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Heath Druzin

‘We’ve grown up in the firefight; we’re not scared of bullets’

Janis Shinwari didn’t know the American soldier pinned down by Taliban bullets in a shallow depression a couple hundred meters away.

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Billionaire pledges $275 million for free mental health care for veterans, families

A billionaire hedge-fund manager has pledged $275 million to build clinics offering free mental health care to veterans and their families. Steven Cohen, who heads Point72 Asset Management, will build 20 to 25 clinics across the country in the next three to five years, with the first ones opening in July.
Report: VA unfairly denied services to 125K post-9/11 veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs is wrongfully denying services to roughly 125,000 post-9/11 veterans with other than honorable discharges, according to a joint study released Wednesday by two veterans advocacy groups and Harvard Law School.
Pentagon erroneously withheld $78 million from injured veterans over 25 years

The Pentagon has been deducting money erroneously from combat-wounded veterans’ severance pay for 25 years, an error officials knew about for years and that might have affected upwards of 13,000 troops, according to lawmakers and a veterans advocacy group.
Summit highlights difficulties of veterans’ caregivers

Torrey Shannon provides round-the-clock care for her husband, retired Staff Sgt. Dan Shannon, who survived a gunshot wound to the head in Iraq. He needs to live in a remote area because severe post-traumatic stress disorder and brain injury has left him overwhelmed by cities. Despite this, she said she has struggled to get the support she needs as a veteran’s caregiver.
Committee chair Miller retiring but plans to keep heat on VA until the end

There have been few venues as daunting for Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald as the Cannon Building’s Room 334.
VA aims to improve beleaguered suicide prevention efforts

One month after a damning report about unanswered calls on a veterans crisis line, the Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a new effort to combat suicide, including automatically enrolling separating troops into the VA healthcare system.
VA failed to contact tens of thousands of veterans with pending health care applications

The Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed Monday that it failed to contact tens of thousands of the more than 800,000 veterans who have applications for health care pending, nearly 300,000 of whom died before getting a resolution.
New burn pits book not sold in Army and Air Force stores

Servicemembers interested in reading a new book charging the military was negligent in exposing troops to burn pits will have to look outside their bases to find a copy. Post exchanges aren’t selling it.
‘Whiskey Tango Foxtrot’ movie captures what life is like for foreign correspondents

War can be hilarious. Not that the actual violence is funny — there is nothing amusing about the thousands of civilians and troops who have died and hundreds of thousands who have been displaced during America’s 15-year nightmare in Afghanistan. But within the larger tragedy of armed conflict is a rich vein of dark, absurdist humor grounded in the day-to-day insanity of life in a war zone.
VA: Department attorneys, judges sent racist, sexist emails

Two judges and three attorneys for Department of Veterans Affairs who handle appeals of benefits claims were found to have repeatedly sent racist and sexist emails, the department announced Wednesday.
3 military lives shattered by tragic shooting March 1, 2016
After long delay, VA watchdog releases wait-time reports February 29, 2016
Some VA workers in disbelief as two controversial executives return to high-paying jobs February 23, 2016
Sanders gets praise, blame for time as head of Senate veterans' affairs committee February 19, 2016
VA won’t reinstate fired employee, despite judge’s ruling February 17, 2016
Obama proposes 5 percent hike in VA budget February 9, 2016
Appeals board reverses another VA executive’s punishment February 8, 2016
Framework for peace will need to convince Afghan people and Taliban January 19, 2016
A look at how the US-led coalition lost Afghanistan's Marjah district to the Taliban January 16, 2016
Four-nation meeting aims to jump-start Afghan peace process January 16, 2016
Islamic State attack claim signals escalation by group in Afghanistan January 14, 2016
In ashes of anti-drug campaign, Afghans get rehab on former US base January 11, 2016
Green Beret killed in Afghanistan was new father January 7, 2016
US servicemember killed in Helmand was part of major operation against Taliban January 6, 2016
Pentagon: Firefight continues at site of Afghan attack January 5, 2016
Monday Kabul blast injures US embassy workers January 5, 2016
Analysts: Taliban attacks aim to strengthen position ahead of talks January 5, 2016
Despite concerns, military continues use of burn pits in Iraq January 4, 2016
Wave of deadly bombings in Kabul continues January 4, 2016
Insurgent group says it’s open to Afghan peace talks January 4, 2016
Deadly attack on Kabul restaurant comes as government reaches out to Taliban January 2, 2016
Small nations playing bigger role in Afghan mission January 2, 2016
At least 1 killed in Kabul restaurant attack; Taliban claim responsibility January 1, 2016
Afghans launch new peace effort with Taliban December 31, 2015
Kabul attack targets NATO convoy near airport December 28, 2015
Troops celebrate Christmas in Kabul with turkey, cake and stocking caps December 25, 2015
Troops in Afghanistan remember 6 airmen killed in suicide attack December 23, 2015
New Star Wars film boosts morale at Bagram December 22, 2015
Pentagon identifies 6 airmen killed in Afghan suicide attack December 22, 2015
6 American troops killed in Afghan suicide attack, officials say December 21, 2015
Desperate pleas for help as Taliban surround key Afghan district center December 21, 2015
Pentagon: Afghanistan becoming less secure December 16, 2015
Fresh Taliban assaults test boundaries of US 'noncombat' mission December 15, 2015
6 killed in Taliban siege of Kabul guesthouse December 12, 2015
Bomb blast rocks Kabul as militants storm guesthouse December 11, 2015
Death toll in Taliban airport attack rises to 50 December 10, 2015
Dunford on first Afghanistan visit as Joint Chiefs chair: ‘years of work’ ahead December 9, 2015
Fort Walton Beach, Fla. recognized for awarding grants to veteran-owned businesses November 16, 2015
Phoenix VA employee reportedly wore whistleblower costume; placed on leave November 13, 2015
Technicality keeps thousands of post-9/11 vets from VA benefits November 13, 2015
Veterans across the country use their day of honor to continue to serve November 9, 2015
PBS documentary follows the history of disabled veterans November 9, 2015
VA secretary challenges Congress November 6, 2015
VA directors plead Fifth at House committee hearing, face punishment November 2, 2015
What do you get for $766 million in Afghanistan? DOD isn’t sure November 2, 2015
Vets, report: VA care hard to get for mental health October 29, 2015
Army settles with whistleblower who exposed dangerous hospital conditions October 27, 2015
Army officer's military surplus bag company in line for Super Bowl ad October 26, 2015
Lawmakers subpoena VA employees who failed to appear at hearing October 21, 2015
Congressman threatens to subpoena VA officials implicated in wrongdoing October 19, 2015
Crowdfunding site to host Veterans Day charity drive October 18, 2015
Beleaguered undersecretary resigns from VA after hiring scandal October 16, 2015
Marine gets upgrade to Navy Cross 46 years later October 14, 2015
US halts troubled rebel training program as Russian military action in Syria ramps up October 9, 2015
Senator urges Justice Department probe of VA for 'potential violations of law' October 7, 2015
Legal expert nominated as VA inspector general October 5, 2015
Military suicides remain constant despite Pentagon efforts October 2, 2015
Group blasts Marines over study of women in combat September 29, 2015
Report: Senior VA executives abused positions for financial gain September 28, 2015
Study: Cell damage linked to Gulf War illness September 10, 2015
Academic accommodations can aid troubled veterans August 23, 2015
Vets bring DIY attitude to business startups August 19, 2015
'Boots to Business' introduces veterans and active-duty troops to starting a business August 19, 2015
Marines lag behind in bringing women into ranks August 19, 2015
Report: 35,000 veterans have had care delayed by VA computer system August 12, 2015
Report: VA at fault for veteran's overdose death at Tomah August 7, 2015
McCain bill would let all veterans seek care outside VA August 6, 2015
VA could cover more illnesses tied to water at Camp Lejeune August 4, 2015
Double amputee completes handcycle ride across US for wounded veterans August 3, 2015
Critics: VA IG oversight is complicit in retaliation, out to protect agency July 30, 2015
Bill would make it easier to fire VA workers, but at what cost to due process? July 29, 2015
Having veterans as mentors is key to treatment court success stories July 29, 2015
DOD: Live anthrax sent to labs was 'a massive institutional failure' July 23, 2015
Beyond the canteens: VFW knows it needs to change to stay relevant July 22, 2015
Veterans’ views on Obama legacy decidedly mixed July 21, 2015
Obama to VFW on VA crisis: 'Our work is not done' July 21, 2015
Obama to announce details of financial rules to protect troops July 21, 2015
In stories shared with family and strangers alike, fallen Marine lives on July 18, 2015
Fallen Chattanooga Marines include recent grad, Iraq and Afghanistan vets July 18, 2015
Transgender decision raises question of combat jobs July 14, 2015
Europe, Pacific not entirely spared from Army force cuts July 13, 2015
Army announces details of troop cuts, says they could expand July 9, 2015
Obama at Pentagon: US must do more to counter Islamic State online recruiting July 6, 2015
Jan Scruggs, legacy etched in the stone of Vietnam wall, ready to retire June 29, 2015
Charity for troops hasn't changed since investigation; fund drive begins Thursday June 23, 2015
A wash to honor fathers' sacrifice: Families gather for a cleaning of the wall June 20, 2015
US troops to work with Iraqis from Anbar base June 19, 2015
Veteran TV reporter tapped as Pentagon spokesman June 19, 2015
Warrior Games 2015: Athletes gear up to show off elite skills June 18, 2015

Heath Druzin

Heath Druzin covers veterans for Stars and Stripes and before that spent five years covering Iraq and Afghanistan. Prior to joining Stripes he covered crime, politics, and the military at newspapers in California, Louisiana and Idaho. When he's not in DC, you can find him in a yurt, but you have to look pretty hard.

Contact information:

druzin.heath@stripes.com
Twitter: @Druzin_Stripes

Phone:
Cell: 202-738-6588
Office: 202-761-1183
DSN: 312-763-1183

Tweets by @Druzin_Stripes

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Patrick Tadina, Vietnam War's longest continuously serving Ranger, dies at 77

A 30-year Army veteran who was the longest continuously serving Ranger in Vietnam and one of the war’s most decorated enlisted soldiers has died.
National World War II Memorial is vandalized

Images posted to social media showed graffiti on the memorial's central fountain which read, "Do black vets count?"
Two airmen dead in shooting at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota

The base did not identify the deceased airmen by name, but said both were active-duty members assigned to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing.
Infiltrator who killed two US service members in insider attack released from Afghan prison

Abdul Saboor, who killed Air Force Lt. Col. John Darin Loftis and Army Maj. Robert Marchanti II in 2012, was set free Friday after four years of time served, officials said.
Active-duty troops could deploy on Washington streets to stop protests

An unspecified number of active-duty troops comprising of military police and engineers also were moved Monday to the “national capital region,” but are not yet in Washington, according to a senior defense official.

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