Love Notes
Testimonials from active duty service members, veterans, military families and civilians.
An Awesome Experience
My wife and I were very much impressed by the contents of Turning Your Heart Toward Home as it was presented to us by Dr Bridget Cantrell.
"Finding meaning and purpose from your experience" brought me out of a state of uselessness to a hope for future involvement. Lesson One gave my wife a better understanding of how and why PTSD had played a major role in a shaky relationship for many years.
Thank you for your unselfish sacrifice and dedication in helping veterans and their families find peace and purpose for a life beyond hopelessness. May these principles be taught to everyone returning from the horrors of war and their families.
— Sgt "Swede", Vietnam Veteran, USMC
Thank you Dr. Cantrell,
My husband and I both found the material in your wonderful course of great value and only wish it would have been available when Bill returned from Viet Nam. So many of the things we have struggled with over the years could have been dealt with then and we would have had a much better understanding of what was going on with him and our family. Many of the pitfalls that we fell into might have been avoided and hopefully many of the returning soldiers in the current war will have the benefit of this wonderful and timely course.
— B and H K.
“Wont lie... doesn’t go a day I dont think about it... but I work thru it and don’t sleep for days... and lock it in a gun safe till I feel better... met a wonderful author that donated me books to read by Bridget Cantrell and without her I wouldn’t be here... hard for people that wasn’t there can’t understand but it helps.”
Dear Dr. Cantrell,
I met with Tracy Della Vecchia, founder of MarineParents.com to interview for a job for her. What a phenomenal lady! She highly recommended your book and I of course immediately ordered a copy, especially since I have been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of severe child abuse.
I couldn't put your book down and almost shouted in delight when I recognized that (1) one does not have to go into combat to suffer from PTSD and (2) it is not a form of "mental illness."
Your book helped me in more ways than you can imagine. The advice, written in language that a layman can comprehend, makes your book an invaluable tool for ALL who try to cope following severe trauma. I can't thank you enough for writing it [...]
I want to thank you and Chuck Dean from the bottom of my heart for all you do to help our brave soldiers and their families, not to mention civilians like myself who come upon your work.
— Brigitte Pliska
A quick update, Brother Chuck. I'm assuming you know how Matt Huff and the Newark outpost are using Down Range to help the local National Guard unit with their reintegration issues. It's amazing to see how many families are finding so much practical assistance through reading this wonderful, God-inspired instrument.
Also... our Columbus outpost is now beginning to use it to a greater extent and we're sharing copies with the local Vet Center and with the Guard armory nearby. Our two retired Army colonels, Les Bennett and John Enyart (both of whom you met last June) are very, very impressed with the book and with its potential to reach hundreds of thousands more veterans with the message of normalcy and hope.
By the way, my friend... either one of these distinguished career military men would be honored to write an endorsement for any further books that you are led to author.
(Les is a two-tour Vietnam commander and was also the Assistant Commandant at West Point)...
Blessings to you...
— Russ
“Dr. Cantrell,
I just read the book, “Down Range” and was very impressed by it. I will do what I can to get it in the hands of Army Chaplains, soldiers, DA civilians and families.”
“Down Range is a must read for those who’ve been in combat. After reading your book and several others by Dr. Jonathan Shay, I am convinced that I have some mild PTSD myself. Your section on self care has helped me understand that in order to help others I must first help myself. Blessings!
”
Thank you for sending your book. I’m reading it now and sharing it with leaders so we can be proactive on any post war disorders.
We are National Guard and in the worst part if Iraq. I can see a lot of problems developing when we return. The kill switch that is imbedded in these men now will always affect them. They are reluctant to go to counseling with the stress team. Your book will help…I’ll have to take the lead and show them there is no shame in seeking help.
The men in the Guard will have more trouble adjusting. They will go right back to work and will be separated from the men they fought with. We have many volunteers from other States like myself, who will return alone. I welcome any advice and will continue to read your book. By the way, it’s an easy read which makes it better to disseminate here. Kudos to you and your work.
— Lt. Vincent B. Caliguire 3/103 Armored Regiment
Hello Dr. Cantrell,
I met you yesterday at the work shop you had at Evergreen Chapel. I want you to know it was wonderful!!! My husband and I were actually going through a real rough period, rough enough that a day before you actually had the meetings we were going to call it quits!!! I had had enough of his attitude and the way he was so different. The next morning when you had the workshop with them, he said he was in shock to listen to you. He said he felt you were talking directly towards him. Everything you were briefing on he was going through 85% of it. He then called me and said he was wrong and that he wanted us to get the help we need. I agreed to go listen to you and I was glad I did. It made me understand his point of view and it there were several times I just wanted to cry in front of everyone, but I held up. I was just so emotional that day with everything going on. Now he is fully aware of the situation and he is not in denial. Thank you for taking the time to do this for the families!!!!!!!!!!!
Once again thank you for bringing our family back together, I really believe God sent you that day.
— A soldier's wife
Dr. Cantrell,
I wanted to take the time to let you know that your briefing today was very informative and I could relate to much of what was discussed. We have so many re-integration briefings and surveys that all say the same things. But the subjects and situations you touched on, while along the same lines, hit closer to home with me. I use to think that my little stresses about driving on the freeway or sitting facing the door in public places was silly considering that I only went on 21 missions outside the wire. I thought, who am I to feel this way when there are so many soldiers who were out there six days a week or for months at a time and all I do is sit behind a desk all day. I did not know that almost everyone who comes back from deployment feels that way. Do not misunderstand me, I did not believe I was the only one, I just did not think I had a right to feel that way.
I appreciate that you spend so much of your time away from home to help soldiers and their families.
I hope to hear from you soon, you are an amazing person and I thank you again.
— V/R, SGT
“Dear Dr. Cantrell,
I want to tell you that I got your book Down Range To Iraq and Back when I was deployed and I had all sorts of ideas about coming home until I read your book. It scared the “shit” out of me. I was better prepared after reading your book. My wife was going to stock the refrigerator with my favorite beer and all of that. I told her not to have any alcohol in the house, and I also realized I had to give my weapons to someone else for a while. When I got home I was very angry and I knew after reading your book that I could not afford to let my anger get the best of me. My wife and I are in marriage counseling but it was your book that gave us what we needed to make some good decisions for us, from the beginning.
Your workshop was awesome, I can’t tell you how much we appreciate what you have done for us, and for all of us in uniform. Please tell Mr. Dean that I also appreciate his contribution as well.”
Hello,
I am inquiring about potential counseling services for my boyfriend, John. He recently returned from a tour in Iraq about two months ago, which was his third tour. He has been diagnosed with TBI and PTSD and is struggling with both of them.
I understand that Dr. Cantrell recently spoke at Fort Lewis regarding PTSD for the soldiers and the spouses, but I unfortunately could not be present. John came back from that meeting with the first willingness to express emotions about what it is that he is feeling and is struggling with and last night agreed to see an outside counselor. He currently does not feel as if he is getting the support and direction that he needs from the psychologist and psychiatrist (affectionately known as the wizard) that he is being cared for at Fort Lewis.
We would both appreciate any information or support that you may be able to offer regarding this. I am noticing that the PTSD and a resulting depression are having a more noticeable effect each day. Although I am a nurse, this most certainly is not my field of expertise to help him.
We thank you in advance for any assistance or information that you may be able to offer. Thank you so much for the work that you are doing.
— A soldier's partner