Category Archives: Veterans’ Spouses, Partners & Families

Information for husbands, wives, partners and families of combat soldiers, Marines and veterans.

Veteran Legislative Update, Veterans Benefits, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

Helping Put U.S Veterans To Work

1 Comment

In October of 2008, DK Associates Inc. started a new program to provide employment services to disabled veterans. It is their goal to collaborate with private industry to facilitate the process and help expand the career opportunities for our most valued citizens– those whom have served and protected us all.

The primary goal is to not only help one find a job, but to help start a career and eliminate barriers to employment with peer support and job coaching.

I have known Dot Kret and her work for 25 years. We are fortunate to have a such a resource in our community. Her associate Lori Kiefer is also a trained veteran benefits counselor, an Army veteran, and thoroughly dedicated to helping our veterans. Lets help them put these men and women to work.

Free job services and computer training to any US veteran who has a copy of their DD214, proof of disability, service connected or not, and is currently unemployed.

We will meet with you and explore your job interests and vocational goals, assist in the preparation of resumes and job applications, help in narrowing your job search and provide you as many tools as possible to help you become more job-ready. In addition, our staff or members of our business advisory council will have you participate in practice or mock interviews if you so desire. After you become employed, job coaching, both onsite and off-site will be offered to you.

Please contact Lori Kiefer at 790-7677 (w)

Employment Specialist, BHT

Project HERO

1502 E Broadway

Tucson, Arizona 85719

520-790-7677 Office

520-437-5510 Cell

http://www.linkedin.com/in/lorikiefer

——————————————————————————–

——————————————————————————–

Alternative Care, Health, Veteran Pals, Veterans Benefits, Veterans Events, Veterans Global, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

A Journey Of Healing And Renewal For Returning Vets

Leave a comment

Well over a million troops have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since the advent of, “Shock and Awe” in March of 2003. A recent study by the VA has indicated that approximately 30% of the returning combat veterans are experiencing post traumatic stress disorder upon returning to civilian life. Most of these are young men and women are the future of our communities and our country. If these young and some not so young, as we have seen a much larger population of career soldiers and Marines in this conflict, are not diagnosed soon after coming home they frequently turn to substance abuse and behaviors that may interrupt relationships with family, friends and superiors. The Vietnam experience witnessed vets being reviled, rejected, misunderstood, and misdiagnosed,(PTSD entered the DSM in 1980). Many of these men and women isolated themselves, rebelled and eventually drained our society of its most precious resource; their productive lives. Will history repeat itself for this new generation of veterans? This must not come to pass again

There is a sacred place here in Arizona that is duty bound to prevent and ease the pain of transition to polite society. It is called the Merritt Center in Payson, Arizona. The Veteran Program that is now in its fourth year has been the source of healing and camaraderie for combat veterans from 7 Wars. From WWll to Tekrit the Merritt Center has hosted men and women who have one thing in common; War.

Since its founding in 1987, the Merritt Center, a non-profit organization has been working with individuals seeking positive ways to move past traumas that have disrupted their lives. The Center has a virtual potpourri of offerings from Sweat Lodges to native talking circles and deep massage therapy so as to get back in touch with the body and its ways of holding pain and emotion. The professionals who volunteer their time are all highly skilled in alternative techniques that bring a sense of closure to past bodily and emotional disruptions.

By observing the needs of the new returning veterans, by way of there trained mentors who are spread across Arizona, and noting the sad history of neglect by their predecessors- the Center has chosen to offer a free program for returning veterans of war.. A series of 4 weekend retreats over the course of 5 months, separate ones for men and women bring a perspective of healing and renewal to the veteran who will most likely not find anything quite so potent inside conventional medicine and therapy.

Over these four weekends the participants are given presentations about the core nature of trauma, its signs and symptoms, and guided at all times by combat veteran mentors who are graduates to the program, many of whom have been helping their comrades for years. A few of the techniques that are learned are; trauma release exercises, body energy work, guided visualizations, drumming, journaling, and Native American talking circles that are quite popular with the vets. Concluding the program is a Sweat Lodge ceremony to purge the toxins of the mind, body and spirit. At the final session the veterans new and home families gather in harmony to celebrate their strong bond and new commitment to healthy living.

The four weekend program seeks to achieve the following goals.

* learning to recognize and release the triggers of trauma
* releasing the negative experiences of combat
* learning new skills to reduce nightmares, flashbacks, and hostile behavior
*reprogramming the mind to expect and trust safety
*creating a new “band of brothers and sisters” who will share the lessons and spread the word
to others vets returning to civilian life.

The nearby ancient Pueblo Ruins coupled with the spa, forest paths, flower garden, hammocks, meditation areas and a ton of quiet places, makes the Merritt Center one of the most unique places in all the west. I for one have been enriched beyond words with the honor to be one of the mentors for this most blessed program that is 100% FREE

For information, contact Betty Merritt at 928-474-4268 or visit the website at;”www.MERRITTCENTER. ORG”

Health, Politics, Veteran Legislative Update, Veterans Benefits, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

DoD, The VA and You The New Vet

3 Comments

The Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration have been working diligently for years to provide a smooth transition of medical records from active duty service to the VA Health Care system.

The intent has been to create a seamless transition to the veteran status and not leave the vet in no mans zone for months while they seek VA health care benefits.

Recently the VA Secretary, Eric Shineski shocked some reporters when he stated that, “trying to do seamless transition when a youngster takes off a uniform today and is inducted into the VA tomorrow is nearly impossible.”

Shinseki believes that the focus should be altered from sharing incompatible data in a troops current records to creating a clean set of records that he states the VA can interpret when the troop leaves the military years from now.

My take only, is that there is something a bit odd about this proclamation. What exactly is “incompatible data?” Who is creating the new record, and what stays and what gets tossed? As a Service Officer, it appears to me that there is some huge compromised territory here that can have grave detrimental aspects for any future claims, and the need for corroborated evidence that a veterans disability is service connected. Yes, I referencing that dreaded terminology of ‘revisionist history” but this time, revisionist medical history.

With highly skilled Information Technology experts in and out of the Government, coupled with the immense depth of knowledge about the Internet, which you recall had its birth at the Pentagon, why can we not solve this dilemma?

My mother used to say, “when nothing is happening something is happening.”

Congress has set a deadline of September 30th to finish the job. No chance romance! But it will be entertaining to hear the answers as to why more time is needed.

I say the Disability bean counters are slowing down the process. War is expensive, and more expensive afterward as the survival rate with modern medicine and evacuation technique has increased the disability claim process by 200 fold, and the pay outs could break the bank.

Politics, Uncategorized, Veteran Legislative Update, Veteran Pals, Veterans Benefits, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

Oh My Word A Dreaded Poll

7 Comments

Do any of you recall the days when maybe we heard about a poll three times a year? The first 10 years of the 21st Century are going to be known as the ” The Decade of Management by Polling.”

This of course is followed up with the standard coffee shop talk where all those ask each other, “but have you ever been polled yourself?”

I am 62 years old, with 40 years of civic involvement, and I have never once been polled about any topic, retail or politics.

So howabout you all? This is the Poll. Have you ever been polled about anything? Yes or No?

I want to see if the standard deviation applies to a generic poll with no subject. Why because I am paranoid. (tsk) I swear the pollsters have subscriptions lists. Meaning if you are an avid reader, you never get polled. Ok, rib if you like, but prove me wrong.

And then I intend to follow up with a couple of polls scripted just for the readers of this BLOG.
The first one will follow this posting.

Veteran Legislative Update, Veterans Benefits, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

Important Notice To All Veterans

Leave a comment

life is the first gift,love is the second, understanding the third.

Subject: Veterans Notice

Please share!

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is warning Veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to callers claiming to update VA prescription information. Veteran Service Organizations have brought to VA’s attention that callers are misrepresenting the VA to gain personal information over the phone. They say VA recently changed procedures for dispensing prescriptions and ask for the Veteran’s credit card number. Veterans with questions about VA services should contact the nearest VA medical center or call, toll-free, 1-877-222-8387.

You are subscribed to Veterans’ Benefits for Disability.gov. This information has recently been updated, and can be read by visiting this link:

http://www.disability.gov/benefits/other_benefits_programs/veterans.

Alternative Care, Health, Veteran Pals, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

Literary Assist From a Pro

Leave a comment

Each day I wake and think about the intention of this Post, I know I am at risk for feedback that…. well lets say, might not be from the book of Miss Manners. Unfortunately, that is the state of nation, with the exception of many of our own Bloggers, who have clearly been most supportive of each other since this site launched back in the first week in July.

This quote from E.B. White summarizes the emotions that flow through me each day,as I contemplate what may be worth publishing for the good of the order and the furtherance of civility.

“If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were challenging, that would be no problem. Then I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day”

I suspect this may capture the sentiment of many retirees as myself.ALSA dot org

The project here at “TucsonCitizen.com”, does however, provide an existential sense of usefulness for myself and apparently for a slew of veterans who chime into this site, as the viewings of “Veteran Veritas” are amongst the highest of all the Blogs.

“Whooda known?”

Thank you fellow vets, friends and families for riding with us in this new blogosphere adventure.

Veterans Events, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

New Play to Focus on Women in Military

Leave a comment

Play to Focus on Women in the Military
Play to Focus on Women in the Military
The first play I saw about women in the military, “Piece of My Heart,” was outstanding, though heartbreaking. I look forward to seeing this new one adapted from the book “Powder: Writing by Women in the Ranks, From Vietnam to Iraq.”

“Coming in Hot,” a one-woman play about women in the military, will debut in Tucson Sept. 24 through 27 at the Rhythm Industry Performance Factory, 1013 S. Tyndall Ave.

Tickets for opening night are $50; all other shows are $15 for general admission and $10 for students, veterans and seniors. Tickets are available online at www.korepress.org.
Show dates and times are 7 p.m. Sept. 24 through 26 and 2 p.m. Sept. 27.

Courtesy of the Arizona Daily Star, Sunday, September 13. 2009

To view the book trailer, go online to You.Tube

Alternative Care, Veteran Pals, Veterans Global, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

Post Traumatic Stress a Christian View

3 Comments

SPIRITUALLY DEFINED

An event or series of events either induced by war, sexual trauma, physical abuse,or accident that is outside the fruit of the spirit.( Galatians 5:22-23). The experience results in a deep wounding of the heart;(Lamentations 1:20, 2:11, 3;13-18) creating the formation of an idol of thought, frequently defined as intrusive thoughts, causing change in behavior and attitudes.(Psalm 135;15-18, Psalm 115; 5-8, Galations 5;19-21). This behavior inspires a false worship creating a separation from God(Isaiah 59;1-8) which leads to a broken heart and spiritual torment.(Job 18;5-21).
The condition of PTSD has worsened and become more prevalent in recent times, as a result of both war and an increasing violent society.
I know this small divergence from the clinical approach, which I know well, may not resonate with all readers, but for the few it does. let it be. Psychology can only take one so far in the pilgrimage of awareness. A spiritual dimension is needed to bring a lasting contentment or the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Politics, Veteran Legislative Update, Veterans Benefits, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

Agent Orange on the March

4 Comments

Only in the ranks of dark veteran humor will you hear the phrase, “Agent Orange, the gift that keeps on giving”. But then how else are you going to handle getting sprayed with chemicals by your own Government?

Agent Orange Linked to New Diseases

In its recent review of medical research into the long-term effects of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) concluded that there is a suggestive link between exposure to Agent Orange and Is chemic Heart Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and certain rare cancers.

In the same review, the IOM affirmed its earlier conclusion that there is a significantly increased risk of developing hypertension in those who served in Vietnam.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is calling on the VA to fully recognize these findings and award presumptive service connection for veterans suffering from these diseases who were exposed to Agent Orange.

In 2000, a similar study found a link between Agent Orange and Type II Diabetes. Those findings led the VA to recognize presumptive service connection for Vietnam veterans suffering from the disease.

“Based on this data, the VA should take swift action,” says Gerald Manar, Deputy Director, National Veterans Service. “The VFW is pushing for full recognition of conditions linked to Agent Orange exposure, along with proper medical care and timely compensation.”

——————————————————————————–

Veteran Pals, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

Post Labor Day Fun

2 Comments

Now that everyone returned on time from a long weekend at the beach lets dip right into the cold cruel world of the 9-5 grind with some hard core observations about our splendid economy.

Having worked as a commercial real estate manager for 31 years, I remain in the loop of many real estate newsletters and publications. These nuggets come to us by way of Bob Bass, a well known Real Estate Attorney in Arizona.

THE TOP 10 INDICATORS THAT THE ECONOMY IS BAD

10. CEO’s are now playing miniature golf.

9. I got a pre-delcined credit card in the mail

8. I went to buy a toaster oven and they gave me a bank

7. Hot wheels and Matchbook cars companies are now trading higher than GM stock

6. McDonalds is selling the quarter ouncer

5. Beverly Hills nannies are learing their children’s names

4. The most highly paid job is now jury duty

3. Motel 6 will not leave the lights on for you

2. The Mafia is laying off judges

And the number one indicator that the economy is bad.…

1. The bank returns your check marked, “insufficient funds” and you have to call them to ask
if they meant yours or theirs?

Feel free to add your own doozies.