Georgia welcomed home some of its brave men and women at Fort Benning on Saturday after being deployed in Afghanistan for nearly two years.
Can a smart phone app save your life? The military is designing a powerful smart phone app to help our fighting men and women cope both emotionally and psychologically with the transition back to everyday life. The idea of the app is to help reduce the stresses in post-combat issues.
The app is called PE Coach. It is designed for any Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine or Veteran who may be battling with post-traumatic stress disorder. Post-combat PTSD can be crippling. It leads to among other things anxiety, depression, and even suicide.
Atlanta author Christal Presley recently wrote a book about her families struggles with PTSD after her father returned from Vietnam. Her book deals with the issues which affected her and her father more than 30 years, but are relevant to today's troops.
"Back then in the 70s there was no term PTSD so my father just thought he was going crazy," said author Christal Presley.
The Pentagon reported this summer that the military suicide rate had reached one a day. That statistic surpassed the number of troops who died in combat.
Sgt. First Class Michael Schlitz talked about it in a recent interview with FOX 5. He was burned over 85-percent of his body in an IED explosion.
"We have to do something to bring those numbers down. Every time I read about it in the newspaper I take it very personal," said Schlitz.
One app the military is working on is called a Virtual Hope Box. It mimics a popular strategy in suicide prevention where a patient and clinician fill a shoe box or hope box with reminders of reasons to live. The apps also stores reminders from family members as well has emergency contact info.
Presley says she likes the idea because she says what affects our veterans, affects their families.
"I also gravitated between rage and depression. Just like my father, I cut myself. I stapled myself. I wanted to mimic his experiences as much as I could that was the only way that I could be close to him," said Presley.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:44:36 GMT
The fox responsible for biting two Newton County elementary school students while they played on their school's playground remains on the loose.
The fox that bit two Newton County elementary school students while they played on the playground is still on the loose. Animal control authorities tell FOX 5 someone from Rocky Plains Elementary School reported a fox sighting on campus one day before the boys were attacked.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:35 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:35:19 GMT
State leaders and military dignitaries took part in an annual Memorial Day ceremony at the state Capitol on Thursday.
State leaders and military dignitaries took part in an annual Memorial Day ceremony at the state Capitol on Thursday. Gov. Nathan Deal took part in solemn salute of those who lost their lives while serving our country.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:26 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:26:47 GMT
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:17:32 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:11:26 GMT
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:49:53 GMT
AP photo
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:50:04 GMT
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:42:40 GMT
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its animatronics dinosaur exhibit. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals. The ride
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its exhibit of animatronics. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals.
