Bill Fortier

KNCO,

I am writing this in hopes that it will be published and/or made available to Veterans and their families before/during/after the Annual Nevada County Stand Down being held this Friday and Saturday, Oct 7/8 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.

This is important because most Veterans are unaware and uninformed about the benefits of Transcendental Meditation (known as “TM”) and its profound effect on those who practice it. Or, if they have heard about it, they are concerned because it sounds strange to them or they believe it is associated with some religion or cult etc etc…all of which are untrue!

Many don’t know that the Dept of Defense has now incorporated TM into its training in the military services and medical programs that help insure Warrior Wellness, both mental and physical. DoD is finding out that there are great benefits for its military members who have taken the TM training.

I served 3 decades in the Army (Active, NG & Reserve) with 2 tours in Vietnam and have PTSD. I spent a year and a half in a VA program to deal with the effects of PTSD that helped me, along with several different prescribed medications. 2 years ago, I learned TM and it has had a profound effect on my life. Very quickly I found a peace that I had not known in a long time. I remember my comment when asked early on while taking TM how it had affected me…I told them, “It is the first time I have noticed how quiet it is because I don’t seem to have all that “noise” in my head.” You see, I had found a calmness that I hadn’t known in decades. As a result, I was able to quit taking a lot of my medications and am able to sleep without all the meds I used to take.

That is the reason I feel it is so important to get this information out to as many of our Veterans as possible…to let them know that there is a very effective, easily learned technique available out there that is changing the lives of many other Veterans, military service members and their family members.

And most of all, it is important to spread the word because this simple technique which is bringing peace into the lives of so many of our wounded warriors, may just touch the life of someone who is considering taking their own life to escape the pain, depression and frustration brought on by PTSD.

Thank you, in advance, for helping to get this information out to our Veterans and their families about this very important tool, available to them.

Sincerely,

Colonel Bill Fortier, US Army, Retired
Auburn, CA

AN IMPORTANT NOTE FOR VETERANS IN NEVADA COUNTY

On Friday, Oct 7 & 8, 2016, the Nevada County All Veterans Stand Down will take place at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, CA. the purpose of the Stand Down is to reach out to our Veterans by including “ALL Veterans”, homeless or not, to become empowered with the knowledge of the important resources available for their benefit and well being.

However, there is one important resource for Veterans that unfortunately won’t be included in the gathering due to being late in registering as a provider. But it is extremely important that all of Nevada County’s Veterans know about this valuable resource: Transcendental Meditation (TM).

The overwhelming stress-reducing benefits of TM have been verified by more than 350 peer-reviewed studies, including research funded by more than $30 million in grants from the National Institutes of health and the U.S. Department of Defense. Thus far, these studies report the following exciting results:
• 83% of Veterans decreased or ceased psychotropic medications
• 40-55% Average reduction in symptoms of post-Traumatic stress and depression
• 35% Average decrease in insomnia
• 30% Average improvement in relationship satisfaction and quality of life

TM is a simple, natural and easy-to-learn technique that is practiced for 20 minutes, twice a day, sitting comfortably in chair and should be an essential tool for the health toolbox all veterans, active-duty service personnel, and their families around the country…and it certainly should be available to all Veterans in Nevada County.

The initial training requires four days consisting of about 90 minutes each day and is straightforward…no religious belief or lifestyle change is required.

Why is this TM Technique so Important now?

More than 300,000 Veterans returning from military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD and major depression-severe mental injuries that damage relationships and undermine health and livelihood. TM can often offer profound and immediate relief to Veterans and military personnel struggling with these wounds.

According to Doctor Mehmet Oz, “TM dramatically reduces blood pressure, which is the number one cause of death. It also reduces cholesterol, atherosclerosis, obesity, risk of stroke – even lowers death rates due to cardiovascular disease. But this is just the tip-of-the-iceberg. There are so many other benefits to minds and body”.

Anyone interested in learning to meditate or wanting to get more information about Transcendental Meditation please contact Jerry Custard (located locally in the Grass Valley area) at (641) 226-0162.