`mockingbird's' Appeal Endures

Actions Of Man At Root Of Disasters Occurring Worldwide

By BONNIE ADAMS badams@leader.net
 Saturday, January 22, 2005 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





The soldiers and families of the 109th Field Artillery have adapted and
overcome the past year through war and separation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Soon they will be faced with readjusting to civilian life and to each
other. Experts stress that realistic expectations, communication and patience
are vital during the transition. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If families or soldiers need help, it will be available locally from
several sources. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Like most 109th wives, Tami Cannell has spent a year separated from her
husband, Spc. Raymond Cannell. He is a Service Battery member serving with
Bravo Battery in Iraq. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We have to understand that life is not going to pick up where it left
off," she said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tami has told him she is scared of the changes he's undergone and the
different lives they've lived this past year. She bought a house while he was
away and continued to raise their three children. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "He tells me to relax and everything will be OK," she said. The Exeter
couple has been married for 10 years, but Tami said it will be like being
remarried upon his return. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I just hope that he readjusts well and the kids readjust with him being
home and discipline being reinforced." She welcomes his help with that. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 She said her challenge will be to keep him informed of what she's doing and
where she's going, like her routine trips to Wal-Mart with the children. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Cannell is aware that problems can arise after soldiers and their families
reunite. She said they should seek assistance at the first sign of trouble.
"Don't be afraid. Get the help." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tom Wall of the Family Action Center at the 109th Armory in Wilkes-Barre
said many women have become more independent during the men's absence. "They
really don't know what to expect when they come home." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wall said post-traumatic stress, marital, family and financial troubles can
arise. Veterans with post-traumatic stress can get help at the Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Plains Township. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Morgan Burgess, the VA's supervisor of social work services, said 17 to 25
percent of returning veterans nationwide have post-traumatic stress symptoms.
They can include nightmares and flashbacks. "Often the military member doesn't
realize what's going on," she said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 VA enrollment coordinator Dorothy Hess said 272 returning service members
were treated in VA facilities in Wilkes-Barre, Sayre and Allentown since
August 2003. Of that total, 13 percent were treated for post-traumatic stress. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Burgess said some returning veterans have anger issues for which the VA
offers counseling. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Heather Fiedler and Sonya Walls of the Family Advocacy Program at Tobyhanna
Army Depot have helped 109th families and will continue after the soldiers
return. They have provided reunion and homecoming briefings for families.
Fiedler said Army chaplains have done the same for soldiers bound for home. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "They have a huge adjustment to make,'' Fiedler said. ``I have no doubt
that they'll do it." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 She said families and soldiers have expectations about reuniting. "Give it
time," she advised. Couples can participate in an Army-funded weekend marriage
enrichment program. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Nothing is like it was a year ago," said John Goheen of the National Guard
Association of the United States in Washington, D.C. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Goheen said families might have pent up feelings about a soldier leaving
home for a year. "Some weak marriages don't survive." But Goheen said the
experience can strengthen a marriage. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 There were 193,375 National Guard and Reserve members on active duty as of
this week. Goheen said more help is available for them and their families now
than during the 265,322-person mobilization for the Persian Gulf War. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jane Harris' husband, Spc. Bill Harris, has not been gone as long as most
109th soldiers. He has served in Iraq with Bravo Battery since October as a
replacement. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jane said he understands that the children's routines will remain the same
upon his homecoming. "He's going to stand back." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Ashley couple married three years ago. Jane said it will be like a new
relationship when he comes home. "You can't expect to be the same as when you
left." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Bonnie Adams, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7241. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 WHERE TO FIND HELP &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Local help is available for military families and National Guardsmen
returning from active duty. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Plains Township
provides physical and psychological help for veterans. Enrollment coordinator
Dorothy Hess can be reached at 824-3521, extension 4752. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tobyhanna Army Depot's Family Advocacy Program assists soldiers' families.
Call 895-7509. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The 109th Field Artillery Armory's Family Action Center in Wilkes-Barre is
a liaison between soldiers and families. Call 331-6710. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ON THE WEB &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To see more photos that accompany this story, go to www.timesleader.com. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
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109th's Return One More Battle To Fight Troops Back From The War Zone Will Face Readjustment, But There Will Be Sources Of Help.