STEVEN J. NEWTON, FOUNDER, THE SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA



8 March 2008

WRITTEN STATEMENT OF STEVEN J. NEWTON,

FOUNDER OF THE SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF

AMERICA SENT TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE

ON VETERANS AFFAIRS OF THE UNITED STATES

SENATE ON THE SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF

AMERICA AGENDA FOR 2008


Chairman Akaka, members of the Senate Committee on Veterans affairs and staff:  The Silver Star Families of America are proud to have been asked to submit written testimony to the Committee on Veterans Affairs and we look forward to working with the Committee in the future.

The SSFOA was founded in 2005 to remember, honor and assist the wounded of our armed forces in any way we could.  We do this primarily by issuing a Silver Star Service Banner and Certificate to any wounded Soldier who requests one.  However, since the SSFOA was founded we have grown to become a strong advocate for the wounded, past and present and offer many programs geared to assist them.  These include:

SILVER STAR SERVICE BANNER

SSFOA wishes to honor all service members injured in the combat zone and/or those with related illnesses including PTSD, Gulf War Syndrome, Agent Orange, and injured by friendly fire. We also honor Purple Heart recipients.

HEAR 4 YOU

is our Instant Messaging hotline manned by the SSFOA  H4Y support team.. The program is a safe and supportive tool to benefit those who are struggling after a deployment.

GAMES FOR WOUNDED

Silver Star Families joins with Soldiers' Angels in their Lend a Hand Program. "Poly Trauma patients enjoy the games, and increase their hand eye coordination," said Steve Newton, Co-founder of The Silver Star Families of America. An article on The Washington Post site quotes the folks at Walter Reed hospital in DC, who report that videogames make excellent therapy sessions for soldiers wounded in the Iraq conflict. In addition to the obvious medical benefits of refining motor control via controllers, the entertainment allows soldiers to reconnect to experiences they may have had prior to their combat experiences. Therapists see the games benefiting patients with nearly any kind of injury, including patients with traumatic brain injuries.

HONORING HUNGRY HEROES WITH FOOD CARDS

National SSFOA has launched a new program "Honoring Hungry Heroes."  McDonald's and Taco Bell gift cards treat our Wounded Heroes to a meal or two at these restaurants and possibly their family too.

SILVER STAR LETTER WRITING TEAM

SSFOA members join together in supporting our wounded overseas, statewide and in Veterans hospitals and homes with letters and cards. The team exceeded its goal of 5,000 letters during the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans.

PTSD and TBI  RESOURCES

GIVE AN HOUR SSFOA teamed up with Give an Hour  an organization dedicated to developing and maintaining a national network of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society.  Their first target is the Soldiers and their families who are being affected by the current conflicts.

WHAT IS PTSD Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be terrifying. They may disrupt your life and make it hard to continue with your daily activities. It may be hard just to get through the day. PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the traumatic event, but they may not happen until months or years later. They also may come and go over many years. If the symptoms last longer than 4 weeks, cause you great distress, or interfere with your work or home life, you probably have PTSD. More details on www.silverstarfamilies.org

FIND HELP IN YOUR AREA I am an American Veteran. Who do I contact for help with PTSD?  See  Area Map   Contact your local VA Hospital or Veterans Center located in your telephone book, or call the VA Health Benefits Service Center toll free at 1-877-222-VETS. In addition to its medical centers, VA also has many CBOCs (Community Based Outpatient Clinics) around each state so you can look for one in your community. You can also use any of the information on treatment for the general public. 

PTSD RESOURCES  for list of resources go to www.silverstarfamilies.org

PTSD NEWS   DoD Receives Mental Health Task Force Results. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates received the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health results and forwarded them to the Congress on June 14.The SSFOA recommends full implementation. 

REMEMBRANCE OF SERVICE

Dedicated to John A. Courant the "Destroyerman"

The Silver Star Families of America and the Thank You Foundation wish to say THANK YOU to our many Patriots who have been wounded while actively serving the United States of America by presenting them with a Certificate.

YMCA AND OUR WOUNDED

To see a list of YMCAs supporting our wounded service members click on YMCA AND OUR WOUNDED If you do not see your Y on the list CONTACT US

VETERANS PROGRAMS

HOMELESS VETERANS: To see a list of of stand downs planned for 2008 and other homeless Vets resources.

INCARCERATED VETERANS   The Silver Stars will never forget any wounded Veteran be they homeless or incarcerated.  We are there.

WOMEN VETERANS   See a list of resources to benefit women veterans.

VA COMPLAINTS   Process for complaints and VA Hotline

PROBLEMS



In our daily contact with the wounded of our armed forces, past and present, we are in a unique position to hear problems that they have had in the “system.”  The letter below illustrates how some slip between the cracks:

Hello

The trip to the Vet Center was ok. People just don't know the urgency that is on me to get **** help. **** had a major down turn Wednesday so much so that he was threatening to kill the first person he saw because he just can't handle civilian life. I asked him if he wanted me to call 911 he said if I did that he would hurt them enough to where they would end up putting him in prison because prison life would be so much better than his life today.

I called the Vet Center Thursday morning while **** was still sleeping and when **** is like this I have to give him all my attention all they suggested was that I get in touch with his VA primary doctor or call 911 how can I call 911 when *** is threaten to hurt the first person he sees. I never fear him to where he is going to hurt me he always beats himself up first.

We got a call from the VA counselor that he had been meeting and all they offered was for me to bring **** in and talk. It's beyond talking to the VA at this point they aren't offering anything for him. I’ve been talking to the onsit academy all week and I'm still bringing **** there this afternoon I've told them everything that has been happening so they are as prepared as possible to try and help him.

The VA has failed **** he physc appointments were once every three months and for the past 6 months I've been telling them he needs more. No one wants to help within the VA. I'm out of options and I can only hope and pray that this weekend helps ****. I just don't know what to do. **** has calmed down and is sleeping but the past 36 hours have been hell for me but I'm not giving up on ****.

End

This is an emergency situation and needs to be addressed now.  There needs to be a “safety net” in place that gives our veterans a last resort solution.

Another letter:

Also from my sons buddy the amount of time it takes to get a rating from the VA
after they have been discharged is wayyyyy too long. I know my sons
buddy it was getting close to 2 years, and I believe he finally just
gave up, I can find out for sure.

Also one of my biggest gripes as far as National Guard and Reserve,
they come back home, are supposed to re-adjust to normal life and NO ONE
checks to see how these guys are doing until their first drill back
together 3 months later.

In that time frame I don't know how many from son's unit had PTSD
issues, quite a few, but none would seek help, and a lot were also having
their family life break up, a good portion of the unit.

There needs to be a better system in place for these guys when they get
back.

End

One more:

You know that I am still fighting for DIC due to ***** brain tumor (cancer) and that I have claims from other widows that have WON their claims for the very same thing, so this should set a standard for the others that came after. 

But they are still telling me that brain tumors are not on the approved presumptive list.  I understand that, but if it is not, then why did these other cases win and get approved and draw the DIC each month?

Also it is so nuts that a wife (or any of us) have to fight so hard and so long (many years) to get what is ours and was promised to us.  What are the reasons for taking years and years?  These guys that served in VN and before should be taken care of before the guys returning now.

I am not slighting these of this war by any means, they too need to be taken care of, but they have yet to care for the ones of past. (do you see what I am trying to say)?  I have a case (it was in the news paper) of a guy that is 80 years old now and just now finally received something on his claim.  They would rather you die off, it is cheaper to them.  But the families are left to deal with the after effects and things passed on to their children and grandchildren for generations to come.

Not sure how to word all this, but there needs to be a change in this system for sure and before these guys all die and do not get what they are entitled to.  Their families should be taken care of also.

End

These letters are just examples of the problems we hear about on a daily basis.

SOLUTIONS

The SSFOA is proud to support the Veterans Administration and we believe that on a normal basis they do a good job. 

However as with most organizations things can be improved.

THE SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA STRONGLY ADVOCATS FULL BODY SCANS FOR ALL VETERANS.

Suggestions:

1.   When transitioning from a hospital (like Walter Reed) to the VA health care system there needs to be a patient advocate to help with the transition and have everything set up at the next hospital. Continuity in care.

2.   More PTSD intervention: A way for spouse, family member to call up and say what is going on and someone on the other end to help, be it getting them into VA hospital, not having to wait until they can be worked into the system, but emergency care.

3.   Follow up on all returning vets and their families. Shortly after returning. Someone checking to see if they are doing okay. Also needs to be ongoing. PTSD can show up later on. Doesn't need to be a psychologist, but some one asking and if help is needed passing on information. Where they can turn and get help in their area.

4.   Taking away the stigma of PTSD, so returning vets will seek help, so it has no bearing on their careers, etc. It's why most will not go and seek help. Afraid they won't get promoted, etc.

5.   Resources, Family/caregiver needs a better listing, and easier access to find these in their areas.


6.   Some one to help spouses caregivers Navigate the VA system. An advocate that could be assigned to help them, and help with outside resources. Someplace where they can get all the info right there.



7.   Faster time for service members to get their disability ratings from the VA/military.


8.   Full non discretionary funding of the Veterans Administration coupled with full accountability.


9.   A realigning of facilities based on veterans populations.


10. A flexible standard for determining disabilities based on need.


11. Caseworkers seem to represent the VA and not the wounded/vets' best interests.  In essence, caseworkers should consider they work for the vet and do everything in their power for that vet.


12. Level/standard of care through VA is uneven depending on region/location.  Our wounded/vets should be able to walk into ANY VA facility, nationwide, and be assured that they will get the same quality of care.


13. Finally, what are your intentions on this ever increasing problem with the ones that have BEEN in the VA system, already?  While the influx of new patients will be unprecedented we cannot forget the Veterans already in the system.


The SSFOA also urge a “so slow” approach to the “regular hospital” model that some medical centers are striving for.  A regular hospital does not necessarily understand the special needs of veterans.

CONCLUSION

The SSFOA will continue to remember honor and assist the wounded of our armed forces.

I thank the Chairman and the Committee for this opportunity and I ask that God bless you in all your endeavors and that He continue to bless the United States.

//s//

Steve Newton

Founder

SSFOA

525 Cave Hollow Rd

Clever, MO. 65631

417-743-2508

stevenewton69@hotmail.com

Thanks to:

Sue Loud

Diana Newton

Janie Orman

Kathy Landess


Testimony of the Silver Star Families of America to
the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
CONTACT US
SILVER STAR FLAG ®
SILVER STAR BANNER TM
Disclaimer                          Privacy Policy
Copyright 2005-2009
All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer:
The Silver Star Banner and Flag is in no way connected to the Silver Star Medal

The Silver Star Families of America is a non-partisan, not-for-profit charitable organization committed to supporting the United States Wounded Military Members and Veterans from all wars, past and present,  and honoring their sacrifice with Silver Star Banners.Content within this web site is the sole property of  The Silver Star Families of America"All photos and letters sent to the SSFOA become the property of the organization to be used in any way we deem appropriate." SSFOA reserves the right to conduct the day to day business of the organization as they deem appropriate. State Coordinators and Reps will be chosen at the discretion of  SSFOA National Headquarters. SSFOA is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit public charity organization. See your tax advisor.Questions/Comments Pertaining To This Web site CONTACT US

®
Silver Star shining for sacrifice, honoring wounded, ill and dying members of our Armed Forces, and bringing remembrance to those so deserving of our thanks.
We will never forget . . . WELCOME HOME!