"Yet we considered him punished by God"

Tonight Your Soul Can Feel Its Worth
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 24, 2017

The road ahead is in your control. Which way do you want to go?

Christmas Eve is a night to celebrate the birth of a miracle. It is about, as the song goes, "the soul felt its worth."


The thing, among oh so many others, we miss is that the birth of Jesus was a gift of love from God. He came to set things right in the world. Too many things had gotten twisted and some manipulated the message Jesus had come to deliver for their own gain.

Seems that is the way of the world but not the way of love. Love is what makes some think of others before they think of themselves. Love is what drives some to be willing to die for the sake of someone else. 

Jesus knew He would die when His time came and it was something He was willing to do. His birth, life and death were prophesized 700 years before it all happened.

4 

Surely he took up our pain

    and bore our suffering,

yet we considered him punished by God,

    stricken by him, and afflicted.

5 

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

    he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

    and by his wounds we are healed.

6 

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

    each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

    the iniquity of us all.

Some have looked at this "story" and say that Jesus failed but since what He came to do, was accomplished, the way it was supposed to happen, He won and defeated death.

I suppose it is just too hard for some people to understand that level of unselfish love, but there are others who know exactly what it feels like to be that way.

Christ was born knowing He'd suffer to teach us how to love others, as much as He came to help us understand we were loved. 

There are many among us suffering because they loved so much their own life was an afterthought. When they needed to spend time healing their own inner-wound, they thought about how others had suffered.

It is still hard to believe that no one told them they are a survivor because they fought for their life as much as they fought for others. The longer they lived, the more they could help others live.

So where is that attitude now? Where is the mindset that tells them they beat death already? Someone along the way must have told them that PTSD is something to be ashamed of. Like some kind of failure instead of what they succeeded at doing.

The secret is, they succeeded at defeating death as well as retaining love. After over 35 years, there has not been one single veteran who said he did not want to help other veterans heal. Think about that for a second.

They are eventually unashamed of themselves, yet instead of just thinking of living their own lives better, they want to make sure they pass saving grace on to them.

Tonight can be the night when your soul feels its worth. That same soul, who fought so hard to live before, is still needed to fight for others now.

Suffering for the sake of love does not mean failure. It meant that love won. Fight to take your life back from PTSD as hard as you fought its birth~

All Veterans Want is Promise Keepers, Not Bumblers

Promise Keepers or Bumblers?
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 24, 2017

Looks like Santa just may have his hands full of coal for every member of Congress! When you think that this bunch just managed to pull off a Bill to fund the futures of billionaires and millionaires, these same folks didn't use that same energy for our veterans.

(Guess they also forgot that the majority of our veterans are in fact on Social Security and Medicare, also facing cuts.)

AP reported that, "NH veterans want more, better medical services" and that is true. The thing is, they wanted what was promised to them on the day they became "Veteran" instead of civilian. What part of that do people not get? They are not civilians!

The Manchester VA is the subject of this report, however, it is the same story all across the country.

"Veterans offered a long list of services they felt could be provided by the Manchester center, with many seeing the need for additional mental health and substance abuse services at a time when the state is struggling with an opioid crisis and military personal are returning home."

When anyone talks about sending veterans into the mess the rest of us deal with, they are blinded by the need for fast fix. What they fail to see is that Congress has had the responsibility of providing for our veterans since 1946.  

Jurisdiction of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

1. Veterans' measures generally.
2. Pensions of all the wars of the U.S., general and special.
3. Life insurance issued by the government on account of service in the Armed Forces.
4. Compensation, vocational rehabilitation, and education of veterans.
5. Veterans' hospitals, medical care, and treatment of veterans.
6. Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief.
7. Readjustment of servicemen to civilian life.
8. National Cemeteries.

Whatever is wrong with the care our veterans receive after all these years is because Congress failed to deliver on their end of the deal.

Veterans did their jobs. When does Congress?

Iraq Veteran Marine Song of PTSD Says A Lot

Flashbacks, nightmares, physical reactions, sounds of gunshots and memories of a place they think they leave behind. It is all in this release from a Marine trying to explain what PTSD is like.

Pomona veteran-turned-R and B-singer uses music as therapy

ABC 7 News

Josh Haskell

December 23, 2017

A local former U.S. Marine turned to music to help him - and others - cope with the debilitating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Elliott McKenzie served in the United States Marines for five years, which included a tour of duty in Iraq. Like many combat veterans, he started experiencing anger issues and anxiety when he came home. He was then diagnosed with PTSD.

"Every single day we would go on foot patrols, and we got shot at a lot. Your head is always on a swivel, completely, because you're always worried about, 'OK, somebody could come and shoot at us from that building, from that building. An RPG can come in from anywhere,' so it's hard to turn that off when you get back home," said McKenzie.

McKenzie has been singing since he was a kid. Now 33, music has served as a form of therapy for his PTSD.read more here

Quadruple Amputee Will Leave You Speechless

Wheelchair-bound man cutting grass an inspiration for Weslaco and beyond
KENS
Oscar Margain
December 23, 2017

“God gave me the biggest blessing I could ever ask for,” he said. The Ayala name is still going on. You know, it doesn't stop with me.”

WESLACO, TEXAS - Mowing the lawn under 80-degree December weather would seem like a breeze. Not so fast. What may look like a simple chore for Rene Ayala is much more.

“I like to face adversity and hit it head on,” he said. “You’re not going to tell me I can’t do it.”

The 45-year-old Weslaco resident is often seen on his 10-acre property pulling, rather than pushing, a lawnmower.

Ayala said he’s never asked strangers for help. Even after losing his limbs and suffering severe burns in an apartment fire 22 years ago.
read more here

UK: Hundreds of Troops Kicked Out With PTSD

Hundreds of soldiers kicked out of the Army because they were suffering from PTSD and depression
The Mirror
Sean Rayment
December 23, 2017

In the reply, Mr Ellwood admitted almost one in five of all troops medically discharged from the Army in the 12 months to April had mental illness.

Trevor Coult ended up homeless and attempted suicide after he was discharged following his PTSD diagnosis (Image: PA)

There were 499 soldiers with mental health problems kicked out of the Army last year, a ­defence chief has admitted.

Troops suffering illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety were told they were no longer fit to serve.

Many who were medically ­discharged say that losing their jobs and often homes made their illness worse, driving some to the brink of ­suicide. The disclosure was made in a letter from defence minister Tobias Ellwood to decorated hero Trevor Coult, a staff sergeant shown the door after developing PTSD.

Trevor won the Military Cross after killing three would-be suicide bombers in Iraq. He wrote to the MoD urging better treatment for PTSD sufferers.

He said: “I was sent home on sick leave and no one contacted me for 11 months. Then I got a ­letter saying my employment was being terminated and I had 28 days to vacate my MoD ­property or I’d be evicted and my family moved to sheltered ­accommodation. I was devastated. My salary of £36,000 had gone and I was homeless. I became depressed quickly and attempted ­suicide. The money I received from the MoD lasted just a couple of months.

“We now know hundreds of ­soldiers with PTSD are being forced out every year and the Government washes its hands of them. They need help and support.”
read more here

Family of "Mayaguez Marine" Left Behind Found

UPDATE: Vietnam veteran searches for fallen soldier's family

The News Center

WTAP

Sheena Steffen

UPDATE: December 23, 2017

In between our shows, the family of Danny contacted us and explained how shocked they were about learning a veteran was searching for their brother.

Danny's family is now scattered between Marietta and Williamstown and has brothers in Parkersburg and New York City. They also have hopes in contacting Dan shortly.

A veteran who fought in what is known as the last battle of the Vietnam War continues to seek for a fallen soldier’s family.

After many years of research, Vietnam veteran Dan Fields discovered a marine from Waverly West Virginia was left behind in the Mayaguez recovery back in 1975.

According to Fields, Private Danny Marshall was one of the three marines left behind during an evacuation and never returned home. He states that for almost 20 years the Military denied anyone was left behind, but eventually those who were the last to interact with the three marines came forward and shared their experiences.

Fields, being a native to West Virginia and personally involved in the Mayaguez recovery, felt that he should reach out to the fallen soldier’s family.

read more here

Five Finger Death Punch Support of PTSD Veterans "Not Gone Away"

Five Finger Death Punch Chronicle Plight of the American Soldier in 'Gone Away' Offspring Cover Video
Loud Wire
Joe DiVita
December 22, 2017

Throughout their career, Five Finger Death Punch have aligned themselves with the U.S. military, supporting the troops in a number of ways. Their latest homage to the brave men and women who serve in the armed forces comes via an emotional gut check of a video for their cover of The Offspring's "Gone Away."

The incredibly somber take on the song works in conjunction with the imagery as we first witness a service member surrounded by billowing smoke and the scene of a fatal wreckage. Throughout the video, we see the toll the loss of life takes on family members as they grieve, clutching picture frames and embracing one another. 

Flashbacks provide the background as a group of friends enjoy a day at home. A news break reveals an attack, spurring the male friends to enlist in the military. During active combat, one of their vehicles rolls over a trip wire, killing those inside as one man looks back in horror and disbelief. He struggles to process what has happened and even contemplates suicide at home, but he eventually he channels his inner strength and returns to war, ready to lead a young new group.
read more here
Five Finger Death Punch - Gone Away (Official Video)

Afghanistan Veteran: PTSD Almost Killed Me

When I came home from Afghanistan, my PTSD almost killed me. Then I discovered the magic of cannabis
Toronto Life

Chris Dupee
December 22, 2017

"I took a job as the company’s Ontario representative. We provided relief to 1,500 veterans—including me. I took cannabis capsules daily. And while they helped me pick myself up, I needed my family’s love to feel whole again. A year and a half ago, after many apologies and a lot of tears, I moved back in."

I hardly knew anything about the military when I enlisted 12 years ago. I couldn’t have told you the difference between the army and the navy, let alone the order of military ranks. But I always wanted to help people, and fighting for my country seemed like a good way to do that. For years, I bounced from base to base, learning basics in Quebec, doing drills in Alberta, jumping out of planes in Trenton. The training was relentless but rewarding. Finally, in 2008, my unit was deployed to Afghanistan. I said goodbye to my wife, Angel, and our three little girls, knowing it could be the last time I saw them.

When my tour ended, my unit went to Cyprus for what the military calls “decompression.” We rode Sea-Doos by day and partied by night. Doctors warned us about the possibility of PTSD, but most of us were too hungover to care. Besides, I thought, I was fine. None of this applied to me. read more here

PTSD Veteran must surrender emotional support dog

 If you are already angry because of the headline, you're not alone. I was too until I read this part.

"Unlike service dogs trained to assist disabled people with daily tasks, emotional support animals don’t require training."

Then add in this section.

"Florida law allows service dogs that calm “an individual with post traumatic stress disorder during an anxiety attack.” Dogs that simply provide comfort, companionship and security don’t qualify as service dogs, according to statutes."

There is a difference between "service" and "support" dogs. It is hard to figure out what kind of training "support" dogs receive.

This is from the AKC

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” The act clearly states that those animals that simply provide emotional comfort do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Some state and local laws have a broader definition, so be sure to check with local government agencies to learn if ESAs qualify for public access in your area. 

"Although they are not service dogs, ESAs do have certain rights in terms of housing and air travel. The Fair Housing Act includes ESAs in its definition of assistance animals. Under the act, people cannot be discriminated against due to a disability when obtaining housing. Therefore, rules such as no pets, species bans, or pet-size limitations do not apply to people who have a prescription for an ESA, and they cannot be charged a pet deposit for having their ESA live with them."

Veteran must surrender emotional support dog
Orlando Sentinel
Mary Shanklin
December 23, 2017 

Seventy-year-old Robert L. Brady has until Jan. 11 to give up Bane, the mixed-breed sidekick that his psychologist deemed as an emotional support dog.

His Conway-area condominium association won an arbitration order Dec. 12 requiring the Vietnam veteran to surrender the 4-year-old dog because it exceeds the community’s 35-pound weight limit for pets. Bane weighs about 41 pounds. The canine now faces an uncertain future even as assistance dogs have gained greater access to communities, restaurants and shops.

“The reason I don't want to lose him is that he keeps my mind off the war and everything. He's just a wonderful companion,” said the widower, who retired last year from working as a theme-park bus driver. “My life would be lost without a good companion and that's why I'm doing all I can to keep from having to get rid of him.”

read more here

So, if you are still angry over this story, contact our elected officials and have them change the law to add these dogs, but make sure they actually protect the public from non-trained dogs, anyone can claim they need. 

We've seen too much abuse as it is when folks buy a certificate online and a vest. They don't care they give highly trained service dogs a bad name. They'll do the same thing with "support dogs" that really are helping veterans and others, have better days.

Homeless Vietnam Veteran Survived Holocaust

First the beginning...

"But that’s just the beginning of his story. Radkowski — a Holocaust survivor, naturalized American citizen, Vietnam veteran, and Air Force and U.S. civil-service retiree — had been chronically homeless since the early 2000s." 

"For Radkowski, camping behind McGuire Air Force Base 'made a lot of sense. It was what I could afford. I started camping out about 10 years ago in a sleeping bag, with a poncho, in case it rained.'"

"After a year of talking with him and gaining his trust, the Veterans Multi-Service Center in Center City was able to house him through a cooperative effort with the Veterans Administration."

if you want to read more of this great story, go here