PTSD Spirituality

Please accept my apologies for being away from the writing.  Combination of ill health and a lot of grading diverted me from what is really important, healing souls afflicted with PTSD.

 I want to inform you of a wonderful program that is designed for healing souls wounded by Combat PTSD.  It is called Vets Journey Home.  It used to be called the Bamboo Bridge prior to the current activities in Afghanistan and Iraq.  You may link directly to them at http://www.vetsjourneyhome.org/index.html

I have lifted the following from their website: “Some veterans return home feeling unappreciated and hide their service from others. It’s finally time to come home–in a good way—and, all the way.

“The Vet’s Journey Home invites veterans to come all the way home and find out that they are not alone. There are many who care about you–who are willing to walk point, be at your side, and cover your back. This time, you’ll be coming home together with other veterans, and welcomed with respect and honor.

“All combat veterans are urged to attend. The Vet’s Journey Homeis also recommended for incountry and offshore non combatant Vietnam veterans.

“Additionally, all combat zone veterans from any era are urged to consider attending. Both men and women vets may attend the Vet’s Journey Home.

“Our intention is to turn away no vet. Scholarships are available. Registration closes one week prior to the event.”

Upcoming session are as followed:

a. Houston, TX., May 31/June 1, 2008 and August 29-31, 2008.

b. Mt. Airy, MD., April 11-13, 2008.

c. Milwaukee, WI, August 22-24, 2008. 

I expect to be at the upcoming Milwaukee session.  I know one of the co-directors of Vets Journey Home and am very impressed with the compassion and expertise in helping women and men heal from PTSD.  Compassion and expertise are a rare combination in my experience when it comes to dealing with the soul wounds of PTSD.

The Vets Journey Home is focused upon combat veterans.  My own focus is broader, endeavoring to heal whoever is wounded by PTSD and trauma, Vets Journey Home are doing exemplary work that will serve as a model for others.  They also desire to train volunteers to help with the healing and as with all missions where compassion and expertise are combined, they can certainly use a donation to help offer scholarships to veterans seeking healing.

http://www.vetsjourneyhome.org/index.html

Semper Pax, Dr. Z

The New York Times on-line reported today that Adm. William J. Fallon, the commander of American forces in the Middle East is to retire.  Fallon will have completed at or near one year in that command position.

Recall that a previous Chair of the Joints Chief of Staffs predicted, in congressional testimony, before the wars the high level of manpower and money that would be required for the mission.  The White House balked at these experience-based estimates of the real cost of invading Iraq.  The General’s assessment disagreed with that of the civilians in the Admninistration who had no or very little experience military.  He was forced to retire.  The results are the current quagmire in Iraq and his predictions came true.

 While I usually focus my blog concerns on PTSD Spirituality, I am quite concerned that now that with Adm. Fallon gone, we will have an “event” to start a war with Iraq.  I am grateful that both Giuliani and Rommney are out of the presidential race as they both had affirmed that they would attack Iran based on what the Bush Administartion had asserted…having learned no lessons from the missing WMD in Iraq.

 Please pray that the Unites States of America will have the wisdom to not go to war with Iran.

Semper Pax, Dr. Z