VIDEO: Marines Freak Out While Watching Frozen's 'Let It Go'
PEOPLE Magazine
By K.C. BLUMM
UPDATED 05/02/2014
John Travolta may not know who Idina Menzel is, but we're guessing these Marines do.
In this video posted on Facebook by Bill Nuche, a Marine in Bryan, Texas, a group of the country's bravest sing along to the ubiquitous tune "Let It Go" while watching the hit movie Frozen.
There is so much to enjoy here: their off-key singing along to Menzel's vocals, the fact that they know the lyrics, their spirit fingers ...
"Ok this is what happens when you let a bunch of marines watch 'Frozen,'" Nuche wrote in a caption to the video on Tuesday. "They are all waiting for a specific part at about 2:20 in."
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Saturday, May 3, 2014
Courageous VA Doctor hid records to save them
Second VA doctor blows whistle on patient-care failures
USA TODAY
Dennis Wagner
May 2, 2014
(Photo: Nick Oz, The Arizona Republic)
Late on Sunday night, Dr. Katherine Mitchell said she received a phone call from a fellow employee at the Phoenix VA hospital who needed advice on how to handle a sensitive situation.
Her co-worker explained that patient appointment records in the Phoenix VA Health Care System were in danger of being destroyed. But he had printed paper copies to ensure that accurate wait times for patient care would not be lost if removed from computers. The purported "secret lists," along with accusations that up to 40 Arizona veterans died awaiting care, are the subject of national controversy and investigations by Congress and the VA Inspector General.
Mitchell was a confidante with experience — nearly 16 years at the veterans hospital, first as a nurse who became supervising physician in the emergency room, then as medical director over a transition program for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
She said her colleague explained that the documents were likely to be deleted within a day. Aware that the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs had issued orders for the VA to preserve documents at the medical center in Phoenix, the two agreed to protect evidence.
Mitchell said she went to the medical center and walked her co-worker to VA police headquarters, where they asked officers to secure the documentation. Police declined, Mitchell said, but suggested they find a safe place to conceal the materials inside the hospital.
Twelve hours later, Mitchell said, her co-worker delivered the evidence and a statement to an investigator from the Office of the Inspector General while Mitchell visited The Arizona Republic, asserting status as a government whistle-blower.
Mitchell struggled with emotions as she described the incident, her career-threatening decision and concerns about the integrity of VA administrators.
"I had no doubts they were capable of destroying evidence, or altering evidence," she said. "So there I am, a 47-year-old doctor with two degrees, trying to figure out where to hide stuff.
"I spent my whole professional life wanting to be a VA nurse, and then a VA physician. ...(But) the insanity in the system right now needs to stop, and whatever I can do to accomplish that, I will."
read more here
USA TODAY
Dennis Wagner
May 2, 2014
Corrections and clarifications: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that employees thought documents were being destroyed on Sunday. Dr. Katherine Mitchell said she and a colleague feared that patient records were about to be destroyed and moved to preserve them.
Her co-worker explained that patient appointment records in the Phoenix VA Health Care System were in danger of being destroyed. But he had printed paper copies to ensure that accurate wait times for patient care would not be lost if removed from computers. The purported "secret lists," along with accusations that up to 40 Arizona veterans died awaiting care, are the subject of national controversy and investigations by Congress and the VA Inspector General.
Mitchell was a confidante with experience — nearly 16 years at the veterans hospital, first as a nurse who became supervising physician in the emergency room, then as medical director over a transition program for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
She said her colleague explained that the documents were likely to be deleted within a day. Aware that the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs had issued orders for the VA to preserve documents at the medical center in Phoenix, the two agreed to protect evidence.
Mitchell said she went to the medical center and walked her co-worker to VA police headquarters, where they asked officers to secure the documentation. Police declined, Mitchell said, but suggested they find a safe place to conceal the materials inside the hospital.
Twelve hours later, Mitchell said, her co-worker delivered the evidence and a statement to an investigator from the Office of the Inspector General while Mitchell visited The Arizona Republic, asserting status as a government whistle-blower.
Mitchell struggled with emotions as she described the incident, her career-threatening decision and concerns about the integrity of VA administrators.
"I had no doubts they were capable of destroying evidence, or altering evidence," she said. "So there I am, a 47-year-old doctor with two degrees, trying to figure out where to hide stuff.
"I spent my whole professional life wanting to be a VA nurse, and then a VA physician. ...(But) the insanity in the system right now needs to stop, and whatever I can do to accomplish that, I will."
read more here
Vietnam vet fatally gunned down over TV
Former Birmingham firefighter, Vietnam vet fatally gunned down over TV
AL.com
By Carol Robinson
May 02, 2014
HUEYTOWN, Alabama - A retired Birmingham firefighter and two-tour Vietnam Veteran was fatally gunned down during a break-in at his Hueytown home earlier this month.
Authorities today are expected to announce charges against two men in the April 23 slaying of 66-year-old Howard Arthur McKee. Hueytown Police Chief Chuck Hagler will be joined by the Birmingham police, U.S. Marshals and FBI at a press conference scheduled for noon. Both men are in custody.
read more here
AL.com
By Carol Robinson
May 02, 2014
HUEYTOWN, Alabama - A retired Birmingham firefighter and two-tour Vietnam Veteran was fatally gunned down during a break-in at his Hueytown home earlier this month.
Authorities today are expected to announce charges against two men in the April 23 slaying of 66-year-old Howard Arthur McKee. Hueytown Police Chief Chuck Hagler will be joined by the Birmingham police, U.S. Marshals and FBI at a press conference scheduled for noon. Both men are in custody.
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George Benson Webster, decorate Vietnam Veteran's remains found
Associated Press
By SCOTT SONNER
Posted: May 01, 2014
RENO, Nev. (AP) - Northern Nevada sheriff's deputies are investigating the suspected murder of a highly-decorated Vietnam veteran whose remains were found in a septic tank near the Comstock mining town of Virginia City nearly 34 years after he disappeared.
Investigators said Thursday they traced the serial number on a medallion with the skeletal remains to identify George Benson Webster. The Sun Valley mechanic was 32 when his mother reported him missing in 1980.
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Military hid soldier's suicide report from his parents
Interim report into suicide of Edmonton’s Cpl. Stuart Langridge kept secret from parents
OTTAWA CITIZEN
BY CHRIS COBB
MAY 2, 2014
OTTAWA — The Military Police Complaints Commission issued its interim report Thursday into the suicide of Afghanistan veteran Cpl. Stuart Langridge, but only the Department of National Defence is allowed to see it.
Langridge’s mother and stepfather, Sheila and Shaun Fynes, are the complainants, but neither they nor their lawyer Michel Drapeau are legally entitled to see a copy of the interim document. They will get a copy of the final report, but only on the day it is released publicly.
The late soldier’s family is being “left out in the cold,” Drapeau said Thursday.
“It is the law, but it’s a bad law,” he said. “It’s offensive that they aren’t allowed to see a report about their son.”
The Fyneses brought 30 complaints against 13 members of the National Investigation Service (NIS), which is the military’s internal detective agency.
They said the initial NIS investigation into their son’s death was a whitewash intended to protect their son’s superiors at CFB Edmonton and that a second NIS probe into the original investigation was also biased.
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OTTAWA CITIZEN
BY CHRIS COBB
MAY 2, 2014
OTTAWA — The Military Police Complaints Commission issued its interim report Thursday into the suicide of Afghanistan veteran Cpl. Stuart Langridge, but only the Department of National Defence is allowed to see it.
Langridge’s mother and stepfather, Sheila and Shaun Fynes, are the complainants, but neither they nor their lawyer Michel Drapeau are legally entitled to see a copy of the interim document. They will get a copy of the final report, but only on the day it is released publicly.
The late soldier’s family is being “left out in the cold,” Drapeau said Thursday.
“It is the law, but it’s a bad law,” he said. “It’s offensive that they aren’t allowed to see a report about their son.”
The Fyneses brought 30 complaints against 13 members of the National Investigation Service (NIS), which is the military’s internal detective agency.
They said the initial NIS investigation into their son’s death was a whitewash intended to protect their son’s superiors at CFB Edmonton and that a second NIS probe into the original investigation was also biased.
read more here
36 suicides in the California Army Guard since 2001
Without realizing it, they answered the biggest reason for military suicides right here.
Sounds like an easy to understand reason however, the program the military has been using as "prevention" has been instilling the notion that they are weak if they need help and didn't train right.
They hear that Comprenhensive Soldier Fitness was designed to make them "mentally tough" so in turn they believe they are weak if they end up with PTSD.
The result of rise in military suicides was predicted in 2009. Saying they are "doing something" will change nothing unless they know what they are doing in the first place. More of the same will only make it worse.
Soldiers have a culture that values strength and not admitting weakness. That culture has prevented many from seeking help, he said, and changing that culture is part of what his classes teach.
Sounds like an easy to understand reason however, the program the military has been using as "prevention" has been instilling the notion that they are weak if they need help and didn't train right.
They hear that Comprenhensive Soldier Fitness was designed to make them "mentally tough" so in turn they believe they are weak if they end up with PTSD.
The result of rise in military suicides was predicted in 2009. Saying they are "doing something" will change nothing unless they know what they are doing in the first place. More of the same will only make it worse.
California Guard proactive in fight against suicide
DVIDS
California National Guard
Story by Capt. Jason Sweeney
4/29/2014
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In the California Army National Guard, there have been 36 confirmed suicides since 2001, including 28 since 2007. The worst year was 2010 with seven confirmed suicides, followed by three, five and six.
In an effort to prepare leaders to step in and help at-risk troops, and to develop a mentality of resilience among Guard members, experts in the California Army Guard conduct suicide prevention training about once a week up and down the state.
“The Army used to be more reactive but now is becoming more proactive,” said California Army Guard suicide prevention program manager 1st Lt. Herbert Campos.
Campos said Soldiers have a culture that values strength and not admitting weakness. That culture has prevented many from seeking help, he said, and changing that culture is part of what his classes teach.
“Stigma-reduction is huge,” Campos said. “If you can take care of yourself, you can better take care of others.
You’re strong if you ask for help.”
Fifteen of the 36 suicides in the California Army Guard since 2001 were committed by Soldiers who had deployed at some point in their career, including three that occurred during a deployment and two that occurred while the soldier was on transitional leave following a deployment. The other 10 all occurred at least one year after deployment.
read more here
Friday, May 2, 2014
Kentucky National Guardsman Sues Over Tattoo Rules
Kentucky guardsman sues over Army tattoo rules at Fort Campbell
Associated Press
Written by
Brett Barrouquere
May 1, 2014
LOUISVILLE, KY. — A Kentucky National Guard soldier with aspirations of joining a U.S. Army special operations unit wants a federal judge to overturn the military’s new regulations concerning soldiers with tattoos.
Staff Sgt. Adam C. Thorogood of Nashville, Tennessee, said the tattoos covering his left arm from the elbow to the wrist aren’t harmful, but the Army is using the body art against him and stopping him from fulfilling a dream of joining “The Nightstalkers,” the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Thorogood’s attorneys said the new rules are preventing their client from seeking appointment as a warrant officer.
Thorogood, 28, sued Thursday in U.S. District Court in Paducah, Kentucky, seeking to have the new rules declared unconstitutional. He is seeking $100 million in damages.
read more here
Associated Press
Written by
Brett Barrouquere
May 1, 2014
LOUISVILLE, KY. — A Kentucky National Guard soldier with aspirations of joining a U.S. Army special operations unit wants a federal judge to overturn the military’s new regulations concerning soldiers with tattoos.
Staff Sgt. Adam C. Thorogood of Nashville, Tennessee, said the tattoos covering his left arm from the elbow to the wrist aren’t harmful, but the Army is using the body art against him and stopping him from fulfilling a dream of joining “The Nightstalkers,” the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Thorogood’s attorneys said the new rules are preventing their client from seeking appointment as a warrant officer.
Thorogood, 28, sued Thursday in U.S. District Court in Paducah, Kentucky, seeking to have the new rules declared unconstitutional. He is seeking $100 million in damages.
read more here
Semper-Fi Fund has veteran Marine rider
Veteran Marine rides horse across country for wounded warriors
KPHO News
By: Kaitlin Stansell
Updated: May 02, 2014
SURF CITY, NC
It was a bitter sweet send off for a veteran marine in Surf City Thursday as he began a long journey across the country.
"Sit tall in the saddle," Matt Littrell's father said as he hugged his son goodbye.
The 32-year-old then hopped onto the back of his BLM mustang named "Crow," clicking to the horse to step into the Atlantic Ocean.
It was a symbolic start to what Littrell expects to be a 6 to 8 month trip from Camp Lejeune, NC, to Camp Pendleton, CA.
The duo will be traveling along with close his friend, Raymond Avery, and two other horses.
It's all an effort to raise support and about $7 million for wounded warriors through the Semper Fi Fund, a journey that some people call crazy.
"Of course it's crazy. It should be. They deserve crazy, so we're going to be crazy for them," Littrell said.
He believes this is just the kind of attention wounded veterans need work through their toughest moments.
read more here
KPHO News
By: Kaitlin Stansell
Updated: May 02, 2014
It was a bitter sweet send off for a veteran marine in Surf City Thursday as he began a long journey across the country.
"Sit tall in the saddle," Matt Littrell's father said as he hugged his son goodbye.
The 32-year-old then hopped onto the back of his BLM mustang named "Crow," clicking to the horse to step into the Atlantic Ocean.
It was a symbolic start to what Littrell expects to be a 6 to 8 month trip from Camp Lejeune, NC, to Camp Pendleton, CA.
The duo will be traveling along with close his friend, Raymond Avery, and two other horses.
It's all an effort to raise support and about $7 million for wounded warriors through the Semper Fi Fund, a journey that some people call crazy.
"Of course it's crazy. It should be. They deserve crazy, so we're going to be crazy for them," Littrell said.
He believes this is just the kind of attention wounded veterans need work through their toughest moments.
read more here
Soldier shot by sniper while talking to wife
Love-sick soldier who phoned wife from the frontline killed by sniper seconds later who saw his mobile light up
Edward Juma Okoyo was in trenches in Somalia at night when he made call
Kenyan made daily calls to Doreen Magak who he married a month earlier
Sniper saw flickering of mobile screen and opened fire killing solider and other members of unit
His wife reveals the moment loving phone call ended and line 'suddenly went silent'
Daily Mail
By JULIAN ROBINSON
1 May 2014
A Kenyan soldier who called his wife while he was on the frontline was killed seconds later after a sniper saw the flicker of his mobile phone.
The marksman opened fire after seeing the screen from Edward Juma Okoyo’s phone light up at night as he was talking to Doreen Magak, the woman he had married just a month earlier.
Mr Okoyo was stationed in trenches with a number of other members of the Kenyan Defence Force in neighbouring Somalia when he decided to make a night time call home.
But the platoon commander was unaware that his actions had put him squarely in the crosshairs of a sniper who then shot him dead along with other members of the unit.
Now his 29-year-old wife has relived the devastating moment the line went silent as she was talking to her loved one.
read more here
Edward Juma Okoyo was in trenches in Somalia at night when he made call
Kenyan made daily calls to Doreen Magak who he married a month earlier
Sniper saw flickering of mobile screen and opened fire killing solider and other members of unit
His wife reveals the moment loving phone call ended and line 'suddenly went silent'
Daily Mail
By JULIAN ROBINSON
1 May 2014
A Kenyan soldier who called his wife while he was on the frontline was killed seconds later after a sniper saw the flicker of his mobile phone.
The marksman opened fire after seeing the screen from Edward Juma Okoyo’s phone light up at night as he was talking to Doreen Magak, the woman he had married just a month earlier.
Mr Okoyo was stationed in trenches with a number of other members of the Kenyan Defence Force in neighbouring Somalia when he decided to make a night time call home.
But the platoon commander was unaware that his actions had put him squarely in the crosshairs of a sniper who then shot him dead along with other members of the unit.
Now his 29-year-old wife has relived the devastating moment the line went silent as she was talking to her loved one.
read more here
Afghanistan vets ‘not violent … they’re killing themselves’
Afghanistan vets ‘not violent … they’re killing themselves’
The suicide of Afghan veteran leaves family in shock and questions about the state of mental health services available for the troops.
The Star
By: Bruce Campion-Smith Ottawa Bureau
Published on Fri May 02 2014
OTTAWA—“The army can train them to go to war. But they can’t train them to come home.”
Peter Anderson knows first-hand the tragic fallout of Canada’s war in Afghanistan. His two sons served in H Company, 2nd battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment on the same tour in 2007.
Both came home casualties of war, suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.
Younger son Ryan, 34, is in treatment for his stress injuries.
On Feb. 24, his older son Ron, 39, killed himself.
“It was an awful shock to us,” the father said in a telephone interview from his home in Lincoln, N.B.
“He gave us no hint. None.”
Ron Anderson left behind two boys, ages 14 and 13 and twin girls, age 10, and questions about the state of mental health services available for the troops.
Ron Anderson’s suicide was not an isolated incident. Between November and March, five regular-force soldiers and four reservists took their lives.
Those deaths included Master Cpl. William Elliott, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, who had four tours abroad, including two in Afghanistan; Warrant Officer Michael McNeil, who had done multiple tours abroad, including Afghanistan, and was a decorated combat veteran; and Cpl. Leona MacEachern, who had retired from the forces.
read more here
The suicide of Afghan veteran leaves family in shock and questions about the state of mental health services available for the troops.
The Star
By: Bruce Campion-Smith Ottawa Bureau
Published on Fri May 02 2014
OTTAWA—“The army can train them to go to war. But they can’t train them to come home.”
Peter Anderson knows first-hand the tragic fallout of Canada’s war in Afghanistan. His two sons served in H Company, 2nd battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment on the same tour in 2007.
Both came home casualties of war, suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.
Younger son Ryan, 34, is in treatment for his stress injuries.
On Feb. 24, his older son Ron, 39, killed himself.
“It was an awful shock to us,” the father said in a telephone interview from his home in Lincoln, N.B.
“He gave us no hint. None.”
Ron Anderson left behind two boys, ages 14 and 13 and twin girls, age 10, and questions about the state of mental health services available for the troops.
Ron Anderson’s suicide was not an isolated incident. Between November and March, five regular-force soldiers and four reservists took their lives.
Those deaths included Master Cpl. William Elliott, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, who had four tours abroad, including two in Afghanistan; Warrant Officer Michael McNeil, who had done multiple tours abroad, including Afghanistan, and was a decorated combat veteran; and Cpl. Leona MacEachern, who had retired from the forces.
read more here
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