HEALING & SUPPORT

Reaching Out and Finding Support

Memorial Day has always been a day of unity — a time for Americans to come together in remembrance of our fallen heroes from wars past and present and to honor and support their loved ones whose lives have been altered forever.

As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, our troops and their families need and deserve our care and support in this time of crisis.  And soldiers returning home with wounds, both seen and unseen, are now fighting a different battle.

On the 2007 National Memorial Day Concert, Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.) delivered a call to the nation.  He said:

“I call upon all Americans to come alongside our [wounded] valiant men and women to offer them the healing balm of friendship. We must walk with them on the path to wholeness of body, mind and spirit. Let us devote ourselves to being there for them each step of the way. Anointing them with friendship blesses and supports each of them in ways that make for a better America.”

The families of the fallen and severely injured must also endure grief in these current conflicts; yet they are often isolated and unrecognized. Somehow they manage to sustain themselves through coping mechanisms and sheer fortitude.

If you are a grieving family member of one of our fallen heroes or are coping with a loved one’s serious injury, please consider sharing with others what helps you through the day. Perhaps a certain book has brought you peace in dark moments. Or being with others who are also grieving has helped to lighten the burden. There may even have been times when humor has helped to break the tension of an otherwise unbearable situation.

Don't underestimate the power of your wisdom to help another going through a similar experience.  Please submit your thoughts in the form below and a selection will be posted on our website.

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) rallies Americans in support of our returning wounded on the 2007 National Memorial Day Concert.

REFLECTIONS

"I am a very proud mom of an active duty soldier in the Army. I just wanted to thank you for a beautiful, heart-wrenching [2007] concert. My son has already received deployment orders to Iraq and as I watched the concert I cried with both sadness and pride. Thank you for supporting the soldiers."

Doreen Matthews
NY