Sunday, November 5, 2017

Veterans Day Reminder of the Forgotten

All Veterans Should Matter Everyday
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 5, 2017 

 There is a serious problem in this country when men and women are expected to show up to fight our battles but we don't show up to fight for all of them when they need us.

 Veterans Day is next weekend. Cannot think of a better time to do this for all our veterans, especially the Pre-9-11 veterans everyone seems to have forgotten about.

 When we pay attention to only young veterans, what does that say about us? When we only donate to groups claiming to help only young veterans, what does that say to the majority of the veterans?

 I hope this effort will open your eyes so that maybe we can actually change the outcome.

 There is a huge difference between what we think we know and what there is to actually learn.

The Department of Veterans Affairs released their reports on how many veterans are committing suicide. What they left out of the report will shock you.

The numbers came from veterans in the VA system and from death certificates. Suicide was a factor but so was a connection to military service.

Some states have "Armed Forces" along with a question as to which war. Some states do not have a space for military service.
***Images were searched for every state. Where you see "yes" it was found but where you see "no" double check me to see if I just missed it. Some were very hard to read.***

Here are the states and the facts you need to know.


Alabama
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
130 suicides 2014
344,304 Veterans Population


Alaska
38 suicides 2014
69,848 Veterans Population


Arizona
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
259 suicides 2014
483,026 Veterans Population

Arkansas
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
100 suicides 2014
207,886 Veterans Population

California
NO
Bill passed this year to add it
662 suicides 2014
1,693,602 Veterans Population

Colorado
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
178 suicides 2014
377,992 Veterans Population

Connecticut
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
49 suicides 2014
189,056 Veterans Population

Delaware
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
24 suicides 2014
72,017 Veterans Population

District of Columbia
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
Under 10 suicides 2014
28,055 Veterans Population

Florida
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
591 suicides 2014
1,461,772 Veterans Population

Georgia
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
200 suicides 2014
651,283 Veterans Population

Hawaii
? See below
33 suicides 2014
109,871 Veterans Population

Idaho
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
54 suicides 2014
115,951 Veterans Population

Illinois
NO 
Bill passed this year to add it
193 suicides 2014
639,445 Veterans Population

Indiana
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
136 suicides 2014
408,790 Veterans Population

Iowa
NO
25 suicides 2014
198,627 Veterans Population

Kansas
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
88 suicides 2014
187,113 Veterans Population

Kentucky
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
136 suicides 2014
280,030 Veterans Population

Louisiana
NO
112 suicides 2014
261,772 Veterans Population

Maine
NO
55 suicides 2014
113,958 Veterans Population

Maryland
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
89 suicides 2014
384,882 Veterans Population

Massachusetts
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
73 suicides 2014
338,287 Veterans Population

Michigan
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
213 suicides 2014
600,135 Veterans Population

Minnesota
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
113 suicides 2014
322,421 Veterans Population

Mississippi
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
74 suicides 2014
174,500 Veterans Population

Missouri
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
207 suicides 2014
438,287 Veterans Population

Montana
NO
58 suicides 2014
84,496 Veterans Population

Nebraska
NO
61 suicides 2014
127,730 Veterans Population

Nevada
NO
127 suicides 2014
212,314 Veterans Population

New Hampshire
NO
37 suicides 2014
99,552 Veterans Population

New Jersey
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
93 suicides 2014
360,415 Veterans Population

New Mexico
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
91 suicides 2014
152,055 Veterans Population

New York
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
225 suicides 2014
773,063 Veterans Population

North Carolina
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
249 suicides 2014
673,382 Veterans Population

North Dakota
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
23 suicides 2014
50,185 Veterans Population

Ohio
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
244 suicides 2014
759,737 Veterans Population

Oklahoma
NO
149 suicides 2014
276,348 Veterans Population

Oregon
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
144 suicides 2014
295,348 Veterans Population

Pennsylvania
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
311 suicides 2014
821,624 Veterans Population

Rhode Island
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
16 suicides 2014
63,726 Veterans Population

South Carolina
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
143 suicides 2014
368,017 Veterans Population

South Dakota
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
30 suicides 2014
62, 645 Veterans Population

Tennessee
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
166 suicides 2014
450,313 Veterans Population

Texas
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
554 suicides 2014
1,496,724 Veterans Population

Utah
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
82 suicides 2014
131,381 Veterans Population

Vermont
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
24 suicides 2014
43,725 Veterans Population

Virginia
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
227 suicides 2014
690,427 Veterans Population

Washington
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
219 suicides 2014
558,895 Veterans Population

West Virginia
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
69 suicides 2014
140,755 Veterans Population

Wisconsin
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
133 suicides 2014
368,382 Veterans Population

Wyoming
Yes, Armed Forces Veteran
 25 suicides 2014
45,420 Veterans Population
Puerto Rico
Under 10 suicides 2014
Not really sure about the different results from Puerto Rico. 
Check the links and try to figure it out.
89,665 Veterans Population
US Census 2015 95,342
There are somewhere around 75,000 U.S. Army veterans living in Puerto Rico. Most served during the Vietnam War. After Hurricane Maria, many are now living in shelters. Thousands of people, not just veterans, have been displaced by the storm, and the shelters are packed. 
Some states have separate rules on who they consider a veteran. 
Hawaii has "'Veteran' means any person who has served in any if the armed services if the United States, or any person who is now a citizen of the United States who has served in any of the armed services of any country which was an ally of the United States in any war or campaign in which the United States was also engaged and has been discharged from that service."
I hope that explains why I make no apologies to all the folks running around the country claiming to be "raising awareness" at the same time they only talk about the OEF and OIF veterans. I really hope the next time you decide to support a Veteran's Charity, you check to see what they are doing with your money and who is being left out.


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Veterans Groups Joined Forces But Left Out Most Veterans

As with everything else, notice that not all veterans are helped by this group. 65% of the veterans committing suicide are pre-9-11 veterans but they are forgotten about. 

 Nothing will change until there are "none the less" veterans. 

 Nonprofit joins together veterans, rescue dogs 
WESH 2 News 
November 4, 2017 

 Several veterans are looking for a new start with new K9 companions thanks to a nonprofit organization.
The American Legion Auxiliary presented a $9,100 check to the K9s for Warriors nonprofit. The organization provides service dogs to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma during military service post-9/11. 

 The cost to train each dog is around $27,000 which the organization provides to veterans at no cost. 
read more here

Service dogs are wonderful but they would be wonderful for all generations of our veterans. I am unapologetic about the way I feel toward all these new groups totally dismissing the sacrifices made by older veterans and the fact they waited longer for someone to care about them.

 What kind of Veterans Day is it for the majority of our veterans? Ever think about what kind of message this sends them? Ever wonder what it is like for them to read about something wonderful happening for other veterans while they are abandoned?

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Over 500 People Placed 8,000 Flags to Honor Veterans

Veteran invites public to take a different kind of knee while placing 8,000 flags at veteran graves

WDRB News
Fallon Glick
November 4, 2017

“Because we claim the flag as our symbol,” Moore said. “I do feel like there is a lack of knowledge of what it means to serve."

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) –  For weeks NFL players have been taking a knee during the singing of the national anthem. It’s a form of protest for the players, but a sign of disrespect to many veterans and military members. Saturday morning one veteran invited the community out to Cave Hill Cemetery to take a different kind of knee.
It started by placing an American flag at every veteran’s grave inside the cemetery.

“We had 503 people show up at the cemetery to put out 8,000 flags,” said a Fred Moore, a Navy and Marine Corps veteran who founded Flags for Vets.  
It's done out of honor for those who have died in past wars and those who have died more recently.
“I have a great appreciation for the fact that a lot of people didn't come home,” Moore said. “And in these last few years with Iraq and Afghanistan we've added another 4,000 to the list.’
Moore invited the public to take a knee to pray and give thanks at the graves of the unknown soldiers. It's a different kind of knee seen from the National Football league.
“I'm a strong advocate of freedom of speech, but I want people to know that I have freedom of speech as well. And now that you've done this thing and you take a knee, I don't think you have the foggiest idea what veterans have sacrificed for,” Moore said.

Pro football players have been kneeling in protest during the national anthem. It's an action Moore says is disrespectful.

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US Service Member Killed in Afghanistan

US Service Member Killed in Eastern Afghanistan

Stars and Stripes
November 5, 2017



Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division patrol in a town near Combat Outpost Baraki Barak in Logar Province, Afghanistan, where a service member died Nov. 4 from wounds sustained during operations. (US Army photo/Julieanne Morse)
A U.S. service member was killed during operations in Logar Province in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday afternoon.
A news release from NATO Resolute Support officials said the service member died as a result of wounds sustained. No other details were released.
"We offer our deepest condolences to the family of our fallen brother," Gen. John Nicholson, commander of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, said in the statement. "Despite this tragic event, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the Afghan people and to support them in our mutual fight against terrorism."
A week ago, on Oct. 27, Chief Warrant Officer Jacob M. Sims died in a helicopter accident in Logar Province.
The 36-year-old was assigned to 4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, a unit known as the "Night Stalkers," at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.
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E. Coli Outbreak Sent 69 Marines to Hospital

69 Marines hospitalized in California E. Coli outbreak

Associated Press
November 4, 2017
Overall, about 300 Marines have been affected by a week-old outbreak of the diarrheal illness.

U.S. Marine Corps drill instructors with Receiving Company, Support Battalion, welcome new recruits to the depot as they get off the bus and step onto the yellow footprints during receiving at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif., Jan. 19, 2016.ANGELICA ANNASTAS/U.S. MARINE CORPS 

SAN DIEGO — The Marine Corps says 69 recruits in Southern California are being treated for apparent exposure to E. coli and nine have developed a serious complication.
Those being treated Friday include 14 new cases among some 5,500 recruits at Camp Pendleton and the San Diego recruiting depot. The military says nine developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a problem that can cause anemia and kidney damage.
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Sailor found dead in a Virginia Beach hotel

Sailor found dead in a Virginia Beach hotel day before she was to report for duty

Virginian Pilot
Brook Vergakis
November 4, 2017

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A 31-year-old sailor was found dead in an Oceanfront hotel room a day before she was scheduled to report aboard the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush, authorities said Friday.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Simmons’ body was discovered in a room at the Ocean Beach Club Resort at about 3:20 p.m Wednesday, according to Virginia Beach police.
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Saturday, November 4, 2017

Disabled Veteran Turned Down By FEMA After Hurricane Maria?

Disabled veteran says FEMA denied him aid after Hurricane Maria because he gets VA benefits

WFTV News
Lauren Seabrook
November 3, 2017

Because he is already receiving Veterans Affairs assistance, he said FEMA told him he didn’t qualify for a FEMA hotel room.

ORLANDO, Fla. - As thousands of people come to Florida from Puerto Rico in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been giving assistance to evacuees.
Armando Figueroa, though, told Channel 9 Friday that he was not among them.
Tears were streaming down his face as he sat inside Orlando International Airport where FEMA is operating an assistance center.
A disabled veteran who served 15 years in the U.S. Navy and another 16 in the Army, Figueroa is on 100 percent disability after he was paralyzed by an improvised explosive device while serving in 2008.

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Jacksonville Veteran Shot on Wonderwood Bridge

Police officer shoots, injures armed veteran after rampage

Friday's police-involved shooting is 9th this year in Jacksonville

News4JAX
Ethan Calloway
Corley Peel
Allyson Henning

Court records show Smith was arrested on Sept. 19 on two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and one count of domestic battery. On Oct. 17, he was referred to a pretrial intervention program for military veterans. He was out on bond Friday but was due to be back in court later this month. 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office officer shot and injured an armed veteran who has had previous run-ins with law enforcement, after a crash Friday afternoon on the Wonderwood Bridge in the Mayport area, authorities said.
Steven Smith, 32, is expected to survive after he was shot twice by Officer A. Will, Assistant Chief Scott Dingee announced at a Friday evening news briefing. 
At 4:41 p.m., two 911 calls came in about hit-and-run incidents on Nesting Eagles Way, where residents said a man was driving recklessly -- hitting mailboxes, poles and trees, Dingee said.
Two minutes later, Dingee said, a third 911 caller reported a mentally ill man who was posing a threat to the caller's relative on nearby Blue Eagle Way East near Girvin Road in East Arlington.

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