Veterans’ Day: A Chance to Remember and Reach Out

by Prairie Correctional Facility Mental Health Coordinator Shelley Koski

I teach a course called Coping With Deployments: Psychological First Aid for Military Families (taught through the American Red Cross and the Dept of Defense). I offer my psychological services as a “starting point” for military servicepersons and their family members to use as a resource/referral person. I’ve also made baskets for the children with their names on them. Each child’s basket has pieces of paper in it so they can note when something happens they want to tell their serviceperson later - that way, they don’t hang up or end a Skype call saying, “Oh, I forgot to tell them something.”

Especially during these tough times, I think it’s even more important to remember and honor our veterans. We’re in a unique time; we have veterans from so many wars still with us - WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf I and II, and Afghanistan to name the most publicly known. One can’t venture too far, especially in our field, without coming into contact with someone we need to thank for our freedoms.

Remember, we have what we have because others gave all they had. I always tear up when I hear our national anthem. It moves me to think of what has been given for me to be able to have the freedoms I have.

Here at PCF, we still wear red on Fridays to honor our employees and family members that are serving actively at this time. Although they can’t “see” us each Friday, I believe knowing that we are all honoring them on a weekly basis is associated with some good feelings.

There are many things we can do to continue supporting our active duty military servicepersons and veterans. For those who are actively serving now, we can offer to help their families from time to time. Drop off something - cookies, bars, or just go plow out their driveway. You can also give to your church; most churches have “goodie baskets” or “care packages” that are continuously being sent overseas. We also do that at our facility for our eight employees that are on active duty right now. And just about every town has an American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Club. Call there, ask what you can do. They are always happy to get calls like that. Another great resource is Military OneSource for those who have ties to veterans or active military servicepersons.

Sound Out

Louise Grant at FSC:

Shelley, this is outstanding work you personally are doing, and I also value the way Prairie honors our servicemen and women. I love your suggestions!