PTSD Peer Support Group July 16 2023

Veterans and families and loved ones of Veterans managing post-traumatic stress (PTS) are invited to attend The Highground’s PTSD Peer Support Group on Sunday, July 16 at 2pm at The Highground.

Father Conrad Targonski, OFM will lead the group discussion. Father Conrad Targonski is the University Chaplain at Viterbo University in La Crosse. During his military service, he traveled with enlisted men and women to many parts of the world including deployments in war zone locales. He retired in September 2010 from the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps with a rank of captain, having served the Marine Corps for 22 years.

During his time as a military chaplain, Father Targonski served two tours in Iraq. He deployed with the Seventh Marine regiment during the Battle of Fallujah in 2004, one of the bloodiest of the war, in which 110 coalition forces and thousands of civilians were killed. The Marines fought into the heart of the city itself—an environment where a concealed sniper, an ambush, or a booby trap could be around any corner. As supervisory chaplain and the only Catholic priest, Father Targonski had to make his way through the streets from unit to unit and minister to 14 other chaplains.

Father Targonski is involved in many programs that help Veterans manage post-traumatic stress, including pilgrimages to Assisi in Italy for combat Veterans.

This group is an important but casual gathering geared towards giving family and loved ones of Veterans managing PTS/PTSD a support system and tools to better understand what their Veteran is going through in their PTS journey. Veterans who come to the gathering receive the support of fellow Veterans and resources that many find helpful. Non-veterans are encouraged to attend even if their Veteran does not attend with them.

For more information and to RSVP (appreciated by not mandatory), send an email to Theresa at museum@thehighground.us or call 715-743-4224.

This program is made available with support from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, the MDRT Foundation and the Charles E Kubly Foundation (charlesekublyfoundation.org).

The Highground is located at W7031 Ridge Rd, Neillsville WI 54456.