Community Military and Veteran Services Training

Community Military and Veteran Services Training  
The Hastings Beyond the Yellow Ribbon initiative and the Community of Hastings would like to extend an invitation to be in Hastings on 8 October, 7 PM at the Nelson Lucking American Legion Post 47 in the Downtown Historical District. This is a community Beyond the Yellow Ribbon initiative meeting in which a very important issue to our military, Veterans, families and the community will be presented. First and foremost we want to welcome home our war veterans with honor by discussing quality readjustment services that can be provided in a caring manner and assisting them toward a successful postwar adjustment in their communities.   This a an impressive and powerful lineup of panel members and presentations.
Presenters will be
Michelle M. Kelley, BS or Amy Wood, MSW, LICSW Veterans Administration Medical Center Suicide Prevention;
Major Ronald J. Jarvi, Jr., Deployment Cycle Support, Resiliency, Risk, Reduction & Suicide Prevention;
Retired Army First Sergeant Rita Marques, MS, LPC, St Paul Veterans Center,
Shelia Laughton, Healing Memories and Moving On, Womens Initiative Director & MA in Theology and Counselling;
Dajon Ferrell, Minnesota National Guard Female Veteran and
Major Lisa Thomas, USAF Reserve Social Worker &, Dakota County Veterans Service Officer.
In addition to presentations, there will be opportunities for interaction directly one on one with unique situations. The audience will be very broad starting with the First Judicial District, neighboring Sheriff Departments, Public Safety Departments, County Veteran Service Officers, Social Services Agencies, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon communities; Military, Veterans, and families and the general public.
What are we talking about: Trauma Counseling; Leadership; Special Populations; Management; Wellness; Networking and Transitional Assistance. This is an issue that is of extreme importance as Veterans are tough and more resilient and it's hard to see how the horrors of war can affect one's well being. What is difficult is getting Veterans to reach out for help when they need it, as it could ruin a career. If somebody got a broken leg, we fix it. We're realizing all of the other things we have to do to help take care of Veterans. But overcoming the stigma attached with seeking psychological help isn't easy. It's important to talk about traumatic experiences, but that only addresses one portion of the problem, many soldiers who have not been deployed; never seen combat, die each day. However direct client services, community education, conjoint treatment, networking and referral, outreach, consultation guidance, and training are available to get back to normal. What a lot of young adults coming in now are missing some of the basic coping skills that are needed just to deal with life. They come from abusive families, chaotic families, that kind of thing. They go to basic training. Then they come home and it's all confusing because what's the most important thing in life when you're 18 is your friends.
Therapeutic Groups Available: Vietnam Veterans; Quality of Life; Combat Trauma; Positive Ends/OIF-OEF; Multi Issues; Partner Support and Wellness and Recreation. Have you checked out your community's Yoga programs to improve your mind and body solutions.
The Armed Services may not be able to stop war, but it and the community can certainly do a better job of helping soldiers move on. Its hopeful that this training will do that.

Dean Markuson, Director, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon; Hastings Service Officer, American Legion; and VFW Community Service Volunteer
(651) 438-2208 deanrvnvet@aol.com