Saturday, February 6, 2016

Hampton VA Nurse Convicted of Raping Veteran

Hampton VA nurse convicted of sexually assaulting patient previously raped 
The Virginian-Pilot 
By Scott Daugherty 
17 hrs ago
According to a news release drafted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lopez was a nurse in the hospital’s emergency department on Sept. 20, 2014, when a woman sought treatment for a leg injury. The woman had post-traumatic stress disorder related to a prior rape and two traumatic brain injuries, the release said.
NEWPORT NEWS
Juan M. Lopez, 52, of Virginia Beach is set for sentencing May 19.
He faces the possibility of life in prison. Courtesy Photo
A former nurse at the Hampton VA Medical Center was convicted Friday on charges of aggravated sexual assault and making a false statement to a federal agent. 

Juan M. Lopez, 52, of Virginia Beach is set for sentencing May 19 in U.S. District Court in Newport News. He faces the possibility of life in prison. A federal jury returned the guilty verdicts Friday on the fourth day of trial. Stephen Plott, Lopez’s attorney, maintained his client’s innocence and said he was disappointed in the jury’s verdict. read more here

Hawaii Marine Osprey Crash Caught on Video

Billows of Dust, a Sudden 'Pop' and an Osprey Falls from the Sky 
Military.com 
Hope Hodge Seck 
January 29, 2016
A screen grab of a video showing the May 17, 2015, crash involving an MV-22 Osprey at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii. The accident claimed the lives of two Marines and injured 20 other troops on board. (Defense Department video)
The moments before landing are eerily calm.

Caught on shaky hand-held video, two MV-22B Ospreys appear over a ridge of hills. The first Osprey turns in toward a small landing zone near a chain link fence, its rotors facing skyward for a vertical descent. As it comes within meters of touchdown, a choking cloud of brown dust billows up from the ground, completely obscuring the aircraft from view. The dust cloud grows even larger and more expansive, and the Osprey appears once again, ascending briefly. It hovers for mere seconds above the brownout, and a tongue of flame appears to shoot from its left nacelle.

Then, its rotors still spinning, the aircraft simply drops out of the sky, crumpling on impact as the right rotor tears free and chews the dirt.

The circumstances of this May 17, 2015, crash, which claimed the lives of two Marines and injured the other 20 troops on board at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, are laid out through the accounts of eyewitnesses in a 2,200-page command investigation obtained by Military.com. The investigation recommends disciplinary or administrative action for the pilots and some aircrew of the aircraft and for Lt. Col. Andreas Lavato, the squadron commander for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, to which the Osprey was attached, and Col. Vance Cryer, commander of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which housed the squadron.
read more here

Veteran Suicide Families Left Out of Battle At Home

This is one of those morning when I had to walk away from the computer soon after turning it on. After over 30 years there are too many times when I wonder why I even bother to make a difference when nothing changes.

The answer is simple. I know what trying did for my own family and my own veteran. We've been together since 1982. What you're going to read in the following report from San Diego Union Tribune proved to me that after all these years what worked has been forgotten about and what failed has been repeated.

There are many stories in this report but Erin Murzyn's story of not knowing what was going on with her husband shows for all the talk about what the VA is doing, which does work in a lot of cases, few reporters have covered what they should have been doing all along.

These reports are hard to get through but nothing will change if folks keep seeking out what is easy for them. Like the talk of 22 a day committing suicide is an easy number to remember even though it is a false number, none of this should be easy on any of us until we make it easier for them to survive being back home after war.
RUSSELL MURZYN, 44, RETIRED MARINE CORPS
San Diego Union Tribune
By Jeanette Steele
Feb. 5, 2016
Murzyn retired in April 2013, after 20 years that included serving as a drill instructor and two back-to-back deployments to Iraq at the height of the war.

Just before retiring, the gregarious Marine from Minnesota quietly sought out a civilian psychologist. The diagnosis in the first session: PTSD.

Before that, he was afraid to seek care in military medicine because of the stigma attached, said Murzyn’s widow, Erin. He never told her. She only discovered it later, after reading his medical records.
Erin Murzyn said she thinks health care privacy rules shut out family members to a dangerous degree.

No one at the VA told her the details of husband’s conditions or when he stopped seeking therapy.

“If I had known, I would have made sure he was making his appointments. I would have gone to some of his appointments with him,” his wife said.

“Very regularly, I get this feeling of, ‘Thank God he didn’t decide that Nathan (their son) and I needed to go with him.’ I think that’s a very unfair position to put family members in.”

It might have helped if Russell Murzyn had a smoother path from military health care to the VA, his widow said. Why couldn’t his first mental and physical exams at the VA have been prescheduled, she asks?

“Had this process been different than it is today, I truly believe my husband would have been better prepared and more aware of his mental fragility,” Erin Murzyn said. “Maybe he would have been in treatment way before the feelings of identity crisis, worthlessness and anxiety overcame him.”
read more of his story here
WHAT MIGHT HAVE SAVED THESE VETERANS?
The San Diego Union-Tribune
By Jeanette Steele
Feb. 5, 2016
They said the VA, and other health institutions, don’t do enough to include spouses and parents when there are signs a troubled veteran is giving up on treatment or is in despair.
At least 27 veterans under age 45 died by suicide in San Diego County between 2014 and the first half of 2015.

For them, there was no retirement, no second career, no time spent watching their children grow.

The majority suffered from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in a combat zone since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Their experience defies academic research, which says troops who deploy are not more likely to die by suicide.

San Diego provides a rare window on post-9/11 veterans and the issue of of suicide, perhaps one not available anywhere else in the nation.

With nearly 28,000 post-9/11 veterans, the county is the nation’s largest hub of Iraq and Afghanistan war-era veterans.

This special project relies on death information from the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, one of the few — if not the only one in the United States — to regularly track veteran and military status in its data. Having the names of these men and women led to family members and friends who shared gripping, tragic and complex stories of the veterans’ lives.

These interviews revealed dissatisfaction with care provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, both in San Diego and other regions.
read more here

Families have always been on the front lines of this homeland war zone but few have been armed with the weapons they need to save the lives of those they love.

Families like ours are more like the militia during the Revolutionary War. We armed ourselves and trained ourselves how to fight for all we hold dear.

We had to lose battles before we figured out how to win others. We had to decide what was important enough to fight for. Adapt to what wasn't worth fighting over, improvise our lives since none of it is normal in the civilian families and then, after finding what was normal for us, we overcame.

If you are new to all this seek out older families to help you learn what it took decades for us to figure out. We'll help you get to where we are the easy way.

If you work for the VA, fight to have family support groups pick up again in your area. Make sure they understand the basics of PTSD as much as they find someone to talk to. I know a lot of you and I know you want to change this system but you have rules to follow. If you can't do it within the VA then help out a support group outside the VA. You care enough to do this job for their sake but these families can't wait for Congress to figure out what we learned over the last 40 years.

The answers have already been found so why are we still looking at the questions?

Friday, February 5, 2016

Seven Ontario First Responders Committed Suicide This Year

UPDATE
8 deaths so far in 2016: Canada’s first responder PTSD crisis
Global News
By Tania Kohut National Online Journalist
February 4, 2016
Toronto Police Const. Darius Garda’s body was pulled from Lake Ontario Thursday, the third death of an Ontario first responder over five days.
Toronto cop Darius Garda remembered as ‘genuine’, ‘empathetic’
Const. Garda was pulled from Lake Ontario on Thursday. He was 29.
Toronto Star
By: Alex Ballingall News
Published on Fri Feb 05 2016
One day after the body of Const. Darius Garda was pulled from the cold lake near Polson Pier, the young cop’s family was cloistered in grief in their Scarborough home.

“Me and my wife are just not able to handle this,” Garda’s father, Keras, said Friday when contacted by the Star. “It’s something we are not able to handle.”

The 29-year-old Toronto police officer was believed to have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Friends and colleagues at 51 Division described him as a capable and good-natured crime analyst who was caring, sensitive and always quick to flash a smile.

“He’s the kind of person who, throughout his life — even though he was actually kind of a small person — he always stood up for people who were being treated unfairly,” one friend told the Star.
read more here


Following Toronto officer's death, attention turns to better PTSD assessment 
City News
BY NEWS STAFF
POSTED FEB 5, 2016
Seven first responders in Ontario have committed suicide this year, according to a PTSD advocacy group, and there have been four more deaths across the country.
Tema Conter Memorial Trust is working to have post-traumatic stress disorder recognized as a work-related illness, while also providing support those suffering from PTSD and their families.

“It feels like almost every day we’re hearing about another first responder, another military member, another communications officer or corrections officer dying by suicide,” Erin Alvarez, the wife of a paramedic, says in a video released by Tema.

“PTSD has become a household name.”
read more here




This one is from me. I created it years ago for National Guardsmen but it turned out the IFOC was using it for police officers and firefighters. While it is about what is going on here in the US, please, watch it and I hope that it helps you! You have PTSD for a reason and that reason IS YOUR JOB!

The folks you help everyday can end up with PTSD but you put your lives on the line everyday, so please understand YOU ARE NOT WEAK anymore than you are stuck suffering. Get help and heal so you can keep taking care of others. Canadians need you as much as we need our heroes!

Central Florida Veterans Events Part 2


From Cathy Haynes

February list #2 of veteran, military and patriotic events in Central FL.
 
*Event list #1 was sent on Jan 28.  If you did not receive it, ask for a re-send. (Address below)
*This is a list of unique events in Central Florida – events that have been shared with me. 
*Send me your events – people cannot attend an event if they don’t know about it!
*Please share this information and events with your friends and interested others and attend.  Post where appropriate.

 
NEX Event - THIS FRIDAY, February 5 - Sweetheart Shopping event where NEX associates can assist you in finding that perfect gift for your special someone.  Offering personalized shoppers throughout the day, complimentary gift wrapping on purchases from 10-4, product demos and food & beverage tastings.  (Eligible persons are all branches of active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, retirees, 100% service-connected disabled veterans and their dependents – I.D. IS checked.)  Located west of Orlando Int’l Airport, about 1 mile south of the Beachline Expy/528 on Tradeport Dr.  Competitive pricing and programs. The big white building on the west side of Tradeport -  7151 Earhart Dr., Orlando, 32827.    www. mynavyexchange .com  407-857-3550
 
Orlando Solar Bears Recognition – Multiple dates.  Military persons are needed for Orlando Solar Bear recognition at home hockey games!  If you know of a veteran to nominate or if you want to nominate yourself (don’t be shy!)  send in contact information.  This includes veterans, active military, reservists and national guards.  Time is always sectioned out at home games and needs to be filled. The chosen willing veteran should wear something that represents their proud service branch (uniform or shirt and ballcap, etc.) and will receive 4 tickets and free parking in the Geico garage.  Wheelchair seating available upon request. Discount for add’l tickets. Don’t delay – Available FEBRUARY home games are Sat 6Fri 12Sat 13, Sun 14Wed 17Thurs 18Sat 20Fri 26Sat 27Mon 29.  MARCH home games:  Thurs 17Sat 19, Sun 20, Wed 23, Wed 30; APRIL home games:  Tues 5, Thurs 7.  You MUST be chosen and receive contact back from the Solar Bear office before you attend the games in order to be recognized and receive the tickets. Info:  Taylor Bartz, Community Relations Coordinator at 407.951.8200 x124,  tbartz @orlando solarbearshockey .com  
 
Four Chaplains Commemorative Ceremony – Sun. Feb 7 – Presented by the Orlando Young Marines at 11am, Azalea Park United Methodist Church, 50 Willow Dr., Orlando, 32807. Come support good kids with your attendance!  Free and open to the public. Info from one of the adult leaders:  SgtMaj John Gionet, USMC (ret.) sgtmajgna @earthlink .net   
     On Feb. 3, 1943, four chaplains from several religions and denominations assisted military personnel and civilians before their ship, USAT Dorchester, sank in the freezing Atlantic Ocean after it was torpedoed.  The chaplains gave up their life jackets and helped other persons onto life boats.  They joined arms, prayed and sang hymns before they died together. 
(NOTE:  This group of Young Marines, Orlando Devil Dogs unit, received the prestigious NATIONAL Unit of the Year for 2013-2014.  The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8-18 through the completion of high school.  The organization promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. )
 
Villagers for Veterans – Wed. Feb 10 – Fundraising event that will provide a track-chair for Marine Cpl. Justin Gaertner.  He lost both legs above the knees and has a severely damaged left arm from an IED blast in Afghanistan during his third deployment. The track-chair is an all-terrain device that will allow him greater mobility outdoors and independence.  While this 6:30pm musical event at the Lake Miona Rec Center in The Villages in Sumter Co., is Sold Out, (320 tickets) additional donations towards the track-chair would still be very welcomed.  Contact Marie B. at 516-220-5068 villagersforveterans @gmail .com 
 
Attention all Veterans Service Organizations:
Veterans Resource Fair – Wed. Feb 17 - The UCF Veterans Academic Resource Center (VARC) hosts this event to provide awareness of service organizations.  11am to 2pm located in the Cape Florida Ballroom (Room 316) Student Union on the UCF Campus.    Each participant will be provided a 6 foot table and two chairs at no cost.  It is requested that if your group participates to please donate an item that could be won as a door prize.  The closest parking garage is Garage H, there is $5 daily rate and less than 5 minute walk to the Student Union.  Free parking can be access in Garage F (Behind the CFE Arena), but is a 10 minute walk to the Student Union through the CFE Arena and walking past Memory Mall area.  Over 1300 veterans are UCF students but the same day, downstairs, is the UCF Major’s Fair.  Spillover traffic is expected.   Great opportunity to share awareness, gain members and volunteers!  Contact   joshua.johnson @ucf. edu  no later than 5pm Fri Feb 12.
 
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Daytona Beach Chapter 1048 – Wed. Feb 17 – Join others in the general membership meeting, 6:30 pm at VFW  Post 3282  located at 5810 South Williamson Blvd.  Port Orange, 32128. There are meetings every third Wednesday.  All veterans are welcomed as we honor all Veterans and are very active in our community, teaming up with many other Veteran Service Organization's, supporter's, promoting and honoring our Veterans.  Join now by bringing your DD214 (discharge papers) or we can help you to get your papers.  Info:  vva1048 .com   Rod Phillips (USA Airborne), 386.690.9553 cobra101st @gmail .com 
 
Retiree Appreciation Day – IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFO – Sat. Feb 20 – There will be the opportunity to update ID cards/DEERS during this event.  It's RARE that this service is available on a weekend date! 
Military retirees can enjoy a variety of speakers from the Department of the Army, Veterans Affairs, MOAA (Military Officers Association of America) and others.  Special guest will be Army SMA Raymond Chandler III (ret.)  Information provided by Tricare, Exchanges from the Army, Air Force and Navy, etc.  All service branch retirees and their families are invited.  9am – 3pm at The Venue at UCF (University of Central Florida) at 12777 Gemini Blvd N., Orlando, 32816 located behind the CFE Arena.  Free parking. Sponsored by Fort Stewart.  Retirement Services Office   912-767-5013.
 
Veterans Legal Stand Down - Sat., Feb. 20 – Sponsored by Barry University School of Law, Open to veterans who are newly discharged, unemployed, disabled, or have any questions regarding legal issues. Attorneys will be present to provide free legal advice. Walk-ins welcome. Appointments are strongly encouraged. FREE!  11am – 4pm, 6441 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, 32807.  Social Security Disability, family law, wills, housing issues, employment law, taxes, expungements, and more.  Also in association with Mission United, Legal Aid Society and CareerSource, offering Resume Assistance workshops, Veterans Employment Services, and Veterans Service office.  Appointments:  407-841-8310 x3167.  Info: Jay Mobley  407-841-8310 JMobley @legalaidocba .org

Walk for Veterans – Sat. Feb 20 – Join American Legion Post 117, the Space Coast Paratroopers, and the City of Palm Bay in the First Inaugural Veterans Walk. Walk for Those that Marched For Us!  The walk will cover a 1.5 mile route starting and ending at American Legion Post 117, 189 Veterans Drive, Palm Bay, 32909. The walk begins at 10 AM.  Advance registration (prior to 12 February) is $15; forms are available at Post 117. Registration on the day of the event; starting at 9 AM at Post 117 is $20. Registration Fees include a Walk T - shirt for each participant. (If you have procrastinated about in a New Year’s resolution to be healthier this year, this is a way to catch up!)
 
Seminole County Homeless Veterans Stand Down - Sat March 12 – Volunteers and Vendor opportunities (requires registrationnow) 9am – 1pm at Florida Department of Health in Seminole County, 400 W. Airport Blvd., Sanford, 32773.  “The term Stand Down was first used during the Viet Nam War; we would come out of the jungle after searching for the enemy for weeks, we would lick our wounds, clean our weapons and get ready to go back. Today the term Stand Down is used when we bring our homeless (and precociously housed) veterans to a central location to reconnect them with the VA and other homeless service providers. Not only providers, but we will provide showers, clothing, hot meals, legal assistance, medical, dental screening, etc .  It is manned and serviced by volunteers. Last year, contrary to news reports, we had a 50% increase from the year before. Feel free to contact us directly at Seminolestanddown @gmail .com.”
 
The Central Florida Veterans Mental Health Council (CFVMHC) is recruiting new members. The CFVMHC represents an opportunity to have a real impact in mental health service delivery and help your fellow Veteran. The Council meets twice monthly for about an hour at the Baldwin Campus (call-in line is available).  More information or to complete an application, visit the Council's website at   cfvmhc .org 
 
 
Caring and sharing,
 
Cathy Haynes
Member/supporter of numerous veteran and military organizations in Central FL
407-239-8468
chaynes11629 @  yahoo .com

Congress cut funding for more research on burn pit exposures for 2016

News5 Investigates: Vets and contractors believed to be sickened by war time burn pits
KOAA 5 News
By Maddie Garrett
February 5, 2016
"We have no idea what these veterans were exposed to day to day," said Daniel Warvi, Public Affairs Officer, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System.
COLORADO SPRINGS - A News5 investigation into so-called burn pits looks into how toxic fumes our service members and civilian contractors were exposed to in war zones in Afghanistan and Iraq on a daily basis are now believed to be causing serious health problems.

As thousands of veterans came home from war, doctors started noticing a common health problem, they reported having a cough and/or trouble breathing. Some cases developed into rare lung diseases, and few even ended in death. But just as more vets and civilians are being diagnosed as having respiratory problems, Congress cut funding for more research on burn pit exposures for 2016.

The burn pits were used to destroy all types of waste during wars in the Middle East, burning everything from trash and food waste, to vehicle parts, ammunition, tires, batteries, medical waste, animal carcasses, chemicals, plastic and in some cases even body parts.

The Department of Veterans Affairs said one of the challenges in understanding the risks of burn pits is that each one could contain varying kinds of waste and that could differ on a day-to-day basis.
read more here
KOAA.com | Continuous News | Colorado Springs and Pueblo

Philadelphia VA New Employees Not Trained in Suicide Prevention?

Seven VA Hospitals Flagged on Veteran Suicide
San Diego, Philadelphia, other facilities falling short on best practices
Free Beacon
Morgan Chalfant
February 4, 2016
In total, six of the VA medical centers evaluated since September did not meet requirements for training employees in suicide prevention or risk management. Three facilities, like the Philadelphia hospital, also did not properly execute all suicide prevention plans.
Multiple Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities across the country have been flagged in recent months for insufficiencies in their programs to prevent veteran suicides.

In the last five months, seven VA hospitals have been the subject of reports produced by the agency’s inspector general that highlighted insufficient employee training, patient monitoring, and safety planning in their respective suicide prevention programs.

The inspector general found fault with facilities in Butler, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Columbus, Ohio; San Diego, California; Honolulu, Hawaii; Anchorage, Alaska; and Manchester, New Hampshire.

The Philadelphia VA hospital was the site of a reported veteran suicide in November. The review of the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia was completed about a month before a disabled veteran allegedly jumped to his death from a parking garage after seeking psychiatric treatment.

According to the Jan. 14 inspector general report, the vast majority of new employees at the Philadelphia hospital were not trained in suicide prevention or suicide risk management within the required time frame. Fourteen of 15 employees did not undergo suicide prevention training within a year of being hired, hospital records indicated.
read more here

Thursday, February 4, 2016

WWII Veteran Scared Ax Carrying Burglar at 92!

92-year-old WWII veteran scares off ax-wielding would-be burglar, authorities say 
Los Angeles Times Veronica Rocha February 2, 2016
“I let off a shot and he took off,” Milspaugh told the news station with a laugh. “He left his ax. He left his hat and everything else after that.”
A 92-year-old homeowner armed with a handgun fired a shot and scared off an ax-wielding man trying to break into his San Jacinto residence Sunday, authorities said. World War II veteran Joseph Milspaugh told KNBC-TV he heard a noise coming from his backdoor and quickly armed himself with his handgun. 

When he went to investigate he saw a man smashing an ax through one of his windows. read more here

‘Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’ and GI Janes

‘Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’ to Spotlight Women Veterans 
Variety 
Jackie Maffucci 
Guest Columnist 
FEBRUARY 3, 2016 

In the premiere episode of TBS’ new late night talk show, “Full Frontal,” Samantha Bee investigates how the Veterans Administration will be prepared for the needs of women, given that combat jobs will now be open to them. Guest columnist Dr. Jackie Maffucci offers her perspective on the needs of women in the service, and how they’re treated once they leave active duty.

As a kid, the military was a mystery to me. Service members were embodied by a cartoon and and an action figure: GI Joe. It’s only now that, after working for nearly a decade as a civilian in the military and veteran communities, I’m led to ask, what about GI Jane?

To this day, as a nation, we don’t see women as combat veterans. We only see GI Joe. And yet, the military is at its most diverse point, with women as the fastest growing population both in service and in the veteran community. 


They comprise nearly 20 percent of new recruits, 15 percent of the 1.4 million active duty force, and 18 percent of the 850,000 reserve component. In 2003, they represented six percent of the veteran population; today, they represent 10 percent. 

So what about GI Jane? Why do we still refuse to see her, to support her and acknowledge the sacrifices that she’s made for this country?
read more here


USS Butler WWII Veteran Finally Receives Purple Heart

WWII veteran awarded Purple Heart 70 years after battle 
CNN 
By Amanda Jackson 
February 2, 2016 

(CNN)Ninety-year-old Frederick Stone, a former Navy petty officer from New York, received the Purple Heart on Sunday, more than 70 years after the World War II battle where he gave his heroic service.

A Purple Heart medal is awarded to those service members who were killed or injured while serving.

In 1945, Stone was injured in battle while aboard the destroyer USS Butler off the island of Okinawa, Japan.

Although he was injured, Stone helped his fellow serviceman who was seriously wounded get to safety. After helping, Stone returned to his post.

Stone still has shrapnel embedded in his back, according to CNN affiliate News 12 Long Island.
read more here

Chicago Marine 7 Marathons for Chattanooga Slain Servicemembers

CHICAGO MARINE FINISHES 7 MARATHONS IN 7 DAYS ON 7 CONTINENTS - WITH RECORD TIME
ABC News Chicago
By Ravi Baichwal
Wednesday, February 03, 2016

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A U.S. Marine from Chicago is back home after a whirlwind global tour with an athletic twist that might take a moment or two to sink in.

Daniel Cartica added more than 180 miles to his trip in one of the hardest ways you could imagine: seven marathons in seven days on seven continents.

Starting Saturday, January 23, day one was at Union Pass, Antarctica. From the icy course there, he hop-scotched the world to six other continents, finally finishing his amazing feat in Australia last Friday - and Cartica won the World Marathon Challenge in record time.

His trip around the world started at its bottom, Antarctica, then it was on to the Americas, over to Europe, down to Africa, across to the Middle East, then Down Under. Leading the pack in Antarctica was Cartica, a Marine who teaches at Northwestern University.

"I am always a guy who is trying to get out of his comfort zone," Cartica said.

That meant paying $23,000 for the chance to join a club more exclusive than Mount Everest climbers or the astronaut corps. After finishing, it was back into the group's Russian transport, where what little rest was to be gotten before the next marathon - in Punta Arenas, Chile.

"I wanted to do something for those family members of the servicemen that were killed," he said.

They were the five men who died in Chattanooga, Tenn., last July when they were ambushed by an armed gunman motivated, according to the FBI, by "foreign terrorist organization propaganda."
read more here

Homeless Vietnam Veteran Eton Gilmore Honorable Burial

Woman who served in Vietnam fights to get honorable burial for veteran who died homeless
FOX4 WDAF
Megan Dillard
FEBRUARY 3, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- At the top of his career, he was wounded and received a Purple Heart. Two weeks ago, he died disabled and homeless in an abandoned house, with no family. Thanks to the efforts of a fellow disabled veteran, Mr. Eton Gilmore will get the burial he deserves.

A quick drive down Woodland Avenue, and the red house seems just like any other. But there's more to the abandoned home and street-side trash pile. Beyond the rubbish is the story of a homeless veteran who lived and died in the home, and the woman who is fighting to make sure he's buried with honors.

Maryannah Mosley is a disabled Vietnam veteran. She spends her time feeding the homeless.

"If they’re veterans, I really reach out. I’m a disabled veteran myself," she said.
FOX 4 put her in touch with the Department of Veteran Affairs. In a telephone conversation, a spokesperson for the VA said, "He will be buried at no cost to anyone at one of these cemeteries." The spokesperson said the VA wants to help quickly, he appreciates Mosley's efforts, and he's proud of her. "As soon as we’re off the phone, I’m going to push this email over to them."
read more here

Fort Wainwright Soldier Died "Showing Gun Wasn't Loaded"

Police: Soldier dies trying to show firearm wasn't loaded
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted: February 3, 2016

FAIRBANKS — Fairbanks police say an Army sergeant died when he unknowingly fired a loaded gun to his head when trying to show a friend the weapon wasn’t loaded.
Image by KTUU-TV

Police in a Tuesday statement say 25-year-old Sgt. Nathan Michael Higginbotham died early Sunday.

Police say Higginbotham had consumed alcohol and was a friend’s home in Fairbanks. He was in the process of confirming his .40 caliber Springfield XD was unloaded. Police initially said the gun was a 9 mm pistol.
read more here

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

CBS Forgot Reports on Wounded Warrior Project Nothing New?

UPDATE FROM NEWS4JAX
Wounded Warrior Project board hires PR firm
Reports highlight claims of questionable spending practices at charity
By Lynnsey Gardner - Investigative reporter
Posted: 5:50 PM, February 04, 2016
The CEO of the board's new PR team, the Abernathy MacGregor Group based in New York City, said the board has hired Simpson Thatcher as its legal counsel.


With the CBS report on Wounded Warrior Project there is a lot that was missing. After this report this time, WWP demanded a retraction, then they promised to review all of it.

Is Wounded Warrior Project A Country Crock? posted on March 24, 2012, it seems I scooped CBS. But so were a lot of other people as you can see from the links on the original post.
Example of what they report under Benefits Service
Media ad value $2,307,198
Salaries 696,683
Advertising 649,750
Consulting and outside services 176,994
Direct mail 265,480
Postage and shipping 247,931
Travel 161,183
Payroll tax and benefits 148,070
Meetings and events 14,111
Promotional items 23,629
Grants -
Depreciation 51,166
Occupancy 36,088
Telephone 23,334 Miscellaneous 1,227
Professional fees - Office equipment rental and services 15,820
Supplies 6,360
Printing 1,985
Insurance 6,096
Utilities 3,167
Staff education 896
Books and Subscriptions 1,825
Bank service charges -
Organizational membership fees and dues -
$4,838,993
They were not trying to hide it since that was public information. It doesn't seem as if they were trying to hide much at all, since it was all reported over the years.  

Last year there was this report.

How does the Wounded Warrior Project spend its donations?
News Channel 3
BY MATT KNIGHT AND MIKE MATHER
POSTED 7:45 PM, APRIL 26, 2015

Norfolk, Va. - The Wounded Warrior Project’s top executive says his charity has been unfairly saddled with lower grades from two top charity watchdogs in part because of the Florida-based charity’s high executive salaries and high fundraising costs.


The Jacksonville charity – founded a dozen years ago in Virginia – lists on its tax return the salaries for its eleven executives as $2.2 million. That includes a base salary to CEO Steve Nardizzi of $375,000. The charity also lists fundraising expenses of nearly $32 million. Those figures are, in part, responsible for lower grades from “Charity Watch” and “Charity Navigator,” two of the nation’s three main charity-checking organizations. read more here
Pretty much the same story that CBS News got this year but nothing changed. Oh, by the way, when you watch this video you need to pay attention to what they didn't say. They do not pay attention to pre-9-11 veterans.

It mentions how much they spend on PTSD in the millions, and they are probably right on that considering how much they donated in grants to colleges and other charities.



Then there was this announcement

$70M to be invested in veterans' mental health
Military Times
By Patricia Kime, Staff writer
7:56 a.m. EDT June 18, 2015

A new program funded by Wounded Warrior Project aspires to improve mental health services and care for veterans in the private sector.


The charity is using $70 million to fund an effort that will create outpatient programs at four of the nation's top academic medical facilities, aimed at helping sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

Just didn't matter to corporations donating to them.



ATLANTA, Dec. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/-- Georgia-Pacific, the maker of Brawny® paper towels, is proud to have donated more than $2 million to Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) following its third year of partnering together. WWP is a national organization dedicated to honoring and empowering wounded service members transitioning back to civilian life through unique, direct programs and services.

This year alone, the Brawny® brand raised $600,000, achieving its 2014 goal.


"Proceeds raised by the campaign have helped WWP foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded veterans in our nation's history."
UCLA benefited with over $15 Million donation.
Wounded Warrior Project has approved a $15.7 million grant over three years for UCLA Health to expand its Operation Mend program. The grant will fund a new, intensive structured treatment program for service members suffering from mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Operation Mend expansion is part of Warrior Care Network, a first-of-its-kind medical network funded by Wounded Warrior Project that will connect wounded veterans and their families with world-class, individualized mental health care. In addition to Operation Mend, the network will include three other programs based at academic medical centers — the Veterans Program at Emory University in Atlanta, the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program in Boston, and the Road Home Program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.


WWP and Warrior Care Network partners will commit a total $100 million over three years to fund the initiative, including $7.5 million each that the medical centers will contribute through their own fundraising efforts.
Then there was this grant
Dignity Receives $65,000 Grant from Wounded Warrior Project

We are excited to announce that Dignity has received a grant in the amount of $65,000 from Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a non-profit veteran service organization whose mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. The grant will expand Dignity’s ability to provide brand new clothing to injured service members.


Serving veterans is one of Dignity U Wear’s primary focus areas and the Wounded Warrior Project grant will support two programs: “Suits for Soldiers,” which provides work-appropriate clothing for veterans seeking employment; and “Helping Homeless Heroes,” which provides basic clothing necessities for those who have become homeless.


“We are thrilled to be a Wounded Warrior Project grant recipient,” said Barbara Truncellito, Dignity U Wear Executive Director. “The funds will allow us to expand our Suits for Soldiers program, which, with the help of our partner, Brooks Brothers, allows us to offer brand new, custom-fit business suits and accessories to veterans. The clothing increases their confidence and helps them prepare emotionally to ace an interview or begin a new position.


OSU named Wounded Warrior Project grant subcontract recipient

The Ohio State University announced its selection as a 2014 Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) grant recipient through a subcontract with The Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) at Purdue University.


The WWP grant program bridges gaps in services and support for this generation of injured service members by supporting organizations that provide high-quality, high-touch, unique programming in remote or underserved regions. Through teamwork and collaboration, the $250,000 grant will enhance support for this generation of injured service members and foster healthy readjustment to civilian life through programmatic activities aimed at training civilian behavioral health specialists.


The award will be used to increase regional approaches to Star Behavioral Health Providers (SBHP), a program that MFRI first created in Indiana, in collaboration with the Center for Deployment Psychology, the Indiana National Guard and the Indiana Family Social Services Administration. SBHP is a training and registry system that prepares civilian behavioral health providers and other community-based professionals to serve members of veteran and military families. WWP funding will allow expansion of the program into Ohio and South Carolina and extend the programs currently operating in Indiana, Michigan, California and Georgia.

You can find more online since none of this is hidden. The really important thing to most of us is that all these donors and all these recipients of those grants, along with WWP itself, don't seem to be bothered by the fact they are ignoring older veterans waiting even longer but left out of all of this.

Rush to expand veterans program with Wounded Warrior Project grant
Rush University Medical Center's veterans program is set to receive $15 million from the Wounded Warrior Project, securing a spot as the Midwest's only hospital to receive such a grant.

The grant is part of a $100 million commitment the Jacksonville, Fla.-based Wounded Warrior Project launched to create a national medical care network connecting wounded veterans and their families.


Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001 and their families.

Hey but they have a year book! This is a new report and pretty shocking.
Wounded Warrior Project yearbooks raise more spending questions
By Lynnsey Gardner - Investigative reporter
Posted: 6:17 PM, February 02, 2016


A quote page includes one that reads: "Thanks for calling Wounded Warrior Project. What the (expletive) do you want?” which is presumably intended as humor.

There is also a social media section that appears to poke fun at some posts from the public to the charity titled "No words."
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Former employees are raising more red flags about possible questionable spending by the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Jacksonville-based charity is under fire across the country after whistleblowers spoke out against the nonprofit's spending choices.


More Investigations Headlines

Wounded Warrior Project responds to allegations
Wounded Warrior Project accused of spending too little on injured soldiers
Wounded Warrior Project suing 2 injured veterans
Now, former employees are questioning the group's practice of printing annual yearbooks for its staff. News4Jax was told those yearbooks cost more than $20,000 annually to produce.

Wounded Warrior Project has not responded to requests for confirmation of the cost of the yearbooks.

read more here

Mother of Homeless Veteran Shot by Deputy Getting $375,000

Mother of combat veteran killed by deputy will get $375K
My News LA
Hillary Jackson
February 2, 2016
Atkinson’s mental illness was also cited as a contributing factor. Atkinson left his family and mental health treatment in Texas to live on the streets in Los Angeles.
The Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to pay out $375,000 to the mother of a homeless combat veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, who was fatally shot after threatening the deputy with a wooden dowel rod.

On the afternoon of Oct. 6, 2013, deputies encountered 49-year-old Darrell Atkinson hiding or crawling behind a line of grocery carts under an overpass of the Santa Monica (10) Freeway near Venice Boulevard and Cadillac Avenue.

A news release from the Sheriff’s Department issued shortly after the shooting said Atkinson grabbed a wooden stick from one of the shopping carts.

“The suspect suddenly armed himself with a wooden stick,” Deputy Mark Pope of the Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau told a reporter following the shooting. “He advanced toward the deputies with the wooden stick overhead.”

The summary provided to the board referred to the weapon as a wooden club.
read more here

Army Discharged at Least 22,000 Combat Soldiers for Misconduct

Senators to Army: Stop misconduct discharges until review is completed
Army Times
By Michelle Tan
February 3, 2016
Since then, however, the Army has reportedly moved to separate at least one highly decorated combat soldier who was diagnosed with PTSD, according to a new NPR report.
A group of lawmakers wants the Army to stop discharging soldiers who have been diagnosed with mental health problems because of their service in Iraq or Afghanistan.
A group of U.S. senators wants the Army to stop discharging soldiers who have been diagnosed with mental health issues because of their service in Iraq or Afghanistan, at least until the service completes an internal review.
(Photo: Army photo)
The move comes one month after the Army announced it would conduct a “thorough, multidisciplinary” review in response to a call from 12 senators to investigate reports that the service discharged for misconduct as many as 22,000 combat veterans who had been diagnosed with mental health problems.

“It doesn’t make sense to continue these discharges while the practice is in the midst of multiple reviews,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said in a statement. 

“Soldiers prevented from serving due to post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury should be treated like we treat those with physical injuries, not be discharged, cast aside and ignored. They fought for their country and have earned the benefit of the doubt.”

Murphy was one of the 12 senators to initially call on the Army to investigate the reports regarding the 22,000 soldiers. The issue was first reported by National Public Radio.
NPR in October reported that the Army, since 2009, has separated 22,000 soldiers for misconduct after they returned from Iraq or Afghanistan and had been diagnosed with mental health problems such as PTSD and TBI.
read more here

Navy SEAL Receiving Medal of Honor Was a Corpsman

SEAL Who Rescued Doctor in Afghanistan to Receive Medal Of Honor
Military.com
by Hope Hodge Seck
Feb 02, 2016
Byers, a native of Toledo, Ohio, began his 17-year Navy career as a hospital corpsman, serving with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
A Navy SEAL who was part of a courageous hostage rescue in Afghanistan in 2012 will receive the military's top award for heroism later this month, the White House announced today.

Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Edward Byers will be awarded the Medal of Honor on Feb. 29. He will be the 11th living service member to receive the award for actions in Afghanistan.

Byers, 36, was a member of the team that conducted a heroic raid Dec. 8 and 9, 2012 to rescue Dr. Dilip Joseph, an American who had been kidnapped in Afghanistan by the Taliban days before. Joseph was in the country as the medical director for Morning Star Development, a nonprofit organization training Afghan healthcare workers.

While Dilip was recovered safely from his captors, the operation proved costly. Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas Checque, 28, a member of the Navy's elite SEAL Team 6, was shot and killed during the raid.
read more here

Washington Rep. Graham Hunt Resigned After Military Record Questioned

Washington state lawmaker resigns over questions about military record
The Associated Press
February 2, 2016

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Rep. Graham Hunt of Orting announced his resignation from the Legislature on Tuesday after recent questions that he exaggerated his service in the military.

Hunt has faced increasing scrutiny over his military record since The Seattle Times reported last month that records did not verify his claims of being a combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. He also claimed three medals the military has no record of him receiving.

In a statement on his website, Hunt wrote there are inconsistencies in the record of his military service. He said his constituents "deserve a full-time representative who can zealously advocate for their objectives without distraction."

Most recently, Washington state's Libertarian Party Chairman Steven Nielson said Hunt's statements last week saying he only suffered post-traumatic stress disorder is contrary to claims the lawmaker made in 2014 about being stabbed, according to The News Tribune.

"I was stabbed in Afghanistan and I was shot in Iraq so before you start talking about your thoughts and feelings on veterans realize first of all that I'm sorry that you've lost a loved one but I've lost brothers," Nielson claims Hunt wrote in a social media message in June 2014.
read more here

Florida Robber Picked Wrong Store, Army Veteran Fought Back

Video shows store clerk fighting back against would-be robber
Investigators searching for man between the ages of 19 and 22 years old
WESH News
By Chris Hush
Published 11:30 PM EST Feb 02, 2016

MIMS, Fla. —A Brevard County store clerk, who is also an Army veteran, came face to face with the barrel of a gun and fought back.
"Over a couple dollars. He wanted to ruin someone's life and I'm not going to lie, that makes me mad," said David Dick, the store clerk who was attacked.

It happened a week ago. Video shows the would-be robber storming into the Sugar Creek gas station and store in Mims, demanding cash. Little did the crook know that he picked the wrong person to mess with.

"Pulling the oven open to pull out the pastries for that night. Put it over here. As soon as I turned around, he was already standing here, coming at me," Dick said.

The man, caught on surveillance video, came in armed with an airsoft gun, looking for cash. But Dick, who was working that night, was ready to fight back.
read more here

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Wounded Times Disabled Veterans Report

There is no better day than Groundhog Day to kick off a new site for veterans. After all, the problems veterans and families have been forced to endure go back decades. History keeps getting repeated by politicians providing paltry results after lofty speeches.

This all came about after yet another conversation when someone asked "Why isn't all this out there?" after nearly making his head explode by news he never heard before. I told him it was but he was just looking in the wrong places.

Now I'm pointing the way that is easier to find. Wounded Times Disabled Veterans Report is live.



Laskarina Bouboulina (Greek: Λασκαρίνα Μπουμπουλίνα, pronounced [laskaˈrina bubuˈlina]), 11 May 1771 – 22 May 1825) was a Greek naval commander, heroine of the Greek War of Independence in 1821, and an Admiral of the Imperial Russian Navy.


Wounded Times is not changing! After over 25,000 posts and more than 2.5 million hits, it was time to expand to provide disabled veterans with the news and information you should have about what is going on all over the country.

Every month you'll see links to all the reports from Wounded Times that are about you! No politics, no hype, no nonsense about raising awareness and no ads.

You will get facts! Real information on combat related PTSD and yes, sadly, suicides. The only awareness you really need raised is that you are not stuck suffering the way you are, why you have it, what you can do to heal and what your families need to know to help you do it!

After over 30 years researching and living with PTSD and my Vietnam veteran husband, I can assure you that none of this has to be the way it is!

The truth is we're obligated to help each other the same way it was done when you were in the military. No one fights those battles alone and no one should have to fight to have wounds taken care of alone either.

History has proven this has all gone on for generations. You'd think that since Congress has had since 1946 to make sure veterans received what they needed they would have fixed it all long ago, but we just heard more promises when they wanted votes and to pick our pockets.

This is what they control, write bills for and are supposed to be making sure works properly for veterans.
Legislation Within the Jurisdiction of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Veterans' measures generally.
Pensions of all the wars of the U.S., general and special.
Life insurance issued by the government on account of service in the Armed Forces.
Compensation, vocational rehabilitation, and education of veterans.
Veterans' hospitals, medical care, and treatment of veterans.
Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief.
Readjustment of servicemen to civilian life.
National Cemeteries.
Yet you'll never hear them explain why they haven't done it or even apologize for not living up to their end of the deal. 

I work a full time job and then do this as much as I can because when it comes to veterans, this is my vocation and you are not a project but my passion. In other words, I do this work for free!

Starting as soon as I can, I'll put up the links from January to make it all easier for you to actually figure out what is going on across the country.  As this is an election year, one thing to keep in mind is, we can elect anyone but the truth is, nothing will change unless the folks we put in charge are held accountable.  We can't do that unless you know the truth about what they didn't do.

It is almost as if they decided it was time to act more like pirates than patriots.




You can also find videos I filmed and created on my YouTube page.