KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Soldiers from the Kaiserslautern Military Community received a unique presentation from a group of actors who performed scenarios centered around the postwar struggles of service members returning home from war and the effect they have on families at the Chapel on Daenner Kaserne, here Sept. 21.
The live performance entitled "ReEntry" was created by Emily Ackerman and KJ Sanchez, both sisters of combat veterans. They interviewed numerous service members and their families about the trials and tribulations that occur after deployments and the effect they have on family life.
"I appreciate that they had the ability to bring up other important roles in a Soldier's life," said Amy Ortiz, a native of Rochester, N.Y., and the wife of the incoming 5th Quartermaster Detachment, 21st Theater Sustainment Command first sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Miguel A. Ortiz.
"We often hear about the spouse and the kids but we don't talk much about the mother and the other sibling at home," Ortiz added.
The play was part of suicide prevention training for Soldiers in U.S. Army Europe. The goal was to get service members and their families to discuss the impact deployments have on their lives and increase awareness of the resources available to them.
"The performance was outstanding. I could relate to everything they talked about and the fact that it showed a positive intervention that worked," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Short, a 21st TSC support operations ammunition and logistics non-commissioned officer.
"I hope Soldiers find an avenue to be able to speak about or confront any issues that they may have and able to decide for themselves the best way to deal with them," said Ben Rosenblatt, one of the actors of the "ReEntry" presentation and a native of Astoria, N.Y.
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