The following is a sermon I preached on the eve of Memorial Day, May 28th, 2017 entitled “Remember Those in Prison.” It highlights some similar challenges faced by veterans returning from war and citizens returning from prison. Communities of faith can help ease the transition for both groups. Texts: Psalm 34: 4-8 I sought the Lord, and he answered me,… Read more »
Happy are the peacemakers. That’s what I’ve discovered in my own life, and it’s the subject of the following sermon which I preached at a church that has shared its chapel with the Interfaith Veterans’ Workgroup. Thanks, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Wilmington, Delaware, for caring for returning veterans, and for your vision in interfaith peacemaking. Happy are the… Read more »
Get out and get moving. When I used to counsel persons with depression, that’s what I encouraged them to do. Depression doesn’t always produce sadness, but very often it produces fatigue and lethargy. To counteract it one has to get moving. Nothing strenuous. Just walking twice around a city block will do for starters. Then, as you begin to gain energy, increase… Read more »
I’ve been reading and thinking a lot about various methods for treating veterans with PTSD and moral injury. What works, and why? PTSD is frequently referred to as a mental condition, but in truth it it’s a condition of the body and mind. One can understand many PTSD symptoms as blocked energy stored in the body. The researcher who… Read more »
Up hills and down dales we walked and talked, veteran hikers. My friend, Jack Sanders, has been inviting friends to join him in the beautiful fields and woods north of Wilmington, not only to get exercise but also to ease the mind. This was my first outing with him. Like me, Jack has passed the age of 70, and after… Read more »
This post includes an annotated list of resources for understanding and treating moral injury. Many citizens realize that the suicide rate among U.S. veterans is very high. About 20 veterans take their own lives each day. The suicide rate is also high for veterans of other nations, including the U.K., Canada, and Australia. Many media articles link Post Traumatic Stress… Read more »
Communities of faith can help veterans come home, making a safe transition from combat consciousness to a civilian life. VA Chaplain David Lundell adapted an article posted on NPR’s SpeakingOfFaith.org that explains how, below:
DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NEWS RELEASE November 11, 2016 DOVER — Delaware veterans interested in beekeeping can apply to be part of the Planting Hope Apiary project, the Delaware Department of Agriculture announced today. One veteran will be selected to receive training and mentoring, beehive materials, protective gear, and bees to help establish the hives. Extraction and honey bottling equipment will… Read more »
How do you thank a combat veteran? Do you say, “Thanks for your service?” This greeting may be sincerely and compassionately offered, but some veterans feel they don’t deserve to be thanked, because they feel bad about at least some of the things they had to do to stay alive. They suffer from moral injury. This is undoubtedly the least… Read more »
This post features a sampling of treatments for PTSD. The film at this link shows several forms of healing through art: making music, painting, and sculpting. Healing through nature is also shown: enjoying beauty in the outdoors, and calming one’s spirit by caring for animals. The film was made in England, but a Google search on “veterans” and “PTSD” reveals… Read more »