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Show Hilltop HILLTOP TIMES 3 TIMES April 10, 2014 Camp for military children celebrates month of the military child BY SARAH STOLL HILLTOP TIMES CORRESPONDENT D uring the month of April, numerous organizations nationwide honor and celebrate the Month of the Military Child. Camp Corral, a summer camp that is offered free of charge to military children in numerous states, plans to celebrate this month with "Americans who recognize and honor the nation's approximately 2 million military children through programs and activities sponsored by military organizations worldwide." According to the same Camp Corral news release: "This celebration is a legacy of former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger that was established to underscore the important role of children in the Armed Forces community" Camp Corral "is a free, one- SAPR From 2 quent. I began to dismiss what was happening. I would tell myself he doesn't mean anything by it. I became convinced if I ignored the behavior, he would get the picture that I was not interested and his advances were unwanted. I eventually came to accept he was not going to stop and I would continue to be uncomfortable; just another unpleasant part of life. But, I was strong enough to deal with it, so I thought. We were at the second phase in the process: desensitization. So now we are four months into incessant and unwanted sexual advances. I was summoned several times to his office under the guise of a work-related task, only to have himself and his male counterparts look me over, ask personal questions and make sexual comments as I exited the room. I was put on display. It was horribly degrading. The beginning of the end of this hell started when my boss squeezed my upper thigh under the table at a command function in a crowded room. I was ashamed, hurt and embarrassed. I left the event and went to the equal opportunity office, because I knew I had to do something. I told them of my ordeal and they were more than willing to help me. I asked to be given time to think about what course of action to take. I was leaving for a five-week temporary duty assignment the next day. I thought I would have a reprieve from the harassment and the potential for another assault. I was wrong. My offender sent emails during my TDY. He called me and basically told me when I returned, it was time to go to the next level and it was no longer an option. I did not sleep that night. I was scared. I returned to work after my TDY and avoided my supervisor/offender at all costs. I ignored his phone calls. I would peek out my door before I left my office to ensure I did not bump into him. of-a-kind summer camp for children of wounded, disabled or fallen military service members. Since its founding in 2011 by Golden Corral, Camp Corral has grown to 20 camps in 16 states, and has served more than 4,000 children. Although any child ages 8 to 15 from a military family is eligible, registration priority is given to children of wounded, disabled or fallen military service members." The 2014 camps are one week long and run from June 1-Aug. 16 in various states across the U.S. The closest Camp Corral location to Hill Air Force Base is the YMCA Camp Shady Brook in Sedalia, Colo. The camps are a way for 8to 15-year-olds to be "far away from the day-to-day challenges they face as children of wounded, disabled, or fallen military service members. I would correspond with him by email only. Finally, I was summoned to his office and was asked why I was avoiding him. He informed me I needed to make it a point to see him every day. The following day I was summoned into his office, again, to be put on display. As I greeted the other male field grade officer present, he openly chided me and I was instructed not to speak to another man. According to him, I was his property. No longer was I a highly educated professional or valued member of the team. I was there solely for my offender's benefit. I felt less than human, weak and powerless. I was no longer a 34-yearold capable and confident woman. I had transformed completely into that helpless girl from my childhood. Not only did my offender interrupt my peace at work, but he invaded my dreams and my thoughts and pervaded every aspect of my life. I became paralyzed and consumed by fear. The quid pro quo in the form of threats relevant to my performance appraisals and job kept me in a constant state of flux. I was a prisoner in my office and in my home. I was living the hell many of my previous clients, also former victims of violence, had described to me time and time again. I was now reliving, which propelled me to join the Navy in hopes of escaping my past. The final breaking point came when my offender began to actively take steps to eliminate my job. Upon my return from my TDY, I found out he had withheld paperwork to extend my job. The organization's budget personnel hounded him for seven months to submit the paperwork. Wittingly, the harassment began during the same timeframe. I decided I was no longer going to be a silent victim. I went to the director of our section and notified him of what was going on. I informed him I intended to file a report with the EO office. The investigation began that day. Asserting the protections that are guaranteed to every mili- CAMP CORRAL Camp Corral who partners with YMCA and 4-H camps, has proven to be a 'week of a lifetime,' providing kids nonstop fun with activities like canoeing, swimming, fishing, arts and crafts, ropes course challenge, archery, horseback riding, and other camp and outdoor activities." While it may not be feasible for Hill AFB families to participate in the large celebration events taking place in North Carolina this month, Camp Corral also encourages nation-wide support with their social media campaigns, postings on Facebook, and dona- tion opportunities. Camp Corral hopes many will join them in wearing purple during the month of April in support of each military child. Photos of participation can be posted on the Camp Corral Facebook page. "Operation Military Kids launched `Purple Up!' day four years ago as a visible way people can show support by wearing a color that represents all branches of the military." Another way that the public can get involved with the efforts of Camp Corral is through donations that send deserving military children to a week of free camp. According to Camp Corral's press release, "Donations can be made year-round on www.campcorral.org or at any Golden Corral restaurant through May 31. Golden Corral is Camp Corral's founding sponsor and has set a goal of raising "I was living the hell many of my previous clients, also former victims of violence, had described to me time and time again. I was now reliving, which propelled me to join the Navy in hopes of escaping my past." SKYTINA FELDER-JONES tary and civilian personnel is not an easy process. During the investigative process, I felt as though I was laid bare and the entire world could see my fear, my shame, my cowardice and my trauma. I had to tell every sordid detail of my ordeal over and over. It was such an intrusive but necessary process. The investigation completely polarized our office. I was ostracized by people whom I valued and trusted. The morale and the foundation of our once solid team had was decimated. We never recovered. I was blamed by some and heralded as a heroine by others. I was so afraid no one would believe me. After a 45-day investigation, the charges in my complaint were substantiated and I was relieved, but I did not feel vindicated. My offender's supporters impugned my character, refused to cooperate with me regarding work-related tasks and completely shunned me. I did find solace in the fact my offender would no longer be able to prey upon the two other women who came forward during my case. In the end, I was battered and bruised. I had displaced anger and found it difficult to trust any leader. I was angry at myself. The nightmares continued and the world was no longer a safe place for me. I did seek help, but I had gone so far within, it was difficult for anybody to reach me. I knew I allowed him to change who I was. I was no longer the sweet, jovial and passionate woman I $1.6 million from its generous guests during the April and May fundraising campaign." "Camp Corral is delighted to continue to increase the number of children who can attend this free summer camp for military families nationwide. In addition to positive recreational experiences, Camp Corral helps children foster resiliency through learning new things and creating friendships with other kids who share similar family situations," said Betsey Fortlouis, Executive Director for Camp Corral. For more information about available camps, applications, social media campaigns or fundraising, please visit www. campcorral.org or call 855605-1267. For more information on Month of the Military Child, visit www.monthofthe militarychild.com . always was. I became a defensive, aggressive and mean woman — a woman I did not recognize. A year later I saw him as I was leaving a doctor's appointment and lowered my eyes and head. The voice I was regaining rose up and said, "You have nothing to be ashamed of." I looked my offender in his eyes until he lowered his head and eyes. He did the walk of shame that day. At that moment I was released from the burden of trauma I was carrying around with me daily. I no longer have nightmares and am learning to trust my leaders and people in general again. I smile and laugh daily. That mean girl is gone for good. The help of the chaplaincy, my spiritual support, victim advocates and mental health provided the way for my peace and love of life again. Not only did they validate my reality, but they brought stability and safety into my world that was turned upside down. Therapeutic work in counseling provided for healing and restoration. I highly encouraged all victims to seek help. Strength and resilience rests upon our ability to reach out to others in our time of need. Shame belongs solely to the perpetrator. As I mentioned earlier, there are three phases in the process of sexual harassment and assault. I spoke of intrusion and desensitization: the last phase is isolation. Isolation is the goal of every perpetrator in order to accomplish a full-fledge sexual assault. I am eternally grateful my ordeal never led to isolation. I am empowered because of knowledge. I am empowered because I am no longer silent. I am no longer a victim. 00 4:4 ,P1s )t, • You could be making thousands more! • • • • GETTIDUCATED AND'ELL YOUR HOIIE FOR MORE. Alo FOLLOW THE 10 WAYS TO MAKE MORE MONEY WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME AT: WWW.UTAHHOMESELLERUNIVERSITY.COM kvrv Gerald Richards I 801-540-3825 www.utahhomeselleruniversity.com |