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Sunday, May 6, 2007
Ran into Jack at the river before Atkins. He was diagnosed with PTSD after he got out of the Army Reserves. They avoided taking care of him by saying that he had it before he went in. Now why would you take someone in that was questionable then discharge them with a problem? I don't borrow someone's car knowing the engine block is cracked, use it till it breaks and return it saying thanks, it's broken, good luck. See you! I pay for it or get it fixed because I am responsible and it's the right thing to do. What is the right thing to do with our troops whether or not they had a problem before they went in?
I also talked to John, a retired police officer. They get grieving training before going into duty. Shouldn't our troops get something similar for what they are about to go through?
Monday, May 7, 2007
I am at Atkins, VA, at the Relax Motel. Talked to some hikers who see the need for change but say how do we make a change? We write but what good does it do? I say if I change, the whole world has changed, and I affect 25 to 30 people (or all that I come in contact with) in a different way. That is my greatest power - to change.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Hooked up with Lou and Steve from the The Virginian-Pilot (largest paper in VA with 200,000 readers). We went to breakfast where I am friendly with the waitress because her best friend is over in Iraq. She was the only one there so shed take the order then wait on the tables. She remembered I like my eggs snotty.
Steve took pictures of me talking to other hikers. At breakfast, Lou asked them questions, and then we all went hiking. For 4 miles, they asked questions, took pictures, and interviewed other hikers. It was the most in depth interview I ever had, as well as emotionally draining, for it brought up all my feelings and reasons for doing this. When we parted, he said he would do a follow-up call and that they were going to Iraq and would tell the troops what we are up to. Click here for the interview.
When I got to partnership shelter, I met Fireball, a marine home on leave, hiking with his future wife. We talked about PTSD which he said he has, and decided not to shop back out to be with his buddies, which would have been the only reason he would go back, not because of what we doing there. I told him of our program which he could go through if he wanted. He said he would tell his buddies and write. He also said he wouldn't complain about hi fee, saluted, and headed north on the trail. Also at the shelter was an old medic who is putting my picture on his website with what we are doing to get more letters written.
At this shelter, we ordered out for food because we are close enough to a main highway and town. They took advantage of us by over charging, charging for delivery, and demanding a tip for the delivery once it got there. The majority of hikers are a grateful bunch, where a small thing like clean water or little shelter from the weather don't go unnoticed, and a kindness or food are not forgotten. How ungrateful I have been to those who have put their lives in harms way so that I wouldn't have to. Most of the time it has been because I am un-aware of it and other times it is because I am not sure. Not sure as in I am unsure as what I can believe of what I have been told. It is sad when I doubt my leaders and sadder yet if they have put our troops in harms way for other than protecting my freedom.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Met a young man just back from 27 months with the Peace Corps. He thinks everyone should give back to their country in some form, be it civil works, peace corps, or military. He has a great sense of accomplishment, a greater awareness of the world, maturity and gratitude for what he has in this country. Would that the majority of our youth could get a greater sense of the world around them as well as the world within.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Met General So (Marine 1998-2002) who is going into counseling. Then I met a young man who looks like he just learned to shave. His father is in Iraq - you could see the anxiety in his eyes and feel the tension as he walks this trail, helpless but for the waiting
On the 8th, I talked about my doubts. Shame on me. My doubts have nothing to do with how our troops should be treated; they have paid the freight. They have paid it with life, limb, and sanity. Who am I to question the war and its nobility; and does it matter? They need to be brought back as close to home as I can get them. If not, what is the message I am giving them?
There were lots of wild ponies up here off Pine Mt. Ridge. There were thunderstorms in the distance. It poured during the night while a couple of hikers killed a mouse trying to eat their food.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Talked to a section hiker (Dumber) who's friend was one of 1500 that were the first to hit the beach in WWII. 187 of them made it. Later they went through the German forest. ONly 15 of the 187 made it through that, and only 2 of them are still alive, and he wrote a book about it - They Were So Young. He suffers from PTSD, which hadn't been diagnosed till recently. Also met an Aussie who said they have a small contingency over there (Iraq) to protect some Japanese engineers. They have only had several casualties. He said they have a PTSD problem from the 1991 Gulf War that they are dealing with.
I am 16 miles from Damascus and talked to a reporter I will meet when I get to town. Sat under a power line on a mountain. Also talked to Lou from The Virginian-Pilot (the largest paper in VA) who said the article will be out in a few days.
PTSD knows all wars, al times and all nations. It does not discriminate.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Made it to Damascus and hooked up with the only wanderer who had emailed me while I was home to encourage me to go on and look him up when I got to Damascus. Well I looked him up and he invited me to stay with him which I did. He's the kind of guy who has very little - most people would say he lives in poverty - but what he does have he shares. He lets people stay with him that are passing through and he leaves his phone out so people can use it to call anywhere in the USA. He doesn't ask for anything. I would say he is wealthy because he shares from abundance and he is grateful for all he has. He was no angel, spent time in prison, but came to a realization while walking the trail and made amendments for his past. When he was a child, he felt his father didn't love him because he went off to Vietnam and wouldn't take him with him. It always amazes me how I an event in my life can change my whole life, an event that only takes seconds, but affects a lifetime. What also amazes me is how when I re-examine that event I can change my perception about it, affecting what is left of my life.
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