Iraq Veteran Got Second Chance Being Good Dad Because of Good People

In crisis after Iraq tour, Kansas City veteran given second chance at fatherhood

KSHB News
Steven Dial
November 2, 2017

He felt he was out of options, so Brown put a call into the VA for help. He received a PTSD diagnosis after his military service, and workers moved to get him into a rehabilitation program through KVC Health Services.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- After returning from serving in Iraq, James Brown’s life went in a downward spiral. He got addicted to pain pills, went to jail and lost custody of his children.

“It’s not how you start, but how you finish that matters.” The old saying rings true for Brown.

He served our country, then came home to a broken family. His troubles went out of control when his wife left him. Brown was arrested multiple times after his return from Iraq in 2015, once on a weapons charge.

“I tried to commit suicide, then I got addicted to pain pills, which also got me in trouble with the law,” said Brown. “I was on my way to try and commit homicide -- kill me and my kids.”

His two young children, Jayden and Adrianna, went to live with Cathy and Stu MacFarlane as part of the foster home program. While the couple has children of their own, they’ve also spent the past four years opening their home to children in need.
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VA Tried to Get Refund from Veteran, News Crew Stepped In

7 On Your Side: VA wrongfully claims veteran owes thousands

WJLA News
Nathan Baca
November 1, 2017

“When I was diagnosed with PTSD, it took me almost 10 years to submit myself to the VA and say look, can you help me?’ Not until my wife said, ‘if you don’t ask for help, I’m going to take the children and I’m out,’” recalled Sabino. “More than once or twice… the thought process of killing myself – it’s always there.”

Photo of Petty Officer Zaldy Sabino in Bosnia. Thursday, Nov. 1, 2017. (Nathan Baca, ABC7) 

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. (ABC7) — Seven On Your Side intervened in the case of one Maryland Navy veteran, leading the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to reverse claims that veterans owed the government more than $22,000. 

The problem identified by ABC7 News affects an unknown number of veterans nationwide, according to veterans support organizations. The House Veterans Affairs Committee recently held a hearing on the subject of VA errors in benefits adjustments.
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Is that service dog a fake?

 Is that service dog a fake? Under federal law, you can’t even ask
Kansas City Star
Mark Davis
November 1, 2017

Fake service dogs are essentially untrained pets wearing vests or tags purchased online so Fido can tag along, too. They’ve become the bane of those who rely on trained service dogs to deal with disabilities.

The unleashed dog lunged from the woman’s lap and right at Andy, Michaela Chase’s dog.

“It was going for blood,” Chase said, thinking back to the narrow waiting room at her physical therapy gym in Lincoln, Neb. “It was in full attack mode.”

Shielded by Chase’s wheelchair, Andy avoided the other dog, which had a tag on its collar that said “service dog.” But though there was no fight, the damage was done.

“It really ruined Andy,” Chase said of her service dog trained by Paws for Freedom Inc. in Tonganoxie, Kan. Andy — the victim of a fake service dog, Chase said — now distrusts other dogs. He’ll even bark at other service dogs. 
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VA and ‘Got Your 6’ Announce StorytellersX

Aimed at strengthening civilian-military relationships, VA and ‘Got Your 6’ Announce StorytellersX Events Across the Nation
VA News
November 1, 2017

WASHINGTON — On the eve of Veterans Day, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in collaboration with Got Your 6 and local Community Veteran Engagement Boards, will host a nationwide series of StorytellersX events in November and December, featuring Veterans sharing their stories of post-military life.

Adapted from Got Your 6's national Storytellers programs — which have included a former VA Secretary, elected officials, filmmakers, entrepreneurs and educators — StorytellersX events are TEDx-type local activities featuring key Veterans connecting Veterans with their communities, all to help bridge the civilian-military divide.

“Research shows that the percentage of Americans who currently serve in the military is at its lowest point in history,” said VA Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin. “StorytellersX will showcase the exemplary talents and experiences of some of our nation’s brightest Veterans and shift the conversation to more accurate perceptions of Veterans. The reality is that most Veterans are exceptional citizens with life experiences that few understand. Veterans vote and volunteer more and serve their communities at higher rates than their civilian counterparts.”

During StorytellersX, audiences will hear Veterans share how military service prepared them for civilian life and personal and professional success. The 2017 StorytellersX dates and locations are:

• Hebron, Connecticut — 9-5 p.m. Nov. 4, Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks, 85 Jones St., Amston, Connecticut 
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• Montpelier, Maine — 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 7, The General Henry Knox Museum, 30 High St., Thomaston, Maine
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• Colorado Springs, Colorado — 3-5 p.m. Nov. 9, Mount Carmel Center of Excellence, 530 Communication Circle, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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• Lake County-McHenry County, Illinois; — 4-5 p.m. Nov. 15, Grayslake, Illinois
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• Marion, Illinois —  6-7 p.m. Nov. 9, Varsity Theater in Carbondale, 418 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, Illinois
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• Mooresville, North Carolina — 4-5 p.m. Nov. 9, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville, North Carolina
• New York, New York — 3-5 p.m. Nov. 11, 4 W. 43rd St., New York, New York
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• Grand Junction, Colorado —3-5 p.m. Nov. 11, Avalon Theater, 645 Main St., Grand Junction, Colorado
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• Cleveland, Ohio — 3-6 p.m. Nov. 17, American Red Cross of Northeast Ohio, Myers Room, 3747 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, and
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• Tucson, Arizona — 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 8, Military/Veteran Community Network-Southern Arizona 4^th annual Community Summit University of Arizona, 1303 E. University Blvd., Tucson, Arizona.

Additional events, updates and live video streams can be found at: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/42467/va-got-6-announce-storytellersx-events-across-nation/

Got Your 6 unites nonprofits, Hollywood and federal government partners to empower Veterans. For more information, email David.Francavilla@VA.gov.

Vietnam Veteran General Richard Cavazos Passed Away

Army's first Hispanic four-star general, Kingsville native dies
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Alexandria Rodriguez
October 30, 2017

The man who was raised by a cowhand on King Ranch and eventually became the United States Army's first Hispanic four-star general has died.

Richard Edward Cavazos, 88, died Sunday. He was living in the Army Residence Community in San Antonio. He is survived by his wife, Caroline, said Bill Fee, who served under Cavazos during the Vietnam War in 1967.

"The infantry men he led in Vietnam have been close to him ever since we got back from Vietnam, Fee said. "He's been a tremendous supporter of us ever since we got back. He's a remarkable gentleman."

The general also was the first Hispanic to attain the rank of brigadier general, according to biography.com. Cavazos spent most of his childhood on King Ranch with his father, a World World I veteran and foreman of the ranch's Santa Gertrudis division, the San Antonio Express-News reported in 2016.
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Virginia Sailor and Pregnant Wife Ambushed and Shot

Navy sailor, pregnant wife shot while trying to buy phone using OfferUp

TRIBUNE
October 30, 2017

"When they pulled up, six individuals [came out] and then four others surrounded the car. There was one shooter and that one shooter is the one who approached the car and instantly started firing shots," the father said.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- A Navy sailor and his pregnant wife were in the hospital Monday after being shot multiple times while trying to buy a cellphone through an app used to buy and sell personal items called OfferUp.

The young couple, who didn't want WTKR to use their last name, were just starting their lives together.

Frederick joined the Navy in January at the top of his class and married his love, Emily. They were stationed in Virginia at the start of the summer.

On Saturday night, they were using the OfferUp app to buy a cellphone from an 18-year-old girl.
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Retired Air Force Colonel Committed Suicide After Email?

Veteran's suicide at center of lawsuit against UC Davis
CBS News
October 31, 2017

"This man had served his country for 23 years on active duty, and he had a chest full of metals. I believe in his mind, and so does our expert, that he was immediately imagining what would happen to him in the Air Force." Annabelle Roberts

DAVIS, Calif. -- A lawsuit filed against University of California, Davis claims the school discriminated against a decorated Air Force veteran, which drove himself to commit suicide.

CBS Sacramento reports the incident happened back in October 2015, but new details are just being released.

After leaving the military, Col. Christopher de Los Santos took a job at UC Davis.

But three months later, trouble spiraled out of control quickly during a weekend retreat with co-workers. One witness claims it was more like a booze cruise, saying Santos was misbehaving.

The university launched an investigation into the alleged inappropriate behavior, and a day later, campus officials sent Santos an email placing him on leave.

Santos took his own life a few hours after receiving that email.
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Details Left Out on Veterans Suicide Gossip

If you still want to talk about how many veterans you think are committing suicide day by day, consider the following. 

John Wooden

Overview of data for the years between 2001-2014

§ In 2014, there were 41,425 suicides among U.S. adults. Among all U.S. adult deaths from suicide, 18%(7,403) were identified as Veterans of U.S. military service. 

§ In 2014, the rate of suicide among U.S. civilian adults was 15.2 per 100,000. 

• Since 2001, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among U.S. civilian adults has increased by 23.0%. 

§ In 2014, the rate of suicide among all Veterans was 35.3 per 100,000.

• Since 2001, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among U.S. Veterans has increased by 32.2%. 

§ In 2014, the rate of suicide among U.S. civilian adult males was 26.2 per 100,000.

• Since 2001, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among U.S. civilian adult males has increased by 0.3%.

§ In 2014, the rate of suicide among U.S. Veteran males was 37.0 per 100,000.

• Since 2001, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among U.S. Veteran males has increased by 30.5%.

§ In 2014, the rate of suicide among U.S. civilian adult females was 7.2 per 100,000. 

• Since 2001, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among U.S. civilian adult females has increased by 39.7%. 

§ In 2014, the rate of suicide among U.S. Veteran females was 18.9 per 100,000. 

• Since 2001, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among U.S. Veteran females has increased by 85.2%.

And to think this is after the Veterans Crisis Line did all this,

Since the establishment of the VCL through May 2016 the VCL:

o Has answered over 2.3 million calls, made over 289,000 chat connections, and over 55,000 texts; 

o Has initiated the dispatch of emergency services to callers in imminent suicidal crisis over 61,000 times; 

o Has provided over 376,000 referrals to a VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) thus ensuring Veterans are connected to local care;

And all the awareness groups have been doing a lot of talking but hardly any research. Including the fact that what they have been doing may have made them feel better about themselves, but did very little to get veterans to feel hope for their own lives. 

If you want to change the outcome, better start with with facts that got us to where we already are.

Family of Jason Simcakoski Gets Justice...Finally

Justice moved slowly. VA was found at fault back in 2015 after an investigation.

$2.3 million settlement filed in veteran's death at Tomah VA

WMTV NBC 15 News

October 28, 2017

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The government has reached a $2.3 million settlement with survivors of a Marine veteran who died of a drug overdose at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tomah.

Court papers filed Friday say about $1.65 million would go upfront to the widow and daughter of Jason Simcakoski, of Stevens Point, who was 35 when he died in 2014. 

Another $659,000 would go into annuities for them. The rest would go to attorney fees and expenses.

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Veterans Court, Support and Encouragement

13 vets graduate from Indy Veterans Court

FOX 59

Randy Spieth

October 27, 2017

“I know I wouldn’t be here today if veterans court didn’t exist," Mills said while holding back tears. "I probably would be in jail, but they gave me hope.”

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.  - A relatively new program recognized the work of 13 veterans Friday who have suffered because of their time in the military.

Veterans court allows service men and women to enroll in treatment, allowing them to stay out of jail and possibly see their criminal charges dropped.

Vets in the program were recognized for graduating with an hour-long ceremony at the Indiana World War Memorial auditorium.

The Indianapolis Veterans Court (IVC) celebrated its second anniversary of serving men and women. Including Friday's ceremony, 21 veterans have graduated from IVC.

“Our program is a treatment-oriented court," said Marion County Superior Court Judge David Certo, who also runs the IVC. "You go to treatment, the court helps support you and encourage you, and hold you accountable in doing that because you get better outcomes when you go consistently to treatment.”

The program is completed by veterans in phases, and can take 12 to 18 months overall. 
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