~PTSD~
PROBLEM: Post Traumatic Stress
You've heard the old retort, "It takes one to know one," used in various connotations. Positively speaking, that
ability to claim personal identification with the woes of someone in need is one of the most effective tools in
helping the hurting.
Many war veterans are suffering today from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. PTS is a new name for an old story
... After the Civil War it was nostalgia, for WWI it was shell shock, in WWII and Korea it was called combat fatigue.
No matter what the term, the symptoms are the same, and most veterans who suffer with it will only identify with
another veteran who has had like experiences.
Building Relationships
Identification and availability are two key elements in effective interpersonal communications. Experts have
shown that these two elements, when present in a communication exchange, are the ice breakers, the bridge through
which relationships are connected. After all, that's a key reason Jesus became man. The Christian veterans in Point
Man Ministries have found that bonding, sharing and forgiving are the vital steps to a recovered life.
Point Man is an exciting international, nondenominational outreach to veterans and soldiers of all wars of all
countries. It is a ministry of veterans who have found healing only through Jesus Christ, who are taking the
message of freedom, hope, and healing to their brothers in arms.
The Horrors of War & It's Consequences
Unlike other victims of traumas, war veterans carry scars that few humans ever experience. While the ministry
of Point Man is helping veterans "make peace with their past," we still must consider these devastating results:
*292,131 Americans died in WWII, which
lasted only 4 years. Of the 800,000 who saw direct combat, 37.5 percent became serious emotional casualties.
*Most Korean war veterans still feel unacknowledged for their sacrifices, and many have been plagued with
readjustment problems over the years. 25 percent of the 198,380 who were in combat suffer from emotional
debilitation.
*Between 40 & 60 percent of all Vietnam veterans have persistent problems with emotional adjustment. While
only 58,000+ died during the 16 years of the Vietnam war, more than 150,000 have committed suicide since the
war ended. (There is some disagreement in the vet community about this number, however. Some say it is much lower; between 15,000 - 20,000.)
*Nearly half of the Argentine veterans of the Falklands war remain unemployed because potential employers see
them as wild, unstable, and undesirable misfits. Most of these veterans still suffer from severe discrimination and
the suicide rate is on a steady climb.
*Most Soviet veterans of the Afghanistan war have persistent problems with emotional adjustment to society.
Many of the 500, 000 Soviet veterans are dependent on drugs and alcohol, and suicide is climbing at an alarming
rate.
*Estimates are that 30-35 percent of the homeless population are veterans.
*50- 75 percent of veterans are involved in drug and alcohol abuse problems.
THE SOLUTION: A Ministry BY Vets FOR Vets
Enter Point Man International Ministries, a non-profit Christian organization formed in 1984 to bring spiritual
healing to veterans and their families suffering from 'Post Traumatic Stress" (PTS), through education, one-on-one
counseling, and support groups. The organization was initially established to support Vietnam veterans, but has
since expanded to reach soldiers and veterans of all wars.
Founded in May, 1984, by Bill Landreth, a Vietnam veteran with the Americal Division, Point Man was
mainly a one-on-one ministry to Vietnam veterans. Chuck Dean began writing a Christian newspaper, REVEILLE,
targeted to reach Vietnam veterans in late 1986. In May 1987, shortly after Bill Landreth passed away, Chuck
became President and Executive Officer of Point Man.
The Point Man Vision
God gave Chuck a vision for an international network of small support groups, or "outposts," of Christian
veterans meeting and praying for one another, and evangelizing vets in their own communities throughout the
world.
Vision Becomes Reality
At that time, Reveille had a free circulation of just 500, going to vets and VA Hospitals. By the end of 1987, 21
Outposts had been established. As 1988 closed, Outposts numbered 99, and today there are more than 250 support
groups stretching across America and extending into 4 other continents. Reveille continues to be distributed
through the outpost network at the rate of 20,000 copies per printing.
Developing Ministry Tools
The vision continues to grow still. As needs are identified, Point Man stands in the gap. Publishing efforts
include multiple tracts for use in ministering to Vets, targeting known felt needs of those still struggling with PTS,
and other war related problems.
NAM VET: Making Peace With Your Past
Chuck has written the first "self-help' book, NAM VET: Making Peace With Your Past, geared to help vets identify, understand, and overcome PTS.
Having walked through the fire personally in Vietnam, Chuck shares from experience, and offers the only lasting
solution to the emotional turmoil that has so many in bondage.
Restoration of Families
More recent developments include the launch of 'Project: Homefront,' a
companion outreach to wives and
families of vets. "Project: Homefront"
strives to bring peace to the home through cooperative ventures with the Outpost, Workshops, Support Groups,
and more.
Public Presentations
"Firebase Freedom" was a public display tested in one of Seattle's largest malls. Passersby saw paintings by
Vietnam veteran Norman Bergsma, heard concerts by Judy Kennedy, Point Man's official music minister, and
many participated in "Letters From America,” where people wrote notes to say thank you to Vietnam veterans.
More than 33,000 walked through the display daily. Free Bibles were distributed, and thousands were touched
by the hand of God.
In more recent months the Vietnam veterans of Point Man International presented 'Operation Heart Shield . . .
a salute to the troops of Desert Storm." This event included a food drive for military families, video mail, a Desert
Storm art display and patriotic concerts, as well as a set up where family members with loved ones in the Gulf
could send electronic messages via computer at no charge. As a result, other large malls have called to secure
booking of the display for high traffic weekends.
New Projects
Prompted by the most recent war in the Gulf, Point Man announced Operation Heart Shield to provide
encouragement and support to those families with loved ones in active duty military as well as the troops upon
their return home.
Regional Conferences
Response is increasing as Point Man, in partnership with CBN, hosts the fourth conference for Vietnam
veterans at CBN Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia, World Vision is the partner for the west coast conference at
World Vision headquarters in Monrovia, California. At these events, workshops for pastors, Vet wives and
teenagers add to the outreach of Point Man.
In order to accommodate the need to unify all veterans of all wars, Point Man is now putting together a format
for new conferences entitled 'Victory." These conferences are designed to encompass military personnel
and family members of every era from every country, to include those presently on active duty.
Growth Continues
The primary reason for such tremendous growth in the short term is that Point Man is meeting a need
untouched by Vet Centers or the VA- Moreover, because so many in the Church do not understand the problems,
or the spiritual implications of PTS, Point Man has become a welcome addition to many Church outreach
programs.
Point Man is a faith ministry. It receives no government money, or any denominational support, not does it
currently receive income from grants or foundations. Since it's inception, Point Man has existed solely on gifts
from friends and veterans across the country. A current financial statement, budget, and tax return is available
upon request.
PTSD: Parallel Responses
Characteristics In Veterans:
INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS AND FLASHBACKS:
Replaying military experiences in their minds, searching for alternative outcomes.
Flashbacks triggered by everyday experiences: helicopters, the smell of urine, the smell
of diesel fuel, the smell of mold, the smell of Asian food cooking, green tree lines,
popcorn popping, rainy days, and refugees.
ISOLATION:
He has few friends. Isolates family emotionally and sometimes geographically.
Fantasizes about being a hermit, moving away from his problems. Believes no one can
understand and no one would listen if he tried to talk about his experiences. Isolates
himself from his partner, family, and others with a "leave me alone" attitude. He needs
no one.
EMOTIONAL NUMBING:
Cold, aloof, uncaring, detached. Constant fear of "losing control"... " I may never stop
crying!"
DEPRESSION:
Sense of helplessness, worthlessness, and dejection. Lacks self esteem and suffers
from great insecurity. Feels undeserving of good feelings. Seems unable to handle it
when things are going well, and may appear to try to be sabotaging the situation.
ANGER:
Quiet, masked rage which is frightening to the veteran and to those around them.
Sublimating the rage against inanimate objects. Unable to handle or identify
frustrations. Unexplainable, inappropriate anger.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE:
Used primarily to numb the
painful memories of past experiences.
Heavy use of alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and
other drugs.
GUILT -SUICIDAL FEELINGS
AND THOUGHTS:
Self-destructive behavior.
Hopeless physical fights, single car accidents, compulsive blood donors. Self inflicted
injuries to feel pain - many accidents with power tools. High suicide rate. Financial
suicide. As soon as things are well off, doing something to lose it all, or walking away from it. Survivor's
Guilt when others have died around them. "How is it that I survived when others more
worthy than I did not?" (more so with medical personnel)
ANXIETY or NERVOUSNESS:
Uncomfortable when people walk close behind them or sit behind them. Conditioned
suspicion, he trusts no one. Startled responses.
EMOTIONAL CONSTRICTION:
Unresponsive to self, therefore unresponsive to others. Unable to express or share
feelings, cannot talk about personal emotions. Unable to achieve intimacy with family,
partner, or friends.
DENIAL:
Unable to admit that he has any of the above symptoms or that he may have PTSD.
May deny that his military experience could have anything to do with his attitude. In
extreme cases, will deny that he was even in the military. Unwilling to seek help. Trusts
no one.
Wives, Families, and Close Friends:
MEMORIES:
Preoccupation with the veteran. Constant tension and anxiety because she never "knows what he'll do next".
Critical or self-righteous martyr attitude because of "what he has put me through". Continual manipulation of
veteran and/or circumstances in order to be in control in a situation that is out of control.
ISOLATION:
May have few friends or be unable to relate to friends as she would like to because Vet has alienated them with
his attitude and actions in the past. Vet has isolated family and/or is jealous of them. She has alienated friends
because of her constant family hassles. The friends and family she does have tell her to get rid of him.
EMOTIONAL NUMBING:
Sexual problems. She feels that she cannot be truly intimate with the vet. Distrust of God, “how could he let
this happen?" Low self esteem. Escapes into fantasy world, TV, thoughts of affairs, compulsive buying, etc. May
lean on children, friends, or mother too heavily for emotional support.
DEPRESSION:
Sense of helplessness and hopelessness, "tired of trying.” Low self esteem, evidenced by poor appearance,
dirty home, etc.
ANGER and OTHER RELATED EMOTIONS:
Resentment and bitterness developed over the years not only toward vet, but others. Withdrawal from vet and
family emotionally. Constant fear and anxiety. May provoke or instigate fights or arguments with vet or take it
out on the kids.
OVER RESPONSIBILITY: (the "Enabler")
In an attempt to keep the family stable, may take over the financial and other responsibilities as well as the
"wife" and "mother" roles leading to such traits as: think and feel responsible for others, perfectionism, feels-save
when giving, nagging or silence, peace at any price, does things out of sense of duty, feelings of anxiety, pity, guilt,
need to "help" husband and others, harried and pressured, constant time pressure, blame the husband or children
for spot they are in, feelings of anger, victimization, unappreciation, and being used.
GUILT:
Guilt for having married a vet as well as guilt for thoughts of leaving him. Sorry for putting the children
through trauma. Constant financial stress, never knowing how they will be able to pay mounting bills, how long
he will work or fault, if I were a better wife, he would be different". Feels guilty about spending money on
themselves or having a hard time just having fun. Feels guilty about just about everything. Fears rejection. Often
comes from troubled, dysfunctional family.
STRESS:
Feels that if "one more thing happens, I'll loose my mind". Overcommitment leading to constant time pressure.
EMOTIONAL EXPLOSIONS OR PROJECTION:
Take out frustrations on the children. Children may become severely withdrawn or demanding, hyperactive,
and agitated. Children may have less friends because of a negative home environment leading to their loss of self
esteem. They may try to find fulfillment in other worthy causes, including getting overly involved in the church,
children's activities, and other it worthy" organizations or projects.
DENIAL:
Denies that she or the children have problems... "after all, in spite of the circumstances, look how well I keep it
together!" Denial that husband has problem or totally blames vet for ALL the problems. Denial that the Lord or
others can help her husband or her family.
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Point Man International Ministries
PO Box 267
Spring Brook NY 14140
(716) 675-5552
(716) 675-5552 - FAX
(800) 877-VETS - Hotline
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since 7/31/98