The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn

Homeless Vets and COVID-19

Homeless Vets and COVID-19 by DiAnna Steele A tattered, soiled blanket covered the homeless man lying on the sidewalk while a thin layer of cardboard served as his mattress. Next to him a coffee jar guarded a few coins. In his hand he clutched a cardboard sign that read, “PLEASE SUPPORT VETERANS.” As the former spouse of a Special Forces Officer and the mother of 3 sons … [Read more...]

Comfort Walk: Keeping a Ranger’s Memory Alive

Comfort Walk: Keeping a Ranger's Memory Alive by Steve Lewis The Comfort Walk helps to raise awareness of veterans mental health and suicide issues in the southern New England region of Connecticut and Rhode Island. It also helps to bring attention and funding to the cognitive agro-therapy program for veterans run by former Army Ranger Jon Jackson. On Memorial Day weekend … [Read more...]

Gratitude in the Time of COVID-19

Gratitude in the Time of COVID-19 by Major T. We, the world, are in our sixth month of dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. At the time of this writing, every country save a select few has found positive COVID-19 patients within their borders. Over 340,00 have died, and more unfortunately will die until the virus subsides or a vaccine is discovered. In the … [Read more...]

“It’s all in your head”​ – mild​ Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)

"It's all in your head"​ - mild​ Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) by Geoffrey P. Dardia. Anyone who has battled with brain injury knows the frustration of having their injury downplayed because they "look fine" from the outside. There have been times where I wished I was missing a limb so medical providers would take me seriously. Unless you have been stuck in the shell of … [Read more...]

What If You Threw a Quarantine and No One Came?

What If You Threw a Quarantine and No One Came? by Ben Buehler-Garcia and Scott Faith First they came for restaurants and bars, and I said nothing because I was not a waiter. Then they came for the churches and I said nothing because I am agnostic When they arrested the surfers I did not speak out because I don’t live near the ocean Then they came for my tenured … [Read more...]

COVID-19: We Have to Get on with Life

COVID-19: We Have to Get on with Life by Geoffrey Robinson Add equal parts Politics and Science. Shake. Run like hell. We drive, fly, go under anesthesia, give birth and a few even don the uniform of our country. Two things can be true at the same time. Some activities are deemed inherently dangerous while being judged extremely safe. We weigh the possible risks, then … [Read more...]

The Void and the Legacy: How My Veteran Brother’s Suicide Affected Me… and the World Around Me

The Void and the Legacy: How My Veteran Brother's Suicide Affected Me... and the World Around Me by anonymous I felt compelled to share a part of me I have not shared with anyone before, in an effort that it reaches even one person in need of a glimpse of even the tiniest bit of hope. A Hope, that with a little shift in perspective, something positive can evolve from the … [Read more...]

Women and Weights: The Myth Behind the Mass

Women and Weights: The Myth Behind the Mass by Paige Jernigan and Jason Borne It's that time of year where so many want to be bikini body ready for their summer in the sun. Army Ranger Christopher Ryan and business owner of Custombuilt Performance Fitness Nutrition sent in this article to educate our audience and start this conversation that continues to transpire daily. … [Read more...]

Finding the Magic Pill for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Finding the Magic Pill for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) by Amy Morosini “What branch of service were you in?” That’s usually the first question I am asked when I tell a servicemember or veteran that I have a Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI.  “I wasn’t,” I reply, “I am a wounded civilian.” A TBI occurs when a sudden blow or jolt to the head leads to dysfunction in the … [Read more...]