June is PTS Awareness Month – Have you given your 2 cents?

The military is rewarding, but not always easy.  It is estimated that 12 to 20 percent of Service members and Veterans return home with Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) – or roughly 30,000 Veterans.  In hopes of bringing more awareness to this every-growing issue, June is now recognized as PTS Awareness Month.

PTS is very real.  The men and women who serve often experience a traumatic event from combat, physical or sexual assault or other life changing event that can result in symptoms ranging from hyper-vigilance, chronic sleep problems to flashbacks and suicides. Since, 1999 there have been less than 6,000 combat deaths.  Since 1999 there have been over 130,000 suicides.

The Foundation for Exceptional Warriors – The FEW, offers a way for our Special Operation warriors to Reach, Recognize and Refresh.

The FEW is an adventure based outreach program designed to “reach” our Exceptional Warriors by letting them know that they are not alone in their battle.   The organization is founded by the men it serves and strives to help our SPO Veterans reconnect with society.

In “recognizing” the unique needs of these Exceptional Warriors, hunts, fishing trips and other outdoor challenging events are offered at no cost and at the end of the day their “fireside therapy” allows these Warriors who served together to heal together.

The therapeutic events provide a way for our Exception Warriors to “refresh” their spirit and begin a new journey of reconnecting with their family, society and the work force.

Join the 2 Cent Campaign and help us send an Exceptional Warrior on an outdoor therapeutic event. It is only $13.20 a month – two trips to Starbucks or one extra large value meal.