Veterans’ Corner: From a spouse’s point of view
Published 5:00 pm Monday, November 18, 2013
As the wife of a Navy veteran, life was often times lonely. Six to eight months of deployment leaves the burden of responsibility to take care of all things on your shoulder. Without the support and concern from other military peers you face the world alone. Something as simple as washing a car could turn into an awful experience. I can remember taking a large can of ajax and a bucket of water, with good intentions of giving my husband’s car a good washing. As I prepared to do so, two service men passed by and stopped me in my tracks. “Lady please don’t wash the car with ajax”! Young at that time, I honestly didn’t know any better. Thank God for good people! That’s what’s so special about being a military wife, you meet good people, make lasting friendships and you learn to cope. You laugh sometimes and sometimes you cry. Life can be bitter sweet. Wives and husbands grow apart, children become insolent and family is far away. The experience is life changing and everlasting. The call to duty by your country is not only the sacrifice of the soldier. It is also the sacrifice of the wife and family. That is one thing every American should bear in mind. Whether a soldier is wounded and God forbid, fallen, there are others that give along with the soldier. My desire is that we remember our Veterans and applaud their service and also remember that each veteran leaves behind a non-veteran, a wife, a family, a loved one. They hurt, they suffer loss, and they need the love of their country.
If you have a story to tell about a veteran or military member, please send it to tcarden@lakesidehospice.org with your contact information.
November Events
—Nov. 14-21-Operation Battle “C”- Cancer in veterans and current military is an issue that is ignored many times. Lakeside Hospice is hosting this group meeting to discuss cancer in these individuals and assist with resources for their needs. Light refreshments served. Contact Brother Bill Pruitt 205-884-1111 for more information.
—Veterans Cornerstone Café’ at Eden Westside Baptist Church—A special fellowship for all veterans and military Persons to come together and share time discussing issues for their families and each other. Come join us. Light refreshments served. Hosted by: Lakeside Behavioral Services, a service of Lakeside Hospice and M.A.P.S. Call Elise or Debbie at 205-884-1111 for more information.
—Every Tuesday night by popular demand, we are continuing our PTSD and TBI support group at the Pell City Civic Center beginning at 6 p.m. Stan Batemon will continue to assist us with others that want to help by sharing their personal struggles and experiences after war. We want to offer testimonies and lend an ear to you and let you know that there is hope. As of Sept. 24th, Dr. Gunn with the Mobile Vet Center will be coming out to offer counseling for combat veterans. This is provided through benefits from the VA. This can stop the travel to Birmingham for counseling. Every third Tuesday the PTSD group will also provide counseling and support for veterans and military families suffering from military sexual trauma. We are bringing it to you and Dr. Gunn is trained to help veterans. He is a Vietnam and Iraq Veteran. Light Dinner is served at 6 p.m. before our meeting begins. This is for veterans and military families. Childcare provided. Hosted by Lakeside Hospice and Behavioral Services and M.A.P.S. For questions call Elise or Debbie at 205-884-1111.
—Every third Tuesday night Dr. Theron Gunn, Military Chaplain-Retired Colonel and Michelle Davidson, Marriage and Family Counselor, will be presenting every third Tuesday night. Each of them are available for individual counseling every Tuesday. Contact Elise or Debbie at 205-884-1111 to make an appointment. This is a great opportunity for Pell City and St. Clair County to help keep our Veterans and Military men and women off I-20 and cut down on taking a whole day to go to the VA in Birmingham for counseling. Michelle specializes in Sexual Military Trauma counseling also. Please help us keep this resource here. Call for your appointment today.
—VFW of Pell City meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Pell City Recreational Hall.
—AMVETS meets the last Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Pell City Recreation Hall.
—DAV Chapter 27 meets the third Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at Pell City Recreation Hall.
—VFW Post 6652 meets the second Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at Ragland VFW Hall on Hwy 144E.
—American Legion Post 109 meets the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the Pell City Recreation Hall.
—American Legion Post 170 Veterans/Ladies Auxiliary meets the second Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. (lunch available) at Legion Town in Steele contact Dot Burke 205-338-3813.
