Recently, there has been an increase in the number of training centers available for dogs that service wounded veterans. These animals can provide assistance when a veteran is familiarizing himself or herself with a new prosthetic and give comfort to veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder, among many other talents. One former servicemember bonded so closely with his service animal that he used the dog as a best man in his wedding.
U.S. Army veteran Justin Lansford lost his leg to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2012. ABC News reported that when he returned home, Lansford adopted Gabe, a Golden Retriever that was trained at Warrior Canine Connection. He and the dog grew very close, and when it came time for Lansford to choose a best man, his first thought was Gabe.
At the Oct.3 ceremony, Gabe was dressed up in doggie-fitted dress blues and perched at the end of the aisle next to Lansford, according to USA Today. The service dog was perfectly behaved during the entire event.
Brad Hall, a photographer at the wedding, told USA Today, "[Gabe] was easy, quite frankly, a lot easier than we typically see with groomsmen at most weddings."
Gabe helped Lansford propose to his now-wife a year ago, and the couple said it felt right having him be included in the day.
During combat, servicemembers are sometimes injured in a way that leaves them with a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. In fact, the Department of Veterans Services has reported that nearly 20 percent of returned servicemembers experience PTSD, and it is estimated that an average of 21 veterans take their lives every day because of combat-related stress or injuries.
A 2014 study conducted by New Mexico-based psychiatrist George Greer found that medical marijuana may help those former servicemembers who are struggling with PTSD and other mental issues. In fact, when Greer published his findings in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, he wrote that 75 percent of the 80 veterans who participated in the study saw a reduction in the symptoms and severity of their PTSD when they used cannabis treatments.
The study also concluded that hyperactivity, flashbacks and depression were reduced while participants were using medical marijuana.
Currently, only 23 states have legalized the use of this alternative treatment, but many veterans are arguing for the decriminalization of the drug. Some have even formed the Veterans Cannabis Project, an advocacy group that petitions for veterans' use of medical marijuana.
While the stigma surrounding cannabis is still relatively negative, the proof is hard to ignore.
Many U.S. citizens proudly fly the American flag in show of support for the country and its servicemembers. One Pennsylvania woman wanted to create a flag that would also show support for first responders.
Lillian Germaine of West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has always had a deep respect for the first responders in her community, according to New Castle News. The 84-year-old recently decided to take her admiration of police officers, firefighters and emergency medical service workers to the next level. Germaine partnered with her nephew, a graphics artist, to design a flag that represented all branches of first responders.
"I always had flags in my yard," she told the news source.
Germaine went on to say that she was never able to find one that represented first responders in a way that she wanted. That was when she decided to start an organization called CIntoG. Through her nonprofit, she raised all the money to create her flag and distribute her flag. Germaine and her nephew plan to sell their products in the ceremony-worthy banner size of 5-by-8-foot and the more personal 3-by-5 foot size.
She hopes to use the local event Light-Up-Night on Nov. 12 to spark a major interest in her work.
According to New Castle News, all profits from Germaine's flag sales will be donated to local first responders.
The Wounded Warrior Project is dedicated to helping former servicemembers who have an injury or illness from their time in combat. The organization has created countless events to help these wounded veterans heal and improve their quality of life. One of the most popular of these is the Soldier Ride.
The event was established in 2004, according to the website. It was meant to provide wounded veterans with an opportunity to rejuvenate their love for life and adventure. Since then, Soldier Ride has sponsored thousands of veterans on four-day bike rides across different regions of the country. It brings these individuals together and allows them to bond through a joint motivation to finish the ride.
The sponsors of the events provide veterans with their bicycles before the journey begins, even if they require special adaptive equipment. The veterans will leave from a designated location and cycle as far as 50 miles until they return to their original location.
Most recently, a group of 50 veterans from Alabama have signed up for the next Soldier Ride. Taking place in mid-October, the group will ride across the state on what the WWP hopes will be a life changing journey.
Veterans are usually very familiar with guns. However, they may not think of them as a way to heal from mental and physical injuries from combat. A nonprofit group in Free Soil, Michigan, is doing just that. Veterans and Sportsman United is a hunting group founded in 2015 that brings former servicemembers together with avid hunters for recreation and relaxation.
The organization provides veterans with a soothing escape when they start to feel confused or stressed by life after service. The group wanted to give veterans a safe place to adjust to their new lives.
"If you're back home from overseas, and you're in the city, it doesn't give you time or a good atmosphere to decompress in," Adam Slinkman, president and chief executive officer of Veterans and Sportsmen United, told Michigan Live. "But if you get out in the field with guys that have the same stories as you, you have a chance to ease your mind a bit. There's a rehabilitation to it."
Veterans and Sportsman United has organized day hikes and week-long hunting trips. Most recently, they have been taking veterans out to Lake Hamlin for duck hunting trips.
The group plans to organize more events and has announced a deer hunting excursion later in the year.
First responders often describe their units as "teams." This is an excellent analogy because it inspires trust and comradery in a difficult work event. However, no team is successful without a strong and reliable leader. If it is your job to be that leader, here are a few tips to help your improve in your role:
1. Give respect
You have likely heard the old adage, "You have to give respect to get it." This is especially true for first responders who must rely on each other in a stressful environment. You must establish an atmosphere of respect between your co-workers and treat their concerns and opinions with the time they deserve so they will be willing to do the same for you. Creating a mutual air of respect can translate into a smoother operating system in the field.
2. Inspire optimism
Inevitably, situations will arise that lower the morale of your team. It is your job to be a pillar of optimism. If your co-workers notice that you approach every day with a positive attitude, they will be more likely to follow suit. Try to encourage your team to practice positivity regularly. This may build a healthier mentality amongst the group.
3. Be prepared to shoulder responsibility
One of the greatest attributes of a strong leader is the ability to step up whenever needed. This can mean accepting the praise for a job well done and remaining humble. Yet, it can also mean accepting the blame for a mistake made by the unit. As a leader, it is your job to prove that you are willing to take the criticisms and compliments without letting it effect your ability to perform your duties.
4. Communicate with your co-workers
People are less likely to follow someone they do not feel comfortable opening up to. As we noted in a previous blog post, it's important to establish open communication with your team. Let them know that you are there if they need to talk. You should also be willing to share with your co-workers sometimes. This is not a display of vulnerability. It is an expression of trust.
5. Lead by example
Everything you do is being scrutinized by your team. From the time you show up to work until the time you go home, they are looking to you as a role model. However you want your unit to behave, that is how you should act. Come into work a little early and stay until the job is done. Keep your uniform and equipment in excellent condition. Bring with you the attitude that every day is a clean slate, and you have the power to make it a success.
Because first responders have such challenging careers, it is important that they have someone in their team to look up to. If it is your responsibility to assume a leadership role, make sure you become the strongest leader you can. Your team is counting on you for support and guidance. By understanding what defines a good leader and adhering to those qualities, you can be the leader your co-workers need.
Recently, Beaufort County in South Carolina has been witness to historic flooding. Heavy rains and thunderstorms flooded the area, but the dangerous conditions and high waters did not stop local first responders from suiting up for work.
According to WNCT 9 News, the water in some areas was over several feet deep and filled with debris. None of the areas have been declared disaster zones yet, so the emergency workers plan to continue searching for residents in need of help until the announcement is made.
The first responders who spoke to the news source said that going into the flooded areas was more than just about rescuing those in trouble. It was also a scouting mission to gauge the conditions and report back to other rescue crews. These efforts will help protect residents and other first responders.
"We just want to make sure everybody is safe going to, during a call, and then come back from the call," Brian Lanning, a captain with Chocowinity Fire, told WNCT 9 News.
The emergency professionals are working through the rain and storms to make sure everyone gets to safety, and they have requested that everyone take the situation seriously and act with caution.
On Memorial Day 2013, Wal-Mart announced its new veteran hiring initiative. The supermarket chain called their program the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment. Wal-Mart's goal was to find employment for any honorably discharged veteran who ended service after the program's start date.
USA Today recently reported that 10 percent of returned servicemembers have difficulty finding civilian employment. Many struggle with translating military skills to a civilian resume while others simply do not know where to look for jobs. The veteran hiring initiative hopes to help reduce this percentage and provide veterans with employment in their life after service.
Since its beginnings, Wal-Mart's veteran hiring initiative has provided jobs for 100,000 veterans and promoted 9,000, according to the company's website. By Memorial Day 2020, Wal-Mart hopes to increase its number of veteran employees by 250,000.
The latest hiring event with the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment will take place in Hemet, California, where the company has opened its newest Neighborhood Market. According to The Press Enterprise, the store has 65 full-time positions available. Many of these positions will begin as early as November.
Interested former servicemembers are encouraged to contact the Hemet Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market. To learn more about Wal-Mart's commitment to veterans, click here.
Inspired by the attacks of 9/11, the Green Bay Country Club has shared their golf course with veterans for the past 13 years, according to local ABC News affiliate WBAY. Every Veterans Day On the Links, the golf course closes to the public to allow veterans to enjoy the day golfing and bonding.
"We get a chance to recognize veterans who sometimes don't get recognized, I think waving the American flag got a lot stronger right after 9/11, everybody found a lot of patriotism and certainly we all have it today, but just for a day we give them a chance to be a Green Bay Country Club member for a day," Jerry Miller, the Veterans Golf Outing Chairperson, told the news source.
Veterans from a variety of conflicts came out to participate in the event. Many told WBAY that the experience was about sharing their combat stories and relaxing with comrades on the course. The manager of the country club also told the news source that many of the course employees volunteered their time to help with the events, even if they were not scheduled to work that day.
More than 100 veterans participated in this year's event.
For nearly two years, the Veteran Affairs office has been without a permanent general inspector. On Oct. 2, President Obama made the announcement that he had found a candidate worthy of nomination for the position.
According to Star and Stripes, Michael Missal, a partner at the law firm K&L Gates, was the individual who received this nomination. Military Times reported that Missal has lead a number of internal investigations on the government and has been on the senior counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
"The president selected Missal because he has a distinguished legal background and a proven record of expertly leading prominent, sensitive and extensive investigations," said a White House official.
This nomination comes at an advantageous time because of the recent scrutiny the VA office has been facing. Missal's role will be to play "watchdog" to the office and ensure the integrity of operations.
Government officials told Military Times that they were pleased with the nomination and were looking forward to leadership and guidance in the VA.
The date for the finalization vote for the nomination has not yet been released.