Volunteer service lifts pair of veterans into Hall of Fame
Veterans Voice: Series kicks off highlighting veterans who distinguished themselves after military careers
For the next 14 weeks I will highlight those veterans that will be inducted into the Class of 2016 of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.
Born in Phoenix in 1947, Roger Ferland served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam in 1968, where he sustained major injuries. Despite his injuries, he went on to graduate with distinction from Duke University Law School in 1974, retiring as a distinguished environment law attorney in 2014.
An active member of Disabled American Veterans, Ferland worked tirelessly with DAV leaders to establish free legal clinics for veterans in 2013 by signing up 200 attorneys to work veterans’ legal issues pro bono, and scheduling the clinics.
Ferland's additional community service includes more than 1,000 hours volunteering with the Phoenix Symphony, Audubon Arizona, and the U.S. VETS Phoenix Advisory Board.
Roger Ferland is a living testament to the attitude, “If one is disabled, it does not mean that one is incapable.”
Terry Araman has been recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change. Araman, an Army medic in Vietnam, was recognized with only 10 other national leaders, who include non-profit leaders, who work to improve the lives of others through their charitable works.
He was the director of Madison Street Veterans Association, made up of homeless veterans, and he helped establish MANA House in Phoenix.
Araman has spent 16 years as a volunteer reader for the blind and print handicapped. He has been a member of Amnesty International since 1986 and also serves on Mayor Stanton of Phoenix's Advisory Council on Homelessness and serves on veterans advisory councils for Kyrsten Sinema and Ruben Gallego, two members of Arizona's delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In addition Araman is the legislative chairman and past vice chairman of the Unified Arizona Veterans.
Homes for Our Troops donation
Congratulations to the Tempe Autoplex Dealers, who showed their gratitude to our Veterans by donating $10,000 to Homes For Our Troops nonprofit organization that builds mortgage-free, specially-adapted homes for severely injured veterans.
A check was presented to Mike and Cheryl Leonard on behalf of the nonprofit. Mike lost both legs on his fourth deployment, and they have lived in their HFOT home since 2013.
Gold Star Wives fundraiser
The Phoenix chapter of the Gold Star Wives, a group of women and some men who have lost their spouse because of war-time injuries, is sponsoring a fundraiser along with Wreaths Across America. During Christmas a wreath will be put on every grave at the Arizona National Cemetery if you order a wreath from the organization.
Of every donation, $5 goes to the Gold Star Wives. Call Nina Stanbarger, 520-249-9709 for information. The low cost for a wreath is only $15.
Helping children understand PTSD
Nana Knows PTSD is a collection of books for talking with your family and children about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. That is never easy, but Nana is an author who gives those battling PTSD a non-threatening way to introduce and discuss the topic with family members of any age.
Anita Miranda's book, "Nana's Helping Hand with PTSD," was written with the intention of helping families learn that PTSD has a impact on everyone in the family and community, not just the traumatized person.
Families do not often understand. Recently, a veteran's family struggled with the anger, silences and other symptoms. After watching the DVD with their children, the veteran took the next step and asked for help.
According to PTSD United, more than 70 percent of adults in the U.S. have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives. Of those about 20 percent develop PTSD as a result.
The collection of Nana Knows PTSD in available through Amazon. For a signed autograph copy visit www.anitamiranda.com for more information or call 1-877-605-6389.