Going Through the Military Gas Chamber of Life is Hard at Best

+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…

Traumatic Brain Injury Classifications Are Leading to Preventable Deaths, Report Says

The terms “mild,” “moderate,” and “severe” used by doctors to annually categorize head injuries in roughly two million Americans, are outdated and imprecise, and treatments based on those terms are leading to increased medical costs and preventable deaths, according to a report published Feb. 1.

_____________________

Documents Reveal U.S. Military’s Frustration With White House, Diplomats Over Afghanistan Evacuation

Senior White House and State Department officials ignored intelligence on the Taliban’s advance on Kabul and resisted efforts by U.S. military leaders to start evacuating embassy personnel and Afghan allies weeks before the capital’s collapse.

_____________________

Judge drops all charges against Navy corpsman accused of killing former Green Beret

_____________________

_Americans were promised an ‘orderly and safe’ withdrawal from Afghanistan. US troops say it was anything but.

“The crowd there was crushing women and children up against the barricade

___________________________________________________________

Here is another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

___________________________________________________________

I’ve Been Gased!

One of the parts of basic training was to learn about chemical warfare. They taught us about what the gases were, and what effect they had on people.

The hardest part of this training is that you had to go through their “gas chamber,” yourself. You could carry your gas mask, but you couldn’t put it on in the chamber until you shouted your military serial number you were assigned, and then on some occasions they might ask you other questions.

This is while your eyes feel like they are coming out of your head, and tears are so thick in your eyes you can’t see at all. You are coughing and spitting out words that may seem nonsensical to others, but for you it was desperation to literally feel like you you’re just trying to stay alive.

19658538….No it’s 19768538…No it’s….19635854. You keep trying to get your serial number right. It is hard because your brain is being fried.

You finally get through the maze, and you are out the other side. You can barely see the other men lying on the grass, all coughing and sneezing just like you are. You take several deep breaths, and you begin to feel better.

You have been through a “gas chamber,” in your life. The day you went to find out you were going to be deployed to Iraq, or Afghanistan. For us older guys it would be Korea, or Vietnam. To a few good men and women that are still with us, it was WWII.

It is a time of a sudden crash of everything you thought was OK. It stops your heart for a second, and you sense instant fear of the unknown.

This is the time we find out what our true character is. Like when I was on a plane ready to be shipped to the Bay of Pigs. I was in fear, but in my heart I was ready to do whatever it took to defend those who needed help. I am sure you felt the same way.

Fear is not a bad thing, as I have said before. It keeps us on the right track to being alert, and ready.

We can also face this fear by knowing that we have a God that is right there with us each step we take. He is there to guide us and keep us out of harm’s way, if that is His will.

Be proud that you have, or are now serving your country. Don’t let the tear gases of life get you down. Always remain strong, and be a good example for all those around you.

IWILL

I may be pushing the thought of facing fear in the military a little hard in this book, but I think that is one of the overwhelming factors that cause us to go through depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and the many other usual suspects that haunt in while serving our country.

Fear is, sometimes, not a bad thing. It can get us in an alert mood that keeps us keen on the task ahead. 

Think About This

Isn’t it funny that sometimes fear gives us more strength and courage?

____________________________________________________________

There will be more excerpts coming so come back aften. Better yet… go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe.” When you do all future posts will come directly to you in box.

_____________________________________________________________

Checking in on you…How are you doing? Are you struggling with memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 13,825 fellow veterans here who have your back.

If you are battling mentally, because of your love for others, but it isn’t working, 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 no hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

_______________________________________________________________

+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.

Latest Military News that May Affect Us

There are 21 new subscribers since I last posted. Welcome to each of you! Amazing things are happening here lately.

___________________________________________

I decided to make this Military news day. The following is the latest news about what may affect us:

 PREVENTS Roadmap Released: On Wednesday, VFW Washington Office Executive Director B.J. Lawrence attended the release of the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS), which is a nationwide plan for ending suicide. The PREVENTS Task Force calls for a number of steps to be taken, including a nationwide public health campaign to change the culture around suicide and mental health, launch a National Research Strategy for effective solutions for the prevention of suicide, and build partnerships among organizations to share best practices. 

VA to Host Virtual Women Veterans Event June 23: Next week, the VFW will join VA Acting Deputy Secretary Pam Powers who will host an event for women veterans on June 23 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. EST. VA Secretary Robert Wilkie will kick off the event to include presenters from all three VA administrations, as well as the Center for Women Veterans, and the Veterans Experience Office. The discussion will focus on how VA responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, address how VA has changed as a result of it, and the post-pandemic environment.

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced three new identifications for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from WWII and the Korean War.

TRICARE Dental Program Increasing Annual Maximum: United Concordia, the TRICARE Dental Program contractor, announced it will be raising every enrollee’s annual maximum an additional $300. For the contract year that runs from May 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021, the annual maximum will be $1,800. The change is automatic. Enrollees do not need to take any action for this to apply. 

_______________________________________________

How are you doing? Things aren’t exactly rosy right now. It is hard to watch the news anymore.

There is tension now in the Philippians. The United States, and the Philippine armies are training together. This does not make China happy. Apparently the Chinese have been trying to frighten the Philippians by having hundreds of war ships pass by their country. We will see what happens there.

_____________________________________________

Many of the Generals seem to fighting back against President Trump and his wishes to use the regular Army to clean up the rioting areas. I can see both sides here.

What really has to happen is this:

If you notice that every place there is rioting, burning of businesses, and looting, is run by the democrats. Coincidences? I don’t think so. Those “leaders,” need to get tough and take charge. Clear out their own mess!!

We really do not need the National Guard. We need strong people who live there to step up.

__________________________________________

How are you holding up during this storm we are going through? Is it getting overwhelming?

I know your pain. I have been struggling. The main thing I cling to is that no one can intimidate me. I will not back down. I will remain strong, and reach out to others who need help.

If it is getting a little dicey for you and your need help. Call the crises line below:

1-800-273-8255 Do not delay. It could be your life line.

You should never feel you are weak if you seek help. Do not let people think that since you are a veteran, you should tough it out. I needed help and I got it.

______________________________________________________________

If you like what this site has to offer, please go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe.” When you do all future posts will go directly to your in box. Also, please tell others you may think could use this site as well.

_____________________________________________________________

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

Hope for Those Who Suffer in this Economy

                Don’t Close the Door on Life. Stay Strong and Survive

 

It seems like things will be getting worse before they get better. The economy showed signs of recovering in the market today, but the jobless rate hasn’t  budged. People are still struggling.

I got an email from an 84 year old man this evening and he said that the last three months have been the toughest in his whole life time. He is 84 years  old and struggling financially.

This type of situation has led many people to battle self doubt, anxiety, fear, depression, hopelessness, and all the other usual suspects.

What re we to do? What will happen to all of us if this keeps up? These are questions that many people are asking right now.

Let me give you some thoughts to try to help you through these troubling times:

  • Don’t ever give up. Remain strong. You will persevere by just decided that nothing can force you to collapse.
  • Try to enjoy the little things while the economy is faltering. Go to the park. Rent DVDs instead of going to the movies. Buy the store brands instead of the expensive brands.
  • Make some great home cooked meals that you found in the old recipe book you found on the shelf. If it was good for our elders it still must be good. By cooking your own meals you will save money from not eating out. Have  a “family,” meal. That means everyone sitting down at the table at the same time. Actually do some talking. Won’t that be different?
  • Go one a vacation with in driving distance. You can just as much fun somewhere closer as you can hundreds of miles away.

I realize that these aren’t exciting solutions. What we probably really need to talk about is how to cope in this troubled world.

My book, Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World, talks directly to you as readers about how to do that very thing. It shares ways to fight anxiety, fear, depression, self doubt, hopelessness, etc.

You can read some excerpts from, Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World, when you sign up for my free newsletter. You can do that by going over to the right side bar and clciking on the icon that talks about subscribing.

Notice that you will also receive a free eBook that I have written called, The Top 25 Ways to Survive in a Troubled World. There are 25 ideas on how to stay tough during these hard times. It is yours for free just by subscribing.

When you subscribe you also have a chance to win free books. Many will have the authors autograph in them.

The book being featured right now is called, Moments this Good: The Softer Side of Alzheimer’s. It is written by Bonnie Nester. It is the story of Bonnie’s mother Ruth. It is kind of like a dairy with many heart breaking stories, but also some that make you chuckle. Bonnie has autographed the book for you.

So if you sign-up right now, you get:

  1. A free newsletter full of excerpts from: Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World. Three other pages with interesting articles on them. A brand new page that will come out in the next issue is for writers. It will be called: Becoming Famous Before you are Famous. This alone is worth signing up for if you are a writer or even have thoughts of being a writer. It teaches you how to get known before you go to the publisher.
  2. A free Ebook called, The Top 25 Ways to Survive in a Troubled World. It shares many ways to cope.
  3. Free books with autographs in them through a drawing that is held every two weeks.

It hard to understand why someone would pass this up, but I am tooting my own horn. I happen to think that you would love any part of the three free bees above.

I hope you take advantage of this and sign-up.

OUT!