Author Archives: Team VCS

Weight of Combat Gear is Taking Toll on Our Iraq and Afghanistan War Service Members

Posted on February 2, 2009 by Team VCS

February 1, 2009 – Carrying heavy combat loads is taking a quiet but serious toll on troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, contributing to injuries that are sidelining them in growing numbers, according to senior military and defense officials. Rising … Continue reading →

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Soldier in Fort Carson Warrior Transition Unit Complete Suicide at Colorado Home

Posted on February 2, 2009 by Team VCS

Nearly 70 coldiers died in WTU’s first 16 months. February 1, 2009 – The last person Spc. Larry Applegate is known to have spoken to before killing himself was a sergeant with the El Paso County Sheriff’s office in Colorado … Continue reading →

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NATO Figures Show Surge in Afghanistan Violence

Posted on February 2, 2009 by Team VCS

January 31, 2009 – Violence in Afghanistan soared by nearly a third last year, the highest rise since coalition operations in the troubled country began more than seven years ago. According to new Nato statistics obtained by the Observer, violence … Continue reading →

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DoD Confirms Role Combat Plays in Suicide Epidemic

Posted on February 2, 2009 by Team VCS

January 29, 2009, Washington, DC – The Army is committed to finding out why more soldiers committed suicide in 2008 than ever recorded, Army officials told reporters during a media roundtable today at the Pentagon. “[Suicide] is not just an … Continue reading →

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Study: Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans Feel Disconnected Upon Returning Home

Posted on January 31, 2009 by Team VCS

January 31, 2009, New Britain, CT – Some of the veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are feeling disconnected from their loved ones, having trouble readjusting to work or school and failing to seek medical care for fear of being … Continue reading →

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After Campaign Push, Obama Cultivates Military

Posted on January 31, 2009 by Team VCS

January 30, 2009 – The outreach began more than a year ago when Barack Obama, the antiwar candidate who had never served in the military, turned to a group of young officers just out of active duty for a fresh … Continue reading →

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When War’s Violence Comes Home

Posted on January 31, 2009 by Team VCS

January 29, 2009 –  The Army reported Thursday that at least 128 soldiers took their lives last year – the most since they started keeping records, three decades ago. But sometimes soldiers direct their anger at others – cases of … Continue reading →

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Homelessness Surges as Funding Falters

Posted on January 31, 2009 by Team VCS

January 30, 2009, Seattle, WA – As snowstorms blew into this Northwest city and the economy iced over in December, the occupants of a shelter nestled among industrial buildings on the north side prayed for divine intervention. “We were hoping … Continue reading →

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Scott Gould Named VA Deputy Secretary

Posted on January 30, 2009 by Team VCS

January 30, 2008, Washington, DC – Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki praised President Barack Obama’s intent to nominate W. Scott Gould as next Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Gould is currently vice president for public sector strategy … Continue reading →

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Military Investigates West Point Suicides

Posted on January 30, 2009 by Team VCS

January 30, 2009 – Two West Point cadets have committed suicide since December and two others attempted suicide in the past two weeks, prompting the military academy’s leaders to summon an Army surgeon general’s suicide team to the campus today … Continue reading →

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