Walk For PTSD Awareness Forgot About 50 Others

How Does False Awareness Change Anything?
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 22, 2015

Not a great way to start a Sunday morning at 6:30 when I opened my email to find an alert about another "awareness" group making the news.

How many more groups pop up all over the country, getting folks to walk to raise awareness while kicking in money for what is false?

How many more times does it have to be pointed out that the VA Suicide Report was an average from 21 states using limited data before they actually get it right?

How many more times does it have to be reported that veterans commit suicide double the civilian rate?

The truth is when you use reports of suicides in America, then factor in the reality you arrive at 73 veterans a day committing suicide. So who is making anyone aware of the other 50 forgotten about in all of this?

The word Apocalypse has been flooding my brain lately when I read reports about suicides tied to the military. The rate of veterans committing suicide is double the civilian population with the majority of them being over 50. Then there is the other figure of young veterans committing suicide at triple the rate of their civilian peers.

It isn't as if these reports have not been made public but it appears all these folks doing the talking and walking didn't take the time to understand what is real and what is simply an "easy number" to remember. When all is said and done the hardest number to remember is the family member no longer here.

Veterans are double the civilian rate then for every one civilian there are two veterans. That would mean there are 26,666 veterans committing suicide every year and not 8,030 people keep repeating when they say "22 a day" are veteran lives lost to suicide. We know that most of them are tied to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and until we get the wrong information out of the way, we'll never be closer to actually making them aware of what really works.

The other sad truth is that the majority of these veterans are over the age of 50.  Look up most of the new groups and you'll find they are only interested in Afghanistan and Iraq veterans as if the older veterans don't matter at all to anyone.

There is yet another group Operation23tozero

He encourages people to check out Operation 23 to Zero, which takes donations to fund future programs and events and also provides access to resources, such as phone numbers and links for those who are struggling or know someone who is.

They may be fine folks with good intentions however they don't seem to have factual information. Maybe someone should ask all the other "awareness" folks why they don't do their own research before they get into the business of sharing what has already been proven wrong?

Wounded Times has links all over the country and has plenty of information within the over 25,000 posts topped off with over 30 years of research and living with Combat related PTSD but it is all given out for free.  Sharing information costs nothing but time.

Sure I'll gladly accept donations to cover what I have to buy but when nothing comes in, I have a paying job to cover expenses doing this. I lose a couple of thousand a year.  Most of the leaders in Point Man International Ministries operate the same way. Our job is, as it has been, to lead the way out of darkness and toward living a better quality of life.  The kicker is, Point Man started working on PTSD in 1984. I started in 1982 because I met, fell in love with a Vietnam veteran I am still married to.

What works is simple and basic but no one has time to discover what has been done since Vietnam veterans came home and fought for all of it.

So how does anyone honestly say they are raising awareness when they are not telling folks the facts and using a number that has been dissected since it was released? As for reporters, they don't even ask questions at all.

GALLERY: From Faribault to Waseca, 3-Legion walk raises awareness of veteran suicide
County News
By JACOB STARK
November 21, 2015

The event was hosted by Operation 23 to Zero, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about issues like veteran suicide and post traumatic stress disorder.

Flags led the way down State Street as many walkers with rucksacks rounded out a several mile journey intended to raise awareness of high suicide rates among veterans.

The Three-Legion Ruck occurred all day Saturday, encouraging people from all over the upper Midwest to participate in a 25-mile walk that started in the morning at the Faribault American Legion before going to the Legion post in Morristown and ending at the Waseca post in the early evening.

"There's a statistic going around that up to 22 veterans a day commit suicide," said Jeremiah Miller, who helped organize the event. This statistic is from a 2012 study by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
read more here

How about some other facts. Young veteran suicides are triple their peer rate. A sad statement but repulsive when you consider all the groups popping up to "raise awareness" about them don't seem to know any of this.

The suicide rate among young male veterans continues to soar: ex-servicemen 24 and younger are now three times more likely than civilian males to take their lives, according to a federal study released Friday.

The majority of Veteran Suicides are over the age of 50

The VA study found that the percentage of older veterans with a history of VA healthcare who committed suicide actually was higher than that of veterans not associated with VA care. Veterans over the age of 50 who had entered the VA healthcare system made up about 78 percent of the total number of veterans who committed suicide - 9 percentage points higher than the general pool.

The reports on Veteran Suicides being double civilian rate go back to 2007 National Institute of Mental Health June 2007 and has been unchanged.

Male veterans in the general U.S. population are twice as likely as their civilian peers to die by suicide, a large study shows.

We have had Congress addressing this since 2007 after the report of military suicides reaching a 26 year high rate of 99 soldier suicides in 2006 and they passed the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act.

Then when it didn't work, they followed up by more of the same bills that did no good at all. They came up with the Suicide Prevention Hotline

“Since its inception, the crisis line has had over 1,150,000 calls,” said Thompson of the VA’s suicide prevention program. “That’s pretty extraordinary. We’re so glad we’ve had that many calls, but of course it’s heartbreaking that people need to reach out that much.” 

Another number we don't talk about are the attempted suicides.

950 suicide attempts per month among Veterans receiving care as reported by Veterans Health Administration (VHA) suicide prevention coordinators (Oct 1, 2008 - Dec 31, 2010).

We don't talk about the fact that there are things that do work because we can't get this number right or the simple fact that after it seems everyone is doing everything to raise awareness veterans know less of what they need to know to survive back home after surviving combat.

False awareness changed nothing. How do they or any of the other 400,000 veterans charities explain any of this?


UPDATE
There is a group out there that was one of the first to raise awareness that is not included in the above rant.

22TooMany and they run to help get the word out. While research changed the totals, this groups started long before there was time to digest all of the information.

They started right after the VA report came out in 2012 and are friends of mine.

Georgia Veteran Killed Police By Had PTSD

Wife of man killed by Paulding County deputies speaks
WSB TV 2 News Atlanta
November 21, 2015

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — The wife of a war veteran shot and killed by Paulding County deputies says her husband suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, and believes his death could have been prevented.

Christina Tarrant says her husband William Tarrant, 39, was getting treatment for PTSD, but needed more help.

Tarrant says she tried to tell deputies that, but he was killed anyway.

"I kept telling the police officers from 10-11 in the morning up until (he was shot) that he is not right in the head. He needs help," Tarrant said.

Tarrant told Channel 2's Matt Johnson her husband was a 10-year combat veteran with a Purple Heart.

"There's no better definition of a hero other than what my husband displayed," Tarrant said.

Tarrant says her husband went to his parents' house Friday morning to check on their 6-month-old son Liam and his behavior raised red flags.
read more here


Authorities release name of man shot, killed after pointing gun at deputies November 20, 2015

Fort Drum Soldier Died in Iraq

UPDATE

Christie orders state flags at half-staff for N.J. soldier who died
North Jersey
BY TODD SOUTH
STAFF WRITER | THE RECORD
DECEMBER 4, 2015

Following the death of a a New Jersey soldier, Governor Christie has ordered all state buildings to fly flags at half staff today.

U.S. Army Private Christopher J. Castaneda, of Hammonton, died in a non-combat related incident on Nov. 19 while serving at the Al Asad Air Base in Iraq with the 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, according to the Department of Defense.

Fort Drum soldier dies in non-combat incident in Iraq, Army says
Syracuse.com
By Ken Sturtz
November 20, 2015

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- A soldier stationed at the Army's Fort Drum in Jefferson County has been killed in Iraq. Pvt. Christopher J. Castaneda died Thursday at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq.

Fort Drum said his death was the result of a "non-combat related incident," but did not provide further details. read more here

Los Angeles Veterans Can Connect to Help After Coming Home

Coming home from war, these veterans often have nothing. 
Here’s how you can help.
LA Daily News
By Dennis McCarthy
POSTED: 11/19/15

“I know there are hundreds of veterans out there living hand to mouth who have no idea we exist, that they can come to their local VA and get clean, used clothing for free.”

Mort Schecter and Wynn Van Citters help veterans in need of clothing at the Veterans

Administration Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center, Wednesday, November 18, 2015.

(Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)

He was a young soldier with an empty duffle bag and a hard luck story.

His girlfriend left him while he was serving in Afghanistan, taking everything of theirs she could fit in her car. Their landlord took the rest.

He cleaned out their apartment and put everything she left behind in paid storage, including all his clothes. The young soldier had no idea this was happening. He was too busy 7,500 miles away in a desert looking for people who want to kill us.

When the storage rental fee went unpaid after six months, all his possessions were sold at auction to pay the bill. He had come home earlier this year to find everything he owned gone.

And now he was standing in a cramped clothing room in Building 22 at the Sepulveda VA looking a little embarrassed as he handed Wynn van Citters a voucher saying he qualified for free, used clothing because he was a low-income veteran.

It was not exactly the homecoming he expected.
read more here

Wisconsin Veterans Social Security Numbers Unauthorized Release

Investigation launched into VA handling of Social Security numbers
News 3 investigation highlights email issue
Channel 3000 News
Published On: Nov 20 2015

MADISON, Wis.
The inspector general's office at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has launched an official review of how hundreds of Social Security numbers of Wisconsin veterans were emailed last April to an unauthorized individual from a VA.gov email address.

The move comes after a News 3 investigation highlighting the April incident and a request to the VA's inspector general from Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) to look at whether the personally identifiable information of veterans is being sent unprotected nationwide. Federal privacy laws and multiple VA regulations require all emails with personally identifiable information to be password-protected.

Current VA software flags emails with nine-digit numbers separated by dashes, but not for nine-digit sequences that don't have dashes. In the U.S. military, since Vietnam, veterans' identification numbers have been their Social Security numbers without dashes to separate the numbers.

In a letter to Baldwin, VA Deputy Inspector General Linda Halliday wrote: "Before undertaking a nationwide review, we first need to understand what happened in Wisconsin." Halliday indicated that inspector general's office was also looking at a "potentially related situation" in another unnamed state.

"I am pleased that the VA inspector general is taking action to review what happened in Wisconsin," Baldwin said in a statement emailed to News 3. "The accidental and unintended disclosure of personal information can put our veterans and their families at risk for fraud and identity theft, so we need to make certain that the VA has the tools in place to prevent that from happening."
read more here

Disabled Veteran Jumped From Philadelphia VA Hospital

UPDATE

Stewart A. Mosher, 34, appeared to have jumped from the top level of the parking garage on the VA campus just after noon on Nov. 27, according to a police report obtained by the Times Union. Five people, including a VA employee and a nurse from Albany Medical Center Hospital, witnessed Mosher hit the pavement in front of 67 Veterans Way, police said.

Disabled veteran jumps from deck, dies at Philadelphia VA hospital
Federal authorities investigating incident as Philadelphia VA remains under scrutiny
Philly Voice
BY MICHAEL TANENBAUM
Philly Voice Staff
November 20, 2015

Federal authorities with the Department of Veterans Affairs the death of a man who jumped from a parking deck Thursday morning at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs hospital.

The incident occurred as the victim, whose name has not yet been released, sought psychiatric treatment at the facility in Philadelphia, according to The Daily Beast. Because the incident occurred on federal property, the investigation is being conducted by the VA police department.

A spokesperson for the VA, Fern Billet, did not confirm whether the man's death was considered a suicide. At the scene, officials said that the victim was a white male, approximately 5'7'', who was identified by a witness based on a distinctive backpack he was wearing.

The witness said the victim left the VA waiting room and jumped from a parking deck, striking a utility building and losing his shoes before falling to the ground. The body was removed from the scene as VA police and federal officials began an investigation.
read more here

Fort Hood Hug Lady Hugged Back

'Hug Lady' gave 500,000 hugs to returning soldiers — now they're hugging her back
NBC Today
Alexandra Zaslow
November 20, 2015

Many soldiers will tell Laird exactly when they received her hug, and lots of them even bring the Psalm 91 card she gives out to each soldier before deployment. One man even came all the way from New York to give her a hug.

Elizabeth Laird has greeted every soldier that has passed through Fort Hood since 2003.

She started by shaking their hands, but one day a soldier went in for a hug. Then the next guy wanted one, too. And now, by her estimate, Laird given out over 500,000 hugs in the act of both seeing off and welcoming back soldiers.

The 83-year-old from Copperas Cove, Texas would like to see that number increase, but lately that hasn't been possible. On Nov. 3, Laird was admitted to the Metroplex Hospital in Killeen, Texas when the breast cancer she has been battling since 2005 put her in a weakened state (Laird refuses chemotherapy).
read more here

Marine Veteran Breaks Pull Up Record

Marine vet does 5,862 pullups in a day, breaks record
Marine Corps Times
By Oriana Pawlyk, Staff writer
November 20, 2015

A Marine veteran has beat the record for the number of pullups completed in a day, earning a spot in the annual Guinness Book of World Records book.

Veteran Marine Sgt. Guy Valentino completed more than 5,800 pullups on Nov. 11,

beating out a sailor for the new world record.(Photo: Courtesy Guy Valentino)

Veteran Sgt. Guy Seaman, who goes by the name Guy Valentino, decided to spend Veterans Day besting a sailor's pullup record.

He had 24 hours to do more than 5,804 pullups in order to beat the record set Sept. 27 by Navy Air Traffic Controller 1st Class (AW) Mike McCastle. And even though he had nearly a decade on McCastle, Valentino blew through the sailor's record, completing 5,862 pullups on Nov. 11.

read more here

DEA Head Idiotic Statement Calls Medical Marijuana a Joke

Medical Marijuana Patients To DEA Chief: Pot Is No 'Joke,' And You Should Be Fired
Chuck Rosenberg's comments are "unacceptable," advocates said.
The Huffington Post
Ruby Mellen
Posted: 11/20/2015

"There is nothing funny about suicidal thoughts. Using medical marijuana not only directly helps with my medical condition, but it has the added effect of making me a better father and husband." T.J. Thompson

THE HUFFINGTON POST

WASHINGTON -- Medical marijuana patients and advocates on Friday delivered a petition to Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, calling for the firing of DEA chief Chuck Rosenberg for his characterization that using the drug as medicine was "a joke."

The petition, signed by more than 100,000 people, calls on President Barack Obama to oust Rosenberg and appoint a new DEA head "who will respect science, medicine, patients and voters."

Tom Angell, chairman of Marijuana Majority, the marijuana advocacy group that started the petition, said that for his family and millions of others, the use of the plant for medical purposes is "no joke."

T.J. Thompson, a U.S. Navy veteran, said medicinal marijuana quelled the suicidal thoughts and anxiety he was experiencing from post traumatic stress disorder after his service when no other drugs would.

"There is nothing funny about suicidal thoughts," Thompson said. "Using medical marijuana not only directly helps with my medical condition, but it has the added effect of making me a better father and husband." read more here

Central Florida Veterans Events #3

Veterans Events for Central Florida

From Cathy Haynes

November #3 list of Veteran, Military and Patriotic events in Central FL

Sharing information about groups and community events allows others to attend, participate, and perhaps join in membership.  People cannot attend or join what they don’t know about……

Please share this information and events with your friends and interested others, and attend.  Post where appropriate.

In light of world events and our tourist destination significance, Always be aware of your surroundings.  If you See something, Say something.

Wounded warriors’ home key ceremony – Sat. Nov 21 – Homes for our Troops presents a mortgage free, specially adapted home to Army Capt. Robert “Bobby” Withers.  The public is invited for this Welcome Home event at 10am (Registration begins at 9:30am.) at 1026 E. Fuller Cross Road, Winter Garden, 34787.  On May 19, 2010, Bobby lost his right leg and sustained severe damage to the left after stepping on an anti-personnel mine during an attack at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.  Info: Community Outreach Coordinator Brianne McNamara   bmcnamara @hfotusa .org.

Veteran’s 100th birthday party – Sat. Nov 21 – The public is welcomed to help celebrate the birthday of James T. Sealy at the Museum of Military History.  11am at 5210 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy., Kissimmee, 34746.  Mr. Sealy joined the Army in 1944 and retired from the Air Force as a Technical Sgt. – a near lifetime of service to our country and long time resident of Osceola County.   Please bring or send cards of thanks and well wished to him in care of the Museum.  Museum admission fee waived for party attendees but donations made in honor of Mr. Sealy would be very welcomed!  Info:  Rich McCloud, Operations Director,  407-507-3894 sgtmccloud@ juno.com

Vietnam Veterans Recognition – Sat. Nov 21 - Merritt Island Moose Lodge honors the Vietnam veterans with a dinner, ceremony and dancing.  5:30pm - ?  Open to the public, $10 tickets but Vietnam veterans are free.  Lodge #2073, 3150 N. Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island,   Info and register:  321-452-8383.

It’s getting late to send Care Packages to our troops!  There are more than 600 deployed Soldiers (and a few Marines too) from our own local 2-124th Florida National Guard and 143rd ESC Army Reserve. And just over HALF of them will receive a holiday Care Package as of today.  If you were “over there” how would you feel if your home area sent packages to everyone – except for you?  Care package groups want to send boxes of snacks, good food, hygiene items, and things that may not be readily available to warriors in those “frontlines.”  Providing names and addresses early (NOW) will allow the warriors to provide such items as gifts to their battle buddies during the holidays.  AUSA (Association of the United States Army, Sunshine Chapter) is collecting items and monies needed for shipping.  Recently AUSA spent about $5000 to ship packages that were sealed on Nov 7.  Contacts: Daila Espeut-Jones – 407.924.0810 – daila.espeut-jones @ zeltech .com ; Greg Maida – 407.497.5688 – gsmaida @ comcast .net   Another group is  J.O.S.H. - Just Our Soldiers' Helpers Inc.  Contact Kathy at 407-314-1607  kathy @ joshsupport .org  

I/ITSEC Run, Walk, and Roll 5K – Wed. Dec 2 – This annual event allows exercising with other Simulation and Technology persons and having a good time.  6am – 8am at Orange County Convention Center (South Bldg), 9800 International Dr, Orlando, 32819.  Proceeds of this 5k (3.1 miles) Run/Walk/Roll will benefit the Camaraderie Foundation and the I/ITSEC STEM Initiative.  Can’t wake up that early?  You can still participate and help on your own time and your own location.  NEW: VIRTUAL 5k!  Run a distance of 5k (3.1mi) the week of I/ITSEC with a GPS enabled app (Run Keeper, Map My Run, Zombies RUN!), like us on Facebook, and tag us with ‪#‎IITSEC5K. Then your race gear will be mailed to your door!  The Camaraderie Foundation is a non-profit, 501c3 organization that aims to provide healing for invisible wounds of war through counseling, emotional and spiritual support for all branches of Military Service Members, Veterans, and their families.  The IITSEC STEM Initiative is a non-profit, 501c3 organization founded and maintained by the National Training and Simulation Association to support and promote activities encouraging students interests and pursuits of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  Event corporate sponsorships available. Volunteers welcome!   Info:  Sean at iitsec5k @gmail. com (responds quickly)

Christmas Party for National Guard – Sat. Dec 5 – Soon to deploy local guardsmen will receive a nice meal in the Patrick Air Force Base area of Brevard County.  Your help is needed.  Food items needed for 300: Chicken, Steaks, Shrimp, side dishes, fruit, veggies, desserts, beverages, etc.  11am – 4pm event to include Door Prizes.  Funds and volunteers also needed.  Contact Kim of AVET Project   321-373-7046 kim @avetproject .org      www. avetproject. org

December 7 – Pearl Harbor commemoration.

Thank You Veterans Golf Tournament – Mon. Dec. 7 - Tuskawilla Country Club.  It is completely FREE to veterans.  1500 Winter Springs Blvd. Winter Springs, 32708.  Don and Sandi Hodgskin host this annual event to commemorate his brother, Jimmy G. Hodgskin, Jr., from Orlando who was killed in a helicopter incident in Vietnam.  Sponsorships welcomed.  Info and sign-up at  thankyouveteransgolf. com  (limited space available)  407-468-3055  don @thankyouveteransgolf .com

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day  - Mon. Dec 7 - Dinner and Program with VIP Hour and Guest Speaker.  VFW Post 4287, 3500 S Goldenrod Rd Orlando, 32822.  4pm VIP Hour, 5pm starts dinner program.  RSVP is required: 407-273-6581  Please ask for Connie.  Suggested donation of $2 per person (made payable to the VFW Post 4287 for their Building Mural)  Corporate Donations and Sponsors welcome!

FAVOB – Business After Hours –Tues Dec 8- Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses (FAVOB) hosts THIS "FREE" EVENT!!! Come join us for drinks, fellowship and networking at the Miller’s Ale House on Lee Road, 1251 Lee Rd, Winter Park, 32789.  6:30pm to 9pm.  You don't have to be a Vet to Support the Veteran Business Community!   Our last event had roughly 150+ Business Professionals in attendance. Come and show your support for our Military Veterans who are currently in business or own their own business within the communities in which we all live and work in. Please tell your friends and colleagues about this worthy event.  50/50 Drawing so bring some cash! Winner receives half of the Pot!  Table Top Sponsorship opportunities are also available for FAVOB Members for $100 per table. Not a FAVOB Member yet? Go to www. FAVOB. net and join today for as little as $50 a year.  Info:  see our Facebook page or contact  Jrice @supportingstrategies. com

Cocktails for a Cause Casino Night – Thurs. Dec 10 – A Veterans Community hosts this wonderful night for a really good cause at The University Club of Orlando, 150 E Central Blvd, Orlando, 32801. 6:30-8:30 PM.  A Veterans Community is committed to providing safe, stable transitional housing to homeless veterans and their families in Central Florida and 100% of the event proceeds go to this cause. We also provide long-term support to ensure that the veteran and their family make a solid, smart transition to permanent housing.   Individual tickets are $60 pp, or $50 with the purchase of two (2) or more.  Ticket price includes (2) drink tickets and $1,000 in starter casino cash.  Appetizers will be served.  Dress is cocktail attire.  Tickets are limited, so get yours before they are gone!  Tickets must be purchased by December 1 to receive the discount.  Info:  info @aveteranscommunity .org   or call 386.414.4618

Wreaths Across America – Seminole County – Sat. Dec. 12 – This even coincides with Wreaths Across America events across the country.  The public is welcome at 11:30 – 12:30 at All Faiths Memorial Park, 1390 Park Dr, Casselberry, 32707.  VFW Post 2093 band providing music, Haggerty High School choir, and speakers. Volunteers needed to place wreaths on veterans graves.   Info:  Dave Matthews of Never Forgotten Memorials .org  at  407.535.1728  sgtdavematthews @gmail. com

Wreaths Across America – Orange County – Sat. Dec. 12 - This even coincides with Wreaths Across America events across the country.  The public is welcome at 11:30 – 12:30 at Greenwood Cemetery in downtown Orlando, 1603 Greenwood St, Orlando, 32801. Volunteers needed to place wreaths on veterans graves.   Info:  Don Price at 407-246-2106  don.price @cityoforlando. net 

Army Reserve Dinner – Sat. Dec 12 – Members, families and friends of the 143rd ESC are having a “Dining Out” evening of dinner and fun.  The guest speaker is the Former Chief of the Army Reserve (CAR) Lieutenant General (LTG) Jack C Stultz, he is also the longest serving CAR in history.   Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, 9939 Universal Blvd, Orlando, 32819.  Corporate table sponsorships are welcomed and there are a few tickets left.  Tickets at: www. 143descdiningout. com  $320 for a table; $40 for GS12, E7, CW4, MAJ and Up (and guests); $25 for GS11, E6, CW3, CPT, and Below (and guests.)  Info:  Col. Roberson at 407-240-5939 ext 1815 or  407-495-8695.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

·         Mission United is consolidating the various resources to help the homeless in the Orlando area, and especially the needs of homeless veterans.  Call  211 to access someone who will streamline the networks and maze for specific needs.

·         WoundedTimes. blogspot. com - Veterans News Service covering news that matters to veterans and their families. Local, state and national news, events, and stories – especially with videos involving Central Florida military and veterans. Dedicated to defeating Combat PTS.

·         The Navy Exchange (NEX) –NEX in Orlando is for ALL branches of active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, retirees, 100% service-connected disabled veterans and their dependents. It is located west of Orlando Int’l Airport, about 1 mile south of the Beachline Expy/528 on Tradeport Dr.  Competitive pricing and programs. The big white building on the west side of Tradeport -  7151 Earhart Dr., Orlando, 32827.    www. mynavyexchange. com  407-857-3550

Do you need hemming or alterations?  Free hemming for active duty and nominal charge for veterans.  Retirees:  Need new uniforms?  Florida heat/humidity is notorious for causing shrinkage while uniform hangs in the closet!  Get replacements here and have a comfortable waistband and buttoned front.  Unique items are being added to the store too.  New items and specialty foods coming.  LiftChairs and recliners event soon.  Watch for great scratch off coupon event coming up and get an extra 5%, 10%, 15%, 25% or 50% Off.  (Navy Exchange authorized patrons only)

·         MWR / ITT Ticket Office – Offers discounted attraction tickets to active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, retirees, 100% service-connected disabled veterans and their dependents. It is locate adjacent to the Navy Exchange (NEX) listed above.  Phone: 407-855-0116 or 407-851-4396 for details,   email: mwrorl @gmail .com  or Text MWROrlando to 30364 for MWR Specials.

·         Military OneSource is a free service provided by the Department of Defense (DoD) to active duty, Guard and Reserve service members, and their families with comprehensive information on every aspect of military life including deployment, relationships, economics, grief, education, parenting and child care, and much more.  www. militaryonesource. mil

·         Camaraderie Foundation in Central Florida provides resources for private and confidential Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) counseling for warriors and their families.   It works.  It HAS saved lives, marriages and families.  Contact 407-841-0071

And especially:

Veterans in crisis – For you or someone you know - Confidential Hotline:  1-800-273-8255, #1. 

Or:  Website at  veteranscrisisline   provides 24/7 confidential chat online assistance;

Or:  text 838255  for  24/7 confidential assistance.  They are there because they care….

It Takes the Strength of a Warrior to Ask for Help…

The journey after military service can be a difficult one. If you are Veteran in crisis or know of one who is, please call the VA’s 24/7 Suicide Prevention Line at 1–800–273–TALK (8255) to speak with a trained counselor, or find a Crisis Center near you.

Caring and sharing,

Cathy Haynes

Member/supporter of numerous veteran and military organizations in Central Florida

407-239-8468

chaynes11629 @yahoo .com

Veteran Suicides Closer to 73 A Day

UPDATE February 7, 2016
I discovered this morning that another site used this post as their own.

Veteran Suicides nearer to to 73 A Day
November 25, 2015 By ptsd Leave a Comment

We drop at Least 73 Veterans A day-to Suicide

We must improve the dialogue on military suicides because for all the “awareness raising” and discuss about “22 a day” it has not done any good at all. How could it? How could it when we completely blow off the fact of what households and veterans are getting through?

We know where it came from.
We Lose at Least 73 Veterans A Day to Suicide
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 20, 2015

We really need to change the conversation on military suicides because for all the "awareness raising" and talk about "22 a day" it hasn't done any good at all. How could it? How could it when we totally dismiss the reality of what veterans and families are going through?

40,000 suicides annually, yet America simply shrugs
THERE'S A SUICIDE IN THE USA EVERY 13 MINUTES.
Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY

That information linked to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

In 2011 (the most recent year for which data are available), 39,518 suicide deaths were reported in the United States, making suicide the tenth leading cause of death for Americans. That year, someone in the U.S. died by suicide every 13.3 minutes.

Another report from the CDC had the number of suicides slightly higher.

There were 41,149 suicides in 2013 in the United States—a rate of 12.6 per 100 is equal to 113 suicides each day or one every 13 minutes.

Veterans are double the civilian rate then for every one civilian there are two veterans. That would mean there are 26,666 veterans committing suicide every year and not 8,030 people keep repeating when they say "22 a day" are veteran lives lost to suicide.  We know that most of them are tied to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and until we get the wrong information out of the way, we'll never be closer to actually making them aware of what really works.

How can you spend any time of spreading hope that they can heal if you can't even get the horrible outcomes right? Do you really think they'll believe more veterans heal with the right help?

No one is talking about the real numbers or even the simple fact veterans were ready to die to save someone else but ended up not being able to find a reason to live after all the bullshit awareness folks have been spreading around.

See where they've gone wrong on trivializing these deaths down to an easy to remember soundbite?

But lets make this even more real. If you say "22 a day" is an easy number to remember then try 73 veterans a day instead and then you'll actually be closer to the truth and be actually aware of what is real to them and their families.

What does this really look like?

Per year, it is close to the number of soldier at Fort Carson 26,282 Active Duty, and when you add in the number of currently serving with the veterans it is even higher.

Fort Carson

It also means in the last 10 years suicides connected to military service have surpassed the number of citizens in Orlando Florida.

Orlando Florida 262,372

So if you need an easy number to remember, then please stop reading Wounded Times because the hardest number to remember is always the family member no longer sitting at the table for Thanksgiving dinner when they were supposed to be out of danger after leaving the military. There are over 26,000 empty chairs this year that should have a veteran sitting in them.

2,500 Fort Hood Soldiers Diagnosed with PTSD in 2014

Response by police to troubled vets must improve
Killeen Daily Herald
Jacob Brooks Herald staff writer
November 19, 2015

Officials at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center said that in the last fiscal year, about 2,500 Fort Hood troops returning from deployment were diagnosed with PTSD.

The news broke Monday that an Army veteran who spent years stationed at Fort Hood — and deployed three times to war zones — died as a result of homicide, according to the autopsy report.

To be specific, Killeen police shot and killed Titus Latchison, a 13-year Army veteran who settled in Killeen following his time in the Army. He was also a father, husband and son. That said, he was also a troubled veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Coupled with traumatic experiences he went through in war, Latchison also had trouble with his marriage and keeping a job when he left the Army.

His once-structured life in the Army slowly and steadily unraveled, hitting rock bottom on April 4, 2014.
read more here

Death of Titus Latchison Ruled Homicide

Fort Hood Soldier From New Mexico Found Dead

Fort Hood soldier found dead in on-post residence 
Army Times
Staff report
November 19, 2015

The Army on Thursday released the name of a soldier who died of apparent natural causes in his home on Fort Hood, Texas.

Staff Sgt. Brian Michael Wilkerson, 37, died Sunday in his on-post residence, according to information released by Fort Hood officials.

Wilkerson, who was from Albuquerque, New Mexico, joined the Army in September 1997 as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. He had been assigned to 1st Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, at Fort Hood since April 2011. read more here

Fortune Cookie Not Wise To Kick Out PTSD Veteran With Service Dog

N.J. vet, service dog kicked out of restaurant
NJ.com
Michelle Caffrey
November 20, 2015

"It's not just about me, it's about everybody." Mike Alcorn

MEDFORD TOWNSHIP — Mike Alcorn didn't want to make a scene.

The Shamong Township resident and his wife, Meg, had stopped by Fortune Cookie restaurant in Medford to grab a bite to eat on Thursday afternoon, but were shocked when they were denied service for having Mike's service dog in tow.

Mike and Meg Alcorn said an employee of Fortune Cookie restaurant

in Medford Township denied to seat them because Mike's service dog

Atlas, was with them on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015.

(Photo provided)

"I was embarrassed," said Mike, a combat veteran who relies on 1 1/2 year-old German shepherd Atlas to help ease his post-traumatic stress disorder and other physical issues sustained during his service in the Army.

The couple said that despite Atlas' red service vest, federal ID cards, and the fact Mike cited laws prohibiting businesses from turning away customers with service dogs, an employee insisted dogs were not allowed in their establishment and would not seat them.

"He said 'If you want food, you can wait outside,'" Meg recalled in an interview Thursday evening, adding the man soon asked them to step aside so he could help a customer who just walked in.

Brian Berg is the training director of Marlton-based Semper Fido, the nonprofit organization that matched Mike with Atlas in June, and said situations like the one Mike faced happen far too often because businesses aren't aware the Americans with Disabilities Act bans denying service to an individual because they require a service dog.

"It's an absolute disgrace that these guys have to be treated like this, and have to worry about being turned away because no one understands the law," said Berg.
read more here

Troops talk of how war assaults conscience

First, it was Vietnam veterans being studied that had researchers looking at the "moral wound" and what PTSD does to the men and women risking their lives in combat. Second, as this article points out the "largest group since Vietnam" it avoids mentioning the fact that Vietnam veterans are the forgotten generation in all of this.

If you want to read one of the best books on "moral injury" then read Achilles in Vietnam by Dr. Jonathan Shay published in 1995.

You can also watch this video

Achilles in Vietnam
from Charles Berkowitz
This documentary, developed as an undergraduate thesis film by director Charles Berkowitz, is based on the groundbreaking book, "Achilles in Vietnam : Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character", by Dr. Jonathan Shay. In it, Shay examines the psychological devastation of war by comparing the soldiers of Homer's Iliad with Vietnam veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Although the Iliad was written twenty-seven centuries ago it has much to teach about combat trauma, as do the more recent, compelling voices and experiences of Vietnam veterans.

Achilles in Vietnam from Charles Berkowitz on Vimeo.
They didn't take care of the veterans they already had and that is why things are as bad as they are now. None of this is new but it seems as if social media is rewriting history so that we forget how long they have had to get this all right for all veterans.

Moral injury: Troops talk of how war assaults conscience
Military.com
By Patricia Kime, Staff writer
November 19, 2015

“The largest group of veterans who have served our country since Vietnam are home," Sherman said. "And we need to help.”

Former Army Reserve Capt. Josh Grenard thought the anguish of losing men in combat would eventually wane in the years after a deployment to Iraq. But when soldiers from his unit began committing suicide, the wounds reopened — fresh, raw and painful.

“It’s almost two sets of injuries — but having your men kill themselves is wholly different,” Grenard said. “Was there something I could have done? Was there a way we could have gotten them help? Should I have seen it?”

He found himself slipping into isolation, going to his law office each day but questioning his very existence. He drank from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily — “very metered, all day.”

“You don’t want to think about anything. You don’t want to answer those questions,” he said.

Grenard was not suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, the psychiatric condition normally associated with combat.

Rather, his feelings, which included crippling helplessness, emotional pain, guilt and frustration, are often described as “moral injury,” a psychological condition related to having done something wrong, being wronged by others or even witnessing a wrongdoing, argues Georgetown University philosophy professor Nancy Sherman.
read more here