Eagle BELVOIR
Race raises awareness for breast cancer Page B1
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October 22, 2015
Comedian presents one-man show for domestic violence awareness By Amanda Stewart Staff writer Ben Atherton-Zeman was in college when he learned that one of his female friends had been a victim of domestic violence. “It just made me mad,” Atherton-Zeman said. “And, she said that rather than just be mad, I should do something about it.” So, he did. While still in college, Atherton-Zeman began volunteering at women’s centers and for other programs aimed at helping domestic violence victims. He has now been working to help combat domestic violence for nearly 30 years. About 15 years ago, he wrote a comedic, one-man play, “Voices of Men,” to spread his message about stopping domestic violence. He performs his show at the Fort Belvoir Community Center at 11 a.m., Wednesday. The presentation is the closing event for Healthy Relationships Month and is co-sponsored by the Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program and SHARP. “‘Voices of Men’ is a play that uses humor and celebrity impersonations to talk about the problems of domestic violence and sexual violence and what men can do to stop it,” Atherton-Zeman said. Dana T. Marshall, Family Advocacy Program victim advocate, said Atherton-Zeman’s presentation was chosen for the closing event for Healthy Relationships month because it presents important information in an entertaining way. “It’s a really great presentation that focuses on what is the right thing to do and what is not the right thing to do, as it relates to domestic violence and sexual violence,” Marshall said. “He uses celebrity impersonations, costumes, wigs, puppets and it’s just an entertaining presentation on an important topic.” Atherton-Zeman said he felt compelled to join the movement to stop domestic violence, in part because the perpetrators are often men and the victims are most often women, though men can be victims, too. “Domestic violence is just this horrible thing that, most often, men do to women,” he said. “In my almost 30 years of experience, most often, it’s members of my gender doing this to women and that’s what I wanted to get involved to help stop it.” Atherton-Zeman has performed “Voices of Men” in 44 states and eight countries including performances at military installations, colleges, high schools, theaters, conferences, churches and detention facilities. When he performs his show on military installations, Atherton-Zeman said, Service members are often surprised by it and are often inspired to join the fight against domestic violence. “It surprises Soldiers because they are used to briefings that are maybe not as funny … which is why I wrote this as a comedy and as a play,” he said. “So, some Soldiers go expecting to be bored or yelled at … and, by the end of it, they become aware of what an important issue it is. Often, people come up to me at the end of the show and ask me what they can do to become part of the movement to stop domestic violence.” According to statistics compiled by the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men 18 or older in the U.S. reported that they have been the victim of “severe physical violence by an intimate partner.” Nearly half of all men and women in the U.S. report that they have
Up Front Career fair today
Belvoir Army Community Service and Soldier for Life -Transition Assistance Program co-sponsors a Fall 2015 Fort Belvoir Career Fair today, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Community Center. Wounded warriors can go at 9 a.m. The event, expected to have more than 40 federal agencies and corporations, is open to transitioning Service members, veterans, retirees, military spouses and DoD ID card holders. People who go should dress professionally and bring copies of their resumes. For complete details, see Page A9.
Combined Federal Campaign
The annual Combined Federal Campaign runs through mid-December. Info on ways to give is available from www.cfcnca.org or from your keyworker.
USO-Metro Fall Fest
Photo courtesy of Ben Atherton-Zeman
Ben Atherton-Zeman presents his one-man show “Voices of Men” 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Oct. 28 at the Fort Belvoir Community Center. Voices of Men 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Oct. 28 Fort Belvoir Community Center Closing event for Healthy Relationships Month, presented by the Army Community Service Victim Advocate program and SHARP. Lunch provided.
“experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner.” The victims of intimate partner violence were most often women between ages 18 and 34. From 1994 to 2010, about 4 in 5 victims were women, the National Domestic Violence Hotline says. All Army installations have services for domestic violence abuse victims that are available 24/7. “Domestic violence happens too often in the military and it’s important for people to know the right thing to do about it,” Atherton-Zeman said. “And, it’s important to know it’s never the victim’s fault.” Atherton-Zeman said he hopes Soldiers will attend his presentation on Belvoir to learn more about the problem and how they can help. “I hope Soldiers will come out of this with more of an understanding of what domestic violence is … and what they can do to help create a world without domestic violence and sexual violence.”
USO-Metro’s Operation: Community Connection - Fall Fest Edition is an informational, fun, fall-themed event geared to all military families in the region, especially those who are in the deployment process or are new to the community. This year’s event is 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, at the USO Warrior and Family Center – 9th Street, Fort Belvoir. The event includes autumn-themed games; activities; and entertainment; family resources for before, during and after deployments; and leisure, fitness and wellness and community-involvement information. More information is available from www.usometro.org, or from Casey Oelrich, 703-744-0848, casey@usometro. org.
Elementary School Career Day
Fort Belvoir Elementary School is looking for people to speak to children during its career day, Nov. 5 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Interested people are asked to contact Teresa Chapman at the school, 703-781-2737.
Gettysburg Battlefields
ODR has a trip to Gettysburg Battlefields Nov. 7, for $10 per person for transportation. People who go should bring water, dress for the weather and wear appropriate footgear. Early registration is recommended by calling 703-805-3081.