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Shawn Patrick Hefner, 22, of Hico, Texas; assigned to 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Nov. 13 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was promoted to be a Marine lance corporal on Nov. 1 and scheduled to return to his home base at Camp Lejeune, N.C., within a week. His flagged draped coffin was returned to Waco, TX, and was escorted by Patriot Guard Riders of North and Central Texas. The journey took the procession from Waco to his hometown of Hico, which is located in the heart of Texas. The procession drove through several small towns and communities. The highway was lined by citizens waving American flags as a sign of respect and gratitude for his sacrifice on their behalf. Many of the citizens place their hands over their hearts others saluted and many were overcome with emotion. As his procession arrived in Hico the entire town of 1300 citizens greeted their hero home. An equestrian group paraded down Main Street and made a circle around the funeral home. Cpl. Hefner was fun-loving and fearless, said his father, Patrick Hefner of Hico. "He was an outdoorsman," said his father, a former Marine. "He loved to fish and camp. If it could be done outdoors, that's where he wanted to be." Cpl. Hefner was born Dec. 4, 1986, in Kansas City, Mo., and moved with his family to Hico in 1991. He was a 2006 graduate of Hico High School. He joined the Marines in January 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan in June. Almost immediately, he demonstrated his toughness, when he received a concussion after his Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle was rocked by an explosion. His mother, Robin Hefner of Hico, had instructed her son to document his tour of duty with photographs. Cpl. Hefner faithfully carried out his mother's request ? even after that attack. "They were carting him off in helicopters, and he was lying on his back taking pictures of his buddies up in front of him," his father said. In addition to his mother and father, Cpl. Hefner leaves behind a brother, a sister, a grandfather, and a grandmother. Video Description: Music ? Amazaing Grace God Bless America Please Remember Me Video Production- USFallen.org Jerry Castillo - Producer

Speakers: William Kraus Executive Deputy Director New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs Charles R. Kennedy, PhD Stratton VA Medical Center PTSD Program As more men and woman return to the United States after serving abroad in the military, there is an increased need for awareness, education, and services related to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This program will provide an overview of services currently offered by the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs, particularly as they relate to counseling and other veteran-awarded benefits. This program will also look at the clinical side of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. It will examine warning signs of PTSD, consider substance abuse related to PTSD, and discuss effective treatment for veteran s struggling with PTSD. Program Objectives After watching this broadcast participants will be able to: * Describe symptoms of PTSD in veterans. * Describe services available to veterans provided by the Division of Veterans Affairs related to PTSD. * Explain differences between effective and non-effective treatments for veterans struggling with post traumatic stress. Originally Broadcast November 19, 2009

On Tuesday, John Nichols told us that the dire jobs situation in the U.S. has had an effect on the debate surrounding escalation in Afghanistan, and that the administration is actually meeting with peace groups for the first time to discuss alternate plans. Brave New Films has been a tireless advocate against escalation, with the film Rethink Afghanistan exploring the problems there and proposing peaceful and diplomatic solutions and a responsible exit strategy. With this video, they bring together U.S. military veterans, including Matthew Hoh, to ask Obama not to send more troops to continue a war that is on its way to being America's longest in history.