http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blackberry/p.html?id=1547665
“Goodbye to sticking our heads in the sand about PTSD.
Hello to raising awareness about PTSD.
Goodbye to communities not caring about PTSD.
Hello to communities raising awareness about PTSD.
Goodbye to families and veterans going it alone with PTSD.
Hello to families and veterans having the resources to get help with PTSD.”
The above quote from the Huffington Post article/link really got my attention yesterday. I attended a meeting with public and private veterans advocate and community leaders to discuss a proposed “call to action” broader strategy and execution plan to deliver more robust services to veterans challenged with after the war readjustment and transition. It is abundantly clear that a much broader public and private partnership with non-profits is critical in delivering solutions and engaging local communities. It is the local community where the returning veteran resides that “feeding the soul” and healing is provided effectively. The larger county, state, and federal resources are stretched to provide administrative support for services related to health benefits, disability claims, legal and employment assistance. The TLC needed for our veterans to transition back to a happy, healthy, and productive civilian life must come from the local communities that sent them to war in the first place.
Steve Sparks
Author
Reconciliation: A Son’s Story
