Sunday, August 12, 2018

Hog Heaven for Heroes Fighting PTSD

Money Raised for Veterans Charities at Hog Heaven for Heroes
News 9 and 10
Bret Greenacre
August 11, 2018
“Well, I woke up in the middle of the night with a dream, and it just blossomed from there.”

It started as a dream, but it’s now become reality, helping to raise money for charity.

Saturday, people are going hog wild at an event to raise money for veterans organizations.

People at Saturday’s “Hog Heaven for Heroes” event at Hopewell Ranch in Weidman are being treated to everything from a roast pork dinner to live music — and even a live auction.

The money raised is going to two veterans organizations that support veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: Project Solomon and Reboot Combat Recovery.

About three years ago we pulled together a group of veterans to create an advisory board so we could expand our programming to help veterans struggling with PTSD,” said Jodi Stuber, executive director of Hopewell Ranch. “We’re really excited to have this great event here today.”
read more here

WWII veteran lived in RV until someone cared

Ed Smith, would-be loner and World War II veteran, dies at 92
Star Tribune
By Emma Nelson
AUGUST 11, 2018

Those who knew him describe a man whose life was colored by tragedy from the beginning, but punctuated until the end by moments of grace.
Smith was able to bring Puffy when he spent the night at St. Stephen’s. Later, with help from the organization and Novatney, he moved into an apartment. When Puffy died, Smith asked that the dog be cremated and the ashes tucked inside a stuffed animal that he could hold as he slept.
The RV stood in the same downtown Minneapolis parking lot, day in and day out, never moving.

Don Novatney could see it from the building where he worked and wondered if someone was living inside. He hoped not — it was deep winter and frigid cold.

Then, one Sunday, he read a newspaper story about a World War II veteran living in an unheated RV.

“I drove over there and knocked on his door and asked him if he was the person in that article,” Novatney recalled. “And he said yes.”

Shortly after, the man, Ed Smith, also caught the attention of the VA. He soon started receiving enough benefits to move out of the RV, and he lived the rest of his life in an apartment building for seniors in Minneapolis.

Smith died July 25 at age 92. Those who knew him describe a man whose life was colored by tragedy from the beginning, but punctuated until the end by moments of grace.

“He didn’t really have anybody most of his life,” Novatney said. “He just wanted somebody to know his story.”
read more here

UK Veteran Dumped After Duty Died

Why are NATO Defense leaders making our jobs impossible? After decades of endless hours working to get them to overcome the stigma of PTSD, advocates have been showing them how much hope there is in healing, veterans continue to be dumped after duty!

We tell them to ask for help in this battle the same way they asked for help to do their duties in combat. We tell them the same people who would have died for them in combat, will listen to them now.

We tell them everything they need to hear but cannot say their government will be there for them too!

Mum who found dead body of soldier son who served in Afghanistan says Army “can’t be bothered” to help men like him
The Mirror UK
Sean Rayment
August 11, 2108
Kevin Holt, a former member of the 2nd Battalion, was discovered dead by his mother Shirley – who said the Army “can’t be bothered” to help men like him
Shirley Parker Holt with the shrine to the son she buried last Friday (Image: John Gladwin/Sunday Mirror)

The regiment with the highest Afghan war casualty toll is still suffering losses as its heroes battle demons in civilian life.

The Rifles lost 55 dead and 252 wounded serving on the front line but its mentally traumatised veterans continue to die young.

A fortnight ago Kevin Holt, a former member of the 2nd Battalion who had always dreamed of being a soldier, was discovered dead at 29 by his mum Shirley – who said the Army “can’t be bothered” to help men like him.

Kevin’s death a fortnight ago, after nearly a decade of struggling with post traumatic stress disorder, remains a mystery.

But this year alone at least six men who served in the Rifles have taken their own lives, including one in the past week.

Cleaner Shirley, who found Kevin’s body in the caravan he used as his home, said he never got over what he had witnessed in Afghanistan.
Shirley insisted aftercare had been totally lacking, saying: “It was like the Army couldn’t wait to get rid of him. As soon as he was diagnosed everything stopped and he was told he was going to be discharged.

“That was it – no help, no counseling, nothing. He even had to wait four years for a pension.
read more here

Saturday, August 11, 2018

Video NFL Protestors Will Not Like You To See

They say that they are not disrespecting the flag when they take a knee during the National Anthem.

They say they are not disrespecting the troops when they use their rights, obtained and retained, by those who risk their lives for this country.

NFL players say a lot of things, but just because they say it, that does not mean it is true.

The National Anthem was written after the War of 1812, so it is about the flag and those who risked their lives.

If you are in any doubt what the flag means to those who serve this country, this is a video the NFL protestors will not want you to see!


WHEN A HORRIBLE STORM RIPPED A GUN RANGE FLAGPOLE DOWN — TWO ARMY SOLDERS WENT RUNNINGDaily CallerBenny Johnson | Reporter At LargeAugust 8, 2018


Taylor, Michigan was experiencing a pounding summer storm. Gail-force winds and rain hammered homes and businesses thought the city. A local gun range and community landmark, Top Gun Shooting Sports, was hit particularly hard. The patriotic shop saw structural damage from the storm and also lost one of their most notable features: A flagpole out front.

Security footage shows the flagpole getting bent and eventually ripped down by the winds and rain tearing down the street. Luckily, Top Gun was playing host to ‘Patriot Week’ during the storm. Top Gun owner Michael Barbour tells The Daily Caller, “We were having our Patriot week and the Army was here doing a recruiting table along with multiple other special events. Just coincidental that they were standing by the door when the storm hit.”

Security camera footage shows the solders running out into the storm mere seconds after the American flag hit the ground. The soldiers, Sgt. Jared Ferguson of the 1st Infantry Division (the “Big Red One”) and Sgt. Eric Buckhorn of the 101st Airborne Div., pick up the flag off the wet concrete immediately and bring it inside. Further footage shows the soldiers indoors, folding the fallen flag properly.read more here 

Army Recruiters Rescue Fallen Flag In Taylor, Michigan
What players keep missing is the fact, that while they claim to have the right to do as they will, while in their football uniforms, the troops do their duties in theirs.

While football players miss the fact their job is to play football, and that is what the fans paid money to see, their fans do not disrespect the players by pulling their own stunts against them. 

Free speech is not the same as being paid to do a job and then using the people who paid to be there.

They also want to dismiss the anger from fans as something tied to POTUS but it only goes to show how little they actually know about patriotism!

UPDATE
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter and Iraq War veteran Tim Kennedy said NFL players have a right to protest, but during the national anthem is "not the right time."

Vietnam veteran Marine's sword returned after 53 years!

Marines helping Marines: Wausau trio return retired colonel's sword, stolen 53 years ago
Wausau Daily Herald
Keith Uhlig
Aug. 9, 2018
"I'm still amazed, that after all this time, that it would show up. And that somebody would take the time and effort to track me down." 
Retired Marine Colonel Kenneth Russom
Retired Marine Colonel Kenneth Russom displays the sword he bought as he was finishing up Officer Candidates School in 1964. The sword disappeared while Russom shipped it to his first post at Camp Lejuene, North Carolina. Above Russom is the sword he bought later, to replace the original. (Photo: Courtesy of Kenneth Russom)
WAUSAU - Retired Marine Col. Kenneth Russom never dreamed he'd see the sword again.

It disappeared more than 53 years ago in early 1965. The sword was almost certainly stolen after he shipped it along with other gear from Quantico, Virginia, to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Russom was preparing for his first post as second lieutenant with the Eighth Marines. He bought the sword a few months earlier as he neared completion of Officers Candidate School in Quantico because it is a required part of every Marine officer's dress uniform.

Russom, now 76 and living in St. Augustine, Florida, remembers wrapping and taping the sword up and placing it in a box with uniforms and other personal effects for the move. And he remembers his thoughts when opened the box in North Carolina only to discover the sword was gone.

"First thing was, 'Oh my god, I don't have a sword'," Russom said. "Marine Corps regulations call for every officer to have a personal sword. ... I wasn't panicked, but I was concerned that there would be a uniform inspection (with a commanding officer) and I would be, 'Oh, and by the way, I don't have a sword.'"
read more here

Quadruple amputee Marine threw first pitch?

Marine vet with arm transplant throws ceremonial first pitch at NY baseball game
American Military News
Cheryl Hinneburg
August 10, 2018

On June 30, Marine veteran John Peck, who lost both legs and arms in Afghanistan, was able to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Rockland Boulders game, thanks to a double arm transplant.
Peck received the double arm transplant just two years ago after losing all of his limbs in 2010 when he stepped on an improvised explosive device, Lohud News reported.

32-year-old Peck said: “Throwing the first pitch is kind of cool for me, I’ve never done that before.”

Prior to the transplant, Peck relied upon prosthetic limbs, but he went on a waiting list to receive the transplant.

Two years ago this month, he was the second wounded veteran to receive an arm transplant.
read more here

Orlando police escorted wounded officer's son first day of school

Orlando Police, Chief Mina escort Officer Valencia's son to first day of school
WESH2 News
August 10, 2018

ORLANDO, Fla.
Two months after Orlando police officer Kevin Valencia was shot during a standoff, his coworkers, and Chief John Mina escorted his son to his first day of school.
The Orlando Police Department released a video of the group escorting Kaleb to his first day of kindergarten.

Valencia was shot during a standoff that killed four children and remains in a coma at a rehab center near Atlanta, Georgia.

If you would like to donate to Kevin Valencia's short and long term expenses while he recovers, click here.
go here for this video but have tissues ready.

Friday, August 10, 2018

Veteran died after SWAT standoff,,and 1 day in VA Hospital?

Exclusive: Hollywood Man Killed In Standoff With Police Suffered From PTSD
CBS Miami
August 9, 2018
Hudson said he was taken to Memorial Hospital in Hollywood then transferred to the VA in West Palm Beach. “On the day that, that happened, he was only in there for a day and they released him. So now, I have to find out why did you guys release him and then six hours later he’s dead.”

HOLLYWOOD (CBS4MIAMI —- The man shot and killed during a police standoff early Wednesday morning suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), his girlfriend said.
Andrea Hudson said she and her boyfriend Leu Freycinet, 52, a decorated military veteran, bought their home in Hollywood back in March.

She told CBS4 in an exclusive interview, that they were planning on getting married in Dubai in three months.

However, over the last few months, things took an unexpected turn. Hudson said Freycinet started having flashbacks from his time as a U.S. Marine.

She said, “He was just saying stuff like ‘the world is coming to an end… you guys don’t see what I see.’”

“He’s just gone,” she continued. He didn’t want to be called Leu anymore, he wanted to be called Jello.”

For Hudson, Freycinet’s constant and so-called fits took a toll on their relationship. She said he was taking a dozen pills, four times a day for depression and was seeing a therapist.
read more here

Florida veteran leaves woodland for friends

Howard Altman: Homeless veteran finally agrees to leave the woods behind
Tampa Bay Times
Howard Altman
August 9, 2018
"You know the answer to that," he said, laughing again. "Out in the woods I have the animals — the hawks, squirrels, rabbits and coyotes. Here, I just have my two friends sitting here."
Two people who work with the homeless, Hillsborough sheriff's Deputy Luke Hussey, left, and Thomas Brown, right, finally persuaded veteran Randy Strieby to trade his life in the woods for a hotel room and soon, for an apartment. [Courtesy of Thomas Brown]

Thomas "T-Man" Brown called me up Wednesday afternoon with news that came as a welcome surprise.

A former Army staff sergeant who works with Tampa Crossroads helping homeless veterans, Brown was exuberant.

"Randy the roofer is finally coming out of the woods!"

The last time I saw Randy Strieby, 67, was nearly two years ago. I was traveling with Brown on a mission to Ruskin to find this veteran, who had been living in the woods.

A small, wiry man wearing a dirty green shirt and sweat pants emerged from behind a clump of trees.
read more here

CombatPTSD Wounded Times 11 Years Old

Eleven years ago today, a Marine serving in Iraq, decided to reach out to me on my old site. He wrote that while he liked what I was doing on PTSD, he did not want to have to get through my political BS.

The fact that I had fallen into the same trap I always complained about, did not dawn on me. I got defensive and my temper came out in full force.

I replied with a nasty email explaining to him how many hours I spent doing this work and then proceeded to "teach" him a lesson, basically suggesting that if he did not like what I wrote, he should go elsewhere.

Ya, I know, you're shaking your head right now. 

Well, the Marine had enough class to see right through what I wrote. He emailed one simple question. "Are you doing this for us or yourself?"

When I stopped crying enough to be able to see the computer screen again, I emailed him back a promise that I would start another site. I would never get involved in political crap again. I promised that he would only read about a politician doing something to them they needed to be held accountable for, or did something for them, they should be praised for.

I kept my word and it has not been easy at all but the Marine taught me a lesson. I finally understood that I did not know who I was hurting by what I wrote. Much like most of my friends to not know the are hurting me with what they post on Facebook. 

This site is for a purpose and that is about putting veterans on top for a change.


It is not about making money, since I lost over $3,000 last year. It isn't about fame, since I get introduced as "the most famous person you never heard of" most of the time. It isn't about what people just post, but taken from local level news sites across the country and in several other NATO countries. None of us got any of this right, so it is good to see what is happening to veterans all over, plus a lot of my readers are overseas.


There are 29,345 posts on this site and as of right now, 3,846,912 page views.

All this goes to show is that veterans do matter to a lot of people and they do in fact want the truth!

And to my loyal readers...thank you for sharing this because your word is all I have to get this work shared! I am blessed that you found me~