Commander's Corner
To all Membership & Public,
You can still donate to the Mike Smith fundraiser by clicking this link.
The ACO Regional Cornhole (Diamondhead)
held a sanctioned event today (Saturday, 03 December 2022). Our first of hopefully many such events, we're working closely with the ACO folks to host regularly scheduled future tournaments.
**Our annual Post Christmas Party will be next Saturday, 10 Dec from 5-10pm. Games, food, fellowship and fun.**
Mark your calendars and spread the word - The Post is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Friday, 16 December 2022 from 2:30pm to 7:00pm. The draw is later in the day to accommodate more donors who want to give blood without having to take time off from work. As an incentive to reach our 50 donors’ goal, the Blood Center and our Post have partnered to provide a same day voucher for any add-on packs to all qualified Bingo players who successfully donate blood. Additionally, each donor will be eligible for door prizes that will be draw at various intervals throughout the Bingo session. CLICK HERE to sign up to donating blood.
Donating blood saves lives!
Next Legionnaires meeting is 0900 hrs, Saturday, 07 January 2023. Auxiliary and SAL membership please contact your group leader for more information.
See our Upcoming Events calendar for more Post 77 happenings.
Stay safe and healthy, and as always thank you for you continued support of our Post.
Commander Rick
For God and Country
In Crisis Need Help or Want to Help Others?
Veterans
🇺🇸 If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, there are caring, qualified VA responders standing by to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
🇺🇸#NationalSuicidePreventionHotline
1-800-273-8255
#Veterans Press 1
#Text 838255
Police
#Police CONTACT: text #BADGE to 741741
www.copline.org 1-800-267-5463
First Responders
#FirstResponders. Contact 415-721-9789
http://www.frsn.org
Fire, Police, Corrections Coast to Coast 24/7
#FirstResponders. Contact 415-721-9789
http://www.frsn.org
Veterans Mental Health PTSD & Addiction Resources
Each year the month of June is National PTSD Awareness Month.
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car wreck, or sexual assault. It's normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after these type event (https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/what/ptsd_basics.asp). Reactions to such trauma are normal and healthy, they can and will last for an adjustment period.
Usually the aforementioned reactions begin within a month of the event and last up to a month or so – this normal reaction is appropriately called Acute Stress Reaction or Disorder. However, if symptoms last more than a few months, it may be PTSD. The good news is that there are effective treatments; the PTSD: National Center for PTSD is the world’s leading research and educational center on PTSD and traumatic stress. Their links:
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/awareness/index.asp
Obviously, the National Center for PTSD is the foremost site for knowledge and treatment referral for Veterans.
Brief story: I broke both of my heels, injured both elbows and shoulders, severely strained my sternum and rib cage, injured some internal organs blah blah. Point is I was medevac’d, hospitalized and treated. I did not have time to set up an appointment with the VA for treatment.
If you’re in a crisis you should seek immediate help – go to an Emergency Room, call a Clergy, trusted friend or a family member or at a minimum count to 10 repeatedly until you calm down and realize your purpose in life is greater than committing self-harm!
The American Addiction Centers (AAC) could be a viable option for you. The ACC is an established national organization that is dedicated to helping Veterans, non-Veterans and people of all walks of life with their mental health and substance abuse problems. An ACC affiliate is Mississippi’s own Oxford Treatment Center, home based in Etta, MS.
Both the AAC and Oxford Treatment Center offer free online resources. However, their treatment plans and counseling are fee based – meaning you have to pay for them. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires private and government-funded healthcare plans to provide coverage for substance abuse and other mental health problems. Be aware, what’s covered by each plan varies greatly. Purview the below links as reading resources only and as always conduct your own due diligence before entering into any for fee service agreement.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Addiction[oxfordtreatment.com] provides information on the signs & symptoms of PTSD, co-occurring disorders and treating substance abuse when you have PTSD.
- Veterans’ Mental Health Issues [veteranaddiction.org] discusses a range of veteran health concerns such as depression, PTSD, anxiety and substance abuse with interesting statistics related to each.
- Veteran Drug & Alcohol Rehab [americanaddictioncenters.org] gives statistics of U.S. veterans with substance addiction, how mental health and chronic pain affect addiction and additional support groups for veterans.
- The MISSION Act and Community Care Providers for Veterans[oxfordtreatment.com] looks at what the Mission Act is, how to use a Community Care Provider for substance treatment and addiction treatment options at the VA.
Oxford Treatment Center hosts free virtual support and online addiction meetings [oxfordtreatment.com] that many active duty members and veterans use to help support their recovery.
Help Our Mission
Your generous donation will fund our Post, Veterans, our community programs.
Facebook Links
Latest Post Information
10 December:
Children Craft Fair
10 December:
Annual Post Christmas Party doors open 5pm til 10pm
If your'e attending Auxiliary contact Linda Jenkins, SAL contact Terry Earl.
16 December:
Blood Drive Bingo free add on pack up to $8 value per donor must be used night of
No Bingo Christmas Night or New Years Night