Combat Nurse told she cannot use service in Fallujah and Afghanistan?

Congressional candidates' military service records under attack
By KEVIN LANDRIGAN
New Hampshire Union Leader
August 26. 2018

...State Rep. Sean Morrison, R-Hampton, formed the Veterans Caucus in the New Hampshire Legislature after joining the Army National Guard at 30 and making combat deployments to Iraq.

"The 'combat proven' thing seemed to me to be close to stolen valor," said Morrison, who is supporting state Rep. and Air Force veteran Steve Negron of Nashua in the GOP primary.

"That means you were in direct combat with the enemy and you acted appropriately. I don't think anyone should be separating and holding themselves up on a pedestal as veterans."

A clearly upset Blankenbeker said Friday that Morrison and others who share his views should be "ashamed of themselves."

Maura Sullivan was a Marine captain in Iraq.

"I was a combat nurse in a combat hospital in a combat zone caring for combat casualties while the hospital took on an average of 18 mortar attacks in a given day," Blankenbeker said of her time in Afghanistan's violent Kandahar province during 2010-11.

Dan Helmer is the vice chairman of VoteVets, another liberal group supporting veteran candidates.

"Maura Sullivan served in Fallujah, Iraq, an incredibly dangerous area of operations where numerous Marines died, including female service members," Helmer said. "Women in combat zones often don't get the recognition they deserve and we're shocked that anyone would call into question the sacrifices Maura and other female leaders made for our country."

Blankenbeker remembers when the Afghan terrorist threat came into her Kandahar hospital treatment room.

"I cared for a woman; she was an Afghan patient. I was cutting her clothes off in a combat zone and she had a wire harness on her for an explosive," Blankenbeker said. "I had to hold that explosive device in my hand until we could get her sedated on morphine. Is that combat proven?"
read more here

They will stand by you, just like you would do

Ok, no filling up this post with links or pictures. No rants, like I've been doing lately. Just one, simple, pure thought.

You have no idea what can happen when you need help, until you ask for it.

Would you help your buddies? 

Lyrics

Oh, why you look so sad, the tears are in your eyes,
Come on and come to me now, and don't be ashamed to cry,
Let me see you through, 'cause I've seen the dark side too.
When the night falls on you, you don't know what to do,
Nothing you confess could make me love you less,

I'll stand by you,
I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you,
I'll stand by you

So if you're mad, get mad, don't hold it all inside,
Come on and talk to me now.
Hey there, what you got to hide?
I get angry too, well, I'm alive like you.
When you're standing at the cross roads,
And don't know which path to choose,
Let me come along, 'cause even if you're wrong

I'll stand by you,
I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you,
I'll stand by you.
Baby, even to your darkest hour, and I'll never desert you,
I'll stand by you.
And when, when the night falls on you baby,
You're feeling all a lone, you're wandering on your own,
I'll stand by you.

I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you,
I'll stand by you, baby even to your darkest hour,
And I'll never desert you,
I'll stand by you,

I'll stand by you.
I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you,
I'll stand by you, baby even to your darkest hour,
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you

Songwriters: Thomas Kelly / Christine Hynde / Billy Steinberg

I'll Stand By You lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

KY Firefighter Shares His Battle Against PTSD

KY Firefighter Shares His Battle Against PTSD
Firehouse
August 24, 2018

Veteran Burlington firefighter Phil Hall opens up in this news segment about his struggle with PTSD after 18 years of witnessing difficult incidents.

John McCain “He passed the way he lived, on his own terms"

Cindy and Meghan McCain mourn John McCain with heartbreaking tribute
Huffington Post
CARLA HERRERIA
Aug 26th 2018

“He was a great fire who burned bright, and we lived in his light and warmth for so very long,” she wrote. “We know that his flame lives on, in each of us.

The wife and daughter of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) wrote heartbreaking tributes to the lawmaker hours after his death on Saturday.

Cindy McCain, the senator’s wife of 38 years, expressed her grief on Twitter.

“My heart is broken,” she wrote. “He passed the way he lived, on his own terms; surrounded by the people he loved, in the place he loved best.”

Meghan McCain, the senator’s 33-year-old daughter, wrote an emotional statement thanking her father for being a hero to both her and the country.

“I was with my father at his end, as he was with me at my beginning,” she wrote. “In the thirty-three years we shared together, he raised me, taught me, corrected me, comforted me, encouraged me and supported me in all things.”
read more here

PTSD Patrol: Your buddies are your shock absorbers?

Shock Absorbers Surround You!
PTSD Patrol Sunday Morning Empowerment Zone
Kathie Costos
August 26, 2018

When we got the idea to turn PTSD Patrol into something related to vehicles, it was odd, to say the least. Once explained that people understand the vehicle they drive a lot more than the vehicle they live in, it only made sense to do it this way.

There are a lot of automotive parts that can be used to explain the vehicle you live in. Your body is your ride and we are all different but the stuff that makes it work can be linked to the stuff that goes into the vehicle you drive.

If you took a job to save others, you took on a lot more than most people have to deal with on a daily basis. That is why there are over 7 million citizens with PTSD, and you helped most of them survive.

If lives of strangers meant that much to you, then don't you think they matter to those you serve with? Ok, then why don't you get that your buddies would want to save you too?

Read about shock absorbers From Firestone

HOW DO STRUTS AND SHOCKS WORK?

The suspension on your car is made up of many components, including a set of springs that absorb bumps and road impact, a set of struts that support your springs, and a set of shocks (short for shock absorbers) that limit the bounce your car experiences by absorbing residual movement in suspension springs.

Without properly maintained struts and shocks an unexpected pothole, or even a gravel road, can actually cause the wheels of a vehicle to bounce off of the ground, which can easily lead to loss of control and collision.
read more here

Vietnam Veteran's art tribute to every unit and division

Paying tribute through art: Hempfield veteran honors every unit from Vietnam War
WTAE Pittsburgh Action News
Mike Clark
August 24, 2018

IRWIN, Pa.
Jack Otto is making people cry, making them smile -- making them feel.

His incredibly detailed artwork salutes all who served our country in the Vietnam War.

Through art, the 74-year-old veteran from Hempfield Township pays tribute to every unit and every division that served in Vietnam.

"It became a labor of love, and second of all, it became somewhat of a therapy for me," Otto said. "I was involved in many of the units in one way or other."

Otto was a military policeman in the U.S. Army who survived the Tet Offensive in 1968. He hopes that his art will help veterans and their families to heal.

Tracy Alaia, owner of Feathers Artist Market and Gifts in Irwin, invited Otto to display his patriotic artwork. It means so much to everyone who sees it.
read more here, watch video

Veteran committed suicide at Mishawaka VA parking lot

Suicide in Mishawaka VA parking lot puts spotlight on veteran mental health crisis
WSBT 22 News
by Veronica Ortega
August 24th 2018

A veteran shot himself yesterday in the parking lot of the VA Health Care Center in Mishawaka -- dead from an apparent suicide.

We often don't report suicide, but this is not about drawing attention to an individual. Rather, we are hoping to raise awareness and help people who are struggling.

This is an issue that impacts people and families every day.
read more here 

The rest of the report is good and they interviewed a Vietnam veteran offering hope in the battle against PTSD. The problem is, what they got wrong to start off the report.

Yet again, reporters repeated the number "22" and yet again, we have to endure yet another shameful reminder that another veteran was failed. Failed by all of us because reporters did not care enough to investigate anything for real.

Well, it turns out that while they keep repeating "22 veterans a day commit suicide" the fact is, no one knows how many and we proved it! The VA says they used CDC data but even the CDC does not know how many Americans have committed suicide! Yes, that is right. They are missing data from 10 states.

NO ONE KNOWS HOW MANY MORE VETERANS HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDE!

Add this one to the following public suicides!

How much louder to they have to scream?
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
July 14, 2018

Last year veterans were facing off with law enforcement almost every week, maybe even more, but while these reports should have been national news, they were ignored.

Oh well, it is just so much easier to just use a number as if that is supposed to make any difference to the men and women screaming for help to stay alive.

When veterans commit suicide in a very public way, that is exactly what it is. Oh, not help for themselves. They have already made up their minds it is too late for them. They are screaming for someone to do something to help the other veterans! Like these;

March 9, 2018
Yountville California
Veteran and hostages dead at PTSD program

March 12, 2018
Vietnam veteran committed suicide in Sheridan Police Department Parking lot after calling dispatch to let them know where he was.

March 23, 2018
Soldier dead after standoff at Aberdeen Proving Ground

March 23, 2018
Oklahoma
Air Force Veteran dead after police were called to help him.

March 26, 2018
St. Louis
62 year old veteran committed suicide in John Cochran VA Medical Center waiting room

April 3, 2018
Boynton Beach
Florida
76 year old Vietnam veteran committed suicide in Boynton City Hal parking lot. Not first time this happened. 

It happened last year in Amarillo Texas when a veteran shot himself in front of the VA hospital.

June 13, 2018
Fort Knox 
21 year old Private committed public suicide at Clarksville High School after he stole a gun.

June 19, 2018
Kansas
Vietnam veteran committed suicide at in the VA emergency room.

June 26 2018
Georgia
Navy Veteran set himself on fire in front of Georgia Capitol protesting the VA system. 

Not first time this happened. It also happened in New Jersey last year.

June 27, 2018
Norfolk Navy Yard
Sailor walked into helicopter blade, death ruled suicide.

July 10, 2018
Alabama
Air Force veteran shot family, and himself after setting house on fire.

July 14, 2018
Phoenix AZ
Veteran shot himself inside the VA Hospital Chapel 

Not the first times since it happened last year when a 33 year old veteran shot himself at the VA.
Those are just from the reports I found in the last hour.

Could not get all this out of my head, so if you do not like it when I explode, do not watch this video!

Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman's name is unveiled on the Air Force Memorial Honor Wall

Medal of Honor Air Force Memorial Unveiling Ceremony
Air Force TV
AirForceTV
Streamed live 23 hours ago

Medal of Honor recipient and Air Force Special Tactics Combat Controller Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman's name is unveiled on the Air Force Memorial Honor Wall, August 24, 2018 at 10:00am.

Chapman's widow, Valerie Nessel, was presented the medal by President Donald J. Trump during a White House ceremony, August 22, 2018, in recognition of Chapman's "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty."

Chapman was the 19th Airman to be awarded the Medal of Honor since the Department of the Air Force was established in 1947, and the first Airman recognized with the medal for heroic actions occurring after the Vietnam War. He was also the first Special Tactics Airman to receive the medal. The Medal of Honor is the highest award for heroism in military action that the Nation can bestow on a member of its Armed Forces.

Stolen Valor--giving fakes the attention they did not want!

They called the police on these guys and that is the best way to stop them!

Best Stolen Valor Fights 2018! Instant Karma - Instant Justice

Los Angeles County Fire Department Mourning Capt. Wayne Habell

Funeral Plans for Los Angeles County Fire Captain Include Santa Barbara Burial
Noozhawk
By Janene Scully, Noozhawk North County Editor
August 24, 2018

Memorial for Wayne Habell set for Saturday at Camarillo church; graveside service will be Monday at Santa Barbara Cemetery

Firefighters from the Montecito Fire Protection District salute as a motorcade bearing the body of Los Angeles County fire Capt. Wayne Habell is transported south to Camarillo on Thursday. Services will be Saturday in Camarillo and Monday at Santa Barbara Cemetery. (Peter Hartmann / Noozhawk photo)

Los Angeles County fire captain Wayne Habell will be buried at the Santa Barbara Cemetery on Monday afternoon following a funeral two days earlier at a Camarillo church.

Habell, 43, died earlier this month of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

His body was found Aug. 18 in Hot Springs Canyon above Montecito after he had been missing for several days.

He was last seen Aug. 13 leaving his home in Newhall headed to a gym in Stevenson Ranch. On Aug. 17, his vehicle was found parked near the trailhead on East Mountain Drive.

Habell had served the agency for 13 years, according to the Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014.
read more here

Original story
Missing Firefighter Captain Wayne Habell