I went from 50% bservice-connected to 100% permanent and total disability with the help of a CA law firm... it only took about 2.5 years, but the bump in disability pay has been a blessing, allowing me to buy a modest condo in FL and have some $$ left over at the end of the month.
My VA podiatrist was so good to me, I sent her a big bouquet of flowers ! I've noticed lately I cannot make an appointment on the VA website, but am instructed to call first. I agree that community care is the way of the future.
I recently saw a VA dermatologist about a suspicious growth on the left earlobe. Sample was taken, sent to VA lab, and confirmed as skin cancer. Referred to a civilian specialist for removal - removed a chunk of earlobe but reconstructed quite skillfully - can't even tell now. Better yet, he was only 3 miles from my home... VA clinic is 19.5 miles away! Easy peasy. Can't say it was "fun" but it sure was more convenient.
I like to give credit where due. For now, I'm pretty satisfied with what I've got. Your mileage may vary.
As a grandfather of four who live in that area (West Bloomfield), I am now focused on getting them out to join us in FL.
Two of the four grands were present at the JCC where the attack occurred. Thankfully, their mom was able to respond, pick them up and bring them home.
I doubt they will be having volleyball practice this weekend at the school. My brothers and sisters in law enforcement are keeping us "in the loop" as much as possible.
I've worked with many of those brave souls in the JTTF, the Oakland Co. Sheriff (Mike Bouchard) is a former colleague and friend. This hits close to home for our family. I was trained by DHS shortly after 9-11 in how to coordinate a law enforcement response to a terror incident... but I could not be there to assist. My heart hurts for the first responders but I must remain focused on the safety of our grandchildren for now. I'm sure they'll have questions for me soon enough.
May God help us all... prayers up for the Protectors.
Guess I'll just sit on my family's oil and gas leases in West Texas and New Mexico. Our paternal great-grandfather, in his infinite wisdom, kept the mineral rights to every ranch he ever sold out there. Landmen come a-calling often, but seldom give us a reasonable price for exploration leases, so.... they sit idle. Fortunately my brother lives in TX and can negotiate all this stuff for us - I just collect my share when we get a "bite".... last contract garnered me about $5K.
When we first married after leaving the USAF, we lived in an apartment very close to Permian High School. They had just finished a $26M football field (think Friday Night Lights), and there was big $$ to be made in the area.
As a 100% disabled veteran, I appreciate everything The Boss does for the vets - a Christmas bonus would be wonderful.... but I'm grateful for what I have.
I'm already on plenty of lists, thanks fren.
I've got friends and close family in that area, but they're all okay. Prayers up for the souls lost and the first responders.
According to a trusted source (military), this plant manufactured and supplied much of the C4 (plastic) explosive, TNT, and SEMTEX to the troops.
As a former USAF explosives detector dog handler with training by Homeland Security after 9/11 as a civilian, I know a few things about these materials. C4 is not easily ignited, can be formed into different shapes and sizes according to need, and smells very much liike Scotch Tape to this human.
I'm no subject matter expert but a small IED, strategically placed, would be enough to set off a nearby stockpile of explosives. The exact cause of the disaster may never be known - there's "nothing left" of the facility.
"A blast leveled an explosives plant Friday in rural Tennessee, leaving behind a mass of twisted metal, burned-out shells of cars and at least 18 people missing and feared dead, authorities said.
“There’s nothing to describe. It’s gone,” Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said of the blast site at Accurate Energetic Systems, which supplies and researches explosives for the military.
He said it was one of the worst scenes he’s ever seen and especially gut-wrenching because he knows three families connected to the tragedy. Davis said multiple people were killed, but he declined to say how many, referring to the 18 missing as “souls” because officials were still speaking to family.
Officials had originally said 19 people were missing, but Humphreys County Emergency Management Agency updated that number Friday night after they said one person believed to be on site was found safe at home.
The blast occurred at about 7:45 a.m., Davis said. Aerial footage showed the company’s hilltop location smoldering and smoky. Debris was scattered over at least a half-mile area, and people more than 15 miles (24 kilometers) away felt the explosion, he said.
Isn't she the arrogant beotch that said, in court, "A man is not a plan..." and campaigned on "get Trump" ? Now she will get to see real Karma in action.
Love our Governor - he has "Big Onions" !
The wife of almost 44 years is practically salivating at the thought of going to Scotland to do a deeper dive into our Scottish genealogy.
As for me, I'm having none of this biometric pasture pudding.... which is a conundrum for us both. If she wants to go so badly, she'll have to go solo and on her own dime.
I do love her, but this is a bridge too far for me. I'm already on too many lists.
One more reason why my wife and I moved to FL several years ago - low taxes, good governance, and FREEDOM!
Those that visit almost always comment on our great Governor, and we like to brag about how well FL treats its veterans. It ain't perfect, but it's close to nirvana for us.
I call it "The Most Confusing Day in the City of Detroit".... even my black coworkers howled at that.
I've only had a couple of interactions with FL deputies, and every single deputy I've spoken with was respectful, thoughtful, and grateful to have our prayers for their safety.
Every chance I get, I tell them our family is praying for them, and the message is well-received. If they are in line ahead of me at a restaurant, I offer to pay for their meal(s) if my wallet allows.
Give respect, get respect. Our Governor is the best, and FL Sheriffs are mostly top shelf, IMHO.
Crews unearthed an old hand grenade while digging up the old gas tanks at the base gas station. Detonation would be ill-advised there.
No idea what became of it.... the locals take a dim view of disturbing war relics. That one was especially dangerous.
I'm very familiar with the ammo dump at Kadena - spent a couple of years patrolling it and learning stuff. Every single bullet, bomb, cigarette, roll of toilet paper, etc. came through Kadena Air Base before going on to Vietnam during that war... Kadena was dubbed the "Keystone of the Pacific". In the late 1970's there was unexploded ordinance to be found in the jungle undergrowth around those bunkers. We even found a WW II era Japanese "Zero" fighter, complete with trip wires all around it.... crates full of mortars.... and those bunkers held excess Agent Orange, Sarin gas, and God-knows-whatever-else. We even found unexploded ordnance - 500-pound bombs and others - embedded into the coral reefs around the islands as we snorkeled at night. I have a journalist friend over there working for the Japan Times - will have to seek out more info on this.
I wonder if someone gifted them a copy of my book, "Sprayed and Betrayed - the Truth About Agent Orange in Okinawa" ?
The alleged shooter, Elias Rodriguez, no longer appears on the History Makers website.
Ms. Lovegrove was/is a true legend. Wifey and I visited her gallery almost every time we drove out to Matlacha (pronounced "matt-luh-shay"). Her demeanor was always gracious and welcoming, and the gallery was just as vibrant as her personality. The gallery was an old-style cottage like one you might expect to see around old Key West... but overflowing with wild, psychedelic colors and unexpected surprises, like the message she painted on coconut shells and small trees decorated with wine bottles.... She envisioned art in everything she saw. We will miss her terribly, but her art will live on forever. RIP, Leoma.
Beauty AND brains = lethal combo. You GO gurl !
You are correct - we didn't talk much about war stories... and I didn't press him for more info. Now I almost wish I would have. Oh, well....I'll probably see him on The Other Side.
This hits close to home for our family. Two of our four beautiful grandchildren were AT the Jewish Community Center when the attack occurred. They were unharmed, physically, thank God. My wife is now in Michigan, coordinating travel plans to get them both to Florida via private jet for an extended stay with the other set of grandparents. My many years of law enforcement with the Michigan State Police have paid some dividends in the aftermath of this incident. I received a photo of the carnage shortly after it happened....and it sickened me. I only shared it with my wifey. Our daughter-in-law is helping coordinate the kids' travel plans with her parents, and my Troopers are also patrolling the neighborhood since they live very close to the JCC. The entire thing has been a tremendous strain for the extended family. I mostly detest war and violence, but I pray that DJT will FINISH THE JOB in Tehran. I pray for our soldiers and airmen in harm's way. May God Bless and keep them safe.