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Creating a 'safe ground' where vets can share stories, issues
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| Robert Ragaini/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers Hank Vedder |
By John Mason
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
COLUMBIA/GREENE COUNTIES - Vietnam War veteran Hank Vedder of Catskill is reaching out to help veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, in hopes of creating a confidential safe ground where they can talk about their experiences and post-traumatic stress syndrome issues affecting them and/or their families.
His group, Heroes at Home Ministries, is part of a larger umbrella organization, the Capital District Military Families Support Group.
"We're trying to make people aware there's help available," Vedder said. "A lot of churches don't know they have families with people in the military. So they're not helping them with the needs they have.
"Our director, Patty [Molik], went to Webster [Monroe County]," Vedder said. "There was a church with more than a dozen families with someone in Iraq or Afghanistan. She set up weekly meetings with the families to find out what their needs are. [The point is] knowing there are people that care what happens to our troops."
Vedder was in Vietnam for 26 months, undergoing mortar and rocket attacks.
"I was shellshocked," he said. "You have flashbacks that you're [back] in that place.
"Deployment is one thing," he said. "Reintegration and coming back after a year or more [is something else]. There's a whole spectrum of things [veterans] need help with - they need to speak freely of their experiences. The Veterans Administration is realizing there's a lot of support people need when they come home."
PTSS often includes violence or suicidal thoughts. "You're no longer in that place you're used to," he said. "It all hits you."
And often, it's hard to find a sympathetic ear.
"There are certain things nobody wants to know about," Vedder said. "We are triune beings - soul, heart and body. If there's one part that's out of synch, the rest isn't functioning properly either."
In addition, families of soldiers "may need someone to support them while their loved one is on foreign soil," he said. "The main thing is communication ... Today, at least they have laptops, at least they can say hello. But they're not there physically."
The support of Heroes at Home Ministries is open to all veterans and their families, regardless of their religion.
"I don't care what their belief is," Vedder said. "They served this country and kept us alive and free." He has sympathy for those whose beliefs are not those of the majority in this country.
"How do you go over as a Muslim and fight other Muslims?" he said. "It's got to be horrendous."
Communication is key. "Sometimes it's hard for people to talk about their experiences," he said. But the informal structure is helpful.
"Group sessions are great because it's just people talking," Vedder said. The groups talk about how to get their lives back to normal with the normal fears and concerns of war. "Nobody's taking notes; what's said there stops there. We want to give people help. Being able to share what your experiences have been, the ramifications of everything, employment, family - at least you can get it off your chest, not stifling everything."
Vedder has been with the Capital District Military Families Support Group for about three years, working mostly in Albany. They go to fairs, fire conventions, troop rallies and set up booths with information.
Now he's looking to meet with vets in this area. Vedder said he's willing to "go as far as Newburgh - I'll go to them." Heroes at Home doesn't have a home at present - Vedder is looking for a place.
Vedder's goal is "just being able to walk people through situations. I've been through horrendous situations in my life: There's nothing like that to help others walk through theirs."
To reach Heroes at Home Ministries, call 518-828-6869 or email jesusc18@peoplepc.com.
To reach reporter John Mason, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail jmason@registerstar.com.
COLUMBIA/GREENE COUNTIES - Vietnam War veteran Hank Vedder of Catskill is reaching out to help veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, in hopes of creating a confidential safe ground where they can talk about their experiences and post-traumatic stress syndrome issues affecting them and/or their families.
His group, Heroes at Home Ministries, is part of a larger umbrella organization, the Capital District Military Families Support Group.
"We're trying to make people aware there's help available," Vedder said. "A lot of churches don't know they have families with people in the military. So they're not helping them with the needs they have.
"Our director, Patty [Molik], went to Webster [Monroe County]," Vedder said. "There was a church with more than a dozen families with someone in Iraq or Afghanistan. She set up weekly meetings with the families to find out what their needs are. [The point is] knowing there are people that care what happens to our troops."
Vedder was in Vietnam for 26 months, undergoing mortar and rocket attacks.
"I was shellshocked," he said. "You have flashbacks that you're [back] in that place.
"Deployment is one thing," he said. "Reintegration and coming back after a year or more [is something else]. There's a whole spectrum of things [veterans] need help with - they need to speak freely of their experiences. The Veterans Administration is realizing there's a lot of support people need when they come home."
PTSS often includes violence or suicidal thoughts. "You're no longer in that place you're used to," he said. "It all hits you."
And often, it's hard to find a sympathetic ear.
"There are certain things nobody wants to know about," Vedder said. "We are triune beings - soul, heart and body. If there's one part that's out of synch, the rest isn't functioning properly either."
In addition, families of soldiers "may need someone to support them while their loved one is on foreign soil," he said. "The main thing is communication ... Today, at least they have laptops, at least they can say hello. But they're not there physically."
The support of Heroes at Home Ministries is open to all veterans and their families, regardless of their religion.
"I don't care what their belief is," Vedder said. "They served this country and kept us alive and free." He has sympathy for those whose beliefs are not those of the majority in this country.
"How do you go over as a Muslim and fight other Muslims?" he said. "It's got to be horrendous."
Communication is key. "Sometimes it's hard for people to talk about their experiences," he said. But the informal structure is helpful.
"Group sessions are great because it's just people talking," Vedder said. The groups talk about how to get their lives back to normal with the normal fears and concerns of war. "Nobody's taking notes; what's said there stops there. We want to give people help. Being able to share what your experiences have been, the ramifications of everything, employment, family - at least you can get it off your chest, not stifling everything."
Vedder has been with the Capital District Military Families Support Group for about three years, working mostly in Albany. They go to fairs, fire conventions, troop rallies and set up booths with information.
Now he's looking to meet with vets in this area. Vedder said he's willing to "go as far as Newburgh - I'll go to them." Heroes at Home doesn't have a home at present - Vedder is looking for a place.
Vedder's goal is "just being able to walk people through situations. I've been through horrendous situations in my life: There's nothing like that to help others walk through theirs."
To reach Heroes at Home Ministries, call 518-828-6869 or email jesusc18@peoplepc.com.
To reach reporter John Mason, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail jmason@registerstar.com.
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