On Thursday, November 19th, 2009 from 5:45pm to 7:45pm at Himmel Park Library, located at 1035 N. Treat Ave, near Tucson Blvd. and Speedway, there will be a Forum for dialogue with the community about veterans of war returning home. The topic is:
VETERANS OVERCOMING TRANSITION ISSUES OF EXITING WAR AND ENTERING POLITE SOCIETY
Join us in a “Coming Home” dialogue that intends to inform and engage the whole community in learning new ways of viewing the veterans you know and love. This is the first in a series of panel discussions and is intended for veterans of all ages and families from all generations. An extensive question and answer session is scheduled.
For information call Sue Parker at Himmel Library 520-594-5305 ext.3
Hi Mike — who’s going to be on this particular panel? I will likely attend.
Carolyn,
Cool! We can announce to the press that “Carolyns Community” will be attending!
The panel is comprised of all authors, and all veterans of war. All of whom wrestled with issues of transitioning.
David Powell served with the 7th Marines in Vietnam in 1966. He is the author of “My Tour in Hell: A Marine’s Battle With Combat Trauma”
Go to his website for helpful stuff. “www.MyTourIn Hell.com”
David has also served as a Mentor at the Merritt Retreat Center in Payson in the Veteran Program.
Bill Black was an Army Officer in Vietnam and past board member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 106, (named for the 106 Arizonans who died). A retired Post Office Facilities Management Executive. He is a Western Writer and Poet and a professional magician. Quite a combo.
Pete Bourret served as a combat mortarman with the Marines in Vietnam68-69. He is a survivor of the Tet Offensive. He is a retired English teacher and the producer of the documentary, “Strands of Wire Around My Heart.” It aired in Tucson at the Screening Room in 1993.
I will be the moderator. I served with the 7th Marines in Vietnam, as a grunt and forward observer, and with the 1st Marine Air Wing. I am a trained PTSD counselor and Gestalt Therapist, (St. Mary’s Hospital 1975-78) , a mentor at the Merritt Retreat Center, and a Chaplain with Pointman Ministries Inc. I am also a volunteer benefits counselor for the Marine Corps League in Marana.
I saw Pete Bourrett’s film when it showed downtown. He is a very articulate man.
I saw Pete Bourret’s film when it aired downtown. He is a very articulate man.
Great forum tonight about veterans transitioning home from a war situation, about how veteran’s problems are different from non-vet problems, about Post Traumatic Shock and Traumatic Incident Reduction, how to address Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for returning vets– all discussed by the 3 panel members listed above (Paul Bourret was unfortunately unable to attend).
Former Pima County Supervisor Paul Marsh spoke of the need for a Veteran’s Cemetery in Tucson, which was surprising to me that there isn’t one for a city of this size and a population of 1 million in the County. This forum needs to be repeated at more libraries in town, to inform residents of veterans’ issues and the devastating effects of the prior wars as well as what is occurring right now in Iraq and Afghanistan to our young people in combat. Good job Mike in putting this forum together and moderating it!
Thanks for attending Carolyn. You have become a real attribute to many of us at the Tucson Citizen, and a tremendous resource for our community.
For an inaugural and somewhat experimental format, I think we did okay. I wanted to see how many people we could reach just within the Library system. Next time we will promote this in many more locations, including the local churches and the VA.
We met afterward for an hour or so, and made notes for the next presentation. I think that the addition of Pete Bourret at the next session will add to the qualitative reception.
The combination of Maslow’s ” hierarchy of needs”, combined with Bill Blacks keen sociological take on veterans affairs should appeal to a wide audience… and hopefully alot of families of returning veterans.
We are planning to present the same format with a few refinements, again in January. Maybe one more time at Himmel, before moving around to other libraries. What do you think?
I would try another library, closer to where Vets hang out. Sure, the same format plus Pete Bourret’s input as well. Letting Iraq and Afghanistan vets speak as well would be very helpful for the public (and them). On Friday after the El Tour Expo I happened upon a one legged young man on crutches on Church St. and he told he had been in the War. How tragic for him as he was indeed representative of the “walking wounded” from our governmental policies and decision to stay in the Middle East.
Just read a proposal from the D.O.D in one of the many publications I comb through that is offering the exact concept for families of veterans.
It was in the Army Times, which is coincidentally owned by Gannett.
Would you like to participate in our next planning session?
Mike: Would love to hear about when the next forum is. I will be there. Thanks. If you need any help, let me know.
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