Family angered by Marine's overdose death at naval hospital

By Bill Sizemore
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 29, 2010

PORTSMOUTH

Lance Cpl. Ezequiel Freire got out of Afghanistan alive, but a stateside hospital stay proved fatal.

The 20-year-old Marine's death from a prescription drug overdose at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center has left his family reeling, outraged and frustrated by what they see as an absence of accountability for those charged with his care.

Freire died of a toxic cocktail of powerful narcotics and sedatives as he was awaiting chemotherapy treatment for cancer. The case underscores the dangers inherent in the many potent painkillers on the market today, which have helped drive an alarming rise in overdoses.

Overdose deaths from prescription drugs now exceed those from illegal drugs.

The Freire case also leaves unanswered the question of what, if any, consequences there were for the doctors involved in his care.

Read the entire story by clicking here.

Justin Haase Memorial

Dear Military People and Nonmilitary People:

What you are about to read is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, your family and any future person who is to ever join the military. I will try to keep this short, but must explain some things first so you know this is not a farce.

My name is Renee Thurlow. My husband is in the military and in October 2001 our son joined the USMC. Our son never finished. He died a horrible death in boot camp on December 23, 2001. We are NOT placing blame on the institution. We need a strong military. We need one with honorable people in it. That is why we are trying to make it a safer place. Through these last two years we have found that many military people and people in general are under the misconception of being able to sue the government and not being able to sue the government.

I am going to pass on what we have learned. There are thousands of others out there like us who have lost children going to serve this country and the government gives us no help. They fill everything full of lies and cover-ups. We are not taking this sitting down. I am not some freaked out mother who cannot deal with the loss of her son. I am a PROUD mother and wife of two of my guys who serve/served this country like you do.

This could happen to you or one day if your child or grandchild goes off into the military it could happen to them.  Those in our government will NOT help you. THIS IS ABOUT THE Feres doctrine.  IT IS A DOCTRINE THAT PREVENTS ANY MILITARY MEMBER FROM SUING THE GOVERNMENT not for simple negligence but for intentional, deliberate or grossly negligent acts.

If you go to a military hospital and they cut off the wrong foot, oh well! Tough is what you will be told basically. Many of us have been busting our humps trying to change this. We KNOW if there were an ACCOUNTABILITY factor there would be almost no deaths due to pure grossly negligent or criminal negligence.  Unfortunately, the only way to hold someone accountable for their individual wrongful acts if the government will not is through petitioning the federal court for redress of wrong.  All of us who have lost a child would rather have our children back, but that is not going to happen.  Many people out there have their children living with them because they were not taken care of medically (in a proper manner) in the military hospitals and these children cannot function on their own.  This could one day be you or someone you know. We have the greatest chance coming up to change this forever.

WE CANNOT do it without the entire United States joining us!

NO Senator as of this date has stepped forth to stop the abuses under the Feres doctrine!  This is unsatisfactory and they have their cushy jobs because of men and women who serve this country and they will not lift a finger to help protect you!

We want them to recognize that fact and care enough to make things safer for those serving this country. It is only right!  It could happen to your child.

Justin's story has been featured in People magazine December 15, 2003, issue and NBC Dateline is on the agenda.  The problem of Americans dying due to the gross negligence and or wrongful acts and omissions of federal employees in our military is alarming!  Since Justin died I know of at least 6 other deaths in boot camp alone and this does NOT include the ones who died at Camp Pendleton

 from Meningitis.

This is obscene that these kids are dying needlessly!

This is not just for those of us who have lost kids. It concerns the VA and the people who have served and have been thrown to the side. This is NOT a joke.

Just a FEW minutes of your time can help prevent the possibility of you or someone you love dying needlessly. Your voice can aid in changing the fact that abuses that are happening right here in our own country to our own men and women go unanswered and without any accountability to those who inflicted the injustice.

Our prayers and thanks go out to ALL of the military men and women who serve this country and to the families who know the deepest meaning of sacrifice and support.

Our prayers and thanks go to those who have been lost on the battlefield and to their families who know the truest meaning of loss.

Our prayers and hearts go to those especially who have been robbed of their family member through the abuses caused by an institution that promotes honor as one of their first attributes.

This is for you son - every tear and every heartbeat.
I love you with all of my heart.
"Until we meet at HIS feet."

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. MILITARY AND NON MILITARY. THANKS AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES

Gratefully,
Renee Thurlow
 

Rape Rampant in US Military

Statistics and soldiers' testimonies reveal a harrowing epidemic of sexual assault in the US military.

by Dahr Jamail

Sexual assault within the ranks of the military is not a new problem. It is a systemic problem that has necessitated that the military conduct its own annual reporting on the crisis.

read the entire story by clicking here.

This report includes the problem of the rapes of male military members, which, numerically, is even greater than the rapes of female military members.

Additional news stories on the subject:

Rape Victims Ask, Military Won't Tell on Assaults: Ann Woolner

Rise in Sexual Harassment at Military Academies ACLU Lawsuit: Military Won't Release Rape Records

Mother of One Dead Soldier Suspects Sex Assault

By John Lasker

WeNews correspondent

Monday, December 20, 2010

At least 20 female soldiers have died in Iraq and Afghanistan in "noncombat" circumstances that their families find mysterious. The mother of one talks here about why she thinks sexual violence--not suicide--was her daughter's real killer.

Read the entire story by clicking here.

Army Releases November Suicide Data

             The Army released suicide data today for the month of November.  Among active-duty soldiers, there were 11 potential suicides:  none have been confirmed as suicides, and 11 remain under investigation.  For October, the Army reported nine potential suicides among active-duty soldiers.  Since the release of that report, two have been confirmed as suicides, and seven remain under investigation.

             During November 2010, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were five potential suicides:  none have been confirmed as suicides, and all five remain under investigation.  For October, among that same group, there were 17 potential suicides.  Of those, six were confirmed as suicides and 11 are pending determination of the manner of death.

             "The holiday season is a special time of year, as family and friends gather together and experience the activities, excitement and joy these celebrations offer.  Members of the Army family should recognize that it's easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed and even anxious.  For some, the holidays bring stress, angst and feelings of depression," said Col. Chris Philbrick, deputy director, Army Health Promotion, Risk Reduction Task Force.

             "Coping with loneliness, deployment or the absence of friends or relatives can be upsetting and especially painful during the holiday season.  Leaders and first-line supervisors should be aware of the risk factors and be on the lookout for changes in the behavior of those around them and recognize that those who need care and support are typically the least likely to seek assistance. We must continue to watch out for each other and be aware of the potential risk factors and warning signs. Our battle buddies, families, friends and co-workers need our support and understanding. Don't be afraid to get involved.  Use the ACE (Ask-Care-Escort) model to provide assistance.  A visit or even a phone call can make an enormous difference," Philbrick said.

             Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  Trained consultants are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and can be contacted by dialing 1-800-273-TALK               1-800-273-TALK      (8255) or by visiting their website at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ .

             The Army's comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information is located at  http://www.preventsuicide.army.mil/ .

               Army leaders can access current health promotion guidance in newly revised Army Regulation 600-63 (Health Promotion) at: http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_63.pdf and Army Pamphlet 600-24 (Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention) at http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p600_24.pdf .

             Suicide prevention training resources for Army families can be accessed at http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/training_sub.asp?sub_cat=20 (requires Army Knowledge Online access to download materials).

             Information about Military OneSource is located at www.militaryonesource.com or by dialing the toll-free number:  1-800-342-9647 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-800-342-9647      end_of_the_skype_highlighting for those residing in the continental U.S.  Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource website for dialing instructions for their specific location.
             Information about the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program is located at http://www.army.mil/csf/ .
             The Defense Center for Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-866-966-1020      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, via electronic mail at Resources@DCoEOutreach.org and at http://www.dcoe.health.mil/ .

             The website for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is http://www.afsp.org/ and the Suicide Prevention Resource Council site is found at http://www.sprc.org/index.asp .

             The website for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is http://www.taps.org/ and they can be reached at 1-800-959-TAPS1-800-959-TAPS     (8277).

Source:  DOD Announcement, verbatim

Port St. Lucie academy leader starts award for non-combat military deaths

• By Kim Hughes
• Posted December 15, 2010 at 8:22 a.m.

PORT ST. LUCIE — After last year's Memorial Day service, Col. Alan Weierman learned a local soldier killed by a peer at Fort Hood was not represented among the crosses erected to honor fallen servicemen and women.
Students, working from a list provided by Weierman, commanding officer of the Southeastern Military Academy in Port St. Lucie, placed the crosses draped with dog tags. Lt. Robert Fletcher, son of Ginny and Jack Luther of Jensen Beach, was not on that list because he had not been killed in combat by the enemy.
When that information was brought to his attention, Weierman decided to do something about it.

Read all about it by clicking here.

The Case of Sgt. Patrick Rust

Sgt. Patrick Rust was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division headquartered at Fort Drum, New York. He picked up a rifle and defended our way of life against the terrorists who want to destroy it. He was our soldier, his mom and dad's son, our friend and neighbor, central New York's very own defender. He survived deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, only to die mysteriously right here in his own country, not far from where he was born.

Patrick went missing from a bar - ironically named Clueless - in Watertown, New York on March 16, 2007. Six months later his remains were found in a farmer's field over seven miles from the bar and the apartment he was staying at in Watertown. It is unknown how he got to that location. He didn't have a car and it's doubtful he'd have walked there on a cold March night. He wasn't robbed and his remains showed no trauma. His cause and manner of death remain undetermined.

So what happened to Patrick Rust, our soldier, our son, our friend and neighbor? Did you see him that night? Do you know where he went after leaving the Clueless and who with? Do you know how he got to that farmer's field? Do you know somebody who does know?  

Please central New Yorkers, help us find out what happened to Patrick. He went to battle for us. Now we need to explain to his family how he died. They deserve answers. Don't we owe them that much?

Bill Sullivan, Forensic Consulting Specialties

Denny Griffin, Investigator

http://www.patrickrust.com/

Soldier killed by US friendly fire was a New Zealander in British army

A paratrooper killed when an American fighter fired on friendly forces in Afghanistan was a New Zealander serving with British forces.

 Private John 'Jack' Howard was serving with 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment in Nad 'Ali

By Robert Winnett, Deputy Political Editor at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan and Paul Chapman in Wellington 7:00AM GMT 07 Dec 2010

He has been named as Private John "Jack" Howard, from Wellington.

It is understood Private Howard was hit by cannon fire from the American F18 jet during a firefight with the Taliban in poor weather conditions.

The troops from the specialist Brigade Reconnaissance Force called in close air support after they came under small arms fire from an insurgent ambush five miles west of the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah

Read the rest of the story by clicking here.

AOC Thomas R. Traylor, USN

The death anniversary of my late husband, AOC THOMAS R. TRAYLOR, USN,  is 03 December, he died in 1998, 11 years ago while on active duty at Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, CA – again another bogus suicide.   I will never give up until I get the truth.  Charolette

You can read his story by clicking here.

Ft. Bragg Soldiers Charged With Killing Comrade In Iraq

FORT BRAGG, N.C. --

Two Fort Bragg soldiers have been charged with fatally stabbing a combat medic while stationed in Iraq.

Spc. Nicholas Bailey and Spc. Tyler Cain are accused of stabbing Spc. Morganne McBeth on July 2, 2010.

Officials say McBeth died from a stab wound to the chest. In the original press release announcing the 19-year-old's death, DOD officials say she died as the result of a non combat incident that occured on July 1.

Read the entire story by clicking here.