Lynch’s 3 TDs lead Huskies over Toledo, 35-17
Sports, C1
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013
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THREE’S COMPANY CL boys realize childhood dreams in Hollywood In Pl@y
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VETERANS WORK THROUGH TRAUMA
The path to recovery
Same-sex marriage signed into law in Ill. By SOPHIA TAREEN The Associated Press
Photos by Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
Veterans Greg Grana (left) of Harvard and Nicholas Fisher of Johnsburg talk at the Veterans and Family Services Drop-in Center in McHenry on Nov. 14 after attending an introductory session on iRest meditation, which is used to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Seeking help is first step toward overcoming PTSD By LAWERENCE SYNETT lsynett@shawmedia.com
G
reg Grana still has nightmares despite four prescription medications and counseling several times a month to cope with memories of the tragic event that occurred more than 35 years ago. Grana, a former Navy officer, endured a tragic maritime accident in January 1977, when a Spanish tanker struck a liberty launch that was returning sailors and Marines to the USS Trenton and USS Guam anchored near Barcelona, Spain. A total of 49 crewmen died. “I can still see their faces,” said Grana, a radioman aboard the Trenton who was sent out for search-and-rescue efforts. “There were heads just floating in the water, and I should have done more. A lot of my friends were on that boat. Why wasn’t I on that launch?” The nightmares and flashbacks for the now 56-year-old
Veteran Greg Grana (center) of Harvard meditates after attending an introductory session on iRest meditation. Grana, a father of three, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. During his Navy service, he was part of search-and-rescue efforts for a maritime accident near Spain that killed 49 people. Harvard resident started shortly after the accident, and he exited the Navy in February 1979. Next came the anger, minor run-ins with the law, trouble sleeping, alcohol abuse and a desire to be alone. Grana sought help at
the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago in 2005 after a divorce with a woman he met and married shortly after leaving the Navy. The father of three was diagnosed with post-traumat-
ic stress disorder. A large portion of men and women in the military with PTSD have seen combat or been part of incidents that exposed them to horrific and life-threatening experiences, local experts agree, and although treatments vary, overcoming the anxiety disorder starts with recognizing the need for help. Diagnosis for PTSD involves four symptoms – re-experiencing, avoidance, hyper-arousal and negative changes in beliefs and feelings after the traumatic event or experience. “I look at all the symptoms as having a protective nature to them,” said Dr. Brian Waxler, a clinical psychologist at Barrington-based Oak Tree Behavioral Health. “A person goes through something very dangerous and scary, and the symptoms serve to protect them from ever having to be in that situation again, but it negatively impacts their life.”
See VETERANS, page A7
CHICAGO – Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Wednesday allowing same-sex weddings starting this summer, making President Barack Obama’s home state the 16th overall – and largest in the nation’s heartland – to legalize gay marriage. The festivities at the University of Illinois at Chicago featured a family-friendly crowd, musical performances and a stage lined with American, Illinois and rainbow flags. “We understand in our state that part of our unfinished business is to help other states in the United States of America achieve marriage equality,” Quinn said before he signed the bill on a desk once used by President Abraham Lincoln. He said part of that mission was to ensure that “love is not relegated to a second class status to any citizen in our country.” References to freedom,
See MARRIAGE, page A7
CRYSTAL LAKE
CITY HOUSING ORDINANCE CHANGED Changes could be coming for lakefront homeowners in Crystal Lake as the City Council has altered the way house heights will be measured. Council members voted to change the method of measuring height from the street to the top of the house as opposed to the lakeside yard to the top of the house. House heights cannot exceed 28 feet. For more, see page B1.
CL South’s Carly Nolan (left), Streamwood’s Holly Foret Lathan Goumas – lgoumas@shawmedia.com
HIGH
LOW
49 38 Complete forecast on A8
CRYSTAL LAKE: Gators off to strong start with win over Streamwood at Dundee-Crown tournament. Sports, C1
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What’s next When the law takes effect June 1, same-sex couples can begin applying for marriage licenses. There’s a small chance weddings could take place before then; legislation is pending that could change the effective date to immediately.
Search for new leader continues Health Board delays decision By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com An empty seat on the McHenry County Mental Health Board and the empty office of its executive director will most likely stay vacant until 2014. The Mental Health Board announced this week that it would not be announcing a choice to fill its top spot at its meeting Tuesday as anticipated. On Wednesday, the County Board committee in charge of appointing the Mental Health Board’s nine members had the votes to fill one vacancy but not the other.
See SEARCH, page A7
LOCALLY SPEAKING
Gov. Pat Quinn
At issue The Mental Health Board, which helps the county’s mentally ill and developmentally disabled and funds social service agencies, has been without a permanent executive director for more than a year.