Category: National Guard

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Should We Use the Military in the Riots?

It’s Monday, and most people don’t like Monday. I look at it from a different angle.

  1. I am retired.
  2. I have time to do whatever I want and when I want.
  3. I able to write to you in this site to share hope.

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I am so excited by all of the new subscribers we are getting.

We have been averaging over 25 new subscribers a day now. A month ago, we may have had that many in a week.

Why is this happening?

It is because so many veterans are trying to find hope. They are trying to keep up on the latest military news. They need to hear about anything military, and this site does that.

If you like what you are reading just go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will got directly to your inbox. Please tell others about this site as well.

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I saw that president Trump wants to send in regular Army troops to end all the rioting. The Secretary of Defense feels that is wrong. I tend to agree with him. Why should our brothers and sisters be put in harm’s way. It should be up to the mayors and governors to straighten this mess out.

Notice that where all the rioting is occurring are run by Democrats? Enough said.

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What should we do?

I would love for you to make some comments on this in the comment area at the bottom of this post. I will be excited to read them and respond.

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I am going to share another interview with you for my new book, Signs of Hope for the military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

This one may be a repeat as I have been sharing many interviews. I think that this interview is extremely important:

I was driving home and felt hungry. I saw a Carl’s Jr, (Hardy’s) and stopped. I got my order and was heading to my table. I walked by a Vietnam veteran. I knew he was a Vietnam veterans by the hat he was wearing.

He look in pain

As I watched him eat, he seemed to be in pain. He shifted many times trying to get comfortable. He finished his meal and was walking (struggling) to the garbage can. He had walk by me to get there, so I asked him if he wanted to sit down and talk.

He looked like he didn’t want to do that, but I told him I was a veterans like him. He decided to sit down.

He had much mental pain

He sat down and we chit chatted for a while. Then I started asked him some questions. I wondered what he did in Vietnam. He said he was on a ship off the coast of Vietnam. He want on to say That his ship was a helicopter ship. They were taking supplies to the troops; picking up wounded, and sending supplies to the villages that were starving.

We talk for a while long and then I asked him what was the worst moment for him in Vietnam.

He said that his best friend was a pilot of one of the helicopters. His friend was ready to take off with his co-pilot. They said it was a go, and the helicopter began to rise and head out. Immediately there was engine trouble the copter started wavering. Then it crashed into the ocean and sunk very fast. They never even tried to recover the bodies, because the water was too deep.

That was very devastating to him.

We talked a little more, and I asked him one more question:

Was there another time you felt upset and sad?

He said it was when his planed landed and the soldiers had to walk through the terminal. There were people on each side of the terminal cussing at them. They called them killers. They spit on them. He felt disgraced.

We finished talking and did a shoulder hug. He actually smiled as he walked out the door. I could see him hobbling along as he went to the near by hotel.

This tore me up badly. This man was a hero and people treated him like dirt. We owe the Vietnam veterans so much.

(I will be sharing much more about this veteran in my book. He shared with me why he was so hobbled and in pain.)

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How are YOU doing. Are you struggling like this Marine was? Do you feel rejected? Do you have war wounds? Are you battling PTSD, TBI, depression, Etc?

You are not alone. There are now 8,231 fellow veterans here with big shoulders. Many of them are Vietnam veterans like this Marine.

Never think that you shouldn’t seek help. I know, we as veterans always feel we don’t need help because we are tough guys. Forget that thought!

If you are hurting GET HELP!

Here is a place to get help 24/7. Just call 1-800-273-8255 (option # 1)

Don’t spend another day in your living hell.

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Remember:

Your are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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Endorsements for My New Book, “Signs of Hope for the Military”

Started keeping track of new subscribers on June 1st. On that day we had 8,093. Today we are up to 8,224. What a wonderful increase. I am so honored to have all of you here.

My last post I shared with you the outline of my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

It is a good post to go back to if you are new.

Tonight I thought I would share with you some of the outstanding endorsements my book has been receiving. I will only share a couple tonight:

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

Although ‘Signs of Hope For the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life’ wasn’t written for men only, it brings honesty and openness to veterans, and military personnel about feeling ok to express fears and emotional challenges in a difficult world.  US Army Retired Veteran, Mr. Douglas Bolton brings his personal stories to life in a way we all can relate to and gives a big “you’re ok” for revealing our shortcomings and encourages us to open up and talk.  A must read for those seeking healing and forgiveness from ourselves and those wanting a fresh look on life. 

Steve Durgin, Founder & CEO with Victory For Veterans Foundation. 

Huntington, Beach California

There are many more. I will share some in future posts.

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How are you doing? Are you struggling? Do you find situations where you are actually afraid?

You certainly are not alone. I was there, and over 8,000 followers here have been with you.

What can we do to overcome the darkside, that wants to torment us? The most important thing you can do, my friend, is get help. I know, it is hard to admit that you need help. You are a tough military veteran Right?

Never fall for that. I got help. I am here because of the help. I was near self imposed death at one time. That was in 2001.

Here is your life line of you think you need it. It is 24/7.

1-800-273-8255 (Option # 1)

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never fosaken,

You are never unloved.

And above all….Never, ever, give up!

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Am I afraid of What is Going on? What Me worry?

I am so amazed! Since I have come back and started posting more often the subscriptions are growing very fast. Two days ago I told your we had gained 25 new people in one day. Today we jumped from 8,125 subscribers to 8,153. I have finally figured out what you want in a site, and I am concentrating on that. Please subscribe by clicking on the subscribe button at the top of this page if you are a veteran, or a family member of a veteran. When you do the posts come directly to your inbox.

Another day another dollar. That is what my mother always said, only she meant it. Times were tough when I was a child. My mother only cleared about $38.00 a week from her job and she was a single parent. However, my brother and I never went hungry. We had clothes to wear and a roof over our head. I still marvel when I think back to that time.

Because of my up bringing, I value the little things. I still have the teddy bear I had as a child. It’s in pretty good shap, and I have fond memories every time I see it. I never had roller skates, toys, or other things most kids had. We couldn’t afford them. How I got new clothes every year was to go to work on my Uncles farm.

Why am I telling you all this? I have a different outlook on much of what is going on right now.

Am I worried about the virus? Oh ya! I have several underlining problems and probably wouldn’t make it if I caught it. But, God has spared me so far so I am very thankful for each day.

Am I upset with what is going on in our cities with the rioting, looting, and arson? Certainly. What worries me the most is that the National Guard is being used, and they are in harm’s way. There are even thoughts of bringing in the regular military.

I never once thought we would ever need the regular military in our country to try to help clean up a mess.

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Let me share some military news to catch you up on what is happening. Most of what I get is from the military magazines, and daily emails from the VFW and The American Legion.

  1. Senate Holds Veterans Affairs Budget Hearing: This week, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a budget hearing to discuss funding requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The VFW, along with Independent Budget(IB) co-authors, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America, provided written testimony advocating for more VA funding. Due to the strain on the VA health care system, the IB recommends increased funding for staffing, PPE, and infrastructure upgrades.
  2. Veteran Employment Bill Introduced: This week, congressional leaders introduced the VFW-supported bipartisan, bicameral bill to help curb veteran unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reps. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN), and Mike Levin (D-CA), along with their colleagues Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced the Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2020, which would provide much needed support for veterans who recently lost their jobs due to the pandemic. This proposal would offer eligible veterans one year of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to be used at approved high demand programs to get them back into the workforce as quickly as possible. The VFW applauds our congressional leaders for swiftly introducing this legislation to help curb unemployment among veterans. 
  3. VA Resumes In-Person C&P Examinations in Some Locations: VA has announced that it will resume in-person compensation and pension (C&P) examinations at 20 locations across the U.S. VA will continue to conduct telehealth examinations at locations where in-person exams have not yet resumed. If you live in one of the locations where in-person appointments have resumed, but you are unable to make your appointment or do not feel comfortable with an in-person C&P exam, please contact your service officer to reschedule. Find a VFW service officer near you to file a claim for disability benefits.

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How are you doing? Have there been tough days? Are you battling PTSD, TBI, Depression, etc?

You are not alone my friend. There are over 8,000 fellow veterans here in this site. They know what you are going through. They have been there and done that. Never feel you are alone!!

Here is a hot line to call if you just aren’t able to cope right now. It is NEVER wrong to seek help. If you need it get it.: 800-273-8255 (option #1) Call 24/7.

Again, thank all of you for subscribing to this site. It encourages me to dig even deeper to find things to help you. Please subscribe if you haven’t already. Just go to the top of this page and click on subscribe. When you do you will get all future posts right in your inbox. Please tell other about this site as well, who you think can benefit from it.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all….never, ever, give up!