Air Force Wife Not Jealous Hubby Has Another Love in His Life

Ohio Air Force Sgt. reunites with military dog after 3 years apart
FOX News
Cristina Corbin
Published April 28, 2017

The two last saw each other in 2014. The reunion last week was made possible by American Humane, a Washington-based nonprofit group, which funded the costs of bringing Emra home to retire on U.S. soil.

Wylie and Emra, pictured above, were reunited April 20 in Cincinnati.

(American Humane and Crown Media Family Networks/Brian Douglas)

For U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Adam Wylie, "Emra" -- the 9-year-old Belgian Malinois he was forced to leave behind in South Korea -- was more than a service dog.

The canine filled the void of family when Wylie, a 12-year veteran of the armed forces, was deployed from 2012 to 2014 in South Korea where he was stationed around Osan Air Base.

"She meant the world to me," Wylie, 33, told Fox News.

The two -- separated for three years -- were reunited April 20 in Cincinnati in a heartwarming reunion that at first seemed improbable. Emra had retired as a service dog due to old age and the beginnings of arthritis -- and was living thousands of miles away from her former handler.
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Two Service Members Killed in Afghanistan, One Wounded

2 US troops killed, 1 injured in eastern Afghanistan 
AP 
 Apr 27, 2017

The U.S. forces were accompanying Afghan troops on the raid when they came under attack by the Islamic State Khorasan group

WASHINGTON — Two American service members were killed and another received a minor injury during a ground assault against Islamic State fighters in Afghanistan Wednesday, according to the U.S. military.

The U.S. and Afghan troops had flown in by helicopter then advanced on foot. The raid was in Mohmand Valley, the same region where the U.S., two weeks ago, dropped what is called the "mother of all bombs" on an IS complex. read more here

California Trying to Help Deported Veterans

California lawmakers consider legal aid for deported vets
KPCC 89.3
Dorian Merina
April 27, 2017

"When someone is willing to die for this country and give us everything that they have ... we just thought it was time to figure out a way to get them back home." Gonzalez Fletcher

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Antonio Romo holds a picture of himself from his days at boot camp, as he stands next to the U.S. border wall on the beach in Tijuana, Mexico. Romo is one of dozens of U.S. military veterans who were deported after criminal convictions and have fought for years to be allowed to return. GREGORY BULL/AP

The California legislature is considering a bill that would provide state-funded legal aid to deported military veterans. It has drawn bipartisan support and is headed for a possible vote on the Assembly floor next week.

The measure, AB 386, would commit the State Department of Social Services to contract directly or indirectly with a nonprofit legal group to provide assistance to immigrant veterans with green cards who have been deported following an honorable discharge.

"It's very hard once you've been deported to go into immigration court and argue your case to come back," said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego), the bill's author.
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13 Unclaimed Veterans to be buried with honors

Do you know them? Burial set for homeless veterans

Dallas

The 13 unclaimed veterans are identified as:

• Army Specialist Joseph David Dobson, 84
• 
  
• Army Private Ned Carlston King, 56
• 
  
• Army Specialist Dennis Wayne Moore, 63
• 
  
• Marine Private Edward Charles Gipson, 60
• 
  
• Marine Private Grant Wells, Jr., 63
• 
  
• Navy Veteran Glenn Allen Gatton, 65
• 
  
• Navy Ensign Patrick Michael Kelly, 62
• 
  
• Navy Veteran Daniel Ray McKinley, 46
• 
  
• Navy Veteran Michael Snyder, 58
• 
  
• Navy Veteran Elbert Louis Wilson, 79
• 
  
• Air Force Staff Sergeant William Brugemann Beeson, 86
• 
  
• Air Force Master Sergeant Bobby Ray Gleason, 71
• 
  
• Air Force Veteran Jerry G. Marshall, 81

Soldier and Veteran Took Turns Shooting Her PTSD Service Dog!

UPDATE
Sad end to grisly episode: Ex-soldier who killed dog is found dead


Bail increased for veteran, soldier accused in execution of veteran’s PTSD therapy dog
Fayetteville Observer
By Monica Vendituoli Staff writer
April 25, 2017

The couple next tied Cam to a tree, the warrant said. Cam sat down and turned away from Rollins right before she shot him in the head. She then shot him a few more times, according to court documents.

Marinna Rollins told her Facebook friends on April 17 that she found a new home for her PTSD therapy dog, Cam.

Instead, she and her boyfriend, soldier Jarren Heng, are accused of shooting Cam multiple times with a rifle execution-style. Authorities said they filmed the incident.

“They can be heard on the tape laughing and giggling as the dog was being killed,” Cumberland County District Attorney Clark Reaves said at the couple’s first court appearance on Tuesday. “It was a therapy dog.”

Rollins, 23, and Heng, 25, both of the 5600 block of East Netherland Drive, have each been charged with cruelty to animals and conspiracy, arrest documents said.

Heng was arrested Monday evening and Rollins was arrested Tuesday afternoon. Arrest documents said Rollins attempted to avoid apprehension by the Sheriff’s Office.
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Marine Sgt. Major Accused in Attack at Portland Resteraunt

This is a veteran of multiple deployments. He is also a veteran with valor and rank. Pretty much sums up how good the "resilience" training is working on our service members. The DOD will never get that it is the biggest part of the problem.

Marine with PTSD accused in attack at Portland Iraqi restaurant
KGW
Mike Benner and Michael Rollins and Mike Benner
April 25, 2017


PORTLAND, Ore. -- The suspect in an attack in a Portland Iraqi restaurant is an active duty Marine who has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.

Sergeant Major XXXXXXX, 40, served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a Marine Corps biography.

He told jailers of the PTSD diagnosis but did not specify a date. He is taking Ritalin and Propranolol.

XXXXXXXX was initially accused of harassment and second-degree disorderly conduct and intimidation. He was booked and released.

The charge of second-degree intimidation, a hate crime under Oregon law, has been dropped. However, Portland police told KGW that the case has been assigned to a bias crime detective. Police also said they are aware of XXXXXXX military status and that it would have no bearing on their investigation.

The owners of the DarSalam restaurant in Northeast Portland said one of their servers was the victim of a racially motivated attack Friday evening.

He earned the prestigious Sergeant Major rank in November of 2015. He now serves as the XXXXXXXX Marines Battalion Sergeant Major.

His awards include Bronze Star Medal with combat ‘V’ for valor, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold stars in lieu of second award.
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Man Charged with Threatening Disabled Veteran and Throwing Fire Extinguisher at Him

NEW: Florida man allegedly throws fire extinguisher at disabled veteran
Palm Beach Post
Ryan DiPentima
April 25, 2017

Hagen allegedly threw the extinguisher at his neighbor -- striking him in the abdomen and thighs -- and allegedly threatened to “dump” him from his wheelchair, according to the Gainesville Sun.

A Florida man is accused of throwing a fire extinguisher at a disabled veteran.

James M. Hagen, of Gainesville, got into an argument with his neighbor, a disabled veteran in a wheelchair, on Monday. The argument allegedly stemmed from Hagan’s belongings blocking his neighbor’s access to a fire extinguisher, according to the Gainesville Sun.
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Navy Federal Credit Union to Cover Some Members in Case of Government Shutdown

Navy Federal to Cover Direct Deposit for Eligible Members Ahead of Possible Government Shutdown
Business Wire
April 24, 2017

VIENNA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Navy Federal Credit Union today announced plans for supporting its members should Congress be unable to come to an agreement on a continuing resolution and the government shuts down as of midnight, April 28. 

Beginning April 26, eligible members can opt in to a special program and receive coverage of their direct deposit of net pay should the government shut down.

“We’re always looking for the best way to serve our members”

"Covering pay for the people protecting our country is simply the right thing to do,” said Tynika Wilson, senior vice president of debit card and fund services at Navy Federal Credit Union. “They have important work to do. We’re happy to make their paycheck one less thing they have to worry about.”

Wilson stressed that eligible members can take action before the possible shutdown by registering for the program starting Wednesday, April 26 using Navy Federal Online or by calling 1-888-842-6328, or visiting a branch. The program is available to Active Duty military, Coast Guard and DoD civilian members who have an established direct deposit with Navy Federal.

Members affected by the shutdown who don’t meet the eligibility requirements should visit a branch or call 1-888-842-6328 to discuss their situation with a Member Service Representative.
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No Longer Homeless, Veteran Giving Back at Illinois VA Pantry

FORMERLY HOMELESS VETERAN GIVES BACK AT HINES VA PANTRY
ABC 7 News
Judy Hsu
Sunday, April 23, 2017

HINES, Ill. (WLS) -- Sunday is the kick-off of National Volunteer Week and all week long you are encouraged to get out into your community and get involved.

We caught up with one local veteran that already spends much of his time volunteering and he is making us Chicago Proud.

Bob McMahon is counting his blessings because after serving our country he fell on hard times.

"I was actually a homeless veteran. I spent three and a half years living in a tent on the Chicago River and from there I found out that they have a program here at the Hines Hospital. First thing when I got here they asked me what they can do for me. I was quiet astonished by that question what they can do for me instead of the other way around," McMahon said.

McMahon was diagnosed with COPD which keeps him from working full time. He was one of thousands of veterans in our area in need.

"The need among veterans remains really high. In Cook County 14,000 veterans live are at or below the poverty level. You talk to people like Bob that struggle with the issue. There are so many people in our community that deal with the issues he's struggled with every single day. Now what they call on disability and on a fixed income. On a fixed income the food pantry here is a Godsend for people like myself and other veterans who are finding it hard just to be able to purchase groceries every month," said Paul Morello, senior manager of public relations for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
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Home Depot Foundation Turned Orange into Color of Gratefulness

Volunteers help renovate veteran's home
WTSP
April 24, 2017

The Home Depot partnered with ServiceSource Florida to renovate the veteran’s home. Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has invested more than $184 million in veteran causes, and along with the help of Team Depot volunteers, has transformed more than 29,900 homes for veterans.

A team dressed in orange waved paint brushes across stucco like a group on a mission.

“I love brown. Brown is my absolute favorite color,” joked Largo Home Depot employee Lindsey Tornello as she slathered another layer of brown paint onto the garage door. “Had he picked teal, I don’t know.”

Dozens of volunteers from local Home Depot stores spent their day off sprucing up the home of Army veteran Randy Acker. The veteran, who has lived in the same home since 1985, was not able to keep up with a lot of the work that was needed on his home because of nagging injuries and fatigue.

“You could never ask for anything better than someone volunteering her time,” he said with a smile on his face. “'Grateful' isn’t the right word. 'Extraordinary' is a better word.”

Acker contacted ServiceSource Florida for help after seeing a story with a fellow veteran receiving help from Home Depot volunteers back in 2016. From high on the roof, Nancy Baraky used a pole to finish covering the chimney with brown paint.
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