The Prophet Isaiah calls us to beat our swords into plowshares.  The swords of modern warfare are its soldiers, it warriors.  And if you've come to this page of the Sun Valley Presbyterian Church's website then you probably are a vet or part of the family of a vet or know a vet.  Welcome.

This page is the most personal for me(Tom the Interim Minister) for it incorporates one of my concerns.  Having spent 8 1/2 months in Vietnam in 1969 as an Infantryman, I know the pain, the horror, and the cost of war first hand.  That doesn't make me any sort of expert or give me any great insights except that I know that war's impact doesn't end the day a soldier comes home.  

If you are a vet, welcome home.  Listed here are some resources and places to go for help. Remember there are lots of us around and, support or hate the war you were in, we're still your brothers and your sisters. 

  Peace, tom w.

Five things a congregation can do for vets returning from war

1. Acknowledge that Vets are part of the congregation and welcome them home.
2. Accept their self definition – some want to be heroes, some just want to be left alone.   Encourage all to know they are welcome.
3. Prepare to listen to those who ache.  Some will ache and some will not.  And listen to the family.  Prepare for changes in relationships.  Don’t expect things to be the same.
4. Prepare to aid those who need help.  Offer information on possible sources for help to all the congregation not just vets.
5. Dare to pray publicly for victims of war including vets.

Resources (Web sites) (NB: The following is a short list of resources.  Some are government agencies and some are non-traditional veterans groups.  Do not be put off by the name or the politics of the name.  ALL are very pro-vet and put that first.  For example, VVAW is an old anti-war group and pretty radical but they also are one of the main reasons that Agent Orange and PTSD are now recognized by the VA as causes of disabilities.  One needn’t agree with any group’s politics to receive help.)

1. The National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (a center funded by the Veteran’s Administration) has a booklet titled “Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Families of Military Members” It can be found at http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/manuals/GuideforFamilies.pdf

2. The New York On Line Access to Health (NOAH) has a number of links to sites for resources for veterans.  It can be found at http://www.noah-health.org/en/mental/disorders/ptsd/complications/veterans.html

3. Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) maintains a web site with many resources to include veterans’ services and/or counseling resources.  They can be found at http://www.vvaw.org/mc/.

4. The National Veterans Foundation provides phone assistance at 1-888-777-4443 from 9 AM to 9 PM PST and offers counseling, referrals, and information.   http://www.nvf.org/
5. Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) maintains a very good web site with numerous links to other organizations and/or governmental entities.  They can be found at http://www.ivaw.org/vetresources.