My family was pretty privileged in 2015 to be on the Gallipoli 100th Anniversary Cruise. Being off North Beach for the Dawn Service was amazing, particularly is my husband is retired Navy and therefore looking out from a ship seemed surreal and awesome, at the same time.
I believe I am so privileged to belong to a family of multi-generations of Military Service and, feel so helpless that many of my fellow service people feel unable to ask for the help they so richly deserve.
While having NEVER done service in an international military operations environment I understand the challenges that are faced. I have a father, husband and son who have served on operations in various parts of the world with the ADF. We are a family with a rich military history. My grandfather, served at Gallipoli as a member of the British Forces, one of my uncles was a regular Army medic during Vietnam, and my brother-in-law is a retired Army Pilot, as well as having a sister who was the first female in her trade in the RAAF.
I am also a life coach who loves their country, respects military service and feels for the military members who are loosing their way. I urge you to reach out, we may not have had your experience or have seen what you have seen, however we KNOW that you deserve support. PTSD is insidious. It steels the safety we have available to us.
REACH out. We can find our way back. Remember, we respect you, we appreciate your service and acknowledge we may NEVER know what you have been through and accept you exactly where you are.
Please remember you have value, no matter what your circumstances. Your service IS appreciated.
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