Historically mental health has found its way throughout earlier conflicts, given terms such as “soldier’s heart,” “battle shock,” “shell shock,” and “war neurosis” during the Civil War, World War I, II, and the Vietnam War, etc.  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, better known as PTSD, is a mental health condition that occurs after one experiences trauma or witnesses a traumatic event.  Traumatic events aren’t limited to combat; such events include vehicle accidents, natural disasters, terrorism, sexual assaults, sexual harassment, and physical violence.  On 27 June 2014, in honor of a North Dakota National Guard member who committed suicide after two tours to Iraq, the United States Senate announced this day as PTSD awareness day.     For many active-duty service members, Veterans, and their families, the lingering symptoms of PTSD or “combat stress” make life difficult to live. Those suffering are usually on the verge of exploding or panicking, while some feel entirely emotionally numb and disconnected from their loved ones. June is PTSD Awareness Month, and while continued attention given to PTSD is vital for our service members, Veterans and families, We Are One! also aims to create awareness about how to help those living with PTSD and make their lives easier. The Overall Impact of PTSD on Active-Duty Service Members, Veterans, and Families According to research conducted by the Department of Veteran Affairs, around 15% to 17% of service members returning from the Global War on Terrorism meet the criteria for major [...]

Memorial Day is usually celebrated each year with flag hoisting ceremonies, parades, and other large group activities to honor the nation’s fallen military heroes. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has found the need to look for alternative ways to honor those who died for this country and commemorate their sacrifices. While this may not be the best time to hold large congregational gatherings, we at We Are One! want to encourage people to come together in other ways to pay tribute to our military heroes. Since most of us can’t get together and celebrate Memorial Day 2021 traditionally, we can come together digitally and pay tribute by carrying out some small act of kindness in the military community. How You Can Celebrate Memorial Day 2021 This Memorial Day, instead of attending a large gathering, we all should encourage people around us to find ways to stay home and honor service members in whatever way they can. Instead of spending days and nights thinking about ways to make a difference, we all should take a moment to reflect on what this holiday really means and how we can contribute. The best way to show your support is by carrying out small acts of kindness in the military community. If you know a military family that could use your help, offer it to them. You can go to the store and buy groceries for them or go to a hospital and [...]

We are all aware of the impact that military service has on those serving as active military members. Still, we all don't think much about the impact military service has on the children of service members. As with the general population, military families come from diverse backgrounds and cultures. While military children face the same barriers as children from non-service families, some unique aspects add additional challenges to their lives. April is the month to pledge support to military children and shed light on how important it is to ensure they are protected. Let's take a look at the ways of supporting military children and easing the challenges they face. Challenges Faced by Military Children 1. Mobility Mobility is when the whole family has to move from one place to another, resulting in a school change for the child or young person. Many families from the Armed Forces community move within the US and the rest of the world regularly. Most children can cope with these changes, but some may need extra help. Frequent moves can be particularly difficult for children with identified additional support needs. 2. Deployment Deployment is when the family member is away from home on an operation or a long-term training exercise. It is challenging for military children to cope with the deployment of a military parent. During deployment, children and young people can be separated from their parents for long periods, causing them to develop [...]

The National Medal of Honor Day is celebrated each year on March 25th to honor our Medal of Honor recipients' sacrifices and heroic efforts. The Medal of Honor is the highest military distinction awarded to U.S. military personnel by the President of the United States for extraordinary heroism acts beyond the call of duty.  There are three versions of the Medal of Honor: Army, Air Force, and the Navy. The Medal of Honor for the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard are awarded the Navy's version. The History of the National Medal of Honor Day On March 25, 1863, Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, presented the first-ever Medals of Honor to six members who participated in the Great Locomotive Chase, an American Civil War raid, in April 1862. Among the recipients were William Bensinger, Elihu H. Mason, Robert Buffum, William Pittenger, Jacob Parrott, and William H. H. Reddick.  Since then, 3468 Medals of Honor have been awarded to Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Coast Guards, and Marines. The country has been celebrating the National Medal of Honor Day since 1991, when George H. W. Bush signed Public Law 101-564 on November 15, 1990, which the 101st United States Congress passed. The Story of Edward C. Byers, Jr. – A Medal of Honor Recipient Chief Edward C. Byers Jr. is a retired United States Navy SEAL. He was born on August 4, 1979, in Toledo, Ohio. He received the Medal of Honor on February [...]

Before entering the military life, soldiers undergo a ‘boot camp.’ However, transitioning from military to civilian life is an equally tricky process and should be assisted through a ‘reverse boot camp.’ […]

Sending off your loved one to far-off lands to serve and protect your country is not an easy task. Soldiers are widely acknowledged and appreciated for being brave enough to come face-to-face with death on a daily basis to serve their country. We should equally praise military families for putting up a brave front in times of financial and emotional crises. […]

The holidays are a time for merriment and celebration, but during the excitement, let’s not forget about our veterans and first responders. According to one survey, 1 in 5 veteran families lives paycheck to paycheck. […]