Royal Green Jackets PTSD Veteran Suicide in Jail

War veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder killed himself in his cell at HMP Liverpool
Liverpool Echo UK
Luke Traynor
December 20, 2017

John Duffey's mental health was made worse by bullying, drug use and debt, inquest told

A war veteran who suffered with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following tours in Northern Ireland hanged himself at Walton jail.

Bullying, debt and drug use at the jail worsened the conditions that led former army corporal John Duffey to take his own life almost 18 months ago, an inquest heard.

John Duffey's mental health was made worse by bullying, drug use and debt, inquest told

The 44-year-old, who had previously served with the Royal Green Jackets, was found in his cell on July 16, 2016, on HMP Liverpool’s J Wing.

Liverpool Coroner’s Court heard how dad-of-two Mr Duffey had made two attempts to kill himself in 2000 and 2011, and was discharged from the armed forces on medical grounds, 17 years ago.

Afterwards, Mr Duffey, from Wallasey, fell into a pattern of alcohol and drug abuse.

He was remanded into custody in 2015 for breaching his licence conditions, before he participated in an intensive six month scheme for “at-risk” prisoners.

The jury heard evidence that healthcare staff within the prison were not equipped to provide treatment for PTSD due to staff vacancies.
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Afghanistan Veteran's Funeral With Marvel Super Heroes Friends

Family and friends dress as Marvel superheroes for funeral of comic book-mad Afghanistan veteran, 30, who died in road smash
Daily Mail
By Bridie Pearson-jones For Mailonline
19 December 2017

The Afghanistan veteran and budding actor was a huge comic book fan, particularly Marvel's Avengers His family threw a superhero themed funeral, where hundreds came dressed as Roman's favourite characters
Friends and family came dressed as Iron Man, Wolverine, Spiderman, Deadpool, Bananama and Black Widow

An Afghanistan veteran, 30, who died in a lorry crash was given a fitting send-off after his family and friends dressed as his favourite comic book characters at his funeral. People dressed as Bananaman from the Beano comics, as well as Marvel characters

An Afghanistan veteran, 30, who died in a lorry crash was given a fitting send-off after his family and friends dressed as his favourite comic book characters at his funeral.

Hundreds of mourners turned out to pay their respects to Marvel superfan Roman Parsons at Carmountside Crematorium in Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday.

Grieving relatives came dressed as Iron Man, Wolverine, Spiderman and Deadpool ahead of the emotional service.

Others wore Bananaman and Black Widow outfits at the budding actor's funeral.

The lorry driver passed away when his HGV ploughed into the back of a broken down truck on the A500 on November 24.

Roman, of Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent was a lifelong comic book fan, and had dreamed of starring in an Avengers movie after signing with the Amanda Andrews Agency last year. He'd also spent six months working as a rail engineer in Afghanistan as part of a six-year stint in the Army, before becoming a lorry driver in 2009.
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We are horrified for what is coming on PTSD

Is This The Season to Heal?
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 18, 2017

There was a time when we were forced to be silent. Don't complain. Get over it. Deal with it. After all, when those responses came from WWII generation parents, we figured that was what they did.

The only thing is, while they did not complain much, they didn't get over and they surely didn't deal with it. They stuffed it.

The Vietnam generation came home and decided they would not settle for the way it had been done before.

As for families, like mine, we had no clue what was going on. No one was talking about it. Sure, we talked when wives got together while the "guys" were in the other room. It wasn't until one of us learned more than the others, and then, then we knew there was not just something we could do, but something we had to do. 

First, we started to explain it to each other and then to our own parents. Soon we tried to explain it to the world, but the only way to do it back then, was to get a reporter to print it. Few bothered to even listen.

So, we gathered together at funerals when one more survivor of combat could not survive being home where he was supposed to be safely living a normal life. Then we wondered what it would be like when the time came for us to be the one standing next to the coffin. But we weren't just worried about them;

In Australia, research showed that our kids were at risk too. 

Vietnam Veterans' Children At Risk! 

Study Reveals Illness, Deformity,700 Unnecessary Deaths Through Accident and SuicideMedia Release - 20 March 1998 

The Vietnam Veterans' Association of Australia (VVAA) today announced that the recently completed Vietnam Veterans' Health Study shows clearly that their children are at risk, confirming what veterans have been saying for 20 years. Apart from greatly elevated rates of spina bifida, cancers and a range of other normally rare diseases, the study reveals that the number of deaths of Vietnam veterans' children from the combined causes of accident and suicide is 250% higher than for other young Australians.

"We are horrified," said Mr Clive Mitchell-Taylor, National President of the VVAA. " 

Australia has one of the highest youth suicide rates in the world, but this is worse than anything we could have imagined! The statisticians have told us that they would have expected about 440 of our children to have died from accidents or suicide, but the questionnaires completed by our Vietnam veterans reports over 700 more deaths from those two causes alone.   

How can anyone explain this, or the range of genetic illnesses and deformities?"Mr Mitchell-Taylor acknowledged the role of Minister Bruce Scott and officers of Department of Veterans' Affairs in commissioning and conducting this study. He said the study would not have been possible without close co-operation and support. The magnitude of the results have surprised all concerned, even the veterans, who had anticipated most of the reported outcomes. 

The Vietnam Veterans' Morbidity Study, completed by nearly 85% of all Vietnam veterans, shattered all Australian records for response to a Government survey. The VVAA was formed on the basis of concerns about the health of veterans and their children, and this comprehensive survey has been a goal for almost 20 years. 

The overwhelming response confirmed beyond doubt the Vietnam veterans' commitment to the study.The responses themselves show beyond doubt that veterans, their spouses and their children suffer from a range of illness at rates undreamed of by other Australians. 

Examples include leukemia and prostate cancer (300% of the expected rate), cancer of the colon (350%) male breast cancer (2500%), ischaemic heart disease (200%), motor neurone disease (6000%). The reported incidence of spina bifida in children is more 1000% of the expected rate, cleft lip or palate over 400% higher and absent body parts 1000% higher. A high percentage of veterans' partners have sought treatment for stress, anxiety, depression or sleep disorders. read more here

Our husbands decided to get proactive for all generations. For those who told them to just get over it, and those they knew would follow the same road to misery if nothing changed.

A Time for Everything 3

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
 A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
 A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Just as back then reporters are not really interested in letting veterans and families know what they should know, any more than they guide to the help they need to not become a number, or yet one more widow standing near the coffin.

As it is, reporters still hardly ever mention that the majority of veterans committing suicide are in fact over the age of 50. Some of my friends are wondering what it will be like when the OEF and OIF veterans reach the age of retirement considering how few are actually going for the help they need.

We watch, we fight, we fear how this generation with instant access to answers, never seem to take the time to find them. What will it be like when they have to stand next to the coffin of their child? 

Full Honors for Firefighter

Richmond firefighter who died of work-related PTSD to get full-honours funeral

Global News

Jon Azpiri

December 17, 2017

Parker hopes that the memorial will pay homage to Kongus’ contributions to the community and raise awareness of the issue of PTSD in first responders.

Hundreds of firefighters and other first responders from across the country will gather in Richmond on Monday to honour a firefighter who died of work-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Capt. Donald “Bryan” Kongus, 44, died in August. IAFF Local 1286, the Richmond firefighters’ union, and his family asked to delay his memorial until WorkSafeBC could determine what caused his death.

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PTSD, Domestic Violence and Alaska?

Did Sarah Palin get her son help after the last time? If he went for help, and it did not work, then why didn't she use her celebrity image to scream about how our veterans are not getting the help they need? 

Aren't they fair questions considering that she was the Governor of Alaska, and as such, responsible for the National Guards.

During a January 2016 rally in support of President Trump, Sarah Palin suggested Track’s problems stemmed from post-traumatic stress disorder he developed after a military deployment in Iraq. 

“I can certainly relate with other families who feel these ramifications of some PTSD and some of the woundedness that our soldiers do return with,” the former governor said at the time.

That was almost two years ago.

Sarah Palin's oldest son, Track, arrested on domestic violence charges
Los Angeles Times
Matt Pearce
December 17, 2017

Track Palin is shown at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., in September 2008. (Emmanuel Dunand / AFP/Getty Images)

Track Palin, the oldest son of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, was arrested Saturday in Alaska on charges of domestic violence. It marks the second time he’s been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in two years.

The charges seem to stem from an incident in his family’s hometown of Wasilla, though further details about what happened were not immediately available.

Palin, 28, was arraigned Sunday morning on three counts: felony burglary, misdemeanor reckless assault and misdemeanor criminal mischief for causing up to $500 in property damage, according to online court records. Each of the charges was related to domestic violence.

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Wounded Navy Seal Land Hawaii Five-0 Acting Gig

Gary Sinise Helps Wounded Navy Seal Land Hawaii Five-0 Acting Gig: He's Someone 'I Admire Very Much'
PEOPLE
KC BAKER
December 15, 2017

Wanting to help others wounded in combat, in 2009 Redman founded the non-profit Combat Wounded Coalition, inspiring vets to move past their physical and mental challenges and go on to live successful lives.

Retired Navy Seal Jason Redman is getting ready for his close up.

Severely wounded in Iraq in 2007, the highly decorated special ops vet – and winner of the American History Channel’s 2017 Red Bandanna Hero Award — will be making his TV debut on Friday’s episode of the hit CBS series Hawaii Five-O – thanks to his longtime friend, actor Gary Sinise.

Jason Redman in Afghanistan in 2007.Courtesy Jason Redman

“Peter Lenkov, who runs Hawaii Five-0, used to be one of our top writers and producers over at CSI:NY,” Sinise tells PEOPLE.

“He contacted me saying he was looking for a veteran for a part,” says Sinise, who has spent the last 40 years helping wounded and active members of the military and veterans, as well as creating the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Lenkov told Sinise he was looking for a veteran with a scar on his face for the role in question.
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Magnificent Bastard Vietnam Veteran Attacked For Doing Job?

"Republicans step up attacks on special counsel Robert Mueller"

Why are Republicans going after another Vietnam War hero? Why are they attacking a man they praised for his integrity?

Looks like they'd simply rather ignore the facts and attack whomever goes against this POTUS, when they should be screaming to get to the bottom of what happened to the integrity of this nation.

This is the guy they are attacking.

A 'Magnificent Bastard' Is Investigating Russian Meddling in the US

Mueller would earn the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry in his time in Vietnam. The citation for his Bronze Star said that during an attack on his rifle platoon, "2nd Lt. Mueller fearlessly moved from one position to another, directing the accurate counterfire of his men and shouting words of encouragement to them." 

During the firefight on Dec. 11, 1968, Mueller "personally led a fire team across the fire-swept terrain to recover a mortally wounded Marine who had fallen in a position forward of the friendly lines," the citation said.

******* 

One has it that there was a tough fight on a Pacific Island but word got back to the ships that 2/4 had broken through enemy lines. Somebody on the ships said "Oh, you magnificent bastards" and the name stuck. 

Another has it that there was a change of command ceremony for 2/4 and a couple of Marines bumped into each other during the pass in review, precipitating a mass brawl on the parade field. 

The new commander was delighted and called them a bunch of "Magnificent Bastards." In 1964, Lt. Col. J.R. "Bull" Fisher added "Magnificent Bastards" to 2/4's insignia.

read more here 

Had this President been a Democrat, they would have been screaming for this investigation with this man taking the lead. Oh, wait, they already wanted him for the job!

PTSD Proved Miracles Do Happen

Miracles Can Still Happen For You
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 17, 2017

When you want to give up, it is easy, but doing it is so much harder. You sit and think about your life this far. Most of the times you think about all the other times when you were hurt, used or forgotten about. You think about times when you were broke and broken. 

The thing that you should be remembering is all those times when you thought you had no hope, and then came a miracle out of nowhere.

In this life of mine this far, I've experienced many of those times when I just wanted to give up on everything. A few times, I wanted to give up on life itself.

There is one time I had such soul crushing pain, I wanted to give up on the biggest part of me. The work I do for veterans and families. Yes, I know but last year, it seemed as if being hurt was happening a lot more often than being helpful to others.
This is a tough job. Not just tracking these stories but the work I do as part of Point Man International Ministries. 

It is the same thing I've done for over 3 decades. I don't tell their stories because they are not my story to tell.  Besides, I always believed that any minor miracle created in a veteran's life, came from God and the veteran. I'm not smart enough to say have the things that come out of my mouth. My brain doesn't work that fast. But the story I'm going to share proves how fast God does work and yes, yes miracles still happen.

"Here I am just waiting for a sign. Asking questions, learning all the time.It's always here, it's always there. It's just love, and miracles out of nowhere." Kansas

Last year a woman got up during a meeting and said she was the one to do something about the "22 suicides a day" after a member of the group committed suicide. She had no clue about anything. What made it worse, was for all the years she knew me, she didn't even think of all I had done.

Easy guess is that she didn't even know that having PTSD was a miracle because all the veterans she thought she could "fix" had already proven it by surviving the cause of PTSD.

I sat there, crushed by the fact a young veteran took his own life and I didn't even have a chance to help him. Then this person added more weight to my pain.
The next day I called Dana, the President of Point Man, told him what happened asked him to pray for me during the leaders conference call that night.

Dana was shocked that after all those years, I wanted to give up on something that had become a part of me.

I cried myself to sleep. The next morning I woke up, feeling a little better, pretty sure the leaders prayed for me. But there was still that "why is this still happening to me" popping in and out of my brain.

I went to talk to a woman I worked with, knowing how she was one of the rare real Christians, loving, caring and had strong faith.

I told her what was going on so she could give it to her prayer group. I just needed to know if I was supposed to give up or keep doing the work I always knew I was supposed to do.

As I talked about my own pain, I cried. She told me about a friend and I explained some things about why he was the way he was, and I stopped crying. When I started to tell her what she could do to help him, that weight on my soul lifted.

It did not dawn on me what just happened until I was driving home from work. God worked that fast! If this work is about me, then, it sucked hope out of my heart. When it was about the veterans, my pain left and theirs came in. I knew what I was supposed to do with my mini-miracle being answered. I knew whatever came from that point on, I could take it because I am doing what I am supposed to do.

I called Dana and gave him the news. He wanted to know when I'd thank my friend. I told him as soon as she got into work.

The next morning, I went in, told her what happened, and she started to laugh. I was pretty shocked by that but when I asked her why she was laughing, she said, "You don't get it. As soon as you started talking, I started praying." I said "Wow He does work fast!"

That answer, that mini-miracle in my life was supported by what came next when a veteran was in crisis and I was able to help him. I wondered what would have happened if I had given up because of what that woman did. A few other veterans came after that, again, a reminder of the difference between wanting to give up and actually doing it.

I've been through some really hard times in my life but those times did not defeat me. There is a reason giving up is such a hard thing to do, no matter what it is, because experience has taught all of us that no matter how hard it gets, something always happens to remind us of all the other times miracles came out of nowhere.

My Christmas wish for you is that you see there is nothing weak within you at all. You survived it, so do it again.

Miracles Out Of Nowhere

Kansas

On a crystal morning I can see the dewdrops falling

Down from a gleaming heaven, I can hear the voices call

When you comin' home now, son, the world is not for you

Tell me what's your point of view

Hey there Mister Madman, what'cha know that I don't know

Tell me some crazy stories, let me know who runs this show

Glassy-eyed and laughing, he turns and walks away

Tell me what made you that way

Here I am just waiting for a sign

Asking questions, learning all the time

It's always here, it's always there

It's just love, and miracles out of nowhere

Tell me now dear mother, what's it like to be so old

Children grown and leavin', seems the world is growin' cold

And though your body's ailin' you

Your mind is just like new

Tell me where you're goin' to

Here I am just waiting for a sign

Asking questions, learning all the time

It's always here, it's always there

It's just love, and miralces out of nowhere

It's so simple right before your eyes

If you'll look through this disguise

It's always here, it's always there

It's just love and miracles out of nowhere

I sang this song a hundred, maybe a thousand years ago

No one ever listens, I just play and then I go

Off into the sunset like the western heroes do

Tell me what you're gonna do

Here I am, I'm sure to see a sign

All my life I knew that it was mine

It's always here, it's always there

It's just love and miracles out of nowhere

Songwriters: Kerry Livgren / Kerry A Livgren

Miracles Out Of Nowhere lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Last Homeless Vets Leave Veteran Resort Chapel

Last year I was in New Hampshire and met Peter MacDonald. He was standing by one of his Tiny Homes for homeless veterans. 

Very sad to see how this story turned out for the veterans he wanted to help.

Three evicted from Veteran Resort Chapel in Lee

post Fosters Seacoast Online

John Doyle
December 15, 2017

LEE — Three homeless veterans were scheduled on Friday to vacate the Veteran Resort Chapel that has been the subject of litigation with the town.

Peter Macdonald, the founder and president of the chapel, said he received verbal notice from the town that the residents had to be out by Friday, though he never received any formal eviction notice from the town.

Macdonald said he adhered to Friday’s deadline because he didn’t want the chapel’s three residents, all homeless combat veterans, to be “caught off guard” when official notice eventually arrives. Macdonald said he notified the chapel residents about the evictions in late November.

Of the three veterans, according to Macdonald, one is scheduled to move into an apartment in Hampton, one will live with a family member and another, whom Macdonald said suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome, did not have a place to go as of Friday morning.

“He’s probably going to wind up living in the woods in his car again,” Macdonald said. “That’s where he lived before, the woods.”
read more here

Did you know Vietnam Veteran Glenn Shelton?

Veteran with no family at funeral not forgotten

WTHR 13 News
Rich Nye
December 16, 2017

The veterans in the pews did not know the Marine in the casket draped with the American flag. But they answered the call to honor a brother.
"Coming and showing our solidarity and showing the love for a brother that we don't know really helps other veterans,” said Pryor. “It helps those that are homeless, those that are dealing with TBIs (traumatic brain injuries), PTSDs (post traumatic stress disorder) and moral injuries."

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – The sanctuary at Allisonville Christian Church was nearly full Saturday afternoon for the funeral service of a Marine who died with no known family.

"We didn't know him, but yet we showed up, because vets help vets,” said Russell Pryor, Veterans of Foreign Wars district 11 commander. “Vets take care of vets. I think this was wonderful today. I mean to see every place out here looking around being filled with people who just have a love in their heart because of a service that he did for us and for this country."
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Search continues for family of abandoned veteran
WTHR 13 News
Kevin Rader
December 15, 2017

FISHERS, Ind. (WTHR) - A memorial service for Glenn Shelton, 68, will take place on Saturday.

The story of the abandoned Vietnam veteran has spread all across the country.

About all we know is that Glenn Shelton was a Vietnam veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart.

We didn't know why this man came to Indiana (he had roots in Kentucky) but late Thursday we got word that revealed Shelton may have some extended family in this area. We attempted to make contact by phone and in person on Friday but got no answers.

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