The U.S.-Canadian 1st Special Service Force, known in World War II as the "Devil's Brigade," will receive the Congressional Gold Medal in a February ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Military Times reported that the unit, which served mainly in southern France and Italy, is often compared to the Green Berets. The group of 1,800 soldiers was brought together in 1942 in Helena, Montana. They fought during the 1944 landing at Anzio, the siege of Monte Cassino and the invasion of southern France. The unit contributed to the capture of 7,000 prisoners as well as 12,000 German soldier casualties.
Currently, 75 members of the brigade are still alive. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported that 46 of the remaining veterans are Americans, 29 are Canadians and one is Australian. While not all of them will be able to attend the ceremony, 90-year-old John Tedore is eager to make his way from Iowa to D.C. for the event.
"Absolutely, I'm going. It's a great deal for us guys, and it doesn't happen very often. I really appreciate it, I'll tell you that. I think about all those guys that were in that outfit," the veteran told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.
The former servicemember told the source that his unit rarely got recognized for its hard work because of its classified status. They approached combat with such ferocity, however, that Nazi troops began to refer to them as "the black devils." A movie about their heroic actions, named "The Devil's Brigade," was produced in 1968, cementing the unit's intimidating nickname.
The Congressional Gold Medal is considered the country's most prestigious award for distinguished achievement, reported Military Times. The group earned recognition from the Canadian government about three years ago, noted the source.
U.S. Army veteran Richard Rhodes passed away alone in his Winona, Minnesota, apartment just before Christmas at the age of 73. Rhodes, who served in Vietnam, led an isolated life and never drew up a will, reported Military Times. Although no relatives or friends could be located, when a local funeral home heard that the man was a former soldier, they wanted to make sure he received a proper burial.
Brittany Horton, director of the funeral home charged with interring Rhodes, arranged a standard service and got in touch with various veterans organizations. According to the Winona Daily News, Horton's efforts were not in vain. Over 100 people, including a full guard of honor, came to the cemetery to pay their respects to the man almost none of them knew. The source reported that one of Rhodes' old co-workers came to the service. Though he was shocked to learn of his friend's passing, he was touched by the overwhelming display of respect for the man who often kept to himself.
"He was a great guy … just awesome," Tom Hundt, Rhodes' former colleague, told the Winona Daily News.
The source noted that three volleys were fired and taps played, as is the custom for military funerals. Since no family was in attendance, a folded American flag was presented to the funeral home.
It is a commonly shared belief that you should help those who have assisted you in times of need. In response to all that veterans have done to serve their country, the Department of Veterans Affairs is giving grant money for certain beneficial programs, reported the Journal Times. Nonprofits in Wisconsin are currently receiving money from the government to expand their programs to help veterans in their life after service.
Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin
One of the grant's recipients is the Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin, which offers shelter and other necessities for those who have served. The DVA gave $5,000 to the program to provide furniture and bedding, as well as food and support services for homeless veterans, noted the Journal Times. Since January 2014, the group has assisted veterans in need of housing, and their mission is to "help veterans strive for normalcy in life," according to their Facebook page.
The group gathers donated items like furniture and purchases new items with monetary donations received. Those in the area who are interested in donating can either drop it off themselves or visit the website to complete a pick-up form. A volunteer from the program will come and gather your donated belongings, making it more convenient than ever to contribute.
Veterans Equine Assisted Therapy Program
According to the Journal Times, the DVA also gave $1,000 to Stepping Stone Farms School of Horsemanship Inc. to provide special animal-assisted therapy to veterans. The money will help out with the expenses of veterinarian costs, feed and utilities to support the animals. While dogs are typically the most popular type of therapy animal, horses are effective, gentle creatures that can improve a person's mental health. The animals are able to provide those with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder the opportunity to feel love and affection without judgment, as well as a safe, relaxed environment to ease back into a normal life after combat.
According to the program's website, the bond that is shared with the animals should eventually restore self-confidence and control, assertiveness and nonverbal communication, among other traits that can be compromised with a mental illness. By consistently visiting the horses and providing care for them, those who visit are able to get a better perspective on life and, in turn, themselves.
For those who have never served in combat, it can be difficult to tap into the mind of a veteran and truly understand the challenges he or she faces during life after service. An intense film, "American Sniper," recently hit theaters and attempts to do just that. It provides a personal account of a famous sniper who had an undying love for his country and held a passion for stopping enemies in their tracks. The fame of the movie can help spread awareness of what it is truly like to be a soldier and return home after multiple deployments.
About the movie
Directed by Clint Eastwood, the movie is based on a true story and details the life of veteran Chris Kyle, who was named the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. According to The Seattle Times, Kyle was deployed in four tours and was credited with 160 kills. Although he was a fierce soldier, his loved ones described him as being a loving family man who was changed over the course of his deployments.
"The way the film was directed coupled with outstanding performances by Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller and the rest of the cast made for a heart wrenching and deeply accurate portrayal of the external and internal battles our service men and women face," writer and former Navy SEAL Brent Gleeson reported in Forbes magazine. "Not to mention the even greater sacrifices made by the families and loved ones back home."
The movie's accuracy can be attributed to the research that the actors and writers performed, as well as the story from which it was pulled. The film is an adaptation of Kyle's book, "American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in American History," which not only describes his experience in combat, but also his family life. Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller, who play Chris and Taya Kyle, spent a great deal of time perfecting their characters in preparation for their roles.
"Taya provided Sienna every email and letter the two exchanged during his four deployments giving her a solid framework for the deep love and connection they had, as well as the struggles associated with that level of service," Gleeson wrote in Forbes.
Stars and Stripes reported that Cooper spent time learning how to operate some of the guns that Kyle often used throughout his career. He was a part of the United Service Organizations for several years and periodically visited Iraq and Afghanistan. His relentless preparation for the film paid off. Multiple reviews by writers and family members who knew Kyle personally all reported how amazed they were at Cooper's ability to morph into the role.
"There were a lot of people after Chris was killed who said, 'I only spent one day with your husband and I felt like he was my best friend.' And I think that is sort of a cool thing people can get out of this movie, too," Taya Kyle told the news source.
Spreading veteran awareness
After retiring from service in 2009, Chris Kyle spent a lot of his time reaching out to veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and publicly spreading awareness for the importance of veteran support. Kyle was killed in 2013 allegedly by another veteran that he was trying to help, reported Forbes. His service to his country and willingness to help those in need is portrayed in the movie, and shows a very personal, touching account of why it is so important to help those who dedicate their lives to protecting the people of their country.
"American Sniper" is nominated for Best Picture and Leading Actor at the 2015 Oscars, and is now playing in theaters.
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.
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.