A Vet's Message To The GOP on Veterans Day --

Shove It

Which is why I get so disgusted whenever I see all the faux military-loving Republicans turning up on Veterans Day with their flowery pronouncements of how much we Vets mean to them when they prove at every turn that they really don’t give a damn about the troops, Veterans or military families.

Of course, Exhibit A is Iraq and the Republican party's steadfast refusal to ever allow our troops to come permanently home to their families and their continued desire to keep them bogged down in a war for nothing. But I mention the G.I. Bill specifically because of the following samples of Republican hypocrisy we see every Veterans Day:

“On Veterans Day – and every day – we thank the men and women who have fought to keep us safe and free.” - Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN)

"We must remember the great debt that we owe veterans and members of the armed services who fight to maintain our freedom around the world. Throughout history, our soldiers have risked their lives to defend our freedom, and we must not forget their sacrifices." - Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ)

“Veterans Day is our opportunity to honor America’s veterans who have courageously served our country. These brave men and women have fought to keep our nation free and secure, and we thank them and their families for their service and sacrifice on our behalf.” - Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)

"So this day, perhaps more than any other day, is a time to honor them. We owe them our respect and profound gratitude." - Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

What's the common denominator in this crew? They all were among 22 Republicans who voted against the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, authored by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) -- a highly-decorated Vietnam Veteran -- and passed with 75 votes on May 22nd of this year.

SNIP

Re-Building Plan for the Religious Wingnutery and Repug Party??

I may be jumping to a wrong conclusion here but this looks mighty suspicious and sounds rather wingnutery.

Could there be a Nationwide Call Out, is this a challenge to the Dems and Indies to get it on as well, or have they finally figured out what Sex really is {not bj's or hand signals in public johns} and with whom and want to celebrate their new found intelligence.

The commentary, leading me to think the christian right thus repug, is written by John Kelso in the Austin Statesman, and as he writes

it's a great big church with about 20,000 members over five campuses

Anyone who knows of this Mega Church, Fellowship Church in the Dallas suburb of Grapevine, can set me straight.

Here's what he's doin this coming Sunday:

Pastor to ask flock to make whoopie, and lots of it

The Rev. Ed Young of the Fellowship Church in the Dallas suburb of Grapevine says he'll challenge the married members of his flock to have sex seven days in a row . He plans to deliver this message in his Sunday sermon, while sitting on a bed. The start-up date for this suggested activity is Sunday. So not only are they not resting on the seventh day at Fellowship Church, it's 'Gentlemen, start your engines' on the seventh day. Or, as they say, 'On your mark, get set, go.'

There does seem to be a couple of problems with this Rev. call as John writes, the Cowboys are playing the Redskins on Sunday night, and Sunday is the Day Of Rest for True Christians, reason we have Sunday Football and NASCAR.

But as is written:

Here's how Father Kelso sees it. If these guys in the church get lucky seven days in a row, then they truly are blessed.

Wonder how and where the wives come into the good revs. thinking.

John poses a good question as to the Sunday Mass:

Here's something to ponder: I wonder if they'll be handing out the blue pills instead of those skinny wafers during Communion?

On an upbeat note:

The thing I really like about this proposal is that it puts Texas in a jolly light for a change. Usually all you hear about us Texans lately is downer stuff. You know, stuff like how State Education Board Member Cynthia Dunbar , who said Obama is sympathetic with terrorists plotting to attack the U.S., is a couple slices short of a full pie. And George W. Bush comes here occasionally to clear brush.

But he could use some help in finding scripture as he explains:

I'm not sure this follows any widely accepted religious doctrine, though. If there's anywhere in the Good Book where it says people are supposed to go hanky-panky seven days running, let me know what page that shows up on so I can mark it for future reference. This is important guy information. I can hear guys all over town saying, "See? It says so right here." As I run my mind through the Ten Commandments, I can't think of one that says Thou Shalt Get After It for Seven Days Running.

So if anyone knows of where it could be found, in one of the many re-writings of the bible or heard your pastor tell ya it's there, visit the site and let John know.

Also as the Stock Market tanks or runs it's roller coaster rides, up and down, you might want to grab a big chunk of Drug Stocks, any company producing Viagra or similar Enhancement Drugs or maybe even click on one of those Spam E's about growth drugs for your little buddie down below and find out what company makes those, not to worry about working or not suckers are born every minute and this could produce even more.

What say Dems and Indies, can you go reight or more days, but for those Christians, Jews, Muslims, take your days of rest as per teachings, would only be the right way.

Military Families to VA:

Stop Denying That Military Suicides Are Casualties of War

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- November 12, 2008

CONTACT: Sean Donahue, Communications Director -- 617-983-0710 (w), 978-809-8054 (c), press@mfso.org

MILITARY FAMILIES TO VA:

STOP DENYING THAT MILITARY SUICIDES

ARE CASUALTIES OF WAR!

Nationwide -- Members of Military Families Speak Out are condemning comments by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs suggesting that the dramatic increase in the suicide rate among young veterans is not connected to the war in Iraq. The suicide rate among male veterans under the age of 29 is now twice that of the general population.

In an interview aired Monday November 10th on PBS's NewsHour, Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake said that Veterans' suicides are the result of:

"the same kinds of issues that have to do with suicide in the general population. It is issues of failed relationships, senses of hopelessness, transitions in life, that are at the root cause . . . we're not making a direct correlation with combat."

Specialist Scott Eiswert committed suicide in May after being told by a friend that his unit of the Tennessee National Guard would be returning to Iraq. His widow, Tracy Eiswert, a member of Military Families Speak Out, expressed outrage at Secretary Peake's comments:

"I am not a statistic. We are a military family. We are real people with real experiences as a result of my husband's PTSD and his suicide. He wasn't that way before he went to Iraq, he came back changed."

After returning from a tour of duty in Iraq, Spc. Eiswert had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by civilian doctors, but the Veterans Administration denied that his condition was the result of his experiences in Iraq. The Veterans Administration reversed that ruling in August. Tracy Eiswert said:

"It took him having to put a gun in his mouth for the military to admit that the changes in my husband were a result of the war. If they had admitted that earlier he might still be alive."

Kevin and Joyce Lucey are members of Military Families Speak Out and the parents of Corporal Jeffrey Lucey, a Marine Corps Reservist who suffered severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of his service in Iraq in 2003. Shortly after being turned away from a Veterans Administration hospital, Corporal Lucey killed himself on June 22, 2004. Kevin Lucey said:

"Secretary Peake's words are the kind of self serving comments that this nation does not need to hear from the Veterans Administration and its leadership. This is why many regard this VA administration to be steeped in disgrace and dishonor when it comes to our loved ones. They feel that they need to explain away, rationalize, justify or minimize - instead of committing their resources, time and efforts to create the best healthcare system on God's earth."

Joyce Lucey also had strong words for Secretary Peake:

"This is dishonorable, disgraceful and shameful behavior from someone who is charged with giving the best of care to our warriors. With this type of message and thinking, Is it any wonder that many of our troops and veterans don't seek help from those who are so callous and uncaring?"

Specialist Joe Hafley, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War and Military Families Speak Out who has had to fight to get treatment for his own Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, agreed. Hafley served in Iraq with the U.S. Army Reserves from 2004-2005, and his brother, a Major with the U.S. Army Reserves is scheduled to deploy to Iraq early next year.

When Hafley returned from Iraq, the Veterans Administration diagnosed him with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and severe depression -- but ruled that none of those conditions were the result of his service in Iraq. He said:

"My treatment at the VA was belittling and frustrating. To have them diagnose me with PTSD and not attribute it to my service in Iraq is a slap in the face. To have them tell me the problems could be the result of failed relationships rather than the result of my experiences in combat makes me feel that as a veteran I have no place at the VA.

"The thing that is most baffling to me is this 800 pound gorilla in the room not being addressed. Why are we feeling hopeless? Why do we have failed relationships? The common denominator is we all served in Iraq. Maybe my feeling of hopelessness is that I served my country with honor and I am still trying to figure out for what reason? For what just cause?

"Secretary Peake, it doesn't matter how many additional mental health workers you hire if you as the person at the top still feel we are just losers that failed to adjust or that we entered our military service unfit. No amount of false support will help us."

Hundreds Of Thousands Still Litter The Worlds Battlefields, Man Created!!

Cluster Bomb 'Soon To Be Thing of The Past'

{There are two video's about cluster bombs at the site page, visit and view!!}

On 3 December, more than 100 countries, including the UK, will sign a treaty banning cluster bombs.

As a result Britain, by law, will have to destroy more than 30 million explosives.

The UK does not have the facilities, so they are being exported to Germany for disposal.

Agent Orange Victims

Share Tales of Chemical's Poisonous Legacy

At age 19, Dan Wilson packed his bags and left St. Louis for the U.S. Army, and life as a soldier in Vietnam. It was a decision that would change his life.

Vietnam is a land known for jungles, but during his last eight months there, Wilson lived where there was nothing green at all.

"There was no grass," he said. "There were several thousand acres of dust when it didn't rain and mud when it did."

Neither he nor his fellow soldiers knew they were living, eating and drinking in a toxic wasteland.

DeJa-Vu 'Agent Orange' of Iraq

The New Gulf War Syndrome

US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are being exposed to toxic chemicals that pose serious health risks

Add the possible Depleted Uranium Poisoning to this mix, And...................??

Unfortunately, the dangers of modern war extend far beyond weapons. As Iraqis know only too well, areas of Iraq today are among the most polluted on the planet – so toxic that merely to live, eat and sleep (never mind to fight) in these zones is to risk death. Thousands of soldiers coming home from the war may have been exposed to chemicals that are known to cause cancers and neurological problems.

What's most tragic is that the veterans themselves do not always realize that they are in danger from chemical poisoning. Right now, there is no clear way for Iraq war veterans to find out what they've been exposed to and where to get help.

The Iraqi's, especially the kids, will be left with this toxic legacy to grow up in, add that to the great possibility of some of those kids seeking payback in a few years, and guess what!!!!

In Their Boots: Veterans Day 11-11-08 Special

Veteran's Day Special Chapter 1



Veteran's Day Special Chapter 2



Veteran's Day Special Chapter 3



Related Organizations:
**Boots to Books
**Disabled American Veterans
**The Independence Fund
**Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
**National Military Family Association
**National Veteran's Foundation
**National Veterans Legal Services Program
**Paralyzed Veterans of America
**Remembering the Brave
**The Retired Enlisted Association
**Road 2 Recovery
**Soldiers' Angels
**TIDES Center / California Department of Veterans Affairs
**Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation
The Above And More

With New Episodes Every Week At 7PM EST On Wednesdays, Visit The 'In Their Boots' Site

Tammy and Barack: Veterans Day 2008

Obama marks Veterans Day with wreath-laying
After brief appearance, president-elect to huddle on transition with aides

President-elect Barack Obama and Iraqi war veteran and Illinois State Director of Veterans Affairs, Tammy Duckworth, place a wreath at The Bronze Soldiers Memorial in honor of Veteran's Day on the Lakefront in Chicago, Illinois.

Memorials

Today, as many know or should know, is Veterans Day, or actually many who observe call it what it was intended to be called, Armistice Day.


On this day in a U.S. occupation of anothers country, that seems so long ago but isn't, and which I served '70-'71, the following happened:


November 11, 1972

The U.S. Army turned over its massive military base at Long Binh to the South Vietnamese army, symbolizing the end of direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. The last American forces, however, did not leave until 1975.

**********

April 29 - Corporal Charles McMahon, Jr., and Lance Corporal Darwin Judge, USMC, are the last US military personnel killed in Vietnam. They are struck during a rocket attack at the US Embassy in Saigon, during the final North Vietnamese attack on the government.

April 30 - At 7:53 a.m., 11 US Marines (the last of 865 Marines assigned to guard the US Embassy) carrying the American flag, are airlifted from the US Embassy rooftop helipad. Three hours later the Vietnam war finally ends when North Vietnamese tanks break into the Presidential Palace.

There will be much written and said about Armistice Day, than again there will probably be even more not said nor written by many who really don't observe, even as to their family members long gone, wether killed in conflicts or served in but passed away years later.


The purpose of this is to point to another observance, actually two, one a dedication 15 year anniversary of one memorial, The Vietnam Women’s Memorial. Another a dedication anniversary two days later some 27 years past of 'The Wall', the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, both in Washington DC, this countries capital.


On November 13, 1982 The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. Carved into black granite are the 58,260 names of those Americans who died in Vietnam. The designer, Maya Ying Lin of Athens, Ohio, a 21-year-old architecture student at Yale University, was the winner of the competition that drew 1,421 design entries: ". . . this memorial is for those who have died, and for us to remember them." Eventually, the Memorial included three elements, the Wall of names, the Three Servicemen Statue and Flagpole, and the Vietnam Women's Memorial.{ From: This Week In Peace History as will be some of the following links. }


Read more about the memorial:

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, USA, "The Wall" now has carved into it the names of the 58,260 American military personnel (eight were women) who were direct casualties of the war, including about 1300 who are still considered Missing In Action (MIA).

When The Wall was built, there were 57,159 names. A few names have been added each year: those where lost records of wartime death were found later or those names of men who died after the war from physical injuries as a result of the war. Each of the branches of the Department of Defense made and continues to make the determinations of eligibility.

The Women’s Memorial

Each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the stories of the women cast in bronze come to life as veterans and other American patriots share their experiences “in their own voices.”

Through verse, prose and music, a tapestry of stories is woven by women who served in support of the Armed Forces: nurses, administrators, air traffic controllers, journalists, women who entertained troops as members of the USO and Red Cross, women who served in a variety of occupations around the world. Men who knew their sisters in war and have partnered with them to ensure healing and peace also share their stories in a compelling and educational way.

15th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Memorial, Veterans Day Nov 8-11, 2008, Various locations, Washington DC VWMF

Stunning photo gallery of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial including interactive panoramic images


And the young architect Maya Lin, who won the call for the design that is one of the most moving, emotionally, memorials ever constructed.


Charlie Rose interview with Maya Lin and filmmaker Freida Lee Mock, who made the Academy-Award-winning documentary, "Maya Lin - A Strong Clear Vision"


Charlie Rose 12/26/1995: Maya Lin & Freida Lee Mock



And what War and Occupation can do to many who survive:


MoJo: The Pentagon's PTSD Denial


How killing scars soldiers—and their loved ones.

In the spring of 2002, an Army major named Peter Kilner submitted an unusual essay to Military Review, a journal published by the Combined Arms Center in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Kilner argued that combat leaders have an obligation to justify the killing their soldiers do. "Soldiers who kill reflexively in combat will likely one day reconsider their actions reflectively," he wrote. "If they are unable to justify to themselves that they killed another human being, they will likely, and understandably, suffer enormous guilt" that could balloon into post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd). Top brass who ignored the issue, he concluded, were "treating their soldiers as commodities, not as persons."

After Two Iraq War Deployments


Army Major General Steps Forward, Breaks Culture of Silence on Mental Health

Blackledge got psychiatric counseling to deal with wartime trauma, and now he is defying the military's culture of silence on the subject of mental health problems and treatment.

"It's part of our profession ... nobody wants to admit that they've got a weakness in this area," Blackledge said of mental health problems among troops returning from America's two wars.

Facing The Wall: A Mission

Witness This Engaging Account About One Woman's Struggling in Taking Care of Her Vietnam War Veteran Husband Suffering From Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

FACING THE WALL: A MISSION symbolizes the everlasting pains of war as well as our search for peace. It pays special attention to PTSD and its effects on the whole family.

Growing Problem For Veterans: Domestic Violence

"The increasing number of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) raises the risk of domestic violence and its consequences on families and children in communities across the United States," says Monica Matthieu, Ph.D., an expert on veteran mental health and an assistant professor of social work at Washington University in St. Louis.

David Connolly in "Voices in Wartime"

Boston poet and Vietnam veteran, David Connolly, reads his poetry and talks about the death of friends, combat trauma, nightmares and memories, and how the experience of war changes people forever.

Military, VA Confront Rising Suicide Rates Among Troops

November 10, 2008
MP3: The Army says that suicides among active duty personnel have doubled in recent years, and multiple deployments might contribute to that increase. NewsHour correspondent Betty Ann Bowser explores how the Army and Department of Veterans Affairs are responding to the rising suicide rate.

You Can Listen To Report in mp3 with the link.

Extended Interviews {Video} : Army psychiatrist Col. Elspeth Ritchie, veterans advocate Paul Sullivan and VA Secretary James Peake. {after each interview hit the 'next' arrow to continue to next interview}{The discussion with Paul Sullivan is a Must Watch as he lays out the Legacy that will Be Remembered as to the Administration and the Appointee's of}

Forum: Ask questions of Ritchie, Sullivan and VA representatives. {Check back on Friday, Nov. 14 for answers to your questions.}

The Army says that suicides among its active duty personnel have doubled in recent years, and multiple deployments may be contributing to the increase. A veterans' advocate, an Army psychiatrist and representatives of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs take your questions.

And from 'Nam brother BOHICA's Dialy KOS Post last year this snippet:

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, it became "All quiet on the western front." An armistice signed at six o’clock that morning took effect and brought a cease-fire to the "War to end all wars." Since that fateful hour, most nations, which fought in that conflict, observe Armistice Day. The United States in 1938 made it official with a proclamation that states in part: "...it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and...inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."

And what the day really is:

Armistice Day:

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
...Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations...

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - - a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day."

'World Peace', wonderful concept that has been totally destroyed as the Hatreds Level have been greatly increased these last 8yrs. with the destruction and occupations under a banner of 'Terrorism' as we waged it against those we condemned for doing same!


What will the Memorial for the 'War on Terrorism', conflicts and occupations being fought under that misnomer in Afghanistan and Iraq, look like and give back to those who fought in these theaters, and their families, and their memories, memories of multiple tours in one or both.


To the rest it will be just another memorial.

MoJo: The Pentagon's PTSD Denial

How killing scars soldiers—and their loved ones.

In the spring of 2002, an Army major named Peter Kilner submitted an unusual essay to Military Review, a journal published by the Combined Arms Center in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Kilner argued that combat leaders have an obligation to justify the killing their soldiers do. "Soldiers who kill reflexively in combat will likely one day reconsider their actions reflectively," he wrote. "If they are unable to justify to themselves that they killed another human being, they will likely, and understandably, suffer enormous guilt" that could balloon into post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd). Top brass who ignored the issue, he concluded, were "treating their soldiers as commodities, not as persons."

SNIP: Read Rest Here

Countries Responsibility - Veterans Care

Facing The Wall: A Mission

Witness This Engaging Account About One Woman's Struggling in Taking Care of Her Vietnam War Veteran Husband Suffering From Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

FACING THE WALL: A MISSION symbolizes the everlasting pains of war as well as our search for peace. It pays special attention to PTSD and its effects on the whole family.

Growing Problem For Veterans: Domestic Violence

"The increasing number of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) raises the risk of domestic violence and its consequences on families and children in communities across the United States," says Monica Matthieu, Ph.D., an expert on veteran mental health and an assistant professor of social work at Washington University in St. Louis.

Veterans oppose change in health care

They protest VA hospital contracting out surgical, emergency, ICU services

He held a sign that read: "Dole Out Burr Next." Other signs read: "Save our hospital," "Save our ICU," and "Be loud save our care."

An unspoken illness among veterans

On this Veterans Day, whether we are a veteran, family member, friend, co-worker or simply a concerned citizen, we all need to make sure we continue to fight the stigma attached to seeking mental health treatment. We need to do go the extra yard to ensure that veterans who may be suffering from mental illnesses receive the help they need.

After Two Iraq War Deployments

Army Major General Steps Forward, Breaks Culture of Silence on Mental Health

Blackledge got psychiatric counseling to deal with wartime trauma, and now he is defying the military's culture of silence on the subject of mental health problems and treatment.

"It's part of our profession ... nobody wants to admit that they've got a weakness in this area," Blackledge said of mental health problems among troops returning from America's two wars.

Challenges remain for many veterans
People can do more for those who served, VFW commander says

“Somewhere as veterans, these people have crossed the line from normal to abnormal. They need help and they need to know they won’t be judged if they reach out for help,” he said.

Obama can make quick, modest gains on health care

**Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover as many children as possible when it comes up for renewal in March. The program has broad support in Congress, but it was cut during its last renewal to win President Bush's signature.

**Authorize the federal government to negotiate bulk purchases of Medicare prescription drugs. Bush opposed this, but the Veterans Affairs already does it with great success.

Dems get new crop of military voters

With McCain facing a diminished role in the GOP, and Chuck Hagel retiring from the Senate, there are few prominent Republican leaders left with military bona fides. This is in stark contrast to the Democratic Party, which has seen the emergence of a new generation of veteran leaders.

In the past two election cycles, Democrats have added ten new Democratic veterans to Congress. Last week, President-elect Barack Obama helped close the gap among military voters, winning 44 percent of veterans as opposed to John F. Kerry’s 41 percent in 2004.

For all the GOP’s patriotic imagery and testosterone-infused rhetoric, the sad truth is that most of the current crop of Republican leaders – Rudy Giuliani; Mitt Romney; Newt Gingrich; Mitch McConnell; John Boehner; etc. – were all of age at the time of Vietnam but avoided serving in the military.

N.J. Hospitals, Military and Veterans Affairs Join Broad Effort to Improve Returning Vets' Healthcare

The New Jersey Hospital Association and the N.J. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs have partnered with more than a dozen national organizations in a sweeping effort to educate healthcare professionals, veterans and family members about the unique health-related problems faced by returning veterans.

Honor America's Veterans on Nov. 11

Tuesday, Nov. 11 the United States marks the 55th Veterans Day observance. Across the nation, we will pay tribute to America's 25 million living veterans and the more than one million who have given their lives in military service.

While Veterans Day is a time to recall the sacrifices of those who have protected our liberty and way of life, honoring America's veterans must be an ongoing national priority which is reflected in a strong federal commitment to veterans' needs.

Veterans Day on Tuesday.......

The Whole Countries Responsibility, Not Singular Groups!!!


While this was a Great Gesture, on the part of the Redskins Organization teaming up with other Advocacy Groups, this is much more than a one day need. We who serve don't serve for singular organizations We Serve The Country and an Oath and Contract is made for our service. It is the Responsibility, Every Day, for the Country Served to aid our Brothers and Sisters who have given much more than just their Service, Physically and Mentally, because of these Wars of Choice!!


Redskins take timeout for veterans, Host locker room health exams

The Washington Redskins opened up their home to area veterans Saturday, offering free health screenings to recognize their service protecting the country and to encourage them to protect their health.

Three days before Veterans Day, the Men's Health Network and 13 other organizations provided screenings and health education to male and female veterans in the players' locker room at FedEx Field in Landover.

From Service to Streets......


Issues aren't going away for veterans


Modern warfare adding to problems Department of Veterans Affairs faces

The strident language of Fox talk show host Bill O'Reilly contending there are no homeless veterans in America brought a smile of incredulity to Michael Charles.

When Charles, 52, was about to be discharged from the Danville VA hospital, a staffer there called Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois Veterans Home.

"There was an opening, and I came straight over here," Charles said.

"Every VA Center I've been to says that at one time in their lives, 50 percent of all veterans will be homeless."

At any one time, there are 10 homeless veterans in the facility on South Olive Street.

From desert to streets


Homeless veterans find life again through a city-run service that helps to employ those who kept us safe.


To Listen

The issue of homeless veterans has long been seen as an important one for Jacksonville, which because of geography and demographics, attracts a larger-than-average number of such people. By some estimates, as much as 40 percent of the city's chronically homeless - those who are continuously homeless for a year or more - may be veterans.

Looking at everyone in the city who has been homeless, the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of Jacksonville has found that 26 percent of the homeless population has served in the military, slightly more than the 23 percent of the national homeless population.

Veterans are more likely to appear among the chronically homeless because they're better equipped to survive such a life, said Diane Gilbert, executive director of the coalition, but such self-sufficiency also can lead to problems.

"Part of the problem of dealing with homeless veterans," Gilbert said, "is that they have such strong survival skills, they're unwilling to ask for help."

Homeless female veterans find few options to get help


VA's shelters don't always take in women, so a housing program is being initiated

The reasons are varied why military veterans become homeless.

Repeated deployments make it difficult for them to keep their finances in order and for reservists to hold on to their civilian jobs. Fallout from military service — which can include post-traumatic stress disorder — can seriously damage family and other relationships. Those stresses can lead to withdrawal and depression, which can make it difficult to land a job. The lack of income makes it hard to pay rent or a mortgage.

Few Veterans Affairs centers offer residential mental health treatment specifically for women with post-traumatic stress disorder, said Amy Fairweather, director of the Iraq veterans program for Swords to Plowshares.

"The services are really behind the curve," she said.

Veterans affairs: Tighter records controls urged

For the record

Military veterans dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits offices need to guard against their records being lost or destroyed. Tips from veterans advocates:

**Keep a complete copy of your military medical records.

**Update VA files once a year and make copies.

**Never send the original paper work. Send copies.

**Call (800) 827-1000 to request an appointment to view your VA claims folder, also know as the C-file, at the regional office.

**Make sure all the records in the file are yours.

**Make sure all correspondence with the VA is in the C-file.

**Correct mistakes, then request a hard copy of your C-file.

“How long has this been going on, and how many veterans and their families have been deprived of benefits they have earned?” said Army veteran Mike {testvet6778} Bailey of Springdale.

Army General Probes - Suicides of Recruiters


Recent Suicides in Houston-Area Recruiting Unit

An Army-wide problem?
Houston battalion recruiters have said they regularly work 12 to 14 hours a day, six or seven days a week. Many have to deal with long commutes to rural stations far from a military base. They have said if they don't sign at least two new recruits a month, they're punished with even longer duty hours and threatened with losing rank or receiving bad evaluation reports.

"I want to make sure this is not an Army-wide problem," Cornyn said. "If it is, then that's an even more serious issue than what's going on in this one battalion."

Widow pleads for recruiting overhaul


Iraq vet asks Army to evaluate high-stress duty

Two weeks ago today, Sgt. First Class Patrick Henderson walked into a shed behind his house, locked the door and hanged himself from a rafter.

The 35-year-old soldier was the fifth Houston-based Army recruiter to commit suicide in seven years.

VA officials investigate....


mishandled documents at benefits offices in S.C.

Veterans Affairs officials are investigating why 95 records were erroneously dumped in a shredder bin at the VA office in Columbia.

An unidentified employee at the Columbia office is under investigation for mishandling the documents, which include new benefits claims and other personal files, VA officials said.

"I can't discuss in detail what action may be taken against an employee in this instance until the investigation is complete," VA press secretary Alison Aikele said Wednesday.

In South Carolina, the possible destruction of benefit claims could affect some of the state's 413,000 veterans. The shredding probe involves the VA's benefits offices, not the hospitals.

~~~~~~~~~~

The shredding issue was first reported by VA Watchdog, a Web site run by Army veteran Larry Scott, of Vancouver, Wash.

All residents should care about veterans past and present

I particularly want to pay tribute to all our Reserves and National Guard. Before Iraq and Afghanistan became battle zones, these so-called "weekend warriors" joined to gain another paycheck — not that they weren't patriotic. After completing their basic training and boot camps, they were in uniform one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. Whoever thought they would be thrust into combat situations? We have to look at them in a different light now; they've turned into heroes, fighting for our freedom, many being wounded and some paying the ultimate sacrifice.

"The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten"
-Calvin Coolidge