Media, PA To Honor Returning Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans; Gary Sinise To Hold Benefit Concert; VA Found To Overstate Timely Response To Veteran Mental Health Claims; American Firefighters

"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it."....Thucydides


Kudos To Media, PA, and Dom Giordano of WPHT (1210 AM)

This coming Saturday, April 28, 2012, Media, PA, will be honoring veterans who returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Unlike the mayors of New York City, Philadelphia and so many other cities, the mayor of Media, Bob McMahon, decided to do the right thing.  The driving force behind this event includes Dom Giordano of WPHT (The Big Talker) in Philadelphia. In addition to the parade, there will also be a job fair for veterans. The Welcome Home Parade is scheduled to take place from noon to 5 p.m. I also happen to live only 4 miles from Media. The town has a long history of honoring our military and veterans. Thank you Dom, Mayor McMahon and the good residents of Media. Also, thanks must be given to Neal Zoren of the Delaware County Daily Times for publicizing this great event.


"CSI:NY" Star, Gary Sinise, To Hold Benefit Concert

Actor Gary Sinise has long been known for supporting the military and veterans. On April 27, 2012, Sinise and his band, The Lt. Dan Band, will play a benefit concert in Brooklyn, NY, for Spc. Bryan Dilberian who lost both legs and his left arm in an IED explosion while serving in Afghanistan. The money raised will be used in building a "smart home" for Spc. Dilberian.

Sinise also formed a foundation that honors our nation's military, veterans and first responders. For more information go to: http://www.garysinisefoundation.org/


VA Found To Overstate Timely Response To Veterans With Mental Health Claims

The VA's goal is to provide mental health services to veterans within 14 days. The inspector general's office found the claim by the VA that 95% of its patients are evaluated and provided therapy services within the 14 day goal set by the VA is false. In fact, the inspector general found only 64% are treated within 14 days. The rest wait nearly six weeks on average before starting treatment. The VA issued a statement that read: "We generally agree that some revision of the metric system is required." (Sounds like typical bureaucratic gibberish to me). The VA treats 1.3 million mental health patients, including 400,000 from the two recent conflicts. The VA has been unable to fill about 20% of its existing psychiatric positions throughout the nation.
(USA TODAY)


A Great New Firefighter Resource

I recently stumbled upon a great new site dedicated to firefighters. It's called American Firefighters and you can access them easily on Facebook.