Tuesday, October 02, 2007
sponsored by Illini Bank

Tying and untying the yellow ribbon

Reintegrating a soldier back into family and community

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[October 02, 2007]  There is a need out there that most community members don't realize -- and this need is growing fast. It is the need to help returning military personnel reintegrate into families and society once their duty overseas is complete.

While those brave soldiers are away fighting, there is another struggle for those left here on our home front. It is the spouses and children left to carry the load of everyday life alone. And then, their loved one returns home, not just home from a job at the office, but home from the battlegrounds.

Justin Anweiler, a lieutenant with the Illinois Army National Guard, is working hard with other soldiers throughout Illinois to raise the community awareness that is needed for families during the deployment, and also once the deployment is over.

Last Thursday evening, Anweiler and several other National Guard soldiers were present at Jefferson Street Christian Church to address the community of Logan County and let them know what the needs really are.

"We are raising the awareness," says Anweiler, "to educate the community on the needs of the family members while their loved one is gone." When you know someone who has had to see their loved one off to war, Anweiler says, "Don't ask them, ‘How is he/she doing over there?' You need to be asking, ‘How are you doing right now?'"

Anweiler says the purpose of this is to educate and empower soldiers to successfully transition from warrior to citizen soldier in their families and communities. And, Anweiler stresses, "Support the husbands and wives while we are gone and when we come home. Care packages are fantastic for us while we are gone. When we get back, we still need care."

There are three areas to concentrate on for successful integration. Those areas are community, family and soldier.

Anweiler feels that if the family members are cared for during the deployment period, the reintegration afterward is easier.

When discussing community involvement, that is where it hits home for Lt. Col. Alicia Tate-Nadeau, who is the director of public affairs for the Illinois National Guard. She is also the deputy brigade commander for the 404th Chemical Brigade out of Chicago. When Tate-Nadeau was deployed back in May 2006, she saw the benefit of community involvement firsthand. "I was blessed with so much community support, and I couldn't be successful without it," she says. "I want to see more awareness."

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She adds, "At this point, if you know anyone in the active military, you know someone who has been deployed, coming back from deployment or prepping to leave soon. Almost everyone is affected right now."

Also present on Thursday evening were several organizations to offer education and resources for the soldiers and their families. Among them was the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs to offer more information on the Montgomery GI Bill. Others were the Peoria Vet Center and Springfield Vet Center, which offer readjustment counseling services. Lincoln Land Community College and the American Red Cross were also represented.

Mark Patterson, who is a Veterans' Affairs officer, comes to the Lincoln Oasis every Tuesday to offer information and help lead Logan County veterans in the right direction for financial and educational assistance and several other services as needed.

Anweiler says, "Reintegration is a process that requires training and support long after the yellow ribbons are untied."

The Illinois Army National Guard has a goal to reach every county in Illinois with this program in the next year and a half.

To find out more on how you can help, you may contact Jefferson Street Christian Church at 732-9294 and ask to be connected with the Good Samaritan outreach group regarding community help with military families.

[Janell Woolard]

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