Are all our problems only because of the War

When we are all young we are filled with ideas of how wonderful the world is and how easy it all must be. A dream of sugar plums and candy rain drops you could say. It takes tragedy and heart ack to wake you up, to rob you of your dreams. For some its a loss of a family member or friend, others are abused physical, mentally and sexually. Than for some it the loneliness that can happen when the whole world is working so hard to ensure that you have everything you want. These things sometimes have huge effect of our adult lives. We become with-drawn, manic, hyper, we become criminal, abusive, drug addicts, alcoholics we become so many things but with all these factors that play such a huge roles of our development when we are younger when do we start playing our own role? Are are these factors something the military should screen before enlistment into the military?

When you 17 you can join the US Armed Forces granted at 17 you must have a legal guardians signature to get you in but that's all you need (OK to start). You are shipped to basic training, drilled for 9 weeks, than shipped off to do more training where you are yelled at some more and in the end you are a well oiled machine... or so that's what we want you to be.

The question still remains when does all of the influences in our childhood become more than just distant memories. Are the vast problems that vets have after returning home from war because of the war or because of the traumatic influences of their childhood. If you look at most vets that come home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that are stress related as high as 10% admitted to being pysically and or sexually abuses as children. Than with vets that come home with PTSD that are more combat driven (Combat Arms jobs and major support jobs that are always in harms way) ranging from 5% to 30% admit to having vastly complex childhoods where drugs or alcohol where common in the home as well as 40% of them stated they where sexually abused.  Is it just the combat that brings out all the pain of our childhood we have focused so hard in our lives to forget or hide. Is it the pain of our childhoods that makes us able to relate to the pain around the world or does it hinder us and make us more subject able to more intense cases of PTSD.

PTSD can happen to anyone who experience a traumatic moment in their lives. This is not a disorder only for the military. PTSD can  be one of the worse things that happens to a veteran, if you look at the running line of problems that are currently stabbing all veterans right now it is this. PTSD is much more common than most would like to believe. About 3.6% of US adults ages 18-54 (5.2 million people) are effected directly with PTSD during the course of any given year. Of that some 30% of the men and women who return home from war zones experience PTSD. One million war veterans developed PTSD after serving Vietnam but sadly they did not have a country to help them when they returned.


PTSD personnel repeatedly re-experience the ordeal in the form of flashbacks, memories, nightmares, or frightening thoughts. This is all that more relevant when they are exposed to events or objects reminiscent of the trauma.  Anniversaries of the event can also trigger symptoms.

These triggers can cause reactions, they can cause such symptoms as emotional numbness and sleep disturbers, depression, anxiety. For many suffering with PTSD are irritable or have fits of sudden outburst of anger. Many Soldiers with PTSD state that they have guilt for not still being in combat or for friends that where hurt, killed or lost as a result of combat. They feel as if they have never give enough of themselves that they can always do more.

Most people who deal with PTSD try and avoid reminders or thoughts of the ordeal, PTSD can be diagnosed when symptoms last more than a months. Just as any other emotional disorders it takes time to get though it.

The great things to know about today is that our government seems to be ready to assist in combating this disorder. They are trying to get more VA assistance programs out just for homeless vets and vets that suffer from PTSD.  The American people seem to want to help and everyone (unlike the Vietnam Vets) seems to care about them. PTSD is a problem for more than just war vets.

Family members of the US Military who have lost a loved one due to war can cause some of these effects as well as people who are rapped, in a car accident, and so on. Please remember if you see someone who needs a friend be that friend and call someone to help. Suicide is not a joke and for most, PTSD is just the start of a possible Suicide.

Ride with pride when its Red, White and Blue! US Army Combat Vets

Understanding what happens in the End

Hello,

"For all who visit a National Cemetery it is an ah inspiring experience, the resting place of over 3 million American Hero's

I would like to go over a little bit about how it all ends. This can be so different for so many people and so many families but for Veterans it can be simple and peaceful. Every Veteran with an Honorable Discharge is authorized to be baried in our great National Cemeteries but many don't understand how do arrange it or what do when it comes to be that time. I can only say this one way, make sure you have either your discharge paperwork or DD 214 available because if your loved one passes away and they are a veteran than that is all you will need. You would contact the care taker or administration office of the local National Cemetery and give them that information and they would take care of the rest.

A little history on the National Cemeteries. Until the Civil War we had never had any kind of collective locations for Veterans of any war to be laid to rest at. President Lincoln was allocated funds by the US Congress to build cemeteries for the Civil War Casualties. Since than US Causality's from every war have been laid to rest in the 130 National Cemeteries across the country. All Veterans with an Honorable Discharge and their dependents are eligible for burial at no charge to their families as well as a marker or head stone a burial flag and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. These hollowed grounds have been being maintained and cared for for over 150 years now. They will be continued to be cared for as well, from my research many employs that tend to these places also served in the military and the ones that did not serve often consider it their civic duty to care for the grounds and the Service Members that rest their.

You can watch this on YouTube, its a great little clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81ESNHb9_YQ

I have more to post but for now this will be it, enjoy.

Ride with pride when its Red, White and Blue! US Army Combat Vets Jo White

Trying to start something

Hello,

I would like to talk about a Non-Profit Organization that is just starting up. The main purpose of this organization will be raise awareness of Veteran Benefits that many veterans do not know about. They will maintain an over watch of the Motorcycle Clubs that are affiliated with it. All activities in the local community and hopefully a national community in the future will conduct motorcycle rides that will assist in the organisations mission statement. All rides will be conducted in a respectful manor and will be for charity purposes maintaining a mileage tracker that will be requesting mileage pledges, they will also request donations of any type for fundraising and other charitable causes.

I was hoping to call it "Ride for a Reason," the name says it all, but sorry to say it is already taking by a group in California that is a cancer awareness group so I am currently working on calling it something else that will maintain the core meaning of what I want this to be. Currently it is made up of myself and possibly a few of  friends of mine that are all combat vets of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The ridding goals will be continuous rides around our amazing country stopping at local USO's, VFW's and American Legion chapters to raise awareness for benefits for veterans and to assist their local chapters anyway they may need. The rides will also have a main goal of stopping at every VA Hospital and Armed Forces Retirement Home to ensure proper care is being maintained and to assist in the needs of our devastated Vietnam vets. At every VA Hospitable, USO, VFW and American Legion to collect the wonderful stories of our past veterans to comprise a Veterans Blog of past and present.

I want to talk about something that needs to be addressed right now. I first want to explain what the Armed Forces Retirement Home is and what is means to veterans of America. I want to explain what it means to me and how much I love what I do as a US Army Soldier with combat experience.

The Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) in Washington DC and The Gulf port, Mississippi home is the only retirement centers of its kind. It is a place that for more than a century and a half, veteran Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen have enjoyed the finest lifestyles in their retirement. The tradition continues with both the Gulfport and Washington campuses of the AFRH. They model retirement centers with facilities and services designed with our residents in mind.

The two campuses provide outstanding services and amenities that rival those found throughout the United States. For those who meet the eligibility requirements there are no costly initiation to registration fees, and the monthly user fees are very affordable.

The Vision of the AFRH is simple, to actively nurture the health and wellness philosophy of aging while providing our nations heroes with a continuum of life care services in a community setting. Their mission is just a simple also, to fulfil our nations commitment to its veterans by providing a premier retirement community with exceptional residential care and extensive support services.

That was taking off of the AFRH website. Like I said I have had the privilege to volunteer there several times and I am not so happy with they way the Washington location is taking care of. Now please don't get me wrong or misconstrue the what I am saying. I am so happy that these places are here and that they are able to do what they can but our Nations hero's need more, they deserve more.

I think now is where I can start complaining a little as so. while I was there last I went to a lunch-in we will call it, the smells of the building where strong, most of the staff just seemed tired of working there,  like they didn't see how lucky they all where to not only having a job but having a job working for our vets. I was told by two vets that they had been being hit by the staff and when I asked around to other staff members I was told that they are just saying that to get attention (I find that so hard to believe). I also was able to see what happens to member that end up with dementia, they are put into a room with other members that have dementia and for the most part locked away in the basement. Again, I am not a clinical advisor nor am I a budget annalist but I think after seeing the horrors of war that I can see somethings not right when I see it. I feel that everyone needs to take the time out of their busy days and visit the AFRH web-site, it is full of great information on who and how a member can retire there.

It is wonderful there also, I had one bad day from all the times I went there but I do think the number one problem is the lack of funds that are available for the retirement center. To be able to retire there you must have retired with at least 50% of their service as enlisted, warrant, or limited duty officer. If a vet is unable to earn a livelihood due to injuries, disease or disability and who served in a war theater or received hostile fire pay. When you are excepted (because there is a review process) you will for fit 35% of your taxable pay each month to assist in paying for lodging.

Due to some of the problems with the cost of running such a large facility they have had to cut back on many things so that they could maintain a budget. You see the AFRH is an independent federal agency under the jurisdiction of the Sec of Defence. AFRH relies upon its Trust Fund for operation, maintenance and constructing of equipment and buildings. It receives no annual appropriation from Congress or any other government agency. The AFRH Trust Fund in financed with a  50 cent payroll deduction from all active duty military members, dines and forfeitures from military disciplinary actions (which may vary depending upon operational tempo), as stated above fees from residents which are capped by income and interest income. The home is restricted by law to investments in low yield Treasury bonds as well.

The concern is to bring awareness to the lack of staff that the AFRH has on hand to assist in the care of our elderly vets. I don't think the staff that was working during my last visit is unconcerned with the care that they give but they are understaffed and with fundraising I hope we can better facilitate the quality care that our veterans deserve.

Thank you for checking this out and I hope you seemed as concerned as I am and take a few moments out of your day to not only thank a vet but to stop in and talk to a vet about what they have done and where they have been. It is my experience that most older vets only want to tell their story before they are unable to tell it anymore. Again thank you and look for your local VA Hospital or VA Shelter and offer them a few hours of assistance.


Ride with pride when its Red, White and Blue! US Army Combat Vets

Just some things to think about

I don't want to write to much here, I want to leave the following up for interpretation for all points of view. I am placing some photos on this Blog to further allow people to see who I am and why I am starting this Blog and where I would like to go with it, I guess almost like a mission statement. I have picked some graphic photos  and they are geared to make you understand the cost of war so please you have  been warned.

I am an American Soldier, fighting for the freedom of our country and its people. I will stand, fight and die for the flag of our nations and the ideas that it stands for, for the freedom to say, do and be whom ever we choose to do. To have the right to protest and object with out fear of reprisal. I am an American Soldier and a defender of freedom and its way of life, I serve the people of the United State of America and its ideas (good or bad). I act as a vassal to spread the good will and bliss of freedom around the world as a Representative of our nation and its people.

I have chosen the following photos because I think that people have forgotten the real cost of war, they have forgotten that its not only our sons and daughters that die in combat but it is theirs as well. From where I sit I believe I can safely say that no one is with out sin or with out mistakes that in some  way could (at least in other country's) be considered punishable by death.

To the left this photo is of Iraq civilian personnel that where killed by a suicide bomber on his way to a US installation. He detonated early because a US convoy had stopped him at a random check point, he killed these civilians in the process of killing 3 US Soldiers.

To the left this is a photo that was taken to display the US personnel that will never come home.

To the right these are Iranian Soldiers that where killed in the war with Iraq

Above a true American Hero!

These are just some of the vast images that can be posted. These are the cost of war some great and others not so grand. For Paul R Smith he had to die to earn our Nations greatest award for Valor, Heroism, and Courage. Some people die in war just for walking down the wrong street at the wrong time. Some hunt for a kill, some are paid for what they do and others do it just because they truly believe in what they are fighting for. We as Americans can not fathom why someone would want to this, why someone would want to kill so that they could maintain a iron fist of power on someone. There are places in the world that no one should ever have to see or deal with, this was one of them.

I know this post is kinda random but in a few months or years (as long as it takes to get all this going) this will all make sense... its all part of my plan to open people eyes to what a world this can really be.

Ride with pride when its Red, White and Blue! US Army Combat Vets

My first ride

Hello,

It was about 10 yrs ago now that I took my first major ride, a friend of mine in high school had this 1985 Honda cruiser that he had fixed up and was looking to sell, at the time I didn't have the money but what I did have was that he was one of my best friends (always good to point that out). So... he told me I could ride it and just make payments since I had a job and all that jazz. So I hoped on started it up and again (like when I learned to ride) it was like ridding in the heavens themselves, I don't think I can think of many other things in my life that make me as happy as ridding does.

About 2 miles down the road the bike started to take a shit on me... the carb was clogged up and needed to be rebuilt (not a problem for my friends and I). We stripped it down and stuffed it with all the new shit we could find. I started it up again and blasted the 750cc engine down the back roads around my house. That weekend I make it a point to disappear, something I do a lot now that I think about it, but I was heading up into the mountains this time.

The winding mountain trails in Western PA are wonderful for any motorcycle, it will rock your sock off if its crouch rockets you love, it will give you days of views that never seem to be exactly the say year after year. For all of us on Harley's spots along the way that just seem to take you back it when it was all called the Ohio valley, to the times when wars where fought for the control of the land. In the fall people come from all over the country just to see the leaves change colors because its just such a breath taking sight the colors are so vibrant and clear, the air so crisp and clean, the sounds so silent, nothing but babbling brooks, rapids from the rivers rolling over the rocks, birds singing love songs and a few motorcycles ripping around the bends. Its just one of those places in our vast countries landscape that is just so memorable. I think all and all the trip was about 500 miles. I had made it all the way to NY when I realized that I should start to head back to the suck that I called my life at the time.

It was almost sad but after I got back and my friend wanted the bike back, he said he had found a buyer that had cash in hand. What could I really say I didn't have the money to buy the bike right than and there but at least I got to ride the shit out of it. He made about 2500 off that bike, his father had found it in a house that he was fixing up and the guy just gave it to him. It took about 500 bucks to get road ready and he got 3000 cash that day so all and all he bought all of us plenty of beer and we started a fire and enjoyed the fruits of our labor.

Introdutions are in order

 

Hello,

My name is well lets call me Jo for right now. I am a 28 yr old white male that grew up in the country just north of Pittsburgh PA. I have an older brother a younger brother and a younger sister who are all wonderful people... Well as wonderful as siblings can really be. My father is now in his mid 50's and my mother is just trailing behind him. My fathers parents are dead and we as a family have all but severed all ties to his sisters (my aunts). My mother's parents are in relatives good health for being in their 80's and they travel to exscape the cold north east as much as they can. My Aunts and Uncles are pretty cool people some still live in eastern Ohio some are in FL some IL and some AL... my moms family moved up and out of eastern OH and western PA for warmer climents. We on the other had did not.

When I was growing up we didn't have much (we were poor) but we never went with out either. My father and mother both worked very hard to give my siblings and I all that we could have ever wanted. Granted when you are 6 yrs old one toy just is never enough but we learned the hard way that money does not grow on trees and that even if they are not always by our side they still loved us very much. We moved a lot pack it up and rent something else until mid 95 when my grandmother wanted us to move next store to her so that she could die in peace. She knew it was her time and she wanted someone to watch over my grandfather, so we did just that and settled down calling this beat up old yellow gas station, store, house a home.

Now the point of this blog is to tell my story, my trials and tribulations but feel the need to give a proper back ground to who I really am. I grew up like that, we had some great times, we never went hungry and we never where left out in the cold by my parents (others, wow that's a whole different story to go into).

I grew up with my father always talking about Motorcycles, always being around motorcycles and always working on someones motorcycle. You see my father had a standing deal with his friends, you bring the beer and Ill help you work on your bike, than Ill bring the beer and you'll help me work on my bike... that's how things always went, beer gets things fixed he use to say. So when I was 12 it wasn't that odd that I just had to ride one for myself, so my older brother and I found a guy a few miles down the road that was selling a beat up 74 Honda 250 2 stroke that need to be fixed up a bit to be ridden and that's just what we did. Everyday after school we would raid our grandfathers tools and try and figure out how to fix this bike (we had no idea in the beginning what the hell we where doing) but soon things just started to fall right into place... The bike and our grandfathers hand. He would slap us everyday after school for sealing his tool and we never could seem to put them back where they belonged so we would get smacked...

After we finely got the bike running my father helped my older bother learn to ride it than a few days later said it was my turn.... "Get on, kick it over with a little bit of gas, once it starts get on the bike, pull in the clutch and shift on gear down. Good you got it now slowly ease off of the clutch and give it just a little bit of gas......... BAM." My ass was laying right in the middle of his garden and he was not to happy with me. "What are you looking at me for," he said "pick it and get it the hell out of my garden." I asked him how he proposed I would do such a thing all by myself and after just crashing it into the garden. "You have two choices, ride it out or push it out, either way your going to get it out of my garden." So for run number 2 I would ride it out... Clutch, gear, gas, clutch, hold on, less gas, hold on.... I did it, I did it! thats all  I could remember thinking and my father almost looked proud of us for getting the bike running and learning how to ride it.

Well that's how all this started. From than on I could see what my father loved so much about motorcycles. Why he had an obsession with them and what they meant to him. He began to start telling more of his stories about the "good ol days" and about his adventures that he had on his bikes. How he was in the Navy for a few years back in the 70's about what he did after high school and how he just got on his 41 Harley Davidson and blasted into the wind not looking back for almost 5 yrs. He would talk about guys he'd met, beers he'd drank, places he'd been and jobs that kept him going. It was different back than too you could walk up to a gas station and ask for a job and they would decide if they wanted to higher you right there, no applications, no lines, no back round checks, no home of records, no a lot of things. So he said he would work and gas stations, on farms, as a laborer in the city's doing construction for a week or so or until he could get enough money saved up to just blast out of that town too. This went of for a few years and he tell stories like when he beat up a guy that was almost 7 foot tall because he was told that he couldn't... so he hit him in the Adams apple and down he went... some of the stories I dont know if they can be true but they are always great to listen to.