Alabama Legion hosting 2nd PTSD retreat

For the second straight year, the Department of Alabama American Legion is bringing veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder to a weekend of outdoor activities and camaraderie.

From Friday through Sunday, more than 30 veterans selected by the Central Alabama VA Health Care System (CAVHCS) will stay at the YMCA’s Camp Chandler in Wetumpka, Ala.

Once at the camp, veterans will participate in group activities such as fishing, canoe rides and rope climbing. Meals will be served in a group setting and will be capped off with a barbecue on Sunday.

And during the weekend, CAVHCS staff and the Alabama Department of Labor will provide counseling, employment classes and tips on how to manage stress.

“One of the biggest hurdles (in starting the retreats) was finding the professionals,” said Department of Alabama Adjutant Greg Akers, a retired Army staff sergeant who suffers from PTSD. “We don’t want to do anybody any harm. So I went to the (CAVHCS) to the interim director, Robin Jackson. and kind of pitched the idea to him. He said, ‘Whatever you need, wherever you need them. Let me know.’ So that hurdle was overcome instantly.”

The entire weekend is a result of a Legion family and community effort. Dozens of Legion family members from throughout the department will volunteer their time at the camp. Area merchants have donated food, fishing equipment and other items to assist with the retreat. And a group of American Legion Riders will escort the veterans from Paterson Field in nearby Montgomery to the camp on Friday.

The Department of Alabama passed a resolution making the retreat an annual event.

“The way I see it, if we have one (veteran commit) suicide in Alabama … The American Legion has failed,” Akers said. “We needed to do something now. This was the way I saw us making a positive impact.”