Sunday, February 4, 2018

Twins couldn't wait for Marine Dad to be back from Iraq

Marine from Perry flies home from Iraq deployment to greet his twins born 12 weeks premature
The Daily News
Jessica Dillon
February 3, 2018

“There were only a few hours when I was at work when I was able to communicate with people,” Dan said. “And then later on in the evening I’d be able to call, or her mom would call and give me the latest update, but it was definitely interesting living everything through Facebook Messenger.”

ROCHESTER — Perry native Daniel Cooley, a U.S. Marine on a several-month deployment to Iraq, woke to a buzzing phone in the early hours of the morning, dry desert heat already rising with the sun.

The screen lit up with one message after another — variations of ‘Michaela is on her way to the hospital,’ and ‘Hey Dan, just so you know, Michaela is in the hospital,’ poured in urgently from family and friends. They gave no further explanation.

“I was like, ‘OK, uh, cool,’” Dan said. And then, as duty called, he set off for another 10-hour workday, his thoughts drifting the thousands of miles back home to his wife, now six months pregnant with two unborn baby boys.

Things there were chaotic. The contractions Michaela had originally thought were just a false alarm became increasingly worrisome. Doctors at Strong Memorial Hospital did their best to get a handle on things, but nothing seemed to be working.
The Ronald McDonald House has provided Dan and Michaela with a place to stay so that they don’t have to make the hour drive into Rochester each day to visit their babies, where they’re now spending the majority of the day, every day.
read more here

War Memorial Only Scuba Divers Can See

Underwater memorial dedicated to veterans to be constructed near Dunedin Beach
WFLA NBC 8 News
By Jenn Holloway
Published: February 2, 2018

As a man who has more than 3,000 dives under his “weight belt,” Dr. Mathews says he looks forward to teaching veterans dealing with PTSD, physical injuries and more how to scuba dive, then eventually taking them down to see the memorial in person.
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – It’s the first of its kind in the world right here in the Tampa Bay area! An underwater memorial dedicated to our U.S. veterans is expected to bring in scuba divers from around the world.

In 1999, Dr. Heyward Mathews created the very successful Veterans Fishing Reef 10 miles west of Dunedin Beach. But his second sea floor project honoring veterans isn’t to attract marine life. He hopes these massive memorials will attract scuba enthusiasts.

“These statues are actually six foot tall and they weigh 1300 pounds,” said Dr. Matthews.

The goal is to have 24 military figures set in a 100 foot circle with a center monument representing each of the five U.S. Armed Forces.
read more here

Saturday, February 3, 2018

NFL needs to stop holding fans as captive audience!

Time for NFL to respect fans!
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
February 3, 2018

Why is it that so many think you have to be a Trump supporter to find kneeling during the National Anthem reprehensible?

This has nothing to do with one political party but it has everything to do with the fact that Americans watch, or watched, football games. 

That is what they paid for. A football game! Not to be held captive so some millionaire can use his 'free speech" to expose his own political views on their dime!

No one wants to take that right away from anyone but no one gave them the right to disrespect their fans. Let them protest on their own time, just like every other American WITHOUT THE PUBLIC ATTENTION THEY ARE GETTING FOR A FOOTBALL GAME PEOPLE PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO SEE!


Too bad Mark Lazarus doesn't seem to get it! 
Super Bowl ratings jeopardized by anthem protests, fan outrage
“I do believe the protest narrative turned some people off,” Mark Lazarus, NBC Broadcasting and Sports chairman, told Yahoo Sports. “And I think it’s unfortunate the players did not articulate what exactly they are doing very well at the beginning, and they let other people define the narrative.”
No, Lazrus it isn't too bad. What is too bad is that too many are using something that means too much to too many willing to die for this country. You know, unlike the football team, real patriots.

Let's talk about immigrants. My Grandparents came to this country because it offered a better way of life. Not a perfect one, but more opportunities than Greece and Canada offered them.

My husbands Grandparents left Canada and Italy for the same reasons.

The thing is, their children were willing to lay down their lives for this nation they loved so much.

My Dad and Uncles, husband's Dad and Uncles along with my husband and his nephew, all served in the military during wars. WWII, Korea and Vietnam. By the way, all Democrats and I am an Independent, just like most of the members of the military and veterans. 



Let's talk about the fact the National Anthem was written after the War of 1812, because people were willing to lay down their lives to defend this nation.

If someone wants to call it "racists" that doesn't mean it is true. It means they have no clue what it actually means.

Protests are necessary to make changes in this country. I do not dispute that at all. Considering that veterans had to come back to protest the way they were treated by the government going all the way back to the Revolutionary War, people have to take stand against something that is clearly wrong.

That is exactly what I, and a lot of Americans have been doing. We've been taking a stand against the NFL deciding it was ok to show disrespect for what others were willing to die for.

By the way, any idea how much the flyover is going to cost the taxpayers since it comes out of the military training budget? Any thoughts on who is flying those jets?

If you respect them then #StopTheKnees and protest on your own time.






Heartless contractor won't help PTSD veteran keep lifeline--his dog!

UPDATE
Veteran with PTSD wins battle to buy work dog 

Disabled veteran fights to buy dog that helps with his PTSD
FOX 5 News
Evan Lambert
February 2, 2018

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Bobby Kling did two tours of duty in the Middle East, was awarded a Purple Heart and spent eight years serving his country. Now, he is battling his former employer to purchase a dog that helps with his post-traumatic stress disorder.
Kling worked for government contractor Inter-Con Security as an explosive detection K-9 handler before leaving for a new position a few weeks ago. Kling said upon leaving, most officers are given the opportunity to purchase the canine companions they have bonded with while on the job.

When Kling asked to purchase Silox, Inter-Con initially refused, according to an email provided to FOX 5. Eventually, the company made Kling an offer, but told Kling he would have to pay more than $10,000 for the 5-year-old dog. Kling feels he is being nickel and dimed and said he can't afford that price.
read more here

PTSD: In the line of duty

One officer's struggle to recover from wounds seen and unseen
WAVE 3 News
By David Mattingly, Anchor/Reporter
Saturday, February 3rd 2018

Johnson said he has some simple advice for Detective Darrell Hyche, who was wounded on duty Thursday. "When you need help, ask for it," he said.
D'Shawn Johnson was shot in the line of duty on June 19, 1999. He says he lives with it everyday. (Source: WAVE 3 News)
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - WAVE 3 News Safety and Security Expert D'Shawn Johnson recalled vividly the night he was shot in the line of duty.

On patrol as a Louisville police officer, he stopped in the Portland neighborhood to break up a fight when shots rang out.

"It always stays in your mind," he said thoughtfully. "And you always mark that date, you know, when you could have lost your life."

In Johnson's case, it was June 19, 1999.

The bullet entered his upper arm, shattered the bone and lodged deep in his shoulder. He said there was so much blood, he thought his life was over.

He described sitting on the pavement in an alley, feeling angry that he would not be able to say goodbye to the people he loved.

"Thought about family, thought about friends. Basically that was it," he sighed.

Five surgeries and six months of metal rods protruding from his arm helped put Johnson's body back together. But there were also wounds he said he could not see.
read more here


LMPD Officer Darrell Hyche was struck in the head by a bullet during a drug sting. He was doing a job that almost cost him his life.

Sanford Police searching for missing person with PTSD

Sanford police seek help finding missing man, 42
Police searching for Alejandro Moran
Click Orlando
February 02, 2018

SANFORD, Fla. - Sanford police are asking for the public's help in finding a missing 42-year-old man.

Police said they responded around 2:33 a.m. Friday to the Slumberland Motel in the 2600 block of South Orlando Drive regarding a missing/suicidal person identified as Alejandro Moran.

Moran then left the area on foot prior to law enforcement arrival. Police said Moran has only been in Sanford for two months and is not familiar with the area.

Moran suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, police said.
read more here

Friday, February 2, 2018

"First Known Case of PTSD" Depends on Who Knows It?

Why would a group of lawyers make a claim about "First Known Case of PTSD" then proceed to put down years without knowing they were wrong?

I have to admit, it is a good try.
What is now known as post-traumatic stress or PTSD was first called “nostalgia” by Swiss physicians in 1678. It wasn’t until the 1700s that physicians began to study the disorder and it was classified into three stages by Dominique Jean Larrey, a French surgeon under Napoleon and innovator regarding battlefield triage and medical. This includes heightened excitement and imagination, a period of fever and gastrointestinal issues, and frustration and depression. Throughout the centuries, as more and more individuals began to suffer from PTSD, there have been major developments regarding how we understand the condition, including important discoveries in the 1900s and into the 2000s.
  • 1861-1865: The United States’ military physicians document stress in Civil War soldiers.
  • 1905: The Russian Army considers “battle shock” to be a legitimate, concerning medical condition.
  • 1917-1919: Soldiers’ distress is called “shell shock” during World War I.
  • 1946: The National Mental Health Act is passed, opening the door for the expansion of mental health facilities.
  • 1980: The official designation “post-traumatic stress disorder” is added to DSM-III.
  • 2005: Post-traumatic stress disorder is brought to the attention of the public on PBS FRONTLINE and “The Soldier’s Heart” documentary.
And our list begins with:
King David  You cannot read his Psalms without seeing PTSD in most of them.

Achilles or the modern twist to his story comparing him to Vietnam veterans in "Achilles in Vietnam" which was written in 1995 by Dr. Jonathan Shay. Oh, and almost forgot to mention that he was working for the VA in Boston long before that. 

Then we have the other piece of "news" that Frontline brought attention to this in 2005, when in fact, my husband and I were fighting to have his claim approved in the 90's. But what the veterans community knew is much more intense than what civilians knew. That is because we were living with it. If you really want to watch something that predates the PBS documentary, watch an old movie. 

Here are two with the dates they were released.

THE ROBE 1953 flashbacks, mood-swings, nightmares, paranoia but also redemption and forgiveness. Oh, almost forgot, attempted suicide.

THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES 1946

You can also learn more about what happened when from the Department of Veterans Affairs

Thursday, February 1, 2018

"NYPD detective apparently killed himself"

NYPD cop shot dead at Orange County eatery was apparent suicide, police say
New York Daily News
By John Annese
January 31, 2018

An off-duty NYPD detective apparently killed himself at an Orange County restaurant over the weekend, police sources said Wednesday.
NYPD Detective Nicholas Budney, 36, died of a gunshot wound to the head at an Orange County restaurant Saturday. (HANDOUT)
Det. Nicholas Budney, 36, died Saturday of a gunshot wound to the head at Billy Joe's Ribworks, a restaurant and music venue overlooking the Hudson River in Newburgh, sources said.

A worker at the eatery found him dead on a back patio the next day, according to a News 12 report.

Budney, a 13-year NYPD veteran and Rock Tavern, Orange County resident, was assigned to Emergency Service Unit Truck 3 in the Bronx.
read more here

Miami director of The Florida Veterans Foundation Faces Charges

U.S. Marine known as Miami's veterans advocate arrested for grand theft
FDLE: Florida Veterans Foundation director stole $300K in donations
ABC 10 News
By Andrea Torres - Digital Reporter/Producer
January 31, 2018

MIAMI - A U.S. Marine who worked under former Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado was arrested Wednesday after he and a friend were accused of stealing $300,000 of donated items meant to help military veterans in need.
Antonio "Tony" Colmenares, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, served as Miami's director of veteran services under Regalado and volunteered as the Miami director of The Florida Veterans Foundation, a nonprofit that was meant to offer support to the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. 

When Colmenares organized an event to help homeless veterans, he received more than 27,000 blankets and 9,700 ready-to-eat emergency meals, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

"These donated items should have gone to help feed and warm veterans struggling to get back on their feet — instead they were sold to fatten the pockets of those charged with preying on the good intentions of others," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.

Colmenares, 57, who helped to implement a Miami-Dade courts program focusing on military veterans in need of help, and his friend Antonio Sabatier, 60, were accused of selling donated items during 2014-2015 transactions and depositing the earnings to an account that was unrelated to the nonprofit.
read more here

January: Veterans facing off with law enforcement

January: Veterans facing off with law enforcement

Colorado gunman who killed deputy left alarming online trail, officials say
CNN January 2, 2018
Matthew Riehl, a 37-year-old former Army reservist, shot four sheriff's deputies who responded to a complaint at his apartment in the Denver suburb of Highlands Ranch on Sunday morning, killing one, police say. Riehl was killed during a subsequent shootout with a police tactical team -- a clash that also left a SWAT officer injured, authorities say.
Potterville man died from self-inflicted wound after hours of negotiation
Lansing State Journal January 4, 2018
The man is a military veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, a traumatic brain injury and depression, according to police.
Man dies after officer-involved shooting in Ozark
4029 News Arkansas January 4, 2018
"I just want answers, I just want to know what really happened," said Dawn Jones who told 40/29 News she was with Ronald Elliott, Tuesday, just hours before the deadly shooting.
"I don't think for one minute that Ron ever pointed a gun at police, he couldn't have, it's not who he is," Jones said. "He's a veteran who fought for our country, he did not point a gun at the police."

Officer involved shooting report released
Payson Roundup January 16, 2018
Just minutes after two Gila County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the Beaver Valley home of Jacob Brown, the tormented military veteran suffering from the delusions, paranoia and flares of rage from post traumatic stress disorder lay dead on the ground.

Troubled vet shot, killed by Harrison deputy
Longview News January 20, 2018
Arther McAfee Jr., 61, an Army veteran with a history of mental illness, died after a welfare check at his rural home northeast of the Longview city limits turned violent.

BearCat, K9 deployed in Live Oak standoff
KSBW News January 30, 2018
The man who lives at the house on Capitola Road near 7th Avenue is a U.S. military veteran with elite combat experience. He was identified as 35-year-old Austin Clary.

Army vet shot by police at VA clinic faces charges
Seattle Times January 30, 2018
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — An Army veteran who was shot during a confrontation inside a Veterans Affairs clinic in Oregon where he went to seek help for mental problems was in jail Tuesday, charged with attempted assault, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and other crimes.
Standoff in St. Ann leaves dozens of shoppers stranded
KSDK News Reported February 1, 2018.
Wednesday, police confirmed the man responsible was an army veteran who served two tours in Iraq, therefore they believe he was experiencing some mental health issues.