Shownotes Transcript
In this episode Andy is very pleased to grab some time out of the veterans padre, Gary Stones busy schedule. We're invited into Gary’s world of Veteran Care. Gary’s Chaplaincy mission he explains is to promote health and well being to Veterans and their families. Andy tells the audience the smile and energy belies 48 years of military experience. Still positive and infectious to rub shoulders with, even after many deployments and distinguished service. Deployments during that 48 years numbered 23 with some smaller ones. Malaysia, Fiji Coup, Iran Iraq 88/89, after which Gary came away quite traumatized in his words. Gary explained that like most vets he returned from the Iran Iraq war traumatized but kept it hidden.
Andy wanted to explore some of Gary’s roles prior to retraining as a Chaplain. Gary explained he went to Duntroon, became a platoon Commander, Intelligence Officer, Company Commander, Battalion Second Command, acting Commander for a mission to Fiji and then NASA Lieutenant Colonel on a Peace Keeping Force in the Iran Iraq War. Gary comments that during that time span 70s - 90s it may not seem like much militarily was happening to those at home in Australia. A number of smaller Peace Keeping groups were sent here and there such as Namibia and Somalia. Gary wants listeners to know that he is aware talking to Vets over those “peacetime” years that this period holds a lot of hidden stories of military service injuries in training and bullying for instance. If you’ve served you have a back story. Then he says things militarily ramped up with 911, East Timor, Solomon’s, Vila, Iran, Iraq. It went a bit crazy there he summarizes. Peace Keeping was very dangerous and challenging Gary said outlining the specific elements in East Timor. In service or out, Gary maintains the ANZAC ethos permeates “the veteran” and with some encouragement he gets vets to look at their opportunities with the skills they’ve attained thus far in their lives. What resources are available? Organize them to help others while helping themselves to better health. Every experience leads to something positive in the future he maintains. Establishing Veterans Care Association in East Timor is one such example of how the recent weather catastrophe there has been met with a full blown vet volunteer regiment because of work instigated 18years ago. A wellness plan is imperative Gary emphasized as that has to be your focus not the trauma. Contact - Gary StoneFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/timorawakening)Website: https://www.timorawakening.com/)Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS)) | Lifeline) | RedSix app)"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC
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