New Report: Veterans are civic assets. What are your thoughts?

CSM Michael Lynch — Fri, 01 May 2015 09:29:53 -0400

I believe most of us already knew this information. It is great to know that other folks will now see that we do more for their communities than others and hopefully help dispel the rumor that veterans are broken.

I do charity events for Breast Cancer, Children and others every year. I am thrilled to help those in our community that need it. What are some of the things you and/or you family do to help those less fortunate. Keep on Keeping On

Report: Veterans are civic assets

Veterans are more likely to volunteer in their communities, vote in elections and belong to civic groups, according to a report released this week.

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made May 1 at 2015 9:49 AM

SSG Kenneth Lanning — Fri, 01 May 2015 09:49:26 -0400

I was proud to be a veteran when I got out, proud to serve again, and will be proud to be a veteran and retiree within the next few years...the amount of personal courage and value in life that veterans have over civilian counterparts is a night and day difference.

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made May 1 at 2015 10:03 AM

CSM Michael Lynch — Fri, 01 May 2015 10:03:33 -0400

This article goes hand in hand with the above one. Thanks

Not all veterans struggle when they come home, new study shows

Over the past eight years, the report says, veterans have consistently earned more than their non-veteran counterparts and had slightly lower unemployment rates in 2014.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 2 at 2015 10:55 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 02 May 2015 10:55:32 -0400

This is PTSD related. For many months I felt mental pain and darkness. No light would come through and respite from the pain could not be found. Therapy did not help as they could not relate to me.

One miserable day it clicked. I was going to use a trick on my brain to shape the future for healing. I had chaptered a few soldiers for sundry behavior not compatible with retention in the Army. I ordered each soldier in to my office to remind them that they were young, and they hit a speed bump in their life. I ordered them to talk to the mirror, and say positive things about themselves. This kept their morale high, as at stake was an individual was going back in to society. Not a broken soldier.

I remembered that technique and used it on myself. I went to the mirror to have a discussion with myself about all that pertained to my love, to include myself. The light crept in, and I was able to see in the dark now. It gave me hope, and clarity. Thinking of love breaks the racing thoughts of pain. Defeating racing thoughts means you can start with a singular approach of defeating depression, pit in the stomach, anxiety, and stress, sleeplessness. I am stable now, but I recognize I have my differences now.

At the WTU I sought those with the thousand mile stares. I told them, I will fix them, and they listened. I used the technique that I used on myself. Now they are fixed and smiling. I gave them their lives back, but it was not about me, it was about my brothers in arms who just needed a little help.