WeAreVirginiaVeterans Blog Feed

A night with Bob Woodruff – "Stand Up for Heroes”

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:32:14 GMT

“The vision of the Bob Woodruff Foundation is to provide resources and to support injured service members, veterans and their families -- building a movement to empower communities nationwide to take action to successfully reintegrate our nation’s injured heroes—especially those who have sustained the Hidden Injuries of War—back into their communities so they may thrive physically, psychologically, socially and economically”.

Honoring local fallen Comrades with the VWWP Support Group

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:59:47 GMT

The VWWP support group held its weekly meeting for the Fredericksburg area on May 24, 2011 at the War Memorial. The group placed a wreath prior to Memorial Day to honor local heroes on the wall.

Independence (From Fear) Day

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 06:47:08 GMT

Shaw gives his thoughts on what Independence Day means to him and many servicemembers.

Spending Too Much?

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:39:54 GMT

Overspending can be a common post-deployment and/or post-service problem. Citing his own experiences with the issue, Shaw helps explain why it happens and - more importantly - what to do about it.

Combat veterans in college

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 23:33:21 GMT

In a recent GI Jobs magazine survey, of the 250,000-400,000 veterans who are separating from the military annually, at least 25% of them will be in college within two years. Many of those veterans have served in at least one combat tour. As more combat veterans return from war, many of them will be taking advantage of their GI Bill benefits. As the transition from combat to civilian life kicks in, so do the effects of the war wounds such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Attending college and managing PTSD can be quite challenging. Here are three stories of Virginia combat veterans dealing with the stress of college and how they manage their PTSD.

We, The Memorial

Mon, 30 May 2011 09:31:10 GMT

Between consumerist culture, sales gimmicks and obligatory cookouts, the original intent of Memorial Day is getting lost in the shuffle. While telling the story of a fallen friend, Shaw shares what Memorial Day means to him.

Anniversary Dates

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 09:13:49 GMT

While information about PTSD and TBIs dominate the media, the existence - and effects of - anniversary dates often go undicussed. Shaw shares his own experiences with anniversaries, their sources and symptoms, how he navigates through them, and some suggestions for others to do the same.

A SOLDIERS STORY: Life with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:22:32 GMT

In 1983, Master Sergeant (retired) Joe Santiago left his home in New York City, NY to join the US Army. Joe was excited when he left NYC to see the world and live the life of a soldier. In 2008, Joe would be medically retired from the Army due to his Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) he suffered while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

VWWP Peer Support Groups. One of the many services offered to Virginia Combat Veterans.

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:33:34 GMT

The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP) offers peer support groups in some of the Regions that we serve. The main purpose of the support group is to share post deployment combat experiences, camaraderie, networking, and an opportunity for the Veteran Peer Specialist to connect follow on services.

What Vets Want

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:30:52 GMT

Serving as a part time Veteran Peer Specialist is one of the most rewarding endeavors I have ever participated in. Our veterans are truly amazing people with extraordinary character traits. It is a true loss to society when the combat veteran is not transition and welcomed back home after the battle is done. We cannot teach the skills and character they have learned the hard way in the classroom or in many civilian jobs.

Over the past year I have encounter many veterans, but all veterans want three things:

· A job

· Healthcare and a safe place to live

· The compensation and benefits of service that society promised them

My fellow Peer Specialist and I via the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program have help many veterans find the path then the road to transition back home. You just have to take the time and listen to the Vet and provide the road map with the support tools to jump start them along. It takes about a year to 18 months to make the transition on average. However, the Vet has to take the first step and reach out.

Welcome Home

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:48:32 GMT

Different views from a couple of veterans that came home injured did not receive the traditional HEROES march and cheers…Review of three injured combat veterans returning from Iraq and Vietnam and what their welcome home was like.

There is hope...

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:24:50 GMT

Survivor of suicide, suicide prevention, trauma, depression and PTSD, a resource and supporter of the hurting.

The First Week Home

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:53:27 GMT

Some typical and "abnormally" normal behaviors nearly all veterans encounter when they return from a combat zone. What they are, how common they are, and what happens with them over time.