A Heavy Toll

On Friday, August 5, 2011, our Country suffered a great loss in Afghanistan. Twenty-two US Navy SEAL commandos and three Air Force Special Operations Forces, among others, lost their lives when their Chinook helicopter was attacked by the Taliban.

According to news sources, the elite forces were lured
into a trap by the Taliban, with help from other sources.
These US and NATO forces were specially trained and highly skilled. We do not yet have the answer as to how
and why this was allowed to happen.

Our sympathies go out to all family members and
friends, and to all military personnel. May the souls of
all those aboard the Chinook rest in peace.

ENGAGEMENT

Participation in life takes many forms. Most of us do the everyday common things that help us survive on a daily basis. Some of us complain, while others face the day with enthusiasm and a positive forward-looking attitude. In either case, we are connected to society. But what happens when the unexpected occurs?

The soldier goes off to war and returns with multiple injuries. He/she is cared for by the best doctors, receives intensive therapy, and is sent home. The wounded soldier and his family now have to adapt, both within the family framework and in society at large. Opportunities for personal growth and development, social events, group activities, etc. need to be made available as early and quickly as possible to engage that soldier and help him/her reintegrate into society. What are your thoughts?

Serving Wounded Families

Many wounded soldiers and their families show amazing strength in overcoming or dealing
with some of the hardships with which they are faced. The outpouring of support by various
veterans’ groups, religious and civic organizations, as well as corporate, private, and
governmental agencies has been especially high.

THE 4E NETWORK wishes to add its assistance through its Mission, which is to
help reintegrate the wounded soldier back into family and social life through fun events
and activities and to help the wounded soldier and/or qualified family member reach
certain attainable goals.

What is the 4E? THE 4E NETWORK is a 501 (c) (3) organization formed to assist
wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families.

ENABLE – Bring the wounded soldier as close as possible to his/her normal function.
Although THE 4 E NETWORK does not handle medical, we can assist the wounded
with recovery through the 4E concept.

ENCOURAGE – Encouragement can be verbal, with the use of words such as
“great job”, “fantastic work”, “just one more step”. Encouragement may also be
fostered through participation in activities which challenge one to not only challenge
others, but challenge one’s self as well. Most any reward as a response to effort can
be viewed as encouragement.

ENGAGE – Life is filled with numerous ways to expend energy. When one learns
to focus and channel that energy in ways that are positive and engaging, the rewards
can be substantial. Learning to swim, or to play an instrument, taking on a new hobby,
furthering one’s education, acquiring a new skill are some of the ways one can become or
continue to be engaged mentally, emotionally, and physically. Engagement offers the
power of hope.

EMPOWER – The above three E’s are important steps in acquiring the fourth E – Empowerment.