Military Support Ministry

The United States has just entered the fifth year of the war in the Middle East. Many Minnesotans are engaged in this conflict and many members of Maple Grove Lutheran Church have family and friends who are serving. Late this summer, over 3000 reservists will be retuning to Minnesota from their tour of duty. A group from our church has come together to respond to the concerns of those serving and their families.

The Military Service Team is just in its beginning stages but we are planning to support our military through the Minnesota Nice project, and by sharing information so that we are all aware of the issues a returning soldier faces.

Those in the military overseas are having experiences which will be with them for years to come. Fortunately service agencies have gathered information to assist people. At a workshop this winter our Pastors learned:

Military experience and a person’s response to it vary greatly. The only thing that can be said for sure is that those returning from the war zone will need a period of transition.

Many military personnel experience different levels of trauma while serving that can lead to depression, risk-taking behavior, outbursts of anger, job difficulties, relationship breakdown, thoughts of suicide, and other behaviors.

Families with deployed service people need support before, during and after deployment. Do not forget the family once the service person returns home.

This is just a small sample and over the next few weeks the Military Serving Team will share more information on the caring, spiritual response we at Maple Grove Lutheran Church can give to our military.

Military Support Event

The Challenge of Coming Home, an event sponsored by MGLC and the City of Maple Grove, took place on July 15. This education event helped us to prepare to welcome back our military personnel and to support their families.

We heard personal insights from an excellent panel of speakers included a first lieutenant, a captain, a retired chaplain who served numerous tours of duty and a WWII soldier and American Legion chaplain.  Panel members were asked the following questions.  (Click on the link below to find out what we learned.)

What was your role in the military?

What was your expectation when returning home?

What was your greatest resource during your transition?

What challenges did you face?

How can we help?

Tell us about a positive experience.

Reflect on your experience as a military chaplain.

What assistance does the military provide?

In conclusion

What was your role in the military?

We received insight into the jobs soldiers performed while overseas.  Army combat engineers set up defensive barriers or blow up the enemies defensive barriers.  They place and destroy obstacles.  While in Kuwait and Iraq, a Minnesota National Guard, operations officer and carpenter was the safety officer for 9000 soldiers and taught class.  Procedures were changed if there was an incident and could result in working 7 days per week if there was an investigation.  Soldiers were taught how to react to a roll over using a Humvee test vehicle.  A captain in the Minnesota National Guard stationed in Kosovo for one year worked as a career and technical instructor on a peace keeping mission.  The job consisted of four to 12 hour patrol shifts with one to two days off per week.

What was your expectation when returning home?
Returning soldiers expected to get back to life as usual.  Some did not take enough time off to decompress.  They were not ready to work in the daily grind we have in the US, which includes a 10-hour work day, wife and family.  It is a difficult adjustment for most.  Some soldiers took two weeks off before going back to work. Some took 1-1-1/2 months off and normally receive 30 days of paid leave.

Another soldier expected to take one week off and go on vacation and then go back to work.  He actually took one month off.  Too much one-on-one time with spouse can be difficult.  The situation improved when he went back to work.

Soldiers talked about how they looked forward to peace and quiet.  Most are used to 10-12 hour days and working 7 days per week at times.  There is always someone around and noise is everywhere.

Soldiers looked forward to good food.  Food was good but after the first 2 months, it got boring. Another expectation of coming home is to spent time with family and to take up some of their favorite activities such as bowling.

Soldiers look forward to spending time with people they love.  They are eager to get home to their spouse, since during deployment, it is normally 4-5 months before seeing your significant other.  A newly married talked about how he did not have time to get established or acquainted with his new wife before deployment.

What was your greatest resource during your transition?
By far wife and parents were identified as the greatest resource. It is more difficult when soldiers do not have a family to welcome them back.

Counseling services at the Veteran’s Center were also identified as a valuable resource.

What challenges did you face?
One of the panel members supervised combat engineers and was like a father to them at the age 26.  He developed a new family and they had their spats.  He has kept in touch with those he was deployed with.  His roommate became his best friend and still keeps in touch.  Those he supervised were like his children even though he was only 26. He keeps in touch with a bout 5 on a bi monthly basis.

Soldiers can call or e-mail home every day.  This easy access to information can cause problems such as when a solider would check his bank account on line and find that the spouse had spent all their money.  There are fights about bills that don’t get paid because the soldier used to pay the bills and now bills are ignored.  Car gets reposed.  Homes foreclosed.  An ex spouse wants child support.

Realize that you’ve been away and people at home have changed.  You’ve been in a “zip lock bag.”  In the military, you say something and it gets done.  At home, there is always a second opinion.

Anyone away from home for long periods of time needs to get used to each other again... Your life has changed and your family’s lives have changes. 

The soldier who served in Dessert Strom, Dessert Shield compared that service to soldiers serving today.  There was not as much access to phones or computers in Dessert Storm.  People were separated from their families and they were really gone.  They felt emotional separation and were disconnected.  Your psyche changes.

How can we help?
There are 150,000-200,000 troops deployed.  If you know the spouse of a soldier, ask what specifically they need help with, such as paying bills or mowing the yard. Helping them with personal issues is the best thing you can do to help them.

These soldiers have been in a war zone, lost multiple soldiers, and are hardened by combat doing the job they are called to do.  We now have to welcome them back and support them.

When they get home, spouse might want to have a family event but the soldier doesn’t want the noise.  Let them ease back into the culture of where you are at.  When the soldier is home for 6-months, they realize they should have taken it slower to reconnect.

One soldier said that the military is easy in the respect that you are given a job.  People tell you what to do.  When he got home, he went to lunch with his son.  There were so many choices, he didn’t know what to order.  “In the military they just put things on your plate.  Everything is pre-determined for you.” They come back and others try to line things up for them.

During this war in Iraq, the State of Minnesota had the largest redeployment since WWII.  We have a responsibility to make a connection with returning soldiers. We have the largest number of returning soldiers with injuries.  Military has the most state of the art medical facilities. We have personnel and resources to deal with the medical issues--brain injury, multiple limb issues, psychological issues that won’t go away. If you had a small problem when you left, it will be bigger when you return.  Homecoming party won’t get rid of it. In deployment, soldiers make new relationships and friendship groups.
Be open and honest and try to help wherever you can.

The Co-Chaplin of the American Legion advised not to rush the veteran; let them take their time to reconnect.  He made a point to visit veterans in hospitals. 

Young guys would ask the returning soldier if he was shot at or if he killed anyone.  When asked how they would like co-workers to treat them when they get back to work, soldiers just want you to say, “I’m glad you are back.” Don’t ask too many questions.  Let the returning soldier talk about their experience if he/she wants to. Soldiers mentioned that people thank you for your service.

Tell us about a positive experience
Soldiers were encouraged to attend MWR sponsored events (Moral, Welfare, and Recreation). On their off time soldiers visited downtown Kuwait, safe sites.  It is a progressive city and half of the residents don’t ware traditional dress. Soldiers interacted with Kosovo people daily. They love Americans and are grateful we are there. Residents didn’t have much, but invited soldiers in for tea and coffee everyday. A couple times per week soldiers played with children at recess and delivered supplies.One family sent beanie babies and baseball hats and they were much appreciated by the children.  Another soldiers said they ate in Kuwait restaurants and coffee shop. The best part of the deployment was interacting with Kuwaiti people. Care package from home were much appreciated.

Reflections from a military chaplain
In the last 3-5 years, post 911 war on terror, the news media has been a detriment to soldiers.  News is convoluted and destroys good will sought after.  His good friend who was a chaplain and on 3 tours in Iraq talked of the major strides that have happened in the last 12 months. 

Iraq is a violent, dangerous place.  Some people back home realize that. VFW, American Legion and community groups welcome the troops.  It is important to stands up to half truths and total lies about what is going on.  There are two positive reports for each negative one we hear in the news.  Schools and hospitals are more sanitary because of US involvement.. Encourage men and women coming home to be thankful for missions they were on.  We are making a difference.  An example is the Iman who came to the base in Afghanistan at personal risk to his life. He came into base to the chaplain center to say goodbye to his friend.

We will make a difference in a part of the world that needs our compassion.

“Being a soldier is a difficult job. 95% are the best we got. We can be a voice that combats negative news.”

What assistance does the military provide?
John Morris spearheaded a program where veterans go through a four-day session at Camp McCoy where they turn in weapons. 30-days later there is another briefing and follow-up after 60 days and 90 days. During a session the department commander, service officer, and representative from American Legion tell about services available.
TFA (Temporary Finance Assistance) is also available where soldiers receive stipends for food, clothing, and medical needs. Troops receive two years of medical treatment. 

Families are involved. We now talk about the families. They dealt with all the problems at home.  The American Legion sends people out to assist with yard work, babysitting, shopping, and individual needs. 

The Minnesota National Guard has pioneered a program in hopes of changing how Soldiers and Airmen are reintegrated back to their communities. Called Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, the program is named as a reminder that the support of Soldiers cannot end when they return from deployment and the yellow ribbons are untied.

If laid off. The law protects the soldier’s employment as long as the position is not eliminated.  Returning military personnel should be retained at the same level of employment as when they left. Employer support and guard and reserve services that help returning soldiers look for new careers.

Help is out there. A retired financial adviser and job coach was in the audience. She volunteers at Lutheran Social Services as a financial coach mainly with refugees to identify transitional skills such as resume writing and interviewing skills. She offered her services to returning soldiers. There is no fee for the service. Contact her for free job and finance coaching for soldiers.

In conclusion
A short poignant video ended the evening depicting soldiers saying to us:

“I need you to support me.  You are what I’m fighting for. I do my job. Some people hate me. I don’t complain.  I just want you to say, “I’m proud of you. Remember me.”

Each and every soldier needs our help – let's do them proud!