Friday, October 18, 2013 THE RED 7 . n et
Swenson awarded
Medal of Honor | 3
ALSO INSIDE FDA warns Film workshop Briefs...... 8 against dietary provides therapy Philpott...... 6 supplement to combat veterans Page 2 Page 7 Page | THE RED 7 | Friday, October 18, 2013 ContactUs Tracey Steele Three local men to join Editor 315-4472 [email protected] Doolittle Raiders for final toast Susan Fabozzi News Assistant Wes Fields, Ted Corcoran and Lynn Dominique will be on hand Nov. 9 in Dayton, Ohio 315-4450 [email protected] By LAUREN SAGE REINLIE tle of Hennessy Very Special cognac Northwest Florida Daily News from 1896, the year Jimmy Doolittle News was born. Lt. Col. Robert Hite, 93, likely will (850) 315-4450 The remaining Doolittle Raiders not attend because of his health. will gather in Dayton, Ohio, for a Only about 1,000 people have Fax: (850) 863-7834 final time next month. been invited. Fields, Ted Corcoran E-mail: The revered World War II heroes and Lyn Dominique will be among [email protected] will lift their goblets, sip their 117- them. year-old cognac and say good-bye “It’s kind of like getting to go to a decades-old tradition of gather- backstage with the Rolling Stones,” Advertising ing with their comrades to reflect Corcoran, president and CEO of the on their contribution to American Greater Fort Walton Beach Cham- 863-1111 Ext. 1322 history. ber of Commerce, said as he sat “It’s bittersweet,” said Wes in his office adorned with Doolittle Mail Fields, who lives in Destin and has memorabilia. 2 Eglin Parkway NE, served as the Raiders’ security He’s organized hundreds of guard and escort for decades. events in his career, but his work Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 He will attend the toast at the on two local Raider visits were his The Red 7 is published by the National Museum of the Air Force favorite, he said. on Nov. 9. FILE PHOTO | Daily News Lynn Dominique of Shalimar also Northwest Florida Daily News, a pri- Three of the four surviving Doolittle Raiders will open a bottle of 1896 vate firm in no way connected with the “You want to be involved in it, will be on hand. He has been a Doo- 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) but in a sense you don’t because cognac when they have their final toast Nov. 9 in Dayton, Ohio. little Raider escort for years, includ- or the U.S. Army. you dread it. It’s coming to an end,” ing one time when he hopped over This publication’s content is not Fields said. boost for morale back home. toast, they overturn the goblet of any a barrier to push the wheelchair of necessarily On April 18, 1942, 80 men led by Nearly every year since the raid, Raider who passed on that year. a Raider who was getting left be- the official Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle took off in the men had gathering for a reunion Three of the remaining four hind the group. They’ve become like view of, or B-25s from an aircraft carrier to —the last of which was held in Fort Raiders — 98-year-old Lt. Col. Dick family, sharing stories, and plenty of endorsed bomb Japan. It was the first retali- Walton Beach earlier this year. As Cole, 93-year-old Lt. Col. Ed Say- jokes, he said. by, the U.S. ation after Pearl Harbor, and while govern- part of the tradition, they hold a toast lor and 92-year-old Staff Sgt. David “Getting to know these men has ment, the the physical damage to Japan was before a set of 80 goblets engraved Thatcher — will attend their final been one of the highlights of my life,” Department of Defense, the Depart- minimal the raid was a tremendous with each Raider’s name. After the toast. They will open the famed bot- he said. ment of the Army or 7th Special Forc- es Group (Airborne). The official news source for 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) is http://www.soc.mil/. FDA warns against dietary supplement The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFNS) is sold nationwide in retail stores other cases of liver injury nation- including 15 percent in the last endorsement by the U.S. govern- — The U.S. Food and Drug Admin- and on the internet. wide that could be related. month, Oh said. ment, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, 7th istration is advising consumers to “We are urging Airmen to stop Symptoms of hepatitis include “We encourage Airmen to get Special Forces Group (Airborne) or stop using OxyElite Pro, a dietary using the product until the inves- fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nau- educated on dietary supplement the Northwest Florida Daily News for supplement, because of suspected tigation concludes and results are sea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark safety through Operation Supple- products or services advertised. Ev- links to acute hepatitis. confirmed,” said Col. John Oh, urine, clay or gray-colored bowel ment Safety, the Department of erything advertised in this publication The FDA, along with the Centers the chief of Health Promotion, Air movements, joint pain, yellow eyes, Defense dietary supplement edu- shall be made available for purchase, for Disease Control and Preven- Force Medical Support Agency, Air and jaundice. cation and safety campaign,” Oh use or patronage without regard to tion and the Hawaii Department Force Surgeon General. “Airmen who are experiencing said. Information about the cam- race, color, religion, sex, national ori- of Health are investigating reports There have been a total of 29 these symptoms should contact paign is found at: www.hprc-online. gin, age, marital status, physical handi- of acute non-viral hepatitis in Ha- cases of acute non-viral hepatitis their health care provider imme- org/opss. cap, political affiliation or any other waii where 29 cases are linked to with an unknown cause reported diately,” Oh said. Many Airmen re- Visit this link for more in- nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user in Hawaii. Eleven of the 29 patients portedly use dietary supplements formation about the FDA or patron. Editorial content is edited, a dietary supplement. The FDA prepared and provided by the North- urges consumers to stop using the have been hospitalized with acute for weight loss or muscle building. warning: http://www.fda.gov/Safe- west Florida Daily News. product while the investigation hepatitis, two have received liver In 2011, one-third of Airmen ty/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/ continues. Distributed by USPlabs transplants and one person has reported using legal bodybuild- SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProd- Year No. 3 Edition No. 40 LLC in Dallas, Texas, the product died. The CDC is also investigating ing supplements in the past year, ucts/ucm370857.htm Friday, October 18, 2013 | THE RED 7 | Page Army’s first officer receives Medal of Honor, recounts ambush WASHINGTON (Army leadership, but you can also rines worked very closely known as ANSF, split off to Westbrook, with their ABP suggested any evidence News Service) — Just be- influence them with advice together, harmonizing and the north and south to es- counterparts. of insurgents, historically fore dawn Sept. 8, 2009 and and your presence,” Swen- collaborating on similar tablish support positions. The column of 65 men patrols would get hit by under a full moon, Capt. son said. “Show your pro- objectives. Swenson and Westbrook moved cautiously toward small-arms fire and rocket- William D. Swenson and a fessionalism to them, then This was a routine mis- continued toward the valley their objective, Ganjgal, a propelled grenades, known contingent of Afghan forces you exhibit leadership when sion — Operation Buri Boo- with the remaining troops. village fixed on a mountain- as RPGs, but that usu- made their way slowly on they don’t even know it’s za II — one like the Afghan At the front of the col- side situated on man-made ally happened as coalition foot, crunching the gravel there. They’ll follow your soldiers and police as well umn approaching the farmland terraces three and units were moving out of a under their boots through example, your character, so as the Americans had done village were four ETTs four meters tall. The village village. a mountain valley in Ku- was I leading anyone? No. dozens of times before. The — three Marines and a Na- terraces extended all the Slowly, methodically the nar Province, Afghanistan, Was I offering an example column of 106 troops moved vy Corpsman — and their way up to where the train- column moved nearer the not far from the Pakistan for them to follow, yes.” from the Observational ANA counterpart. Behind ers were expecting to have village, studying the land- border. Swenson, in support of Rally Point towards the vil- them was the command el- tea with the elders who had scape that could be hiding With one tour in Iraq and the 10th Mountain Division lage. The road they trekked ement, or Tactical Action invited them up to assess improvised explosive devic- on his second deployment (Light Infantry), was lead- melded into a boulder-rid- Center, referred to as the possible improvements to es. Then like a switch, the to Afghanistan, Swenson ing an Afghan Border Po- den, gravel-strewn wash- TAC, led by Maj. Kevin Wil- the village mosque. village lights went out, the was serving as an embed- lice, or ABP, Mentor Team, out which led directly to the liams and consisting of 1st “We were not there to first clue that bad things ded advisor for the Afghan working directly with just hillside village made up of Lt. Ademola D. Fabayo, a fight, we were there to have were about to happen. Border Police. He points one other American Soldier, thick-walled mud buildings Marine ETT operations of- the Afghan forces prove to “The valley is notori- out that as an advisor, he colleague and friend Sgt. with mud-thatched roofs. ficer; First Sgt. Christopher an unreceptive audience ous for welcoming you in, wasn’t there to lead the Af- 1st Class Kenneth West- Swenson recalled the vil- Garza, ETT first sergeant; that the government was and your farewell present ghan police or the Afghan brook. Together the two lage structures had the ap- an ANA radio telephone op- fair, professional, respon- is always fire — always,” National Army soldiers, were mentoring along with pearance of World War II erator, or RTO; and Jona- sible, and most importantly, Swenson said. “This time known as the ANA. a U.S. Marine embedded pillboxes with small, nar- than Landay, an embedded it was Afghan,” he said. they were changing things “With the Afghans, one training team, or ETT, un- row, slit openings. reporter with the Marine Though a large or heav- up and greeted us with fire, cannot overtly lead — they der a different chain of com- At the washout, about ETT. To the rear of the ily-armed enemy was but the seriousness of that are their own military, inde- mand. Even so, Swenson half the coalition and Afghan TAC and their ANA coun- thought to be unlikely and pendently run by their own said the Soldiers and Ma- National Security Forces, terparts were Swenson and no intelligence reports See medal of honor page 4
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alon U.S. Army v A 6. North Hills 85 Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Westbrook (second from right) joins with several Afghanistan National (850) 623-0907 Security Force Soldiers for a photo while serving as an embedded trainer and mentor in sup- port of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). Westbrook was seriously wounded at the of Northwest Florida Battle of Ganjgal, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009, but was MedEvaced. He died of complications a
month later, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. His wife, Charlene was 6517204 6 1 4 8 OLD BAGDAD HIGHW A Y , MIL TON, FLORIDA • ( 8 5 0 ) 6 2 6 - 1 9 6 1 presented a posthumous Silver Star for his gallantry during the battle. BL#CBC043518 Page | THE RED 7 | Friday, October 18, 2013 medal of honor From page 3 did not become immediate- coalition forces were losing longer combat effective. We which had killed two ANA sualty collection point. Next removed the bodies from a ly clear.” the initiative. were going to be overrun, soldiers and wounded three Swenson and Fabayo went deep trench. The casualties Just as the lead Marines “The enemy realized so we started a controlled others, the team was hold- in search of the missing Ma- were placed in the back of moved within 100 meters they were gaining the initia- withdrawal, but it was not ing their own in the kill rines, while staying in con- an ANA Humvee as Fabayo of the village, an RPG mo- tive and that our fires were the decision we wanted to zone. stant contact with one of the and Rodriguez-Chavez pro- tor ignited from the front of ineffective,” Swenson said. make because we still knew As Swenson adminis- helicopters, which was also vided covering fire. the column, but before the “We called in artillery, but we had the Marines up tered first aid and kept in trying to locate them. Recovery complete, the round had time to impact, we couldn’t put it where we ahead,” Swenson said. “We radio contact with the helos At the same time, Ma- Humvees drove back down the combined force was hit wanted to, and they saw didn’t know where and were he’d called for, Fabayo saw rines Staff Sgt. Juan Ro- the wash and straight to the by crew-served machine that as a deficiency on our hoping, just hoping they’d three insurgents moving driguez-Chavez and Cpl. rally point to verify account- guns, RPGs and AK-47s part and exploited it. This taken cover inside a building from a house to within 50 Dakota Meyer were retriev- ability of all ANSF soldiers. from the valley to the east. was a maneuvering enemy, and stayed there, thus the meters of the TAC. Fabayo ing wounded in an up-ar- A mission that started as Deadly, accurate fire hit the a thinking enemy, an ag- break in communication. We made direct visual contact mored Humvee. By 8 a.m., one of good will became a formation on its way to the gressive enemy, and a new just didn’t know, but what with one insurgent wearing and still no contact with the struggle for survival. The village. enemy.” we did know was that we’d fatigues, body armor and a forward element and their immediate cost to the co- An estimated 60 insur- Coalition forces had been be no good to them where helmet who began waving truck on its last legs, Sw- alition was the loss of four gents had infiltrated and flanked and were taking we were, so we began our at him and demanding sur- enson called in a Combat Americans and eight ANA maneuvered into Ganjgal rocket and artillery fire on withdrawal, with additional render. Fabayo called to Sw- Search and Rescue helicop- soldiers. The battle would from the north and south three sides from multiple casualties.” enson about the insurgent’s ter, but it became clear the eventually cost one more through unseen trenches angles and elevations by the The Marine leader, Wil- demands. The captain calm- LZ was too close to enemy American life. as heavy fire spewed from advancing Taliban. The TAC liams, had been shot in ly put down his radio, halt- positions and RPG teams. Westbrook was evacu- houses and buildings. Ac- lost communication with the arm and his first ser- ed the first aid and replied Ground recovery of all ated to Walter Reed Army cording to eye-witnesses, the forward Marines, Sailor geant, Garza, had eardrums with a personal message by remaining casualties would Medical Center in Washing- village women and children and interpreter. Wounded ruptured by an RPG. The throwing a hand grenade. be the only way to do the ton, D.C., and seemed on could be seen shuttling am- Afghan soldiers and border wounded were accumulat- Having witnessed Sw- job and it would mean mov- the verge of recovery then munition and supplies to the police were calling for help. ing. Unable to physically enson’s example, the ANA ing into the kill zone again. complications developed as Taliban fighters. Swenson called repeat- evacuate the wounded down soldiers and policemen of Swenson called a quick the result of a blood transfu- As the Afghan forces edly for white phosphorous the steep terraces and out of the TAC rallied to push the planning session at the ca- sion in Afghanistan, which scattered to take cover and smoke to shield the coalition the kill zone, Swenson coor- insurgents back and beyond sualty collection point and initially saved his life. He return fire, command and and allow them to withdraw. dinated for combat helicop- hand grenade range. At made the decision that he, passed away Oct. 7, a month control via radio began to He was repeatedly denied ter support, then learned his about the same time, a team Fabayo, Rodriguez-Chavez following the battle. His break down. Swenson and the incendiary rounds on the partner Westbrook had been of OH-58D Kiowa Scout heli- and Meyer, with a small con- wife, Charlene, said she was Westbrook pulled alongside basis that the drop would isolated and lay in the open, copters carrying a combina- tingent of ANSF following, grateful to Swenson for all the Marine command ele- be too close to a populated suffering a chest wound. tion of missiles, rockets and would move toward the vil- he did in giving her husband ment in their Afghan Po- civilian area. The closest ob- Negotiating 50 meters of .50-caliber machine guns lage to search for the still- the extra time to spend with lice Vehicle (a Ford Ranger scuring effect of the shells open space, Swenson, Garza came on scene. missing Marines and their family. On April 19 of this truck) to find out the TAC was placed 400 meters away, and Fabayo quickly covered “We did receive our avia- corpsman. year, his family was pre- was becoming untenable. too distant to be effective as ground, zig-zagging and re- tion support, the Kiowas,” Around noon, the CSAR sented a posthumous Silver The decision was made to cover for the withdrawal. turning fire as they raced Swenson recalled. “They’re helo spotted the location of Star for his gallantry during withdraw when it became “A difficult decision was for Westbrook. Despite the aggressive, like little bees, the missing five men who the battle. apparent that ANSF and reached that we were no maelstrom of direct fire they swarm all over the had all been killed in an The end of that long day place, quick, nimble. The open courtyard area, then in September four years ago enemy knows when helicop- stripped of their armor and was not the conclusion of ters show up, it’s in their clothing. As the bird tried the Battle of Ganjgal, Sw- best interests to find some- to land, it was forced out by enson said, “that happened where to hide. If the enemy close RPG fire. Swenson later when U.S. and Afghan is out in the open, they’ll be called for smoke to mark the forces came together on a found and that will be a bad location of the bodies and to larger scale. day for them.” provide cover for Swenson’s “Relief forces came from The arrival of the Scouts up-armored Humvee to get Jalalabad, from Asmar, from gave the TAC the time it in to extract the fallen. all over Afghanistan,” he needed to move Westbrook As their Humvee climbed said. “There was loss, ter- and other wounded down to the top of the hill with rible loss, but we brought the steep terraces to the Af- Fabayo operating the M240 forces in to continue that ghan Border Police trucks, machine gun and the vehi- mission, to finish that mis- which then carried the cle coming under heavy fire, sion, to clear that village, wounded to a landing zone the Kiowa helicopters con- and to show what our re- where a UH-60 Black Hawk tinued to suppress known solve was and what our re- medevac waited. and suspected insurgent sponse would be.” Swenson and Fabayo strongholds. Coming to a then manned one of the stop adjacent to the forward Editor’s note: For- 2095979 unarmored ABP Rangers group’s position, Swenson mer Capt. William D. Swenson and re-entered the kill zone and Meyer, along with help is scheduled to be awarded the twice to evacuate wounded from ANA soldiers and Medal of Honor by President and bringing them to a ca- border police, found and Barack Obama, Oct. 15. Friday, October 18, 2013 | THE RED 7 | Page Local man awarded French Legion of Honor Don Bohler has helped find families of U.S. THE SUPPORT YOU WANT. military men who fought in France in World War II ON BASE. IN PERSON. By BRIAN HUGHES sistance fighters, is memorialized in the Crestview News Bulletin South of France. Bohler also located the flight leader and in 2010 helped bring the veteran and members of his family to La CRESTVIEW — A member of Crestview’s Pezade for honors and decoration by the Sister City organization has received French government. France’s highest accolade. Most recently, Bohler located the co- Don Bohler, a retired Air Force colonel, pilot’s brother and crewmen’s descendants received the Legion of Honor for his work of an American B-17 that crashed off the recognizing American World War II heroes beach of Noirmoutier, Crestview’s French who aided in France’s liberation. Sister City. “I didn’t know until the consulate In a letter notifying Bohler of the honor, called me up and said, ‘We need a copy of French ambassador to the United States your passport.’ ” said Bohler, who lives in François Delattre expressed “profound Niceville. gratitude” for Bohler’s “exemplary cour- “I said, ‘Why?’ They said, ‘Well, you’ve age and exceptional commitment to the been nominated for the Légion d’Honneur,’ memory of the fallen.” and I said, ‘Well, isn’t that something.’ ” Bohler received the Legion of Honor Bohler and his wife, Marie-Claude, spend by mail last week. The decoration will be You'll find University of Maryland University College (UMUC) summers at their home near the Mediterra- officially conferred at the French consulate worldwide. But you'll also find our representatives right nean Sea in Montpelier, France. in Miami, possibly early in 2014. While there, Bohler pursues his interest Bohler said he wouldn’t miss it for here at Eglin AFB, along with our National Testing Center. in history. In 2009, he was instrumental in anything. UMUC offers programs in cybersecurity, management locating family members of a fallen U.S. “I want the handshake and the kiss on studies, public safety, and more. In-person academic advising fighter pilot who, with 23 fallen French Re- both cheeks,” he said. and degree mapping are available. We can even walk you through the application and registration process—and provide guidance on how you can maximize your education benefits and earn credits for military experience. To find out more, CFC suspended as shutdown continues call or visit our Eglin AFB office. And if you're ready to move By Staff Sgt. David propriate activities under As the suspension con- forward, you won't have to leave Eglin AFB. Salanitri the Pay Our Military Act. tinues, leadership remains Air Force Public Affairs Agency, The suspension will re- ready to return to normal Operating Location - Pentagon main in place until there CFC operations once le- is a continuing resolution gally allowed. or a congressionally ap- “We look forward to WASHINGTON — As a proved appropriation. This a quick return and the result of the government suspension includes all resumption of a vigor- shutdown, the Depart- CFC events, training and ous campaign to help ment of Defense has fund raising. those people who rely indefinitely suspended Though the CFC cam- upon local, national and the Combined Federal paign is being suspended, international charities,” AT YOUR SERVICE SINCE 1947 Campaign. members still have an op- said Susan Yarwood, the The campaign was tion to contribute through DOD’s Human Resources slated to start its official myPay. director. University of Maryland University College is the nation’s largest public university. solicitation period Sept. 1 “Members can still go The CFC, according to and run through Dec. 15. online to www.cfcnca.org its website, is the world’s According to a memo- and find the organization largest annual workplace randum released Oct. 9, they want to donate to,” charity campaign. For Learn more
CFC campaign activities said Tamera Jordan, the more information visit 0 0 6 are not excepted from campaign manager for Air http://www.opm.gov/com- 850-882-1321 • military.umuc.edu/eonsite 2 furlough, nor are they ap- Force pentagon personnel. bined-federal-campaign. 111 Page | THE RED 7 | Friday, October 18, 2013 VA chief: Shutdown puts millions of payments at risk If you can read this, or popular Labor Department pro- lion beneficiaries, includ- Rep. Tim Huelskamp of bad as possible for veter- thank a teacher. with con- grams to help vets find ing 400,000 veterans rated Kansas, a tea party Re- ans. At one point he asked If you can read this with stituents. jobs are suspended. 100 percent disabled. publican, asked Shinseki if Shinseki to clear up an hope that those who shut Senate “Our organizations, and Defense officials Democrat Senate Majority impression left that all vet- down much of the federal Democrats the millions of veterans we learned last Friday they Leader Harry Reid of Ne- erans who qualify for dis- government will soon sound have ig- represent, will no longer could use the new Pay Our vada doesn’t like veterans? ability compensation have retreat, perhaps thank a nored al- tolerate Congress leverag- Military Act, which Con- How else to explain Reid low incomes. When he did veteran. most all of ing veterans’ health and gress passed unanimously, not sending a VA funding so, Miller said: VA Secretary Eric Shin- Tom them. well-being to achieve un- to end furloughs for most bill to the Senate floor for a “So people with shaving seki, a retired four-star gen- Philpott But the related political ends,” the defense employees and vote, he said. bumps or sleep apnea or eral and former Army chief shutdown, letter warned. to reopen support activi- That angered Democrat hemorrhoids or all those of staff, called on House the practice VA health care is funded ties such as commissar- Rep. Timothy J. Walz of disabilities that are out Republicans Wednesday to of passing CRs rather than under an advanced appro- ies. But Shinseki said Minnesota, who invited there today, they get that pass a “clean CR” or con- full appropriations, and now priations process, which the “mini-CR” House Re- Huelskamp to apologize. (compensation) regardless tinuing budget resolution to the piecemeal approach to is protecting all VA medi- publicans passed to fund Walz referred to a “cancer- of the income, right?” avoid harming millions of funding government drew cal facilities as well as 90 VA benefits would fail to ous” feeling created by Miller also pressed veterans. the wrath of veteran service percent of the VA budget restore full VA services, if some colleagues which has Shinseki to acknowledge Shinseki told the House organizations. AMVETS, and staff. However, unpro- enacted, because VA has led to antics like the shut- that the total number of VA Veterans Affairs Commit- Disabled American Veter- tected from the shutdown to work with so many other down, a huge waste of time employees furloughed is tee that if funds to end staff ans, Paralyzed Veterans of is the Veterans Benefits federal agencies hit by the and resources that should relatively small. Brown in- furloughs aren’t restored America and Veterans of Administration, which has government shutdown. have been used to help terrupted to say the chair- soon, VA would not be able Foreign Wars told congres- furloughed 7,800 employ- VA education, employ- veterans. man should be focusing to make November pay- sional leaders in a joint ees. Efforts to reduce the ment, insurance and Democrat Rep. Corrine instead on the millions of ments of pensions, disabil- letter that their failure to claims backlog are halted, housing programs rely on Brown of Florida hollered benefit checks at risk. ity compensation or GI Bill pass a full VA budget “is al- Shinseki said. Indeed, the “significant cooperation” that she was sick of House “We knew about the allowances to 5.18 million ready causing real harm” claims backlog grew last from the departments of Republicans blaming the possibility of this sometime veterans and survivors. to veterans. week by 2000 after falling Education, Labor, Housing Senate for the mess the ago,” Miller answered, turn- House Republicans Work has stopped on last month by 193,000. and Urban Development, House has made by refus- ing to Shinseki to confirm. countered that they had more than 250,000 disabil- “We have lost ground Treasury, the Social Se- ing to pass a continuing “Do you believe the passed a joint resolution to ity claims. VA disability we had fought hard to curity Administration, the resolution that didn’t also same thing, Mr. Secretary,” fund VA benefits at 2013 lev- pay, pension and education take,” the former infantry IRS and the Small Busi- attack Obamacare. Miller asked. els, part of a flurry of bills benefits are at risk. VA officer told the committee. ness Administration, Shin- “The House is inept!” Shinseki said he never to reopen portions of gov- vocational rehabilitation The shutdown also has put seki said. Brown said. “Twenty two expected Congress to put ernment viewed as critical offices have cut staff and at risk the goal of ending Half way through the years and I have never VA benefits at risk like this, the backlog by 2015, Shin- hearing, a Democrat seen anything like the even though as a career sol- seki said. And if the VBA praised the bipartisan- people who serve in this dier he likes to “look at all
2096457 furloughs last more than a ship shown by colleagues, House, who want to act the options.” few weeks, he said, it won’t crediting the tone set like they care about the Shinseki said he first be able to issue November by Republican Rep. Jeff veterans … They are out at came to understand the benefit checks, worth $6.25 Miller of Florida, the com- the cemeteries and (war) threat of a shutdown was billion, to more than 5 mil- mittee chairman. But then memorials saying, ‘We don’t real the last week of Sep- MagnomaglianoliagGrillfwbril.coml know why it’s shut down.’ tember and rushed to pull Well, you voted to shut it emergency operating plans. Car, Truck & SUV Accessories down a few hours earlier!” “So Mr. Chairman, if you Chairman Miller’s mood knew the shutdown was Hard & Soft Bed Covers darkened, too. He said going to happen, it wasn’t Shinseki made the impact shared with me,” Shinseki Bed Liners & Mats of the shutdown seem as said. Toolboxes-Hitches Miller went on to Now Enrolling criticize —- and Shinseki Toppers & Lids for Fall Classes to defend — recent VA pur- Window Visors Since 1988 chases of wall hangings to decorate new health fa- Massage Therapy & Skin Care cilities. By then, any warm Step Bars-Running Boards-Seat Covers Accepting Post 911, feelings of committee bipar- Montgomery GI Bill & MyCAA www.AccentTops.com tisanship were long gone. Soothing Arts Healing Tom & Peggy Rice • Proprietors Accent Tops & Trailers Therapies School of Massage To comment, write Military 850-302-0266 657 BEAL PARKWAY & Skincare Update, P.O. Box 231111, Cent- reville, VA, or email milupdate@ 157 Brooks St. SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 0 11 Visit SoothingArts.com for aol.com or twitter: Tom Philpott 6 9
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2 more information. @Military_Update 2096211 Steaks - Seafood - Italian 3033298 Friday, October 18, 2013 | THE RED 7 | Page Film workshop provides therapy to combat vets By Staff Sgt. Alexan- with others.” used to make our lives dria Brimage-Gray “The workshop has a little easier,” Walker U.S. Army been a good experience for continued. me because I knew noth- According to Rodriquez, ing about the ins and outs the workshop has been like FORT BRAGG, N.C. of film making prior to this a flashback. — Lights. Camera. Action. experience,” said Victor “Prior to this exercise I Cut. These were just a few Walker, an Army veteran. had not seen many of these of the words heard quite “It was kind of hard at first, pictures in years,” Rodri- frequently during the “I but the instructors made guez explained. “After be- Was There” film making it a lot easier by showing ing deployed four times, workshop, held from Sept. us simple techniques and the workshop helped me 30 to Oct. 3, in the Warrior giving us free reign as to to realize that there is Transition Battalion Bar- how to complete our movie. hope and that you are not racks Multipurpose Room. After talking to others who alone. I have learned that Service members be- share similar experiences you help others as well as ing treated at the Warrior as me, I realized that our yourself by sharing your Transition Unit, its cadre, stories are just the same.” experiences. When I see as well as Soldiers and “The workshop has re- the pictures now, I real- veterans on and off the in- ally just opened me up to ized that what I had been stallation were provided an a whole new avenue to get through was not that bad. opportunity to use the art advice, exchange ideas on It has also allowed me to of film making to help cope different coping mecha- forget and move on with U.S. Army with post-traumatic stress nisms and just being able my life. This has been the disorder and traumatic Staff Sgt. Rafael Rodriquez (center), a Soldier assigned to Company Delta, Warrior to talk about some of the greatest benefit to me from brain injuries. Transition Unit, Fort Bragg, N.C., Warrior Transition Battalion, receives instructions from de-stressors that can be this workshop.” “It (films) helps people Christine Parker (left), a film instructor with Patton Video Productions, as his actor Army heal, the things that they veteran Victor Walker (right) holds a pose during the filming of their movie “Forging OctFebruaryober have internalized and kept Ahead” during the “I Was There” Film Workshop at the Warrior Transition Battalion Bar- FREE 26th23rd&& 27th24th inside, the things that they racks Complex, Oct. 2. The workshop taught combat veterans the art of filmmaking. PARKING Gun cannot really express to Ft.PWanamaalton CBeachity Fairgrounds others can now be seen Concealed Fairgrounds in these movies through see their results, they get is a whole new way for movie,” said Staff Sgt. Weapons Class 2096540
Show 2077822 their eyes and others can kind of excited about it,” them, and I think some of Rafael Rodriquez, an al- Sat/Sun 11am or 2pm Floridagunshows.com Sat 9-5 Sun 10-4 see what they are going said Parker. them may go further with most 30-year Army vet- through,” said Christine As filmmaker, Parker this and continue to make eran and current warrior Asset Mutual Mortgage, Inc. Parker, a film instructor was accustomed to mak- more movies.” in transition. “Now I am Professional Mortgage Consultants with Patton Video Produc- ing films from her vision, The participants were actually a performer and tions. “The movies are use- but she found this work- not required to have prior also working behind the ful in communicating to shop as an opportunity to film experience to attend camera. Although it is not MORTGAGE OPTIONS their love ones and others see film from a whole new the workshop; the work- easy, it is very exciting. It just how deep these feeling perspective. shop taught them every- is very exciting knowing • VA Mortgage with go and just how difficult “This is neat seeing thing they needed to know that I know how to make their lives are.” stuff through their eyes to produce their very first movies, but especially a Zero down payment “On day one, everyone and to see the level of en- film. movie where each clip rep- is on guard and really not thusiasm that they have “Before this, I was sit- resents an event from my • VA Refinance sure as to what to expect for their projects, because ting down watching the four deployments to share from the workshop, but they are able to communi- noappraisalrequirement after they complete their cate these things through initial short film and they video,” said Parker. “This ∙ Jumbo VA Mortgage ∙ FHA 3.5% down payment (708) 532-2500 Contact Us Today! We specialize in the closing of your VA Loan 8
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From staff reports ing for all runners. At the Oct. 18 at the Golf Course. $25 for the course and in- taught by a certified Orvis® um.com/halloween. end of the 4.4-mile race, par- Watch for additional race de- cludes use of all required instructor. Classes will be ticipants will celebrate their tails and link to registration equipment. Sign up early at held at Outdoor Rec from Eglin Zombie Run survival-or their zombie on www.eglinforcesupport. Outdoor Rec as class size 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. Thunderbird transformation- with music, com. 850-883-1682 is limited to 10. Course is 19. Registration opens one Oct. 26 food, and beverages. Par- eligible for PLAYpass use. month prior to each clinic. Powwow Nov. 1, 2, 3 Run for your life at Eg- ticipants receive an event 850-882-5058 Cost is $30 per person and The 26th Annual Thun- lin’s 2nd Annual Zombie t-shirt, a medal, plus a photo Archery 101 includes instruction and derbird Intertribal Powwow Run, starting at 5 p.m. on op with zombies. Prizes will A new class, Archery equipment. After class, par- will be held Nov. 1, 2 and 3 at Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Eglin be awarded to the top male 101, is now offered at Out- Orvis Fly Fishing ticipants are invited back the Niceville Mullet Festival Golf Course. Event is open and female competitors. door Recreation. The 3-day 101 to Outdoor Rec to rent a Grounds. to the public and promises Registration is open to ages course consists of 1 1/2-hour fly fishing pole and paddle Spend the day with craft to be bigger, faster, and bet- 14 -adult at www.active.com classes offered Oct. 22-24, Eglin Outdoor Recreation board—and to go fish! For makers, singers, dancers, ter than the first! Opening until 1500 are registered. beginning at 5 p.m. Classes will host basic introductions information, contact Eg- flute players, storytellers festivities begin at 4:30 p.m., Entry fee is $40 per person. are taught by accomplished to the sport of Fly Fishing, lin Outdoor Recreation at and exhibits. A Children’s followed by a safety brief- First race package pickup is archer, Tony Jadin. Cost is featuring hands-on clinics 882-5058. Day will be held from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Nov. 2 Admission is $5 for adults Splash-or-Treat and $3 for 12 and younger. Children’s Day is $3. Spooktacular For information, call Kir- Kids will scream in delight by Locklear 850-863-5311 or - not fright as Gulfarium Ma- Glenn Farmer 850-678-7714. rine Adventure Park expands its Halloween event this year to span three days, includ- Crossfit Challenge ing an opportunity for kids to trick or treat at the park on to benefit shelter the evening of Oct. 31. A Crossfit Challenge will GulfScarium’s Splash- be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, or-Treat Spooktacular will Nov. 2 at Fort Walton Beach THE NEWS HERALD run Saturday, Oct. 26 and Crossfit. The event will ben- Sunday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. efit Opportunity Place, a IS CURRENTLY SEEKING: - 3 p.m. with family-friendly shelter that provides tem- games and activities such porary housing for homeless DIGITAL ONLINE as the HallowGreen Scaven- women, children and fami- ger Hunt, free facepainting, lies in Okaloosa and Walton SALES SPECIALIST and a costume parade and counties. contest with great prizes. All levels of athletes are IF YOU ARE: New this year is a crazy and welcome to participate as We are seeking an experienced and an individual or 4-person A hardworking top performer kooky kids’ fun house com- motivated sales professional to join our plete with a mirror madness relay team. Special fun Hal- digital sales team.The News Herald is a who is excited by challenges, maze. Kids in costume get loween activities will be held dynamic company that appreciates sales free admission into the park, for the kids. This Crossfit has professional business WOD Challenge is sponsored consultants who have great attitudes, limit 2 free kids per adult. communication skills, a general Adults and additional kids by Militia Fitness, FWB enthusiasm, a winning passion and good knowledge of digital products and pay regular admission, not to Crossfit, Santos Strength judgement to help local companies grow be combined with any other (Destin) and Miles Militia enjoys working in a fast-paced their business. Our fast-paced selling discount/coupon. (Crestview). environment that strives for The fun continues Oct. Registration is $25 for environment provides local and creative individuals and all money and achieves success. 31 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. when multi-media advertising solutions that kids can trick-or-treat around raised stays in Okaloosa serve our customers well. the park, enjoy kids crafts, county to support the pro- and watch a dolphin and sea grams and services of Op- lion show. Regular park ad- portunity Place. To register: mission closes at 3:30, sepa- http://www.active.com/fit- We offer competitive wages, performance-based bonus, excellent benefit package and a promote-from-within philosophy. ness/fort-walton-beach-fl/ All offers of employment require successfully passing a post offer drug screen and background check. rate entrance required for GulfScarium event. Kids in opportunity-to-help-crossfit- To apply, e-mail resume, cover letter and salary requirements to: costume are free, limit 2 free WOD-2013. kids per adult, additional For information or to [email protected] kids $5 each. Adults pay the make a donation, call Op- regular kids admission rate portunity Inc. at (850) 409-
Equal opportunity employer that values diversity in the workplace SP72234 of $11.95. 3070 or contact Lill Jennings Panama City consistently ranks as one of the best places to live, raise a family, do business and retire. For a complete schedule at [email protected] or of events, visit www.gulfari- (850)865-3209.