Dr. Tick has been doing groundbreaking work with Veterans since the 1970's and this work is detailed in his latest book, "War and the Soul." One of the main themes of this book is the importance of community involvement in the healing of returning soldiers. As a result of his moving work and stories, a dozen of the conference attendees have been discussing projects based on Dr. Tick's work, with the intention of introducing these ideas to Department of Peace volunteers across the country as soon as a template is in place.

If you are wondering what to say to a returning Veteran, a pointer we received from Dr. Tick is to tell our soldiers you are glad they made it home. Thanking them for their service can cause mixed feelings for those who are conflicted by what they are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For more on the history of Memorial Day, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. 

One of the volunteers from the Northeast region, Melissa Ormerod, shares the following:

"I will be observing Memorial Day, Monday May 26th, in a much different way then I ever have before. To be honest, I never paid much attention to the holiday in the past. That was until I attended the Northeast Regional Department of Peace and Nonviolence Conference about a month ago and heard Ed Tick, Ph.D. speak about the importance of each of us honoring and supporting our veterans when they return home from war so they can begin to recover and heal. This is what really hit home for me.

"Dr. Tick believes that as members of society we are all responsible for the recovery of our veterans and that there are steps each of us can take to become communities that hear our soldiers’ and veterans’ stories and provide immediate response to their suffering. A 2003 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine said 1 in 6 soldiers returning from Iraq suffered from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The suffering our soldiers endure, many of us could not begin to understand.    

"In essence, we must rally around our veterans (and their families) who have truly made the ultimate sacrifice for us. On this Memorial Day, perhaps you will attend a local parade. Take time to also visit a VA hospital to ensure that the veteran there are not forgotten. Gather in a veteran cemetery and pay respect. Become a pen-pal with an active duty soldier. Tell a veteran or soldier you either know or don’t know, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice”. There is so much each of us can do."