After receiving an email from Charles Quinlan US Army Veteran that was injured while serving in Iraq i was very concerned about his situation and felt that me and my brother should do some research to see what we could dig up on the internet on the subject. And we found some content that served as a good reference point for this issue. Please read the circumstances of this soldiers information about what took place and then review the facts for yourself in this matter. 

 In my opinion there is no excuse to become too technical in matters like this soldiers should be acknowledged for their bravery and be rewarded accordingly. No matter what all soldiers that serve for this great Nation should receive more respect and consideration than they receive. That includes everyone in our Nation as we owe our way of life to these our finest men and women our country has to offer.  
That is my opinion on the matter. 
Sincerely, David 

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 Hello,

My name is Charles Quinlan.  I am a US Army Veteran (Sergeant/E-5) in which I served six years, seven months and twenty-eight days on active duty stationed at Fort Stewart, GA (3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Military Police Battalion, 549th Military Police Company) as a team leader.  I am writing this letter because I was denied the Purple Heart by my battalion commander.

This is my story.

During March 2003 my unit (3rd ID, 3rd Bat, 549th MP Co) was deployed to Kuwait for preparation of the Iraqi War.  During that same month as you know, we invaded Iraq with full force.  Once my unit reached Baghdad, Iraq we were reassigned to the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment in Sadar City, Baghdad, Iraq.  Everyday we ran joint mission with the 2nd ACR such as raids, convoys, reconnaissance and sweeps.  My team and I had been very lucky up until July 4, 2003 when my squad received sniper fire.  I called out the location of the sniper which was on the roof of a school and since we were in the kill zone our squad drove towards the sniper and returned fire.  (Normally I would have been in the team leaders seat but since it was the Forth of July we gave most of the platoons lower enlisted the day of and all the NCO's went on this mission.  I had elected to be the gunner of the lead vehicle.)  As I was returning fire using the SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon, 5.56), the weapon jammed.  I tried using corrective actions but it would work so I continued firing firing my M-4 Carbine Rifle. 

Because I was using this weapon, I had nothing to stabilize myself while in the turret.  The driver hit a curb and I was thrown back and hit my neck on the gunner's shield.  When I hit my neck I felt some pain but it was bearable.  We continued the mission then headed back to Camp Marlboro (our base camp).  I told the medic what had happened and she gave me some Motrin to take away the pain.  Two days later I went on a R&R with nine other soldiers to the Green Zone for a few hours.  We swam Saddam's pool.  It was then that I really felt the pain in my neck and right arm.  About two hours later I was unable to moved my right arm and the pain was so severe that I begging to do something fast.  After weeks of treatments,  such as oral steroids and pain medications, I was sent home on August 8, 2003 for further analysis.  (I was told by my neurosurgeon that many times when you have trauma injury, the signs and symptoms may not show up for a day or two especially when you have a very strong adrenaline.  For example, a soldier may not know he has been shot until after a fire fight because basically he doesn't feel it.  Dr. Daniel Suh, Ph.D., M.D. of the Neurological Institute of Savannah, Georgia)

It turned out that when I was returning fire to the sniper and hit my neck on the gunner's shield, I injured the C-6 and C-7 vertebrate and the nerves within them which control the right shoulder and arm.  During the time prior to me coming home, my right arm became partially paralyzed and I required corrective surgery to regain movement in my right arm and comfort in my right shoulder and neck.

The reason why I need your help is because I did not receive a Purple Heart for this injury.  I was told that it was not a combat injury but a combat mishap because I was in a vehicle and basically did not have any external injuries.  My injury was severe and every day I still live with the pain in my neck and arm.  I have already had an additional operation to take some of the pain away but I was told by my neurosurgeon that this would be an ongoing injury and the pain will probably never go away.  I have Degenerative Disk Disease.  I was medically discharged on February 13, 2005 for this injury.  I was seen as unfit to continue military service.  I served my country to the best of my abilities and I wish everyday I was back in the army to fight side by side with my brothers in arms.

Sincerely,

Charles Daniel Quinlan

I have a friend that knew someone who is affiliated with MOPH and he is in contact with him now.  My deepest sympathies to you Charles and i pray that you receive what you deserve. God Bless You

Here is what we found for information please click the links to review the facts.
See links below.

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/correcting-records.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Heart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Heart#Criteria

4. Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:
(a) Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action.
(b) Injury caused by enemy placed mine or trap.
(c) Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent.
(d) Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire.
(e) Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.

  For any soldier that may find themselves in a similar situation should try their CO 1st then try other organizations like MOPH and other groups that are active about these sorts of issue's. We are not attorney's nor should our advise be used as anything other than an opinion or advise.

If anyone would like to assist Charles please contact me and i will forward the emails to him. Thanks for your Support

Last resort requests

Some veterans who have exhausted all available sources, often still feel that they should be awarded a Purple Heart, even if there are no records of the decoration. In such cases, service members may appeal directly to the military service department by way of a Defense Department Form 149, which requests an official change to military records. Usually, if the 149 is denied by the service department, there is nothing more a veteran can do and will not be awarded the Purple Heart. In some cases, however, veterans have been recommended for the Purple Heart, after the fact, by a United States Senator or Congressman. Such cases are treated as brand new award recommendations and the process for presenting the Purple Heart begins again with a review of records and interview of witnesses to the action in which a service member was wounded.

http://usaveteransupport.com/VA_pdf/Military%20Forms/DD_149.pdf 

Find Your Congressman is not working yet
Please visit this site!

There are all sorts of scams today but none quite as tasteless as people representing themselves as Active Duty Soldiers. And more than likely there not even in America. They try us with there easy offers of wealth and no troubles. Well i am hear to say there is nothing for free and there is no Santa Claus. So lets not allow these horrible excuses for human beings to exploit any more Americans. Advise everyone you know to aviods these sorts of scams. Thats the nest message to send to these online thiefs. Try this link to find out more about online scams. http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/escams.htm 

Let your family and friends know about scams like this and becareful about sending replies to emails like this because the email address are #1 from out of the country and not a military email address inthe case below. Example .uk .fr .ru these sorts of accounts are typically used for scamming hard working Americans.

From: "Richard Atwater" < This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it >
To:
Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2007
Subject: FROM MR RICHARD ATWATER
DEAR FRIEND,

I AM MR RICHARD ATWATER BY NAME, U.S OFFICER HERE IN IRAQ. I SOLICIT
FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN EVACUATING THE SUM OF US$7.5M WE DISCOVERED IN A
SECRET BUNKER NEAR SADDAM'S PALACE. PLEASE GET BACK TO ME FOR MORE
INFORMATION.

THANKS AND BEST REGARDS.

MR RICHARD ATWATER.

NOTE:STRICTLY REPLY ME WITH THIS EMAIL ADDRESS ONLY; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dear,
My name is Sgt James Urban, I am an American soldier, I am serving in the military of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regimient, Patrols Tal Afar, in Iraq. I apologized using this medium to reach you for a deal of this magnitude.
We managed to move funds belonging to Saddam Hussein's family. The total amount is US$25 Million dollars in cash, mostly 100 dollar bills. We want to move this money to you, so that you may invest it for us and keep our share for banking. I have the authority of my partners involved to propose that should  you be willing to assist us in this transaction, your share of the sum  will be 30% of the US$25 million, 60% for us and 10% will be kept aside for expenses and rest assure that this business is 100% safe on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality.
Basically since we are working for the American Government, we cannot keep these funds,  We plan on using diplomatic courier by shipping the money out to you by using diplomatic immunity. No strings attached, just help us move it out of Iraq, for Iraq is a war zone. You will only help the diplomat to get the yellow tag paper as soon as they arrive in your airport, they will have to call you to notify you that they have arrive for you to arrange with them on geting the tag so that the custom and immigration will not inspect the consignment.
If you are interested I will send you the full details, my job is to find a good partner that we can trust and that will assist us. Can I trust you? When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone/address for quick communication for the delivery. This business is risk free. The box can be shipped out in 48hrs.
Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this business is risk free.
Respectfully submitted
Sgt. James Urban.

To: Anyone USA
Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2007 09:30:04
Subject: Respond

ATTENTION: USA Citizen 
YOU ARE  WELCOME TO UPS COURIER EXPRESS COMPANY,BENIN REPUBLIC IN WEST AFRICA.NOTED,THIS IS BRING YOU NOTICE, AFTER UPS COURIER COMPANY  BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING TODAY REGARDS YOUR TRUCK BOX CONTENTS SUM OF $950,000,00,PIN CODE-32547-PTRE,REGISTERED HERE SINCE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO,AND UP TO DATE, WE DID NOT HAD FROM YOU CONCERNING THE SUM OF $131,FOR DELIVERY CHARGES FEE ,
 
FINALLY,WE UPS COURIER EXPRESS COMPANY HAVE SET A SPECIAL DIPLOMAT AGENT WHOM WILL DELIVER THE TRUCK BOX DIRECTLY TO YOUR HOME ADDRESS LISTED REFERENCE,

 IMMEDIATELY OUR PROTOCOL OFFICER CONFIRMED THE PAYMENT SUM OF $131 AND AFTER THE $131 THERE IS NO OTHER  FEE YOU NEED TO PAY,AGAIN,FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF BENIN REPUBLIC HAS ALREADY AWARE FOR THE TRUCK BOX WHAT SUM OF $950,000,00,AND ACCORDING TO THEY STATED,IF YOUR NOT CAPABLE TO SENDTHE COST,MEANS THE TOTAL AMOUNT WILL DIVERT TO BENIN REPUBLIC ACCOUNT.HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU AFTER RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE FOR  MORE RESULT .
 
THANKS AND REMAIN BLESSING
DIRECTOR,MR VICTOR
UPS COURIER EXPRESS COMPANY
COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN.

Income Verification Match done on all veterans « on: September 28, 2007, 08:21:59 PM »

---

A tidbit of information for veteran's enrolling in the DVA healthcare program. Veteran's are required to report their income annually via the Means Test or in Service Connected situations via the Medication Copay Test. Once a veteran has reported their income to the VA there is an exemption status given to the veteran; basically this means if the veteran's income is low enough the veteran can receive their VA services free. However, there is a catch as always with the government...the Health Eligibility Center in Atlanta randomly matches veterans reported income to their IRS tax reports and their Social Security reports, if the amount reported to the VA doesn't match the IRS records the veterans exemption is removed and the veteran will be billed for all care that they have received for that year. The VA can then start matching income information provided by the veteran for as many as seven years backwards and back bill for ALL care received. Many Many veterans have paid a lot of money on bills that could have been avoided if their income was reported correctly! Seek out your health enrollment center at your local VA for assistance in completing your 10-10EZR or call the phone number for the Health Revenue Center in Kansas. God Bless the veterans!

Veteran Saves our American Flag

 Grand jury: A fake
North East man charged with making military claims

By Steven M. Sweeney
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

A North East man who never served in war has been indicted on charges he claimed he received Army medals the government said he was never awarded.

Dale G. Farr is accused of lying about the medals to get a military discount on the purchase of a car and to get a Purple Heart license plate.

A federal grand jury in Erie indicted Farr, 56, on four counts of falsely representing military decorations between Oct.5, 2005, and August in Erie and Crawford counties.

In a separate indictment, the grand jury also charged Farr with two counts of counterfeiting or forging securities and one count of bank fraud.

In one set of documents released Tuesday, the grand jury said Farr claimed to have been awarded the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor and Bronze Star during service with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan after the U.S.-led invasion of that country in 2001.
The U.S. Attorney's Office also said Farr claimed to be an Army captain and a member of the U.S. Special Forces. Farr was a member of the Army, but was an Army private first class who was given a general discharge for misconduct in 1995, according to the indictment.

The grand jury found that Farr claimed the medals to receive a discount on an automobile, to apply for a Purple Heart license plate and to help advertise automobiles for sale in a Veterans Day advertisement. He also made the claims in verbal and written statements to various people between November 2005 and August.

Farr could not be reached for comment.

Vance Carter, a member of the National Military Order of the Purple Heart and a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, said there are several cases he is aware of in the Erie area where people have claimed military honors they did not deserve.

"Most of the ones I have encountered are people going into schools. People telling stories about how they earned their medals, which were false. They want to feel like they are heroes," Carter said. "It is definitely a serious affront to (veterans who deserved the awards) -- others trying to cash in on their experiences as a combat-wounded veteran."
Carter said he has not encountered a person claiming medals for money or for special discounts, just men who feel like they want to be part of a more elite club of combat-wounded soldiers.

The second indictment alleged Farr had defrauded the Erie Federal Credit Union of more than $130,000 by depositing checks drawn on fictitious or closed accounts into his credit union account, then wiring the money to a third bank and withdrawing the funds from there.

The grand jury indictment said Farr first deposited $13,475 in faulty checks in Aug. 14, 2006, and withdrew $14,529 before the credit union realized the deposits were drawn on closed accounts. On Aug. 23, 2006, the indictment said, Farr deposited a phony check in the amount of $150,158 payable to himself. Of that amount, he wired $130,000 to an account at a third bank with which he did business.

After credit union officials discovered the deficient amounts in Farr's account, he told them he received instructions from the "Itochu Corporation" to deposit the $150,000 and keep $20,000 for himself, according to the indictment. Farr then filed a false complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, claiming he had been a victim of fraud and presented a copy of his filings to the credit union, the grand jury found.

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