Tag: surgeries

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Drinking Too Much Moonshine Can Make you very Blind

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Since I have been a member of the social network RallyPoint, (There are 1.8 million members there. All military.) I have many new military friends. They are as close as a brother or sister.

I suggest that you check it out. You may find some of your military buddies that you served with.

www.rallypoint.com/join/655611-spc-douglas-bolton

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Military news

“I made a quick decision” is the understatement of the year, but it’s how Army Sgt. 1st Class Jedadia Powell made his move to rush inside a burning house to save two women and a dog back in 2017. He made sure nobody else was in the house, and then he went right back to work after first responders arrived on the scene. Now, more than three years after the event, the Oregon National Guardsman received the Soldier’s Medal for his efforts.

The GI Film Festival San Diego Is A Socially Distanced Way to Enjoy Movies
See compelling and inspiring stories with a military or veteran connection at the 2021 GI Film Festival San Diego. Films and post-screening discussions are offered as online showtimes or as an on-demand rental. The all-virtual festival starts May 18.

+I checked this out and there are 38 films, documentaries, to see. Great choice.

U.S. veterans scramble to help interpreters left behind
More than 17,000 are hung up in dangerous immigration mire.
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When I got back to the states from Korea, I was sent to Ft. Bragg. I did pretty much the same work as I did in Korea.

One time our unit was sent on Bivwak to Virginia. We had all our equipment set up, and settled in.

Me and two other buddies went on a walk to see the area. We came across an elderly lady who greeted us. Actually she was being persistent in having us come in and have coffee with her. We soon realized she wanted to have sex with us and we moved on.

Further on the walk we saw three guys sitting together on a hillside. They invited us up. We quickly realized that they were moonshiners. They had the equipment to make booze near them. We sat down and heard some great stories about the moonshine business.

They offered to have us try their mix. We politely agreed. My first sip almost blew my head off! I very slowly finished my drink that was in a mason jar.

One of my buddies really liked it and asked for more. The guys were thrilled he liked it and gave him another drink. My buddy had two more after that.

Then he screamed, “I am blind!!” The three men laughed and said “You drank too fast. You will be fine in a few hours.”

We guided our buddy back to our camp and got him laid down.

On that same trip I was riding with a buddy up in the mountains in the area. He was driving.

There were no safety belts back then.

As we came around a curve we saw a boulder right in our way. The driver swerved to miss the boulder, but the force threw me out of the jeep right on top of the boulder, back first.

I hit the boulder with a tremendous force since we were going about thirty miles an hour. I blacked out as soon as I hit the boulder. The forced also caused me to have a whiplash.

I woke up in a medical tent.

I started screaming in pain. My lower back was one solid brush, and my neck was really painful.

The medic rushed over and gave me some morphine. That really helped.

I have had to have three neck and back surgeries since that day.

These two stories are in my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the trenches of Life.

Be sure to keep checking back in to see further excerpts and updates as to how the book is coming along.

Better yet… if you subscribe by going to the top of this page and click on “subscribe,” you will get all further posts sent directly to your inbox.

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How is your world turning. Too fast? Is it spinning out of control?

FEAR NOT!

There are over, 11,900 fellow veterans here who have your back.

However, if you feel you are on a rollercoaster ride, GET HELP!

Here is a toll free number that is available 24/7.

There are highly qualified counselors there to help you. They will not hang up until they know you are OK.

Never get on the rollercoaster ride of life alone!

1-800-273-8255 Option # 1

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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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Americans Need to Fight Back and Defeat a very Dangerous Congress Bill

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I am close to blowing up from not releasing steam.

I have some serious doubts about our leadership in Congress, and even the White House.

Nancy Pelosi rammed a bill through the house that will destroy our country in many ways.

Most that it will shove us into Socialism. The bill H.R. 1, is meant to abolish the Filibuster. We have had the Filibuster for years, and even the Democrats have used it to ram things through the Senate. Now they want to get rid of it because they have such a close vote in the Senate a tie would many that V.P. Harris would make the deciding vote.

They would then ram many anti American bills through the same way.

I usually do not get on my soapbox and scream, but I am now.

Please contact your senators from your state and ask them to vote no on this horrible bill. It is anti American.

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That was a heavy rant. Sorry!

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I have another endorsement for you. My last post I had Steve Durgin, the CEO of one of the greatest non profit charities for veterans, called, Victory for Veterans.

I also had Colonel Dona Marie Iversen a retired nurse who was a fight nurse in charge of surgeries while flying wounded to the hospitals.

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Now I am going to share an endorsement from a daughter who lost her military father to suicide.

Learn from the best, Douglas Bolton, U.S. Army Veteran who has written a great book for all veterans, active duty service members of all branches, military families, friends and non-veterans. It provides a thorough understanding, knowledge, and the real stories among those who have served and their families that compliment today’s American Veterans.  Signs of Hope for the Military: In an Out of the Trenches of Life can make a big difference in today’s understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its affects.  As the daughter of Vietnam Marine Veteran that suffered all of his life with PTSD and then finally ended his own life, it will make a big difference in your life as you read the personal stories.  This author does a great job of creating a sense of urgency by calling it a “must-read,” and ends with a powerful “call to action” for the reader. 

Bella L. Burroughs

Daughter of WWII Veteran

Castle Rock, CO

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Are you holding up OK? Is the world spinning too fast for you?

Has PTSD ravaged your life?

Fear not!

There are over 11,700 fellow veterans here who have your back.

Trust me my friend, if it is still too hard to face life, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number to call 24/7.

There are highly qualified counselors there to help you. They will not hang u until they know you are OK.

DO NOT take on this not so friendly world alone.

1-800-273-8255 Option # 1

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Remember:

You are not alone.

You are not forsaken.

You are not 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 about it.

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A Man is Shot by a Sniper and Survives

I have a full post today. It will be long, but I think you will find lots of interesting information.

+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 for the site, please let them know about it. You may be saving a life. Your comments will not be seen by other people, just me, and I will connect with you to see if you are OK to share it.

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This story is about a soldier who was shot by a sniper. It is an amazing story of survival.

On January 18, 2008, a bullet pierced Russell “Russ” Kaufmann’s neck while he was on patrol in Iraq. It was the only place on this body not covered by a helmet or armor.

“I wasn’t scared. I was thinking, ‘This is it, I’m going to die.’”

While the bullet tore his flesh, it was the massive blood loss that did the most damage. It caused two strokes. Russ credits his survival to the excellent care he received in Germany and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He also credits his determination to live. But his life changed forever.

After multiple surgeries and strokes, he is a man unable to talk and has several physical limitations. Those limitations include aphasia, weakness on the right side of his body and difficulty with his vision. Aphasia is an impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read and write.

Suddenly, Russ became a man who can see and understand the world, but no longer fully engage with it.

Finding alternative ways of communicating

Russ receives treatment at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Speech Language clinic in Tampa. Russ is working with a VHA speech language pathologist to restore as much speech and language as possible. He also is finding alternative ways to communicate.

“Oh… he’s amazing for sure. He has a memory like a steel trap. He also has knowledge for days and phenomenal mental flexibility and use of communication strategies,” said Karyn Pingel, his speech pathologist.

“If I don’t understand what he’s trying to convey, he immediately uses his smart phone to communicate through pictures or draws his own picture,” Pingel said. “Russ will also gesture or pantomime to get his message across. I have been blessed with his presence in Tampa. I love every opportunity to work with him.” Learning and using different nonverbal ways to communicate has enabled Russ to continue his path to recovery. He now lives independently and volunteers

What an amazing hero!

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White House, VA launch REACH — a call to action to engage the nation in preventing suicide

WASHINGTON – The White House and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today launched the REACH national public health campaign aimed at empowering all Americans to play a critical role in preventing suicide. 

The goal of REACH, which was established by the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS), is to change the conversation around suicide by urging people to recognize their own risk and protective factors — as well as the risk and protective factors of their loved ones. 

“REACH will empower our nation’s Veterans to seek and receive help and it will encourage them to reach out to their brothers and sisters in need who may be vulnerable,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “The power of this campaign will change how we talk about mental health and suicide in our nation. It will ensure that those in need, especially the men and women who have served our great nation, will receive the care and support they deserve.” 

“The REACH campaign will inspire and educate all Americans — encouraging them to share their own struggles and to reach out to those who are hurting. It will engage our Veterans to help lead the way as we change how we think about, talk about and address suicide,” said PREVENTS Executive Director Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen. “I urge everyone to go to wearewithinreach.net and take the PREVENTS Pledge to REACH and be part of the solution. Together, we will prevent suicide.” 

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I am now switching gears to share some endorsements for my new upcoming book called, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

These aren’t friends or family endorsements. These are from powerful military leaders who have looked at the book:

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

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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

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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 for the site, please let them know about it. You may be saving a life. Your comments will not be seen by other people, just me, and I will connect with you to see if you are OK to share 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!