Special Notice: If you are a veteran in emotional crisis and need help RIGHT NOW, call this toll-free number 1-800-273-8255, available 24/7. Veterans should press "1" after being connected. You will likely be asked for your ssn if you are seeking further VA benefits or services.

Contact us
About Us same old page, still fun

---

Check out our old Navigation Icons! Click on the Icon. Navigate to a new UtVet page...

Click for the Latest & Greatest Newsletter

Click for the Latest & Greatest Page 2

Click for the Latest & Greatest Page 3

Click for the new Veterans Website dedicated to Recovery VetXPRS.org

Our Mission: to educate, empower, and entertain Veterans and their families.

Three important points:

1. There are approximately 150,000 Veterans in Utah today. Thousands of these Veterans are silently suffering from undiagnosed mental wellness issues. They will do practically anything to avoid the life long stigma of a mental health diagnosis. Their whole family suffers. The community suffers.
   
   
2. Stigma Free Recovery of mental wellness is possible, anonymously. without ostracism. Veterans can help Veterans to get their feet on the ground much the same way alcoholics can help other alcoholics stay sober in AA.
   
   
3. The most important factor in a Veterans Recovery of an abundant life is what the VA calls "A Resillient Social Network." We call it an understanding, supportive family. The whole family is impacted by the injury to one of it's members. The whole family can Recover together.

Bit by bit Veterans and their families can regain that sense of wellbeing lost in the war zone. It's a process, not a destination. Recovery is not easy but it is simple. Just as a stroke victim recovers with therapy and practice, so can a Veteran and their family practice new wellness skills.

Let's stress this: The most important element in a Veteran's recovery is a "resilient social network". Ideally, this network is built on the family that will be supportive and accepting of the fact that the Veteran is suffering from a stress related injury, not a character defect. A loving family can create more change than a hundred hours on the couch. A few Veteran buddies can sometimes save a family that everyone else would give up on.

The key is to be understood, accepted and appreciated. Little can be accomplished by condeming and ridiculing someone for being "bad" or having a "character defect." Most Veterans having readjustment problems, difficulty getting or keeping a job, thoughts of suicide, or problems with self medication are not defective; they have stress related brain injuries. You don't need a PhD to help. Your love, acceptance and understanding that the Veteran is likely suffering from a brain injury, not a character defect, is a key to the path of Recovery.

---

Five Marines From Faluja

American Hitmen

"Combat Rock". It's amazing. Here's some bio on the band:

Born out of the fiery depths of Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Phantom Fury in 2004, five talented musicians joined forces in hopes of creating the ultimate, no-holds-barred, in your face rock group. Playing only on acoustic guitars and ammo cans, the hardcore group of United States Marines began writing songs about the true face of combat; a side of the story that the media has never and will never show the public. When it was time to go back to the United States, these five war dogs decided that they needed a name for their bombastic, hard hitting band of trained madmen; they decided to call themselves the “American Hitmen”.
See a Hitman video here:

Note from Andrew:
Dan and Tim Cord from The American Hitmen are headlining the concert fundraiser, 7 pm, June 15, at the Boothe Brothers Performing Arts Center, 165 North Main Street, Spanish Fork. Come to the fundraiser, make a donation, and listen to Brothers Dan and Tim Cord. They are not only Marine heros from Iraq, they are fine musicians with a great sound. They play just about every week. If you like powerful rock and roll the Hitmen are IT. Check out their website for the details. http://www.american
hitmen.com/ website!

---

The first thing to understand is the difference between the natural person and the fictitious person called a corporation. They differ in the purpose for which they are created, in the strength which they possess, and in the restraints under which they act.

Man is the handiwork of God and was placed upon earth to carry out a Divine purpose; the corporation is the handiwork of man and created to carry out a money-making policy.

There is comparatively little difference in the strength of men; a corporation may be one hundred, one thousand, or even one million times stronger than the average man. Man acts under the restraints of conscience, and is influenced also by a belief in a future life. A corporation has no soul and cares nothing about the hereafter....

—William Jennings Bryan, in his address to the Ohio 1912 Constitutional Convention

"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy." --Samuel Adams

---

The Social Security and Disability Resource Center
appears to me to be completely legit, Not affiliated with the government in any way. aw

The SSDRC is published, edited, and maintained by Tim Moore, a former disability claims examiner for the social security administration's disability determination services (DDS), as well as a former caseworker with a background in many federal assistance programs, including medicaid for disabled adults.

The goal of Tim Moore's site is to provide information about how the federal government's disability programs work, the idea being that qualified information may lead to better choices as to how to initiate and pursue claims and appeals, and potentially avoid time-consuming and costly mistakes. In many instances, a foreknowledge of how claims are adjudicated, an insight into how to navigate the federal disability system, and proper case preparation, particularly at the administrative law judge hearing level, may lead to faster resolutions on cases and an increased probability of approval.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Thanks to Pete Koense for this video clip

---

"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them -- work, family, health, friends and spirit  --  and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand  that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back.  But the other four balls -- family, health, friends and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered.  They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.”  This is from a book called Suzanne's Diary to Nicholas by James Patterson - passed on by Linda Taylor by Lynn McKell.

One thing combat vets have in common is Meds. Bottles and bottles of meds. Meds "to keep You safe" from us. Check out Jake's poem from http://www.thewelcomehomeproject.org/

Participate in a Salt Lake City VA clinical trial. Help another vet with PTSD.

The George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System

in conjunction with the VA Cooperative Studies program is preparing to conduct another IRB* approved research study to determine if a medication,(that has been safely used for years for something else) may also be effective in helping to treat the nightmares so common with PTSD. 

(*IRB stands for Institutional Review Boards which are totally independent of the VA. IRB approved studies are designed to protect all study participants. They review and must approve the action plan for every clinical trial done by the VA and other research institutions such as University of Utah. ed.)

All subjects in the study will receive study medication plus supportive care during their research related visits by the research team. The study will last for six months. During the length of the study some of the subjects will receive study medication and others will receive a sugar pill.

In most instances participants may remain on other medications to treat PTSD/Depression while involved in this research study, however there may be some exclusions.

The study will involve Veterans participating in psychological assessments every week as well as filling out various self-assessment forms. This will not interfere with continuing usual care appointments at the hospital.  

Participants in the study will be reimbursed $20 for visits at weeks 4, 8, 16 and 20 and $50 for visits at weeks 6, 12 and 24 for a maximum total payment of $230.  Payments will only be made after weeks 12 and 24. 

For more info contact Lindsay Carpenter at 1-800-4012 extension 1836. or you can email her at lindsay.carpenter@va.gov

---

Men's Health

This introduction is from the American Diabetes Organization. It's worth reading.

http://www.diabetes.org/food-nutrition-lifestyle/lifestyle-prevention/mens-health.jsp

Historically, men have not been comfortable discussing issues about their health, particularly conditions like diabetes, depression or sexual dysfunction. This has resulted in shorter and less healthy lives for men in the United States compared to women.

Click on the pyramid for full size

I was not aware that depression is caused by, or even a part of, diabetes. Fortunately, we have a medical system that allows science to progress with better medicine. Another note: Our friend Nancy Card points out that the pyramid above is from 1995. She suggests checking out the new (2005) food pyramid from the USDA. Good call Nancy. Thanks

Times have changed and so have men. We are now in the era of the modern man. Modern men have a strong grasp of their disease and related conditions, they actively engage their health care providers, and proactively manage their health.

The American Diabetes Association is encouraging all men with diabetes to become "modern men." Take the modern man challenge. Get out, get active, get informed!

So how do you become a modern man? It's simple. The tools you need are available on this Diabetes Web site.

By all means, check out this site. There is an ocean of info about diabetes. That info is there for only one reason... to help men have a better, longer life. You can take control of your future. Imagine that! ed.

---

Heads up!
VETERANS AND SERVICE-MEMBERS' SURVIVAL GUIDE. 599 pages of quality info. No filler or ego tripping. A free gift from Bobby Muller and the folks at the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation.

Download the PDF file here: (2.5 Mb)

---

More than any war in our history, veterans are coming home with missing limbs from Improvised Explosive Devices. Finding resources that enable these vets to live full lives can be a challenge that can wreck families. Here is a company that might help.

A Look At The Home Access Program and Handi-Ramp

The process of buying and/or modifying a home for wheel chair accessibility should not be as difficult as it is, said Thom Disch, Handi-Ramp President and CEO. Years ago Disch envisioned a nationwide program that puts resources at the finger tips of individuals and families in order to make accessibility solutions simple and pain free. This goal is the heart of the Home Access Program.

Accessible Housing Made Easy

Disch began the Home Access Program with the goal of keeping the process as personal as possible. Disch's company, Handi-Ramp, learns who you are, what your needs are and works with you till the job is done. This is not one of those programs that takes your money and leaves you flat. This philosophy permeates the entire Handi Ramp organization.

Custom ramp solutions are what Handi-Ramp specializes in. Understanding your need and creating a solution on a budget is what we do best.

Handi-Ramp works with a variety of organizations including the Veterans Administration and various trade organizations (ITA & CTE Barter) to provide ramps that make life more rewarding for families with special needs. Read the rest of the story here

Link to Handi-Ramp

---

---

FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE

"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not."
~Thomas Jefferson

1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
3. Colt: The original point and click interface.
4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.

Read 15 more here:

My View: by Andrew Wilson 

If you are a veteran and find you are powerless over substances; there is hope.  We have learned by sad experience that one of the most prevalent symptoms of Delayed Stress is the urge to Self Medicate with alcohol and/or drugs.   No judgment here, just facts.  Often, self medicating leads to serious health problems, conflicts with families -- even trouble with law enforcement including incarceration.

How many suffering veterans end up FIRED, fined 'til they drop, homeless, alone on the street, in jail, or dead from suicide-- after drugs or alcohol get the best of them?  One veteran lost is one Too many.

Eighteen vets commit suicide every day. How many of them do you think were drunk or whacked when they pulled the trigger or swallowed the pills? So.... if you are a veteran and discover you're powerless over substances; you are not the only one. DON'T GIVE UP. 

When you are ready to begin your recovery... Salt Lake City has the finest residential substance abuse and Brain Flash treatment programs in the entire VA system.  It's called "The Eagles Nest." It's there for you! It's not perfect, and there is a waiting list for most of us... But it's worth it! Preference given to OIF/OEF veterans.

Charles Talcott knows the score and is there to help you find a new way to a new life. Call him at (801) 582-1565 extension 1874. Getting started with North Star and recovery can often be done over the phone. Click here for more info about The Eagles Nest

---

A Tip for Vets with urgent health questions:
Call the"VA Nurseline" toll free:
1-866-369-8020.

For a test, I called at 6 am. The phone rang eight times, then a computer picked up and said "If this is an  emergency dial 911 etc". I left a voice msg and four minutes later a registered nurse called me back. She carefully answered my questions about hives. Fifteen minutes later I called back with a follow up question. The phone rang three times and the same nurse picked up. She again patiently answered my questions.  How Great is That?

Welcome to UtVet
Veterans called to serve, still serving.

Proud to Serve Utah Veterans with useful, thought provoking info since 2003
Click here to read the intro to Andrew's new book "Active Conditioning"

Welcome to all our Central Utah Veterans Council friends visiting from KUED "Contact".

You may donate to the Central Utah Veterans Nursing Home in Payson by sending your check to
The Utah Department of Veterans Affairs
550 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City Utah 84158-0897

See a short video about fundraising for amenities that will make the Central Utah Veterans Nursing Home a true home for Veterans at the Payson Veterans Nursing Home Video page

Check out this page about VETERANS NIGHT fund-raiser at Denny's in Orem, Tuesday, May 15.

Check out this page about our free Veterans Benefits Fair at 3 pm
followed by a terrific Rock and blues FundRaising Concert at 7 pm
Boothe Brothers Performing Arts Center
in Spanish Fork, June 15

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

The Veteran Suicide Crisis and You

So serious is the problem that veterans of our military services now represent 20 percent of all suicides in the United States despite the fact that only 1 percent of Americans have served in the military.

Many of these people will jump in front of a train, put a bullet in their head or take some other way out because the United States of America – that would be you and me – is flat out welching on the deal we make with the people we send off to fight our wars. They promise to put their bodies into these deadly, bloody battles and we, in return, promise to take care of their war related injuries—both physical and mental—when they return.

The veterans are delivering on their promise. We very much are not. Read the rest of the story here.

There can be no lasting Recovery without a foundation of communication.

Here are five fundamental skill of effectively sharing ideas and feelings with others.
Master these and abudant Joy will be yours.

1. Learn to listen,

2. Be specific and reasonable in your requests,

3. Use positive and corrective feedback,

4. Clarify what you mean as you give messages,

5. Learn to ask questions.

No one is perfect. We gradually progress to a time when conflict evaporates and love governs all our relationships. Eventually, if we apply ourselves diligently, Love illuminates all we say and do.

Check out the Central Utah Veterans Council...

Putting on a Benefits Fair followed by a Rock Concert, June 15 at Boothe Brothers Performing Arts, Spanish Fork. Benefits Fair begins at 3 pm. Music starts at 7 pm Read more here:

Here is a recent Facebook posting from our old friend Stan Lockhart

An Easy Lesson On The National Debt
Why Its A Problem

* U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
* Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000
* New debt: $ 1,650,000,000,000
* National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
* Recent budget cuts: $ 38,500,000,000

Let's now remove 8 zeros and pretend it's a household budget:

* Annual family income: $21,700
* Money the family spent: $38,200
* New debt on the credit card: $16,500
* Outstanding balance on the credit card: $142,710
* Total budget cuts: $385

Well friends, It finally happened.

Those who have followed UtVet.com for a time know that we have been advocating for the re-dedication of Interstate 15 as the Veterans Memorial Highway for years. We always felt that this resolution would give us an opportunity to share our belief that mental wellness Recovery is possible.

Thanks to Utah Representative Chris Herrod and Senator John Valentine the legislation been signed into law by Governor Gary Herbert. Now it is unanimous. We did it.

More than that; EVERY MEMBER OF THE HOUSE SIGNED ON AS A CO-SPONSOR! That never happens. (Thank you again Chris!) The House bill HCR 007 is now law. What an experience! Our little committee has moved a mountain... all with a unanimous vote. Thanks God.

The Utah House voted unanimously. The Senate voted unanimously. And on April 4th, with less than 48 hours notice, and with zero fanfare, Governor Herbert signed the legislation, saying, "We can never do enough for Veterans, who have sacrificed so much in the cause of freedom."

I agree! Call your favorite TV station. Ask for the news director. Ask them to direct the personalities that read the news to refer to the highway by its correct name:

Veterans Memorial Highway.

The legislature and governor unanimously supported this legislation for a reason. They were demonstrating to their constituents that Utah honors Veterans. Doesn't it seem just a little disrespectful for a news reader to dilute this heartfelt tribute to Veterans contributions by calling the Highway "I - 15" just out of habit?

Now we move on to our next challenge. We are going to raise $432,000 to upgrade the amenities at the new Payson Veterans Nursing Home

New Army Report Shows Expanding need for Veterans Mental Wellness Services

One of the major premises of this site is that the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense are powerless to halt the flood of Veterans who are battling stress related injuries that happen during multiple combat missions. The VA system is growing and expanding as fast as humanly possible; but it's not fast enough to meet the need. If the problem was only Veterans committing Suicide by Cop it would be bad enough. But it's much more.

According to the report, hospitalizations with a diagnosis of “suicidal ideation” rose to more than 3,500 in 2010 from nearly zero in 2005.

More troops are getting treatment — a positive sign that the stigma of seeing help is disappearing, according to an Army spokesman. Overall, about 280,000 (active duty) troops sought behavioral treatment in 2011.

Other measures show an Army population that is struggling.

• Violent sex crime was up 64 percent from 2006 to 2011
• Domestic violence rose 33 percent from 2006 to 2011.
• Child abuse rose 43 percent in the same time period.

Though troops have left Iraq and an Afghanistan withdrawal is planned, the health and psychological problems will continue, and in some cases could even increase as veterans enter the civilian world, the Army spokesman said. The Army will stay on top of them, he promised. Read the rest of the article in Stars and Stripes

Read Controversial Ideas Regarding Herbal Treatment of Stress Related Brain Injuries

PostTraumaticStressRelief.html

Recovery: Family to Family

The whole family is often wounded after a family member is exposed to something really horrible; beyond imagining. Often the result is broken families and disposable relationships. This is a tragedy; multiplied by the fact that relationships can become repairable. All the family members can get well!

This goes way beyond learning to cope with the Veterans incurable mental illness! This is helping Veterans recover mental wellness and helping the whole family to do the same. I want families to know JOY. The VA has hard evidence that Veterans Can Recover Mental Wellness. They call it Cognitive Behavior Therapy. You don't need a PhD to teach the essence of CBT. You don't need a degree in psychology to teach someone a different way of breathing. There is an alternative to a lifetime of reliance on heavy medication and "coping skills." We are teaching how to do it the same way alcoholics teach other alcoholics to stay sober! Your whole family can learn about Recovery. Your whole family can Recover mental wellness. It just takes time and effort. And Desire!

More Good news for Veterans and Families Seeking Mental Wellness Recovery

Two great new web sites deliver excellent Recovery tools.

If you think you may be experiencing mental wellness issues with a family member or yourself it is now possible to link up with SERIOUS Recovery tools, anonymously, without stigma, with your family, for free.

Check out Vets Prevail

The VA and the Military and many others have tried to aggregate resources like these for years; with spotty results. For two years, Rush University Medical Center has been working with Prevail Health Solutions under a series of National Science Foundation grants to lay the groundwork for the Vets Prevail program, a new way of bringing mental health support to US Military Veterans.

Now, with the generous support of Goldman Sachs Gives, the Robin Hood Foundation and PepsiCo, Rush has teamed up with Give an HourTM (GAH) for a national roll-out of Vets Prevail. This launch combines the Vets Prevail online program featuring dynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based e-learning lessons and peer-to-peer support with free face-to-face counseling provided by GAH’s network of over 6,000 mental health professionals.

Check out Google for Veterans

From Google's Veteran community to yours: This site was made by some Veterans, family of Veterans and friends who work at Google. We understand the challenges of serving, coming home and transitioning to civilian life. We've been there. Some of us are still figuring it out. Here are some free Google products we've gathered together that have made our lives easier. Hopefully, they can do the same for you.

A personal note from Andrew Wilson:

USAF Pilot Robert L. Simpson
SSAN 160-26-4213
KIA Approximately 17 Nautical Miles south of Soc Trang South, Vietnam MR-IV, Bac Lieu Province,
28 August 1962

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

My wife's only uncle, Captain Robert Simpson, was the first pilot killed in Vietnam back in 1962. His body was never recovered, to the sadness of his family. The Air Force has been diligent over the years in attempting to find Simpson, to no avail. There is an excellent link: http://www.specialoperations.net/SIMPHIST.html that describes the history of the search.

Capt Simpson's family desires a full accounting of his death, the recovery of his remains and a proper burial in Arlington National Cemetery where a grave site is reserved for him. The Air Force JTF-FA will return to Simpson's crash site if more documented information comes available.

If there are any former Vietnamese AF personnel that may have additional information on the names of the pilots, data on the crash etc) please contact Eugene D. Rossel. aircommando1@earthlink.net
Tel 909-930-5700 Work 909-591-7342

Thank you for your help and prayers in this important matter.

MONEY SMART

Mark Hutcheson, Chairman of the SLC VA Mental Health Advisory Council writes to tell us about a FREE instructor led Financial Education Course that is being sponsored by the Council. The course is called Money Smart and is created by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The curriculum was designed to educate consumers on money matters, help them develop banking confidence and ensure financial stability. The FDIC has reached more than 2.5 million consumers with its Money Smart Curriculum since the program’s launch nearly a decade ago. (This six part course would cost you $80 to $300 or more at a community college or credit counseling company. Knowledge is power. aw)

Learn more here:

A Thought to Consider

It is the duty of nations as well as of men to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.

We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subject to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justify fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins; to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied an enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom an virtue on our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gracefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.

Abraham Lincoln, 1863

VA statistics regarding
Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans:

source: Salem-News.com

• Veterans Diagnosed by VA with Mental Health Condition: 193,879 (45.6% of veterans treated by VA)
• Veterans Diagnosed by VA with PTSD: 114,908 (27.0% of veterans treated by VA)
• Veterans Filing Disability Claims Against VA: 381,782 (38.9% of veterans)
• Veterans with Approved PTS Claims: 53,079 (46.2% of the veterans diagnosed by VA with PT Sd)
• Veterans: 981,834 (out of nearly two million deployed)
• Veterans Treated at VA Hospitals and Clinics: 425,538 (43.3% of veterans)

  ---

Those who read this page regularly have likely seen me spouting off about bad Socialized Medicine:

So this is a thank you note for the unsung:

Heroes of the Orem Utah Community Based Outpatient Clinic.

Mentioning a few is not a criticism of the unmentioned! Thanks to Carole, who almost always has a cheerful, helpful word on the phone, Dean Porciello, who manages cases day after day in spite of all the Foo. Another unsung heroine is MiLinda Hudnall, la social worker excellente!. She gets yelled at and stays cool as a spring freshet...

A special Vote of Thanks to Paul Brady and Scott Van, medical services assistants. who have both been serving Veterans in Orem for about a year. Today they were manning the desk at the CBOC like good sergeants. I asked Paul, "Do you find the VA regs are helpful or hurtful in serving the health care needs of Veterans?" He thought for a moment and replied that he judged them to be helpful, in fact, indispensable. "Healthcare, like Army Aviation, must have standardization to be effective and safe. So the Army has its regulations and the VA has its regulations." It turns out Paul has been in Army Aviation for 29 years, most of those years as a Huey pilot. Now he's Pumping his adrenaline by serving Veterans at the VA. Thanks for those years of Service Paul. Welcome Home.

Scott Van is also a Veteran. He served as an Air Force medic for four and a half years. His job as a Primary Care Flightline medic often kept him in flightline clinic where he could run out to air crews in trouble. Scott's first day as an Air Force medic was assisting a colonoscopy, then things got interesting as he dealt with emergencies like hypoxia and smoke inhalation. He had originally picked the Navy as his Grandpa was Navy. Grandpa shouted "Don't go in the Navy! Go in the Air Force!" Like Paul Brady, Scott also likes adrenaline. His favorite thrill now is Hang Gliding and being a DJ for private parties. His play list is Dope: He likes DeadMaus! Good man.

So thank you for your service to the Nation, Men. And thank you to your service to me today. Andrew Wilson, editor.

For those interested in "Real" Vietnam memories I suggest Paul Griener's Tribute to the 281st Assault Helicopter Company video and the 281st Assault Helicopter Company website

Other 281st sites:

281st Official History
Excerpt: Its mission was to provide administrative and tactical air movement and support of troops, supplies and equipment under direction of the Commanding Officer, 5th Special Forces Group (ABN

281st History for 1968 pdf download The Army's Unit history: does not even mention the Tet Offensive... like it didn't even happen.

~Sarah at the Valley Book Club just sent us along an email with some dandy resource information for Veterans. Here's an excerpt:

"A veteran is any person who has served in the US Armed Forces during a time of war or a time of peace. This can include the US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, US Coast Guard or the National Guard. Veterans, whether they served in a combat zone or not, have all given a portion of their lives to the protection and service of their country. They, and their families, willing signed up to make the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow citizens, and many have suffered physical and mental repercussions because of it – and many have lost their lives. Because of this, the US Government has several programs in place to help them with life after the military."

Topics of this web page include: Government Websites For Veterans, Veteran Organizations, Veteran Benefits and Services, Veterans Health and Well-Being, Veteran Memorials, Veteran Cemeteries. I urge all you readers to check out this page and add it to your links and lists of resources.

Paper copies will be available September 1st.
Download it here:

From the July 6 VA press release: One of the most common things I hear from fellow Veterans is “I don’t know what benefits I qualify for.” VA.gov is admittedly clunky and confusing (something we’re looking to fix), and there are many websites that promote bad or inaccurate information about Veterans benefits. It’s no wonder that many folks have questions about what they’re entitled to after leaving the service.

How good is this book? Well, for one thing it is comprehensive. Example: "Certain VA benefits require service during wartime. Under the law, VA recognizes these war periods: Mexican Border Period: May 9, 1916, through April 5, 1917, for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters. World War I: April 6, 1917, through Nov. 11, 1918; for veterans who served in Russia, April 6, 1917, through April 1, 1920; extended through July 1, 1921, for veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917, and Nov. 11, 1918." Enough said.

Here's to every Veteran on this beautiful day. The band is Joshua Creek

---

Dear Readers,

Our New Veteran website VetXPRS.org is committed to bringing Veterans and their families the best Recovery resources available in the world. We don't want to duplicate efforts. We just want to condense and share info that can change lives if applied. Contact us. Let us know what you think.

---

Disabled Utah Vets Save Big on Fishing Licenses

If you are 40% or more disabled you can save Big Money on a Utah fishing license. To show its appreciation for the sacrifice you've made, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is offering a Big Five Dollar discount on your fishing license. You can buy a discounted license for $21. The license is good for 365 days from the day you buy it. A 365-day fishing license in Utah usually costs $26. This is the same discount offered to those over 65. For more information, see the DWR website or call the DWR's Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700

---

Check out The National Alliance on Mental Illness's Veterans Resource Center.

(adapted from their page:) NAMI is proud to provide excellent resources for everyone touched by military service. The people who are currently serving, those who have served and their families face unique stresses and need mental health information and treatment tailored to their needs. The mental health challenges faced by veterans, active-duty troops and their families—stigma, access to quality health information and innovative new treatments—are on the minds of military families and the rest of NAMI's families. Read more about NAMI's Veteran Resource Center Here:

---

HUMOR THERAPY

Ray Ross was riding his Harley along the Pacific Coast Highway when suddenly lightning flashed and a in a booming voice, the Lord said,
"Because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish."

The biker pulled over and said, "Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want."

The Lord said, "Your request is materialistic. Think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking; the supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific and the concrete and steel it would take! I can do it, but it is hard to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind."

Ray thought about it for a long time... Finally, he said,

"Lord, I wish that I, and all men, could understand our wives; I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing's wrong, and how men can make women truly happy."

The Lord replied, "You want that bridge to be two lanes or four?"

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

Laughing Often is a Good Health Habit to get Into

Be sure to click here for the "Singing Dog" video.

---

Anonymous self screening assesments now include both in-person and online programs for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, alcohol problems, and suicide prevention.

There are special screens for military service members and their families.

Take a look at this material taken from their website

Self Assessment Program

.

Please click here for A SPECIAL Self Basement MESSAGE FOR WIVES

http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/

These folks have produced a terrific video for the vets and their families called "A Different Kind of Courage." It's like an infomercial for mental health. Very nice. Check out the 4 Minute Promo here.

View the entire 25 minute documentary here.

 

 

Learn to protect yourself and others from deadly MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections here:

This picture is a MRSA infection in someone's hip. Must be 18 inches across! Not pretty.

---

 

SUICIDE TODAY:
adapted from a VA press release

Every suicide in America is a tragedy. Everyone cares about each veteran and their physical and mental health. The VA has more than 10,000 mental health workers who took the job because they wanted to help veterans cope with the issues and crises they face.

The VA also operates a veteran suicide hotline which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help any veteran in need. That number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
If you want to help someone who is thinking of harming themselves call 1-800-613-4012. Press zero to get the operator and tell them to want to speak to the VA suicide prevention coordinator.

Utah Vet and the VA strongly encourages vets who may be considering harming themselves in some way ~ reach out to somebody. Sometimes an hour with a fellow vet can be worth ten hours of therapy, and for sure is better than a night in the ER, or twenty four hours detoxing in a tank somewhere, or worst, a massive dose of "Enditall" (End-It-All.)

If you need a time out to get your feet back on the ground, or a safe place to come down; call the numbers. There is no shame in setting your sights on a better life. If you won't seek treatment from the VA, just look in your phone book for local mental health resources like Wasatch Mental Health 24 hour crisis line: 801-373-7393. People are there to help during a crisis. VA's care and treatment works and is available for veterans with PTSD, depression and other mental health problems.

There are a couple of new websites that are a goldmine for Veterans and families seeking information on recovery. www.VetsPrevail.org and www.googleforveterans.com. I'm especially pleased with the VetsPrevail site. It was put together without reference to the Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs. Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation with research and implementation by the Rush University Medical School. It really works. I give this site the highest marks. aw

VA operates the largest mental health care system in the country, spending $3 billion each year on its mental health programs, and has taken several measures to increase its mental health services in recent years. Those include new programs bringing mental health into primary care, intensified rehabilitation for those with serious mental illnesses, and expanded programs for homeless veterans and those with substance abuse problems.

---

15 Common Thinking Errors

Thanks to Julie W. in Georgetown, DE for sending in this great content.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.

---

Thanks to Mike Gale for this
FANTASTIC RESOURCE:
A Military Veterans Guide to Disability Compensation and Pension Benefits

A Compendium of Resources and Knowledge for the Disabled Vet from VA Watchdog.com