Interview Bert and Jeannet about the impact of the Return Journeys

Schalkhaar, June 06 2023 Diego Kemps

Through the return trips that Bert and Jeannet Kleine Schaars organize, Lebanon veterans learn to open up. © Arjan Gotink

Veterans learn to express themselves with Bert (62) and Jeannet (56) from Schalkhaar: 'Never told their wives'

Soldiers experience more on deployment in a few months than some people in a lifetime. Yet they often barely talk about their experiences. Bert and Jeannet Kleine Schaars teach veterans to open up to their partners during trips to Lebanon. "They don't need therapy after a trip like that." 
Shelling, patrols, destroyed cities. Missions to war zones make a deep impression on soldiers. This is also the case with Bert Kleine Schaars. He was sent to Lebanon at the age of 19 in 1980. That country was in civil war at the time.
After six months he returns home. His mission didn't bother him, but he didn't talk about it with those around him either. "It can't be explained to people who weren't there. They don't understand. You just get on with your life."

Book

That changed after a visit to Veterans Day. Bert's Lebanon broadcast was partly recreated there. "Sandbags, vehicles, my company's sign. That's what it said when I was in Lebanon. That did come in." 
That feeling was reinforced when he came into contact with old comrades from his service after Veterans Day. "They sent pictures of my time in Lebanon that I didn't even know.
You end up in an emotional rollercoaster, a re-experience."

           Bert served in civil war-torn Lebanon in 1980. © Arjan Gotink

At that moment he was already thinking about writing a book about his experiences. The reason for this is the misconception that exists about veterans: "It is thought that all veterans have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder, ed.). It's the first thing people ask when they hear you're a veteran. Only a small proportion actually suffer from PTSD. It could be your neighbor, without you knowing. Just because he doesn't talk about it." 
He saw the renewed contact with his old comrades as an opportunity. "To also tell their stories in my book. They didn't talk much about it either." In the end, he collects stories of thirteen fellow veterans in his book Lebanon 1980 holiday country? 
It is only after reading that book that wife Jeannet finds out what her husband has been through. "I had never looked at it that way. Being taken at gunpoint, a constant threat. And pick up your life after such a mission? As a result, I have gained enormous respect for Bert, but for all veterans," says Jeannet.

Return journey

After Transavia decided in 2018 to fly directly to Lebanon again, the idea soon came to go to Lebanon again with the thirteen veterans from the book. "To reminisce, to see what is still there and how the country has developed," says Bert.

Several veterans have already been on a return trip to Lebanon,
where they served for more than forty years. © Jeannet Kleine Schaars

An emotional, fraught journey followed. Bert: ,,Old buildings that you recognize, views that you see again after a long time. That does something to you. You all go into a re-experience. That's wonderful." 
Especially the feeling of recognition predominates. "Lebanese are still grateful to us for providing safety and medical assistance there. Some even knew us from that time," says Bert. "It really made sense what we did there." 
Appreciation that they never received in the Netherlands. "There was no aftercare. You pack your things, are thanked by the commander, get a medal pressed to the chest and take the plane back. That was it," says Bert. "That's stuck.
That recognition, that's important for veterans."

Lebanon veterans with locals in Lebanon. © Jeanette Kleine Schaars

Multiple trips

After returning to the Netherlands, the two quickly decided that they wanted to organize return trips to Lebanon more often . They have already organized four, including partners. Bert takes care of the veterans, Jeannet takes care of the partners. Jeannet: ,,Men open up completely during such a trip and tell everything. Things they've never told their wives," Jeannet says. "I think we've brought a lot of peace to relationships." Bert: ,,We even hear from veterans that they no longer need therapy after such a trip.

White carnation price

During their most recent trip to Lebanon in April, Jeannet received a special phone call: from the Dutch Veterans Day, informing them that she has been nominated for the White Carnation Prize: the prize for people who play a special role in the lives of veterans. 
She was nominated by her husband Bert. "She supports so many veterans and their partners. She deserves this," says Bert. The award ceremony is Wednesday. "But I don't think I'm going to win. And you don't have to. There are a lot of whoppers in it. Just the nomination is very special."

Jeannet Kleine Schaars has been nominated for the White Carnation Price: the prize for people who play a special role in the lives of veterans. © Arjan Gotink