Vietnam Veteran Committed Suicide in Bay Pines Parking Lot

Suicide at Bay Pines shows pain among older veterans
Tampa Tribune
By Howard Altman

Published: August 26, 2015

Ever since leaving the battlefields of Vietnam in 1968, Marine veteran Gerhard Reitmann struggled with the horrific memories of the things he did and saw.

“It was a rough one,” said his brother, Stephan Reitmann. “Emotionally, it did a number on his mind.”

Gerhard Reitmann had trouble holding a job. He often kept to himself and, until recently, cut himself off even from his family.

On Tuesday, Reitmann’s struggle ended.

The man who once served as a guard at Camp David during the term of President Richard Nixon apparently took his own life while parked in his car on the southeast side of the sprawling Bay Pines VA campus shortly after noon, according to officials from Bay Pines and the Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner’s Office.

It was near Building 37, which houses the hospital system’s human resources, environmental management and inspector general’s offices.

Bay Pines police are investigating,

Reitmann, of St. Petersburg, was 66.

Stephan Reitmann and Aurin moved to St. Petersburg about five months ago from Ohio.

“My partner and I both retired. We were sick of cold and had my brother down here. We were getting the relationship back together.”

Reitmann “was really obsessed with his heath,” Aurin said. “Last month, he thought something was really wrong with him. But his doctors at the VA said he was as healthy as a horse.”

Still, Reitmann was having “a lot of anxiety,” Aurin said.

Last week, Reitmann’s VA doctor increased his anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications, Aurin said.

“They said to up his medications a little bit, but it was not helping him,” Aurin said.

“That’s all we know.”

About a week ago, Reitmann’s brother made a pact.

“Stephan would call his brother every day,” Aurin said. “It made him feel better.”

Just hours before killing himself, Reitmann “got a little out of his routine,” Aurin said. “He actually called Stephan first. He said, ‘I wanted to call you first, and let you know that everything is good.’”

The conversation, said Aurin, “was light and fluffy.”

“One hour later, he was in the parking lot at the veterans hospital,” she said.
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Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan Ready to Ram

The rookie is a veteran: Aspiring Ram Daniel Rodriguez is battle tested
LA Times
By SAM FARMER
August 26, 2016

Rodriguez is no ordinary undrafted rookie. He is an Army veteran who served separate tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was wounded in the Battle of Kamdesh, among the bloodiest firefights in the war, and was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal with valor device for his actions that day.

St. Louis Rams wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez takes part in a drill during training camp at the NFL football team's practice facility on Tuesday. (Jeff Roberson / AP)

It was impulsive. It was foolhardy. It made no football sense.

Yet Jeff Fisher couldn't help but smile.

The St. Louis Rams coach didn't slam his headset to the ground when rookie Daniel Rodriguez fielded that kickoff nine yards deep in the end zone and, instead of taking the obvious touchback, decided to run it out. Fisher only smiled.

"I was thinking, 'Just let him return it,'" Fisher said. "He's savoring every moment."

First of all, it was only an exhibition game at Oakland. But more important, Rodriguez deserved his moment in the spotlight. OK, so it was miraculous that the 5-foot-8, 180-pound returner was able to get the ball to the 15, but his story is all about miracles anyway.
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New Port Richey Martial Arts Class Free For Veterans

Lightning-fast martial art draws in students in NPR
The Suncoast News
BY KELLY S. KELLY
Special to The Suncoast News
Published: August 26, 2015

NEW PORT RICHEY — In a blur of motion, combatants at Gulfcoast FCS Kali clash with sticks and knives in a weapons-based tribal martial arts system called Filipino Combat Systems — or FCS Kali.

The system, used by military teams around the world, was developed by Tuhon Ray Dionaldo, one of the most sought-after weapons experts in 96 countries.

Owner Ray Norton has worked in FCS Kali for five years, two years in his current location. He’s been in martial arts most of his life and also currently is employed as a fireman.

“We have professional men and women — doctors, lawyers, military and ex-military — participating,” Norton said. “It makes no difference if you have a background in martial arts or none at all. At Gulfcoast FCS Kali, everyone starts over. If you come off the street you will be struggling right alongside someone with 20 years of martial arts. It takes time.”

Norton says that the combat system is recognizable from the popular Jason Bourne movies. It’s a style that uses sticks, knives, broomstick, lamps or anything in your hand.

“Classes are free to combat veterans and those who have served in support of combat operations,” said Norton. “The system helps tremendously with post traumatic stress disorder. Some veterans are older, have been out of combat for a while, are injured or cannot do it anymore. FCS Kali becomes a connection back to what they’re used to doing.”
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Veterans "thrown to the wolves" Memphis VA Medical Center

‘We’re left to the wolves’: Videos allegedly show Memphis VA leaving disabled vets unattended
FOX News
August 26, 2015

Video footage allegedly showing veterans -- many of whom are quadriplegics or paraplegics -- being left unattended at a Memphis Veterans Affairs hospital during staff meetings is reviving concerns about how VA hospitals treat American servicemembers.

The videos, first reported by Communities Digital News (CDN) and said to be filmed at the Memphis VA Medical Center, show patients being left alone for about 30-45 minutes each evening during a staff meeting attended by all hospital staff, whistleblower and former Memphis VA employee Sean Higgins told FoxNews.com.

Higgins said the videos, filmed by a close friend of his, show a breach of hospital policy, which dictates that even during meetings, there should be a nurse at the nurse’s station. He said the videos all show the spinal injury ward, which contains quadriplegics and paraplegics.
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When you watch this video, think about the fact this is a hospital. There is no one there. No nurses. No doctors. There are patients, but there are no visitors. I have never, ever seen anything like this in my life. I've been to plenty of VA hospitals, civilian hospitals and several nursing homes. The only time I ever saw anything like this was at the Lake Nona VA hospital during a tour OF A HOSPITAL THAT WAS NOT OPENED YET AND NO PATIENTS NEEDING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF!

Paralyzed Veterans of America Reacts to Video Footage of Paralyzed Veterans Left Alone at Memphis VA
August 26, 2015 03:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a recent video aired on Fox & Friends today, a paralyzed veteran who was housed on the spinal cord injury inpatient ward at the Memphis VA Medical Center said he felt "thrown to the wolves" in the video, which showed a nursing station unmanned for an extended period. A former Memphis VA employee and whistleblower who saw the video said patients are typically left alone for about an hour each evening during staff meetings attended by all hospital staff, despite a requirement that at least one nurse remain stationed at all times.

“We can no longer scrimp on the cost of freedom where our Nation's most disabled heroes are concerned.”

Sherman Gillums Jr., deputy executive director of Paralyzed Veterans of America and a paralyzed veteran himself, said, “This video speaks to a need that our organization has stressed to VA leaders, Congress, and the public for quite some time: VA needs more nurses in specialized care services like spinal cord injury centers.”
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Train Hero Oregon National Guardsman to Receive Soldier's Medal

Oregon Guardsman Who Helped Stop Train Attack to Get Soldier's Medal 
Associated Press
Aug 26, 2015


WASHINGTON -- Aleksander Skarlatos, one of three Americans who subdued a heavily armed gunman on a Paris-bound train, will be awarded one of the U.S. Army's highest honors.

Senior Army leaders say Skarlatos, a member of the Oregon National Guard, will get the Soldier's Medal -- the Army's highest award for acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with the enemy.

Skarlatos was traveling from Amsterdam when the gunman emerged from a train lavatory carrying an AK-47 and a Lugar pistol.

After hearing the sound of gunfire, Skarlatos called on other passengers to act, then charged the gunman, helped wrestle his firearms away and helped knock him unconscious with his own rifle.

"Spc. Skarlatos' actions that day epitomize what we mean by a soldier of character -- one who lives by a personal code where dedication to duty and taking care of others is sacred," said Army Secretary John McHugh. read more here

Chris Kyle Posthumously Awarded Texas Medal of Honor

‘American Sniper' Chris Kyle awarded Texas Medal of Honor 
FOX 4 News
August 26, 2015

The state’s highest military honor was given to the late Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle.

Gov. Greg Abbott presented the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Kyle’s family Wednesday morning.

His wife, Taya, was there to receive it.

Kyle and his friend, Chad Littlefield, were killed two years ago by an Army veteran they were trying to help deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Eddie Ray Routh was sentenced to life in prison.
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2 US troops killed by gunmen wearing Afghan military uniforms

UPDATE

A Pensacola staff sergeant was one of two U.S airmen killed Wednesday in Afghanistan.
The Pentagon announced Staff Sgt. Forrest B. Sibley, 31, of Pensacola, Florida and Capt. Matthew D. Roland, 27, of Lexington, Kentucky died after the vehicle they were traveling in was attacked near Camp Antonik, Afghanistan.

2 US troops killed by gunmen wearing Afghan military uniforms
Stars and Stripes
By Carlo Munoz and Zubair Babakarkhail
Published: August 26, 2015

KABUL, Afghanistan — Two U.S. servicemembers were shot and killed by two gunmen wearing Afghan security forces uniforms who opened fire on their vehicle in southern Afghanistan early Wednesday, U.S. and coalition officials said.

The attack occurred on an Afghan military compound in Helmand province. It coincided with reports that Taliban insurgents had overrun the center of Musa Qala, a strategically important district center in Helmand.

“Resolute Support servicemembers returned fire and killed the shooters,” a coalition statement said.

“We are deeply saddened by the reports out of Afghanistan overnight,” said Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, Pentagon spokesman. “Two U.S. servicemembers operating in support of the Resolute Support Mission were killed yesterday when two individuals wearing Afghan National Defense and Security Force uniforms opened fire on their vehicle.”

DOD is withholding their identifications 24 hours, as families are notified. Their service branches were not identified.
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"White House Fence Jumper" Killed After Attacking Deputy

Man Previously Arrested For Climbing White House Wall Killed After Attacking Sheriff 
He had a criminal record that included arrests for assault and burglary.
Reuters Posted: 08/25/2015 Aug 25

(Reuters) - A man arrested for climbing a White House fence earlier this year was shot and killed at a suburban Pennsylvania courthouse on Tuesday after he sliced a sheriff's deputy with a knife, the local district attorney said.

Curtis Smith, 34, is accused of entering the lobby of the Chester County Justice Center at about 11 a.m. and slashing a sheriff's deputy on the arm or hand, Chester County District Attorney Thomas Hogan said in a statement.

A second deputy in the lobby drew his weapon and shot Smith, who was treated at the scene but later died at Paoli Hospital, Hogan said. read more here

Greek Armed Forces: 3 Suicides in Less Than 30 Days

Shock in Greek Armed Forces: Three suicides in less than a month
Posted by keeptalkinggreece in Very Mix

Greece’s Armed Forces are in shock. A non-commissioned officer of the Land Forces was found dead in his home on Monday morning. According to a statement of the Land Forces General Stab, the 44-year-old lieutenant was ‘fatally wounded at 2 am’ on Monday. “The causes of his death are being investigated,” the statement concluded in a traditional army tone. However, the Greek Federation of Military Associations, speaks of a suicide, noting in a statement that the man “had hanged himself in the early hours of Monday.

The lieutenant put an end to his life just 20 days, after another lieutenant, 38, shot himself in front of his soldiers, on August 4th. Several army units were participating in a army exercise on the island of Samos, when the officer pulled out his gun, put it on his temple, told two soldiers “I say Farewell” and pulled the trigger. Five days later, a 27-year-old soldier shot himself on a Sunday noon, while he was on watch duty in a military camp in Orestiada, in North-East Greece.

Greek media speak of an increase of suicides or attempted suicides in the last two years and that while in the past it was mostly soldiers taking such fatal decisions, “now it is also officers.” Last March a 43-year-old officer of the Air Force jumped into death from the fourth floor. In May 2013 an army officer committed suicide and left a note citing financial problems.
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Veteran Died While On Protective Hold After Protecting Others

Iraq war veterans remember Joseph Murphy
KTOO Public Media
By Lisa Phu
August 25, 2015

"Murphy put his life in jeopardy looking out for others." Ed Irizarry

Joseph Murphy (from left, first man kneeling) served in the Iraq War. The squad was led by Ed Irizarry (standing to the left above Murphy). Mike Mercer (far right) was a gunner with Murphy.
(Photo courtesy Ed Irizarry)

Earlier this month, 49-year-old Joseph Murphy died at Juneau’s prison 12 hours after being booked on noncriminal charges.

Among other things, Murphy was an Iraq War veteran. His squad commander says it changed him forever. I spoke to some of the men Murphy served with.

“It’s just a bond. You can’t break that. Time ain’t going to break it. I guess even the death of one of your brothers can’t break that either. Murph will always be my brother,” Mercer says.

Murphy was in the emergency room of Bartlett Regional Hospital the night of Aug. 13. Juneau Police transferred him to Lemon Creek Correctional Center on a 12-hour protective hold. A police spokesman says alcohol was a factor. Murphy died in a holding cell the next morning of an apparent heart attack.
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Jesse Brand Takes a Stand For Disabled Homeless Veteran

Musician stands up for homeless vet who was kicked out of Waffle House
WSMV 4 News
Posted by Tracy Kornet
Posted: Aug 24, 2015

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV)
Nashville musician Jesse Brand and a friend stopped for a bite to eat after a late-night gig Saturday night when he saw a homeless man nearby and invited him to dinner.

“I saw this guy hobbling across the parking lot with a cane,” Brand said. “He had a Marine Corps tattoo on his arm.

“I had spent several years off and on homeless as well,” Brand added.

Brand said what happened next made him sick.

“Within 30-40 seconds, the gal behind the counter said, ‘You two can stay, he's got to leave,’” Brand said.

“She said, ‘His shirt's dirty. He can't be in here.’”

Brand said it got worse when the man, who later told him was a disabled combat veteran named Roger Hornsby, asked for some belongings back.

“I went over there to get my sleeping bag and wheelchair,” Hornsby said. "And they said, ‘You get out of here. Get out of here.’”

Brand picked up the story from there.

“The gentleman said, ‘Can I have my sleeping bag and wheelchair?’ They said, ‘We threw it away,’” Brand said.

Brand said he turned to Hornsby and said, “Come on, let’s go somewhere.” He then turned to the manager and told him he would never be back there again.

“We drove five to six miles to the next Waffle House, where we were treated like kings,” Brand said.
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Bogus Free Phones For Veterans Leaving 800,000 Unplugged

Government-funded phones issued to Central Florida veterans in scheme
800,000 approved veterans never eligible
Click Orlando
Author: Mike Holfeld, Problem Solver
August 24, 2015

The employees say 30 to 40 men and women were hired by Elite Marketing all of them told to take applications from veterans for free cell phones.

An email sent by Elite Marketing Group’s Director of Account Services to the Orlando supervisor last February included attachments of fliers announcing the Free Phones Program.

From September 2014 to July 2015 an estimated 40,000 to 800,000 Florida vets were illegally approved for free cellphones under the government’s Lifeline program.

On Sept. 1 most, if not all, of those phones will be disconnected because the vets were never eligible to receive them in the first place.

Former employees with New York based Elite Marketing came to WKMG after they started getting complaints from veterans who were being told they didn’t qualify for the phones.

Letters from Safe Link, one of the largest distributors of the free phones, asked veterans for proof of eligibility.

The letter reading in part: ”We need to obtain copies of valid documentation that shows you are a qualified benefit recipient.”

Under the Lifeline program eligibility includes anyone receiving: food stamps, Medicaid, SSI, Section 8 housing or National School Free Lunch Program. Military service has never been on the list.

One former Elite Marketing employee identifying herself only as Carrie, was considered one of Elite’s top employees.

In 10 months dating back to September 2014, she said she must have given away 20,000 free phones to veterans.

Carrie says she was paid roughly $4,000 every two weeks. She was told Elite was making $150 per application.
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US Navy "Moral Injury" Step In Healing Souls

Soldier’s journey to heal spotlights ‘soul wounds’ of war
Associated Press
JULIE WATSON
Published: August 23, 2015

The Navy now runs one of the military’s first residential treatment programs that addresses
the problem — the one that Powell found.

This March 17, 2015 photo shows a photgraph of now-retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Marshall Powell standing with a U.S. Army MEDEVAC helicopter in Iraq during his last tour to the country, at Powell's brother's house in Crescent, Okla. Powell, who served as a military nurse in Iraq and Afghanistan, was deeply haunted by his experiences, and nearly lost his own internal war with depression before finding meaningful help.
(AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — “It was just another day in Mosul,” the soldier began, his voice shaking. Sgt. 1st Class Marshall Powell took a deep breath. He couldn’t look at the other three servicemen in the group therapy session.

He’d rarely spoken about his secret, the story of the little girl who wound up in his hospital during the war in Iraq, where he served as an Army nurse. Her chest had been blown apart, and her brown eyes implored him for help. Whenever he’d thought of her since, “I killed the girl,” echoed in his head.

Powell kept his eyes glued to the pages he’d written.

He recalled the chaos after a bombing that August day in 2007, the vehicles roaring up with Iraqi civilians covered in blood. Around midnight, Powell took charge of the area housing those with little chance of survival. There, amid the mangled bodies, he saw her.

She was tiny, maybe 6 years old, lying on the floor. Her angelic face reminded him of his niece back home in Oklahoma.

Back in the therapy room, saying it all out loud, Powell’s eyes began to fill just at the memory of her. “I couldn’t let her lay there and suffer,” he said.

A doctor had filled a syringe with painkillers. Powell pushed dose after dose into her IV.

“She smiled at me,” he told the others in the room, “and I smiled back. Then she took her last gasp of air.”
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Illinois Community New Home to Combat Veteran "Labor of Love"

Illinois community rallies around wounded veteran, gives him a new home
WKRN web staff
Published: August 24, 2015

HARMON, Ill. (KWQC) — An Illinois community has thanked a wounded veteran who survived injuries he sustained in Afghanistan by building him a new home.

Proud U.S. Army veteran, Sergeant Michael Shoemaker enlisted right out of high school and served in Iraq. He later toured Afghanistan where he was injured in 2012.

“We were moving ammunition and rounds that weren’t supposed to go off. Thirteen grenades blew up, wounded seven, and then killed one,” recalled Shoemaker.

He lost his best friend that day, but by strength and miracle, Shoemaker survived his own injuries.

“Broken left tibia. There is a rod in that now. Blew off my right knee cap, broke my right femur, deflated right lung, shrapnel all over my body, my brain. They removed half of my skull which is now titanium and bullet proof.”

Shoemaker is grateful he is alive and is able to watch his kids grow up. “I died four times on the table.”
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Indiana Axemen Motorcycle Club and Firefighters Team Up for Homeless Veterans

Firefighters host cookout fundraiser for homeless veterans
WNDU 16 News
Christine Karsten
Updated: Sun 7:18 PM, Aug 23, 2015

Clay firefighters teamed up with a motorcycle club today to fire up the grill and feed homeless people in South Bend.

The firefighters, along with the Indiana Axemen Motorcycle Club hosted a cookout At Robert Miller Veterans Center for the Homeless.

Volunteers served up burgers, brats and potato salad to hungry vets.

The groups were raising donations to give to Miller Veterans Center and Jesse's Warriors.
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