The first annual Fayetteville Veteran Prayer Breakfast to honor and pray for our women veteran heroes was held on March 18, 2023. The group met to discuss challenges that women in the military face, such as moral injury. This term describes what an individual experiences when a traumatic event or situation shakes them to their core and profoundly violates their sense of right and wrong. Originally this term was coined to explain what happens to a soldier’s soul because of killing in combat or other violations of military rules of engagement. It has been extended to also describe what has happened to the 6 in 10 servicewomen who have experienced combat as well as military sexual trauma/assault while they served. The effects of moral injury experienced by female veterans include anxiety, depression, self-harming, and suicidal ideation. Chaplain Dr. Daniel Roberts, currently serving as SGM Roberts at Fort Bragg, has founded an organization to support the well-being of women veterans and their families, as well as those currently serving. Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, or MISNS, supports women through counseling via the Tubman Counseling Network, research, and education.
Hosted by Dr. Roberts, the group heard a message of hope delivered by Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Virginia Emery, Chief of Religious Support for the U.S. Army Reserve Command. Attending were Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Wes Balmer and Diana Blissett of the U.S. Army Reserve Command Chaplain Directorate, Dr. Elizabeth L’éclair of Mindset Coaching, and Bethany Cannon and Amanda Allen of Paul Mitchell the School Fayetteville. Chaplain Emery, Dr. L’éclair, Amanda Allen, and Diana Blissett are women veterans.
This will be an annual event during Women’s History Month. For information about the continuing work of MISNS, contact Dr. Daniel Roberts at droberts@chaplainconsultants.com, or call Dr. Roberts at 910-690-5964.
In the photo, left to right the people are these: Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Wes Balmer, U.S. Army Reserve; Amanda Allen, Paul Mitchell the School Fayetteville; Dr. Daniel L. Roberts, Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc.; Bethany Cannon, Paul Mitchell the School Fayetteville; Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Virginia Emery, U.S. Army Reserve; Dr. Liz L’Eclair, Mindset Coaching. Not pictured is Diana Blissett of the U.S. Army Reserve Command Chaplain Directorate,
First Annual Fayetteville Veteran Prayer Breakfast
