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Sunday, July 1, 2007
While waiting here for Zach I called the Hike Inn for I heard they expected me, they said they did 2 days ago when they heard I was done, but to call next time I was around. Was telling the day Hikers what we are doing and meet 2 former Marines. One a Sergeant who got out in 2006 said people might as well call us baby killers when they tell us we are fighting for oil or because Bush's fighting for his Daddy. I told him I have been having trouble believing and trusting my politicians, he said, trust me I've been there. He has a a tatoo on his neck, the verse number about the thieves on the cross with Christ. The other Marine is now a Fire Fighter and agreed about the troops getting skills to cope with stress, he said the Firemen get it.
While hanging round I entered the greased pole climbing contest, no one was able to do it. I made several attempts and got to keep the cloths I used to do it in; hat worked well for me for they were better then my cloths.
Last night as I was falling to sleep a Latino couple came into the shelter and woke up at 3 am, we talked and laughed for hours. He had gone back to his hoe country and go his second wife. His 1st was an American that devoiced him and too everything. They were the first Latin American I had seen on the trail, they had hiked all over SOUTH America, the Andes, Matsu'Petus and others.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Yesterday one of the Marines invited me to shares a meal with his family and one of the Park Rangers brought me food from their barbeque. When another man invites me to share a meal with his family, to me that is a great honor because he is saying by his actions to me it I except you into my family, I trust you. It also says to me that I support you and share with you what gives us life to go on Maybe off the trail it doesn't seem like that big a deal because of the abundance or taking or granted what I have. On the trail it is a big deal because by sharing water or a meal it could mean the difference between hardship or comfort. I don't know if there is wear at the next spring, it maybe dry and for food when you burn 6,000 calories plus a day and only eat around 2,000, those extra calories made a big difference.
Zach picked me up and Yoshi came to film it and us eating together, then he interviewed Zach.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
We had rented a theater in downtown Atlanta Georgia for a Media event with Max Cleland, the hall was empty but for the help and my family. Max praised me and we went on like the hall was full because I realized everyone of those people made a difference and they count. Max told me to write a book and he will do the intro and help get it published.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Dr. Michael Duckett (the father of the 5 time decorated Green Beret that committed suicide) came to an almost empty hall. We went on again like that one person in the room was what we came there for and Dr. Duckett said that he felt he had to just suck it up and get over it and that my work was just now starting.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
My job is not done until we get legislation passed making it mandatory for all military personnel to get grieving counseling before they get out of boot camp, 2 weeks mandatory debriefing prior to discharge giving them tools to help them cope and deal with stress when they get out and support groups after they get out so they have some one to talk to that knows what they have been through. I will talk any where at any time to any group to help bring this about, please call or write to set it up, mean time I am working on the book. God Bless and thank you for your support.
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