Posted 12:17 am Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Mayor's Roundtable Project Aims To Enhance Vet Service
By JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS
Staff Writer
Marine Lt. Col. Tony Forbes is learning to live with invisible wounds that almost wrecked his life following tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“My wife will tell you these tours have changed me, and I will tell you these tours have changed me … not always for the better,” he said. “Five years ago, when I returned from my first deployment, if not for God and faith, I would not still be married.”
Staff Writer
Marine Lt. Col. Tony Forbes is learning to live with invisible wounds that almost wrecked his life following tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“My wife will tell you these tours have changed me, and I will tell you these tours have changed me … not always for the better,” he said. “Five years ago, when I returned from my first deployment, if not for God and faith, I would not still be married.”
Forbes said he carries emotional scars of war, recalling an incident outside Baghdad in which a motorist, ignoring warnings, drove into a protected zone and a hail of bullets.
A father, mother, grandmother and five children were inside the bullet-riddled vehicle — only a hysterical, traumatized 2-year-old girl survived.
A father, mother, grandmother and five children were inside the bullet-riddled vehicle — only a hysterical, traumatized 2-year-old girl survived.
Years later, that horror-filled day remains fresh and raw in his memory.
“That scene haunts me,” he said. “It's an invisible wound I live with every day.” A new pilot program to help Smith County's 18,000 veterans, such as Forbes, reconnect with others is the focus of a new veterans roundtable, launched by Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass.
Details of the project were unveiled Tuesday morning at the Tyler Rose Garden before an estimated crowd of about 150 people, including veterans groups.
“That scene haunts me,” he said. “It's an invisible wound I live with every day.” A new pilot program to help Smith County's 18,000 veterans, such as Forbes, reconnect with others is the focus of a new veterans roundtable, launched by Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass.
Details of the project were unveiled Tuesday morning at the Tyler Rose Garden before an estimated crowd of about 150 people, including veterans groups.
The intent of the roundtable is to develop a community blueprint to enhance veteran services in Tyler and create a positive impact on the local economy by doing so.
The panel is expected to focus on three areas critical to veteran well-being: employment, housing and mental health services.
“We believe that if all three issues are addressed for our veterans, our veterans will succeed in a civilian community,” said Forbes, who was invited to speak about veterans issues.
City leaders agree and assembled a panel comprised of varied talents and experiences to help out.
Members include Linda Reed, Karl Little, Waymon Steward, Jesse Acosta, Tom Mullins, Buck Files, the Rev. Ralph Caraway, Joe Hamrick, Christina Fulsom, John Furlow, Choya Shanahan, Jim Snow, Price Arredondo, Terry Howlett, Jack Clephas, Dean Bailey, Charles Williams, George Roberts and Rodney Kelley.
Mayor Bass challenged the group to help transform Tyler into a respected leader in veteran services and outreach.
“This is a new era between the city of Tyler and veterans,” the mayor said. “The veterans in our area need your help.”
Retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Norb Ryan, president of the Military Officers' Association of America, commended Tyler for its willingness to step up and help.
“The example you set in this community is remarkable,” he said, citing concerns that today's military is stretched thin compared with earlier decades.
Around World War II, between 15 million and 16 million people were serving on active duty, he said.
But in post-Sept. 11 decade, only about 1.4 million people are serving, less than 1 percent of the population.
Consequently, service members endure repeated tours in war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan with little time in between to rest and reconnect with family, Ryan said.
Even after they come home, he said, the struggles continue.
There are high instances of unemployment, homelessness and divorces.
Suicides also are up, about 18 per day, experts said.
“We're concerned about the men and women who have known nothing but war since 9-11,” he said. “You know we have to do a better job.”
Geoff Deutsch, who serves as president of the Armed Forces Services Corporation, is a blueprint volunteer.
He said Tyler should plan to focus on key areas such as behavioral health, education, employment, family strength, financial/legal assistance, homelessness, reintegration and volunteerism.
“Thank you in advance for your hard work,” Deutsch said. “As a pilot program, we don't know how well it will work.”
Solutions that work well in some communities may not do so well in Tyler, he said, so it will be up to the roundtable to sort through the possibilities. Future projects already unfolding in the area include a Texas Veterans Home, set to open in the fall; a Super Armory and special court for veterans.
Along with the moral and ethical benefits of helping them, there can also be an economic boost as well.
Area veterans provide an annual economic impact of more than $60 million and donate more than 86,000 volunteer hours to community projects. Each veteran who moves into the area is the equivalent of one new $35,000 job, Furlow, a retired Army major general, said.
Some move here to use their G.I. Bill at one of Tyler's colleges or universities, which provides educational benefits to veterans and, in some cases, their dependents.
Tyler is home to three higher education institutions: The University of Texas at Tyler, Texas College and Tyler Junior College, all of which receive economic benefit from veteran enrollments.
“Even though you don't think of Tyler-Smith County as a military city, we are,” Furlow said.
Audience member Glenda Franklin, 61, applauds efforts to extend a helping hand.
The Tyler grandmother — dressed in red, white and blue — said her husband, brother and grandson all served in the military.
“This is definitely going to be a good thing for Tyler,” she said. “It's going to put Tyler on the map as the most caring city for veterans.”
The panel is expected to focus on three areas critical to veteran well-being: employment, housing and mental health services.
“We believe that if all three issues are addressed for our veterans, our veterans will succeed in a civilian community,” said Forbes, who was invited to speak about veterans issues.
City leaders agree and assembled a panel comprised of varied talents and experiences to help out.
Members include Linda Reed, Karl Little, Waymon Steward, Jesse Acosta, Tom Mullins, Buck Files, the Rev. Ralph Caraway, Joe Hamrick, Christina Fulsom, John Furlow, Choya Shanahan, Jim Snow, Price Arredondo, Terry Howlett, Jack Clephas, Dean Bailey, Charles Williams, George Roberts and Rodney Kelley.
Mayor Bass challenged the group to help transform Tyler into a respected leader in veteran services and outreach.
“This is a new era between the city of Tyler and veterans,” the mayor said. “The veterans in our area need your help.”
Retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Norb Ryan, president of the Military Officers' Association of America, commended Tyler for its willingness to step up and help.
“The example you set in this community is remarkable,” he said, citing concerns that today's military is stretched thin compared with earlier decades.
Around World War II, between 15 million and 16 million people were serving on active duty, he said.
But in post-Sept. 11 decade, only about 1.4 million people are serving, less than 1 percent of the population.
Consequently, service members endure repeated tours in war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan with little time in between to rest and reconnect with family, Ryan said.
Even after they come home, he said, the struggles continue.
There are high instances of unemployment, homelessness and divorces.
Suicides also are up, about 18 per day, experts said.
“We're concerned about the men and women who have known nothing but war since 9-11,” he said. “You know we have to do a better job.”
Geoff Deutsch, who serves as president of the Armed Forces Services Corporation, is a blueprint volunteer.
He said Tyler should plan to focus on key areas such as behavioral health, education, employment, family strength, financial/legal assistance, homelessness, reintegration and volunteerism.
“Thank you in advance for your hard work,” Deutsch said. “As a pilot program, we don't know how well it will work.”
Solutions that work well in some communities may not do so well in Tyler, he said, so it will be up to the roundtable to sort through the possibilities. Future projects already unfolding in the area include a Texas Veterans Home, set to open in the fall; a Super Armory and special court for veterans.
Along with the moral and ethical benefits of helping them, there can also be an economic boost as well.
Area veterans provide an annual economic impact of more than $60 million and donate more than 86,000 volunteer hours to community projects. Each veteran who moves into the area is the equivalent of one new $35,000 job, Furlow, a retired Army major general, said.
Some move here to use their G.I. Bill at one of Tyler's colleges or universities, which provides educational benefits to veterans and, in some cases, their dependents.
Tyler is home to three higher education institutions: The University of Texas at Tyler, Texas College and Tyler Junior College, all of which receive economic benefit from veteran enrollments.
“Even though you don't think of Tyler-Smith County as a military city, we are,” Furlow said.
Audience member Glenda Franklin, 61, applauds efforts to extend a helping hand.
The Tyler grandmother — dressed in red, white and blue — said her husband, brother and grandson all served in the military.
“This is definitely going to be a good thing for Tyler,” she said. “It's going to put Tyler on the map as the most caring city for veterans.”
