|
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Had a great nights sleep (it poured last night as well as now) being Sunday Tent Pole and I went upstairs to church. I haven’t gone to church much in the past 20 years and sitting there I realized why. It showed me a side of myself I didn’t like to look at, which was hypocrisy. I would see people I know putting on airs of holiness then yelling at one another trying to get out of the parking lot, just like me; or saying they believe in God but do the things they do, just like me. If I believe so much then my actions haven’t shown it, like the people that spend $2 for a ribbon sticker showing they support Vets on their rear bumper as they pass me by while I hitchhike. $2 to say they support the Vets, just like me saying I support you but not with my hands, my wallet, or heart.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Another zero day in Delaware Water Gap. At the post office with Gentleman Jack getting a mail drop. He pointed out the war memorial in front and asked me what I thought of it. I said it’s like the Christmas present box with nothing inside, it looks good, you know there is a thought there, but can the Vets eat it, live in it, get medical attention from it, pay there bills with it? I understand about being reminded, but that is what I was told about them always showing the horrors of Hitler’s; a switch so that man would never repeat it. Well I guess the people that should have seen that didn’t.
Talked to a Vet today bout the B.S. in this country after you get home from where your word is your bond. He lent a guy $1700 who wasn’t paying him back when he said he would. He goes to the guy’s house to talk to him, the guy threatens him then starts a fight. The Vet knocks him out, when he comes to the Vet he says “I don’t want to do this just pay me”, the guy gives him $100 and promises to pay every paycheck. Mean time he gets a blood clot in the brain, foes to the hospital, the Vet gets thrown in jail and pays $6000 to get out and loses his job. Now maybe I am wrong, but that seems like B.S. to me especially if the version I heard is true.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Left the church at 11 a.m. (Caveman came in last night) in the pouring rain not to far n from the trailhead was a memorial to a fallen Marine; simple, personal, and powerful. Maybe it’s me but that on had more of an effect on me because of the personal connection of the person who did it and almost zero money involved to do it. Where the Wall I have an issue with the money being better spent and lumping all those sacrifices together so that one name alone seems almost insignificant (if they gave the Vets what would be fair I would have no issue with the money spent on it).
Did 6 miles to the shelter to stay dry we sill see what tomorrow brings.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Easy Rider& Link headed out this morning a couple of day hikers came in last night soaked they got off the trail this morning. It was overcast and rough terrain made 9.2 miles to Wind Gap. Got an interview with “The Express Times” at 9 a.m.
Last night I talked to Nicole (my P.R. person) about trying to get TV exposure. She said I’m not ready, I asked what she meant and she said you couldn’t answer their questions; you have to tell them what your cause is otherwise they make it about you. I realized she was right because the papers ask personal questions which I answer which have nothing to do with the reason I am walking. She said I have to be trained (not too may people have succeeded with that one), that is to talk in front of a camera or audience. With that she told me I have a congressional hearing on Sept. 27 and I need fact and names. Anyone out there that has facts or statistics that would support the cause please e-mail it in, make sure it is verifiable; facts such as, the % of homeless that are Vets, % of suicides that come home, how the type of bombs increase the effects of P.T.S.S. etc.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Got up packed my gear and had ice cream with MetTrex for breakfast, while watching the weather station. It looks like we won’t get rain till tomorrow night, thank God. The reporter came and we did the interview, I still answer all the questions, but stress the cause; they are going to write what they write, we don’t get to proof them.
I realize now more then ever people (all not just some) have to write or call their Representative in Washington and let them know that want mandatory intense work shops for all home coming soldiers before they get discharged. If you think someone else is going to write that letter it’s not going to happen, freedom is a responsibility. I am responsible to use my freedom to voice my opinion if I don’t my Reps. will do what ever they want because they will figure I don’t care enough to do anything about it and lose my freedom.
If nobody writes in then when I go for the hearing and they ask why I am there they will say who cares and discard me. All I am asking for you to believe in the system and write in. These men and women are worth a stamp and the time to do it. I want every Senator and Congressman to be inundated with these letters so there is no doubt, Republican or Democrat as to what the Americans want for their children in Arms.
Friday, September 1, 2006
It was windy and cool, no rain yet and still anxious about that terrain everyone tells me about, haven’t seen anything outrageous yet, maybe it’s just hype. Well I may have spoken a little too soon just before getting to town it was like Mt. Aupry only more of it. Thank God. I don’t have to worry any more I’m in it. Once in awhile I catch myself concerned about something I can’t change and won’t step away from. I could imagine a constant life of that to the point where I can’t cope because I don’t have the tools to deal with it. That is the life I give the soldiers coming home if I do nothing; that is unacceptable to me.
Well I am in Slatington, PA and stopped at the American Legion where I was welcomed and given a tour of one of the oldest American Legions in the U.S.A. They were started in 1919, but have documents from the one in 1864 that was disbanded to form the one in 1919. I was overwhelmed with the tour of their museum (inner sanctum) that is only open to honor someone (alive or dead). I have never seen such a collection to memorialize our soldiers or keep a torch lit for those MIA, I was speechless; I don’t think I will ever see that type of dedication again. I was honored to be given that tour.
Saturday, September 2, 2006
Left in the rain and wind with hurricane Ernesto coming up the coast. Did 7+ miles, the briers are a nice touch with the stones. Made it to a shelter and didn’t go further because it would be dark before I could make it another 7 miles to a shelter. I am hoping I will see some of you in Washington; my brother says it’s a trap for something I may have done in the past or maybe just because they can. I told him to bring his checkbook; he said there’s no checkbook that could cover that. I started to think that they’re supposed to be working for us, they should be worried and they better be working, we may have to fire a few to set an example.
|
