This Week in AMVETS National Legislative Department

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By Nathan Bullock

While Congress has recessed, we continue to work hard and stay busy fighting for you in Washington, D.C. This past Friday, we attended two government briefings to learn what is being done in two different realms of veterans’ issues.

We started the day with a briefing for VSOs on mental health programs offered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. There are an enormous amount of resources being provided and developed to reach out to veterans and their families covering a wide range of mental health issues.

Some of the highlighted ones included: the Veterans Crisis Line (www.veteranscrisisline.net) which offers confidential help to veterans and their families, and multiple new smart phone apps such as PTSD Coach which can all be downloaded on your smart phone: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/ptsdcoach.asp.

Another Web resource is www.MaketheConnection.net which allows you to privately explore information and shows true stories of veterans who overcame challenges.

We heard a presentation from a peer support associate about the great work they are doing in many VA health centers and hospitals around the country. We were also given a preview of a new website that will compile a number of resources related to veterans in the workplace run by Dr. Sarah Landes.  We will post the link as soon as it is officially up and running.

We also attended the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) briefing with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Affairs. This is a semi-annual briefing attended by VSOs and other concerned groups who work specifically on issues pertaining to POW/MIA service members. We learned a great deal about the current issues facing the DPMO throughout the world from Korea to Europe to Southeast Asia. In many cases, it is difficult for them to continue their efforts due to geopolitical restrictions in places such as North Korea and Laos.

Another important aspect that was highlighted at this meeting was the need for organizations such as AMVETS to keep this office and the government at large accountable to our veterans and citizens. We must, by our voices and presence, push them to fulfill their promises and the mission they are tasked to carry out on our behalf. We joined other organizations in raising pointed questions that let the Deputy Assistant Secretary know how seriously we take these matters. He thanked us for the pressure this community provides to make sure they are doing the job right.

These meetings were great reminders that it is not just we at National Headquarters who were in the room, but all of you throughout the country who are giving us the strength and ability to represent you and your views and apply pressure on our public officials to make sure they continue to work effectively for us all. 

Veterans Crisis Line: Suicide Prevention Month

 Stand by Them:

Show Your Support for Veterans During Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, an important reminder that you can make a difference in the life of a Veteran every month and every day. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs needs organizations and individuals across the country to educate their communities about the signs of suicide risk and raise awareness about the free, confidential support available from the Veterans Crisis Line. To accomplish this mission, VA encourages veterans’ communities, friends, and family members to get involved, learn more, and help spread the word to promote mental health and prevent veteran suicide.

A critical step in preventing suicide is learning to recognize warning signs. Although many at-risk veterans may not show any signs of intent to harm themselves, there are behaviors that could indicate that a veteran needs support. In addition to talking about suicide or hurting oneself, some signs that a veteran may be at risk for suicide include engaging in risky behaviors, withdrawing from family and friends, and feeling hopeless, anxious, and angry. To learn about additional signs that someone may be at risk, go to www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/SignsOfCrisis.  

If a veteran you know exhibits any of these signs, trained professionals—many of them veterans themselves—at the Veterans Crisis Line can help. Just call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text to 838255 for free, confidential support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Since its launch in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line has answered more than 640,000 calls and made more than 23,000 life-saving rescues. In 2009, an anonymous online chat service was added, which has helped more than 50,000 people. In November 2011, the Veterans Crisis Line introduced a text messaging service to provide another way for veterans to connect with round-the-clock support. Qualified and caring VA responders are also able to provide referrals to local VA services and aid veterans in getting fast-tracked mental health care within VA.

Every American can help prevent veteran suicide. During National Suicide Prevention Month, stand by our veterans and their loved ones. Spread the word about the Veterans Crisis Line and help make sure that all veterans know that confidential support is only a call, click, or text away. Go to www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/Pledge to take the Suicide Prevention Month pledge and learn how you can educate yourself and those around you about suicide risk and the Veterans Crisis Line.

You can also visit www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/SPMSupport to download free Suicide Prevention Month materials, including posters and flyers that you can print and distribute in your community; online ads in a variety of sizes and formats to display on your website; and, free, ready-to-go content for your Facebook page, Twitter feed, newsletters, or other print materials.

Our veterans stood by us. Now let’s stand by them. Together, we can make sure they get the support they earned and deserve.

Visit www.VeteransCrisisLine.net to learn more.

To learn about additional warning signs of crisis, go to www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/SignsOfCrisis  

Convention Update: Friday, Aug. 10, 2012

NOMINATION OF OFFICERS

The following names were nominated for National Officer Positions:

Various NSF Trustee positions: PNC Duane Miskulin, PNC Jerry Hotop, PNC J.P. Brown III, PNC John Sisler, PNC Jimmy T. Smith

National Judge Advocate: Joseph Sulzer

National Provost Marshal: Art Majors

National Finance Officer: William Noltner, Harold Chapman, John Cooper, and Donald Stream

National Second Vice Commander: Bill Clark and Larry Via

National First Vice Commander: John Mitchell

National Commander: Cleve Geer

NICOLE MITCHELL DISCUSSES VETERAN DISCRIMINATION

Air Force Reserve Capt. Nicole Mitchell spoke to AMVETS leaders and members at the 68th Annual AMVETS National Convention on Thursday, Aug. 9. Mitchell was a meteorologist with the Weather Channel before she was terminated after disputes regarding her commitment to her military service. The Weather Channel executives claimed Mitchell’s military service interfered with her ability to successfully work at the television station.

Mitchell discussed how numerous veterans encounter harassment in the civilian workforce for serving in the military. These Reservists often hide their military service for fear that this part of their lives could negatively impact their career.

“No one should ever have to hide their military service,” said Mitchell. “No one should have to face harassment for serving one’s country or choose between military service and a career.” Mitchell joined the military when she was 17 and has currently served for more than 20 years in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. Mitchell, who comes from a military family, talked about how she refused to compromise her military service and thanked AMVETS members for supporting active duty service members and veterans in their fight against veteran discrimination.

“No one should have to be put in this situation for serving their county,” said Mitchell. She is currently pursuing a lawsuit against the Weather Channel for unrightfully terminating her, claiming the NBC Company violated the Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

MAJOR GENERAL THURGOOD ADDRESSES MILITARY TO CIVILIAN TRANSITION

Maj. Gen. Keith Thurgood, Deputy Commanding General and Chief of Staff of the Army Reserve, touched upon programs that are being offered to help service members transition from military service to the civilian workforce. Thurgood touched upon the Yellow Ribbon program, Soldiers For Life program, and Heroes For Hire. Heroes For Hire provides assistance to transitioning military personnel and their spouses. Many service members have difficulty translating their skills in a resume and finding a job to support their families. Heroes For Hire provides resources to service members and asks businesses to hire veterans.

“The military does two things,” said Maj.Gen. Thurgood. “It grows leaders and delivers results.” Thurgood encouraged AMVETS to support initiatives like Heroes For Hire and the Yellow Ribbon program in order to ensure service members are counted as valuable assets in the civilian workforce.

(Photos: Top: Capt. Nicole Mitchell, USAFR, shakes hands with AMVETS National Commander Gary L. Fry after delivering remarks today on the floor of the 68th Annual AMVETS National Convention in Daytona Beach, Fla. Bottom: Maj. Gen. Keith Thurgood addresses AMVETS members at the 68^th Annual AMVETS National Convention.  Photos by Brittany Barry)

Convention Update: Wednesday, August 8, 2012

SUBORDINATE ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE: SAD SACKS WANT TO OPEN MEMBERSHIP

Currently, there are 54 Sad Sack groups and 16 Sackette groups that exist across the country. In order to boost membership, National AMVETS Saddest Douglas Bowen suggested opening up Sad Sacks membership to individuals in the Ladies Auxiliary and Sons of AMVETS. This measure is not meant to take away members from Sackette groups, and will only be open to members of the Ladies Auxiliary when a Sackette group does not exist in the individual’s area. Other members of the subordinate organization committee agreed that this initiative will hopefully attract new members to Sad Sacks and Sackettes.

Other new business included the new, amended Junior AMVETS constitution. The age eligibility for national officers was lowered to 13 to accommodate posts with younger aged children who would like to be considered for a National Junior AMVETS officer position.

GOLD STAR DADS OF AMERICA DISCUSSED

The Gold Star Dads of America was a topic of discussion during the Community Service Committee meeting. While the committee members had not heard of the organization before, the Gold Star Dads of America is the counterpart organization of Gold Star Mothers of America.

“Every dad may not be in a marriage,” commented Debbera Ransom, a committee member. “They need support also.” The Gold Star Dads of America allow fathers to join together and offer support, camaraderie, and advice to other fathers.

Also during the committee meeting, National Programs Director Beryl Love introduced a new tool to help posts find community service opportunities. By visiting www.serve.gov an individual can search for opportunities based on city, state, or zip code. This allows posts to assess the needs in the community and also connect with other individuals who may not know about AMVETS. The website aids posts in discovering new opportunities in their area. Community service promotes our great organization and allows members of the community to see AMVETS actively participate and address the needs of veterans, military families, and other community members.

(Photos: Top: National AMVETS Riders Juniors Liaison Joseph E. Grohs and National Saddest Douglas Bowen discuss opening Sad Sacks to members of other subordinate organizations. Bottom: Gary Maddock and Debbera Ransom listen to National Programs Director Beryl Love introduce a new tool in connecting AMVETS with community service projects at the Community Service Committee meeting. Photos by Brittany Barry)

68th Annual AMVETS National Convention: Aug. 4-11, 2012

Tomorrow, Saturday, August 4, 2012, AMVETS will kickoff their 68th Annual National Convention at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla. The convention events will take place from Aug. 4-11.

The next week, AMVETS leaders and members will be given a chance to shape the future of our great organization. From electing new leaders to voting on resolutions that set the foundation of AMVETS, our National Convention sets the stage for the coming year. From the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki to John Ross, an inspiring American hero, the 68th Annual AMVETS National Convention will be packed with information and fun!

• Click here to visit the AMVETS website. 
• Click here to see the 2013 resolution that will be presented at our National Convention.
• Click here to like the AMVETS National Headquarters Facebook page.
• Click here to join AMVETS.

Please continue to check back here throughout the upcoming week to see photos, updates, and articles concerning our National Convention in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Commemoration of the 59th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice

On Friday, June 27, 2012, AMVETS attended the commemoration of the 59th anniversary of the  Korean War armistice. The ceremony took place at the amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Admiral James Winnefeld, the Honorable Park, Sung Choon, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of Republic of Korea, and James Ferris, President of the Korean War Veterans Association, presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on behalf of the more than 50,000 U.S. service members who died during the Korean War.

Panetta was the keynote speaker at the event that served as a reminder of the events that occurred throughout the Korean War during 1950-1953. The first test of the United Nations, 16 nations provided combat troops to fight in the Korean War and five countries provided medical units. Often known as the “Forgotten War,” the Korean War is nestled between the greatest generation of World War II and the controversial Vietnam War. While many neglect the events of the Korean War, the veterans of Korea do not forget the battles of Pork Chop Hill, Bloody Ridge, Chosin Reservoir and Massacre Valle.

“Those fights became synonymous in our lexicon with the heroic sacrifice and the grim determination of the American fighting man,” remarked Panetta. “Thanks to the service and sacrifice of our veterans six decades ago…South Korea is a trusted ally, an economic power, a democracy and a provider of security in the Asia-Pacific region, and in other parts of the world.”

Many Korean War veterans and active duty service members from all branches attended the ceremony. “It is important to recognize the sacrifices of all veterans,” said AMVETS National Commander Gary L. Fry. “Today, we remember the overlooked strength and bravery of our Korean War veterans.” Several active duty service members were dressed in full combat gear reminiscent of the clothing worn by soldiers, Marines, and airmen during the Korean War, prompting many veterans to share their stories and memories.

During the ceremony, a moment of silence occurred to remember the 7,900 personnel who are still missing in action from the Korean War. Panetta reaffirmed the Department of Defense’s commitment to retrieving these personnel, and explained how Korean War veterans have influenced the current generation of service members.

 “Some 60 years ago, a generation of Americans stepped forward to defend those in need of protection and to safeguard this great county,” Panetta ended his speech. “American is indebted to them—to you, for your service and your sacrifice…America will never forget you.” 

(Photos: Top: Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta addresses a crowd of Korean War veterans. Seated behind him, left to right: Ambassador Choi, Young-Jin, Republic of Korea; Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki; Honorable Park, Sung Choon, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Republic of Korea; and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Admiral James Winnefeld. Middle: An active duty Marine greets veterans as they leave the ceremony. Bottom: Veterans during the ceremony. Photos by Brittany Barry)

AMVETS Attends Joint Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing

By: Diane Zumatto, AMVETS National Legislative Director

History was made on Capitol Hill yesterday, July 25, 2012, when both Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki testified together at a Joint Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee hearing.   The hearing, which had very good congressional attendance, was entitled, ‘Back from the Battlefield: DoD and VA Collaboration to Assist Service Members Returning to Civilian Life’ and was standing room only, in fact, yours truly was one of only seven members of the public who managed to get a seat in the actual hearing room.

Overall, the message put out by both secretaries was positive and there was a definite emphasis on their new working relationship, which they hope will lead to an integrated military and veteran support system. 

“This hearing comes at a very important time for our nation and for collaboration between our two departments,” Panetta told legislators.  In speaking about our newest veterans he said,  “They have fought and died to protect this country, and we need to fight to protect them.”

While Secretary Panetta acknowledged the new and improved working relationship between the two largest bureaucracies within the federal government, he also admitted that much more needs to be done.

Secretary Panetta closed his testimony by acknowledging that what our veterans need is a seamless support system, “so they can put their lives back together, pursue their goals, give back to their communities, and strengthen our nation in new ways.”

Secretary Shinseki opened his remarks by listing VA’s five priority areas:

1.  The new and improved version of the T.A.P. Program, the Transition GPS Program, which was announced the President on July 23, 2012;

2.  The development of a single, integrated disability evaluation system to help speed up the disability claims processing system;

3.  The development of electronic health records  to assist in a seamless transition between DoD and VA health care systems.  The Secretary’s target date for completion is currently 2017;

4.  Mental and behavioral health issues continue to be high priority concerns for both the DoD and VA.  Secretary Shinseki indicated that their departments are planning an across-the-services review of PTS and TBI injury identification and treatment.  The review is expected to be completed in 18 months.

5.  The departments are working jointly on the issue of military suicide prevention, including promoting a culture which is not prejudicial against anyone seeking any form of mental health assistance, improving access to both mental and behavioral health care, emphasizing mental fitness, as well as working with internal and external partners to better understand the issue of suicide.

(Photo: Panetta and Shinseki speaking at a Joint Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on July 25, 2012. DoD Photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo)  

AMVETS Helps Veterans With VA Claims

VA backlog has continued to be a problem as veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts are filing more claims. In mid-June, VA had 870,000 pending cases; 66 percent, or 574,200 cases, had been pending for more than 125 days. In June 2011, VA was processing 836,000 claims with 59 percent pending for more than 125 days. These statistics show that VA is not improving the waiting time for claims and leaves veterans frustrated.

AMVETS is here to help! We currently have 53 national service officers in the field, who are trained in all aspects of veterans’ benefits and are aware of the changes in policies, procedures and entitlements. Our service officers are stationed at VA Regional Offices and Medical Centers, and provide services at no cost to the veteran.

On July 17, 2012, an article written by Hope Hodge discussed VA’s backlog and further criticized veterans service organizations for not addressing the needs of younger veterans who are filing claims. The article can be seen here: http://www.humanevents.com/2012/07/17/veterans-administration-is-hopelessly-broken/

“Their [veterans service organizations] job is to represent the veterans, and they ought to be clear and aggressive about whether they think this generation of veterans is getting the care they need in the way they need it, in a timely and convenient manner,” comments Newt Gingrich in Hodge’s article.

AMVETS main mission is to represent and serve veterans, and through our national service officers we help veterans break through the mountain of paperwork and bureaucracy of the VA claims process. Veterans need an advocate within VA and we fill this position with pride and determination to process claims as efficiently as possible.

In 2011, AMVETS NSOs filed 89,929 claims for benefits. A further breakdown of these claims shows that AMVETS helped with: 67,307 compensation claims; 11,021 were reopened claims; 3,449 pension claims; 1,666 death claims; and 6,486 education claims. When comparing claims from the first and second quarter of 2012 with the same time period in 2011, it is clear that AMVETS continues to make progress on behalf of veterans.

Type of Claim Action	2012 (1 & 2 Quarter)	2011 (1 & 2 Quarter)
Compensation Claims	29,788	29,566
Reopened Claims	3,837	6,072
Pension Claims	1,687	2,252
Ratings Reviewed	8,444	8,696
Recovery	$204,658,916	$156,435,887

Looking at the figures above, it is obvious that AMVETS has increased the amount of money we recover for veterans over the past year, as well as the number of compensation claims we processed so far this year. AMVETS is actively working to ensure that veterans receive the benefits they deserve and are entitled to. While the backlog of VA claims seems intimidating and certainly needs to be eliminated, AMVETS continues to work with VA, yet focuses on its first priority: veterans.

To locate your nearest AMVETS National Service Officer, visit http://www.amvets.org/locate-service-officer/.

PSA Uses Sgt. Gary Stein As Example

Marine Sgt. Gary Stein served his country for nine years, and then was released from the Marine Corps with an other-than-honorable discharge because of his refusal to relent in his political speech on Facebook. Stein used the social media outlet to berate President Obama and continued to do so even after his command asked him to curtail the comments. Stein is now outraged about the Marine’s new public-service announcement concerning social media.

Using Stein’s case as a prime example, the PSA talks about the career risks involved using social media to criticize policies made by the President and others in the service member’s chain of command. Stein disapproves of this campaign, stating that the Marine Corps should not try to curtail speech that represents themselves and not their branch of service.

Especially during an election year, the Marine Corps outlines specific guidelines on how service members should conduct themselves in political environments. According to Marine Corps Order 5370.7B, an active duty Marine may make monetary contribution to a campaign and attend partisan and nonpartisan meetings or rallies while out of uniform. The Marine Corps allows political activity, as long as the individual distances themselves from the Corps, often a difficult task when many individuals live on base and discuss politics with friends (other Marines).

The Marine Corps did not inform Stein of the PSA, even though he is currently in the process of appealing his discharge. The PSA was first published on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s website, but has since been taken down. 

"The Invisible War"

The military community exists as a close-knit group of individuals who share experiences of camaraderie, loss, and battle. Currently, 1.85 million of these service members are women. Women have broken new ground on the battlefield and at home, making careers in the military. “The Invisible War,” a new documentary directed by Kirby Dick, investigates the epidemic of rape within the U.S. military. Surprisingly, the rate of sexual assault within the military is approximately double of that in the civilian world, and in the last decade there have been hundreds of thousands of rape occurrences.

At the center of the film, there are interviews with rape survivors, women who wanted to serve their country and ended up being abandoned after they suffered sexual trauma. Kori Cioca, a former U.S. Coast Guard seaman, recounts how she was beaten and raped by her supervisor. Suffering from PTSD and anxiety, as well as living with a irreparably fractured jaw, she continues to have nightmares about the attack. Filing disability claims with VA, she has been denied coverage for jaw surgery, but several benefactors have stepped forward to finance her surgery. Ariana Klay, a former Marine officer, was stationed at Marine Corps Barracks in Washington, D.C., where a senior officer and his friend raped her. “The Invisible War” contains a handful of these stories, and all of them end the same. None of the perpetrators were convicted or punished for the crime of rape, and in most of these stories the women were charged with adultery and unacceptable conduct.

It is hard to not be shocked and angry when listening to the way these victims were treated. However, rape victims in the civilian world can turn to an impartial police force, while in the military the victim must use their chain of command. Only 20 percent of service members report sexual assault, leaving 80 percent of cases unreported. This is not surprising since 25 percent of servicewomen must report the instance to the individual who committed the rape. Also, 1 percent of men in the military, nearly 20,000 individuals, are sexually assaulted. The statistics are astounding and the film achieves its purpose of shocking the audience with emotional stories and opinions of experts and elected officials. "The Invisible War" focuses on changing procedures to ensure any woman will be taken seriously when reporting sexual assault. Members of the civilian world can connect with the film's message as one cannot help but think that the women on the screen could be a wife, daughter, sister, or friend. Certainly not an anti-military film, “The Invisible War” showcases a deficiency in the way these crimes are handled and demands changes be made. Two days after viewing the emotional and powerful film, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta directed military commanders to turn over all sexual assault investigations to a higher-ranking colonel.

www.invisiblewarmovie.com

(Photos: Top: Kori Cioca, US Coast Guard, and husband Rob in an emotional interview. Middle: Ariana Klay in Marine Dress blues. Bottom: Marine Lt. Elle Helmar at the Vietnam War Memorial. Photos courtesy of Cinedigm/Docurama Films.)

Montford Point Marines Receive Congressional Gold Medal

Yesterday, on June 27, 2012 the Montford Point Marines were presented with the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal. More than 19,000 men went through basic training at Camp Montford Point in New River, N.C., from 1942 to 1949. Before Camp Montford Point was established, African Americans were not allowed to enlist in the Marine Corps. On June 25, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802, establishing a Fair Employment Practice Commission. This agency ensured that racial discrimination would not occur in any government institution, including the military.

On August 126 1942 the first African American recruits arrived at Montford Point, instead of being sent to Paris Island, S.C. or San Diego, where all other Marines underwent basic training. 120 men began training in September and started the journey of becoming Marines. “Montford Point was just a stone’s throw from Camp Lejeune, where the white Marines were trained, “ said retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. Reuben J. McNair, one of the first African American men allowed to enlist in the Marine Corps. These recruits trained separately from white service members and after training, were only allowed to serve in exclusive units determined by race. In 1974, Montford Point was renamed Camp Johnson, which now serves as the only Marine Corps installation named after an African American Marine.

Today, only 430 Montford Point Marines are still alive and around 370 of these men attended the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony yesterday. House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid presented the Montford Point Marines with the honorable award. Joining the ranks of George Washington, Ulysses Grant, Robert Frost, and the Tuskegee Airmen, the Montford Point Marines beamed proudly as memories came rushing back and as America recognized their sacrifices and courage in the face of adversity.

Today, June 28, 2012, a parade was held in honor of the Marines at the barracks in Washington, D.C. The Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos was the main speaker at the parade. “This is a legendary moment,” said Gen. Amos. “This is a historical moment in the lineage of our United States Marine Corps.” Gen. Amos went on to thank Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., and Kay Hagen, D-N.C., for spearheading the initiative in the House of Representative and Senate to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal on this group of deserving Marines. Certainly a defining moment in the Marine Corps history and the history of the United States, AMVETS thanks the Montford Point Marines for their service and continued dedication to our country and the Marine Corps. 

(Photos: Top: A copy of the Montford Point Marines' Congressional Gold Medal. Courtesy of U.S. Mint. Middle: Cpl. Alvin Ghazlo demonstrates a disarming technique of his assistan, Pvt. Ernest Jones. Official Marine Corps photo. Bottom: Lawrance Taylor, a Montford Point Marine, sits for a portrait. Photo by: Sgt. Alvin Williams)

National PTSD Awareness Day

Today, Wednesday, June 27, 2012 marks the third annual observance of National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day. In commemoration of the event, Honor for ALL will host a Visible Honor for Invisible Wounds event on Capitol Hill later today. Members of Congress, representatives from all branches of the military, and many affected service members and veterans will attend the event, promoting resources that are available to military personnel currently suffering from this disorder. Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler will deliver the keynote address.

First established by Congress in 2010, National PTSD Awareness Day is an opportunity for senior leadership and individuals dealing with this condition to open a dialogue with service members who are attempting to deal with PTSD on their own. In 2010, Senator Kent Conrad, D-N.D., proposed this observance in honor of Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Joe Biel, who committed suicide after two deployments to Iraq.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a campaign throughout the entire month of June, featuring videos of veterans, active duty personnel, and family members who have dealt with and suffered from symptoms of PTSD. According to VA, there are four types of PTSD symptoms. First, reliving the event through nightmares or flashbacks can be a symptom. Second, the individual may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. Third, the individual may find it hard to express feelings and feel numb toward a spouse or family members. The fourth symptom, cited by VA, is that an individual may be jittery and on the lookout for danger. This may occur though anxiety, disruptive sleeping, or an inability to concentrate.

While 11 to 20 percent of all service members who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from symptoms of PTSD, many do not feel comfortable speaking out about their symptoms. Family members hope that their loved one will eventually reintegrate into the normal routine of life outside of the war zone. Some even learn to change their routine to avoid confrontations or triggers that make symptoms worse. However, the best method for dealing with PTSD is to talk to a professional about symptoms and experiences. This may be a doctor at a military treatment facility, other veterans in PTSD groups that meet at VA facilities, or civilian therapists provided free of charge through Give an Hour (www.giveanhour.org). What spouses, family members, veterans, and military individuals need to remember is there is help available. The first and most challenging step is to reach out and realize that accepting help does not undermine your worth as a veteran, as a warrior, or as an individual.

To access information provided by VA visit, www.ptsd.va.gov.

This Week at American Veteran

The staff at American Veteran is putting the final touches on the Summer 2012 magazine. Members and subscribers should be receiving copies the second week of July.

This week at American Veteran Online, we will be examining resources that are available for veterans and service members with post-traumatic stress disorder. Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 27, is National PTSD Awareness Day.  This is the third year of recognizing June 27 as a day of promoting discussions about this condition that affects many military personnel.

American Veteran will also be present at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Parade held in honor of the Montford Point Marines at the Marine Corps Barracks in Washington, D.C. The ceremony and parade will be taking place on Thursday, June 28.

As we all work hard to perfect the Summer 2012 edition of American Veteran magazine, we hope you are enjoying the summer. As always, we’re eager to hear what you think. Please feel free to share your veterans’ news and comments with the editorial staff of American Veteran.

Members from AMVETS Post Visit Wounded Warriors

Five members from the newly reactivated Connecticut AMVETS Derby/Shelton Post 43 participated in Operation Gift Cards and represented 4 co-sponsors while delivering over $12,000 in post exchange gift cards, corporate donations, and wish list items to wounded troops at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland on June 4, 2012. Three members are Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans, and the sixth AMVET is from AMVETS Brooklyn Connecticut Post 47. 

The six AMVETS delivered thank you kits on behalf of the AMVETS State Headquarters, the Fairfield Fire Department, Daughters of the American Revolution Simsbury Chapter, and the Milford Knights of Columbus. Each co-sponsor donated $1,000 in post exchange gift cards for the trip.

For the past two years the Connecticut AMVETS have been the largest supporter of Operation Gift Cards.

Since October 2005, the Operation Gift Cards’ 83 monthly/bimonthly visits have presented 14,025 thank you kits that contained $280,500 in post exchange gift cards to our wounded troops and their families. An additional $234,996 in other gift certificates and special group product donations (Girl Scout cookies, corporate gift certificates, etc.) have been delivered to the Soldier Family Assistance Center, the Fisher Houses, Building 62, the Navy Lodge, the Red Cross, and the Casualty Affairs Office, along with over $50,000 worth items on the “wish list” for both the wounded troops and their families (approx. $565,500 total).

Photo: Left to right: Brian O'Rourke, Kevin McMahon*, Matt McDonald*, Al Meadows, Bob Steers*, and Commander Steve Frank represent four June co-sponsors of Operation Gift Cards. 

*OEF and/or OIF veterans