Vets Journey Home -
May 31 — June 1, 2008 — Houston, Texas
April 11-13, 2008—
Gaia Healing Center, Mt. Airy, Maryland
August 22-24 — Milwaukee, WI
What is the Vets Journey Home?
The Vets Journey Home is a unique weekend program for combat zone veterans that was created and run by Vietnam veterans, supportive women and non veteran volunteers. All of these caring people create a strong and safe space to support veterans in coming home -- all the way home!
The Journey has a number of processes for helping combat zone veterans from any combat zone, with compassion for their pain and their needs.
Key elements are: Homecoming of Honor
- Be Heard & Understood
- Restore Your Dignity
- Be More than a Survivor
- Experience Aliveness
Be Heard and Understood
When veterans get home they bring back important stories to tell, of adventures and pain, of fear and courage, of lessons learned. But often friends and family do not want to listen or were uncomfortable talking about war. So, if a veteran is going to open up at all, he might seek out another veteran to talk with. Unfortunately, when veterans talk together of the war, attempts at sharing the grief and pain often slip into a "That ain't nothing" or "Top this one" exchange of war stories.
So finding closure through telling one's story is difficult to achieve and the deeper truths remain untold; the deeper pain remain unprocessed.
Eventually, many veterans lock up their authentic stories deep inside their "inner vault" and stop talking. Does this describe your experience?
It's time for veterans stories to be heard. The Journey offers a safe place where veterans and civilians want to hear you. They offer you empathy for your painful journey and total support for your healing.
An Honorable Homecoming
Some veterans return home feeling unappreciated and hide their service from others. It's finally time to come home--in a good way—and, all the way.
The Vets Journey Home invites veterans to come all the way home and find out that they are not alone. There are many who care about you--who are willing to walk point, be at your side, and cover your back. This time, you'll be coming home together with other veterans, and welcomed with respect and honor.
Appropriate Candidates
All combat veterans are urged to attend. The Vets Journey Home is also recommended for incountry and offshore non combatant Vietnam veterans.
Additionally, all combat zone veterans from any era are urged to consider attending. Both men and women vets may attend the Vets Journey Home.
Training Leaders
Gene McMahon, co-director and organizer of the Wash.D.C./Balt. Bamboo Bridge and trained facilitator. Gene is a Vietnam vet and member of Vietnam Veteran's of America.
Other Staff: Other trained facilitators from out of town plus volunteer men and women from the local community will staff the event.
Registration and Cost
The fee is $300 for the weekend.
This includes room and meals and covers some of the basic costs for the weekend. Donations are accepted.
May 31—June 1, 2008 Weekend:
$300
Mt. Airy, Maryland
April 11-13, 2008 Weekend:
$300
Milwaukee, WI
August 22-24, 2008
Our intention is to turn away no vet.
Scholarships are available.
Registration closes one week prior to the event.
Vets Journey Home Maryland Schedule:
April 11-13, 2008
Site:
Gaia Healing Center, Mt. Airy, MD
(about 1.25 hours from Washington, DC)
Schedule:
Mt. Airy, Maryland —April 11-13, 2008 Weekend:
7:00 pm Friday to 5 pm Sunday
(including a Graduation Ceremony at
3 p.m. on Sunday to which the public is invited)
Class Size:
Limited to 10 participants
Registrar:
Gene McMahon 301-829-2808
Email: ottervision@MKP.org
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Registration:
Online Form Registration
Staff Application:
Online Form Staff
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