An honor to participate in Operation Green Light in recognition of Grant and Iowa County Veterans and their families this week as we celebrate Veterans Day!
#Veterans#veteransupport#veteranshelpingveterans#veteranstrong
This Veteran’s Day we are also honoring the spouses and families of Veterans. Veteran spouses and families often face unique challenges and sacrifices due to the nature of military life. Here are some of the most common sacrifices they experience:
Frequent Relocations
Military families move often, sometimes every few years. Constant moves mean spouses and children must frequently adapt to new schools, jobs, friends, and communities, which can disrupt social and educational stability.
Extended Periods of Separation
During deployments or training exercises, service members are often away for months or even years. Spouses must take on additional responsibilities at home, essentially serving as single parents and managing the household alone. This extended separation can strain relationships and be emotionally challenging for both the service member and family members left behind.
Career Sacrifices for Spouses
Due to frequent moves and the unpredictability of military life, many military spouses find it challenging to maintain stable careers. Gaps in employment and job market challenges can limit their professional growth and financial independence.
Emotional and Mental Health Struggles
Families of veterans, especially those who served in combat, may experience stress and worry about the safety and well-being of their loved ones. When veterans return, they may struggle with PTSD or other mental health challenges, which can impact family dynamics and place a strain on relationships.
Financial Uncertainty
Although the military provides certain benefits, some families face financial challenges, especially after leaving the service. Veterans might struggle to find stable employment or may need to rely on benefits that sometimes don’t fully meet their needs.
Challenges with Reintegration
When veterans return home, especially after long or multiple deployments, the transition to civilian or family life can be difficult. Adjusting to a more routine lifestyle, reconnecting with family, and addressing any physical or emotional scars can take time and patience from everyone involved.
Impact on Children
Children of veterans and active-duty members may experience emotional difficulties due to parental separation or the stress of frequent moves. They may also struggle to understand and cope with the challenges their parent faces, especially if that parent returns with visible or invisible wounds of war.
These sacrifices highlight the resilience and strength of military families, who play a critical role in supporting veterans and contributing to their overall well-being during and after service.
#veteranspouses#veteranfamily#VeteransDay#VeteranSupport#VeteransDay2024
As Veteran’s Day approaches, we wanted to share some supportive information for those who care about the wellness of our military members, our Veterans, former and current military spouses, and friends and families of those who volunteer to defend the United States. We’re honored to be a Veteran Ready organization that was recognized by Governor Evers for our onboarding program that supports and empowers those who sacrifice so much for us all.
Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be a challenging process that often brings about a variety of mental health issues. Some of the most common challenges include:
1. Adjustment Disorder: The shift from a highly structured military environment to the more flexible civilian world can lead to adjustment disorders, characterized by stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms as individuals adapt to new roles and routines.
2. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Veterans may continue to struggle with PTSD from combat or other traumatic experiences during their service, affecting their ability to integrate into civilian life.
3. Depression: The loss of camaraderie, identity, and sense of purpose associated with military service can contribute to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and depression.
4. Anxiety: Uncertainty about employment, financial stability, and fitting into civilian society can lead to heightened anxiety levels.
5. Substance Abuse: Some Veterans may turn to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism for dealing with stress, trauma, and the difficulties of reintegration.
6. Identity and Purpose Issues: The transition often involves a significant change in identity and a loss of the sense of purpose and belonging that military service provides, leading to existential questions and a struggle to find new meaning in civilian life.
7. Relationship Strain: Reintegration can put a strain on family relationships and friendships, as Veterans and their loved ones adjust to changes in roles and dynamics.
8. Occupational Challenges: Finding and adjusting to civilian employment can be difficult, leading to frustration, low self-esteem, and financial stress. Veterans may also struggle to translate their military skills and experience into civilian job qualifications.
9. Social Isolation: Veterans may feel isolated due to a perceived lack of understanding and support from the civilian community, leading to loneliness and social withdrawal.
10. Moral Injury: Experiences that conflict with one’s moral or ethical beliefs can result in moral injury, causing profound guilt, shame, and spiritual distress.
11. Crisis: The combination of these mental health challenges can lead to crisis, particularly if Veterans feel overwhelmed or lack adequate support.
12. Healthcare Navigation: Navigating the civilian healthcare system to access mental health services and benefits can be confusing and frustrating, further exacerbating stress and mental health issues.
Addressing these challenges often requires a comprehensive support system, including access to mental health services, peer support groups, employment assistance programs, and community resources specifically designed for veterans transitioning to civilian life.
#veterans#VeteransDay2024#VeteransDay#veteranready#veteransupport
October is National Bullying Prevention Month and in this week’s episode of “Awkward Conversations,” an encore from Season 3, Jodie Sweetin of “Full House” and “Fuller House” and clinical psychologist Dr. Krystal Lewis are joined by anti-bullying advocate and author Jodee Blanco. Together, they dive into the emotional toll of bullying and how it can lead to substance use.
Grant County 2024 Outings- all free unless noted (Some Iowa/Lafayette)
Grant County Events- https://grantcounty.org/events/
Iowa County Events- https://healthyiowacounty.org/community-events-calendar/
Boscobel- https://boscobelwisconsin.com/calendar/
-Saturdays- May to October-Farmers market- 8-12
-10/5- Boscobel Trunk or Treat, 8am-5pm
-12/7- Christmas in Boscobel, 8am-5pm
Cassville- https://www.explorecassville.com/events-calendar
-Wednesday Nights- 445-7pm- Movie Nights- Eckstein Memorial Library
-First Thursday of the Month- 1130am-1230- Tiny Tales- Eckstein Memorial Library
-3rd Mondy of the Month- Lego Funday- 330-430- Eckstein Memorial Library
-Saturdays 9/14 and 9/28- 8-12. Volunteer Park.
-9/26-9/28- Community Wide Fall Garage Sales
-10/19- Safe and Spooky Halloween
-10/31- Halloween Parade
-11/30- Christmas in Cassville
Cuba City- https://www.facebook.com/events/explore/cuba-city-wisconsin/108239512531201/?ref=110
-10/20- Fall Festival at Cuba City Elementary- trunk or treat, games, food drucks, etc. Costumes encouraged. $5 donation requested. 11am-1pm.
-9/18- Fall Night market, 430-830, downtwon on West Ann Street.
-12/7- Holiday Festivities/parade and Santa
Dickeyville- https://www.dickeyville.com/calendar
Dodgeville- www.dodgeville.com and https://healthyiowacounty.org/community-events-calendar/
-Farmer’s Market- 5/11-10/12- 8-1130am- Saturdays- Methodist Church Parking lot at 327 N. Iowa Street.
-Wednesdays- yoga- 9-930- 115 W. Merrimac Street. No cost. Bring your own mat.
-Saturdays- yoga- 9-10- 115 W. Merrimac Street. Donations appreciated. Bring your own mat.
-11/30- Home for the holidays
Fennimore- https://fennimore.com/events/list/
-9/26-9/28- Fall Citywide Garage Sales
9/29- Heritage Day
10/27-Trunk or Treat- 2-4pm
-11/30- christmas Creations craft fair and marker’s Market, 9am-2pm
Hazel Green- https://www.facebook.com/events/explore/hazel-green-wisconsin/108065089221076/
-Every Wednesday, 1030-1130- Havel Green Public Library- coffee, converstation and coloring for adults, bring your own mug, if you are able.
-Fall Festival, Annual Hog roast, and annual Christmas craft fair- unable to find more information on them
Lancaster- https://www.lancasterwichamber.com/events.html#/
-10/5- harvest festival and parade- 11am
-11/2- Holiday Craft Sale
-12/6- Frosty Night of Cheer
-12/14- Santa at the courthouse, 9-11am
Livingston-
Monfort-
Muscoda- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069294336435&ref=settings
Platteville- https://www.platteville.org/calendar and https://platteville.librarycalendar.com/events/month
-Saturdays- May to October- 8-12 Platteville Farmers Market, City Park. Winter Market- November to april- 1 and 3rd Saturday of the month, 9-12 Rountree Gallery
-9/29-1-4pm, Taste of Platteville- food ($1 food tickets each), live music, 1-4pm pickleball tournament 10am-3pm
-10/12-Homecoming Parade- Main Street- 10am
-10/12-Family Fun and Raffles Event- 9-11am, Smith Park
-10/25-10/26- Katie’s Holloween Garden- Katie’s garden- 5pm
-10-26-Sweet treats on main- 11am
-12-6-12-7- Katie’s Garden Winter Wonderland, 5pm-10pm
Potosi-Tennyson- https://www.potosiwisconsin.com/local-events
-Driftless Gate Market- September 7, 21.
-9/18-5-7pm- Grant Regional Celebration- open to public, kids bounce house, firetruck tours, free vision screening or blood pressure screening, BBQ available for purchase.
-9/22-Masonic Lodge Annual Car Show, 8am-3pm, Holiday Gardens, Potosi
-9/28- Night Market- Hickory Hill Park, 330-9pm
-10/12- Masonic Lodge Annual Fish Fry- cost
-11/9-9am-3pm- Holiday craft and vendor fair, Holiday gardens
-11/27- Trivia and Chicken Dinner- cost
Other Considerations
-Disc Golf
-Bike Paths
-Fishing, Hiking, Walking
-Geocaching
-Golf-cost
-Pickleball
-Canoe, kayak- rentals available- Wisconsin River Outings in Boscobel, Y’Allbee Tubin, Wyalusing State Park- cost
-Tubing down Grant River, shuttle services available, Grant river Tubin’ Co. in Potosi- cost
-Swimming pools- Casseville, Fennimore, lancaster, montfort, Wyalusing Public Beach, Woodman Recreation Area – cost
-Coffee Shops-cost
-Bowling- cost- sign kids up for free bowling at kidsbowlfree.com
-Movie theaters- cost
-Roller Skating- Fennimore Rainbo palace Roller Skating Rink
-Ice cream- cost- Grab a Cone in Monfort
-Rural one Popcorn- cost- Monfort
-Exercise options online: Fiton app (free, workouts, variety of exercising like yoga, weights, pilates, mindfulness, HITT, etc). Online exercise classes and meditation: https://thephoenix.org/
