Category: veteran’s feelings

Posted on

Many Soldiers Had Near Death Experiences While Serving Their Country.

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Military news…

USS George Washington suicides raise alarm on Capitol Hill as defense secretary admits problem with sailor housing
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a subpanel of the House Appropriations Committee that the Pentagon is awaiting the results of two investigations into the George Washington and figuring out how to lodge sailors in the future after three of the ship’s crew members died in less than one week in April.

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First US Navy cruiser to pass through Taiwan Strait in 2 years ‘troubles’ China

The guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal steamed through the 110-mile-wide waterway separating China from Taiwan as part of a “routine transit,” U.S. 7th Fleet spokesman Lt. Mark Langford said in a Wednesday news

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North Korea to continue developing nuclear and missile programs in 2022, intelligence chief says

North Korea will “continue its nuclear, missile, and military modernization efforts” throughout the year and “leverage” its capabilities during potential negotiations with the United States, intelligence officials testified to lawmakers on Tuesday.

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Russia pounds vital port of Odesa, targeting supply lines

Russian troops pounded away at the vital port of Odesa, Ukrainian officials said Tuesday, apparently as part of efforts to disrupt the supply lines and weapons shipments that have been critical to Kyiv’s defense.

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Finland, Sweden move closer to seeking NATO membership
The Finnish Parliament is expected to endorse the decision in the coming days. A formal membership application will then be submitted to NATO headquarters in Brussels, most likely at some point next week.

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Small wins buoy Ukraine; West says Russians losing momentum

Ukraine said it held off Russian offensives Sunday in the east, and Western military officials said the campaign Moscow launched there after its forces failed to seize the capital of Kyiv has slowed to a snail’s pace.

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Russia actually isn’t as good at information warfare as everyone thought

Russian memes are working about as well as Russian tanks.

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Here is another interview with a WWII veteran. Ira Friedman fought in WWII and Korea. His story has two near death experiences:

I sat with Ira Friedman for a short interview that was loaded with drama:

Tell me of some of your moments that you faced death.

I was getting ready to head to Korea to help fight the war. We were in a hanger in formation, when I saw an old friend from WWII. I wanted to be on the same plane leaving as he was. I raised me hand and requested to be moved from plane one to plane two and the sergeant barked out, NO!

I looked around the hanger and saw a man that looked like he was in charge. He was a captain. I asked him the same question and he refused at first, but I persisted. He shouted, “Get on the damn second plane and get out of my hair.”

I was excited and even sat next to by buddy. About half way to our destination we heard from the pilot that the first plane had crashed killing everyone on board. I was suppose to be on that plane. (Near death experience # 1)

I asked him if there was another time he felt he faced death.

He said that when he was at a briefing in Korea, a Lt. said there was need to have seven men go on a reconnaissance mission. He pointed at me and said, “You are one of them.” I quickly told him none of the men had ever been on reconnaissance. He shouted as he broke his point stick. “That is an order!

Seven of us went on that mission and only three of us came back alive. (Near death experience # 2)

I asked him how he got in two wars

I had just gotten out of the military after WWII when the Korean conflict erupted. They drafted me again because of my experience.

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Come back often to read more amazing interviews with veterans . Many had near death experiences. Better yet, click on the Subscribe tab at the top of this page. When you do all future posts will come directly to your inbox.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you struggling?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 14,710 veterans on this site who have your back.

Here is what I am asking you to do…please share this site with as many other veterans as you can. It has helped so many.

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If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

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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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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

Posted on

Pentagon in damage control over report that US intel was used to kill Russian generals

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________________________________________________________________

Military news…

‘The king of battle’ — How US artillery in the hands of Ukrainians may reshape the war with Russia

We’ve always called it ‘the king of battle'”

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Pentagon in damage control mode over report that US intel was used to kill Russian generals

“We do not provide intelligence on the location of senior military leaders on the battlefield or participate in the targeting decisions of the Ukrainian military.”

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Why the Army cut back on incoherent screaming by drill sergeants on day 1 of basic training

“Nothing’s really changed other than we’re not screaming in their faces.”

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When the Coast Guard put missiles on cutters and afterburners on jets

The Coast Guard of the 80s was led by a man with a heroic past and .45 caliber sidearm.

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Pentagon urges Congress to pass supplemental Ukraine aid bill swiftly as funding for weapons runs low
Only $100 million remains of a $3.5 billion authority granted by Congress in March to pull weapons and equipment from U.S. inventories and ship them to Ukrainians battling Russian forces, chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

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Taiwan invasion would be risky move for Chinese leadership, defense experts say

An effort by Beijing to invade Taiwan that provoked a US response would be a ‘huge disaster’ that could cost Chinese President Xi Jinping his job, according to an American security expert.

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North Korean media are staying silent on regime’s latest missile launches

North Korea’s latest launch came three days before South Korea’s president-elect is inaugurated in Seoul.

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I will be skipping my usual excerpt from my upcoming book. Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life. This month is military appreciation month.

Keep coming back to see more excerpts from the book. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on Subscribe. When you do all future posts will come directly to your inbox.

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I am proud to say I am a veteran. I served with honor. My family has a history of being in the military. I had three uncles who fought in WWII; two received Purple hearts. I was in the Army and was deployed to Korea. My son was a career soldier and retired as a Colonel. Three generations of loyal Americans.

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Would I go back in if they had a way to let me? In a New York minute! I am sadden by what is happening in our world and we as a nation need to stand up and take notice. We do not need to go fight in every little skirmish around the world, but we also need to defend those who are in danger.

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This Military Appreciation Month, I hope you will take an extra minute to recognize the sacrifices made by our Nation’s service members.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you struggling?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 14,645 veterans on this site who have your back.

Here is what I am asking you to do…please share this site with as many other veterans as you can. It has helped so many.

______________________________________________________________

If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

_______________________________________________________________

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

________________________________________________________________

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

Posted on

WWII Veteran Falls Out of His Bunk, and Ends Up in 20 Different Hospitals

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

________________________________________________________________

Military news…

Combat death puts spotlight on Americans fighting in Ukraine

An undetermined number of Americans — many with military backgrounds — are thought to be in the country battling Russian forces beside both Ukrainians and volunteers from other countries even though U.S. forces aren’t directly involved in fighting aside from sending military materiel, humanitarian aid and money.

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Germany: Quitting Russian oil imports by late summer is ‘realistic’

Germany says it is making progress on weaning itself off Russian fossil fuels and expects to be fully independent of Russian crude oil imports by late summer.

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Some civilians evacuated from Mariupol steel plant

Some women and children were evacuated from a steel plant that is the last defensive stronghold in the bombed-out ruins of the port city of Mariupol, a Ukrainian official and Russian state news organizations said, but hundreds are believed to remain trapped with little food, water or medicine.

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Rep. Kinzinger introduces measure to allow US military intervention if Russia uses chemical weapons

Speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” the Illinois Republican said the joint resolution would not be a mandate for the Democratic president but rather a measure that would provide an option for Biden’s administration while also sending a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin as he pursues war with Ukraine.

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Hacking Russia was off-limits, but the Ukraine war made it a free-for-all

Experts anticipated a Moscow-led cyber assault; instead unprecedented attacks by hacktivists and criminals have wreaked havoc in Russia.

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US weapons stockpiles will not be depleted to dangerous levels for Ukraine war, military officials tell senators
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a subpanel of the Senate Appropriations Committee that the Pentagon is closely watching its inventories and working with the defense industry to replenish weapons such as Javelin and Stinger missiles as soon as possible.

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Army’s Gen. Cavoli nominated to lead US and NATO forces in Europe

Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, who has led U.S. Army Europe and Africa for the past four years, will replace U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, if confirmed.

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Here is an interview with a WWII veteran who was in 20 different hospitals.

My interview is with George Woodruff. We had become good friends. He is a WWII and Korean veteran. He is an American hero. Not because of what he did while in the military, but what he has done for his fellow veterans.

He is allowing me to share his name.

George Woodruff is a full time resident at Trinka Davis. Way back in his early military career he fell out of a top three tiered bunk and landed on his head. That would be the beginning of years of hospital times and many trips to the ER.

SOH

George, I want to thank you for taking the time to visit with me today. I am honored to be talking to you. Tell me about your early time in the military. When did you enlist?

George

August 8th, 1944.

SOH

Where did you do your Boot camp?

George

I did my boot camp at camp Downes, Great Lake Lakes Naval Training Center.

SOH

How was boot camp?

George

It was not Picnic! March… march… march, until you thought your legs would fall off. Then we had to wear a gas mask; enter a large chamber where you had to remove your gas mask. Tears ran down my face!

Boot camp was tough, but you learned to follow orders that might keep you alive when the actual shooting started. We became men during boot camp.

SOH

Where did you go after boot camp?

George

I was assigned to Basic Engineering School. I was temporarily transferred to the Replacement Depot. It had triple decker bunks there. I figured this was an accident waiting to happen since I was assigned the top bunk. They had no railings back then. And of course it did happen. I woke up one morning finding myself lying face down on the concrete floor. My nose was broken. I went to the aid station and the medical corpsman straightened up my nose.

I had no idea how serious my injuries from the fall actually were. I was to find this out the hard way over the many years as problems caused by the fall worsened.

I was in Army Hospitals 7 times during my service. Three of these were in Germany during the Berlin Airlift. I was in Navy Hospitals twice, once at Great Lakes for Scarlet Fever and once at Oakland Naval Hospital.
Since getting out of service I have been in VA Hospitals more than 20 times over the years.

SOH

Were there any incidents that stood out during your training?

George

We had a slightly overweight sailor who as not too clean. He bathed rarely. We finally grabbed him and took him to the shower. We used a stiff brush and soap and scrubbed him until his skin was red. From that day on that sailor was the cleanest guy in the barracks.

SOH

Tell me more on how your fall affected you as you went along in the service.

George

It was during the training period that problems from my fall began to manifest themselves. I would have periods of extreme irritability and occasional memory loss.

SOH

Did the fall cause you problems in your daily duties?

George

Yes, one day I was driving a forklift and blacked out. I went over the edge of a wall and crashed down onto a large diesel engine a few feet below. I was sent to Oakland Naval Hospital for evaluation and treatment. While I was in the hospital, Japan agreed to surrender on August 14th, 1945. Atom bombs had been dropped on Hiroshima, and Nagasaki.

SOH

What happened to you after your hospital visit?

George

I was honorably discharged on September 29th, 1945. I was awarded a 100% disability.

SOH

I see you were also in the Army, how did that happen?

George

I met a Sergeant in Houston who happened to be a recruiter. He invited me to his office, and he had a small bar. We had a few beers. I took some tests he asked me to take. We have several more beers. When I woke up the next morning, I was on a train to Ft. Ord, California! I had somehow joined the Army in 1947! (I did my basic at Ft. Ord, Just like George did. We have a lot in common.)

SOH

George went on to be trained at the Vent Hill Farms Station near Warrenton, Virginia. He was training for the Army Security Agency. (I too was trained to be an ASA trooper.) They trained people to do be radio intercept operators, cryptologist, and radio repair technicians.

SOH

I notice you spent much of your time at many different hospitals. That must have been tough.

George

I was in VA hospitals over seven times during my military days and over twenty times so far after I was discharged.

SOH

Let’s talk about now. One of the things you really had a hard time with was being separated from your wife Jeannie. Share your thoughts on that.

(Jeannie began to have memory loss and needed to be sent to a special facility that cares for those problems, and George had to be in a VA facility because of his problems. They had to live in separate places.)

“When Jeanne and I could no longer live together I felt like my world had ended. After so many years of a wonderful marriage we were torn apart by our failing health. It broke my heart and took away my reason for living.”
 
(This is an actual quote from George in an email to me.)
 
SOH
George now lives at the Trinka Davis Assisted Living Facility, in Corrollton, Georgia. This is a VA facility for military only. It was started by the good graces by Trinka Davis, who donated millions to get it started. 
 
SOH
 
George is now on hospice care, and has many ailments including congestive heart failure, diabetes, hearing loss, stenosis of the spine, problems still from his head injury, and many other ailments. He still has a very positive attitude. He has been an inspiration to me, and I will never forget him. He is a true American hero.
 
 
·        
 
In honor of my good friend George Woodruff, I am going share a poem he wrote in February of 2014. He told me he was extremely depressed when he wrote this poem, because he knew he would be separated from his wife Jeannie soon. 
 
Saga of a Disabled World War II Veteran
 
Time has passed me by and now I’m sick and old, nearly blind, kidneys failing, stenosis crippling my spine.
 
A pair of painful legs that no longer function or hold me up, a power wheelchair for this worn out old carcass of mine. 
 
So I guess I’ll bear this continual depression and pain. 
 
Until the Supreme Architect above finally takes me away. So God if you are up there somewhere listening to my prayer,
 
I would really appreciate it if you decide to do it today!
 
George Woodruff

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There will be more interviews in future posts. My next one will be with a Vietnam veteran. He has some very scary situations he had to go through. Keep coming back to see more. Better yet…God tot he top of this page and click on Subscribe. When you do all future posts will come directly to your inbox.

________________________________________________________________

Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you struggling?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 14,572 veterans on this site who have your back.

Here is what I am asking you to do…please share this site with as many other veterans as you can. It has helped so many.

______________________________________________________________

If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

_______________________________________________________________

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

_______________________________________________________________

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.