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PULLING TOGETHER -- Not many people can
understand
a troubled veteran like a fellow veteran.
Story here...
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/
x/leadertimes/s_490909.html
Story below:
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Pulling together
By Tom Mitchell
LEADER TIMES
SUGARCREEK -- Hopeton Thompson, executive director of the
Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center speaks a simple message to the center's
53 residents: "Don't expect society to change to suit you, you have to
make the necessary changes."
Several veterans' groups are helping Mechling-Shakley's veterans to make
those changes.
"We offer hope in the midst of despair," said Thompson, a 20-year
veteran of the Navy. "My staff and I try to set personal examples for
our veterans here, and I think we have reached and changed many lives
for the better. One obstacle we still have to overcome is the way some
in our local community view our veterans. There are a lot of
misconceptions as to the type of men we have here, but we have an 'open
door' and visitors who would like to meet and get to know the men here
are always welcome."
Thompson said that not many people can understand a troubled veteran
like a fellow veteran.
"Veterans, especially Vietnam veterans who have returned to resume
civilian life understand better than anyone what our guys are going
through. They relate to each other very well. Therefore we rely on the
volunteer services of different groups to expand the services we offer
our residents here."
Last week, Thompson met with representatives of the newly formed AMVETS
Post 13, of Kittanning. Post adjutant Vic Stivason and Thompson
discussed several areas in which the new post could be of service to the
center's residents.
"We always need van drivers," Thompson said. "We could use people who
might do some occasional cooking, or take the residents on recreational
outings. Many residents like to go fishing, or on shopping trips for
example. So we welcome AMVETS Post 13. Their offer is an answer to
prayers. We have the VFW Ladies Auxiliary from Ford City come in to
volunteer to and they are greatly appreciated. We also have an area
chapter of the ABATE motorcycle group come in to help."
Jim Karam, president of ABATE Chapter 13, Butler, said members of the
group are regular visitors at the center.
"Many of our members are veterans. About 80-percent of us or better are
Vietnam veterans. We've been there, done that, so we can relate to what
some of our brother veterans are trying to deal with," Karam said.
"Personally, I was in a situation like that myself. These guys have
given us the freedoms we have today and we want to show our appreciation
and we try to put a smile on their faces, it's that simple."
Karam said ABATE members provide moral support to the center's residents
and also financial support. ABATE members raise money for the center and
its residents by holding 50/50 raffles and motorcycle rides. The chapter
holds an annual Adopt-A-Vet Christmas party during which members "adopt'
a particular resident for a day.
"It's a big moral booster for the residents," Karam said. "We sometimes
go out there just to hold pool, ping-pong, or dart tournaments. During
the Christmas holidays we give them useful gifts."
Stivason, who also is a member of another motorcycle group, the Legion
Riders, said a number of AMVETS Post 13 members and several Legion
Riders are anxious to volunteer at the center, not just during the
holidays, but year around.
"We have a number of members who will volunteer to drive a van,"
Stivason said, "and we have a lot of guys who like to fish and some who,
along with our ladies auxiliary, like to cook. We also know a lot of
ABATE members, so I think we'll be able to fulfill the need for
volunteers at the center. We are looking forward to the opportunity.
AMVETS is not a mere social club. Our post, like other AMVETS posts, are
required to complete a number of volunteer hours every month and this
fits our bill perfectly."
Thompson said that the Mechling-Shakley Center is basically a recovery
center with programs for veterans who have been unable to adjust to
returning to civilian life. He said the majority of the center's
residents suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"I screen every applicant who wants to come here before they are
admitted," Thompson said. "Contrary to the belief of some, the men we
have here who suffer from PTSD are not angry, hostile, drug-crazed
veterans. That's a myth. But many of our residents are scared. They're
scared of returning to society. They may feel very uncomfortable in
large crowds of people, but they find they are very comfortable here in
the center in the company of other veterans. Some of our vets here have
been homeless for a variety of reasons, and yes, some are recovering
from drug-and-alcohol problems. The biggest thing is we want is to be
involved in the community, but we can only do that to the extent that
the community accepts us."
Thompson said that after a period of adjustment and respite in the
center, some veterans leave to resume normal, productive lives.
"We have one man who recently completed training at a local truck driver
training school. He'll soon be driving and making good money. Another
resident here is starting a job this week. We have a lot of success
stories."
Thompson said the center's 53 current residents almost fill available
space.
"We have other applicants applying for help here that we can't accept
because of lack of space. We plan to build five new housing units that
will accommodate three veterans each. The project will be funded by
state and federal grants. Right now our zoning permit application in the
hands of Sugarcreek Township supervisors. Anyone who wants to know how
the center is run or meet our residents is welcome to do so.
"These are men who served their country and now their country needs to
meet their needs. Some of these men have shattered family relationships
and they're looking to build new lives for themselves. We need to give
them that opportunity. So we're looking forward to approval for the new
housing units, and we're also thankful for having a new veterans' group,
AMVETS Post 13 join us in a volunteer partnership."
Tom Mitchell can be reached at
tmitchell@tribweb.com or (724) 543-1303 ext 220.
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Larry Scott
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