Supporting the Minnesota Nice Project

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.