PTSD Veterans Peer Support, Not Expensive But Priceless

Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 6, 2014

If you are like most people with a heart for veterans, you want to do something to help them. We've all seen the heartbreaking commercials on TV of the famous group saying send us money and we'll send you a blanket. I won't mention their name simply because they have been banned from Wounded Times. I won't even post a great story if their name shows up anywhere now. The reason is simple. They get enough attention for the wrong reasons.

The commercials have a song about Vietnam and Afghanistan, but what the don't tell you is they do not help Vietnam veterans at all. Hell, when it comes to the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans they do show, they don't mention that the prosthetic limbs are not supplied by them but are in fact from the DOD and the VA, along with the therapy. They never say what they are doing with the money they are asking you to give.

One good part about the commercials is when you hear the words about helping each other. That is yet one more part most people miss. How much does it cost to fund a veteran showing up to spend some time with another veteran? It doesn't cost much at all.

No one is really sure what that group does with the money but you can't call them fakes. The only way they would be a ripoff is if they actually claimed they were doing something they were not really doing. They don't claim to do anything they show in the commercial. If you donated and feel like a fool now, it is your own fault for not paying attention.

Here is what has been working in cities and towns all over the country. Peer support provided to veterans of all generations from veterans of all generations and families to families. We've done it without publicity or huge bank accounts. Unfortunately that also means groups offering peer support are not able to reach as many veterans searching for someone to care about them.

I want to spotlight a story out of Utah. It is about a motorcycle group just starting out to offer their time and love to other veterans.

Southern Utah combat veterans start motorcycle group to offer support
The Spectrum
Tracie Sullivan
December 5, 2014

Chet Botkins and Chuck Triplett talk about each other’s bikes Thursday. 

(Photo: Weston Smith / The Spectrum and Daily News)

CEDAR CITY – The Southern Utah Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association started about six months ago and currently has seven members – statewide that number grows to more than 50.

Organizers say the two things that brought the original founders together were a love for motorcycle riding and that all of them were combat veterans.

Its mission is to help and provide support to veterans, said retired Army Sgt. Chet Botkins, who served for three years, two of which were in Vietnam.

"It's about combat veterans talking to combat veterans. If ya ain't walked the walk, you can't talk the talk," he said.

Botkins said he started the Southern Utah group to reach out to those veterans who are struggling.

"As long as I can see young people, young enough to be my sons, and I can say here's my number or let's get a cup of coffee or let's get a beer, let's go get a Coke, whatever, let's sit down and talk about this and perhaps give them an option they didn't have before, that's all this is about and, oh by the way, having to ride motorcycles," he said.

Recent statistics indicating "every day 22 veterans commit suicide" is concerning for Botkins.

"That's almost one an hour," Botkins said. "They (veterans) don't know where to go. They don't know who to talk to. They're sleeping on the streets in some cases."

Retired Maj. Chuck Triplett said he has known at least five local veterans who have died by choice just since he returned home in 2006 after being deployed with the Triple Deuce for two tours in Iraq. One of those deaths was just six weeks ago.

"The suicide thing is still an issue. Hell, we got back from Iraq in 2006, and we've had five confirms that we know of since then with just one happening six weeks ago that was in the Triple Deuce," he said.
read more here

If you think that something like this is not going to do much good, you need to think again. The best therapy is peer-support. If you talk to an expert and they deny it, then you need to find a real expert.
Nam Knights MC

Our mission is to honor the memory of American Veterans and Police Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, to assist Veterans and Police Officers in their time of need and to promote community awareness through sponsorship and participation in various fundraising events.

The Nam Knights Motorcycle Club continues to grow and thrive today due to the extraordinary dedication of its members, their families and our benevolent supporters.

When did the Nam Knights start?

In the summer of 1989 a small group of Harley-riding combat vets of the Viet Nam War, who were also police officers, banded together to form the Nam Knights.

The Club was founded in New Jersey by Jack Quigley, now retired Undersheriff of The Bergen County Sheriff's Department. Jack served as a platoon sergeant with the 11th Motor Transport Battalion, First Marine Division.

Today, the Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club has grown to 53 chapters in 12 states and two Canadian provinces, with hundreds of members made up of veteran's of all eras as well as law enforcement personnel plus a few special and dedicated "patriots."

As Jack has said: "The club was formed to recapture the brotherhood its founding members shared while serving in Southeast Asia, and to help other veterans of all wars who are unable to physically financially help themselves."

"The mission of the Nam Knights is to honor the memory of American Veterans and Police Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, to assist Veterans and Police Officers in their time of need, and to promote community awareness through sponsorship and participation in various community and fund-raising events."

"The Nam Knights Motorcycle Club continues to grow and thrive due to the extraordinary dedication of its members, their families and our benevolent supporters."

It was the same mission of Point Man International Ministries but without motorcycles.

Since 1984, when Seattle Police Officer and Vietnam Veteran Bill Landreth noticed he was arresting the same people each night, he discovered most were Vietnam vets like himself that just never seemed to have quite made it home. He began to meet with them in coffee shops and on a regular basis for fellowship and prayer. Soon, Point Man Ministries was conceived and became a staple of the Seattle area.

These groups have been offering what works best before the Internet age and online support. Why? Because it works. They know they don't have to hold a PHD in psychiatry. They just have to hold one in living with the memories of all they endured when no one was paying attention to them and the reporters didn't care.

PTSD is not new to them. It isn't new to their wives (like me) or kids. None of this is new and it is high time for the good work being done across the country on what works gets more attention. We've been fighting against non-sense for decades. There has been far too much of better than nothing "efforts" being funded simply because someone in the press writes the story. In the above case, I am frankly glad they did.

It isn't about raising money or having power. It is about doing things that really matter in lives being lived across the city and letting these veterans know they matter on a personal level.

That kind of support is not expensive.
It is priceless!

UPDATE What can you expect when you find the help you need to heal? Here's a song that pretty much sums it up.

"I Can See Clearly Now"
I can see clearly now the rain is gone.
I can see all obstacles in my way.
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
bright (bright) sunshiny day.
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
bright (bright) sunshiny day.
Oh, yes I can make it now the pain is gone.
All of the bad feelings have disappeared.
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for.
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
bright (bright) sunshiny day.
(ooh...) Look all around, there's nothing but blue skies.
Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies.
I can see clearly now the rain is gone.
I can see all obstacles in my way.
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for.
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
bright (bright) sunshiny day.
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
bright (bright) sunshiny day.
It's going to be a bright (bright)
bright (bright) sunshiny day.
Yeah, hey, it's gonna be a bright (bright) bright (bright)
sunshiny day.