Sign the Petition: require the VA to provide service dogs to veterans in need.

Hannah M started this petition to President Donald J. Trump and 7 others

Our military veterans are heroes. They face struggles that we couldn’t imagine, and they do it selflessly to protect our great country. However, their transition home can often be just as difficult because of mental and physical ailments from their service. The waitlist for the VA is far too long to quickly handle the care of every returning veteran, but their medical needs are urgent. Some of these needs can only be treated through direct medical care, but other needs can be met through a service dog.

Service dogs can be trained to care for people with PTSD, visual impairments, hearing impairments, mobility impairments, and many other conditions. Furthermore, these dogs can ensure that the veteran is never alone while dealing with these conditions.

Currently, the VA offers service dogs to those with hearing/sight loss and mobility impairments. However, they do not offer dogs to veterans with psychological issues, such as PTSD. I am advocating that, as part of the VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) evaluation process, the VA offer dogs to all veterans diagnosed with psychological or physical conditions.

This small step would make a massive difference in the lives of these men and women. They’ve given everything for us. Let’s give back to them.

https://www.change.org/p/require-the-va-to-provide-service-dogs-to-veterans-in-need?source_location=petition_footer&algorithm=promoted&original_footer_petition_id=13123180&grid_position=6&pt=AVBldGl0aW9uABKH0QAAAAAAXDyzS%2FDxV7tlMTRmMjliZA%3D%3D

Petition · Senate Armed Services Committee: Stop Penalizing Veterans Retired from the Military Due to Service‑Incurred Disabilities · Change.org

Stop Penalizing Veterans Retired from the Military Due to Service‑Incurred Disabilities
Kevin Reinholz started this petition to U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services Senate Armed Services Committee and 1 other

Until recently, military retirees who were also rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs as being at least 50% disabled as a result of their military service were forced to choose between receiving either their military pension OR disability compensation through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Congress partially corrected this injustice, recognizing that a military pension is earned compensation for a service member’s faithful service to our nation and a promised benefit for his or her military service (10 USC, Chapters 61-67), and disability compensation is an entirely separate benefit, administered through a separate government agency, to compensate all veterans (not just retirees) for service-connected injuries or illnesses, provided the injury is connected to the veteran’s military service and the veteran was not dishonorably discharged. (38 USC §§ 1110, 1131).

Military retirees were being unjustly penalized for suffering incurable injuries or diseases in the service of our nation by being denied a benefit (disability compensation) available to any veteran who served any length of time in uniform, lest they be required to surrender their earned military retirement/pension in order to avoid receiving “dual compensation.” This situation was particularly cruel when one considers that injured retirees, unlike perfectly healthy retirees, have fewer opportunities to obtain and maintain meaningful employment due to their service‑connected injuries or illnesses. They sacrificed their health and wellness to serve our country, and we denied them either their earned military pension OR the disability compensation they were entitled to, in spite of their being otherwise eligible for both, in the name of saving money.

The fix to this injustice is codified at 10 USC § 1414. That law states that military retirees who are eligible for both a military pension (retired pay) AND who are rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs as being at least 50% disabled as a result of their military service need not choose between receiving their full pension or receiving disability compensation, but may finally receive both.

As positive a step as this law and subsequent amendments to it were, there is still a group of disabled military retirees who are left out and penalized financially for becoming injured or ill in the service of our nation: military retirees who were retired with less than 20 years of qualified service due to a service-connected disability.

While one might argue that having served less than 20 years, those military retirees who were retired due to a military service-connected disability may justly be forced to choose between pension benefits and VA disability compensation, this particular class of military retirees actually has a greater need to receive both benefits. For starters, military service members involuntarily retired due to a service‑connected disability prior to completing 20 years of service have already incurred a significant financial penalty in the form of a greatly reduced pension, as military pension amounts are calculated according to the member’s highest 36 months of basic pay multiplied by either their service disabling disability percentage (which is NOT the same as their VA disability rating, and is normally far less) or a calculation involving their length of service, whichever method is more beneficial to the service member. A career cut short due to disability incurred in the line of duty is a career with a significantly lower final pay (or last 36 months) than a career allowed to continue to 20 years’ fruition.

Changing the law to ease this restriction would not “open the floodgates” to all disabled veterans. But for an injury or illness incurred in the line of duty, that is, disability due to the member’s military service, the service member will not be retired from the military for disability but will simply be discharged as unsuited for further military service. Members retired for disability must already face significant scrutiny over their injuries or illness, and a painful, protracted review process that routinely exceeds 2 years, before a decision in favor of military retirement for disability might possibly be reached.

A military member forcibly retired due to an injury or illness incurred in the line of duty, and rated as 100% disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs, has little to no hope of ever securing meaningful employment once forcibly retired from the military. In contrast, a 20-year retiree with a 50% VA disability rating might thrive in a sedentary (e.g. office) job and secure significant earnings in addition to his or her dual military pension and VA disability compensation. Thus, the 100% disabled retiree should not be penalized for having his or her military career cut short due to a severe service‑connected disability. On the contrary, his or her sacrifice should be honored and dual compensation allowed just as it is for the 20 year retiree with a 50% disability rating.

Therefore, I propose to amend 10 USC § 1414 by deleting subparagraph (b) in its entirety, or in the alternative to amend subparagraph (b)(2) to read as follows:

(2) Disability retirees with less than 20 years of service.-Subsection (a) does not apply to a member retired under chapter 61 of this title with less than 20 years of service otherwise creditable under section 1405 of this title, or with less than 20 years of service computed under section 12732 of this title, at the time of the member’s retirement, unless the disability retiree has at least 10 years of service or is eligible for veterans’ disability compensation for a qualifying service-connected disability or disabilities rated either individually or cumulatively at 100 percent.

The longest enlistment length is 6 years, so by serving at least 10 years, a service member has essentially indicated his/her intent to make a career of military service. Being forcibly retired early due to a service-connected disability is a traumatic and heartbreaking occurrence for many disability retirees, who would have continued serving until 20 years but for becoming injured or ill in the line of duty. Likewise, a retiree rated as 100% disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs is in a dire situation, and unlikely to be able to obtain or maintain meaningful employment. Adding either or both categories of disability retirees to 10 USC § 1414(a)’s allowance of both retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation not only further corrects the injustice partially remedied by 10 USC § 1414, but assists our most vulnerable military retirees in maintaining some semblance of a decent standard of living.

If any group of Americans is deserving of a financial benefit (or in this case, removal of an unjust financial penalty codified in law), it is military retirees who became injured or ill in the service of our nation. Therefore, I urge Congress to amend 10 USC § 1414 by either deleting subparagraph (b) in its entirety, or in the alternative by amending subparagraph (b)(2) as indicated above. To do so would make a world of difference in the lives of many military retirees who answered their nation’s call and were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of all that this country stands for, and indeed have sacrificed their health and future employability serving our nation.

https://www.change.org/p/senate-armed-services-committee-stop-penalizing-veterans-retired-from-the-military-due-to-service-incurred-disabilities/sign?utm_medium=email&utm_source=aa_sign_human&utm_campaign=475031&utm_content=&sfmc_tk=HN59zdK007tLL%2bIgCs05ZdYBir1fXGt0zEvm6ggQdWEtBrxgzQM7v1lJjaKe3vnv&j=475031&sfmc_sub=61374949&l=32_HTML&u=66137565&mid=7233053&jb=415

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Petition · Department of Veterans Affairs: Help Veteran with Cancer Caused by Serving our Country Receive VA Benefits · Change.org

Help Veteran with Cancer Caused by Serving our Country Receive VA Benefits
Stacy Philllips started this petition to Department of Veterans Affairs

Here we are in 2019 and I had to reopen the petition for Dan Parks, because yet again the VA has failed this Veteran. Dan went through the appeal process in the Summer of 2018. However, at the end of 2018 Dan received a letter from the VA that stated they couldn’t find the transcript from his appeal. This means he has to start over again for his disability benefits.

News story on Dan’s appeal transcripts being lost

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Our family friend, Dan Parks, is a U.S. Navy veteran that fought throat cancer. He was discharged from the military, partially, to end his exposure to ionizing radiation during his work in a weapons and ammunition facility. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is denying his claim for disability benefits – despite letters from the VA’s own doctors stating that Dan’s exposure likely caused his cancer. Dan needs your help to get the VA to change their decision before it’s too late.

Dan was stationed at Naval Submarine Base New London, where he worked with ordinance. During his time at the base, he was also exposed to ionized radiation. Fast-forward a few decades later and has Dan suffered from throat cancer. He now has to plug a hole in his throat to talk; a side effect of the cancer.

Dan’s discharge paperwork from the Navy includes a stamp saying he was being discharged, in part, due to the radiation exposure.

Multiple doctors with the VA have written letters saying there is a better than even chance that the cancer was caused by Dan’s radiation exposure during his time in the Navy. But the VA has denied his disability claim. The reason? They say there’s no proof he was exposed to radiation in the Navy.

As Dan says, “If the VA won’t accept their own doctors, where does a veteran turn?”

Dan’s been fighting for benefits for three years. He filed an appeal, but the VA won’t review it for another 18 months. Time is running out. He needs access to life-saving treatment before it’s too late.

Please sign this petition calling on the VA to accept their own doctors’ assessments and grant Dan Parks needed health benefits due to the radiation exposure he endured while serving our country.

https://www.change.org/p/department-of-veterans-affairs-help-veteran-with-cancer-caused-by-serving-our-country-receive-va-benefits/sign?utm_medium=email&utm_source=aa_sign_human&utm_campaign=475980&utm_content=&sfmc_tk=HN59zdK007tLL%2bIgCs05ZWBWnZmDNV3FPmibtLjsM5WMrK2S%2bByBRRM7efINncB1&j=475980&sfmc_sub=61374949&l=32_HTML&u=66158859&mid=7233053&jb=358

© 2019, Change.org, PBCCertified B Corporation

CHRISTMAS DAY

This gallery contains 18 photos.

Originally posted on Pacific Paratrooper:
TO ALL THOSE THAT BELIEVE IN FREEDOM AND PEACE: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!  FROM: PACIFIC PARATROOPER!! PLEASE… REMEMBER THOSE THAT FOUGHT FOR US IN THE PAST… AND THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO PROTECT US TODAY!!! AND FOR THOSE SPECIAL PEOPLE…

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Sign the Petition: Increase Disabled Veterans Benefits

Mo Moumné started this petition to Department of Veterans Affairs and 2 others

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs website as of November 8th 2018. Disabled veterans are paid on a disability scale that starts from 10% to 100% service connected disability. When the veteran is paid for their disability, it is a certain amount and currently the minimum for a 10% Disabled Veteran with No Dependents is 137$ monthly. The maximum amount is for a 100% Disabled Veteran with spouse, two parents and child at $3,527.22 monthly.

This amount is too little and needs to be addressed properly by our government officials.

For anyone who lives in any major city in the good old USA knows that the National Average of an unfurnished apartment is $1,500+ and climbing. For example, in most popular cities such as Los Angeles and New York City the average rate of housing is well over $2,500+ for two bedroom unfurnished apartments.

The VA benefits are not staying ahead of the housing cost by much and forcing veterans into Welfare/Food Stamps and supplemental state assistance income as a necessity in order to eat and survive normally. Rather than the government throw $640 Billion dollars and growing into the military, give a little more to those that have already served and deserve to be better taken care of. Give them the support they need. The funding to live a less stressful life after they have been hurt mentally and physically, lost their limbs or have become paralyzed.

Currently, President Trump’s requested budget for veterans for FY2019 is $198 Billion dollars, but this is going to be dispersed upon the service providers and facilities and maybe, just a measly 3.9% actual increase for Veterans Disabilities Benefits. This is not fair. Not right. Not enough.

Take better care of our vets. Sign this petition and let it be heard. Increase the benefits across the board for all Disabled Veterans. Starting from the 10% Disabled up to the 100% Disabled. All Veterans have sacrificed and should be treated and taken care of fairly.

https://www.change.org/p/department-of-veterans-affairs-increase-the-disabled-veteran-benefits

93-year-old war veteran dies with no one to carry casket – then six teens show up in uniform

There is no doubt that if there is anyone who deserves our utmost respect, it is no other than our honorable veteran heroes who risked their life for ours. The admirable courage and inspiring selflessness that the veterans displayed while they were in duty deserves to live on our memories.

Thomas Hunter, a veteran army who served in battlefield from the year 1942-1949, risked his life in the largest amphibious assault in our history. His dedicated his then young life to protect our country during the D-Day invasion of World War II.

After serving in the army by the end of 1949, Mr. Thomas Hunter lead a normal life. However, the war veteran did not get married. It seemed that he was already happy in the company of his 11 siblings.

Sadly, on the 12th day of September, Mr. Thomas Hunter took his last breath. At the ripe age of 93, the World War II veteran passed away, leaving a few nieces behind.

But since Mr. Hunter managed to outlive his 11 siblings, none of his immediate family is left to carry his casket. During the planning of his funeral, his surviving nieces did not know who they could ask to carry Mr. Thomas Hunter’s casket.

Fortunately, the funeral director at Southern Funeral Homes in Winnfield, Louisiana knew what to do. Bryan Price, the director, reached out to the local football coach, Lyn Bankston to ask for help.

The local football coach then asked if any of the young men he knew would be willing to carry the casket of a war veteran. Knowing that these young men do not only possess strong leadership skills but an admirable kind heart as well, he knew they would be more than willing to lend a hand.

He asked Brett Jurek, Justin Lawson, Matthew Harrell, T.J. Homan, Lee Estay, and Christian Evans if they would be willing to help out the deceased war veteran. Not disappointing the expectation of the local coach, they immediately agreed to help knowing about Mr. Thomas Hunter’s story.

“These are all young men who are leaders in our program and our community. They know the sacrifice Mr. Hunter made and it meant something to them.” Lyn Bankston explained.

The young men even asked whether it would be okay for them to wear their football jerseys.
“The kids asked if it was appropriate for them to wear their jerseys, and I said absolutely it was because you and this program stand for exactly what Mr. Hunter stood for when he was serving this country.” Coach Bankston shared.

Photo | USA TODAY

To honor the priceless services Mr. Thomas Hunter rendered to our country during the World War II, the 6 young football men carried his casket with pride. They sent the war veteran on a somber and solemn ceremony.

To acknowledge the efforts of the 6 young athletes, U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham praised the kind gesture of the football players during his speech on the House floor.

“They didn’t know this man, but they knew that every veteran deserves to die with dignity and be honoured for the sacrifices he made in defence of this nation.” U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham said. “I think the actions of these young men speak volumes about what’s truly important – country, community, family, God.” The house representative added.

Meanwhile, Coach Bankston could not be even more proud of the kind gesture his players displayed.

“One of the things we try to teach our young people is to value history and to recognize that so many people sacrificed so they could have the life they have.” Coach Bankston proudly shared.

Kudos to the young football players, the war veteran who served our country was not sent off on his own. After all, no war veteran of any generation deserves to be forgotten, because if not for the life they have risked, we wouldn’t be here today.

Watch the heartwarming video below and may their story remind us not to forget about the heroes who stood up for our country.

 

Video | USA TODAY

https://positiveoutlooksblog.com/war-veteran-dies-with-no-one-to-carry-casket-six-teens-uniform/

Belgian Students Commemorate 100 Years By Restoring Graves of WW1 Soldiers «TwistedSifter

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Belgian students commemorate 100 years by restoring graves of ww1 soldiers 2 Belgian Students Commemorate 100 Years By Restoring Graves of WW1 Soldiers

© Benny Proot

To commemorate 100 years since the end of World War I; Belgian students cleaned, repainted and restored 250 graves spread over 5 cemeteries in Oostkamp and surrounding municipalities.

The idea was to honour and remember the brave soldiers of World War I, and ensure that their identification and data remains clearly legible for all visitors wishing to pay their respects.

The pupils who volunteered for the effort were art students currently enrolled in painting classes.

picture of the day button Belgian Students Commemorate 100 Years By Restoring Graves of WW1 Soldiers

twistedsifter on facebook Belgian Students Commemorate 100 Years By Restoring Graves of WW1 Soldiers

https://twistedsifter.com/2018/09/belgian-students-restore-graves-of-ww1-soldiers/#like-118311

Categories: ART, BEST OF, HISTORY, PICTURE OF THE DAY
Tags: · belgium, cemetery, painting, restoration, tribute, war, world war 1

Service dog calms veteran with PTSD in the middle of an interview

positiveoutlooksblog.com
Service dog calms veteran with PTSD in the middle of an interview
https://positiveoutlooksblog.com/2018/08/10/service-dog-calms-veteran-with-ptsd-in-the-middle-of-an-interview/

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, is a mental health issue that causes the victim of it to suffer from severe anxiety, unwanted flashbacks, and haunting dreams. According to statistics, the invisible illness, PTSD affects around 7.7 million of American adults. And most of the people who can share how it is like to battle against PTSD are the honorable men of the U.S. army.

One of them is a US veteran who served the army for 16 years, Erick Scott. With Erick Scott’s physical demeanor, you can already tell that he is a strong man. And the ink tattooed on his skin: a skull, an empty combat boots, a memorial of the time he served in Iraq, and a soldier’s cross to remember his fallen comrades, symbolizes how honorable Erick is.

However, what the public eyes fail to see, is his battle against his inner demons triggered by his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Erick recalled about the one advise his father, the person he respected the most, gave him that he cannot forget. “Son, you’ve got eleven guys, he said make sure you bring them all back.”

Sadly, some of his comrades perished in the battlefield, “That’s the last thing he [Erick’s father] told me… and they didn’t all come back.” Until today, Erick feels responsible for the life of his comrades who were not able to come back alive from their service. This is one of the nightmares haunting him at night, making it hard for him to have a good night sleep.

“I woke up numerous times, hitting my wife for her just laying there or just in a cold sweat,” Erick shared. The nightmare he is experiencing at night, often leaves him breaking in cold-sweat.

After years of experiencing other symptoms of PTSD, Erick finally decided to seek help from professionals. However, he was in denial and felt angry when he was, indeed, diagnosed with PTSD.

Erick tried a lot of medicines to help him cope with his PTSD, however, nothing worked for him. Hence, all of his drugs and medications were simply thrown in the trash bin. Feeling helpless, Erick already believed that there is no hope for him to recover from PTSD. Fortunately, he heard about the ‘K9’s For Warriors.’

K9s For Warriors, is a charitable organization that aims to help the veterans get the service dog that they need. Each service dog received formal training to respond to the manifestations of PTSD, making them the perfect companion for those suffering from PTSD. Through the help of K9’s For Warriors, Erick met Gumbo, the gentle black labrador who quickly responds to Erick whenever he is having a PTSD attack.

Even when Erick was being interviewed with USA Today, Gumbo did not leave his side. As the retired veteran shared how he reacted with his formal diagnosis with PTSD, the dutiful dog, Gumbo sensed a shift in his mood. In a snap, Gumbo nuzzled his head against Erick’s neck, as if he was re-assuring Erick from his agitation and frustration. As a response, Erick pet Gumbo and was able to relax himself.

It is truly amazing how Gumbo quickly sensed that there was already something wrong with Erick. His quick and immediate response to calm Erick down, was delivered in a snap that some people did not even notice that Erick was already experiencing a PTSD attack!

Watch the video below and prepare to be blown away by the quick response a service dog, Gumbo, provided to Erick, a veteran who experienced an actual PTSD attack during his interview.

Photos and Video | USA Today

WAN Exclusive For International Assistance Dog Week with “Dogs Of Service” Founder Saralyn Tartaglia Who Helps Rescue Dogs For Military Veterans – World Animal News

By Lauren Lewis –
August 9, 2018
Air Force veteran Eric Pina with his family which now includes his service dog, Loki. Photos from Dogs of Service.
With so much negative attention focused on service animals as of late, WAN is thrilled to acknowledge International Assistance Dog Week by featuring a unique and much-needed non-profit organization dedicated to providing service dogs and emotional support animals that have been rescued to help military veterans.
International Assistance Dog Week, which was created to recognize all the devoted, hardworking assistance dogs helping individuals mitigate their disability related limitations, began on August 5th and runs through August 11th.
Fortunately, Los Angeles-based Dogs of Service makes rescue dogs and veterans in need, a priority every day, as it works to maintain a community of support and resources for all military members and their animals.
“We chose to focus on veterans because there was a great need for innovative solutions to help veterans dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries. Sadly, the average suicide rate of veterans is 22 per day. Veterans and dogs can find a mutual understanding and provide a sense of comfort other humans can’t, and that relationship can be used to bridge further healing and treatment,” Dogs of Service Founder Saralyn Tartaglia told WAN. Further explaining that it is important that the organization, which is authorized to pull animals from city shelters, only pairs veterans with dogs who have been rescued from shelters.
“We love the unspoken understanding and bond that happens when a veteran meets a rescue dog, it’s amazing. We were inspired by the ability of rescue dogs to sense emotions and be compassionate,” continued Tartaglia. “I started this organization because veterans have made many sacrifices, so this is our way to give back to them.”

Most recently, Dogs of Service paired Air Force veteran Eric Pina, who suffers from PTSD, with a new service dog that will be trained to help him. As per Tartaglia, a service dog can provide support and comfort to help its person push through difficult situations to make progress.
“The dogs we were looking at for Eric and his family just were not working out; then this puppy walked into the shelter on her own and literally checked herself in. After a meeting, it was clear she was the dog for them. She was even playing with lil Eric,” Dogs of Service posted on its Facebook page noting they will train the dog, now named Loki, to be a PTSD service dog for Eric.
“Dogs of Service connected me with not only a service dog but a loyal friend that has become my family,” shared Pena.
Having to care for a dog also gives many people a sense of purpose that enables them to “get up every morning to be part of the world,” said Tartaglia who shared that the routine the dog sets can also be helpful to maintain a healthy and consistent lifestyle.
“On the downside, because of all the negative attention and lack of knowledge about service dogs and emotional support animals, it has become a struggle for many veterans to go out in public or travel with their dog,” Tartaglia told WAN. “Veterans are being pressed for details about their dogs, bullied out of housing, being forced to adhere to illegal requirements, and having to deal with untrained fake service dogs in public spaces that may put real service dogs and their handlers at risk.
The American Disabilities Act (ADA) has defined a service dog as one that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The tasks performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.
ADA guidelines in regard to service dogs are written loosely to enable all people to have access to a service dog: it does not discriminate in regard to “finances, location, type of disability, and access to urban areas.
It is important to note, as per Tartaglia, that many people do not understand that the ADA only covers public spaces; it does not cover housing, airports, trains and flights.
Tartaglia also encourages people to be wary of any online registry offering service dog certification and ID Cards, because service dogs and emotional support animals do not need to be registered or certified in any way.
“Having a service dog is a choice to be made with medical and care providers, it is a big responsibility and undertaking, but for some people, it can be life-changing,” continued Tartaglia, noting that service dog costs can range anywhere from $5000.00 to $25,000.00 with owner trained service dogs being on the low-end.
Dogs of Service currently offers weekly service dog training classes in Sherman Oaks, California, and is looking to expand into the Santa Clarita Valley, and possibly the South Bay, with more classes in 2019.
The classes are designed to teach dogs the vital socialization skills they need while also allowing veterans to connect and interact with each other.

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Dogs of Service has an application process so that they can figure out what the veteran needs and find a dog that is the best fit for them and their life.
Tartaglia also often helps veterans navigate the legal side, as well as ensuring that they can have dogs in their residences and assisting them with travel guidelines. To ensure a good pairing, Dogs of Service works with behaviorists and trainers for training to ensure that the veterans can learn how best to work with their dogs.

https://worldanimalnews.com/wan-exclusive-for-international-assistance-dog-week-with-dogs-of-service-founder-saralyn-tartaglia-who-helps-rescue-dogs-for-military-veterans/

© Copyright 2018 – WorldAnimalNews.com

Veteran’s service dog has a touching reunion with the inmate who trained him

positiveoutlooksblog.com

It takes a lot of guts to be a part of the military, you have to be physically fit, mentally stable, and emotionally strong. The time that soldiers spend in the battlefield, away from their family, friends and loved ones surely have an adverse effect on our honorable military men.

In the Vietnam war alone, 15 percent of the Vietnam veterans were diagnosed with PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is a mental health disorder acquired after experiencing a traumatic, shocking, scary or dangerous event.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are a lot of ways to help one cope up with PTSD. The site advises people with PTSD to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist for professional mental health care. It also encourages people with PTSD to engage in positive activities such as sports to distract themselves with. Another way to overcome PTSD is to surround yourself with a support group and as well as acquiring the help of a service dog.

A 47-year-old veteran named Sgt. Bill Campbell who suffers from PTSD, chose to be assisted by a service dog called Pax. The veteran who also suffers from memory loss, and fear of crowds, was given a yellow Labrador, Pax, to help him cope.
According to the veteran, Pax has been a great help especially when he’s having an episode of PTSD. Without the yellow Labrador, he would have a lot of difficulties. Hence, Sgt. Bill was really interested to meet the trainer who nurtured Pax with the skills he has today.

Wanting to express his gratitude in person, Sgt. Bill reached out to Pax’s trainer, who turned out to be a woman named Laurie Kellog. After learning that Pax used to live at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, taken care of by a number of female inmates, as a part of the service dog training program, Sgt. Bill made his move.

The veteran traveled to meet Laurie, Pax’s trainer, to express his sincere gratitude for nurturing Pax. There, Sgt. Bill learned that Laurie had taken delight in training Pax to be a PTSD service dog. According to the trainer, she too suffered from PTSD after being a victim of domestic violence.

Laurie admitted that even when Pax was still in training, the dutiful dog had brought her back to live in the present when she was having a PTSD attack. She recalled how the service dog made her feel safe around him. Thus, when she found out that Pax would lend his assistance to a soldier who also suffered from PTSD, she was more than happy.

Laurie was not the only one who was thrilled to be reunited with the dog who changed her life. Evident in the way Pax wagged his tails upon seeing his old trainer, the dog was happy and excited as well. Pax, remembering Laurie, wasted no time and ran right up to her, showering her with lots of kisses!

With both of them understanding how it feels like to have a PTSD, Laurie, and Sgt. Bill greeted each other with an embrace. Pax also had the best moment of his life when his former and present owners, bonded with each other.

True enough, any baggage carried by more than one person, gets lighter and easier to carry. Fortunately for us humans, we have our pawed pals to entrust our life and share our problems with! Indeed, dogs are man’s best friend!

Watch the heartwarming reunion between Pax and his inmate trainer Laurie that will surely pull strings to your heart.

 

https://positiveoutlooksblog.com/2018/07/26/veterans-service-dog-has-a-touching-reunion-with-the-inmate-who-trained-him/

Photo and Video l The Ophra Winfrey Show

🇺🇸THANK YOU 🇺🇸

ARMED FORCES DAY

Pacific Paratrooper

19 MAY, 2018, BEING ANOTHER PART OF MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH, IS CALLED ARMED FORCES DAY.

THE FIRST ARMED FORCES DAY WAS CELEBRATED 29 MAY 1950 (one month before the start of the Korean War).  ARMED FORCES WEEK BEGINS ON THE 2ND SATURDAY OF MAY AND ENDS THRU THE 3RD SATURDAY.  Due to their unique schedules, the NATIONAL GUARD & THE RESERVE units may celebrate this at any time during the month.

PRESIDENT DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER, 1953 –  “Today let us, as Americans, honor the American fighting man.  For it is he or she – the soldier, the sailor, the Airman, the Marine – who has fought to preserve freedom.”

 

If you do NOT normally fly your flag everyday, make this day one that you do!  Even a small one sitting in your window shows your heartfelt feelings toward our troops.

If you are not from the U.S., tell us…

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Petition: This Mural Honoring Deported U.S. Veterans Could Be Torn Down

This Mural Honoring Deported U.S. Veterans Could Be Torn Down

by: Care2 Team
target: U.S. Customs and Border Patrol

3,890 SUPPORTERS
10,000 GOAL
In the military, flying an American flag upside down signals distress. It’s a call for help, help from your fellow soldiers and your country in general. In California, along the border between the U.S. and Mexico, a giant upside down flag flies high above passersby’s heads but no one is answering the call.

This particular Star Spangled Banner is a mural, painted along the border structure in 2013 by United States Navy Veteran and artist Amos Gregory to symbolize the plight of deported American vets — those people who bravely served and fought for the United States but were still judged unfit to be called Americans by the U.S. government. According to some estimates, there are hundreds or even thousands of U.S. servicemen and women who have been pushed out of the country.

Now, this symbol of distress is in need of help itself. After President Trump visited the border area to inspect prototypes for the long-promised border wall, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) are threatening to tear down this poignant reminder of the brave heroes that are now relegated to the other side of the border.

This mural has been there for five years and now, after Trump’s visit, CBP is coincidentally considering removing it?

Our deported vets may be gone, but their struggle for citizenship isn’t over and they shouldn’t be forgotten. Please sign the petition and ask CBP not to remove this important border artwork.

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/751/834/061/

 

Petition · VetsEDU: Veteran Consumer Protection Act · Change.org

Veteran Consumer Protection Act
VetsEDU started this petition to VetsEDU

Veterans & Active Military, like all consumers, are potential targets for deceptive and unfair business practices. VetsEDU’s must safeguard our Veterans & Active Military from these practices. Our efforts to eliminate such practices through aggressive enforcement and a vigorous, ongoing educational campaign are an important part of our Veteran & Active Military protection work.

Specifically, VetsEDU is working hard, along with other military agencies, to identify, stop, and prevent illegal and misleading advertising related to VA mortgages and refinancing.

Some lenders marketing VA mortgages may use aggressive and potentially misleading advertising and sales tactics. Lenders may advertise a rate just to get you to respond, or you may receive a VA mortgage offer that provides limited benefit to you while adding thousands of dollars to your loan balance. In addition lenders may charge fees or points to our Veterans & Active Military just to make more money.

Please sign our petition today to help us stop these crooks and pass an educational law protecting those who have protected us!!!

https://www.change.org/p/vetsedu-veteran-consumer-protection-act?source_location=petition_footer&algorithm=promoted&original_footer_petition_id=13031597&grid_position=10&pt=AVBldGl0aW9uAIJzyAAAAAAAWt%2FD10pfmFlkM2JjNDBiYQ%3D%3D

© 2018, Change.org, Inc.Certified B Corporation

Navy Investigates Bible on “Missing Man Table” Tribute

reclaimourrepublic.wordpress.com
https://reclaimourrepublic.wordpress.com/2018/04/10/navy-investigates-bible-on-missing-man-table-tribute/#like-103495

Navy Investigates Bible on “Missing Man Table” Tribute
April 9, 2018 by Todd Starnes
The U.S. Navy is investigating complaints lodged by a sailors and Marines about a Bible and a “One Nation under God” placard placed on a POW/MIA table at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a radical group that has a history of targeting public displays of Christianity, filed the complaint on behalf of 26 military personnel and civilian staff.

They wrote a seven-page complaint alleging that a Christian Bible was placed on a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action display in the hospital’s public gallery.

“Why is that Bible there,” MRFF president Mikey Weinstein demanded to know in an interview with Stars & Stripes. “Can you imagine if somebody put a Quran there, or the book of Satan, or the Book of Mormon? It’s violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause as well as DoD and Navy regulations.”

Rear Adm. Paul D. Pearigen ordered an investigation into the public display at the Navy’s largest overseas hospital, the San Diego Union Tribune reports.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation also wants the Navy to remove a placard explaining the reason why the Bible is a part of the display.

“The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded one nation under God,” the placard reads.

The MRFF was grossly triggered and offended by the statement – calling it unconstitutional and a “slap in the face to every non-Christian.”

“The statement on the Exhibit’s placard is nothing more than an illegal, unconstitutional proselytization from an extremist, fundamentalist Christian sect,” their attorney wrote. “It ignores all followers of other religions and totally ignores all those who subscribe to no religion – all in blatant violation of DoD and DON regulations.”

However, according to the U.S. Navy the Bible and the placard are on the table for a reason. Click here to read it for yourself.

The white tablecloth draped over the table represents the purity of their response to our country’s call to arms.

The empty chair depicts an unknown face, representing no specific Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine, but all who are not here with us.

The table itself is round to show that our concern for them is never ending.

The Bible represents faith in a higher power and the pledge to our country, founded as one nation under God.

The black napkin stands for the emptiness these warriors have left in the hearts of their families and friends. A Purple Heart medal can be pinned to the napkin.

The single red rose reminds us of their families and loved ones. The red ribbon represents the love of our country, which inspired them to answer the nation’s call.

The yellow candle and its yellow ribbon symbolize the everlasting hope for a joyous reunion with those yet accounted for.

The slices of lemon on the bread plate remind us of their bitter fate.

The salt upon the bread plate represent the tears of their families.

The wine glass, turned upside down, reminds us that our distinguished comrades cannot be with us to drink a toast or join in the festivities of the evening.

Hiram Sasser, general counsel for First Liberty Institute and a former Army Reserve officer, urged the Navy to resist the demands of the militant MRFF.

“The Bible is on the table because it is part of the tradition that predates our current demands for political correctness,” Sasser told the Todd Starnes Radio Show. “When we telegraph to our global military competitors that the mere presence of a Bible mentally destroys some of us, we are doomed.”

So why is the Navy wasting its time to investigate the unfounded allegations made by Mikey Weinstein and his minions?

This is nothing more than a despicable attack by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation on the families of those with a loved one who is missing in action.

It’s time for the Trump Administration’s Pentagon to stop this radical group from bullying military families and desecrating any more Missing Man tables.

https://www.toddstarnes.com/show/navy-investigates-bible-on-missing-man-table-tribute/

Petition: Ask President Trump and VA Secretary Shulkin to Re-Possess the Mare Island Naval Cemetery · Change.org

https://www.change.org/p/president-donald-trump-ask-president-trump-and-va-secretary-shulkin-to-re-possess-the-mare-island-naval-cemetery

Nestor Aliga started this petition to President Donald Trump and 5 others.

We respectfully request the Executive Branch, President Donald Trump and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. David J. Shulkin, to honor the military service of our Nation’s Veterans by re-possessing / assuming ownership of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery by Fiscal Year 2020.

The Mare Island Naval Cemetery (MINC) is a national shrine but its deplorable condition is a shocking disgrace to the honorable service, uncommon valor, and selfless sacrifice of our courageous Veterans buried there and, even worse, to the dignity our great Nation.

After Mare Island Naval Shipyard’s closure in 1996 (due to BRAC 1993), the federal government left MINC behind and did not provide any funding to first restore it to honorable conditions (i.e., no National Shrine contract to repair the gravesites) nor for its immense need for ongoing maintenance.

The mission of the Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration (VA NCA) is to provide a dignified burial and lasting memorial for Veterans and their eligible family members and to maintain our Veterans’ cemeteries as national shrines.

The MINC is a national shrine as it has about 1,000 graves including Veterans who served since the War of 1812. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, it is the final resting place for three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, James Cooney, William Halford, and Alexander Parker. Also buried there is Anna Arnold Key, the daughter of Francis Scott Key who wrote our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.

To preemptively fulfill part of the VA NCA’s Urban Initiative, the City of Vallejo is also offering to hand-over additional land adjacent to the cemetery which will increase the burial options for our local Veterans and their eligible family members.

We respectfully ask you to please sign this petition and send a message to the Executive Branch to please re-possess / assume ownership of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery by Fiscal Year 2020.

Here are background information:

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/business/20170421/retired-navy-captain-takes-on-quest-for-mare-island-cemetery-restoration

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20170703/relative-of-young-brit-killed-in-us-service-buried-on-mare-island-hopes-maintenance-efforts-succeed

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20170724/possible-movement-in-effort-to-save-mare-island-cemetery

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/opinion/20170726/ralph-parrott-captain-supply-corps-us-navy-retired-cemetery-a-disgrace

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20170809/ralph-parrott-making-progress-in-highlighting-mare-island-cemetery-problems

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20170911/dozens-of-volunteers-clean-up-mare-island-cemetery-for-911-day-of-service

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20180109/possible-solution-to-mare-island-cemetery-situation-in-sight

Petition · Department of Veteran Affairs: Expand comprehensive caregiver benefits to severely disabled veterans of all generations · Change.org

https://www.change.org/p/department-of-veteran-affairs-expand-comprehensive-caregiver-benefits-to-severely-disabled-veterans-of-all-generations?source_location=update_footer&algorithm=promoted&grid_position=5&pt=AVBldGl0aW9uAA%2BbrgAAAAAAWZeoqF9xKwxjYmU1MzEwOQ%3D%3D