Vietnam Veteran Finds Comfort In Horses

Vietnam Veteran Finds Comfort In Horses, Helps Others Vets Cope
WYSO
By ADRIAN HILL
NOV 25, 2015

William Goforth ADRIAN HILL WYSO

Vietnam veteran William Goforth knows firsthand the challenge of returning to civilian life after a difficult deployment.

He found comfort in horses, and now finds purpose in sharing his discovery with Post-9/11 veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Army veteran, and Wright State student, Adrian Hill of Englewood has today’s Veterans’ Voices story.

William Goforth was drafted into the Vietnam War as a generator mechanic but once there he was assigned to tactical combat casualty care where he tended to critically wounded soldiers. When William returned home after serving he did not receive a hero’s welcome.

"I faced the same problems that everyone else faced," says William. "We came back and we weren’t welcomed and we didn’t feel like we were part of this world and we weren’t. We were a different individual after we went through the zone that we went through. It takes a lot of time to forget and you aren’t going to be able to forget, so you have to deal with it."

William’s way of dealing with his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was by working with horses.
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A place where wounded soldiers languished

In 2007 what was going on in Building 18 of Walter Reed Hospital was made public because reporters cared enough to do more than just listen to the wounded soldiers there. It was a part of a systemic attitude of bitter cruelty being passed off as caring for those who risked their lives.

What happened at Walter Reed was a national disgrace, but the way some Americans reacted was despicable.  They jumped to defend President Bush against the truth.  Much like today when reporters cover scandals at the VA, they are only interested in what is easy to complain about and not what has been going on for decades almost as if the past just didn't matter at all.

All of this is how we ended up right were we are today. For all the talk about being a grateful nation, in reality, we've turned into a nation of neglecters of the defenders.

So now Building 18 is gone but the damage done remains.

Saying Goodbye To Building 18 — Symbol Of Neglect For Military's Medical System
WAMU
By: Nahanni Rous
November 20, 2015

“It was very clear to me on many levels that we were not prepared for the number of wounded coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and that’s why service members ended up in Building 18 to begin with,” Staff Sgt. John Daniel Shannon

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced this month the city will pay the U.S. Army $22.5 million for 66 acres of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center, which closed in 2011 after the Base Realignment and Closure Act.

But the city already owns one piece of the campus: formerly known as Building 18. This nondescript off-white brick building on Georgia Avenue is being demolished to make way for a new fire station for Engine Company 22.

Crews in fluorescent vests throw metal door frames and sheets of wallboard out of third floor windows. Trucks haul away debris. The structure looks like an abandoned, second rate motel. Walter Reed’s Building 18 once housed soldiers wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A place where wounded soldiers languished

Staff Sgt. John Daniel Shannon was treated at Walter Reed from 2004-2007. He says soldiers should never have been living there.

Nahanni RousD.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and other officials break ground for a new fire station on the site of Walter Reed's Building 18.

“I think it should have been demolished a long time ago. It should have been demolished before they put service members in it," he says.

Dan Shannon is a decorated veteran of the Iraq war and served as a sniper with the Second Infantry Division. At the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Walter Reed Army Medical Center was bursting at the seams.

“It was very clear to me on many levels that we were not prepared for the number of wounded coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and that’s why service members ended up in Building 18 to begin with,” he says.

There were amputees, soldiers with traumatic brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorder. At the peak of the Iraq War, there were 900 soldiers on the campus, plus family members who came to help take care of them. Building 18 was part of the facility, but it was outside the gates. And it was decrepit. There was black mold on the walls, and mice and cockroaches in rooms where soldiers with open wounds were staying.

Washington Post reporters Dana Priest and Anne Hull spent four months posing as friends of patients to gain access to Walter Reed.

“Building 18 represented to me a microcosm of what was going on on the larger campus," Priest says.

Priest and Hull won a Pulitzer Prize for their 2007 series, which led with Building 18. The reporters described how a mountainous bureaucracy, lost paperwork, and insufficient social services kept soldiers languishing at Walter Reed, and Building 18 became the bricks and mortar symbol of that neglect.

"The whole thing just didn’t make any sense, that this building would exist in this place that the president had said delivered the best medical care in the world for returning soldiers," Priest says.
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Chris Doleman, Emmitt Smith on a mission to help veterans

WATCH: Chris Doleman, Emmitt Smith on a mission to help veterans
CBS News
By Sean Wagner-McGough
Staff Writer
November 26, 2015

(Source CBS Sports)

In addition to memorializing the veterans who lose their lives while serving abroad, former NFL player Chris Doleman wants us to remember the veterans who make it back home safely. Doleman, who played in the NFL from 1985-1999, wants us to remember the 22 veterans who take their own lives every day.

That's why Doleman, along with Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, teamed up with Remember the 22 to help the veterans who do make it back home.

"Remember the 22 is an opportunity now," Doleman said. "Our goals are being able to get guys out of their homes, get them into things they enjoy. It's more of the camaraderie."
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Reminder, not 22 a day. Too many are forgotten about as if they just don't matter. How do we get veterans to understand they do matter if we can't even get that number right?

Justin Fitch Remembered For Life's Work

Justin Fitch had no way of knowing that the number of veterans committing suicide everyday in America is closer to 73 than to 22. He had no way of knowing that state after state have been reporting that the percentage of veterans surviving military service is double the civilian rate for suicides.  He had no way of knowing any of this because reporters just keep repeating part of a study that came out in 2012 that also came with a disclaimer of just being an average from 21 states.

The only thing that this veteran knew was that there were far too many losing a reason to live while he did everything possible to stay alive long enough to change the outcome.

Friends honor late Iraq vet who fought to spread suicide awareness
Justin Fitch lost battle with stage 4 colon cancer in October
WCVB Boston
Mary Saladna
Nov 27, 2015

Despite the more than 50 chemotherapy treatments, he was determined to leave the world a better place.

BOSTON —Friends and family spent Thanksgiving Day remembering Justin Fitch.

Fitch, an Army captain and Iraq War veteran, lost his battle with stage 4 colon cancer in October.

Despite the more than 50 chemotherapy treatments, he was determined to leave the world a better place.

A veteran of two tours in Iraq, Fitch spent the final years of his life fighting to raise awareness and funds to end military suicides, calculated at 22 a day or more than 8,000 a year.

"The guy had stage 4 colon cancer, and for the last 2-and-a-half years of his life, fought, kicked, and screamed -- everything he could do to tell everybody that 22 veterans a day taking their own life is just a crime," said John Harlow, a friend.
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Fence Jumper Put White House on Lockdown

White House On Lockdown After Man Jumps Fence
Associated Press
Published on Nov 26, 2015

A man draped in an American flag climbed over the fence at the White House on Thursday, prompting a lockdown as the first family celebrated Thanksgiving. An eyewitness spoke to the Associated Press about what she saw. (Nov. 26)
UPDATE From NBC

The man, identified as Joseph Caputo, was apprehended about 2:45 p.m. ET on the North Lawn of the White House grounds — the "front door" side along Pennsylvania Avenue, said Robert Hoback, a spokesman for the Secret Service. Police said Caputo was carrying a manila folder, NBC Washington reported.

Hero Dog Layka Saved Lives, Now Has Army Behind Her

Hero Military Dog That Saved Unit in Afghanistan Gets a Second Chance
ABC News
By ESTHER CASTILLEJO
Nov 25, 2015

During her deployment in Afghanistan, U.S. military combat dog, Layka, saved many lives and now some of them are helping save hers.

Layka, a Belgian Malinois, lost one of her front legs when she was shot four times during an ambush in Afghanistan in 2013. Despite her wounds, the dog managed to save the soldiers from an attacker inside the building she was sent to clear.

Now 5 years old and adopted by her Afghanistan handler, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Julian McDonald, Layka faces the possibility of losing her remaining front paw from a bad ATV jump earlier this fall.

"It's a big injury because she only has one leg," said Rebecca Switzer of Oklahoma, who met Layka and her handler at an event more than a year ago. "She struggled along with one leg and now her other leg is in jeopardy."
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If You Hate "Merry Christmas" Then Go To Work That Day

Here is a list of Federal Holidays Notice the name of the last day?

Thursday, January 1	New Year’s Day
Monday, January 19	Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, February 16*	Washington’s Birthday
Monday, May 25	Memorial Day
Friday, July 3**	Independence Day
Monday, September 7	Labor Day
Monday, October 12	Columbus Day
Wednesday, November 11	Veterans Day
Thursday, November 26	Thanksgiving Day
Friday, December 25	Christmas Day

Lawmakers respond to Salem VA Medical Center’s Christmas tree ban 
WSLS 10 News
By Jenna Zibton - Virginia Today Anchor
Published: November 25, 2015

WSLS 10 first reported the letter sent to employees saying Christmas trees wouldn’t be allowed in public areas this year because trees were considered religious symbols. After a heated meeting with employees the medical center reversed the decision saying “After a lengthy discussion, it was determined that Christmas trees could be displayed in public areas so long as they were accompanied by the respective symbols of the two other faiths that celebrate holidays during this holiday season – namely the Jewish Menorah, or Hanukkah Lamp, and the Kwanzaa Mkeka (decorative mat) or Kinara (candleholder).” read more here

If you have a problem with people celebrating Christmas, saying Merry Christmas, then go to work that day and stop whining. You are entitled to your own faith or lack of it but you are not entitled to force everyone to do what you want. Grow up and finally understand that Christmas is a holiday and not a "holy day" for most folks. I seriously doubt Christ would approve of Black Friday or buying a Lexus for yourself while using Him as a reason to go shopping.

VA Expands List of "Brown Water" Agent Orange Claims

VA updates list of Navy ships presumptive for Agent Orange exposure
Military Times
By Patricia Kime, Staff writer
November 25, 2015

A Navy river patrol boat crewman mans a .50-caliber machine gun on the Go Cong River in 1967.
(Photo: National Archives)

The Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded its list of Navy ships whose crews may be eligible for disability compensation as a result of exposure to the toxic defoliant Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

VA announced Monday it has added ships to the “Brown Water” inventory, meaning the vessels were found to have operated on inland waterways and all personnel who served aboard them are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange.

The new additions include the Navy survey ships Sheldrake and Towhee, attack transport ship Okanogan, submarine rescue ship Chanticleer, destroyers Frank Knox and James E. Kyes, and transport ship General W. A. Mann.
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Exposures Agent Orange
During your Vietnam tour, did your ship or boat have one of the following designations?
AGP (Assault Group Patrol/Patrol Craft Tender)
LCM (Landing Craft, Mechanized)
LCU (Landing Craft, Utility)
LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel)
LST (Landing Ship, Tank)
PBR (Patrol Boat, River)
PCF (Patrol Craft, Fast or Swift Boat)
PG (Patrol Gunboat)
STABS (Strike Assault Boats)
WAK (Cargo Vessel)
WHEC (High Endurance Cutter)
WLB (Buoy Tender)
WPB (Patrol Boat)
YFU (Harbor Utility Craft)

National Guard Thanksgiving

Gen. Grass issues Thanksgiving message to civilians and uniformed personnel
By Gen. Frank J. Grass
Chief, National Guard Bureau
November 24, 2015

U.S. Army Gen. Frank Grass, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, addresses the Air Force Association's 2013 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland., Sept. 18, 2013. Grass just released his Thanksgiving message
(Photo by U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jim Greenhill/Released)

ARLINGTON, Va. - They had almost no food. They faced a harsh winter in poorly constructed shelters. And nearly half of them died from sickness. Yet the pilgrims who came to America wanted a day to give thanks.

In the midst of the Civil War, one of the darkest periods in American history, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving, a day for Americans to express gratitude for their blessings. Every year since, Americans have come together to reflect and to give thanks the fourth Thursday in November.

I, too, am thankful for the nearly 450,000 National Guard members for the work and sacrifice they make to keep our nation and communities strong and secure. I have met with Guardsmen and women serving overseas and in our 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. I have talked with Guard members who have lost friends in battle or have come home with permanent injuries. Despite their tremendous losses, they were thankful for the opportunity to serve.

I am thankful to the families and employers of Guardsmen who sacrifice each day to ensure our Soldiers and Airmen can focus on fighting our nation’s wars and protecting our homeland. Each has experienced loss, but they are thankful.

I am also thankful for the partnerships we have established with state and interagency domestic responders, and with 76 nations through our State Partnership Program. Our partners have seen firsthand the devastation wrought by natural disasters and by combat, but each has also saved lives and brought relief to the suffering. They are thankful.

Whether you are in uniform or a civilian, deployed or home, it is your service and commitment that allows us to enjoy the spirit of Thanksgiving. For that, we all are thankful!

Local National Guard members prepare for one-year deployment
News 3 KSNV Las Vegas
Reported by: Denise Rosch
November 24, 2015

LAS VEGAS (KSNV News3LV) – From Paris to Mali, terrorism is top of mind for many Americans. This weekend, 38 proud Nevadans are heading right into the thick of things. Soldiers with the Army National Guard are deploying to Afghanistan.

No deployment is ever easy, but with Thanksgiving in two days and terrorism all over the world making headlines, these soldiers are sacrificing plenty. They’re training right here in Southern Nevada to protect our state and our country, and as you would expect, they're proud to do it.

“The Governor's paid a lot of money to train me, so I'm going to do what I can to stay safe,” says Sgt. Chris Hendrickson with the 137th Military Police.

The Henderson police officer is trading one uniform for another to serve his country in Afghanistan. Before the Nevada Army Guard 137th heads out, Hendrickson had one final loose end to tie up…

He put an engagement ring on his girlfriend’s finger at the happiest place on earth.

“Last Wednesday at Disneyland,” he said. “That's the one thing that's going to hurt a lot. The biggest thing for me is make sure we have constant contact.”

Hendrickson joins 37 other military police officers set to begin a one-year deployment. They’ll protect fellow Americans from criminal threats in one of the most dangerous regions of the world.
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California Air National Guard Thanksgiving meal thankful thoughts

Air Force Base Thanksgiving

Hill Air Force Base Thanksgiving: Feeding a thousand
Standard Examiner
Mitch Shaw
NOVEMBER 24, 2015

Image by: (MITCH SHAW/Standard-Examiner) Airmen from Hill Air Force Base are served a Thanksgiving meal inside an airplane hangar, Tuesday, November 24, 2015.

HILL AIR FORCE BASE — How many dinner guests would have to huddle around your table this Thanksgiving to constitute “a large gathering?”

Twenty? Fifty? One Hundred?

To Cesar Vargas, a master sergeant at Hill Air Force Base, all of those numbers are small potatoes.

A jet engine mechanic by trade, Vargas led a group of 100 volunteers who worked to feed about 1,000 Hill airmen and their families on Tuesday, Nov. 24, part of the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings’ annual Thanksgiving feast.
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Commentary: Think safety for Thanksgiving
Hilltop Times Air Force
By LT. COL. G. HALL SEBREN, JR.
75th ABW Chief of Safety
November 26, 2015

I wanted to pass a little information to you as you prep for the Thanksgiving weekend. As many of you know, a big danger during Thanksgiving has recently become frying up that delicious turkey.

Among some of the safety tips:

• Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors and at a safe distance from buildings and any other material that can burn.
• Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in garages.
• Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
• Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you don’t control the temperature, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer during or after use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot long after it has been turned off.
• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.

Also, during this time of year, slips, trips and falls are a big concern. Most folks, graciously, wait until after Thanksgiving to put up their Christmas lights. This means ladders and cold weather, which can lead to a visit to the local emergency room after falling off the ladder because someone over-reached and fell.

The common theme with these kinds of injuries is laziness. People failed to descend the ladder, move it and ascend again. Don’t become a statistic. How about this: It’s another opportunity to burn a few extra calories by making a few extra descents and ascents!

Finally, I’d like to encourage a mindset change.

Many of us have “grown up” hearing the term “Safety First.” I’d like to propose we move away from that and get to a “Mission First” mindset. We should accomplish the mission within a culture of safety and compliance.

If we create this culture, we’ll decrease injuries and rework, which will increase productivity. How about that, mission accomplished and Airmen safe! Have a wonderful day and be careful out there.