EarthTracks

Veteran Suicide Rate

Within the past year I have applied for VA benifits and have started taking better care of my health to include mental health. My experience at the VA has been positive and it has been a good for me. I recieve a letter or notice at least once a month from the VA covering suicide awareness and prevention information. I didn’t realize how big of a problem it is until now.

Over 1000 suicide attempts by Vets each month, 12,000 a year.

About 120 Vets commit suicide every week, 18 a day, over 6000 a year.

This is much higher than the national average. Can we do more to support those who have served our country?

I have suffered for years with depression, and will have to deal with it for the rest of my life. I thought I was alone, now I realize I have too much company.

God Bless Our Troops and Our Veterans

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/13/cbsnews_investigates/main3496471.shtml

I thought this was an interesting article. I don’t have cable TV, so I’ve only seen this show, “man vs Wild” a few times and I’ve never seen the other show “Survivorman”. The time I did watch a few of the epsiodes I thought it was entertaining, but had too much stuff that would and could be dangerous to do in a real situation. I’ve been in survival situations, not by choice, and it’s your brain (knowledge), your mindset, and making well thought out decisions that save your life. Taking some of the chances I’ve seen on this show isn’t smart.

Read Story

I don’t consider myself an expert. I sure don’t have world experience. However, while many others have read books, watched videos or tv shows, I’m probably in the woods working, learning, applying my skills and knowledge. I consider myself an experienced woodsman. I know my area (Texas, and surrounding states up to Missouri) and understand the principles of nature and survival. I respect these guys for doing their tv shows, but folks it’s tv…entertainment. True survival probably wouldn’t get the ratings.

One last thing… if it’s man vs wild… wild will always win. Survival isn’t a fight against nature. You survive by playing by the rules of the natural world.

The following dates I will be in Austin, Texas working for the University of Texas. The project dates are field times for a mammal survey. Information is gathered by track and sign, camera traps, trapping, visual identification as well as other methods.

June 22nd-24th
July 27th-29th
Aug 3rd-5th
Aug 10th-12th
Sept 21st-23rd

Tracking is like dancing, because your body is happy. It is telling you the hunting will be good. You feel it in the dance. It tells you. When you are tracking, and dancing, you are talking with God.       from the Great Dance

In the wilderness we hear the voice of God. If we destroy the wilderness the voice of God will die and we also.  Ingwe

“We will be known by the tracks we leave behind.”      Dakota proverb