So readers, as I told you, (who number zero, but that will change soon) I was going to try to keep current here. Not being true to my word, I have not done so. But I figure, since no one other than me reads me, who cares?
Today I am going to actually write about something that was the basis of my starting this blog. Sort of.
I went to a training today for the Connecticut Military Assistance Program, which I am proud to say, enlists private mental health providers in the state of Connecticut to work with our vets. (http://www.dod.mil/mapsite/) I am proud because Connecticut is the only state in the country to provide private mental health services to Vets. It is a pilot program that will try to eliminate the red tape and bureaucracy that exists in the Dept of Veterans Affairs. The country will be watching us. We are going to get the help to our vets that they need. As I listened to the many Iraqui and Afghanistan vets that were there to educate us, i began, for the first time, to actually understand, and feel their pain. It made me think of how every week, the Rabbi says, "please turn to the back of your siddurim as we recite the prayer for those serving our country in Iraq." And every week, i think, ho - hum,
booooorrrrrrinnggggggg. But today, as i heard from soldiers who killed, and watched their brothers and sisters get killed in war, I had a whole new understanding. These men and women, many of whom are 18 when they are sent over to Iraq, or Afghanistan, have suffered a tremendous ordeal. It is not just "something over there" that we read about in the papers. It is real. People die. People are forced to kill. And then, they come home to...... nothing, in some cases. One story that a vet, who is a news reporter told us today is that he was walking down the street and heard a big truck hit the breaks with a squeal. Without even realizing what he was doing, he jumped into the nearest bush for cover. And that is what our soldiers face when they come home. Let alone while they are still there.
This week, when they recite the prayer for the soldiers, it will have taken on a whole new meaning for me.
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2 comments:
It's interesting...when the rabbi says turn to the back page for the Mishebeyrach...i first come out of my trance-like shul boredom. That has always been one of the most meaningful parts of the service--personal, relevant. If you have every had to insert the name of someone you love it never loses meaning for you, even if you are blessed with good health for yourself and loved ones in the present.
I wish I, and I expect many others shared your thoughtfulness and passion. I think many just go through the motions, and don't actually care or think about it. That is, of course, assuming they are not talking to their friends at the time.
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