Veteran benefits the topic of seminar
Knowledge is one of the most important things people gain on the journey of life. For veterans, knowledge of the benefits they are entitled to tops the list.
A local seminar will be held Jan. 13 in an effort to make veterans and their spouses aware of possible benefits they might be overlooking from the United States Veterans Administration (VA).
?Some veterans just don?t know what benefits are out there,? said seminar organizer and Vietnam veteran Rod McClellan. ?That?s why I want to hold this seminar. I think it?s important for veterans to know there is help out there.?
Lee Orman, from the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, will be the guest speaker. Orman is knowledgeable when it comes to programs for veterans and what benefits they can receive.
Some little-known facts:
? Veterans with only one combat stressor could be entitled to compensation from VA.
? Night sweats, nightmares and not sleeping well could be symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
? Having multiple divorces, difficulty holding a job, being easy to anger and needing to ?be in control all the time? could also be symptoms of PTSD.
? Little things like not being able to sit with your back to the door at a restaurant could be a symptom of PTSD.
? Avoiding crowds or social situations, excessive drug or alcohol use and depression could be s symptom of PTSD.
? Having flashbacks, or even worse, re-living combat stress for hours or days at a time could be a symptom of PTSD.
The VA has many treatment programs for veterans suffering from PTSD. These programs range from medications to help the combat veteran feel ?at peace? for the first time since combat to a program called Eye Movement Desensitization Reprogramming (EMDR). The EMDR program helps veterans to stop re-living combat stress.
The Jan. 13 seminar will begin at 10 a.m. at Covenant Fellowship Church, 7225 Manchester Highway. All veterans, including Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, are encouraged to attend with their spouses.
The seminar is free and reservations are not necessary. For more information, contact Covenant at 668-8002.