Saturday, March 7, 2015

Orlando Nam Knights Bike Week Pary

Orlando Nam Knights Annual Bike Week Party
In the kitchen
and on the grill not happy to see the camera when they were busy
Fritz, President of Nam Knights Parent Chapter 
Memorial Stone for Eternal Chapter
Yes, the dog at some food but don't tell the cook.  It was really good.
And yes, the Nam Knight family is expanding.
Parents to be!
Video up tomorrow. I am tired!

Here it is!

Florida Veterans Events Kicks Off With Bike Week

REMINDER TODAY
ORLANDO HARLEY PROJECT VETRELIEF
Benefit for American Legion Project Vet Relief



From Cathy Haynes

March notice of veteran, military or patriotic events in Central Florida
Send me your events – people cannot attend an event if they don’t know about it!
Please share this information and events with your friends and interested others and attend.   

Big, Special and FREE Event!  US Navy Band and Sea Chanters Chorus – Sat. Mar 7 – 4pm at Dr. Phillips Center – Seneff Arts Plaza.   Part of the Florida Blue Free Concerts Series visit:   drphillipscenter.org   This concert is outdoors on the grassy area of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (DPAC), 445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, 32801. Concert lasts about 1 hour; you might consider bringing lawn chair or ground blanket.  407-839-0119.   (Thank you for the notice, Carla Hoskins and Bob Karas!)

Orlando Marathon – Sat. Mar 7 -   Sponsored by Help The Vets, Inc. and the City of Orlando.   Harbor Park, 4990 E. New Broad Street, Orlando, 32814 - south side of Lake Baldwin.   Get the word out about your organization with a free table (cannot sell anything) and meet Veterans and runners in the Orlando area – 7am – 11am.   500+ runners and their families expected.   VFW band will play for 2 hours starting at 7:30 am with the flag ceremony.   Contact Neil at 407-376-7000    omarathon.com  

Bands, Brew and BBQ – Mar 7 to Mar 29 (Every Sunday, Saturday) - USO Central Florida has partnered with Sea World Orlando for military and veteran appreciation. Event proceeds will support our local USO Central Florida.   Special discounts and offers for all actives, reservists, retirees and veterans from the military.   Live concerts from top classic rock and country bands and artists, the tastiest BBQ from the area's best local smokehouses.   7007 SeaWorld Dr., Orlando, 32821.

Sun. March 8 – Did you move your clock ahead one hour? 

St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Sun. Mar 8 – 2pm start time in downtown Winter Park, Park Ave.   Irish dancers, first responders’ bagpipes and the local Korean War Veterans Chapter 173 will also have a float!   (KWVA - Thank you for the parade info!)   407-222-0648.

IDignity Seminole – Wed. Mar 11 – 9am to 1pm (first come, first served) Assistance directed towards helping homeless and indigent persons in Seminole County in obtaining replacements of lost or stolen Florida ID cards & licenses, birth certificates, Social Security cards, VA records and other documents with assistance of legal counsel.  St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 2140 West State Road 434, Longwood, 32779.   Transportation troubles?   Free pickup (for this event only) from 7 – 9am and drop off from 2 - 4:45pm at the following locations only:
•              Sanford Civic Center - 401 E Seminole Blvd, Sanford (in the parking lot near 1st and Sanford)
•              The Salvation Army - 700 W. 24th St., Sanford
•              The Sharing Center - 600 N. US Highway 17-92 #154, Longwood  
Some documents require additional proofs – call to check which ones NOW so that you will have them available to help these folks to help you!   407-869-0491 ext. 0   Website:    idignity.org/Seminole   email:  idignityseminole@ idignity.org   (Thank you for the notice, Dennis McClellan!)

Tico Warbird Airshow – Fri, Sat and Sun March 13, 14, 15 – Vintage and modern warplanes in action at the Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville on the east coast of Florida.   Including USAF Thunderbirds, Texas Raiders B-17G, B-25 Mitchell Bomber, DAV Flight Team.   Also special guests WWII Veteran and Doolittle Raider - Lt. Col. Dick Cole as well as Vietnam Veteran and DAV National Commander Ron Hope.   Airshow starts at 1pm; gates open at 8:30am.   This year has a special salute to all Vietnam veterans!   Warbird Museum at 6600 Tico Rd, Titusville, 32780.   Info: 321-268-1941   Tickets available online at vacwarbirds.net  

USO Volunteers - Interested in becoming an official USO volunteer when the airport site opens?   You will need to attend one of the volunteer orientations.    Sessions will be held each month.   This month you may attend one of the following dates.   RSVP to kkimberly@usocentralflorida.org

Fri, Mar 13, 4 - 5:30 PM at La Rosa Corporate Offices, 1420 Celebration Blvd, Celebration FL, 34747.
Or on Mon, Mar 16, 5 - 6:30 PM, Celebration Town Hall, 851 Celebration Ave, Celebration FL, 34747.

Regional Effort to End Veteran Homelessness mtg – Wed. Mar 18 – 8am – 10am at The Citrus Club, 255 S. Orange Ave, 18th Floor, Orlando, 32801.   Presented by the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness; Hosted by the Orlando VA Medical Center, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.   Local and national experts present a briefing on the progress on this critical issue and continue the dialogue on taking the big next steps forward in ending veteran homelessness in Central Florida.   RSVP to diana@ImpactHomelessness. org or by calling 321-710-HOME (4663) x1   (Thank you for the notice, Andrae Bailey!)

Fundraising Garage Sale by Villagers for Veterans – Fri. and Sat. Mar 20, 21 – 2344 Bramble Terrace, The Village of Bonita, 32162.   Quality items cleaned out of attics, closets and garages – needing new homes!  Proceeds benefit efforts to assist wounded veterans.   Contact: Alice Byrum 352-561-4387 or Marie Bogdonoff   516-220-5068

Fundraising Dance for Golfing with Heroes– Fri. Mar 20 – Fundraiser to sponsor golf outings for wounded veterans.   Entertainment by Roy Michaels.   Sponsored by Villagers for Veterans and American Legion Post 347.  $12.50 pp from 6pm-9pm at the Post, 699 W. Lady Lake Blvd, Lady Lake, 32159.   Contact Marie for info and tickets at 516-220-5068.    villagersforveterans.org  

Sat. Mar 21 - Deadline for reservations for American Legion’s Children’s Easter Party – see event on Sat. March 28

Melbourne Air and Space Show Flies Over Florida - Mar 21-22  Melbourne International Airport (MLB) featuring the USN Blue Angels.   Check online for further info.

Greeters needed!  Honor Flight Welcome Home –Sat. Mar 21 – Orlando Int’l Airport –After a day spent in Washington DC, 25 veterans of WWII and Korean War veterans return home thru Orlando Int’l Airport.   The nation-wide organization has three local hubs that take veterans on a single day trip to our nation’s capital where they visit the WWII, Korea, and Vietnam War Memorials, Marine Corps Iwo Jima and the Air Force Monuments, and witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.   This group will return at about 9:30 pm and enter the terminal area at about 10:30pm  Come welcome these former warriors home!   “Welcome Home” receptions at the airports makes a difference!   Bring your flags, banners and signs! – Southwest Airlines #2222 from Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Terminal A, Airside 2 (hotel area in front of Starbucks.) Before leaving home, check online to see if the flight is on time because there may be delays due to weather, mechanical or medical issues.   Free parking has been arranged at an off airport property – FastPark and Relax – who has been very generous to Honor Flights with free parking and shuttles to the airport - Contact Cathy Haynes for those details NLT 7pm     chaynes11629@yahoo.com    407-239-8468.
For the Early Birds - you can wave these veterans off in the morning no later than 5am – same location.   They process thru Security early and quickly.

Charity Golf Tournament PVA of Central Florida – Mon. March 23 – Fund raiser for both Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Central Florida and The Disability Wellness Center in Sanford.   PVA assistance includes spinal injury and neurological diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and ALS also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.   There are 27 known veterans with ALS in Central FL.   Tournament will be held at the Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes in Longwood, 32779.   Flyer available.   Sponsorships welcomed.   To register or for more information contact: John DeMauro, 407-328-7041   cfpvaed@cfl.rr.com
               
Greeters needed!  Honor Flight Welcome Home –WED. Mar 25 – Orlando Int’l Airport –After a day spent in Washington DC, 35 veterans of WWII and Korean War veterans return home thru Orlando Int’l Airport.   The nation-wide organization has three local hubs that take veterans on a single day trip to our nation’s capital where they visit the WWII, Korea, and Vietnam War Memorials, Marine Corps Iwo Jima and the Air Force Monuments, and witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.   This group will return at about 9:30 pm and enter the terminal area at about 10:30pm.   Come welcome these former warriors home!   “Welcome Home” receptions at the airports makes a difference!   Bring your flags, banners and signs! – Southwest Airlines #1341 from Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Terminal A, Airside 2 (hotel area in front of Starbucks.) Before leaving home, check online to see if the flight is on time because there may be delays due to weather, mechanical or medical issues.   Free parking has been arranged at an off airport property – FastPark and Relax – who has been very generous to Honor Flights with free parking and shuttles to the airport - Contact Cathy Haynes for those details NLT 7pm     chaynes11629@yahoo.com    407-239-8468.
For the Early Birds - you can wave these veterans off in the morning no later than 5am – same location.   They process thru Security early and quickly.

Military Retiree Appreciation Day – Sat. Mar 28 – 9am – 4pm.   Sponsored by Army/Fort Stewart but all military services are welcomed to this great event which will provide retired Soldiers and their families the latest information on the current state of the military, benefits and entitlements, and the future outlook for defense programs supporting retirees and pay. TRICARE/Delta Dental, Public Health, American Legion/VFW; briefings from:   Defense Accounting and Finance Service (DFAS) VA State Veterans Office, AAFES/Commissary, ID cards, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) /ROA.    University of Central Florida (UCF) campus at The Venue Auditorium , CFE Arena. 12777 Gemini Boulevard, Orlando, 32816-8041.   Info:   912-767-5013 or 912-767-3326 or email the Ft Stewart RSO at usarmy.stewart.usag or MacDill AFB Army Retirement Services Office at 813-828-0163 or email army.rso@amc.af.mil 

Tribute to World War II, Korea and Vietnam Veterans – Sat. Mar 28 - 11:30am - 3:30pm.   Hosted by AMVETS Post 2006 -Leesburg, held offsite at   Rural King, 1715 Citrus Blvd (Hwy 441),   Leesburg.   Special guests, speakers, recognition presented by our State, County Representatives, live music, food, beverages, activities vendors, prizes, raffles , Club challenge award, Event t-shirts, and lots more.     Invitations have been extended to the Governor, several Senators and Congressman, local representations, Mayor of Leesburg, Former Senator Carey Baker, Navy Band, ROTC, Boys and Girl Scouts, 4-H Club, and several more.    amvets2006.com  352-323-8750    Peggy c 407 484 2159   Sponsors and vendors welcomed!

Easter Children’s Party – Sat. Mar 28 - Easter Egg hunts, lunch and prizes for the children starting at 12 pm.  Sponsored by The American Legion Family at Post 286 Pine Castle. Make your child's reservations to attend this military and family friendly fun filled afternoon.   Space is limited and each child must be accompanied by an adult and register by calling 407-859-1460 by March 21st. Post address:   529 E. Fairlane Ave. Orlando, 32809 (south Orlando area, north of Sand Lake Road.)   alaunit286pinecastlefl@ gmail.com - An active and friendly post for men and women!

Wounded Officer Initiative (WOI) Fundraiser – Sat. Mar 28 - 6-11 pm Wounded law enforcement officers (LEO) will be assisted with this evening of dinner, dancing, and a Vegas-style magic show by Jeff Caprann, at Windermere Hall, 520 Main Street, Windermere, 34786. (southwest Orlando area.)  $50/pp or $90/couple.   Info: woundedofficersinitiative. org   Tickets/info:   Peter at 407-758-8526; Rick at 407-766-0125; or Scott at 407-408-3623.   (Thank you for the notice, Jimmy Brown!)

6th Annual CFNL Wounded Warrior Lone Sailor 5K & 10K – Sat. April 4 - 7:30am   Blue Jacket Park, 2501 General Rees Ave, Orlando, 32814.   Join us for a run around the former grounds of Naval Training Center Orlando to honor the city's rich military heritage and support our wounded service men and women.   Visit cfnl5k.org for details and to register online.   Sponsorships welcomed.

ON THE HORIZON – mark your calendar

Florida Women Veterans Conference – Apr 17-19 - a first ever weekend conference open to all women veterans of all eras.   Sandcastle Resort in Sarasota (1540 Benjamin Franklin Dr., Sarasota, 34236)   The website provides full information including the agenda, registration and hotel:   flwvc.org  

Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion – Apr 23 – 26, Wickham Park in Melbourne.   The nation’s largest veteran reunion is very well attended; military displays, reenactments and ceremonies, old and new friends.   Additionally, the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Memorial Wall will be onsite from Apr.19 – 26.   The escorted arrival is always exciting with hundreds of motorcycles and First Responder vehicles.

USMCCCA Foundation Golf Tournament – Fri. May 1   U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, Foundation tournament.   The proceeds go to the Semper Fi fund to help wounded Marines and their loved ones.   James “Red” Carpenter at   jcar1@tampabay.rr.com   Sponsorships welcomed.
Golf Outing - A Villagers for Veterans Event – Tues. May 19 - Bonifay Country Club, The Villages Fl. Come and meet SSGT. Brian Mast, a true hero. Brian lost both his legs and a finger while clearing for bombs in Afghanistan during one of his tours. Brian recently returned from Israel, where he volunteered for the IDF.

3rd Annual Bob Bret Memorial Golf Tournament - Mon. July 20. Central Florida Navy League, a large active group composed of civilians and veterans supporting all sea services.   (USN, USMC, USCG, and Merchant Marines.) This golf outing honors a long-time CFNL member, Robert "Bob" Bret - Proceeds go to support NJROTC scholarships and the Welfare & Recreation fund for USCGC Cutter's Vigilant and
Shrike, (based in Port Canaveral) crew & families.   Tournament at The Golden Bear Club, Keene’s Point in Windermere.   Corporate sponsors welcomed.   Contact Brian Holmes at 407.252.3008   bholmes@aegistg.com

MISC INFO:

Employment Workshops   - sponsored locally by the VA.    Dates and Times vary based upon location at the VA facilities:   Orlando – Fridays, 10am – 11:30 am; Viera – Tuesdays, 1pm – 2:30 pm; Daytona – Thursdays, 10am – 11:30.   Please call to RSVP limited seating or for more information - Ellamay "Annie" Artis, CESP, Veteran Community Employment Coordinator, Orlando, 32803.   407-629-1599 x1846.

Spread the word - Seeking members of the World War II 384th Bomb Group to sign a Commemorative wall panel.   ASAP.   During WWII, the 384th Bombardment Group was part of the Eighth Air Force and was assigned to the Grafton Underwood Airfield in England.   Today, the 384th Bomb Group Commemorative Wing Panel Project provides those veterans a chance to sign their names on a genuine wing skin panel from a WWII B-17G.  The panel travels all over the United States for interested 384th veterans to sign.   A volunteer for the group, Keith Ellefson, will be touring Florida later this month with the wing panel.   Email him at B-17WingPanel@384thBombGroup.com, or call Keith Ellefson at (334) 733-4353.
A roster of members of the 384th Bomb Group and a record of their service in the 384th can be found at 384thbombgroup.com  

Mentors needed - Orange County Veterans Court IS succeeding!   Longer term success is possible with community mentors.   Be a “battle buddy” or “foxhole buddy” by assisting someone with life challenges.   No proselytizing – just non-judgmental caring.   Most of the offenders are DUI or possession.   If you have experienced substance abuse – although not required - and came thru it, you may be very helpful to someone else.  If you are interested in participating as a mentor, know someone who is interested, or are a part of an organization where Mentors can be recruited, contact Beatrice Brown, the Coordinator.   She or Judge Brewer have graciously offered to visit various groups and organizations to keep the mentor program in use.   It does make a difference and you can too…..   Contact Beatrice Brown at 407-496-1307   wellsbrownlawgroup@gmail.com  

INFO to keep and share:
Veterans in crisis – For you or someone you know - Confidential Hotline :  1-800-273-8255, #1.  
Or:   Website at   veteranscrisisline    provides 24/7 confidential chat online assistance;
Or:   text 838255   for   24/7 confidential assistance.   They are there because they care….

Camaraderie Foundation in Central Florida provides resources for private and confidential Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) counseling for warriors and their families.    It works.   It has saved lives, marriages and families.  Contact 407-841-0071

Operation Homefront assists military families during difficult financial times by providing food assistance, auto and home repair, vision care, travel and transportation, moving assistance, essential home items, and financial assistance.     operationhomefront.org

Vet Centers are available for combat zone veterans to help with personal and family readjustment counseling and outreach services.    The nearest centers are located in Orlando, Melbourne, Clermont, and Daytona Beach.    And coming soon to Seminole County..       vetcenter.va.gov/    
Caring and sharing,
Cathy Haynes
Member/supporter of numerous veteran and military organizations in Central FL
407-239-8468

We Send Them to War Then Refuse to Care?

When Do We Step Up for Vietnam Veterans?
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
March 7, 2015

Ok, I am officially pissed off and only on my second cup of coffee.

Why are Vietnam veterans still fighting for what their service to us did to them? Any clue? Why should any veteran have to fight for what they need in return from us when they come back from where we sent them?
You may be sitting there thinking "I didn't send them" but you did. You did when the people elected to office won their seats and got to decide what happens. Just because the person you voted for lost or you didn't even bother to show up, you are still responsible as an American citizen.

They are still fighting for treatment and compensation for what Agent Orange did to them.
Vietnam vet fights VA for cancer/heart treatment In 1968, Patrick Sam was 19 years old, and he signed up with the 101st Airborne Infantry serving in the A Shau valley of Vietnam. A picture of the war moved him to volunteer.
FOX5 Vegas - KVVU
Why? Why aren't we talking about all these years politicians made so many speeches about taking care of them?

Why haven't reporters asked them to account for this disgraceful disrespect of their service?

Politicians made them go! All of them did not willingly step up saying "send me" to fight in Vietnam. Do you remember that until the end of the Vietnam war they were still forcing men 18 and over into military service with the draft?

Most did step up expecting that if they made it home wounded, they believed they would receive the benefits they were promised. They expected this country would have cared they were willing to put their lives on the line.

What they didn't expect or deserve, was being treated like trash by the public and regarded as welfare recipients from the politicians refusing to take care of their needs caused by service.

Well, what we're seeing today is directly tied to what we didn't do back when they came home.

On the flip side, what we're seeing on Combat PTSD is all directly tied to them. They fought for all of it. 

Every other generation came home with the same trauma, the same wounds, the same suffering as they did but they put their time in fighting for all generations including the ones who came after them.

A friend of mine was telling me about a Gulf War veteran who received no help for combat wounds in his body and in his mind.

He managed to trust her enough to talk to her about what was going on all these years. She knew the basics of PTSD and was able to just listen to what he had to say, what he was willing to share.

They got to the point where he trusted her so when he was at the point where he wanted to get help from the VA, she took him.

The VA employee was ready to send him home instead of putting him in to see someone while he was in crisis. She hit the roof! She told the employee that they were not about to leave and he had to be seen right then and there. They were willing to wait for as long as it would take for someone to fit him in.

The employee thought about it, must have realized how serious his condition was, and he got him in to see a psychologist and then a doctor.

All this reminded me of when we faced the same thing back in the early 90's. I could feel my blood pressure go up as my friend told me what happened.

All these years later, the same thing is going on but no one really seems to be willing to step up and fight for them.

I know the price paid after their service but I have no clue what it is like to serve. However, I do value them enough to know they are worth fighting for.

Why don't you?

Are you willing to settle for politicians creating different classes of veterans as if older veterans don't matter as much as the newer ones?

If that is the case then where will you be when we have other wars and we didn't take care of the ones we already had?

Wounded Marine Shares "Brotherhood, loyalty and commitment"

Marine finds solitude in taking care of brothers in arms
DVIDS Marine Corps
Wounded Warrior Regiment Story
by Cpl. Jared Lingafelt
March 6, 2015
“When I sit down and talk to a Marine and know that I have helped them out, even if it is just talking to them and letting them vent, they walk away feeling better and it’s a great feeling to know I was a part of that,” said Anderson, a Birmingham, Alabama, native.
Cpl. Jared Lingafelt
Sgt. Jeremy Anderson, an athlete from Wounded Warrior Battalion – East and Birmingham, Alabama, native, draws his bow back and takes aim during an archery practice at the 2015 Marine Corps Trials. Competition provides opportunities for Marines like Anderson to train as athletes, while increasing their strength so they can continue their military service or develop healthy habits for life outside the service. The Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment enables wounded, ill, or injured Marines to focus on their abilities and to find new avenues to thrive. The fifth annual Marine Corps Trials is being held at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 3-11. Athletes will compete in archery, cycling, shooting, swimming, track, field, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball. (Photo by Cpl. Jared Lingafelt)
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Brotherhood, loyalty and commitment may just be words to most, but for Sgt. Jeremy Anderson, they are a way of life.

“I have always felt that it is my duty to take care of Marines,” said Anderson, an athlete from Wounded Warrior Battalion – East competing in the 2015 Marine Corps Trials.

“Coming up through the Marine Corps I had leadership, but they weren’t really fully engaged so now that I am in the position I am in, I want to help as much as possible.”

Anderson has served numerous job titles and billets throughout his career including barracks manager, training clerk and staff judge advocate clerk, but it was the injuries he sustained while serving as a field artillery man that eventually landed him at the Wounded Warrior Regiment. 

Deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan took their toll on Anderson’s mind and body, but despite the challenges he faced, his focus remained on helping out his Marines.
read more here

Iditarod Adventure Helps Topeka Veteran Heal PTSD

Topeka veteran competes in Iditarod, uses adventure to deal with PTSD
KCTV News
By Laura McCallister,
Multimedia Producer
By Carolyn Long, Anchor
Mar 06, 2015

TOPEKA, KS (KCTV)
The Iditarod begins Saturday and this year a Topeka man will compete in the "last great race on Earth."

Steve Watkins, 38 enjoys adventure and a good adrenaline rush.

"There's nothing like a strong, compelling physical challenge," he said.

It's what led him to the Armed Forces in 1999.

“I never thought I'd serve in a war, much less two wars,” he said.

But a traumatic brain injury sidelined him, that and post-traumatic stress disorder that he describes as recurring guilt.

"I feel guilty because so many of my friend and classmates from West Point died and I feel guilty that they did and that I didn't and I understand that doesn't satisfy logic, but it's how I feel," Watkins said.

When conventional therapies didn't help, Watkins turned to adventure and starting training for the Iditarod.

"It helps on many levels, and even more deep-seeded spiritual level. It's very cleansing and grounding," he said.
"So many veterans feel like the most significant part of their life is over and that leads to depression and suicide, and my message is that just because our great wars are over doesn't mean our lives can't be full of significance and meaning.”
read more here
KCTV5

Shore Bliss Yoga Classes for Military Veterans

The best experts said that treating combat PTSD has to be a triple play. Your mind, your body and your spirit.

In this case, Yoga is among many ways to help teach your body how to react to stress and regain the ability to calm during stressful times. The first Marine I suggested Yoga too didn't react well to the suggestion but he went. He hated the first two classes, then ended up going all the time.
Yoga instructor hopes to help veterans heal from trauma of war
Tampa Bay Online
BY LAUREN RICHEY
Tribune staff
Published: March 7, 2015
Lockom’s military veteran classes are available to anyone, but nonmilitary participants are required to pay the $15 single class fee. The first class is an asana class that deals with physical postures, and the second, titled iRest, focuses more on relaxation and the mental aspect of recovery.
Marsha Lockom, an instructor with the Shore Bliss Yoga studio in Apollo Beach, teaches two intensive yoga classes specifically designed for recovering veterans. Lockom turned to yoga in her battle against the pain of fibromyalgia.
JASON BEHNKEN/STAFF

Out of every 100 veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, 11 to 20 have felt the life-altering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Many cope with depression, short-term memory loss, headaches, numbness, anger, and insomnia. Some have turned to substance abuse and suicide.

Once vibrant and healthy, these men and women now live with nearly constant fear and anxiety. In many cases, they’ve tried everything and have lost hope.

Marsha Lockom, an instructor with the Shore Bliss Yoga studio in Apollo Beach, is offering them a second chance. On the second Sunday of every month, Lockom teaches two intensive yoga classes specifically designed for recovering veterans. Both classes are completely free to all military and former military personnel.

Lockom says her main goal is to help them become more aware of their potential for happiness even after life in combat. She specializes in a type of yoga dealing with techniques such as guided meditation, and poses designed for grounding.

“I use teaching methods that help the veterans be present in the moment and in their bodies: feeling what’s happening when they move a certain limb, an arm or a leg,” Lockom said. “For example you wouldn’t see a lot of balancing poses that would put people on edge. You would see them very connected to the ground.”

Most veterans with PTSD deal with a symptom called hyper-vigilance, a term Lockom describes as a constant awareness of potential danger at any time. She says simply taking care with their positioning in a room is incredibly important; for example, she makes sure their backs aren’t to the door during class by placing herself between them and the exit.
Shore Bliss Yoga classes for military veterans
When: Upcoming classes are Sunday and April 12
♦ Veterans Yoga Class: 12:30 to 1:25 p.m.
♦ Veterans iRest Class: 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.
Where: 118 Flamingo Drive, Apollo Beach
For information: (813) 748-4036 or (813) 758-3930; info@shoreblissyoga.com
http://tbo.com/health/yoga-instructor-hopes-to-help-veterans-heal-from-trauma-of-war-20150307/