Just as you can’t visually see mental illness, spirituality is the same – what comes from the heart and soul, and how it impacts the mind. What is spirituality and what does it mean to the veteran and how does it affect their life? Is it man’s endless search for the meaning of life? One’s purpose in life? Why do bad things happen? How has war changed spiritual philosophy?
Veterans who have faced unbelievable trauma while serving may ask questions about a higher power with the underlying need to seek comfort. Re-entering civilian life is a major transition, physically, socially, and is deeply personal. It is an important time to understand one’s spirituality. Could reaching out to the clergy be the solution in search for answers to spiritual questions?
Many vets ask, “Who am I now? I’m not a warrior anymore, but am I the same person spiritually?” These individuals have faced trauma that many have never seen or could even imagine, from living on a military base to fighting on the battlefields. And no one understands this more than another vet. How can the clergy impact treatment? By providing personal pastoral counseling from a military chaplain who understands the vets and their questions, and the spiritual challenges of facing trauma on the battle lines.
Veterans first need to be in their comfort zone to be able to express their feelings without having to explain. The devastation of death, disasters and yes, rape, are highly sensitive matters and the vets need a “safe-haven” to express themselves. Some feel disconnected when dealing with the issues of patriotism and faith. Anger, rage, self-medicating following traumatic experiences can be alleviated by finding peace in the voice of a chaplain who has seen the ravages of war. Some seek forgiveness for their actions during wartime and wonder, “What is meaningful to me now?”
Pastor Douglas A. Dewitt of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hamler, Ohio, knows first-hand about the trauma. A retired lieutenant colonel chaplain, Dewitt served in active duty Guard Air Force and Reserve as well as the Air Force International Guard. Dewitt has seen the devastation of war in the Middle East as well as the response to the horrific homeland attack on 9/11. With a degree in Military History and a Masters degree in Divinity, he became a chaplain in 2001. This man knows how war affects the mind, body and spirit. Relating to veterans and their issues takes someone special, someone who will not be shocked by the terrifying stories, understands the terms and knows there is no explanation needed for what they have seen, done, or are feeling.
“War changes everybody, everything,” said the pastor as he recalled images of body bags, war-torn villages, and soldiers. He stressed the need for veterans to reach out to each other and communicate. The “layman,” Pastor Dewitt noted, hasn’t earned the right to ask the sensitive questions what happened on the battlefields. They are only the things a vet who has seen it happen can truly understand. “It is taking the step to retell the story without reliving it when talking to a fellow vet,” he explained.
The issues are numerous. From death, sexual assault (men as well as women), adultery, pain, and lack of control, these are all part of the enigma of re-entering civilian life. These issues further exaggerate the problems of finding employment, homelessness, substance abuse, flashbacks, and adrenalin rushes resulting in risky behavior.
All that said, how can these real problems be addressed in a proper and compassionate manner? Who does the vet turn to? How can we let them know they are not alone in their struggle? Simply put – they need a safe haven. Our veterans deserve the opportunity for positive and personal growth and a way to enhance their spiritual health. Spirituality affects the quality of life. The feelings of isolation, guilt, shame, anxiety, and hostility can be intensified when divine intervention is not sought.
The first step for the veteran to take is not to be ashamed or afraid to reach out for help. They need to know they are not alone. With all due respect, not all pastors, rabbis, priests, or men and women of the cloth are equipped to deal with such issues. Veterans’ issues need to be approached with sensitivity and respectful understanding by someone who is experienced in these spiritual matters. An excellent place to start is contacting your local VA Center. Pastor Dewitt highly recommends this resource for guidance in a search of spiritual peace.
The Toledo-based center is located on 1565 S. Byrne Road and can be contacted by calling (419) 213-7533. Their services are free. Pastor Dewitt’s message to our veterans is “You are not alone”. Although the site was designed for Vietnam Veterans, all war veterans are welcome to visit their site at toledovietnamvets/Toledo_Vet_Center
You can contact Pastor Dewitt at [email protected] or by calling (419) 274-1084 or his church at (419) 274-4811. Recommended reading for veterans and families by Pastor Dewitt: Tears of the Warrior-A Family’s Story of Combat and Living with PTSD by Janet J. and E. Anthony Seahorn.
Author’s note
In my thirty years as a journalist, this was one of the most profound interviews I have ever done. My interview with Pastor Dewitt shed a new light of how I envisioned a veteran. I was shocked by many of the things he shared, what he saw and what he encountered. I have a new respect and compassion for our veterans – a stronger compassion for these men and women. It is my sincere hope, and that of our organization, to restore the human spirit and faith in these individuals, no matter the suffering, no matter the perils that they deal with in their hearts, minds, and souls. God bless you all.
Leslie Mestrow
