Every year more than 200 firefighters from around the country travel to Portland, Oregon, to participate in the city's Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge. This year, the event took place on Sept. 27, and the firefighters who were involved used the challenge as an opportunity to raise money for cystic fibrosis patients.
The firefighters who accept the challenge are not just climbing stairs, though. According to Fox 12 Oregon, they will be climbing 40 flights of the U.S. Bancorp Tower in full gear.
"It's one of those psychological races," Gresham firefighter Jeremy Forrest told KOIN 6 News. "It's mind numbing because you're going in circles and straight up."
Many of the spectators are in support of the firefighters cause as they have family members or friends who are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, and the participants themselves are happy to help their community in any way they can.
Last year alone, the Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge rose $190,000. KOIN 6 News reported that the event has raised almost $1 million since retired Portland firefighter Wes Loucks started it in 2008. Loucks' grandsons had cystic fibrosis, and he is committed to finding a cure.
According to History.net, 2.75 million soldiers served in the Civil War, and the average solider was a white man between 18 to 29 years old. However, many soldiers who served in that war did not fit into that average. Two Native American soldiers from Rosebush, Michigan, were just a couple of the few minorities who fought.
The Detroit News reported that Pvt. Joseph A. Fisher and his older brother, Madison, have spent nearly the last century buried in unmarked graves. Both men left their tribes to serve the country. When they died, they were laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery.
Historical researchers in the area located the graves and decided to give them proper headstones. They contacted the local office of veterans affairs and asked for Civil War headstones for Joseph and Madison. On June 11, Madison's ceremony was held and the new headstone was placed. Joseph's ceremony will be held on Oct. 10.
The Swartz Creek Area Historical Society played a large role in assisting the VA with the funds for the two headstones. Len Thomas, the president of the society, told The Detroit News that every veteran deserves proper recognition for his or her service.
Military personnel are strong individuals. They are trained for some of the toughest situations in the world and prepared to face almost anything. This is why it is difficult for former servicemembers to ask for help when they need it. There is a sense of pride and self-service that veterans develop, so many never use the services available to them.
Yuma native Will Bailey is just one of those veterans. He served in the Army from 1968-1971 in Vietnam. However, the Yuma Sun reported that Bailey only used veteran affairs center services for the first time six months ago.
"There's no comparison as to where I was before. I was going nowhere fast," Bailey told the Yuma Sun. "If you're a veteran, it's to your benefit to get yourself known to the VA Center. It's tough to get out of a rut, but the place I'm at now is a whole new ballgame."
When Bailey's bicycle, his only means of transportation, went missing, the VA was the first to step up. According to the news source, the Yuma VA worked with local businesses to surprise the former servicemember with a new bike.
The bike was presented to him on Sept. 23, and he was very grateful for the gift.
On Sept. 26, hundreds of volunteers from Roanoke, Virginia, came together to give back to a veteran in their community. According to WDBJ 7 News, 76-year-old Buster Mullens' house was in need of many repairs. The former servicemember once served the country and his community in the Marine Corps in 1957. Now, the community he lived in for 40 years found a way to give back to him.
Mullens told the news source that he found it difficult to upkeep his home after his kidney surgery. The volunteers worked on his house for the entire day and made repairs to the roof and did some painting.
"It's really nice that everybody comes together like this and just help out it's really a wonderful thing," Barbara, Mullens' daughter, told WDBJ 7 News.
Those who assisted with the work were part of a group called the Renovation Alliance. WSLS 10 News reported that the organization consists of over 400 volunteers from around the state who have done over $400,000 worth of repairs on local veterans homes. Those who participated told the news source that the experience was something they were grateful for and that they were thrilled at the opportunity to help their community.
Quilts of Valor is a nonprofit organization that gives handcrafted patriotic themed quilts to former servicemembers. The organization's mission is to welcome these veterans home with a gift of comfort.
The organization's website wrote, "QOV's are stitched with love, prayers and healing thoughts. Our troops who have been touched by war are awarded this tangible token of appreciation that unequivocally says, 'Thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor.'"
On Sept. 26, Quilts of Valor presented 92-year old Richard William Branch, Sr. with a quilt and an honor ceremony. Branch was stationed on the USS Honolulu in Hawaii during the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Branch survived the events and served in World War II with the Marines. During the ceremony, Branch was given a flag that flew over Pearl Harbor's USS Arizona and a picture of the USS Honolulu, as reported by The Times-Herald News.
Joining Branch at the Quilt of Valor ceremony were his family and members of Vallejo, California's Veterans of Foreign Wars Carl H. Kreh Post 1123. Though Branch is no longer able to speak, The Times-Herald News reported that his face communicated all the gratitude he felt.
The U.S. Department for Veterans Services reported that 1 in 10 veterans will experience post-traumatic stress disorder in their life. However, many veterans who are coping with PTSD find comfort in the company of a service dog. These animals are specifically trained to help their owners with their personal troubles. The Harahan Center in southeast Louisiana recently launched a program in which former servicemembers can train their own therapy dogs.
On Sept. 25, the center held the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new space where the training would occur. The program, led by two former servicemembers, is called "Companions for Life," and it gets other veterans involved with the training of their service dogs from an early stage. This creates a deeper bond between the animal and the veteran.
All of the animals involved in the program are rescues from the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, which makes the connect between owner and pet even stronger. Both are looking for a second chance.
The training classes will begin in October and will be held twice a week for 8 weeks. Each class has room for six veterans.
Most 8-year-olds ask for toys or games for their birthday presents. Adam Jay Perkins II of Brazil, Indiana, decided to ask for something different for his birthday. Perkins wanted to give back to the people who serve the country. According to local media affiliate FOX59, the second grader asked family and friends to donate to the Disabled American Veterans organization in place of buying him gifts.
Perkins' father is a veteran, so the boy knew right away he wanted to do something to help former servicemembers like his dad.
"My mom asked me if I wanted to do a charity and I said, 'Yes,'" Perkins told FOX59. "She said, 'Do you want to do Disabled American Veterans?' I said, 'Yes, my dad's a veteran.'"
Adam Jay Perkins, Sr., served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and is now a disabled veterans who utilizes the services of the local DAV. Perkins is hoping that more than his loved ones will donate to the organization dedicated to helping improve the quality of life for disabled veterans. He has asked that anyone who is able send a donation to the Indianapolis DAV with his name in the memo line.
The Mayo Clinic stated that post-traumatic stress disorder is caused by "a psychologically traumatic event, such as war, a natural disaster, or any situation that invokes feelings of helplessness or intense fear." Veterans and first responders both experience things in their daily lives that can lead to PTSD. It is important for friends, family members and colleagues of these heroes to be aware of the signs and symptoms of PTSD, so they are able to recognize it in their loved ones and seek the appropriate help.
1. Trouble sleeping or night terrors
Sleep is a time of vulnerability for the mind. The person experiencing PTSD may have trouble getting rest because flashbacks of the traumatic event can occur during sleep. Partners or roommates of those with PTSD should watch out for signs of frequent tossing and turning, sleep walking or talking and night sweats, as these can all be indications that your loved one is experiencing PTSD.
2. Social withdrawal
Veterans and first responders coping with PTSD may be less inclined to interact with friends and family than they were previously. They may neglect to return phone calls, refuse to participate in social activities and alienate themselves from relationships. If you noticed your loved one excluding himself or herself from social engagements he or she previously enjoyed, your loved one may be dealing with PTSD.
3. Unwarranted anger or aggression
PTSD can sometimes change the brain chemistry in a way that increases the temper and aggressive tendencies. If your loved one is coping with PTSD, he or she may lash out at you or others without reason. A tendency toward violence or an argumentative demeanor may suggest that your former servicemember or first responder is dealing with PTSD.
4. Feelings of hopelessness
While your loved one may not always communicate these feelings, they are relatively simple to spot. For example, if the veteran or first responder seems to give no thought to his or her future, seems to have little interest in the world around them and will not commit to anything ahead of time, they may be experiencing PTSD.
5. Physical and emotional numbness
If your loved one's smile no longer lights up a room and they seem unattached to their daily lives, he or she may be dealing with depression from PTSD. Another sign to look out for is a lack of motivation for physical activity or care of physical appearance.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported that 11 to 20 percent of veterans will experience PTSD and a similar percentage of first responders will also be faced with this mental disability. PTSD can lead to more serious issues like substance abuse, self harm and depression. However, PTSD is not unbeatable. With the proper treatment and support, veterans and first responders stand a good chance to overcome their trauma and return to their normal lives. Family members, friends and co-workers of these brave individuals must stay educated on PTSD. Remaining vigilant for signs of the mental disorder in their loved ones ensures they can get them help if they need it.
Alliant Healthcare Products, a company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a maker of medical supplies. According to Mlive.com Alliant sells its medical devices "primarily to Veterans Administration hospitals and Department of Defense military treatment facilities." The company is owned by veterans, and close to 25 percent of the employees are veterans.
The veteran-owned business will soon begin its five-year contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The pair are calling the deal the Patriot Promise.
"The key focus of the Patriot Promise is to make sure our war fighters get the best treatment possible whether it's with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools or the most advanced mental care for Post Traumatic Stress," Bob Taylor, Alliant's founder and chief executive officer, told Mlive.com
The DVA gave the company $10.9 million to complete a large order of high-tech endoscopes used in surgical procedures for veterans. These devices will be distributed to veterans hospitals across the Midwestern region of the U.S. The DVA has requested that the medical device maker have the first order complete by Oct. 1, and there are plans to extend the contract if both parties are satisfied with the end result.
According to The Washington Times, this is the biggest contract Alliant has won in its 13 years of business.
First responders may witness many difficult things in their daily lives. These things can sometimes lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. One of the most important ways to combat PTSD is communication. First responders who are dealing with PTSD may not want to seem like a burden on their colleagues, so they may try to bury their feelings and close themselves off. To prevent your fellow first responders from suffering in silence, create an atmosphere of open communication in your workplace. AFBA has listed five ways you can accomplish this below:
1. Announce an open-door policy
Call a meeting in your station house or department to let your colleagues know that you are always available to talk if they need to. You could also pair your co-workers up with a communication partner so that everyone knows there is someone who will look out for them. You might also consider scheduling weekly one-on-one meetings with your co-workers to check in with them and encourage open communication.
2. Establish a respectful environment
Joking and tom-foolery are an inevitable part of working with first responders. This is a healthy way of coping with the stresses of the jobs. However, make sure your co-workers understand the difference between jokes and bullying. Hosting a few sessions on workplace respect is always a good idea if you have the time.
3. Create a "safe zone"
Many first responders do not discuss their emotional stress for fear of being judged by their peers. If you create a space where your colleagues can approach you with their problems in complete confidentiality and without fear of judgment, they may be more likely to reach out in times of need. A safe zone will also discourage other first responders from bottling things up.
4. Respond instead of reacting
An important step in establishing a good line of communication is to respond instead of reacting. When someone comes to you with a problem or to let off some emotional steam, it is best to listen in silence. Keep emotion and reaction off your face if possible. When the employee is finished, choose your response carefully but keep it objective.
5. Be knowledgeable
Your fellow first responders are willing to trust you with their lives in the field. They should be able to do the same when it comes to emotional support. By remaining knowledgeable on the latest PTSD treatment information and keeping up-to-date on the resources available for first responders mental health support, you may be able to pass the information along to a colleague who really needs it.
PTSD and other work related stresses are not uncommon in first responders. Firefighters, police officers and emergency medical service workers have difficult jobs and may experience challenging incidents. Creating a workplace where they feel comfortable discussing these troubles could help alleviate some of the stress and isolation fellow first responders may be going through. By following AFBA's advice above, you may make your station house or department a place of open communication.