Sometimes, the wounds of war are obvious. Missing limbs, broken bones, facial scars can be hard to miss. But all too often, the wounds of war can be hidden scars left on a warrior's soul, invisible to those around them. These injuries can be nearly as devastating and even more resistant to treatment.
Former marine, Patrick Seifert, knows all too well what it is to suffer from invisible wounds. The veteran of the first Gulf War was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but rather than surrender to the pain, he decided to do something about it. After learning that this country loses an average of 22 veterans every day to suicide as a result of PTSD and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Seifert founded Twenty22Many (pronounced "Twenty-Two Too Many") to bring attention to this national crisis and to advocate for alternative remedies for the debilitating symptoms of PTSD and TBI and for the needs of veterans in general. Their tagline is: "By All Means Necessary - End Veteran Suicide."
From the unassuming storefront headquarters located at 322 4th Ave. E. in Olympia, which it shares with Olympia Hempfest Central, Twenty22Many is "fighting to end veteran suicides. Education and empowerment programs are absolutely vital to saving broken veterans," said Seifert, whose organization seeks to support all veterans through veteran advocacy, homeless outreach, governmental interaction, and veteran support groups.
One of their more recent advocacy projects was the passage of SB 5379 that added PTSD and TBI to the list of conditions eligible for treatment with medical marijuana. Based on a growing body of anecdotal evidence, as well as increasing scientific research, Twenty22Many "advocates on behalf of veterans to bring awareness to ... alternative and holistic therapies such as cannabis to assist in decreasing the rash of suicides affecting our veteran communities," said Seifert.
The work of Twenty22Many survives on donations. "All we do now depends on donations," said Seifert. "Please go to our website (twenty22many-olympia.org) to donate on Pay Pal." Seifert continues, "We have our own hotline (360.545.7849) that will help any veteran anywhere in the world if we get the call. Need gas money? Need help with your rent? Need help getting benefits? Need help staying warm? Need help eating? There's absolutely no reason that we would ever turn any veteran away."
Upcoming events sponsored by Twenty22Many include a march to bring awareness to PTSD and the veteran suicide crisis, scheduled for the July 22 on the Capitol Grounds in Olympia, and a fundraising poetry slam scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 26.
"For the Love of Poetry" will be held from 6-10 p.m. at the Green Lady Shoppe and CBD Espresso Bar located at 3044 Pacific Ave. SE in Olympia. It will feature a presentation by poet laureate Amy Solo and music by DJ Pasquan. The top three contestants of the open poetry reading will receive hundreds of dollars worth of goodies from Kush Creams and Olympia Hempfest Central. Admission is by donation; $5 donations are encouraged. VIP tickets are available for $22.00 and will entitle the bearer to hors d'oeuvres, wine from The Wine Loft, Kush Creams, Kangen Water, and a variety of CBD products. For more information, check out their Facebook page: facebook.com/events/658903320938698/.
Twenty22Many, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Thursday; noon-8 p.m., Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4:20 p.m., Sunday, 322 4th Ave. E., 253.777.5857, HOTLINE: 360.545.7849
For the Love of Poetry, 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, Green Lady Shoppe and CBD Espresso Bar, 3044 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia, $5 donation ($22 VIP tickets), facebook.com/events/658903320938698/
