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BRIEFINGS FROM JOINT BASE WASCO

Serving those who

have served.

January/February 2014

There is often reluctance, especially among veterans, to admit to having disabilities. This is partly because of the social stig-

mas about disabled persons. Real or imaginary, these biases make many people uncomfortable with accepting the title of disabled.

A disability is simply an impairment or limitation of a bodily system, mental or physical. It is not something to be embarrassed about, or hide due to societal biases. While challenging, most disabled persons are able to adapt and compensate for the limitations placed on them by their disabilities. Living with disabilities can be difficult; I know this, as I am a disabled veteran. You would never know that just by looking at me, but I have lived with chronic pain starting on active duty in 1996. I, like many oth-ers, delayed and avoided doing anything about my condition. Finally, in 2011, I was convinced to file a disability claim with the U.S. Veterans Administration, and now I am service-connected for the pain and com-plications from the trauma to my knees.

At first it was difficult to admit to myself that I am disabled, that is now mostly in the past. I have learned to embrace the difficulties, receive the help and assistance I need and am enjoying my life again.

Disabilities often impair a person’s employability. This can be directly because of physical limitations preventing them from performing job du-ties, thereby excluding them from many opportunities. Difficulties with interpersonal relationships may make working with or around others dif-ficult.

The most common disabilities for veterans are hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing or popping in the ears). The VA provides benefits for any medi-cal condition with a direct causal link to an injury, illness or exposure that occurred while on active duty or in some cases while on training for Guard and Reserves. If a veteran is disabled due to his or her military service there are bene-fits available to assist them. These include disability compensation, healthcare through the VA medical centers, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental insurance, vocational rehabilitation, property tax reductions, per-manent vehicle registrations and more.

A message from Russ Jones,

your Veterans Service Officer

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) was chartered by Congress in 1958 to recognize combat veterans who were awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds sus-tained in combat. Although our membership is restricted to those injured on the battle-field, we support all veterans and their families with a varie-ty of programs adopted by chapters and National Service Officers.

Early in 2012, I began work-ing to get a local chapter of the MOPH off the ground The Dalles. We are one person shy of opening Chapter 832 to recognize local warriors who have received this dis-tinction. My Purple Heart was earned during a 2010-11 de-ployment to Iraq. My goal is to have an active local chapter so we can educate the com-munity about sacrifices made on the battlefield and advo-cate for veteran support.

I am Patrick Wilbern, Intake Coordinator for the Wasco County Veterans Service of-fice, and ask that others who have earned a Purple Heart contact me for more infor-mation at 541-506-2502

At first it was difficult to admit to myself that I am disabled

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The Congressional Hearings room for the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee grew uncharacteristically quiet on a late fall day in 2003. The topic was the increasing number of suicides the Marines and Army were experiencing in Iraq after the start of the war. Steve Robinson, a veterans advocate from the first Gulf War, settled into the micro-phone and began sharing the following story. SSGT Andrew Pogany was being charged with “cowardice under fire” by his com-mand at Fort Carson, Colo. Pogany, a thirty-something intelligence specialist, had been assigned with little notice to a 12-man special operations team serving in Iraq. On his first day in country, An-drew witnessed a firefight resulting in one enemy killed. Andrew had just started taking Larium, an anti-malaria agent known to produce significant mental health side effects in up to 20 percent of us-ers and had not slept for more than 30 hours. As he searched the body, he began to experience nausea and anxiety which did not subside over the next two days. Realizing he was psychologically in trouble, Andrew repeatedly requested a mental health assessment which was denied. Not only was his request denied, he was verbally harassed in front of his peers for being weak and unable to cope. Finally his command relented and allowed a mental health assessment, which diagnosed an adjust-ment reaction and recommended he be given a couple of days rest before being assigned missions. These recommendations did not sit well with his commander who instead filed charges of cowardice and sent him home to face charges. “Cowardice under fire” is one of the few military charges that can carry the death penalty. I was in the back of the hearings room feeling frustrated and angry as Andrews’ story was told. After it was concluded, I introduced myself to Steve Robinson offering to help in any way possible. I had just started a one year stint as a Congressional Fellow in Washington, DC, with the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee focusing on mental health policy for returning military personnel and veterans. Over the next year I spoke with Andrew and Steve many times. Andrew’s picture, along with Jessica Lynch, one of the first female casualties of the war, made the cover of Time magazine with the cap-tion of “Coward versus Hero.” The Army continued to press charges until the senior NCO from An-drew’s old unit was found murdered after he and his driver made a wrong turn in Mosul, Iraq. Two months later a senior warrant officer from the same unit committed suicide by cop while on a brief leave. Nearly a year later, all charges were dropped against Andrew who completed his Army ca-reer.

Why is this story important? I suspect the current high rate of veteran and military suicides is directly related to the stigma our military and society place on people who experience short or long-term emotional problems, which by the way includes everyone on the planet. We do not judge each other or ourselves when we get colds, flu, cancer, etc., but to admit to anxiety, depression, addictions, an-ger issues, excessive irritability or other problems is too often seen as some fatal flaw of character.

The results of stigma can kill when it prevents us from recognizing and receiving appropriate mental health assistance. It is often inconvenient and takes time to seek mental health treatment and it is an even longer process to seek financial assistance when emotional problems interfere with employ-ment opportunities. It takes courage to squarely and honestly appraise our emotional state. It takes courage to carefully listen to a spouse or loved one who is concerned about our mental health.

In my 22 years of psychology practice in The Dalles “stigma,” by definition a “felt mark of disgrace,” was probably the single biggest hindrance to veterans seeking help. I hope that all who read this will be courageous and get the help they need and for which they are eligible.

Guest Columnist

Patrick Stone

The results of stigma can kill . . .

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The Wasco County Veterans

Services Office (VSO) has a

dedicated and active corps of

volunteers which has received

special recognition from the Oregon Department of

Veterans Affairs. Contact Jean at the VSO for in-

formation on volunteering

Mission Statement

The mission of the Volunteer Program of the Was-

co County Veterans’ Services Office is to support

the County Veterans’ Services Officer in providing

a welcoming and professional atmosphere where

veterans, their family members, and oth-

er visitors can obtain information and

assistance in matters related to the ben-

efits and services available through the

Department of Veterans Affairs.

Jean Maxwell, Volunteer Coordinator

Every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces has a

battle cry that “refers to or means anything and

everything except “no.”

Soldiers in the U.S. Army and Airmen from the

U.S. Air Force use “Hooah” as a call and re-

sponse cheer in a group to boost morale or as

a random utterance to mean “outstanding” or

“roger that.” Although the exact origin of this

term is unknown, some historians believe it

evolved from the “Hurry Up & Wait” expression

used by infantrymen during and after World

War II.

The U.S. Marine Corps term is “Oorah,” which

was originally a Comanche war-chant that

meant “All-right” or “Let’s go!”

Sailors from the U.S. Navy use “Hooyah” that is

believed to be slang for Heard-Understood-

Acknowledged.

Congratulations 2451 VFW Auxiliary

on your 80th anniversary!

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National Data - 6.30.2013

Wasco County Data - 9.30.2013

Estimated Veterans Population 22,328,000

Veterans Enrolled in VA Healthcare 8,760,000 (39.2%)

Veterans Receiving Disability Comp 3,660,000 (16.4%)

Estimated Veterans Population 3,241

Veterans Enrolled in VA Healthcare 870 (26.8%)

Estimated Veterans w/VA Disability 475 (14.7%)

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Jan. 1, 2014 - USMC Sgt. Jacob M. Hess, 22, of Spokane, WA, - While sup-

porting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Jan. 4, 2014 - Army Sgt. First Class William K. Lacey, 38, of Laurel Hill, FL - In Nangarhar Province,

Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when the enemy attacked his unit with rocket propelled grenades.

Jan. 15, 2014 - Army Sgt. Daniel T. Lee, 28, of Crossville, TN, - In Parwan Province, Afghanistan,

from wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire during combat oper-

ations.

Jan. 17, 2014 - Army Spc. Andrew H. Sipple, 22, of Cary, NC - In Kandahar City, Kandahar Prov-

ince, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident currently under investigation.

Jan. 20, 2014 - Army Chief Warrant Officer Edward Balli, 42, of Monterey, CA - In Kandahar Prov-

ince, Afghanistan, of wounds from small arms fire when he was attacked by insurgents.

Feb. 10, 2014 - Army Pfc. Joshua A. Gray, 21, of Van Lear, KY - In Bagram Airfield, Afghani-

stan,froma non-combat related incident currently under investigation.

Feb. 10, 2014 - Army Specialist Christopher A. Landis, 27, of Independence, KY - On Gagram Air-

field, Afghanistan, from wounds received when the enemy attacked his dismounted patrol with a

rocket propelled grenade in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan.

Feb. 12, 2014 - Army Spc. John A. Pellham, 22, of Portland, OR & Army Sgt. First class Roberto C.

Skelt, 41, of York, FL – In Afghanistan of wounds suffered when struck by enemy small arms fire.

Feb. 15, 2014 - USMC Master Sgt. Aaron C. Torian, 36 of Paducah, KY - While conducting combat

operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

C.R. “Dick” Shearer, 1921-2014. Army Air Corps, World War II glider pilot

Roland “Ron” A. Summers, 1938-2014, U.S. Navy

Russell F. Wilcox, 1927-2014 – U.S. Navy, World War II

Norman G. Tonn, 1939-2014, Oregon National Guard, Combat Engineer

Burdette H. “Pick” Pickens, 1912-2014 – U.S. Army, World War II

Renato (Ray) Vergori, 1946--2014. U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam

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