What is RETURN TO HONOR? Three day cognitive and experiential re-integration training; an after theatre (after trauma) decompression training with incorporates the families.

RETURN TO HONOR is a three-day intensive, cognitive and experiential reintegration training designed and conducted by “those who have been there”.  It is particularly geared to those who are suffering from the mental and emotional trauma of war including combat stress and focused upon their reintegration as healthy, productive members of the service/society.  This workshop should not be considered therapeutic in the traditional sense nor is it designed to replace such services. It is designed to meet the needs of both active duty, reservist, guard and returning veterans.  A key component addressed in the program is the needs of their families and bringing them into this process.  Return to Honor was designed to assist veterans several months after their “in theatre” experience as this is often when challenges occur.

Beyond the workshops and events, Return to Honor will continue to provide a variety of programs and outreach efforts.  It will act as a resource center and collaborate with the vast array of services available to veterans and their families from state and local offices, economic development and educational institutions, social service agencies as well as not-for-profit organizations.

Comments from workshop participants:

You have to have an open mind first.  You have to want to help yourself.  At first I was skeptical, but as time progressed that changed.  I would recommend this program to anyone who feels that they need an outlet.  They don’t pressure you.  The exercises are designed to allow the person to help themselves move forward.

It feels like a ton of weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  I’ve relearned to look at myself and my surroundings in a whole new perspective

The exercises and the way they we conducted gives the person a choice if they want to accept the events they have been through and get better, there is no pressure.

Charles Steward

I found ways to deal with issues I tucked away I needed to find help and I got it.

If chosen to staff I would like to be a helper and be there to help others feel at ease because I did this program myself

Thomas Richard IT3 USN

(Return to Honor) has given me the ability to look inside myself to find the answers.  The facilitators are incredibly talented and effective

I would love, love to come back as staff for a future session.  Thank you so much for the education and the ability to look inside myself and find the strength and the ability to move on with my life. I cannot wait to be able to pass this knowledge to my fellow sailors, soldiers, airmen, and marines.

Allison Whittaker IT3 VSN

It was refreshing to learn how to deal with your issues.  The program is awesome I highly recommend for active service members to come here due to a lot of military history of honorable men who paid the ultimate sacrifice.  This weekend helped me face issues with my combat stress.

Martin is very awesome in helping you face your issues, without the traditional pysch games of getting into your mind.  I’ve never realized that there are people out there that really care for us especially that some of the team not being prior military, my hats off to the team Martin, Nancy Helen.  You will always be part of my heart and mind.

Angel Fernandez MA2 {PJ}

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS - please note all Return to Honor programs were designed as portable containers and can be conducted where needed.  The Freedoms Foundation Staff and Return to Honor program director, Martin Richardson (610-717-7797) will be happy to assist with planning a Return to Honor program in your local area.  To register for a workshop, you may submit a registration form electronically our our registration page.

WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY:

The program has received support on Capital Hill from a large number of Congressional members from both the Veterans Affairs and Armed Services committees.  Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) stated, “With the magnitude of the United States’ military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, we need to keep a sharp focus on the many unique needs of our veterans.  I respect Return to Honor’s effort to address soldier’s individual needs in a personal and thoughtful way. With the involvement of families, a staff with first hand experience, and a “veterans talking to veterans” approach, Return to Honor is poised to assist veterans reintegrate as healthy productive members of society.”

“Veterans talking to Veterans – that’s the best thing”, said Aaron Jones, a Connecticut National Guard Infantryman, wounded in Iraq, found himself at the Vet Center looking for advice on home loans and found himself talking to a counselor and participating in group therapy.“Those guys on the side of the road with the cardboard signs; I can see how they get there…I am afraid of losing everything I came home to,” says a 35 year old Guardsman.“It’s funny, but I felt comfortable talking about the battle with everyone but the people who meant the most to me,” he says.  “I didn’t want to desecrate their minds.” Mr. Self’s wife assumed he had just moved on. Nate Self is a 28 year old Army Ranger (Wall Street Journal article 10/06/05 Trauma Takes a Toll).