Ryan Goggin in the Fight For His Life

Army veteran battles to fund cancer treatment
ABC 10 News Miami
By Amy Viteri - Investigative Reporter
Posted: June 21, 2016

"I wasn't scared in the Army. I wasn't scared in Iraq," Ryan Goggin said. "I wasn't scared. But when they told me I had leukemia, I was scared." Ryan Goggin

MIAMI - An Army veteran who served in Iraq found an even bigger battle back in the United States, trying to get the Veterans Health Administration to fund his cancer treatment.

"I wasn't scared in the Army. I wasn't scared in Iraq," Ryan Goggin said. "I wasn't scared. But when they told me I had leukemia, I was scared."

Goggin served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army.


In March, 2010 he was 10 months into a deployment in Iraq when a roadside bomb hit his truck. A traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder ended his military career.

Goggin, 29, was healthy and active, until January. He suddenly became so weak paramedics rushed him to the Miami VA hospital. From there he went to the University of Miami Hospital for further testing. The diagnosis was acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, a type of blood cancer.

He began chemotherapy at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and said officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs initially told him they would work to cover his full treatment there.
read more here

Camp Lejeune Marine Veteran Fights Toxic Exposure and VA

Desperately ill Marine veteran finally gets some good news
KOMO News
BY TRACY VEDDER
JUNE 21ST 2016

SEATTLE -- The KOMO Investigators are getting results for a local veteran who is desperately ill.

Spike George developed a terminal illness after drinking contaminated water at a Marine Corps base. After being denied benefits numerous times, George is now resting easier knowing at least the bill for his current month-long hospital stay will be covered.

George is in the last stages of systemic scleroderma. It's a disease that attacks the body from the inside out; in George's case hardening his skin and his internal organs. As of June 21st, he weighs just 107 pounds. Still he feels better than when KOMO news first interviewed him more than a month ago.
read more here

Do reporters ever check facts?

"But last year, the VA denied George's health care benefits, saying he made too much money working as a King County Corrections Officer."

A "service connected disability" will cover what is related to the disability after the VA ties service to the disability. For veteran with 100%, everything they need is covered. Making too much money only applies when the veteran has no "approved" claim and is seeking free care.

His claim should have been approved a long time ago considering matching his service record to exposures would be easy to do.

Priority Group 7
Veterans with gross household income below the geographically-adjusted income limits (GMT) for their resident location and who agree to pay copays

Priority Group 8
Veterans with gross household income above the VA and the geographically-adjusted income limits for their resident location and who agrees to pay copays

Here are the other group listings from the VA 

Priority Group 1

Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities 50% or more disabling Veterans determined by VA to be unemployable due to service-connected conditions

Priority Group 2

Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities 30% or 40% disabling

Priority Group 3

Veterans who are Former Prisoners of War (POWs) Veterans awarded a Purple Heart medal Veterans whose discharge was for a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities 10% or 20% disabling Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., § 1151, "benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation" Veterans awarded the Medal Of Honor (MOH)

Priority Group 4

Veterans who are receiving aid and attendance or housebound benefits from VA Veterans who have been determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled

Priority Group 5

Nonservice-connected Veterans and noncompensable service-connected Veterans rated 0% disabled by VA with annual income below the VA’s and geographically (based on your resident zip code) adjusted income limits Veterans receiving VA pension benefits Veterans eligible for Medicaid programs

Priority Group 6

Compensable 0% service-connected Veterans Veterans exposed to Ionizing Radiation during atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Project 112/SHAD participants

Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9,1962 and May 7,1975 Veterans of the Persian Gulf War who served between August 2, 1990 and November 11, 1998 *Veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998 as follows: Currently enrolled Veterans and new enrollees who were discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003, are eligible for the enhanced benefits for five years post discharge. **Combat Veterans who were discharged between January 2009 and January 2011, and did not enroll in the VA health care during their five-year period of eligibility have an additional one year to enroll and receive care. The additional one-year eligibility period began February 12, 2015 with the signing of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for America Veterans Act.

Senators Seek Compromise to Ban Suspected Terrorists From Buying Guns

Senators strike compromise to ban suspected terrorists from buying guns
CBS News
Rebecca Shabad
June 21, 2016

A group of nine senators on Tuesday unveiled a bipartisan compromise aimed at keeping guns out of terrorists' hands in the wake of the June 12 Orlando shooting.

The legislation spearheaded by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, would prohibit people on the government's no-fly list and the government's selectee list used for extensive screening at airports from purchasing a gun.

The bill would allow U.S. citizens and green-card holders to appeal a decision blocking his or her purchase of a firearm, and if successful, to be awarded attorney's fees. It also contains a look-back provision so that if anyone has appeared in the government's broad terrorism database over the last five years, the FBI would be immediately notified if they attempt to buy a gun.

"Our goal is simple and straightforward: We want to make America safer," Collins said at a press conference unveiling the proposal, which she said "would help keep guns out of the hands of terrorists."
read more here

Disabled Air Force Veteran is Ultimate Champion

Air Force Competitor Earns ‘Ultimate Champion’ Title at Warrior Games
DoD News
By Shannon Collins Defense Media Activity
June 21, 2016

WEST POINT, N.Y., June 21, 2016 — Medically retired Air Force Master Sgt. Reese Hines earned the “Ultimate Champion” title and bragging rights at the 2016 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the U.S. Military Academy here.

2016 Department of Defense Warrior Games Shooting Competition
Air Force veteran Master Sgt. D. Reese Hines poses for a photo with a competition air rifle at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., June 19, 2016. Hines was named the event’s Ultimate Champion after winning a series of events. DoD photo by EJ Hersom

From June 15 until today, about 250 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans representing teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command and United Kingdom armed forces competed in shooting, archery, cycling, track and field, swimming, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.

He suffered damage to both eyes, and his right eye was surgically removed. His right hand was almost severed and was put back together, he said, though he lost his right index finger. His right wrist was fused, and some of his knuckles were fused to the right hand and thumb. He had a brain bleed, a traumatic brain injury, a bolt in his skull, a broken jaw, ruptured eardrums, soft-tissue damage to both arms, nerve damage to his leg and post-traumatic stress disorder. He’s gone through 30 to 40 surgeries.

Burnett was injured in July 2009 in Basra, Iraq, while serving as a computer networks operations technician. She served in the military 14 years. A rocket came in about 10 feet from where she was standing. Three of her fellow service members were killed, and two others were injured. She was knocked unconscious and suffered a TBI and PTSD from the incident.
read more here

Marines Welcomed to Seneca With Hundreds of Open Arms

Hundreds line streets to welcome Marines to Upstate
WYFF 4 News
Mandy Gaither
Jun 20, 2016

30 Marines, 10 more who were discharged staying at Keowee Key

SENECA, S.C. —Hundreds of people from Easley to Seneca lined the streets to welcome U.S. Marines from Camp LeJeune who are visiting the Upstate this week.

The Marines arrived in Easley on buses and boarded Jeeps driven by members of the Upstate Legion Jeep Club. The Marines were escorted by the Patriot Guard.

"They lay their lives on the line for us all year long for us, and they miss their families. They miss their friends. They miss everything about being home to protect us. They deserve this," said Tom Giordani, a member of the Patriot Guard.

Those who wanted to show support lined the streets and waved the American flag.
read more here

Tampa Veterans Help Train Rangers in South Africa

US Military Vets to Train Wildlife Rangers in South Africa
ASSOCIATED PRESS
By Christopher Torchia
JOHANNESBURG — Jun 21, 2016

Tate and Peaton are both 31 and from Tampa, Florida. Peaton said he has suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and that working with Vetpaw provides a sense of purpose.

A group of American military veterans with experience in Iraq and Afghanistan plans to train rangers at some private wildlife areas in South Africa, where poachers have killed large numbers of rhinos for their horns.

The small conservation group called Vetpaw previously operated in Tanzania, which ordered the group to leave last year, partly because of a video in which a member talked about killing poachers.

Ryan Tate, a former U.S. Marine and head of Vetpaw, said Tuesday that the member didn't speak for Vetpaw and that he has sought to "rebrand" the organization.

Tate and Shea Peaton, a U.S. Navy veteran, have spent about a month in South Africa, assessing security needs in several wildlife parks. Training will include marksmanship, field medicine and maneuvering at night, Tate said.

"People are desperate and want to try anything and everything that they can," he said, referring to operators of private wildlife areas that lack the resources that some state-run parks receive.
read more here

VETPAW provides meaningful employment to post-9/11 veterans, utilizing their expertise to train and support Africa’s anti-poaching rangers to prevent the extermination of keystone African wildlife, and the disastrous economic and environmental impact it would have.

Iraq Veteran With PTSD Had Bulletproof Vest for Self Protection

UPDATE

Marine Corps veteran pleads not guilty to misdemeanor in theater incident

Man with bulletproof vest at theater has PTSD
KRCR News
By Danielle Radin
POSTED: Jun 18 2016

"It's just a huge misunderstanding," said Merritt. "Nobody luckily was physically harmed. However my brother, this is gonna make his ptsd worse.

REDDING, Calif. - Panic struck at a Cinemark movie theater in Redding Friday after people called police because of a man wearing a bulletproof vest. He was arrested for having a concealed dagger, but police say he had no gun.

The man was identified as John Brentley Casiday, 31. He was going to see a movie with his brother-in-law, John Merritt.

"I feel bad for this because I invited him to the movie and he didn't really even want to go," said Merritt. "There's no way he had any ill intent in his heart whatsoever."

Merritt said Casiday is a war veteran, and went on two tours to Iraq in the Marine Corps.He said Casiday suffers from P.T.S.D. and rarely leaves the house without his vest.

"He wears that to feel comfort you know when his P.T.S.D. gets bad," said Merritt. "He doesn't like being around a lot of people."
read more here

Army Reservist Among The Dead At Pulse

Second Army Victim Identified among Casualties of Orlando Shooting
Military.com
by Brendan McGarry
Jun 17, 2016

A second U.S. Army victim has been identified among the casualties of the deadly shooting at an Orlando nightclub.

Angel Candelario-Padro served in the Puerto Rico National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve, officials said.

"It is again with our deepest sadness, our heartbreak that we inform you that National Guardsman SPC. Angel Candelario-Padro was among the victims we have lost," said Matt Thorn, executive director of OutServe-Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that represents the U.S. lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Candelario-Padro, whose home of record at the time of enlistment was Guanica, Puerto Rico, served as a member of the Puerto Rico National Guard and was assigned as a musician to the 248th Army Band, officials said. He also played clarinet with his hometown band and had just moved to Orlando from Chicago, Thorn said.

He served as a specialist in the Guard from Jan. 12, 2006, until Jan. 11, 2012, at which point he transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Houk, a spokesman for the National Guard Bureau, confirmed in an email to Military.com.
read more here

Iraq Veteran Marine Helps Others Through Music

Peterson: Ex-Marine helps combat vets through music
Mercury News
By Gary Peterson
POSTED: 06/19/2016

It was a routine mission, at least as routine as any mission could be in Iraq circa 2004. John Preston and his Marine Corps unit were helping open a school when the most amazing thing happened.

"The kids surrounded us," Preston recalled, "and they were clapping and singing, 'Good, good America! Good, good America!' I remember going, 'OK, this is what it's about, win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.' It made no sense up until that moment."

A lot of cosmic puzzle pieces fell into place that day. Preston, who grew up on a Kentucky tobacco farm, was in Iraq because he enlisted in the Marines like his father and two older brothers. And having followed his father's bliss as a songwriter and performer, there was only one way for Preston to end that day.

"I wrote 'Good, Good America' that night," he said.

Fast-forward. Preston, 34, lives in Danville with his wife, Lauren, and son "Little" John, 6. He works for the Palo Alto Fire Department. He still writes and records music like a man on a mission. Which he is, donating money from live appearances and sales of his music to veteran-related causes while raising awareness of veterans' suicide.

The transition has been neither seamless nor painless.
read more here
Good Good America

Task Force Listens To Veterans Families About Suicide

Fox Valley military families share stories with task force studying veteran suicide
Aurora Beacon-News
Linda Girardi
June 18, 2106

Andy Weiss said his son completed three tours in Afghanistan and was preparing for his fourth deployment when he died from suicide.

"I knew there were risks associated with serving," the Naperville father said. "They told me my son died from suicide. I thought it was not possible."

Andy Weiss said son 1st Lt. Daniel A. Weiss enlisted in the U.S. Army infantry at age 17. His death March 4, 2012, at age 25 suddenly thrust his father into having "to grapple with the stigmas" associated with suicide, he said.

"I thought suicide wasn't possible in my family. It's possible in any family," Weiss said.

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego A task force headed by State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, aimed at preventing suicides among veterans convened at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove. Kifowit listens to testimony from veterans and family members of veterans. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

Max Ludwig, 66, of Aurora, said he enlisted in the Army in 1969 and served 26 months in Vietnam. He spoke with emotion about how difficult it was to make the transition from the military to civilian life.

"Back then, if you talked about how you felt, you were not a man. There was no help," he said. "All I wanted was the hurt to go away."

Ludwig said he eventually reached out to a crisis hotline. "I came to understand I am worth something," he said. Ludwig said he is receiving counseling that is helping him.
read more here