Day before yesterday my 2nd oldest daughter (who is almost 14) fell at a soccer game and broke her collar bone. We went to the ER, and she was in VERY much pain, breathing rapidly, which I was advising her to slow down......

Well, there was a "soldier" (not sure of rank) who was there with his wife, waiting in front of us. So he came over and knelt down to look Jannelle in the eye- and said- "Let me help you Darlin' ". And HE managed to calm her down and make a "sling" out of a sweatshirt to help keep her comfortable.

After he returned to his seat, I told him thank you for ALL he does- and he just smiled sweetly and said- "No problem! It is my pleasure. I find it all comes around in the end anyway...."

We made a little small talk about soccer, and unfortunately I was so worried about Jannelle I forgot to mention AS , but I was so impressed at how he came over and did what needed to be done to help her out.....I LOVE our soldiers!!!!!!

 Wow, and to think this happened in California!  What I mean is, back East has more of a population of military compared to the middle to northern part of our state. Usually when you hear news coming out of California concerning our military, it usually concerns a group like Code Pink who this past week decided to use witchcraft and picket once again outside the Berkeley Marine Recruiting Station.    Why in my state, I ask?  Why in the US ? is a better question.  

That was so neat that he cared enough to try to comfort your daughter.  God bless him.  I hope your daughter heals quickly. 

I can tell you a couple more California stories!  In Los Angeles and Orange Counties, we have www.thesoldiersproject.org, which offers free counseling by licensed mental health professionals, to any military service member/vet who has served in the conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan. And we offer free counseling to any of their loved ones - boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, children, parents, grandparents - while they are deployed and when they come back. We are all licensed mental health professionals, and we offer therapy in our offices (private) and we offer an unlimited number of sessions with no red tape. We educate our therapists and offer monthly support groups for the therapists, so they do not burn out. This model has spread to NW Washington State, Chicago and NYC. This is all done by volunteers, including me. We are having a conference next weekend, May 16-18, "Hidden Wounds of War: Pathways to Healing," where we hope to educate more therapists, including some from out of state, who may go back and start their own groups.

In northern California, there is also a group called something like The Coming Home Project, which also offers counseling to military and vets.

Did not mean to "hijack" your comment. Hope your daughter is feeling better. It is awful to see your child in pain. Glad the Soldier helped her. I have met one of my "adopted" Soldiers face to face, and one of my friend's, as well. Both great guys.

Can't help myself - I must reply to Barbara. Kudos to you and all of those volunteers.  If only these stories would make their way to the news media.

Barbara,

re:

"I can tell you a couple more California stories!  In Los Angeles and Orange Counties, we have www.thesoldiersproject.org, which offers free counseling by licensed mental health professionals, to any military service member/vet who has served in the conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan. And we offer free counseling to any of their loved ones - boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, children, parents, grandparents - while they are deployed and when they come back. We are all licensed mental health professionals, and we offer therapy in our offices (private) and we offer an unlimited number of sessions with no red tape. We educate our therapists and offer monthly support groups for the therapists, so they do not burn out. This model has spread to NW Washington State, Chicago and NYC. This is all done by volunteers, including me. We are having a conference next weekend, May 16-18, "Hidden Wounds of War: Pathways to Healing," where we hope to educate more therapists, including some from out of state, who may go back and start their own groups.

In northern California, there is also a group called something like The Coming Home Project, which also offers counseling to military and vets."

Just saw your post and it has gotten me to thinking that perhaps we can have a new thread entitled Veterans' Care.  Perhaps we can list resources as we find them and so forth and forward them on to our contacts who may be coming home.  Or, at least let them know that they can find some info on AS...or someone knows someone who knows....  I know there is a lot better effort these days to keep our people who need help in some repect from falling through the cracks when they return home, but if we can "catch" even one who has slipped through, or make it easier for him or her or their families and friends it would be a blessing, no?  I know the VA can't touch everyone's lives to the extent they may need.

Anyway, I just sent off an email to Marty asking about such a thread, and want to thank you for getting me thinking in this direction.  Hope you are having a great weekend.

Debbie

Remember Deni, that what the media covers and what actually happens in everyday life may be two entirely different things!  We have lots of proud veterans from many wars here (A HUGE number came into the state after WWII and Korea having experienced it from being based or deployed from here.) as well as active military and, of course, many from California who join now.  Our state does have it's share of "others", but it should remind everyone what an incredible country we have which allows divesity and the expression of divergent ideas (even if not in agreement with our own).  Believe it or not, that is what our military are fighting for over there...the right for those people to think and not be dictated to and overrun by someone with power...the right for them to chose what is best for their lives, not be told how they must live it.  As hard as it is for us AS supporters to accept, that we have such "opposition" is really a testament to how our country succeeds.  Yeah, I wish we had less of the wierdos as they rub me the wrong way, but I wish more that we had stronger parenting and values like back in "the old days" which produced fewer thugs, gang members, drug users and sellers, child molesters, and violent people in general.  We all pay the price for that.  The military often takes the place for what was previously just good parenting.  They teach discipline, responsibility and respect.  They also, it seems, have learned how to bring out "heart" in these young men and women and give them direction.  Hoo-rah!  Would that I were young enough again to join, I would certainly be a better person for joining.  As hard as it is on family and friends when that young person goes joins, it is truly a blessing for everyone. 

Anyway, I digressed.  I just wanted to give my two cents' worth about the reputation of California.  We AS California junkies will definitely have to have a mini convention sometime, no?

Take care.

Debbie

I think your idea for a thread like that is good Debbie.  It would give us a place to find help for local guys that need some extra TLC upon returning.   Most areas are doing something along those lines, at lease around here they are.  Hopefully everywhere!

Anita