RETURN TO SOLIDARITY..ONE CIRCLE, ONE NEIGHBORHOOD, AT AT TIME…
In the Fall of 2020, thanks to the King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, Veteran Rites amplified it’s online presence with grassroots, veteran-led Circles of Return that combat veteran isolation and provide a platform for our warriors to share their wisdom, talents, and spirit. This communal validation is a vital and missing piece of the warrior’s transition back into society. The unforeseen gifts of the pandemic trial resulted in lived testimony that when veteran healing, engagement, and empowerment are put back in the hands of the veterans themselves they not only know what to do, they do it better.
For three months Veterans and Civilians gathered in circle as a Vietnam Veteran combat nurse shared her incredible life story. Veteran men assembled to support each other on a path of wholeness and integrity. Aspiring writers gave form to their traumas and creative talents. A disabled Army combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom convened a weekly contemplation of Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. Warriors sat in silent meditation to walk a path that integrates the universal truths of Buddhism, mindfulness, and nature. In Veterans Council warriors of all experiences and identities consistently laid down their burdens with tears, smiles, and wild camaraderie. A whole community gathered in gratitude at a Vetsgiving and listened to a veteran violin premier at a Holiday Circle. Warriors walked shoulder to shoulder through the natural wonders and placed their hands on the healing horses. Some of our people returned to their veteran community for the first time, and many came back again and again.
This winter, there is a little something for the veteran body, soul, mind, and spirit, with weekly Circles of Return focused on Military Sexual Trauma, Meditation, Gardening, Writing, Breathwork, and Guerilla Gardening. These circles are all anchored around our weekly Veteran’s Council at 4pm PST that is held in simple form for anyone in our community to connect and lay down what’s on their soul.
These are warrior-led, grassroots circles honor all that we have carried and celebrate all of who we are. Most Circles of Return are open to anyone adult in the community as we bridge the divides within and among us. Please check our regularly updated events calendar to fall into circles that connect, heal, and inspire.
Please spread the word on these Circles of Return and our Rite of Return ceremonies scheduled for 2021. If you have any questions, please email council@veteranrites.org. Anyone can join our mailing list by signing up through our contact form.
Love and Honor,
Veteran Rites
To any and all women who were sexually assaulted while serving in the military including reporting and retaliation, from any time period, please come join others like you in a safe confidential Zoom group with safety protocols built-in.
Zoom Link (Registration only needed once. Once registered the facilitator will send a passcode. Please do this in advance of the meeting)
Sarah L. Blum, Retired Vietnam Veteran Nurse/Psychotherapist and author of Women Under Fire: Abuse in the Military
Claiming a peaceful and content life: using meditation, Buddhist principles and nature.
The aim of this program is to provide and help develop a set of tools to claim a peaceful and content life. Zazen, or sitting meditation, will be the primary focus of the program. Additional forms of meditation such as Kinhin, or walking meditation, visualization and movement activities such as yoga will be discussed.
Retired Army Colonel and Physician Joseph P. Miller
This 45 minute "Wednesday Workshop" for veterans and garden recipients that is going to go over everything from basic gardening "how to", houseplants (care, bonsai, etc), Guerrilla Gardening, Plant Teaching for Growing Social-Emotional Skills, and a free form Q&A.
This is an opportunity for veterans and gardeners to interact and build community through growing, sharing, and supporting each other.
Please click on event for full details and focus for each gathering. This gathering precedes the Veteran Rites Weekly Veterans Council at 4pm.
Beau is a proud veteran of both the US Marines and US Army and is passionate about helping veterans and their families find their way home and when ready grow their community.
Welcome Home
Circle of Return Veterans Council is a rally point for anyone in the military family. In council we get to the heart of our experience by laying down all we carry and honoring all of who we are, whole warriors living our truth in a return to true belonging in society.
This space is held for any adult in the military family, including survivors of veteran suicide loss, Gold Star families, active duty, reserve, guard, dependents, and our civilian angels.
All of you is welcomed here with love and honor.
Council Format
Welcome Home - Grounding Practice - Sharing - Closing Inspiration - Open Forum for Fellowship and Further Support
Council Protocols
Listen from the Heart -Speak from the Heart - Share Time Equally - Spontaneous and Real - Confidential
Every Wednesday at 4pm PST
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95002812399
Veteran Writes: Healing and Joy by Writing Our Truth
This writing class will focus on encouraging participants to write freely.
Writing encourages healing and increases confidence and radical self-acceptance. This class will focus on engaging the imagination while revealing our thoughts and feelings on our life experiences.
Since writing can be helpful in finding personal fulfillment, this class will open up creative skills to self-reflect and heal while being supported by peers. We will write to be expressive and use it for our personal exploration. The writing activities introduced through this class will demonstrate how spontaneous expressions can help us gain compassionate perspectives towards ourselves and others.
US Navy Veteran Crystal Dandridge in her happy place.
Breath of Life
Scientific synthesis of breathing. A journalist and modern science takes on the task of delving into ancient traditions to discover how the way we breathe affects the way we feel, think, act and its impacts on overall health. The results are remarkable.
Purpose
To gain a comprehensive understanding of how the way we breathe affects every aspect of our physical, mental, emotional, and psychological wellbeing; and learn to apply ancient breathing techniques to improve overall health and everyday living.
OIF Army Veteran Mitchell Brookman
Reiki Level I - Practitioner - Free Workshop and Training for the Military Family
With US Army Veteran and Reiki Master Teacher Barbara McEntee
Reiki is a universal life force energy that, once you are attuned to it, you can channel to help others correct energy imbalances in order to achieve optimal health of body, mind, and spirit. It is a form of hands-on energy healing. Reiki always supports the highest and greatest good of both the practitioner and the person receiving the channeled energy.
This is a special offering at no cost to the military family.
Saturday, February 27th from 9am to 5pm
Click on Event for Full Details and RSVP
