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Sometimes coming home isn't easy.
Erik Deyo, member of the First Baptist Church, is starting a monthly initiative where veterans will be helping veterans with open discussions and support. As a veteran, Deyo said he has heard of local, fellow veterans having trouble adjusting to civilian life.
“I would like for veterans and soldiers to realize whatever they're going through – they're not alone,” Deyo said. “I would like to be able to help, and help them see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Deyo was chaplain's assistant with the 203rd Engineer Battalion, a versatile role in the unit which includes duties related to security, presentation and communication. He was deployed in early March 2003, spent six months in Iraq as a liaison between the soldiers and head chaplain, and was sent home early in December that year after tearing his ACL.
“I felt like I was abandoning my guys,” he said. “When I returned home I didn't have the opportunity to support others very well, and I know I was not a nice guy when I came home. I had anger issues, and you take it out on family – where you feel safe.”
Deyo said as time passed on he was able to move on with his life. He went back to school and earned his EMT license through Missouri Southern State University.
“Education was a big part in my getting better,” Deyo said. “But this group is for me too.”
Recently, Deyo has heard of veterans who are having a hard time adjusting to civilian life. After a moving Veterans Day assembly last year, Deyo said that event triggered his response. On top of that, Deyo said his adult Bible lessons have hit on topics like connecting and reaching out to those in need.
“This is my way of doing that,” he said. “What gets me is they think they're the only ones.”
A concern Deyo mentioned in holding the monthly meetings was the idea that some veterans may not come because of its location – in a church. Plus, American soldiers are trained to be strong, both physically and mentally, and reaching out to offer help to this demographic might prove to be difficult.
“That's one of the obstacles I'm forced to deal with,” Deyo said. “There's a tough guy mentality, and they think 'I can make it.' But they don't have to go through it alone.”
Sometimes coming home isn't easy.
Erik Deyo, member of the First Baptist Church, is starting a monthly initiative where veterans will be helping veterans with open discussions and support. As a veteran, Deyo said he has heard of local, fellow veterans having trouble adjusting to civilian life.
“I would like for veterans and soldiers to realize whatever they're going through – they're not alone,” Deyo said. “I would like to be able to help, and help them see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Deyo was chaplain's assistant with the 203rd Engineer Battalion, a versatile role in the unit which includes duties related to security, presentation and communication. He was deployed in early March 2003, spent six months in Iraq as a liaison between the soldiers and head chaplain, and was sent home early in December that year after tearing his ACL.
“I felt like I was abandoning my guys,” he said. “When I returned home I didn't have the opportunity to support others very well, and I know I was not a nice guy when I came home. I had anger issues, and you take it out on family – where you feel safe.”
Deyo said as time passed on he was able to move on with his life. He went back to school and earned his EMT license through Missouri Southern State University.
“Education was a big part in my getting better,” Deyo said. “But this group is for me too.”
Recently, Deyo has heard of veterans who are having a hard time adjusting to civilian life. After a moving Veterans Day assembly last year, Deyo said that event triggered his response. On top of that, Deyo said his adult Bible lessons have hit on topics like connecting and reaching out to those in need.
“This is my way of doing that,” he said. “What gets me is they think they're the only ones.”
A concern Deyo mentioned in holding the monthly meetings was the idea that some veterans may not come because of its location – in a church. Plus, American soldiers are trained to be strong, both physically and mentally, and reaching out to offer help to this demographic might prove to be difficult.
“That's one of the obstacles I'm forced to deal with,” Deyo said. “There's a tough guy mentality, and they think 'I can make it.' But they don't have to go through it alone.”
The meetings will be held on the west side of the First Baptist Church once a month. Deyo said the meetings will have no sermons, no lessons, just open discussion and support. For the first meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, Deyo said he's expecting close to nine veterans. To start, the meetings will only focus on the veterans, but Deyo said in the future the initiative could be able to reach out families as well.
For those interested, Deyo has set up an open event on Facebook called Carthage Veterans and Soldiers Support Group.
The Deyo family has lived in the local area since 1995; when Erik married Rachel. They have three children: Noah, 12; Elijah, 9; and Addelyn, 1.
