Remember our vets. Often, I have trouble sleeping remembering those who died defending our country. Other times, I feel deep shame for not caring enough, or knowing how to effectively help those who came back from wars to help themselves. In particular, I agonize over what I should have done to help my Uncle Bryant Griffin, who died in North Carolina in the late 70s, as surely a casualty of the Vietnam War as if he had been killed there, rather than died here, wracked in body and soul and mind. Yes, Bryant (a Green Beret) was a much-decorated war hero, although he was not honored here, far from it! Another group that troubles my sleep are those who are still struggling, decades later, to adapt to civilian life after Nam (and other conflicts). My Brother, Thomas (Tommy) Lee Maness (Sr.), of Richlands, NC, is one of those. Among other medical problems, Tommy has to undergo dialysis twice per week. The frustration I feel at being unable to assist my own Brother to overcome his experiences in Nam, etc., are as hard as rock, and a burden too heavy to carry. Those who read this and are friends with Tommy, and any of the innumerable others like him, please let him know you are his friend before he, too, becomes another Bryant recognized too late.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 19:56:54 +0000
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