For first time in Iraq or Afghanistan wars, U.S. military chaplain is killed
Editor's Note: CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor Eric Marrapodi and CNN Producer Paul Vercammen filed this report.
For the first time in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a U.S. military chaplain has been killed in action.
On August 30, U.S. Army chaplain Capt. Dale Goetz, 43, was killed in the Arghandab River Valley in Afghanistan, when the convoy he was traveling in was struck by an improvised explosive device, according to the Department of Defense. Four other soldiers also were killed in the attack.
Goetz was serving as the battalion chaplain for the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment.
Friends and co-workers said Goetz was a dedicated father and chaplain. He leaves behind a wife and three sons.
The Army's chief of chaplains, Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver, said in a statement, "Dale was a selfless servant of God, a devoted husband and father, a strong American patriot, and a compassionate spiritual leader whose love for Soldiers was only surpassed by his firm commitment to living his calling as a United States Army Chaplain."
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http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/02/chaplain-killed-in-action/
Friday, September 3, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Ex-Senator Simpson doesn't think Vietnam Vets are worth taking care of
I was watching Countdown last night because I heard a friend of mine and of all veterans, Paul Sullivan was going to be on the show. Low and behold, I was stunned to hear what Senator Simpson had to say about Vietnam veterans and Agent Orange. When veterans are treated like this behind their backs, the whole nation should be outraged!
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OLBERMANN: On Monday, the secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki, announced what he called a long overdue rule delivering justice to some of America's veterans-- long overdue in the sense, meaning, since the Vietnam War.
But in our fourth story: a top Republican is unhappy about the rule and he's blaming the veterans. Secretary Shinseki's announcement was about Agent Orange. Agent Orange-- the toxic defoliant which America dumped on Vietnam to kill the growth of plants that were used as cover by the Viet Cong. More than 19 million gallons of herbicides were sprayed during the war. Most of it, Agent Orange, sprayed on inland forests near Vietnam's borders, north of Saigon, and on a mangrove forest lining Saigon's shipping channels -- meaning it was not just killing trees. It was being breathed in by American soldiers. Soldiers who did not know exposure would later be linked to potentially fatal conditions such a Hodgkin's disease, soft tissue cancers and non- Hodgkin's lymphoma. So, in 1991, Congress passed a law to get treatment to Vietnam vets suffering from any of 12 diseases did have to prove they were caused by Agent Orange. On Monday, Shinseki wrote, quote, "The president and I are proud," unquote, to provide additional treatment under the 1991 law. It has been extended to cover Parkinson's, some leukemias and some heart disease. Enter former Republican Senator Simpson.
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Three Tour Iraq Vet needs your help
Sent from Veterans for Change
From time to time we come to you and ask for your assistance to help a Veteran in need as we have done in the past.
We now have one veteran in need of our assistance therefore I now come to you to ask again for your help.
This veteran served three tours in Iraq and was honorably discharged, was shot twice and deals with PTSD, was working a good job, and had to take time off due to flashbacks.
Spc. Stephen Lewis has exhausted his vacation and medical leave from work so he came to ask if we’d be able to help him on his utility and telephone which is a total of $188.50.
I have spoke to both of Stephen’s utilities and put off till tomorrow for a firm answer and transfer of funds.
In the mean time his VSO (Veteran Service Officer) is working on getting him a better VA Rating to have his benefits increased.
So I come to you and ask if we have a few good people out there who are willing to donate $25-$50 each to help this veteran.
If you’re able to contribute $25-$50 to help these Veterans, who like many of you have fought for this great Country of ours please click HERE to be taken direct to the PayPal site which is very safe and secure.
Vet shot by police had sought help
Vet shot by police had sought help
By Matthew Santoni and Stephanie Hacke
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, September 2, 2010
A man police shot to death during a confrontation in Baldwin Borough sought psychiatric treatment at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System on Highland Drive before reportedly becoming suicidal, police said.
A Baldwin police officer shot Edward Zevola Sr., 61, at his home Tuesday night on Songo Street, a quiet hilltop enclave of two-story homes and swimming pools above Streets Run Road.
Police said Zevola's wife called them about 9 p.m. to say the two argued and Zevola threatened her with a gun. She told police she feared he was suicidal or willing to kill someone.
By Matthew Santoni and Stephanie Hacke
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, September 2, 2010
A man police shot to death during a confrontation in Baldwin Borough sought psychiatric treatment at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System on Highland Drive before reportedly becoming suicidal, police said.
A Baldwin police officer shot Edward Zevola Sr., 61, at his home Tuesday night on Songo Street, a quiet hilltop enclave of two-story homes and swimming pools above Streets Run Road.
Police said Zevola's wife called them about 9 p.m. to say the two argued and Zevola threatened her with a gun. She told police she feared he was suicidal or willing to kill someone.
Scott said Zevola was in and out of psychiatric treatment at the VA hospital for the past year.
"The only thing I want to say is that this is a tragedy, ... the worst day of all our lives," said a woman who identified herself as Zevola's daughter-in-law, while carrying a suitcase out of his home Wednesday afternoon. "This is horrific, and we want to keep this as private as possible."
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Man Shot, Killed By Police During Baldwin Standoff
Another oil rig explodes in Gulf of Mexico
Oil Rig Explodes in Gulf of Mexico
Updated: 3 minutes ago
NEW ORLEANS, La. (Sept. 2) -- An offshore petroleum platform exploded and was burning Thursday in the Gulf of Mexico about 100 miles off the Louisiana coast, west of the site where BP's undersea well spilled after a rig explosion.
The Coast Guard said no one was killed in the explosion, which was spotted by a commercial helicopter flying over the site Thursday morning. All 13 people aboard the rig have been accounted for, with one injury. The extent of the injury was not known.
They were rescued from the water by an offshore service vessel, the Crystal Clear, said Coast Guard Cmdr. She said they were taken to a nearby platform. All were being flown to the Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma to be checked over.
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Oil Rig Explodes in Gulf of Mexico
Updated: 3 minutes ago
NEW ORLEANS, La. (Sept. 2) -- An offshore petroleum platform exploded and was burning Thursday in the Gulf of Mexico about 100 miles off the Louisiana coast, west of the site where BP's undersea well spilled after a rig explosion.
The Coast Guard said no one was killed in the explosion, which was spotted by a commercial helicopter flying over the site Thursday morning. All 13 people aboard the rig have been accounted for, with one injury. The extent of the injury was not known.
They were rescued from the water by an offshore service vessel, the Crystal Clear, said Coast Guard Cmdr. She said they were taken to a nearby platform. All were being flown to the Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma to be checked over.
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Oil Rig Explodes in Gulf of Mexico
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Fort Carson says its suicide rate is falling
Fort Carson says its suicide rate is falling
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Sep 1, 2010 12:34:20 EDT
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Commanders at Fort Carson say the suicide rate among their soldiers is on track to drop by 45 percent.
Fort Carson's deputy commanding general for support, Brig. Gen. Jim Pasquarette, said Wednesday the decrease might be due in part to a campaign to make mental health experts more accessible and to reduce the stigma sometimes associated with seeking help.
He cautions that the rate could still climb. He says officials are still studying the reasons for the declining rate at the post.
Suicide rates are measured in deaths per 100,000 people.
Pasquarette says Fort Carson's rate was 44 per 100,000 in 2008, and this year is on track to be 25 per 100,000.
The Army's overall suicide rate is about 22 per 100,000.
Fort Carson says its suicide rate is falling
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Sep 1, 2010 12:34:20 EDT
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Commanders at Fort Carson say the suicide rate among their soldiers is on track to drop by 45 percent.
Fort Carson's deputy commanding general for support, Brig. Gen. Jim Pasquarette, said Wednesday the decrease might be due in part to a campaign to make mental health experts more accessible and to reduce the stigma sometimes associated with seeking help.
He cautions that the rate could still climb. He says officials are still studying the reasons for the declining rate at the post.
Suicide rates are measured in deaths per 100,000 people.
Pasquarette says Fort Carson's rate was 44 per 100,000 in 2008, and this year is on track to be 25 per 100,000.
The Army's overall suicide rate is about 22 per 100,000.
Fort Carson says its suicide rate is falling
10 infant deaths investigated at Fort Bragg
10 infant deaths investigated at Fort Bragg
By Tom Breen - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Sep 1, 2010 11:49:25 EDT
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The mysterious deaths of two infants at the same home within three months of each other has prompted a probe into eight other unexplained infant deaths at the Fort Bragg Army base since January 2007, the military said Tuesday.
At a news conference at the base, military leaders say they don’t suspect foul play in any of the deaths, and are conducting tests of the air, building materials and other elements at the on-base housing where the deaths occurred.
So far, though, investigators have not found any link between the deaths since the probe was ordered earlier this summer, according to Christopher Grey, spokesman for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
“There are no commonalities that we’ve found thus far,” he said.
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10 infant deaths investigated at Fort Bragg
By Tom Breen - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Sep 1, 2010 11:49:25 EDT
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The mysterious deaths of two infants at the same home within three months of each other has prompted a probe into eight other unexplained infant deaths at the Fort Bragg Army base since January 2007, the military said Tuesday.
At a news conference at the base, military leaders say they don’t suspect foul play in any of the deaths, and are conducting tests of the air, building materials and other elements at the on-base housing where the deaths occurred.
So far, though, investigators have not found any link between the deaths since the probe was ordered earlier this summer, according to Christopher Grey, spokesman for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
“There are no commonalities that we’ve found thus far,” he said.
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10 infant deaths investigated at Fort Bragg
Man Shot, Killed By Police During Baldwin Standoff
Man Shot, Killed By Police During Baldwin Standoff
BALDWIN BOROUGH (KDKA)
Sep 1, 2010
Baldwin Borough police shot and killed an armed man while responding to a domestic dispute Tuesday night.
Police say the man threatened to shoot a police officer and that is when an officer fired a single shot, which killed him.
The incident stemmed from a domestic dispute that quickly turned into a standoff.
"One of our officers was across the street from the residence trying to ascertain what the address was when the deceased called out to our officer and said, 'You know, I don't want to shoot you. If I wanted to, I have seven rounds here and I'm a Vietnam vet and I won't shoot for your Kevlar, I'll shoot for your heads,'" Baldwin Police Chief Michael Scott said.
According to police, that's the message they received from Edward Zevola, 61, when they arrived at the home on Songo Street.
read more here
Man Shot Killed By Police During Baldwin Standoff
BALDWIN BOROUGH (KDKA)
Sep 1, 2010
Baldwin Borough police shot and killed an armed man while responding to a domestic dispute Tuesday night.
Police say the man threatened to shoot a police officer and that is when an officer fired a single shot, which killed him.
The incident stemmed from a domestic dispute that quickly turned into a standoff.
"One of our officers was across the street from the residence trying to ascertain what the address was when the deceased called out to our officer and said, 'You know, I don't want to shoot you. If I wanted to, I have seven rounds here and I'm a Vietnam vet and I won't shoot for your Kevlar, I'll shoot for your heads,'" Baldwin Police Chief Michael Scott said.
According to police, that's the message they received from Edward Zevola, 61, when they arrived at the home on Songo Street.
read more here
Man Shot Killed By Police During Baldwin Standoff
Marine Sgt. Floyd Holley of Casselberry dies in Afghanistan
Chrissy and Floyd Holley on their wedding day. Holley, 36, a Marine gunnery sergeant from Casselberry, was killed by a roadside bomb Aug. 29 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. (Facebook / August 30, 2010)
Marine Sgt. Floyd Holley of Casselberry dies in Afghanistan
By Susan Jacobson, Orlando Sentinel
11:56 p.m. EDT, August 30, 2010
Gunnery Sgt. Floyd Holley did one of the most dangerous jobs in the military.
A specialist in roadside explosives, Holley grew up in Casselberry and was planning to come home to the U.S. from Afghanistan for the birth of his first child — a daughter — in November.
On Sunday, however, Holley was killed during his third tour of duty in the Middle East, the Department of Defense announced this evening.
Holley, 36, died in Helmand province when he was hit by a blast from an improvised explosive device, the military said.
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Marine Sgt Floyd Holley
Samaritan who saved driver from sinking car was afraid of lake
Samaritan who saved driver from sinking car: 'I'm terrified of this lake'
Kent Nugent, 32, rescued a woman from a sinking car after she crashed into a pond, officials say
By Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel
9:31 p.m. EDT, August 31, 2010
Firefighters in Orange County rescued a woman from a sinking car on Tuesday, with a big assist from a man who dove in headfirst to help.
Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes said 31-year-old Terasa Susanne Meadows had a medical emergency while driving south on Westgate Road.
Meadows lost control of her vehicle, Montes said, driving off the road and into a pond at about 2:25 p.m. Tuesday.
Kent Nugent, 32, lives across the street from the pond and was getting ready to mow his lawn when the vehicle hit the water, officials say.
As an Orange County Fire Rescue spokesman described it, "Without hesitation, he swam out to the vehicle to assist the driver in exiting."
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Samaritan who saved driver from sinking car
Kent Nugent, 32, rescued a woman from a sinking car after she crashed into a pond, officials say
By Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel
9:31 p.m. EDT, August 31, 2010
Firefighters in Orange County rescued a woman from a sinking car on Tuesday, with a big assist from a man who dove in headfirst to help.
Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes said 31-year-old Terasa Susanne Meadows had a medical emergency while driving south on Westgate Road.
Meadows lost control of her vehicle, Montes said, driving off the road and into a pond at about 2:25 p.m. Tuesday.
Kent Nugent, 32, lives across the street from the pond and was getting ready to mow his lawn when the vehicle hit the water, officials say.
As an Orange County Fire Rescue spokesman described it, "Without hesitation, he swam out to the vehicle to assist the driver in exiting."
read more here
Samaritan who saved driver from sinking car
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