When a Soldier Losses a Friend in Battle it can Cause PTSD

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Military news…

US approves sale of $120 million in warship parts to Taiwan, irking China

The sale comes as tensions between the U.S. and China over Taiwan simmer.

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US Army officer who witnessed horrific German train derailment recalls helping at ‘scariest scene’ of his life

Army Col. Charles Bergman happened upon one of Germany’s worst train crashes in years on Friday. He and others stopped traffic, called rescuers, helped people out of the creek, checked airways and wounds, laid injured people near the side of the road and tried to calm hysterical victims.

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Sailor rescues pregnant soldier from flooded Okinawa underpass
Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Tottingham had just finished his last watch and had two days left in the Navy, but intuition told him to check the tunnel for flooding, he said.

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North Korea slams Seoul’s part in massive US-led RIMPAC naval exercise

North Korea frequently criticizes the joint military exercises between the U.S. and the South and claims they are a rehearsal for the invasion.

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Austin calls out China for increasingly aggressive policy toward Taiwan

America’s policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged, but China’s relations toward that island have grown ever more aggressive and coercive.

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Seoul: North Korea fires suspected artillery pieces into sea

The suspected artillery launches were the latest in a spate of weapons tests by North Korea this year.

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Russia likely to seize control of eastern Ukrainian region within weeks, US official says

The Ukrainian cities of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, in Luhansk, are increasingly under duress and could fall to Russian forces within a week, the official said.

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I going to share a partial interview for my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life. This interview is with Staff Sergeant Michael Thorten. He was an Afghanistan veteran.

I have a lengthy interview with him, and this is just one segment of it.

What was the worst thing you had to face?

I was the head NCO for a unit that protected the convoys as they moved from one spot to another.

We were traveling alongside a convoy, when suddenly the vehicle ahead of me caught on fire. It was fully ingulfed by the time I jumped out and ran to it. Two of my soldiers were inside and couldn’t get out. They burned to death in front of our eyes.

I have relived that scene many times in my life. It doesn’t go away.

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This lead to PTSD for Michael. He has now recovered, and living a good life with his family.

This is just a partial interview with Michael. There is much more in the book. Keep coming back to see more interviews and stories. Better yet…go to the top of this page an click on subscribe. When you do all future posts will go directly to your inbox.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you fighting back memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 15,0105 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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Ukrainian strikes against Russian vessels are more than just lucky hits

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Military news…

Soldier who ran into burning helicopter in Vietnam War honored with street name

Sgt. Gary McKiddy was a member of the 1st Squadron, 9th Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary Division, when he was killed in action May 6, 1970, at age 20 in Cambodia after pulling fellow soldier Spc. Jim Skaggs from a burning helicopter.

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The Navy is unprepared to fight in two conflicts at once with current fleet size, the service’s top officer tells senators
The current fleet of about 298 ships “is not sized to handle two simultaneous conflicts,” Adm. Mike Gilday, the chief of naval operations, said during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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Ukrainian strikes against Russian vessels are more than just lucky hits

The destruction of at least eight Russian vessels in recent weeks points to an emerging strategic effort to break a Black Sea blockade that is strangling the Ukrainian economy.


North Korea fires 3 ballistic missiles off its eastern coast, South’s military says

North Korea launched three short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast on Thursday, according to South Korean military officials.

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Finland will apply to join NATO in decision welcomed by US and allies

Finland’s announcement of its intent to join NATO, prompted by Russia’s war on Ukraine, reverses Finland’s quasi-neutral status, which dates to the Cold War.

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US intelligence officials warn of prolonged war in Ukraine as Russia expands territorial goals
Fighting in Ukraine will be “significant” in the coming months as Russian President Vladimir Putin sets his sights beyond conquering the eastern Donbas region to building a land bridge across the entire Ukrainian Black Sea coast, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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Here is another “interview” with WWII veteran. I sat down to interview him, and after the first question, he never stopped talking.

I sat down with WWII veteran Bob Kosta, who is still alive at 97 years old recently, and had a very pleasant surprise. After I asked him one question, he talked for an hour about his experiences:

What rank did you have?

CPL.

I was sent to France to fight in the war with Germany. On the way there our ship’s propellers broke down, and we were dead in the water. There were German subs in the area. We were very lucky to get the propellers fixed before we were spotted. (Near death experience # 1)

Once we landed we pushed our way into the center of France.

While we were maneuvering we came across a cave full of Russian lady’s, who were hiding from the Germans. If they would have been found, they all would have been killed. We got them to safety.

Then at another spot we were pinned down by enemy fire. A buddy and I could only find one spot to hunker down. It was in a furrow. Whereas trenches are over six feet deep. a furrow is only about 12 inches deep, so some of your body was still sticking up. My buddy and I figured we were goners at that time.

Then we heard some equipment making noise behind us. It was two tanks. They came over the top of both of us and they opened the hatch and pulled us in. (Near Death Experience # 2.)

Then we came to some concentration camps. One was full of military people. We set them free. We also came to another centration camp full of Jews. We set them free too.

At another time our vehicle was lost. We tried to find our convoy, and saw one up ahead that we got in behind a followed. After a while we realized it was a German convoy, and exited left. (Near death experience # 3)

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Talk about a wild ride! Bob is a hero in my book. A true greatest generation person. Come back often, because I have at least two other WWII interviews. The both had near death experiences as well. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on Subscribe. When you all future posts will come directly to you inbox.

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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 14,700 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!

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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.

A National Guard Soldier Became a Hero During the Riots

What a wild weekend with no end in sight. Protesters are causing much damage and injury. It is senseless, because it isn’t about the death of someone any more. It is just plain anarchy.

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A story I saw today on TV was that a SUV was racing towards a crowd of protesters. The National Guard tried to get him to stop. He kept coming. They tried other methods to try to stop him. He kept coming.

A hero is born.

A Lone National Guard soldier fired three shots at the vehicle, because the driver was also heading toward some police officers who were right behind him .

All three bullets hit the SUV. The driver panicked and drove away.

That National Guardsman, saved many lives with his courage. He didn’t want to kill. He just shot at the rig and not at the windows.

You probably won’t hear much about this in the Fake news, but he is my hero.

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I thought I would share another interview with you today. This one may make you cry, or be angry:

Sgt Michael Thorin, was in charge of a group of vehicles, which was to guard the carvens that move from place to place. Their job was to fight off any agressers when they attack.

On one of the days they were ride along with a convoy, when the rig right in front of Sgt Thorn caught on fire with two men in it. Sgt Thorin jumped out of his rig and raced to the scene. It was too late. There was a massive fire immediately. He had to watch while his buddies burned to death.

He is still dealing with that today.

There is a much longer story and interview about this hero in my up coming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In an Out of the Trenches of Life.

I have many such interviews. Many very sad. Some very funny. I will try to let you see them as time goes by.

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How are you doing?

Have you lost buddies in battles? Have you been injured?

It is hard at best to face life, when things happen you can’t control.

I want you to know right here and now that I am here for you. I have your six. Please use the comment section to let me know any problems you are battling. Your comments will not be published unless you agree to let that happen.

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*If you like what you are reading, subscribe to this site by clicking on the subscribe button at the top of this page. When you do, you will receive all future posts right in your inbox. Please let others know about this site. Especially if they are veterans.

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Remember:

You are not alone.

You are not forsaken.

You are not unloved.

And above all….never, ever, give up!