"Community members -- professionals and laymen of every skill set and sort -- are finding ways to help veterans process their experiences of combat while supporting their move from military life back into the civilian stream. Educational institutions, in particular, are finding interesting ways of engaging on the issue and creating spaces for these necessary reflections. "
"NIU communications major and noted blogger Ilona Meagher, author of "Moving a Nation to Care: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and America's Returning Troops," will moderate the Nov. 5 discussion, which begins at 6 p.m. in Room 405 of the Holmes Student Center.
Veterans and members of the community are encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences.
Meagher guided a similar conversation earlier this year in Chicago, said Kammes, who also enjoyed a similar experience in an NIU class titled "Education as an Agent for Change.""
"Far from a complete compilation, I've drawn together a number of activities and promotions (free food for vets! :o) that are being offered to coincide with Veterans Day, which takes place next Wednesday, November 11."
"November ushers in National Military Family Month (read the president's proclamation), with Veterans Day observations around the country beginning in earnest this week and extending into next."
"Some top notch educational combat trauma and PTSD programming is available online. Here are a few, specifically aiming their education at the patient/counselor level."
"A selection of press clipping on this past week's watershed conference, and, in extended, you can view Gates' and Shinseki's opening statements in full."