As part of a nationwide initiative to improve care for soldiers in their life after service, the House of Representatives recently passed a veteran suicide prevention bill. Military Times reported that this is the second time in five weeks that members of the House unanimously voted in support of mental health care legislation for vets. According to the Washington Times, the bill encountered difficulties in the Senate last month, though it is expected to easily pass this time around.
Dubbed the "Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act," the legislation calls for a more thorough examination of Veterans Affairs suicide prevention programs, including annual reviews of how effective these initiatives are. Additionally, the bill proposes a student loan repayment program in an effort to attract more qualified mental health workers to VA organizations.
Military Times reported that the law, which is named for Clay Hunt, a former marine and veteran activist who committed suicide four years ago, would also mean an updated website with more thorough information about where and how veterans can get mental health care. Additionally, the VA would create more peer support groups for veterans dealing with psychiatric issues. While these changes may seem simple, the source explained that experts believe these minor adjustments could save a number of lives.
The bill was authored by Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minnesota, noted the Washington Times. According to the source, he believes the longer U.S. lawmakers wait to pass this important bill, the more lives the nation could lose.
"Many times down here, we feel like everything we do is the most important thing that has to happen now. Rarely is that true. In this case, it is. We can't wait another day," Walz told the Washington Times.
Some of the most interesting stories stem from reality. After answering his granddaughter's questions about his experience in World War II, Alvin Borchert decided to document his stories in a memoir, the Havasu News reported. He enjoyed sharing his experience so much that he plans on writing another one in the coming year. Stories like these are growing in popularity, thanks to certain programs and services that encourage the documentation of war experiences.
Borchert's experience
Borchert's story, "Air Rescue Behind Enemy Lines," describes his life at war and features a gripping tale of what it was like to be onboard his plane, Lady Luck, when the engine failed and he had to jump out of it before it crashed to the ground. According to the news source, Borchert said that the landing was the least of his worries. Once safely on the ground, he had to find shelter and live off of bread and goat meat and milk. This experience is just one of many explored in his memoir.
"This book is a legacy to my family," Borchert told the news source. "I wrote this book for them, and it turned out to be pretty interesting. I didn't write this book for the money."
Borchert recently held a book signing, where he sold 21 copies of his book, and he plans on collaborating with his friend, a messenger for the British Army on a second one next year.
"She doesn't tell many people about it, but we talk about it," he told the news source.
War stories
Sharing these experiences not only helps preserve history, but it can also help improve life after service. Writing is an art form that can be therapeutic for those who practice it, and that's the concept behind the Veterans Writing Project. Led by veterans for veterans, the organization helps those who have served perfect the art form and best express themselves. Leaders hold master's degrees in writing, but those who participate don't need to have any previous experience with the craft.
The program provides veterans with no-cost writing seminars and an outlet for them to tell stories and bond with one another. It's funded by sponsors and donations that make the service available at no cost to those who have served. Those interested in helping the organization can either make a direct donation or just register for the Amazon Smiles program, which supports the service at no personal cost. For each purchase that's made through the program, a portion is given to the Veterans Writing Project.
According to a statement released by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the city has successfully ended homelessness among its veteran population. First lady Michelle Obama had challenged major U.S. cities to end homelessness for veterans in their life after service by the end of 2014 as a part of her initiative, the Mayor's Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. The challenge aims to find permanent housing for all former servicemembers by targeting those at a high risk for homelessness and focusing on quickly rehousing vets who return to sleeping on the streets.
New Orleans houses over 200 veterans
The Washington Post reported that last year the Department of Housing and Urban Development had identified 193 homeless veterans in Jefferson and Orleans parishes. These former service members became the focus of Landrieu and his staff, who reached out to nonprofit organizations, other veterans, federal, state and local agencies and homeless service institutions to locate housing.
The release explained that the city had kicked off its efforts in July with the goal of finding shelter for the 193 servicemembers by the end of 2015. Not only did the Louisiana capital meet this mark a year early, but it actually managed to assist 227 vets. The mayor stated that in the process of housing these people, the city developed a "sustainable rapid response model" that effectively uses all available resources to get veterans off the streets. Landrieu hopes that other cities across the U.S. will be able to use this model to find housing for their homeless soldiers.
The rest of the country works toward similar results
So far, six governors, 312 mayors and 71 county and city officials have accepted Mrs. Obama's challenge and are working toward achieving similar results to those of New Orleans. The Washington Post reported that Phoenix, Arizona, and Salt Lake City, Utah, have both made great strides toward solving this issue as well.
"As one of the first cities to achieve this noble goal, New Orleans is helping lead a national campaign to make certain that these brave Americans have a place to call home. At HUD, we stand ready to assist in bringing this kind of progress to cities across the country, fulfilling our commitment to all those who served our country so courageously," stated HUD Secretary Julián Castro in the release.
Those who own pets know the healing effects that animals can have on them. Pets are known to relieve stress, promote physical activity and give endless love and affection to their owners. That's the basis for K9s For Warriors, a service that connects therapy dogs with veterans to alleviate stress during life after service – specifically if they've served post 9/11.
About the program
The service spends months training each dog to respond to certain symptoms of distress in a gentle, reassuring way. According to the program's website, the dogs are taught to show affection when sensing signs of anxiety, to check rooms before allowing owners to enter, and other precautionary practices to ease stress and encourage independence. Depending on the person's exact needs, a dog with specific training is chosen to be a veteran's companion.
Labrador and golden retrievers are the most popular choices for service dogs, since they have a natural inclination to please and they're mild mannered. They, along with German shepherds and other similar breeds, are easy to train and can provide a great deal of stress relief and assistance to those in need.
How it's helped others
Army veteran David Towne is just one person who's seen value from the program, reported the Red Bluff Daily News. He and his family were presented with Pito, a loving German shepherd who recently graduated from the K9 Academy with the credentials to provide him with assistance and companionship. Joining the family on Christmas morning, Pito immediately brought happiness to the whole family.
Testimonials on the K9s For Warriors website also show the benefits of these animals on their owners.
"My dog makes me feel like I have someone to watch my back. He is always happy to see me no matter what," a veteran told the source.
The veteran's service dog graduated from the program in 2014 and has already helped him gain independence in the short time they've been together. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, dogs provide their owners with invaluable assistance – even if they haven't yet been trained as service dogs.
"These dogs can really sense your mood. They know when you're having a bad day," John Crofut, a 71-year-old Vietnam Veteran who is training a dog for service, told the source. "They give you companionship without judgment. [The dog] doesn't need to know why I have the symptoms I have. He just wants to be with me."
Broken Gear, an athletic-wear line that aims to empower injured veterans in their life after service, is a big source of pride for Rhode Island-based veteran Steve D'Amico.
According to Military Times, D'Amico is a former Rhode Island Air National Guard Technical Sgt. who was inspired to start the business after studying at the University of Connecticut's Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities. He sustained an injury while serving that left him with permanent damage to his ankle and leg, forcing him into an early retirement. The military man also wears a brace on his leg every day – one of the things that inspired him to start Broken Gear.
Even with his disability, D'Amico knew he did not want to give up on his athletic pursuits. He knew that others in his place felt the same way, which is how he came up with the idea for the clothing line, which specializes in things like gear bags for servicemembers with prosthetics, in addition to T-shirts and other traditional sports-related apparel. Not only does D'Amico hope the message behind Broken Gear will help veterans get back in the game, but he wants to assist them financially as well.
Military Times reported that profits from his items will go toward helping injured soldiers achieve athletic goals. For example, if a servicemember could not afford a custom-made bike that supports his or her limitations, D'Amico hopes that Broken Gear could sponsor him or her and help pay for the athletic equipment. The company is also dedicated to honoring servicemembers through social media – if you have loved ones in the military, you can send their names to Broken Gear on Facebook and receive a special post with an appreciative shout-out.
While combat operations officially ended in Afghanistan a few months ago, Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, are preparing to head back to the nation, according to a press release.
The release, issued by the Marine Corps, explained that the troops will be responsible for "security operations" in the country, which is still engulfed in conflict. The servicemembers have already undergone thorough training exercises to prepare for the deployment. They practiced reaction strategies for a variety of insurgency scenarios, such as improvised explosive devices and discovering the root of enemy fire after an attack. Soldiers were also taught how to appropriately interact with local village elders, unload from CH-53E Super Stallion heavy lift helicopters and what to do in the event of snipers.
Military Times reported that it is not completely clear what role the Marines will be playing in Afghanistan, but they will most likely be supporting liaison troops that remain there. It also has not been released when the troops will be deploying, but officials explained that before they arrive they will stop in Germany for more training, this time alongside Georgian soldiers.
The Medical Foster Program, a program that connects aging disabled veterans with families who can house them, has been helping former servicemembers find care.
According to The Associated Press, the program is designed for soldiers who need nursing home-type daily care but would rather not move into one, since they are often large and impersonal. The initiative began 15 years ago in association with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The VA carefully chooses which homes are eligible to participate, noted the source. Each household is carefully inspected by a nurse, social worker, safety inspector, rehabilitation therapist and dietician. All of the potential caretakers are examined by a thorough FBI background check in addition to a meticulous screening. The homes are regularly subject to unannounced visits from VA professionals. Currently, the program houses 900 vets in 45 different states. Overall, the Medical Foster Program has been responsible for finding homes for almost 2,700 former servicemembers, many of whom have no family left, noted The AP.
According to the VA, veterans who are interested in enrolling in the program should check with a VA worker to see if they meet eligibility guidelines. The source noted that the cost of the program, which includes room, board and health care, usually falls between $1,500 to $3,000 per month, depending on how much care the veteran needs and what his or her income level is.
While many former soldiers are tentative to move in with strangers, the situations often end up feeling familial. This was certainly the case for Eileen Merize and the disabled soldiers she has taken into her home. The former nursing home worker decided to participate in the program after her children moved out. She believes the experience has been positive for both her and the veterans she cares for.
"I believe they should be treated like human beings, and family," Merize told The AP.
Frank Bartlett, a World War II veteran in Largo, Florida, received replacement medals after his beloved awards somehow got lost during a move.
According to the Tampa Tribune, the 102-year-old man served in the Army as a surgical technician. While he never engaged in combat, he experienced a number of bloody battles as he traveled around Italy, France and Germany with the 9th Infantry Division. Not only did he provide life-saving care to a number of soldiers, but Bartlett also donated his own blood to a number of injured servicemembers during moments of extreme emergency. The source reported that the medic received an American Defense medal, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star during his time in the service.
While Bartlett is a New York native, he moved to Florida to live with friend and fellow veteran Carl Cabello and his family, who have helped take care of the aging vet in his life after service. When Cabello learned that Bartlett's medals had gone missing in the transition, he knew he wanted to help his friend out. While Bartlett tried to shake off the loss, Cabello knew the awards were important to him.
"He has a lot of pride, but he spoke of his medals, and they must have been important to him," Cabello told Bay News 9.
The source reported that Cabello reached out to Congressman David Jolly, who was able to procure replacement medals. He visited Bartlett at home, surprising him with the brand-new awards. Although the former soldier is now legally blind, he felt the medals with his hands and was practically speechless at the kind gesture. While he had been alerted that he might be able to get new medals, he had no idea he would receive a personal visit from the congressman, noted the Tampa Tribune.
When soldiers return from service, they are often faced with an uncertain employment situation. Even those who had workforce experience before enlisting usually return home to see that what they thought were some of their most marketable skills have become commonplace, or even obsolete.
To assist these veterans as they navigate the labor situation, an intern program, named "Soldier for Life," has been launched by the government with the goal of easing the transition. The initiative was especially priceless for Sgt. Richard Karlson, who worked in technology before entering the military in 2008.
According to the Kansas City Star, when the veteran returned to civilian life after six years of service, he realized his formerly impressive skill set was dated compared to recent technological innovations. Things like smartphones and tablets were only starting to appear in the industry when he left to serve his country. After connecting with Soldier for Life, however, Karlson feels confident he will be able to regain his footing and continue to find success in the field he loves. He currently holds an internship with the city of Olathe, Kansas, courtesy of the program.
The source reported that Karlson, who has eight children, is able to work as an intern in the city's information technology department two days a week. Not only does he get to catch up on everything he needs to know about the field, but the flexible hours allow him to remain employed outside the program while still gaining experience and building his resume.
"A lot of soldiers get out of the military and end up unemployed and even homeless, a program like this can really help prevent that," Karlson told the Kansas City Star.
On Saturday, Dec. 27, U.S. Coast Guard officers from Sitka, Alaska, rescued two boaters when their boat ran aground.
According to Military.com, both the man and woman in the 17-foot boat were thrown from the skiff during the accident. While the female passenger was unharmed, the man was injured on his head and face. The event occurred about 10 miles south of Sitka, right by Kanga Bay.
Marine Link reported that after the couple was ejected from the small boat it drifted away and left them stranded. Emergency operators in the Sitka region received a call on behalf of the couple around 10 p.m., noted Military.com. Both a Sitka Fire Department ship and a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter deployed from Air Station Sitka in search of the stranded boaters. They were taken into the helicopter and rushed to a hospital in Sitka, where they received care.
Though it is still not clear what the cause of the incident was, officers view the rescue as a success.
"This case was a good demonstration of the collective effort between the Coast Guard and Sitka Fire and Rescue to effectively combine our skills and assets in order to render assistance to these mariners," Lt. Jason Condon, Jayhawk pilot, Air Station Sitka, stated in a Coast Guard release.