How our faith community is striving to help veterans
When we observe Veterans Day on Nov. 11, the easy part is recalling the selfless sacrifices of military members and their families. That includes those American troopers who sacrificed nothing less than their lives.
Decades after the Vietnam War, it is the norm to honor those who returned home, especially those who spend the rest of their lives coping with the injuries they suffered. That is worthy of parades and celebration — there is broad consensus about that.
But there is a shadow, a shadow that stalks veterans of all ages.
In a 2020 report the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs stated the average number of suicides among veterans was 17.6 per day in 2018. For years, Veterans Affairs sought to address these suicides.
The VA believes that counseling and other services can help, but it’s difficult to get veterans to accept counseling. The VA did learn veterans are more likely to talk to clergy and other religious leaders than to clinical psychiatrists.
Faith communities have taken that as an invitation to step up.
One important effort is a “healing circle” known as COMPASS, for Circles Offering Mindful Participation and
Safe Spaces. The circle that St. John’s UCC in Coopersburg hosts was created several years ago by a faithful few who dared to walk in these unknown waters.
In these monthly gatherings, veterans tell their stories. Often, in the case of the Vietnam vets in our circle, these are harrowing recounts of things that happened 50 years ago, just now coming to the surface.
VA chaplains and the church leaders who convene these circles believe that nonjudgmental listening by family members and “civilians” who
join the circles, make this possible. These civilians are called “strong hearts.”
The circles are not drop-in meetings; veterans must first meet with a clergy leader for a briefing and orientation. However, over time, the circles are renewed as new people are welcomed. Pastor Teresa of St. John’s said, “Participating in these circles has been a
humbling experience for me. To share the pain and healing of these veterans has been a tender moment in my ministry.”
The healing circles are not our church’s only mission to veterans. At 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31, the public is invited to a free-will offering concert by Jason Moon, founder of Warrior Songs, his project of helping veterans’ voices to be heard through music.
He served in Iraq as a combat engineer with the Wisconsin National Guard. Warrior Songs grew out of his search for help when he returned home, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Proceeds from the offering will benefit Tails of Valor, the Coopersburg-based nonprofit that trains support dogs that are given to veterans.
Tails of Valor volunteers — two-legged and four-legged — will attend the concert. Food will be on sale and the church asks all attendees to wear masks, regardless of vaccine status.
The third piece of our mission is a Witting Tree observance that is open to all at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7 at Coopersburg’s Living Memorial Park along Route 309. This brief, solemn ceremony consists of placing 154 sets of replica dog tags to commemorate the number of veterans who take their own lives in one week.
Witting Tree takes its name from witnessing these tragic deaths. Our observance will begin at the flagpole memorial next to the red VFW building and proceed to a nearby tree facing the highway.
This is an invitation to all to join us for the concert and Witting Tree observance. We think all this reveals two much bigger truths about our country.
First, for all the noise about separation of church and state, when the cause is just, there is space to honor and support veterans.
Second, these opportunities demonstrate that those who have never worn the uniform accept responsibility for their wounds, physical and moral.
They did the shooting, but we bought the guns and ammunition.