thedrifter
10-19-07, 08:41 AM
Yesterday's warriors of service to today's
By Rick Rogers
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
October 19, 2007
CAMP PENDLETON – Their fighting days are long over, but members of the American Combat Veterans of War are serving again. This time, they're mentors and bureaucracy busters for a growing number of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans stationed in San Diego County.
Their nonprofit group, commonly known as ACVOW, is the nation's only organization endorsed by the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments for mentoring and counseling combat veterans.
The volunteers, many of them veterans of the Vietnam War, recently opened their second office at Camp Pendleton. They also have an office at the VA medical center in La Jolla.
Marines don't gush about combat, let alone casually discuss their nightmares, self-medication and anger with strangers. But they've been opening up to ACVOW representatives, who know firsthand the effects of war and are trained to help those grappling with combat stress or post-traumatic stress disorder.
“It's kind of like having an uncle who is a Vietnam veteran trying to help them out,” said Bill Rider, who began ACVOW with Mike Sloan in 2001.
The group's newest office – open five days a week, six hours a day – probably will get plenty of Marines. It's across the street from the School of Infantry and close to the 1st, 5th and 11th Marine regiments.
ACVOW duties go well beyond mentoring. When a serviceman and his family recently needed help, for example, the organization's members pulled together $250 to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.
“Did you know that 30 percent of the Marines at Camp Pendleton are on food stamps?” Rider asked. “I think that is a national disgrace.”
He and other ACVOW representatives also lead service members through the paper crucible to obtain their disability benefits.
“The Marines brought us on as a pilot program in the spring of 2006, and everyone is very happy with us because we have a role to play here,” said David J. Pelkey, national director for ACVOW.
During the grand opening for their new office last week, ACVOW members handed out T-shirts and asked Marines to spread the word about their arrival.
“I know there are some Marines who would rather talk to people they don't work with,” said Staff Sgt. Albert Martinez of Sunnyvale, 25, a two-tour veteran of the Iraq war.
Sgt. Jay Sanchez of Torrance acknowledged many Marines' reluctance to seek assistance.
“There is an unwritten rule that Marines don't talk about combat,” said Sanchez, 32. “For a lot of these guys, there is a stigma about getting help. But when they don't, feelings can fester.”
Some Marines abuse drugs and alcohol, while others channel their stress through reckless driving, he said.
The ACVOW services “can do nothing but help,” Sanchez added.
During last week's promotion in the 52 Area, Rider asked a senior enlisted Marine whether he knew of anyone who might need ACVOW support.
“I've got one Marine who seems to have been affected mentally by the war,” said 1st Sgt. Larry Catledge, 39. “He has to drive to the southern part of the base to talk to someone. Having you guys here will save him half a day.”
Catledge then added, “Marines have a tendency to relate to guys who have tasted the same dirt as they have.”
As the ACVOW presence grows at Camp Pendleton, the group also hopes to start an off-base “Safe Warrior” program to stop high-risk behavior, Pelkey said.
One focus area would be road accidents, which have killed at least five San Diego County Marines in the past month, including two who died in motorcycle crashes this week.
Rick Rogers: (760) 476-8212; rick.rogers@uniontrib.com
Ellie
By Rick Rogers
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
October 19, 2007
CAMP PENDLETON – Their fighting days are long over, but members of the American Combat Veterans of War are serving again. This time, they're mentors and bureaucracy busters for a growing number of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans stationed in San Diego County.
Their nonprofit group, commonly known as ACVOW, is the nation's only organization endorsed by the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments for mentoring and counseling combat veterans.
The volunteers, many of them veterans of the Vietnam War, recently opened their second office at Camp Pendleton. They also have an office at the VA medical center in La Jolla.
Marines don't gush about combat, let alone casually discuss their nightmares, self-medication and anger with strangers. But they've been opening up to ACVOW representatives, who know firsthand the effects of war and are trained to help those grappling with combat stress or post-traumatic stress disorder.
“It's kind of like having an uncle who is a Vietnam veteran trying to help them out,” said Bill Rider, who began ACVOW with Mike Sloan in 2001.
The group's newest office – open five days a week, six hours a day – probably will get plenty of Marines. It's across the street from the School of Infantry and close to the 1st, 5th and 11th Marine regiments.
ACVOW duties go well beyond mentoring. When a serviceman and his family recently needed help, for example, the organization's members pulled together $250 to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.
“Did you know that 30 percent of the Marines at Camp Pendleton are on food stamps?” Rider asked. “I think that is a national disgrace.”
He and other ACVOW representatives also lead service members through the paper crucible to obtain their disability benefits.
“The Marines brought us on as a pilot program in the spring of 2006, and everyone is very happy with us because we have a role to play here,” said David J. Pelkey, national director for ACVOW.
During the grand opening for their new office last week, ACVOW members handed out T-shirts and asked Marines to spread the word about their arrival.
“I know there are some Marines who would rather talk to people they don't work with,” said Staff Sgt. Albert Martinez of Sunnyvale, 25, a two-tour veteran of the Iraq war.
Sgt. Jay Sanchez of Torrance acknowledged many Marines' reluctance to seek assistance.
“There is an unwritten rule that Marines don't talk about combat,” said Sanchez, 32. “For a lot of these guys, there is a stigma about getting help. But when they don't, feelings can fester.”
Some Marines abuse drugs and alcohol, while others channel their stress through reckless driving, he said.
The ACVOW services “can do nothing but help,” Sanchez added.
During last week's promotion in the 52 Area, Rider asked a senior enlisted Marine whether he knew of anyone who might need ACVOW support.
“I've got one Marine who seems to have been affected mentally by the war,” said 1st Sgt. Larry Catledge, 39. “He has to drive to the southern part of the base to talk to someone. Having you guys here will save him half a day.”
Catledge then added, “Marines have a tendency to relate to guys who have tasted the same dirt as they have.”
As the ACVOW presence grows at Camp Pendleton, the group also hopes to start an off-base “Safe Warrior” program to stop high-risk behavior, Pelkey said.
One focus area would be road accidents, which have killed at least five San Diego County Marines in the past month, including two who died in motorcycle crashes this week.
Rick Rogers: (760) 476-8212; rick.rogers@uniontrib.com
Ellie