The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released a revised Notice of Disclosure form that describes the rights of active duty military and their dependents who are protected under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. This law requires that military personnel on active duty in wartime are entitled to mortgage relief, including a lower interest rate (not more than six percent) on their mortgages. It also states that a foreclosure proceeding against certain military personnel, who are recalled to active duty, is not valid unless the creditor has obtained a court order approving it. In addition, the law protects Service Members who may be facing eviction because their landlords themselves are forced into foreclosure.
For more housing resources, including information about finding housing, home loans andrelocation assistance,visit the National Resource Directory
Six forward-deployed U.S. service members began their Fourth of July morning with telephone calls from Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta.
Panetta, sworn in as the nation's 23rd secretary of defense on Friday, reached out late Sunday evening to convey his thanks and support for their service, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Doug Wilson said today.
The defense secretary spoke by phone with service members deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Bahrain, Wilson said.
"They represent America's men and women in uniform who are away from their families on this July 4 weekend," Wilson added, noting that they "come from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the Army National Guard."
Panetta told each service member how proud he was of their service and emphasized to each his commitment to fight for them and their families as they are fighting for their country, Wilson said.
"He told each that he looks forward to meeting them during his travels as secretary," Wilson added.
The names, home towns and locations where they are aserving are as follows:
U.S. Army Spc. Darwin Siquig is serving in Afghanistan and is from Kahuku, Hawaii.
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Shain Frazier Jr. is serving in Afghanistan and is from San Diego, Calif.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Frankie Lizcano is serving in Afghanistan and is from San Antonio, Texas.
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jay D'Amico is serving in Afghanistan. He is originally from Joliet, Ill., and now lives in Surprise, Ariz.
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Frawley is serving in Bahrain. He is originally from Augusta, Ga., and he and his family now live in Newport, N.C.
Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kelly Ann Pels is serving in Iraq. She is from Clermont County, Ohio.
Panetta, sworn in as the nation's 23rd secretary of defense on Friday, reached out late Sunday evening to convey his thanks and support for their service, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Doug Wilson said today.
The defense secretary spoke by phone with service members deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Bahrain, Wilson said.
"They represent America's men and women in uniform who are away from their families on this July 4 weekend," Wilson added, noting that they "come from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the Army National Guard."
Panetta told each service member how proud he was of their service and emphasized to each his commitment to fight for them and their families as they are fighting for their country, Wilson said.
"He told each that he looks forward to meeting them during his travels as secretary," Wilson added.
The names, home towns and locations where they are aserving are as follows:
U.S. Army Spc. Darwin Siquig is serving in Afghanistan and is from Kahuku, Hawaii.
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Shain Frazier Jr. is serving in Afghanistan and is from San Diego, Calif.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Frankie Lizcano is serving in Afghanistan and is from San Antonio, Texas.
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jay D'Amico is serving in Afghanistan. He is originally from Joliet, Ill., and now lives in Surprise, Ariz.
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Frawley is serving in Bahrain. He is originally from Augusta, Ga., and he and his family now live in Newport, N.C.
Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kelly Ann Pels is serving in Iraq. She is from Clermont County, Ohio.
NORTHVILLE, Mich.—
A Michigan combat medic wounded in the Korean War received the Purple Heart on Monday, six decades after he was wounded in a Chinese army attack. Conrad Dowel, 79, of Northville, was awarded the medal before the start of the Detroit suburb's Fourth of July parade, The Detroit News reported.
Dowel said he was loading wounded soldiers onto a Jeep when Chinese artillery opened fire.
"A round caught us," he told the Detroit Free Press. "I woke up and someone was looking down at me."
Dowel said he resisted being evacuated but was strapped to a stretcher and airlifted to safety, and his back was repaired with rods and screws.
Someone who has experienced war in the way that he did never forgets, "especially when you have to put your hands into someone's stomach or comfort a man while he's dying," Dowel said.
Before the ceremony, Dowel said he was glad to be getting the medal after all these years. But he said he was nothing special.
"I was a plain GI," Dowel said.
KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Being a medic entrusted with taking care of ill and injured soldiers has the potential for long and tiring days. In the case of U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Weber, who is still dealing with the aftermath of being injured in an insurgent attack two months ago, it represents yet another challenge to balance alongside his professional duties.
Weber, a health care specialist with the medical platoon, headquarters and headquarters battery, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, and a native of Ames, Iowa, was injured during an indirect fire attack at Forward Operating Base Salerno on April 22. The attack claimed the life of U.S. Army Capt. Joshua McClimans.
Having been on hundreds of combat patrols without incident on his previous Afghanistan deployment in 2008-2009 with the 1st Bn., 6th FA Regt., the attack was a sobering reality check.
“It definitely lets you know there are no guarantees of being safe just because you sit on a large FOB like Salerno,” said Weber.
Weber was living in a tent near the hospital at the time. Half the tent was destroyed, and Weber suffered a concussion. The explosion initially stunned him but he was able to put on his battle gear, responding as if he had been on auto-pilot, he said.
“I was just standing there,” said Weber, until fellow soldiers responded to the scene to help deal with the wounded.
Weber was treated at the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury center at FOB Salerno, then ordered to take it easy for a couple weeks. Many of his immediate post-incident troubles were attributable to severe, prolonged headaches that finally broke a couple weeks ago. Now such headaches are only random, thankfully.
“The typical soldier is back to work in 72 hours after a concussion,” said U.S. Army Maj. Thomas Hair, the battalion surgeon of the 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div., TF Duke, and a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, who works in the same office as Weber.
“This (Salerno) is one of the best places to be if you do suffer a head injury,” he added, referring to the professionally staffed and equipped MTBI center.
After a couple weeks to decompress from the attack and concussion, Weber gradually resumed his duties. They include helping compile battalion readiness medical statistics, sick call reports, and reporting up to brigade medical operations on any diseases or non-battle injuries. He is also the medical platoon leader, field medical assistant, and the treatment and supply NCO.
Weber’s efforts are certainly appreciated by those who work alongside him.
“He takes care of everything so I can do my job,” said U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Larson, physician’s assistant for the 1st Bn., 6th FA Regt., 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div., TF Duke, and a native of Grand Rapids, Minn.
Hair agrees, citing the mentoring aspect of Weber that positively impacts those working in Weber’s proximity.
“He has some strong junior leaders who help him out a lot, who wouldn’t be as strong without his leadership,” said Hair.
As for his long-term future, Weber doesn’t see himself making the Army a career after his enlistment expires next March. The chance to continue helping others, however, will see him remaining in the health care field. He is thinking about pursuing a masters degree in occupational therapy at the University of Minnesota.
The opportunity to study in the Midwest will also allow him to reconnect with some special people who have long been in his corner, especially on deployments that have been half a world away.
“I always had everything I needed because my family has really supported me,” said Weber.
Weber, a health care specialist with the medical platoon, headquarters and headquarters battery, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, and a native of Ames, Iowa, was injured during an indirect fire attack at Forward Operating Base Salerno on April 22. The attack claimed the life of U.S. Army Capt. Joshua McClimans.
Having been on hundreds of combat patrols without incident on his previous Afghanistan deployment in 2008-2009 with the 1st Bn., 6th FA Regt., the attack was a sobering reality check.
“It definitely lets you know there are no guarantees of being safe just because you sit on a large FOB like Salerno,” said Weber.
Weber was living in a tent near the hospital at the time. Half the tent was destroyed, and Weber suffered a concussion. The explosion initially stunned him but he was able to put on his battle gear, responding as if he had been on auto-pilot, he said.
“I was just standing there,” said Weber, until fellow soldiers responded to the scene to help deal with the wounded.
Weber was treated at the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury center at FOB Salerno, then ordered to take it easy for a couple weeks. Many of his immediate post-incident troubles were attributable to severe, prolonged headaches that finally broke a couple weeks ago. Now such headaches are only random, thankfully.
“The typical soldier is back to work in 72 hours after a concussion,” said U.S. Army Maj. Thomas Hair, the battalion surgeon of the 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div., TF Duke, and a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, who works in the same office as Weber.
“This (Salerno) is one of the best places to be if you do suffer a head injury,” he added, referring to the professionally staffed and equipped MTBI center.
After a couple weeks to decompress from the attack and concussion, Weber gradually resumed his duties. They include helping compile battalion readiness medical statistics, sick call reports, and reporting up to brigade medical operations on any diseases or non-battle injuries. He is also the medical platoon leader, field medical assistant, and the treatment and supply NCO.
Weber’s efforts are certainly appreciated by those who work alongside him.
“He takes care of everything so I can do my job,” said U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Larson, physician’s assistant for the 1st Bn., 6th FA Regt., 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div., TF Duke, and a native of Grand Rapids, Minn.
Hair agrees, citing the mentoring aspect of Weber that positively impacts those working in Weber’s proximity.
“He has some strong junior leaders who help him out a lot, who wouldn’t be as strong without his leadership,” said Hair.
As for his long-term future, Weber doesn’t see himself making the Army a career after his enlistment expires next March. The chance to continue helping others, however, will see him remaining in the health care field. He is thinking about pursuing a masters degree in occupational therapy at the University of Minnesota.
The opportunity to study in the Midwest will also allow him to reconnect with some special people who have long been in his corner, especially on deployments that have been half a world away.
“I always had everything I needed because my family has really supported me,” said Weber.
The FBI is joining the Army's investigation into possible criminal practices at Arlington National Cemetery.
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Bronze campaign stars are now authorized for service members who have served in Iraq since Sept. 1, 2010, or in Afghanistan since Dec. 1, 2009, Defense Department officials announced today.
The new campaign stars, worn on the Iraq and Afghanistan campaign medals, recognize service during Operation New Dawn in Iraq and the Consolidation III campaign phase in Afghanistan.
Operation New Dawn began Sept. 1, 2010, marking the official end of Operation Iraqi Freedom and U.S. combat operations in Iraq and a new focus on advising, assisting and training Iraqi security forces.
The Consolidation III campaign in Afghanistan began Dec. 1, 2009, the date President Barack Obama committed to sending 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan with a plan to begin drawing down that force in July.
The services will announce implementing instructions to their members about wear of the new campaign stars.
Service members who have qualified for the ICM and ACM may display a bronze campaign star on their medal for each campaign phase in which they participated. A silver campaign star is issued in lieu of five bronze stars.
Six other campaign phases were previously identified for Iraq, and three in Afghanistan.
In Iraq, they are:
-- Liberation of Iraq, March 19 to May 1, 2003;
-- Transition of Iraq, May 2, 2003 to June 28, 2004;
-- Iraqi Governance, June 29, 2004 to Dec. 15, 2005;
-- National Resolution, Dec. 16, 2005 to Jan. 9, 2007;
-- Iraqi Surge, Jan. 10, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2008; and
-- Iraqi Sovereignty, Jan. 1, 2009 to Aug. 31, 2010.
In Afghanistan, the previously identified campaign phases are:
-- Liberation of Afghanistan, Sept. 11 to Nov. 30, 2001;
-- Consolidation I, Dec. 1, 2001 to Sept. 30, 2006; and
-- Consolidation II, Oct. 1, 2006 to Nov. 30, 2009.
The Defense Department first authorized campaign stars for service in Iraq and Afghanistan in April 2008.
The new campaign stars, worn on the Iraq and Afghanistan campaign medals, recognize service during Operation New Dawn in Iraq and the Consolidation III campaign phase in Afghanistan.
Operation New Dawn began Sept. 1, 2010, marking the official end of Operation Iraqi Freedom and U.S. combat operations in Iraq and a new focus on advising, assisting and training Iraqi security forces.
The Consolidation III campaign in Afghanistan began Dec. 1, 2009, the date President Barack Obama committed to sending 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan with a plan to begin drawing down that force in July.
The services will announce implementing instructions to their members about wear of the new campaign stars.
Service members who have qualified for the ICM and ACM may display a bronze campaign star on their medal for each campaign phase in which they participated. A silver campaign star is issued in lieu of five bronze stars.
Six other campaign phases were previously identified for Iraq, and three in Afghanistan.
In Iraq, they are:
-- Liberation of Iraq, March 19 to May 1, 2003;
-- Transition of Iraq, May 2, 2003 to June 28, 2004;
-- Iraqi Governance, June 29, 2004 to Dec. 15, 2005;
-- National Resolution, Dec. 16, 2005 to Jan. 9, 2007;
-- Iraqi Surge, Jan. 10, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2008; and
-- Iraqi Sovereignty, Jan. 1, 2009 to Aug. 31, 2010.
In Afghanistan, the previously identified campaign phases are:
-- Liberation of Afghanistan, Sept. 11 to Nov. 30, 2001;
-- Consolidation I, Dec. 1, 2001 to Sept. 30, 2006; and
-- Consolidation II, Oct. 1, 2006 to Nov. 30, 2009.
The Defense Department first authorized campaign stars for service in Iraq and Afghanistan in April 2008.
A 60-year-old Army veteran won a $925,000 settlement with the Department of Veterans Affairs after he was blinded in one eye during a routine outpatient cataract operation, his attorney said Monday.
Jose Goncalves of Hartford was blinded in his right eye when a third-year resident at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in West Haven incorrectly administered an anesthetic during the procedure in 2007, attorney Christopher Bernard said. The resident then injected too much anesthetic, causing his eyeball to explode, Bernard said.
“Jose suffered excruciating pain after that botched surgery and continued to have severe pain for months afterward,” Bernard said. “The damage to the eye is obvious because his iris is missing and his eyelid droops. If anything should ever happen to the undamaged left eye, he could face total blindness.”
The U.S. attorney’s office, which represented the VA, declined to comment. The resident, Dr. Yue Michelle Wang, also declined to comment. She wasn’t sued because doctors who work for the federal government have immunity, Bernard said.
Wang incorrectly placed a needle with a local anesthetic directly into Goncalves’ eye instead of behind his eye, Bernard said.
Goncalves endured four more surgeries in an attempt to save the damaged eye and to maximize his eyesight, but he has no functional vision in that eye, his attorney said. He is able to see a rough outline of his hand when held about 6 inches in front of his face, Bernard said.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport in 2009 against the VA, argued that Goncalves’ injuries were a result of carelessness and negligence by the doctors at the Veterans’ Administration facility and that he “has been permanently deprived of his ability to carry on and enjoy life’s activities.”
“It is clear that Dr. Wang’s training was seriously inadequate,” Bernard said. “This should have been a routine procedure as it is for countless people every day. When proper techniques are used, this particular complication should never occur.”
Goncalves suffers from a significant lack of depth perception that makes him unable to resume his previous job as a roofer, his attorney said. He works in the maintenance department at Central Connecticut State University.
He is unable to drive except for short distances. Reading, watching television and going to movies are difficult because the undamaged eye tires so quickly, Bernard said.
By John Christoffersen - The Associated Press
Jose Goncalves of Hartford was blinded in his right eye when a third-year resident at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in West Haven incorrectly administered an anesthetic during the procedure in 2007, attorney Christopher Bernard said. The resident then injected too much anesthetic, causing his eyeball to explode, Bernard said.
“Jose suffered excruciating pain after that botched surgery and continued to have severe pain for months afterward,” Bernard said. “The damage to the eye is obvious because his iris is missing and his eyelid droops. If anything should ever happen to the undamaged left eye, he could face total blindness.”
The U.S. attorney’s office, which represented the VA, declined to comment. The resident, Dr. Yue Michelle Wang, also declined to comment. She wasn’t sued because doctors who work for the federal government have immunity, Bernard said.
Wang incorrectly placed a needle with a local anesthetic directly into Goncalves’ eye instead of behind his eye, Bernard said.
Goncalves endured four more surgeries in an attempt to save the damaged eye and to maximize his eyesight, but he has no functional vision in that eye, his attorney said. He is able to see a rough outline of his hand when held about 6 inches in front of his face, Bernard said.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport in 2009 against the VA, argued that Goncalves’ injuries were a result of carelessness and negligence by the doctors at the Veterans’ Administration facility and that he “has been permanently deprived of his ability to carry on and enjoy life’s activities.”
“It is clear that Dr. Wang’s training was seriously inadequate,” Bernard said. “This should have been a routine procedure as it is for countless people every day. When proper techniques are used, this particular complication should never occur.”
Goncalves suffers from a significant lack of depth perception that makes him unable to resume his previous job as a roofer, his attorney said. He works in the maintenance department at Central Connecticut State University.
He is unable to drive except for short distances. Reading, watching television and going to movies are difficult because the undamaged eye tires so quickly, Bernard said.
By John Christoffersen - The Associated Press
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