Women Supporting Women Veterans Host Day of CaringWomen Supporting Women Veterans Host Day of Caring

4/15/13 - Women veterans were welcomed Saturday morning for a Day of Caring hosted by the Women Supporting Women Veterans group. The event took place at the Hartland Educational Support Service Center as a way to inform and thank women veterans. Veterans were provided information on their eligibility for benefits, VA housing, education and health programs for life after the military. While the turnout was small, the group’s Executive Director, Arlene Callaghan, tells WHMI she has plans to reach out to a larger crowd next year be taking the event to the veterans themselves with small, more intimate gatherings that might be more inviting for female vets. Several guest speakers shared personal stories and how to adjust to life and reconnect after the military. A representative from Cleary University shared information on their veteran’s program and Doctor Eric Charles Amberg spoke about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which he said can best be treated as a physical ailment rather than exclusively as a mental one. Veterans were also able to file claims for disability, pensions and health care. Several people from the Veterans Administration had booths to help out with housing and job hunting. The Laingsburg Community Choir performed during lunch, with a program of several patriotic songs.(DK)