Nov

29

Vietnam Today

Filed Under Return To Vietnam, Vietnam Today | 2 Comments

by Lawrence Fuller

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This is a guest post by Larry Fuller who is presently in Vietnam on a road of rediscovery. Larry is a friend of a friend (Charlie Dana). Following is a shortened version of his letter home:

Recent storm knocked out power and computer at my hotel, so I have wandered over here to the post office to see about sending some stuff home. Low and behold…I have found some good computers to use.  I wonder how much it’s going to cost?!
 
Since the storm knocked out power, most of us sat in the lobby and talked by candlelight.  After everyone decided to go to bed, I decided to go out in the storm (it was just a little storm).  I wanted to find this Indian restaurant, strangely named “Omar Khyam’s Restaurant.”  I knew the guy.  He struck me as an excellent businessman and very organized. 

Wearing my Wal-Mart special bright yellow poncho, I wandered the deserted streets and BINGO!  There it was…a beacon of Indian de-light!  He had the generator running always hopeful for another customer…and I was it! 

I pulled off the poncho, hung it on the coat rack in the corner, and found a table facing the street.  Outside, the wind was whipping the branches of the trees and the rain was beating against the windows,  Inside, it was as cozy as could be with gentle classical Spanish guitar music playing over the speakers.  Yes…it was one of THOSE moments! 

I decided to order the Lamb Curry with hot masala tea and relax.  He and I talked.  He was Indian and was one of these guys who just got up from where he was, got out of a bad situation, and had built 8 restaurants throughout Vietnam. 

I took my time and enjoyed the meal.  The storm lashed the streets and his restaurant’s background music couldn’t have been more appropriate.  I had selected one of the more expensive dishes on the menu.  After all, it was Australian lamb!  I thought, “Dog gone it…I deserve it and am worth every penny.”  Filled with the delicious meal, I finally got up, paid the $3.50 bill, donned my trusty poncho and stepped back out into the night.
 
The street was filled with the bustle of motor-bikes, trucks, bicycles, cars, peddle rickshaws, and other indescribable forms of transportation. 

Suddenly, I heard an American voice behind me, “Can you tell me how to get to a park.”  I twisted around and noted a gentleman about my age standing there.  His name was Lloyd, and he was 60 years of age.  He wanted a place where he could just sit and think.  He had been an American Army draftee, who had served multiple tours in Vietnam way back when. 

I could sense some sort of identity with him and could see on his face that he had struggled mightily with life.  He was from Indiana.  He needed someone to talk to and I didn’t mind.  As a matter of fact I wanted to…talking with someone who cares and could use some help. 

He had struggled with the demons that had crept inside him from that War.  He had lived a life of alcoholism crashing from one disaster to the next.  His latest setback was a home and a bank that had foreclosed on him.  No one had helped him with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder until just lately. 

He had been angry with the Army and angry with every thing.  He had finally quit drinking 6 years ago and now…every day was a challenge.  He said he had returned to where his Vietnamese Army camp was located and found the Buddhist temple where he once entered with a gun. 

I didn’t push for details.  He said he had just broken down in tears when he left the temple and I think this had been a good turning point for him. 

We talked about Heaven and Hell, good and bad, the reason for our existence, and America.  We both knew we had an appointment up the road.  I said, “Let’s get up and find that park.”  He was going to head for Laos the next day. 

We found the park and he thanked me.  We were both on the road and I am grateful for having met him. 

May God bless him.

Nov

18

Beyond November 11th

Filed Under American Patriotism, Events, Quilts of Valor, Veteran's Day | 1 Comment

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 Wednesday was Veteran’s Day.  A twenty-four hour period where Americans are supposed to stop at some time during those hours to honor and reflect on the sacfrices made by our veterans so that others can live in a free and democratic country.  Truly, I don’t know how many Americans did this… With the busyness of daily life, I didn’t see much evidence that many knew the honorary day existed.  Yet, across the nation there many observances.

In our home we did something uniquely special.  Something we have never done before, nor will we do again. The event was a culmination of several months of planning. 

It included the thoughtfulness and generosity of family members and close friends, along with the sewing fingers of  the Caring Quilters of “The Rabbit’s Lair” in Rogers, AR.  Contributers are Betty Hayes, Marguerite Steiner, Nancy White and Patty Wilhelm and machine quilted by Donna Roche. All are dedicated to making a difference with the  “Quilts of Valor”. 

It was a secret for Tony, which took a great deal of evasive action and patience to execute.  In honor of all vets, we took this day to symbolize such respect by paying tribute to one.  Inviting several neighbors to share the evening, we ate a light dinner, then watched the touching movie, Taking Chance, the true story of a twenty-year old Marine who died in Iraq.  The movie chronicled the journey of Chance Phelps from Iraq to his family burial place in Dubois, Wyoming.  http://www.hbo.com/films/takingchance/

One member this evening, a former marine who flew helicopters in Vietnam, shared how, while he was waiting for his overseas assignment, was given the duty of informing two families of their loved ones’ death.  It was information he had never shared with any of us before and we could tell that the memory still remained with him.

At the very end of the evening, we surprised Tony with his own Quilt of Valor.  Needless to say, he was speechless and quite humbled.  You see, he understood that this distinctive comforter of courage was not just for him, but for every wounded warrior from every war past and present.  So Thank You every veteran for your sacrifice and service.  We hold you warmly in our hearts and minds, not just on November 11, but every day of every year.

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Nov

10

Veteran’s Day

Filed Under American Patriotism, Events, Veteran's Day | Comments Off on Veteran’s Day

Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2009

Following is a guest post from some dear friends. Thanks to all veterans on this day and every day!  Lest we forget, “Freedom Isn’t Free”

Post by Larry & Nancy Thoney:

flag-monument2Battered & Tattered, Yet, How Proudly It Waves!

 

 While traveling across the Navajo Reservation in the Monument Valley in AZ last winter, we saw an American flag flying in spite of what had obviously been some very hard times.  It was symbolic and we had to have that picture!

The ragged, tattered old flag reminds us of our country and the fact that it has also been through some trials and tribulations, but never-the-less our life style and independence have prevailed.  The reason our flag has continued to fly proudly, in spite of all, is largely because of the sacrifices of Veterans such as yourself.

Thanks so much for your contributions.   We Americans are forever grateful!

Happy, Healthy Trails to you and yours.

Two Appreciative Americans,

Larry and Nancy Thoney

 

 

Post by Janet J. Seahorn:

Today is Wednesday, November 11, 2009… Veteran’s Day.  Be sure to say thank you to every veteran you meet; not just today, but often.  Be sure to let them know how much you appreciate their sacrifice for our country.  A sacrifice that allows you and your family to live in peace and pursue your dreams of prosperity and happiness.  Be sure you say an extra prayer for the families of our troops who are far from home in harms way.  And may you live your life making a similar selfless commitment on behalf of others you may never know or meet.

 

Josh Groban in his song, You Raise Me Up, says it nicely. 

 

You Raise Me Up 

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary

When troubles come and my heart burdened be.

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence

Until you come and sit a while with me.

 

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

Your raise me up, to walk on stormy seas

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up… to more than I can be.

 

  Thanks to you, members of our military, you have raised us up higher than we could ever be without your contribution to freedom and liberty for all. 

  

God Bless America and God Bless our Veterans!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nov

6

When Humpty-Dumpty is Mom

Filed Under PTSD treatment, Today's War, Treating PTSD, Women in Combat | Comments Off on When Humpty-Dumpty is Mom

by Janet J. Seahorn

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War is hell, and there is no polite way to put it. 

But when modern war is fought by women as well as men, it can take an even more challenging toil on a family and community. 

As Americans, we are quickly learning that our country and its military facilities are struggling to provide appropriate treatment for its female troops.  There are many services for men; yet, we are not prepared to offer some of the same options for women.

This week I had two events occur from two different parts of the country.  The first was a disturbing phone call from a friend, who has several family members serving in the military.  All have fought in Iraq. Her son has been to both Iraq and Afghanistan on numerous tours of duty.

Her concern, however, was for her female family member.  After serving in Iraq the military woman has been home for almost three years, taking care of two small children while working full time in a demanding job.  The young mother had been exposed to a great deal while deployed, and has done her best to return to normal life stateside.

 Most of the time things are fine, but a few weeks ago, the memories, anxieties, and panic attacks returned with a vengeance.  As we have discussed numerous times in our blogs, the ghosts of combat often come back to take up residence in the homes of the military personnel. 

Without hesitation, this bright lady and her family sought help through the VA.  She has wisely enrolled in our local VA Clinic upon return from combat.  This time, however, she would need more intense treatment. 

Not a problem, except, that the only facility that could accommodate women only is in another state, making the decision to leave her family and work a great deal more difficult.

The second incident came via an article in the New York Times which was sent to me exactly two days after the first event.  Reading over the article’s information was all too familiar.  I had heard it just two days before.  The article by Damien Cave stated, “Never before has this country seen so many women paralyzed by the psychological scars of combat. 

As of June 2008, 19,084 female veterans of Iraq or Afghanistan had received diagnoses of mental disorders from the Department of Veteran Affairs, including 8,454 women with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress — and this number does not include troops still active, or those who have never used the V.A. system” (Internet, Nov. 1, 2009).

The article continued to comment on what we have heard from many female vets, that because they are women, “people underestimate what these women have been through” (Resick, Internet, Nov. 1, 2009). 

Since war has been traditionally fought by men, we have seen the Humpty-Dumpty effect. But what happens when Humpty is Mom?  What happens when Mom is the wounded warrior? What happens to the children?  What happens to the organizational system of the home: the washing, cooking, cleaning, and daily tasks? 

Who steps up to help nurture the nurturer when she needs comfort, care, and support?  These are vital questions that need to be explored and addressed.

When Humpty-Dumpty is Mom, she can be put back together; however, the tools and glue may be pink instead of blue.