Marine Corps Staff Sgt. David Wyatt's Family Comforted by Community

Multitudes gather to mourn and honor fallen Marine Staff Sgt. David Wyatt
Times Free Press
by Tyler Jett
July 25th, 2015

(The turnout for the funeral) took our breath away. Chattanooga has touched us. Dawne Trent, sister of David Wyatt

United States Marines carry the casket of U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. David Wyatt out of Hixson United Methodist Church after his funeral service Friday, July 24, 2015, in Hixson, Tenn. Staff Sgt. Wyatt was killed in the July, 16 shootings at the Naval Operational Support Center and Marine Corps Reserve Center on Amnicola Highway which left five dead, including shooter Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez, and a Chattanooga police officer wounded.
Photo by Doug Strickland /Times Free Press.

Seven men in crisp uniforms walked into the church, six gripping the casket handles, one leading them out front.

The Marines in Mike Battery had drilled for a moment like this, the way they drill through even the most mundane details of their jobs. Their expressions were practiced. Their steps in sync.

Mike Battery was accustomed to the ceremony of military funerals. Often, they attend the memorials of veterans, men who fought in old wars and died of old age.

But on Friday, the Marines carried the casket, draped in the American flag, for one of their own. Staff Sgt. David Allen Wyatt, 35, was one of five military servicemen who died on July 16, when the FBI says a 24-year-old Muslim from Hixson attacked the U.S. Naval and Marine Reserve Center with a handgun and an assault rifle.

But, Shell told her, "the impact has gone far beyond the bounds of your family. July 16 has impacted this community in ways it may not have been impacted since 9/11."
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Marines: Thanks But No Thanks to Armed Civilians

Marine recruiters told to call the cops if armed citizens show up
Marine Corps Times
By Hope Hodge Seck, Staff writer
July 23, 2015

Marines were also instructed to call the relevant Army Corps of Engineers representative to notify the lessor of the recruiting office property of the presence of the armed individuals.

After four Marines and a sailor were killed by a lone gunman last week, armed civilians have volunteered to stand guard at military recruiting stations around the country — but troops are being warned to keep their distance and alert law enforcement of their presence.

In a memo published Tuesday that was obtained by Marine Corps Times, Lt. Gen. Mark Brilakis, the head of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, advised troops not to support the "armed citizen" volunteers in any way.

"These citizens' presence, while well intentioned, will be counterproductive to our recruiting operations," Brilakis wrote.

Maj. Garron Garn, a spokesman for MCRC, confirmed the authenticity of the memo.
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Marine recruiter shot in Chattanooga is back at work
Marine Corps Times
By James K. Sanborn, Staff writer
July 23, 2015

At first, Marine recruiter Sgt. DeMonte Cheeley thought a firecracker had gone off. But after a short pause, multiple bullets fragmented the front windows of his recruiting office in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it became apparent that his office was under deadly attack.

The motor transport operator who had been on recruiting duty for just a month and a half when Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez opened fire at about 10:45 a.m. on July 16. Cheeley, one of six troops shot that day, was sitting on a couch near the front of his office.

“From the position I was in, I could see him, but I didn’t look directly out the door,” he said. “The immediate response was to get up and head towards the back office. After the first initial shot there the rounds were continuous.”
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When Folks Forget She Served Too!

Over the years I've heard it all. Or, so I thought until I started spending more time with female veterans. How many times has a male veteran been thanked for serving standing right by the side of a female veteran totally ignored? It happens all the time when folks forget She Served Too!

On August 8, 2015 at 9:00 am we're going to do something about that. If you are in the Orlando area come to VFW Post 4287. We're doing a video/photo shoot with male and female veterans. Wear a black T-shirt. If it has a military or veteran graphic that is fine otherwise we don't want to see anything that does not tie into service. You can wear your hats and anything else you want to but it has to be a black T-shirt.

For more information email woundedtimes@aol.com or call 407-754-7526.

VFW A.E.M Post 4287
3500 S. Goldenrod Rd.
Orlando, Fl 32822

Just as a reminder of military women here are some things that do not get enough attention.

Inside the military program that put women in combat New York Post

Army Veteran, Paralympian Encourages Wounded Warriors

Department of Defense

Women in the U.S. Army

March 24, 2014 | Fred Hermstein

Women in the U.S. Army
From the American Revolutionary War to the present recent overseas contingency operations, women have served a vital role in the U.S. Army. Ever since Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley ("Molly Pitcher") replaced her husband when he collapsed at his cannon, women have continually proven that the narrow stereotype, limiting their choice of occupation, was wrong. As women expanded into different roles in the U.S. Army, it was clear that the heart of a warrior was not limited to one gender.

U.Va. student project aims to allow women in combat

Four University of Virginia law school students - assisted by a professor and a high-flying law school alum - are gearing up to fight for the right of women to serve in combat, and they're interested in finding women in the military who want to join them.

Their effort, dubbed The Molly Pitcher Project, seeks to end military policies that categorically bar women from serving in units engaging in direct ground combat. The project takes its name from the woman who took over loading and firing a cannon after her husband fell ill during a Revolutionary War battle.

Who was Molly Pitcher?

Molly Pitcher, From Wikipedia,

Molly Pitcher was born Mary Ludwig circa October 13, 1754, near Trenton, New Jersey. During the American Revolutionary War's Battle of Monmouth, she carried pitchers of water to soldiers, thereby earning her nickname. After her husband collapsed during the battle, she took over the operation of his cannon. Honored in 1822 for her bravery, she died in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on January 22, 1832.

Veteran With PTSD Service Dog Unwelcomed At Wal-Mart?

UPDATE
Wal-Mart disputes veteran’s claim of ill treatment in store

“Service animals are welcome inside our stores,” Wal-Mart, headquartered in Bentonville, Ark., said in an emailed statement to the Herald. “After looking into the details of this situation including reviewing surveillance video and statements from associates, we’ve determined that our associate attempted to ask the customer about his dog and the customer immediately began verbally accosting both our associate and a member of management who attempted to assist. The customer treated our associates with disrespect including the use of profane language and was asked to leave the property or law enforcement would be called.” Wal-Mart declined to share the video clip with the Herald.

Vet says local Wal-Mart kicked him out over service dog issue
Killeen Daily Herald
Jacob Brooks Herald staff writer
July 25, 2015 4:30 am

Alvarado said he was very surprised by the situation. He had gone to that Wal-Mart many times before with his service dog and never had a problem.

HARKER HEIGHTS — An Army combat veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder said he was forced out of the Harker Heights Wal-Mart Supercenter earlier this month after a store employee demanded to see paperwork for the service dog he had with him.

Dave Alvarado, 39, went to the retail store to buy a few items July 10, right after he finished a counseling session for his PTSD, which he said he developed during two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

When Alvarado, a Nolanville resident, entered the store with his PTSD service dog — a female red healer named Lil’ Bit — he was confronted by the Wal-Mart greeter.

“She physically stepped in front of me and said I couldn’t come in unless I showed a certificate showing it was a service dog,” he said. Lil’ Bit, who weighs about 50 pounds, was wearing her service dog vest, which says “Service Dog” on one side and “Ask to Pet” on the other.
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PTSD Vietnam Veteran In Jail Instead of Treatment?

Veteran With PTSD Jailed Twice In 2 Days: Family Says He Needs Help, Not Jail
WHO 13 News Iowa
BY AARON BRILBECK
JULY 23, 2015

The family says they recently tried to have Schutty committed, but because of a lack of mental health options in Iowa they have been turned away time and time again. They say he doesn’t belong in a jail cell.

NEWTON, Iowa — 68-year old John Schutty of Newton was arrested twice in two days on assault and weapons charges. The first time, Tuesday, police say he chased a woman in his Hummer along Highway Six and forced her into this parking lot.

When police arrived he told them that, as a Vietnam vet he was obligated “Take care of drug dealers” and that “There are people who kill for money and people who kill for fun, but a ranger does both and that’s what he is.”

Despite the threat, Schutty was released from jail, and the very next day showed up at a Git N Go gas station; and he was armed. “They had problems with the prepay and my employee went out to help him.” manager Misty Wooters said, “And he noticed the gun on the bumper with the safety off.”

Schutty, according to police, then went inside. “The guy threatened to shoot people.” Wooters said,”It was a disaster.”

Schutty is in jail, but his family says that’s not where he belongs. They say Schutty is a Vietnam Veteran who struggles with PTSD. He’s been treated for the disorder, but as he gets older, they say, his demons get stronger.
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