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Doctor Receives $715,000 Grant to Study of Gulf War Illness

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By Debbie Gregory.

A prominent condition affecting Gulf War Veterans is a cluster of medically unexplained chronic symptoms that can include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, indigestion, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorders, and memory problems.

Now, a Peoria-based medical school professor has received $715,000 from the U.S. Department of Defense to investigate what might have caused Gulf War Illness.

Dr. Stephen Lasley is looking into how battlefield stress, pesticides and anti-nerve gas drugs have contributed to neurological disorders Gulf War veterans, with the goal of finding treatments that will relieve the suffering or reverse the illness.

“We are to the point now where treatments that we want to apply are less shots in the dark and more based upon research findings. We would like to be able to help the Gulf War veterans who have suffered for more than 25 years now,” Lasley said.

Some of the diagnosed conditions of Gulf War Illness include: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a condition of long-term and severe fatigue that is not relieved by rest; Fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread muscle pain; gastrointestinal disorders including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, and functional abdominal pain syndrome.

More than 700,000 troops were deployed in the Gulf War, and the Department of Defense estimates that as many as 200,000 veterans of that conflict might be affected.

Gulf War veterans do not need to prove a connection between their military service and illnesses in order to receive VA disability compensation if the illness is at least 10 percent disabling, and appeared during active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations, or by December 31, 2016.

Lasley hopes his research will show that existing drugs can provide relief, allowing quick routes to treatment options.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Injured Veterans Triumph in the 2016 Invictus Games

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By Debbie Gregory.

The VA was proud to support the more than 500 ill and injured military Veterans from 15 Nations who traveled to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the 2016 Invictus Games.

The competitors  hailed from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Jordan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States

VA Secretary Bob McDonald said, “These Games highlight the perseverance and determination of so many of our allied nations’ disabled and injured military Veterans. This competition shows exactly how adaptive sports greatly improves the quality of life of these heroes…”

“Invictus” means unconquered in Latin. The Games harness the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their countries.

The Invictus Games were the brainchild of Great Britain’s Prince Harry. He realized how the power of sport could physically, psychologically, and socially help an injured servicemembers .

“I served along with soldiers from all over the world,” Prince Harry said at the opening ceremony. “I saw the sacrifices they and their families made to serve their nations. I learned about the importance of team work and camaraderie in the way that only military service can teach you.”

First lady Michelle Obama, Britain’s Prince Harry and Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman delivered stirring speeches after performances from the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, soprano Laura Wright and singer-songwriter James Blunt.

The closing ceremonies on May 12th included performances by Rachel Platten, Rascal Flatts, Phillip Phillips, Flo Rida, Season 9 winner of the Voice Jordan Smith, and the first nationally-recognized wounded warrior band, Vetted.

To see the results of the games, visit http://invictusgames2016.org/results-2/

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Purple Hearts Awarded to Marines Injured in March Attack

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By Debbie Gregory.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recently visited a firebase in Iraq to award Purple Hearts to four Marines injured in a March rocket attack carried out by the Islamic State group.

“In all the years, I have not awarded anybody a Purple Heart on the ground where they received the Purple Heart,” said Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford.

Dunford, who served as Marine Corps commandant before taking on the role of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wanted to show his support and get a firsthand look at what the Marines at the base are doing.

The Marines were injured in an attack that claimed the life of Marine Staff Sgt. Louis Cardin have been awarded the Purple Heart.

Cardin’s death is the second combat death since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve. The March 19th attack by Islamic State group militants occurred when a rocket attack was fired upon a coalition on a small fire base in northern Iraq. The Marines were part of the Camp Lejeune-based 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which deployed from Norfolk Naval Station as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group in October.

Dunford did not take any media with him when he presented the Purple Hearts. He said afterwards that he did not want anone to get the impression that he was looking for a “photo op.”

Marines have repelled at least one attack by ISIS militants since Cardin was killed.

“Two enemy [fighters were] killed in that operation, the rest ran away in fear,” Army Col. Steve Warren, a Defense Department spokesman, said on March 21.

The ISIS rocket expert believed responsible for the March 19 attack on the base was killed in an April 3 drone strike.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Marines Land In Baghdad To Reinforce Embassy

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By Debbie Gregory.

The U.S. has sent a platoon of 25 Marines to bolster security at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad following recent protests led by firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

The embassy “continues to operate normally,” State Department Spokesman John Kirby said.

Protestors loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr stormed the Green Zone last weekend, breaching the fortified area that includes Iraqi government building and the U.S. Embassy. It was the first such breach of the zone since it was established shortly after U.S. forces took control of Baghdad in 2003.

The 25 Marines belong to a forward-deployed Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force designed to respond quickly to reinforce embassies worldwide should more protection be needed.

A U.S. Marine rifle company of more than 150 Marines, in addition to private security contractors, has been protecting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and will continue to do so.

Supporters of al-Sadr, whose forces fought American troops in Iraq, have been protesting the Iraqi government for several months. Davis said the United States remains committed to supporting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who America has worked closely with in its ongoing fight against Islamic State group militants.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

VA Names New Director of the Center for Women Veterans

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By Debbie Gregory.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has appointed a new director of the Center for Women Veterans.

Kayla M. Williams will serve as the primary advisor to the Secretary on Department policies, programs and legislation that affect women veterans.

“Kayla embodies everything it means to be a true advocate for women Veterans and I am proud to welcome her to VA in this leadership role,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald. “I know Kayla will be tremendously helpful in improving services for female Veterans now and in future.”

After earning a BA in English Literature from Bowling Green State University and an MA in International Affairs from American University, Williams worked eight years at the RAND Corporation. At RAND, she conducted research on building partner capacity, veterans’ health needs and education benefits, and sexual harassment and assault in the military.

Williams served in the U.S. Army for five years as an Arabic linguist, including a year in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division.

She is a member of the Army Education Advisory Committee, a former member of the VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, a 2013 White House Woman Veteran Champion of Change, and a 2015 Lincoln Award recipient.

Williams is also the author of Love My Rifle More Than You: Young and Female in the US Army, a book about her experiences as a soldier, and Plenty of Time When We Get Home: Love and Recovery in the Aftermath of War.

The Center for Women Veterans monitors and coordinates the VA’s administration of health care and benefits services and programs for women veterans. The Center strives to make sure that the service and contributions of women veterans and women in the military is recognized.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Social Media Effort #22Kill Raises Veteran Suicide Awareness

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By Debbie Gregory.

#22KILL is part of a social media campaign, launched by non-profit 22KILL, to bring attention to veteran suicides.

The #22 KILL pushup challenge, much like the ALS bucket challenge before it, started slowly. But in recent weeks, after several other veterans groups started promoting it, the challenge of doing 22 pushups for 22 days has exploded on the internet.

Marine veteran Jimmy Mac, the program manager for 22Kill, said, “We’d been using the hashtag since 2013 to help raise awareness, but we’re not even sure who actually started the pushup challenge. All we know is that it was sometime late last year.” Mac added, “I wish we knew who that first person was because I’d like to buy them dinner and give them a big hug.”

The goal is to reach 22 million pushups. The charity is also organizing a Battle Buddies program.

Mac has a unique perspective, having attempted suicide in 2002 after a sudden onset of epilepsy forced him out of the Marine Corps.

“I should have bled out,” he says. “I’m not super religious, but I felt like there was some higher purpose going on,” he says. “Life is worth living. We just have to get the word out.”

In an odd twist of fate, Mac’s wound required 22 stitches.

One of the biggest challenges veterans face is finding a sense of purpose after service. #22KILL directly supports veteran empowerment programs that help veterans maximize their talents and understand their value outside of the military. #22KILL also continually provides support for other veteran organizations, treatment centers, and community events and projects.

A 2012 study suggested that an average of 22 veterans kill themselves every day. While some argue that it’s lower, and others argue it’s actually much higher, the one thing that everyone can agree upon is that any number is too high.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Will Women Soon Be Subject to the Draft?

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By Debbie Gregory.

Rep. Duncan Hunter’s attempt to take a stand against women in combat backfired.

Hunter (R-CA), who is against integrating combat forces, proposed opening up the Selective Service to include women. “This is about a big war, meaning when you have tens of thousands of people dying — tens of thousands — that is when you have a draft,” he said. But he also vowed to vote against his own proposal.

Last December, the Defense Department decided to open all remaining gender-segregated combat jobs — about 225,000 — to female troops.

Selective Service law as it is currently written now refers specifically to “male persons” in stating who must register and who would be drafted. For women to be required to register with Selective Service, Congress would have to amend the law.

The proposal garnered enough support for female integration that members of the House Armed Services Committee voted in favor of opening the Selective Service and the draft.

The Selective Service measure is now part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act. If passed by Congress, for the first time in our nation’s history, women aged 18-26 would be required to register for the draft,  and could be forced into combat.

The U.S. came close to drafting women during World War II, when there was a shortage of military nurses. However, there was a surge of volunteerism and a draft of women nurses was not needed.

“I actually support your amendment and will be delighted to vote for it,” said Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA). “If we want equality in this country, we want women to be treated precisely like men are treated and that they should not be discriminated against, we should be willing to support a universal conscription,” she added.

Retired Navy SEAL Rep. Ryan Zinke, (R-MT) and Hunter have been trying to build opposition to female integration since they introduced the Draft America’s Daughters Act, a bill that is the same as the amendment.

But political momentum appears to be building behind integration and changes to the draft system.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Experts Say Russia, China Closing Weapons Gap with U.S.

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By Debbie Gregory.

The U.S. is worried that its military advantage is getting smaller.

Russia and China are improving their ability to target U.S. aircraft and ships, closing the advanced weapons gap and challenging the US military presence in their regions.

Experts say the two countries are pushing the U.S. military farther away, in the air, on the sea, and under the sea.

China has become a big threat in the South China Sea, able to deploy numerous military assists to the disputed waters in no time. Russia has also warned that the Baltic Sea has become unsafe for the American military forces there.

China and Russia have test-fired intercontinental ballistic missiles that have the ability to evade the most complex of missile defense systems.

In terms of undersea technology, Beijing and Moscow have shown advancements.

“Chinese nuclear attack submarines are just in absolute overdrive, how quick they’re building and how fast the technology is developing,” said Chris Harmer, senior naval analyst at the US Institute for the Study of War. He added, “And we’ve seen a significant increase in Russian naval activity, Russian long-range naval activity, Russian ships conducting port calls to Bandar Abbas in Iran.”

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Go Guard! – Guard Duo Celebrate Historic Win

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By Debbie Gregory.

For the first time in the competition’s 33 year history, a National Guard team has won the Army’s Best Ranger.

After coming in second place two years in a row, Capt. Robert Killian and his partner, Staff Sgt. Erich Friedlein, were named the winners of the 2016 Best Ranger Competition.

The grueling competition, held each spring at Fort Benning, is open to soldiers who have already completed Ranger School, a challenging three-month infantry training course.

Following a 60-hour event at Fort Benning, Georgia, Capt. Killian of the Colorado Army National Guard and Staff Sgt. Friedlein of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard earned their place in Ranger history. All of the competitors are put through events that test their physical conditioning, Ranger skills and team strategies.

A five-time competitor of the event, Killian said, “It’s a big thing for the Guard and I’m humbled and honored to be the first.”

“It still really hasn’t totally sunk in yet,” Friedlein said. “I’m just really amazed. I can’t believe we did it after the three days of struggling and just constantly trying to chip away at first place, then taking the lead after night orienteering and losing it on the obstacle course, just fighting all the way to the end.”

Events this weekend includes weapons firing, extended road marches, day and night land navigation courses, Ranger skills and parachute jumps. All events are timed, and competitors score points for each completed event. Both team members must complete each task.

Killian said he plans to return to the competition again next year with a former teammate now taking the Special Force qualification course.

The Best Ranger Competition was established in 1982 and has been compared to Ironman and Eco-Challenge competitions.

Rangers Lead the Way!

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Navy SEAL Dies in the Fight Against ISIS

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By Debbie Gregory.

U.S. Navy SEAL Charles Keating IV was killed during a rescue mission north of Mosul. Keating was part of the Quick Reaction Force team sent in to rescue U.S. military advisors who were under attack by 120 plus ISIS fighters. The advisors and Kurdish Peshmerga forces were overwhelmed by a surprise ISIS offensive in Northern Iraq.

The attack took place near the town of Tel Askuf, about two miles away from the front lines. The team was able to evacuate the advisors, but Keating was struck by direct fire. In spite of the fact that he was received medical attention within an hour of his injury, his wound was not survivable, according to coalition spokesman Col. Steve Warren

A 2004 graduate of Arcadia High School in Phoenix, AZ, the star athlete was the grandson of prominent financier and World War II pilot Charles Keating Jr.

His decorations included: the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V”, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal and Rifle and Pistol Expert ribbons.

The 31-year-old Special Warfare Operator 1st Class was on his third tour in Iraq. Keating joined the Navy in 2007 and graduated from the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 2008. His death serves as a reminder that even in an advisory role, our troops face imminent danger.

Warren said there were also Peshmerga casualties in addition to Keating, but did not have the figures on hand. He did say it was the largest clash between ISIS and collation forces at least since December.

We send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this American hero, and thank them for their family’s sacrifice.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.


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