Recueing Horses - Finding Trust

Well it has been since mid April that Annie's Hope, Courage and Heath Bar were rescued by Solid Rock Therapeutic Riding Services. 

As you may remember, our family had been looking for projects to help surviving families and returning veterans who suffer from PTSD as a result of the the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

We looked into equine therapy as it appeared to be very successful for veterans with PTSD and Melissa and I have thought it might be a benefit for surviving families from these enduring wars.  Over the last several months, Melissa and I have been in training with Shannon from the ranch.

To start, you have to understand, I am petrified of horses. They are big and intimidating. What I have learned so far is this is an adventure in finding trust. It is about me learning to trust them as the horses are learning to trust me. Trust is a hard thing to find when you are broken by life whether you are a broken horse or  person.

Th good news is that I am learning to trust these big, 1,500 lb beauties and they are learning to trust me. The last couple of times, I have been grooming Heath Bar. The first time I entered his stall  when he first arrived at Solid Rock, I was jumping out of it as soon as I entered as he pinned his ears back and came at me and was going to bite my hiney.

We have come a long way since that time. I can groom him and I attempt to pick his hooves. That is a challenge, but I am making progress. They reality is I find peace when I am there. I see why this is a good thing for hurting people and I am blessed to be part of this adventure. I hope others will find this experience as well in the future as the horses progress in their healing and learn to find trust as well.

Pvt. Heath Warner Memorial Run Celebrates Sixth Event with Exciting New Changes

Registration Now Open for Pvt. Heath Warner Memorial Run – Running to Remember

 

Canton, OH – May 6, 2013 – The S. N. Warner Family Association is proud to announce registration is open for the Pvt. Heath D. Warner Memorial Run – Running to Remember. This is the sixth year anniversary for this special event. The race was founded in honor of their son, Pvt. Heath D. Warner, who was killed on November 22, 2006, in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.  

We have many new changes to this year’s race to honor our fallen heroes over Memorial Day Weekend. This year’s race will be partnering with the Jackson Township Rotary’s Field of Heroes and Field of Honor which will be held from Friday, May 24, 2013 through Memorial Day, Monday Day, May 27, 2013. This is a spectacular visual display of 1,500 American Flags which will be displayed across from Jackson Township Safety Center on Wales Road. These 3' x 5' flags will stand 8 feet tall in perfect rows and columns across a field of green. Mr. Warner states, “It is an honor to partner with the Jackson Rotary for such an amazing opportunity for the greater Stark County area community to remember those who have sacrificed so much for freedom and to honor these true heroes.” 

Race Facts: 

Date:   Saturday, May 25, 2013, Memorial Day Weekend

Registration:    6:30 AM

Opening:         7:30 AM

Time:               8:00 AM

4 Mile and 2 Mile Races:

            Starting Point:             Jackson High School

            Finishing Point:           Jackson Community Park by Safety Center  

Register on line at www.theohiochallengeseries.com or at www.pvtheathwarner.com .

Open registration is through Friday, May 24, 2013 at 5 PM and the fee is $25 (same day race registration is available for $35). 

Other important notes. 

The S. N. Warner is pleased to announce the addition of Navy Lt. Jason Manse’s banner to the Boulevard of Heroes located at the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum. The Boulevard of Heroes is a project funded by the Private Heath Warner Memorial Fund. This project was started three years ago. A banner honoring the fallen from Stark County from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars are hung on the light post along the boulevard in front of the McKinley Monument. Last year, we added our first Vietnam Veteran Army Ist. Lt. Sharon Lane. Flags on the light poles and the banners are donated courtesy of the Warner family through the Pvt. Heath Warner Memorial Fund are displayed from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

 

In addition, in keeping with the S. N. Warner Family Association mission of By Living Deeply and Caring Generously We Will Changes Lives One at a Time, we have partnered with the Solid Rock Therapeutic Riding Center to provide equine therapeutic services for surviving military families and returning veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Warner family stated, “It is important we provide services to help the families and veterans who have suffered so much through these enduring wars. Enduring wars create enduring pain and we believe the unconditional love from these special horses bring healing that can change lives.” Recently, through the Pvt. Heath Warner Memorial Fund, the family was able to rescue three horses from a kill sale for meat slaughter. “We would like to introduce Courage, Heath Bar and Annie’s Hope to the community. These three saddle bred beauties will be used exclusively for surviving military families and returning veterans.”

 

“Running to Remember” Is Theme of Race  

“We founded the race to remember the sacrifice of our son, Pvt. Heath Warner, and to honor all of the other fallen service men and women from Stark County,” said Scott Warner, father of Pvt. Heath Warner and race director.  “The race is a celebration of their lives and that they will never be forgotten.” 

“The race will focus on the community spirit in remembering all of the fallen heroes who have sacrificed their lives for freedom.  The theme of the race, “Running to Remember,” will allow all of our participants and supporters to honor and remember their special loved ones who selflessly served their country and are being remembered on Memorial Day.”     

Registration Now Open Online at www.pvtheathwarner.com  or at www.ohiochallengeseries.com for the 4-Mile and 2-Mile Runs. The race and walk are open to the community. 

The race is an Elite Race of the Ohio Subway Challenge Series will be Chronotrack Systems timed.  Awards will be given to the 4 and 2 mile overall top three male and female winners and age group winners.  Participants are invited to stay after race for the Opening Ceremony for the Field of Heroes and Field of Honor which be at 10 AM in Jackson Senior High School.

 

For more information about the race, please contact Scott Warner at 330-280-6350, or by email at pvtheathwarner@yahoo.com.  

 

About Pvt. Heath D. Warner

 

 

Born on Jan. 2, 1987.  Parents are Scott and Melissa Warner and brothers are Chandler and Ashton Warner of Canton, Ohio.  Attended Worley Elementary, Canton Christian Academy and was a 2005 graduate of McKinley Senior High School.  Completed certificate in Drafting from Timken Vocational Campus.  Hobbies included break dancing, foreign language including German, Japanese and Arabic. Love of different cultures, foods and the martial arts.  Enjoyed reading, hanging out with his friends and family.  Enlisted in the delayed entrance program of the Marines in Fall 2004.  He joined the pool of the new recruits and began preparing to become a Marine. Heath joined the Marines for all the right reasons...love of God, love of family and a love of country.  After graduating in 2005, Heath left for basic training at Paris Island, South Carolina.  He graduated on Nov. 18, 2005.  Once that training was completed, Heath received additional training for SOI (school of infantry training) at Camp Legune in North Carolina.  After successfully completing this training, Heath was stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, were he received his desert training to prepare for his deployment in Iraq.  Heath was deployed on September 11, 2006, for Iraq.  On Nov. 11, 2006, Heath was killed in action when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb.  He was 19 years old.

 

The Ulimate Desecration of Honor and in the end Honor is Restored by the Marines

It is early Sunday morning and I am still at a loss of how to put my arms around the events that took place at the disinterment of our son Heath.

I am going to break my thoughts in two sections, 1. The Ultimate Desecration of Honor and 2, Honor is Restored by the Marines.

The Ultimate Desecration of Honor

All I can say is please the following article by Mark Benjamin from www.salon.com

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/09/16/disinterment_arlington/index.html

Honor is Restored by the Marines

What ever honor was stolen from our son by the administration of Arlington National Cemetery it was restored by the Marines. Thank you Gunny Sgt. Dixon. What most of you do not know was four years ago, Gunny Sgt. Dixon was in charge of his first Honor Guard burial of Pvt, Heath Warner. He was faithful again to his Marine brother inspite of Arlington's resistance. Your placing the flag on Heath's casket after it was disinterned and placed on the flat bed truck was only the beginning. Your continued presence through the day was a comfort to Melissa and myself.

I will never forget how you stood with Melissa and I after Heath's remains were placed in a new casket, how you comforted Melissa. You placed each new dog tag before me as if it was a precious jewel and buried him again with the dignity and honor. I will treasure that flag like a priceless diamond. Actually, it is more precious than that...it is the blood, sweat and tears of freedom.

You watched the horrific events of the day and I know you will do the right thing with this information.

Semper Fi!

Scott

Preview of a Segment of our Public Statement to be read at the Women's Memorial Today

The text Bekow is a preview of the public statement I eill be making today after the disinterment.

The Desecration of Honor Stops Today

Almost four years ago, I stood here at Arlington National Cemetery after burying my son, USMC Pvt. Heath Warner. It was our son’s wishes to be buried at Arlington and we considered it the highest honor we could give him - to be buried with his fallen heroes on these most hallowed grounds. I commented at the time, “The honor matched the grief”.

Today, I stand before you again and I state, “The desecration of honor at Arlington National Cemetery matches our anger and grief”. I cannot begin to state the many feelings my wife and I have as we are here to disinter the body of our son for positive identification as a result of Arlington’s negligence.

Today, Melissa and I stand before you and declare that the Desecration of Honor Stops Today - here and now. We want to be part of the solution that no other family should have to go through what our family has gone through.
This can only occur with Congressional support and action in the following areas:

1. Arlington National Cemetery is first and foremost a working cemetery. We are calling for a temporary cessation of all tourist operations at Arlington National Cemetery until the expanded Congressional investigation is concluded and the outstanding issues are resolved. All resources need to be directed to restoring the honor and dignity that has defined Arlington National Cemetery. Once this has occurred tourist operations will begin under new policy and procedures that maintain the integrity and dignity of our fallen heroes buried at the Cemetery.

2. The creation of a panel of family members that will provide an ongoing continuous feedback loop to the Superintendent/Executive Director of what is being done well and what is not satisfactory to the families of the Arlington National Cemetery community.

3. The investigation is expanded to include verification of all paperwork related to those buried at Arlington National Cemetery. I hold before you a form that in the letter we received from Kathryn Condon in which she reassured us had been double checked for accuracy, which is in fact incomplete and full of errors which have resulted in our exhuming our son for positive identification (see exhibit A).

4. We are asking for Congressional action which would allow the families that have to suffer from the pain and agony of living this nightmare as a result of Arlington National Cemetery’s negligence legal remedy against the United States Army and the Cemetery which would also allow for Memorial Markers to remain at their loved ones grave and a return of their bodies to the families choice of reburial. A trust has been broken and violated in which we believe our son would be better taken care of by the family, but still allows us to honor our son’s request to be honored at Arlington National Cemetery.

5. I have presented to Congressman Boccieri from the 16th District in Ohio, a summary report from a meeting of Gold Star parents from his district with recommendations for legislation which would help Gold Star families to deal with the long term consequences of war in order that we can move forward in our healing. I am asking senior Congressional leaders to review this document and allow families to testify before Congress of what life is like for a Gold Star Family in 2010 and the creation of a Gold Star Family Assistance and Protection Act.

Lastly, the Warner Family would like to say to the families across America who have lost loved ones and to those families who have brave men and women is service to the country – on behalf of a grateful Nation we thank you for your sacrifice and service. We honor your family and loved ones.

May God Bless You, May God Bless America and May God Bless and Protect our Service Men and Women.

Scott and Melissa Warner

It's late and we just got into DC

It's late but I wanted to drop a quick line about tomorrow.

Does it make sense to anyone why we are the drivers of identifying Heath's body? Let's face it, having to have him disinterned is hard enough. I guess Arlington has not learned that there are other methods of identification such as a third party DNA forensic specialist? So tomorrow one of Heath's Marine friends and myself will be doing the verification. Orginally, we were to be taken to a funeral home where a funeral director would open the casket, now we are doing it onsite at Arlington...because they needed a permit to move Heath. I wonder if the Arlington admonistration would treat their loved ones like they are treating Heath?

Another thing I question - is the grave compromised by digging it out tonight allowing the vault exposed....supposedly, unntouched until we arrive at 8 AM tomorrow morning. Interesting?

A prayer that keeps me focused right now is.....

Christ be with me. Christ before me. Christ behind me. Christ above me. Christ on my right. Christ on my left. Christ where I lie. Christ where I sit. Christ where I arise. Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me. Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me. Christ in every eye that sees me. Christ in every ear that hears me.
Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Christ. May your salvation Oh Lord be ever with us.

Blessings to all.

Scott

From the Diary of a Mad White Man Part II

Yesterday Congressman Boccieri's office coordinated a conference call between Kathryn Condon, her legal counsel, Arlington's Superintendent and myself.

It was an absolutely contentious phone conference. Kathryn did her best to massage her prior conversations with me and would try to make things that she wanted were my suggestions. For the record, I did make statements countering her statements and at one point I told her she was a big fat liar and that what she was saying was not true and to prove it I had recorded the conversation.

In the end, we were finally to finalize the arrangements for the disinterment.

My observation is whatever administrative and leadership skills Kathryn Condon brings to the table for helping Arlington, she lacks the understanding of dealing with a bereaving family. These are not skills she can learn on the fly. My recommendation is they terminate her as fast as they can.

I have a busy day as we are getting ready to head out to Arlington. I will update my blog as this unfolds. God Bless, Scott

From the Diary of A Mad White Man

Last night, I received a call from the Marine Casualty Officers in DC offering to be there on Wednesday for Heath's disinterment. They said they had just heard of what was taking place and wanted to honor Heath and support us anyway they could. The Marines contacted Arlington this morning and were told by Col Trybular at Arlington that the Marines were to only serve at the request of the Army at Arlington. He proceeded to state they were not requested and were not welcome to be there. I am getting smoking hot. I contacted Congressman Boccieri's office to see if they could help. This is just wrong. Here's Arlington's phone number 703-607-8175. I am counting on all my friends to call and let them have it...From the Diary of A Mad White Man...Scott

9/11 Remembered

The following is a 9/11 tribute that I wrote in 2007. It captured what I felt in my heart. I share this each year as my way of reflecting on the tragic events of 9/11 that forever changed my families lives. I hope it touches you in a special way.

9/11 Remembered

I remember 9/11 so vividly. The drive into work was picture perfect. I remember thinking what an awesome early fall day, sunny, warm, and the sky was brillian blue. As I sat at my desk with the radio on, I heard the announcer break in that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Centers.

I remember on 9/11, thinking maybe there was fog and a small Cessna had unfortunately lost course and crashed. Shortly thereafter, as a news reporter was interviewing an eye witness, there were screams as the second plane crashed into the second tower. Then, everything seemed to stop. Could it be terrorist? My employer sent us home and we were glued to the TV as the drama unfolded. Little did I know then that not only did the world change that day, but how dramatically and intimately it would change my family and life.

I remember on 9/11, that my son, Heath, would say he was going to fight for his country. I did not know then that he would lose his life fighting a war so his family could have a safer future.

I remember 9/11 as the day, he left to travel to this foreign field of battle, it would be the last day he would be alive on American soil. A day of last phone texts, last phone calls, and the day I began to endlessly worry about a son going to war.

I remember 9/11 as a bittersweet time of fond last memories and of the beginning of long-term pain and heartache.
I remember on 9/11, all the lives lost, the destruction, the end of a way of life America had known.

On 9/11, I pray that God will be with all the families that lost their special loved ones that day and with all the families of the brave men and women who have lost their lives fighting for our national security and freedom since then. May God give wisdom to our leaders that will lead us ultimately to a safer, free world.

God bless America, God bless you and may God bless our men and women serving our country.

Scott Warner

The Honor is from the Hero

Melissa and I were talking tonight. I said I do not know if I can go back to Arlington because it has lost the honor it once had to me. She was quick to remind me the honor is not defined by Arlington, the honor is derived from what our loved ones did, how they lived their lives and how they died. They were selfless heroes who thought of others first and gave their lives thinking of others. It is shameful what has happened at Arlington, but the honor does not rest on the administration or the employees. Whenever we remember the sacrifice of our son, the honor is still there. With that in mind, maybe I can find some peace in this miserable situation we now find ourselves in with Arlington administration.

A Decision Has Been Made for the Disinterment of Pvt. Heath Warner at Arlington National Cemetery

A Decision Has Been Made


The last several weeks have been a challenging time for our family. In addition to the incomplete and inaccurate information on the Decedent Information form, Arlington records could not account for Heath's remains from the point he left Cleveland Hopkins Airport until he was held in storage at Arlington on December 11, 2006.

I was asked to rely on a verbal confirmation that his remains were held at a local funeral. When I asked for copies of the information from the funeral home, none could be provided. Based on this information, Melissa and asked the cemetery to move forward with Heath’s disinterment. With a positive identification and copies of the detailed funeral which would give account of the days preceding his burial on December 12, 2006, we will be able to find peace in this situation.

We have agonized with making this decision, but we have set the date of the disinterment with Arlington for Wednesday, 9/15/2010 at 8 AM.

What Have I Learned From This Experience

When I wrote my op-ed, Arlington National Cemetery - A Spectrum of Desecration, I had no clue that I would find myself in the situation of questioning were our son was buried. However, with the expanded investigation potentially impacting 4500 to 6600 graves, we decided for peace of mind, to ask Arlington to confirm his grave.

Moving forward I became vigilant in my pursuit for truth. Searching for truth requires a perseverance that I did not realize I had within me. I learned to see through rhetoric and pursue factual information. Holding the cemetery accountable for their poor records and exposing our story in a public forum has not been easy. We have asked Eric Mansfield from WKYC and Stan Meyers from the Canton Repository to cover Heath’s disinterment, as we believe it is important for American’s to see the reality of the Arlington’s negligence.

I am not looking forward to disinterring Heath's grave, but in the end this short term pain, will provide long term peace. To the families who have loved ones buried at Arlington, ask for hard copies of your loved ones records. Unless you ask, they will not send them to you and you will only receive a scripted response from the call center. Specifically, ask for the Decedent's Information sheet. I am confident that our records are not the only ones that are incomplete and inaccurate. We have been asked to settle for the errors as clerical mistakes and computer glitches. That is not acceptable.

We have decided to keep Heath buried at Arlington as this is what he would want. I am praying that it is Heath's body buried at his grave. By moving forward with his disinterment, I believe it is a big step forward for Arlington in restoring the honor and dignity that has been lost. If our perseverance helps others, then the pain we have suffered will be worth it.

Arlington National Cemetery - A Spectrum of Desecration - Update

This past weekend I received a packet from the executive director of Arlington National Cemetery. The packet contained the following information:
1. A letter from the executive director
2. Call Center Family Concern Form
3. Next of Kin Phone Call Return Script
4. Phone Call Return Script Voice Mail
5. Checklist from their investigation
6. Record of Internment 1
7. Record of Internment 2
8. Decedent Information Intake Form
9. 3 Photos of his grave stone

As I reviewed the records, essentially, they matched his name to a identification number. This number then was matched to the parcel, and the parcel was matched to the master map of the burial plots. At this point, all seemed in order, until I reviewed the Decedent Information Intake Form.

The form was dated 11/30/2006 and was partially completed. In addition, the form had major misinformation. Most alarming was the funeral home section which had a location of a funeral home in Oaklawn, IL and the receiving funeral home as Arlington National Cemetery. The fact is the funeral was Heitger Funeral Services located in Jackson Township, Ohio and the receiving funeral was a funeral home in DC that we are trying to locate.

Yesterday, I had a phone conversation with the Executive Director,Kathryn Condon. I shared the information, I had discovered and she was concerned at the level if inaccuracy in the report and assured me that I would know without a doubt were my son is buried. She is very passionate about restoring the dignity to Arlington National Cemetery. She wants to talk to the families and hear our concerns and make changes. I asked her if she had read my op-ed which she said yes. I told her I would like to be part of the solution and recommended that a panel be formed by family members that she would meet with periodically to get feedback on the cemetery operations.

At this point, further investigation will need to take place to verify if Heath is actually buried were his marker is located. It's a challenging time and could consume you. I will continue to update the public as I learn more. My goal is that maybe by sharing our story and being part of the solution, another family will not have to go through this ordeal.

Arlington National Cemetery - A Spectrum of Desecration

Arlington National Cemetery is considered one of America’s most sacred and hallowed grounds. We chose to have our son, USMC Pvt. Heath Warner buried there when he was killed by an IED on 11/22/2006. Having a loved one buried there is an honor and a sacrifice. When we entrusted our son to the care of this most honored cemetery, I would never have imagined, we would come to know the spectrum of desecration that exists and haunts the families of those who have loved ones buried there.

Desecration by Administration
We became aware of an investigation taking place in the summer of 2009 by friends within our Arlington community. It appeared to be an isolated situation and we were never notified of by the administration that it was more than that – an unmarked graved was discovered. On June 10, 2010, I received a phone call while I was at work from a reporter asking me to make a statement about the news conference taking place regarding the “final report”. I was stunned to find there were 211 graves identified and incidents of desecration. However, this past July I was contacted again to make a statement about the expanded investigation which estimated up to 6,600 graves may be mismarked. Since then we have learned the cemetery is not computerized and an archaic method of record keeping using three by five index cards to track the pertinent grave information.

In fact over the last three and a half years, we have never been contacted by Arlington administration. When HBO imbedded their production crew for a three month shoot for their special on the families of the fallen, we had traveled six hours to visit our son’s grave only to be surprised by a videographer. Within minutes of our walking up to Heath’s grave, we were caught off guard by being filmed upon our arrival to his grave. If we had been notified by the cemetery that this was taking place we could have at least been prepared or delayed our visit.

The reality is Arlington administration has no mechanism in place to communicate with the families of those buried at the cemetery. Since the investigation, families are referred to a call center that was set up this past June and staffed by civilians hired by the Pentagon. They communicate by reading scripts. The entire process is a desecration to our son’s sacrifice and our family.

Desecration by Workers
One of the most disturbing findings was that of the cremation urns found in a land fill area within the cemetery. Having lived through the experience of burying a loved one at Arlington, I still cannot comprehend how the employees who bury our loved ones could be so disconnected from the honor of their services that they could desecrate the cremated remains of our veterans by throwing them in a ditch. I can only imagine how carelessly they lower the caskets into the ground and throw the flowers on top only to move on to the next dig.

Over the years we have accepted the fact that the treasures left at the graves as tokens of love are routinely thrown away. However, it was not until we were visiting Heath’s grave on the second anniversary of his death that we witnessed first hand the desecration and disregard by the grounds caretakers at Section 60. We had arrived in the morning for a private memorial ceremony. We returned to the cemetery after lunch, to find the grounds in disarray. Wreaths, flower arrangements, pictures, tokens of loves were strewn throughout Section 60. We originally thought vandals had gone threw the graves. The reality was the grounds had been desecrated by powerful blowers and were left as we found them. Melissa and I tried to repair what we could and replace as best we could; however, we ended up calling the florist we use for Heath’s grave arrangements and she came out to help as she knew the graves better. She filed a complaint with Superintendent Mesler on that following Monday.

Desecration of Honor
Arlington National Cemetery has been known as America’s sacred grounds and reminds our country of the sacrificed lives for freedom. However, from the top administrator to the grounds keepers, from the journalist and even the tourist who visits these hallowed grounds as if attending a festival, there has been a comprehensive desecration of honor. It’s hard to watch and process. I have watched a disconnect by American’s from the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and I question if this is reflective in the treatment of our war dead. Recently, a friend forwarded to me a political cartoon by Mike Luckovich which is a parody of Abbot and Costello’s comedy of “Who’s on First”. The cartoon shows a newsstand at Arlington with a newspaper headline stating 6,600 graves mixed up before the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery. By the stand are Laurel and Hardy asking who is buried there? Who? Pathetically sad, but I do admit it gave me a very tiny chuckle, but the reality is so true. Families are left to wonder - is this my loved one’s grave?

My family has come to the conclusion that our son is heaven in a better place were we never have to worry about his care and that he is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. We may wonder, but maybe through sharing our story we can help restore the dignity that our loved one’s deserve and the tarnished reputation will be repaired and the desecration replaced with honor, valor and dignity that once defined Arlington National Cemetery.

Link to Mike Luckovich political cartoon

http://blogs.ajc.com/mike-luckovich/page/2/

Not Just Another Saturday

This past Saturday I was driving and listening to the radio as I usually do. On the news break, it was reported that an official ceremony was taking place in Iraq. The Marines were leaving and transferring their presence to the Army. The ceremony was taking place in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.

I knew the day would eventually come that this chapter of my life would come to a close, but it is so bittersweet, painful, sad and scary. This was the last part of Heath's life while he was alive. It's so hard to let go, but I am thankful that the very area that Heath was killed was also the place the Marines ended their service in the Iraq War.

I know this news clip probably passed by with little attention, but for me it had my complete attention. I pray that this pacified area will spur other areas to continue to move forward with peace. This was not just another Saturday for me but the turning of the page and ending of one chapter in my life and hopefully the start of another chapter. Thank you to all our Marines and Semper Fi.

God Bless,

Scott

Happy New Year!

As we start this new year, I wanted to share with you some things that will be taking place that you will find interesting and that I might need some help on.

1. I started releasing some editorial opinions (OP-ED's). The first was released in November entitled, Make Decision on Afghanistan Now ( http://www.cantonrep.com/opinion/x1158539608/Make-decision-on-Afghanistan-now ). The first was picked up in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Canton Repository and on Across the Country with Bob Dunning on XM radio. The second entitled, Is America Ready for Four More Years of War, I hope will be picked up in national papers as well as in Ohio papers in the next couple of weeks. If you have a topic you would like me to write on please let me know.

Here the latest op-ed for a preview.

OP ED by Scott Warner

Is America Ready for Four More Years of War


The decision has been made and a strategic plan to provide an increase of 34,000 American troops with an additional 7,000 troops from allied forces over an 18 month period. I believe if this surge is executed forcefully, strategically and the troops use all the means they have access to, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces will be severely crippled and allow the Afghanistan troops and police forces time to train and take eventual control of these high risk regions.

There are those who have attacked the 18 month time frame and the additional period of US forces stepping down over a total four year period. Initially with the Iraq war, I struggled when timelines where attached to the discussion of a troop surge. However, lack of planning and poor leadership only produced a period of unnecessary police forcing until the surge took place. From my point of view, we have an opportunity to learn from the past and be more bold, forceful, and strategic with the Afghanistan surge and as a result this time line is feasible. I am supporting the President on this decision.

What Does This Mean to America

We will soon be entering into our ninth year of war and as the 17,000 troops are deployed, I question if American’s have a clear understanding of the impact of four more years of war. I call the current wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, The Wars That do not Touch America. Unless you have a loved one serving, or have lost a loved one in the field of battle, these wars do not touch the average American. For the most part, our life styles are business as usual. Furthermore, I question if they even care about the undertaking we are about to take. The privilege of a safe free America and sacrifices of our all volunteer men and women are taken for granted, unappreciated and even minimized. Can you even imagine how a father and mother must feel sending their loved one to war? It is a rare call we are asked to make. Recently, in an interview on the Today Show, Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates stated, “that when a family member enlists the family reenlists.“ That is the experience of my family and families across America who have sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, and brothers and sisters who have to deal with the realities of war and their lives are forever changed. We know the financial costs are outstanding, but President Obama stated in his address at his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, “Still, we are at war, and I'm responsible for the deployment of thousands of young Americans to battle in a distant land. Some will kill, and some will be killed. And so I come here with an acute sense of the costs of armed conflict -- filled with difficult questions about the relationship between war and peace, and our effort to replace one with the other. “

With the reality that we are increasing our troops, we as Americans can expect an increase in casualties as time progresses. It has already been reported that the Muslim extremist are already preparing for the surge by creating improved IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices).

Life after the Loss

I share my thoughts and observations because I have witnessed there is a disconnect between the American population and the cost of war. This point was emphasized by President Obama as he stated in his Nobel address, “But in many countries, there is a disconnect between the efforts of those who serve and the ambivalence of the broader public. I understand why war is not popular, but I also know this: The belief that peace is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it. Peace requires responsibility. Peace entails sacrifice.”

Since the loss of my son and as the process of grieving begins, my family and families across America have suffered greatly from the cost of war. Issues such as depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have caused many surviving families to take a cocktail of antidepressants, antianxiety and sleeping medications to function on a daily basis. Psychiatrists and counseling become a part of your new life. Finding a new normal is not an easy process. I have witnessed as a result of these consequences, individuals lose their jobs, retire early or are forced into early retirement and lose homes as their employers turn their heads to the long term consequences of war. Why should families who have given so much have to hire and pay thousands of dollars to pay attorneys as they are mocked by disconnected employers and coworkers? Some family member’s succumb to the devastation and chose suicide over life. This is an unexpected, disappointing reality of the life after the loss and sacrifice of war. I share this because I am living this out with my current employer and I am disturbed at the arrogance of our country that life is business as usual. As our President stated, “Peace entails sacrifice.” We have already given the ultimate sacrifice of the blood, sweat and tears of our loved ones.


What is the Solution?

Next of kin who are not a spouse or a child of a veteran do not receive federal support or assistance. Other than any life insurance your loved one may have elected to bequest to you and the government death gratuity there is no or very restricted support. The Gold Star Family (a family who has lost a loved one on the field of battle) are already recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense, but other than that there is no protection for Gold Star families as they move forward from their loss for their jobs, loss of wages, additional health care costs, insurance, and education benefits for those whose child had participated in the GI bill which could be passed on to their other family members. After the attacks of 9/11, the Congress passed the Air Transportation Safety and Stabilization Act, Public Law No. 107-42 (the Act). Among other things, this legislation established the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (VCF or the Fund). The Fund was designed to compensate individuals who were injured or relatives of individuals who were killed in the attacks. For fiscal years (FY) 2002, 2003, and 2004, a total of $5.12 billion was budgeted to compensate the victims and their families. According to the Act, the VCF ended on December 22, 2003; no claims could be filed after that date (from the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund Of 2001 Executive Summary).

Why has similar legislation not been enacted for the families who have sacrificed so much already and continue to sacrifice as they suffer the long term effects of war? I challenge our legislators to listen to the stories of surviving families and develop federal support and assistance for the next of kin. As Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates stated that when a family member enlists the family reenlists; the Congress should provide the support the families need to move forward. I hope as time moves forward and as individuals like myself, the President and our legislators speak out, the community will replace ignorance and arrogance with compassion. My heart already goes out to the families who will lose their loved ones over the next four years. I hope I can be a light of hope to them.

Scott Warner
Proud Gold Star Father of Pvt. Heath Warner
KIA, 11/22/2006, Al Anbar, Iraq



2. I am in the process of writing a book. I am going to be posting on a weekly basis what I am writing on. If you are a family member or friend that has a story or memory to share, please pass it along.

3. We are in the process of planning The Pvt. Heath Warner 5K Memorial Run and Family Fun Walk. I will be communicating updates through Heath's website, www.pvtheathwarner.com and my Facebook account.

4. Over the last three years, we have been restoring Heath's car to be the lead car in the race, for parades and car shows. The car will be unveiled in May. Special thanks for Dr. Wraps and 3M for donating the materials and labor for Heath's Hero Car.

5. I have set up a blog, which I hope will catch on! The link for my blog is http://www.scottnwarner.blogspot.com . Please pass along to your friends.

God Bless,

Scott