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Sunday, June 3, 2007
Yesterday while at the hot springs, I met a tv producer who liked what we are doing (she is Polish) and told me to call her the next day, which I did. So we had a tv interview on channel 13 (an ABC affiliate) then I walked only 3 miles today into the woods at the first shelter. It started to thunder and rain so I stayed. Then it seemed to pass over. A shelter can be a palace in a thunder storm and a castle can be a prison when all your friends are playing outside.
Monday, June 4, 2007
While on the trail, I got some disturbing news (to me, at least) from a friend that monitors my website. He told me that the person who had made some malicious remarks months ago has started again. When it first happened I tried to contact these people to rectify any problem they may have with me, only to find they were fictitious name coming from the same source. I decided to ignore it when I realized who was behind it, but now I will not ignore it and will pursue it to the full extent of the law. If those slanderous remarks are not retracted and a public apology made within 3 days of this posting, I will proceed with litigation to the full extent of the law.
This parallels what is going on with the walk in that I ignored the situation and let it go on, hoping it would go away. All I really did was to enable that person as well as our government by this attitude to do what they want with little or no concern (seemingly) for what was right for other involved besides them and their interest.
It is interesting how when I change in one area of my life with a shift in attitude, it affects all other areas of my life. Write that letter, see what a difference it will make in your life.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Met a bunch of scouts hiking with 2 adults. Both adults were ex-military (USMC and Army); one who just got together with a friend (returned wounded from Iraq). He said that his friend hadn't talked to anyone for 2 weeks so he had lunch with him to help him let it out.
The boys told me that they are the only troop in their region that camp out and hike because of the fear of lawsuits. How sad that fear and greed take the joy out of life or rob one of experiences.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Last night at Standing Bear, one of the hikers, MC Dodie, said he was a senator's aid and wants to be a senator. He believes there should be a 3 party system. We'll see. Also met the girl that '3 Days' told me to say hello to; she remembered you and hopes to see you again. See, we're never too old to make new friends.
Met a retired USMC 1st Sgt who wished they had more help for him when he got out. Also talked to the paper in Davenport that will do a story on what we are doing.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Had met Splendora a few days ago. She is walking the trail because her boyfriend is in Iraq and the anxiety is very hard on her. What will it be like when he gets home - if he does; will it be the same? Will they be able to handle it together? Will he get a Dear John letter? How many people will be touched by his life and how he deals with it?
Also met a military couple whose son just joined the USMC. They are proud. I wished them the best and said if there is anything we can do to help in any way please call, we'll do the best we can.
Stopped at Peck's Corner Shelter. It looked like rain and I did 13 miles, so I went a 1/2 mile out of the way on a side trail. Then the sun shone like there never was a chance of rain; it was good to stop, for the springs are drying up and I got water. Finally used a bear bag(I usually sleep with my food) to see how it will fare. What you do is tie your food off in a bag and pull it up high on a tree so they can't get it. There had been one shelter where a bear got 11 bags in one night - must be Yogi. The way my gear is, I have visions of mexican bears having a party and using my gear as a pinata.
Friday, June 8, 2007
I am at another shelter 1/2 mile off the trail with a spin off of Boy Scouts - which is both boys and girls up to 21 years old. It's raining pretty heavy. They have a fire going in the fireplace and you can feel their excitement over the novelty.
Today I met Brewmaster who took a government job in the 60's (Biochemistry, Brookhaven Lab) to stay out of the war. His friend died in Vietnam. He wondered what he died for? It doesn't matter for I don't think I will ever know and our troops have paid full freight with life, limb, and sanity, no matter what history will tell us later.
When I had talked to Jennifer from channel 13, we discussed political correctness and minorities. Both of our parents and grand parents had to learn English. What is going on now with the second language? All the government forms ask if you're a minority or Asian, Afro-American or other. Am I considered Polish American even though I was born here? Am I a minority? What is considered a minority? Now, instead of saying I am just American, is that kind of saying I'm not really America, I just live here but I'm not one of them? Is that saying I'm ashamed to be an American or what? So you can see I am a little confused. I think this political correctness may be one of the ways to undermine our unity. Just a thought
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Had some bad water, got heart burn, then noticed mosquito larva in the water. A lot of trees were blown down this past year - 250 were across the trail. A lot were 3' though the center; because of the mountains, the roots didn't go deep, so when the wind blows, it knocks over the big ones. Also, there was a blight so thousands of trees (pine) died. Also there are some bald spot.
Met a retired DEA who was one of 3 guys to bust up heroine labs overseas; he had been in 35 gun fights. Both his partners had PTSD. He said it did affect him, but his wife divorced him and he doesn't see his children. I asked if it bothered him about the politics would undermine what he did. He said he used to get angry about it, then took the attitude that he got paid to do a job and he did the best he could and the politicians would have to live with what they did. Also met Tea Time. He told me he just got out of the Air Force and is on the trail to walk away from it (his military life). After talking with him I really was on the trail for him and the 1000's of others.
If any of you reading this are in a group or Vets with experience that would be available to listen to soldiers just getting out, please email us your state, town, and contact # so that we could post it on our site so that people in your neighborhood would know there is someone that can give a supportive hand.
Met Montana who is working on his Doctorate for Cancer. I asked what percent can you save. He said usually 1/2, and it's not because we don't have the tools, it's because most people get it checked out too late and it has spread to the point they can't help. They go to a sensitivity class mainly to help the Dr's deal with anger. They get angry that they have to tell someone they have 4 months to live when if they had come in sooner, they could have been saved. He asked me how many troops do I think I could make a difference in. I said I don't know until we try! He said that what science is all about - trying.
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