollard.

Here’s a screenshot of the message:(go to link for image)

The entry reads:

You disabled veterans are worthless and all should have died, shame on you for fighting in a republican war, you deserved to lose all you limbs and I hope all veterans lose their benefits. I hope you die a miserable death you worthless fake hero. You and your family will be a burden on tax payers for your entire life. (sic)
read more here

Almost half of veterans do not qualify for VA healthcare

Glad someone is addressing this.

FROM THE STATE HOUSE
Nearly half of Maine veterans don’t qualify for health care through VA
Morning Sentinel
Rep. Ann Dorney and Rep. Stanley Short
December 30, 2013

Not having access to health care is problem our returning veterans shouldn’t encounter, but we’ve heard stories that cause us great concern.

A young veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq begins struggling with school and work months after his return to Maine because of post-traumatic stress, but lacks insurance for counseling from a local provider. A Desert Storm veteran will lose MaineCare coverage next month and worries how he will move ahead without the security of health care coverage.

When the Legislature convenes next month, Maine will have another opportunity to expand health care to our friends and neighbors, including 25,000 individuals who currently have MaineCare and will lose it on Jan. 1 because we have not accepted the federal dollars to expand eligibility. In addition, 45,000 Mainers, including nearly 3,000 veterans, would gain access to coverage if we choose to expand eligibility.

Contrary to popular belief, not all veterans qualify for comprehensive health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many elements, including duty status, income and service-related disabilities, go into determining eligibility for VA services.

Even veterans who qualify for services face barriers to care. In our large and rural state, many veterans live far away from the closest VA facility or have difficulty with transportation. Some work low-wage jobs and struggle with homelessness. Others are unaware they are eligible. And some are daunted by a complex process.
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Vietnam veteran starts New Year in customized home

Canton veteran welcomed back to his renovated home just in time for the holidays thanks to Purple Heart Homes
Farmington Valley Times
Published: Monday, December 30, 2013

CANTON
Volunteers from Purple Heart Homes and the Canton community welcomed back Joe Recupero, a Vietnam veteran, back to his newly renovated, handicap accessible, safe barrier free home on Saturday after weeks of work.

Recupero, 62, suffers from severe Parkinsons Disease, one of 14 known diseases the Veterans Affairs department has identified as a result of exposure to the defoliant chemical Agent Orange used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.

Recupero’s home at 7 Forest Lane was renovated to include a new roof, handicap accessible bathroom and bedroom and a ramp out the front door. Volunteers also moved his driveway so he could gain easier access to the home.

The group working on the home included volunteers from Travelers insurance, the Canton Fire Department, church groups and work crews from Manchester. The project was led by Regional Director Vicki Thomas and Project Manager Marlene Figueroa.

The group also donated sheets, towels, pillows, blankets and other necessities that were given to Recupero during Saturday’s welcome home “Shower for Joe.” Thomas said they wanted to “shower Joe not only with love, but also needed household items.”
read more here