Delaware Tech Owens Campus hosts 'Almost Sunrise' movie event
Beebe Healthcare organized a conference and movie event at the Delaware Technical Community College Owens Campus to the public about veterans who suffer from a type of mental trauma known as moral injury on Nov. 7.
The film, “Almost Sunrise”, explores the struggle of two veterans who make a trek across the United States to help themselves get past their trauma and discover what real healing is.
Moral injury refers to an individual’s moral conscience being injured due to the lack of action used to prevent events that transgress one’s moral and ethic values.
After the film, guest speakers Leslye Moore, the national director of Project Welcome Home Troops and Larence Kirby, the executive director of the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs, made an appearance to express their personal experiences with individuals who suffer from moral injury. The speakers talked about how they use what is called “The Power Breath” meditation, which they said makes a serious impact on how veterans can find a better sense of healing.
The Power Breath Meditation Workshop is a mind-body program that emphasizes techniques to build resiliency. This workshop works to help decrease stress, anxiety, anger, and sleep problems.
Moore attended the event via webcam and talked about her purpose with the organization and the different workshops they have. Moore said, “With the Power Breath meditation, it’s a workshop where a rhythmic breathing technique is used to help repressed traumatic memories to be released through the mechanism of the breath.”
“The power of the breath has a purifying effect on the body and mind. It helps to release toxins from the body.” said Moore.
Kirby came to the event to help bring a perspective to civilians about the struggles veterans face when coming home after deployment.
Kirby said, “ With this film, we hope that citizens who know individuals who are going through the trauma will realize that they can assist them with the therapies and take action.”
At the end of the event, many participants gathered around and talked to each other. Veterans also talked about their experiences with war and how they tried to find the best method to “heal” themselves.
Those interested in helping an individual going through the struggles of deployment, visit the Project Welcome Home Troops website. Individuals can also help those in need by talking with them and finding healing methods together.
Film poster of "Almost Sunrise."
Audience watching the film,”Almost Sunrise” at the Delaware Tech. Owens Campus. Photo by A. Gayle
The National Director of Project Welcome Home Troops Leslye Moore attending the event via webcam. Photo by A. Gayle