Veterans and Family Panel - Mental Health America of Wisconsin

Quotes from Veterans and family members.
“I felt like no one knew what I was going through when I got out of
the military and returned home. I felt disconnected from my family
and friends. The only people I felt connected to were my fellow
Veterans who have deployed and been in the military.”
- Ken Corry
“On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind.
As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we
leave no veteran behind.”
- Dan Lipinski
Northeast Wisconsin
Warrior Summit
Veterans
and Family Panel
Veterans Panel
Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 2040 Airport Drive, Green Bay
October 7th 2014 10:30 am-12:00 p.m.
“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country
has earned them our lasting gratitude.”
- Jeff Miller
“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.”
- Jose Narosky
“It takes the Courage and Strength of a Warrior to ask for Help.”
- Author Unknown
List of Resources.
Green Bay Vet Center:
1600 S Ashland Ave, Green Bay, WI 54304
vetcenter.va.gov (920)435-5650
Milo C. Huempfner Green Bay VA Health Care Center:
2851 University Ave, Green Bay, WI 54311 (920) 431-2500
http://www.milwaukee.va.gov/locations/Green_Bay.asp
Wounded Warrior Project:
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Wounded Warrior in Action:
http://www.woundedwarriorsinaction.org
County Veterans Service Officer:
Find your CVSO: wicvso.org
Their Journey Discussing the
War Experience and
Reintegration to Family Life
Hosted by: Scott Katzka
Scott Katzka is a US Army Reserve Retired SFC with approximately 21 years service. Served with 1st Armored Division in
the Persian Gulf War from 90-91. Spent 6
years as a Tanker, 2 years in Personnel, and
12+ years as a Combat Medic. Currently
working as Team Leader/Readjustment
Counselor with the Green Bay Vet Center.
Thank you all for coming here today and listening to what we
have to share. The panel participants will be sharing some of their
experiences from service as well as readjustment issues they have
faced when they returned from military service. Please be patient
and considerate as they go through these experiences and save your
questions for them once they have completed.
Our Veterans’ Panel is made up of 3 Veterans from our current wars
in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the combined years of deployments
in and around the conflicts totaling more then 10 years.
These may be some of the examples of the questions you want to
ask our Veterans about but are not limited to:
-What specific things have been helpful with your transition to
civilian life, work and school?
-What do you wish you had more information about when transitioning from the military to civilian world?
-Are there particular things that would have been helpful or would
currently be helpful in your transition from the military to civilian
life?
-What things do you want the audience to know about your
military and/or life experiences?
-What were the difficulties coming home?
-What were the difficulties returning to school?
-What is the hardest thing you have to go through on a day-to-day
basis?
Here are some of the questions you want to avoid and reasons why
you want to avoid them:
Have you ever killed anyone?
What do you think about what they are saying on the news about
Iraq and the Middle East?
Do you have PTSD?
These things are very personal and have had a great impact on each
service member individually.
Do you know friend Mike? He was in the Army. Chances are slim
to none. (.001%)
Some of the things to ask our family members/caregivers might be:
-What are some of the difficulties that are/were affecting you and
your family?
-Was there anything good that came from your significant other
deploying overseas?
-What is the hardest thing you have to go through on a day-to-day
basis?
-What did you do when your Veteran was deployed?
-As a spouse or caregiver what does the VA do for you?
-Do you think you have all the tools to help assist your Veteran? If
not what else could you be provided to maximize the support for
your Veteran?
Veterans and Family Members/Caregivers Panel:
Aaron Schmallenberg: Army Veteran with two tours to Iraq.
Kenneth Corry: Air Force Veteran with three tours between Iraq
and Afghanistan.
Jonathan Pylypiv: Wisconsin Army National Guard Veteran with
one tour to Iraq.
Lisa Schomaker: Spouse of a Army Veteran who deployed to Iraq.
Abby Schmallenberg: Not just Aaron’s sister but is his Caregiver.