COUNTY LIFE
Military Veterans Peer Network works to assist all veterans
By KAREN SELF,
Support group facilitator
The Military Veterans Peer Network’s mission is to provide education and support to veterans, their families and others who suffer from the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), sexual assault and traumatic experiences in our lives and the lives close to us.
We move toward our goals by sharing our experiences, strength and hopes with each other in a safe environment. Our purpose is not to place blame, but to understand the profound effect trauma has had on us and become free to grow and accept responsibility for the way ahead. The primary purpose of our group is to learn to deal with the effects of trauma on our lives and develop healthy patterns to cope with these.
We wish to encourage open sharing by giving our full attention to the person who is sharing. Confidentiality is absolutely essential for the survival of this group. In a support group we have a chance to talk about our traumatic experiences, fears, pain, shame, confusions, the behavior of others that was stigmatizing and abusive.
The horrible sense of estrangement exists when you are in a terrible situation and there is no one who understands what you are going through, the hatred and contempt of oneself and the world, and the debilitating sense of personal weakness.
Describing the awful things that have happened to us in detail can be disruptive to the group so we must learn to be non-judgemental. We relate our feelings and outline what we can do or have done to change.
Through support of the group we see that we are not alone. My objective is to lead the group, and those who care for them, to understand and be supportive, to establish camaraderie and trust with each other. To help each individual learn what triggers flashbacks and how to avoid and handle those situations when they arise.
The Veterans Peer Support Group meeting currently takes place at 4 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at Advanced Rehabilitation and Healthcare, 700 U.S. Highway 287 South.
Bowie will begin dressing up downtown during the annual Hanging of the Greens starting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 16.
On Saturday morning volunteers will gather to hang lighted garland and wreaths on the nearly 100 lamp posts throughout downtown Bowie. These sparkling decorations will light up the area for the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Festival the weekend of Dec. 7, as well as throughout the holiday season.
Any citizen, family, student, civic group or club is invited to take part. Those with questions may call the BCDB office at 872-6246. Volunteers will meet at city hall across from the BCDB office at Pecan and Mason to receive their supplies. Please bring along a step ladder.
It’s going to be a “Candy Cane Christmas” in Bowie this year during the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Festival on Dec. 7.
Event host, the Bowie Community Development Board is planning a full weekend of activities to help launch the holiday season in Bowie.
The lighted parade is one of the weekend’s highlights and those wishing to enter should remember the deadline is Nov. 16.
Dec. 6
Festival weekend begins with Sip & Stroll With Me from 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 6.
Throughout downtown participating merchants invite strollers to enjoy wine or other drinks, and other holiday munchies as they shop stores and meet retailers. There will be live music, a holiday photo booth, carriage rides and of course lots of shopping.
Wristbands may be purchased at any of the participating merchants for $15. Strollers will receive a wine glass with their wristband, but they also are welcome to use a previous glass. Proceeds go toward downtown beautification projects.
Dec. 7
Saturday offers a full array of family-fun activities to enjoy from pancakes to floats.
The City of Bowie Fire Department welcomes families to enjoy free Pancakes with Santa from 7 to 10 a.m. at the fire hall, 203 Walnut. Toy drive donations will be accepted and there will be photos with the Big Guy.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Montague County celebrated its veterans Monday during a program at the courthouse annex in Montague.
The young men of the Trail Life Troop 1309 of Bowie posted the colors offering the American and Texas flags, followed by the American Heritage Girls Troop 1031 also from Bowie who gave the pledge of allegiance. Thad Murphy gave a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.
Jerry “Doc” Cody, Forestburg, was the guest speaker sharing a bit of his experience as a U.S. Army veteran. Cody is an active volunteer with the county veteran services office, which hosted Monday’s program.
After being drafted, he was inducted into the Army on June 13, 1967. After completing basic combat training, Cody went to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio where he trained as a combat medic.
After a 12-day leave he was sent to Vietnam where he served in the Central Highlands assigned to the 2/17th field artillery.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
Top photo – speaker Jerry Cody.
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