Lay leaders learn veteran and military culture
Tyler Morning Telegraph
By LouAnna Campbell
Apr 12, 2018
Enlisted. Officer. National Guard. Reserves. Active duty.
These were just some of the terms about 30 lay leaders, pastors and community leaders learned Thursday at Central Baptist Church.
With 15 military installations in the state, Texas has become a veteran-friendly place to live, and the Smith County Behavioral Health Leadership Team and Texas Veterans Commission teamed up to give free training to faith, community and lay leaders.
“Texas is home to almost 1.6 million military veterans, many of whom have experienced one or more forms of military-service-related trauma,” said Craig Combs, Texas Veterans Commission community partner coordinator.
The training gave those in attendance a glimpse into military culture and the stress and effects that continuous readiness has on military members and their families.
Local mental health authorities like the Andrews Center are part of the programs the Texas Veterans Commission relies on to reach veterans. Now they are reaching out to faith-based communities to help veterans and those serving in the Reserves and National Guard.
The veterans group is working with faith community members to give them skills in suicide awareness, military sexual trauma, alcoholism, post-traumatic stress disorder and moral injury.
read more here
Friday, April 13, 2018
Veterans Reunion Missing Far Too Many
Vietnam Veterans Forgotten Again?
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
April 13, 2018
When I read that there will be a display to remember veterans lost to suicides at the Veterans Reunion, I thought they would get it right. Considering this reunion began for Vietnam Veterans, their lives should matter here at least.
After reading the article on Florida Today, it is sickening to discover yet again, they just do not matter enough.
When will reporters ever correct something as serious as veterans committing suicide? What made this one even worse was that apparently, now they can use "troops" and "veterans" lumping them together in a mashed up number like 660?
That number is supposed to be how many veterans commit suicide every month. Too bad no one thought to actually do the work to figure out that there are far too many more not being remembered at all.
OK, harsh reality check here. These are the numbers of the "troops" we lost in 2016 and 2017.
No, they are not even mentioned in the numbers people pass around like a treat. Too bad it is a wicked trick since even the numbers of veterans committing suicide are wrong too.
That 660 is supposed to be from "22 a day" but they did not mention that report involved just 21 states. So, no, nowhere close to what is real. That report also said that among the known suicides, 65% of those veterans are over the age of 50, but since they are escorting the Vietnam Memorial Wall into Wickham Park to honor Vietnam veterans, guess they thought that these older veterans do not deserve even honorable mention!
Then within the report from the VA is this reminder that the known suicides have not gone down since 1999 however the number of living veterans has gone down by over 5 million.
Am I pissed off ? Yes. When I film the riders coming in this year, I think I'll shed more tears knowing how they have been forgotten all over again!
They are killing themselves in higher numbers and none of these new groups pulling stunts will lift a finger to help them or even remember they started everything available for all the other generations!
I feel terrible for Robin Thomas, who lost her husband to suicide, because she had no way of knowing, what she had been told, was not the truth. She wants to honor her husband at the same time, save another family from going through the same thing.
Lord I hope to give her a hug and tell her how sorry I am that after all these years, veterans like her husband are still taking their own lives.
This is from last year.
Imagine if he had been told that he could heal and actually knew where to go to get it? Too many were too busy yelling about something veterans already knew...how to kill themselves.
This video is from 2015 before I got my hands on the report itself and saw where the data came from. At least we knew that Vietnam veterans were the majority of the veterans committing suicide. Would have been better if the rest of the country bothered to actually care.
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
April 13, 2018
When I read that there will be a display to remember veterans lost to suicides at the Veterans Reunion, I thought they would get it right. Considering this reunion began for Vietnam Veterans, their lives should matter here at least.
After reading the article on Florida Today, it is sickening to discover yet again, they just do not matter enough.
When will reporters ever correct something as serious as veterans committing suicide? What made this one even worse was that apparently, now they can use "troops" and "veterans" lumping them together in a mashed up number like 660?
That number is supposed to be how many veterans commit suicide every month. Too bad no one thought to actually do the work to figure out that there are far too many more not being remembered at all.
OK, harsh reality check here. These are the numbers of the "troops" we lost in 2016 and 2017.
That 660 is supposed to be from "22 a day" but they did not mention that report involved just 21 states. So, no, nowhere close to what is real. That report also said that among the known suicides, 65% of those veterans are over the age of 50, but since they are escorting the Vietnam Memorial Wall into Wickham Park to honor Vietnam veterans, guess they thought that these older veterans do not deserve even honorable mention!
Then within the report from the VA is this reminder that the known suicides have not gone down since 1999 however the number of living veterans has gone down by over 5 million.
Am I pissed off ? Yes. When I film the riders coming in this year, I think I'll shed more tears knowing how they have been forgotten all over again!
They are killing themselves in higher numbers and none of these new groups pulling stunts will lift a finger to help them or even remember they started everything available for all the other generations!
I feel terrible for Robin Thomas, who lost her husband to suicide, because she had no way of knowing, what she had been told, was not the truth. She wants to honor her husband at the same time, save another family from going through the same thing.
Lord I hope to give her a hug and tell her how sorry I am that after all these years, veterans like her husband are still taking their own lives.
This is from last year.
Melbourne Vietnam-veterans reunion to feature 660-flag display for troops lost to suicide
Florida Today
Rick Neale
April 12, 2018
MELBOURNE — An array of 660 American flags will silently flutter along the north shore of Back Lake in Wickham Park during next week's Florida Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion, standing somber testimony to the estimated 660 U.S. troops and veterans lost to suicide every month.
The "flags for forgotten soldiers" display is a new addition to the 31st annual reunion lineup, which is billed as the largest of its kind in the nation. Flag installation begins at 1 p.m. Sunday.
"We just thought we had an issue with one person. Well, after Terry died, his suicide was tragic to our family — it's inconceivable. But he acted the same as many PTSD veterans," said Merritt Island resident Robin Thomas, who is spearheading the 660-flag display.
Thomas is a former Air Force staff sergeant who served from 1979-88. She gave birth to her son, Terrance O'Hearn, while stationed at Patrick Air Force Base. He later served combat tours as an Army specialist from 2006-10 in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he committed suicide at age 30 in 2016 in his California apartment. It was his fourth suicide attempt.read more here
Imagine if he had been told that he could heal and actually knew where to go to get it? Too many were too busy yelling about something veterans already knew...how to kill themselves.
This video is from 2015 before I got my hands on the report itself and saw where the data came from. At least we knew that Vietnam veterans were the majority of the veterans committing suicide. Would have been better if the rest of the country bothered to actually care.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Sheriff Investigating Death of Veteran Shot by Wife
Brazos County neighbors react to deadly shooting
KBTX News
By Clay Falls
Apr 12, 2018
BRAZOS COUNTY, Tex. (KBTX) - A Brazos County man is dead after the sheriff's office said his wife shot him following a fight.
Investigators were at the home in the northeast part of the county morning Thursday. The victim has been identified as 36-year-old, Jason Lee Gamez. Flashing lights and crime scene tape covered the house in rural Brazos County early Thursday along Vaquero Drive.
"I'm surprised because we walk almost every morning around the neighborhood and we have real nice people out here. There's no trouble or anything like that, so it comes as a definite surprise," said Jim Killingsworth, who lives nearby in the North Country Estates neighborhood.
read more here
KBTX News
By Clay Falls
Apr 12, 2018
“It’s too premature for me to be able to give details of our investigation. I can confirm that he was a veteran," said Kirk.
Investigators were at the home in the northeast part of the county morning Thursday. The victim has been identified as 36-year-old, Jason Lee Gamez. Flashing lights and crime scene tape covered the house in rural Brazos County early Thursday along Vaquero Drive.
"I'm surprised because we walk almost every morning around the neighborhood and we have real nice people out here. There's no trouble or anything like that, so it comes as a definite surprise," said Jim Killingsworth, who lives nearby in the North Country Estates neighborhood.
read more here
Vietnam Veterans Targets of Fake Facebook Pages
The Fake Facebook Pages Targeting Vietnam Veterans
The Atlantic
NATASHA BERTRAND
April 12, 2018
The pages are operated out of Eastern Europe and the social network took almost two months to shut one of them down.
The U.S. military community is not a new or unusual target for foreign influence operations. A study published in October by the University of Oxford found that three websites linked to Russia—Veteranstoday.com, Veteransnewsnow.com and Southfront.org—engaged in “significant and persistent interactions” with veterans during the election, concluding in part that veterans are targeted because they tend to be “community leaders” trusted by the public.
read more here
The Atlantic
NATASHA BERTRAND
April 12, 2018
The pages are operated out of Eastern Europe and the social network took almost two months to shut one of them down.
Visitors' shadows are seen cast on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall Yuri Gripas / ReutersEarlier this week, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg promised lawmakers that his platform would crack down on fake accounts and foreign influence. But at least two Facebook pages linked to websites operating out of Bulgaria are still targeting U.S. veterans of the Vietnam War, according to a letter obtained by The Atlantic that was sent to lawmakers by a nonprofit veteran’s organization.
The U.S. military community is not a new or unusual target for foreign influence operations. A study published in October by the University of Oxford found that three websites linked to Russia—Veteranstoday.com, Veteransnewsnow.com and Southfront.org—engaged in “significant and persistent interactions” with veterans during the election, concluding in part that veterans are targeted because they tend to be “community leaders” trusted by the public.
read more here
Three Homeless veterans buried with dignity in Tennessee
3 homeless veterans buried in East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery
WBIR 10 News
Author: Anslee Daniel
April 11, 2018
Three Army veterans were laid to rest at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday with the help of the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veteran Burial Program.
The program partners with local funeral homes and medical examiners, as well as veterans organizations to provide a burial service for homeless and indigent veterans.
read more here
WBIR 10 News
Author: Anslee Daniel
April 11, 2018
Military veterans and community members gathered at the cemetery to honor Sp4 Kenneth Ray Sharp, Pvt. John Louis Sherer and Pvt. Robert Andrew Wilson.
The program partners with local funeral homes and medical examiners, as well as veterans organizations to provide a burial service for homeless and indigent veterans.
read more here
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
FBI Investigating Police Beating Iraq Veteran With PTSD
FBI investigating beating of Iraq War veteran in Pearl River
Author: Katie Moore
April 11, 2018
The federal probe into the beating of a Pearl River veteran has entered a new phase with FBI agents interviewing members of the Pearl River Police Department this week.
Pearl River Police Chief JJ Jennings confirmed federal agents interviewed him, his Deputy Chief and the officer who initially conducted a welfare check on U.S. Army veteran Chris Cambre, 48.
Cambre suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, from his year of service in the Iraq War.
As WWL-TV and partner newspaper the New Orleans Advocate first reported, in January, a Pearl River Police Officer went to check on Cambre at the request of his friends after he posted that he was "struggling" having a bad night on Facebook. But the night got much worse for Cambre after five St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrived.
The Pearl River officer said the deputies shot Cambre with a Taser, then proceeded to beat him with a retractable police baton.
read more here
Author: Katie Moore
April 11, 2018
The Pearl River officer said the deputies shot Cambre with a Taser, then proceeded to beat him with a retractable police baton.
The federal probe into the beating of a Pearl River veteran has entered a new phase with FBI agents interviewing members of the Pearl River Police Department this week.
Cambre suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, from his year of service in the Iraq War.
As WWL-TV and partner newspaper the New Orleans Advocate first reported, in January, a Pearl River Police Officer went to check on Cambre at the request of his friends after he posted that he was "struggling" having a bad night on Facebook. But the night got much worse for Cambre after five St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrived.
The Pearl River officer said the deputies shot Cambre with a Taser, then proceeded to beat him with a retractable police baton.
read more here
“Only Easy Day” movie about Navy SEAL, PTSD and Homeless Veterans
Movie being shot in Huntsville combines local and award-winning talent
WSFA News
By Lindsey Connell, Reporter
Tuesday, April 10th 2018
HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)
Lights, camera, action! Huntsville is getting a touch of Hollywood as crews get ready to start shooting a new movie in north Alabama.
The plot of the independent feature film called “Only Easy Day” packs a powerful message.
Director/producer Tim Reischauer is a Los Angeles transplant to Huntsville with lots major TV shows and movies to his credit, including "Desperate Housewives,"I"t’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Medium," "13 Going on 30," and many more.
He says the Huntsville area was selected as the location for the movie because of the area’s strong support for those who have served our country.
“Huntsville is a mecca of military and retired military, but more importantly, the production being centered here gives it a base of reality,” Reischauer stated.
“Only Easy Day” follows the life of a former Navy Seal who has spiraled out of control. The main character, named Bradley Johnson, struggles with returning to civilian life.
“PTSD has pushed his life in a direction to self-medicating and alcoholism. It's a redemption movie as well. It follows him through some very tough times,” Reischauer explained. “It might a little more empathy, not sympathy, but empathy to somebody we see on the street.”
The movie is meant to bring awareness to PTSD, mental health issues, homelessness and addiction. Many of those involved in the project are veterans, including associate producer Kasey Brown.
read more here
WSFA News
By Lindsey Connell, Reporter
Tuesday, April 10th 2018
HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)
Lights, camera, action! Huntsville is getting a touch of Hollywood as crews get ready to start shooting a new movie in north Alabama.
The plot of the independent feature film called “Only Easy Day” packs a powerful message.
He says the Huntsville area was selected as the location for the movie because of the area’s strong support for those who have served our country.
“Huntsville is a mecca of military and retired military, but more importantly, the production being centered here gives it a base of reality,” Reischauer stated.
“Only Easy Day” follows the life of a former Navy Seal who has spiraled out of control. The main character, named Bradley Johnson, struggles with returning to civilian life.
“PTSD has pushed his life in a direction to self-medicating and alcoholism. It's a redemption movie as well. It follows him through some very tough times,” Reischauer explained. “It might a little more empathy, not sympathy, but empathy to somebody we see on the street.”
The movie is meant to bring awareness to PTSD, mental health issues, homelessness and addiction. Many of those involved in the project are veterans, including associate producer Kasey Brown.
read more here
Lakeland Teenager Honors Vietnam Veteran
UPDATE
Lakeland teen surprises formerly homeless veteran with Honor Flight
WFLA 8 News
Melissa Marino
April 11, 2018
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) - An Army Veteran who spent years living on the streets in Lakeland is getting the trip of a lifetime, all thanks to a teen who has made it her mission to help him.
Vietnam Veteran William Dread, also known as Willie, and 17-year-old Emily Cornelius will take off on Wednesday on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. from the Lakeland Linder Airport.
Over the years, the pair has formed an unlikely bond.
"I decided I would go back on my military training and bought my tent and I just camped out," William Dread said.
He told WFLA that after serving as an officer in the Army, he fell on tough times. For years, the Vietnam Veteran lived on the streets of Lakeland.
But one moment changed his life forever.
read more here
Lakeland teen, Vietnam veteran share memorable Honor Flight, visit to Vietnam Memorial
Lakeland teen surprises formerly homeless veteran with Honor Flight
WFLA 8 News
Melissa Marino
April 11, 2018
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) - An Army Veteran who spent years living on the streets in Lakeland is getting the trip of a lifetime, all thanks to a teen who has made it her mission to help him.
Over the years, the pair has formed an unlikely bond.
"I decided I would go back on my military training and bought my tent and I just camped out," William Dread said.
He told WFLA that after serving as an officer in the Army, he fell on tough times. For years, the Vietnam Veteran lived on the streets of Lakeland.
But one moment changed his life forever.
read more here
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Marine Colonel Who Saved Her From Life In Prison
US Army Iraq Veteran "Pays It Forward" To Marine Colonel Who Saved Her From Life In Prison
CISION PR Newswire
Military Appreciation Partnerships, Inc.
10:01 ET
SEATTLE, April 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside, US Army Ret., has joined a team of supporters organizing a Trending GoFundMe Campaign on behalf of Colonel Mike Whalen, co-founder of Military Appreciation Partnerships, Inc., in his time of need. Resulting from her 2007 suicide attempt in Iraq, Whiteside faced Army Court-Martial charging her with five offenses, if convicted, could result in life in Federal Prison.
Over the following year Whiteside's family, legal team, Veterans organizations, and Senators Barack Obama, Claire McCaskill, Barbara Boxer, John Kerry and Kit Bond were unable to dissuade the Army from pursuing the charges. Similarly, the national press corps support of Katie Couric, CBS Evening News plus The Washington Post's Dana Priest and Anne Hull did not stop the relentless continuation of the Court-Martial.
Through a chance meeting, Whiteside's father Tom was put in touch with Colonel Mike Whalen, a fierce and effective and lifelong Veterans' advocate. Within five days, Col. Whalen was able to convince Army brass to drop all charges against Whiteside granting her an honorable discharge with medical benefits. Upon her complete recovery, she continued her education and today is a working professional in the mental health field.
Colonel Mike Whalen has spent his entire life helping others. He has served his country proudly as a US Marine, sustaining serious injuries as a result of his service. Col. Mike has always been able to do the impossible... Producing the "Carrier Classic" college Basketball game on the deck of the Carl Vinson Aircraft Carrier... Raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Veterans and conducting morale boosting coaches, astronauts and INDY racing tours to our military in combat zones in the Middle East.
Now Col. Whalen has fallen on hard times. His injuries, shrapnel and Traumatic Brain Injury are catching up with him. He is now facing imminent eviction from his home. Upon hearing of Col. Whalen's plight, Elizabeth quickly joined up with others who have benefited from his help by sponsoring his GoFundMe account…telling his story and asking for your generosity to "Pay It Forward" in his time of need.
The GoFundMe campaign is rapidly approaching its goal with notable contributions from Mario Andretti, Houston Nutt, and other celebrities.
I remember her story well. Read more about what Whiteside had to go through to understand how much this means to her...and many more.
CISION PR Newswire
Military Appreciation Partnerships, Inc.
10:01 ET
SEATTLE, April 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside, US Army Ret., has joined a team of supporters organizing a Trending GoFundMe Campaign on behalf of Colonel Mike Whalen, co-founder of Military Appreciation Partnerships, Inc., in his time of need. Resulting from her 2007 suicide attempt in Iraq, Whiteside faced Army Court-Martial charging her with five offenses, if convicted, could result in life in Federal Prison.
Over the following year Whiteside's family, legal team, Veterans organizations, and Senators Barack Obama, Claire McCaskill, Barbara Boxer, John Kerry and Kit Bond were unable to dissuade the Army from pursuing the charges. Similarly, the national press corps support of Katie Couric, CBS Evening News plus The Washington Post's Dana Priest and Anne Hull did not stop the relentless continuation of the Court-Martial.
Through a chance meeting, Whiteside's father Tom was put in touch with Colonel Mike Whalen, a fierce and effective and lifelong Veterans' advocate. Within five days, Col. Whalen was able to convince Army brass to drop all charges against Whiteside granting her an honorable discharge with medical benefits. Upon her complete recovery, she continued her education and today is a working professional in the mental health field.
Colonel Mike Whalen has spent his entire life helping others. He has served his country proudly as a US Marine, sustaining serious injuries as a result of his service. Col. Mike has always been able to do the impossible... Producing the "Carrier Classic" college Basketball game on the deck of the Carl Vinson Aircraft Carrier... Raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Veterans and conducting morale boosting coaches, astronauts and INDY racing tours to our military in combat zones in the Middle East.
Now Col. Whalen has fallen on hard times. His injuries, shrapnel and Traumatic Brain Injury are catching up with him. He is now facing imminent eviction from his home. Upon hearing of Col. Whalen's plight, Elizabeth quickly joined up with others who have benefited from his help by sponsoring his GoFundMe account…telling his story and asking for your generosity to "Pay It Forward" in his time of need.
The GoFundMe campaign is rapidly approaching its goal with notable contributions from Mario Andretti, Houston Nutt, and other celebrities.
*******
I remember her story well. Read more about what Whiteside had to go through to understand how much this means to her...and many more.
Monday, April 9, 2018
Spc. Eric Levon Williams laid to rest
SC soldier gunned down at birthday party is memorialized
The State
BY TRACY KIMBALL
April 08, 2018
ROCK HILL
Several hundred mourners gathered Saturday at Gethsemane Church in Rock Hill to lay to rest. Spc. Eric Levon Williams at a party at the former American Legion on Cherry Road. Williams had been in the Army National Guard with a Columbia unit since enlisting after graduating from South Pointe High School in May 2013. Williams, 24, was shot and killed March 31.
He was given full military honors at the service. A bugle played "Taps" as two members of the Army National Guard Honor Guard folded an American flag draped across his casket.
read more here
The State
BY TRACY KIMBALL
April 08, 2018
ROCK HILL
Several hundred mourners gathered Saturday at Gethsemane Church in Rock Hill to lay to rest. Spc. Eric Levon Williams at a party at the former American Legion on Cherry Road. Williams had been in the Army National Guard with a Columbia unit since enlisting after graduating from South Pointe High School in May 2013. Williams, 24, was shot and killed March 31.
read more here
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