Return To Honor Workshop

	*FREE* *PASS VETERANS* *AFTER DEPLOYMENT TRANSITION PROGRAM* *Hands-on Retreat Designed by Vets for Vets* *No Rank, No Uniform, Free Meals & Lodging* *Workshop Information:* Starts at 5:00pm on the first day (Participants are welcome to arrive on campus at 12pm onward.) Workshop Location: Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, PA (If you are traveling from out of the state, please call Martin Richardson at (610) 717-7797 to make arrangements.) For more information: Please contact Martin Richardson at (610) 717-7797 (day or evening) or sign up on our registration page. AFTER DEPLOYMENT TRANSITION TRAINING When you RETURN from deployment, take time TO HONOR Yourself, Your Experience, Your Family and Your Future. Return to Honor is 2 ½ day retreat for returning veterans to assist in the transition home. Safe, Confidential, No Rank, No Uniforms, Private Rooms and Meals included. Held at the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, home to the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor Grove. An opportunity to share transition issues with other Veterans Learn new skills to reconnect to family and friends Rest & Recharge; Take charge of your health (mind, body and spirit) Develop your personal vision and mission Integrate who you were before, who you were in-theatre and who you are now Return to Honor is like nothing you’ll have ever done. It’s a fun, hands-on workshop that provides you new skills and tools to take on your transition powerfully. Great for active duty, guard or reserve.

Comments from AUGUST 2007 program. I would recommend it to my fellow veterans. The facilitators help get to what vets are typically very good at suppressing. Andy LaBree Army It was well organized and useful. The ceremonies and traditions used gave a feeling of reintegration. Peter L. Cullen 1966-69, Spec.4, US Army, Infantry, Vietnam I was impressed by the compassion and commitment of the staff. I also value the fact they came with significant training & experience. I thought it was very valuable that they were very conscious of safety for the participants. The communication of dignity, honor & respect was very apparent, and I think a strong point. Jeff Terry Chaplain Navy It was very good, powerful, heartfelt, and provided inspiration for the future in ways that were not originally my goals. Very good job of identifying underlying issues. A true thank you. The journey for me has been long to get the North Dakotans here. Thanks for all the logistical assistance. My tour is not a secret, but it has tried to be hidden. You were good with me in the handling of my individuality. Sincerely, my gratitude is immense. Davina French Army When searching for something it is good to have a connection to those who have had some of the same experiences to be able to be expected to move on. Continue to get the word out. At this time there are not a lot of options out there and the program helps fill a need. Thank you Corean Swart Army This program does a great job in helping veterans dealing with their feelings and to help find themselves. I had a great time being a first time staffer. It was an honor helping everyone and a joy to help them. Knowing that what I said or did something’s made them think in a more positive way was a real joy to me and I feel honored to have been there. Brenna M. Wheatley Navy Outstanding! You get a great many tools for your toolbox. Catherine Elliott The main exercise helped me to realize my inner self and move on with my life. Excellent program and was different then what I expected. Joe Silberman Finding my voice and direction to assist my family and friends. The information was good some exercises were uncomfortable but necessary in order to assist me of breaking down some walls. Thank you; I didn’t know what I was holding to before I came. Now I have an idea of what I can and could do for myself and my family. Thanks. Richard Haugen Army It freed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to look at the reality of my situation. Andrew Qualy Army WIA OIF Vet 2006 Thank you. This was a healing experience in seeing the “steps forward” which were made. When you have a questioning moment – honor yourselves in the challenging work which you do and please continue for those still so deserving in need. Your expert knowledge and use of rituals is awesome. Bernadette Ternes Army I had the privilege of being a co-facilitator for the Return to Honor training. The training was of the highest quality and depth. I witnessed the returning men and women get what they came for. It was a joy to participate and I look forward to the next time. Thank you for creating such a gift for our returning soldiers. Garth Alley, psychologist and expert in bioenergetics & emotional intelligence Comments from JUNE 2007 program. I have been around the block in recovery and psychological programs and I was stunned at the effectiveness of the group work here. I have personally performed memorials for 69 different marines and sailors. I can now leave what happened behind after having an amazing break through due to this program. I believe Return to Honor can help vets release their trauma and prepare them to have a healthy reintegration back into their respective communities. Chaplain Brian Shearer Navy It helped me trust myself and get past the grief. I especially liked the second day. Return to Honor is a great way to get in touch with your feelings and find yourself. Great job everyone. Brenna M. Wheatley Navy In a caring open way this program gives men and women the opportunity to choose how they step back into their lives. Turpin Mott Marine 1^st Gulf War It gave me the tools to move forward in my life. I want to express my gratitude to RTH for the gifts that I received and gave this weekend. Walter Stewart USN Air Crewman Vietnam Era Veteran Everything was outstanding. It was everything I hoped for and more. I left my excess baggage here and I’m going home to my children a new man and a better Daddy. Keep everything the same I know from doing back to back deployments and having a lot of issues that this program really works. It opened my eyes to what was making me angry all the time, I will recommend this program to all my returning deplorers thanks again for helping me find peace and happiness again. THANKS. MA {SW} Bradley W. Dickey USN 12 years in service. Having gone through this program in October 06, I came back to be on staff. It was awesome to help veterans with reintegration within the civilian community Angel Fernandez MA {PJ} Navy {RET} It helped bring out a lot of negative emotions. I think every soldier coming back should go through this program; I look forward to working with you in the future with other veterans Randy McMillion What you may be experiencing: Inability to connect with family and loved ones Constantly on “alert” Unwanted daytime memories, thought or images of traumatic events Strong physical and emotional reactions Avoidance behavior of people, places and things Feeling emotionally numb Problems with sleeping Problems with anger Problems with concentration and memory Possible substance abuse Compounding Factors of Reintegration •Friends, Family, Society – Non-combat Experience •Political Climate on War •Economic and Job Considerations •Family Changes – Spousal Roles, Parenting, Children •Values Systems – Shattered •Combat High/Adrenalin Rush/Power/Responsibilities •Guilt – Why alive, Comrades still in theatre •Grief/Loss •No Fanfare Return •Little to No Transition Time •Sensory Overload – sight, sound, smell, sleep & food deprivation •Disabilities (and unseen scars) •Hyper-vigilance, nightmares, depression, anxiety, isolation •Combat Experience/Traumatic Events What you can expect from the workshop: Ability to separate what happened to me from who I am Ability to identify emotional reactions in the body and respond appropriately Identify and separate “hypervigilance” Reconnect with family and friends at your own pace Know that you are not alone and enjoy and larger connection with other Vets Engage in helping other Vets through the process Gauge your own emotional reactions and learn tools to de-escalate Feel connected to the world and your community Know your limitations and share them with others Personal safety issues Share your experience with other Vets and continue to heal your wounds *For upcoming workshop dates and comments by participants, click on About Return to Honor.*