Category: Deployment

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What Can We do to Reach Out to Our Hurting Veterans?

Today I will share some news about military, and add some of my own thoughts.

Quick thoughts:

  1. Walgreens now accepts Tricare.
  2. One in ten Vietnam veterans have Hepatitis C and don’t even know it. Get tested!
  3. Becoming a gardener helps a lot with PTSD.
  4. The American Legion web site is one of the top resources for job seekers.

What can we do to reach out to our fellow veterans who are in need?

This questions has come up many times. What can we really do? I have some thoughts and ideas.

  1. Check out your very own neighborhood and see how many veterans live near you. Get to know them and help where they may need help.
  2. When you are in a restaurant, don’t be bashful. If you see a veteran with a hat on saying what branch he was in. Go greet him and talk to him.
  3. I was shopping at a grocery store and saw a WWll veteran. I thanked him and it lead to a great interview for my new book , Signs of Hope for the Military: IN and Out of the Trenches of Life. We have become good friends.
  4. I was having coffee with several fellow heart disease men and women after our workout at cardiac rehab. Three of them were veterans. Got three interviews from that and kept them as new friends.
  5. At church, I have found there are many veterans who go there. I have connected with many of them who have become friends. They love to sit and talk.

What about you who are having your own struggles?

Need some help yourself? This is the right place to be my friend. There are over 7,000 followers here who are in the same boat. Make a comment at the end of this post. and I know many will read it and reach out.

If you want to be able to read these posts in your inbox, just go to the top of this page and click on Subscribe. When you do, every time there is a post it will go directly to your inbox.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all….never ,ever, give up!

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A Story of Sadness About a Wounded Warrior

It has been a while since my last post. I hope this is a start of many more post.

It has been sad to see how many of my fellow veterans are struggling. It breaks my heart when I hear their stories. I will share one here, and hope you will support him.

Sgt Michael Thorin was deployed to Afghanistan. He was a platoon leader of a escort unit protecting the caravans of vehicles traveling.

One day he was escorting a caravan, when the vehicle in front of him caught on fire for no reason. It burst into flames very quickly. Sgt Thorin jumped out of his rig and ran to try to save his men. They couldn’t get close, because of the heat of the flames. Two of his men burnt to death.

When I interviewed him this was the toughest part for him to talk about.

To be helpless and watch your men die has to be hard at best.

This is not the end of the story for Sgt Thorin. During his deployment he contracted some virus, or germ. This tore into his lungs. When he got out, he attempted to be a firefighter, and did well for a while. He had to stop working later because his lungs were closing down.

Today he is still alive, but needs a double lung transplant.

He is a very strong Christian, and he said that is what is keeping him going. He posts a lot on Facebook to share his love for the Lord. Go to Facebook and put in his name, Michael Thorin, and be blessed.

There are many more stories like this in my new book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

What about you? Are you struggling? Please understand the you are not alone. There are over 7,000 followers of this blog and they are in the same boat with you.

Reach out by making a comment and we will support you 100%

Don’t let the dark side take over your life.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all….never, ever, give up!!

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Veteran News and Updates.

Some good veteran news to start with:

  1. Complaint Line for Veterans: President Trump started a veterans complaint line. It opened June 1st of last year, and fully functional by August. It is 24/7. This is where you can share your concerns about the VA. The number to call is: 1-855-948-2311.
  2. Comics Made by Veterans: There are veterans are putting together comic books. These book about war and military issues. They are no nonsense comics that are pretty graphic at times. Not sure how you are able to read some of them, but go to: www.cartoonstudies.org/index.php/tag/va-medical-center. You may get some help there.
  3. Physical Activity Pays Off: A study shows that if we keep active in our senior years we have a much better change of living longer. They study was for those 60 years or older. It showed if you had high levels activity you had a 35% better chance of not dying than those who had low activity. Even if you have only medium levels of activity you still have 28% chance of longevity. get out there and walk!!

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My book, “Signs of Hope for the MIlitary: In and Out of the Trenches of Life,” Is nearly finished. I will be adding a countdown clock to this site when it is getting close. Just a few more interviews to go to make this the most comprehensive book for veterans ever. I am not trying to brag. Let me share an endorsement by General Jim Jaeger:

Most of us are fortunate not to have experienced the stress of combat.  Words cannot adequately define the grinding daily pressure of knowing that every time you step outside the gate the enemy will try to kill you and your buddies.  You are constantly alert, on point; but how can you protect your team from the instantaneous blast of the IED?  You are part of a highly-trained team poised to execute, but what has prepared you for the mental toll of being on edge every moment.  The skills that helped you survive….have taken a toll and are now working against you when you return home.  What do you do now; where do you turn?  Whether you are dealing with PTSD, TBI, depression, homelessness, or recovering from wounds; Doug Bolton has answers…..this book has answers!

Jim Jaeger

Brigadier General, USAF, ret

San Antonio, TX

Member of the Board, Victory for Veterans

Keep checking back to see the progress. You can also subscribe at the top of this page. When you do you will get future posts directly to your inbox.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…Never, ever, give up!