This 4-part healing/coming home ceremony supports veterans and adult family members transitioning back into civilian life. Discussions address processing combat experiences; moral injuries that may have occurred in the military; how to reconnect, live productively and find meaning in your service; and why some veterans re-integrate better than others.

The battle is over and you have survived with your life while others have not. You’ve fought side by side with your brothers and sisters. You’ve kept faith with your sworn oath to country, your training and your bond with comrades in arms. You are now a veteran who knows that despite all the training and intentions, innocent lives and friends have been lost due to war’s cruel randomness. Now you must return home, find meaning in being alive and become a better citizen as a result of your new status as a veteran. Your story is similar to those who have gone before you as it will be for those who follow you. You are not alone. The veterans’ path home is well traveled and has been proven to be a healing way home for veterans from all centuries and cultures. It’s a path to a peaceful, compassionate and joyous life that is the reward of all warriors who at one time willingly put their lives at great danger and risk for a cause greater then self. No matter what you did, or was done to you -or what you failed to do in time of war- embrace this path for it is the instrument of your destiny. Limited to 40 participants: Veterans and adult family members are encouraged to participate.

Joe Brett is a veteran of the war in Vietnam where he incurred a moral wound. In this 4-part series (running Tuesdays 11/12 through 12/3) at Goodyear Library, Joe leads a workshop based on the Joseph Campbell book The Power of Myth, shares his own experiences and those of other vets so afflicted. He is a past VP of Arizona based Veterans Heritage Project and holds a MPA Degree from Harvard Kennedy School with a focus on International Development.