Sister-in-law of veteran killed in wreck: 'He was a hero and his loss is deep'
KLTV New
By Francesca Washington
Posted: Dec 09, 2014
TYLER, TX
On Sunday night, 30-year old Jerry Howell was killed when his car was struck by a pickup truck on Highway 31, near Kilgore. His wife, Wendy was his passenger, and is still in a Tyler ICU.
"They were just dropping the kids off and heading home when it happened," said Mindy Benson, Jerry's sister-in-law.
Mindy Benson says her sister and brother-in-law, Wendy and Jerry Howell, spent Sunday afternoon among family, taking new family photos.
Later that night, their car was struck by Adam Hotaling, who was allegedly drunk behind the wheel. Hotaling, a Shreveport resident, is in the Smith County Jail, charged with intoxication manslaughter.
"If you're going to drink, stay where you are at, call a friend, call somebody. Don't get on the road. Because he walked away and they didn't, "Benson said. "I know that he never intended to have an accident when he set out. But that choice has impacted this family. It has taken away a father, a husband, a brother, an uncle, a son and a friend."
Benson says Jerry was in the U.S. Army for 17 years. He served four tours in Iraq and was awarded a Purple Heart in 2004.
read more here
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
'Real Forrest Gump' Sammy Davis brings his song to Fort Wayne
'Real Forrest Gump' brings his song, Vietnam tale here
The Journal Gazette
Jeff Wiehe
December 10, 2014
He carries the harmonica whenever he’s in uniform.
It’s been nearly 50 years since he first learned to play it, teaching himself the notes to “Shenandoah” solely to please a sergeant who would make the rounds of his artillery unit in Vietnam.
“It’s getting better,” the sergeant would tell him, noting that he needed to hold that note longer or another note shorter.
Sammy L. Davis brought out his harmonica Tuesday for the people gathered in an auditorium at Indiana Tech, and he told them this:
“I hope this finds a place in your heart and renews your soul.”
Those people, they were there to hear his story.
It’s a story about a 42-man artillery unit just west of Cai Lay, Vietnam, trying to hold off 1,500 swarming members of the North Vietnamese Army early one November morning in 1967.
It’s about how one of those young men manned a lone howitzer and fended off hundreds of enemies, and how, despite suffering horrendous injuries, he used an air mattress to cross a deep river to rescue three of his comrades.
If this sounds like a movie, well, there’s a reason people call Davis, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and a man who put a harmonica to his mouth to play “Shenandoah” before the rapt audience, the “real Forrest Gump.”
‘“Forrest Gump” based on me’
read more here
Sammy was at the Homes from Our Troops Fundraiser a couple of years ago and we had some time to sit down for a chat with his wife Dixie. In the first video, Sammy talks about playing Shenandoah.
The Journal Gazette
Jeff Wiehe
December 10, 2014
He carries the harmonica whenever he’s in uniform.
It’s been nearly 50 years since he first learned to play it, teaching himself the notes to “Shenandoah” solely to please a sergeant who would make the rounds of his artillery unit in Vietnam.
“It’s getting better,” the sergeant would tell him, noting that he needed to hold that note longer or another note shorter.
Sammy L. Davis brought out his harmonica Tuesday for the people gathered in an auditorium at Indiana Tech, and he told them this:
“I hope this finds a place in your heart and renews your soul.”
Those people, they were there to hear his story.
It’s a story about a 42-man artillery unit just west of Cai Lay, Vietnam, trying to hold off 1,500 swarming members of the North Vietnamese Army early one November morning in 1967.
It’s about how one of those young men manned a lone howitzer and fended off hundreds of enemies, and how, despite suffering horrendous injuries, he used an air mattress to cross a deep river to rescue three of his comrades.
If this sounds like a movie, well, there’s a reason people call Davis, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and a man who put a harmonica to his mouth to play “Shenandoah” before the rapt audience, the “real Forrest Gump.”
‘“Forrest Gump” based on me’
read more here
Sammy was at the Homes from Our Troops Fundraiser a couple of years ago and we had some time to sit down for a chat with his wife Dixie. In the first video, Sammy talks about playing Shenandoah.
May 15, 2012
During the Orlando Nam Knights Homes For Our Troops fundraiser, MOH Sammy Davis tells the story of how he became known for playing Shenandoah. This fundraiser will be called the Dannis Wolf Bish Memorial fundraiser from now on. Dannis was killed right after the bike week party and Homes For Our Troops was his passion.
May 7, 2012
At the Orlando Nam Knights fundraiser for Homes For Our Troops, Vietnam Veteran and Medal of Honor hero Sammy Davis talked to me about what it was like coming home after all he'd been through. It is a story few have heard before. As Sammy put it, it is one of the reasons no other veteran will ever come home treated like that again.
May 8, 2012
Vietnam Medal of Honor Sammy Davis has a message to all the troops coming home. Talk about it! Don't try to forget it but you can make peace with it. Dixie Davis has a message for the spouses too. Help them to talk about it with you or with someone else.
Rick Scott Honored Fort Hood Soldiers from Florida
News Release: Governor's Press Office
December 8, 2014
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott honored Private First Class Justin Johnson from Punta Gorda, Florida and Staff Sergeant Patrick Zeigler from Orange County, Florida, who are expected to be awarded Purple Heart Medals for their bravery during the 2009 Fort Hood shooting.
President Obama is expected to sign legislation authorizing Purple Heart Medals for acts of heroism during the 2009 Fort Hood Shooting after passage of the bill in the US House and US Senate.
Governor Scott said, “Florida stands proudly as two Floridians – Private First Class Justin Johnson and Staff Sergeant Patrick Zeigler – are expected to be awarded the Purple Heart for their bravery during the 2009 Fort Hood Shooting. Both men sustained injuries in the massacre. As a veteran myself, I join all Floridians to express sincere gratitude to Justin and Patrick and their families today for their sacrifice.
“We also remember Sergeant Danny Ferguson, from Mulberry, Florida, who lost his life during the 2014 Fort Hood Shooting. The horrific acts that happened at Ft. Hood will forever be remembered by all Americans and we will continue to honor those who were injured, or killed, and their families.”
December 8, 2014
President Obama is expected to sign legislation authorizing Purple Heart Medals for acts of heroism during the 2009 Fort Hood Shooting after passage of the bill in the US House and US Senate.
Governor Scott said, “Florida stands proudly as two Floridians – Private First Class Justin Johnson and Staff Sergeant Patrick Zeigler – are expected to be awarded the Purple Heart for their bravery during the 2009 Fort Hood Shooting. Both men sustained injuries in the massacre. As a veteran myself, I join all Floridians to express sincere gratitude to Justin and Patrick and their families today for their sacrifice.
“We also remember Sergeant Danny Ferguson, from Mulberry, Florida, who lost his life during the 2014 Fort Hood Shooting. The horrific acts that happened at Ft. Hood will forever be remembered by all Americans and we will continue to honor those who were injured, or killed, and their families.”
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Robbers get lesson from disabled Vietnam veteran
Disabled vet thwarts home break-in, warns suspects not to return
Gaston Gazette
By Michael Barrett
Published: Friday, December 5, 2014
Sixty-eight-year-old Joseph Sapienza suspects the men who attempted to break into his Gastonia home Thursday night thought he would be an easy target because he’s disabled and uses a walker.
But after scaring away the would-be thieves, Sapienza taped a note to his door, in which he attempted to make it clear that his trigger finger works just fine.
“(If) you try to break in my house again, I will be waiting on you,” reads the note, which was still there Friday afternoon. “Enter at your own risk.”
Sapienza, a Marine Corps veteran who served four years in Vietnam, was watching television in his bed at 7:42 p.m. at his home on Davis Avenue. He heard someone prying off the lock and pulling the nails to the latch out of his front door.
read more here
Gaston Gazette
By Michael Barrett
Published: Friday, December 5, 2014
(Michael Barrett/The Gazette)
“Joseph Sapienza stands with his walker Friday afternoon by the front door of his Davis Avenue home, where two men reportedly tried to break in Thursday night. The 68-year-old disabled Marine taped a note to the door, visible at bottom right, warning the suspects not to try it again.”
Sixty-eight-year-old Joseph Sapienza suspects the men who attempted to break into his Gastonia home Thursday night thought he would be an easy target because he’s disabled and uses a walker.
But after scaring away the would-be thieves, Sapienza taped a note to his door, in which he attempted to make it clear that his trigger finger works just fine.
“(If) you try to break in my house again, I will be waiting on you,” reads the note, which was still there Friday afternoon. “Enter at your own risk.”
Sapienza, a Marine Corps veteran who served four years in Vietnam, was watching television in his bed at 7:42 p.m. at his home on Davis Avenue. He heard someone prying off the lock and pulling the nails to the latch out of his front door.
read more here
Clay Hunt Deserved Better Than This Suicide Prevention Bill
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 9, 2014
Some people are cheering this news, but I'm not.
I can't cheer for yet one more copy and paste bill with another name attached to it of a too short lived life. Clay Hunt deserved better than this. They all did.
Talking to family members I used to be able to tell them that things are changing and people will act. Now I can't tell them they will take action the right way. There have been far too many years of things like H.R.5059 - Clay Hunt SAV Act
It all sounds good but it all sounds so familiar.
Joshua Omvig's parents thought the bill congress passed in their son's name would make a difference too.
President Bush signed this bill because it was supposed to work. What it produced was more suicides among servicemembers and veterans. It didn't work yet it was followed by more and more bills the American public were told would work, followed by more and more money and more and more lives lost while everyone was patting themselves on the back for getting the bills passed and charities raking in millions a year while grieving families were wondering why their warrior had to die away from combat when they were supposed to be safe.
What the fuck are we doing? What kind of a game is being played? Is anyone paying attention?
Has anyone taken the time to find out why they are committing suicide? Anyone bother to take a serious look at what has been failing and who is responsible for all of it? Anyone interested in asking the right question so the next time they can actually get their heads out of their asses and do something that will actually help?
As of right now there are over 1,800 post on military suicide on Wounded Times. On August 14, 2007 the first post on military suicides was asking why the press wasn't on suicide watch. There are hundreds of their stories on the post. The next day the post about Army suicides being at a 26 year high went up.
The support this bill got was about the same as the Clay Hunt Bill but as you can see, had this bill worked the way we were all told it would, then would we need another bill all these years later? Would we need so many graves filled? Oh, let's not forget to wonder why the real news about older veterans being the majority of the suicides and attempted suicides seems to keep escaping the press mentioning it because if they remind folks then it would only go to show how much the people in charge suck at what they do.
If this helps them sleep at night, I don't give a shit. I haven't had a good nights sleep in years.
Here are a few more
Kathie Costos
December 9, 2014
Some people are cheering this news, but I'm not.
John Boehner Will Take Up Tim Walz's and Jeff Miller's Veteran Suicide Bill
Sunshine State News
By: KEVIN DERBY
December 9, 2014
As the end of the current congressional session nears, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, signaled on Monday that he is going to push a bill from a Florida Republican and two Northern Democrats increasing access to mental health services for veterans.
With reports showing more than 20 veterans a day committing suicide, U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., the chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Democrats U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota introduced the “Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act” over the summer. The bill increases mental health-care access for veterans through launching a peer support and community outreach pilot program, creating a one-stop website for veterans needing health care and mandating annual evaluations and assessments of VA suicide programs. The legislation has the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America (IAVA).
“The key to curbing the epidemic of veteran suicides is improving the accessibility and effectiveness of mental health-care available to our returning heroes,” Miller said back in July when the bill was introduced. “Over the past seven years, VA's mental health-care staff and budget have grown by nearly 40 percent, but the fact remains, veterans are still committing suicide at a frightening pace. This slow-motion national tragedy is likely to continue as long as the Department of Veterans Affairs sticks to its normal, business-as-usual approach of treating veterans where and how VA wants as opposed to where and how veterans want.
read more here
I can't cheer for yet one more copy and paste bill with another name attached to it of a too short lived life. Clay Hunt deserved better than this. They all did.
Talking to family members I used to be able to tell them that things are changing and people will act. Now I can't tell them they will take action the right way. There have been far too many years of things like H.R.5059 - Clay Hunt SAV Act
Official Title as Introduced:
To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for the conduct of annual evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention programs of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to review the terms or characterization of the discharge or separation of certain individuals from the Armed Forces, to require a pilot program on loan repayment for psychiatrists who agree to serve in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
It all sounds good but it all sounds so familiar.
Joshua Omvig's parents thought the bill congress passed in their son's name would make a difference too.
Text of the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act
This bill was introduced on June 27, 2007, in a previous session of Congress, but was not enacted. The text of the bill below is as of Jul 23, 2007 (Reported by Senate Committee).
Source: GPO
II
Calendar No. 279
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 479
Report No. 110–132
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 1, 2007
Mr. Harkin (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Rockefeller, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Smith, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Thune, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Schumer, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Reid, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Coleman, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Obama, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Dorgan, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Stevens, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Biden, and Mr. Enzi) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
July 23, 2007
Reported by Mr. Akaka, without amendment
A BILL
To reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.
1.Short title
This Act may be cited as the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act.
2.Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and
(2)the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should take into consideration the special needs of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in developing and implementing the comprehensive program required by section 3(a).
3.Comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans
(a)Program required
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop and implement a comprehensive program for reducing the incidence of suicide among veterans.
(b)Program elements
(1)De-stigmatizing mental health
The program required by subsection (a) shall include a national mental health campaign to increase awareness in the veteran community that mental health is essential to overall health and that very effective modern treatments can promote recovery from mental illness. The campaign may include the following:
(A)Activities targeted at veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and the families of such veterans.
(B)Monthly messages on the Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs that express the theme that mental health is essential to overall health.
(C)Inclusion of the theme described in subparagraph (B) in public addresses, speeches, and veterans service organization convention addresses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and other senior officials of the Department.
(2)Training of employees and other personnel
The program shall provide for mandatory training on suicide and suicide prevention for appropriate employees and contractor personnel (including all medical personnel) of the Department of Veterans Affairs who interact with veterans. Such training shall include information pertinent to the job of such employees and personnel, including information on the following:
(A)Recognition of risk factors for suicide.
(B)Protocols for responding to crisis situations involving veterans who may be at high risk for suicide.
(C)Best practices for suicide prevention.
(3)Family education and outreach
The program shall include programs of outreach to, and education for, veterans and families of veterans (including, in particular, veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and the families of such veterans) in order to assist the family members of veterans in—
(A)eliminating or overcoming stigmas associated with mental illness;
(B)understanding issues that arise in the readjustment of veterans to civilian life;
(C)identifying signs and symptoms of mental health problems; and
(D)encouraging veterans to seek assistance for such problems.
(4)Peer support program
(A)In general
The program shall provide support for the development of a program to enable veterans to serve as peer counselors to—
(i)assist other veterans with mental health issues; and
(ii)conduct outreach to veterans and families of veterans on mental health matters.
(B)Training
The program supported by subparagraph (A) shall include appropriate training for peer counselors under the program, including training in the identification of risk factors for suicide.
(C)Peer support counseling as supplemental service
The program supported by subparagraph (A) shall be offered in addition to other mental health services already offered by the Department and services created pursuant to this Act.
(5)Health assessments of veterans
The program shall encourage all veterans, when they apply for benefits provided by the Department, to undergo a mental health assessment at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility (including a center established under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code).
(6)Counseling and treatment of veterans
The program shall provide for referrals to appropriate counseling and treatment programs for veterans who show signs or symptoms of mental health problems.
(7)Suicide prevention counselors
The program shall provide for the designation of a suicide prevention counselor at each Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility other than centers established under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code. Each counselor shall work with local emergency rooms, law enforcement agencies, local mental health organizations, and veterans service organizations to engage in outreach to veterans to inform them of mental health services that are available to them and to improve the coordination of mental health care to veterans at the local level.
(8)Research on best practices
(A)In general
The program shall provide for research on best practices for suicide prevention among veterans.
(B)Steering committee
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop a steering committee to advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the research described in subparagraph (A). Such steering committee shall be comprised of representatives from the following:
(i)National Institute of Mental Health.
(ii)Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
(iii)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(9)Substance abuse treatment
The program shall provide for referrals to appropriate counseling and treatment programs of veterans who show signs or symptoms of substance abuse.
(10)24-hour mental health care
The program shall include mechanisms to ensure the availability of services for mental health care for veterans on a 24-hour basis.
(11)Telephone hotline
The program may include a toll-free telephone number (commonly referred to as an 800 number) through which veterans may obtain information on and referrals to appropriate mental health services. The telephone number shall be serviced by personnel with appropriate mental health training, and shall be operational at all times.
(12)Other elements
The program may provide for such other activities and programs to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers appropriate.
4.Report to Congress on suicide prevention programs and activities
(a)Report required
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the programs and activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.
(b)Elements
The report shall include the following:
(1)A description of the status of the implementation of the program required by section 3(a). (2)A description of the scheduled implementation of the program during the two-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, including the costs of implementation of the program over that period.
(3)A plan for additional programs and activities to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. (4)Such recommendations for additional legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate to improve and enhance the suicide prevention programs and activities of the Department. (c)Consultation
In developing the plan required by subsection (b)(3), the Secretary shall consult with the following:
(1)The National Institute of Mental Health.
(2)The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
(3)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 23, 2007
Reported without amendment
President Bush signed this bill because it was supposed to work. What it produced was more suicides among servicemembers and veterans. It didn't work yet it was followed by more and more bills the American public were told would work, followed by more and more money and more and more lives lost while everyone was patting themselves on the back for getting the bills passed and charities raking in millions a year while grieving families were wondering why their warrior had to die away from combat when they were supposed to be safe.
What the fuck are we doing? What kind of a game is being played? Is anyone paying attention?
Has anyone taken the time to find out why they are committing suicide? Anyone bother to take a serious look at what has been failing and who is responsible for all of it? Anyone interested in asking the right question so the next time they can actually get their heads out of their asses and do something that will actually help?
As of right now there are over 1,800 post on military suicide on Wounded Times. On August 14, 2007 the first post on military suicides was asking why the press wasn't on suicide watch. There are hundreds of their stories on the post. The next day the post about Army suicides being at a 26 year high went up.
The report, obtained by The Associated Press ahead of its scheduled release Thursday, found there were 99 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers during 2006, up from 88 the previous year and the highest since the 102 suicides in 1991 at the time of the Persian Gulf War.
The suicide rate for the Army has fluctuated over the past 26 years, from last year's high of 17.3 per 100,000 to a low of 9.1 per 100,000 in 2001.
Last year, "Iraq was the most common deployment location for both (suicides) and attempts," the report said.
The 99 suicides included 28 soldiers deployed to the two wars and 71 who weren't. About twice as many women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan committed suicide as did women not sent to war, the report said
The support this bill got was about the same as the Clay Hunt Bill but as you can see, had this bill worked the way we were all told it would, then would we need another bill all these years later? Would we need so many graves filled? Oh, let's not forget to wonder why the real news about older veterans being the majority of the suicides and attempted suicides seems to keep escaping the press mentioning it because if they remind folks then it would only go to show how much the people in charge suck at what they do.
If this helps them sleep at night, I don't give a shit. I haven't had a good nights sleep in years.
Here are a few more
Schumer backs Hall's bill for PTSD Veterans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2009
SCHUMER INTRODUCES GROUNDBREAKING VETERAN'S HEALTH BILL; WILL AFFECT OVER 150,000 IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETERANS WHO HAVE YET TO BE TREATED FOR POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
Study Finds One In Five Of Our Nation's Veterans Suffer From PTSD And Over Half Of Current Iraq And Afghanistan Soldiers Afflicted Have Gone Without Treatment
Stringent VA Policies Require Vets to Tie Post Traumatic Stress Disorder To Specific Incident Before Receiving Treatment
Schumer Introduces Legislation That Will Free Vets From Onerous "Burden Of Proof" Regulations, Help Treat the 1.8 Million Service Members Deployed Since 2001
Congressman Paul Hodes Introduces Suicide Prevention Legislation for Reservists and National Guard
June 11, 2009
Washington, DC--- Congressman Paul Hodes introduced legislation that would implement the Connect/Frameworks Suicide Post-vention Program which trains key service providers and community members to provide an integrated community response to reduce risk and promote healing in the aftermath of a suicide.
Effective post-vention is an essential component of suicide prevention, and the legislation recognizes that post-vention training should be incorporated into any comprehensive suicide prevention effort.
"It is tragic that our service members who sacrifice for our country don’t have all the necessary resources to deal with post traumatic stress and confront suicide prevention," Congressman Paul Hodes. "This program has proven successful for the New Hampshire National Guard and I believe it can be successful to prevent suicides for National Guard members and Reservists across the country."
The focus of the training is to create an integrated, coordinated community response that
(1) enhances collaboration and coordination to provide the most effective intervention
(2) assures outreach and prevention through rapid and comprehensive communication, including best
practices, safe messaging, appropriate memorial services, and media guidelines; and,
(3) engages resources to help survivors and the community with grieving and healing.
Soldier Suicides, An Epidemic We Must Defeat
By CONGRESSMAN JIM MCDERMOTT
August 1, 2012
Every day an active-duty member of our Armed Forces commits suicide.
To emphasize the silent, tragic epidemic that is sweeping across the U.S. military, consider this one statistic, which was brought to light in a recent TIME magazine article: “More U.S. military personnel have died by suicide since the war in Afghanistan began than have died fighting there.”
Let me rephrase that, just to make sure you understood the above statistic: Since the start of the Afghanistan war in 2001, there have been more soldier suicides than soldier combat deaths.
It’s not as though the Pentagon has been doing nothing on this issue. They have been working to address the epidemic of soldier suicides through research, by setting up hotlines, expanding outreach programs, and increasing access to mental health services.
Yet, we are still seeing a suicide per day.
Clearly, these efforts aren’t hitting their mark. Suicide is an extremely complex problem and we do not have all the answers, but one thing we do know is that the Pentagon must do better.
On July 19, with bipartisan support, I helped to increase the Pentagon’s suicide prevention budget by $10 million in the defense annual budget that passed the U.S. House. It is my hope that in moving forward, the Pentagon will consider two important changes when spending this part of their budget to ensure that the most effective suicide prevention strategies are carried out.
15 years as a combat flight medic, lost life to PTSD
A Redmond veteran's biggest battle is over
Family grieves loss of husband, father to suicide
KTVZ News
Kandra Kent
December 8, 2014
REDMOND, Ore.
It's a tough time of the year for military families who can't be with their loved ones. But for some families, it's what happens after they do come home that can have devastating consequences.
"This was our last family portrait," Redmond resident Erryn Fulton said recently, holding up a photo of smiling faces dressed in old-time outfits. "(My husband) was really looking forward to those Christmas dinners, where everyone hugged around the tree and ate stuffing and ham."
It's a holiday wish that won't come true, at least not with the whole family.
This Christmas will be tough.
"I loved him and I miss him so much," Fulton said tearfully. "I'm just trying to figure out what normal is, and how my kids are going to go on, because we'd planned this whole life together."
Shawn Fulton, 39, was a husband, a father of six, a Redmond resident, and an Army veteran. He survived multiple tours overseas; his last deployment was to Iraq.
He spent a total of 15 years as a combat flight medic, but what he couldn't survive was coming home.
"The war on his body and the war in his mind never left Iraq," Fulton said.
Shawn Fulton committed suicide three months ago, the end of his longest battle yet.
Erryn Fulton said after her husband was medically discharged in 2009, each day for him was a struggle with physical pain, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
read more here
Family grieves loss of husband, father to suicide
KTVZ News
Kandra Kent
December 8, 2014
REDMOND, Ore.
It's a tough time of the year for military families who can't be with their loved ones. But for some families, it's what happens after they do come home that can have devastating consequences.
"This was our last family portrait," Redmond resident Erryn Fulton said recently, holding up a photo of smiling faces dressed in old-time outfits. "(My husband) was really looking forward to those Christmas dinners, where everyone hugged around the tree and ate stuffing and ham."
It's a holiday wish that won't come true, at least not with the whole family.
This Christmas will be tough.
"I loved him and I miss him so much," Fulton said tearfully. "I'm just trying to figure out what normal is, and how my kids are going to go on, because we'd planned this whole life together."
Shawn Fulton, 39, was a husband, a father of six, a Redmond resident, and an Army veteran. He survived multiple tours overseas; his last deployment was to Iraq.
He spent a total of 15 years as a combat flight medic, but what he couldn't survive was coming home.
"The war on his body and the war in his mind never left Iraq," Fulton said.
Shawn Fulton committed suicide three months ago, the end of his longest battle yet.
Erryn Fulton said after her husband was medically discharged in 2009, each day for him was a struggle with physical pain, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
read more here
Naval Recruit Andrew Adams Died After Training
Naval recruit dies one day after completing training
"Recruit Andrew Adams, 20 years old, of Sarasota, Fla passed out and hit his head," said Lt. Matt Comer, spokesman for Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes.
UPI
By Danielle Haynes
Dec. 3, 2014
GREAT LAKES, Ill., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy is investigating the death of a 20-year-old recruit who died Monday one day after completing his training.
Andrew Adams was undergoing training at Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes at the time of his death.
"Recruit Andrew Adams, 20 years old, of Sarasota, Fla passed out and hit his head," said Lt. Matt Comer, spokesman for Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes. "His recruit division commander responded with first aid until medical personnel could arrive, but neither could not revive the recruit."
read more here
"Recruit Andrew Adams, 20 years old, of Sarasota, Fla passed out and hit his head," said Lt. Matt Comer, spokesman for Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes.
UPI
By Danielle Haynes
Dec. 3, 2014
Naval recruit Andrew Adams.
Photo courtesy the U.S. Navy.
GREAT LAKES, Ill., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy is investigating the death of a 20-year-old recruit who died Monday one day after completing his training.
Andrew Adams was undergoing training at Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes at the time of his death.
"Recruit Andrew Adams, 20 years old, of Sarasota, Fla passed out and hit his head," said Lt. Matt Comer, spokesman for Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes. "His recruit division commander responded with first aid until medical personnel could arrive, but neither could not revive the recruit."
read more here
Sailor Shot Breking Up Fight Doesn't Remember
U.S. Navy sailor doesn't remember being shot, mother says
Sun Sentinel
Wayne K Roustan
December 4, 2014
The U.S. Navy submariner who was shot in North Lauderdale on Thanksgiving is talking, his mother says, and the man accused of shooting him remains jailed without bond.
Sandra Adams, 51, said her critically wounded son Anthon Adams, 29, is off a ventilator but is in a great deal of pain since being shot three times outside her apartment.
"He doesn't remember what happened," she said. "He doesn't remember Thanksgiving dinner. He doesn't remember picking up his daughters and coming by my [home]."
Terrance Jolly, 24, is accused of shooting Anthon Adams, who was trying to break up a fight between his brother Andrew Adams, 23, and Jolly, according to the arrest report filed in the case.
"[Anthon] does remember something happened to his brother, but he doesn't remember what happened really," she said.
read more here
Sun Sentinel
Wayne K Roustan
December 4, 2014
The U.S. Navy submariner who was shot in North Lauderdale on Thanksgiving is talking, his mother says, and the man accused of shooting him remains jailed without bond.
Sandra Adams, 51, said her critically wounded son Anthon Adams, 29, is off a ventilator but is in a great deal of pain since being shot three times outside her apartment.
"He doesn't remember what happened," she said. "He doesn't remember Thanksgiving dinner. He doesn't remember picking up his daughters and coming by my [home]."
Terrance Jolly, 24, is accused of shooting Anthon Adams, who was trying to break up a fight between his brother Andrew Adams, 23, and Jolly, according to the arrest report filed in the case.
"[Anthon] does remember something happened to his brother, but he doesn't remember what happened really," she said.
read more here
Monday, December 8, 2014
Florida: Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe Actions Worthy of Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor campaign continues for sergeant who saved troops in Iraq
Los Angeles Times
By David Zucchino
Published: December 7, 2014
LOS ANGELES (Tribune News Service) — If he had known in 2005 what he knows today, Brig. Gen. Gary Brito would have nominated Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe for the Medal of Honor.
Brito knew in 2005 that Cashe, his uniform soaked with fuel, had plunged into a burning vehicle in Iraq on Oct. 17, 2005, to rescue soldiers who were on fire. But only months later did Brito, Cashe's battalion commander, learn the full details of Cashe's courage that day outside the city of Samarra.
Cashe rescued six badly burned soldiers while under enemy small-arms fire. His own uniform caught fire, engulfing him in flames. Even with second- and-third degree burns over three-fourths of his body, Cashe continue to pull soldiers out of a vehicle set ablaze when a roadside bomb ruptured a fuel tank.
Before all of those details emerged, Cashe was awarded a Silver Star, the military's third-highest award for valor, after Brito nominated him. But soon after learning more about Cashe's actions, Brito mounted an unusual Medal of Honor campaign that has continued for more than seven years.
If the latest batch of sworn statements submitted to the Army by Brito is successful, Cashe will become the first African American among 16 service members awarded the nation's highest medal for valor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. Cashe, 35, died of his burns three weeks after the bomb attack. Seven of the 16 medals have been awarded posthumously.
"You don't often find truly selfless sacrifice where someone put his soldiers' welfare before his own," Brito said. "Sgt. Cashe was horribly wounded and continued to fight to save his men."
read more here
Article from Orlando Sentinel in July
Los Angeles Times
By David Zucchino
Published: December 7, 2014
 |
Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe
COURTESY OF KASINAL CASHE WHITE
|
Brito knew in 2005 that Cashe, his uniform soaked with fuel, had plunged into a burning vehicle in Iraq on Oct. 17, 2005, to rescue soldiers who were on fire. But only months later did Brito, Cashe's battalion commander, learn the full details of Cashe's courage that day outside the city of Samarra.
Cashe rescued six badly burned soldiers while under enemy small-arms fire. His own uniform caught fire, engulfing him in flames. Even with second- and-third degree burns over three-fourths of his body, Cashe continue to pull soldiers out of a vehicle set ablaze when a roadside bomb ruptured a fuel tank.
Before all of those details emerged, Cashe was awarded a Silver Star, the military's third-highest award for valor, after Brito nominated him. But soon after learning more about Cashe's actions, Brito mounted an unusual Medal of Honor campaign that has continued for more than seven years.
If the latest batch of sworn statements submitted to the Army by Brito is successful, Cashe will become the first African American among 16 service members awarded the nation's highest medal for valor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. Cashe, 35, died of his burns three weeks after the bomb attack. Seven of the 16 medals have been awarded posthumously.
"You don't often find truly selfless sacrifice where someone put his soldiers' welfare before his own," Brito said. "Sgt. Cashe was horribly wounded and continued to fight to save his men."
read more here
Article from Orlando Sentinel in July
Friends, family gather as Army names Reserve Center after fallen hero
By Susan Jacobson
Orlando Sentinel
Published: July 20, 2014
SANFORD, Fla. — Gary Mills owes his life to the late Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe.
Mills was one of half a dozen soldiers whom Cashe pulled from a burning Bradley Fighting Vehicle after a roadside bomb hit it in Iraq on Oct. 17, 2005.
Badly burned over most of his body, Cashe died Nov. 9, 2005.
But his name will live on in Sanford, where Mills joined dozens of Cashe's fellow soldiers, friends, family and dignitaries at a ceremony Saturday naming the new U.S. Army Reserve Center after the fallen hero.
"It's long overdue," Mills, 34, of Jacksonville said of the recognition.
On the lawn of the 31,030-square-foot training building near Orlando Sanford International Airport, speakers praised Cashe's bravery, selflessness and dedication and read proclamations from Gov. Rick Scott and Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett recognizing Cashe's sacrifice.
Representatives of Sens. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, also paid their respects.
Two of Cashe's brothers and a sister -- he comes from a blended family of 18 siblings -- spoke of his impeccable character and remembered his love of hunting and fishing.
Cashe joined the Army immediately after graduating from Oviedo High School in 1988. He had deployed to Iraq once before during Operation Iraqi Freedom and had previously served in Bosnia and the first Gulf War.
When he died at 35, Cashe left a wife and three children in addition to his mother, siblings and a large extended family.
read more here
PTSD on trial and the story upside down
It is really odd how people can read the same article but come away with different points of view. Take this one about an Iraq veteran facing charges for shooting a police officer.
This is the headline Iraq war vet indicted for shooting Athens police officer But twisting the story around, pulling the bottom of the article to the top, it raises important points that could very well be missed if you stopped reading after the beginning.
By the time you read that part, you knew that he was a dealing with PTSD and the VA offered to help.
This is the headline Iraq war vet indicted for shooting Athens police officer But twisting the story around, pulling the bottom of the article to the top, it raises important points that could very well be missed if you stopped reading after the beginning.
Defense attorney Edward Tolley noted in one of the motions that Marcantonio was involved in numerous fire fights during his deployment in Iraq, and in 2006 he suffered a severe brain injury when an armored vehicle he was in was struck by an artillery shell. He suffers from PTSD, Tolley noted. Tolley said that if granted bond, Veteran Affairs has offered to accept Marcantonio with an ankle monitor while he is provided with in-patient mental health services. The attorney also argued that Marcantonio was honorably discharged from the Marines and had no prior criminal record. The lance corporal was awarded the Purple Heart and other medals and commendations for his service in Iraq.Now read what the beginning of the article had.
James Michael Marcantonio, 28, is a decorated combat veteran of the Iraq war who suffers from post traumatic stress syndrome that possibly triggered the altercation in which the officer was shot, according to court filings by his defense attorney. On Nov. 25, grand jurors filed an indictment in Clarke County Superior Court charging the former U.S. Marine with aggravated assault against a police officer, aggravated battery, attempted removal of a firearm from a public official, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer. The injured officer was one of two who responded on Aug. 31 to Fairways at Jennings Mill apartments on a woman’s report that Marcantonio was banging on her door and trying to get inside, according to police.
By the time you read that part, you knew that he was a dealing with PTSD and the VA offered to help.
Green Bay Packers Honors Solder Who Saved Lives on Multiple Deployments
Soldier whose work saves lives in Lambeau spotlight tonight
Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
By Meg Jones
December 8, 2014
Green Bay — Lt. Col. Patrick Stamm was an Air Force brat who spent his four years of high school in four different schools as his fighter pilot father moved the family from base to base.
One of those stops was Markesan High School, west of Fond du Lac, where he spent his sophomore year.
His father, who was born in Milwaukee and grew up in Markesan, instilled in him a love for America and the Green Bay Packers. Stamm remembers watching the Packers play at Milwaukee's County Stadium and catching a game in San Diego.
Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
By Meg Jones
December 8, 2014
Family photo
Lt. Col. Patrick Stamm (center) is seen in Iraq in 2009. He’ll attend Monday night's Packers game at Lambeau Field through Operation Fan Mail.
Green Bay — Lt. Col. Patrick Stamm was an Air Force brat who spent his four years of high school in four different schools as his fighter pilot father moved the family from base to base.
One of those stops was Markesan High School, west of Fond du Lac, where he spent his sophomore year.
His father, who was born in Milwaukee and grew up in Markesan, instilled in him a love for America and the Green Bay Packers. Stamm remembers watching the Packers play at Milwaukee's County Stadium and catching a game in San Diego.
Most Operation Fan Mail recipients are nominated by family or friends.
Stamm, however, was nominated by his battalion commander in Afghanistan. Col. Patrick Kelly, who became a lifelong Packers fan after watching the Ice Bowl on television from the Bronx as a 7-year-old, had attended a game in 2012 through Operation Fan Mail. He wanted to pass the thrill on to Stamm.
read more here
Navy Cross Vietnam Veteran Turned Down by VA?
Vegas Navy Cross recipient shot down by VA benefits office
Las Vegas Review Journal
Keith Rogers
Posted December 6, 2014
Vietnam War veteran Steve Lowery has the scars, the medals and his Marine Corps medical records to prove he was wounded when his 12-man reconnaissance team was attacked on March 5, 1969.
“We were nearly wiped out and overcome,” said the Las Vegas resident, recounting the firefight in the darkness atop Hill 1308 that left three of his buddies dead and seven wounded including him.
One who was killed, Pfc. Robert H. Jenkins Jr., was awarded the Medal of Honor for saving Fred Ostrom’s life by shielding him from an exploding grenade. Others received Silver and Bronze Stars for their bravery.
Lowery, the team leader and a 1964 graduate of Rancho High School, was awarded the Navy Cross, the nation’s second highest valor award.
That makes him among the most highly decorated veterans from Las Vegas, but he doesn’t expect to be treated any differently than other veterans who have served their country honorably.
“I wear this on behalf of the other 11 who were with me,” he said last week about the Navy Cross, which has a citation that reads: “For extraordinary heroism … Corporal Lowery was seriously wounded in both legs by the intense enemy fire.
“Steadfastly remaining in his hazardous position, he boldly delivered accurate return fire and hurled grenades at the advancing enemy … killing several of the enemy and causing the others to retreat.”
Yet in the eyes of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the bullet from an AK-47 that ripped through his thighs and shrapnel from a “Chi-Com” — Chinese Communist — grenade that pierced his right knee were not related to his military service.
Nor was the neck injury he suffered near the end of his career when a moving van rear-ended his car when he was stopped at a light while on active duty in Hawaii.
That’s what the letter says from the VA Benefits Regional Office in Reno that rejected his claim for service-connected compensation.
“We determined that the following condition is not related to your military service,” reads the Aug. 1, 2011, letter from “A. Bittler,” veterans service center manager. “Gunshot wound to left thigh; neck condition; shrapnel, right knee; gunshot wound, right thigh.”
read more here
Las Vegas Review Journal
Keith Rogers
Posted December 6, 2014
Vietnam War veteran Steve Lowery has the scars, the medals and his Marine Corps medical records to prove he was wounded when his 12-man reconnaissance team was attacked on March 5, 1969.
“We were nearly wiped out and overcome,” said the Las Vegas resident, recounting the firefight in the darkness atop Hill 1308 that left three of his buddies dead and seven wounded including him.
One who was killed, Pfc. Robert H. Jenkins Jr., was awarded the Medal of Honor for saving Fred Ostrom’s life by shielding him from an exploding grenade. Others received Silver and Bronze Stars for their bravery.
Lowery, the team leader and a 1964 graduate of Rancho High School, was awarded the Navy Cross, the nation’s second highest valor award.
That makes him among the most highly decorated veterans from Las Vegas, but he doesn’t expect to be treated any differently than other veterans who have served their country honorably.
“I wear this on behalf of the other 11 who were with me,” he said last week about the Navy Cross, which has a citation that reads: “For extraordinary heroism … Corporal Lowery was seriously wounded in both legs by the intense enemy fire.
“Steadfastly remaining in his hazardous position, he boldly delivered accurate return fire and hurled grenades at the advancing enemy … killing several of the enemy and causing the others to retreat.”
Yet in the eyes of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the bullet from an AK-47 that ripped through his thighs and shrapnel from a “Chi-Com” — Chinese Communist — grenade that pierced his right knee were not related to his military service.
Nor was the neck injury he suffered near the end of his career when a moving van rear-ended his car when he was stopped at a light while on active duty in Hawaii.
That’s what the letter says from the VA Benefits Regional Office in Reno that rejected his claim for service-connected compensation.
“We determined that the following condition is not related to your military service,” reads the Aug. 1, 2011, letter from “A. Bittler,” veterans service center manager. “Gunshot wound to left thigh; neck condition; shrapnel, right knee; gunshot wound, right thigh.”
read more here
Dying Vietnam Veteran Wed in Hospital Room Has to Pay Back Thousands?
VA delay triggers $6,324 bill for dying veteran who got married
Veterans Affairs wants a Gold Bar couple to repay more than $6,000 in pension overpayments, caused by the VA’s paperwork backlog.
Seattle Times
By Hal Bernton
Seattle Times staff reporter
December 3, 2014
GOLD BAR, Snohomish County — When Rob Arthur was diagnosed with brain cancer back in January, the gaunt, gray-haired Vietnam veteran decided to wed his longtime girlfriend, Debbie Shafer, in a hospital room.
The marriage has been a source of comfort for this couple as they face the challenges of an unforgiving disease, deemed terminal, in a trailer home set by the steep flanks of the North Cascade mountains.
It also has been a big source of stress in their dealings with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Last summer, the VA ruled that Arthur — his earnings boosted by his wife’s wages as a nurse’s aide — was no longer eligible for an income-based pension and would have to repay $6,324 in checks mailed out during the more than six months that the department took to make this decision.
“They are mental abusers right now, is the way I look at it,” Shafer said. “And that’s not a kind way to look at your government. We got knocked down, and now they are stomping on us. We don’t have the money to pay them.”
These overpayments are more fallout from the troubled VA’s inability to keep up with a massive caseload of veterans who turn to the department for benefits. These delays sometimes can create major financial problems for the veterans by sticking them with unexpected bills to repay checks they should not have received.
“It can be an incredible hardship,” said Amy Fairweather, a policy director at San Francisco-based Swords to Plowshares, a nonprofit veterans service organization. “The onus should be on the VA to take care of these matters and not to go after destitute or low-income veterans to pay back pensions.”
VA officials say their actions are guided by federal law.
read more here
Veterans Affairs wants a Gold Bar couple to repay more than $6,000 in pension overpayments, caused by the VA’s paperwork backlog.
Seattle Times
By Hal Bernton
Seattle Times staff reporter
December 3, 2014
STEVE RINGMAN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Debbie Shafer takes care of her husband, Rob Arthur, who is terminally ill with brain cancer, in their Gold Bar mobile home.
GOLD BAR, Snohomish County — When Rob Arthur was diagnosed with brain cancer back in January, the gaunt, gray-haired Vietnam veteran decided to wed his longtime girlfriend, Debbie Shafer, in a hospital room.
The marriage has been a source of comfort for this couple as they face the challenges of an unforgiving disease, deemed terminal, in a trailer home set by the steep flanks of the North Cascade mountains.
It also has been a big source of stress in their dealings with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Last summer, the VA ruled that Arthur — his earnings boosted by his wife’s wages as a nurse’s aide — was no longer eligible for an income-based pension and would have to repay $6,324 in checks mailed out during the more than six months that the department took to make this decision.
“They are mental abusers right now, is the way I look at it,” Shafer said. “And that’s not a kind way to look at your government. We got knocked down, and now they are stomping on us. We don’t have the money to pay them.”
These overpayments are more fallout from the troubled VA’s inability to keep up with a massive caseload of veterans who turn to the department for benefits. These delays sometimes can create major financial problems for the veterans by sticking them with unexpected bills to repay checks they should not have received.
“It can be an incredible hardship,” said Amy Fairweather, a policy director at San Francisco-based Swords to Plowshares, a nonprofit veterans service organization. “The onus should be on the VA to take care of these matters and not to go after destitute or low-income veterans to pay back pensions.”
VA officials say their actions are guided by federal law.
read more here
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Army Specialist Joseph Riley Laid to Rest
Fallen Grove City Soldier Laid To Rest
WBNS News
December 6, 2014
GROVE CITY, Ohio- Family and friends gathered at the First Baptist Church in Grove City Saturday to say goodbye to Army Specialist Joseph Riley.
The Grove City native died November 24th in Afghanistan after a bomb attached to a bike exploded near his military convoy.
Sandy Garverick and her husband Howard attended the same church with Riley and his family.
The couple knew Joey as a youngster and called him a very special person.
“He loved the military,” said Garverick. “He loved serving his country and this is what he wanted to do. He always knew that his life could be taken."
Her husband said, "We need to thank him for what he did. He laid his life on the line. He gave his life. I think it takes a lot to do that. The bible says that you lay your life on the line for another person there's no greater love than that.”
read more here
WBNS News
December 6, 2014
GROVE CITY, Ohio- Family and friends gathered at the First Baptist Church in Grove City Saturday to say goodbye to Army Specialist Joseph Riley.
The Grove City native died November 24th in Afghanistan after a bomb attached to a bike exploded near his military convoy.
Sandy Garverick and her husband Howard attended the same church with Riley and his family.
The couple knew Joey as a youngster and called him a very special person.
“He loved the military,” said Garverick. “He loved serving his country and this is what he wanted to do. He always knew that his life could be taken."
Her husband said, "We need to thank him for what he did. He laid his life on the line. He gave his life. I think it takes a lot to do that. The bible says that you lay your life on the line for another person there's no greater love than that.”
read more here
Thousands of Bikers Instead of Reindeer in Florida
Motorcycle Toy Run rumbles down U.S. 1 today
FLORIDA TODAY
J.D. Gallop
December 7, 2014
Thousands of bikers will rumble across the Space Coast on Sunday for a toy run to benefit children for Christmas.
Forget the silver bells, for a weekend: the roaring engines of several hundred motorcycles may be the true sound of the season for children hoping for a gift this Christmas.
Sunday, thousands of bikers - including many dressed in the familiar red and white winter garb worn by Santa Claus - will rumble across the Space Coast as part of the 33rd Annual ABATE Motorcycle Toy Run to bring several truckloads of toys to be distributed this holiday season.
"It's a great event. And for a short period of time our traffic will be affected so we're asking the public to be aware and to plan accordingly," said Cpl. David Jacobs, spokesman for the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
The procession of motorcycles - organized by the ABATE of Florida, Brevard County chapter - will mean heavy traffic along some of Brevard County's most heavily traveled roadways, including U.S. 1. The group will also have Santa Claus as the grand marshal.
read more here
Raw video: ABATE Toy Run 2014
Florida Today
FLORIDA TODAY
J.D. Gallop
December 7, 2014
Thousands of bikers will rumble across the Space Coast on Sunday for a toy run to benefit children for Christmas.
Thousands of motorcyclists joined the ABATE of Florida Brevard County Chapter’s 32nd annual Toy Run last year. Traffic officials said motorists should plan ahead to avoid delays this Sunday’s Toy Run procession along U.S. 1.
(Photo: CRAIG RUBADOUX/FLORIDA TODAY)
Forget the silver bells, for a weekend: the roaring engines of several hundred motorcycles may be the true sound of the season for children hoping for a gift this Christmas.
Sunday, thousands of bikers - including many dressed in the familiar red and white winter garb worn by Santa Claus - will rumble across the Space Coast as part of the 33rd Annual ABATE Motorcycle Toy Run to bring several truckloads of toys to be distributed this holiday season.
"It's a great event. And for a short period of time our traffic will be affected so we're asking the public to be aware and to plan accordingly," said Cpl. David Jacobs, spokesman for the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
The procession of motorcycles - organized by the ABATE of Florida, Brevard County chapter - will mean heavy traffic along some of Brevard County's most heavily traveled roadways, including U.S. 1. The group will also have Santa Claus as the grand marshal.
read more here
Raw video: ABATE Toy Run 2014
Florida Today
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