Veterans In Need

 

Jason has entered a submission on the guestbook, No 51. It is well worth a read. You sound just like the type of forward thinking and experienced fella that we could use at Veterans In Need, however your intended involvement with the Edinburgh Traumatic Stress Clinic could well see us working quite close. We have touched base with the director of this clinic, Dr Claire Fyvie who is very keen for both groups along with others alike to meet and push for major legislation change, which currently is unfavourable to the Veteran and the secondary stress caused to all familiy members and close friends alike. We have taken note of all that you have commented on and I am pleased to inform you that a letter will be fired off to Kenny MacAskill addressing just the very issues you raise and we will include your suggestions. For what it's worth m'friend all of the active members have tread the same close path of prison as your good self and a couple have been in prison. Your submission was excellent and we look forward to hearing from you again. Spread the word of our group and please encourage other Veterans, Families and Parents of Veterans to visit the site, sign the guestbook and offer advice. Cheers!

 

 

 

I would like to say thank you for your comments Vince and it has been a busy year or so involved with the edin ptsd centre and i feel its all going to be a great success in many ways ,Dr.C,Fyvie has been working very hard on this new project and it will be good to meet up with you in person at some point in the near future for the greater good of all Vets  Many Thanks Jason

 

 

 

 

Angela Roberts just beat me to what I would wanted to have written and I agree with all that this lady/young lady has written. However I have two further points to make. Firstly, I have looked at the link for the Edinburgh Traumatic Stress Centre and also know a little of Gardening Leave as I have seen the young lady who runs it on the television, and who comes across as someone with no vested interest and who really cares for Veterans. I hope i am not teaching your group to suck eggs, but why don't all like-minded groups get together and work in collaberation with each other. I wouldn't be surprised of course if this is already happening. Secondly thanks for the help my brother Jim received from this group, the whole family can see a dramatic improvement in him and we are very grateful to Veterans In Need.

I like this group specifically because there are no airs and graces about it. It was also good to read that your work with the Scottish Veterans Garden group has be very successful. Well done to all your team.

 

 

As I browse around your website, I must admit to being ever so slightly confused why Veterans In Need have been promoting or at least displaying other types of centres etc for Veterans too visit for help when they already have Combat Stress. Now having viewed the link provided by 'anon' and read what Vince has written, I have found it hard to think of anything else. It seems there is a possibilty at least, that our Veterans and families are still being unfairly treated and abused in many areas of life regarding their well-being, as well as being viewed as criminals despite what appears to be getting done for them. If I can be of any assistance at all, and I speak for my extended family who are also concerned about the treatment of these brave men and women, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I'm afraid I have no specific talent or experience relating to your field, but I will help when and wherever I/we can. Xx

 

 

 

 

The previous message posted by 'anon', giving an email address as contactus@combatstress.org.uk is somewhat puzzling. This given email address is the actual email address for anyone wishing to contact Combat Stress. Therefore we may presume that it is employees of Combat Stress that are seeking feedback from this and perhaps other Veterans websites regarding the issues that are raised. As we have made quite clear, we are seeking to establish the true merits of Combat Stress in relation to our Veterans who are sent there. At present all have positive items to raise about Combat Stress but feel that overall, they feel worse for their visit to Holybush. In light of this, Veterans In Need will in due course encourage government to seek alternative clinics/centres/establishments to care for our Veterans. By all means follow the link provided and read what hansard and morris have to say about covert ops against disabled Veterans, but don't get paranoid/insecure as you do so. I have read these papers and they scare me not, for in my mind, our motto, "Strike Us Not With Impunity" means just that and absolutely no less than that, we work with light, nature, truth and the Almighty, others are damned by there own journey of oneupmanship. Don't pray for these people to be damned, it will merely hinder the progression of your own eternal soul. These servile self-serving slaves who seek to further abuse our Veterans are damned by their own hands. It is to this end, that it is fair to say, "in light of their fight against fair play and bullying, they're damned", because they are. Their behaviour should frighten children and cowards, not The True Veteran. Damn Them.

 

Vince

 

 

any other Veterans out there ever had any concerns about the security of there mail,phones or even internet ,well ive just been reading in hansard ,the uk parliaments official recorder where lord morris of manchester asks a question about the covert surveillance of disabled Veterans,i am sure some of you will be interested in lord draysons answers dated 23 oct 2007, if you cant find it do a search in google for "hansard covert surveillance of disabled Veterans"thats how i found it after being directed to look by other non paranoid Veterans also have a read at this

http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/ripa/covert-surveillance/ then ask yourself again if its just paranoia

 

 

well done on the new idea to keep us informed of achievements that have been done for the lads. It's only right and proper that others who have helped get mentioned too as it lets us know who is on our side and deserve the credit also. The new results i bet you have been appreciated by those who have been helped by Veterans In Need. Keep going and this could get really big as more abandoned Veterans are helped back on to their feet. Keep digging the heels in, Jim

 

 

 

 

Lesley, having read your suggestion and read over our entries of 'New Results', you're quite correct and we will expand on our entries in the fashion that you suggest. Thanks for your contribution, it will enhance our simple site but as you point out, may be of great significance to others. Well done, many thanks x

 

 

 

I love the idea of being kept abreast of the good deeds that Veterans in Need are accomplishing. But I believe that if you went into a bit more detail, still with discretion, it would help others to identify just how similar their situations are to the ones that are being resolved successfully for the Veteran and his or her Family, love, lesley xx

 

 

 

The 'Success' tab records all positive outcomes as a result of the intervention of Veterans In Need. From this day on when you see NR next to any of the top tabs, this will allow you to understand 'New Results' in the past 14 days relating to that issue that Veterans In Need have attained for those whom it is our duty to represent.

 

 

 

My brother Jim, has informed me of what has been done for him by Veterans In Need. Jim, like mant soldiers i suspect is not quick in asking for help, however Jim has received a great deal of help from myself, wife and kids. Your group has also taken a great deal of stress from us all as the help Jim will now get will free up some of our time and we know that he will be in very good hands, many thanks again on behalf of us all,

 

Robert

 

 

Vince thanks for making light work of my task, the way I had planned it was the 'long way around'. What a super website and a splendid bunch of people

 

Jim

 

 

http://www.theabandonedsoldier.com/  another website for us to pledge support and buy a badge or if your loaded a miniature cmon the troops  all the best ,...shug

 

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/AbandonedSoldier/ sorry about the satelite delay but i have typical veterans memory

 

 

North Lanarkshire council are also added to the list of councils means testing service and war pensions.  I wonder just how many more in the uk are doing the same!  It's up to all Veterans in there areas to find out if they're being means tested.  Please let your MPs know about this dilemma, I have been campaigning along with other Veterans in my area Perth and Kinross and with help from my MP the matter is yet to be resolved, however with further meetings the matter may be resolved.  Together united divided we fall.  Winners never quit and quitters never win.

 

 

i have looked around this terrific website and i think i have found my answers to my problems thanks a great deal. Love the Parents Roll of Honour

 

Jim

 

 

Angela is quite right, we should never forget the parents who raised the children who would grow up to defend us. XX

 

 

When the sky darkens and the prospect is War, who is given a gun and pushed to the fore, expected to die for the land of our birth,

but we never owned one handful of earth.

 

 

What a lovely warm-hearted gesture to dedicate a page of your website to the Parents. I cannot recollect having seen one before on any other site and it is only right that our population has a chance to remember those who will live with such a loss that many of us can only momentarily understand. Well done x Thanks Lesley!

 

 

Sorry, this message was posted on the guest book by mistake, sorry.

On reading the account of a meeting under the 'News and Views' 'Houses for Heroes' tabs, I couldn't agree more and I don't think many fair minded people will think this group is 'anti-government'. Your website comes across just as many would expect it too do, from Veterans. Strong. no-nonsense and to the point and the feeling of the presence of morale fibre is enormous and it is exactly these attributes that make us so proud of you all in the first place. Keep up the good work. XX

 

 

I've done it myself, but try to use the Forum and Guest Book in the right order, m'friends. There are a lot of interesting points that some will miss because they are in the Guest Book, such as the Parents Roll of Honour comments etc, please keep them coming and encourage friends and family to submit too!

Vince

 

 

Read about your site in the Scottish sun. Was hard to find at first. Can see your changes. Have used your links a few times, I’m house bound and not very computer literate. Sorry I can’t help but thanks for the tips. Eddy ex-engineers

 

 

Colin m'friend we have attempted to send you an email, but cannot as perhaps the email address you displayed may well be wrong. You have at least one reply to your Forum entry. Feel free to sign the guest book.

 

Vince

 

 

hi there i recently wrote to alec salmond,regarding the treatment of gulf war Veterans in regard to us being used as human guinea pigs with unlicensed and untested vaccines,after 22 years service fully fit and healthy,i was given these innoculations to the severe detriment of my health ,i was wondering if it was anything to do with his meeting with the now public figure martin mcguiness that i have not received any response,could Veterans in need assist me in any way, thanks in advance ,colin ellis,winners never quit,quitters never win.

 

 

Well done to those who have discussed interesting 'links' on their Forum entries. We will keep an eye on the Forum of course and continue to post Links of interest, the recent ones have been really good!

 

 

Firstly, thank you so much for your comments, it's liberating to know we can express our individual comments to an ever increasing like-minded audience, especially the stuff the government wants to "brush under the carpet." The info you asked for is as follows:- "Armed forces suicides surpass combat deaths." Article written by Sophie Goodchild and Jonathan Owen, Sunday 1 April 2007. (Nb. This is not an newspaper I would normally read, I stumbled upon it during a search) Furthermore, to Shug and anyone whose interested, these types of reports and stats can be researched on www.dasa.mod.uk (Defence Analytical Services Agency)

Best Regards to all, Tom

 

 

Identifying homeless mentally ill veterans in jail

Screaming In An Empty Room

Trauma, Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Associated Problems Among Incarcerated Veterans

 

http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/52/7/959

 

Male Veterans with Co-Occurring Serious Mental Illness and a Substance Use Disorder

 

http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k4/vetsDualDX/vetsDualDX.htm

 

Just a small sample of the sites, about service men in jail.

 

 

I thought I would let everyone know that PTSD and Veterans In Prison will soon be awarded a section especially dedicated to these connected topics. Once this new section is functioning we will explore all avenues of these awful items even if the government wishes not too, and we WILL make them listen. Thanks to Tom for raising the matter. Robbie

 

 

I too have been close on a few occassions to joining these statistics Tam.  As opposed to being repetitive with regards to what is already on the site. Go to 'Whats New' and the PTSD tab and there are a few points written there which may explain your question; Why? Our Veterans' Prayer may also be of assistance. Maybe having actually fought to protect this society 'wakens' the Armed Forces and Veterans up to what it is we're fighting for. What was the name of the newspaper and the reporters name Tam?

 

 

I was reading last night from archives in a well known u.k. newspaper and read the following. I was severely sickened to say the least! I've been personally a hairsbreadth away from being included in these figures and i'm sure 2008 figures are sadly worse, but read on........

MOD figures April 2007....."More servicemen and women have committed suicide over the past two decades than have died in military action, according to new figures. The latest death toll for those in the armed forces who have TAKEN THEIR OWN LIVES has risen to 687 compared to 438 killed during active service in major conflicts such as the Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland."

Many killed in action were also my friends and neighbours. My question is, re: SUICIDE..."WHY?"

 

 

After reading through your site, I get the impression that Veterans In Need have big things planned, have accomplished some big things and wish the group to expand. But I cannot find any tab or button that people can press to become members and pay an annual subscription to help pay costs. All work and expense appears to be delivered from the workers. A fiver a year subs would surely help wouldn't it? And do you intend to start a membership scheme? All the best, Jim

 

 

Veterans In Need have received a request from an interested party asking why the site lacks content. As our site is brand new, it will of course grow steadily. However the feeling at the inaugural meeting of Veterans In Need was that too many websites contain more than enough information for the viewer to get confused, lost, and forget the reason they entered the site in the first instance. Our feeling is to securely maintain the 'Keep It Simple Stupid' philosophy that the Armed Forces have utilised to great effect for centuries. The priority that we must maintain is to keep open a simple line of communication from Veterans who are in need, to Veterans In Need. This is not to say that we do not accept any new initiatives.

 

Kindest Regards

Sue

Secretary

Veterans In Need

 

All active members of Veterans In Need have taken great heart from not only the suggestions, but the promise of further ideas by submissions to our Forum appertaining to independant Remembrance Days. Added to this we feel that by the construction of the submissions, the authors are of a younger generation. All at Veterans In Need would warmly welcome all members of the younger generation at our own Remembrance Day together with as many friends who support our Veterans. We look forward to hearing more from you all and your friends regardless of the subject matter that you wish to raise.

 

With Kindest Regards

 

Sue

Secretary

Veterans In Need

 

 

it's a pity you didn't have a chatroom then all Veterans could spend such days swapping old stories and new news. But it would send a better message to government if you all held lots of little ones yourselves and told the newspapers and tv. It might make them take care of you all better x

 

 

I agree with Grant and although I have no family in the Armed Forces, I too would like to see Veterans having a parade where they are the centre of the attention. What about having a service at the Black Watch statue in Dundee or a small gathering in Baxter's Park. I'm sure you could find a member of the clergy who would be willing to help and if not, one of the Veterans could say a few words, read some poems and perhaps sing a hymn or something. And you could get your friends all over Scotland to do the same and boycott the 'official' one.

 

Fiona

 

 

I am so happy that something positive is being thought of in the 'Whats New' tab. I will give it some consideration and render my thoughts to Sue. I am not a Veteran but my family members were and I would dearly love to attend a smaller event held by Veterans, where Veterans with no vested interest do the talking. Well Done!

 

 

Nice link Shug, I have added it to our Civil Liberties Link. If anyone has any suggestions please don't ask for consideration by signing the guest book. Either submit a Forum message or send a message to Sue. Check out Shug's link, it's pretty useful

 

Vince

 

 

The guest book entries by shug and many others define what Veterans In Need are all about. What all members/guests to our webste must accomplish, is to recruit as many Veterans, Widows and Dependants to our group as possible. We already know that there are in the region of 14 million Veterans in the UK, yet only a tiny percentage will attend government organised events or Military Associations. The reasons for this, to the Veteran, are obvious. Veterans In Need will organise an annual Veterans' Day which will combine the desired meeting and greeting with old friends with an eventful day of informative and very much interesting debate and situation reports relating to what Veterans have been given in the past, to what Veterans have been awarded that year to what we will be demanding for the following year. This year alone Veterans In Need have brought to a conclusion, after a three year struggle, a deal that will see 30 Million Pounds spent on Veterans' Homes

 

Veterans In Need, 'need' you to recruit and 'need' all possible to attend our annual event free from phoney political patronisation.

 

"Strike Us Not With Impunity"

 

 

just to let other Veterans know about an invaluable service open to all veterans providing horticultural therapy,it is called Gardening leave and is run by Anna baker cresswell ,she operates out of the scottish agricultural college in ayr i personally find this to be a great form of therapy and hope other Veterans will do so too here is the web address http:www.gardeningleave.org/  all the best shug

 

 

i would like to thank you all for your support

 

 

just a wee message wishing Rose all the best for the 11th with her case , x

 

 

As well as the signature and advocated support of the well respected Tony Benn to our Guest Book, Rose Gentle has kindly taken the interest and time to also lend her support to Veterans In Need. On the 11th of this month Rose will take her case of governmental public accountability to the Law Lords for a hearing that will last 3 days. There can be no respectable member of the public that not only is concerned about the tragic circumstances of Rose's son Gordon, but of the illegality that produced the, and all alike tragic circumstances in the first place. Our thoughts will be with Rose throughout her 3 day ordeal, who has undoubtedly proven herself to be one of Scotland's contemporary heroes. Should common sense, clarity and unaccountability be once more hidden by the Law Lords in favour of the cowardice shown by those who are protected from the horrors of war from ever reaching these shores by our Armed Forces, then Rose will take this case of paramount importance to the European Court of Human Rights. Veterans In Need ask that all civilised people make conversation of this issue and support Rose. Highlight, Copy, and Paste this address into your browser; http://www.mfaw.org.uk/

 

Please register and contribute to this cause, that has consequences that will effect every man, woman and child living, and those yet to be born.

 

Kindest Regards

 

Sue

Secretary

Veterans In Need

 

 

Veterans In Need is a non-affiliated Veterans group. We irrevocably state that there is no such political party in existence that automatically warrants or commands the respect of Veterans In Need. As in any military operation, our ferocious focus is non-detractable and our aims and objectives will be met in the time honoured fashion, of our Armed Forces, which is staunch with adulation and fully furnished with glorious victories whilst facing fearful odds.

 

Veterans In Need are the lapdogs of no individual or collective body.

 

We will recognise positive attributes and progress in our elected and appointed individuals and collective bodies as and when we identify such items.

 

The Scottish National Party have recently passed a new law demanding that all Veterans who require NHS service for medical conditions caused by their service must be given priority treatment. This significant step forward has enormous consequences. It is the first time a parliament of its kind has pledged without renage this worthy recognition to those who serve in what is the most noble profession in the world. This piece of legislation has been warmly welcomed by those who would die to uphold, maintain and protect this island race and by their families, friends and by the electorate.

 

For a Scottish Government to shatter what until now has been an unbreakable psychological brick wall of ignorance, arrogance and alienation, surely dictates that the Scottish National Party have paved the way for a better country and for all who live in Scotland. 

 

Veterans who experience any response to the needs required to meet their medical conditions which contradicts this law should not hesitate to contact Veterans In Need.

 

"Strike Us Not With Impunity"

 

 

Many Veterans who have attended Combat Stress feel that a positive experience was unfortunately not realised. Veterans In Need are tackling a number of issues at present, and although we have recommended that Veterans attend this government fuelled, funded and publicised clinic of assistance, the reality is that the feedback is generally negative. Once we are in a position to construct a positive report for government, we will make a series of recommendations that reflects the needs of our Veterans. To this end Veterans In Need require more precise feedback from Veterans, of both a Negative and Positive form, to present the government, together with political support, with our suggested, neccessary amendments to the programme. Send all your detailed reports with your own suggestions for improvement  of Combat Stress to Sue at 'Contacts', or alternatively submit a 'Feedback' form.

 

Many thanks to Archie and Tom for your contributions to Veterans In Need.

 

Kindest Regards,

Sue Robinson

Secretary

Veterans In Need

 

 

Currently our team throughout the United Kingdom are busying themselves with marketing Veterans In Need and our, under construction, website. It was unfortunate that our 2 page spread in The Sun printed the wrong email address for the website, however as we all understand the impossibility of winning 'half a battle', we must press on and all of us must encourage every person we know to sign this guest book. Those we know who are without internet access can always lend their support to the group via an email address of a friend. Integrity is the key phrase, only with the express permission of those who support our Veterans must their name be added to this guest book. Therefore the aim is clear my good men and women, let's advertise and build, leaving it not only to the active members but to all of us who care to see only success for our Veterans, Widows, Dependants and............US!

 

 

Told today by my case worker from the Gulf War section of the Veterans agency that I am to correspond in writing, after confronting her on several major mistakes she had made regarding a further condition claim and also a conveniant assesment appeal which has gone missing which I had to send 3 times and it took a special delivery copy before they would acknowledge they had recieved it, then this 1 copy also went missing. My case worker had no explanation for this except to hang up the phone and now refuses to speak to me on any future matter. If every Veteran who had a heated debate against the Veteran agency was treated the same then no one would would be talking.  We Veterans must remind them why God gave us two ears and only one mouth,  they should listen twice as hard but they dont hear!  Waffling bureacratic Bullshit is all you get. Anyone feels the same let me know your experience. Together United divided we fall and dont forget  Winners never quit and quitters never Win.

 

 

Anyone who has had a bad experience, dealing with Combat Stress, ie Hollybush House.  In particular their so called group work which I feel is substandard and out dated to say the least.  After being discharged home, they dont have any follow up care, no specialist care, ex cleaners now care assistants, they are doing indepth reports on every move you make or dont make!  However when they make mistakes there is no record of this.  I believe that Combat Stress is a government funded Charity that use their reports against  veterans when it comes to appeals, further conditions or any other claims.  Attended Holly Bush between 2000 and 2006 and out of 15 reports that detailed everything I'd done from getting up to going to bed.  There was not one mention of Gulf War Syndrome on any of them, how conveniant for the Veterans Agency.  It seems to me that the Veterans Agency have informed their welfare rights workers and Holly Bush House that any GWS Veteran wishing to know about Gulf War Syndrome claims.  We are being advised Gulf War Syndrome does not exist.