Iraq vet to speak in Saratoga on Saturday morning

I received this release in my email recently:


A Dialogue on War, Survival, and Recovery

Saratoga Springs welcomes Iraq veteran and former Marine Staff Sergeant Jimmy Massey along with psychotherapist Edward Tick to the Saratoga Public Library Community Room Saturday, April 22, from 9:30 to 11:30 am for a public conversation on war, survival, and recovery. The discussion will focus on how modern war affects members of the armed services, vets, their families, and civilians.

Massey, a 12 year marine veteran, was diagnosed with PTSD and given an honorable medical discharge after participating in the invasion of Baghdad during April and May of 2003. An ardent defender of the constitution, Jimmy became disillusioned with the occupation when he witnessed the killing of innocent civilians. "One minute you’re passing out candy to a little kid, 10 minutes later you’re opening fire on a vehicle with women and children". Unable to reconcile this with his ideals for America, he went to superior officers with his concerns and was sent stateside. As part of his healing process he has been speaking about his experience in Iraq to groups and individuals across the US.

Dr. Edward Tick, a psychotherapist practicing in Albany, NY for over 30 years, specializes in work with survivors of severe trauma and violence, particularly combat war veterans. He is a nationally recognized expert on the psychological, spiritual, historical, and cultural aspects of war. An ordained interfaith minister, Dr Tick has also served as consultant to numerous community, church, and veterans organizations on the treatment of veterans and the training of staff for such work. Dr. Tick has authored a number of books, his most recent being "War and the Soul", published by Quest books. For more information on Dr Tick’s work call 463-1062 or go to www.mentorthesoul.com.

This event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by Veterans for Peace, which is establishing a chapter in Saratoga Springs, and Community Dialogues. For more information, contact Jim Fulmer at 583-7501, or Elliott Adams at 284-2048 or 441-2697.