There Are Over 22 Military Suicides in the Military Everyday. Has to stop.

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Military news…

Russia Says Some Troops Are Returning to Their Bases, But Other Large-Scale Military Drills Continue.

Some Russian troops deployed from military districts bordering Ukraine were being loaded onto trains and trucks and sent back to their garrisons, Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday, signaling that Russia could be stepping away from an invasive posture.

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Veterans Groups Asking Congress to Prevent Afghan Evacuees from Being Kicked Out of US

Some Afghans evacuated by the U.S. military last year could lose their legal status in the U.S. in six months and veterans groups are pushing Congress to find a permanent solution and guarantee their allies’ safety.

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Pentagon Orders US Soldiers Out of Ukraine as War Fears Mount

U.S. Army National Guard troops on a training mission in Ukraine were repositioned in Europe amid escalating signals of a possible Russian invasion, the Pentagon said Saturday.

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Biden Approves Pentagon Plan to Help Americans Fleeing Ukraine if Russia Invades

The White House approved a Pentagon plan to send 1,700 paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division to Poland to bolster that ally and assist with safeguarding Americans directed to leave Ukraine, U.S. officials said.

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Number of Veterans Living in Homeless Shelters Declined During Pandemic, Report Finds

Fewer veterans lived in homeless shelters or transitional housing last year, but officials say the pandemic’s real impacts on the homeless in America won’t be known until a new batch of surveys of those living on the streets.

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Americans Were Promised an ‘Orderly and Safe’ Withdrawal From Afghanistan. US Troops Say it Was Anything But

Several Marines provided investigators with visceral accounts of the chaos at Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport in the hours leading up to a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members and as many as 170 Afghans.

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Here is the last chapter of my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life

Let’s Start a Ripple Effect

Have you ever thrown a pebble into a lake? Did you notice the circles that form and slowly spread out away from where the pebble went into the water? This is called the ripple effect.

Well, this can happen in your own life.

Every time you offer your hand to pick someone up; every time you share your strength and ability to persevere and every time you fight for your own recovery and help someone else with theirs, the ripple grows.

I have seen it so many times in my many years of going around the block.

A close friend of mine, who was a veteran, was given only six months to live. He used those six months to give hundreds of other people hope. He was never negative. He never blamed God for his demise. He used his impending death as a tool to help others to feel comfort in their own battles. His ripple effect reached out to all of his close friends, and through those friends it spread to many other who needed a friend.

How about you? Do you have some buddies or friends in the military that are hurting? Do they seem too quiet, or distant? They often do not seek help because of the mental attitude of the military. It is the “tough it out,” attitude. This is the time for you need to sit with them to get them to talk. You don’t have to be forceful, just be a friend, and they will open up.

Since 1999 there have been over 128,000 suicides in the military, and the veterans who are out on the private sector. We all need to do what we can to help stop this epidemic.

Twenty-two veterans end their lives every day. This is not acceptable. This needs to stop.

Hopefully you have come up with some strategies from reading this book. Use them to help those hurting around you. 

Ripple effects can begin with you. You have faced many trials in your life. What did you do when you did? Was it a poor me pity party, or did you use it to help others?  

Through your one ailment, disappointment, or failure, you can spread hope to others around you. The ripple effect will grow and continue to grow far further than you will ever know.

IWILL

Check in on all of your friends and neighbors. I may have said this many times in this book, but just checking in with them cheers them up. By doing this you will brighten their day and they will in turn want to reach out to someone else.

I hope this book has been beneficial for you. Thank you for your service. As Lt. Lynn Buck Compton said when he wrote an autograph for me in his book, “All my best to an American hero.” That would be you.

Think about this

Isn’t it sad how we think about reaching out to someone, but often never do it?

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There will be more excerpts coming so come back aften. Better yet… go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe.” When you do all future posts will come directly to your in box.

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Checking in on you…How are you doing? Are you struggling with memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 13,880 fellow veterans here who have your back.

If you are battling mentally, because of your love for others, but it isn’t working, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will no hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

I will start repeating some of the more popular chapters for you to see, so keep coming back. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe.” When you do all future posts will go directly to your inbox.

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

Going Through the Military Gas Chamber of Life is Hard at Best

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Military news…

Traumatic Brain Injury Classifications Are Leading to Preventable Deaths, Report Says

The terms “mild,” “moderate,” and “severe” used by doctors to annually categorize head injuries in roughly two million Americans, are outdated and imprecise, and treatments based on those terms are leading to increased medical costs and preventable deaths, according to a report published Feb. 1.

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Documents Reveal U.S. Military’s Frustration With White House, Diplomats Over Afghanistan Evacuation

Senior White House and State Department officials ignored intelligence on the Taliban’s advance on Kabul and resisted efforts by U.S. military leaders to start evacuating embassy personnel and Afghan allies weeks before the capital’s collapse.

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Judge drops all charges against Navy corpsman accused of killing former Green Beret

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_Americans were promised an ‘orderly and safe’ withdrawal from Afghanistan. US troops say it was anything but.

“The crowd there was crushing women and children up against the barricade

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Here is another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

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I’ve Been Gased!

One of the parts of basic training was to learn about chemical warfare. They taught us about what the gases were, and what effect they had on people.

The hardest part of this training is that you had to go through their “gas chamber,” yourself. You could carry your gas mask, but you couldn’t put it on in the chamber until you shouted your military serial number you were assigned, and then on some occasions they might ask you other questions.

This is while your eyes feel like they are coming out of your head, and tears are so thick in your eyes you can’t see at all. You are coughing and spitting out words that may seem nonsensical to others, but for you it was desperation to literally feel like you you’re just trying to stay alive.

19658538….No it’s 19768538…No it’s….19635854. You keep trying to get your serial number right. It is hard because your brain is being fried.

You finally get through the maze, and you are out the other side. You can barely see the other men lying on the grass, all coughing and sneezing just like you are. You take several deep breaths, and you begin to feel better.

You have been through a “gas chamber,” in your life. The day you went to find out you were going to be deployed to Iraq, or Afghanistan. For us older guys it would be Korea, or Vietnam. To a few good men and women that are still with us, it was WWII.

It is a time of a sudden crash of everything you thought was OK. It stops your heart for a second, and you sense instant fear of the unknown.

This is the time we find out what our true character is. Like when I was on a plane ready to be shipped to the Bay of Pigs. I was in fear, but in my heart I was ready to do whatever it took to defend those who needed help. I am sure you felt the same way.

Fear is not a bad thing, as I have said before. It keeps us on the right track to being alert, and ready.

We can also face this fear by knowing that we have a God that is right there with us each step we take. He is there to guide us and keep us out of harm’s way, if that is His will.

Be proud that you have, or are now serving your country. Don’t let the tear gases of life get you down. Always remain strong, and be a good example for all those around you.

IWILL

I may be pushing the thought of facing fear in the military a little hard in this book, but I think that is one of the overwhelming factors that cause us to go through depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and the many other usual suspects that haunt in while serving our country.

Fear is, sometimes, not a bad thing. It can get us in an alert mood that keeps us keen on the task ahead. 

Think About This

Isn’t it funny that sometimes fear gives us more strength and courage?

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There will be more excerpts coming so come back aften. Better yet… go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe.” When you do all future posts will come directly to you in box.

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Checking in on you…How are you doing? Are you struggling with memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 13,825 fellow veterans here who have your back.

If you are battling mentally, because of your love for others, but it isn’t working, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will no hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

There Were Some Stressful Times During Basic Training in the Military

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Military news…

Troops knew ‘an attack was coming’ at Kabul airport but their hands were tied, investigation reveals

‘”If you had been there, you would have seen that an attack was coming.

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Finding My Calling While Treating a Casualty Inside Friendly Lines

He saw gore and death, but he also saved lives. There are certain things a former Corpsman will never forget or take for granted.

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A Man of Destiny, Molded by Fate: Lloyd Austin Leads in Time of Tremendous Potential

His actions seem to say he has the morale of the troops as his primary consideration. Far too many in those positions haven’t.


Remembering the Service and Sacrifice of Muslim Veterans Among the Crescents and Stars of Arlington National Cemetery

During a trip to Arlington to honor Muslim veterans, an Air Force officer reflects on how her career of military service began as a Pakistani immigrant.

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At Least 1 Million Vets Could Get VA Health Care Under Scaled-Back Exposures Bill

As Congress hand-wrings over the $282 billion price tag of a bill to help veterans exposed to burn pits, two senators are proposing a compromise that would still get VA care to more than 1 million veterans.

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IS Leader Blows Up Self, Family as U.S. Attacks Syria Hideout

The Islamic State’s leader was killed during an overnight raid carried out by U.S. special forces in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province, President Joe Biden said Thursday.

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Seaman Dies After ‘Hell Week’ of SEAL Training, Navy Says

A 24-year-old Navy SEAL candidate died and another was hospitalized after several days of intense training known as “Hell Week” in Coronado, Calif.

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Here is another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life. Hope you enjoy it.

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Sometimes the Answers Are Right Under Your Nose

There was one aspect of basic training that made the times hard for a soldier. That was when it came to making your bed for inspection.

We had regular inspections by our drill sergeant. When he came through the barracks, he carried a quarter in his hand. When he passed your bunk he would drop the quarter on the bed. If the quarter didn’t bounce, he tore the bed up and told you to try again. 

I had some real stressful times of making beds at first. I usually failed. But then I learned some tricks about tucking in the sheets, and even the blanket. There was a double tuck you could do that made the bed tight and quarters bounced on it easily.

There were some guys who never caught on to the tricks that were right in front of them. They were too proud to ask others for help.

I have seen that in life after the military. People struggling to keep up with the world, because they are too proud to seek help.

Are you one of those who could benefit from outside help, but have never taken advantage of it?

I have compiled a very extensive military appendix for your use. It is in the back of this book. Feel free to search through it for help in almost every possible way a veteran or current soldier may need.

It is not “giving in,” to seek help. It is finally agreeing that what you are doing may not be working for you, and you want to find other ways to cope in this unfriendly world.

Many of the sources have proven to reach out to those who suffer with anxiety, fear, depression, and hopelessness.

Don’t hide in your own self-pity. Take that first most important step and seek help today. Go to the back of this book and find the right sources for your needs.

IWILL

The lists in the back can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of sources there. Think about your own special needs and concentrate on that section only. Then narrow down your choices while checking out each resource. Most of the sources are websites.  If you don’t have access to the net, go to your local library, or visit a friend who has access.

Think about this

Isn’t it sad how we know we need help, but hide our feelings?

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I am sure many of you had that experience. Come back often to see more excerpts. Better yet… go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe.” When you do all future posts will come directly to your inbox.

_______________________________________________________________

Checking in on you…How are you doing? Are you struggling with memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 13,825 fellow veterans here who have your back.

If you are battling mentally, because of your love for others, but it isn’t working, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will no hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

______________________________________________________________

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.