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By Charlene Rubush, March 18, 2010 10:13 pm

From Brian McLaren’s blog, we learn that this weekend, a group of combat vets, scholars, and clergy will testify at the “Truth Commission On Conscience in War.”

McLaren notes that but for a previous comitment, he would be there in person, but he will be following what happens, as it could truly be a historic moment.

The gathering will be at The Riverside Church, where The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic “Beyond Vietnam” speech. Five veterans-including two who just returned from visiting the countries where they fought, will reveal what they felt, witnessed, and came to understand about fighting in war.

They will be joined by a group of experts, including nationally recognized scholars and clergy. Testifiers include:

Tyler Boudreau, former US Marine Captain, Iraq War veteran, and author of Packing Inferno: The Unmaking of a Marine.

Joshua Casteel, former US Army Interrogator at Abu Ghraib, attended West Point, featured in the documentary, Soldiers of Conscience.

Jacob C. Diliberto, OEF and OIF US Marine veteran, Founder of  “Veterans for Rethinking Afghanistan,” M.Div. Fuller Theological Seminary. Recently returned from trip to Afghanistan as a civilian. Continue reading 'Truth Commission On Conscience in War Meets This Weekend In New York'»

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By Charlene Rubush, March 13, 2010 11:31 pm

An article by Sgt. Lindsey Bradford, titled “Holistic Healing Gaining Ground in Military” states that since the Army introduced the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program, in 2009, there has been a focus on a holistic approach to physical, emotional, social, spiritual and family well-being. (Bradford works in the U.S. Forces-Iraq Public Affairs Office).

According to Lt. Col. Erica Clarkson, a U.S. Forces-Iraq physical therapist, holistic healing is an approach that uses natural methods to improve health, without using drugs or surgery to correct problems. Clarkson has been practicing holistic healing for 17 years, and has continued to treat service members in Iraq, at the Courage Clinic, in the Al Faw Palace on Camp Victory.

Some of Charkson’s modalities include acupuncture, manual therapy, relaxation techniques and prescribed exercises specific to each patient’s physical ailment. “There are no significant adverse side effects like there are with using drugs to treat problems. Different medicines have been linked to ulcers and other gastrointestinal irritations, even death,” she said. Continue reading 'Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program Focuses on Holistic Healing'»

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By Charlene Rubush, March 12, 2010 11:19 pm

From an article by Chris Roberts (The Elpaso Times) we learn that in El Paso, Texas, a group of veterans, many who have had their own battles with PTSD, have been brainstorming on how to help fellow veterans who are now returning from war zones.

They have come up with the idea of holding public workshops on PTSD. Carlos Rivera, a Vietnam-era veteran, and president of the Veterans Business Association, is organizing the events. He says “we are holding these workshops to find ways to expand the capacity of the health-care providers.”

Rivera notes that Fort Bliss is expanding and more and more combat veterans are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The mental health systems at BeaumontArmy Medical Center and El Paso Dept. of Veterans Affairs are becoming overloaded. While the post and VA officials say they are preparing for the increase, these older veterans state it already is looking like the same old story. Continue reading 'Veterans with PTSD Plan Series of Public Workshops to Help Returning Iraq and Afghanistan Combat Vets'»

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By Charlene Rubush, March 9, 2010 9:37 pm

I love it when I find another terrific website for vets. Lest We Forget-PTSD Family and Military Support Group, is a “peer to peer, veteran to veteran, family to family support group with the belief that PTSD is not just your problem nor does it just affect you.” They are based in Charleston, West Virginia, where they offer a safe and private meeting place, complete with free child care.

Even if you are not in the area, you can benefit by visiting the website. They note “PTSD affects everyone around you but most of all the people who love you most, your family and friends. Our belief is that by helping not only the person suffering from PTSD but the family and loved ones, the road to healing will be less difficult by not having to go this alone.”

The site offers excellent articles and resources. But most importantly, it shares real life struggles with combat vets and their families, and how they are navigating their personal PTSD journeys. Two of their statements particularly stood out for me: Continue reading 'Another Great Website for Combat Vets and Their Families'»

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By Charlene Rubush, February 20, 2010 4:03 pm

A new study led by Dr. Karen Seal, from the San Francisco Veteran Affairs Medical Centre, found that nearly 50,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans (between 2002 and 2008) have received a diagnosis of PTSD.

The startling fact is that only 10% of these veterans had completed the recommended treatment of 10-12 weekly sessions withing four months of diagnosis. After a year, only 30% had.

Male veterans under age 25, especially thoses who lived in rural areas and those who received their diagnosis at primary clinics were even less likely to get the recommended care.

Chaplain Kathie Costos, who writes the Wounded Times veterans blog, asks “What is the answer? A massive ad campaign? Better programs? Civilian support? Veterans Centers? How about all of them? How about having more Vietnam veterans speaking to the newer veterans and letting them know what wasted time cost them between combat and healing? How about following that up with what happened when they started to heal? There is so much more that can be done … it is clear that more HAS to be done.” Continue reading 'Fewer Than 10% of Returning Iraq and Afghanistan Combat Vets with PTSD Are Taking Advantage of Help'»