Where are We going to go?

I think I have finally hit the wall around the realities of what the "poor" face in our city.

Up until a couple of years ago the "poor" were fairly easy to identify.
We all knew who they were, where they “lived” and the challenges they faced around feeding their families, housing, transportation and the limited choices they had with little or no disposable income.

We visited homeless shelters, tent cities and served meals at indoor shelters when we could-
We advocated for housing, medical services, education, and a open heart from the community.

Things have changed.
Changed dramatically!

I now know college grads living at home, or with three or four roommates, because they can't find a job and are trying desperately to figure out how they’re ever going to pay their student loans.

Worse yet, I know people working hard that are facing soaring rental increases that are beyond their reach.

One person's situation is bothering me the most.

A single mom, in her thirties, has just been notified that her rent will increase by $800.00 a month! Her rent will now be $2,000.00 a month for a two bedroom apartment, in an old building, not worthy of this rent increase.
She works more than full time, for a local school district, in a first grade classroom dedicated to special needs kids.
Her income does not allow her to ever consider $2,000.00 a month rent.

In addition to her paid job she coaches special needs adults, mentors and supports the imprisoned and is a stellar mother dedicated to her son’s success.
She is the role model we all applaud when given the opportunity.
We applaud as we allow her to frantically look for a place to live in a city that no longer seems to welcome those who earn a real living doing the work we so honor.

Where will she go?
Where will I go?

What have we done to ourselves?

Give Peace a Chance

Dear cynics, and those dedicated to a failed American president-
The rapprochement with Iran is a good thing for us, and the people of Iran. It is a good thing for the world---
To quote Ronald Reagan, "Trust but verify." Thats exactly what STEP #1 of this agreement calls for---
C'mon, Give Peace a Chance.
We truly deserve it!

Hey Republicans - Why?

Hey Republicans. 
Why do you constantly target the poor, homeless, kids, the elderly, women, immigrants, the terminally ill, veterans, gays, low income workers, recipients of food stamps, early education, the middle class, special education, infrastructure funding, a farm bill, a jobs bill and of course, health care for all?

Please, Affordable Health Care is not a BILL-its a law! Stop trying to rope in those who remain willfully ignorant thinking you are doing god's work--
You arnt! Good people don't hurt people given the choice not to---
You should be ashamed of your collective selves. No truth, no courage, no ethics and no moral net beneath you---
You have not passed one single piece of legislation since coming in to office in 2011. Shame on you!
WE DESERVE BETTER!!!

Angel in the Sky!!

Say hello to Captain Art Godjikian of Airlift Northwest (Critical Care in the Air). 

This afternoon he safely delivered a little girl into the hands of doctors at Seattle's Children's Hospital. 

His emergency flight took forty seven minutes, carried two nurses, the patient and the little girls mom. (These choppers fly 24 hours a day in all our challenging weather). 

Art brought his passengers from high desert, over the Cascades, to this landing spot east of the University of Washington campus.
We had a nice visit as we waited for the nurses to return from the hospital. As the ambulance returning the nurses to the chopper drew close, one of the nurses put his hand out of the passenger side window and gave a thumbs up. 

A good day for all. 

Thanks Art.

Dear Americans

Dear Americans,
13 more shot dead!
Wasn't the slaughter of children in Sandy Hook suppose to be the moment when we said ENOUGH!!??
How is it possible that the bully, the NRA, crushes rational policies to keep all our "kids" safe. 
All those that died yesterday were someones kids...
We all deserve better!!

Dear Republicans

Dear Republicans, 
Why do you continue to denigrate the president, and us? Is it because we want peace as a first option, the money we contributed to Social Security, health care for all, quality education, rebuilding our infrastructure, rational gun controls, women's rights, gay rights, voters rights and a secular government???
Please, focus on what you can bring to the country versus what you can take from it...
We all deserve much better!!

This is not a MODEST proposal!

The original Francis was unable to broker peace in the Middle East.
Maybe Pope Francis could put together a coalition of religious leaders to lead their flocks on a massive march to Damascus, Teheran, Jerusalem etc. etc. to end killing.
Stop killing as an acceptable option!!
Gandhi's fast stopped the killing between Hindu's and Moslems, at least for a while.
Imagine the Pope leading a march from Rome to Damascus followed by every Cardinal, bishop, priest, nun and believers to join masses of Moslems, Jews, Hindus etc etc- 
It's going to take more than talking about peace to actually bring it about.
Yeah, I know- who is going to take that kind of risk for peace??

Kids Needing Your Help!!

           Kids Being Kids Photo by M Barrett Miller

While the focus of my friends at Avivara is primarily on education and working with schools, Guatemala often challenges them with needs that go beyond education. Such is the case with the village of Xeatzan Alto. A little over two years ago a slow moving landslide developed underneath the village, and since then large crevasses have opened up, destroying the foundations and walls of houses and in the school. 

Avivara has met with the village elders about their situation, and have taken film crews, civil engineers and other visitors to the village to see and document the ongoing destruction (see photos and powerpoint below). Unfortunately, it is likely that the situation will only get worse as the rainy season here continues to erode away the ground. 

The village leaders have met with local and national government officials, but so far there has been no response from them indicating that there would be any assitance forthcoming to the village. So, the people of Xeatzan Alto have asked Avivara to help publicize their plight as well as help them raise money as a down payment on other property where they can move their entire village. (Their current property is owned communally and they would like to keep their families together and their community intact.)

Because this is a slowly developing disaster, there won't be coverage on CNN, the BBC, or even in the local Guatemalan media. But, the danger is immanent and the need is there.

Article 25 of the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights states:

"Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing,housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livlihood in circumstances beyond his control."

You can help the children of Xeatzan Alto not be denied this basic human right. 

If you would like more information regarding the situation in Xeatzan Alto, please feel free to Avivara or Let Kids Be Kids.

http://www.avivara.org/images/Xeatzan_Alto_Relocation_PP.pdf

Thank you

M Barrett Miller
Let Kids Be Kids 

Stepping out of Homelessness

See Seattle actor Dan Niven playing Atreus (video), a man temporarily broken by life events.

Atreus bounced around Seattle living in Tent Cities for three years.
Mr.Niven has focused on when Atreus starts to step out if his own shadows to once again embrace life. Dan has accurately portrayed Atreus's reluctance,stammer and stuttering as he breaks out of his internal world. (The words Mr. Niven is sharing are Atreus speaking to me via the notes he passed on-)

      Dan Niven Photo by M Barrett Miller

 When I first encountered Atreus he did/would not speak or interact with any of us who visited the homeless camp. After some time we exchanged notes with him eventually giving me stories of others in camp.

Starbucks plays a big role in the story, as their employees volunteered a number of times to help with camp moves.
Starbucks ( Mermaid ) is always generous and supportive of those on the margins. 

Mr. Niven has based his presentation on "View from the Tent" a book about Atreus compiled by M Barrett Miller.
It is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Lulu and via the website Let Kids Be Kids or on our advocacy site.

"Love Wins"

"This Class Changed My Life..."

Last night I attended a Seattle School Board meeting in support of returning funds to Special Education programs.
Special Education is experiencing Draconian cuts! 

These cuts impact those who are unable, for the most part, to speak up for themselves. 

I also attended to show my support for a teacher who has been transferred from a Seattle High School, Center School, to a Seattle Middle School because of the complaints of one family about the content in his curriculum. 

Here is a very short video of a young lady pleading with the School Board to re-instate a teacher "that changed her life."

If you are interested in signing the petition below you may do so on the following link.
We strongly urge the Seattle School Board to reallocate funds to Special Education and to re-instate Jon Greenberg at The Center School. 
M. Barrett Miller 
Managing Director 
Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.

“Seattle School District forces out Race and Social Justice teacher

Confronting racism is a great idea in theory at the Seattle public schools, but when put into practice the Seattle School District and Board shutter at the idea of allowing teachers to confront issues that might make people politically and socially uncomfortable.

Last week the Seattle School District announced its intentions to transfer Jon Greenberg out of The Center School due to a parental complaint. Jon Greenberg has taught Race and Social Justice at Center School for ten years, this is the first and only complaint he has ever received.

So what is the School District’s response to a teacher stepping outside the normal 12th grade Language Arts and History curriculum and challenging his students to look beyond themselves and at racial inequality that exists in the world? Well in the case of Jon Greenberg, they investigate him and transfer him a Middle School.

Jon Greenberg teaches 12th grade Humanities at The Center School, a small arts focused public school that exists above the food court at Seattle Center. Jon has taught race and social justice for 10 years and through that time has inspired many student to pursue social activism in the community, not to mention the recipient of many awards, including the recent Seattle Human Services Coalition Mayoral Proclamation. It is also worth noting that out of all the teachers in the Seattle School District school district, Jon is one of the few who has an established curriculum addressing racial issues.

In March, Jon’s curriculum came under review as a result of one student and their parent's complaint that the curriculum was “intimidating”. The resulting action of the complaint was an investigation into how the curriculum was taught. Once the District concluded their investigation, they found the class created an intimidating educational environment for a student, even though they failed to gain context interviewing other students who were present during the alleged intimidation.

The curriculum review process caused a two-week suspension of discussing social justice issues in the class and led to the removal of Courageous Conversions (which the district itself used to educated teachers on issues of racial inequality) and content deemed age inappropriate for 17 and 18 year olds. More information can be found at http://seattletimes.com/html/education/2020515075_bandadecisionxml.html

During the suspension many of the students rallied behind Jon to help reinstate the curriculum. Then complaining parents of the student who filed the initial complaint, filed a second complaint claiming alleged retaliation against their child. They claimed that Jon Greenberg had prompted the students to fight the curriculum suspension and review. This was not the case, the concerned students of the Center School put up the petition and contacted the press.

Nonetheless, the second investigation by the School District found Jon Greenberg guilty of intimidating the student because his students had mounted a defense. On June 1st, Jon received a letter confirming his transfer to Hamilton Middle School. More information can be found at http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2013/06/03/seattle-students-protest-popular-teachers-transfer/

Jon Greenberg’s transfer for teaching a curriculum that received overwhelming support from the Seattle Education Association. It sends a chilling effect to all of teachers within the District. It effectively shuts down any curriculum that effectively incorporates discussions of race and social justice, and sends the message loud and clear that we as a district don’t talk about difficult or controversial subjects.

We are asking for your help. Contact the district and school board and ask that Jon Greenberg not be transferred and that his Courageous Conversations curriculum be implemented across the district

Sincerely,

Concerned Students of The Center School”

A Giant Prepares to Depart...

                Matt      Photo by M Barrett Miller

Rather than having a memorial, after the inevitable, Matt Barrett agreed to have a celebration instead.
It was held last night in the parish hall at St Joseph's, in Seattle.
The end is near for Matt.

Watch his long time friend Brooke (video) telling one tale, of many, about how Matt has made the very best of a lousy hand.

See the following article sharing some background information on Matt.

I've Had a Great Run.

 Matt has been a courageous role model for so many over the years. He was recently recognized by Invisible Disabilities.org for his generosity of spirit, and his dedication, to reaching out to the sick, lonely,  homeless and others in need of a kind word.

Here's a little story.

Back when Matt was hired by the circus one of his jobs required he lead a grizzly out of the arena when the trainer gave him the high sign. This all went very smoothly until one day when the trainer got ill towards the end of the performance. What Matt didn't know was the trainer always gave "Bruno" a couple of peanuts before turning and handing the lead to Matt. Well, the assistant trainer, worried about the other two bears gave Matt the lead line to take Bruno out. He either didn't know about the peanuts, or forgot due to the anxiety of the moment.

Bruno didn't want to move.
Matt gently pulled on him.
Bruno struck out leaving Matt's left ear dangling by a thread of flesh.
When the dust settled, and the bears and Matt were attended to, he was told that policy was that any animal that "attacked" an employee would have to be put down.
Matt sat there for a moment before replying, "Then I quit. If I don't work here there is no reason to punish Bruno for dong what comes naturally to a bear."
Bruno lived.
Matt went on to new adventures.

We'll all miss you Matt.

Safe journey.

M Barrett Miller
Let Kids Be Kids, Inc. 

A Good Neighbor

Photo by M Barrett Miller

A good neighbor.

The other morning I couldn’t help but hear an elderly man, who was sitting next to me at Starbucks, lament that courtesy, respect and service were gone in this country.
He was speaking loudly enough to draw in patrons from half way across the room who were more than happy to shake their collective heads in wonder to what he was carrying on about.
Since I was unintentionally roped into the conversation I countered his whinging by sharing the following with him, after determining that he was a neighborhood resident and knew the service station I was going to tell him about-

I began my tale with…
A few weeks ago I was driving north on 35^th Avenue NE (Seattle). When I crossed 125^th the pickup truck that had turned on to 125^th in front of me dropped most of his higgledy piggledy load on to the street right in front of me. The nearness of his trespass, and oncoming traffic, forced me to drive right through the mess.
At first it seemed I was delivered unscathed.
A block or so later the thump under my front left told me life was not going to remain so simple.
I turned around and went back to where the fella was loading his treasures back into his truck. I walked across the street and told him I had found a four-inch rod sticking out of my tire. My thought at that moment was to enlist his help and hit him up for the price of a new Michelin.
Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to understand and kept shaking his head in a “who me” kind of way.
I knew this was going nowhere so I crossed back to my car to begin the jacking up and changing the tire nightmare.

I’ve had minor servicing and assistance from Bill Waters, the owner of the Spirit Service station on 35^th Ave NE & NE 95^th in the past, so I called him to see if he would have a tire I could buy when I finished changing my tire.
I was amazed by his response. “I’ll close the station and come down there and help you with the tire. You can then drive up here in an hour or so and we’ll put on the new one.”
Wow!
He was there in a heartbeat.
As only a professional can manage, he had my car ready to roll on the mini tire within minutes.
As promised, I rolled out of his station two hours later on a brand new tire.

The old digger was about to reply to my little story when I went in for the kill.
I told him I was at the Spirit station one Sunday evening. When I rolled into my aisle I saw a little old lady standing staring at her designated pump in the most lost of ways. I could tell she was way out of her comfort zone and asked her if I could help. She told me she always came into Bill’s station, as he always had someone there to help her buy gas. She was a bit embarrassed that she hadn’t bought her gas when the station was open or ever learned how to pump her own gas.
I thought of my mother and how she would have been totally lost when most stations went to self-serve.
After a few laughs she was on her way with a full tank.
I recall thinking at the time that it was a real shame that the kind of service some of us had experienced as we grew up was disappearing.

When Bill came to my rescue he renewed my faith.

Bill’s station may be pennies more expensive but you’re getting way more for your dollars than you’ll ever get at the kiosk only joints.

Oh, the old boy at Starbucks said he’d buy a tank at the Spirit gas station.
Hope he does-

Thanks Bill.

M Barrett Miller
Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.
http://www.letkidsbekids.org

Looks Like Love to Me!

              True Love  Photo by M Barrett Miller

Looks like love to me!

For years we went from home to the barn and from the barn to home.
Everyday.
I could always feel Danielle’s anticipation growing as she headed to her riding lessons.
I well remember that very first lesson she ever had.
I recall giving her lessons as a Christmas gift way long ago.
She did great up on the big old horse that was gently introducing her to what would become a vocation she chased for years.

There was the first time without a lead, the first time trotting, cantering, galloping and god forbid, the first time over a rail.
The first time she was thrown is etched in my memory.
The first broken bones, painful sprains, wins and losses!

Barn horses came and went as she grew and became more skilled.
Most of the kids were hoping to have their own horse so they could show and compete with whom they loved above all else.
Enter a frisky Morgan willing to give his all for her in the park and “A” rated shows.
Later on she outgrew him and his abilities to challenge the hot bloods in the more competitive categories.
He moved on though she never stopped loving his nosy kisses.
A courageous Appaloosa, carried her to many wins and to more than a few championships.
Just before we kicked off for Ireland she rode him in a jump-off against one of her coaches.
It was one of the scariest, and most exhilarating rides, I have ever watched. She gave him his head and he took the course like the champion he truly was.
She and “Little” took the N Y Seltzer championship! 

Later, in the college years, she was unable to compete though she held the dream alive.
After graduation she bought a green horse that had never trotted into a competitive ring.
Within a year he was ready.
In his very first show he placed.
He continued to place until she sold him.

Looking back it seemed like we lived at the barn and that we would always be at some show or another.
I would always be holding some horse while it was groomed, tacked, braided, inspected.
Now, it all seems like a dream.
Time has fogged the particulars leaving a wonderful memory of time spent with Danielle, some great kids, and some mighty fine horses.
All in all not a bad view in the rear view mirror.
Thank you all.
Particular thanks to Phyllis, Bunny, Mike, Cathy, multiple horses, zany Jack Russells, all the supportive parents, for some of the very best years-

Did He Deserve Better?

Photo by M Barrett Miller

Did He Deserve Better?

Last Monday, a man, driving while intoxicated, ran down four people crossing the street a half block east of a Seattle Middle School.
A couple died on the spot leaving behind, on the street, a daughter in law and grandchild who are presently fighting for their lives in the critical care unit of a local hospital.
He was arrested.

The week’s news has been all about his previous DUI’s and how he was driving drunk, without a license or ignition lock on his truck.

Everyday the Seattle papers have investigated the mans record, present state law on DUI, other state laws, penalties, technological remedies, and the open question on what can be done to curb driving while intoxicated.

I haven’t seen any articles about the man.
The man who was driving, that is.
There have been a few anecdotal comments about his coaching, his battles with booze, his divorce, what a good guy he is etc.

What I’m wondering about is why he was unable to tame the monster inside telling him he needed to drink to feel better.
Of course, I don’t know if that’s really his internal question but I’ll risk it based on others I have known who literally drank themselves to death.
Some couldn’t leave the jungles of Vietnam.
One couldn’t cope with the loss of his wife and kids.
One never got the message that she was intrinsically okay.
Some will never shake the smells of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lots of messaging pushing one towards the door to oblivion!

No, I’m not justifying any behaviors.
I’m just wondering what went so wrong that this driver showed up for a previous DUI hearing only to be charged with being drunk at the hearing.
Why would anyone do that?
You’re saying, “Only an idiot would show up at his DUI hearing drunk.”
Perhaps not an idiot, but one so broken there were no other good options on his table of choices.

So, what do we do?
Crucify him!
Throw away the key!
More laws with stiffer penalties!
Better vehicle technologies that will recognize an inebriated driver?

Perhaps, we need to see this man as someone who needs what is the hardest thing for us to offer-love.
Not all forgiving love, but the love that tells us, when we are young, that we are valuable and worthy of love.
That this journey is enough by itself and we can, with help, take a sword to the demons that call for our self-destruction.

I hope he, and the injured families, find some kind of peace in this maelstrom of sorrow.

* Homestreet Bank –Wedgewood Neighborhood, Seattle, 98115, has a medical fund you can contribute to for the two in critical care. Acct #5322733430 Routing #325084426 

M Barrett Miller
Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.

Sassi, You Deserve Better!

           Sassi Photo by M Barrett Miller

Say hello to Sassi.
She lives on the streets of Seattle. 
Well, in doorways, under the freeway, in the greenbelt. 

She's been on her own since age nine and has experienced about everything your mind can come up with-

Sassi has lots of challenges, though retains a sliver of humor about her abilities, and inabilities, with herself and others in society.

Dumpster diving to find treasures that can be can be turned into art brings her a few coins an hour from people passing by where she’s hanging out.
She doesn’t have a license to sell, or to solicit donations, so she hopes what she creates will please enough people to keep her going.

I told Sassi about my videos entitled “Am I the Face of Homelessness?’ I showed her a couple so she could see my approach.
Funny, she knew one of the ladies I recently interviewed.
Small homeless world!
She was fine with me shooting some video as I asked her a few questions.
I deleted the video I shot, as it was just too hard to watch.
Sassi asked me to come back and visit with her some more.
Maybe I will-

M Barrett Miller

Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.

Jumping for Joy!!!

Dear Let Kids Be Kids,

               I am writing to inform you that you have been nominated for a Center for Service and Community Engagement “Spirit of Community” Award.

Congratulations!

In considering award recipients, we asked the Seattle University community to nominate a community partner who exemplifies the CSCE goal of creating strong reciprocal partnerships in order to foster social change and contributes positively to the development of reflective, creative, compassionate, and just student leaders.

                    On behalf of the Center for Service and Community Engagement, congratulations on your nomination and thank you for your partnership!

15 March 2013

Thank you. And thank you for sending this great letter just when we needed it!!

M Barrett Miller

Let Kids Be Kids,Inc.

A Special Person...

Megan & Jay

Megan Anne and Jay, her son, aged fourteen, are only two of the more than 8,000 Special Olympics volunteers in Washington State.
Their generosity, and the volunteerism of others, helps support more than 7,000 athletes participating in various sports.

Megan began her involvement when she was a fifteen-year-old high school student in Everett, Washington.
She had recently returned to the states from attending school in Dublin, Ireland, where, among other things, she saw, though maybe not totally consciously, how many disabled people were totally integrated into society.
In Dublin she occasionally ran into film crews working on “My Left Foot’, the story of Christy Brown and his struggles to be accepted by his family and society in the forties and fifties.
She definitely heard the Pogues singing their tribute to Christy in their song “Down All the Days.” Later U2 added that song to their 20^th anniversary edition of “Actung Baby”.
St. Brendan’s School – Clinic, where Christy went to school, wasn’t that far away from where Megan lived in Sandymount.
The school she attended in Booterstown-Blackrock was academically robust.

When she returned to the states didn’t feel overly challenged academically, or socially, in her high school and looked to do something more important with her time. After looking at different opportunities she met Robert, a school counselor, who coached Special Olympic athletes.
It all came together-

Over the years Megan has continually volunteered to serve Special Olympic athletes, as she held down a full time position in a women’s clinic and raised her boy to be the stellar young man he is today.
For the last two years she’s been in a public school classroom assisting with the education and development of “Special Ed” kids coping with an assortment of challenges.
Watching her interact with these kids, and the adults on her Special Olympics team, illuminates all the lessons offered by the great Sages.

Last weekend her Special Olympic basketball team, the Black Knights, won the state championship. They were undefeated in the regionals, and in the double over time shoot out for the championship.
This is their first time basking in gold!
Well deserved!
The team members dedication, perseverance, and skills are a tribute to Robert, who is still coaching, and to Megan and Jay who have dedicated a lot of love and time to bring both to others in need.

Thank you Megan, Jay and Robert for being who you are-

M Barrett Miller

Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.

"Am I a Monster?"

Photo by M Barrett Miller

Am I a Monster?

On a daily basis we are hearing, and reading, more about the suicide rate in the military.
In addition to those dismal statistics it has become mainstream news that many people returning from one, or multiple tours, from Iraq or Afghanistan, are coming home broken.
Many face challenges beyond their abilities to cope.
Many find family relationships frayed beyond repair.
Many cannot find employment.
More are showing up on the streets homeless and lost.
Many are wandering around inside their heads trying to avoid the message that they became a monster over there.

Paul, a Seattle resident, faced the fury of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese when they swooped down on the South Vietnamese, American and allied troops on 20 January 1968, forever know as the Tet Offensive.
Paul was part of the intensive fighting around Huế that lasted a month.
It concluded when the city was destroyed, as the Communists were executing thousands.
Paul spent another seven months slogging through the muck in pursuit of the VC.
After his tour, and a rotation back to Pendleton, he left the Marines in hopes of putting it all behind him.
He never did-
Paul spent the rest of his life getting high and incredibly drunk whenever he could. He couldn’t hold a regular job so he honed his skills working with stone. He was good at molding boulders to his will in the most amazing ways. His talent brought him work, as his addictions burned up the money.
His relationships were destroyed.
His kids avoided him.
Four trips to 21-day rehab clinics did nothing.
He couldn’t find any peace.
He couldn’t stop drinking.

As the years passed his military service became more irrelevant.
The monster that his inner voice created only quieted when he was out cold in an alcohol daze.
1968 might as well have been when the dinosaurs roamed.
Paul was irrelevant.
Paul was alone.
Paul was dying inside.
Iraq and Afghanistan got all the news. 
Paul had a very difficult time talking about his experiences beyond clipped words that slipped out half way down the bottle of Jack.
He knew I knew, so not a lot had to be said.
He experienced what I had not, but he knew I knew.
We hung out quite a bit.

Paul’s reactions, and integrations of his experiences, are not all that unique to many I know, or knew, who fought in Vietnam.
Many returned to live out “normal” lives.
Many did not.
Many still deal with the stink of the jungle and all it brought to their young souls.

Paul died of guilt.
Sure, his liver was shot from years of booze.
The docs also blamed Agent Orange, though that may have been to give him some last day coverage and lesson his deathbed shame.
His family had gathered around his hospital bed though he may have never known it, as he never opened his eyes those last few days.
Paul was a good guy broken by more than he could ever carry.

Today’s story, carried by the AP, is the truth, whether we want to accept it or not.

“… WASHINGTON (AP) 22 FEBRUARY 2013 –A veteran of the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, former Marine Capt. Timothy Kudo thinks of himself as a killer – and he carries the guilt every day.
“I cant forgive myself,” he says. “And the people who can forgive me are dead.”

I’m sorry Paul that there was no cure for you and no relief from your guilt.
I miss you-
Semper Fi

M Barrett Miller
Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.