HIMARS Rockets Have Been a Game Changer in Ukraine.

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Military news…

He Lost One of his Marines to Suicide. Maybe Being Honest About his Blind Spots Will Help.

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Pentagon Suspends F-35 Deliveries After Discovering Materials From China

The Pentagon has temporarily halted delivery of F-35 fighter jets to the military branches and international customers after Lockheed Martin discovered a metal component used in the jet’s engine had come from China, according to the Pentagon.

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Amid a US Teacher Shortage, Florida Turns to Military Veterans

So many Florida teachers have abandoned their profession in recent years that the state is inviting military veterans with no prior teaching experience to lead classrooms while they earn education credentials.

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HIMARS Rockets Have Been a ‘Game Changer’ in Ukraine, and the US Army Is Now Looking for Ways to Build Up to 500 More

The Army’s formal request for information comes as Ukraine uses its new US-supplied M142 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems to conduct devastating strikes against Russian forces.

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WWII veteran and paratrooper Jim ‘Pee Wee’ Martin dies at 101

James “Pee Wee” Martin — a celebrated and much-loved World War II veteran who parachuted into France with Allied troops on D-Day — died Sunday, according to a post on his personal Facebook page. He was 101 years old.

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I am sharing another chapter from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life, that discusses getting hurt and what do you do?

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Do I Need to Be Tough in the Military?

I spent twelve hour days on hill 468 in Korea. (That’s the number I remember. Each hill was numbered.) You were up there alone to run the whole operation. I worked in a 2 ½ ton truck with a radio shack placed on top of it.  You were closed into a little area where you could reach both walls from where you sat. The shacks were only about eight to ten feet long.

If you had trouble with claustrophobia, this was not the job for you.

One night everything came to a stop. The generator had stopped. I went out to check and it was out of gas. I had to climb up on the generator to put more gas in. I was doing just fine until I slipped. I started to fall off the generator. I grabbed the first thing I could. Unfortunately it was the extremely hot manifold. It burnt the whole palm of my hand.

There was not one person to take my place, as the soldier who was my replacement was on leave. I had to operate the radio system with my hand wrapped in a cloth, and I was in severe pain.

I could have radioed down to the base, but you were supposed to be a soldier first and a cry baby later. I finished the night. Luckily I only had about three hours to go when I had my accident. I was off duty for over a week while my hand recovered.

Have you had a sudden incident change your path? Did you feel like crying out for help, but didn’t think you should because of how tough we as soldiers are supposed to be?

I am sure many of you have while you were in the service, or are still there.

What do we do about this?

I am convinced now that there is no shame in seeking help. There is no time when you should ever feel that your integrity will be hurting if you seek help for something.

It could a minor injury or it could be harassment. It could that you need to see a counselor for some issues you are going through.

The tough guy/gal theory has no place in the military. It is good to be tough when you are in a trench fighting for your country, but when you need some special help, get it.   

Don’t let the rigors of daily military life drag you down like a huge magnate. Seek help for whatever you think you need help with. 

IWILL

So many soldiers go on with their lives in pain, because they have too much pride or fear they will be looked down on for seeking help. Never allow this to happen. Get help and this will make your time in the military, or in the private sector, go much smoother.

Think About This

Isn’t it sad how those who pick on us, for what they perceive as a weakness, have many of their own weaknesses?

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Keep coming back to see other chapters. Better yet…got to the top of this page and 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 15,219 Veterans on this site who have your back.

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.

+Now there is an easier way to get help. Just dial 988, and you will have help ready for you.

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Recreationists Helping Veterans with Wheelchair Games

Thanks to all of you who have been joining me here. We help bring change to lives. The response has been wonderful.  

We Made it to 5,000! Never dreamed we would do that. Thank you so much for the support. It also excites us that you are supporting veterans. That is our theme here right now. 

Help us make it to 6,000 by subscribing today if you haven’t already. This shows you care for veterans. Just click on the icon right after the title of this post and click on FEEDBLITZ , and the posts will come straight to your inbox.                            ____________________________________________________________

Doug Bolton, the founder of the blog, Signs of Hope, which is at www.dailysignsofhope.com, has written a new book, “Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.” It reaches out the many military and veterans who may be battling anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, rejections, and the many other usual suspects. There are 22 military connected suicides every day. That is almost one every hour. Doug wants to help stop those statistics.  

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This is a new social network just for veterans. I joined it and made instant friendships with veterans who want to talk about what I want to talk about. Please check it out. You will be glad you did. 

https://www.rallypoint.com/join/spc-douglas-bolton

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The National Veterans Wheelchair Games are coming to Seattle.

The year was 1987. Seriously injured in a car accident while on active duty with the U.S. Army, then 18-year-old Veteran Jimmy Green was paralyzed from the waist down and thought his life was over.

Nine years later, he would find new life when he was introduced to the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Seattle, Wash., by a Paralyzed Veterans of America National Service Officer. He says the experience redefined him and gave his life purpose.

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Here are some articles that are helping veterans

 

Recreational therapists play an important role in providing service to Veteran patients in a variety of ways.

“Helping Veterans take part in the things they enjoy is crucial for, not just their physical health, but their mental health,” said Lin Hales, Lead Recreation Therapist, Bay Pines VAHCS

“When someone is unable to physically take part in meaningful leisure pursuits, it can lead them to questioning their purpose and abilities in other aspects of life. Our program focusses on helping Veterans realize what they can do, instead of what they can’t,” she continued.

One of the ways in which recreation therapy helps Veterans realize their potential is through patient education.

“We provide Veterans with resources to a variety of materials and equipment, showing them that adaptations can be made to the activities they enjoy,” Hales said.

Fencing is great therapy and rehabilitation for Hayes. She credits her recent success to practicing the sport two to four times per week.

Recreational therapists play an important role in providing service to Veteran patients in a variety of ways.

“Helping Veterans take part in the things they enjoy is crucial for, not just their physical health, but their mental health,” said Lin Hales, Lead Recreation Therapist, Bay Pines VAHCS

“When someone is unable to physically take part in meaningful leisure pursuits, it can lead them to questioning their purpose and abilities in other aspects of life. Our program focusses on helping Veterans realize what they can do, instead of what they can’t,” she continued.

One of the ways in which recreation therapy helps Veterans realize their potential is through patient education.

“We provide Veterans with resources to a variety of materials and equipment, showing them that adaptations can be made to the activities they enjoy,” Hales said.

Fencing is great therapy and rehabilitation for Hayes. She credits her recent success to practicing the sport two to four times per week.

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VA’s top 5 tips for a successful job interview

When it comes to interviews, planning is essential to success. Not only does it demonstrate professionalism, it also puts you in a position to be prepared and at your best. So when you have your next interview scheduled, follow these tips and be ready to impress:

1. Be Prepared. Before walking into the interview, review your resume and the job requirements to align yourself on your strengths, weaknesses, skills and experiences. Be ready to speak to what you can bring to the position, as well as what you hope to learn on the job.

2. Know the Organization. Use sites like Glassdoor to do some research on the organization, visit the company’s social pages and talk to others about their personal experiences before going in for an interview.

3. Look Your Best. Making a good first impression is crucial when interviewing for a job. Using what you know about the organization, get a feel for the office environment and dress appropriately. When in doubt, being overdressed is better than underdressed.

4. Be Enthusiastic. Speak clearly when making introductions and answering questions, and listen closely to the interviewer. Nerves can sometimes get in the way, but the best way to show you are interested in a role is to be engaged and excited.

5. Be Honest and Be Yourself. This one is key. Make sure the job is the right fit for you by simply being yourself and being honest about your intentions and goals.

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I hope every one of you doing well. You  are special. If you are a veteran, or a family member of a veteran THANK YOU!

If you  are feeling down, and the dark side seems to be pulling you down, never, ever, give up! Get help. There is a helpline for you 42/7:

1-800-273-8255

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all….never, ever, give up!!