Why they hate us........

How many Muslims has the U.S. killed in the past 30 years?

Tom Friedman had an especially fatuous column in Sunday's New York Times, which is saying something given his well-established capacity for smug self-assurance. According to Friedman, the big challenge we face in the Arab and Islamic world is "the Narrative" -- his patronizing term for Muslim views about America's supposedly negative role in the region. If Muslims weren't so irrational, he thinks, they would recognize that "U.S. foreign policy has been largely dedicated to rescuing Muslims or trying to help free them from tyranny." He concedes that we made a few mistakes here and there (such as at Abu Ghraib), but the real problem is all those anti-American fairy tales that Muslims tell each other to avoid taking responsibility for their own actions.

I heard a different take on this subject at a recent conference on U.S. relations with the Islamic world. In addition to hearing a diverse set of views from different Islamic countries, one of the other participants (a prominent English journalist) put it quite simply. "If the United States wants to improve its image in the Islamic world," he said, "it should stop killing Muslims."

Snip

Contrary to what Friedman thinks, our real problem isn't a fictitious Muslim "narrative" about America's role in the region; it is mostly the actual things we have been doing in recent years. To say that in no way justifies anti-American terrorism or absolves other societies of responsibility for their own mistakes or misdeeds. But the self-righteousness on display in Friedman's op-ed isn't just simplistic; it is actively harmful. Why? Because whitewashing our own misconduct makes it harder for Americans to figure out why their country is so unpopular and makes us less likely to consider different (and more effective) approaches...>>>>

Military, Diversity & the Muslim Community

This will air tomorrow, 11.17.09, morning on the local Charlotte NC NPR show "Charlotte Talks" on WFAE at 9AM EST, you can stream the show live, or archived later, at the link. Show is an hour long.

Today, we’ll look at how the military and other large organizations manage diversity. A representative from Fort Bragg will share the Army’s policies regarding religious and cultural diversity. We’ll also hear from a Muslim Imam who was a military veteran and member of the Charlotte City Council and from a local resident who grew up in an Islamic country but now calls Charlotte home. They hope to provide understanding on faith, culture and diversity in the military, government and corporate worlds.

Guests:

Osama “Sam” Wazan – Retired Executive of a Software Company, Muslim

Nasif Majeed – Imam, Former City Council Member and military veteran

Ltc. Rafael Boyd – Program Manager, XVII Airborne Corps, Equal Opportunity Office, Fort Bragg

Veterans Day 2009

Below is just a small group of articles and reports coming in on this Veterans Day 2009. Some about Veterans Day, some about Veterans older and to the present, some about todays Veterans and Soldiers. Much will be said today, much seen, some will even think about, some.

While important it isn't so much about what will be said or done by our political leaders, it's really more about how the greater majority in this country who don't serve, don't want to really sacrifice, but are quick to use those who do, and their families, then quickly move away from their false meme's when it comes time to actually heed the calls for the funds to pay for the results of our occupations of choice. And as always by not heeding those calls for sacrifice it ends up causing more suffering by those who've suffered enough for country and much much more in the costs of the results of their service!

No Longer a Soldier, Shinseki Has a New Mission

But the visit also underscored Mr. Shinseki’s current mission: to modernize his problem-plagued agency, which was struggling to care for aging veterans even before the flood of young ones from Iraq and Afghanistan began.

For months, Mr. Shinseki has been crisscrossing the country as President Obama’s pinstriped evangelist for veterans’ care, raising concerns about a coming tide of post-traumatic stress cases, traumatic brain injuries and other physical and psychological scars of battle.

Having led soldiers in Vietnam as a young West Point graduate, until a mine tore off part of his right foot and nearly ended his Army career, he can speak about the “baggage” of war with deep feeling.

“All of us who went through combat, we were carrying a little bit of baggage from the experience, the stress,” he said in an interview before the Fort Hood shootings...>>>>

Honoring Our Service Members

A By-the-Numbers Look at Difficulties Facing America’s Veterans on Veterans Day 2009

This Veterans Day, we at the Center for American Progress once again honor the millions of brave men and women in the active and reserve components of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard who have made great sacrifices to protect our country and our freedoms—especially those who have given their lives. We also honor the families, friends, and loved ones who made their service possible...>>>>

Many Veterans Are Without A Health Insurance Plan

Doesn't the Veteran's Administration provide health insurance and medical to veterans? That is largely the case. However, many veterans uninjured in combat are--surprisingly--considered ineligible for VA insurance. The post-military income levels deemed too high to receive benefits are surprisingly low; a veteran with no dependents can only take advantage of the government's health insurance plan if he or she earns under $29,400 per year, while one with four dependents can earn around $41,300 before losing eligibility for VA benefits. Such incomes aren't quite poverty level, but are the domain of working-class Americans (including civilians) unable to afford private insurance if their employer doesn't offer it. Troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are also struggling with unemployment, and are a disproportionate percentage of the nation's homeless. Many are working low-paying jobs that push them just above Medicaid and VA eligibility. This makes it even harder for them to become insured...>>>>

Veterans Day, A look back and one forward

This year, we are struck by an additional sentiment, the solemn duty that falls to all citizens to make sure that the nation never sends its men and women in uniform into harm's way without sure and certain justification. We write this as two U.S. wars grind on in Asia, and the president weighs the advice of one of his highest commanders to escalate the war in one of those theaters, Afghanistan/Pakistan, by an additional 40,000 troops...>>>>

Reid: Coburn move 'illogical'

{this is an automated voice read of the short article written}

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) “illogical" for holding up a veterans care bill Tuesday, criticizing the Oklahoma Republican for supporting war funding while blocking health care funding for veterans...>>>>

In this report below the following is stated:

"I don't think we've really cracked the nut on how to really get at PTSD and TBI," said the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Danny Dudek. "This is the most complex job I have ever had. Being in a battalion where people are going through the most difficult thing they've ever had to deal with."

Well for some four decades Veterans, starting with us 'Nam Vets which opened up and brought forth our Korean and WWII brothers, and some really dedicated civilians who did hear us, have been yelling into the Winds of a Country that didn't want to Listen. That Country hires it's representatives who weren't forced to pay attention, and the Circle Comes Back Around adding this time not just serving but serving Multiple Times under the extreme stress of Conflict adding to lives stress!!

Army strain, recovery at Fort Lewis

Veterans Day traditionally has been set aside more to honor those who have served rather than those still serving. But eight-plus years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq have created a huge class of combat veterans who still wear the uniform, many of them with two or three or more deployments under their belts and perhaps more in their futures.

Ballard, for example, is determined to rejoin his unit in Afghanistan. He is a medic in a Stryker brigade and was injured on one of the unit's first missions after deploying to northern Afghanistan a few months ago.

"We ran over an [improvised explosive device]," Ballard said. "I remember the floor coming up very quickly, and it forced me straight down to the ground, and then there was that brief second in time where I was sort of floating as the vehicle dropped and I was still in the air."...>>>>



Vice President Biden speaks at a Fort Lewis memorial ceremony to honor seven Stryker brigade soldiers killed in Afghanistan. June 24, 2009

Sen. Jim Webb: Critical to keep promise to veterans

Each year on this day, Americans take a pause from school and the workplace to commemorate the service of our nation's veterans. With one of the largest populations of veterans and active-duty military service members, Virginia plays a vital role in our nation's defense.

As the son of an Air Force officer, the father of a Marine and a Marine combat veteran myself, I understand the value of having leaders in Congress who know firsthand what it's like to be deployed, to have close family members deployed and, ultimately, to join the ranks of my fellow veterans...>>>>

Veteran-led Peer Support Combats Suicide

Last month in Washington, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki made a staggering announcement: more veterans have committed suicide since 2001 than have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Coming within weeks of the release of the US Army's suicide prevention guidebook, the VA Secretary's statement underscores the commitment to teaching service members and veterans the methods for overcoming combat stress.

While for many the manual will be an important tool, veteran-to-veteran peer support is often the best way to stay mentally healthy during and after wartime service...>>>>

Iraq, Afghanistan veterans need more help at home

More resources may be needed to help care-givers cope with a rising caseload of damaged or suicidal veterans in need of counseling.

Floyd Meshad, Vietnam vet, was in a Ralphs supermarket in Westchester when his cellphone rang at 9 o'clock one evening not long ago.

It was Meshad's suicide hotline, and a soldier was being patched through.

Meshad, a psychiatric social worker, walked outside the store so he could concentrate while trying to talk the soldier out of killing himself. He gets lots of calls like this from all over the country, more now than ever, and he knew one thing:

This soldier, calling from Florida, was serious...>>>>

Impossible Dream - A Tribute to Native American Veterans



When I was discharged back in '71, after my four years of duty in the Navy, all shore bases, I didn't expect nor even look for this Country to welcome me nor give much back, been in for four and once joining the community of soldiers then veterans it's quickly seen and known what real support there is for those who serve once out. My last year of service was in country Vietnam which for us 'Nam Vets compounded the known of payback, what with the coming results of our countries use of Defoliants, Agent Orange plus, as it started not only affecting many of those who served in the area's where sprayed from our planes but the Vietnamese civilians as well. Then we finally started to understand what always has been as to extreme traumatic events and stress on the human mind, Post Traumatic Stress, and for many the life long nightmares of a war that never goes away, and for civilians replying their own traumatic life tragedies that have been done to them. And so much more.

I came out unscathed, not wounded physically but having served in a occupation conflict with the knowledge not only had I changed but so had everyone else who served as well as those we occupied, the trauma of wars. While not having flash backs nor nightmares I did feel that we all are now wounded with post traumatic stress, most not having more then our memories every once in awhile but not so as to be debilitating nor effecting our daily lives.

I, like many many of my brothers and sisters, became an advocate for the care of those physically and mentally wounded in our Wars of Choice, advocates that for the most part weren't listened to. Until Now, and that has been brought about by once again a Nation accepting the failed policies of the few who controlled the leadership and easy to come to them lies and propaganda sending our soldiers into not one but two long running occupations, we're still in both!

"THE GOOD SOLDIER"

On November 6, 2009, the JOURNAL broadcasts THE GOOD SOLDIER, a film which follows four veterans — one from World War II, two from Vietnam, and the fourth from Iraq — as they reveal how the experiences of battle changed their lives. Watch a preview below.

Premier:


November 6th PBS Bill Moyers Journal {visit the Journal Link as it has more backlinks for Veterans.}

As America prepares to observe Veterans Day and President Obama weighs sending more troops to fight in Afghanistan, BILL MOYERS JOURNAL broadcasts a powerful documentary about the impact on soldiers of learning to kill – or be killed. THE GOOD SOLDIER follows four veterans – one from World War II, two from Vietnam, and the fourth from Iraq – as they reveal how the experiences of battle changed their lives.

Find out more about the film and theatrical release locations and dates at The Good Soldier

"THE GOOD SOLDIER" Trailer:

Shinseki, Gates Address Unprecedented Forum

VA, DoD Host National Mental Health Summit

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) are hosting a first-of-its-kind national summit to address the mental health care needs of America’s military personnel, families and Veterans, harnessing the programs, resources and expertise of both departments to deal with the aftermath of the battlefield.

“This is about doing what is best for those who serve this country and using every federal, state and community asset to do it,” said Secretary Shinseki. “We’re proud of the people and the organizations who have stepped up today to make sure everyone who fought for this country gets a fighting chance for a sound mind and an independent life.”

The summit, which opened today at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., invited mental health experts from both departments, Congress, the president’s cabinet and more than 57 non-government organizations to discuss an innovative, wide-ranging public health model for enhancing mental health for returning service members, Veterans, and their families.

Snip

VA operates the largest mental health program in the nation. VA has bolstered its mental health capacity to serve combat Veterans by adding thousands of new professionals to its rolls in the last four years. The department also has established a suicide prevention hotline (1-800-273-TALK) and Web site available for online chat at Suicide Prevention Lifeline-Veterans....>>>

Gates: Injured troops face too much red tape

Calls their paperwork 'frustrating, adversarial, and unnecessarily complex

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday that troops injured in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to face too many bureaucratic hurdles.

Paperwork alone for them can be "frustrating, adversarial, and unnecessarily complex," Gates said.

Gates spoke at a mental health summit with Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki. By appearing publicly together, they sought to reinforce their commitment to tackling veterans' health issues and the stigma associated with seeking mental health care.

Snip

Shinseki said veterans from the recent wars are coming homes with "invisible wounds" that are just as debilitating as physical traumas sustained on the battlefield.

"Who's vulnerable? Everyone," Shinseki said. "Warriors suffer emotional injuries as much as they do physical ones."...>>>

Army Sgt. Richard Yarosh: Portrait in Smithsonian

Justified Honor and Remembrance for not only Sgt. Yarosh but all who served and are serving in these two theaters, burned soldier portrait to show at Smithsonian!

This is and will be for a long time a great tribute to this soldier, and all the Fallen and Maimed of these two continuing occupations. And like "The Wall", until we can build a Memorial for the Fallen of both these conflicts, it should be a Reminder to this Nation of what We Allowed "In Our Names!"!!

Army Sgt. Richard Yarosh

SAN ANTONIO — Retired Army Sgt. Richard Yarosh has gotten used to the stares. His face is blanketed in knotty scar tissue. His nose tip is missing. His ears are gone, as is part of his right leg. His fingers are permanently bent and rigid.

All is the result of an explosion in Iraq that doused him in fuel and fire three years ago.

“I know people are curious,” he said. “They’ll stop in their tracks and look. I guess I can understand. I probably would have stared, too.”

Snip

The gallery received more than 3,300 entries. Many are less conventional portraits, including video and photos, but others, like that of Yarosh, draw strength from the traditional head-and-shoulders composition, said curator Brandon Fortune.

Mitchell’s use of the style — historically reserved for nobility, a high-ranking military officer or a president, not a disfigured soldier in an Army T-shirt — democratizes such paintings, Fortune said.

“The portrait is clearly meant to honor him. I think that contributes to the gravity of the presentation,” she said.

Snip

Yarosh was astonished when he saw the completed portrait.

“It was perfect. I couldn’t believe that he captured me,” he said. “It captures my pride. I’m proud of the way I look. I’m proud of the reason for the way I look.”..>>>Rest Found Here

Speaking of a Memorial, I've had a picture in my head all these past years of another "Wall", facing ours but built up on the top of steps for each year we stay in these theaters, to tower above ours but making a Corridor for the public to walk through.

Towering above ours because we 'Nam Vets and this Nation didn't Keep Our Promise: To Learn The Lessons Of 'Nam And To Never To Allow Another 'War/Occupation of Choice!

The Steps to be the Sacrifice this Nation finally makes for what it allowed, All Visitors would need to walk up each step to reach the Names Engraved in Honor from this Country for their Service and Sacrifice!!

KPBS: "How Does Stress Of War Affect Military Families?"

September 23, 2009

MAUREEN CAVANAUGH (Host): I'm Maureen Cavanaugh, and you're listening to These Days on KPBS. When the tour of duty is over, some veterans find the battle to regain their normal lives has just begun. This morning, the KPBS series “War Comes Home,” focuses on the challenges that face veterans and their families as these former warriors transition into civilian life. Some vets are dealing with invisible wounds. Traumatic brain injury has been called the signature combat injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, post traumatic stress disorder, if not treated, can last for years and tear relationships apart. The good news is there is a lot of help available for returning veterans and their families. And, we're about to speak to several guests who know both the challenges and the support that exists for military families. I’d like to welcome my guests. Benjamin Karney is associate professor of psychology at UCLA, and an adjunct behavioral scientist at the Rand Corporation. Ben, welcome to These Days....>>>>rest of Audio Transcript found here of show in player below, also can be heard at site.

War Comes Home: San Diego Military Families

September 25, 2009, Above: KPBS Reporter Alison St John, who produced the series "War Comes Home", talks about special challenges faced by military families in San Diego. Transcript for Video.

The "Noble Cause" of War

That "Noble Cause", which one "GoldStar Mom" asked to be answered very publicly and never was, comes when those who serve do everything in their power, and know those around them will do same, to save and protect those they are serving with, especially as they serve the Country and are sent into others Countries, wrong policies or right!

When the battles start that's what's on their minds, even before saving themselves!

With "Honor":

President Obama: Our Nations Highest Honor to Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti



A Medal Of Honor For Sgt. Monti, Who Went To Save His Man

The nation pays its highest military tribute to a fallen hero today when President Barack Obama awards a posthumous Medal of Honor to Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti of Raynham, Mass.

As NPR's Tom Bowman reported on Morning Edition, the 30-year-old Monti made a valiant effort to save one of his men during a ferocious firefight on a mountaintop in Afghanistan three years ago. Staff Sgt. Chris Cunningham tells Tom that when Monti heard during the battle that one of his men was missing, the 1st Sgt. said "he's my guy, I'm going to get him":

At the Pentagon today, Defense Secretary Robert Gates was asked if he is concerned by the fact that there has not yet been a Medal of Honor awarded to any living veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Gates said he is bothered by that -- and that it was one of former president George W. Bush's "real regrets" that he did not have such an opportunity. Then, Gates added that it's his understanding there are "some living potential recipients that have been put forward":

There is one more "Noble Cause" of war, those who recognize when the policies are not only flawed but extremely negative as to humanity, theirs and the countries people they occupy, and damaging for what we call our 'National Security' in the present and long term, the country they took an oath to serve and protect!

These soldiers become emotional "Conscientious Objectors" to the inhumanity of these Wars of Choice and the Occupations of others, they speak out in the attempts to get their brother and sister soldiers out of harms way and brought home. Saving them as well as the innocents in the countries of these man made conflicts and the failed policies of lies and wants of certain civilian, as well as military, leadership!

That's the "Noble Cause!"

Rest In Peace, All Our Brothers and Sisters, Who Have Served And Given Their Lives To The "Noble Cause" For Those They Serve With!

Sept. 18, 2009 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day

POW/MIA Day honors heroes

The flag of the National League of Families of American Prisoners of War and Missing in Southeast Asia will be flown over the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the departments of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the Selective Service System Headquarters, the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and national cemeteries across our country.

This black and white banner, symbolizing America’s missing, is a stark and powerful reminder to people around the world that our nation will keep faith with those who have served and sacrificed, that we will not rest until we receive the fullest possible accounting of every American missing in service to our country.

Sept. 18, 2009 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I ask all citizens to join me in honoring former American prisoners of war and those whose fate is still undetermined. I also encourage you to remember with special sympathy and concern the courageous families who maintain their steadfast vigil and who persevere in their search for answers and for the peace that comes only with certainty...>>>>Read The Rest Here

Please join us for this solemn, poignant and important event. We must let every nation know that we will “never forget!”

A powerful resource for additional information regarding this important issue may be found at the Department of Defense Web site: Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personal

Photos of fallen Vietnam veterans sought

A new project is trying to put a face to each of the 58,195 names listed on the Vietnam Wall.

The organizers of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Federal Express are issuing a nationwide "call for photos" to help document the stories of those lost in the war...>>>>>>

Sept 27th: Gold Star Mothers

Gold Star Mother's Day in United States

Gold Star Mother’s Day is observed in the United States on the last Sunday of September each year. It is a day to for people to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter while serving the United States Armed Forces.

Gold Star Moms Website

Sept. 18, 2009 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day

POW/MIA Day honors heroes

The flag of the National League of Families of American Prisoners of War and Missing in Southeast Asia will be flown over the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the departments of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the Selective Service System Headquarters, the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and national cemeteries across our country.

This black and white banner, symbolizing America’s missing, is a stark and powerful reminder to people around the world that our nation will keep faith with those who have served and sacrificed, that we will not rest until we receive the fullest possible accounting of every American missing in service to our country.

Sept. 18, 2009 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I ask all citizens to join me in honoring former American prisoners of war and those whose fate is still undetermined. I also encourage you to remember with special sympathy and concern the courageous families who maintain their steadfast vigil and who persevere in their search for answers and for the peace that comes only with certainty................Read The Rest Here

Please join us for this solemn, poignant and important event. We must let every nation know that we will “never forget!”

A powerful resource for additional information regarding this important issue may be found at the Department of Defense Web site: Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personal

Building Peace:

Veterans work to end wars

On July 25, Harry Patch, the last British veteran of World War I, died, marking the passing of an entire generation of veterans of the so-called "war to end all wars." What was most remarkable about Patch’s experience is that he came to believe that what he and his fellow soldiers had done so proudly in their youth had been in vain. At a remembrance ceremony on November 11, 2007, Patch explained:

"Today is not for me. It is for the countless millions who did not come home with their lives intact. They are the heroes. It is also important we remember those who lost their lives on both sides."

Patch didn’t talk about the war for 80 years, but he came to believe the casualties were not justified.

"I met someone from the German side and we both shared the same opinion: we fought, we finished and we were friends."

"It wasn't worth it."

Joining together to stand up for peace--first to end the Vietnam conflict and later, all wars--was a direct result of the social action of Vietnam veterans. Since 1985, Veterans For Peace have been dedicated to end war as a political policy, including members of the Phoenix Chapter. Other peace groups, such as Arizona Institute for Peace Education and Research (AIPER), have programs to help veterans, especially disabled vets. This is necessary because the previous administration relied on war to confront international issues but failed to take full responsibility for the troops who fought those wars for the politicians..........Rest Here

One Result of Political Wars of Choice

VA center wasn’t aware of many veteran suicides

Report says methods used to identify victims ‘may be inadequate’

The number of Spokane-area veterans who killed themselves in a one-year period is far greater than the Spokane Veteran Affairs Medical Center knew at the time, a VA investigation has found.

The VA’s Office of Medical Investigations discovered that from July 2007 through the first week of July 2008, at least 22 veterans in the Spokane VA service area killed themselves, and 15 of them had contact with the medical center...........Rest Here

The Hell of War Comes Home:

Newspaper Series Documents Murder, Suicide, Kidnappings by Iraq Vets

A startling two-part series published in the Gazette newspaper of Colorado Springs titled "Casualties of War" examines a part of war seldom discussed by the media or government officials: the difficulty of returning to civilian life after being trained to be a killer. The story focuses on a single battalion based at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment. Soldiers from the brigade have have been involved in brawls, beatings, rapes, drunk driving, drug deals, domestic violence, shootings, stabbings, kidnapping and suicides. The Army unit's murder rate is 114 times the rate for Colorado Springs. We speak with the reporter who broke the story and get the Army's response.

Listen/Watch/Read

My previous post on this report only a few days back.

Wars of Choice - Multiple Tours - TBI - PTSD - Suicides - Murders

Multiple Bombings Slowly Destroy US Soldier's Brain - He Commits Suicide

CNN has a heartbreaking report of a U.S. soldier who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was subjected to multiple bombings.........

Iraq, Afghanistan vet saluted in burial

Retired Army Reserve Lt. Col. Raymond Trejo Rivas, 53, of New Braunfels was buried six days after his death outside Brooke Army Medical Center's emergency room, and nearly three years after a mortar blast in Iraq.........

And yet another as well, happening last year but still hanging over a community and the country.

Soldiers' emotional battle scars put doctors in dilemma

The suicide of an Iraq war veteran in Eastern Washington has highlighted an ethical dilemma confronting the Department of Veterans Affairs and the military: how far to go in protecting patient confidentiality as troubled veterans are called back to front-line duty.

Snip

His biggest worry, according to notes taken by the VA psychiatrist, was a looming call back to active duty by the Washington National Guard. The order would have sent the specialist back to Iraq.

Snip

In early March 2008, Juneman hanged himself in his Pullman apartment. His body was discovered some 20 days later, The Spokesman-Review newspaper reported.........

Man held in mom's death went from AWOL to hotel to jail
Police ready for shoot-out but arrest man without incident

Knowing that the 22-year-old had gone AWOL from the Army about two weeks before, and that he'd already sold a shotgun at a local pawn shop, San Juan Police Chief Juan Gonzalez said SWAT team personnel were prepared for a possible shootout.

A chain of decisions led Baczewski to that moment, and all eyes and guns were on him, waiting for his next big decision.

Snip

On July 10, Baczewski went AWOL from his post as a Humvee mechanic with the 598th Maintenance Company at Fort Benning in Georgia, a U.S. Army spokeswoman said. He had joined the Army in 2007 and had not been deployed overseas........

Many reports have surfaced over the last few years about the many problems many of those serving, once again in Wars/Occupations or Choice. But these reports don't cover how deep the problems really are nor the numbers that are being sent back into these theaters.

Without the ability to search them out or having someone living in the region, as most are local not national, reporting or posting on this technology, most of the rest of the country wouldn't know they happened, and continue to happen. Just like when we returned from 'Nam, the only way those were reported were the very few that made National News, usually connected to a crime, no cable back then nor these personal computers, or through the Military/Veterans grape vine of communication. One of the reasons Combat PTSD, that's been around since War or Battles between man existed, were easily ignored by the masses, who many within suffer same from negative traumatic life experiences.

Some even come out and argue that soldiers are faking, even still in this the 21st century with much advanced technology and studies, coming from the aftereffects of 'Nam, that can weed out anyone trying to. Why do they try and debunk, easy, the Country doesn't want to pay for the results of cheering on their Wars of Choice!

We've had many reports of soldiers diagnosed with PTSD and mild TBI being sent back into theater for another tour, many on medication! We've had the growing number of reports of the suicides of those suffering from TBI and PTSD, known and diagnosed! We've had reports of soldiers committing murders, many times senseless and not in the character of these soldiers prior to in country duty, who have returned from one or more tours! We've had the reports of soldiers trying to seek help and the benefits after a diagnoses being told 'no way' that it was a preexisting condition! We have many reports of soldiers finding the help needed and learning how to live a more comfortable and productive life after what they've lived through and many helping others. We don't get much in reports on the people who live in the occupied countries where few have a way of escaping the death and destruction even with the numbers of refugee's number in the millions!

This is why this Country needs to place the Results of War right up next to 'War as a Last Resort!', before we choose to follow failed policies of Wars of Choice, or if we follow those failed policies Pony Up The Cost Of The Results Of These Wars of Choice!!

A Vet that Inspired a Congressional Bill, Long Overdue!!

Sen. Franken's Service Dog for Vets Bill Passes Senate

Casualties of War

Last week the Colorado Springs 'The Gazette' had another very disturbing report, in two parts, following up previous reports of soldiers of OIF and OEF who committed murders. These, from all I can find out, were just regular teens, no trouble out of the ordinary prior to their military service. But once sent to these occupations, sometimes more then once, they returned like many of our brother 'Nam Vets, very troubled and not getting the help needed or not seeking because of the nature of military service, added to their situations of multiple tours, longer tours then we served and little down time between, their nightmares caught up to them by abusing drugs and alcohol, by acting out in rage, by loosing control.

Are they guilty? If they committed these crimes yes they are, we are a Nation of Law, though some seem to be able to not only ignore that or be above that they actually have supporters that will argue about holding them accountable. But we as a society have a share in their guilt, we sent them into these hells on earth when other options should have and could have been followed, sent on failed policies and then having more failed policies stack on to create long running occupations of death and destruction.

This first link is a more recent report a few days following the Gazette report.

Soldiers in Colorado slayings tell of Iraq horrors

Sun Jul 26 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Soldiers from an Army unit that had 10 infantrymen accused of murder, attempted murder or manslaughter after returning to civilian life described a breakdown in discipline during their Iraq deployment in which troops murdered civilians, a newspaper reported Sunday.........

Snip

Several soldiers said unit discipline deteriorated while in Iraq.

"Toward the end, we were so mad and tired and frustrated," said Daniel Freeman. "You came too close, we lit you up. You didn't stop, we ran your car over with the Bradley," an armored fighting vehicle..............Rest Here

And these two reports are so disturbing that the Editor gives a lead in warning about the content and reason for.

Colorado Springs: The Gazette

EDITOR'S NOTE: A note of caution about the Lethal Warriors package

For as long as wars have been waged, soldiers have been sent to kill or be killed. The lucky ones survive. Some return home unscathed; others are shell-shocked and emotionally scarred for life.

That’s been true forever. But something changed in Iraq. Thanks to modern medicine, transportation and gear, soldiers survived injuries that would have killed yesterday’s troops. They patrolled streets without battle lines, where smiling civilians waved one day and silently watched ambushes the next. Multiple deployments moved soldiers from war to home and back, again and again.

Snip

A word of caution: The details of battle are graphic, and the language of soldiers is, at times, profane.........

And a few of the reports snippets with links follow:

July 24, 2009 Part I: The hell of war comes home

Before the murders started, Anthony Marquez’s mom dialed his sergeant at Fort Carson to warn that her son was poised to kill.

It was February 2006, and the 21-year-old soldier had not been the same since being wounded and coming home from Iraq eight months before. He had violent outbursts and thrashing nightmares. He was devouring pain pills and drinking too much. He always packed a gun.

Snip

Marquez was the first infantry soldier in his brigade to murder someone after returning from Iraq. But he wasn’t the last.

This month, Fort Carson released a 126-page report {pdf} by a task force of behavioral-health and Army professionals who looked for common threads in the soldiers’ crimes. They concluded that the intensity of battle, the long-standing stigma against seeking help, and shortcomings in substance-abuse and mental-health treatment may have converged with “negative outcomes,” but more study was needed.

Marquez, who was arrested before the latest programs were created, said he would never have pulled the trigger if he had not gone to Iraq.

“If I was just a guy off the street, I might have hesitated to shoot,” Marquez said this spring as he sat in the Bent County Correctional Facility, where he is serving 30 years. “But after Iraq, it was just natural.”

In August 2007, Louis Bressler, 24, robbed and shot a soldier he picked up on a street in Colorado Springs.

In December 2007, Bressler and fellow soldiers Bruce Bastien Jr., 21, and Kenneth Eastridge, 24, left the bullet-riddled body of a soldier from their unit on a west-side street.

{ Hear the prison interviews with Kenneth Eastridge }

In May and June 2008, police say Rudolfo Torres-Gandarilla, 20, and Jomar Falu-Vives, 23, drove around with an assault rifle, randomly shooting people.

In September 2008, police say John Needham, 25, beat a former girlfriend to death...............The Rest of Part 1 Here

This video isn't a part of the two part report but is about the contents of.



July 24, 2009 Part II: Warning signs

After coming home from Iraq, 21-year-old medic Bruce Bastien was driving with his Army buddy Louis Bressler, 24, when they spotted a woman walking to work on a Colorado Springs street.

Bressler swerved and hit the woman with the car, according to police, then Bastien jumped out and stabbed her over and over.

(A word of caution about the language and content of this story: Please see Editor's Note)

It was October 2007. A fellow soldier, Kenneth Eastridge, 24, watched it all from the passenger seat.

Many of the soldiers behind bars and their family members say the violence at home is a consequence of the violence in Iraq. They came home angry, confused, paranoid and depressed. They had trouble getting effective mental heath care. Most buried their symptoms in drugs and alcohol until they exploded.

The Army is seeking new ways to care for returning soldiers and keep the violence from returning — crucial now, because the unit shipped out in May to Afghanistan, where the monthly coalition casualty rate has doubled since the beginning of the year. Soldiers are scheduled to return to Colorado Springs in spring 2010.

The first step toward solving the problem, the post’s most recent commander said, is to understand it.

Graham, who had one son killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq a year after his other son committed suicide while training to be an officer, made mental health a focus after taking command of Fort Carson.

He said suicide and homicide are “different reactions to the same or similar problem. You treat both in the same way.”

This video also isn't in these reports, it's a previous ABC News Video of Maj. Gen. Mark Graham:

After two tours in Iraq, Eastridge was depressed, paranoid, violent, abusing drugs and haunted by nightmares. But because he was other-than-honorably discharged, he said, he was ineligible for benefits or health care. He was no longer Uncle Sam’s problem. He was on his own.

“I had no job training,” he said. “All I know how to do is kill people.”............The Rest of Part 2 Here

Once again these and all those we've sent into long running occupations are this Countries responsibility, a Country that quickly, seems like we're repeating again, forgets that simple fact! Our policies are done in our names, we send military troops to occupy others it's in our names!

And we readily forget those we occupy, the deaths, the destruction they now live in, the trauma's they suffer, the refugee's we've created, and in the world that's been, for the last few decades, the few lash out in retaliation for the policies done in our names! Now we've created much more hatreds, we have children that have grown up in the death and destruction, that's been their childhood, and we are reporting on what's happening to our own who served in these theaters of conflict, what has happened within those we've invaded and occupied!

White Supremacy in the Military {UpDated}

I, (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

Previous Report: Watchdog group says dozens of active-duty troops found on neo-Nazi site

It is Facebook for the fascist set, and the typical online profiles of its members reveal expected tastes.

Favorite book: “Mein Kampf.”

Favorite movie: the Nazi propaganda film “Triumph of the Will.”

Interests: “white women.”

Dislikes: “anyone who opposes the master race.”

Where in the Military Oath of Enlistment above does it say anything related to the quote from the previous article taken from a Neo-Nazi website! Nazi's, and Hitler's leadership especially, once and still considered one of the Worlds Extreme Enemies now relegated to Hero Worship, as are those who parrot his beliefs, by those who arrogantly, in their own fears, seek to destroy others as they espouse Hitlers and Nazi Ideology of a superior race of the human being. Even throwing in what they consider christian religious ideology, if military they say it in the oath So help me God, just like the extremist, i.e. al Qaeda and Taliban, of other religious ideologies, just two of the groups they hate. And of course they hate everyone who differ with their extremism, everyone is their enemy.

SPLC: Southern Poverty Law Center's recent report on military {supposedly} personal, registered as, on Neo-Nazi and White Supermists websites and posting their thoughts on others, which means most of those they serve with or have served with, soldiers watching their backs, protecting them as they hope these same soldiers would seek to protect them.

I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

Again, see anything that points towards an extremist ideology of hating all others not affiliated with your beliefs or of your skin color in the above Military Officers Oath of Service, officers that lead many assigned under their command, watching over all, who's main responsibility is the safety of all of the military brothers and sisters.

Or how about the closer to home States National Guard, many no longer just weekend warriors, now hardened by combat duties and duties in theaters of occupations, and not just for one tour but many, and not just one theater now but two.

I, [name], do solemly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of ___ against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of ___, that I make this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the Office of [grade] in the Army/Air National Guard of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of ___ upon which I am about to enter, so help me God.

White supremacist leader says half of his group has served in the military

The leader of the white supremacist National Socialist Movement estimated Friday that half of his group’s membership has at one time served in the military.

A day earlier, the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups, identified 40 profiles of individuals claiming to be active members of the military on newsaxon.org, a social networking Web site run by the NSM. A review of the site by Stars and Stripes found at least 130 profiles of members who claim to be in the military, though none of their identities and military affiliations has been confirmed.

I'm sure there are a few who were either members of these groups prior to joining or joined after but while serving or after discharge, but does this leader?, Jeff Schoep, check the papers of these military? or veterans? to see just who has served. Or is this like many small radical groups, founded on so called patriotism, nationalism and flag waving, and affiliated to their radical extreme political views, that if someone says they are, wears patches and shows ribbons and medals, and tells tales, they are! Or are they like many, little 'kombat keyboard chickenhawks' who wouldn't think of serving their country but just really enjoy posting up their fears and hatreds in mocho rambo style, in this day, on radical extremist websites and anyplace they think they can stay hidden behind patriotic user names, much like they're breathern we now label as 'Terrorist', who like themselves carry out Criminal Terror against others they hate or just to make their point of being superior in ideology!

How about you Jeff Schoep, have you served, if so did you keep your mouth shut when taking the oath with your brothers and sisters, of all colors, creeds, religious ideologies, most you say you hate, or are you a 'kombat keyboarder' wearing desert cammies and playing rambo?

“I think it’s an extreme left-wing scare tactic, and I think white soldiers have the same right to be in the military as everyone else does,” said Jeff Schoep, leader of the National Socialist Movement. “I think the SPLC is trying to pressure the military to throw these people out, and there is no basis for it. I think its un-American. I think it’s seditious.”

"I think white soldiers have the same right to be in the military as everyone else does". You're right Schoep, and all that think? like you, they do, and they make up the majority of our military, enlisted to officers. But why would someone who thinks? like you want to join one of the most Inclusive Groups in our society, the Total Opposite of your Ideologies of Nazi Supremacy and White Rule, the Master Race!

The military is made up of every color of our Human American Rainbow, every religious ideology found on these shores, every personal lifestyle as well, they train together, live together, eat together, work together, fight together, serve together and Most Importantly Protect Each Other In Combat Theaters when sent into War and Occupations, whether Wars of Choice or of Real Need, in Defense of our Country and Constitution, that's not only their Oath that's their Beliefs, Heartfelt, for their Country, their Whole Country and All Within!

If your members, who say they're military, are serving and carrying on their hate filled beliefs, beliefs they may even post up to show others on your websites, what they do in theaters of operations Endangers not only themselves but Every Soldier they're serving with as well as the Retaliations on other Soldiers, and civilians of their country, from their Atrocities Committed!

And when do you call on these ex-military to rise up and carry out acts of Criminal Terrorism against their own Country men and women, some being soldiers they served with or just veterans of, like themselves, to reach your Stated Goals of this "Master Race!"?????

Ray A. Letteer, head of Marine Corps cybersecurity, said the service blocks sites, such as newsaxon.org, that adversely affect good order and discipline.

“It’s one of the standards we take a look at” when blocking for content, he said.

Over the past year more of those types of sites have been blocked by Marine Corps, Letter said.

The Marine Corps manages its network centrally and can flag new sites that have inappropriate content. Anyone caught using them can be turned into their command for discipline, he said.

I suggest all of you need to take a trip to DC, not for violence, like one just did, nor to mass against our government seeking your master race, but to stand in front of Our Memorial, 'The Wall, or any of the Memorials to those who've served our Country and Constitution in our Conflicts, right or wrong. I suggest at "The Wall" you read Every Name, these are the names of our fallen brothers, whites who wouldn't follow nor serve with the likes of you, blacks and brown skin who served Honorably and were killed in combat, any other color of the human rainbow you can see around you and your community, immigrants many not even being citizens of the country they served yet, gays {they didn't tell even back then}, religious ideology, you name it {knowing it's really tough for the likes of you to think} and you'll find those that serve, The Total Opposite Of Your Hate, Racism and Rhetoric!!

UpDate:

Police: Suspects Charged in Murders of Florida Couple Trained for a Month to Rob Them

A band of men charged in the home-invasion killings of a wealthy Florida couple known for adopting special needs children trained for a month to rob them, investigators said Wednesday.........

Military mentality, attempts towards military precision, military tactics!!

And many are questioning the reports of the recruiting into our military, even when the military says they've discharged personal because of, professional military, of possible neo-nazi's, racist, and gang members!!

Silent Partners: DADT

In Their Boots - 2nd Season recent episode, 7.04.09.

Silent Partners: Episode 4


“Silent Partners” is a look at the hidden effects of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell law through the eyes of 3 partners of deployed service members.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN VOTEVETS PETITION ON DON'T ASK DON'T TELL

Not Good, Not Good At All!!

They broke the Military, those who call themselves 'Strong On National Defense'!!

Army sees jump in reported suicides in May

More than twice as many as in April; 1 confirmed, 16 investigated

In Their Boots: Vets For Hire, Episode 3

After serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, three veterans discover the value of their service as they search for employment in the midst of a troubled economy.



In Their Boots Website for the two previous of this year and links to last years online productions, as well as the other important site links.

One of those being Their Resources Page for Military/Veterans and Their Families.

Readjustment Needs of Military Personnel, Veterans, and their Families:

Institute of Medicine

Board on the Health of Select Populations

Project:

Initial Assessment of Readjustment Needs of Military Personnel, Veterans, and their Families: Phase 1 and Phase 2

Project Scope: {In Brief}
Phase 1:
In Phase 1, an ad hoc committee will identify preliminary findings regarding the physical and mental health and other readjustment needs for members and former members of the Armed Forces who deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and their families as a result of such deployment.

The committee will also determine the parameters of the second phase of the study which is meant to provide a comprehensive assessment of the physical, mental, social, and economic impacts, and identify gaps in care, for members and former members of the Armed Forces who deployed in OIF or OEF, their families, and impacted communities.

Specifically, the committee will conduct the following tasks:...................Rest Here

Phase 2:
In Phase 2, the committee will comprehensively assess the physical and mental health and other readjustment needs of members and former members of the Armed Forces who deployed in OIF or OEF and their families as a result of such deployment.

This second phase of the study is meant to provide a comprehensive assessment of the physical, psychological, social, and economic impacts, and identify gaps in care, for members and former members of the Armed Forces who deployed in OIF or OEF, their families, and impacted communities.

Specifically the committee should consider in their assessment:...............Rest Here

The project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense
The approximate start date for the project is 9/26/2008.
The Phase 1 report is expected to be issued by the end of March 2010.
The Phase 2 report will be issued at the end of the project.


Project Duration:48 months

Provide FEEDBACK on this project.

Contact the Public Access Records Office to make an inquiry or to schedule an appointment to view project materials available to the public.

Veterans For America

Veterans' courts provide a second chance

The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that of the 1.6 million people arrested last year, 10 percent had served in the military. Many of them are veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Now the judicial system is trying to save a generation of soldiers.

"All I know is before I joined the marines I never got in trouble, never got arrested, never even got a speeding ticket; I come back not even a month, I get a DUI," Iraq veteran Mariano Vazquez said. "I still feel like there's something wrong. Sometimes I think I'm crazy."

With the studying that has preceded these conflicts, though not enough has still been done nor enough people paying attention and now we have multiple tours in these theaters, more is understood about PTS and can be better diagnosed, as well as TBI. These Vets need help first, not condemnation and lockup!

Online Memorial to U.S., Coalition Troops

With the Google Earth layer, users can click on service members' names, hometowns and profiles.

Each year on Memorial Day, tens of thousands of Americans visit Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington to pay tribute to the men and women who died serving the United States.

For people who are unable to make the trip, a new online memorial provides a unique way to honor those service members who have fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The new Google Earth layer, called Map the Fallen, enables the user to pinpoint where, when, and how each service member died since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan. A line connects the service member's approximate location of death to his or her hometown.

The interactive tool -- available at mapthefallen.org -- also offers a detailed profile of each person...........

Digital Memorial to Troops

John King demonstrates a new, interactive digital memorial to the fallen troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.

CNN State of the Union - John King

Honoring the Fallen on a Google Earth map on CNET.

The Faces Of The Fallen In Operation Iraqi Freedom And Operation Enduring Freedom. Washington Post.

MSNBC Photo Slide Show for Memorial Day 2009