Tuesday 28 July, 2026. 0500
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Veterans Bulletin is proud to announce the upcoming August 1, 2026 release of The Things War Leaves Behind: A compelling and deeply necessary new work authored by Connecticut veteran and clinical psychologist Dr. Matthew Kelsey. Available now for pre-order ahead of its official launch, the book offers a vital resource for service members, veterans, families, and mental health professionals navigating the complex psychological landscape of military service and post-service transition.
Drawing from both his extensive clinical expertise and his lived perspective as a veteran, Dr. Kelsey addresses the invisible wounds of service with profound empathy, professional rigor, and practical insight. The Things War Leaves Behind bridges the gap between clinical psychology and the unique realities of military culture, providing actionable pathways toward healing, resilience, and renewed purpose.
“As those who have worn the uniform know all too well, the hardest battles often begin long after the deployment ends,” said Dr. Kelsey. “This book was written to provide a roadmap not just for surviving the aftermath of service, but for truly healing and reclaiming one’s life.”
In tandem with its official release on August 1, the publication of The Things War Leaves Behind marks a significant contribution to the broader conversation surrounding veteran mental health and community support. The Connecticut Veterans Bulletin encourages our community of veterans, families, and advocates to support this vital work.
Pre-orders for The Things War Leaves Behind: Healing are currently available via Amazon.
About the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin:
The Connecticut Veterans Bulletin is a dedicated digital publication committed to serving the military and veteran community in Connecticut through advocacy, historical preservation, resource sharing, and community event coordination.
Media Contact:
Connecticut Veterans Bulletin
Email: ctvetsbulletin@gmail.com
Website: https://ctvetsbulletin.org
I am not a veteran. I am a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. But in 1991, personal loss brought me to a place I never left.
Over two decades later, that loss led me to the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, where I took on the coordination of Wreaths Across America — which grew into the largest and fastest growing veterans program in the state. I didn’t do it for recognition. I did it for them.
In 2016 I founded the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin. Not because I served, but because I believe those who did deserve to be honored, connected, and kept alive.
Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day. I knew about that number before it became a hashtag. I knew it personally, long before anyone was talking about it.
This publication exists because that number is unacceptable. Because every veteran in Connecticut deserves to know someone gives a damn.
That someone is me.