Cover Story Article

Special to Veterans Advantage

	Barbara Van Dahlen, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder and president of Give an Hour

Our country recently marked the eighth anniversary of the September 11 attacks—officially now known as Patriot Day. This day has become an opportunity to remember those lost during the attacks and a day to embrace service to our country. In April President Obama signed the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance and reauthorizes the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that oversees the administration’s call to service.

It was on this day eight years ago that our country entered into the Global War on Terrorism. This journey would eventually lead us into the war in Iraq. Today, our men and women in the military are fighting two major conflicts. While we are attempting to draw down our forces in Iraq, we are ramping up in Afghanistan. Nearly 2 million service members have deployed, with some serving as many as four or five deployments. Here at home, military families continue to struggle with a tough economy and an ongoing war that puts their loved ones in harm’s way. It is our responsibility—as fellow Americans—to care for those who serve as well as their families. We are making progress, but we have a very long way to go before we can claim that our mission has been accomplished.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have taken part in one effort to raise awareness about the issues affecting our returning warriors. The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) has made a new public service announcement in which the First Lady and Dr. Biden praise the contributions of military servicemen and servicewomen and ask Americans to assist veterans and military families who need help. The public service announcement premiered in Major League Baseball stadiums across the country as part of the Welcome Back Veterans initiative. It will air on major broadcast networks starting this fall. It is in fact the first in a series created by EIF as part of its recently launched “I Participate” initiative, designed to inspire a new era of volunteerism and community work in America. This initiative includes a multiyear campaign involving the major broadcast networks—ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC—which have arranged for over 60 shows to tie in the theme of service over the week October 19-25.

In this first announcement, Mrs. Obama tells the listeners “I've made it a personal priority to ask all Americans to join me in the cause of supporting our military families. We must all remember that when our troops are deployed, their families are left behind with a completely different set of duties. Let us make a pledge to honor their service and their sacrifice by doing more to serve them in our own communities. Whether it’s just being a good neighbor or it’s volunteering at a local organization that supports military families, please join us in taking the time to honor those who sacrifice for all of us.”

Dr. Biden notes, “As the mother of a National Guardsman who is serving in Iraq, this is personal. I share the concerns, the anxieties, and the pride that come with being a member of a military family, and I have also seen first-hand what a difference it makes when people reach out to show support, whether in school, in the neighborhood, or in the workplace. Each of us has the power to make a difference in the life of a service member or his or her family.”
Dr. Biden’s sentiments are shared by others within the military community. One young woman comes to mind. Jenn joined the military at age 17—prior to the September 11 attacks—because she felt she had no focus in her life. She believed that joining the National Guard would provide her with stability and meaning. She went to Afghanistan to serve her country. She came home and her life fell apart. She lost every relationship she had, including the ones within her family. It was too painful to be with anyone. Eventually Jenn found assistance—first through the VA and then through a therapist with Give an Hour™.

Jenn is moving forward in her life. She is now 26 years old, married, and the mother of a beautiful baby girl. And, as many veterans do, she continues to serve. She has become a spokesperson for Give an Hour™, so that she can save others from the pain and suffering she endured when she had no idea where to turn for help. In a recent interview, she spoke about the importance of the civilian community stepping up to help those who serve. Jenn explained that those returning from war often feel alienated. They don’t feel like they can ever fit back into the civilian world. She went on to say that it is critical that civilians provide assistance and reach out to those coming home. They can help to ease the way into the world that the veteran and service members hope to inhabit.

Our First Lady and Dr. Biden have given our country a challenge. We must now identify specific opportunities for citizens to answer the call. For members of the mental health profession, the path is clear. Organizations like Give an Hour™, SOFAR, the Coming Home Project, and the Soldiers Project are harnessing the special skills of the mental health community so desperately needed to assist those who suffer the invisible wounds of war. But there are many needs that can be met by citizens with other skills and interests. The first step is the same for all of us: educate ourselves to the issues. Then look within our communities for opportunities—many now exist. If you have specific skill, look for organizations that need your expertise. For example, attorneys are needed to join efforts springing up to provide legal assistance to service members. If you play a specific role in your community, learn how to leverage that role to improve the lives of those in our military community. Specifically, if you are an employer, contact your chamber of commerce or visit the Department of Labor’s Web site to identify ways that you can get involved.

You can also search sites created by national organizations engaged in this movement. For example, Give an Hour™ is working with AARP to create tool kits to assist retired citizens in their wish to serve those who have given so much to our country. These tool kits will soon be available on AARP’s Web site. We all have something of value to offer the men, women, and families who serve. By stepping forward, by collaborating with others, we send a powerful message of hope and support. Over time, we can create a truly comprehensive, compassionate, and effective system that provides the care our military community deserves.

Give an Hour, providing free mental health services to military personnel and their loved ones, at www.giveanhour.org.

Editors Note:Give an Hour is a strategic partner of Veterans Advantage. For more on our partnership, click here.

Veterans Advantage is also hosting a special online PTSD Transition Center for its members, with customized news and resources to help in this vital area.