Road Back from Hell – Into the Fire
DISCLAIMER;
Road Back from Hell is meant to be hopeful and helpful to people who might currently be in a dark place in their life and who might find comfort, inspiration and solutions from hearing the stories of others. It is meant for people to share their stories of being in dark places and how they made it back and for visitors to read those stories and take comfort and find solutions to try. It is not a substitute for psychiatric or psychological care. We are not able or staffed to respond to requests for treatment, referrals or to make medical, psychiatric or psychological recommendations.
- Every community has some sort of Mental Health Services- Find Some Help
- Every town has a priest, minister, deacon or elder- Talk to them
- Every school has a Guidance Counselor or Social Worker- Speak to Them
- Every city has a hospital – Go to the E.R. if you are seriously depressed or suicidal or thinking about “ending it all.”
- Every city has a 911 if you are in a dire situation – Call it.
There are resources out there and people who care- Use them.
My colleague Lt. General Marty Steele (USMC retired) recently called me enthusiastically to tell me, “Mark, you’ve got to check out this two person play, ‘Into the Fire.’ It’s a game changer. I watched a performance of it at the University of South Florida and although the audience was skeptical at the beginning, they literally ‘fileted open’ in the ensuing discussion. You know that one of the biggest challenges is helping our brave young men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan is not a shortage of programs; it is motivating and mobilizing our soldiers and veterans to seek the help that can help them. I haven’t seen anything that has the potential to do that which is as effective as Carrie Gibson and Tony Curry’s play.”
After speaking to both Carrie and Tony, seeing the production for myself and knowing the power to open people up to help when you speak for the feelings they keep deep inside, I fully concur.
See what you think:
Here are some of the testimonials from people who have seen the performance:
“It was my absolute honor to recognize you both with a Commander’s coin for excellence. The work you two are doing to help our nation heal, and to understand the psychological impact that war has on those that wear the cloth of our nation to support the freedom we enjoy as Americans is more than deserving of the highest recognition. I have been talking about your work to others as I am so impressed and believe the power of your work will touch the lives of Americans in ways we may not fully understand.”
Major General Patricia Horoho, Commander, Western Region Medical Command
“The play is stunning. It is powerful, poignant, and truthful. I have been working with returning veterans for a long time. If you care enough about the men and women who have served our country, who are our colleagues, students, friends, spouses, and children, please find the courage to see Into the Fire. We owe it to them to try and understand. You have created a piece of art like no other. You know that art is successful when it is able to bring out emotions and responses in others, and that you have done beautifully.”
Rosa Lundborg, M.Ed., Director of Disability Support, Veterans, & International Student Services, University of Washington-Bothell
“Into the Fire will bring you on an emotional journey into the reality of veterans experiences. Based on true life testimonials this 2 person play will leave you with information that will serve you well as you work with veterans.”
Al Souma, M.A., Director of Disability Support Services, Seattle Central Community College
“If that doesn’t light your fire then your wood is wet.”
John Lee, Director, Washington State VA
“As a service connected disabled vet, recently separated, I found parts of my own story interwoven in the performance. Acknowledging and educating our communities that our veterans have and continue to suffer with many of the barriers described in this performance, as a result of our service, validates these are not individual issues, but issues our entire nation needs to be emotionally aware – not only to share some of the burden, but also teach tolerance as we readjust and learn how to be a civilian again.”
Seth Maier, M. Ed.Veterans Conservation Corps, Coordinator Spokane Community College
“If you are involved in helping veterans on a college campus, this is mandatory viewing! Their lives and yours will be changed forever just by spending 55 minutes to listen and understand their stories! Tony and Carrie, keep on keepin’ on! Your stories heal souls!”
Thomas Kirwin Prigmore, Veteran, United States Air Force
“Thanks so much to both of you for a wonderful play and an amazing performance. Everyone I spoke with was deeply moved by your meticulous research & interviews, and your poignant portrayal of what our brave wounded warriors face upon returning home. You made us all realize the important role each of us plays in welcoming them home with understanding and respect. You are performing an amazing service for our veterans, families, friends, coworkers and our nation.”
Joseph A. Strada, Captain, USN (Retired) and Vietnam Veteran, Aerospace Corporation
“I’m a Navy reservist who attended the Returning Warrior Workshop this past weekend in Bellevue, WA. First I would like to say that the performance that you and Tony gave was absolutely amazing. It was a great way to kick off our weekend, and it was the talk of everyone at the workshop for the entire weekend. I really hope that every returning warrior gets an opportunity to see this performance.”
CJ Johnson, US Navy – Intelligence Specialist, Second Class, Iraq War Veteran
“You guys are the best; evaluations were all positive and attendees found your play very powerful, provocative, and many indentified themselves with the interviews and admitted they to felt or thought the same way…I’m sure it is liberating for them to now convincingly seek assistance. They related to your presentation. We were running a risk, but…I had faith, it was so worth it, never expected such over the top results, though, thank YOU so very much!”
Cynthia D. Miller, CIV NRNW RCC, N003
“The play was fantastic, as were the actors’ performances. Into The Fire is not only an entertaining piece that will captivate anyone who is lucky enough to see it, but the message it represents is universal and effects us all. Next time Curry and Gibson come to town, it is definitely worth the trip to the theater, you will not regret it.”
Jon Reino, Reviewer, The MontClarion, Montclair State University.
“Spot-On was the consistent comment from the doubters and those that were concerned with the money spent. Never was there one single regret after the performance. You and Tony did the work and accomplished what we could NOT have done with so-called experts and power point slides. We need to find a way to get this message out on a nationwide basis.”
Ray Switzer, Program Manager, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
“It helped me put in context a number of things I have experienced since my return from Vietnam over forty years ago. Thanks again.”
Veteran and Employee, Jet Propulsion Laboratory-NASA
“Thank you both for an enlightening and moving play. You two are amazing and so inspiring!! The feedback was very positive and we can’t wait to have you back at Amgen again.”
Renate Alting-Joebstl, Diversity & Inclusion – Learning and Development, Amgen
“Your performance was both intensely personal and compelling. Truly, your production was a touching snapshot of our soldiers’ plight.”
Amanda Murphy, Student, Northern Kentucky University
“Your program was sincerely one the most heartfelt, emotionally-filled shows I have ever seen. Thank you so much for what you’ve created.”
Franco Young, Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, ’04-’05, ’05-’06
November 30th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your site and wanted to say
November 30th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I’m still learning from you, as I’m trying to reach my goals. I absolutely liked reading all that is posted on your website.Keep the posts coming. I enjoyed it
December 1st, 2010 at 4:33 am
Definitely, what a splendid site and informative posts, I will bookmark your website.All the Best!
December 4th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Hi I love this post and it is so fabulous and I am definetly going to save it. I Have to say the Indepth analysis you have done is trully remarkable.No one goes that extra mile these days? Bravo.. Just one more suggestion you canget a Translator for your Global Readers !
December 7th, 2010 at 11:38 am
I strayed on this place a few weeks back and I seriously can’t get enough! Please keep writing!
December 10th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
I like when you talk about this type of stuff in your blog. Perhaps could you continue to do this?
December 11th, 2010 at 9:44 am
I love when you talk about this type of stuff in your posts. Perhaps could you continue this?
December 11th, 2010 at 10:04 am
great blog! keep up the great work!
December 11th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Thanks for the entry. I just about passed your site up in Google but now I’m glad I clicked on through and got to read it. I’m definitely more informed now. I’ll be sharing your site with some other people I know. They’ll definitely get a kick out of what I just read too. LOL. –Jax
December 12th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Hello. magnificent job. I did not anticipate this. This is a splendid story. Thanks!
December 14th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Great post, thanks so much for sharing. Do you happen to have an RSS feed I can subscribe to?
December 14th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Awsome site! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am bookmarking your feeds also
December 14th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Very good written article. It will be supportive to everyone who employess it, as well as myself. Keep doing what you are doing – i will definitely read more posts.
December 15th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Very informative post here. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me. I will certainly be back.
December 16th, 2010 at 4:00 am
You completed several fine points there. I did a search on the matter and found most folks will have the same opinion with your blog.
December 16th, 2010 at 4:15 am
Simply, admirable what you may have executed here. It’s pleasing to look you categorical from the guts and your readability on this significant content may be easily looked. Remarkable publish and can sit up for your future update.
December 16th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
It is rare to find writers who can present this kind of info in a easy to understand manner.
December 17th, 2010 at 7:59 am
Thank you! was really very nice to read !
December 18th, 2010 at 12:44 am
This really solved my problem, thank you!
December 18th, 2010 at 10:49 am
csexpert, i think you are absolutely right in your comment, opinion
December 19th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
I have been examinating out a few of your stories and i can state pretty good stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your blog.
December 21st, 2010 at 2:11 am
Man I love this post and it was so informational and I am definetly going to save it. One thing to say the Indepth analysis this article has is greatly remarkable.No one goes that extra mile these days? Bravo. Just one more tip you caninstall a Translator Application for your Worldwide Audience !!!
December 22nd, 2010 at 2:00 am
Thanks for the fantastic work! Cool blog. There are a number of opinions on this topic and this blog states the problem very good.
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:14 am
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
December 23rd, 2010 at 11:49 am
I’d be inclined to grant with you one this subject. Which is not something I typically do! I love reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
December 23rd, 2010 at 6:00 pm
How do you do?, you assuredly have a ample and educative website! I will be bookmarking it for sure! Many thanks.
December 23rd, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Sure, you can find this anywhere but this is a great example of accurancy and great information.
December 24th, 2010 at 12:32 am
Thank you! I consistently bare to address on my website something like that. Can I apparatus a allocation of your column to my blog?
December 24th, 2010 at 3:23 am
I spend numerous hours every single day on the web like a lot of other persons throughout the world I’m constantly shocked how some people today often uncover time to update their bogs and sites and others never update their websites even inside a year or more.
December 24th, 2010 at 3:40 am
Cool post . Thank you for, writing on this blog dude! I shall email you soon! I didn’t know that!
December 24th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Most what I read online is trash and copy paste but your blog is different. Keep it like this and dont sell out!
December 25th, 2010 at 8:18 am
Very useful information. I appreciate your effort, very well written article.
December 25th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
great post! i’m bookmarking this!
December 25th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
i thought this was a really great post to read. i’ll check back for new posts by you!
December 26th, 2010 at 3:47 am
Have you ever thought about including a bit bit more than just your ideas? I mean, what you say is vital and everything. But its got no punch, no pop! Possibly for those who added a pic or two, a video? You possibly can have such a extra highly effective blog if you happen to let individuals SEE what youre talking about instead of simply studying it. Anyway, in my language, there aren’t a lot good source like this.
December 26th, 2010 at 3:49 am
I was wondering if you need to be a guest poster on my web site? and in alternate you could possibly include a hyperlink your publish? Please reply while you get an opportunity and I will ship you my contact details – thanks. Anyway, in my language, there are not much good source like this.
December 26th, 2010 at 6:25 am
Useful article, acceptance for demography the time to put it together. I like the administering you are demography your blog. I’ll be bookmarking your website so I can accrue up in the future. Would like to see added posts soon.
December 26th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Dude, I wish I could write articles half as good as you. Your posts are always so well written. Do you outsource it or write it yourself?
December 26th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
great blog! keep up the great work!
December 27th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
i thought this was a really great post to read. i’ll check back for new posts by you!
December 28th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
great post! i’m bookmarking this!
December 28th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
This is a excellent website, could you be interested in working on an interview regarding just how you produced it? If so e-mail me and my friends!
December 29th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
great blog! keep up the great work!
December 30th, 2010 at 5:19 am
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
December 30th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Useful article, acceptance for demography the time to put it together. I like the administering you are demography your blog. I’ll be bookmarking your website so I can accrue up in the future. Would like to see added posts soon.
December 30th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Exactly what I was looking for. I’m using this in my next blog post, you’ll get a backlink of course.
December 30th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I normally don’t write comments on posts, but your post urged me to commend your writings. Thanks for writing this, I willll definitely favorite your internet site and occur back once in awhile.
January 1st, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Thank you for another terrific write-up. Where else could anyone get that kind of data in these a ideal way of writing? Ive a presentation next week, and Im on the look for such details.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:15 am
great blog! keep up the great work!
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:27 am
After reading this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this post together. Once again I find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:47 am
Hi! I found your blog on AOL.It’s really comprehensive and it helped me a lot. Continue the good work!
January 3rd, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Interesting article and one which should be more widely known about in my view. Your level of detail is good and the clarity of writing is excellent. I have bookmarked it for you so that others will be able to see what you have to say.
January 4th, 2011 at 12:39 am
i’m adding your blog rss feed so that i can see your new posts. keep up the good work!
January 4th, 2011 at 9:07 am
i thought this was a really great post to read. i’ll check back for new posts by you!
January 4th, 2011 at 9:35 am
great post! i’m bookmarking this!
January 4th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
i’m adding your blog rss feed so that i can see your new posts. keep up the good work!
January 4th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
great post! i’m bookmarking this!
January 5th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.
January 6th, 2011 at 7:04 am
You completed certain good points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most people will have the same opinion with your blog.
January 6th, 2011 at 9:45 am
I believe You should be a writer and write books.
January 7th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
Hello, Would it be possible to make use of this great write-up on my site? I would naturally backlink back to you. Let me find out what you determine to perform.
January 8th, 2011 at 3:09 am
this was a very entertaining read. i enjoyed it very much!
January 8th, 2011 at 5:52 am
Great blog, bookmarked for later use.
January 9th, 2011 at 3:59 am
Realy good work cheers mate!
January 9th, 2011 at 5:24 am
Thoroughly informative post!
January 9th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Amazing post, do you have contact details ? I need a writer for my blog.
January 9th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Man I love this post and it is so informational and I am definetly going to bookmark it. I Have to say the Indepth analysis this article has is greatly remarkable.Who goes that extra mile these days? Bravo!!! Just another suggestion you canget a Translator for your Worldwide Readers .
January 9th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Hello; Excellent post for me. Your post has good quality. I wish to has good posts like yours in my website. How do you find these posts?
January 9th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Bloggers can be under appreciated, many thanks for taking the time to post this.
January 10th, 2011 at 1:17 am
Amazing post, do you have contact details ? I need a writer for my blog.
January 10th, 2011 at 6:59 am
Simply want to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is simply nice and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work.
January 10th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
cool
January 10th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Liked the article, actually found it while researching for another project. Would you mind if I used it for my blog?
January 10th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
Very informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share your view with us.
January 11th, 2011 at 12:56 am
Amazing post, do you have contact details ? I need a writer for my blog.
January 11th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
When are you going to post again? You really entertain me!
January 12th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Nice one, there is in fact some ws assurance abounding credibility on this column some of my assembly will acquisition this worthwhile, will forward them a link, thanks
January 15th, 2011 at 11:52 am
I find it comforting that most of the people who wrote in with different thoughts and opinions, did so in such a nice and well thought out way.
January 15th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Great read. Do you have a Twitter group?
January 15th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
I have been watching comments. I invariably find you articles enlightening.
January 16th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
I apperceive i’m a little off topic, but i just capital to say i adulation the blueprint of your blog. i’m new to the blogegine platform, so any suggestions on accepting my blog analytic nice would be appreciated.
January 17th, 2011 at 10:09 am
I guess my browsing was successful because I stumbled upon your enlightening post while hunting for articles speak about American life. I run a small dental establishment in Spring, Texas. You could say I’m the Spring TX dentist. Keep up the good work with your blog.
January 17th, 2011 at 10:22 am
Very originative, one of the courteous sites I have realised today. Keep the fantastic work.
January 17th, 2011 at 10:29 am
*It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
January 18th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
Once again my hunting was successful because I stumbled upon your absorbing blog while hunting for posts that mention American life. I am affiliated with a small manufacturingestablishment in Spring, Texas that makes political gifts. Come visit my site sometime. Keep up the good work with your blog.
January 18th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Thanks for taking the time to talk about this, I feel fervently about this and I take pleasure in learning about this topic. Please, as you gain information, please update this blog with more information. I have found it very useful. There have to be charging stations everywhere.
January 21st, 2011 at 3:15 pm
I was browsing the internet checking out some stuff and found your site. I just wanted to tell you that I think your site has some good content and that I have already saved this page so I don’t lose it Thanks!