Veterans Affairs Media Summary and News Clips 31 August 2015

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Veterans Affairs Media Summary and News Clips 31 August 2015

1. Access to Benefits/Care 1.1 - The Washington Times (AP): VA health officials say New Mexico patients wait times down (30 August, 3.7M online visitors/mo; Washington, DC) Wait times for medical appointments and disability claims have improved for New Mexico veterans, according to the heads of agencies that provide health care and disability benefits. Andrew Welch, New Mexico VA Health Care System director, and Chris Norton, regional director for the Veterans Benefits Administration, told the Albuquerque Journal (http://bit.ly/1Iw74XB) on Saturday that notable progress has been made in the past two years. Hyperlink to Above 1.2 - Philly.com (Philadelphia Inquirer): Horses and troubled vets create bonds in Chesco (31 August, Michaelle Bond, 3.7M online visitors/mo; Philadelphia, PA) Johnson, who lives on the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center campus, is one of more than 70 veterans who have come to Thorncroft Equestrian Center in Malvern to care for and ride horses as therapy. Thorncroft, founded in 1969, expanded its therapeutic riding program to help veterans in 2008. Hyperlink to Above 1.3 - Asbury Park Press: Veterans, mental health advocates work to reduce stigma (30 August, Amanda Oglesby, 1.8M online visitors/mo; Neptune, NJ) "There's Vietnam veterans who live on the street," the Brick resident said. "They need assistance when they come out — financial (and) mental." That's why Wagenbach and dozens of motorcycle riders joined the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County and the State Police on Sunday for the "Ride for Patriots." Hyperlink to Above 1.4 - Daily Herald: American Indian vets gather at Cantigny to honor service, face challenges (30 August, Steve Zalusky, 1.3M online visitors/mo; Arlington Heights, IL) The National Gathering of Native Veterans, organized by the Trickster gallery, drew 1,200, "even in the rain" on Saturday, said Joe Podlasek, CEO of the Schaumburg-based gallery. He estimated Sunday's crowd at about 300 or 400. Hyperlink to Above 1.5 - Inquisitr (Video): Veteran suicide highlights the need to provide more support and services for older veterans (30 August, Jinger Jarrett, 918k online visitors/mo) Last week, veteran Gerhard Reitmann, 66, took his life. A Vietnam veteran and former Camp David guard for President Nixon, Reitmann struggled with the memories of his service in Vietnam. As police investigate his death, the question remains, why are there so many veteran suicides? Hyperlink to Above 1.6 - Providence Journal: Budget cuts threaten veterans' care (30 August, Perry Jeffries, 550k online visitors/mo; Providence, RI)

Veterans Affairs Media Summary and News Clips 31 August 2015

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Professional staffers are leaving the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center because of budget cuts. Those left face overload picking up the slack. It takes a year to replace a licensed practical nurse, assuming one can be found. Hyperlink to Above 1.7 - Providence Journal: Veterans Journal: Treatment program to help vets with 'moral injuries' (31 August, George W. Reilly, 550k online visitors/mo; Providence, RI) The Providence VA Medical Center will begin a group treatment program Sept. 10 for veterans who find it difficult to forgive themselves and to rebuild connections with others due to moral injury suffered during their service… The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation has donated 300 "Janes" gowns to the Providence VA Medical Center Women's Health Center. Hyperlink to Above 1.8 - Statesman Journal: Aug. 30 letters to the editor (29 August, J. Michael Beyerle, 456k online visitors/mo; Salem, OR) Most veterans seeking medical care have experienced long time delays to get appointments and even longer delays, often three or more years, to process a claim for service-connected disabilities. It is no wonder that some feel the VA is strategically waiting for them or their surviving dependents to die to resolve a claim. Hyperlink to Above 1.9 - WXOW-TV (ABC-19, Video): Deceased Marine, Jason Simcakoski leaves behind a legacy (31 August, Tianna Vanderhei, 370k online visitors/mo; La Crescent, MN) Sunday, August 30 marked one year since Wisconsin Marine, Jason Simcakoski's tragic death at the Tomah VA… Family members, friends, Tomah VA personnel, Tammy Baldwin, and other government officials gathered Sunday afternoon to pay tribute to Jason and share heartfelt memories with one another through a memorial service. Hyperlink to Above 1.10 - WKOW-TV (ABC-27, Video): Memorial event marks 1 year since WI Marine died at the Tomah VA (31 August, Jennifer Kliese, 297k online visitors/day; Madison, WI) Jason Simcakoski, 35, of Stevens Point died of a mixed-drug toxicity while under care at the VA. Senator Tammy Baldwin was at a memorial event for him Sunday. She's been working with Simcakoski's family on a bill that would make pain management services safer for veterans across the country. Hyperlink to Above 1.11 - WEAU-TV (NBC-13, Video): Tomah VA honors patient's life (30 August, Abigail Hantke, 203k online visitors/mo; Eau Claire, WI) It's been one year since Marine Jason Simcakoski died from a drug overdose at the Tomah VA Medical Center. Reports show Jason’s cause of death was mixed drug toxicity. His family said he was on 15 different medications the day he passed away. The Tomah VA took responsibility for Jason’s death on August 7. Hyperlink to Above

Veterans Affairs Media Summary and News Clips 31 August 2015

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1.12 - Sun Journal: Addressing soldiers' spiritual wounds (30 August, Nancy Dubord, 180k online visitors/mo; Lewiston, ME) The riveting story by The Associated Press about Sgt. Marshall Powell’s combat related “moral injury” (Sun Journal, Sunday, April 16) has application in Maine. With 127,234 veterans, 94,604 of whom are wartime veterans (source: Department of Veterans Affairs) the necessity of addressing the spiritual wounds of American military who served in war-torn countries has long been overlooked. Hyperlink to Above 1.13 - The Keene Sentinel: VA acknowledges connection between city councilor's illness, Marine base chemicals (30 August, Martha Shanahan, 153k online visitors/mo; Keene, NH) More than three decades after coming into contact with 100 barrels of a mysterious substance on a Marine Corps base in Japan, a Keene city councilor and state representative finally has some closure. In 1981, Kris E. Roberts was a facilities maintenance officer at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan. Hyperlink to Above 1.14 - Observer-Reporter (Audio): Vietnam War veteran talks about PTSD in second 'Soldiering On' podcast: Local veteran shares his compelling story (30 August, Katie Roupe, 135k online visitors/mo; Washington, PA) Editor's note – This podcast is the second in a series on veterans issues in Washington and Greene counties. Check out the entire Soldiering On series at http://www.observer-reporter.com/vets. Ray Corcoran knew he had a problem when he found himself in a hotel room with his toe on a trigger of a goose gun and the barrel in his mouth ready to pull the trigger. Hyperlink to Above 1.15 - Observer-Reporter: Fredericktown veteran lives with PTSD (30 August, Emily Petsko, 135k online visitors/mo; Washington, PA) Before PTSD had a name, Corcoran was told he had a nervous disorder. Another doctor told him he was a paranoid schizophrenic with an alternate personality. “I didn't alter the personality,” he told his doctor. “The war altered it.” Years later, he was diagnosed with PTSD, a result of the horrific things he had seen during the war. Hyperlink to Above 1.16 - Observer-Reporter: Rep. Murphy introduces Veterans Access to Treatment Act (30 August, Emily Petsko, 135k online visitors/mo; Washington, PA) The transition from active duty to civilian life is not always seamless for veterans. Even transferring a prescription to a Veterans Affairs facility can take time if that drug is not kept in stock. That can be a life-or-death problem when it comes to mental health, according to U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy. Hyperlink to Above 1.17 - Observer-Reporter: Carmichaels VFW commander reaches out to troubled veterans. Vietnam War veteran deals with post-traumatic stress disorder (30 August, Scott Beveridge, 135k online visitors/mo; Washington, PA)

Veterans Affairs Media Summary and News Clips 31 August 2015

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Skip Black says time and grandchildren are what have gotten him through the agony of his bouts with post-traumatic stress disorder related to his service in the Vietnam War. “The reason I can talk about it is that I lived it at an early age,” said Black, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491 in Carmichaels. Hyperlink to Above 1.18 - Observer-Reporter: Army vet from Waynesburg is finding the lost part of his soul (30 August, Chelsea Dicks, 135k online visitors/mo; Washington, PA) Mike Desrosiers is a man without a childhood… Even the name of his first crush is gone. He can't clearly remember anything before Operation Desert Storm. It is one of the many haunting truths that Desrosiers, 54, of Waynesburg, lives with every day as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder. Hyperlink to Above 1.19 - Observer-Reporter: California Gulf War veteran deals with PTSD. Mary Rhoads: Faith in God gets me through (30 August, Scott Beveridge, 135k online visitors/mo; Washington, PA) Mary Rhoads found herself talking to the dead shortly after she returned home from serving in the Persian Gulf War. It was a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder that the California Borough woman still struggles with after having lived through the worst enemy attack on U.S. troops during the first war against Iraq. Hyperlink to Above 1.20 - KIII-TV (ABC-3, Video): Military Matters: The Art of De-stressing (30 August, 123k online visitors/mo; Corpus Christi, TX) Thirty percent of all veterans returning from the Vietnam war have suffered from post traumatic stress disorder according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. In this week's Military Matters, 3News anchor John-Thomas Kobos shows us how a local art project is providing our nation's heroes with an outlet many never even considered. Hyperlink to Above 1.21 - Cleburne Times-Review: A wealth of benefits for veterans (30 August, Jessica Pounds, 46k online visitors/mo; Cleburne, TX) Being a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom has yielded great benefits, not just through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, but also through various organizations. As a reporter, I have been made privy to some really great people and organizations in and around Johnson County who have made an effort to honor veterans. Hyperlink to Above 1.22 - KLAS-TV (CBS-8, Video): 8 News Now at 6:30PM (30 August, 39k broadcast viewers; Las Vegas, NV) This two-minute video covers the Las Vegas Filipino Veterans Group’s meeting with Rep. Joe Heck about the VA Accountability Act and the VA providing better health care. Hyperlink to Above

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1.23 - KOAT-TV (ABC-7, Video): Action 7 News Live at 5:00 (30 August, 31k broadcast viewers; Albuquerque, NM) This 30-second video covers the 29 August story by the Albuquerque Journal on improvements at the New Mexico HCS. Hyperlink to Above 1.24 - The Exponent Telegram: Two streets linking downtown, South Clarksburg could be closed next year (30 August, Jim Davis, 28k online visitors/mo; Clarksburg, WV) Motorists could have difficulty getting around Clarksburg next year if the state doesn’t start work on Chestnut Street soon, City Manager Martin Howe says… That could impact people going to the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center, West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility, Highland-Clarksburg Hospital and Veterans Memorial Park, Howe said. Hyperlink to Above 1.25 - The Baxter Bulletin: VA Care: Wait times slightly decreased in Mountain Home. Better system in place for health care needs of area veterans (30 August, Kaitlyn Schwers, 21k online visitors/mo; Mountain Home, AR) The Associated Press reported Thursday on a media roundtable held between officials of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and Little Rock Veterans Affairs Regional Office. The discussion focused on how both agencies are working to improve access to health care and benefits for the region’s thousands of veterans, as well as decreasing wait times, hiring more staff and streamlining services. Hyperlink to Above 1.26 - The American Legion: VA's Hickey: 'We're not perfect, but we're better' (29 August, Steve B. Brooks, 15k online visitors/day; Indianapolis, IN) Addressing The American Legion’s Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission during the national convention in Baltimore, Hickey went over the progress the benefits side of VA has made – most notably, that the claims backlog that once topped 611,000 recently dropped below 100,000 for the first time ever… The commission also heard from Dr. David Shulkin, who took over as VA’s under secretary for Health this summer. Hyperlink to Above 1.27 - Hill Country Community Journal: Local mental health resources address suicide risks for vets (30 August, Bonnie Arnold, 300 online visitors/day; Kerrville, TX) The top floors of the local VA hospital are visible from the parking lot at the Hill Country Veterans Center in Kerrville. But for veterans needing mental health help, the roads between are paved with paperwork. Hyperlink to Above 2. Ending Veterans’ Homelessness 2.1 - News & Observer: VA helps Triangle Vietnam vet find a home (30 August, Barry Saunders, 1.7M online visitors/mo; Raleigh, NC)

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Mangum and I had been in touch over the years…and he called me several months ago seeking to publicize his effort to get help from the Department of Veterans Affairs so he could come in from the cold, literally and figuratively. We kept missing each other, but when I reached him last week, there was something in his voice I hadn’t heard in a while: hope. Hyperlink to Above 2.2 - KTIV-TV (NBC-4, Video): Former military veteran helps move homeless veterans into homes (30 August, Sam Curtiss, 152k online visitors/mo; Sioux City, IA) Serving the public is in John Emswiler's DNA. A retired army veteran, he's now the police chief in Denison, Iowa. For purposes of this story, he's just John, one of the driving forces behind "Moving Veterans Forward." It's a non-profit group based out of Papillion, Nebraska, that works closely with the Omaha Veterans Affairs office and homeless veterans between Nebraska and Iowa. Hyperlink to Above 3. Ending the Claims Backlog – No coverage 4. Veteran Opportunities for Education/GI Bill 4.1 - The Washington Times (AP): SD School of Mines honored for being veteran-friendly (30 August, 3.7M online visitors/mo; Washington, DC) U.S. Veterans Magazine has named the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology as one of the country’s top veteran-friendly schools. The Rapid City school made the 2015 Best of the Best list. The magazine polled hundreds of universities for this year’s evaluations. Hyperlink to Above 4.2 - Times West Virginian: Veterans have place to ask questions, get needed help (30 August, Shawnee Moran, 51k online visitors/mo; Fairmont, WV) Fairmont State University has seen an increase in veterans and dependents this year. Sandra Corwin, the veterans certifying official at Fairmont State, said they have 187 veterans and dependents enrolled at FSU this year. “Last fall at this time we had 158, so it’s about an increase of 30 veterans and dependents,” she said. Hyperlink to Above 4.3 - KNX-AM (CBS-1070, Audio): Melinda Lee (30 August, Los Angeles, CA) In this two-minute broadcast, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity Curtis Coy explains that the Choice Act expands GI Bill benefits to spouses of servicemembers who have died in the line of duty, and requires states to offer in-state tuition to all veterans at their public universities. Hyperlink to Above 5. Women Veterans

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5.1 - San Francisco Chronicle (AP): Navy veteran to address Ohio women veterans conference (30 August, 9.6M online visitors/mo; San Francisco, CA) A U.S. Navy combat veteran will give the keynote speech at Ohio's conference for women veterans to be held in Columbus. The Ohio Department of Veterans Services says veteran Amanda Wirtz will address the conference at the Hilton Columbus at Easton on Sept. 12. She will share her story of overcoming significant health challenges. Hyperlink to Above 6. Other 6.1 - The Washington Times (AP): Legionnaires’ disease cases climb at Illinois veterans home (30 August, 3.7M online visitors/mo; Washington, DC) Officials say the number of residents with Legionnaires’ disease at a western Illinois veterans’ home climbed five more to 28, including two people who died last week. The Quincy Herald-Whig reported (http://bit.ly/1LLzsfW ) Saturday the number jumped from the 23 cases made public Friday when the deaths were reported. Hyperlink to Above 6.2 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump's big sell job: deficit spending to conservatives (30 August, Albert R. Hunt, 1.9M online visitors/mo; Milwaukee, WI) Which presidential candidate would be the biggest budget-buster? Bernie Sanders, the welfare-state socialist? Hillary Clinton, the activist-government Democrat? Any of a passel of no-new-taxes Republicans? Nope. It's the self-styled arch-conservative, Donald Trump. Hyperlink to Above 6.3 - The Times: Yoga has evolved (30 August, Mary Jimenez, 296k online visitors/mo; Shreveport, LA) [Y]oga has come a long way since becoming popularized in the Western world within the past 100 years and there’s many myths that should be debunked if they’re keep you away from this practice… LaShawanda Walters, a U.S. Navy veteran also has joined the Yin yoga class at the Overton Brooks VA. Hyperlink to Above 6.4 - WKBT-TV (CBS-8): Marine veteran remembered during dedication ceremony. Tomah VA dedicates painting to Simcakoski family (30 August, 281k online visitors/mo; La Crosse, WI) A Veteran who died last year while receiving care from the Tomah VA was remembered Sunday afternoon. His family and friends gathered to dedicate a painting in honor of Jason Simcakoski and what he has sacrificed for this country. Hyperlink to Above 6.5 - The Intelligencer: Sestak has solid record supporting our veterans (30 August, Lorrie Topolin, 84k online visitors/mo; Doylestown, PA)

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I’m disappointed in Sen. Pat Toomey’s voting record as it pertains to veterans. I’m also disappointed that a new TV ad touts Toomey as a champion for veterans’ health care and benefits. I discovered just how false that claim is. Hyperlink to Above 6.6 - WSAW-TV (CBS-7, Video): Veteran Jason Simcakoski's memory honored at Tomah VA (30 August, Kevin Carr, 25k online visitors/mo; Wausau, WI) One year ago, Jason Simcakoski drew his last breaths at the Tomah VA. It's made the last year painful for his family. "Probably one of the longest years of our lives," Jason's father Marvin Simcakoski said. "It's been a sad year. A lot of memories that keep going through our minds." But at the Tomah VA, while there is sadness there's also celebration. Hyperlink to Above

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1. Access to Benefits/Care 1.1 - The Washington Times (AP): VA health officials say New Mexico patients wait times down (30 August, 3.7M online visitors/mo; Washington, DC) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Wait times for medical appointments and disability claims have improved for New Mexico veterans, according to the heads of agencies that provide health care and disability benefits. Andrew Welch, New Mexico VA Health Care System director, and Chris Norton, regional director for the Veterans Benefits Administration, told the Albuquerque Journal (http://bit.ly/1Iw74XB) on Saturday that notable progress has been made in the past two years. In 2014, Congress and veterans attacked the Department of Veterans Affairs after an investigation found that some VA hospitals were using “phantom” appointment lists to disguise lengthy wait times. An Associated Press report identified New Mexico as one of the worst ranked states for delayed appointments. Norton took over the regional benefits office 2 ½ years ago. He said recently that a slow recover from the Great Recession, an influx of new veterans Iraq and Afghanistan, the aging of veterans from previous wars and the expansion of benefits for those exposed to Agent Orange collided two years ago to create a “perfect storm” for the VA. The Veteran Benefits Administration was also in the process of switching from a paper-based system to a digital one. “My arrival here dovetailed with what I would say was not the VBA’s best, most shining moment,” Norton said. Norton says his office has cut the wait time for veterans’ disability claims from more than a year to about 130 days and whittled down its claims backlog. Welch has been head of New Mexico’s VA Health Care System since December. He said the average wait time for a primary care appointment as of last month was about seven days. In July 2014, it was about 14 days. He said his office has also decreased the wait time for specialty appointments, althought the wait time for mental health appointments has increased from 8.5 days last summer to 11.2 days now. “Part of that has to do with some of the vacancies we’ve had,” Welch explained. He said finding the right personnel in that field is proving particularly difficult. “Just finding the right type and number of medical providers is a little bit of a challenge for us . and we’re not alone in some of those challenges,” said Welch. “On one hand, we’re staffed well in mental health . but for what we want to be able to provide, we’re still a little bit behind.”

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Cynthia Archuleta, who helps Veterans of Foreign Wars members with disability claims, say the veterans she works with have had issues with the VA in the past but say it has significantly improved. “For the most part, they’re happy,” she said. “Nothing is perfect, but they’re definitely seeing a change. They’ve noticed, for example, that if someone isn’t able to help them at the moment, they’re referred to someone else within 10 to 15 minutes, and that person is able to help them.” Back to Top 1.2 - Philly.com (Philadelphia Inquirer): Horses and troubled vets create bonds in Chesco (31 August, Michaelle Bond, 3.7M online visitors/mo; Philadelphia, PA) Gary Johnson reached out his hand and rubbed gentle circles on the side of the chestnut gelding grazing in the grass beside him. In his other hand, the Army veteran held the horse's rope and pieces of apple. Like a calm and concerned parent, he tried to coax Monarch into eating the fruit instead of some dirt. There was a soft smile on his lips. As an 18-year-old in Vietnam, Johnson saw death and destruction, he said. Close friends were killed. Since he got back from Vietnam in 1972, being in a state of high alert has been normal for him. He suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and has struggled with drug addiction and suicidal thoughts in the past, he said. "Normally, I'd get drinks or drugs when I get stressed," Johnson, 63, said. "Being out here and being with these horses have a calming effect for me." Johnson, who lives on the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center campus, is one of more than 70 veterans who have come to Thorncroft Equestrian Center in Malvern to care for and ride horses as therapy. Thorncroft, founded in 1969, expanded its therapeutic riding program to help veterans in 2008. This summer, however, two of the four multi-week programs for veterans faced an uncertain future after funding to Thorncroft from the Wounded Warrior Project and a 2011 grant from the Red Cross ran out. The Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center suspended its participation in May while it reviewed how it could continue, said Kathleen Pomorski, a medical center spokeswoman. Two weeks ago, medical center officials said the program could resume in September because they were confident the program would find funds. About a week ago, two Thorncroft board members, George Rubin and Percival Moser, said they would supply $5,000 needed to fund six veterans per week from the Coatesville medical center through the end of 2015.

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They made the donation in memory of Pete Quick, a board member who also was a Vietnam veteran. "We're just grateful," said Sallie Dixon, director of operations at Thorncroft. "Every day is trying to find a way to raise a dollar." The center charges $50 per lesson for veterans, Dixon said, but each lesson costs the center $63. Thorncroft relies on donations when its riders with special needs cannot pay and hosts fund-raisers throughout the year. Not getting the money the center needs would mean cutting instructors, horses, and lessons. Located eight miles from the high-stakes Devon Horse Show grounds, Thorncroft is open to anyone who wants lessons. Half of the roughly 350 riders in its programs each week have physical, mental, or developmental challenges. Thorncroft's 70-acre farm has two indoor horse riding arenas, an outdoor arena, a cross-country course, and trails for riding. Gary Graham, of Downingtown, calls being with horses "uplifting." "When I leave here, I'm walking on a cloud," he said. The veteran volunteers at the equestrian center now that his time in the therapy program is finished, which is not unusual. Graham, 67, likes to talk to the horses by name as he walks by their stalls. They each have their own personalities. Banjo is a prankster, veterans in the program said. Wyatt is friendly and cooperative. Sadie is regal. Monarch is laid back. The horses seem to know just what the veterans need, whether it is a reassuring nuzzle or a playful shove. Workers remember one veteran who learned to control his own anxiety by working to calm an anxious horse. "We were all in tears," said Helen Garthwaite, the veterans program coordinator at Thorncroft. She acknowledged this kind of therapy is not for everyone. "For the people it will work for," she said, "it can be life-changing." Ed Clark, 65, of Bensalem, said he is not as depressed when he is around the horses. "They don't ask any questions," the Army veteran said. "They don't judge you."

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Solomon Miller, 67, finished the program. Now he drives in every Friday from Wilmington to volunteer. He said he feels a mutual sense of trust and respect with the horses as well as kinship. Some of the horses had to recover from injuries. Some had to retire from performing in shows. Now, the horses get a second chance, just like the veterans, he said. Miller used to ride when he was younger, before he fought in Vietnam. When he came back, he dealt with feelings of guilt over what he was forced to do in combat. "Being in Vietnam, you kind of lose yourself," said Miller, an Army veteran. "This program allowed me to find myself again. I learned to like myself again." Johnson, a first-time rider, has ridden Monarch twice. It was harder than Roy Rogers or the Lone Ranger made it seem when he watched them on TV as a child, he said. But he loved it. As Johnson brought Monarch back to his stall one afternoon, the horse whinnied a few times. A board member and volunteer at the equestrian center told Johnson the sound means the horse is relaxed and likes him. The feeling is mutual. Back to Top 1.3 - Asbury Park Press: Veterans, mental health advocates work to reduce stigma (30 August, Amanda Oglesby, 1.8M online visitors/mo; Neptune, NJ) HOLMDEL — Todd Wagenbach knows how difficult life can be for veterans. Many of 67-year-old Wagenbach's compatriots in the Vietnam War came home and struggled with mental health issues as they returned to civilian life and, sometimes, joblessness. "There's Vietnam veterans who live on the street," the Brick resident said. "They need assistance when they come out — financial (and) mental." That's why Wagenbach and dozens of motorcycle riders joined the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County and the State Police on Sunday for the "Ride for Patriots." The bikers, many of whom are veterans themselves, lined their motorcycles around the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Holmdel on that muggy morning. From there, they rode to the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Manasquan for lunch, then watched a documentary about healing after military service called "Project 22," at Manasquan High School. Post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health disorders often go undiscussed in active-duty and former service members, unless a crisis erupts, said members of the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County. "It's kind of hidden," said Erika Woods, a board member of the association.

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"They don't want to talk about it, so this movie (Project 22) allows people to open up and talk about it," said Woods, whose cousin Daniel J. Egbert co-wrote and co-directed the film. Mental health problems and suicide are tragically common among veterans, mental health experts said. In 2010, about 22 veterans committed suicide every day on average, according to a Department of Veterans Affairs report. That year, veterans accounted for 22 percent of all suicides in the nation, according to estimates by the study's authors. "People need to understand what they're going through," said Susan Tellone-McCoy, vice president of the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County. Bureaucratic delays, waiting lists for treatment, lack of resources and hospitals far from home compound their struggles, said retired Navy Reserve Petty Officer 3rd Class Mike Gunther, 66, of Howell. "Is this any way to treat people who served this country?" said Gunther. "I think a reform is needed on the entire federal level." Wagenbach, of Brick, a retired Marine who served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, also wants to see veterans have more access to care. "I think all hospitals should take care of veterans, not just VA (Veterans Affairs) hospitals," he said. "You've heard the stories," Wagenbach said, referring to the inability of many veterans to get speedy access to health care. "They're all true. That's why we're here." "It's such a pressing need, and we know that the veterans association is really not able to cover it all," said Wendy DePedro, executive director of the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County. To help, the association has two programs for the families of veterans. Its Sanctuary program helps relatives of veterans and service members who show personality changes, sleeping problems, anger, irrational fears or symptoms of depression. Its Safe Place program provides support to families who have lost an active-duty loved one or veteran to suicide, addiction or overseas conflict. "It's OK to seek help," DePedro said. "We want people to seek help and not be afraid of the stigma." Back to Top 1.4 - Daily Herald: American Indian vets gather at Cantigny to honor service, face challenges (30 August, Steve Zalusky, 1.3M online visitors/mo; Arlington Heights, IL) Cantigny Park in Wheaton was an appropriate site for this weekend's gathering of American Indian veterans.

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The National Gathering of Native Veterans, organized by the Trickster gallery, drew 1,200, "even in the rain" on Saturday, said Joe Podlasek, CEO of the Schaumburg-based gallery. He estimated Sunday's crowd at about 300 or 400. Paul Herbert, executive director of the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, spoke Sunday about the legacy of American Indian veterans, and particularly those who served in First Infantry Division, known as The Big Red One. "As I look back on that century of service of the First Infantry Division, I think of people like Matthew Juan from Arizona, a Native American killed in action in the Battle of Cantigny, for which we're named, in May of 1918," Herbert said. "All of you who are American Indian veterans who fought for America, not because you were getting the best deal out of America, but because it was your country, I think we owe you an extra debt of gratitude for your service and your heroism," he added. While honoring past service, Podlasek said the real focus of the event was contemporary issues facing veterans, such as health and wellness -- including how to blend traditional healing with contemporary medicine -- economic development and job success. "Job success means not a minimum wage job somewhere. We want them to be successful," he said, adding that experts in various fields flew in from as far away as California and Connecticut to take part in the weekend's events. Willem Fahrenbruck of the Department of Veterans Affairs said homelessness is the biggest issue facing American Indian veterans today. Many, he said, have shelter but no permanent home. "In the Native American culture, from what I have learned, you take in your brothers. So, if you have a Native (American) veteran that's on the street, he will move in with his family," Fahrenbruck said. "By bringing them in, you can have, I have found, five or six generations in one house. So you'll have 20 people in a three-bedroom house and that's not considered homeless." The VA is trying to address this by allowing the federal government to provide subsidized housing on Indian reservations. Sunday's proceedings also featured an emotional address by Daniel King, president of the Wisconsin Indian Veterans Association and co-chair of the National Congress of American Indians. King, a Vietnam veteran, addressed the plight of veterans from that war. "Some say we failed in that war. They say it's a war that we lost. And the truth is we never lost a major battle, although we paid a terrible cost," he said. King, who served in the U.S. Army, said events like the weekend's gathering are good because "a lot of us never spoke up, especially among tribes. We never spoke about what we did." Back to Top

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1.5 - Inquisitr (Video): Veteran suicide highlights the need to provide more support and services for older veterans (30 August, Jinger Jarrett, 918k online visitors/mo) Last week, veteran Gerhard Reitmann, 66, took his life. A Vietnam veteran and former Camp David guard for President Nixon, Reitmann struggled with the memories of his service in Vietnam. As police investigate his death, the question remains, why are there so many veteran suicides? It is important for veterans to know the facts about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Knowing the facts about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can help veterans to determine if they may have it in order to get the appropriate help and prevent veteran suicide. Veterans may seek care from their nearest Veterans Affairs healthcare system. As reported in the the Tampa Tribune, Veterans Affairs released a study in 2012 on veteran suicide. According to the VA, an estimated 22 veterans commit suicide each day. The study drew the following conclusions: although suicides reported as veterans had decreased, the majority of veterans who committed suicide were over the age of 50 and were last seen in an outpatient setting. As the veterans’ population continues to age, the risk of suicide increases. According to the study, 70 percent of those who committed suicide were 50 and older. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was rated as an important factor in veteran suicide, and those who had high war zone exposure had significantly higher rates of PTSD. An estimated 35.8 percent of men and 17.5 percent of women met the criteria for PTSD. By comparison, the rate of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among returning combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan is estimated to be between 10 and 18 percent. Gerhard Reitmann was a patient at the Bay Pines facility in Tampa, Florida. Since 2012, 54 patients of the facility have committed suicide. During that same year, the VA’s Office of Inspector General investigated the way the facility was handling veteran suicide. The Inspector General pulled the cases of 20 veterans and discovered the facility had failed to provide follow up care to at least eight of the veterans. Jason Dangel, a spokesman for the facility, said that Bay Pines has since improved its follow up for veterans at risk. “When we are notified that a veteran either directly or indirectly implies that he or she intends to commit suicide or inflict self-harm, we initiate a health and welfare check through local law enforcement and emergency medical services if appropriate.” As reported in the Hill Country Community Journal, only 21 states actually report on veteran suicide, so the numbers may actually be higher. Veterans Affairs does offer a suicide hotline that is available at all times. Veterans may call the following number for help: 1-800-273-8255. Veterans Affairs also offers a comprehensive website with plenty of resources for veterans to help them with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and prevent veteran suicide. Veterans Service Officer Alan Hill cited several reasons for the problems veterans are having including military sexual trauma, PTSD, alcohol and drug abuse, and traumatic brain injury. Hill warned that veterans needed to start the process of getting help as soon as possible, as the paperwork process may take awhile.

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“Clients shouldn’t think paperwork preparation means immediate results. Regional offices in Houston and Waco make the decision, or it may go up to a board of appeals. There are more than eight forms, plus support documents, and most packets have 20 pages or more. Often it takes at least 120 days for a decision. In my seven years here, four have been settled in 90 days or less. Some, if they are already registered as VA patients, get a faster response. If they aren’t registered, first there’s paperwork, which results in appointments, but that could be seven months with medication prescribed in between. And sometimes, the individual feels like he’s doing better, and tells us to cancel the whole registration thing. This happens, too. “Vets who feel they have a problem should start at the HCVC or the VA hospital or their medical provider. But don’t put it off. Don’t struggle with your demons.” Are you at risk of veteran suicide? Do you know the factors that contribute to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? Back to Top 1.6 - Providence Journal: Budget cuts threaten veterans' care (30 August, Perry Jeffries, 550k online visitors/mo; Providence, RI) Professional staffers are leaving the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center because of budget cuts. Those left face overload picking up the slack. It takes a year to replace a licensed practical nurse, assuming one can be found. Long-term practical nurses leave when they reach the top of their pay scale, another cause for attrition and a double loss to the system when you factor experience. This situation is not only a shame, it erodes the best medical care I have received in Rhode Island, and I am not associated with the Medical Center in any way other than as a thankful patient. In private practices, it is usually a case of 15 minutes, bang, and you're out. VA physicians take time to find causes. A veteran need not chase around looking for help. Full coverage includes ophthalmology and audiology. Topping it off is an integrated computer system that actually works and is available online. We pay lip service to veterans, honoring those who served, yet for those depending on the Providence VA Medical Center, threats arise. Budget cuts require correction — the sooner, the better. Perry Jeffries West Kingston The writer is a professor emeritus of the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island. Back to Top

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1.7 - Providence Journal: Veterans Journal: Treatment program to help vets with 'moral injuries' (31 August, George W. Reilly, 550k online visitors/mo; Providence, RI) The Providence VA Medical Center will begin a group treatment program Sept. 10 for veterans who find it difficult to forgive themselves and to rebuild connections with others due to moral injury suffered during their service. The sessions will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at 830 Chalkstone Ave., in the main building's third-floor chapel — Room 347, rear section — led by staff psychologist Nathan Stein and chaplain Dan Cottrell. This 24-week program is meant to help veterans struggling with having acted, or failed to act, in a manner that conflicts with their morals or expectations for themselves. Discussion topics will include: morals and expectation; inner conflicts; rituals and symbols; making amends; forgiving yourself; reconnection; values; and moving forward. Veterans interested in the program or wanting more information should call Stein at (401) 273-7100, ext. 1824, or Cottrell at (401) 273-7100, ext. 2865. 9/11 commemoration The Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter will hold a special 9/11 remembrance ceremony, rain or shine, at 9 a.m. Sept. 11, at the open-air rotunda/gazebo in the cemetery's western section. The ceremony will pay homage to all those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It will feature the presentation of colors, prayer and the laying of a memorial wreath, along with the "Ringing of the Four Fives," a series of bell strikes that signifies the loss of a firefighter while on duty. Members of the Rhode Island military funeral honors corps will fire a rifle salute, and "Taps" will be played. All are reminded that U.S. flags should be flown at half-staff on Sept. 11. 'Janes' gowns donated The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation has donated 300 "Janes" gowns to the Providence VA Medical Center Women's Health Center. The donation makes it easier for female veterans — there are more than 5,000 in Rhode Island — to wear a gown made specifically for them during routine and diagnostic screening tests. The gowns, made of lightweight knit fabric, have a wrap closure that provides coverage for women of all sizes. Erin Clare Sears, associate director of operations for the Providence VA Medical Center, said the gowns would be used "in our Women's Clinic, as well as in the main hospital and our community-based outreach clinics." The Gloria Gemma Foundation was established in 2004, two years after its namesake lost her fight with breast cancer. It provides programs, services and resources in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to raise breast-health awareness, encourage threefold screening — breast self-

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exam, annual clinical exam and annual mammograms — and provide education about breast cancer. The Providence VA Medical Center employs a full-time Women Veterans Program Manager, Tonya Maselli McConnell, who helps female veterans get access to the health care they need. Call her at (401) 273-7100, ext. 6191. See a description online of the center's Women Vets healthcare options at 1.usa.gov/1NJA84Z. Motorcycle fundraiser A fundraiser motorcycle run on Sunday will benefit the Dare to Dream Ranch now being developed in Foster. The ranch will provide a multitude of services to military veterans suffering from PTSD and other issues, using everything from equine therapy to yoga. This will be a holistic and alternative military retreat for service members, veterans and their family. The 60-mile Dare to Dream Ranch Run, sponsored by "Americans, People Who Care Inc." and the American Independence Riders, will be an escorted ride through scenic Rhode Island countryside, starting and ending at Dan's Place, 880 Victory Highway (Route 102 just off Route 95), East Greenwich. Registration is from 9 to 10 a.m., rain or shine, with kickstands up at 10 a.m. Events include a 50/50 raffle, Chinese auction, live music by Maple Rock Band, and food served at noon. Donation is $20 and tickets can be ordered online by Tuesday at bit.ly/1NWxnet or purchased at Dan's Place. For general information, call Chris Rowe at (401) 864-2217 or connect with his Facebook page at on.fb.me/1WUucdb. For more information, go online to DaretoDreamRanch.org or on.fb.me/1LydRES. Back to Top 1.8 - Statesman Journal: Aug. 30 letters to the editor (29 August, J. Michael Beyerle, 456k online visitors/mo; Salem, OR) […] Vets patient with VA but frustrated when ignored Most veterans seeking medical care have experienced long time delays to get appointments and even longer delays, often three or more years, to process a claim for service-connected disabilities. It is no wonder that some feel the VA is strategically waiting for them or their surviving dependents to die to resolve a claim. I believe most veterans understand the seemingly insurmountable back load of cases and the efforts to fill thousands of positions to address the issues. For the most part, we appreciate the dedicated professionals who treat us when we do gain access.

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What we do not appreciate are the scandals involving “secret” waiting lists and lack of managerial responsiveness to complaints when procedures and personnel fail. Recently a VA claims examiner misdiagnosed my neurological condition that had previously been diagnosed by two private physicians, a neurologist and two VA doctors. An official complaint to the VA regional manager has gone unacknowledged for more than six weeks. This leaves me to wonder how many other veterans will be misdiagnosed while this claims examiner continues to evaluate claims without some remedial direction. I just hope that, in the rush to recruit personnel, the VA finds competent professionals so that deserving veterans can get quality as well as timely care. J. Michael Beyerle Keizer […] Back to Top 1.9 - WXOW-TV (ABC-19, Video): Deceased Marine, Jason Simcakoski leaves behind a legacy (31 August, Tianna Vanderhei, 370k online visitors/mo; La Crescent, MN) Sunday, August 30 marked one year since Wisconsin Marine, Jason Simcakoski's tragic death at the Tomah VA. After serving four and a half years in infantry, the 35-year-old Stevens Point native passed away from a mixed-drug toxicity. Family members, friends, Tomah VA personnel, Tammy Baldwin, and other government officials gathered Sunday afternoon to pay tribute to Jason and share heartfelt memories with one another through a memorial service. During the memorial, a painting was unveiled that to shed light on the legacy Jason has left behind. "Jason wouldn't have wanted to pass away at 100 years old if he wasn't making a difference in someone else's life," said Heather Simcakoski, Jason's widow. "It's because it was to make a difference and sacrifice his life for someone else's." Senator Tammy Baldwin said the memorial helps everyone dedicate their efforts to ensure every veteran receives the care they've earned and deserve. "Jason's family has shown remarkable courage and strength to not only deal with the tragedy they faced with Jason's loss but also to turn it into something very powerful and very important for other veterans to make sure that no other families have to face what they did," said Baldwin. Baldwin has been working closely with Jason's family and recently introduced a Bipartisan bill in his memory. The Jason Simcakoski Opioid Safety Act would provide the VA with the needed

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tools to provide safer and more effective pain management services to veterans. This change would help strengthen patient advocacy, expand access to health and wellness, and enhance VA hiring. John Rohrer, Acting Medical Center Director for the Tomah VA Medical Center, said "We have 152 hospitals across the country, there's eight to nine hundred clinics, we see millions of veterans. So when we make a change somewhere in the system that can be replicated across the system. So it doesn't effect just the 26,000 veterans that get their care at the Tomah VA, but the millions of veterans that get their care across the country," said Rohrer. In a time of sadness, the painting stands for hope and a sense that change is on the way. Back to Top 1.10 - WKOW-TV (ABC-27, Video): Memorial event marks 1 year since WI Marine died at the Tomah VA (31 August, Jennifer Kliese, 297k online visitors/day; Madison, WI) TOMAH (WKOW) -- It's been a year since a Wisconsin Marine died at the Tomah VA, sparking changes in operations at the facility. Jason Simcakoski, 35, of Stevens Point died of a mixed-drug toxicity while under care at the VA. Senator Tammy Baldwin was at a memorial event for him Sunday. She's been working with Simcakoski's family on a bill that would make pain management services safer for veterans across the country. "Jason's family has shown remarkable courage and strength to not only deal with the tragedy they faced with Jason's loss, but also to turn it into something very powerful and very important for other veterans to make sure that no other families have to face what they did," Baldwin says. The Tomah VA Medical Center has taken responsibility for Jason's death. The bill has bipartisan support but has not yet gone to a vote. A painting dedicated to Simcakoski was hung up at the Tomah VA as a memorial. His family hopes it will help shed light on the legacy he's left behind. "Jason wouldn't have wanted to pass away at 100-years-old if he wasn't making a difference in someone else's life," says his widow, Heather. Back to Top 1.11 - WEAU-TV (NBC-13, Video): Tomah VA honors patient's life (30 August, Abigail Hantke, 203k online visitors/mo; Eau Claire, WI) TOMAH, Wis. (WEAU) - It's been one year since Marine Jason Simcakoski died from a drug overdose at the Tomah VA Medical Center.

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Reports show Jason’s cause of death was mixed drug toxicity. His family said he was on 15 different medications the day he passed away. The Tomah VA took responsibility for Jason’s death on August 7. Leaders revealed in a 35 page report that doctors had not told Simcakoski about the risks of taking the drugs he was prescribed and didn't perform CPR correctly when he was found unresponsive at the center. Simcakoski's parents have been pushing the Tomah VA and legislation to improve their standards of care. The Tomah VA began implementing changes to their services in January. And to keep Jason’s memory alive, an artwork dedication ceremony was held Sunday afternoon in his honor. The painting was created by Kristin Fuehrer, a former VA housekeeper and the last person to see Jason before emergency help arrived the day he died. “It’s been a long year and we've been trying to make a lot of changing and everything, and memories keep coming and coming,” Linda Simcakoski said, Jason’s mother. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) said the painting will be a great addition. “The painting made will be a lasting reminder that we can all play a role in improving the care that our veterans receive,” Baldwin said. At the ceremony, Jason was described with words like love, courage and a hero. “Outgoing...funny,” Linda said. “Awesome…awesome...somebody that was a best friend,” said Marv Simcakoski, Jason’s father. “Like I said, I’m very proud to be his mom,” Linda added humbly. The family said the painting represents that Jason is still with them and that he's inspiring and helping veterans for the future. "I feel so much better knowing that other veterans won’t go through the same torture and pain,” Jason’s wife Heather said. “They’re making progress and I’m so excited to see the care change and improved.” Senator Baldwin adds that the Simcakoski family is helping make a change in the law as well. “Jason’s family has been extraordinary in helping Congress with what needs to be done through law, and the Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act is a great example of their stepping forward and helping me.” Acting Director of the VA Center, John Rohrer left one last message about the Tomah VA.

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“Our goal here is to provide high-quality, safe patient care for our vets, and that's what we strive for every day.” Back to Top 1.12 - Sun Journal: Addressing soldiers' spiritual wounds (30 August, Nancy Dubord, 180k online visitors/mo; Lewiston, ME) The riveting story by The Associated Press about Sgt. Marshall Powell’s combat related “moral injury” (Sun Journal, Sunday, April 16) has application in Maine. With 127,234 veterans, 94,604 of whom are wartime veterans (source: Department of Veterans Affairs) the necessity of addressing the spiritual wounds of American military who served in war-torn countries has long been overlooked. Spiritual wounds differ from post-traumatic stress disorder in that moral injuries entail a violation of the conscience (moral values and practice) and/or belief in a just and good “higher power” of sorts that is assumed to be ultimately in charge. War, by its very nature, exacts a toll on innocent people and communities. Furthermore, it can unleash the darkest elements of the human psyche given the nature of the task (death and destruction to dominate and prevail) demanded from those who are embroiled in it. As a country, we can learn much from the post-genocide efforts of Rwanda to promote transparency, forgiveness and healing within its communities as America searches to facilitate the reintegration of its military sons and daughters. Although “bad things can happen to good people,” good people can do bad things when circumstances or necessity dictate. I count myself fortunate that I have never had to make a split-second decision about whether to risk my safety or the safety of my comrades or kill a human shield (perhaps even a child), or witness that event. Please note, that is a good reason to never ask a returning soldier, “did you kill anyone?” We sent those who pledged an oath to do what our nation deemed both critical and vital for the safety and well-being of our country to do a “job” and we have a social responsibility and moral obligation to help them contend with the consequences of what they have seen and/or done, regardless of our personal position on whether or not we approve of any given war (remembering that it is our elected-by-us officials who dictate foreign policy and military engagement). Noted psychiatrist and author Dr. Jonathan Shay coined the phrase and concept of “moral injury” based on his work with Vietnam veterans. Although often coexisting with post-traumatic stress disorder, without specifically addressing the moral aspects of battleground activity individuals with this operative will have limited symptom relief, despite psychological and/or psychiatric interventions.

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The resulting problems stymie mental health clinicians who flirt with professional ethical considerations when tackling what can be construed as religious concerns, or ignore them altogether. Conversely, clergy and pastoral affiliates typically feel unqualified to counsel individuals with military service-related mental health issues and can also choose to not go there in sessions with veterans. In fact, last fall, I attended a conference at the Maine VA Medical Center in Togus that was intended to get mental health providers and church pastors and their associates to cross the great divide to initiate and facilitate a rapport and knowledge base between both professions to benefit such veterans. Feeling guilt and shame and chancing stigma, veterans might be loathe to approach either sector with what is behind their malaise. I strongly encourage clergy or pastoral staff to please consider attending the “Building Worlds Together” conference on Sept. 19 in Farmington to cultivate spiritual resources and become acquainted with the issues intrinsic to military service during wartime. It could save a marriage, a family, or even a life. The Rev. Peter Bauer, a retired lieutenant colonel who is a VA social worker and former Navy chaplain, is the keynote speaker. He is nationally acclaimed as an expert in the education and treatment of the spiritual wounds (aka “moral injury”) of veterans who have served in recent and historic wartimes. Kevin Mannix, a local celebrity/meteorologist, who has recently released a book chronicling his journey to better mental health, "Weathering Shame," will be a featured speaker. Additionally, a number of breakout sessions covering veteran-related topics will be available. Both attendance and lunch are free. For more information or to register, contact Jerry DeWitt by email at: jdewitt@tcmhs.org, or call 207-783-4663 x228 Along with Alaska and Montana, Maine is one of the top three states for the highest percentage of military veterans (roughly one in 10 adults). Our military’s strength and community fitness depend on the inclusion of solid spiritual expertise and involvement. Nancy Dubord is a veteran advocate and a member of the Maine Military and Community Network. She lives in Lewiston. Back to Top 1.13 - The Keene Sentinel: VA acknowledges connection between city councilor's illness, Marine base chemicals (30 August, Martha Shanahan, 153k online visitors/mo; Keene, NH) More than three decades after coming into contact with 100 barrels of a mysterious substance on a Marine Corps base in Japan, a Keene city councilor and state representative finally has some closure.

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In 1981, Kris E. Roberts was a facilities maintenance officer at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan. As a first lieutenant in charge of maintaining the base with 50 Okinawans and the 35 U.S. soldiers working under him, Roberts was assigned to look into some unusually high chemical readings in the water coming off the base. He and his men did some digging, and found barrels of a substance that Roberts thinks was Agent Orange, one of the herbicides used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War to kill the foliage that North Vietnamese troops used for cover. More than 100 barrels lay neatly in the ground, rusty and leaking fluid, Roberts said. “We dug, and it was more and more and more,” he said. Now Roberts, a candidate for mayor in Keene, is the first veteran the U.S. government has acknowledged came into contact with hazardous chemicals on Futenma, he said Wednesday. In a ruling this month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ appeals board told Roberts that the prostate cancer he was diagnosed with in 2006 was due to “exposure to hazardous chemicals.” Roberts, now 61, said he experienced several medical issues, including strokes and blackouts, when he returned from Okinawa. ”Things just weren’t working,” he said. “I was was passing out ... and I had no idea what was causing it.” He and his men had moved the barrels onto trucks that were taken off the island, then submerged themselves in water at the site where the barrels had been after a typhoon flooded the area. Roberts thought nothing at the time of the potential health effects of interacting with the barrels, which he said had rust that was the reddish-orange color of Agent Orange. ”In 1981, Agent Orange was really no big deal,” he said. “We weren’t working in any protective gear.” Based on photographs of the barrels and a doctor’s report that Roberts’ prostate cancer may have been caused by exposure to chemicals, the Veterans Appeals Board said in a letter to Roberts this month that “the benefit of the doubt has been given in your favor.” “We have conceded your exposure to hazardous chemicals and granted service for prostate cancer,” the letter says, which means there could be a connection between the two, Roberts said. The letter denies that the chemical in the barrels was Agent Orange. The Department of Veterans Affairs did not return a request for comment from The Sentinel, but in a statement sent to National Public Radio, U.S. Forces Japan said they did not have evidence that the material Roberts and his men saw was Agent Orange.

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“The Department of Defense remains committed to working closely with the Government of Japan on this issue,” the statement said. “If in the future we discover any evidence that Herbicide Orange was ever stored on, used in, or transported through Okinawa, we will be sure to share it with the Government of Japan without delay and take appropriate action.” Other veterans who served at Futenma have claimed to have medical problems due to moving the barrels, Roberts said. Roberts won’t get any monetary compensation from the VA — he has already “maxed out” on his benefits from other injuries and illnesses. But it’s not about the money, he said. “He hopes the ruling will lead to other veterans getting recognition and compensation for the time they spent in Okinawa. “I think more people will come forward,” he said. Roberts also hopes that if the material in the barrels was Agent Orange, as he suspects, that the U.S. government tell Japan and the citizens of Okinawa that the site may be contaminated. “The big thing is spreading the word,” he said. Back to Top 1.14 - Observer-Reporter (Audio): Vietnam War veteran talks about PTSD in second 'Soldiering On' podcast: Local veteran shares his compelling story (30 August, Katie Roupe, 135k online visitors/mo; Washington, PA) Editor's note – This podcast is the second in a series on veterans issues in Washington and Greene counties. Check out the entire Soldiering On series at http://www.observer-reporter.com/vets. Ray Corcoran knew he had a problem when he found himself in a hotel room with his toe on a trigger of a goose gun and the barrel in his mouth ready to pull the trigger. Corcoran then went to get help for his issues, which were later diagnosed as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Corcoran served with the Marines in Vietnam in 1965- 1966. In this podcast, Corcoran shares about his past and how PTSD has affected his life. Corcoran now partners with a friend to run a dance studio for lower-income children. He said he hopes the joy he brings to kids through dance can help balance out the people he hurt in Vietnam. This podcast was written and produced by Katie Roupe, and narrated Brad Hundt. Back to Top 1.15 - Observer-Reporter: Fredericktown veteran lives with PTSD (30 August, Emily Petsko, 135k online visitors/mo; Washington, PA)

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Raymond R. Corcoran answers to two names: Herk and Herkel. Hospital nurses gave him the former name, a shortening of “Hercules,” the day he was born, December 21, 1946. He tipped the scale at 10 pounds, 9 ounces. Later, while attending parochial school, he came home every day with bloody knuckles. His teacher, a nun, cracked him with a stick each time she called his name – Raymond – and he failed to respond. “I didn't know that was my name because no one called me Raymond,” said Corcoran, 68, of Fredericktown, while alternating between drags on a Pall Mall and sips of coffee from a Styrofoam cup. “I thought she was the meanest woman in the world. Why does she work for God?” His speech is well-articulated and peppered with curse words. Despite not learning how to read until age 31 (a result of dyslexia), he writes eloquently about his experiences fighting in the Vietnam War and dealing with the aftermath of post-traumatic stress disorder. This particular chapter of his life began shortly after his 17th birthday, at which time he dropped out of high school. Inspired by President John F. Kennedy's speech – “Ask not what your country can do for you” – he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He also needed a job to support five brothers and sisters. The call of duty came on Memorial Day 1965. He landed in Chu Lai with the first troops to fight in Vietnam – the “guinea pigs,” he called them. That's when his alter ego began to emerge. It allowed him to disconnect from the hell of war. It enabled him to fight, to kill and to survive another day. When he returned home the following year, a friend who noticed a change in his personality started calling him “Herkel,” a slight variation of his nickname. It became more than just a name, though. Herkel lingered. The dark persona appeared in angry outbursts and vivid nightmares. It destroyed the joy of fireworks and rock concerts. It made it hard to live. Fifty years later, Herkel is still a part of Herk. “I have a 19-year old, crazy, ex-Vietnam vet trapped in my head, and every once in a while he tries to take control,” he said. “And it's a big battle between me and him of who's going to run the show.” For years, Corcoran struggled to understand what he was experiencing. Unable to put it into words, he handed an album of Pink Floyd's “Dark Side of the Moon” to his psychiatrist. Before PTSD had a name, Corcoran was told he had a nervous disorder. Another doctor told him he was a paranoid schizophrenic with an alternate personality. “I didn't alter the personality,” he told his doctor. “The war altered it.”

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Years later, he was diagnosed with PTSD, a result of the horrific things he had seen during the war. He is one of about 8 million adults in the United States who lives with the disorder, according to the National Center for PTSD, a program within the Department of Veterans Affairs. PTSD stems from a harrowing event that was experienced or witnessed, and the most common triggers are rape, assault, natural disasters, accidents and war. The national center estimates that about 30 percent of Vietnam War veterans have had PTSD during their lifetime. For Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans, it's between 11 and 20 percent. Dr. Jessica Hamblen, acting deputy executive director of the national center, said one symptom of PTSD is reliving the painful event over and over again. “In PTSD, when you're reminded of the event, these thoughts come sort of out of the blue in some cases,” said Hamblen, a clinical psychologist. “You're at work, or you're driving down the street, so you can have intrusive thoughts ... that remind you of what happened.” Psychotherapy and medication have proven to be effective treatments for PTSD, Hamblen said. Simply talking about the traumatic events can ease some of the pain. “I think there's a lot of fear that people have that if they finally talk about it they're going to fall apart. I think that's seldom the case,” she said. Other symptoms of PTSD include avoiding certain places or situations that serve as reminders of the event, negative thoughts and hyperarousal, which can cause someone to easily feel alarmed, threatened or angry. Hamblen said about 80 percent of people with PTSD also have another diagnosis such as anxiety or depression. Corcoran has experienced all those symptoms. The smell of oil and tar reminds him of Cosmoline, which was used to clean and preserve firearms during the war. Fireworks look and sound like the illumination flares used to light up the jungle at night. After coming home from Vietnam, Corcoran looked forward to celebrating Independence Day with his wife and newborn child, but the experience forced him to relive battle. “When they did the finale, I just freaked right out like I was back in Vietnam,” he said. “I started pushing people down, and I left my wife and kid there. Took off. I don't even know how they got home.” He still has nightmares about Vietnam every night. Sometimes, he dreams that he is a Vietnamese villager running from bullets and trying to save his family. He and his wife, Peggy, sleep in shifts, never sharing the same bed. “I have a hard time staying in bed at night because I have horrific dreams, and I dive out of bed and into the wall, and I beat myself up every night,” he said. Crowds of people are a source of anxiety, and he finds it hard to relate to others who don't have PTSD. Perhaps that is why he connected so easily with longtime friend Deborah Gilpin, who is also his business partner.

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Together, they run Deborah's School of Dance on Front Street in Fredericktown. Gilpin also was diagnosed with PTSD stemming from traumatic events she experienced as a young woman. She credits Corcoran for helping her realize that her symptoms stemmed from PTSD. She had seen several doctors before receiving a diagnosis. “Anything you can't deal with at that time because of whatever your situation is, then it's going to come back and it's going to be part of your life forever,” she said of PTSD. Corcoran also fought to be recognized as a sufferer of PTSD. In 1996, he submitted a compensation claim to the VA, and cited his time in Vietnam, which included witnessing the deaths of hundreds of Vietnamese and a French journalist. In a letter sent to Corcoran that same year, the VA contested the number of deaths and wrote, “The board recognizes that the veteran's combat service was stressful, but the evidence fails to demonstrate that he was so traumatized by his experiences that he has a resulting psychiatric disorder. Consequently, we must conclude that service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is not warranted.” It wasn't until September 2012 that the VA granted his claim and acknowledged that “a clear and unmistakable error was made.” He was awarded a settlement of more than $200,000, which he used to purchase the dance studio. He has another hearing scheduled for additional compensation to which he believes he is entitled. He said he still grapples with guilt stemming from the war, and he views the dance studio as a second chance to help children. “I hurt a lot of kids in my life in Vietnam. I made kids suffer. I take full responsibility for that,” Corcoran said. “So I think in my own sick way, I try to make compensation now and do penance and try to help kids as much as I can.” He said the studio provides an affordable option to children from low-income neighborhoods, many whom have experienced their own challenges in life and view dancing as an outlet. “I'm too old to try to fulfill my dreams, so I try to help other people fulfill theirs,” he said. “Then you have a sense of worth. Once you do that, you can leave this world and say, 'Hey, I've helped a lot of people. I'm not as bad as I make myself out to be.'” Back to Top 1.16 - Observer-Reporter: Rep. Murphy introduces Veterans Access to Treatment Act (30 August, Emily Petsko, 135k online visitors/mo; Washington, PA) The transition from active duty to civilian life is not always seamless for veterans. Even transferring a prescription to a Veterans Affairs facility can take time if that drug is not kept in stock. That can be a life-or-death problem when it comes to mental health, according to U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy.

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Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, introduced a bill that aims to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and increase veterans’ access to mental health medications they took while on active duty. The Enhancing Veterans Access to Treatment Act would require the VA to match the Department of Defense’s mental health drug formulary. The bill has been referred to the Subcommittee on Health. Currently, if veterans’ medications are not listed on the VA formulary, they must switch to a different medication and “fail first” before being permitted to continue taking their old medication, Murphy said. Another option is to go through an appeals process. “With an alarmingly high suicide rate of 22 veterans dying each day, our veterans don’t have time to wait – nor should they for an appeal process, or being switched away from a proven effective medication for their depression or anxiety,” said Murphy, who is also a psychologist. “Our veterans already faced combat overseas. They should not have to fight this battle back home.” Murphy said generic drugs are typically offered by the VA, but they are not always perfect substitutes for brand-name medications. He recalled the story of Clay Hunt, a Marine veteran with PTSD whose mother, Susan Selke, testified last year in front of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Selke told representatives that her son spent hours at a pharmacy trying to fill his prescription for Lexapro, only to be told he would receive it in the mail more than a week later. “A few issues there – if you know about antidepressant, anti-anxiety medications, you can’t stop them cold, and you can’t wait for it to come in the mail and expect it to work quickly,” she testified. “It takes a while for these to work, it takes a while for them to build up in their system. He was extremely frustrated. He called me on the way home and said, ‘I just can’t go back there.’” On March 31, 2011, two weeks after his appointment with a VA psychiatrist, he committed suicide at the age of 28. Earlier this year, President Barack Obama signed into law the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, which “helps fill critical gaps in serving veterans with post-traumatic stress and other illnesses,” Obama announced. Murphy said getting veterans the medication they need in a timely manner is paramount. “We want this to be seamless and quick,” he said. “That’s the key here.” Back to Top 1.17 - Observer-Reporter: Carmichaels VFW commander reaches out to troubled veterans. Vietnam War veteran deals with post-traumatic stress disorder (30 August, Scott Beveridge, 135k online visitors/mo; Washington, PA)

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CARMICHAELS – Skip Black says time and grandchildren are what have gotten him through the agony of his bouts with post-traumatic stress disorder related to his service in the Vietnam War. “The reason I can talk about it is that I lived it at an early age,” said Black, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491 in Carmichaels. “I got shot five times before I was 18 1/2 years old, but out of respect for my fellow comrades, I wonder, 'Why did I make it home?'” He was wounded in 1967 and 1968, when the former U.S. Marine's units came under attack during battles in Central Vietnam. As a result, he has three Purple Heart medals. Black expresses his duty to his fellow veterans my driving some trouble veterans to the Veterans Administration hospital in Pittsburgh for mental health treatment. “I've been able to help some of them in getting them in the right direction for getting VA help,” he said. There have been instances when veterans having breakdowns entered his office “screaming and hollering,” Black said. “I take the guy to the VA and say, 'This guy is suicidal,' and three months later he comes in and thanks me.” “Every veteran who comes in has it in the back of his mind, 'How am I going to end it when the time comes?'” He said he's fortunate that his grandchildren have “come along to show affection. “There is someone there who cares.” Back to Top 1.18 - Observer-Reporter: Army vet from Waynesburg is finding the lost part of his soul (30 August, Chelsea Dicks, 135k online visitors/mo; Washington, PA) WAYNESBURG – Mike Desrosiers is a man without a childhood. He can't remember if he ever had a lemonade stand with his siblings while growing up, and he doesn't recall his favorite Christmas present from his parents. Even the name of his first crush is gone. He can't clearly remember anything before Operation Desert Storm. It is one of the many haunting truths that Desrosiers, 54, of Waynesburg, lives with every day as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder. Even though almost 10 years have passed since he retired from the U.S. Army as a first sergeant, the realities are difficult to confront.

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He can't help but rub his white-knuckled hands from the sides of his chin up to his freshly cut military hairstyle so that his skin turns red and splotchy as he tries to open up. He doesn't share his story often, so he's not even sure where to begin. “It is so hard because I hardly understand it all myself,” Desrosiers said. “It's a special sacrifice joining the military. You sacrifice a part of you.” Desrosiers had no direction in his youth before entering the military. He made it through three years of community college in Montgomery County before serving in the Air Force from 1981 to 1985 and being honorably discharged to go back to school to study criminal justice, which he failed. “I just couldn't hack it,” Desrosiers said. He found that he missed the military. He missed the camaraderie and the sense of purpose the military gave him that he could not seem to find in civilian life. So he returned, this time to the Army, serving in the infantry division as a tank gunner. “I was in Germany when we got deployed to the Gulf,” Desrosiers said, his voice fading. He can't bring himself to share anymore. At least for now. But he has to live every day with the reality of what those couple of months after deployment did to him. Since he returned from the Gulf in 1991, he knew something was wrong with him, but he didn't want to admit it. Instead, he got rid of everything – his military uniform, the duffel bag in which he carried all of his personal belongings and a book, “The Hunt for Red October.” All of it, gone. “I guess I wanted to forget everything,” Desrosiers said. “But I guess it is not going to let me.” For a while, he thought he was beating it. Years passed, and he was able to get a job at SCI-Greene prison. He married again, this time to a woman named Danielle, with whom he will celebrate 20 years of marriage this Saturday. He is raising three boys, Matthew, Casey and Ryan. He thought he had won. But then about four years ago, the gas well industry came roaring into Greene County. “It's like the flood gates opened,” he said. “It triggered everything, and I realized I left a part of me there, a part of my soul.” Desrosiers explained that the smell of oil and the sight of flaring gas wells are the worst for him. He has flashbacks of sitting in his tank until he can see the bombarded holes, small fires and other destruction. Dead bodies will appear above him so real that one time during a dream he attacked his wife in his sleep. He can taste oil in his mouth, and he expects to see black gunk when he sneezes, just like it was in Kuwait City, where everything smelled, tasted and looked like oil.

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Within the past four years things have improved, and he credits his small successes to getting professional help. The Veterans Affairs office in Waynesburg recognized the severity of his symptoms and sent him to a VA medical clinic in Morgantown, W.Va., where he continues to receive help. He also began running to help himself cope. Locals recognize him running around Waynesburg University's campus and have dubbed him “the running man.” His average week consists of two doctors' appointments, one with a speech therapist and the other with a neurologist. He also has a session with a counselor at the VA Medical Center in Morgantown. Desrosiers knows he is not the only person who is experiencing PTSD. His advice to others is to seek help. “It's hard admitting to yourself that you have a problem, especially for a soldier,” Desrosiers said. “But you should. It's the only way you will get better. Don't be ashamed of it.” He knows he has a long way to go, but with the help of his family, his faith, the clinic and running, he believes he will get better. “Sometimes I wonder if it was all worth it, and then I try and look around,” he said. He looks around him, at Waynesburg University, where son Matthew will be attending. He remembers Casey jumping hurdles on the high school cross-country team. He can see Ryan playing in the middle school band during a concert. “This, this all makes it worth it,” Desrosiers said. “I am trying to get better for all of this. I will find that part of me again.” Back to Top 1.19 - Observer-Reporter: California Gulf War veteran deals with PTSD. Mary Rhoads: Faith in God gets me through (30 August, Scott Beveridge, 135k online visitors/mo; Washington, PA) CALIFORNIA – Mary Rhoads found herself talking to the dead shortly after she returned home from serving in the Persian Gulf War. It was a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder that the California Borough woman still struggles with after having lived through the worst enemy attack on U.S. troops during the first war against Iraq. “It was really bad when I first came home,” said Rhoads, 59. “The survival guilt was so bad.” Rhoads was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve 14th Quartermaster Detachment in Greensburg when an Iraqi Scud missile struck her barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 25, 1991. She was not in the building at the time of the attack that killed 13 of her comrades,

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including two men from Washington County, Spc. John August Boliver Jr., 27, of Monongahela, and Sgt. Joseph Phillip Bongiorni, 20, of Hickory. Rhoads receives full military disability on a claim that recognizes the mysterious illnesses she suffers that are associated with Persian Gulf War syndrome. She became the face of the war this year in Sen. John McCain's latest book, “13 Soldiers: A Personal History of Americans at War,” which focuses on the struggles of returning veterans. Sometimes she will “freeze up” at the sound of a fire siren and have flashbacks to the Scud attack that killed her best friend at the time, Spc. Beverly Sue Clark, 23, of Armagh, she said. The new grandmother said taking long walks with her dog and helping her husband, Reed, are what get her through the days. “I just deal with it and put my faith in God,” she said. “I still have a lot of anger, but I still get up and go.” She said she's fortunate that she didn't turn to drugs and alcohol to deal with PTSD, problems that many young veterans today experience after returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. “They send these kids overseas for four or five tours and then put them back into society,” she said. “That's crazy.” Her advice to the younger veterans is: “Get help. Get help. Get help. “You're never going to forget it, but it can get easier.” She said families need to be aware that their relatives are “not the same person” when they return home from war. “You need to be more patient, kind and understanding,” Rhoads said. Back to Top 1.20 - KIII-TV (ABC-3, Video): Military Matters: The Art of De-stressing (30 August, 123k online visitors/mo; Corpus Christi, TX) CORPUS CHRISTI - Thirty percent of all veterans returning from the Vietnam war have suffered from post traumatic stress disorder according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. In this week's Military Matters, 3News anchor John-Thomas Kobos shows us how a local art project is providing our nation's heroes with an outlet many never even considered. Back to Top 1.21 - Cleburne Times-Review: A wealth of benefits for veterans (30 August, Jessica Pounds, 46k online visitors/mo; Cleburne, TX)

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When I finished my enlistment with the United States Navy I knew I was leaving a lot of great benefits behind. For four years I had free medical and dental care, incredible life insurance and access to free education to name a few. Upon my separation from service, I was told I would never have benefits like this again. I don’t know if it was a ploy to keep me in service or if those who told me these things were just misinformed. Being a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom has yielded great benefits, not just through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, but also through various organizations. As a reporter, I have been made privy to some really great people and organizations in and around Johnson County who have made an effort to honor veterans. I first learned about an amazing service called Honor Flight DFW while listening to a guest speaker at the Cleburne Lions Club. This program was established with the purpose of getting as many World War II veterans as possible to the District of Columbia to view the World War II Memorial. The all expenses paid trip has provided more than 600 World War II veterans with a trip to see the memorial. Included in the weekend getaway is a round trip ticket, hotel room, and meals. Most veterans looking to buy a new home are aware about the VA loan, but while interviewing an Alvarado firefighter I found out about another program that can help vets save money. Homes for Heroes was created after the tragic events of 9/11 as a thank you to the men and women who have given so much. The program is a network of real estate agents, lenders and inspectors that help cut costs associated with buying a home for military members, first responders, health care workers and teachers. Some have saved more than $3,000 in closing costs just by using a realtor who is a Homes for Heroes affiliate, all at no cost to the veteran. This week I learned about Roofs for Vets while covering an event in Burleson. The program accepts nominations from friends or family members of warriors who need help with their roofs. Then, they carefully review each nominee and select a winner who has served the United States with honor and who deserves a new roof. Construction workers then go to the veteran’s home and build a new roof free of charge. I think this program is great for veterans who were disabled during their time in service and live off of limited income. If you didn’t already know, Johnson County has a veteran’s service office inside the county courthouse. This team is dedicated to making sure all Texas veterans and their eligible survivors receive every benefit to which they are entitled.

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Make no mistake, they are not affiliated with the VA. Instead, they work with veterans and their survivors in identifying and obtaining benefits from the VA and the State of Texas. While visiting the office last week I was able to pick up some helpful information and an updated book with information about all the benefits I am entitled to. I was surprised to learn that the VA skipped a step when I filed a claim with them in November. With the help from this office, I can now make sure my claim is handled properly. A Cleburne woman called me a few weeks ago to let me know she read in the paper that I am a veteran. She said she was too and asked if I would be interested in helping her form an all-women’s veteran group in Johnson County. I am in the process now of gathering information, but the idea would be to provide an outlet for women vets to get together and share their stories, become involved in community events such as parades, and offer general support for one another. If you know a woman veteran living in Johnson County please send me an email so we can talk. What a great way to find out about all those benefits we were once otherwise told we would not have. Features Reporter Jessica Pounds can be reached at 817-645-2441, ext. 2333, or features@trcle.com. Back to Top 1.22 - KLAS-TV (CBS-8, Video): 8 News Now at 6:30PM (30 August, 39k broadcast viewers; Las Vegas, NV) This two-minute video covers the Las Vegas Filipino Veterans Group’s meeting with Rep. Joe Heck about the VA Accountability Act and the VA providing better health care. Back to Top 1.23 - KOAT-TV (ABC-7, Video): Action 7 News Live at 5:00 (30 August, 31k broadcast viewers; Albuquerque, NM) This 30-second video covers the 29 August story by the Albuquerque Journal on improvements at the New Mexico HCS. Back to Top 1.24 - The Exponent Telegram: Two streets linking downtown, South Clarksburg could be closed next year (30 August, Jim Davis, 28k online visitors/mo; Clarksburg, WV)

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Motorists could have difficulty getting around Clarksburg next year if the state doesn’t start work on Chestnut Street soon, City Manager Martin Howe says. The city is planning to reconstruct South Second Street from Lowndes Hill to Chestnut Hills during the spring and summer of 2016, Howe said. If work on Chestnut Street begins at the same time, that would result in the closure of two streets linking the downtown to the southern portion of the city, Howe said. “If it were to happen, it could be very inconvenient for vehicular traffic that utilizes Chestnut Street, as well as Second Street to find alternate routes” to W.Va. 98, the city manager said. That would throw additional traffic onto those alternate routes — Milford Street and Buckhannon Pike, Howe said. That could impact people going to the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center, West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility, Highland-Clarksburg Hospital and Veterans Memorial Park, Howe said. “Ultimately, it may be unavoidable,” he said. The state Division of Highways plans to put the Chestnut Street project out to bid once all the paperwork is done on rights of way, spokeswoman Carrie Bly said last week. The DOH hopes to have a contractor hired before the end of the year, although work may not start until spring, Bly said. Work on Chestnut Street, which has been deteriorating for years, is being done in phases. There have been several delays in the project since the first phase was completed in April 2013. That phase involved construction of a retaining wall between Hornor Avenue and the Dane Street right of way. The second phase will include the relocation of city sewer pipes and telephone utility lines, construction of additional retaining walls and drainage work, Bly said. The final round of improvements will include widening and resurfacing the beat-up street and new sidewalks, Bly said. The city has committed $1 million to the project. South Second Street has also been in disrepair for years. The city plans to put the project out to bid next spring, and the job should be completed within several months of the contract being awarded, Howe said. The Clarksburg Municipal Building Commission has applied for a $2 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to finance the project, as well as replacement of the Sycamore Street bridge.

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“Both projects are in dire need to be completed, and we are hopeful that the Chestnut Street project begins prior to 2016 and is completed by early summer of 2016,” Howe said. Mayor Cathy Goings echoed Howe’s sentiments. “Those are two main thoroughfares to the other end of town,” Goings said. “It’s critical we get one completed before we start another one.” Councilman Gary Bowden said it’s disappointing that Chestnut Street hasn’t been completed by now. That said, it would be impractical to have repairs occurring on both Chestnut and South Second streets at the same time. “Somehow, we’re going to have to coordinate with the Division of Highways,” Bowden said. “If we have similar timetables, somebody’s going to have to adjust, and I would think it would be us.” Howe said he plans to communicate the city’s concerns to the DOH. “The Second Street connector is a priority for the city since it’s our project, so we will be in communication with the Division of Highways regarding both projects and the timing of the projects,” Howe said. Vice Mayor Jim Malfregeot was philosophical about the issue. Residents may be inconvenienced if both projects are going on simultaneously, Malfregeot said. “But I think they’ll be happy to know there’s an end in sight,” Malfregeot said. Bowden agreed. “The good news is we’re heading into the home stretch on two significant thoroughfares in our city,” Bowden said. Back to Top 1.25 - The Baxter Bulletin: VA Care: Wait times slightly decreased in Mountain Home. Better system in place for health care needs of area veterans (30 August, Kaitlyn Schwers, 21k online visitors/mo; Mountain Home, AR) As an Arkansas veteran, Bud Graham depends greatly on VA health care. Graham, a 77-year-old Air Force vet, says he’s had ankle fusion and a knee and shoulder replaced in the past 20 years. The rural Mountain Home man regularly takes a van to get to his medical appointments in Little Rock.

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“The way that they have treated me in Little Rock indicates to me that their directors are very accommodating,” Graham said, adding he’s experienced few problems. Graham noted that he can only think of one occasion when his wait time went beyond 30 days for cataract removal. The care, however, was outsourced. The 30-day wait time is critical to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It’s required facilities across the country to reduce veterans’ wait times to within 30 days, including the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, a system Twin Lakes Area veterans often turn to for care. The requirement came after a 2014 scandal involving delays and months-long wait times hidden by VA employees. The Associated Press reported Thursday on a media roundtable held between officials of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and Little Rock Veterans Affairs Regional Office. The discussion focused on how both agencies are working to improve access to health care and benefits for the region’s thousands of veterans, as well as decreasing wait times, hiring more staff and streamlining services. State times under national average The VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Mountain Home is part of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. It provides primary care services, along with mental health and therapy services on site, for veterans in north central Arkansas. It also provides mental health medication management through its tele-medicine program. It is a contract clinic partnering with the Burnett-Lincoln-Paden Clinic. Dr. Tina McClain, acting chief of staff for CAVHS in Little Rock, told The Bulletin on Friday that Mountain Home has largely experienced consistent, but some slightly improved, wait times overall compared to a year ago at the local VA clinic. Data gathered by CAVHS reports wait times Mountain Home veterans have experienced recently. The average wait times are specific to veterans seen at the Mountain Home VA Clinic. In June, as an example, the average wait time for primary care visits was 1.5 days, specialty care was 5.5 days and mental health care was 4.03 days. “Looking back for several months, those numbers are fairly consistent,” McClain said, explaining that Mountain Home has not seen major issues related to veterans’ access to care. “The difference there on the specialty care numbers, that is really going to depend on the specialty care that the veterans need, because there are some specialties, as you can imagine, where there are more capacity or access issues related to scarcity of providers. For example, so it may take a little longer to get in to see a neurosurgeon than it does an orthopedic surgeon.” Statewide, the Associated Press found in an analysis of wait times between Sept. 1 and Feb. 28 that only 2.53 percent of the veteran appointments at Arkansas’ medical centers and hospitals took longer than 30 days to complete. The Healthcare System reported last week that it finished the fiscal year in July with 2.02 percent of its appointments taking longer than 30 days. The wait times in Arkansas were slightly less than the national average of 2.80 percent. More outsourcing of care locally

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Additionally, McClain shared Friday that the VA is working on expanding the specialists who are part of the Veterans Choice Program network. Outside of the Choice Program, however, McClain says the CAVHS has “consistently outsourced more care” for veterans in the Mountain Home area. “We do recognize that it is a difficult trek for veterans who come all the way to Little Rock and recognize that there are some clinical conditions where it is just not OK to be on the road that long,” McClain said. “So we also outsource through our non-VA care program here locally quite a bit of care for veterans in that area, too.” One local veteran, and an advocate for improving healthcare for all veterans, says Arkansas has not seen major issues, but there is room for improvement. Dan Hall serves as commander for Mountain Home’s Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapter. “There are still a lot of types of appointments that veterans still have to go down to the VA hospital for, and that’s where the delays have been. Frankly, Arkansas hasn’t been too much of a problem,” Hall said, referring to a 2014 scandal that resulted in the resignation of VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “There’s been a big attitude change and part of that issue came down to the Veterans Choice Cards.” The “Choice Cards” Hall refers to allow veterans to receive care outside the “overcrowded VA facility” and avoid appointment problems. The temporary Veterans Choice Program was set up for a three-year period. Congress authorized roughly $10 billion for the program, which was signed into law in 2014. It’s formally known as the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, those already enrolled in VA health care may be eligible now to receive care from non-VA facilities — if you have been waiting more than 30 days for VA medical care, or if you live more than 40 miles away from a VA medical care facility, or face one of “several excessive travel burdens.” Hall says many local veterans live near a VA medical facility, specifically the Mountain Home VA Clinic located at #10 Medical Plaza, but that there are many services veterans must go to Little Rock to receive. Getting more vets eligible for benefits Hall noted two vans driven by volunteers take local veterans, like Graham, to their appointments from Mountain Home to Little Rock between three to five days a week. It provides one way veterans may reach medical care without providing their own means of transportation. Statewide, the vans have traveled 10 million miles since the program started more than 20 years ago. It receives support from local fund-raising efforts, Ford Motor Company and DAV International. “All of that is great, but it doesn’t mean a thing until you get a volunteer driver who steps up and agrees to drive that van,” Hall said. “Until that happens, no veteran is really helped. These volunteer drivers put in a 10- to 12-hour day.”

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Though Hall acknowledged he’s not as concerned with access to care in Arkansas, he would like to see more veterans become eligible for the benefits. “There are so many programs that they have to go to Little Rock for that we think can be handled locally, but one of the big problems with the VA hasn’t been the medical care side as much as the benefit side to become eligible for care in the first place,” Hall said. “That’s the side that we have a lot of delays and problems with. “A veteran will apply for care for something that contributes to military service and sometimes it’s a five-year fight. That’s not unusual to be denied and then appeal that and be denied again.” Back to Top 1.26 - The American Legion: VA's Hickey: 'We're not perfect, but we're better' (29 August, Steve B. Brooks, 15k online visitors/day; Indianapolis, IN) Department of Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Benefits Allison Hickey points to areas that her department has shown strong improvement. But she also admits problems remain. Addressing The American Legion’s Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission during the national convention in Baltimore, Hickey went over the progress the benefits side of VA has made – most notably, that the claims backlog that once topped 611,000 recently dropped below 100,000 for the first time ever. “We’re still making some mistakes, and thank you when you point them out to us,” said Hickey, a member of Legion Post 2001 in Loudoun Co., Va. “We’re not perfect, but we’re better, and we’re going to keep working ‘til we get even better.” Hickey said that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) already has surpassed or is on track to surpass 2014 numbers for total number of benefits paid out and claims adjudicated. “We do that because you help us every single day,” she said. VBA was handling 2.7 million medical issues and 980,000 claims in 2009, Hickey said. To date this year, those numbers are 5.2 million and 1.2 million. Claims granting is holding steady at 70 percent, she said. Helping VA handle that number of claims has been the Legion’s efforts in filing fully developed claims, Hickey said. “You took the lead … and you have done an awesome job. Fully developed claims are one of the reasons why we have gotten the backlog down.” Hickey asked for the Legion’s help on a few fronts, one of which involves the claims appeals process. She said the best solution to improving the claims process, in her opinion, is to close the evidentiary record at the time the decision is made and file again as a new claim. “I know where you stand on it,” she said. “I still think that’s the best thing to do for all veterans so we’re not in this constant cycle. But if they can’t do that, then … I need about a thousand more people to do a really inefficient, ineffective process. One of those two things has to happen or I can’t fix the appeals process. I need your help. If you don’t want No. 1 to happen, then please

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go fight for a bunch more (employees) for me. That’s what it’s going to take to get us down to (adjudicating appeals) in a year.” Hickey praised the employees she has. “Nobody’s doing this job … for the money,” she said. “They’re doing this job because they have a passion for this mission. And when you find one that doesn’t, please let me know. I’ll handle that personally.” Starting this fall, Hickey said a veteran’s electronic file will be available via eBenefits, VA’s electronic portal to benefits information. “If they’re on eBenefits, they can see everything we’ve got,” she said. “They don’t have to call us and say, ‘Did you get my letter?’ Everything we have will be on eBenefits. They’ll be able to see what we’re seeing.” The commission also heard from Dr. David Shulkin, who took over as VA’s under secretary for Health this summer. In his first public speech since taking office, Shulkin also praised the Legion for what it does for veterans. “I’m very grateful for all of your service you’ve given to the country and how you’ve continued to be involved and help support the country and help support veterans health care,” he said. “The more that I learn about The American Legion … I’m really amazed at the work the Legion does. I’ve seen the number of hours that are donated and volunteered throughout 164 of our facilities across the country. It adds up to millions of hours and millions of dollars that are donated. And frankly, without the support groups like yours, I just can’t imagine us being able to do the work that we do every day.” Shulkin said that the problems at VA that gained national attention in spring of 2014 had been building for some time. “The resources had not been put into the VA to be able to care for the amount of veterans that needed care,” he said. “What really caught up with us was the aging of the veteran population, the new war efforts that were going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the amount of people that now we were covering for justifiable reasons like Agent Orange and other war-related conditions.” Shulkin also cited higher survival rates and more sophisticated methods of treating veterans also contributed to the VA scandal. “All this created a huge, huge demand for care that, frankly, we just weren’t able to keep up with.” Right around the time that Shulkin joined VA, it was announced that the department had a $2.6 billion shortfall that he said now is closer to $3 billion. “Since then, what I’ve been doing … is try to learn as much as I can about the VA,” Shulkin said. “My first official meeting was with The American Legion and the (veterans service organizations) because I think that there are no better organizations to get the feedback on how we’re doing, where we should be going (and) seek support than organizations like The American Legion.” Shulkin admitted that VA staff morale “is probably at an all-time low. And … I see that as my job to be … make sure that people feel that the work that they’re doing is supported and valuable. If we don’t make the people who are serving our veterans feel good about their work environment, it’s going to be very hard to make progress.” Philip Longman, whose book “Best Care Anywhere: Why VA Health Care Would Be Better for Everyone” is now in its third edition, told the commission that now is a very critical time for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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“We are at a moment where there is a real movement afoot to quasi-privatize veterans’ health care,” said Longman, policy director and managing editor at New America’s Open Markets Program. “What that specifically involves would be some kind of voucher system … where instead of (the government) running VA, veterans would be told, ‘Well, here’s your voucher. Go out and find yourself some health care.’” During his presentation, Longman brought up the Congressional Commission on Care, which was established via the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 to evaluate access to care throughout the VA health-care system. “I urge you all to keep your eye on this commission,” Longman said. “Its meetings will be open to the public. It will be taking testimony from various concerned people."I also would urge you to consider lending your support to the idea of getting (former VA Secretary and Legion Distinguished Service Medal recipient) Dr. Ken Kizer on this commission. There’s probably no one in the country more qualified to be on this commission than he is. Most of what I know about veterans’ health care he told me.” U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards, D-Md., briefly addressed the commission. She also spoke out against changing the way VA delivers health care, saying “When I hear some of these proposals that would morph the Department of Veterans Affairs into the Department of Defense, I think, frankly, that’s a slap in the face to our veterans.” Edwards also said that the cost of war should include the cost of caring for those who fight it. "I don’t think a day should go by when we are making decisions about war and peace that don’t take into consideration what that means to people who are wearing the uniform,” she said. “It’s our responsibility to provide quality health care to our servicemembers and their families. No exceptions, no getting out of it. You met your responsibility, so now it’s time for us to meet our responsibility to you." Back to Top 1.27 - Hill Country Community Journal: Local mental health resources address suicide risks for vets (30 August, Bonnie Arnold, 300 online visitors/day; Kerrville, TX) The top floors of the local VA hospital are visible from the parking lot at the Hill Country Veterans Center in Kerrville. But for veterans needing mental health help, the roads between are paved with paperwork. Local mental health services are provided through the Kerrville VA’s “Mental Health Clinic” at their building. Primary care teams each have two psychologists available, Veteran Service Officers Alan Hill said, while there is a staff of about nine people in the Mental Health Clinic. The VA has a “Suicide Hotline” phone number of 1-800-273-8255, available 24/7/365. Also, at the Kerrville State Hospital, there is a Crisis Stabilization Unit with limited beds and temporary emergency stays.

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An example of a patient for the CSU, Hill said, would be a vet who threatens to kill himself or herself, and calls law enforcement or a doctor to reach out. Law enforcement can get a court order to put that person in the CSU for up to seven days to be examined and treated by CSU professionals. Those who have nowhere to go after that are sometimes assigned to halfway houses or MHDD clinic appointments. “There is help here, available, but it’s like trying to take a horse to water and making it drink,” Hill said. He personally has taken people to the Audie Murphy emergency room, and had them either admitted or referred to the Kerrville unit for follow-up. Others go or are taken directly to Kerrville VAMC and are seen. “Sometimes vets ‘act up’ there and the VA police have to be called,” Hill said. They have seen vets ranging from World War II through the current Mideast conflicts, for problems including military sexual trauma, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, drug and alcohol abuse – “any or some or all of the above,” Hill said. Hill warned, “Clients shouldn’t think paperwork preparation means immediate results. Regional offices in Houston and Waco make the decision, or it may go up to a board of appeals. There are more than eight forms, plus support documents, and most packets have 20 pages or more. “Often it takes at least 120 days for a decision. In my seven years here, four have been settled in 90 days or less,” Hill said. “Some, if they are already registered as VA patients, get a faster response. If they aren’t registered, first there’s paperwork, which results in appointments, but that could be seven months with medication prescribed in between. “And sometimes, the individual feels like he’s doing better, and tells us to cancel the whole registration thing. This happens, too.” “Vets who feel they have a problem should start at the HCVC or the VA hospital or their medical provider. But don’t put it off. Don’t struggle with your demons,” Hill said. A vet can just show up at the VA with his or her discharge papers if honorably discharged, and go to Admissions. “That will begin the paperwork to be filled out, and no seeing the doctor that same day.” Overall, he said, there are about 22 million vets in the nation, but only about 6 million are seen at a VA medical facility, while about 5 million vets get some kind of compensation. Suicides Hill said one local Marine Corps vet from Vietnam committed suicide on the courthouse lawn about four years ago. And a young Afghanistan Marine vet killed himself in the last two months. He knows of five in the Kerrville area since 2009.

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National VA statistic say 22-24 vets kill themselves per day across the United States. Hill said he’s seen other stats saying that figure could be as many as 30 per day. As of August 2014, Department of VA says seven of 10 suicides are vets more than 50 years of age. But, Hill said, only 21 of the 50 states report this to the federal department; and others including Texas and California, among the most populous states, don’t make this data available. In August alone, Hill and Mike Cagle have assisted 10 vets with money and 15 vets and their families in the HCVC food bank. “Some need both,” Hill said. To be able to do this, the HCVC accepts community donations of money and food. Hill said the need has increased enough that they now prioritize potential “clients” by completed information sheets that include the chart of federal FY15 income limits by family size. Seminar information An annual free mental health resources seminar was held recently at the Cailloux Theater by Kerrville and San Antonio counselors and Veterans Administration staff. The public was invited, but few vets or their families attended who were not connected to speakers and presenters. One session was titled “Kerrville Mental Health” resources session. This was led by Dr. Denise Herbst, a psychologist at the Kerrville VAMC; Alan Hill, service officer at the Hill Country Veterans Center in Kerrville; Mike Cagle, Military Veterans Peer Network under the Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities (old MHMR), also at the HCVC; and Dr. Jill Koenig, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Veterans Justice Outreach. Hill called it “a poor showing and everyone wished more vets showed up.” Cagle said they made good connections and had networking happening, but expected more questions and feedback Speakers described the services they each offer. Herbst said through her office on the second floor of the Kerrville VA, they offer traditional outpatient services; and referrals. Her office includes medication management services, and psychotherapy for individuals, groups and couples. She said they provide mental health diagnoses. Some are outpatients for substance abuse; and a “gerio-psychologist” is available. Hill said the HCVC has three veterans’ services officers on Meadowview Lane who file claims for service-connected illnesses and injuries, and for veterans’ spouses. They give small financial assistance, for utility bills and rent, for instance. They have a food pantry, and use the 30 percent and 50 percent income levels under AMI cutoffs. “We have veterans come in with the shirt on their back. And we refer some of them to other services, inside our building and outside,” Hill said. He said a few groups use their meeting rooms regularly; and there’s a computer lab if vets need to look up something.

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“We help the vets get through on a day-to-day basis,” Hill said. Cagle said this MHDD region covers 15 counties, and he and six colleagues in Kerrville work with vets with PTSD and other trauma, and their family members. He said clients can be referred to Hill for possible benefits, and to Family Endeavors in the same building for housing questions. “We try to complement the VA system. Sometimes they are between VA appointments and need to talk; so we talk,” Cagle said. He said they have some support groups meeting in other counties. “We try to get the vet and the family member together, so the family understands the vet and the vet understands the family’s concerns,” Cagle said. Koenig said in the Veteran Justice Outreach Program, they work with vets in the legal system. “Our aim is treatment instead of incarceration, and the vets are identified through jails or primary care providers. We do referral and assessment,” Koenig said. She said of the few Texas counties with the specialized courts, Bexar County has the largest, where vets with charges pending sometimes get treatments ordered instead of jail time. She said these courts are in Bexar, Guadalupe and Comal counties so far, but not in Kerr. Asked how to get one established, Koenig said they are allowed by Texas law, not required; and need strong community and political support to start. “There’s a lot of politics involved,” Koenig said, “and the VA only does the treatment arrangements end.” Speakers said the VA is expanding “TeleHealth Services” office to office, or office to home computer, in addition to face-to-face appointments. Asked if MHDD provides therapy, Cagle said yes, through case management and medications supervision. “But the consumer has to want the services to continue.” The three main MHDD diagnoses are bi-polar, PTSD and schizophrenia. Cagle said one goal is to reintegrate families with vets suffering from PTSD. “He or she may have left for combat, in World War II to the latest conflict, and come back different. And the family and vet don’t understand why the other doesn’t understand,” Cagle said. They have structured peer-to-peer groups with facilitators, and cover 15 of their 19 MHDD counties. Families’, caregivers’ needs

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Tamara Alms-Chapa spoke for the “National Caregiver Support Program,” based in the VA Washington, D.C. offices with services provided Audie Murphy VA Medical Center. She said they support severely injured vets and those requiring caregivers. Their goals are for vets to remain at home, to address special needs, to provide for their health and well-being, to provide one location for them to get information, to provide training on common conditions, to reduce isolation with professional and peer support, to provide respite care, and to sensitize caregivers on their vet’s problems. Asked how she can help Kerrville area vets, she gave this toll-free “Caregivers Support Line” number – 1-855-260-3274. It’s answered 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday, and 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Saturdays. The website is www.caregiver.va.gov. In-home care is given by skilled caregivers. Respite care can be provided in-home, in adult day care, or in institutional placement. An added benefit is “aid and attendance,” that includes transportation, home adaptation and equipment. Alms-Chapa said they offer “caregiver education” for such things as spinal cord injury, poly-trauma, blindness rehabilitation, and family psychology. She said there is a “caregiver support coordinator” at all VA medical centers, but when asked who is in Kerrville, Alms-Chapa said there’s no one here. That office at Audie Murphy, San Antonio, handles requests from Kerrville, often by email and phone. She illustrated services with three circles, one inside the other, with services offered to all caregivers shown in the largest circle. Those include in-patient education, an interactive website, “tele-health” training, counseling and limited respite care. The next two smaller circles listed services only available to post-Sept. 11 veterans and their primary family caregivers, including that two registered nurses visit and check vets’ houses and families; and, for some, a monthly stipend and respite care for a minimum 30 days per year. Back to Top 2. Ending Veterans’ Homelessness 2.1 - News & Observer: VA helps Triangle Vietnam vet find a home (30 August, Barry Saunders, 1.7M online visitors/mo; Raleigh, NC) More than anything else in Vietnam, it was the doll that got to 20-year-old Ted Mangum. “We were going through a village where there’d just been a firefight” in 1970, Mangum, 65, told me last weekend. There was a big ditch into which a bulldozer was pushing dead Vietnamese bodies, piled high in a tangible testament to man’s unquenchable capacity for collateral carnage.

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“Why they got that baby doll on that pile?” Mangum asked himself as his platoon cruised past. Upon noticing a red stain on the doll’s Carolina blue dress and realizing that it was a human being, he said “‘I wish somebody would just go close her eyes.’ That’s when I made a promise to the good Lord, ‘If you get me out of this I’ll do whatever I can to make the world a better place.’” Scores of people in North Carolina will attest that Mangum has done that. Without boasting or rancor, he told of the doctors, lawyers, actors and soldiers who have thanked him for his service to them as kids, through a program he started in Durham called America’s Child RELAY, which stands for Research Education and Literacy Assistance for Youth. The irony is that he was able to help just about everybody but himself. Mangum and I had been in touch over the years – I spoke to kids at one of his programs 15 years ago – and he called me several months ago seeking to publicize his effort to get help from the Department of Veterans Affairs so he could come in from the cold, literally and figuratively. We kept missing each other, but when I reached him last week, there was something in his voice I hadn’t heard in a while: hope. Mangum had, with herculean help from his VA social worker, gotten an apartment in Raleigh. It’s just a little one-bedroom thing, he said, but he spoke of it as pridefully as one might the Taj Mahal, the Biltmore Estate and the White House rolled into one. Things weren’t nearly as rosy when he returned from Nam in 1971. “The worst thing I could do that first year back... was put on a job application that I had been in Vietnam. They automatically assumed you were on drugs, crazy,” he said. “I started telling them I was in jail for breaking and entering. “The first six weeks back, you feel on top of the world because you’re back with all of your arms and legs. After that, it’s like somebody dropped a building on top of you with no windows or doors and you can’t get out,” he said. “That’s the way I’ve been the past 45 years. That building has been on me.” Mangum credited – no, he praised – VA social worker Seth Horton with not just helping to lift the building off him, but with finding him one in which to live. “I’ll give that young boy credit,” Mangum said when talking about his improved circumstances. “He fought for me. He knew I’d been on the streets in Washington, and he said, ‘We’re not going to let you be homeless this year.’” Mangum’s work with young people has been due to his altruism, sure, to the promise he made when rolling past that mound of bodies. Part of it, though, he admitted, has been an act of self-preservation. “I worked 18 to 21 hours a day sometimes,” he told me, “because I didn’t want to go to sleep. I’d have nightmares.” It cost him his home and marriage, he said, but he spent most of his days and nights working with America’s Child RELAY, the program he founded in 1986. “I was in denial, had to sneak to the VA for treatment, because ain’t nobody gonna put their child in a program with a vet with PTSD,” he said.

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Tyrone Stroud’s mother put him in the RELAY program, and Stroud, now four years from being able to retire from the U.S. Army, said, “It gave me direction. I was just out there doing nothing... RELAY allowed us to flourish and be creative.” Stroud received associate and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Maryland University College and a master’s in Information Technology. Speaking of nightmares, Mangum said he spent years trying to convince the VA not only that he was suffering from his war experience – the term “post traumatic stress disorder” hadn’t been invented in 1971 – but even, dammit, that he’d been in the war. “They said they couldn’t find any record of me being in Vietnam,” he said. “I told them I either went or I had one of the worst year-long nightmares in the history of the world.” One way he was able to convince them that he was there was by having a fellow soldier, who said he met Mangum when both were picking up and bagging body parts after a mortar attack near Chu Lai, write a letter last year to the VA on his behalf. I read the letter. It’ll break your heart. When Gerald Ford was sworn in 41 years ago to succeed Richard Nixon as President, Ford said, “our long national nightmare is over.” ’Tain’t true. Our national nightmare, our shame, really, won’t be over until we do right by our veterans. Despite what he called his “45-year fight” for benefits, Mangum said he knows fellow soldiers who’ve fared even worse than he. Now that he has a home that’s not a city sidewalk, though, his own long personal nightmare is over and perhaps he’ll be able to sleep peacefully. Perhaps we’ll be able to, also. Back to Top 2.2 - KTIV-TV (NBC-4, Video): Former military veteran helps move homeless veterans into homes (30 August, Sam Curtiss, 152k online visitors/mo; Sioux City, IA) Serving the public is in John Emswiler's DNA. A retired army veteran, he's now the police chief in Denison, Iowa. For purposes of this story, he's just John, one of the driving forces behind "Moving Veterans Forward." It's a non-profit group based out of Papillion, Nebraska, that works closely with the Omaha Veterans Affairs office and homeless veterans between Nebraska and Iowa. Emswiler says it's his way of giving back once he left the military. "We don't ask names and we don't know these people most of the time," said John Emswiler. What Emswiler does know is that when the Omaha VA finds these homeless vets a place to live some need furniture. Volunteers help collect household items and furnishings to give out to these veterans when they're being placed in homes. "You name it, we take it," said Emswiler. "As long as it's not a refrigerator or stove." He added that dressers are the hardest items to

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collect since he says they tend to have a high price tag and families will pass them down rather than donating them. The group doesn't spend money on items they collect. Emswiler said any donation the group receives goes 100-percent to transportation or storage costs. The group has seven storage units, where they house the items, five in Nebraska and two in Iowa. The brainchild behind the entire operation is Ron Hernandez. Emswiler linked with Hernandez through a motorcycle club and in turn, has helped expand the campaign efforts which has touched over 512 households to date. Hernandez takes care of the Nebraska end of the operation while Emswiler helps on the Iowa side. But, Emswiler says none of it is possible without volunteers like Melvin Neddermeyer with the American Legion Post 66 based in Charter Oak, Iowa. "He needs any help at all, we're there to help," added Neddermeyer. Neddermeyer was there when the group did a radio-a-thon with KDSN in 2014. The group was able to fill multiple trailers through donations. People called in offering items to donate and volunteers went to pick them up. "When I left home and got back, I put on over a hundred miles that day on my pickup and trailer and I was proud of every mile I drove," said Neddermeyer confidently. The system has even come full circle. One of the veterans Emswiler helped move in was one of his former records clerks from Iraq that had helped him while he was serving. "And that one hit close to home," said Emswiler. But it's tough to get a tear from him saying he has learned to hide them well. Emswiler said days like just confirm the movement he joined and work they do. The group recently started purchasing, and putting together, gift baskets. Emswiler says they realized they were moving these veterans in, but many had no food or items to use to bath with. Back to Top 3. Ending the Claims Backlog – No coverage 4. Veteran Opportunities for Education/GI Bill 4.1 - The Washington Times (AP): SD School of Mines honored for being veteran-friendly (30 August, 3.7M online visitors/mo; Washington, DC) RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - U.S. Veterans Magazine has named the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology as one of the country’s top veteran-friendly schools. The Rapid City school made the 2015 Best of the Best list. The magazine polled hundreds of universities for this year’s evaluations. The School of Mines enrolls more than 100 active duty and veteran students from all military branches. It also offers a Veterans Resource Center on campus with study space, veteran-to-

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veteran tutoring, counseling referrals and résumé assistance. A patient advocate from the VA Black Hills Health Care System visits monthly. The school has been home to an Army ROTC program since 1918 and added a new minor in military science this year. Back to Top 4.2 - Times West Virginian: Veterans have place to ask questions, get needed help (30 August, Shawnee Moran, 51k online visitors/mo; Fairmont, WV) Fairmont State University has seen an increase in veterans and dependents this year. Sandra Corwin, the veterans certifying official at Fairmont State, said they have 187 veterans and dependents enrolled at FSU this year. “Last fall at this time we had 158, so it’s about an increase of 30 veterans and dependents,” she said. Corwin helps veterans at both Fairmont State and Pierpont Community & Technical College. She said this year there are around 100 veterans and dependents at Pierpont. While Corwin has only been at Fairmont State since January 2014, she said she has seen an increase from about 30-50 people since the first semester. Fairmont State is a military-friendly and a Yellow Ribbon Program participant school. The Yellow Ribbon Program is is a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This program can help students attend school at a reduced cost. “The VA has set up a program for veterans that are from out of state so when they come to a college that participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program they are not charged out-of-state fees,” Corwin explained. “What happens is the in-state fee is subtracted from what they are being charged from the out-of-state (fee), and the remainder that is there is split between the VA and the school.” Fairmont State has a veteran services office on campus to ensure these students have an easy transition back into the education system. “They have more (to deal with) than a normal student coming back to school. Plus it’s a little harder for them ... some of our veterans have been in the military for 20 years and they’re coming back to school, so it’s an adjustment,” Corwin said. She said students are told to come to the office after they enroll. Corwin helps by giving them an information sheet of things they need to accomplish and answers any questions they may have. Corwin said veteran students have to have their classes a certain way or the VA doesn’t pay. She said they must have at least 12 hours of classes if they want to be a full-time student.

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If a student has a question, they are welcomed into the office where either Corwin or trained student veteran workers will assist them. Corwin said along with disability services they have a lounge where students can get together and meet other veterans. “They are an unique group on our campus and really bond together and help each other,” she said. She said her job is not just about getting them help in their classes, but to make them feel included and comfortable too. Corwin said starting in September there will be group counseling on campus for veterans. She said they currently have a memo of understanding with the vet center in Morgantown, and the counselors will come up to Fairmont. Fairmont State also has a student veterans organization that meets twice a month. Corwin said it is important to have a place for veterans to come, ask questions and get the help they need to succeed. “It makes them feel like they have a place here on campus that we can help them,” she said. “It can be overwhelming. ... It just makes them feel secure that there is someone in campus that know what they are going through.” Corwin said they have planned for a lot of activities for Veterans Day on Nov. 11. She said Jamie Summerlin, who is a veteran that ran across the U.S. in support of local veterans, will visit the campus. They will also plant flags to represent the 693 veterans that have graduated since 9/11. In addition they will allow people to plant flags in memory or to honor a veteran they know. Corwin also said they are working on a monument to put on campus to show they support veterans. “We need help with support, so the veterans not only feel it on the campus, but in their community,” she said. Back to Top 4.3 - KNX-AM (CBS-1070, Audio): Melinda Lee (30 August, Los Angeles, CA) In this two-minute broadcast, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity Curtis Coy explains that the Choice Act expands GI Bill benefits to spouses of servicemembers who have died in the line of duty, and requires states to offer in-state tuition to all veterans at their public universities. Back to Top

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5. Women Veterans 5.1 - San Francisco Chronicle (AP): Navy veteran to address Ohio women veterans conference (30 August, 9.6M online visitors/mo; San Francisco, CA) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A U.S. Navy combat veteran will give the keynote speech at Ohio's conference for women veterans to be held in Columbus. The Ohio Department of Veterans Services says veteran Amanda Wirtz will address the conference at the Hilton Columbus at Easton on Sept. 12. She will share her story of overcoming significant health challenges. State officials say the conference provides a networking forum for women veterans and provides them with information about the challenges faced by other women veterans and resources and strategies available to help them overcome those challenges. The last Ohio Women Veterans Conference in 2013 drew more than 700 women veterans. Registration for this year's conference has been extended to Monday, Aug. 31. The state says Ohio has more than 67,000 women veterans. Back to Top 6. Other 6.1 - The Washington Times (AP): Legionnaires’ disease cases climb at Illinois veterans home (30 August, 3.7M online visitors/mo; Washington, DC) QUINCY, Ill. (AP) - Officials say the number of residents with Legionnaires’ disease at a western Illinois veterans’ home climbed five more to 28, including two people who died last week. The Quincy Herald-Whig reported (http://bit.ly/1LLzsfW ) Saturday the number jumped from the 23 cases made public Friday when the deaths were reported. Illinois Department of Public Health officials say the deceased residents had underlying medical conditions. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia, with lung inflammation usually caused by infection. It’s not transmitted from person to person, with most people getting it from inhaling the Legionella bacteria. Illinois Veterans Home spokesman Ryan Yantis says residents are being monitored and anyone with symptoms will be treated as if they have it until lab results show otherwise. Quincy is about 300 miles southwest of Chicago. Back to Top

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6.2 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump's big sell job: deficit spending to conservatives (30 August, Albert R. Hunt, 1.9M online visitors/mo; Milwaukee, WI) Which presidential candidate would be the biggest budget-buster? Bernie Sanders, the welfare-state socialist? Hillary Clinton, the activist-government Democrat? Any of a passel of no-new-taxes Republicans? Nope. It's the self-styled arch-conservative, Donald Trump. The front-running Republican makes lavish promises to boost spending on immigration, the military, veterans and other causes while cutting taxes for the middle class and resisting proposals for offsetting savings. He's not one for offering lots of policy specifics and it may be too much to ask for a populist firebrand to exhibit fiscal responsibility. Still, Trump makes plenty of proposals. It's fair to wonder how much they'd cost. The most detailed Trump plank is on immigration, including plans to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants and to erect a 1,900-mile wall along the Mexican border. Jeb Bush has said those would cost hundreds of billions of dollars. Some analysts say that's a conservative estimate. Trump has also vowed to build up the U.S. military, charging that enemies know America "is getting weaker." That's big-ticket budgeting. He boasts he'll exceed the efforts of President Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain to help veterans. In New Hampshire, he promised to build "a full-service, first-class VA hospital." Not cheap. Other early caucus or primary states probably can expect similar promises of largess. The money apparently won't come from trimming entitlements. "I'm not going to cut Social Security like every other Republican, and I'm not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid," Trump insists. He has pledged to eliminate the carried-interest loophole that reduces taxes for private-equity and hedge-fund executives. He implies that would help finance a big middle class tax cut. It wouldn't help much. Cutting taxes by 1 percentage point for the middle class would cost about $500 billion over a decade, the Congressional Budget Office says. Ending the carried- interest exemption would raise about $2 billion a year, according to the U.S. Treasury. And he's talked about allowing companies to repatriate foreign income at a lower tax rate. That's what Obama has proposed too, to raise revenue for spending on infrastructure. Trump sounds enthusiastic. "I know how to build," he likes to say. Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on Chinese and other imports, suggesting that would provide cash and improve American competitiveness. More likely it would raise the cost of products to American consumers without those accompanying benefits. Sanders has made lavish spending promises and also wouldn't cut entitlements. He has, however, also promised huge offsetting tax increases on the wealthy and corporations, however unrealistically. Similarly, Republicans who forswear tax increases propose all sorts of unlikely spending reductions to keep the budget under control.

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Budget control? On that topic Trump, uncharacteristically, doesn't have much to say. Back to Top 6.3 - The Times: Yoga has evolved (30 August, Mary Jimenez, 296k online visitors/mo; Shreveport, LA) You hear or see the word yoga. What image drops into your mind? One might be an Indian man wearing a cotton diaper around his loins, placing his limbs at angles and directions that should not be possible. Another might be a room of young beautiful yogis who effortlessly move from standing on two feet to balancing on two hands, or moving from a sitting position with both legs in front to both legs behind their shoulders. A third might even be a class of slowly moving arms and legs that stay in positions so long, it makes your hamstrings hurt just thinking about it. Binding your image together are smells — patchouli, citrus, sage, basil and eucalyptus; music — new age, chimes, chanting or drums; and deities that include a monkey faced man and a god with a third eye on his forehead, a snake around his neck that wears a crescent moon on his head. After 5,000 years, yes, those experiences can still be yours — if that’s what you’re looking for. But yoga has come a long way since becoming popularized in the Western world within the past 100 years and there’s many myths that should be debunked if they’re keep you away from this practice. In the Shreveport area there are six studios that offer a variety of styles of yoga. There’s also many fitness clubs, gyms and churches in the area offering forms of Hatha yoga (the physical style of yoga). “Evolve or die,” said local yoga instructor Bryan Sullivan. “Do you think even the (Hindus) in India are practicing yoga the exact same way? I mean Pattabhi Jois (known as the founder of Ashtanga Yoga) put his spin on it; everyone has put their spin on it.” Myth 1: Yoga is a religion Yoga is not a religion. Yoga grew and prospered in the Hindu culture so it gets associated with the Hindu way of life, and Hindu also is not a religion. Instead, yoga is a tool — like massage, healthy eating or meditation — that can be used by anyone. “I’m quite passionate about this (myth) as a practicing Episcopalian who prays to Jesus Christ,” said Ally Neal Ford, a master yoga teacher and instructor from Tampa, Florida. “Anyone, regardless of religion, race, station in life, or background can practice yoga.”

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Ford’s teacher program is registered with Yoga Alliance, and has successfully graduated close to 200 teachers, including 60 from northwest Louisiana. Several of those students now own or teach in studios in the Shreveport area. For some, yoga can simply be a physical practice, but for many who use the philosophical guidebook (The Sutras) as well as the breath (prana), asanas (postures) and meditation; it can become transformative. “People develop an immense awareness of their actions, words, desires, emotions and the thoughts behind all of those things,” Ford said. “It’s with this awareness that we can make real changes that aid wellness and healing.” It’s only natural it becomes a spiritual journey says Ford. “People find themselves affirming their religious beliefs or praying, but to the God of their own understanding, not to some strange yoga God,” Ford said. “So in this way, yoga can be a spiritual practice that supports any religion.” Myth 2: Yoga requires a complete lifestyle change Of course it doesn’t, says Ford. If all you do is participate in the physical aspect it will be a gift, and who knows may lead to other changes, Ford says. Walter Hood, a Vietnam veteran found that to be true for him, after joining a Yin yoga class at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, he’s made the physical part of his practice part of his morning routine. “It works the kinks out,” said Hood, who intends to never live without it. “I didn’t think it would be for me because I was exercising way more than I thought I would be in (yoga) class. But it’s not about the exercise here, it’s about learning to breathe properly and holding the poses.” Hood suspects the word “yoga” might carry expectations with it that make people stay away. “If the word yoga scares you, call it something else,” he said. “Say I’m going to stretching class. But do it.” Myth 3: Yoga is about impossible poses Although amazing photos of the anatomy rocking in Cirque du Soleil fashion can be inspiring, it’s not what all students should try to attain in their practice, says every yoga instructor. The real mantra, they say, is you are coming to reclaim balance within your own body and mind. “Yoga meets you where you are,” said Ford, “helping to develop a relative level of flexibility that is appropriate and safe for your body.” Yoga teachers often hear the same excuse: I’m not flexible enough. And the answer is very apparent: That’s exactly why you should come.

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Who among us hasn’t had the experience of reaching back or bending over abruptly and then feeling a sharp pain? Keeping your joints lubed, strong and healthy with movement can often prevent a minor injury from becoming major injury. “So if you step off a curb the wrong way, a little flexibility can make the difference between an ankle sprain or break,” Ford said. Myth 4: Yoga is not a workout/Yoga is a workout Depending on the style of yoga you may find either one to be a myth. The aid in stress relief is all the buzz with yoga, but some new practitioners find they are getting a lot more than they bargained for. All styles of yoga use the breath to help maintain focus, create change and bring intention into the practice, but the more intense or faster moving styles of yoga also require a great deal of core and body strength. For example, there are about 60 chaturanga dandasanas — basically a tricep push up — in the Ashtanga primary series. “If you find the right style, you can sweat more than you do running 6 miles in the heat,” Ford said. “And I’m from Texas, I know.” However, many other styles can have zero stressful poses, but that’s not to say the stretching won’t make you sore if it’s new to your body. LaShawanda Walters, a U.S. Navy veteran also has joined the Yin yoga class at the Overton Brooks VA. Yin yoga opens connective tissues through a slow practice that typically holds poses for 3-5 minutes, says Monica Carlson, her teacher. Carlson also guides her class through Yoga nidra, a practice in yoga known as yoga sleep, a systematic method for complete relaxation. “I was looking for something to keep me calm and keep my anxiety down,” said Walters, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. “I feel refreshed after class.” Myth 5: Yoga is for women It does seem that way. Walk into any yoga class and there can be a room full of women and at best a handful of men. In fact a 2012 study by Yoga Journal found that of the 20.4 million people who practice yoga in the United States, only 18 percent of them were men. “You’d think that would bring more men to class,” jokes Ford, who finds it kind of ironic considering the history of yoga. “As early as the 1930s, and 40s the bulk of practitioners were men!” The tides may be turning. Sullivan, who teaches with Yoga Jai, a donation based yoga-in-the-park organization, sees more men coming to yoga class and has a theory.

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“I think the P90X has changed the perception,” he said. “P90X incorporates really intense yoga into it and it’s introduced a whole new generation of men to another side of yoga.” Also helping turn the tide is the use of yoga by many pro sports. A 2014 article in Sports Illustrated — Beyond Downward Dog: The Rise of Yoga in the NBA and Other Pro Sports highlights this trend. Myth 6: Yoga is risk free Nothing is risk free, all forms of physical activity should be approached thoughtfully say experts. “Listen to your body and take it slowly,” Ford says. And find a good teacher. Yoga Alliance is a well respected standard setting association that has a registry of over 62,300 teachers and more than 3,900 schools. You can search on their website to find experienced teachers in your area. Myth 7: There is only one type Paddleboard yoga — yes it’s a thing. YogaTrail.com lists 63 different styles of yoga and there are probably many more variations that vary in intensity, poses, guidelines, music (none to a lot), philosophy and location. Yoga Jai of Shreveport provides donation based yoga in the park every Sunday weather permitting. James Osborne, one of the founders, and Bryan Sullivan and are two of the instructors. “I do find that people come and really do get more into their internal space,” Osborne said. “They are more present with their practice. A studio can sometimes create competition.” On the Americanization of yoga — which many dogmatic practitioners would snub — both Sullivan and Osborne, are just fine with it. It’s really change itself that some people find uncomfortable, according to Sullivan. “We always cling to what was ever before us, like it was always there … but it wasn’t (always there),” he said. Ford, who taught both Osborne and Sullivan, makes it a point not to judge. She quoted a great teacher of yoga, Sri T. Krishnamacharya who said that “in order for yoga to survive it would have to evolve to meet the changing needs of practitioners.” “I’m sure he never imagined there might be Aerial Yoga,” Ford said. “Yoga has always been an experiential and experimental practice for each individual. If anything inspires someone to try yoga then I’m all for it. Ultimately, as people practice they’ll find the practice that is right for them and helps them to feel healthier and live more fully.” Yogacharaya Shri K. c (Guruji) was born in 1915, and is recognized as the father of Ashtanga Yoga, a powerful practice of which many other styles are based upon.

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History This is a very brief history of yoga practiced in today. For more information visit http://www.yogajournal.com/category/yoga-101/history-of-yoga/. The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means “to join” or “to yoke”. The Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have collated the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra an estimated 2,000 years ago. The Sutra is a collection of 195 statements that serves as a philosophical guidebook for most of the yoga that is practiced today. It also outlines eight limbs of yoga: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). As we explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our behavior in the outer world, and then we focus inwardly until we reach samadhi (liberation, enlightenment). The many styles of yoga There are 63 styles of yoga featured on the website YogaTrail.com, and growing. These are some of the more well-known practices. Hatha Hatha is a general term that encompasses many physical styles of yoga. Hatha classes are generally gentle and slow-paced, and provide a good introduction to the basic postures and principles of yoga. In the area at all the studios mentioned. Iyengar Yoga Often, you’ll do only a few poses while exploring the subtle actions required to master proper alignment. Poses can be modified with props, making the practice accessible to all. The primary objective is to understand the alignment and basic structure of the poses, and to gain greater physical awareness, strength, and flexibility. B.K.S. Iyengar (a student of T. Krishnamacharya) founded the style. Find out more at bksiyengar.com and iynaus.org. In the area at Breathe Yoga. Ashtanga yoga, (Sanskrit for “eight-limbed”) Ashtanga is a style of yoga codified and popularized by K. Pattabhi Jois and is often promoted as a modern-day form of classical Indian yoga. Usually an Ashtanga practice begins with 5 Surya Namaskar A and 5 B, followed by a standing sequence. Following this the practitioner begins one of 6 series, followed by what is called the closing sequence. Ashtanga Yoga is named after the eight limbs of yoga mentioned in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. “Power yoga” and “vinyasa yoga” are generic terms that may refer to any type of vigorous yoga exercise derived from Ashtanga yoga. In the area at Explore yoga and wellness. Vinyasa Flow

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Most westerners tend to be most familiar with vinyasa flow (breath with movement). The instructor leads the class through a repetitive flow of poses, which provides a more intense workout than styles like Iyengar. Yogis may want to try a slower style, in which they can become comfortable with and perfect poses, before jumping into a vinyasa flow. In the area at all the studios. Bikram Bikram is the best style for yogis who are looking to sweat bullets. Practiced in a heated room of about 105 degrees, an instructor guides students through a series of 26 poses that are designed to strengthen and compress the muscles. This style is designed to stretch and rinse the internal organs and increase blood circulation throughout the body. This style is great if you’re looking to see concrete progress. Because you are repeating the same 26 poses every time, it is easy to take notice when you’re flexibility and strength are improving. However, beginners should start in a more basic class before plunging into bikram. Currently no studios in Shreveport/Bossier City. Hot yoga Westerners often assume that bikram and “hot yoga” are the same style of yoga. However, hot yoga classes often consist moving through a vinyasa flow in a heated room. This is an intense style of yoga that provides a lot of movement, and is best for yogis with experience and strength. In the area at Explore Yoga and Wellness. Yin Yoga This style of yoga targets the deep connective tissues of the body (vs. the superficial tissues) and the fascia that covers the body. In yin yoga you come into a pose at your edge, remain still and hold for a period of 3-5 minutes. Yin yoga is also thought to benefit the organs by removing blockages in the energy pathways of the body that flow through the connective tissues. In the area at Explore Yoga and Wellness. Gentle Classes that are described as gentle generally guide practitioners through a slower and more passive sequence of postures. They often focus on connecting the breath with mindful movements that reduce tension and increase energy. Gentle yoga classes are particularly suited for beginners and people working with injuries. In the area at Breathe Yoga, Explore Yoga, Lotus Studio. Niche yoga A few yoga styles just pop out at you, these are just a few! The only one below offered in Shreveport/Bossier is Aerial Yoga. You can find out more about the many styles of yoga by visiting YogaJournal.com or YogaTrail.com and searching for styles. Aerial yoga (anti-gravity yoga) offers authentic yoga, with the support of a soft aerial fabric hammock.

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Harmonica yoga. A form of Raja Yoga (yoga for the mind and body). The best, most effective, most entertaining way to teach a group of any size to focus on their breathing...is to teach them, mindfully, to play the harmonica, says founder David Harp on Harmonica yoga’s website, http://www.harmonicayoga.com Karaoke yoga. Yes, you sing while doing yoga. Jennifer Pastiloff explains what it’s all about her website. “It’s singing your heart out and laughing and dancing and balancing and sweating and letting go of all your fears. http://jenniferpastiloff.com/Yoga-Karaoke.html Laughter yoga (Hasyayoga) is a practice involving prolonged voluntary laughter. Laughter yoga is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides the same physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter. http://www.laughteryoga.org/english Tantrum yoga. The temper tantrum serves to release steam and emotion, and is usually followed by a blissfully quiet calm. Tantrum yoga gives adults an ability to experience this release. Wheelchair or chair yoga. Traditional poses adapted for those who are in a wheelchair. Yoga raves. According to the not-for-profit movement’s website http://www.yogarave.org/us “Yoga Rave is a party like none other in world, a new concept in fun where the body responds only to the stimulation of music, yoga and meditation.” Yoga local […] Back to Top 6.4 - WKBT-TV (CBS-8): Marine veteran remembered during dedication ceremony. Tomah VA dedicates painting to Simcakoski family (30 August, 281k online visitors/mo; La Crosse, WI) TOMAH, Wis. (WKBT) - A Veteran who died last year while receiving care from the Tomah VA was remembered Sunday afternoon. His family and friends gathered to dedicate a painting in honor of Jason Simcakoski and what he has sacrificed for this country, Simcakoski died at the Tomah VA as a result of a series of failures by the VA. After an exhaustive investigation it was found that Simcakoski died from mixed drug toxicity. As a result, the Tomah V-A has undergone many changes from policies to management. Although it has been a tough year, Simcakosk's father is proud of his son and the impact his death has had on so many.

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"We get calls from people all over the us thanking us and thanking what jason has done to help change things around, it's not just in VA hospitals but public hospitals, so there are big changes being made all over," said Marvin Simcakoski. Many people attended the memorial service including representatives from Sean Duffy, Ron Kind and Ron Johnson's offices and Tammy Baldwin. Baldwin said the dedication to Jason has helped everyone rededicate their efforts to fixing the problems at the Tomah VA. "It's been such an honor to work with Jason's family on legislation that is bipartisan in nature to make sure no other family has to face that tragedy," said Baldwin. The acting medical center director said the changes will impact millions of veterans. "The VA is a large organization so a change that is made at one facility, will impact vets across the country," said John Rohrer. The painting dedicated to Jason is hanging in the hallway of the Patient Dining Facility at the Tomah VA. Back to Top 6.5 - The Intelligencer: Sestak has solid record supporting our veterans (30 August, Lorrie Topolin, 84k online visitors/mo; Doylestown, PA) I’m disappointed in Sen. Pat Toomey’s voting record as it pertains to veterans. I’m also disappointed that a new TV ad touts Toomey as a champion for veterans’ health care and benefits. I discovered just how false that claim is. Toomey’s voting record has done little to help veterans, but has done a great deal to hurt them. Even though he has claimed support for troops, he voted against appropriating the highest level of funding to vets’ medical care, and voted to underfund the VA by over $1 billion. He also voted against a dozen bipartisan VA budgets, which provide housing for veterans through HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. Needless to say, I will not be voting for Toomey next year. Instead, I have chosen to vote for a better candidate, a man who has wholeheartedly supported the needs of veterans for his entire legislative history: Joe Sestak. A veteran himself, Sestak understands the importance of serving those who serve us. He voted for and helped pass the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, an act requiring the VA to have a program to address vets who may be suffering from severe depression. He helped pass the Reservist and Veterans’ Small Business Opportunity Act to help service members keep their small businesses afloat while overseas. Perhaps even more notably, Sestak never failed to vote for a VA budget while in office, and helped pass the largest increase in VA funding in history. Sestak’s solid record of supporting veterans whenever possible has earned him my vote. Lorrie Topolin

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New Hope Back to Top 6.6 - WSAW-TV (CBS-7, Video): Veteran Jason Simcakoski's memory honored at Tomah VA (30 August, Kevin Carr, 25k online visitors/mo; Wausau, WI) One year ago, Jason Simcakoski drew his last breaths at the Tomah VA. It's made the last year painful for his family. "Probably one of the longest years of our lives," Jason's father Marvin Simcakoski said. "It's been a sad year. A lot of memories that keep going through our minds." But at the Tomah VA, while there is sadness there's also celebration. Management at the facility and Senator Tammy Baldwin joined the Simcakoski family in honoring the former marine's memory by unveiling a painting. Made by Jason's last caretaker, it will hang inside the hallways within the facility. "With his name on it, it's very sad seeing that, but I was proud," Jason's mother Linda Simcakoski said. "I was very proud of the picture and I'm very honored someone would do that for him in his memory." More than just keeping Jason's memory alive, however, both the ceremony and painting itself serve as reminders that any veteran who walks on the VA grounds should receive the utmost quality care. "Helps us all re-dedicate our efforts to making sure that every veteran receives the care that they deserve and have earned," Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin said. "His life will have an impact on veterans-veterans that he doesn't even know," Tomah VA Acting Director John Rohrer added. Rohrer says through Jason's death, the Tomah VA has made progress in improving care for their veterans. "We work on that every day," Rohrer explained. "And the staff who come in here, they work on it every day. And they're doing a wonderful job." And while it's certainly helping the 26,000 veterans in Tomah, the hope is that the impact spreads to all VA centers nationwide. "It's unbelievable that he's made such a big difference not just in Tomah, but in the whole United States," Linda Simcakoski said. Though Jason may no longer be with with us, the painting serves as a reminder that his memory continues to live on. Back to Top