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Sunday, April 22, 2007
Met Carefree, Diablo, and a bunch more heading North. Met a day hiker - Bob Miner - an ex-Marine, and he told me to get in touch with Webb the Senator of this state who is a decorated ex-Marine. I will give him a call tomorrow as well as the paper. I will be in Daleville, VA.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Checked into the Econolodge and went to the Post Office after a bath and food. The clerk's brother suffers from PTSD from Vietnam. She' writing a letter and so is the clerk at the Post office.
The newspaper cancelled out saying they stopped doing stories about hikers with a cause because there was so many. I was disappointed. It seemed ironic that young people working to make this country better don't get the press while those destroying it do. I wonder what message that sends to the youth?
Called Senator Webb and got hold of his staff. We'll see if we can meet.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Met Doug (who I had seen in Dalton, MA at the bird cage) who said he is enlisting after the trail, for money and his country. Also saw Jigsaw who is ex-military (Vietnam). It seems when the draft was on, you did it out of duty. I don't know what kind of difference making a choice has made? It seems the freedom they are defending is afraid to be used by trying to fit in or conforming. I know the more I conform to what others want instead of being happy, I lose myself. This country was built by people that would rather die than conform; and some did. Maybe that is why I have done so little to pay the troops back for their service - because I have been afraid to use that freedom, didn't want it, for then I would be responsible. What a burden!
I am here at Campbell shelter with Little Feet and Dragon Breath (Mother and son). I think I freaked them out when he asked if I wanted a tick. I said yeah, if it's cooked, then took it and ate it. Later, after brushing my teeth, I used my toothbrush to scrub my feet to fix cuts and holes I got today. They slept very close to one another. I don't know who was protecting who. Her husband is retired from the Army. She said she would write if I let her look at my feet. How can I get you to write?
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Little Feet told me in the morning that she thought I was over the top (I don't think I am far enough over) and I might get more people to listen if I wear shoes (conform. something I do so well?) I told her this is who I am, how I show up, and if you can't get my passion, it doesn't matter if I wear shoes or not. Does a soldier that jumps on a grenade have to dress a certain way for one to get his passion? Does a woman who takes care of her retarded sister her whole life have to dress a certain way for one to get her commitment? If I have to dress a certain way, I have failed.
Went through Catawba, VA today. It was over 80°, felt nauseous, took a break, and walked later to avoid the heat. Met Dog Father and Tricks. Dog Father was just out of the Army Intel from Iraq. He said they did the right thing by him for PTSD. I asked him to write because not everyone is as lucky as him to et the help they need. There is no service on my phone, so I am unable to call out. Will try again tomorrow (I am in a pretty rural area, with no towns close by for the next 60 miles.)
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Met Zero, Dr. John, 5 Strings, Toasty, Mt Canis, Hawk, and Alley Cat. 3 were Vets Recently one got help for PTSD and was discouraged by his commanding officer; they all agreed if debriefing was mandatory, it would remove the stigma and catch those who fall through the cracks in the system.
Did 14 miles and at the end of the day, it rained, so I made it to a shelter. God Bless shelters!
Friday, April 27, 2007
It was still wet, overcast, and spots of rain till noon. MEt Road Dog, Bob Cat, Snacktime, Natural High, Back Bend, Blazer, Shagy, Broadway, Strider, Fish & Chips, and Triple H. Met 2 girls from Virginia Tech out for a day hike. We talked about the aftermath and how they have a memorial for the shooter along with everyone else. The collateral damage is far reaching and never talked about much. Each person that is now gone has directly impacted at least 30 other people; the shooter has destroyed not only his only family, but 31 other families. I know some of the things I have done I never considered the consequences. I wonder if he had? I know some things I would have done differently if I had another chance. Thank God I get another chance.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Met Storm Riders (6 hikers walking together) then Wing Heart, who when I told what I was doing, he said he was retired Army and had no problem. He said both of his sons are in. The one Ft. keeps them in lock-down for a month before they release them. I said that was great, and would like to talk to them (they were officers). Then about 20 minutes later I ran into 2 guys that just got out of the Navy and Army; told them what I was doing and what Wing Heart told me. They said they went trough a 1 week program, T.A.P (transit awareness program) which basically dealt with their benefits and job opportunities. They said they would write letters for what we are asking because there is a need. They also told me they were notified while on the trail to re-enlist for $30,000 and that mercenaries over there are making $80,000/month. If a corporation contracts for our government over there are called corp. patriots are mercenaries for us over there called patriotic mercenaries? Is there something wrong with my information? Because something doesn't seem right if we pay our soldiers $30K/yr then mercenaries from a private corp to do the same thing for $160K/yr. Is that why the war is costing so much - private industry is over there paying truck drivers $150K/yr while the military get $30K?
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