American Forces Press Service

PLANO, Texas, May 1, 2008 - Servicemembers, veterans and military families across the country will have the chance to gain insight into life after combat through a series of seminars and appreciation dinners thanks to a Texas-based troop-support organization.

United We Serve is teaming with football legend Herschel Walker and therapist Jerry Mungadze to offer "Managing Life After Combat." The seminar will take place May 25 in Killeen, Texas, and registration with United We Serve is required.

The goal is to offer support to military members and veterans with valuable information about combat stress and its symptoms, along with the effect it has on families' lives. For Walker, the subject is personal. He has been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, commonly known as "multiple personalities."

"We just want to help them understand that they may go through some rough spots. Their families will be lost as to what they can do to help them," Walker said. "We want to give them as much information and support as we possibly can."

Though an injury prevented him from serving, Walker said, he has a deep love and devotion to servicemembers. This seminar, he said, is a way to serve his country now by supporting the men and women who have.

Mungadze, who has worked in the field of trauma recovery for more than 20 years, said psychological trauma, such as the sights of war, can affect the way the brain processes information. This can result in uncharacteristic behaviors that affect the lives of servicemembers and their families.

"We want to give this information to those that need it, and follow up with free weekend retreats through United We Serve that encompasses the whole family," Mungadze said. "If they need additional information, we can hold a workshop for these families at no charge and help meet their needs. We just want them to know that we are here for them, and want to honor their efforts."

United We Serve offers free family retreats for the military, and has programs specifically designed to help meet the needs of active and reserve-component servicemembers and their families.

It's also a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home or abroad.

(From a United We Serve news release.)

*Related Sites:*
United We Serve  [ http://www.unitedweservemil.org/ ]
Organization, Football Legend Partner for Troops [ http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49743 ]