Long time no chat...

Regrets for not writing in 3-years. I see this blog is still here and appreciate anyone who has supported it. I will think about getting back into this.

I'm in school again for a degree in Pastoral Counseling at LibertyEdu online. More to follow and God Bless all of our service members and their families, especially all those we've lost.

Sam

Happy Thanksgiving

I regret not posting here in such a long time. I've been full-time in school and graduate in May 2016 to be a licensed social worker in Pennsylvania. I hope you all are well as you face the diverse positive and negative experiences of COMING HOME.

Please stay in touch and have a peaceful and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Sam

I haven't written anything here in a very long time. Just wanted to share two items. I am publishing more books through a GoFundMe site: http://www.gofundme.com/Service_Sacrifice

Also, I will be on the radio tomorrow, June 6th, talking about the book and Veteran reintegration issues and mental health.

VETERANS MATTER RADIO SHOW
Guests - Lt. Sam Console, Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and author of "Service and Sacrifice" - memories if Operation Iraqi Freedom and a Veterans Mental Health & Resource Guide.

SATURDAY 11AM - 1PM - WPG "NewsTalk" 1450AM
No radio=No problem - listen online or smartphone: www.WPG1450.com. Top right hand is "listen live" button.

ALSO: You can download "RadioPup" app for smart phone.

Call-in: (609) 407-1450 (All listeners who wish to engage in veterans/troops issues are encouraged to participate).

HOSTS - Commander Bill Butler and Veteran's Advocate Michael Merlino

Thank you if you can support these efforts in any way!

1LT Sam Console

Task Force Dragoon

Operational Iraqi Freedom III (2004-2005)

DAV

Folks, I've run out of books to donate to our Veterans and their Families. My book, Service and Sacrifice, published in 2011 has been a big hit with my comrades as a tribute to our service and to serve as gifts of appreciation given free through the Wounded Warrior Project or Disabled Sports USA.

We've reached 36% of our goal. WE have done it! I want this to be something we can all be proud of. The books are going to be distributed to the donors to give to the needy Veterans and Families they know. I don't want these sitting in my basement. 


Let's not lose momentum. Please repost this to your networks and consider asking your employer to match your donation. Information is power and you can wield it with a donation of any amount!!! 

Please consider donating so I can buy more books. Please contact me if you have any questions.

http://www.gofundme.com/Service_Sacrifice

Thank you,
Sam Console
1st Lieutenant, PA Army Nationoal Guard (DAV)

New Job - Case Manager at the Coatesville VA Medical Center

I'm proud to announce that I have accepted a position as a Case Manager for the Philadelphia Veterans Muti-Service & Education Center in their LZII Transitional Residence facility at the Coatesville VA Medical Center. Visit my profile on LinkedIn and connect with me. I'd love to share more about this exciting position. I will be helping homeless and underemployed Veterans obtain much needed care and resources as they stay with us in residence for up to two years. This is really a one of a kind program and a great opportunity for me to pursue my passion while helping others. We are a non-profit, so please also consider donating to our cause. My full contact information is below.

For more information, please visit our organization web site at www.pvmsec.org or again, look me up on LinkedIn. Thank you for sharing this wonderful news with me and leaving me a comment on this blog that you got the good news or if you have news to share.

God Bless our Veterans their Families, and the souls of our Veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and way of life.

God Bless,

Sam

Samuel J. Console

Case Manager, LZII

Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center

1400 Black Horse Hill Road

Coatesville, PA 19320-2096

Office: (610) 466-7881, Ext: 18

Click here to donate to PVMSEC - United Way #4308  CFC # 48126

PVMSEC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization serving Veterans Since 1980

www.pvmsec.org

Faith, Hope, and Love can heal a wounded Veteran

I've been suffering for a long time now. I remember first going to the Philadelphia VA Medical Center in December of 2005. Something was wrong but I just couldn't pinpoint what it was. Almost seven years later I still can't say exactly what is wrong with me. I've been told I have a Traumatic Brain Injury; Post-Traumatic Stress; migraine headaches; depression and anxiety. Life has been an ebb and tide sort of series of ups and downs. So many good things have come to pass, including the birth of my son Matthew, but nothing has been powerful enough to literally SNAP ME OUT OF MY FUNK!

My hope is that is all about to change. I've wondered how I lost the kind of focus I had during combat operations. I seemed to have lost hope in all that I've aspired to be as a man, a father, and a husband. I've wondered why I've drifted away from my faith. I've certainly wondered why I can't quite feel the love in my life and experience the level of happiness I deserve. What I think I've lost is a combination of Faith, Hope, and Love. These three powerful forces are described in the Bible in 1st Corinthians, section 13, "these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." The entire chapter is powerful. I was on a plane the other day writing about life and the thought came to me about this chapter. I continued to write about how I can turn back towards my faith. I can begin to pray Psalm 91 each morning as I did every day in combat. I can thank God for my life and my family. I can hope for a brighter future. I can hope for all that is good and healthy in my life and family to only increase. Finally, I can love myself again. I had lost that. I know now that I have to love myself before I can fully love others. I have to love my life before I can truly live it. I can be ready for love to enter my life through my family and friends and the blessings of people like my Uncle Ed who is dying of cancer. I saw Uncle Ed while in Florida and we had precious times together. My child played on the floor while Uncle Ed sat back and watched him in wonder. It could very well be the last time we would see Uncle Ed alive and we did the right thing... we cherished every moment of it. We talked of serious things, but more importantly, we smiled and laughed as well.

So it is time to turn a corner. I would invite anyone who has suffered the way I have to turn it with me. Let's see each other, face to face, with the greatest potential for having Faith, Hope, and Love in our lives once again. I'm smiling now just thinking about the possibilities. Just writing this short passage has lifted me up another notch. I want to be responsible for lifting others up and being cheerful about life. Life is too short to waste. My father lived to be 67. Uncle Ed is now 67. That is just too young to die. So I can make it possible for my father to live again in me. I can carry the legacy of love my Uncle Ed sowed. I can be a source of Faith, Hope, and Love. Think about it and give it a try. Read 1st Corinthians 13 and Psalm 91. We are never alone when we have God in our hearts. For the first time in a long time I have a lasting sense that things are going to be alright. This is a life changing moment for me and I can only hope you too can feel the gravity of it. Life is short and now is the time to turn it around, TO FINALLY SNAP OUT OF IT!

So God Bless me and God Bless you if this passage has reached your heart. For whatever good I can do while I'm alive and truly living, I can be so very proud of that!

Memorial Day article in the Philadelphia Inquirer

Sorry I forgot to post this. Please have a read if you have the time. It is a good article. A little too personal and one has to remember they are talking with a reporter, but I kind of got wrapped up in the moment. Thanks again for your comments and feedback...


http://articles.philly.com/2012-05-29/news/31877663_1_memorial-day-brain-trauma-veterans