According to the Department of Defense Trauma Registry, roughly 1,400 servicemembers had injuries to their genitalia between 2011 and 2013, many sustained from improvised explosive devices. Several doctors at Johns Hopkins University are hoping to change the life of one of the veterans who lost part of his penis during service.
CBS Baltimore reported that a team of nearly 30 doctors will soon perform the first penis transplant ever performed on American soil.
For many of the doctors involved, the surgery is about more than improving the physical and sexual health of the injured veterans. A wound to genitalia is often accompanied with psychological repercussions.
"I don't care who you are military, civilian, anything you have an injury like this, it's more than just a physical injury," Army Sergeant First Class Aaron Causey, a victim of an IED genitalia injury, told the NY Times.
RT.com reported that the operation is expected to take up to 12 hours and cost $200,000 to $400,000. However, the final result will be a veteran who has been given back an important part of his life. The surgery will leave the former servicemember with a fully functional penis and urethra, meaning he will be able to have children of his own and use the restroom normally.
Most people who were alive during the attacks on Pearl Harbor are no longer alive to commemorate the event. There are even fewer veterans from that time period who are still living. Frank Levingston, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, is currently the oldest living veteran from World War II.
Levingston, who turned 110 on Nov. 13, 2015, according to Fox 5 News, enlisted in the Army after the attacks in Hawaii in 1942. The news source reported that he spent three years serving in Italy before retiring and returning home.
The veteran was recently invited to make the trip to Washington, D.C. for the 74th Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony. The news source stated that it was the veteran's first time to the nation's capital, and he was not going to let age hold him back during the experience.
Levingston was flown from New Orleans to Washington D.C. on Dec. 5, where he was driven to the VFW Post 2013 by a limousine, as reported by Fox 5 News. On Dec. 7, the anniversary of the attacks, the veteran was invited to be a part of the wreath-laying ceremony at the National World War II Memorial.
There were 400 people in attendance at the ceremony, including Levingston's wife.
It isn't unusual for veterans, in their life after service, to find that navigating the complex legalese of military benefits, wills and estate planning is thoroughly confusing. However, Virginia has a plan to help make these things a little less burdensome. Starting next year, four statewide legal service clinics will be offered to low-income veterans totally free of cost.
News Channel 3 reported that the clinics will come in the form of a partnership between the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and the Virginia State Bar. Volunteers from the Office of the Attorney General and the state bar association will help veterans draft wills, establish powers of attorney and sort out medical and insurance problems.
"Wills, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives can provide veterans, their partners, and families with peace of mind and planning for the future, and we're proud to serve these Virginians who have fought for this great nation and the American people," said Attorney General Herring, according to News Channel 3.
"Veterans are true heroes who, without question, put their lives at risk to protect the freedoms we enjoy as Virginians and Americans. The very least we can do to honor their service to our country is volunteer our time to prove these critical legal services," he continued.
The new legal clinics are expected to prove particularly useful to older veterans. But they will also assist a wide range of former servicemembers. According to WTOP, more than half of Americans haven't written wills or put together estate planning documents. If that disparity is applied to Virginia's 800,000 veterans, the necessity of the legal clinics becomes clear.
"It's a cost many of our veterans may not be able to afford, especially if they are older Virginians or students on a fixed income. But it doesn't mean that these documents are any less important. Our veterans deserve the peace of mind that these legal services offer," Herring told WTOP.
In a blow to sinister stereotypes that returning war veterans are more likely to commit crimes than the average citizen, the number of incarcerated military veterans has continued to fall. According to the report released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics on Monday, counts and rates of veterans in state and federal prison, as well as local jail, declined from 203,000 in 2004 to 181,500 in 2011-12. This is the first government report to include substantial numbers of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in its findings.
Veterans, the recent data show, are less likely to be imprisoned than non-veterans – with incarceration rates of 855 per 100,000 and 968 per 100,000, respectively. In the two years under study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, veterans only accounted for up to 8 percent of inmates in state and federal prisons and local jails. Of those locked up, 99 percent were male.
In 1978, when the Bureau of Justice Statistics began to track the number of imprisoned veterans, around 24 percent of prisoners were veterans. Ever since then veteran incarceration rates have fallen. NPR reported that by 1998 veterans had the same rates as those who never served in the military. Now they've declined further still.
Some interesting differences between veteran and non-veteran populations exist. Hispanic and non-Hispanic black inmates made up a dramatically smaller percentage of incarcerated veterans – 38 percent in prison and 44 percent in jail – compared to the same demographics among non-veterans – 63 percent in prison and 59 percent in jail. A greater percentage of veterans, however, were sentenced for violent offenses.
The falling population of veterans in prison accords with national trends. World War II and Korea veterans – in their 80s and 90s – aren't committing much crime, and many Vietnam veterans in their 70s are in the same low-crime boat. Not only that, but increased veteran services, as well as high employment figures, mean that a veteran returning to his life after service has plenty of options.
It was a beautiful and moving sight on Sunday when a fleet of trucks left Columbia Falls, Maine with 248,000 wreaths in tow. The convoy of box trucks and tractor-trailers was headed for Arlington National Cemetery as part of Wreaths Across America, an initiative that adorns the gravesites of the fallen with homemade greenery every year.
According to the Associated Press, five stops were made in Maine communities on Sunday, including in Portland, where Maine first lady Ann LePage joined in to help load up the trucks. They are continuing south on Monday to make other stops, where no doubt veterans and thankful citizens will be on hand to contribute. The convoy is expected to arrive in Arlington, Virginia on Saturday.
Wreaths Across America began in 1992, when Morrill Worcester – who owned the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine – found that he had thousands of extra wreaths he couldn't sell. He didn't want them to go to waste, so he reached out to Olympia Snowe, the U.S. Senator, who helped Worcester to deliver the wreaths to Arlington.
For years the tradition flew under the radar, no more than a quiet show of respect and a sign that the country had not forgotten, but in 2005 photos of snow-covered balsam wreaths leaning on graves became popular online. It wasn't long before community leaders reached out to Worcester for wreaths to adorn their own cemeteries and donors sought to help expand the scope of the project.
The initiative has come a long way in the last decade. Maine's local WMTW reported that Wreaths Across America predicts they will ship over 900,000 wreaths to hundreds of places, including all 50 states and even some cemeteries overseas.
For years the Department of Veterans Affairs has been under scrutiny for its understaffed team of medical professionals, an issue made worse by the fact that veterans' access to private doctors outside the VA has been notoriously restricted. But on Tuesday the VA announced new rules to change that.
According to The Washington Post, the number of veterans eligible for the Veterans Choice Program will expand with the new rules – effective immediately – as the criteria for determining whether or not a veteran can be referred to a doctor's office or private clinic have become more flexible. Changes include consideration of geographic barriers, including the distance to the nearest VA center accepting military benefits, debilitating medical conditions, environmental factors and the need for frequent care.
If a VA hospital has no primary-care doctor available, or a veteran lives more than 40 miles away, they may obtain a referral for private care. This change will apply to around 160,000 veterans alone. New guidelines also stipulate that private care is now open if air or boat travel is required to reach a VA facility.
"As we implement the Veterans Choice Program, we are learning from our stakeholders what works and what needs to be refined," said VA Secretary Bob McDonald, the Military Times reported. "It is our goal to do all that we can to remove barriers that separate veterans from the care they deserve."
Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, stated that the changes come from conversations with McDonald about what veterans needed most. "We locked arms, we sat down and decided to agree rather than disagree, and we found a solution to the problem. And today, the VA Choice program is working better, and our veterans have better access because of that day and that meeting."
Shopping at a business that employs veterans is great. Shopping at one owned by veterans, and that makes products with fellow veterans in mind, is even better. The holidays are approaching quickly, and if you're stuck debating what to get the veteran or military servicemember in your life, here are some great gift ideas that are sure to impress.
Clothing
Grunt Style. Founded by a former Army drill sergeant in 2009, but now employing more than 90 veterans and patriots, Grunt Style lives by a code – PT, Freedom & Bacon. The company's Beer Guarantee – which ensures that any tears or beer stains are enough to earn a new shirt – means that shirts like "I Find Your Lack of Ammo Disturbing" won't ever lose their place in your vet's wardrobe.
Lady Brigade. Nadine Noky, a veteran of the Iraq War, told Buzzfeed earlier this year that she was fed up with walking into stores and finding no clothes for women veterans, despite the fact that women make up nearly 16 percent of the military. Noky decided to fix that. Lady Brigade is one of the only clothing lines for female veterans, and with shirts that say things like "This is What a Veteran Looks Like" and "Daughter, Sister, Sailor," women are finally able to celebrate their service with as much pride as men.
Nine Line Apparel. Servicemembers both past and present will recognize the military's term for an emergency medevac request. Daniel and Tyler Merritt, two brothers who served together in the Army, started the company in their garage. Now, with more than 70 veterans and military spouses contributing to a brand built on initiative and high-quality clothing, Nine Line is a great place to find both men and women's apparel and outdoor gear.
Accessories
Combat Flip Flops. If the name seems odd – not many veterans would likely advocate going into battle with flip flops – it's only because the two Army Rangers behind this innovative company decided that, after several combat tours in Afghanistan, a peaceful and easy-going approach to business was in order. All of the company's flip flops are made in Bogota, Colombia, where jobs are turning people away from violence toward making a good life for themselves. In addition to awesome footwear, the Claymore Bag puts a cool spin on men's messenger bags.
Sword & Plough. You might say that the idea for making fashionable recycled and repurposed military gear has been with Emily and her sister Betsy from the very beginning. They both grew up at West Point, their uncle was a Marine NASA astronaut, and Emily now serves as an officer in the Army. Their totes and handbags made out of parachutes and tent canvas come with a great military discount.
Beverages
Leadslingers' Whiskey. Members of the popular Article 15 clothing company decided to branch out in 2013 by founding Leadslingers' Whiskey. This small group of Army Ranger, Air Force TACP and Special Forces veterans have crafted a small-batch, single-barrel aged and double distilled bourbon so smooth that it must be tasted to be believed.
Black Rifle Coffee. If your veteran prefers beverages of the caffeinated sort, this is the coffee for them. Owned by former Special Forces operators, Black Rifle Coffee imports only the highest quality beans from Colombia and Brazil, then blends and roasts them with a top secret methodology. Blends include "Sniper's Hide" and "Girls for Gunslingers," along with related apparel.
Shopping for servicemembers or veterans in their life after service can be tough, but with gifts like these, it's hard to go wrong this holiday season.
A Commander and Chief's duty to those who served him doesn't end after leaving office. Former President George W. Bush was on deck aboard a retired aircraft carrier on Thursday to cheer on a one-of-a-kind volleyball match between players without the use of two legs.
Bush is honorary chairman of the 2016 Invictus Games, which will be hosted in May in Orlando, Florida. According to the Military Times, more than 500 veterans and military servicemembers from 15 countries will attend the games, where they'll compete in 10 sports adapted to their condition.
"Those who wear their Nation's uniform, some of whom have overcome both visible and invisible injuries, deserve our support," said Bush in a statement. "I'm proud to serve as honorary chairman of the Invictus Games 2016, and to shine a spotlight on the unconquered spirit of these men and women, not just from the American team but from 15 Coalition nations."
Speaking aboard New York's Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, formerly the USS Intrepid – which survived torpedo and kamikaze attacks in World War II – Bush then sat to watch the wheelchair bound teams glide seamlessly across the court, refusing to be inhibited by their disabilities.
Prince Harry of Britain founded the Invictus Games last year. Ken Fisher, the chair and CEO of the Orlando games, is respected among veterans for his custom of building no-cost homes for men and women in their life after service as they seek treatment.
"We are thrilled to co-host the first policy symposium on the invisible wounds of war and the role sports and physical activity have in a warrior's recovery," said Fisher. "We must continue the dialogue that will inspire these men and women to re-engage, to embody what they can do and shine a light in the often dark and isolated area of invisible injuries."
States are finding increasingly inventive ways of helping local veterans. The Athens Banner-Herald reported on Nov. 20 that a variety of veterans service agencies and support groups – including representatives of the Georgia Department of Veterans Services, representatives of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the University of Georgia and the Social Security Administration – would meet at what would be called a "supermarket of veterans benefits."
On Tuesday, at The Classic Center in downtown Athens, they pulled it off. In the center's huge ballroom, veterans found dozens of service groups, organizations and government agencies all dedicated to assisting men and women in their life after military service.
Coy Gibson of the Veterans of Foreign Wars told WSB-TV that "If you haven't started into it (the process of claiming benefits), this is tremendous." Veterans walking into the benefits supermarket weren't guaranteed to leave with a job or any other kind of immediate help, but they did find valuable information and resources were made available to them.
"Athens is excited to have an event like this taking place for our community," said Athens Mayor Nancy Denson in a statement. "We need to take care of our veterans now more than ever and Athens is ready to show our appreciation for the men and women who have given us so much already."
The Department of Veterans Services expected veterans and their family members to be drawn to the supermarket from far beyond Athens' border. They were right. Veterans from all over the state showed up on Wednesday, eager to utilize the event's one-stop-shop format. Many learned that they weren't using military benefits they were entitled to, while others just enjoyed being around other veterans again and the sense of community that creates.
For hundreds of years, doctors have used what is called the "stump and socket" method to handle amputation. Most doctors agree that this is not the ideal way of doing things, since it goes against the body's natural weight bearing capacity. However, doctors at the Salt Lake Veterans Affairs Hospital are expected to conduct a new type of surgery for amputees in early December 2015.
According to Deseret News, the new method will involve implanting a percutaneous osseointegrated prosthesis in place of amputated limbs on veterans from operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
"What we're planning, and we hope this works, is to design a prosthetic leg that will clip on much like a ski boot would clip into a binding," Dr. Laurence Meyer, director of research for the Salt Lake City Veteran's Administration, told KUTV-2 News.
Many factors make the traditional prosthetics difficult to use and uncomfortable to wear, but doctors hope that the new prosthetics will eliminate some of these issues. The veterans undergoing the procedure have had a titanium stud placed in their femurs, as reported by Deseret News. The stud will soon be attached to a "docking mechanism for the prosthesis."
The news source wrote that the new prosthetics are expected to reduce wear on the sockets and make a longer lasting limb replacement.