I say a few more won't hurt so please go to her site and comment on there to let her know how much you care about her and the rest of the students and faculty at NIU.
In the following she tells the story of one of the students killed, Army veteran Julianna Gehant. As always, she looks at PTSD from the point of view of a friend to those touched by it instead of a distant observer.
A Tribute to the Life of Army Veteran and NIU Student Julianna Gehant
"God seemed to have made her just what she was that she might be a blessing to others, and when the influence of her character and abilities began to be felt, removed her. These are the Mysteries, my Dear, that we cannot contemplate without astonishment, but which will nevertheless be explained hereafter, and must in the mean time be revered in silence."
-- William Cowper
In a few hours, my husband and I along with a veteran friend are attending slain NIU student and 12-year Army veteran Julianna Gehant's visitation. While I don't wish to overstate this, I was near her and the others when the incident occurred and will carry them in my heart forever.
I did not personally know Julianna, but it's been my pleasure to have met a time or two with a few of the fine members of the NIU Veterans Club (images and words from last November's NIU Veteran's Day ceremony); a few of them even helped with a class paper of mine written last semester on returning veterans seeking college degrees following service to their country.
Returning veterans are among a community's greatest assets, among their greatest citizens. In times of crises and dark and violent circumstances on our soil or abroad, they step up to defend us; it's a shame that more in our society don't realize the strong leaders our returning veterans are.
go here for the rest
http://ptsdcombat.blogspot.com/2008/02/tribute-to-life-of-army-veteran-and-niu.html
Darn it and shucks, Kathie...
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that I haven't gotten back to your email; I keep forgetting to check my Gmail. Still don't have it set up to download automatically with all the rest of my emails. D'oh!
I may know how to use a computer keyboard, but that doesn't mean I know how to use it well. :o)
I've missed posting the past month or so, so wrapped up with a full load of classes this semester and had been quite sick with cold and flu a good portion of Nov-mid Jan. Crammed too much in, and needed to pull back a little.
It's been a comfort to get back into it a bit this past week especially; very helpful to write of my experiences with everything going on right now. Thanks for sharing a portion of it with your readers.
As I posted this morning, my husband and I -- and others I knew -- attende Julianna's visitation. Lovely, small town American, salt-of-the-earth family; so hard to see them have to lose such a bright star. What a loss to the entire community. Was quite sad afterwards on the drive home, and of course can't imagine what they are feeling like.
Thanks so much for being such a star for so many years, decades on this issue of post-trauma. I've learned a lot from you, have been helped by your tenacious sharing of important articles and spot-on analysis.
You've done so much for us; thank you.
I hope you are well, Kathie, and appreciate your warm embrace of all of us here at NIU; it means a lot.
We will persevere.
Ilona, I totally understand about how busy you have been. My heart just sank when I realized this tragedy touched your life. My prayers are with everyone at NIU. I am also thankful you are there to help your fellow students cope with this. God must have sent you there to watch over them the way you have watched over veterans all this time. To take on this kind of work and all that comes with it, takes a calling from your soul. I have a personal connection to the veterans. That's why they tug at my heart so much, but you could be doing anything you wanted to do. You took this on with as much compassion and dedication as I have and made it personal to you. That takes a very special person. I think that's why I admire you so much. You do it for love.
ReplyDeleteAs for the email and the computer stuff, I totally know how that feels. I've messed up more times than I can remember. I think it's because we spend so much time on PTSD there are just not enough hours in the day to learn all of this too.