Warrior Connection

Warrior Connection - 11.23.14

Will Hopkins, veteran of Iraq and the Fallujah offensive, on how US policy and warfare is fueling and encouraging ISIS, and why we have to get out of Iraq. 

Warrior Connection - 11/16/14

We continued our discussion on VA problems and solutions.  Given the extent of the problems co-host Patricia Axelrod, Director Desert Storm Think Tank advocates abolishment of the VA and issuing medical access cards for civilian care at veterans choice similar to MEDICARE and TRICARE while co-hosts Denise Nichols and Doug Rokke advocate revamping the VA due to limitations in civilian care for military type injuries and illnesses. Upon reflection, given the extent of the problems that are far greater than resource management and prompt appointments and given the reluctance of VA officials to resolve the eternal problems Patricia just might be right. Denise had offered a path to resolve VA problems in 1999 during an IOM - NIH hearing in DC. They were ignored then as they are now. Either way something must be done as the imbedded problems are far worse than can be corrected through resource management.  Essentially, evidences indicates that the VA is a vets adversary rather than an advocate. We will continue this discussion and invite participation. Upcoming programs are on Falujah and then on the last Sunday in November critical issue of legal aspects- suing the VA.

Warrior Connection - 11/09/14

This Veteran's Day 2014 edition co-hosted by Major Denise Nichols, RN, USAF retired and Dr./ Major Doug Rokke, US Army, retired  was a discussion with WW2 Army Air Corps- USAF retired LTC/ Professor/Dr.  Tom Yancey- (92 years old) on his experiences as a bombadier on B 24 aircraft flying bombing missions out of Italy during 1944-1945 and his career after WW2 thanks to the GI bill. After WW 2 ended Tom used the new GI bill  to earn his B.S., MS, and Ph.D. in accounting going on to a distinguished joint military-university career retiring from the US Air Force Reserve in 1982 and then retiring as a professor from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.   

Warrior Connection - 11/02/14

Nov 2 edition was continuation of our discussion with Bob Koehler on peace war military veterans issues as related to news -  journalists etc.

 

This program is dedicated to Bill McNeeley who died abandoned by the Army he loved.

 

co - host SSG Paul Lyons 101st AB retired discussed his plans for a new web site loaded with essential information.

 

Warrior Connection - 10/26/14

Warrior Connection for October 26 was the next segment of our planned ongoing discussion with Charles Atkins on pain management techniques beyond prescribed medications

Warrior Connection - 10/18/14

Warrior Connection - 10/12/14

The October 12 edition of Warrior Connection was a discussion with children's author and Vietnam era Navy reserve veteran Ron Hoffman (rehoffman@mchsi.com)  ) who read his children's book "Mr. Lucky"  about a cat and talked about his upcoming children's book  "The Neighborhood" featuring squirrels.  Holly Thompson, Rantoul (Illinois) Public library director (hollysrpl@gmail.com) also joined us as we  discussed reading, writing, and various library programs for families and veterans.  

Ron's books are available through Tate Publishing www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore telephone 888 361 9473.

 

November is national write a novel in a month. PRN listeners might take this golden opportunity, have some fun,  and sure could make some unique contributions

 

THE RANTOUL PUBLIC LIBRARY web site is www.rantoul.lib.il.us.

 

Warrior Connection will continue as in the past to invite authors to join us and discuss their work as reading and writing can be extremely beneficial to all. Previous author discussions are archived for your enjoyment at prn.fm. If you would like to join us a guest on future programs please contact us via prn.fm.

Warrior Connection - 10/05/14

A discussion with Dan Sullivan on the SGT SULLIVAN CENTER  in memory of SGT THOMAS SULLIVAN WHO DIED FROM POST 9-11 TOXIC EXPOSURES and the center's efforts to ensure medical care. They need strong financial support to continue their work.

 

http://sgtsullivancenter.org/

 

 

Sgt. Thomas Joseph Sullivan, a veteran of the recent Iraq war, died in February of 2009 at age 30 after suffering health complications that included chronic widespread pain, swelling, severe inflammatory bowel issues, and side effects of pharmaceutical treatments. The symptoms of his illness began in Iraq and worsened upon his return, but his health problems were never fully explained.

Sgt. Sullivan’s postmortem examination uncovered evidence of widespread organ and cardiovascular degeneration that were not detected during his life using general diagnostic procedures. During the worst of his symptoms, Sgt. Sullivan was referred to treatments for psychosomatic illness. He was also prescribed high dosages of steroid and narcotic drugs with serious side effects.

After Sgt. Sullivan’s death, his family learned that a significant number of veterans return from war with emerging medical problems. Many are referred for psychological therapies and prescribed drugs with side effects, interactions, and outcomes that are difficult to track.

Having learned this, Sgt. Sullivan’s family founded the Center in his memory as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health outcomes for veterans with emerging post deployment health concerns – working with veterans, healthcare providers, and researchers to find a way to provide real help for veterans with complicated health problems

The Warrior Connection - 09/28/14

On September 28 Warrior Connection we began our planned ongoing once per month discussion with pain management guide, angel wings volunteer,  and author Charles Atkins. Charles a Vietnam veteran and cancer survivor wrote "Modern Buddist Healing" and "Ride the Wheels to Wellness".  Both books are  available on amazon .com. Charles's objective is to help us vets manage our pain better through numerous techniques that supplement medications and may reduce medication requirements.  

 

Warrior Connection - 09/21/14

WE DISCUSSED AND IDENTIFIED DATES FOR VA TOWN HALL MEETINGS ACROSS THE NATION, WWW.VA.GOV) AND MADE SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR SUCCESS IN GETTING VA LEADERS TO HEAR, UNDERSTAND, AND CONSIDER THE VETS AND THEIR FAMILIES NEEEDS AND FIX THE PROBLEMS.

 

 

I met with the Danville Illinois Illiana VA director Japhet Riveria  and Illiana VA chaplains personally and talked to him / them via the telepbnone, before, during, and after the meeting and provided complete documentation to support each of my personal and global concerns and  ways to solve th e lingering problems. .

 

I / we found out once more as usual that individuals within the VA needing medical care for toxic exposures  not only were not getting the optimal medical care but documents are still be hidden affectng how they serve vets and how they are served.   I think we got that resolved for Danville Illina Va.