EAGLE WINGS

Bereavement Support to Widowed Veterans and Spouses

Eagle’s Wings was established in 1999, at the behest of Chaplain Ron Ritter, U. S. Navy Retired, to fulfill the need of a similar program called Support and Recovery which functioned at the Naval Medical Center San Diego to help the military widowed during their grieving process. Widowed men and women from the San Diego County veterans’ community constitute the Eagle’s Wings family. Eagle’s Wings’ primary purpose is to provide informed and compassionate assistance to those whose lives have been permanently altered by the death of their spouse. It affirms the time-honored pledge, “The Military takes care of its own.”

The program consists of a series of four presentations that provide information about the grieving process. Following each presentation, trained professional facilitators lead small group sessions where men and women are encouraged to speak about their experiences in bereavement, express their feelings about their loss, and share whatever mechanisms have worked for them during the grieving process. Issues of a spiritual and religious nature are treated respectfully for all individual views and beliefs.

We have four consecutive Sunday afternoon sessions during the months of January, April, July and October. The first and fourth sessions begin at l2:00 noon, while the second and third sessions begin at 1:00 PM. All sessions conclude at 3:00 PM. The last session ends with a special closing ceremony for those who have completed the required number of sessions. A complimentary potluck dinner follows this session.

Check the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park Calendar of Events for any last minute changes to our schedule. Also, you may contact a member of our staff by telephone, (619) 234-9464, or e-mail, eagleswings2115@gmail.com.

SAN DIEGO WIDOW & WIDOWERS GROUP

WOW is an incredible support group. It serves this function by giving the recently grieved member understanding, social outlets, physical activities and camaraderie. As a non-profit social organization, Wow’s purpose is to promote educational and social activities for members and by providing suitable ways for widows and widowers to meet others who have experienced the same loss. Initially, our lives have changed, replaced by a life living as a single party. Although the loss might have been expected, none of us are totally prepared for it. Often members have said that for a while after the death of their spouse, they drifted, living from day to day. When they discovered WOW, they found friendship and it was if a new vista had opened up for them, complete with family and friends. If you’re ready to move on and want to add a little more socializing, enjoyment, participate in interesting activities to your routine, then perhaps WOW is the club for you.

Management of the club’s activities are performed by individual members from their own homes. This means that most funds can be used for the benefit and pleasure of club members. The system works well as proven by the increased interest in this club. The expanded activities have brought in additional members. Today the club has about 220 members in the greater San Diego area. Wow’s success can be attributed to the early pioneers and the generosity of willingness of so many members giving of their time and effort to make WOW what it is today.

WOW has grown into a special group of nice people, primarily due to one overriding factor: YOUR PARTICIPATION!