Spouses help prepare barracks for single soldiers’ return
Fort Hood Herald
Madison Lozano
Herald staff writer
February 26, 2014
Troopers from 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, will be returning soon to Fort Hood and the family readiness groups are ensuring each soldier receives a warm welcome.
Spouses gathered to prepare single soldiers’ barracks Feb. 18, ensuring each came home to a room full of all the necessities.
“It’s a little something to say thank you and welcome home,” said senior battalion family readiness group advisor Lori Brooks. “Just enough to get them through a couple days.”
Brooks led about 10 spouses around the 2nd Brigade barracks, moving quickly to fill each room with goody bags stuffed with snacks and shower caddies overflowing with toiletries.
The group made beds with fresh sheets, folded towels and hung up brand-new shower curtains in about 75 rooms for more than 150 soldiers.
read more here
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Congress Owes Veterans
Congress Owes Veterans
Not the other way around
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
February 26, 2014
Like most Americans I was deluded. I just assumed this country took care of veterans no matter what war, no matter where they lived or what they needed. My Dad was a Korean War veteran, 100% disabled and was taken care of after a fighting to have his claim approved. My uncles were WWII veterans but didn't go to the VA until they were elderly.
It was not until 30 years ago my rude awakening began. It didn't matter which party was in control or who was in the Oval Office at the time. Veterans were never taken care of properly.
While members of the House and Senate are trying to figure out how to pay for the new round of spending on veterans, people need to be aware of the simple facts.
Yes you read the year right. 1979.
When you read anything on PTSD and veterans remember how long they have been "doing" something.
Congress keeps talking about the number of veterans in this country, however the VA has never had all veterans in their system.
It does not matter which of our elected officials are sitting in the chairs because they never take care of the men and women putting their lives on the line. Had any congress been interested in fixing the VA for all veterans since 1989 there would be no need of veterans suffering and waiting for the care that was promised. Congress forgot that the bill is not what veterans owe but is in fact what congress owes them.
Not the other way around
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
February 26, 2014
Like most Americans I was deluded. I just assumed this country took care of veterans no matter what war, no matter where they lived or what they needed. My Dad was a Korean War veteran, 100% disabled and was taken care of after a fighting to have his claim approved. My uncles were WWII veterans but didn't go to the VA until they were elderly.
It was not until 30 years ago my rude awakening began. It didn't matter which party was in control or who was in the Oval Office at the time. Veterans were never taken care of properly.
While members of the House and Senate are trying to figure out how to pay for the new round of spending on veterans, people need to be aware of the simple facts.
PTSD
America's Wars Total (1775-1991)
U.S. Military Service during Wartime 41,892,128
Battle Deaths 651,031
Other Deaths (In Theater) 308,800
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater) 230,279
Non-mortal Woundings 1,431,290
Living War Veterans (Total will be more than sum of conflicts due to no “end date” established for Persian Gulf War.) 16,962,000
Living Veterans (Periods of War and Peace) 23,234,000
Since 1979, VA’s Readjustment Counseling Service has operated Vet Centers, which provide psychological counseling for war-related trauma, community outreach, case management and referral activities, plus supportive social services to veterans and family members. There are 232 Vet Centers.
Yes you read the year right. 1979.
When you read anything on PTSD and veterans remember how long they have been "doing" something.
Congress keeps talking about the number of veterans in this country, however the VA has never had all veterans in their system.
In fiscal year 2008, VA provided $38.9 billion in disability compensation, death compensation and pension to 3.7 million people. About 3.2 million veterans received disability compensation or pension from VA. In addition, about 554,700 spouses, children and parents of deceased veterans received VA benefits. Among them are 170,144 survivors of Vietnam-era veterans and 235,000 survivors of World War II veterans.
1988....Legislation to elevate VA to Cabinet status signed by President Reagan. 1989....On March 15, VA became the 14th Department in the President's Cabinet. (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Secretaries of Veterans Affairs
Eric K. Shinseki 2009 – Present
James B. Peake 2007 - 2009
Bush left a backlog of 816,211 in 2008. This was left after some veterans were just cut off in 2003. VA officials say they must focus on veterans with the greatest needs - those with the most serious service-related illnesses and injuries and those too poor to afford other health care. But many veterans - and the organizations that represent them - say it is a broken promise.R. James Nicholson 2005–2007
Anthony J. Principi 2001–2005
Before Afghanistan and Iraq veterans required VA.
In FY 2000, more than 3.8 million patients used VA health care, over 2.6 million veterans and family members received monthly VA disability compensation paymentsClinton left a backlog of 400,000 in 2001.
Over the next 5 years, we anticipate losing over 1,100 experienced VSRs due to retirement. To avoid a skill gap, we have added a significant number of new employees and will continue to do so for the next few years. We expect our quality and timeliness will be affected as we recruit and train new employees. It takes 2 to 3 years for VSRs to achieve a full level of decision-making expertise.We expect a significant increase in workload due to (1) the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-475, also referred to as the Duty to Assist), which requires additional duties in assisting claimants; and (2) a recent regulatory change, which makes diabetes a presumptively service-connected disability for Vietnam veterans who served in Southeast Asia. As a result, we amended our FY 2001 performance target upward from 142 days to 195 days.Togo D. West Jr. 1998-2000
Jesse Brown 1993–1997
Edward J. Derwinski 1989–1992
It does not matter which of our elected officials are sitting in the chairs because they never take care of the men and women putting their lives on the line. Had any congress been interested in fixing the VA for all veterans since 1989 there would be no need of veterans suffering and waiting for the care that was promised. Congress forgot that the bill is not what veterans owe but is in fact what congress owes them.
Ex-VA doctor says she was forced out after limiting opiate prescriptions
The stories we need to know!
RETURNING HOME TO BATTLE
Ex-VA doctor says she was forced out after limiting opiate prescriptions
The Center for Investigative Reporting
Aaron Glantz
The Center for Investigative Reporting
Byron Pitts
ABC News
Feb 25, 2014
On the eve of a congressional hearing about the Department of Veterans Affairs’ skyrocketing use of narcotic painkillers, a former VA doctor has stepped forward with new allegations about the agency’s prescription practices.
In an exclusive interview with The Center for Investigative Reporting and ABC News, Dr. Basimah Khulusi said she was forced out last year after patients complained that she would not prescribe high doses of opiates.
“I had to do something about it. And I tried,” said Khulusi, a rehabilitation specialist who worked at the VA hospital in Kansas City, Mo., for five and a half years. “And then, you know, I was let go.”
In September, CIR revealed that VA prescriptions for four opiates – hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone and morphine – surged by 270 percent between 2001 and 2012.
That far outpaced the increase in VA patients and contributed to a fatal overdose rate of nearly double the national average, the agency’s own scientists found.
CIR’s report helped spark a congressional hearing. At that hearing in October, VA officials promised to present a plan to address problems with opiate prescriptions within 30 days. A follow-up oversight hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Khulusi said the majority of veterans she saw in the pain clinic already were addicted to prescription opiates – receiving doses as high as 900 narcotic pain pills a month and 1,000 milligrams of morphine a day, 10 times the level she considered safe.
read more here VA's lack of pain treatment options led to opiate addiction, veteran says VA’s opiate overload feeds veterans’ addictions, overdose deaths
RETURNING HOME TO BATTLE
Ex-VA doctor says she was forced out after limiting opiate prescriptions
The Center for Investigative Reporting
Aaron Glantz
The Center for Investigative Reporting
Byron Pitts
ABC News
Feb 25, 2014
Dr. Basimah Khulusi says she was forced out of her job as a rehabilitation specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Kansas City, Mo., after patients complained that she would not prescribe high doses of opiates. She says many of her patients had been addicted to opiates for years yet received escalating doses from VA doctors as their tolerance built.
Credit: ABC News
On the eve of a congressional hearing about the Department of Veterans Affairs’ skyrocketing use of narcotic painkillers, a former VA doctor has stepped forward with new allegations about the agency’s prescription practices.
In an exclusive interview with The Center for Investigative Reporting and ABC News, Dr. Basimah Khulusi said she was forced out last year after patients complained that she would not prescribe high doses of opiates.
“I had to do something about it. And I tried,” said Khulusi, a rehabilitation specialist who worked at the VA hospital in Kansas City, Mo., for five and a half years. “And then, you know, I was let go.”
In September, CIR revealed that VA prescriptions for four opiates – hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone and morphine – surged by 270 percent between 2001 and 2012.
That far outpaced the increase in VA patients and contributed to a fatal overdose rate of nearly double the national average, the agency’s own scientists found.
CIR’s report helped spark a congressional hearing. At that hearing in October, VA officials promised to present a plan to address problems with opiate prescriptions within 30 days. A follow-up oversight hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Khulusi said the majority of veterans she saw in the pain clinic already were addicted to prescription opiates – receiving doses as high as 900 narcotic pain pills a month and 1,000 milligrams of morphine a day, 10 times the level she considered safe.
read more here VA's lack of pain treatment options led to opiate addiction, veteran says VA’s opiate overload feeds veterans’ addictions, overdose deaths
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
PTSD on Trial Kentucky National Guardsman pushed over edge
Latonia standoff suspect says bills, PTSD and police response contributed to break
WCPO News
Brian Mains and Kendall Herold
COVINGTON, Ky. – A military veteran says a $10,000 bill he received led to a 20-hour standoff with police in December.
"It was just a final straw... a click," Michael Vaughan said on Tuesday.
Vaughan barricaded himself in his house and shot at Covington police officers throughout the night of Dec. 21 and morning of Dec. 22. Police went to his house in response to a call that Vaughan posted disturbing messages on his Facebook page.
His children were in his Michigan Avenue home for most of the incident and were only let go hours before police say Vaughan surrendered to them after setting his house on fire and getting shot in one final volley of gunfire.
Vaughan sits in the Kenton County Detention Center, awaiting trial on a charge of attempted murder of a police officer.
On Tuesday, Vaughan said the bill that came from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service was a result of “bad advice” he received while seeking treatment Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"I received bad information from the Kentucky National Guard so I didn't get the help I need," he said.
read more here
WCPO News
Brian Mains and Kendall Herold
COVINGTON, Ky. – A military veteran says a $10,000 bill he received led to a 20-hour standoff with police in December.
"It was just a final straw... a click," Michael Vaughan said on Tuesday.
Vaughan barricaded himself in his house and shot at Covington police officers throughout the night of Dec. 21 and morning of Dec. 22. Police went to his house in response to a call that Vaughan posted disturbing messages on his Facebook page.
His children were in his Michigan Avenue home for most of the incident and were only let go hours before police say Vaughan surrendered to them after setting his house on fire and getting shot in one final volley of gunfire.
Vaughan sits in the Kenton County Detention Center, awaiting trial on a charge of attempted murder of a police officer.
On Tuesday, Vaughan said the bill that came from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service was a result of “bad advice” he received while seeking treatment Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"I received bad information from the Kentucky National Guard so I didn't get the help I need," he said.
read more here
Fort Bragg soldier became double amputee because of drunk driver
Fort Bragg soldier, double-leg amputee, recovers after being injured by alleged drunken driver
WTVD News
Nicole Carr
February 25, 2014
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center has been home to Army Sgt. Maj. Jeremy Bruns and his wife Jenny since late 2012.
Each day, Bruns takes one more step. He learns one more lesson, and he's inspired by his fellow servicemen and women recovering from injuries sustained on the battlefield.
Bruns, a Special Operations soldier out of Fort Bragg, has been deployed nine times, including multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"It's very tough to learn how to walk again," Bruns said during a February workout in Walter Reed's Military Advanced Training Center. "Something you take for granted after mastering it 40 years ago, and then you start all over."
But the 42-year-old double leg amputee and partial hand amputee's injuries are not a result of war.
They're a result of a drunk driver.
On Nov. 10, 2012 the Fort Bragg soldier was attaching his kayak to the back of his pickup truck in front of his Calamar Drive home in Fayetteville. Around 10 a.m., his neighbor Rhonda Renee Sutton Bryant would come speeding down the residential street at 45 miles per hour, on the wrong side of the road. Bruns was pinned between Bryant's hood and his bumper for nearly an hour.
"She didn't stop when she hit me," Bruns recalled.
read more here
WTVD News
Nicole Carr
February 25, 2014
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center has been home to Army Sgt. Maj. Jeremy Bruns and his wife Jenny since late 2012.
Each day, Bruns takes one more step. He learns one more lesson, and he's inspired by his fellow servicemen and women recovering from injuries sustained on the battlefield.
Bruns, a Special Operations soldier out of Fort Bragg, has been deployed nine times, including multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"It's very tough to learn how to walk again," Bruns said during a February workout in Walter Reed's Military Advanced Training Center. "Something you take for granted after mastering it 40 years ago, and then you start all over."
But the 42-year-old double leg amputee and partial hand amputee's injuries are not a result of war.
They're a result of a drunk driver.
On Nov. 10, 2012 the Fort Bragg soldier was attaching his kayak to the back of his pickup truck in front of his Calamar Drive home in Fayetteville. Around 10 a.m., his neighbor Rhonda Renee Sutton Bryant would come speeding down the residential street at 45 miles per hour, on the wrong side of the road. Bruns was pinned between Bryant's hood and his bumper for nearly an hour.
"She didn't stop when she hit me," Bruns recalled.
read more here
PTSD service dog found dead
El Paso Army veteran's PTSD service dog found dead in Nacogdoches Co.
KTRE.com
By Donna McCollum
Posted: Feb 25, 2014
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, TX (KTRE)
A Nacogdoches County resident found a former Army sergeant's beloved post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service dog lying dead in a ditch near the Lilly Grove Baptist Church on FM 1638.
Shonyo, a female blue-nose pit bull, had apparently been run over.
The person who found Shonyo took the dog's collars and attempted to contact her owner, Jaclyn O'Shea. However, he was unsuccessful. After word about the missing dog started to spread, the man contacted the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office Tuesday morning.
Nacogdoches County Sheriff Jason Bridges called O'Shea to give her the bad news. The sheriff had one of his deputies go with O'Shea and her boyfriend, Doug Murray, to pick up Shonyo's body.
O'Shea and Murray said they are grateful for the way East Texans responded to their needs. The couple said they now believe in the humanity of others, and that they were overwhelmed by the number of times their story was shared on social media.
The couple has been contacted by people from all over wanting to help or even provide Jaclyn with a replacement dog.
In a previous East Texas News story, O'Shea explained Shonyo's name.
"She's named after my late husband, who was also a veteran," O'Shea said. "He committed suicide about 10 months ago, right when I got her. And she's been snapping me out of my issues that I've had."
read more here
KTRE.com
By Donna McCollum
Posted: Feb 25, 2014
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, TX (KTRE)
A Nacogdoches County resident found a former Army sergeant's beloved post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service dog lying dead in a ditch near the Lilly Grove Baptist Church on FM 1638.
Shonyo, a female blue-nose pit bull, had apparently been run over.
The person who found Shonyo took the dog's collars and attempted to contact her owner, Jaclyn O'Shea. However, he was unsuccessful. After word about the missing dog started to spread, the man contacted the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office Tuesday morning.
Nacogdoches County Sheriff Jason Bridges called O'Shea to give her the bad news. The sheriff had one of his deputies go with O'Shea and her boyfriend, Doug Murray, to pick up Shonyo's body.
O'Shea and Murray said they are grateful for the way East Texans responded to their needs. The couple said they now believe in the humanity of others, and that they were overwhelmed by the number of times their story was shared on social media.
The couple has been contacted by people from all over wanting to help or even provide Jaclyn with a replacement dog.
In a previous East Texas News story, O'Shea explained Shonyo's name.
"She's named after my late husband, who was also a veteran," O'Shea said. "He committed suicide about 10 months ago, right when I got her. And she's been snapping me out of my issues that I've had."
read more here
Soldier refuses to salute flag then brags on Instagram
UPDATE
Fort Carson Investigating Viral Soldier Picture
Soldier flagrantly avoids flag salute, sets off online outrage
Army Times
By Tony Lombardo
Staff writer
February 25, 2014
A female soldier who hid in her car to avoid saluting the flag — and then flaunted it on Instagram — is the latest service member to come under attack via social media and be accused of dishonoring her service.
Pfc. Tariqka Sheffey, whose Instagram handle is “sheffeynation,” posted a selfie with a caption that reads:
The image was distributed via Facebook and also sent to Army Times. Angry service members, Gold Star mothers and spouses have called for the soldier’s removal from service.
“Any soldier who refuses to salute the flag is in the military for the wrong reason, and should be removed by dishonorable discharge with loss of all benefits,” one Facebook commenter said. “If they won’t salute it, they damn sure won’t fight for it.”
read more here
Fort Carson Investigating Viral Soldier Picture
Army Times
By Tony Lombardo
Staff writer
February 25, 2014
A female soldier who hid in her car to avoid saluting the flag — and then flaunted it on Instagram — is the latest service member to come under attack via social media and be accused of dishonoring her service.
Pfc. Tariqka Sheffey, whose Instagram handle is “sheffeynation,” posted a selfie with a caption that reads:
“This is me laying back in my car hiding so I don’t have to salute the 1700 flag, KEEP ALL YOUR ‘THATS SO DISRESPECTFUL/HOWRUDE/ETC.’ COMMENTS TO YOURSELF cuz, right now, IDGAFFFF.”
The image was distributed via Facebook and also sent to Army Times. Angry service members, Gold Star mothers and spouses have called for the soldier’s removal from service.
“Any soldier who refuses to salute the flag is in the military for the wrong reason, and should be removed by dishonorable discharge with loss of all benefits,” one Facebook commenter said. “If they won’t salute it, they damn sure won’t fight for it.”
read more here
Therapist Stole Valor of Heroes
Man accused of posing as a veteran
WFSB News
By Joseph Wenzel IV, News Editor
By Eric Parker
Posted: Feb 24, 2014
BRIDGEPORT, CT (WFSB)
Earlier this month the I-Team exposed a local therapist who was posing as a member of the United States Army Special Forces.
The investigation by I-Team is being used by a state representative from Bridgeport, who wants to change state law.
State Rep. Jack Hennessy said he can sum up the need for the stolen valor bill he's supporting at the Connecticut General Assembly in two words: Greg Banks.
"It just robs the valor of the men and woman who wear the uniform," Hennessy said.
Hennessy added that the allegations involving Banks were "very much" upsetting.
The bill existed before the I-Team exposed the counselor who's been posing as a member of the United States Army Special Forces. Hennessy cited the investigation by the I-Team as an example of why it's needed.
The I-Team first got a tip about a man named Greg Banks showing up at the Danbury Mason's Lodge in uniform, sporting a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Members said Banks was bragging about his work for the United States Army Special Forces, but the investigation by the I-Team showed he's never served his country.
Continue reading >>
The Pentagon told the I-Team they have no record of a Gregory C. Banks. When the I-Team uncovered his divorce records, the station found that he mentioned nothing about military service there either.
However the I-Team did find his license as a professional counselor, and it was clear those who knew him in that role had heard his military tales.
When I-Team talked to people at the counseling office for Banks in Farmington, they insisted he was a member of the United States Army Special Forces, a job so secret they asked us to not to report about it.
Banks said on his website that he specializes in treating child and adult patients, specifically those with traumatic experiences and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The I-Team met Hennessy at the Port 5 Naval veterans in his hometown of Bridgeport. He's a new member and he showed the station around their museum where among other displays they have actual versions of the medals Banks wears on his phony uniform.
"When I was a Ranger, I knew that I could be called by my country to go into a combat zone to give up my life and I was willing to do that," Hennessy said. "To have people who have not been in the military to pose as that, it takes away from the people who have actually made their commitment and some the ultimate commitment giving their lives." read more here
WFSB News
By Joseph Wenzel IV, News Editor
By Eric Parker
Posted: Feb 24, 2014
BRIDGEPORT, CT (WFSB)
Earlier this month the I-Team exposed a local therapist who was posing as a member of the United States Army Special Forces.
The investigation by I-Team is being used by a state representative from Bridgeport, who wants to change state law.
State Rep. Jack Hennessy said he can sum up the need for the stolen valor bill he's supporting at the Connecticut General Assembly in two words: Greg Banks.
"It just robs the valor of the men and woman who wear the uniform," Hennessy said.
Hennessy added that the allegations involving Banks were "very much" upsetting.
The bill existed before the I-Team exposed the counselor who's been posing as a member of the United States Army Special Forces. Hennessy cited the investigation by the I-Team as an example of why it's needed.
The I-Team first got a tip about a man named Greg Banks showing up at the Danbury Mason's Lodge in uniform, sporting a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Members said Banks was bragging about his work for the United States Army Special Forces, but the investigation by the I-Team showed he's never served his country.
Man accused of posing as decorated special forces soldier
A man has claimed to be a major for the special forces in the United States Army and received awards for his service.
However, an investigation by Eyewitness News shows that no records of the man's military service, so the I-team went to look for answers.
The Pentagon told the I-Team they have no record of a Gregory C. Banks. When the I-Team uncovered his divorce records, the station found that he mentioned nothing about military service there either.
However the I-Team did find his license as a professional counselor, and it was clear those who knew him in that role had heard his military tales.
When I-Team talked to people at the counseling office for Banks in Farmington, they insisted he was a member of the United States Army Special Forces, a job so secret they asked us to not to report about it.
Banks said on his website that he specializes in treating child and adult patients, specifically those with traumatic experiences and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The I-Team met Hennessy at the Port 5 Naval veterans in his hometown of Bridgeport. He's a new member and he showed the station around their museum where among other displays they have actual versions of the medals Banks wears on his phony uniform.
"When I was a Ranger, I knew that I could be called by my country to go into a combat zone to give up my life and I was willing to do that," Hennessy said. "To have people who have not been in the military to pose as that, it takes away from the people who have actually made their commitment and some the ultimate commitment giving their lives." read more here
Veterans Still Reluctant to Seek Mental Health Assistance
Dr. Joel Vogt said "They don't want to be viewed as being weak and needing help." That sums up the problem Comprehensive Soldier Fitness caused. Once the troops were told they could become mentally tough with this "training" they figured they didn't train right and were mentally weak. Less than half seek help as veterans even after all the years, all the money and all the suicides.
Veterans Reluctant to Seek Mental Health Assistance
WBOY News
By Jim Sannes, Reporter
Posted: Feb 24, 2014
According to a January report from Veteran's Affairs, of the service members that seek assistance from the program, more than half will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
But beyond those, there are many that never even seek help for their mental health. This could be due to the mentality of many in the service.
"Veterans are trained to complete the mission and disregard their own personal feelings," said Marc Lockett, the OEF/OIF/OND Coordinator for the Clarksburg V.A. Medical Center.
While many of the strains of war are obvious to an outside observer, there are still many that lurk beneath the surface, possibly even out of the recognition of the veterans themselves.
Dr. Joel Vogt, a psychiatrist at the center, said that many of the same characteristics that are helpful in combat may cause problems at home. He said this includes over-vigilince and over-aggressiveness.
read more here and watch video report
Walking Point out of PTSD darkness
We keep losing too many veterans after combat. They risk their lives for the sake of others. They lose their lives because they forget why they did what they had to do. They torture themselves because they do not understand the pain they feel so deeply is because they cared. Even with all the horrific events during combat, that depth of love survived strong enough that they still grieve.
Veterans all over the country from all generations want to do one more thing. One more thing for the sake of others. They want to heal so they can help other veterans heal too.
Veterans all over the country from all generations want to do one more thing. One more thing for the sake of others. They want to heal so they can help other veterans heal too.
Walking Point out of PTSD darkness
Since 1982 Point Man International Ministries has been helping combat veterans and families struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with spiritual healing. Making peace after war should never be about forgetting but always about healing.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) - Feb. 24, 2014
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Before Twitter, Facebook, online support groups and long before the Internet reached around the world, veterans were coming together in small groups around the country.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was not the subject of news reports but what was happening to combat veterans became the top of the fold articles in every state.
Today there are Veterans Courts but back when Vietnam veterans came home there were only arrests.
Police officers felt helpless when they had to arrest veterans clearly in need of help instead of punishment. One officer in Washington decided to do something about veterans like him.
Seattle Police Officer and Vietnam Veteran Bill Landreth noticed he was arresting the same people each night and discovered most of them were Vietnam veterans, just like him. Bill started to meet with them in coffee shops in 1984 for fellowship and prayer. Much like a unit bonds together, they helped each other heal.
Today Point Man International Ministries is run by veterans from all conflicts, nationalities and backgrounds. Healing combat PTSD and helping veterans find peace after war has been in the news lately, it has been the goal of Point Man for 30 years free of charge. Outposts are led by veterans.
Homefronts have been helping families by offering understanding, support and the knowledge they need to help their veterans live a better quality of life. Marriage is hard enough as it is but when the veteran (male or female) is struggling after war, it can become too much on their own. Point Man Homefronts are led by family members.
Florida is in need of leaders willing to run small groups. We need people willing to learn as much as they are willing to listen. People of compassion and patience fully appreciating the value of changing lives one person at a time.
If you live in Florida contact me by email woundedtimes@aol.com
If you live outside of Florida visit Point Man and go to the Outpost tab for your state.
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