Indiana soldier killed helping wounded in Afghanistan
Army medic was 2009 Chesterton High School grad
By John Byrne, Tribune reporter
October 2, 2011
Spc. James Butz became an Army medic because he wanted to help people, and his aunt said the Northwest Indiana native was doing just that when he was killed last week in Afghanistan.
Butz, 21, was rushing to the aid of two injured Marines when he was killed in Helmand province, his aunt, Joyce Wascher, said.
"They told us two Marines had been hurt, and he ran forward — without his helmet or his gun — to help them," Wascher said Saturday. Butz, of Porter, was fatally injured Wednesday when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device, according to the Department of Defense.
"I think he was just trying to respond, that's the way he was," Wascher said of her nephew, who was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division out of Ft. Bragg, N.C.
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Sunday, October 2, 2011
Soldier returns to family and cheers
After serving a year in Iraq, a soldier is home with his family
Once he arrived, the entire airport cheered, as he made his way to hug his family for the first time in over a year
Melissa Gaona
Multimedia Journalist
6:13 p.m. EDT, October 1, 2011
ROANOKE, Va.—
The Hicklin family was at Roanoke Regional Airport staring out the window, waiting and watching for his plane to land.
Once he arrived, the entire airport cheered, as he made his way to hug his family for the first time in over a year.
Saturday was a big day for the Hicklin’s. Their soldier serving in the United States Army finished his tour in Iraq.
His mother, Betty Barber, explains how she’s been staying in touch. “When he wasn’t out on a mission, we got to talk a whole lot through Skype on the computer, through Facebook and by phone,” said Barber.
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Once he arrived, the entire airport cheered, as he made his way to hug his family for the first time in over a year
Melissa Gaona
Multimedia Journalist
6:13 p.m. EDT, October 1, 2011
ROANOKE, Va.—
The Hicklin family was at Roanoke Regional Airport staring out the window, waiting and watching for his plane to land.
Once he arrived, the entire airport cheered, as he made his way to hug his family for the first time in over a year.
Saturday was a big day for the Hicklin’s. Their soldier serving in the United States Army finished his tour in Iraq.
His mother, Betty Barber, explains how she’s been staying in touch. “When he wasn’t out on a mission, we got to talk a whole lot through Skype on the computer, through Facebook and by phone,” said Barber.
read more here
3 Tour Ex-Marine arrested in Hillsborough County deputy shooting
It is by the grace of God this ended the way it did. DeVeaux is still alive after being shot at "9 or 10 times" by a Marine trained to kill. Buendia was not killed by SWAT. Some may want to just blame Buendia for all of this but that is only because they do not understand how this country has been failing the men and women we send into combat. Buendia brought the war back home inside of him.
also
Suspect in Hillsborough deputy shooting a former Marine
9 or 10 times a gun was fired by someone trained to hit what they aim at. He was close to her. She survived. Over the years veterans like Buendia have been treated like common criminals, with no care for anyone else but themselves. The veterans in this country are not about "self" or they wouldn't choose the professions they enter into. When they come home changed and challenged by where we send them, it is our responsibility to care for them. If we don't, there will be many more times when the story is repeated with a very different outcome.
Ex-Marine arrested in Hillsborough County deputy shooting
By Jessica Vander Velde and Shelley Rossetter, Times Staff Writers
In Print: Sunday, October 2, 2011
Hillsborough deputies escort former Marine Matthew Buendia, 24, at the jail on Saturday.
[OCTAVIO JONES | Times]
TAMPA — Five years ago, Matt Buendia was a Marine preparing for deployment and Lyonelle De Veaux was a new sheriff's deputy.
He focused on rising through the ranks. She aimed to help abused and neglected children.
They met on Friday, De Veaux parked under the oaks at a Carrollwood apartment complex and Buendia with a gun tucked into his waistband.
It was a routine domestic call. De Veaux, 35, met Buendia's girlfriend at the front of the complex about 10:30 p.m. Friday. The deputy asked the woman to sit in the patrol car so she could give a statement.
That's when Buendia, 24, walked up. He was too close. The deputy asked him to step back.
Instead, he whipped out a semiautomatic gun and started pumping bullets into De Veaux, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office reported.
He fired nine or 10 times, deputies say, from just a few feet away.
De Veaux spun and crouched as she backed up, trying to use her car to get some distance from Buendia — a mix of training and instinct.
Three bullets hit her — in the upper leg, lower leg and shoulder, Sheriff David Gee said. She was wearing a protective vest, but it didn't cover those areas.
As she lay on the pavement, Buendia ran back into his apartment and locked himself inside.
read more here
also
Suspect in Hillsborough deputy shooting a former Marine
9 or 10 times a gun was fired by someone trained to hit what they aim at. He was close to her. She survived. Over the years veterans like Buendia have been treated like common criminals, with no care for anyone else but themselves. The veterans in this country are not about "self" or they wouldn't choose the professions they enter into. When they come home changed and challenged by where we send them, it is our responsibility to care for them. If we don't, there will be many more times when the story is repeated with a very different outcome.
"He served three deployments in the Middle East, according to his uncle, Bob Buendia, 68, and rose to the rank of sergeant. He left the military a couple of years ago. His uncle believes Matthew started working in insurance.
When Matthew Buendia returned to the United States, his uncle spoke to him by phone. Matthew Buendia mentioned he had lost a lot of buddies overseas.
He didn't share the details, but his family could tell he was hurting, said Bob Buendia, of Texas."
The young man was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, family members say.
"I don't think he understands what had happened, to be honest with you," Matthew Buendia's father, Richard Buendia, told Bay News 9. "I feel awful. … He's a good young man, never been in any kind of problems at all."
Matthew Buendia was being seen by Veterans Affairs doctors, Bob Buendia said.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Suspect in Hillsborough deputy shooting a former Marine
Suspect in Hillsborough deputy shooting a former Marine
By JOSH POLTILOVE, THE TAMPA TRIBUNE
Published: October 01, 2011
Updated: October 01, 2011 - 4:59 PM
TAMPA --
The former Marine accused of shooting a Hillsborough County deputy three times Friday night had post-traumatic stress disorder upon his return from Iraq, his uncle said today.
"I know he had been going to the VA hospital quite a bit, and they'd been putting him off, putting him off," Bob Buendia said of his nephew, 24-year-old Matthew Lane Buendia of Carrollwood. "He'd been getting frustrated."
Deputy Lyonelle De Veaux, 35, was shot twice in the leg and once in the shoulder while responding to a domestic call at 10:22 p.m. at Matthew Buendia's apartment complex.
De Veaux, a five-year sheriff's office veteran who works in the department's District 3, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. She was in good condition and alert late Saturday, spending time with her family at the hospital, sheriff's spokesman Larry McKinnon said.
"Right now we believe she is doing well," Sheriff David Gee said during a 4 a.m. press conference.
read more here
By JOSH POLTILOVE, THE TAMPA TRIBUNE
Published: October 01, 2011
Updated: October 01, 2011 - 4:59 PM
TAMPA --
The former Marine accused of shooting a Hillsborough County deputy three times Friday night had post-traumatic stress disorder upon his return from Iraq, his uncle said today.
"I know he had been going to the VA hospital quite a bit, and they'd been putting him off, putting him off," Bob Buendia said of his nephew, 24-year-old Matthew Lane Buendia of Carrollwood. "He'd been getting frustrated."
Deputy Lyonelle De Veaux, 35, was shot twice in the leg and once in the shoulder while responding to a domestic call at 10:22 p.m. at Matthew Buendia's apartment complex.
De Veaux, a five-year sheriff's office veteran who works in the department's District 3, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. She was in good condition and alert late Saturday, spending time with her family at the hospital, sheriff's spokesman Larry McKinnon said.
"Right now we believe she is doing well," Sheriff David Gee said during a 4 a.m. press conference.
read more here
Orlando DAV Free BBQ for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
The DAV has been getting phone calls asking "How much is it?" The answer is, it is free
NYPD: Arrest made in attempted rape foiled by Marine in Queens
NYPD: Arrest made in attempted rape foiled by Marine in Queens
BY ROCCO PARASCANDOLA
DAILY NEWS POLICE BUREAU CHIEF
Police have arrested a man they say is the pervert who tried to sexually assault a woman alongside a Queens highway before he was scared away by a former Marine.
Kenneth King, 41, was charged with attempted rape, police said Friday afternoon.
Three people recognized King from an artist's sketch of the suspect that the NYPD released to the media after the attack Wednesday morning, police sources said.
All three called the tip in to the 109th Precinct in Flushing, and each provided King's name, the sources said.
BY ROCCO PARASCANDOLA
DAILY NEWS POLICE BUREAU CHIEF
Police have arrested a man they say is the pervert who tried to sexually assault a woman alongside a Queens highway before he was scared away by a former Marine.
Kenneth King, 41, was charged with attempted rape, police said Friday afternoon.
Three people recognized King from an artist's sketch of the suspect that the NYPD released to the media after the attack Wednesday morning, police sources said.
All three called the tip in to the 109th Precinct in Flushing, and each provided King's name, the sources said.
The suspect dragged the woman - who had been waiting for a ride when she was accosted - into a wooded area near the highway, pinned her down and started to rip her clothes off.read more here
But ex-Marine Bryan Teichman, 31, of Fresh Meadows, Queens, who was in the area, dropping his daughter off at a babysitter's home, saw the suspect toss the woman over a highway guardrail.
Sgt. Nathan Harris Wounded Afghanistan veteran's story captured on film
Wounded Afghanistan veteran's story captured on film
Sgt. Nathan Harris, severely wounded in Afghanistan, joins photojournalist Danfung Dennis to discuss "Hell and Back Again," a film that documents their experiences in the war.
read more here
Sgt. Nathan Harris, severely wounded in Afghanistan, joins photojournalist Danfung Dennis to discuss "Hell and Back Again," a film that documents their experiences in the war.
read more here
Parents of veteran killed in Washington speak out
Parents of veteran killed in Washington speak out
Reported by: Julie Tremmel Email: julietremmel@fox23news.com
The parents of the 33-year-old Clifton Park Army veteran who died in Washington, DC earlier this week are now sharing their story.
Shenedahowa graduate Patrick Casey suffered head trauma and never regained consciousness after possibly trying to intervene in an altercation that happened outside a DC McDonald's one week ago.
Casey was a football star at Shen, and not too far down the road, was a football standout at RPI too.
His parents Paul and Gail say their son also saw serious combat action during a recent 12-month long tour to Afghanistan, even losing several friends to the horrors of war.
After his time in the military was up, he worked as a computer systems tech in Israel, making friends with dozens of people in several other countries along the way.
At 6' 4", and 275 pounds, his mom and dad admit Casey was quite an imposing figure.
As an Army Sergeant, a football star and accomplished outdoorsman, Casey may seem on the surface, intimidating. But his parents say the truth is, Patrick was just a big hearted, easy going guy who loved his family, his friends and his country.
The couple says after being overwhelmed with relief to finally watch their son come home to the U.S. safely, they never expected to lose their son like this.
So, right now, people from Israel to Troy are mourning his death.
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Clifton Park native, Army vet killed in Washington, DC
Reported by: Paul Merrill Email: paulmerrill@fox23news.com
Editor: B. DiGiovanni
Print Story Published: 9/28
A Clifton Park native is dead after a bizarre incident on a Washington, DC street.
Thirty-three-year-old Patrick Casey had just finished a one-year-long tour of duty with the U.S. Army Infantry in Afghanistan.
He had moved to Washington in August to begin graduate school at George Washington University.
"When he was in Afghanistan, we thought that was the worst year of our life," says Gail Casey, Patrick's mother. "This is worse and I don't know when it stops."
Patrick died Tuesday at George Washington University Hospital in Washington.
He had been attacked outside a Washington McDonald's the previous Friday.
It was reportedly 2:00 a.m. on Friday when Patrick tried to stop three men who were causing trouble outside the restaurant.
read more here
Reported by: Julie Tremmel Email: julietremmel@fox23news.com
The parents of the 33-year-old Clifton Park Army veteran who died in Washington, DC earlier this week are now sharing their story.
Shenedahowa graduate Patrick Casey suffered head trauma and never regained consciousness after possibly trying to intervene in an altercation that happened outside a DC McDonald's one week ago.
Casey was a football star at Shen, and not too far down the road, was a football standout at RPI too.
His parents Paul and Gail say their son also saw serious combat action during a recent 12-month long tour to Afghanistan, even losing several friends to the horrors of war.
After his time in the military was up, he worked as a computer systems tech in Israel, making friends with dozens of people in several other countries along the way.
At 6' 4", and 275 pounds, his mom and dad admit Casey was quite an imposing figure.
As an Army Sergeant, a football star and accomplished outdoorsman, Casey may seem on the surface, intimidating. But his parents say the truth is, Patrick was just a big hearted, easy going guy who loved his family, his friends and his country.
The couple says after being overwhelmed with relief to finally watch their son come home to the U.S. safely, they never expected to lose their son like this.
So, right now, people from Israel to Troy are mourning his death.
read more here
Clifton Park native, Army vet killed in Washington, DC
Reported by: Paul Merrill Email: paulmerrill@fox23news.com
Editor: B. DiGiovanni
Print Story Published: 9/28
A Clifton Park native is dead after a bizarre incident on a Washington, DC street.
Thirty-three-year-old Patrick Casey had just finished a one-year-long tour of duty with the U.S. Army Infantry in Afghanistan.
He had moved to Washington in August to begin graduate school at George Washington University.
"When he was in Afghanistan, we thought that was the worst year of our life," says Gail Casey, Patrick's mother. "This is worse and I don't know when it stops."
Patrick died Tuesday at George Washington University Hospital in Washington.
He had been attacked outside a Washington McDonald's the previous Friday.
It was reportedly 2:00 a.m. on Friday when Patrick tried to stop three men who were causing trouble outside the restaurant.
read more here
Police officer wore patch under body armor in Iraq as National Guard soldier
Kennewick police officer welcomed home from Iraq
BY PAULA HORTON, TRI-CITY HERALD
KENNEWICK -- A Kennewick police officer who spent most of the past year with the National Guard in Iraq was welcomed back to work Friday with a celebration at the police station.
Officer Jeff Sagen, a patrol officer in Kennewick for five years, received a Hometown Hero Award from Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg.
"Our philosophy is not only to make sure our own city's safe, but we work very hard to contribute to the Tri-Cities' safety as a whole," Hohenberg told the Herald. "We have a lot of good federal partners too. ... Officer Sagen just took our philosophy further to another country."
Sagen was stationed for just more than nine months in Balad, which is in north central Iraq. He was with 3rd Battalion, 116th Calvary Regiment and was promoted to captain during his tour.
He kept the Kennewick Police Department close to him by wearing his KPD patch on his armor.
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Sagen is one of many National Guards and Reservists around the country serving at home and then topping it off with serving wherever they are needed. They continue to risk their lives back home but receive less support than regular military service members. Active duty troops have the support of everyone in their company but when the citizen soldiers come home, they are back to work with few understanding where they've been. We need to support them more than we do and appreciate how devoted they are to their country and communities.
White House Cuts $25 Billion More From Defense to Fund VA
When it was first decided to send the troops into Afghanistan, no one thought about how to pay for any of it. Then troops were send into Iraq. Yet again, no one thought about how to pay for any of it or how long it would go on.
Now with more and more wounded entering into VA healthcare across the country, it has come to this. Budget cuts from the Department of Defense for the sake of the VA.
"The Pentagon’s latest figures through July 30 indicate the military’s spent $1.054 trillion since Sept. 11, 2001, with $704.6 billion obligated for Iraq and $323.2 billion for Afghanistan."They didn't even know how much it would cost or how long the troops would be there any more than they knew how many wounded would make it back home.
Now with more and more wounded entering into VA healthcare across the country, it has come to this. Budget cuts from the Department of Defense for the sake of the VA.
White House Cuts $25 Billion More From Defense to Fund VA
September 30, 2011
By Tony Capaccio
Sept. 30 (Bloomberg) -- The White House has directed the Pentagon to reduce its 10-year spending plan by another $25 billion, on top of the roughly $450 billion it’s already planning to cut, according to three government officials.
The Office of Management and Budget directed the action because the White House decided to protect Veterans Administration medical funding from cuts, said one the officials. All three spoke on condition of anonymity because the change hasn’t been announced.
The reduction might mean a $1 billion cut in the pending $513 billion defense bill for fiscal 2012, said the official, who was familiar with the OMB action. The bill’s already been reduced $26 billion from the Pentagon’s original budget request, meaning about no increase from current year spending.
The OMB guidance came in early September, said one of the three sources.
A $27 billion reduction remains within the range laid out in the Budget Control Act signed into law Aug. 2. For the fiscal years beginning in 2013, the new cut would average an additional $2.5 billion a year, the official said.
The Budget Control Act has an overall cap for fiscal 2012 and 2013 that includes the Defense Department, State Department, Veterans Administration and Department of Homeland Security, so to protect this veterans funding means that all other accounts in the security budget will have to be cut that much more, said Todd Harrison, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a non-partisan budget analysis group in Washington.
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