With the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, cases of returning soldiers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder have been increasingly recognized. One of the tools used to bring comfort to these veterans are videos that depict calming and comforting scenes.
Contributed photo/Brenda Jepson
Filmmaker Alan Jepson of Madawaska Lake hands a box of DVD’s for Maine veterans at Togus to Matt Collamore, postal clerk for Stockholm Post Office.
It was with this thought in mind that Donald Nasberg, a veteran of the Korean Conflict, contacted his daughter, Brenda Jepson of Madawaska Lake, with an idea.
Nasberg suggested that Jepson and her husband, Alan, donate some of their Crown Of Maine Production DVD’s to Togus Veteran’s Hospital.
Nasberg, of Augusta, worked on the psychiatric ward in Togus for more than 20 years and knew first-hand how important it is to have materials available that provide some retreat from the painful memories of a war zone.
“When Dad called with this suggestion,” said Brenda Jepson, “I immediately thought it was a great idea. Our soldiers risk so much for us, and this was such a small thing we could do.
“I also got thinking about the content of our films — showing the natural beauty of Aroostook — wildlife as well as scenery and I thought maybe this would bring comfort to the veterans,” she added.
The Aroostook County filmmakers selected six titles they thought would be appropriate — “Tater Raisin’ Folk,” “Greetings From Aroostook,” “A Year To Remember,” “Maple Meadow Farm,” “Old Maine Swedish Farms,” and “Christmas Greetings From Aroostook.”
“We also like to make films that are a bit nostalgic — often about farming traditions and the way life used to be, so I hoped our DVD’s would bring back some good memories for the vets,” Brenda Jepson said.
The DVD’s were shipped to Nasberg, who lives not far from the Togus Veterans Administration in Augusta, so he and his daughter, Beth, could take them personally into the hospital on last Friday.
