The equine-human bond underpins U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jake LaRue’s own healing journey. Working with horses and other veterans “is what keeps me sane,” he says.
Tag: military
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Letter: Priority shift could reduce community needs
“What if the USA stopped starting and supporting wars, and then some of the billions of dollars of the defense budget that go to military contractors were spent on affordable housing, food, health care, education and other necessities for those here at home who do not have access to them?”
Training service dogs helps veterans heal
Asheville can feel as if dogs have the run of the place. They are seemingly in every brewery and restaurant and on every trail. Nearly all of these animals are pets that might occasionally earn their keep by barking at a black bear in the trash or chasing a gopher from the tomato patch. But […]
Asheville’s mental health support for area veterans
The 20 years that Kevin Mahoney served in the U.S. Air Force might sound like a dream deployment for some. Mahoney, who lives in Asheville, joined at 24 and trained as a cryptolinguist in Arabic and Farsi. The Air Force deployed him to the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. He was able to travel […]
Letter: On Day of Peace, ponder military and climate connections
“In Asheville, we are warned of imposing disasters invading us in the form of heavy rains, increased flooding, landslides, droughts, fires, epic storms, maybe even insect plagues as climate change rages across our mountains, valleys, homes and businesses.”
Coming home: Local veterans find healing in surprising places
Most folks don’t give it a thought when they head to the store for a gallon of milk, go outside to take a walk or pick up the phone to call a friend. But for someone diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, even these seemingly innocuous behaviors may seem daunting. “After a traumatic event, many people […]
Women at War
Two screenings of the film The Invisible War will focus on the systemic problem of rape in the military. Local veteran Mary Joan Dickson (not pictured), was featured in the film and has made it her mission to shed light on the issue.
War is literally against nature
Peacetown Asheville and Local 099 Veterans for Peace are asking Asheville City Council to pass a resolution stressing the importance of “bringing our war dollars home,” where they are needed to rebuild our infrastructure. Future wars aren’t justifiable with their killing masses of our own and other people leading to devastating unintended consequences. We are […]
Labor Day should celebrate labor
Shame on the Asheville Symphony and partner Pack Square Park Conservancy for its concert at Diana Wortham Theatre. The repertoire was distinctively non-labor and slanted toward militarism. The concert began with the “Star Spangled Banner,” with a uniformed military color guard at attention, holding American and military flags. The conductor midway through the concert made […]
Rep. Shuler votes against “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal
Late last week Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler voted against repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, asserting that he was honoring the requests of military leaders. Despite his opposition, the measure passed 234-194.
Males, war and PTSD
Our VOINCAs the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan grind on, another threat is growing here at home. And though it’s invisible, it has the same potential to spawn abuse, maiming and death. This threat targets the families and loved ones of untreated or poorly treated soldiers suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder and other emotional conditions […]