Interesting Veteran Facts that May Shock You

I was reading one of my fellow blogger's site at Bouhammer's Afghan and Military Blog and wanted to share these very alarming facts about Veterans. Many of these facts that I did not even know about as being a Veteran too, I was shocked. I would like you to take the time to read over some of these facts and you might just be shocked as well.




I was very alarmed by the statistics here as I am sure you are. A countless number of Veterans who return from combat zones, whether it be Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan, no matter what will feel left out and as if they can only relate to other soldiers. Soldiers returning from those eras will go through a phase that might not be the best in anyone's mind. Some may resort to drinking heavily, drugs, depression and even suicide as the graphic shows that 18 Veterans commit suicide a day. I have been in almost all the situations above and know first-hand what it's like. Some will fall into a slump that could take a year to adjust and others will find that they cannot adjust to what civilians will call their "normal" everyday life.

If you have never thanked a Veteran; do it, If you have never volunteered at a Veterans Hospital; do it, If you have never donated the slightest amount of money to a Veterans organization; do it. If you cannot donate money because your a broke college student, the first and best thing is a donation of your time. You could spend it helping out or even talking to Veterans at the Veterans Hospital. Wait a minute... James A. Haley, Veterans Hospital is like 2-5 minutes from USF. You might be shocked that a little bit of your time, will last a life-time in a Veterans' eyes. I would like to thank Bouhammer's Afghan and Military Blog and thank everyone who supports our Vets.



Don't Ask Don't Tell Not Issue Anymore

Occasionally, I have people ask me how I feel about the policy that was initially Don't ask, don't tell, which was put in effect by Bill Clinton in December, 1993. I tell them that I have knowingly served on the side of gay men and women and it did not affect my performance or theirs in any way. I have also had fellow soldiers in the military still make derogatory comments in reference to the repeal in 2010 to Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, this past couple of years, by President Barrack Obama.

The old policy, from former President Bill Clinton, would let gay and lesbian soldiers serve; however, they would not be able to serve openly and military personnel would not be able to discriminate against closeted homosexual or bisexual service members. The policy also stated, if members showed acts of homosexuality they would no longer be able to serve because it would create an unacceptable environment for morale and unit cohesion, which are key concepts of military readiness. I remember when I was in the active Army during the Clinton administration and thought this policy was absurd. We suspected some members being gay but it did not affect our unit cohesion in a negative way. Here is a training guide for homosexuality in 2001:

It basically stated that a reliable person could turn someone in if they saw a member engaging in a homosexual act. Also, it stated that if a reliable person heard a member say they were a homosexual or the member themselves came out, it would be grounds for discharge. They spoke as if a homosexual was an extraterrestrial being and was not a reliable person. It's absolutely amazing isn't it?

One of the things that I am proud to say of our current President is his repeal of DADT in 2010, and ultimately ended the DADT policy for good in July 2011. We are in the 21st century and to have such a law is really unjust. I mean, to discriminate a soldier on their sexual preference is wrong. I believe the majority of the soldiers present and future have no problem serving with homosexuals openly. It is not like homosexuals have not been serving until now. Furthermore, fellow service members may or may not suspect this but it hasn't affected any major changes in the past and thus will not change a thing in the future. President Obama said it best, "As of September 20, service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country." After all, It is 2012 and if people do not agree then they need to get over it, and move on.



President Obama signing the Don't ask, don't tell Repeal Act of 2010.

Veterans Lose Lives in Tragic Accident

Could you imagine going on a couple of combat tours, making it home safe, then to die in a train accident in the United States? Yes, this really happened. A float that was heading to a parade on Thursday in Midland, Texas was hit by a freight train.

It was the second float carrying Vets that ignored the warning signs of the railroad crossing. Lead investigator Robert Accetta with the National Transportation Safety Board said, "Once the crossing becomes active, people should stop," this was stated at a news conference Saturday afternoon. The accident is still under investigation stated by Mark Rosekind, another member of the NTSB.

This crucial mistake by the driver cost the lives of four Veterans and 16 others injured. The only good thing about this was that the other float with more Veterans on it took immediate action and began working on the injured. If they had not been there, the chance of more deaths could have been imminent. Sometimes just reassuring an injured person while you wait on rescuers could be the difference between life and death.

This parade has been going on for nine years and the Veterans were to be honored for their sacrifices they made for our country. There was a crowd of people waiting on their arrival waving American flags. This ended up being a terrible and emotional event for all parties involved; the community and the families especially. 

The soldiers who were lost in the accident were: Marine Chief Warrant Officer 3 Gary Stouffer, 37; Army Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Boivin, 47; Army Sgt Joshua Michael, 34; and Army Sgt. Maj. William Lubbers, 43.

I read about soldiers all the time who lose their lives to accidents in the states even after numerous combat deployments. This is such a shame and it makes me think twice about how fragile life is. It is not predictable when we will leave this earth for good thus why I never take my life for granted. I have been on numerous deployments overseas and felt as if I have escaped death on more than one occasion. I encourage everyone who reads this to take a moment and think.  Never take your life for granted because it can be stripped away at any moment and live your life to its fullest.

Read more on this article at: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/18/lights-flashed-before-truck-entered-crossing-in-train-crash-officials-say/

Honoring Vets

Workout of the Week

During these rough times of mid-terms and such my gym time is the first thing that goes. I cannot slack on my school work because I need to hit the gym. First school, then gym, Arghhh. I know that's what I was thinking too. After all my hard work the past couple of months and then I got to take a week off, Noway...and that's why I kill myself with a workout of the week. I usually do these on a Saturday or Sunday. This is because not as many people are in the gym to get in my way. I'm all over the place. So, here we go again...

I started this Saturday morning with a friend of mine at North Shore Beach, on the inside of the Tampa Bay Pinellas County side, with a 1 hour session of paddle boarding.

After this, another one of my buddies and his friend met me at the beach park there and we did a 15 minute workout as follows:

1. Rope undulation workout.
2. Burpees!
3. Clean and jerk with 60 lb bag that has handles.

We each rotated through for a duration of 45 seconds until the buzzer went off at 15 minutes.
I then went off on a light two mile jog I have mapped out around my neighborhood. Well, that was enough for me and I was off to the Farmer's Market in St. Pete. After I showered, I was still sweating from this one. It took me an hour just to cool my body down, go try and see for yourself.

Sometimes I ask myself why I do this...Well, one reason is so when I enter myself into the Tough Mudder competition, I won't pass out, lol.
Check this out, coming to a location near you!

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vh5HdPM_QuE

More Appreciation Shown for Veterans

I hope everyone had a great Veterans Day weekend. I know I did. I went to the Farmer's Market in downtown St. Pete on Saturday, went paddle boarding, and finished off with my free dinner Sunday night at Applebees. I'm not sure how with one other meal, a small appetizer and two beers made it a little over 30$ but it did. Anyways, there are still a number of restaurants that are showing their appreciation for Veterans on Monday.

Let's start with the Olive Garden. Olive Garden will have a small list of entrees that will be free for Veterans. This is for Monday, Nov. 12th, 2012 and some will also be giving out a free 10$ gift card for a future visit back.

 

The Golden Corral. I know what your thinking, not the best place in the world but the variety is amazing as well as the desserts. On Monday, Nov. 12th, from 4-9pm all Golden Corrals nationwide will be giving free dinners to any person who has ever served in the United States Military.

 



 

 

 

Another great place that was extending their appreciation for Vets from Sunday to Monday is BJ's Brewhouse.  A free lunch entree on Monday or mini/individual pizza one topping for dinner. Here's their flyer:

 

 

Just remember that all places will need some sort of proof: valid military ID, a DD 214, be in uniform, a Veterans card. Sometimes there can be a wait, I waited for 30 mins, but it really shows how many Veterans we do have in the United States. I was waiting anxiously thinking about all the different branches we have in the United States. I looked around and literally saw at least one from each branch at the Applebees I was going to eat at. It really didn't even matter the age, which nowadays varies from 80-20, we were all enjoying a meal together in our own way. I looked across the bar and got a nod from the looks of a 55 year old man with a Vietnam Vet hat on. He knew that I had served too.

 

From serving two years to 30 years, combat tour or not, we all have one thing in common and a respect for each other. We all raised our right hand to, "defend this country against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

 

 

 

 

 



Veterans Day and Free Stuff

Veterans Day is November 11th, Sunday but lucky for most federal employees get the holiday paid for on Monday the 12th. I wanted to let my fellow veterans know there are many free meal deals available on Veterans Day and on Monday the other day it's observed. There are a pretty good list of companies who are showing their gratitude toward Veterans this year.
Here we go:
The first one I would like to start off with is a free breakfast at Krispy Kreme which include a doughnut and a small coffee and lucky for us there is one on Kennedy. It's not a huge breakfast but it is free. This one takes place on Sunday the 11th Nov.

Applebees on Sunday the 11th will have a special menu for Veterans and current active duty soldiers. Be in uniform, have a current military ID, Veterans ID, your veterans organization card like VFW or American Legion, or DD 214.

The Golden Corral is also participating to anyone who has ever served in the military or current Soldiers. It will be held on Monday the 12th between 4pm-9pm. They will be giving out free meals.

The Olive Garden will be giving out free meals to Veterans and current active soldiers too. They too have a selected menu with certain entrees.

Denny's Veterans Day all you can eat pancakes. This will be from 6am-2pm.

Always call locations some might not participate and check for the dates in which they are having it. Some are on Sunday the 11th and some are on the 12th Monday.

 Stay tuned for more...

Workout of the Week

It's been awhile sorry but the National Guard and school work is keeping me busy as Hell along with trying to have some sort of life along with great workouts. Here is an example of a great workout:

1. Rope undulation, 10 sets at one minute each. I do this with a workout partner so we have a minute break in between each set.
2. Air squats with 20 lb med ball overhead. 4 sets of 25.
3. 2 mile run, add sprints. I usually add the sprints the last mile doing them from light pole to light pole. Then back to a light jog to the next light pole and so on every other one.

This completes the Workout of the Week. It's not to impossible to complete but if it seems too much you can always lighten up the times, sets or length of miles to jog. Stay motivated and Enjoy.

Weekend Out In the Field

Another drill weekend and I'm swamped with school work and a training class to be given Sunday afternoon. My class would be given on defensive positions on our mortars as well as the capabilities and limitations of them. No big deal, I had began writing stuff up during the week and just had to fine tune some things on Friday after my math class.

Friday was an extremely busy day though. After going all the way to USF from St. Petersburg, I had to return home in St. Petersburg to finish writing the material for my class, pack my gear for the weekend and pick up the house since I had Army gear spread all over the place like a hurricane went through here. I wanted to be in Central Florida by 1830 but that would mean I needed to leave my house by 1500 because I had promised to pick up a fellow soldier that lives close to Oldsmar. Not to far out of the way but we all know how the traffic in Tampa on Friday is; it is standing still in many places. If you don't get ahead of it, you will be slow moving just a little bit faster than my neighbor down the road and his rusty cane.

Everything ends up going well, I only left 15 minutes late but was still a little bit ahead of some still at work. By the time we needed to report, we were going to be leaving within two hours to an undetermined place somewhere out in the woods in Central Florida. Sounds creepy huh? This place is not on a military installation and there are civilians driving jacked-up trucks, small trucks and even a Chevy cavalier once in awhile will drive by. Just when I thought I'd seen it all, haha. It must have been close to the beginning of hunting season with dogs? I have seen more hunt dogs trapped in their cages in the back of too many trucks this weekend along with hearing them all howl half the night; I'm good for the year.

Well, we get out there and set up our headquarters supporting location along with picking up some ammo (blank rounds of course) and a much needed water buffalo. After things got set up, I was in my sleeping bag, under the stars, on the cold ground that was trying to suck the life out of me while I slept. The time was a dreadful 0230 Saturday morning and the wake up time of 0545 was coming quick. It was cool at night with temps down to the low 50s but during the day training in the hot sun with zero cloud coverage was sweltering.

I woke up and it barely was enough time, the 3 hours, to have any crust in the eyes but I washed and shaved my face to get ready for a long day of training.  I was heading over to do some training with another counterpart of mine from another company. The rest of my company was setting up for defensive ops. My training was a little bit different than theirs since my counterpart and I are mortarman, we were hitting the books reading over stuff on the procedures of Fire Direction Center. It is a lot of reading and found myself nodding off at times with the 3 hours of sleep. I ended up getting back to my camp by 1930 and yet the work was not done for the night.

Finally, I bedded down for the night around midnight. My eyes were blood shot and killing me since I had allergies flaring up before I even got out to the field. Our headquarters squad is fairly small so I had them put me on the radio watch list at 0200. Usually, the specialist and privates pull those duties but it doesn't bother me, we are lacking the personnel. It was not too dark since the moon was almost full, there was still some sort of peacefulness in the early morning. Along with some peacefulness came some strange noises that helped me stay awake that hour...

OK, 0530 comes quick when you don't want to get out of your warm and cozy sleeping bag with low 50s temp. I decided that the cold water from my canteen was not getting on my face to shave and waited til I got back to our armory. We had some cleaning of equipment to do, weapons maintenance and the NCO class I was giving still to complete on Sunday. All in all, the training weekend ended up being a success because again, we accomplished a lot of tasks in a short period of time.

With the 7 hours of sleep for the weekend, I knew the over two hour drive home was going to be a struggle to say the least. I had to drop off a soldier in my unit and ended up getting home by 1930. Tired as Hell, I fell asleep watching a late night football to finally see the score in the morning news. It's weird how a weekend that seemed so long can go by so fast. I just hope my next three weekends off will go by slow...