For years the Silver Star Families of America, along with other wonderful organizations, has fought against the stigma associated with PTSD. It seems that PTSD is one of the few remaining wounds of war that people don’t want to talk about.
Yes, I said “wounds.” Just like a civilian, a Soldier comes from God as a complete package; body, mind and soul. Wounds of the mind can be as devastating as wounds of the body. You cannot amputate a wounded mind.
Further, PTSD affects not only the Soldier but family and friends. Secondary PTSD is a known scientific fact and must also be recognized and treated.
PTSD is not a personality disorder; it is a result of war or an experience so far out of the ordinary that the mind doesn’t know what to do.
The mission of the SSFOA is to remember, honor and assist the wounded. We help people to remember by giving the wounded a Silver Star Banner. When people see a Banner or a Silver Star Flag they KNOW it represents the sacrifice so many have made for us, in blood and in pain, in mind and in body.
And the Silver Star Banner also means a lot more to some people. The letter below is from a relative of a Soldier with PTSD and it shows the effect of honoring our children with PTSD instead of stigmatizing them.
“ I would like to explain something.....He refused to acknowledge to the public, friends, or even family that he had PTSD and then he received the banner and certificate, since the time the banner was hung...and I mean starting that very day... he has done speaking engagements for the War Memorial Building here in our city, Veterans Day ceremonies, churches, schools, and a few other places, he is also no longer afraid to tell people this is one of the affects war can bring to some. Plus he has performed Taps at the VA and for a few burial services since his return home. He suffers a great deal.....but is trying to get through things. Why did it all change that day? He opened the envelope with the certificate and banner and realized someone was recognizing him as an injured member.....not to be made fun of....it was then that he accepted the fact that it was alright to say he was hurting. My husband and I both noticed a big change starting right after he opened the envelope and have commented on it numerous times. SSFOA changed his thinking.”
This young person struggles EVERY day. He fights on in a war that for him is not over and may never be over. May God bless him and give him peace.
My friends we must continue the fight for our children. To not do so would not only be reprehensible but will result in a new generation of homeless veterans that suffer from PTSD. If we do not press forward NOW it will be too late.
Let’s use this young persons struggle as an inspiration to us to fight on just as he has had to fight on.
The SSFOA will continue to honor the heroes of this and all wars who have paid an awful price for our freedom.
They paid with their peace of mind.
Steve Newton
Founder
SSFOA
IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE
June 22, 2007
Today it was announced that the Silver Star Families of America has joined forces with
Give an Hour to help provide treatment to Soldiers who are suffering PTSD.
Steve Newton, President and Co-Founder of the SSFOA stated that “the mental health issues facing our returning troops and the failure of our current system to provide adequate treatment has reached crisis proportions.”
“We were looking to start a program or find an organization that was actually DOING something,” Newton said. “Providing PTSD resources and information is great but not much help if the Soldier cannot actually find a professional that can help them.”
“By actually recruiting volunteers to treat these Soldiers for free Give an Hour is stepping up to help in a time when government resources are stretched thin and we are proud to join with them in this effort,” Newton says.
The SSFOA will assist Give an Hour in building a coalition to support this effort.
The non profit Give an Hour will recruit volunteers to treat our kids and the CSAH will recruit and qualify Soldiers who need help. Connections among troops, their families, and the providers are already being made through the GAH network, which can be also be reached via www.saluteheroes.org.
Give an Hour is an organization dedicated to developing and maintaining a national network of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society. Their first target is the Soldiers and their families who are being affected by the current conflicts. PLEASE GO TO http://www.giveanhour.org
The Silver Star Families of America is an organization that remembers honors and assists the wounded of our Armed Forces by presenting them Silver Star Banners and Certificates. They also distribute care packages when the need arises and they act as an advocate and education resource for the wounded and their families.
SSFOA JOINS WITH GIVE AN HOUR
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the United States Wounded Military Members and Veterans from all wars, past and present, and honoring their sacrifice with Silver Star Banners.
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PTSD
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Read the article written by a Mom
Watch the MTBI and PTSD video from the Battlefield Training System Office...
