October 2021 Veterans Chronicle

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Page 7

Friday, October 15, 2021

VETERANS CHRONICLE

RECONCILING SERVICE IN AFGHANISTAN

Military vehicles inspect a destroyed vehicle.

TALK

Continued FROM PAGE 6 Afghanistan safe.” Finally, consider more general coping strategies that you may want to try including: ENGAGE IN POSITIVE ACTIVITIES. Try to engage in positive, healthy, or meaningful activities, even if they are small, simple actions. Doing things that are rewarding, meaningful, or enjoyable, even if you don’t feel like it, can make you feel better. STAY CONNECTED. Spend time with people who give you a sense of security, calm, or happiness, or those who best understand what you are going through. PRACTICE GOOD SELF CARE. Look for positive coping strategies that help you manage your emotions. Listening to music, exercising, practicing breathing routines, spending time in nature or with animals, journaling, or reading inspirational text are some simple ways to help manage overwhelming or distressing emotions. STICK TO YOUR ROUTINES. It can be helpful to stick to a schedule for when you sleep, eat, work, and do other day-to-day activities. LIMIT MEDIA EXPOSURE. Limit how much news you take in if media coverage is increasing your distress. USE A MOBILE APP. Consider one of VA’s self-help apps (see https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/) such as PTSD Coach which has tools that can help you deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time. PTSD COACH ONLINE. A series of online video coaches will guide you through 17 tools to help you manage stress. PTSD Coach Online is used on a computer, rather than a mobile device, and therefore can offer tools that involve writing. If you develop your own ways of adapting to ongoing events and situations, you may gain a stronger sense of being able to deal with challenges, a greater sense of meaning or purpose, and an ability to mentor and support others in similar. To find local help see the “How can I Get Help?” section on Page 5.

(This is the first in a four-part series about Afghanistan veterans and how they can get help through VA and reconcile their service there. The entire article can be found in the Aug. 3, 2021, edition of “Vantage Point” written by Adam Stump.) Major news outlets for the past few months have focused on the draw-down of our nation’s longest war: Afghanistan. At its peak, there were more than 100,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan in 2010; the number of troops have steadily shrunk over the past decade. While news coverage debates the decision to cease combat operations, the highest-ranking enlisted service member in the military said veterans from the war should remember the positive to help reconcile their service. “Our purpose for being there was to prevent further attacks on the homeland,” said  Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón “CZ” Colón-López. “We wanted to make sure that we denied Al Qaeda, specifically, of sanctuary, training ground and places where they could plan terrorism attacks. If you look at the past 20 years, that is exactly what we did. There hasn’t been a single attack on the homeland. They will think twice about doing it

because of our actions over the past 20 years. For our veterans, be proud of what you did, because you have kept the country safe over the last 20 years.” According to Colón-López, one of those positive memories Afghanistan veterans should be proud of is the fact that U.S. troops arrived home safe. The last U.S. combat death was Feb. 8, 2020, more than 17 months ago. “We had been there for 20 years, and I know because I was one of the first people to go out there on the first rotations. What we have done from then to now is phenomenal,” he said, pointing toward the progress made in Afghanistan, including helping stand up a government and building a military force. Both of which denied safe haven to alQa’idah. “For any veteran out there listening, be proud of what you have done,” he added. “Our government has made the decision and we have followed lawful orders.” Do you know veterans of Afghanistan, especially those who might need help? Point them to the “How can I Get Help?” section on Page 5. Other resources include the VA PTSD guide at www.va.gov/directory/guide/PTSD.asp or the Spokane Veterans Center, dedicated to

‘providing help and hope to combat veterans from all wars.” The center is at 13109 E Mirabeau Parkway in Spokane Valley, (509) 444-8387. Vantage Point, at www.blogs. va.gov is the official blog of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It contains many important stories and articles to advance veterans knowledge and understanding and find “Help and Hope” by the sharing of these stories and articles to advance veterans knowledge and understanding and find “Help and Hope” by the sharing of these stories and articles. Please forward this article to an Afghanistan veteran or their families. The complete article can be read at https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/92631 Future installments will include: Part 2: Afghanistan: How Veterans can learn from Vietnam Veterans  Part 3: Afghanistan: How spouses, caregivers can support Veterans with PTSD  Part 4:  Afghanistan: Resources available for PTSD  They will also discuss: • Deployment and PTSD • Seeking help • Dealing with the end of combat • Avoidance • ‘Be proud of what you have done’