Gov. Scott in Tampa today to sign first responder bill
WFLA News
Avery Cotton
March 27, 2018
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - Governor Rick Scott will be in Tampa today to sign a bill into law that aims to help Florida first responders who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Florida lawmakers passed the bill extending workers' compensation benefits for first responders to include treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Florida House of Representatives voted unanimously for the legislation (SB 376) .
Lawmakers have heard stories of firefighters and police officers who have taken their own lives or can no longer do their jobs because of repeated exposure to horrific deaths and tragedies, but they don't have benefits that include treatment for PTSD.
Right now workers' compensation benefits only cover physical injuries.
read more here
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
So, how is that "Veterans Choice" thing working out?
Remember how many times Congress said they needed more money to cover veterans being sent away from the VA?
Any idea where that money went if they didn't pay the bills?
Department of Veteran's Affairs years behind on payments to local hospitals
WAVI 5 News
By Emily Tadlock
Mar 26, 2018
AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) Many hospitals in Maine provide services to veterans through the VA Choice Program, a system where veterans can choose to receive care closer to home instead of traveling to a VA facility far away.
But, the Department of Veterans Affairs is slow at paying the bills for those services.
Congressman Bruce Poliquin spear-headed a discussion in Augusta Monday designed to ensure hospitals are paid what they're owed.
Lisa Harvey-McPherson with Eastern Maine Healthcare System says, "It's a system wide issue from the Aroostook Medical Center to our hospitals in Hancock County to our very rural hospitals in Pittsfield and Greenville. The Veterans Administration is fundamentally challenged to pay their bills on time. It's highly inefficient on their end and on our end to spend so much time reviewing each and every claim in an effort to get paid."
The Department of Veterans Affairs is years behind on their payments and millions of dollars in debt to hospitals for veteran's services.
This is a challenge for all hospitals, especially for those in rural parts of our state.
read more here
Considering those yahoos thought that veterans becoming disabled serving this country were no longer due the best care we could give them!
Yes, they forget to mention that part all the time.
Any idea where that money went if they didn't pay the bills?
Department of Veteran's Affairs years behind on payments to local hospitals
WAVI 5 News
By Emily Tadlock
Mar 26, 2018
AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) Many hospitals in Maine provide services to veterans through the VA Choice Program, a system where veterans can choose to receive care closer to home instead of traveling to a VA facility far away.
But, the Department of Veterans Affairs is slow at paying the bills for those services.
Congressman Bruce Poliquin spear-headed a discussion in Augusta Monday designed to ensure hospitals are paid what they're owed.
Lisa Harvey-McPherson with Eastern Maine Healthcare System says, "It's a system wide issue from the Aroostook Medical Center to our hospitals in Hancock County to our very rural hospitals in Pittsfield and Greenville. The Veterans Administration is fundamentally challenged to pay their bills on time. It's highly inefficient on their end and on our end to spend so much time reviewing each and every claim in an effort to get paid."
The Department of Veterans Affairs is years behind on their payments and millions of dollars in debt to hospitals for veteran's services.
This is a challenge for all hospitals, especially for those in rural parts of our state.
read more here
Considering those yahoos thought that veterans becoming disabled serving this country were no longer due the best care we could give them!
Yes, they forget to mention that part all the time.
Vietnam Veterans Remembered in Bushnell
Ceremony at Florida National Cemetery honors Vietnam War vets
WFLA News
Jeff Patterson
March 27, 2018
BUSHNELL, Fla. (WFLA) - Bruce Burnham is a historian and Vietnam combat veteran.
The Tampa native served as an MP in Vietnam in 1972 and 1973.
During his tour of duty, he earned the Bronze Star for bravery.
Tuesday, Burnham was the keynote speaker in a ceremony to honor others who served.
"That was a very, very difficult time for many of us who just wanted to come back and be normal again," said Burnham.
The gathering at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell was small.
Burnham believes it is because many Vietnam vets still shy away from ceremonies and talking about their service in public because of the way they were treated by protestors when they returned from the war.
read more here
WFLA News
Jeff Patterson
March 27, 2018
BUSHNELL, Fla. (WFLA) - Bruce Burnham is a historian and Vietnam combat veteran.
During his tour of duty, he earned the Bronze Star for bravery.
Tuesday, Burnham was the keynote speaker in a ceremony to honor others who served.
"That was a very, very difficult time for many of us who just wanted to come back and be normal again," said Burnham.
The gathering at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell was small.
Burnham believes it is because many Vietnam vets still shy away from ceremonies and talking about their service in public because of the way they were treated by protestors when they returned from the war.
read more here
WPFT 5 News got involved, veteran had claim approved in days!
WPFT 5 News got involved with a veteran about his claim. Suddenly, it was approved.
One more lesson on the squeaky wheel!
One more lesson on the squeaky wheel!
Veterans and their families would be automatically eligible as long as they spent more than 30 days at Camp Lejeune and had one of the qualifying ailments, including kidney cancer.
“They should be paying me,” he said,click link above for video on this veteran.
But the VA wasn’t paying him, not until last week when we told them about Tom’s story.
And just days later, they granted Tom his long awaited benefits at an 80% disability rating-backdated to March of last year.
He's due more than $1,700 per month.
Monday, March 26, 2018
62 Year Old Veteran Committed Suicide at John Cochran Division Veterans Medical Center Waiting Room
Veteran kills self in John Cochran VA Medical Center waiting room
St. Louis Post Dispatch
March 26, 2018
A veteran committed suicide inside the John Cochran VA Medical Center at 915 North Grand Boulevard early Monday.
Authorities have not identified the victim. The hospital said he was a veteran.
read more here
St. Louis Post Dispatch
March 26, 2018
St. Louis Police Officer Michelle Woodling said the 62-year-old man committed suicide inside the hospital waiting room at 4:19 a.m. Monday.
The John Cochran Division Veterans Medical Center, photographed on Monday, June 9, 2014, is located at 915 North Grand Boulevard in St. Louis. Photo by Christian Gooden
A veteran committed suicide inside the John Cochran VA Medical Center at 915 North Grand Boulevard early Monday.
Authorities have not identified the victim. The hospital said he was a veteran.
read more here
Florida First Responders PTSD Bill Being Signed Tuesday!
Gov. Scott to sign PTSD legislation into law at Tampa Firefighter Museum
ClickOrlando.com
By Mike Holfeld - Investigative Reporter
March 26, 2018
Gov. Rick Scott will sign legislation Tuesday that will provide first responders with wage compensation as they receive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Senate Bill 376, approved unanimously by both the Senate and the House, will provide workers compensation benefits, “Providing that, under certain circumstances, post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by a first responder is an occupational disease compensable by workers’ compensation benefits.”
The new law eliminates the mandate that a physical injury must accompany the PTSD diagnosis.
During a special ceremony honoring state fire fighters in Tallahassee earlier this month, Scott took a moment to honor first responders lost in the line of duty and to PTSD.
“I want to thank all firefighters for the sacrifices they make,” he said. “I intend to sign it (SB 376) as soon as it reaches my desk.”
Scott and Chief Financial Officer/State Fire Marshall Jimmy Patronis will join dozens of first responders and their families at a special bill signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the Tampa Firefighter Museum.
In an exclusive interview, Patronis said the stories covered by News 6 along with his meeting with first responders and their families, inspired him to make the PTSD law his top priority.
“Suicide in that profession is five times higher than the rest of the United States. I hate that those sacrifices had to take place in order to bring this issue to light,” he said.
Jessica Realin, wife of Pulse first responder Gerry Realin, has been an instrumental force in pushing for
PTSD legislation.
read more here
ClickOrlando.com
By Mike Holfeld - Investigative Reporter
March 26, 2018
News 6 will join first responders, their families for special ceremony
Gov. Rick Scott will sign legislation Tuesday that will provide first responders with wage compensation as they receive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Senate Bill 376, approved unanimously by both the Senate and the House, will provide workers compensation benefits, “Providing that, under certain circumstances, post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by a first responder is an occupational disease compensable by workers’ compensation benefits.”
The new law eliminates the mandate that a physical injury must accompany the PTSD diagnosis.
During a special ceremony honoring state fire fighters in Tallahassee earlier this month, Scott took a moment to honor first responders lost in the line of duty and to PTSD.
“I want to thank all firefighters for the sacrifices they make,” he said. “I intend to sign it (SB 376) as soon as it reaches my desk.”
Scott and Chief Financial Officer/State Fire Marshall Jimmy Patronis will join dozens of first responders and their families at a special bill signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the Tampa Firefighter Museum.
In an exclusive interview, Patronis said the stories covered by News 6 along with his meeting with first responders and their families, inspired him to make the PTSD law his top priority.
“Suicide in that profession is five times higher than the rest of the United States. I hate that those sacrifices had to take place in order to bring this issue to light,” he said.
read more here
Congress tells Navy "No Atheist Chaplains"
No ‘atheist’ chaplains, lawmakers tell Navy
Navy Times
By: Mark D. Faram
4 hours ago
Lawmakers are applauding a decision by Navy officials to reject the application of a secular humanist — called an atheist by many — to be a Navy chaplain.
It’s the second time the sea service has declined to accept Jason Heap, who calls himself a “humanist” and and a “non-theist,” into the chaplain corps.
A “humanist” is one who doesn’t believe in a god, but in the natural ability of humans to “lead meaningful, ethical lives capable of adding to the greater good of humanity,” according to the Humanist Society.
The latest denial of Heap’s application is at the center of a debate on whether or not one who doesn’t believe in a deity can serve as a military chaplain.
Despite the swirling debate around Heap’s beliefs, or lack thereof, no one is denying his qualifications. Heap holds a master’s degree in divinity from Texas Christian University as well as a theological history degree from Oxford.
read more here
Actually, he's been trying since 2013.
Navy Times
By: Mark D. Faram
4 hours ago
A command religious ministries department divisional officer and a chaplain baptize a sailor aboard the carrier George Washington. A self-described "humanist" has had multiple attempts at becoming a Navy chaplain denied.
(MC3 Eric S. Brann/Navy)
Lawmakers are applauding a decision by Navy officials to reject the application of a secular humanist — called an atheist by many — to be a Navy chaplain.
It’s the second time the sea service has declined to accept Jason Heap, who calls himself a “humanist” and and a “non-theist,” into the chaplain corps.
A “humanist” is one who doesn’t believe in a god, but in the natural ability of humans to “lead meaningful, ethical lives capable of adding to the greater good of humanity,” according to the Humanist Society.
The latest denial of Heap’s application is at the center of a debate on whether or not one who doesn’t believe in a deity can serve as a military chaplain.
Despite the swirling debate around Heap’s beliefs, or lack thereof, no one is denying his qualifications. Heap holds a master’s degree in divinity from Texas Christian University as well as a theological history degree from Oxford.
read more here
Actually, he's been trying since 2013.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
America Honors Heroic Men and Woman on Medal of Honor Day
Woman? Yes! Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Andrew Jackson.
Commentary: Medal of Honor Day reminds us there’s a hero in everyone
Military Times
Ret. Army Maj. Drew Dix
March 24, 2018
On a hilltop in Arlington National Cemetery, servicemen from our nation’s wars, whose names we don’t know but whose service and sacrifice we will always remember, have found their final resting place in the Tomb of the Unknowns.
It’s fitting that these courageous Americans, who represent all who have worn the cloth of our great country, received our nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor. In addition to these unknown heroes, for many of us Medal of Honor recipients, and for many veterans, Arlington National Cemetery evokes specific memories of incredible people we served with and long-ago battles we fought.
There are 71 living recipients of the Medal of Honor, and this week, 31 of my brothers are in our nation’s capital to commemorate National Medal of Honor Day, which falls every year on March 25. While they lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and render salutes as a lone bugler plays “Taps,” all of us, no matter where we are, will be paying our respects to the men and women who have served our great nation in uniform.
To a man, the privilege and burden of wearing the Medal of Honor is our opportunity to represent the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who have served, fought, and in some cases sacrificed their lives to preserve America’s liberty. All 71 of us have witnessed firsthand the ravages of the battlefield.
read more here
MEDAL OF HONOR CONTROVERSY
In November 1865, having left government service for good, Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Andrew Johnson, even though she was a civilian who had never been a commissioned officer in military service.
That civilian status is why Walker's medal was rescinded in 1917, two years before she died -- along with 910 others. Walker refused to return the medal, though, and continued to wear it until she died two years later.
Sixty years after that, in 1977, President Jimmy Carter restored the honor in her name, thanks to efforts made by her family.
Commentary: Medal of Honor Day reminds us there’s a hero in everyone
Military Times
Ret. Army Maj. Drew Dix
March 24, 2018
Medal of Honor recipients Mike Fitzmaurice and Will Swenson, center, participate in a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating valor and sacrifice on National Medal of Honor Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on March 25. 2017. (Francis Chung/Defense Department)
On a hilltop in Arlington National Cemetery, servicemen from our nation’s wars, whose names we don’t know but whose service and sacrifice we will always remember, have found their final resting place in the Tomb of the Unknowns.
It’s fitting that these courageous Americans, who represent all who have worn the cloth of our great country, received our nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor. In addition to these unknown heroes, for many of us Medal of Honor recipients, and for many veterans, Arlington National Cemetery evokes specific memories of incredible people we served with and long-ago battles we fought.
There are 71 living recipients of the Medal of Honor, and this week, 31 of my brothers are in our nation’s capital to commemorate National Medal of Honor Day, which falls every year on March 25. While they lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and render salutes as a lone bugler plays “Taps,” all of us, no matter where we are, will be paying our respects to the men and women who have served our great nation in uniform.
To a man, the privilege and burden of wearing the Medal of Honor is our opportunity to represent the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who have served, fought, and in some cases sacrificed their lives to preserve America’s liberty. All 71 of us have witnessed firsthand the ravages of the battlefield.
read more here
What is wrong does not mean you are not strong!
PTSD: What is wrong does not mean you are not strong!
PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
March 25, 2018
PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
March 25, 2018
My buddy Murray is one hell of a strong dog. He is as tough as they come and not much bothers him. (Well, aside from a couple of TV commercials making him freak out, or anyone near our house.) He loves people (as long as he is outside with them.)
We have a routine when I get home from work. I dump my purse and shoes just inside of the bedroom doorway and jumps on the sofa for his petting. First behind the ears and then he'll roll over for a belly rub. Wednesday when I rubbed behind his ears, he winced. Trying to figure out what was wrong, I did it again, and that time he almost cried.
I took him to the Vets and sure enough, he has a massive double ear infection. It must have been there for a while as his body was trying to fight it off.
The fact he has an infection, does not mean he is any less strong, or brave. It means something hit him and tried to defeat him. With the right medicine and treatment, he'll be fine soon.
So will you! PTSD hit you! It does not mean you are not brave, or strong, or any less resilient than before. It means all the stuff you went through, your whole body was trying to fight off. There comes a time when it just can't fight anymore without help.
Navy SEAL Cleared After "Witch Hunt"
Navy SEAL acquitted in rape case
San Diego Union Tribune
Carl Prine
March 24, 2018
A military jury on March 15 acquitted Navy Lt. Joseph “Joey” Benevento in two rape cases. The Navy SEAL had faced six specifications of rape tied to two separate charges involving civilian women.
Benevento’s defense attorney complains that a senior military prosecutor in the case was unprofessional.
A military jury has acquitted a commissioned SEAL officer in a rape case his defense team called a “witch hunt.”
During his March 15 court-martial trial, Navy Lt. Joseph “Joey” Benevento, 33, faced six specifications of sexual misconduct tied to two civilian women during a pair of separate incidents that allegedly occurred in 2015 and 2016.
read more here
San Diego Union Tribune
Carl Prine
March 24, 2018
Three months later, Navy officials charged Benevento, sparking calls from Waddington that the case against his client was a “witch hunt.”
Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL students participate in "Surf Passage" on Feb. 6 at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. (U.S. Navy)
A military jury on March 15 acquitted Navy Lt. Joseph “Joey” Benevento in two rape cases. The Navy SEAL had faced six specifications of rape tied to two separate charges involving civilian women.
Benevento’s defense attorney complains that a senior military prosecutor in the case was unprofessional.
A military jury has acquitted a commissioned SEAL officer in a rape case his defense team called a “witch hunt.”
During his March 15 court-martial trial, Navy Lt. Joseph “Joey” Benevento, 33, faced six specifications of sexual misconduct tied to two civilian women during a pair of separate incidents that allegedly occurred in 2015 and 2016.
read more here
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