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I Am Here. I Am Ready to Help.

Filed under Community Support Network by on December 2, 2010 at 2:49 pm {2 comments}

By Patty Sands, WTC Stratcom

Those were the words of Chaplain Steinberg of the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) after the last 2010 quarterly AW2 Community Support Network conference call. The call focused on supporting Families during the recovery of AW2 Soldiers and Veterans and included a panel of guests including COL Greg Gadson, AW2 Director; Thomas Webb, WTC Deputy to the Commander; Jeff Cox, AW2 Advocate and social worker; and two AW2 Family members. Many more statements of support were heard at the conclusion of the call by the organizations that participated.

The catalyst for those strong statements came from hearing firsthand the challenges faced by the AW2 Families. AW2 spouses Diana Hume and Lisa Krohnke discussed their personal challenges and future goals, as well as specific ways the AW2 Community Support Network participants could assist to make a difference.

“The war is not over for our Family,” said Hume. “There is never a normal day with PTSD. It has not gotten better and the impact is to the whole Family.”

Krohnke also underscored the need for local support as she and her Family feel very isolated. She gave examples of educational issues with her children and financial concerns.

Hume brought the conversation to a close saying, “I don’t know what I would have done without AW2, but there is so much more to be done.”

The impact of the stories as told by the AW2 Family members was compelling and brought tears to my eyes. Hume and Krohnke both spoke in heartfelt terms that were very powerful. Their stories were different but similar in many respects. Each speaker was eloquent and detailed the challenges they faced and the isolation they felt. Without question, we all were very aware of the level of exhaustion they felt. It was a gift of time that they gave to be with us.

From an overall perspective, the problems are complex and varied. Sadly, we all knew there is no one “band aid” to fix things. COL Gadson said, “The Army and VA cannot do it all. It will take all of us working together to make a difference.”

The goal of this conference call was communicating the needs of Families to the Network organizations and to learn best practices from each other. Several participants explained the specific services they offer and engaged in a conversation about ways to connect with individual Soldiers, Veterans, and Families who can benefit from their support.

Thank you to all participants for the largest conference call turnout.

Giving Thanks

Filed under Holiday, Uncategorized by on November 24, 2010 at 3:25 pm {one comment}

By Emily Oehler, WTC Stratcom 

To me, Thanksgiving is the kick-off of the holiday season—a time of year to recognize blessings and express gratitude. During this time of year, I try to think about how I can demonstrate my thankfulness. Cooking a big meal for my Family, cards to my friends, a party for co-workers, canned food for my local food pantry, an extra church donation, and for the past four years, getting goodie packages to those Soldiers working mortuary affairs in Iraq.  It might seem like an odd combination, but to me, it works.  Thank those who support me, my community, and the country. 

This week, I read a troublesome article in USA Today about the fact that many charities that support our wounded servicemembers and their Families are facing financial hardship. These charities support camps for wounded children, transportation for Family members to see their wounded warrior, as well as recreational opportunities, adaptive services, and legal guidance. It’s hard for me to imagine there is not enough support for any nonprofit with all that we have as a country.

I know budgets are tight, but time and talent are free. So as you sit down to your turkey feast this year, don’t just say thanks—give thanks. Think about all we could do if we literally give thanks. If you’re thankful for those who serve, give a pat on the arm to someone in uniform. If you’re thankful for books, give time reading to kids in a homeless shelter. If you’re thankful for your health, run/walk a 5K for a medical cause. 

I hope you’ll comment on this blog about how you gave thanks and inspire others to do the same.

Embracing Change

Filed under Staff Story by on July 29, 2010 at 3:37 pm {one comment}

By Gail Moore, WTC Stratcom

To change something is to make the form, nature, content, or future course of something different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.

When I came to work at AW2 in May 2006 as a Marketing Specialist, I really had no idea what to expect. At that time there were approximately 800 AW2 Soldiers, 15 Advocates (then known by the tongue twisting Soldier Family Management Specialist or SFMS moniker), and a support staff of about 10 other civilians and military. My first year at AW2 there was a lot of change. AW2 conducted two Symposiums and The Washington Post published its story on warrior care at Walter Read.

Change was the watchword of the day. It was as if we were building an airplane as we were taking off down the runway! In one year the AW2 population and staff more than doubled in size, and the Army was on course to completely alter the landscape of warrior care and transition. As a new employee of AW2 it was exciting, exhilarating, and more than a bit scary. From the Strategic Communications (Stratcom) view, it was completely overwhelming.

About six months into my first year I realized that change was the core of what AW2 was about. How could we help wounded Soldiers, Veterans, and Families transform their lives and transition to a better life, if we could not embrace the changes that were going on around us? I decided to embrace change and work to transform how AW2 communicated with Soldiers, Veterans, and Families and to help the Army and the general public better understand AW2.

The transformation of AW2 Stratcom which took place over the next three years would not have been possible without the backing of Army leadership, the hard work of Army Civilians, military, contractors, and especially AW2 Advocates. More importantly we could not have accomplished all that we did without the input and direction of AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families. Your input from Symposiums, surveys, interviews, and phone calls formed the basis for all that we do in Stratcom today.

Working at AW2 has been the most soul satisfying and rewarding thing I have ever done in my professional life. As I move to a new position with the Army’s Chief of Public Affairs office, I want to thank all of the wonderful Soldiers, Families, Veterans, and AW2 Staff whom it has been my honor and privilege to work with and get to know. Your stories are truly inspiring, and they have made me realize that embracing change is always a good thing.

We Will Make Powerful Changes

Filed under Resources, Staff Story by on June 4, 2010 at 5:13 pm {no comments}

By Patty Sands, WTC Stratcom

Patty Sands, WTC Stratcom, and another Gold Star Wife at Capitol Hill.

Patty Sands, WTC Stratcom, and another Gold Star Wife at Capitol Hill.

Capitol Hill is always an exciting place with all the pomp and ceremony but also for the influence and power that is centralized there. From a young age, my Dad encouraged getting involved to affect change. He said anything can change with steady pressure and persistence while working within the system. He was right. I have personally worked on many issues on a national and local level. I have seen the impossible become possible.

However, when it comes to the military it is the people that are VERY dear to my heart. I am the daughter of an Army Captain, I am an Air Force Widow and I am also the mother of a brand new Second Lieutenant. Plus, I am honored and proud to be the newest staff member of Warrior Transition Command, Stratcom. As you can see, I have a vested interest professionally and personally in the success of our military community.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a Capitol Hill reception by the Gold Star Wives organization of which I am a member. Attending with me was our own Stratcom Executive Officer, LTC Griffin. To give a bit of background on the organization: the Gold Star Wives (GSW) are a Congressionally Chartered non-profit service organization. The Charter was granted because GSW is unique in that it is a service organization capable of providing services to the active duty and service connected military Widow. Basically they are War Widows that support each other and advocate on issues to better the lives of others. Our Widows come from all walks of life and are a wide range of ages. A common denominator with all the ladies is compassion and an unfailing sense of direction and mission.

GSW gave appreciation awards to Rep. Henry Brown as well as Admiral Mullen and his wife for their outstanding work for military survivors. Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave a noteworthy and heartfelt address to our group. He said one of his priorities is to ensure all military Families—whether they include Veterans, wounded service members, active or reserve members or survivors—are embraced by their communities to meet their immediate and long-term needs.

The chairman stressed the need for a “seamless joining” of the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and communities across the nation to “welcome these heroes back to communities.”

All must “join hands together to make sure we maximize the opportunities in meeting the needs of our young Veterans as they return home after these very difficult wars,” he said. “And not lose one Family who has lost someone.”

I smiled to myself listening to his words. I then leaned over to LTC Griffin and said that Admiral Mullen’s words sounded like one of our staff meetings! It is clear, from the highest offices in our land to the Advocates in the field….we are all on the same mission. Each of us in our own way, we will make powerful changes for those that have given so much…the Families of those that have died for our country as well as those that are wounded. How? Steady pressure and persistence! Truly, it will take all of us on a national and community level to make the way smooth.

Check Out Army Social Media

Filed under General by on February 24, 2010 at 9:23 pm {no comments}

By COL Kevin V. Arata, Director, Online and Social Media Division Office of the Chief of Public Affairs

The Army has been engaged on the social media front for well over a year now. We are present on four major social media sites—YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, and Facebook—and have created the ArmyLive blog. We are present on these platforms because we know many people are getting their information this way, much more so than going to a traditional Web site or reading a newspaper. While we still do provide a lot of information on the Army’s Web site (army.mil) to keep people informed about the Army, using social media is becoming a very viable outlet as well.

The great thing about our social media sites is they allow us to instantly share information across multiple outlets, with the added advantage of allowing dialogue amongst our audience members, and between the Army and those who are participating on our sites. Check out our Facebook fan page for a great example of people who are on our page every day, showing support for the Army, asking questions and getting answers, and getting into discussion with fellow fans and the Army.

So why does this matter to you? It’s a great way for Veterans and currently-serving Soldiers and their Families to keep abreast of what’s going on in the Army, in a manner and place where you are probably already present anyway. So rather than have to go find Army-related information, you can become an Army Facebook fan and get news feeds at about the rate of one post per day, that appear in your Facebook news feed. If you are a Twitter user, and follow us on Twitter (@USArmy), you will receive links to interesting Army stories, and be asked questions about things where we want your feedback. And you can get your fill of videos and photos from the Army while surfing YouTube, or checking out photos on Flickr.

I invite you to check out the Army’s social media sites. Check out Army.mil and look for our social media icons. The links there will take you directly to our sites. You can also check out all the other Army units and installations that are actively engaged in the social media sphere. Go to the “All Army Social Media” link under our social media icons. There you will see over 350 official Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr accounts from Army units and installations worldwide.

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AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families can submit a blog for AW2 by emailing WarriorCareCommunications [at] conus.army.mil.