Tillicum Neighborhood presents . . . .

The Tillicum Woodbrook Neighborhood Association presents: Joshua Renschler, National Director of Men of Valor – an organization helping communities like ours come alongside soldiers and families facing the challenges of lives touched by war.  

At our TWNA meeting this Thursday, October 4, 6:30 PM, Renschler, US Army Retired Sergeant of an Infantry Stryker unit out of Ft. Lewis, himself severely injured in Iraq in 2004, will share the psychological, emotional and spiritual health and hope to be had among active-duty and veterans in the one-on-one and small group interactions Men of Valor encourage and for which training is provided. 

Recent articles in the news have highlighted the need within-and-without the military structure for heightened awareness and care.  Since the war in Afghanistan began 11 years ago, “Lewis-McChord (has had) the worst year for soldier suicides.  Thirteen soldiers killed themselves at Lewis-McChord in 2011, up from nine in the previous two years. 

“Meanwhile, The Associated Press in June reported that active-duty suicides across the military were on pace to increase significantly this year after a couple of years of leveling off. In the first half of this year, 154 service members killed themselves, up from 130 in the first six months of 2010.”

Rod Wittmier, Program Director for Veterans Family Fund of America, National Alliance to End Veteran Suicide, estimates that 18 veterans per day take their own lives.  That’s one every 80 minutes or over 6,500 per year, Wittmier says (www.NA2EUS.org, rod.wittmier@VeteransFamilyFund.org , www.vetyeransfamilyfund.org).    

And, just days ago, ex-army captain Brian Kinsella took off on a 5,000-mile motorcycle ride from Lakewood, “hoping to raise awareness about military suicides and drum up support at Army installations.”  Kinsella is founder of Stop Soldier Suicide, “a veteran nonprofit that connects troubled soldiers with independent counseling services.” 

A related event is the “Building Healing Communities for Veterans Conference” – a free Faith-Based Leadership Event – to be held October 19-20 at First Baptist Church of Lakewood, 5100 112^th St. SW.  RSVP by Oct.13.  For more information: LThompson@GSSAC.org , or call 509-922-8383; www.GSSAC.org. 

The Tillicum Woodbrook Neighborhood Association will meet at Tillicum Baptist Church, 8415 Maple St. SW, 6:30 PM, October 4, in lieu of its normal venue – the Tillicum Community Center – which continues rehabilitation from fire-related water damage.