9/11: United We Stand As 'Help Heal Veterans' Seeks to Help America's Heroes

Out of tragedy often comes togetherness, sharing of grief and commitment for people to draw close and seek change.

Today the nation will honor those who lost their lives in the terror attacks on September 11, 2001 - a day now known as Patriot Day. These attacks sparked 16 years of military action becoming the catalyst for the war against terrorism, sending brave Americans into the battlefield all over the world.

As flags throughout the nation fly at half-mast today honoring our fallen fellow citizens, thousands of veterans have returned from war facing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Help Heal Veterans (Heal Vets) is using non-traditional but highly effective ways to help veterans by providing therapeutic craft kits.

Heal Vets works with over a hundred facilities across the country helping veterans to live as normal a life as possible. Heal Vets provides free therapeutic craft kits to hospitalized and homebound veterans that span the generations. Rebuilding lives, one veteran at a time, through healing arts, crafts, and relationships with others.

Photo Credit: Help Heal Veterans

“We will hold a moment of silence in remembrance for the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11,” says Joe McClain, CEO of Help Heal Veterans.

McClain adds, “This day can bring back memories of war and trauma for the veterans we help. Using our therapeutic craft kits, they allow veterans to live in the moment and are a great distraction for what can be a somber day as veterans’ cope with PTSD, a disorder that affects almost 8 million Americans.”

McClain says that Heal Vets hears from veterans across the country who are using the therapeutic kits. Many of them filled with pride from service, but with a strong desire to remain anonymous and some have a hard time asking for help."

"Since receiving these kits, I've been able to calm myself more than I could before. I have PTSD and MDD, and working on these projects makes me feel like I'm doing something important - like I'm useful in society again. I want to thank everyone who has a helping hand in this. I can't express the gratitude I feel towards everyone involved. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." Says Joe B., a veteran.

Photo Credit: Help Heal Veterans

According to the National Center for PTSD remembering traumatic events, can trigger bad memories out of the blue. An increase in distress around the anniversary of a traumatic event is commonly known as an "anniversary reaction" and can range from feeling mildly upset for a day or two to a more extreme reaction in which individual experiences significant psychiatric or medical symptoms. Trying to distract a veteran by giving them an activity or spending time with family can help minimize the reaction to traumatic anniversary dates.

McClain adds, “Experiencing grief or sadness around the time of an event is very common, and we hear from many veterans who say our kits help them to forget the trauma of wars even if it’s only for a short time.”

Moments of silence start at 8:46 AM (Eastern Daylight Time), the time the first plane, American Airlines Flight 11, struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

For more information about Heal Vets and to stay up to date with the latest news check out its Facebook page.