My Testimonial – An Open Cry
PDF Version

Colonel Tony Monaco,
United States Army
(December 2006)

Noble Warriors!! I must confess I can no longer remain silent, stand by and watch. We have banded together in the face of adversity before and once more we will.

There is a new battlefield!! Too many of us are bringing the enemy home; distressing our loved ones.

At an Army clinic, I ran into one of my Soldiers who was having stomach problems and no one could figure out why. Quietly, he confessed of having a recurring image of a dead Soldier he had zipped into a body bag. Later that week, I read a U.S. News & World Report article dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which featured a friend of mine, COL Kathy Platoni, a combat-stress team psychologist.

I keyed on U.S. News & World Report's account that the core problem is “Reimagining the trauma again...” Forces exist to demoralize us and lead us to an unwitting path of self-destructive behavior. These recurring images lurk within us to take us down.

Are you Stressed? Depressed? Isolated, Angry and full of Resentment? Who will take care of us if we don’t? There is no need to struggle alone, and in darkness.

 Even the renowned psychologist and founder of analytical psychology, Carl Jung, acknowledged, “What you resist persists.”

Seeking professional help is always advisable. What I discovered is a very private, simple, non-intrusive Exercise called, “Be Still and Know.”  It has helped me immensely in overcoming extreme adversities. It is confidential, effective and powerful. And I have freely shared the Exercise with my family and colleagues alike.

How does it work?

Dr. George Hayter, M.D., Psychiatrist and Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, says the Exercise "…is the only program of self-therapy which achieves the desired end-state of therapy; to lessen the dependence on the therapist – the goal is self-awareness.” Also, he says, “It’s the only approach that I have ever seen in the whole field of psychology which allows you to become independent, competent and effective.”

“Patriot Outreach” provides grants (at no cost) to all military Warriors, government civilians, battlefield contractors, first responders, veterans, retirees and their families.

Let’s not bring home the enemy. Working Together...Making A Difference. HUA!! Let us cherish the sweet joy of life. God Speed!!

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Colonel Monaco's Epilogue
(November 2007)

As their loved ones enter harms way, several family members have asked me what they can do. Can the Exercise “Be Still and Know” help? ...Absolutely!!

The Exercise is for everyday life. Your work! Your family! Your kids! Your health! Even road rage!

Keeping with our movie theater analogy above (How does it work?), using The Exercise before, as well as during a deployment (or stressful operation) is comparable to being told the ending of the movie.  It spoils it! How many times has this happened to you?

Knowing the ending, being aware, negates a lot of the suspense, emotional bonds and intrigue, and therefore the cause of many common stress reactions. Overcoming stress, anger, and fear not only on the battlefield, but also on the Homefront will bring us joy, and a more productive and happier life. 

Download The Exercise!  Try it!  What do you have to lose?  Moreover, many have found comfort in Psalms 91.  Together, with God's Blessing, fighting for each other will make a difference.

At the height of the Afghanistan and Iraq War we had 145,000 boots on the ground. Many do not realize we also had more than 155,000 Federal Government Civilians and Battlefield Contractors (Companies operating under US Government Contracts) in support roles (e.g., logistics, maintenance, training, linguists, security). Learn more

No one is tracking these Abandon Brothers & Sisters. Granted some are Veterans, however, they are Civilians operating in “Theater”, on the battlefield.
They encountered the same stress and injuries afflicted upon our Warriors. Many have no support network, no medals or honors. Their sacrifices must not be forgotten!

It is an honor to be of service to our country. Help get the word out!! God Bless!