But Dehn is a fierce, loving spirit who does not take her brother’s memory lightly, nor all of the men and women who have fought valiantly for this country. After his death she became determined to do something in his memory and to help serve those veterans past and present who had done so much for their country yet came home with so little. Dehn and several of her friends brainstormed, created a not-for-profit organization, fundraised and just recently were able to get a permanent location in the hamlet of Highland — ironically just a few hundred feet from the town’s War Memorial.
“I don’t believe in any coincidences,” said Dehn in her office, which is decorated with positive slogans, images, offerings of love and help and solace. Within two days of opening a formal office in January of 2013, the clients came filing in. “We’re here for everyone: veterans, those that are on active duty and are being deployed and redeployed, wives, children, any family members who need assistance. We offer counseling, groups, advocacy; will fill out any forms necessary, get them in contact with agencies if we can’t provide them what they need; and most of all, we’re private. No one needs to worry about privacy. You can come and leave and come again, and no one will ever know.”
Her five-women highly trained staff has had several visitors: those who are seeking domestic abuse counseling, substance abuse counseling or some just looking to be understood. “There is so much shame in the military, which hurts me, kills me, because these men and women have gone from their backyards to unimaginable places of horror and then return to their backyards. There is no transition, no way of bridging that gap — which is one of the many reasons we are here. That’s just impossible. When you listen to their stories, whether it be the great World Wars or Vietnam or Korea, and the Iraq/Afghanistan wars we’ve been in now, how do you go from here to there?”
Statistics are staggering and horrific. While the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in much fewer casualties than wars past, their percentage in suicide rates, Traumatic Brain Injuries, alcoholism and substance abuse far outweighs the predecessors who lost their lives in greater degrees.
“We lose more soldiers through suicide than we do in battle,” said Behn. “Why? Because they were not drafted. They were mostly reservists. They leave their loved ones and are deployed in a desert, doing what they’re trained to do, witnessing horrific things, and then sent back home, only to be redeployed again. There is no transition, no decompression. When you listen to their stories, you can’t believe what they’ve done, seen, lived through. It’s hard to come home for three weeks and play happy family.”
To address these challenges, the Daniel Center offers marital counseling, domestic violence counseling, substance abuse and depression counseling and referrals. “We will be starting groups for veterans, their spouses, women and children. Basically, if you are a veteran, on active duty or have one in your family, alive or deceased, we’re here for you. There is nothing too big or too small. If we can’t get you the answer right here, then we’ll find it for you. Whether it’s problems paying bills, dealing with insurance, needing assistance with any mental or physical issue, even getting your oil tank filled…having a cup of coffee and wanting to share your story so it’s out of you and recognized by another human being.”
The Center has made it this far through many generous donations, mostly anonymous, some through fundraising efforts that are ongoing and family-oriented and from the staff’s own pockets. Their dream is to one day have a “transitional” home for returning vets, homeless vets, so that they can be in a supportive environment with people who understand what they’ve been through and begin transitioning back into society, the workplace, their families. “If anyone has a house, we’ll take it!” said Dehn with a laugh.
You couldn’t meet a more positive person, nor someone with more tenacity to help others so that they won’t suffer the fate that her brother did. “Whenever I look at his picture, I know I can’t stop, I can’t rest. These soldiers served their country, risked their lives, lost their lives — many hurt, others hurting from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other serious war-related issues, and they deserve to come home and have everything they need.”
Right now there are 1,600 vets to each advocate at the Veterans’ Administration. “They get cynical; they stop asking for help and the assistance they deserve when they have to wait three, four, six months to get an appointment.” The Daniel Center staff is in contact with other veteran-related agencies locally and throughout the country. All you have to do is walk in or call, and they promise to do what they can to assist you or find you the assistance you need.
To learn more about the Center, its hours, staff, mission, upcoming fundraisers and groups, go to www.danielcenterinc.org, call (845) 691-4570 or simply stop by and visit at 20 Milton Avenue in downtown Highland.
