Hundreds Witness Veteran kill himself in VA waiting room
Additional Information
A horrific scene unfolded Tuesday in the waiting room of an Austin, Texas, Veterans Affairs clinic when a veteran reportedly shot himself to death in front of hundreds of witnesses.
Despite the commotion, many in the building remained unaware of what had occurred for some time after the shooting, KWTX News 10 reported.
One group therapy class even continued on for almost an hour after the shot was fired.
“All of a sudden, over the intercom, they have this statement about everyone must clear the building including staff, so it was a little surprising,” veteran Ken Walker told News 10.
Once vacant, the hospital was locked down for an investigation.
Reddit user Diane_Kirkendall shared a photo reportedly taken in the waiting room in the wake of the suicide.
April 11, 2019 J. D. Simpkins, Military Times
Some VA Security Standards fall short
A 2018 Government Accountability Office report determined the VA had not been adhering to the same security standards required of federal buildings, potentially leaving staff and patients vulnerable to risk.
In 2015, Veterans Affairs psychologist Timothy Fjordbak, 63, was shot and killed by Jerry Serrato, 48, at a clinic in El Paso, Texas.
Serrato then took his own life.
Between October 2017 and November 2018, 19 veterans died by suicide on the grounds of VA medical facilities in what some believe to be acts of protesting inadequate treatment by the country they served.
In December, Marine Col. Jim Turner, 55, put his service uniform on, drove to the Bay Pines Department of Veterans Affairs, and shot himself outside the medical center, leaving a note next to his body.
Healing PTSD:Yoga classes help veterans relax, reduce stress
Mesquite Veterans Center began offering weekly 30-minute yoga classes for free......
April 2, 2019,St. George Spectrum & Daily News, by Emily Havens
Yoga isn't just an athletic practice reserved for orthodox Hinduism or 20-somethings who are already fit and flexible.
Mesquite resident Ann Murphy, who's practiced yoga for 57 years, aims to break down those stereotypes.
Specifically, she aims to break them down for the betterment of veterans who could benefit from regular yoga discipline.
The Mesquite Veterans Center began offering weekly, 30-minute yoga classes for free this year. Murphy teaches the classes, and she focuses on helping class participants learn how to breathe, center themselves and gain flexibility.
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The practice is especially helpful for individuals diagnosed with PTSD, or post traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after a person has been exposed to a life-threatening event, according to the U.S. Office of Veterans Affairs.
Murphy attended an intensive week-long yoga class that focuses specifically on doing yoga to combat trauma symptoms.
VA to Drop Fight Against Blue Water Navy Veterans
VA Secretary Wilkie says won't fight it, handing a 'Victory" to ill former service members!
March 26, 2019, by Patrice Kime @ Military.com
The Department of Veterans Affairs will not appeal a January court ruling that ordered it to provide health care and disability benefits for 90,000 veterans who served on Navy ships during the Vietnam War, likely paving the way for "Blue Water Navy" sailors and Marines to receive Agent Orange-related compensation and VA-paid health care benefits.
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie told members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Tuesday that he will recommend the Justice Department not fight the decision, handing a victory to ill former service members who fought for years to have their diseases recognized as related to exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange.
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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in January ruled that a Vietnam veteran, 73-year-old Alfred Procopio, and other Blue Water Navy veterans qualified for benefits currently given to service members stationed on the ground in Vietnam or who served on inland waterways and have diseases associated with Agent Orange.
Procopio, who served on the aircraft carrier Intrepid, suffers from prostate cancer and diabetes, illnesses presumed to be related to exposure to the toxic herbicide.
The VA has contended that any herbicide runoff from the millions of gallons sprayed in Vietnam was diluted by seawater and would not have affected offshore service members. It also objected to the cost of providing benefits to Blue Water Navy veterans for illnesses common to all aging patients, not just those exposed to Agent Orange.
The proposed Blue Water Navy Veterans act had estimated the cost of providing benefits to these veterans at $1.1 billion over 10 years. VA officials say the amount is roughly $5.5 billion.
Welcome! New additions to our site:
What is the White House VA Hotline? 1-855-948-2311
The hotline’s pilot began under direction of the Veterans Experience Office on June 1, 2017, and entered phase two on October 15, 2017.
White House VA Hotline: 1-855-948-2311.
Calls are answered by a live agent 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The hotline is staffed by more than 60 agents who have had extensive training on VA programs and services. Most of these agents are a Veteran, military family member, caregiver or a survivor.
The White House VA Hotline conducts immediate warm hand offs for at-crisis risk Veterans needing the services of the Veterans Crisis Line.
Trends identified by the hotline will be used to rapidly respond to systemic inefficiencies and empower VA employees to resolve Veteran concerns quickly.
New Article: "Is There Really Help:This Time?"
Our Chairman / Founder Ronald Verini , writes 2 articles a month which are published in a regional newspaper. You can read these articles here on our Webpage just by clicking on the heading 'Veterans Articles'. This Article will be published April 14, 2019.
ALSO, be sure to check-out our "Gallery of Veterans Stories" listed under 'More' on our header bar.
"Lest We Forget" MLB Patches for Memorial Day
Major League Baseball pulled the curtain back today on a number of special edition 2019 uniforms, to include editions designed to honor the fallen and celebrate military personnel throughout the month of May.
One noticeable change, compared to previous seasons, is that the League is taking a more subtle approach with its Memorial Day uniform accents in an effort to respect the real meaning behind the day, Melanie LeGrande, Major League Baseball’s vice president of Social Responsibility, told Military Times.
“From Major League Baseball’s perspective, it was important for us to ensure that we were being appropriate to the spirit of Memorial Day," LeGrande said.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to celebrate and support the military, to honor those who have been lost, and to understand their memory, their commitment, and how we feel about military families who have lost a loved one.”
April 13, 2019 By J. D. Simkins, Military Times
VA Puts Emphasis on Suicide Prevention
VeteransCrisisLine.net
1-800-273-8255 press 1
A 'confidential, free resource
even if you're not registered with VA
or not enrolled in VA health care.
ALSO, check-out our directory of "RESOURCES" which you can get to by clicking on our "PROGRAMS/RESOURCES/BOD" section on the Header Bar.
Special Section to 'Commemorate the 17th Anniversary of 9/11
We have added this '9/11 Special' to the top of our "SHOP" Page. Just click on the Red Action Button just below here and it will take you right to the section.
We also have here posted an 'Awareness Story' on AGENT ORANGE from the VA.
Thanks for visiting our VAOI Webpage!
We have also added three more 'Community Supporters', the Ontario Basque Club, The Ontario Elks Lodge#1690, and the Saturday Market in Ontario. We thank them all for supporting our Veterans, Military and First Responders.
We really appreciate your interest in 'Who we are and What we do'. If you have any questions or suggestions well please contact us with an email, a phone call, or just drop on in the office. The 'Red' contact button below will give you our contact info. Thanks
Check out the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs
Meet the new Director of the Oregon Department of Veteran Affairs, Kelly Fitzpatrick
After retiring from the military, she earned a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law. She then spent a couple years on Capitol Hill, before going to the Congressional Activities Office of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence within the Department of Defense.
She worked there from 2004 to 2016, eventually becoming director of that office. Gov. Kate Brown has appointed Kelly Fitzpatrick, a 16-year U.S. Army veteran, as director of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs.
She's been a veterans case worker, legislative policy supervisor, human resources director and congressional liaison.
"The jobs that I have sought have always been jobs that have interested me and jobs I thought would be challenging and fun," Fitzpatrick said. "I felt like I could use those tools more in a position like the director of ODVA that has more resources available."
If confirmed by the Senate, she will become the first woman to lead the agency since its founding in 1945.
Fitzpatrick joined the Army in 1980 through the ROTC program at Boston University and worked in command and staff positions until 1996. She spent time as an assistant professor at West Point, a human resources director in South Korea and a public affairs officer for an infantry division in Georgia.
Fitzpatrick said some of the top issues the office will address are veteran homelessness, mental health issues and high suicide rate.
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CONTACT:
Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs
700 Summer St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
Agency Phone:
(800) 692-9666 or (503) 373-2085
More Agency Contact Info
Who we are....
Our Mission
Is to provide a voice, for Veterans and Active Duty personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States of America and their dependents. To support, Honor, Recognize and Advocate for their needs as members of our Communities, States and Country
We are an 'All Volunteer' 501 c 3 organization
We support 'Our Mission' through Donations and an All Volunteer Staff. Pictured here to the right is a young High School Senior whose Senior Project was to raise money for our Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida programs, which he did by completing an engine swap in a Ford Taurus and thus raised $2,666.75. He is pictured with our Chairman and a few of our Veteran Volunteers.
You are Welcome Anytime......
We are a "No Dues" Non-profit organization that welcomes you for 'Coffee & Conversation' 5 days a week in our Ontario, Oregon Office. You can also give us a call regarding any assistance you may be seeking.
PLEASE, Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
About our Logos'
Our New Logo
Our new Logo reflects the two main States we serve, Oregon & Idaho, and was created by Brian McKinley with Young Leaders Program headquartered in Salem, Oregon. Thank You.
"Old Glory"
Symbol of the Greatest Nation on Earth, and we are privileged to be an 'American'.
Our 'Founding' Logo
This 'Logo' has been so good for us that we will still continue to use this along with our 'New Logo'.
Thank You Corporate and Community SUPPORTERS
Community In Action
Community in Action works with our Veterans and their Families to help empower our moderate and low income vets by providing skills, education and access to community resources.
Oregon Food Bank
The folks at our Southeast Oregon Regional Food Bank here in Ontario, Or, greatly assist our veterans and their families by supplying us with a great assortment of provisions to keep our families healthy over the rough times.
The Home Depot
The Home Depot has assisted Veteran Advocates through the Home Depot Foundation, through which we submit grant requests to help our vets with home and property repairs.
Union Pacific
Union Pacific not only employs many veterans, but also helps us to maintain delivering our 'core mission goals' to the many veterans we support, thanks to their Financial assistance.
Treasure Valley Community College
Treasure Valley CC, and the TVCC Foundation, help us to support Education for our Veterans, returning military and their dependents, for a good educations enables a family to prosper in the community.
Fiesta Farms Co-Op
Our local Fiesta Farms Co-Op has been a long time supporter of helping our area Veterans and their Families, with their financial donations to the 'Assistance to Veterans & Families' program.
Thank YOU, Corporate and Community Supporters
Grocery Outlet, Ontario, Or
Our Ontario,Oregon 'Grocery Outlet' store is not only Veteran & Military friendly, but they support our programs to help feed our Veterans, Military and their Families. They are located at 2670 SW 4th Ave. Ontario, Oregon.
Phone 541-889-3738
Food packs from Grocery Outlet, for our Veterans!
Thank you so much Grocery Outlet, for hosting our local 'Food Drive' for our Veterans and Military and their Families!!
Here shows a shipment to our office, being received by three vets, Ted, Dave and John.
Stephen D. Long, CPA
Stephen Long, CPA, and his staff have been our (Veteran Advocates of Ore-ida) accountants for many years now, and are also our 'Book keepers'. Steve, Judy and the 'staff' have kept us on top of our mark!!!
"They are not the biggest, not the most expensive, just the best!"
Grocery Outlet getting a Food Shipment Ready for our Vets
All the veterans and military that come to our food bank say "THANK YOU"!!!!!
Malheur County Oregon Veteran Service Office
Our Malheur County Veteran Service Officer, Mr. Connie Tanaka, Army retired, is located here in Ontario, Oregon. Click on the above map and you will get the hours and services provided.
Thank you Mr Tanaka for your support for all our Veterans.
Thanks to ALL our Individual Supporters!!!
Thank You to ALL of our community members who consistently reach out and help us in supporting our programs and assistance for our local "Heroes"!
Your thoughtfulness and concern for our local veterans is 'heartwarming',
Thank You!!!!
THANK YOU CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
Meadow Outdoor Advertising
Thank you Meadow Outdoor Advertising, your support of Americas Veterans and Military is greatly appreciated
Courtesy Meadow Outdoor Advertising
We are thankful for the benefits and interest garnered from this billboard, courtesy of Meadow Outdoor Advertising .
Waldo Agencies, Ontario,Or
Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida is very thankful for the support and services extended to us from the Waldo Agencies group in Ontario, Oregon.
City of Ontario, Oregon
Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida wish to thank the City of Ontario, Oregon for their continuing support of our local Military and Veterans.
ALL our local Organizations and Individuals
Were it not for the 'Big Hearts' and 'Compassion' for our Veterans and Military, by our area Citizens and Organizations, we would not be able to help as many veterans and their families as we do. Thank You!
Columbia Bank, Ontario,Or
We are thankful and very appreciative of the services extended to us through the fine folks at our local Columbia Bank.
Thank you Community Supporters
Ontario, Oregon Basque Club
Since it's beginnings in 1947, the Basque Club has continuously supported our Countries Military and Veterans. We at Veteran Advocates of Ore-ida thank the Basque Club for their continuing encouragement and support. Please click on the photo to learn more about the Ontario Basque Club.
Elks Lodge #1690, Ontario, Oregon
Elks Members across this Country have and always will be great supporters of our Military, Veterans and First Responders. We thank our local Elks Lodge for their continuing support for our area Veterans. If you click the photo you will see the Elks Facebook page.
Ontario Saturday Market
Here in our Downtown Moore Park, a group of area Farmers and Crafters offer their 'bounty' every Saturday from June thru September. They have always been supportive of our Veterans and their Families, and we thank them all for that support. To see more about the Saturday Market click the photo & see their Facebook page.
2017 winter storm collapses Our roof !!
Initial Damage
It is now 1 year and 6 months after the damage from the winter storm of 2017. The heavy snow collapsed our roof and we are just now getting the re-construction of our Main Building. This has been a bit of a 'setback', but as veterans and military, we all know that we 'continue on', make the best of what we have, do the best we can with that, and 'CARRY-ON' !
This is what we had....
We had just been in our new 'Headquarters' a year, and starting to really build a new momentum, then the damaging winter storm of 2017 really put us in a hole, temporarily disrupting our abilities to provide resources & services to our local & regional veterans and their Families.
We then set up in our smaller front building and started the movement to rebuild.
How many times in life have we learned that "WHAT DEFINES US IS HOW WELL WE RISE AFTER FALLING".
Deconstruction finally begins
After arduous negotiations with Insurance and Code issues, we finally get to start deconstructing the Main building. We want to thank our General Contractors, Our Insurance Company, the City of Ontario, Oregon, and all the contractors that are engaged in the reconstruction process. We are told that the "New Building" might be ready by Veterans Day 2018, and are looking forward 'opening the doors' and really thanking ALL those who worked on getting back in our main office.
"The Road to Recovery"...
Recovery has many 'looks',as you can see through the shell of our building, there is the Mobile VA Vet Counseling Van preparing 'combat vets and their families for a new life. We still are maintaining our commitment to those that need assistance and resources, even though we too are tending our injuries from this destruction of our main building.
NEVER GIVE UP!
A Strong, Firm Foundation supports many
Sometimes 'progress' seems so very slow, but if we have patience and 'bank' on a solid foundation for the structure of our lives, we will be rewarded with positive results with which to build our future!
We are very thankful for the 'crew' working on building us a very strong supportive 'foundation' and support for the new Roof, all adding to the longevity and solid future of our "Mission".
Never give up Hope
Yes, the construction crews have been diligently working to get this building maybe ready for Veterans Day! We at VAOI have never given up hope, and as you can see our 'confidence' is being rewarded! This picture was taken the last week of September 2018, the first picture here 'Initial Damage' was taken in December 2017, Patience and Confidence have given results.