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.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Montague County is inviting livestock producers, landowners and wildlife managers to participate in an upcoming online educational meeting focused on the New World screwworm, a parasitic pest that can have serious impacts on livestock and wildlife health.
The virtual meeting will be at 9 a.m. on June 23, via Microsoft Teams. Organizers say the session is designed to provide timely information about the biology of the pest, prevention strategies and best management practices for producers in the region.
The New World screwworm is known for its destructive larvae, which infests open wounds of warm-blooded animals. Left untreated, infestations can cause severe tissue damage and even death. Although the pest had been eradicated from the United States in the past and has now entered into Texas. Continued awareness and preparedness remain important for early detection and rapid response efforts.
“This program is intended to help producers and land managers better understand the threat and what steps to take if cases are suspected,” said Justin Hansard, from the Extension Service.
The meeting will cover several key topics, including, how the New World screwworm spreads; general livestock management practices; wildlife monitoring and surveillance considerations, participants will also have the opportunity to learn practical strategies for maintaining herd health.
How to Join the Meeting
The session will be conducted entirely online using Microsoft Teams, and participants can join in one of two ways by joining the directed link (recommended) or by copying and pasting the following link into a web browser and follow the prompts:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/275071149431328?p=mOH2bhAqSVgo3AgtMK
Join using Meeting ID and Passcode:
- Meeting ID: 275 071 149 431 328
- Passcode: u84hq3qX
Participants may join from a computer, tablet or smartphone. No Microsoft Teams account is required; users can select the option to join through a web browser. Attendees are encouraged to log in a few minutes early to ensure their device audio and video are working properly.
More information and fact sheets, can be obtained at our Texas A&M Agrilife Extension website: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/new-world-screwworm.
The program is hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, which continues to provide research-based education and outreach to agricultural communities across Texas.
The Amon Carter Lake Water Supply Corporation will meet at 6 p.m. on June 23 at the office located at 607A Lindsey in Bowie.
Public comments and consent agenda open the meeting.
Discussions will include: Review of member notification of rate increase postcards and PUC letter regarding the increase; president’s report on employee unsigned contracts of employment; review of all expenses and update of scanners for meter reading, office systems and software.
An executive session is slated for a discussion of employees, followed by a return to open session for any action.
The Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on June 22.
The agenda includes: Montague County Historical Commission to receive a distinguished service award; discuss returning unused funds to the state from the county attorney, district attorney and sheriff’s office; open sealed bids for base rock and budget workshop.
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