Another To Add To ePluribus Timeline

I received the following in one of my e-boxes:

Sammantha Arlene Owen Ewing, 1986 – 2007

IVAW mourns the loss of member Sammantha Owen-Ewing

Dear IVAW Supporter,
Sammantha Owen-Ewing and Scott Ewing

I regret to bring you the sad news of the death of one of our IVAW members, Sammantha Owen-Ewing.



Last Monday, November 26, Sammantha Owen-Ewing, one of IVAW's newest members, the wife of my friend Scott, and a former Army medic like me, committed suicide in her Rhode Island home. Sammantha was only 20 years old, and in that short time had been an Army medic training to become a nurse while stationed at Walter Reed, then became a patient herself in Walter Reed's mental health ward. In June, she married Scott Ewing, also an IVAW member, and was discharged from the Army. Despite an uphill battle to receive care from the VA, things seemed to be looking up; she was getting settled into life in Rhode Island, planned to continue her medical career, and was becoming active in Iraq Veterans Against the War. Although most of us were never fortunate enough to know Sammantha, she was one of us and we mourn her passing.


Sammantha at the IVAW Northeast retreat

It is impossible to sum up the life of a person, their personality and how much they meant to the people who loved them, in a few short lines. In her obituary, Sammantha was described as "sweet, thoughtful, and loving. She brought joy to the lives of those around her." I'm sorry I will never meet Sammantha and my deepest condolences go out to her family. I know that many IVAW members have suffered through depression, PTSD, and other forms of internal anguish, and many of us still deal with these things on a daily basis.

IVAW has set up a memorial fund on behalf of Sammantha Owen-Ewing to help her family offset her funeral costs. We will be accepting donations through the end of December, if you'd like to make a donation, go to Memorial Fund.

Suicide is a very real threat, especially for veterans. A recent CBS news investigation found that in 2005, veterans were twice as likely to commit suicide as non-vets, with 120 veteran suicides each week. Those of us who are between the ages of 20-24 have the highest rate of suicides, between 2 – 4 times higher than our civilian peers. For many veterans, the fighting doesn't end once we return from a war zone or get discharged from the military. If you are a veteran, or have a loved one who is, please be aware of the following resources that can offer help to those suffering from PTSD, depression, and other forms of mental suffering.

The Wounded Warrior Call-Center 1-877-487-6299 – This is a hotline for injured, wounded, or ill former and current Marines, Sailors and their family members. They offer information, resources, and advocacy for men and women suffering from either physical or psychological wounds.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) – By calling and pressing "1" you will be connected with round-the-clock access to mental health professionals who focus solely on helping veterans.

SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) – This non-profit's mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma, and serve as a resource for those touched by suicide.

Vets 4 Vets, (520) 319-5500, – Vets 4 Vets is a peer support group for recent veterans. In weekend workshops and local groups, veterans talk and listen to each other to help heal from negative wartime and military experiences. Contact them to find out about upcoming workshops.

National Veterans Foundation, 1-888-777-4443, – This non-profit, non-governmental organization gives assistance, information and resources to veterans from all military branches.

Peace,
Kelly Dougherty
Former Sergeant, Army National Guard
Executive Director
Iraq Veterans Against the War

P.S. Cards may be sent to Scott Ewing c/o IVAW:
IVAW
PO Box 8296
Philadelphia, PA 19101

ePluribus Media Timelines

My YouTube Account Yanked!!!

Only a couple of hours after posting this:

"Surge Success" = Purge-Ethnic Cleansing

Click To Play

Some may have caught this 6omin report, on Sunday 2 Dec 2007, than maybe not:

Vicar: Dire Times For Iraq's Christians

Tells 60 Minutes Most Of Iraq's Christians Have Fled Or Been Killed

More on the Iraq Refugee problem Created by Our War Of Choice:

NPR: More Iraqi Refugees Returning from Syria

NPR: Iraq Struggles to Cope with Returning Refugees

Angelina Jolie visits Iraq and Iraqi refugees

28 August 2007

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador witnesses humanitarian crisis DAMASCUS -- UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie has visited Iraq and Syria to see first-hand the plight of hundreds of thousands of families uprooted by the ongoing conflict in Iraq.

Angelina Jolie highlights humanitarian crisis during Syria and Iraq visits

DAMASCUS, Syria, August 28 (UNHCR) -- UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie has visited Iraq and Syria to see first-hand the plight of hundreds of thousands of families uprooted by the conflict in Iraq.

More can be found on the plight of the Iraqi refugees at the UNHCR Website

Google 'Iraq Refugees' to get the latest on some of their returning to Iraq, mostly because they are running out of money!

So any Video's of mine, hosted by YouTube won't play. I'm in the process of getting the ones I had on other Video Hosting Sites transfered to the posts here, as I get the time.

Get This Televised!

I'm gonna use ilona's graphic as a point, and well she's a part of this, a big part.


Shout It Out

On December 12, 2007, there's a hearing on Stopping Suicide and Ending Homelessness: Mental Health Challenges Within the Department of Veterans Affairs by the House Veterans' Affairs Committee,

Ilona Meagher, of PTSD Combat: Winning the War Within is scheduled to be one of the ones to testify at this Congressional hearing, as many already know.

cho, at ePluribus Journal has a brief informational post on the Hearing, the when, the about, the press release, and more.

I've visited some of the information links and don't see anything about wether C-Span will be televising this House Hearing.

It Should Be, so as many as possible, will have the ability to hear the opening remarks, the questions asked, and how serious are this Representatives as to the after effects of Combat Tours in our Wars of Choice!

Discussions About and Debates On these issues are long overdue, way to long overdue!

I sent an E to Carissa, of Military Spouses for Change suggesting that their group contact C-Span and request that this Hearing be Televised. I've also sent out some E's to my fellow Veterans on same. Than thought why not request others to join in to Call For This Hearing To Be Seen as well as heard!

Contact information for C-Span Can Be Found Here

Please see what you can do about getting this On The Air on the 12th of this month.

Veterans Issues can No Longer be pushed into the Dark Corners of this Societies Ideology, this Isn't Politics, this Is about how You Serve Those Who Serve For You!!

As well as for their Families!!

On a related Forum:

Public Forum On Mental Health Care At Ft Drum

Open Mike For Ft Drum Soldiers And Their Family Members:

Different Drummer Internet Café

Where: Watertown, New York
When: Thursday, December 6, 2007, 6:30 PM
At: 1 Public Square, 12 Paddock Arcade

From: in issue Volume: 5L Issue: 2Citizen Soldier Passed on in G.I.Special
Titled: Some Truth From Tikrit, found at site in Word or PDF form

Subject: Town Forum on PTSD at Different Drummer

Join Us for a Public Speak Out! Hear these speakers!
Dean Anthony, MSW and Trauma Therapist
Joe Gregory, Mexico, N Y, father of an Iraq combat vet who was killed after returning home because the VA failed to treat his PTSD.
Marty Webster, VVAW Natl. Coordinator, and a Vietnam vet who still suffers from PTSD.
Tod Ensign, attorney for Sgt Brad Gaskins, arrested by Ft Drum police as he sought to return to Ft Drum for mental health care. A two tour Iraq combat vet, Gaskins went AWOL when he was refused treatment for his PTSD.

The VA’s Vet Center at Ft Drum has been invited to send a speaker

The VA disclosed in October that mental illness has now become the second largest health problem for veterans in its hospitals and clinics. Currently, 100,000 Iraq and Afghan are receiving VA treatment and/or disability for mental illness with 50,000 of these vets having been diagnosed with PTSD.
After a detailed analysis of death records from 45 states, CBS TV News concluded in November that at least 120 veterans commit suicide each week in this country.

I have found out that Video's will be taken of this Forum and hopefully I'll be able to pass them on. I've also requested some Transcripts, in PDF, or links to posted, so as to be able to pass them on to Ilona to add to what she might be requesting be placed in the Congressional Record. There's a very short time span from the 6th to the 12th to possibly get this done, but fingers are crossed, because I believe what will come out at the Drum Forum will be as important as the Congressional Hearing and should be Placed in the Congressional Record!

I also, once again, pass on that anyone in the Watertown or Syracuse area, if possible, attend this Forum and Report on what was learned.

Help Amass PTSD Data for Congressional Record

by ilona
Mon Dec 03, 2007

Ilona's DKOS Diary

This is an important call to everyone

I need your help -- everyone's.

For those who've been around for the past 2+ years, you've been right there with me as I started advocating for our returning troops and military families coping with reintegration problems and PTSD. We've done an enormous amount of work, and now we're taking it to the next level.

I've been asked to testify on December 12, 2007, before Congress at a hearing on Stopping Suicide and Ending Homelessness: Mental Health Challenges Within the Department of Veterans Affairs by the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. My work on the ePluribus Media PTSD Timeline is partly the reason for the invite, a project that sprung from a September 2005 Daily Kos diary of mine.

Since being asked to write Moving a Nation to Care by my publisher, I've been sidetracked from adding new incidents I've continued to collect; this info is now needed more than ever as I'd like to add it to the Congressional Record with my testimony but don't have time to complete it alone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can read the rest Here: Ilona's DKOS Diary

As well as gather a list of Incidents Ilona has listed in the Comment Sections. If you Google "PTSD" or "TBI" - "Traumatic Brain Injuries" you will get a number of already known cases and suspected cases not yet resolved.

You can visit the ePluribus Timeline Here

More Later If Needed!

James Starowicz
VFP Chapter 150

Public Forum On Mental Health Care At Ft Drum and More

But first abit of the more, thanks to Ilona for posting at her site, I hadn't been over to Fiores site in awhile and would have missed this Biting and Truthful Editorial Flash Cartoon, must see. Ilona Critiques the Cartoon as well.

Mark Fiore is an editorial cartoonist and animator whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Examiner, and dozens of other publications. He is an active member of the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists, and has a web site featuring his work.

Here it is:
The Surge at Home

Click To Play

Or give some traffic to Mark at his site and also view more of his great work, if you haven't recently.

You can also view at MOJO-Mother Jones

Now to the Military Mental Health Forum:

Open Mike For Ft Drum Soldiers And Their Family Members:

Different Drummer Internet Café

Where: Watertown, New York
When: Thursday, December 6, 2007, 6:30 PM
At: 1 Public Square, 12 Paddock Arcade

From: in issue Volume: 5L Issue: 2Citizen Soldier Passed on in G.I.Special
Titled: Some Truth From Tikrit, found at site in Word or PDF form

Subject: Town Forum on PTSD at Different Drummer

Join Us for a Public Speak Out! Hear these speakers!
Dean Anthony, MSW and Trauma Therapist
Joe Gregory, Mexico, N Y, father of an Iraq combat vet who was killed after returning home because the VA failed to treat his PTSD.
Marty Webster, VVAW Natl. Coordinator, and a Vietnam vet who still suffers from PTSD.
Tod Ensign, attorney for Sgt Brad Gaskins, arrested by Ft Drum police as he sought to return to Ft Drum for mental health care. A two tour Iraq combat vet, Gaskins went AWOL when he was refused treatment for his PTSD.

The VA’s Vet Center at Ft Drum has been invited to send a speaker

The VA disclosed in October that mental illness has now become the second largest health problem for veterans in its hospitals and clinics. Currently, 100,000 Iraq and Afghan are receiving VA treatment and/or disability for mental illness with 50,000 of these vets having been diagnosed with PTSD.
After a detailed analysis of death records from 45 states, CBS TV News concluded in November that at least 120 veterans commit suicide each week in this country.

Abit about G.I. Special-Military Project
Thomas Barton, a Vietnam Vet, created the Newsletter at the start of the Iraq War, it's a continuation, not practised in recent history, associated with the countercultural movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s The Underground Press.

Some of the most powerful were those created by G.I.'s, for G.I.'s!

The GI anti-war press was everywhere. Just about every base in the world had an underground paper. Vietnam GI was the first GI paper. It was sent directly to Vietnam from the U.S. in press runs of 5,000 and they were getting spread all over the place because they’d be handed from person to person. Awareness of the GI Movement was at different levels but it was still very widespread.

This is also where the idea of the Different Drummer Internet Café came into being, supported by Thomas and others from G.I. Special-Military Project and the Traveling Soldier.

In Killen Texas, outside of the gates of Fort Hood, you would have found one of the first and most famous G.I. Coffehouses, the Oleo Strut which put out the First Underground G.I. Newspaper the Vietnam GI

You also can find more about the G.I. Movement, during Vietnam, at the Sir! No Sir! website at the G.I. Movement Archives

Back than we did it all the old fashion way, mind, hand and feet, using the good ole fashion means of communication, took time but a Powerful Movement was created and Much was Accomplished!

Today we can get Good things accomplished rather quickly, like this request for help by Military Spouses for Change and getting many involved in this G.I.'s, and his family situation, especially at this time of year. I was really glad I was a small part of getting the call out and the almost instant reversal by the military brass!

The following video is another primer video leading up to the ABC Investigative Report that aired on 20/20 on friday night November 30th 2007.



'Coming Home: Soldiers and Drugs' I have posted Here and some other site boards, but it can also be found at the ABC link above and below, the reports, the photo's and the video's.


Military Overmedicating Troops, Counselors Charge
Counselors and Therapists Charge the Military Tries to Medicate Its Veterans' Pain Away

Instead of providing proper counseling and care for Iraq war veterans suffering from physical and psychological pain, too often the U.S. military is trying to medicate the problem away, according to drug counselors and therapists.

NPR's Morning Edition had a few reports up this past week on the Military personal and Iraq. You can read about them and listen to each at the links.

On wednesday they had two reports on Army Captains. One was a report of Military Army Captains critiqueing the Iraq war

The second was about the Military's struggle to keep Army Captains

On friday they had a real touching interview with a Colonel, by just listening you could tell that this Military Leader Really Cares about his Troops, unlike the feelings I get listening to some of the more infamous that grace our airwaves!

As he states in the interview "My family of 4 became a family of 4004"

There isn't a big writeup at the link, but you won't be sorry if you visit and click on Listen!

Maybe it's me, but I Really got the feeling, though being a 'Good Soldier and Military Leader' this Commander didn't Appreciate being Used nor Especially his Soldiers being Used!

Let the player continue and you will hear a Soldier reflect on the personal toll of Iraq.