In 2008, the Welcome Home Initiative (WHI) was started in New York State by 3 retired military officers to offer veterans suffering from PTSD an opportunity to begin the process of spiritual healing. The three day retreats are provided at no cost to the veterans and their families to thank them for their service to our country, provide them resources for health and healing, and connect them with one another and with appropriate counselors. The mission statement of the Initiative is "to minister practically and prayerfully to members of the Armed Forces and their families, providing support and resources to help them heal and thrive." The staff accomplish this through healing prayer, appreciation for the veterans service, an explanation of PTSD, opportunities to share their experiences, and ample free time in a relaxed setting for reflection. 
One Vietnam veteran put it this way: "In the military they told me how to cope, but they didn't get to the root of the problem. WHI encouraged me to find Jesus in the situations I faced . . . tangible stuff I can use." A Gulf War vet who had been homeless, unemployed, and divorced found the highlight of the retreat to be sitting with other combat veterans and discovering their common bonds: "They had the same issues. You just don't talk to someone else and have them understand . . . you don't get that from a counselor you're $120 an hour. The staff didn't preach to you or push religion on you, but when we left, God's love was in us." His fiance attended the retreat with him. She noted that, "God tells us that those whom He has comforted are able to give that comfort to others. These men were really healing each other through discussing their experiences, confessing their guilt, and giving and receiving help."
To learn more about the Welcome Home Initiative ministry of healing for veterans and their families suffering from combat trauma, go to http://www.christ-the-king-center.org/WelcomeHome.
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