Saturday, October 21, 2017

More Doing More But More Veterans Commit Suicide

Veteran suicide numbers in NC soar above national average
Citizen Times
Alexandria Bordas
Oct. 20, 2017

Veterans in North Carolina committed suicide at a rate comparable with that of veterans nationwide in 2014 but at a rate more than double that of the generation population, according to a newly updated report.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recorded 249 veteran suicide deaths in North Carolina in 2014, more than double the number of veteran suicides reported in the same year in neighboring South Carolina.

The state-by-state veteran suicide data was released last year, updated again in 2017 and re-released in September. It represents the largest report ever compiled on veteran suicides.

The VA examined veteran suicides over the course of 35 years, beginning in 1979, to better understand suicide trends across the nation.

"There is a lot of stigma about mental illness and suicide, especially in regards to military culture," said Dr. Craig Martin, chief medical officer for Vaya Health, a mental health service provider in Buncombe County.

Martin previously worked for the VA in New England.

In North Carolina, the veteran suicide rate was 37 per 100,000 in 2014, according to the report, versus a national suicide average of 17 per 100,000 people.
read more here

The Long Road Home Filmed at Fort Hood

TV series filmed on Fort Hood will have star-studded premiere on post
KCENTV 6 NBC News
Stephen Adams
October 20, 2017

National Geographic's The Long Road Home, which filmed on Fort Hood, will host a premiere screening for soldiers and their families Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. inside the Abrams Gym.
The complete mini-series premieres on National Geographic at 8 p.m. Central Time on Nov. 7.

Actors Noel Fisher, Sarah Wayne Callies, EJ Bonilla, Jon Beavers, Jorge Diaz, Ian Quinlan and Darius Homayoun will attend the screening on post, along with ABC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz, who authored the book on which the series was based.

The eight-episode series will depict the 1st Cavalry Division's ambush and heroic fight on April 4, 2004 in Sadr City, Baghdad -- a battle that came to be known as "Black Sunday."

The series also stars two-time Emmy-nominated actor Michael Kelly and Emmy-nominated actor Jason Ritter, along with Kate Bosworth.
read more here

Point Man Showed Veterans How to Heal PTSD Over 30 Years Ago

Point Man Planted the Seeds of Healing PTSD
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
October 21, 2017

A week ago today, I was in Buffalo New York, giving a speech at the Point Man International Ministries conference. 

I was talking about suicides and ranting against what has been brought to the public's attention out of ignorance and deception. 

No one is talking about the suicides within the DoD

No one is talking about the number of veteran suicide numbers reported yet remaining the same after over a decade of "efforts" claimed to be changing the outcome. 

No one is talking about the Veterans Crisis Line being in operation all this time, yet the outcome for far too many veterans has been death because they served but were unserved by the public talking about their suffering.

The number everyone knows is "22" but those repeating that number did not care enough to read the report, or even check to see what the solution is. The truth shall defeat the demons but lies have fed destruction.

It isn't that it was some kind of new situation veterans faced, but the delusion convinced the public it was all about the new generation of veterans coming home.

The other speeches you can hear on the link above and if you want to find hope in all this darkness, listen to their words. My speech won't be on video. It isn't that I said anything new to readers of Combat PTSD Wounded Times. It is the same thing I've been saying all along.

When the VA Suicide report came out in 2016, Vietnam Veterans of America felt the need to ask a question. What about them and their generation?
Vietnam Veterans of America VA Suicide Report 2014: 65 Percent of Veterans over Age 50

(Washington, DC)—On August 3, the VA released Suicide Among Veterans and Other Americans 2001-2014, a comprehensive analysis of veteran suicide rates in the United States in which VA examined more than 55 million veterans’ records from 1979 to 2014.

“While the number of suicides among all veterans is significant, what may not be known is that approximately 65 percent of all veterans who died from suicide in 2014 were 50 years of age or older,” said John Rowan, National President of Vietnam Veterans of America. “Why is it that so many veterans, basically, take their lives by suicide? Last year, the Clay Hunt SAV Act, Public Law 114-2, was enacted to address the high suicide rate amongst the newer veterans but did not specifically address the older veterans. We call on the VA to increase its outreach and education efforts immediately so that the families of all veterans, especially our older veterans, are aware of this risk.”

The VA must overcome all barriers to find the key—if indeed there is one—to preventing suicide in as many instances as possible among our veterans. All Americans must also realize that there is a very serious problem with veteran suicides and act upon it with a coordinated effort in our communities—with our fellow veterans, both young and old; our families; our friends; and with researchers and the agencies of government. As we have repeatedly stated, one veteran suicide is too many. And let’s not fool ourselves with easy answers.”

Since 2001, the rate of suicide among U.S. veterans who use VA services has increased by 8.8 percent, while the rate of suicide among veterans who do not use VA services increased by 38.6 percent. In the same time period, the rate of suicide among male veterans who use VA services increased 11 percent, while the rate of suicide increased 35 percent among male veterans who do not use VA services. In the same time period, the rate of suicide among female veterans who use VA services increased 4.6 percent, while the rate of suicide increased 98 percent among female veterans who do not use VA services. A link to the report may be found here.
While this may seem like a fair question, it is ever more troubling when you consider the fact that it was their generation of veterans, and my generation of family members, started all the research and funding to take care of all generations. They fought for those who came home earlier but had turned their backs on Vietnam veterans.

A Seattle police officer had come home from Vietnam, much like others he had been forced to arrest, deeply burdened by where they were. Bill Landreth decided to do something about helping them heal and spreading the hope he had for better days. 

Bill started to meet them in coffee shops so they could see things in a different way. That was the beginning of Point Man International Ministries and has been going strong since 1984. 

It is a group dedicated to raising awareness that tomorrow doesn't have to be as bad as their worst day was. That they could heal instead of simply suffering, popping medication from the VA or street drugs. Instead of getting numb with alcohol, they could begin to live their lives stronger than they were before.

For Point Man, it was more than just saying they wanted to do something. They took on the countless hours of quietly working miracles with peer support for the veteran as well as their family, one on one or in small groups.

They spread the seeds of hope to all generations and showed them the way out of the darkness.

When the awareness they began got the attention of the media, they were forgotten. It was a lot easier for the new groups to claim they were worthy of the money they asked for. 
This is from Charity Watch


"...by some accounts, the existence of over 40,000 nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving the military and veterans and an estimated 400,000 service organizations that in some way touch veterans or service members... 
Additionally, the number of new veterans charities has increased relatively rapidly over the past five years or so, growing by 41% since 2008 compared with 19% for charities in general, according to The Urban Institute as reported in a December 2013 The NonProfit Times article."
While the rest of the country seems to find the over 400,000 veterans charities doing a lot of talking and pulling stunts, our group has been doing the work of beginning miracles and standing by the side of our brothers and sisters until they could make their own for others.

The seeds planted by Vietnam veterans were producing holyistic healing of spirits that changed lives. Talking about deaths that didn't merit anyone reading the reports produced more suicides and paved over the hope that could have been harvested over three decades ago.


The Workers Are Few35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9)
Clearly, you can now see that suicides are new after war. Peer support is not new. The "22 a day" you hear about is not ending the lives of just the younger generation of veterans. As a matter of fact, it isn't even 22 a day.

Many states do not have military service on death certificates. That means they were not counted in any of the studies done by the VA or the CDC. Most veterans are not in the VA system.

What is known is that many states are reporting veterans are committing suicide double the civilian rate. Not that was anything new to report. 
Veterans commit suicide at a rate that is twice the national average. In fact, the annual military death toll from suicides has for several years exceeded the number killed on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Billings Gazette reported that in 2012 but few understood that most of them were not the OEF and OIF generation. They were the older veterans.

A state like Florida, with a large senior veteran population has been reporting the rate is triple the civilian rate.

We live our days with this command from Jesus gave to His disciples.
"As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." (Matthew 10)

The seeds of hope were planted by the Son and spread by those the nation has forgotten. While they get walls of stone, parades and parties, pins and handshakes and words of "welcome home" it is a home where they have been carrying the burden of their brothers alone.

They showed you the way to heal, but when will you stop walking away from what they give freely?

Friday, October 20, 2017

Homeless Veteran Saved Life While Looking For Help

UPDATE: Heroic Homeless Navy Veteran Gets Help

Homeless veteran rushes to save victim after life-threatening car crash

ABC NEWS
Mark Osborne
October 20, 2017


Travis Wilson was simply signing up for housing when the homeless veteran heard a boom nearby and rushed to the aid of a bloodied victim in a serious car accident.

Wilson, who told ABC affiliate WPLG he is a former Navy corpsman, was first on the scene at the accident in Pembroke Pines, Florida, in harrowing video provided to the station. In the video, you see Wilson leaning into the crushed passenger side window of one of the vehicles and assisting the driver with blood splattered across the front seat.
"We get around the corner and I see what's going on and speed up, and then, I just turn it on and go sprinting to the vehicle," Wilson told WPLG.
Wilson stabilized the driver's neck and waited until paramedics arrived on the scene.
"You can't leave the scene," Wilson said. "I can't leave the scene -- it doesn't matter if the vehicle catches on fire. It doesn't matter. I'm there with him. If we're gonna die, we're gonna die together."


Thursday, October 19, 2017

Did you fight in Vietnam alone?

Please explain something to me. Why is it that you went into combat with others, but find it impossible to ask for someone to help you fight the battle afterwards? 

Look at this picture.
Vietnam War and Music


Are they standing together? Did you fight in Vietnam alone?

Sure, you had no problem asking for help to defeat the enemy there. So why have such a hard time asking for help to defeat the enemy that came home with you?

For all the talk about PTSD and the number folks accept as the suicide total of veterans taking their own lives, most of them are Vietnam veterans.

65% are over the age of 50. You survived all these years but seem to want to retire and sit alone with your thoughts that you cannot control or stuff anymore.

Isolation is not the answer. Brotherhood is. Find a group of other Vietnam veterans and have someone to help you fight this battle. After all, as soon as you defeat it, the sooner you can help another veteran.


Memorial Day Participants Visit Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Barney Bidders, a retired soldier, and Les Newell, a retired Marine, both Vietnam War veterans from Virginia, recall memories of service at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial during a Memorial Day event at the wall in Washington, D.C., May 28, 2012.

Wisconsin Old Glory Honor Flight Greeted by 1,500

Thousands give veterans a warm welcome home after Old Glory Honor Flight


WBAY ABC 2 News
By Cearron Bagenda
Oct 18, 2017

GREENVILLE, Wis. Thousands gathered at the Appleton International Airport Wednesday night to welcome local veterans back home after a trip to the nation's capital.

People at the welcome ceremony shake a veteran's hand

This year is the 43rd mission for "The Northeast Wisconsin Old Glory Honor Flight,” the organization providing the trips for the local veterans. Airport officials say about 1,500 people attended the ceremony, welcoming 89 veterans back from their trip to Washington D.C.

The mission of the Old Glory Honor Flight is to give World War II, Vietnam and Korean War veterans the trip of a lifetime at no cost.

Veterans head to Washington D.C. touring a number of monuments all in one day. When the veterans came back they are shocked to see the welcome ceremony. American flags, welcome signs and cheering lined the airport concourse as the veterans walked through.
read more here

Vietnam Veteran Died Because Aide Played Video Game

A nurse’s aide plays video games while a veteran dies at Bedford VA hospital


Boston Globe
By Andrea Estes GLOBE STAFF
OCTOBER 17, 2017

Bill Nutter was very sick. Not only had he just lost his second leg to diabetes, but he also suffered from a condition that could cause his heart to stop beating without warning.
JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF
Brigitte Darton’s father, William Nutter, a Vietnam War veteran, died at the Bedford VA hospital despite the facility’s staff knowing that he needed to be checked on frequently


But his daughter, Brigitte Darton, felt reassured because her mother had found a bed for the ailing Vietnam veteran and retired police detective at the Bedford VA Medical Center. He would be under the watchful eyes of the staff at a hospital ranked by the Veterans Administration as one of its best nationwide.

So Darton went on a long-planned family vacation in July 2016, only to get a shocking call from her mother the next day. “Your father passed away,” Carol Nutter said. “He didn’t wake up.”

A doctor eventually told Carol Nutter that a staff member on the night shift had failed to check on him hourly, as she should have.
read more here

Vietnam Veteran Delivers Hope to High School Students

Scars and Stripes: Vietnam veteran spreads inspirational message to Oakwood student
WDTN 2 News
Kelly King
October 19, 2017

Roever admits there were times he thought of taking his own life, but he shared a message of hope.“I’m here to tell you today suicide is not the solution,” stressed Roever.



OAKWOOD, Ohio (WDTN) — A Vietnam veteran burned beyond recognition fighting for our country is making it his mission to tell his story of survival and inspire others.

Dave Roever was at Oakwood High School Thursday speaking to an auditorium full of students.

“Never let a good scar go to waste,” Roever told the crowd.

His story tugged at heartstrings as he recounted the day he left his wife for the war.

“She said are you coming back? That’s when I made that promise I couldn’t keep. I said ‘I’ll be back without a scar.'”
read more here

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Firefighters Won't Ask For Help for PTSD?

Firefighters Battle Blaze Within
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
October 18, 2017

Note to firefighters: If people did not want your help, you'd be out of a job. Think about that for a second. They do not just have to need help, but want it enough to call for you to come and help them.
New York Firefighter Memorial


When I was at the Point Man Conference at the Adam's Mark hotel in Buffalo over the weekend, there was a Firefighters Ball at the same hotel.

During a break a firefighter noticed the patch I was wearing and we talked. I told the firefighter who we were, how long we've been working on PTSD and that help is out there. All they have to do is ask for it.

He said it isn't that they don't need it, they don't want to ask for it. That shows how little they understand about what PTSD is. If they knew, then they'd never waste another second without getting help to be the best they can be for their families, other firefighters and the community they serve.

I had to get back to the conference and he had to go to the ball. Had we had more time, I would have explained that they won't ask for help because they blame themselves for having PTSD. Somehow, somewhere along the line, they, like veterans, got it into their heads there was a weakness within them.

Ya, I know but that is what they think. I guess no one ever told them that it wasn't weakness that was causing them pain. It was the strength of their emotional core that made them feel it so much stronger than others.

The very thing that allows them to rush into burning buildings while everyone else is running away, trying to do whatever they can to save someone else, prevents them from being able to save themselves.

If they understood it properly, they'd know that PTSD only comes from trauma. They'd didn't cause it but they were hit by it. 

They'd know that the word "trauma" is actually Greek for "wound" and thus, be able to accept the reality it happened to them.

They'd know that if they looked at it properly, they'd understand that the people they risk their lives for, not only need their help, they want it. They are unashamed to admit they cannot save themselves.

They'd acknowledge that they do not look down on the strangers they help, but find their lives so valuable, they will do anything to save them. 

So, then why don't they see, that their own life is valuable too and trust those they serve with enough to talk about what they need from them?

Here's a video I did several years ago. I did it for National Guardsmen to help them heal PTSD and understand it better. I found out at another conference Chaplains were using it with police officers and firefighters and it worked.


Here's another one you should watch.

Wedding Party Time Meant Serving Others

Wedding party gives back to community by volunteering at food bank
KTHV
Meredith Mitchell
October 13, 2017
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - A lot of wedding weekends begin with a bridal luncheon, maybe a trip to the spa, but one Little Rock couple wanted to do something a little different.

The beautiful path to marriage is getting more and more elaborate these days, but before Patricia Minor walks down the aisle, she and her groom-to-be wanted to spend time with their wedding party.

But the group went for something a little unconventional. The group decided to give back to their community by volunteering their time at the Arkansas Food Bank.

"I thought this would be a great opportunity for us to have some bonding time and some fun times," Minor said.
The groom, Will Ewings, and all of his groomsmen are either retired or active duty military. The man were wearing their favorite team's jersey as they stacked cans of food and helped in any way they could. Minor said service is nothing new to them.
read more here