Vietnam vet threatened with legal action for flying Stars and Stripes outside his home
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 9:30 PM on 23rd June 2011
A 77-year-old Army veteran is being threatened with legal action for flying the American flag in his front yard.
Fred Quigley, of Macedonia, Ohio, a retired Army chaplain and minister who served active duty during the Vietnam War, has been told his flag violates his homeowners association's rules on flagpoles.
As an alternative, the association offered to place the flag at the entrance of the development, but Mr Quigley refused.
Read more: Vietnam vet threatened with legal action for flying Stars and Stripes
Friday, June 24, 2011
Medics get guidelines for treating warrior dogs
Medics get guidelines for treating warrior dogs
By Gregg Zoroya - USA Today
Posted : Thursday Jun 23, 2011 21:48:40 EDT
Panting is normal. That advice is among several new guidelines issued to battlefield doctors called on to treat dogs injured in the line of duty in Afghanistan.
“Canines differ in anatomy and physiology,” the guidelines say. “Knowledge of key differences will assist the physician in resuscitating and stabilizing ... prior to transport to veterinary care.”
About 650 dogs — mostly German Shepherds, Labradors and Belgian Malinois — are in Afghanistan to sniff out explosive booby traps for U.S. troops on patrol. A dog was with the SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden last month.
Since May 2010, 14 dogs have been killed in combat, six wounded and three are missing, said Army Maj. T.G. Taylor, spokesman for U.S. Central Command.
read more here
Medics get guidelines for treating warrior dogs
By Gregg Zoroya - USA Today
Posted : Thursday Jun 23, 2011 21:48:40 EDT
Panting is normal. That advice is among several new guidelines issued to battlefield doctors called on to treat dogs injured in the line of duty in Afghanistan.
“Canines differ in anatomy and physiology,” the guidelines say. “Knowledge of key differences will assist the physician in resuscitating and stabilizing ... prior to transport to veterinary care.”
About 650 dogs — mostly German Shepherds, Labradors and Belgian Malinois — are in Afghanistan to sniff out explosive booby traps for U.S. troops on patrol. A dog was with the SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden last month.
Since May 2010, 14 dogs have been killed in combat, six wounded and three are missing, said Army Maj. T.G. Taylor, spokesman for U.S. Central Command.
read more here
Medics get guidelines for treating warrior dogs
Oops, President Obama gets Medal of Honor heroes mixed up
UPDATE:
The Christian Broadcasting Network contacted the White House to see what happened and was told the President didn’t have prepared remarks. They quoted White House Press Secretary Jay Carney as saying, ”At Fort Drum, the President misspoke when discussing the first Medal of Honor he presented posthumously to Jared Monti, who was a member of the 10th Mountain Division. The President paid tribute to Monti in his remarks to troops in Afghanistan in March 2010. Last year, the President presented the Medal of Honor to Salvatore Giunta, who was the first living recipient of the Medal who served in Afghanistan.”
read more here
Obama flubs at 10th Mountain meet-and-greet [UPDATE]
JUNE 23RD, 2011 | OUTSIDE THE WIRE | POSTED BY JOE GOULD
Mental illness often ignored by churches
This is something that goes on no matter how many churches are in your area. A couple of years ago I visited over 20 in the Orlando area and found out just how disinterested they are. I wanted local churches to step up to help National Guard families with the crisis of PTSD but only one of them responded. The pastor happened to be a chaplain and wanted to help but he was being transferred to another state. If they don't want to get involved helping veterans, what chance does anyone else have?
Mental illness often ignored by churches
Published: June 23, 2011 at 8:31 PM
WACO, Texas, June 23 (UPI) -- Mental illness is prevalent in church communities but is also accompanied by significant distress that is often ignored, U.S. researchers found.
Study co-author Dr. Matthew Stanford -- a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University, and an expert in mental illness and the church -- says families with a member who is mentally ill would like their congregation to provide assistance.
read more here
Mental illness often ignored by churches
Dog Bless You Campaign Brings Service Dogs to Injured War Vets
'Dog Bless You' Campaign Brings Service Dogs to Injured War Vets
For every 5,000 'likes' on facebook, a veteran will get a dog.
KTLA News
8:25 a.m. PDT, June 24, 2011
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- A new internet campaign is helping veterans, struggling with debilitating pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, get some much-needed help from our four-legged friends.
Former U.S. Army Captain Carlos Montalvan was 30 years old in 2003 when he was attacked by two men while on foot patrol in Iraq. He sustained a traumatic brain injury and fractured vertebrae.
He says once he returned home, life was a struggle.
"From that attack, I had a hard time sleeping," he told KTLA.
The Purple Heart recipient was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and suffered from severe migraines and panic attacks.
Montalvan says a 4-year-old golden retriever named "Tuesday" saved his life.
The highly-trained service dog listens and looks for any signs of distress and helps Montalvan tackle the stairs and other physical tasks.
Los Angeles-based filmmaker and philanthropist Charlie Annenberg Weingarten founded DogBlessYou.org, an internet campaign aimed at helping veterans get service dogs like "Tuesday."
read more here
Campaign Brings Service Dogs to Injured War Vets
For every 5,000 'likes' on facebook, a veteran will get a dog.
KTLA News
8:25 a.m. PDT, June 24, 2011
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- A new internet campaign is helping veterans, struggling with debilitating pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, get some much-needed help from our four-legged friends.
Former U.S. Army Captain Carlos Montalvan was 30 years old in 2003 when he was attacked by two men while on foot patrol in Iraq. He sustained a traumatic brain injury and fractured vertebrae.
He says once he returned home, life was a struggle.
"From that attack, I had a hard time sleeping," he told KTLA.
The Purple Heart recipient was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and suffered from severe migraines and panic attacks.
Montalvan says a 4-year-old golden retriever named "Tuesday" saved his life.
The highly-trained service dog listens and looks for any signs of distress and helps Montalvan tackle the stairs and other physical tasks.
Los Angeles-based filmmaker and philanthropist Charlie Annenberg Weingarten founded DogBlessYou.org, an internet campaign aimed at helping veterans get service dogs like "Tuesday."
read more here
Campaign Brings Service Dogs to Injured War Vets
Claims backlog to be addressed at annual VFW convention in Alexandria
Unless the hiring freeze ends, the pile of claims will get deeper. It takes two years to train new processors but as older processors retire, they have been unable to hire replacements. It is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.
Claims backlog to be addressed at annual VFW convention in Alexandria
2:41 AM, Jun. 24, 2011
Written by
Warren Hayes
The former national commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars wants quicker disposition of claims at Veterans Affairs hospitals across the country.
"Some people are waiting months and months before their compensation claim goes into the appeal process," Gary Kurpius said Thursday in Alexandria.
"When people are living on a reduced income because of disability, that is a disadvantage to them and their whole families."
read more here
Claims backlog to be addressed
Outrage over "home that doesn't fit" for paralyzed Iraq Vet
UPDATE to this story
Veteran speaks out about Knob Hill Controversy
The Homes for Our Troops organization has built several hundred homes to assist severely injured service men and women. One home was built two years ago in Harlem for Sergeant Darryl Wallace.
Posted: 7:47 PM Jun 25, 2011
June 24, 2011
HARLEM, Ga. -- The Homes for Our Troops organization has built several hundred homes to assist severely injured service men and women. One home was built two years ago in Harlem for Sergeant Darryl Wallace.
Sgt. Wallace and his family feel Homes for Our Troops gave them a start to a brand new life -- one they thought they would not have. They just hope the Gittens' family can soon feel the same.
"It's just wonderful what they are doing for extremely wounded soldiers like me," said Sgt. Wallace. He was stationed in Afghanistan back in 2007. An IED exploded under his work truck and he lost both his legs.
"It was pretty painful, I woke up two months after it happened," he said. When he woke up his wife Tiffany was right by his side and so was the community.
In April 2009, volunteers and troops from Fort Gordon helped build a house for Sgt. Wallace. The home was one hundred percent handicap accessible with lowered counters, wider showers and doors that power open. Many felt it was the least they could do for a man who put his life on the line.
read more here
Veteran speaks out about Knob Hill Controversy
Veteran speaks out about Knob Hill Controversy
The Homes for Our Troops organization has built several hundred homes to assist severely injured service men and women. One home was built two years ago in Harlem for Sergeant Darryl Wallace.
Posted: 7:47 PM Jun 25, 2011
June 24, 2011
HARLEM, Ga. -- The Homes for Our Troops organization has built several hundred homes to assist severely injured service men and women. One home was built two years ago in Harlem for Sergeant Darryl Wallace.
Sgt. Wallace and his family feel Homes for Our Troops gave them a start to a brand new life -- one they thought they would not have. They just hope the Gittens' family can soon feel the same.
"It's just wonderful what they are doing for extremely wounded soldiers like me," said Sgt. Wallace. He was stationed in Afghanistan back in 2007. An IED exploded under his work truck and he lost both his legs.
"It was pretty painful, I woke up two months after it happened," he said. When he woke up his wife Tiffany was right by his side and so was the community.
In April 2009, volunteers and troops from Fort Gordon helped build a house for Sgt. Wallace. The home was one hundred percent handicap accessible with lowered counters, wider showers and doors that power open. Many felt it was the least they could do for a man who put his life on the line.
read more here
Veteran speaks out about Knob Hill Controversy
"It doesn't fit" with the neighborhood? He doesn't either. Considering how few in this country serve today, it is unlikely the HOA can value someone like him even wanting to live in their neighborhood.
Over the years there have been plenty of excuses for not wanting a home for homeless veterans because of unfounded fears centered around homeless people in general, but when they refuse to allow one for a wounded veteran to be customized for him and his family, that should have everyone outraged.
Homes for Our Troops does everything possible to provide a special house for these special veterans so they can live as comfortably as possible with the wounds they ended up with serving this country. Too bad this HOA can't value that as well.
Neighbors pull plug on injured vet's home
By Carole Hawkins
Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
An Evans neighborhood association has blocked a group that was prepared to build a home free of charge for a local veteran who was injured in Afghanistan.
The homebuilding group, Homes for Our Troops, says Knob Hill Property Owners Association approved the home's design June 2 but reversed its decision in a later meeting.
A member of the association, however, says the group got only a conditional approval, pending a review of its design; the neighborhood is carefully protected by building covenants, and the final design did not fit.
Homes for Our Troops -- a national organization that has built or remodeled homes for more than 100 severely injured veterans -- had planned to build a house for Army Sgt. 1st Class Sean Gittens and his family this weekend. Gittens suffered concussive head injuries while serving in Afghanistan. After he returned home, a brain aneurysm caused a stroke that left him partially paralyzed.
read more here
Neighbors pull plug on injured vet's home
City Life Affects Brain's Response to Stress
This does not really make sense considering people living in cities are exposed to more traumatic events than those living in tiny towns. More people means more traumatic events.
I lived in a large city for most of my life. Everyday there was something in the headline of the local paper. Fires, accidents, crimes and tragedy came above the fold all the time. When you are exposed to traumatic events that often, it does tend to get to you.
When you are exposed to traumatic events in combat, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of evidence suggesting veterans from big cities fair any worse than veterans in rural areas. When it comes to helping the rural veterans, they find it hard to get to the help they need.
Social stress from living in a big city? Yep. I came from Massachusetts and back home, we're all in overdrive with a lot more to worry about.
I lived in a large city for most of my life. Everyday there was something in the headline of the local paper. Fires, accidents, crimes and tragedy came above the fold all the time. When you are exposed to traumatic events that often, it does tend to get to you.
When you are exposed to traumatic events in combat, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of evidence suggesting veterans from big cities fair any worse than veterans in rural areas. When it comes to helping the rural veterans, they find it hard to get to the help they need.
Social stress from living in a big city? Yep. I came from Massachusetts and back home, we're all in overdrive with a lot more to worry about.
City Life Affects Brain's Response to Stress
Study May Help Explain Why City Residents Have Higher Rates of Depression and Anxiety
By Brenda Goodman
WebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD
June 23, 2011 -- The brains of people who live in cities react more strongly to stress than those who live in small towns and rural areas, a new study shows.
The study is published in the journal Nature. It may help explain why mood disorders like depression and mental illnesses like schizophrenia are more common in city dwellers than in those living in less densely populated areas.
Researchers in Germany and Canada recruited healthy adults who lived in large cities, moderately sized towns, or smaller, rural communities. Scientists recorded their brain activity as they tried to solve difficult math problems while being criticized for their poor skills. It's a test that creates social stress as people struggle, but fail, to prove their mental abilities.
As they were stressed, people who were currently living in cities had more activity in an almond-shaped area of the brain called the amygdala than those who lived in towns or rural areas.
The amygdala plays important roles in fear, emotional processing, and self-protection. It has been linked to scores of mental illnesses including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, autism, and phobias.
People who grew up in cities also had an interesting response to the stress. Even if they were no longer living in an urban area, their brains showed higher activity in a region called the anterior cingulate cortex, which helps to regulate the amygdala, suggesting that the early-life environment helps to shape the brain's stress response in important ways.
read more here
City Life Affects Brain's Response to Stress
Veterans get second chance at Fairweather Lodge
Men get second chance at Fairweather Lodge
Rob Madsen sees this as rock bottom.
He lost his marriage and his job. He’s gone from a six-figure household income to nothing. He’s bounced around between the homes of friends and relatives. And all the while he’s grappled with post-traumatic stress disorder, a burden he’s carried since the first Gulf War.
But Madsen isn’t giving up on his future.
Two weeks ago, the 42-year-old Army veteran came to Iowa City’s Shelter House from Clinton with the hopes of turning his life around in a new program that is providing him with a job and, ultimately, a home.
Madsen is one of six homeless men with chronic mental illness who have been accepted into a new Fairweather-style lodge program, a residency and work initiative founded by Shelter House in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Johnson County and the Iowa City VA Health Care System.
“There’s a lot of people that had normal lives, some better than others, but we’re all starting over,” said Madsen, one of three veterans accepted into the program. “The Fairweather Lodge is our way to get back into society, something to look forward to, a goal, something to call our home.”
read more here
Men get second chance at Fairweather Lodge
Rob Madsen sees this as rock bottom.
He lost his marriage and his job. He’s gone from a six-figure household income to nothing. He’s bounced around between the homes of friends and relatives. And all the while he’s grappled with post-traumatic stress disorder, a burden he’s carried since the first Gulf War.
But Madsen isn’t giving up on his future.
Two weeks ago, the 42-year-old Army veteran came to Iowa City’s Shelter House from Clinton with the hopes of turning his life around in a new program that is providing him with a job and, ultimately, a home.
Madsen is one of six homeless men with chronic mental illness who have been accepted into a new Fairweather-style lodge program, a residency and work initiative founded by Shelter House in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Johnson County and the Iowa City VA Health Care System.
“There’s a lot of people that had normal lives, some better than others, but we’re all starting over,” said Madsen, one of three veterans accepted into the program. “The Fairweather Lodge is our way to get back into society, something to look forward to, a goal, something to call our home.”
read more here
Men get second chance at Fairweather Lodge
PTSD: "It's hard to be hurt and not have anybody understand that,"
Local Veterens Raise PTSD Awareness
Congress has officially recognized June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day, and for the first time ever veterans from around the country will gather in Washington D.C. to bring recognition to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Reporter: Janelle Lilley
Congress has officially recognized June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day, and for the first time ever veterans from around the country will gather in Washington D.C. to bring recognition to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
In his address to the nation Wednesday night, President Obama said, "Some have lost limbs on the battlefield and others still battle the demons that have followed them home."
Thursday's event at VFW Post 2216 was about fighting those demons. Veterans came together to call attention to what they call invisible wounds.
"It's hard to be hurt and not have anybody understand that," says Tom Mahany, spokesperson for Honor for All.
Mahany is traveling from Michigan to D.C., stopping at VFW posts along the way to raise awareness.
read more here
Local Veterens Raise PTSD Awareness
Congress has officially recognized June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day, and for the first time ever veterans from around the country will gather in Washington D.C. to bring recognition to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Reporter: Janelle Lilley
Congress has officially recognized June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day, and for the first time ever veterans from around the country will gather in Washington D.C. to bring recognition to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
In his address to the nation Wednesday night, President Obama said, "Some have lost limbs on the battlefield and others still battle the demons that have followed them home."
Thursday's event at VFW Post 2216 was about fighting those demons. Veterans came together to call attention to what they call invisible wounds.
"It's hard to be hurt and not have anybody understand that," says Tom Mahany, spokesperson for Honor for All.
Mahany is traveling from Michigan to D.C., stopping at VFW posts along the way to raise awareness.
read more here
Local Veterens Raise PTSD Awareness
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