Category: PTSD

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The American Legion is Reaching Out to Help

The American Legion, which I am a member of, does a lot of things that do not make the news. Here are some things I found about some Legion posts across our country.

  1. 5,300 diapers distributed by Post 760 in Oceanside California.
  2. 10,000 pairs of latex gloves and 1,000 masks. They also sent gallons of hand sanitizers and many surgical gowns at Post 1.
  3. Post 405 in Philadelphia set up a Zoom meeting for many veterans to connect and share their worries, and just having someone to talk to who cares.
  4. 100 pounds of food collected by children of Legionnaires to give to those in need.
  5. $5,000 dollars donated to the food bank in Pennsylvania, by post 104.
  6. 1,600 Buddy Checks made by Post 83 in Merced, California. This is a way to check on your veterans friends to make sure they are OK. Here is a link to see how it works. www.legion.org/publications.

I will be sharing more as I compile them from reading and searching the internet.

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Active Older Veterans Fall More, Get Hurt Less.

Physically active veterans are more likely to fall, but less likely to get hurt, compared to inactive older people.

The take away from this is when you are more active you have less chances of getting hurt.

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Joke of the day:

With High-Definition TV everything looks wider and bigger. Kind of like my 62nd class reunion. (My actual reunion time for me. Yes I am old, but I am good!)

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I am excited to report that we have had 35 new subscriptions since I last posted. Welcome to all of you. We now have 8,324 subscribers. All veterans who are seeking hope, and wanting to stay up on what is happening for Veterans. This is the place for that.

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How are you doing brother/sister? Everything going OK? I have heard from some that are not doing well. PTSD, has raised its ugly head, and trying to control some of you.

DO NOT let that happen.

Get help! You are not a sissy if you get help. I know, people think you need to be tough if you are a veteran. That is not true! I needed help and I got it. I WOULD NOT be here today if I didn’t get help! I was a breath away from checking out of this hotel called earth, and I was saved.

I am sure you have many other demons chasing you like, depression, anxiety, fear, self-doubt, etc.

Stop the madness and call for help. Here is the connection line to get that much needed help.

1-800-273-8255. call now if you need 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!

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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!