Roy Masters Honored in Memorial Day Parade

FHU
Vol 19 • Issue 4
T
New Insights USA
July/Aug 2013
Roy Masters Honored
in Memorial Day Parade
he Memorial Day parade in Grants Pass, Oregon, like in so many
communities across the country, is an annual event. Every year,
thousands line the main street of town to remember our military.
Veteran Roy Masters
Honored in his Hometown
This year, for the first time, rather than joining the thousands that attended the
parade, thirty two friends of the Foundation wanted to put the Foundation in
the parade. Everyone who participated showed their love for the soldier in their
own special way. Six cars were decorated with a different message.
The main banner read, “The Foundation of Human Understanding Loves Our
Veterans, Warriors and Their Families.” After the banner came World War
II veteran, Roy Masters. As was done for other veterans in the parade, when
Roy’s car passed by, the crowd stood to applaud.
2
Roy Masters Honored in
Memorial Day Parade
Foundation of Human
Understanding is a
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Although Roy served in the British Army
during the war, he was wearing the
military cap given to him by the elite
American veterans organization
called “Forty & Eight”—founded in
1920 by members of the American
Legion. He was inducted into that
organization to honor him both
for his wartime service and for his
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Editor-in-Chief
Roy Masters
Associate Editors
Connie Derek
Steve Grow
Wendy Taylor
Copy Editor
Mary April
Design & Production
Connie Derek
Photographs courtesy of
Jytte Walters
______________
New Insights
is published bi-monthly by
Foundation of Human
Understanding
PO Box 1000
Grants Pass, OR 97528
Vol 19 • Issue 4
July/August 2013
Foundation of Human Understanding
Copyright © 2013
All rights reserved.
groundbreaking work over the last 60 years in helping to resolve an entire
range of psychiatric problems including post-traumatic stress disorder which
have vexed so many of our warriors and their families.
This has been accomplished by Roy’s simple awareness technique, “Be Still
and Know,” which has been at the center of Roy’s work for six decades. To the
military it is known as the “Coping Strategies” CD. His newest version is the
MP3 player called, “The Cure Stress Device.”
3
Roy has received praise for his work from many sources over the years—
Roy Masters Honored in
Memorial Day Parade
• from the floor of the U.S. Congress and Iowa’s
Governor and Legislature
• from chaplains and senior military officers
• from therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists
and medical doctors working with military and
veterans
• from the California chapter of the American
Legion.
From the highest levels of our military to a
governor’s proclamation, the consensus is that
Roy’s technique works.
Just after this picture was taken, as we were waiting to join the parade, one
of the parade officials came over to tell Roy that he was a veteran with stress.
He added that he had buddies in the same situation. Roy immediately offered
to connect with him after the parade. This soldier got his help.
The welcome Roy received in the parade was enthusiastic. A far cry from the
many years the local media made Roy a target. Character assassination is a nasty
business. Roy dealt with that cruelty in the same way he shows the soldier, or anyone else, how to deal with stress. It isn’t Roy who has changed, it is his home town.
Quite a few of our group were veterans who have never been recognized publicly
for their service. They were there to honor Roy, but came away with honor on
themselves. n
4
Roy Masters Honored in
Memorial Day Parade
Why Roy’s Friends were in the Parade...
“It was a moment of solidarity with
Roy. He has been treated in an unfair
way for years and this was a proactive
thing to do in the community. It was
a long time coming. We have to stand
with him. This man has an awesome
message. Too many have stood in the
shadows for so long. It was a sweet
idea and we need to do this again.”
…Bill
“I was proud to serve in the Navy. I was proud of the country and wanted to
serve. Let me tell you, it means a lot when someone comes up to thank you for
your service. I didn’t realize at the time the significance of what I did. Today I
have a different perspective. Then, I was just doing my job. I see my military
experience in three ways: First, how it was when I was in; second, looking back;
and third, how I look at today’s soldier. Our men serving today are heroes.”
…Roger, U.S. Navy veteran, drove his 1929 Ford pickup in the parade.
5
“I liked the fact that the people here remember
the sacrifice the vets have made. The parade was
an offshoot of what the day was all about. The
fact that they have the parade is important. Of
all the wars, the Vietnam War was the one where
men were really treated poorly. The media made
it very hard for us. I saw no negativity against
Roy. I thought there would be because of how he
has been treated in this town by the local papers.
I like small towns. I like the way that small
towns across the country appreciate traditional
American values. Being in the parade meant a
lot to me.” …Mike, U.S. Navy, Vietnam Veteran
Roy Masters Honored in
Memorial Day Parade
“The reason I came out
was to support Roy, the
soldiers, and Roy’s stressfree materials.” …Kay
A bold message for the parade,
but a message that was well received.
“Being in the parade changed me. It opened my eyes. The
word “veteran” is no longer just a word. I saw for myself how
the crowd appreciated our soldiers. I have never seen people
treat a soldier with such respect. It was everybody. There
was not one negative. I was in Vietnam in the Navy. I did my
part. But there are so many that went above and beyond just
showing up. I originally joined to do what I thought sailors did
in war. But my experience was different. The parade made me
really appreciate my fellow veterans and what they have done
for us…their sacrifice. I have a whole different consciousness
about things now. Since the parade I have visited with veterans
at the VA in White City. I’m aware of veterans now when I am
out in public. I go out of my way to greet them. I see them
new.” …Tony, U.S. Navy, Vietnam Veteran
6
Roy Masters Honored in
Memorial Day Parade
Since our nation’s
founding, more
than one million
American
Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen, Marines
and Coast
Guardsmen have
paid the ultimate
price in defense
of our nation, and
it is their final
sacrifice that we
honor with solemn
reverence on
Memorial Day.
“Participating in the parade to honor
Roy and his fellow veterans was a
privilege—even though, I am ashamed
to say, at first I was reluctant to stand up
and be counted. I’ve known Roy for 40
years (shocking to see that number) and
I am grateful every day that I have been
led to a kindred soul who has helped me
out of many deeply rooted conditionings,
even cancer, with the simple common
sense of “Be Still & Know.” I love the
principles of truth and the foundation of
our country and am deeply moved by
the men and women who are willing to
put their lives in harms way to preserve
our freedom. Roy is such a man—as are
the veterans that we honored on that day
of remembrance.” ...Connie
“Because I am a widow of a veteran, my experience at the parade became
very personal. As we decorated the last car to honor our fallen heroes, I placed
my husband’s flag that was presented to me at his funeral, on top of the car.
I now realized I was honoring him in a very special way. My heart welded up
like never before as I saw and loved the real man inside. I recognized the one
who was willing to sacrifice all, to keep safe those who could not fight. I thank
God for showing me that!?” ...Susan
7
Roy Masters Honored in
Memorial Day Parade
“I heard about
this CD from
my psychologist
who has been
treating me for
PTSD.” (Airman
second class)
“Roy has done so much for returning
soldiers. As a veteran, it was quite
a privilege to walk alongside him
honoring our military and the sacrifice
they have made. As we waited to begin,
lined up with all the other vehicles, I
noticed a strange, wisp of clouds in an
otherwise clear sky. They seemed to
have an iridescent glow. I remarked
about them to Roy. Looking up, he
wondered if it was a sign. When we
arrived, at the end of the parade, at our
rendezvous point with my wife, she
asked if we had seen the “angel wing
clouds.” …Charles, U.S. Army Veteran
“The experience of taking part in the parade was more than I had expected. “Not
only were the bystanders aware of Roy Masters and the Foundation, they were
enthusiastically applauding and cheering as we drove by. Many were waving
and giving thumbs up to Roy. As we were remembering our brave soldiers who
fought and died for our freedoms, we also were able to let the people there
know about the Foundation’s newest concept...The Cure Stress Device. There
should be one in every home.” …Joanna
“Some veterans are a little shy about public
appearances, but being in the parade was
fun. I loved it and would do it again any
time. I am all for helping. I got to see other
veterans. After the parade, it meant a lot to
be greeted by other veterans.” ....Bernard,
U.S. Navy, Vietnam Veteran /Oregon Nat’l
Guard, Sinai Pen.
“Why did I get
in the parade?
I did it because
Roy told me a long time ago to change my life. At the
time, I was in Los Angeles, not living in a spiritual
way. When it was time for me to change, I came up
to a seminar in Oregon. I was so impressed with
Grants Pass. I knew this would be my future home.
I am very happy I am here. For me, thanks to God
and Roy, this is the best place to live in the world.
Thanks to the military this is the greatest country to
live in the world. Being in the parade was a chance
to show publicly my appreciation for all that I have received.” …Margarita
8
Roy Masters Honored in
Memorial Day Parade
“From the heart of a wounded warrior. I am finding the fuller appreciation of
what it really means to say, “Thank you, Roy.”
...Richard, U.S. Army, Vietnam Veteran
Crowds on both side of the street as far as you can see
“I have never done anything like
this before. I wanted to honor my
son who has had three deployments
to Iraq and Afghanistan and is still
serving his country. He is stationed
now in Germany. I also did it to
honor the veterans who gave their
lives for their country and for the
veterans who survived and are still
here.” …Marilyn
“I wanted to be in the parade to
honor the veterans who have served
our country. I’m just glad that Roy is
helping soldiers. I wish we could get
the Cure Stress Device to more of
them.” …Paul, U.S. Army Veteran
9
Roy Masters Honored in
Memorial Day Parade
“I wanted to stand with Roy in public. He needs people to stand with him. The
time has come to stand for something. It is not my natural inclination to be in
a parade. I’m certainly no show off. I liked the decorations and we had a great
reception. I’m glad I did it and I’d do it again.” …Bruce
“This is basic
training for
the mind!” –
Iraq Warrior, PFC
J. Oehring, U.S.
Army Infantry
deployed to Iraq
There’s happiness in celebrating the American soldier
“I wanted to support my church and support
Roy. I was glad to participate. After all
the years of what Roy has gone through
with the local media, it was commendable
he put himself out there. The crowd was
very receptive. Not only was it enjoyable,
it was an honor to participate. I wanted to
do my part, no matter how small it was.”
…Tim
“I have worked for Roy on and off for the
past 20 years and his spiritual guidance has
been invaluable. When I heard Roy was
going to be in the parade, I was excited and
had to photograph the event.” ...Jytte
10
What Grateful Veterans are Saying
About Roy’s Work
Excerpts from the World Net Daily article—
Military Praises ‘Fantastic’ New Post-Traumatic Stress Therapy
Simple Technique ‘going viral,’ bringing ‘rapid improvement’ to soldiers, families.
F
By David Kupelian
n Military Praises
‘Fantastic’ New
Post-Traumatic
Stress Therapy
Simple Technique ‘going
viral,’ bringing ‘rapid
improvement’ to soldiers,
families.
By David Kupelian
Copyright 2011 WND.com
“Amazingly,
it (the “Be
Still & Know”
exercise) keeps
showing and
reaping benefits.
I’ve never been
more patient
and alive. The
secret is in
the watchful
observance
without
struggle.”
– L. Brown, U.S.
Navy, Gulf of Tonkin,
Vietnam
or the American soldier, it’s become the
sneakiest of all sneak attacks to watch out for
– the enemy’s final chance to wreak havoc by
secretly following the soldier home and attacking
him and his loved ones there.
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD – fre­quently
characterized as “bringing the enemy home with
you” has become an epidemic in the U.S. military.
But because of a dramatic breakthrough from the
grassroots, there is new hope.
The problem is dire. Exacerbated by back-to-back
tours of duty in a war environment where enemy
combatants are often indistinguishable from
civilians and every passing vehicle a potential car bomb, up to 20 percent of
Iraq and Afghanistan war vets are currently struggling with PTSD, according
to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. ...
Of course, it’s not just warriors who battle PTSD: Any human being experiencing
the sudden death of a loved one, a devastating natural disaster or a violent
crime like rape or assault; being vic­timized by childhood molestation, abuse
or neglect; witnessing a serious accident or terrorist attack – in short, suffering
any intensely traumatic or shocking experience that overwhelms one’s ability
to cope – can face post-traumatic stress disorder, says the National Institute of
Mental Health. ...
Indeed, the vast majority of soldiers suffering from PTSD do not seek help,
whether because of warrior ethos or fear of being disqualified from further
deployments or advancements on “psychi­atric” grounds, or just being
prohibited from own­ing a firearm. And even for those relatively few who do
seek professional help, the system is scan­dalously overloaded. ...
For the first time in history, a sizable and growing number of U.S. combat
troops are taking daily doses of anti­depressants to calm nerves strained by
repeated and lengthy tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. About 12 percent of combat
troops in Iraq and 17 per­cent of those in Afghanistan are tak­ing prescription
antidepressants or sleeping pills to help them cope. ...
With suicides now an alarming 18 per day, (22 in 2013) and 950 attempts per
month, it’s disturbing to note that almost 40 percent of the Army’s suicide vic­tims
11
in recent years have been on psychiatric drugs, especially SSRI antidepressants
like Paxil, Effexor, Zoloft and Prozac.“The high percentage of U.S. soldiers
attempt­ing suicide after taking SSRIs should raise serious concerns,” Harvard
Medical School’s Dr. Joseph Glenmullen told Time.
NEW COPING STRATEGIES
Fortunately, a new technique for coping with PTSD and other stress-related
syndromes – involv­ing neither drugs nor, in many cases, even the psychi­atrist’s
couch – is now spreading rapidly throughout the various service branches.
Although “Coping Strategies” has prolif­erated almost entirely by word of
mouth – given to soldiers and family members by psychologists, nurses,
military chaplains, fellow soldiers and senior officers – its simplicity, privacy
and remarkable track record are being noticed at the highest levels.
“In my own experience as a commander who mobilized and returned thousands
of wartime vet­erans, I have seen soldiers make rapid improvement through use
of these CDs,” said Maj. Gen. George R. Harris.
“CDs”? Help for a serious condition like post-traumatic
stress disorder, just from listening to a compact disc?
Really?
Harris – a recently retired West Point
general assigned to the Office of the
Secretary of the Army – is indeed
talking about a single compact
disc, playable on any CD player
or computer, titled “Coping
Strategies.” ...
“I can tell you exactly where I’m
coming from on this CD” Harris
told WND. “We send thousands of
soldiers overseas, and then we bring
them back. We try to assimilate them
back into life and their families, and
there are lots of bumps in the road.”
Lead banner seen by
the estimated 7,000
who attended the
parade.
“As a commander,” he explained,
“where I would see those bumps
firsthand would be, most often,
when a wife would approach one of
my chaplains and say, ‘My husband, who you sent to Iraq, didn’t return home
the same person. But no matter how much I beg him to seek help, he refuses to
see a professional counselor.’
“So in that environment, it was fantastic to have this CD to give to chaplains,
who can then work through that wife, and get the soldier to try this. In every
case I heard of that he went through the process, it was helpful to the soldiers
and their wives.”
12
In fact, said Harris, it is often “the wives, the spouses, the kids – they’re the ones
who will take advantage of this CD and use it themselves, and then encourage
their soldiers to do it.”
So intrigued was this Army commander by the improvement he witnessed in his
super-stressed sol­diers using “Coping Strategies” that he tried it out on himself.
“I have given
your disc to
many veterans
who find great
benefit – I
believe it is one
of the best discs
in production.”
– LJ R, BSW, MSW,
Government combat
trauma therapist
“Now, I don’t think I have PTSD,” he cau­tioned WND, “but, just for the heck
of it, I locked myself in my bedroom and tried the CD – it’s about a 30-minute
exercise.” Afterward, he said, “I felt completely invigorated, ready to tackle
anything.” ...
“I reached the conclusion,” said Har­ris, “that I didn’t give a damn if I could
prove it worked medically, because I know it works. Besides, it’s so much
better than what most of the soldiers are now getting – which is nothing.” ...
COMBATING STRESS
When it comes to dealing with overwhelming stress, one person who really
understands the value of “Coping Strategies” is Army Lt. Col. Phillip L. Pringle,
a Southern Baptist chaplain who has lived and counseled soldiers in one of the
most stressful environments on earth.
Pringle served in Iraq with the 110th Engineer Battalion – the “IED Hunters” –
tasked with the crucial but numbingly dangerous job of making Iraqi roads safe
for military convoys and civilians by clearing them of IEDs, one of the most
hazardous aspects of that war.
Yet he’s witnessed so much success in help­ing soldiers and their families with
the “Coping Strategies” CD that he wrote a letter detailing his experiences.
“I am the
division
chaplain and
I have found
this audio and
data CD to be a
tremendous help
to my Soldiers.”
(Army colonel)
Pringle describes a typical scenario: “What I notice in passing out the ‘Coping
Strategies’ is, sol­diers don’t often like to talk about their depression or their
anxiety. But if I talk about, ‘Hey, how much stress are you going through?’ they
say, ‘Oh, Chaplain, I’ve got a lot of stress.’ And so I will give them this ‘Coping
Strategies’ and say, ‘Hey, try this out. It will help you with your management of
stress’ – and that seems to work.”
Like Harris, Chaplain Pringle also adds a note about his own personal experience
with the CD, saying: “The ‘Be Still and Know’ exercise works for me. It calms
my soul, enhances my thinking, and improves my emotional regulation. I am
thankful to be a more resilient chaplain.”
Among the professional counselors who have long made use of the exercise is
George M. Hayter, M.D., a Navy psychiatrist and lieutenant commander during
the Vietnam War, and currently chief of psy­chiatry at St. Joseph’s Hospital in
Orange, Calif. He concludes: “I must say, on the basis of 20 years experi­ence,
that the application of this technique has made a significant contribution to the
treatment of the great majority of those people who have learned it.” Hayter is
a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
13
‘GOING VIRAL’
Regarding the future of “Coping Strategies,” Lt. Col. Pringle, the Southern
Baptist Army chap­lain, has absolutely no doubts: “It is going viral.”
“When I
returned from
Afghanistan
last year to
a divorce,
your CD is
what helped
me through
it. There are
soldiers in my
unit that need
to learn better
cop­ing skills.”
(Staff sergeant,
infantry)
“It will grow in the military,” he explained, “because it fits in very well with the
hot issue of learning to be resilient – to embrace and overcome adversity.” And
like Gen. Harris, Pringle recom­mends the exercise for everyone, military and
civil­ian, as prevention as well as treatment. “Being still helps a person be their
own best therapist, to reflect on their life, to calm them, to think critically about
their problems to overcome them,” he said.
How high up the chain of command has the “Coping Strategies” CD gone? The
U.S. Army’s Chief of Chaplains, Maj. Gen. Douglas L. Carter, calls “Coping
Strategies” a “great resource for our Soldiers.” And Col. John Bradley, M.D.,
the chief of psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the U.S. Army’s
flagship medical center in Washington, D.C., is also sold. In fact, so convinced
is Bradley that the “Coping Strategies” CD is a valuable tool for the hundreds
of thousands of soldiers and family mem­bers struggling with the psychological
scars of war, he has taken it to the top, affirming simply: “I have rendered a
positive opinion to The Surgeon General.”
Meanwhile, back “in the trenches,” so to speak, Pringle’s “going viral”
comment wasn’t just a refer­ence to the Internet. On May 30, 2011 – Memorial
Day – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, before thousands of at­tendees at the state’s
Gold Star Military Museum in Camp Dodge, signed an executive proclamation
declaring Memorial Day in Iowa also to be “Patriot Outreach Day.”
His action followed unanimous resolutions in the Iowa House and Senate
commending Patriot Outreach for pro­viding “simple, effective, non-intrusive
support” for America’s warriors and their families.” They acknowledged the
tens of thousands of CDs and downloads delivered “to all armed forces, vet­
erans, first responders, government civilians, battle­field contractors and their
families” and paid tribute to the program’s proven “effectiveness in combating
anger, stress, pain, combat stress, and even PTSD.” n
David Kupelian is an
award-winning journalist,
managing editor of
WorldNetDaily.com,
editor of Whistleblower
magazine and author of
the best-selling book,
“How Evil Works.” Read
the full articles, “Military
Praises ‘Fantastic’
New Post-Traumatic
Stress Therapy” and
“Americans ‘Sanpping’
by the Millions” on
worldnetdaily.com
Coping Strategies on
one, small,
convenient
device.
$59 each
Includes shipping and handling
1-855-287-3787 • PO Box 1000, Grants Pass OR 97528
www.CureStressDevice.com
14
The Creator of ‘Cure Stress’
Excerpts from the World Net Daily article—
Americans ‘Snapping’ by the Millions
Astronomical levels of stress, depression, suicide—but also an inspired way out.
By David Kupelian
Roy ready and engaged
n Americans
‘Snapping’ by
the Millions
Astronomical levels
of stress, depression,
suicide—but also an
inspired way out.
By David Kupelian
Copyright 2013 WND.com
“Be Still and Know” was developed by Roy Masters, who at 85 is the patriarch
of stress experts, having taught this method since 1960 to millions, his fans
including everyone from movie star John Wayne to Internet journalist Matt
Drudge. He also hosts talk radio’s longest-running counseling show, “Advice
Line,” on Talk Radio Network. The author of 18 books, Masters was featured
on the Sean Hannity Show to discuss his newest book, “Hypnotic States of
Americans.” ...
In a recent message he tweeted, Masters summed up more than 60 years of
work in just 140 characters: “Learn to endure cruelty and injustice without
resentment and after the stress has passed you will find the fulfillment you have
been seeking.”
“Most stress,” explains Masters, “is simply cruelty, in one form or another,
directed at us by other stressed-out human beings, who themselves have been
victimized by cruelty and stress in their own pasts.
“Thank you,
It saved my
Life! The peace
and joy I now
enjoy makes life
worthwhile!”
– SGT J. Shiposki,
U.S. Marine Corps
(Homebound
Quadriplegic)
“Imagine, however, that someone said or did something cruel to you, but that
you did not react in any way whatsoever – you did not become upset, resentful
or even ruffled. You simply observed that this person was saying or doing
something cruel, as though you were calmly observing the scene in a movie.
You simply would not be stressed by what would appear to others to be a highly
stressful encounter. Stress and cruelty affect us as profoundly as they do only
because we react to them resentfully.”
The exercise works so well, he adds, because “it enables you to become
objective, a little bit separate, detached and disentangled from all your
troublesome thoughts, emotions, heartaches, fears and traumatic memories –
and that, all by itself, is extremely helpful, and actually healing.” ...
But if Americans would discover grace under pressure – hey, Ronald Reagan
had it, why can’t we? – if enough of us found strength and resolve that were
rooted, not in rage, but in righteousness and love of God and our neighbor,
then nothing, and I do mean nothing, could stop us. Having regained our lost
innocence, we would likewise see our beloved country restored to the noble
land it once was. n
Please share with us your own stories. They are more helpful than you might realize for
someone who is struggling. Thank you.
FHU • PO Box 1000 • Grants Pass, OR 97528
15
“THIS IS NOT THE END—IT IS A NEW BEGINNING”
—Roy Masters
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