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Sunday, April 29, 2007
Made it to Pearisburg, VA. Met a few groups hiking together. I am amazed at the youth that are on this trail; they are aware of the world around them as well as the one within and they do more than just talk about it. They write, are involved to make a change. I am impressed.
Back to us paying more for mercenaries in this war, but yet we can't find money to take better care of our troops. It doesn't seem logical. Maybe someone out there can enlighten me. Where is the benefit? What is the reasoning? Is it true? No matter what, our troops need more than a T.A.P that doesn't give them tools to cope once they get home, now that they have changed.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Before leaving town (Pearisburg) I went to Hardy's for breakfast (I usually never eat in these types of places, being that my body is a temple - temple of doom, that is). While I got my order, I told the cashier what I was doing, she said she has PTSD because her house burnt down, her boss is stressed because his son is in Iraq. Getting my order, I talk to the guy next to me. He tells me his daughter is a wreck because one of her friends died at Virginia Tech. He was a corrections officer and said Vets he dealt with had shot either themselves or their spouces and themselves. Something should be done to help prevent it.
Just because the troops volunteered doesn't mean their stress is any less, or shouldn't be taken care of because they know the consequences. I think it should be a no-brainer; they get it. They put themselves in harms way so that I wouldn't be put there. That is a sacrifice that at least deserves me doing the right thing.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Spent the night in a shelter with Rambo Ron, Trash Bag and Rodeo Clown by a nice little stream. It was in the 80's yesterday and today. Missed a blue blaze which would have let me spend some time by a waterfall and swimming hole. Oh well. I laid down in a creek to cool off.
We had talked about the troops and what is going on. I told them I hold myself responsible for what is going on. They said I was too hard on myself; I said if I don't, it would be too easy to blame someone else and do nothing. That is unacceptable and not an option for me!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
It was hot today. Made it to a shelter by 2pm doing 9 miles. Then it hailed, rained, lightening. God bless shelters. Met a group hiking - Chicken, Ohm, Taupin Flying, Granite, Dude, Tin Tin, Joe Stalin, Pythagoras, and Quarter Moon. Talked to them all. They are writing and got a picture of her dog smelling my feet. I am 12 miles from Bland, VA.
Talked to Mt. Mike who was a graduate of West Point, who told me I should have a lawyer draft our legislation to make it easer to get it through, saving Congress work.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Made it to Bland by 2pm through the rain. After leaving a perfectly dry shelter full of hikers (Mt. Mike, Yorkie, Mini Mouse, Dorothy, Santa's Helper, Rambo Ron). Called the paper and will have an interview next week. Talked to the owner of the motel and told him I love the hot water, tub, and sunlamp in the bathroom. He had a sign outside saying they are owned and operated by Americans (which almost sounds politically incorrect to say). He had trouble finding American help and told me how he saw on TV the building of the fence in Texas to keep the Mexicans out and that they used Mexicans to build it.
They seem to say one thing then do another. What is on the Statue of Liberty? What does Congress do about aliens... make rules to help them, give them benefits, then build a wall; Please be consistent one way or the other. They say they support the troops. How? By sending them back, using the National Guard, giving them little or no benefits, paying private industry to do the same job for 5-20 times more? If that's support, please don't help me.
I don't wonder why he gets angry, frustrated, then just throws up his hands and shakes his head. I can't do that just yet. I still believe we can find our way back and do the right thing. There is still hope.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Will (the owner of Big Walker) gave me a ride to the trail head and thanked me for walking the walk and giving him hope. On the news, before I left, they had the Queen of England in Virginia, the scandal of defense contractors and hookers and movie stars' video conversations of their personal lives with their children and struggles with substance abuse. Guess the plight of our soldiers is old news and boring. On to new drama. Heaven forbid I get some ideas on how to do something to help change what is going on. Shouldn't the new offer suggestions?
Saturday, May 5, 2007
At Jenkins shelter, I met a retired Army Lt. Colonel. He's upset about the war and what is being done for the troops. He is writing and forwarding this info to other groups. Met some more vets who wished there had been programs available to them when they got out to help them cope with the drastic change of coming home.
Did 19 miles today so I could be in town tomorrow night. It rained again today and was overcast.
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