R.T.C.
A positive environment for veterans to gather.
We typically meet at 6:00pm on the 4th Friday of the month (excluding major holidays)
Our home is Good Hope Family Fellowship in Scroggins Tx. Click here to find us on the map.
Our Next Gathering will be on Friday, October 28, 2022
Mark your calendars for upcoming meetings in 2022: September 23, October 28, December 9, and more.
Food, Fun, & Fellowship
We’ll always start with a meal and reserve plenty of time for fun and relaxation that the whole family can enjoy.
Leatherwork
September’s guest presenter, Daniel Moss, shows us the tools of the trade
Master Touch
Daniel demonstrates techniques for intricate designs
It all started when…
I got a call about an old friend who was having a very bad night. His wife had stopped him yet again from taking his own life and had come to the end of her own rope. He needed serious help and fortunately got in to an in-patient rehab and suicide prevention program.
I knew he had struggled with PTSD and that it had been an issue from time to time, but I didn’t know how far it had taken him down. I had never felt comfortable bringing up the topic with him or any of my veteran friends. Having not served, not gone through what they’ve been through, I felt it wasn’t my place to bring it up. This changed things for me.
I started talking to veterans…carefully, but boldly. I started asking questions about PTSD and treatments and programs designed to serve those who have served. What I found what that there wasn’t much out there in our area. Also I found that a lot of what is available tries to fit veterans to a program rather than adapt for each veteran’s needs.
One conversation I had early on led me to one simple idea. I asked a veteran I knew “What has helped the most when dealing with issues resulting from PTSD?” He told me that what helps the most is PEOPLE. Not people who are trying to “fix” him, just people who are there for him and with him when he’s in the midst of the struggle.
Another conversation with another friend taught me that many veterans have learned to cope with the feelings by learning a hands-on trade like leatherwork, music, art, or even poetry. He told me that he has told other guys that they need to find “their thing” that helps them process their feelings.
At one point I asked, “What can a church do to help veterans?” The answer: “Well, you have this facility…just open it up and invite them in.”
So here we are. Our goal is to create a positive environment for veterans (and their loved ones) to gather. We simply want to show our Respect, give our Thanks, and offer to Care for those who have served us and sacrificed for our nation. Each meeting starts with a meal at 6pm, features a guest speaker, and keeps the door open as long as anyone wants to hang out. We have corn hole, pool, horseshoes, dominoes, etc all on hand to make the evening fun. We’d love for you to join us.