Veterans back at their old place in Amsterdam-North
The genetic meeting center De Veldpost for former soldiers and former police officers was officially established by Mayor Halsema on Friday. Talking to fellow sufferers helps veterans with trauma get their lives back on track.
The volunteers of the Veteranen Amsterdam Foundation have known for years that a meeting center for veterans is necessary. The foundation, founded in 2010, sees about 1500 visitors a year in its walk-in house: two to ten people a day.
The center was originally located in the former rectory on the Kometeningel in Noord, but had to make way because of the sale of the property to a new owner. “We have moved to another place in Noord. It was much too small,” says Eugene Sandel, former soldier and volunteer at De Veldpost.
Having now returned to their old place, the municipality has released a million euros for the purchase and thorough renovation of the old rectory.
Veterans have fought for the international legal order and the freedom and security of our country, often under difficult circumstances. In addition to appreciation and recognition, they also receive a pleasant, permanent meeting place in the city,” says Halsema.
Amsterdam has about 1400 veterans. Five to eight percent have post-traumatic stress disorder. “You don’t have to explain much to fellow sufferers. They already understand what it means in daily life: a short fuse, being angry easily, fleeing into drunkenness and drugs. It is better to talk to a fellow sufferer than to family,” says Sandel.
PTSD
Pictures of broadcasts to Lebanon and Afghanistan hung on the living room wall and in a bookcase are books like Srebrenica of the Niod and On a mission by Jaus Muller. In the main hall is a mannequin in military uniform and a checkpoint sign from Lebanon.
Veteran Ismael Borucu (44) was deployed to Bosnia for six months in 2001/2002 and five months to Iraq in 2004. “It’s only when you’re back in the Netherlands that you realize what you’ve been through. In Iraq we had mortar attacks on our camp at night. People died outside the camp. You didn’t know who your enemies were. It was scary and spooky.”
Borucu adjusted. “I was always angry, screaming, having nightmares and getting sick. I started drinking and was heavily on medication. eventually my wife and I divorced.”
He almost literally pushed his house over the threshold of the veteran’s home. He went into treatment for his PTSD. He does not want to say much about what he has been through. He is still in the middle of the recovery process.
Listening ear
But one thing is certain: the support of his fellow sufferers is great. “Here I have a safety net and I could lose my egg. These guys make you better than at home because they’ve been through the same thing. The camaraderie from the army can be found here.”
Offering a listening ear is important, says Sandel. “Many veterans think they are the only ones with trauma. But they are not. Here you get some air.”
Ismael: “I’m coming out of my house again. I go from one safe place, my house, to this safe place: De Veldpost.”