Photo By Cmdr. Abdul Memon | Lt. Cmdr. Chip Lutz, retired, addresses returning warriors during an anger management...... read more read more
SEATTLE - Navy Region Northwest Reserve Component Command (NAVREG NW RCC) hosted a Returning Warrior Workshop for military veterans who recently returned from mobilization or deployment, at the W Hotel in downtown Seattle on June 21-23.
More than 160 veterans and their guests, some from as far away as Guam, Hawaii, and the northeastern United States participated in the workshop.
The purpose of the event was to honor them, to give them tools to cope with the effects of deployment, and make them aware of the free resources available to them as they reintegrate back into civilian life.
While most of the veterans attending were active duty or Reserve sailors, one soldier and several Marine Corps veterans were also in attendance.
“This workshop is for you to reflect upon your mobilization, reach out to fellow veterans and become aware of the resources available to you,” said retired Lt. Cmdr. Chip Lutz, the master of ceremonies for the workshop, as he welcomed the attendees.
Throughout the weekend, they had the chance to participate in seminars and breakout sessions, mingle with fellow veterans and family members, and become familiar with resources available to them.
The workshop was kicked off with a skit called: “Into The Fire.” The two-person stage play was entirely written with real quotes from veterans who returned from different war campaigns, from Vietnam to the present day wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“When I heard the stories of those who have returned home, it made me think of when I eventually return to my home,” said Chief Personnel Specialist Tricia Carothers, NAVREG NW RCC Manpower leading chief petty officer, who attended the workshop with her husband, Jason. “I thought the 'Into The Fire' skit was pretty good. It struck a lot of chords for my husband and I.”
Carothers, who will be retiring later in the year, has returned from deployment, she has yet to actually go “home.” Prior to her mobilization, the Carothers family relocated to St. Louis in anticipation of her retirement.
Participants were given the opportunity to attend various sessions specializing in different topics ranging from, “Couples Reconnecting”, and “Returning Women Warriors” and they could also “Tell Their Story” within groups led by a trained facilitator.
“I learned how to better communicate with my kids. Affirmation: Giving kids credit for what they have done and credit to engage their childhood endeavors,” said Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Gregory Gilbertson, senior enlisted leader at Cargo Afloat Rig Team based out of Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., after participating in the breakout session, “Returning to Children." “I feel a sense of pride about the community and how they support the warriors.”
Capt. Christopher Staeheli, a Selected Reservist psychiatrist assigned to Bureau of Medicine Humanitarian Response Team, led a seminar about Operational Stress Control.
“When we were deployed, our mission was to secure life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for all Americans,” said Staeheli. “Just as you used tools in the battle, we need tools to handle the stress in our lives.”
Staeheli demonstrated on stage, how one tool can be used for different stressful situations.
He manipulated an umbrella in various ways to show how it can be used to provide shelter from the sun and rain, as a cane for support, as a weapon for self-defense or how it can also be used to extend our reach to a drowning victim.
In the evening, a banquet was held to honor the returnees and their guest, where they were formally recognized for the sacrifices they had made for their country by Rear Adm. Paula Brown, Civil Engineer Corps.
“Your country is proud of you and you have every right to be proud of yourself. You are all members of a very elite group of Americans,” said Brown. She took a moment to share her own experience from mobilizing and how it had affected her life. “The sacrifices that you, your family and loved ones have made are true symbols of what public service is all about. Tonight we honor all of you who have served and continue to serve.”
Since Operation Enduring Freedom began the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, more service members are returning from deployment. A number of those returning warriors are Reservists who must go back to their civilian lives and RWW exists to help ease that transition back to a non-military environment.
“All in all, I think this was a great success because it provided the warriors and their guests with some good tools along with a lot of great resources,” said NAVREG NW RCC Commander Capt. Carl Grim. “If even one attendee can benefit from any of the takeaways - either by themselves and/or passing it to someone else that was unable to attend- it’s worth it and a win in my book.”
Returning Warrior Workshops are hosted by the five Reserve Component Commands, in different cities and at various times throughout the year. Funding is provided by the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. For more information, visit www.yellowribbonevents.org and www.facebook.com/NRNWRCC.
| Date Taken: | 06.28.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.28.2013 18:18 |
| Story ID: | 109512 |
| Location: | SEATTLE, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 269 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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