Community Currency - 11/04/10

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Healing the Wounds of War - Beginning with the Veterans with Gold Star mother, Nadia McCaffrey.

Nadia McCaffrey took a courageous stand when informed of the death of her son, Patrick McCaffrey who was killed by Iraqi soldiers in an ambush near Balad, Iraq on June 22, 2004. She was the first Gold Star mother in the recent war to allow the media to welcome Patrick's return to the US. She has travelled internationally to speak of her son's life, his legacy, his 2 children, Janessa and Patrick Jr. She is the founder of Angelstaff, a group of trained volunteers who bring a caring presence to terminally ill and their families. She also created the Patrick McCaffrey Foundation, and the vision of a Veterans' Village, to help heal veterans returning from war. She has also worked with people trying to connect returning veterans to farms, and the land, for the benefit of all.

Nadia McCaffrey was born in Paris and grew-up in the province of Auvergne,(Lafayette country.) France, she studied the Arts, and nursing. She married an American, Robert McCaffrey; she immigrated to California, United States in the 60s. Her son, Sgt Patrick R. McCaffrey Sr., was born at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto CA, May 26 1970. Patrick believed in his country, and patriotically enlisted in the wake of September 11th. He was a compassionate man who tried to protect his fellow soldiers and Iraqi children.

Nadia McCaffrey has become an international voice for peace, justice and responsibility in government.

On her website, Nadia has this quote:

• "Veterans are the light at the tip of the candle, illuminating the way for the whole nation. If veterans can achieve awareness, transformation, understanding, and peace, they can share with the rest of society the realities of war. And they can teach us how to make peace with ourselves and each other, so we never have to use violence to resolve conflicts again"
• Thich Nhat Hanh

Nadia is working on a major project for veterans in Minnesota on 224 acres of land. She also helped start the growing coaliton between organic farmers and veteran. See Farmer -Veteran Coalition headed by Michael OGorman. For veteran's counseling, Nadia also recommends The Welcome Home Project.