Dec

30

The Journey Begins

Filed Under Return To Vietnam 

"Lest We Forget"

"Lest We Forget"

It is late Tuesday evening and I have spent the day taking down the Christmas tree, cleaning house, washing clothes, picking up last minute items, and packing for our long awaited trip to Vietnam.  A trip that we feel quite excited as well as a bit apprehensive to be taking.  It is almost as if we are putting our past and present in order —- a preparation for a new future.  The fact that we will be beginning a new year when we leave very early January 1, 2009 is almost too metaphorical for our situation.  We are trying hard not to anticipate what might happen once in country, but feel prepared.  Monday we visited a therapist in Cheyenne who trained us both on a deep breathing activity that we can utilize if either one of us gets to feeling a bit anxious or overwhelmed.  Somedays it would be nice to be two again — all we would need to feel comforted would be a blankie and a soft teddy bear.  Guess we will have to settled for the deep breathing and maybe a big, fluffy pillow.  Happy New Year and may this coming year truly bring peace and good will to all.

Comments

6 Responses to “The Journey Begins”

  1. Ted Engelmann on December 31st, 2008 9:50 am

    Tony,

    Have a great trip to Viet Nam. You’ll be well received, and your visits to Da Nang, Hue, and elsewhere will be quite a memorable experience. I know. My first return was February 1989, and I have spent considerable time north and south over the past 20 years.

    Have no fear…only positive changes will happen. New visuals and old smells will greet you, along with 75% of the population that was born after the war.

    It’s a new world. It’s a new year. You might find a new life.

    Cheers,

    Ted

  2. Tom Powell on December 31st, 2008 1:52 pm

    I was born in hanna and went thru 11 grade in Rawlins. 5 of my friends and i joined the army together in 1966 and i served with the 101st airborne (screaming eagles) in vietnam from nov, 1967 to dec, 1968. i carried m-60 machine gun. was 1 of few in my company not to receive purple heart. sometimes i wished i were 1 of the lucky ones who were medivaced and out of the field. in my mind i never thought i would be going home alive and i had accepted that. i wasnt scared, just wanted it to end. i have found a few of my friends from there on the internet and we have gotten together a few times. it is really fun getting together with them and i think it helps us all. im bout the only 1 who doesnt get ptsd pay from the government. not sure i understand it.
    peggy seahorn lived with my parents and worked for my mom in rawlins at 1 time in the 60’s. she was a year or 2 older then me. i remember her being a very sweet pretty girl. my mother was from elk mtn. she had 9 brothers and 5 sisters. many are still in area and i cant count my cousins. lol.
    have an aunt and uncle own something at walcott junction. not sure what. fay and ed schofield is name.
    sherman and machelle shedd in missouri are my wife and i’s best buddies. they r wonderful people. love them to death.
    enjoy your trip. be safe. god bless. byeeeee

    Tom Powell

  3. Lorin Ricker on January 2nd, 2009 1:47 pm

    We were so lucky to get to have lunch with you on Wednesday, the day before you left for your SE Asia tour. You both were so excited, mixed with just a bit of apprehension, to be going on this marvelous and promising journey.

    Many folks think that “things happen for a reason” — but perhaps that’s taking too passive a view… Some people actively “make reasons for things to happen”. It’s just living with, and for, intent.

    You’re embarked on an adventure of a lifetime, but one with a purpose, even if it’s sometimes difficult to articulate. We look forward to what you’ll be bringing back to and for the rest of us, as you continue your journey of discovery, sharing and helping the other vets and soldiers who will benefit from your insights and wisdom gained from the walk you’re walking together.

    God speed… Enjoy the path and the people you’ll meet. See you soon!

    our love,
    — Dixie & Lorin
    — Meghan & Jason

  4. Jason and Meghan Palmer on January 2nd, 2009 4:32 pm

    Like Lorin above,
    Jason and I were so lucky and honored to have had the chance to meet you both. Being able to sit and talk with a couple who have been on the path to recovery for 30 years, t(hat we’ve just started) has opened our eyes… we know that there is life after combat and PTSD. You’ve given me a new ideas and coping mechanisms to better understand Jason’s journey. We’ve walked away with friends for life! Please know that as a solider and spouse,we are forever thinking of our “brothers” May this journey back, though difficult be all that it can… A new journey in this thing we call life. We look forward to seeing you again.

    Jason and Meghan Palmer

  5. Tony on January 2nd, 2009 6:55 pm

    We enjoyed the time with all four of you. Looking forward to appearing on the radio talk show in Feb. after we return.
    Tony & Jan

  6. Nord Hjerleid on January 3rd, 2009 6:31 am

    Tony, Jan,

    Just wanted to say hi! Got home yesterday from the cabin to find that a 40 square foot area of my roof had headed to Nebraska with the high winds that we experienced here…over 90 mph. Anyway, got it repaired just as it was getting dark.
    Cody and I are going pheasant hunting Monday and Tuesday. Going to take a guy from LMT with me. I’m going to let him shoot all the birds….well, all but 1 or 2.
    We’ll stay in touch.
    Nord….