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New updates and posting

3/11/2018

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A deep apology for the lengthy time without upgrades on this site. Personal health issues kept me from upgrading while the volunteers kept committing but never showed to help in my absence. The good news is recovery is getting me more able to address this on my own while I still seek volunteer help. 

There have been many changes for veterans and their resources in the last year, so keep coming back for information and what I consider positive changes. 

A quick overview of what will be added:

Updates on new services
  • Veteran Wellness Centers
  • VA Choice and Community Access for care
  • Options for Integrative Care/CAM  regarding pain management
  • Increased access to VA Resources
  • VA Peer Program
  • Community Networking
  • Spokane Community Launch of  I.H.A.V.E. (Integrative Health and Veteran Educcation
  • More ...
Looking forward to better support for all!

Thank you for your patience and support! 
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Soldier Up - embrace your life

12/12/2014

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This year started awesome with a lot of promise. The Fall returned a lot of lost image of self-value when the 2014 Women Veterans Summit was held in Spokane. The very gesture of being on the team to help make this happen connected me with some very dynamic individuals that renewed my faith in others and passion for the cause. 

I was recognized for the involvement, received a lot of kudos, and even a few unexpected blessings along the way. Almost immediately after the event, I started losing family members to cancer. Emotional issues connected with loss came down hard involving close family members, friends and even a suicide among our close knit community. In all, six people that I loved and appreciated in my life were suddenly gone.  

To top it off, I was backed into by an automobile. Walking across the parking lot, suddenly found myself going sideways. No, I did not fall or get anything broken, though my back and hips have been acting up since. That is, causing stress more than usual.

Prior to this latest incident, I had support through the VA including chiropractic treatment. It was working! My mobility was stepping up, my attitude was embracing more passion for life. And, I was excited about the potential to hope, plan and reach for my dreams of travel, photography, painting, remodeling my home, being able to do more with friends, etc.  I almost let the disability get back to controlling my life. It has its days, however, I refuse to let it take me from a positive journey in life. 


I am sharing my story, because I hope it will help others to address their own challenges and soldier up to them with passion to embrace the positive life they deserve. 


Because of denial, time to time self-defeat, undiagnosed PTS, and accepting negatives as a part of the process, it took more than a decade of my life wandering around lost a world that I never wanted or believed would happen to me. Don't let any challenge or disability in your life take away precious moments or time that can empower you and those around you. 


Once I recognized the beast (PTS), it was almost like being an alcoholic in that choices in life could start the stair step out of the hell hole that living had become by learning how to control my choices and actions. Counseling, for me, helped. I discovered a vital point in that I was not alone, recognition was a strong factor in getting past the PTS control, and I could start modifying my actions to return to stronger abilities. 

I know there is hope. Before I knew the issue, my brain would just go haywire with stress leaving me incapable of making choices or even regular conversation. Working with outreach communities to help other veterans, healing began and became stronger with each new issue. I had found hope. 

The recent issues did have an affect on me. Being unable to move forward because each new death happened just as I was starting to address the loss, they all became jumbled enmass of a swirl of issues in my thoughts. It did not matter what I was trying to address, I could not get past 3 items on a page before my writing went crazy and my thoughts started to hurt.  I pulled back on all contact because my brain and body were unreliable. I would be on the computer for a short time, pain in my back from the injury not allowing full follow through,  would have to lie down, sleep took over, depression closing in. Was I returning to the fog and dark hole that I fought so hard to leave? With my age, was this going to be a permanent change in my back? 

My friend's suicide jolted me. Unexpected and senseless - he was deeply loved, admired, and had communities of people that followed his lead. Much younger than me, it was senseless. I was angry, with so many fighting to have one more breath, why did he do this? Some would think that would have a darker affect on me. Think it was opposite ... it drove me to soldier up .. to fight whatever issue is trying to drag me down and overcome it. It is more important to recognize that even though darkness seems to be closing in, even a small light can pierce the darkness. Life has a way of going up and down. We have a way of turning it around, if we have the patience and ability to believe again. That is where helping each other along the way is potent. Nothing heals the heart than having another veteran tell you how important you are in their life and their positive journey. We still have value, we still have the soldier within that lead us forward before the challenges came. 

I have seen many veterans waiting for help, help comes from within. The struggle may be harder without help from those that "owe" us, however, it is much easier when we soldier up, embrace those who are there willing to help and find a path to move forward. 

In this season of Believing ... no time is better than now ... believe in yourself, believe in the future and embrace life in the fullest.  

We can do it. 
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It takes a Soldier's Heart

7/10/2013

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"You stood on the front lines
You led the way, out of the darkness
We didn't go astray
You were ready to die for our sake
And that takes a soldier's heart

Oceans so deep
Uphill so steep
But still we believe
And when the road was too far to travel 
Heros you came and carried us there"
Lyrics and Music by R. Kelly see more at YouTube

On November 9, 2011, I was invited to speak about Veterans to the two assemblies of students that met in the small assembly hall of a warm and loving elementary school in Spokane, WA.
Compared to the newer modern architectural structures, this historical school had a touch of warmth and closeness that evoked positive memories from my past.

The program of presentation of colors, Pledge Allegiance, medleys of songs of honor to veterans and their families, and military songs for each branch of service brought back memories of fresh support, faith and hope.  Though so many I meet seem to have lost their way, these children and their teachers presented a promise that the growing generation has a belief in tommorrow and beautiful trusting faith that the current generation in control will keep them out of harms way.  This is a trust, that we must take seriously and honor. 
In the first assembly, I was motivated to share the medal that I am most proud of earning during my service and the evacuation of refugees and babies during what we called the Fall of Saigon.  I expressed that there are many Humanitarian efforts that are completed by the military and our primary mission was to protect and share the human rights of freedom in choice, knowledge, and being there for each other.  
  • Vietnam -Operation Babylift 
  • 99 Humanitarian Efforts by Us Military in 2006
In the second assembly, I was motivated to talk of the War against terror - I shared the fact that in the later 1980's, the grade school my children attended was under lock-down due to terrorist control of the adjoining Department of Defense Junior High School.  It lasted less than a day due to exceptional work by our local military swat team that regained control through non-violent efforts.  Here are some current sites that show some of the daily concerns we had to take to keep our family safe.  
  • Wiesbaden Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection
  • Anti-terrorism Awareness 

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We Salute You

7/10/2013

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Picture
I was invited to Speak to the students by their Music Teacher Amy Clark (Mrs. Washington 2012-2013) This is a photo of Amy's Father (also a veteran), Amy & Myself.
The following was part of the Veteran Appreciation Program at a local Elementary school on November 7, 2011.  Thank you to all who shared these wonderful thoughts and words for Veterans and their families.  I was invited to Speak to the students by their Music Teacher Amy Clark (Mrs. Washington 2012-2013) This is a photo of Amy's Father (also a veteran), Amy & Myself.
Recital by the Students of Hutton Elementary

Veterans, We salute you - 
Not with military precision
Or volley of shots 
Or boom of cannon
We salute you in our hearts
And in our thinking. 

We remember that you left your jobs, your homes, your fun.  
You submitted to the 
discipline of training.  

Studied hard to learn things you didn't particularly want to know.  
You went sometimes 
to far off places
And shot at people 
you didn't hate, 
And suffered injuries, 
And heat, and cold. 
You got sick...
and stayed 
at your posts anyway, 
You were - homesick
And got over it 
the best you could. 
Some of you came home 
to no jobs, To find 
your friends had scattered, 
Your sweetheart had 
married someone else, 
Or you came home 
To live in a hospital or facility
Enduring wounds 
that would not heal, 
Accepting loss of sight or limb.
We Salute you

Because down deep 
you were willing! 
You believed in America - 
You believed in us - 
The children and 
youth of America.
You fought for us, 
You trained to be 
ready to fight - for us, 
You left your homes for us, 
You faced danger, injury, death for us, 
What less can we do than salute you? 
"You believed in America , You believed in us - The children and 
youth of America."
Survivors of veterans 
that gave their lives 
We salute you! 
"Killed in Action" 
"Fate Unknown" 
"Succumbed to injuries,"
Are dramatic 
sounding words. 
Citations, medals, 
Letters from the President, 
Can make you for the moment proud.  
But words and symbols 
Cannot fill the empty place
Left by the son, 
husband, father, 
The brother, suitor, friend, 
Who went to war 
And "came not home again."


We salute you
Because you, too, 
believed in us
And in America
You picked up the pieces 
of your lives, 
And went on living - for us. 
You accepted loneliness - 
for us. 
And you did it willingly
Not asking for sympathy or favors.  

On this Veterans Day we say, 
"Thank you!" 
Be comforted in knowing
Your sacrifice 
was not a waste. 
We're grateful for 
a free America
Where we can live, 
And learn, and grow! 
In our own time
We'll catch the torch
And hold it high
We will keep the faith!

Shared by children of a local Elementary, Spokane WA  at their Veteran Appreciation program on Nov 9, 2011
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Becoming an Ambassador of Goodwill

3/12/2013

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My Father served in the military.  Generations of both my parent's families served in the military. My Brother, Brother-in-law, my husband, and I also served.  I have nieces, nephews, cousins and friends currently serving. 

We have known joy, sorrow, strength, weakness, and being alone in areas that were not our home.  We have been raised, raised our children and participating in the next generation's path through the challenges of military life and standing up for the freedom of many.  

As far back as I remember, there never was the deep desire to go to war nor harm another.  There was however, the willingness to lay down our lives if need be to stop aggression on others less capable of protecting themselves.  Many came back from war with Medals of honor and injury.  Some gave the ultimate sacrifice.  One of My Father's brothers was killed in Korea; and more recently, a cousin was killed in Afghanistan. 

In my family, there was always a code of honor among us and the choice to be an Ambassador of good will and love.  

Our Father was our protector, strong in commitment and gentle in  leadership with a willingness to help others less capable.  Our Mother taught us the importance of of being a peacemaker and maintaining the presence of caring in all the communities we lived.  


Military family life often set us apart.  We moved often, had few lifelong friends, and had little knowledge of where we would go next.  Not all moves were wanted, nor were they friendly.  Often military children and families were treated as outsiders.  We could have grown up with negative energy and memories - because of our parent's love and guidance, we did not. 

As a military family, we lived in many communities and even a few foreign countries.  Regardless the atmosphere, our parents told us that each new community may be the only chance we had to do our best, explore the surroundings, and find what made each place special. 

The thing that was always instilled in my family was that each of us were ambassadors of our family, our community and our nation - regardless the situation.  

Having served as woman in the military in the field of electronics, there were additional challenges.  I joined the Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict when the men and women were separated with their own units of management (WAF) while working side by side in our chosen career (electronics communication equipment repair).  Guess you could say I was also a pioneer for women in non-traditional work.  Recognition of being an ambassador of women's rights and capabilities was also a vital part of my journey.  

Through it all the main thread that kept inspiration, positive steps, and even moments that built pride in life's participation was the result from the small, usually unnoticed, actions that were a major turning point for others struggling to find balance.  I have lived and worked among war heroes, leaders, and humanitarians.  

Yet, the hero of one person's heart as an ambassador of love is often the one I remember the most.  

I sincerely believe that when individuals are given the chance to become a voluntary community member of good will, teams of everyday heroes will emerge from within their hometown. 

They will be wearing the badge of courage for change, the strength from stepping forward  and the smiles from heartfelt appreciation of those they meet. 

Participating in results as an ambassador is greater than any government demands, forced responsibilities, or loss of freedoms. It is the choice to participate in life with awareness and healing while experiencing receiving more than we ever dreamed.  It is the reward of community and self worth, most of all love from those whose lives you touched.  All because we help create a life less taxing with controls and financial burdens while abundant the nature of an Ambassador. 

We are seeking those wanting to bring back hope and healing to our hometowns and veterans.  Please join us in this outreach.  Each step in this process is a new step for hope and happiness.   In sincere regards, Jurene Mason
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    Jurene Mason

    During my life, I was a military dependent daughter, wife, USAF Active Duty service member and a Veteran Advocate.  My military service spanned the Era's of Peacetime Service, Vietnam, Cold War, and Desert Storm.  

    Having experienced many of the challenges and issues connected with the military community, my choice to become an advocate for outreach, connecting and healing has never been stronger or more passionate. 

    Through my sharing here, there is hope to inspire, motivate and provide a positive avenue of change for many.  You are welcome to join us in our efforts to honor our journey. 

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"Military Veterans know how dig in and get the job done. The work at home is much more valuable when we do it together and share the load.  You haven't lost touch with your fellow soldiers, you have a country filled with many that want to serve with you.  You are up to the task, join the outreach."    Jurene Mason, USAF Vet

This service is offered to all veterans, and military community by a Vietnam/Desert Storm Veteran.  Speaking as One Veteran to Another, thank you for serving in the military. Now lets help each other heal and continue to serve on our home front with integrity, honor and dedication.