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| Murray likes the reunion even though it is a long ride to get there! |
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Melbourne Vietnam Wall Escort into Wickham Park
Blue Jacket Park Honors Female Sailors
Statue of female sailor at Blue Jacket Park honors Navy legacy, women who served at sea
On Saturday, a bronze statue of a woman in a Navy uniform was unveiled at Blue Jacket Park in Baldwin Park, a community with more than 4,600 homes that sprouted after the 1,900-acre Naval Training Center was shuttered in the 1990s.read more from Orlando Sentinel here
The statue, named the Blue Jacket Recruit — a Navy term for an enlisted sailor, honors the 188,000 female recruits whose graduation from the nation’s first coed boot camp proved they were not only as ready as men but also willing and able to serve their country.
Five Years After Bombs, Boston Strong and Inspirational Survivors
CARLOS ARREDONDO
NOW: Arredondo continues to do whatever he can to help others. He volunteers with the Red Cross, and his Arredondo Family Foundation works to prevent military-related suicides and hand out Thanksgiving turkeys to veterans and their families. He's now preparing to run his first Boston Marathon.
In his own words: "What many people don't realize is that first responders also go through some of the same trauma as survivors. I've been dealing with some issues, but that doesn't slow me down. It's been an amazing journey."
read other inspirational stories of survivors here
AP FILE - In this Nov. 26, 2017 file photo, Carlos Arredondo, center, gives a thumbs-up before participating in a Salute to Service military appreciation campaign before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass. Arredondo helped save the life of marathon spectator Jeff Bauman after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. He now volunteers with the Red Cross, and his family foundation works to prevent military-related suicides. He is preparing to run in his first Boston Marathon on April 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)THEN: Millions know him as the man in the cowboy hat who helped save the life of marathon spectator Jeff Bauman, the double amputee played by Jake Gyllenhaal in the 2017 movie "Stronger." Arredondo had become an anti-war activist and suicide prevention advocate after one son was fatally shot by a sniper in Iraq and another killed himself, and he was at the finish line handing out American flags when the bombs went off. Instantly, Arredondo became a symbol of courage.
NOW: Arredondo continues to do whatever he can to help others. He volunteers with the Red Cross, and his Arredondo Family Foundation works to prevent military-related suicides and hand out Thanksgiving turkeys to veterans and their families. He's now preparing to run his first Boston Marathon.
In his own words: "What many people don't realize is that first responders also go through some of the same trauma as survivors. I've been dealing with some issues, but that doesn't slow me down. It's been an amazing journey."
read other inspirational stories of survivors here
Yoga, Goats and Disabled Firefighter Battle PTSD
Yoga instructor, entrepreneur shares road to recovery after traumatic injury and PTSD
KTLV News
by Genevieve Grippo
April 14th 2018
CENTRAL POINT — The goat yoga craze hit the Rogue Valley on Saturday, but the four-legged guests weren't the only special thing about the session.
The session's instructor, Drew Aversa, is no ordinary yoga teacher. He comes from a background of inspirational recovery after suffering from a traumatic injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"So many people are going through that today, and I wish they could just find yoga and get rid of ego, get rid of whatever stigma they have attached to this 3,000 year old practice that has continuously healed people," said Aversa.
The SOU grad started his working career as a firefighter in California, but a traumatic injury left him confined to a wheelchair.
"Yoga allows the mind and body to connect. It allows people to come together, it allows that pause in our day-to-day life to just be," he said.
read more here
KTLV News
by Genevieve Grippo
April 14th 2018
"You go from hero to zero," said Aversa. "It's devastating."
The session's instructor, Drew Aversa, is no ordinary yoga teacher. He comes from a background of inspirational recovery after suffering from a traumatic injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"So many people are going through that today, and I wish they could just find yoga and get rid of ego, get rid of whatever stigma they have attached to this 3,000 year old practice that has continuously healed people," said Aversa.
The SOU grad started his working career as a firefighter in California, but a traumatic injury left him confined to a wheelchair.
read more here
Saturday, April 14, 2018
Retired Firefighter Honors Brothers Lost to Cancer
Retired Orange County firefighter walks across state for fallen brothers
Click Orlando
By Amanda Castro - Reporter/Anchor
Posted: 12:18 PM, April 14, 2018
Tom "Bull" Hill raising awareness for cancer-related death benefits
MELBOURNE, Fla. - A retired Orange County firefighter is carrying the burden of his fallen brothers while walking hundreds of miles across the state to raise awareness for cancer-related death benefits.
Tom "Bull" Hill started his 700-mile journey in the Keys March 20. The 58-year-old has walked up the state and made his way to Melbourne Fire Station 74 Friday night.
On Saturday, he continued his journey up the Space Coast.
"It's an honor to carry these guys. That's the truth," Hill said.
Hill called it an honor and a burden as he stood over a table covered with photos of fallen firefighters and members of law enforcement. On the table were three large backpacks filled with more than 500 badges, shields and names of first responders who passed away.
The retired Orange County firefighter said he's keeping a promise and walking in memory of two fellow brothers who died from work-related cancer.
read more here
Click Orlando
By Amanda Castro - Reporter/Anchor
Posted: 12:18 PM, April 14, 2018
Tom "Bull" Hill raising awareness for cancer-related death benefits
Tom "Bull" Hill started his 700-mile journey in the Keys March 20. The 58-year-old has walked up the state and made his way to Melbourne Fire Station 74 Friday night.
On Saturday, he continued his journey up the Space Coast.
"It's an honor to carry these guys. That's the truth," Hill said.
Hill called it an honor and a burden as he stood over a table covered with photos of fallen firefighters and members of law enforcement. On the table were three large backpacks filled with more than 500 badges, shields and names of first responders who passed away.
The retired Orange County firefighter said he's keeping a promise and walking in memory of two fellow brothers who died from work-related cancer.
read more here
Historical Marine Corps' first female African-American general officer
A decorated colonel is set to be the first black woman to serve as a Marine Corps general
Task and Purpose
Jeff Schogol
Col. Lorna Mahlock was nominated on Tuesday to be the first female black general in the Marines. Mahlock, 49, has served in the prestigious post of deputy director of plans, policies and operations since July 2017.
Her next assignment will be announced later if she is confirmed by the Senate, according to the Marine Corps.
In a history-making move, Col. Lorna Mahlock has been nominated to become the Marine Corps' first female African-American general officer.
Mahlock, 49, has served in the prestigious post of deputy director of plans, policies and operations since July 2017. Her next assignment will be announced later if she is confirmed by the Senate, according to the Marine Corps. She was nominated on April 10 to get her first star.
read more here
Task and Purpose
Jeff Schogol
Col. Lorna Mahlock was nominated on Tuesday to be the first female black general in the Marines. Mahlock, 49, has served in the prestigious post of deputy director of plans, policies and operations since July 2017.
Mahlock, 49, has served in the prestigious post of deputy director of plans, policies and operations since July 2017. Her next assignment will be announced later if she is confirmed by the Senate, according to the Marine Corps. She was nominated on April 10 to get her first star.
read more here
Dying Vietnam Navy Veteran Wants Justice...and deserves it
Misdiagnosed veteran contends military medical records are missing
WFLA 8 News
Steve Andrews
April 13, 2018
TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. (WFLA) - From his bed at Florida Hospital North Pinellas in Tarpon Springs, Navy veteran Lonnie Kilpatrick has a message for the new secretary of the VA about spending money the right way.
"It's more important to take care of your veterans than it is to get approval for a bridge to nowhere," Lonnie said.
Arthritis the VA treated in Lonnie's back during the last four years turned out to be kidney cancer.
"Stage four, nothing they can do for me," explained Lonnie. "Make me comfortable, you know, maybe give me some drugs that will make me live a little longer."
This week, another blow.
The VA turned down his claim for Agent Orange disability benefits.
read more here
WFLA 8 News
Steve Andrews
April 13, 2018
TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. (WFLA) - From his bed at Florida Hospital North Pinellas in Tarpon Springs, Navy veteran Lonnie Kilpatrick has a message for the new secretary of the VA about spending money the right way.
"It's more important to take care of your veterans than it is to get approval for a bridge to nowhere," Lonnie said.
Arthritis the VA treated in Lonnie's back during the last four years turned out to be kidney cancer.
"Stage four, nothing they can do for me," explained Lonnie. "Make me comfortable, you know, maybe give me some drugs that will make me live a little longer."
This week, another blow.
The VA turned down his claim for Agent Orange disability benefits.
read more here
PTSD Sunday Morning Empowerment Zone Early
Fight to take your life back
PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
April 14, 2018
(editors note: filming escort of the Vietnam Memorial Wall tomorrow, so putting these up today instead of tomorrow. It is still the Sunday Morning Empowerment Zone, but just a day early. If that bothers you, watch these tomorrow.)
The road sign is "Hope Road" and nearby they are working on the roads around it, clearly marked by "Construction Entrance." Would be nice if all of us saw the signs like that.
Finding a way to hope is always a process of constructing the way to get there. Feed positive thoughts into it and you'll get there a lot faster. You need help to kick the crap out of you so there is room for good stuff to get in.
My buddy Jonnie has been going to the American Combat Club in Downtown Orlando. His VA therapist recommended them because they are giving three months of free classes to veterans battling to heal. Besides, he enjoys the fact he can punch stuff without getting into trouble.
read more here
From PTSD Patrol
Think of your brain like the engine of your car.
Your Mechanic explains how your engine can get clogged.
All the negative thoughts you put into the thing that drives you stops it from moving in the right direction. It doesn't matter how strong your body is if you don't have fuel to power it. It doesn't matter how smart you are if you're stupid enough to let the impurities invade your brain.
Doubt, fear, anger, paranoia, hatred of others and hating what you believe you turned into, leave little room for all the good stuff to get in.
You stay stuck. If it goes on too long, then you end up with a broken engine that could have been powering healing.
When social media decided that talking about veterans committing suicide was a hot topic, they managed to add all the bad outcomes and none of the good. It is like using the wrong grade of gas to power your ride.
PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
April 14, 2018
(editors note: filming escort of the Vietnam Memorial Wall tomorrow, so putting these up today instead of tomorrow. It is still the Sunday Morning Empowerment Zone, but just a day early. If that bothers you, watch these tomorrow.)
The road sign is "Hope Road" and nearby they are working on the roads around it, clearly marked by "Construction Entrance." Would be nice if all of us saw the signs like that.
Finding a way to hope is always a process of constructing the way to get there. Feed positive thoughts into it and you'll get there a lot faster. You need help to kick the crap out of you so there is room for good stuff to get in.
My buddy Jonnie has been going to the American Combat Club in Downtown Orlando. His VA therapist recommended them because they are giving three months of free classes to veterans battling to heal. Besides, he enjoys the fact he can punch stuff without getting into trouble.
read more here
From PTSD Patrol
Think of your brain like the engine of your car.
Your Mechanic explains how your engine can get clogged.
"Fuel injectors deliver fuel into the cylinder for combustion. Clogged fuel injectors can be caused by debris or impurities in the fuel. Fuel injectors are responsible for getting fuel into the engine. ... The fuel is then ignited and the engine keeps on moving."
All the negative thoughts you put into the thing that drives you stops it from moving in the right direction. It doesn't matter how strong your body is if you don't have fuel to power it. It doesn't matter how smart you are if you're stupid enough to let the impurities invade your brain.
Doubt, fear, anger, paranoia, hatred of others and hating what you believe you turned into, leave little room for all the good stuff to get in.
You stay stuck. If it goes on too long, then you end up with a broken engine that could have been powering healing.
When social media decided that talking about veterans committing suicide was a hot topic, they managed to add all the bad outcomes and none of the good. It is like using the wrong grade of gas to power your ride.
Dying Florida Vietnam Veteran Target of Thief
Largo woman accused of stealing $2,500 from Vietnam veteran
Police say Vietnam veteran was her neighbor
WFTS News
Adam Winer
Apr 13, 2018
LARGO, Fla. — A Vietnam veteran was the victim of theft at the hands of his own neighbor.
The Largo Police Department is accusing Sonya Herrick of writing a check to herself with her neighbor's checkbook without his knowledge.
The victim, John Gibbs, 84, is a Vietnam veteran with pancreatic cancer who lives near Herrick on Seminole Boulevard in Largo.
According to the arrest affidavit, Herrick wrote herself a $2,500 check back on April 6.
Investigators say Herrick befriended the victim in the days leading up to the theft with the intention of stealing from him.
read more here
Police say Vietnam veteran was her neighbor
WFTS News
Adam Winer
Apr 13, 2018
LARGO, Fla. — A Vietnam veteran was the victim of theft at the hands of his own neighbor.
The victim, John Gibbs, 84, is a Vietnam veteran with pancreatic cancer who lives near Herrick on Seminole Boulevard in Largo.
According to the arrest affidavit, Herrick wrote herself a $2,500 check back on April 6.
Investigators say Herrick befriended the victim in the days leading up to the theft with the intention of stealing from him.
read more here
Brothers in arms, your sisters covered you
Female veteran's lament becomes powerful song with help from Songwriting With Soldiers project
Democrat and Chronicle
Gary Craig
April 13, 2018
Meghan Counihan’s daughter was 6 months old when Counihan was deployed to Afghanistan.
The mother of three, Counihan found herself riven by a tug-of-war of emotions, beckoned by call and duty: one for country, the other of motherhood.
Her uncles were veterans, as was her father, who'd been an Army truck mechanic in Vietnam. The military lineage spoke to her — she, too, would drive a truck for the Army — as did the vows she'd made with others in her Army unit.
“You’ve made this promise to your country, and you’ve made this promise to sacrifice, and you’ve made this promise to these people,” she said.
But at her Colorado home, she had this effervescent infant — still cuddling, still growing, still needing.
“It’s really hard to walk out that door and keep going,” Counihan said. “I was still breastfeeding. To leave when that is going on, you have a physical, visceral reaction.”
read more here
Democrat and Chronicle
Gary Craig
April 13, 2018
I was just like you when the bullets flewI had your back, you had mine tooBrothers in arms, your sisters covered youDon't that make us your brother too?
Meghan Counihan’s daughter was 6 months old when Counihan was deployed to Afghanistan.
Her uncles were veterans, as was her father, who'd been an Army truck mechanic in Vietnam. The military lineage spoke to her — she, too, would drive a truck for the Army — as did the vows she'd made with others in her Army unit.
“You’ve made this promise to your country, and you’ve made this promise to sacrifice, and you’ve made this promise to these people,” she said.
But at her Colorado home, she had this effervescent infant — still cuddling, still growing, still needing.
“It’s really hard to walk out that door and keep going,” Counihan said. “I was still breastfeeding. To leave when that is going on, you have a physical, visceral reaction.”
read more here
MOH WWII Hero, Love Story and PTSD
Wife of World War II Medal Of Honor Recipient Reveals Their Love Story
Military.com
By Richard Sisk
13 Apr 2018
Back in 1945, when she was 15 and first set eyes on her future husband, Pauline Conner didn't think much of the scrawny fellow they were making all the fuss about in town with the parade and the speeches.
The great Sgt. Alvin York himself, the Medal of Honor recipient from World War I, had shown up for what the folks in Albany, Kentucky, called the "speakin'" at the Clinton County courthouse to welcome home Garlin Murl Conner from fighting the Nazis.
Military.com
By Richard Sisk
13 Apr 2018
"More than anything, he was proud of his brothers in World War II. He had five brothers, all came back home. I've often wondered how his mother could take that, with six boys in the war," she said.
The great Sgt. Alvin York himself, the Medal of Honor recipient from World War I, had shown up for what the folks in Albany, Kentucky, called the "speakin'" at the Clinton County courthouse to welcome home Garlin Murl Conner from fighting the Nazis.
In their life together, he was a farmer and also served with the Disabled American Veterans, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the American Legion and Kentucky Veterans Affairs. The war stayed with him in ways he could not explain.
"I always thought if anybody had PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder], it was Murl. He'd wake up in the night, kind of fighting, because of the nightmares. Lots of times he'd just go outside and sit by himself," she said.
Last month, Pauline Conner, now 88, received a phone call from President Donald Trump about her husband, who died in 1998 at age 79. The upgrade of his Distinguished Service Cross had been approved after more than 20 years of bureaucratic and court fights.
read more here
Friday, April 13, 2018
WWII veteran celebrates birthday,,with 5k race?
91-year-old World War II veteran crosses finish line of 5k race
KTXS News
by Ariana Lubelli, SBG San Antonio
April 12th 2018
SAN ANTONIO - Jim Ulbrich, a WWII Navy veteran, celebrated his 91st birthday weekend by running.
"I wanted to finish strong so I took off running," Ulbrich said.
The Poteet native and retired vocational agriculture teacher competed in the '65-year-old and up' category of the Caterpillar Seguin 5K Power Race on April 8th. He came in first place, breaking a record for Seguin.
"But my knees kind of squeak so I have to watch my knees," Ulbrich said. "They're a little old."
Cell phone video posted on Facebook by 'SS American Memorial located at the Lazy U Ranch Seguin TX' captured the 91-year-old running across the finish line.
read more here
KTXS News
by Ariana Lubelli, SBG San Antonio
April 12th 2018
SAN ANTONIO - Jim Ulbrich, a WWII Navy veteran, celebrated his 91st birthday weekend by running.
The Poteet native and retired vocational agriculture teacher competed in the '65-year-old and up' category of the Caterpillar Seguin 5K Power Race on April 8th. He came in first place, breaking a record for Seguin.
"But my knees kind of squeak so I have to watch my knees," Ulbrich said. "They're a little old."
Cell phone video posted on Facebook by 'SS American Memorial located at the Lazy U Ranch Seguin TX' captured the 91-year-old running across the finish line.
read more here
Clergy learning how to heal veterans with PTSD
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
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
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
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