Airman to receive Air Force Cross for valor in Afghanistan Fay Observer By Drew Brooks Military editor Jan 19, 2017
On April 6, 2013, Baradat's actions were credited with saving the lives of more than 150 allies, both American and Afghan.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Baradat stood in an open Afghan courtyard as dirt kicked up by enemy bullets hitting the ground around him sprayed his uniform.
With members of the Special Forces team he was attached to shouting for him to take cover, Baradat instead zeroed in on the roughly 100 enemy fighters bearing down on his teammates with sniper fire, machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
Exposing himself to the hostile fire to better communicate with air crews overhead, Baradat orchestrated the supporting fire that would save the lives of his team and the allied forces they had been dispatched to rescue, synchronizing attacks from AC-130 and A-10 aircraft fighting back with their own barrage of fire, including 25 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm and 105 mm munitions and 500-pound bombs.
"I do not think that what I did that day was heroic; I was completely focused on coordinating close air support as I was trained to do in support of my team," Baradat said. "I witnessed many heroic acts from the Army Special Forces team, and I hope that they receive the recognition that they deserve. I also want to thank the A-10 and AC-130 aircrew that day. Without their support, the day would have turned out much worse." read more here
Local musician “honored” to perform at inauguration Dayton Daily News Randy Tucker Staff Writer Jan. 21, 2017
“This is something that should unite us. I’m not attending the march in any anti-American stance. This is just democracy. This is what I fought for. I’ve been to places where democracy doesn’t exist.” Donnie Reis,
Donnie Reis, left, performs with Lee Greenwood, right, at a pre-Inaugural “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration” at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Donnie Reis, a national recording artist and producer from Tipp City and an Iraq War veteran, respects Civil Rights, women’s rights and the right to protest — but above all else, he respects the democratic process, which manifests itself every four years as the inauguration of the President of the United States.
Reis said he considered it an honor to perform Friday at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, where he sang and played violin with The Frontmen of Country band, led by country music singers Larry Stewart, Richie McDonald and Tim Rushlow.
The group was joined by fellow country artist, Lee Greenwood, to perform his iconic song “God Bless the U.S.A” for President Trump, his family and thousands of attendees on Washington, D.C.’s National Mall.
“That was the highlight for me,” said Reis during a phone interview Saturday from Washington. “Standing up on stage and looking out over a sea of people from all different walks of life, singing “God Bless the U.S.A,” and hearing them sing it back; It took everything I had not just to cry.” read more here
Will We Prove We Love Our Veterans? Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos January 21, 2017 When I got into all of this, President Reagan had been in office a year. Then it was President Bush, followed by President Clinton, followed by President Bush, President Obama and now, President Trump. Every single one of them has promised to honor the devotion and dedication of all those who served in the military, and they failed, and now it seems as if President Trump is about to fail them again. With his desire to privatize their care, sending veterans away from the care they were promised. Instead of demanding Congress finally accepts the profound responsibility and do whatever it takes to fix what they have failed to do since 1946. As with most things, if you think something is suddenly wrong because you are suddenly paying attention to it, here is just an example.
After the passage of the Veterans Health Care Amendments Act of 1979, the VA set up a
network of Vet Centers across the country,
separate from other VA facilities. In response
to their special needs, the Vet Centers at first
were limited to Vietnam veterans.
This is from President Reagan's speech at the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
But -- But -- But beyond that, we remember today that all our gentle heroes of Vietnam have given us a lesson in something more: a lesson in living love. Yes, for all of them, those who came back and those who did not, their love for their families lives. Their love for their buddies on the battlefields and friends back home lives. Their love of their country lives.
This memorial has become a monument to that living love. The thousands who come to see the names testify to a love that endures. The messages and mementos they leave speak with a whispering voice that passes gently through the surrounding trees and to out across the breast of our peaceful nation: a childhood teddy bear, a photograph of the son or daughter born too late to know his or her father, a battle ribbon, a note -- there are so many of these, and all are testimony to our living love for them. And our nation itself is testimony to the love our veterans have had for it and for us. Our liberties, our values, all for which America stands is safe today because brave men and women have been ready to face the fire at freedom's front. And we thank God for them.
Yes, gentle heroes and living love and our memories of a time when we faced great divisions here at home. And yet if this place recalls all this, both sweet and sad, it also reminds us of a great and profound truth about our nation: that from all our divisions we have always eventually emerged strengthened. Perhaps we are finding that new strength today, and if so, much of it comes from the forgiveness and healing love that our Vietnam veterans have shown.
"As a nation we say we love you." said President Reagan, but as a nation, we had not lived up to caring for those who carried the wounds of war on their backs and in their souls. "As a nation we say we love you" to our veterans and are eternally grateful for your service that should never end because it is just too hard to do. Secretary of Veterans Affairs was turned into a Cabinet Position by President Reagan.
President Reagan signed legislation in
1988 to elevate VA to Cabinet status and,
on March 15, 1989, the Veterans
Administration became the Department of
Veterans Affairs. Edward J. Derwinski,
VA administrator at the time, was
appointed the first Secretary of Veterans
Affairs.
We are pleased to be here today to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) progress in reducing veterans' waiting times for decisions on their disability compensation and pension claims. VA expects to provide about $25 billion in compensation and pension benefits in fiscal year 2002 to over 3 million veterans and their dependents and survivors. For years, the compensation and pension claims process has been the subject of concern and attention within VA and by the Congress and veterans service organizations. Many of their concerns have focused on the long waits for decisions and large claims backlogs, both of which have negatively affected the quality of service provided to veterans. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has made improving compensation and pension claims processing performance one of VA's top management priorities. The Secretary's end of fiscal year 2003 goal is to complete accurate decisions on rating-related claims in an average of 100 days. To achieve this goal, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is focusing on increasing production of rating decisions and reducing the inventory of claims to about 250,000. As of the end of March 2002, VBA was completing claims in an average of 224 days and had an inventory of about 412,000 claims.
So, here we are all these Presidents later and President Trump is now about to send veterans into the private healthcare nightmare. I never thought I'd see a time in this country when our obligation to our veterans ended because it was easier for us to just forget they are not civilians and should be provided with the best care this NATION, can give them. Giving up was not an option for them in combat and it should never be an option because it is hard for politicians to deliver to them.
Will Trump's Bigger Army Mean More Suicides? Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos January 21, 2017 I thought that reading Trump’s bigger Army could cost $12B by official’s math would be informative, however, it offered a lot more than math on the budget.
The Army hit a high of 566,000 active-duty troops in 2011 to sustain the American troop surge in Iraq along with the continuing war in Afghanistan. The number has steadily dropped since the U.S. pullout from Iraq in December 2011. The debate since then has been about the pace of a planned draw-down to 450,000 by the end of fiscal 2018. This year’s defense policy bill mandated that the Army not be reduced to fewer than 476,000.
When you read this about the numbers, consider the simple fact that when there are so many fewer serving, the actual outcomes of military suicides is even more frightening. This is from a report about 2015 Army suicides.
The number of suicides among troops was 145 in 2001 and began a steady increase until more than doubling to 321 in 2012, the worst year in recent history for servicemembers killing themselves.
The suicide rate for the Army that year was nearly 30 suicides per 100,000 soldiers, well above the national rate of 12.5 per 100,000 for 2012.
Military suicides dropped 20% the year after that, and then held roughly steady at numbers significantly higher than during the early 2000s. The 265 suicides last year compares with 273 in 2014 and 254 in 2013. By contrast, from 2001 through 2007, suicides never exceeded 197.
We don't know what the number was for 2016, because they have not released their data. We only know about the 1st and 2nd quarters.
In the first quarter of 2016, the military services reported the following: 58 deaths by suicide in the Active Component 18 deaths by suicide in the Reserves 34 deaths by suicide in the National Guard Please refer to Appendix A for a detailed breakdown of the number of deaths by suicide within each Service and Component.
Local nonprofit honored at Texas ball in D.C. Killeen Daily Herald
By David A. Bryant
Herald staff write
Posted: Friday, January 20, 2017
What the Copperas Cove resident and former Army warrant officer didn’t know, however, was her organization was in for a treat. Toyota of Texas had a surprise in store for her — a brand-new custom Toyota Tundra pickup truck to help haul much-needed donations and provide rides for poor and homeless veterans to appointments at the Temple Veterans Affairs hospital.
Photo courtesy of Jack Barcroft
U.S. Rep. Roger Williams (R-Austin) introduces Joann Courtland, director of Operation Stand Down-Central Texas, during the Texas State Society Black Tie and Boots ball Thursday in Washington, D.C. The nonprofit was presented a brand new Toyota Tacoma pickup truck by Toyota of Texas to honor the nonprofit's work in helping homeless veterans.
WASHINGTON — When Joann Courtland, director of the Copperas Cove-based Operation Stand Down-Central Texas, was told to pack her bags Wednesday for a trip to the nation’s capital, she wasn’t quite sure what was going on.
She was told that U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, was flying her out to attend the Texas State Society Black Tie and Boots ball to bring attention to the work the nonprofit does to help homeless veterans and bring them back into society. So she packed her bags, hopped on a plane Thursday morning and flew to Washington, D.C.
“I just thought he would talk about our organization in front of fellow Texans and allow for people who wanted to sponsor or donate to do so,” Courtland said. “It was full of 10,000-plus folks from all over the state.” read more here
Man shot by local officer jailed after release from hospital KWTX News
January 20, 2017
Meyers spent a little more than six years in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of sergeant, according to records obtained by KWTX.
He joined the Army in April 2001 and served at Fort Hood from October 2003 to June 2007, when he left the service.
He deployed to Iraq from September 2003 to September 2004, and received a Purple Heart medal, the records show.
Thomas Eugene Meyers. (Jail photo)
KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) A man whom a Killeen police officer shot after responding to a disturbance call was in the Bell County Jail Friday facing a list of charges after his release from the hospital.
Thomas Eugene Meyers, 35, of Killeen, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and assault with bodily injury on a family member.v
read more here
Ladies and Gentlemen, we probably have the idiotic report of the week. Then again, the week isn't over yet. "Mindset of charged Iraqi War vets questioned" By Jim Holt on the Santa Clarita Valley January 20, 2017,
"The actual condition, however, has yet to receive the attention it demands from the Veterans Administration where psychologically wounded soldiers – as Andersen is convinced applies to Ditch – go for help."
I know it is very hard for some younger folks to comprehend the simple fact that something isn't all about them, but involves far too many other waiting even longer for what they claim they lack, but that is bull. Bull at least for this generation considering Vietnam veterans are the ones who came home and pushed for all the funding and research. This is part from the Department of Veterans Affairs History of PTSD.
"In 1980, APA added PTSD to DSM-III, which stemmed from research involving returning Vietnam War Veterans, Holocaust survivors, sexual trauma victims, and others. Links between the trauma of war and post-military civilian life were established."
And this is how long researchers have been trying to understand it.
Early attempts at a medical diagnosis Accounts of psychological symptoms following military trauma date back to ancient times. The American Civil War (1861-1865) and the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) mark the start of formal medical attempts to address the problems of military Veterans exposed to combat. European descriptions of the psychological impact of railroad accidents also added to early understanding of trauma-related conditions.
The subject of the report are two veterans. The report added this.
In a letter dated July 10, 2013, addressed to Ditch from the Department of Veterans Affairs, a copy of which was obtained by The Signal, shows Ditch being compensated as of February 2011. The claim, according to Andersen, was for injuries Ditch suffered which include PTSD and traumatic brain injury, TBI. According to Andersen, he and Ditch – age 20 and 22 – when they were deployed to Iraq with the 27th Infantry, were not the same people that returned to America.“Ditch had a buddy that was shot right next to him in a tower,” Andersen said. “He also saw lot of other friends shot and killed; some blown up.“He was a good kid,” he said. “There are hundreds of guys, including high-ranking guys, ready to support him.”
There is only so much the VA can do. Consider the fact there are now over 400,000 veterans charities set up across the country to "support" and help veterans. Countless folks are doing pushups and taking walks so they raise awareness about the problems veterans have, without doing anything about the "problem" itself. They get away with all of it because the press never holds any of them accountable. Are they afraid to actually go after a feel good story they jumped to share more than they are afraid of the outcomes they did nothing to change? They have made the VA an enemy instead of covering what they have gotten right, plus all the different things they are doing to treat PTSD. The VA saved more veterans than you will ever hear about but the veteran has a responsibility in all of this too. They need to do the work to heal and take advantage of what had been in place for them since the 80's.
PTSD Suicide Survivor New Year's Message of Hope
Palm Harbor veteran, puppies take care of one another WTSP Bobby Lewis January 18, 2017
Will Blanchard whipped out a pet carrier and a smile and chuckle.
“This is my new army,” he said with a group of adorable puppies yapping in the background.
The Palm Harbor transplant, by way of Chicago, is happy to have a purpose again. It took a while to find it, but his volunteer role at the Suncoast Animal League has become his calling.
“His work ethic has not changed,” said SAL executive director Rick Chaboudy. “He’s one of the hardest working.”
It’s Blanchard's nature.
His great-grandfather served in WWI. Both of his grandfathers fought in the Korean War. When he graduated from Palm Harbor University High in 2003 he, naturally, entered the military, too.
It just didn’t end well.
“I was in the Army and over in Iraq from November ‘06 to January ’08,” he recalled. “I lost a lot of buddies. Saw the terrors of war and it messed with me quite a bit.”
Since becoming retired from the military, Blanchard searched for activities to fill his day and keep his mind off his service experiences. His body is a living memorial to the friends he’s lost - his back is covered with tattooed names of 11 friends who died alongside him in service.
He needed a distraction and found it in four-legged friends. read more here
Temple: Vietnam veteran shares words of encouragement KWTX 10 News By Kristen Victorin Jan 18, 2017
Bill Wedekind. (Photo by Kristen Victorin)
TEMPLE, Texas (KWTX) An injured Vietnam veteran shared his story Wednesday at the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System’s Domiciliary in Temple.
Bill Wedekind lost both his hands and eyes at age 18 from an IED accident in Vietnam.
In 1969 and 1973 he underwent two Krukenberg amputations, in which the distal ends of his forearms were used to create a forklike stump between the radius and the ulna.
When Wedekind returned, his grandmother suggested he follow in her footsteps as a ceramicist.
Almost 50 years later, he still enjoys throwing pottery and hopes to inspire others in the process. read more here
Veteran says VA saved his life Leavenworth Times By MARK ROUNTREE January 18, 2017
"We are all kind of our own special society. You don't have to give your whole story to explain it (to other veterans)." James Trumble
James Trumble sits on a bench outside of the domicillary at the Eisenhower VA Medical Center, reflecting on his military experiences and how the V has helped him deal with post traumatic stress disorder
Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, James Trumble said he always wanted to join the Army. He remembers playing Army as a youngster.
"What little kid didn't play Army?" he said.
Trumble enlisted in the Army at the age of 24. In 2007, he was deployed near Baghdad, Iraq. It didn't take long before he was in the fight.
On his first mission, Trumble earned his combat infantryman badge as a result of a firefight.
"That kind of started PTSD for me," he said.
He said that in his first five months in Iraq, he was engaged in more than 20 firefights. He said those experiences and more led to his developing post-traumatic stress disorder.
"Combat is so unexpected," he said. "I don't know what is normal or what isn't. It was enough to affect me."
Trumble served for a little more than three years in the Army. He was deployed to Iraq in 2007-08 as part of the 101st Airborne, 1st 502nd infantry. read more here
Vietnam group asks Obama to pardon veterans The Hill BY KRISTINA WONG 01/18/17
"We hope that President Obama, in the final hours of his Presidency, will do right by his troops by helping bad-paper vets with PTSD," Rowan said. "We cannot wait another four or eight years for an outgoing President to take action to help the most vulnerable veterans in the country."
A veterans service organization is asking President Obama to pardon veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder who received a less-than-honorable discharge after the president commuted the prison sentence for former Army soldier Chelsea Manning.
"As pardons are being issued to people who have been convicted of serious felonies, veterans who served their country in combat wait to be offered the same clemency," said John Rowan, national president of Vietnam Veterans of America.
With four days left in office, the Obama administration announced Tuesday that it was commuting Manning's sentence, in addition to 208 others, and pardoning 64 individuals. read more here
Meet the Army Veteran Who’s Never Missed an Inauguration Day Since Nixon NBC News by ERIK ORTIZ January 18, 2017
It doesn't matter whether he voted for that person or not, Davis said, he goes to each ceremony out of a "sense of duty — an obligation I feel in my soul."
"I didn't die for my country," he said, "but I'm living for it."
On each Inauguration Day, decorated Vietnam veteran Sammy Lee Davis is furnished with a front-row seat to history.
Davis, a Medal of Honor recipient, has been an eyewitness to every American president taking the oath of office since Richard Nixon's first swearing-in on a cold January afternoon in 1969. Davis is returning to Washington this week and says he is eager to watch Donald Trump become the next president of the United States — marking his 14th ceremony he will get to experience first-hand.
"How unique it is to have that privilege," said Davis, 70, who calls everyone "sir" or "ma'am" and lives outside a tiny Indiana community called Freedom, where he keeps framed programs from each inauguration he's attended.
While a particular president might inspire a trek to the nation's capital for such a revered event — President Barack Obama's first inauguration in 2009 beckoned an estimated 1.8 million spectators — the desire to go is different for Davis. read more here
Florida lawmakers working to get veterans access to alternative treatments such as acupuncture Action News Jax by: Michael Yoshida Jan 17, 2017
There’s a push to make it easier for Florida veterans to get access to “alternative treatments” for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and other injuries.
The treatments include things like acupuncture, equine therapy, music therapy and meditation.
They're included in two bills introduced by Florida lawmakers.There’s a push to make it easier for Florida veterans to get access to “alternative treatments” for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and other injuries.
The treatments include things like acupuncture, equine therapy, music therapy and meditation.
Action News Jax spoke with veterans who are already benefiting from this form of treatment.
“You know it took me years to even talk about my problems,” said Army veteran Chad Childers.
Childers, an Army Ranger, was medically discharged after deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“I tried to cope with my issues by drinking and ended up out on the streets,” Childers said.
Childers eventually found his way to the Five Star Veterans Center.
“When they first brought up doing art therapy, I’m like 'uh, what’s this cheeseball stuff? I’m not, you know, in elementary school anymore,' but I went to it and I actually had a great time,” Childers said. read more here
VA by the numbers: Has the department made progress? Military Times By: Leo Shane III January 16, 2017
If Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Health Dr. David Shulkin is confirmed as the next VA Secretary, he’ll take on a broader profile than just the medical aspects of the department.
Here’s a look at some key facts and figures on where the department stands today, based on current officials’ own statistics and assessments of operations since current VA Secretary Bob McDonald took office in August 2014.
** The VA budget totals $176.9 billion for fiscal 2017, almost twice the budget total when Obama took office in fiscal 2009 ($93.7 billion) and almost four times the total when the war in Afghanistan began in fiscal 2001 ($48.7 billion).
Of the 2017 total, roughly $77.4 billion is set aside for discretionary programs, and the rest for disability, medical and education benefits, along with other mandatory spending.
On the list, 2009 7.8 million veterans in VA system. 2016 9 million veterans in the VA system.
2009 277,000 VA employees. 2016 365,000 VA employees.
2009 265,000 100% Disabled veterans. 2016 542,000 100% Disabled veterans. read more here
Air Force: PTSD, Other Factors Led Airman to Kill Commander By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAN ANTONIO Jan 16, 2017
U.S. Air Force investigators have determined that post-traumatic stress disorder and the unraveling of a distinguished military career led an airman to fatally shoot his commander last year at a San Antonio base before killing himself, according to Air Force documents.
The April shooting at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland prompted a lockdown and officials to abruptly end a nearby military training parade with thousands of spectators.
Investigators determined Tech. Sgt. Steven Bellino confronted Lt. Col. William Schroeder before the two struggled and Schroeder was shot multiple times. Both men were veterans of U.S. Special Operations Command.
Air Force documents given to the San Antonio Express-News ( http://bit.ly/2jC5obt ) by Bellino's family show he participated in an elite pararescue program with Schroeder but did not complete it.
read more here
A Long Career in Military’s Elite Spirals Into a Killing and a Suicide The New York Times By DAVE PHILIPPS APRIL 15, 2016
Military and law enforcement personnel after a shooting last week at Joint Base San Antonio in which, the authorities say, a sergeant fatally shot his commander, then killed himself. Credit Darren Abate/Reuters
Investigators believe Bellino, 41, resented the outcome following a remarkable military career that included repeated tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and time as an Army Ranger and Green Beret. He also had served as an FBI agent and was a CIA contractor before enlisting in the Air Force and attempting to join the elite unit. After two decades in the Army Special Forces, several deployments overseas and a stint in the F.B.I., Steven Bellino switched to the Air Force to become an elite pararescue lifesaver trained to jump from planes and save aircrews behind enemy lines. The motto of the rescuers is, “That others may live.”
But last week, just a few months into training, Sergeant Bellino, facing court-martial for being absent without leave, walked into his squadron’s headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio, in Texas, with two pistols and gunned down his commander, Lt. Col. William Schroeder, according to a Department of Defense spokeswoman, who said the sergeant then killed himself. read more here
Marine family wonders if child's cancer could be linked to Lowcountry military housing WJCL News Meghan Schiller Jan 15, 2017
A Marine wife created a video last week in effort to warn and educate other military families living on or nearby Beaufort's Laurel Bay Housing. The mother, Amanda Whatley, believes there is the potential for those living in the area to develop cancer and other health problems.
A Marine wife created a video last week in effort to warn and educate other military families living on or nearby Beaufort's Laurel Bay Housing. The mother, Amanda Whatley, believes there is the potential for those living in the area to develop cancer and other health problems.
The Lowcountry military housing neighborhood, filled with Marine families stationed at Parris Island or MCAS Beaufort, is now under the national microscope.
The Whatley family lived in Beaufort from July 2007 to November 2010, according to her Youtube video. In the video, Watley talks about her daughter Katie's fight with cancer. She says that Katie is one of 8 children that she knows of that have been diagnosed since living at Laurel Bay.
Whatley recently posted an update to her Youtube post, saying that the number of children with cancer has grown from 8 to 13. read more here
Laurel Bay Military Housing and Kids with Cancer Amanda Whatley
Published on Jan 7, 2017 ***Edited to add.....The number of children with cancer has grown from 8 to 13 since the video went live. I have also received emails from at least 20 adults who were stationed in Beaufort and then diagnosed with cancer. I expect that number is actually exponentially higher. The only thing I wish I could add to the video is that we are not certain that the oil tanks are the issue. We have asked the Marine Corps to check a list of contaminated areas on Laurel Bay, Parris Island, and MCAS Beaufort. ***
This video is meant to serve as a public service announcement to all families that have been stationed at MCRD Parris Island or MCAS Beaufort and lived in the Laurel Bay military housing community. In the last several years, 8 children (that we know of so far) that lived at Laurel Bay have been diagnosed with cancer. Please share this video with the Marine Corps and Navy families you know that have lived there.
If your child has been diagnosed with cancer and you were stationed in Beaufort, please contact me at courage4katie@gmail.com
The next time you hear anyone say that most of the suicides occur without being deployed, remember this,
One Marine killed, second wounded in training accident Marine Corps Times By: Jeff Schogol January 15, 2017
One Marine was killed and a second Marine wounded while conducting small arms live-fire training Friday at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in California.
Both Marines’ names are being withheld pending next of kin notification, according to a news release from the combat training base. An investigation into the accident has been launched.
The incident happened at 5:05 p.m. Friday as the Marines were preparing for the start of Integrated Training Exercise 2-17, the news release says. read more here
Training itself is dangerous, as you have just read, and it should be a factor in any report on the rise in suicides among servicemembers. Then add in the fact that every member of the military, regardless of branch, has received training in what they have been told will prevent PTSD and stop suicides. Now add in the simple question we have never heard and explanation for. If that training was not good enough to prevent suicides in non-deployed, then how the hell did they think it would work for those deployed into combat multiple times?
Homeless veterans take refuge at Arizona encampment PBS Newshour January 14, 2017
TAZE BEN-ATON: "We have something here that I’ve never found anywhere else. We have a VA navigator. Somebody who knows the system, knows who to talk to, knows who to call if you don’t get what you need. And he does it for us and he’s just the best there is."
MITCHELL RILEY: It’s a cool morning late October, people in these tents begin to rise. A passing train their wake up call. This is Camp Bravo. Next to Santa Rita Park on Tucson’s south side. A place where homeless vets and others can find comfort, food, and shelter. The camp is run by Veterans on Patrol, a program of Walking For the Forgotten Ministries. Leaders of this effort seek out homeless vets and offer safe haven, camaraderie, and a path to support services. Bravo is patrolled around the clock in shifts. Manny was on night watch.
This is Calamity. She came in during the night in need of help.
MARTIN MARSZALEK: I was 101st Airborne. I actually went in as a voice radio operator, but when they found out that I had some pretty extensive medical background, they made me an expert field medic. I jumped out of perfectly good aircraft with a medical bag and tried to attend to folks who needed help.
This is for your immune system. It has magnesium and seed coming out.
My name is Martin Marszalek. Everybody here calls me “Doc.” I am the Base Commander and Chief Medical Officer. I kind of keep things rolling along here.
This is vitamin C, keep you from catching cold.
Our mission is to go out and find as many homeless veterans that we can possibly locate and bring them in. Try to transition them from homelessness to housing, get them medical care, things that they’ve been doing without for so many years. read more here
BETRAYAL OF OUR BOYS The Sun UK EXCLUSIVE
BY STEVE HAWKES, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR
15th January 2017
“The toll on our troops does not end as they leave the battlefield.”
IMAGE: PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION
Mental discharges have made up 14 per cent of troops who have left the services in the last five years
Theresa May urged to tackle the spiralling PTSD timebomb as shock figures show soaring mental discharges A staggering 473 soldiers were discharged from the Army, Navy or RAF for “mental or behavioural” reasons in 2015-2016 – more than double the number in 2011-2012
THERESA MAY was last night accused of “betraying” Our Boys after a staggering 150 per cent rise in troops quitting the Armed Forces over mental health issues.
The PM was urged to tackle the spiralling PTSD timebomb as shock figures revealed 473 soldiers were discharged from the Army, Navy or RAF for “mental or behavioural” reasons in 2015-2016. The total is more than double the number in 2011-2012.
And the Ministry of Defence stats show that of the 473, 189 were for cases of post-traumatic stress disorder – more than three times the 50 recorded in 2011-2012.
Lib Dem peer Paddy Ashdown said the figures laid bare the Government’s failings on mental health – and urged them to set up funding to tackle post-traumatic stress and depression in the Forces. read more here
UPDATE Services announced for Hemet soldier who died in Kuwait Press Enterprise By GAIL WESSON / STAFF WRITER Published: Jan. 22, 2017 Funeral services have been scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 25, for an Army soldier from Hemet who died Jan. 12 in Kuwait.
The Patriot Guard Riders will provide an escort for the hearse carrying John Phillips Rodriguez into Hemet on Monday, Jan. 23, ending at the Miller-Jones Mortuary in San Jacinto at 165 W. Seventh St., with arrival estimated at 3:30 p.m., according to a post on the Patriot Guard organization website. The escort will come into Hemet on Highway 74 and turn north on San Jacinto Street to the mortuary. for more information go here SoCal Soldier Killed in Non-Combat Incident NBC 4 News By City News Service January 14, 2017
A 23-year old Army soldier from Hemet was killed in a non-combat related incident in Kuwait, the Pentagon announced Saturday.
Spc. John P. Rodriguez died while "supporting U.S. Army Central (Command)" as a combat engineer in Kuwait as part of Operation Inherent Resolve at the time of his death, according to Gil Telles, an Army spokesperson. The operation comprises of a U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
The circumstances surrounding his death were not disclosed due to an ongoing investigation.
Rodriguez had been assigned to the 2nd Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, of the 1st Armored Division headquartered in Ft. Bliss, Texas. read more here
