Gary Sinise rose to fame thanks in large part to his Oscar-nominated performance as Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump," but aside from helping his career the part also has changed his life. Nearly 20 years later, he is among the most ardent supporters of veterans. His work ranges from helping servicemembers transition to civilian life to performing fundraisers at military communities, reports Politics Confidential.
It wasn't long after "Forrest Gump" hit theaters that Sinise knew his role had an impact on veterans. His depiction of the physical and mental struggles troops have to overcome when they return stateside was among the most gripping parts of the film.
"I realized from the get-go that that particular character had been seen by so many people within the military community that it meant something to them," he told the news source. "That particular character is bigger than a movie really."
One of Sinise's longest standing initiatives to support the troops pays homage to his character. The Lt. Dan Band, which Sinise plays in alongside musician Kimo Wlliams, has been traveling to bases around the U.S. and abroad to perform for troops. They also frequently play at fundraisers and other events meant to support the military community.
Major League Baseball teams across the country paid tribute to fallen soldiers on Memorial Day by wearing military-inspired uniforms, but the Milwaukee Brewers took things one step further. Just before they took on the Minnesota Twins at Miller Park, the Brewers welcomed 40 servicemembers, veterans and military families to the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and for many of them the act took on added meaning, according to NBC affiliate WTMJ.
Sign of remembrance
Brothers Cole and Carter Naseman were among those who took part in the opening ceremony were brothers. Their father, Sgt. First Class Brian Naseman, was killed in Iraq in 2009, one of the more than 4,800 U.S. and coalition troops who lost their lives there. To them, throwing out the first pitch served as a way to help honor their father's legacy in a unique way. Not only that, but given the timing of the game, it held an especially important meaning.
"It's only a couple days away from when our dad died, so it's special to us," Cole, a 7th grader, told the news channel.
More than Milwaukee
While the Brewers efforts on Memorial Day, which included setting aside thousands of tickets for military families, was impressive, the organization was not the only one getting in on the action. For instance, a number of breweries across the country recently teamed up to create a unique beer, known as the Homefront IPA, which was released on Monday. Aside from being an original tribute to the military, all the proceeds from sales of the beer will go toward Operation Homefront, an organization that lends financial assistance to military families who are most in need, reports the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
"They're putting their lives on the line for us every day," Chris Ray, one of the initiative's founders, told the newspaper. "The least we can do is help them keep their car on the road or help them keep their house."
Support all summer long
Support for the military extends well beyond Memorial Day. From now until after Labor Day around 1,200 museums will waive admittance fees for military families as part of the ever-growing Blue Star Museums Initiative, which was launched in 2010 as a joint venture between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense.
Children who have parents serving in the military encounter problems that civilian youngsters do not, and a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that their health can suffer as a result. Researchers hope the new findings will highlight the challenges military children face on a daily basis and spur new understanding among the healthcare community, according to the report published in the journal Pediatrics.
Psychological and physical toll
More than 2 million children have had a loved one deployed during the last decade, and numerous studies have shown the significant impact it can have on their well-being. Specifically, researchers have found that approximately one in four military children experience symptoms of depression, an estimated one-third of youngsters report excessive worry while one out of every two had problems sleeping. The AAP says that it is up to children's doctors to be particularly attuned to the challenges military kids face.
"Pediatricians play a critical role in identifying how well or poorly a child or family responds to a major stressor such as an extended deployment, and can provide the necessary education and support, including referral to a mental health professional when needed," said Dr. Benjamin S. Siegel, the report's co-author.
Obstacles continue past deployment
Although a great deal of attention is paid to what impact a parent's deployment has on a youngster's well-being, when it is over there are still significant challenges, especially as their parent works to transition back to civilian life. For instance, approximately 20 percent of veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, which could place undue strain on children. Additionally, frequent moves can make it difficult for them to assimilate into new schools and towns.
Sacrifices recognized
It may be not be easy being part of a military family, but the sacrifices made my children have not gone overlooked. In April, which is designated as the Month of the Military Child, there were a number of events dedicated to honoring the youngest members of the community. For instance, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, paid tribute to five teenagers in particular who not only navigate the oft-challenging military life, but also gave back to the community.
With the military on its way out of Afghanistan but the threat of terrorism around the world still very prevalent, the national defense strategy is at a crossroads. In what was seen by many as a landmark speech on Thursday, President Barack Obama laid out his plans for his counter terrorism strategy and touched on everything from the use of drones and the closing of Guantanamo Bay to the rethinking of the war on terror and national security.
Changing policy
One of the biggest takeaways from Obama's speech was that his second term will shift the focus on counter terrorism efforts from overseas to back home. Specifically, he pointed to the fact that fighting a global war on terror is no longer a feasible option, especially at a time when the Armed Forces is downsizing. In other words, he wants to fight against terror to go from casting a wide net to having a more specific, targeted approach.
"Beyond Afghanistan, we must define our effort not as a boundless 'global war on terror' – but rather as a series of persistent, targeted efforts to dismantle specific networks of violent extremists that threaten America," he told the audience at National Defense University. "In many cases, this will involve partnerships with other countries."
In defense of drones
Obama's use of drone strikes has come under heavy fire in recent months, especially in light of recent revelations that they have killed four American citizens overseas – three of whom were inadvertently targeted. Despite the controversy, Obama defended his use of these unmanned aircrafts to perform targeted air strikes. However, he did say that he is ordering a review of how the drones are deployed and will increase the oversight of the process.
Mixed responses
Obama's much anticipated speech was met with a variety of reactions, and both sides of the political spectrum felt he did not go into detail enough. On the Republican side, Speaker of the House John Boehner said it left few questions unanswered, including whether or not a less aggressive foreign policy approach will diminish the threat of terrorism, according to The Boston Globe. As for Democrats, the President's own party wants him to be more aggressive in his efforts to close Gitmo, something he pledged to do while running for the office in 2008.
As the town of Moore, Okla., recovers from a devastating tornado that hit earlier this week, the Oklahoma National Guard has played an integral role in the process. Just hours after the storm passed through, hundreds of Guardsmen were on the scene helping look for survivors and they will likely remain as the clean-up process continues, according to the Army's official website.
Local residents are just beginning to feel the full effects of the storm. Officials say the twister, which had winds of up to 200 miles per hour, killed 24 people – 10 of whom were children. Although many of the service members helping out in the recovery have been to devastated areas before, they say the damage inflicted on Moore – estimated to be about $2 billion – is among the worst they have ever seen.
"This is a thousand times worse [than a 1999 tornado that also hit Moore]. It's like a war zone." Sgt. Mike Bell told NBC News, "I was deployed to Katrina in 2005; that was bad. This is – words can't describe how bad this is."
The scene in Moore evokes memories of a powerful tornado that struck the city of Joplin, Mo., in 2011. That storm caused the deaths of more than 160 people.
In 2012, the Supreme Court struck down a law that made it illegal to lie about having earned a military medal on the basis of free speech. Now, a year later an improved, more narrowly tailored law is on its way to President Barack Obama's desk. The law, known as the Stolen Valor Act, would make it a crime to profit from lying about having a medal, according to The Associated Press.
The bill is the creation of Nevada lawmakers Rep. Joe Heck and Sen. Dean Heller and easily passed both the Senate and House earlier this week. There are slight differences between this piece of legislation and the earlier version, most notably that one would have to earn some benefit or payment from his or her lying about military honors and service. If that's found to be the case, the perpetrator could face up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
"Our nation can never fully express our gratitude for all that our men and women in uniform have experienced on our behalf," Heller told Military Times. "Their acts of valor helped to ensure the safety and security of our national. The honor of their awards should never be compromised."
Not all military decorations are covered by the bill, according to the news source. However, it does include the Medal of Honor, service crosses, Silver Star, Purple Heart and combat badges.
As the Department of Defense looks to cut costs in the wake of sequestration, there has been substantial controversy surrounding what impact it could have on military families. Specifically, the community was concerned about purpose plans to reduce service members' annual raises and increase TRICARE fees. Those criticisms did not go unnoticed, and the House Armed Services subcommittee on personnel is set to introduce legislation officially opposing the move, reports Military Times.
Debate intensifies
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Wilson, brings the conversation over pay reductions and fee increases to a new level. Pentagon officials say that the changes are modest – troops would still see a 1 percent bump in pay – and are necessary as it looks to cut costs. Additionally, the TRICARE fee hikes would only apply to working-age retirees. However, Wilson and other military advocates do not see it that way. This new piece of legislation would keep the pay raise at 1.8 percent, which is keeping pace with private sector wages, while removing any fees associated with the military's healthcare program.
The need for savings
Although it's important for military families to receive the support and benefits they've earned, DOD officials maintain that they need to find ways to reduce military spending, and dropping pay raises is a good start. By reducing the raise to 1 percent, the DOD could save about $536 million in the 2014 budget and $3.5 billion over the course of five years.
"We are at a strategic turning point and the defense budget is a reflection of the changes in defense strategy announced by the president," defense officials said in a recent letter to Congress. "There were hard choices that had to be made in every budget category, including military compensation."
Military community already feels the pinch
While it has only been two months since it was enacted, the sequester has already made its presence known in the military community. This has been especially evident in recent days as the number of Memorial Day celebrations across the country have been cut, according to Military.com. Experts estimate that sequestration could result in $1 trillion in cuts – more than $500 billion coming from the military – over the course of the next 10 years.
A wide variety of injuries affect veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Everything from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) to amputations have gained a considerable amount of attention, but experts say that chronic pain caused by musculoskeletal conditions may be one of the most prevalent issues. A recent analysis from Minnesota Public Radio found that the number of doctors seeing troops with joint disorders has steadily increased over the last decade, The Associated Press reports.
Wide variety of causes
The analysis relied on data from VA hospitals in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota and found that doctors saw a 133 percent spike in the number of troops with joint damage between 2003 and 2012. While the statistics were drawn from those three states, experts say it's a nationwide trend, and not all joint issues are caused by wounds suffered during battle. Instead, some of these injuries are caused by heavy gear, body armor and long treks.
"With those big heavy packs on it's hard to even stand," Dr. Paul Huddleston, an orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic and veteran himself, told the AP. "People hurt their knees and backs acutely just from walking around with all that. Shoulder injuries are not uncommon."
Not being ignored
With the growing prevalence of joint injuries, the Department of Defense has recognized that it needs to make an effort to create armor and gear lighter and less burdensome for troops. Most recently, the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act mandated that the DOD conduct studies to find the best methods to reduce the weight of such equipment. Those findings are due to the Congress by June 22 of this year, according to Army Times. However, making armor lighter is often not that easy.
"We've taken your grandmother's china, wrapped it in Kevlar and given you the capability," Brig. Gen. Peter Fuller told Defense News. "You want more protection? More china, more Kevlar, that's weight."
The need is increasingly great
Whether it's TBI, post-traumatic stress disorder or joint damage, addressing the medical needs of veterans will become particularly important over the coming months and years as thousands of servicemembers head home from Afghanistan and separate from service alone. In the Army alone, officials are looking to cut the size of forces by about 70,000, meaning more troops will be looking for work in the civilian world and if they're hampered by lingering joint damage that could be a serious issue.
Even if they are not diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), servicemembers and first responders undoubtedly face a great deal of mental strain on a day-to-day basis. People in such high-stress jobs have turned to a wide variety of methods to cope with the effects of this mental condition, and one woman who has seen the impact war can have up close is reaching out to many of them with a new technique – yoga, according to Military Times.
Accessible to everyone
The program, known as YogaFit for Warriors, was started by Lt. Col. Shaye Molendyke, who has seen the effects of war up close during her time in the military working in the psychiatric ward at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. She has been regularly practicing yoga since a serious injury left her unable to run 15 years ago, and her new program focuses less on acrobatic poses and esoteric language and more on accessing the mental health benefits of the exercise. Molendyke hopes this unconventional approach to PTSD will help ensure anybody with the condition – whether it be a firefighter or soldier – is not afraid to seek help.
"The stigma attached to being seen for PTSD in the military – you're certainly not going to say, 'I'm having trouble managing my emotions,' " she told the news source. "What I hope happens is that people hear how yoga can help, then they go to a yoga class in their military community where someone has been trained and teaches a trauma-sensitive class"
Greater understanding
YogaFit for Warriors comes at a time when the way the medical community understands PTSD is rapidly changing. Earlier this year, researchers from New York University's School of Medicine pinpointed the specific area of the brain that is affected by the condition. Specifically, they found that servicemembers with PTSD had much higher activity in the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that's responsible for managing fear and other anxious feelings.
As the evolution of of PTSD treatment continues, it could come at precisely the right time. Thousands of troops are slated to separate from service in the coming years as the U.S. winds down operation in Afghanistan, and an estimated 20 percent of veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan experience symptoms of PTSD.
The military has made a strong push to become more energy efficient in recent years, and nowhere is that more evident than at their bases around the country. Many installations have implemented solar panels, a recent report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) revealed that they are creating an estimated 130 megawatts. Although the Armed Forces still has a long way to go until they reach their eventual goal of having solar power be responsible for 58 percent of its renewable energy, experts are encouraged by the progress.
Saving money, saving lives
Part of moving to more renewable sources of energy is about helping the Pentagon cut spending, but it is also about protecting troops. For instance, switching to solar power will help the military reduce its dependence on foreign sources of power that can often be unstable. Not only that, but focusing on alternative sources slashes the number of trucks necessary to transport fuel, and these convoys are often prime targets for improvised explosive devices and other attacks. Experts also say that this move toward going green can help troops find jobs after separating from service.
"After using solar energy on military bases and in the field, many returning servicemen and servicewomen are finding great career opportunities at solar firms, which have been actively recruiting veterans." said Rhone Resch, SEIA president and CEO. "Many other veterans have started firms of their own."
Fort Bliss stands tall
While the entire military has made an effort to go green, Texas' Fort Bliss is among the best, reports Stars and Stripes. Earlier this month it became the first DOD installation to operate on the microgrid, which allows officials to collect solar energy and save it for later use. This is especially important because it means that Fort Bliss will not suffer in the event of a power outage caused by a cyber attack or other unforeseen circumstances.
Long road ahead
The military has undoubtedly made great strides in its efforts to use renewable energy and alternative fuels, but it has a lot more work to do. According to the publication, Congress mandated that the Pentagon needs to generate 25 percent of its entire energy supply by renewable sources by 2025, and there remains an increased focus on biofuels.