Windham Region Chamber of Commerce

Veterans

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Afghanistan: Let’s Talk About It

Veterans from all eras are reacting to the events in Afghanistan, such as the U.S withdrawal and the takeover by the Taliban.

You are not alone.

Veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. They may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service. It’s normal to feel this way. Talk with your friends and families, reach out to battle buddies, connect with a peer-to-peer network, or sign up for mental health services. Scroll down for a list common reactions and coping advice.

Resources available right now

Common Reactions

In reaction to current events in Afghanistan, Veterans may:

  • Feel frustrated, sad, helpless, grief or distressed
  • Feel angry or betrayed
  • Experience an increase in mental health symptoms like symptoms of PTSD or depression
  • Sleep poorly, drink more or use more drugs
  • Try to avoid all reminders or media or shy away from social situations
  • Have more military and homecoming memories

Veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. They may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service.

Veterans may feel like they need to expect and/or prepare for the worst. For example, they may:

  • Become overly protective, vigilant, and guarded
  • Become preoccupied by danger
  • Feel a need to avoid being shocked by, or unprepared for, what may happen in the future

Feeling distress is a normal reaction to negative events, especially ones that feel personal. It can be helpful to let yourself feel those feelings rather than try to avoid them. Often, these feelings will naturally run their course. If they continue without easing up or if you feel overwhelmed by them, the suggestions below can be helpful.

Strategies for Managing Ongoing Distress

At this moment, it may seem like all is lost, like your service or your sacrifices were for nothing. Consider the ways that your service made a difference, the impact it had on others’ lives or on your own life. Remember that now is just one moment in time and that things will continue to change.

It can be helpful to focus on the present and to engage in the activities that are most meaningful and valuable to you. Is there something you can do today that is important to you?  This can be as an individual, a family member, a parent, or a community member. Something that is meaningful to you in regard to your work or your spirituality? Such activities won’t change the past or the things you can’t control, but they can help life feel meaningful and reduce distress, despite the things you cannot change.

It can also help to consider your thinking. Ask yourself if your thoughts are helpful to you right now. Are there ways you can change your thinking to be more accurate and less distressing? For example, are you using extreme thinking where you see the situation as all bad or all good?  If so, try and think in less extreme terms. For example, rather than thinking “my service in Afghanistan was useless” consider instead “I helped keep Afghanistan safe.”

Finally, consider more general coping strategies that you may want to try including:

  • Engage in Positive Activities. Try to engage in positive, healthy, or meaningful activities, even if they are small, simple actions. Doing things that are rewarding, meaningful, or enjoyable, even if you don’t feel like it, can make you feel better.
  • Stay Connected. Spend time with people who give you a sense of security, calm, or happiness, or those who best understand what you are going through.
  • Practice Good Self Care. Look for positive coping strategies that help you manage your emotions. Listening to music, exercising, practicing breathing routines, spending time in nature or with animals, journaling, or reading inspirational text are some simple ways to help manage overwhelming or distressing emotions.
  • Stick to Your Routines. It can be helpful to stick to a schedule for when you sleep, eat, work, and do other day-to-day activities.
  • Limit Media Exposure. Limit how much news you take in if media coverage is increasing your distress.
  • Use a mobile app. Consider one of VA’s self-help apps (see https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/) such as PTSD Coach which has tools that can help you deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
  • PTSD Coach Online. A series of online video coaches will guide you through 17 tools to help you manage stress. PTSD Coach Online is used on a computer, rather than a mobile device, and therefore can offer tools that involve writing.

If you develop your own ways of adapting to ongoing events and situations, you may gain a stronger sense of being able to deal with challenges, a greater sense of meaning or purpose, and an ability to mentor and support others in similar situations.

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RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS

Have you lost someone special to suicide?  There is nothing worst than the feelings of loss and helplessness.  The Eastern CT Veterans Community Center wants you to know we are here for you.  There are many support groups in the region that have been helpful to veterans and civilians.  Please stop by for a cup of coffee and a chat, maybe even a hug.  We can help you find the right resources to help you get through these very difficult times.  We are located at 1320 Main Street, Suite 27, Wilimantic, CT 06226.

Here are some places for you to consider…..

Brian’s Healing Hearts

Ann Dagle

860.625.5280

ann@brianshealingharts.org

Meet 1st &3rd Thursday at 6pm in Niantic-Please register before attending group

 

The Anchor

Nancy Caward

860.654.0045

theanchor@snet.net

Meet 4th Monday of the month 7-8:30pm & Monthly breakfast social 2nd Saturday

 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

1.888.333.2377

www.AFSP.org

Information and resources

 

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)

www.Save.org

 

Grief After Suicide – download informational PDF 

Learn More at www.save.org/find-help/coping-with-loss/

https://soicalworklicensemap.com/blog/suicide-attempt-resources

 

Survivors of Suicide Loss (SOSL)

www.soslsd.org

can connect to others who are survivors of suicide loss

 

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (T.A.P.S)

1.800.959.8277

www.taps.org

for those who suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of relationship

 

 

 

 

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FREEDOM FEST CONCERT & MOTORCYCLE RIDE

On July 31 at the Shaboo Stage in Willimantic, the Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a concert featuring the Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, an Americana, Rock and Folk band that has opened for James Taylor.  The concert is a fundraiser for the new Eastern CT Veterans Community Center located at 1320 Main St, Suite 27, Willimantic.  The Community Center is a safe and happy space for veterans, active military and their families where they can meet, learn and grow.  We host many events there, have a weekly Veterans Coffee House and provide access to a variety of veterans services and information ranging from starting your own business to VA benefits assistance.  The Community Center opened on June 10, 2021 and since then we have had hundreds of veterans of all ages visit and take advantage of our programs.  Please help us continue these amazing opportunities for those who have GIVEN ALL in the service of our country and in the name of freedom.  Even if you cannot attend the event you can become a sponsor or make a donation.

The concert will be at the Shaboo Stage, Main St, Willimantic

Gates Open with music and entertainment:  2:00 PM

Concert:  3:00-5:00 PM

VIP Meet & Greet:  5:15 PM at the Windham Historical Society

Motorcycle Registration:  Meet 10:00 AM at the Veterans Community Center, 1320 Main St, Suite 27, Willimantic

Motorcycle Ride begins:  Noon -1:30

Motorcycle lunch & concert:  1:30 at Jillson/Shaboo

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FREE INTERNET/COMPUTER FOR VETERANS

Active duty members, veterans and survivors may be eligible for free or discounted internet, and up to a $100 discount on a computer, thanks to a new program from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a $3.2 billion federal initiative created by Congress to help lower the cost of high-speed internet for low-income Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To be eligible for the program, a household or household member must:

  • Have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or participate in SNAP, Medicaid or Lifeline;
  • Participate in the free and reduced-price school lunch or breakfast program;
  • Have received a federal Pell Grant during the current year;
  • Have experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since Feb. 29, 2020, with a total 2020 income at or below $99,000 for single filers or $198,000 for joint filers; or
  • Meet the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

For a family of four in most of the country, an income equal to 135% of the poverty level is $35,775; for a family of two, that amount is $23,517. Income limits are higher for Alaska and Hawaii. See the Department of Health and Human Services website to calculate other levels.

For the purposes of this program, income includes:

  • Salary or earnings
  • Unemployment compensation
  • Social Security
  • Veterans’ benefits
  • Survivor benefits
  • Pension or retirement income

However, families who exceed the federal poverty level still may be eligible for the program if at least one member of the family meets another criteria, such as receiving a Pell Grant, receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — commonly referred to as food stamps) or is attending a school where every student receives free or reduced-price lunches.

Families who suffered a substantial loss of income in the past 12 months are also eligible, even if they make more than the poverty level.

Participants approved for the program will receive up to a $50 monthly discount on qualifying high-speed internet from their provider, they may also receive up to a $100 discount for a laptop, desktop or tablet computer purchased from their internet service provider. Those who seek to receive the discount on a computer must pay at least $10 but less than $50 after the discount is applied. Each participating household is limited to only one internet and one computer discount in all situations.

A list of participating internet service providers can be found on the FCC website.

The temporary program is scheduled to end either when the money runs out or six months after the COVID-19 emergency is declared officially over, whichever is sooner.

The program will begin on May 12, 2021. Visit the official program website for more information.

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NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR DAY-A TRIBUTE

Today is National Vietnam War Day. The Windham Region Military Service Council and the Windham Region Veterans Coffee House wish to thank all of our brave soldiers that fought during the Vietnam Era to secure our freedoms, our families and our way of life. We recognize your supreme sacrifice and thank you for every minute you put your life at risk for us, and we thank you for all that you have endured since your service.
Although we cannot change the way you were treated when you returned home from battle, we can acknowledge that those who did not salute you were wrong, lost in their selfishness. It was YOU who gave all, SELFLESSLY, courageously, for love of your country and all those who live here. Today we acknowledge YOU, your bravery, your selflessness, your will and determination to create wonderful lives after your sacrifice to our nation. And we say THANK YOU and May God Bless You.
For those of you who wish to know the history of this day please read below. President Trump signed legislation last year officially created this day to recognize and thank our Vietnam War soldiers. Take a moment to thank them.
The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law by 45th U.S. President Donald J. Trump, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
This special day joins six other military-centric annual observances codified in Title 4 of the United States Code §6 (i.e., Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, Navy Day, Veterans Day).
March 29 is a fitting choice for a day honoring Vietnam veterans. It was chosen to be observed in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 was the day United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. In addition, on and around this same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war.
The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration honors all veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location.
November 1, 1955 was selected to coincide with the official designation of Military Assistance Advisory Group-Vietnam (MAAG-V); May 15, 1975 marks the end of the battle precipitated by the seizure of the SS Mayaguez.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are more than 6 million U.S. Vietnam veterans living in America and abroad, along with 9 million families of those who served during this timeframe.
We make no distinction between veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period. All were called to serve and none could self-determine where they would serve.
Additional Background: U.S. involvement in Vietnam started slowly with an initial deployment of advisors in the early 1950s, grew incrementally through the early 1960s and expanded with the deployment of full combat units in July 1965. The last U.S. personnel were evacuated from Vietnam in April 1975.
This national commemoration was authorized by Congress, established under the Secretary of Defense, and launched by the President to thank and honor our Nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.
In 2007, the 110th Congress incorporated language in House of Representatives (H.R.) 4986 authorizing the secretary of defense to conduct a program commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
H.R. 4986 was signed into law as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2008 by 43rd U.S. President George W. Bush on January 28, 2008.
Congress outlined a total of five objectives for The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, with the primary objective being to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the Nation, with distinct recognition of former prisoners of war and families of those still listed as missing in action.
The four remaining objectives highlight the service of our Armed Forces and support organizations during the war; pay tribute to wartime contributions at home by American citizens; highlight technology, science and medical advances made during the war; and recognize contributions by our Allies.
By Presidential Proclamation, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration will continue through Veterans Day, November 11, 2025.
The Windham Region Military Service Council is an official Commemoration Partner. As such we have the ability to formally thank our veterans and “pin” them with a special war pin honoring their service. Last year we held two events, Oct 2 and Nov 11. This year we will recognize our Vietnam Era Veterans with two additional official ceremonies on May 15 and Oct 2 at Jillson Square/Shaboo Stage. If you are a Vietnam Era Veterans or any family member, or anyone wishing to join us in this honor, please save these dates. More information about registration will be coming.
Please take a moment to watch this tribute…..

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Wreaths Across America 2020

 

“Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,100 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.”

This year the Chamber of Commerce along with the Military Service Council had a goal of 301 wreaths; thanks to local businesses, private clubs & organizations and individuals like yourself, we were able to honor each of our fallen veterans at the New Willimantic Cemetery. It takes a village, we have already begun fundraising for next Wreaths Across America Day. Through January 15th, for each wreath purchased WAA will match sponsorship.

To sponsor a wreath, today or any day before November 30, 2021, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/CT0090