Jeff Miller Delivers PR Piece to CTA Lack of Caring for Veterans

Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
August 3, 2014

I just got finished reading the latest PR release from the Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Does he really think we're that stupid? Does he understand veterans have been paying attention for decades as elected officials refused to take responsibility for what they failed to do for decades? All this article was boiled down to an attempt to cover the asses of members of Congress.

Let's take this press release apart.

Oversight by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and whistleblower revelations have exposed widespread corruption, systemic delays in access to medical care and failures in accountability across the board at our nation’s second largest federal agency.

Oversite? Really? Exactly how many years did they hear veterans complain about what was going on? Exactly how many hearings did the House Veterans Affairs Committee ignore?

While members of the 113th Congress were supposed to be actually paying attention to what the VA heads were doing, they didn't. Chairman Jeff Miller does not get to use the Sgt. Schultz Excuse of knowing nothing-seeing nothing.

First on Jeff Miller and how long he has been in Congress. He became Chair of the Committee in 2010.

First elected to Congress in 2001, Miller represents the Panhandle -- Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties. He was chosen to chair the Veterans Affairs Committee.

2003

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS, Washington, DC

Only days ago the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that for the first time it would use its authority to curtail new enrollments for veterans’ health care. VA reported that at least, and I emphasize at least, 200,000 veterans are waiting 6 months or longer for their first appointment with a VA doctor, and that estimate doesn’t count those still waiting to enroll in the system. Many of those waiting are 100 percent disabled and paralyzed veterans.

In fact, when Secretary Principi sent one of his deputies, Gordon Mansfield, a decorated Vietnam veteran paralyzed in combat, to try and enroll in VA health care, he was turned away in state after state due to overcrowding.

Earlier this month Chairman Buyer and committee staff visited one medical center in Florida and discovered that over 2,700 veterans are waiting to be scheduled to see a VA audiologist, over 4,000 veterans are waiting to see an eye specialist, and almost 700 are waiting to see a cardiologist. More than half of these veterans were high-priority veterans in categories 1 through 7. All reports indicate that a similar situation exists at a majority of VA medical centers throughout the country. Care delayed, I would respectfully submit, is care denied.

The word ‘‘crisis’’ is often overused in this town, but clearly VA health care is in crisis, the funding of VA health care, and it is at a crossroads. Last year I, along with my good friend Lane Evans, offered several bills seeking long-term solutions to VA health care funding problems.

2005

"When we learn that the VA health care budget is more than $1 billion short, we shouldn't tell our veterans that there isn't a crisis, we should tell them that we will do what it takes to make sure that they get the health care services they earned" said Obama. "That is why I once again am joining my colleagues in an effort to provide the VA with the funding it needs to fully meet the health needs of our veterans. Senator Murray's emergency supplemental funding bill is necessary to avoid what is clearly an on-coming crisis in the VA health system." (Obama Says $1 Billion Shortfall in VA Health Care Budget Requires Emergency Funding By: Barack Obama II Date: June 28, 2005 Location: Washington, DC)

2008

Committee chairman accuses VA of criminal negligence

12,000 veterans a year attempt suicide while under department treatment. "Is this something we should (carefully) address ourselves in some sort of release before someone stumbles on it?" the e-mail asks.

The e-mail was among those recently disclosed during a trial in San Francisco that suggested some at the VA might have been attempting to hide the number of attempted suicides by those under the agency's care. Its disclosure prompted two Democratic senators to call for his resignation.

At the White House, press secretary Dana Perino said Bush has "full confidence in Secretary Peake and believes that he is handling it appropriately."

"It's a disgrace that veterans have to wait months or years for the benefits they have earned because of a bureaucracy that simply doesn't work," said Rep. John Hall, New York Democrat.

2009 
Republican priorities include trying to improve the benefits claims process. A $2.5 million increase would be used to hire 30 more people to train claims processors; $170 million would speed deployment of a paperless claims adjudication system; and $5 million would fund a two-year pilot program in which veterans could pick the regional office they want to process their claim based on a performance report.

In 2009, it took an average of 161 days to rate a disability claim. Today, it takes about 286 days, according to the VA's most recent figures.

The VA's claims backlog, which includes all benefits claims and all appeals at the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Board of Veterans Appeals at VA, was 803,000 on Jan. 5, 2009. The backlog hit 915,000 on May 4, 2009, a staggering 14 percent increase in four months.

2012
Congressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) and the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Jeff Miller (FL-01) held a veterans’ affairs forum in Fort Wayne Tuesday. Dozens of area vets showed up with concerns ranging from unemployment to mental health.

More than 100 veterans came to the Classic Cafe in Fort Wayne with questions or just wanting to hear what the congressional leaders had to say. Some shared worries about homeless vets not getting the proper care and others about the challenge of getting veterans jobs when they come back from service.

After a question about the increasing amount of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, Miller said the VA hospital is not prepared for the vets that are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.

2013

"I'm concerned that we're not really seeing the results for the money Congress has provided to VA over the last years," Miller said. "VA has missed its own performance goal every single year and I think most committee members here are really very tired of the excuses that we keep hearing."

Now that you were reminded of all that, it makes this part all the more telling about how things got this bad.

"So how did things get to this point? The unfortunate truth is that top leaders simply ignored or denied the department’s problems at every turn."

Miller wants to blame the VA but as you can see, Congress did not do what they were supposed to do. They only claimed they were taking care of our veterans.

Miller claims

"House oversight was crucial in bringing VA’s problems to light, and it will not stop once the president signs the Veterans Access,"

But history has shown that is far from reality. These problems, issues and deception were not brought to public's attention because of Congress. Veterans went to reporters because no one in Congress did their jobs in the first place.

This part sums it all up brilliantly,

"It's impossible to solve problems by whitewashing them or denying they exist."

Amputee Iraq Veteran Overcomes Odds, Sworn in a Deputy Sheriff

Overcoming Amputation, U.S. Marine Sworn In As Deputy
Space Coast News
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard County Sheriff
August 3, 2014

On Friday, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office swore in Cpl. (Ret) Robert Smith of the United States Marine Corps. Almost his entire life, Robert wanted to be a law enforcement officer but chose to serve his country first by joining the USMC.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – During Friday’s Swear-In Ceremony I had the opportunity to swear-in a new Deputy Sheriff whose story of patriotism, overcoming challenges, heroism, commitment and determination deserves special recognition and appreciation.

LOSES LEG IN IED EXPLOSION

In May 2008, while on military patrol in Iraq in the city of Fallujah, Robert’s Unit encountered an IED that exploded, injuring several in the unit including Robert who lost his right leg.

In a split second Robert’s entire life changed and threatened his ability to achieve his goal of one day serving as a law enforcement officer.

Robert would later receive a copy of the video, that to this day he occasionally watches to motivate him to succeed and to remind him of how precious life is.

Following the incident, Robert was awarded the Purple Heart and was fitted with a prosthetic leg.

With the help of his incredible wife Natalie and family and the local organization, “Sentinels of Freedom Space Coast” that strongly supports our veterans, Robert refused to give up on his dream.
read more here

Uk Iraq Veteran Pre-Plans Funeral With Jack Daniel's Coffin

War veteran buys Jack Daniel's style coffin
FORMER soldier Anto Wickham has come up with a novel way of raising spirits at his own funeral – by buying a coffin in the shape of a Jack Daniel’s bottle.
Daily Star
By Alex Crook
Published 3rd August 2014

Anto, 48, started planning his funeral after seeing eight Army pals killed during the Iraq war.

The dad-of-six from Belfast, who spent 22 years with the Royal Irish Regiment, said: “While working in Iraq I had a very close call.

“Over a 28-day period in February 2007 I was attacked 74 times and there were some days we would get three or four hits in one day.

“I was attacked by heavy machine gun fire, IEDs and roadside bombs.

“I lost eight colleagues. I thought I would have to plan my funeral because something could go wrong.

“It had to be a celebration of life because I have been to too many funerals of colleagues where they were very sad occasions.

“I wanted something completely different and my favourite drink is Jack Daniel’s.”

While he was at home on leave, Anto watched a TV programme featuring unusual coffins and tracked down the company that makes them.
read more here

Army Captain didn't know about burn pit registry until VA event

Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
August 3, 2014

The VA held a Welcome Home Salute 2014 and it was a great idea considering while military leaders keep assuring the public the troops are all informed about VA benefits, this proves they are not informed at all.

U.S. Army National Guard Camp Crowder, 890 Ray A Carver Ave, Neosho, MO 64850
Who should attend: Any Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn Combat Veteran that wants to learn more about VA services and get assistance from staff

Booths and information from the following areas will include:
Vet Center, Audiology, Dietitian, Mental Health, Dental, My HealtheVet, Health Educator, and more!

What exactly does the DOD explain to them about benefits when a Captain did not know about the VA burn pit registry?

One of the veterans who participated in the event was Capt. Charlie Ledgerwood, weekend training site commander at Camp Crowder.

“For me it is beneficial because I got to find out when I was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, 2010 with the 203rd Engineers, that we had an open pit burn site at the air force base where I was stationed,” he said. “And now, there is an open burn pit registry so I need to get registered for that because I was there, in case I have health problems. I know that some of my troops have had health problems, so I am going to be calling them, letting them know about that.”

Group holds health event for combat vets
By Todd G. Higdon
Posted Aug. 2, 2014
Area war veterans had the opportunity Saturday to get information about veterans’ health care during an event at Camp Crowder.

“This is our 2014 Welcome Home Salute,” said Sarah McBride, public affairs for Veterans Healthcare System for the Ozarks, who held the event. “The event is targeted toward combat veterans, Operation Iraq Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, but it is open to any veteran who wants to come and learn about information. So we have VA services, as well as veterans benefits administration here, dietitians, we have got health, disease prevention, health promotion, enrollment and eligibility specialists, just to get the word out to returning veterans or any veteran who wants to information on it, what services are available to them.”
read more here

Reporters jumped all over the VA with story after story of what they got wrong but when they got things right, reporters were not really interested. They find veteran after veteran with complaints and horror stories but don't seem to manage to find the majority of veterans receiving great treatment. They don't seem interested in covering VA sponsored Stand Downs for homeless veterans all over the country. What makes all of this worse is, none of them are really interested in asking what the DOD is getting so wrong it makes it harder for military folks after they leave service. Congress sure as hell doesn't care or they would be holding the DOD accountable.

There has been a long history of the Vice Chiefs making claims about what they are doing and how it is working but this video from 2010 as they gave their speeches to Senators on the Armed Services Committee, the result proves their claims were false.

Did you know that while the DOD was ordered by Congress to do Pre and Post Deployment Screenings, they were not doing the Post deployments ones? They claimed they didn't have time or the manpower. In other words, the law didn't apply to them even though they were telling reporters they were doing everything possible to get them the help they needed on PTSD. Here is the video covered by CSPAN in a hearing back in 2010.

Enhanced Post-Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA) Process
(DD Form 2796)

BACKGROUND

DD Form 2796 - DoDI 6490.03, Deployment Health, 11 Aug 06 describes the post-deployment health activities. "The DD Form 2796 is required if a DD Form 2795 was required during the pre-deployment phase or per the decision of the COCOM commander, Service component commander, or commander exercising operational control if any health threats evolved or exposures (OEH or CBRN) occurred during the deployment that warrant medical assessment or follow-up." "Each individual who requires a DD Form 2796 must be scheduled for a face-to-face health assessment with a trained health care provider (physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, advanced practice nurse, independent duty corpsman, independent duty medical technician, or Special Forces medical sergeant) during in-theater medical out-processing or within 30 days after returning to home or processing station." The purpose of this screening is to review each deployer's current health, mental health or psychosocial issues commonly associated with deployments, special medications taken during the deployment, possible deployment-related occupational/environmental exposures, and to discuss deployment-related health concerns. Positive responses require use of supplemental assessment tools and/or referrals for medical consultation. The provider will document concerns and referral needs and discuss resources available to help resolve any post-deployment issues.

Moving beyond the clinical treatment for Combat PTSD

Retired pastor and chaplain to present 'PTSD and Spirituality' Aug. 7
Cape Gazette
Aug 03, 2014

The Rev. Ray Michener will walk his listeners through an in-depth look at "Post Traumatic Stress & Spirituality: God and the Devastated Self" from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Summer Spirituality Series held in the Parish Hall of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 211 Mulberry St. in Lewes.

This presentation includes a brief clinical look at PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, and an attempt to look beyond the clinical aspects into the role of the spirit in the healing process. Moving beyond the clinical treatment modalities, Michener will attempt to examine what traumatic stress does to an individual’s concept of such things as self, morality, God or religion, and even family and society in general. The goal of this look at PTSD is not designed as how to deal with someone suffering from PTSD, but rather how to be with someone and hear their story.

Michener is a retired Lutheran pastor and U.S. Navy chaplain. After nine years in parish ministry, he entered the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps and quickly found it an exciting and enjoyable ecumenical ministry. Over the course of 20 years, Michener served with the U.S. Marines as chaplain with a combat battalion during two tours in Beirut, Lebanon; with Navy surface and submarine sailors; and his final assignment with the U. S. Coast Guard stationed at Fell’s Point, Md.
read more here

Vietnam Medal of Honor Hero Jon Cavaiani passed away days before 71st birthday

Medal of Honor recipient Cavaiani of Columbia dies at 70
Bee Staff Reports
August 1, 2014 Updated 1 hour ago

U.S. Army Sgt. Major Jon Cavaiani, Medal of Honor holder from Merced and Vietnam veteran, center, was warmly greeted by fellow vets upon his arrival at the new Modesto Vet Center on Thursday, July 3, 2008. Cavaiani delivered the keynote address at the new Department of Veterans Affairs facility on Carpenter Road.
TED BENSON — Modesto Bee file

Jon Cavaiani liked to make one thing very clear: He didn’t “win” the Medal of Honor.

“I was a recipient,” the Columbia resident and Vietnam War hero told The Modesto Bee’s Ron DeLacy in 2003.

Cavaiani died Tuesday at Stanford Medical Center. He would have been 71 today. Cavaiani was born in England on Aug. 2, 1943, and moved to the United States four years later.

Gaining U.S. citizenship in 1968, Cavaiani exuded a soldier’s toughness throughout his life. He joined the Army despite a 4-F classification (he was allergic to bee stings) by learning of a doctor who had falsified 4-F excuses for healthy men wanting to avoid military service. Cavaiani said he blackmailed the doctor into doing just the opposite for him, and in 1969 began training as a paratrooper and went into Special Forces training.
Soon he was in Vietnam, and when his year’s tour of duty ended, he refused to come home.
read more here

PTSD veterans willing to live for the sake of others

Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
August 2, 2014

Yesterday morning it hit me harder than any other time in the last 32 years. As I flipped the calendar page to August, my eyes were drawn to the 10th. That is the day I started Wounded Times 7 years ago. I wanted to cry.

I've been wondering why I still do this.

Thinking of retiring more and more as the years go by, but yesterday it was all I could think about while working for on my occupation. I came home depressed and called a friend hoping to find some answers as to why I am still doing this vocation.

He told me that it helps him. When he is feeling down about his own life, he reads about veterans across the country, then he doesn't feel so bad about his own troubles. He also finds hope reading amazing veterans and loving communities doing all they can to show they care. As he leaves the site, he knows as a Vietnam veteran he has not been forgotten. He said the lives I've saved and thinking I've changed matter.

Over the years I've had other sites. I was running Screaming In An Empty Room on August 10, 2007 when I received an email from a Marine serving in Iraq. He wrote that while he loved to read what I had on PTSD, he hated reading my "political crap." Being a hot headed Bostonian topped off with being a passionate Greek, I wrote back a lengthy email defending my right to write whatever I wanted to because it was all true and I was doing it for them. Them? Well the Marine, being a quick thinker, responded with one question. "Are you doing this for us or yourself?"

After I stopped crying and my eyes clear up enough to see the computer screen, I apologized for falling into the same trap I always complained about. He was right. I was not thinking about them as much as I was trying to prove a point. I also made him a promise that from that day on, I would start this site and stop being political. I promised the only time he would read anything about politicians was when they did something for veterans, or sadly, to them. I kept my word. I hope he is proud of what he started.

This is what I was tugged to do the day I met my husband back in 1982. It is not just what I do. It is a part of who I am. Can I go back to being a detached civilian showing up for a paycheck and doing nothing else with my life? After posting everyday for the last 7 years on the 10th it will be 2,555 days. This is post number 22,389. That is dedication but when you consider it is about as natural to breathing, it would be harder to walk away than to keep doing what comes naturally.

I have cried more times than I can remember. My heart has felt as if it was being suffocated by barbed wire. I posted when family members died. When I lost my job. When my husband was in the hospital and when I was sick. I posted during times of joy, days to celebrate life and during times of having my faith restored in humanity. It is in me as much as wrinkles on my face and gray strands of hair on my head.

Not being able to do what I have sacrificed so much for would be like a part of me being put to death.

I shared that with you hoping that you'd think about one more part of PTSD differently. It is what servicemembers have to give up when they can no longer serve in the military.

Some enlisted because they couldn't find a job. Some joined for the benefits. Most joined because they never thought of doing anything else. No one walks away from combat the same way they were before their boots hit the ground. Reputable estimates dating back decades put the rate of combat PTSD at 1 out of 3. While servicemembers with PTSD all suffer, it is a deeper pain for those born to do it.

I was reading a story out of Australia about Sergeant Alcatara is about to be medically discharged from the ADF due to his condition. The condition is PTSD.

"Unfortunately, I can't go back to my original occupation of being a nurse and a paramedic because they are the triggers that put me back into my little space of demons."
Flight Sergeant Frank Alcatara

Flight Sergeant Frank Alcatara, who served in war zones across the world during a 35-year career, told a PTSD seminar in Brisbane on Saturday that he first felt the effects of PTSD after returning home from Rwanda in 1994, but never sought treatment.

"When I first deployed to Rwanda we had no psychological de-screening or anything when we got home, we were just told to essentially 'suck it up' even though we weren't feeling normal," Sergeant Alcatara told the seminar, hosted by the Royal United Service Institute and University of Queensland.

While on deployment to the Middle East in 2012, he suffered a breakdown.

He was sedated and evacuated for treatment in Australia.

"I felt really quite ashamed that I had to be flown home, particularly as a medic," he said.

Alcatara feels ashamed after all those years of risking his life and while he still has the same tug to serve, he can no longer do it the same way he has for 35 years.

Psychiatrist Andrew Khoo has been treating those who have served in the military for almost 15 years.

Dr Khoo said about 30 per cent of returned defence personnel suffered some form of psychiatric illness at some stage in their life.

"The biggest issue is the barrier of getting people to put up their hand and self volunteer that they are struggling psychiatrically and that's very difficult to do with military personnel," he said.

He just doesn't understand that he is doing it right now but in a different way. As more and more veterans like him make their private battles known, more seek help knowing they are not alone and others faced the same wound they had been too afraid to speak about.

Being forced to give up a part of yourself is about the hardest thing to do other than having to do it while fighting PTSD because you did what you had to do.

Every veteran I have helped over the years were asked the same question. "What do you want to do after you healed?" Their response was, "Help other veterans like me." They knew what it felt like to be lost and alone. To feel ashamed of something just because they didn't understand it or why they had it. They didn't know what they could do to make the next part of their lives better. To know that the next path they took on this part of their lives could actually make them whole again.

If you have been trying to understand these veterans, here are some things you need to know.

They have PTSD because they are strongly connected to part of what makes them who they are. To be willing to give up your life for the sake of someone else requires a deep strength that goes far beyond what simple words can begin to explain other than they loved other more than themselves.

Guilt of being a survivor of horrors makes them think they have something evil inside of them. They forgot that they were willing to die to save someone else and there is nothing evil or selfish in them. There is a Bible passage relating to this, John 15:13 New International Version (NIV)

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

But what needs to be added to those words is "or be willing to do it" since it has to come from love to be a member of the armed forces. Their type of PTSD is much different from other types and causes.

In order for them to heal, it is pricelessly cheap. It requires every part of the veteran to be treated as every part of the soldier was tested in combat. Their bodies were pushed beyond what humans were designed to do. Their minds were pushed beyond what average people are equipped to face. Both of these must be treated. Their bodies need to relearn how to calm down again. Their minds must learn how to remember their lives while forget the emotional pain experienced much like a woman no longer feels the same pain she experienced during her baby being born. She remembers how long her labor lasted but does not feel the pain every time she thinks about it. Veterans can do the same thing even with PTSD. They need help to do it.

The last part of healing PTSD is spiritual. This has to be addressed more than anything else because PTSD was set off by traumatic events piled on top of others. If they see what happened with the terrible frozen in their memory, they are unable to see the reason they were there in the first place. They forget what they tried to do for the sake of someone else and that tortures their soul.

After training to heal, these veterans feel incomplete until they help other veterans. They actually heal better by helping others and that completes their inner calling to serve. All of this can make them not just "whole" again but they actually live better lives had they not experienced that which made them carry the burden through combat.

When reminded they were harmed during combat but somehow managed to push past all that pain they felt until their buddies were out of danger, they begin to understand that they were that strong and brave. They did not suffer for being "weak" but suffered for being that strongly connected to those they were willing to die for. Now they can use the same strength to be willing to live for them as well.

Michigan Gold Star Family Honors Son's Last Wish Helping Others

Couple Channel Grief Into Retreat for Veterans
Associated Press
By MIKE HOUSEHOLDER
Aug 1, 2014

OCQUEOC TOWNSHIP, Mich.

Before shipping out for Iraq, Army Sgt. Trevor Blumberg asked his father to do two things if he didn't return: Look after his puppy, Scrappy, and "take care of my guys."

Blumberg, a 22-year-old paratrooper known to his guys in the storied 82nd Airborne as "Blum," was killed days after deploying by a roadside bomb that tore through his Humvee.

In the decade since, Terry and Jan Blumberg have dutifully honored their son's wishes by using Trevor's death benefits and insurance money to build a 3,500-square-foot house on 12 acres in northern Michigan that doubles as their retirement home and a retreat for those who defend the country. For the past two years, veterans who served post-Sept. 11, 2001, have been welcome to stay for free at the three-bedroom Ocqueoc Township home for up to five days.

"We made a promise to Trevor," Terry Blumberg said.

The Blumbergs, church volunteers and veterans' group members toiled for years to build "Blum's Landing," which is tucked back from a dirt road and nestled among trees, with Orchard Lake around back.

Guests eat, rest and play alongside the Blumbergs and Scrappy, who is now a 12-year-old light brown Staffordshire terrier that follows Terry Blumberg around everywhere with tail wagging.

Terry Blumberg, who fought in the Vietnam War, said the loss of their son is "never going to stop hurting," but he and his wife take satisfaction in knowing they are doing what Trevor would have wanted by hosting those who shared his mission.
read more here

VFW Post Expanding Looking For New OEF OIF Leaders

As local VFW expands, community and veterans benefit
LakeExpo.com
by Janet Dabbs
August 1, 2014

CAMDENTON, Mo. — The Camdenton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5923 has a rich tradition of serving heroic veterans, military families, and the local community. Now, it has plans to expand its reach in the community, with a new facility, including a community center, kitchen, and bar.

The Camdenton Post is have plans to construct a new building at the end of this year on the same property as their current post. Two-thirds of the funds have already been approved in the form of a loan, and the rest will be raised through various fundraisers.

The project will bring a new veterans bar and community center to the Camdenton post. According to Post 5923 Senior Vice Commander Ross Reinhart, the new building will be 7,500 sq. feet, with three different meeting rooms that can be used by the post and the public for a variety of uses such as weddings, Boy Scout events and other meetings for various organizations.

One-third of the top floor will hold a kitchen for food that attaches to a bar where sports fans can watch NFL and WWE on a big screen television, and a stage area for concerts and other entertainment.

“The stage will be a place where we can showcase the talents of local bands by holding concerts,” Reinhart said. “The new center will be a ‘community’ center” for everyone to use.”

The lower level will house the meeting rooms. All post buildings are smoke free as of July 2014.

New Members
Due to aging World War II veterans, the post is seeking young veteran members. Leadership is working hard to find Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam veterans who are interested in helping their fellow veterans and the community.

“We need young people to be leaders and breathe new life into the VFW,” Reinhart said.

Reinhart would also like to see the post, and all the post does, become more widely known by the community. “The more people know about us, the more they will be willing to come and support our events, which in turn support our veterans.”
read more here

VA Caseworker and Police Save PTSD Veteran From Suicide

Officers in St. Ignace save veteran's life
Up North Live
by Nathan Lehota
Posted: 08.01.2014

A local veteran says local police saved his life while he was having a PTSD attack.

ST. IGNACE -- A Northern Michigan veteran is crediting the St. Ignace Police Department for saving his life while he was having a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder attack.

Retired Sergeant First Class Larry McQuiston's Veteran Affairs case worker called the police because McQuiston was about to commit suicide Thursday night.

McQuiston said the thoughts of taking his own life came after some personal problems and his PTSD became to be too much for him to bear.

“Being alone is one of the scariest things for a soldier,” said McQuiston. “Being alone is when my PTSD kicks in. It's not like I'm here; it's like I'm in Iraq.”

St. Ignace Police Officer Merlin Doren, Michigan State Trooper Marie Nelson and Sault Tribe Police Officer Brian Adams went to McQuiston's home, talked to him and helped him to a healthcare facility to get the treatment he needed.
read more here