Christmas trees stacked on a flatbed truck, a scene in which he was running away from battle -- these were the recurring dreams that haunted Roger after his service as a medic in Vietnam. For years he lived with undiagnosed PTSD and a series of outbursts he called “career-altering moments.” Finally, an intervention by trusted friends led to the beginning of his long journey back.
A discussion of eight Battlefield Skills that Make Life in the Civilian World Challenging.
Karin A. Craven
When I stop by for a visit, one veteran opens up about his experiences as an army medic in Korea, after weeks of not talking about anything personal. He hasn’t joined the usual American Legion Hall or the VFW because he doesn’t want to sit down at bars and rehash war stories. He hasn’t talked much about his experience over the years, and only to a few people. He tells me about the sparse language veterans use when they talk about their war experience.
Throughout our nation, troops are returning home from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their adjustment from military to civilian life has its challenges. My focus in this article will be on providing pastoral care to the returning veteran.
Domestic Violence and Veterans: An Increasing Problem
The Rev. Bonnie M. Orth
Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling, abusive, or violent behaviors used with an intimate partner. It may be physical, emotional or psychological, sexual, verbal, or financial and may include isolating the victim, minimizing, denying, blaming, and using children to control the victim. It is an issue of power and control, not of anger and losing control. Domestic violence happens in all communities and crosses all social, economic, and cultural borders. While 90 to 95% of domestic violence victims are female, there are also male victims.
by the Rev. Ralph Garlin Clingan
I have included here some seamier aspects of military service and US history. Not only our beloved Presbyterians for Disability Concerns (PDC) network but all of our social justice networks of the Presbyterian Health, Education & Welfare Association (PHEWA) must address the problems created by combat. We children of the war racket’s red glare speak and act and want the church to join us.
By Amy Blumenshine
Many family members and loved ones of recent veterans wonder how to be helpful to veterans after their deployments. Unfortunately, in the realm of human behavior, one size does not fit all. There is no guide to what to say. Veterans will have had very different experiences in war-time deployments. The nature of how they have been impacted by their experiences may take time to realize.
A collection of resources to help veterans and their families cope with trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Advertise your Peacemaker's visit in the media.
This document lists Korean mission co-workers in Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and provides contact information for each.