Warrior Connection

Warrior Connection - 02.15.15

Feb 15 Warrior Connection featured a discussion with Chris Martini about PRN's "Gulf War Illiness- Killing our Own" that Gary and him along with other PRN family did (garynull.com)  then a discussion about Chris' new feature film "Trooper"

 

 

Cast: Christopher Martini, Gary Swanson, Max Martini, Robert Walden, Eddie Manley, Suzanne DiDonna, Jerry Della Salla, Richard Levine, Giada Dobrzenska, Kevin Mambo, Sayra Player
Genre: Drama | War | Romance 
Writer / Director / Producer: Christopher Martini
Production Company: Triple Martini Productions, Denarius Entertainment, Little Wonder Films

Murphy OShea, an Iraq Veteran, has a hard time re-adjusting to society upon his return from a long tour. His world crumbles when he discovers his father, Bill, a Vietnam Veteran, is dying. Trooper is a story of a father and son, two veterans from two very different Wars, helping each other to get through each day, and heal the wounds of War.

"TROOPER" – A Film by Christopher Martini 
iTunes Canada - http://bit.ly/Trooper-iTunesCA   
iTunes USA - http://bit.ly/Trooper-iTunesUS       
Google Play - http://bit.ly/Trooper-GooglePlay   
PlayStation - http://bit.ly/Trooper-PlayStation-CA                       
Xbox - http://bit.ly/Trooper-Xbox                                               
Shaw Cable - http://bit.ly/Tropper-ShawVOD  
Vimeo on Demand – https://vimeo.com/ondemand/trooper 

Warrior Connection - 02.01.15

Captain David Winnett- USMC  retired discussed his poetry, his 20 years in the corps as both enlisted and officer, his  ongoing work as a veterans advocate, his web site "gulf war illiness", and his work on CDMRP review board. We all so mentioned  Gary Null's - Chris Martini's PRN documentary "Killing Our Own"  and then Chris Martini's feature film "TROOPER" that resulted from the earlier exceptional PRN efforts .   David's poetry is archived here for all to read and contemplate.  David's poetry comes from the heart of a warrior.

Warrior Connection - 01.25.15

A continuation of our discussion with Ray Clark on PTSD using the new Clint Eastwood movie starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kale in American Sniper as a stimuli.

Warrior Connection - Those Who Remain - 01.18.15

We had a excellent discussion with author and Vietnam War Army widow Ruth Crocker about her book  "Those Who Remain- Remembrance and Reunion After War".  Ruth married US Army Captain and West Point graduate David Crocker during the build up of the Vietnam War who then became commander of Alpha company 2/22 Infantry. David was killed during combat operations on May 17, 1969 when he was only 25 and Ruth about 23.  The story is also about Ruth's transformation after such a loss and how she found, met, and became family with the survivors of David's company years after the end of the war.  She then learned about the profound impact David had on these men during Nam and still does even years after his death.  It is a story as stated on the book cover about "resilience and emotional transformation following heartbreaking loss demonstrating the tenacious will of the human spirit to heal"  Ruth  who after her loss went back to college and  earned  her Ph.D. in nutrition also briefly discussed the impact of nutrition on stress and health and healing. We have invited her to join Warrior Connection once more in the near future to discuss nutritional aspects that we need to follow for our health optimization.  Ruth is available for talks in support of veterans and families.  

 

Ruth's must read book is available at www.ruthcroker.com, amazon.com, and via bookstores. 

The following websites contain additional beneficial information:

 

www.vietnamtripledeuce.org

www.22ndinfantry.org

www.goldstarwives.org

www.peacetreesvietnam.org

 

Warrior Connection - 01.11.15

We discussed upcoming IOM meetings and reviewed medical data and concepts.

Warrior Connection - 12.28.14

During the December 28th edition of warrior connection author and USMC Vietnam vet Ray Clark and i discussed the impact of Christmas - Thanksgiving on the warrior and PTSD.

Warrior Connection - 12.21.14

The December 21 edition of Warrior Connection was a discussion with vietnam era US Marine Corps veteran Ray Clark about PTSD and the book he and his wife wrote " THE NEVER ENDING WAR". Ray provides an inside and intense glimpse of war and the lingering effects of PTSD.

 

  http://www.theneverendingwar.com/

 

www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore

 

Also via amazon and bookstores.

 

Ray and his wife Laura through the book provide some essential insight and methods to deal with PTSD.

This is a must read book for those affected by PTSD and those providing care and support.  

We will have Ray and Laura on Warrior Connection again in the future to continue our and their efforts to help vets.

Warrior Connection - 12.14.14

We began our discussion with an update from co-host Denise Nichols, RN, Major,  USAF retired on last week's IOM meetings and new VA taskings to IOM on medical care.  We then shifted our focus to a discussion on DUCRETE with road construction crewmember and now DUCRETE affected Becky K. who has confirmed adverse  health effects from DU EXPOSURES from road construction use of DUCRETE and DUAG. BECKY IS NOW LEADING THE FIGHT FOR HER OWN MEDICAL CARE AND DUCRETE EDUCATION AND MEDICAL CARE FOR ALL OTHER ROAD CONSTRUCTION CREWMEMBERS AFFECTED BY USE OF DUCRETE-DUAG. We learned- confirmed  that health effects are the same and simply horrible for all forms of civilian or military DU exposures.  In review:  The Pentagon briefing given by Colonel J. Edgar Wakayama, Director of the Operational Test and Evaluation Command (http://www.traprockpeace.org/du_dtic_wakayama_Aug2002.html) confirms not only lung cancer but other serious medical problems such as respiratory, eye, skin, genetic abnormalities, and specific warnings about food, water, air, and soil contamination. It is critical to understand that Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army Walker ordered the Director of the United States Army Environmental Policy Institute to determine how to reduce the toxicity of uranium munitions and the reported conclusion was that quote “Ways to Reduce DU Toxicity No available technology can significantly change the inherent chemical and radiological toxicity of DU. These are intrinsic properties of uranium.  “ end quote.  The United States Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 11 has distributed a booklet “Some things you need to know about veterans- A Clinicians Guide to Veteran’s Specific Issues” in which they state quote:“Some of the physical symptoms which may occur as a result of exposure to depleted uranium are: sleep problems, mood swings, symptoms in upper or lower respiratory system, neuropsychological symptoms (including memory loss), chronic fatigue and immune system dysfunction (CFDIS), skin rashes and unusual hair loss, aching joints, headaches, abdominal pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, menstrual disorders, gastrointestinal symptoms (recurrent diarrhea), nervous disorders (such as numbness in a limb), multiple chemical sensitivity, birth defects in children whose parents were exposed.”  End quote. Becky has many of these medical problems same as other DU casualties including both Denise and I. .

 

Warrior Connection - 12.07.14

The December 7 Warrior Connection was a exceptional discussion with Pastor Steve Stanley (us army retired), of Grace Baptist Church in Urbana, Illinois on a wide range of religious concepts / ideas support as related to millitary life,  military operations, and medical care.

As Pastor Steve said GOD is right there for us we just need to let him in.  I ask all to remember the events and consequences of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 In reflection this poem / thought from an unknown source may provide some comfort.

 

My quilt

 

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.  Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.  But

as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile,  I noticed how ragged and empty each of  my squares were. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. 

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.  My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.  Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth.  The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.  My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and death, and false accusations that took from me my  world as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who

Unfairly judged me.  And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you." 

 

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through.

 

Please share this with someone you love, care about or even someone who needs Jesus in their heart. They may scoff, but at least the seed has been planted, and God will do the rest. May God bless you  today and Forever.

 

How to Sue The VA - 11.30.14

Chicago based attorney Kevin O'Connor and his client Terrell Green joined hosts Doug Rokke and Patricia Axelrod to discuss how to sue the VA as well as the pitfalls one encounters from filing the lawsuit to the time the court decides a ruling.  Terrel Green spoke of his father, Vietnam Veteran- Purple Heart Recipient, Lawrence Sinnin,  who was denied  timely medical attention and subsequently  " died like an unloved dog" in the parking lot of the North Chicago (Il.)  VA facility.  Kevin O'Connor, who is suing the VA on behalf of Terrell and his family, spoke of the actual process of suing the VA under the Federal Tort Claims Act; which is the only means and ways of litigating against the VA. While O'Connor emphasized the difficulty of the process he encouraged Veterans and their families to seek justice through the courts and stands by ready to serve their legal needs. Kevin O'Connor of the O'Connor Law Firm can be reached at 312-906-7602 or  KOConnor@koconnorlaw.com.