Testimonials for Returning Combat Veterans Program
After returning from Iraq in 2004 to a completely different world, or as it seemed, I never thought that I would need support from others to help me adapt to life in the 'normal' world - or that outside the Army. I had some tragic things happen to me at the end of my tour in Iraq, so I went to the Veterans Affairs hospital to see what they could do. I met with a counselor and therapist and not much else after that. I went to one meeting for Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom veterans, but it was just getting up and running. As I was walking through the VA, I noticed a poster, which read: "OIF/OEF veteran retreat." It gave a date and was located at The Merritt Center. I had never heard of The Merritt Center, but was looking for any way to find the support I needed to vent the horrible images from my mind. So I gave Betty a call. Not only was she the sweetest woman I had talked to in so many years, but she offered to drive to Phoenix to meet with me. I found out at our meeting that I was the start of a OIF/OEF Veterans pilot program. It made me nervous, but I was still looking for support. At the time, I couldn't drive, so volunteers for the program offered to pick me up from my house and drive me to Payson, where the retreat is located. I would later find out that these volunteers were war veterans as well, but from the Vietnam and Desert Storm era. I didn't know any of these people and they didn't know me, but I was welcomed with warm arms and a caring sincerity that could melt a snowman. We arrived at The Merritt Center that evening, to a warm, home-cooked meal. Everyone introduced each other, and we moved to a room, where we sat in a circle. I was nervous, because I had never really talked about my tour in Iraq, other than with counselors. This circle opened me up to talk about things I wouldn't have, such as, feelings, and hopes and dreams. Throughout the retreat, which was a weekend-long, we had many different activities planned. Each of the activies was to produce feelings and comfort about what we have gone through as veterans. I would say that each activity did evoke emotion from me, which is hard for a combat vet to work through. Many of the activities included writing in a journal. Though to many people this seems silly, it actually helps evoke emotion. The most helpful activity was the talking circle, in which we spoke of situations and circumstances that made us sad or depressed. Talking about these situations helped understand why the post-traumatic stress disorder was taking a toll on my body and mind. Being in the serene environment of The Merritt Center was calming, relaxing, and very helpful. I have learned through other veterans that I'm not in this alone and people are there to help, no matter what it takes. I enjoyed my stay at The Merritt Center. The people were very nice and etremely sincere. If the opportunity presents itself, I would be willing to go back anytime. Bryan Kinkade, Photo Journalist in Operation Iraqi Freedom The environment provided by Betty Merritt and her colleagues at the Merritt Center is the perfect environment for soldiers who want to reflect on and explore their experiences from war. Betty Merritt and her colleagues have managed to design a center that provides a completely safe environment. It is entirely non-threatening and simply allows soldiers to come and hang-out with one another in an atmosphere of support, encouragement and exploration. Since safety is the primary foundation for self-exploration, the Merritt Center has evolved into the best possible center for soldiers. The programs offered are as loosely structured as they can be to allow for different people at different places in their self-exploration process. The family atmosphere is very non-threatening and conducive to trusting, sharing ideas, reflecting and going deeper into one's process of inner growth. Simply put, the Merritt Center provides a holding environment that attracts the individual and allows for a self-exploration process that seems to be evoked naturally by the sharing of communal meals, walks, talks, massages and other psychosomatic healing methods available. It provides the safety of a loving, trusting, and non-intrusive family environment devoid of any external or personal pressures. It is this non-threatening family environment that allows for such a deep sense of acceptance and safety that anyone within the environment can feel its healing effects. It is a powerful place to explore one's process of recovery and healing. David Berceli Stress Management & Trauma Recovery Consultant 435 W. Rio Salado Parkway # 101 Tempe, AZ 85281 480-452-2055 www.traumaprevention.com