Many veterans have begun to use art as a way to heal emotionally and physically from the traumas of combat. Anthony LoBue, better known as Tony the Vet, is a Vietnam veteran, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and former member of the Texas National Guard. LoBue found that art helped him recover from post-traumatic stress disorder and deal with the spinal injuries he sustained in service. The 72-year-old veteran is now sharing his therapy with other former servicemembers around the San Diego area.
"I absolutely believe the self-evident healing power of the arts is at least equivalent to the doctor's scalpel, the psychiatrist's drug and the psychologist's talk as effective self-intervention," LoBue told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
LoBue partnered with the Veterans in the Arts Initiatives, a program committed to improving the lives of veterans through art programs, to bring creative writing, painting, music and sculpting classes to local veterans. He believes that art can serve two main purposes for veterans: It can help them communicate their story to their community, and it can help the community understand the veterans' experiences. To LoBue, there is no truer form of expression than art, and he wants to share the liberating activity with others.
Children of military servicemembers have a unique childhood. Their mothers or fathers may be absent from important events in their lives because of deployment. There is added pressure on these kids to help out at home and remain strong even if they are missing their parent. Camp Corral was created to give military kids the chance to be young and to let loose. It was founded in 2011 and caters to children between the ages of 8 and 15 whose parent is an active duty servicemember, veteran or fallen hero.
Camp Corral gives participants the chance to bond with kids whose situations are similar to their own and let go of their daily stresses for a week. Together, these kids engage in activities such as ropes challenges, horseback riding and canoeing. The camp also has a Military and Family Life Counselor on site at all times to help campers through any emotional difficulties. On its website, the camp stated that it has served over 6,500 military children in 23 camps across 19 states. Camp Corral is based out of Raleigh, North Carolina, and is free for military children to attend. For more information, visit the camp's website.
Republican presidential candidate and former governor of Florida Jeb Bush announced on July 28 that he would be attending the upcoming Veterans and Military Town Hall. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Aug. 17 in Columbia, South Carolina. The main issues that will be covered will include veterans' health care, federal spending reform, veterans' homelessness and VA reform. Bush is just one of the policy makers expected to lead the discussions at the town hall. The presidential hopeful is expected to discuss his statements regarding the privatization of some veteran health care.
The event was organized by The Concerned Veterans for America. This organization defines itself as "advocates for policies that – and support policymakers who – preserve the freedom and prosperity that veterans and their families so proudly served to defend." The CVA works to make positive changes for veterans through grassroots campaigns and public forums. The organization also works to gain a representative voice for veterans when it comes to military decision-making in Washington, D.C. The Veterans and Military Town Hall is part of the CVA's ongoing Defend and Reform Policy Series, a veterans advocacy movement that began in 2012.
To register to attend the event, click here.
Life in the military is challenging, but sometimes the hardest mission can be coming home. Many veterans fear leaving behind the brotherhood and camaraderie of shared combat experience. Some veterans may also be coping with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, brain injury or a physical trauma of some kind. Community Rowing, Inc. launched a program in 2010 to help veterans navigate the choppy waters of life after service. This military rowing community was the first in the nation, and it was designed to unite veterans in a common activity and provide them with a community of support.
Marizia Lopez, the program's military outreach coordinator, told Row2K, "One of the more important parts of the program is forming that team bond, and striving together in the boat and supporting each other as that team. The rowing is kind of secondary."
CRI provides the equipment, facilities and training to veterans and their families at no cost. It teaches them to work together in an unfamiliar environment to overcome the challenges, both physical and mental, that may be holding them back from success. These skills can be applied to the veterans' daily lives as they transition to civilian life. CRI's program has inspired many other veterans' rowing programs across the country.
There are times when your patriotic nature needs a jumpstart. There is no better place to turn to rejuvenate your American spirit than Hollywood. For decades, films have embodied what it means to be an American. They have us cheering for our heroes and chanting, "USA!" See which movies made the most patriotic list.
1. 'The Patriot'
The title says it all. This movie tells the story of the brave men and women who fought so that our country could exist. "The Patriot" defines what it means to be an American. It depicts the sacrifice and courage it took to found this country.
2. 'Independence Day'
Even though this sci-fi was a little far-fetched, "Independence Day" still captures the grit of the American people. Our fighting spirit has never shined so brightly as when Bill Pullman shouts, "Today we celebrate our Independence Day," after stopping the alien invasion.
3. 'Glory'
This period drama may have been set during a divided time in American history, but the unity of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts is as American as it gets. These men were fighting together for their freedom.
4. 'Captain America: The First Avenger'
Marvel's comic-inspired character, Steve Rogers, is the personification of the American spirit. Rogers' determination to serve his country, even in the face of multiple rejections, is a testament to American tenacity. His star-spangled suit and commitment to ensuring that the American dream lives on makes Captain America one of the most patriotic characters of all time.
5. 'Red Dawn'
Depending on which version of this film you watch, either the Russians or the North Koreans invade the U.S. But a rag-tag group of high school students, self-titled the Wolverines, stand up to the offending country. They defend the land and freedom that is theirs despite their fear and inexperience.
6. 'Top Gun'
Thousands of Americans felt the "need for speed" after watching this 1986 classic. In fact, Naval enlistment increased by 70 percent after the movie's release. The adrenaline-packed aerial dogfights and troop camaraderie showed a more exciting side to American military service.
7. 'Annapolis'
This movie involves another underdog, Jake Huard, who aspires to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, but a life of poverty and self-doubt threaten to hold him back. It is hard not to get goose bumps when Huard's commanding officer asks him why he is at the academy and Huard responds stoically, "To serve my country, sir."
The next time you are looking for a jolt of patriotism, turn on one of these films. The struggles and triumphs of the movies' heroes will surely revitalize your American spirit.
Veterans have to overcome many struggles when they begin their life after service. Some potential issues they face include homelessness, financial instability and emotional distress. Their experiences in dealing with these matters make them excellent candidates to help at-risk youth, many of whom go through the same difficulties in their own lives. Recognizing these similarities, the city of New Haven, Connecticut, in partnership with the local Veterans Affairs office, launched a new program called Veterans Empowering Teens through Support.
VETTS was designed to pair gang-affiliated or at-risk youth with veterans who may be able to help set them on the right path. The program matches troubled children and teens with a veteran who will spend at least 10 hours a week doing recreational activities, working on homework or learning positive behaviors. VETTS works on two levels: it helps veterans reconnect with their communities and it gives the youth participants connections to positive role models.
"This work is not for all veterans. It's definitely a higher calling because the kids we work with are tough. But I need veterans – people who are dedicated, motivated and up to the challenge of making a difference," the program's coordinator, Frank Galley, told WTNH News.
The town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is known for its patriotism. Every year, the Patriot Festival is held there. However, Pigeon Forge recently took its patriotism to a new level. The little Tennessee getaway with just over 6,000 residents will be celebrating veterans and, for the first time, first responders in various ways for the entire month of August. The town is calling its month-long celebration and display of gratitude Celebrate Freedom. To kick things off, local businesses are offering discounts to veterans, active military personnel, firefighters, emergency responders and police officers.
The activities during the month include a Welcome Home parade, an exhibit featuring a replica of the Vietnam War Memorial, artillery demonstrations and various military performances. Musical guests include The Alabama Boys, Unreconstructed, Marty Raybon and T. Graham Brown. Active and former military personnel and first responders from around the country are invited to the Celebrate Freedom events. Admission is free for servicemembers and first responders. Interested parties can get tickets by calling 800-309-0816. Some of the money from ticket sales will benefit the Sevier County Fire Chiefs Association.
Click here for a complete schedule of events.
Minnesota-native John Enstrom never served in the military, but he appreciates the sacrifices made by veterans. Because his father fought in World War II, military pride was instilled in Enstrom at a very young age. He also grew up in the Vietnam-era, and while he was lucky enough to avoid the draft, many of his friends were not. Many of those same friends never returned home. To honor the Minnesotans that died in the Vietnam War and subsequent wars, Enstrom developed a memorial and a lake on his own property where veterans could come and relax. Veteran's Lake, as Enstrom named the area, was designed to provide veterans with an escape from the traumas and stresses they may experience during life after service.
Enstrom invested thousands of dollars of his own money to develop Veteran's Lake, but to him, it was worth every penny. He made the entire area handicap accessible and hopes that veterans from all across the state will come and enjoy his gift to them. Veteran's Lake will play host to many veterans' events. The most recent will be a fishing tournament scheduled to take place on Aug. 5. Enstrom and his sponsors will provide participants with a meal and fishing equipment at no charge.
All summer, the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs has hosted several events called the Innovation Creation Series. The program was meant to encourage innovators to develop new technologies which may help improve the quality of life for veterans. The conference has four main goals: to improve the quality of life and care for veterans, to create an open space for shared technology and designs, to encourage the rapid development of prototypes, and to spread awareness for veterans' assistive technologies. The series reached a pinnacle at the Make-a-thon competition. On July 28th and 29th, inventors and engineers from around the country gathered at the VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, for a 2-day competition.
Participants listened to speakers discuss the areas of opportunity for improving veterans' quality of life before breaking off and getting to work. Each innovator pitched an idea and was subsequently placed on a team based on his or her idea. From there, the teams got to work creating an idea that encompassed their pitches. The VA Hospital provided the materials and technical guidance needed for the teams to build a prototype of their designs. Late in the afternoon on the 29th, each team demonstrated their prototypes to the judges. Some of the ideas pitched included a pill and insulin module complete with an alert system and a variety of advanced prosthetics. The winner of the contest will receive $20,000 and their creation will be entered into the NIH 3D systems catalogue, where people all across the world can access it.
The veterans who attended the event were grateful that so many people wanted to help them out.
Eric Young, a former Marine who lost his arm in combat, told WRIC News, "For me, I don't think that there's a better thank you you could give me."
Michigan resident Rick Briggs is no stranger to serving his community. His spirit of volunteerism was something he passed onto his son, who served the military in Iraq. When Briggs' son returned from service, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. This lead Briggs to his next philanthropic venture. He and his partners built a campsite in Brooklyn, Michigan, where veterans could come and heal from their time in combat. Briggs is calling the 137-acre retreat Camp Liberty.
The camp has hunting blinds, a chapel, plenty of wildlife and greenery and houses in which veterans and their families can stay. Camp-goers will soon be able to take part in rehabilitation workshops and support group sessions. Briggs hopes that the informal environment will encourage veterans to open up and discuss their experiences.
"If they're out here in blue jeans and boots, and they can come sit in a [hunting] blind, they can get that vet to open up more and to talk about it," Briggs told Michigan Live.
Most of Camp Liberty, including the hunting blinds, is handicap accessible. Briggs wants to invite trauma counselors and physical therapy experts to lead rehabilitation workshops. He hopes his camp will become a safe haven for veterans across the country.