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SUNNY Temp: 70 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, June 27, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend June 24, 2003 John Kimmel, 49, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is moving to Germany to counsel U.S. troops returning from Iraq. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Reaching out: A Medford therapist and his wife will move to Germany to help Iraq war troops By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune Like most Americans, John Kimmel closely watched the war unfolding in Iraq. And, like most, the Medford resident wanted to do something to help those caught up in the conflict. "The war stimulated me throughout the months — actually it began with 9/11 — to ask, ‘What can I do?’ " he said. "I’ve never been in the service. I’ve never joined the Peace Corps. But I’m at a point in my life where I wanted to do something." What Kimmel, 49, a licensed marriage and family therapist, decided he could do was provide therapy for American service men and women returning from Iraq. Advertisement He and his wife, Pam, are selling the comfortable home they built three years ago and heading to Germany, where he will begin working July 28 on a three-year contract with the U.S. Defense Department through the Scientific Applications International Corp. His practice will take him to the military base at Baumholder and the regional military hospital at Landstuhl. Although not a military veteran, the therapist is a veteran of helping folks work through problems. He has had a practice for nearly two decades, including 13 years in the Rogue Valley. "The first challenge will be letting the families there know that I’m safe, that they can say whatever they want to say," he said, noting that as a private therapist he will honor client confidentiality. "I want them to be able to come to me without it affecting their career." He has worked with families whose problems were connected to stresses experienced by a loved one in the military. "Oftentimes, it’s not just one thing that breaks them apart," he explained. "You have to look at all the different relationships the husband and wife are having in all the realms of their lives. "Returning from something like Iraq with all this stuff simmering underneath for a long time can be a defining moment," he added. The hospital where he will work two days a week receives many of the soldiers wounded in Iraq, he said. "I’m not looking at it as a cake walk," he said. "I know it’s going to be a lot of work. But I think the rewards are going to make this move worthwhile." Many in the military are young people who joined the service to obtain money for education, he said. "I would imagine they had no idea they were going to end up in a conflict like this," he said. "So we’re not talking about people who have really prepared themselves." The Kimmels, whose son is grown, are preparing by studying the German language to help with their transition. While they are concerned about the weak dollar in the face of the strong euro currency in Europe, they say the hardest part about the move is leaving friends behind in Oregon. "One of the most beneficial things for us is to accept that this ‘stuff’ we have isn’t that important," he said. "As long as we’re together and no matter how much we’re downsizing, we’ll adjust to it. "The guys and gals in the military, they don’t have a choice." Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times