CIVW Hockey Game, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Replica, Therapy Writing

VA “Therapeutic Writing” Program

In 2019, the Veterans Administration launched a program to train therapists across the country how to use written exposure therapy. In Georgia, 18 people have been trained and more than 650 patients in the state have chosen to use it. Two studies from 2018 concluded that written exposure therapy for veterans with PTSD is as effective as other treatments recommended by the Department of Veterans Affairs, such as talk therapy. The study also found that fewer patients dropped out of writing therapy, which took less time than other treatments. Writing therapy and research is now being expanded by the Department of Veterans Affairs to include other veterans battling addiction and sexual trauma. In this therapy, the patient writes a narrative about their traumatic experience online or in person under the supervision of a therapist, who then provides feedback to the patient on the writing. This therapy helps patients understand that memories of their troubling experiences are not dangerous and that it is possible to think about the traumatic event and its meaning in new ways. This program is a continuation of VA's work on ways to reduce suicide rates among veterans.

Legion boys state, girls state

The 87th session of the Premier Boys State Program will be held from June 8th to June 14th at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. This is a participatory program in which delegates and students learn by doing and become part of the operations of city, county, and state governments. The program was founded in Illinois in 1935 and is now offered by the American Legion. In addition to learning about government and politics, young men also learn sports, music, and public speaking, as well as leadership skills and other self-development skills. Young men attending Boys State must be between their junior and senior years in high school. A similar program for young women of the same age is available through the American Legion Auxiliary. For more information and to apply for both programs, call your local American Legion post or call the Illinois American Legion headquarters at 309-663-0361. Girls State will be held from June 16th to 22nd. These programs certainly provide a “week that shapes your life.”

The military's recent struggle to secure and maintain adequate staffing levels has many “fathers.” But if our military is to maintain its dominant position, it is essential that we have sufficient personnel to join our brave and patriotic ranks. armies of the world. Those who serve in the military are often seen as heroes during “heightened fighting,” but are often forgotten or worse, ignored once peace is won. Today's quote includes a major “father” of the hiring battles we have.

“The willingness of our nation's young people to participate in wars, no matter how justified, depends on their understanding of how veterans of earlier wars have been treated and valued by the nation.'' ” – George Washington