KCCI Des Moines
Eric Hanson
Dec 23, 2015
As of this writing, people in the community have stepped up and given him a hotel room to stay in.
read more here
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Community Steps Up for Iraq Veteran Living in Jeep at Walmart
Facebook group spreads message to help veteran
KCCI Des Moines
Eric Hanson
Dec 23, 2015
ALTOONA, Iowa —Several KCCI viewers sent emails about a really cool thing happening in Altoona.
A man named Jake Holloway posted on the People of Des Moines Facebook group about an Iraq War veteran living in his Jeep in the Walmart parking lot.
read more here
KCCI Des Moines
Eric Hanson
Dec 23, 2015
read more here
Congress Dumps Veterans in Burn Pits
Congress Drops Burn Pit Exposure from Pentagon Research List
Military.com
Bryant Jordan
December 23, 2015
The absence of burn pit exposure on the list was confirmed on Tuesday by a spokeswoman for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs at Fort Detrick, Maryland.
"Congress designates the topic areas for each fiscal year, and these topic areas change each year," Gail Whitehead told Military.com.
The research programs fall under the Department of Defense budget.
"There's nothing comparable," said Anthony Hardie, director of Veterans for Common Sense. "There's very little research inside the [Department of Veterans Affairs]."
Ron Brown, president of the National Gulf War Research Center, which has long advocated for more medical research into Gulf War Illness and now burn pit exposure, said he didn't know why the topic was discontinued.
It was added for the first time to the list in 2015, according to Brown, who took part in the peer reviewed process this year.
read more here
Military.com
Bryant Jordan
December 23, 2015
Senior Airman Frances Gavalis tosses unserviceable uniform items into a burn pit at Balad Air Base, Iraq, on March 10, 2008. Julianne Showalter/Air ForceBurn pit exposure as a cause of illnesses among veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan failed to make the 2016 list of peer-reviewed medical research programs that Congress requires the Defense Department to conduct.
The absence of burn pit exposure on the list was confirmed on Tuesday by a spokeswoman for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs at Fort Detrick, Maryland.
"Congress designates the topic areas for each fiscal year, and these topic areas change each year," Gail Whitehead told Military.com.
The research programs fall under the Department of Defense budget.
"There's nothing comparable," said Anthony Hardie, director of Veterans for Common Sense. "There's very little research inside the [Department of Veterans Affairs]."
Ron Brown, president of the National Gulf War Research Center, which has long advocated for more medical research into Gulf War Illness and now burn pit exposure, said he didn't know why the topic was discontinued.
It was added for the first time to the list in 2015, according to Brown, who took part in the peer reviewed process this year.
read more here
High School Students Raise $23,000 for Afghanistan Veteran
Hersey students raise $23,000 to help injured veteran build home
Chicago Tribune
By Karen Ann Cullotta
December 31, 2015 (their date)
"When I came back from Vietnam in 1968, the whole country was confused, and it was a difficult time for returning veterans," said Dussling, a Township High School District 214 school board member.
"There's nothing more important to a returning vet than appreciation and support from the community," Dussling said.
Dussling joined forces with Hersey students and staff this month in presenting a $23,000 check to Lance Cpl. Cody Evans, 31, who lost both his legs while on patrol in Afghanistan, and who will use the funds toward the cost of building a handicapped-accessible house in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tenn.
"This is amazing…it just blew all my expectations," said Evans, who was honored at the Arlington Heights high school's holiday assembly earlier this month.
read more here
Chicago Tribune
By Karen Ann Cullotta
December 31, 2015 (their date)
 |
| Students at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights presented a $23,000 check this month to Marine Lance Corporal Cody Evans who lost both his legs in 2011 while on patrol in Afghanistan. Evans, pictured here with his dog, Willie, tossed T-shirts to students at a recent holiday assembly. (Karen Ann Cullotta / Chicago Tribune) |
U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Smith, 30, who also lost both of his legs while serving in Afghanistan, was awarded a $23,000 check last year at Hersey to help make his home in Tennessee handicapped accessible.When 1,800 John Hersey High School students welcomed a visiting Marine with a rousing standing ovation this month, Vietnam veteran William Dussling was taken by the teens' respect and patriotism.
"When I came back from Vietnam in 1968, the whole country was confused, and it was a difficult time for returning veterans," said Dussling, a Township High School District 214 school board member.
"There's nothing more important to a returning vet than appreciation and support from the community," Dussling said.
Dussling joined forces with Hersey students and staff this month in presenting a $23,000 check to Lance Cpl. Cody Evans, 31, who lost both his legs while on patrol in Afghanistan, and who will use the funds toward the cost of building a handicapped-accessible house in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tenn.
"This is amazing…it just blew all my expectations," said Evans, who was honored at the Arlington Heights high school's holiday assembly earlier this month.
read more here
Orlando "Ends" Veterans Being Homeless
Veteran homelessness all but ended in Orlando, official says
Orlando Sentinel
Kate Santich Staff Writer
December 23, 2015
On an annual day of mourning for homeless people who have died in the preceding year, there was also reason to celebrate Tuesday: Virtually all of the region's once-chronically homeless veterans are now in housing, a top official said.
Andrae Bailey, CEO of the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness, said he is filing notice with the federal government this week that nearly 1,000 veterans have been housed in the past three years — including several hundred this year alone.
"Veteran homelessness has been a national disgrace," Bailey said. "But we now have this moment where we should be incredibly proud of what our community has accomplished."
In the coming weeks, the federal government is expected to review the local data and issue a determination that the region has reached "functional zero" on housing veterans considered chronically homeless — defined as more than a year or repeatedly over several years, typically because of a disability.
Orlando Sentinel
Kate Santich Staff Writer
December 23, 2015
At the height of the problem in 2011, Florida had the second-largest population of homeless veterans in the nation, behind California. And though some communities had been working on the issue for more than 20 years, in Orlando the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs didn't start until 2007 — and then had to play catch-up.
 |
| Orlando Sentinel Video |
Andrae Bailey, CEO of the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness, said he is filing notice with the federal government this week that nearly 1,000 veterans have been housed in the past three years — including several hundred this year alone.
"Veteran homelessness has been a national disgrace," Bailey said. "But we now have this moment where we should be incredibly proud of what our community has accomplished."
In the coming weeks, the federal government is expected to review the local data and issue a determination that the region has reached "functional zero" on housing veterans considered chronically homeless — defined as more than a year or repeatedly over several years, typically because of a disability.
This year, 52 Central Floridians were remembered — including those run over by cars, murdered, suffering from diabetes and kidney failure or wrestling with severe mental illness.
read more here
DOD Released Names of 6 Afghanistan Fallen, 1 From Florida
6 killed in Afghanistan suicide bombing identified
By The Associated Press
Dec. 23, 2015
The deadliest attack in Afghanistan since 2013 killed six U.S. troops on Monday, including a family man from Long Island, New York; a South Texan; a New York City police detective; a Georgia high school and college athlete; an expectant father from Philadelphia; and a major from suburban Minneapolis with ties to the military's LGBT community. They were killed when their patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle near Bagram Air Base, the Defense Department said. Here is more about them:
By The Associated Press
Dec. 23, 2015
The deadliest attack in Afghanistan since 2013 killed six U.S. troops on Monday, including a family man from Long Island, New York; a South Texan; a New York City police detective; a Georgia high school and college athlete; an expectant father from Philadelphia; and a major from suburban Minneapolis with ties to the military's LGBT community. They were killed when their patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle near Bagram Air Base, the Defense Department said. Here is more about them:
STAFF SGT. LOUIS MICHAEL M. BONACASA
Bonacasa, 31, of Coram, Long Island, was a member of the Air National Guard. He was assigned to the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York.
STAFF SGT. MICHAEL A. CINCO
The 28-year-old from Mercedes, Texas, was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, 11th Field Investigations Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.
TECHNICAL SGT. JOSEPH G. LEMM
Lemm, 45, a 15-year veteran of the New York Police Department, was on his third tour of duty in the Middle East. He was assigned to the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York.
STAFF SGT. CHESTER J. MCBRIDE JR.
McBride, 30, of Statesboro, Georgia, was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.
STAFF SGT. PETER W. TAUB
A 30-year-old Air Force sergeant from Philadelphia, Taub was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 816 at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. He'd been in the service for eight years and had recently re-enlisted.
MAJ. ADRIANNA M. VORDERBRUGGEN
The 36-year-old from Plymouth, Minnesota, in suburban Minneapolis, was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, 9th Field Investigations Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
read more about the fallen here
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Three Tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Grinch Stole Christmas
But just like the real Grinch, this story has a great twist!
Neighbors restore Christmas after military veteran family is robbed
FOX 5 News
December 22, 2015
SPRING, Texas - Just days before Christmas, a Grinch stole the holiday spirit away from a Houston area military family.
While former Marine Joshua Beaver and his family were out to diner, a thief broke in their house and took their TV, electronics and every gift under their tree.
After serving three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, the wounded veteran never expected his own countrymen to cause him such pain. “It's been a struggle… And to be robbed at Christmas is hard,” Beaver said.
“I gave everything I could to this country.” Said Beaver, adding “For bleeding in Iraq and all those tours I did, it’s hard to come home and feel like your own countrymen stole from you.”
read more here
Veteran Gets Help With Place to Live, Thieves Steal Volunteers Tools!
Thieves steal tools from volunteers building home for homeless veteran
KY3 News
Dustin Hodges
Dec 21, 2015
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark.
A man from Mountain Home who served his country was getting the Christmas gift of a lifetime until his holiday hopes turned into heartbreak.
Army veteran William Murray had to spend last winter living in a camper.
"We happened to have one of the coldest winters last year and all of our money went to propane to keep it heated," Murray said on Monday.
This fall,volunteers helped Murray find local churches and a local business owner who helped get him an abandoned house and materials to fix it up.
"I was amazed at the blessings that just came in," said Murray.
"One thing led to another and we've been progressing on getting the house done and trying to get them a good warm place to live and a permanent residence for him and his girlfriend," said volunteer contractor Scott Callender.
Then, last week, thieves broke into the house and stole all the volunteers' tools worth about $2,500.
read more here
KY3 News
Dustin Hodges
Dec 21, 2015
A man from Mountain Home who served his country was getting the Christmas gift of a lifetime until his holiday hopes turned into heartbreak.
Army veteran William Murray had to spend last winter living in a camper.
"We happened to have one of the coldest winters last year and all of our money went to propane to keep it heated," Murray said on Monday.
This fall,volunteers helped Murray find local churches and a local business owner who helped get him an abandoned house and materials to fix it up.
"I was amazed at the blessings that just came in," said Murray.
"One thing led to another and we've been progressing on getting the house done and trying to get them a good warm place to live and a permanent residence for him and his girlfriend," said volunteer contractor Scott Callender.
read more here
Ret Adm. William McRaven "No one is immune to war's toll"
Former Special Operations commander: Military medicine needs compassion, collaboration
Stars and Stripes
By Dianna Cahn
Published: December 22, 2015
For most at the conference, it was an opportunity to share advances in science and medicine and the latest tools in treating the prevalent or the confounding wounds of war.
Adm. William McRaven offered up a story. He took his audience to a day in 2010 when he was at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan and got word that two of his SEALs had been shot in a close fight.
McRaven ran across the road to the combat hospital and watched as the doctor struggled in vain to save each of his men. Unable to do so, the young doctor slid to the blood-soaked floor and simply wept.
A year later, McRaven met the widow of one of the SEALs and shared the details of that day. It gave her closure, she told him, to know that people who cared were present when her husband died.
The story was emotional, one told in order to drive home to his audience of medical professionals the power of compassion in medicine – even when it can’t save a patient’s life.
But in its telling, McRaven was forced to stop in his tracks and take a long pause before he could complete his story. For 10 seconds, the audience sat in silence as he struggled through his own emotions to find his voice. It drove home yet another lesson: No one – not the top warrior nor the highest star admiral - is immune to war’s toll.
read more here
Stars and Stripes
By Dianna Cahn
Published: December 22, 2015
No one – not the top warrior nor the highest star admiral - is immune to war’s toll.
“Ever since I’ve come back it’s been like that,” McRaven said later, during a brief interview. “I’ve told one story a dozen times and I still can’t get through it.”
Chancellor of University of Texas Adm. William McRaven (Ret.), former commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command and longtime Navy SEAL, gives an address in San Antonio on Dec. 1 during a federal health conference. McRaven currently serves as chancellor of the University of Texas Systems.SAN ANTONIO — The former commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command got personal during a conference of federal medical professionals.
DIANNA CAHN/STARS AND STRIPES
For most at the conference, it was an opportunity to share advances in science and medicine and the latest tools in treating the prevalent or the confounding wounds of war.
Adm. William McRaven offered up a story. He took his audience to a day in 2010 when he was at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan and got word that two of his SEALs had been shot in a close fight.
McRaven ran across the road to the combat hospital and watched as the doctor struggled in vain to save each of his men. Unable to do so, the young doctor slid to the blood-soaked floor and simply wept.
A year later, McRaven met the widow of one of the SEALs and shared the details of that day. It gave her closure, she told him, to know that people who cared were present when her husband died.
The story was emotional, one told in order to drive home to his audience of medical professionals the power of compassion in medicine – even when it can’t save a patient’s life.
But in its telling, McRaven was forced to stop in his tracks and take a long pause before he could complete his story. For 10 seconds, the audience sat in silence as he struggled through his own emotions to find his voice. It drove home yet another lesson: No one – not the top warrior nor the highest star admiral - is immune to war’s toll.
read more here
Air National Guardsman Killed in Afghanistan was also NYPD Detective
Joseph Lemm, NYPD detective, killed in Afghanistan bombing, NYPD says
News Day
By Zachary R. Dowdy
Updated December 22, 2015 1:51 AM
Five other American service members also were killed in the bombing, and two others were wounded, a U.S. official said.
Joseph Lemm, 45, promoted to NYPD detective in January 2014, died after a motorcycle-riding attacker loaded down with explosives, slammed into a patrol unit in a village not far from Bagram Air Field, officials said.
read more here
News Day
By Zachary R. Dowdy
Updated December 22, 2015 1:51 AM
NYPD Det. Joseph Lemm, also a staff sergeant in the Air National Guard, was killed Monday in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan that claimed the lives of five other U.S. service members. Above, Lemm is shown at his 2013 surprise welcome home party in West Harrison in Westchester County. Photo Credit: News12 WestchesterThe NYPD mourned the death of yet another one of its own Monday, this time a 15-year veteran cop pulling double duty in the Air National Guard when he died in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan, police said.
Five other American service members also were killed in the bombing, and two others were wounded, a U.S. official said.
Joseph Lemm, 45, promoted to NYPD detective in January 2014, died after a motorcycle-riding attacker loaded down with explosives, slammed into a patrol unit in a village not far from Bagram Air Field, officials said.
read more here
Monday, December 21, 2015
Army Ranger Jujitsu Instructor Outed As Non-Deployed Carpenter?
Naples businessman, jujitsu instructor Bill Oliver falsely claimed to be an Army Ranger
Naples Daily News
Ryan Mills
December 18, 2015
Over a decade's worth of lies are crashing down on Bill Oliver.
Since at least 2001, the Naples-area businessman and jujitsu instructor has passed himself off as something he's not: an Army Ranger and a member of the U.S. Special Forces.
He lied in the bio on his Naples Aiki Ju Jitsu website. He lied repeatedly on Facebook. He even lied in several newspaper articles, including a 2009 photo feature in the Naples Daily News.
Oliver's lies caught up to him Monday when the Guardian of Valor website, a national organization that shines a light on military impostors, exposed him. The six-month investigation has left Oliver reeling; he admits to the lies, but argues he didn't profit off them. He only lied, he said, because of deep-seated insecurity and a consuming fear of rejection.
"I just want it to be over," said Oliver, 54. "I've done wrong. I lied to everybody. I portrayed myself as that. The way I see it, I need to take my medicine. It's not easy. I've hurt a lot of people."
read more here
Linked from Stars and Stripes
From Guardian of Valor
"Oliver’s lies stretch back many years, the first of which we found in the State Newspaper out of Columbia, South Carolina. In this article he claims to have been an Army Ranger who is upset about the Black Beret being issued to all Soldiers. The Black Beret was traditionally worn by Army Rangers until 2001, when the Rangers switched to the Tan beret and the Black Beret was issued to all Soldiers.
In the article, from 2001, he is quoted as saying “It devalues, Symbolically, what the Rangers stand for. Rangers have done something extraordinary and are different.”"
click above for more on this and others
Naples Daily News
Ryan Mills
December 18, 2015
While he never served as a Ranger, Oliver did spend three years on active duty in the Army as a carpentry and masonry specialist, according to military documents on the Guardian of Valor site. He never saw combat and had no special training.
Since at least 2001, the Naples-area businessman and jujitsu instructor has passed himself off as something he's not: an Army Ranger and a member of the U.S. Special Forces.
He lied in the bio on his Naples Aiki Ju Jitsu website. He lied repeatedly on Facebook. He even lied in several newspaper articles, including a 2009 photo feature in the Naples Daily News.
Oliver's lies caught up to him Monday when the Guardian of Valor website, a national organization that shines a light on military impostors, exposed him. The six-month investigation has left Oliver reeling; he admits to the lies, but argues he didn't profit off them. He only lied, he said, because of deep-seated insecurity and a consuming fear of rejection.
"I just want it to be over," said Oliver, 54. "I've done wrong. I lied to everybody. I portrayed myself as that. The way I see it, I need to take my medicine. It's not easy. I've hurt a lot of people."
read more here
Linked from Stars and Stripes
From Guardian of Valor
In the article, from 2001, he is quoted as saying “It devalues, Symbolically, what the Rangers stand for. Rangers have done something extraordinary and are different.”"
click above for more on this and others
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)