National Catholic Reporter, by Lynanne Lasota
In 1999 Vietnam veteran Michael Brewer attended a “base camp” in the Arizona desert, an outing sponsored by Point Man International Ministries, a multi-denominational Christian organization that serves war veterans. In 1969, a year and a half after arriving in Vietnam, Brewer had become 100 percent disabled from complications of Agent Orange, a head injury and post traumatic stress disorder. “PTSD meets altar boy,” said Brewer. “They did battle for my soul for nigh on to 30 years.”
At the base camp, led by Don Weaver, an 82-year-old World War II former prisoner of war, veterans sat around a campfire talking about how the first recorded episode of posttraumatic stress disorder occurred thousands of years ago–the story of Cain and Abel. Cain killed Abel, and when asked by God what happened, Cain denied the event by asking, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
“Cain disconnected himself from God, became angry and wandered around aimlessly,” said Brewer. “The same signs we see today of veterans with PTSD.”
Brewer recognized a need for a Point Man outpost in Tucson with the ability to minister to the large Catholic population. The Tucson outpost of the organization opened in early 2000.
“It’s exactly what my grandfather did after World War I,” Brewer said. “We’re a modern day version of Catholic War Veterans”–an organization that helped veterans coming home from World War I and World War II.
Brewer meets with approximately 20 clients individually to talk and pray together. He focuses on the Point Man philosophy of acceptance, understanding, recognition and fellowship. “Demons of war are nothing but idols,” he said. “Killing is not something that vanishes–ever. You must deal with it.”
Brewer said he believes God called him to be an outpost leader. He wasn’t going to allow his disability to stop him; instead he would use his energy as an advocate for veterans.
When he returned from the war at age 21, he became an active member of the St. Thomas More Newman Center at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Today, he wants to start a program at the center for men and women returning from war and for their families, with a similar program offered in the public library system. With veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, Brewer sees a greater need for counseling. He also sees a need for assistance to college students whose parents may be Vietnam veterans. (Next Library Forum: Himmel Park Library, February 28th Sunday. Noon to 4pm. 520-540-7000).
As outpost leaders guide a veteran through spiritual healing, they provide a network of helping agencies and contacts with referrals for physical needs. Needs include medical resources, legal resources, emergency rood and clothing. “Each outpost is autonomous, providing a contact list within their geographical area,” said Dana Morgan, president of Point Man International Ministries.
The mental and physical resources come with a gift of Christ’s love through the spiritual support and help shown in everything the outpost leader does. “We don’t beat you to death with the Bible,” said Dean Black, a Vietnam veteran and an outpost leader in North Carolina. When a veteran “comes out of his shell,” Point Man outpost leaders emphasize, “God did not desert you. You are never alone.”
Many veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder have lost faith in the world and in themselves, according to Black. They are often alcoholics or drug addicts with no self-esteem; some cannot even talk, they are so withdrawn, he said. Black met with a man “bunkered in” in his house for years. “His house becomes his defense system,” said Black. “It took me two and a half years to get him out of his house and today he works at Sam’s Club.”
Black himself recalled that when he visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington in 1997, “I was still in denial of PTSD and didn’t want to go near the wall. I couldn’t deal with seeing my friends’ names. I had to get away.”
Point Man outpost leaders help veterans bring themselves back to the present day. “We make them realize they are loved and valuable people because God made us that way,” said Black. The aim is to help the veteran to learn to function within society and let go of the demons haunting him.
Point Man also recognizes the importance of ministering to the families and friends of veterans with Homefront chapters, led by veterans’ spouses who have experienced the “war at home.”
Brewer’s wife, Lydia, joined an online support group and found she was not alone. “We all deal with near identical issues in our homes,” Lydia Brewer said. “I realized I had a God-given gift for helping other women and to not share this gift would be to ignore my calling by God to be a healer.” She became a Homefront leader in Tucson and moderates an online support group. On a daily basis, she encourages other members, suggests ways to strengthen their marriages, and praises their successes.
There is no lack of work as the war on terrorism continues. Outpost leaders currently travel to Iraq and Afghanistan to help young men and women in combat. “If I was in better health I would be over there also,” said Black.
“Everyone has to adjust to coming home from war, whether it’s Francis of Assisi coming home from the Crusades, Vietnam draftees coming home from the jungle, or today’s veterans coming home from the desert of Iraq,” Brewer said. “We’re here to help and let them know there are resources available.”
Footnote:
The Tucson Outpost has an office in La Placita Village downtown. There are many more Iraq and Afghan vets joining our Outpost. Our retreats in Payson, Arizona, in conjunction with the Merritt Center, have become very popular as they enter the fifth year. And they are free!
Contact information at “pointmanchaplain@aol.com”