| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| CindyG |
Posted - Sep 05 2013 : 03:44:07 AM
Hello ladies,
I wasn't sure which category in which to drop this question, but I figured it could go here with a request/reminder to pray for our military and their families.
I am attending a Wounded Warrior event this evening and this will be my first time having the opportunity to really talk to these braves men and women. It is a reception followed by dinner followed by watching an NFL game on a ridiculously giant-screen tv - generally a casual event but it is from 6 pm until whenever the game is over - lots of time to visit.
Aside from using some basic common sense, what advice do any of you have from any experience dealing with injured military personnel? I can work a room at parties, but hope to learn ahead of time if there are any pitfalls to avoid or areas of conversation that are really good to cover.
Nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh? The date snuck up on me!
THanks in advance-
Cindy |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Sep 09 2013 : 7:12:39 PM
Bless your heart Cindy! So many people don't appreciate what our veterans and military members and their families have sacrificed for our country. They are always in our prayers.
Farmgirl Sister #5392
By His Grace, For His Glory
~Sharon
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| CindyG |
Posted - Sep 08 2013 : 06:48:58 AM
Ladies,
Your advice made for a truly wonderful evening, and I am thankful for it.
There was a cocktail reception that was supposed to be from 6-7;30, but the bus transporting the Wounded Warriors from Walter Reed was late, so they just passed the mic around to the different tables to let the soldiers introduce themselves. There were several with which I had some kind of connection for a conversation (visited their home town, grew up nearby, etc) so I made note of who was seated where and went and chatted when there was a break in things. Thanks to your great advice to talk about just normal stuff, we all had a great time. The really nice thing to me was a few of them came over to our table to continue the conversation later. Each of you who said these folks are working hard to take their minds off their injuries were spot on because we talked about everything but.
Thanks again for your insights-
CindyG
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| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Sep 05 2013 : 7:29:17 PM
Awesome, I hope your meeting goes well.
Thanks for going.
blessings
darlene
I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.
by Frances Farmer
Just follow God unquestioningly.
Because you love Him so, for if you trust His judgment there is nothing you need to know.
I trust in you Jesus... |
| oldbittyhen |
Posted - Sep 05 2013 : 7:07:33 PM
I am late sounding in here, but, just be yourself, and don't be afraid to show your emotions...and let me say, "Thank You" for being there for these men and women, alot of times, they just need a friendly ear...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
| woolgirl |
Posted - Sep 05 2013 : 2:14:59 PM
When I was in the military my job for 4 years was assisting with the physical therapy for wounded Marines and sailors. The best advice I can give is to treat them as you would treat anybody else. They want that return to normalcy, or as close to it as they can get. Unless they want to give you information about their injuries I wouldn't ask. Often they are trying to socialize as an outlet to take their mind of their injuries, so talking about their interests be it sports or hunting or cars or their families can really go a long way. Just let them talk, more often than not that's really what they want.
Liz
Farmgirl #1947
www.militaryfarmgirl.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MilitaryFarmGirl |
| CindyG |
Posted - Sep 05 2013 : 12:46:47 PM
Annie,
Thank you, too. This is all so incredibly helpful and certainly is putting me more at ease. I appreciate it!
Cindy |
| AnnieinIdaho |
Posted - Sep 05 2013 : 12:17:40 PM
Hi Cindy,
I have a BA in Speech Communication and so some tips just for communicating with all people in this country (personal space, etc. differs in cultures) is to allow 3 feet between the person you are talking with, eye contact with their face, nod when they are speaking just a bit letting you know you hear them, and be relaxed getting to know their personhood. Ask open ended questions that let them express themselves versus closed ended that can only be answered with a yes or no. If you need let them know you need to sit down for a bit and then continue the conversation with them at eye level. If they disclose something more personal acknowledge it by saying, "I appreciate you sharing that with me" or "I hear you." Always let them know when you take leave of them that you are glad to have met them and wish them the best.
Have a great time! Annie
"The turnings of life seldom show a sign-post; or rather, though the sign is always there, it is usually placed some distance back, like the notices that give warning of a bad hill or a level railway-crossing." Edith Wharton, 1913 from 'The Custom of the Country'. |
| CindyG |
Posted - Sep 05 2013 : 09:49:12 AM
Annika,
THANK YOU!! This is exactly the kind of advice and direction I was hoping to get from someone "in the know".
I really appreciate it, and am looking forward to a great evening. It turns out one couple who was supposed to attend cannot come, so a military dad and his family's foreign exchange student are coming with us.
Thank you, again-
Cindy |
| Annika |
Posted - Sep 05 2013 : 08:16:19 AM
Be casual, be warm and be a little funny. Most of them need to feel accepted back into civilian life. A little humor and nothing too heavy i.e. politics etc, unless they bring it up. They've been through some pretty terrible times and a warm and accepting smile goes a long way to helping. listen to them and thank them for their service only if it seems appropriate. Many of them have been told this to death and only say that if it seems like a good time in the conversation. Don't ask them how they were injured unless they volunteer it. Ask them what they like to do, find out where they are living now (not addresses just in general)suggest local attractions, upcoming events and what have you. I come from a military family and mostly they are just glad to be home alive, many times they've lost people who had become friends to them. It's incredibly hard to transition back into civilian life and mindset Cindy. Be yourself  You're a farmgirl and I have faith in you.
You must do the thing you think you cannot do
-Eleanor Roosevelt
Annika
Farmgirl & Sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
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